Effects of Velocity Loss Threshold Within Resistance Training During Concurrent Training on Endurance and Strength Performance.

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the effects of 3 training interventions: 1 isolated endurance training (ET) and 2 concurrent training (CT), which differed in the velocity loss (VL) magnitude allowed during the resistance training (RT) set: 15% (VL15) versus 45%, on strength and endurance running performance. METHODS: A total of 33 resistance- and endurance-trained men were randomly allocated into 3 groups: VL15, VL 45%, and ET. ET was similar across all groups. The CT groups differed in the VL allowed during the RT set. Before and after the 8-week training program the following tests were performed: (1) running sprints, (2) vertical jump, (3) progressive loading test in the squat exercise, and (4) incremental treadmill running test up to maximal oxygen uptake. RESULTS: Significant differences (P < .001) in RT volume (approximately 401 vs 177 total repetitions for VL 45% and VL15, respectively) were observed. Significant "group" × "time" interactions were observed for vertical jump and all strength-related variables: the CT groups attained significantly greater gains than ET. Moreover, a significant "group" × "time" interaction (P = .03) was noted for velocity at maximal oxygen uptake. Although all groups showed increases in velocity at maximal oxygen uptake, the VL15 group achieved greater gains than the ET group. CONCLUSIONS: CT interventions experienced greater strength gains than the ET group. Although all groups improved their endurance performance, the VL15 intervention resulted in greater gains than the ET approach. Therefore, moderate VL thresholds in RT performed during CT could be a good strategy for concurrently maximizing strength and endurance development.

Injuries of the obturator muscles in professional soccer players.

PURPOSE: Obturator externus and internus muscular tears are uncommon injuries. Only a few case reports exist, mainly in high-level athletes. Our aim is to describe a series of obturator externus and internus muscular tears in professional soccer players. METHODS: Injury data from four teams from the First Division of the Spanish Soccer League were collected over a total of four seasons. Any soccer player who sustained an injury to either the obturator externus or internus identified on magnetic resonance (MRI) was included. All injured players were treated non-operatively with a goal of returning to play as fast as possible. RESULTS: Sixteen players sustained injuries to the obturator externus and internus during matches or training sessions. The main complaint was anterior hip pain with a physical examination showing pain during internal rotation or external rotation of the flexed hip. The MRI documented 12 muscular tears of the obturator externus, and 4 muscular tears of the obturator internus. All injuries were treated conservatively based on physical therapy, analgesic medications, and underwent a symptoms-based rehabilitation protocol. Mean return to play was 11.5  ±  8.8 days. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, tears of the obturator externus and internus occur in professional soccer players. The MRI scan was essential to the location, classification, and evaluation of the injury size. The clinical relevance of our investigation is based on the relatively benign prognosis of these injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Patellar Tendinopathy and Potential Risk Factors: An International Database of Cases and Controls.

OBJECTIVES: Numerous risk factors have been identified for patellar tendinopathy (PT), often in small population studies. The aim was to use an international online questionnaire to generate a large database and identify significant risk factors. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Private practice and sporting teams recruited from England, Spain, and Italy with the questionnaire available in all 3 languages (equivalence between online and self-administration shown previously). All data were anonymized and password protected. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred twenty-five data sets collected between January 2012 and May 2014. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: A total of 23.4% of participants had clinically diagnosed PT. A comparison between these participants and participants without PT was made. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Association between the presence of PT and risk factors. RESULTS: Eight risk factors were included in the analysis based on a purposeful selection procedure: sex, hours of training, hamstring flexibility, previous patellar tendon rupture, previous knee injury, current/previous back pain, family history, and age. Four were found to have statistically significant odds ratios: female sex [0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.49-1.00, P = 0.05], hours of training (>20 hours 8.94, 95% CI, 4.68-17.08, P < 0.01), previous knee injury (2.10, 95% CI, 1.45-3.04, P < 0.01), and flexible hamstrings (0.61, 95% CI, 0.38-0.97, P = 0.04). There was a trend toward association for back pain (1.45, 95% CI, 0.99-2.14, P = 0.06) and a family history of tendon problems (1.51, 95% CI, 0.96-2.37, P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors have been identified that are potentially modifiable to inform prevention and rehabilitation programs; future research is required to establish causal relationships. Identified risk factors require mechanistic investigation as they are not currently recognized in the literature.

Determinant factors of pull-up performance in trained athletes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship among pull-up and lat pull exercises and different anthropometric dimensions in trained athletes. METHODS: Twenty-five males were evaluated for maximum number of pull-ups, one-repetition maximum lat pull (1RM Lat Pull), lat pull repetitions at 80% 1RM (Lat Pull at 80% 1RM), lat pull repetitions at a load equivalent to body mass (Lat Pull at BM-load), and different anthropometric variables. Furthermore, the subjects were divided in higher (HPG, N.=12) and lower pull-up performance (LPG, N.=13) to compare the differences in the variables analyzed between both levels. RESULTS: Pull-ups were significantly correlated with Lat Pull at BM-load (r=0.62, P<0.01) but neither with 1RM Lat Pull (r=0.09) nor with Lat Pull at 80% 1RM (r=-0.15). Pull-ups showed a significant (P<0.05) negative relationship with body mass (BM, r=-0.55), lean body mass (LBM, r=-0.51), and fat mass (FM, r=-0.52), while BM and LBM were significantly correlated with 1RM Lat Pull (r=0.55, P<0.05). HPG showed significantly (P<0.05) lower BM (0/3/97%), FM (1/3/97%) and LBM (1/4/95%) than LPG. Furthermore, HPG attained significantly (P<0.05 - 0.001) greater performance in Lat Pull at BM-load (100/0/0%) and 1RM Lat Pull/BM (96/3/2%) than LPG. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that pull-up and lat pull exercises have common elements. Moreover, the anthropometric dimensions seem to influence differently on both exercises, depending on the strength indicator evaluated.