ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 6-week high-velocity strength training (HVST) intervention on movement velocity and strength endurance in experienced powerlifters with cerebral palsy (CP). Eleven experienced powerlifters with CP and seven from a control group (CON), were subjected to 6-week HVST. An assessment of movement velocity and strength endurance was conducted one week before (T1) and one week after (T2) the 6-week training intervention. During testing, athletes performed a maximum number of bench press repetitions possible within 5 sets of 15 s each, with 1-min passive rest intervals in-between. The indicator of movement velocity was the weight pressed in the first 5 s (5sW) in all performed sets. Strength endurance was described by the total weight (TW) pressed during the test. 5sW in T2 was significantly higher as compared with T1 in the CP group only (T1 928.9 ± 342.9 kg vs. T2 1007.3 ± 324.6 kg; p = 0.016). TW in T2 was significantly higher as compared with T1, both in the CP group (T1 2550.5 ± 843.9 kg vs. T2 2809.8 ± 981.3 kg; p < 0.001) and in the CON group (T1 2300.7 ± 845.1 kg vs. T2 2468.9 ± 890.1 kg; p = 0.049). A 6-week program of HVST increased movement velocity in resistance trained CP athletes. The gains of strength endurance were observed in both groups.
ABSTRACT
Next to winning, minimizing injuries during training and matches is one of the primary goals of professional team sports games. Soreness and pain can be early indicators and risk factors for acute or long-term injuries. Monitoring pain intensity and duration, as well as potential sources, are useful for planning practices and can be effective means for preventing injury. The aim of this study was to assess the areas and locations of pain in young soccer goalkeepers during a training camp, and to differentiate the area and frequency between pain arising from the muscles (MP), joints (JP), or as a result of an impact (IP). Recordings of the MP, JP, and IP location along with the area were performed using digital body mapping software (Navigate Pain Android app, Aalborg University, Denmark) installed on a tablet personal computer at the end of each training day across a 5-day training camp. There was a significant difference in the area between the three types of pain (p < 0.001). The post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the pixel areas of IP versus JP (p < 0.001), IP versus MP (p < 0.001), and JP versus MP (p < 0.001). There was no significant time-effect for the IP area between 1-5 days of training (p = 0.610), neither for MP (p = 0.118) or JP (p = 0.797) and no significant difference for all three pain areas between the front and the back side of the body. The body regions most often reported for MP were thighs, while for JP they were groin and hips, and for IP the hips, shoulders, and forearms were most frequently indicated. This is the first study to map and report the pain distribution associated with training across a 5-day training camp in soccer goalkeepers, and these findings emphasize the value of using digital pain drawings clinically as well as for monitoring the health status of soccer players.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of karate fights on Achilles tendon stiffness in karate competitors. Eleven male karate fighters participated in the present study. A handheld MyotonPRO device (MyotonPRO, Myoton Ltd, Estonia) was applied to measure Achilles tendon stiffness in karate fighters. The Achilles tendon was tested 5 cm above the tuber calcanei. Stiffness measurements were performed before and after eight sparring fights. Each fight lasted 2 min and was separated by a 2 min rest period. Achilles tendon stiffness for the dominant leg increased significantly from before fights (751.57 ± 123.493 N/m) to immediately after fights (809.43 ± 160.425 N/m) (p = 0.012). Presented results should be used by strength and conditioning coaches in training programs as a way to decrease the risk of injury.
ABSTRACT
Myotonometric measurements are quantitative methods of muscle tone assessment and may be used as an alternative for palpation evaluation. The objective of the study was to compare the measurements of brachioradialis muscle tone and stiffness using the Myoton-3 and the Myotonometer. The participants were young males (N = 17, mean age 21 ± 1 years). The skeletal muscle state was expressed by the Myoton-3 parameters stiffness (N m(-1)), frequency (Hz) and decrement (no unit) and the Myotonometer's area under the curve (AUC) parameter (area under the curve, no unit), when muscle was at rest and during activity at 25%, 50%, 80% and 100% of maximal voluntary contraction for elbow flexors. Pearson's correlation between AUC and stiffness is r = -0.89, AUC and frequency r = -0.84 and AUC and decrement r = 0.79, p < 0.01. When comparing the results from each experimental condition separately for frequency and AUC, the correlation was from -0.63 to -0.80, for stiffness and AUC it ranged from -0.25 to -0.75 and for decrement and AUC from 0.27 to 0.74. The degree of correlation between myotonometric measurements depends on whether the measured muscle is at rest or during contraction. The correlation is diverse among related parameters.
