Repeated Bout Effect of Two Resistance Training Bouts on Bowling-Specific Performance in Male Cricketers.

To examine the repeated bout effect (RBE) following two identical resistance bouts and its effect on bowling-specific performance in male cricketers. Male cricket pace bowlers (N = 10), who had not undertaken resistance exercises in the past six months, were invited to complete a familiarisation and resistance maximum testing, before participating in the study protocol. The study protocol involved the collection of muscle damage markers, a battery of anaerobic (jump and sprint), and a bowling-specific performance test at baseline, followed by a resistance training bout, and a retest of physical and bowling-specific performance at 24 h (T24) and 48 h (T48) post-training. The study protocol was repeated 7-10 days thereafter. Indirect markers of muscle damage were lower (creatine kinase: 318.7 ± 164.3 U·L-1; muscle soreness: 3 ± 1), whilst drop jump was improved (~47.5 ± 8.1 cm) following the second resistance training bout when compared to the first resistance training bout (creatine kinase: 550.9 ± 242.3 U·L-1; muscle soreness: 4 ± 2; drop jump: ~43.0 ± 9.7 cm). However, sport-specific performance via bowling speed declined (Bout 1: -2.55 ± 3.43%; Bout 2: 2.67 ± 2.41%) whilst run-up time increased (2.34 ± 3.61%; Bout 2: 3.84 ± 4.06%) after each bout of resistance training. Findings suggest that while an initial resistance training bout reduced muscle damage indicators and improved drop jump performance following a second resistance training bout, this RBE trend was not observed for bowling-specific performance. It was suggested that pace bowlers with limited exposure to resistance training should minimise bowling-specific practice for 1-2 days following the initial bouts of their resistance training program.

Effect of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage on Bowling-Specific Motor Skills in Male Adolescent Cricketers.

The current study examined the acute effects of a bout of resistance training on cricket bowling-specific motor performance. Eight sub-elite, resistance-untrained, adolescent male fast bowlers (age 15 ± 1.7 years; height 1.8 ± 0.1 m; weight 67.9 ± 7.9 kg) completed a bout of upper and lower body resistance exercises. Indirect markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase [CK] and delayed onset of muscle soreness [DOMS]), anaerobic performance (15-m sprint and vertical jump), and cricket-specific motor performance (ball speed, run-up time, and accuracy) were measured prior to and 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours following the resistance training bout. The resistance training bout significantly increased CK (~350%; effect size [ES] = 1.89-2.24), DOMS (~240%; ES = 1.46-3.77) and 15-m sprint times (~4.0%; ES = 1.33-1.47), whilst significantly reducing vertical jump height (~7.0%; ES = 0.76-0.96) for up to 48 h. The ball speed (~3.0%; ES = 0.50-0.61) and bowling accuracy (~79%; ES = 0.39-0.70) were significantly reduced, whilst run-up time was significantly increased (~3.5%; ES = 0.36-0.50) for up to 24 h. These findings demonstrate that a bout of resistance training evokes exercise-induced muscle damage amongst sub-elite, adolescent male cricketers, which impairs anaerobic performance and bowling-specific motor performance measures. Cricket coaches should be cautious of incorporating bowling sessions within 24-h following a bout of resistance training for sub-elite adolescent fast bowlers, particularly for those commencing a resistance training program.

Planning for sedentary behaviour interventions: office workers' survey and focus group responses.

AIMS: As sedentary behaviour is becoming more prominent in office-based work environments, this study aimed to explore office workers' perceptions of sedentary behaviour, explore potential behavioural strategies to reduce sedentary behaviour in the workplace and identify barriers which may hamper behaviour change. METHODS: A total of 140 office workers were recruited and surveyed from the same workplace. The survey included questions regarding perceptions of the relationship between sitting time and health. Following the survey, 12 employees also participated in focus groups to identify potential sedentary behaviour intervention strategies and barriers. The responses from the survey and focus groups were thematically analysed. RESULTS: In total, 88% of all participants surveyed agreed that there was a relationship between sitting time and their health. The most prominent theme identified was musculoskeletal complaints followed by general health and weight gain or obesity. The focus groups identified that interventions targeting reducing sitting time should include education, supportive and knowledgeable managers, and a variety of behaviour change strategies to address individual preferences and barriers. CONCLUSION: Multiple behavioural strategies were identified, which appear to be appropriate for sedentary behaviour change.

PLAYERS' PERCEPTIONS OF HOME ADVANTAGE IN THE AUSTRALIAN RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITION.

This study was designed to pilot a survey to explore players' perception of home advantage in a rugby league. Twenty-seven players from one team with an identified home advantage believed a home advantage existed as a result of their home crowd (52%), family and friends' support (41%), normal travel (45%) and sleeping arrangements (37%), home weather conditions (48%), and familiarity with playing amenities (37%). However, the players were less definite about influences while playing away from home. The current sample of players identified differing influences, highlighting individual variations in perceived determinants. Individual interviews or focus groups will be required for further exploration.

The effects of air travel on performance measures of elite Australian rugby league players.

The current study explored the effects of short haul air travel within the same country on elite Australian rugby league (RL) players (n=12) during two away and two home games of elite competition. Physiological tests of handgrip strength and leg power were assessed along with psychological tests and perceptions of leg soreness and tiredness on the day before the game (Time 1 and Time 2) and on game day (Time 3). Game statistics of tackles and metres gained were assessed for the games analysed. Significant differences were found for daily analyses of life demands for athletes (DALDA) worse than normal responses at Time 2 (2.50 ± 3.23 vs. 3.50 ± 3.93; P=0.04), Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) at Time 2 (2.88 ± 1.51 vs. 3.71 ± 1.37; P=0.011) and leg tiredness at Time 3 (3.38 ± 1.66 vs. 2.35 ± 1.70; P=0.004) between home and away games. The analysis of game statistics identified that more metres were gained during home games (83.6 ± 49.1 vs. 63.0 ± 30.1; P=0.02) and more tackles made while playing away (18.4 ± 9.2 vs. 14.3 ± 6.7; P=0.016). The results suggest that short haul air travel without crossing time zones results in symptoms of travel fatigue but does not appear to negatively impact on elite RL players ability to perform strength and power tasks. Different game tactics (attacking vs. defensive) occurred between home and away games however, it is unclear whether travel fatigue or a home advantage (HA) is associated with this finding.

Influence of exercise intensity on systemic oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity.

The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of exercise intensity on systemic oxidative stress (OS) and endogenous antioxidant capacity. Non-smoking, sedentary healthy adult males (n = 14) participated in two exercise sessions using an electronically braked cycle ergometer. The first session consisted of a graded exercise test to determine maximal power output and oxygen consumption (VO(2max)). One week later, participants undertook 5-min cycling bouts at 40%, 55%, 70%, 85% and 100% of VO(2max), with passive 12-min rest between stages. Measures of systemic OS reactive oxygen metabolites (dROM), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), heart rate (HR), VO(2), blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion were assessed at rest and immediately following each exercise stage. Significant (P<0·05) differences between exercise bouts were examined via repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction. Increasing exercise intensity significantly augmented HR (P<0·001), VO(2) (P<0·001), blood lactate (P<0·001) and perceived exertion (P<0·001) with no significant effect on dROM levels compared with resting values. In contrast, increasing exercise intensity resulted in significantly (P<0·01) greater BAP at 70% (2427 ± 106), 85% (2625 ± 121) and 100% (2651 ± 92) of VO(2max) compared with resting levels (2105 ± 57 µmol Fe(2+)/L). The current results indicate that brief, moderate-to-high-intensity exercise significantly elevates endogenous antioxidant defences, possibly to counteract increased levels of exercise-induced reactive oxygen species. Regular moderate-to-high-intensity exercise may protect against chronic OS associated diseases via activation, and subsequent upregulation of the endogenous antioxidant defence system.