Impact of Anaerobic Exercise Integrated Into Regular Training on Experienced Judo Athletes: Running Vs. Repetitive Throws.

ABSTRACT: Kamandulis, S, Dudeniene, L, Snieckus, A, Kniubaite, A, Mickevicius, M, Lukonaitiene, I, Venckunas, T, Stasiule, L, and Stasiulis, A. Impact of anaerobic exercise integrated into regular training on experienced judo athletes: running vs. repetitive throws. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Anaerobic training in high-level athletes is of considerable interest to practitioners aiming to optimize performance. This study compared the impact of interval anaerobic training (IAT) sessions consisting of either high-intensity running or throwing that were performed twice a week together with regular judo training on the anaerobic and aerobic performance of experienced judo athletes. Employing a repeated-measures, counterbalancing, research design, 12 national team judo athletes (7 women and 5 men; mean age, 20.4 ± 0.95 years; mean judo training experience, 13.4 ± 1.4 years; competitive level, black belt first and second Dan) performed each IAT modality for 6 weeks, for a full training cycle of 12 weeks. Assessments of their anaerobic fitness (Cunningham and Faulkner Anaerobic Treadmill Test), sport-specific anaerobic fitness (Special Judo Fitness Test [SJFT]), and aerobic capacity (maximal incremental treadmill running test) were performed before, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks of training. The uphill running performance improved by 13.1% over the 12-week period (p = 0.047). Simultaneously, there was a 9.0% improvement in the SJFT index and a 6.9% increase in the number of throws (p = 0.011 and p = 0.017, respectively). Although a trend for throwing drills being more effective than interval sprint running was observed, the interaction effect lacked statistical significance (p = 0.074). Moreover, no substantial changes were noted in aerobic endurance markers. In conclusion, this study suggests that incorporating specific and nonspecific high-intensity drills into a routine training regimen may enhance anaerobic capacity among well-trained judo athletes, potentially leading to favorable competitive outcomes.

Physiological Variables that Contribute to Aerobic Fitness in Boys during Early Adolescence in the Context of Basketball Training and the Maturity Level.

The aim of this study was to assess physiological variables that contribute to aerobic fitness in respect to basketball training and the maturity level in adolescent boys. Our subjects were 28 basketball-trained and 22 control-group boys (average age: 11.83 ± 0.43 years). An incremental treadmill running test to exhaustion was performed twice with a 1-year interval between the sessions to determine the following peak aerobic fitness variables: oxygen uptake, stroke volume, cardiac output, minute ventilation, and others. Maturity offset was used to evaluate the maturity level. The basketball-trained group exhibited a higher peak ratio-scaled oxygen uptake (1st session: 50.55 ± 6.21 and 46.57 ± 5.68 ml/kg/min in basketball and control-group boys, respectively, p = 0.024; 2nd session: 54.50 ± 6.50 and 45.33 ± 5.99 ml/kg/min, respectively, p < 0.001) during both testing sessions. During the 2nd session, the basketball-trained group also showed a significantly higher peak arteriovenous oxygen difference (basketball-trained boys: 14.02 ± 2.17 ml/100 ml; control-group boys: 12.52 ± 2.49 ml/100 ml; p = 0.027) and peak minute ventilation (basketball-trained boys: 96.08 ± 21.71 l/min; control-group boys: 83.14 ± 17.85 l/min; p = 0.028). The maturity level among the basketball-trained boys was correlated with peak variables: oxygen uptake, stroke volume, cardiac output, and minute ventilation, but not with the ratio-scaled oxygen uptake. In conclusion, basketball training at a young age among boys improved aerobic fitness compared with sedentary boys. More mature basketball players were not superior to their less mature peers regarding aerobic fitness after adjusting for body dimensions.

The influence of amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) dietary nitrates on the aerobic capacity of physically active young persons.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates that elevating plasma nitrites through dietary nitrates (NO3-) supplementation is associated with enhanced muscle efficiency, fatigue resistance and performance. Beetroot (in various forms) is the dominant source of dietary NO3- primarily due to its vast availability and the simple form of preparation suitable for final consumption. After a few years of research and experimentation, our scientific team identified alternative source rich with dietary NO3- as possible nitric oxide precursor, amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) with a standardized concentration 9-11% of NO3-. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of single-dose (±400 mg of dietary NO3-) and long-term (6 days) supplementation of amaranth concentrate derived dietary NO3- on aerobic capacity in physically active young people. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study. Thirteen healthy and physically active young male participants were randomized into experimental and placebo groups. The aerobic capacity was tested during increasing cycling exercise (ICE) with pulmonary gas exchange recording and analysis. RESULTS: The peak power of the ICE, the maximum oxygen consumption and the first ventilatory threshold were significantly increased after long-term consumption of dietary amaranth (from 4.44 ± 0.50 to 4.55 ± 0.43 W/kg; from 37.7 ± 2.7 to 41.2 ± 5.4 mL/kg/min and from 178.6 ± 30.3 to 188.6 ± 35.2 W, p < 0.05; respectively) in experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term (6 days) use of dietary NO3- from amaranth may improve the aerobic capacity during ICE in young physically active male persons. It can be recommended as the nutritional supplement during last week of preparation for competition in endurance events.

Better Executive Function Is Associated With Faster On-Transition Aerobic Metabolism Among Older Adults.

The present study aimed to examine relationships between executive function (EF) and variables of aerobic fitness. Participants were 32 healthy older adults (M age = 65.1, SD = 6.6 years). We measured the first ventilatory threshold (VeT1) and the kinetics of oxygen uptake (V˙O2), heart rate (HR), and muscle deoxygenation [HHb] during treadmill walking of either constant, moderate intensity, or increasing intensity. We assessed EF with a computerized Stroop test and Stroop measures of correct answers, reaction time, and percent interference. We found the Stroop interference score to be negatively associated with the VeT1 (r = -0.387, p = 0.031) and positively associated with the on-transition aerobic metabolism time constant (τ) of HR (r = 0.519, p = 0.003), V˙O2 (r = 0.454; p = 0.010), and [HHb] (r = 0.644, p = 0.001). Correct responses were negatively related with τHR (r = -0.372, p = 0.039) and τV˙O2 (r = -0.500, p = 0.004). The Stroop average reaction time, congruent reaction time and incongruent reaction time were positively related to τ[HHb] (r = 0.507, p = 0.010; r = 0.437, p = 0.029; r = 0.558, p = 0.004, respectively). Better EF was associated with faster on-transition aerobic metabolism and higher aerobic fitness among older adults.

The effect of age and training status on oxygen uptake kinetics in women.

We examined the effect of age and training status on the oxygen uptake (V˙ O2) kinetics of untrained and recreationally trained women. Young (20-35yr), middle-age (40-55yr) and older (58-71yr) recreationally trained (YTR, n = 10; MTR, n = 12; OTR, n = 9) and untrained (YUT, n = 12; MUT, n = 10; OUT, n = 9) women participated in this crossectional study. Breath-by-breath V˙ O2 and near-infrared-spectroscopy-derived (NIRS) muscle deoxygenation [HHb] were monitored continuously during increasing and constant walking exercises. On-transition V˙ O2 and [HHb] responses to moderate intensity walking were modeled as mono-exponential. The data were normalized for each subject (0%-100 %), and [HHb]/ V˙ O2 ratio was calculated as the average [HHb]/ V˙ O2 during the 20- to 120-s period after the onset of moderate intensity walking exercise. The time constant of V˙ O2 (τ V˙ O2) was longer in OUT(23.8 ± 2.4), MUT(25.4 ± 5.1), YUT(23.1 ± 3.4) than in YTR(16.2 ± 2.0), MTR(16.7 ± 3.9), OTR(16.3 ± 2.8) women (p < 0.05). The [HHb]/ V˙ O2 ratio in OUT (1.31 ± 0.18) was higher than in YTR(1.08 ± 0.05), MTR(1.13 ± 0.09), YUT(1.12 ± 0.09) (p < 0.05). It is concluded that recreationally trained women had faster V˙ O2 kinetics along with better matching of O2 delivery and utilization at the site of gas exchange in the exercising muscles.

Low-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Vitamin D for Anthropometric, Biochemical Blood Indices and Respiratory Function. Does it work?

Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D3 have beneficial effects on different blood, cardiovascular parameters and physical performance. However, the effect of low-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplementation remains unclear. 84 office workers aged 40-60 years, participated in a 16-week open, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. The experimental group received 330 mg of omega-3 fatty acid and 0.005 mg (200 IU) of vitamin D3 per day and the control group received placebo. Anthropometric, biochemical blood and respiratory indices were measured at 12 and 16 weeks. Body mass (BM) and body mass index (BMI) significantly reduced in both the experimental (BM from 74.4 ± 13.04 to 73.2 ± 13.02 kg, p < 0.001; BMI from 25.8 ± 4.1 to 25.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2, p < 0.001) and the placebo groups (BM from 69.5 ± 11. to 68.7 ± 11.4 kg, p < 0.05; BMI from 24.1 ± 4.0 to 23.8 ± 4.2 kg/m2, p < 0.05). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly improved glucose (from 5.12 ± 0.55 to 4.97 ± 0.62 mmol/l; p = 0.05), total cholesterol (from 5.86 ± 1.0 to 5.32 ± 1.55 mmol/l; p = 0.003), and vitamin D levels (from 35.07 ± 21.65 to 68.63 ± 25.94 nmol/l; p = 0.000). Maximal oxygen consumption (from 33.7 ± 2.4 to 36.6 ± 3.2 ml/kg/min, p = 0.035), forced vital capacity (from 3.5 ± 0.6 to 3.9 ± 0.9 l, p = 0.044), forced expiratory volume (from 3.2 ± 0.6 to 3.5 ± 0.7 l, p = 0.014), and peak expiratory flow (from 6.7 ± 1.4 to 7.5 ± 1.6 l/s, p = 0.019) also slightly improved in the omega-3 fatty acid group. Daily supplementation of 330 mg of omega-3 fatty acids had a slight positive impact on total cholesterol and glucose level, while there was no effect on low and high density lipoproteins, and triglycerides levels. Therefore, dose of 330 mg per day seems as insufficient.

Gender differences in residual effect of prior drop jumps on oxygen uptake during heavy cycling exercise.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Unaccustomed eccentric or eccentric-concentric exercise leaves us stiff and sore the next day and can cause muscle damage. The data about the residual effect of prior eccentric-concentric exercises on oxygen uptake (VO2) during constant cycling exercise in women or the data about differences of such effect between genders are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess differences of the residual effect of PDJ on VO2 during HCE and indirect muscle damage parameters between women and men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study aimed to asses differences of the residual effect of prior drop jumps (PDJ) on VO2 during heavy cycling exercise (HCE) and indirect muscle damage parameters between men (n=8) and women (n=11). On four different days participants performed one incremental cycling exercise and three HCE (control [CON], 45min [45' PDJ] and 24h [24h PDJ] after 100 drop jumps). The intensity of HCE was set to work rate corresponding to 50% of the difference between the second and the first ventilatory thresholds which were determined analyzing pulmonary gas exchange parameters during incremental cycling exercise. Capillary blood samples were collected in order to measure blood lactate concentration immediately after HCE and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity 24h after PDJ. Subjects rated perceived exertion and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) using 20 and 10 point scales, respectively. RESULTS: VO2 at 3-6min of HCE performed 45' after PDJ was significantly increased as compared to CON HCE only in the male group. Both men and women felt moderate muscle pain. CK activity was significantly increased 24h after PDJ in the male group. Both during HCE 45' PDJ and 24h PDJ, the significant positive correlation was observed between relative changes of VO2 during steady state of HCE and CK activity only in the male group. CONCLUSIONS: Prior eccentric-concentric exercise of thigh muscles (100 drop jumps) accelerates VO2 kinetics at the start and increases VO2 during steady state of heavy cycling only in the male group. So, prior exercise of such type has a higher negative impact on cycling economy in men than in women and this might be related to greater muscle damage and fatigue in physically active male persons after plyometric exercise.

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND ENERGETICS OF COMPETITIVE GROUP EXERCISE IN FEMALE AEROBIC GYMNASTS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELs OF PERFORMANCE.

This study investigated the aerobic fitness and physiologic and energetic responses during competitive exercise in aerobic gymnasts. The gymnasts performed a graded treadmill test and competitive group exercises. Energetic response was calculated from oxygen uptake and blood lactate changes. Peak oxygen uptake was similar in International (M = 45.4 ml · kg(-1) · min.(-1), SD = 3.9) and National (M = 44.7 ml · kg(-1) · min.(-1), SD = 3.6) level groups. During their competitive routines, total energy and the fractions of aerobic, anaerobic alactic, and anaerobic lactic energy were 1,847.7 (SD = 293.9) and 1,747.3 (SD = 196.7) J · kg(-1), 53.5% (SD = 3.1) and 60.3% (SD = 6.1), 25.4% (SD = 5.9) and 21.4% (SD = 5.2), and 21.1% (SD = 5.8) and 18.3% (SD = 4.5) in international and national level athletes, respectively (p > .05). The contribution of anaerobic energy was higher in the international level group (p = .03). It is concluded that the aerobic fitness and absolute energetic and physiological responses of athletes during competitive activities were not different between the aerobic gymnasts groups with different levels of performance, but a higher relative contribution of anaerobic energy was observed in the group with a higher performance level.

Changes in biochemical and functional parameters for men during exercise.

Benefits of physical activity are undeniable. The aim of the present research was to determine the effects of physical activity and age on cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood, as well as changes in the functional parameters of the cardiovascular system, during stepwise increases in physical load for men employed in the same place, but with different levels of physical activity. The subjects were 95 military officers who were divided into groups according to the level of physical activity of their occupation, with veloergometry used as physical load. Cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood were taken as biochemical indices. The results showed that occupational physical activity had a positive effect on biochemical and cardiovascular functional parameters before, during, and after the physical load. Only the cardiovascular rate (systolic blood pressure) in older subjects was significantly higher than that of the younger persons; for all other parameters, age had no effect at all.

Deep mineral water accelerates recovery after dehydrating aerobic exercise: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of deep mineral water (DMW) with moderate mineralization on the recovery of physical performance after prolonged dehydrating aerobic exercise in the heat was studied in nine healthy, physically active (VO2max = 45.8 ± 8.4 mL kg(-1) min(-1)) women aged 24.0 ± 3.7 years. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover human study to evaluate the effect of ingestion of natural mineral water extracted from a depth of 689 m on recovery from prolonged fatiguing aerobic running conducted at 30°C. RESULTS: Mean body weight decreased by 2.6-2.8% following dehydrating exercise. VO2max was 9% higher after 4 h of recovery after rehydrating with DMW compared with plain water. Leg muscle power recovered better during the slow phase of recovery and was significantly higher after 48 h of recovery after rehydrating with DMW compared with plain water. CONCLUSIONS: DMW with moderate mineralization was more effective in inducing recovery of aerobic capacity and leg muscle power compared with plain water following prolonged dehydrating aerobic running exercise.