Telic-Paratelic Dominance and Heart Rate Variability in Athletes Engaged in Power and Endurance Training.

Purpose: The current study aimed to evaluate the telic-paratelic tendency and heart rate variability in athlete participants from different sports activities.Methods: We assigned 117 healthy participants (M age = 20, SD = 3 years) into three groups according to their training activity: power-trained (PT; n=43), endurance-trained (ET; n=36), and healthy untrained individuals (n=38). We assessed their telic-paratelic tendencies with the validated Telic Dominance Scale and their autonomic nervous system activity with heart rate variability (HRV) analyses.Results: Our findings revealed no significant differences in the telic-paratelic tendencies between ET and PT groups. However, significant differences were observed between athletes and untrained individuals (p = 0.001). Indeed, compared to untrained participants, ET and PT athletes had a greater telic tendency (both p = 0.001), were more focused on planning orientation (ET: p = 0.003; PT: p=0.001), and less often avoided arousal or activation (For ET 31% and for PT 26% of participants). The paratelic tendency was more important in untrained individuals, with most of these participants lacking in seriousmindedness and planning. In addition, we found higher HRV in paratelic ET athletes (SDNN p = 0.050, LF p = 0.022, and LF/HF p = 0.031) compared to their telic peers.Conclusion: our results suggest that sport activity did not influence the telic-paratelic tendency. Nevertheless, this tendency differentiates trained from untrained participants. HRV was higher among paratelic ET athletes, potentially reflecting less stress and more training adaptability in these athletes.

Kinematic analysis of the shot-put: A method of assessing the mechanical work of the hand action force.

The aims of this study were to (1) propose a method for evaluating shot-putters mechanical power, (2) investigate the relationship between mechanical work of hand action force (WHAF), peak power output (PPO) of different limbs and shot-put performance and (3) show which of these two parameters (WHAF, PPO) were the most appropriate to characterize the explosive abilities of the shot-putter. Twelve junior right-handed shot-putters, practised glide technique shot-put throwers (personal best = 13.57 ± 1.72 m), participated in this study. Arm and leg force-velocity tests were performed to measure PPO. Kinematic analysis was conducted during a shot-putting event in regular conditions to quantify the WHAF at the release moment and shot-put performance. Significant correlations were found between absolute arm and leg PPO with upper and lower muscle volumes (r = .67; p = .03; r = .76; p = .01; r = .74, p = .01; r = .65, p = .04). Positive relationships were recorded between absolute arm and leg PPO and shot-put performance (r = .67, p = .02; r = .81, p = .004, respectively). Shot-put performance was also closely related to the WHAF (r = .93, p = .0001) and release velocity parameter (r = .86, p = .001). The present results confirm that force-velocity test and WHAF constitute useful tools for assessing mechanical power in throwing. The WHAF could be considered as more suitable than force-velocity test.

Physical activity patterns and estimated daily energy expenditures in normal and overweight tunisian schoolchildren.

Our aim was to test the normality of physical activity patterns and energy expenditures in normal weight and overweight primary school students. Heart rate estimates of total daily energy expenditure (TEE), active energy expenditure (AEE), and activity patterns were made over 3 consecutive school days in healthy middle-class Tunisian children (46 boys, 44 girls, median age (25(th)-75(th)) percentile, 9.2 (8.8-9.9) years. Our cross-section included 52 students with a normal body mass index (BMI) and 38 who exceeded age-specific BMI limits. TEE, AEE and overall physical activity level (PAL) were not different between overweight children and those with a normal BMI [median values (25(th)-75(th)) 9.20 (8.20-9.84) vs. 8.88 (7.42-9.76) MJ/d; 3.56 (2.59-4.22) vs. 3.85 (2.77-4.78) MJ/d and 1.74 (1.54-2.04) vs. 1.89 (1.66-2.15) respectively]. Physical activity intensities (PAI) were expressed as percentages of the individual's heart rate reserve (%HRR). The median PAI for the entire day (PAI24) and for the waking part of day (PAIw) were lower in overweight than in normal weight individuals [16.3 (14.2-18.9) vs. 20.6 (17.9-22.3) %HRR, p < 0.001) and 24.8 (21.6-28.9) vs.26.2 (24.5-30.8) %HRR, p < 0.01], respectively. Overweight children allocated more of their day to sedentary pursuits [385 (336-468) vs 297 (235-468) min/d, p < 0.001], and less time to moderate physical activity [381(321-457) vs. 460 (380-534) min/d, p < 0.01]. Nevertheless, because of the greater energy cost of a given task, total and active daily energy expenditure did not differ from those with a normal BMI. Key pointsThe physical activity intensity for the entire day (PAI24) and for the waking part of day (PAIw) were lower in overweight than in normal weight individuals.However, because the energy cost of activity is greater in those who are overweight, they do not differ in total energy expenditure or in active energy expenditure.Normal children spend more time in moderate activity and less time in sedentary pursuits than overweight children.