Comparison of Ultra-Short Race Pace and High-Intensity Interval Training in Age Group Competitive Swimmers.

The aim of this study was tο examine the acute responses to an Ultra-Short Race Pace Training (USRPT) and a High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), both oriented for the event of 100 m freestyle. Eighteen national-level swimmers (8 boys, 10 girls) aged 13.5 ± 0.1 years, with 8.0 ± 0.5 years of experience participated in the study. All participants completed a USRPT and a HIIT protocol consisting of 2 × 10 × 25 m (USRPT1 & USRPT2) and 5 × 50 m. Significantly higher swimming velocity (SV) were achieved in USRPT compared to HIIT (p < 0.001), while significantly lower distance per stroke (DPS) and stroke index (SI) were obtained (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001). Also, significantly lower blood lactate and glucose (BL & BG) concentrations were found after USRPT (p ≤ 0.001 and p = 0.037). Heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly lower after USRPT than HIIT (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015). According to the results, an USRPT swimming set consisting of 20 × 25 m at a 100 m pace seems to induce more specific responses in kinematic characteristics, biomarkers, HR and RPE compared to a 5 × 50 m HIIT set.

Psychophysiological and performance-related responses of a potentiation activity in swimmers of different competitive levels.

Athletes' competitive level has an effect on several psychophysiological parameters during the execution of sports-related tasks. This study analyzed the acute effect of a potentiation activity (PAP), composed by 5 loaded box jumps, on specific psychological, physiological and performance-related parameters in 22 trained (COM) and untrained (UNT) adult male swimmers. A control condition was also evaluated. Measurements included the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory, rate of perceived exertion, lower limbs muscle oxygenation, exercise heart rate, vertical jumping ability, 3 different split times and total time-trial performance during an all-out 50-m swim test executed using the breaststroke technique. In addition, total swim strokes and the optimal individual response after the potentiation activity were measured. No significant differences among the two testing conditions were found for all psychological, physiological and performance-related parameters (p > .05) with the exception of total performance time in the UNT group after the PAP condition (41.5 ±â€¯5.3 vs. 41.9 ±â€¯5.5 s; p = .023; ES = 0.6). As expected, the COM group showed enhanced swimming performance during all split times and total time, compared to the UNT group. These results suggest that (i) independently of the training level, psychological responses during sports-related tasks are probably not evident under non-competitive situations and, (ii) competitive level athletes may need more challenging activation stimulus, compared to their less competitive counterparts, to induce the desirable adaptations on the subsequent main activity.

Acute effect of front crawl sprint resisted swimming on the propulsive forces of the hand.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the acute effect of sprint resisted front crawl swimming on the propulsive forces of the hand. Eight female swimmers swam 25 m with maximal intensity, with and without added resistance. A bowl with a capacity of 2.2, 4 and 6 L was used as low, moderate and high added resistance, respectively. The underwater motion of the swimmer's right hand was recorded using 4 cameras (60 Hz) and the digitization was undertaken using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that the velocity of the hand, the pitch and the sweepback angles of the hand, as well as the magnitude and the relative contribution of the drag and lift forces were not significantly modified and thus the magnitude of the resultant force did not change. Moreover, the magnitude of the effective force, as well as the angle formed between the resultant force and the axis of the swimming propulsion were not significantly affected. Thus, it could be concluded that resistance added as in this study did not alter the pattern of the propulsive hand forces associated with front crawl sprinting.

Comparison between late-presenting and isolated neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernias.

PURPOSE: Late-presenting posterolateral congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) are anatomically similar to isolated neonatal CDH but are diagnosed and treated after the first month of life. We aim to characterise the clinical manifestations and short-term postoperative course of this entity and compare it with isolated CDH of the neonatal period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the 30-year period from 1980 to 2010, 116 children with CDH were treated at the Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. Twenty-three (19%) of these children were late-presenting cases, being diagnosed between the ages of 1 month and 4 years. Ninety-three were neonatal cases, of whom 22 (24%) were excluded due to severe associated anomalies, leaving 71 cases of isolated neonatal CDH. We compared these two groups of patients with regard to preoperative symptoms, postoperative hospital stay, time to complete feeding, overall complication rate, and reoperation rate. RESULTS: Isolated neonatal cases presented more often with acute respiratory symptoms (n=25; P= 0.016) and failure to thrive (n= 38; P= 0.03). Late-presenting cases presented more often with chronic respiratory symptoms (n=14;P= 0.0044) or gastrointestinal symptoms (n=12; P= 0.006). Thirty-five cases with minor or serious complications were reported in the neonatal group, whereas only five complications were observed in the late-presenting group (P= 0.028). We did not record any recurrences or reoperations in the late-presenting group, but we had two recurrences and three reoperations in the neonatal group. Time to full feeds and postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the late-presenting group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate differences between the two groups in preoperative symptoms and short-term postoperative complications and short-term outcome. Late-presenting cases of CDH had a greater number of chronic symptoms preoperatively, more favorable postoperative outcomes, and less recurrences and reoperations.

Kinematic characteristics of the stroke and orientation of the hand during front crawl resisted swimming.

The aim of this study was to examine the acute effect of front crawl sprint resisted swimming with different added resistances on the kinematic characteristics of the stroke and the orientation of the hand. Ten female swimmers swam four maximal trials (25 m) with small, moderate, large, and no added resistance respectively. Four camcorders were used to record the underwater motion of the right hand and digitizing was undertaken using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. Stroke rate, the stroke length, and mean swimming velocity were significantly decreased, whereas the total duration of the stroke and the relative duration of the pull and push phases were significantly increased during resisted swimming. The increase in the total duration of the stroke was accompanied by an increase in absolute pull length, while no alterations were observed in relative pull length or medial-lateral displacements of the hand. Moreover, the mean resultant velocity of the hand, as well as the pitch and the sweepback angles of the hand were not modified. In conclusion, resisted swimming appears to be a specific form of training, at least regarding its acute effect, although long-term effects should be investigated further.

Effect of different intensities of active recovery on sprint swimming performance.

Active recovery reduces blood lactate concentration faster than passive recovery and, when the proper intensity is applied, a positive effect on performance is expected. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of different intensities of active recovery on performance during repeated sprint swimming. Nine male well-trained swimmers performed 8 repetitions of 25 m sprints (8 x 25 m) interspersed with 45 s intervals, followed by a 50 m sprint test 6 min later. During the 45 s and 6 min interval periods, swimmers either rested passively (PAS) or swam at an intensity corresponding to 50% (ACT50) and 60% (ACT60) of their individual 100 m velocity. Blood lactate was higher during PAS compared with ACT50 and ACT60 trials (p < 0.05), whereas plasma ammonia and glycerol concentration were not different between trials (p > 0.05). Mean performance time for the 8 x 25 m sprints was better in the PAS compared with the ACT50 and ACT60 trials (PAS: 13.10 +/- 0.07 vs. ACT50: 13.43 +/- 0.10 and ACT60: 13.47 +/- 0.10s, p < 0.05). The first 25 m sprint was not different across trials (p > 0.05), but performance decreased after sprint 2 during active recovery trials (ACT50 and ACT60) compared with the passive recovery (PAS) trial (p < 0.05). Performance time for the 50 m sprint performed 6 min after the 8 x 25 m sprints was no different between trials (p > 0.05). These results indicate that active recovery at intensities corresponding to 50% and 60% of the 100 m velocity during repeated swimming sprints decreases performance. Active recovery reduces blood lactate concentration, but does not affect performance on a 50 m sprint when 6 min recovery is provided. Passive recovery is advised during short-interval repeated sprint training in well-trained swimmers.

Triochidism associated with cryptorchidism.

Polyorchidism is a rare genital abnormality in which supernumerary testes are present. We describe a case of triorchidism and cryptorchidism in a 3-year old male while performing an orchiopexy. We review the literature and propose its management.

Currarino triad associated with Hirschsprung's disease.

The Currarino syndrome is a rare hereditary condition. The major symptom is chronic constipation from early life, and, in more than 80% of the cases, this condition is diagnosed in the first decade. The authors describe an unusual case of a complete Currarino triad associated with Hirschsprung's disease in a 6-year-old girl, presenting persistent constipation and abdominal distension. The patient is free of symptoms after surgical treatment of anorectal malformation and Hirschsprung's disease. The presacral mass was excised. Complete screening of the pelvis is recommended by using ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) scan, and radiography in patients with a history of chronic constipation from early childhood.