Acute Supplementation with Capsaicin Enhances Upper-Limb Performance in Male Jiu-Jitsu Athletes.

The present study investigated whether acute capsaicin (CAP) supplementation improves mean power output (MPO) and peak velocity (PV) during the performance of the free bench press exercise (FBP). Twelve (n = 12) male Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes (age: 24.3 ± 1.5 years, height: 1.74 ± 0.1 m, body mass: 75.7 ± 10.1 kg) participated in this randomized, placebo (PLA)-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. For each condition, 45 min after CAP (12 mg purified) or PLA (12 mg of Celulomax E) consumption, the participants performed four sets of five repetitions of FBP at a load of 60% of body mass with five-min rest intervals. The MPO (t = 5.6, df = 11, p = 0.001, EF = 0.3, IC 95% = -0.55 to 1.05) and PV (t = 5.4, df = 11, p = 0.001, EF = 0.5, IC 95% = -0.32 to 1.30) were significantly higher with CAP supplementation versus PLA. Acute CAP supplementation appears to improve MPO and PV during FBP in male BJJ athletes.

Risk or benefit? Side effects of caffeine supplementation in sport: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to systematically review evidence on the prevalence and magnitude of side effects associated with caffeine supplementation in athletes. METHODS: Systematic searches through the PubMed, VHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed articles written in English that reported the prevalence/percentage or magnitude/effect size of side effects after caffeine supplementation in athletes in a sports context were included. Studies were grouped by the dose of caffeine administered as follows: low = ≤ 3.0 mg/kg; moderate = from 3.1 to 6.0 mg/kg; high = ≥ 6.1 mg/kg. The magnitude of the side effects was calculated with effect sizes. RESULTS: The search retrieved 25 studies that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria with a pooled sample of 421 participants. The supplementation with caffeine produced a higher prevalence or magnitude of all side effects under investigation when compared to placebo/control situations. The prevalence (magnitude) was between 6 and 34% (ES between 0.13 and 1.11) for low doses of caffeine, between 0 and 34% (ES between -0.13 and 1.20) for moderate doses of caffeine, and between 8 and 83% (ES between 0.04 and 1.52) with high doses of caffeine. The presence of tachycardia/heart palpitations and the negative effects on sleep onset had the highest prevalence and magnitude, in athletes using supplementation with caffeine. CONCLUSION: In summary, caffeine supplementation in the doses habitually used to enhance physical performance produces several side effects, both after exercise and at least 24 h after the ingestion. However, the prevalence and magnitude of side effects with high doses of caffeine were habitually higher than with low doses of caffeine. From a practical perspective, using ~3.0 mg/kg of caffeine may be the dose of choice to obtain the ergogenic benefits of caffeine with the lowest prevalence and magnitude of side effects.

Compression Stockings Used During Two Soccer Matches Improve Perceived Muscle Soreness and High-Intensity Performance.

ABSTRACT: Gimenes, SV, Marocolo, M, Pavin, LN, Pagoto Spigolon, LM, Neto, OB, Côrrea da Silva, BV, Duffield, R, and Ribeiro da Mota, G. Compression stockings used during two soccer matches improve perceived muscle soreness and high-intensity performance. J Strength Cond Res 35(7): 2010-2017, 2021-Evidence on the use of compression stockings (CS) during soccer matches is limited. Thus, we evaluated the acute effects of CS on match-based physical performance indicators and perceptual responses during 2 consecutive soccer matches with 72-hour recovery. Twenty outfield players were randomly allocated to the CS group (20-30 mm Hg) or control group (non-CS) and performed 2 matches (5 players using CS or regular socks per team/match). Match loads {rating of perceived exertion × minutes; CS ∼830 vs. control 843 (arbitrary units [AU])} and heart rate (HR) responses (both CS and control ∼86% HRpeak) did not differ (p > 0.05) between CS and control groups. Although total distance covered did not differ (p > 0.05) between groups, CS increased distances (effect size [ES] = 0.9-1.32) in higher-speed zones (>19 km·h-1 CS ∼550 m vs. control ∼373 m) alongside an increased number of accelerations (-50.0 to -3.0 m·s-2) than control (CS: 33.7 ± 11.2 vs. control: 23.8 ± 7.9; p = 0.003; ES = 1.04). Perceived recovery did not differ (p > 0.05) between groups for either match but was worse in the second match for both groups. Perceived muscle soreness increased in control after match 2 (from 3.1 ± 1.9 to 6.3 ± 1.6 AU; p < 0.0010) but did not in CS (from 2.8 ± 1.4 to 4.1 ± 1.9 AU; p = 0.6275; ES = 1.24 CS vs. control after match). Accordingly, CS use during 2 soccer matches with 72-hour recovery reduces perceived muscle soreness in the second match and increases higher-speed match running performance.

Time Course of Recovery for Performance Attributes and Circulating Markers of Muscle Damage Following a Rugby Union Match in Amateur Athletes.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the time course of changes in neuromuscular performance and muscle damage following a single rugby union match. METHODS: Fourteen male amateur rugby players (28.9 ± 3.5 yrs; 1.7 ± 5.1 m; 86.1 ± 11.1 kg) participated. Plasma activity of creatine kinase ([CK]) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), L-run test (change of direction) and 30-m sprint (T30; speed) with 10-m lap time (T10; acceleration) were assessed on six occasions: one week before the match (PRE) and immediately, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-match. RESULTS: Relative to PRE, LDH was elevated immediately post-match (+33.6% ± 13.6%; p < 0.001) and [CK] was elevated immediately (+64.1% ± 38.8%, p = 0.001) and 24 h post-match (+352% ± 317%; p = 0.024). L-run test time increased 16.0 ± 8.7% relative to PRE at 24 h post (p < 0.001) and remained elevated through 96 h post-match (p < 0.05). T10 and T30 times increased relative to PRE immediately post-match (+12.0% ± 10.4%, p = 0.008; and +6.1% ± 4.9%; p = 0.006, respectively), though T30 times were similar to baseline by 48 h post-match whereas T10 times remained elevated through 72 h post-match. CONCLUSIONS: A single, competitive rugby union match induces significant muscle damage and performance decrements with distinct time courses of recovery in amateur athletes. Notably, change of direction attributes (i.e., L-run) appear to have the longest time course to full recovery.

Can compression stockings reduce the degree of soccer match-induced fatigue in females?

Soccer-induced fatigue and performance are different between the sexes. The effect of compression stockings (CS) use on fatigue during the soccer match in females is unknown. Thus, we evaluated the impact of CS use during a female soccer match on match-induced fatigue. Twenty soccer players were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 10 for each group): CS and Control (regular socks), and equally distributed within two teams. At rest (baseline 48-h before the match) and immediately post-match, we assessed agility T-test, standing heel-rise test and YoYo Intermittent Endurance Test level 2 (YoYoIE2) performance. Effort during the match (heart rate and rating of perceived exertion) was similar (p > 0.05) between groups. The YoYoIE2 performance was decreased post-match (p < 0.05) equally for both groups. Otherwise, the CS group exhibited a greater post-match performance (p < 0.05) for the agility T-test and heel-rise test (large effect sizes). Therefore, we conclude that the use of CS during an amateur female soccer match resulted in less match-induced fatigue.

Ischemic preconditioning delays the time of exhaustion in cycling performance during the early but not in the late phase

Aims: To investigate the early and late ischemic preconditioning (IPC) effect on the trained cyclists' performance during incremental cycling test until exhaustion. Methods: Twenty-one male cyclists allocated to an IPC (2 x 5-min of blood flow occlusion at 50 mm Hg above systolic pressure followed + 5-min of deflation), SHAM (2 x 5-min at 20 mm Hg) or control (CON; no occlusion) interventions, performed three incremental cycling test (ICT) until exhaustion on separate days. The ICT were conducted pre interventions (baseline), 5-min and 24-h after interventions. The heart rate (HR) and power output (PO) were recorded during all ICT. Results: The IPC group increased ICT performance (4.4 ± 4.0 %; effect size (ES) = 0.27) 5-min post intervention, accompanied by HR mean reduction, compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, there were no changes in SHAM (2.2 ± 4.2%; ES = 0.07) and CON (2.9 ± 5.0%; ES = 0.06) groups. In 24-h post intervention, SHAM (0.2 ± 4.7%; ES = 0.02) and CON (-1.0 ±1.6; ES = 0.03) maintained (p > 0.05) and IPC group decreased the performance (-4.6 ± 3.6 %; ES = 0.16) compared to 5-min post intervention (p < 0.05), but all groups were similar to baseline (p > 0.05). There were no difference (p > 0.05) among groups for PO peak, HR and ICT performance in all moments (baseline, 5-min and 24-h post intervention). Conclusion: The IPC increases early but not late incremental cycling test performance.(AU)

Neuromuscular responses to simulated brazilian jiu-jitsu fights.

The aim of this study was to investigate the neuromuscular performance responses following successive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) fights. Twenty-three BJJ athletes (age: 26.3 ± 6.3 years; body mass: 79.4 ± 9.7 kg; body height: 1.80 ± 0.1 m) undertook 3 simulated BJJ fights (10 min duration each separated by 15 min of rest). Neuromuscular performance was measured by the bench press throw (BPT) and vertical counter movement jump (VCMJ) tests, assessed before the 1st fight (Pre) and after the last one (Post). Blood lactate (LA) was measured at Pre, 1 min Post, and 15 min Post fights. Paired t-tests were employed in order to compare the BPT and VCMJ results. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests were utilized to compare LA responses. The results revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in VCMJ performance (40.8 ± 5.5 cm Pre vs. 42.0 ± 5.8 cm Post), but no significant changes in the BPT (814 ± 167 W Pre vs. 835 ± 213 W Post) were observed. LA concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) at Post, both in the 1st min (10.4 ± 2.7 mmol L-1) and the 15th min (6.4 ± 2.5 mmol L-1) of recovery. We concluded that successive simulated BJJ fights demanded considerable anaerobic contribution of ATP supply, reinforcing the high-intensity intermittent nature of the sport. Nevertheless, no negative impact on acute neuromuscular performance (power) was observed.

Testes físicos discriminam praticantes de brazilian jiu-jitsu? / Physical tests discriminate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practioners?

Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar praticantes de Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) experientes (EX) com iniciantes (IN) em relação às resistências de força dinâmica e isométrica, força isométrica máxima e potência aeróbia máxima (VO2max), bem como verificar correlações entre testes. Vinte e oito praticantes de BJJ foram selecionados e divididos em dois grupos: EX (N = 14; 33,8 ± 5,6 anos; faixa roxa até preta; 6,5 ± 5,6 anos de treino em BJJ) e IN (N = 14; 30 ± 2,9 anos; faixa branca; 0,6 ± 0,4 ano de prática de BJJ). Os voluntários realizaram testes, preensão manual (dinamômetro), tempo máximo de sustentação (TMS) e número máximo de repetições (NMR), os dois últimos realizados na barra com pegada no quimono, e teste de 1600 m para determinação indireta do VO2max; com os quais já estavam familiarizados, respeitando as pausas adequadas. Os testes t de Student para amostras independentes e correlação linear de Pearson foram utilizados na análise estatística com significância de 0,05. Os resultados mostraram que apenas o TMS foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos (p < 0,05) e que não houve correlação entre os diferentes testes realizados. Assim, concluímos que a experiência específica em BJJ (tempo de prática e classificação das faixas) influencia apenas a capacidade de resistência de força isométrica e essa valência, portanto, parece ser especial para discriminar diferentes níveis de praticantes de BJJ. Além disso, não há correlações significativas entre os testes investigados neste trabalho.

The aims of this study were to compare Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) experienced practitioners (EX) with beginners (IN) in relation to isometric and dynamic endurance strength, isometric maximal strength and maximal aerobic power (VO2max) and to examine correlations between tests as well. Twenty-eight BJJ practitioners were selected and divided into two groups: EX (N = 14, 33.8 ± 5.6 years; purple to Black belt, 6.5 ± 5.6 years of training in BJJ) and IN (N = 14, 30 ± 2.9 years; white belt, 0.6 ± 0.4 years of practicing BJJ). The volunteers performed tests, handgrip (dynamometer), maximum static lift (MSL) and maximum number of repetitions (MNR), the last two were conducted holding on kimono rolled around the bar, and 1600 m test for indirect determination of VO2max; which they were already familiar with, and appropriate pauses were respected. The t-tests of Student for independent samples and linear correlation of Pearson were used for statistical analysis with significance level of 0.05. The results showed that only the MSL was significantly different between groups (p <0.05) and no correlation between the different tests performed. Thus, we conclude that the specific experience in BJJ (practice time and graduations level) only influences the endurance of isometric strength and this valence, therefore, seems particularly to discriminate different levels of BJJ practitioners. Furthermore, there were no significant correlations between the tests investigated in this work.