The effect of weighted vest use during in-season, small-sided games training on young soccer players' performance.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of weighted vest on-field small-sided games (SSG) soccer training, during the in-season period, on body composition and soccer-specific performances, in young, trained soccer players. A counterbalance study design was adopted, in which the fourteen well-trained players (age: 19.1 ± 0.5 yrs, body mass: 70.3 ± 5.3 kg, body height: 180.3 ± 3.0 cm, body fat: 9.2 ± 4.1%) performed both the Interventional (Vest) and Control (Con) training routines (6 weeks/season; 5 training sessions/week; 1 match/week), in different occasions (winter/spring period). Con group followed a regular weekly training plan. When the Con group performed their intense training sessions, Vest group performed only the on-field SSGs training wearing a vest (12.5% of athletes' body mass). All the evaluations were performed one week before and after each training period. Statistical analyses include repeated ANOVA and T-test (p < 0.05). Significant increases in sprinting, jumping, change of direction (COD), aerobic and anaerobic performances were observed only after Vest intervention (-4.7 ± 2.2% to 11.2 ± 4.2%; p < 0.05). Significant changes were observed only after Vest training, compared to Cont (p < 0.05). These results suggest that using a weighted vest, during the in-season, onfield SSG training two times/week induces greater increases in young soccer players' sprinting, jumping, COD, aerobic and anaerobic performances.

Phase angle as an indicator of body composition and physical performance in handball players.

BACKGROUND: Phase angle (PhA), obtained from the bioimpedance analysis, is widely used in clinical situations and in sports. This study evaluated the association between PhA with body composition and physical performance of handball athletes. METHODS: 43 national-level players (22.19 ± 3.86 years) of both sexes were evaluated regarding anthropometry, body composition, squat (SJ) and countermovement (CMJ) jumps, handgrip strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness. RESULTS: We verified a correlation between PhA of the whole body and fat-free mass (r = 0.511), body mass index (r = 0.307), and body fat % (r = -0.303). There was a positive correlation between PhA of the whole body and SJ (r = 0.376), CMJ (r = 0.419), and handgrip for the dominant hand (r = 0.448). Moreover, PhA of the upper limbs was more strongly correlated with handgrip for the dominant (r = 0.630) and non-dominant hand (r = 0.575) compared to PhA of the whole body considering both sexes. Similarly, segmental PhA had a stronger significant correlation with SJ (r = 0.402) and handgrip for the dominant hand (r = 0.482) in males, as well as CMJ (r = 0.602) in females, compared to PhA of the whole body. CONCLUSION: PhA of the whole body was positively related to fat-free mass, body mass index, body fat %, and lower- and upper-limbs strength in handball athletes. Segmental PhA might be used as a tool for estimating lower and upper limbs performance considering the sex, in preference to the PhA of the whole body.

Effects of Four Weeks of In-Season Pre-Workout Supplementation on Performance, Body Composition, Muscle Damage, and Health-Related Markers in Basketball Players: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This randomized, double-blinded, experimental study investigated the effects of a four-week daily pre-workout supplementation (200 mg caffeine, 3.3 g creatine monohydrate, 3.2 g ß-alanine, 6 g citrulline malate, and 5 g BCAA) vs. placebo (isocaloric maltodextrin) on anaerobic (jumping, sprinting, agility, and the running-based anaerobic sprint test: RAST) and aerobic (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1) performance, as well as on body composition and selective muscle damage/health-related blood markers in well-trained basketball players during the in-season period. Eighteen basketball players (age: 24.4 ± 6.3 years, height: 185.7 ± 8.0 cm, weight: 85.7 ± 12.8 kg, body fat: 16.5 ± 4.2%) were randomly assigned into two groups: pre-workout supplement (PWS, n = 10) or placebo (PL, n = 8). PWS consumption increased aerobic performance (PWS: 8 ± 6%; PL: -2 ± 6%; p = 0.004) compared to PL. A significant decrease was observed in peak (F = 7.0; p = 0.017), average (F = 10.7; p = 0.005), and minimum power (F = 5.1; p = 0.039) following 4 weeks of supplementation in both groups. No other significant changes were observed between groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the consumption of the current PWS over a four-week period appears to positively influence the aerobic performance of well-trained basketball players during the in-season period. However, it does not appear to mitigate the observed decline in anaerobic power, nor does it affect performance in jumping, sprinting, and agility, or alter body composition or selective muscle damage/health-related blood markers.

Glycerophospholipids in Red Blood Cells Are Associated with Aerobic Performance in Young Swimmers.

This study aimed to characterize the composition of lipids in the red blood cells (RBCs) of adolescent swimmers and correlate this lipidome with the aerobic performance of the athletes. Five experimental assessments were performed by 37 adolescent swimmers. During the first session, the athletes went to the laboratory facility for venous blood sampling. The critical velocity protocol was conducted over the 4 subsequent days to measure aerobic performance (CV), comprising maximal efforts over distances of 100, 200, 400, and 800 m in a swimming pool. RBCs were obtained and extracted for analysis using the liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry untargeted approach. A total of 2146 ions were detected in the RBCs, of which 119 were identified. The enrichment pathway analysis indicated intermediary lipids in the glycerophospholipid, glycerolipid, sphingolipid, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic metabolisms, as well as pentose and glucuronate interconversions. A significant impact of the intermediary lipids was observed for the glycerophospholipid metabolism, including phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, and phosphatidic acid. Inverse and significant associations were observed for PE 18:2/18:3 (r = -0.39; p = 0.015), PC 18:3/20:0 (r = -0.33; p = 0.041), and phosphatidic acid 18:0/0:0 (r = -0.47; p = 0.003) with aerobic performance. Swimmers who exhibited higher levels of aerobic performance also had the lowest abundance of PE, PC, and phosphatidic acid.

Association between ACTN3 (R577X), ACE (I/D), BDKRB2 (-9/+9), and AGT (M268T) polymorphisms and performance phenotypes in Brazilian swimmers.

BACKGROUND: The influence of genetic polymorphisms on athletic performance has been widely explored. This study investigated the interactions between the polymorphisms ACTN3 (R577X), ACE (I/D), BDKRB2 (-9/+9), and AGT (M/T) and their association with endurance and strength phenotypes in Brazilian swimmers. METHODS: 123 athletes (aged 20-30 years) and 718 controls participated in the study. The athletes were divided into elite and sub-elite (N = 19 and 104, respectively) and strength and endurance experts (N = 98 and 25, respectively). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed in all groups. RESULTS: Considering the ACE polymorphism, it was observed a higher frequency of the DD genotype than expected in the strength experts of the elite group, whereas the strength experts sub-elite athletes had a higher frequency of the ID genotype (χ2 = 8.17; p = 0.01). Subjects with XX genotypes of ACTN3 are more likely to belong to the athlete group when compared to the control group (OR = 1.79, p = 0.04). The DD homozygotes of the ACE are more likely to belong to the elite group with strength phenotypes than the group of sub-elite (OR = 7.96, p = 0.01) and elite strength experts compared to elite endurance (OR = 18.0, p = 0.03). However, no significant differences were observed in the allelic distribution of the polymorphisms evaluated when comparing Elite, sub-elite athletes and controls. CONCLUSION: ACE and ACTN3 allele frequencies should be considered with regard to performance influencing factors in Brazilian swimmers.

Impact of Menstrual cycle-based Periodized training on Aerobic performance, a Clinical Trial study protocol-the IMPACT study.

BACKGROUND: The menstrual cycle and its impact on training and performance are of growing interest. However, evidence is lacking whether periodized exercise based on the menstrual cycle is beneficial. The primary purpose of this proposed randomized, controlled trial, the IMPACT study, is to evaluate the effect of exercise periodization during different phases of the menstrual cycle, i.e., comparing follicular phase-based and luteal phase-based training with regular training during the menstrual cycle on physical performance in well-trained women. METHODS: Healthy, well-trained, eumenorrheic women between 18 and 35 years (n = 120) will be recruited and first assessed for physical performance during a run-in menstrual cycle at different cycle phases and then randomized to three different interventions: follicular phase-based training, luteal phase-based training, or regular training during three menstrual cycles. The training intervention will consist of high-intensity spinning classes followed by strength training. The menstrual cycle phases will be determined by serum hormone analysis throughout the intervention period. Assessment of aerobic performance (primary outcome) and muscle strength, body composition, and blood markers will be performed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. DISCUSSION: With a robust methodology, this study has the potential to provide evidence of the differential effects of exercise periodization during different phases of the menstrual cycle in female athletes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05697263 . Registered on 25 January 2023.

Is melatonin as an ergogenic hormone a myth? a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Melatonin supplementation has been disclosed as an ergogenic substance. However, the effectiveness of melatonin supplementation in healthy subjects has not been systematically investigated. The present study analyzed the effects of melatonin supplementation on physical performance and recovery. In addition, it was investigated whether exercise bout or training alter melatonin secretion in athletes and exercise practitioners. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted and reported according to the guidelines outlined in the PRISMA statement. Based on the search and inclusion criteria, 21 studies were included in the systematic review, and 19 were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Melatonin supplementation did not affect aerobic performance relative to time trial (-0.04; 95% CI: -0.51 to 0.44) and relative to VO2 (0.00; 95% CI: -0.57 to 0.57). Also, melatonin supplementation did not affect strength performance (0.19; 95% CI: -0.28 to 0.65). Only Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) secretion increased after melatonin supplementation (1.40; 95% CI: 0.29 to 2.51). Post-exercise melatonin secretion was not changed immediately after an exercise session (0.56; 95% CI: -0.29 to 1.41) and 60 min after exercise (0.56; 95% CI: -0.29 to 1.41). CONCLUSION: The data indicate that melatonin is not an ergogenic hormone. In contrast, melatonin supplementation improves post-exercise recovery, even without altering its secretion.

Improvement of the aerobic performance in endurance athletes presenting nasal valve compromise with the application of an internal nasal dilator.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of an internal nasal dilator on nasal airflow and cardio-respiratory capacity in adult endurance athletes, while performing controlled exhaustive physical exercise. METHODS: Prospective observational study. Participants were 38 adult endurance athletes, 23 with and 15 without nasal valve compromise. Nasal patency was objectively evaluated with anterior rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximum pulmonary ventilation, time to exhaustion and total time of nasal respiration were recorded during a submaximal treadmill test. Dyspnea intensity and fatigue perception were evaluated using a labeled visual analog scale. All assessments were performed with and without the application of the internal nasal dilator. RESULTS: All the parameters related to aerobic capacity were significantly reduced in the group of athletes with nasal valve compromise (p. <0.05 for all variables). The internal nasal dilator improved statistically significantly the nasal patency (p. <0.001), VO2max and aerobic performance and self-rating of dyspnea and fatigue (p. <0.05 for all parameters) only in athletes with nasal obstruction. PNIF correlated significantly with VO2max (rho = 0.4, p. <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Internal nasal dilation improves nasal patency and aerobic performance during submaximal exercise in adult endurance athletes with nasal obstruction symptoms due to nasal valve compromise.

Non-Invasive Cardiac Output Measurement Using Inert Gas Rebreathing Method during Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing-A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The use of inert gas rebreathing for the non-invasive cardiac output measurement has produced measurements comparable to those obtained by various other methods. However, there are no guidelines for the inert gas rebreathing method during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). In addition, there is also a lack of specific standards for assessing the non-invasive measurement of cardiac output during CPET, both for healthy patients and those suffering from diseases and conditions. AIM: This systematic review aims to describe the use of IGR for a non-invasive assessment of cardiac output during cardiopulmonary exercise testing and, based on the information extracted, to identify a proposed CPET report that includes an assessment of the cardiac output using the IGR method. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted by PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses) guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception until 29 December 2022. The primary search returned 261 articles, of which 47 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review provides a comprehensive description of protocols, indications, technical details, and proposed reporting standards for a non-invasive cardiac output assessment using IGR during CPET. It highlights the need for standardized approaches to CPET and identifies gaps in the literature. The review critically analyzes the strengths and limitations of the studies included and offers recommendations for future research by proposing a combined report from CPET-IGR along with its clinical application.

Normative reference and cut-offs values of maximal aerobic speed-20 m shuttle run test and maximal oxygen uptake for Tunisian adolescent (elite) soccer players.

This study aimed to develop reference curves of aerobic parameters of 20 m shuttle run test for Tunisian soccer players. The study was conducted in the 2022/2023 pre-season. The reference curves of the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were developed according to the Lambda, Mu and Sigma (LMS) method, using data from 742 Tunisian premier league soccer players aged 11-18 years. Measured variables included: weight, height, body mass index and maximal heart rate (HRmax). HRmax was measured when the participants completed the maximal aerobic speed. VO2max was estimated using the 20 m shuttle run test protocol (speed increment every minute). Our results presented the smoothed percentiles (3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th) of MAS (km/h) and VO2max (ml/kg•min⁻1) according to age. In addition, raw data showed that VO2 max was positively correlated with age (r = 0.333; P < 0.001), height (cm) (r = 0.279; P < 0.001), weight (kg) (r = 0.266; P < 0.001), practice period (years) (r = 0.324; P < 0.001) and BMI (kg/m2) (r = 0.10; P < 0.05). However, it was negatively correlated to HRmax (bpm) (r = -0.247; P < 0.001). Only the measurements within the age group [12-12.99] are significantly higher (p < 0.001; ES = 0.63) compared with the previous age group [11-11.99]. Finally, regarding prevalence, our findings showed that 15.5 % of the players in our sample had VO2max values above the 87.7th percentile cut-off, while only 0.3 % exceeded the 99.18th percentile. The development of normative curves could help coaches and physical trainers to more accurately detect weaknesses in the aerobic performance of their players in order to sustain high-intensity repetitive actions during a soccer match.

Determinants of daily physical activity limitation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The purpose of the study was to determine the level of physical fitness assessed based on the physiological parameters and intensity of daily physical activity (PA) of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Additionally, we aimed to determine the intensity and duration of exercise that would bring beneficial modifications in the cardio-respiratory system of the patients with IPF. Eighteen patients with IPF (61.7 ± 4.3 years) and fifteen healthy volunteers performed a graded exercise test to exhaustion on a treadmill (Bruce protocol). Spirometry, dyspnea (mMRC, Borg scale) and fatigue (FAS) were measured. Total daily PA (kcal/day, MET) was monitored for seven days. The linear regression of PA (kcal/day) vs. peak oxygen uptake (%pred. peakVO2) was used to determine the intensity of daily PA that should be used in the rehabilitation of the patients with IPF. The average energy expenditure of daily PA of patients with IPF was 147.9 ± 86.4 kcal/day and it was significantly lower compared to healthy individuals. The linear regression indicated that the predicted energy expenditure of daily PA (PAEE) is 280.0 kcal/day, estimated based on VO2peak 100%pred. Therefore, the patients should add about 30 min of exercise of the intensity of 4.5 ± 0.2 kcal (calculated at the anaerobic threshold) or about 3700 steps/day to their daily PA. Diffusion for carbon monoxide and physiological variables of aerobic capacity seem to be the most important determinants of PA limitation in patients with IPF. The method of estimating PAEE should be used to plan training loads in IPF rehabilitation.

Effect of brain endurance training on maximal oxygen uptake, time-to-exhaustion, and inhibitory control in runners.

We aimed to analyze the effect of brain endurance training on maximum oxygen consumption (VO2máx ), time-to-exhaustion, and inhibitory control in amateur trained runners. We employed a mixed experimental design, with the group as the between-participant factor and time as the within-participant factor. 45 participants attended 36 training sessions over 12 weeks. The cognitive training group (CT) performed the Stroop word-color task [trials of each type (congruent, incongruent, and neutral) were randomly presented during each training session], the endurance training group (ET) participated in a running training program (intensity was 60%Δ of maximal aerobic velocity and performed on a motor-driven treadmill), and the brain endurance training group (BET) make cognitive and endurance training simultaneously over 12 weeks. The total time of each session (i.e., 20-40 min) was identical in the experimental groups. VO2máx , time-to-exhaustion, and inhibitory control tests were measured before (baseline) and after (post-experiment) the 12-week intervention. A significant effect of interaction (group × time) for VO2máx (p < 0.05) was found. A post-hoc test showed an increase in VO2máx from baseline to post-experiment only for ET (Δ% = 2.98) and BET (Δ% = 3.78) groups (p < 0.05). Also, the analyses showed a significant interaction (group × time) for time-to-exhaustion (p < 0.05), and a post-hoc test revealed an improvement in time-to-exhaustion for ET (Δ% = 8.81) and BET (Δ% = 11.01) (p < 0.05). No group × time interaction was found for accuracy and response time in the inhibitory control task (p > 0.05). The results conclude that BET was not superior to ET for improving VO2máx and time-to-exhaustion. Also, the findings conclude that BET improved inhibitory control similar to CT.

Northern shrimp from multiple origins show similar sensitivity to global change drivers, but different cellular energetic capacity.

Species with a wide distribution can experience significant regional variation in environmental conditions, to which they can acclimatize or adapt. Consequently, the geographic origin of an organism can influence its responses to environmental changes, and therefore its sensitivity to combined global change drivers. This study aimed at determining the physiological responses of the northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis, at different levels of biological organization and from four different geographic origins, exposed to elevated temperature and low pH to define its sensitivity to future ocean warming and acidification. Shrimp sampled within the northwest Atlantic were exposed for 30 days to combinations of three temperature (2, 6 or 10°C) and two pH levels (7.75 or 7.40). Survival, metabolic rates, whole-organism aerobic performance and cellular energetic capacity were assessed at the end of the exposure. Our results show that shrimp survival was negatively affected by temperature above 6°C and low pH, regardless of their origin. Additionally, shrimp from different origins show overall similar whole-organism performances: aerobic scope increasing with increasing temperature and decreasing with decreasing pH. Finally, the stability of aerobic metabolism appears to be related to cellular adjustments specific to shrimp origin. Our results show that the level of intraspecific variation differs among levels of biological organization: different cellular capacities lead to similar individual performances. Thus, the sensitivity of the northern shrimp to ocean warming and acidification is overall comparable among origins. Nonetheless, shrimp vulnerability to predicted global change scenarios for 2100 could differ among origins owing to different regional environmental conditions.

Head-to-head opponent mitigates mental fatigue effects during a 20-km time trial in well-trained cyclists.

We aimed to analyze the effect of a head-to-head virtual race on 20-km time trial performance in well-trained mentally fatigued cyclists. A total of 24 male professional cyclists participated in the present study, which was conducted in a within-factors design [four experimental conditions × four times (throughout 20-km time trial cycling)]. An avatar representing the participant on the racecourse was visible during the time trials. Then, a second virtual avatar representing the opponent was projected onto the screen in the mental fatigue head-to-head and control head-to-head experimental conditions. Measurements [rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, and eye-tracking measures (i.e., pupil diameter)] were performed every 5-km throughout the 20-km time trial. As a result, impaired total time, power output, and cadence throughout the 20-km cycling time trial were found for mental fatigue compared to mental fatigue head-to-head, control head-to-head, and control conditions (p < 0.05). Also, impaired 20-km time trial performance (total time, power output, and cadence) was found for mental fatigue head-to-head compared to control head-to-head (p < 0.05). Moreover, lower RPE was found for the control and control head-to-head conditions than mental fatigue head-to-head and mental fatigue experimental conditions (p < 0.05). Higher pupil diameter was also found for mental fatigue head-to-head, control head-to-head, and control than the mental fatigue experimental condition (p < 0.05). In summary, the overall performance throughout the 20-km cycling time trial was improved by the presence of a virtual opponent for the mentally fatigued cyclists.

Short-Term Speed Variability as an Index of Pacing Stochasticity in Athletic Running Events.

We aimed to compare differences in performance and pacing variability indices between 5000 m heats and finals during major championships in men and women. Data with 100 m time resolution were used to compare overall pacing variability (standard deviation of 100 m section times, SD; and coefficient of variation, CV%) and short-term pacing variability (root mean square of successive differences between 100 m section times, RMSSD). The changes in performance and pacing indices differed between races and competitions. For instance, the men's final in Beijing 2008 was quicker than the heat (p < 0.01) while the CV% was reduced (p = 0.03) and RMSSD increased (p < 0.01). For women, the heats and the final exhibited a similar mean time in London 2017 (p = 0.33) but with CV% (p < 0.001) and RMSSD (p < 0.001) showing opposite trends. Individual analyses of men's and women's champions revealed highly individual variability metrics. The use of RMSSD can complement overall variability indices for better characterization of pacing stochasticity.

The Effect of Acute Pre-Workout Supplement Ingestion on Basketball-Specific Performance of Well-Trained Athletes.

A pre-workout supplement's (PWS; 200 mg caffeine, 3.3 g creatine monohydrate, 3.2 g ß-alanine, 6 g citrulline malate and 5 g branched chained amino acid (BCAA) per dose) acute effects on the alactic (jumping, sprinting, agility), lactic (Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test, RAST) and aerobic performance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, Yo-Yo IRL1 VO2max) of well-trained basketball players was investigated in this double-blind placebo-controlled study. Thirty players (age 18-31 years, height 166-195 cm, weight 70.2-116.7 kg, body fat 10.6-26.4%) were allocated to pre-workout (PWS, n = 15) or placebo (PL, n = 15) groups. Half of the participants in each group performed the evaluations without PWS or PL, while the rest consumed PWS or PL 30 min before the assessments (1st trial) and vice versa (2nd trial). Significant improvements in counter-movement jump (CMJ) (PWS: 4.3 ± 2.1%; PL: 1.2 ± 1.0%), agility (PWS: -2.9 ± 1.8%; PL: 1.8 ± 1.7%), RAST average (PWS: 18.3 ± 9.1%; PL: -2.2 ± 2.0%), minimum power (PWS: 13.7 ± 8.9%; PL: -7.5 ± 5.9%), and fatigue index (PWS: -25.0 ± 0.9%; PL: -4.6 ± 0.6%) were observed in the PWS group vs. the PL group (p < 0.05). No differences were found regarding sprinting, aerobic performance, and blood lactate concentrations. Thus, although players' alactic and lactic anaerobic performance could be improved, peak power, sprinting and aerobic performance are not.

Sleep and chronotype influence aerobic performance in young soccer players.

People can be classified into three chronotypes (CT): morning-type (M-type), Neither-type (N-type) and Evening-type (E-type). M-types perform better in the morning, E-types in the evening. It seems that bad sleep worsens physical performance. The impact of sleep and CT on specific sports and populations is unclear. Therefore, we wanted to assess agility, strength and endurance in young soccer players in relation to their sleep and chronotype. 58 players (13-19 years) were recruited. Sleep and CT were assessed by questionnaires. The physical trial was performed at 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and included three tests to determine agility, strength and endurance. The sample was classified by CT as M-types (n = 11), N-types (n = 29) and E-types (n = 18). Furthermore, they were categorized as people with Good Sleep/Wake quality (GSW, n = 28) and people with Bad Sleep/Wake quality (BSW, n = 30). Comparing the three CTs in the aerobic test, M-types performed better in the morning (p = 0.01), while E-types in the evening (p < 0.001). GSW performed better than BSW (p = 0.019) in the aerobic test in the p.m. session. These results underline the difference in aerobic power between M-and E-types during the morning and evening session; moreover, they show a difference in p.m. aerobic performance according to sleep quality.

Aerobic adaptations following two iso-effort training programs: an intense continuous and a high-intensity interval.

The intensity of the training stimulus and the effort exerted (regarded as an index of internal load) to complete an exercise session are driving forces for physiological processes and long-term training adaptations. This study compared the aerobic adaptations following two iso-effort, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)-based training programs, an intense continuous (CON) and a high-intensity interval (INT). Young adults were assigned to a CON (n = 11) or an INT (n = 13) training group to perform 14 training sessions within 6 weeks. The INT group performed running bouts (9.3 ± 4.4 repetitions) at 90% of peak treadmill velocity (PTV) with bout duration equal to 1/4 of time to exhaustion at this speed (134.2 ± 27.9 s). The CONT group ran (1185.0 ± 487.6 s) at a speed corresponding to -2.5% of critical velocity (CV; 80.1% ± 3.0% of PTV). Training-sessions were executed until RPE attained 17 on the Borg scale. VO2max, PTV, CV, lactate threshold velocity (vLT), and running economy were assessed pre-, mid-, and post-training. Both CONT and INT methods increased (p < 0.05) VO2max (INT: 57.7 ± 8.1-61.41 ± 9.2; CONT: 58.1 ± 7.5-61.1 ± 6.3 mL kg-1 min-1), PTV (INT: 14.6 ± 1.8-15.7 ± 2.1; CONT: 15.0 ± 1.7-15.7 ± 1.8 km h-1), CV (INT: 11.8 ± 1.4-12.8 ± 1.8; CONT: 12.2 ± 1.6-12.9 ± 1.7 km h-1), and vLT (INT: 9.77 ± 1.1-10.8 ± 1.4; CONT: 10.4 ± 1.4-11.0 ± 1.8 km h-1) with no differences (p > 0.05) between them; running economy remained unchanged. The continuous training method, when matched for effort and executed at relatively high intensity at the upper boundaries of the heavy-intensity domain (∼80% of PTV), confers comparable aerobic adaptations to those attained after a high-intensity interval protocol following a short-term training period.

Effects of single session transcranial direct current stimulation on aerobic performance and one arm pull-down explosive force of professional rock climbers.

Objective: To explore the effects of single-session transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on aerobic performance and explosive force in the one-arm pull-down of long-term trained rock climbers. Method: Twenty athletes (twelve male and eight female) from the Rock Climbing Team of Hunan province (Hunan, China) were selected for a randomized double-blind crossover study. After baseline tests, All subjects visited laboratories twice to randomly receive either sham or a-tDCS at a current intensity of 2 mA for 20 min. The two visits were more than 72 h apart. Immediately after each stimulation, subjects completed a 9-min 3-level-load aerobic test and a one-arm pull-down test. Results: Differences in the heart rate immediately after 9-min incremental aerobic exercises revealed no statistical significance between each group (p > 0.05). However, the decrease in heart rate per unit time after exercise after real stimulation was significantly better than before stimulation (p < 0.05), and no statistical significance was observed between after sham stimulation and before stimulation (p > 0.05). One-arm pull-down explosive force on both sides after real stimulation was improved by a-tDCS compared with before stimulation, but with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Real stimulation was significantly improved, compared with sham stimulation on the right side (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Single-session tDCS could potentially benefit sports performance in professional athletes.

How much does sleep deprivation impair endurance performance? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of sleep deprivation on endurance performance, as well as possible effect-modifying factors. Searches were done in Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus on 12 July 2022. We additionally searched the bibliographic references and citations on Google Scholar of the papers whose full text was analyzed. Eligible studies were randomized and non-randomized controlled trials that compared sleep deprivation and habitual-sleep night effects on endurance performance in healthy humans. The studies' quality was examined by the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. We calculated the pooled standardized mean differences (pooled SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) by a random-effects model. A mixed-effects model analyzed subgroups. Thirty-one studies were analyzed (n = 478), generating 38 effect sizes in full. The overall risk of bias was low in 8% of the studies, unclear in 74%, and high in 18%. Sleep deprivation in general had a moderate negative effect on endurance performance (polled SMD [95%CI] = -0.52 [-0.67; -0.38]). Training status, sleep deprivation magnitude, assessment time, exercise mode, and endpoint type did not influence the sleep deprivation effect, whereas longer exercises (>30 min) were more affected by sleep deprivation than shorter ones (P = 0.035). Therefore, the available evidence supports that sleep deprivation's deleterious effect on endurance performance is of moderate size and depends on exercise duration. This information can be useful to estimate the performance decrement of endurance exercise practitioners under sleep deprivation in training routines and competitions.PROSPERO registration number CRD42021229717.

Sleep deprivation causes a moderate deleterious effect on endurance performance.Sleep deprivation similarly impairs endurance performance in untrained, recreationally-trained, and trained people, but its effect on well-trained and professional endurance athletes is unknown.One or more nights of partial sleep deprivation or one night of total sleep deprivation similarly compromise endurance performance. Uncertainties about the effect of more than one night of total sleep deprivation warrant more studies.Sleep deprivation impairs walking, running, and cycling endurance performance regardless of the exercise endpoint being unknown (i.e. incremental or constant load tests) or known (i.e. time trial tests) and assessment time. However, sleep deprivation causes a more deleterious effect on endurance performance in exercises lasting more than 30 min.