Haemoglobin mass responses and performance outcomes among high-performance swimmers following a 3-week live-high, train-high camp at 2320 m.

Aim: Greater quantification and characterisation of training load (TL) throughout Live-high, train-high (LHTH) altitude (ALT) training is required to identify periodisation strategies that may lead to physiological and performance improvements in swimmers.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the physiological responses and performance outcomes of 14 high-performance swimmers (FINA points: 836.0 ± 35.

Countermovement-Jump and Pull-Up Performance Before and After a Swimming Race in Preparatory and Competitive Phases of a Swimming Season.

Purpose: Monitoring performance athletes' training responses can be efficiently completed at competitive events. This study aimed to explore the changes in swimming, countermovement-jump (CMJ), and pull-up (PU) performance following training across a competitive phase, as well as immediately before and after each race.

Methods: Fourteen well-trained male sprint/middle-distance swimmers (height 179 [7] cm, mass 70 [8] kg, age 18 [2] y), from 3 regional training groups, completed CMJ and PU tests before and after the national competitions in October and May, when race performance was also assessed.

Assessment of contact involvements and scrums in international rugby union match-play using video analysis and microsensor technology methods.

This study sought to assess the validity of contact involvement (CI) detection using microsensor technology (MST, Catapult Vector) within the context of a Tier One national rugby union (RU) squad, consisting of 44 players. Sensitivity of MST units to detect CI and scrums was assessed in eight test matches, by comparison with match data obtained by video analysis. This paper is the first to assess the sensitivity of MST to the full range of skilled CI which occur in RU, including evaluating "non-performance" collisions, such as incidental collisions or foul play.

The impact of sprint, middle-distance, and long-distance orienteering races on perceived mental fatigue in national level orienteers.

Experiencing mental fatigue (MF) before an orienteering race can lead to a slower completion time. This study aimed to explore the changes in perceived MF, mood and other psychological responses during an orienteering competition. Sixteen national level orienteering athletes (20.

Circadian preference and physical and cognitive performance in adolescence: A scoping review.

Adolescence is a crucial period of development which coincides with changes in circadian rhythmicity. This may augment the impact of circadian preference on performance in this group. We aimed to scope the literature available on chronotypes and their effect on physical and mental aspects of performance in adolescents.

The effectiveness of adjusting resistance training loads through velocity-based techniques in experienced sprinters: a case series study.

This study aimed to determine if adjusting the loads via velocity-based training (VBT) in each session is more efficient in monitoring the relative intensity than programming loads assessing 1RM pre-training. To achieve this, six national level sprinters were randomly divided into two groups, i.e.

The Effect of Unilateral and Bilateral Leg Press Training on Lower Body Strength and Power and Athletic Performance in Adolescent Rugby Players.

This study aimed to compare the effects of 5 weeks of unilateral and bilateral leg press training on lower body strength, linear sprinting and vertical jumping performance in adolescent rugby players. Twenty-six male adolescent rugby players (age = 15.3 ± 0.

International orienteering experts' consensus on the definition, development, cause, impact and methods to reduce mental fatigue in orienteering: A Delphi study.

Orienteering is an outdoor activity wherein participants use a map and compass to locate control points and choose the quickest path to the next control point in a natural environment. Attentional focus, rapid decision-making, and high aerobic fitness may influence orienteering performance. Therefore, this research aimed to seek international orienteering expert consensus regarding the definition, development, causes, influences and methods to reduce mental fatigue (MF) in orienteering based on practical experience.

Effects of apnoea training on aerobic and anaerobic performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Trained breath-hold divers have shown physiological adaptations that might improve athletes' aerobic and anaerobic performance. This study aimed to systematically review the scientific literature and perform a meta-analysis to assess the effects of voluntary apnoea training on markers of anaerobic and aerobic performance, such as blood lactate and VO. A literature search on three databases (Web of Science, PubMed and SCOPUS) was conducted in March 2022.

A Concussion Education Programme for Motorsport Drivers: A Field-Based Exploratory Pilot Study.

Objective: Concussion education strategies that improve knowledge and attitudes long term are needed. This exploratory study piloted an interactive concussion education program, adopting concepts from the learning sciences and attitude change literature, for the underserved and high-risk population of motorsports.

Method: Forty UK motorsport drivers (ages 16-20 years) participated.

Using a Portable Near-infrared Spectroscopy Device to Estimate The Second Ventilatory Threshold.

A breakpoint in a portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) derived deoxygenated haemoglobin (deoxy[Hb]) signal during an incremental VO2max running test has been associated with the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) in healthy participants. Thus, the aim was to examine the association between this breakpoint (NIRS) and VT in well-trained runners. Gas exchange and NIRS data were collected during an incremental VO running test for 10 well-trained runners.

Adaptations to Swimming Training in Athletes with Down's Syndrome.

Swimming training programs may help to limit declines in cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, mobility and social functioning in individuals with Down's Syndrome (DS): (1) Background: This study aims to analyze the effects of a periodized swimming training program on swimming speed, lower body force and power and body composition in a group of swimmers with DS; (2) Methods: Nine swimmers with DS (2 men and 7 women; aged 21-30 years-old) completed an 18-week periodized swimming program. The swimmers were assessed, pre and post-training, for 25 m, 50 m and 100 m freestyle swim performance, countermovement jump performance and body composition; (3) Results: Significant and large improvements in 25 m (mean -6.39%, < 0.

Training and academic demands are associated with sleep quality in high-performance "dual career" student swimmers.

Dual career collegiate athletes, who combine sporting endeavours with academic studies, are commonplace in high-performance sport. Sleep is an important aspect of physical and psychological recovery for athletes, plays a role in memory and learning and is associated with academic achievement. The aim of this study was to assess variations in sleep characteristics of collegiate swimmers to understand the incidence of poor sleep, and which stressors might contribute towards this.

Variability of within-step acceleration and daily wellness monitoring in Collegiate American Football.

Objectives: It is commonplace to consider accelerometer load and any resultant neuromuscular fatigue in training programs. With these data becoming accepted in sport alongside wellness questionnaires this study aimed to investigate if a deeper analysis of the accelerometry data can provide actionable insight into training-induced disruptions.

Design: Accelerometer data from Collegiate American Football athletes (n=63) were collected during training and matches across a regular season.

Concussion in Motorsport? Experience, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Priorities of Medical Personnel and Drivers.

Objective: To assess concussion experiences, knowledge, and attitudes of motorsport medical personnel and drivers and to determine priority areas regarding concussion within the sport.

Design: Sequential mixed-method design. Part 1: stakeholder interviews; part 2: cross-sectional online survey.

Recovery practices in Division 1 collegiate athletes in North America.

Objectives: Establish current practice and attitudes towards recovery in a group of Division-1 Collegiate athletes from North America.

Design: A 16-item questionnaire was administered via custom software in an electronic format.

Participants: 152 student athletes from a Division-1 Collegiate school across 3 sports (Basketball, American Football, Soccer).

Comparison of affective responses during and after low volume high-intensity interval exercise, continuous moderate- and continuous high-intensity exercise in active, untrained, healthy males.

This study compared affective responses to low volume high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity continuous exercise (HICE). Twelve untrained males ([Formula: see text] 48.2 ± 6.

Match Demands of Senior and Junior Players During International Rugby League.

Dempsey, GM, Gibson, NV, Sykes, D, Pryjmachuk, BC, and Turner, AP. Match demands of senior and junior players during International Rugby League. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1678-1684, 2018-This study aims to quantify and compare the positional game demands of international junior and senior rugby league competition for the first time.

Indoor and Outdoor Context-Specific Contributions to Early Adolescent Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity as Measured by Combined Diary, Accelerometer, and GPS.

Background: The distribution of adolescent moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) across multiple contexts is unclear. This study examined indoor and outdoor leisure time in terms of being structured or unstructured and explored relationships with total daily MVPA.

Methods: Between September 2012 and January 2014, 70 participants (aged 11-13 y) from 4 schools in Edinburgh wore an accelerometer and global positioning system receiver over 7 days, reporting structured physical activity using a diary.

On/off-switchable LSPR nano-immunoassay for troponin-T.

Regeneration of immunosensors is a longstanding challenge. We have developed a re-usable troponin-T (TnT) immunoassay based on localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at gold nanorods (GNR). Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) was functionalised with anti-TnT to control the affinity interaction with TnT.

Practices & attitudes towards recovery in elite Asian & UK adolescent athletes.

Objectives: Assess current practice and attitudes towards recovery in adolescent athletes.

Design: Questionnaires were administered either via print or online questionnaire.

Participants: Athletes and coaches from within Asia were surveyed (n = 112 & 53), with a comparative sample in the UK (n = 53 & 8).

A Pilot Study Using Entropy as a Noninvasive Assessment of Running.

Purpose: Running performance is influenced by the interaction of biomechanical and physiological factors. Miniaturized accelerometers worn by athletes can be used to quantify mechanical aspects of running and as a noninvasive tool to assess training status and progression. The aim of this study was to define and validate a method to assess running regularity and allow the estimation of an individual's oxygen uptake (V̇O) and/or blood lactate-[La]-based on data collected with accelerometers and heart rate.

Doping Polypyrrole Films with 4-N-Pentylphenylboronic Acid to Enhance Affinity towards Bacteria and Dopamine.

Here we demonstrate the use of a functional dopant as a fast and simple way to tune the chemical affinity and selectivity of polypyrrole films. More specifically, a boronic-functionalised dopant, 4-N-Pentylphenylboronic Acid (PBA), was used to provide to polypyrrole films with enhanced affinity towards diols. In order to prove the proposed concept, two model systems were explored: (i) the capture and the electrochemical detection of dopamine and (ii) the adhesion of bacteria onto surfaces.

SIXTY SECONDS OF FOAM ROLLING DOES NOT AFFECT FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY OR CHANGE MUSCLE TEMPERATURE IN ADOLESCENT ATHLETES.

Background: Physiotherapists and other practitioners commonly prescribe foam rolling as an intervention, but the mechanistic effects of this intervention are not known.

Purpose: The aim of this investigation was to establish if a single bout of foam rolling affects flexibility, skeletal muscle contractility and reflected temperature.

Methods: Twelve adolescent male squash players were evaluated on two separate occasions (treatment and control visits) and were tested on both legs for flexibility of the hip flexors and quadriceps, muscle contractility (as measured by tensiomyography) and temperature of the quadriceps (assessed via thermography) at repeated time points pre- and post a 60s rolling intervention (pre-, immediately post, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes post).