Physiological demands and motion analysis of elite foil fencing.

The aim of this study was to determine the physiological demands and motion analysis of a simulated fencing competition. Eighteen fencers each completed 5 'poule' (5 touches) and 'direct elimination (DE)' (15 touches) fights. Expired gases were measured during 1 poule and DE fight.

Maximum aerobic speed, maximum oxygen consumption, and running spatiotemporal parameters during an incremental test among middle- and long-distance runners and endurance non-running athletes.

Background: Maximal aerobic speed (MAS) is a useful parameter to assess aerobic capacity and estimate training intensity in middle- and long-distance runners. However, whether middle- and long-distance runners reach different levels of MAS compared to other endurance athletes with similar V̇O has not been previously studied. Therefore, we aimed to compare V̇O, MAS and spatiotemporal parameters between sub-elite middle- and long-distance runners ( = 6) and endurance non-runners ( = 6).

Validity of Heart Rate-Based Models for Estimating Oxygen Uptake During Tennis Play.

Baiget, E, Iglesias, X, and Rodríguez, FA. Validity of heart rate-based models for estimating oxygen uptake during tennis play. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3208-3216, 2020-This study aimed to assess the validity of an on-court tennis test (specific endurance tennis test [SET-Test]) and 2 heart rate (HR)-based methods for estimating oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2) in competitive tennis players.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in sport and exercise: Systematic review and future perspectives.

Background: Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) is a general concept that includes all methodologies used in the analysis of the bioelectrical vector, whereas the "classic" BIVA is a patented methodology included among these methods of analysis. Once this was clarified, the systematic review of the literature provides a deeper insight into the scope and range of application of BIVA in sport and exercise.

Objective: The main goal of this work was to systematically review the sources on the applications of BIVA in sport and exercise and to examine its usefulness and suitability as a technique for the evaluation of body composition, hydration status, and other physiological and clinical relevant characteristics, ultimately to trace future perspectives in this growing area, including a proposal for a research agenda.

Physiological demands of standing and wheelchair fencing in able-bodied fencers.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the cardiorespiratory demands of standing and wheelchair (seated) fencing in a group of able-bodied fencers during simulated competitive bouts.

Methods: Participants were ten male able-bodied fencers of regional level with previous training experience in wheelchair fencing. After a standardized warm-up, participants performed two series of simulated competitive épée bouts (5 and 15 touches) in a random order, either while standing or while sitting in a wheelchair.

Oxidative stress in elite athletes training at moderate altitude and at sea level.

Using a controlled parallel group longitudinal trial design, we investigated the effects of different training interventions on the prooxidant/antioxidant status of elite athletes: living and training at moderate altitude for 3 (Hi-Hi3) and 4 weeks (Hi-Hi), and for 4 weeks too, living high and training high and low (Hi-HiLo) and living and training at sea level (Lo-Lo). From 61 swimmers, 54 completed the study. Nitrites, carbonyls, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were assessed in plasma.

Blood lactate accumulation during competitive freediving and synchronized swimming.

A number of competitive water sports are performed while breath-holding (apnea). Such performances put large demands on the anaerobic system, but the study of lactate accumulation in apneic sports is limited. We therefore aimed to determine and compare the net lactate accumulation (NLA) during competition events in six disciplines of competitive freediving (FD) and three disciplines of synchronized swimming (SSW).

Dynamics of the Metabolic Response During a Competitive 100-m Freestyle in Elite Male Swimmers.

Purpose: To compare the dynamics of maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]), blood lactate ([La]), total energy expenditure (E), and contributions of the aerobic (E), alactic anaerobic (E), and lactic anaerobic (E) metabolic energy pathways over 4 consecutive 25-m laps (L, L, etc) of a 100-m maximal freestyle swim.

Methods: Elite swimmers comprising 26 juniors (age = 16 [1] y) and 23 seniors (age = 24 [5] y) performed 100 m at maximal speed and then 3 trials (25, 50, and 75 m) at the same pace as that of the 100 m. [La] was collected, and [Formula: see text] was measured 20 s postexercise.

Oxygen Uptake Kinetics Is Slower in Swimming Than Arm Cranking and Cycling during Heavy Intensity.

Oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) kinetics has been reported to be influenced by the activity mode. However, only few studies have compared [Formula: see text]O kinetics between activities in the same subjects in which they were equally trained. Therefore, this study compared the [Formula: see text]O kinetics response to swimming, arm cranking, and cycling within the same group of subjects within the heavy exercise intensity domain.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) for measuring the hydration status in young elite synchronized swimmers.

Purpose: The assessment of body hydration is a complex process, and no measurement is valid for all situations. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) has emerged as a relatively novel technique for assessing hydration status in sports. We applied BIVA a) to determine hydration changes evoked by an intense synchronized swimming (SS) training session; b) to characterize the sample of young elite swimmers in relation with a nonathletic reference population; and c) to generate its 50%, 75% and 95% percentiles of the bioelectrical variables.

Validity of Postexercise Measurements to Estimate Peak VO2 in 200-m and 400-m Maximal Swims.

To assess the validity of postexercise measurements to estimate oxygen uptake (V˙O) during swimming, we compared V˙O measured directly during an all-out 200-m swim with measurements estimated during 200-m and 400-m maximal tests using several methods, including a recent heart rate (HR)/V˙O modelling procedure. 25 elite swimmers performed a 200-m maximal swim where V˙O was measured using a swimming snorkel connected to a gas analyzer. The criterion variable was V˙O in the last 20 s of effort, which was compared with the following V˙O estimates: 1) first 20-s average; 2) linear backward extrapolation (BE) of the first 20 and 30 s, 3×20-s, 4×20-s, and 3×20-s or 4×20-s averages; 3) semilogarithmic BE at the same intervals; and 4) predicted V˙O using mathematical modelling of 0-20 s and 5-20 s during recovery.

Estimating peak oxygen uptake based on postexercise measurements in swimming.

To assess the validity of postexercise measurements in estimating peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) in swimming, we compared oxygen uptake (V̇O2) measurements during supramaximal exercise with various commonly adopted methods, including a recently developed heart rate - V̇O2 modelling procedure. Thirty-one elite swimmers performed a 200-m maximal swim where V̇O2 was measured breath-by-breath using a portable gas analyzer connected to a respiratory snorkel, 1 min before, during, and 3 min postexercise. V̇O2peak(-20-0) was the average of the last 20 s of effort.

Maximal Aerobic Frequency of Ball Hitting: A New Training Load Parameter in Tennis.

Baiget, E, Iglesias, X, and Rodríguez, FA. Maximal aerobic frequency of ball hitting: a new training load parameter in tennis. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 106-114, 2017-This study aimed (a) to evaluate a new training load parameter in tennis based on the ball-hitting frequency (Ballf) at V[Combining Dot Above]O2max occurs (maximal aerobic frequency of ball hitting, MAF) and (b) to assess the accuracy of a specific endurance tennis test (SET-Test) for predicting MAF.

A New Model for Estimating Peak Oxygen Uptake Based on Postexercise Measurements in Swimming.

Purpose: Assessing cardiopulmonary function during swimming is a complex and cumbersome procedure. Backward extrapolation is often used to predict peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during unimpeded swimming, but error can derive from a delay at the onset of VO2 recovery. The authors assessed the validity of a mathematical model based on heart rate (HR) and postexercise VO2 kinetics for the estimation of VO2peak during exercise.

Tennis Play Intensity Distribution and Relation with Aerobic Fitness in Competitive Players.

The aims of this study were (i) to describe the relative intensity of simulated tennis play based on the cumulative time spent in three metabolic intensity zones, and (ii) to determine the relationships between this play intensity distribution and the aerobic fitness of a group of competitive players. 20 male players of advanced to elite level (ITN) performed an incremental on-court specific endurance tennis test to exhaustion to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1, VT2). Ventilatory and gas exchange parameters were monitored using a telemetric portable gas analyser (K4 b2, Cosmed, Rome, Italy).

Exercise modality effect on oxygen uptake off-transient kinetics at maximal oxygen uptake intensity.

What is the central question of this study? Do the mechanical differences between swimming, rowing, running and cycling have a potential effect on the oxygen uptake (V̇O2) off-kinetics after an exercise sustained until exhaustion at 100% of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) intensity? What is the main finding and its importance? The mechanical differences between exercise modes had a potential effect and contributed to distinct amplitude of the fast component (higher in running compared with cycling) and time constant (higher in swimming compared with rowing and cycling) in the V̇O2 off-kinetic patterns at 100% of V̇O2max intensity. This suggests that swimmers, unlike rowers and cyclists, would benefit more from a longer duration of training intervals after each set of exercise performed at V̇O2max intensity. The kinetics of oxygen uptake (V̇O2) during recovery (off-transient kinetics) for different exercise modes is largely unexplored, hampering the prescription of training and recovery to enhance performance.

Altitude Training in Elite Swimmers for Sea Level Performance (Altitude Project).

Introduction: This controlled, nonrandomized, parallel-groups trial investigated the effects on performance, V˙O2 and hemoglobin mass (tHbmass) of four preparatory in-season training interventions: living and training at moderate altitude for 3 and 4 wk (Hi-Hi3, Hi-Hi), living high and training high and low (Hi-HiLo, 4 wk), and living and training at sea level (SL) (Lo-Lo, 4 wk).

Methods: From 61 elite swimmers, 54 met all inclusion criteria and completed time trials over 50- and 400-m crawl (TT50, TT400), and 100 (sprinters) or 200 m (nonsprinters) at best stroke (TT100/TT200). Maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) and HR were measured with an incremental 4 × 200 m test.

Heart rate deflection point relates to second ventilatory threshold in a tennis test.

The relationship between heart rate deflection point (HRDP) and the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) has been studied in continuous sports, but never in a tennis-specific test. The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between HRDP and the VT2, and between the maximal test performance and the maximal oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)) in an on-court specific endurance tennis test.

Training load quantification in elite swimmers using a modified version of the training impulse method.

Prior reports have described the limitations of quantifying internal training loads using hear rate (HR)-based objective methods such as the training impulse (TRIMP) method, especially when high-intensity interval exercises are performed. A weakness of the TRIMP method is that it does not discriminate between exercise and rest periods, expressing both states into a single mean intensity value that could lead to an underestimate of training loads. This study was designed to compare Banister's original TRIMP method (1991) and a modified calculation procedure (TRIMPc) based on the cumulative sum of partial TRIMP, and to determine how each model relates to the session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), a HR-independent training load indicator.

Monitoring internal load parameters during competitive synchronized swimming duet routines in elite athletes.

The aim of the study is to compare the heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) responses as internal load indicators while performing duet routines during training and competition, both in the technical and free programs of synchronized swimming (SS). Participants were 10 SS Olympic medalists (age, 17.4 ± 3.

On-court endurance and performance testing in competitive male tennis players.

The aims of this study were (a) to establish a specific endurance test procedure for competitive tennis players, combining performance, physiological and technical parameters and (b) to determine the relationship between these parameters and their competitive levels. Thirty-eight competitive male tennis players (age, 18.2 ± 1.

Physiological responses in relation to performance during competition in elite synchronized swimmers.

Purpose: We aimed to characterize the cardiovascular, lactate and perceived exertion responses in relation to performance during competition in junior and senior elite synchronized swimmers.

Methods: 34 high level senior (21.4 ± 3.

High energy deficit in an ultraendurance athlete in a 24-hour ultracycling race.

This case study examined the nutritional behavior and energy balance in an official finisher of a 24-hour ultracycling race. The food and beverages consumed by the cyclist were continuously weighed and recorded to estimate intake of energy, macronutrients, sodium, and caffeine. In addition, during the race, heart rate was continuously monitored.

Nutritional behavior of cyclists during a 24-hour team relay race: a field study report.

Background: Information about behavior of energy intake in ultra-endurance cyclists during a 24-hour team relay race is scarce. The nutritional strategy during such an event is an important factor which athletes should plan carefully before the race. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the nutritional intake of ultra-endurance cyclists during a 24-hour team relay race with the current nutritional guidelines for endurance events.

Plyometric jumping performances of male and female gymnasts from different heights.

The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the factors influencing plyometric jumping performance between well-trained gymnasts and a control group. Seventy-six gymnasts and 91 moderately active subjects volunteered to participate in this study. Drop jumps (DJ) were performed from 20-, 40-, 60-, 80-, and 100-cm heights.