Hormonal Contraceptive Use and Self-Reported Menstrual Cycle-Related Symptom Frequency and Severity in Norwegian Team Handball Players of Different Competition Levels.

Purpose: To compare the frequency and severity of self-perceived negative symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle or hormonal-contraceptive (HC) cycle between (1) HC users and non-HC users and (2) different competition levels. An additional aim was to describe the rate and type of HC use and prevalence of potential menstrual-cycle disturbances in female team handball players.

Methods: A total of 136 team handball players, competing at different levels (international, 48; national, 52; local/regional, 36), completed a cross-sectional survey regarding self-reported negative cycle-related symptom frequency and severity, perceived influence on training/competition performance, menstrual function, and current and/or past HC use.

Calcaneal Bone Mineral Assessment in Elite Female Trail Runners.

This study aimed to assess the calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) of elite female trail runners and evaluate its reliability using a novel DXA method. It also examined the relationship between calcaneal BMD and other regions of interest to better understand bone health in this specific population. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 35 elite female trail runners from the Spanish national team.

Test-retest reliability of strength, power, agility, and sprint performance in female team handball players.

Objectives: This study assessed the test-retest reliability of athletic performance tests in a cohort of trained Norwegian female handball players, as well as a sub-analysis of the test-retest reliability for naturally menstruating players.

Design: Eighteen handball players (naturally menstruating: n = 8) completed performance test batteries on three separate occasions.

Methods: The performance test battery included: a 1-repetition Smith machine back squat, maximal handgrip strength tests, counter-movement jumps, squat jumps, a modified agility T-test, and 15-m linear sprints.

Influence of Menstrual-Cycle Phase on Sleep and Recovery Following High- and Low-Intensity Training in Eumenorrheic Endurance-Trained Women: The Female Endurance Athlete Project.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of menstrual-cycle (MC) phase on objective sleep and perceived recovery following high- (HIT) and low-intensity training (LIT) in endurance-trained women.

Methods: Fifteen naturally menstruating, endurance-trained women completed standardized HIT and LIT sessions during the early follicular phase (EFP), ovulatory phase (OP), and midluteal phase (MLP) of 2 MCs. Overnight sleep was monitored using a Somnofy sleep monitor after each training session, and perceived recovery was assessed after 24 hours using self-report scales.

Agreement Between the 2- and 3-Step Methods for Identifying Subtle Menstrual Disturbances.

Unlabelled: Recent methodological recommendations suggest the use of the "3-step method," consisting of calendar-based counting, urinary ovulation testing, and serum blood sampling, for the identification of subtle menstrual disturbances (SMDs). However, the use of the 3-step method is not always feasible, so a less demanding combination of calendar-based counting and urinary ovulation testing, that is, the 2-step method, may be a viable alternative.

Purpose: To investigate the agreement between the 2- and 3-step methods for the detection of SMDs.

Comparison of resistance training using barbell half squats and trap bar deadlifts on maximal strength, power performance, and lean mass in recreationally active females: an eight-week randomised trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high load resistance training using barbell half squats compared with trap bar deadlifts on maximal strength, power performance, and lean mass in recreationally active females.

Methods: Twenty-two recreationally active female participants (age: 26.9 ± 7.

Menstrual Cycle Phase Has No Influence on Performance-Determining Variables in Endurance-Trained Athletes: The FENDURA Project.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the MC and endogenous sex hormone concentrations on performance-determining variables in three distinct MC phases in endurance-trained females.

Methods: Twenty-one eumenorrheic trained/highly trained endurance athletes completed a standardized test battery during the early follicular phase (EFP), ovulatory phase (OP), and midluteal phase (MLP) for either one ( n = 7) or two test cycles ( n = 14). MC phases were determined using calendar-based counting, urinary ovulation testing, and verified with serum hormone analysis.

Meta-analysis prediction intervals are under reported in sport and exercise medicine.

Aim: Prediction intervals are a useful measure of uncertainty for meta-analyses that capture the likely effect size of a new (similar) study based on the included studies. In comparison, confidence intervals reflect the uncertainty around the point estimate but provide an incomplete summary of the underlying heterogeneity in the meta-analysis. This study aimed to estimate (i) the proportion of meta-analysis studies that report a prediction interval in sports medicine; and (ii) the proportion of studies with a discrepancy between the reported confidence interval and a calculated prediction interval.

A biogeographical appraisal of the threatened South East Africa Montane Archipelago ecoregion.

Recent biological surveys of ancient inselbergs in southern Malawi and northern Mozambique have led to the discovery and description of many species new to science, and overlapping centres of endemism across multiple taxa. Combining these endemic taxa with data on geology and climate, we propose the 'South East Africa Montane Archipelago' (SEAMA) as a distinct ecoregion of global biological importance. The ecoregion encompasses 30 granitic inselbergs reaching > 1000 m above sea level, hosting the largest (Mt Mabu) and smallest (Mt Lico) mid-elevation rainforests in southern Africa, as well as biologically unique montane grasslands.

Females Display Lower Risk of Myocardial Infarction From Higher Estimated Cardiorespiratory Fitness Than Males: The Tromsø Study 1994-2014.

Objective: To examine the dose-response association between estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) and risk of myocardial infarction (MI).

Patients And Methods: Adults who attended Tromsø Study surveys 4-6 (Janurary 1,1994-December 20, 2008) with no previous cardiovascular disease were followed up through December 31, 2014 for incident MI. Associations were examined using restricted cubic splines Fine and Gray regressions, adjusted for education, smoking, alcohol, diet, sex, adiposity, physical activity, study survey, and age (timescale) in the total cohort and subsamples with hyperlipidemia (n=2956), hypertension (n=8290), obesity (n=5784), metabolic syndrome (n=1410), smokers (n=3823), and poor diet (n=3463) and in those who were physically inactive (n=6255).

Annual Volume and Distribution of Physical Training in Norwegian Female Cross-Country Skiers and Biathletes: A Comparison Between Sports, Competition Levels, and Age Categories-The FENDURA Project.

Purpose: To describe and compare the annual physical training characteristics between Norwegian female cross-country (XC) skiers and biathletes across competition levels and age categories.

Methods: Daily training sessions for 1 year were recorded for 45 XC skiers and 26 biathletes, comprising international/national team (inter[national]) and nonnational/regional team members (nonnational) of both junior and senior age. Endurance, strength, flexibility, speed, and power training sessions were recorded.

Reflective functioning and mother-infant relationships among mothers with Borderline Personality Disorder post-therapy.

The stressful nature of parenting infants exacerbates the characteristics of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Consequently, mothers with BPD tend to be emotionally dysregulated, respond impulsively to their infants, and have poorer mother-infant relationships. Few parenting interventions target the specific skill deficits observed in mothers with BPD.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation during maximal voluntary contraction: a Delphi survey with expert consensus.

Purpose: The use of electrical stimulation to assess voluntary activation of muscle/s is a popular method employed in numerous exercise science and health research settings. This Delphi study aimed to collate expert opinion and provide recommendations for best practice when using electrical stimulation during maximal voluntary contractions.

Methods: A two-round Delphi study was undertaken with 30 experts who completed a 62-item questionnaire (Round 1) comprising of open- and closed-ended questions.

Long-Term Development of Training Characteristics and Performance-Determining Factors in Elite/International and World-Class Endurance Athletes: A Scoping Review.

Objective: In this scoping review, we aimed to 1) identify and evaluate existing research that describes the long-term development of training characteristics and performance-determining factors in male and female endurance athletes reaching an elite/international (Tier 4) or world-class level (Tier 5), 2) summarize the available evidence and 3) point out existing knowledge gaps and provide methodological guidelines for future research in this field.

Methods: This review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews.

Results: Out of 16772 screened items across a 22-year period (1990-2022), a total of 17 peer-reviewed journal articles met the inclusion criteria and were considered for further analysis.

The effect of exercise hyperpnea on gross efficiency and anaerobic capacity estimates during a 3-min cycle time trial.

This study aimed to analyze the effect of exercise-induced hyperpnea on gross efficiency (GE) and anaerobic capacity estimates during a self-paced 3-min supramaximal cycle time trial (TT). Fourteen highly trained male cyclists performed 7 × 4-min submaximal stages, a 6-min passive rest, a 3-min TT, a 5-min passive rest, and a 6-min submaximal stage. Three models were based on the 7 × 4-min linear regression extrapolation method, using ) the conventional model (7-Y); ) the same 7-Y model but correcting for the additional ventilatory cost (i.

Evidence that heat acclimation training may alter sleep and incidental activity.

This randomized cross-over study tested the hypothesis that heat acclimation training would detrimentally affect sleep variables and alter incidental physical activity compared to a thermoneutral training control condition. Eight recreationally trained males (V̇O 49±4.9 mLkgmin) completed two separate interventions separated by at least 31 days: 5 consecutive day training blocks of moderate-intensity cycling (60 min·day at 50% peak power output) in a hot (34.

Short-term heat acclimation preserves knee extensor torque but does not improve 20 km self-paced cycling performance in the heat.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of 5 days of heat acclimation training on neuromuscular function, intestinal damage, and 20 km cycling (20TT) performance in the heat.

Methods: Eight recreationally trained males completed two 5-day training blocks (cycling 60 min day at 50% peak power output) in a counter-balanced, cross-over design, with a 20TT completed before and after each block. Training was conducted in hot (HA: 34.

Bicycling and Tricycling Road Race Performance in International Para-Cycling Events Between 2011 and 2019.

This study described bicycling (C classes) and tricycling (T classes) performance in the International Cycling Federation road race events between 2011 and 2019. A total of 3243 race results from 33 events were analyzed. Race velocity was calculated for each result.

The Effects of Daily Cold-Water Recovery and Postexercise Hot-Water Immersion on Training-Load Tolerance During 5 Days of Heat-Based Training.

Purpose: To examine the effects of daily cold- and hot-water recovery on training load (TL) during 5 days of heat-based training.

Methods: Eight men completed 5 days of cycle training for 60 minutes (50% peak power output) in 4 different conditions in a block counter-balanced-order design. Three conditions were completed in the heat (35°C) and 1 in a thermoneutral environment (24°C; CON).

The availability of task-specific feedback does not affect 20 km time trial cycling performance or test-retest reliability in trained cyclists.

Objectives: This study examined the influence of the availability of task-specific feedback on 20 km time trial (20TT) cycling performance and test-retest reliability.

Design: Thirty trained, club-level cyclists completed two 20TT's on different days, with (feedback, FB) or without (no-feedback, NFB) task-specific feedback (i.e.

The endemic plants of Mozambique: diversity and conservation status.

An annotated checklist of the 271 strict-endemic taxa (235 species) and 387 near-endemic taxa (337 species) of vascular plants in Mozambique is provided. Together, these taxa constitute c. 9.

Acute glutamine supplementation does not improve 20-km self-paced cycling performance in the heat.

Introduction: The premise of this study was to investigate the effect of acute glutamine supplementation on 20 km time trial cycling performance in the heat, neuromuscular function, inflammation and endotoxemia.

Methods: Twelve cyclists completed two, 20-km time trials (20TT) in 35 °C (50% relative humidity). Participants ingested either glutamine (GLUT; 0.