Effects of carob rich-polyphenols on oxidative stress markers and physical performance in taekwondo athletes.

Excessive exercise can induce cell damage and impair muscle function by generating oxidative stress. Carob rich phenolic components have attracted the attention of many researchers because of their antioxidant actions. We utilized a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled design to study the putative antioxidant role of six weeks of daily polyphenol supplementation on selected blood markers of oxidative stress and performance in taekwondo athletes.

The effects of different rehabilitation training modalities on isokinetic muscle function and male athletes' psychological status after anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.

Background: Previously, researchers reported performance enhancements following long-term plyometric training in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (LCA). However, the effects of combined eccentric and plyometric training on measures of isokinetic strength and psychological statues in male athletes have not been examined yet. Knowledge on the effects of combined eccentric and plyometric training help to better plan and program rehabilitations sessions and thus return-to-sports.

The Effects of Eccentric and Plyometric Training Programs and Their Combination on Stability and the Functional Performance in the Post-ACL-Surgical Rehabilitation Period of Elite Female Athletes.

Background: The standard method to treat physically active patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is ligament reconstruction surgery. The rehabilitation training program is very important to improve functional performance in recreational athletes following ACL reconstruction.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the effects of three different training programs, eccentric training (ECC), plyometric training (PLYO), or combined eccentric and plyometric training (COMB), on dynamic balance (Y-BAL), the Lysholm Knee Scale (LKS), the return to sport index (RSI), and the leg symmetry index (LSI) for the single leg hop test for distance in elite female athletes after ACL surgery.

Association Between Mental Imagery and Change of Direction Performance in Young Elite Soccer Players of Different Maturity Status.

Previous studies have not considered the potential influence of maturity status on the relationship between mental imagery and change of direction (CoD) speed in youth soccer. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study examined the association between mental imagery and CoD performance in young elite soccer players of different maturity status. Forty young male soccer players, aged 10-17 years, were assigned into two groups according to their predicted age at peak height velocity (PHV) (Pre-PHV; = 20 and Post-PHV; = 20).

Improvement of Physical Performance Following a 6 Week Change-of-Direction Training Program in Elite Youth Soccer Players of Different Maturity Levels.

Change-of-direction (CoD) is a necessary physical ability of a field sport and may vary in youth players according to their maturation status. The aim of this study is: to compare the effectiveness of a 6-week CoD training intervention on dynamic balance (CS-YBT), horizontal jump (5JT), speed (10 and 30-m linear sprint times), CoD with (15 m-CoD + B) and without (15 m-CoD) the ball, in youth male soccer players at different levels of maturity [pre- and post-peak height velocity (PHV)]. Thirty elite male youth soccer players aged 10-17 years from the Tunisian first division participated in this study.

Effects of polyphenol (carob) supplementation on body composition and aerobic capacity in taekwondo athletes.

Herbal products and supplements use by athletes has increased over the past decade. One such item being polyphenols. These are reported to reduce weight and modify body composition, which could aid athletes in many sports.

Effects of a soccer season on anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness in elite young soccer players.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a soccer-training season on the anthropometric and performance characteristics of elite youth soccer players. Two groups (age: 14.4 years) participated in this study: (1) 24 soccer players training 8 to 10 hours per week and (2) 26 non-athletic boys used as controls.

Running interval training and estimated plasma-volume variation.

The effect of endurance interval training (IT) on hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), and estimated plasma- volume variation (PVV) in response to maximal exercise was studied in 15 male subjects (21.1 ± 1.1 y; control group n = 6, and training group, n = 9).

Six-minute walking test and the assessment of cardiorespiratory responses during weight-loss programmes in obese children.

Purpose:  We assessed the exercise tolerance and cardiorespiratory responses during 2-month weight-loss programmes using the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) in obese children. 

Methods:  Twenty-eight male obese children were randomly assigned to either a control group (C), an energy restriction group (R), an exercise training at maximum lipid-oxidation (LIPOXmax) group (E), or an energy restriction/training group (RE). The body composition, the submaximal incremental cycling exercise, and the 6MWT were performed before and after the 2-month programme.

Effect of individualized exercise training combined with diet restriction on inflammatory markers and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 in obese children.

Aims: The present study was designed to examine the possible changes in body composition, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and inflammatory markers of obese children in response to a 2-month program of exercise training combined with dietary restriction.

Methods: Twenty-eight obese children (age 13.2 +/- 0.

Long-term rugby practice enhances bone mass and metabolism in relation with physical fitness and playing position.

We attempted to clarify whether rugby was able to enhance bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) of weight-bearing bones by modifying bone remodelling in relation to physical fitness in male rugby players compared to controls. 22 male international rugby players aged 20-31 years (forwards, n = 12 and backs, n = 10) were compared to 14 age-matched controls of the same ethnic origin aged 21-33 years. BMD and BMC were measured by DEXA and bone metabolism was evaluated by specific makers.

Psychoendocrine and physical performance responses in male Tunisian rugby players during an international competitive season.

The aim was to investigate a follow-up study based on hormonal, physical, and psychological parameters among rugby players who trained during a whole season interspersed with competitions on an international level. Fitness or reciprocally tiredness as well as competitive anxiety were evaluated, respectively, using the French Society for Sports Medicine (SFMS) and the sport competition anxiety test (SCAT) questionnaires. In this study, SFMS and SCAT scores increased respectively over the competitive season.

Impact of diet, exercise end diet combined with exercise programs on plasma lipoprotein and adiponectin levels in obese girls.

We studied the effect of three programs, diet restriction (D), individualized exercise training (E) at the maximal lipid oxidation point (LIPOXmax) and diet combined with exercise (D+E), on body mass, plasma lipoprotein and adiponectin levels in obese girls. Eighteen obese adolescents girls aged 12-14 years were studied. A longitudinal intervention was carried out, consisting of a two-month diet (D; -500 kcal·day-1), of individualized exercise (E; 4 days/week, 90 min·day-1) and of diet combined with exercise (D+E).