Analyzing Competitive Demands in Mountain Running Races: A Running Power-Based Approach.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the competitive demands of mountain running races of varying lengths.

Methods: Sixty-six male athletes competed in Vertical race (∼3 km and ∼1000 m of total elevation change), Sky race (∼25 km and ∼3000 m of total elevation change), and SkyUltra race (∼80 km and ∼9000 m of total elevation change). Exercise intensity and competition load (TL) were assessed using running power, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE).

Serendipity in Science: 50+ Years of Designed, and Sometimes Lucky, Science.

Normal science is about assessing what is already known about a topic, about what needs to be known, and careful methods to collect the data required to answer the scientific question. It is the mainstay of scientific progress. But sometimes, luck or chance (eg, serendipity) plays a significant role in scientific process.

Effects of cooling vest and personal protective equipment removal on thermoregulation in wildland firefighters during progressive thermal loads.

Background: Wildland firefighters (WFFs) regularly face demanding physical and environmental conditions during their duties, such as high ambient temperatures, challenging terrains, heavy equipment and protective gear. These conditions can strain thermoregulatory responses, leading to increased fatigue and posing risks to their health and safety. This study examined the effectiveness of two cooling interventions during physical activity in hot environments.

Case study: Evaluating deep-water start techniques and training demands in seated slalom waterskiing for an athlete with paraplegia.

Purpose: Recreational and competitive slalom waterskiing is increasingly popular among individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI), particularly for those with paraplegia using sit-skis. A key component of slalom skiing is the deep-water start (DWS), yet little is known about the physiological and physical demands of this activity when the athlete is seated. This study aims to fill this gap by focusing on the training requirements for a seated slalom athlete.

Comparative Effects of Two High-Intensity Intermittent Training Programs on Sub-Elite Male Basketball Referees' Fitness Levels.

This study aimed to compare the effects of an 8-week short-term training program, comprising repeated sprints or running-based high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT), on the aerobic fitness and repeated sprint ability (RSA) performance of sub-elite basketball referees. Twenty male referees participated in supervised training sessions twice a week. They were randomly assigned to either the RSA-based group (RSAG) or the running-based HIIT group (HIITG).

Effect of Different Nonstarter Compensatory Strategies on Training Load in Female Soccer Players: A Pilot Study.

Background: In soccer, the day of the week with the highest external load is match day (MD), with starters (>60 minutes per match) showing higher levels of physical fitness and seasonal high-intensity loading. It is necessary, therefore, to determine training strategies to reduce the differences between starters and nonstarters. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the external load of different training compensatory strategies with match external load in female nonstarters.

Actigraphy-Based Sleep Parameters in Wheelchair Basketball Athletes: Influence of Training and Competition Load.

 This study aimed to analyze the actigraphy-based sleep parameters in wheelchair basketball (WB) athletes during the 3 weeks leading up to the playoffs, the week of playoffs, and the week after playoffs. Secondarily, the relationship between training load, sleep, and recovery was evaluated.  During 5 consecutive weeks, 10 male elite WB athletes wore a triaxial accelerometer.

Effect of a High-Intensity Circuit Training Program on the Physical Fitness of Wildland Firefighters.

Wildland firefighting implies high physical and psychological demands for the personnel involved. Therefore, good physical fitness can help increase the work efficiency of wildland firefighters (WFFs) and safeguard their health. High-intensity circuit training (HICT) could be a good alternative to improve the physical condition of WFFs since it stands out for its functionality and economy.

Expanding Knowledge About the Effect of Measurement Time on Session Rating of Perceived Exertion.

Rodríguez-Marroyo, JA, Blanco, P, Foster, C, Villa, JG, and Carballo-Leyenda, B. Expanding knowledge about the effect of measurement time on session rating of perceived exertion. J Strength Cond Res 37(1): 230-233, 2023-The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of postexercise rating times (from 0 minutes to 4 weeks) on session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE).

Perceptions of Heat Stress, Heat Strain and Mitigation Practices in Wildfire Suppression across Southern Europe and Latin America.

This study aimed to assess current perceptions of heat stress, heat strain, acclimatisation and recovery practices in wildland fire suppression. A total of 1459 wildfire and structural firefighters, all involved in wildland fire suppression, completed an 18-question survey. Most participants (81.

Prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence among male and female competitors and recreational CrossFit® practitioners.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity and type of urinary incontinence (UI) in female and male CrossFit® practitioners.

Study Design: The study design is an online cross-sectional survey distributed to CrossFit® practitioners across all Spanish regions. The questionnaire included categorical questions related to CrossFit® practice, multiple-choice questions to determine the exercises performed during reported UI symptoms, and The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form questionnaire items.

Inter- and intra-microcycle external load analysis in female professional soccer players: A playing position approach.

This study analyzes the inter- and intra-differences in external load across the microcycle in professional female soccer players. External load during four consecutive microcycles (i.e.

Chronic Pain in Spanish Wildland Firefighters.

The work performed by wildland firefighters (WFFs) is very demanding owing to the conditions in which they have to operate. It has been reported that these professionals walk long distances over unstable and steep terrain carrying heavy loads, handle tools manually and repeatedly and are subject to a high level of thermal stress. Under such conditions, the risk of developing chronic pain (CP) is high, although despite this, there are no available data pertaining to CP among WFFs, to the best of our knowledge.

Acute effects of small changes in antero-posterior shoe-cleat position on physiological and biomechanical variables in road cycling.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of changes in cycling shoe-cleat position on pedalling biomechanics, physiological variables, and performance in road cycling. Twelve competitive road cyclists performed three pedalling trials with the cleat positioned at the first metatarsal head, 15-mm anterior and 15-mm posterior. Each trial included three sets of 5 min performed at 35%, 50%, and 65% of maximal aerobic power (MAP) followed by a 10-s sprint.

Influence of Personal Protective Equipment on Wildland Firefighters' Physiological Response and Performance during the Pack Test.

The Pack Test (PT) is a widely used test to establish readiness for work in wildland firefighting. It is common to perform this test dressed in regular exercise clothing. However, wildland firefighters (WFF) have to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during their deployments, which increases the physiological strain and reduces their work capacity.

25 Years of Session Rating of Perceived Exertion: Historical Perspective and Development.

The session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) method was developed 25 years ago as a modification of the Borg concept of rating of perceived exertion (RPE), designed to estimate the intensity of an entire training session. It appears to be well accepted as a marker of the internal training load. Early studies demonstrated that sRPE correlated well with objective measures of internal training load, such as the percentage of heart rate reserve and blood lactate concentration.

Effect of the Cooldown Type on Session Rating of Perceived Exertion.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of cooldown modality (active vs passive) and duration (5, 10, and 15 min) on session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). Secondarily, the possible influence of training sessions' demand on this effect was studied.

Methods: A total of 16 youth male soccer players (15.

Generalized Approach to Translating Exercise Tests and Prescribing Exercise.

Although there is evidence supporting the benefit of regular exercise, and recommendations about exercise and physical activity, the process of individually prescribing exercise following exercise testing is more difficult. Guidelines like % heart rate (HR) reserve (HRR) require an anchoring maximal test and do not always provide a homogenous training experience. When prescribing HR on the basis of % HRR, rating of perceived exertion or Talk Test, cardiovascular/perceptual drift during sustained exercise makes prescription of the actual workload difficult.

Defensive Strategy and Player Sex Impact Heart-Rate Responses During Games-Based Drills in Professional Basketball.

Purpose: Games-based drills (GBD) are the predominant form of training stimulus prescribed to male and female basketball players. Despite being readily manipulated during GBD, the impact of defensive strategy on the sex-specific demands of GBD remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify and compare the heart-rate (HR) responses experienced during 5v5 GBD using different defensive strategies (man-to-man defense vs zone defense [ZD] formations) according to player sex.

Muskuloskeletal injuries in mountain running races: A 5 seasons study.

Introduction: Mountain running races have grown in popularity in the recent years. Nonetheless, there are few studies on injuries and injury rates. Moreover, these studies have focused on long-distance events such as ultramarathons (>42 km).

Effectiveness of a Generic vs. Specific Program Training to Prevent the Short-Term Detraining on Repeated-Sprint Ability of Youth Soccer Players.

Rodríguez-Fernández, A, Villa, JG, Sánchez-Sánchez, J, and Rodríguez-Marroyo, JA. Effectiveness of a generic vs. specific program training to prevent the short-term detraining on repeated-sprint ability of youth soccer players.

Relationship Between Repeated Sprint Ability, Aerobic Capacity, Intermittent Endurance, and Heart Rate Recovery in Youth Soccer Players.

Rodríguez-Fernández, A, Sanchez-Sanchez, J, Ramirez-Campillo, R, Nakamura, FY, Rodríguez-Marroyo, JA, and Villa-Vicente, JG. Relationship between repeated sprint ability, aerobic capacity, intermittent endurance, and heart rate recovery in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3406-3413, 2019-To investigate the relationship between repeated sprint ability (RSA) and several aerobic and anaerobic-related soccer-performance indicators, 45 youth soccer players (age 16.

Characterizing Wildland Firefighters' Thermal Environment During Live-Fire Suppression.

Wildland firefighters work under adverse environments (e.g., heat and fire exposure), which contribute to increasing the heat strain.

Fractional Contribution of Wildland Firefighters' Personal Protective Equipment on Physiological Strain.

Activities performed by wildland firefighters are carried out wearing a personal protective equipment (PPE). Although the PPE protects workers from a wide variety of hazards, it may increase their physiological response and limit their performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the protective clothing (PPC) and the rest of the PPE elements (i.