Genetic Variants within NOGGIN, COL1A1, COL5A1, and IGF2 are Associated with Musculoskeletal Injuries in Elite Male Australian Football League Players: A Preliminary Study.

Introduction: Australian Football is a dynamic team sport that requires many athletic traits to succeed. Due to this combination of traits, as well as technical skill and physicality, there are many types of injuries that could occur. Injuries are not only a hindrance to the individual player, but to the team as a whole.

ACTN3 (R577X) Genotype Is Associated With Australian Football League Players.

Jacob, Y, Hart, NH, Cochrane, JL, Spiteri, T, Laws, SM, Jones, A, Rogalski, B, Kenna, J, and Anderton, RS. ACTN3 (R577X) genotype is associated with Australian Football League players. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 573-576, 2022-Genetic variants in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and alpha actinin-3 (ACTN3) genes have been associated with elite sport athletic performance.

Characterising running economy and change of direction economy between soccer players of different playing positions, levels and sex.

Traditional movement economy (ME) measures the energetic cost of in-line running. However, it is debatable whether such a measure is representative of movement efficiency for team sport athletes who are required to run and change direction repeatedly. This study evaluated ME during both in-line running and runs with directional changes and provided a preliminary exploration as to whether these abilities discriminate soccer players according to playing position, level, and sex.

Modulators of Change-of-Direction Economy After Repeated Sprints in Elite Soccer Players.

Purpose: To investigate the acute effect of repeated-sprint activity (RSA) on change-of-direction economy (assessed using shuttle running economy [SRE]) in soccer players and explore neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory characteristics that may modulate this effect.

Methods: Eleven young elite male soccer players (18.5 [1.

Association of Genetic Variances in and with Two-Kilometre Running Time-Trial Performance in Australian Football League Players: A Preliminary Study.

Genetic variants in the () (rs4343), () (rs1815739), () (rs1801253), and () (rs8192678) genes have previously been associated with elite athletic performance. This study assessed the influence of polymorphisms in these candidate genes towards endurance test performance in 46 players from a single Australian Football League (AFL) team. Each player provided saliva buccal swab samples for DNA analysis and genotyping and were required to perform two independent two-kilometre running time-trials, six weeks apart.

High-intensity Interval Training Shock Microcycle Improves Running Performance but not Economy in Female Soccer Players.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training shock microcycles (HIIT) on endurance, running economy and change of direction economy in female soccer players. Nineteen sub-elite female soccer players were randomised to two groups: HIIT (10 HIIT sessions over 13 days) or HIIT (4 HIIT sessions over 13 days) interventions. Endurance performance was evaluated through the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15); running economy over a 5-min treadmill run; and change of direction economy over two conditions: (1) 5-min 20m shuttle run, and (2) 5-min 10m shuttle run.

Reliability of Change-of-Direction Economy in Soccer Players.

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability of new change-of-direction-economy tests (assessing energetic efficiency when performing continuous shuttle runs) compared with common running-economy tests in soccer players Methods: Sixteen subelite, male soccer players were recruited to perform a testing battery involving running economy (RE), 10-m shuttle-running economy (SRE10), and 20-m shuttle-running economy (SRE20) at 8.4 km·h-1 mean speed on 2 different days within 48 hours. SRE10 and SRE20 consisted of continuous shuttle runs interspersed with 180° directional changes.

Countermovement Jump and Drop Jump Performances Are Related to Grand Jeté Leap Performance in Dancers With Different Skill Levels.

Blanco, P, Nimphius, S, Seitz, LB, Spiteri, T, and Haff, GG. Countermovement jump and drop jump performances are related to grand jeté leap performance in dancers with different skill levels. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3386-3393, 2021-Thirty-five classical ballet dancers were chosen to investigate relationships between the grand jeté leap, countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jump (DJ) and establish whether the magnitude of the relationship between these tests differed across 3 skill levels.

The validity and reliability of the Basketball Jump Shooting Accuracy Test.

The aim of this study was to examine the content validity, construct validity and reliability of the newly developed Basketball Jump Shooting Accuracy Test (BJSAT). Basketball athletes from different playing levels (State Basketball League [SBL], n = 30, age: 22.7 ± 6.

Movement Economy in Soccer: Current Data and Limitations.

Soccer is an intermittent team-sport, where performance is determined by a myriad of psychological, technical, tactical, and physical factors. Among the physical factors, endurance appears to play a key role into counteracting the fatigue-related reduction in running performance observed during soccer matches. One physiological determinant of endurance is movement economy, which represents the aerobic energy cost to exercise at a given submaximal velocity.

Functional Basis of Asymmetrical Lower-Body Skeletal Morphology in Professional Australian Rules Footballers.

Hart, NH, Newton, RU, Weber, J, Spiteri, T, Rantalainen, T, Dobbin, M, Chivers, P, and Nimphius, S. Functional basis of asymmetrical lower-body skeletal morphology in elite Australian footballers. J Strength Cond Res 34(3): 791-799, 2020-Bone strength is a product of its material and structural properties and is highly responsive to mechanical load.

Measuring Decrement in Change-of-Direction Speed Across Repeated Sprints in Basketball: Novel vs. Traditional Approaches.

Scanlan, AT, Madueno, MC, Guy, JH, Giamarelos, K, Spiteri, T, and Dalbo, VJ. Measuring decrement in change-of-direction speed across repeated sprints in basketball: Novel vs. traditional approaches.

The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport.

In elite sporting codes, the identification and promotion of future athletes into specialised talent pathways is heavily reliant upon objective physical, technical, and tactical characteristics, in addition to subjective coach assessments. Despite the availability of a plethora of assessments, the dependence on subjective forms of identification remain commonplace in most sporting codes. More recently, genetic markers, including several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been correlated with enhanced aerobic capacity, strength, and an overall increase in athletic ability.

Monitoring and Managing Fatigue in Basketball.

The sport of basketball exposes athletes to frequent high intensity movements including sprinting, jumping, accelerations, decelerations and changes of direction during training and competition which can lead to acute and accumulated chronic fatigue. Fatigue may affect the ability of the athlete to perform over the course of a lengthy season. The ability of practitioners to quantify the workload and subsequent fatigue in basketball athletes in order to monitor and manage fatigue levels may be beneficial in maintaining high levels of performance and preventing unfavorable physical and physiological training adaptations.

Dribble Deficit: A novel method to measure dribbling speed independent of sprinting speed in basketball players.

Basketball tests assessing dribbling speed predicated on total performance times are influenced by sprinting speed. This study examines an approach termed Dribble Deficit to counter this limitation by examining the relationships between sprinting and dribbling speed during linear and change-of-direction (COD) tasks measured using total performance time and Dribble Deficit. Ten semi-professional basketball players completed linear sprints and COD sprints with and without dribbling.

Reliability and Sensitivity of Neuromuscular and Perceptual Fatigue Measures in Collegiate Men's Basketball.

The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability and sensitivity of a countermovement jump (CMJ) and perceptual wellness questionnaire in NCAA Division I men's basketball players. Twelve male collegiate basketball athletes completed 3 maximal CMJ's on a portable force plate and a customized perceptual wellness questionnaire prior to training on non-consecutive days. CMJ variables were derived from computer software and used in analysis.

Reduced Fatigue in Passive Versus Active Recovery: An Examination of Repeated-Change-of-Direction Sprints in Basketball Players.

Purpose: To investigate the physiological and performance effects of active and passive recovery between repeated-change-of-direction sprints.

Methods: Eight semiprofessional basketball players (age: 19.9 [1.

A Narrative Review of the Physical Demands and Injury Incidence in American Football: Application of Current Knowledge and Practices in Workload Management.

The sport of American football (AmF) exposes athletes to high-velocity movements and frequent collisions during competition and training, placing them at risk of contact and non-contact injury. Due to the combative nature of the game, the majority of injuries are caused by player contact; however, a significant number are also non-contact soft-tissue injuries. The literature suggests that this mechanism of injury can be prevented through workload monitoring and management.

Decrements in knee extensor and flexor strength are associated with performance fatigue during simulated basketball game-play in adolescent, male players.

This study quantified lower-limb strength decrements and assessed the relationships between strength decrements and performance fatigue during simulated basketball. Ten adolescent, male basketball players completed a circuit-based, basketball simulation. Sprint and jump performance were assessed during each circuit, with knee flexion and extension peak concentric torques measured at baseline, half-time, and full-time.

Physical Determinants of Division 1 Collegiate Basketball, Women's National Basketball League, and Women's National Basketball Association Athletes: With Reference to Lower-Body Sidedness.

Spiteri, T, Binetti, M, Scanlan, AT, Dalbo, VJ, Dolci, F, and Specos, C. Physical determinants of Division 1 Collegiate basketball, Women's National Basketball League, and Women's National Basketball Association athletes: with reference to lower-body sidedness. J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 159-166, 2019-In female basketball, the assumed components of success include power, agility, and the proficiency at executing movements using each limb.

Change of Direction Deficit: A More Isolated Measure of Change of Direction Performance Than Total 505 Time.

Nimphius, S, Callaghan, SJ, Spiteri, T, and Lockie, RG. Change of direction deficit: A more isolated measure of change of direction performance than total 505 time. J Strength Cond Res 30 (11): 3024-3032, 2016-Most change of direction (COD) tests use total time to evaluate COD performance.

Relationship between Leg Mass, Leg Composition and Foot Velocity on Kicking Accuracy in Australian Football.

Kicking a ball accurately over a desired distance to an intended target is arguably the most important skill to acquire in Australian Football. Therefore, understanding the potential mechanisms which underpin kicking accuracy is warranted. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between leg mass, leg composition and foot velocity on kicking accuracy in Australian Football.

Musculoskeletal Asymmetry in Football Athletes: A Product of Limb Function over Time.

Purpose: Asymmetrical loading patterns are commonplace in football sports. Our aim was to examine the influence of training age and limb function on lower-body musculoskeletal morphology.

Methods: Fifty-five elite football athletes were stratified into less experienced (≤3 yr; n = 27) and more experienced (>3 yr; n = 28) groups by training age.

Segmental Musculoskeletal Examinations using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA): Positioning and Analysis Considerations.

Musculoskeletal examinations provide informative and valuable quantitative insight into muscle and bone health. DXA is one mainstream tool used to accurately and reliably determine body composition components and bone mass characteristics in-vivo. Presently, whole body scan models separate the body into axial and appendicular regions, however there is a need for localised appendicular segmentation models to further examine regions of interest within the upper and lower extremities.