Publications by authors named "Tim J Gabbett"
Article Synopsis
- This study examines how monitoring training load affects wellness and performance in collegiate female gymnasts over one season.
- The researchers found that training load and its acute to chronic workload ratio (ACWR) fluctuated, with positive correlations between wellness factors like mood and energy and both ACWR and training load.
- The study proposes a new framework for tracking training load and wellness, suggesting it could benefit gymnasts of all ages and competition levels.
Article Synopsis
- Athletes face challenges with high training workloads and insufficient recovery, which can lead to fatigue, performance issues, and increased injury risk; motor imagery (MI) is a psychological technique that can help counteract these negative effects.
- MI has been shown to improve outcomes like reducing strength loss, enhancing training engagement in injured athletes, promoting recovery, and developing sport-specific skills throughout various athletic scenarios, including rehabilitation and return-to-sport protocols.
- To maximize the benefits of MI, practitioners should consider individual skill levels, the athlete's ability to create vivid mental images, and the perspective (internal vs. external) used during MI training.
From Tissue to System: What Constitutes an Appropriate Response to Loading?
Sports Med
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- * The recovery times for each tissue after training loads vary significantly; for example, cartilage can recover in about 30 minutes, while muscle may need 72 hours or more.
- * Frequency and intensity of exercises influence tissue readiness; aerobic activities can be repeated sooner (≤ 24 hours) than anaerobic ones, which require longer recovery periods (≥ 72 hours) to avoid negative effects.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the rebound countermovement jump (R-CMJ) as a test for leg muscle function in NCAA Division I football players, comparing it with traditional tests like the counter-movement jump (CMJ) and drop jumps (DJs).
- Findings indicated that while the first phase of the R-CMJ showed reliability similar to the CMJ, the jump height was lower, and the second phase displayed moderate reliability but raised concerns about its validity in measuring reactive strength.
- Overall, although the R-CMJ is easy and time-efficient for coaches to administer, it may not accurately reflect an athlete's reactive strength compared to established jumping tests.
Article Synopsis
- The pilot study examined financial losses and risk factors associated with hamstring injuries in elite Brazilian soccer players, with a focus on 34 male athletes over a 12-month season.
- Nine hamstring injuries were confirmed in eight players, leading to an average recovery time of 22 days and a potential financial loss of $43.2 million USD for the team.
- Factors linked to a higher risk of injury included past injuries, reduced knee flexor strength, decreased ankle flexibility, and a higher hamstring fatigue index, suggesting the need for preventive measures for those at higher risk.
Article Synopsis
- - The study assessed the Brazil Mood Scale (BRAMS) for screening mental health risks in athletes by analyzing responses from 898 participants across various sports, focusing on both current and past week mood evaluations.
- - Results showed that BRAMS effectively measures mood with reliable subscales, revealing that fatigue, depression, and tension were reported higher for the past week compared to right now.
- - Findings indicated gender differences in vigor levels (males higher than females) and age differences in anger and depression (younger athletes reported lower scores) but noted no significant differences related to social vulnerability status.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to track and analyze musculoskeletal complaints among Royal Australian Air Force fast jet aircrew over two years using a specific questionnaire.
- Researchers monitored 306 aircrew members, capturing over 1,000 episodes of musculoskeletal complaints, with a significant focus on spinal issues, showing high prevalence and impact on operational capability.
- Findings indicate that most musculoskeletal complaints stemmed from spinal areas, leading to a recommendation for future injury prevention strategies to specifically target these regions, especially the neck.
Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of digital health platforms, particularly for self-monitoring and diagnosis in athletes, who have faced significant disruptions to training and competition.
- There has been an increase in injuries among athletes due to changes in training regimens and extended quarantine, highlighting a need for better guidelines on managing their return to sport.
- This paper offers recommendations for utilizing wearable technology to support the rehabilitation of athletes affected by COVID-19, focusing on physiological changes and key monitoring parameters to enhance their safe return to play.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examines how high-intensity effort (RHIE) and recovery times vary between higher-ranked (Top 4) and lower-ranked (Bottom 4) semi-elite rugby league teams during competition.
- - It was hypothesized that Top 4 teams would perform more RHIE bouts with shorter recovery periods compared to Bottom 4 teams.
- - Results show that while both team rankings predominantly had ≤10 seconds of recovery between RHIE bouts, Top 4 teams had a significantly higher percentage of these shorter recovery intervals, particularly among wide-running forwards.
Article Synopsis
- Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious conditions marked by dangerously high body temperatures and can lead to severe health issues, including multi-organ failure.
- Current methods to measure core body temperature (CBT) for diagnosing these conditions are often too invasive or costly for practical use, particularly in high-intensity environments.
- A systematic review of 20 studies found that while wearable technology can predict CBT with high accuracy, many algorithms lack personalized data integration, suggesting that improved machine learning techniques could enhance detection and prevention of heat-related illnesses.
Article Synopsis
- - There is significant variation in how individuals respond to resistance or endurance training, with up to 40% of people classified as "non" or "poor" responders, a label suggested to be replaced with "stubborn" responders due to similar improvement potential with increased training frequency.
- - Adjusting training variables such as frequency, intensity, type, and duration can improve responses in those initially identified as poor responders, indicating that global non-response in cardio-respiratory fitness may not be as prevalent when multiple health measures are considered.
- - Future research should focus on developing effective screening tests to identify stubborn responders before training begins, using biomarkers like exerkines and genetic factors to tailor exercise programs more effectively and improve training outcomes. *
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore how training and match-play duration affect time-loss groin injuries in professional male soccer players and if certain intrinsic risk factors play a role.
- Over 500 players were followed for two years, with detailed tracking of injuries and training/play durations, using advanced statistical methods to analyze the data.
- Results showed no significant relationship between training duration and groin injury risk, suggesting that team factors might be more influential than training variables in determining injury susceptibility.
Article Synopsis
- - The study conducted online surveys with 100 participants (coaches, medical staff, and gymnasts) from 25 countries to explore training-load management practices in rhythmic gymnastics.
- - Results showed that coaches primarily rely on their perceptions to gauge training load and recovery, but common data collection methods used in other sports, such as wearable devices, are underutilized in rhythmic gymnastics.
- - Overall, most participants agreed that a specific training-load management model tailored for rhythmic gymnastics could significantly improve the effectiveness of training and performance monitoring.
Article Synopsis
- The text discusses the need for individualized training models for specialized youth athletes, emphasizing the importance of performance and resilience while considering periods of maturation and injury.* -
- It highlights the ongoing debate around youth sport specialization versus multisport participation, noting that many young athletes still specialize despite recommendations against it.* -
- Key factors in training program development include the impact of specialization on athlete development, biological maturation, coordination deficits, and appropriate workload progressions.*
Article Synopsis
- Mechanical loading affects the knee joint differently depending on the tissues involved (like ligaments and cartilage) and their ability to adapt at both molecular and cellular levels, particularly in sports that involve cutting and jumping.
- The focus of rehabilitation after a knee injury is to optimize exercise for the patient's current abilities while reducing the risk of re-injury, necessitating a deep understanding of the specific injured tissue and its healing process.
- Clinicians can influence tissue adaptation and recovery by carefully managing the types of mechanical loads used in rehabilitation exercises, promoting better injury tolerance and functional outcomes in patients.
Article Synopsis
- - RPE (rating of perceived effort) is commonly used in rehabilitation after ACL tears and reconstructions to monitor effort and adjust training loads.
- - Neural changes in the brain areas related to motor control, emotions, and sensory feedback may affect RPE due to experiences like pain and fear following injury.
- - Relying solely on RPE for exercise prescription post-ACLR could risk incorrect exercise dosing, potentially hindering the recovery process.
Article Synopsis
- Neck pain is a prevalent issue for fighter aircrew, affecting both their health and ability to perform operational tasks.
- A systematic review analyzed 20 studies to identify factors linked to neck pain, revealing consistent associations with flying advanced aircraft and computer work, along with certain behaviors like warm-up stretching.
- The review highlighted methodological limitations in existing studies, emphasizing the need for high-quality research to effectively inform preventive strategies for neck pain in fighter aircrew.
Article Synopsis
- Wearable sensors are used for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of athletes' biomechanical, physiological, and biochemical data, which can enhance performance and safety.
- Sports medicine researchers face challenges in analyzing the vast amounts of data from these sensors, but machine learning and AI can streamline this process for better decision-making.
- This review highlights how commercial sensors help track various health and performance metrics in athletes, aimed at reducing injuries and improving overall athlete well-being.
The Training-Performance Puzzle: How Can the Past Inform Future Training Directions?
J Athl Train
September 2020
Article Synopsis
- Research on the relationship between training load and injuries has significantly progressed over the past 20 years, revealing that rapid increases in training load often lead to injuries rather than just excessive training.
- Some athletes are more susceptible to injuries at lower training loads while those with higher chronic loads and better fitness levels are generally more resilient to spikes in load.
- To effectively reduce injuries, a collaboration between researchers and clinicians is essential, along with understanding the difference between controlled training conditions and real-world performance scenarios.
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed the training load and recovery of professional rhythmic gymnasts over a 43-week season at the Brazilian National Training Center, focusing on session-RPE and TQR scores.
- Results showed that the average weekly training load was high, with gymnasts training about 8.7 sessions per week for an average of 3.7 hours each, but they experienced poor recovery during over half of the season, especially around competitions.
- The findings indicated a correlation between higher training loads and lower recovery, highlighting the importance of monitoring training intensity and recovery to prevent overtraining in rhythmic gymnastics.
Is the Acute: Chronic Workload Ratio (ACWR) Associated with Risk of Time-Loss Injury in Professional Team Sports? A Systematic Review of Methodology, Variables and Injury Risk in Practical Situations.
Renato Andrade Eirik Halvorsen Wik Alexandre Rebelo-Marques Peter Blanch Rodney Whiteley Tim J Gabbett
Sports Med
September 2020
Article Synopsis
- The acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR) is a tool used by coaches and athletes to optimize performance and reduce injury risk by comparing current workloads to past workloads.
- The study aimed to explore the ACWR's characteristics and its link to time-loss injuries in elite adult team athletes, analyzing various longitudinal studies.
- Results indicated a higher ACWR correlates with an increased risk of injuries, but the diverse methodologies used in research complicate clear conclusions about its effectiveness.
How Much? How Fast? How Soon? Three Simple Concepts for Progressing Training Loads to Minimize Injury Risk and Enhance Performance.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther
October 2020
Article Synopsis
- Balancing training load is crucial for athletes transitioning from rehabilitation to peak performance, where loads must be carefully increased to avoid injury.
- The concepts of "floor" (current capacity) and "ceiling" (required capacity) guide practitioners in developing rehabilitation plans while considering the time needed to make this progression safely.
- Gradual and systematic load increases help build resilience, reduce injury risk, and enhance overall performance for athletes.
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed the performance differences between the first and second halves of football matches, focusing on various player positions using GPS data from 23 players in Spain's La Liga.
- It utilized rolling averages to assess metrics like distance covered, high metabolic load distance, and average metabolic power over different time durations, finding larger differences in these metrics as the duration increased, particularly in the full 45-minute half.
- Central defenders (CDs) showed the most significant declines in average metabolic power between halves, highlighting the need for tailored training practices based on specific playing positions.