Athlete level, sport-type, and gender influences on training, mental health, and sleep during the early COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia.

Purpose: We evaluated the extent of changes in training practices, recovery, mental health, and sleep patterns of athletes during the early COVID-19 lockdown in a single country-cohort. Methods: A total of 686 athletes (59% male, 41% female; 9% World Class, 28% International, 29% National, 26% State, 8% Recreational) from 50 sports (45% individual, 55% team) in Malaysia completed an online, survey-based questionnaire study. The questions were related to training practices (including recovery and injury), mental health, and sleep patterns. Results: Relative to pre-lockdown, training intensity (-34%), frequency (-20%, except World-Class), and duration (-24%-59%, especially International/World-Class) were compromised, by the mandated lockdown. During the lockdown, more space/access (69%) and equipment (69%) were available for cardiorespiratory training, than technical and strength; and these resources favoured World-Class athletes. Most athletes trained for general strength/health (88%) and muscular endurance (71%); and some used innovative/digital training tools (World-Class 48% vs. lower classification-levels ≤34%). More World-Class, International, and National athletes performed strength training, plyometrics, and sport-specific technical skills with proper equipment, than State/Recreational athletes. More females (42%) sourced training materials from social media than males (29%). Some athletes (38%) performed injury prevention exercises; 18% had mild injuries (knees 29%, ankles 26%), and 18% received a medical diagnosis (International 31%). Lower-level athletes (e.g., State 44%) disclosed that they were mentally more vulnerable; and felt more anxious (36% vs. higher-levels 14%-21%). Sleep quality and quantity were "normal" (49% for both), "improved" (35% and 27%), and only 16% and 14% (respectively) stated "worsened" sleep. Conclusion: Lockdown compromised training-related practices, especially in lower-level athletes. Athletes are in need of assistance with training, and tools to cope with anxiety that should be tailored to individual country requirements during lockdown situations. In particular, goal-driven (even if it is at home) fitness training, psychological, financial, and lifestyle support can be provided to reduce the difficulties associated with lockdowns. Policies and guidelines that facilitate athletes (of all levels) to train regularly during the lockdown should be developed.

The Reactive Bounding Coefficient as a Measure of Horizontal Reactive Strength to Evaluate Stretch-Shortening Cycle Performance in Sprinters.

Plyometric exercises such as drop jumping and bounding offer athletes a substantiated means of enhancing athletic performance. Between the two exercises, reactive measurement using bounding (reactive bounding coefficient [RBC]) has received scant attention within the domain of training and conditioning. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the viability of utilising a speed-bounding exercise to assess horizontal reactive strength. Eleven young, male elite sprinters (age: 17.8 ± 1.3 yr; body height: 1.72 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 66.05 ± 6.10 kg; best 100 m sprint time: 10.77 ± 0.32 s) were tested for static jumps (SJ), drop jumps (DJ), 10 speed-bounding (RBC10), and 50 m sprint performance. Between-group comparisons based on sprint ability (fast [FSG] vs. slow [SSG] sprint-group) and correlation coefficients were computed subsequently. The FSG (n = 5; 50 m time: 5.82 ± 0.11 s; RBC10: 7.46 ± 0.27) performed significantly better in the RBC10 (p = 0.036) than the SSG (n = 5; 50 m time: 6.09 ± 0.13 s; RBC10: 7.09 ± 0.25). A very high correlation was attained between the RBC10 and the criterion measure, the SJ (r = 0.83). Additionally, RBC10 appeared to be correlated with 30, 50, 10-30 and 30-50 m sprint times (r = -0.52 to -0.60). This positive trend, however, was not observed for the DJ reactive strength index (trivial to moderate correlations). Good reliability was shown for the RBC10 and all sprint distances ("1.5% coefficient variation). Furthermore, all sprinters attained ground contact times of 0.12-0.18 s during the RBC10 which was indicative of fast stretch-shortening cycles during movement, suggesting that the RBC10 could be utilised to assess plyometric ability and enhance sprint performance. Overall, the RBC10 seems able to discriminate between the FSG and the SSG, indicating it has acceptable levels of validity and reliability.

Using stochastic resonance and strength training as part of a rehabilitation programme for recurrent low back pain treatment: a case study.

Low back pain (LBP) is a common disabling health problem that can cause decreased spine proprioception. Stochastic resonance (SR) can influence detection performance, besides improving patients with significant sensory deficits, but have not been thoroughly tested for LBP. This study aimed to examine the application of SR therapy (SRT) and strength training for LBP treatment. The subject was a resistance-trained male in his early thirties. His back pain was unbearable after a strength training session. Standard pain relief alleviated the pain but the LBP developed at a similar intensity after 4 weeks. SRT (4-5 sets ×90 sec, 30-sec rest interval, supine position) was prescribed along with other exercises for 3 weeks (phase 1), and followed by tailor-made strength training for 16 weeks (phase 2). The Oswestry Disability Index was 66.7% (interpreted as "crippled") prior to first SRT, and reduced to minimal levels of 15.6% and 6.7% after four and seven SRT sessions, respectively. Similarly, pain intensity was ranging from 5 to 9 (distracting-severe) of the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) prior to the first session but this was reduced considerably after four sessions (NRS-11: 0-1). During phase 2, the patient performed without complaining of LBP, two repetitions of bench press exercise at a load intensity of 1.2 his body weight and attained 4 min of plank stabilisation. This LBP management strategy has a clinically meaningful effect on pain intensity, disability, and functional mobility, by receding the recurrent distracting to severe LBP.

Effect of single-session aerobic exercise with varying intensities on lipid peroxidation and muscle-damage markers in sedentary males.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the different intensity levels of single-session aerobic exercise on serum levels of lipid peroxidation and muscle damage markers in sedentary males. METHOD: Fifty one sedentary healthy males aged 21.76±1.89 years were randomly divided into four groups, with one control (n=10) and three treatment groups that attended single-session aerobic exercise with low (n=14), moderate (n=14), and high (n=13) intensities. The serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and creatine kinase (CK) were measured. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed a significant effect by the intensity levels of aerobic exercise on MDA (P=0.001) and CK (P=0.003) post-test when the participants in the treatment groups were compared with the control. When the intensity of aerobic exercise was increased, the amount of MDA and CK was also found to be increased. CONCLUSION: Single-session aerobic exercise can increase the amount of MDA and CK, suggesting that low intensity level of aerobic exercise should be utilized for more adaptation, and to prevent lipid peroxidation and muscle damage in sedentary males.

Enhancing muscular qualities in untrained women: linear versus undulating periodization.

PURPOSE: This study compared linear (LP) and undulating periodization (UP) on strength changes in untrained women when total workload and average training intensity were matched by the end of training. METHODS: Twenty females (20 +/- 2 yr) were conditioned (3 wk) and assessed for one-repetition maximum squat (1RMSQ) and bench press (1RMBP) before being assigned to LP or UP training (9 wk), with training performed at 3 d.wk. Maximal strength, average power output during squat jumps with countermovement (SQJpwr) and bench press throws (BPTpwr), body mass, limb girth, and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) were assessed at baseline (T1) and after every 3 wk (T2, T3, and T4) to differentiate the efficacy of LP and UP training. RESULTS: Both groups improved significantly (P < 0.05) in 1RMSQ (LP 34.8%, UP 41.2%), 1RMBP (LP 21.8%, UP 28.3%), SQJpwr (LP 10.4%, UP 9.5%), BPTpwr (LP 11.1%, UP 13.8%), arm girth (LP 1.14%, UP 1.73%), and thigh girth (LP 1.58%, UP 1.99%), with no significant difference between them. Muscle CSA for the LP group increased significantly at T2 before maintaining similar hypertrophic responses until T4, whereas the UP group recorded significant increments from T1 to T2 and T2 to T3, before stabilizing between T3 and T4. Pooled CSA increase was higher than previously found (6.8% at T2, 11.3% at T3, and 11.8% at T4). CONCLUSIONS: The comparison of LP and UP training with matched volume load and intensity suggests that both programs were equally adept in improving different strength qualities in active but untrained women. In addition, muscle hypertrophic responses were larger and occurred earlier than previously reported.