External Training Loads and Soft-Tissue Injury Occurrence During Congested Versus Noncongested Periods in Football.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of congested and noncongested fixture periods during 2 seasons in a professional male football team on soft-tissue injury incidence and external load. METHODS: Thirty-three professional football players from a Portuguese Liga I team participated in this study. Weekly external load and soft-tissue injury rate and burden of 2 consecutive seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23) were analyzed. RESULTS: Total soft-tissue injury rate and burden for the 2 seasons were 3.9 and 3.2 injuries per 1000 hours and 71.8 and 60.5 days per 1000 hours for congested and noncongested periods, respectively. No significant differences were observed between congested and noncongested periods. Total high-speed running, sprint distance, distance above 80% and 90% of maximal velocity, and meters accelerating and decelerating above 2 m/s2 were significantly higher for noncongested weeks. Match accelerations and decelerations above 3 m/s2 were higher during congested periods and training during noncongested periods. No differences between the 2 periods were observed for the total number of accelerations and decelerations above 3 m/s2. Overall, physical outputs per week were higher for training during noncongested weeks, whereas matches during congested periods registered higher external load. CONCLUSIONS: No effect of a congested schedule was observed on soft-tissue injury rates and injury burden. Higher match exposure during congested periods increased external load performed per week, and during noncongested periods, training load was superior to congested weeks.

Injury Risk in Elite Young Male Soccer Players: A Review on the Impact of Growth, Maturation, and Workload.

ABSTRACT: Ribeiro, N, Martinho, DV, Pereira, JR, Rebelo, A, Monasterio, X, Gonzalo-Skok, O, Valente-dos-Santos, J, and Tavares, F. Injury risk in elite young male soccer players: a review on the impact of growth, maturation, and workload. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-The long-term development of young male soccer players involves a prolonged period of significant adjustments, highlighting the importance of studying the complex interaction between dynamic variables, including workload, and inherent elements like growth and maturity. This analysis examines the intricate connections involving the development, maturity, workload, and susceptibility to injuries among adolescent male soccer players. Significantly, these connections become prominent at the peak height velocity (PHV) period, a crucial moment in maturation. Growth rates vary among individuals, and higher rates have been associated with an increased risk of injury in young soccer players, particularly during periods of rapid growth. Identifying possible risk factors and understanding the complex connections between them is crucial to developing specific methods for reducing the risk of injury. Sharing this valuable information with essential stakeholders is crucial for guaranteeing young athletes' comprehensive growth and maturation process. Furthermore, this review emphasizes the immediate need for long-term studies and thorough injury analyses to comprehend better the dynamic interactions that influence injury patterns in young male soccer players. This review will allow practitioners to better understand the main modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for injury and provide essential information focusing on practical strategies, facilitating more informed decision making by all stakeholders. The review aims to clarify these complexities and offer crucial insights that can assist in designing and implementing efficient strategies to reduce the risk of injury, specifically for the challenges faced during PHV and within the broader framework of long-term athletic development in young soccer.

Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Magnetic CS/PVA/HA/pSPIONs Scaffolds for Magnetic Hyperthermia and Bone Regeneration.

Conventional bone cancer treatment often results in unwanted side effects, critical-sized bone defects, and inefficient cancer-cell targeting. Therefore, new approaches are necessary to better address bone cancer treatment and patient's recovery. One solution may reside in the combination of bone regeneration scaffolds with magnetic hyperthermia. By incorporating pristine superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (pSPIONs) into additively manufactured scaffolds we created magnetic structures for magnetic hyperthermia and bone regeneration. For this, hydroxyapatite (HA) particles were integrated in a polymeric matrix composed of chitosan (CS) and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Once optimized, pSPIONs were added to the CS/PVA/HA paste at three different concentrations (1.92, 3.77, and 5.54 wt.%), and subsequently additively manufactured to form a scaffold. Results indicate that scaffolds containing 3.77 and 5.54 wt.% of pSPIONs, attained temperature increases of 6.6 and 7.5 °C in magnetic hyperthermia testing, respectively. In vitro studies using human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells indicated that pSPIONs incorporation significantly stimulated cell adhesion, proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression when compared to CS/PVA/HA scaffolds. Thus, these results support that CS/PVA/HA/pSPIONs scaffolds with pSPIONs concentrations above or equal to 3.77 wt.% have the potential to be used for magnetic hyperthermia and bone regeneration.

In-situ acceleration-speed profile of an elite soccer academy: A cross-sectional study.

Speed is an essential skill in sports performance and an important performance metric in talent identification. This study aims to evaluate and compare the sprint acceleration characteristics across different age groups in an elite soccer academy. A total of 141 elite academy soccer players were recruited to participate in the study, and they were assigned to their respective competitive age groups, ranging from under-14 to the B-team. An individual in-situ acceleration-speed (A-S) profile was assessed and derived from Global Position System (GPS) speed-acceleration raw data, from 10 consecutive football sessions, in the beginning of the season. The results showed that under-14 players exhibited significantly lower theoretical maximum speed (S0) (ηp2 = 0.215, p < 0.01) when compared with all other age groups. However, no differences were found between maximum theoretical acceleration (A0) and A-S slope between age groups. The results suggest that sprint mechanical profiles of young soccer athletes remain stable throughout their athletic development. Nevertheless, younger athletes have less capacity to apply horizontal force at higher speeds (S0).

Síndromes poliglandulares autoimunes: uma revisão geral em busca novas evidências / Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes: a general review in search of new evidence / Síndromes poliglandulares autoinmunes: una visión general de la búsqueda de nuevas evidencias

As Síndromes Poliglandulares Autoimunes (SPA) são consideradas endocrinopatias raras em que ocorrem alterações autoimunes nas glândulas endócrinas, acompanhadas de outras doenças não endócrinas. Tendo em vista a complexidade de associações em cada subtipo, suas particularidades e gênese dos mecanismos envolvidos, este artigo busca, através de uma meta-analise, equacionar seus aspectos descritivos mais atuais e importantes para a prática clínica. As SPA podem ser classificadas nos tipos I, II, III e IV de acordo com a idade de início e os órgãos afetados. Interações complexas entre fatores genéticos, epigenéticos e ambientais provavelmente contribuem para o desenvolvimento dessas síndromes, que idealmente devem ser diagnosticadas em estágios iniciais, dada a sua alta morbidade e mortalidade. O tratamento adequado de cada uma das alterações é essencial para preservar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndromes (APS) are considered rare endocrinopathies characterized by autoimmune alterations in the endocrine glands, accompanied by other non-endocrine diseases. Bearing in mind the complexity of associations in each subtype, its particularities and the genesis of the mechanisms involved, this article seeks, through meta-analysis, to equate its most current and important descriptive aspects for clinical practice. APS can be classified into types I, II, III and IV according to age of onset and affected organs. Complex interactions between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors likely contribute to the development of these syndromes, which ideally should be diagnosed at an early stage, given their high morbidity and mortality. Appropriate treatment of each of the alterations is essential to preserve the quality of life of patients.

Los Síndromes Polilandulares Autoinmunes (SPA) se consideran endocrinopatías raras en las que se producen cambios autoinmunes en las glándulas endocrinas, acompañadas de otras enfermedades no endocrinas. En vista de la complejidad de las asociaciones en cada subtipo, sus particularidades y la génesis de los mecanismos involucrados, este artículo busca, a través de un metaanálisis, considerar sus aspectos descriptivos más actualizados e importantes para la práctica clínica. Las ZEPA podrán clasificarse en los tipos I, II, III y IV según la edad de inicio y los órganos afectados. Las complejas interacciones entre los factores genéticos, epigenéticos y ambientales probablemente contribuyan al desarrollo de estos síndromes, que idealmente deberían ser diagnosticados en etapas tempranas, dada su alta morbilidad y mortalidad. El tratamiento adecuado de cada cambio es esencial para preservar la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

A survey of organizational structure and operational practices of elite youth football academies and national federations from around the world: A performance and medical perspective.

Aim: Medical and performance units are integral components of player development programmes in elite football academies. Nevertheless, the nature of the operational processes implemented by practitioners within clubs and national federations remains unexplored. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to survey elite youth professional football academies from around the world regarding the operational processes adopted by their medical and performance units. Methods: Of the 50 organizations invited, 10 national federations and 25 clubs took part in the survey resulting in a response rate of 70% (95% confidence interval, 56%-81%). The respondents represented three groups: senior club and academy management, performance, and medical staff. Results: The majority (60%-90%) of clubs and national federations reported strategic alignment between senior and academy medical and performance units as well as between academy medical and performance units. Survey responses indicated substantial heterogeneity in the composition and number of medical and performance professionals employed in academies. The majority of respondents agreed their medical and performance departments were effective in utilizing staff knowledge and external sources of knowledge to inform their practice (56%-80%). Performance staff (40%-50%) and physiotherapists (30%-32%) were deemed most influential in injury prevention programmes. During the return-to-play process, the influence of specific practitioners in the medical and performance units was dependent upon the phase of return-to-play. Shared decision-making was common practice amongst performance and medical staff in injury prevention and return-to-play processes. Medical and performance data were generally centralized across the first team and academy in majority (50%-72%) of clubs and national federations. Data were integrated within the same data management system to a higher degree in clubs (68%) vs. national federations (40%). Research and development activity were reported for most academies (50%-72%), and generally led by the head of performance (37%) or team doctor (21%). Research activities were largely undertaken via internal staff (~100%), academic collaborations (50%-88%) and/or external consultants and industry partnerships (77%-83%) in the national federation and clubs. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings provide a detailed overview regarding key operational processes delivered by medical and performance practitioners working in elite football academies.

A New Portable Device to Reliably Measure Maximal Strength and Rate of Force Development of Hip Adduction and Abduction.

ABSTRACT: Gonçalves, BM, Mesquita, RNO, Tavares, F, Brito, J, Correia, P, Santos, P, and Mil-Homens, P. A new portable device to reliably measure maximal strength and rate of force development of hip adduction and abduction. J Strength Cond Res 36(9): 2465-2471, 2022-Groin injuries are a major issue in sports involving kicking or quick changes of direction. Decreased hip adduction and abduction strength have been indicated as one of the main risk factors for groin injury. The methods currently available to measure hip adduction and abduction strength are reliable but highly dependent on the evaluator skills. Furthermore, several studies have reported the reliability of maximal strength (MVIC), but very few studies investigated the reliability of explosive strength (RFD), a parameter that has been previously shown to have a higher functional value. The aim of the current investigation was to assess the reliability of a user-independent portable dynamometer that concurrently measures MVIC and RFD. Twenty-five healthy young subjects performed maximal isometric hip adduction and abduction in both sitting and supine positions. Measurements occurred in 2 different days separated by 48-72 hours. Test-retest reliability was calculated for both MVIC and RFD. Both MVIC and RFD showed good relative reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.77-0.98) with no differences between positions or muscle actions. Measurement error was similar between positions for MVIC in both hip adduction and abduction. Measurements of RFD showed higher reliability using a time window of at least 0-100 milliseconds, and lower measurement error was observed in sitting for adduction and in supine for abduction. This study shows that portable dynamometry can be used to concurrently measure hip adduction and abduction maximal and explosive strength, with levels of reliability that are similar to previously described methods.

Nutritional Intake and Training Load of Professional Female Football Players during a Mid-Season Microcycle.

Football (soccer) is a high-intensity intermittent sport with large energy demands. In a repeated-measures design, we analysed the nutritional intake and training load of fourteen female football players (22.50 ± 4.38 y; 57.23 ± 8.61 kg; 164 ± 6.00 cm; 18.33 ± 2.48% of fat mass and 23.71 ± 2.51 kg of muscle mass) competing in the highest female Football Portuguese League across a typical mid-season microcycle. The microcycle had one match day (MD), one recovery session (two days after the MD, MD+2), three training sessions (MD-3, MD-2, MD-1) and two rest days (MD+1). Energy intake and CHO (g.kg.BW−1) intake were lower on the days before the competition (MD+2, MD-3, MD-2 and MD-1 vs. MD; p < 0.05; ES: 0.60−1.30). Total distance, distance covered at high-speed running (HSRD) and the high metabolic distance load (HMLD) were lower on MD+2, MD-3 and MD-1 compared with MD (p < 0.05; ES: <0.2−5.70). The internal training load was lower in all training sessions before the competition (MD+2, MD-3, MD-2 and MD-1 vs. MD; p ≤ 0.01; ES: 1.28−5.47). Despite the small sample size and a single assessment in time, the results suggest that caloric and CHO intake were below the recommendations and were not structured based on the physical requirements for training sessions or match days.

The effect of a controlled mandible position mouthguard on upper body strength and power in trained rugby athletes - A randomized within subject study.

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that mouthguards are effective for injury protection in sports. However, findings on the effects of mouthguards in strength and power production remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether controlled-mandible position mouthguards influence strength and power production in well trained athletes. METHODS: Twenty-two male amateur rugby players (25 ± 3.84 yrs; 1.92 ± 0.07 m; 93.91 ± 11.99 kg) volunteered for this study. Every participant performed an 1RM bench press test (113.20 ± 16.83 kg) to determine his maximal strength. In a randomized order, a ballistic bench press using 40% of the obtained 1RM (44.93 ± 6.76 Kg) was performed in a guided bar attached to a linear position transducer (LPT) for the following conditions: a) no mouthguard (CON); b) controlled mouthguard (MCM - jaw in centric relation); c) non-controlled mouthguard (NCM) and d) occlusal splint (OS). Vertical dimension of occlusion was also assessed for each of the testing conditions. RESULTS: Athletes using a controlled mouthguard demonstrate a significant (p < 0.05) higher peak acceleration and peak force than those using no mouthguard. Additionally, when analysing the results of vertical dimension of occlusion, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between controlled mouthguard and the other tested conditions. CONCLUSION: Controlled mouthguards enhance peak force and peak acceleration in the ballistic bench press exercise without negatively affecting any other measure assessed in this study. We speculate that this is possibly due to an increased stability of temporomandibular joint.

Curriculum integration in the formative assessment of distance continuing medical education: the use of integrative activities / Integração curricular na avaliação formativa em educação médica continuada a distância: uso de atividades integradoras

Abstract Introduction: The article describes the development and implementation of integrative activities as a formative evaluation of a distance-learning course of preceptorship specialization in Family and Community Medicine and discusses how the use of this activity is capable of integrating and assessing different knowledges, practices and performance of students in this modality of education. The course curriculum involves units with modules in three areas: family and community medicine, preceptorship and clinical practice, allowing the approach of essential topics for the practice of the specialty preceptor, which go beyond the study of pedagogical aspects. Experience report: The student was encouraged to carry out a textual production based on contextualized problems in the Primary Health Care preceptorship, guided by the tutor, aiming to critically reflect on the contents of each teaching unit. Illustrated situations were used in the activity statement, shown in comic strip format, which qualified the interpretation of the context addressed in the activity and promoted greater approximation with the reality experienced by the student. The contextualization of the activity and the exercise of putting oneself in the preceptor's place were considered positive points by the tutors. Discussion: The student-tutor interaction is a fundamental part of the activity, as it allows the construction of knowledge from an interactionist perspective of education, which is the basis of the pedagogical proposal of the course. The activity allowed the identification of gaps and potentialities in the students' learning and the implementation of particular pedagogical interventions. Conclusions: This type of activity ensures important dimensions of evaluative work in long-term courses: the procedural and interdisciplinary features. The integrative activity model can be used in distance courses with different disciplines, aiming at integrating them, providing a more in-depth approach and bringing the educational contents closer to the student's reality.

Resumo: Introdução: O artigo descreve o desenvolvimento e a implementação de atividades integradoras como avaliação formativa de um curso a distância de especialização de preceptoria em medicina de família e comunidade (MFC) e discute como a utilização dessa atividade é capaz de integrar e avaliar diferentes conhecimentos, práticas e o desempenho dos alunos nessa modalidade de ensino. O currículo do curso envolve unidades com módulos em três áreas: MFC, preceptoria e clínica, permitindo que se abordem os temas essenciais para a prática do preceptor da especialidade, que vão além do estudo dos aspectos pedagógicos. Relato da experiência: O aluno era instigado a realizar uma produção textual baseada em problemas contextualizados na preceptoria na atenção primária à saúde, orientada pelo tutor, de forma a refletir criticamente sobre os conteúdos de cada unidade de ensino. Foram utilizadas situações ilustradas no enunciado da atividade, na forma de história em quadrinhos, o que qualificava a interpretação do contexto abordado na atividade e promovia maior aproximação com a realidade vivenciada pelo aluno. A contextualização da atividade e o exercício de se colocar no lugar do preceptor foram considerados pontos positivos pelos tutores. Discussão: A interação aluno-tutor é parte fundamental da atividade, pois permite a construção do conhecimento a partir de uma perspectiva interacionista da educação, que é a base da proposta pedagógica do curso. A atividade permitiu a identificação de lacunas e potencialidades na aprendizagem dos alunos e a realização de intervenções pedagógicas singulares. Conclusão: Esse tipo de atividade garante dimensões importantes do trabalho avaliativo em cursos de longa duração: o caráter processual e interdisciplinar. O modelo de atividade integradora pode ser utilizado em cursos a distância com diferentes disciplinas, com o objetivo de integrá-las, proporcionando uma abordagem mais aprofundada e aproximando os conteúdos educacionais da realidade do aluno.

The Acute and Longer-Term Effects of Cold Water Immersion in Highly-Trained Volleyball Athletes During an Intense Training Block.

Background: The use of cold water immersion (CWI) as a recovery strategy following exercise has drawn mixed findings over the last few decades. The purpose of the current study was two-fold; (1) to determine the acute effects of CWI within the training week, and (2) to investigate the longer-term effects of CWI over a 16-day period. Methods: In a randomized, controlled trial, 13 national-level volleyball athletes were allocated to two groups, an experimental (CWI, n = 7) and a control group (n = 6) during a 3-week national training camp. The experimental group were exposed to a CWI protocol after the last training session of each day (12 CWI sessions). Measures of lower (countermovement jump and squat jump height) and upper-body (medicine ball throw distance) power were collected pre- and post-training camp. Perceptual and neuromuscular performance measures (countermovement jump) were obtained during the training camp. Results: No significant differences between groups were observed for any measure (p > 0.05), however, small effect sizes were observed between experimental and control groups on day two of weeks one and two. Three weeks of training resulted in a significant decrease in countermovement jump height in the control group. A moderate effect size (d = 0.65) was found for countermovement jump performance between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: Cold water immersion seems to provide little benefit to recovery in the acute setting (within the training week), however, chronically, there was a trend toward a benefit when implementing cold water immersion in well-trained volleyball athletes over 16 days.

The Effect of Tissue Flossing on Ankle Range of Motion, Jump, and Sprint Performance in Elite Rugby Union Athletes.

CONTEXT: Given the relatively novel technique of tissue flossing is currently lacking in the research literature despite some positive findings in preliminary studies, the modality clearly requires further research. Current evidence suggests that band flossing results in performance improvements and may also be an effective method in injury prevention. OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown that tissue flossing may result in increased ankle range of motion, jump, and sprinting performance in recreational athletes. The present study aims to extend on this research, within an elite athlete sample. DESIGN: Counterbalanced, cross-over design with experimental and control trials, separated by 1 week. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen professional male rugby union athletes (mean [SD]: age 23.9 [2.7] y). INTERVENTION: Application of a floss band to both ankles (FLOSS) for 2 minutes or without flossing of the ankle joints (CON) on 2 separate occasions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A weight-bearing lunge test, a countermovement jump test, and a 20-m sprint test at pre and at 5 and 30 minutes post application of the floss band or control. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant interactions between treatment (FLOSS/CON) and time for any of the measured variables (P > .05). Effect size analysis revealed small benefits for FLOSS in comparison with CON for countermovement performance 5 minutes post (d = 0.28) and for 10-m (d = -0.45) and 15-m (d = -0.24) sprint time 30 minutes post. CONCLUSION: Findings from the current study suggest minimal benefits of tissue flossing when applied to the ankle joint in elite athletes for up to 30 minutes following their application.

Leucine Metabolites Do Not Enhance Training-induced Performance or Muscle Thickness.

Leucine metabolites, α-hydroxyisocaproic acid (α-HICA) and ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (calcium, HMB-Ca and free acid, HMB-FA), have been proposed to augment resistance training-induced changes in body composition and performance. PURPOSE: We aimed to conduct a double-blind randomized controlled pragmatic trial to evaluate the effects of off-the-shelf leucine metabolite supplements of α-HICA, HMB-FA, and HMB-Ca on resistance training-induced changes in muscle thickness and performance. METHODS: Forty men were randomly assigned to receive α-HICA (n = 10, fat-free mass [FFM] = 62.0 ± 7.1 kg), HMB-FA (n = 11, FFM = 62.7 ± 10.5 kg), HMB-Ca (n = 9, FFM = 65.6 ± 10.1 kg), or placebo (PLA; n = 10, FFM = 64.2 ± 5.7 kg). The training program consisted of whole body thrice weekly resistance training for 8 wk (seven exercises per session, three to four sets per session, at 70%-80% one repetition maximum). Skeletal muscle thickness by ultrasound, performance measures, and blood measures (creatine kinase, insulin-like growth factor 1, growth hormone, cortisol, and total testosterone) were evaluated at baseline and at the end of weeks 4 and 8. RESULTS: Time-dependent changes were observed for muscle thickness (P < 0.001), one repetition maximum bench press and squat (P < 0.001), Wingate peak power (P = 0.02), countermovement jump height (P = 0.03), power (P = 0.006), creatine kinase, insulin-like growth factor-1, growth hormone, and cortisol (all P < 0.001). No significant between-group or time-group interactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: No leucine metabolite resulted in any ergogenic effects on any outcome variable. Supplementation with leucine metabolites-α-HICA, HMB-FA, or HMB-Ca-is not a supplementation strategy that improves muscle growth and strength development in young adult men.

Effects of Chronic Cold-Water Immersion in Elite Rugby Players.

PURPOSE: Although the acute effects of cold-water immersion (CWI) have been widely investigated, research analyzing the effects of CWI over a chronic period in highly trained athletes is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CWI during an intense 3-wk preseason phase in elite rugby athletes. METHODS: A total of 23 elite male rugby union athletes were randomized to either CWI (10 min at 10°C, n = 10) or a passive recovery control (CON, n = 13) during 3 wk of high-volume training. Athletes were exposed to either CWI or CON after each training day (12 d in total). Running loads, conditioning, and gym sessions were kept the same between groups. Measures of countermovement jump, perceived muscle soreness, and wellness were obtained twice a week, and saliva samples for determining cortisol and interleukin-6 were collected once per week. RESULTS: Although no significant differences were observed between CWI and CON for any measure, CWI resulted in lower fatigue markers throughout the study as demonstrated by the moderate effects on muscle soreness (d = 0.58-0.91) and interleukin-6 (d = -0.83) and the small effects (d = 0.23-0.38) on countermovement jump in comparison with CON. CONCLUSIONS: CWI may provide some beneficial effect by reducing fatigue and soreness during an intense 3-wk training phase in elite rugby athletes.

Influence of full range of motion vs. equalized partial range of motion training on muscle architecture and mechanical properties.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 15-week partial range of motion (ROM) resistance training program on the vastus lateralis (VL) architecture and mechanical properties, when the time under tension (TUT) was equalized. METHODS: Nineteen untrained male subjects were randomly assigned to a control (Control; n = 8) or training (TG; n = 11) group. In the TG, the dominant and nondominant legs were randomly selected to be trained with a full ROM (FULL) or a partial ROM (PART) in an isokinetic dynamometer. Training volume was equalized based on the TUT by manipulating sets and repetitions. The VL muscle architecture was assessed by B-mode ultrasonography at rest and during maximal isometric knee extension contractions (MVCs) at ten knee angles. The VL fascicle force and specific tension were calculated from the MVCs with superimposed stimuli, accounting for the moment arm length, muscle architecture, and antagonist coactivation. RESULTS: The FULL training induced changes in fascicle length (FL) (4.9 ± 2.0%, P < 0.001) and specific tension (25.8 ± 18.7%, P < 0.001). There was a moderate effect of PART training on the physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) (7.8 ± 4.0%, P < 0.001, dav = 0.6) and torque-angle adaptations (average increase 17.7 ± 3.9%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that crucial architectural and mechanical muscle adaptations are dependent on the ROM used in strength training. It seems that muscle FL and specific tension can be increased by pure concentric training if greater ROM is used. Conversely, restricting the ROM to shorter muscle lengths promotes a greater PCSA and angle-specific strength adaptations.

Adding omega-3 fatty acids to a protein-based supplement during pre-season training results in reduced muscle soreness and the better maintenance of explosive power in professional Rugby Union players.

Evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could reduce muscle soreness and maintain muscle function following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. The aim of this applied field study was to investigate the effectiveness of consuming a protein-based supplement containing 1546 mg of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (551 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 551 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) twice daily (FO) compared to a protein-based placebo (P) on muscle soreness, countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and psychological well-being in 20 professional Rugby Union players during 5 weeks of pre-season training. Players completed a 5-point-Likert soreness scale with 5 indicating "no soreness" and a questionnaire assessing fatigue, sleep, stress and mood each morning of training, plus they performed CMJ tests once or twice per week. Data were analysed using magnitude-based inferential statistics and are presented as percent beneficial/trivial/harmful. On day 35, there was a likely (% beneficial/trivial/harmful: 94/5/1) moderate (0.75, standardized mean difference (SMD)) beneficial effect of FO vs. P on the change in lower body muscle soreness compared with day 0 (FO: -3.8 ± 21.7%; P: -19.4 ± 11.2%). There was a likely (92/7/0) moderate (SMD: 0.60) beneficial effect of FO vs. P on CMJ performance (change from baseline to day 35, FO: +4.6 ± 5.9%; P: -3.4 ± 8.6%). From day 20, a moderate beneficial effect of FO on fatigue was observed. In terms of practical relevance, the moderate beneficial effect of adding fish oil to a protein-based supplement on muscle soreness translated into the better maintenance of explosive power in elite Rugby Union players during pre-season training.

Wellness, muscle soreness and neuromuscular performance during a training week in volleyball athletes.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study is to analyze the acute effects of volleyball training and to compare the responses of different perceptual and neuromuscular measures to overall training load. METHODS: The training load, wellness, neuromuscular performance and perceptual measures of soreness of 13 highly-trained volleyball athletes (18±1 years; 187.1±7.0 cm; 84.3±10.3 kg) representing the Portugal under-19 national team were monitored during a training week. Perceptual fatigue was obtained in the morning of every training day from a 5-item wellness questionnaire (sleep, soreness, mood, fatigue, stress) and a muscle soreness questionnaire surveying nine different muscle sites from each side of the body. Neuromuscular performance was obtained from a countermovement jump (CMJ) on the morning of training days 1, 2, 4, and 5. RESULTS: Small effect sizes in CMJs were observed on days 4 and 5 when compared to baseline. Wellness items were affected by training, with the fatigue item and the total score being the most affected. Muscle soreness increased from day 2 until day 5 in comparison to baseline across various muscle sites and regions. Nevertheless, responses in soreness were different from muscle sites, average of muscle sites and a single question of muscle soreness. CONCLUSIONS: Volleyball training elicits meaningful changes in physiological and perceptual measures of fatigue and muscle soreness, as evident from day 2 until the last training day of the week. Muscle soreness scores obtained from different muscle sites may provide important information to coaches.

Effect of Cold-Water Immersion on Elbow Flexors Muscle Thickness After Resistance Training.

Matos, F, Neves, EB, Rosa, C, Reis, VM, Saavedra, F, Silva, S, Tavares, F, and Vilaça-Alves, J. Effect of cold-water immersion on elbow flexors muscle thickness after resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 32(3): 756-763, 2018-Cold-water immersion (CWI) is commonly applied to speed up the recovery process after exercise. Muscle damage may induce a performance reduction and consequence of the intramuscular pressure induced by the muscular swelling. The aim of the study was to verify the CWI effects on muscle thickness (MT) behavior of the elbow flexors after a strength training (ST) protocol. Eleven men were submitted to an ST, performed in 2 different weeks. In one of the weeks, subjects experienced a passive recovery. In the other, subjects were submitted to a CWI (20 minutes at 5-10° C). Ultrasound (US) images were taken before, after, as well as 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise, to evaluate the MT. Muscle thickness in both exercise arm (EA) and control arm (CA) was significantly higher 48 and 72 hours after exercise when subjects were submitted to a passive recovery compared with the CWI (p = 0.029, p = 0.028, p = 0.009, and p = 0.001, 48 hours, 72 hours, EA, and CA, respectively). When each arm was analyzed with or without using CWI individually, significantly higher MT was observed in the EA with CWI: before exercise in relation to 72 hours after exercise (p = 0.042) and after exercise in relation to the other measurements (p = 0.003, p = 0.003, p = 0.038, and p < 0.0001, before exercise and 24, 48, 72 hours after exercise, respectively). The evaluation of MT by US provides evidence that CWI after ST (and 24 hours after exercise) may reduce muscle swelling in the postexercise days when compared with a passive recovery. Seems to be a paradox between the uses of CWI for an acute reduction of muscle swelling.

The effect of training load on neuromuscular performance, muscle soreness and wellness during an in-season non-competitive week in elite rugby athletes.

BACKGROUND: In the elite rugby setting, it is critical to understand the effects of training load on the levels of fatigue, soreness and readiness of the athletes. METHODS: The training load, wellness, neuromuscular markers of fatigue and various perceptual measures of soreness of 16 elite rugby athletes were monitored during a training week. Training load was obtained for field training sessions, extra conditioning and gym-based sessions. Perceptual fatigue was obtained every morning from a 5-item wellness questionnaire and a questionnaire on the muscle soreness of 9 different muscle sites from each side of the body. Neuromuscular performance was obtained from a countermovement jump. RESULTS: Although the training performed on day 4 had a significantly (P<0.05) greater load in comparison to training days 1 and 2, muscle soreness and neuromuscular performance were more adversely effected after the cumulative workloads of days 1 and 2. Moreover, the effect of training load on muscle soreness was only evident in the lower body muscles. Data from the present study also suggest that two days off training are adequate for complete recovery from a high load training week in elite rugby athletes. There were no significant differences in soreness ratings between left and right sides for any of the 9 muscles sites. CONCLUSIONS: There was a clear effect of training load on soreness and neuromuscular fatigue, with greater fatigue following two training days in a row when compared to a single training day. Monitoring soreness from different lower body muscle sites may provide important information that relates to the fatigue levels of rugby athletes and therefore it is recommended to be included as part of the training load monitoring protocol.