Profiles of Physical Fitness and Fitness Enjoyment Among Children: Associations With Sports Participation.

Purpose: The present study examined whether groups of children with different physical fitness and fitness enjoyment profiles could be identified and, if so, whether the different groups varied from one another in terms of organized sports participation. Method: Five hundred and fifty-eight 8-11-year-olds (56.99% boys) participated in this cross-sectional study. Physical fitness and fitness enjoyment were assessed with seven items from a standardized test battery and a pictorial scale containing pictures referring to the enjoyment in those seven physical fitness tests, respectively. To examine whether groups with different fitness and enjoyment profiles could be identified, we conducted cluster analyses based on children's standardized physical fitness and fitness enjoyment scores. A two-way ANCOVA (sex*cluster) was conducted to investigate differences in weekly organized sports participation among each of the identified groups while controlling for age. Results: Cluster analyses revealed two groups with aligned levels of physical fitness and fitness enjoyment (i.e., relatively low-low and relatively high-high) and two groups with unaligned levels (i.e., relatively low-moderate and relatively high-moderate), respectively. Both groups with relatively high fitness scores were found to spend significantly more time in organized sports (M = 2.01 h and 2.29 h, respectively) than the two groups with relatively low fitness scores (M = 1.08 h and 0.98 h, respectively), irrespective of their enjoyment levels. Conclusion: Increasing physical fitness levels (especially among those children with suboptimal enjoyment levels) may lead to increased organized sports participation, while increased organized sports participation in its turn may lead to higher fitness levels. As such, participation in sports programs should be promoted in children of all age groups.

Nature exposure might be the intervention to improve the self-regulation and skilled performance in mentally fatigue athletes: A narrative review and conceptual framework.

Background: Due to causing inability of self-regulation (ego depletion) and executive functions such as directed attention and visual searching for relevant information (e.g., the ball location and the position of teammates), mental fatigue impairs skilled performance in various sports. On the other hand, natural scenes could improve directed attention, which may considerably benefit visual searching ability and self-regulation. However, nature exposure as a potential intervention to improve skilled performance among mentally fatigued athletes has not been discussed thoroughly. Purpose: To propose the potential intervention for the impairment of skilled performance among mentally fatigued athletes and generate a framework for future studies. Methods: A narrative review was applied to search broadly across disciplines, retrieving literature from several databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCOhost). Results: Thirty-three works of literature including 39 experiments (mental fatigue 15; ego depletion 5; and nature exposure 19) were obtained. Finally, a conceptual framework was built regarding the effect of nature exposure intervention on skilled performance in athletes for future studies. Conclusion: Three theories (the psychobiological model of exercise performance, the strength model of self-regulation, and attention restoration theory) could be potentially integrated to be a conceptual framework and explain the mechanism of preventing prior mental exertion (e.g., mental fatigue and ego depletion). Future studies could examine more on the duration of the intervention.

Does mental fatigue affect skilled performance in athletes? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mental fatigue is a psychobiological state induced by a prolonged duration of demanding cognitive tasks. The effects of mental fatigue on physical performance have been well investigated in the literature. However, the effect of mental fatigue on skilled performance in sports remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report a comprehensive systematic review investigating the carryover effects of mental fatigue on skilled performance among athletes. METHODS: A thorough search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost (CENTRAL, SPORTDicus), and Scopus to select relevant literature, as well as on Google Scholar and sources of reference for grey literature. The selected literatures are centred on a mental fatigue protocol in which cognitive tasks are performed prior to athletic tasks. Only studies that used an experimental design to test two conditions, namely mental fatigue and non-mental fatigue, were selected. RESULTS: Eleven articles were chosen based on the selection criteria. Mental fatigue affects skilled performance in three sports: soccer, basketball, and table tennis. A decline in skilled performance (decreased accuracy, increased performing time etc) is relevant to impaired executive functions. Seven studies focus on offensive skills, whereas only two studies are associated with defensive skills. CONCLUSION: Mental fatigue has a negative effect on various sports skills of high-level athletes, including their technical and decision-making skills; however, the impact is greater on offensive skills than that of defensive skills in terms of the role of athletes. Impaired executive functions may be responsible for the negative effects of mental fatigue on skilled performance.

Effect of Functional Training on Physical Fitness Among Athletes: A Systematic Review.

There is evidence that functional training is beneficial for the overall physical fitness of athletes. However, there is a lack of a systematic review focused on the effects of functional training on athletes' physical fitness. Thus, the aimed of the present review is to clarify the effects of functional training on physical fitness among athletes. In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) Statement guidelines, the systematic search of PubMed, SCOPUS, EBSCOhost (SPORTDiscus), and CINAHL Plus databases was undertaken on the 2nd November 2020 to identify the reported studies, using a combination of keywords related to functional training, physical fitness, and athletes. From the 145 studies, only nine articles met all eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. The assessment was performed on the Pedro scale, and the quality of the study included in the nine studies was fair (ranging from 3 to 4). The results showed that speed (n = 6) was the aspect of physical fitness studied in functional training interventions, followed by muscular strength (n = 5), power (n = 4), balance (n = 3), body composition (n = 3), agility (n = 3), flexibility (n = 1) and muscular endurance (n = 1). Existing evidence concludes that functional training significantly impacts speed, muscular strength, power, balance, and agility. Furthermore, there are still limit numbers of evidence showing effect of functional training on flexibility and muscular endurance. In contrast, no significant improvement was found in body composition where functional training was conducted. Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier: CRD4202123092.

Sensor for prednisolone detection in sports doping / Sensor para detecção de prednisolona no doping esportivo / Sensor para la detección de prednisolona en el dopaje deportivo

ABSTRACT Introduction: Prednisolone causes pro-inflammatory impulses to be inhibited and anti-inflammatory signals to be promoted. As a result, it alters how the body's immune system reacts to certain diseases. The World Anti-Doping Agency, however, has banned SNP and other glucocorticosteroids. An electrochemical sensor can be developed using a gold nanocomposite, polypyrrole nanoparticles and synthesized carbon nanotubes (Au-PPy NPs@CNTs). Objective: Develop an electrochemical sensor to detect prednisolone. Method: Au-PPy NPs@CNTs nanocomposite was chemically synthesized with a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. Results: According to SEM data, the nanocomposite was composed of amorphous Au NPs, and PPy NPs deposited in tubes strongly entangled in a CNTs network. The wide linear range and low detection limit of the Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE as prednisolone sensors were attributed to the combined catalytic performance of the Au and PPy NPs@CNTs nanostructures. Conclusion: The results of prednisolone detection in each specimen using the amperometric method indicated good accuracy. The accuracy and precision of Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE for prednisolone detection were explored in blood samples from 5 young athletes aged 20-24 years who used prednisolone tablets (RSD less than 4.25%). In addition to monitoring prednisolone concentrations in athletes' serum, Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE can be used as a reliable prednisolone sensor. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: A prednisolona faz com que os impulsos pró-inflamatórios sejam inibidos e os sinais anti-inflamatórios sejam promovidos. Como resultado, ela altera a forma como o sistema imunológico do corpo reage a certas doenças. A Agência Mundial Antidoping, no entanto, proibiu o SNP e outros glucocorticoesteroides. Usando um nanocomposto de ouro, nanopartículas de polipirrol e nanotubos de carbono sintetizados (Au-PPy NPs@CNTs), um sensor eletroquímico pode ser desenvolvido. Objetivo: Desenvolver um sensor eletroquímico para detectar a prednisolona. Método: O nanocompósito Au-PPy NPs@CNTs foi sintetizado quimicamente com uma superfície de eletrodo de carbono vítreo modificado (GCE). Resultados: De acordo com dados da SEM, o nanocomposto foi descoberto como sendo composto de Au NPs e NPs de PPy amorfo, depositados em tubos fortemente emaranhados em uma rede de CNTs. O amplo alcance linear e o baixo limite de detecção do Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE como sensores de prednisolona foram atribuídos ao desempenho catalítico combinado das nanoestruturas de Au e PPy NPs@CNTs. Conclusão: Os resultados da detecção de prednisolona em cada espécime usando o método de amperometria indicaram boa precisão. A precisão e a acurácia de Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE para a detecção de prednisolona foram exploradas em amostras de sangue preparadas de 5 atletas jovens de 20 a 24 anos que usaram comprimidos de prednisolona (RSD inferior a 4,25%). Além de monitorar as concentrações de prednisolona no soro dos atletas, Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE pode ser usado como um sensor confiável de prednisolona. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: La prednisolona hace que se inhiban los impulsos proinflamatorios y se promuevan las señales antiinflamatorias. Como resultado, altera la forma en que el sistema inmunológico del cuerpo reacciona a ciertas enfermedades. Sin embargo, la Agencia Mundial Antidopaje ha prohibido el SNP y otros glucocorticosteroides. Utilizando un nanocompuesto de oro, nanopartículas de polipirrol y nanotubos de carbono sintetizados (Au-PPy NPs@CNTs), se puede desarrollar un sensor electroquímico. Objetivo: Desarrollar un sensor electroquímico para detectar la prednisolona. Método: Se sintetizó químicamente el nanocompuesto Au-PPy NPs@CNTs con una superficie de electrodo de carbono vítreo (GCE) modificada. Resultados: Según los datos del SEM, se comprobó que el nanocompuesto estaba compuesto de Au NPs y NPs de PP amorfo y depositados en tubos fuertemente enredados en una red de CNTs. El amplio rango lineal y el bajo límite de detección de Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE como sensores de prednisolona se atribuyeron al rendimiento catalítico combinado de las nanoestructuras de Au y PPy NPs@CNTs. Conclusión: Los resultados de la detección de prednisolona en cada muestra mediante el método amperométrico indicaron una buena precisión. Se exploró la exactitud y precisión de las Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE para la detección de prednisolona en muestras de sangre preparadas a partir de 5 jóvenes atletas de entre 20 y 24 años de edad que utilizaban tabletas de prednisolona (RSD inferior al 4,25%). Además de controlar las concentraciones de prednisolona en el suero de los deportistas, Au-PPy NPs@CNTs/GCE puede utilizarse como un sensor fiable de prednisolona. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Expert - Non-expert differences in visual behaviour during alpine slalom skiing.

The aim of this study was to investigate visual behaviour of expert and non-expert ski athletes during an alpine slalom. Fourteen non-experts and five expert slalom skiers completed an alpine slalom course in an indoor ski slope while wearing a head-mounted eye tracking device. Experts completed the slalom clearly faster than non-experts, but no significant difference was found in timing and position of the turn initiation. Although both groups already looked at future obstacles approximately 0,5s before passing the upcoming pole, the higher speed of experts implied that they shifted gaze spatially earlier in the bend than non-experts. Furthermore, experts focussed more on the second next pole while non-expert slalom skiers looked more to the snow surface immediately in front of their body. No difference was found in the fixation frequency, average fixation duration, and quiet eye duration between both groups. These results suggest that experts focus on the timing of their actions while non-experts still need to pay attention to the execution of these actions. These results also might suggest that ski trainers should instruct non-experts and experts to focus on the next pole and, shift their gaze to the second next pole shortly before reaching it. Based on the current study it seems unadvisable to instruct slalom skiers to look several poles ahead during the actual slalom. However, future research should test if these results still hold on a real outdoor slope, including multiple vertical gates.