Altered perception and report of fatigue and recovery in veteran athletes.

AIM: This study investigated whether ageing effects perceived and reported ratings of fatigue and total quality of recovery following high-intensity training in athletes. We hypothesized that veteran (V) athletes would report greater changes in perceived measures of fatigue and recovery than training-matched younger athletes. METHODS: Perceptions of muscle soreness (SOR), fatigue, and recovery were recorded in young (Y) and V (>35 years) well-trained cyclists in response to 3 days of repeated cycling time trials. Nine Y (24+/-5 years) and 9 V (45+/-6 years) cyclists performed 3 consecutive days (T1-T3) of 30-min cycling time trials (TT30) intended to induce fatigue leading to decreased performance. Physiological and performance variables were measured before, during, and after each time trial. Subjective measures of SOR, fatigue, and recovery were recorded each day. RESULTS: There was no change in performance at the TT30 from T1 to T3 for either group. SOR, fatigue, and recovery significantly changed over the 3 days in the V group, but not in the Y group. The change in SOR from T1 to T3 was significantly greater in the V group than in the Y group (22+/-14 mm vs 9+/-12 mm, respectively; P=0.04). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that 3 days of cycling time trials induce perceptions of muscle pain/SOR, fatigue and reduced recovery in well-trained V cyclists with no corresponding decline in physical performance.

The reliability of the i-STAT clinical portable analyser.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the reliability of the i-STAT clinical portable analyser and CG(4)(+) cartridge measures of blood pH, partial pressures of O(2) (pO(2)) and CO(2) (pCO(2)), bicarbonate ([HCO(3)(-)]), base excess (BE), total carbon dioxide (TCO(2)), oxygen saturation (sO(2)) and blood lactate ([BLa(-)]) at various exercise intensities. A comparison between [BLa(-)] measured by the i-STAT and the Accusport lactate analysers during an intermittent treadmill run was also undertaken. The technical error of measurement (TEM%) at rest, at moderate (200W) and maximal exercise (V O(2)max) was acceptable (<15%) for all parameters. The intra-class correlation coefficients for each analyte ranged from weak-to-strong across resting (ICC=0.19-0.96) and moderate (ICC=0.30-0.96) exercise intensities. The ICC for all analytes were observed to be strong following maximal intensity exercise (ICC=0.77-0.95). The comparison of the [BLa(-)] measures between the i-STAT and Accusport showed that the difference between measures was acceptable at both low (<4mmolL(-1)) (-0.39+/-0.27mmolL(-1)), moderate to high concentrations (>4mmolL(-1)) (0.58+/-1.22mmolL(-1)), and across all [BLa(-)] data (0.36+/-1.13mmolL(-1)). In conclusion, the i-STAT clinical analyser and CG(4)(+) cartridge provides reliable measures of a number of blood parameters across exercise intensities. The [BLa(-)] measures from the i-STAT analyser are consistent with that of the Accusport lactate analyser.

Performance during consecutive days of laboratory time-trials in young and veteran cyclists.

AIM: There is a common belief amongst athletes and coaches that older athletes need longer recovery time between training sessions and following competition. This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of age on recovery from high intensity endurance exercise in well-trained cyclists. METHODS: Nine young and 9 veteran cyclists (mean+/-SD: young 24+/-5 years, veteran 45+/-6 years) performed 3 consecutive days (T1-T3) of laboratory based cycling time trials of 30-min duration (TT30). Mean power output, heart rate (HR), and blood lactate were measured throughout each TT30. Non-specific performance tests of fatigue were undertaken before and after the TT30 on each test day. Non-specific tests included, a maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the quadriceps muscle (MVIF), a countermovement jump (CMJ), a 10-s cycle sprint (10ST), and serum creatine kinase activity (CK). RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant group differences between young and veteran subjects for initial fitness or training status. Over T1-T3 both groups maintained average power during the TT30 (young and veteran results combined; 3.49+/-0.38, 3.5+/-0.36 and 3.52+/-0.35 W x kg(-1), T1-T3, respectively). For both groups serum CK activity was significantly elevated at T2 and T3, and mean HR during the TT30 was significantly lower at T3 (approximately 3 b x min(-1)). There were no group differences or significant within group interactions across the 3 days for MVIF or 10ST but there was a significantly lower CMJ height by T3 in both young and veteran (approximately 3%). MVIF was significantly lower after TT30 each day but had fully recovered by the following day. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that high-intensity endurance performance is maintained in both well-trained young and veteran cyclists following 3 consecutive days of maximal 30-min laboratory time trials.

Barriers to exercise prescription and participation in people with mental illness: the perspectives of nurses working in mental health.

ACCESSIBLE SUMMARY: Exercise is valuable in the treatment of mental illness, yet personal and organizational barriers limit widespread implementation by nurses in mental health settings. Using a self-report questionnaire, we sought to identify how often nurses prescribe exercise and their level of agreement with previously identified barriers to exercise prescription and participation for mental health consumers. Nurses disagree that many of the previously identified barriers should impede exercise prescription for people with mental illness. Nurses agree that many of the barriers expressed by mental health consumers might prevent exercise participation. Our study provides valuable new insight into the role of nurses in the provision of exercise for people with mental illness; however, it is limited to a small sample. Confirmation of these findings in larger, geographically and professionally diverse groups is needed. ABSTRACT: Evidence is mounting for the efficacy of exercise in the treatment of people with mental illness. Nurses working in mental health settings are well placed to provide exercise advice for people with mental illness. However, quantitative examinations of the barriers to exercise prescription experienced by nurses, or their views regarding the barriers to exercise participation experienced by people with mental illness, are lacking. In this study, 34 nurses completed the Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire-Health Professionals Version (EMIQ-HP). This survey examined the frequency of exercise prescription and the level of agreement with statements regarding barriers to exercise prescription for, and exercise participation by, people with mental illness. The level of agreement scores for statements for each section was summed, with a higher score indicating a higher level of agreement. Nurses disagree with many of the barriers to exercise prescription presented in the literature. The level of agreement scores did not differ between nurses who prescribe exercise 'Always', 'Most of the time', 'Occasionally' or 'Never'. We found a non-significant negative relationship between frequency of exercise prescription and summed level of agreement scores for barriers to exercise prescription. Consensus regarding barriers to exercise participation by mental health consumers is less clear. This study provides valuable new insight into the role of nurses in the provision of exercise for people with mental illness. Confirmation in larger samples is needed before translation of research to practice.

Time and motion analysis of the AFL field umpire. Australian Football League.

The purpose of the present study was to quantify the movement patterns and work intensities of field umpires while officiating in the three-umpire system of the Australian Football League (AFL). Five umpires were randomly selected and videoed throughout five AFL-matches played at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Each video was analysed manually for time spent in each of four movement modalities: forward, backward, sideways and stationary which were further analysed into the categories of forward sprinting, forward cruising/jogging and forward walking; backward fast/moderate and backward slow; sideways movement and stationary. The following calculations were made: a) the total time spent performing each movement modality; b) the relative contribution (%) of time spent in each activity; and c) the work to rest ratio. The relative time contribution of each movement modality was: Sprinting (1.9+/-0.2%), Cruising/Jogging (26.1+/-3.2%), Walking (21.9+/-3.1%). Fast/Moderate Backward (14.6+/-1.2%), Slow Backward (13.6+/-1.0%), Sideways (2.2+/-0.3%) and Stationary (19.7+/-2.7%). The average time of effort for each movement modality were found to be: Sprinting (2.2+/-0.4 secs), Cruising/Jogging (6.09+/-1.3 secs), Walking (9.9+/-1.1 secs), Backward Fast/Moderate (4.4+/-0.3 secs), Backward Slow (5.2+/-0.8 secs), Sideways (1.7+/-0.1 secs) and Stationary (7.4+/-1.4 secs). The average work to rest ratio was approximately between 1:4-1:5. The current findings provide a detailed description of the movement patterns and work intensities of AFL field umpires which may be used in the development of training programs specific to the three-umpire system.

Changes in selected biochemical, muscular strength, power, and endurance measures during deliberate overreaching and tapering in rugby league players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of overreaching on muscle strength, power, endurance and selected biochemical responses in rugby league players. Seven semi-professional rugby league players (.VO(2max) = 56.1 +/- 1.7 mL . kg (-1) . min (-1); age = 25.7 +/- 2.6 yr; BMI = 27.6 +/- 2.0) completed 6 weeks of progressive overload training with limited recovery periods. A short 7-day stepwise reduction taper immediately followed the overload period. Measures of muscular strength, power and endurance and selected biochemical parameters were taken before and after overload training and taper. Multistage fitness test running performance was significantly reduced (12.3 %) following the overload period. Although most other performance measures tended to decrease following the overload period, only peak hamstring torque at 1.05 rad . s (-1) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Following the taper, a significant increase in peak hamstring torque and isokinetic work at both slow (1.05 rad . s (-1)) and fast (5.25 rad . s (-1)) movement velocities were observed. Minimum clinically important performance decreases were measured in a multistage fitness test, vertical jump, 3-RM squat and 3-RM bench press and chin-up (max) following the overload period. Following the taper, minimum clinically important increases in the multistage fitness test, vertical jump, 3-RM squat and 3-RM bench press and chin-up (max) and 10-m sprint performance were observed. Compared to resting measures, the plasma testosterone to cortisol ratio, plasma glutamate, plasma glutamine to glutamate ratio and plasma creatine kinase activity demonstrated significant changes at the end of the overload training period (p < 0.05). These results suggest that muscular strength, power and endurance were reduced following the overload training, indicating a state of overreaching. The most likely explanation for the decreased performance is increased muscle damage via a decrease in the anabolic-catabolic balance.

Blood lactate responses in older swimmers during active and passive recovery following maximal sprint swimming.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of age on three blood lactate parameters following maximal sprint swimming. The parameters examined were maximal blood lactate concentration, time to reach maximal blood lactate concentration, and half recovery time to baseline lactate concentration. These parameters were examined in 16 male competitive masters swimmers (n = 4 for each age group: 25-35, 36-45, 46-55, and 56 plus years) during both passive and active recovery following a maximal 100 m freestyle sprint. Passive recovery consisted of 60 min sitting in a comfortable chair and active recovery consisted of a 20-min swim at a self-selected pace. Capillary blood samples were obtained every 2 min up to 10 min of recovery then at regular intervals to the end of the recovery period. Curves of blood lactate concentration against time were drawn and the three parameters determined for each condition for each subject. There were no significant differences between age groups in any of the lactate parameters examined. A significant difference (P less than 0.05) was noted in each of the parameters between active and passive recovery over all age groups. As expected, active recovery produced lower maximal blood lactate concentrations, lower time to maximal blood lactate values, and lower half recovery times. These data suggest that intensive swimming training may prevent or delay the decline with age in the physiological factors affecting blood lactate values following a maximal sprint swim. Older sprint swimmers appeared to be capable of producing and removing lactic acid at the same rate as younger swimmers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heart rate, blood lactate and kinematic data of elite colts (under-19) rugby union players during competition.

Physiological and kinematic data were collected from elite under-19 rugby union players to provide a greater understanding of the physical demands of rugby union. Heart rate, blood lactate and time-motion analysis data were collected from 24 players (mean +/- s(x): body mass 88.7 +/- 9.9 kg, height 185 +/- 7 cm, age 18.4 +/- 0.5 years) during six competitive premiership fixtures. Six players were chosen at random from each of four groups: props and locks, back row forwards, inside backs, outside backs. Heart rate records were classified based on percent time spent in four zones (>95%, 85-95%, 75-84%, <75% HRmax). Blood lactate concentration was measured periodically throughout each match, with movements being classified as standing, walking, jogging, cruising, sprinting, utility, rucking/mauling and scrummaging. The heart rate data indicated that props and locks (58.4%) and back row forwards (56.2%) spent significantly more time in high exertion (85-95% HRmax) than inside backs (40.5%) and outside backs (33.9%) (P < 0.001). Inside backs (36.5%) and outside backs (38.5%) spent significantly more time in moderate exertion (75-84% HRmax) than props and locks (22.6%) and back row forwards (19.8%) (P < 0.05). Outside backs (20.1%) spent significantly more time in low exertion (<75% HRmax) than props and locks (5.8%) and back row forwards (5.6%) (P < 0.05). Mean blood lactate concentration did not differ significantly between groups (range: 4.67 mmol x l(-1) for outside backs to 7.22 mmol x l(-1) for back row forwards; P < 0.05). The motion analysis data indicated that outside backs (5750 m) covered a significantly greater total distance than either props and locks or back row forwards (4400 and 4080 m, respectively; P < 0.05). Inside backs and outside backs covered significantly greater distances walking (1740 and 1780 m, respectively; P < 0.001), in utility movements (417 and 475 m, respectively; P < 0.001) and sprinting (208 and 340 m, respectively; P < 0.001) than either props and locks or back row forwards (walking: 1000 and 991 m; utility movements: 106 and 154 m; sprinting: 72 and 94 m, respectively). Outside backs covered a significantly greater distance sprinting than inside backs (208 and 340 m, respectively; P < 0.001). Forwards maintained a higher level of exertion than backs, due to more constant motion and a large involvement in static high-intensity activities. A mean blood lactate concentration of 4.8-7.2 mmol x l(-1) indicated a need for 'lactate tolerance' training to improve hydrogen ion buffering and facilitate removal following high-intensity efforts. Furthermore, the large distances (4.2-5.6 km) covered during, and intermittent nature of, match-play indicated a need for sound aerobic conditioning in all groups (particularly backs) to minimize fatigue and facilitate recovery between high-intensity efforts.