Beneficial Performance Effects of Training Load Intensification Can Be Abolished by Functional Overreaching: Lessons From a Water Polo Study in Female Athletes.

ABSTRACT: Brisola, GMP, Dutra, YM, Murias, JM, and Zagatto, AM. Beneficial performance effects of training load intensification can be abolished by functional overreaching: Lessons from a water polo study in female athletes. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): e391-e402, 2023-The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes from 2 weeks of training load intensification strategy in female water polo players diagnosed with functional overreaching (F-OR) with no F-OR players (acute fatigue) on the performance outcomes and hormonal, immunological, and cardiac autonomic nervous system responses. Twenty-two female water polo players were allocated into control and intensification group during 7 weeks. The swimming performance, biochemical parameters, heart rate variability, profile of mood states, and upper respiratory tract infection symptoms were assessed twice before and twice after 2 weeks of intensification period. F-OR showed a worsening in total time of the repeated sprint ability (RSA) test compared with the control group and the acute fatigue group after intensification ( p ≤ 0.035). Furthermore, after the tapering period, the F-OR group maintained worse total time of the RSA test than the acute fatigue group ( p = 0.029). In addition, the acute fatigue group showed improvement in total time of the RSA test after intensification compared with the control group ( p < 0.001). No significant interactions were found for the other parameters. Therefore, periods of intensification without the F-OR development can promote higher gains in the total time of the RSA test after intensification and tapering period.

Metabolic Profile and Performance Responses During Two Consecutive Sessions of Sprint Interval Training.

Malta, ES, Brisola, GMP, de Poli, RAB, Dutra, YM, Franchini, E, and Zagatto, AM. Metabolic profile and performance responses during two consecutive sessions of sprint interval training. J Strength Cond Res 34(4): 1078-1085, 2020-The study aimed to (a) typify the cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and performance responses during a single sprint interval training (SIT) session, (b) investigate the interference of 2 subsequent sessions on cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and performance responses, and (c) verify the relationships of SIT total work performed with aerobic fitness indices. Thirty-six untrained men performed 2 SIT sessions (SIT1 and SIT2) separated by 24 hours of recovery. Each session was composed of 4 Wingate bouts interspersed by 4 minutes. Within SIT sessions, bout work, peak power, and mean power of each Wingate bout decreased significantly, while the fatigue index increased over time (p < 0.001). The SIT elicited lower acute responses of oxygen uptake and heart rate than maximal values (≈67 and ≈79%, respectively) (p < 0.05) as well as a short time spent at high cardiorespiratory demand. For SIT outcomes, no interactions were verified between Wingate bout performance, average heart rate, and average oxygen uptake. In addition, the oxygen uptake integral (SIT1:300.5 ± 38.6 ml·kg; SIT2:306.9 ± 41.1 ml·kg) and total work (SIT1:54.6 ± 10.4 kJ; SIT2:54.9 ± 10.6 kJ) did not differ between SIT sessions (p > 0.05). Furthermore, significant moderate to strong correlations were found between SIT1 and SIT2 total work and peak oxygen uptake (r = 0.48; r = 0.52, respectively), maximal aerobic power (r = 0.89; r = 0.89, respectively), and respiratory compensation point (r = 0.80; r = 0.78, respectively). In summary, an SIT session elicited a short time spent at high cardiorespiratory demand, while the SIT total work was significantly correlated with aerobic fitness indices. In addition, 2 consecutive SIT sessions interspaced by 24 hours did not affect performance outcomes, or cardiorespiratory and blood responses.

Effects of Seasonal Training Load on Performance and Illness Symptoms in Water Polo.

Brisola, GMP, Claus, GM, Dutra, YM, Malta, ES, de Poli, RAB, Esco, MR, and Zagatto, AM. Effects of seasonal training load on performance and illness symptoms in water polo. J Strength Cond Res 34(2): 406-413, 2020-The purpose of the study was to describe the training load distribution of a young female water polo team in different cycles of the season and verify its subsequent effects on specific fitness measured by the repeated sprints ability (RSA) test, aerobic endurance measured by the lactate minimum test, incidence and severity of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms, and muscle damage markers. The training load (i.e., rating of perceived exertion × session duration) of 20 young female water polo players (mean ± SD: age = 15.65 ± 1.3 years; body mass = 60.93 ± 11.0 kg; height = 1.62 ± 0.1 m) was monitored, and the incidence and severity of URTI was assessed during part of the season. In addition, we assessed the lactate minimum speed (LMS), RSA, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) blood concentration during the season. The level of significance set was p < 0.05. The training loads were higher in the specific period (p < 0.01), whereas a high incidence of URTI was observed in the general cycle. The LMS was greater in the general cycle (p < 0.05), whereas total time and best time in the RSA test were greater in the competitive cycle (p < 0.05). The CK and LDH concentrations were significantly lower during the competitive cycle (p < 0.01). The general cycle of a female water polo team is critical regarding URTI and muscle damage, even with smaller training loads than the specific period.

Deconstructing the Ergogenic Effects of Photobiomodulation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of its Efficacy in Improving Mode-Specific Exercise Performance in Humans.

BACKGROUND: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is defined as non-thermal electromagnetic irradiation through laser or light-emitting diode sources. In recent decades, PBMT has attracted attention as a potential preconditioning method. The current meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effectiveness of PBMT in improving mode-specific exercise performance in healthy young adults. METHODS: A computerized literature search was conducted, ending on 15 May 2022. The databases searched were PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Inclusion/exclusion criteria limited articles to crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies investigating the PBMT effects as a preconditioning method. The included trials were synthesized according to exercise mode (single-joint, cycling, running, and swimming). All results were combined using the standardized mean differences (SMDs) method and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were described. RESULTS: A total of 37 individual studies, employing 78 exercise performance measurements in 586 participants, were included in the analyses. In single-joint exercises, PBMT improved muscle endurance performance (SMD 0.27, 95% CI 0.12-0.41; p < 0.01) but not muscle strength performance (p = 0.92). In cycling, PBMT improved time to exhaustion performance (SMD 0.35, 95% CI 0.10-0.59; p < 0.01) but had no effect on all-out sprint performance (p = 0.96). Similarly, PBMT had no effect on time to exhaustion (p = 0.10), time-trial (p = 0.61), or repeated-sprint (p = 0.37) performance in running and no effect on time-trial performance in swimming (p = 0.81). CONCLUSION: PBMT improves muscle endurance performance in single-joint exercises and time to exhaustion performance in cycling but is not effective for muscle strength performance in single-joint exercises, running, or swimming performance metrics.

Drop jumps versus sled towing and their effects on repeated sprint ability in young basketball players.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the investigation was to compare the occurrence of post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) after drop jumps, or heavy sled towing, and the subsequent effect on repeated sprint ability (RSA). METHODS: Ten young basketball players (17 ± 1 yrs) performed, in randomized order, RSA test with changes of direction after a standardized warm up followed by drop jumps, heavy sled towing, or no exercise (control condition). Neuromuscular assessments composed of two maximal voluntary contractions of the knee extensors, peripheral nerve stimulation, and surface electromyography (EMG), responses were recorded before and immediately after the RSA. The EMG signal of leg muscles during sprinting were also recorded as well as the blood lactate concentration. RESULTS: The drop jumps improved the RSA mean time (P = 0.033), total time (P = 0.031), and slowest time (P = 0.029) compared to control condition, while heavy sled towing did not change RSA outcomes (P > 0.05). All conditions exhibited a decrease of doublet high frequency stimulation force (pre-post measurement) (P = 0.023) and voluntary activation (P = 0.041), evidencing the occurrence from peripheral and central components of fatigue after RSA, respectively, but no difference was evident between-conditions. There was a significantly greater EMG activity during sprints for the biceps femoris after drop jumps, only when compared to control condition (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Repeated drop jumps were effective to induce PAPE in the form of RSA, while heavy sled towing had no effect on RSA performance in young basketball players. Furthermore, both conditioning activities exhibited similar levels of fatigue following the RSA protocol. Thus, drop jumps may be used as an alternative to induce PAPE and thus improve performance during sprints in young male basketball players.

The Effects of Regular Cold-Water Immersion Use on Training-Induced Changes in Strength and Endurance Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cold-water immersion (CWI) is one of the main recovery methods used in sports, and is commonly utilized as a means to expedite the recovery of performance during periods of exercise training. In recent decades, there have been indications that regular CWI use is potentially harmful to resistance training adaptations, and, conversely, potentially beneficial to endurance training adaptations. The current meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of the regular CWI use during exercise training on resistance (i.e., strength) and endurance (i.e., aerobic exercise) performance alterations. METHODS: A computerized literature search was conducted, ending on November 25, 2019. The databases searched were MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SPORTDiscus. The selected studies investigated the effects of chronic CWI interventions associated with resistance and endurance training sessions on exercise performance improvements. The criteria for inclusion of studies were: (1) being a controlled investigation; (2) conducted with humans; (3) CWI performed at ≤ 15 °C; (4) being associated with a regular training program; and (5) having performed baseline and post-training assessments. RESULTS: Eight articles were included before the review process. A harmful effect of CWI associated with resistance training was verified for one-repetition maximum, maximum isometric strength, and strength endurance performance (overall standardized mean difference [SMD] = - 0.60; Confidence interval of 95% [CI95%] = - 0.87, - 0.33; p < 0.0001), as well as for Ballistic efforts performance (overall SMD = - 0.61; CI95% = - 1.11, - 0.11; p = 0.02). On the other hand, selected studies verified no effect of CWI associated with endurance training on time-trial (mean power), maximal aerobic power in graded exercise test performance (overall SMD = - 0.07; CI95% = - 0.54, 0.53; p = 0.71), or time-trial performance (duration) (overall SMD = 0.00; CI95% = - 0.58, 0.58; p = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: The regular use of CWI associated with exercise programs has a deleterious effect on resistance training adaptations but does not appear to affect aerobic exercise performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018098898.

Full Body Photobiomodulation Therapy to Induce Faster Muscle Recovery in Water Polo Athletes: Preliminary Results.

Objective: To investigate the recovery of male water polo athletes applying full body photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) regarding inflammation and muscle damage markers, testosterone and cortisol hormonal responses, heart rate variability (HRV), maximal voluntary contraction, and squat jump (SJ) after official water polo matches. Background: PBMT has been applied locally on specific muscle groups to induce faster recovery and improve the performance of athletes and nonathletes. However, many sports modalities require movement of the whole body, and a full body PBMT could be more adequate to irradiate large muscle areas homogeneously and faster. Methods: In a randomized, parallel, and double-blinded design, 13 athletes (whole team) aged 18 years attended the study and were allocated into two groups: PBMT (dose of 6.9 J/cm2, irradiance of 46.17 mW/cm2, 5 min irradiation) and placebo treatment. The study was conducted during the 2019 Brazilian under 20 water polo championship. All athletes were assessed by blood samples and neuromuscular evaluation. Immediately after each match, all athletes received PBMT (effective or placebo). Results: No significant interactions (raw values and percentage related to baseline) were observed for testosterone and cortisol, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, creatine kinase concentration, maximal isometric voluntary contraction, SJ test, and HRV. Only an isolated interaction (decrease) was found for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) response after the first match (p = 0.004, post-hoc p = 0.038). Conclusions: The parameters of the full body PBMT of this study did not induce faster recovery of inflammatory, muscle damage (excepting LDH), testosterone, cortisol, HRV, and neuromuscular responses during repeated days of water polo matches.