Effects of Different Doses of Caffeine Supplementation on Collegiate Male Volleyball Players' Specific Performance and Skills: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study.

BACKGROUND: The improvement of performance and skill indices of volleyball players can affect their success rate. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of acute caffeine supplementation of varied doses on collegiate volleyball players' specific performance and skills. METHOD: This research was a randomized, double-blind, crossover design study in which 15 male volleyball players aged 18 to 25 years participated voluntarily. Participants were randomly placed in three different conditions, including 3 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight (C3), 6 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight (C6), and a placebo (PLA) with a one-week wash-out period between exercise trials. The supplement was taken 60 min before each exercise session. Ball throwing, hand movement speed, agility, Sargent's jump and handgrip, and attacking and serving skill tests were measured and analyzed to check the performance and skill of the volleyball players. RESULTS: This study showed a significant increase in agility test in C6 compared with the PLA condition (p = 0.02). Additionally, there was a significant improvement in Sargent's jump in C6 compared with PLA (p = 0.00) and C6 compared with the C3 condition (p = 0.00). Also, attacking skill significantly increased in C3 compared with PLA (p = 0.00) and C6 compared with the PLA condition (p = 0.00). In addition, there was a significant increase in serving skill for C6 compared with PLA (p = 0.00) and C3 (p = 0.00). However, there were no significant differences in hand movement speed (p = 0.06), left handgrip (p = 0.85), right handgrip (p = 0.47), or medicine ball throwing (p = 0.22) between the three conditions. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the findings of the current study suggested that a higher dose of caffeine compared with a lower dose may be more effective in movements requiring lower-body explosive power and the ability to change direction. Also, according to the findings, it seems that caffeine can lead to the improvement of complex skills, such as serving and attacking in volleyball.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on aerobic capacity and sports-specific skills in basketball players.

INTRODUCTION: High intensity interval training (HIIT) are widely used to improve the cardiac performance in Basketball players. The current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training on the Aerobic Capacity and sports-specific skills in basketball players. METHODS: 40 male basketball players in the age group 18-25 years were recruited after necessary ethical clearance. Athletes were categorized into two groups of 20 people each: Group 1 control group (age: 21.9 ± 2.4 years, height: 184.6 ± 12.1 cm BMI: 23 ± 3 kg/m2) and Group 2 study group with HIIT (age: 21.4 ± 2.6 years, height: 177.4 ± 6.0 cm BMI: 22.1 ± 2.3 kg/m2). The study group players underwent 5 weeks (10 sessions) of HIIT training. Pre and post intervention evaluation of the Aerobic Capacity (VO2 max) and sports-specific skills were quantified for both the groups. Statistical analysis was performed using one tailed t-test with p < 0.05 for significance. Cohen's D method was used to calculate the effect size and minimum important difference. RESULT: There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in VO2 max (pre:52.8 ± 2.3 ml/min/kg to post: 54.5 ± 2.4 ml/min/kg) in Group 2 whereas in Group 1 the change was not significant (pre:51.1 ± 2.6 ml/min/kg to post: 51.4 ± 2.9 ml/min/kg). Similarly, there was an increase in agility for Group 2 (pre:11.0 ± 1.0 s to post: 10.1 ± 1.0 s) compared to Group 1. In sports specific skills: Control Dribble, passing skills, Lower body power and shooting skills there was a significant increase in post HIIT training for Group 2, whereas in Group 1 there was no significant difference. DISCUSSION: The HIIT training improved the aerobic capacity (VO2 max) and sports-specific skills in basketball players. CONCLUSION: A 5-week HIIT training improved the aerobic capacity and sports specific skills and may be included as a part of training regime to improve the athletic performance in basketball players.

The Effect of Acute Pre-Workout Supplement Ingestion on Basketball-Specific Performance of Well-Trained Athletes.

A pre-workout supplement's (PWS; 200 mg caffeine, 3.3 g creatine monohydrate, 3.2 g ß-alanine, 6 g citrulline malate and 5 g branched chained amino acid (BCAA) per dose) acute effects on the alactic (jumping, sprinting, agility), lactic (Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test, RAST) and aerobic performance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, Yo-Yo IRL1 VO2max) of well-trained basketball players was investigated in this double-blind placebo-controlled study. Thirty players (age 18-31 years, height 166-195 cm, weight 70.2-116.7 kg, body fat 10.6-26.4%) were allocated to pre-workout (PWS, n = 15) or placebo (PL, n = 15) groups. Half of the participants in each group performed the evaluations without PWS or PL, while the rest consumed PWS or PL 30 min before the assessments (1st trial) and vice versa (2nd trial). Significant improvements in counter-movement jump (CMJ) (PWS: 4.3 ± 2.1%; PL: 1.2 ± 1.0%), agility (PWS: -2.9 ± 1.8%; PL: 1.8 ± 1.7%), RAST average (PWS: 18.3 ± 9.1%; PL: -2.2 ± 2.0%), minimum power (PWS: 13.7 ± 8.9%; PL: -7.5 ± 5.9%), and fatigue index (PWS: -25.0 ± 0.9%; PL: -4.6 ± 0.6%) were observed in the PWS group vs. the PL group (p < 0.05). No differences were found regarding sprinting, aerobic performance, and blood lactate concentrations. Thus, although players' alactic and lactic anaerobic performance could be improved, peak power, sprinting and aerobic performance are not.

Post-Activation Performance Enhancement and Motor Imagery Are Efficient to Emphasize the Effects of a Standardized Warm-Up on Sprint-Running Performances.

Warm-up routines include various tasks focused on the peripheral contractile properties and nervous motor command. This present study was aimed at investigating the acute effects of different warm-up routines, emphasizing either peripheral (post-activation performance enhancement, PAPE) or central (motor imagery, MI) contributions on sport-specific tasks. Eleven young female athletes took part in this cross-over, randomized, controlled trial. They underwent three experimental sessions composed of a standardized warm-up followed by 10 min of (1) rest (CONTROL), (2) maximal concentric leg press (PAPE), or (3) mental repetitions of sprint tasks (MI). Post-tests consisted of reaction time, arrowhead agility test, 20 m sprint, repeated sprint ability, and NASA-TLX fatigue questionnaire. PAPE and MI significantly enhanced the arrowhead agility test (p < 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively) and repeated sprint ability (p = 0.002 and p = 0.035, respectively) compared to CONTROL, without any difference between PAPE and MI. The 20 m sprint time was better after PAPE as compared to MI (p = 0.005) and CONTROL (p < 0.001), without any difference between MI and CONTROL. Reaction time and the NASA-TLX questionnaire were not affected by the warm-up modalities (p > 0.05). PAPE was the most efficient to optimize warm-up due to its greater peripheral contribution that would improve muscle contractility. MI specifically improved the imagined tasks mostly by central contribution.

Effects of a Multi-Ingredient Oral Supplement on Multiple Object Tracking, Reaction Time, and Reactive Agility.

Background: The demands of typical daily activities require a constant level of alertness and attention. Multi-ingredient, caffeine-containing supplements have been shown to improve measures of cognitive performance. As many of these supplements become readily available, efficacy of each should be evaluated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the 4D dietary supplement on cognition, reaction time, and reactive agility. Methods: Seventeen healthy males (n = 8) and females (n = 9) between the ages of 18-40 years old (22.8 ± 2.9 years; 167.3 ± 9.6 cm; 65.4 ± 10.9 kg) participated in this double-blind, randomized crossover study. Participants completed three baseline reaction time assessments on the Dynavision and one baseline multiple object tracking assessment on the Neurotracker. Participants then consumed the oral multi-ingredient supplement containing 150 mg of caffeine or non-caffeinated placebo, mixed with 24 ounces of water, and rested for 45 minutes. Following the rest period, participants completed an additional three reaction time assessments and one multiple object tracking (MOT) assessment, as well as 6-12 trials of the Y-reactive agility test. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to evaluate YRA performance and change values for Dynavision RT, Dynavision score, and MOT speed with either 4D dietary supplement or placebo. Results: A significant time × supplement interaction was shown for MOT speed (p = .040, d = .543). Change scores in MOT speed were significantly different from zero following 4D (mean: 0.224 au; 95% confidence interval: 0.050 to 0.398 au) but not placebo supplementation (mean: -0.046 au; 95% confidence interval: -0.220 to 0.127 au). No time × supplement interaction was shown for Dynavision RT (p = .056, d = -.499) or Dynavision score (p = .093, d = .434). No differences were shown for YRA scores following supplementation for the right side (p = .241, d = -.295) or left side (p = .378, d = -.220). Conclusion: The 4D dietary supplement appears to improve measures of cognition, specifically attention/spatial awareness, but not reaction time or reactive agility. Future research should examine the effects of this supplement with a larger, less heterogeneous sample and/or in conjunction with an exercise intervention.

Does Single or Combined Caffeine and Taurine Supplementation Improve Athletic and Cognitive Performance without Affecting Fatigue Level in Elite Boxers? A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

In previous studies, the effect of single or combined intake of caffeine (CAF) and taurine (TAU) on exercise performance was investigated. However, the potential synergistic effect on physical and cognitive performance after fatigue induced by anaerobic exercise is unknown. The effects of single and combination CAF and TAU supplementation on the Wingate test in elite male boxers and to evaluate balance, agility and cognitive performance after fatigue are being investigated for the first time in this study. Twenty elite male boxers 22.14 ± 1.42 years old were divided into four groups in this double-blind, randomized crossover study: CAF (6 mg/kg of caffeine), TAU (3 g single dose of taurine), CAF*TAU (co-ingestion of 3 g single dose of taurine and 6 mg/kg of caffeine) and PLA (300 mg maltodextrin). The findings are as follows: co-ingestion of CAF*TAU, improved peak (W/kg), average (W), minimum (W) power, time to reach (s), and RPE performances compared to the PLA group significantly (p < 0.05). Similarly, it was determined that a single dose of TAU, created a significant difference (p < 0.05) in peak power (W/kg), and average and minimum power (W) values compared to the CAF group. According to the balance and agility tests performed after the Wingate test, co-ingestion of CAF*TAU revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to the PLA group. In terms of cognitive performance, co-ingestion of CAF*TAU significantly improved the neutral reaction time (ms) compared to the TAU, CAF and PLA groups. As a result, elite male boxers performed better in terms of agility, balance and cognitive function when they consumed a combination of 6 mg/kg CAF and 3 g TAU. It has been determined that the combined use of these supplements is more effective than their single use.

Acute Effects of Low Dose of Caffeine Ingestion Combined with Conditioning Activity on Psychological and Physical Performances of Male and Female Taekwondo Athletes.

This study investigated low-dose caffeine ingestion, conditioning activity (CA) effects on psycho-physical performances in young taekwondo athletes. In a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover design, 20 athletes (10 males; 17.5 ± 0.7 yrs) performed taekwondo-specific agility test (TSAT), 10 s/multiple frequency speed of kick test (FSKT-10s/FSKT-mult) after ingesting 3 mg·kg−1 caffeine (CAF) or placebo (PL) 60 min before performing standard warm-up without (NoCA) or with CA (3 × 10 vertical jumps above 40 cm), resulting in four experimental (PL + NoCA, CAF + NoCA, PL + CA, and CAF + CA) and one control (warm-up session without CAF or CA) conditions. Mood/physical symptoms (MPSS), subjective vitality (SVS), and feeling (FS) scales were analyzed post-to-pre for all conditions. Ratings of perceived-exertion and perceived-recovery status were determined after tests. For TSAT, CAF + CA induced better performance compared with all conditions (p < 0.001). For FSKT-10s and FSKT-mult, CAF + CA induced better performance compared with all conditions (p < 0.001). For MPSS, FS, CAF + NoCA induced higher scores than PL + NoCA and PL + CA (p = 0.002, 0.009 for MPSS; p = 0.014, 0.03 for FS). For SVS, PL + CA elicited lower scores than PL + NoCA and CAF + NoCA (p = 0.01, 0.004). Sex comparisons resulted in better performances for males for TSAT (p = 0.008), FSKT-10s (p < 0.001), FSKT-mult (p < 0.01), MPSS (p = 0.02), SVS (p = 0.028), and FS (p = 0.020) scores. Caffeine and conditioning activity are two efficient performance-enhancing strategies, which could synergistically result in greater psycho-physical performances.

Acute Effects of Different Activity Types and Work-To-Rest Ratio on Post-Activation Performance Enhancement in Young Male and Female Taekwondo Athletes.

The study assessed conditioning activities' (CAs') effects involving different work-to-rest ratios (WRR) on taekwondo athletes' physical performance. Adolescent taekwondo athletes (age: 16 ± 1 years) randomly participated in the control six experimental conditions. Each condition was composed of standard warm-up and CA composed of plyometrics (P) or repeated high-intensity techniques (RHIT) performed using three different WRR: 1:6, 1:7, self-selected rest time (SSRT). After rest, athletes performed countermovement jump (CMJ), taekwondo specific agility test (TSAT), 10 s frequency speed kick test (FSKT-10s), multiple frequency speed kick test (FSKT-mult). P1:7, SSRT induced techniques higher number in FSKT-10s (p < 0.001 for all comparisons) and lower TSAT time (p < 0.01 for all comparisons) compared with control. Kicks-number recorded during FSKT-mult was lower in the control compared with RHIT1:6 (p = 0.001), RHIT1:7 (p < 0.001), RHITSSRT (p < 0.05), P1:7 (p < 0.001), and SSRT (p < 0.001). Kicking decrement index (DI) during FSKT-mult was lower after RHIT1:6 compared with control (p = 0.008), RHIT1:7 (p = 0.031), P 1:6 (p = 0.014), PSSRT (p = 0.041). (1) P1:7 and PSSRT can be used to improve taekwondo-specific agility and kicks-number, (2) RHIT1:6 is beneficial to maintain low DI, and (3) plyometric and different WRR-repeated-techniques can enhance kicks-number.

Towards Examining the Link Between Workplace Spirituality and Workforce Agility: Exploring Higher Educational Institutions.

PURPOSE: Spiritual inherited employees quickly shift to new changes that occur very quickly in our daily lives in different ways. We are inspired by the dynamic changes in our daily lives due to the Covid 19 situation, an urgent need to specify the shift from the traditional approach to the agile approach during a pandemic. This study aimed to figure out the effect of workplace spirituality on workforce agility; further, this study underpinning spillover theory to examine the role of job involvement as a mediator. METHODS: This study investigates a sample of 236 teaching and administrative staff working in public sector institutes located in Peshawar, Pakistan. For data analysis, we used SPSS v. 25, and for model fitness, we used AMOS version 22. Furthermore, we used Process Hayes (Model 4) to test the theoretical model and research hypothesis for mediation. RESULTS: This unique study offers a paradigm in which spirituality in the workplace substantially influences the agility of teaching and administrative professionals by positively mediating the effects of job involvement. DISCUSSION: An in-depth examination of the literature showed that no prior research had studied the connection between WPS, job involvement, and workforce agility. Furthermore, there is very little research regarding WPS and its connection with other components in the Covid 19 scenario. The current study was a modest attempt to address this gap in the literature. This research has succeeded in making substantial additions to management literature.

Agility and Safety Performance among Nurses: The Mediating Role of Mindful Organizing.

This study aimed to assess the impact of workforce agility on private hospital nursing staff's safety behavior with the mediating role of mindful organizing. This study was cross-sectional. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 369 nursing staff. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was used to check the internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and hypotheses testing. For mediation analysis, the bootstrapping technique was used. Our findings suggested that workforce agility is the possible predictor of mindful organizing, as all of these dimensions have a positive impact on mindful organizing. Reference to safety performance sub-dimensions, proactivity, adaptability, and resilience had a positive significant impact on (a) safety compliance, and proactivity had a positive impact on (b) safety participation. Further, mindful organizing was also found to be positively associated with safety performance. Evidence for mediation between workforce agility and safety performance was also observed. Proactivity, adaptability, and resilience can enhance safety performance for the nursing staff. Workforce agility can also help the organization to attain mindful organizing, which will help them to achieve operational excellence, whereas in the past, high-reliability organizations were mainly found practicing mindful organizing. This study demonstrated the key impact of workforce agility and mindful organizing on safety behaviors directly and indirectly.

Associations of Vitamin D Levels with Physical Fitness and Motor Performance; A Cross-Sectional Study in Youth Soccer Players from Southern Croatia.

Vitamin D level is known to be a factor potentially influencing physical fitness, but few studies have examined this phenomenon among youth athletes. We aimed to evaluate the associations of vitamin D levels (as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations-25(OH)D) with various physical fitness and motor performance tests in youth football (soccer) players. This cross-sectional study included a total of 52 youth soccer players (15.98 ± 2.26 years old) from Southern Croatia. The participants were evaluated at the end of the winter period and data were collected of anthropometric measures (body mass and body height), vitamin D status (25(OH)D levels), physical fitness tests (sprints of 10 and 20 m, 20 yards test, the countermovement jump, the reactive strength index (RSI)) and motor performance tests (the soccer-specific CODS, the soccer-specific agility, and static balance). Among the studied players, 54% had 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency, showing a lack of 25(OH)D is widespread even in youth athletes living at a southern latitude. The 25(OH)D level was correlated with sprint 20 m, 20 yards tests, and RSI, showing a greater role of 25(OH)D in physical fitness tests where energetic capacity is essential than in sport-related motor performance tests where skills are crucial. Our results support the idea that vitamin D can play a determinant role in physical fitness tests with a clear physiological component, but is not crucial in motor performance tests related to specific sports where skills are a key component. Future studies should investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the performance in physical fitness and motor performance tests among youth athletes.

Effects of Combined Creatine and Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation on Soccer-Specific Performance in Elite Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Creatine and sodium bicarbonate are both ergogenic aids for athletic performance. However, research on the combined creatine and sodium bicarbonate (CSB) supplementation in soccer is limited. This study investigated the changes in soccer-specific performance in elite soccer players after supplementing with CSB. Twenty well-trained elite soccer players participated in the study (age: 20.70 ± 1.08 years; height: 173.95 ± 2.81 cm; body weight: 70.09 ± 3.96 kg; soccer experience: 8 years; average training hours per week: 20 h). The participants were randomly allocated into CSB groups (CSB, n = 10) and placebo groups (PLA, n = 10). The CSB group took creatine (20 g/day) and sodium bicarbonate (0.3 g/kg/day); these two supplements were taken four times a day (morning, afternoon, evening, and before sleep) for seven days. Soccer-specific performance was assessed via 10- and 30-m sprint, coordination, arrowhead agility, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 tests. Compared to the PLA group, the CSB group performed better in the 30-m sprint (CSB: -3.6% vs. PLA: -0.6%, p = 0.007, effect size (ES): 2.3) and both right and left arrowhead agility (right: CSB: -7.3% vs. PLA: -0.7%, p < 0.001, ES: 2.8; left: CSB: -5.5% vs. PLA: -1.2%, p = 0.001, ES: 2.1) tests. However, there were no differences in 10 m sprints, coordination, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 tests between the two groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, CSB supplementation improved sprint and agility in elite soccer players. However, it is still unclear whether such effect is synergistic effect of two supplements or the result of either one of them. Therefore, caution should be taken when interpreting the results, and the limitations should be examined further in future studies.

The Impact of a Motor Imagery-Based Training Program on Agility, Speed, and Reaction Time in a Sample of Young Tennis Athletes during Ramadan Fasting: Insights and Implications from a Randomized, Controlled Experimental Trial.

The objective of this study was to explore whether a training program incorporating motor imagery could have an effect on physical performance outcomes in terms of agility, speed, and reaction time in a sample of tennis athletes who fasted during the month of Ramadan. Recruited subjects were 27 young male tennis players, randomly allocated to two groups: the imaging training group (n = 13) and a control group (n = 14). The study was designed as a randomized, controlled experimental study. The control group was engaged in watching videos concerning the history of the Olympic Games, whereas the motor imagery group followed a motor imagery-based training program. Physical performance outcomes were assessed during four sessions (one before Ramadan and three during Ramadan) by means of field tests. Our results revealed a drop in all performance outcomes measured in the middle and at the end of Ramadan for both groups (p < 0.01). The effect of the group × time interaction (p < 0.01) was reported for all physical performance outcomes measured for the two groups. This drop in performance was greater for the control group compared to the motor imagery group in the middle and at the end of Ramadan. This study showed that fasting during Ramadan reduced agility, speed, and reaction time performance for tennis players. A motor imagery-based training program could be an effective approach to reduce the effect of fasting during Ramadan and stabilize physical performance outcomes in terms of agility, speed, and reaction time for male tennis players.

Effects of whole body vibration with exercise therapy versus exercise therapy alone on flexibility, vertical jump height, agility and pain in athletes with patellofemoral pain: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is the most prevalent orthopedic problem in active young adults. Due to its multifactorial etiology, a variety of therapeutic measures have been adopted to treat PFP, including exercise therapy, electrotherapy, and manual therapy. It has also been suggested that whole body vibration (WBV) can improve neuromuscular function in persons with knee problems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of adding WBV to routine exercise programs on flexibility, vertical jump height, agility and pain in athletes with PFP. METHODS: Twenty-four male athletes with PFP were randomized into two groups of WBV + exercise (n = 12) or exercise only (n = 12). Participants received their interventions during 4 consecutive weeks (12 sessions). Pain intensity, flexibility and agility were assessed respectively as score on a numerical rating scale, the sit-and-reach test, and a modified T-test, and vertical jump height was measured to the nearest centimeter. The tests were done before and after the interventions, and the results were compared between the two groups. Independent t-tests and paired t-tests were used for between- and within-group comparisons, respectively. RESULTS: After the interventions, all variables for vertical jump height, flexibility, agility and pain intensity improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.05). The flexibility test showed significantly greater improvement in the WBV + exercise group (p<0.001), whereas for vertical jump height, agility and pain intensity, there were no statistically significant differences between groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings showed that exercise therapy with and without WBV can significantly decrease pain and increase agility, vertical jump height and flexibility in athletes with PFP. Adding WBV to routine exercise therapy, however, can augment the effects of the latter on flexibility. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT, IRCT20090831002391N39. Registered 7 February 2018, https://en.irct.ir/search/result?query=IRCT20090831002391N39 .

The Acute Effects of Foam Rolling and Dynamic Stretching on Athletic Performance: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Clinical Scenario: Dynamic stretching and foam rolling are commonly used by athletes to reduce injury and enhance recovery, thereby improving athletic performance. In contrast to dynamic stretching, little research has been conducted on the acute effects of foam rolling as part of the preexercise warm-up routine. Previously, when researchers implemented foam rolling with static stretching as a warm-up, some found that foam rolling slightly improved flexibility and performance outcomes. More recent research has shown that dynamic stretching is favorable to static stretching when used as a warm-up strategy. Therefore, adding foam rolling to dynamic stretching is hypothesized to create more significant improvements in flexibility and performance compared with adding foam rolling to static stretching. Focused Clinical Question: In active individuals, does foam rolling in addition to dynamic stretching lead to enhanced performance compared with dynamic stretching alone? Summary of Key Findings: Four randomized controlled trials were included. Two studies concluded that the addition of foam rolling to dynamic stretching increased vertical jump height more than dynamic stretching alone, while 2 studies found no difference between these treatment groups. Two studies concluded that the addition of foam rolling increased agility performance compared with dynamic stretching alone, while one study found no difference between treatment groups and one study did not measure agility. All 4 studies reviewed concluded that foam rolling did not improve flexibility more than dynamic stretching alone. Clinical Bottom Line: Foam rolling in conjunction with dynamic stretching may further improve an athlete's agility and power output; however, little improvement has been observed with foam rolling in regard to athlete flexibility when compared with completing dynamic stretching programs alone. Strength of Recommendation: Inconsistent findings from 4 randomized controlled trials suggest there is Grade C evidence to support the inclusion of foam rolling in a dynamic warm-up.

Effects of Dynamic Stretching Combined With Static Stretching, Foam Rolling, or Vibration Rolling as a Warm-Up Exercise on Athletic Performance in Elite Table Tennis Players.

CONTEXT: Warm-up exercise is an essential preexercise routine for athletes to optimize performance. However, the benefits of combined warm-up protocols remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This comparative study investigated the acute effects of dynamic stretching (DS) followed by static stretching (SS), self-myofascial release using a foam rolling (FR) device, or vibration foam rolling (VFR) as a warm-up exercise to improve flexibility, power, agility, and specific skills in elite table tennis players. DESIGN: A crossover study. SETTING: University. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three elite table tennis players. INTERVENTIONS: Players completed 3 different interventions in a random order (DS + SS, DS + FR, and DS + VFR). The target muscle groups included the bilateral posterior calf, posterior thigh, anterior thigh, back, and shoulder. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sit-and-reach test for flexibility, board jump test for lower-extremity power, medicine ball throw test for upper-extremity power, Edgren Side Step Test for agility, and ball speed of table tennis was assessed before and after intervention. RESULTS: After intervention, significant increases in flexibility (15.2%, 20.4%, and 23.8%); lower-limb power (4.5%, 6.6%, and 6.3%); upper-limb power (9.6%, 8.5%, and 9.1%); and ball speed (7.4%, 7.6%, and 7.7%) were observed for DS + SS, DS + FR, and DS + VFR, respectively (all P < .001). In addition, only DS coupled with FR (5.1%) and DS in conjunction with VFR (2.7%) significantly improved agility (P < .001). However, no significant improvements in agility were observed after DS + SS. In addition, no one protocol was superior to the other in all outcomes. CONCLUSION: The authors suggest that a combination of DS with FR or VFR as warm-up exercises significantly improved flexibility, power, ball speed, in addition to agility in elite table tennis players. Coach and athletic professionals may take this information into account for choosing more effective warm-up protocols to enhance performance.

Agility Training to Integratively Promote Neuromuscular, Cognitive, Cardiovascular and Psychosocial Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Study Protocol of a One-Year Randomized-Controlled Trial.

Exercise training effectively mitigates aging-induced health and fitness impairments. Traditional training recommendations for the elderly focus separately on relevant physiological fitness domains, such as balance, flexibility, strength and endurance. Thus, a more holistic and functional training framework is needed. The proposed agility training concept integratively tackles spatial orientation, stop and go, balance and strength. The presented protocol aims at introducing a two-armed, one-year randomized controlled trial, evaluating the effects of this concept on neuromuscular, cardiovascular, cognitive and psychosocial health outcomes in healthy older adults. Eighty-five participants were enrolled in this ongoing trial. Seventy-nine participants completed baseline testing and were block-randomized to the agility training group or the inactive control group. All participants undergo pre- and post-testing with interim assessment after six months. The intervention group currently receives supervised, group-based agility training twice a week over one year, with progressively demanding perceptual, cognitive and physical exercises. Knee extension strength, reactive balance, dual task gait speed and the Agility Challenge for the Elderly (ACE) serve as primary endpoints and neuromuscular, cognitive, cardiovascular, and psychosocial meassures serve as surrogate secondary outcomes. Our protocol promotes a comprehensive exercise training concept for older adults, that might facilitate stakeholders in health and exercise to stimulate relevant health outcomes without relying on excessively time-consuming physical activity recommendations.

Workplace Spirituality and Workforce Agility: A Psychological Exploration Among Teaching Professionals.

Learning organizations are in dire need of teaching professionals eager to develop and grow up fast while maintaining a positive aura around them. An agile workforce consists of upbeat, adjustable, supple, adventurous and pliant employees who perceive life optimistically and flaunt an open mind to gather wisdom for personal development; have better analytical skills; can acclimatize continuously with the changing work environment. Teachers are the soul of any academic institution, and there is an urgent need to cultivate an agile teaching workforce by assisting them to be psychologically empowered. The key purpose of the present study is to establish a relationship between workplace spirituality (WS) and workforce agility (WA) among teaching professionals. The current research article proposes a model or conceptual framework linking the components of WS, WA and psychological empowerment (PSYEMP) in educational organizations. This is an original work that proposes a model where WS has an impact upon the WA of teaching professionals through the mediating effect of PSYEMP. WS is thus an emerging paradigm for augmenting the agility of teaching workforce in educational organizations. Future implications on ways to enhance the agility of teaching professionals are further recommended.

The effect of cold-water immersion on physical performance.

Cold modalities are widely used after athletic injuries, with known physiological effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cold-water immersion on physical performance. Thirty healthy volunteers (average age of 19-23 years) took part in this pre-post interventional study. First, participants performed two tasks: a 40-yard dash run (to measure speed) and a vertical jump (to measure lower limb power). Then, both legs were immersed in a water bath at 5 °C for 15 min. Following cold-water immersion, the measurements were repeated after 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min. Immediately (2 min) after cold-water immersion, there was a decline in both the vertical jump and 40-yard dash tests compared to pre-intervention scores. While this effect lasted up to 20 min after cryotherapy for the 40-yard dash test, for the jump test, the effect only remained up to 10 min. The results showed a decrease in physical performance immediately and 20 min after immersion in cold water (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a gradual increase in the level of physical function over time. Therefore, before returning athletes to activity after the use of cold modalities, care should be taken.

Coffee consumption and risk of physical function impairment, frailty and disability in older adults.

PURPOSE: Habitual coffee consumption has been associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Since these diseases are main determinants of functional limitations, we have tested the hypothesis that coffee intake is associated with lower risk of physical function impairment, frailty and disability in older adults. We focused on women and those with obesity, hypertension or type 2 diabetes because they are at higher risk of functional limitations. METHODS: Prospective study with 3289 individuals ≥ 60 years from the Seniors-ENRICA cohort. In 2008-2010 coffee consumption was measured through a validated dietary history. Participants were followed up until 2015 to ascertain incident impaired physical function, frailty and disability, assessed by both self-report and objective measures. RESULTS: Compared with non-drinking coffee, consumption of ≥ 2 cups of coffee/day was associated with lower risk of impaired agility in women (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.97, P trend 0.04) and in those with obesity (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.40-0.90, P trend 0.04). Intake of ≥ 2 cups of coffee/day was also linked to reduced risk of impaired mobility in women (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.46-0.95, P trend 0.02) and among individuals with hypertension (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.48-1.00, P trend 0.05). Moreover, among subjects with diabetes, those who consumed ≥ 2 cups/day had lower risk of disability in activities of daily living (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.11-0.76, P trend 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In older people, habitual coffee consumption was not associated with increased risk of functional impairment, and it might even be beneficial in women and those with hypertension, obesity or diabetes.