Inter-Set Foam Rolling of the Latissimus Dorsi Acutely Increases Repetitions in Lat Pull-Down Exercise without Affecting RPE.

Foam rolling is widely used in fitness, sports, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. However, there are limited data available on the effect of foam rolling techniques on the upper limbs. The aim of this investigation is to assess the effects of foam rolling the latissimus dorsi area during the rest period between two consecutive lat pull-down exercise (LPDE) sets. Seventeen resistance training experienced volunteer male subjects (25.8 ± 3.4 years; 180.3 ± 9.0 cm; 79.7 ± 9.9 kg) participated in this research. Each subject performed 2 training sessions of LPDE in a random order, separated by one week. Each session consisted of 2 sets of maximum repetitions using 85% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM), with a 7 min rest period between sets. The rest period condition between sets was different in the 2 sessions: passive rest (Pr) or foam rolling the latissimus dorsi muscle bilaterally for 3 sets of 45 s (FRr). The following variables were assessed for each LPDE set: number of repetitions (REPS), average excursion per repetition in millimeters (EXC), average power of the set in watts (AP) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Pr did not show any significant change between the first and the second LPDE set for REPS, EXC, and AP. However, there was a significant increase for RPE (8.4 ± 0.5 vs. 8.9 ± 0.5 a.u., p = 0.003) between the two sets. FRr resulted in an increase for REPS (7.1 ± 1.5 vs. 8.2 ± 1.3, p < 0.001) and AP (304.6 ± 61.5 W vs. 318.8 ± 60.8 W, p = 0.034) between the first and the second LPDE sets, but no changes were observed for EXC and RPE. The use of foam rolling techniques on the latissimus dorsi area during the complete rest period between sets in LPDE at 85% 1RM appears to improve the number of repetitions and the movement power without affecting the RPE during the second set.

Tensiomyography: from muscle assessment to talent identification tool.

Introduction: Tensiomyography (TMG) is a non-invasive and cost-effective tool that is gaining popularity in fields such as sports science, physical therapy, and medicine. In this narrative review, we examine the different applications of TMG and its strengths and limitations, including its use as a tool for sport talent identification and development. Methods: In the course of crafting this narrative review, an exhaustive literature search was carried out. Our exploration spanned several renowned scientific databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ResearchGate. The materials we sourced for our review included a broad spectrum of both experimental and non-experimental articles, all focusing on TMG. The experimental articles featured varied research designs including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experiments, as well as pre-post studies. As for the non-experimental articles, they encompassed a mix of case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies. Importantly, all articles included in our review were written in English and had been published in peer-reviewed journals. The assortment of studies considered provided a holistic view of the existing body of knowledge on TMG, and formed the basis of our comprehensive narrative review. Results: A total of 34 studies were included in the review, organized into three sections: 1) assessing muscle contractile properties of young athletes, 2) using TMG in the talent identification and development process and 3) Future research and perspectives. According to data presented here, the most consistent TMG parameters for determining muscle contractile properties are radial muscle belly displacement, contraction time, and delay time. Biopsy findings from the vastus lateralis (VL) confirmed TMG as a valid tool for estimating the ratio of myosin heavy chain (%MHC-I). Conclusion: TMGs ability to estimate the ratio of %MHC-I has the potential to aid in the selection of athletes with the muscle characteristics best suited for a particular sport, eliminating the need for more invasive procedures. However, more research is warranted to fully understand TMG's potential and its reliability when used with young athletes. Importantly, the use of TMG technology in this process can positively impact health status, reducing the frequency and severity of injuries and the duration of recovery, and subsequently can reduce drop out rates among youth athletes. Future studies should look at twin youth athletes, as a model capable of discriminating between the influence of hereditary factors vs. environmental factors, in therms of muscle contractility and TMG's potential for instance.

Self-Myofascial Release of the Foot Plantar Surface: The Effects of a Single Exercise Session on the Posterior Muscular Chain Flexibility after One Hour.

This study evaluated the effects of a single exercise session of Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) on the posterior muscular chain flexibility after one hour from the intervention. Thirty-six participants performed SMR using a rigid ball under the surface of both feet. Participants were tested with the Sit and Reach (S&R) test at four different times: before (T0), immediately after (T1), 30 (T2), and 60 (T3) minutes after the SMR intervention. The sample (n = 36) was categorized into three groups: (1) flexible, (2) average, and (3) stiff, based on the flexibility level at T0 (S&R values of >10 cm, >0 but <10 cm and <0 cm, respectively). For the whole sample, we detected significant improvements in the S&R test between the T1, T2, and T3 compared to T0. The stiff group showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement between T1−T2 and T1−T3. Results were similar between the average group and the whole sample. The flexible group did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05) over time. In conclusion, this investigation demonstrated that an SMR session of both feet was able to increase posterior muscular chain flexibility up to one hour after intervention. Considering that a standard training session generally lasts one hour, our study can help professionals take advantage of SMR effects for the entire training period. Furthermore, our results also demonstrate that physical exercise practitioners should also assess individuals' flexibility before training, as the SMR procedure used in this work does not seem necessary in flexible individuals.

Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Ingestion on Recovery in High-Level Judokas.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) effect on recovery in high-level judokas. METHODS: The sample of participants consisted of 10 male judokas (Age = 20 ± 2.1 years) who are judo masters (black belt holders) with a minimum of 10 years of training and competition experience. The study was designed as a double-blinded crossover design with the order of treatments being randomly assigned. The washout period was 72 h. All subjects received a dose of sodium bicarbonate (0.3 g/kg body weight) or a placebo 120 min before the fatigue caused by the special judo fitness test (SJFT). Lactate concentration (LC), countermovement jump (CMJ), hand grip strength and degree of perceived fatigue on Borg's scale (RPE) were tested two times before SJFT and four times after SJFT. RESULTS: There was no interaction between groups and type of recovery at any time during the two types of recovery for RPE, grip strength, VJ and lactate concentration (p > 0.05). However, there was a main effect of time for dominant grip strength (F(1,8)= 3.3; p = 0.01; η2 = 0.25, (small)), non-dominant grip strength (F(1,8) = 3.2; p = 0.01; η2 = 0.24, (small)), CMJ (F(1,8) = 8.8; p = 0.01; η2 = 0.47, (small)), and LC (F(1,8) = 124.2; p = 0.001; η2 = 0.92, (moderate)). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show no significant difference between the NaHCO3 and placebo groups in RPE, handgrip strength, CMJ, and lactate concentration.

Height-based model for the categorization of athletes in combat sports.

Reducing bodyweight within a short-time participating in kicking combat sports can adversely affect health. This study's aim creating an improved model to categorize athletes in kicking combat sports. The investigation focused on 795 athletes (11-24 years), participating in the Croatian National Taekwondo Championship. The sample included athletes from both sexes (371 males), cadets (n = 325), juniors (n = 247) and seniors (n = 223). Data were collected during the preparatory period and prior to the athletes competing, using a bioelectrical impedance analysis device. According to current categorization rules, athletes are categorized by arbitrarily determined ranges in bodyweight, whereas, in this current study, the authors have devised an improved model, based on body height and the analysis of data collected. The difference in coefficients between the official model and the proposed, improved categorization method in terms of body height (2.70 and 0.71, respectively), showed that the improved model homogenized athletes almost four times more than the official model, reducing the maximal difference in body height from 29 to 9 cm within specific categories. Proposed, improved model had same number of categories as the official structure and directly homogenized differences in height within a category up to a 3-cm maximum for the middle categories and a 9-cm maximum on the periphery of the bands. We expect this improved combat sports categorization model will indirectly reduce differences between other longitudinal body dimensions within categories (thus making match results less predictable) as well as reduce bodyweight manipulation potentially endangering athletes' health.

A single mega dose of vitamin D3 improves selected physical variables in vitamin D-deficient young amateur soccer players: a randomized controlled trial.

This randomized controlled trial aimed to test whether vitamin D (VD) supplementation affects measures of physical performance in VD-deficient, mildly trained children. Thirty-six recreationally soccer player boys were randomly assigned to single dose (200 000 IU) of VD3 (n = 19) or placebo (n = 17). Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) was assessed and measures of physical performance (i.e., vertical and standing broad jumps, triple hop, 10-m and 30-m sprints, shuttle run) were performed before and 12 weeks after the loading dose. Mixed ANCOVA models were performed and effect size was estimated by partial eta squared (ηp2). Baseline 25-OHD and physical variables were equivalent in the 2 groups. Twelve weeks after VD loading, plasma 25-OHD increased and physical variables improved only in the VD group. There was a significant interaction effects for group by time for vertical jump (F = 14.9, p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.394), triple hop jump (F = 24.2, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.513), 10-m (F = 4.46, p = 0.046, ηp2 = 0.162) and 30-m (F = 6.56, p = 0.017, ηp2 = 0.222) sprints, and shuttle run (F = 13.4, p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.369). In conclusion, a single bolus of VD3 resulted in significant improvements in jumping ability, agility, and running speed in mildly trained children that are deficient in VD. The findings suggest that correcting VD deficit might be beneficial for physical performance. Novelty A mega dose of VD3 improves jumping ability, agility, and running speed in VD-deficient, mildly trained children. Effect of VD on measures of physical performance is noticeable 3 months after the loading dose.

Effectiveness of yoga and educational intervention on disability, anxiety, depression, and pain in people with CLBP: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The current study investigates the effects of an 8-week yoga program with educational intervention compared with an informational pamphlet on disability, anxiety, depression, and pain, in people affected by chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: Thirty individuals (age 34.2 ±â€¯4.52 yrs) with CLBP were randomly assigned into a Yoga Group (YG, n = 15) and a Pamphlet Group (PG, n = 15). The YG participated in an 8-week (2 days per week) yoga program which included education on spine anatomy/biomechanics and the management of CLBP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Monitoring response to intervention, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI-I), Zung self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Numeric Rating Scale for Pain (NRS 0-10) were used to collect data. RESULTS: After intervention, the YG showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the mean score in all assessed variables when compared with baseline data. In addition, statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed among groups at the end of intervention in depression, anxiety, and pain, but not in disability. CONCLUSIONS: The yoga program and education together appear to be effective in reducing depression and anxiety, which can affect perception of pain.

Herbal medicine for sports: a review.

The use of herbal medicinal products and supplements has increased during last decades. At present, some herbs are used to enhance muscle strength and body mass. Emergent evidence suggests that the health benefits from plants are attributed to their bioactive compounds such as Polyphenols, Terpenoids, and Alkaloids which have several physiological effects on the human body. At times, manufacturers launch numerous products with banned ingredient inside with inappropriate amounts or fake supplement inducing harmful side effect. Unfortunately up to date, there is no guarantee that herbal supplements are safe for anyone to use and it has not helped to clear the confusion surrounding the herbal use in sport field especially. Hence, the purpose of this review is to provide guidance on the efficacy and side effect of most used plants in sport. We have identified plants according to the following categories: Ginseng, alkaloids, and other purported herbal ergogenics such as Tribulus Terrestris, Cordyceps Sinensis. We found that most herbal supplement effects are likely due to activation of the central nervous system via stimulation of catecholamines. Ginseng was used as an endurance performance enhancer, while alkaloids supplementation resulted in improvements in sprint and cycling intense exercises. Despite it is prohibited, small amount of ephedrine was usually used in combination with caffeine to enhance muscle strength in trained individuals. Some other alkaloids such as green tea extracts have been used to improve body mass and composition in athletes. Other herb (i.e. Rhodiola, Astragalus) help relieve muscle and joint pain, but results about their effects on exercise performance are missing.

Effect of beetroot juice supplementation on aerobic response during swimming.

The beneficial effects of beetroot juice supplementation (BJS) have been tested during cycling, walking, and running. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether BJS can also improve performance in swimmers. Fourteen moderately trained male master swimmers were recruited and underwent two incremental swimming tests randomly assigned in a pool during which workload, oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), pulmonary ventilation (VE), and aerobic energy cost (AEC) of swimming were measured. One was a control swimming test (CSW) and the other a swimming test after six days of BJS (0.5 l/day organic beetroot juice containing about 5.5 mmol of NO3⁻). Results show that workload at anaerobic threshold was significantly increased by BJS as compared to the CSW test (6.3 ± 1 and 6.7 ± 1.1 kg during the CSW and the BJS test respectively). Moreover, AEC was significantly reduced during the BJS test (1.9 ± 0.5 during the SW test vs. 1.7 ± 0.3 kcal·kg⁻¹1·h⁻¹ during the BJS test). The other variables lacked a statistically significant effect with BJS. The present investigation provides evidence that BJS positively affects performance of swimmers as it reduces the AEC and increases the workload at anaerobic threshold.