Player Profiling and Monitoring in Basketball: A Delphi Study of the Most Important Non-Game Performance Indicators from the Perspective of Elite Athlete Coaches.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about which indicators of performance elite athlete coaches (i.e., professional coaches who coach at the national or international levels) consider to be important for basketball. OBJECTIVE: Using a Delphi procedure, the aim of this study was to identify the non-game performance indicators elite athlete coaches consider to be important for the recruitment/selection of basketball players. METHODS: Ninety elite athlete coaches (basketball coaches (n = 71) and strength/conditioning coaches (n = 19) who coached men (n = 60), women (n = 23), or both (n = 7)), employed in 23 countries across six continents, participated in a three-round online Delphi survey. Round 1 asked coaches to identify the non-game performance indicators (i.e., measures other than game statistics) they currently used (or would like to use) for player recruitment/selection, with common indicators combined into single indicators. Round 2 asked coaches to rate the importance of each performance indicator using a Likert scale (range: 0 = no importance whatsoever to 10 = extremely important). Round 3 asked coaches to identify the single best test measure for each indicator rated ≥ 6 (i.e., important to extremely important) in Round 2. Results were reported descriptively. RESULTS: A total of 608 responses (344 after removal of duplicates) were reported in Round 1, which were collapsed into 35 indicators, all of which were rated as 'important' in Round 2. Psychological and game intelligence indicators were typically rated as very important to extremely important (i.e., median = 9), with physical fitness and movement skills typically rated as very important (i.e., median = 8). For most indicators, coach observation was identified as the best test measure, with unique objective performance/anthropometric tests identified for all physical fitness indicators. CONCLUSION: This study identified a range of psychological, game intelligence, physical fitness, and movement skill indicators that were considered by elite athlete coaches to be important to extremely important for the recruitment/selection of basketball players. These findings may inform the development of a basketball-specific test battery for recruiting/selecting and monitoring players.

Effect of Biological Maturation on Performance of the Athletic Ability Assessment in Australian Rules Football Players.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of biological maturation on athletic movement competency as measured using the Athletic Ability Assessment-6. METHODS: Fifty-two junior Australian Rules football players were split into 3 groups based on proximity to peak height velocity, while 46 senior players were split into 2 groups based on playing status. The subjects completed the Athletic Ability Assessment-6 (inclusive of the overhead squat, double lunge, single-leg Romanian dead lift, push-up, and chin-up). All subjects were filmed and retrospectively assessed by a single rater. A 1-way analysis of variance and effect-size statistics (Cohen d) with corresponding 90% confidence intervals were used to describe between-groups differences in the component movement scores. The statistical significance was set a priori at P < .05. RESULTS: There were significant between-groups differences for all component movements (P < .05). Post hoc testing revealed that older, more mature subjects possessed greater competency in all movements except the overhead squat. The effect sizes revealed predominantly moderate to very large differences in competency between the senior and junior groups (range of d [90% confidence interval]: 0.70 [0.06 to 1.30] to 3.01 [2.18 to 3.72]), with unclear to moderate differences found when comparing the 3 junior groups (0.08 [-0.50 to 0.65] to 0.97 [0.22-1.61]). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that biological maturation may be associated with changes in athletic movement competency in youth Australian Rules football players. Therefore, it is recommended that strength and conditioning coaches monitor maturity status when working with 12- to 15-y-old players. This can allow for a comparison of an individual's athletic movement competency to maturity-based standards and help guide developmentally appropriate training programs.

Comparison of a Countermovement Jump Test and Submaximal Run Test to Quantify the Sensitivity for Detecting Practically Important Changes Within High-Performance Australian Rules Football.

PURPOSE: To determine the typical variation of variables from a countermovement jump (CMJ) test and a submaximal run test (SRT), along with comparing the sensitivity of each test for the detection of practically important changes within high-performance Australian rules football players. METHODS: A total of 23 professional and semiprofessional Australian rules football players performed 6 CMJs and three 8-second 50-m runs every 30 seconds (SRT), 7 days apart. Absolute and trial-to-trial reliability was represented as a coefficient of variation, CV (±90% confidence intervals). Test-retest reliability was examined using the magnitude of the difference (effect size [±90% confidence interval]) from week 1 to week 2. The smallest worthwhile change was calculated as 0.25 × SD. RESULTS: Good reliability (CVs = 6.6%-9.3%) was determined for all variables except eccentric displacement (CV = 12.8%), with no clear changes observed in any variables between week 1 and week 2. All variables from the SRT possessed a CV less than smallest worthwhile change, indicating an ability to detect practically important changes in performance. Only peak velocity from the CMJ test possessed a CV less than smallest worthwhile change, exhibiting a limitation of this test in detecting practically meaningful changes within this environment. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that while all variables possess acceptable reliability, a SRT might offer to be a more sensitive monitoring tool than a CMJ test within high-performance Australian rules football, due to its greater ability for detecting practically important changes in performance.

The effects of fatigue on the running profile of elite team sport athletes. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: With the underlying mechanisms of fatigue shown to be task-specific, gaining an understanding of changes within the running profile due to fatigue may provide a greater task-specific method for monitoring neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) in elite team sport athletes. This review aimed to identify, review and summarize the literature to understand the effects of fatigue on the running profile of elite team sport athletes. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched. To manage heterogeneity in athlete characteristics and sport demands, studies were limited to elite male field/court team sports, in which changes in running, gait or stride characteristics were assessed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Thirteen studies were included in the analysis with changes in sprint time, kinematic variables; contact time, center of mass vertical displacement and vertical stiffness, GPS accelerometer vector variables; z and y, and mechanical parameters; velocity and V0, all shown to be sensitive measures of fatigue. Due to having at least three sets of data points, meta-analysis was run for sprint time, with results showing a significant increase immediately postexercise (effect size [ES]±95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.67±1.61, P=0.04), but no change 24 hours postexercise (ES±95% CI; 0.93±3.21, P=0.57). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that fatigue has a negative impact on the running profile in elite team sport athletes, offering an alternative task-specific measure of monitoring NMF in this population. However, due to large discrepancies in protocols, future research is required to allow greater uniformity in variables and methods.

Inter- and Intra-rater Reliability of the Athletic Ability Assessment in Subelite Australian Rules Football Players.

Rogers, DK, McKeown, I, Parfitt, G, Burgess, D, and Eston, RG. Inter- and intra-rater reliability of the athletic ability assessment in subelite Australian rules football players. J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 125-138, 2019-The aim of this study was to determine the inter- and intra-rater rater reliability of the Athletic Ability Assessment (AAA) in subelite Australian Rules football (ARF) players. Eighteen male ARF players completed the AAA movement assessment (overhead squat, double lunge [left and right], single-leg Romanian deadlift [left and right], chin-up and push-up), on 2 occasions separated by 1 week. During the first movement assessment, players were filmed in the frontal and sagittal planes. Ten raters took part in the study (1 experienced rater and 9 novices) and were assigned in a quasirandom manner, to complete either (a) real-time assessment on 2 occasions, (b) real-time assessment on 1 occasion, or (c) video-based assessment on 2 occasions. When assessed in real-time, of the 7 component movements of the AAA, raters registered moderate or greater intrarater agreement on between 2 and 5 occasions. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of between 0.50 and 0.61 for the AAA total score indicated poor real-time intrarater reliability for this variable. When assessed by video-recording, raters registered moderate or greater intrarater agreement on between 6 and 7 occasions. The ICC for total score ranged between 0.60 and 0.93. Overall poor interrater reliability was evident for AAA component movements regardless of whether it was assessed in real-time or from video. Findings suggest the AAA is most reliably used when assessed through video. It is recommended that if comparison between multiple raters is desired, a stringent training process be applied so that the interpretation of AAA scoring criteria is standardized across raters.

What is the effect of aerobic exercise intensity on cardiorespiratory fitness in those undergoing cardiac rehabilitation? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the role of exercise intensity on changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in patients with cardiac conditions attending exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO and Web of Science. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTION: Studies assessing change in CRF (reported as peak oxygen uptake; V̇O2peak) in patients post myocardial infarction and revascularisation, following exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. Studies establishing V̇O2peak via symptom-limited exercise test with ventilatory gas analysis and reported intensity of exercise during rehabilitation were included. Studies with mean ejection fraction <40% were excluded. RESULTS: 128 studies including 13 220 patients were included. Interventions were classified as moderate, moderate-to-vigorous or vigorous intensity based on published recommendations. Moderate and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity interventions were associated with a moderate increase in relative V̇O2peak (standardised mean difference±95% CI=0.94±0.30 and 0.93±0.17, respectively), and vigorous-intensity exercise with a large increase (1.10±0.25). Moderate and vigorous-intensity interventions were associated with moderate improvements in absoluteV̇O2peak (0.63±0.34 and 0.93±0.20, respectively), whereas moderate-to-vigorous-intensity interventions elicited a large effect (1.27±0.75). Large heterogeneity among studies was observed for all analyses. Subgroup analyses yielded statistically significant, but inconsistent, improvements in CRF. CONCLUSION: Engagement in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with significant improvements in both absolute and relative V̇O2peak. Although exercise of vigorous intensity produced the greatest pooled effect for change in relative V̇O2peak, differences in pooled effects between intensities could not be considered clinically meaningful. REGISTRATION: Prospero CRD42016035638.

Physiological and Perceived Exertion Responses during Exercise: Effect of ß-blockade.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of ß-blockade on physiological and perceived exertion (RPE) responses during incremental treadmill exercise. METHODS: Sixteen healthy participants (n = 8 men; age, 25.3 ± 4.6 yr) performed a maximal treadmill exercise test after ingestion of 100 mg metoprolol or placebo, with a double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced design. Heart rate (HR), ventilatory, and gas exchange variables were measured continuously, and participants reported RPE at the end of each minute. Physiological and RPE responses during each condition were compared at the ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point, and at maximal exercise using repeated-measures ANOVA. Linear regression modeled relationships between perceived exertion and physiological variables. RESULTS: The HR and V˙O2 at the VT, respiratory compensation point, and maximal exercise were all significantly lower after ß-blockade (P < 0.05). However, when standardized to within condition peak values, differences were no longer significant. The RPE associated with VT was higher after ß-blockade (12.9 ± 1.0 vs 12.3 ± 1.2, P < 0.05) but lower at maximal exercise (19.1 ± 0.6 vs 19.4 ± 0.5, P < 0.05). Increases in RPE relative to HR were greater after ß-blockade and remained significant when expressed relative to peak HR. There was no difference in the growth of the relationship between RPE and V˙O2 across conditions, although the origin of the relationship was higher with ß-blockade. CONCLUSIONS: Although ß-blockade resulted in a significant reduction in exercising HR and V˙O2, the RPE for a given relative intensity remained unchanged. The relationship between RPE and V˙O2 was not affected by ß-blockade. The results provide evidence that RPE is a useful and reliable measure for exercise testing and prescription in patients prescribed ß-blockade therapy.

A Novel Method of Assessment for Monitoring Neuromuscular Fatigue in Australian Rules Football Players.

Purpose: To compare the sensitivity of a submaximal run test (SRT) with a countermovement-jump test (CMJ) to provide an alternative method of measuring neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) in high-performance sport. Methods: A total of 23 professional and semiprofessional Australian rules football players performed an SRT and CMJ test prematch and 48 and 96 h postmatch. Variables from accelerometers recorded during the SRT were player load 1D up (vertical vector), player load 1D side (mediolateral vector), and player load 1D forward (anteroposterior vector). Meaningful difference was examined through magnitude-based inferences (effect size [ES]), with reliability assessed as typical error of measurements expressed as coefficient of variance. Results: A small decrease in CMJ height, ES -0.43 ± 0.39 (likely), was observed 48 h postmatch before returning to baseline 96 h postmatch. This was accompanied by corresponding moderate decreases in the SRT variables player load 1D up, ES -0.60 ± 0.51 (likely), and player load 1D side, ES -0.74 ± 0.57 (likely), 48 h postmatch before also returning to prematch baseline. Conclusion: The results suggest that in the presence of NMF, players use an alternative running profile to produce the same external output (ie, time). This indicates that changes in accelerometer variables during an SRT can be used as an alternative method of measuring NMF in high-performance Australian rules football and provides a flexible option for monitoring changes in the recovery phase postmatch.

Combining perceptual regulation and exergaming for exercise prescription in low-active adults with and without cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Exercise adherence in already low-active older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains low. Perceptual regulation and exergaming may facilitate future exercise behaviour by improving the affective experience, however evidence that this population can perceptually regulate is lacking. To explore this, we investigated 1) perceptual regulation of exercise intensity during either exergaming or regular ergometer cycling and 2) explored affective responses. METHODS: Thirty-two low active older adults (73.9 ± 7.3 years, n = 16, 8 females) with or without MCI (70.9 ± 5.5 years, n = 16, 11 females) participated in a sub-maximal fitness assessment to determine ventilatory threshold (VT) and two experimental sessions (counterbalanced: exergaming or regular ergometer cycling). Experimental sessions consisted 21-min of continuous cycling with 7-min at each: RPE 9, 11 and 13. Oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), and affect (Feeling Scale) were obtained throughout the exercise. RESULTS: VO2 (p < 0.01) and HR (p < 0.01) increased linearly with RPE, but were not significantly different between exercise modes or cognitive groups. At RPE 13, participants worked above VT in both modes (exergaming: 115.7 ± 27.3; non-exergaming 114.1 ± 24.3 VO2 (%VT)). Regardless of cognitive group, affect declined significantly as RPE increased (p < 0.01). However on average, affect remained pleasant throughout and did not differ between exercise modes or cognitive groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest low-active older adults can perceptually regulate exercise intensity, regardless of cognition or mode. At RPE 13, participants regulated above VT, at an intensity that improves cardiorespiratory fitness long-term, and affect remained positive in the majority of participants, which may support long-term physical activity adherence.

Accelerometer wear-site detection: When one site does not suit all, all of the time.

OBJECTIVES: Choice of accelerometer wear-site may facilitate greater compliance in research studies. We aimed to test whether a simple method could automatically discriminate whether an accelerometer was worn on the hip or wrist from free-living data. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: Twenty-two 10-12y old children wore a GENEActiv at the wrist and at the hip for 7-days. The angle between the forearm and the total acceleration vector for the wrist-worn monitor and between the pelvis and the total acceleration vector for the hip-worn monitor (i.e. the angle between the Y-axis component of the acceleration and the total acceleration vector) was calculated for each 5s epoch. The standard deviation of this angle (SDangle) was calculated over time for the wrist-worn and hip-worn monitor for windows of varying lengths. We hypothesised that the wrist angle would be more variable than the hip angle. RESULTS: Wear site could be discriminated based on SDangle; the shorter the time window the lower the optimal threshold and Area under the Receiver-Operating-Characteristic curve (AUROC) for discrimination of wear-site (AUROC=0.833 (1min) - 0.952 (12h)). Classification accuracy was good for windows of 8min (sensitivity=90%, specificity=87%, AUROC=0.92) and plateaued for windows of ≥60min (sensitivity and specificity >90%, AUROC=0.95-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: We have presented a robust, computationally simple method that detects whether an accelerometer is being worn on the hip or wrist from 8 to 60min of data. This facilitates the use of wear-site specific algorithms to analyse accelerometer data.

A comparison of head motion and prefrontal haemodynamics during upright and recumbent cycling exercise.

The aim of this observational study was to compare head motion and prefrontal haemodynamics during exercise using three commercial cycling ergometers. Participants (n = 12) completed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion during upright, recumbent and semi-recumbent cycling. Head motion (using accelerometry), physiological data (oxygen uptake, end-tidal carbon dioxide [PET CO2 ] and heart rate) and changes in prefrontal haemodynamics (oxygenation, deoxygenation and blood volume using near infrared spectroscopy [NIRS]) were recorded. Despite no difference in oxygen uptake and heart rate, head motion was higher and PET CO2 was lower during upright cycling at maximal exercise (P<0·05). Analyses of covariance (covariates: head motion P>0·05; PET CO2 , P<0·01) revealed that prefrontal oxygenation was higher during semi-recumbent than recumbent cycling and deoxygenation and blood volume were higher during upright than recumbent and semi-recumbent cycling (respectively; P<0·05). This work highlights the robustness of the utility of NIRS to head motion and describes the potential postural effects upon the prefrontal haemodynamic response during upright and recumbent cycling exercise.

Comparability of measured acceleration from accelerometry-based activity monitors.

BACKGROUND: Accelerometers that provide triaxial measured acceleration data are now available. However, equivalence of output between brands cannot be assumed and testing is necessary to determine whether features of the acceleration signal are interchangeable. PURPOSE: This study aimed to establish the equivalence of output between two brands of monitor in a laboratory and in a free-living environment. METHODS: For part 1, 38 adults performed nine laboratory-based activities while wearing an ActiGraph GT3X+ and GENEActiv (Gravity Estimator of Normal Everyday Activity) at the hip. For part 2, 58 children age 10-12 yr wore a GT3X+ and GENEActiv at the hip for 7 d in a free-living setting. RESULTS: For part 1, the magnitude of time domain features from the GENEActiv was greater than that from the GT3X+. However, frequency domain features compared well, with perfect agreement of the dominant frequency for 97%-100% of participants for most activities. For part 2, mean daily acceleration measured by the two brands was correlated (r = 0.93, P < 0.001, respectively) but the magnitude was approximately 15% lower for the GT3X+ than that for the GENEActiv at the hip. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency domain-based classification algorithms should be transferable between monitors, and it should be possible to apply time domain-based classification algorithms developed for one device to the other by applying an affine conversion on the measured acceleration values. The strong relation between accelerations measured by the two brands suggests that habitual activity level and activity patterns assessed by the GENE and GT3X+ may compare well if analyzed appropriately.

A systematic review of methods to predict maximal oxygen uptake from submaximal, open circuit spirometry in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to (i) report the accuracy of submaximal exercise-based predictive equations that incorporate oxygen uptake (measured via open circuit spirometry) to predict maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and (ii) provide a critical reflection of the data to inform health professionals and researchers when selecting a prediction equation. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE (via OvidSP), CINAHL, SPORTDiscus (via EBSCO Host) and Scopus databases was undertaken in February 2013. Studies were required to report data on healthy participants aged 18-65y. Following tabulation of extracted data, a narrative synthesis was conducted. RESULTS: From a total of 7597 articles screened, 19 studies were included, from which a total of 43 prediction equations were extracted. No significant difference was reported between the measured and predicted VO2max in 28 equations. Pearson's correlation coefficient between the predicted and measured VO2max ranged from r=0.92 to r=0.57. The variables most commonly used in predictive equations were heart rate (n=19) and rating of perceived exertion (n=24). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, submaximal exercise-based equations using open circuit spirometry to predict VO2max are moderately to highly accurate. The heart rate and rating of perceived exertion methods of predicting VO2max were of similar accuracy. Important factors to consider when selecting a predictive equation include: the level of exertion required; participant medical conditions or medications; the validation population; mode of ergometry; time and resources available for familiarisation trials; and the level of bias of the study from which equations are derived.

A perceptually-regulated exercise test predicts peak oxygen uptake in older active adults.

Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) is reliably predicted in young and middle-aged adults using a submaximal perceptually-regulated exercise test (PRET). It is unknown whether older adults can use a PRET to accurately predict VO2peak. In this study, the validity of a treadmill-based PRET to predict VO2peak was assessed in 24 participants (65.2 ± 3.9 years, 11 males). The PRET required a change in speed or incline corresponding to ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) 9, 11, 13, and 15. Extrapolation of submaximal VO2 from the PRET to RPE endpoints 19 and 20 and age-predicted HRmax were compared with measured VO2peak. The VO2 extrapolated to both RPE19 and 20 over-predicted VO2peak (p < .001). However, extrapolating VO2 to age-predicted HRmax accurately predicted VO2peak (r = .84). Results indicate older adults can use a PRET to predict VO2peak by extrapolating VO2 from submaximal intensities to an age-predicted HRmax.

Prediction of peak oxygen uptake from ratings of perceived exertion during a sub-maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE: We assessed the validity of predicting peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2 peak) from the relationship between oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2) and overall ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) obtained during the initial stages of a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). METHOD: Fifteen healthy participants and 18 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) performed a maximal CPET, during which [Formula: see text]O2 and RPE were measured until RPE15. RESULTS: Individual regressions between [Formula: see text]O2 and RPE ≤ 15 were extrapolated to RPE19 to predict [Formula: see text]O2 peak. Mean actual and predicted [Formula: see text]O2 peak were not significantly different in healthy women (18.9 ± 4.1 vs. 20.4 ± 4.5 mL kg(-1) min(-1), respectively) and men (28.9 ± 7.8 vs. 29.7 ± 8.5 mL kg(-1) min(-1), respectively), or in women (15.2 ± 4.7 vs. 15.8 ± 5.0 mL kg(-1) min(-1), respectively) and men (16.2 ± 4.4 vs. 17.4 ± 5.4 mL kg(-1) min(-1), respectively) with COPD (P = 0.067). Moreover, actual and predicted [Formula: see text]O2 peak were highly correlated in healthy participants and COPD patients (r ≥ 0.89; P < 0.001). The bias and 95 % limits of agreement were -1.0 ± 4.0 and -1.0 ± 4.6 mL kg(-1) min(-1) for healthy and COPD participants, respectively. CONCLUSION: [Formula: see text]O2 peak can be predicted with acceptable accuracy in healthy participants and patients with COPD from the individual relationship between [Formula: see text]O2 and RPE ≤ 15.

Children's physical activity assessed with wrist- and hip-worn accelerometers.

BACKGROUND: Recently, triaxial raw acceleration accelerometers have become available from GENEActiv and ActiGraph; both are designed for wrist and hip wear. It is important to determine whether the output from these monitors is comparable with the wealth of data already collected from the hip-worn, epoch-based, uniaxial ActiGraph. PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the concurrent validity of measures of total activity and time spent at different activity intensities from the GENEActiv relative to the ActiGraph GT3X+. METHODS: Fifty-eight children age 10-12 yr wore two accelerometers at the hip (ActiGraph GT3X+ and GENEActiv) and one at the wrist (GENEActiv) for 7 d. Wear time was matched for all monitors before analysis. RESULTS: Mean daily accelerometer output, time spent sedentary, and time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) from the hip- or wrist-worn GENEActiv were strongly correlated with the corresponding output from the hip-worn ActiGraph (r > 0.83, P < 0.001). However, less time was estimated to be sedentary and more time was estimated to be MVPA using the hip- or wrist-worn GENEActiv (Phillips cut points) than that when using the Evenson vertical axis cut points with the hip-worn ActiGraph. Output from the vertical axis ActiGraph cut points could be predicted with 95% limits of agreement, equating to 23%-28% and 33%-35% of the mean value, by the hip- and wrist-worn GENEActiv, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of children's activity level, time spent sedentary, and time in MVPA estimated from the hip- or wrist-worn GENEActiv seems to be comparable with that of the uniaxial ActiGraph. On the basis of the strong linear correlations, ActiGraph output can be predicted from the hip- or wrist-worn GENEActiv for comparative purposes at the group level. However, because of relatively wide limits of agreement, individual-level comparisons are not recommended.

Prefrontal cortex haemodynamics and affective responses during exercise: a multi-channel near infrared spectroscopy study.

The dose-response effects of the intensity of exercise upon the potential regulation (through top-down processes) of affective (pleasure-displeasure) responses in the prefrontal cortex during an incremental exercise protocol have not been explored. This study examined the functional capacity of the prefrontal cortex (reflected by haemodynamics using near infrared spectroscopy) and affective responses during exercise at different intensities. Participants completed an incremental cycling exercise test to exhaustion. Changes (Δ) in oxygenation (O2Hb), deoxygenation (HHb), blood volume (tHb) and haemoglobin difference (HbDiff) were measured from bilateral dorsal and ventral prefrontal areas. Affective responses were measured every minute during exercise. Data were extracted at intensities standardised to: below ventilatory threshold, at ventilatory threshold, respiratory compensation point and the end of exercise. During exercise at intensities from ventilatory threshold to respiratory compensation point, ΔO2Hb, ΔHbDiff and ΔtHb were greater in mostly ventral than dorsal regions. From the respiratory compensation point to the end of exercise, ΔO2Hb remained stable and ΔHbDiff declined in dorsal regions. As the intensity increased above the ventilatory threshold, inverse associations between affective responses and oxygenation in (a) all regions of the left hemisphere and (b) lateral (dorsal and ventral) regions followed by the midline (ventral) region in the right hemisphere were observed. Differential activation patterns occur within the prefrontal cortex and are associated with affective responses during cycling exercise.

Heart rate and perceived muscle pain responses to a functional walking test in McArdle disease.

The aim of this study was to assess a 12-min self-paced walking test in patients with McArdle disease. Twenty patients (44.7 ± 11 years; 11 female) performed the walking test where walking speed, distance walked, heart rate (HR) and perceived muscle pain (Borg CR10 scale) were measured. Median (interquartile range) distance walked was 890 m (470-935). From 1 to 6 min, median walking speed decreased (from 75.0 to 71.4 m∙min(-1)) while muscle pain and %HR reserve increased (from 0.3 to 3.0 and 37% to 48%, respectively). From 7 to 12 min, walking speed increased to 74.2 m∙min(-1), muscle pain decreased to 1.6 and %HR reserve remained between 45% and 48%. To make relative comparisons, HR and muscle pain were divided by walking speed and expressed as ratios. These ratios rose significantly between 1 and 6 min (HR:walking speed P = .001 and pain:walking speed P < .001) and similarly decreased between 6 and 11 min (P = .002 and P = .001, respectively). Peak ratios of HR:walking speed and pain:walking speed were inversely correlated to distance walked: rs (HR) = -.82 (P < .0001) and rs (pain) = -.55 (P = .012). Largest peak ratios were found in patients who walked < 650 m. A 12-min walking test can be used to assess exercise capacity and detect the second wind in McArdle disease.