Athletic performance, sports experience, and exercise addiction: an association study on ANKK1 gene polymorphism rs1800497.

Introduction: Exercise addiction is a phenomenon being able to affecting the athletic performance. The gene, ANKK1 and the polymorphism NM_178510.2:c.2137G > A (rs1800497) has been linked to the exercise addiction. However, further studies on diverse populations and sport branches are needed to totally explore the possible association of this polymorphism with the athletic performance. Thus, the present study aims to decipher any possible relations of the rs1800497 polymorphism with the athletic performance/personal best (PB) and sport experience of elite athletes. Methods: Sixty volunteer elite athletes (31 sprint/power and 29 endurance) and 20 control/sedentary participated in the study. The polymorphism was genotyped using whole exome sequencing approach and PB were determined according to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) score. Results: Our results underlined that there were not any significance differences for both allele and genotype frequencies between the groups in terms of athletic performance, although the frequency of allele G was higher (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, sport experience significantly associated with the rs1800496 polymorphism (p < 0.05). Discussion: In conclusion, genotype G/G could be inferred to be linked to the higher sport experience and athletic performance. Still, further studies with higher number of participants are needed to conclude the association of this polymorphism with athletic parameters.

Effects of chronic core training on serum and erythrocyte oxidative stress parameters in amputee football players.

Objective: The positive impact of aerobic exercise on blood oxidative stress parameters is well documented. However, the effect of core exercises on these parameters in amputee football players (AF) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of core exercises on blood oxidative stress parameters in this population. Methods: Experimental method was adopted in the study. Eleven elite AF players participated in the study. The participants were divided randomly into two groups a core exercise group (CEG) and a control group (CG). Blood measurements were taken before and after the 8-week core exercise program. Blood measurements included erythrocyte Total Oxidant Status (eTOS), erythrocyte Total Antioxidant Status (eTAS), erythrocyte oxidative stress index (eOSI), serum nitric oxide (sNO), serum Total Oxidant Status (sTOS), serum Total Antioxidant Status (sTAS), serum oxidative stress index (sOSI), serum total thiol (sTT), serum native thiol (sNT), and serum disulfide (sDS) parameters were studied. Results: According to the results of the study, a significant difference was found between the 0th and eighth week pre-aerobic training load (ATL) sTOS (p = .028) values of CEG values. A significant difference was found in sTOS (p = .028) and sOSI (p = .028) values after the 0th and eighth-week pre-ATL. A significant difference was found in the sTOS (p = .043) and sOSI values (p = .043) of CG at week 0th and eighth-week pre-ATL. Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest that core exercises had a positive effect on blood oxidative stress parameters in AF players by reducing blood total oxidant levels.

Is early or late biological maturation trigger obesity? A machine learning modeling research in Turkey boys and girls.

Biological maturation status can affect individual differences, sex, height, body fat, and body weight in adolescents and thus may be associated with obesity. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between biological maturation and obesity. Overall, 1,328 adolescents (792 boys and 536 girls) aged 12.00 ± 0.94-12.21 ± 0.99 years, respectively (measured for body mass, body stature, sitting stature). Body weights were deter-mined with Tanita body analysis system and adolescent obesity status was calculated according to the WHO classification. Biological maturation was determined according to the somatic maturation method. Our results showed that boys mature 3.077-fold later than girls. Obesity was an increasing effect on early maturation. It was determined that being obese, overweight and healthy-weight increased the risk of early maturation 9.80, 6.99 and 1.81-fold, respectively. The equation of the model predicting maturation is: Logit (P) = 1/(1 + exp. (- (-31.386 + sex-boy * (1.124) + [chronological age = 10] * (-7.031) + [chronological age = 11] * (-4.338) + [chronological age = 12] * (-1.677) + age * (-2.075) + weight * 0.093 + height * (-0.141) + obesity * (-2.282) + overweight * (-1.944) + healthy weight * (-0.592)))). Logistic regression model predicted maturity with 80.7% [95% CI: 77.2-84.1%] accuracy. In addition, the model had a high sensitivity value (81.7% [76.2-86.6%]), which indicates that the model can successfully distinguish adolescents with early maturation. In conclusion, sex and obesity are independent predictors of maturity, and the risk of early maturation is increased, especially in the case of obesity and in girls.

The Risk Factors Associated with Grip Lock Injuries in Artistic Gymnasts: A Systematic Review.

Artistic gymnastics (AG) is a sport that demands grace, strength, and flexibility, leading to a broad spectrum of injuries. The dowel grip (DG) is widely used by gymnasts to securely hold onto the high bar or uneven bars. However, incorrect usage of the DG can result in grip lock (GL) injuries. This systematic review aims to (1) identify studies that have investigated the risk factors related to GL injuries among gymnasts and (2) synthesize the key evidence. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, SportDiscus, and Google Scholar, covering the period from their inception until November 2022. The data extraction and analysis were independently completed by two investigators. A total of 90 relevant studies were initially identified, out of which seven clinical trials met the eligibility criteria. For the quantitative synthesis, five studies were included. The details extracted from each article include: the sample characteristics (number, gender, age, and health status), the study design, the instrumentation or intervention used, and the final results. Our results revealed that the underlying causes of the risk factors of GL injuries were the irregular checking of the dowel grip and the mating surface of the bar, the tearing of the dowel of the leather strap, and the use of the dowel grip in different competition apparatuses. In addition, GL injuries may occur either as severe forearm fractures or mild injuries. Excessive flexion of the forearm and overpronation of the wrist during rotational movements, such as the swing or backward/forward giant circle, may increase the possibility of GL injury on the high bar. Future studies should focus on GL injury prevention strategy and rehabilitation protocol for GL injuries. Further high-quality research is required to establish the validity of these findings.

Exploring the Relationship between Biological Maturation Level, Muscle Strength, and Muscle Power in Adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between adolescents' biological maturation level and their muscle power, as well as their overall muscle strength. Overall, 691 adolescents (414 boys and 277 girls) aged 12.01−11.96 (measured for body mass, body height as well as vertical jump, muscle power, and muscle strength). There was a statistically significant difference in terms of average right and left grip strength, vertical jump, and power in the late maturation group. For the body height and vertical jump averages in male adolescents, it was observed that the body height and vertical jump averages in the late group were significantly lower than in the early and on-time maturation groups. For female adolescents' chronological age, sitting height, body mass, BMI, left and right grip strength, and power averages were found to be significantly higher compared with the on-time group (p < 0.05). It was established that biological maturation has a substantial link with vertical jump height and power, as well as grip strength on the right and left hands.

The Effects of Two Different Rest Intervals on the Repeated Skating Ability of Ice Hockey Forwards and Defensemen.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different rest intervals (2 min and 3 min), between two consecutive sets of repeated sprint skating ability (RSSA) tests, on the repeated sprint ability of ice hockey Forwards and Defensemen. Two protocols of RSSA tests, RSSA-2 and RSSA-3, were completed by 16 ice hockey Forwards and 8 Defensemen. Defensemen were heavier (p < 0.05) than Forwards, although their % body fat did not differ significantly. In RSSA-2, athletes performed six sets of 3×80 m sprint skating with 2 min passive recovery between two consecutive sets. In RSSA-3, the rest interval between the sets was 3 min. Average speed, average heart rate (HRaver), blood lactate concentration ([BLa]), and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured in both RSSA-2 and RSSA-3 tests. Both Forwards and Defensemen skated faster in RSSA-3 than in the corresponding set of RSSA-2. Forwards were faster than Defensemen in both the tests, however, the difference was significant (p < 0.05) only in RSSA-2. In Forwards and Defensemen, HRaver increased gradually from set 1 through set 6 in RSSA-2 and RSSA-3. In most of the sets, RPE was higher in RSSA-2 than in RSSA-3, and Defensemen perceived higher exertion than Forwards. No difference in [BLa] was noted between Forwards and Defensemen, although players of both positions showed higher [BLa] in RSSA-3 than in RSSA-2. This study concludes that (1) Forwards skate faster than Defensemen, (2) average heart rate and [BLa] do not vary between Forwards and Defensemen, and (3) a higher perceived exertion is observed in Defensemen than Forwards during repeated sprint skating tests.

Diurnal variation in Uchikomi fitness test performance: Influence of warm-up protocols.

Performance is judged using a variety of methods to ensure uniformity between competitions. Uchikomi Fitness Test (UFT) could accomplished between morning qualifying and evening finals. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of different warm-up protocols on UFT at different times of the day in female judokas. Ten volunteer women who had been practising judo on a regular basis for more than 5 years and actively competed in international tournaments took part in this study. Judokas completed UFT, either after no-warm-up (NWU), specific warm-up (SWU), and linear+lateral warm-up (FWU) protocols for two times a day in the morning: 09:00-11:00 and in the evening: 16:00-18:00, on non-consecutive days. In conclusion, there was a significant increase in UFT scores (F = 9.89; p = 0.002), a + b (F = 4.42; p = 0.04) and heart rate (F = 28.99; p < 0.001) in the early evening compared to the morning. Increases in UFT performance were observed in the SWU protocol compared to the NWU and FWU protocols (p < 0.05). However, the interaction between time of day and warm protocol was not significant (p > 0.05). The UFT performance revealed diurnal variation, and the judokas' performances may be favourably affected more in the late hours, particularly following SWU procedures.

Practical Nutrition Strategies to Support Basketball Performance during International Short-Term Tournaments: A Narrative Review.

A short-term (e.g., 6 days) basketball tournament is a shorter version of international tournaments, and qualification in it enables participation in international tournaments such as the Olympics and World championships or preparation before major tournaments. Time for recovery between matches is shorter compared with major tournaments, resulting in an accentuated load on players, which can be repeated up to four times within the 6-day competition period. Therefore, nutritional strategies need to focus on faster and adequate recovery after each match as well as optimum fuelling and hydration before and during matches. Travelling can also create additional challenges when preparing and/or applying those nutritional strategies. There are some particular evidence-based sport foods and ergogenic aids that can improve intermittent activity and/or the execution of motor skills, which may facilitate basketball players' recovery and performance. The present review provides practical nutritional strategies to support short-term basketball tournaments based on players' physiological needs and current sport nutrition guidelines.

A Thirty-Minute Nap Enhances Performance in Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Tests during and after Ramadan Observance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a 30 min nap (N30) on the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) both during and after Ramadan. Ten physically active kickboxers (age: 21.20 ± 1.61 years, height: 174.80 ± 4.34 cm, body mass: 73.30 ± 7.10 kg and body mass index (BMI): 24.00 ± 2.21 kg/m2) voluntarily performed the RAST test after an N30 and in a no-nap condition (NN) during two experimental periods: the last ten days of Ramadan (DR) and ∼3 weeks after Ramadan (AR). During each DR-NN, DR-N30, AR-NN and AR-N30 protocol, kickboxers performed RAST performance. A statistically significant difference was found between Ramadan periods (DR vs. AR) in terms of max power (W) (F = 80.93; p1 < 0.001; η2p = 0.89), minimum power (W) (F = 49.05; p1 < 0.001; η2p = 0.84), average power (W) (F = 83.79; p1 < 0.001; η2p = 0.90) and fatigue index (%) results (F = 11.25; p1 = 0.008; η2p = 0.55). In addition, the nap factor was statistically significant in terms of the max power (W) (F = 81.89; p2 < 0.001; η2p = 0.90), minimum power (W) (F = 80.37; p2 < 0.001; η2p = 0.89), average power (W) (F = 108.41; p2 < 0.001; η2p = 0.92) and fatigue index (%) results (F = 16.14; p2 = 0.003; η2p = 0.64). Taking a daytime nap benefits subsequent performance in RAST. The benefits of napping were greater after an N30 opportunity for DR and AR.

Does Dominant Somatotype Differentiate Performance of Jumping and Sprinting Variables in Young Healthy Adults?

The relationship between an athlete's somatotype three-numeral rating and his or her athletic performance is well known. However, a direct effect of the different dominant somatotype on jumping and sprinting variables has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dominant somatotype on sport-specific explosive variables. One hundred and twelve physically active young adults (mean ± standard deviation age: 21.82 ± 3.18 years) were somatotype-rated using the Heath-Carter method. Participants were classified as balanced ectomorph, balanced mesomorph, central, mesomorph-endomorph, and mesomorphic ectomorph. Vertical jump and linear sprint tests were performed to measure peak lower body performance and sprint variables (time, speed, and momentum), respectively. The analysis revealed that balanced mesomorph had significantly higher vertical jump (effect size (ES) = 1.10, p = 0.005) and power to body mass (ES = 1.04, p = 0.023) than mesomorph-endomorph. In addition, balanced mesomorph showed significantly superior performance in 30-m sprint time and velocity than central and mesomorph-endomorph (ES range = 0.93-1, p < 0.05). Finally, balanced ectomorph (ES = 1.12, p = 0.009) and mesomorphic ectomorph (ES = 1.10, p = 0.017) were lower in sprint momentum compared to balanced mesomorphs. In conclusion, this study has shown the importance of the interaction between subtypes and athletic performance. The knowledge gained may be important in identifying those who tend to perform well in sports with explosive power and in prescribing training programs.

High Dose of Acute Normobaric Hypoxia Does Not Adversely Affect Sprint Interval Training, Cognitive Performance and Heart Rate Variability in Males and Females.

Although preliminary studies suggested sex-related differences in physiological responses to hypoxia, the effects of sex on sprint interval training (SIT) performance in different degrees of hypoxia are largely lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the acute effect of different doses of normobaric hypoxia on SIT performance as well as heart rate variability (HRV) and cognitive performance (CP) in amateur-trained team sport players by comparing potential sex differences. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 26 (13 females) amateur team-sport (football, basketball, handball, rugby) players completed acute SIT (6 × 15 s all-out sprints, separated with 2 min active recovery, against a load equivalent to 9% of body weight) on a cycle ergometer, in one of four conditions: (I) normoxia without a mask (FiO2: 20.9%) (CON); (II) normoxia with a mask (FiO2: 20.9%) (NOR); (III) moderate hypoxia (FiO2: 15.4%) with mask (MHYP); and (IV) high hypoxia (FiO2: 13.4%) with mask (HHYP). Peak (PPO) and mean power output (MPO), HRV, heart rate (HR), CP, capillary lactate (BLa), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) pre- and post-SIT were compared between CON, NOR, MHYP and HHYP. There were no significant differences found between trials for PPO (p = 0.55), MPO (p = 0.44), RPE (p = 0.39), HR (p = 0.49), HRV (p > 0.05) and CP (response accuracy: p = 0.92; reaction time: p = 0.24). The changes in MP, PP, RPE, HR, CP and HRV were similar between men and women (all p > 0.05). While BLa was similar (p = 0.10) between MHYP and HHYP trials, it was greater compared to CON (p = 0.01) and NOR (p = 0.01), without a sex-effect. In conclusion, compared to normoxia, hypoxia, and wearing a mask, have no effect on SIT acute responses (other than lactate), including PP, MP, RPE, CP, HR, and cardiac autonomic modulation either in men or women.

Low and Moderate Doses of Caffeinated Coffee Improve Repeated Sprint Performance in Female Team Sport Athletes.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of low and moderate doses of caffeine ingestion via caffeinated coffee on repeated sprint test (RST) and plasma catecholamine concentration in trained female team-sport athletes. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 13 female team-sport athletes (VO2max: 48.7 ± 4 mL·kg·min−1) completed three RST trials, separated by 4-day, 60 min post-ingestion of either 3 mg·kg−1 (LCOF) or 6 mg·kg−1 (MCOF) or placebo (PLA). The RST consisted of 12 × 4 s sprints on a cycle ergometer interspersed with 20 s of active recovery. Blood lactate (BLa) and glucose (GLU) and epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were collected before and 60 min after coffee ingestion, and after RST. Heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at the beginning of RST, and after the 6th and 12th sprints. Average peak power score during RST was significantly improved after LCOF (p = 0.016) and MCOF (p = 0.041) compared to PLA, but peak and mean power output of the individual sprints, and fatigue index were not different between trials (all p > 0.05). Epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were significantly higher before and after RST in LCOF and MCOF compared to PLA (all p < 0.05). BLa was also higher after RST in both LCOF and MCOF compared to PLA (p = 0.005). HR, RPE, and GLU were not different between conditions (p > 0.05). In conclusion, low and moderate dose of caffeine ingestion can enhance the average peak power score during repeated sprints. These findings partly support low and moderate doses of caffeine supplementation via coffee as a nutritional ergogenic aid for trained female team-sport players during repeated sprint exercise.

High-Dose Nitrate Supplementation Attenuates the Increased Blood Pressure Responses to Isometric Blood Flow Restriction Exercise in Healthy Males.

The effect of nitrate (NO3−) supplementation on blood pressure (BP) responses during large muscle mass isometric and ischaemic exercise in healthy young adults is unclear. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of 5-day supplementation of NO3− on BP responses during a short isometric contraction and a sustained ischaemic contraction. In a randomised, double-blinded, crossover design, 14 healthy active young adults underwent BP measurements after 5 days of either NO3− (NIT) or placebo (PLA) supplementation. Beat-by-beat BP was measured at pre- and post-exercise rest, and during a short (20 s) isometric contraction at 25% maximal strength and throughout a sustained ischaemic contraction. Plasma nitrite (NO2−) concentration increased significantly after NO3− supplementation compared to placebo (475 ± 93 nmol·L−1 vs. 198 ± 46 nmol·L−1, p < 0.001, d = 3.37). Systolic BP was significantly lower at pre- (p = 0.051) and post-exercise rest (p = 0.006), during a short isometric contraction (p = 0.030), and throughout a sustained ischaemic contraction (p = 0.040) after NO3− supplementation. Mean arterial pressure was significantly lower at pre- (p = 0.004) and post-exercise rest (p = 0.043), during a short isometric contraction (p = 0.041), and throughout a sustained ischaemic contraction (p = 0.021) after NO3− supplementation. Diastolic BP was lower at pre-exercise rest (p = 0.032), but not at post-exercise rest, during a short isometric contraction, and during a sustained ischaemic contraction (all p > 0.05). Five days of NO3− supplementation elevated plasma NO2− concentration and reduced BP during a short isometric contraction and a sustained ischaemic contraction in healthy adults. These observations indicate that multiple-day nitrate supplementation can decrease BP at rest and attenuate the increased BP response during isometric exercise. These findings support that NO3− supplementation is an effective nutritional intervention in reducing SBP and MAP in healthy young males during submaximal exercise.

Eight Days of L-Citrulline or L-Arginine Supplementation Did Not Improve 200-m and 100-m Swimming Time Trials.

The effects of L-citrulline or L-arginine supplementation on exercise performance are equivocal, and the effects on swimming performance are unclear. We aimed to assess whether 8-day supplementation with L-arginine or L-citrulline supplementation would improve 200 m and 100 m freestyle swimming time-trial performances. After the baseline trial (first visit), in a double-blind, randomised design, 15 trained/developmental (5 females) swimmers and triathletes were assigned to three groups and underwent an 8-day supplementation period, with a daily dose of either 8 gr L-arginine (Arg, n = 5) or L-citrulline (Cit, n = 5) or placebo (Pla, n = 5). On day 9, participants completed experimental trial (second visit). In each trial, after blood sampling, participants performed both 200 m and 100 m freestyle swimming time-trials, with 30 min recovery between trials. Plasma nitric oxide (NOx) and blood lactate concentrations (BLa) were collected immediately before and after 200 m and 100 m TTs, respectively. No significant difference was observed in NOx between groups (p = 0.201). There was no significant difference in 200 m (p = 0.226) and 100 m swimming time-trials (p = 0.993) between groups. There was a main effect of time on BLa concentration (p < 0.001), but no trial × group (p = 0.243) and trial × lactate × group interaction effect (p = 0.276) was present. Furthermore, 8-day either L-citrulline or L-arginine supplementation did not enhance middle (200 m) and short-distance (100 m) swimming performance in trained/developmental swimmers and triathletes. These findings do not support the use of L-citrulline or L-arginine supplementation as ergogenic aids for swimming performance.

The Use of Vibration Training in Men after Myocardial Infarction.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the applied whole-body vibration training (WBV) as additional training to standard rehabilitation programme on exercise tolerance, evaluated through an exercise test, blood lipid profile, and the changes in selected echocardiographic parameters of patients after myocardial infarction. The study involved 63 males. The subjects were divided into two groups: standard­ST (27) and with vibration training­ST + WBV (36). All the subjects had undergone angioplasty with stent implantation. The standard and with vibration training group carried out a 24-day improvement program comprising 22 training units. Each session consisted of endurance, general stamina, and resistance training. Instead of resistance training, the experimental group performed exercises on the vibration platform. Statistically significant changes in both groups were observed in the parameters of the echocardiographic exercise test, such as test duration (p < 0.001), distance covered (p < 0.001), MET (p < 0.001), VO2max (p < 0.001), and HRrest (p < 0.01). The echocardiographic test revealed significant improvement of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in both groups (ST + WBV group p = 0.024, ST group p = 0.005). There were no statistically significant changes in blood lipid profile and body mass and composition.

Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse Increases High but Not Low Intensity Repetitions to Failure in Resistance-Trained Males.

Carbohydrate mouth rinsing (CMR) has been shown to enhance exercise performance. However, the influence of CMR on repetitions to failure with different intensities (40% or 80% of 1 RM) is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 6% CMR solution on muscular endurance assessed at 40% and 80% of 1 RM in resistance-trained males. Sixteen resistance-trained males (age: 25 ± 3 years, height: 182 ± 6 cm, body mass: 86 ± 3 kg, body fat: 16 ± 3%, bench press 1 RM: 106 ± 16 kg, resistance training experience: 5 ± 1 years) completed four conditions in random order. The four conditions consisted of ten seconds of mouth rinsing with 25 mL solutions containing either maltodextrin or placebo (sweetened water) prior to performing a bench press muscular endurance test at either 40% of 1 RM or 80% of 1 RM. Total repetitions, heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), glucose (GLU) and felt arousal (FA) were recorded for each condition. There was a significant condition by intensity interaction (p = 0.02). CMR significantly increased total repetitions compared with placebo at the higher intensity (80% of 1 RM; p = 0.04), while there was no effect at the lower intensity (p = 0.20). In addition, HR, RPE, GLU and FA did not differ between conditions or across intensities (p > 0.05). In conclusion, CMR-enhanced muscular endurance performed at higher but not lower intensities.

Relationship Among the Change of Direction Ability, Sprinting, Jumping Performance, Aerobic Power and Anaerobic Speed Reserve: A Cross-Sectional Study in Elite 3x3 Basketball Players.

The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among sprinting performance, change of direction ability (COD), change of direction deficit (CODD), and aerobic power expressed by maximal oxygen velocity (VmaxIFT), anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) as well as jumping performance (countermovement jump with (CMJa) and without an arm swing (CMJ)) in elite 3x3 basketball players. A total of 15 Polish Olympic 3x3 team players (age: 26.86 ± 8.28 years; body height: 191 ± 5.33 cm; body mass: 90.68 ± 10.03 kg, basketball experience: 15.53 ± 5.8 years) participated in the study. Athletes were tested for the following measures: the linear speed at the first section (5 m), the second section (9 m), the third section (10 m) and total distance (24 m), two sets; the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (first session); COD speed by the Change of Direction and Acceleration Test (CODAT) (the same sections and total distance as in the linear speed test), five repetitions, two sets; and jumping performance by the CMJ with and without an arm swing (second session). CODD was calculated by subtracting the COD speed time from linear speed time at adequate sections and total distance. Maximal sprinting speed (MSS), maximal aerobic velocity (VmaxIFT), and anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) were also considered. Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR) was calculated as the difference between MSS and VmaxIFT. A Pearson's correlation test was used to determine the relationship between power-speed-related variables and CODD, final velocity attained at the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (VmaxIFT), ASR, and COD performance. Moderate to strong correlations were registered between COD and linear speed at 5, 10, and 24 m, while moderate to strong negative correlations were detected between COD, CODD, and CMJ, CMJa. Moreover, moderate to strong correlations were observed between COD, CODD, and VmaxIFT, MSS at 9, 10, and 24 m sprints. No relationship was detected between COD, CODD, LS, and ASR in any measured sector. Finally, statistically significant differences were registered in COD and CODD between trial 1 and trial 2.

A Comparative Study of Two-Minute versus Three-Minute Passive Recovery on Sprint Skating Performance of Ice Hockey Forwards and Defensemen.

The impact of two different passive recovery durations, two and three minutes, between sets of repeated sprint skating ability (RSSA) test on skating speed, speed decrement (Sdec), and heart rate (HR) response of ice hockey forwards (n = 12) and defensemen (n = 7) were determined. Six sets of 3 × 80 m sprint, with two-minute passive recovery between two consecutive sets, were performed in RSSA-2. A three-minute passive recovery period between two consecutive sets was allowed in RSSA-3. Skating speed, Sdec, and HR were measured in all tests. Subjects skated faster (p < 0.05) in most of the RSSA-3 sets than the corresponding set of RSSA-2. Defensemen were slower (p < 0.05) than forwards in most of the cases. The Sdec was higher in defensemen than in forwards, although the difference was significant occasionally. No difference in peak HR and minimum HR between forwards and defensemen was found. RSSA-3 is beneficial over RSSA-2 in both forwards and defensemen by increasing speed. Defensemen are slower and show early fatigability than forwards, and no difference in HR response was noted between forwards and defensemen. This study concludes that three-minute recovery is beneficial over two-minute recovery by increasing skating speed, although Sdec and HR response neither vary significantly between RSSA-2 and RSSA-3, nor between forwards and defensemen.

Indoor cycling training in rehabilitation of patients after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Standard endurance training used from the second stage of cardiac rehabilitation has many common features with indoor cycling training which is used in fitness clubs. In the study, an attempt was made to evaluate the usefulness of this form of training in a 24-day rehabilitation program for patients after myocardial infarction. The study examined a group of 64 patients (51.34 ± 8.02 years) who were divided into two groups: the IC group (32 patients aged 53.40 ± 4.31 years) with indoor cycling training instead of standard endurance training; and the ST group (32 patients aged 55.31 ± 6.45 years) performing standard training. The level of exercise tolerance (cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill-Bruce's protocol), hemodynamic indicators of the left ventricle (echocardiography) and blood lipid profile (laboratory test) were assessed. RESULTS: In the IC group there was a significant increase in the test duration (9.21 ± 2.02 vs 11.24 ± 1.26 min; p < 0.001), the MET value (9.16 ± 1.30 vs 10.73 ± 1.23; p = 0.006) and VO2max (37.27 ± 3.23 vs 39.10 ± 3.17 ml/kg/min; p < 0.001). Parallel changes were observed in the ST group, where the following parameters improved: the test duration (9.41 ± 0.39 vs 10.91 ± 2.22; p < 0.001), MET value (8.65 ± 0.25 vs 9.86 ± 1.12; p = 0.002) and VO2max (36.89 ± 6.22 vs 38.76 ± 3.44; p < 0.001). No statistically significant changes were found in the hemodynamic indices of the left ventricle and the lipid profile. Also, the intergroup analysis did not show any statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Based on the research results, it was found that indoor cycling training in the second phase of cardiac rehabilitation is a safe form of therapy and therefore may be an interesting alternative method to the classic bicycle ergometer exercise in the stage of early cardiac rehabilitation.

Effect of Rest Period Duration between Sets of Repeated Sprint Skating Ability Test on the Skating Ability of Ice Hockey Players.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two different rest periods, 2 min and 3 min, between consecutive sets of a repeated sprint skating ability (RSSA) test, on the skating ability of ice hockey players. Two RSSA tests, RSSA-2 and RSSA-3, were assessed on 24 ice hockey players. In RSSA-2, six sets of 3 × 80 m sprint skating, with 2 min passive recovery between two consecutive sets was allowed. In RSSA-3, the recovery period between the sets was 3 min. Average speed, average heart rate (HRaver), peak heart rate (HRpeak), blood lactate concentration ([BLa]), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured in both RSSA-2 and RSSA-3 tests. In all the sets, except set 1, the average speed of the subjects was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in RSSA-3 than the respective set in RSSA-2. Average HR and RPE were higher in RSSA-2 than RSSA-3 in most of the sets. For any given set, no difference in HRpeak was noted between RSSA-2 and RSSA-3. Post-sprint (Set 6) [BLa] was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in RSSA-3 than RSSA-2. This study concludes that the 3 min rest period is more beneficial than the 2 min rest period, for (1) increasing skating speed and (2) reducing overall cardiac workload and perceived fatigue.