Agreement of ultra-short-term heart rate variability measure after different repeated bouts of sprint ability tests.

This study aims to explore: (1) the validity of post-exercise ultra-short-term heart rate variability (HRVust) after two different bouts of repeated sprint ability test (RSA), and (2) the relationship between HRVust measure and RSA performance. Twenty adolescent male futsal players voluntarily participated in this study (age: 17.65 ± 1.81 years, body height: 170.88 ± 4.98 cm, body weight: 61.78 ± 4.67 kg). The participants performed a standard RSA test (RSAstandard) and an RSA test with a 10% decrement of the best sprint time test (RSA10%decrement) on two separate occasions within a week. On both occasions, a 5-min resting electrocardiography was administered pre- and post-RSA exercise protocols. The first 30-s (HRVust30s), 60-s (HRVust60s), and 60-120-s (HRVust1-2min) were extracted and used to compare with the standard of 5-min HRV recording (HRVcriterion). The natural logarithm (ln) of the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive normal-to-normal interval differences (RMSSD) HRV indices were utilised to establish intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1), coefficient of variation (%CV), and Pearson product-moment correlation (r). Results revealed the ICC values of HRVust lnSDNN (RSAstandard = 0.77-0.88; RSA10%decrement = 0.41-0.71) and lnRMSSD (RSAstandard = 0.81-0.86; RSA10%decrement = 0.57-0.82). Furthermore, significantly positive correlations between best sprint time and post-exercise HRVust indices were found in lnSDNN (r = 0.47-0.62; p < 0.05) and lnRMSSD (r = 0.45; p < 0.05). Additionally, a large CV of lnSDNN (RSAstandard = 32%-45%; RSA10%decrement = 29%-39%), lnRMSSD (RSAstandard = 50%-66%; RSA10%decrement = 48%-52%), and ratio (RSAstandard = 45%-126%; RSA10%decrement = 27%-45%) was found after the RSA protocols. In conclusion, the number of bouts of RSA exercise potentially influences the agreement of post-exercise time-domain HRVust indices to standard HRV measure.

From Novice to Expert: How Expertise Shapes Motor Variability in Sports Biomechanics-a Scoping Review.

With expertise, athletes develop motor strategies that enhance sports performance or reduce functional costs. Motor variability is known as a relevant way to characterize these strategies in athletes with different levels of expertise. The aim of this scoping review is to gather and discuss the latest advances in the impact of expertise on motor variability during sports-related tasks. A search encompassing three databases, Medline, SportDiscus, and Academic Search Complete, was performed. Our research methodology included three core themes: motor variability, laboratory instruments, and sports. Motor variability metrics (e.g., standard deviation and approximate entropy) and laboratory instruments (e.g., motion capture system, EMG, and force plate) were compiled. Athletes' expertise was defined by the time of deliberate practice, the performance results, or the level in which they performed. Overall, 48 of the 59 included studies determined that higher-skilled athletes had lesser motor variability than lower-skilled athletes. This difference in motor variability between skill levels was present within individual athletes (intra-individual) and between athletes (inter-individual). This result was independent of the criteria used to define expertise, the type of instrumentation used, and the metrics used to quantify motor variability.

Investigating in-performance transitions between mental states in high-level judoka using video-based stimulated recall.

The Multi-Action Plan model offers an idiosyncratic, sport-specific, and applied framework categorising two peak (Type 1 & 2) and two non-peak performance types (Type 3 & 4). The purpose of the present study was to examine the transitions between these Performance Types across three competition-simulating training judo fights. After videoing three judo fights per participant, we interviewed six high-level judo practitioners (Mdage = 19 years) using video-stimulated recall. While watching their fights, participants indicated which Performance Types they experienced during each fight and, subsequently, discussed their experience with the lead researcher. Findings indicated that participants spent most time in effortful mental states (Type 2 & 3). Additionally, they identified currently not defined states 'between' current typologies, e.g., T2.5. Overall, participants reported more down- than upregulations. Specifically, they described downregulations as mostly uncontrolled and related to fatigue, technical-tactical, or cognitive-emotional transition cues. In contrast, they characterised upregulations as deliberate and proactive mental resets, utilising strategies such as self-talk. Lastly, we discussed our findings in relation to existing literature and offered implications for research and practice.

The effect of probiotics and casein supplementation on aerobic capacity parameters of male soccer players.

BACKGROUND: In the realm of sports science, nutrition is a well-established pillar for athletes' training, performance, and post-workout recovery. However, the role of gut microbiota, often overlooked, is a novel and intriguing aspect that can significantly impact athletic performance. With this in mind, our study ventures into uncharted territory, investigating the effect of probiotic and casein supplementation on the aerobic capacity of male soccer players. METHOD: A double-blinded and placebo-controlled study was conducted with 44 male soccer players (Age: 22.81 ± 2.76 yr, Height: 177.90 ± 6.75 cm, Weight: 67.42 ± 8.44 kg). The participants were subjected to the Bruce test in the beginning; then, they were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of 11 people: probiotics (PRO), casein (CAS), probiotics with casein (PRO+CAS), and placebo (PLA). PRO group was given one probiotic capsule (containing strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BP06, Lacticaseibacillus casei BP07, Lactobacillus acidophilus BA05, Lactobacillus delbrueckii BD08 bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium infantis BI04, Bifidobacterium longum BL03, Bifidobacterium breve BB02 and Streptococcus salivarius thermophilus BT01, with a total dose of 4.5 × 1011 CFU) during dinner, while the CAS group consumed 20 grams of casein powder 45 minutes before bed. The PRO+CAS group was given one probiotic capsule during dinner and 20 grams of casein powder 45 minutes before bed. The participants in the PLA group were given one red capsule (containing 5 grams of starch) during dinner. All participants were instructed to take the supplements only on training days, three times a week for four weeks. The maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), Ventilatory Threshold (VT), Time-to-exhaustion (TTE), Respiratory Compensation Point (RCP), Isocapnic area Time (Time-IC), Isocapnic area oxygen consumption (VO2-IC), and Hypocapnic Hyperventilation area Time (Time-HHV), after the Bruce test were Measured. All data were analyzed using SPSS Windows software, mixed repeated measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test at p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: The current study's findings illustrated that, after the intervention, TTE (p = 0.01) and RCP (p = 0.01) were significantly improved in PRO+CAS compared to the PLA group. No significant difference was observed between PRO and PLA (p = 0.52), PRO and CAS (p = 0.999), PRO and PRO+CAS (p = 0.9), CAS and PLA (p = 0.65), CAS and PRO+CAS (p = 0.73) in TTE. In addition, no significant difference was observed between PRO and CAS (p = 0.999), PRO and PLA (p = 0.40), PRO and PRO+CAS (p = 0.999), CAS and PLA (p = 0.263), CAS and PRO+CAS (p = 0.999) in RCP. Time-HHV was significantly higher in PRO+CAS (p = 0.000) and CAS (p = 0.047) compared to the PLA group. However, no significant difference was observed in the Time-HHV between PRO and CAS (p = 0.999), PRO and PRO+CAS (p = 0.25), PRO and PLA (p = 0.12), and CAS and PRO+CAS (p = 0.57). Additionally, all the groups had no significant differences in VO2max, VT1, VO2-IC and Time-IC. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that consuming probiotics and casein could relatively improve the aerobic capacity of male soccer players. Nevertheless, simultaneous consumption of probiotics and casein had a more pronounced effect on aerobic capacity indicators, especially TTE and Time-HHV.

Exploring the relationship between caffeine metabolism-related CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism and team sport athlete status and training adaptations.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to achieve a dual objective: to compare the frequencies of CYP1A2 rs762551 genotypes between team sport athletes and a control group, and to determine the association between the rs762551 polymorphism and changes in physical performance after a six-week training program among elite basketball players. METHODS: The study encompassed an analysis of 504 individuals, comprising 320 athletes and 184 controls. For the Turkish cohort, DNA was isolated using the buccal swab method, and genotyping was conducted using the KASP technique. Performance assessments included the Yo-Yo IR2 and 30 m sprint tests. For Russian participants, DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood, a commercial kit was used for DNA extraction, and genotyping of the rs762551 polymorphism was conducted using DNA microarray. RESULT: Notably, a statistically significant linear decline in the prevalence of the CC genotype was observed with ascending levels of athletic achievement within team sports (sub-elite: 18.0%, elite: 8.2%, highly elite: 0%; p = 0.001). Additionally, the CA genotype was the most prevalent genotype in the highly elite group compared to controls (80.0% vs. 45.1%, p = 0.048). Furthermore, statistically significant improvements in Yo-Yo IR2 performance were noted exclusively among basketball players harboring the CA genotype (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The study's findings indicate that the rs762551 CC genotype is a disadvantage in elite team sports, whereas the CA genotype provides an advantage in basketball performance.

Study of the internal mechanism of attention focus affecting countermovement jump performance based on muscle synergy theory.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explain the internal mechanism of attention focus affecting performance of countermovement jump based on muscle synergy theory. METHODS: Participants involved untrained group(N = 10) and high-level group(N = 11). Subjects performed countermovement jump with internal attention focus instruction (IF), external distal attention focus instruction (EDF), and external proximal attention focus instruction (EPF). The electromyography (EMG) signals of the dominant vastus lateralis muscle (VL), semitendinosus muscle (ST), tibial anterior muscle (TA), rectus femoris muscle (RF), and medial gastrocnemius (MG) were recorded. The non-negative matrix factorization was used to extract muscle synergy. RESULTS: 1) Attention focus did not affect countermovement jump performance and the number of muscle synergy in the high-level group (P>0.05). 2) Attention focus instructions affected the untrained group countermovement jump (P<0.05). and EDF and EPF reduced the number of muscle synergy. 3)The Cohen's d of EDF (0.269) was less than EPF (0.377) in untrained group. CONCLUSION: For the untrained people, the improved motor performance caused by attention focus resembled the adaptive changes that occur with long-term training. The reason why an EDF is superior to EPF is that the former produces more thorough changes in muscle synergy.

Exploring characteristics of and transitions between mental states within the Multi-Action Plan model in high-level judo.

The Multi-Action Plan (MAP) model presents an idiosyncratic framework for human performance. MAP research has categorised four Performance Types (PTs; T1-T4) using self-paced activities. Specifically, T1-4 present four distinct mental states experienced by athletes during performance, differing, among other aspects, in the level of effort and perceived control. However, transitions between PTs are yet to be empirically investigated. This study aimed to examine MAP in the hyperdynamic open-skill combat context of judo. We explored how judoka experienced PTs and the transition processes between these mental states. Six British, high-level judoka (n = 6; Mdnage = 19) were interviewed using a retrospective semi-structured interview schedule. Interpretative phenomenological analysis indicated that judo presents a hyperdynamic difficult-to-predict performance context due to the opponent and fighting rhythm. Second, participants strongly related to T2 and T3 and less to T1 and T4. They also reported experiences 'between' T2 and T3. Lastly, participants reported common transition pathways (e.g., T2-T3), typical transition cues, and specific trainable strategies to optimise performance. Findings are discussed in relation to existing literature. Lastly, we present limitations, applied, and research considerations.

A follow-up study on respiratory outcomes, quality of life and performance perception of SARS-CoV-2 primary and reinfection in elite athletes: A 9-month prospective study.

The prolonged consequences of SARS-CoV-2 on young elite athletes recovering from primary and reinfection are unclear. This study aimed to assess inspiratory/expiratory muscle strength and respiratory function at the time of spontaneous recovery at 3, 6, and 9 months after SARS-CoV-2 primary and reinfection in elite athletes. The study enrolled 25 elite male judoists, including 11 primary infection cases, five reinfection cases, and nine controls from the Türkiye Olympic Preparation Center. Inspiratory/expiratory muscle strength and respiratory function were measured, including maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) before and up to 9 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection in the early pre-competition preparation phases. The most common symptoms reported by reinfection cases were fatigue (80%), dyspnea (60%), and muscle/joint pain (60%), while primary infection cases reported fatigue (73%), muscle/joint pain (45%), and headache (45%). MIP decreased by -14% and MEP decreased by -13% following the SARS-CoV-2 infection in reinfection cases. Likewise, FEV1 and FVC decreased by -5% and -8%, respectively; consequently, FEV1/FVC increased by 3%. Inspiratory/expiratory muscle strength and respiratory function improved rapidly after 9 months of SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary cases, whereas dysfunction persisted in reinfection cases. PEF was unaffected throughout the 9-month follow-up period. Reinfection may lead to further alterations in respiratory system relative to the primary infection, with a suspected restrictive pattern that remains dysfunctional in the third month; however, it improves significantly during a 9-month follow-up period.

Are we tackle ready? Cross-sectional video analysis of match tackle characteristics in elite women's Rugby Union.

The tackle contest is the most common and most injurious match contact event in rugby and is an indicator of performance. Tackle Ready is World Rugby's tackle technique education program. Limited research has characterized the tackle contest in women's rugby. The purpose of this study is to: (1) identify the match situational characteristics, ball-carrier and tackler technical actions demonstrated in elite women's Rugby Union and (2) to determine the extent to which Tackle Ready recommended tackle techniques were exhibited. Technical characteristics for 1500 tackle events in the 2022-2023 Women's Six Nations Championship were visually assessed according to a predefined coding framework and the Tackle Ready program. Tackles lacked full completion (0.2%) of the 22 coded Tackle Ready techniques with 47% of the recommended techniques demonstrated in each tackle on average (range 15%-98%). A high proportion of tackles involved two defenders (48%), approaching ball-carriers from the side (38%) or oblique angles (39%), in an upright position (30%), and with initial contact made with the arm (51%). Incorrect pre-contact head positioning and head placement upon contact accounted for 50% and 15% of tackles, respectively, and there was a mean of 14 (95% CI 11-18) head and neck contacts to a tackler and 18 (95% CI 14-22) head and neck contacts to a ball-carrier per game. Targeted interventions to encourage adoption of recommended techniques are needed to reduce tackle-related injury risk in women's rugby. This study provides valuable context for future discussion across law enforcement, coach education and gender-specific tackle coaching in the women's game.

Does a broad-spectrum cannabidiol supplement improve performance in a 10-min cycle ergometer performance-test?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid which has been proposed to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Given the potential for perceptions of pain to limit exercise performance, the aim of the present study was to investigate if 3 weeks of daily CBD supplementation (150 mg day-1) improved performance in a 10-min performance-trial on a cycle ergometer. In a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study, 22 healthy participants (n = 11 male and n = 11 female) completed two 10-min performance trials on a WattBike cycle ergometer interspersed with a 3-week supplementation period. Supplementation involved either 150 mg day-1 oral CBD or 150 mg day-1 of a visually identical placebo (PLA). During trials, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE [6-20]), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (BLa) were collected every 2 min. Mean power (W) was also taken throughout the exercise at each time point. All data were analyzed using two-way ANOVAs. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between CBD or PLA groups for mean power (W) during the 10-min performance trial. There were also no significant differences (P > 0.05) in any of the physiological or perceptual parameters (HR, BLa and RPE) between conditions. Three weeks supplementation of a broad-spectrum CBD supplement did not improve performance via any change in RPE during a 10-min time trial on a cycle ergometer, and as such, this evidence does not support the claim that broad-spectrum CBD supplements could be performance-enhancing in this exercise modality.

The effects of simulated monocular and binocular vision impairment on football penalty kick performance.

Sports performance is relatively robust under high levels of binocular blur. However, the limited research studies investigating monocular impairments has shown it has a larger impact on sport performance. This research study is relevant for classification in sports for athletes with vision impairment (VI), where visual acuity (VA) from the better eye is used during classification. Across two experiments, we aimed to establish the point at which binocular and monocular impairments affected performance in a football penalty kick (PK) through simulating varying severities of degraded VA and contrast sensitivity (CS) in active football players. In experiment one, 25 footballers performed PKs as VA and CS were systematically decreased in both eyes, and in one condition, visual field (VF) was reduced. The most severe VA/CS condition and reduced VF significantly impacted outcome, ball velocity and placement (ball kicked closer to the centre of the goal) (p < 0.05). In experiment two, 29 different footballers performed PKs as VA and CS of only the dominant eye were systematically decreased and in one condition the dominant eye was occluded, and participants viewed their environment through the non-dominant eye (monocular viewing). No differences were observed when assessing monocular impairments influence on outcome, velocity and ball placement. PKs have a high resilience to VI, but binocular impairment has a more immediate effect, suggesting binocular measures should be used in classification processes in football.

The effect of internal, external, and holistic focus of attention on standing long jump performance in novice and skilled karatekas.

An important application for training instructions is found in directing one's attentional focus. This direction can occur in different internal, external, or holistic forms. However, comparison between these three forms of instructions is a relatively recent development rarely reported at different skill levels or various sports including karate. Therefore, the present study attempts to investigate the effects of three forms of instructions on standing long jump performance in skilled and novice karatekas. The participants were 60 skilled and novice karatekas (all females; mean age: 21.32 ± 1.65) who completed 12 standing long jump trials under different focus conditions (3 trials for each condition: internal, external, holistic and control condition) in a counterbalanced order. Our findings suggested significant main effects, indicating that skilled karatekas outperformed the novices. The findings also showed that regardless of skill levels, the participants exhibited similar performance under external and holistic focus conditions while performance in both of these conditions was superior compared to performance under internal focus and control conditions. No difference was observed between the control and internal focus conditions. It seems that skilled and novice karatekas may benefit from holistic and external focus of attention instructions which enhance their motor performance. Thus, it is recommended that coaches should incorporate these two types of attentional focus instructions into their training sessions.

An examination of the associations between nutritional peaking strategies in physique sport and competitor characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Physique athletes are subjectively judged on their on-stage esthetic per their competition division criteria. To succeed, competitors look to acutely enhance their appearance by manipulating nutritional variables in the days leading up to competition, commonly referred to as peak week (PW). Despite their documented wide adoption, PW strategies lack experimental evidence. Further, the relationship between the specific strategies and the characteristics of the competitors who implement them are unknown. The aim of this research was to examine the effect of competitor characteristics on the specific nutritional peaking strategies implemented, the length of these strategies, and the range of daily carbohydrate (CHO) intakes during these strategies. METHODS: A 58-item survey was developed to gather information on peak week nutrition and training practices of physique athletes. A total of 160 respondents above the age of 18 who had competed in the last 5 years completed the nutrition section. The topics analyzed for this paper included competitor demographics, peaking strategies utilized, and PW CHO intakes. Competitor demographics are presented with the use of descriptive statistics. Associations between competitor demographics and peaking strategies implemented, peaking strategy length, and daily CHO intake ranges were assessed using multiple logistic regression, multiple ordinal logistic regression, and linear mixed models, respectively. RESULTS: From the sampled population, ages 24-39 years (71.2%), male (68.8%), natural (65%), and amateur (90%) were the most common characteristics from their respective categories, while mean competition preparation length was 20.35 ± 8.03 weeks (Males: 19.77 ± 7.56 weeks, Females: 21.62 ± 8.93 weeks), competition preparation body mass loss was 11.5 ± 5.56 kg (M: 12.7 ± 5.76 kg, F: 7.16 ± 3.99 kg), and competition body mass was 72.09 ± 15.74 kg (M: 80.15 ± 11.33 kg, F: 54.34 ± 7.16 kg). For males, the highest and lowest daily CHO intake during PW were 489.63 ± 224.03 g (6.22 ± 2.93 g/kg body mass) and 148.64 ± 152.01 g (1.94 ± 2.17 g/kg), respectively, while for females these values were 266.73 ± 131.23 g (5.06 ± 2.67 g/kg) and 94.42 ± 80.72 g (1.81 ± 1.57 g/kg), respectively. CHO back loading (45%) and water loading (40.6%) were the most popular peaking strategies, while the most prevalent peaking strategy length was 7 days (27.2%). None of the competitor characteristics predicted the use of CHO-based peaking strategies nor peaking strategy length. For non-CHO-based strategies, drug-enhanced competitors were more likely to restrict water than non-drug enhanced, while males and professional competitors had greater odds of loading sodium than females and amateurs, respectively. Finally, when comparing the disparity in highest and lowest CHO intakes during peak week, sex was the only significant factor. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey provide further information on the nutritional peaking strategies implemented by competitors. Certain characteristics were identified as predictors of sodium loading and water restriction, and the range of daily PW CHO intake. Contrastingly, no associations were found for CHO-based peaking strategies or peaking strategy length. While our analyses may be underpowered, and thus results should be interpreted with caution, it appears the nutritional peaking strategies implemented by physique competitors are seemingly complex and highly individual.

Do Elite Basketball Players Maintain Peak External Demands throughout the Entire Game?

Consideration of workload intensity and peak demands across different periods of basketball games contributes to understanding the external physical requirements of elite basketball players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the average intensity and peak demands encountered by players throughout game quarters. PlayerLoad per minute and PlayerLoad at three different time samples (30 s, 1 min, and 3 min) were used as workload metrics. A total of 14 professional elite male basketball players were monitored during 30 official games to investigate this. A linear mixed model and Cohen's d were employed to identify significant differences and quantify the effect sizes among game quarters. The results showed a significant, moderate effect in PlayerLoad per minute between Q1 vs. Q4, and a small effect between Q2 and Q3 vs. Q4. Furthermore, a small to moderate decline was observed in external peak values for PlayerLoad across game quarters. Specifically,, a significant decrease was found for the 3 min time window between Q1 and other quarters. The findings from the present study suggest that professional basketball players tend to experience fatigue or reduced physical output as the game progresses.

Effect of aquatic versus conventional physical therapy program on ankle sprain grade III in elite athletes: randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Ankle sprains are the second most common sports injury after knee injuries, with about 85% of them affecting the lateral ankle ligaments. These injuries are particularly prevalent in sports like basketball and volleyball. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of Aquatic therapy as an early rehabilitation protocol for elite athletes with acute lateral ankle sprain grade III on back-to-sport time, dynamic balance, pain, Athletic performance, and muscle power compared to land-based exercise training. METHODS: Thirty elite athletes have ankle sprain grade III with sprain onset from 1 to 7 days, their age ranges from 18-30 years old were recruited. All participants are professional athletes; mainly participating in above-head sports such as volleyball and basketball. The patients were randomly allocated into two treatment groups: Group I (control group): 15 patients received a conventional physical therapy program of structured therapeutic exercise program, manual therapy and land-based exercises, in addition to external support, and Group II (Aquatic therapy group): 15 patients received aquatic training. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure the pain intensity, while the dynamic balance was measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test. Athletic performance was measured by HOP Tests (Single, Triple, 6-m, and Cross-over hops) aided by the Agility T-Test (ATT) and Illinois Agility Test (IAT). Muscle power was tested by a Single Leg Press. Finally, back to sports time was recorded for each participant in both groups. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction effect of Aquatic therapy and time for VAS (p < 0.001), single hop (p < 0.001), triple hop (p < 0.001), cross-over hop (p < 0.001), IAT (p = 0.019) and ATT (p < 0.001) of both affected and nonaffected. There was no significant interaction effect of Aquatic therapy and time for 6-MHT of affected (p = 0.923), and nonaffected (p = 0.140). There was a significant main effect of time for all dependent variables (p < 0.001) except for 6-MHT of affected (p = 0.939), nonaffected (p = 0.109), and IAT (p = 0.099). The Star excursion dynamic balance test (SEBT) and Single leg press revealed a significant difference between groups on affected and non-affected sides (p < 0.001*). Lastly and most importantly the back-to-sport time revealed a significant difference in the return-to-sport time in favor of the Aquatic therapy group who returned faster than the control group (p < 0.001*). CONCLUSION: Aquatic therapy is more effective than traditional protocols regarding early rehabilitation of acute ankle sprain grade III in Elite professional athletes for reducing pain intensity, improving dynamic balance and athletic performance and power and accelerating their return to sports time. Because aquatic therapy produces better outcomes, it is advised to be included in the rehabilitation programs of athletic patients with acute ankle sprains grade III.

Game location effect in game-related statistics and pre-shot combination differences between winners and losers during the basketball ACB COVID-19 season.

The aim of this study was to assess pre-shot combinations and game-location influence, together with the traditional game-related statistics to evaluate their impact in the performance of the teams in the Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto (ACB) Spanish basketball league. The COVID-19 season was a great opportunity to better analyse the effect of game-location among ACB-teams to evaluate the differences between winners and losers. A retrospective cross-sectional study of the 2019-2020 ACB season (137 games of the regular season and 33 games of the final stage) was carried out. Game-related statistics were gathered from InStat (https://basketball.instatscout.com/). To evaluate the key performance indicators in this context, a discriminant analysis together with a binary logistic regression were run. The main results revealed that specific variables (normalized per minute played), such as points, field-goal percentage, field goals made, defensive rebounds, assists, and contested field goals made, played a crucial role in classifying winners and losers (p<0.05). Defensive rebounds (0.29±0.05 vs 0.24±0.04, p < 0.001), and assists (0.23±0.05 vs 0.19±0.04, p = 0.042), were key performance indicators for home-court winners. Defensive rebounds (0.29±0.05 vs 0.25±0.04, p < 0.001), and field-goal percentage (48.2±5.31 vs 42.7±5.95, p = 0.009) were key performance variables for away-court winners. Neutral-court winners had better isolation efficiency (49.5±31.6 vs 33.3±31.4, p < 0.05) and contested shot percentage (48.2±6.02 vs 44.8±5.34, p < 0.05) in the context of neutral-court tournaments. Uncontested shots and pick-and-roll efficiency seem not to be so important in the ACB when compared to the (National Basketball Association) NBA. Teams should look for players who assist to good shooters, as well as the presence of specialized players proficient in defensive rebounding. In the context of neutral-court tournaments, the importance of isolations and contested-shot performance is critical.

Exploring the Influence of Acid-Base Status on Athletic Performance during Simulated Three-Day 400 m Race.

This study aimed to investigate the ability of highly trained athletes to consistently perform at their highest level during a simulated three-day 400 m race and to examine the impact of an alkaline diet associated with chronic consumption of bicarbonate-rich water or placebo on their blood metabolic responses before and after the three races. Twenty-two highly trained athletes, divided into two groups-one with an alkalizing diet and placebo water (PLA) and the other with an alkalizing diet and bicarbonate-rich water (BIC)-performed a 400 m race for three consecutive days. Performance metrics, urine and blood samples assessing acid-base balance, and indirect markers of neuro-muscular fatigue were measured before and after each 400 m race. The evolution of the Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) index and urinary pH highlights the combination of an alkalizing diet and bicarbonate-rich hydration, modifying the acid-base state (p < 0.05). Athletes in the PLA group replicated the same level of performance during three consecutive daily races without an increase in fatigue-associated markers. Athletes experienced similar levels of metabolic perturbations during the three 400 m races, with improved lactate clearance 20 min after the third race compared to the first two (p < 0.05). This optimization of the buffering capacity through ecological alkaline nutrition and hydration allowed athletes in the BIC group to improve their performance during the third 400 m race (p < 0.01). This study highlights athletes' ability to replicate high-level performances over three consecutive days with the same extreme level of metabolic disturbances, and an alkaline diet combined with bicarbonate-rich water consumption appears to enhance performance in a 400 m race.

Effects of Short-Term Nighttime Carbohydrate Restriction Method on Exercise Performance and Fat Metabolism.

BACKGROUND: The sleep-low method has been proposed as a way to sleep in a low-glycogen state, increase the duration of low glycogen availability and sleep and temporarily restrict carbohydrates to improve exercise performance. However, long-term dietary restriction may induce mental stress in athletes. Therefore, if it can be shown that the effects of the sleep-low method can be achieved by restricting the carbohydrate intake at night (the nighttime carbohydrate restriction method), innovative methods could be developed to reduce weight in individuals with obesity and enhance athletes' performance with reduced stress and in a shorter duration when compared with those of previous studies. With this background, we conducted a study with the purpose of examining the intervention effects of a short-term intensive nighttime carbohydrate restriction method. METHODS: A total of 22 participants were recruited among university students participating in sports club activities. The participants were assigned at random to groups, including a nighttime carbohydrate restriction group of 11 participants (6 males, 5 females; age 22.3 ± 1.23) who started a carbohydrate-restricted diet and a group of 11 participants (5 males, 6 females; age 21.9 ± 7.9) who continued with their usual diet. The present study had a two-group parallel design. In the first week, no dietary restrictions were imposed on either group, and the participants consumed their own habitual diets. In the second week, the total amount of calories and carbohydrate intake measured in the first week were divided by seven days, and the average values were calculated. These were used as the daily calorie and carbohydrate intakes in the second week. Only the nighttime carbohydrate restriction group was prohibited from consuming carbohydrates after 4:00 p.m. During the two-week study period, all participants ran for one hour each day before breakfast at a heart rate of 65% of their maximum heart rate. RESULTS: The results obtained from young adults participating in sports showed significant differences in peak oxygen consumption (V·O2peak), work rate max, respiratory quotient (RQ), body weight and lean body mass after the intervention when compared with before the intervention in the nighttime carbohydrate restriction group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the nighttime carbohydrate restriction method markedly improves fat metabolism even when performed for a short period. This method can be used to reduce body weight in individuals with obesity and enhance athletes' performance. However, it is important to consider the intake of nutrition other than carbohydrates.

Do the effects last? A comparison between internal and external focus of attention instructions on golf putting accuracy over multiple days.

Background: The role of attentional focus is a well-explored topic in exercise sciences. Studies generally indicate that external focus (EF) enhances motor performance and learning compared with internal focus (IF). However, most studies only included one or two experimental days which limits participants' exposure to the focus conditions. This raises the question of whether the superiority of EF varies over time. Methods: Accordingly, in this pre-registered within-subject study, we examined the effects of focus instructions on golf-putting performance over four days, with 48-72 h between them. On each day, participants performed 15 putts under three instructional conditions: (1) EF, (2) IF, and (3) control, in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Results: We observed trivial differences in performance between conditions but considerable improvements from day 1 to day 4. When using an exploratory analysis, we found that participants performed better under EF and control conditions compared with the IF condition on day 1, but not on subsequent days. Conclusions: Since IF instructions are more commonly used in practice, we speculate that the two other focus conditions were experienced as more novel, potentially accounting for their superiority on Day 1. Nevertheless, our results question the significance of employing EF to enhance performance.

Effect of intensity training block on anxiety state and performance in competitive swimmers.

Background: An increase in training intensity could create changes in psychological and physiological variables in competitive athletes. For this reason, it is very relevant to know how an intensive training block could influence psychological variables in competitive swimmers. This study examined the effect of an intensive training block (HIT) for 2 weeks on the anxiety state and swimming performance compared to standard aerobic training. Methods: Twenty-two male competition swimmers were randomly assigned to two groups: HIT group (n = 11; age = 16.5 ± 0.29 years) and control group following the standard training program (n = 11; age = 16.1 ± 0.33 years). Psychological status variables (cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence) and swimming performance (100-m front crawl) were measured pre-and post-test. Results: A significant effect of time was found for all psychological variables and swimming performance (F ≥ 17.6; p < 0.001; d ≥ 0.97). Furthermore, a significant group × time interaction effect was found in cognitive (F = 14.9; p < 0.001; d = 0.62) and somatic anxiety (F = 5.37; p = 0.031; d = 0.55) were found. Only a significant group effect was found in somatic anxiety (F = 27.1; p < 0.001; d = 1.2). Post hoc comparison revealed that both groups increased their cognitive anxiety and swimming performance, and decreased their self-confidence from pre to post test. However, cognitive anxiety increase significantly more in the HIT group compared to the control group. Furthermore, only the HIT training group significantly increased somatic anxiety over time, while somatic anxiety did not change significantly over time in the control group. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that a sudden increase in training intensity increased state anxiety more than standard training, but both conditions similarly enhanced swimming performance. Although the current level of psychological state is not affecting swimming performance negatively over this period, it should be regularly monitored by psychologists as it over a longer training period perhaps could have a negative influence on swimming performance.