The impact of progressive overload on the proportion and frequency of positive cardio-respiratory fitness responders.

The proportion of individuals whose cardio-respiratory fitness change after endurance training does not exceed the test's measurement error can be 40 %. We determined if progressively increasing treadmill run intensity compared to maintaining the same run intensity, improved the responder proportion to a 6-week 20-minute treadmill training regimen. The intervention response standard deviation method estimated the proportion of responders attributable to progressively increasing run intensity. The mixed-effects model demonstrated V̇O2 peak improved significantly more in the progressive versus constant run intensity group. The proportion of V̇O2 peak responses above the smallest worthwhile change attributable to progressively increasing run intensity was 63.6 %.

Pain and body position on the bicycle in competitive and recreational road cyclists: A retrospective study.

This study compared the presence of pain in recreational and competitive road cyclists and body position on the bicycle between cyclists with and without pain. Seventy-one cyclists completed a survey reporting existing cycling-related sites of pain and comfort. Static sagittal and frontal plane images were taken to analyse body position on the bicycle. Participants were separated into recreational and competitive road cycling groups, and further into cyclists reporting pain in the upper body, low back, buttocks/hips and knees for comparison with cyclists without pain. A logistic regression model investigated possible predictors of pain whilst cycling. Pain was present in 67% of recreational and 70% of competitive cyclists whilst comfort was reported by 81% of recreational and 75% of competitive cyclists. Trivial to moderate non-significant differences were observed for body position on the bicycle between cyclists with and without pain, and between cyclists with and without pain in the upper body, low back, buttocks/hips and knees. The predictive logistic model was not significant (p = 0.07) with a model fit predicted by McFadden R2 of 0.07. Given most cyclists reported both pain and comfort, comfort is probably not a good predictor of overuse injury risk.

Paramedic Student Clinical Performance During High-Fidelity Simulation After a Physically Demanding Occupational Task: A Pilot Randomized Crossover Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Paramedic duties include assessing, treating, and maneuvering patients in physically challenging environments. Whether clinical skills and patient care are affected by these occupational demands is unknown. High-fidelity simulation affords the opportunity to study this in a controlled setting. METHODS: Using a randomized crossover design, 11 regional paramedicine students and graduates (mean ± SD age = 23 ± 2 years) completed two, 20-minute high-fidelity simulations that included cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately after either an acute bout of occupational physical activity (OPA) or a rest period (REST). Heart rate, respiratory rate, and mean arterial pressure were measured throughout. Clinical performance was scored using the Global Rating Score and a patient care record. Measures of CPR efficacy were recorded in the manikin. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in Global Rating Score ( P = 0.07, ES = 0.03) or CPR efficacy between conditions. Patient care record accuracy was higher after the OPA versus REST simulations (mean ± SD = 61.8 ± 12.6% vs. 55.5 ± 12.0%, P = 0.03, ES = 0.5). Mean heart rate was higher during OPA simulations versus REST simulations (121 ± 14 vs. 84 ± 9 beats per minute, P < 0.01, ES = 3.1), as was mean respiratory rate (19 ± 3 vs. 16 ± 3 breaths per minute, P < 0.01, ES = 1.0). Mean arterial pressure was higher for OPA versus REST at simulation start (105 ± 11.3 vs. 95.8 ± 11.8 mm Hg, P = 0.01, Effect Size = 0.8), although not different after simulation. CONCLUSIONS: Paramedicine students including recent graduates performed as well, or better, in a simulated clinical scenario immediately after occupation-specific acute physical exertion compared with a REST, despite higher physiological exertion. Whether this is the case for more experienced but potentially less physically fit paramedics in the workforce warrants investigation.

Relationships between Physical Activity, Work Ability, Absenteeism and Presenteeism in Australian and New Zealand Adults during COVID-19.

Public health movement and social restrictions imposed by the Australian and New Zealand governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the working environment and may have affected health behaviours, work ability, and job performance. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between health behaviours and work ability and performance during COVID-19 restrictions and if health behaviours were related to demographic or population factors. A cross-sectional survey was used to gather responses from 433 adult employees in Australia and New Zealand between June and August 2020. The survey requested demographic information and used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Work Ability Index, and the World Health Organisation's Health and Work Performance Questionnaire. Multivariate regression models were used to explore relationships between the identified variables while controlling for several possible confounders. Being sufficiently physically active was associated with higher reported physical (aOR = 2.1; p = 0.001) and mental work abilities (aOR = 1.8; p = 0.007) and self-reported job performance (i.e., lower presenteeism) (median +7.42%; p = 0.03). Part-time employees were 56% less likely (p = 0.002) to report a good or very good mental work ability. Those with existing medical conditions were 14% less likely (p = 0.008) to be sufficiently active and 80% less likely (p = 0.002) to report rather good or very good physical work ability. Being sufficiently active was associated with higher physical and mental work abilities and better job performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers should support opportunities for regular physical activity and provide specific support to individuals with medical conditions or in part-time employment.

Associations between exercise, inflammation and symptom severity in those with mental health disorders.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effects of 6-weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on markers of inflammation and symptom severity in those undergoing management of a mental health disorder. METHOD: Twenty six participants were allocated into two groups, those reporting as apparently healthy (AH, n = 13) or those undergoing the management of a mental health disorder (MI, n = 13). Following a baseline testing and familiarization session, participants commenced the 6-week aerobic training intervention, involving stationary cycling at 65% heart rate reserve for 35 min progressing to 70% for 40 min. Measures of aerobic fitness (VO2peak), anthropometric variables, symptom questionnaires and venous blood were collect pre- and post-intervention. Venous blood was assessed for nod-like receptor pyrin containing-3, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-1ß, C-reactive protein (CRP) and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). RESULTS: There were no baseline differences between groups, however following the intervention the AH demonstrated lower TNF-α (p = 0.049) than the MI group. Within change was observed for the MI group with an increase in VO2peak (p = 0.049) and declines in symptom severity (p = 0.00-0.005). Significant correlations between variables indicated a positive association between body fat, body fat percentage, CRP and symptom severity (p = 0.01-0.04). Conversely, symptom severity and CRP were inversely associated with VO2peak values (p = 0.02-0.04). CONCLUSION: Six-weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise increases VO2peak and reduces symptom severity in those currently undergoing management of a mental health disorder. Further, there may be a physiological link between aerobic capacity, symptom severity, inflammation and adiposity, however greater exploration is required.

Physical Activity Participation After a 16-Week Supervised Workplace Exercise RCT With a 15-Month Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of exercise supervision on short- and longer-term moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) participation. METHODS: Fifty-six Australian university employees completed a 16-week moderate-to-high intensity aerobic and resistance exercise intervention, and the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) 15 months later. Participants received either personal (SUP; n = 21) or non-personal (NPS; n = 19) exercise supervision at an onsite facility or exercised offsite with no supervision (CON; n = 16). RESULTS: A linear mixed model identified a significant group × time interaction effect for MVPA, with increases at 15-month follow-up for CON only. Pooled data suggested more participants completed ≥500 MET-minutes of weekly MVPA at 16 weeks (66%) and 15-month follow-up (68%) compared to baseline (54%). CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive health and fitness assessment and individually tailored exercise without personal supervision may promote ongoing MVPA.

Exercise Supervision Is Important for Cardiometabolic Health Improvements: A 16-Week Randomized Controlled Trial.

Hunter, JR, Gordon, BA, Bird, SR, and Benson, AC. Exercise supervision is important for cardiometabolic health improvements: a 16-week randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 34(3): 866-877, 2020-Exercise supervision enhances health and fitness improvements in clinical populations compared with unsupervised or home-based exercise, but effects of supervision type are unknown in healthy employees. Eighty-five Australian university employees (62 females; mean ± SD 43.2 ± 9.8 years) were randomized to personal (1:1; SUP, n = 28), nonpersonal (typical gym-based; NPS, n = 28) supervision or unsupervised control (CON, n = 29) exercise groups. Subjects received a 16-week individually tailored, moderate-to-high intensity aerobic and resistance exercise program completed at an onsite exercise facility (SUP and NPS) or without access to a specific exercise facility (CON). Repeated-measures ANOVA analyzed changes to cardiometabolic outcomes. Mean ± SD increases to V[Combining Dot Above]O2 peak were greater (p < 0.01) with SUP (+10.4 ± 11.1%) vs. CON (+3.8 ± 8.9%) but not different to NPS (+8.6 ± 8.2%). Compared to CON (+1.7 ± 7.7%), upper-body strength increases were greater with SUP (+12.8 ± 8.4%; p < 0.001) and NPS (+8.4 ± 7.3%; p < 0.05). Lower-body strength increases were greater with SUP (+26.3 ± 12.7%) vs. NPS (+15.0 ± 14.6%; p < 0.05) and CON (+4.1 ± 12.4%; p < 0.001), and NPS vs. CON (p < 0.01). Body fat reductions were greater with SUP (-2.2 ± 2.2%) vs. NPS (-0.6 ± 1.9%; p < 0.05) and CON (-0.7 ± 1.9%; p < 0.05). Access to an onsite exercise facility with personal or nonpersonal exercise supervision was important for improving several cardiometabolic outcomes, with greater improvements to lower-body strength and body composition from personal 1:1 exercise supervision.

Exercise at an onsite facility with or without direct exercise supervision improves health-related physical fitness and exercise participation: An 8-week randomised controlled trial with 15-month follow-up.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Physical activity and exercise participation is limited by a perceived lack of time, poor access to facilities and low motivation. The aim was to assess whether providing an exercise program to be completed at the workplace with or without direct supervision was effective for promoting health-related physical fitness and exercise participation. METHODS: Fifty university employees aged (Mean ± SD) 42.5 ± 11.1 years were prescribed a moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise program to be completed at an onsite facility for 8 weeks. Participants were randomly allocated to receive direct exercise supervision or not. Cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2max ) and maximal muscular strength were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks. Self-report physical activity was assessed at baseline, 8 weeks and 15 months post-intervention. RESULTS: Attendance or exercise session volume were not different between groups. Cardiorespiratory fitness (Mean ± 95% CI); +1.9 ± 0.7 mL·kg·min-1 ; P < .001), relative knee flexion (+7.4 ± 3.5 Nm·kg-1 %; P < .001) and extension (+7.4 ± 4.6 Nm·kg-1 %; P < .01) strength increased, irrespective of intervention group. Self-reported vigorous-intensity physical activity increased over the intervention (mean ± 95% CI; +450 ± 222 MET·minutes per week; P < .001), but did not remain elevated at 15 months (+192 ± 276 MET·minutes per week). CONCLUSION: Providing a workplace exercise facility to complete an individually-prescribed 8-week exercise program is sufficient to improve health-related physical fitness in the short-term independent to the level of supervision provided, but does not influence long-term participation. SO WHAT?: Lower cost onsite exercise facility supervision is as effective at improving physical health and fitness as directly supervised exercise, however ongoing support may be required for sustained physical activity behaviour change.

Repeated sprint training improves intermittent peak running speed in team-sport athletes.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 2 repeated sprint training interventions on an intermittent peak running speed (IPRS) test designed for Australian Rules football. The test required participants to perform 10 × 10-m maximal efforts on an 80-m course every 25 seconds, for each of which the mean peak speed (kilometers per hour) was recorded to determine IPRS. The training interventions were performed twice weekly for 4 weeks immediately before regular football training. In the constant volume intervention (CVol), sprint repetition number remained at 10 (n = 9), and in the linear increase in volume (LIVol) intervention, repetition number increased linearly each week by 2 repetitions (n = 12). Intermittent peak running speed, 300-m shuttle test performance, and peak running speed were assessed before and upon completion of training. All measures were compared to a control group (CON; n = 8) in which players completed regular football training exclusively. Intermittent peak running speed performance in CVol and LIVol improved significantly (p < 0.01) by 5.2 and 3.8%, respectively, with no change in IPRS for CON. There were no differences in IPRS changes between CVol and LIVol. Additionally, peak running speed improved significantly (p < 0.01) by 5.1% for CVol, whereas 300-m shuttle performance improved significantly (p < 0.01) by 2.6% for LIVol only. Intermittent peak running speed, 300-m shuttle performance and peak running speed were improved after 4 weeks of training; however, progressively increasing sprint repetition number had no greater advantage on IPRS adaptation. Additionally, exclusive regular football training over a 4-week period is unlikely to improve IPRS, peak running speed, or 300-m shuttle performance.

Reliability and validity of a novel intermittent peak running speed test for Australian football.

Australian football requires frequent intermittent sprinting close to peak running speed. However, tests assessing the capability to maintain intermittent peak running speed are not reported in scientific literature. Therefore, our objective is to report the reliability and validity of a novel intermittent peak running speed test. The intermittent peak running speed test required footballers to perform 10 repetitions on 25-second intervals. Each repetition required 15-m jogging, 20-m acceleration to peak speed, 10 m to sustain peak speed, 20-m deceleration, and finally a 15-m jog. Intermittent peak running speed was determined by portable global positioning system. To assess reliability, 26 footballers performed the intermittent peak running speed test on 2 occasions 3-5 days apart. Our results revealed that average peak speed had a coefficient of variation of 2.2% and an intraclass correlation of 0.91. To assess construct validity, average peak speed was compared between elite, sub-elite, and regional footballers. The average peak speed of the elite footballers (28.6 ± 1.7 km · h(-1)) was higher than that of the sub-elite (27.4 ± 1.7 km · h(-1)) and regional (27 ± 1.9 km · h(-1)) competitors (p < 0.05). Our study revealed that the intermittent peak running speed test possesses acceptable reliability and distinguishes between elite and sub-elite footballers.