Changes in Selected Physiological Parameters Following a Training Block of Specific Circuit Training Among National Top-level Basketball Players.

The study aims at measuring the effects of six weeks of specific circuit training (SCT) according to the 15-15 modality, on selected physiological parameters in national top-level basketball players. It was an intervention study, undertaken with 44 senior players randomly assigned to two groups depending on the program: intervention (IG: n = 22; SCT) and control (CG: n = 22; usual content of the defending champion team's), submitted to a six-week training block. The heart rate recovery at 1 (HRR1) and then 2 (HRR2) minutes, the double product (DP) and V̇O2max were assessed prior to and at the end of the training period. As appropriate, the Student t-test on paired or independent samples, was used to compare measures and groups. At the end of the training period, the HRR1 decreased by 14.2% (p = 0.01) and 14.1% (p = 0.03) respectively in IG and CG. The mean HRR2 was higher in IG than in GC (63 ± 8 bpm versus 57 ± 6 bpm, p = 0.003) at the end of the training period. The variation of DP in IG was not significant (p = 0. 42) while it increased by 7.2% (p = 0.0005) in CG. The V̇O2max increased by 6.5% (p < 0. 001) in IG but not in CG (p = 0.50). The specific circuit training block in the 15-15 modality improved heart rate recovery at one minute and V̇O2max, but had no effect on the double product in the basketball players studied.

Comparison of Catecholamine Values Before and After Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm in Professional Cyclists.

BACKGROUND: The concentration of circulating catecholamine increases during exercise in healthy athletes, but the variation has not been studied much in athletes who develop exercise-induced bronchospasm. This study measured changes in circulating catecholamine levels using the induced maximal effort test in the laboratory in professional cyclists sensitive to bronchospasm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This experimental study included 86 professional cyclists. They underwent two pulmonary function tests (to determine forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]) and two blood samples (to measure adrenaline and noradrenaline levels) were drawn before and after the stress test. Two subsets emerged: subjects whose FEV1 decreased by at least 10% from the resting value and non-sensitive subjects whose FEV1 do not meet this criterion. RESULTS: A total of 51 cyclists (59%) were classified into the sensitive group. Resting catecholamine levels showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the two groups. In contrast, at the end of the exercise test, the adrenaline (581.9 ± 321.0 pg/mL versus 1783.5 ± 1001.0 pg/mL) and noradrenaline (4994.0 ± 2373.0 pg/mL versus 3205.0 ± 7714.4 pg/mL) levels were both lower in the sensitive group than those in the resting group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The frequency of the occurrence of bronchospasm observed in the studied cyclists was one of the highest among professional sports environments and the circulating catecholamine level was low in cyclists susceptible to bronchospasm. A training protocol adapted to their respiratory physiological profile may be indicated.