The Effects of Acute Deep Seawater Supplementation on Muscle Function after Triathlon.

(1) Background: Trainers and athletes have always sought to reduce the failure of muscle function during long endurance events. However, nowadays, it is a topic that is generating much debate in the scientific field. Currently, deep-sea water (DSW) intake seems to be a suitable hydration alternative for this type of endurance event. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether DSW consumption during a triathlon event could preserve muscle function after exercise. (2) Methods: Nineteen trained male triathletes (age = 39.0 ± 4.25 years; BMI = 23.67 ± 1.81 kg/m2) randomly performed three triathlons, one of them consuming DSW (Totum SPORT 30 AB, Laboratories Quinton International, S.L., Spain), the other consuming isotonic placebo and the last with tap water-hydration. A vertical jump test with countermovement and an isometric muscle strength test were conducted before and after the triathlon test. (3) Results: There was a significant difference between treatment × time during the isometric muscle strength test. Based on the Tukey post hoc analysis, the peak net force decreased statistically in the placebo (p = 0.045) and control conditions (p = 0.026), but not in the experimental condition (p = 0.121). In addition, all of the conditions studied obtained similar results in the countermovement vertical jump after exercise. (4) Conclusions: As a result, consumption of DSW seems to delay the failure of muscle function specifically in isometric exercises but does not improve performance in sports. Thus, DSW does not alter muscle capacity in a negative way; therefore, its consumption may be recommended.

The Q-Pass Index: A Multifactorial IMUs-Based Tool to Assess Passing Skills in Basketball.

Despite being a key sport-specific characteristic in performance, there is no practical tool to assess the quality of the pass in basketball. The aim of this study is to develop a tool (the quality-pass index or Q-Pass) able to deliver a quantitative, practical measure of passing skills quality based on a combination of accuracy, execution time and pass pattern variability. Temporal, kinematics and performance parameters were analysed in five different types of passes (chest, bounce, crossover, between-the-leg and behind-the-back) using a field-based test, video cameras and body-worn inertial sensors (IMUs). Data from pass accuracy, time and angular velocity were collected and processed in a custom-built excel spreadsheet. The Q-pass index (0-100 score) resulted from the sum of the three factors. Data were collected from 16 young basketball players (age: 16 ± 2 years) with high (experienced) and low (novice) level of expertise. Reliability analyses found the Q-pass index as a reliable tool in both novice (CV from 4.3 to 9.3%) and experienced players (CV from 2.8 to 10.2%). Besides, important differences in the Q-pass index were found between players' level (p < 0.05), with the experienced showing better scores in all passing situations: behind-the-back (ES = 1.91), bounce (ES = 0.82), between-the-legs (ES = 1.11), crossover (ES = 0.58) and chest (ES = 0.94). According to these findings, the Q-pass index was sensitive enough to identify the differences in passing skills between young players with different levels of expertise, providing a numbering score for each pass executed.

Dual-Task Cost of Discrimination Tasks During Gait in People With Multiple Sclerosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess dual-task cost to spatio-temporal gait parameters in people with multiple sclerosis and a matched control group. METHOD: The multiple sclerosis group was composed of 17 participants with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of less than 6. A total of 17 healthy participants were allocated to the control group by stratification. Controls were matched on the basis of age, sex, sociocultural habits, and body structure. Dual-task cost was determined by within-group repeated-measures analysis of variance. Participants were instructed to ambulate under normal conditions and perform a discrimination and decision-making task concurrently. Then, between-group analysis of variance was used to assess differences in mean dual-task cost between groups and determine dual-task cost differential. Testing was performed using three-dimensional photogrammetry and an electronic walkway. RESULTS: Based on dual-task cost differential, gait cycle time increase (-5.8%) and gait speed decrease (6.3%) because of multiple sclerosis-induced impairment. CONCLUSIONS: During single- and dual-task conditions, gait speed was lower in multiple sclerosis participants, because of a shorter step length and increased swing time. Increased gait time might be the result of compensatory mechanisms adopted to maintain stability while walking specially during the double-support phases.

Consideraciones en el entrenamiento de habilidades psicológicas en esgrima / Considerations for training in psychological skills in fencing / Considerações nos treinamentos das habilidades psicológicas em esgrima

El objetivo de estudio fue conocer si existen diferencias en las habilidades psicológicas del esgrimista de competición en función de su nivel deportivo, edad y género. Fueron evaluados 90 esgrimistas (42 mujeres y 48 hombres; 20 élite y 70 no-élite; edad: M= 21.20, dt= 7.01) sin entrenamiento psicológico previo. Se aplicó la Prueba para Evaluar Rasgos Psicológicos en Deportistas Versión Revisada (PAR P1-R; Serrato, 2006). Un MANOVA mostró diferencias significativas por nivel deportivo (Lambda de Wilks= 0,79, F= 2,58, p= 0,02, Eta2= 0,21) presentando mayor dominio en habilidades de confianza (p= 0,03), visualización (p= 0,03) y actitud positiva (p= 0,00) la élite frente a la no-élite. No se encuentran diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las variables evaluadas en función del género o edad. Estos resultados facilitan la selección y ajuste de estrategias psicológicas específicas en los planes de entrenamiento de esgrimistas con el objetivo de mantener y fortalecer sus habilidades psicológicas llegando a conseguir que se manifiesten al máximo nivel (AU)

The aim of study was to know if exist differences in the psychological skills in competition fencers around his athletic performance, age and gender. 90 fencers were evaluated (42 women and 48 men; 20 elite and 70 no-elite; age: M= 21,20, dt= 7,01) without previous psychological training. The evaluation system used was the Prueba para Evaluar Rasgos Psicológicos en Deportistas Versión Revisada (PAR P1-R; Serrato, 2006). A MANOVA showed significant differences in athletic performance (Lambda of Wilks= 0,79, F= 2,58, p= 0,02, Eta2= 0,21), higher scores in skills confidence (p= 0,03), imagery, (p= 0,03) and positive attitude (p= 0,00) in elite front no-elite. We didn´t find significant difference in evaluated variables by gender or age. These results help to select and adjust specific psychological strategies in fencers training plans with the aim to keep and strengthen psychological skills getting their maximum level (AU)

O objetivo do estudo foi de conhecer se existem diferenças nas habilidades psicológicas do esgrimista de competição em função do seu nível esportivo, idade e gênero. Foram avaliados 90 esgrimistas (42 mulheres e 48 homens; 20 de elite e 70 de não - elite : idade: M= 21.20, dt= 7.01) sem treinamento psicológico prévio. Foi aplicado a Prova para Avaliar Rasgos Psicológicos em Esportistas Versão Revisada (PAR P1-R; Serrato, 2006) Um MANOVA mostrou diferenças significativas por nível esportivo (Lambda de Wilks= 0,79, F= 2,58, p= 0,02, Eta2= 0,21), apresentando maior domínio nas habilidades de confiança (p= 0,03), e atitude positiva (p=0,00) entre a elite e não - elite. Não foi encontrada diferenças estatisticamente significativas nas variáveis avaliadas em função do gênero e da idade. Estes resultados facilitam a seleção e o ajuste das estratégias psicológicas especifica nos planos de treinamentos do esgrimista com o objetivo de manter e fortalecer suas habilidades psicológicas podendo conseguir o máximo nível de manifestação (AU)