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.

Changes in Renal Parameters during a Training Camp among Handball Players in the Sub-Saharan Environment.

The aim of the study was to describe the changes in kidney parameters induced by 10 days of tapering (TP) during a training camp (TC), where the players were preparing for a group competition, in 15 female handball team members of a Division 1 Amateur of Benin, in the sub-Saharan environment. Measures were taken in all the players before and after the intensive training (IT) and tapering (TP) phases in an intervention study. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the CKD-EPI 4-level race formula, the fractional excretions of sodium (FeNa) and potassium (FeK), the urine potassium-to-sodium ratio (Na/K urine), and the hemoglobin rate [Hb] were determined for all participants. At the end of IT, eGFR and FeNa increased, respectively, by 22.39% (P < 0.01) and 143.85% (P < 0.01), but the variation of FeK is not significant (P > 0.05). The number of abnormally low eGFR values (<90 mL/min/1.73 m2) was reduced from 11 to 5 (P < 0.05). At the end of TP, the eGFR and urine Na-to-K ratio remained on average constant (P > 0.05) but FeNa decreased by 96.32% (P < 0.001) and FeK increased by 144.41% (P < 0.001). The [Hb] rate increased by 9.80% (P < 0.001), and players had inadequate hydration practice. The results suggested that in addition to its already known effects, TP preserves the positive effects of IT on glomerular function in athletes preparing for a competition that presents a major challenge.