La activación psicofisiológica en situaciones de competición en jugadores de bádminton / A ativação psicofisiológica em situações de competição em jugadores de bádminton / The psychophysiological activation in competition situations in badminton players

Diversas investigaciones demuestran la importancia de la relación del nivel de activación con el rendimiento deportivo. El objetivo fue analizar el nivel de activación psicofisiológica de la acción de saque y su efecto en el rendimiento, durante situaciones simuladas de competición. Participaron 30 jugadores de bádminton (M= 23.7 años, DE= 7.52), divididos por nivel de rendimiento: alto nivel de habilidad (mujeres=5, hombres=10) y bajo nivel de habilidad (mujeres=4, hombres=11). Variable independiente: simulación de competición con menor y mayor exigencia. Variable dependiente: nivel de activación psicofisiológica, subjetiva y rendimiento. No hubo diferencias significativas en electromiografía y conductancia de la piel por las diferentes condiciones, pero si en la temperatura periférica y la activación subjetiva. El nivel de activación psicofisiológica tuvo un incremento por las acciones, pero no fue significativo. Además, que la simulación imaginando situaciones de partido, es posible que no fue suficiente para generar diferencias significativas por las condiciones. (AU)

Various investigations demonstrate the importance of the relationship between the level of activation and sports performance. The objective was to analyze the level of psychophysiological activation of the serve action and its effect on performance during simulated competition situations. Thirty badminton players participated (M= 23.7 years, SD = 7.52), divided by performance level: high skill level (women=5, men=10) and low skill level (women=4, men=11). Independent variable: competition simulation with lower and higher demand. Dependent variable: level of psychophysiological and subjective activation and performance. There were no significant differences in electromyography and skin conductance for the different conditions, but there were significant differences in peripheral temperature and subjective arousal. The level of psychophysiological activation had an increase due to the actions, but it was not significant. In addition, that the simulation imagining match situations, it is possible that it was not enough to generate significant differences due to the conditions. (AU)

Várias investigações demonstram a importância da relação entre o nível de ativação e o desempenho esportivo. O objetivo foi analisar o nível de ativação psicofisiológica da ação de saque e seu efeito no desempenho durante situações simuladas de competição. Participaram 30 jogadores de badminton (M= 23,7 anos, DP = 7,52), divididos por nível de desempenho: alto nível de habilidade (mulheres=5, homens=10) e baixo nível de habilidade (mulheres=4, homens=11). Variável independente: simulação de competição com menor e maior demanda. Variável dependente: nível de ativação e desempenho psicofisiológico e subjetivo. Não houve diferenças significativas na eletromiografia e condutância da pele para as diferentes condições, mas houve diferenças significativas na temperatura periférica e excitação subjetiva. O nível de ativação psicofisiológica teve aumento devido às ações, mas não foi significativo. Além disso, que a simulação imaginando situações iguais, é possível que não tenha sido suficiente para gerar diferenças significativas devido às condições. (AU)

Physiological Responses and Predictors of Performance in a Simulated Competitive Ski Mountaineering Race.

Competitive ski mountaineering (SKIMO) has achieved great popularity within the past years. However, knowledge about the predictors of performance and physiological response to SKIMO racing is limited. Therefore, 21 male SKIMO athletes split into two performance groups (elite: VO2max 71.2 ± 6.8 ml· min-1· kg-1 vs. sub-elite: 62.5 ± 4.7 ml· min-1· kg-1) were tested and analysed during a vertical SKIMO race simulation (523 m elevation gain) and in a laboratory SKIMO specific ramp test. In both cases, oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate and cycle characteristics were measured. During the race simulation, the elite athletes were approximately 5 min faster compared with the sub-elite (27:15 ± 1:16 min; 32:31 ± 2:13 min; p < 0.001). VO2 was higher for elite athletes during the race simulation (p = 0.046) and in the laboratory test at ventilatory threshold 2 (p = 0.005) and at maximum VO2 (p = 0.003). Laboratory maximum power output is displayed as treadmill speed and was higher for elite than sub-elite athletes (7.4 ± 0.3 km h-1; 6.6 ± 0.3 km h-1; p < 0.001). Lactate values were higher in the laboratory maximum ramp test than in the race simulation (p < 0.001). Pearson's correlation coefficient between race time and performance parameters was highest for velocity and VO2 related parameters during the laboratory test (r > 0.6). Elite athletes showed their superiority in the race simulation as well as during the maximum ramp test. While HR analysis revealed a similar strain to both cohorts in both tests, the superiority can be explainable by higher VO2 and power output. To further push the performance of SKIMO athletes, the development of named factors like power output at maximum and ventilatory threshold 2 seems crucial.

Individual variation in the cortisol response to a simulated Olympic weightlifting competition is related to changes in future competitive performance.

The cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) responses to experimental stress have been linked to sport and health outcomes several days to years later. Here we examined the utility of these biomarkers, taken across a simulated Olympic weightlifting (OWL) competition, as predictors of future competitive performance in young athletes. Seventy junior athletes (46 males, 24 females) participated in a talent identification and development programme that replicated an OWL competition. Performance was indexed by the total load lifted, relative to body mass, with serum changes in C (∆C) and (∆T) concentrations profiled. We identified each athlete's best performance in real competitions over two subsequent years via online resources. Hierarchical regression was used to predict changes in competitive performance at <12 (∆Total12) and 12-24 months (∆Total24). The simulated OWL event promoted a small positive ∆C (effect size [ES]=0.3) and ∆T (ES=0.5), but with large variation in ∆C (-58% to 200%) and ∆T (-21% to 71%). Performance improved after 12 (ES=1.5) and 24 months (ES=0.9). The ∆C was negatively related to the ∆Total12 and ∆Total24 when controlling for competitions entered (R2=13-24%). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the ∆C link to both outcomes (R2=9%). The serum C and T responses to a simulated OWL competition varied considerably between participants. Their competitive performance improved over the next two years and individual performance trajectories were related to the ∆C. Therefore, individual variation in the C responses to a competitive stressor may help forecast the training and/or competitive gain process in young developing athletes.