Anthropometry and performance of top youth international male basketball players in Spanish national academy.

The "Century XXI" Project is a seven-year intervention sport program performed among the best Spanish youth basketball players, who were assigned to one of the following intervention groups based on the following criteria: age, position, mature level, and origin in the country. The study was performed (1996-2001) with a total of 90 players. The main purposes of this study were: a) to describe anthropometric and performance characteristics of top youth international male basketballers in the Spanish national academy; and b) to analyze differences among positions. Insummary, the main findings of this study were: a) the anthropometry presented significant differences between groups under (U-) 14 and U-17; and b) in the U-17 group centers presented more arm span. In our study, the most significant changes are in U-16 vs U-14 and U-15 in strength body up values, and the best result in endurance capacity took place in June of the fourth year. Within this context, the results of the present study may be useful for strength and conditioning coaches to plan their programs with youth basketball players.

Efectos del calor en el rendimiento en deportes de resistenciaen los diferentes dominios de intensidad-duración: artículo derevisión / Effects of heat on endurance sports performance in different intensity-duration domains: a review article

El ejercicio físico induce un aumento de la temperatura corporal que se ve influenciado por la intensidad de este, además de por las condiciones de estrés térmico en las que se realice. La relación potencia/velocidad-duración (PD/VD) muestra cómo el tiempo que un ejercicio puede ser mantenido depende de la potencia o velocidad producida, pudiendo diferenciarse 4 dominios de intensidad que estarán delimitados por el umbral láctico (LT), la potencia/velocidad crítica (PC/VC) y el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2max). Esta revisión tiene como objetivo analizar los efectos del estrés térmico sobre el rendimiento en los diferentes dominios de intensidad-duración, así como identificar los principales mecanismos fisiológicos responsables. En los dominios de intensidad moderado (por debajo del LT) y duro (entre LT y PC/VC), el calor perjudica el rendimiento en los ejercicios que comprenden duraciones de ~40 min hasta por encima de 3h, siendo los mecanismos centrales y la depleción del glucógeno los principales contribuyentes a esa fatiga. En el dominio severo (por encima de la PC/VC), el calor afecta negativamente al rendimiento de los ejercicios máximos que van de los ~25 a ~2 min de duración, siendo los factores cardiovasculares y periféricos los limitantes principales. Sin embargo, en el dominio extremo (por encima del VO2max), el calor se ha visto como un elemento clave en la consecución de mejores registros de rendimiento en esfuerzos máximos inferiores a ~2 min de duración, debiéndose estas mejoras a factores centrales y de disponibilidad energética. El calor influye en gran medida en el rendimiento de los deportes de resistencia, acelerando el fracaso de la tarea en aquellos que tienen duraciones superiores a los ~2 min, y favoreciendo aquellos de duraciones inferiores. Conocer estos mecanismos de actuación puede ayudarnos a identificar distintas estrategias para reducir o aprovechar sus efectos durante el entrenamiento y la competición.(AU)

Physical exercise induces an increase in body temperature that is influenced by the exercise intensity, as well as by the heat stress conditions in which it is performed. Power/velocity-duration relationship (PD-VD) shows how long an exercise can be sustained depending on the power output or the velocity output. Four intensity domains can be differentiated, which will be delimited by the lactic threshold (LT), the critical power/velocity (CP/CV) and the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). This review aims to analyze the effects of heat stress on performance in the different intensity-duration domains, as well as to identify the main physiological mechanisms responsible. In the moderate (below LT) and hard (between LT and CP/CV) intensity domains, heat impairs the performance of exercises ranging from ~40min to over 3h, with central mechanisms and glycogen depletion being the major contributors to this fatigue. In the severe domain (above CP/CV), heat negatively affects the performance of maximum exercises ranging from ~25 to ~2 min duration, with cardiovascular and peripheral factors being the main limitations. However, in the extreme domain (above VO2max), heat has been considered as a key element in achieving better performance records in maximum efforts of less than 2 min, associating these improvements with central and energy availability factors. Heat greatly influences the performance of endurance sports, accelerating task failure in those efforts longer than ~2 min, and favoring those with shorter durations. Knowing these mechanisms of action can help us to identify different strategies to reduce or take advantage of their effects during training and competition.(AU)

The Spanish "Century XXI" academy for developing elite level basketballers: design, monitoring and training methodologies.

OBJECTIVES: The XXI Century Academy was a 6-year state-initiated intervention program that served as an alternative to basketball clubs for players in the u-14 and u-18 age groups in Spain, under guidelines established by the Spanish Basketball Federation. It was an important and unique project on talent development in basketball. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no evidence has been reported on long-term athlete development programs in basketball worldwide. The main aim of this report is to describe the design and evaluation methods used for the XXI Century Academy as a long-term intervention program in the elite Spanish Basketball Academy, aiming to prepare basketball players to compete at the elite level. METHODS: The monitoring time lasted from 1996 to 2001. A total of 55 players were assigned to the intervention groups based on age, position, maturation level, and country of origin. During this process, participants competed in up to two categories in addition to playing competitive official matches worldwide in international tournaments in their categories and with the national team in the European and World Championships (u-14 - u-18). Participants included 1 NBA player, 3 national A Team players, 10 ACB (First Spanish League) players, 5 LEB (second League) players and 39 LEB-2 EBA (third League) players. Assessments took place in a High-Performance Sports Center (CPT FADURA-GETXO- Basque Government, Getxo, Vizcaya, Spain) and consisted of health questionnaires, anthropometric measures, blood parameters, maturation level, birth age, fitness tests, training volume and intensity, physical activity, technical and tactical training, dietary intake, supplementation and injuries. Each player was assessed 4 times per year (September, December, April, June) for 4 years (16 data points). RESULTS: This is a purely methodological paper describing the design and evaluation methods used in the XXI Century Project, which will be used as a basis for future reporting of results. Therefore, the results of the project will be reported in subsequent publications. CONCLUSION: The viability of the Century XXI Project protocols has been described. This national project of training in basketball closely replicates the physical and technical match-play conditions for professionals and may constitute a useful training tool.

Hematological changes in an elite climber over 18 years.

AIMS: To evaluate the influence of repeated exposure to high altitude over a period of 18 years in an elite climber, red blood cell related parameters were analyzed. Red blood cell levels, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit were taken before and after expedition. RESULTS: The analysis, revealed an average increase of 15% in red blood cell related parameters, and showed a negative correlation (p<0.01) between age and post-expedition results. Furthermore, the first part of the study period was statistically different compared to the second (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Exposure to extreme altitudes does lead to an increase in red blood cell parameters in the subject of the present study, as it can be seen from the results. Interestingly, this hematological response to extreme hypobaric hypoxia stimuli was attenuated over time. This however is a case report on an elite climber, and further research is needed in order to determine if such responses can be observed in other populations.

Conclusions of the Grupo Avilés Working Group Meeting of 2018 / Conclusiones de la Reunión de Trabajo del Grupo Avilés 2018

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Anthropometry and performance of top youth international male basketball players in Spanish national academy / Características antropométricas y de rendimiento de jugadores internacionales junior de baloncesto de la academia española de baloncesto Siglo XXI

The "Century XXI" Project is a seven-year intervention sport program performed among the best Spanish youth basketball players, who were assigned to one of the following intervention groups based on the following criteria: age, position, mature level, and origin in the country. The study was performed (1996-2001) with a total of 90 players. The main purposes of this study were: a) to describe anthropometric and performance characteristics of top youth international male basketballers in the Spanish national academy; and b) to analyze differences among positions. In summary, the main findings of this study were: a) the anthropometry presented significant differences between groups under (U-) 14 and U-17; and b) in the U-17 group centers presented more arm span. In our study, the most significant changes are in U-16 vs U-14 and U-15 in strength body up values, and the best result in endurance capacity took place in June of the fourth year. Within this context, the results of the present study may be useful for strength and conditioning coaches to plan their programs with youth basketball players

El Proyecto Siglo XXI es un programa deportivo de intervención de siete años realizado con los mejores jugadores de baloncesto juveniles españoles, que fueron asignados a uno de los siguientes grupos de intervención según los siguientes criterios: edad, posición, nivel de madurez y origen en el país. El estudio se realizó entre 1996 y 2001 con un total de 90 jugadores. Por ello, el propósito principal de este estudio fue: a) describir las características antropométricas y de rendimiento de los jugadores; y b) analizar las diferencias de los jugadores en diferentes roles posicionales en el programa de intervención. Los principales hallazgos de este estudio fueron: a) la antropometría presentó diferencias significativas entre los grupos U-14 y U-17; y b) en la medida que los jugadores crecieron, observamos más longitud del brazo. En nuestro estudio, los cambios más significativos se dan en U-16 vs U-14 y U-15 en valores de fuerza y el mejor resultado en la capacidad de resistencia tuvo lugar en junio del 4º año. Los resultados del presente estudio pueden ser útiles para los entrenadores y preparadores físicos para planificar sus programas con jugadores de baloncesto de categorías inferiores en planes a largo plazo

Hipertermia en atletas de élite durante la competición. Importancia de su control para la salud / Hyperthermia in top level athletes during competition. Importance on health

Introducción: El ejercicio físico intenso puede causar un aumento de la temperatura central por encima de los 38 ºC (hipertermia), el cual puede inducir fatiga central, alterando la actividad del área prefrontal cerebral durante el ejercicio en ambientes calurosos demostrado en estudios realizados en laboratorio. Sin embargo, a pesar de que cuanto más intenso y duradero sea el ejercicio más podría aumentarla Tn, este fenómeno no ha sido estudiado en deportistas de élite en situaciones reales de entrenamiento regular y/ocompetición y tampoco si dicho incremento pudiera afectar negativamente a su rendimiento y a su salud. Objetivo: El objeto de estudio fue analizar la respuesta de la temperatura central en competición real en deportistas de alto rendimiento. Metodología: Veintinueve atletas (8 ciclistas profesionales,12 remeros, 3 corredores de resistencia internacionales y 6 triatletas de élite) fueron estudiados. Los sujetos ingirieron 3 horas antes de la competición una píldora que contiene un sensor telemétrico de temperatura interna (Cor Temp TM Ingestible Thermometer, HQ Inc., EE.UU.). También se registraron la temperatura ambiente y la humedad, así como la frecuencia cardiaca mediante una unidad telemétrica. Resultados: La temperatura central máxima registrada durante la competición fue de media de 39,5 ºC, con un rango de 38,1 a 42,3 ºC. Cinco de los 29 atletas (17%) llegaron a alcanzar temperatura cercana a los 40 ºC en condiciones ambientales normotermales (25 ºC). La frecuencia cardiaca osciló en rangos de 185 a 203 lat/min (media, 186). Conclusión: En deportes de resistencia de larga duración la temperatura central del deportista de élite puede llegar a valores muy altos, con medias de 39,5 ºC, lo que podría afectar al rendimiento y/o a la salud del deportista. Son necesarios más trabajos en atletas de resistencia durante competición y/o entrenamiento en situaciones ambientales de calor elevado para valorar el efecto del aumento de la Tn en la fatiga central y la salud (AU)

Introduction: Hyperthermia (increases in core temperature above 38 ºC) induced by intense exercise causes central fatigue and reduces time to exhaustion during exercise in the heat. Moreover alter the prefontal cerebral area activity. The cited studies have been performed in a laboratory setting. However, it remains unclear if elite athletes experience hyperthermia during their competition and furthermore if that could negatively affect performance and health. Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure core temperature response to regular competition in elite athletes. Methods: Twenty-nine athletes (8 professional cyclists,12 rowers, 3 endurance runners of international level and6 international triathletes) were studied during competition. At least 3 hour prior to the exercise subjects ingested a pill containing a telemetric temperature sensor (Cor Temp TM Ingestible Thermometer, HQ Inc., USA) which signals were collected and recorded (Cor Temp TM 2000 Recorder; HQ Inc., USA) at rest and frequently during exercise. Dry bulb temperature and relative humidity were also recorded(Kestrel 4000 NK; Nielsen-Kelleman, USA). In addition heart rate was recorded using a telemetric unit (Accurex, Polar, Kempele, Finland). Results: The highest core temperatures recorded during competition ranged from 38.1 to 42.3 ºC with (average of 39.5 ºC). 5 out of the 29 athletes (17%) reached core temperatures above 40 ºC. The highest heart rates during competition ranged from 185 to 203 beats/min (average186 beats/min).Conclusion: In endurance sports during long lasting competitions events core temperature reaches high levels in elite athletes (39.5 ºC). Thus it is possible that endurance performance and health during competition could be affected by hyperthermia. It is necessary more research in endurance athletes during competition or training in the heat to evaluate the effect of core temperature in the central fatigue and health (AU)

Análisis de la concentración de lactato en competición en jugadores internacionales junior de baloncesto / Lctate concentration during competition in international junior male basketball players

El baloncesto desde un punto de vista energético es un deporte en proceso de estudio. Existe escasa literatura científica que analice este fenómeno en situación de competición, además muy pocos trabajos originales de los publicados hasta la fecha utilizan como muestra jugadores jóvenes en categorías de formación y prácticamente ninguno con deportistas de cierto nivel competitivo. Objetivo: Valorar el metabolismo glucolítico (MG) en un selectivo grupo de jugadores internacionales júnior pertenecientes al proyecto Siglo XXI (S XXI), de la Federación Española y del Centro de Perfeccionamiento Técnico del Gobierno Vasco de Baloncesto, en diferentes momentos del partido, mediante análisis de concentración de lactato plasmático (LA), así como estudiar su cinética en función del tiempo, diferenciando entre puestos y periodos. Metodología: A 9 jugadores se les realizó muestras antes, durante el partido, y una vez finalizado el mismo. Resultados: Los datos de LA final son cercanos a 4 mmol /(3.92 mmol/l), siendo el más alto de (5.30 mmol/l). El valor más alto obtenido en el juego se corresponde con (5.30mmol/l) Existen diferencias entre periodos, así como entrepuestos del base (b) con respecto a pívot (p) y alero (a). No hemos observado relación entre el tiempo de juego y LA. Conclusión: La LA final es cercana a 4 mmol/l, en principio LA baja, existiendo diferencias significativas entre periodos y entrepuestos, tal y como otros estudios describen previamente. No hemos observado relación entre el tiempo de juego y LA. El uso del MG, parece tener importancia, mayor de la que se pensaba. Su estudio puede aportar información para ajustar cargas, conocer la situación metabólica, diseñar protocolos nutricionales y estructurar la recuperación de la fatiga (F) (AU)

The metabolism in basketball is in the study process. Furthermore, there is no scientific evidence about the metabolismin competition, and neither with young top level players. Purpose: To determine glycolitic responses during competition by blood lactate concentration, and to analyze the differences between positions and periods of the game. Metodology: 9 international junior male basketball players volunteered of Spanish basketball Federation to participate in this investigation. Each subject was tested at the beginning of the match, during the competition, and after finishing the match. Results: Our data present blood lactate final concentration around 4 mmol/ (3.92 mmol/l), the highest was (5.30mmol/l), there was significant differences between periodsand positions (guard vs centers and vs others). There was not relation between playing time and blood lactate concentration. Conclusion: The major findings of this investigation were lactate concentration around 4 mmol/l (3.92 mmol/l),the highest was (5.30 mmol/l). The glycolitic metabolism, could be important in basketball, major than results reported in previous studies. Their study could be useful to optimize the training load, to know the metabolism during competition, to design the nutritional strategies and the fatigue/recovery (AU)