Imagery as a Method of Enhancing Transfer From Trailing to Performance.

This study investigated the effect of engaging in imagery in conjunction with nonspecific training on the transfer of the training to performance. Forty subjects were pretested on a Wingate cycle ergometer test for peak power and a 40-m sprint. Subjects were assigned to one of four groups: imagery training (IT), power training (PT), imagery and power training (DPT), and control (C). Following a 6-week training period, all subjects were retested. Although a MANOVA revealed no significant difference between groups on any variable, the groups-by-time interaction was significant. Therefore an analysis of difference scores on both tests was performed. This analysis revealed that although both the IPT and the PT group significantly improved in peak power, only the IPT group improved significantly on the sprint. The results indicate that imagery coupled with nonspecific training contributes to the enhancement of subsequent performance significantly better than does nonspecific training alone.

Effects of menstrual phase on performance and recovery in intense intermittent activity.

Game sport and training require repeated high intensity bursts. This study examined differences between high intensity, intermittent work in two phases of the menstrual cycle. Six physically active young women (age 19-29) performed 10 6-s sprints on a cycle ergometer in both the mid-follicular (FP) (days 6-10) and late-luteal phases (LP) (days 20-24) of the menstrual cycle. Work, power, oxygen intake (VO2) parameters, and capillarized blood lactate were measured. Data are analyzed using the Friedman and Wilcoxon matched pairs tests. There was no difference between menstrual phases in peak 6-s power (6.8(0.6) W kg(-1) in FP, 6.9(0.6) W kg(-1) in LP), the drop off in work (1.2(3.5) J kg(-1) in FP and 1.0(2.7) J kg(-1) in LP), or in the sprint VO2 (23.7(1.5) mL kg(-1) min(-1) in LP and 24.3(2.4) mL kg(-1) min(-1) in FP). Capillarized blood lactate was also similar in both phases of the menstrual cycle both at 1 min (9.2(2.7) mmol L(-1) in FP, 9.2(3.1) mmol L(-1)) and at 3 min (9.0(2.2) mmol L(-1) in FP, 9.2(2.2) mmol L(-1) in LP). However, the average 6-s work was greater in the LP (39.3(3.4) J kg(-1)) than during the FP (38.3(3.1) J kg(-1)) (P=0.023). The recovery VO2 was also greater in the LP than the FP (26.3(2.4) mL kg(-1) min(-1) in LP, 25.0(2.6) mL kg(-1) min(-1) in FP, P=0.023). Average work over a series of sprints and the VO2 consumed between sprints may be slightly greater during the LP than the FP of the menstrual cycle.

Effects of aerobic exercise on strength performance following various periods of recovery.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the type and intensity of aerobic training affects performance in a subsequent strength-training session after varying periods of recovery. Sixteen male subjects participated in the study and were divided into 2 groups based on aerobic training, high-intensity intervals (MAX n = 8) and continuous submaximal (SUB n = 8). Each subject performed 4 sets of both bench press and leg press at approximately 75% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) following aerobic training with recovery periods of 4, 8, and 24 hours, as well as once in a control condition. Both the 4- and 8-hour conditions resulted in fewer total leg press repetitions than the control and 24-hour conditions. There was no difference between both the control and 24-hour conditions. No main effect was shown with respect to the type of aerobic training. It was concluded that when aerobic training precedes strength training, the volume of work that can be performed is diminished for up to 8 hours. This impairment appears to be localized to the muscle groups involved in the aerobic training.

Fifteen-day cessation of training on selected physiological and performance variables in women runners.

This study examined the effects of a 15-day cessation of training on maximal oxygen consumption and selected physiological variables (maximal heart rate, cardiac output [Q], stroke volume [SV], arteriovenous oxygen difference [(a-v)O2 diff], blood plasma concentration) in 15 women middle-distance competitive runners (.VO2max: 49.8 +/- 1.1 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)). Subjects were randomly assigned to a cessation training (CT, n = 7) or maintenance training (MT, n = 8) group and tested every 5 days. Q was measured by CO2 rebreathing from which SV and (a-v)O2 diff were calculated. No significant changes were found at day 5. After 10 days there was a significant decrement in .VO2max (3.8 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) in the CT group, being significantly lower than MT but no changes thereafter in any physiological variables. Performance (2,400 m) times did not change for MT but was significantly slower (21.5 +/- 7.1 seconds) for the CT group after 15 days, corresponding to the 7.8% decrease in .VO2max. These findings suggest that in competitive women middle-distance runners, actual performance decrements found after 15 days of CT most likely are due to declines in .VO2max.