Effects of Various Recovery Strategies on Repeated Bouts of Simulated Intermittent Activity.

Crowther, FA, Sealey, RM, Crowe, MJ, Edwards, AM, and Halson, SL. Effects of various recovery strategies on repeated bouts of simulated intermittent activity. J Strength Cond Res 33(7): 1781-1794, 2019-A large variety of recovery strategies are used between and after bouts of exercise to maximize performance and perceptual recovery, with limited conclusive evidence regarding the effectiveness of these strategies. The aim of this study was to compare 5 postexercise recovery strategies (cold water immersion, contrast water therapy, active recovery, a combined cold water immersion and active recovery, and a control condition) to determine which is most effective for the recovery of performance, perceptual, and flexibility measures during and after repeated bouts of simulated small-sided team sport demands. Fourteen recreationally active males (mean ± SD; age: 26 ± 6 years; height: 180 ± 5 cm; mass: 81 ± 9 kg) undertook repeated bouts of exercise, simulating a rugby sevens tournament day followed by the above listed recovery strategies (randomized, 1 per week). Perceptual, performance, and flexibility variables were measured immediately before, 5 minutes after all 3 exercise bouts, and at 75 minutes after the first 2 exercise bouts. Contrast water therapy was found to be superior to active at 75 minutes after bout 2 and 5 minutes after bout 3 for repeated-sprint ability and relative average power. The combined recovery strategy was superior to active for repeated-sprint ability at 5 minutes after bout 3; relative best power at 5 minutes after bout 2; total quality recovery before bout 2, 75 minutes after bout 2, and before bout 3; was superior to active for muscle soreness from 75 minutes after bout 1 and for the remainder of the day; and was superior to the control at 75 minutes after bout 1, 75 minutes after bout 2, and before bout 3. The active recovery was detrimental to total sprint time and relative average power at 75 minutes after bout 2 and 5 minutes after bout 3 in comparison with contrast water therapy and the control (not relative average power). Relative average power was decreased after active at 5 minutes after bout 2 in comparison with the combined recovery strategy and the control. Relative average power after cold water immersion was decreased at 75 minutes after bout 2 in comparison with the control and contrast water therapy. Total quality recovery was significantly reduced after active in comparison with the combined recovery strategy before bout 2, 75 minutes after bout 2, and before bout 3. Muscle soreness was also significantly increased after active recovery at 75 minutes after bout 1 and for the remainder of the day in comparison with the combined recovery strategy and was increased at 5 minutes after bout 3 in comparison with the control. Active recovery is not recommended because of the detrimental performance and perceptual results noted. As no recovery strategies were significantly better than the control condition for performance recovery and the combined recovery strategy is the only superior recovery strategy in comparison with the control for perceptual recovery (muscle soreness only), it is difficult to recommend a recovery strategy that should be used for both performance and perceptual recovery. Thus, based on the methodology and findings of this study unless already in use by athletes, no water immersion recovery strategies are recommended in preference to a control because of the resource-intensive (time and equipment) nature of water immersion recovery strategies.

Time kinetics of physical activity, sitting, and quality of life measures within a regional workplace: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours within the workplace have been previously investigated. However, the evolution of these constructs without intervention has not been well documented. This retrospective study explored the natural progression or time kinetics of physical activity, sedentary behaviours and quality of life in a professional skilled workplace where focussed interventions were lacking. METHODS: Participants (n = 346) employed as full-time staff members at a regional university completed an online survey in 2013 assessing physical activity and sedentary behaviours via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and quality of life via the Short-Form 36v2 questionnaire. Differences between that cohort of participants and an initial sample of similar participants (2009, n = 297), accounting for gender and staff categories (academic vs. professional), were examined using ANCOVAs with working hours as a co-variate. RESULTS: In comparison to the initial cohort, the follow-up cohort reported significantly less leisure-time, total walking, total vigorous and total physical activity levels, and lower overall physical health for quality of life (p < 0.05). In contrast, the follow-up cohort reported a significantly greater weekly sitting time, greater mental health scores for quality of life and greater total moderate physical activity levels (p < 0.05) compared to the initial cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Over a 4-year timeframe and without focussed workplace interventions, total physical activity levels were lower with sedentary behaviours greater at a rate twice that reported previously. Continuation of these undesirable health behaviours may impact negatively on worker productivity and health at a greater rate than that currently reported. Workplace interventions targeting sedentary behaviours and physical activity should be actively incorporated into organisations to counteract the alarming behavioural trends found in this study to maintain and/or enhance employee health and productivity.

PLAYERS' PERCEPTIONS OF HOME ADVANTAGE IN THE AUSTRALIAN RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITION.

This study was designed to pilot a survey to explore players' perception of home advantage in a rugby league. Twenty-seven players from one team with an identified home advantage believed a home advantage existed as a result of their home crowd (52%), family and friends' support (41%), normal travel (45%) and sleeping arrangements (37%), home weather conditions (48%), and familiarity with playing amenities (37%). However, the players were less definite about influences while playing away from home. The current sample of players identified differing influences, highlighting individual variations in perceived determinants. Individual interviews or focus groups will be required for further exploration.

Effect of Self-Selected and Induced Slow and Fast Paddling on Atroke Kinematics During 1000 m Outrigger Canoeing Ergometry.

This study aimed to identify the effect of different stroke rates on various kinematic parameters during 1000 m outrigger canoeing. Sixteen, experienced female outrigger canoeists completed three 1000 m outrigger ergometer time trials, one trial each using a self-selected, a Hawaiian (≤ 55 strokes·min(-1)) and a Tahitian (≥ 65 strokes·min(-1)) stroke rate. Stroke rate, stroke length, stroke time, proportion of time spent in propulsion and recovery, torso flexion angle and 'twist' were measured and compared with repeated measures ANOVAs. Stroke rate, stroke length and stroke time were significantly different across all interventions (p < 0.05) despite no difference in the percentage of time spent in the propulsive and recovery phases of the stroke. Stroke length and stroke time were negatively correlated to stroke rate for all interventions (r = -0.79 and -0.99, respectively). Female outrigger canoeists maintain consistent stroke kinematics throughout a 1000 m time trial, most likely as a learned skill to maximize crew paddling synchrony when paddling on-water. While the Hawaiian stroke rate resulted in the greatest trunk flexion movement and 'twist' action, this potential increased back injury risk may be offset by the slow stroke rate and long stroke length and hence slow rate of force development. Key pointsAs outrigger canoeing stroke rate increased, stroke length decreased but the proportion of the stroke time spent in the propulsive phase was kept consistent.The outrigger canoeing technique involved a similar amount of torso flexion-extension movement to rowing, with an additional twisting motion of the torso evidenced, that may increase the risk of back injury.A slower stroke rate, to lessen the rate of force production, may minimize potential back injury in outrigger canoeists and dragon boat paddlers.

Acute Exercise in Vietnam Veterans is Associated with Positive Subjective Experiences.

A person's subjective experience to their first exercise session is likely to influence their long-term adherence to regular exercise. The aim of the current pilot study therefore is to quantify the subjective exercise experience of previously sedentary Vietnam War Veterans undertaking an initial bout of one of three different exercise interventions. Thirty-two Vietnam Veterans presenting with one or more chronic diseases/conditions participated in one of three acute exercise bouts: 1) lower-body vibration, upper-body resistance and stretching (WBVT); 2) lower-body vibration, upper-body resistance, aerobic exercise and stretching (WBVT+CV); and 3) full-body resistance, aerobic exercise and stretching (R+CV). Pre and post acute exercise measures of positive well being, psychological distress and fatigue were assessed with the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES). A 3(conditions) × 2(time) repeated measures ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD was used to identify any significant differences in SEES between exercise groups and pre and post-exercise. All interventions increased positive well being, with WBVT and R+CV reporting improvements across all areas of the SEES. The WBVT+CV group reported slightly increased psychological distress and the greatest increase in fatigue. An acute bout of exercise increases positive well-being in previously sedentary War Veterans however a longer-duration exercise bout containing multiple exercise modes may be too demanding for this population. Exercise professionals should consider commencing with a simple program to minimise psychological distress and fatigue as this may negatively impact on exercise adherence.

Identification and reliability of pacing strategies in outrigger canoeing ergometry.

This study examined the pacing strategies utilised; and the performance reproducibility during repeated outrigger canoeing ergometer time trials. Trained female outrigger canoeists (N=11) completed four 1000m outrigger canoe ergometer time trials. There was a significant 1.5% improvement in 1000m time in trial four compared to trial one. A fast start strategy was adopted in 36 of the 44 trials (82%) followed by a deceleration during the mid stages. As trials progressed there was an increased adoption of negative pacing (fast finish) between the last two splits, indicating a learning effect of pacing strategy across repeated trials. These results demonstrate that although some performance improvement was evident between the first and fourth time trials, the 1000m outrigger ergometer time trial is a reliable test that may be used as a tool to assist with crew selection and performance monitoring. Further, on account of the variation in pacing strategy noted in the fourth trial, the authors recommend utilising one familiarisation session and one test session when assessing performance such that learning or training adaptations resulting from multiple trials do not impact on results.