One-repetition-maximum measures or maximum bar-power output: which Is more related to sport performance?

Purpose: This study compared the associations between optimum power loads and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) values (assessed in half-squat [HS] and jump squat [JS] exercises) and multiple performance measures in elite athletes. Methods: Sixty-one elite athletes (fifteen Olympians) from four different sports (track and field [sprinters and jumpers], rugby sevens, bobsled, and soccer) performed squat and countermovement jumps, HS exercise (for assessing 1RM), HS and JS exercises (for assessing bar-power output), and sprint tests (60-m for sprinters and jumpers and 40-m for the other athletes). Pearson’s product moment correlation test was used to determine relationships between 1RM and bar-power outputs with vertical jumps and sprint times in both exercises. Results: Overall, both measurements were moderately to near perfectly related to speed performance (r values varying from -0.35 to -0.69 for correlations between 1RM and sprint times, and from -0.36 to -0.91 for correlations between bar-power outputs and sprint times; P< 0.05). However, on average, the magnitude of these correlations was stronger for power-related variables, and only the bar-power outputs were significantly related to vertical jump height. Conclusions: The bar-power outputs were more strongly associated with sprint-speed and power performance than the 1RM measures. Therefore, coaches and researchers can use the bar-power approach for athlete testing and monitoring. Due to the strong correlations presented, it is possible to infer that meaningful variations in bar-power production may also represent substantial changes in actual sport performance

Repeated-sprint sequences during female soccer matches using fixed and individual speed thresholds.

The main objective of this study was to characterize the occurrence of single sprint and repeated-sprint sequences (RSS) during elite female soccer matches, using fixed (20 kmh) and individually based speed thresholds (>90% of the mean speed from a 20 m sprint test). Eleven elite female soccer players from the same team participated in the study. All players performed a 20 m linear sprint test, and were assessed in up to 10 official matches using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Magnitude-based inferences were used to test for meaningful differences. Results revealed that irrespective of adopting fixed or individual speed thresholds, female players produced only a few RSS during matches (2.3 ± 2.4 sequences using the fixed threshold and 3.3 ± 3.0 sequences using the individually based threshold), with most sequences composing of just two sprints. Additionally, central defenders performed fewer sprints (10.2 ± 4.1) than other positions (full backs: 28.1 ± 5.5; midfielders: 21.9 ± 10.5; forwards: 31.9 ± 11.1; with likely to almost certainly differences associated with effect sizes ranging from 1.65 to 2.72) and sprinting ability declined in the second half. The data do not support the notion that RSS occurs frequently during soccer matches in female players, irrespective of using fixed or individual speed thresholds to define sprint occurrence. However, repeated sprint ability development cannot be ruled out from soccer training programs due to its association with match-related performance

Does caffeine maximize endurance exercise performance?

A cafeína é frequentemente consumida por atletas, por causa dos seus possíveis efeitos \ud ergogênicos. É preconizado que a cafeína maximize a performance por agir, independentemente, ou concomitamente, através de 3 mecanismos: 1) aumento da mobilização do cálcio intracelular, 2) aumento na oxidação de ácidos graxos livres e 3) antagonista do receptor de adenosina no sistema nervoso central. Estudos iniciais sugeriram que o efeito ergogênico da cafeína estava relacionado ao aumento da oxidação de ácidos graxos e a consequente redução da glicogenólise. Entretanto, estudos mais recentes indicam que a cafeína maximiza o desempenho de endurance, principalmente, pelos seus efeitos antagônicos sobre os receptores de adenosina no sistema nervoso. Atuando através deste mecanismo, a cafeína poderia modular a fadiga central, influenciar a percepção subjetiva de esforço, a sensação de dor e o nível de vigor, que poderiam levar ao aumento do desempenho físico. A maioria das pesquisas tem utilizado protocolos de ingestão 60 minutos antes do teste de desempenho, a fim de assegurar a ótima absorção. Entretanto, tem sido demonstrado que a cafeína também melhorar a performance quando consumida de 15 a 30 minutos antes do teste. A utilização da cafeína na forma anidra, quando comparada a uma xícara de café, parece ser mais eficiente para aumentar o desempenho de endurance. Além disso, a dose baixa a moderada entre 3 a 6 mg de cafeína por kg de peso corporal parece ser suficiente para promover o aumento do desempenho no exercício de endurance.Caffeine is commonly ingested by athletes because of its potential ergogenic effects. It has been proposed that caffeine improve physical performance by acting independently, or concurrently, via 3 different mechanisms: 1) an increased mobilization of intracellular calcium, 2) an increase in free fatty acid oxidation, and 3) serving as an adenosine receptor antagonist in the central nervous system. Early studies suggested that the ergogenic effect of caffeine was related to an increase in fatty acid oxidation and subsequent sparing of muscle glycogen. However, recent investigations indicate that caffeine maximizes endurance performance largely through its antagonist effect on adenosine receptors in the central nervous system. Acting through this mechanism, caffeine may modulate central fatigue and influence ratings of perceived exertion, perceived pain, and levels of vigor, all of which may lead to performance improvements. The majority of research has utilized a protocol where caffeine is ingested 60 min prior to the performance test to ensure optimal absorption. However, it has also been shown that caffeine can enhance performance when consumed 15-30 min prior to the test. The use of caffeine in anhydrous form, as compared to a cup of caffeinated coffee, seems to be more efficient to improve endurance performance. In addition, a low-to-moderate dose of caffeine between 3 and 6 mg/kg appears to be sufficient for enhancing performance in a sustained endurance effort

Myoclonin1/EFHC1 in cell division, neuroblast migration, synapse/dendrite formation in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

peer reviewe

The effect of load placement on the power production characteristics of three lower extremity jumping exercises

The purpose of this study was to compare the power production characteristics of the jump squat (JS), hexagonal barbell jump (HEXJ), and jump shrug (JShrug) across a spectrum of relative loads. Fifteen resistance-trained men completed three testing sessions where they performed repetitions of either the JS, HEXJ, or JShrug at body mass (BM) or with 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100% of their BM. Relative peak power (PPRel), relative force at PP (FPP), and velocity at PP (VPP) were compared between exercises and loads. In addition, power-time curves at each load were compared between exercises. Load-averaged HEXJ and JShrug PPRel were statistically greater than the JS (both p < 0.01), while no difference existed between the HEXJ and the JShrug (p = 1.000). Load-averaged JShrug FPP was statistically greater than both the JS and the HEXJ (both p < 0.001), while no statistical difference existed between the JS and the HEXJ (p = 0.111). Load averaged JS and HEXJ VPP were statistically greater than the JShrug (both p < 0.01). In addition, HEXJ VPP was statistically greater than the JS (p = 0.009). PPRel was maximized at 40, 40, and 20% BM for the JS, HEXJ, and JShrug, respectively. The JShrug possessed statistically different power-time characteristics compared to both the JS and the HEXJ during the countermovement and propulsion phases. The HEXJ and the JShrug appear to be superior exercises for PPRel compared to the JS. The HEXJ may be considered a more velocity-dominant exercise, while the JShrug may be a more force-dominant one

Basic mechanisms of MCD in animal models.

International audienceEpilepsy-associated glioneuronal malformations (malformations of cortical development [MCD]) include focal cortical dysplasias (FCD) and highly differentiated glioneuronal tumors, most frequently gangliogliomas. The neuropathological findings are variable but suggest aberrant proliferation, migration, and differentiation of neural precursor cells as essential pathogenetic elements. Recent advances in animal models for MCDs allow new insights in the molecular pathogenesis of these epilepsy-associated lesions. Novel approaches, presented here, comprise RNA interference strategies to generate and study experimental models of subcortical band heterotopia and study functional aspects of aberrantly shaped and positioned neurons. Exciting analyses address impaired NMDA receptor expression in FCD animal models compared to human FCDs and excitatory imbalances in MCD animal models such as lissencephaly gene ablated mice as well as in utero irradiated rats. An improved understanding of relevant pathomechanisms will advance the development of targeted treatment strategies for epilepsy-associated malformations

Speed and power predictors of change of direction ability in elite snow athletes

Change of direction ability (COD speed) is an important physical component of snow sports. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between regular speed and vertical jumping ability, and COD speed in elite snow athletes. Moreover, the correlations between relative mean propulsive power (assessed in the jump squat exercise) and COD speed were quantified. Sixteen elite snow sport athletes executed squat jumps, countermovement jumps, jump squats, and 25 m sprint tests, in addition to a Zig-zag change of direction speed test. The outcomes revealed that vertical jumping height and mean propulsive power are strongly correlated (r ≈ 0.90) with COD speed. Furthermore, snow athletes capable of sprinting faster in a linear course of 25 m performed better in COD speed tests ( r = 0.91). Our results support the use of loaded and unloaded vertical jumping and regular speed tests to evaluate/monitor predictors of COD speed in elite snow athletes. Finally, these relationships suggest that plyometrics and regular speed training should be considered by coaches as effective strategies to enhance COD ability in this specific group of subjects

Optimum power loads for elite boxers: case study with the Brazilian national olympic team

The purpose of this case study was to examine the effects of a resistance-training program based on the optimum power loads (OPL) method on neuromuscular performance of Olympic boxing athletes during preparation for the Rio-2016 Olympic Games. Twelve elite amateur boxers from the Brazilian National Olympic Team participated in this study. Athletes were assessed at four time-points, over two consecutive competitive seasons. In the first season (considered as "control period"), the athletes executed a non-controlled strength-power training program for 10 weeks. In the second season (a seven-week experimental period), the elite boxers performed 14 power-oriented training sessions, comprising bench press (BP) and jump squat (JS) exercises at the OPL. Maximum bar-power output in BP and JS exercises was measured pre and post both training phases. Magnitude-based inferences were used to compare changes in pre and post training tests. Bar-power outputs increased meaningfully in both BP (+8%) and JS (+7%) exercises after the OPL training program. In contrast, after the control period, no worthwhile improvements were observed in the variables tested. Based on the findings of this study, highly trained boxers might benefit from the use of a training scheme based on OPL

Merleau-Ponty dialoga com o Racionalismo e a pintura em “O olho e o espírito”

Em O olho e o espírito (L’oeil et l’esprit), Maurice Merleau-Ponty dialoga com o Grande Racionalismo, principalmente, com Descartes, critica as pretensões ingênuas da ciência do começo do século XX, de reproduzir fenômenos em laboratório, e rende tributo à pintura, essa forma de expressar que mostra à filosofia seu próprio ponto de partida: o vivente no mundo, que conjuga os verbos “eu vejo” com o “eu posso”. Somos, ao mesmo tempo, vidente e visível e nos deslocamos, mesmo que com o olhar; outrossim tocamos e somos tocados num entrelaçamento que forma o quiasma do sensível. E para construir sua ontologia, Merleau-Ponty discorda de todo ponto de vista de sobrevôo, que transforma as coisas em objetos a serem analisados por sujeitos, e valoriza a atividade do pintor que se funde com a pintura ao usar seu corpo para pintar, pois que fornece elementos para sua filosofia em que o vidente não se diferencia do visível, o sujeito do objeto, o eu do mundo. E nesse uso da pintura para expressar sua filosofia, Merleau-Ponty ganha como adepto Gilles Deleuze, crítico da fenomenologia, mas não desse mundo em fusão promovido por suas filosofias e pela pintura.In the Eye and Mind Maurice Merleau-Ponty dialogues with the Great Rationalism, specially with Descartes, criticizes the ingenuous pretensions of the sciences of the early 20th century to reproduce the phenomena in laboratory and pays tribute to the painting, a form of expression that shows to the philosophy its own point of departure: the living in the world, that conjugates the verbs ‘I see’ with ‘I can’. We simultaneously see and are seen and we dislocate ourselves, even if only with the regard; moreover we touch and are touched, forming an interlacing that forms the chiasm of sensibility. In order to construct his ontology, Merleau-Ponty disagrees with every point of view that only overflies, transforming things in objects that ought to be analyzed by subjects. In contrast, he valorizes the painter’s activity, in which the painter, using his own body to paint, fuses himself with the painting. It provides elements to his philosophy, in which that who sees does not differ from that which is seen, nor the subject from the object, nor the ‘I’ from the world. In doing this, MerleauPonty wins as adept Gilles Deleuze, which, although critic of the phenomenology, endorses this amalgamation of painting with philosophy

Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in professional sports: A systematic review

The practices of strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches have been reported in various professional sports. This study aims to comprehensively assess this available evidence to help establish whether theoretical, practical, and evidence-based guidelines align with the practices employed by these experienced S&C coaches. Three databases were searched (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane) until November 2020. Studies surveying the practices of S&C coaches in professional sports using a survey design with common questions, written in English, and published in peer-reviewed journals were reviewed. Eight studies (n= 318 S&C coaches) were finally included. All studies adapted a similar survey, providing a strong basis for comparison between sports. Periodization strategies were widely used (89%), with training volume consistently reduced during the in-season period. Olympic weightlifting was commonly used across sports, except in baseball (29%). Plyometric exercises were predominantly prescribed for speed development (74%) and lower body power (68%), which were mostly programed as complex training (45%) and conducted all year round (52%). Flexibility exercises were mostly performed before practice (83%) for 6–10 min (40%). Physical tests were mainly conducted during the preseason period (66%), with body composition (86%) being the most used test. S&C coaches generally adhered to current guidelines and research in S&C concerning training prescription and physical testing. Whereas, intersport differences were also noted and further discussed. Results of this study can be used by S&C coaches to plan, implement, and review their professional practices. Furthermore, may inform the development of general and sport-specific guidelines, and future research in S&C