The physiological and mechanical demands of aerobics, indoor cycling, and netball in recreationally active females

Abstract Background Group-based exercise is a popular method of improving fitness. However, limited research exists on the mul- tidisciplinary responses to group-based exercise. Aims The aim of this study was to compare the physiological and mechanical demands of aerobics, indoor group cycling, and netball. Methods Fourteen recreationally active females (age 20 ± 2 years, body height 1.65 ± 0.09 m, body mass 65.9 ± 11.8 kg, body fat 26.3 ± 7.2%) participated in three experimental trials (aerobics, indoor cycling, netball) in a randomised order with 1 week intervening. Heart rate, blood lactate, RPE and PlayerLoadTM were measured. Results A repeated-measures ANOVA revealed mean and peak heart rate (beats·min−1) were lower (P < 0.05) for aerobics (130 ± 114; 176 ± 18) than indoor cycling (150 ± 9; 191 ± 9) and netball (144 ± 11; 195 ± 6), respectively. Blood lactate (mmol·L−1) was higher (P < 0.001) after indoor cycling (5.6 ± 2.6) compared to aerobics (2.2 ± 1.4) and netball (2.5 ± 1.1). RPE was not different between trials. PlayerLoadTM (a.u) during indoor cycling (213.9 ± 46.9) was lower (P < 0.05) than netball (358.5 ± 94.5) and aerobics (296.9 ± 99.0). Conclusions Theseresultssuggestindoorcyclingstimulatesgreaterphysiologicaldemands,whilstnetballandaerobicselicit a higher PlayerLoadTM corresponding to higher mechanical demands. These findings may have implications for exercise prescription in recreationally active females

GPS analysis of a team competing in a national under 18 field hockey tournament

The purpose of this study was to utilise global-positioning system (GPS) technology to quantify the running demands of national under 18 field hockey players competing in a regional field hockey tournament. Ten male field hockey players (mean ± SD; age 17.2 ± 0.4 years; stature 178.1 ± 5.2 cm; body mass 78.8 ± 8.8 kg) playing in different positional groups as strikers, midfielders and defenders wore GPS units while competing in six matches over seven days at an under 18 national field hockey tournament. GPS enabled the measurement of total distance (TD), low-speed activity (LSA; 0 -14.9 km/hr), and high-speed running (HSR; ≥ 15 km/hr) distances in addition to distances over five velocity bands (≤ 5.9km.h-1; 6 – 10km.h-1; 10.1 – 14.9km.h-1; 15 – 24.6km.h-1; and ≥ 24.7km.h-1). Midfielders covered significantly higher TD and the highest LSA when compared to other positional groups. Strikers covered significantly higher HSR and the lowest LSA out of all positional groups. These results suggest that these playing positions are sufficiently different to warrant specialised position-specific conditioning training leading into a field hockey tournament. Therefore, training schedules, substitutions and intra-match recovery should be tailored by position, taking into account the needs of the individual players

Reliability of the 30-seconds crossbar jumps water polo test in female players

Monitoring performance of sport-specific skills is important for elite athletes. The 30 second cross bar jump test is a commonly used assessment tool in water polo, assessing players’ ability to repeatedly elevate their body out of the water. The study aimed to examine the reliability of this test. Thirteen elite female water polo players performed the test on two separate occasions. Correlation (r = 0.61, 95%CI = 0.26-0.93), coefficient of variation (CV = 11.6%, 95%CI = 7.7-23.6) and limits of agreement (95% limits of agreement = ± 3.3 jumps, 95%CI = 0.6-3.4) found between the two occasions indicated that the test was not sensitive enough for monitoring performance changes in elite female water polo players. Additionally, no correlation of anthropometric characteristics was found with crossbar jumps. It is suggested the 30 seconds crossbar jumps test is not a reliable test and should not be used by water polo coaches for evaluating the ability of players to repeatedly jump out of the water

Using Global Positioning System Analysis to Quantify the movement characteristics of sub elite rugby union players in training and Match Performance

Rugby Union (RU) involves various movement patterns (MP) which includes walking, jogging and sprinting. Substantial physiological differences exist between backs and forwards. The diversity of physiological requirements of each positional group results in a range of physiological stress experienced by players. Game demands and training loads needs to be quantified to maximize the physiological benefits of training an improve performance

To do or not to do (exercise) : physical activity in the lives of people with cerebral palsy

We examined the lives of adults with cerebral palsy who had minimal involvement in physical activity (Judy, aged 60; Alana, aged 29), who were involved in physical activity (Amy, aged 25; Ben, aged, 30), or who had minimal involvement in physical activity and who then participated in physical activity (David, aged 27; Tim, aged, 24). After receiving ethical approval, a life-history research approach (Denzin, 1989: Interpretive biography. Newbury Park, CA: Sage) was used, with the participants&rsquo; stories being interpreted using primarily psychodynamic theory (Freud, Erikson, Adler, Basch) to gain insight into their meaning and experiences of physical activity. Judy and Alana had similar childhood experiences, which included: performing difficult, and sometimes painful, physiotherapy; wearing callipers to assist their walking; lacking competence at physical activity; and being socially isolated from their classmates. These aspects of their life histories seemed to contribute to their subsequent avoidance of physical activity and early onset of functional decline.Amy and Ben had negative experiences with physical activity as children (similar to Judy and Alana), but were involved in, and valued, physical activity as adults. Physical activity was a means of displaying competence, delaying further functional loss, and becoming socially connected.David and Tim lost the ability to walk in early adolescence. The minimal physical activity in which they engaged during their adult lives was directed towards trying to walk again. Walking seemed to be intimately connected with psychosocial growth. David&rsquo;s weight-training programme seemed to provide him with another avenue for self-improvement towards his goal of attracting a life partner. Tim&rsquo;s warm-water aerobic programme provided him with an opportunity to develop competence at swimming and at walking, and to enhance his self-esteem for these activities.Involvement in physical activity may be important for people with cerebral palsy in their endeavours to successfully face the various psychosocial challenges throughout life. Implications of this research include: parents and teachers of children with cerebral palsy should provide support for their involvement in physical activity; physiotherapists should try to reduce the pain and increase the perceived relevancy of the treatments they deliver to young people with cerebral palsy; and psychologists should be aware of some of the difficulties people with cerebral palsy face and how they may manifest in adults with the condition.<br /

The efficacy of elastic therapeutic tape variations on measures of ankle function and performance

Objectives: To investigate the effects of different variations of elastic therapeutic taping (ETT) on tests used to screen for ankle injury risk and function. Design: Randomized crossover. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: Twelve professional male soccer players completed three experimental trials: No tape (NT), RockTape™ (RT), and Kinesio™ Tape (KT) applied to the ankle complex. Outcome Measures: Clinical and functional ankle screening tests were used to assess the effects of ETT on measures of joint position sense, postural stability and ground reaction forces. Results: KT (P = 0.04) and RT (P = 0.01) demonstrated significant improvements in end range joint position sense. When compared to NT, RT significantly (P = 0.02) improved mid-range joint position sense at 15° and time to complete a drop landing task. No significant differences were observed for measures of postural stability (P ≥ 0.12) nor ground reaction force variables (P ≥ 0.33). Conclusions: Results advocate the use of ETT for proprioceptive and functional tasks when applied to the ankles of healthy male soccer players. However, a greater number of practical and significant differences were observed when RT only was applied, indicating that practitioners may potentially advocate the use of RT for tasks requiring proprioception and functional performance.</p

Physical Response to a Simulated Period of Soccer-Specific Fixture Congestion

The aim of this study was to assess the physiological, perceptual, and mechanical measures associated with the completion of a simulated period of short-term soccer-specific fixture congestion. Ten male semi-professional soccer players completed three trials of a treadmill-based match simulation, with 48 hours intervening each trial. A repeated measures general linear model identified significantly (P= 0.02) lower knee flexor peak torque (PT) recorded at 300 degs∙s-1 in the second (141.27 ± 28.51 Nm) and third trials (139.12 ± 26.23 Nm) when compared to the first (154.17 ± 35.25 Nm). Similarly, muscle soreness (MS) and PT data recorded at 60 degs∙s-1 were significantly (P&lt; 0.05) different in the third trial (MS= 42 ± 25 a.u; PT60= 131.10 ± 35.38 Nm) when compared to the first (MS= 29 ± 29 a.u; PT60= 145.61 ± 42.86 Nm). Significant (P= 0.003) differences were also observed for mean Bicep Femoris electromyography (EMGmean) between the third trial (T0-15= 126.36 ± 15.57 µV; T75-90= 52.18 ± 17.19 µV) and corresponding time points in the first trial (T0-15= 98.20 ± 23.49 µV; T75-90= 99.97 ± 39.81 µV). Cumulative increases in perceived exertion, heart rate, oxygen consumption, blood lactate concentrations, EMGmean, and PlayerLoadTM were recorded across each trial. MS and PT were also significantly different post-trial. There were however no significant main effects or interactions for the salivary Immunoglobulin A, and the medial-lateral PlayerLoadTM metrics. These data suggest a biomechanical and muscular emphasis with residual fatigue, with implications for injury risk and the development of recovery strategies