The etiology of neuromuscular fatigue induced by the 5-m shuttle run test in adult soccer players

This study investigated the etiology of neuromuscular fatigue induced by a 5-m shuttle run test (5MSRT) in soccer players. Nineteen adult male amateur soccer players (age: 20.0 ± 2.9 years) participated in the present study. Before and after the 5MSRT, they were instructed to complete a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors (KE) during and after which two electrical stimulations were applied at the femoral nerve. Voluntary activation level (VAL), surface electromyography recordings (sEMG), electrophysiological (Mmax) and potentiated resting twitch (Ptw) responses of the KE were compared between pre- and post-5MSRT. Rating of perception exertion (RPE) was also assessed before, during the test immediately following each sprint repetition and after the test. The distance covered during each sprint significantly decreased as the number of trials performed increased (p<.05). The RPE reported following each sprint significantly increased throughout the test. In addition, MVIC (-9%), sEMG (-23%), VAL (-15%), Ptw (-26%) and Mmax (~22%) of the KE were lowered from pre-to-post 5MSRT (.001 < p < .01). The 5MSRT induced a decrease of repeated-sprint running performance and MVIC of the KE. These decrements were accompanied by lowered VAL, sEMG, Ptw and Mmax values of the KE reflecting the involvement of both the central and peripheral origins in the 5MSRT-induced fatigue. Given the important muscle stress induced by 5MSRT, this strenuous test must be applied with caution, after an inevitable familiarization phase, and not during the competition period to avoid the risk of serious injury

Short-term maximal performance, alertness, dietary intake, sleep pattern and mood states of physically active young men before, during and after Ramadan observance.

PurposeTo assess changes in short-term maximal performance, alertness, dietary intake, sleep pattern and mood states of physically active young men before (BR), during and after Ramadan observance.MethodsTwelve physically-active men (age: 21.9±2.4yrs, height:1.77±0.09m, body-mass: 72.6±7.8kg, exercising: ≥3h/week) performed the 5-jump and the digit-cancellation (alertness) tests 15-days BR, on the first (FR) and last 10-days of Ramadan (ER) and 10-days (AR10) and 20-days (AR20) after Ramadan. During each period, sleep pattern (Pittsburgh-Sleep-Quality-Index (PSQI)), mood states (Profile-of-Mood-States (POMS)) and dietary intake were recorded.ResultsNo significant changes in the 5-jump, digit-cancellation test and POMS parameters appeared during and after Ramadan relative to BR. However, the PSQI total score was lower during FR compared to AR10 (pConclusionRamadan had no-adverse effects on the 5-jump performance, alertness, or mood states in physically active young men. However, the sleep duration was shorter and the sleep quality was improved following compared to during Ramadan. The fractional intake of fat also increased at the expense of carbohydrate during Ramadan, and the protein intake was lower at the beginning of Ramadan than before, at the end of and after Ramadan

Sleep Patterns, Alertness, Dietary Intake, Muscle Soreness, Fatigue, and Mental Stress Recorded before, during and after Ramadan Observance

Ramadan is one of the pillars of the Islamic creed. Its observance commonly causes chrono-biological changes. The present study examined sleep and alertness during Ramadan observance relative to data collected before and after Ramadan in a sample of young, physically active men. Information was also collected on dietary intake, muscle soreness, fatigue, and mental stress over the three periods. Fourteen physically active men (age: 21.6 &#177; 3.3 years, height: 1.77 &#177; 0.06 m, body-mass: 73.1 &#177; 9.0 kg) completed the Hooper questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and responded to the digit cancellation test (DCT) fifteen days before Ramadan, during the last ten days of Ramadan and 20 days after Ramadan. The PSQI results indicated that sleep duration was significantly longer before Ramadan (p = 0.003) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04) compared to during Ramadan and was longer before Ramadan than after Ramadan (p = 0.04). In addition, the sleep efficiency was lower during Ramadan in comparison to before Ramadan (p = 0.02) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04). The daytime dysfunction score increased during Ramadan in comparison with before Ramadan (p = 0.01) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04), and the sleep quality score was higher during (p = 0.003) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04) as compared to before Ramadan. The sleep disturbance score increased during Ramadan relative to before Ramadan (p = 0.04). However, Ramadan observance had no significant effect on sleep latency. Mental alertness also decreased at the end of Ramadan compared to before (p = 0.003) or after Ramadan (p = 0.01). Dietary intake, muscle soreness, fatigue, and mental stress as estimated by the Hooper questionnaire remained unchanged over the three periods of the investigation (p &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, Ramadan observance had an adverse effect on sleep quantity and on mental alertness, but not on sleep quality. However, dietary intake, muscle soreness, fatigue, and mental stress remained unaffected

Effects of 25-Min Nap Opportunity during Ramadan Observance on the 5-m Shuttle Run Performance and the Perception of Fatigue in Physically Active Men

We aimed to investigate the effects of a 25-min nap opportunity on physical performance during the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT), feelings (i.e., evaluated by the feeling scale), attention (i.e., evaluated by the digit cancellation test) and the perception of fatigue (i.e., recorded by the rating of perceived exertion (RPE)) during Ramadan observance. Twelve physically active men (age: 21.1 &plusmn; 3.2 yrs, height: 1.76 &plusmn; 0.05 m, body-mass: 71.2 &plusmn; 9.3 kg) voluntarily participated in five test sessions: 15 days before Ramadan (BR), the first 10 days of Ramadan (FR), the last 10 days of Ramadan (ER), 10 days after Ramadan (10AR) and 20 days after Ramadan (20AR). During each test session, participants performed the digit cancellation test, a 5-min standard warm-up, the 5mSRT (6 &times; 30-s with 35-s intervals-between) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after no-nap (N0) and 25-min nap opportunity (N25) conditions. Participants also completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) during each period. The total distance covered during the 5mSRT did not differ significantly before, during or after Ramadan, but was significantly greater after N25 compared to N0 at 10AR (687.5 &plusmn; 23.0 m vs. 725.6 &plusmn; 41.1 m; p = 0.018) and 20AR (698.3 &plusmn; 19.8 m vs. 742.6 &plusmn; 58.3 m; p = 0.003). The attention scores were higher after N25 in comparison with N0 at 10AR (p = 0.04) and 20AR (p = 0.02). RPE scores were not significantly different between N25 and N0 conditions. Feelings scores were higher after N25 compared to N0 during both FR (p = 0.007) and 20AR (p = 0.04). A significant deterioration of sleep quality was recorded during Ramadan (i.e., PSQI scores were significantly higher during and after compared to BR (p &lt; 0.0005)). A 25-min nap opportunity was beneficial for physical and cognitive performance after Ramadan observance; however, any effect is insufficient to show significant beneficial impacts during Ramadan

A Thirty-Five-Minute Nap Improves Performance and Attention in the 5-m Shuttle Run Test during and outside Ramadan Observance

Ramadan observance is characterized by several changes in behaviors, such as food and sleep, which could affect physical and cognitive performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a 35-min nap (N35) opportunity on physical performance during the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT); attention; feelings; mood states; and perceptual measures of stress, fatigue, and muscle soreness during Ramadan observance. Fourteen physically active men (22 &plusmn; 3 years, 177 &plusmn; 4 cm, 76 &plusmn; 5 kg) were tested after a no-nap condition (N0), N35 15 days before Ramadan (BR), the last 10 days of Ramadan (DR), and 20 days after Ramadan (AR). Measures included the digit cancellation test (attention estimation), the profile of mood state (POMS), and the Hooper questionnaires. After a 5-min standard warm-up, participants performed the 5mSRT (6 &times; 30 s with 35 s in between; best distance (BD), total distance (TD), and fatigue index (FI) were recorded), along with the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after each test repetition. After the 5mSRT test, participants responded to the feeling scale (FS). The results showed that TD and FI during the 5mSRT were not affected by Ramadan observance. However, BD was significantly lower than DR compared to AR after N0 (∆ = &minus;4.3 &plusmn; 1.3%; p &lt; 0.01) and N35 (∆ = &minus;2.6 &plusmn; 1.0%; p &lt; 0.05). After N0, attention decreased significantly at DR in comparison with BR (p &lt; 0.05) and AR (p &lt; 0.001). BD and TD improved after N35 compared to N0 at BR (∆ = +4.4 &plusmn; 2.1%, p &lt; 0.05 for BD and ∆ = +4.8 &plusmn; 1.6%, p &lt; 0.01 for TD), DR (∆ = +7.1 &plusmn; 2.2%, p &lt; 0.05 for BD and ∆ = +5.1 &plusmn; 1.6%, p &lt; 0.01 for TD), and AR (∆ = +5.5 &plusmn; 1.5%, p &lt; 0.01 for BD and ∆ = +5.2 &plusmn; 1.2%, p &lt; 0.001 for TD). A significant increase in attention was observed after N35 in comparison with N0 at DR (p &lt; 0.01) and AR (p &lt; 0.01). However, no changes were found for the perception of mood states, stress, sleep, muscle soreness, and the FI during the 5mSRT. Also, N35 was better than N0 for RPE at DR (p &lt; 0.05), feelings at AR (p &lt; 0.05), and fatigue estimation at AR (p &lt; 0.01). A 35-min nap opportunity may have beneficial effects on physical and cognitive performances before, during, and after Ramadan

Effects of the 5-m Shuttle Run Test on Markers of Muscle Damage, Inflammation, and Fatigue in Healthy Male Athletes

Physical exercise is often associated with increases in muscle damage markers and inflammation. However, biomarkers of muscle damage and inflammation responses to the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT) have not yet been evaluated. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of the 5mSRT on muscle damage markers, inflammation, and perception of fatigue and recovery in healthy male athletes. Fifteen male amateur team sports players (age: 20 &plusmn; 3 yrs, height: 173 &plusmn; 7 cm, body-mass: 67 &plusmn; 7 kg) participated in this study. Blood biomarkers were collected at rest, 5 min after, and 72 h after the 5mSRT to measure muscle damage (i.e., creatinine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT)) and inflammation (i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP)). Best distance (BD), total distance (TD), fatigue index (FI), and percentage decrement (PD) during the 5mSRT were assessed. Perceived recovery (PRS) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were recorded before, 5 min after, and 72 h after the 5mSRT; perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded before, during, and 72 h after the 5mSRT. Muscle damage biomarkers post 5mSRT showed a significant increase compared to pre 5mSRT (p &lt; 0.001) levels ((i.e., CK (190.6 &plusmn; 109.1 IU/L vs. 234.6 &plusmn; 113.7 IU/L), LDH (163.6 &plusmn; 35.1 IU/L vs. 209.9 &plusmn; 50.8 IU/L), ASAT (18.0 &plusmn; 4.4 IU/L vs. 21.7 &plusmn; 6.2 IU/L), and ALAT (10.2 &plusmn; 3.4 IU/L vs. 12.7 &plusmn; 3.8 IU/L)) and 72 h post 5mSRT (p &lt; 0.001) levels ((CK (125.3 &plusmn; 80.5 IU/L vs. 234.6 &plusmn; 113.7 IU/L), LDH (143.9 &plusmn; 36.6 IU/L vs. 209.9 &plusmn; 50.8 IU/L), ASAT (15.0 &plusmn; 4.7 IU/L vs. 21.7 &plusmn; 6.2 IU/L), and ALAT (8.6 &plusmn; 2.4 IU/L vs. 12.7 &plusmn; 3.8 IU/L)). CRP was also significantly higher post 5mSRT compared to pre 5mSRT (2.1 &plusmn; 2.5 mg/L vs. 2.8 &plusmn; 3.3 mg/L, p &lt; 0.001) and 72 h post 5mSRT (1.4 &plusmn; 2.3 mg/L vs. 2.8 &plusmn; 3.3 mg/L, p &lt; 0.001). Significant correlations were reported between (i) physical performance parameters (i.e., PD, FI, TD, and BD), and (ii) markers of muscle damage (i.e., CK, LDH, ASAT, and ALAT) and inflammation (i.e., CRP). Similarly, DOMS and RPE scores were significantly higher post 5mSRT compared to pre 5mSRT (2.4 &plusmn; 1.0UA vs. 6.7 &plusmn; 1.1UA and 2.1 &plusmn; 0.6 UA vs. 8.1 &plusmn; 0.6 UA, respectively p &lt; 0.001) and 72 h post 5mSRT (1.9 &plusmn; 0.7 UA vs. 6.7 &plusmn; 1.1 UA and 1.5 &plusmn; 0.6 UA vs. 8.1 &plusmn; 0.6 UA, respectively p &lt; 0.001). PRS scores were significantly lower post 5mSRT as compared to pre 5mSRT (6 &plusmn; 1 UA vs. 3 &plusmn; 1 UA, p &lt; 0.001) and 72 h post 5mSRT (7 &plusmn; 1 UA vs. 3 &plusmn; 1 UA, p &lt; 0.001). Significant correlations existed between (i) performance parameters (PD, FI, TD, and BD) and (ii) RPE, PRS, and DOMS. The 5mSRT increased biomarkers of muscle damage and inflammation, as well as the DOMS and RPE and reduced the PRS. Seventy-two hours was sufficient for fatigue recovery induced by the 5mSRT. PD is better than FI for the calculation of performance decrements during the 5mSRT to represent fatigue