Post-activation performance enhancement strategies in sport: a brief review for practitioners

[EN] In this review, we will present and critically discuss how different conditioning exercises can be implemented in training, testing, and competition for the enhancement of performances in different sports, via post-activation performance enhance- ment and other delayed potentiation responses. The potentiation approaches described here include warming up, testing and monitoring, re-warm-up and priming strategies, and complex training. The post-activation performance enhancement responses can be best described following the new taxonomy, which allows the identification of the best strategies in every specific sport setting. This requires identifying the post-activation performance enhancement factors, which are the con- ditioning activity, the verification test, the population of athletes; and potential moderators (i.e. exercise type and loading, timing; recovery interval, target exercise, performance parameter; training background, age, and sex). The inherent limitations to these approaches, including the gaps in literature requiring further studies, may be overcome in practice by using indivi- dualized approaches

Editorial: Functional fitness/high intensity functional training for health and performance

[EN] Functional fitness training (FFT) is an emerging fitness trend that emphasizes functional, multi-joint movements, including aerobic (e.g., cycling, rowing, running) and strength exercises (e.g., weightlifting and derivatives: squat, snatch, clean and jerk, bench press, deadlift; bodyweight exercises: air squat, push-up, pull-up, muscle-up; plyometrics: box jumps, tuck ups) (Claudino et al., 2018; Feito et al., 2018). Researchers have shown that FFT may be not only suitable for professional athletes but also for populations with different fitness levels. Indeed, it is suggested that FFT elicits greater muscle recruitment than aerobic exercises alone, thereby improving both endurance and muscular strength and power (Bergeron et al., 2011; Claudino et al., 2018; Feito et al., 2018; Schlegel, 2020; Sharp et al., 2022). However, FFT units (i.e., workouts) are highly varied daily, and more research is needed to clarify its acute effects and its associated chronic training adaptations (Bergeron et al., 2011; Claudino et al., 2018; Feito et al., 2018; Schlegel, 2020; Sharp et al., 2022). Therefore, the aim of this Research Topic is to increase the knowledge of the evidence-based effects and adaptations of implementing FFT on health and performance in individuals with different biological conditions

Advances in Nutrition, Dietary Supplements and Ergogenic Aids for Athletic Performance: Trends and Future Prospects

[EN] Sports nutrition is a scientific discipline that explores the relationship between nutrients and physical exercise performance. It examines how nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals affect energy metabolism, muscle function, and recovery during exercise. Sports nutrition research aims to determine the optimal nutrient intake for athletes following their training, performance goals, and body composition. Additionally, it considers the impact of various dietary patterns, such as plant-based and ketogenic diets, on athletic performance. Overall, it seeks to understand how to optimize dietary intake to support athletic performance and maintain or enhance health status [1]. Recently, the prospect of using in sports nutrition to reduce the risk of injury and optimize recovery in athletes has increasingly been studied. For instance, ingesting a post-match recovery beverage containing native whey protein and carbohydrates may reduce exercise-induced elevation in muscle damage indicators and sustain physical performance in rugby players [2]. In injured athletes, a comprehensive systematic integrative review by Giraldo-Vallejo et al. (2023) showed the positive impact of energy availability, and high protein and carbohydrate diets content, as well as the potential use of collagen, creatine monohydrate, omega-3 (fish oils), and vitamin D to support tissue repair and reduce inflammation [3]

Introduction to the research topic: the role of physical fitness on cardiovascular responses to stress

[EN] This e-book is the culmination of countless hours of meticulous work by global scientists. We would like to thank the researchers for their great contributions to this hot topic. The combination of these studies reflects the importance of the topic amongst researchers and practitioners and the wide interest from numer- ous laboratories around the world. The contributions include a variety of formats including five original investigations, three review articles, one opinion article and a hypothesis and the- ory article. Notably, these contributions included both human and animal models that encompassed a range of techniques from molecular mechanisms to real life interventions thus reinforcing the translational approach for the understanding of cardiovascu- lar responses to stress

Pacing Profiles of Middle-Distance Running World Records in Men and Women

[EN] The aims of the current study were to compare the pacing patterns of all-time 800 m, 1500 m and mile running world records (WRs) and to determine whether differences exist between sexes, and if 800 m and 1500 m WRs were broken during championship or meet races. Overall and lap times for men and women’s 800 m, 1500 m, and mile WRs from World Athletics were collected when available and subsequently compared. A fast initial 200 m segment and a decrease in speed throughout was found during 800 m WRs. Accordingly, the first 200 m and 400 m were faster than the last 200 m and 400 m, respectively (p < 0.001, 0.77 ≤ ES ≤ 1.86). The first 400 m and 409 m for 1500 m and mile WRs, respectively, were faster than the second lap (p < 0.001, 0.74 ≤ ES ≤ 1.46). The third 400 m lap was slower than the last 300 m lap and 400 m lap for 1500 m and mile WRs, respectively (p < 0.001, 0.48 ≤ ES ≤ 1.09). No relevant sex-based differences in pacing strategy were found in any event. However, the first 409 m lap was faster than the last 400 m lap for men but not for women during mile WRs. Women achieved a greater % of WRs than men during championships (80% vs. 45.83% in the 800 m, and 63.63% vs. 31.58% in the 1500 m, respectively). In conclusion, positive, reverse J-shaped and U-shaped pacing profiles were used to break 800 m, men’s mile and 1500 m, and women’s mile WRs, respectively. WRs are more prone to be broken during championships by women than men

Respuestas autónomas y cardiovasculares en vuelo y su relación con la condición física

[ES] La aviación es el medio de transporte más eficaz que existe hoy día, atendiendo miles de millones de personas cada año. No obstante, los estresores presentes en los viajes aéreos provocan cambios autónomos, requiriendo al cuerpo la habilidad para afrontar estos factores. Por lo tanto, se tienen que comprender las estrategias preventivas y/o mitigadoras de estos efectos. El estudio pretende evaluar las respuestas autónomas y cardiovasculares que se pro- ducen durante el vuelo y su relación con la condición física. La investigación se hizo a través de dos estudios, donde los hombres sanos tenían previamente evaluados los componentes de condición física: capacidad aeróbica, furerza muscular y grasa corporal; y el registro de la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca (HRV) realizado en un día de control y en un día de vuelo. En el primer estudio, 11 pilotos de combate informaron de 3 horas de HRV y tuvieron el nivel de deshidratación durante un vuelo de prueba medido por el cambio de hematocrito. El vuelo duró 1 hora y todos pasaron por los mismos procedimientos operativos. En el segundo estudio, 22 pasajeros de la aviación comercial, registraron simultáneamente 24 horas de HRV y presión arterial. Los resultados del estudio muestran que un vuelo supersónico causó una re- ducción de la mayoría de parámetros de HRV durante el vuelo, en comparación con el día de control. No hay ninguna anticipación autónoma. La entropía se relacionaba con la capacidad aeróbica y la grasa corporal. La deshidratación generada por el vuelo cambió la HRV (RMSSD y SD1). El segundo estudio demuestra que el vuelo comercial provocó una reducción de la mayoría de parámetros de HRV durante el vuelo (RMSSD; SD1; SampEn; LnHF; α1), y en 24 horas en comparación con el día de control (FC; LnHF; α2). Había una anticipación autónoma. La tensión arterial y el producto de presión-velocidad fueron significativamente más altos du- rante el vuelo, con los mayores aumentos dos horas antes del vuelo y manteniéndose elevado hasta dos horas más. Cuanto más bajo era el porcentaje de grasa corporal y del IMC, mayor era la HRV durante el día de vuelo (RMSSD; LF; HF; SD1). Y también, como mayor era la capacidad aeróbica, más elevada es la HRV durante el vuelo (LnLF; LnHF). Conclusiones. El vuelo, en ambas situaciones y personas, exigió al organismo respuestas autónomas que ge- neran una retirada vagal significativa, un aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca. La grasa corporal y la capacidad aeróbica, indicadores de condición física, se correlacionan con la HRV, pero de manera diferente en las dos poblaciones y situaciones: los pilotos de caza (SampEn) y los pasajeros de la aviación comercial (RMSSD; LF; HF; SD1). La deshidratación se generó por la influencia supersónica del vuelo sobre la HRV. La presión arterial (SBP, DBP, MAP) está in- fluenciada en virtud del vuelo en comparación con 24 horas. Las alteraciones autónomas que se refieren, se relacionan con la capacidad aeróbica y la grasa corporal de manera diferente en los pilotos de aviones supersónicos y en los pasajeros de aviones comerciales que se en- cuentran en vuelo. La fuerza relativa no se relacionó con los parámetros de la HRV en ninguna de las poblaciones estudiada

Rendimiento y recuperación aguda en corredores de resistencia

[ES]Dieciséis corredores de fondo bien entrenados fueron evaluados en dos días diferentes mediante la prue- ba de carrera en pista de la Universidad de Montreal (UMTT) y el tiempo límite a la velocidad aeróbica máxima (Tlim). Se examinó la respuesta de la frecuencia cardiaca y la lactatemia en la recuperación agu- da (andando). La frecuencia cardiaca máxima fue diferente entre los dos días de valoración (p = 0,001), resultando superior en el UMTT respecto del Tlim. La recuperación de la frecuencia cardiaca en el pri- mer minuto (RFC1) correlacionó con la velocidad aeróbica máxima (r = 0,611 y r = 0,615, p = 0,012; en el UMTT y el Tlim, respectivamente), correlacionando además los dos valores de RFC1 entre sí (r = 0,824; p = 0,000). La diferencia en la lactatemia entre la finalización y el minuto diez de la recuperación fue estadísticamente significativa sólo después del UMTT (p = 0,013). Se concluye que: 1) fue hallada una relación moderada entre la recuperación cardiaca y la velocidad aeróbica máxima en corredores de resis- tencia; 2) la frecuencia cardiaca máxima obtenida en una prueba incremental en el campo es superior a la alcanzada en una prueba de tipo rectangular; 3) el descenso significativo de la lactatemia a los 10 min sólo se observó después del UMTT, lo que sugiere una influencia del protocolo de carrera en este parámetro[EN] Dieciséis corredores de fondo bien entrenados fueron evaluados en dos días diferentes mediante la prue- ba de carrera en pista de la Universidad de Montreal (UMTT) y el tiempo límite a la velocidad aeróbica máxima (Tlim). Se examinó la respuesta de la frecuencia cardiaca y la lactatemia en la recuperación agu- da (andando). La frecuencia cardiaca máxima fue diferente entre los dos días de valoración (p = 0,001), resultando superior en el UMTT respecto del Tlim. La recuperación de la frecuencia cardiaca en el pri- mer minuto (RFC1) correlacionó con la velocidad aeróbica máxima (r = 0,611 y r = 0,615, p = 0,012; en el UMTT y el Tlim, respectivamente), correlacionando además los dos valores de RFC1 entre sí (r = 0,824; p = 0,000). La diferencia en la lactatemia entre la finalización y el minuto diez de la recuperación fue estadísticamente significativa sólo después del UMTT (p = 0,013). Se concluye que: 1) fue hallada una relación moderada entre la recuperación cardiaca y la velocidad aeróbica máxima en corredores de resis- tencia; 2) la frecuencia cardiaca máxima obtenida en una prueba incremental en el campo es superior a la alcanzada en una prueba de tipo rectangular; 3) el descenso significativo de la lactatemia a los 10 min sólo se observó después del UMTT, lo que sugiere una influencia del protocolo de carrera en este parámetr

Autonomic correlates of Yo-Yo performance in soccer referees

[EN] We tested the hypothesis that: basal cardiac autonomic modulation (i.e. heart rate variability, HRV) was associated with the parasympathetic withdrawal during, and overall Yo-Yo IR1 performance; and therefore HRV could be used as a simple tool for specific fitness assessment. Nine sub-elite soccer referees performed the Yo-Yo IR1 until exhaustion with simultaneous recording of heart rate with the autonomic response during exercise calculated as the area under the curve (AUC). In the same week but with at least 48 hrs between days, a night-time HR recording was obtained from participants for determination of basal HRV. Correlation analysis demonstrated strong (r>0.83) relationships among Yo-Yo IR1 performance, AUC and basal HRV. These results indicate that both nocturnal HRV and AUC can be utilised as simple and valid monitoring tools of soccer referees' fitness.[TD] Nós testamos a hipótese de: que a modulação autonômica cardíaca (i.e. variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca, VFC) está associada com a retirada parassimpática durante a execução do Yo-Yo IR1; e que, portanto, a VFC poderia ser usada como uma ferramenta simples para a avaliação do desempenho físico específico. Nove árbitros sub-elite de futebol executaram o Yo-Yo IR1 até a exaustão com registro simultâneo da freqüência cardíaca e VFC para o cálculo da área sob a curva (ASC). Na mesma semana, mas com mínimo de 48 horas entre dias, obteve-se um registro noturno da FC dos participantes para a determinação da VFC basal. As análises de correlação demonstraram elevados coeficientes (r>0,83) entre o desempenho no Yo-Yo IR1, a ASC e a VFC basal. Estes resultados indicam que a VFC noturna e a ASC podem ser empregadas como ferramentas simples e válidas para o monitoramento do desempenho de árbitros de futebol

Resistance Training Acutely Impairs Agility and Spike-Specific Performance Measures in Collegiate Female Volleyball Players Returning from the Off-Season

[EN]This study examined the acute effects of resistance training (RT) on volleyball-specific performance. Sixteen female volleyball players undertook their initial, pre-season RT bout. Countermovement jump (CMJ), delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS), and sport-specific performances (i.e., run-up jump, agility, and spiking speed and accuracy) were measured before, 24 (T24), and 48 (T48) hours after RT. A significant increase in DOMS was observed at T24 and T48 (~207.6% ± 119.3%; p < 0.05; ES = 1.8 (95% CI: 0.94–2.57)), whilst agility was significantly impaired at T48 (1.7% ± 2.5%; p < 0.05; ES = 0.30 (95% CI: −0.99–0.40)). However, there were no differences in CMJ (~−2.21% ± 7.6%; p > 0.05; ES = −0.11 (95% CI: −0.80–0.58)) and run-up jump (~−1.4% ± 4.7%; p > 0.05; ES = −0.07 (95% CI: −0.76–0.63)). Spiking speed was significantly reduced (−3.5% ± 4.4%; p < 0.05; ES = −0.28 (95% CI: −0.43–0.97)), although accuracy was improved (38.3% ± 81.4%: p < 0.05) at T48. Thus, the initial, preseason RT bout compromised agility and spiking speed for several days post-exercise. Conversely, spiking accuracy improved, suggesting a speed–accuracy trade-off. Nonetheless, at least a 48-h recovery may be necessary after the initial RT bout for athletes returning from the off-season or injury

Editorial: Acute: Chronic Workload Ratio: Is There Scientific Evidence?

[EN] The scientific monitoring of athletes is fundamental to determine and understand the individual biological responses to training (Halson, 2014). In elite sports, it is crucial to regularly monitor training and performance to detect biopositive or negative responses that can be used to effectively program training according to the needs of each athlete (Bourdon et al., 2017). Moreover, workload monitoring can also help to assess fatigue and indicate the need for recovery in different physically demanding situations to ultimately avoid injuries (Halson, 2014). As there is evidence that lower injury rates are associated with higher team sport performances (Eirale et al., 2013), sport scientists and medical staff should regularly and accurately evaluate athletes’ injury risk using workload measures (Halson, 2014