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

Muitas palavras para poucos conceitos: O caso do ‘HIIT’

ResumoNeste comentário discutiremos brevemente a definição, evolução e terminologia do popular 'HIIT' (‘high-intensity intermittent training’), como um exemplo do fenômeno frequente, na educação física, de criar termos novos que, na realidade, se referem a conceitos muito antigos e, às vezes, pouco compreendidos pelos próprios profissionais.Palavras-Chaves: treinamento intervalado; treinamento intermitente; treinamento de alta intensidade; história; epistemologia. AbstractIn this commentary we will briefly discuss the definition, evolution, and terminology of the popular 'HIIT' (high-intensity intermittent training), as an example of the frequent phenomenon, in physical education, of creating new terms which, in reality, refer to very old concepts and, sometimes, poorly understood by the professionals themselves.Keywords: interval training; intermittent training; high-intensity training; history; epistemology. figshare DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.828540

The effect of branched-chain amino acid on muscle damage markers and performance following strenuous exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis determined whether the ergogenic effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) ameliorated markers of muscle damage and performance following strenuous exercise. In total, 25 studies were included, consisting of 479 participants (age 24.3 6 8.3 years, height 1.73 6 0.06 m, body mass 70.8 6 9.5 kg, females 26.3%). These studies were rated as fair to excellent following the PEDro scale. The outcome measures were compared between the BCAA and placebo conditions at 24 and 48 hours following muscle-damaging exercises, using standardised mean differences and associated p-values via forest plots. Our meta-analysis demonstrated significantly lower levels of indirect muscle damage markers (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and myoglobin) at 48 hours post-exercise (standardised mean difference [SMD] = 0.41; p < 0.05) for the BCAA than placebo conditions, whilst muscle soreness was significant at 24 hours post-exercise (SMD = 0.28 ≤ d ≤ 0.61; p < 0.05) and 48 hours post-exercise (SMD = 0.41 ≤ d≤ 0.92; p [removed] 0.05). Overall, BCAA reduced the level of muscle damage biomarkers and muscle soreness following muscle-damaging exercises. However, the potential benefits of BCAA for muscle performance recovery is questionable and warrants further investigation to determine the practicality of BCAA for ameliorating muscle damage symptoms in diverse populations. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020191248. Novelty: • BCAA reduces the level of creatine kinase and muscle soreness following strenuous exercise with a dose–response relationship. • BCAA does not accelerate recovery for muscle performance

The Paradoxical Effect of Creatine Monohydrate on Muscle Damage Markers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Several studies have examined the effect of creatine monohydrate (CrM) on indirect muscle damage markers and muscle performance, although pooled data from several studies indicate that the benefits of CrM on recovery dynamics are limited. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis determined whether the ergogenic effects of CrM ameliorated markers of muscle damage and performance following muscle-damaging exercises. Methods: In total, 23 studies were included, consisting of 240 participants in the CrM group (age 23.9 ± 10.4 years, height 178 ± 5 cm, body mass 76.9 ± 7.6 kg, females 10.4%) and 229 participants in the placebo group (age 23.7 ± 8.5 years, height 177 ± 5 cm, body mass 77.0 ± 6.6 kg, females 10.0%). These studies were rated as fair to excellent following the PEDro scale. The outcome measures were compared between the CrM and placebo groups at 24–36 h and 48–90 h following muscle-damaging exercises, using standardised mean differences (SMDs) and associated p-values via forest plots. Furthermore, sub-group analyses were conducted by separating studies into those that examined the effects of CrM as an acute training response (i.e., after one muscle-damaging exercise bout) and those that examined the chronic training response (i.e., examining the acute response after the last training session following several weeks of training). Results: According to the meta-analysis, the CrM group exhibited significantly lower indirect muscle damage markers (i.e., creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and/or myoglobin) at 48–90 h post-exercise for the acute training response (SMD − 1.09; p = 0.03). However, indirect muscle damage markers were significantly greater in the CrM group at 24 h post-exercise (SMD 0.95; p = 0.04) for the chronic training response. Although not significant, a large difference in indirect muscle damage markers was also found at 48 h post-exercise (SMD 1.24) for the chronic training response. The CrM group also showed lower inflammation for the acute training response at 24–36 h post-exercise and 48–90 h post-exercise with a large effect size (SMD − 1.38 ≤ d ≤  − 1.79). Similarly, the oxidative stress markers were lower for the acute training response in the CrM group at 24–36 h post-exercise and 90 h post-exercise, with a large effect size (SMD − 1.37 and − 1.36, respectively). For delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), the measures were lower for the CrM group at 24 h post-exercise with a moderate effect size (SMD − 0.66) as an acute training response. However, the inter-group differences for inflammation, oxidative stress, and DOMS were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Overall, our meta-analysis demonstrated a paradoxical effect of CrM supplementation post-exercise, where CrM appears to minimise exercise-induced muscle damage as an acute training response, although this trend is reversed as a chronic training response. Thus, CrM may be effective in reducing the level of exercise-induced muscle damage following a single bout of strenuous exercises, although training-induced stress could be exacerbated following long-term supplementation of CrM. Although long-term usage of CrM is known to enhance training adaptations, whether the increased level of exercise-induced muscle damage as a chronic training response may provide potential mechanisms to enhance chronic training adaptations with CrM supplementation remains to be confirmed

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

Improvements in attention and cardiac autonomic modulation after a 2-weeks sprint interval training program: a fidelity approach

This study aimed to: (1) investigate the influence of a 2-weeks sprint interval training (SIT) program on aerobic capacity, cardiac autonomic control, and components of attention in young healthy university students; and (2) to ascertain whether training fidelity would influence these adaptations. One hundred and nine participants were divided into an experimental (EG) and control (CG) groups. The EG performed a SIT program that consisted of 6 sessions of 4 x 30 s "all-out" efforts on a cycle ergometer, interspersed with active rests of 4 min. The criterion for fidelity was achieving >90% of estimated maximum heart rate (HR) during sprint bouts. After analyses, the EG was divided into HIGH (n = 26) and LOW(n = 46) fidelity groups. Components of attention were assessed using the Attention Network Test (ANT). Aerobic capacity (VO(2)max) was estimated while the sum of skinfolds was determined. Autonomic control of HR was assessed by means of HR variability (HRV) and HR complexity at rest and during ANT. Both HIGH and LOW significantly increased aerobic capacity, vagal modulation before and during ANT, and executive control, and decreased body fatness after SIT (p < 0.05). However, only participants from HIGH showed an increase in HR complexity and accuracy in ANT when compared to LOW (p < 0.05). Two weeks of SIT improved executive control, body fatness, aerobic fitness, and autonomic control in university students with better results reported in those individuals who exhibited high fidelity

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

Different time course recovery of muscle edema within the quadriceps femoris and functional performance after single-vs multi-joint exercises

This study aimed to verify the time course recovery of muscle edema within the quadriceps femoris and functional performance after lower-body single- and multi-joint exercises. For this within-participant unilateral and contralateral experimental design, fourteen untrained young males performed a unilateral knee extension exercise (KE), and a unilateral leg press (LP) exercise in a counterbalanced order. At pre-, post-, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after exercise, the peak torque (PT), unilateral countermovement jump (uCMJ) performance, and rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle thicknesses were recorded in both legs. The PT decreased immediately after (p = 0.01) both exercises (KE and LP) and was fully recovered 24 h after KE (p = 0.38) and 48 h after LP (p = 0.68). Jump height and power, in the uCMJ, followed the same PT recovery pattern after both exercises. However, vertical stiffness (Kvert) was not affected at any time point after both protocols. The RF thickness increased after both exercises (p = 0.01) and was fully restored 48 h after KE (p = 0.86) and 96 h after LP (p = 1.00). The VL thickness increased after both exercises (p = 0.01) and was fully restored 24 h after LP (p = 1.00) and 48 h after KE (p = 1.00). The LP exercise, compared to KE, induced more prolonged impairment of functional performance and delayed recovery of RF muscle edema. However, the VL edema-induced muscle swelling recovery was delayed after the KE exercise. The different recovery kinetics between functional performance and muscle damage should be taken into consideration depending on the objectives of the next training sessions

Construct Validity and Reliability of a New Basketball Multidirectional Reactive Repeated Sprint Test

The objective of this study was to investigate the construct validity and reliability of a new reactive multidirectional repeated sprinting test (RRSA5COD) in basketball players. Forty male basketball players were divided into two groups: Professional (PRO; n = 20) and Semi-professional (SEMI; n = 20). Participants completed the yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-YoIR1), the squat jump (SJ), the counter movement jump (CMJ), the single leg drop jump (DJ), the 20-m sprint test, the planed multidirectional repeated sprinting test (PRSA5COD), and the RRSA5COD test. Reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT), total time (TT), best time (BT), and fatigue index (FI) were assessed. Heart rate (HR) was continuously recorded, while rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and blood lactate concentration (LA) were measured post-tests. The reliability of the RRSA5COD test was also assessed between two attempts with one week between them. The RRSA5COD results demonstrated to be reliable with most of the variables showing ICC > 0.80. BA Bonferroni post hoc revealed a significant better TT in favor of RRSA5COD (p < 0.001; ES = 0.15; small), and in favor of PRO (p < 0.001; ES = 0.006; small). The result showed a significant better performance in favor of PRO in all physical fitness tests. In conclusion, it was found that the RRSA5COD discriminates between professional and semi-professional male basketball players, and the results were demonstrated to be reliable