Strength-endurance training reduces the hamstrings strength decline following simulated football competition in female players

Hamstring strains are the most common injury in multiple sprint sports, with inadequate eccentric hamstring strength and fatigue identified as important risk factors. Resistance training interventions aimed at reducing injury risk typically focus on the development of maximum strength, while little is known about the impact of training on hamstring fatigue resistance. The present study compared the effects of strength endurance (SE) with a strength intervention (S) on the eccentric hamstring strength decline induced by a simulated soccer match. Twenty-one female soccer players were randomly assigned to a S group (n = 10) or a SE group (n = 11). Hamstrings and quadriceps isokinetic concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT) were assessed at 120°.s-1 and hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio (HEcc:QCon) calculated, pre- and immediately post a 90-min simulated match (BEAST90). This was repeated following a 7-week intervention of either three to five sets of 6RM leg curl and stiff-leg deadlift with 3-min inter-set rest (S), or the same exercises performed using three sets of 12–20 RM with 45–90 s inter-set rest (SE). At baseline, the simulated match led to significant declines in hamstrings eccentric peak torque (EccPT) in both groups in both dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) legs [SE: (D: −15.5, ND: −15.6%), P = 0.001 to 0.016; S: (D: −12.3%, ND: −15.5%), P = 0.001 to 0.018]. After the 7-week intervention, we observed a group*intervention*match interaction such that there was no significant decline in EccPT in the SE group following the simulated match (D: 5.3%, ND: 2.0%), but there remained significant declines in the S group (D: −14.2%, ND: −15.5%, P = 0.018–0.001). Similarly, in the SE group, there was a significant decrease in the HEcc:QCon in D before (−14.2%, P = 0.007), but not after the training intervention, whereas declines were observed in the S group both at baseline, and following the intervention (D: −13.9%, ND: −15.6%, P = 0.045). These results demonstrate that SE training can reduce the magnitude of the EccPT decline observed during soccer competition. As inadequate eccentric strength and fatigue are both risk factors for hamstring injury, SE training should be considered along with the development of peak eccentric strength, as a component of programs aimed at reducing injury risk in multiple-sprint sports

The importance of standard operating procedures in physical fitness assessment: a brief review

Background: Physical fitness status is a key aspect of health and, consequently, it is important to create and adopt appropriate interventions to maintain or improve it, and assess it using valid measures. While in other testing contexts, standard operating procedures (SOPs) are commonly and widely adopted, in physical fitness testing, a variety of unstandardized testing protocols are proposed. Aims: The topic of this review was to evaluate the existing literature on SOPs in physical fitness assessment and to provide guidelines on how SOPs could be created and adopted. Method: The electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were screened and original, peer-reviewed studies that included SOPs, related to physical fitness, were recorded. Results: After the inclusion and exclusion criteria screening, a total of six studies were included and these were critically and narratively analyzed. Conclusions: Standard operating procedures are rarely adopted in the field of physical fitness and a step by step guide has been provided in this manuscript. In the future, it is suggested to follow protocols as a routine, because this is the only way to generalize and contextualize findings

Strength and endurance training reduces the loss of eccentric hamstring torque observed after soccer specific fatigue

Objectives: To investigate the effect of two hamstring training protocols on eccentric peak torque before and after soccer specific fatigue. Participants: Twenty-two university male soccer players. Design: Isokinetic strength tests were performed at 60°/s pre and post fatigue, before and after 2 different training interventions. A 45-minute soccer specific fatigue modified BEAST protocol (M-BEAST) was used to induce fatigue. Players were randomly assigned to a 4 week hamstrings conditioning intervention with either a maximum strength (STR) or a muscle endurance (END) emphasis. Main outcome measures: The following parameters were evaluated:– Eccentric peak torque (EccPT), angle of peak torque (APT), and angle specific torques at knee joint angles of 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 70°, 80° and 90°. Results: There was a significant effect of the M-BEAST on the Eccentric torque angle profile before training as well as significant improvements in post-fatigue torque angle profile following the effects of both strength and muscle endurance interventions. Conclusions: Forty-five minutes of simulated soccer activity leads to reduced eccentric hamstring torque at longer muscle lengths. Short-term conditioning programs (4-weeks) with either a maximum strength or a muscular endurance emphasis can equally reduce fatigue induced loss of strength over this time period

An 8-Week Exercise Intervention Based on Zumba Improves Aerobic Fitness and Psychological Well-Being in Healthy Women

Background: Although Zumba is practiced by millions of people worldwide, there is a paucity of research about its potential benefits. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Zumba on physiological and psychological outcomes in healthy women. Methods: Cardiovascular fitness, body composition, physical self-perception and psychological well-being were assessed before and immediately after 8 weeks of Zumba performed 3 times weekly (Zumba group, n = 22, age: 26.6 +/- 5.4 years old; height: 165.8 +/- 7.1 cm) or no intervention (control group, n = 22, age: 27.9 +/- 6.0 years old; height: 164.7 +/- 6.2 cm). All variables were analyzed by a 2-way (Group x Time) analysis of variance with repeated measures, and a Bonferroni post hoc test. Pearson correlation coefficient assessed the relationship between changes in anthropometric, physiological and psychological variables. Results: Zumba provided significant positive changes in maximal aerobic fitness (+3.6%), self-perception of physical strength (+16.3%) and muscular development (+18.6%), greater autonomy (+8.0%), and purpose in life (+4.4%). No significant changes were observed in the control group. In addition, some psychological changes were significantly correlated to body fat at baseline, and changes in fitness. Conclusions: These results highlight that Zumba is beneficial to improve fitness and well-being in healthy women, but does not change body composition

The potential benefits of Zumba Gold® in people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s: feasibility and effects of dance style and number of sessions

Objectives To assess the feasibility of Zumba Gold® in people with PD, and to investigate the effects of dance styles and number of sessions on activity levels and physiological load. Design Repeated measure uncontrolled (single group) feasibility study. Setting Eleven participants (age: 64.0 ± 8.1 years) with mild-to-moderate idiopathic PD (Hoehn & Yahr stage < 3.0) took part in a screening session, followed by six Zumba Gold® workouts each separated by one week, and a follow-up interview six months later. Main outcome measures The main feasibility parameters measured were retention, compliance, and adverse events. Furthermore, during each Zumba Gold® session, physical activity levels were measured using tri-axial accelerometers, while physiological load was assessed by average heart rate (HRmean). A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures assessed the effects of dance styles and session number on activity level and HR. Results 73% retention and 81% compliance were achieved, and no adverse events were recorded. Participants’ enjoyment was high and 38% started Zumba Gold® classes in the community after intervention. HR values were similar between dance styles and within the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)’s recommendations in 50% of participants. Backwards steps reduced physiological load but improvements in activity levels between the first and last sessions show that steps could be learnt with time. Conclusions Zumba Gold® is safe and enjoyable for people with PD. The excellent compliance and positive participants’ feedback suggest the need for a larger-scale trial

Salivary endocrine response following a maximal incremental cycling protocol with local vibration.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of vibration (Vib versus noVib) during a maximal graded cycling exercise on hormonal response, precisely on cortisol (C) and testosterone (T). Twelve active males (25 ± 5yrs; 181 ± 5cm; 80.7 ± 11.1kg) randomly performed two maximal incremental cycling tests on two separate days and at the same time of the day (09:00). The protocol consisted of incremental steps of 3 min duration performed on a PowerBIKETM that induces vibration cycling. The study was a repeated measures design and participants performed the test with and without vibration. Gas exchange and heart rate (HR) were continuously assessed and blood lactate (Bla) was recorded at the end of each incremental stage. Saliva samples were collected before and immediately after the test, and analysed for (C) and (T). The results show that C and T increased in both cycling conditions; however, the C's magnitude of change was significantly higher by 83% after Vib cycling in comparison to the no Vib (p = 0.014), whereas the T's magnitude of change were not statistically different between trials (p = 0.715). Vibration induced a decrease of the T/C ratio (p = 0.046) but no significant changes were observed following noVib (p = 0.476). As a conclusion, the investigation suggests that adding mechanical vibration to cycling may potentiate a catabolic exercise-induced state, which could have potential clinical implications in rehabilitation and injury treatment. Sport experts should take this message home to carefully plan the recovery process and time during training and competitions

The role of strength-related factors on psychological readiness for return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction

Psychological readiness following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) correlates with different return to sport outcomes. However, the relationship between strength and power and psychological readiness remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anterior cruciate ligament return to sport after injury (ACL-RSI) scores and various hamstrings and quadriceps strength and power variables. Twelve participants (20.7 ± 2.5 years old; 174.2 ± 7.5 cm; 70.2 ± 8.5 kg; 18.2 ± 8.3% of body fat) who had an ACLR nine months or more before the study completed the ACL-RSI questionnaire and isokinetic strength testing of the hamstrings and quadriceps (60°·s−1 and 180°·s−1). Based on ACL-RSI scores, they were divided into “cases” and “controls”, deemed not psychologically ready and psychologically ready to return to previous sport performance (PILOS), respectively. The main findings are that quadriceps’ and hamstrings’ rate of torque development (RTD) and time since surgery were determinants of psychological readiness following ACLR. Furthermore, compared to controls, cases showed significantly lower quadriceps torque at angles close to full knee extension (40 deg and 30 deg from extension). They also showed lower RTD than controls, but no difference in peak torque. These results suggest that physiotherapists should facilitate athletes’ return to sport (RTS) by focusing on the restoration of RTD and strength at angles close to full knee extension

The recovery umbrella in the world of elite sport: Do not forget the coaching and performance staff

In the field of sports science, the recovery umbrella is a trending topic, and even more so in the world of elite sports. This is evidenced by the significant increase in scientific publications during the last 10 years as teams look to find a competitive edge. Recovery is recognized to be an integral component to assist athlete preparation in the restoration of physical and psychological function, and subsequently, performance in elite team sports athletes. However, the importance of recovery in team staff members (sports coaches and performance staff) in elite sports appears to be a forgotten element. Given the unrelenting intense nature of daily tasks and responsibilities of team staff members, the elite sports environment can predispose coaches to increased susceptibility to psycho-socio physiological fatigue burden, and negatively affect health, wellbeing, and performance. Therefore, the aim of this opinion was to (1) develop an educational recovery resource for team staff members, (2) identify organizational task-specific fatigue indicators and barriers to recovery and self-care in team staff members, and (3) present recovery implementation strategies to assist team staff members in meeting their organizational functions. It is essential that we do not forget the coaching and performance staff in the recovery process. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland