Strength Training Habits in Amateur Endurance Runners in Spain: Influence of Athletic Level

This study determined the strength training (ST) habits of amateur endurance runners in Spain regarding athletic level. A sixteen-item online questionnaire comprised of (i) demographic information, (ii) performance, and (iii) training contents was completed by 1179 athletes. Five group levels were determined according to the personal best times of the athletes in a 10-km trial (LG1: level group 1, 50–55 min; LG2: level group 2, 45–50 min; LG3: level group 3, 40–45 min; LG4: level group 4, 35–40 min; LG5: level group 5, 30–35 min). Most athletes (n = 735, 62.3%) perceived ST as being a key component in their training program. Resistance training (RT) was reported as a ST type used by 63.4% of the athletes, 66.9% reported using bodyweight exercises, 46.8% reported using plyometric training, 65.6% reported using uphill runs, and 17.8% reported using resisted runs. The prevalence of runners who excluded ST from their training programs decreased as the athletic performance level increased (18.2% in lower-level athletes vs. 3.0% in higher-level), while the inclusion of RT, bodyweight exercises, plyometric training, and uphill and resisted runs was more frequent within higher-level groups. Most athletes included ST using low-to-moderate loads and high a number of repetitions/sets comprised of RT, plyometric training, resisted runs, and core, respiratory, and foot muscles training

Vertical Jumping as a Monitoring Tool in Endurance Runners: A Brief Review

This research was supported by the Pre-competitive Projects for Early Stage Researchers Programme from the University of Granada (ref: PPJIA2020.03)Jumping performance (e.g., countermovement jump [CMJ]), as a measure of neuromuscular performance, has been suggested as an easy-to-use tool which simultaneously provides neuromuscular and metabolic information and, thereby, allows coaches to confidently monitor the status of their athletes during a workout. This hypothesis has been satisfactorily tested with sprint athletes. However, the rationale for the use of CMJ height loss as an index to monitor the workload during an endurance running session is not sufficiently evidence-based. First, it is assumed that a CMJ height loss occurs during typical interval training for endurance runners. Second, it is also assumed that a significant relationship between metabolic stress and the neuromuscular strain induced during these endurance workouts exists. These two assumptions will be questioned in this review by critically analyzing the kinetics of CMJ performance during and after running workouts, and the relationship between neuromuscular and physiological stress induced during different protocols in endurance runners. The current evidence shows that fatigue induced by common running workouts for endurance runners does not counterbalance the potentiation effect in the CMJ height. Additionally, the findings reported among different studies are consistent regarding the lack of association between CMJ height loss and physiological stress during interval sessions in endurance runners. In practical terms, the authors suggest that this marker of neuromuscular fatigue may not be used to regulate the external training load during running workouts in endurance runners. Nevertheless, the analysis of CMJ height during running workouts may serve to monitor chronic adaptations to training in endurance runners.Pre-competitive Projects for Early Stage Researchers Programme from the University of Granada PPJIA2020.0

Acute effects of a 60‑min time trial on power‑related parameters in trained endurance runners

Background: The advent of power meters for running has raised the interest of athletes and coaches in new ways of assessing changes in running performance. The aim of this study is to determine the changes in power-related variables during and after a strenuous endurance running time trial. Methods: Twenty-one healthy male endurance runners, with a personal record of 37.2 ± 1.2 min in a 10-km race, completed a 1-h run on a motorized treadmill trying to cover as much distance as they could. Before and after the time trial the athletes were asked to perform a 3-min run at 12 km h− 1. Normalized mean power output, step frequency, form power and running effectiveness were calculated using the Stryd™ power meter. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored, and data averaged every 5 min. Results: Despite high levels of exhaustion were reached during the time trial (HRpeak = 176.5 ± 9.8 bpm; RPE = 19.2 ± 0.8), the repeated measures ANOVA resulted in no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05), between each pair of periods for any of the power-related variables. The pairwise comparison (T test) between the non-fatigued and fatigued constant 3-min runs showed an increase in step frequency (p = 0.012) and a decrease in form power (p < 0.001) under fatigue conditions, with no meaningful changes in normalized mean power output and running effectiveness. Conclusions: Trained athletes are able to maintain power output and running effectiveness during a high demanding extended run. However, they preferred to reduce the intensity of vertical impacts under fatigue conditions by increasing their step frequency

The variability of strength production capacities during a judo contest

Background. The muscular response of athletes in a judo contest is one of the most important aspect to measure with precision. Objective. Our purpose was to obtain and analyse the variability of strength associated to muscular performance parameters during a judo contest. Methods. Thirty-five men performed five 5-minute bouts with 15 minutes of passive rest. Immediately after each bout, muscular performance parameters were tested: countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal dynamic strength capacities (mean power velocity (MPV), mean strength (MS), maximum strength (MXS), mean power (MP) and maximum power (MXP)) in upper body, dominant (DHS) and non-dominant handgrip isometric strength (NDHS). ANOVA to compare baseline test data and successive bouts was used. Results. ANOVA revealed significant differences in NDHS (p<0.001), DHS (p<0.001), CMJ (p<0.001), MPV (p<0.001), MXS (p<0.001), MP (p<0.001) and MXP (p<0.001). No significant differences in MS (p = 0.008) were found. Some significant correlations between NDHS and ΔPMX (r=0.368, p=0.050), MPV and ΔMXS (r=0.528, p=0.001) and ΔMXP (r=0.683, p<0.001), MPX and ΔMXS (r=0.528, p=0.001) and ΔMP (r=0.877, p<0.001) were found. Conclusion. Due to judo contest can be considered a high intensity exercise, it produces an amount of muscular fatigue and therefore significant loss strength that it cannot be recovery during rest-times between successive bouts. For this reason, it was a high variability in strength production capacities, which are modified during a judo contest

Does Arch Stiffness Influence Running Spatiotemporal Parameters? An Analysis of the Relationship between Influencing Factors on Running Performance

This study aimed to determine the influence of arch stiffness on running spatiotemporal parameters at a common speed for a wide range of endurance runners (i.e., 12 km h-1). In total, 97 runners, 52 men and 45 women, completed a treadmill running protocol at 12 km h-1. Spatiotemporal parameters were measured using the OptoGait system, and foot structure was assessed by determining arch stiffness. Since between-sex differences were found in anthropometric and foot structure variables, data analysis was conducted separately for men and women, and body mass and height were considered as covariates. For both sexes, a k-means cluster analysis grouped participants according to arch stiffness, by obtaining a group of low-arch stiffness (LAS group) and a group of high-arch stiffness (HAS group), with significant differences in arch stiffness (p < 0.001, for both men and women). No significant differences between LAS and HAS groups were found in running spatiotemporal parameters, regardless of sex (p 0.05). For both sexes, the partial correlation analysis reported no significant correlations (p 0.05) between foot structure variables and running spatiotemporal parameters. The results obtained show no differences in spatiotemporal gait characteristics during running at submaximal velocity between runners with low-arch stiffness and those with high-arch stiffness, regardless of sex. These findings may have important implications for clinicians and coaches by adding more evidence to the debate about the use of static foot classification measures when characterizing the foot and its biomechanics during running

Respuesta al estado de ánimo, al entrenamiento y al descanso en corredores veteranos con adicción negativa a la carrera

To analyze how mood status of veteran endurance athletes is modified in training and resting days, according to addiction level toward endurance running. 30 veteran endurance athletes participated in this study (age=40.53±8.20 years). The Negative Addiction Scale (NAS) and the Profile of Mood Status (POMS) were used. Participants were classified like an addicted when obtained a score ≥5 in NAS. Athletes performed the POMS in non-successive days, 4 training days and 4 resting days. The addicted athletes significantly increased (p<.05) the scores in tension, depression and anger in resting days. In non-addicted group, the tension is significantly increased (p=.015) in resting days, Non-addicted group showed in resting days, significant lower values (p<.05) in tension, depression, fatigue and anger than addicted group. Non-addicted athletes showed an iceberg profile in training and resting days, while addicted athletes only in training days. Significant correlations (p<.05) were found between NAS and tension, depression, fatigue and anger in resting days. The veteran endurance athletes with negative addiction to running modify the mood state in resting days, even when the rest is planned, and an increase in tension, depression, and anger values is produced.El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar la modificación del estado de ánimo en corredores veteranos los días que entrenan y descansan, en relación a su nivel de dependencia a la carrera de resistencia. Han participado 30 atletas veteranos de resistencia (edad=40.53±8.20 años). Se emplearon la Negative Addiction Scale (NAS) y el Profile of Mood Status (POMS). Los atletas se clasificaron como adictos con una puntuación ≥5 en la escala NAS. Los atletas cumplimentaron el cuestionario POMS de manera no consecutiva 4 días de entrenamiento y 4 días de descanso durante un mes. Los atletas adictos experimentan un incremento significativo (p<.05) de la tensión, la depresión y la cólera los días de descanso. En el grupo no adicto la tensión se incrementa de manera significativa (p=.015) en los días de descanso. En los días de descanso, el grupo no adicto muestra de manera significativa (p<.05) menores valores de tensión, depresión, fatiga y cólera que el grupo adicto. Los atletas no adictos muestran un perfil iceberg los días de entrenamiento y descanso, los atletas adictos sólo los días de entrenamiento. Se observan correlaciones significativas (p<.05) entre la escala NAS y la tensión, depresión, fatiga y cólera los días de descanso. Los corredores de resistencia con adicción negativa a la carrera modifican su estado de ánimo en los días que descansan, incluso estando el descanso programado, incrementando la depresión, la cólera y la tensión

Influence of the Shod Condition on Running Power Output: An Analysis in Recreationally Active Endurance Runners

Several studies have already analysed power output in running or the relation between VO2max and power production as factors related to running economy; however, there are no studies assessing the difference in power output between shod and barefoot running. This study aims to identify the effect of footwear on the power output endurance runner. Forty-one endurance runners (16 female) were evaluated at shod and barefoot running over a one-session running protocol at their preferred comfortable velocity (11.71 +/- 1.07 km center dot h(-1)). The mean power output (MPO) and normalized MPO (MPOnorm), form power, vertical oscillation, leg stiffness, running effectiveness and spatiotemporal parameters were obtained using the Stryd (TM) foot pod system. Additionally, footstrike patterns were measured using high-speed video at 240 Hz. No differences were noted in MPO (p = 0.582) and MPOnorm (p = 0.568), whereas significant differences were found in form power, in both absolute (p = 0.001) and relative values (p < 0.001), running effectiveness (p = 0.006), stiffness (p = 0.002) and vertical oscillation (p < 0.001). By running barefoot, lower values for contact time (p < 0.001) and step length (p = 0.003) were obtained with greater step frequency (p < 0.001), compared to shod running. The prevalence of footstrike pattern significantly differs between conditions, with 19.5% of runners showing a rearfoot strike, whereas no runners showed a rearfoot strike during barefoot running. Running barefoot showed greater running effectiveness in comparison with shod running, and was consistent with lower values in form power and lower vertical oscillation. From a practical perspective, the long-term effect of barefoot running drills might lead to increased running efficiency and leg stiffness in endurance runners, affecting running economy

Dependencia al ejercicio físico e insatisfacción corporal en diferentes deportes de resistencia y su relación con la motivación al deporte

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la dependencia al ejercicio físico e insatisfacción corporal de deportistas de resistencia y su relación con la motivación al ejercicio físico. Participaron 126 hombres (M = 36.02 ± 10.62 años) y 23 mujeres (M = 28.18 ± 8.65 años) que practican: carrera de fondo, natación, triatlón y ciclismo. En la muestra total, la prevalencia de dependencia al ejercicio físico fue de un 13.6% y de insatisfacción corporal de un 16.3 %. Los triatletas presentan mayor prevalencia de dependencia al ejercicio físico, con diferencias significativas en relación con los corredores. La regulación introyectada es un factor predictivo común a la dependencia al ejercicio físico y a la insatisfacción corporal.The objective of this study is to analyse dependence on exercise and body dissatisfaction in endurance athletes and its relation with motivation to do sports. 126 men (M= 36.02 ± 10.62 years) and 23 women (M = 28.18 ± 8.65 years) took part who did: long-distance running, swimming, triathlon and cycling. In the total sample, the prevalence of exercise dependence was 13.6% and body dissatisfaction was 16.3%. For exercise dependence, triathletes showed higher scores with significant differences when compared to the runners. Introjected regulation is a common predictor for exercise dependence and body dissatisfaction.O objectivo deste estudo é analisar a dependência do exercício físico e insatisfação corporal de desportistas de resistência e a sua relação com a motivação para o exercício físico. Participaram 126 homens (M = 36.02 ± 10.62 anos) y 23 mulheres (M = 28.18 ± 8.65 anos) que praticam: corrida de fundo, natação, triatlo e ciclismo. Na amostra total, a prevalência de dependência do exercício físico foi de 13.6% e de insatisfação corporal de 16.3%. Os triatletas apresentam maior prevalência de dependência do exercício físico, com diferenças significativas em relação aos corredores. A regulação introjectada é um factor preditivo comum à dependência do exercício físico e à insatisfação corporal

Handgrip strength test a complementary tool in monitoring asthma in daily clinical practice in children

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that handgrip strength test can discriminate the presence/absence of asthma and between intermittent and moderate persistent asthma in children. 140 children (70 healthy and 70 with asthma) completed the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) and performed the handgrip strength test. Forty-eight hours later, subjects performed spirometry. The results showed Handgrip strength was significantly lower (p<0.001) in children with asthma compared with healthy ones. There were also significant differences (p= 0.024) according to the severity of the disease; children with moderate persistent asthma performed worse than children with intermittent asthma. Binary logistic regression analysis and ROC curve analysis revealed that the result in handgrip strength test was a predictive factor for asthma (cut-off at 16.84 kg) and for severity of pathology (cut-off at 15.06 kg). Handgrip strength was reduced in children with asthma. Handgrip strength was positively associated with lung capacity and quality of life. The fact that the handgrip strength test was able to discriminate between presence/absence of asthma and between intermittent and moderate persistent asthma in children suggested that this test could be used as a complementary tool in the monitoring of asthma in daily clinical practice

Análisis del rendimiento en salto vertical, agilidad,

Objetivo Analizar la influencia de la categoría de edad en la capacidad de salto, sprint, agilidad y velocidad de golpeo en futbolistas jóvenes. Método Estudio transversal en el que participaron 36 jugadores de nivel subélite provenientes de las categorías inferiores (cadete y juvenil) de equipos de fútbol andaluces (edad: 15,87 ± 1,43 años; masa corporal: 65,38 ± 10,84 kg; altura: 1,71 ± 0,06 m). Se evaluó la composición corporal, el rendimiento en salto vertical (CMJ), la agilidad mediante el test de Balsom, velocidad de sprint en 5, 10, 20 y 30 m y la velocidad de golpeo con ambas piernas. Resultados Los análisis mostraron que los jugadores juveniles tienen mayor rendimiento en los test de CMJ, agilidad y velocidad de golpeo con ambas piernas que los cadetes. No se aprecian diferencias significativas (p ≥ 0,05) en la prueba de velocidad, aunque se evidencia una clara tendencia a favor de los juveniles. Conclusión Existe efecto de la edad durante la etapa de la adolescencia sobre la capacidad de salto, la agilidad, la velocidad de golpeo y, en menor medida, sobre la velocidad de jóvenes jugadores de fútbol, además de asociación entre las capacidades condicionales más influyentes en el rendimiento del futbolista