The effect of an acute sleep hygiene strategy following a late-night soccer match on recovery of players

© 2016 Taylor & Francis. Elite soccer players are at risk of reduced recovery following periods of sleep disruption, particularly following late-night matches. It remains unknown whether improving sleep quality or quantity in such scenarios can improve post-match recovery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an acute sleep hygiene strategy (SHS) on physical and perceptual recovery of players following a late-night soccer match. In a randomised cross-over design, two highly-trained amateur teams (20 players) played two late-night (20:45) friendly matches against each other seven days apart. Players completed an SHS after the match or proceeded with their normal post-game routine (NSHS). Over the ensuing 48 h, objective sleep parameters (sleep duration, onset latency, efficiency, wake episodes), countermovement jump (CMJ; height, force production), YoYo Intermittent Recovery test (YYIR2; distance, maximum heart rate, lactate), venous blood (creatine kinase, urea and c-reactive protein) and perceived recovery and stress markers were collected. Sleep duration was significantly greater in SHS compared to NSHS on match night (P = 0.002, d = 1.50), with NSHS significantly less than baseline (P 0.05); although maximum heart rate during the YYIR2 was significantly higher in NSHS than SHS at 36 h post-match (P = 0.01; d = 0.81). There were no significant differences between conditions for perceptual “overall recovery” (P = 0.47) or “overall stress” (P = 0.17). Overall, an acute SHS improved sleep quantity following a late-night soccer match; albeit without any improvement in physical performance, perceptual recovery or blood-borne markers of muscle damage and inflammation

Apollo 14: Some geochemical aspects

Chemical analyses were obtained for five samples of Apollo 14 regolith fines, three 14230 core samples, soil clod 14049, breccias 14305 and 14319, 14310 basalt, and some separated phases. The chemical uniformity of these Apollo 14 samples indicates thorough mixing and/or uniform source rocks. Basalt 14310 can be matched well in composition by a four to one mixture of soil and plagioclase. The Eu(2+)/Eu(3+) ratios calculated for 14310 pigeonite and plagioclase are similar to those for Apollo 12 and 15 mare-type basalt phases; this indicates similar redox conditions. Apollo 14 samples are chemically similar to Apollo 12 and 15 KREEP as distinct from Apollo 11, 12, and 15 and Luna 16 mare-type basalts

Conductivity tomography at two frequencies

We present a new approach for crosshole radio tomography. Conductivity images of the investigated area are reconstructed from the ratio of the electric field intensities measured at two similar frequencies. The method largely avoids assumptions about the radiation pattern and in-situ intensity of the transmitting antenna, which introduce errors in conventional single-frequency crosshole electromagnetic-absorption tomography. Application of the method to field data achieved an improvement in resolution of anomalies over traditional single-frequency absorption tomography. The dual-frequency method is not a universal approach; it is suitable for moderately conductive media (>0.01 S/m) over the approximate frequency range 1-100 MHz

Combined organic biomarker and use-wear analyses of stone artefacts from Liang Bua, Flores, Indonesia

Organic biomarker and lithic use-wear analyses of archaeological implements manufactured and/or used by hominins in the past offers a means of assessing how prehistoric peoples utilised natural resources. Currently, most studies focus on one of these techniques, rather than using both in sequence. This study aims to assess the potential of combining both methods to analyse stone artefacts, using a set of 69 stones excavated from the cave site of Liang Bua (Flores, Indonesia). Prior to chemical analysis, an initial inspection of the artefacts revealed potential use-wear traces but no visible residues. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, including the targeting of 86 lipids, terpenes, terpenoids, alkanes and their analogues, found compounds with plant or animal origin on 27 of the 69 stones. The artefacts were subsequently cleaned, and use-wear analysis identified traces of use on 43 artefacts. Use-wear analysis confirmed traces of use on 23 of the 27 artefacts with potential use-residues that were determined by GC-MS. The GC-MS results were broadly consistent with the functional classes identified in the later use-wear analysis. This inclusive approach for stone artefact analysis strengthens the identifications made through multiple lines of enquiry. There remain conflicts and uncertainties in specific cases, suggesting the need for further refinement and analyses of the relationships between use-wear and residues

Professional youth football academy injury data: collection procedures, perceived value, and use

Purpose: There is a paucity of descriptive injury data relevant to professional academy football, with little to no evidence reporting how sports science/medicine staff within academies collect and use injury data. Materials and methods: An online survey relating to the perceptions surrounding injury data collection, its value and use was developed. Forty-seven applied practitioners working for different professional football academies completed the survey. Results: Injury data collection procedures conducted by appropriately trained medical staff are widespread among football academies. Injury data collection within academies was deemed worthwhile and important by 79% of practitioners. Similarly, 79% strongly agreed/agreed that using injury data for academic research is worthwhile. The engagement with and use of injury data by coaching staff appears to be relatively poor, with only 49% of practitioners stating coaches formally review data. Conclusions: Injury data are widely collected within academies and practitioners consider this information valuable. However, improving engagement with coaches and using the data for academic research could further improve applied practice. Practical implications: Applied practitioners should consider sharing injury data with both researchers and coaches. In doing so evidence-guided injury prevention interventions may be developed and subsequently applied in the field

Giving ‘live’ GPS feedback to athletes: Does it alter locomotor performance during small-sided games?

Introduction Small-sided games (SSGs) are used to train physical qualities while practicing sport specific skills. Live Global Positioning Systems (GPS) data can provide feedback during these games; however, the impact of feedback on subsequent locomotor performance is unknown. This study aimed to investigate if providing ‘live’ GPS feedback to players in between bouts of SSGs altered locomotor performance. Methods Using a reverse counterbalanced design, twenty male university rugby players received either feedback or no-feedback (control) during ‘off-side’ touch rugby SSGs. Eight 5v5, 6x4 minute SSGs were played over four days (2/day) with a 20-minute rest between SSGs and at least 72-hours rest between days. Teams were assigned to feedback (4-games) with verbal feedback provided during a 2-minute between bout rest interval, or no feedback (4-games) for the day. Locomotor performance was measured via a 10 Hz GPS and variables were analysed using a linear mixed model, reported using effect sizes (ES) and 90% confidence intervals and then interpreted via magnitude-based inferences. Results Over the full SSG (6x4 min bouts) there was a possibly trivial (ES = 0.15 [-0.03, 0.34]) difference between conditions in total distance (2200 (156) vs. 2177 (186) m). There was also possibly trivial (ES = 0.18 [0.00, 0.37]) and likely trivial (ES = -0.07 [-0.27, 0.13]) differences between conditions in low- and high-speed distance. Between bouts there was a possibly or likely trivial (ES = 0.08 to 0.14) difference in total distance for bouts 2, 4, 5 and 6, with unclear (ES = -0.01 [-0.24, 0.22]) differences in bout 3. There was a likely trivial (ES = 0.11 [-0.01, 0.22]) difference in total distance covered during the first minute of each bout. Discussion In this study, verbal feedback did not alter locomotor performance in rugby players during SSGs. These data suggest that technical and tactical aspects of SSGs might reduce any ergogenic effects of feedback, although it is unknown if the type of feedback provided nullified any potential effects. Furthermore, extrinsic motivating factors such as team success are likely to be perceived as more important than locomotor performance. Future research should endeavour to investigate if these findings are consistent across other forms of feedback, bout durations, football codes, playing levels or training modalities. Conclusions Verbal feedback of distance covered during bouts of SSGs does not alter subsequent locomotor performance

Neanderthal Use of Fish, Mammals, Birds, Starchy Plants and Wood 125-250,000 Years Ago

Neanderthals are most often portrayed as big game hunters who derived the vast majority of their diet from large terrestrial herbivores while birds, fish and plants are seen as relatively unimportant or beyond the capabilities of Neanderthals. Although evidence for exploitation of other resources (small mammals, birds, fish, shellfish, and plants) has been found at certain Neanderthal sites, these are typically dismissed as unusual exceptions. The general view suggests that Neanderthal diet may broaden with time, but that this only occurs sometime after 50,000 years ago. We present evidence, in the form of lithic residue and use-wear analyses, for an example of a broad-based subsistence for Neanderthals at the site of Payre, Ardèche, France (beginning of MIS 5/end of MIS 6 to beginning of MIS 7/end of MIS 8; approximately 125–250,000 years ago). In addition to large terrestrial herbivores, Neanderthals at Payre also exploited starchy plants, birds, and fish. These results demonstrate a varied subsistence already in place with early Neanderthals and suggest that our ideas of Neanderthal subsistence are biased by our dependence on the zooarchaeological record and a deep-seated intellectual emphasis on big game hunting

Explaining lifelong loyalty: The role of identity fusion and self-shaping group events

Pledging lifelong loyalty to an ingroup can have far-reaching behavioural effects, ranging from ordinary acts of ingroup kindness to extraordinary acts of self-sacrifice. What motivates this important form of group commitment? Here, we propose one especially potent answer to this question–the experience of a visceral sense of oneness with a group (i.e., identity fusion). In a sample of British football fans, a population in which high levels of lifelong loyalty are thought to be common, we first examined the hypothesised relationship between fusion and perceptions of lifelong loyalty to one’s club. We further explored the hypothesis that fusion and lifelong loyalty are not merely a reflection of past time investment in a group, but also reflect a deeper, memory-based process of feeling personally shaped by key group events, both euphoric and dysphoric. We found broad support for these hypotheses. Results suggest that feeling personally self-shaped by club events (e.g., crucial wins and losses), rather than time invested in the club, leads to greater identity fusion to one’s club. In turn, fusion engenders a sense of lifelong club loyalty. We discuss our findings in relation to the growing literature on the experiential origins of intense social cohesion