Multi-Stage 20-m Shuttle Run Fitness Test, Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Velocity at Maximal Oxygen Uptake.

The multi-stage 20-m shuttle run fitness test (20mMSFT) is a popular field test which is widely used to measure aerobic fitness by predicting maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and performance. However, the velocity at which VO2max occurs (vVO2max) is a better indicator of performance than VO2max, and can be used to explain inter-individual differences in performance that VO2max cannot. It has been reported as a better predictor for running performance and it can be used to monitor athletes' training for predicting optimal training intensity. This study investigated the validity and suitability of predicting VO2max and vVO2max of adult subjects on the basis of the performance of the 20mMST. Forty eight (25 male and 23 female) physical education students performed, in random order, a laboratory based continuous horizontal treadmill test to determine VO2max, vVO2max and a 20mMST, with an interval of 3 days between each test. The results revealed significant correlations between the number of shuttles in the 20mMSFT and directly determined VO2max (r = 0.87, p<0.05) and vVO2max (r = 0.93, p<0.05). The equation for prediction of VO2max was y = 0.0276x + 27.504, whereas for vVO2max it was y = 0.0937x + 6.890. It can be concluded that the 20mMSFT can accurately predict VO2max and vVO2max and this field test can provide useful information regarding aerobic fitness of adults. The predicted vVO2max can be used in monitoring athletes, especially in determining optimal training intensity

Recreational Runners Gain Physiological and Biomechanical Benefits From Super Shoes at Marathon Paces.

PURPOSE: Advanced footwear technology is prevalent in distance running, with research focusing on these "super shoes" in competitive athletes, with less understanding of their value for slower runners. The aim of this study was to compare physiological and biomechanical variables between a model of super shoes (Saucony Endorphin Speed 2) and regular running shoes (Saucony Cohesion 13) in recreational athletes. METHODS: We measured peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in 10 runners before testing each subject 4 times in a randomly ordered crossover design (ie, Endorphin shoe or Cohesion shoe, running at 65% or 80% of velocity at VO2peak [vVO2peak]). We recorded video data using a high-speed camera (300 Hz) to calculate vertical and leg stiffnesses. RESULTS: 65% vVO2peak was equivalent to a speed of 9.4 km·h-1 (0.4), whereas 80% vVO2peak was equivalent to 11.5 km·h-1 (0.5). Two-way mixed-design analysis of variance showed that oxygen consumption in the Endorphin shoe was 3.9% lower than in the Cohesion shoe at 65% vVO2peak, with an interaction between shoes and speed (P = .020) meaning an increased difference of 5.0% at 80% vVO2peak. There were small increases in vertical and leg stiffnesses in the Endorphin shoes (P < .001); the Endorphin shoe condition also showed trivial to moderate differences in step length, step rate, contact time, and flight time (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a physiological benefit to running in the super shoes even at the slower speed. There were also spatiotemporal and global stiffness improvements indicating that recreational runners benefit from wearing super shoes

Development and Maintenance of Sprint Training Adaptations : An Uphill-Downhill Study

Bissas, A, Paradisis, GP, Nicholson, G, Walker, J, Hanley, B, Havenetidis, K, and Cooke, CB. Development and maintenance of sprint training adaptations: an uphill-downhill study. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-We examined the development of performance adaptations resulting from an uphill-downhill training program and monitored the decline of adaptations during detraining. Twenty-eight men were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 sprint training groups who trained 3 times per week for 6 weeks and a control group (C). The uphill-downhill group (U+D) trained on an 80-m platform with 3° slopes, whereas the horizontal (H) group trained on flat track. Subjects were tested for maximal running speed (MRS), associated kinematics, and leg strength before and after training, with U+D subjects also tested after weeks 2 and 4 of training, and after a 3-week detraining period. The U+D group increased their MRS by 3.7% (from 8.75 ± 0.72 to 9.07 ± 0.64 m·s, p < 0.05), their stride rate by 3.1% (from 4.21 ± 0.21 to 4.34 ± 0.18 Hz, p < 0.05), and their knee extensors' maximum isometric force by 21% (from 2,242 ± 489 to 2,712 ± 498 N, p < 0.05) after training. The time course of changes showed declines for weeks 1-4 (1.4-5.1%), but an ascending trend of improvement compensated all losses by the end of week 6 (p < 0.05). During detraining, no decreases occurred. No changes were observed for the H and C groups. The minimum period to produce positive effects was 6 weeks, with a very good standard of performance maintained 3 weeks after training. U+D training will prove useful for all athletes requiring fast adaptations, and it can fit into training mesocycles because of its low time demands

Asymmetry in sprinting: an insight into sub‐10 and sub‐11 s men and women sprinters

We evaluated sprint mechanical asymmetry in world-class competitors and evaluate whether inter-limb sex-based differences in sprinting mechanics exist. The eight finalists in the men’s and women’s 100 m events at the 2017 IAAF World Championships were studied. Five high-speed cameras (150 Hz) were used to capture two consecutive steps of the whole body between 47.0 m and 55.5 m from the start, while four additional cameras (250 Hz) focussed on the lower extremities. A total of 33 spatio-temporal, touchdown and toe-off joint angles, and horizontal and vertical foot velocity parameters were extracted through three-dimensional analysis. Group mean asymmetry scores were assessed using the symmetry angle (SA) where scores of 0% and 100% represent perfect symmetry and perfect asymmetry, respectively. Although considered generally low (SA < 3% for 22 out of 33 parameters), the magnitude of mechanical asymmetry varied widely between sprinters of the same sex. However, there was no mean SA scores difference between men and women for any stride mechanical parameters (all P≥0.064). Asymmetry scores were inconsistent between parameters and phases (touchdown vs toe-off instants), and sprinting mechanics were generally not related to asymmetry magnitudes. In summary, low to moderate asymmetry is a natural phenomenon in elite sprinting. Asymmetry was inconsistent between parameters and competitors during near maximum-velocity running, yet mean values for a given parameter generally did not differ between sexes. Sprinters’ performances were not related to their SA scores

Determinações e relações dos parâmetros anaeróbios do RAST, do limiar anaeróbio e da resposta lactacidemica obtida no início, no intervalo e ao final de uma partida oficial de handebol Determinations and relationships of the RAST anaerobic parameters, anaerobic threshold and lactacidemia response obtained at the beginning, interval and the end of an official handball match

O principal objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar os parâmetros anaeróbios obtidos através do RAST (Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test) e o limiar anaeróbio de 12 atletas filiados a Federação Paulista de Handebol. Além disso, também procuramos verificar as correlações entre as variáveis do RAST, o limiar anaeróbio e a resposta lactacidemica obtida no início, no intervalo e ao final de uma partida oficial de handebol. As avaliações foram conduzidas em 2 dias. No primeiro dia, os atletas foram submetidos ao RAST e em seguida foi determinado o limiar anaeróbio de cada atleta através de um protocolo adaptado ao de Tegtbur et al. (1993). No segundo dia, durante a disputa de uma partida oficial de handebol, foram coletadas amostras de sangue para determinação das concentrações de lactato no início, no intervalo e ao final do jogo. Foi utilizado o teste Anova para dados repetidos, seguido pelo post hoc de Newman-Keuls quando necessário, com o intuito de comparar as concentrações de lactato obtidas ao longo da partida de handebol e a correspondente ao limiar anaeróbio. A análise de correlação de Pearson foi utilizada para verificar as relações entre os parâmetros anaeróbios, o limiar anaeróbio e as concentrações de lactato obtidas durante uma partida oficial de handebol. Para todos os casos o nível de significância foi pré-fixado em 5%. Não foram verificadas correlações dos parâmetros anaeróbios do RAST e do limiar anaeróbio com as respostas lactacidemicas durante a partida de handebol. De acordo com os resultados obtidos no presente estudo, podemos concluir que embora o protocolo proposto para a avaliação do limiar anaeróbio também forneça parâmetros anaeróbios e se aproxime das situações reais do jogo de handebol, não foram encontradas correlações significativas entre as variáveis determinadas na avaliação com as concentrações de lactato obtidas durante a partida oficial de handebol.<br>The main purpose of the present study was to determine the anaerobic parameters obtained by the RAST (Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test) and the anaerobic threshold of twelve handballers affiliated with the Handball Federation of São Paulo. Moreover, we aimed to study the relationship of the RAST variables, the anaerobic threshold and the lactacidemia response obtained at the beginning, at the interval and at the end of a an official handball match. Measurements were carried out in two days. On the first day, the athletes performed the RAST and then, the anaerobic threshold was obtained by a protocol adapted from Tegtbur et al. (1993). On the second day, the athletes had blood samples collected to determine the blood lactate responses during the three different times of the handball game. Repeated measurements Anova test followed by post hoc Newman-Keuls test whenever needed, were used to compare the blood lactate concentrations during the handball match as well as that one corresponding to the anaerobic threshold. Pearson product-moment coefficient analysis was used to verify the relationships of the RAST variables, the anaerobic threshold and the blood lactate obtained at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of an official handball match. A significance level of 5% was chosen for all cases. Correlations between the RAST parameters and the anaerobic threshold with the blood lactate responses during the handball match have not been observed. According to our results, it is possible to conclude that the variables obtained by the protocol proposed to determine the anaerobic threshold did not present significant correlations with the blood lactate concentrations obtained during the official handball match