Reproducibility of speed, agility and power assessments in elite academy footballers

Purpose: Fitness testing is a visible part of many youth and senior football programs (Pyne et al. 2014). A high priority is given to physical assessments that relate to the demands of match performance (Rampinini et al. 2007). However somewhat surprisingly, the reproducibility of common assessments using elite football cohorts are not widely reported in the literature (Pyne et al. 2014). Field test assessments of speed, agility and power not only provide an indicator of sport-specific power producing ability but can also be used for diagnostic purposes to identify whether an athlete is suffering from fatigue, functional / non-functional overreaching or overtraining (Meeusen et al. 2013). The purpose of this study was to ascertain the reproducibility of testing protocols used to monitor speed, agility and power capabilities within elite academy footballers. Methods: Ten male apprentice professional football players (mean ± SD: age = 17.1 ± 0.7 years, stature = 1.83 ± 0.09 m, mass: 77.8 ± 8.2 kg) participated in the study. All participants completed three separate identical trials with a day’s recovery interspersed between each trial. Each trial consisted of the following assessments; a countermovement jump test (CMJ), a seated medicine ball throw test (Throw), a 40 m run sprint test (40 m), which incorporated a 0-10 m assessed phase (10 m) and the arrowhead agility test (Agility). Results: Findings from One-way ANOVA tests indicated that performance was unchanged across the three trials for all assessments (P > 0.05). Mean typical error as a percentage (TE %) [90 % confidence intervals (CI)] across the assessments indicated highly acceptable reproducibility; CMJ = 3.2% (2.5-4.7), Throw = 1.4% (1.0-2.0). 10 m = 1.6% (1.3-2.4), 40m = 1.4% (1.1-2.0), Agility = 0.9% (0.7-1.3). Conclusion: Elite academy footballers were found to have consistent performance for assessments of speed, agility and power across three trials. Typical error was found to be low for all assessments indicating a high level of reproducibility across repeated trials (Hopkins et al. 2001). Therefore, these assessments can be confidently used in the physical fitness monitoring of elite academy footballers

The Sato-Tate conjecture for Hilbert modular forms

We prove the Sato-Tate conjecture for Hilbert modular forms. More precisely, we prove the natural generalisation of the Sato-Tate conjecture for regular algebraic cuspidal automorphic representations of \GL_2(\A_F), $F$ a totally real field, which are not of CM type. The argument is based on the potential automorphy techniques developed by Taylor et. al., but makes use of automorphy lifting theorems over ramified fields, together with a 'topological' argument with local deformation rings. In particular, we give a new proof of the conjecture for modular forms, which does not make use of potential automorphy theorems for non-ordinary $n$-dimensional Galois representations.Comment: 59 pages. Essentially final version, to appear in Journal of the AMS. This version does not incorporate any minor changes (e.g. typographical changes) made in proo

Congruences between Hilbert modular forms: constructing ordinary lifts

Under mild hypotheses, we prove that if F is a totally real field, k is the algebraic closure of the finite field with l elements and r : G_F --> GL_2(k) is irreducible and modular, then there is a finite solvable totally real extension F'/F such that r|_{G_F'} has a modular lift which is ordinary at each place dividing l. We deduce a similar result for r itself, under the assumption that at places v|l the representation r|_{G_F_v} is reducible. This allows us to deduce improvements to results in the literature on modularity lifting theorems for potentially Barsotti-Tate representations and the Buzzard-Diamond-Jarvis conjecture. The proof makes use of a novel lifting technique, going via rank 4 unitary groups.Comment: 48 page

A bout of strength training affects sport-specific maximal power but not 2000m rowing ergometer performance

Rowers regularly undertake rowing training within 24 h of performing bouts of strength training; however, the effect of this practice has not been investigated. This study evaluated the impact of a bout of high-intensity strength training on 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance and rowing-specific maximal power. Eight highly trained male club rowers performed baseline measures of five separate, static squat jumps (SSJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ), maximal rowing ergometer power strokes (PS) and a single 2,000 m rowing ergometer test (2,000 m). Subsequently, participants performed a high intensity strength training session consisting of various multi-joint barbell exercises. The 2,000 m test was repeated at 24 and 48 h post-ST, in addition SSJ, CMJ and PS tests were performed at these time points and also at 2 h post-ST. Muscle soreness, serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assessed pre-ST and 2, 24 and 48 h post-ST. Following the ST, there were significant elevations in muscle soreness (2 and 24 h, P < 0.01), CK (2, 24 and 48 h, P < 0.01), and LDH (2 h, P < 0.05) in comparison to baseline values. There were significant decrements across all time points for SSJ, CMJ and PS, which ranged between 3 and 10% (P < 0.05). However, 2,000 m performance and related measurements of heart rate and blood lactate were not significantly affected by ST. In summary, a bout of high-intensity strength training resulted in symptoms of muscle damage and decrements in rowing-specific maximal power, but this did not affect 2,000 m rowing ergometer performance in highly trained rowers

Strength and conditioning practices in rowing

There is minimal research on the practices of strength and conditioning coaches in England. Information about training programme design could be useful in developing models of good practice and ecologically valid intervention studies. The aim of the research was to quantify the training practices of coaches responsible for the strength and conditioning of rowing athletes. A questionnaire was developed and consisted of six sections: (a) personal details, (b) physical testing, (c) strength/power development, (d) flexibility development (e) unique aspects of programme and (f) any further relevant comments regarding the athletes prescribed training programme. Twenty two rowing and ten strength and conditioning coaches with an average of 10.5+7.2 years experience agreed to complete the questionnaire. Approximately, 34% coached Olympic standard rowers, 34% national standard, 3% regional, 19% club, and 10% university standard rowers. All coaches agreed that strength training enhanced rowing performance and the majority (74%) indicated athletes strength trained 2–3 times a week. Most coaches (94%) reported their rowers performed strength training, with 81% using Olympic lifting, and 91% employing a periodised training model. The clean (63%) and squat (27%) were rated the most important exercises prescribed within the training programme. Approximately 50% of coaches used plyometrics such as depth jumps, box drills and standing jumps. Ninety four percent indicated they conducted physical testing on their rowers, typically assessing cardiovascular endurance (80%), muscular power (70%), muscular strength (70%) and anaerobic capacity (57%). On average, testing was conducted by coaches in pre-season (88%) and inseason (91%), while only 31% preformed postseason testing. Coaches typically prescribed static stretching (97%), dynamic stretching (69%), PNF stretching (56%). This research provides detailed information on the current strength and conditioning provision in rowing within Great Britain. Future studies could use this information to develop experimental protocols to examine the effect of current or new strength and conditioning interventions on rowing performance

Recovery of rowing sprint performance after high intensity strength training

There is minimal research on recovery of sports specific functional performance after multi-joint high intensity strength training. The aim of this study was to establish the time course of recovery of rowing sprint performance and muscle function following a high intensity strength training session. With institutional approval, ten club rowers (mean+s, 20.4+2.8 y, 86.7+9.9 kg, 192.8+6.2 cm) with Olympic lifting and conventional resistance training experience participated in a repeated measures study. Participants performed baseline measures of 4 separate counter-movement jumps (CMJ) and a 250 m rowing ergometer sprint (stroke rate fixed at 30 spm). Twenty-four hours after baseline, participants performed a high intensity strength training (ST) session (3–4 sets65–8 reps @ 75–85% 1RM for snatch, clean, back squat, romanian deadlift, bench press, bent over row and 3 sets 6 15 reps with 10 kg weighted sit-ups). Rowing sprint tests and jumps were repeated 24, 48 and 72-h post ST. Ear-lobe capillary samples for determination of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)were assessed pre STand 1, 24, 48 and 72-h post. A visual analogue scale (VAS) for soreness rating (0–10) was also measured (Avery et al., 2003: Journal of Strength andConditioning, 17, 801–809). Rowing performance decreased significantly 24-h post ST compared to baseline (44.1 s versus 44.6 s; P¼0.01, Z2¼0.001) but returned to pre-test values at 48-h. There were no significant changes in CMJ. Soreness rating was significantly greater at 1 h (VAS¼4.9, P¼0.001), 24 h (VAS¼5.6, P¼0.001) and 48 h (VAS¼4.1, P¼0.006) compared to baseline (VAS¼0.7). Creatine kinase significantly increased from 245+192 U/L at baseline to 513+311 U/L at 24 h (P¼0.02); but returned to baseline after 48 h. There was a non-significant change in LDH at any time point. High intensity strength training produced a significant decrease in sports specific functional performance 24-h post ST. A period of 48-h was sufficient for recovery of specific muscle function and CK to baseline. These findings provide valuable information regarding recovery of athletic performance and muscle function following high intensity strength training and could assist in achieving optimal scheduling of training

Local-global compatibility for l=p, II

We prove the compatibility at places dividing l of the local and global Langlands correspondences for the l-adic Galois representations associated to regular algebraic essentially (conjugate) self-dual cuspidal automorphic representations of GL_n over an imaginary CM or totally real field. We prove this compatibility up to semisimplification in all cases, and up to Frobenius semisimplification in the case of Shin-regular weight.Comment: 13 page

Original Intent: With Friends Like These…

A Review of Original Intent and the Framer\u27s Constitution by Leonard W. Lev

A petrological and structural study of the leaving Gneiss-Dome, Southern Norway

The Levang granite forms an elliptical body occupying the core of a broad antiformal structure, and covering approximately 50 sq. km. Surrounding this mass of granitoid gneisses is a series of banded gneisses of very variable composition, including amphibolites, quartzltes, and nodular sillimanite gneisses. Against these rocks the granitic gneisses make a sharp, though in places 'interfingered' contact. Agmatitl relationships are never seen. Further south, on the PortOr sub-peninsula, migmatitic granitoid gneisses are exposed which have mineral assemblages identical to those of rock types from within the main Levang granite. The composition of the Levang granite gneisses is variable, ranging from quartz monzonltic to tonalitic types lacking potash feldspar, but on the whole corresponds fairly closely with the minimum melting composition of the granite system. Over much the greater area the Levang granite is strongly foliated, and everywhere shows some degree of preferred planar or linear orientation of minerals. The foliation always parallels the contacts, and it defines a complex fold system, within the granite which is in complete structural conformity with that of the surrounding banded gneisses and migmatites. The overall symmetry of the structure is triclinic, the plunge of the linear elements varying from horizontal to vertical. The β axis of the domal structure in the eastern part of the granite mass is completely overturned. Traced eastwards from the core of the dome, P trends initially due east north east, steepens to vertical, and then plunges due west at angles of 60 to 70 . The very complex tectonic evolution has probably involved disharmonic folding and two phases of deformation. Within the Levang granite amphibolitic sheets and lenses are invariably conformable to the fold pattern defined by the granite gneiss foliation. In the Helligesvann brachyanticline, a regular sequence of granitoid gneisses of variable composition, interlayered with a thick amphibolitic sheet which forms an unbroken horizon, indicates the presence of a 'ghost' stratigraphy. Investigation of the potash feldspar obliquities shows that all the potash feldspars, from granitic gneisses, migmatites, and pegmatites, are more or less fully ordered maximum microclines. The fact that some of the granitic gneisses approximate to the minimum melting composition is not conclusive evidence in favour of an origin through anatexis or fractional crystallization, in view of the spatial distribution of these rocks, their metamorphic textures, and the nature of the basic inclusions. The Levang granite is a metamorphic rock, the result of the transformation in an open system of a pre-existing series of supra- crustal rocks by processes of granitization and metasomatism