Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Judo‐Related Performance: A Review.

The potential ergogenic effect of nutritional supplements depends on their dosage and the type of exercise executed. Aiming at reviewing the research literature regarding sport supplements utilized in judo in order to improve performance, a literature search was performed at the following databases: Dialnet, PubMed, Scielo, Scopus and SportDiscus. A total of 11 articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected. Evidence revised indicates that supplementation with caffeine, β-alanine, sodium bicarbonate, creatine, and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate has a positive effect on judo-related performance. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that combining some of these nutritional supplements may produce an additive effect.post-print412 K

Effects of acute caffeine ingestion on futsal performance in sub-elite players.

Purpose To date, no previous investigation has studied the effect of acute caffeine ingestion on futsal performance during futsal-specific testing and during a simulated match. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to establish the effects of acute caffeine intake on futsal-specific tests and match-play running performance in male futsal players. Methods Sixteen high-performance futsal players participated in a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled and double-blind experiment. Each player completed two identical trials after ingesting either caffeine (3 mg/kg) or a placebo (cellulose). The trials consisted of a battery of futsal-specific tests (countermovement jump, 20-m sprint test, and a futsal kicking velocity and accuracy test) followed by a simulated futsal match (2 halves of 7.5 min). During the match, players’ running performance was assessed with local positioning system devices. Results In comparison to the placebo, caffeine ingestion increased jump height by 2.8% (p = 0.048; ES = 0.29) and reduced the time to complete the 20-m sprint test by -2.2% (p = 0.044; ES = − 0.54). Additionally, acute caffeine intake improved the distance covered at above 14.4 km/h by 19.6% (p = 0.021; ES = 0.58), the number of body impacts by 8.1% (p = 0.040; ES = 0.27) and the number of accelerations/decelerations by 4.2% (p = 0.044; ES = 0.57) during the simulated futsal match. However, no differences were reported in ball velocity or shooting accuracy in the futsal kicking test. There were no differences in the prevalence of side effects reported in the hours after the ingestion of the treatments. Conclusion Three mg/kg of caffeine enhanced several physical variables associated with futsal such as jump and sprint performance, and improved high-speed running and accelerations/decelerations during a simulated futsal match. Caffeine supplementation with a moderate dose can be considered as an effective ergogenic aid for futsal performance with low prevalence of side effects.pre-print920 K

Acute Effects of Global Postural Re-Education on Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Does Time-of-Day Play a Role?.

Low back pain is one the most common forms of musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, several physiotherapeutic strategies (e.g., global postural re-education therapy) have been used for reducing low back pain. The aim of this study was to determinate if acute application of global postural re-education session associated effects are influenced by the time-of-day when this physical therapy is applied. Eight participants in a randomized, counterbalanced order were acutely tested both before and 24 h after a global postural re-education therapy session (10 min session) in three different time-of-day points; morning (i.e., AM; 7:00–9:00 h), midday (i.e., AM; 12:00–14:00 h) and afternoon (i.e., PM; 18:00–20:00 h). In each session, low back pain Visual Analogue Pain Scale [VAS]), flexibility, function capacity (Roland Morris Questionnaire [RMQ], and physical functioning Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]) were recorded. Results showed a pain reduction (VAS Scale) 24 h post Global postural re-education [GPR] session (p = 0.001) and increasing of flexibility pre-post GPR session in all the time-of-day points (morning, midday, and afternoon) (p = 0.001) while no differences were reported in RMQ (p = 0.969) and ODI (p = 0.767). Thus, acute GPR session produces the same effects on flexibility, low back pain, function capacity, and physical functioning values independently of time-of-day when it is applied.post-print974 K

Ergogenic aids in competitive handball players: a narrative review.

Handball performance is a team-sport characterized by high intensity efforts interspersed with recovery periods. Due to high demands of handball performance, the use of ergogenic aids is a common strategy of handball players with the aim of enhancing handball performance, to allow more effective training, and to increase the rate of recovery. Although the use of ergogenic aids is generalized in the whole spectrum of competitive handball (e.g., from recreational to professional players), only a few ergogenic aids have been investigated to test their effectiveness to increase handball performance. In addition, no previous study has summarized the scientific literature on this topic to determine the ergogenic aids with good level of evidence regarding their effectiveness to increase handball physical performance. Thus, the aim of this narrative review was to describe the prevalence in the use of ergogenic aids in handball players and to analyse this information to identify which of these substances may increase physical performance in an intermittent sport such as competitive handball.post-print690 K

Does Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation Improve Neuromuscular Performance and Match Activity in Young Basketball Players? A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Whereas beetroot juice (BJ) supplementation is shown to increase physical performance in endurance activities, its benefits in team sports has been barely studied. In this randomized placebo-controlled study, we investigated the e ects of BJ acute supplementation in improving neuromuscular performance and physical match activity in basketball. Ten young male competitive basketball players aged 15–16 years received 140 mL of BJ or placebo (PLA) on two separated days in a balanced cross-over design. Testing sessions comprised a neuromuscular test battery consisting of a countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric handgrip strength, 10-m/20-m sprint and agility T-test, followed by a 40-minute simulated basketball match. Physical match activity (distances, speeds, accelerations, and decelerations) was monitored using an inertial tracking system (Wimu ProTM) Results revealed no significant e ects of BJ on CMJ (p = 0.304, ES = 0.13), isometric handgrip strength (p = 0.777, ES = 0.06), 10-m (p = 0.820, ES = 0.10), and 20-m sprint (p = 0.540, ES = 0.13), agility T-test (p = 0.979, ES 0.01) and any physical match demands (p > 0.151, ES = 0.13–0.48). Acute moderate doses of BJ (12.8 mmol of NO3 �����) was not e ective in improving neuromuscular performance (jump height, isometric handgrip strength, sprint, and agility) or physical match requirements in young trained basketball players the day of the competition.post-print2977 K

Analysis of the consumption of sports supplements in elite fencers according to sex and competitive level.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the consumption of sports supplements (SS) in competitive level fencers and compare differences based on sex and competitive level (international and national). Methods: A total of 49 fencers (18 men and 31 women) of national (n = 16) and international (n = 33) level completed a questionnaire with questions about SS consumption and the possible repercussions on health and / or sports performance. The results were analyzed based on the different categorizations established by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), as well as by sex and level of competence to which the participants belonged to. Results: 46.9% of fencers have consumed SS with the main motivation being performance improvement (34.2%). Medical doctors were the individuals who were more likely to advise men to consume SS (50.0% vs 5.6%; OR = 3.29 [1.50–7.20]). Friends were most likely to advise women (38.9% vs 8.3%; OR = 1.75 [1.05–2.93]). The most consumed SS were sport drinks (44.9%), vitamin C (43.4%), sport bars (38.8%), and caffeine (28.6%). In regards to the SS categories, it was observed differences in the interaction level·sex in medical supplements (p = 0.017). In addition, there was a higher prevalence of whey protein consumption in women (25.8% vs 0%; p = 0.020) and iron consumption in men (33% vs 6.5%; p = 0.039). Conclusions: The prevalence of SS use in fencers is within the values previously reported in athletes of the same competitive level. There were no differences by sex and competitive level in the total consumption of SS, nor in each of the groups of level of evidence, being sport drinks, bars and caffeine the most consumed SS.post-print572 K

Effects of Whole-Season Training and Match-Play on Hip Adductor and Abductor Muscle Strength in Soccer Players: A Pilot Study.

Background: Previous investigations have associated weakness of hip muscles with a higher likelihood of developing hip groin injury. However, no previous investigation has examined the influence of soccer training and match-play during the season on maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor muscle strength. Hypothesis: Maximal hip adductor and abductor muscle strength would increase after the preseason, maintaining relatively constant levels across the soccer season. Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 26 semiprofessional male soccer players underwent measurements of maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor muscle strength at 3 time points of the soccer season: preseason, midseason, and end-season to investigate the longitudinal effect of soccer training and competition during a complete season on maximal isometric hip adductor and abductor muscle strength in the semiprofessional Spanish soccer player. Results: Compared with preseason, hip abductor muscle strength increased in the midseason (14.2% and 17.1%, for dominant and nondominant limb, respectively; P 0.05). Conclusion: While maximal hip abductor muscle strength increased throughout the season, hip adductor muscle strength remained stable across the season. This produced a substantial deficit in hip adductor/abductor strength ratio at midseason and end-season. Clinical Relevance: The progressive imbalance in adductor/abductor strength across the soccer season may be an indicator of increased risk of groin injury and may reinforce the need for preventive rehabilitation activities focused on enhancing adductor muscle strength.pre-print243 K

Descriptive profile for lower-limb range of motion in professional road cyclists.

BACKGROUND: To describe the lower limb range of motion (ROM) profile in professional road cyclists. METHODS: Cohort study. One hundred and twenty-one road cyclists volunteered to participate. ROM measurements of passive hip flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion in dominant and non-dominant limbs were performed using an inclinometer. ROM scores were individually categorized as normal or restricted according to reference values. RESULTS: Overall, hip flexion was smaller in the non-dominant limb than in the dominant limb (F=12.429, P<0.001), with bilateral differences in male (95% mean diff: 0.5° to 3.3°) and female cyclists (95% mean diff: 0.1° to 3.1°). Sex differences were found in hip flexion (F=18.346, P<0.001), hip internal rotation (F=6.030, P=0.016) and ankle dorsiflexion (F=4.363, P=0.039), with males showing smaller ROM than females. Males and females had restricted knee flexion in dominant (males: 51.6%; females: 42.6%) and non-dominant limbs (males: 45.0%; females: 39.3%). Ankle dorsiflexion was also restricted in dominant (males: 38.3%; females: 31.1%) and non-dominant limbs (males: 41.6%; females: 34.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Elite road cyclists showed restricted lower-limb ROM according to reference values. In general, male cyclists showed lower values of ROM than females’ counterparts. These findings suggest that including specific stretching exercises and resistance training to improve knee and ankle dorsiflexion ROM may prevent muscle imbalances caused by chronic pedaling in professional cyclists.pre-print1080 K

Analysis of Sport Supplement Consumption and Body Composition in Spanish Elite Rowers.

The aim of this study was to analyze the anthropometric characteristics and sport supplement (SS) consumption patterns of heavyweight and lightweight international rowers. Methods: The 13 heavyweights (11 males) and seven lightweights (five males) of the Spanish National Rowing Team were recruited for the study. Body composition was measured by bio-impedance analysis, and the questionnaire used in this investigation was previously validated to assess SS consumption. According to anthropometrics parameters, it was reported that male heavyweight rowers were heavier (p < 0.001) and taller (p < 0.001), but no statistical di erences were reported for % body fat (p = 0.104) or % lean body mass (p = 0.161). All rowers reported consumption of at least one SS. Based on the Australian Institute of Sport’s classification, higher medical supplement consumption was observed when comparing heavyweight rowers to lightweight rowers (2.5 1.1 vs. 1.7 0.5, p = 0.040). There were no di erences in the totals of group A (strong scientific evidence for sports scenarios, p = 0.069), group B (emerging scientific support, deserving of further research, p = 0.776), or group C (scientific evidence not supportive of benefit and/or security amongst athletes, p = 0.484). The six most consumed SSs were iron (85%), ca eine (85%), -alanine (85%), energy bars (85%), vitamin supplements (80%), and isotonic drinks (80%), with no statistical di erences between heavyweight and lightweight rowers (p > 0.05). These results suggest that the absence of di erences in body composition (expressed as a percentage) do not represent anthropometric disadvantages for heavyweight rowers. In addition, SS consumption was similar between rowers, reporting only higher medical supplement consumption in heavyweight rowers.post-print931 K

Use of nutritional supplements in amateur tennis players.

Literature on the use of nutritional supplements (NS) in tennis players is scarce. The objective of the present study was to evaluate NS consumption in a group of men's tennis players who participated in the 2016 Andalusian team championship. A total of 70 questionnaires from 7 different clubs were registered. The questionnaire was previously designed and evaluated through piloting in which the validity of the content, its application, its structure and its presentation were observed. The results showed that 100% of the sample group was in favor of NS consumption within the law, 88.6% claimed to have consumed them at some time and 61.4% presently consume them. The NS most consumed by study participants were sports drinks (69.35%), energy bars (29%), a vitamin complex (19.35%), protein (serum) (17.74%) and creatine (14.51%). A high percentage of NS consumers thought that they had obtained positive results from NS consumption. The percentages and the findings regarding NS consumption in the present study were similar to the contributions made by other studies which evaluated supplementation in athletes, although with some subtle differences.pre-print200 K