Pulmonary function is related to success in junior elite Kumite karatekas

Spirometry can be considered a method for measuring lung capacity and speed of air-flow through the airways. Due to its simple application, it is commonly used in sport diagnostics. Aims of this research were to determine the values of ventilation function variables in karatekas competing in kumite discipline and their relationship to result. The sample included 51 junior karate athletes (with defined subgroups of more successful [n=31] and less successful [n=20]), competing in kumite discipline, from nine European countries. Their values of some ventilation function variables were measured. Measurement procedures were chosen and used according to acknowledged literature. By univariate analysis of differences, significant differences between more successful and less successful competitors were determined in the following variables: forced vital capacity (more successful 5.24\ub10.56 l; less successful 4.27\ub10.61 l; p=0.00), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (more successful 4.13\ub10.68 l; less successful 3.69\ub10.57 l; p=0.02), ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (more successful 78.98\ub110.29%; less successful 86.64\ub18.37%; p=0.01) and maximal voluntary ventilation (more successful 150.46\ub131.14 l/min; less successful 125.50\ub129.49 l/min; p=0.01). More successful contestants showed higher values in some relevant variables compared to less successful ones supporting a relationship to result

Intra-positional and inter-positional differences in somatotype components and proportions of particular somatotype categories in youth volleyball players

Objective(s). Main aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyse intra-positional, inter-positional differences in proportions of particular somatotype categories in youth volleyball players. Methods. Heath-Carter method was used to determine somatotype characteristics of 181 young female volleyball players (age 14.05\ub10.93, height 170.03\ub17.61 cm, mass 57.80\ub18.59 kg, body mass index 19.99\ub12.37 kg/m2, somatotype 4.33-2.79-3.73\ub11.02-1.02-1.25). Dependent variables were playing position, player efficacy. Only 7 somatotype categories (of possible 13) were obtained. Results. By analysing intra-positional differences, a significantly higher frequency of somatotype categories dominated by the ectomorph component was established in a subsample of more successful players, and a significantly higher frequency of somatotype categories dominated by the endomorph component was found in a subsample of less efficient players. The most frequent somatotype category in all player positions in a sample of more efficient volleyball players is the balanced ectomorph. The smallest number of somatotype categories (only three) was obtained in the subsample of more efficient middle hitters. It indirectly indicates that the most stringent requirements for selection according to the body build are for that position. Similar small inter-positional differences were obtained in both subsamples. Ectomorph somatotype component was most pronounced in young middle-hitters, and endomorph in liberos. Small inter-positional differences in both subsamples are probably consequences of previous selection processes within the clubs. Conclusion. Results obtained in this study provide a clearer insight into inter-positional, intra-positional differences in somatotype categories of young female volleyball players

Vibration effect on ball score test in international vs. national level table tennis

In table tennis, motor skills are crucial for discriminating player level. However, there is a dearth of studies exploring the impact of a vibrational stimulus on performance. Thirty-four male players (age 25 72 years; body mass index, BMI 23.4\ub11.2 kg\ub7m-2) participated in the study. Seventeen played at international level (IL), while the remaining 17 played at national level (NL). The participants underwent a ball-handling test, the ball score, before (PRE) and after (POST) a vibrational stimulus. Intra-class correlation (ICC) for the ball score result showed good reliability (ICC 0.87 for IL and 0.80 for NL). Repeated measures ANOVA showed differences between groups for ball score (p=0.000) and a significant group 7 time interaction (p=0.004). Better performances were observed for the IL group than for the NL group, significantly only for POST. Vibration produced positive and negative effects in IL and NL groups, respectively

The optimal locomotion on gradients: walking, running or cycling?

On level ground, cycling is more economical than running, which in turn is more economical than walking in the high speed range. This paper investigates whether this ranking still holds when moving on a gradient, where the three modes are expected to be mainly facing the same burden, i.e. to counter gravity. By using data from the literature we have built a theoretical framework to predict the optimal mode as a function of the gradient. Cycling was found to be the mode of choice only below 10–15% gradient, while above it walking was the least expensive locomotion type. Seven amateur bikers were then asked to walk, run and ride on a treadmill at different gradients. The speed was set so as to maintain almost constant the metabolic demand across the different gradients. The results indicate that the "critical slope", i.e. the one above which walking is less expensive than cycling (and running), is about 13–15%. One subject was loaded during bipedal gaits with a bicycle-equivalent mass, to simulate to cross-country cycling situation. The critical slope was close to 20%, due to the higher metabolic cost of loaded walking and running. Part of the findings can be explained by the mechanically different paradigms of the three locomotion types

The lower economy and efficiency of walking in older adults

Healthy septuagenarians with no gait impairment have an elevated cost of walking which is not explained by an elevation in whole body mechanical work. Increased antagonist muscle co-activation (possibly an adaptation to ensure adequate joint stability) may offer partial explanation of the elevated cost of walking

The Psychophysiological Effects of Different Tempo Music on Endurance Versus High-Intensity Performances

IThe use of music during training represents a special paradigm for trainers to stimulate people undertaking different types of exercise. However, the relationship between the tempo of music and perception of effort during different metabolic demands is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine whether high intensity exercise is more sensitive to the beneficial effects of music than endurance exercise. This study assessed 19 active women (age 26.4 \ub1 2.6 years) during endurance (walking for 10\u2032 at 6.5 km/h on a treadmill) and high intensity (80% on 1-RM) exercise under four different randomly assigned conditions: no music (NM), with music at 90\u2013110 bpm (LOW), with music at 130\u2013150 bpm (MED), and with music at 170\u2013190 bpm (HIGH). During each trial, heart rate (HR) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed. Repeated analysis of variance measures was used to detect any differences between the four conditions during high intensity and low intensity exercise. RPE showed more substantial changes during the endurance exercises (11%), than during high intensity exercise (6.5%), between HIGH and NM conditions. The metabolic demand during the walking exercise increased between NM and HIGH bpm conditions. This study indicates the benefits of music under stress conditions as well as during endurance and high intensity training. The results demonstrate that the beneficial effects of music are more likely to be seen in endurance exercise. Consequently, music may be considered an important tool to stimulate people engaging in low intensity physical exercise