Monitoring training loads, stress, immune-endocrine responses and performance in tennis players

The study aim was to investigate the effect of a periodised pre-season training plan on internal training load and subsequent stress tolerance, immune-endocrine responses and physical performance in tennis players. Well-trained young tennis players (n = 10) were monitored across the pre-season period, which was divided into 4 weeks of progressive overloading training and a 1-week tapering period. Weekly measures of internal training load, training monotony and stress tolerance (sources and symptoms of stress) were taken, along with salivary testosterone, cortisol and immunoglobulin A. One repetition maximum strength, running endurance, jump height and agility were assessed before and after training. The periodised training plan led to significant weekly changes in training loads (i.e. increasing in weeks 3 and 4, decreasing in week 5) and posttraining improvements in strength, endurance and agility (P \u3c 0.05). Cortisol concentration and the symptoms of stress also increased in weeks 3 and/or 4, before returning to baseline in week 5 (P \u3c 0.05). Conversely, the testosterone to cortisol ratio decreased in weeks 3 and 4, before returning to baseline in week 5 (P \u3c 0.05). In conclusion, the training plan evoked adaptive changes in stress tolerance and hormonal responses, which may have mediated the improvements in physical performance

Validade e reprodutibilidade de receptores para o GPS em relação à distância percorrida Validez y reproducibilidad de receptores GPS en relación de la distancia recorrida

ResumenObjetivoEl presente estudio evaluó la validez y reproducibilidad de dos modelos de receptores para el Global Positioning System (GPS). La validez fue evaluada comparando la distancia registrada por los receptores con la distancia conocida de estos trayectos.MétodoSeis jóvenes tenistas (177,6±6,2cm; 76,6±3,2kg) recorrieron tres trayectos: 1) 100m en la pista de atletismo (número de “disparos” = 120); 2) 400m en la pista de atletismo (número de “disparos” = 60) y 3) 100m con cambios de dirección (número de “disparos” = 120), utilizando los equipos Garmin© Forerunner 405 y Polar© RS800.ResultadosEn los trayectos sin cambios de dirección (100 y 400m), a través de la ANOVA two way (distancia y velocidad) no se detectaron diferencias entre la distancia conocida y las distancias registradas por los receptores analizados (p>0,05). En el trayecto de 100m con cambios de dirección, se observaron diferencias entre la distancia conocida y las registradas tanto por el Polar© RS800 como por el Garmin© Forerunner 405 (p<0,05). También se verificó la diferencia en las distancias registradas por el Polar® RS800 y por el Garmin© Forerunner 405 para el trayecto realizado con cambios de dirección (p<0,05).ConclusiónA través de los datos, se puede afirmar que los receptores para GPS evaluados presentaron un nivel aceptable de precisión para distancias recorridas sin cambios de dirección, sin embargo, la precisión de estos equipos en trayectos con cambios de dirección fue limitada.AbstractObjectiveThe present study evaluated the reproducibility and validity of two models of receivers for the Global Positioning System (GPS). Validity was assessed by comparing the distance recorded by the GPS receivers with the known distance.MethodSix young players (177.6±6.2cm; 76.6±3.2kg) performed three routes with different characteristics: 1) 100m in the athletics track (number of “sprints” = 120); 2) 400m in the athletics track (number of “sprints” = 60) and 3) 100m with changes of direction (number of “sprints” = 120), using equipment Garmin© Forerunner 405 and Polar© RS800.ResultsRegarding linear routes (100 and 400m), no differences were detected using ANOVA two-way (distance and speed) between the known distance and distance recorded by GPS receivers analyzed (p>0.05). Regarding non-linear route of, significant differences were observed between the known distance and recorded distance by the GPS receivers (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference between the distance recorded by Polar© RS800 and Garmin© Forerunner 405 for the non-linear route (p<0.05). Analysis of the limits of agreement reinforces the limitation of equipment in relation to accuracy for the non-linear route.ConclusionThese data suggest that the GPS receivers evaluated showed acceptable level of accuracy for linear routes, however, the accuracy of such devices on non-linear routes was limited

Laser system generating 250-mJ bunches of 5-GHz repetition rate, 12-ps pulses.

We report on a high-energy solid-state laser based on a master-oscillator power-amplifier system seeded by a 5-GHz repetition-rate mode-locked oscillator, aimed at the excitation of the dynamic Casimir effect by optically modulating a microwave resonator. Solid-state amplifiers provide up to 250 mJ at 1064 nm in a 500-ns (macro-)pulse envelope containing 12-ps (micro-)pulses, with a macro/micropulse format and energy resembling that of near-infrared free-electron lasers. Efficient second-harmonic conversion allowed synchronous pumping of an optical parametric oscillator, obtaining up to 40 mJ in the range 750-850 nm

Use of the rate of perceived exertion scales in resistance training: A comment on Mayo, Iglesias-Soler, and Fernandez-Del-Olmo (2014)

Although perceived exertion scales were initially applied to endurance and cyclic exercises, they have been also used to monitor resistance training. The current article analyzes different criteria for the application of perception scales to resistance exercises. In addition, the proper use of perceived exertion to reflect the effect of different resistance training configurations including the fluctuation of velocity is also discussed. Furthermore, this paper also speaks to the issues of correct instructions and anchored scaling procedures, as well as how to use the perception scales to accurately select the loads, determine the number of repetitions per set, or to assess the effects of the training volume associated with different strength manifestations

50-mJ macro-pulses at 1064 nm from a diode-pumped picosecond laser system

Pulse-picking from a 100-mW cw mode-locked seeder, a hybrid master-oscillator power-amplifier (MOPA) system, based on Nd:YVO4 and Nd:YAG amplifier modules, has been developed, delivering single-pulses of 8.6 ps at 455-MHz repetition-rate, bunched into ~1-μs trains of 50 mJ (“macro-pulses”). The output beam is linearly polarized and nearly diffraction limited up to the maximum macro-pulse repetition-rate of 50 Hz. The single-pulse peak power and the macro-pulse duration and energy are quite suitable for high-energy nonlinear optical applications such as low-threshold synchronously-pumped parametric converters in the mid infrared. The impact on the overall efficiency of saturation distortion of the macro-pulse envelope as well as of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is considered. The managing of the envelope distortion compensation and of the ASE suppression by means of fast saturable absorbers is reported

Effect Of Resistance Exercise Intensity On Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness [efeito Da Intensidade Do Exercício De Força Sobre A Ocorrência Da Dor Muscular De Início Tardio]

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of resistance exercise intensity on the perceived DOMS. In order to investigate the hypothesis that the intensity determines the magnitude of DOMS, 40 healthy, untrained men were subjected to two bouts of resistance exercise performed at different intensities (50%-1RM (n=20) and 75%-1RM (n=20)). DOMS was assessed using visual analogue scale, 24, 48 and 72 hours after each training bout. DOMS increased after both exercise bouts (50%-1RM and 75%-1RM) (p<0.05), peaking at 48 hours (p<0.05). However, DOMS did not differ between exercise sessions (50%-1RM and 75%-1RM) (p>0.05). 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