A Comparison between Non-Localized Post-Activation Performance Enhancements Following Resistance Exercise for the Upper and the Lower Body

The aim of the present investigation was to compare the acute non-localized post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) of an exercise protocol involving either the upper or the lower body muscles. Twenty-four resistance trained men participated in the present study and were randomly assigned to an upper body (UB) or to a lower body (LB) group. Both groups tested for upper and lower body power (bench press throw (BPT) and countermovement jump power (CMJP) tests). Participants in the UB group were tested pre and post a high-intensity (HI) and a high-power (POW) bench press protocol while participants in the LB group performed a HI squat and a jump session (POW). A significant group × time interaction was found for CMJP in HI (p = 0.012). Post hoc tests revealed that CMJP was elevated in UB group only (+1.6%; p = 0.025). No other significant interactions were detected. Results of this study indicate that a non-localized PAPE on the lower body may be induced by a HI bench press protocol while a HI squat protocol may not increase upper body power. In particular, the squat protocol performed in the present study (5 sets of 1 rep) may be too demanding to produce a non-localized PAPE

Comparasion between European elite senior and junior female table tennis players

The aim of the study was to compare elite junior and senior women table tennis players, using three parameters of the table tennis: rally length, serve and receive analysis. Twentyfive junior and twenty-five elite senior matches were analysed (total: 263 sets and 4958 points) between players ranked in Top 25 in ETTU rankings in the last two years. All the athletes used an offensive style of play. The results of non-parametric Mann-Whitney U Test, showed a significantly higher rally length in senior compared to junior category (4.46 vs. 3.93). Moreover, the results of Pearson’s Chi-square tests show an association between the age categories and selected parameters (laterality, technique and placement) for both serve and receive. Different behavior between the two categories was noted. The senior players used more the flip technique (22.2 % vs 14.7 %) and short push to return the services of the opponents (32.5 % vs 26.0 %). These results provide useful information to analyze junior players’ behavior compared to the senior players in order to plan specific training sessions. It can be also useful to identify some parameters as predictors of the future success for junior players

Acute effects of a high volume vs. High intensity bench press protocol on electromechanical delay and muscle morphology in recreationally trained women

The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the acute responses on muscle architecture, electromechanical delay (EMD) and performance following a high volume (HV: 5 sets of 10 reps at 70% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM)) and a high intensity (HI: 5 sets of 3 reps at 90% of 1RM) bench press protocol in women. Eleven recreationally trained women (age = 23.3 ± 1.8 y; body weight = 59.7 ± 6.0 kg; height = 164.0 ± 6.3 cm) performed each protocol in a counterbalanced randomized order. Muscle thickness of pectoral (PEC MT) and triceps muscles (TR MT) were collected prior to and 15 min post each trial. In addition, EMD of pectoral (PEC EMD) and triceps (TR EMD) muscles were calculated during isometric bench press maximum force tests performed at the same timepoints (IBPF). Significantly greater increases in PEC MT (p < 0.001) and TR MT (p < 0.001) were detected following HV compared to HI. PEC EMD showed a significantly greater increase following HV compared to HI (p = 0.039). Results of the present study indicate that the HV bench press protocol results in greater acute morphological and neuromuscular changes compared to a HI protocol in women. Evaluations of muscle morphology and electromechanical delay appear more sensitive to fatigue than maximum isometric force assessments

A pilot study to compare footwork techniques used in Table Tennis

A pilot study to compare footwork techniques used in Table Tennis Ivan Malagoli Lanzoni, Roberto Lobietti, Franco Merni Faculty of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Bologna, Italy INTRODUCTION Footwork and steps (one step, side to side, slide step, turn step, cross step, and combinations of these steps) are fundamental in table tennis. Players should use the best technique for guarantying the shortest time to arrive in the right position, that gives the possibility to play the best shot. This study aims to define the different footwork techniques used by table tennis players. To compare different footwork techniques for giving useful suggestions to coaches and implementing better training for players, from a technical and physical point of view. METHODS 1. Analysis of male players 4 matches from the 2006 Italian Championships and 4 matches from 2006 World Team Table Tennis Championships (videos recorded from television). 2. To record the 5 different types of steps defined and the 16 types of shots (drive and back) was used a 16 x 5 table. To carry out this analysis it has always been taken into account the last step before the shot or before the attempt to hit the ball. 3. The analysis of the frequencies of the different types of steps were performed and percentages calculated. 4. The non-parametric Chi Square test were performed to identify significant differences (α=0.01) in the use of footwork techniques by the 8 players considered. RESULTS The results allow a qualitative description of the various step movements. The most frequent step is the one step with a frequency of 33.5%; the second one is the chass\ue8 with a frequency of 20,8%; they are followed by the Stroke without step 16.3%; the Turn step15.4 %; the Crossover 8.8% and the Slide step 5.3%. Chi Square analysis, by comparing the use of different types of steps by the players at low level, shows significant differences between them (χ\ub2 (15) = 50.09, p<0.01) as between found for the highest level in a previous study (χ\ub2 (15) = 40.63, p<0.01). A comparison with data relative to the highest level confirmed inter individual (χ\ub2 (35) = 222.62, p<0.01). and inter groups differences (χ\ub2 (5) = 61.24, p<0.01). DISCUSSION Analysis of the matches suggests inter individual differences in the characteristics of the steps movements. The \u201cone step\u201d is especially used to hit the ball in the forehand and backhand push to return the service. Further studies on a larger number of matches, will permit a better understanding in the use of footwork techniques. REFERENCES Lames M. (2006), Modelling the interaction in game sport \u2013 relative phase and moving correlations. JSSM 5, pp. 556-560 Lobietti,R., Merni F. (2006), Blocking footwork techniques used by male and female volleyball players are different, JHMS, 51 (5), pp. 307-320 Malagoli Lanzoni I., Lobietti R., Merni F. (2007), Footwork techniques used in table tennis: a qualitative analysis, Proceedings book of The 10th Anniversary ITTF Sport Science Congress, 18-20 maggio 2007, Zagreb, Croatia. ISBN 978-953-6378-69-2. Tepper G. (2003), ITTF Level 1 Coaching manual, www.ittf.co

Technical and tactical performance of top-class senior, junior and cadet table tennis players

In the recent sports science literature, it is possible to notice that research branches related to performance analysis are widely developing. The aim of this study was to analyze technical and tactical differences among male table tennis athletes of three categories: top-class world players (T), elite European juniors (J) and elite European cadets (C). 20 matches were randomly selected (T:10, J:5 and C:5). Selected performance indicators were: stroke type, footwork type, and shot outcome. Selected matches have been watched in slow motion (0.2X) by an experienced table tennis coach, who collected the indicators of interest. The data were analyzed with the Excel software using contingency tables. The strokes most used by T were top forehand (19 %), top counter top forehand (16 %) and block backhand (14 %). A similar distribution was observed for J: top forehand (21 %), top counter top forehand (15 %) and block backhand (15 %). Conversely, C showed the top forehand as the most used stroke (22 %), followed however by the push forehand (16 %). Concerning the footwork type, the most used one was the one step (T:32 %, J:28 % and C:31 %). Differences among groups were observed for the chass\ue8 (T: 24 %, J:15 % and C:15 %), and stroke without step (T:18 %, J:29 % and C:28 %). Strong associations were observed between stroke and footwork types, and between stroke types and shot outcome, with the top forehand and top counter top forehand being the most successful strokes in all the groups. By studying the relationships between strokes, footwork types and shot outcomes in table tennis athletes of three different categories, it is possible to detect differences in the play style among the three categories of players. This analysis can help to improve the technical and the tactical skills of players to obtain better competitive results

Fifty Years of Top-Class Table Tennis World Ranking

Ivan Malagoli Lanzoni1, Rocco Di Michele2 and Gabriele Semprini2 1 School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Sport Science, University of Bologna, Italy 2 Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy FIFTY YEARS OF TOP-CLASS TABLE TENNIS WORLD RANKING Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse of some aspects of the world table tennis rankings in order to better understand the historical and technical evolution of this sport. One world ranking for every year from 1967 to 2017 was examined by identifying the first 10 male (M) and female (F) players. For each player the, handedness (left- or right-handed), grip (classic or pen-holder), style of play (offensive or defensive), and nationality, were recorded. All data are presented as percentages. Left-handed are overrepresented (M: 25.4; F: 22.6) with respect to the normal population (10-13%). The classic grip is the most used (M: 72.8; F: 72.5). In M players, a slight increase was observed while in F since 1985 until today the classic grip showed an important increase. The predominant playing style is offensive (M: 93.4; F: 88.9) with an increasing trend in M and F. In M the most represented nation is China (39.6) followed by Sweden (12.8), Japan (7.8), Korea (5.1), Germany (4.9), Yugoslavia (4.3). In F: China (50.4), Japan (8.8), Korea (7.3), PRK (4.6), USSR (3.1), Singapore (2.9), and Hungary (2.4). In the last 50 years the Asian athletes have dominated the world rankings (M: 56.5; F: 50.4). This domination started in 2003 for M, after a period of substantial balance with Europeans and for F it constantly increases since 1971. Asians are followed by Europeans (M: 43.3; F: 18.8) and Americans (M: 0.2; F: 0.1)