Effect of Upper- and Lower-Body Vibration on Recovery, Muscle Soreness and Performance

International Journal of Exercise Science 7(1) : 33-44, 2014. The purpose of this study was to compare three types of recovery methods: control (CON), lower-body vibration (LBV) and upper-body vibration (UBV) on upper-body performance, perceived recovery, and muscle soreness. Eight physically active male volunteers participated in the study. In a crossover study design, participants completed three sets of push-ups to fatigue, a given recovery treatment, and two upper-body Wingate Anaerobic Tests to assess peak and mean anaerobic power. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and heart rate (HR) were measured after fatiguing exercise, the recovery treatment and maximal performance test. In Wingate 1, no significant mean differences (p \u3e 0.05) were found among CON, LBV, or UBV in peak power (560 ± 121, 594 ± 116, and 588 ± 109 W, respectively), mean power, or fatigue index. In Wingate 2, no significant mean differences (p \u3e 0.05) were found among CON, LBV, or UBV in peak power (570 ± 151, 557 ± 71, and 564 ± 120 W, respectively), mean power, or fatigue index. In addition, no significant mean difference (p \u3e 0.05) was observed in perceived recovery and muscle soreness (p \u3e 0.05). In conclusion, findings of the present study suggest no psychological or physiological benefits using LBV and UBV as a recovery modality

Assessment of Dietary Behaviors, Body Composition, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk among College Club Rugby Team

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(4): 403-413, 2015. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dietary behaviors, body composition, and potential cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among college club rugby team players. 15 athletes completed demographics, three 24-hour dietary recalls, body composition and blood lipid profile assessments following an overnight fast. Mean ± SD age of participants was 20 ± 1 years; weight 81 ± 16 kg; BMI 25.7 ± 3.2 kg/m2; body fat 13 ± 5%; total cholesterol 133 ± 37 mg/dl; high-density lipoprotein 49 ± 18 mg/dl; low-density lipoproteins 77 ± 26 mg/dl; triglycerides 86 ± 34 mg/dl. The results of dietary analysis indicated that carbohydrates comprise 44 ± 3% (3.2 ± 0.2 g/kg), proteins 21 ± 5% (1.5 ± 0.4 g/kg), and fats 34 ± 3% of the total calories. Mean intake of total fat and saturated fat exceeded recommendations of the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR). Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) were met for most of the micronutrients excluding vitamin A 557 ± 157 μg/dl (61% RDA) vitamin E 6 ± 0.5 μg/dl (40% RDA) and potassium 2267 ± 613 μg/dl (50% RDA) while mean intake for sodium 4276 ± 437 mg/dl was 285% recommended. In addition, mean intake of fiber 18 ± 5 g was 55% below that recommended. At present, most of the participants were at low risk for developing CVD. However, continuous high intake of total and saturated fat, sodium and low fiber may lead to increased risk for developing CVD

Differences in Body Composition Affect Weight Control Practices and Body Image Satisfaction in College Students

The purpose of the present study was to assess weight control practices, body image, exercise habits and body composition among college students. 81 female and 20 male participants (age: 21 ± 1 yrs, Body Mass Index (BMI): 23 ± 3 kg/m², body fat percentage (BF%): 22 ± 5%) were recruited. Participants were asked to complete the following questionnaires: 69-item Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaires (MBSRQ-69), Weight Control Practices (WCP), Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS) and Sedentary Behavior (SBQ). Participants were divided into four groups based on gender classifications of BF%. Appearance Evaluation, Fitness Evaluation and Orientation, Overweight Preoccupation, Self-Classification of Weight, and Body Area Satisfaction subscales of MBSRQ were significantly different ('p' 0.05). Participants with higher BF% engaged in more WCP. College students with higher body fat were less satisfied with their body image and therefore engaged in more weight control practices

Post-Exercise Sweat Loss Estimation Accuracy of Athletes and Physically Active Adults: A Review

The main purposes of this review were to provide a qualitative description of nine investigations in which sweat losses were estimated by participants following exercise and to perform a quantitative analysis of the collective data. Unique estimations (n = 297) were made by 127 men and 116 women after a variety of exercise modalities in moderate to hot environmental conditions. Actual sweat loss exceeded estimated sweat loss (p \u3c 0.001) for women (1.072 ± 0.473 vs. 0.481 ± 0.372 L), men (1.778 ± 0.907 vs. 0.908 ± 0.666 L) and when all data were combined (1.428 ± 0.806 vs. 0.697 ± 0.581 L), respectively. However, estimation accuracy did not differ between women (55.2 ± 51.5%) and men (62.4 ± 54.5%). Underestimation of 50% or more of sweat losses were exhibited in 168 (54%) of estimation scenarios with heavier sweaters displaying a higher prevalence and trend of greater underestimations in general. Most modern guidelines for fluid intake during and between training bouts are based on approximate sweat loss estimation knowledge. These guidelines will likely have minimal efficacy if greater awareness of how to determine sweat losses and accurate recognition of sweat losses is not increased by coaches and athletes

Thermoregulatory Adaptations following Sprint Interval Training

Traditional endurance training typically involves weeks of long-duration (60–90 min) exercise performed at a moderate to vigorous intensity. An alternative paradigm, sprint interval training, is characterized by multiple bouts of short-duration, high-intensity exercise. Similar fitness benefits from the two paradigms have been demonstrated, but whether sprint interval training—like traditional endurance training—induces heat acclimation remains unclear. Purpose To test the hypothesis that sprint interval training performed over six sessions results in measureable thermoregulatory and cardiovascular adaptations consistent with heat acclimation. Methods Seven untrained men [mean ± SD, 13 ± 5% body fat, 22 ± 3 y, 3.1 ± 0.3 L/min peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak)] performed 6 sprint interval training sessions over 12 days with 48­–72 h between sessions. Sessions consisted of 4–6 thirty-second Wingate Anaerobic Tests separated by ~4 min. Before and after the two-week training protocol, participants cycled for 30 min at 65% V̇O2peak in 25 °C to assess the effects of sprint interval training on heat acclimation. Results Main outcome variables (onset of sweating, sweat sensitivity, heart rate at end of exercise, percent change in plasma volume, and core temperature change from pre- to post-exercise) were not different from pre- to post-training (all p \u3e 0.05). Conclusion Two weeks of sprint interval training performed under the conditions specified does not result in heat acclimation

Analysis of Dietary Intake and Body Composition of Female Athletes over a Competitive Season

The purpose of the study was to examine dietary intake, body composition and bone mineral density changes at the beginning and end of a competitive season in female athletes of sports that have been less represented in the literature. NCAA Division I basketball (n=10) and softball (n=10) players mean age (20±1 years) completed 3-day food records at the beginning and end of season. Body composition and bone mineral density were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Mean energy intake was significantly lower at the beginning compared to the end of the season (1925±466 vs. 2326±782 kcals/day; p=0.02). Lean, fat, and total body mass, and total and regional BMD were unaltered from the beginning to the end of season (p>0.05). Macronutrient consumption by percentage did not change across the season (p>0.05) with aggregate data equalling 3.5±1.3, 1.2±0.6, and 1.2±0.5 g/kg/day for carbohydrate, fat, and protein respectively. Carbohydrate and protein intakes were below the recommended levels. Low intake of fibre (17±6.3 g/day) and high sodium (3700±1120 mg/day) also raise concerns. Despite no major alterations in body composition or BMD many female athletes’ diets in the sports investigated while living on campus failed to meet recommended intake levels suggesting maximal athletic performance and health parameters may be stunted due to poor nutrient choices

Analysis of dietary intake and body composition of female athletes over a competitive season

© 2017 by the author(s). The purpose of the study was to examine dietary intake, body composition and bone mineral density changes at the beginning and end of a competitive season in female athletes of sports that have been less represented in the literature. NCAA Division I basketball (n=10) and soft ball (n=10) players mean age (20±1 years) completed 3-day food records at the beginning and end of season. Body composition and bone mineral density were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Mean energy intake was significantly lower at the beginning compared to the end of the season (1925±466 vs. 2326±782 kcals/day; p=0.02). Lean, fat, and total body mass, and total and regional BMD were unaltered from the beginning to the end of season (p \u3e 0.05). Macronutrient consumption by percentage did not change across the season (p \u3e 0.05) with aggregate data equalling 3.5±1.3, 1.2±0.6, and 1.2±0.5 g/kg/day for carbohydrate, fat, and protein respectively. Carbohydrate and protein intakes were below the recommended levels. Low intake of fibre (17±6.3 g/day) and high sodium (3700±1120 mg/day) also raise concerns. Despite no major alterations in body composition or BMD many female athletes\u27 diets in the sports investigated while living on campus failed to meet recommended intake levels suggesting maximal athletic performance and health parameters may be stunted due to poor nutrient choices

The Personal Food Systems of Pre-Season NCAA Division 1 High-Contact, Low-Contact, and Non-Contact College Athletes

Previous research indicates that dietary habits may differ between athletes of different sports. In this cross-sectional study, we hypothesize meal frequency, food choices, and food preferences will significantly differ between contact types. The participants were athletes (n = 92; men: n = 57, body fat percent (BF%): 14.8 ± 8.4%, body mass index (BMI): 25.5 ± 5.5 kg·m−2; women: n = 36, BF%: 26.7 ± 7.3%, BMI: 22.3 ± 2.7 kg·m−2) from high-contact (HCS), low-contact (LCS), and non-contact (NCS) sports. Meal frequency, food preference, and food choice questionnaires assessed factors influencing dietary habits. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measured lean body mass, fat mass, and body fat. A GLM multivariate analysis was used with significance accepted at p p p p = 0.04; η2 = 0.07) and for a greater preference for vegetables was found for NCS (p = 0.02; η2 = 0.09). Significant differences also existed in the importance of health (p = 0.04; η2 = 0.07), weight control (p = 0.05; η2 = 0.11), natural content (p = 0.04; η2 = 0.07), and price (p = 0.04; η2 = 0.07). These results support our hypothesis that food choices and food preferences differ between contact types. This may help sports dieticians create more individualized nutrition programs

No Performance or Affective Advantage of Drinking versus Rinsing with Water during a 15-km Running Session in Female Runners

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(2): 910-920, 2018. The advantage of ingesting fluids during endurance exercise lasting \u3c 90 min has recently been challenged, but literature confirming or disputing this case is limited, particularly for female athletes. This study examined the effects of consuming water versus mouth rinsing with water during a running time trial. Recreationally active female runners (n = 19) completed two, 15-km time trials on an outdoor course in temperate environment (~20ºC; 87% RH) separated by at least one week in a randomized cross-over study design. Participants consumed 355 ml of water (DW) during their run or mouth rinsed (MR) with water from a handheld water bottle every 3 km for 5 s with physiological, perceptual, and affective variables assessed. DW or MR did not affect completion time (79.8 ± 8.1 min and 79.2 ± 8.2 min, p = 0.23), HR (p = 0.35), or RPE (p = 0.73), respectively. Sweat losses were greater (p = 0.03) for DW: 1.47 ± 0.34 L compared to MR: 1.28 ± 0.27 L; however, thirst sensation was not significantly different for MR: 6.7 ± 1.4 compared to DW: 6.2 ± 1.6. A significant effect was exhibited for time (p \u3c 0.01) but not condition for Feeling Scale and Felt Arousal Scale or Energetic and Tense Arousal. Carrying only one smaller fluid container for MR versus a larger or multiple water bottles/backpack systems used for water consumption can reduce fluid load carried during extended duration runs without altering performance or affect for runs of 1.0-1.5 h. MR may also be beneficial to decrease thirst without ingesting fluid for runners that limit exercise fluid consumption because of gastrointestinal discomfort concerns