MONITORING THE ELITE ATHLETE

The application of sports medicine technology to the practical aspect of sport has led to the common belief that the scientific preparation of the athlete is the responsibility of a team -a coach, biomechanist, physician, exercise pysiologist, sport psychologist and others. The advent of sophisticated physiological equipment to determine specific objective measures of performance during activity has allowed the coach to perceive the athlete in precise scientific terms. This monitoring process is a contemporary yet controversial issue. To what extent does applied science impinge of this article is to review the different facets of monitoring with specific emphasis on the overtraining phenomena. The monitoring process can generally be divided into three separate phases: medical, physiological and assessment of overtraining

EFFECTS OF WALKING VERSUS COMPLETING A NEUROCOGNITIVE TASK, ON END-TIDAL CARBON DIOXIDE AFTER CONCUSSION – A PILOT STUDY

This study examined differences between healthy and concussed participants when performing a neuropsychological and physical task on measures of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2). Twenty-two participants (17 healthy; 5 concussed) completed the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) battery and walked on a treadmill at two walking speeds. A CapnoTrainer© measured ETCO2 during the tasks. Statistically significant main effects were observed for task (F(1,20)=5.332, p\u3c0.032; F(2,38)=52.305, p\u3c0.001) and group (F(1,20)=14.388, p\u3c0.001; F(1,19)=8.283, p\u3c0.01) in ETCO2 during the cognitive and physical tasks, respectively. Abnormal ETCO2 levels may occur after concussion, therefore, future investigations are warranted

EFFECTS OF WALKING VERSUS COMPLETING A NEUROCOGNITIVE TASK ON BREATHING PHYSIOLOGY IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS – A PILOT STUDY

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of walking at different speeds and elevation versus completing a neurocognitive task on end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and respiratory rate (RR) in a healthy population. Eleven healthy participants completed the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) battery and walked on a treadmill under four conditions (slow versus fast walking and uphill versus downhill). A CapnoTrainer was used to measure ETCO2 and RR during the tasks. Statistically significant increases were observed in RR (t(10)=5.52, p=.001) during the ImPACT; ETCO2 (F(4,7)=14.18, p=.002) during all four walking trials; and RR (F(4,7)=7.02, p=.01) during the last three walking trials. Therefore, future investigations using a similar methodology and protocol are warranted in a concussed population

COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR ASSESSING VERTICAL JUMP HEIGHT PERFORMANCE

Relationships, explained variance, measurement error, and limits of agreement were examined among field and laboratory countermovement vertical jump tests, including Vertec, 3D video, and force platform data. Data were simultaneously collected on a single countermovement jump trial for 13 female varsity volleyball players. Vertical jump height computed using maximum centre of mass (COM) velocity from force platform data demonstrated the greatest precision, as well as the strongest correlation (r=0.90), greatest explained variance (R2=0.81), and lowest standard error of the estimate (0.02m) in vertical 3D video COM displacement. Jump height calculation using maximum COM velocity may highlight relevant performance measures, providing jump height estimations more quickly and easily, and with greater precision via force platform analysis

Identifying Feasible Physical Activity Programs for Long-Term Care Homes in the Ontario Context

Background Structured exercise programs for frail institutionalized seniors have shown improvement in physical, functional, and psychological health of this population. However, the ‘feasibility’ of implementation of such programs in real settings is seldom discussed. The purpose of this systematic review was to gauge feasibility of exercise and falls prevention programs from the perspective of long-term care homes in Ontario, given the recent changes in funding for publically funded physiotherapy services. Method Six electronic databases were searched by two independent researchers for randomized controlled trials that targeted longterm care residents and included exercise as an independent component of the intervention. Results A total of 39 studies were included in this review. A majority of these interventions were led by physiotherapist(s), carried out three times per week for 30–45 minutes per session. However, a few group-based interventions that were led by long-term care staff, volunteers, or trained non-exercise specialists were identified that also required minimal equipment. Conclusion This systematic review has identified ‘feasible’ physical activity and falls prevention programs that required minimal investment in staff and equipment, and demonstrated positive outcomes. Implementation of such programs represents cost-effective means of providing long-term care residents with meaningful gains in physical, psychological, and social health

The effects of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on resistance exercise induced lipid peroxidation in trained and untrained participants

BACKGROUND: The theoretical benefits of using antioxidant vitamin supplements to quench oxygen free radicals appear large. High intensity aerobic-type exercise produces oxygen free radicals that can cause damage to lipid membranes (lipid peroxidation) that may lead to many problems such as the inactivation of cell membrane enzymes, the progression of degenerative diseases (cardiovascular disease and cancer) and lessening of the effectiveness of the immune system. The major function of vitamin E is to work as a chain-breaking antioxidant in a fat soluble environment. Little research has examined lipid peroxidation associated with high intensity resistance exercise or possible protective effects of antioxidant supplementation or the effects of training state. RESULTS: There were no significant group (trained vs untrained) or treatment (vitamin E vs placebo) effects found between the 4 groups assessed. There was only one significant difference found and that was in the main effect for time (F = 22.41, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The Resistance Exercise Test caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde in all 4 groups at 6 hours post exercise. There was no evidence that vitamin E supplementation was effective in reducing oxidative damage in comparison to the placebo group. As well, there was no difference between the trained and untrained groups with respect to their impact on lipid peroxidation measures

The effects of a 10-day altitude training camp at 1828 meters on varsity cross-country runners

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(1): 97-107, 2017. Altitude training has been shown to alter blood lactate (BL) levels due to alterations resulting from acclimatization. This study aims to estimate the impact of altitude training on BL changes immediately following an incremental treadmill test and during recovery before and after 10-day altitude training at approximately 1828 meters. Eight varsity cross-country runners performed an incremental treadmill test (ITT), pre and post-altitude training. Resting and post-warm-up BL values were recorded. During ITT, heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and time to exhaustion were monitored. BL was also measured post-ITT at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 minutes. The average of all BL values was higher following altitude intervention (8.8 ± 4.6 mmol/L) compared to pre-intervention (7.4 ± 3.3 mmol/L). These differences were statistically significant (t(6) = -2.40, p = .026). BL immediately (0 minutes) after the ITT was higher following the altitude intervention (13.6 ± 3.6 mmol/L) compared to pre-intervention (9.7 ± 3.8 mmol/L) and was statistically significant (t(7) = -3.30, p = .006). Average HR during the ITT was lower following the altitude intervention (176.9 ± 11.1 bpm) compared to pre (187 ± 9.5 bpm), these differences were statistically significant (t(28)= 18.07, p

Variability within individuals of plasma ionic magnesium concentrations

BACKGROUND: With the invention of the ion-selective electrode (ISE), ionic magnesium (iMg) is a common blood assay. This could be advantageous, as iMg is the biologically active form of Mg. There is some evidence that iMg has considerable within subject variability. RESULTS: Individual ranges averaged .08 mmol/L (range .05 to .14). Coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 3% to 7% (mean 4%) while analytical variation was determined to be 2.3%. Biological variability thus accounts for almost half of the variability, which is clinically significant, as 9 of the 13 subjects recorded at least one value below a reference range of .46 – .60 mmol/L. A significant within-day variation (p < .001) was noted, with differences between 7:00 and 10:00 as well as 10:00 and 22:00. Between day variations were not significant (p = .56). CONCLUSIONS: A plausible explanation of this data is that iMg has a circadian rhythm. Thus, cautious interpretation of single iMg values is warranted until future research determines the nature of iMg variability

Becoming One with Nature: A Nature Intervention for Individuals Living with Cancer Participating in a Ten-Week Group Exercise and Wellness Program

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(3): 498-518, 2021. Positive outcomes for psychological and physiological health have resulted from a nature experience. However, evidence is limited for nature-based interventions and their effect on a cancer population. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to determine if incorporating the One Nature Challenge (ONC) into a ten-week group exercise program (WE-Can) for individuals living with cancer could offer additional psychological and/or physiological benefits to those previously observed in WE-Can. For this study, two separate ONCs were implemented throughout two seasons (summer and winter) to formulate a ONC group (n = 18; 60 ± 12yrs). Previous WE-Can graduates were used as a control group (n = 160; 59 ± 11yrs) for this study. Psychological and physiological assessments were administered in a pre- and post-test. In addition, nature relatedness (NR; ones’ relationship with nature) was measured at the beginning, middle, and end of WE-Can. Following five weeks, the ONC began and participants tracked the days they experienced nature for at least thirty-minutes (24 ± 6 days), for a thirty-day period. The ONC finished concurrently with WE-Can where post-evaluations and focus groups were administered immediately following. No additional gain in overall health was found between groups. However, aerobic fitness and fatigue significantly improved for the ONC group. This was supported by frequent activities and self-reported restoration of the mind while experiencing nature. In conclusion, the lack of overall improvement could be limited by sample size and the high level of NR prior to ONC, indicating participants were already ‘one with nature.