Crocus Sativus Linnaeus (Saffron) intake does not affect physiological and perceptual responses during a repeated sprint test in healthy active young males

The study aimed to investigate the effects of acute ingestion of saffron (SAF) on physiological (i.e., heart rate and blood lactate) and perceptual (i.e., ratings of perceived exertion [RPE] and feeling scale) measures in response to a repeated-sprint ability test (RSS) in healthy young males (N = 22; mean ± SD: age, 21.7 ± 1.24 yrs.). All participants completed two experimental trials with a one-week washout period using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. In each session, the participants were randomly chosen to receive either a capsule of saffron (300 mg) (SAF session) or a capsule of lactose (PLB session) two hours before performing the RSS.No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found for heart rate, RPE, and feeling scale between the SAF or PLB sessions at pre- and post-RSS. There were no significant changes (p > 0.05) in peak time, total time, fatigue index, and blood lactate in either the SAF or PLB sessions. Acute SAF ingestion did not significantly improve RSS performance nor physiological and perceptual measures in active young males. Future trials should address the topic by using shortened/prolonged higher doses of SAF on biological, physical, physiological, and perceptual responses to acute and chronic exercise

The Effects of Preferred Music and Its Timing on Performance, Pacing, and Psychophysiological Responses During the 6‐min Test

[EN] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of listening to preferred music during a warm up or exercise, on performance during a 6-min all-out exercise test (6-MT) in young adult males. Twenty-five healthy males volunteered to participate in this study. Following a within subject design, participants performed three test conditions (MDT: music during the test; MDW: music during the warm-up; WM: without music) in random order. Outcomes included mean running speed over the 6-min test (MRS6), total distance covered (TDC), heart rate responses (HRpeak, HRmean), blood lactate (3-min after the test), and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE); additionally, feeling scale scores were recorded. Listening to preferred music during running resulted in significant TDC (Δ↑10%, p=0.006, ES=0.80) and MRS6 (Δ↑14%, p=0.012, ES=1.02) improvement during the 6-MT, improvement was also noted for the warm-up with music condition (TDC:Δ↑8%, p=0.028, ES=0.63; MRS6:Δ↑8%, p=0.032, ES=0.61). A similar reverse “J-shaped” pacing profile was detected during the three conditions. Blood lactate was lower in the MDT condition by 8% (p=0.01, ES=1.10), but not the MDW condition, compared to MW. In addition, no statistically significant differences were found between the test sessions for the HR, RPE, and feeling scale scores. In conclusion, listening to music during exercise testing would be more beneficial for optimal TDC and MRS6 performances compared to MDW and WM

Effects of a Preseason Neuromuscular Training Program vs. an Endurance-Dominated Program on Physical Fitness and Injury Prevention in Female Soccer Players

Background: The pre-season preparatory period is considered key for optimizing the physical fitness levels needed to withstand congested match periods and preventing injuries during the regular soccer season. This study contrasted the effects s of neuromuscular training (NMT) versus an endurance-dominated training (ET) program conducted during the preseason on measures of physical fitness and injury occurrence in female soccer players. Methods: Twenty-four female soccer players aged 17.0 ± 1.3 years from a professional soccer club participated in this study. Players were randomly assigned to NMT (n = 12) or ET (n = 12) groups according to their playing position. The preseason intervention program lasted six weeks, with three weekly sessions with a duration of 45–60 min per session. Exercises in the NMT group included muscle strengthening exercises, plyometrics, agility and dynamic stability exercises, while the ET group practiced a traditional pre-season training program consisting of running and sprinting exercises, fartlek, and high-intensity interval training. The training volumes were similar in the two study groups. Anthropometric measurements, physical fitness tests (i.e., linear and change-of-direction speed, muscle strength and power tests) and the overall injury rate per 1000 h of exposure (training, match) were recorded throughout the season. Results: No between group differences were found at pre (T1). Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for the 5, 10, and 30-m linear sprint speed tests (p < 0.001, 2.16 < d < 2.58), the T-test (p = 0.024, d = 1.03), the squat (p < 0.001, d = 4.04), and the countermovement jump test (p < 0.001, d = 2.21), the Loughborough soccer passing test (LSPT) (p = 0.019, d = 1.08), and the 1-RM back squat test (p < 0.001, d = 2.53). Post-hoc tests indicated that NMT provided larger improvements for SJ, CMJ, 1-RM back squat, the 5-m sprint, 10-m sprint, 30-m sprint, T-test and LSPT compared to ET (1.07 > d > 2.77). The injury rate across the season was significantly lower in the NMT (5.1/1000 h exposure) compared to ET (11.8/1000 h exposure) (p = 0.014). Conclusions: The findings support that six-weeks of preseason NMT versus ET induced larger performance improvements, and significantly reduced injury occurrence in elite female soccer players

Single and combined effects of preferred music and endpoint knowledge on jump performance in basketball players

publishedVersio

Acute effect of hydrogen-rich water on physical, perceptual and cardiac responses during aerobic and anaerobic exercises: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded cross-over trial

Molecular hydrogen (H2 gas) dissolved in water to produce Hydrogen-Rich Water. Hydrogen-Rich Water (HRW) is considered as ergogenic aid in different exercise modes. However, acute pre-exercise HRW ingestion effect is unclear regarding athlete performance. This study aimed at investigating acute effect of HRW ingestion on aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance. Twenty-two male amateur middle-distance runners volunteered to participate in this study. In a randomized, double-blind study design, all players ingested 500 mL of HRW or placebo (PLA) supplement 30 min before the start of the tests. Over 4 days, maximal aerobic speed of Vameval test (MAS), time to exhaustion at MAS (Tlim), squat jump (SJ), counter-movement jump (CMJ) and five jump test (5JT) were evaluated. Also, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and peak heart rate (HRpeak) were measured during the aerobic tests. For Vameval test, HRW ingestion improved MAS, HRpeak and RPE compared with the placebo condition. For Tlim test, HRW ingestion demonstrated improvements in time to exhaustion, RPE and HRpeak. However, no significant change was observed between HW and placebo conditions in SJ, CMJ, 5JT. 500 mL of HRW can significantly improve HRpeak, time to exhaustion, RPE, with no significant effect on MAS, jumping performance in amateur endurance athletes

Association between ACTN3 R577X genotype and risk of non-contact injury in trained athletes:A systematic review

International audienceBACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to review, systematically, evidence concerning the link between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and the rates and severity of non-contact injuries and exercise-induced muscle damage in athletes and individuals enrolled in exercise training programs. METHODS: A computerized literature search was performed in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus, from inception until November 2020. All included studies compared the epidemiological characteristics of non-contact injury between the different genotypes of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism. RESULTS: Our search identified 492 records. After the screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts, 13 studies examining the association between the ACTN3 genotypes and the rate and severity of non-contact injury were included in the analysis. These studies were performed in 6 different countries (Spain, Japan, Brazil, China, Republic of Korea, and Italy) and involved a total participant pool of 1093 participants. Of the studies, 2 involved only women, 5 involved only men, and 6 involved both men and women. All the studies included were classified as high-quality studies (≥6 points on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database [PEDro] scale). Overall, evidence suggests there is an association between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and non-contact injury in 12 investigations. Six studies observed a significant association between ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and exercise induced muscle damage: 2 with non-contact ankle injury, 3 with non-contact muscle injury, and 1 with overall non-contact injury. CONCLUSION: The present findings support the premise that possessing the ACTN3 XX genotype may predispose athletes to a higher probability of some non-contact injuries, such as muscle injury, ankle sprains, and higher levels of exercise-induced muscle damage

The effects of adapted physical education sessions on the empathy of female students with overweight

The global prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity increases rapidly. Physical activity plays a major role in the prevention of obesity. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of adapted basketball sessions according to the empathic capacity of adolescent girls with overweight. Forty-two girls with overweight (age: 16.09 ± 0.85; years; height: 1.64 ± 0.67 m: weight: 73.02 ± 0.61 kg; BMI: 27.15 ± 1.37) volunteered to participate in the study and were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG, n = 21) and control group (CG, n = 21). EG was submitted to a basketball intervention adapted to students with obesity while the CG performed classic basketball exercises for 7 weeks. Each week girls had 2 basketball teaching-learning sessions, lasting 50 min. The participants’ empathy was assessed before and after the intervention using the Favre CEC. The results showed that adaptation intervention was associated with a significant emotional contagion decrease (Δ% = 0.466) and splitting with emotions (Δ% = 0.375), and with an empathy increase (Δ% = 1.387), in EG compared to CG. No significant difference was assessed in the empathy CG, before and after the intervention. This study demonstrated that adapted physical education classes could be an effective strategy to improve empathetic skills and inclusion of overweight girls as well as a means to prevent obesity

The effects of kettlebell training versus resistance training using the own body mass on physical fitness and physiological adaptations in obese adults: a randomized controlled trial

Aim of study: This study aimed to explore the effects of different types of resistance training using kettlebells versus the own body mass, in comparison to a passive control, on key physical fitness and physiological parameters in young, obese adults. Methods: Data from 60 sedentary, obese male college students, aged 17–26, were used for final analyses. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (CG, n = 20, no training), a kettlebell resistance training group (KRTG, n = 20), or a bodyweight resistance training group (BWRTG, n = 20). Selected measures of physical fitness were tested using the 12-minutes run test, the push-up test, the sit-up test, and the sit-and-reach test. Physiological measures included vital capacity, resting and maximum heart rate (HRmax), mean arterial blood pressure, breath holding time, and respiratory rate. Biochemical variables were measured in the morning, in a fasted state, and comprised high and low density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. The 12-weeks progressive KRTG and BWRTG were specifically tailored using sets, repetitions, and intensity levels. Results: Notable findings include significant body fat reductions in BWRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.53) and KRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.43), and a substantial increase in VO2max for BWRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.32) and KRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.34) compared to CG. KRTG also showed significant improvements in vital capacity (p < 0.001; d = 1.61) and reductions in resting heart rate (p = 0.024, d = 1.05) and respiratory rate (p = 0.001, d = 1.55), with BWRTG showing similar trends (resting heart rate: p = 0.041, d = 1.35; respiratory rate: p = 0.001, d = 1.98). Both intervention groups significantly improved breath holding time (KRTG: p = 0.001, d = 1.58; BWRTG: p < 0.001, d = 1.98) and reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels compared to CG. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that both KRTG and BWRTG are effective in improving body composition and selected fitness and physiological measures. Thus, resistance training using kettlebells or bodyweight training are recommended if the goal is to improve body composition and fitness in obese male adults. Trial Registration: OSF, September, 28th 2023. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Z6Y9Gosf.io/2mb9

Efeito do encorajamento verbal do professor nas respostas psicofisiológicas durante jogos reduzidos de futebol

Uno de los factores importantes que mejoran la capacidad de los jugadores de fútbol para participar más en la actividad física es el estímulo verbal. El propósito del estudio fue investigar el efecto del estímulo verbal del profesor en los partidos de fútbol en espacios reducidos sobre los parámetros psicofisiológicos. Catorce estudiantes universitarios varones, especialidad fútbol, completaron aleatoriamente cuatro sesiones(S1-S4)de juegos reducidos con (SSGE) o sin estímulo verbal (SSGN). Se registraron la frecuencia cardíaca, el estado de ánimo y el RPE. La alteración del estado de ánimo total disminuye significativamente en las sesiones con SSGE (S1: P < 0,05; S3: P < 0,001). Además, el RPE mejoró significativamente en SSGE (S1: P = 0,035; S3: P = 0,02) en comparación con SSGN. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las condiciones para la frecuencia cardíaca máxima durante las SSG. El estímulo verbal del maestro es un método beneficioso para aumentar la motivación, mejorando así la participación física de los estudiantes universitarios en los partidos de fútbol a pequeña escalaOne of the important factors that improve soccer player's ability toengage more in the physical activity is verbal encouragement. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of the teacher's verbal encouragement in football small-sided games on psycho-physiological parameters. Fourteen male college students, soccer specialty, completed randomly four sessions(S1-S4)of small-sided games with (SSGE) or without verbal encouragement (SSGN). Heart rate, mood state and RPE were recorded. Total mood disturbance decreases significantly in sessions with SSGE (S1: P < 0.05; S3: P < 0.001). Also, RPE was improved significantly in SSGE (P = 0.035; P = 0.02) compared to SSGN. However, no significant differences between conditions were found for maximal heart rate during SSGs. Teacher’s verbal encouragement is a beneficial method of increasing motivation, thereby improving the physical engagement of college students in small-scale football matchesUm dos fatores importantes que melhoram acapacidade do jogador de futebol de se engajar mais na atividade física é o incentivo verbal. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar o efeito do encorajamento verbal do professor em jogos reduzidos de futebol sobre parâmetros psicofisiológicos. Quatorze universitários do sexo masculino, especialidade futebol, completaram aleatoriamente quatro sessões(S1-S4)de jogos reduzidos com (SSGE) ou sem incentivo verbal (SSGN). Frequência cardíaca, estado de humor e RPE foram registrados. A perturbação total do humor diminui significativamente nas sessões com SSGE (S1: P < 0,05; S3: P < 0,001). Além disso, o RPE melhorou significativamente no SSGE (P = 0,035; P = 0,02) em comparação com o SSGN. No entanto, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as condições para frequência cardíaca máxima durante SSGs. O encorajamento verbal do professor é um método benéfico de aumentar a motivação, melhorando assim o envolvimento físico de estudantes universitários em partidas de futebol de pequena escal

Efeito do encorajamento verbal do professor nas respostas psicofisiológicas durante um jogo específico de futebol reduzido.

One of the important factors that improve soccer player's ability to engage more in the physical activity is verbal encouragement from the coach during exercise. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of the coach's verbal encouragement in football small-sided games on psycho-physiological parameters. Fourteen male students, soccer specialty, completed four sessions of small-sided games (SSG). Two sessions (S1 and S3) conducted with verbal encouragement (SSGE), and the other two sessions (S2 and S4) without VE (SSGN). Mood state was recorded before and after each training session using the profile of mood-state (POMS). Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was measured after each training session. Heart rate was continuously recorded. Total mood disturbance decreases significantly in sessions with SSGE (S1: P &lt; 0.05; S3: P &lt; 0.001). RPE scores in sessions S1 and S4 (SSGE) have significantly higher (P = 0.035; P = 0.02) compared to session S2 (SSGN).In contrast, no significant differences between the two conditions were found for maximal heart rate during SSG. Teacher’s verbal encouragement is a beneficial method of increasing motivation, thereby improving the physical engagement of students in small-scale football matches.Uno de los factores importantes que mejoran la capacidad de los jugadores de fútbol para participar más en la actividad física es el estímulo verbal del entrenador durante el ejercicio. El propósito del estudio fue investigar el efecto del estímulo verbal del entrenador en los partidos de fútbol en espacios reducidos sobre los parámetros psicofisiológicos. Catorce alumnos varones, especialidad fútbol, ​​completaron cuatro sesiones de juegos reducidos (SSG). Dos sesiones (S1 y S3) realizadas con estímulo verbal (SSGE), y las otras dos sesiones (S2 y S4) sin VE (SSGN). El estado de ánimo se registró antes y después de cada sesión de entrenamiento utilizando el perfil de estado de ánimo (POMS). La calificación del esfuerzo percibido (RPE) se midió después de cada sesión de entrenamiento. La frecuencia cardíaca se registró continuamente. La alteración del estado de ánimo total disminuye significativamente en las sesiones con SSGE (S1: P &lt; 0,05; S3: P &lt; 0,001). Las puntuaciones de RPE en las sesiones S1 y S4 (SSGE) son significativamente más altas (P = 0,035; P = 0,02) en comparación con la sesión S2 (SSGN). Por el contrario, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las dos condiciones para la frecuencia cardíaca máxima durante la SSG. El estímulo verbal del maestro es un método beneficioso para aumentar la motivación, mejorando así la participación física de los estudiantes en los partidos de fútbol a pequeña escala.Um dos fatores importantes que melhoram a capacidade do jogador de futebol de se engajar mais na atividade física é o incentivo verbal do treinador durante o exercício. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar o efeito do encorajamento verbal do treinador em jogos reduzidos de futebol em parâmetros psicofisiológicos. Quatorze estudantes do sexo masculino, especialidade de futebol, completaram quatro sessões de jogos reduzidos (SSG). Duas sessões (S1 e S3) realizadas com estímulo verbal (SSGE), e as outras duas sessões (S2 e S4) sem EV (SSGN). O estado de humor foi registrado antes e após cada sessão de treinamento usando o perfil de estado de humor (POMS). A avaliação do esforço percebido (PSE) foi medida após cada sessão de treinamento. A frequência cardíaca foi registrada continuamente. A perturbação total do humor diminui significativamente nas sessões com SSGE (S1: P &lt; 0,05; S3: P &lt; 0,001). Os escores de PSE nas sessões S1 e S4 (SSGE) foram significativamente maiores (P = 0,035; P = 0,02) em comparação com a sessão S2 (SSGN). Em contraste, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as duas condições para a frequência cardíaca máxima durante a SSG. O encorajamento verbal do professor é um método benéfico para aumentar a motivação, melhorando assim o envolvimento físico dos alunos em partidas de futebol de pequena escala