DETERMINING THE OPTIMAL LOAD FOR RESISTED SPRINT TRAINING WITH SLED TOWING. A PILOT STUDY.

An excessive load in resisted sprint training can produce changes in running patterns. Load control is essential to ensure specificity of these training methods. The most common way to control is the percentage of speed lost in relation to maximum speed. The aim of the study was establishing the load for sprint training with sled towing in the maximum velocity phase. 12 athletes, Spanish national level, participated in the study. They run 30 m flying sprints, an unloaded sprint and sprints pulling loads of 6%, 10%, and 15% of their body mass, on a synthetic track surface wearing spikes. The regression equation obtained was: % Body mass = (-0.8325 · % velocity) + 84.08. This equation is specific for the type of surface used and the sled towing characteristics. Therefore, when using different surfaces and sled towings, specific equations should be calculated

PERFORMANCE ADAPTATIONS TO SHORT-TERM SLED TOWING AND SPRINT TRAINING

The use of resisted sprinting techniques is common both in athletics and in a variety of sports (Cronin and Hansen, 2006). However, previous research has focused in studying the performance when applying these methods on untrained subjects (Zafeiridis et al., 2005; Kristensen et al., 2006). Considering that the magnitudes and time courses of the neural adaptations in the neuromuscular system in elite athletes may differ from those adaptations reported for untrained athletes (Hakkinen et al., 1987), the results from those papers may not be representative of the experienced subjects. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the effects of resisted and unloaded sprint training programs on acceleration, transition and maximum speed performance on experienced athletes

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT RESISTED SPRINT RUNNING METHODS ON STRIDE LENGTH, STRIDE FREQUENCY, AND CG VERTICAL OSCILLATION

Sprint velocity can be increased thanks to specific strength improvements (Korchemny, 1985). The training principle of specificity states that for a training session to be effective, it must maintain similar characteristics to the sport requirements (Sale, 2003). With the use of resisted sprint running methods, possible benefits are specific strength improvements and an increase in stride length (Faccioni, 1994). However, these methods have not been scientifically proven yet (Sheppard, 2004)

Plyometric Training in Female Volleyball Players. Systematic Review

El voleibol femenino se práctica en todo el mundo a nivel profesional y amateur. Los saltos verticales son una parte fundamental para el desarrollo de este deporte, por lo que el entrenamiento pliométrico puede ser eficaz para un aumento del rendimiento. El propósito de estudio fue describir cuáles han sido los métodos y programas de entrenamiento pliométrico en mujeres que practican voleibol, así como el resultado obtenido en función de estos. El proceso de búsqueda en las bases de datos se llevó a cabo desde Marzo hasta Junio de 2016. Las bases de datos consultadas fueron Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane y SPORTDiscus. La revisión sistemática fue realizada bajo las recomendaciones de la declaración PRISMA. La calidad metodológica de los estudios fue evaluada mediante la Escala PEDro. Como resultado, se obtuvieron un total de 205 artículos tras eliminar aquellos que estaban por duplicado. Finalmente 7 artículos fueron seleccionados. Los resultados principales fueron que aquellos estudios que utilizan deportistas amateurs obtienen mejores resultados que los realizados con deportistas profesionales cuando se realizan programas de entrenamiento pliométrico. También se indica que un período de entrenamiento pliométrico de baja intensidad puede prevenir una disminución en la altura del salto vertical; así como es necesario programar la pretemporada para evitar pérdida en la capacidad de salto. Todo ello parece indicar, como conclusión, que es necesario una disminución del volumen y un aumento de la intensidad en el entrenamiento pliométrico.Female volleyball is practiced all over the world at a professional and amateur level. Vertical jumps are a fundamental part of the development of this sport. In this sense, plyometric training can be effective for increased performance. The purpose of the study was to describe the methods and programs of plyometric training in women volleyball players, as well as the results obtained from them. The following electronic databases were searched March to June 2016. Electronic databases consulted were Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane and SPORTDiscus. This systematic review was performed following PRISMA statement. PEDro scale was used to evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. As total of 205 articles were obtained after remove duplicates. Finally 7 articles were selected. The main results were that those studies using amateur athletes obtain better results than those performed with professional athletes when performing plyometric training programs. It is also indicated that a period of low intensity plyometric training could prevent a decrease in vertical jump height; As well as it is necessary to schedule the preseason to avoid loss in the ability to jump. All this seems to indicate, in conclusion, that a decrease in volume and an increase in intensity in the training of plyometric training is necessary

Short-term adaptations following Complex Training in team-sports: A meta-analysis

Objective. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to study the short-term adaptations on sprint and vertical jump (VJ) performance following Complex Training (CT) in team-sports. CT is a resistance training method aimed at developing both strength and power, which has a direct effect on sprint and VJ. It consists on alternating heavy resistance training exercises with plyometric/power ones, set for set, on the same workout. Methods. A search of electronic databases up to July 2016 (PubMed-MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Knowledge) was conducted. Inclusion criteria: 1) at least one CT intervention group; 2) training protocols ≥4-wks; 3) sample of team-sport players; 4) sprint or VJ as an outcome variable. Effect sizes (ES) of each intervention were calculated and subgroup analyses were performed. Results. A total of 9 studies (13 CT groups) met the inclusion criteria. Medium effect sizes (ES) (ES = 0.73) were obtained for pre-post improvements in sprint, and small (ES = 0.41) in VJ, following CT. Experimental-groups presented better post-intervention sprint (ES = 1.01) and VJ (ES = 0.63) performance than control-groups. Sprint. Large ESs were exhibited in younger athletes (12 total sessions (ES = 0.74). VJ. Large ESs in programs with >12 total sessions (ES = 0.81). Medium ESs obtained for under-Division I individuals (ES = 0.56); protocols with intracomplex rest intervals ≥2 min (ES = 0.55); conditioning activities with intensities ≤85% 1RM (ES = 0.64); basketball/volleyball players (ES = 0.55). Small ESs were found for younger athletes (ES = 0.42); interventions ≥6 weeks (ES = 0.45). Conclusions. CT interventions have positive medium effects on sprint performance and small effects on VJ in team-sport athletes. This training method is a suitable option to include in the season planning

THROWING VELOCITY IN ELITE WATER POLO FROM DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE SWIMMING POOL

The aim of this study is threefold: 1) To identify the throwing velocity during a match; 2) to identify possible differences in throwing velocities between male and female players; 3) to determine shot velocity from different zones of the court during real competition. We analyzed the water polo world championship. In order to evaluate the precise strength production, a radar gun was used. A one-way analysis of variance was applied (ANOVA) to study differences among playing areas. In addition, a t-Test for repeated measures was employed to compare different groups. This study identifies three major zones of goal shot. We identified the highest throwing velocity zones and the zones with highest shot number. In addition, the results show that the penalty shot is the fastest shot

Season suspension and summer extension: Unique opportunity for professional team-sport athletes and support staff during and following the COVID-19 crisis

Given the emergence of the COVID-19 outbreak, the official declaration of a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, and its consequential disruptions on the professional team sports landscape, it is the main objective of this brief opinion to help ensure that professional team-sport athletes and support staff remain aware as a society of some of the potential pitfalls – illustrated via negative but plausible detrimental scenarios. Finally, new ideas are introduced and evidence-based hypotheses are presented on the following five themes: periodization, exploration, virtual (at-home) training, player monitoring, and continued education, including return-to-competition preparation strategies following these exceptional times of uncharted territory

Comparison of two 8-week training interventions on the athletic performance of padel players

Padel is an intermittent racket sport played in pairs (2 vs. 2) on a small-sized grass court (20 x 10 m), involving high physical fitness demands for the players. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effect of two 8-week in-season training programs on the athletic performance of male padel players. Participants (age, 22.1±0.8 yr; body height, 182.0±1.0 cm ; body mass, 74.7±0.7 kg) were randomly assigned to the integrated training group (IG, n=12) and non-integrated training group (NIG, n=12). The IG trained inside the padel court, integrating neuromuscular exercises with sport-specific (i.e., use of the racket) technical actions. The NIG trained outside the padel court, performing the same neuromuscular exercises and sport-specific technical actions as the IG, although not simultaneously. Before and after the intervention, athletes were assessed for their hand-grip strength, two legged and one-legged Abalakov jump, bench press performance, padel stroke velocity, cardiorespiratory endurance (30-15IFT), 5-m and 10-m linear sprint time and change of direction ability at 90º and 180º using left and right leg. Both groups improved their scores on Abalakov jump tests, bench press performance, stroke velocity, cardiorespiratory endurance (30-15IFT), and change of direction ability at 90º and 180º (all changes p<.05; effect size = 0.22-2.58). The IG improved stroke velocity compared to NIG (p<.05), and only the IG showed pre-post improvements (p<.05; effect size = 0.30-0.76) in change of direction ability at 90º and 180º involving the non-dominant leg (i.e., turn to the right). An 8-week in-season integrated training approach and a non-integrated training approach may induce similar improvements in athletic performance among highly trained male padel players. However, the neuromuscular training program involving an integration of padel-specific and non-specific training exercises may induce greater improvements in padel-specific performance (i.e., stroke velocity) and change of direction speed ability, particularly in movements involving the non-dominant leg

Interpreting match performance in elite futsal: considerations for normalizing variables using effective time

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the physical and individual technical-tactical performance of elite futsal players.MethodsThirteen National Team futsal players (27.4 ± 4.7 years, 70.3 ± 7.6 kg, 176.3 ± 5.5 cm) competed in 15 official matches in three distinct competitions. Session rate of perceived exertion (sRPE) and player load (PL) were measured for assessing physical internal and external load, respectively. Individual tactical actions were analyzed using Instat Scout®, considering variables such as fouls, shots, shots on target, goals, successful dribbles, passes, successful passes, ball losses, ball recoveries, and challenges won.ResultsThe cluster analysis classified the players into two groups: “high-involvement” (HIGH) and “low-involvement” (LOW), based on their average effective playing time, sRPE, and PL. A linear mixed model was used to examine the differences in external and internal load and technical-tactical variables between the two groups, accounting for individual repeated measures. Considering absolute values, HIGH players presented higher sRPE, RPE, total PL, shots, goals, passes, successful passes, ball losses and recoveries, and challenges won (p = 0.001–0.039; ES = 0.43–2.48), when compared to their LOW counterparts. However, when analyzed relative to effective time, LOW players reached higher total PL and shots per minute (p = 0.001–0.012; ES = 0.39–0.93) when compared to HIGH players. Non-significant differences were found for the rest of the variables.DiscussionIn summary, these results emphasize the importance of normalizing internal and external load variables and technical-tactical performance variables per effective playing time in futsal. The current findings indicate that players with lower involvement can present the same or even higher physical and technical-tactical performance compared to teammates with more playing time

Acute physiological responses to high-intensity resistance circuit training vs. traditional strength training in soccer players

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses induced by high-intensity resistance circuit-based (HRC) and traditional strength (TS) training protocols. Ten amateur soccer players reported to the laboratory on four occasions: (1) protocol familiarization and load determination; (2) maximal oxygen consumption test; (3) and (4) resistance training protocols (HRC and TS), completed in a cross-over randomized order. In both protocols, the same structure was used (two blocks of 3 sets × 3 exercises, separated by a 5-min rest), with only the time between consecutive exercises differing: TS (3 min) and HRC (~35 s, allowing 3 min of local recovery). To test for between-protocol differences, paired t-tests were applied. Results showed that oxygen consumption and heart rate during HRC were 75% and 39% higher than TS, respectively (p \u3c 0.001). After the training sessions, blood lactate concentration at 1.5, 5 and 7 min and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption were higher in HRC. The respiratory exchange ratio was 6.7% greater during HRC, with no between-group differences found post-exercise. The energy cost of HRC was ~66% higher than TS. In conclusion, HRC training induces greater cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses in soccer players and thus may be a time-effective training strategy