Repeated sprints: an independent not dependent variable

The ability to repeatedly perform sprints has traditionally been viewed as a key performance measure in team sports, and the relationship between repeated-sprint ability (RSA) and performance has been explored extensively. However, when reviewing the repeated-sprint profile of team-sports match play it appears that the occurrence of repeated-sprint bouts is sparse, indicating that RSA is not as important to performance as commonly believed. Repeated sprints are, however, a potent and time-efficient training strategy, effective in developing acceleration, speed, explosive leg power, aerobic power, and high-intensity-running performance—all of which are crucial to team-sport performance. As such, we propose that repeated-sprint exercise in team sports should be viewed as an independent variable (eg, a means of developing fitness) as opposed to a dependent variable (eg, a means of assessing fitness/performance)

The sensitivity of differential ratings of perceived exertion as measures of internal load

Purpose: To investigate the sensitivity of differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE) as measures of internal load. Methods: Twenty-two male university soccer players performed 2 maximal incremental-exercise protocols (cycle, treadmill) on separate days. Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), maximal heart rate (HRmax), peak blood lactate concentration (B[La]peak), and the preprotocol-to-postprotocol change in countermovement-jump height (ΔCMJH) were measured for each protocol. Players provided dRPE (CR100) for breathlessness (RPE-B) and leg-muscle exertion (RPE-L) immediately on exercise termination (RPE-B0, RPE-L0) and 30 min postexercise (RPE-B30, RPE-L30). Data were analyzed using magnitude-based inferences. Results: There were clear between-protocols differences for V̇O2max (cycle 46.5 ± 6.3 vs treadmill 51.0 ± 5.1 mL · kg−1 · min−1, mean difference –9.2%; ±90% confidence limits 3.7%), HRmax (184.7 ± 12.7 vs 196.7 ± 7.8 beats/min, –6.0%; ±1.7%), B[La]peak (9.7 ± 2.1 vs 8.5 ± 2.0 mmol/L, 15%; ±10%), and ΔCMJH (–7.1 ± 4.2 vs 0.6 ± 3.6 cm, –23.2%; ±5.4%). Clear between-protocols differences were recorded for RPE-B0 (78.0 ± 11.7 vs 94.7 ± 9.5 AU, –18.1%; ±4.5%), RPE-L0 (92.6 ± 9.7 vs 81.3 ± 14.1 AU, 15.3%; ±7.6%), RPE-B30 (70 ± 11 vs 82 ± 13 AU, –13.8%; ±7.3%), and RPE-L30 (86 ± 12 vs 65 ± 19 AU, 37%; ±17%). A substantial timing effect was observed for dRPE, with moderate to large reductions in all scores 30 min postexercise compared with scores collected on exercise termination. Conclusion: dRPE enhance the precision of internal-load measurement and therefore represent a worthwhile addition to training-load-monitoring procedures

Obesity and pronated foot type may increase the risk of chronic plantar heel pain : a matched case-control study

Background : Chronic plantar heel pain (CPHP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders of the foot, yet its aetiology is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between CPHP and a number of commonly hypothesised causative factors.Methods : Eighty participants with CPHP (33 males, 47 females, mean age 52.3 years, S.D. 11.7) were matched by age (&plusmn; 2 years) and sex to 80 control participants (33 males, 47 females, mean age 51.9 years, S.D. 11.8). The two groups were then compared on body mass index (BMI), foot posture as measured by the Foot Posture Index (FPI), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) as measured by the Dorsiflexion Lunge Test, occupational lower limb stress using the Occupational Rating Scale and calf endurance using the Standing Heel Rise Test.Results : Univariate analysis demonstrated that the CPHP group had significantly greater BMI (29.8 &plusmn; 5.4 kg/m2 vs. 27.5 &plusmn; 4.9 kg/m2; P &lt; 0.01), a more pronated foot posture (FPI score 2.4 &plusmn; 3.3 vs. 1.1 &plusmn; 2.3; P &lt; 0.01) and greater ankle dorsiflexion ROM (45.1 &plusmn; 7.1&deg; vs. 40.5 &plusmn; 6.6&deg;; P &lt; 0.01) than the control group. No difference was identified between the groups for calf endurance or time spent sitting, standing, walking on uneven ground, squatting, climbing or lifting. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that those with CPHP were more likely to be obese (BMI &ge; 30 kg/m2) (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4 &ndash; 6.1, P &lt; 0.01) and to have a pronated foot posture (FPI &ge; 4) (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.6 &ndash; 8.7, P &lt; 0.01).Conclusion : Obesity and pronated foot posture are associated with CPHP and may be risk factors for the development of the condition. Decreased ankle dorsiflexion, calf endurance and occupational lower limb stress may not play a role in CPHP.<br /

Etoposide Damages Female Germ Cells in the Developing Ovary

BACKGROUND: As with many anti-cancer drugs, the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide is considered safe for administration to women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, but assessment of effects on the developing fetus have been limited. The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of etoposide on germ cells in the developing ovary. Mouse ovary tissue culture was used as the experimental model, thus allowing us to examine effects of etoposide on all stages of germ cell development in the same way, in vitro. RESULTS: Fetal ovaries from embryonic day 13.5 CD1 mice or neonatal ovaries from postnatal day 0 CD1 mice were cultured with 50–150 ng ml(−1) or 50–200 ng ml(−1) etoposide respectively, concentrations that are low relative to that in patient serum. When fetal ovaries were treated prior to follicle formation, etoposide resulted in dose-dependent damage, with 150 ng ml(−1) inducing a near-complete absence of healthy follicles. In contrast, treatment of neonatal ovaries, after follicle formation, had no effect on follicle numbers and only a minor effect on follicle health, even at 200 ng ml(−1). The sensitivity of female germ cells to etoposide coincided with topoisomerase IIα expression: in the developing ovary of both mouse and human, topoisomerase IIα was expressed in germ cells only prior to follicle formation. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of pre-follicular ovaries, in which topoisomerase IIα expression was germ cell-specific, resulted in a near-complete elimination of germ cells prior to follicle formation, with the remaining germ cells going on to form unhealthy follicles by the end of culture. In contrast, exposure to follicle-enclosed oocytes, which no longer expressed topoisomerase IIα in the germ cells, had no effect on total follicle numbers or health, the only effect seen specific to transitional follicles. Results indicate the potential for adverse effects on fetal ovarian development if etoposide is administered to pregnant women when germ cells are not yet enclosed within ovarian follicles, a process that starts at approximately 17 weeks gestation and is only complete towards the end of pregnancy. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2505-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Method and apparatus for measuring expended energy

A method of measuring expended energy of a moving body, comprising the steps: i) providing at least one first sensor for measuring position data and/or orientation data and/or dynamic data of a first part of the moving body; ii) providing at least one second sensor for measuring relative position data and/or orientation data and/or dynamic data of a second part of the moving body, wherein the second part is moveable relative to the first part and connected to the first part by a first resistive deformable element; iii) using the at least one first sensor to make a first measurement of the position and/or orientation and/or dynamics of the first part over a period of time and subsequently calculating a global expended energy of the first part relative to a reference frame from the first measurement; iv) using the at least one second sensor to make a second measurement of the position and/or orientation and/or dynamics of the second part over said period of time and subsequently calculating a relative expended energy of the second part relative to the first part from the first and second measurements, wherein the calculation includes the energy required to deform the first resistive deformable element when moving the second part relative to the first part; and v) calculating the total expended energy of the moving body by summing the global expended energy with the relative expended energy; wherein the at least one first sensor comprises a global positioning system (GPS) sensor and/or an inertial measurement unit and/or a first plurality of reference indicia measurable by an image capture device; and the at least one second sensor comprises an inertial measurement unit and/or a second plurality of reference indicia measurable by an image capture device