Hormonal analysis in elite basketball during a season

In elite basketball, the high demands of competition and training require a detailed follow-up of the effects on the player's performance and health. Controlling these effects could improve the knowledge about the players' recovery process and allow a better design of their individual workloads. Aim: To describe the behavior of the total testosterone serum levels (T), cortisol (C) and T/C ratio. Methodology: 8 blood samples were collected during the whole season of an elite basketball team (n=8) of the First Spanish Division (ACB). The samples were taken every 4-6 weeks, at 8:00 AM, after 24-36 hours of post-game recovery. Results: T increases after 4 after 3.5 days of rest (6th vs. 1st, p=0.039; 6th vs. 5th, p=0.041) and decreases significantly at the end of the season (8th vs. 7th, p=0.003). C does not show significant variation along the season. T/C ratio shows a significant decrease at the end of the season (8th vs. 1st , p=0.021; 8th vs. 7th, p=0.017) and in VarT/C (8th vs. 1st, p=0.005; 8th vs. 7th, p=0.036). Conclusions: Concentration values as well as percentages of variation are useful indicators to describe the studied parameters. T/C ratio and/or T could be used as recovery state indicators and could even induce, in conjunction with other indicators, necessary actions to optimize individual workloads. Future investigations should compare these variations to objective workload parameters and/or other hormonal modulators

Heart rate in professional musicians

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Very few studies have analysed heart rate (HR) with regard to music playing, and the scarce evidence available is controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse the HR response of professional musicians during their real-work activity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-two voluntary professional musicians (20 women, 42 men), whose ages ranged between 15 and 71 years old, underwent the test while playing their instruments in real life scenarios, i.e. rehearsals, practice and public concerts. The musicians carried Sport Tester PE4000 (Polar^®, Finland) pulsometers to record their HR.</p> <p>In order to compare data from differently aged subjects we calculated their Maximum Theoretical Heart Rate (MTHR). Later on we found out the MTHR percentages (%MTHR) corresponding to the registered HR of each subject in different situations. The value of the MTHR for every musician was obtained by means of the <it>220 – age (in years) </it>formula.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Throughout the HR recordings, we have observed that musicians present a heightened HR while playing (in soloists, mean and maximum HR were 72% and 85%MTHR, respectively). Cardiac demand is significantly higher in concerts than in rehearsals while performing the same musical piece. The HR curves corresponding to the same musician playing in repeated concerts (with the same programme) were similar.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The cardiac demand of a professional instrument player is higher than previously described, much greater than what would be expected from a supposedly sedentary activity.</p

Genètica i Esport

Els últims avenços en l’estudi del genoma humà estan afectant diverses àrees de les ciències relacionades amb l’esport. En els últims anys s’ha observat que el nombre d’articles apareguts en les revistes científiques relacionats amb la genètica i l’esport ha experimentat un increment exponencial, aquest fet fa palesa una inquietud creixent en el món científic pel coneixement i les possibilitats de la genètica aplicada a diferents àrees de l’esport. Paral·lelament als estudis tècnics van apareixent veus que alerten dels possibles problemes ètics que poden sorgir de l’aplicació de modificacions genètiques a l’esport. Organismes com el Comitè Olímpic Internacional, la World Anti-Doping Agency, el United States President’s Council on Bioethics i l’Australian Law Reforms Comissió han estat revisant els últims desenvolupaments en investigació genètica i s’han plantejat diferents arguments sobre la seva aplicació legal a l’esport. Normalment, les notícies que apareixen a la premsa no especialitzada presenten un panorama poc encoratjador, gairebé sempre s’associa la genètica a noves formes de dopatge. Per tal de conèixer la realitat actual traient-ne dramatisme i buscant la informació més objectiva hem reunit dos especialistes en medicina de l’esport que estan immergits en treballs d’investigació relacionats amb la genètica i l’esport i un investigador en genètica i biologia molecular no relacionat amb el món de l’esport. Junts hem preparat les cinc preguntes que creiem que poden aportar més informació sobre la situació actual. Las respostes definitives han estat resumides a partir de les aportacions de cada un dels especialistes invitats atès que hem observat que hi ha hagut una coincidència total en les respostes

Biochemical and Physical Performance Responses to a Soccer Match after a 72-Hour Recovery Period

The physiological and neuromuscular responses at 72 h post-match are not widely researched, despite evidence showing substantial changes in recovery markers at 72 h post-match. Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine the biochemical and physical performance responses to a soccer match after a 72-h recovery period. Male soccer players of a semiprofessional team participated in this study. Before playing a friendly match, blood values of testosterone, cortisol, the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio and urea were collected and the squat jump and the Bangsbo Repeated Sprint Ability test were performed. These measurements were considered as baseline (pre match) and were obtained again after a 72-h recovery period. Results indicate that physical performance at 72 h post-match was similar to baseline (squat jump: p = 0.974; total Repeated Sprint Ability time: p = 0.381; Repeated Sprint Ability fatigue index: p = 0.864). However, perturbations in the biochemical milieu derived from the soccer match metabolic and physiological stress were still evident at this time point. While no significant differences compared to pre match were obtained in testosterone and urea concentrations after the recovery period, cortisol and testosterone-to-cortisol ratio values were significantly higher (14.74 ± 3.68 µg/dL vs. 17.83 ± 2.65 µg/dL; p = 0.045; ES 0.92 [0.00; 1.84], very likely) and lower (39.08 ± 13.26 vs. 28.29 ± 7.45; p = 0.038; ES −0.96 [−1.89; −0.04], very likely), respectively. In conclusion, soccer players have similar physical performance to the pre match after a 72-h recovery period, even with signs of biochemical and physiological stress

Genética y Deporte

Los últimos avances en el estudio del genoma humano están afectando a diversas áreas de las ciencias relacionadas con el deporte. En los últimos años se ha observado que el número de artículos aparecidos en las revistas científicas relacionados con la genética y el deporte ha sufrido un incremento exponencial. Este hecho pone de manifiesto una inquietud creciente en el mundo científico por el conocimiento y las posibilidades que la genética aplicada a distintas áreas del deporte. Paralelamente a los estudios técnicos están apareciendo voces que alertan de los posibles problemas éticos que pueden surgir de la aplicación de modificaciones genéticas en el deporte. Organismos como el Comité Olímpico Internacional, la World Anti-Doping Agency, el United States President’s Council on Bioethics y el Australian Law Reforms Comisión han estado revisando los últimos desarrollos en investigación genética y se han planteado diferentes argumentos sobre su aplicación legal en el deporte. Normalmente, las noticias que aparecen en la prensa no especializada presentan un panorama poco alentador: casi siempre se asocia la genética a nuevas formas de doping. Con el fin de conocer la realidad actual, quitando dramatismo y buscando la información más objetiva, hemos reunido a dos especialistas en medicina del deporte (Nicolás Terrados y Gil Rodas) que están inmersos en trabajos de investigación relacionados con la genética y el deporte y a un investigador en genética y biología molecular no relacionado con el mundo del deporte (Narciso Campos). Juntos hemos preparado las cinco preguntas que creemos que pueden aportar más información sobre la situación actual. Las respuestas definitivas han sido resumidas a partir de las aportaciones de cada uno de los especialistas invitados, ya que hemos observado que ha habido total coincidencia en las respuestas

Match Loads May Predict Neuromuscular Fatigue and Intermittent-Running Endurance Capacity Decrement after a Soccer Match

How the match-derived load metrics relate to post-match fatigue in soccer is scarcely researched. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the associations between soccer match-related internal and external loads, neuromuscular performance decrease and intermittent-running endurance capacity decrement immediately post-match. Vertical jump (countermovement jump), straight-line sprinting (10- and 20-m sprint), change of direction ability (T-test) and intermittent-running endurance capacity (YO-YO intermittent recovery level 2) were measured one day before and immediately after a friendly match in male soccer players. During the match, players’ internal and external loads were also monitored, including heart rate-derived indices, total distance at various speed thresholds, average running velocity, maximal running velocity, number of sprints and number of accelerations and decelerations at various intensity thresholds. The results show that match-induced fatigue was reflected on neuromuscular performance and intermittent-running endurance capacity immediately post-match (p < 0.05). The quantification of percentage change of match external-load metrics, particularly accelerations and decelerations, provides a useful non-invasive predictor of subsequent neuromuscular fatigue status in soccer players immediately post-match (p < 0.05). However, only internal load metrics present a practical application for predicting intermittent-running endurance capacity impairment (p < 0.05). In summary, internal and external load metrics may allow for predicting the extent of acute fatigue, and variability between halves may represent a valuable alternative to facilitate the analysis of match-related fatigue both for research and applied purposes

Understanding olympic champions and their achievement goal orientation, dominance and pursuit and motivational regulations: A case study

Resumen tomado de la publicaciónComprendiendo a campeones olímpicos y su orientación, dominancia y búsqueda de meta y regulaciones motivacionales: un estudio de caso. Antecedentes: el objetivo fue comparar el perfil de meta y las motivaciones regulaciones de atletas durante su preparación para los Juegos Olímpicos de Río. Método: tres kayakistas del equipo olímpico español participaron. Uno (P1) y dos (P2) eran deportistas de alto nivel: diploma en campeonatos del mundo y de Europa, campeones nacionales. Tres (P3) era un deportista de clase mundial: dos medallas olímpicas, once medallas en campeonatos del mundo y de Europa, varios campeonatos nacionales. Antes y después de tres entrenamientos y cuatro competiciones internacionales (campeonatos del mundo y de Europa) cumplimentaron un cuestionario para evaluar su orientación de meta, dominancia y búsqueda, así como sus motivaciones regulacionales. Se usó un análisis de ecuaciones estimadas generalizadas para analizar los datos. Resultados: P3 tuvo una orientación de aproximación-rendimiento más baja, dominancia de aproximación-maestría más fuerte, búsqueda más baja de metas de aproximación-rendimiento y evitación-rendimiento y motivación controlada más baja. Conclusiones: nuestro deportista de nivel mundial tiene un fuerte perfil de meta de logro de dominancia de aproximación-maestría y un perfil bajo de orientación al rendimiento (aproximación y evitación) y de motivación controlada. Este perfil debería ser confirmado en deportistas similares para ayudar a entrenadores y jóvenes deportivas a tomar decisiones apropiadas.Universidad de Oviedo. Biblioteca de Psicología; Plaza Feijoo, s/n.; 33003 Oviedo; Tel. +34985104146; Fax +34985104126; [email protected]