Land based resistance training and youth swimming performance

Resistance training has been shown to have both performance-enhancing and injury reducing benefits in youth athletes. The benefits are somewhat overlooked by many swimming coaches, therefore the effects of a structured resistance training programme in highly trained youth swimmers was investigated. Nine competitive youth swimmers (age: 13 ± 1.1 years) underwent a 7 week dry-land resistance training programme. Swimming performance and other relevant physiological parameters were measured pre- and post-training. There was a small non-significant improvement in swimming performance following the 7 week training programme (100m freestyle; p > 0.05, ES = 0.26). Countermovement jump height (p < 0.05, ES = -1.26), back and leg strength (p < 0.05, ES = -1.85) and number of push ups completed in 60 s (p < 0.05, ES = -1.86) all significantly improved. Although the resistance training programme did not significantly improve swimming performance, other physiological parameters, important for success in the pool, did significantly improve. It may be that an adaptation period is needed so the swimmers can learn to efficiently apply their increased force in the water

Effects of in-season uphill sprinting on physical characteristics in semi-professional soccer players

AIM: Soccer performance is determined by a number of physiological adaptations that can be altered by high intensity training. However, the effectiveness of using an uphill sprint based protocol has not been demonstrated for soccer players. We sought to determine the effectiveness of an in-season uphill sprint training (UST) programme on soccer related physiological outcomes. METHODS: 14 male soccer players (age: 22 ± 8 years, height: 1.81 ± 8 m, body mass: 76 ± 12 kg) underwent testing (5-10-5 agility drill, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, leg and back dynamometry & 3km time trial) at baseline and after 6 weeks of UST or normal activity. Participants were allocated to a control (n=7) or UST (n=7) group. The UST group took part in twice weekly training consisting of 10 x 10 sec sprints with 60s recovery on a 7% gradient for 6 weeks. The control group maintained normal activity patterns. RESULTS: 3km time trial, strength, agility and Yo-Yo performance were all significantly improved pre to post following 6 weeks of UST (Agility 3%, d=1.3; Strength 10%, d=-3.2; VO2 max 3%, d=-1.4; 3-km TT 4%, d=1.3). In the control group 3km time trial, strength, agility and Yo-Yo performance remained unchanged after 6 weeks (Agility 0.1%, d=-0.2; Strength 2%, d=0.0; VO2 max -0.1%, d=0.0; 3-km TT 1.3%, d=0.3). CONCLUSION: Therefore in-season short duration UST is an effective way to improve soccer fitness in a time efficient manner

Early adaptations to a two-week uphill run sprint interval training and cycle sprint interval training

This study sought to compare early physiological and performance adaptations between a two-week cycle sprint interval training (SIT) and uphill run sprint training (UST) programs. Seventeen recreationally active adult males (age = 28 ± 5 years; body mass (BM) = 78 ± 9 kg) were assigned to either a control (n = 5), SIT (n = 6), or UST (n = 6) group. A discrete group of participants (n = 6, age = 33 ± 6 years, and body mass = 80 ± 9 kg) completed both training protocols to determine acute physiological responses. Intervention groups completed either a run or cycle peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) test (intervention type dependent) prior to and following two weeks of training. Training comprised of three sessions per week of 4 × 30-s “all-out” sprints with a four-minute active recovery between bouts on a cycle ergometer against 7.5% of body mass in the SIT group and on a 10% slope in the UST group. The VO2peak values remained unchanged in both training groups, but time-to-exhaustion (TTE) was significantly increased only in the UST group (pre—495 ± 40 s, post—551 ± 15 s; p = 0.014) and not in the SIT group (pre—613 ± 130 s, post—634 ± 118 s, p = 0.07). Ventilatory threshold (VT) was significantly increased in both training groups (SIT group: pre—1.94 ± 0.45 L·min−1, post—2.23 ± 0.42 L·min−1; p < 0.005, UST group: pre—2.04 ± 0.40 L·min−1, post—2.33 ± 0.34 L·min−1, p < 0.005). These results indicate that UST may be an effective alternative to SIT in healthy individuals

Sociological tools for improving women’s representation and experiences in strength and conditioning coaching

Women are underrepresented in strength and conditioning (S&amp;C) coaching, arguably more so than women in sport coaching. They account for approximately 6-16% of strength and conditioning coaches at all levels, thus negatively affecting the gendered experiences of women working in S&amp;C. Based on evidence from coaching research, this is likely because of longstanding patterns of structural bias and discrimination, which is inherent in sport, but it is important for future strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs), both men and women, that more equitable practices and opportunities are implemented. In this article, we present 3 sociological perspectives as tools for those working in S&amp;C, including individual coaches, educators, governing bodies, and organizations, to critically examine their gendered practices and environments. We hope that by doing sociology within their day-to-day practice, those working in S&amp;C can develop a better awareness of structural bias and forms of discrimination that affect women SCCs' experiences and then, where possible, make positive changes for women working in the field.</p

High-intensity cycling training:the effect of work-to-rest intervals on running performance measures

The work-to-rest ratio during cycling-based high-intensity interval training (HIT) could be important in regulating physiological and performance adaptations. We sought to determine the effectiveness of cycling-based HIT with different work-to-rest ratios for long-distance running. Thirty-two long-distance runners (age: 39 ± 8 years; sex: 14 men, 18 women; average weekly running training volume: 25 miles) underwent baseline testing (3-km time-trial, V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak and time to exhaustion, and Wingate test) before a 2-week matched-work cycling HIT of 6 × 10-second sprints with different rest periods (30 seconds [R30], 80 seconds [R80], 120 seconds [R120], or control). Three-kilometer time trial was significantly improved in the R30 group only (3.1 ± 4.0%, p = 0.04), whereas time to exhaustion was significantly increased in the 2 groups with a lower work-to-rest ratio (R30 group 6.4 ± 6.3%, p = 0.003 vs. R80 group 4.4 ± 2.7%, p = 0.03 vs. R120 group 1.9 ± 5.0%, p = 0.2). However, improvements in average power production were significantly greater with a higher work-to-rest ratio (R30 group 0.3 ± 4.1%, p = 0.8 vs. R80 group 4.6 ± 4.2%, p = 0.03 vs. R120 group 5.3 ± 5.9%, p = 0.02), whereas peak power significantly increased only in the R80 group (8.5 ± 8.2%, p = 0.04) but not in the R30 group (4.3 ± 6.1%, p = 0.3) or in the R120 group (7.1 ± 7.9%, p = 0.09). Therefore, cycling-based HIT is an effective way to improve running performance, and the type and magnitude of adaptation is dependent on the work-to-rest ratio

Cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic performance adaptations to a 4-week sprint interval training in young healthy untrained females

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the effects of sprint interval training (SIT) on cardiorespiratory fitness and aerobic performance measures in young females.Methods: Eight healthy, untrained females (age 21 ± 1 years; height 165 ± 5 cm; body mass 63 ± 6 kg) completed cycling peak oxygen uptake ( V˙O2V˙O2  peak), 10-km cycling time trial (TT) and critical power (CP) tests pre- and post-SIT. SIT protocol included 4 × 30-s “all-out” cycling efforts against 7 % body mass interspersed with 4 min of active recovery performed twice per week for 4 weeks (eight sessions in total).Results: There was no significant difference in  V˙O2V˙O2  peak following SIT compared to the control period (control period: 31.7 ± 3.0 ml kg−1 min−1; post-SIT: 30.9 ± 4.5 ml kg−1 min−1; p &gt; 0.05), but SIT significantly improved time to exhaustion (TTE) (control period: 710 ± 101 s; post-SIT: 798 ± 127 s; p = 0.00), 10-km cycling TT (control period: 1055 ± 129 s; post-SIT: 997 ± 110 s; p = 0.004) and CP (control period: 1.8 ± 0.3 W kg−1; post-SIT: 2.3 ± 0.6 W kg−1; p = 0.01).Conclusions: These results demonstrate that young untrained females are responsive to SIT as measured by TTE, 10-km cycling TT and CP tests. However, eight sessions of SIT over 4 weeks are not enough to provide sufficient training stimulus to increase  V˙O2V˙O2  peak

The impact of sprint interval training frequency on blood glucose control and physical function of older adults

Exercise is a powerful tool for improving health in older adults, but the minimum frequency required is not known. This study sought to determine the effect of training frequency of sprint interval training (SIT) on health and physical function in older adults. Thirty-four (13 males and 21 females) older adults (age 65 ± 4 years) were recruited. Participants were allocated to a control group (CON n = 12) or a once- (n = 11) or twice- (n = 11) weekly sprint interval training (SIT) groups. The control group maintained daily activities; the SIT groups performed 8 weeks of once- or twice-weekly training sessions consisting of 6 s sprints. Metabolic health (oral glucose tolerance test), aerobic capacity (walk test) and physical function (get up and go test, sit to stand test) were determined before and after training. Following training, there were significant improvements in blood glucose control, physical function and aerobic capacity in both training groups compared to control, with changes larger than the smallest worthwhile change. There was a small to moderate effect for blood glucose (d = 0.43–0.80) and physical function (d = 0.43–0.69) and a trivial effect for aerobic capacity (d = 0.01) between the two training frequencies. Once a week training SIT is sufficient to produce health benefits. Therefore, the minimum time and frequency of exercise required is much lower than currently recommended

All-out sprinting: Reliability and sensitivity of testing, and the effects of work-to-rest ratio and exercise modality

This PhD thesis by Published Works consists of six peer-reviewed journal articles relating to the overall theme of all-out sprint testing and training. The purpose of the thesis was, firstly, to investigate the performance reliability and test sensitivity of the 6- and 30-s Wingate Anaerobic Tests (WAnT), and secondly, to measure the effects of work-to-rest (W:R) ratios and exercise modality (cycling and running) during all-out training on physiological and performance adaptations in healthy participants. In Publication 1, no significant differences in peak power output (PPO) and mean power output (MPO) across four trials of a 6- and 30-s WAnT were found in physically active males and females. Furthermore, test sensitivity of both WAnT protocols was generally marginal in both sexes, and only male MPO in the 30-s test displayed good test sensitivity. Publication 2 was a 2-week cycling repeated sprint training (RST) intervention in competitive runners. The results showed that the type and magnitude of adaptations is dependent on the prescribed W:R ratio. Specifically, greater improvements in endurance performance tests, as measured by the 3-km running time-trial (TT), time-toexhaustion (TTE) and peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) were demonstrated with shorter rest periods (1:3 W:R ratio), whereas longer rest periods (1:8 and 1:12 W:R ratios) resulted in higher power outcomes (PPO and MPO). Publication 3 demonstrated improvement in tests requiring endurance intensive efforts (10-km cycling TT, TTE and critical power), following a 4-week cycling sprint interval training (SIT) in female-only participants. However, twice weekly cycling SIT sessions did not provide adequate stimulus to significantly increase cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak) in healthy young females. Publication 4 reported a significant change in lactate kinetics following a 6-week cycling RST in adolescent academy level male football players. These changes were associated with the improvements in different performance measures. Specifically, maximal blood lactate kinetics was shown to correlate with sprint and power parameters, while endurance performance was related to maximal blood lactate clearance. Publication 5 directly compared acute physiological adaptations in response to two weeks of cycling SIT and uphill run sprint training (UST) in recreationally active males. While there was no significant improvement in V̇O2peak following either training modality, the UST was effective at improving TTE and ventilatory threshold by 11% and 3%, respectively. Finally, Publication 6 measured the effectiveness of a longer, 6-week UST to improve physical characteristics in competitive male footballers. Twice weekly UST performed alongside normal football training significantly enhanced endurance measures (YYIR1 distance: +11.9%; estimated V̇O2peak: +2.9%; 3-km TT: -4%), increased leg and back strength (+10%) and decreased time taken to complete change of direction test (-3.2%). Collectively, these findings have practical implications for testing selection and training prescription in research and practice. One of the key outcomes was provision of valuable data on testing and training responses during all-out sprinting in female participants. Specifically, both WAnT protocols (i.e., 6- or 30-s) can be reliably used when testing male and female participants. With regards to training prescription, the 1:8 W:R ratio during cycling all-out training appears to be optimal when targeting adaptations associated with explosive, high-intensity, and endurance intensive efforts. If access to a cycle ergometer is not possible, though, then the UST performed on a 6-10% slope offers an effective and freely accessible alternative. Finally, recommendations for future research are also presented to facilitate further advancement on this topic

The influence of serial carbohydrate mouth rinsing on power output during a cycle sprint

The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of serial administration of a carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinse on performance, metabolic and perceptual responses during a cycle sprint. Twelve physically active males (mean (± SD) age: 23.1 (3.0) years, height: 1.83 (0.07) m, body mass (BM): 86.3 (13.5) kg) completed the following mouth rinse trials in a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind fashion; 1. 8 x 5 second rinses with a 25 ml CHO (6% w/v maltodextrin) solution, 2. 8 x 5 second rinses with a 25 ml placebo (PLA) solution. Following mouth rinse administration, participants completed a 30 second sprint on a cycle ergometer against a 0.075 g·kg-1 BM resistance. Eight participants achieved a greater peak power output (PPO) in the CHO trial, resulting in a significantly greater PPO compared with PLA (13.51 ± 2.19 vs. 13.20 ± 2. 14 W·kg-1, p &lt; 0.05). Magnitude inference analysis reported a likely benefit (81% likelihood) of the CHO mouth rinse on PPO. In the CHO trial, mean power output (MPO) showed a trend for being greater in the first 5 seconds of the sprint and lower for the remainder of the sprint compared with the PLA trial (p &gt; 0.05). No significant between-trials difference was reported for fatigue index, perceived exertion, arousal and nausea levels, or blood lactate and glucose concentrations. Serial administration of a CHO mouth rinse may significantly improve PPO during a cycle sprint. This improvement appears confined to the first 5 seconds of the sprint, and may come at a greater relative cost for the remainder of the sprint

Changes in lactate kinetics underpin soccer performance adaptations to cycling-based sprint interval training

In adolescent soccer, 23% of the distance covers happens at speeds above onset of blood lactate accumulation which suggests that lactate kinetics may be important for soccer performance. We sought to determine the effectiveness of sprint interval training (SIT) on changing performance and lactate kinetics in adolescent soccer players. Thirteen elite soccer academy players (age 15 ± 0.5y) underwent baseline testing (0-10m and 10-20m sprint performance, Wingate anaerobic Test (WaNT) with blood lactate measurements and incremental VO2 peak test) before being allocated to control or SIT group. The control group maintained training whilst the HIT group carried out twice-weekly all-out effort cycle sprints consisting of 6 x 10sec sprint with 80sec recovery. There were significant time x group interactions for 10- 20m sprint time (Control pre: 1.32 ± 0.07s post: 1.35 ± 0.08s; SIT pre: 1.29 ± 0.04s post: 1.25 ± 0.04s; p=0.01), Peak Power (Control pre: 13.1 ± 1.3W.kg-1 post: 13.2 ± 1.47 W.kg-1; SIT pre: 12.4 ± 1.3 W.kg-1 post: 15.3 ± 0.7W.kg-1; p=0.01) and time to exhaustion (Control pre: 596 ± 62s post: 562 ± 85s; SIT pre: 655 ± 54s post: 688 ± 55s; p=0.001). The changes in performance were significantly correlated to changes in lactate kinetics (power: r=0.55; 10-20m speed: r=-0.54; time to exhaustion: r=0.55). Therefore, cycle based SIT is an effective training paradigm for elite adolescent soccer players and the improvements in performance are associated with changes in lactate kinetics