Ground travel-induced impairment of wellness is associated with fitness and travel distance in young soccer players

The aims of this study were to 1) investigate the influence of ground travel on wellness measures, and 2) examine the possible influence of travel distance and fitness on the magnitude of these possible changes. Compared with home matches, wellness measures showed moderate-to-large impairments of wellness of soccer players for away matches the day prior to the match (D-1) (range; +5 to 68%, [90%CL 1-88]; standardized difference: range; +.6 to +1.75 [.1-2.07]) and small-to-large impairments the day of the match (D-0, range; +7 to +68.1 [-1.6-87.5]; standardized difference, range; +.24 to 1.78, [-.06-2.15]), respectively. There were large and very large negative relationships between the increases of fatigue (r = -.84, 90%CL -.95; -.56) or soreness (at D-1 r = -.80, -.93; -.84) and players’ fitness. There were also very large positive correlations between actual wellness measures and traveling distance to away locations (r range; .70 to .87). Ground travel-induced impairment of wellness is associated with fitness and distance of away locations in young soccer players. Simple wellness questionnaires could be used to effectively monitor young soccer players’ freshness and readiness to train or compete during away games

Speed-based high-intensity interval approach as an alternative to heart rate training: similar gain with less pain

The aims of this study were to: 1) compare the effects of speed-based versus heart-rate-based high-intensity interval training (HIT) on changes in high-intensity intermittent running performance, and 2) examine between-group differences in heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) responses during the training sessions. Sixteen female students were divided into the HR-based (n=8, M±SD, age 17.3±0.2 years, body mass, 59.2±5.7 kg, and body height, 167.8±2.2 cm) and speed-based (n=8, age 17.2±0.3 years, body mass, 57.7±6.4 kg, and body height, 171.0±5.1 cm) groups before commencing the HIT intervention. After completing five weeks of HIT, both the HR-based and speed-based groups showed most likely moderate enhancement in high-intensity intermittent running performance (+9%, 90% confidence limits [CL] [6.4; 11.7]; standardized change [ES] +1.04 [0.75; 1.33]) and (+9.2%, [6.0; 12.5]; +1.09 [0.73; 1.46]), respectively. However, the difference between the experimental groups with regards to changes in high-intensity running performance was trivial. Between-group differences of weekly average HR and RPE responses showed trivial to moderate (ES range; -0.95; 0.15) and moderate to very large (ES: -0.63; -2.88) values, respectively. Although it seems that both the speed-based and HR-based HIT approaches have some limitations when implementing for HIT individualization, using the speed reached at the end of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness test (VIFT) seems to elicit the same performance enhancement, but with lower psychophysiological responses during short-term interventions

Evaluation of antianxiety and sedative effects of essential oil of Ducrosia anethifolia in mice

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the antianxiety and sedative effects of the essential oil of Ducrosia anethifolia. Boiss. (Apiaceae). METHODS: We used elevated plus maze, spontaneous motor activity and ketamine-induced sleep tests in mice. In addition, the essential oil was analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty compounds were identified, and n-decanal (70.1%) and alpha-pinene (12.4%) constituted the major components. RESULTS: In elevated plus maze, Ducrosia anethifolia essential oil at doses of 25-200 mg/kg increased the percentage of open arm time and entries. Unlike diazepam, ducrosia anethifolia essential oil could not suppress spontaneous motor activity and did not alter ketamine-induced sleep parameters. These results are indicative of antianxiety effect of Ducrosia anethifolia essential oil without sedative effec

Match Fatigue Time-Course Assessment Over Four Days: Usefulness of the Hooper Index and Heart Rate Variability in Professional Soccer Players

The aims of the present study were to (a) examine recovery time-course and (b) analyze the usefulness of the Hooper-Index (wellness index) and resting heart rate variability (HRV) in professional soccer players during an in-season phase. The Hooper-Index and resting HRV were collected on matchday and on the four following days in three consecutive in-season weeks in nine players (25.2 ± 4.3-years). The usefulness of monitoring variables was assessed by (a) comparing noise (typical error, TE) to the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) (TE/SWC) and (b) comparing match-related changes (i.e., signal) to TE (i.e., signal-to-noise ratio). Between-days standardized differences in the changes of Hooper-Index and HRV were compared to the SWC using magnitude-based inferences. The magnitudes of TE were small and moderate for the Hooper-Index and HRV, respectively. The Hooper-Index showed to be more useful than HRV for monitoring match-induced fatigue as having a lower TE/SWC (3.1 versus 4.4) and a higher signal-to-noise ratio (5.5 versus 1.5). Small-to-very large [range of effect sizes, 0.48; 2.43, confidence limits (0.22; 2.91)] and moderate-to-large [-1.71; -0.61 (-2.44; -0.03)] detrimental changes in Hooper-Index and HRV, respectively, were observed on the days following matchday. While group analyses showed a similar pattern for recovery time-course, more individual players responded, similarly when tracked using the Hooper -Index compared to when they were tracked using HRV. An inverse moderate within-individual relationship was observed between changes in the Hooper index and HRV [r = -0.41, (-0.60, 0.18)]. The Hooper index is an easy-to-use, no-cost, and non-invasive monitoring tool and seems promising for tracking match-induced fatigue during in the season in professional soccer

A new convolutional neural network based on combination of circlets and wavelets for macular OCT classification

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, encompassing machine learning and deep learning, can assist ophthalmologists in early detection of various ocular abnormalities through the analysis of retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Despite considerable progress in these algorithms, several limitations persist in medical imaging fields, where a lack of data is a common issue. Accordingly, specific image processing techniques, such as time–frequency transforms, can be employed in conjunction with AI algorithms to enhance diagnostic accuracy. This research investigates the influence of non-data-adaptive time–frequency transforms, specifically X-lets, on the classification of OCT B-scans. For this purpose, each B-scan was transformed using every considered X-let individually, and all the sub-bands were utilized as the input for a designed 2D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to extract optimal features, which were subsequently fed to the classifiers. Evaluating per-class accuracy shows that the use of the 2D Discrete Wavelet Transform (2D-DWT) yields superior outcomes for normal cases, whereas the circlet transform outperforms other X-lets for abnormal cases characterized by circles in their retinal structure (due to the accumulation of fluid). As a result, we propose a novel transform named CircWave by concatenating all sub-bands from the 2D-DWT and the circlet transform. The objective is to enhance the per-class accuracy of both normal and abnormal cases simultaneously. Our findings show that classification results based on the CircWave transform outperform those derived from original images or any individual transform. Furthermore, Grad-CAM class activation visualization for B-scans reconstructed from CircWave sub-bands highlights a greater emphasis on circular formations in abnormal cases and straight lines in normal cases, in contrast to the focus on irrelevant regions in original B-scans. To assess the generalizability of our method, we applied it to another dataset obtained from a different imaging system. We achieved promising accuracies of 94.5% and 90% for the first and second datasets, respectively, which are comparable with results from previous studies. The proposed CNN based on CircWave sub-bands (i.e. CircWaveNet) not only produces superior outcomes but also offers more interpretable results with a heightened focus on features crucial for ophthalmologists

Internal training load and fitness profile between adult team versus junior team soccer players

The aim of the present study was to compare the fitness profiles and internal training loads between senior team and academy team soccer players during an in-season phase. Twenty two professional soccer players from the senior team (n=12; 28.3 2.0 years) and under 19 (U19) team (n=10; 18.00.4 years) of the same club participated in the present study. High intensity running performance, acceleration, maximal sprint, and change of direction (COD) ability were all tested during the mid-season break of a competitive season. Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) reflecting the internal training load during the entire first half of the season was being documented daily. Senior players showed small to moderate superiority in COD (1.8%, 90% confidence intervals [CI, -3.2; 7.1], ES: 0.24 [-0.44; 0.92]), maximal sprint (2.3%, [0.0; 4.7], ES: 0.81 [0.00; 1.63]) and acceleration (3%, [0.2; 5.8], ES: 0.96 [0.06; 1.85]). The U19 showed small better highintensity intermittent running fitness (2.5%, [-1.2; 6.3], ES: 0.39 [-0.20; 0.97]). When analyzing internal training loads (from M-3 to M+3), the U19 showed small to very large higher sRPE values for all days (range; 8.2%; 229.3%, [-8.1; 328.3], ES range; 0.25; 2.70, [-0.26; 3.3]), except for match days (M), on which unclear trivial difference was observed (-1.5%, [-9.6; 7.5], ES -0.09 [-0.65; 0.46]). Our results showed that senior players and youth players had different fitness profiles and internal training loads during the first half of a competitive season; this should be taken into consideration when designing specific and individualized recovery and training sessions

EFFECTS OF COMBINED PLYOMETRIC AND SPEED TRAINING ON CHANGE OF DIRECTION, LINEAR SPEED, AND REPEATED SPRINT ABILITY IN YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS: A PILOT STUDY

It has been well established that plyometric and speed training have positive impacts on fitness parameters in soccer players. The aim of this study was to compare short-term effects of a combined plyometric and speed training implemented on the same or separate days of a week on change of direction (COD), linear speed (LS), and repeated sprint ability (RSA) in young soccer players. Twenty-four male players from the same U19 soccer team were distributed into one control group (CG; n=7, soccer training only) and two experimental groups performing plyometric and speed exercises on the same (CDG; n=8) or separate days (CWG; n=9) during a 6-week preparation period. Very likely moderate within-group COD improvements were observed in the CDG (ES -0.94 [-1.47 to -0.41]) and CWG (ES -0.97 [-1.52 to -0.42]) groups. Possibly small within-group RSA improvements were also observed in the CWG (ES -0.24[-0.64 to 0.16]) and CDG (ES -0.31 [-0.79 to 0.17]) groups. CWG and CDG groups showed possibly small (ES -0.28 [-0.62 to 0.06]) and very likely moderate (ES -0.80 [-1.28 to -0.32]) within-group LS improvements following the intervention, respectively. In between group analysis, a likely moderate (ES 0.71 [0.03 to 1.39]) greater LS improvement was observed in the CDG group than in the CWG group. It is suggested to supplement normal soccer training with combined plyometric and speed exercises to improve COD, LS, and RSA performance and to implement these exercises in the same session to improve LS with a greater effect

The Reliability and Validity of A Submaximal Warm-Up Test for Monitoring Training Status in Professional Soccer Players.

This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Rabbani, A., Kargarfard, M., & Twist, C. (2018). The Reliability and Validity of A Submaximal Warm-Up Test for Monitoring Training Status in Professional Soccer Players. Journal of Strength Conditioning Research, 32(2), 326-333. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002335Two studies were conducted to assess the reliability and validity of a submaximal warm-up test (SWT) in professional soccer players. For the reliability study, 12 male players performed SWT over three trials, with one week between trials. For the validity study, 14 players of the same team performed SWT and 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) 7 days apart. Week-to-week reliability in selected heart rate (HR) responses [exercise HR (HRex), HR recovery (HRR) expressed as the number of beats recovered within 1 min (HRR60s) and expressed as the mean HR during 1 min (HRpost1)], were determined using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and typical error of measurement expressed as coefficient of variation (CV). The relationships between HR measures derived from SWT and the maximal speed reached at the 30-15IFT (VIFT) were used to assess validity. The range for ICC and CV values were 0.83 to 0.95 and 1.4 to 7.0% in all HR measures, respectively, with the HRex as the most reliable HR measure of SWT. Inverse large (r = -0.50, 90% confidence limits, CL (-0.78; -0.06)) and very large (r = -0.76, CL, -0.90; -0.45) relationships were observed between HRex and HRpost1 with VIFT in relative (expressed as the % of maximal HR) measures, respectively. SWT is a reliable and valid submaximal test to monitor high-intensity intermittent running fitness in professional soccer players. In addition, the test’s short duration (5-min) and simplicity mean that it can be used regularly to assess training status in high-level soccer players

Performance analysis of a thermal energy storage system connected to a cooling tower for chilled water production of radiant ceiling

Thermal energy storage systems can reduce the need for energy during peak demand times. In this system, energy is stored during non-peak times and is used during peak demand times. In this research, the performance of the energy storage system in connection with the cooling tower as a sole cooling source of radiant ceiling system has been assessed. Since the performance of the cooling tower depends on the environmental conditions, the performance of the cited cooling system has been investigated in different climate zones. The performance of this system has been evaluated in four cities of Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz and Bandar Abbas, which are representative of temperate and humid, hot and dry, cold and hot and humid climates respectively. The results presented that by storing the chilled water which is produced by the cooling tower in non-peak hours and using this water in peak hours, the maximum COP of the cooling system could increase to 8.5, 14, 12 and 10 in cities of Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz and Bandar Abbas, respectively. Furthermore, it can be seen that after implementation of the mentioned cooling system, the chilled water temperature of radiant ceiling system is at least 2 to 3°C lower than the temperature of the water which is provided by the tower in majority of occupant attendance hours, especially during peak demand times. The results indicated that the proposed cooling system in Tehran with a temperate climate is able to provide thermal comfort conditions in 90% of attendance times