scholarly journals Isolated Core Training Improves Sprint Performance in National-Level Junior Swimmers

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Weston ◽  
Angela E. Hibbs ◽  
Kevin G. Thompson ◽  
Iain R. Spears

Purpose:To quantify the effects of a 12-wk isolated core-training program on 50-m front-crawl swim time and measures of core musculature functionally relevant to swimming.Methods:Twenty national-level junior swimmers (10 male and 10 female, 16 ± 1 y, 171 ± 5 cm, 63 ± 4 kg) participated in the study. Group allocation (intervention [n = 10], control [n = 10]) was based on 2 preexisting swim-training groups who were part of the same swimming club but trained in different groups. The intervention group completed the core training, incorporating exercises targeting the lumbopelvic complex and upper region extending to the scapula, 3 times/wk for 12 wk. While the training was performed in addition to the normal pool-based swimming program, the control group maintained their usual pool-based swimming program. The authors made probabilistic magnitude-based inferences about the effect of the core training on 50-m swim time and functionally relevant measures of core function.Results:Compared with the control group, the core-training intervention group had a possibly large beneficial effect on 50-m swim time (–2.0%; 90% confidence interval –3.8 to –0.2%). Moreover, it showed small to moderate improvements on a timed prone-bridge test (9.0%; 2.1–16.4%) and asymmetric straight-arm pull-down test (23.1%; 13.7–33.4%), and there were moderate to large increases in peak EMG activity of core musculature during isolated tests of maximal voluntary contraction.Conclusion:This is the first study to demonstrate a clear beneficial effect of isolated core training on 50-m front-crawl swim performance.

Author(s):  
Roxanne Gal ◽  
Evelyn M. Monninkhof ◽  
Carla H. van Gils ◽  
Rolf H. H. Groenwold ◽  
Sjoerd G. Elias ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The Trials within Cohorts (TwiCs) design aims to overcome problems faced in conventional RCTs. We evaluated the TwiCs design when estimating the effect of exercise on quality of life (QoL) and fatigue in inactive breast cancer survivors. Methods UMBRELLA Fit was conducted within the prospective UMBRELLA breast cancer cohort. Patients provided consent for future randomization at cohort entry. We randomized inactive patients 12–18 months after cohort enrollment. The intervention group (n = 130) was offered a 12-week supervised exercise intervention. The control group (n = 130) was not informed and received usual care. Six-month exercise effects on QoL and fatigue as measured in the cohort were analyzed with intention-to-treat (ITT), instrumental variable (IV), and propensity scores (PS) analyses. Results Fifty-two percent (n = 68) of inactive patients accepted the intervention. Physical activity increased in patients in the intervention group, but not in the control group. We found no benefit of exercise for dimensions of QoL (ITT difference global QoL: 0.8, 95% CI = − 2.2; 3.8) and fatigue, except for a small beneficial effect on physical fatigue (ITT difference: − 1.1, 95% CI = − 1.8; − 0.3; IV: − 1.9, 95% CI = − 3.3; − 0.5, PS: − 1.2, 95% CI = − 2.3; − 0.2). Conclusion TwiCs gave insight into exercise intervention acceptance: about half of inactive breast cancer survivors accepted the offer and increased physical activity levels. The offer resulted in no improvement on QoL, and a small beneficial effect on physical fatigue. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register (NTR5482/NL.52062.041.15), date of registration: December 07, 2015.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cengiz Taskin

<p class="apa">The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of core training program on speed, acceleration, vertical jump, and standing long jump in female soccer players. A total of 40 female soccer players volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided randomly into 1 of 2 groups: core training group (CTG; n = 20) and control group (CG; n = 20). The mean (SD) age was 19.05 ± 1.15 years, height was 160.60 ± 4.22 cm, weight was 56.45 ± 3.33 kg, and sport age was 4.50 ± 1.24 for the core training group; the mean (SD) age was 18.55 ± 0.76 years, height was 159.10 ± 3.86 cm, weight was 52.20 ± 3.60 kg, and sport age was 3.35 ± 0.75 years for the control group. Following randomization, the 2 groups did not differ significantly (p&gt;0.05) in any of the dependent variables. The subjects in the control group did not participate in the training and participated only in the pre- and posttest measurements. To evaluate the effect of core training over the functional performance, we applied a testing procedure that included measurements of speed, acceleration, vertical jump, and standing long jump. The core training group showed a 3.4%, 5.9%, 13.3%, 4.2% improvement in speed, acceleration, vertical jump, and standing long jump (respectively) (P&lt;0.05), whereas the control group did not change (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, Core exercises were improved speed, acceleration, vertical jump, and standing long jump in 18-19 years-old female soccer players. Therefore, it is believed core training is necessary for optimal sport performance and should not be dismissed for all sport branches.</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Mekki ◽  
Thierry Paillard ◽  
Sonia Sahli ◽  
Zouhair Tabka ◽  
Yassine Trabelsi

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation added to pulmonary rehabilitation on walking tolerance and balance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: Randomized clinical trial. Setting: Outpatient, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia. Subjects: A total of 45 patients with COPD were assigned to an intervention group ( n = 25) or a control group ( n = 20). Interventions: The intervention group underwent a neuromuscular electrical stimulation added to pulmonary rehabilitation, and the control group underwent only a pulmonary rehabilitation, three times per week during six months. Main Measures: Measures were taken at baseline and after six months of training. A stabilometric platform, time up and go, Berg balance scale tests, 6 minute walking test, and the maximal voluntary contraction were measured. Results: In the intervention group, an increase in an exercise tolerance manifested by a longer distance walked in 6 minute walking test 619.5 (39.6) m was observed in comparison to the control group 576.3 (31.5) m. The values of the time up and go, Berg balance scale, and maximal voluntary contraction in the intervention group at follow-up were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P  = 0.02, P  = 0.01, P  = 0.0002, respectively). The center of pressure in the mediolateral and in the anteroposterior directions, as well as the center of pressure area was significantly more improved in open eyes and closed eyes in the intervention group compared to the control group ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The neuromuscular electrical stimulation added to pulmonary rehabilitation group benefited from better walking tolerance and greater balance improvement than the only pulmonary rehabilitation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
tingting Ni ◽  
Zhen-feng Zhou ◽  
Bo He ◽  
Qing-he Zhou

Abstract Background: Preventing the frequent perioperative hypothermia incidents that occur during elective caesarean deliveries would be beneficial. This trial aimed at evaluating the effect of preoperative forced-air warming alongside perioperative intravenous fluid warming in women undergoing cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia.Methods: We randomly allocated135 women undergoing elective cesarean deliveries to either the intervention group (preoperative forced-air and intravenous fluid warmings, n = 69) or the control group (no active warming, n = 66). The primary outcome measure was the change from the core baseline temperature to that at the end of the procedure. Secondary outcomes included thermal comfort scores, the incidences of shivering and hypothermia (<36℃), the core temperature on arrival at the post-anesthesia care unit, neonatal axillary temperature at birth, and Apgar scores.Results: Two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significantly different core temperature changes (from the pre-spinal temperature to that at the end of the procedure) between groups (F = 13.022, P <0.001). The thermal comfort scores were also higher in the intervention group than in the control group (F = 9.847, P = 0.002). The overall incidence of perioperative hypothermia was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (20.6% vs. 51.6%, P <0.0001).Conclusions: Warming preoperative forced-air and perioperative intravenous fluids may prevent maternal hypothermia, reduce maternal shivering, and improve maternal thermal comfort for patients undergoing cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia.Trial registration: The study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR1800019117) on October26, 2018. Keywords: Cesarean section, Spinal anesthesia, Warming


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Belén Gámez ◽  
Juan José Hernandez Morante ◽  
José Luis Martínez Gil ◽  
Francisco Esparza ◽  
Carlos Manuel Martínez

Abstract Surface electromyography-biofeedback (sEMG-B) is a technique employed for the rehabilitation of patients with neurological pathologies, such as stroke-derived hemiplegia; however, little is known about its effectiveness in the rehabilitation of the extension and flexion of several muscular groups in elderly patients after a stroke. Therefore, this research was focused on determining the effectiveness of sEMG-B in the muscles responsible for the extension of the hand and the dorsiflexion of the foot in post-stroke elderly subjects. Forty subjects with stroke-derived hemiplegia were randomly divided into intervention or control groups. The intervention consisted of 12 sEMG-B sessions. The control group underwent 12 weeks (24 sessions) of conventional physiotherapy. Muscle activity test and functionality (Barthel index) were determined. Attending to the results obtained, the intervention group showed a higher increase in the average EMG activity of the extensor muscle of the hand and in the dorsal flexion of the foot than the control group (p < 0.001 in both cases), which was associated with an increase in the patients’ Barthel index score (p = 0.006); In addition, Fugl-Meyer test revealed higher effectiveness in the lower limb (p = 0.007). Thus, the sEMG-B seems to be more effective than conventional physiotherapy, and the use of this technology may be essential for improving muscular disorders in elderly patients with physical disabilities resulting from a stroke.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
tingting Ni ◽  
Zhen-feng Zhou ◽  
Bo He ◽  
Qing-he Zhou

Abstract Background: Preventing the frequent perioperative hypothermia incidents that occur during elective caesarean deliveries would be beneficial. This trial aimed at evaluating the effect of preoperative forced-air warming alongside perioperative intravenous fluid warming in women undergoing cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia. Methods: We randomly allocated135 women undergoing elective cesarean deliveries to either the intervention group (preoperative forced-air and intravenous fluid warmings, n = 69) or the control group (no active warming, n = 66). The primary outcome measure was the change from the core baseline temperature to that at the end of the procedure. Secondary outcomes included thermal comfort scores, the incidences of shivering and hypothermia (<36℃), the core temperature on arrival at the post-anesthesia care unit, neonatal axillary temperature at birth, and Apgar scores. Results: Two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significantly different core temperature changes (from the pre-spinal temperature to that at the end of the procedure) between groups ( F = 13.022, P <0.001). The thermal comfort scores were also higher in the intervention group than in the control group ( F = 9.847, P = 0.002). The overall incidence of perioperative hypothermia was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (20.6% vs. 51.6%, P <0.0001). Conclusions: Warming preoperative forced-air and perioperative intravenous fluids may prevent maternal hypothermia, reduce maternal shivering, and improve maternal thermal comfort for patients undergoing cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia. Trial registration: The study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR1800019117) on October26, 2018. Keywords: Cesarean section, Spinal anesthesia, Warming


2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Ian Gee ◽  
Nicholas Caplan ◽  
Karl Christian Gibbon ◽  
Glyn Howatson ◽  
Kevin Grant Thompson

AbstractThis study aimed to determine the effects of a short-term, strength training intervention, typically undertaken by club-standard rowers, on 2,000 m rowing performance and strength and power development. Twenty-eight male rowers were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. All participants performed baseline testing involving assessments of muscle soreness, creatine kinase activity (CK), maximal voluntary contraction (leg-extensors) (MVC), static-squat jumps (SSJ), counter-movement jumps (CMJ), maximal rowing power strokes (PS) and a 2,000 m rowing ergometer time-trial (2,000 m) with accompanying respiratory-exchange and electromyography (EMG) analysis. Intervention group participants subsequently performed three identical strength training (ST) sessions, in the space of five days, repeating all assessments 24 h following the final ST. The control group completed the same testing procedure but with no ST. Following ST, the intervention group experienced significant elevations in soreness and CK activity, and decrements in MVC, SSJ, CMJ and PS (p < 0.01). However, 2,000 m rowing performance, pacing strategy and gas exchange were unchanged across trials in either condition. Following ST, significant increases occurred for EMG (p < 0.05), and there were non-significant trends for decreased blood lactate and anaerobic energy liberation (p = 0.063 – 0.086). In summary, club-standard rowers, following an intensive period of strength training, maintained their 2,000 m rowing performance despite suffering symptoms of muscle damage and disruption to muscle function. This disruption likely reflected the presence of acute residual fatigue, potentially in type II muscle fibres as strength and power development were affected.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy Sadowski ◽  
Andrzej Mastalerz ◽  
Wilhelm Gromisz ◽  
Ewa Jówko ◽  
Mariusz Buszta

AbstractIntroduction. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of combined swimming and dry-land resistance training on swimming force, swimming performance and strength in non-swimmers.Material and methods. Thirty male non-swimmers took part in the research. They were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: experimental (n=17) and control (n=13). The experimental group took part in combined swimming and dry-land resistance training. The control group took part in swimming training only. The swimming and dry-land resistance training programme lasted twelve weeks (48 training sessions of swimming and 36 sessions of dry-land resistance training). Average training volume and intensity were the same for all swimmers throughout the study protocol. The training programme included dominant aerobic work in front crawl.Results. Dry-land resistance training applied in the experimental group significantly improved the upper body strength. In spite of the theory that dry-land strength training is probably not specific enough to improve the sprint swim performance, the experimental group tended to demonstrate greater improvement in sprint performance. The imitation of the underwater phase of shoulder work during front crawl provided by the ergometer can be a useful training method in non-swimmers.


2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte H. Worm ◽  
Esther Vad ◽  
Lis Puggaard ◽  
Henrik Støvring ◽  
Jens Lauritsen ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a multicomponent exercise program on basic daily functions and muscle strength in community-dwelling frail older people. The randomized, controlled study comprised 46 community-dwelling frail older people (above 74 years of age and not able to leave their home without mobility aids). For 12 weeks the intervention group (n = 22) was transported to 2 class-based exercise sessions each week. Assessment of physical function was obtained using Berg's Balance Scale and a walking test. Self-reported functional ability was assessed through SF-36. Maximal oxygen uptake and maximal voluntary contraction of the shoulders' abductors were measured. The intervention group had a significant improvement in balance, muscle strength, walking function, and self-assessed functional ability compared with the control group. This study demonstrates that multicomponent exercise has a significant effect on basic daily functions and muscle strength in community-dwelling frail older people and might improve their ability to live an independent life.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 943-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Motta Pinheiro Brisola ◽  
Fabio Milioni ◽  
Marcelo Papoti ◽  
Alessandro Moura Zagatto

In water polo, several high-intensity efforts are performed, leading to the fatigue process due to accumulation of hydrogen ions, and thus β-alanine supplementation could be an efficient strategy to increase the intramuscular acid buffer.PurposeTo investigate whether 4 wk of β-alanine supplementation enhances parameters related to water polo performance.MethodsTwenty-two highly trained male water polo players of national level were randomly assigned to receive 28 d of either β-alanine or a placebo (4.8 g/d of the supplement in the first 10 d and 6.4 g/d in the final 18 d). The participants performed 30-s maximal tethered swimming (30TS), 200-m swimming (P200m), and 30-s crossbar jumps (30CJ) before and after the supplementation period.ResultsThe β-alanine group presented significant increases in 30TS for mean force (P = .04; Δ = 30.5% ± 40.4%) and integral of force (P = .05; Δ = 28.0% ± 38.0%), as well as P200m (P = .05; Δ = –2.2% ± 2.6%), while the placebo group did not significantly differ for mean force (P = .13; Δ = 24.1% ± 33.7%), integral of force (P = .12; Δ = 24.3% ± 35.1%), or P200m (P = .10; Δ = –1.6% ± 3.8%). However, there was no significant group effect for any variable, and the magnitude-based-inference analysis showed unclear outcomes between groups (Cohen d ± 95%CL mean force = 0.16 ± 0.83, integral of force = 0.12 ± 0.84, and P200m = 0.05 ± 0.30). For 30CJ the results were similar, with improvements in both groups (placebo, Δ = 14.9% ± 14.1%; β-alanine, Δ = 16.9% ± 18.5%) but with no significant interaction effect between groups and an unclear effect (0.14 ± 0.75).ConclusionFour weeks of β-alanine supplementation does not substantially improve performance of 30TS, P200m, or 30CJ in highly trained water polo athletes compared with a control group.


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