scholarly journals To Jump or Cycle? Monitoring Neuromuscular Function in Rugby Union Players

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 690-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Roe ◽  
Joshua Darrall-Jones ◽  
Kevin Till ◽  
Padraic Phibbs ◽  
Dale Read ◽  
...  

Purpose:To evaluate changes in performance of a 6-s cycle-ergometer test (CET) and countermovement jump (CMJ) during a 6-wk training block in professional rugby union players.Methods:Twelve young professional rugby union players performed 2 CETs and CMJs on the 1st and 4th mornings of every week before the commencement of daily training during a 6-wk training block. Standardized changes in the highest score of 2 CET and CMJ efforts were assessed using linear mixed modeling and magnitude-based inferences.Results:After increases in training load during wk 3 to 5, moderate decreases in CMJ peak and mean power and small decreases in flight time were observed during wk 5 and 6 that were very likely to almost certainly greater than the smallest worthwhile change (SWC), suggesting neuromuscular fatigue. However, only small decreases, possibly greater than the SWC, were observed in CET peak power. Changes in CMJ peak and mean power were moderately greater than in CET peak power during this period, while the difference between flight time and CET peak power was small.Conclusion:The greater weekly changes in CMJ metrics in comparison with CET may indicate differences in the capacities of these tests to measure training-induced lower-body neuromuscular fatigue in rugby union players. However, future research is needed to ascertain the specific modes of training that elicit changes in CMJ and CET to determine the efficacy of each test for monitoring neuromuscular function in rugby union players.

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Wehbe ◽  
Tim Gabbett ◽  
Dan Dwyer ◽  
Christopher McLellan ◽  
Sam Coad

Purpose:To compare a novel sprint test on a cycle ergometer with a countermovement-jump (CMJ) test for monitoring neuromuscular fatigue after Australian rules football match play.Methods:Twelve elite under-18 Australian rules football players (mean ± SD age 17.5 ± 0.6 y, stature 184.7 ± 8.8 cm, body mass 75.3 ± 7.8 kg) from an Australian Football League club’s Academy program performed a short sprint test on a cycle ergometer along with a single CMJ test 1 h prematch and 1, 24, and 48 h postmatch. The cycle-ergometer sprint test involved a standardized warm-up, a maximal 6-s sprint, a 1-min active recovery, and a 2nd maximal 6-s sprint, with the highest power output of the 2 sprints recorded as peak power (PP).Results:There were small to moderate differences between postmatch changes in cycle-ergometer PP and CMJ PP at 1 (ES = 0.49), 24 (ES = –0.85), and 48 h postmatch (ES = 0.44). There was a substantial reduction in cycle-ergometer PP at 24 h postmatch (ES = –0.40) compared with 1 h prematch.Conclusions:The cycle-ergometer sprint test described in this study offers a novel method of neuromuscular-fatigue monitoring in team-sport athletes and specifically quantifies the concentric component of the fatigue-induced decrement of force production in muscle, which may be overlooked by a CMJ test.


1990 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine H. Van Gym ◽  
Howard A. Wenger ◽  
Catherine A. Gaul

This study investigated the effect of engaging in imagery in conjunction with nonspecific training on the transfer of the training to performance. Forty subjects were pretested on a Wingate cycle ergometer test for peak power and a 40-m sprint. Subjects were assigned to one of four groups: imagery training (IT), power training (PT), imagery and power training (DPT), and control (C). Following a 6-week training period, all subjects were retested. Although a MANOVA revealed no significant difference between groups on any variable, the groups-by-time interaction was significant. Therefore an analysis of difference scores on both tests was performed. This analysis revealed that although both the IPT and the PT group significantly improved in peak power, only the IPT group improved significantly on the sprint. The results indicate that imagery coupled with nonspecific training contributes to the enhancement of subsequent performance significantly better than does nonspecific training alone.


2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 302-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Williams ◽  
Eric Doré ◽  
James Alban ◽  
Emmanuel Van Praagh

This study investigated the differences in short-term power output (STPO) using three different cycle ergometers in 9-year-old children. A total of 31 children participated in three cycle ergometer sprint tests of 20 s duration: a modified friction braked Monark, a modified friction braked Ergomeca cycle ergometer, and a SRM isokinetic ergometer. Common indices of peak and mean power, peak pedal rate, time to peak power, and pedal rate were recorded. Indices of peak power 1 s for the Monark, Ergomeca and SRM ergometer were found to be 299 ± 55, 294 ± 55, 297 ± 53 W and mean power 20 s to be 223 ± 40, 227 ± 43 and 216 ± 34 W, respectively. The time to peak power was found to be 3 ± 2, 6 ± 2, 5 ± 3 s, respectively. The standard error of measurement was lower in mean 20-s power compared to 1-s peak power. Despite instrumentation and protocol differences these results demonstrate reproducibility in 9-year-old children that will allow researchers confidence in comparing STPO data obtained from different ergometers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Roe

Background: Post-match fatigue has yet to be investigated inacademy rugby union players.Objectives: To determine the magnitude of change in upper-(plyometric push-up (PP) flight-time) and lower-body(countermovement jump (CMJ) mean power) neuromuscularfunction (NMF), whole blood creatine kinase (CK) and perceptionof well-being following a competitive match in academy rugbyunion players.Methods: Fourteen academy rugby union players participatedin the study. Measures were taken 2 h pre-match (baseline) andimmediately post-match. Further testing was also undertaken at24-, 48- and 72 h respectively post-match. Changes in measuresfrom baseline were determined using magnitude-based inferences.Results: Decreases in CMJ mean power were likely substantialimmediately (-5.5±3.3%) post-match, very likely at 24 h (-7±3.9),likely at 48 h (-5.8±5.4), while likely trivial at 72 h (-0.8±3.8)post-match. PP flight-time was very likely reduced immediately(-15.3±7.3%) and 24 h (-11.5±5.7%) post-match, while possiblyincreased at 48 h (3.5±6.0%) and likely trivial at 72 h (-0.9±5.4%)post-match. Decreases in perception of well-being were almostcertainly substantial at 24 h (-24.0±4.3%), very likely at 48 h(-8.3±5.9%), and likely substantial at 72 h (-3.6±3.7%) post-match.Increases in CK were almost certainly substantial immediately(138.5±33%), 24 h (326±78%) and 48 h (176±62%) post-match,while very likely substantial at 72 h (57±35%) post-match.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the transient andmultidimensional nature of post-match fatigue in academyrugby union players. Furthermore, the results demonstrate theindividual nature of recovery, with many players demonstratingdifferent recovery profiles from the group average.Keywords: collision sport, monitoring, sports injuries


2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Klasnja ◽  
Miodrag Drapsin ◽  
Damir Lukac ◽  
Patrik Drid ◽  
Slavko Obadov ◽  
...  

Background/Aim. The Wingate anaerobic test is a valid and reliable method of measuring anaerobic capacity. The aim of this study was to determine whether other modified test can be used instead of the Wingate test. Methods. A group of 30 sedentary young men were first tested with a cycle ergometer (classic Wingate test), and then with a dynamometer during 30 s of 'all out' leg extension exercise (modified Wingate test; WAnTe) in order to test anaerobic capacity. Subsequent correlations between these tests were made. Results. Peak power, mean power on cycling ergometer in absolute and relative values were 463 ? 105 W, 316.7 ? 63.8 W, 5.68 ? 1.17 W/kg, 3.68 ? 0.78 W/kg, respectively. On a dynamometer absolute and relative values of maximal and mean load in kg and power in Watts were 136.54 ? 21.3 kg, 1.67 ? 0.26; 128.65 ? 19.93 kg, 1.57 ? 0.24 kg, 657 ? 125.87 W, and 8 ? 1.54 W/kg, respectively. There was no correlation between 5 s intervals of the classic Wingate test and WAnTe during the first, fourth and fifth intervals, but in the second (r = 0.49, p < 0.05), third (r = 0.38, p < 0.05) and last 5 s intervals (r = 0.39, p < 0.05), and also in peak power and mean power (r = 0.42, p < 0.05 and r = 0.45, p < 0.05 respectively), a significant positive correlation was detected. Conclusion. A modified Wingate test of leg extension on a dynamometer in sedentary young men shows a correlation with the classic Wingate test only in parameters of peak power, and mean power and the second, the third and the last 5 s intervals. Because of that it should only be used for orientation, whereas for precise measurements of anaerobic capacity the classic Wingate test should be used.


Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 67-72
Author(s):  
Guillermo R. Oviedo ◽  
Oscar Niño ◽  
Cayetano Bellomío ◽  
Roque González ◽  
Miriam Guerra

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico sobre la presión arterial, el perfil lipídico y la condición física en 16 adultos (9 hombres, 7 mujeres; 54 ± 5 años) prehipertensos, sin la presencia de otra enfermedad crónica. El grupo participó en un programa de ejercicios físicos aeróbico y de fuerza durante 16 semanas, 1.5 horas, 3 veces por semana. La presión arterial, el perfil lipídico, la condición física y medidas antropométricas fueron evaluadas al inicio y al final del programa. El test de Wilcoxon-Cox se utilizó para evaluar los cambios pre-post en las variables. Se encontraron disminuciones estadísticamente significativas en la presión arterial sistólica y diastólica basal de ~12/9 mmHg (p < .05) respectivamente, el VO2 pico incrementó ~8 ml/Kg/min (p < .05), la potencia en cicloergómetro aumentó ~51 Watts (p < .05); el IMC decreció ~2 puntos (p < .05); triglicéridos disminuyeron ~21 mg/dL (p < .05); colesterol disminuyó ~19 mg/dL (p < .05); HDL incrementó ~10 mg/dL (p < .05) y LDL decreció ~36 mg/dL (p < .05). Conclusiones: el programa de ejercicios físicos produjo mejoras significativas en la presión arterial, el perfil lipídico y la condición física en este grupo de adultos prehipertensos.Palabras clave. hipertensión arterial, ejercicio, condición física, lípidos.Abstract. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a physical exercise program on blood pressure, lipid profile and physical fitness on 16 (9 men, 7 women; 54 ± 5 years old) prehypertensive adults, without any other chronic illness. The group followed a physical exercise program for 16 weeks, which last 1.5 hour, three times a week consisting of aerobic activities and strength training. Blood pressure, lipid profile, physical fitness and anthropometric measurements were assessed pre and post training. Wilcoxon-Cox test was used to compare within group changes. Statistically significant reductions were found in basal systolic and diastolic blood pressure by ~12/9 mmHg (p < .05) respectively; VO2 peak increased by ~8 ml/Kg/min (p < .05); the peak power achieved during the cycle-ergometer test increased by ~51 Watts (p < .05); BMI decreased by ~2 points (p < .05); triglycerides decreased by ~21 mg/dL (p < .05); cholesterol decreased by ~19 mg/dL (p < .05); HDL increased by ~10 mg/dL (p < .05); LDL decreased by ~36 mg/dL (p < .05). Conclusions: this intervention showed significant improvements in blood pressure, lipid profile and physical fitness in this group of adults with prehypertension.Key words. arterial hypertension, exercise, physical fitness, lipids.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Roe ◽  
Joshua Darrall-Jones ◽  
Kevin Till ◽  
Padraic Phibbs ◽  
Dale Read ◽  
...  

This study established the between-days reliability and sensitivity of a countermovement jump (CMJ), plyometric push-up, well-being questionnaire, and whole-blood creatine kinase concentration ([CK]) in elite male youth rugby union players. The study also established the between-days reliability of 1, 2, or 3 CMJs and plyometric-push-up attempts. Twenty-five players completed tests on 2 occasions separated by 5 d (of rest). Between-days typical error, coefficient of variation (CV), and smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were calculated for the well-being questionnaire, [CK], and CMJ and plyometric-push-up metrics (peak/mean power, peak/mean force, height, flight time, and flight-time to contraction-time ratio) for 1 maximal effort or taking the highest score from 2 or 3 maximal efforts. The results suggest that CMJ mean power (2 or 3 attempts), peak force, or mean force and plyometric-push-up mean force (from 2 or 3 attempts) should be used for assessing lower- and upper-body neuromuscular function, respectively, due to both their acceptable reliability (CV < 5%) and good sensitivity (CV < SWC). The well-being questionnaire and [CK] demonstrated between-days CVs >5% (7.1% and 26.1%, respectively) and poor sensitivity (CV > SWC). The findings from this study can be used when interpreting fatigue markers to make an objective decision about a player’s readiness to train or compete.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamdi Jaafar ◽  
Majdi Rouis ◽  
Elvis Attiogbé ◽  
Henry Vandewalle ◽  
Tarak Driss

Purpose:To verify the hypothesis that the peak power (PP) of a Wingate test (WT) is an underestimation of maximal power (Pmax) computed from the force–velocity test (FVT), to examine possible fatigue effect on Pmax, and to investigate the effect of load on mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI) during a WT in trained and recreational men.Methods:Ten recreational (22.9 ± 1.7 y, 1.81 ± 0.06 m, 73.3 ± 10.4 kg) and 10 highly trained subjects (22.7 ± 1.4 y, 1.85 ± 0.05 m, 78.9 ± 6.6 kg) performed 2 WTs with 2 loads (8.7% and 11% of body mass [BM]) and an FVT on the same cycle ergometer, in randomized order.Results:Optimal load was equal to 10% BM in recreational participants. Given the quadratic relationship between load and power, the underestimation of Pmax was lower than 10% for the average values of trained and recreational participants with both loads. However, PP with a load equal to 8.7% BM was a large underestimation (~30%) of Pmax in the most powerful individuals. In addition, PP was not greater than Pmax of FVT for the same load. FI was independent of the load only if it was expressed relative to PP. The optimal load for MP during WT was close to the optimal load for PP.Conclusions:The optimal load for WT performance should be approximately equal to 10% BM in recreational subjects. In powerful subjects, the FVT appears to be more appropriate in assessing maximal power, and loads higher than 11% BM should be verified for the WT.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saul R. Bloxham ◽  
Joanne R. Welsman ◽  
Neil Armstrong

This study examined ergometer-specific relationships between short-term power and peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) in children. Boys (n = 28) and girls (n = 28) age 11-12 years completed two incremental tests to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer and motorized treadmill for the determination of peak VO2. In addition, they completed two 30 s “all-out” sprint tests, one on a cycle ergometer and one on a nonmotorized treadmill for the assessment of peak power (PP) and mean power (MP). Relationships between peak VO2 and shortterm power measures were examined by sex for cycle- and treadmill-derived data using simple per-body-mass ratios and sample-specific allometric exponents to control for body size differences. From correlational analyses on scaled data, sex differences in responses were shown. In boys, PP and MP were unrelated to peak VO2 for cycle-derived measures but significantly related (r = 0.58 PP; r = 0.69 MP) for treadmill values. PP and MP were significantly related to peak VO2 for both modes of exercise in girls (r = .41−.68). In all but one case, correlation coefficients based on mass-related data were higher than those based on allometrically adjusted data.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew W. Driller ◽  
Christos K. Argus ◽  
Cecilia M. Shing

Purpose:To determine the reliability of a 30-s sprint cycle test on the Wattbike cycle ergometer.Methods:Over 3 consecutive weeks, 11 highly trained cyclists (mean ± SD; age 31 ± 6 y, mass 74.6 ± 10.6 kg, height 180.5 ± 8.1cm) completed four 30-s maximal sprints on a Wattbike ergometer after a standardized warmup. The sprint test implemented a “rolling start” that consisted of a 60-s preload (at an intensity of 4.5 W/kg) before the 30-s maximal sprint. Variables determined across the duration of the sprint were peak power (Wpeak), mean power (Wmean), W/kg, mean cadence (rpm), maximum heart rate (n = 10), and postexercise blood lactate.Results:The average intraclass correlation coefficients between trials (2v1, 3v2, 4v3, 4v1) were Wpeak .97 (90%CI .94–.99), Wmean .99 (90%CI .97–1.00), W/kg .96 (90%CI .91–.98), mean cadence .96 (90%CI .92–.99), maximum heart rate .99 (90%CI .97–.99), and postexercise blood lactate .94 (90%CI .87–.98). The average typical error of measurement (expressed as a CV% and absolute value between trials—2v1, 3v2, 4v3, 4v1) was Wpeak 4.9%, 52.7 W; Wmean 2.4%, 19.2 W; W/kg 2.3%, 0.18 W/kg; mean cadence 1.4%, 1.6 rpm; maximum heart rate 0.9%, 1.6 beats/min; and postexercise blood lactate 4.6%, 0.48 mmol/L.Conclusion:A 30-s sprint test on the Wattbike cycle ergometer is highly reproducible in trained cyclists.


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