scholarly journals Variations of Trail Runner’s Fitness Measures across a Season and Relationships with Workload

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 318
Author(s):  
Sérgio Matos ◽  
Filipe Clemente ◽  
Rui Silva ◽  
Joel Pereira ◽  
Pedro Bezerra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Fitness Level ◽  
Maximal Aerobic Speed ◽  
Trail Running ◽  
Fitness Levels

Trail running involves off-road running over different surfaces of positive and negative unevenness. Given these particularities and the associated physical demands, it is essential to understand this relationship and how fitness levels influence performance. This study aimed to analyze fitness level variations during different times of the season and establish a relationship between changes in fitness levels and accumulated load. Twenty-five trail running athletes (age: 36.23 ± 8.30 years) were monitored over 52 weeks. Three periods of assessment were implemented, while load between those periods was calculated. Athletes were monitored daily by global positioning systems. The collected data included distance covered, duration, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE), which were used to obtain session-RPE. Additionally, maximal aerobic speed, vertical jump, and dynamic balance were tested periodically. Moderate inverse correlations were found between assessment 1 and 2 for total sRPE and vertical jump: countermovement jump (VJ: CMJ) (r = −0.349), and Y balance test: left posterolateral (YBT: LPL) (r = −0.494). Similar correlations were found between assessment 2 and 3 for total sRPE and VJ: CMJ (r = −0.397), and vertical jump: drop jump (VJ: DJ) (r = −0.395). The results suggest that trail running coaches should monitor and assess dose–response relationships and possible anterior asymmetries of dynamic balance performance.

Ankle Stabilizers Affect Agility but Not Vertical Jump or Dynamic Balance Performance

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 354-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jatin P. Ambegaonkar ◽  
Charles J. Redmond ◽  
Christa Winter ◽  
Nelson Cortes ◽  
Shruti J. Ambegaonkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Sagittal Plane ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Plane Motion ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Jump Test ◽  
Significant Difference

Ankle stabilizers can reduce ankle sprain incidence and severity by limiting range of motion. Still whether using them affects performance remains unclear. The authors compared effects of 3 ankle stabilizers, tape, lace-up (Swede-O Ankle Lok), and semirigid (Air-Cast Air-Stirrup) braces, and a nonsupport control on vertical jump (Sargent Jump Test), agility (Right-Boomerang Run test), and dynamic balance (Modified Bass Test) in 10 volunteers (4 males, 6 females; 25.6 ± 2.8 years, 167.8 ± 13.7 cm, 61.4 ± 10.7 kg) using repeated-measures ANOVAs. Participants had similar vertical jump ( P = .27; control = 41.40 ± 11.89 cm, tape = 37.90 ± 7.92 cm, Swede-O = 41.40 ± 11.89 cm, Air-Cast = 39.29 ± 10.85 cm) and dynamic balance ( P = .08; control = 92.50 ± 2.46, tape = 91.55 ± 3.53, Swede-O = 97.00 ± 5.32, Air-Cast = 89.40 ± 6.08) but differing agility scores ( P = .03; control = 13.55 ± 1.35 seconds, tape = 14.03 ± 1.5 seconds, Swede-O = 14.10 ± 1.36 seconds, Air-Cast = 14.14 ± 1.41 seconds). Post hoc tests revealed a significant difference ( P = .03) between control and Air-Cast but not between Swede-O ( P = .06) or tape ( P = .07). Effect size ( d) analyses indicated that compared with control, all stabilizers trended to increase agility run times (tape, d = 0.33; Swede-O, d = 0.40; Air-Cast, d = 0.43). Since participants primarily required sagittal plane motion when jumping vertically and had relatively slow directional changes in the dynamic balance test, wearing ankle stabilizers did not hamper jump or balance. However, ankle stabilizers hindered participants’ ability to perform quick directional changes required in the agility test, with the most rigid stabilizer (Air-Cast) affecting agility the most. Clinicians should be aware that ankle stabilizers may affect some performance measures (agility) but not others (jumping, balance) and continue examinations in larger cohorts. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level II

scholarly journals The Immediate Effects of Self‐Myofacial Release on Flexibility, Jump Performance and Dynamic Balance Ability

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-148
Author(s):  
Qingshan Zhang ◽  
Robin Trama ◽  
Alexandre Fouré ◽  
Christophe A Hautier
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Jump Performance ◽  
Control Intervention ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Balance Ability

Abstract Self-myofascial release (SMR) is a popular method to potentially increase the compliance and extensibility of the fascia and reduce muscle stiffness. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of posterior muscle chain SMR on flexibility, vertical jump performance and balance ability. Eighteen young participants volunteered to take part in this crossover design study. They performed two self-massage sessions in randomized order separated by at least one week. One session consisted of posterior muscle chain SMR whereas the other one was performed on the upper limbs as a control intervention (CON). Flexibility was measured with the Toe Touch Test (TTT), Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT), and Straight Leg Raise Test (SLR). Jump performance was evaluated during a squat jump, a counter movement jump and a stiffness jump. Dynamic balance ability was assessed through the Star Excursion Balance Test. All these variables were measured before and after each intervention. A significant increase in flexibility (+3.5 ± 1.8 cm, +1.6 ± 1.0°, and +7.7 ± 4.0° for the TTT, WLBT, and SLR, respectively, p < 0.003) and balance performance (4.8 ± 3.9 cm, p < 0.003) was observed following SMR intervention compared to CON. Conversely, jumping performance was unchanged in both groups. SMR improves joint flexibility and dynamic balance ability.

scholarly journals Acute Effect of Mini-Trampoline Jumping on Vertical Jump and Balance Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Nada Rhouni ◽  
Nicole C. Dabbs ◽  
Trevor Gillum ◽  
Jared W. Coburn
Keyword(s):  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Rest Period ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Jump Performance ◽  
Warm Up

Jumping and balance are necessary skills for most athletes, and mini-trampoline training has been shown to improve them. Little is known about the acute effect of mini-trampoline jumping on jump performance and dynamic balance. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of 6 maximal jumps on a mini-trampoline on countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) variables and on balance parameters. Methods: Twenty one recreationally trained individuals participated in three testing sessions and were either allocated to a control group (N=10) or a trampoline group (N=11). All the participants performed a dynamic warm up prior to their assessments. Baseline CMVJ and balance assessments were measured. For the jump performance tests, the control group rested for 30s, and the trampoline group performed 6 maximal CMVJs on a mini-trampoline. Immediately following the trampoline jumps or the rest period, participants performed three jump trials. The jumping protocol was repeated every minute up to 5 minutes and balance was reassessed immediately after only. Results: There was no significant interaction of time by group and no group effects in all the jumping parameters, however, there was a significant increase in jump height (p <0.001) post-condition, and a significant decrease in peak power (p= 0.01) at the 4th minute for both groups. There was no significant interaction of time by condition, no time effect and no group effect (p>0.05) on the balance variables. Conclusion: These results do not support our hypothesis and show that trampoline jumping does not improve jump and balance performance acutely.

scholarly journals Performance and Training Load Profiles in Recreational Male Trail Runners: Analyzing Their Interactions during Competitions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 8902
Author(s):  
Sérgio Matos ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Rui Silva ◽  
Joel Pereira ◽  
José María Cancela Carral
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Load Variations ◽  
Rate Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Large Correlation ◽  
Load Rate ◽  
Maximal Aerobic Speed ◽  
Meaningful Relationships ◽  
Trail Running ◽  
And Training

Endurance sports like trail running constitute an extensive individual modality causing numerous physiological changes to occur in the athlete. In this sense, an adequate monitoring of training load appears to be essential to improve competition performance. The aim of this study was two-fold: (i) to analyze trail runners’ weekly load variations in the four weeks leading up to a trail running competition, and (ii) to determine the relationship between the runners’ pacing in competitions and their physical fitness and workload parameters. Twenty-five amateur male trail runners (age: 36.23 ± 8.30 years old; minimum International Trail Running Association performance index: 600) were monitored daily for the duration of a season (52 weeks). External load (distance covered, pace) and internal load (rate of perceived exertion) were measured daily. Additionally, weekly workload measures of acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR), training monotony, and training strain were calculated. The runners were also assessed for maximal aerobic speed (MAS) every four months. No significant differences in workload measures (p > 0.05) were observed in the four weeks leading up to each short trail competition; however, leading up to the long trail, ultra-trail medium, and ultra-trail long/extra-long competitions, the differences in the runners’ workload measures were significant (p < 0.05). In the short trail, pace was found to be moderately correlated with the ACWR of total distance (r = −0.334) and with training monotony of rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (r = −0.303). In the ultra-trail, a large correlation was observed between pace and elevation accumulated (r = 0.677). We concluded that significant workload differences from one week to the next only occurred in preparation for longer-distance competitions, with sudden acute load decreases and very low ACWR values reported mainly in weeks 1 and 2 of the taper. Meaningful relationships were found between performance (pace) and MAS for longer trails and between pace and MAS for ultra-trail competitions.

scholarly journals Examination of Some Physical Fitness and Motor Skill Parameters of Pre-Adolescents and Adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Fatma Arslan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Dynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Explosive Strength ◽  
And Performance ◽  
5Th Grade

The aim of this study was to analyze the importance of some physical fitness and motor skills for children between 11-13 years at elementary school. A total of 114 primary school children participated as volunteers with a means age of 10.80 ± 0,40 for 5th grade and 12.83 ± 0,38 for 7th grade.In this study, some motor tests were used to detect differences between pre-adolescence and adolescence on male and female. These tests were respectively: for dynamic balance “The Star excursion balance test”, for the agility “T-test”, “V sit and reach” for flexibility test and for explosive strength a “20 m run (0.1s)”. Besides, physical fitness features were taken as height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR).The results of the flexibility showed that the female children had better performances in the 5th grade than those in the 7th grade children (p<0,005). In addition, it was determined that the dynamic balance performance values of the 7th grade female and male children were better than the 5th grade(p<0,005). There were significant differences in agility and explosive strength between the 7th grade female and male children(p<0,005). It was observed that there was an increase in agility, speed and dynamic equilibrium performance data especially from the age of 11 in parallel with growth and development. Especially from this period, it was thought that it was possible to develop motor skills and performance parameters with some sports applications and training.

Single-Leg Balance Performance in Sub-Elite Young Soccer Players and Swimmers as a Function of Age and Sports Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Leinen ◽  
Thomas Muehlbauer ◽  
Stefan Panzer
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Functional Specialization ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Balance Task ◽  
Anterior Posterior

The present study investigated if accumulated, advanced, regular soccer practice (balance-demanding exercise) compared to regular swim practice (non-balance–demanding exercise) induces a more pronounced functional specialization in postural control. Therefore, single-leg balance performance in sub-elite young soccer players (under 13 [U13]: n = 16; U15: n = 18; U19: n = 15), and sub-elite young swimmers (U13: n = 7; U15: n = 4; U19: n = 5) was tested in different balance task conditions (i.e., static and dynamic balance on firm and foam surface). All athletes practiced 3–10 times per week. Single-leg balance of the dominant and non-dominant leg was measured using a force plate. The standard deviation of the center of pressure displacements in anterior-posterior and medio-lateral directions were used as dependent variables. Irrespective of age groups and type of sport, the results failed to indicate significant leg differences in single-leg balance performance. The soccer players showed significant better single-leg balance performance in anterior-posterior direction in the dynamic balance test on the firm and foam surface compared to the swimmers. Functional specialization was accompanied by the type of sport but not by accumulated practice.

scholarly journals Balance Performance Is Task Specific in Older Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayelet Dunsky ◽  
Aviva Zeev ◽  
Yael Netz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Balance Tests ◽  
Balance Ability

Balance ability among the elderly is a key component in the activities of daily living and is divided into two types: static and dynamic. For clinicians who wish to assess the risk of falling among their elderly patients, it is unclear if more than one type of balance test can be used to measure their balance impairment. In this study, we examined the association between static balance measures and two dynamic balance field tests. One hundred and twelve community-dwelling older adults (mean age 74.6) participated in the study. They underwent the Tetrax static postural assessment and then performed the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the Functional Reach (FR) Test as dynamic balance tests. In general, low-moderate correlations were found between the two types of balance tests. For women, age and static balance parameters explained 28.1–40.4% of the variance of TUG scores and 14.6–24% of the variance of FR scores. For men, age and static balance parameters explained 9.5–31.2% of the variance of TUG scores and 23.9–41.7% of the variance of FR scores. Based on our findings, it is suggested that a combination of both static and dynamic tests be used for assessing postural balance ability.

scholarly journals Modeling the effect of static stretching and strengthening exercise in lengthened position on balance in low back pain subject with shortened hamstring: a randomized controlled clinical trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
MohammadBagher Shamsi ◽  
Maryam Mirzaei ◽  
Soodeh Shahsavari ◽  
Ameneh Safari ◽  
Morteza Saeb
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Strengthening Exercise

Abstract Background Hamstring shortening may have negative impacts on function and biomechanics of knee and hip joints and lumbo-pelvic rhythm. Many interventions are believed to correct hamstring to its normal length. There are several reports of impairment in postural control of patients with low back pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of stretching exercise and strengthening exercise in lengthened position of the hamstring muscle on improving the dynamic balance of the person in patients with chronic low back pain with short hamstring muscles. Methods Forty-five patients with hamstring shortening who referred to physiotherapy clinic of Kermanshah university of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran were randomly allocated to the three groups; static stretching (n = 15), strengthening exercise in lengthened hamstring position (n = 15) and control (n = 15). All groups received conventional physiotherapy for low back pain and the two intervention groups received stretching exercise and strengthening exercise in lengthened position programs as well. All groups performed three treatment sessions for a week, a total of 12 sessions. For balance assessment, Y-Balance test was performed for each participant in three reach directions. To determine the important and significant variables, all variables entered a model (Generalized Estimation Equations method). Results The results indicate that based on GEE model, by controlling other variables, participants of static stretching exercise showed more improvement in balance than control group (β = 9.58, p-value = 0.014). Also, balance status showed significant improvement in the end of study compared to baseline of the study (β = 7.71, P-value< 0.001). In addition, the balance in three reach directions improved significantly and the greatest balance improvement was in the anterior reach direction (β ranged over = 6.16 to 11.59) and the height of patients affected their balance (β = 0.28, P-value = 0.034). Conclusions Group (type of intervention), phase of intervention, reach direction of test (anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral) and height of participants were associated with balance performance. Static stretching exercise was more effective than muscle strengthening exercise in lengthened position for improving dynamic balance in low back pain patients with hamstring tightness. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT201507258035n2). Registered 16th September 2015.

Comparison of Static and Dynamic Balance in Male Football and Basketball Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzin Halabchi ◽  
Ladan Abbasian ◽  
Maryam Mirshahi ◽  
Reza Mazaheri ◽  
Mohammad Hosein Pourgharib Shahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ankle Sprain ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Surface Group ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Group 2

Introduction. The aim of the present study was to compare static and dynamic balance among professional athletes in football and basketball. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 47 professional, male football and basketball players from Pro League in Iran participated. They were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included 16 participants with history of grade 1 or 2 single ankle sprain within the past 6 months. Group 2 included 17 participants with recurrent ankle sprain. Group 3 included 14 participants without history of ankle sprain. Static and dynamic balance were measured by the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), respectively. Results. For the single-leg stance on a firm surface, group 2 scored errors with a high mean value of 3.94 compared with the other 2 groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P = .03). Significant differences in BESS scores are observed on both surfaces across the tandem limb between groups 2 and 3. Conclusion. The measures from the SEBTs may not reflect the balance performance especially in well-trained athletes who have a better balance when performing sport-related skills. However, BESS includes static postures, and it may reflect postural deficits better than dynamic tests in the more experienced athlete. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic, Level IV

scholarly journals Preseason Dynamic Balance Performance in Healthy Elite Male Soccer Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 155798831983192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roxana-Ramona Onofrei ◽  
Elena Amaricai ◽  
Radu Petroman ◽  
Dan Surducan ◽  
Oana Suciu
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Limb Injuries ◽  
Physical Examinations ◽  
Control Dynamic ◽  
Composite Scores

Lower limb musculoskeletal injuries in sports are linked with balance abnormalities and altered postural control. Dynamic balance screening should be performed in order to identify athletes at risk. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the preseason dynamic balance performance and side-to-side asymmetry of healthy elite male soccer players, using modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). Seventy-three elite soccer players (23.8 ± 5.4 years) were evaluated using the mSEBT. Normalized reach distances, side-to-side asymmetries, and composite scores were determined. The composite scores were 93.33% ± 8.99% for dominant leg and 93.36% ± 9.23% for nondominant leg. No significant differences were found between dominant and nondominant limb in any direction. The mSEBT is an easy-to-use tool to measure the dynamic balance performance in elite athletes. It can be applied successfully during preseason physical examinations. Future studies are needed to establish predictive cutoff points in order to increase mSEBT use in screening soccer players for dynamic balance abnormalities and identify those at risk for noncontact lower limb injuries.

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