“The Competitive Season and Off-Season”: Preliminary Research concerning the Sport-Specific Performance, Stress, and Sleep in Elite Male Adolescent Basketball Athletes

Background: Through scholastic sports programs, adolescent athletes compete to represent their communities. However, few studies investigate the changes in physiological and mental profiles during varied sport periodization among this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the changes in sports performance and stress-related biomarkers between the competitive season (CS) and off-season (OS) in elite adolescent basketball players. Method: Nine elite Division I male basketball players (age: 15–18 years. old) participated in this study. Basketball-specific performance, salivary dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S)/cortisol levels, mood state, and sleep quality were all accessed during the CS and OS periods. Results: The training load during OS was 26.0% lower than CS (p = 0.001). Muscle mass, aerobic capacity, 10 m sprint, and Abalakov jump (AJ) power during OS were greater than that during CS (+2.2–9.8%, p < 0.05), but planned agility was greater during CS (p = 0.003). The salivary DHEA-S/cortisol was greater during CS than during OS (p = 0.039). The overall mood state and sleep quality did not differ between periods, but the POMS-tension was higher during CS (p = 0.005). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that muscle mass, aerobic capacity, peak AJ power, and 10 m sprint performance, but not planned agility, were greater during OS compared to CS among elite adolescent basketball players. Furthermore, the stress-related responses reflected by the D/C ratio and mood tension were relatively lower during the OS in these athletes. Thus, this study suggests that coaches and sport science professionals should closely monitor athletes’ training states across varied training/competition periods to better react to modifying training or recovery plans.

Download Full-text

Sport-specific assessment of lactate threshold and aerobic capacity throughout a collegiate hockey season

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/h08-107 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 33 (6) ◽

pp. 1165-1171 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

John J. Durocher ◽

Darin T. Leetun ◽

Jason R. Carter

Keyword(s):

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Lactate Threshold ◽

Aerobic Training ◽

Division I ◽

Maximal Heart Rate ◽

Maximal Aerobic Capacity ◽

Competitive Season ◽

Hockey Players ◽

Graded Exercise ◽

Specific Assessment

The purpose of this study was to examine lactate threshold (LT) and maximal aerobic capacity with a sport-specific skating protocol throughout a competitive season in collegiate hockey players. We hypothesized that maximal aerobic capacity and skating velocity at LT would increase as the season progressed. Sixteen Division I college hockey players performed a graded exercise skating protocol to fatigue at 3 different times (pre-, mid-, and postseason). Subjects skated for 80 s during each stage, followed by 40 s of rest to allow for blood lactate sampling. Velocity at LT was similar during preseason (4.44 ± 0.08 m·s–1) and postseason (4.52 ± 0.05 m·s–1) testing, but was significantly elevated at midseason (4.70 ± 0.08 m·s–1; p < 0.01), compared with preseason. In contrast, LT as a percentage of maximal heart rate (HRmax) was unchanged throughout the season. HRmax remained constant throughout the season, at approximately 190 beats·min–1. Preseason maximal aerobic capacity (48.7 ± 0.8 mL·kg–1·min–1) was significantly higher than that at postseason (45.0 ± 1.1 mL·kg–1·min–1; p < 0.01). In conclusion, skating velocity at LT improved from pre- to midseason, but this adaptation was not maintained at postseason. Additionally, maximal aerobic capacity was reduced from pre- to postseason. These findings suggest a need for aerobic training throughout the college hockey season.

Download Full-text

Analysis of Morphofunctional Variables Associated with Performance in Crossfit® Competitors

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2019-0134 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 83-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Luis Arturo Gómez-Landero ◽

Juan Miguel Frías-Menacho

Keyword(s):

Muscle Mass ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Peak Power ◽

Principal Component ◽

Mean Values ◽

Significant Relationships ◽

Specific Performance ◽

Component Strength ◽

Run Test ◽

Shuttle Run

AbstractCrossFit® is a competitive sport and fitness modality characterized by multiple physical capabilities and multi-joint movements. This study aimed to analyse and classify variables related to CrossFit® competitors’ specific performance. Fifteen male CrossFit® competitors were selected (n = 15; 30.57 ± 5.5 years; 1.76 ± 0.06 m; 78.55 ± 9.12 kg). Mean values were obtained for body mass index (25.3 ± 2.14 kg/m2), 4 skinfolds, 1 repetition maximum in the squat (137.60 ± 19.65 kg) and the bench press (101.67 ± 10.64 kg), maximum pull-ups (18.87 ± 5.05), sit-ups in 60 s (46.60 ± 4.22), peak power in the countermovement jump (3908.04 ± 423.68 W), VO2max with a shuttle run test (47.70 ± 4.79 ml kg-1·min-1), and time in the Workout of the Day (WOD) “Fran” (337.13 ± 119.19 s) and “Donkey Kong” (417.47 ± 98.44 s) components. Principal component analysis was conducted to classify variables and to select those most related to each new component (“strength and muscle mass”, “adiposity” and “aerobic capacity”). The correlation matrix was analysed, indicating significant correlations between “Donkey Kong” and VO2max (r = -.675; p “ .01), suprailiac skinfold (r = .713; p “ .01) and sit-ups (r = -.563; p “ .05); and between “Fran” and squat (r = -.528; p “ .05). Three important components characterizing CrossFit® competitors were identified: “strength and muscle mass”, low “adiposity” and “aerobic capacity”. Significant relationships between morphofunctional variables and Crossfit® performance were found in Crossfit® competitors.

Download Full-text

Performance Changes in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women Basketball Players During a Competitive Season

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ◽

10.1519/jsc.0b013e318273665d ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (12) ◽

pp. 3197-3203 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Adam M. Gonzalez ◽

Jay R. Hoffman ◽

Jennifer R. Scallin-Perez ◽

Jeffrey R. Stout ◽

Maren S. Fragala

Keyword(s):

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Division I ◽

Basketball Players ◽

Competitive Season

Download Full-text

Is a Four-Week Ketogenic Diet an Effective Nutritional Strategy in CrossFit-Trained Female and Male Athletes?

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030864 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 864 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Krzysztof Durkalec-Michalski ◽

Paulina M. Nowaczyk ◽

Natalia Główka ◽

Anna Ziobrowska ◽

Tomasz Podgórski

Keyword(s):

Ketogenic Diet ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Alanine Aminotransferase ◽

Aerobic Performance ◽

Entire Group ◽

Acid Base Balance ◽

Acid Base ◽

Relevant Effect ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Specific Performance

This single-arm interventional study examined the effect of a 4-week ketogenic diet (KD) on aerobic capacity and discipline-specific performance in female (n = 11) and male (n = 11) CrossFit-trained athletes. The participants performed incremental cycling (ICT) and Fight Gone Bad (FGB) tests after consuming a customary diet and a KD. Pre- and post-ICT exercise blood samples were also analysed. Consuming a KD had a slight impact on aerobic capacity and no relevant effect on CrossFit-specific performance. In females, consuming a KD led to an 10.4% decrease in peak oxygen uptake during the ICT (p = 0.027) and resulted in certain alterations in haematological parameters (haemoglobin (HGB), mean corpuscular HGB, and mean corpuscular HGB concentration). Furthermore, in males, alanine aminotransferase activity increased with a simultaneous improvement in the post-ICT blood acid–base balance after consuming a KD. The pre-exercise bilirubin concentration was also elevated in the entire group after consuming a KD. In conclusion, female CrossFit-trained athletes seem to be prone to aerobic performance decrements and increased risk of developing haematological disturbances when consuming a KD. In males who consumed a KD, there was an undesirable alanine aminotransferase elevation and a small tendency towards improved acid–base status. Moreover, consuming a KD had no effect on discipline-specific performance in CrossFit-trained athletes.

Download Full-text

Effect of Achilles Tendon Repair on Performance Outcomes After Return to Play in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Basketball Athletes

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/23259671211015239 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 232596712110152

Author(s):

Rafael Sanchez ◽

Blake H. Hodgens ◽

Joseph S. Geller ◽

Samuel Huntley ◽

Jonathan Kaplan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ncaa Division I ◽

National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽

Performance Metrics ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Surgical Repair ◽

National Basketball Association ◽

Division I ◽

Return To Play ◽

Basketball Players ◽

Significant Drop

Background: Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures are devastating injuries that are highly prevalent among athletes. Despite our understanding of the effect of AT rupture and in particular its relationship to basketball, no study has examined the effects of AT rupture and repair on performance metrics in collegiate basketball players. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of AT rupture and subsequent surgical repair on performance metrics in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I basketball players who return to play after injury. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: NCAA Division I basketball players who sustained an AT rupture and underwent subsequent surgical repair between 2000 and 2019 were identified by systematically evaluating individual injury reports from databases comprising NCAA career statistics and individual school statistics; 65 male and 41 female players were identified. Athletes were included if they participated in at least one-half of the games of 1 collegiate season before tearing the AT and at least 1 season after operative repair. A total of 50 male and 30 female athletes were included. Each injured athlete was matched to a healthy control by conference, position, starter status at time of injury, class year, and number of games played. Matched controls were healthy players and experienced no significant injuries during their NCAA careers. Results: After AT repair, male athletes had significantly more minutes per game, points per game, and compared with before injury. Total blocks significantly decreased after injury. Female athletes scored significantly more points per game but demonstrated a significantly lower 3-point shooting percentage after return to play. Despite undergoing AT rupture and repair, 14% of male players played in the National Basketball Association, and 20% of injured female athletes played in the Women’s National Basketball Association. Conclusion: After returning to play, men demonstrated a significant drop-off in performance only in regard to total blocks. Female athletes after AT repair demonstrated a significant improvement in points per game but had a significant drop-off in 3-point shooting percentage.

Download Full-text

Skeletal muscle mass and the reduction ofV˙o 2 max in trained older subjects

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1997.82.5.1411 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 82 (5) ◽

pp. 1411-1415 ◽

Cited By ~ 129

Author(s):

David N. Proctor ◽

Michael J. Joyner

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Older Women ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽

Muscle Blood Flow ◽

Older Men ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Active Muscle ◽

Older Subjects

Proctor, David N., and Michael J. Joyner. Skeletal muscle mass and the reduction ofV˙o 2 max in trained older subjects. J. Appl. Physiol.82(5): 1411–1415, 1997.—The role of skeletal muscle mass in the age-associated decline in maximal O2 uptake (V˙o 2 max) is poorly defined because of confounding changes in muscle oxidative capacity and in body fat and the difficulty of quantifying active muscle mass during exercise. We attempted to clarify these issues by examining the relationship between several indexes of muscle mass, as estimated by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and treadmillV˙o 2 max in 32 chronically endurance-trained subjects from four groups ( n = 8/group): young men (20–30 yr), older men (56–72 yr), young women (19–31 yr), and older women (51–72 yr).V˙o 2 max per kilogram body mass was 26 and 22% lower in the older men (45.9 vs. 62.0 ml ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1) and older women (40.0 vs. 51.5 ml ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1). These age differences were reduced to 14 and 13%, respectively, whenV˙o 2 max was expressed per kilogram of appendicular muscle. When appropriately adjusted for age and gender differences in appendicular muscle mass by analysis of covariance, whole bodyV˙o 2 max was 0.50 ± 0.09 l/min less ( P < 0.001) in the older subjects. This effect was similar in both genders. These findings suggest that the reducedV˙o 2 max seen in highly trained older men and women relative to their younger counterparts is due, in part, to a reduced aerobic capacity per kilogram of active muscle independent of age-associated changes in body composition, i.e., replacement of muscle tissue by fat. Because skeletal muscle adaptations to endurance training can be well maintained in older subjects, the reduced aerobic capacity per kilogram of muscle likely results from age-associated reductions in maximal O2 delivery (cardiac output and/or muscle blood flow).

Download Full-text

Investigation of work ability index (WAI) and its relationship with maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) among cement industry employer

Occupational Medicine ◽

10.18502/tkj.v12i2.4372 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

M Kavousian ◽

A Salehi sashlabadi ◽

MJ Jafari ◽

S Khodakarim ◽

H Rabiei

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Work Experience ◽

Cement Industry ◽

Maximal Aerobic Capacity ◽

Work Ability Index ◽

Sports Activity ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean

Introduction: Given the importance of adapting workers' physical and mental capabilities to their job needs, measuring their ability to work, maintaining, and upgrading, it has become an essential task. This study aimed to investigate WAI and its relationship with VO2max at one of the cement companies. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 employees of a cement company in Iran in 2018. For data collection, the WAI, Queens's test for maximum oxygen consumption, and a questionnaire designed by researchers (socio-demographic and work-related factors) were used. SPSS 21 was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that the mean ± standard deviation of WAI in staff was 39.35 ± 4.64. Among the demographic and related variables, sports activity (P > 0.04) and sleep quality (P < 0.001), and work experience (P> 0.046) were significantly correlated with WAI. There was a significant positive correlation between the mean score of WAI and Vo2max (r = 0.21, p < 0.05). Regression modeling showed that Vo2max was the only significant predictor of WAI. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, to control and enhance the ability of the staff of the study, occupational intervention programs should focus on improving sleep quality and increased exercise. Also, considering the positive relationship of Vo2max to the WAI of the surveyed staff, it is recommended to select suitable employees in terms of aerobic capacity according to the workload of the job.

Download Full-text