Effects of Minimalist Footwear and Foot Strike Pattern on Plantar Pressure during a Prolonged Running

The use of minimalist shoes (MS) in running involves changes in running mechanics compared to conventional shoes (CS), but there is still little research analysing the effects of this footwear on plantar pressure, which could help to understand some risk injury factors. Moreover, there are no studies examining the effects of a prolonged running and foot strike patterns on baropodometric variables in MS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the changes produced using MS on plantar pressure during a prolonged running, as well as its interaction with the time and foot strike pattern. Twenty-one experienced minimalist runners (age 38 ± 10 years, MS running experience 2 ± 1 years) ran with MS and CS for 30 min at 80% of their maximal aerobic speed, and mean pressure, peak pressure, contact time, centre of pressure velocity, relative force and contact area were analysed using a pressure platform. Foot strike pattern and time were also considered as factors. The multivariable linear regression mixed models showed that the use of MS induced, at the end of a prolonged running, higher peak pressure (p = 0.008), lower contact time (p = 0.004) and lower contact area (p < 0.001) than using CS. Also, runners with forefoot strike pattern using MS, compared to midfoot and rearfoot patterns, showed higher mean and peak pressure (p < 0.001) and lower contact time and area (p < 0.05). These results should be considered when planning training for runners using MS, as higher peak pressure values when using this type of footwear could be a risk factor for the development of some foot injuries.

Comparison of maximal aerobic speeds of team-sport athletes and investigation of optimal training loads*

Objective: To investigate maximal aerobic speed (MAS), participants of team sports in terms of certain variables and to determine relationship team sports.Design: Screening research.Setting: Elite soccer, basketball and handball players.Participants: 44 athletes.Main Outcome Measures: 20-meter shuttle run test (20MSRT) was used.Results: There was a positive relationship between age, VO2max and speed scores (p < 0.05). Besides, significant difference between VO2max, distance and speed also VO2max, distance and speed were found to be significantly different according to types of sports (p < 0.05). When distance and speed scores of athletes were examined, it was determined that mean scores of football players were higher compared to basketball and handball. Heart rate and MAS scores of participants were not significantly different according to type of sport played.Conclusions: This study will contribute to strength and strength coaches, trainers and physiotherapists in terms of training programs that they will apply to athletes of various sports.

Effects of Three Preseason Training Programs on Speed, Change-of-Direction, and Endurance in Recreationally Trained Soccer Players

Background: Modern coaches experience a drastic reduction of the available training time with an increasingly large number of competitions during the competitive season. Thus, they must choose wisely the most efficient methods to improve the physical fitness of their players during the preseason. Among all the methods, this study compared the effects of plyometric training (PT), sprint interval training (SIT), and small-sided games (SSGs) on the performance of recreationally trained soccer players.Methods: Seventy-three participants were randomly assigned in one of the three experimental groups (i.e., PT [n = 23], SIT [n = 26] or SSGs [n = 24]) and completed two sessions per week for a total of 3 weeks. Meanwhile, the whole group maintained their habitual soccer-specific training program who do not interfere in the preparation of the season. Repeated sprint ability (RSA), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), and a 30-m sprint were assessed at baseline (PRE) and post-training (POST).Results: Performance in SSGs decreased for the average speed from 0 to 10 m (V0−10m; −0.84 km h−1, −4 ± 5%, p &lt; 0.001), the maximal distance (Dmax) covered in the 30-s RSA test (−3.65 m, −3 ± 6%, p &lt; 0.01) and MAS (−0.52 km h−1, −3 ± 6%, p &lt; 0.01). PT increased the mean distance (Dmean) covered in the 30-s RSA test (+5.98 m, 5 ± 4%, p &lt; 0.001) and MAS (+0.58 km h−1, 7 ± 5%, p &lt; 0.01) while an improvement of all parameters but the maximal sprint speed reached during the 30-m trip (Vmax) was found in the SIT group (V0−10m: +1.462 km h−1, 8 ± 5%, p &lt; 0.001; Dmax: +7.89 m, 6 ± 5%, p &lt; 0.001; Dmean: +8.69 m, 7 ± 5%, p &lt; 0.001 and MAS: +1.74 km h−1, 12 ± 8%, p &lt; 0.001). All SSG POST values were significantly lower than PT and SIT (p &lt; 0.01). Dmean and MAS in POST were also significantly higher in SIT than in the PT group (p &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: This study suggests that both PT and SIT could be a better alternative to SSGs to boost performances during preseason. Moreover, SIT seems to produce higher improvements in physical performances than PT.

Aerobic and Anaerobic Speed Predicts 800-m Running Performance in Young Recreational Runners

The main aim was to investigate the impact of maximal aerobic speed (MAS), maximal anaerobic speed (MANS), and time to exhaustion (TTE) at 130% MAS, on 800-m running time performance (800TT). A second aim was to investigate the impact of anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), i.e., the relative difference between MAS and MANS, on TTE. A total of 22 healthy students classified as recreational runners participated in a cross-sectional study. They were tested for maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), oxygen cost of running (CR), time performance at 100 m (100TT), time performance at 800 m (800TT), and TTE. MAS was calculated as VO2max × CR–1, and MANS was calculated as 100TT velocity. Both MAS and MANS correlated individually with 800TT (r = –0.74 and –0.67, respectively, p &lt; 0.01), and the product of MAS and MANS correlated strongly (r = –0.82, p &lt; 0.01) with 800TT. TTE did not correlate with 800TT. Both ASR and % MANS correlated strongly with TTE (r = 0.90 and –0.90, respectively, p &lt; 0.01). These results showed that 800TT was first and foremost dependent on MAS and MANS, and with no impact from TTE. It seemed that TTE was merely a product of each runner’s individual ASR. We suggest a simplified model of testing and training for 800TT, namely, by focusing on VO2max, CR, and short sprint velocity, i.e., MAS and MANS.

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

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.

Menstrual Cycle Phases Influence on Cardiorespiratory Response to Exercise in Endurance-Trained Females

The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of sex hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle on cardiorespiratory response to high-intensity interval exercise in athletes. Twenty-one eumenorrheic endurance-trained females performed an interval running protocol in three menstrual cycle phases: early-follicular phase (EFP), late-follicular phase (LFP) and mid-luteal phase (MLP). It consisted of 8 × 3-min bouts at 85% of their maximal aerobic speed with 90-s recovery at 30% of their maximal aerobic speed. To verify menstrual cycle phase, we applied a three-step method: calendar-based counting, urinary luteinizing hormone measurement and serum hormone analysis. Mixed-linear model for repeated measures showed menstrual cycle impact on ventilatory (EFP: 78.61 ± 11.09; LFP: 76.45 ± 11.37; MLP: 78.59 ± 13.43) and heart rate (EFP: 167.29 ± 11.44; LFP: 169.89 ± 10.62; MLP: 169.89 ± 11.35) response to high-intensity interval exercise (F2.59 = 4.300; p = 0.018 and F2.61 = 4.648; p = 0.013, respectively). Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory exchange ratio, breathing frequency, energy expenditure, relative perceived exertion and perceived readiness were unaltered by menstrual cycle phase. Most of the cardiorespiratory variables measured appear to be impassive by menstrual cycle phases throughout a high-intensity interval exercise in endurance-trained athletes. It seems that sex hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle are not high enough to disrupt tissues’ adjustments caused by the high-intensity exercise. Nevertheless, HR based training programs should consider menstrual cycle phase.

Physical fitness performance, playing position and competitive level attained by elite junior soccer players

The aim of this study was to look into the alleged impact of the physical fitness performance of elite junior soccer players on the professional career according to playing position. The physical tests (sprint test, countermovement jump [CMJ], and maximal aerobic speed [MAS]) performed by 165 players enrolled in the junior team of a Spanish 1st Division club (1998-2010) were evaluated. Players were classified as those who were promoted to the reserve team (Reserve Team) and those who were not (non-Reserve Team), and as those who were promoted to the Spanish 1st/2nd Divisions (PFL) and those who were not (NPFL) until the 2020-2021 season. Overall, no significant differences (p&gt;.05) were found between the Reserve Team and non-Reserve Team or between the PFL and NPFL players in neuromuscular performance. Aerobic fitness was greater (p&lt;.05; ES = .79 ± .60 , moderate; mean difference = 3.0%) for the Reserve Team lateral midfielders in comparison to that for the non-Reserve Team. The results suggest that the impact of physical fitness on the promotion of elite junior soccer players is limited.

Acute Cardiometabolic and Perceptual Responses to Individual and Group-Based Body-Weight Resistance Exercise in Girls

Girls’ acute responses to group-based high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) are not well characterized. Purpose: To compare acute responses to treadmill-based HIIE (TM) and body-weight resistance exercise circuit (CIRC) and to CIRC performed in a small-group setting (group CIRC). Method: Nineteen girls (9.1 [1.1] y) completed exercise testing on a TM to determine peak oxygen uptake, peak heart rate (HRpeak), and maximal aerobic speed. The TM involved eight 30-second sprints at 100% maximal aerobic speed. The CIRC consisted of 8 exercises of maximal repetitions performed for 30 seconds. Each exercise bout was followed by 30 seconds of active recovery. The blood lactate concentration was assessed preexercise and postexercise. The ratings of perceived exertion, affective valence, and enjoyment were recorded at preexercise, Intervals 3 and 6, and postexercise. Results: The mean heart rate was higher during group CIRC (92% [7%] HRpeak) than CIRC (86% [7%] HRpeak) and TM (85% [4%] HRpeak) ( = .49). The mean oxygen uptake equaled 76% (11%) of the peak oxygen uptake for CIRC and did not differ from TM (d = 0.02). The CIRC elicited a greater postexercise blood lactate concentration versus TM (5.8 [1.7] vs 1.4 [0.4] mM, d = 3.61). The perceptual responses were similar among conditions (P > .05), and only the rating of perceived exertion increased during exercise ( = .78). Conclusion: Whether performed individually or in a small group, CIRC represents HIIE and may be a feasible alternative to running-based HIIE.

Improving Utilization of Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Work Economy in Recreational Cross-Country Skiers With High-Intensity Double-Poling Intervals

Purpose: To investigate the effect of a double-poling (DP) high-intensity aerobic interval-training (HIT) intervention performed without increasing total HIT volume. This means that regular HIT training (eg, running) was replaced by HIT DP. The aim was to explore whether this intervention could improve peak oxygen uptake in DP, the fractional utilization of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in DP, oxygen cost of DP, maximal aerobic speed, and a 3-km DP time trial. Methods: Nine non-specially-DP-trained cross-country skiers (intervention group) and 9 national-level cross-country skiers (control group) were recruited. All participants were tested for VO2max in running, peak oxygen uptake in DP, oxygen cost of DP, and time-trial performance before and after a 6-wk, 3-times-per-week HIT DP intervention. The intervention group omitted all regular HIT with HIT in DP, leaving the total weekly amount of HIT unchanged. Results: Seven participants in each group completed the study. VO2max in running remained unchanged in both groups, whereas peak oxygen uptake in DP improved by 7.1% (P = .005) in the intervention group. The fractional utilization of VO2max in DP thus increased by 7.3% (P = .019), oxygen cost of DP by 9.2% (P = .047), maximal aerobic speed by 16.5% (P = .009), and time trial by 19.5% (P = .004) in the intervention group but remained unchanged in the control group. Conclusions: The results indicate that a 6-wk HIT DP intervention could be an effective model to improve DP-specific capacities, with maintenance of VO2max in running.