No description available.

No description available.

Purpose: The aims of these studies were to examine the effects of wearing different grades of graduated compression stockings (GCS) on performance, physiological, and perceptual measures before, during, and after exercise in well-trained runners. Method: Two separate running studies were conducted where participants wore different grades of GCS compared with a placebo control stocking in random, counter-balanced order: (1) a field study focussed on a series of 10-km running performances on a 400m track; (2) a laboratory study that examined the effects of 40-min treadmill running on physiological, perceptual, and muscle function responses. Changes in muscle function and damage were determined pre- and post-run by measuring creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin (Mb) concentrations, counter-movement jump (CMJ) height, muscle soreness, and pressure sensitivity. Physiological measurements of heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (V&O2), blood lactate concentration [La], and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during running. Pre- and post-run perceptual scales assessed comfort, tightness and pain associated with wearing GCS. Results: There were no significant differences in 10-km run time, mean HR, V&O2, [La], and RPE for participants wearing different GCS in (1) and (2) (P<0.05). Con and Low were rated most comfortable (P<0.05) and Hi were tightest (P<0.05) and induced more pain (P<0.05) when GCS were compared in both studies. CMJ was better in participants wearing Low and Med GCS post-run compared with Con in (1) and for Con and all GCS at 0 h post-exercise in (2). CK and Mb levels were higher (P<0.05) and pressure sensitivity was more pronounced (P<0.05) at 0 h post-run for Con and all GCS (2). Few participants (4/10) reported muscle soreness at any one location in (2). Conclusions: Well-trained runners did not experience improved performance, physiological, or perceptual responses when wearing different grades of GCS during 10- km track or 40 min treadmill running compared with a control garment. 40 min treadmill running at 80% V&O2 max may not be strenuous enough to elicit a loss of muscle function in well-trained runners. Runners felt more comfortable wearing GCS that had less compression.

Background: Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a mild central nervous system stimulant that when consumed at a high dosage has the potential to alter physiological and psychophysical responses. PSE is widely accessible as over-the-counter medication and despite limited research into PSE at high dosages or its effects on prolonged exercise (>2 hours) is no-longer on the World Anti-Doping Association’s banned substance list. Currently unrestricted in sport and with no real understanding of the abovementioned responses during endurance exercise there is a high potential for abuse in sport. A recent study performed in our laboratory found PSE to improve self-paced cycling performance in some individuals, however no physiological measurements were taken Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the physiological effects of PSE at a dosage previously shown to improve performance (2.5 mg/kg) in some individuals during prolonged cycling. A secondary purpose of this study was to assess the effect on endurance cycling performance. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind and counter-balanced design, ten welltrained cyclists participated in two trials, consisting of 120 min of fixed-intensity cycling at 65% VO2max followed by a set work, self-paced time-trial (TT) of ~30 min, following ingestion of either 2.5 mg/kg PSE or visual-matched glucose placebo. Venous blood samples were collected before and during exercise, along with body temperatures and heart rate. Perceived effort and expired gas samples were collected during exercise. Exercise and diet was controlled ~48-hours prior to the trials. Results: Mean heart rate was significantly higher with PSE (P = 0.028) during fixed-intensity exercise. Blood glucose concentrations were significantly lower with PSE (P <0.001) for the first 40 min of fixed-intensity exercise. Respiratory exchange ratio was lower in the final 20-min of fixed-intensity and TT with PSE. Blood lactate, perceived effort, ventilation, and body temperatures were not significantly different between conditions during exercise, nor was TT performance; however individual response was variable. Conclusions: PSE ingestion increased heart rate during endurance cycling and initially suppressed carbohydrate release into the bloodstream while increasing fat oxidation in the later stages of exercise. Despite individual responses, endurance cycling performance remained unchanged with PSE ingestion.

Background: Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a mild central nervous system stimulant that when consumed at a high dosage has the potential to alter physiological and psychophysical responses. PSE is widely accessible as over-the-counter medication and despite limited research into PSE at high dosages or its effects on prolonged exercise (>2 hours) is no-longer on the World Anti-Doping Association’s banned substance list. Currently unrestricted in sport and with no real understanding of the abovementioned responses during endurance exercise there is a high potential for abuse in sport. A recent study performed in our laboratory found PSE to improve self-paced cycling performance in some individuals, however no physiological measurements were taken Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the physiological effects of PSE at a dosage previously shown to improve performance (2.5 mg/kg) in some individuals during prolonged cycling. A secondary purpose of this study was to assess the effect on endurance cycling performance. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind and counter-balanced design, ten welltrained cyclists participated in two trials, consisting of 120 min of fixed-intensity cycling at 65% VO2max followed by a set work, self-paced time-trial (TT) of ~30 min, following ingestion of either 2.5 mg/kg PSE or visual-matched glucose placebo. Venous blood samples were collected before and during exercise, along with body temperatures and heart rate. Perceived effort and expired gas samples were collected during exercise. Exercise and diet was controlled ~48-hours prior to the trials. Results: Mean heart rate was significantly higher with PSE (P = 0.028) during fixed-intensity exercise. Blood glucose concentrations were significantly lower with PSE (P <0.001) for the first 40 min of fixed-intensity exercise. Respiratory exchange ratio was lower in the final 20-min of fixed-intensity and TT with PSE. Blood lactate, perceived effort, ventilation, and body temperatures were not significantly different between conditions during exercise, nor was TT performance; however individual response was variable. Conclusions: PSE ingestion increased heart rate during endurance cycling and initially suppressed carbohydrate release into the bloodstream while increasing fat oxidation in the later stages of exercise. Despite individual responses, endurance cycling performance remained unchanged with PSE ingestion.

Background: Due to the unique demands of the sport, athletes playing football perform a variety of differing training methods to improve physiological performance. These include strength, endurance and sprint training. While the effects of strength and endurance training have been well researched, the effects of repeated-sprint training on blood and muscle variables in well trained males and females are not well known. An understanding of changes to the blood and muscle during and following an exercise bout are important, so to gain an understanding of the type of stress and resulting adaptations that may occur. Also, while a large volume of research in training adaptations has been performed on males; little has been done on females. To date, some research indicates metabolism during moderateintensity exercise may differ between males and females; however, no study has compared repeated-sprint exercise. Therefore, it is unclear as to whether males and females would have a differing physiological response to repeated-sprint training. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a repeated-sprint bout on molecular signalling in muscle and blood measures and heart rate in well-trained footballers. Additionally, we compared running times and sprint decrement (%). Research Design: Eight female senior University football players (Mean ± SD, age, 19 ± 1 y, VO ? 2peak 53.0 ± 5.1 ml·kg-1min-1) and seven male senior University football players (Mean ± SD, age, 19 ± 3 y, VO ? 2peak 59.0 ± 6.6 ml·kg-1min-1) volunteered to participate in this study. Participants performed four bouts of 6 x 30 m maximal sprints spread equally over a 40 min period. Sprint time was measured (at 30 m) for each sprint and sprint decrement was also calculated for all bouts. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle at rest, 15 min following exercise and 2 h into recovery. Venous blood samples were taken at the same time points as the biopsies while capillary blood lactate was measured at rest and 3 min following each sprint bout. Repeated measures ANOVA and Post hoc t-tests were performed to determine significant differences between the two groups (male vs. female) and time points. Findings: Both groups had a significant (P<0.05) increase in blood lactate (mM) after the first bout of repeated sprints, with no differences between females (pre 0.9 ± 0.4 mM – post 10.0 ± 1.6 mM) and males (pre 0.8 ± 0.3 mM – post 10.0 ± 3.5 mM). Blood lactate remained elevated compared to rest (P<0.05) following bouts 2, 3 and 4 for both females (12.0 ± 3.6, 12.0 ± 3.3, 12.2 ± 3.8 mM respectively) and males (11.9 ± 2.9, 11.6 ± 2.3, 11.5 ± 4.0 mM respectively), with no differences between groups or time points (P>0.05). There were no differences (P>0.05) between the female and male athletes in mean heart rate attained at the end of each bout of repeated sprints (187 ± 2 v 190 ± 2 bpm respectively) or during recovery between sprints (140 ± 2 v 130 ± 2 bpm respectively). There were no differences between groups or time points in blood insulin (P>0.05). Fastest 30 m sprint time and mean 30 m sprint time during the repeated-sprint bout was faster for the males than females (4.58 ± 0.12 v 5.26 ± 0.27 s respectively; (P>0.05)). However, there were no differences in running velocity during the sprints between the males and females (165 ± 0.4 % vs. 155 ± 0.05 %; P>0.05) when expressed relative to velocity at VO ? 2peak (vVO ? 2peak). Also, mean % decrement during the repeated-sprint bout was lower in the males then females (4.9 ± 1.3 v 7.1 ± 1.9 % respectively; P<0.05). No changes were observed in total or phosphorylated Akt at any time-point or between genders. However, while total 4E-BP1 was lower, the ratio of total to phosphoryalated 4E-BP1 at rest was greater in males than females (P<0.05). Finally, there was also a significant decrease in 4E-BP1 phosphorylation post-exercise in males (P<0.05), but not females. Conclusions: There were no sex differences in blood lactate or heart rate throughout the repeated-sprint bout. These findings suggest that there were no cardio respiratory or lactate production/clearance differences in the response to a repeated-sprint-training bout between sexes. However, while males were faster than their female counterparts, the average relative speed was similar between sexes, suggesting a similar relative volume of work was performed during the sprint bouts. However, the females did have a greater decrement in sprint performance indicating a greater ability to recover sprint performance in the males. Sex differences in resting total and phosphorylated 4E-BP1 may indicate greater potential for muscle growth in the male athletes during basal conditions. However, differences could be due to factors other than sex, including previous training history. There was a lack of change in plasma insulin or Akt, but, similar to resistance exercise, a significant decrease in post-exercise 4E-BP1 phosphorylation for the males, but not females. The sex differences in the 4E-BP1 phosphorylation response post-exercise could be due to differences in the metabolic disturbance in the muscle during and following maximal sprints. Keywords: blood lactate, heart rate, muscle

Background: Due to the unique demands of the sport, athletes playing football perform a variety of differing training methods to improve physiological performance. These include strength, endurance and sprint training. While the effects of strength and endurance training have been well researched, the effects of repeated-sprint training on blood and muscle variables in well trained males and females are not well known. An understanding of changes to the blood and muscle during and following an exercise bout are important, so to gain an understanding of the type of stress and resulting adaptations that may occur. Also, while a large volume of research in training adaptations has been performed on males; little has been done on females. To date, some research indicates metabolism during moderateintensity exercise may differ between males and females; however, no study has compared repeated-sprint exercise. Therefore, it is unclear as to whether males and females would have a differing physiological response to repeated-sprint training. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a repeated-sprint bout on molecular signalling in muscle and blood measures and heart rate in well-trained footballers. Additionally, we compared running times and sprint decrement (%). Research Design: Eight female senior University football players (Mean ± SD, age, 19 ± 1 y, VO ? 2peak 53.0 ± 5.1 ml·kg-1min-1) and seven male senior University football players (Mean ± SD, age, 19 ± 3 y, VO ? 2peak 59.0 ± 6.6 ml·kg-1min-1) volunteered to participate in this study. Participants performed four bouts of 6 x 30 m maximal sprints spread equally over a 40 min period. Sprint time was measured (at 30 m) for each sprint and sprint decrement was also calculated for all bouts. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle at rest, 15 min following exercise and 2 h into recovery. Venous blood samples were taken at the same time points as the biopsies while capillary blood lactate was measured at rest and 3 min following each sprint bout. Repeated measures ANOVA and Post hoc t-tests were performed to determine significant differences between the two groups (male vs. female) and time points. Findings: Both groups had a significant (P<0.05) increase in blood lactate (mM) after the first bout of repeated sprints, with no differences between females (pre 0.9 ± 0.4 mM – post 10.0 ± 1.6 mM) and males (pre 0.8 ± 0.3 mM – post 10.0 ± 3.5 mM). Blood lactate remained elevated compared to rest (P<0.05) following bouts 2, 3 and 4 for both females (12.0 ± 3.6, 12.0 ± 3.3, 12.2 ± 3.8 mM respectively) and males (11.9 ± 2.9, 11.6 ± 2.3, 11.5 ± 4.0 mM respectively), with no differences between groups or time points (P>0.05). There were no differences (P>0.05) between the female and male athletes in mean heart rate attained at the end of each bout of repeated sprints (187 ± 2 v 190 ± 2 bpm respectively) or during recovery between sprints (140 ± 2 v 130 ± 2 bpm respectively). There were no differences between groups or time points in blood insulin (P>0.05). Fastest 30 m sprint time and mean 30 m sprint time during the repeated-sprint bout was faster for the males than females (4.58 ± 0.12 v 5.26 ± 0.27 s respectively; (P>0.05)). However, there were no differences in running velocity during the sprints between the males and females (165 ± 0.4 % vs. 155 ± 0.05 %; P>0.05) when expressed relative to velocity at VO ? 2peak (vVO ? 2peak). Also, mean % decrement during the repeated-sprint bout was lower in the males then females (4.9 ± 1.3 v 7.1 ± 1.9 % respectively; P<0.05). No changes were observed in total or phosphorylated Akt at any time-point or between genders. However, while total 4E-BP1 was lower, the ratio of total to phosphoryalated 4E-BP1 at rest was greater in males than females (P<0.05). Finally, there was also a significant decrease in 4E-BP1 phosphorylation post-exercise in males (P<0.05), but not females. Conclusions: There were no sex differences in blood lactate or heart rate throughout the repeated-sprint bout. These findings suggest that there were no cardio respiratory or lactate production/clearance differences in the response to a repeated-sprint-training bout between sexes. However, while males were faster than their female counterparts, the average relative speed was similar between sexes, suggesting a similar relative volume of work was performed during the sprint bouts. However, the females did have a greater decrement in sprint performance indicating a greater ability to recover sprint performance in the males. Sex differences in resting total and phosphorylated 4E-BP1 may indicate greater potential for muscle growth in the male athletes during basal conditions. However, differences could be due to factors other than sex, including previous training history. There was a lack of change in plasma insulin or Akt, but, similar to resistance exercise, a significant decrease in post-exercise 4E-BP1 phosphorylation for the males, but not females. The sex differences in the 4E-BP1 phosphorylation response post-exercise could be due to differences in the metabolic disturbance in the muscle during and following maximal sprints. Keywords: blood lactate, heart rate, muscle

The aim of this study was to measure the degree of dehydration experienced during surf practice and examine the effect this might have on surfing performance, cognitive function and muscular endurance of elite surfers. Twelve male national and international level surfers volunteered to take part in the study. Their mean (± SD) age, body mass, height and surfing experience were 27.0 ± 3.3 years, 73.2 ± 7.1 kg, 1.7 ± 0.05 m and 21.0 ± 3.1 years, respectively. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two trials: no fluid ingestion (NF) or fluid ingestion (FI) during 100 min of surf practice in a steamer wetsuit. The experiment was designed to emulate not only the physical and cognitive demands of surfing but also the ambient environment in which it takes place. Before and immediately after surf practice, the participants had their hydration status measured, completed a cognitive test battery and upper and lower-body muscular endurance tests. Surfing performance was assessed during the first and last 20 min of practice. At the conclusion of the NF trial, participants showed a 3.9 ± 0.7% body mass (BM) loss, this was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than the 1.6 ± 0.7% BM loss seen at the end of the FI trial. In the NF trial, surfing performance decreased by 20.3 ± 7.1%, but showed a slight improvement in the FI trial (1.9 ± 10.2%). Of the six cognitive domains assessed (short-term memory, information processing speed, working memory, attention, visuomotor skill and visual acuity) all were significantly impaired when at a 3.9 ± 0.7% BM loss (P < 0.05) yet were unaffected at a 1.6 ± 0.7% BM loss. Information processing speed and working memory were the most strongly correlated to surfing performance (r = 0.74; P < 0.05). At the conclusion of the NF trial upper and lower-body muscular endurance were diminished by 21.2 ± 5.5% and 4.4 ± 5.8%, respectively. At the conclusion of the FI trial upper-body muscular endurance was reduced by 17.0 ± 4.1% while lower-body muscular endurance was marginally better (1 ± 3%). There was a significant difference in muscular endurance capacity between trials yet no significant correlation was observed between muscular endurance and surfing performance. The findings of this study suggest that surf practice for 100 min in a steamer wetsuit results in BM loss severe enough to significantly impair surfing performance, cognitive function and muscular endurance. Yet, when water is consumed during surf practice, surfing performance, cognitive function and lower body (but not upper-body) muscular endurance is maintained. Keywords: fluid ingestion, surf training, steamer wetsuit, hypohydration.

Systematische Forschungen zum Schulsport bei Nutzung und Verknüpfung unterschiedlicher disziplinärer Zugänge sind durchaus möglich wenn bestimmte Rahmenbedingungen von den zuständigen Landesministerien geschaffen werden und die Wissenschaftler – in der Regel Sportwissenschaftler aus verschiedenen sportwissenschaftlichen Teildisziplinen – problemgeleitet, anwendungsorientiert und berufsfeldbezogen mit den Vertretern der Schulsportpraxis und den Schulverwaltungen zusammenarbeiten. Auf diesem Wege ist eine forschungsbasierte und wissenschaftlich begleitete Schulsportentwicklung effektiv und zielführend realisierbar. Der vorliegende Tagungsband der am 01. Dezember 2011 in Dresden durchgeführten Fachtagung enthält Beiträge von 21 Autoren, die sich u. a. mit der übergreifenden Schulentwicklung und der fachlich konkreten Schulsportentwicklung im Kontext der Qualitätsdebatte, der motorischen Entwicklung und der motorischen Leistungsfähigkeit von Kindern unter Beachtung der verschiedenen schulischen Bedingungen und außerschulischer Einflussfaktoren sowie mit der hochaktuellen Debatte zur schulpolitischen und schulpraktischen Umsetzung von Integrations- und Inklusionsmaßnahmen im Rahmen einer zeitgemäßen Schul- und Schulsportentwicklung auseinandersetzen.

The aim of the research described in this thesis is to improve our understanding of how the central nervous system (CNS) integrates feedback information from different sensory modalities to permit skill acquisition, and the subsequent consolidation of that skill, when exposed to a novel visuomotor environment. Indeed, such adaptation must be consolidated and recalled when appropriate such that we do not have to continually relearn skills we once possessed. By manipulating the sensory feedback available from the visual and proprioceptive systems during learning, it is possible to determine those facets of the sensory feedback that are essential for adaptation to occur. The thesis consists of seven chapters. The first and last provide a conceptual basis for, and an overall discussion of, the research. Chapter 2 reviews current visuomotor adaptation research, with particular focus on the manner in which information about novel tasks is stored within the CNS as we adapt, and the sensory information that is necessary to allow this adaptation to occur. Furthermore, this chapter serves to introduce many of the experimental techniques that are used to investigate motor learning in humans. Chapter 3 is a report of an investigation of the issues of interference and consolidation in an isometric target acquisition task. Exposure to a 30° counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation was followed by a period of rest, trials with no rotation, or trials with a 60° clockwise (CW) rotation. Retention of the initial adaptation was assessed 5 hours later. Full interference was manifested in circumstances in which either counter-rotated or non-rotated trials were encountered following the initial learning period. These results are consistent with the view that the observed interference is anterograde in nature, and highlight differences in the mechanisms employed by the CNS when compensating for novel kinematics (e.g. visuomotor rotations) compared with adapting to novel dynamics (e.g. external forces). Chapter 4 is a report of an investigation of the role of visual feedback in adapting to novel visuomotor environments in an isometric target acquisition task. Following trials with no rotation, participants adapted to a 60° CCW visuomotor rotation before returning to the non-rotated condition. Separate groups received either continuous visual feedback (CF) of cursor position during task execution or post-trial visual feedback (PF), both indicating task performance. One CF group were instructed to make any (feedback) modifications necessary during the task to reduce errors and acquire the target, while another CF group were instructed to make uncorrected, ballistic movements. Colour cues permitted the identification of the task environment (nonrotated/ rotated) on every trial. The results indicate that an automatic recalibration of the visuomotor mapping occurs when CF is provided, and suggest that performance improvements with PF may occur via the adoption of a cognitively mediated strategy. Furthermore, execution of feedback motor commands to correct errors did not enhance the adaptation that occurred when CF was provided, indicating that the perception of sensory errors (and not feedback commands that may be applied to reduce those errors) drives feedforward visuomotor adaptation. To investigate whether additional proprioceptive feedback associated with movement altered the adaptation patterns observed in chapter 4, a study similar to that reported in chapter 4 was undertaken, and is reported in chapter 5. In this instance a discrete, goaldirected, movement task replaced the isometric task. Subjects were deprived of vision of their arm, but were provided with PF or CF indicating task performance. The patterns of adaptation noted in the isometric task were also exhibited in this dynamic task, indicating that the timing of the visual feedback of task performance has a profound effect on how performance improvements in a novel visuomotor rotation occur. The experiment reported in Chapter 6 assessed the ability to adapt to two conflicting visuomotor rotations interleaved within the same training period, when each task variant (rotation) could be identified by contextual (colour) cues. While full dual adaptation was not observed, the results suggest that the colour cues may have been utilised to explicitly select distinct motor commands for each task rotation.