Introduktion. Handboll är en olympisk gren som spelas internationellt, men främst i Europa. Idrotten ställer höga krav på både aerob och anaerob metabolism. Syfte. Syftet med studien var att studera överensstämmelsen mellan Cooper Test (CT) och Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1) för unga handbollspelare. Dessutom om möjligt även studera spelpositionens betydelse för utfallet. Metod. 56 unga handbollsspelare bjöds in att deltaga i studien. Deltagarna utförde CT och YYIR1 och överensstämmelsen mellan testerna studerades med hjälp av Spearmans korrelationskoefficient (rs). Resultat. 11 män och 10 kvinnor deltog i studien. Resultatet visade på en god överensstämmelse mellan CT och YYIR1 för gruppen som helhet (rs = 0,79, p = < 0,001). Ingen slutsats kunde dras utifrån spelarnas position och resultaten av de båda testerna. Indelat efter kön skiljde sig överensstämmelsen för män (rs = 0,28, p = 0,4) och för kvinnor (rs = 0,61, p = 0,06). Slutsats. Överensstämmelsen mellan CT och YYIR1 var god på gruppnivå och därför skulle testerna kunna vara utbytbara. Men eftersom det fanns en tydlig skillnad mellan könen krävs större studier.

The potential to track changes in training status and fitness levels of especially team sport participants by making use of more time efficient and accessible methods such as heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR) cannot be overlooked and needs to be considered. However, studies that have investigated this aspect in team sport participants are scarce. It is against this background that the main objectives of this study were firstly, to determine the relationships between HRV and HRR as well as the fitness levels of a cohort of university-level rugby players. The second objective was to determine the validity of the BioForce Heart Rate Variability System to determine the HRV of a cohort of university-level rugby players. Twenty-four university-level rugby players (age: 20.1 ± 0.41 years; body stature: 182.7 ± 6.2 cm; body mass: 89.7 ± 12.7 kg) of a South African university’s Rugby Institute participated in the first part of the study. During the test day players’ fasting baseline HRV (baseline HRV) values were taken. This was followed by the measurement of the post-breakfast HRV (Pre-Yo-Yo IR1 HRV). Players were then required to perform the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) while they were fitted with a portable Cosmed K4b2 gas analyser apparatus and a Fix Polar Heart Rate Transmitter Belt. After completion of the test, HRR was taken on 1 and 3 minutes and followed by the measurement of HRV (Post-Yo-Yo IR1 HRV). For the second part of the study a group of twenty u/21 university-level rugby players (age: 20.06 ± 0.40 years; body stature: 181.8 ± 5.5 cm; body mass: 91.1 ± 10.7 kg) of a South African university’s Rugby Institute were recruited to participate in this study. HRV was measured simultaneously by the Actiheart monitor system as well as the BioForce Heart Rate Variability System over three times periods: during the morning in a fasting state just after players had woken up (baseline); in the morning just after the players ate breakfast (pre-anaerobic); after completion of a high-intensity anaerobic training session (post-anaerobic) and after completion of a 20 min recovery session (post-recovery). Significant correlations (p ≤ 0.05) were found between Pre-Yo-Yo IR1 HRV and heart rate (HR) at the respiratory compensation point (RCP-HR (bpm)) (r = -0.468) as well as oxygen uptake at the RCP (RCP- 2max VO (% of 2max VO )) (r = 0.476), respectively. A forward stepwise regression analysis showed that HR at ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1-HR (bpm)) contributed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) to the post-Yo-Yo IR1 HRV with a variance of 39.8%. Final Yo-Yo IR1 level also contributed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) to 3 minute post-Yo-Yo IR1 HRR with a variance of 16.5%. For the second part of the study the majority of significant relationships (p < 0.05) between the Actiheart and Bioforce obtained HRV results were observed for the post-recovery period (Mean RR, SDNN, RMSSD and Peak LF power), followed by the pre-anaerobic period (Mean R-R and SDNN) and the baseline period (LF:HF ratio). No significant relationships were observed between the HRV results of the two apparatuses during the post-anaerobic period. In conclusion, HRV and HRR may have the potential to act as affordable and easy measurement tools of team sport participants’ fitness levels. However, the study results suggested that the BioForce Heart Rate Variability System that is used to obtain team sport participants’ HRV is especially valid to determine HRV after recovery periods that follow hard training sessions. The results do however cast a shadow of doubt over the accuracy of this apparatus when used directly after hard training sessions. / MSc (Sport Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Title Analysis of the endurance indicators in selected tests in relation to continuous and intermittent loading Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of the prediction formulas for indirect estimation VO2max from performances in the field tests. The criterion for comparing estimated values were results from laboratory spiroergometry test. Methods Ten physically active males (24,5 ± 2,5 years, 179,5 ± 6,2 cm, 75,8 ± 4,9 kg, BMI 23,5 ± 1,3 kg/m2 ) performed four different test sessions. Laboratory treadmill test was used for the direct measurement of the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and three field tests for indirect estimation of the VO2max (Cooper test, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 and 2). All the performances from field tests were calculated using prediction formulas. Results Directly measured values of VO2max during laboratory testing were in average 58,24 ± 2,77 ml.kg-1 .min-1 . Indirectly estimated values of VO2max from performances in the Cooper test were in average 61,15 ± 3,73 ml.kg-1 .min-1 , in Yo-Yo IRT1 52,46 ± 2,51 ml.kg-1 .min-1 and in Yo-Yo IRT2 53,19 ± 1,56 ml.kg-1 .min-1 . There was found large positive correlation between laboratory testing and Cooper test (r = 0,76). This correlation was the only one statistically significant. The...

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 4 week respiratory muscle training (RMT) on intermittent recovery performance, pulmonary functions and maximum oxygen consumption capacity (Vo2max) of young soccer players. Eighteen young soccer player who were playing in the Turkey PAF League (league for candidate professional soccer players) from Hacettepe Sports Club with a mean age of 18.4 &plusmn / 0.8 years (ranging from 17 to 19 years) and 8.5 &plusmn / 0.7 (ranging from 7 to 9 years) years experience in soccer participated. Players&rsquo / weekly metabolic equivalent score (MET) was 120. Their maximum oxygen consumption (Vo2max) on a treadmill, pulmonary function with a spirometer, and recovery performance with a yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 2 were measured and then they were randomly assigned into two groups as either RMT (n = 9) or control (n = 9). The RMT group continued both their regular training and RMT treatment with a commercially available powerlung sport respiratory muscle trainer (Powerlung Inc., TX, and USA) for 4 weeks. The control group only continued with their regular training. After completing 4 week RMT implementation (composed of 30 sets of inhalation, two times a day, 5 days of the week), the same tests were performed in order to see the v effects of 4 week RMT treatment on selected parameters mentioned above. Findings of this study indicated that 4 week of RMT treatment significantly improved (% 39) yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 2 performances of the RMT group from pre to post test measurements when compared to subjects in the control group. However, there were no significant improvements in both RMT and control group&rsquo / s Vo2max capacity, Vital capacity (VC), Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow (FEV1.0) and Peak expiratory flow performances (PEF). As a conclusion, 4 week of RMT implementation improves the intermittent recovery performance of young soccer players.

The potential to track changes in training status and fitness levels of especially team sport participants by making use of more time efficient and accessible methods such as heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR) cannot be overlooked and needs to be considered. However, studies that have investigated this aspect in team sport participants are scarce. It is against this background that the main objectives of this study were firstly, to determine the relationships between HRV and HRR as well as the fitness levels of a cohort of university-level rugby players. The second objective was to determine the validity of the BioForce Heart Rate Variability System to determine the HRV of a cohort of university-level rugby players. Twenty-four university-level rugby players (age: 20.1 ± 0.41 years; body stature: 182.7 ± 6.2 cm; body mass: 89.7 ± 12.7 kg) of a South African university’s Rugby Institute participated in the first part of the study. During the test day players’ fasting baseline HRV (baseline HRV) values were taken. This was followed by the measurement of the post-breakfast HRV (Pre-Yo-Yo IR1 HRV). Players were then required to perform the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) while they were fitted with a portable Cosmed K4b2 gas analyser apparatus and a Fix Polar Heart Rate Transmitter Belt. After completion of the test, HRR was taken on 1 and 3 minutes and followed by the measurement of HRV (Post-Yo-Yo IR1 HRV). For the second part of the study a group of twenty u/21 university-level rugby players (age: 20.06 ± 0.40 years; body stature: 181.8 ± 5.5 cm; body mass: 91.1 ± 10.7 kg) of a South African university’s Rugby Institute were recruited to participate in this study. HRV was measured simultaneously by the Actiheart monitor system as well as the BioForce Heart Rate Variability System over three times periods: during the morning in a fasting state just after players had woken up (baseline); in the morning just after the players ate breakfast (pre-anaerobic); after completion of a high-intensity anaerobic training session (post-anaerobic) and after completion of a 20 min recovery session (post-recovery). Significant correlations (p ≤ 0.05) were found between Pre-Yo-Yo IR1 HRV and heart rate (HR) at the respiratory compensation point (RCP-HR (bpm)) (r = -0.468) as well as oxygen uptake at the RCP (RCP- 2max VO (% of 2max VO )) (r = 0.476), respectively. A forward stepwise regression analysis showed that HR at ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1-HR (bpm)) contributed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) to the post-Yo-Yo IR1 HRV with a variance of 39.8%. Final Yo-Yo IR1 level also contributed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) to 3 minute post-Yo-Yo IR1 HRR with a variance of 16.5%. For the second part of the study the majority of significant relationships (p < 0.05) between the Actiheart and Bioforce obtained HRV results were observed for the post-recovery period (Mean RR, SDNN, RMSSD and Peak LF power), followed by the pre-anaerobic period (Mean R-R and SDNN) and the baseline period (LF:HF ratio). No significant relationships were observed between the HRV results of the two apparatuses during the post-anaerobic period. In conclusion, HRV and HRR may have the potential to act as affordable and easy measurement tools of team sport participants’ fitness levels. However, the study results suggested that the BioForce Heart Rate Variability System that is used to obtain team sport participants’ HRV is especially valid to determine HRV after recovery periods that follow hard training sessions. The results do however cast a shadow of doubt over the accuracy of this apparatus when used directly after hard training sessions. / MSc (Sport Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Syftet med denna studie var att analysera vilken del av försäsongsträningens två cykler som påverkade styrka och explosivitet i nedre extremitet, accelerationsförmåga, agility och anaerob uthållighet genom att sammanställa dessa egenskaper hos kvinnliga elitfotbollsspelare, för att därefter kunna utvärdera om försäsongsträningen förbättrade dessa egenskaper. Tester som kunnat påvisa viktiga och avgörande fysiska kvalitéer hos elitfotbollsspelarevaldes ut och dessa genomfördes vid tre tillfällen; före, under och efter försäsongsträningen. Testerna var; knäböj, vertikalhopp, 15 m sprint, T-test och YO-YO Intermittent Återhämtningstest (YO-YO IÅ).Studien innefattade 24 damfotbollsspelare på elitnivå från alla spelarpositioner. Till den andra testomgången observerades en signifikant förbättring av styrka, agility och anaerob uthållighet. Vid de andra testerna observerades ingen skillnad. Första delen av försäsongsträningen utvecklade till viss del spelarna åt rätt håll genom en förbättring av styrkan i nedre extremiteten. Den signifikanta förbättringen i agility och anaerob uthållighet kom lite för tidigt, det vill säga under den första cykeln avförsäsongsträningen, vilket hade varit mer önskvärt efter den andra cykeln. Detta innebär attandra viktiga egenskaper kan ha försummats. / The purpose of this study was to analyze which part of the pre-season trainings two cycles that affected strength and power in lower extremities, acceleration, agility and anaerobic endurance by compiling these abilities of a female elite soccer player team, and then evaluate whether the pre-season training improved these abilities. Tests that could prove important and crucial physical qualities in elite soccer players were selected and then performed on three occasions; before, during and after the pre-seasontraining. The selected tests were; squat, vertical jump, 15 m sprint, T-test and YO-YO Intermittent Recovery Test (YO-YO IR). The study included 24 female elite soccer playersfrom all playing positions. A significant improvement in strength, agility and anaerobic endurance were measured in the second test round. In the other tests there were no difference observed. The first cycle of the pre-season training partly developed the players in the right direction, which the significant improvement in strength revealed. The significant improvement in the agility and anaerobic endurance occurred a little too early, it would have been more beneficial after the second cycle. This means that other important qualities might have been neglected.