Anaerobic Endurance Research Articles

The impact of fatigue on agility and responsiveness in boxing

Summary Study aim: To assess the effects of fatigue on agility and responsiveness in boxing. Material and methods: Agroup of 20 amateur boxers aged 14–45 years participated in the study. Ditrich’s test and acomputer test, both measuring the speed of reaction to avisual stimulus, as well as agility run and 4 × 10 m shuttle run with carrying blocks, both measuring agility, were performed. Running agility and reaction speed were measured at 3levels of fatigue expressed by the heart rates. The capacity to maintain the highest possible level of measured variables was assessed by applying the performance index (PI) (mean value of three or four (in the case of Ditrich’s test) repetitions to the maximum one). Student’s t-test for dependent data and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used in data analysis, the level p ≤ 0.05 being considered significant. Results: Both running agility and responsiveness markedly decreased with mounting fatigue, e.g. running speed from 1.73 ± 0.12 m/s to 1.55 ± 0.11 m/s. Conclusion: Developing anaerobic endurance would markedly improve agility skills and speed of reaction to external stimuli. Measuring the performance index (PI) from short, maximal, repeated exertions spaced with constant intermissions may be a valuable tool in directing training activities towards development of selected elements of boxers’ physical fitness.

The Influence of Creatine Use on Performance of Swimmers

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of creatine use on the performance of swimmers. The existing literature was reviewed. The studies were presented in tables. It was found that most of the studies on creatine use in swimming branch were on single sprint performance, repeated interval swimming set performance and increase in strength. Increases were found in maximal swimming time and recovery capacity. 1,52% performance increase was found in sprint swims. Increases between 2-8% were found in total work performance. There were also studies which did not report any effect of creatine on performance. One of the reasons why such studies did not report any effects is insufficient creatine loading. In swimmers who use creatine, the effects are generally seen in fat-free body weight, total body weight and amount of body water. In controlled studies conducted on swimmers, both plasma concentration increase and elevation of total creatine amount in muscles can occur with creatine supplement intake (daily about 20 gr). This increase can be positively reflected in performance. It can contribute to swimmers’ aerobic and anaerobic endurance of upper and lower extremities, sprint running and sprint swim speed, maximal strength and strength continuity and recovery speed in-between repeats and post-training. Its use should be conducted in normal doses under physician control.

Features of a functional state and special working capacity, highly skilled athletes, taking into account type of the vegetative regulation of a cordial rhythm

The results of research of high-speed, speed-strength abilities and special anaerobic endurance in highly skilled male and female athletes are presented. It is established, that the indices of physical working capacity depend on the type of vegetative regulation of the heart rhythm. Athletes (male and women), who have the same level of skill with moderate dominance of central mechanisms vegetative regulation of a cordial rhythm, significantly higher speed-strength indicators. In particular, for men, with moderate dominance of central mechanisms vegetative regulation of a cordial rhythm (1 type), during the work in the anaerobic mode, gather higher speed, which on 4,1% is statistically higher in comparison with athletes with moderate domination of the autonomous mechanism of regulation of a cordial rhythm (3 type). At the same time, the time of achievement of frequency of rotation of pedals of a veloergometer, equal 70% of the maximum size, they on 3% (р0,05) less. The women, with the 1 type of a regulation of a cordial rhythm, indicators of absolute, average and relative power (р0,05) on 1,6; 2,6 and 8,9 higher. With an increase in the duration of anaerobic work, the indices of special endurance are statistically reliably higher in athletes with moderate dominance of the autonomous regulatory mechanism. For example, for men, the indicator of total work power on 4,2% higher, and indicators of maximum, average and relative power by 2,4;2,9 and 1,9%, respectively (p0,05). The women, with type III multiple scores, the rates were significantly higher by 3,2; 4,2;4,1; 3,6%, respectively (p0,05).

The Alteration of Young Boxers’ Athletic and Special Physical Fitness during the First Year of their Physical Training

The goal of this study was to analyze the alteration of young boxers’ athletic and special physical fitness during the annual cycle of their initial training. Research methods: literature review, experiment, testing, comparative analysis, and mathematical statistics. The sample consisted of 14 persons, who were training boxing for one year. The average age of the boxers was 14.9 ± 0.6 years. The duration of the experiment was 10 months (from September till June). The young boxers were training 1—1.5 hours 5 times per week according to the program which was made for them. The training program of one alternative was applied in the experiment. The initial training program contained 24.6% of athletic training, 27.6% of specialphysical training, 28.5% of technical training, and 19.3% of tactical training. The testing of the boxers was performed three times: the first testing was in October, the second one — in February, and the third one — in June. The following training means were used for the young boxers’ athletic training program: physical exercises on the special equipment, exercises with partner, exercises with weights (dumbbells), short distance running, point-to-point running, various jumps, throwing of the stuffed ball, various games. The main means for the young boxers’ special training were imitation exercises, exercises with a rope and lawn tennis balls, exercises at the boxing bags, straight and side thrusts to the boxing bag, defense exercises, thrust imitation using the dumbbells and the stuffed balls. During the annual cycle of the initial training there was a minor alteration in the indexes of the young boxers’ body composition: their height, body weight and Ketle index increased (p < 0.05), while the amount of the fat (%) within the body and the body weight index changed very little (p > 0.05). The strength of the sportsmen’s right hand palm was always bigger than the strength of the left hand palm. The boxers’ athletic and special physical fitness improved (p < 0.05) during one year of their initial training. The boxers’ speed, explosive strength, anaerobic glicolitic endurance, hand strength endurance and flexibility indexes increased significantly (p < 0.05). The strength of the single side thrusts with the front hand to the boxing bag increased from 106.3 ± 7.5 kg to 127.6 ± 8.15 kg (p < 0,05). The strength of the single thrusts with the straight hand increased from 135.2 ± 7.43 kg to 158.5 ± 6.74 kg (p < 0.05). The amount of the thrusts of the examined boxers during the period of 8 sec increased (p < 0.05) in each testing period and at the end of the experiment, the average amount of the boxers’ thrusts in 8 s was 43.5 ± 2.9. The training program, determined for one alternative experiment significantly improved the preparation of young boxers and did not harm their health. During the annual preparation cycle the athletic and special physical fitness of the boxers improved. The implementation of this experimental program made a positive influence on the alteration of the body composition indices of the young boxers.Keywords: athletic training, special physical training, boxing bag, energy input, total energy, total strength

Male Academy rugby union student-athletes in-season physical anthropometrical and physical performance changes, and comparisons with available data


 Background: Physical performance demands of the rugby union (RU) game have increased over the past two decades. However, there are little data on these variables concentrating on developing RU players (student-athletes) over a competitive season. 
 Objectives: To investigate the potential enhancement of two physical anthropometrical and nine physical performance variables of male New Zealand RU Academy student-athletes over a competitive season and compare with similar published data. 
 Methods: Twenty student-athletes were recruited to the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) two-year Academy Programme. Each week the student-athletes engaged in 25 hours of strength and conditioning training and participated in 15 hours of on-field rugby training with their respective ORFU Premier League team. Assessments sessions were scheduled for the start of the season, in-season, and pre-play-offs (week 31). 
 Results: Mean data from 20 student-athletes demonstrated a trivial effect size (ES) increase in body weight and skinfold measurements, while a paired t-test (p<0.05) resulted in concurrent significant improvements in lower-body power (ES = large), acceleration (ES = large), speed (10 m sprint, ES = small, 40 m sprint, ES = small), and upper body strength (bench press, ES = large and bench pull, ES = small). A non-significant physical performance improvement, with trivial ES difference, was also noted in anaerobic endurance performance. 
 Conclusion: Based on these data significant physical performance enhancements were observed during in-season Premier League competition while limiting fatigue and overtraining.

SELECTED PARAMETERS OF ANAEROBIC CAPACITY AMONG PLAYERSIN VARIOUS POSITIONS ON THE POLISH SUPERLEAGUE HANDBALL TEAM

Abstract Introduction: An overview of the literature on the subject of handball indicates that today’s top-level handball is dominated by sequences of short-duration (5 – 20 seconds) intensive anaerobic physical effort. Taking into account this data and the lack of scientific contribution describing the levels of the anaerobic capacity of top-level handball players, it seems essential to research this sphere of capacity in men’s Superleague teams. Aim: The objective of the study is to evaluate the relative mechanical work (J/kg), peak power (W/kg), peak power production time (s) and peak power sustainment time (s) in Wingate tests performed on players in various positions. Basic procedures: Research participants: 18 players in the Superleague handball team; average age of participants = 25.96±3.97 years old, average height = 192.76±7.21 cm, average body mass = 97.61±11.46 kg; average BMI = 25.84±1.92. The evaluation of anaerobic capacity was performed according to the 30-second Wingate test procedure, with the use of the Monark 824E cycle ergometer and the MCE v5.0 computer software. Results: The mean peak power of the research participants was 11.12±0.84 W/kg; mean work value – 254.56±16.92J/kg, mean peak power production time – 4.82±0.82s; peak power sustainment time – 2.98±1.04s; fatigue index – 25.82±3.64%. Conclusions: In the process of top-level handball training, it is necessary to pay more attention to the development of anaerobic endurance through the increased use of interval workload. Key words: anaerobic capacity, interval training, handball

Muscle health and performance in monozygotic twins with 30 years of discordant exercise habits.

Physical health and function depend upon both genetic inheritance and environmental factors (e.g., exercise training). To enhance the understanding of heritability/adaptability, we explored the skeletal muscle health and physiological performance of monozygotic (MZ) twins with > 30 years of chronic endurance training vs. no specific/consistent exercise. One pair of male MZ twins (age = 52 years; Trained Twin, TT; Untrained Twin, UT) underwent analyses of: (1) anthropometric characteristics and blood profiles, (2) markers of cardiovascular and pulmonary health, and (3) skeletal muscle size, strength, and power and molecular markers of muscle health. This case study represents the most comprehensive physiological comparison of MZ twins with this length and magnitude of differing exercise history. TT exhibited: (1) lower body mass, body fat%, resting heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and plasma glucose, (2) greater relative cycling power, anaerobic endurance, and aerobic capacity (VO2max), but lower muscle size/strength and poorer muscle quality, (3) more MHC I (slow-twitch) and fewer MHC IIa (fast-twitch) fibers, (4) greater AMPK protein expression, and (5) greater PAX7, IGF1Ec, IGF1Ea, and FN14 mRNA expression than UT. Several measured differences are the largest reported between MZ twins (TT expressed 55% more MHC I fibers, 12.4ml/kg/min greater VO2max, and 8.6% lower body fat% vs. UT). These data collectively (a) support utilizing chronic endurance training to improve body composition and cardiovascular health and (b) suggest the cardiovascular and skeletal muscle systems exhibit greater plasticity than previously thought, further highlighting the importance of studying MZ twins with large (long-term) differences in exposomes.

COMPARISON OF LATVIAN QUALIFIED BASKETBALL AND HANDBALL PLAYERS PERFORMANCE

The aim of our investigation was to compare qualified basketball and handball players’ anthropometric and performance (aerobic and anaerobic endurance, explosive power) characteristics. Male handball and basketball players from Premium league teams voluntary participated. The aerobic endurance was measured on a treadmill, the intensity of running increased step by step, the test was performed to exhaustion. The oxygen uptake, heart rate and running speed were measured. The lactate concentration was detected in periphery blood samples by special strips in the end of every load step and after the test. Maximal vertical jump heights of the counter-movement jump with hands on the hips and the free jump with motions of arms were measured on a special device. The height of basketball players is higher in comparison with handball players (p=0.002), but the body weight and body mass index did not differed significantly (p0.05). The aerobic endurance characteristics (heart rate and oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold load intensity, and maximal oxygen uptake) were greater in basketball than in handball players (p0.04). The maximal lactate concentration in blood plasma two minutes after the test was higher in handball players than in basketball players (p=0.043). The vertical jump heights are the same in basketball and handball players (p0.05).

Chronic Effects of an Elevation Training Mask on Aerobic Capacity, Anaerobic Endurance, and Pulmonary Function

Elevation training masks (ETM) have become popular in professional & recreationally active populations to enhance performance via purported adaptations associated with high elevation training (HET) and respiratory muscle training (RMT). PURPOSE: To compare the effect of training with (TM) to without (CON) wearing the ETM. METHODS: 8 healthy recreationally active adults (TM: M=2, F=2; 26.25±1.50; 25.05±1.42 kg[BULLET OPERATOR]m2 | CON: M=3, F=1; 31.5±6.95 yr; 24.92±1.83 kg[BULLET OPERATOR]m2) were recruited & provided consent for this study. VO2max and time to exhaustion (TTE) were assessed (Bruce protocol GXT, w/ & w/o ETM). Anaerobic endurance was assessed using two consecutive 300-yrd shuttle sprints (separated by 5min). Pulmonary function was assessed using a metabolic cart (FVC, MVV, FEV1). Following group assignment (TM and CON), subjects trained 3d/wk for 12 wks alternating between steady state running (Progression: 65->85% VO2max, 30->45min) and intense sprint conditioning every other session with VO2max reassessment following wk 6. The TM group performed all sessions wearing the ETM at manufacturer reported simulated altitude of 9,000 ft. A (2) group x (2)time ANCOVA followed by a Tukey’s post-hoc test was used to detect within group and between group differences following training. Type I error set at α=0.05. RESULTS:Table: No title available.CONCLUSION: Preliminary data indicate that training w/ the ETM does not enhance either aerobic or anaerobic endurance beyond standard training and may produce adaptations that are less favorable in comparison. However, under conditions of restricted breathing (i.e. GXT performed wearing the ETM), the TM group showed greater improvement. While the ETM may not provide benefits to those whose breathing is not typically restricted, further study is required to determine if there may be adaptive benefits for those who typically perform under restricted breathing conditions. **Data collection is ongoing with final data (n=24) to be presented at the time of conference.

An Analysis of the Physical Demands of National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) Roles

PURPOSE: The National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) works on behalf of each National Health Service (NHS) Ambulance Trust in England to strengthen national resilience and improve patient outcome in challenging pre-hospital scenarios. NARU personnel are trained to deal with hazardous or difficult situations and mass casualty incidents. The aim of this study was to quantify the physically demanding tasks undertaken by NARU personnel. METHODS: The study was completed in two phases. In Phase 1, 10 subject matter experts from a range of NHS Ambulance Trusts participated in a two-day researcher led workshop to define the most physically demanding tasks performed by NARU personnel. In Phase 2, 34 participants (29 men and 5 women, stature 1.77 ± 0.08 m, body mass 84 ± 14 kg, estimated VO2max 39 ± 7 mL·kg-1·min-1) performed scenarios of the tasks defined in Phase 1, with measurements of heart rate, speed of movement, load carried, and weights and forces of objects moved. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: Eleven criterion tasks were defined in Phase 1: Swift Water Rescue, Re-board Boat, Unload Vehicle and Set-up Decontamination Unit, Clinical Decontamination (CD), Movement in Gas Tight Suits, Marauding Terrorist Firearms Attack (MTFA) , Over Ground Rescue, Unload Incidence Response Unit Vehicle, Above Ground Rescue, Over Rubble Rescue, and Subterranean Rescue. The shortest tasks were the Swift Water Rescue and Re-board Boat at ~1 min, with resultant heart rates of 76 ± 10 and 61 ± 14 %HRmax, respectively. The longest tasks were the CD and MTFA (~120 min) resulting in heart rates of 65 ± 11 and 73 ± 11 %HRmax, respectively. The greatest forces exerted were during equipment lifting and carrying (e.g. 167 kg by 6 people) and dragging of casualties (e.g. single person 88 kg casualty and stretcher drag). CONCLUSION: All five components of fitness (aerobic endurance, anaerobic endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and mobility) are required to successfully perform the criterion tasks undertaken by NARU personnel. These data can be used to inform interventions to enhance physical performance and develop physical employment standards for specialist ambulance responders. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - This work was conducted in collaboration with the National Ambulance Resilience Unit in the United Kingdom.

Self-reported musculoskeletal complaints and injuries and exposure of physical workload in Swedish soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

BackgroundMusculoskeletal complaints and injuries (MSCI) are common in military populations. However, only a limited number of studies have followed soldiers during international deployments and investigated the prevalence of MSCI during and at the end of their deployment. The aim was to describe the prevalence of MSCI in different military occupational specialties and categorise their most common tasks in terms of exposures to physical workloads during a six-month long international deployment in Afghanistan.MethodsCross-sectional survey, including 325 soldiers (300 men), aged 20–62 participating in an international deployment in Afghanistan during the spring of 2012. Soldiers were clustered into different military occupational specialties: Infantry, Administration, Logistics, Logistics/Camp, Medical and Other. Data were collected through the use of the Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol at the end of the international mission.ResultsForty-seven percent reported MSCI during deployment, with 28% at the end.The most common locations of MSCI during the mission were lower back, knee, shoulders, upper back, neck and foot, while the knee and lower back prevailed at the end of the mission. Almost half of the soldiers who had MSCI reported affected work ability. The most common duties during the mission were vehicle patrolling, staff duties, guard/security duties, foot patrols and transportation. Soldiers reported that vehicle patrolling, staff duties and transportation were demanding with respect to endurance strength, guard/security duties challenged both maximum and endurance strength while foot patrolling challenged maximum and endurance strength, aerobic and anaerobic endurance and speed.ConclusionsMSCI during international deployment are common among Swedish soldiers. The results indicate the need to further develop strategies focusing on matching the soldiers’ capacity to the job requirements, with relevant and fair physical selection-tests during the recruitment process and proactive interventions targeting MSCI before and during deployment, in order to enhance soldiers’ readiness and promote operational readiness.

Associations of Physical Fitness and Body Composition Characteristics With Simulated Military Task Performance

Pihlainen, K, Santtila, M, Häkkinen, K, and Kyröläinen, H. Associations of physical fitness and body composition characteristics with simulated military task performance. J Strength Cond Res 32(4): 1089-1098, 2018-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations of physical fitness and body composition characteristics with anaerobic endurance performance, tested in the combat load using the occupationally relevant military simulation test (MST). Eighty-one male soldiers, deployed to a crisis management operation in the Middle East, volunteered for the study and participated in a test battery consisting measurements of muscle strength, body composition characteristics, endurance capacity, and MST. A Spearman correlational analysis revealed that the strongest variable, correlated with MST time, was the countermovement jump performed with the combat load (CMJ2) (rs = -0.66, p < 0.001). Among the individual body composition variables, the MST time had the strongest relationship with fat percentage (rs = 0.53, p < 0.001) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) (rs = -0.47, p < 0.001). The use of the dead mass ratio, which was calculated dividing body mass by fat mass accompanied with the weight of the combat load, increased body composition-based associations significantly, and this variable turned out to be the best single predictor for the MST performance (rs = -0.67, p < 0.001). Significant predictors of the MST time in the stepwise multivariate regression analysis included CMJ2, 3000 m, SMM, and push-ups. Together, these variables explained 66% ((Equation is included in full-text article.), model p < 0.001) of the variance in the MST time. In conclusion, the novel MST is a promising military specific assessment method of muscle power of the lower extremities and endurance capacity, which are crucial performance components in anaerobic combat situations.

Effects of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibition on the aerobic and the anaerobic endurance exercise capacity

Summary Introduction Numerous reports showed that nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) plays important roles in the regulation of energy metabolism and in the synthesis of ATP, which indicates that the activity of NNMT may be associated with sport performance. Methods and results To test this speculation, we inhibited NNMT activity of the rats with N-methylnicotinamide (MNA) (MNA group), and observed the effects on the lactate threshold and the maximal blood lactate concentration, and on the performance in the competitions of anaerobic and aerobic endurance exercise, respectively. The results showed: (1) the workloads (% body weight) of the rats in the swimming have no significant differences between MNA group and control group when the lactate threshold appeared (4.54 ± 0.90 vs. 4.60 ± 1.06), and when the maximal exercise intensity (exhaustion) appeared (6.00 ± 0.54 vs. 6.00 ± 0.81); (2) the rats of MNA group showed highly significantly lowered blood lactate concentrations than those of the control group immediately after the swimming with the maximal workload (10.40 ± 1.39 vs. 11.67 ± 1.71 mmol/L), 2 min post-exercise (11.49 ± 1.38 vs. 12.82 ± 1.63 mmol/L) and 4 min post-exercise (12.84 ± 1.36 vs. 14.3 ± 1.54 mmol/L); (3) in the anaerobic endurance exercise competition, 8 rats of the MNA group while 16 of the control group entered the top 24 places in the rank; (4) in the anaerobic endurance exercise competition, the swimming durations from the beginning until exhaustion were not significantly different between the MNA group and the control group (345.37 ± 71.69 vs. 345.30 ± 72.02 min). Conclusion These results suggest that NNMT inhibition significantly impairs the performance in anaerobic endurance exercise but not in aerobic endurance exercise.

Physiological Effects of Wearing Athletic Mouth Pieces While Performing Various Exercises.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate physiological responses associated with exercise using two different mouthpieces compared with not using a mouthpiece. Improved performance while using the PX3 Bite Regulator (PX3) may significantly reduce the risk of concussions by allowing an athlete to better prepare, react, absorb, and/or avoid impact completely compared with the restricted breathing or mandibular instability that occurs when using mouthguards. Twenty-three subjects completed a battery of five physiological tests; the 1.5-mile run, sit and reach, anaerobic endurance, leg press, and bench press. Each test battery was completed under three conditions: wearing a PX3, wearing a mouthguard, or no mouthpiece respectfully. The PX3 resulted in significantly faster 1.5-mile run times (667.4 ± 9.4 vs. 684.9 ± 9.2 vs. 679 ± 7.9 s, p ≤ 0.05) and significantly longer anaerobic endurance runs (311 ± 23 vs. 283 ± 18 vs. 286 ± 18yds, p ≤ 0.05) compared with the mouthguard and no mouthpiece. The leg press lifts (51.8 ± 4.1 vs. 46.0 ± 4.3, p ≤ 0.05) while wearing the PX3 were significantly greater than when wearing a mouthguard. There were improvements, but no significant differences for sit and reach (16.8 ± 0.8 vs. 15.9 ± 0.8 vs. 16.4 ± 0.8 in., p = 0.73) and bench press (17.7 ± 1.8 vs. 17.2 ± 1.6 vs. 17.2 ± 1.7 lifts, p = 0.94). The increased performance with the PX3 could be a result of better jaw alignment and/or decreased resistance to airflow.

Anaerobic Performance and Acid-Base Balance in Basketball Players after the Consumption of Highly Alkaline Water

Many researchers have unequivocally demonstrated that water of higher pH has a positive effect on the human body. In terms of undertaken research, the adjustment of acid-base balance during anaerobic effort, a decrease in the concentration of free radicals as well as the improvement of connective tissue condition is of primary importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate an influence of high alkaline water consumption on anaerobic performance and acid-base balance in professional basketball players. There was evaluating changes in parameters of blood and urine in laboratory tests (pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3 act, HCO3 std, BE (ecf), BE(B), O2 std, and ctCO2). The group of fourteen adults male underwent in two experimental trials, before and after six weeks hydration tested water. Statistical analysis of blood tests showed that after ingestion of alkaline water there was a significant increase of blood pH at rest and after anaerobic exercise. The same results were obtained in urine tests, respectively 1.30 in rest and 0.93 after physical examination. The results of the specific anaerobic endurance test revealed a significant difference in performance between the tests performed after hydrating with highly alkaline water in comparison to table water. The average improvement of results equaled 0.71s. (p = 0.03). In conclusion the athletes hydrated with alkaline water showed a positive impact on acid-base balance with a significant increase of blood and urine pH. The daily intake of 2.5 - 3.0 l of highly alkalized water delay in muscular acidosis during anaerobic exercise, as well as prevention of dehydration, and faster recovery.

Effect of strength and endurance training program on mental and physical health of spinal cord-injured persons

Background. The aim of the research was to examine the effects of eight weeks of strength and endurance training on the improvement of mental health and physical state of spinal cord-injured persons. Methods. Twelve persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) participated in an eight-week intervention program of mainly two training types: strength and wheelchair driving endurance training. Subjects with SCI represented the experimental and control groups. The mental (Ware, 2000) and physical (isometric strength of the hand grip, strength of the shoulders and arms bench press, aerobic endurance 12 min and anaerobic endurance 30 s driving the wheelchair tests) values were evaluated before and after the program. Results. After the primary questioning of the experimental group participants before organizing strength and endurance training program and the final questioning after the program, it was revealed that most values of mental health improved. The physical state characteristics of persons with spinal cord injury revealed differences between pre-test and post-test values. Conclusions. This study indicated that persons with spinal cord injury involved in eight weeks strength and endurance training program improved mental and physical health parameters in comparison with persons with spinal cord injury not participating in any training program. Isometric force and 12 min wheelchair driving are good markers for strength, power and endurance in persons with spinal cord injury.

EFFECTS OF SPEED, AGILITY AND QUICKNESS (SAQ) TRAINING ON ANAEROBIC ENDURANCE AND FLEXIBILITY OF NOVICE TENNIS PLAYERS

This study aims to analyse the effects of SAQ training on anaerobic endurance and flexibility of novice tennis players, selected subject from Ramanadan Krishnan Tennis Academy, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Totally twenty participants were selected and randomly divided them into two groups (n=10) namely SAQ training group (age: 10.80 ± 0.78 years, height: 147.90 ± 2.60 cm and weight: 39.95 ± 1.51 kg) and control group (age: 11.10 ± 0.73 years, height: 147.30 ± 2.79 cm and weight: 40.12 ± 2.23 kg). After 12 weeks training, all subjects had tested their anaerobic endurance and flexibility according to Tennis Specific Agility Endurance Test and V-Sit and Reach Test. The data were analyzed by SPSS software, Paired-‘t’ test was used to determine the difference between pre and post mean scores of experimental and control groups and experimental group had improved more significantly (p<0.05) than the control group. The study suggests that SAQ training is more beneficial for anaerobic endurance and flexibility of novice tennis players. Article visualizations:

A systematic review investigating measurement properties of physiological tests in rugby

BackgroundThis systematic review was conducted with the first objective aimed at providing an overview of the physiological characteristics commonly evaluated in rugby and the corresponding tests used to measure each construct. Secondly, the measurement properties of all identified tests per physiological construct were evaluated with the ultimate purpose of identifying tests with strongest level of evidence per construct.MethodsThe review was conducted in two stages. In all stages, electronic databases of EBSCOhost, Medline and Scopus were searched for full-text articles. Stage 1 included studies examining physiological characteristics in rugby. Stage 2 included studies evaluating measurement properties of all tests identified in Stage 1 either in rugby or related sports such as Australian Rules football and Soccer. Two independent reviewers screened relevant articles from titles and abstracts for both stages.ResultsSeventy studies met the inclusion criteria for Stage 1. The studies described 63 tests assessing speed (8), agility/change of direction speed (7), upper-body muscular endurance (8), upper-body muscular power (6), upper-body muscular strength (5), anaerobic endurance (4), maximal aerobic power (4), lower-body muscular power (3), prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability/endurance (5), lower-body muscular strength (5), repeated high-intensity exercise performance (3), repeated-sprint ability (2), repeated-effort ability (1), maximal aerobic speed (1) and abdominal endurance (1). Stage 2 identified 20 studies describing measurement properties of 21 different tests. Only moderate evidence was found for the reliability of the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness. There was limited evidence found for the reliability and/or validity of 5 m, 10 m, 20 m speed tests, 505 test, modified 505 test, L run test, Sergeant Jump test and bench press repetitions-to-fatigue tests. There was no information from high-quality studies on the measurement properties of all the other tests identified in stage 1.ConclusionA number of physiological characteristics are evaluated in rugby. Each physiological construct has multiple tests for measurement. However, there is paucity of information on measurement properties from high-quality studies for the tests. This raises questions about the usefulness and applicability of these tests in rugby and creates a need for high-quality future studies evaluating measurement properties of these physiological tests.Trial registrationsPROSPERO CRD 42015029747.

Вплив інтервального гіпоксичного тренування на показники фізичної підготовленості кваліфікованих альпіністів

Purpose : determine the influence of interval hypoxic training (IHT) on the indices of physical preparedness at the stage of precompetitive preparation for overcoming Mount Elbrus . Material & Methods : to determine the level of manifestation of physical qualities, the exercises recommended for the training of climbers and methods of mathematical statistics with the calculation of well-known indicators were used to establish the correlation dependence and the reliable difference between the group indices. Results: the conducted studies made it possible to establish that the use of the regime of discontinuous hypoxia 15–15 with breathing through the system into a closed space in the training process of the precompetitive period contribute to an increase in the indices of physical fitness of climbers. Conclusion: the results of the conducted studies indicate that the use of IHT in the 15–15 mode in the period before the ascent to the city of Elbrus allows to significantly increasing the indices of physical preparedness (mainly exercises with a delay in breathing) and the anaerobic and aerobic endurance of skilled climbers in the pre-competition stage.

Variants of strength athletics (progression) and its application in training practice especially considering the speed of exercise performance

The aim of the study was to present the modifications of strength athletics, enabling the competitors to achieve maximal muscular stimulations, leading to the development of specific strength in large muscle groups. The application goal was also determined, involving presentation of exercise sets used in strength sports and combat sports, developing specific strength in major muscle groups, particularly considering the tempo of exercising in each training sub-periods. The reference sources are reviewed as well as the earlier publications, describing the basic modalities of strength athletics. The versions of this approach connected with methodical recommendations of Polish Strength Athletics School, established by Augustyn Dziedzic are also presented. Each variant of strength athletics is described in terms of its usefulness for developing maximal strength, anaerobic endurance, mastering motor habits (techniques), applying exercises which have a similar or a more complex structure than these previously applied and a fast tempo of exercising. Tempo variations are attributed to each sub-period of the training cycle, considering the frequency of application and exercise sets, aimed at the development of large muscle groups are presented. It is emphasized that strength athletics should be regarded as a set of approaches, which, regularly applied, allow considerable increases of maximal muscular strength, anaerobic endurance and mastering motor habits. It has been confirmed that the application of different modalities of exercising tempo not only enriches their resources, but also can increase muscular strength and power, significantly contributing to the improvement of athletic performance in combat sports.