Difference In Total Distance Research Articles

Comparison of Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level-1 Performance Between Basketball and Field Hockey Players: A Comparative Analysis

Background: The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level-1 (YYIR1) is widely used to evaluate aerobic capacity and recovery in intermittent sports. This study aims to compare YYIR1 performance between basketball and field hockey players to understand sport-specific fitness adaptations and inform training protocols. Methods: A total of 60 male athletes (30 basketball players and 30 field hockey players) from competitive clubs participated in this study. Participants performed the YYIR1 test, which involves repeated 2x20 meter shuttle runs at increasing speeds interspersed with 10-second recovery periods, until exhaustion. Key performance metrics measured were total distance covered and VO2 max, calculated based on the test results. Data were analysed using independent t-tests to compare the performances between the two groups. Results: The basketball players covered a mean distance of 1235 ± 210 meters, while the field hockey players covered 1280 ± 195 meters. The difference in total distance covered between the groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Similarly, VO2 max values were comparable between basketball players (47.8 ± 4.2 mL/kg/min) and field hockey players (48.5 ± 3.9 mL/kg/min), with no significant difference observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there are no significant differences in YYIR1 performance between basketball and field hockey players, suggesting similar aerobic capacities and recovery abilities across these sports. The findings align with previous research by Mirani and Patil (2021) and Schmitz et al. (2018), indicating the robustness of the YYIR1 test in measuring aerobic endurance irrespective of sport-specific demands. These results highlight the need for tailored training programs that focus on enhancing sport-specific skills rather than general aerobic capacity alone. Keywords: Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level-1, basketball, field hockey, VO2Max, sports performance

The Analysis of Physical Performance During Official Competitions in Professional English Football: Do Positions, Game Locations, and Results Influence Players' Game Demands?

Beato, M, Youngs, A, and Costin, AJ. The analysis of physical performance during official competitions in professional English football: Do positions, game locations, and results influence players' game demands? J Strength Cond Res 38(5): e226-e234, 2024-This study aimed, first, to verify if physical parameters were different between players' positions during official matches in English professional football, and second, if the game location (H and A) or results (W, L, D) affected players' physical performance. Twenty-five male professional football players of the same team were included in this data analysis (age = 27 ± 9 years) during the 2022-23 season. Players were divided into positions: center backs, wide backs, center midfielders, attacking midfielders, and strikers. The external load parameters were distance covered, high-speed running (HSR), sprinting distance, accelerations, decelerations, and high metabolic load distance (HMLD, meters > 25.5 w·kg -1 ) that were monitored using global navigation satellite systems Apex (STATSports). Linear mixed models' analysis for positions reported a significant difference in total distance ( p = 0.011), HSR ( p < 0.001), sprinting distance ( p < 0.001), accelerations ( p = 0.003), decelerations ( p = 0.002), and HMLD ( p < 0.001). Centre backs showed the lowest physical performance in the metrics analyzed, whereas players in the other positions frequently displayed a similar physical performance. Regarding locations and results, differences were only found between locations for decelerations ( p = 0.041) and between results for HMLD ( p = 0.010). In conclusion, physical performance was influenced by players' positions, whereas game location or results seem to not affect physical performance during official competitions. Consequently, practitioners can physically prepare their players independently from the location of the match or of the possible game results, whereas specific positional training is requested to optimally prepare their players.

Testing variations between starters and substitute players in terms of total distance, high-speed running, and sprinting distance: a descriptive study on professional male soccer players.

The purpose of this study was three-fold: (i) to compare total distance, high-speed running (HSR) distance, and sprint distance covered per 5-minute epoch by players acting as both starters and substitutes; (ii) to compare the locomotor demands between the moments the players entered the match (45-60, 60-75 and 75-90 minutes); and (iii) to compare the locomotor demands of the players between the variations of the within- and between-playing positions. Twenty-one male professional soccer players competing in the Professional Premier League of one of the European countries were observed over sixteen official matches. The players were monitored during all matches using a Global Navigation Satellite System. The measures collected were total distance (TD; m), distance in HSR, sprint distance, HSR, and sprint counts. Considering the comparisons between the splits over the second half of match play, a significant difference between the starters and the substitutes was observed only for sprint distance in the 90-95 minute split (Z = -2.023; p = 0.043). Moreover, no substantial differences were found between the moment the substitute player entered the match regarding total distance (H = 2.650; p = 0.266), HSR distance (H = 1.738; p = 0.419), and sprint distance (H = 0.048; p = 0.976). However, the comparison of between-playing positions revealed considerable differences in total distance (H = 29.246; p < 0.001), and HSR distance (H = 12.153; p = 0.002) covered by the players acting as starters. In contrast, for substitute players, such differences were reported in HSR distance (H = 27.892; p < 0.001) and sprint distance (H = 15.879; p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study suggests that acting as a starter or a substitute does not significantly affect the intensity of effort except during the last periods of match play. However, the contextual factor of performing in a specific playing position plays a significant role both for starters and substitutes.

Movement of Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae on Transgenic Bt and Non-Bt Maize.

Exposure of lepidopteran pests to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins has been shown to affect the behavior of larvae, including increased movement and avoidance of Bt-expressing plants or diet. Therefore, we hypothesized that the behavior of western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important pest of maize, could be affected when exposed to Bt plants. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a series of artificial arena and on-plant experiments to determine S. albicosta neonate behavior when exposed to Bt and non-Bt plant tissue. Video tracking experiments presented neonate larvae with the choice of Bt or non-Bt pollen in a Petri dish for 15 min while being video recorded for analysis with EthoVision software. This study showed an increase in mean velocity and total time spent moving for larvae in the presence of Cry1F vs. non-Bt when compared with Vip3A vs. non-Bt or Cry1F vs. Vip3A. However, there was no difference in total distance moved or time spent in the food zone for all scenarios. Maize tissue choice experiments allowed neonatal larvae the choice of feeding on Bt or non-Bt tassel or leaves for 9 h in Petri dish arenas. This experiment showed that larvae preferred tassel tissue over leaves but did not indicate that larvae could distinguish between Bt and non-Bt tissue. In contrast, on-plant experiments (including a whole plant neonate dispersal study under controlled conditions and an in-field silking behavior experiment) indicated that the presence of Cry1F and Vip3A Bt toxins increased plant abandonment, suggesting that larvae are able to detect and avoid Bt toxins. The discrepancy of these results is likely due to the on-plant studies providing more field-realistic environmental conditions and a longer duration of exposure to Bt toxins for the behavioral experiments. Our results represent the first steps in understanding the complex behavior of S. albicosta when exposed to Bt plants. A better understanding of the response of larvae when exposed to Bt traits can aid in the management of this pest, particularly for the design of resistance management strategies and refuge design.

Fixture Congestion has Minimal Impact on External Workloads in Collegiate Soccer Players

Introduction: Advances in GPS technology have allowed for the measurement of soccer players’ external workloads in competition. While short collegiate seasons with fixture congestion may pose challenges for sustained performance, no study has determined if objective measures of performance are impacted by game congestion in college soccer players. Methods: External workload variables were measured using the Polar Team Pro™ GPS device (n=19 players). Data were normalized by minutes played to account for discrepancies in playing time. Paired samples T-test was used to determine if workloads were different between the first and second games of “double-header” weekends (n=14 games). Results: In second games, sprints were significantly reduced compared to first games (0.49 ± 0.2 vs. 0.41 ± 0.1, p= 0.005), with decelerations tending to be lower (1.58 ± 0.4 vs. 1.43 ± 0.4, p= 0.06). However, there were no differences in total distance (133.3 ± 38.8 m vs. 129 ± 32.2 m, p= 0.54), high speed running (45.1 ± 13.1 vs. 47.7 ± 13.9 m, p= 0.26) and accelerations (1.5 ± 0.4 vs. 1.6 ± 0.4, p= 0.13) respectively. Conclusions: We note a small but significant difference in sprint distance with fixture congestion, despite no reduction in total distance run, high-speed running, or accelerations. These findings are unexpected due to the high demands of match play and limited recovery time between games.

Modeling the Major Influencing Factor on Match Running Performance during the In-Season Phase in a Portuguese Professional Football Team.

The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to analyze the influence of season phase (i.e., the start of the in-season and mid-in-season) on match running performance in a Portuguese professional football team; (2) to determine and model the main factor influencing match running performance during the in-season in this specific football team. Eighteen matches were collected by an 18 Hz global positioning system (GPS) from a professional Portuguese football team during the start of the in-season and mid-in-season. The match running performance was analyzed according to season phases, presenting significant differences in total distance (TD) (tlower bound = 4.71, p < 0.001; tupper bound = −2.22, p = 0.002), average speed (AvS) (tlower bound = 359.45, p < 0.001; tupper bound = −359.87, p < 0.001), and relative high speed running (rHSR) (tlower bound = 13.10, p < 0.001; tupper bound = −10.21, p < 0.001). The logistic regression showed TD (β = −1.59, z = −2.84, p = 0.005) and AvS (β = 2.68, z = −2.84, p = 0.007) as the major factors influencing match running performance during seasonal variation. Sprints and accelerations showed no significance for predicting match running performance during the season phases (β = −0.05 to 1.07, z = −0.95 to 1.07, p = 0.29 to 0.72). Current research confirms that lower and upper bounds should be used to quantify seasonal differences on match running performance. TD and AvS were described as the main factors influencing match running performance during the in-season phase. Thus, it is important to highlight the pace and volume of the game to maximize match running performance.

Comparing the use of mathematical calculation to a measuring wheel to determine distance walked in three different course configurations of the 6 minute Walk Test in healthy adults

Introduction A recent clinical practice guideline set forth recommendations for the administration of the 6 Minute Walk Test, including course set-up and using mathematical calculation to obtain the distance walked. In clinical practice and research, however, deviations from these protocols exist. Purpose To assess for differences in total distance walked between use of mathematical calculation and a measuring wheel during three different course configurations of the 6 Minute Walk Test. Methods Fifty healthy adults (18 males, 32 females) completed this study. The mean age was 37.04 (13.76) years ranging from 23 to 61 years. Each participant completed three course configurations of the 6 Minute Walk Test: a 12-meter straight walkway representing the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Core Set of Outcome Measures Clinical Practice Guideline protocol, a 30-meter straight walkway, representing the American Thoracic Society’s recommended protocol, and a 1.2-meter by 12-meter rectangular walkway, of which the Core Set of Outcome Measures Clinical Practice Guideline was derived. For mathematical calculation, the total number of laps counted, and this total number was multiplied by the distance of one lap with any partial lap added. Additionally, a research assistant followed behind each participant with a measuring wheel to capture distance walked. Results For all configurations, there were statistically significant differences between mathematical calculation and a measuring wheel, with mathematical calculation producing significantly less total distance. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences between all course configurations, despite the method of measurement. Conclusion Adhering to 6 Minute Walk Test protocols, including the method of measuring the distance, is imperative to accurately interpret results and compare to existing data. Key messages Despite recommendations for standardized administration of the 6 Minute Walk Test, deviations exist, including the method of which to obtain the total distance walked; either by use of mathematical calculation or a measuring wheel. In three different 6 minute walk test course configurations, including the American Thoracic Society’s recommended protocol and the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy recommended protocol, the measuring wheel resulted in significantly larger distances than use of the mathematical calculation. Despite the measuring wheel able to account for the turns during the 6 Minute Walk Test, it is imperative for clinicians to utilize standardized procedures such as using mathematical calculation, in order to accurately track progress and compare to existing data, of which mathematical calculation was used to derive.

Cannabidiol (CBD) improves cognition and decreases anxiety in the SAMP8 mouse model of Alzheimer’s

The use of cannabidiol (CBD) has grown rapidly over the last few years. CBD has been purported to work on a range of conditions, including anxiety, pain, and psychosis. There has been recent interest in CBD as a treatment for age-related cognitive disorders due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we tested the effects of chronic CBD administration on learning and memory in the SAMP8 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. SAMP8 mice develop an age-related impairment in learning and memory which corresponds to an increase in amyloid-β (Aβ), hyperphosphorylated tau, oxidative stress, impaired efflux of Aβ across the blood-brain barrier and neuroinflammation. SAMP8 mice starting at 11 months of age were treated with CBD (0, 3 or 30 mg/kg) daily via oral administration for 60 days. A 3 month old SAMP8 group receiving vehicle served as an unimpaired control. After 30 days of treatment, learning and memory (T-maze and novel object recognition), activity in open field, anxiety in the elevated plus maze, and strength were assessed. At the end of behavioral testing brains were collected for analysis. Mice which received CBD 30 mg/kg had significant improvement in learning and memory in the T-maze, taking fewer trials to reach criterion than 12 month old vehicle treated mice. CBD improved novel object recognition memory of 12 month old SAMP8 mice, which spent significantly more time with the novel object in the 24-hour retention test than the age-matched vehicle treated controls. While there was no difference in total distance traveled measured by open field activity, the mice that that received CBD displayed decreased anxiety at both 3 and 30 mg/kg/day doses compared to the age-matched control. The mice that received 3 mg/kg/day had significantly less anxiety than the young control group. CBD had no significant effects on the measures of strength in the aged mice. Analysis of brain tissue indicate that CBD significantly decreased markers of oxidative stress. Our results indicate that CBD improves both spatial and recognition memory and decreases anxiety. The actions appear to be primarily through its antioxidant properties. CBD is a potential treatment for age-related dementia.

Relationship Between Life-Space Mobility and Health Characteristics in Older Adults Using Global Positioning System Watches.

This study aimed to examine the feasibility of using global positioning system (GPS) watches to examine relationships between GPS-based life-space mobility (LSM) metrics and self-report LSM and health measures (physical, psychological, and cognitive function) among older adults. Thirty participants wore a Fitbit Surge for 3days. Eight spatial and temporal LSM measures were derived from GPS data. About 90% of in-home movement speeds were zero, indicating the sedentary lifestyle, but they made some active out-of-home trips as the total distance traveled and size of movement area indicated. There was a significant difference in total distance traveled and 95th percentile of movement speed between mild cognitive and intact cognition groups. GPS-based higher proportion of out-of-home time was significantly associated with greater functional fitness. Greater GPS use hours were significantly associated with higher cognition. These findings suggest the potential of GPS watches to continuously monitor changes in functional health to inform prevention efforts.

Physical match performance and injuries in professional soccer before and after the COVID-19 break

ABSTRACT Purpose To examine possible differences in physical match performance and the injury occurrence before and after the COVID-19 induced interruption of the 2019/2020 season of the German Bundesliga. Due to the interruption, matches and soccer-specific training were suspended for nine weeks, matches after the resumption of play occurred congested, and the playing situation changed, regarding, e.g., an increase to five substitutions. Methods For this purpose, the 25 match-days before (pre) and the 9 match-days after (post) the COVID-19 induced interruption were examined regarding total distance, sprinting distance, average peak velocity, high-intensity distance, and injury occurrence. Results Average peak velocity increased slightly for the comparison of pre and post with a small effect size (MD = 0.28 km/h, 95% CI: 0.11–0.45, p < 0.01, ES = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.12–0.48). There were no relevant differences in total distance, sprinting distance, high-intensity distance, and injury occurrence (0.11 ≤ p ≤ 0.82; 0.02≤ ES≤0.15). Discussion In terms of physical match performance and injury occurence results suggest the opportunity to recover and work on individual physical weaknesses during the interruption alongside with an increased number of substitutions was sufficient to compensate for the short soccer-specific preparation phase before the commencement of matches and the congested match schedule after the COVID-19 break.

RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PARAMETERS OF EXTERNAL LOAD IN BASKETBALL GAME SIMULATING EXERCISES OF VARIOUS TECHNICAL-TACTICAL TASKS

The aim of the research was determining the differences, similarities and relations between time, distance and maximum speed occurring in the structure of exercises – small games. While selecting exercises, the assumption was to maintain similar internal load with various technical-tactical assumptions assessed with the help of parameters generated with the use of GPS and IMU technologies. Twelve basketball players took part in the research (age 24 ± 4.7 years; height 187.9 ± 5.2 cm; weight 83.9 ± 8.7 kg). 3 exercises simulating match conditions, and intervals between them lasted 5 minutes. The players played as long as one of the teams scored 25 points. The ranges of IMU like acceleration or deceleration were divided into I-VIII zones from the value of -8 to 8 m/s/s. To examine differences in total distance and total effort among three exercises, we performed repeated ANOVA measures. This test was statistically significant at alpha (ρ ≤ 0.05). The maximum speed and the longest distance were registered in Exercise. 1 and equalled 23.22 ± 1.73 km/h and 1097.75 ± 48.11 respectively. The longest distance covered in 1 minute was registered in Exercise 2 – 66.10 ± 5.72 m/m. For bands II to VII, there were significant differences between Exercise 3 and Exercise 1 and 2. The correlations between Exercise 2 and 3 in bands III,VII was statistically relevant. Training time aiming at reaching the same external load should be modified and not dependent on score results. Changeable time conditions result in the lack of load stability in a given exercise, hence its unpredictability as to the planned training load. The results of this research shall help coaches apply, in the right moment of a training cycle, tasks simulating match conditions of particular running load, controlling in this way a type of tiredness and its level.

The effect of chain-ring systems on the performance and pedalling technique in BMX elite and cadet riders

BACKGROUND: Sprinting at the start of a BMX race is considered one of the most important determinants of performance. Therefore, different devices and technologies have been developed to improve this ability to sprint, such as non-circular CR (CR) systems. OBJECTIVE: To compare new pedalling performance determinants for the first meters of the acceleration phase in BMX, with two different CR systems, circular and non-circular, in Elite abd Cadet cyclists. METHODS: Two level of BMX cyclists of the Spanish national team – Elite (n= 7), and Cadet (n= 7) – performed two sprints with different CR conditions (circular and non-circular). Each condition was performed in ecological BMX race conditions. Total distance (m), reaction time (s), power output (W) and the ratio between the powers of 90 and 270∘ (local extrema) and the powers at 0 and 180∘ (dead centres) of the pedalling (%PM) were analysed. RESULTS: In Elite group, no differences were found between circular and non-circular CR in total distance, reaction time, and %PM. In the Cadet group, differences were found between circular and non-circular CR conditions in %PM (p= 0.02), resulting in better results for the circular CR. In addition, no differences in total distance and reaction time were found. CONCLUSIONS: The use of non-circular CR system does not result in performance improvement in either Elite or Cadet cyclists.

Is it enough to use the traditional approach based on average values for basketball physical performance analysis?

Understanding the most demanding scenarios of basketball match-play can optimise training prescription. We established physical demand differences in total distance covered, distance covered at high-speed running, distance covered at high-intensity accelerations and decelerations, number of high-speed running actions and number of high-intensity accelerations comparing the traditional average method with the most demanding scenarios based on 1-minute rolling averages. Physical demand parameters were analysed from 21 elite basketball players according to playing position during a friendly game via local positioning system microtechnology. The results showed that players covered a total distance of 141.3 m·min−1 (p < 0.001; ES = 7.80) and 25.4 m·min−1 (p < 0.001; ES = 4.52) at high-speed running using rolling averages, compared to 66.3 and 3.2 m min−1, respectively, using the traditional average approach. These data represent a very large increase of 113.1% for total distance per minute and 686.4% for high-speed running distance per minute, 252% for the number of high-intensity accelerations and 290.5% for the number of high-intensity decelerations, respectively, demonstrating the relevance of this novel approach. In conclusion, this investigation indicated that the traditional average method underestimates peak physical demands over a 1-minute period during a basketball game. Thus, the average approach should be complemented by analysing the most demanding scenarios in order to have a better understanding of physical demands during basketball competition.

Seasonal Variations in Game Activity Profiles and Players' Neuromuscular Performance in Collegiate Division I Basketball: Non-conference vs. Conference Tournament.

Basketball has a high demand on a player's neuromuscular system due to a high volume of explosive high-intensity actions. This study aimed to examine the seasonal variations on game demands and players' neuromuscular performance during the Non-Conference (NON-CONF) and Conference (CONF) seasons in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball. Seven NCAA Division I Basketball players' (20 ± 1.2 years, 1.95 ± 0.1 m, and 94 ± 15 kg) match activity profiles were tracked in 17 home games (7 NON-CONF; 10 CONF); furthermore, players performed a repeat hop test on a force platform the day before competition to assess neuromuscular performance. A t-test for paired samples was used to analyze the differences between NON-CONF and CONF. Results indicated no significant differences in Total Distance, Peak Speed, Acceleration, and Deceleration loads when comparing NON-CONF and CONF match-play. Regarding neuromuscular performance, Jump Height (p = 0.03; ES = 0.43) was negatively affected during CONF. Moreover, a trend toward a decline in Peak Force (p = 0.06; ES = 0.38) was found in CONF. Conversely, no differences were obtained regarding Reactive Strength Index and Contact Time. In conclusion, match-play demands remained constant across the season whilst neuromuscular outputs were inhibited during the CONF season.

Cannabidiol (CBD) Improves Cognition and Decreases Anxiety in the SAMP8 Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s

The use of cannabidiol (CBD) has grown rapidly over the last few years. CBD has been purported to work on a range of conditions, including anxiety, epilepsy, pain, and psychosis. There has been recent interest in CBD as a treatment for age‐related cognitive disorders due to its anti‐inflammatory properties. Here, we tested the effects of chronic CBD administration on learning and memory in the SAMP8 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. SAMP8 mice develop an age‐related impairment in learning and memory which corresponds to an increase in amyloid‐β (Aβ), hyperphosphorylated tau, oxidative stress, impaired efflux of Aβ across the blood‐brain barrier and neuroinflammation. SAMP8 mice starting at 11 months of age were treated with CBD (0, 3 or 30 mg/kg) daily via oral administration for 60 days. A 3 month old SAMP8 group receiving vehicle served as an unimpaired control. After 30 days of treatment, learning and memory (T‐maze and novel object recognition), activity in open field, anxiety in the elevated plus maze, and strength were assessed. Mice which received CBD 30 mg/kg had significant improvement in learning and memory in the T‐maze, taking fewer trials to reach criterion than 12 month old vehicle treated mice. CBD improved object recognition memory of 12 month old SAMP8 mice, which spent significantly more time with the novel object in the 24‐hour retention test than the age‐matched vehicle treated controls. While there was no difference in total distance traveled measured by open field activity, the mice that that received CBD displayed decreased anxiety in the elevated + maze at both 3 and 30 mg/kg/day doses compared to the age‐matched control. The mice that received 3 mg/kg/day had significantly less anxiety than the young control group. CBD had no significant effects on the measures of strength in the aged mice. Our results indicate that CBD improves both spatial and recognition memory and decreases anxiety. CBD is a potential treatment for age‐related dementia.Support or Funding InformationPilot funding from the Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Saint Louis University

Bone Health in Rats With Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in the Absence of Anti-Epileptic Drugs.

Rationale: Epilepsy patients often exhibit reduced bone mineral density and are at an increased risk of bone fracture. Whether these bone abnormalities are due to the use of anti-epileptic drugs (AED’s) or the disease itself is unknown. For example, although decreased bone health in epilepsy patients is generally attributed to the use of AED’s, seizures can also trigger a number of physiological processes that have the potential to affect bone. Therefore, to assess whether bone abnormalities occur in epilepsy in the absence of AED’s, the current study investigated mechanical characteristics and trabecular bone morphology in rats with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods: Ten-week old male Wistar rats underwent kainic acid-induced status epilepticus (SE; n = 7) or a sham procedure (n = 9). Rats were implanted with EEG recording electrodes at nine weeks post-SE, and video-EEG was continuously recorded for one week at 10- and 22-weeks post-SE to confirm that SE rats had spontaneous seizures. Open-field testing to assess locomotion was conducted at 23-weeks post-SE. At 24-weeks post-SE, rats were euthanized and tibia were extracted to determine trabecular morphology by micro-computed tomography (µCT), while femurs were used to investigate mechanical properties via 3-point bending. Results: All post-SE rats had spontaneous seizures at 10- and 22-weeks post-SE, while none of the sham rats had seizures. µCT trabecular analysis of tibia revealed no differences in total volume, bone volume, bone volume fraction, trabecular number, or trabecular separation between post-SE or sham rats, although post-SE rats did have increased trabecular thickness. There were also no group differences in total distance travelled in the open field suggesting that activity levels did not account for the increased trabecular thickness. In addition, no differences in mechanical properties of femurs were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: There was a lack of overt bone abnormalities in rats with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy in the absence of AED treatment. Although further studies are still needed, these findings may have important implications towards understanding the source (e.g., AED treatments) of bone abnormalities in epilepsy patients.

Positional Differences in Running and Nonrunning Activities During Elite American Football Training.

Ward, PA, Ramsden, S, Coutts, AJ, Hulton, AT, and Drust, B. Positional differences in running and nonrunning activities during elite American football training. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2017-The aim of this investigation was to describe differences in training loads between position groups within professional American football. Integrated micro technology data were collected on 63 NFL football players during an American football training camp. Five key metrics (total distance, high-speed distance, player load (PL), PL per minute, and total inertial movement analysis [IMA]) served to quantify both running and nonrunning activities. Players were classified into position groups (defensive back [DB], defensive linemen [DL], linebacker, offensive linemen [OL], quarterback, running back, tight end, and wide receiver [WR]). Training sessions were identified by their relationship to the upcoming match (e.g., -4, -3, and -2). Running and nonrunning activities varied between position groups relative to the training day. Differences in total distance between DB and WR were observed to be unclear across the 3 training days (game day [GD] -4: 74 ± 392 m; GD -3: -122 ± 348 m; and GD -2: -222 ± 371 m). However, moderate to large differences were observed between these 2 positions and the other positional groups. A similar relationship was observed in PL and PL per minute, with the DB and WR groups performing greater amounts of load compared with other positional groups. Differences in high-speed distance varied across positional groups, indicating different outputs based on ergonomic demands. The OL and DL groups ran less but engaged in a higher amount of nonrunning activities (total IMA) with differences ranging from moderate to large across the 3 training days. Total IMA differences between offensive and defensive linemen were unclear on GD -4 (-4 ± 9) and GD -2 (-2 ± 8) and likely moderate on GD -3 (-9 ± 9). Positional differences with regard to running and nonrunning activities highlight the existence of position-specific training within a training microcycle. In addition, total IMA provides a useful metric for quantifying sport-specific movements within the game of American football.

The role of microRNA‐195 in age‐dependent impairment of cognitive function

MicroRNA‐195 (miR‐195) is a member of the miR‐16/15/195/424/497 family. It is abundantly expressed in normal tissue, including the brain. Recently, an anti‐senescence role of miR‐195 was reported. However, its significance in age‐associated change in cognitive function has not been properly characterized. Using a tamoxifen‐inducible miR‐195 knock out (miR‐195+/− KO) mice based on the Cre‐loxP system, we compared in this study temporal profiling of cognitive functions in the mice at age of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months to their wild type (WT) control. The Morris water maze was performed to evaluate cognitive function, sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), coupled with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) acquisition was carried out to evaluate the brain connectivity. In both WT and miR‐195+/− KO mice, the slope of time latency to reach the hidden platform in the water maze during the 5 consecutive training days became gentle, but not different between the two groups, suggesting there is no difference in the age dependency of learning in both groups. However, at 12 and 15 months of age, both preference and time spending in the target quadrant were notably shorter in miR‐195+/− KO mice, compared to the WT mice. There is no difference in total distance traveled and velocity between WT and miR‐195+/− KO mice during the tests, suggesting the locomotor ability was not affected in the KO mice. Next generation sequence analysis further revealed that among the target genes of miR‐195, expression of both Plexin‐A1 and its ligand, Sema3A, were significantly increased in the hippocampus of miR‐195+/− KO mice. Sema3A binds with Plexin‐A1 to induce neuronal apoptosis. Tractographic analysis based on MRI/DTI of forebrain image revealed no apparent change in connectivity between the hippocampus and cortical areas of both WT and miR‐195+/− KO mice at age of 12 or 15 months. Taken together, these data indicate that while miR‐195 may not play a permissive role in spatial learning, it is crucial for memory retrieving during aging process. This may mediate via suppression of neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus when changes in hippocampal‐cortical neural connectivity are not yet bechanced.Support or Funding InformationMOST106‐2314‐B182A‐003 from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan; OMRPG8G0011 from Chang Gung Medical Foundation, TaiwanThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Correlation of echocardiographic findings of pulmonary hypertension with six-minute walk test and plasma pro b-type natriuretic peptide level in systemic lupus erythematous.

IntroductionPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an increasingly recognized complication of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), which may remain undiagnosed if asymptomatic.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the correlation between echocardiographic findings of PAH and six-minute walk test (6WMT) and serum pro b-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) level in patients with SLE.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 50 SLE patients selected from patients referring to the outpatient’s department of the Rheumatology Clinic at Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran, from July 2013 through September 2014, using resting transthoracic echocardiography to estimate systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Variables were summarized as counts and/or percentages or as mean±SD. Inter-group comparisons were made performing two-tailed Fisher’s exact test or Mann–Whitney U test, using SPSS 22.ResultsIn general, five out of fifty patients were diagnosed to have PAH with sPAP>30 mmHg (range: 31–40 mmHg) based on echocardiographic findings. Spirometric parameters did not show any differences between the two groups (p>0.05), while the difference in total distance walked during six minutes and serum proBNP level between SLE patients with and without PAH was significant (P<0.05). A high correlation was found between PAP and serum proBNP level, but not between PAP and the distance walked during six-minutes in SLE patients.ConclusionThe point prevalence of PAH in SLE patients was 10%; the significant correlation between PAP and serum proBNP level suggests that it can be used as a valuable marker for early diagnosis of asymptomatic pulmonary hypertension in patients with SLE.

Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Performance in Subelite Gaelic Football Players From Under Thirteen to Senior Age Groups.

Roe, M and Malone, S. Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test performance in subelite Gaelic football players from under thirteen to senior age groups. J Strength Cond Res 30 (11): 3187-3193, 2016-Gaelic football is indigenous to Ireland and has similar locomotion profiles to soccer and Australian Football. Given the increasing attention on long-term player development, investigations on age-related variation in Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-YoIR1) performance may provide useful information in talent identification, program design, and player monitoring. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate Yo-YoIR1 performance across Gaelic football age groups. Male participants (n = 355) were recruited from division one, Gaelic football teams. Participants were allocated to one of the 7 groups according to respective age groups from under 13 (U13), under 14, under 15 (U15), under 16 (U16), minor, under 21 (U21), to senior age groups. Total Yo-YoIR1 distance (m) increased progressively from U13 (885 ± 347 m) to U16 (1,595 ± 380 m) equating to a rate of change of 180.2%. In comparison to U13, total distance at minor (1,206 ± 327 m) increased by 136.4%. Subsequent increases were observed in U21 (1,585 ± 445 m) and senior players (2,365 ± 489). Minimum (800-880 m) and maximum (2,240-2,280 m) total distances were comparable for U15, U16, and U21 players. Differences in total distance (m) for all age groups were statistically significant when compared to U13 players (p < 0.002). In comparison to U13 players, the magnitude of differences between age groups for total distance was deemed to be large (effect size > 0.8). Similar trends were observed for maximum velocity and estimated V[Combining Dot Above]O2max. The evolution of Yo-YoIR1 performance in Gaelic football players from adolescents to adulthood highlights how maturation may influence sport-related running ability. Changes in Yo-YoIR1 performance should be closely monitored to optimize interventions for individuals transitioning across age groups.