Ergometer Test Research Articles

Does cardiorespiratory fitness moderate the relationship between overweight, cardiovascular risk markers and mental health among forcibly displaced individuals living in a Greek refugee camp?

ObjectivesRefugees may have an increased risk of developing overweight/obesity as they often experience a nutritional transition. Because maintaining good cardiorespiratory fitness can help reduce the negative impact of excess weight on overall health, the objective of this study was to examine whether fitness moderates the relationship between weight status and cardiovascular and mental health outcomes in forcibly displaced individuals living in a Greek refugee camp.MethodsA sample of 142 forcibly displaced individuals were recruited. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the submaximal Åstrand-Rhyming bicycle ergometer test. Blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose, and hs-CRP were assessed as physical health outcomes, whereas post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms, pain, and quality of life were assessed as mental health outcomes. Main and interaction effects were tested via analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs).ResultsAlmost 50% of the participants were overweight/obese, more than 60% presented with very poor fitness levels, and the percentage of participants with very poor fitness levels was particularly high among overweight/obese participants. Whereas overweight/obesity was associated with a less favorable body composition and cardiovascular risk profile, poor fitness was associated with a higher percentage of body fat and a lower percentage of muscle mass. Cardiorespiratory fitness did not moderate the relationship between overweight/obesity and most of the assessed health outcomes.ConclusionsOnly limited support was found for the applicability of the fit-but-fat concept to our population of forcibly displaced individuals. Public health services should prioritize measures to prevent overweight/obesity and associated diseases in refugee camps. Moreover, efforts are needed to improve the fitness of camp residents via exercise/sport interventions.

Baseline differences in cardiorespiratory fitness by gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist treatment converge after testosterone in transgender adolescents.

There are known sex differences in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Little is known about the impact of pubertal blockade with a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) followed by hormone therapy on CRF for transgender adolescents. We aimed to (1) determine the effect of GnRHa monotherapy on CRF and mitochondrial function and associations with metabolomic profiles, and (2) evaluate for changes after 1 and 12 months of testosterone therapy among transgender adolescents . Participants assigned female at birth (n=19, baseline age 15.0+1.0 years) from two groups: GnRHa+ (n=8) and GnRHa- (n=11) were examined at baseline and 1- and 12-months post-testosterone therapy in a longitudinal observational study to assess cardiorespiratory fitness, mitochondrial respiration and metabolic profile. Fasted morning labs including assessment of metabolomics and peripheral blood mononuclear cell mitochondrial respiration and degree of mitochondrial coupling (respiratory control ratio, RCR). A graded cycle ergometer test was performed. Baseline differences were evaluated between groups. Changes were compared with mixed linear regression models evaluating time (baseline, 1 and 12 months), group (GnRHa treatment yes/no), and their interaction. At baseline GnRHa+ individuals had higher relative VO2peak (30.1+4.83 vs. 25.24+4.47 ml/kg/min, p=0.042) than GnRHa- individuals. In regression models, GnRHa+ individuals had a significant increase in peak watts (p=0.011) and total exercise time (p=0.005)after 12 months of testosterone (p=0.012), but not GnRHa- individuals. GnRHa+ individuals have significantly higher RCR under carbohydrate (p=0.0007) and lipid (p=0.0002) conditions than GnRHa+ individuals. Pretreatment with GnRHa positively influences peak CRF and mitochondrial respiration in adolescent transgender males undergoing testosterone therapy.

Use of the ECG-Controlled Six-Minute Walk Test to Assess Exercise Capacity: a Comparative Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION. In clinical practice, stress tests are carried out to draw up an individual patient rehabilitation plan, assess tolerance and optimize the load, and evaluate its clinical effectiveness. The Six-minute walk test (6MWT), in the presence of contraindications to the bicycle ergometer test or the impossibility of performing it, is a tool for assessing the response of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to the load being performed. There is no description in the literature of the relationship between the distance traveled during 6MWT and the peak metabolic equivalent (MET) assessed during the bicycle ergometer test. AIM. Study the relationship between 6MWT indicators and the results of bicycle ergometer test in patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS. During the examination, 56 patients underwent a symptom limited bicycle ergometer test and 6MWT, the peak MET and the distance traveled during 6MWT, as well as changes in the ECG during both tests were assessed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. The average values of maximum heart rate during the bicycle ergometer test and ECG-controlled 6MWT did not differ significantly. The distance in meters during 6MWT and the power of the exercise performed during bicycle ergometer test in MET have a significant relationship, which indicates the comparability of the data from these tests as a criterion of exercise tolerance. CONCLUSION. The use of 6MWT and bicycle ergometer test allows us to assess various aspects of cardiorespiratory function and physical fitness in patients undergoing a cardiac rehabilitation program. Further study of the possibility of using ECG-controlled 6MWT in the early stages of rehabilitation is necessary to create the most effective and safe physical training for patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction.

Leg cycling efficiency is unaltered in healthy aging regardless of sex or training status.

Muscular efficiency during exercise has been used to interrogate aspects of human muscle energetics, including mitochondrial coupling and biomechanical efficiencies. Typically, assessments of muscular efficiency have involved graded exercises. Results of previous studies have been interpreted to indicate a decline in exercise efficiency with aging owing to decreased mitochondrial function. However, discrepancies in variables such as exercise stage duration, cycling cadence, and treadmill walking mechanics may have affected interpretations of results. Furthermore, recent data from our lab examining the ATP to oxygen ratio (P:O) in mitochondrial preparations isolated from NIA mouse skeletal muscle showed no change with aging. Thus, we hypothesized that delta efficiency (Δ€) during steady-rate cycling exercise would not be altered in older healthy subjects compared with young counterparts regardless of biological sex or training status. Young (21-35 yr) and older (60-80 yr) men (n = 21) and women (n = 20) underwent continual, progressive leg cycle ergometer tests pedaling at 60 RPM for three stages (35, 60, 85 W) lasting 4 min. Δ€was calculated as: (Δ work accomplished/Δ energy expended). Overall, cycling efficiencies were not significantly different in older compared with young subjects. Similarly, trained subjects did not exhibit significantly different exercise efficiencies compared to untrained. Moreover, there were no differences between men and women. Hence, our results obtained on healthy young and older subjects are interpreted to mean that previous reports of decreased efficiency in older individuals were attributable to metabolic or biomechanical comorbidities, not aging per se.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Muscular power is reduced, but the efficiency of movement is unaltered in healthy aging.

The oxygen uptake efficiency slope does not accurately predict O2peak of children - the Arkansas Active Kids study.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a vital indicator of health. However, accurately measuring peak oxygen consumption ( O2peak) to determine CRF in children can be challenging. The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) has been proposed as an alternative metric for predicting O2peak in children, but its accuracy and agreement with measured O2peak remain unclear. A post hoc analysis was conducted in 94 children (ages 7-10years) who completed an incremental cycle ergometer test to measure O2peak. Body composition (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) was measured, and fat mass index (FMI, kg/m2) and fat-free mass index (FFMI, kg/m2) were calculated. OUES was determined using all respiratory data (OUES100%) collected during the cycle ergometer test and using data only up to 60% of heart rate reserve (OUES60%HRR). Regression equations to predict O2peak (Pred- O2peak) were derived from simple and multiple linear regression analysis. Bland-Altman analysis assessed the level of agreement between Pred- O2peak and measured O2peak. OUES60%HRR (β = 0.46, p < 0.0001), age (β = 56.0, p = 0.0004), White race (β = 173.3, p < 0.0003), FFMI (β = 0.98.6, p < 0.000), and FMI (β = -0.40.8, p < 0.000) were retained in the final model. The difference between measured O2peak and Pred- O2peak was not different from zero (p = 0.999). There was a positive association between the difference of measured O2peak and Pred- O2peak and the average of the two methods (β = 0.79, p = 0.0028). There was no mean bias between measured O2peak and Pred- O2peak. However, magnitude bias was present even after considering other significant predictors of O2peak (FMI, FFMI, race, and age) in the regression equation. Caution is advised when using OUES to predict O2peak in children.

Comparison of local muscle oxygenation and whole-body VO2 during incremental exercise

The use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in sports science has become increasingly important in the past few years (Perrey et al., 2024). One application is to determine thresholds from different NIRS parameters like oxygenated (O2Hb) or deoxygenated (HHb) hemoglobin to distinguish between hard and severe-intensity exercise (Caen et al., 2018). Such applications are frequently validated by comparison to established threshold determination concepts. However, it is not yet known which of the two parameters is more closely related to classical concepts. Therefore, the aim of this project was do analyze which NIRS parameter (oxygenated [O2Hb] or deoxygenated [HHb] hemoglobin) better reflects systemic behavior determined from ventilation (VE). Thirteen physically active participants (4 females, 9 males; mean age: 26.3 ± 4.4 years, height: 176.0 ± 10.3 cm, weight: 71.9 ± 9.3 kg) were included in the study. VE and NIRS data from a major locomotor muscle (vastus lateralis) during a step-incremental single leg cycle ergometer test were recorded. We used a custom MATLAB script to fit piecewise linear continuous functions by regression to estimate NIRS and VE thresholds. We used two distinct segments for NIRS data and three distinct segments for VE data. NIRS thresholds were defined as the point of intersection of the two segments in O2Hb and HHb signals, respectively. The ventilatory threshold was defined as the second increase in VE. We used a resampling strategy to reduce the impact of outliers or peculiar data distributions on threshold estimates. Thresholds from O2Hb and HHb in the active leg and VE were observed at 78.24%, 76.37%, and 84.15% of the maximum power achieved. Both O2Hb (r = 0.85, p &lt; 0.001) and HHb (r = 0.75, p = 0.0051) thresholds were significantly correlated, but mean values were significantly different (p &lt; 0.05) from the respiratory compensation point (RCP) mean value. Correlations between O2Hb and HHb values from the passive leg and the RCP values were in the same range (r = 0.88, p &lt; 0.001 and r = 0.79, p = 0.0023, respectively). The results indicate that, based on the correlations, O2Hb is slightly closer related to the second ventilatory threshold compared to HHb. The present study shows that thresholds from both NIRS parameters are closely related to the second ventilatory threshold which indicates a physiological relationship. However, thresholds cannot be used interchangeably as NIRS parameters derived from the working muscle appear earlier than systemic thresholds that demonstrate a delay in kinetics between the working muscle and the system.

Physical Fitness Determinants of a Military Casualty Evacuation Test.

Casualty evacuation has been identified as a typical and essential single military task which every soldier should be able to perform rapidly during combat. Previous studies suggest that casualty evacuation is typically conducted by dragging and demands e.g., lean body mass and anaerobic performance. Association of physical fitness with casualty evacuation by dragging has been studied widely but previous studies lack comprehensive assessment of all physical fitness determinants. The purpose of the present study was to examine comprehensively how casualty emergency evacuation (CEE) performance associates with physical fitness and body composition. A total of 25 conscripts (20 men, 5 women) volunteered for measurements of height, weight, waist circumference, body composition, 1-min sit-ups and push-ups, grip strength, isometric bench and leg press, standing long jump, 30-s cycle ergometer test, and 12-min run test. Subjects performed a CEE test in which evacuation time (ET), heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and rate of perceived exertion were measured. In the CEE test, subjects wore combat gear (11.7 ± 1.6 kg) and dragged a doll wearing combat gear (80.2 kg) 28 m while crawling (go round two cones, Z-pattern) and 20 m upright (straightforward). Correlations and backward regression analysis were used for statistical analyses. The level of significance was set to P ≤ .05. Evacuation time lasted on average 87 ± 32 s with a peak heart rate of 184 ± 6 bpm, lactate concentration of 9.4 ± 2.7 mmol/l, and RPE of 17 ± 1. Evacuation time correlated inversely and strongly with anaerobic capacity and power (r = -0.72-0.78, P ≤ .001), but not with aerobic fitness. Inverse and strong correlations were observed between ET and maximal strength variables (r = -0.58-0.69, P ≤ .01), whereas muscular endurance and ET revealed non-significant correlations. Evacuation time correlated moderate to strongly with body fat percentage (r = 0.48, P ≤ .05) and inversely with lean body mass (r = -0.74, P ≤ .001) and body height (r = -0.53, P ≤ .01). The backward regression analysis showed that anaerobic capacity (standardized β = -0.52, P ≤ .001), fat percentage (standardized β = 0.40, P ≤ .001), and isometric leg press (standardized β = -0.25, P ≤ .1) together explained the variance of ET significantly (adjusted R2 = 0.84, P ≤ .001). This study examined thoroughly how different physical fitness dimensions and body composition relate to a CEE test performed by a combination of dragging while crawling and in upright position. Casualty emergency evacuation was discovered as a high-intensity military task, which demands most importantly high anaerobic performance, lean body mass, and maximal strength capabilities. Improving these dimensions of physical fitness should be considered highly important as CEE is essential and possibly one of the most demanding military tasks which every soldier should be able to conduct in combat. From operational perspective, it is relevant that soldiers are able to perform CEE during operations; therefore, further research is needed on how acute operational stress changes the nature of CEE and its physical determinants.

Validation of activity trackers to estimate energy expenditure in older adults with cardiovascular risk factors.

To compare different types of activity trackers recording physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and examine their criterion validity against indirect calorimetry (IC) as the gold standard in adults over 60 years of age with a special focus on women with cardiovascular risk. Synchronous registrations of PAEE were performed with up to four different devices to determine criterion validity against IC while participants performed a protocol of simulated activities in a laboratory setting. Thirty-four participants (25 women, 9 men) with at least a light cardiac risk performed a protocol of simulated activities in a laboratory setting (daily living activities, cycle ergometer test). PAEE was simultaneously assessed by IC, two research-grade activity trackers (ActiGraph-wGT3X-BT and Actiheart-4) and two consumer-level activity trackers (OMRON pedometer and Fitbit Charge-3). Tracker-derived PAEE was compared with PAEE calculated from IC descriptively and by Bland-Altman plots. The ActiGraph (0.7 ± 0.4 kcal/min), the Actiheart (1.1 ± 0.6 kcal/min) and the OMRON (0.8 ± 0.6 kcal/min) underestimated, while the Fitbit (3.4 ± 1.2 kcal/min) overestimated PAEE compared to IC-PAEE (2.0 ± 0.5 kcal/min). The Bland-Altman limits of agreement (LoA) against IC were +0.5/+2.2 kcal/min for the ActiGraph, -0.3/+2.1 kcal/min for the Actiheart, -3.7/+1.0 kcal/min for the Fitbit, and -0.5/+2.9 kcal/min for the OMRON. The magnitude of the deviation varied considerably depending on the activity (e.g. walking, cleaning, cycle ergometer test). The research-grade activity trackers estimated PAEE with higher validity than the commercially available activity trackers. The partly very wide LoA have to be critically considered when assessing PAEE in the context of health service research, as individual Physical Activity behaviour may be under- or overestimated.

Validity of the Ekblom-Bak Cycle Ergometer Test in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.

To assess the validity of the Ekblom-Bak cycle ergometer test in patients with cardiovascular disease admitted to cardiac rehabilitation. Estimated peak oxygen consumption from the Ekblom-Bak test was compared with directly measured peak oxygen consumption from a treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test. Patients completed the cardiopulmonary exercise test first, followed by the Ekblom-Bak test after 24 h rest. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to establish the correlation between estimated and measured peak oxygen consumption, and Bland-Altman plots with limits of agreement were used to determine the bias between the 2 tests. Twenty-six patients were included in the final analysis. The Ekblom-Bak test significantly overestimated peak oxygen consumption. Agreement between estimated and measured peak oxygen consumption was: bias = 4.3 mL/kg/min (limits of agreement: -4.0-12.6 mL/kg/min). The Ekblom-Bak test overestimated peak oxygen consumption to such an extent that it cannot accurately assess cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with cardiovascular disease. Thus, the cardiopulmonary exercise test remains the test of choice.

Effect of cardiac rehabilitation on heart rate recovery in patients with coronary artery disease

Background/Aim: It is well-established that individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) often exhibit autonomic dysfunction and a reduction in vagal function is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Vagally mediated heart rate recovery (HRR) can be assessed by analyzing the post-exercise heart rate (HR) decay. It is hypothesized that effective exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) can enhance post-exercise parasympathetic function. This study aims to evaluate the impact of CR on HRR and other cardiac parameters in CAD patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single center. It included patients with CAD who were referred to the CR unit and completed either 30 or 60 sessions. These patients were free from angina or angina-equivalent symptoms at the time of enrollment and were receiving guideline-directed medical therapy for ischemic heart disease. A customized CR program was implemented for each patient. To calculate HRR, the maximum HR during the exercise test and HR values at 1, 2, and 3 minutes after exercise cessation were recorded. The differences between the maximum HR and the HR values at the end of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd minutes after exercise were designated as HRR1, HRR2, and HRR3, respectively. Results: This study enrolled 104 patients with CAD. Following CR, there was a significant improvement in functional capacity, as assessed by the 6-minute walk test (from 367.83 [56.58] to 381.61 [53.76], P=0.001), and endurance, as measured by the Cycle Ergometer Test Maximum Watts (from 63.22 [22.29] to 77.38 [19.87], P&lt;0.001). CR also led to a noteworthy increase in HRR1, HRR2, and HRR3 (P=0.036, P=0.015, P=0.002, respectively). Conclusion: In our study, both the functional capacity and endurance of CAD patients improved significantly after CR sessions. Additionally, HRR showed a substantial increase following CR, suggesting that exercise-based CR can enhance post-exercise parasympathetic function. HRR may serve as a potential prognostic marker for predicting outcomes in CR.

Factors and level of physical performance of schoolchildren aged 13–14 years

There is an insufficiency of data on the characteristics of physical performance of schoolchildren in the critical period of ontogenesis associated with pubertal development.The aim of the study. To determine the factors and level of physical performance of schoolchildren aged 13–14 years, taking into account pubertal development.Methodology. The study involved healthy male adolescents aged 13–14 years (n = 165). Five stages of puberty were determined. To diagnose the level of physical performance, a complex of functional and ergometric tests and a battery of motor tests were used. The structure of performance was determined based on the factor analysis.Results and discussion. We determined the factors characterizing physical performance: aerobic capacity; absolute aerobic power; anaerobic alactic performance; anaerobic glycolytic performance; relative aerobic power. The identified factors are associated with zones of relative power. It has been established that during puberty, changes in indicators combined into different factors occur non-linearly and non-simultaneously. The results of the study show that subjects of the same age with stages II, III and IV of puberty differ in the level of key bioenergetic performance criteria. Transition to higher stages of puberty is accompanied with progressive dynamics of most indicators associated with factors of anaerobic performance, while indicators of aerobic power and capacity change in different directions, showing in some cases a tendency to temporarily decrease.Conclusion. It is advisable to use the results of the study when organizing various types of monitoring the functional state and regulation of aerobic and anaerobic physical activity in adolescents aged 13–14 years at different stages of puberty. The obtained materials can serve as a scientific basis for improving the physical education system in order to increase the functional capabilities of children’s bodies during the critical period of ontogenesis associated with pubertal development

Effects of acute beetroot juice intake on performance, maximal oxygen uptake, and ventilatory efficiency in well-trained master rowers: a randomized, double-blinded crossover study.

Beetroot juice (BRJ) intake has been considered a practical nutritional strategy among well-trained athletes. This study aimed to assess the effects of BRJ intake on performance, cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables during a simulated 2000-meter rowing ergometer test in well-trained master rowers. Ten well-trained male master rowers (30-48 years) participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design for 3 weeks. In the first week, a researcher explained all the experimental procedures to the participants. In the next two weeks, the participants were tested in 2 rowing ergometer sessions, separated from each other by a 7-day washout period. In both strictly identical sessions, the participants randomly drank BRJ or placebo (PL) 3 hours before the start of the tests. Subsequently, the participants carried out the 2000-meter rowing ergometer tests. Oxygen saturation and blood lactate measurements were performed before starting (pretest) and at the end of the test (posttest). Performance parameters and cardiorespiratory variables were recorded during the rowing ergometer test. An improvement in time trial performance was observed, with a mean difference of 4 seconds (90% confidence limits ± 3.10; p ≤ 0.05) compared to PL. Relative and absolute increased (mean difference of 2.10 mL·kg-1·min-1, 90% confidence limits ± 1.80; mean difference of 0.16 L·min-1 90% confidence limits ± 0.11, respectively; p ≤ 0.05) compared to PL. No ergogenic effect was observed on ventilatory efficiency and blood lactate concentrations after BRJ intake. Acute BRJ intake may improve time trial performance as well as in well-trained master rowers. However, BRJ does not appear to improve ventilatory efficiency.

Relationship of a Six-Second Peak Power Cycle Ergometer Test with Maximal and Ballistic Strength Tests in International Rugby Union Players

Relationship of a Six-Second Peak Power Cycle Ergometer Test with Maximal and Ballistic Strength Tests in International Rugby Union Players

Oxygen uptake efficiency slope in 8- to 12-year-old boys and girls.

Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) is an objective physiological measure that can be obtained from a standard graded exercise test. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding sex differences in OUES values in children. Therefore, this study investigated potential sex differences in absolute, ratio-scaled, and allometrically scaled OUES in 8.0- to 12.0-year-old children. Retrospective and prospective data of 18 boys and 22 girls were utilized. All participants had undergone familiarization before performing a maximal cycle ergometer test to determine OUES. These values were also ratio-scaled and allometrically scaled to mass and body surface area (BSA). Group differences were tested via independent sample t-tests (or Mann-Whitney U if not normally distributed). Absolute OUES values (VO<inf>2</inf> mL∙min-1/log<inf>10</inf>VE L∙min-1) were significantly higher in boys compared to girls (1860.8±359.3 vs. 1514.3±212.6). When scaled to mass (VO<inf>2</inf> mL∙kg-1∙min-1/log<inf>10</inf>VE L∙kg-1∙min-1), OUES was no longer significantly different between groups, but when scaled to BSA (VO<inf>2</inf> mL∙m-2∙min-1/log<inf>10</inf>VE L∙m-2∙min-1), OUES was significantly higher in the boys than the girls (1414.4±204.2 vs. 1268.9±134.6). When allometry was applied for mass (OUES/mass0.444) boys had significantly higher value than girls (350.8±46.7 vs. 305.0±31.5). The present study demonstrated that boys had greater OUES values scaled to BSA and allometrically scaled to body mass. These findings provide further evidence of sex differences with OUES values in preadolescent children and implies the need for sex-specific reference values prior to using OUES for the assessment of cardiorespiratory pathology in children.

Construction and validation of the Wingate index model for elite athletes

ObjectiveThe gold standard for measuring anaerobic fitness is the power cycle ergometer test, but this method is expensive and time-consuming, and it has negative effects on pre-competition performance. This study aims to utilize the strong correlation between accessible body composition indices and less accessible anaerobic power bicycle indices to establish and verify a Wingate Index Model. MethodsA cohort of 993 male (age: 22.56 ± 3.30 years) and 450 female (age: 21.47 ± 2.70 years) athletes who participated in diverse sports were enrolled and completed the high-intensity power cycle test and body composition test, and the model formula was established based on these data. Totally, 283 participants were randomly selected to verify the formula using SPSS 22.0 and GraphPad Prism 9.4.1. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the value derived from the confirmed formula and the measured value of the instrument among the elite athletes (p > 0.05). The probabilities that the values obtained by the formula would fall within the 95 % confidence interval were as follows: Mpower(mean power): 94.7 %, Mpower/W(mean power/weight): 96.8 %, total work: 94.7 %, Ppower(peak power): 94.7 %, Ppower/W(peak power/weight): 95.8 %, and fatigue index: 93.6 %. ConclusionBy constructing and validating multiple regression equations for the anaerobic power cycle and body composition indices, this study showed that the probabilities of the values obtained from the equations falling within the 95 % confidence interval were 94.7 % for Mpower, 96.8 % for Mpower/W, 94.7 % for total work, 94.7 % for Ppower, 95.8 % for Ppower/W, and 93.6 % for fatigue index. Therefore, these equations may have some practical value in predicting the elite athlete population.

Kinematic and Physiological Analysis of Medieval Combat Sport Using Motion Analysis, Blood Lactate Measurement, and Heart Rate Monitoring: A Case Study.

Medieval combat sport is a form of mixed martial art in which combatants engage in fighting using offensive and defensive equipment while dressed in full armor. The sport is considered extremely taxing, making it nearly impossible to maintain the same level of performance. However, this form of sport has not been thoroughly analyzed, and its impact on human physical response is largely unknown. To address this gap, the study reported here aimed to introduce and test a procedure for analyzing human physical responses within the framework of the sport. To accomplish this, two experienced combatants were asked to engage in a series of strikes, performed in the form of a set duel simulating a professional fight competition. The kinematic aspect of the procedure was examined using motion analysis with the help of an IMU suit, while the physiological aspect was evaluated based on blood lactate levels and heart rate measurements. Furthermore, an ergometer test conducted in a laboratory setting aimed to determine the lactate threshold. The duel results showed noticeable decreases in the kinematic aspects of the strikes, such as the velocity of impact, and a dramatic rise in physiological aspects, such as heart rate and blood lactate levels. During the duel sets, the blood lactate surpassed the threshold level, and at the end, the heart rate exceeded the maximum age-related level. Practicing medieval combat sport has been shown to impose an extreme physical load on the bodies of combatants, noticeably affecting their performance levels.

Is There a Relationship between Low Back, Hamstring, and Ankle Flexibility with Rowing Performance in Elite Rowers?

The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between low back, hamstring, and ankle flexibility with rowing performance. The study included 26 male rowers (mean age: 16.72±0.73 years). All participants were assessed regarding the flexibility of the low back, hamstring, ankle, and rowing performance by sit and reach (Baltaci et al., 2003), weight-bearing lunge (Powden et al., 2015)., and 2000-m rowing ergometer performance time tests (Mikulić et al., 2009), respectively. No correlation was found between sit and reach and 2000-m rowing ergometer performance time test results. However, a negative correlation was found between ankle flexibility and 2000-m rowing ergometer performance time test results (r= -0.39; p &amp;lt;0.05). Additionally, 2000-m rowing ergometer performance time test result was negatively correlated with anthropometric variables and the training frequency of rowers in a week. The stepwise multiple regression analysis results indicated that only training frequency had a significant impact on the outcome variable. Conversely, weight, height, and ankle flexibility were insignificant predictors in the analysis (R2 = .492; R = .39, p&amp;lt;0.05). The training frequency plays a crucial role in influencing the outcome variable. Other factors, such as weight, height, and ankle flexibility, did not demonstrate significant associations. However, it is essential to note that the regression model only takes into account a medium level of variance. Future studies may examine the potential impact of other risk factors.

Physiological and Biomechanical Characteristics of Olympic and World-Class Rowers—Case Study

In this study, we quantified relevant biophysical characteristics of two elite rowers across a wide range of intensities. Two &lt;40-year-old male and female Olympic and World Championship finalists performed a 7 × 3 min protocol plus 1 min maximal effort on a rowing ergometer. The intensity increase resulted in maximum values of 79.4 ± 2.4 and 69.7 ± 1.5 mL/min/kg for oxygen uptake, 179.3 ± 5.7 and 152.5 ± 2.9 L/min for ventilation, 170 ± 1 and 173 ± 0 bpm for heart rate, 10.6 and 15.8 mmol/L for blood lactate concentration, and 38.1 ± 0.03 and 38.8 ± 0.03 °C for core temperature for the male and female rowers. The percentage of power corresponding to a previously conducted maximum 2000 m rowing ergometer test and the work at each step increased from 49 to 127 and 42 to 103% and from 226.8 to 398.9 J and 174.0 to 250.0 J, from low to extreme intensities, for the male and female. Concurrently, there was a decrease in cycle length and propulsive time, followed by an increase in maximal handle drive velocity, with the rise in rowing intensity. These world-class rowers seem capable of maintaining physiological and technical profiles (and a remarkable capacity to generate substantial power) at this phase of their careers possibly due to long-term engagement in elite-level training. Biophysical data provide valuable referential information for guiding rowers to improve their performance.

Adolescent mental health and cardiorespiratory fitness: A comparison of two cohorts 12 years apart.

The aim of the study was to compare the mental health and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of adolescents in two cross-sectional cohorts, one measured in 2003 and the other in 2015, both at age 15 and across sexes. The study also sought to estimate the association between mental health and CRF in the two cohorts and examine the relationship between the level of CRF and mental health in each cohort overall and by sex. Data from 443 participants born in 1988 (228 males, 215 females) and 303 participants born in 1999 (126 males, 177 females) were analyzed. Mental health was assessed using self-reports of body image, self-esteem, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. CRF was estimated using a maximal cycle ergometer test. From 2003 to 2015, body image scores improved (p = .043), self-esteem remained stable, and CRF declined significantly (p < .001). No self-esteem differences were observed between sexes in any cohort. Males had higher CRF and body image scores than females in both cohorts (p < .001 for all comparisons). Higher CRF correlated with fewer depressive symptoms across sexes and cohorts. Specifically, higher CRF was associated with anxiety in females and improved body image in males (2003) and both sexes (2015). Increased CRF was linked to higher self-esteem in females but not in males. Overall, higher CRF levels were associated with better mental health outcomes for both sexes. These results highlight the potential of improving adolescent mental health through increased physical fitness.

The health-related physical fitness of university female students with and without generalized joint hypermobility: A case-control study

Objective: To evaluate the effect of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) on health-related physical fitness. Participants: Female university students between the ages of 18-23. Methods: Cardiorespiratory fitness ((maximal cycling ergometer tests, six-minute walking tests (6MW)), respiratory function tests, respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure), body composition (bioelectrical impedance analyses), flexibility (sit and reach tests (SRT), muscle strength and endurance (isometric and isokinetic tests) were evaluated for health-related physical fitness. Results: The mean VO2max (23.6 vs. 21.8, p=.049), MET (6.7 vs. 6.3, p=0.049), W/kg (1.6 vs. 1.5, p=0.035), and SRT scores (23.3 vs. 18.7, p=0.016) were higher in 39 students with asymptomatic GJH compared to 42 non-GJH students. No significant differences found between groups for 6MW, FVC, FEV1, MIP, MEP, body composition, muscle strength, and endurance (p&gt;.05). Conclusion: Females with generalized joint hypermobility have the same or even higher levels of physical fitness capacity as those without the hypermobility.