Female Lacrosse Research Articles

Maximal Strength in Relation to Force and Velocity Patterns During Countermovement Jumps.

To investigate the associations between maximal strength and GRF and COM velocity patterns during CMJ. Nineteen female college lacrosse players performed 3 maximal-effort CMJs and isometric midthigh pull. GRF and COM velocity time series data from the CMJ were time normalized and used as inputs to principal-components analyses. Associations between isometric midthigh pull peak force and CMJ principal-component scores were investigated with a correlational analysis. Isometric midthigh pull peak force was associated with several GRF and COM velocity patterns. Correlations indicated that stronger players exhibited a GRF pattern characterized by greater eccentric-phase rate of force development, greater peak GRF, and a unimodal GRF profile (P = .016). Furthermore, stronger athletes exhibited a COM velocity pattern characterized by higher velocities during the concentric phase (P = .004). Maximal strength is correlated to specific GRF and COM velocity patterns during CMJ in female college lacrosse athletes. Since maximal strength was not correlated with discrete CMJ variables, the patterns extracted via principal-components analyses may provide information that is more beneficial for performance coaches and researchers.

Analysis of cortisol response and load in collegiate female lacrosse athletes: A pilot study

Analysis of cortisol response and load in collegiate female lacrosse athletes: A pilot study

Difference in the foot intersegmental coordination pattern between female lacrosse players with and without a history of medial Tibial stress syndrome; a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMedial tibial stress syndrome is a common sports related injury. Altered foot kinematics can be a risk factor for the injury. Since foot segments can move independently, intersegment coordination is important for proper foot function. This study aimed to compare the foot intersegmental coordination pattern and single segment kinematics between female lacrosse players with and without a history of medial tibial stress syndrome during drop jump.MethodsTwelve players with a medial tibial stress syndrome history and 12 players with no history were enrolled. Foot kinematics, including angle at landing and peak angle and excursion at the rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot during single-leg drop jumps were analysed. Each segment motion data from landing to leaping was time-scaled to 100% to analyse the intersegmental coordination with a modified vector coding technique. Instant intersegmental coordination of every 1% was classified into four patterns (in-phase, two segments rotate in the same direction with similar amplitudes; anti-phase, two segments rotate in opposite directions; proximal phase, proximal segment dominantly rotates in the same direction compared to the distal segment; and distal phase, distal segment dominantly rotates in the same direction compared to the proximal segment). The percentage of intersegmental coordination pattern and kinematics in each segment were compared between the groups using the Student’s t test.ResultsGroups with a history of medial stress syndrome showed a significantly higher percentage of proximal phase between the rearfoot and midfoot in the sagittal (Mean ± SD; history, 52.2 ± 17.9%, no history, 29.3 ± 16.7%; p = 0.004) and coronal planes (history, 40.3 ± 22.0%, no history, 15.9 ± 9.1%; p = 0.004). Dorsiflexion excursion (history, 34.5 ± 4.5°, no history, 29.6 ± 2.1°; p = 0.003) were significantly larger in a history of medial tibial stress syndrome group compared to no history group.ConclusionsRearfoot dominant motion pattern relative to the midfoot may be related to medial tibial stress syndrome. Intersegmental coordination analysis may be useful for detecting abnormal foot coordination patterns. Also, stabilization for the rearfoot may be required rather than the midfoot for intervention.

Incidence of injuries among lacrosse athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objectives The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the incidence of injuries among lacrosse athletes and the differences in rates of injury by location and gender. Methods The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were implemented to conduct this systematic review.[1] The following variables were extracted from each of the included articles: location of injury, gender of patient, and incidence of injury among study population. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT) version 2018.[2] Estimated rates were reported as pooled proportion with 95% CI. Rates of injury were calculated as a rate per 1000 athletic exposures (AEs), defined as an athlete participating in 1 practice or competition in which he or she was exposed to the possibility of athletic injury. Results This study found that the highest injury rate among lacrosse athletes was to the lower leg/ankle/foot with a rate of 0.66 injuries per 1000 AEs (95% CI, 0.51, 0.82). This injury pattern was also found to be the highest among both male and female lacrosse athletes. No statistical significance was detected when comparing rates of injury across gender, regardless of location. The injury pattern with the lowest rates of injury for female athletes being to the shoulder/clavicle and the neck for male athletes. Conclusion The highest rate of injury among lacrosse athletes was to the lower leg/ankle/foot. As participation in lacrosse continues to rise, there is a greater need for understanding the rate of injury and injury characteristics for physicians and trainers to provide effective care to lacrosse athletes.

Head Impact Exposure and Mechanisms in Female High School Lacrosse via an Instrumented Mouthguard

To quantify the head impact biomechanics, by impact mechanism, of female high school lacrosse players during games using an instrumented mouthguard. There is growing concern for the neurologic effects of repetitive head impacts in sports, which have been linked with several short-term neurophysiologic deficits. Girls' lacrosse represents a popular but understudied sport with regard to head impact exposure and current debate exists as to the need for enhanced protective equipment. A female high school varsity lacrosse team wore the Stanford Instrumented Mouthguard during competitive games for the 2019 season. Video footage was reviewed to confirm head impact events and remove false-positive recordings. For each impact event, the mechanism was coded as stick contact, player contact, fall, or ball contact. Head impact rates were calculated per athlete exposure (AE, defined as a single player participating in a single game). Sensor data were recorded for 15 female varsity lacrosse players for 14 games and 97 AEs. During games, 31 sensor-recorded head impacts were video-confirmed resulting in a pooled average head impact rate of 0.32 impacts/AE. The video-confirmed impacts were distributed between stick contact (17, 54.8%), player contact (12, 38.7%), and falls (2, 6.5%). There were no ball impacts. Overall peak kinematics were 34.0 ± 26.6 g, 12.0 ± 9.1 rad/s, and 3,666.5 ± 2,987.6 rad/s2. Stick contacts had the highest peak linear acceleration (42.7 ± 32.2 g), angular velocity (14.5 ± 11.1 rad/s), and angular acceleration (4,242.4 ± 3,634.9 rad/s2). Stick impacts were the most common impact mechanism and resulted in the highest peak linear and angular kinematics, which may help explain why they are the most common cause of head injury in female lacrosse. By quantifying the head impact exposure, kinematics and mechanisms in female high school lacrosse, targeted injury preventions can be developed, such as rule changes and protective equipment.

Sport-Specific Increased Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Following a Concussion in Collegiate Female Lacrosse.

Poor neurocognitive performance has been associated with a greater risk of musculoskeletal injury, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention protocols include exercises to improve neuromuscular control. Research shows that a concussion elevates the risk for subsequent lower-extremity injury, because concussions lead to lower neurocognitive performance. Studies have been conducted using data within individual male sports, such as football and rugby, or across collegiate sports in aggregate; no study has focused on women's sports. Using 7 years of data collected by athletic training staff at Davidson College, this paper evaluates preconcussive versus postconcussive lower-extremity injury risk across five collegiate women's sports: field hockey, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse. Using incidence rate ratios, lacrosse athletes had a five-fold increase in ACL injury risk within 365 d following a concussion. Recognizing that postconcussive ACL tear risk varies across different women's sports is important in informing sport-specific concussion return to play protocols.

Salivary Cortisol Analysis In Collegiate Female Lacrosse Athletes

Cortisol is a hormone that corresponds to physiological and emotional stress. The purpose of this study was to 1) evaluate the changes in cortisol in female Division I collegiate lacrosse players (n = 15) throughout the competitive season, and 2) evaluate the correlation between cortisol and athlete wellness and workload. Salivary cortisol samples were collected weekly in the morning throughout the entirety of the 2021 competitive season (12 weeks). Subjective athlete total wellness scores and sub-scores (muscle soreness, sleep quality, fatigue, and stress) were taken on the same days. Objective total weekly Athlete Load (AL, an amalgam workload metric) were tabulated from the previous training week. A significant effect of time was found on wellness (p < 0.001) and AL (p < 0.001) over the twelve weeks with weekly differences, such as weeks with more than one game, weeks with no games, weeks with students in quarantine (not competing), or weeks with academic stressors such as final exams. There were no weekly differences in cortisol (p = 0.058). Cortisol had negligible correlations with wellness (r = -0.010, p = 0.889) and AL (r = 0.083, p = 0.272) during the competitive season. These findings suggest that cortisol changed little for athletes throughout the season although training volume and wellness did. Thus, assessing acute responses of cortisol may prove to be more beneficial to evaluating athletes' stress.

Comparison of Energy Expenditure Observed between Scheduled Activities in Collegiate Team-Sport Female Athletes.

Energy needs of female team-sport athletes are poorly understood with no evidence highlighting differences present between scheduled activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in energy expenditure between NCAA Division II female basketball (BBALL) and lacrosse (LAX) athletes during different scheduled team activities. Female BBALL (n = 13; 19.8 ± 1.3 yrs; 173.9 ± 13.6 cm; 74.6 ± 9.1kg; 27.1 ± 3.2%fat) and LAX (n = 20; 20.4 ± 1.8yrs; 168.4 ± 6.6cm; 68.8 ± 8.9kg; 27.9 ± 3.1%fat) athletes were outfitted with heart rate and activity monitors during four consecutive days on five different occasions (20 days total) across an entire academic year to assess differences in total daily activity energy expenditure (TDEE), activity energy expenditure (AEE), and physical activity level (PAL). Data were categorized by type of scheduled daily activities: Practice, Game, Conditioning, or Off. Independent of day type, TDEE, AEE, and PAL levels were greater (p < 0.05) in BBALL athletes. For each sport, TDEE, AEE, and PAL were significantly different (p < 0.05) between classified activity days. BBALL and LAX athletes experienced higher values on game days for TDEE, AEE, and PAL, with the lowest values experienced on off days. In conclusion, calculated levels of TDEE, AEE, and PAL in female collegiate BBALL and LAX athletes were determined to be different, irrespective of the scheduled activity.

Influence of the Bar Position on Joint-Level Biomechanics During Isometric Pulling Exercises.

Ahn, N, Kim, H, Krzyszkowski, J, Roche, S, and Kipp, K. Influence of the bar position on joint-level biomechanics during isometric pulling exercises. J Strength Cond Res 35(6): 1484-1490, 2021-The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the bar position on ankle, knee, and hip net joint moments (NJMs), relative muscular effort (RME), and vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs) during isometric pulling exercises, such as the isometric midthigh pull. Eight female lacrosse athletes performed maximal effort isometric pulls at 3 different bar positions (low: above patella, mid: midthigh, and high: crease of hip) while motion capture and GRF data were recorded. Net joint moments were calculated with inverse dynamics. Relative muscle effort was defined as the ratio between the inverse dynamics NJMs and the maximum theoretical NJMs, which were estimated with regression-based maximum moment-angle models. Peak NJM and RME were compared with 2-way analyses of variance (ANOVA), whereas GRFS were compared with a 1-way ANOVA. Peak vertical GRF were significantly greater in the mid bar position than the high bar position but did not differ between the low and mid bar position. Bar position significantly influenced peak hip and knee NJM and RME. Hip NJM and RME were greatest in the low bar position, whereas knee NJM and RME were greater in the mid bar position. Because hip and knee extensor NJM and RME differed between the low and mid bar positions, but the GRFS did not, the joint-specific contributions to peak isometric pulling forces likely reflected a trade-off between hip dominance and knee dominance in the low and mid bar position, respectively. This information should be considered in the interpretation isometric pulling data and their use in assessing and monitoring maximal force-producing capacity of the lower body.

Impulse-Based Dynamic Strength Index: Considering Time-Dependent Force Expression.

Haischer, MH, Krzyszkowski, J, Roche, S, and Kipp, K. Impulse-based dynamic strength index: considering time-dependent force expression. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1177-1181, 2021-The dynamic strength index (DSI) is a useful tool to assess an athlete's capacity to effectively use maximum strength during dynamic tasks. Although DSI is traditionally calculated based on peak forces, the ability to express force over time (i.e., impulse) is a better predictor of dynamic performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between DSI calculated based on peak force (fDSI) and impulse (iDSI). Nineteen female collegiate lacrosse players performed countermovement jumps (CMJs) and isometric midthigh pulls (IMTPs). Peak force and impulse were extracted from CMJ and IMTP force-time data. Countermovement jump impulse was calculated by integrating force over the concentric movement time, whereas IMTP impulse was calculated by integrating force over the CMJ-matched movement time. Ratios between CMJ and IMTP peak force and impulse were used to calculate fDSI and iDSI, respectively. A moderate positive correlation existed between iDSI and fDSI (ρ = 0.644 [0.283-0.840], p = 0.003). Based on thresholds established in the literature, the 2 indices suggest conflicting training recommendations for 37% of athletes. Because impulse is a better predictor of dynamic performance, iDSI may represent a more valid method for assessing an athlete's capacity to effectively use maximum strength during dynamic tasks. Practitioners and researchers may want to consider augmenting current training and research practices with an impulse-based DSI.

Effects of a Flexible Workout System on Performance Gains in Collegiate Athletes.

Walts, CT, Murphy, SM, Stearne, DJ, Rieger, RH, and Clark, KP. Effects of a flexible workout system on performance gains in collegiate athletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1187-1193, 2021-Although research on the topic of periodization is abundant, investigations into different flexible periodization strategies in collegiate athletes are limited. Furthermore, how state of readiness (SOR) and workout autonomy affect training improvements is largely unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if a flexible periodization (FP) program would elicit significantly greater performance gains compared with a nonflexible periodization (NP) program (significance set p ≤ 0.05). A total of 32 male and female intercollegiate lacrosse players completed performance measures of vertical jump, sprinting speed, change of direction, and strength in bench press and deadlift. After pretesting, subjects were matched and randomly assigned to either FP (n = 17, age = 19.4 ± 1.4 years, height = 1.72 ± 0.10 m, mass = 72.29 ± 13.73 kg) or NP (n = 15, age = 19.9 ± 1.5 years, height = 1.72 ± 0.08 m, mass = 71.68 ± 13.55 kg) training groups. Both groups trained 3 days per week for 8 weeks. The NP group completed all workout volume and intensity as prescribed by a certified strength and conditioning coach. However, the FP group modified workout volume and intensity based on a daily SOR questionnaire. Although appreciable pretest to posttest improvements were observed for the entire subject cohort, multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a series of ANOVA tests demonstrated no statistically significant between-group differences for pretest to posttest changes on any of the performance tests (range of p values: 0.17-0.95). Although FP does not seem to be more effective than NP for eliciting performance gains, it may provide greater opportunities for autonomy while eliciting equivalent improvement levels. Therefore, flexible periodization based on SOR may be a viable training strategy.

An Evaluation of Training Load Measures for Drills in Women's Collegiate Lacrosse.

To statistically evaluate the internal and external load metrics in different types of lacrosse drills. A total of 25 Division I collegiate female lacrosse players wore a heart rate monitor and a global positioning system during preseason training sessions. Seven measures determined training load, 2 internal measures and 5 external measures, across 5 different types of drills: stickwork, small-sided games, individual skills, conditioning, and team drills. Principal component analysis was used to determine which internal and external load variables were most associated with each drill type. Stickwork extracted 2 principal components, explaining 45% and 17% of the variance. Small-sided games extracted 1 principal component, explaining 51% of the variance. Individual skills extracted 2 components, explaining 39% and 22% of the variance. Conditioning extracted 2 components, explaining 44% and 24% of the variance. Team drills extracted 2 components, explaining 52% and 18% of the variance. In 4 out of 5 training modes, the inclusion of both internal and external training-load measures was necessary to accurately decipher training load. For most drills, the first component is related to measures of external load, and the second component described the balance between internal and external load measures. Small-sided games extracted only external measures including the following: accelerations, total distance, and average speed. These results show that a combination of internal and external load measures is required to determine training load during certain training modes. This information can help coaches make decisions about desired training load for practice sessions.

Sex and Sport Differences in College Lacrosse and Soccer Head Impact Biomechanics

Sport-related head impact biomechanics research has been male-centric and focused primarily on American football and ice hockey, which do not address popular sports in which both sexes participate. The purpose of this study was to quantify college female and male lacrosse and soccer head impact biomechanics. Head impact biomechanics were collected from college lacrosse and soccer players across two Division 1 college athletic programs (96 female athletes, 141 male athletes; age, 19.8 ± 1.3 yr; height, 174.8 ± 9.2 cm; mass, 72.4 ± 11.7 kg). We deployed helmetless head impact measurement devices (X2 Biosystems xPatch) before each event. Peak linear and rotational accelerations were log-transformed for random intercepts general linear mixed models, and subsequently categorized based on impact magnitude for additional categorical analyses. Most linear (69.4%) and rotational (72.3%) head impact accelerations sustained by our study cohort were categorized as mild. On average, male athletes sustained impacts with higher linear accelerations than females (P = 0.04), and lacrosse athletes sustained higher linear acceleration impacts than soccer athletes (P = 0.023). Soccer athletes sustained significantly higher-magnitude impacts during competitions versus practices (linear, P < 0.001, rotational, P < 0.001), whereas lacrosse athletes sustained higher-magnitude impacts during practices versus competition (linear, P < 0.001; rotational, P < 0.001). Male athletes sustained higher accelerations in competitions versus practice (linear, P = 0.004; rotational, P < 0.001), whereas female athletes sustained higher accelerations in practice versus competitions (linear, P < 0.001; rotational, P = 0.02). There were no interactions between sex and sport on impact magnitude. Male athletes and lacrosse athletes experience higher-magnitude head impacts. Given the limited literature in this area, future research should continue characterizing head impact biomechanics in women's and nonhelmeted sports as well as validate nonhelmeted head impact technologies.

Comparison Of Energy Expenditure Observed Between Scheduled Activities In Female Collegiate Basketball And Lacrosse Athletes

Specific energy needs of team-sport female athletes have been understudied, particularly with regard to scheduled daily activities. PURPOSE: To examine the difference between energy expenditure changes in NCAA Div II female basketball (BBALL) and lacrosse (LAX) athletes depending on scheduled team activities. METHODS: All athletes (BBALL: n=10; 19.8±1.3 yrs, 173.9±13.6 cm, 74.6±9.1 kg, 27.1±3.2 % fat; LAX: n=20; 20.4±1.8 yrs, 168.4±6.6 cm, 68.8±8.9 kg, 27.9±3% fat) were outfitted with heart rate and activity monitors during four consecutive days on five different occasions (20 days total) across their competitive seasons to assess differences in activity energy expenditure (AEE), total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and physical activity level (PAL). Data collected was categorized by type of scheduled daily activities: Practice, Game, Conditioning or Off. All dependent variables were analyzed using a mixed factorial ANOVA with paired sample T-Tests as post-hocs when necessary. RESULTS: All results are outlined below in Table 1. Independent of day type, TDEE, AEE, and PAL levels were greater (p<0.05) in LAX athletes. Changes between day types for each sport were significantly different (p<0.05) for TDEE, AEE, and PAL. CONCLUSION: Calculated levels for TDEE, AEE, and PAL in female collegiate BBALL and LAX athletes were determined to all be different, irrespective of the scheduled daily activity. LAX athletes, regardless of scheduled activities, had greater TDEE, AEE, and PAL compared to BBALL athletes. Caloric expenditure in female collegiate athletes varies significantly depending on scheduled team activities with energy needs progressively increasing between Off, Conditioning, Practice, and Games.Table 1: TDEE, AEE, and PAL, in practice, game, conditioning, off, and combined days, in female collegiate BBALL and LAX athletes.† Significantly different between sports (p<0.05); Different letters denote statistical differences between days.

Does Poor Recovery Predict Injury In The Division 1 Female Collegiate Lacrosse Athlete?

BACKGROUND: Overtraining continues to be a serious issue across youth athletes at all levels. As an athlete transitions to the collegiate level, their training volume typically increases significantly. With more female athletes participating in Collegiate Lacrosse, there needs to be an ongoing awareness of athletes at increased risk for overuse and acute injuries. Examining injury incidence patterns and attempting to objectively find risk factors for the development of these injuries can provide helpful feedback to coaches, athletic trainers, and team physicians when determining athlete participation recommendations. PURPOSE: Retrospectively analyze data related to the recovery of 31 Division 1 Collegiate Female Lacrosse athletes obtained over an entire regular season, and then determine if athletes who suffered injuries had lower recovery scores in comparison to athletes who did not suffer injuries. METHODS: The data related to the recovery of the Collegiate Female Lacrosse athletes was obtained using a questionnaire developed through the Restwise division of Recovery Science and Technology. An overall Recovery score was calculated based on the athlete’s heart rate, weight, pulse oximetry, and their responses to questions about quality and amount of sleep, energy level, presence of illness, and mood state. Athletes submitted their respective responses using the online Restwise application prior to each practice and game. Injury reports were then analyzed to determine specific dates of injuries. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine if there was a statistically significant association between overall recovery scores as well as the specific components of overall recovery scores, and future injury. RESULTS: 21 total injuries took place throughout the regular season. Overall recovery scores were not shown to be associated with future injury (p 0.518). Previous injury (p 0.118), illness (p 0.48), mood (p 0.588), amount of sleep (p 0.648), sleep quality (p 0.686), and energy state (p 0.211) were also not shown to have a statistically significant relationship with future injury. CONCLUSION: Restwise Recovery Data was not shown to have a statistically significant association with future injury in the Division 1 Female Lacrosse Athlete.

An Evaluation Of Internal And External Load Metrics In Games In Women’S Collegiate Lacrosse

PURPOSE: There is little published data to guide coaches and sport scientists about important variables for measuring game and training load in sports outside of soccer and rugby. The purpose of this study was to statistically evaluate the relationship of internal and external load metrics in women’s collegiate lacrosse games. METHODS: Twelve Division I collegiate female lacrosse players wore a heart rate (HR) monitor and global positioning system (GPS) during 17 intercollegiate games. Seven measures determined training load: two internal measures [mean HR and training impulse (TRIMP)] and five external measures [total distance, high-intensity distance (HID), distance rate, accelerations, and decelerations]. The training load measures were analyzed for the whole game and by first and second halves. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine which internal and external load variables were most associated with each portion of the game. A paired samples t-test was used to compare differences in first and second half metrics. RESULTS: The whole game and each half extracted only one principal component. For the whole game, HID, decelerations, accelerations, TRIMP, and total distance explained 58% of the variance (p < .001). The same metrics explained 55% of the variance for the first half (p < .001). For the second half, the same metrics with the addition of distance rate explained 57% of the variance (p < .001). Interestingly, the distance rate measure was only significant in the second half, although total distance contributed the most to the component, as it did in the first half and whole game data. The paired samples t-test showed differences between first and second halves for HID (p < .001), accelerations (p < .001), decelerations (p < .001). In all cases, there was greater distance and more intense efforts in the first half than the second. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that a combination of internal and external load measures should be used to determine load during games. The loaded metrics should be compared to a complimentary analysis for drills to ensure that training load metrics are similar. These data also support the concept of reduced high-intensity performance in the second half. This information should be used to bolster appropriate training methods to improve second half fitness.

Physical demands of female collegiate lacrosse competition: whole-match and peak periods analysis

The use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) has provided Sports Scientists with the ability to investigate locomotive behavior in sport. With Lacrosse being the fastest growing sport in the USA, there is no GPS analysis available, in current literature, for female lacrosse competition. This study aims to quantify the external outputs of women’s collegiate lacrosse competition and determine any positional differences. Activity profiles were obtained, via GPS, from 14 players across 7 NCAA division-1 conference games. Total distance covered (metres), maximum velocity (m s−1), speed (m min−1), acceleration (m s−2), and metabolic power (PMET; W kg−1) were used to establish outputs throughout both periods of match-play. Peak values were obtained, by using a moving-average approach for durations lasting 1–10 min, for speed (m min−1), acceleration (m s−2), and metabolic power (PMET; W kg−1). Defenders covered more distance throughout a whole match play, compared to their positional counterparts (Effect size [ES] range = 0.69–1.17). All positions showed a decrease in the second half, compared to the first half, for speed, acceleration, and metabolic power (ES = 0.87, 0.64, and 0.86, respectively). The only positional difference between moving-average durations was at the 8, 9 and 10-min markers for average acceleration, where defenders were greater than attackers (ES range = 0.72 – 0.76). This study presented a construction of the whole-period outputs as well as peak intensities for women’s collegiate lacrosse competition, that can provide coaches with the knowledge to assist with prescribing appropriate training drills to prepare for game-demands.

Dietary Intake and Energy Expenditure During Two Different Phases of Athletic Training in Female Collegiate Lacrosse Players

Kumahara, H, Ohta, C, Nabeshima, E, Nakayama, A, Mine, S, and Yamato, T. Dietary intake and energy expenditure during two different phases of athletic training in female collegiate lacrosse players. J Strength Cond Res 34(6): 1547-1554, 2020-This study aims to investigate the state of nutrient intake and energy expenditure (EE) among various phases of periodization in female collegiate lacrosse players. A total of 17 Japanese female collegiate lacrosse players (age: 20.0 ± 0.9 years) were enrolled in this study. Physical activity (PA) and dietary intake were assessed over each 1-week period during the training preparatory phase (P-phase) and transition phase (T-phase). The exercise training-related EE (EEE) and EE associated with other daily living activities (i.e., nonexercise activity thermogenesis [NEAT]), were measured using accelerometers and heart rate (HR) monitoring using the flex-HR method. The total daily EE during the P-phase was significantly higher than that of the T-phase (2,168 ± 248 vs. 1744 ± 138 kcal·d; p < 0.01); however, no significant differences were observed in the total energy intake. Moreover, EEE during the P-phase was significantly higher than that of the T-phase, whereas no significant difference was found in NEAT. Furthermore, no significant differences were noted in any macronutrient intake variable observed between the 2 phases (protein:fat:carbohydrate ratio: 12.6 ± 1.5:32.9 ± 3.9:54.1 ± 5.1% in the P-phase vs. 12.1 ± 1.7:30.7 ± 3.9:55.7 ± 5.2% in the T-phase). The carbohydrate and protein intake were below recommended levels during the P-phase. Conversely, the saturated fatty acid ratio was higher than the dietary goals for disease prevention. Based on the changes in the PA volume observed during different training phases, female collegiate lacrosse players did not attain optimal nutrient intake required for optimal athletic performance and health.

Comparison of Dynamic Balance in Male and Female Collegiate Lacrosse and Soccer Athletes

Comparison of Dynamic Balance in Male and Female Collegiate Lacrosse and Soccer Athletes

Nutrient Intake during Training and Working Days among Female Lacrosse Athletes

Nutrient Intake during Training and Working Days among Female Lacrosse Athletes