Field Athletes Research Articles

A Comparison of Morphological, Jump, and Sprint Kinematic Asymmetries in Division I Track and Field Athletes

A Comparison of Morphological, Jump, and Sprint Kinematic Asymmetries in Division I Track and Field Athletes

TREINAMENTO DE RESISTÊNCIA ASSOCIADO AO TREINO DE ATLETISMO

ABSTRACT Introduction Athletics has high requirements for resistance and strength. Therefore, more and more researchers are focusing on improving these athletes’ endurance and muscular strength, prioritizing their sports performance. Objective Explore methods of adding resistance to conventional training to increase performance and muscle strength in track and field. Methods Volunteers in the experiment and control groups were randomly assigned. Both groups received 10 weeks of physical training. The experimental group used a 10-meter lap run on the track, with squats, left and right-side squat jumps, fast bow squats, fast squats, fast trot runs, and lower limb lifting activities. The control group used only running in their conventional training. Results Significant differences were found in the blood lactate test rates of the experimental groups. The maximum heart rate and heart rate at 3 minutes after the end of the test decreased, the recovery rate increased, the number of continuous squats and average squats in one minute increased significantly, the 8RM squat, 1RM squat, vertical jump. Long jump had very significant differences, including the vertical stiffness in the drop jump. Conclusion The endurance and muscle strength of track and field athletes had positive impacts through the experimental training presented. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

EFEITOS DO TREINAMENTO DE FORÇA SOBRE O PODER EXPLOSIVO DO MEMBRO INFERIOR EM ATLETAS

ABSTRACT Introduction: In track and field events, the force generated by running, jumping, and throwing starts from the lower limbs and is transmitted from bottom to top, forming a complete dynamic chain. Objective: Study the effect of different combined strength training methods on the explosive strength of the lower limbs of track and field athletes. Methods: Twenty members of the track and field team were selected as research subjects and divided into two groups, A and B. Group A performed the maximum resistance training method, and group B performed the submaximal resistance training method and underwent 12 weeks of different combined strength training. Results: After 12 weeks of training, there was a significant difference in the results of the two groups of students in the approach run (male P=0.034, female P=0.021), and the results of experimental group B improved significantly. Conclusion: The maximum resistance training method can most effectively improve the explosive performance of the lower limbs of track and field practitioners. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

On the Process Control of Track and Field Training: A Systematic Review

The training theory and methods of track and field sports have important contributions to the development of sports training. In the field of sports training, track and field sports belong to the sports group dominated by physical fitness. This paper summarizes the theory of track and field training cycle, the theory of exercise load control, the model of training process control and the theory of track and field training process control through the methods of literature and logical analysis. The research on the theory of exercise load control is based on the ability to adapt to the human body, while the research on the control model in the training process is from the aspects of mathematics and special training. The research on the physical fitness of track and field athletes, the endurance of training intensity and the sports content shows a trend of cross-integration and application. Although the above research has some limitations, it also lays a solid theoretical foundation for the exercise load theory and the training process control theory.

The study of the Spatholobus decoction on improving the maximal oxygen uptake of track and field athletes

Objective: It aims to observe the effect of Spatholobus decoction on the maximum oxygen uptake of athletes.This is of great significance to improve the endurance of athletes. Methods: Male sprint athletes in sports schools were randomly divided into a control group, and three experimental groups. The experiment period lasted for four weeks, and four groups ran 5,000 meters once a day, including warm-up and training. The second and fourth groups were given suberect Spatholobus decoction at a ratio of 2ml/kg according to the body weight of the participants. The control group and the third group received the same dose of water. Fasting blood biochemical indexes were determined at 8 a.m. the day before and the day after the experiment. The VO2 maximum load test was carried out on the same day. Half a year later, the same experiment was done by switching the control group and the fourth group, and the second group switched to the third group. Statistical data are collected and analyzed using SPSS analysis systemResults -(1) The correlation values of red blood cells in the second group had an obvious decreasing trend (P<0.05), but the results of the VO2max loading test had no change. (2) Leukocyte of the third group was significantly increased (P<0.05); the VO2 maximum load test showed a significant increase in respiratory quotient and vco2. P<0.05). (3) The blood biochemical indexes of the fourth group had no significant changes, but the VO2max (P<0.01), VCO2max (P<0.05) and the maximum detection time (P<0.05) were increased significantly. Conclusion: Spatholobus decoction can improve the oxygen delivery capacity of red blood cells and increase the VO2 max of endurance trainers under the condition of blood biochemical index balance.

Функціональні показники кваліфікованих бігунів на короткі дистанції на спеціально-підготовчому етапі річного макроциклу

The purpose of the study was to analyze the indicators of functional readiness of qualified runners in sprint events at the special preparatory stage of the annual training cycle. Materials and methods. The methods of theoretical analysis and generalization of data from scientific and methodological literature and Internet resources, pedagogical experiment, instrumental methods such as anthropometric measurements, research of indicators of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and methods of mathematical statistics were used in the study. 28 sprint-distance track and field athletes between the ages of 18 and 24 with sports qualifications, candidates for masters of sports and masters of sports, with experience in athletics from 4 to 9 years took part in the study. Surveys were conducted at the special preparatory stage of the annual macrocycle. The functional state was assessed by the method of indices (Robinson index, Skibinski index, hypoxia index, Quetelet index, cardiac index, vital index). Results and discussion. The most informative indicators have been established that characterize the level of functional fitness in sprint events runners. The Quetelet index of our studied athletes is 22.13 ± 0.56 units, which indicates their optimal body weight and corresponds to age norms. The indicators of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems correspond to the appropriate norms, and some of them exceed the limits of norms for untrained individuals. According to our results, the indicator of the proper vital capacity of the lungs is 4.97 ± 0.13 l, and the deviation of the vital capacity of the lungs is 8.0%, which corresponds to the limits of the physiological norm. Almost all indicators are characterized by a low coefficient of variation, except for the Skibinski index (14%) and the hypoxia index (10%). The indicators of the functional tests of Shtange (74.73 ± 4.65 s), Genchi (48.47 ± 4.23 s), Skibinsky (52.54 ± 6.98 c.u.) are above the average level. Conclusion. It has been established that the eukinetic type of blood circulation is characteristic of qualified sprint events runners. According to the Robinson index, the average level of functioning of the cardiovascular system in sprint events runners was found to be 82.61 ± 3.51 units. According to the hypoxia index, a high level of the body's resistance to oxygen deficiency (0.73 ± 0.08 с.u.) was established in qualified sprint events runners. Analysis of the functional fitness of track and field athletes will allow to adjust and optimize the construction of the training process in order to achieve maximum sports results

Upper Body Posture Investigation in Young Track and Field Athletes

Based on previous researches, it was identified how physical activity brings effects on the posture and physical development of a young body. The posture of the athletes is a large interest subject for the physical education and sports research field, mostly for the researchers who discovered that physical training affects body posture, even if there is no consensus on the direction of this effect. The main scope of the case study is to evaluate the anthropometrics variables and to evaluate the upper body posture using the APECS Pro version 6.2.0 developed by New Body Technology in young track and field athletes. The analysed group consisted of fourteen minor athletes (7 girls and 7 boys) with age between 11-13 years old. A minimum of two years of participation in athletics training, a frequency of 3 times/week training sessions, and participation on track and field contest at regional events, were criteria for inclusion in this study. Were assess anthropometric measurements (6 variables) and posture investigation (upper body posture in frontal plane – back view and sagittal plane, side view respectively). The results were performed by means, SD, and Independent Sample T-Test. Also, relationships between anthropometric variables and angular values of upper body posture in frontal and sagittal plane were analysed with Pearson correlation. Data analysis revealed asymmetry at the body alignment, head-neck, shoulder, scapulae, and axillae. It’s recommended to perform exercise sets during the session training or individually to improve the strength and the balance of strength to be able to keep the best posture daily life.

Tracking sleep in the field: sleep quality and sleep behaviours of elite track and field athletes during preparation and competition

ABSTRACT Elite athletes are susceptible to inadequate sleep, which may peak during competition and be exacerbated by poor sleep behaviours. This study sought to characterise and compare the sleep quality and sleep behaviours of elite track and field athletes during preparation and major competitions. Forty elite international track and field athletes (50% female, aged 25.1 ± 3.9 years) completed the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire and the Athlete Sleep Behaviour Questionnaire on three separate occasions: during habitual training, during a pre-meet training camp and during a major international competition. Overall, 62.5% of athletes reported at least mild sleep difficulty during competition. Athletes reported higher sleep difficulty and poorer sleep behaviour during major competitions and the pre-meet training camp compared to habitual training (P = .001–.025). No significant differences were observed between the training camp and major competition. Global sleep behaviour scores were underpinned by unique characteristics at each timepoint. Sleep behaviour (R2 = .330, P = .017), injury status (R2 = .253, P = .003) and major championship experience (R2 = .113, P = .034) were associated with sleep difficulty during competition. Sleep quality and behaviours vary according to stage of the track and field season, providing a foundation for targeted intervention.

An Explanatory Model of Doping Susceptibility Examining Morality in Elite Track and Field Athletes: A Logistic Regression Analysis

The aim of the present study was to develop an explanatory model of doping susceptibility among competitive track and field athletes using a logistic regression analysis accounting for some morality-related variables which were not explored in previous studies. A total of 281 Spanish elite track and field athletes (49.5% women, 48.4% have competed with the national team) completed an online survey measuring different constructs in relation to doping susceptibility. The final model demonstrated that nutritional supplements (OR: 2.39; CI: 1.16–4.90; p < 0.05), moral disengagement (OR: 2.17; CI: 1.48–3.19; p < 0.001), acceptance of gamesmanship (OR: 1.29; CI: 1.12–1.49; p < 0.001), and descriptive norms (OR: 1.21; CI: 1.04–1.41; p < 0.05) are the factors better explaining doping susceptibility. The profile of the athlete at risk of being more susceptible to doping is represented by someone who is aged under 20 years, believes that doping is present in his/her sport, has positive attitudes of acceptance of gamesmanship, is morally disconnected from doping, and frequently consumes nutritional supplements. It is recommended to deliver education related to the use of sports supplements and potential ill-effects of performance-enhancing substances or methods, and to engage athletes in doping prevention programs at an early age.

Effect of Resisted Sled Sprints in Sprint Start and Acceleration Performance: Preliminary Results

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of resisted sled sprints (RSS) on the biomechanical parameters of the first steps of short
 acceleration sprints. Five track and field athletes performed 10-m sprints using the semi-standing (SSS) and the 3-point (TPS) starting techniques. The RSS condition was conducted with a load of 9.7% ± 0.3 of body mass. Results of the 2 (start technique) × 2 (loading) × 3 (steps) revealed significant (p .05) were evident for flight time and sled pulling force. In conclusion, regardless of the starting technique, RSS should be controlled the avoidance of the excessive loading that was observed at the sprint start.

The distribution of training loads in the annual training cycle of long jumpers

The most important condition for improving the quality of management of the training of track and field athletes is to increase the efficiency and accuracy of actions based on timely correction of the training process, taking into account the current state and level of special training of the athlete.
 Athletes who have a high level of physical fitness achieve outstanding results in the long jump from the run. The strongest jumpers combine the running speed of a sprinter, the jumpiness and coordination of movements of a high jumper, and the sense of rhythm of a hurdler. This unity of speed, jumping and coordination of movements is formed only in the process of long-term purposeful training activity.
 The purpose of the study: to provide the distribution of training loads in the annual training cycle of athletes who specialize in long jumps. Research methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature. Research results. The planning of training loads of long jumpers is presented. Conclusions. For the effectiveness of the long- term training process of athletes who specialize in long jumps, it is necessary to rationally plan the training. The planning should include: setting the goal, tasks and determining the main indicators: future sports results, control standards, main training and competition loads, restorative measures.

Association between Self-reported Overtraining Syndrome and Symptoms in High School Track and Field Athletes.

Diagnosing overtraining syndrome is challenging and it is often correlated with other diseases, especially those related to low energy availability. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of overtraining syndrome-like symptoms and correlative factors in 389 female and 572 male national-level high school track and field athletes. They were asked to complete a survey regarding their history of overtraining syndrome-like symptoms, injuries, and diseases. The survey results revealed that 13.4% (52/389) of female and 13.3% (76/572) of male athletes had a history of overtraining syndrome-like symptoms. Logistic regression analysis showed that training hours per day (odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.71) was an associated factor in female athletes, while rest days per week (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-1.00), skipping meals (odds ratio, 3.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.50-9.29), and having snacks/light meals on a regular basis (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.83) were the associated factors in male athletes. In conclusion, athletes with overtraining syndrome-like symptoms may be prone to injuries and diseases. Hence, although overtraining syndrome is difficult to diagnose, further attention should be paid to minimize overtraining syndrome-related risks.

Motives for competitive sports participation in masters track and field athletes: Impact of sociodemographic factors and competitive background.

Masters athletes due to their lifelong engagement in sport represent a unique group to study motivation for regular physical activity, but there is less scientific data on the sport motives in masters athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of age, sex, education, nationality, competitive background and training amount with sport motives of masters track and field athletes. 811 (254 women) athletes aged 35-89 years participated in European Veterans Athletics Championships in the year of 2000. Sport motives were assessed with a questionnaire and categorized into1) well-being, 2) competitive and performance 3) health and fitness motives. Men considered health and fitness motives more important than women (p = 0.022). Over 65-year-old athletes considered health and fitness motives more important than the youngest, 35-49-year age group (p<0.001). Education was not associated with sport motives, while motives varied significantly among different nationalities. Athletes from Nordic Countries considered well-being motives more important than Southern Europeans (p<0.001) or Western Europeans (p<0.05). Athletes from Nordic Countries (p = 0.003), Eastern Europe (p<0.001) and Central Europe (p<0.001) found health and fitness motives more meaningful than athletes from the British Isles. Furthermore, athletes with competitive background before the age of 35 and training amount more than 7.5 h a week found competitive and performance motives more important than athletes without a competitive history (p = 0.002). These results suggest that age, sex, nationality and former athleticism are associated with sports motives among international level masters track and field athletes. It seems that while for masters athletes with competitive background performance motives dominate, for older adults, particularly for males, health and fitness motives are more important. In addition, when designing the exercise interventions for older adults, different sport motives across countries should be considered.

Personality Trait Comparison of Pararescue Personnel and Elite Athletes.

INTRODUCTION: Pararescue personnel (PJs) deploy in high-risk environments and perform extraordinary missions under intense conditions, requiring an unusual combination of physical and psychological abilities. The rigorous nature of PJ training and the superior levels of fitness and cognitive functioning to perform challenging physical feats in high-pressure, high-intensity environments have prompted military commanders and embedded health care providers to compare successful performance in the PJ mission with the characteristics required of elite, Olympic-level athletes.METHODS: In the current study, we tested this assumption by comparing the social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of 160 U.S. PJ training candidate graduates and 73 elite, Olympic-level track and field athletes using scores on the NEO Personality Inventory-3.RESULTS: Results from this study suggest that although there are physical and psychological challenges inherent in both the PJ and elite athlete career fields, the emotional, social, and behavioral performance of PJs differs in functional ways from the elite athlete population, with PJs scoring significantly lower in Neuroticism and higher in Extraversion and Conscientiousness.DISCUSSION: The results of this study can be used to improve the delivery of embedded mental health services geared toward improving training and enhancing health, recovery, and performance within operational units.Shadle A, Waite L, Chappelle W. Personality trait comparison of pararescue personnel and elite athletes. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2022; 93(11):783-790.

Athlete Recruitment and the Myth of the Sophomore Peak

Conventional wisdom dispersed by fans and coaches in the stands at almost any high school track meet suggests female athletes typically peak around 10th grade or earlier (15 years of age), particularly for distance runners, and male athletes continuously improve. Given that universities in the United States typically recruit track and field athletes from high school teams, it is important to understand the age of peak performance at the high school level. Athletes are often recruited starting in their sophomore year of high school and individuals develop at different rates during adolescence; however, the individual development factor is usually not taken into account during recruitment. In this study, we curate data on event times for high school track and field athletes from the years 2011 to 2019 to determine the trajectory of fastest times for male and female athletes in the 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1600m races. We show, through visualizations and models, that, for most athletes, the sophomore peak is a myth. Performance is mostly dependent on the individual athlete. That said, the trajectories cluster into four or five types, depending on the race distance. We explain the significance of the types for future recruitment.

Evaluation of Association between PPARGC1A Gene Polymorphism and Competitive Performance of Elite Athletes

Limited number of researches exist on the relationship between PPARGC1A gene polymorphism (rs8192678) and affects the athletic performance. Thus, the present study aims to decipher any possible association of the rs8192678 polymorphism in the PPARGC1A gene with the competitive performances of Turkish elite track and field athletes. A total of 60 elite athletes (31 sprint/power and 29 endurance) and 20 control/sedentary with the ages of 18-35 voluntarily participated in the study. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) score scale was used to determine the performance levels of the personal best (PB) of the athletes. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed by the genomic DNA sample isolated from blood of the participants. The association between rs8192678 polymorphism and PB was examined by one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with the adjustment of sex and sport experience. According to the results, there were not any significant deviation between the wild-type (G/G), heterozygote (G/A) and homozygote (A/A) genotypes within and between the groups (p&gt;0.05). Our results underlined that there were not any significances for association of rs8192678 polymorphism with PBs within the groups of the sprint/power and endurance athletes. However, it is recommended that similar studies be conducted with more participants to provide clearer information about the research.

Comparison of Joint-Level Kinetics During Single-Leg and Double-Leg Weightlifting Derivatives.

Hayashi, R, Yoshida, T, and Kariyama, Y. Comparison of joint-level kinetics during single- and double-leg weightlifting derivatives. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 1017-1022, 2023-Humans have different 3-dimensional biomechanical characteristics of the lower extremities during locomotion with one and both legs. These biomechanical characteristics may also be observed in the weightlifting derivatives. This study aimed to compare the 3-dimensional joint kinetics of the lower extremities during the single-leg hang power clean (SHPC) and double-leg hang power clean (DHPC). Ten male track and field athletes performed the SHPC and DHPC using external loads of 30, 60, and 90% of one repetition maximum (1RM). The 1RMs in SHPC and DHPC were measured separately, and the external loads at 30, 60, and 90% of the 1RM used were determined based on the different 1RMs in SHPC and DHPC. We calculated the joint moment and joint power of the SHPC and DHPC using a motion capture system and force platforms. The hip abduction moment and power of the SHPC were significantly greater than those of the DHPC under all external loads ( p < 0.05). In addition, ankle joint moment at all external loads and joint power at 90% of 1RM was greater for SHPC than for DHPC ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, although hip (extension-flexion) and ankle joint kinetics in SHPC and DHPC showed similar load dependence, hip abduction axis kinetics was not load dependent. These results suggest that the hip (abduction-adduction) and ankle joint kinetics in SHPC are greater than in DHPC, but hip (abduction-abduction) kinetics in SHPC is not load independent.

Development of endurance of middle-distance track and field athletes at the stage of initial training

The purpose of the study: to develop and experimentally substantiate the methodology of developing the endurance of track and field athletes at the initial stage of training who specialize in middle-distance running. Participants: 22 track and field athletes (males) aged 11-13 years, who specialize in middle-distance running at the Kharkiv State Secondary School No. 3. Research methods: analysis of literary data, testing of physical fitness, methods of mathematical statistics. Results: a methodology for developing the endurance of young middle-distance track and field athletes has been developed, which combines the use of various running, jumping, game exercises and stretching, and its implementation in the practice of the educational and training process has been substantiated.

Accuracy of Inertial Measurement Units When Applied to the Countermovement Jump of Track and Field Athletes.

In this study, we aimed to assess the countermovement jump (CMJ) using a developed instrument encompassing an off-the-shelf Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) in order to analyze performance during the contraction phase, as well as to determine the jump height and the modified reactive strength index (RSImod), using force plate (FP) data as reference. Eight athletes (six males and two females) performed CMJs with the IMU placed on their fifth lumbar vertebra. Accuracy was measured through mean error (standard deviation), correlation, and comparison tests. The results indicated high accuracy, high correlation (r), and no statistical differences between the IMU and the FP for contraction time (r = 0.902; ρ < 0.001), negative impulse phase time (r = 0.773; ρ < 0.001), flight time (r = 0.737; ρ < 0.001), jump time (r = 0.708; ρ < 0.001), RSImod (r = 0.725; ρ < 0.001), nor minimum force (r = 0.758; ρ < 0.001). However, the values related to the positive impulse phase did not have the expected accuracy, as we used different devices and positions. Our results demonstrated that our developed instrument could be utilized to identify the contraction phase, jump height, RSImod, and minimum force in the negative impulse phase with high accuracy, obtaining a signal similar to that of an FP. This information can help coaches and athletes with training monitoring and control, as the device has simpler applicability making it more systematic.

Performance in youth track and field is associated with birth quartile. A register-based study among athletes in Norway from 10 years to senior level.

IntroductionEarlier studies have demonstrated that the oldest in a competition class are more likely to succeed than the youngest, a phenomenon called relative age effect (RAE). Track and field give us an opportunity to investigate the advantage of being born early in the year based upon actual performance, since objective criteria are the performance indicators. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of RAE in Norwegian track and field athletes in events where physical capacity is important for success.MethodsAll individual season best results from the register of The Norwegian Athletics Federation (n = 28 999) obtained in all competition classes from the age of 10 years to senior in both sexes on 60m and 600m from 2011 to 2020 were downloaded. One-way ANOVA and LSD post hoc analyses were used to analyze performance differences according to birth quartiles between athletes. Further, odds ratios (OR) were used to calculate the odds of being among the top-100 for athletes for those born in the first quartile of the year compared to the last.ResultsThe RAE was present in several of the competition classes in sprint compared to middle-distance running, and in more male than female competition classes. Overall, the OR of being among the top-100 in one of the competition classes on 60m sprint when born in first quartile compared to last quartile was 2.88 [2.30–3.62] for males and 1.54 [1.26–1.89] for females.ConclusionBeing born early in the year in events with high demand for specific physical capacities is an advantage in both sexes in most of the youngest competition classes. In males, the advantage of being born early in the year lasted longer in sprint than in middle-distance running, indicating that puberty affects performance in sprint and middle-distance running differently.