Olympic Training Center Research Articles

Institutional Model of the Organization of Professional Education of Athletes Throughout Their Sport Career

The article presents the material devoted to the problem of professional education of athletes. A systematic approach was used as the methodological basis of the study, which allows considering the professional partnership of subjects of sports, education, government agencies and entrepreneurship as an institutional model for building an academic and sports career, which is an element of the system of social adaptation of athletes. The theoretical basis of the study was the activity approach, cultural approach, anthropological approach, axiological approach. The aim of the study was to study the institutional model of the organization of professional education of athletes throughout their sports career, which has developed in Germany in the form of professional partnership between subjects of sports, education, government agencies and entrepreneurship. Based on the study of the materials of the periodical press and the Internet, the expediency of building an academic and sports career is substantiated, as well as the experience of organizing professional education in parallel with sports training within the framework of the «Duale Karriere» project of the Olympic Sports Confederation of Germany is revealed. The essence and mechanisms of partnership within the framework of the «Partner hochschulen des Spitzen sports» project between interested parties – Olympic training centers, the Olympic Sports Confederation of Germany, the German Sports Aid Foundation, German higher education organizations, etc. Examples of the formation of an institutional environment for building an academic and sports career based on the use of lapidary documents, business documents of a framework nature, documents of self-regulation of national sports organizations are presented. The institutional nature of the interaction between the Olympic Sports Confederation of Germany, the All-German Student Sports Association, sports federations, Olympic training centers, public administration bodies and higher education organizations is substantiated on the basis of documents regulating their relations within the framework of professional partnership.

Renewable energy resources and multi-energy hybrid systems for urban buildings in Nordic climate

This research conducts a technical and economicfeasibility study of multi-energy hybrid systems (MEHS)combining differentrenewablesfor a northern climate city of Finland to address issues ofreplacing fossil energy by renewable energy sources (RES) to achieve zero carbon emissions. The renewable energy systems MEHS include geothermal, biomass and solar energy. The selected city-study site is the Olympic Training Center occupied by heterogeneous buildings which presents a good representative urban city for the assessment of theenergy supplyanddemand. A generic and integrated modeling framework grounded in a combination of novel forecasting models for the heterogeneous building energy demands, the splitting of space heatingand hot water use, the coupled renewable energy generation, andthe time series electricity market is developed to investigate optimal MEHS configurations based on the technical and financial analysis. Innovative scenarios of MEHS are developed. The analysis results show that MEHS can flexibly meet the energy demandfor the heterogeneous buildings and theoptimal configurations can be realised by an innovative integration of geothermal and solar sources as well as electricityas complementaryenergy. Model uncertainty and its impacts on the analysis are also considered and discussed.

Olympic training of trampolinists in Ukraine: problems and prospects

The article discusses the development trends of the trampoline as an Olympic sport, which are associated with an increase in the share of gold awards won by trampoline athletes from various countries of the world. The aggravation of competition in this sport at the Olympic Games between athletes of those countries of the world in which a centralized system of Olympic training for trampolines has been introduced is shown. A tendency to improve the results and their stability in trampoline players from those countries in which the training of athletes is based on the introduction of innovative technologies and integrated medical and biological support has been noted.
 The analysis of the performances of trampoline athletes from the XXVIIth to the XXXIIth Olympic Games was carried out. Conclusions are drawn and priority ways of solving modern problems of Olympic training of trampolines in Ukraine are substantiated.
 The following methods of scientific research were used in the work: analysis of data from special, scientific and scientific-methodical literature, questionnaire survey, analysis of Internet data, comparison, generalization, video analysis of athletes' performances at the last six Olympic Games. The list of problems that complicate the preparation of the Ukrainian national trampoline team is described. For example, unsatisfactory material and technical support of the Olympic training centers. There is no proper training base that meets international standards. It is emphasized that many coaches work in halls where the ceiling height meets the standards for trampolining (not lower than 8 meters, and preferably 10-12 m). Also, the authors emphasize that the quantitative and qualitative indicators of children's and youth sports schools do not meet the modern requirements of high performance sports. There are practically no scientific studies carried out in Ukraine and devoted to trampolining. Without qualitative monitoring of the current technique of the athlete and evaluation of the technique of performing the elements of exercises it is impossible to ensure a stable growth of his technical skills. Technical improvement should be not only the most diverse and such that does not allow the formation of rigid motor skills.

Font-Romeu (1964–1972): A Review of the Social Conditions Behind the Creation of an “International” Sports Center

In the mid-1960s, how did a small French mountain village become a high performance international Olympic training center? This article intends to answer this question by examining the social conditions behind the center’s creation. The sporting and political context of the Olympic Games in Tokyo (1964) and Mexico (1968) proved fertile ground for the rationalization of sports through stabilizing a medical and sporting administration and implementing a stronger scientific framework. From this perspective, the medicalization of athletic performance in the 1960s played a central role in the conversion of Font-Romeu, transformed from an acclimatization station in the early 1960s into a renowned international altitude training center just a few years later. The article will take a comprehensive look at the construction and management of such a center, and how it became a game changer in the international movement of sportspersons and sports-related personnel the world over.

The Lumbopelvic-Hip Complex Contribution During Lower Extremity Screening Tests in Elite Figure Skaters.

Figure skating requires power and stability for takeoff and landing from multirotational jumps and various on-ice skills. Repetitive forces may cause overuse injuries distally, making lumbopelvic-hip endurance, strength, and neuromuscular control imperative. To compare lumbopelvic-hip endurance and neuromuscular control in elite figure skaters between sexes and landing and nonlanding limbs using common screening tests. Cross-sectional study. US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. Forty elite figure skaters (20 women, 20 men; age = 23.2 ± 4.3 years) performed the Y-balance test, single-legged squat (SLS), single-legged squat jump (SLSJ), and unilateral hip-bridge endurance test (40 right [R] landing limbs, length = 169.1 ± 12.2 cm). Normalized reach difference (% of leg length) and composite scores [(anterior + posteromedial + posterolateral)/(limb length × 3) × 100] were calculated for the Y-balance test. Skaters held the unilateral hip bridge until failure with a maximum allotted time of 120 seconds. They performed 5 SLSs and 5 SLSJs while barefoot with the contralateral limb held behind them to mimic a landing position. Both tests were scored by the number of times the patella moved medially to the first ray (medial knee displacement [MKD]). Multivariate analyses of variance with post hoc independent t tests were conducted between sexes and groups. Paired t tests were used to analyze limb differences. Women had a larger composite Y-balance score (R = 10.8% of leg length, P = .002; left = 10.5%, P = .001) and hip-bridge hold time (R = 26.4 seconds, P = .004; left = 28.2 seconds, P = .002) for both limbs compared with men. Men held the hip-bridge longer on their landing limb. Six skaters performed worse on their nonlanding limb during the SLS, and 11 skaters had no MKD with either the SLS or SLSJ. Women performed better on the Y-balance and unilateral hip bridge tests. Increased MKD for some skaters during the SLS and SLSJ may have indicated hip-abductor weakness. Understanding the proximal lumbopelvic-hip variables during takeoff and landing may elucidate contributing factors to distal overuse injuries.

Foot and Ankle Injuries in Elite Taekwondo Athletes: A 4-Year Descriptive Analysis.

Background:Foot and ankle injuries are a common but underestimated problem in taekwondo. Detailed data on injury incidence rates (IIRs), patterns, and injury mechanism are missing.Purpose:The primary aims were to evaluate the prevalence of foot and ankle injuries and the exposure-adjusted IIR of elite taekwondo athletes during matches while training (ie, sparring) and in competitions. The secondary aims were to evaluate injury site, type, sport-specific mechanism, and time loss.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:Athletes from a single national Olympic taekwondo training center were assessed prospectively for foot and ankle injuries over 4 years (between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019). Data were collected regarding number and type of injuries, anatomic location, and total exposure time during training and competition for each athlete. Injury mechanism and dominant foot were assessed via personal interview. Time loss from sport was analyzed retrospectively. The injury prevalence and IIR were calculated. Correlation between mechanism and injury type, location, and dominant foot was evaluated. Time loss according to location and injury type was assessed. The chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used to test for differences in sex, age, and taekwondo experience and for comparison of injury location and type, injury mechanism, and side dominance, respectively. Training and competition IIRs and prevalence were calculated with 95% CIs (for Poisson rates).Results:From an initial 107 athletes, 79 (73.8%) were included in the final data set. Of these athletes, 38 were injured (n = 112 injuries) for a prevalence of 48.1% (95% CI, 43%-52%). The overall IIR of the ankle joint was 13.14 injuries per 1000 athletes (95% CI, 1.5-25.9) and was significantly higher during competition versus training (P < .001). Ankle joint injuries were most common (n = 71; 63%). Significantly more noncontact versus contact ankle ligament injuries (n = 46; 83%) occurred (P < .001). The forefoot (n = 18; 66%) was mainly affected by contact injuries (P < .001). Time loss was the highest for midfoot fractures (mean ± SD, 23.0 ± 0.6 days; range, 23-24 days).Conclusion:Noncontact ligamentous ankle injuries were most common, with a higher incidence during competition. Improvement of strength, endurance, and postural stability under strain is recommended for prevention.

Lumbopelvic-Hip Complex Contribution During Lower Extremity Screening Tests in Elite Figure Skaters.

Figure skating requires power and stability for take-off and landing from multi-rotational jumps and various on-ice skills. Repetitive forces may cause overuse injuries distally making lumbopelvic-hip endurance, strength, and neuromuscular control imperative. The purpose was to compare lumbopelvic-hip endurance and neuromuscular control in elite figure skaters between sex and limbs using common screening tests. Cross-sectional study. U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. Forty elite figure skaters (23.2±4.3 years, 169.1±12.2 cm, 20F, 40R landing limb) performed the Y-balance test, single leg squat (SLS), single leg squat jump (SLSJ), and unilateral hip bridge endurance test. Normalized reach difference (% of leg length) and composite scores (((Anterior + Posteromedial + Posterolateral)/Limb length x 3) x100) were calculated for Y-balance test. Skaters held the unilateral hip bridge until failure with a maximum allotted time of 120s. Participants performed 5 SLS and SLSJ, barefooted with the contralateral limb held behind them to mimic a landing position. Both tests were scored by the number of times the patella moved medially to the first ray (medial knee displacement (MKD)). MANOVA with post-hoc independent t-tests were performed between groups and sex. Paired t-tests were used to analyze limb differences. Females had a larger composite Y-balance score (R:+10.8, p=.002; L:+10.5, p=.001) and hip bridge hold time (R:+26.4 sec, p=.004; L:+28.2 sec, p=.002) on both limbs compared to males. Males held the hip bridge longer on their landing limb. During the SLS and SLSJ, 6 skaters performed worse on their non-landing limb during the SLS, and 11 skaters had no MKD with either test. Females performed better on the Y-balance and unilateral hip bridge tests. Increased MKD for some skaters in the SLS and SLSJ may indicate hip abductor weaknesses. Understanding proximal lumbopelvic-hip variables during take-off and landing may elucidate contributing factors to distal overuse injuries.

The Test-Retest Reliability of Bilateral and Unilateral Force Plate-Derived Parameters of the Countermovement Push-Up in Elite Boxers.

Maximal power describes the ability to immediately produce power with the maximal velocity at the point of release, impact, and/or take off-the greater an athlete's ability to produce maximal power, the greater the improvement of athletic performance. In reference to boxing performance, regular consistent production of high muscular power during punching is considered an essential prerequisite. Despite the importance of upper limb power to athletic performance, presently, there is no gold standard test for upper limb force development performance. To investigate the test-retest reliability of the force plate-derived measures of countermovement push-up in elite boxers. Test-retest design. High Performance Olympic Training Center. Eighteen elite Olympic boxers (age = 23 [3]y; height = 1.68 [0.39]m; body mass = 70.0 [17]kg). Participants performed 5 repetitions of countermovement push-up trials on FD4000 Forcedeck dual force platforms on 2 separate test occasions 7days apart. Peak force, mean force, flight time, rate of force development, impulse, and vertical stiffness of the bilateral and unilateral limbs from the force-time curve. No significant differences between the 2 trial occasions for any of the derived bilateral or unilateral performance measures. Intraclass correlation coefficients indicated moderate to high reliability for performance parameters (intraclass correlation coefficients = .68-.98) and low coefficient of variation (3%-10%) apart from vertical stiffness (coefficient of variation = 16.5%-25%). Mean force demonstrated the greatest reliability (coefficient of variation = 3%). In contrast, no significant differences (P < .001) were noted between left and right limbs (P = .005-.791), or between orthodox or southpaw boxing styles (P = .19-.95). Force platform-derived kinetic bilateral and unilateral parameters of countermovement push-up are reliable measures of upper limb power performance in elite-level boxers; results suggest unilateral differences within the bilateral condition are not the norm for an elite boxing cohort.

High Incidence of Hand Injuries From Blocking in Elite Taekwondo Despite the Use of Protective Gear: A 5-Year Descriptive Epidemiology Study.

Background:Hand and wrist injuries are a common but underestimated issue in taekwondo. Detailed data on injury risk, patterns, and mechanism are missing.Purpose:To evaluate (1) the fight time exposure-adjusted injury incidence rate (IIR) and clinical incidence and (2) injury site, type, sport-specific mechanism, and time loss in taekwondo.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:Athletes from a single national Olympic taekwondo training center were investigated prospectively for hand and wrist injuries during training and competition over 5 years. The Orchard Sports Injury Classification System Version 10 was used to classify injury type, and analysis of the anatomic injury site was performed. The mechanism of injury was classified as due to either striking or blocking techniques.Results:From a total of 107 athletes, 79 athletes (73.8%) with a total exposure time of 8495 hours were included in the final data set. During the study period, 75 injuries of the hand and wrist region were recorded despite the athletes using protective hand gear. The IIR was 13.9 (95% CI, 10.5-17.5) and was significantly higher during competition. The clinical incidence as an indicator for risk of injury was 60.7% (95% CI, 50.9-70.5). Finger rays were the most affected location (68%), and fractures (43%) and joint ligament injuries (35%) were the most common type of injury. Significantly more injuries were found on the dominant hand side (P < .001). Comparison of injury mechanisms demonstrated significantly more injuries at the finger rays deriving from blocking techniques (P = .0104). The mean time loss for all hand and wrist injuries was 15.7 ± 13.5 days (range, 3-45 days) and was highest for distal radial fractures, with a mean of 39.7 ± 4.8 days (range, 32-45 days).Conclusion:There was a significantly higher IIR for acute hand and wrist injuries in elite taekwondo athletes during competition, which resulted in considerable time loss, especially when fractures or dislocations occurred. Significantly more injuries to the finger rays were found during blocking despite the use of protective hand gear. Improvement of tactical skills and blocking techniques during training and improved protective gear appear to be essential for injury prevention.

Countermovement Jump Height in National-Team Athletes of Various Sports: A Framework for Practitioners and Scientists.

To quantify possible differences in countermovement jump height across sport disciplines and sex in national-team athletes. In this cross-sectional study, 588 women (23 [5] y, 66 [8]kg) and 989 men (23 [5]y, 82 [12]kg) from 44 different sport disciplines (including 299 medalists from European Championships, World Championships, and/or Olympic Games) tested a countermovement jump on a force platform at the Norwegian Olympic Training Center between 1995 and 2018. Athletic sprinting showed the highest values among the men (62.7 [4.8]cm) and women (48.4 [6.0]cm), clearly ahead of the long jump/triple jump (mean difference ± 90% CL: 6.5 ± 5.0 and 4.3 ± 4.1; very likely and likely; moderate) and speed skating sprint (11.4 ± 3.1 and 7.5 ± 5.5 cm; most likely and very likely; very large and moderate). These horizontally oriented sports displayed superior results compared with more vertically oriented and powerful sports such as beach volleyball, weightlifting, and ski jumping, both in men (from 2.9 ± 4.7 to 15.6 ± 2.9 cm; small to very large; possibly to most likely) and women (5.9 ± 4.8 to 13.4 ± 3.4 cm; large to very large; very likely to most likely), while endurance sports and precision sports were at the other end of the scale. Overall, the men jumped 33% higher than the women (10.3, ±0.6cm; most likely; large). This study provides practitioners and scientists with useful information regarding the variation in countermovement jump height among national-team athletes within and across sport disciplines.

Concussion History and Neuromechanical Responsiveness Asymmetry.

Detection of subtle changes in brain sensorimotor processes may enable clinicians to identify athletes who would derive the greatest benefit from interventions designed to reduce the risk for future injury and progressive neurologic or musculoskeletal dysfunction. To develop a generalizable statistical model for identifying athletes who possess subtle alterations in sensorimotor processes that may be due to previous concussion. Cross-sectional study. Residential Olympic Training Center sports medicine clinic. A primary cohort of 35 elite athletes and a secondary cohort of 40 elite athletes who performed identical tests the preceding year. Two upper extremity tests of visual-motor reaction time and 2 tests of whole-body reactive agility were administered. The whole-body tests required lateral or diagonal responses to virtual-reality targets, which provided measures of reaction time, speed, acceleration, and deceleration. Sport-related concussion history, which was reported by 54% (n = 19) of the athletes in the primary cohort and 45% (n = 18) of the athletes in the secondary cohort. Univariable analyses identified 12 strong predictors of sport-related concussion history, which we combined to create a composite metric with maximum predictive value. Composite lateral asymmetry for whole-body reactive movements and persisting effects of previous musculoskeletal injury yielded a logistic regression model with exceptionally good discrimination (area under the curve = 0.845) and calibration (predicted-observed probabilities within 7 subgroups: r = 0.959, P = .001). Application of the derived model to compatible data acquired from another cohort of elite athletes demonstrated very good discrimination (area under the curve = 0.772) and calibration (within 8 subgroups: r = 0.849, P = .008). Asymmetry in whole-body reactive movement capabilities may be a manifestation of a subtle abnormality in the functional connectivity of brain networks that might be relevant to previously reported associations between sport-related concussion history and musculoskeletal injury occurrence.

Elite Athlete Training in The United States of America

Objectives:The training of elite athletes is a very long and complicated process. The aim of the present study is to examine the training system of elite athletes in the U.S. Methods:Three different paths were followed to collect the information.&nbsp; First, the web sites of organizations such as U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), National Council of Youth Sports, National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA Eligibility Center and Oklahoma State University (OSU) which brings in leading role for sports in their respective fields were accessed and related publications comprehensive database search&nbsp;was conducted in EBSCO HOST Sport Discus, PubMed and Medline. Second, the sports facilities, fields and tools at Oklahoma State University and Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center (CSOTC) were examined. Finally, coaches of the OSU Athletic teams were interviewed. Results:The American college system differs from other countries because college sports in the U.S. are a big business sector; coaches usually have a scholarship budget of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. Scholarships for athletes may range from a minimum of contributions to full scholarship covering tuition fees, housing, meals, and books. USOC maintains and operates three national Olympic Training Centers. The USOC has established 17 Olympic Training Sites in 15 states across the United States. Millions of dollars have been invested in these complexes to ensure that athletes receive the best training in the U.S. Conclusions: In the U.S., there is a systematic structure related to sports, which includes the whole education process from elementary school to the end of a college education. Education and sports are parallel. Schools are the hub of mass sports and elite athletic training. Universities offer the most ideal opportunities for athletes. Universities target and achieve not only the athletic development of the student-athlete but also the well-rounded development of their education.

Transitioning to and thriving at the Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs: phases of an adaptive transition

This study was focused on the process of an adaptive transition to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO (OTC) and guided by the research question: What were the dynamic transition experiences of elite resident-athletes that constituted their successful transition to the OTC? A retreatment of semi-structured interviews with six accomplished resident-athletes was conducted through the lens of the athletic career transition model to propose a temporally based Transition to the OTC (TOTC) empirical framework. The TOTC describes the successful transition as having four phases—preparation, assimilation, adaptation and thriving—involving the dynamic interactions between the resident-athletes and the OTC programs/staff influencing the perceived transition challenges, barriers, resources, coping strategies and outcomes throughout the four phases. Based on the TOTC, future research on the transitioning to residential training centres is outlined, and practical applications for the OTC staff, coaches and sport psychologists (e.g. developmentally relevant intake protocols, strengths-based interventions and orientation materials) are proposed.

Long-term visuospatial performance abnormalities among elite athletes reporting history of concussion

Elevated risk for musculoskeletal injury after concussion may relate to impaired responsiveness to changing environmental conditions, which might be identified by appropriately designed clinical screening tests. A retrospective cohort study involved 48 elite athletes at an Olympic training center (34 males: 23.8 ± 4.4 years; 14 females: 25.4 ± 4.5 years). A 60-second test of dual-task visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) involved rapid manual contact with illuminated target buttons while simultaneously providing verbal responses to identify the right or left direction indicated by the center arrow of 20 successive trials of the Eriksen flanker test. A whole-body reactive agility (WBRA) test measured side-shuffling movements in response to 20 virtual reality targets that randomly appeared in right or left positions on a large computer monitor. A meaningful association was defined as having a 90% confidence interval lower limit > 1.0. Concussion occurrence prior to testing (2.0 ± 2.3 years) was reported by 44% of the athletes (21/48). Strong univariable associations with concussion history were found for dual-task VMRT asymmetry (left minus right visual field difference ≥ 15 ms; OR = 7.14) and time required to complete the WBRA test (≥ 73 seconds; OR = 6.40). A VMRT asymmetry X WBRA time interaction effect demonstrated 81% sensitivity and 75% specificity (OR = 13.00). A substantial bivariate correlation was also evident between the two continuous variables ( r = .454; P = .001). The occurrence of a lower extremity sprain or strain within the previous 12 months was reported by 67% of the athletes (32/48), which demonstrated an association with concussion history (53% sensitivity, 75% specificity; OR = 3.40). A cause-effect relationship cannot be inferred from retrospective analysis, but the results of both clinical tests suggest that impaired visuospatial performance capabilities may explain the previously reported elevation of musculoskeletal injury risk following concussion.

A historical review of the six keywords of the german elite sport development

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the elite sport system in Germany by selecting six keyword. Methods In order to review the literature, we reviewed the reports of sports organizations such as the Ministry of the Interior, the Olympic Games of Germany, the Sports Council of Germany, and the German sports policy, history, business, programs and financial status. Conclusion In Germany, athletic associations were created in the 40s and 50s and strengthened infrastructure, projects, and workforce infrastructure by the 60s and 90s. Through its long history and tradition, Germany is at the forefront of both the Winter and Sommer Olympics. Among them, the German Olympic Sports Federation, researchers Institute, Olympic training centers, Sports School, Kader-systems and federal police·military·customs are the main keyword of elite sports. In order to support the national players in Germany, the regional Olympic training center supports sports science, sports gymnasium, sports athletic high school, sports elite school, athletes' house are operated for selection and training of excellent athletes. And all the players are in the carder system and there is a system that allows them to enter the federal police, soldiers and customs so that they can support the human resources, facilities and programs as well as train and work at the same time.

Impact of a Short-Term Water Abstinence on Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Elite Swimmers

To investigate the effect of a swimming break on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and to evaluate perception of bronchoconstriction-related symptoms after methacholine challenge testing (MCT). Observational, controlled study. University department. Overall, 25 healthy, elite, competitive swimmers aged ≥14 years from the local Olympic training center and 25 healthy control subjects. Duration of water abstinence. Primary outcome measures were a positive MCT with a provocation dose (PD) and the perception score of bronchoconstriction-related symptoms at visit 1 (V1, training period) and visit 2 (V2, after swimming break). In the study, 13 swimmers (52%) and 10 control subjects (40%) showed AHR. The PD did not differ significantly between V1 and V2 in the swimmers (P = 0.81) or in the control subjects (P = 0.74). No correlation of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide with the PD could be established in both the groups (swimmers: P = 0.97; controls: P = 0.99). The majority of swimmers with AHR were asymptomatic, and only minimal differences in perception of bronchoconstriction-related symptoms between swimmers and control subjects were observed (P = 0.23). A swimming break of 25 ± 8 days does not seem sufficient to significantly reduce AHR in elite swimmers. Thus, relevant and systematic effects of short-term water abstinence on AHR seem unlikely. Because the majority of swimmers remain asymptomatic, AHR may escape routine screening examinations. The impact of AHR on athletic performance and the long-term clinical consequences remain to be clarified.

Erythrocyte Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content in Elite Athletes in Response to Omega-3 Supplementation: A Dose-Response Pilot Study.

Introduction Supplementation of Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) in athletes is related to the anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant effect and consequently its action on all the processes of tissue restoration and adaptation to physical stress. Objective Evaluate the Omega-3 Index (O3Ix) response, in red blood cells, to supplemental EPA + DHA intake in the form of high purity and stable composition gums (G), in elite summer athletes. Method Twenty-four summer sport athletes of both sexes, pertaining to the Olympic Training Center in Spain, were randomized to two groups (2G = 760 or 3G = 1140 mg of n-3 FA in Omegafort OKids, Ferrer Intl.) for 4 months. Five athletes and four training staff volunteers were control group. Results The O3Ix was lower than 8% in 93.1% of all the athletes. The supplementation worked in a dose-dependent manner: 144% for the 3G dose and 135% for the 2G, both p < 0.001, with a 3% significant decrease of Omega-6 FAs. No changes were observed for the control group. Conclusions Supplementation with n-3FA increases the content of EPA DHA in the red blood cells at 4 months in a dose-dependent manner. Athletes with lower basal O3Ix were more prone to increment their levels. The study is registered with Protocol Registration and Results System (ClinicalTrials.gov) number NCT02610270.

Dynamic Compression Enhances Pressure-to-Pain Threshold in Elite Athlete Recovery

Athlete recovery-adaptation is crucial to the progress and performance of highly trained athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess peristaltic pulse dynamic compression (PPDC) in reducing short-term pressure-to-pain threshold (PPT) among Olympic Training Center athletes after morning training. Muscular tenderness and stiffness are common symptoms of fatigue and exercise-induced muscle microtrauma and edema. Twenty-four highly trained athletes (men = 12 and women = 12) volunteered to participate in this study. The athletes were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. Pressure-to-pain threshold measurements were conducted with a manual algometer on 3 lower extremity muscles. Experimental group athletes underwent PPDC on both legs through computer-controlled circumferential inflated leggings that used a peristaltic-like pressure pattern from feet to groin. Pressures in each cell were set to factory defaults. Treatment time was 15 minutes. The control group performed the same procedures except that the inflation pump to the leggings was off. The experimental timeline included a morning training session, followed by a PPT pretest, treatment application (PPDC or control), an immediate post-test (PPT), and a delayed post-test (PPT) after the afternoon practice session. Difference score results showed that the experimental group's PPT threshold improved after PPDC treatment immediately and persisted the remainder of the day after afternoon practice. The control group showed no statistical change. We conclude that PPDC is a promising means of accelerating and enhancing recovery after the normal aggressive training that occurs in Olympic and aspiring Olympic athletes.

Maximal aerobic capacity in the winter-Olympics endurance disciplines: Olympic-medal benchmarks for the time period 1990-2013.

To generate updated Olympic-medal benchmarks for VO2max in winter endurance disciplines, examine possible differences in VO2max between medalists and nonmedalists, and calculate gender difference in V˙ O2max based on a homogeneous subset of world-leading endurance athletes. The authors identified 111 athletes who participated in winter Olympic Games/World Championships in the period 1990 to 2013. All identified athletes tested VO2max at the Norwegian Olympic Training Center within ±1 y of their championship performance. Testing procedures were consistent throughout the entire period. For medal-winning athletes, the following relative VO2max values (mean:95% confidence intervals) for men/women were observed (mL · min-1 · kg-1): 84:87-81/72:77-68 for cross-country distance skiing, 78:81-75/68:73-64 for cross-country sprint skiing, 81:84-78/67:73-61 for biathlon, and 77:80-75 for Nordic combined (men only). Similar benchmarks for absolute VO2max (L/min) in male/female athletes are 6.4:6.1-6.7/4.3:4.1-4.5 for cross-country distance skiers, 6.3:5.8-6.8/4.0:3.7-4.3 for cross-country sprint skiers, 6.2:5.7-6.4/4.0:3.7-4.3 for biathletes, and 5.3:5.0-5.5 for Nordic combined (men only). The difference in relative VO2max between medalists and nonmedalists was large for Nordic combined, moderate for cross-country distance and biathlon, and small/trivial for the other disciplines. Corresponding differences in absolute VO2max were small/trivial for all disciplines. Male cross-country medalists achieve 15% higher relative VO2max than corresponding women. This study provides updated benchmark VO2max values for Olympic-medal-level performance in winter endurance disciplines and can serve as a guideline of the requirements for future elite athletes.

Successful Transitions to the Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs: A Mixed-Method Exploration with Six Resident-Athletes

Researchers examine athletic career transition in a quest to optimize performance achievements and the well-being of athletes (Alfermann & Stambulova, 2007). This exploratory study examined the internal and external resources that contributed to a successful transition to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs (CSOTC). Six athletes (four males and two females; M age = 23.5 when entering CSOTC) participated in individual interviews (dominant feature of the mixed-method design) and responded to a battery of psychometric tests (less dominant feature). The composite (qualitative and quantitative) findings included three meta-themes: optimism, sport-life balance, and transition- and performance-enhancing resourcefulness.