Performance-related Physical Fitness Research Articles

Test-retest reliability of four flatwater performance-related tests in canoe slalom athletes.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the test-retest reliability of four flatwater performance-related tests in canoe slalom athletes. Methods: Twenty-two Slovak national team members of junior and U23 age group racing in a category K1 men (K1M), K1 women (K1W) or C1 men (C1M) volunteered to take part in this study. During both test and retest testing sessions athletes performed 4 flatwater tests: SPS-Sprints with a turn to the preferred side (2 × 15m shuttle sprints), SNPS-Sprints with a turn to the non-preferred side (2 × 15m shuttle sprints), SBS-Sprints with turns to both sides (2 × 15m shuttle sprints) as well as 12 × 15 AOT-12 × 15m all out shuttle test (12 × 15m shuttle sprints). Each athlete completed two sessions separated by a minimum ofdays and a maximum of 5days. Results: The results have shown the excellent test-retest reliability of all four flatwater tests (ICC-SPS: 0.98; SPNPS 0.97; SBS: 0.98 and 12 × 15m AOT: 0.96). Additionally, results have shown SEM (SPS: 0.14; SPNPS 0.18; SBS: 0.13 and 12 × 15m AOT: 1.05) and SWC (SPS: 0.21; SPNPS 0.26; SBS: 0.19 and 12 × 15m AOT: 1.58). Conclusion: Based on our results we suggest that coaches use these valid and reliable tests to assess changes in their athletes' performance-related physical fitness over time, to verify the effectiveness of training programs focused on improvement in specific physical fitness of athletes as well as to identify asymmetries between the preferred and non-preferred side in canoe slalom athletes.

High or low volume beetroot juice supplementation might positively affect physical capacity and isokinetic muscle function in power athletes

BACKGROUND: Beetroot juice is an ergogenic aid containing high levels of nitrate and is known to have many physiological benefits. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on the physical capacity and isokinetic muscle function of power athletes. METHODS: Thirteen power athletes were orally administered three different volumes of beetroot juice: placebo (70 ml), low-volume beetroot juice (70 ml), and high-volume beetroot juice (140 ml). The Harvard step test, 20 m sprint, side-step, reaction time, Wingate test, blood lactate analysis, and isokinetic knee and trunk tests were performed to confirm their physical capacity and isokinetic muscle function. Significant differences between the drink groups were determined using repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the Harvard step, side step, whole-body reaction time, anaerobic power, blood lactate concentration, and isokinetic muscular strength in the knee and trunk for all groups. However, the 20 m sprint and isokinetic muscular endurance of the knee extensor were significantly higher with beetroot juice intake. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that > 70 ml of beetroot juice supplement before performance may be useful as an ergogenic supplement to improve performance-related physical fitness, including speed and muscular endurance, in power athletes.

The relationship between judo specific test performances and physical fitness in prepubescent male judo athletes

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between judo specific test performances and physical fitness of prepubescent judo athletes. Forty male judo athletes aged 10-13 voluntarily participated. Athletes completed special judo fitness test (SJFT), hikisdashi uchi-komi test (HUT), judogi grip strength tests, and performance-related physical fitness components tests (aerobic power, strength, agility, explosive power, body composition). Correlation coefficients were used to analyze the relationship between the judo specific tests and physical fitness performances. Significant correlations were found between total throw numbers during SJFT, HUT performance, isometric and dynamic judogi grip strength test performance and general performance-related physical fitness tests. Also, negative correlations were found between judo specific tests performances and body fat percent. It can be concluded from the study that total throws in SJFT, 20 s HUT and dynamic judogi grip strength tests can be used to monitor performances of prepubescent judo athletes as these tests present large significant correlations with performance related physical fitness tests.

레슬링 종목별 대학교 남자 선수들의 기초체력, 무산소성 능력 및 등속성 각근력 비교

The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze differences between male college wrestlers free style and greco-roman wrestlers physical fitness, anaerobic performance and isokinetic knee functions. The subjects were eighteen male college wrestlers. Subjects were divided into two group; free style group(n=9) and greco-roman style group(n=9). All subjects were tested for body composition, physical fitness factors, and isokinetic knee functions. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test. As the result of this study, the free style group had significantly higher vertical jump value than the greco-roman group(p.010). The anaerobic performance of relative values of average power(p.047) and peak power(p.007) was observed a significantly high in the free style group than the greco-roman group. However isokinetic knee functions(60°/sec, 180°/sec) were not significantly different between the free style and greco-roman group. As a result of this study, it is thought to be a characteristic that appears in free style wrestlers trained with explosive movements using both the upper and lower body. It is thought that it is necessary to analyze the performance-related physical fitness between according to age through future research.

Relationship Between Flat-Water Tests and Canoe Slalom Performance on 4 Different Grades of Water Terrain Difficulty.

To assess the relationship between flat-water tests and canoe slalom performance on 4 different grades of water terrain difficulty. Nineteen elite canoe slalom athletes racing in category K1 men (n = 7), K1 women (n = 5), or C1 men (n = 7) completed flat-water tests: (1) a sprint with a turn to the preferred side, (2) a sprint with a turn to the nonpreferred side, (3) a sprint with a turn to both sides, and (4)a 12 × 15-m all-out shuttle test. Canoe slalom performance was measured in competitions with 4 different grades of water terrain difficulty. There were relationships between 12 × 15-m all-out shuttle test and performance across different water terrain grades (P < .001; r = .706-.871)); however, the magnitude of the relationship decreased with increasing water terrain grade difficulty. Similar trends were observed for the sprint with a turn to the preferred side (r = .588-.884), sprint with a turn to the nonpreferred side (r = .544-.864), and sprint with a turn to both sides (r = .638-.909). In addition, small to moderate differences were observed between preferred and nonpreferred side in K1 women (P = .050, ES = 0.37), K1 men (P = .019, ES = 0.66), and C1 men (P = .003, ES = 0.69). The novel battery of flatwater tests can be used to measure the performance-related physical fitness of canoe slalom athletes. Sprint with a turn to the preferred side and sprint with a turn to the nonpreferred side can also be used to assess the imbalance between an athlete's preferred and nonpreferred side. Accordingly, to our findings, practitioners could consider adapting the training program in preparation for important competitions specifically to water terrain difficulty grades where these competitions will be organized.

Physical fitness spurts in pre-adolescent boys and girls: Timing, intensity and sequencing

ABSTRACT We aim to (1) estimate age of attainment of the peak mid-growth spurt in stature (age-at-peak MGS) in pre-adolescent boys and girls; (2) identify the timing, intensity, and sequences of physical fitness (PF) spurts aligned by the age-at-peak MGS; and (3) identify any sex differences in PF spurts aligned by age-at-peak MGS. The sample included 180 Portuguese children (90 girls) aged 6 to 10 years at study entry who were followed annually for 4 years. Height, health-, and performance-related PF were assessed. Age-at-peak MGS and PF spurts were estimated using a non-smooth mathematical procedure. Boys’ and girls’ age-at-peak MGS occurred at 7.8 ± 0.47 years and 8.0 ± 0.72 years, respectively. PF spurts’ timing aligned by age-at-peak MGS were as follows: (1) before age-at-peak MGS: boys – static strength, aerobic capacity, explosive leg strength, and flexibility; girls – speed, agility, aerobic capacity, and upper body strength; (2) coincident with age-at-peak MGS: girls – explosive leg strength and flexibility; (3) after age-at-peak MGS: boys – abdominal strength, upper body strength, agility, and speed; girls – abdominal strength and static strength. Boys and girls attained their MGS at relatively similar ages. However, the timing and sequences of PF spurts, aligned on age-at-MGS, were different between boys and girls.

Low performance-related physical fitness levels are associated with clustered cardiometabolic risk score in schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study

PurposeThe study aim was to verify if there were associations between performance-related physical fitness levels and the clustered cardiometabolic risk score among children and adolescents.MethodsThe cross-sectional study involved 1200 (655 females) children and adolescents aged 7–17 years. Performancerelated physical fitness levels (upper limb strength [ULS], lower limb strength [LLS], agility, speed, and cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF]) were evaluated and categorized as healthy or unhealthy levels. Waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, glucose, and blood lipoprotein (triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were measured. The clustered cardiometabolic risk score constituted the sum of internationally-derived standardized values (z-scores) for each risk factor divided by 5. Associations between performance-related physical fitness levels and the clustered cardiometabolic risk score were determined with linear regression models.ResultsParticipants with healthy ULS levels exhibited a less favourable clustered cardiometabolic risk score, whereas healthy levels of LLS, agility (only in girls), and CRF (only in boys) were related with a more favourable clustered cardiometabolic risk score. ULS (β: –0.091 [95% CI: –0.120; –0.062]), LLS (β: –0.272 [95% CI: –0.368; –0.177]), and CRF (β: –0.218 [95% CI: –0.324; –0.112]) were inversely associated with the clustered cardiometabolic risk score, while agility (β: 0.112 [95% CI: 0.082; 0.142]) and speed (β: 0.079 [95% CI: 0.039; 0.119]) demonstrated a positive association with the clustered cardiometabolic risk score.ConclusionsOur results emphasize the importance of following moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines to better develop physical fitness levels for the maintenance of cardiometabolic health during childhood and adolescence.

WHOLE BODY VIBRATION TRAINING ON SELECTED PERFORMANCE-RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS COMPONENTS OF PLAYERS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN FOOTBALL TEAM, IBADAN, NIGERIA

Several studies have attempted to identify adequate recovery strategies for athletes. But only paucity or none of such studies has been accessed which investigated long term effects of whole body vibration (WBV) as a recovery technique regimen before, during and after performance. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of whole body vibration training on selected performance-related physical fitness components of players in the University of Ibadan football team, Ibadan, Nigeria. The study was carried out using pretest/posttest/control group experimental research design. The sample size for this study was twenty participants. The participants were placed into experimental groups, who undertook eight weeks of whole body vibration training, and a control group who involved in their normal daily training regimen without the use of WBV for eight weeks. Two research questions were answered while four hypotheses were tested. Descriptive statistics of mean, percentages, chats and inferential statistics of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to test all hypotheses at 0.05 alpha levels of significance. The results of the study showed a significant difference in the pretest and posttest scores of players in leg power (F(1, 18) =10.047; p&lt;0.05; ƞ2=.137) and balance (F(1, 18) =19.317; p&lt;0.05; ƞ2=.327) but no significant difference in agility(F(1, 18) =1.3923; p&gt;0.05; ƞ2=.031) and speed (F(1, 18) =1.006; p&gt;0.05; ƞ2=.062). Two hypotheses were rejected and two were not rejected. The results of this study help to conclude that whole body vibration training significantly improved the leg power and balance recovery of the participants but did not significantly improve agility and speed of the participants. It was therefore recommended that football coaches should incorporate whole body vibration training into their training programme as leg power and balance are essential fitness components needed to play the game of football.&#x0D; &#x0D; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0720/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

등속성 무릎 동측근력비율이 스피드 스케이팅 학생선수의 경기력 관련 체력에 미치는 영향

등속성 무릎 동측근력비율이 스피드 스케이팅 학생선수의 경기력 관련 체력에 미치는 영향

Perceived and Measured Physical Fitness of Police Students.

The physical fitness of police officers needs to support good health and physical performance. Physical fitness comprises a considerable amount of training for police students who are to become police officers. However, to what degree police students are able to perceive their fitness level and differentiate between health-related and performance-related physical fitness is unknown. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of differentiation between health-related and performance-related physical fitness using physical self-concept and measured indicators of physical fitness. The second aim of this study was to investigate the association between components of physical self-concept and measured indicators of physical fitness of police students. The sample of 177 police students of both sexes (98 males and 79 females) completed a 40-item physical self-description questionnaire and their physical abilities were assessed for handgrip strength, standing long jump, 30 s sit-ups, and 12-min running. Principal component analysis established health-related and performance-related physical fitness from both perceived and measured physical fitness measures. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the perceived and measured physical fitness. Results suggest small to moderate ability to recognize the level of certain physical abilities, indicating the association between psychological mechanisms and biological functioning.

Comparison of performance-related physical fitness and anaerobic power between Korean wheelchair badminton national and backup players.

The purpose of this study was to compare performance-related physical fitness factors and anaerobic power between national and backup players to enhance the performance of wheelchair badminton players and to discover and foster new athletes. This study included 12 wheel-chair badminton players divided into two groups: national players (n=7) and backup players (n=5). Collected data included cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle endurance, muscle strength, power, agility, and anaerobic power. Results indicated that the national players achieved a significantly higher level of muscle endurance, peak power, and mean power than the backup players. Although none of the parameters showed statistically significant differences, the performance levels of the national players were higher than those of the backup players. Because the physical fitness aspects of wheelchair players vary according to their ability and are essential factors, individualized training programs for enhancing performance and preventing injuries among wheelchair badminton players should be developed.

Influência dos diferentes estágios maturacionais na força de jovens praticantes de voleibol

O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a influência dos diferentes estágios maturacionais nos componentes da aptidão física relacionados ao desempenho, especificamente a força explosiva de membros superiores e a altura do salto. Participaram do estudo 239 crianças, sendo 139 do sexo feminino e 100 do sexo masculino com idades entre 10 e 14 anos, praticantes de voleibol. Foram realizadas avaliações antropométricas e testes de capacidades físicas. Na análise estatística foi utilizada o teste de normalidade, Z-score da curtose e assimetria, houve aplicação do teste de Kruskall-Wallis, correlação de Spearman e análise de regressão linear. As meninas apresentaram resultados superiores na idade óssea quando comparadas aos meninos. As correlações entre a idade cronológica e a idade óssea demonstraram resultados similares. Concluiu-se que a idade óssea retrata uma correlação positiva com a força explosiva de membros superiores em ambos os sexos.

Comparative Effects of Two Interval Shuttle-Run Training Modes on Physiological and Performance Adaptations in Female Professional Futsal Players.

Teixeira, AS, Arins, FB, De Lucas, RD, Carminatti, LJ, Dittrich, N, Nakamura, FY, and Guglielmo, LGA. Comparative effects of two interval shuttle-run training modes on physiological and performance adaptations in female professional futsal players. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1416-1428, 2019-The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of 2 shuttle-run interval training (SRIT) models with 1 and 3 directional changes per running bout on the aerobic and anaerobic performances of elite female futsal players. Sixteen players competing in the Brazilian National Division League took part in the study. The training protocols consisted of shuttle-run intervals organized in 4 sets of 4-minute bouts with 3 minutes of rest intervals between the sets. The SRIT models were composed of 1 (7.5 seconds running and 7.5 seconds pause [SRIT7.5×7.5]; n = 7) or 3 (15 seconds running and 15 seconds pause [SRIT15×15]; n = 9) directional changes. The athletes performed the following tests before and after a 5-week training period: incremental treadmill test (ITT), futsal intermittent endurance test (FIET) (with respective peak speeds [PSs]), and a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test. After the training period, PSFIET and speed at the second lactate turnpoint were very likely and almost certainly increased in both training regimens, respectively. SRIT15×15 induced possibly greater improvements in PSITT (+3.28%, 90% CL -0.16 to 6.82) and RSAmean (+1.17%, 90% CL -0.68 to 3.05) than SRIT7.5×7.5. In addition, SRIT15×15 resulted in a likely greater improvement in running economy (+4.33%, 90% CL -0.35 to 9.23) compared with SRIT7.5×7.5. In elite female futsal players, SRIT15×15 is a promising strategy to enhance performance-related physical fitness attributes in a short-term period (5 weeks) during the preseason, Because of its superior effects on these important aerobic and anaerobic qualities than a protocol with fewer directional changes.

DANCE, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND NATION BULDING: WHAT RELATIONSHIP?

This position paper examines the relevance of dance and dance aerobics to attainment of physical fitness and nation building. Literature reviewed indicated that dance as a subset of physical activity is correlated with improvement of both health and performance-related physical fitness. From the Physical and Health Education standpoint, the use of aerobic dance as a preventive and therapeutic intervention in many health, psychological, and social issues was confirmed. It concluded that dance develops physical fitness which in turn builds a socially, psychologically, physically and economically healthy nation. Article visualizations:

Tracking of gross motor coordination in Portuguese children

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate the tracking of gross motor coordination (GMC) and to profile children at 6 years of age who consistently showed higher stability patterns in different levels of GMC. The participants were 245 children (123 boys and 122 girls) who were assessed longitudinally from 6 to 9 years of age. GMC was assessed using the Korperkoordinationtest fur Kinder (KTK) test battery. Anthropometry, physical activity, and health- and performance-related physical fitness were also measured. Cohen’s kappa (κ) was used to estimate tracking. Tracking was poor for all GMC tests (0.17 ≤ κ ≤ 0.38) and moderate for the GMC motor quotient (MQ) in both boys and girls (0.44 ≤ κ ≤ 0.45). Instability at the extremes was low in GMC tests and negligible for MQ. Children who consistently showed high GMC levels during the 4 years of follow-up were lighter, had lower body mass index and subcutaneous fat, and showed higher scores in physical fitness tests at 6 years of age than those who consistently had low GMC levels. In conclusion, GMC showed low-to-moderate tracking over time in childhood. However, children who consistently demonstrated high GMC levels over time had healthier profiles at 6 years of age.

Growth, Maturation and Exercise During Youth-2016.

For The Year that Was-2016, I have selected three papers in the area of growth, maturation, and exercise during youth. The year of 2016 was a successful year and it was not an easy task to highlight the most significant publications in this specific area of pediatric exercise science. The first paper has been chosen because it provides, for the first time, the growth and maturational status of elite junior tennis players belonging to the top eight players in the National rankings in various ages and compares against population norms. It appeared that individual differences in growth and maturation contribute towards the selection of elite junior tennis players in both sexes, with a bias towards these athletes who are comparatively tall and heavy for their age already in younger ages. The second paper is a methodological paper and was selected because it provides a unique perspective on the use of different tracking coefficients to investigate short-term tracking of cardiorespiratory and performance-related physical fitness among adolescents during growth and maturation. Specifically, three distinct statistical approaches were applied in this paper: auto-correlations, mulitilevel modeling corrected tracking values for time-varying covariates and Cohen`s Kappa in order to identify group and individual tracking as well as individuals whose trajectories are unstable across time. This methodological paper demonstrated the importance of the selection of the statistical approach to monitor and describe short-term tracking of cardiorespiratory and performance-related physical fitness variables in adolescents during growth and maturation. The third selected paper provided some evidence that the consequence of physical activity during childhood can be far reaching as physical activity might not only promote health benefits but also have positive effects on adulthood earnings.

A methodological approach to short-term tracking of youth physical fitness: the Oporto Growth, Health and Performance Study

ABSTRACTIn this paper, three different statistical approaches were used to investigate short-term tracking of cardiorespiratory and performance-related physical fitness among adolescents. Data were obtained from the Oporto Growth, Health and Performance Study and comprised 1203 adolescents (549 girls) divided into two age cohorts (10–12 and 12–14 years) followed for three consecutive years, with annual assessment. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with 1-mile run/walk test; 50-yard dash, standing long jump, handgrip, and shuttle run test were used to rate performance-related physical fitness. Tracking was expressed in three different ways: auto-correlations, multilevel modelling with crude and adjusted model (for biological maturation, body mass index, and physical activity), and Cohen’s Kappa (κ) computed in IBM SPSS 20.0, HLM 7.01 and Longitudinal Data Analysis software, respectively. Tracking of physical fitness components was (1) moderate-to-high when described by auto-correlations; (2) low-to-moderate when crude and adjusted models were used; and (3) low according to Cohen’s Kappa (κ). These results demonstrate that when describing tracking, different methods should be considered since they provide distinct and more comprehensive views about physical fitness stability patterns.

Relationship between Physical Fitness and Functional Status in Indian Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy-A Cross Sectional Study

A major problem with cerebral palsy children in India is that they lag behind in daily functional life activities that limits their participation in performance related physical fitness and limits them in achieving their greatest potential in functional status. The aim of the study is to find weather the fitness components are related to the functional status in Indian children with spastic cerebral palsy

Gross motor coordination and weight status of Portuguese children aged 6-14 years.

To construct age- and gender-specific percentiles for gross motor coordination (MC) tests and to explore differences in gross MC in normal-weight, overweight and obese children. Data are from the "Healthy Growth of Madeira Study," a cross-sectional study carried out in children, aged 6-14 years. All 1,276 participants, 619 boys and 657 girls, were assessed for gross MC (Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder, KTK), anthropometry (height and body mass), physical activity (Baecke questionnaire) and socioeconomic status (SES). Centile curves for gross MC were obtained for boys and girls separately using generalized additive models for location, scale and shape. A significant main effect for age was found in walking backwards and moving sideways. Boys performed significantly better than girls on moving sideways. At the upper limit of the distributions, interindividual variability was higher in hopping on one leg (girls) and jumping and moving sideways (boys and girls). One-way ANCOVA, controlling for age, physical activity and SES, indicated that normal-weight children scored significantly better than their obese peers in all gross MC tests. Overweight boys and girls also scored significantly better than their obese colleagues in some MC tests. These centile curves can be used as reference data in Portuguese children and youth, aged 6-14 years. Being overweight or obese was a major limitation in MC tests and, therefore, of the children's health- and performance-related physical fitness.

The effect of weight loss by ketogenic diet on the body composition, performance-related physical fitness factors and cytokines of Taekwondo athletes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the weight loss through 3 weeks of ketogenic diet on performance-related physical fitness and inflammatory cytokines in Taekwondo athletes. The subjects selected for this research were 20 Taekwondo athletes of the high schools who participated in a summer camp training program. The subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups, 10 subjects to each group: the ketogenic diet (KD) group and the non-ketogenic diet (NKD) group. Body composition, performance-related physical fitness factors (2,000 m sprint, Wingate test, grip force, back muscle strength, sit-up, 100 m sprint, standing broad jump, single leg standing) and cytokines (Iinterleukin-6, Interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α) were analyzed before and after 3weeks of ketogenic diet. No difference between the KD and NKD groups in weight, %body fat, BMI and fat free mass. However, the KD group, compared to the NKD group, finished 2,000 m sprint in less time after weight loss, and also felt less fatigue as measured by the Wingate test and showed less increase in tumor necrosis factor-α. This result suggests that KD diet can be helpful for weight category athletes, such as Taekwondo athletes, by improving aerobic capacity and fatigue resistance capacity, and also by exerting positive effect on inflammatory response.