Recovery-Stress Questionnaire For Athletes Research Articles

Monitoring the recovery-stress states of athletes: Psychometric properties of the acute recovery and stress scale and short recovery stress scale among Dutch and Flemish athletes

ABSTRACT The Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) and the Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) are recently-introduced instruments to monitor recovery and stress processes in athletes. In this study, our aims were to replicate and extend previous psychometric assessments of the instruments, by incorporating recovery and stress dimensions into one model. Therefore, we conducted five confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and determined structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity. Dutch and Flemish athletes (N = 385, 213 females, 170 males, 2 others, 21.03 ± 5.44 years) completed the translated ARSS and SRSS, the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport-76), the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and the Total Quality of Recovery (TQR). There was a good model fit for the replicated CFA, sub-optimal model fit for the models that incorporated recovery and stress into one model, and satisfactory internal consistency (α=.75 – .87). The correlations within and between the ARSS and SRSS, as well as between the ARSS/SRSS and the RESTQ-Sport-76 (r = .31 – -.77 for the ARSS, r = .28 – -.63 for the SRSS), the RPE (r = .19 – -.23), and the TQR (r = .63 – -.63) also supported construct validity. The combined findings support the use of the ARSS and SRSS to assess stress and recovery in sports-related research and practice.

Wearable technology metrics are associated with energy deficiency and psychological stress in elite swimmers

Energy deficiency (ED) and psychological stress affect athlete health. Given the emerging capabilities of wearable technology, the purpose of this study was to explore associations of wearable technology metrics in relation to lab-based measures of ED and psychological stress. We investigated the associations between (a) wearable-derived heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate (RHR), exercise strain and recovery, and (b) laboratory-derived measures of metabolism (resting metabolic rate (RMR), total triiodothyronine (TT3)) and a validated stress assessment (Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ)-52 items) in NCAA swimmers ( n = 23, 10 male, 13 female) during heavy training. Swimmers were grouped by degree of metabolic adaption to ED using the ratio of actual-to-predicted RMR (utilizing the validated cutoff of <0.94) and by sex. Metabolically suppressed swimmers had lower HRV (81 ± 27 ms vs.110 ± 35 ms, p = 0.04). HRV correlated positively with RMR (kcal·kg LBM−1·day−1; where LBM stands for lean body mass) ( r = 0.45; p = 0.03). HRV was negatively correlated with sport-specific ( r = −0.46; p = 0.03) and total stress ( r = −0.46; p = 0.03). In males, HRV correlated negatively with general stress ( r = −0.72; p = 0.02) and total stress ( r = −0.74, p = 0.01) (RESTQ). Additionally, in males only, the strain was correlated positively with RESTQ recovery–stress balance ( r = 0.69; p = 0.03), and negatively correlated with general stress ( r = −0.81, p = 0.01), and sport stress ( r = −0.89, p < 0.01). No correlations between HRV, RHR, strain or recovery, and stress variables were observed in females. Associations between wearable technology measures of HRV, RHR, strain, and recovery with validated measures of ED and psychological stress should continue to be explored with a focus on underlying mechanisms and moderating influences of biological sex.

Relationship between physical performance and perception of stress and recovery in daily life post COVID-19-An explorative study.

COVID-19 is a multi-systemic disease which can target the lungs and the cardiovascular system and can also affect parts of the brain for prolonged periods of time. Even healthy athletes without comorbidities can be psychologically affected long-term by COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate athletes' perceived mental stress and recovery levels in daily life, and their maximal aerobic power, at three different time points, post COVID-19. In total, 99 athletes (62.6% male), who had been infected by COVID-19, filled out the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (REST-Q-Sport) and completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (endpoint maximal aerobic power output (Pmax)) at the initial screening (t1: 4 months after infection). Follow-up assessments occurred three (t2, n = 37) and seven months after t1 (t3, n = 19). Subgroup means from the Recovery category were significantly below the reference value of four at all three time points, except "General Recovery" (3.76 (± 0.96), p = 0.275, d = 0.968) at t3."Overtiredness" (2.34 (± 1.27), p = 0.020, r = 0.224) was significantly above the reference value of two at t1, while all other Stress subgroups were not significantly different from the reference value or were significantly below the maximum threshold of two at t1, t2 and t3. Spearman's ρ revealed a negative association between Pmax and the subcategories of stress (ρ = -0.54 to ρ = -0.11, p < 0.050), and positive correlations between Pmax and "Somatic Recovery" (ρ = 0.43, p < 0.001) and "General Recovery" (ρ = 0.23, p = 0.040) at t1. Pmax (t1: 3.83 (± 0.99), t2: 3.78 (± 1.14), β = 0.06, p < 0.003) increased significantly from t1 to t2. In addition, REST-Q-Sport indicated a decrease in "Sleep" (t2 = 2.35 (± 0.62), t3 = 2.28(± 0.61), β = -0.18, p < 0.023) at t3, when compared to t2. The perceived recovery seems to be negatively affected in post COVID-19 athletes. Physical performance post COVID-19 correlates with both "Emotional and Somatic Stress" and "Somatic and General Recovery", indicating potential mental and physical benefits of exercise. While it is evident that COVID-19, like other viral infections, may have an influence on physical performance, monitoring stress and recovery perceptions of athletes is critical to facilitate their return-to-sports, while minimizing long-term COVID-19 induced negative effects like the athletic objective and subjective perceived recovery and stress levels.

Analysis of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Psychophysiological Variables in Basketball Athletes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a progressive muscle relaxation program on psychological (stress levels, anxiety, and mood states) and physiological (blood pressure and heart rate) variables in basketball athletes. Fifty-nine basketball players, aged 14 to 19 years, and members of Bauru Basket team, were recruited for this study and grouped into control group (CG, n = 30) and intervention group (IG, n = 29). The participants were evaluated, before and after the intervention, by the following means: Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), to measure the pre-competitive anxiety state, i.e., how anxious each athlete felt just before the competition; Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS), an instrument for early detection of overtraining syndrome; Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport), to identify the extent to which each athlete was physically or mentally stressed and the athlete's current capability for recovery; Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ), specifically developed for athletes. The IG athletes participated in 12 progressive muscle relaxation sessions, a practice for tensing or tightening a specific muscle until an ideal state of relaxation is reached. Each participant had blood pressure and heart rate measured before and after every session. The CG athletes were evaluated similarly to those in the IG but without relaxation. The results showed statistically significant differences in cognitive anxiety (p = 0.039) and specific stress (p = 0.016) between CG and IG before the intervention; in addition, a significant heart rate decrease (p &lt; 0.01) between IG and CG was noted.

The Relationship of Psychological Skill with Stress Recovery on Wrestling Athletes in Indonesia

This study aims to determine the relationship between psychological skills (X ), and stress recovery in wrestling athletes (Y). This research is a correlation research with the aim of connecting the independent variable and the dependent variable. The sample in this study were 104 wrestling athletes who participated in PON XXI 2021 Papua. Data collection techniques used the Test of Performances Strategies (TOPS) questionnaire and Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for athletes (RESTQ-Sport 76). sig 0.777, statistical test of product moment correlation with a significant level of 5%. The results of a simple linear regression test between psychological skills (X ) and stress recovery (Y) 0.000 &lt; 0.05, it can be said that there is a significant relationship between psychological skills and stress recovery for wrestling athletes in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the degree of relationship between psychological skills and recovery The stress of wrestling athletes in Indonesia can be seen in column R which shows the number 0.824, with the R value when referring to the guidelines for the degree of relationship that is in perfect correlation. The magnitude of the contribution of psychological skills to the stress recovery of wrestling athletes in Indonesia is in the R Square column which shows a value of 0.679 or a percentage of 67.9%. The results of the study indicate that the importance of the psychological ability of athletes to stress recovery in athletes when competing, then it is hoped that there will be research that will examine the psychology of wrestling athletes in other ways

Monitoring A Canadian Recreational Rowing Athlete’s Psychophysiological Response To Training Load: A Case Study

There has been growing attention to the monitoring of elite athlete training load, aiming to optimize performance and reduce injury/illness. However, research designs have yet to combine evidence-based practices (i.e., validated surveys) with popular methodology used by recreational athletes (ie., wearables) to support self-management of training loads and recovery. PURPOSE: To comprehensively describe a Canadian rowing athlete’s standardized performance and psychophysiological responses to training load across a 6-week training block. METHODS: 1 male Canadian rowing athlete recruit (20 years), volunteered to participate in the current study. Rowing performance (i.e., anaerobic 4x500m sprint, aerobic 10-minute row for distance) was assessed on weeks 1, 6. Daily surveys and/or wearables data were collected to assess: sleep (hours), session rate of perceived exertion (sRPE), training days lost to injury, session heart rate maximum (HRmax) and average (bpm), and training volume in minutes. The Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport-36) was used to assess athletes’ perception of stress and recovery. Descriptive statistics were computed for each of the collected variables. RESULTS: Anaerobic performances observed across time were as follows: Week 1 = 1:37.7 min/500 m, Week 6 = 1:36.9 min/500 m. Aerobic performances observed across time were as follows: Week 1 = 1:42.0 min/500 m, Week 6 = 1:43.2 min/500 m. Across the 6-week period, the participant reported the following on average: sleep = 7.5 hours per night, sRPE = 4.8 ± 3.2, 7 training days lost due to illness/injury, session HRmax = 153 ± 28 bpm, session average HR = 110 ± 30 bpm, and training volume = 59.5 ± 41.2 min/session. On average, the participant reported low stress (1.1-2.5), high general recovery (3.0-3.3), low sport stress (0.9-2.7), and high sport recovery (2.6-3.2). CONCLUSIONS: Despite growing attention to self-monitor athlete training load and recovery to optimize performance and reduce injury/illness, there were no observed improvements in performances from week 1 to week 6. With these lack of findings, future research should address interventions to focus on performance improvement through sufficient training stimulus and adequate recovery among recreational athletes.

Recovery-Stress States of Professional Ballet Dancers During Different Phases of a Ballet Season.

Ballet dancers are exposed to chronic high training and performance demands that are associated with overtraining syndrome and injury. Balancing high training loads with recovery to reduce the risk of negative training adaptations is critical. Moreover, the recovery-stress states of professional ballet dancers during training phases of a season are largely unknown. Professional dancers (n = 27) from one classical ballet company in South Africa were monitored for two 8-week phases of a ballet season. A recovery-stress questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-76 Sport) was completed weekly during the rehearsal phase (P1) and the performance phase (P2), which took place at the start and the end of the ballet season, respectively. Comparisons were calculated between phases, sexes, and levels of performance with a mixed-model ANOVA and between demographic variables with a one-way ANOVA. The performance phase was signified by lower total recovery (TR, p < 0.01) and higher total stress (TS, p < 0.01) for the group. Female dancers had significantly lower recovery scores than male dancers during P2 (p < 0.01). No differences between levels of performance were found. Subscales previously associated with overreaching and injury were identified in certain groups during P2. In conclusion, P2 was a critical period where dancers, especially females, experienced high stress and low recovery. This could increase the risk for injury and negative training adaptations.

Differences in Immune Response During Competition and Preparation Phase in Elite Rowers.

Background: Metabolic stress is high during training and competition of Olympic rowers, but there is a lack of biomedical markers allowing to quantify training load on the molecular level. We aimed to identify such markers applying a complex approach involving inflammatory and immunologic variables.Methods: Eleven international elite male rowers (age 22.7 ± 2.4 yrs.; VO2max 71 ± 5 ml·min−1·kg−1) of the German National Rowing team were monitored at competition phase (COMP) vs. preparation phase (PREP), representing high vs. low load. Perceived stress and recovery were assessed by a Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-76 Sport). Immune cell activation (dendritic cell (DC)/macrophage/monocytes/T-cells) was evaluated via fluorescent activated cell sorting. Cytokines, High-Mobility Group Protein B1 (HMGB1), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), creatine kinase (CK), uric acid (UA), and kynurenine (KYN) were measured in venous blood.Results: Rowers experienced more general stress and less recovery during COMP, but sports-related stress and recovery did not differ from PREP. During COMP, DC/macrophage/monocyte and T-regulatory cells (Treg-cell) increased (p = 0.001 and 0.010). HMGB1 and cfDNA increased in most athletes during COMP (p = 0.001 and 0.048), while CK, UA, and KYN remained unaltered (p = 0.053, 0.304, and 0.211). Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (p = 0.002), TNF-α (p < 0.001), and the chemokine IL-8 (p = 0.001) were elevated during COMP, while anti-inflammatory Il-10 was lower (p = 0.002).Conclusion: COMP resulted in an increase in biomarkers reflecting tissue damage, with plausible evidence of immune cell activation that appeared to be compensated by anti-inflammatory mechanisms, such as Treg-cell proliferation. We suggest an anti-inflammatory and immunological matrix approach to optimize training load quantification in elite athletes.

Increases in RPE Rating Predict Fatigue Accumulation Without Changes in Heart Rate Zone Distribution After 4-Week Low-Intensity High-Volume Training Period in High-Level Rowers.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of training load quantification using heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)-based methodology, and the relationship between internal training load parameters and subjective training status (Fatigue) in high-level rowers during volume increased low-intensity training period.Methods: Training data from 19 high-level rowers (age 23.5 ± 5.9 years; maximal oxygen uptake 58.9 ± 5.8 ml·min−1·kg−1) were collected during a 4-week volume increased training period. All individual training sessions were analyzed to quantify training intensity distribution based on the HR time-in-zone method (i.e., HR Z1, HR Z2, and HR Z3) determined by the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1/VT2). Internal training load was calculated using session RPE (sRPE) to categorize training load by effort (i.e., sRPE1, sRPE2, and sRPE3). The Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) questionnaire was implemented after every week of the study period.Results: No differences were found between the respective HR and effort-based zone distributions during the baseline week (p > 0.05). Compared to HR Z1, sRPE1 was significantly lower in weeks 2–4 (p < 0.05), while sRPE2 was higher in weeks 2–3 compared to HR Z2 (p < 0.05) and, in week 4, the tendency (p = 0.06) of the higher amount of sRPE3 compared to HR Z3 was found. There were significant increases in RESTQ-Sport stress scales and decreases in recovery scales mostly during weeks 3 and 4. Increases in the Fatigue scale were associated with the amounts of sRPE2 and sRPE3 (p = 0.011 and p = 0.008, respectively), while no associations with Fatigue were found for HR-based session quantification with internal or external training load variables.Conclusion: During a low-intensity 4-week training period with increasing volume, RPE-based training quantification indicated a shift toward the harder rating of sessions with unchanged HR zone distributions. Moderate and Hard rated sessions were related to increases in Fatigue. Session rating of perceived exertion and effort-based training load could be practical measures in combination with HR to monitor adaptation during increased volume, low-intensity training period in endurance athletes.

Initial Validation of a 33-Item Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Italian Athletes

Background: The Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport-36) is a self-report measure intended to monitor the recovery-stress balance in athletes. A validated Italian version of this instrument was not available so far. Objective: The aim of this study was to provide an initial validation in Italian language of the RESTQ-Sport-36. Methods: A sample of Italian athletes (N = 339; women = 148; men = 191) from various sports completed the RESTQ-Sport-36 and the Italian Mood Scale (ITAMS). We examined the factorial validity and the internal consistency of the RESTQ-Sport-36 and its concurrent validity with the ITAMS. Results: A confirmatory factor analysis supported a 12-factor structure after the removal of 3 items. Reliability analysis showed a satisfactory internal consistency of the 33-item Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport-33). Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that the RESTQ-Sport-33 and ITAMS share some common variance but measure different constructs. Conclusion: Our results provided support to the factorial validity and reliability of the RESTQ-Sport-33. This instrument can be used to reliably monitor recovery-stress balance of Italian athletes throughout the season.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera dunal.) root extract in improving cardiorespiratory endurance and recovery in healthy athletic adults

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAshwagandha is a reputed herb in traditional Ayurveda, used for various ailments and improving general well-being. Improved cardiorespiratory endurance can aid in attaining better physiological, metabolic, and functional abilities in humans. According to Ayurveda, Ashwagandha has such potential to improve human health. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha root extract in enhancing cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. Materials and methodsFifty healthy athletic adults were selected randomly and equally allocated to Ashwagandha and placebo groups. The Ashwagandha group received 300 mg of Ashwagandha root extract capsules, twice daily, for 8-weeks. Cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed by measuring the maximum aerobic capacity (VO2 max). Estimation of stress management was done through Total Quality Recovery Scores (TQR), Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ), and Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes (DALDA) questionnaires along with the antioxidant level measurement. ResultsAt the end of the study, a statistically significant improvement in VO2 max outcome was observed in the Ashwagandha group when compared to the placebo group (P = 0.0074). The subjects in the Ashwagandha group also displayed a statistically significant increase at the end of the study when compared to the baseline (P < 0.0001). Significantly improved TQR scores were observed in the Ashwagandha group members compared to their placebo counterparts (P < 0.0001). DALDA questionnaire analysis in the Ashwagandha group was found statistically significant (P < 0.0001) compared to the placebo group. RESTQ assessment also yielded better outcomes, especially for fatigue recovery (P < 0.0001), lack of energy (P < 0.0001), and fitness analysis (P < 0.0001). The enhanced antioxidant level was significant (P < 0.0001) in the Ashwagandha group. ConclusionThe present findings suggest that Ashwagandha root extract can successfully enhance cardiorespiratory endurance and improve the quality of life in healthy athletic adults. No adverse events were reported by any of the subjects in this study.

Heart rate variability in a collegiate dance environment: insights on overtraining for dance educators

ABSTRACT Ten female dancers ages 18–22 participated in a study measuring heart rate variability (HRV) over the course of one term in a collegiate dance department. HRV was measured at the same time in the morning once per week over 14 weeks. Additionally, dancer participants completed a weekly Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) survey to assess variables of wellbeing including self-reported fatigue, well-being and perceived risk of injury alongside a separate weekly survey of self-reported dance exposure and sleep habits. Magnitude-based inferences (MBI) were utilized to determine the practical significance of changes in data using standardized differences in means, or effect size (ES). Results from the study reveal a distinct downward trend in cardiac vagal modulation over the course of a dance term, paired with an increased perception of fatigue and decreased perception of general well-being. These findings suggest that students may be experiencing not only a perceived state of fatigue during the high-stress environment at the end of an academic term, but early stages of physiological overtraining. These data point toward the importance of rest and recovery in collegiate dancers and the need for thoughtful, planned training from dance educators in higher education.

Psychosocial evaluation of athletes with knee injuries: developmental study of evaluation instrument

Background: Negative psychological aspects are associated with injury in athletes, with knee injuries having the highest prevalence among this population. Objective: To propose a form of psychosocial evaluation and to evaluate measured properties of the proposed instrument as well as others already used. Methods: The Fatores Psicossocias nas Lesões Esportivas (FPLE) instrument was developed. To evaluate measures properties were used this instrument, the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) for athletes with knee injury. Results: The instruments obtained adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha of .43 to .88). The FPLE and IKDC instruments showed substantial reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] of .84 and .87) with a good standard error of measurement (SEM) of 5.8% and 8.6% and RESTQ-Sport showed poor-to-moderate reliability in the majority of domains (.01 to .84) with doubtful-to-negative SEM (10.3% to 27%). In the construct validity, the RESTQ-Sport domains had higher correlations (r &gt;.40 to .80, P &lt; .01). In internal responsiveness, both RESTQ-Sport and IKDC presented high change, whereas FPLE presented a small change and none of the instruments showed correlation in external responsiveness. Conclusion: The instruments were considered valid for use in athletes with knee injuries.

The Effect of Overreaching on Neuromuscular Performance and Wellness Responses in Australian Rules Football Athletes.

Campbell, PG, Stewart, IB, Sirotic, AC, and Minett, GM. Title: The effect of overreaching on neuromuscular performance and wellness responses in Australian rules football athletes. J Strength Cond Res 34(6): 1530-1538, 2020-This study seeks to evaluate the effect of periodized fluctuations in training load on wellness and psychological questionnaires, perceived exertion, performance, and neuromuscular measures in team-sport athletes. Thirteen amateur Australian rules football athletes completed 6 weeks of periodized training, consisting of 2-week normal training (NT), intensified training (IT), and taper training (TT). Training sessions were quantified using global positioning system devices, heart-rate, and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), with wellness (general soreness, sleep quality/quantity, readiness to train, fatigue, stress, mood, and motivation) questionnaires collected daily. Psychological (Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes) and physical performance (countermovement jump, cycle ergometer peak power, 30-m sprint, and 2-km time trial) markers were measured after each training period. Perceived (sRPE) and mechanical loading were higher for IT than NT, and IT than TT (p < 0.03; d = 0.65-25.34). Cycle ergometer peak power, 30-m sprint, 2-km time trial, and countermovement jump height showed reductions in performance after IT compared to initial testing (p < 0.02; d = 0.51-1.46), with subsequent increases in performance after TT (p < 0.04; d = 0.66-2.27). Average wellness was higher during NT compared to IT (p = 0.005; d = 1.11). Readiness to train did not significantly differ from NT to IT or TT (p < 0.55; d = <0.59); however, readiness to train did improve during TT after the IT (p = 0.01; d = 1.05). The disturbances in performance, perceptual, and mood states may indicate a state of functional overreaching. The findings suggest that an averaged wellness score may be useful in potentially identifying overreaching. However, despite the popularity of wellness in monitoring systems, these measures overall demonstrated a limited capacity to differentiate between periodized fluctuations in load.

Mitigating the Antecedents of Sports-related Injury through Yoga.

Context:Injury risk among athletes is an epidemic. The psychological and physical loads imposed on athletes through psychosocial stressors and training regimens significantly increase athletes' injury risk.Aims:This feasibility study assessed whether a 10-week yoga intervention could be implemented successfully and mitigated antecedents of sports injury.Methods:Using a prospective, nonexperimental design, 31 male soccer players attending a college in the Pacific Northwest enrolled in the yoga intervention. The Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) was completed at three time-points before and after the yoga intervention. The RESTQ-Sport scales, identified as strongest predictors for injury, were hypothesized to be mitigated through yoga.Results:Two stress-related scales were significant in the hypothesized direction: injury and fatigue. The general recovery scale, General Well-Being, was significant at one time-point, but in the opposite direction as hypothesized.Conclusions:Positive findings are discussed and explanations for unexpected changes are explored, along with study limitations. Results suggest that yoga can be successfully integrated into the athletic program of soccer players and provisionally support the potential of a yoga intervention to mitigate two significant antecedents of injury, namely, perception of propensity to sustain injury and generalized fatigue.

Validation of the Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) and the Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) in three English-speaking regions

ABSTRACTThe Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) and the Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) are well-established monitoring tools in German-speaking countries. This study aimed at validating them for English-speaking populations. Overall, 996 athletes (536 males, 24.9 ± 9.1 years) of Australia/New Zealand (n = 380), the United Kingdom (n = 316), and North America (n = 300) participated. The 32-item ARSS consists of eight scales. These scales constitute the eight items of the SRSS with the corresponding ARSS items as descriptors. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency (α), and discriminatory power of the items (rit) were calculated for the total and subsamples separately. Satisfactory discriminatory power (rit > .30) for all ARSS and SRSS items and acceptable internal consistency (α > .70) was achieved. CFA indicated good fit indices for the total sample and subsamples, and strong measurement invariance was found across subsamples and gender. Correlations between corresponding scales and items (rs = .68 – .78) support theoretical congruency as well as independent usage of both questionnaires. Construct validity of both tools is shown through hypothesis-conforming correlations with the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes. Future studies may apply the ARSS and SRSS as monitoring tools in English-speaking regions worldwide.

A Multi-Factorial Assessment of Elite Paratriathletes' Response to Two Weeks of Intensified Training.

In able-bodied athletes, several hormonal, immunological and psychological parameters are commonly assessed in response to intensified training due to their potential relationship to acute fatigue and training/non-training stress. This has yet to be studied in Paralympic athletes. Ten elite paratriathletes were studied for five weeks around a 14-day overseas training camp whereby training load was 137% of pre-camp levels. Athletes provided: six saliva samples (one pre-camp, four during camp, one post-camp) for cortisol, testosterone and secretory immunoglobulin A; weekly psychological questionnaires (POMS and RESTQ-S); daily resting heart rate and subjective wellness measures including sleep quality and quantity. There was no significant change in salivary cortisol, testosterone, cortisol:testosterone ratio or secretory immunoglobulin A during intensified training (p≥0.090). Likewise, there was no meaningful change in resting heart rate or subjective wellness measures (p≥0.079). Subjective sleep quality and quantity increased during intensified training (p≤0.003). There was no significant effect on any POMS subscale other than lower anger (p=0.049) whilst there was greater general recovery and lower sport and general stress from RESTQ-S (p≤0.015). There was little to no change in parameters commonly associated with the fatigued state which may relate to the training camp setting minimising external life stresses and the careful management of training loads from coaches. This is the first evidence of such responses in Paralympic athletes.

The Impact of a Ballet and Modern Dance Performance on Heart Rate Variability in Collegiate Dancers.

Heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) is a useful tool for assessing cardiac autonomic function and identifying potential readiness to perform in athletic populations, but has yet to be investigated in dance populations. As such, HRV may be able to provide valuable insight into the preparedness of dancers and the demands of performance in a collegiate dance population. 29 female dancers were monitored leading up to and following a dance performance. Analysis of HRV focused on the square root of the mean squared differences of the successive RR intervals (RMSSD). A one-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni post-hoc, paired with magnitude-based-inferences (MBI) with effect sizes (ES) were used to analyze changes during the Winter Dance Concert, while the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (REST-Q Sport) measured the frequency of stress of dancers. When compared to baseline (69.8 ± 1.7 bpm), mean (HR) was increased at both pre-show recordings (76.5 ± 2.1 bpm and 75.6 ± 1.8 bpm). In contrast, RMSSD was significantly diminished (p < 0.05) at both pre-show recordings (40.6 ± 28.4 ms and 40.5 ± 21.8 ms) as compared to baseline (70.3 ± 38.4 ms). Dancers reported increased (p < 0.05) self-efficacy before the second show and at 36 h post-concert. As expected, Dance Exposure (DE) increased significantly (p < 0.05), while Academic Exposure (AE) was similar, during the week leading up to the dance concert. The results suggest dancers responded to concert dance performances similarly to other athletic populations approaching intense competition by exhibiting decreased parasympathetic activity prior to the dance performances, which returned to baseline values 36 h after their performances. Given the increase in self-efficacy, these fluctuations may indicate a readiness to a performance comparable to athletes.

Effects of Probiotic (Bifidobacterium longum 35624) Supplementation on Exercise Performance, Immune Modulation, and Cognitive Outlook in Division I Female Swimmers.

Our aim was to determine the effects of probiotic supplementation (Bifidobacterium longum 35624; 1 billion CFU·d−1) on exercise performance, immune modulation, and cognitive outlook in collegiate female athletes during six weeks of offseason training. Seventeen National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 collegiate female swimmers participated in this two-group matched, double-blind, placebo controlled design. Via stratified randomization, participants were assigned to probiotic (B. longum 35624; n = 8) or placebo (n = 9) groups. Pre, mid, and post-training, all participants completed exercise performance testing (aerobic/anaerobic swim time trials and force plate vertical jump) as well as provided serum (cytokine and gastrointestinal inflammatory markers) and salivary immunoglobulin A samples. Recovery-stress questionnaire for athletes (RESTQ-Sport) was administered at baseline and conclusion of each week. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) by time point with the respective baseline values of each dependent variable being the covariate. No significant differences in exercise performance and biochemical markers were observed between groups following offseason training. Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-sport) values in B. longum 35624 group had significantly higher (i.e., more desired; p < 0.05) values in sport recovery (weeks five and six) than placebo. Probiotic supplementation in collegiate female swimmers did not affect exercise performance or immune function throughout offseason training, but did indicate alterations in cognitive outlook.

The Cortisol Awakening Response: Association With Training Load in Endurance Runners.

To assess the relationship between training load and CAR. Recreational endurance athletes were recruited from local running clubs. Subjects (n = 15) completed training logs for 2wk, with various training loads, including psychometric analysis (Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes). Subjects provided saliva samples each day immediately after waking and 30 min postwaking. Samples were analyzed for cortisol concentration via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and subsequently were analyzed for CAR and CAR%. Daily training load was calculated and analyzed as training impulse. Simple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between CAR and training impulse. CAR (r2 = .352, P = .025) and CAR% (r2 = .373, P = .012) both showed a significant negative relationship with training load. These results suggest that CAR is affected by regular exercise training loads in recreational athletes. It is recommended that future CAR research control for fitness level and exercise training load in physically active populations.