Aids In Sports Research Articles

Scientific approaches to technological officiating aids in game sports

An increasing number of sports use, what we call, technological umpiring aids to support their umpires and referees respectively. In order to create a basis for further investigations, the aim of this review is to survey the respective literature to extract universal issues of these aids, which are used in different ways in a wide range of settings. Therefore we identified 23 studies, of which the majority was published in the current decade. These studies also embraced, beside empirical works, contributions of the fields of philosophy and jurisprudence. Based on the approaches and findings of the selected studies we identified seven major issues: the underlying phenomena, usage patterns, accuracy, standard of review, influence on the nature of the game, material as well as immaterial costs and the amount of authority that is granted to the umpiring aid. Further, we found regularly some overlapping between these issues, but also that some matters of interest haven’t even been touched so far, for example studying the influence of technological umpiring aids on stakeholders’ opinions. Empirical as well as theoretical evaluations of technological umpiring aids have to deal with this complexity. As this seems to be neglected currently, we suggest that further studies should show awareness of this in their approaches as well as in their conclusions.

Caffeine Attenuates Decreases in Leg Power Without Increased Muscle Damage.

Ribeiro, BG, Morales, AP, Sampaio-Jorge, F, Barth, T, de Oliveira, MBC, Coelho, GMdO, and Leite, TC. Caffeine attenuates decreases in leg power without increased muscle damage. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2354-2360, 2016-Caffeine ingestion has been shown to be an effective ergogenic aid in several sports. Caffeine administration may increase exercise capacity, which could lead to a greater degree of muscle damage after exercise. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Six male handball athletes ingested placebo (PLA) or caffeine (CAF) (6 mg·kg body mass) capsules on 2 different occasions. Sixty minutes after ingestion of the capsules, serum CAF levels were evaluated. Thereafter, all participants performed a protocol of vertical jumps (VJs). The protocol consisted of 4 sets of 30 seconds of continuous VJs with 60 seconds of recovery between sets. Blood lactate (LAC) and creatine kinase (CK) levels were determined before and after the protocol. We found significant differences in serum CAF levels between PLA (0.09 ± 0.18 µg·ml) vs. CAF (6.59 ± 4.44 µg·ml) (p < 0.001). Caffeine elicited a 5.23% (p ≤ 0.05) improvement in the leg power compared with PLA. The CAF trial displayed higher LAC (p ≤ 0.05) compared with PLA (6.26 ± 2.01 vs. 4.39 ± 2.42 mmol·L, respectively) after protocol of VJs, whereas no difference in CK was observed between trials (p > 0.05). These results indicate that immediate ingestion of CAF (6 mg·kg body weight) can reduce the level of muscle fatigue and preserve leg power during the test, possibly resulting in increase in LAC. There was no increase in muscle damage, which indicates that immediate administration of (6 mg·kg body weight) CAF is safe. Thus, nutritional interventions with CAF could help athletes withstand a greater physiological overload during high-intensity training sessions. The results of this study would be applicable to sports and activities that require repetitive leg power.

A wearable system for biosignal monitoring in weightlifting

The use of technological aids in sports has increased in the last years. These tools allow to register the athletes’ movements to evaluate and track their performance over time. With that information, it is possible to design more effective training routines, prevent and treat injuries, and improve performance. This paper describes the design and construction of an electronic system to register joint angle and electromyography signals during the execution of weightlifting exercises. The system was designed to be unobtrusive, energy efficient, and low cost. It was evaluated during the execution of flexion/extension exercises of the arm with weights, and was effective to acquire the signals and transmit them wirelessly in real-time. Electromiography signals were visualized and analyzed with an adequate dynamic range, and angle measurements were performed with error percentages less than 0.8 %.

Berry polyphenols: New ergogenic aids in sport and exercise?

Berry polyphenols: New ergogenic aids in sport and exercise?

Acute consumption of p-synephrine does not enhance performance in sprint athletes.

P-Synephrine is a protoalkaloid widely used as an ergogenic aid in sports. This substance has been included in the World Anti-Doping Agency monitoring program, although scientific information about its effects on performance and athletes' well-being is scarce. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effectiveness of p-synephrine to increase performance in sprint athletes. In a randomized and counterbalanced order, 13 experienced sprinters performed 2 acute experimental trials after the ingestion of p-synephrine (3 mg·kg(-1)) or after the ingestion of a placebo (control trial). Forty-five minutes after the ingestion of the substances, the sprinters performed a squat jump, a countermovement jump, a 15-s repeated jump test, and subsequently performed 60-m and 100-m simulated sprint competitions. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess side-effect prevalence. In comparison with the control trial, the ingestion of p-synephrine did not change countermovement jump height (37.4 ± 4.2 vs 36.7 ± 3.3 cm, respectively; P = 0.52), squat jump height (34.4 ± 3.6 vs 33.9 ± 3.7 cm; P = 0.34), or average 15-s repeated jumps height (31.8 ± 4.1 vs 32.2 ± 3.6 cm; P = 0.18). P-Synephrine did not modify maximal running speed during the 60-m (9.0 ± 0.5 vs 9.0 ± 0.4 m·s(-1), respectively; P = 0.55) and 100-m sprint competitions (8.8 ± 0.5 vs 8.8 ± 0.5 m·s(-1), respectively; P = 0.92). The ingestion of p-synephrine did not alter the prevalence of headache, gastrointestinal discomforts, muscle pain, or insomnia during the hours following the tests. Acute consumption of 3 mg·kg(-1) of p-synephrine was ineffective to increase performance in competitive sprint athletes. Moreover, p-synephrine did not increase the occurrence of side effects after the competition.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) as an Analgesic and Ergogenic Aid in Sport: A Systemic Review.

Ginger is a popular spice used to treat a variety of maladies, including pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used by athletes to manage and prevent pain; unfortunately, NSAIDs contribute to substantial adverse effects, including gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, hyponatremia, impairment of connective tissue remodeling, endurance competition withdrawal, and cardiovascular disease. Ginger, however, may act as a promoter of GI integrity and as a bronchodilator. Given these potentially positive effects of ginger, a systematic review of randomized trials was performed to assess the evidence for ginger as an analgesic and ergogenic aid for exercise training and sport. Among 7 studies examining ginger as an analgesic, the evidence indicates that roughly 2 g·d(-1) of ginger may modestly reduce muscle pain stemming from eccentric resistance exercise and prolonged running, particularly if taken for a minimum of 5 days. Among 9 studies examining ginger as an ergogenic aid, no discernable effects on body composition, metabolic rate, oxygen consumption, isometric force generation, or perceived exertion were observed. Limited data suggest that ginger may accelerate recovery of maximal strength after eccentric resistance exercise and reduce the inflammatory response to cardiorespiratory exercise. Major limitations to the research include the use of untrained individuals, insufficient reporting on adverse events, and no direct comparisons with NSAID ingestion. While ginger taken over 1-2 weeks may reduce pain from eccentric resistance exercise and prolonged running, more research is needed to evaluate its safety and efficacy as an analgesic for a wide range of athletic endeavors.

Norwegian Sports Aid: Exploring the Norwegian ‘Sport for Development and Peace’ Discourse

This article focuses on Norwegian ‘Sport for Development and Peace’ (SDP) aid to the Global South and how it works within the Norwegian development aid system. The analysis shows that the two dominant strategies of Norwegian NGOs concerned with SDP can be viewed from two different standpoints. The first considers NGOs’ role to be that of a service provider of sport and Norwegian official development aid objectives. The second maintains that a more transformative role is needed by addressing structural causes of inequality of the provision of sport in poor communities. It is argued that this duality in the role of NGOs in Norwegian SDP reflects distinctive national characteristics shaped by complex domestic processes and traditions that have formed the different NGO's conceptual understanding of SDP. This stands in contrast to the mainstream literature that has typically studied Northern NGOs concerned with SDP and their strategies as part of an international social movement. The article calls for a research agenda that seeks to understand SDP NGO's policy models and strategies in the context of distinct national characteristics and traditions in individual donor countries in the Global North.

Basic recovery aids: what's the evidence?

This review summarizes the evidence base for using compression, massage, caloric replacement, cold, and heat as exercise recovery aids in sport.

Anatomy of a Dead Heat: Visual Evidence at the 2012 US Olympic Trials

The adoption and use of visual technologies as decision aids in professional sport is increasing at a rapid rate, yet the study of such practice is virtually non-existent. Beyond the specific play or call in question, images used as decision aids in sport have immediate and far-reaching material and cultural impacts including athlete sponsorship packages, the professional reputation and expertise of athletes and officials, and lucrative contracts for imaging and technology companies. This paper borrows Lorraine Daston and Peter Galison's work on objectivity to examine one such case: the dead heat between Jeneba Tarmoh and Allyson Felix at the 2012 US Olympic Trials. The Tarmoh/Felix dead heat involved a complex assemblage of human and machine vision, and contains within it many of the issues involved in the use of sports decision aids. The paper argues that analyses of images used as decision aids in sport have much to offer academic and non-academic audiences interested in sport and visual culture.

From dehydration to hyperhidration isotonic and diuretic drinks and hyperhydratant aids in sport.

The needs of water and electrolytes are quite variants, depending on age, physiological or environmental conditions. In most long-term sports, usual weight loss of 3-6%, affect in athletic performance. The effects of a 6% dehydration could be improved with individualized diet-specific nutritional strategies and allow only a 2-3% dehydration, which affect metabolic efficiency but will not risk the health. On the contrary, hyperhydration can be dangerous and is associated with hyponatremia that can cause cerebral edema or respiratory failure. Sports drinks should moisturize, providing minerals and carbohydrates and increase the absorption of water by an ideal combination of salts and sugars. Therefore, it is important to provide correct hydration -protocols before, during and after physical activity, as well as know possible limitations of the sport.

Cloning and characterization of the promoter regions from the parent and paralogous creatine transporter genes

Interconversion between phosphocreatine and creatine, catalyzed by creatine kinase is crucial in the supply of ATP to tissues with high energy demand. Creatine's importance has been established by its use as an ergogenic aid in sport, as well as the development of intellectual disability in patients with congenital creatine deficiency. Creatine biosynthesis is complemented by dietary creatine uptake. Intracellular transport of creatine is carried out by a creatine transporter protein (CT1/CRT/CRTR) encoded by the SLC6A8 gene. Most tissues express this gene, with highest levels detected in skeletal muscle and kidney. There are lower levels of the gene detected in colon, brain, heart, testis and prostate. The mechanism(s) by which this regulation occurs is still poorly understood. A duplicated unprocessed pseudogene of SLC6A8–SLC6A10P has been mapped to chromosome 16p11.2 (contains the entire SLC6A8 gene, plus 2293bp of 5′flanking sequence and its entire 3′UTR). Expression of SLC6A10P has so far only been shown in human testis and brain. It is still unclear as to what is the function of SLC6A10P. In a patient with autism, a chromosomal breakpoint that intersects the 5′flanking region of SLC6A10P was identified; suggesting that SLC6A10P is a non-coding RNA involved in autism. Our aim was to investigate the presence of cis-acting factor(s) that regulate expression of the creatine transporter, as well as to determine if these factors are functionally conserved upstream of the creatine transporter pseudogene.Via gene-specific PCR, cloning and functional luciferase assays we identified a 1104bp sequence proximal to the mRNA start site of the SLC6A8 gene with promoter activity in five cell types. The corresponding 5′flanking sequence (1050bp) on the pseudogene also had promoter activity in all 5 cell lines. Surprisingly the pseudogene promoter was stronger than that of its parent gene in 4 of the cell lines tested. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence of a pseudogene with stronger promoter activity than its parental gene.

New Insights into Dietary Supplements Used in Sport: Active Substances, Pharmacological and Side Effects

As a society we are increasingly concerned about our physical appearance. For example, as much as 24% of people in developed countries admittedly exercise to improve their performance. Professional sportsmen and amateurs alike are in a constant search for new means that will enable them better sport results in shorter time. Among those means, a prominent place belongs to dietary supplements. However, the producers often advertise products whose use in sports is neither scientifically founded nor safe. This brings on an irrational use of herbal supplements which sometimes leads to unwanted side effects, but is more often of little use. Thus, the aim of this review will be to systematically evaluate some of the herbal supplements that are used as adaptogenic and ergogenic aids in sport. The review will include available data on Rhodiola rosea, Withania somnifera, Schisandra chinensis, Tribulus terrestris, Vitis vinifera, Citrus aurantium, and others. Their effects, active ingredients as well as possible adverse effects will be discussed with special focus on clinical studies.

The United States of America and the Francophone African Countries at the International Olympic Committee: Sports Aid, a Barometer of American Imperialism? (1952-1963)

Abstract In 1952, the new American president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Avery Brundage, was confronted by the emergence of the Third World. This new development challenged the influence of the American and Soviet blocs. On June 6, 1962, the Committee for International Olympic Aid (CIOA) was created. The objective of this new institution was to lead the newly-independent African countries into the Olympic movement and to assist in the development of their sports institutions. The aim of this article is to analyze American policies towards the CIOA, in light of the independence process in the francophone countries of sub-Saharan Africa between 1952 and 1963. From the concept of power, we attempt to show the extent to which American sports aid within and outside the IOC constitutes a barometer of American cultural imperialism. For this purpose, we make use of a large corpus of archives, derived mainly from the Olympic Studies Centre in Lausanne, and the records of French cooperation over the period in question.

Norwegian Naivety Meets Tanzanian Reality: The Case of the Norwegian Sports Development Aid Programme, Sport for All, in Dar es Salaam in the 1980s

In the early 1980s, the Norwegian Confederation of Sports (NIF) initiated a sports development aid programme known as the Sport for All in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. One of the objectives of the Sport for All was to strengthen women's participation in sports in Dar es Salaam, an objective much in line with Norwegian domestic sport politics, as well as general aid policies at the time. Through the case of the Sport for All, this paper illuminates what conceptions the Norwegian initiative takers had of Tanzanian women and sport, and how a women emphasis fit the Tanzanian society at the time. The discrepancy between the ideals of recipient orientation and women emphasis is questioned, and it is argued that, in the case of the Sport for All, the NIF acted with a certain naivety. It is suggested that Western liberal ideas that works well in the societies of their origin may generate a cultural clash when meeting in a different milieu.

The Effect of Music on 10-km Cycle Time-Trial Performance

Music is widely used as an ergogenic aid in sport, but there is little evidence of its effectiveness during closed-loop athletic events. In order to determine the effectiveness of music as an ergogenic aid, well-trained and task-habituated cyclists performed 10-km cycle time trials either while listening to self-selected motivational music or with auditory input blocked. There were no statistically significant differences in performance time or physiological or psychological markers related to music (time-trial duration17.75 ± 2.10 vs 17.81 ± 2.06 min, mean power output 222 ± 66 vs 220 ± 65 W, peak heart rate184 ± 9 vs 183 ± 8 beats/min, peak blood lactate12.1 ± 2.6 vs 11.9 ± 2.1 mmol/L, and final rating of perceived exertion 8.4 ± 1.5 vs 8.5 ± 1.6). It is concluded that during exercise at competitive intensity, there is no meaningful effect of music on either performance or physiology.

Is it profitable to represent the country? Evidence on the sport-related income of funded top-level athletes in Germany

Several countries have introduced support mechanisms for top-level athletes who represent their nation in international competitions such as the Olympics. Many of these athletes receive funding as they do not generate sufficient income through their sport. Previous research has focused on self-sufficient athletes in professional sports demonstrating a research gap regarding the income of funded athletes. The purpose of the study is to analyse the determinants of the sport-related income of funded athletes. An empirical evaluation is undertaken using data from a nationwide survey of national top-level athletes in Germany who are supported by the German Sports Aid Foundation (n = 1133). The results show that being an Olympic champion, European champion, age, age-squared, squad level, being disabled, and the media exposure of the sport have a significant impact on the sport-related income of funded athletes. The sport-related income also differs significantly among sports.

Herbs in exercise and sports

The use of herbs as ergogenic aids in exercise and sport is not novel. Ginseng, caffeine, ma huang (also called 'Chinese ephedra'), ephedrine and a combination of both caffeine and ephedrine are the most popular herbs used in exercise and sports. It is believed that these herbs have an ergogenic effect and thus help to improve physical performance. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of these herbs on exercise performance. Recently, researchers have also investigated the effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on endurance cycling and running performance. These investigators have reported no significant improvement in either cycling or running endurance after supplementation with this herb. As the number of studies in this area is still small, more studies should be conducted to evaluate and substantiate the effects of this herb on sports and exercise performance. For instance, future research on any herbs should take the following factors into consideration: dosage, supplementation period and a larger sample size.

Understanding the income determinants of German elite athletes in non-professionalised sports

Previous research has focused on the salaries of athletes and players in professionalised sports. Currently, there is a lack of evidence regarding the income of elite athletes in non-professionalised sports who represent their home country in various competitions (e.g., during the Olympics). For this paper, a theoretical model has been developed to explain the income of elite athletes as a function of individual factors and consumption capital of spectators generated through media exposure of the sport. The model is tested using data from a nationwide survey of elite athletes in Germany who are supported by the German Sports Aid Foundation (n = 1,133). The results show that being an Olympic champion, age, age-squared, being employed, attending school, and the media exposure of the sport have a significant impact on the income of elite athletes in non-professionalised sports.

Los inmunomoduladores frente a la inflamación y daño muscular originados por el ejercicio

Ergogenic (pharmacological and nutritional) aids in sport, such as immunomodulators would be useful for reducing the harmful effects of muscle injury and inflammation, as well as in statees of fatigue. These aids, on accelerating the recovery process, could be important for improving performance by preventing damaging responses to exhausting exercise and modulating the homeostatic adaption processes which lead to recovery and remodelling. With the use of these aids, the increase in training load that could be tolerated by athletes, which would also be very beneficial for their performance, is also an important aspect to consider, as well as mechanisms to preserve the health of the athlete. Finally, remember that these extra requirements should be evaluated and recommended by a suitable professional.

The ‘adapted skibob’ — wintersport for people with specials needs & disabilities of the musculoskeletal system

This paper is about an innovation project developing a winter sport aid for people with special needs/disabilities. It gives an overview about the available winter sports aids and the development process of the so-called Adapted SkiBike. About 10% of the population of an industrialised country have a disability or chronic diseases. Besides that an ageing population challenges us in developing adequate Winterport equipment. For these two growing target groups and their sometimes highly individual needs a consortium of partners initiated a project to develop Winterport equipment that offers them possibilities to actively participate in Winterport activities irrespective their age, disability or special need.Besides focusing on sport & leisure activities and rehabilitation issues the project has another very important area of focus: Although more and more children with special needs could go to mainstream schools there are still a huge number of hurdles concerning sports education. There are several specifically designed sports aids available worldwide to allow children with special needs to learn skiing and so participate in winter sport education with their classmates. But the techniques to use and availability of those aids are still limited and not widely shared. Therefore is was the aim of the project to develop a sports aid in cooperation with several partners, that is first of all easy to use & transport and secondly affordable not only for institutions but also for families.