Sports Fatigue Research Articles

Sport-specific functional movement can simulate aspects of neuromuscular fatigue occurring in team sports

Fatigue protocols have been used over the years to examine muscular exhaustion. As an alternative to approaches in laboratory settings, functional agility protocols claiming to mimic the multifaceted loads of athletic activity have been proposed. This study aimed to examine the effects of a functional agility short-term fatigue protocol (FAST-FP) on neuromuscular function. Twenty-eight healthy sports students (15 males, aged 24.3 ± 2.4 years) completed the FAST-FP, which consists of four components: three counter-movement jumps (90% of individual maximum), a 20-s bout of step-ups, three bodyweight squats and an agility run. Tasks were repeated until the participants no longer achieved the required jump height in two consecutive sets. Outcomes (pre-post) encompassed subjective exhaustion (visual analogue scale [VAS]), maximum isometric voluntary force of the knee extensors (MIVF), reactive strength index (RSI), mean power frequency (MPF, measured using surface electromyography) and maximum knee range of motion (ROM). Post-intervention, VAS (+54 mm) increased significantly, while MIVF (–6.1%), RSI (–10.7%) and MPF (–4.1%) were reduced (p < 0.05). No changes were observed for ROM (p > 0.05). The FAST-FP induces small-to-moderate impairments in neuromuscular function and considerable self-perceived fatigue. Current evidence on exhaustion developing in team sports suggests that this magnitude of fatigue is similar. The protocol might thus be valuable in the evaluation of treatments counteracting post-match fatigue in team sports.

Fatigue in sport and exercise

Fatigue in sport has become a topic of interest among athletes, coaches and sport scientists because it affects athletic performance across a wide range of sports. Shaun Phillips is a sport physiology professor at the University of Edinburgh and has studied how peripheral and central mechanisms may impact fatigue. His text; Fatigue in Sport and Exercise, is the first book of its kind. Shaun synthesized a great deal of fatigue research into a go-to resource for those in the sport and exercise physiology field. Though his book does not provide “all the answers”, he presents the information and research in a way that’s easy to read and understand. Fatigue in Sport and Exercise is broken into four parts. Part 1 sheds light on the difficulty in defining fatigue and some of the ways in which fatigue is measured. Part 2 discusses many potential mechanisms of fatigue including metabolic acidosis, dehydration and hyperthermia, etc. Part 3 complements Part 2 by pulling together the information across all previously discussed fatigue mechanisms based on different types of exercise (i.e. short distance vs. middle distance sports). The book concludes in Part 4 with some thoughts on the direction of fatigue research, the interpretation of this research, and some recommendations with respect to keeping abreast the fatigue literature. Shaded “Key Point” boxes are littered throughout the test, which summarize the most important concepts of each chapter. This provides the reader with a great review and easy reference in the future. Although this book is the first of its kind, the current list price may be a barrier for some interested in the material. Irrespective of the price, I would recommend Fatigue in Sport and Exercise to all those working with an athletic population.

EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE ON FREE THROW ACCURACY IN BASKETBALL ATHLETES

The free throw is the single most important shot in the game of basketball. The factors influencing the ability of the basketball free throw accuracy consisted of skill, standing balance, muscle fatigue, and concentration. Massage has been used for reducing muscle fatigue in sports which may affect standing balance, concentration, and free throw accuracy. However, there were no research studies available on these regards. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on standing balance, muscle fatigue, concentration, and basketball free throw accuracy. Thirty male basketball athletes were randomly allocated into either traditional Thai massage (TTM) group or Control (C) group after which they were swabbed to receive the other one with a 2-week washed out period. Standing balance, perceived muscle fatigue, concentration, and basketball free throw accuracy were measured before and the next day after receiving either 1-hour session of TTM or rest. The study found that balance and concentration were significantly increased (p<0.05) only in the TTM group. Fatigue was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in TTM group while it was significantly increased (p<0.05) in C group. Between-group comparison revealed that standing balance and fatigue were significantly different (p<0.05). However, free throw accuracy was not changed in both within- and between- groups comparison. We conclude that a 1-hour session TTM could increase standing balance, decrease muscle fatigue, and increase concentration but could not affect free throw accuracy in basketball athletes.

Neuromuscular Fatigue in Contact Sports: Theories and Reality of a High Performance Environment

Neuromuscular Fatigue in Contact Sports: Theories and Reality of a High Performance Environment

The Research on the Impact of Maca Polypeptide on Sport Fatigue.

In order to study the effect of maca polypeptide on sport fatigue, this paper selected 40 male mice, and they were randomly divided into group A, B, C and D. group A, B and C were fed food with different concentrations of maca polypeptide, and group D was control group. After two weeks of feeding, measured physiological indexes of mice, including blood glucose, urea nitrogen and creatinine. At last gived the experimental results, as well as the analysis. Experimental results show that maca polypeptide can improve the ability of anti-fatigue mice, and in a certain concentration range, the higher the concentration, the better the resistance to fatigue.

Research on the Effect of Puerarin on Alleviating Sports Fatigue.

This paper focus on the effects of puerarin remit sports fatigue by observeing the effects of puerarinon blood components and exercise ability of mice in swimming trained. Comparing with the time of exhaustive swimming in the swim trained group, swim trained group with puerarin significantly increase (p<0.05). The puerarin may reduce the increase of hemoglobin, red blood cell and platelets caused by endurance exercise, reduce the blood viscosity, prolong the time of exhaustive swimming and improve exercise ability of mice in swim trained. Through the rat swimming experiment, we can further know the effects of puerarin on alleviating sports fatigue are obviously, which plays a role in the research field of the physiological effect of puerarin.

Research on the Effect of Puerarin on Alleviating Sports Fatigue

This paper focus on the effects of puerarin remit sports fatigue by observeing the effects of puerarinon blood components and exercise ability of mice in swimming trained. Comparing with the time of exhaustive swimming in the swim trained group, swim trained group with puerarin significantly increase (P&lt;0.05). The puerarin may reduce the increase of hemoglobin, red blood cell and platelets caused by endurance exercise, reduce the blood viscosity, prolong the time of exhaustive swimming and improve exercise ability of mice in swim trained. Through the rat swimming experiment, we can further know the effects of puerarin on alleviating sports fatigue are obviously, which plays a role in the research field of the physiological effect of puerarin.

Effect of Jujube Date Polysaccharide in Resisting Sports Fatigue

This study aims to explore effect of jujube date polysaccharide in relieving fatigue caused by sports taking rats as research object, in order to provide experimental basis for development of health care products made up of jujube date polysaccharide. Anti-fatigue effect of jujube date polysaccharide was observed through comparing duration of loaded swimming to exhaust, weight growth and content of blood lactic acid, blood urea nitrogen, blood glucose, muscle glycogen and hepatic glycogen of rats in sedentary group, control group and experimental group. Duration of loaded swimming to exhaust of weight-bearing rats in experimental group was obviously longer than control group; once the experiment ended up, weight of rats in experimental group was detected to be significantly higher than control group; after swimming, content of blood lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen of rats in experiment group was found to be decreased; rats taking medium and high dose jujube date polysaccharide had higher content of muscle glycogen and hepatic glycogen compared to control group. Thus the experiment proves that, jujube date polysaccharide can obviously strengthen the adaptive ability of human body to sports load, showing up its anti-fatigue effect.

Total soy saponins improve the antioxidant capacity of the myocardium and exercise ability in exhausted rats

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of total soy saponins (TS) on the myocardial antioxidant capacity in rats exercised to exhaustion. MethodsThe one-time exhausted treadmill model was used. All rats were divided into 4 groups: the control group, the TS group, the exhausted group, and the TS exhausted group. The TS and TS exhausted groups were fed TS at a dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight, once a day, for 2 weeks. The exhausted group was given a placebo, and the control group was not given any treatment. The treadmill speed was set at 30 m/min, and the rats (exhausted and TS exhausted groups) were trained at this speed until exhausted. The rats were decapitated and anatomized immediately after exhausted. A 10% homogenate of the myocardial tissue was prepared. ResultsTS significantly increased the exercise time by 20.62% (p < 0.05). As compared with the control group, the enzyme activities for catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione reductase (GR) were significantly enhanced in the TS group (p < 0.01); GR and GSH-Px activity was significantly enhanced in the TS exhausted group (p < 0.01); malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased in the TS exhausted group (p < 0.05). As compared with the exhausted group, the GSH-Px activity was significantly enhanced in the TS exhausted group (p < 0.01); CAT, GSH-Px, and GR activities were significantly enhanced in the TS group (p < 0.01). As compared with the TS group, the CAT and GR activity in the TS exhausted group was significantly decreased (p < 0.01). ConclusionTS can improve the exercised rats' antioxidant activity in their cardiac muscle to varying degrees, decrease MDA and serum AST and LDH levels, increase the exercise time, and delay the occurrence of sports fatigue.

Pacing Strategy, Muscle Fatigue, and Technique in 1500-m Speed-Skating and Cycling Time Trials.

To evaluate pacing behavior and peripheral and central contributions to muscle fatigue in 1500-m speed-skating and cycling time trials when a faster or slower start is instructed. Nine speed skaters and 9 cyclists, all competing at regional or national level, performed two 1500-m time trials in their sport. Athletes were instructed to start faster than usual in 1 trial and slower in the other. Mean velocity was measured per 100 m. Blood lactate concentrations were measured. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation (VA), and potentiated twitch (PT) of the quadriceps muscles were measured to estimate central and peripheral contributions to muscle fatigue. In speed skating, knee, hip, and trunk angles were measured to evaluate technique. Cyclists showed a more explosive start than speed skaters in the fast-start time trial (cyclists performed first 300 m in 24.70 ± 1.73 s, speed skaters in 26.18 ± 0.79 s). Both trials resulted in reduced MVC (12.0% ± 14.5%), VA (2.4% ± 5.0%), and PT (25.4% ± 15.2%). Blood lactate concentrations after the time trial and the decrease in PT were greater in the fast-start than in the slow-start trial. Speed skaters showed higher trunk angles in the fast-start than in the slow-start trial, while knee angles remained similar. Despite similar instructions, behavioral adaptations in pacing differed between the 2 sports, resulting in equal central and peripheral contributions to muscle fatigue in both sports. This provides evidence for the importance of neurophysiological aspects in the regulation of pacing. It also stresses the notion that optimal pacing needs to be studied sport specifically, and coaches should be aware of this.

Effect of Dietary Nutrition and Fatigue Recovery Study on Volleyball Sports

This study analyzed the characteristics of volleyball match and every system of energy supply and the order of energy materials which is discomposed. Then we concluded the course of substance and energy metabolism in the volleyball match and analyzed the possible causes of sports fatigue. At last to improve the capacity of sports man we give some advice such as the methods of volleyball train and supplying some nutrient matter in the training. Volleyball game is intense antagonism sports item, with the characteristics of high extensive mass, highly technical intensity motion, high density, fierce confrontation, etc.

Research on Intervention Measures of Sports Nutrition for Athletes\' Fatigue Recovery

This study analyzes the necessity of sports nutrition intervention for the recovery of the athletes' fatigue, discussing the intervention measures of sports nutrition for athletes' fatigue recovery with the help of the interpretation of sports fatigue. The nutrition supplement for sports fatigue which is an effective method to alleviate the symptoms, promote the recovery and guarantee the training.

Direct and indirect measurement of neuromuscular fatigue in Canadian football players.

This study assessed the effects of a fatiguing game simulation (G-Sim) on the balance of collegiate Canadian football players. The purpose of the study was to evaluate postural control as a potential tool for monitoring neuromuscular fatigue (NMF) in collision-based team sports. Fifteen male Canadian football players were recruited (mean±SD: age 21.8±1.6 years, weight 97.6±14.7 kg). Indirect NMF measures (postural sway and countermovement jump (CMJ)) were performed 24 h before (TBase), immediately before (TPre) and after (TPost), and 24 h (T24) and 48 h after (T48) a Canadian football G-Sim. Peak isometric knee extensor torque of a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and electrically evoked tetani at 20 Hz (P20) and 80 Hz (P80) were also recorded as direct NMF measures at TBase, TPre, TPost, and T48. At TPost, we observed significant declines in MVC, P20, and the MVC/P80 ratio (-15.3%, -15.7%, and -12.1%, respectively; n=12) along with reductions in CMJ takeoff velocity and peak power (-6.9% and -6.5%, respectively; n=12) and larger area of the center of pressure trajectory (95.2%; n=10) during a 60-s postural sway task. All variables were no longer different than baseline by T48. Acute neuromuscular impairment in this cohort is likely attributable to alterations in excitation-contraction coupling due to structural damage and central activation failure. Congruency between the direct and indirect measures of NMF suggests monitoring postural sway has the potential to identify both neuromuscular and somatosensory alterations induced by acute game-induced fatigue in collision-based team sports players.

Table Tennis Sports Fatigue Recovery and Dietary Improvement

Table Tennis Sports Fatigue Recovery and Dietary Improvement

Fatigue and pacing in high-intensity intermittent team sport: an update.

With the advancements in player tracking technology, the topic of fatigue and pacing in team sport has become increasingly popular in recent years. Initially based upon a pre-conceived pacing schema, a central metabolic control system is proposed to guide the movement of players during team sport matches, which can be consciously modified based on afferent signals from the various physiological systems and in response to environmental cues. On the basis of this theory, coupled with the collective findings from motion-analysis research, we sought to define the different pacing strategies employed by team sport players. Whole-match players adopt a 'slow-positive' pacing profile (gradual decline in total running intensity), which appears to be global across the different team sports. High-intensity movement also declines in a 'slow-positive' manner across most team sport matches. The duration of the exercise bout appears to be important for the selected exercise intensity, with the first introduction to a match as a substitute or interchange player resulting in a 'one bout, all out' strategy. In a limited interchange environment, a second introduction to the match results in a 'second-bout reserve' strategy; otherwise, the 'one bout, all out' strategy is likely to be adopted. These pacing profiles are proposed to reflect the presence of a central regulator that controls the movement intensity of the player to optimize performance, as well as avoiding the harmful failure of any physiological system. The presence of 'temporary fatigue' reflects this process, whereby exercise intensity is consciously modulated from within the framework of a global pacing schema.

Effects of Meridian Scraping on Immune Function and Athletic Ability in Endurance Training Rats

Aim of the study-To investigate the effects of meridian scraping on immune function and athletic ability in endurance training rats. Materials and methods-Twenty four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to non-training group (A), training control group (B) or meridian scraping and training group (C). Rats in groups B and C were loaded with incremental endurance training for 7 weeks and body weight, indices of immune organs, levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, IL-6, &beta-endorphin and time to strength exhaustion of rats in running plate on the first day of the 8th week, were measured. Results-Meridian scraping effectively modulated the changes in body weight and immune function induced by endurance training. Meridian scraping treatment also inhibited the training-induced decrease of serum IgG, but increased serum IL-6 and &beta-endorphin levels and prolonged the time to strength exhaustion. Conclusions-Meridian scraping increased the athletic ability of rats in endurance training, delayed the occurrence of sports fatigue and improved immune function.

Holistic approaches to understanding mechanisms of fatigue in high-intensity sport

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to provide a holistic understanding of likely mechanisms of fatigue during high-intensity sports lasting 1–10 min. Methods: The contributions from skeletal muscle, central nervous system (motor drive), and fatigue sensations to lower performance during intense cycling, running, rowing, repeated sprints, or knee extensions were evaluated. Results: At the end of exercise, reductions of external power, force, or velocity and peak isometric forces are moderate (10–30%), motor drive falls by <8%, and fatigue sensations are extreme, e.g., Borg's rating of perceived exertion >18. Multiple putative fatigue factors can change simultaneously to interactively lower performance and/or provide protection. Major detrimental factors include raised intramuscular inorganic phosphate, severe extra- and intracellular acidosis, cerebral hypoxemia, large reduction of trans-sarcolemmal K+-gradient (also Na+- and Cl−-gradients), and reduced muscle glycogen levels. Factors resisting fatigue include elevated adrenaline, extracellular lactate, interstitial [H+] and [K+], and a normal trans-sarcolemmal Cl−-gradient. Conclusions: Raised inorganic phosphate interacting with intracellular H+, and a large rundown of trans-sarcolemmal ion gradients are likely to cause peripheral fatigue. Severe arterial hypoxemia (due to plasma acidosis, raised core temperature, lowered PaO2), and factors released from glycogen lowered muscles, e.g., interleukin-6, may cause central fatigue and strong fatigue sensations.

The Application Prospects of Nanotechnology in Future Competitive Sports Development

With the development of Nano research, many excellent performances of nanotechnology are discovered. And the space for application is enlarged. Competitive sports may become another new area for the application of nanotechnology. According to the study of sports facilities and equipments, training and sports scientific instruments, sports fatigue mechanism and recovery, sports injury and nutritional supplements, genetic material, this paper states the application prospects of Nanotechnology, a high-end technology in future competitive sports development. Further more, it strives to provide theoretical support for the future competitive sports development in technological innovation so as to impel the development of future competitive sports

The Biochemical Mechanisms of Taurine in Anti Sports Fatigue

Taurine (Tau) was widely used in adjusting body normal physiological function and enhancing the ability of resisting all kinds of stress in clinical medicine and sports nutrition. This article collected the literatures of recent 20 years about the application of taurine in animal and human being. According to the chemical structure, amino acids in taurine’s molecular structure played a main role in regulating physiological function. Amino was the key and even the only functional group in biochemical reaction. Schiff’s Reaction between amino and carbonyl in reactive carbonyl compounds was that taurine played a variety biological function of molecular basis in cells.

Efectos agudos en el sistema nervioso central después de realizar una contrarreloj simulada en ciclistas cadetes

ObjectivesThe study of origin of fatigue in sport has been extensively studied, it still does not know exactly how it works. One of the causes of decreased performance in athletes is fatigue in central nervous system (CNS). The present research aims to study changes in Flicker Fusion Threshold before and after a 30 minutes trial on a cycle ergometer, as a means to assess the CNS fatigue in a group of trained cyclists cadet. MethodSeven male subjects were analyzed (62.6±4.11kg, 172.8±7.94cm, 14.7±0.8 years, 13.4±3.53% fat, 21.0±1.83kg/m2, VO2max [ml/kg/min] 63.2±5.13, VO2max [1]: 4.1±0.5). They performed a 30 minutes maximum cycle ergometer trial. Prior to this trial and at the end, we measured following variables: Flicker fusion threshold ascending, Flicker fusion threshold descending, subjective criteria and sensory sensitivity. Each subject performed the test three times, Flicker Fusion Threshold obtaining an average value of them. ResultsThe results show increased cortical activation after the 30 minutes trial, therefore do not show signs of fatigue of the CNS, since the results of sensory sensitivity increased (pre: 30.1±4.3Hz; Post: 32.4±6.3Hz). These results are similar with other studies in which subject realized efforts with similar nature. ConclusionIt has been shown as 30 minutes trial on a cycle ergometer does not seem to generate fatigue in the CNS measured with Flicker Fusion system in cyclist of cadet category, because did not decrease the Flicker Fusion Threshold.