Enhance Sports Performance Research Articles

Vision Training and Reaction Training for Improving Performance and Reducing Injury Risk in Athletes

Visual processing, visual fields, and visual reaction times are essential to the performance of numerous sports and play a role in athletic injuries. Vision training, a process using visual exercises as part of a structured sports conditioning program, can be used to both enhance sports performance and prevent injury by improving neurovisual processing.
 
 In this review, evidence and methods concerning vision training programs are presented with the results suggesting performance enhancement and/or injury prevention, primarily concussion. Multiple studies are reviewed and utilized as examples that vision training programs designed to improve athletic performance or prevent injury are effective.
 
 We conclude from the collected evidence and theoretical considerations that vision training for numerous sports can be implemented with goals to improve performance and/or decrease injuries, specifically concussion.
 
 Key Points: 1) In this opinion paper we believe that vision training improves neurovisual processing. The vision training improves certain brain functions. 2) That vision training programs as part of athlete conditioning can improve athletic performance. Eye hand coordination, reaction times and peripheral awareness improve on the field of play. Obviously this benefit can be sport specific with some sports benefiting more than others. 3) There is emerging evidence that concussion rates can be decreased following pre-season vision training programs. The cause and effect needs to be better established and future research should address this opinion. 

Effectiveness of mindfulness sport performance enhancement (MSPE) on attention, planning and sport performance of elite Judoka

Effectiveness of mindfulness sport performance enhancement (MSPE) on attention, planning and sport performance of elite Judoka

A Clinically Relevant Method of Quantifying the Mechanical Properties of RockTape® Kinesiology Tape at Different Elongation Lengths.

Kinesiology tape (KT) is a therapeutic intervention used to treat different musculoskeletal conditions and to enhance sports performance. The evidence is inconclusive, with researchers attributing the variable outcomes to different manufactured KT used in the research. Researchers have begun to measure and document the mechanical properties of different brands, using machines versus professionals. This prevents a clear translation to clinical practice, as it may be difficult to reproduce outcomes. There is a need to measure the mechanical properties of KT using more clinically relevant methodology. The purpose was to document a clinically relevant method of measuring the mechanical properties of 2 different types of precut RockTape® tape at common elongation lengths and to establish the methodology for future validation research on this testing method. Controlled laboratory study. University laboratory. One researcher conducted all measurements. Each tape was measured at 3 elongation lengths with a force gauge. Force, stress, and Young modulus. The RockTape® 2 and RockTape® 3 elongation force were 25% = 2.27 (0.21) and 2.12 (0.26)N, 50% = 6.51 (0.27) and 5.93 (0.20)N, and 75% = 30.13 (0.63) and 21.23 (0.41)N. The stress values for the RockTape® 2 and RockTape® 3 were 25% = 0.88 (0.05) and 0.82 (0.03) kPa, 50% = 2.52 (0.03) and 2.29 (0.01) kPa, and 75% = 11.67 (0.04) and 8.23 (0.02) kPa. The Young modulus values for the RockTape® 2 and RockTape® 3 were 25% = 3.51 (0.00) and 3.29 (0.00) kPa, 50% = 5.04 (0.00) and 4.60 (0.00) kPa, and 75% = 15.57 (0.00) and 10.96 (0.00) kPa. This investigation documented a novel method of measuring the mechanical properties of 2 types of RockTape® KT. Future research should attempt to validate these testing methods.

Mindfulness training for a college team: Feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness from within an athletic department

Mindfulness-based interventions for athletes—including Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE)—have demonstrated promising results. While initial studies of MSPE have found improvements in many areas of athlete functioning (e.g. flow, anxiety, sport performance), questions regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the protocol when implemented in real-world settings remain. The present pilot study was the first in which a college coach was supervised in using the MSPE protocol to learn mindfulness and develop a consistent practice, and later delivered a 6-week MSPE intervention to all 30 athletes on a Division III NCAA women’s lacrosse team. With a 100% completion rate, players rated the program as highly successful, engaged in mindfulness practice outside of weekly sessions, and strongly recommended MSPE training for other athletes; qualitative data also suggested several perceived benefits. After the intervention, participants showed significant improvements in questionnaire measures of sport anxiety, mindfulness, difficulties in emotion regulation, and sport performance satisfaction, with medium to large effect sizes. Furthermore, improvements in sport mindfulness and flow were associated with several dimensions of lacrosse performance. As many universities lack resources to support sport psychology services for athletes, the present study—with its focus on generalizability and feasibility—suggests that MSPE can be delivered by a trained coach to potentially benefit athletes’ well-being and performance satisfaction. Ultimately, this “train-the-trainer” model could create a foundation for sustainable integration of mindfulness and/or mental training in general into college athletic departments. Lay summary: The feasibility and success of a mindfulness intervention with a collegiate women’s lacrosse team, when led by a coach trained in mindfulness rather than a professional clinician, sport psychologist, or mindfulness expert, suggests that this “train-the-trainer” model could promote feasible and sustainable integration of mindfulness programs into university athletic departments. Implications for practice In addition to direct delivery of mindfulness training to athletes, sport psychology professionals may be able to affect positive change by offering train-the-trainer services to coaches instead, potentially contributing to the sustainable, long-term integration of mindfulness into university athletic departments. Following supervised mindfulness training and the establishment of their own continuing mindfulness practice, the results of the present study suggest that collegiate coaches can feasibly deliver a mindfulness intervention to an entire team with a high degree of acceptability and athlete engagement. Having coaches trained in mindfulness could impact student-athlete well-being and performance satisfaction, and may be especially beneficial for secondary school or university-level athletic departments that lack the financial resources to employ a sport psychology professional.

Which are the Nutritional Supplements Used by Beach-Volleyball Athletes? A Cross-Sectional Study at the Italian National Championship

Beach volleyball is an intermittent team sport played under high temperature and humidity. Given that some nutritional supplements can enhance sports performance, this study aimed to evaluate the quantity and the heterogeneity of the nutritional supplementation practices of amateur (n = 69) and professional (n = 19) beach volley athletes competing in the Italian National Championship; an online form was used to collect data about the supplementation habits. The latent class analysis was used to find sub-groups characterised by different habits regarding supplements consumption. The most frequently used supplements (more than once a week) are vitamins B and C (39.2% of athletes), protein (46.8%), and caffeine (36.9%). The latent class analysis revealed three different sub-groups of athletes: the first class (56.7%) included athletes who were used to take very few supplements, the second class (17.0%) was characterised by higher consumption of supplements and the third class (26.2%) was in the middle between the others two. Groups were characterised not only by the quantity but also by the category of supplements used. Our results highlighted a high heterogeneity in supplementation habits. A pragmatic approach to supplements and sports foods is needed in the face of the evidence that some products can usefully contribute to enhancing performance.

Effects of Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing on Salivary Lysozyme, Mood States and Running Performance Among Recreational Runners.

IntroductionCarbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinsing can enhance sports performance through a central action mediated by receptors in the mouth. This study examined the effect of a CHO mouth rinse on salivary lysozyme concentrations, mood states and running performances.MethodsTen males recreational runners were randomised to three running trials with a 1 week recovery period between the trials. Each trial involved running at 75% maximum heart rate (HRmax) for 1 h, followed by a 15 min time trial. The participants used a CHO mouth rinse, placebo (PLA) solution or control (CON, no solution) every 15 min during the exercise. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and mood states were recorded pre-, during and post-exercise. Saliva samples were collected pre-, post- and 1 h post-exercise.ResultsThere was no significant interaction and time effect (P > 0.05) on the salivary lysozyme concentration and running performance, but it was significant (P < 0.05) for HR and RPE (increase in all trials). However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in salivary lysozyme concentrations, running performances, HR values or RPE between the trials. Mood states were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the trials, but one of the mood sub-scales showed a significant (P < 0.001) time effect (increase fatigue in all trials).ConclusionCHO mouth rinsing did not affect physiological parameters, salivary lysozyme concentrations, mood states or running performance among recreational runners.

High-Intensity Interval Training Shock Microcycle for Enhancing Sport Performance: A Brief Review

Dolci, F, Kilding, AE, Chivers, P, Piggott, B, and Hart, NH. High-intensity interval training shock microcycle for enhancing sport performance: A brief review. J Strength Cond Res 34(4): 1188-1196, 2020-High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a powerful strategy to develop athletes' fitness and enhance endurance performance. Traditional HIIT interventions involve multiple microcycles (7-10 days long) of 2-3 HIIT sessions each, which have been commonly supported to improve athletic performance after a minimum period of 6 weeks training. Regardless of the efficacy of such an approach, in recent years, a higher frequency of HIIT sessions within a unique microcycle, commonly referred to as an HIIT shock microcycle, has been proposed as an alternative HIIT periodization strategy to induce greater and more efficient endurance adaptation in athletes. This review article provides an insight into this new HIIT periodization strategy by discussing (1) HIIT shock microcycle format and design; (2) the sustainability of this training strategy; (3) effects on performance and physiological parameters of endurance; and (4) potential mechanisms for improvements. Evidence advocates the sustainability and effectiveness of HIIT shock microcycle in different athletes to improve intermittent and continuous running/cycling performance and suggests mitochondria biogenesis as the main acute physiological adaptation following this intervention.

Analysis of sex-related differences in external load demands on beach handball

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to analyze the sex-related differences in beach handball workload. A total sample of 105 handballers (male, n=50; female, n=55) belonging to six U’16 teams, seven U’18 teams and eight senior teams were monitored in the final round of 2018-2019 beach handball tournament celebrated during 3-days congested-fixture design. The external load variables Steps, Jumps, Player Load, Total Impacts (&gt;2G) and Total Impacts per Intensities (very low, 2-4G; low, 4-6G; moderate, 6-8G; high, 8-10G; very high, &gt;10G) through WIMUTM inertial devices. Statistical analysis was composed by t-test and Cohen’s d for anthropometrical variables and by MANOVA and omega partial square for sex and categories related differences. Greater values in male handballers were found in height, weight and age in each categories (U’16: p&lt;0.05; d=0.50-2.26; U’18: p&lt;0.05; d=0.95-2.21; senior: p&lt;0.05; d=1.01-1.99), except in age in U’18 (p=0.97; d=0.01). Respect to external workload, differences were found related to category (p&lt;0.01; ωp²= 0.02-0.05, small) and sex (p&lt;0.01; ωp²= 0.04-0.21, small to high), except in Steps (p=0.47; ωp²= 0.00), finding the greatest sex-related differences in U’16 category. From the differences found in anthropometrical characteristics and external workload, their evaluation during competition allows designing specific training sessions with the purpose of sports performance enhancement in beach handball.

The effects of Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) training on mindfulness, and flow in national competitive swimmers

There are limited studies examining the effects of a mindfulness intervention for a specific sport population group. The aim of this applied study was to investigate the effects of a mindful sport performance enhancement (MSPE) program on the mindfulness and flow of adolescent swimmers. Sixteen competitive adolescent swimmers were split into MSPE (n = 9) and relaxation training (RT) (n = 7) groups for eight weeks. Participants completed measures of trait and state flow mindfulness pre and post intervention. Paired t test results revealed that the MSPE group improved trait flow characteristics and global trait flow. ANCOVA analysis also revealed significantly higher effects on global trait flow and the action-awareness merging and clear goals subscales for the MSPE group compared to the RT group. These results suggested that sport orientated mindfulness interventions can psychologically benefit competitive youth swimmers. The study indicates that further research could consider applied designs to investigate in more detail the experiences this population has with specific mindfulness exercises.

Mindfulness in Sport: An Intervention for a Choking-Susceptible Athlete

Although antecedents of choking under pressure have been studied, prevention efforts have been somewhat inconsistent. Current choking-susceptibility criteria include trait anxiety (TA), self-consciousness (SC), and coping style. In the present case study, a college track-and-field athlete was self-identified as choking susceptible (CS), and a sport-specific mindfulness intervention to reduce levels of TA, SC, and alter coping to reduce choking susceptibility was implemented. The athlete identified as CS completed the 6-wk Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) program. Trait and state mindfulness were assessed throughout the program, with a follow-up 6 wk postintervention to gain further insight into the continuing effects of the mindfulness training. Visual analysis and quantitative and qualitative data demonstrated increases in mindfulness levels and changes in TA, SC, and coping, resulting in the participant’s failing to meet the choking-susceptibility criteria postintervention, indicating a reduced likelihood of choking in future performances. Enhanced mindfulness levels promoted greater awareness and acceptance, which may help counter the negative effects of stressful sport performances.

Genome editing and selection based on genes associated with sports athletic performance

In 2003 the final results of the Human Genome Project revealed the details of our genome: a set of information about how human beings look, how we act, feel, think and develop. Soon after, other global collaborations such as the HapMap project and 1000 Genomes Project were conducted. Although the main focus was to investigate the variability in human populations and the possible connections of certain variations to different conditions and diseases, these projects also had a great impact on the understanding of the genetic influence on sports performance. In parallel, improved methods for gene analysis and gene editing were developed. Based on those methods, it became possible to detect candidate genes responsible for different performance phenotypes and develop protocols similar to gene therapies for performance enhancement in athletes. This review covers developments in genetics, the overview of candidate genes associated with athletic performance, and ethical dilemmas related to the modification of genome for sport performance enhancement.

Demandas tácticas de juegos reducidos en fútbol: influencia de la tecnología utilizada

This article analyses the tactical behaviour in Small-Sided Games (SSGs) over the geometrical centre and surface area according to: (1) Tracking technology: Global Position System (GPS) and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB); (2) playing phase (attack vs defence) (3) Objective of SSG. Sixteen semiprofessional football players participated in this research (Age: 23.6±3.3 years old; Weight: 78.1±5.2 kg; Height: 1.8±0.1 meters). WIMU PROTM inertial devices (RealTrack System, Almeria, Spain) was used for recording process. The main results show significant differences: (1) between tracking technologies (GPS and UWB) in the surface area, (2) between playing phases; and (3) between all activities. In conclusion, the data obtained by both technologies cannot compare due to the found differences, being very important the analysis in relation to the objective and the playing phase of SSGs for their influence in the tactical behavior to achieve a sport performance enhancement.

Foot Plantar Pressure Measurement System Using Highly Sensitive Crack-Based Sensor.

Measuring the foot plantar pressure has the potential to be an important tool in many areas such as enhancing sports performance, diagnosing diseases, and rehabilitation. In general, the plantar pressure sensor should have robustness, durability, and high repeatability, as it should measure the pressure due to body weight. Here, we present a novel insole foot plantar pressure sensor using a highly sensitive crack-based strain sensor. The sensor is made of elastomer, stainless steel, a crack-based sensor, and a 3D-printed frame. Insoles are made of elastomer with Shore A 40, which is used as part of the sensor, to distribute the load to the sensor. The 3D-printed frame and stainless steel prevent breakage of the crack-based sensor and enable elastic behavior. The sensor response is highly repeatable and shows excellent durability even after 20,000 cycles. We show that the insole pressure sensor can be used as a real-time monitoring system using the pressure visualization program.

Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement: Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mental Training Program With Collegiate Athletes

College is a stressful time for many students, including student-athletes, who may benefit from mindfulness interventions focusing on present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance. Mindful sport performance enhancement (MSPE) has shown promise in previous open trials for promoting both athlete well-being and psychological factors related to sport performance, and this first randomized controlled trial of MSPE was conducted with mixed-sport groups of 52 NCAA Division III student-athletes. Each of the six sessions included educational, discussion-based, experiential, and home practice components, with meditation exercises progressing from sedentary mindfulness to mindfulness in motion. Whereas wait-list controls showed significant increases in depressive symptoms, those who received MSPE evidenced non-significant reductions in depressive symptoms over the course of treatment. Furthermore, once controls had also received MSPE, treatment completers (the 41% who attended at least five of six MSPE sessions) demonstrated significant increases in flow, trait mindfulness, satisfaction with life, and self-rated sport performance, along with reductions in worry, with medium to large effect sizes. There were no significant changes for treatment completers from post-treatment to 6-month follow-up, suggesting that improvements were maintained over time.

Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement: Mental Training for Athletes and Coaches

Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement: Mental Training for Athletes and Coaches

THE FEATURES OF MYOCARDIAL HEMODYNAMIC AND VEGETATIVE HOMEOSTASIS IN ATHLETES OF DIFFERENT QUALIFICATIONS FROM ACYCLIC SPORTS

Aim. The article deals with studying the functional status of the cardiovascular system and the features of its regulation in athletes of different qualifications from acyclic sports. Materials and methods. Male athletes of different qualifications aged 18–22 years and involved in acyclic sports participated in the study. A complex noninvasive bioimpedance study of HRV and hemodynamics was conducted with the Centaur (Microlux) system. The study of morphofunctional indicators of the myocardium was performed with echocardiography. Results. In athletes with the rank of Master of Sports adaptation to physical training is implemented through the increase in stroke volume, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, the humoral metabolic activity of heart rate regulation, and myocardial thickening. In the athletes of the 1st and 2nd ranks, there is a predominance of sympathetic activity in heart rate regulation and the chronotropic mechanism in response to physical load, which proves their less perfect adaptation. Conclusion. Based on the results obtained in the transition period of training the features of myocardial hemodynamic and vegetative homeostasis were revealed. Namely, the increase in qualifications and sports performance enhancement are determined by both morphofunctional changes in the heart, and the improvement of heart rate regulation mechanisms and cardiac contractile function.

BIOMECHANICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND AGE-RELATED FEATURES OF PERSONIFICATION AND INDIVIDUALIZATION DURING QUICKNESS AND SPEED-STRENGTH QUALITIES ENHANCEMENT IN YOUNG WEIGHTLIFTERS

Aim. The article deals with studying biomechanical, physiological, and age-related features in young weightlifters during quickness and speed-strength qualities enhancement. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the precompetitive stage of preparation. Weightlifters aged 14–15 and 16–17 years (n = 15) participated in the experiment. Body composition was studied with the Tanita BC-418AA computer analyzer. The spatial characteristics of spine segments were investigated with the help of the MBN-Scanner computer equipment. Postural studies were conducted with the stabilometric systems produced by MBN Russia. Blood flow spectral analysis was performed using impedance rheography (the Centaur diagnostic system). Results. The body composition of young weightlifters was varied in the following range: muscle mass – 52.4–53.9%, fat mass – 9.0–10.2%. BMI was equal 25.64 kg/m2. The data of the orthostatic test in young weightlifters revealed significant changes in HR, total spectrum power (TSP), and stroke volume regulation (SV) in the experimental group (p &lt; 0.05). In the control group, HR changes were higher than in the experimental group. In 50% of athletes from the groups of sports performance enhancement, eukinetic blood flow was revealed, in 32% – hypokinetic, and in 18% – hypertonic. After a year of training, a consistent increase in stroke volume (SV) was registered, as well as a decrease in HR, peripheral vascular resistance (PVR), heart index, and arterial blood pressure. Conclusion. The control system allows revealing in time the problems connected with weightlifters’ preparation, offering rehabilitation measures, and transforming the training process itself (its orientation, volume, intensity) to optimize body functioning in young weightlifters.

Adaptations of the Upper Body to Plyometric Training in Cricket Players of Different Age Groups.

Neuromuscular adaptations following exercise training are believed to enhance sports performance. While abundant research is available on adaptations of the lower body to plyometric training, little is known about adaptations of the upper body to plyometric training. To examine the effect of plyometric training on neuromuscular adaptations in cricket players of different age groups. Randomized parallel group active-controlled trial. Research laboratory, school cricket ground, and sports complex field. Fifty-nine cricket players were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group was subjected to 8 weeks of medicine ball plyometric training held thrice per week. Neuromuscular adaptations were analyzed pretraining and posttraining in 3 age groups: <18, 18-25, and >25 years. Analysis of variance was used to ascertain the training effects between and within the 6 subgroups, that is, age group <18 years (control and experimental), age group 18-25 years (control and experimental), and age group >25 years (control and experimental). Muscle activation, upper body balance, upper body power, and muscle strength. Out of 59, 55 participants completed the study. Subjects aged <18 years (adolescents) showed significantly greater improvements than those from the groups 18-25 years and >25 years (adults) on upper body balance and upper body power. Significant improvements were observed in the experimental subjects of all age groups on their muscle activity of biceps brachii, upper body balance, and upper body power following medicine ball plyometric training. Though adolescent subjects were found to be more adaptive than adult subjects, experimental subjects showed significantly greater neuromuscular adaptations to medicine ball plyometric training than controls. These findings emphasize the need for coaches and athletic trainers to inculcate medicine ball plyometric exercises in training regimes of cricket players so as to improve their upper body performance.

Perceived goal setting practices across a competitive season

Goal setting is an effective and frequently used tool for performance enhancement in sports. However, in the previous studies, the focus has been on goal effectiveness among individual male athletes and at one point in time. Therefore, the purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine goal setting practices in women’s sport teams across a competitive season from players’ individual and team perspectives. A total of 146 female players representing 24 teams in ice hockey, ringette, or floorball completed three online surveys. Surveys focused on setting outcome, process, and performance goals, as well as evaluating the follow-through of setting goals and actually reaching these goals across the season. The results indicated that teams set collective outcome goals, and several process, and performance goals at the outset of the season. One-third of the participants reported that these goals were recorded. Furthermore, results revealed that after the season, the achievement of the outcome goal was evaluated, whereas the attainment of process and performance goals was evaluated only occasionally. It is argued that the lack of follow-through in evaluating process and performance goals may be attributed to setting too many goals and not writing them down. It appeared that one-third of the teams did consistently follow the goal setting principles, and although this resulted in increased goal evaluation, it did not result in increased goal attainment. A number of future directions for research are offered and it is recommended that coaches should be made more aware of these guidelines and the importance of following them to achieve maximum benefits of a goal setting program.

FROM ‘IT MAKES ME FEEL FREE’ TO ‘THEY WON'T LET ME PLAY’: THE BODY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY-RELATED PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Despite the promotion of evidence based physical activity guidelines and the well-established links between activity engagement and health, well-being, and quality of life in individuals with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), children with CHD tend to be insufficiently active. The purpose of this study was to examine the body and physical activity perceptions and experiences of children with CHD and of their parents to advance understanding of how children make sense of and navigate the complexities associated with physical activity participation. Adopting a narrative constructionist approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 children aged 9 to 12 (56% female; n = 9) and their parents (32 interviews total) recruited through a pediatric cardiology clinic. The children had diagnoses of Fontan circulation (n=6); Transposition of the Great Arteries (n=5); Tetralogy of Fallot (n=3); and Coarctation of the Aorta (n=2). Interview data were analyzed using thematic narrative analysis; we examined the content of participants’ body and physical activity stories and the core patterns within them. Based on accelerometry (ActiGraph) data, their median moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was 47 mins/day (interquartile range 33-72 mins/day). Children were physically active for pleasure, social connection, health and well-being, and to enhance sport performance. While confident in their abilities, some children had trouble keeping up with others due to fatigue, delayed motor skill development, and/or cognitive impairment, and were often socially excluded from physical activity settings. This exclusion engendered self-conscious emotions of embarrassment, shame, and envy, and loneliness and isolation, thereby negatively impacting activity involvement. Parents attempted to mitigate these emotions by being active with their children and by enrolling them in inclusive activities promoting physical literacy and life-long participation (e.g. hiking/walking, biking, dance, baseball). Many children had symptoms associated with physical activity and discussed the ongoing process of learning to self-regulate by taking breaks and hydrating, adjusting activity intensity and type, however at times over-regulated and abandoned activity entirely. Socioeconomic status underpinned the participants’ experiences; some families had resources to access inclusive physical activity programming, while others had trouble finding affordable options which denied their children opportunities to participate in safe and enjoyable activities. The findings can inform clinicians, parents, and activity leaders as to the complexities associated with activity participation, guiding them in how to promote safe, sustainable, and enjoyable physical activity for children with CHD. The findings also have the potential to inform interventions to make physical activity more inclusive of children with CHD.