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This study determined stroke and movement accelerometry metrics from a wearable sensor and compared between court surface (grass vs. hard) and match outcome (win vs. loss) during competitive tennis match-play. Eight junior high-performance tennis players wore a trunk-mounted global positioning system, with in-built accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope during singles matches on hard and grass courts. The manufacturer software calculated accelerometer-derived total player load (tPL). A prototype algorithm classified forehands, backhands, serves, and "other" strokes, thereby calculating stroke PL (sPL) from individual strokes. Movement PL (mPL) was calculated as the difference between tPL and sPL, with all metrics reported as absolute and relative (min-1, %, and ·stroke). Analysis of accelerometer load and stroke count metrics was performed through a two-way (surface [grass vs. hard] × match outcome [win vs. loss]) analysis of variance (p < 0.05) and effect sizes (Cohen's d). No interaction effects for surface and match outcome existed for absolute tPL, mPL, and sPL (p > 0.05). Increased mPL% featured on grass courts, whereas sPL% was increased on hard courts (p = 0.04, d = 1.18[0.31-2.02]). Elevated sPL·min-1 existed on hard courts (p = 0.04, d = 1.19[0.32-2.04]), but no differences in tPL·min-1 and mPL·min-1 were evident for surface or outcome (p > 0.05). Relative forehand sPL (FH-sPL·min-1) was higher on hard courts (p = 0.03, d = 1.18[0.31-2.02]) alongside higher forehand counts (p = 0.01, d = 1.29[0.40-2.14]). Hitting demands are heightened on hard courts from increased sPL and counts. Conversely, increased mPL% on grass courts likely reflects the specific movement demands from point-play. Physical preparation strategies during training blocks can be tailored toward movement or hitting loads to suit competitive surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O'Connor, FK, Doering, TM, Minett, GM, Reaburn, PR, Bartlett, JD and Coffey, VG. Effect of divergent solar radiation exposure with outdoor versus indoor training in the heat: implications for performance. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1622–1628, 2022—The aim of this study was to determine physiological and perceptual responses and performance outcomes when completing high-intensity exercise in outdoor and indoor hot environments with contrasting solar radiation exposure. Seven cyclists and 9 Australian Football League (AFL) players undertook cycling trials in hot conditions (≥30 °C) outdoors and indoors. Cyclists completed 5 × 4 minutes intervals (∼80% peak power output [PPO]) with 2 minutes recovery (∼40% PPO) before a 20-km self-paced ride. Australian Football League players completed a standardized 20 minutes warm-up (∼65% mean 4-minute power output) then 5 × 2 minutes maximal effort intervals. Heart rate (HR), PO, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal comfort (TC), and thermal sensation (TS) were recorded. Core (Tc) and skin temperature (Tsk) were monitored in cyclists alone. In both studies, ambient temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation were monitored outdoors and matched for ambient temperature and relative humidity indoors, generating different wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) for cyclists, but the similar WBGT for AFL players through higher relative humidity indoors. The statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Cyclists' HR (p = 0.05), Tc (p = 0.03), and Tsk (p = 0.03) were higher outdoors with variable effects for increased RPE, TS, and TC (d = 0.2–1.3). Power output during intervals was not different between trials, but there were small-moderate improvements in cyclists' PO and 20-km time indoors (d = 0.3–0.6). There was a small effect (d = 0.2) for AFL players' mean PO to increase outdoors for interval 4 alone (p = 0.04); however, overall there were small-moderate effects for lower RPE and TS indoors (d = 0.2–0.5). Indoor training in hot conditions without solar radiation may promote modest reductions in physiological strain and improve performance capacity in well-trained athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crowley, E, Harrison, AJ, and Lyons, M. Dry-land resistance training practices of elite swimming strength and conditioning coaches. J Strength Cond Res 32(9): 2592–2600, 2018—No research to date has investigated dry-land resistance (RT) training practices of elite swimming strength and conditioning coaches. This is the first comprehensive study exploring dry-land RT training practices in swimming. The aims of this study were to examine (a) the dry-land RT training practices and exercises used by elite swimming strength and conditioning coaches and (b) the rationale provided by coaches about their practices and prescription of specific dry-land RT training exercises. Twenty-three (n = 21 males, n = 2 females) elite swimming strength and conditioning coaches, from Ireland (n = 7), Great Britain (n = 5), Australia (n = 6), and the United States of America (n = 5) were recruited through their specific national governing bodies. Coaches completed an online questionnaire consisting of 7 sections; subject information, informed consent, coach's biography, coach education, current training commitments, dry-land RT training practices and exercises, and additional information. The results showed that coaches had varying levels of experience, education and worked with different level swimmers. A total of 95 dry-land RT training exercises were used by the coaches across 4 different dry-land RT training practices (warm-up, circuit training, traditional RT training and plyometrics). Traditional RT training (87%) was the most commonly practiced. The pull-up and squat were the most popular dry-land RT training exercises used by elite swimming strength and conditioning coaches. Future research needs to focus on exploring the specificity and the transfer of RT training exercises to swimming performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article was to determine the validity and reliability of a submaximal intermittent running (SIR) test in elite Australian rules football (ARF) players. Heart rate (HR) responses of 38 elite ARF players to both the SIR and the yo-yo intermittent recovery 2 (YYIR2) tests were compared over 2 trials. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between SIR test HR responses and YYIR2 test performance. Heart rate responses of 25 elite ARF players to the SIR test were monitored over 3 trials. Day-to-day reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), typical error of measurement, coefficient of variation (CV), and smallest worthwhile change. Large inverse correlations were reported between 2-, 3-, and 4-minute HR during the SIR test and YYIR2 test distance (r = 20.58 to 20.61, p < 0.01). Heart rate recovery after 2 and 3 minutes of the SIR test was moderately correlated to YYIR2 distance (r = 0.32-0.35, p ≤ 0.05). Strong correlations for ICC (r = 0.90-0.97) and low CV (1.3-9.2%) were reported for all HR variables. Monitoring HR during the SIR test is a valid and reliable indicator of YYIR2 test performance in elite ARF players. These findings support the use of the SIR test as a regular and non-fatiguing indicator of intermittent running capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on research which was conducted to investigate kinematic and kinetic improvements associated with action observation facilitated learning of the power clean technique in Australian football players. Researchers evaluated 15 players. They found that action observation combined with verbal coaching resulted in faster technique improvements and in improved playing performance.

The article reports on research which was conducted to investigate whether the SenseWear armband was valid for assessing energy expenditure during intermittent exercise and recovery in rugby union players. Researchers evaluated the armband with 14 players. They found that it did not provide a valid measure of energy expenditure in the players.

The article focuses on a study aimed at examining how players cope with the pressures of elite level Australian football during a season using physical and psychological wellness ratings. Pain and sleep quality were found to have the maximum average scores while quadriceps strain and well-being were found to have the minimum scores.

The article presents a study on trained cricketers of Australian Academy cricketers that will represent senior national team. It states that the training program culminated in home tournament, the Cricket Australia Emerging Players tournament (EPT) and a short domestic tour to play the Australian and Bangladesh National teams. It mentions that warm-ups were analyzed individually from training drills and consisted of low-intensity movements followed by dynamic and static stretching.