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This study evaluated whether a position-specific drill replicates the running intensities of maximum ball in play (BiP) phases in competitive matches of Australian football (AF). Match data were collected on 32 AF players across 3 seasons (2019, 2020, 2021), with training session data collected from the same players across the 2021 season. Three position-specific training drills were created for defense, offense, and combination (defense and offense combined). Running intensities were compared between maximum BiP periods (e.g., periods with the highest metric per minute) from competitive matches and position-specific training drills, as well as between the 3 position-specific training drills using linear mixed models. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Measures of distance (offense: 44.4 m⋅minute-1, defense: 83.5 m⋅minute-1, combination: 50.4 m⋅minute-1), high-speed running (offense: 76.7 m⋅minute-1, defense: 134.6 m⋅minute-1, combination: 89.6 m⋅minute-1), very high-speed running (offense: 26.7 m⋅minute-1, defense: 56.2 m⋅minute-1, combination: 55.0 m⋅minute-1, and high-intensity efforts (offense: 2.3 efforts-minute"1, defense: 3.0 efforts⋅minute-1, combination: 2.8 efforts⋅minute-1), relative to time were greater (p < 0.001) in all 3 position-specific training drills compared with BiP phases. All measured metrics were significantly (p < 0.001) greater in the defense drill compared with the offense drill, whereas distance, high-speed running, PlayerLoad, and accelerations were significantly (p < 0.001) greater when compared with the combination drill. These demonstrate that position-specific training drills that we created replicated or exceeded the running intensities recorded during matches based on maximum BiP periods. Position-specific training drills seem to be an attractive addition to AF players training regimens because it concurrently provides training for physical and technical actions (e.g., handballs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zandona, BA, Ramos, RA, de Oliveira, CdS, McAnulty, SR, Ferreira, LHB, Smolarek, AC, Enes, AAN, Urbinati, KMdSS, Aragon, AA, Schoenfeld, BJ, and de Souza Junior, TP. Reduced Dose of Beta-Alanine Is Sufficient to Maintain Performance in Repeated Sprints. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1636–1642, 2022—Beta-alanine (BA) supplementation has been shown to be effective in improving physical performance by increasing carnosine concentration. However, it is still necessary to know the effect of a maintenance dose on performance. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a maintenance dose of BA supplementation on performance. Forty-four anaerobically trained men with 23.9 ± 3.8 years of age, 176.0 ± 0.05 cm height, 81.2 ± 7.5 kg body mass, and 15.5 ± 2.9% of body fat performed a cycle ergometer test consisting of 4 sprints of 30 s with 4 minutes of active recovery. The study comprised 3 phases: (a) presupplementation, (b) supplementation with 6.4 g·d−1 BA or placebo, and (c) postsupplementation with a maintenance dose of 1.2 g·d−1 of BA or interruption of supplementation. Data were analyzed using generalized estimated equations with a priori 0.05 level of significance. The placebo group and interruption group presented a lower power (7.28 ± 0.66 and 7.71 ± 0.42 W·kg−1 vs. 8.04 ± 0.84 and 9.25 ± 1.18 W·kg−1, respectively; p < 0.05) during the third sprint in postsupplementation, whereas the maintenance group maintained the required power (7.47 ± 1.03 vs. 8.74 ± 1.07 W·kg−1; p > 0.05). The placebo group also presented higher percentage of fatigue (44.5% ± 12.3 and 44.8% ± 7.7 vs. 37.6 ± 7.2%; p = 0.021) and higher subjective perception of exertion (8.92 ± 0.90 vs. 8.00 ± 1.60; p = 0.028). Therefore, the maintenance dose of 1.2 g·d−1 BA was effective in maintaining performance, whereas a reduction in performance was observed after supplementation interruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

he purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an experimental versus traditional military run training on 2-mile run ability in Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets. Fifty college-aged cadets were randomly placed into two groups and trained for four weeks with either an experimental running program (EXP, n=22) comprised of RPE intensity-specific, energy system based intervals or with traditional military running program (TRA, n=28) utilizing a crossover study design. A 2-mile run assessment was performed just prior to the start, at the end of the first 4 weeks, and again after the second 4 weeks of training following crossover. The EXP program significantly decreased 2-mile run times (961.3s ± 155.8s to 943.4 ± 140.2s, P=0.012, baseline to post 1) while the TRA group experienced a significant increase in run times (901.0 ± 79.2s vs. 913.9 ± 82.9s) over the same training period. There was a moderate effect size (d = 0.61, P=0.07) for the experimental run program to "reverse" the adverse effects of the traditional program within the 4-week training period (post 1 to post 2) following treatment crossover. Thus, for short-term training of military personnel, RPE intensity specific running program comprised of aerobic and anaerobic system development can enhance 2-mile run performance superior of a traditional program while reducing training volume (60 min per session vs. 43.2 min per session, respectively). Future research should extend the training period to determine efficacy of this training approach for long term improvement of aerobic capacity and possible reduction of musculoskeletal injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of the investigation was to examine the effects of citrulline malate (CM) on muscular fatigue in healthy, recreationally trained participants. Twelve participants (men = 6 and women = 6) (24.1 ± 3.9 years) visited the laboratory on 3 separate days, all separated by 1 week. Each visit consisted of consuming 1 of 3 treatments: placebo, CM (8 g), and control in which no drink mixture was consumed. For each day of testing, participants consumed assigned treatment and performed 1 high-intensity exercise trial consisting of squats, lunge jumps, squat jumps, and lateral jumps. Participants performed the exercises in the listed order, which was designated as 1 round. Each participant performed 3 rounds, with the work-to-rest ratio being 20 seconds of work and 30 seconds of rest. A 1-minute rest was given between rounds. A pre/post-exercise isokinetic leg extension test was performed to measure for peak power, peak torque, and rate of fatigue. In addition, blood lactate was obtained pre/post-exercise. There were no treatment or interaction effects (p > 0.05) for peak torque, peak power, rate of fatigue, or blood lactate accumulation. However, there was a statistical significant decrease from pre/post-exercise for peak torque (p = 0.003), peak power (p = 0.003), and rate of fatigue (p = 0.001). In addition, lactate accumulation did increase significantly from pre/post-exercise (p = 0.0001). Finally, neither total work nor final heart rate was statistically significant between the treatments (p > 0.05). Citrulline malate was not effective in improving performance or alleviating fatigue after a high-intensity exercise session. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary L-citrulline-malate (CM) consumption has been suggested to improve skeletal muscle metabolism and contractile efficiency, which would be expected to predispose exercising individuals to greater fatigue resistance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of CM supplementation on acid-base balance and high-intensity exercise performance. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 10 well-trained males consumed either 12 g of CM (in 400 ml) or lemon sugar-free cordial (placebo [PL]) 60 minutes before completion of 2 exercise trials. Each trial consisted of subjects performing 10 (x 15 seconds) maximal cycle sprints (with 30-second rest intervals) followed by 5 minutes recovery before completing a cycle time-to-exhaustion test (TTE) at 100% of individual peak power (PP). Significant increases in plasma concentrations of citrulline (8.8-fold), ornithine (3.9-fold), and glutamine (1.3-fold) were observed 60 minutes after supplementation in the CM trial only (p ≤ 0.05) and none of the subjects experienced gastrointestinal side-effects during testing. Significantly higher exercise heart rates were observed in CM condition (vs. PL) although no between trial differences in performance related variables (TTE: [120 ± 61 seconds CM vs. 113 ± 50 seconds PL]), PP or mean power, ([power fatigue index: 36 ± 16% CM vs. 28 ± 18% PL]), subjective rating of perceived exertion or measures of acid-base balance (pH, lactate, bicarbonate, base-excess) were observed (p > 0.05). This study demonstrated that acute supplementation of 12 g CM does not provide acute ergogenic benefits using the protocol implemented in this study in well-trained males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angadi, SS, Bhammar, DM, and Gaesser, GA. Postexercise hypotension after continuous, aerobic interval, and sprint interval exercise. J Strength Cond Res 29(10): 2888-2893, 2015—We examined the effects of 3 exercise bouts, differing markedly in intensity, on postexercise hypotension (PEH). Eleven young adults (age: 24.6 6 3.7 years) completed 4 randomly assigned experimental conditions: (a) control, (b) 30-minute steady-state exercise (SSE) at 75-80% maximum heart rate (HRmax), (4) aerobic interval exercise (AIE): four 4-minute bouts at 90-95% HRmax, separated by 3 minutes of active recovery, and (d) sprint interval exercise (SIE): six 30-second Wingate sprints, separated by 4 minutes of active recovery. Exercise was performed on a cycle ergometer. Blood pressure (BP) was measured before exercise and every 15-minute postexercise for 3 hours. Linear mixed models were used to compare BP between trials. During the 3-hour postexercise, systolic BP (SBP) was lower (p , 0.001) after AIE (118 6 10 mm Hg), SSE (121 6 10 mm Hg), and SIE (121 6 11 mm Hg) compared with control (124 6 8 mm Hg). Diastolic BP (DBP) was also lower (p , 0.001) after AIE (66 6 7 mm Hg), SSE (69 6 6 mm Hg), and SIE (68 6 8 mm Hg) compared with control (71 6 7 mm Hg). Only AIE resulted in sustained (.2 hours) PEH, with SBP (120 6 9 mm Hg) and DBP (68 6 7 mm Hg) during the third-hour postexercise being lower (p # 0.05) than control (124 6 8 and 70 6 7 mm Hg). Although all exercise bouts produced similar reductions in BP at 1-hour postexercise, the duration of PEH was greatest after AIE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which investigated the impact of low-intensity aerobic active recovery sessions between training runs on blood lactate concentration and fatigue in alpine ski racers. Topics explored include the link between blood lactate clearance and better athletic performance, the active and static recovery sessions performed by study participants, and the statistical analyses of data gathered such as physical performance and perceived fatigue rating.

The article presents research on the locomotive activities of and exercise intensity in eight female rugby union players during a game, noting that the players' activities such as standing and running as well as the total distance they covered were analyzed using a global positioning system. The study found that the backs position players covered more total distance than players in the forwards position. It also notes the percentage of match time that players were at their maximum heart rate.

The article discusses changes in repeated-sprint ability performance in elite handball players following high-intensity, heavy load postactivation potentiation half-squat conditioning exercises. Faster sprint times were found in subjects with prior conditioning exercises than those performing only warm-up exercises, suggesting a relationship between muscular strength and power and sprint performance in high-intensity intermittent sports.

The article discusses research conducted to investigate the effect a caffeine containing energy drink had on mood state, readiness to invest effort and resistance exercise to failure in 13 men. Researchers evaluated the men during an exercise regimen after they consumed an energy drink. They found that the ingestion of a caffeine-containing energy drink can enhance resistance exercise performance to failure and positively enhance psychophysiological factors related to exertion.

The article presents a research study concerning the use of β-alanine (BA) supplementation and its impact on sprint activity. Previous research has shown that BA delays fatigue and improves exercise performance. Researchers found that BA supplementation does not improve the physical performance of repeated sprint exercises.

The article presents a study which examined the impact of creatine monohydrate (CrMH) and carbohydrate supplementation on repeated jump height performance. It involved 60 active males, who conducted two sets of countermovement static jump height tests. Results have shown that carbohydrate and CrMH supplements were better at sustaining jump height than an energy-free placebo. Moreover, carbohydrate supplements were more effective than CrMH in maintaining repeated motion high-intensity activities.

The article discusses a study to examine the effect of recovery mode on repeated sprint ability in young basketball players. The fatigue index during the active protocol was greater than in the passive condition. Repeated sprinting, passive recovery enabled better performance and reduce fatigue. The use of passive recovery is advisable during competition.

The benefits of creatine (CR) supplementation are well documented, particularly during repeated bouts of high-intensity muscular activity. Most published experiments use mass-supported (cycle ergometry) activities as a means of evaluating creatine's efficacy, therefore minimizing any possible adverse effects of increased body mass associated with CR supplementation. This study aims to use both mass-supported and mass-dependent activities to assess the effectiveness of acute CR supplementation on a group of highly trained rugby players. A randomized, double-blind, crossover research design was utilized, with subjects receiving 20 g·d-1 3 5dof both CR and a glucose placebo (PL). Subjects were assessed via 10 3 6-second Wingate test and a 10 X 40-m sprint test on separate days, presupplementation and postsupplementation. A 28-d washout period separated the two treatments. No significant treatment (p > 0.05) or treatment by test interaction effects (p > 0.05) were observed for peak or minimum power output (W), peak or minimum running velocity (m·s1), or fatigue index (%). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found postsupplementation for body mass and percentage body fat. Although statistical significance was not achieved for any of the measured parameters, there were small improvements in performance that may be of benefit to rugby players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lakomy, J., and D.T. Haydon. The effects of enforced, rapid deceleration on performance in a multiple sprint test. J. Strength Cond. Res. 18(3):579-583. 2004.—The nature of multiple sprint sports such as soccer, hockey, and rugby is such that deceleration plays an important part in the movement patterns of players during a game and training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of deceleration on fatigue during repeated sprint efforts. A group of 18 elite field hockey players (all men) performed a running repeated sprint ability test (6 X 40 m using maximal effort and departing every 30 seconds). In one condition, there was no deceleration zone, and in the second condition, the test had a deceleration component (rapid deceleration to a stop within 6 m of the end of each sprint). Sprint times under each condition were compared using a repeated-measures analysis of variance. No significant difference was seen between the 2 conditions for mean sprint times (p < 0.05) or for the mean fatigue index (p < 0.05). However, results showed a divergent trend, and further analysis extrapolating the data for an increased number of sprints showed that a significant difference (p < 0.05) would have been seen at the 11th sprint. Although this study found that the deceleration zone had little effect on the 6-sprint protocol, it was clear that the deceleration component would have shown an effect, giving rise to greater fatigue and slower sprint times, if the number of sprints had been increased. The implications are that deceleration training should be introduced into general fitness training programs for those competing in multiple sprint sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]