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Abstract: Brisola, GMP, Dutra, YM, Murias, JM, and Zagatto, AM. Beneficial performance effects of training load intensification can be abolished by functional overreaching: Lessons from a water polo study in female athletes. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): e391-e402, 2023-The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes from 2 weeks of training load intensification strategy in female water polo players diagnosed with functional overreaching (F-OR) with no F-OR players (acute fatigue) on the performance outcomes and hormonal, immunological, and cardiac autonomic nervous system responses. Twenty-two female water polo players were allocated into control and intensification group during 7 weeks. The swimming performance, biochemical parameters, heart rate variability, profile of mood states, and upper respiratory tract infection symptoms were assessed twice before and twice after 2 weeks of intensification period. F-OR showed a worsening in total time of the repeated sprint ability (RSA) test compared with the control group and the acute fatigue group after intensification ( p ≤ 0.035). Furthermore, after the tapering period, the F-OR group maintained worse total time of the RSA test than the acute fatigue group ( p = 0.029). In addition, the acute fatigue group showed improvement in total time of the RSA test after intensification compared with the control group ( p < 0.001). No significant interactions were found for the other parameters. Therefore, periods of intensification without the F-OR development can promote higher gains in the total time of the RSA test after intensification and tapering period., (Copyright © 2023 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

de Poli, RAB, Boullosa, DA, Malta, ES, Behm, D, Lopes, VHF, Barbieri, FA, and Zagatto, AM. Cycling performance enhancement after drop jumps may be attributed to postactivation potentiation and increased anaerobic capacity. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2465-2475, 2020-The study aimed to investigate the effects of drop jumps (DJs) on supramaximal cycling performance, anaerobic capacity (AC), electromyography, and fatigue. Thirty-eight recreational cyclists participated into 3 independent studies. In study 1 (n = 14), neuromuscular fatigue was assessed with the twitch interpolation technique. In study 2 (n = 16), the AC and metabolic contributions were measured with the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit method and the sum of the glycolytic and phosphagen pathways. In study 3 (n = 8), postactivation potentiation (PAP) induced by repeated DJs was evaluated. The DJ protocol was effective for significantly improving cycling performance by +9.8 and +7.4% in studies 1 and 2, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). No differences were observed in electromyography between conditions (p = 0.70); however, the force evoked by a doublet at low (10 Hz) and high frequencies (100 Hz) declined for control (-16.4 and -23.9%) and DJ protocols (-18.6 and -26.9%) (p < 0.01). Force decline was greater in the DJ condition (p < 0.03). Anaerobic capacity and glycolytic pathway contributions were +7.7 and +9.1% higher after DJ protocol (p = 0.01). Peak force during maximal voluntary contraction (+5.6%) and doublet evoked force at 100 Hz (+5.0%) were higher after DJs. The DJ protocol induced PAP, improved supramaximal cycling performance, and increased AC despite higher peripheral fatigue.

Malta, ES, Brisola, GMP, de Poli, RAB, Dutra, YM, Franchini, E, and Zagatto, AM. Metabolic profile and performance responses during two consecutive sessions of sprint interval training. J Strength Cond Res 34(4): 1078-1085, 2020-The study aimed to (a) typify the cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and performance responses during a single sprint interval training (SIT) session, (b) investigate the interference of 2 subsequent sessions on cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and performance responses, and (c) verify the relationships of SIT total work performed with aerobic fitness indices. Thirty-six untrained men performed 2 SIT sessions (SIT1 and SIT2) separated by 24 hours of recovery. Each session was composed of 4 Wingate bouts interspersed by 4 minutes. Within SIT sessions, bout work, peak power, and mean power of each Wingate bout decreased significantly, while the fatigue index increased over time (p < 0.001). The SIT elicited lower acute responses of oxygen uptake and heart rate than maximal values (≈67 and ≈79%, respectively) (p < 0.05) as well as a short time spent at high cardiorespiratory demand. For SIT outcomes, no interactions were verified between Wingate bout performance, average heart rate, and average oxygen uptake. In addition, the oxygen uptake integral (SIT1:300.5 ± 38.6 ml·kg; SIT2:306.9 ± 41.1 ml·kg) and total work (SIT1:54.6 ± 10.4 kJ; SIT2:54.9 ± 10.6 kJ) did not differ between SIT sessions (p > 0.05). Furthermore, significant moderate to strong correlations were found between SIT1 and SIT2 total work and peak oxygen uptake (r = 0.48; r = 0.52, respectively), maximal aerobic power (r = 0.89; r = 0.89, respectively), and respiratory compensation point (r = 0.80; r = 0.78, respectively). In summary, an SIT session elicited a short time spent at high cardiorespiratory demand, while the SIT total work was significantly correlated with aerobic fitness indices. In addition, 2 consecutive SIT sessions interspaced by 24 hours did not affect performance outcomes, or cardiorespiratory and blood responses.

Brisola, GMP, Claus, GM, Dutra, YM, Malta, ES, de Poli, RAB, Esco, MR, and Zagatto, AM. Effects of seasonal training load on performance and illness symptoms in water polo. J Strength Cond Res 34(2): 406-413, 2020-The purpose of the study was to describe the training load distribution of a young female water polo team in different cycles of the season and verify its subsequent effects on specific fitness measured by the repeated sprints ability (RSA) test, aerobic endurance measured by the lactate minimum test, incidence and severity of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms, and muscle damage markers. The training load (i.e., rating of perceived exertion × session duration) of 20 young female water polo players (mean ± SD: age = 15.65 ± 1.3 years; body mass = 60.93 ± 11.0 kg; height = 1.62 ± 0.1 m) was monitored, and the incidence and severity of URTI was assessed during part of the season. In addition, we assessed the lactate minimum speed (LMS), RSA, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) blood concentration during the season. The level of significance set was p < 0.05. The training loads were higher in the specific period (p < 0.01), whereas a high incidence of URTI was observed in the general cycle. The LMS was greater in the general cycle (p < 0.05), whereas total time and best time in the RSA test were greater in the competitive cycle (p < 0.05). The CK and LDH concentrations were significantly lower during the competitive cycle (p < 0.01). The general cycle of a female water polo team is critical regarding URTI and muscle damage, even with smaller training loads than the specific period.

Brisola, GMP and Zagatto, AM. Ergogenic effects of β-alanine supplementation on different sports modalities: strong evidence or only incipient findings? J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 253-282, 2019-β-Alanine supplementation is a popular nutritional ergogenic aid among the sports community. Due to its efficacy, already proven in the literature, to increase the intramuscular carnosine content (β-alanyl-L-histidine), whose main function is intramuscular buffering, β-alanine supplementation has become a nutritional strategy to improve performance, mainly in high-intensity efforts. However, although many studies present evidence of the efficacy of β-alanine supplementation in high-intensity efforts, discrepancies in outcomes are still present and the performance enhancing effects seem to be related to the specificities of each sport discipline, making it difficult for athletes/coaches to interpret the efficacy of β-alanine supplementation. Thus, this study carried out a review of the literature on this topic and summarized, analyzed, and critically discussed the findings with the objective of clarifying the current evidence found in the literature on different types of efforts and sport modalities. The present review revealed that inconsistencies are still found in aerobic parameters determined in incremental tests, except for physical working capacity at the neuromuscular fatigue threshold. Inconsistencies are also found for strength exercises and intermittent high-intensity efforts, whereas in supramaximal continuous mode intermittent exercise, the beneficial evidence is strong. In sports modalities, the evidence should be analyzed separately for each sporting modality. Thus, sports modalities that have strong evidence of the ergogenic effects of β-alanine supplementation are: cycling race of 4 km, rowing race of 2,000 m, swimming race of 100 and 200 m, combat modalities, and water polo. Finally, there is some evidence of slight additional effects on physical performance from cosupplementation with sodium bicarbonate.

Zagatto, AM, Ardigò, LP, Barbieri, FA, Milioni, F, Dello Iacono, A, Camargo, BHF, and Padulo, J. Performance and metabolic demand of a new repeated-sprint ability test in basketball players: does the number of changes of direction matter? J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2438-2446, 2017-This study compared 2 repeated-sprint ability (RSA) tests in basketball players. Both tests included 10 × 30-m sprints, with the difference that the previously validated test (RSA2COD) featured 2 changes of direction (COD) per sprint, whereas the experimental test (RSA5COD) featured 5 CODs per sprint. Test performances and metabolic demands were specifically assessed in 20 basketball players. First, RSA5COD test-retest reliability was investigated. Then, RSA2COD, RSA5COD sprint times, peak speeds, oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2) and posttest blood lactate concentration [La] were measured. The RSA5COD results showed to be reliable. RSA2COD performance resulted better than the RSA5COD version (p < 0.01), with shorter sprint times and higher peak speeds. Over sprints, the tests did not differ from each other in terms of V[Combining Dot Above]O2 (p > 0.05). Over whole bout, the RSA2COD was more demanding than the RSA5COD, considering overall metabolic power requirement (i.e., VO2-driven + [La]-driven components). Given that RSA5COD (a) mimics real game-play as sprint distance and action change frequency/direction and (b) has the same metabolic expenditure per task completion as metabolic cost, RSA5COD is a valuable option for players and coaches for training basketball-specific agility and assessing bioenergetic demands.

The aim of this study was to establish the validity of the anaerobic threshold (AT) determined on the soccer-specific Hoff circuit (ATHoff) to predict the maximal lactate steady-state exercise intensity (MLSSHoff) with the ball. Sixteen soccer players (age: 16.0 ± 0.5 years; body mass: 63.7 ± 9.0 kg; and height: 169.4 ± 5.3 cm) were submitted to 5 progressive efforts (7.0-11.0 km·h) with ball dribbling. Thereafter, 11 players were submitted to 3 efforts of 30 minutes at 100, 105, and 110% of ATHoff. The ATHoff corresponded to the speed relative to 3.5 mmol·L lactate concentration. The speed relative to 4.0 mmol·L was assumed to be ATHoff4.0, and the ATHoffBI was determined through bisegmented adjustment. For comparisons, Student's t-test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland and Altman analyses were used. For reproducibility, ICC, typical error, and coefficient of variation were used. No significant difference was found between AT test and retest determined using different methods. A positive correlation was observed between ATHoff and ATHoff4.0. The MLSSHoff (10.6 ± 1.3 km·h) was significantly different compared with ATHoff (10.2 ± 1.2 km·h) and ATHoffBI (9.5 ± 0.4 km·h) but did not show any difference from LAnHoff4.0 (10.7 ± 1.4 km·h). The MLSSHoff presented high ICCs with ATHoff and ATHoff4.0 (ICC = 0.94; and ICC = 0.89; p ≤ 0.05, respectively), without significant correlation with ATHoffBI. The results suggest that AT determined on the Hoff circuit is reproducible and capable of predicting MLSS. The ATHoff4.0 was the method that presented a better approximation to MLSS. Therefore, it is possible to assess submaximal physiological variables through a specific circuit performed with the ball in young soccer players.

The main aim of this investigation was to verify the relationship of the variables measured during a 3-minute all-out test with aerobic (i.e., peak oxygen uptake [(Equation is included in full-text article.)] and intensity corresponding to the lactate minimum [LMI]) and anaerobic parameters (i.e., anaerobic work) measured during a 400-m maximal performance. To measure force continually and to avoid the possible influences caused by turns, the 3-minute all-out effort was performed in tethered swimming. Thirty swimmers performed the following tests: (a) a 3-minute all-out tethered swimming test to determine the final force (equivalent to critical force: CF3-MIN) and the work performed above CF3-MIN (W'3-MIN), (b) a LMI protocol to determine the LMI during front crawl swimming, and (c) a 400-m maximal test to determine the (Equation is included in full-text article.)and total anaerobic contribution (WANA). Correlations between the variables were tested using the Pearson's correlation test (p ≤ 0.05). CF3-MIN (73.9 ± 13.2 N) presented a high correlation with the LMI (1.33 ± 0.08 m·s; p = 0.01) and (Equation is included in full-text article.)(4.5 ± 1.2 L·min; p = 0.01). However, the W'3-MIN (1,943.2 ± 719.2 N·s) was only moderately correlated with LMI (p = 0.02) and (Equation is included in full-text article.)(p = 0.01). In summary, CF3-MIN determined during the 3-minute all-out effort is associated with oxidative metabolism and can be used to estimate the aerobic capacity of swimmers. In contrast, the anaerobic component of this model (W'3-MIN) is not correlated with WANA.

The aim of this study was to verify the influence of hyperlactemia and blood acidosis induction on lactate minimum intensity (LMI). Twenty recreationally trained males who were experienced in cycling (15 cyclists and 5 triathletes) participated in this study. The athletes underwent 3 lactate minimum tests on an electromagnetic cycle ergometer. The hyperlactemia induction methods used were graded exercise test (GXT), Wingate test (WAnT), and 2 consecutive Wingate tests (2 × WAnTs). The LMI at 2 × WAnTs (200.3 ± 25.8 W) was statistically higher than the LMI at GXT (187.3 ± 31.9 W) and WAnT (189.8 ± 26.0 W), with similar findings for blood lactate, oxygen uptake, and pulmonary ventilation at LMI. The venous pH after 2 × WAnTs was lower (7.04 ± 0.24) than in (p ≤ 0.05) the GXT (7.19 ± 0.05) and WAnT (7.19 ± 0.05), whereas the blood lactate response was higher. In addition, similar findings were observed for bicarbonate concentration [HCO3] (2 × WAnTs lower than WAnT; 15.3 ± 2.6 mmol·L and 18.2 ± 2.7 mmol·L1, respectively) (p ≤ 0.05). However, the maximal aerobic power and total time measured during the incremental phase also did not differ. Therefore, we can conclude that the induction mode significantly affects pH, blood lactate, and [HCO3] and consequently they alter the LMI and physiological parameters at LMI.

The purpose of this study was to verify the physiological responses and the match characteristics of table tennis and also to compare these responses in 2 different performance-level athletes from official tournaments. Twenty male table tennis players (12 regional experience-RP and 8 national and international experience-NP) were participants in the study. Blood lactate concentration ([LAC]) and heart rate (HR) were measured as physiological parameters in 21 official table tennis matches, and other 12 matches had recorded the duration of rally (DR), rest time, effort and rest ratio (E:R), total playing time (TPT), effective playing time (EPT), and frequency of shots by video analyses. The [LAC] verified in all matches was 1.8 mmol.L (+/-0.8), whereas the [LAC] peak was 2.2 mmol.L (+/-0.8). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups (p > 0.05) in both parameters. The HR was 164 b.min (+/-14), corresponding to 81.2% (+/-7.4) of the predicted maximum HR. As characteristics of the matches, the DR corresponded to 3.4 seconds (+/-1.7), rest time to 8.1 seconds (+/-5.1), E:R to 0.4 (+/-0.2), TPT to 970.5 seconds (+/-336.1), EPT to 44.3% (+/-23.7), and frequency of shots to 35.3 balls.min (+/-7.7). Among groups, the rest time was lower in RP than in NP. Consistently, the E:R and EPT were higher in RP than in NP (p < 0.05). The results suggest that table tennis matches present the aerobic system as a principal output energy, the phosphagenic system being the most important during efforts. The information pertaining to the physiological profile and the characteristics of table tennis should be used by coaches planning physical training and specific exercise prescriptions aiming at achieving maximal sport performance.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the running anaerobic sprint test (RAST) in anaerobic assessment and predicting short-distance performance. Forty members of the armed forces were recruited for this study (age 19.78 +/- 1.18 years; body mass 70.34 +/- 8.10 kg; height 1.76 +/- 0.53 m; body fat 15.30 +/- 5.65 %). The RAST test was applied to six 35-meter maximal running performances with a 10-second recovery between each run; the peak power, mean power, and the fatigue index were measured. The study was divided in two stages. The first stage investigated the reliability of the RAST using a test-retest method; the second stage aimed to evaluate the validity of the RAST comparing the results with the Wingate test and running performances of 35, 50, 100, 200, and 400 m. There were not significant differences between test-retest scores in the first stage of the study (p > 0.05) and were found significant correlations between these variables (intraclass correlation coefficient approximately = 0.88). The RAST had significant correlations with the Wingate test (peak power r = 0.46; mean power r = 0.53; fatigue index r = 0.63) and 35, 50, 100, 200, and 400 m performances scores (p < 0.05). The advantage of using the RAST for measuring anaerobic power is that it allows for the execution of movements more specific to sporting events that use running as the principal style of locomotion, is easily applied and low cost, and due to its simplicity can easily be incorporated into routine training. We concluded that this procedure is reliable and valid, and can be used to measure running anaerobic power and predict short-distance performances.

The purpose of this research was to examine how an 11-day taper after an 8.5-week experimental training cycle affected lactate levels during maximal exercise, mean force, and performance in training swimmers, independent of shaving, psychological changes, and postcompetition effects. Fourteen competition swimmers with shaved legs and torsos were recruited from the São Paulo Aquatic Federation. The training cycle consisted of a basic training period (endurance and quality phases) of 8.5 weeks, with 5,800 m.d(-1) mean training volume and 6 d.wk(-1) frequency; and a taper period (TP) of 1.5 weeks' duration that incorporated a 48% reduction in weekly volume without altering intensity. Attained swimming force (SF) and maximal performance over 200-m maximal swim (Pmax) before and after taper were measured. After taper, SF and Pmax improved 3.6 and 1.6%, respectively (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations (p < 0.05) between SF and Pmax before (r = 0.86) and after (r = 0.83) the taper phase. Peak lactate concentrations after SF were unaltered before (6.79 +/- 1.2 mM) and after (7.15 +/- 1.8 mM) TP. Results showed that TP improved mean swimming velocity, but not in the same proportion as force after taper, suggesting that there are other factors influencing performance in faster swimming.