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The association between androgens and competition in women has been understudied compared with men. The current study examined the link between testosterone (T) and competition in elite female athletes, using a sample of female wrestlers that included athletes competing at both the national and international level. In a repeated-measures design, saliva samples were collected before and after wrestling bouts, with comparable samples of wins and losses, and subsequently analyzed for T. Study results showed a 22% increase in circulating bioavailable T from pre- to postbout, F(1, 12) = 9.71, P = .009. There was no significant difference in T between win or loss outcomes. These findings—showing a link between individual head-to-head competition and T in women—demonstrate that women's androgenic responses to environmental contexts are dynamic and may be an important factor to address in research on competitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the Multistage Shuttle Swim Test (MSST), Water Polo Intermittent Shuttle Test (WIST) and 5 × 200 m Incremental Swimming Test (IST) responses in elite female water polo players. Methods: Fourteen Australian Women's National Water Polo Squad members performed the MSST and WIST, and 13 players from a National Water Polo League club performed the IST, MSST and WIST on separate occasions (no goalkeepers were involved). Peak heart rate, blood lactate and ratings of perceived exertion were obtained for all tests. Expired air was collected following all tests for the National League players. Results: The National Squad players scored significantly better (ie, distance covered) in the MSST and WIST than the National League players (effect sizes = 1.60 to 1.79, P < .001). The MSST and WIST scores were significantly correlated (r = .80 to 0.88, P < .001). The MSST scores were significantly correlated with peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak; mL·kg-1·min-1) obtained for all tests (r = .58 to 0.59, P < .05). In contrast, there were no significant correlations between the WIST scores and VO2peak obtained for any of the tests (r = .43 to 0.52, P > .05). Differences in VO2peak for the IST, MSST and WIST were non-significant (P > .05). Conclusions: The MSST and WIST can discriminate players of different competition standards. The MSST can be used to estimate a player's aerobic fitness arid peak heart rate. The WIST appears to better mimic the intermittent activity pattern of the game, but its application to female players, to assess maximal intermittent endurance swimming performance, requires further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some reports suggest variation in physiological responses and athletic performance, for female athletes at specific phases of the menstrual cycle. However, inconsistent findings are common due to the inappropriate verification of menstrual cycle phase, small subject numbers, high intra- and interindividual variability in estrogen and progesterone concentration, and the pulsatile secretion of these hormones. Therefore, the oral contraceptive (OC) cycle may provide a more stable environment in which to evaluate the acute effect of reproductive hormones on physiological variables and exercise performance. To date, most of the OC research has compared differences between OC use and nonuse, and few researchers have examined within-cycle effects of the OC. It is also apparent that OC use is becoming far more prevalent in athletes; hence the effect of the different exogenous and endogenous hormonal profiles on athletic performance should be investigated. Research to date identifies potential for variation in aerobic performance, anaerobic capacity, anaerobic power and reactive strength throughout an OC cycle. The purpose of this review is to present and evaluate the current literature on the physiology of exercise and athletic performance during the OC cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in hamstring activation during lower body resistance training exercises. This study also sought to assess differences in hamstring-to-quadriceps muscle activation ratios and gender differences therein. Methods: A randomized repeated measures design was used to compare six resistance training exercises that are commonly believed to train the hamstrings, including the squat, seated leg curl, stiff leg dead lift, single leg stiff leg dead lift, good morning, and Russian curl. Subjects included 34 college athletes. Outcome measures included the biceps femoris (H) and rectus femoris (Q) electromyography (EMG) and the H-to-Q EMG ratio, for each exercise. Results: Main effects were found for the H (P < 0.001) and Q (P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis identified the specific differences between exercises. In addition, main effects were found for the H-to-Q ratio when analyzed for all subjects (P < 0.001). Further analysis revealed that women achieved between 53.9 to 89.5% of the H-to-Q activation ratios of men, for the exercises assessed. In a separate analysis of strength matched women and men, women achieved between 35.9 to 76.0% of the H-to-Q ratios of men, for these exercises. Conclusions: Hamstring resistance training exercises offer differing degrees of H and Q activation and ratios. Women compared with men, are less able to activate the hamstrings and/or more able to activate the quadriceps. Women may require disproportionately greater training for the hamstrings compared with the quadriceps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological demands of field players in international women's water polo match play. Methods: Video footage was collected at the 13th FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup in Perth in 2002. Video recordings were analyzed using a simple hand-based notation system to record predefined activity durations, frequencies, and corresponding subjective intensities. Results: Average exercise bout duration was 7.4 ± 2.5 s and exercise to rest ratio within play 1:1.6 ± 0.6. The average pattern of exercise was represented by 64.0 ± 15.3% swimming, 13.1 ± 9.2% contested swimming, 14.0 ± 11.6% wrestling, and 8.9 ± 7.1% holding position. Significant differences existed between outside and center players for percentage time swimming (67.5 ± 14.0% vs 60.2 ± 13.3%, P = .002) and wrestling (9.9 ± 9.3% vs 18.4 ± 11.1%, P = .000). A significant difference was found in the number (P = .017) and duration (P = .010) of high-intensity activity (HIA) bouts performed each quarter for outside (1.8 ± 2.2 bouts, 7.0 ± 3.4 s) and center players (1.2 ± 1.5 bouts, 5.2 ± 3.4 s). Positional differences in HIA were the result of a significant difference (P = .000) in the number of maximal/near maximal swims (outside 1.2 ± 1.5 and center 0.5 ± 0.9 per quarter). Conclusions: This study characterizes international women's water polo match play as a highly intermittent activity. Swimming, particularly high intensity, has greater significance to outside players, whereas wrestling has greater significance to center players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the hydration profile of high-performance female cricket players competing at a national tournament. The profile comprised hydration monitoring (n = 18) and a questionnaire (n = 20). Our objectives were to 1) advance the understanding of fluid losses in cricket sessions across a tournament and 2) assess the hydration knowledge and practices in female cricket players. Body mass before and after each game inning was recorded in order to estimate sweat rate, sweat loss, and percentage body-mass loss. Comparisons were made between groups categorized according to level of activity during each inning. When sweat rates were estimated according to actual activity time, results were in the range of those in other female team sports but less than results from male cricket players. A range of knowledge of hydration issues was also observed. This study supports the need for individualized hydration recommendations and provides direction for further hydration education in women's cricket. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: There is a growing need for objective measures of proprioception and balance in athletic females. Objective: To determine the intertester and intratester reliability of the Neurocom Balance Master (NBM) forward lunge (FL), step up and over (SUO), and step quick turn (SQT) tests on a young, healthy, female population. Design: Repeated measures design. Setting: University medical laboratory. Participants: 15 young healthy female volunteers (height 155.1 cm ± 18.5 cm, mass 61.1 kg ± 7.3 kg, age 24.2 years ± 2.9 years). Measurements: The average of three trials on the FL, SUO, and SQT taken during each of three testing sessions on the NBM long force plate. Results: Inter and intratester reliability for the FL (ICC r = 0.71 to r = 0.93) and SQT (ICC r = 0.70 to r = 0.88) ranged from good to excellent while reliability for the SUO ranged from fair to excellent (ICC r = 0.59 to r = 0.92). Conclusions: The three NBM tests are reliable in healthy, young, physically active females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the energy balance of male and female triathletes participating in an Ironman event. Relationships between energy and carbohydrate intake, energy balance and finishing time in the Ironman triathlon; Macronutrient and sodium intake for female and male triathletes during the Ironman; Relationship between nutrient intake and performance.

Examines the effects of bone mineral density (BMD) on female athletes engaged in weight-bearing and non-weight bearing sports. Reasons for BMD loss; Evaluation of BMD sites and anthropometric measurements; Correlation between anthropometric, VO[sub 2] max and BMD measurements.

The purpose of this study was to examine starter/nonstarter motor-skill engagement (MSE) and coaching behaviors in different segments of preseason practices in collegiate women's volleyball. The subjects were players and coaches of eight volleyball teams. Segments of the practice were defined and coded as a warm-up, skill work, scrimmage, or conditioning. Duration recording procedures were used to collect MSE data of starters and nonstarters. Coaching behaviors were coded with interval recording procedures (5-second observe, 1-second code) using an expanded version of the Arizona State University Observation Instrument (ASUOI), A two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant differences in MSE between starters and nonstarters across the segments of the practice sessions. Results of this study offer a starting point for future research on player behaviors in the athletic environment and add to the data base of completed research on coaching behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As women age, society assigns stereotypes that suggest that older women are no longer capable of being competent athletes. In considering the experiences of older women in sport from a sociological perspective, this article provides a short summary of works examining older women in masters sport settings, as well as three brief case studies of older women engaged in sport and movement. As American women age, more of them will have experienced organized high school sport (after the passage of Title IX), suggesting that the experiences of older women in sport will take on new dimensions and meanings worthy of exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]