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In obese diabetic subjects, a correct life style, including diet and physical activity, is part of a correct intervention protocol. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic training intervention, based on heart rate at aerobic gas exchange threshold (AerTge), on clinical and physiological parameters in obese elderly subjects with type 2 diabetes (OT2DM). Thirty OT2DM subjects were randomly assigned to an intervention (IG) or control group (CG). The IG performed a supervised aerobic exercise training based on heart rate atAerTgewhereas CG maintained their usual lifestyle. Anthropometric measures, blood analysis, peak oxygen consumption (V˙O2peak), metabolic equivalent (METpeak), work rate (WRpeak), andWRAerTgewere assessed at baseline and after intervention. After training, patients enrolled in the IG had significantly higher (P<0.001)V˙O2peak,METpeak,WRpeak, andWRAerTgeand significantly lower (P<0.005) weight, BMI, %FM, and waist circumference than before intervention. Both IG and CG subjects had lower glycated haemoglobin levels after intervention period. No significant differences were found for all the other parameters between pre- and posttraining and between groups. Aerobic exercise prescription based upon HR atAerTgecould be a valuable physical intervention tool to improve the fitness level and metabolic equilibrium in OT2DM patients.

To evaluate the effect of warm up on energy cost and energy sources of a ballet dance exercise, 12 adolescent talented female dancers performed a ballet exercise (30 s of tours piques en dedans on pointe) without and following a warm up. Warm up consisted in a light running followed by a period of stretching and two ballet exercises. The overall energy requirement of dance exercise (VO2eq) was obtained by adding the amount of VO2 during exercise above resting (aerobic source or VO2ex) to the VO2 up to the fast component of recovery (anaerobic alactic source or VO2al) and to the energy equivalent of peak blood lactate accumulation (anaerobic lactic source or $${\hbox{VO}_{{\rm 2la}^{-}}}$$ ) of recovery. VO2eq of exercise preceded by warm up amounted to 37 ± 3 ml kg−1. VO2al represented the higher fraction (50 ± 6%) of VO2eq, the remaining fractions were: 39 ± 5% for VO2ex and 11 ± 3% for $${\hbox{VO}_{{\rm 2la}^{-}}}$$ . VO2eq of exercise without warm up amounted to 38 ± 3 ml kg−1. This value was made up of: 26 ± 6% by VO2ex, 56 ± 6% by VO2al and 18 ± 3% by $${\hbox{VO}_{{\rm 2la}^{-}}.}$$ Between exercise conditions, significant differences were found in VO2ex (P

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of an unsupervised whole body vibration (WBV) training and two different supervised multi-purpose exercise programmes, with and without WBV, on body composition, functional fitness and self-reported well-being in middle-aged adults. Fifty-four healthy participants (age 48.6 ± 6.7 years) were randomly assigned to a vibration group (VG), a multi-purpose exercise group (MG) and a multi-purpose exercise with vibration group (VMG) and trained 3 days a week for 4 months. VG performed a standardised unsupervised WBV protocol, MG a supervised multi-purpose exercise and VMG a multi-purpose exercise including vibration. After training, drop out was significantly higher in VG group (P = 0.016) when compared to VMG group. In both MG and VMG, body composition, sit-up, push-up, sit and reach, agility test, hopping test and self-reported general health significantly improved (P0.05). No additive effects were generated by the vibration stimulus. Percentage of body fat and agility test in VG had a significant opposite trend compared to VMG group (P0.05). In summary, an unsupervised WBV training should not be chosen for training protocol. However, positive effects on physical fitness and the best results in adherence could be achieved integrating WBV practice into a multi-purpose exercise training.

To determine intra- and interday reliability of spine rasterstereographic system Formetric 4D with and without reflective markers. Twenty-six healthy volunteers (M group) had two markers placed in correspondence of vertebra prominens and intergluteal cleft, and 24 volunteers (NM group) were assessed without markers. All participants were analyzed two times in the same day and one time on a separate day. Trunk length, kyphotic angle, lordotic angle, pelvic inclination, kyphotic and lordotic apex, right and left lateral deviation,flèche cervicaleandlombaire, trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, inflection point, rotation correction, right and left surface rotation, pelvic torsion, and trunk torsion were measured. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach Alpha (Cα) were calculated. In M group, for intra-, interday, and overall evaluations, the higher reliability coefficients were 0.971, 0.963, and 0.958 (ICC) and 0.987, 0.983, and 0.985 (Cα) for trunk length, kyphotic angle, and lordotic apex, respectively; while in NM group, they were 0.978, 0.982, and 0.972 and 0.989, 0.991, and 0.991 for trunk length. In M group, the lower values were 0.598, 0.515, and 0.534 (ICC) and 0.742, 0.682, and 0.784 (Cα) for trunk and pelvic torsion and in NM group 0.561, 0.537, and 0.461 and 0.731, 0.695, and 0.729 for left lateral deviation. The reliability of most parameters was excellent.

The aims of this study were to estimate the difference in exercise intensity (METs), energy cost (EE) and gender difference between a typical salsa lesson (TSL), rueda de casino lesson (RCL), and salsa dancing at a night club (SDN). Subjects performed 1 pre-testing session and 3 testing conditions. During the pre-testing session height, weight and V˙O2max were assessed. During the testing conditions all subjects performed 3 different kinds of salsa dance. Heart rate was assessed during each dance condition. The exercise intensity of the 3 salsa dancing conditions was moderate ranging from 3.9 to 5.5 METs. A significant difference between genders for HRpeak (P=0.01), max%HRR (P=0.006) and mean EE (P=0.02) were observed. Significant gender×condition interactions for HRpeak (P=0.03), mean %HRR (P=0.02), mean METs (P=0.02) and mean EE (P=0.02) were found. In addition, a significant main effect for each condition was found in all variables (P0.01). Our results showed that the exercise intensities of all 3 salsa dancing conditions were moderate. Findings showed some significant differences in exercise intensity between males and females and within conditions. Salsa dancing could be useful in achieving a significant training effect in people who have a low level of fitness.

Background.A multidisciplinary approach seems to be effective in creating healthy habits in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three 5-month combined physical education (PE) and nutritional interventions on body composition, physical activity (PA) level, sedentary time and eating habits of schoolchildren.Methods.Anthropometric data, weekly PA level, sedentary time and eating habits of 230 healthy students were analysed using a repeated-measures ANOVA with Group (experimental group 1 vs experimental group 2 vs control group), Adiposity Status (under fat vs normal fat vs obese), and Time (pre vs post) as factors.Results.Body fat mass percentage increased after intervention (18.92 ± 8.61% vs 19.40 ± 8.51%) in all groups. The weekly PA level significantly increased after intervention in both experimental groups. Sedentary time significantly decreased after the intervention period (565.70 ± 252.93 vs 492.10 ± 230.97 min/week,p< 0.0001). Moreover, obese children were more sedentary than under fat and normal fat children. Children significantly changed the consumption of some specific foods after intervention.Discussion.This study revealed the effectiveness of a combined PE and nutritional intervention to improve children’s healthful dietary practices and to encourage an active lifestyle. However, it needs a further appropriate development to establish patterns of healthful dietary practices that encourage an active lifestyle with which to maintain healthy habits through life.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors may influence human physiology, health, and performance by also modulating endocrine pathways. We evaluated the effects of a 2-day tadalafil administration on adenohypophyseal and adrenal hormone adaptation to exercise in humans. Fourteen healthy males were included in a double-blind crossover trial. Each volunteer randomly received two tablets of placebo or tadalafil (20 mg/day with a 36-h interval) before a maximal exercise was performed. After a 2-wk washout, the volunteers were crossed over. Blood samples were collected at −30 and −15 min and immediately before exercise, immediately after, and during recovery (+15, +30, +60, and +90 min) for adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), β-endorphin, growth hormone (GH), prolactin, cortisol (C), corticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), and cortisol binding globulin (CBG) assays. C-to-CBG (free cortisol index, FCI) and DHEAS-to-C ratios were calculated. Exercise intensity, perceived exertion rate, O2consumption, and CO2and blood lactate concentration were evaluated. ACTH, GH, C, corticosterone, and CBG absolute concentrations and/or areas under the curve (AUC) increased after exercise after both placebo and tadalafil. Exercise increased DHEAS only after placebo. Compared with placebo, tadalafil administration reduced the ACTH, C, corticosterone, and FCI responses to exercise and was associated with higher β-endorphin AUC and DHEAS-to-C ratio during recovery, without influencing cardiorespiratory and performance parameters. Tadalafil reduced the activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis during exercise by probably influencing the brain's nitric oxide- and cGMP-mediated pathways. Further studies are necessary to confirm our results and to identify the involved mechanisms, possible health risks, and potential clinical uses.

Purpose: The aim of this investigation was to examine the potential influence of varying types of exertion on immediate attentional performance on 138 primary school boys and girls. Methods: Subjects performed three different types of exertion [cognitive exertion (school curricular lesson), physical exertion (traditional physical education lesson), and mixed cognitive and physical exertion (coordinative physical education lesson)] at the same time of the school day for 3 wk. Before and immediately after each exertion session, subjects were administered the d2 Test of Attention. Results: Results showed that participants� attentional performances were significantly affected by exertion type (cognitive exertion vs physical exertion vs mixed cognitive and physical exertion; P < 0.05), by intervention (before vs after; P < 0.05), and by exertion type × intervention interactions (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that varying types of exertion have different beneficial influences on schoolchildren�s immediate cognitive performance

Although sport for athletes with mental retardation (MR) is achieving an important role, the literature concerning basketball tests and training is still poor. The aims of this study were to verify whether the basketball test battery could be an appropriate modality to classify the players in the Promotion (Pro) category, to assess basketball abilities before (PRE) and after (POST) an 8-month training in players with MR in relation to Competitive (Comp) and Pro categories, to analyze the variation of specific basketball abilities based on subjects' MR diagnosis. Forty-one male basketball players with MR (17 Comp and 24 Pro; age range 18�45 years; MR: 15% mild, 54% moderate, 29% severe, and 2% profound) were assessed PRE and POST training through the basketball test battery, which assessed 4 ability levels of increasing difficulty (from I to IV), each one characterized by the analysis of fundamental areas (ball handling, reception, passing, and shooting). Level I was significantly changed after the intervention period regardless of the Category, whereas shooting was affected by the interaction between Category and Intervention. The results showed significant differences between categories in the scores of individual global, level I, level II, level III, and in all fundamental areas. Individual global score in both categories significantly increased. The players of Comp significantly improved in level III, in ball handling, reception, passing, and shooting scores. The players of Pro improved significantly in level II, in ball handling, reception, and passing scores. Individual global, ability levels I�III, and fundamental area scores were negatively correlated to the MR level indicating that the players with a lower MR obtained higher ability scores. In conclusion, it was found that the basketball test battery could be useful for improving and monitoring training in both Comp and Pro players.

The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of static stretching (SS) on technical leaps performance in rhythmic gymnastics. Thirty-eight gymnasts (age 14.13 +/- 3.2 years), competing at the international and national levels, performed vertical jumps (squat jump, countermovement jump, hopping test [HT]) and technical leaps (split leap with leg stretched [SL], split leap with ring [RG], split leap with back bend of the trunk [BBT]) assessed in 2 different conditions: after SS and after their usual typical warm-up (TWU) as control conditions. Jumps and leaps flight time (FT) and ground contact time (GCT) parameters were evaluated by OptoJump. Leap performance was simultaneously evaluated by scores awarded by judges. For each dependent variable, the effect of warm-up condition (TWU and SS) was examined by a paired-sample t-test. A multiple regression analysis determined the amount of variance in judges' scores from the FT and GCT variables. Results revealed that vertical jumps FT was not affected by SS warm-up. Ground contact time of HT significantly increased after SS warm-up (p < 0.01). Static stretching reduced significantly (p < 0.01) the technical leap FT (decrements: SL = 7.1%, RG = 7.2%, and BBT = 6.4%). The results showed no significant effects of SS on technical leaps GCT. Static stretching significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the scores awarded by the judges. The FT was the main predictor of scores of the 3 technical leaps accounting for 9-30% of variance in both warm-up conditions. This study suggests that SS before leaping performance may negatively affect rhythmic gymnastics judges' evaluation.

Although several studies showed the positive effects of exercise and physical activity on health and well-being for individuals with ID, there is a lack of information about the influence of sport specialization on fitness and health components. Therefore, the aims of this study were to assess: (a) physical fitness of athletes with intellectual disability (ID) compared with individuals included in recreational and leisure activity programs (non-athletic people); (b) contribution of sport specialization on athletes' fitness; and c) correlation of each fitness variable with subjects' ID levels. Twenty-two track and field, 19 basketball, and 23 non-athletic adults were recruited. Before and after a 9-month period, all participants performed fitness tests assessing body composition, flexibility (SR), arm muscular strength (HG), lower and upper-body muscular strength and endurance (SUP and PUP), explosive leg power (SLJ), cardiovascular endurance (ST), balance ability (FT), motor coordination (TUGT). The results showed that participants' weight, BMI and FT were significantly affected by time; SLJ by activity; ST, HG, PUP, SUP, and TUGT by both time and activity. Only track and field athletes increased significantly ST. All athletes improved significantly HG, PUP and SUP, instead non-athletic people decreased significantly SUP (p

Franciosi, E, Guidetti, L, Gallotta, MC, Emerenziani, GP, and Baldari, C. Contributions of selected fundamental factors to basketball performance in adult players with mental retardation. JS trength Cond Res24(8): 2166–2171, 2010—The purpose of this study was to determine the contributions of selected fundamental factors to basketball performance in adult players with mental retardation (MR). Fourteen trained male players with MR (32.1 6 7.4 years) were recruited. The athletes’ performances were assessed using adapted basketball tests that assessed 4 ability levels of increasing difficulty (from I to IV), each one characterized by the analysis of 4 fundamental areas: ball handling, reception, passing, and shooting. The fundamental factors included anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and body mass index), static balance, muscular strength and endurance, explosive leg power, cardiovascular endurance, and motor coordination. This study showed that greater explosive leg power and upper-body muscular strength and endurance had significant contributions to ball handling (85%, p , 0.01), and explosive leg power had significant positive contribution in reception (59%, p , 0.05) and shooting (64%, p =0 .01). The forearm muscular strength and upper-body muscular strength and endurance had significant contributions to passing (78%, p = 0.01). Moreover, the greater explosive leg power had significant contribution in level II (46%, p , 0.05), in level III (52%, p , 0.05), and in global score (60%, p , 0.05). In conclusion, the results showed the possibility to determine the contribution of selected fundamental factors to basketball performance. Therefore, the basketball coach could improve a selected fundamental factor to increase specific basketball ability. This should be addressed in a specific training to help players with MR to perform successfully in their competitions.

To assess whether an enrichment of the coordinative demands of physical education (PE) during the curricular time may more efficiently improve coordinative abilities than the traditional PE program. One hundred and fifty-two middle school students aged 11-12 years were randomly assigned either to an experimental (n=77) or to a traditional (n=75) PE program lasting 5 months. The experimental intervention was structured in different modules focused on co-ordination abilities. Pre- and post-intervention tests assessed students' fitness (1 mile run/walk, curl-up, flexed arm hang, trunk lift, sit and reach, 30 m run, standing long jump, basketball forward throw) and motor co-ordination abilities (four field tests of kinesthetic discrimination and response orientation ability). After the intervention period, both groups showed a significant increment in most fitness tests. However, only the experimental group showed a significant improvement or a significantly more pronounced improvement than the control group in coordinative performances. The results show that both experimental and traditional PE interventions lead to increase physical fitness levels, but only the experimental one also improves coordinative abilities. Thus, focusing on a multivariate PE approach linking co-ordination and fitness training seems to add quality to students' experiences without reducing their effectiveness in terms of physical fitness.

The aim of this study was to investigate which precompetition warm-up methodologies resulted in the best overall performance in rhythmic gymnastics. The coaches of national and international clubs (60 elite and 90 subelite) were interviewed. The relationship between sport performance and precompetition warm-up routines was examined. A total of 49% of the coaches interviewed spent more than 1 hour to prepare their athletes for the competition, including 45 minutes dedicated to warm-up exercises. In spite of previous studies' suggestions, the time between the end of warm-up and the beginning of competition was more than 5 minutes for 68% of those interviewed. A slow run was the activity of choice used to begin the warm-up (96%). Significant differences between elite and subelite gymnasts were found concerning the total duration of warm-up, duration of slow running, utilization of rhythmic steps and leaps during the warm-up, the use of dynamic flexibility exercises, competition performances repetition (p < 0.01), and utilization of imagery (p < 0.05). A precompetition warm-up in rhythmic gymnastics would include static stretching exercises at least 60 minutes prior to the competition starting time and the active stretching exercises alternated with analytic muscle strengthening aimed at increasing muscle temperature. Rhythmic gymnastics coaches at all levels can use this data as a review of precompetition warm-up practices and a possible source of new ideas.

There is growing interest in the implementation and assessment of strength and conditioning programmes among young children. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between given anthropometric characteristics, pubertal development, salivary androgen hormones and explosive leg power in young soccer players.51 (age range 10-14 years) soccer players were investigated. The relations between age, pubertal developmental stages, testicular volume, weight, height, body fat, fat free mass, salivary DHEAS concentrations, salivary testosterone concentrations and lower limb explosive power were evaluated.Standing long jump length was positively correlated (p0.05) with age (11.7 (SD 1.2) years, r = 0.66), pubertal developmental stages (mode and range: 1 (1-4), r = 0.64), testicular volume (8.8 (5.2) ml, r = 0.58), height (1.50 (0.10) m, r = 0.34), weight (43.7 (9.1) kg, r = 0.34), fat free mass (35.4 (7.2) kg, r = 0.67), salivary DHEAS concentrations (4.4 (1.2) ng/ml, r = 0.38) and negatively correlated with body fat (18.6 (7.0) kg; r = -0.49, p0.05). There was no significant correlation between salivary testosterone concentrations (0.3 (0.1) ng/ml, r = 0.12) and standing long jump.Results of the present investigation demonstrated that age, pubertal developmental stages, testicular volume, weight, height, fat free mass, and salivary DHEAS concentrations were associated with standing long jump performance. In addition, salivary testosterone concentrations were not related to explosive leg power. Results of the present investigation suggest that the teacher/coach should evaluate long jump performance relative to the subject's given biological characteristics, and not simply established standards based on chronological age.

The accuracy, reliability and linearity in two hand-portable lactate analyzers, the Accutrend Lactate® (AL) and the Lactate Pro™ (LP) versus the EBIO® plus analyzer (EP) were evaluated. For accuracy, duplicate samples recorded on both the AL and LP revealed an overall average difference versus EP (P

Although sport for athletes with mental retardation (MR) is achieving an important role, literature concerning basketball test and training is still poor. The aims of this study were to assess basketball ability before (PRE) and after (POST) a 6-month training in athletes with MR across 2 sports seasons (ss) and to analyze the variation of basketball abilities by subjects' MR level. Fifteen trained basketball players with MR participated (11 men and 4 women; age range 19-43 years; MR: 3 Mild, 8 Moderate, 3 Severe, and 1 Profound). Athletes were tested PRE and POST a 6-month training during 2 following sports seasons (ss1 and ss2). The tests assessed 4 ability levels, each one characterized by the analysis of 4 fundamental areas (ball handling, reception, passing, and shooting), divided into 5 specific components. The athletes' global score improved after training in both ss1 (41.5 +/- 12.0 vs. 48.6 +/- 15.4; p < 0.01) and ss2 (41.7 +/- 12.4 vs. 50.8 +/- 16.2; p < 0.01). Levels II, III, and IV showed an increase both after each ss and the 2 following ss (p < 0.01). No significant difference was found between POST-ss1 and POST-ss2 due to score decrease during the resting period between the 2 ss. In both ss, global and level scores were negatively correlated to MR level indicating that athletes with a lower MR obtained higher ability scores. In conclusion, a 6-month training caused a general improvement, especially evident in levels II and III in both ss. Global and level scores were negatively correlated to MR level (p < 0.05) indicating that athletes with a lower MR obtained higher scores. Therefore, the basketball test battery could be useful for improving and monitoring training.

Context: Physical exercise-related stress activates hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; nitric oxide is one of the mediators of the HPA axis response to stress, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors influences nitric oxide-linked biological activities. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate whether a single oral long half-life phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (tadalafil) administration influences the HPA axis response to exercise-related stress. Design: This was a double-blind, cross-over trial. Participants: Participants included nine healthy male athletes. Interventions: All subjects performed a maximal exercise test in normoxia, after which they received a single oral administration of tadalafil or placebo. Then after a 2-wk washout period, they were crossed over and repeated the exercise test. Each subject was his own control. Salivary collections, for steroid evaluations [cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), testosterone] and respective ratio calculation (DHEAS to cortisol, testosterone to cortisol, testosterone to DHEAS), were performed before each exercise (Pre-Ex), immediately after (Post-Ex), and at 30 min during recovery. Results: As expected, mean salivary cortisol concentration increased immediately after exercise after both tadalafil and placebo (P = 0.014 and P =0.036 vs. Pre-Ex, respectively); however, the cortisol increase was significantly higher after tadalafil administration (P = 0.034 vs. placebo). Furthermore, an increased salivary testosterone after exercise was observed only after tadalafil administration (P = 0.029 vs. Pre-Ex). No effects of either exercise and/or tadalafil administration on salivary DHEAS concentrations were observed. DHEAS to cortisol and testosterone to cortisol ratios significantly decreased after exercise after tadalafil administration (P = 0.037, and P = 0.02 vs. placebo, respectively). Conclusion: Tadalafil administration amplified the salivary cortisol and testosterone responses to a maximal exercise-related stress in healthy trained humans.

Given the therapeutic and non-therapeutic use of the tadalafil, (phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, PDE-5i), we examined its effects on anaerobic performance indices.In total, 12 well-trained subjects reported to the laboratory on two occasions 1 week apart to perform a 30 s Wingate anaerobic power test (WAnT) on a bicycle ergometer. The day before the WAnT, the subjects were double-blinded to receive an oral dose of tadalafil (20 mg) or placebo. Blood lactate value at rest and 1, 3, 6 and 10 minutes of recovery phase, mean power, peak power, time to peak power and fatigue index were assessed for each WAnT.Blood lactate values at the 3-min recovery WAnT increased significantly in the tadalafil condition (mean (SD) 13.9 (1.7) v 12.8 (1.3) mmol/l; p0.05) and time to peak power decreased significantly (6.3 (1.3) v 5.7 (1.5) s; p = 0.05). No differences were observed in any other parameters between the two conditions.The primary finding of this investigation was that the administration of a single dose of a long-term PDE-5i does not substantially influence anaerobic performance indices. However, results demonstrated both an increase in lactate values at the 3-min point of the recovery phase and a decrease in time to peak power.

To investigate the exercise intensity during a typ- ical grade five ballet lesson, thirty-nine dancers (13 - 16 yrs) were divided into three different technical proficiency groups: low level (n = 13), intermediate level (n = 14), and high level (n = 12). A progressively incremented treadmill test was administered to determine V u O2max, individual ventilatory threshold (IVT), and the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT). Oxygen uptake (V u O2), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (La) were then evaluated during a grade five ballet lesson. Oxy- gen uptake at IVT, IAT and maximal oxygen up- take were greater (p < 0.05) in the high-level dancers indicating a higher level of fitness. HR and %V u O2max obtained during the various exer- cises of the ballet lesson were similar among groups. During the ballet lesson, low technical level dancers had more V u O2 and La values above (p < 0.05) the IAT than the other groups. Correla- tion analysis revealed that the number of exer- cises performed above IAT was positively related to anthropometric characteristics (BMI, %FM; r = 0.36, p < 0.05; r = 0.46, p < 0.01), negatively related to fitness parameters (V u O2IVT ,V u O2IAT, V u O2max; r between - 0.43 and - 0.69; p < 0.001) and to technical level (r = - 0.70; p < 0.001). The subjects classified as having low technical abil- ities had lower fitness levels and performed more exercises above IAT than the more skilled dancers. " heart rate l " oxygen uptake l " lactate concentration l " aerobic and anaerobic thresholds

Baldari, C., L. Di Luigi, S.G. Da Silva, M.C. Gallotta, G.P. Emerenziani, C. Pesce, and L. Guidetti. Relationship between optimal lactate removal power output and Olympic triathlon performance. J. Strength Cond. Res. 21(4):1160-1165. 2007.-To investigate the relationships between race performance and parameters at the optimal power output for lactate removal, 10 male triathletes were examined. Exercise intensities for lactate removal were defined by calculating 50% of difference (?T) between running velocity (Vr) at individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) and at individual ventilatory threshold (IVT), then choosing 3 Vr: at IVT plus 50% ?T (IVT+50%?T), at IVT, and at IVT minus 50% ?T (IVT?50%?T). After a 6-minute treadmill run at 75% of difference between IAT and O2max, all triathletes performed a 30-minute active recovery run at IVT+50%?T, IVT, and IVT?50%?T. Capillary blood lactate was determined at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes of recovery. The IVT?50%?T recovery was the most efficient Vr for lactate removal. Running velocities at IVT and IVT?50%?T were highly (p < 0.01) related to cycle, run, and overall race time. O2 values at IAT, IVT+50%?T, and IVT were less (p < 0.05) related to split and overall race time. The variable most related to overall race time, as determined by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, was the Vr at IVT?50%?T (r = 0.87, p = 0.001). The R2 value of 0.76 indicated that Vr at IVT?50%?T could account for 76% of the variance in triathlon race time. This study shows that the race performances of triathletes are highly related to the Vr at which the most efficient lactate removal (IVT?50%?T) occurs. These findings suggest that the assessment of Vr at IVT and IAT (from which Vr at IVT?50%?T are calculated) may be a useful method for monitoring training-induced adaptations and performance improvements in athletes who participate in Olympic triathlons.

The objective of the study was to verify whether young males' balance was affected by 30min prolonged treadmill running (TR) at individual ventilatory (IVT) and anaerobic (IAT) thresholds in recovery time. The VO2max, IAT and IVT during an incremental TR were determined. Mean displacement amplitude (Acp) and velocity (Vcp) of center of pressure were recorded before (pre) and after (0min post; 5min post; and 10min post) prolonged TR at IAT and IVT, through posturographic trials performed with eyes open (EO) and closed (EC). Significant differences between IVT and IAT for Vcp, between EO and EC for Acp and Vcp, were observed. The IAT induced higher destabilizing effect when postural trials were performed with EC. The IVT intensity produced also a destabilizing effect on postural control immediately after exercise. An impairment of postural control after prolonged treadmill running exercise at IVT and IAT intensity was showed. However, destabilizing effect on postural control disappeared within 10min after IAT intensity and within 5min after IVT intensity. Key pointsTo verify whether young males' balance was affected by 30min prolonged treadmill running at individual ventilatory and anaerobic thresholds in recovery time.Mean displacement amplitude and velocity of foot pressure center were recorded before and after prolonged treadmill running at individual ventilatory and anaerobic thresholds, through posturographic trials performed with eyes open and closed.Destabilizing effect on postural control disappeared within 10min post individual anaerobic threshold, and within 5min post individual ventilatory threshold.