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The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 2 training interventions based on small-sided games (SGG) and high-intensity interval training (HIT) on physical and technical performance of male junior basketball players. A secondary objective was to investigate if these effects were similar in starting and bench players. 18 players participated in a pre-testing session, 6-weeks intervention period and a post-testing session. Pre- and post-sessions involved assessments of aerobic fitness, repeated sprint ability (RSA), defensive and offensive agility, upper and lower body power, shooting and passing skills. Mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni corrected pairwise comparisons examined the effects of time and type of intervention on physical and technical performances. The main results showed that both interventions resulted in similar improvements in aerobic capacity (+3.4% vs. +4.1%), with greater improvements in bench players compared to starting players (+7.1% vs. +1.1%, P

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of playing an official national-level basketball match on repeated sprint ability (RSA) and stride kinematics.Nine male starting basketball players (22.8±2.2 years old, 191.3±5.8 cm, 88±10.3 kg, 12.3±4.6% body fat) volunteered to take part. Six repetitions of maximal 4-s sprints were performed on a non-motorised treadmill, separated by 21-s of passive recovery, before and immediately after playing an official match. Fluid loss, playing time, and the frequencies of the main match activities were recorded. The peak, mean, and performance decrement for average and maximal speed, acceleration, power, vertical and horizontal forces, and stride parameters were calculated over the six sprints. Differences between pre- and post-match were assessed by student t-tests.Significant differences between pre- and post-tests were observed in mean speed (-3.3%), peak and mean horizontal forces (-4.3% and -17.4%), peak and mean vertical forces (-3.4% and -3.7%), contact time (+7.3%), stride duration (+4.6%) and stride frequency (-4.0%), (P0.05). In addition, the variation in several RSA parameters, such as peak and mean speed, peak and mean acceleration, mean power, and peak and mean vertical force were significantly correlated to fluid loss and sprint, jump and shuffle frequencies (P0.05).These results highlight that the impairment in repeated sprint ability depends on the specific activities performed, and that replacing fluid loss through sweating during a match is crucial.

Međunarodna putovanja, bilo zbog natjecanja ili treninga, su sastavni dio života sportaša, koja povezujemo s više prijelaznih (prolaznih) negativnih učinaka, zajedničkim imenom nazvanih ‘umor od puta’. Umor od puta traje oko jedan dan, ali za one koji putovanjem prelaze više vremenskih zona javljaju se i dugoročnije posljedice poznate kao jet lag. Problemi vezani uz jet lag traju više od tjedan dana ako letom prelazimo 10 vremenskih zona ili više, a mogu negativno utjecati na sportsku izvedbu i motivaciju za učinkovit trening. Jet lag može imati ozbiljne štetne posljedice na izvedbu sportaša ako putovanjem mijenja geografsku dužinu, tj. prelazi vremenske zone putujući na zapad ili istok ; i kao takvo putovanje ima specifične učinke povezane s desinkronizacijom biološkog ili cirkadijskog sata sportaša (Forbes-Robertson i sur., 2012).

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of intermittent cold-water immersion and massage on perceptual and performance markers of recovery by basketball players after competitive matches. Eight men (age 23 ± 3 years; stature 190.5 ± 8.9 cm; body mass 90.3 ± 9.6 kg; body fat 12.8 ± 4.8%) and eight women (age 22 ± 2 years; stature 179.0 ± 8.5 cm; body mass 77.6 ± 9.2 kg; body fat 22.5 ± 6.6%) basketball players participated. Massage, cold-water immersion or control were applied immediately after competitive matches, followed by assessments of perceptual measures of recovery and physical performance, countermovement jump and repeated-sprint ability 24 h after intervention. There was lower perception of fatigue overall and in the legs immediately after the massage and cold-water immersion condition (P0.001; η²(P) = 0.91). Furthermore, women had a lower perception of fatigue in cold-water immersion than massage at any testing time (P0.001; η²(P) = 0.37). Jump performance was greater after cold-water immersion than the control condition (P = 0.037, η²(P) = 0.37). There was no effect of any of the recovery interventions on repeated-sprint measures (P at best 0.067, η²(P) at best 0.68). The results suggest that both massage and cold-water immersion improve perceptual measures of recovery. Furthermore, cold-water immersion improves jump performance although neither such immersion nor massage had an effect on repeated-sprint ability. This suggests that, overall, cold-water immersion is more useful than massage in the recovery from basketball matches, especially in women.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an official basketball match on repeated sprint ability indices in male junior players. Ten (16 ± 1 years old; 183.6 ± 7.0 cm; 76.6 ± 8.0 kg) starting players for their teams performed three repeated sprint ability tests, before, at half-time and immediately after an official match. Each repeated sprint ability test consisted of 10 shuttle-run sprints of 30 m (15 + 15 m) separated by 30 seconds of passive recovery. The matches were video-taped to determine the frequency of eight types of movement patterns, and blood lactate concentration was measured before and immediately after each repeated sprint ability test. Differences in total time, ideal time and percentage decrement between tests was assessed by a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures, while a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to identify differences in blood lactate concentration. The main results indicated a significant decrease in total movement frequency (-9.9%), high-intensity activity frequency (-13.3%), run frequency (-13.0%) and sprint frequency (-23.3%) in the second compared to the first half, and significantly worse total time and ideal time at the end of the match, compared to the start and half-time (differences ranging from -2.1% to -2.9%, P0.05). The practical implications of these findings suggest that regional basketball players should participate in conditioning sessions that focus on the improvement of repeated sprint ability.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a typical in-season week including four practice sessions and one competitive game on strength, jump and sprint performances in national-level female basketball players.Nine female basketball players (24.3±4.1 years old, 173.0±7.9 cm, 65.1±10.9 kg, 21.1±3.8% body fat) participated in ten testing sessions, before and immediately after practices and game (five pre- and five post-tests). Each session involved isokinetic peak torque measurements of the quadriceps and hamstrings of the dominant leg at 60º.s-1, countermovement jump (CMJ) and 20-m sprint. Fluid loss and subjective training load were measured during each practice session, while the frequencies of the main movements performed during the game were recorded. A two-way ANOVA was used to asses the effect of each practice/game and the effect of the day of the week on performances, and the relationship between performance variations and variables recorded during practices/game were analyzed by a Pearson correlation coefficient.Individual sessions induced significant decreases in lower limb strength (from 4.6 to 10.9%, P0.05), CMJ (12.6% to 19.6%, P0.05) and 20-m sprint (1.3% to 7.3%, P0.05). Performances returned to baseline before the subsequent pre-test session, except on day 3.These impairments in performance highlight that coaches should plan conditioning programmes based on repeated sprint and repeated jump ability, and monitor the recovery of their players' strength, sprint and jump capacities following specific sessions.

Glavni cilj ovog kratkog rada je pružiti korisne informacije za praktičnu primjenu oporavka, na temelju znanstvenih dokaza i primijenjenog znanja naročito u različitim uvjetima.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a simulated soccer test on the functional hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio (H(ecc) : Q(con)) in female soccer players. Fourteen amateur players (age, 26.1 ± 4.6 years; height, 168 ± 12 cm; body mass, 62.7 ± 5.5 kg; body fat, 23.7 ± 2.2%) performed the modified Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (modified LIST). Isokinetic strength assessments of the hamstrings and quadriceps on the dominant and non-dominant legs at 120°/s were performed before and immediately after the modified LIST. H(ecc) : Q(con) was calculated as the ratio of the peak eccentric torque of the hamstrings to the peak concentric torque of the quadriceps. A two-way univariate analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of time and leg dominance on H(ecc) : Q(con). The main results showed that the modified LIST led to a significant decrease in H(ecc) : Q(con) in the dominant (-14.1%) and non-dominant legs (-8.0%) (P = 0.02). However, this decrease was not significantly different between dominant and non-dominant legs (P = 0.42). These results reflect a greater risk of hamstrings tears and ACL sprains at the end of soccer matches.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of playing experience on the kinematic characteristics of the goal shooting action in netball players. Six county-level junior and six senior goal shooters took part in the study. They were asked to perform eight shots at goal and were equipped with 33 retro-reflective markers fixed to anatomical landmarks for three-dimensional motion tracking. The shot was divided into three periods: start of throw, shooting action, and release. The following variables were determined for each period: position of the ball, joint angles, timings between actions, joint angular velocities, and ranges of motion. The main results showed a significant effect of playing experience, with senior shooters showing a shorter delay between the movements involved in the shooting action, a significant difference between the right and left elbow angles at the start of forearm extension, and greater extension of the left shoulder and greater flexion of the left elbow at release compared with junior shooters. These results might help justify some of the empirical observations made by coaches and direct them in their advice to players. In particular, recommendations to junior players should focus on the simultaneity of leg and arm actions and dissociation between the right and left arms during the shooting action.

The aim of this study was to compare the energy cost of obese and non-obese teenagers while walking at their preferred speed and different stride frequencies. Twelve obese and twelve non-obese teenagers walked continuously on the treadmill at their most comfortable speed for 6 periods of 4 min each. Each period corresponded to a specific stride frequency: preferred (PSF), force-driven harmonic oscillator (FDHO), PSF+10%, PSF+20%, PSF-10% and PSF-20%. Cardiorespiratory parameters were collected between the 3rd and 4th minute of each stage, and used to calculate the energy cost of walking (EC). The main results showed a significantly higher cost of walking expressed relative to lean body mass. In addition, a U-shaped relationship between EC and stride frequency was shown in both groups, with PSF and FDHO leading to a significantly lower value compared to all other frequencies. This showed first, that FDHO is a good predictor of PSF and minimal energy cost of walking in both groups, and second, that excess body fat does not affect the relationship between energy expenditure and stride frequency. Walking at lower or higher than preferred frequencies could be used as an exercise mode to promote weight loss in obese teenagers.

The aims of this study were to evaluate patterns of handgrip (HG) strength in relation to gender and age in English schoolchildren and to compare this with existing data and produce reference data for this population.The HG of 7147 English schoolchildren (3773 boys and 3374 girls) aged 10-15.9 years was measured using a portable Takei handgrip dynamometer (Takei Scientific Instruments Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). Centile data were produced using the Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape. Z-scores were generated using existing data for European children. Age and gender interactions were analysed using analysis of covariance.In boys and girls, significant increases in HG were found between every age-group (p0.001). Boys were significantly stronger than girls at every age (p0.001) and the boys' age-related increase was significantly greater than the girls' (p0.001).This study provides reference data for handgrip strength in English schoolchildren. Handgrip strength in English children is broadly similar to existing European data, after adjusting for mass and stature. These data could be used for clinical or athletic screening of low and high strength in this population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fatigue induced by a field test representative of soccer specific movements on different hamstrings:quadriceps ratios in the dominant and non-dominant legs at two different velocities. Eight male football players (age: 21.3+/-2.3 years; height: 178+/-8 cm; body mass: 78+/-9 kg; playing level: British University Southern conference-3B) performed a pre-test to assess the concentric and eccentric strength of the hamstrings and the quadriceps at 60 degrees x s(-1) and 180 degrees x s(-1), The Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) to simulate soccer, and a post-test similar to the pre-test. The main findings demonstrated significant decreases in the H(con):Q(con) ratio (calculated as the maximal concentric hamstrings strength divided by the maximal concentric quadriceps strength) in the dominant leg at 180 degrees x s(-1) and in the functional ratio H(ecc):Q(con) (calculated as the maximal eccentric hamstrings strength divided by the maximal concentric quadriceps strength) in the dominant leg at 60 degrees x s(-1) and 180 degrees x s(-1). In addition, significant correlations were observed between physiological parameters measured during the soccer-specific exercise and H(ecc):Q(con) only. These results suggested that the functional H(ecc):Q(con) ratio is more representative of fatigue induced by soccer than the conventional H(con):Q(con) ratio. Eccentric strength training at high velocities may be necessary to reduce injury risk in soccer players.

The aim of this study was to examine the physiological demands and movement patterns of female basketball players after changes in the rules of the game. Nine varsity players were studied during nine official games. Each game was videotaped to identify the frequencies of the main movements performed, heart rate was recorded continuously, and blood samples were collected to determine blood lactate concentration when the competition rules allowed. The main results showed that the players performed on average 652 +/- 128 movements per game, which corresponded to a change in activity every 2.82 s. Mean heart rate was 165 +/- 9 beats . min(-1) (89.1% of maximum heart rate) for total time and 170 +/- 8 beats . min(-1) (92.5% of maximum) for live time. Mean blood lactate concentration was 5.2 +/- 2.7 mmol . l(-1) (55.9% of maximum blood lactate concentration). In addition, heart rates were significantly higher in the first half than the second half of games. These results indicate: (1) a greater physiological load compared with previous studies on female players tested before the rules modification (BeamMerrill, 1994; McArdle et al., 1971) and (2) lower movement frequencies compared with male players competing under modern rules (Ben Abdelkrim et al., 2007). These observations must be taken into account by coaches and conditioning specialists working with female players.

The aim of this study was to examine whether the changes in the rules of the game instituted in 2000 have modified the physiological factors of success in basketball. The performances of 8 elite male players and 8 average-level players were compared in order to identify which components of fitness among agility, speed, anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity, and upper body strength were key determinants of performance in modern basketball. Each subject performed 7 tests, including vertical jump (VJ), 20-m sprint, agility T test, suicide sprint, 30-second Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), isokinetic testing of the knee extensors, and 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press test. The statistical difference in the anaerobic performances was assessed by Student's t test. The main results showed that, compared to average-level players, elite-level players achieved significantly better performances in the agility T test (+6.2%), VJ test (+8.8%), peak torques developed by knee extensors (+20.2%), and 1RM bench press (+18.6%, p0.05). In contrast, no significant difference between groups was observed on 20-m sprint, suicide run, and parameters of the WAnT (p0.05). These results emphasized the importance of anaerobic power in modern basketball, whereas anaerobic capacity does not seem to be a key aspect to consider. In this context, coaches are advised to avoid using exercises lasting/=30 seconds in their physical fitness programs, but instead to focus on short and intense tests such as VJ, agility T test, and sprints over very short distances (5 or 10 m).

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 1,500-m swim on energy expenditure during a subsequent cycle task. Eight well-trained male triathletes (age 26.0 ± 5.0 yrs; height 179.6 ± 4.5 cm; mass 71.3 ± 5.8 kg; [Formula: see text] 71.9 ± 7.8 ml kg−1•min−1) underwent two testing sessions in counterbalanced order. The sessions consisted of a 30-min ride on the cycle ergometer at 75% of maximal aerobic power (MAP), and at a pedaling frequency of 95 rev•min−1, preceded either by a 1,500-m swim at 1.20 m•s−1 (SC trial) or by a cycling warm-up at 30% of MAP (C trial). Respiratory and metabolic data were collected between the 3rd and the 5th min, and between the 28th and 30th min of cycling. The main results indicated a significantly lower gross efficiency (13.0%) and significantly higher blood lactate concentration (56.4%), [Formula: see text] (5.0%), HR (9.3%), [Formula: see text] (15.7%), and RF (19.9%) in the SC compared to the C trial after 5 min, p

International audience; Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of drafting (i.e., swimming directly behind a competitor) while swimming with a wet suit on physiological parameters and cadence during subsequent cycling.Methods: Eight well-trained male triathletes underwent two submaximal sessions conducted in a counterbalanced order. One of these sessions (SAC) consisted of a 750-m swim, performed at competition pace, followed by a 15-min ride on a bicycle ergometer at 75% of maximal aerobic power and at a freely chosen cadence. During the other session (SDC) the subjects swam 750 m in a drafting position at the same pace as during SAC and then performed the 15-min cycling test at the same intensity as during SAC.Results: The main result indicated that cycling efficiency was significantly improved when the cycling session was preceded by a swimming bout performed in drafting position compared with an isolated swimming bout (+4.8%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results could be partly explained by the lower relative intensity observed during swimming in the SDC trial when compared with the SAC trial. This study suggests the relative importance of swimming condition and highlights the advantage of drafting during the swimming portion of a sprint triathlon.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of swimming with a wetsuit on energy expenditure during subsequent cycling. Nine well-trained triathletes underwent three submaximal trials. The first trial (SC) consisted of a 750-m swim realised at a competition pace, followed by a 10-min cycling exercise at a power output corresponding to the ventilatory threshold . The two other trials were composed of the same cycling exercise, preceded either by a 750-m swim with a wetsuit (WSC) or by a cycling warm-up (Ctrl). The main results are that the WSC trial was characterised by significantly lower swimming cadence (-14%), heart rate (-11%), and lactate values (-47%) compared to the SC trial, p0.05. Moreover, cycling efficiency was significantly higher in the WSC trial compared to the SC trial (12.1% difference, p0.05). The lower relative intensity observed during swimming with a wetsuit suggest the relative importance of swimming condition on the total performance in a sprint triathlon.

International audience; After the swim to cycle transition of a triathlon, perceived exertion (RPE) during cycling was higher than during a single cycling bout for 8 well-trained triathletes, but swimming in a drafting position led to lower RPE responses and energy cost of cycling than swimming alone.

International audience; The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of swimming with a wetsuit on energy expenditure during subsequent cycling. Nine well-trained triathletes underwent three submaximal trials. The first trial (SC) consisted of a 750-m swim realised at a competition pace, followed by a JO-min cycling exercise at a power output corresponding to the ventilatory threshold +5%. The two other trials were composed of the same cycling exercise, preceded either by a 750-m swim with a wetsuit (WSC) or by a cycling warm-up (Ctrl). The main results are that the WSC trial was characterised by significantly lower swimming cadence (-14%), heart rate (-11%), and lactate values (-47%) compared to the SC trial, p < 0.05. Moreover, cycling efficiency was significantly higher in the WSC trial compared to the SC trial (12.1% difference, p < 0.05). The lower relative intensity observed during swimming with a wetsuit suggest the relative importance of swimming condition on the total peiformance in a sprint triathlon.; L'objectif de cette étude était d'analyser l'influence du port de combinaison en natation sur la dépense énergétique en cyclisme. Neuftriathlètes entraînés ont participé à trois épreuves sous-maximales. Lors de la première épreuve (NSC), les sujets nageaient 750 rn sans com-binaison à allure de compétition, suivis de 10 min de cyclisme à une intensité correspondant au seuil ventilatoire +5%. Les deux autres épreuves étaient composées du même exercice sur ergocycle, précédé soit de 750 rn de natation avec combinaison (NAC), soit d'un échauf-fement sur ergocycle (Ctrl). Les résultats montrent que la natation avec combinaison se traduit par des valeurs inférieures de fréquence de rotation (-14%),fréquence cardiaque (-11%), et lactatémie (-47%, p < 0.05). Par ailleurs, le rendement mécanique en cyclisme est significativement supérieur après la condition NAC comparativement à la condition NSC (différence de 12,1%, p < .05). La diminution de l'intensité de la natation avec combinaison suggère l'importance des conditions de la partie natation lors d'un triathlon sprint.

Background Soccer-specific fatigue decreases eccentric peak torque and the functional peak hamstring to quadriceps torque ratio ( f H ecc :Q con ), changes thought to increase the risk of hamstring strain (HS). Inadequate eccentric muscle strength specifically at long length may also be a risk factor for HS. The effect of simulated soccer on the hamstring eccentric torque-angle profile, or the hamstring:quad torque ratio at specific joint angles has not been reported. Objective To determine the effect of a simulated soccer on angle-specific eccentric hamstring torque and angle-specific.H ecc :Q con (AS.H ecc :Q con ) across the range of motion. Design Acute intervention. Setting Semi-professional soccer. Participants 9 male players. Risk factor assessment Isokinetic concentric and eccentric knee flexion and concentric knee extension was evaluated in the dominant limb at 120°·s −1 pre and post the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST). Main outcome measurements Changes in eccentric hamstrings torque, concentric quadriceps torque and hamstring:quadriceps torque ratios at 9 joint angles (AS.H ecc :Q con ), angle of peak torque (APT), and f H ecc :Q con . Results The LIST resulted in significant decreases in eccentric hamstring torque at 60˚, 50˚ and 10˚ and a significant (21.8%) decrease in AS.H ecc :Q con at 10˚ (P Conclusions Simulated soccer produces angle-specific changes in hamstring eccentric torque and in AS.H ecc :Q con and a shift in the eccentric hamstring APT. Our findings suggest that a prevention programs should both increase fatigue resistance in the hamstrings and include exercises that specifically develop long-length eccentric hamstring strength. Further research is also needed to determine if the evaluation of angle-specific.H ecc :Q con improves the predictive power of injury risk screening over assessment of the peak torque f H ecc :Q con alone.