Search

Purpose: To examine the construct validity and reliability of 2 single items for fatigue and recovery in dancers. The construct validity was assessed using reference instruments: the fatigue items of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) and the Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS). A secondary aim was to explore the respondent interpretation of these 2 items using a concept identification approach. Methods: Two hundred forty-three (N = 243) dancers completed single-item fatigue and recovery (unipolar and bipolar), BRUMS, and SRSS once for construct validity. For reliability, 49 dancers completed the questionnaires twice, 1 week apart. Using a concept identification approach, 49 dancers were also asked comprehension and interpretation of fatigue and recovery. Results: The fatigue item correlated with SRSS stress items (rs =.37–.51) and BRUMs fatigue items (rs =.63–.66). The recovery item was only partially confirmed in terms of construct validity, when using the SRSS recovery items as reference (rs =.39–.43). Reliability was confirmed for the single items of fatigue (κ =.77–.78) and recovery (κ =.71–.78). Main responses for the concept of fatigue were tiredness (34.7%), muscle soreness (17.3%), and energy (13.0%). Main responses for the concept of recovery were muscle soreness (43.0%), tiredness (27.9%), and fatigue (24.0%). Conclusion: We provide preliminary confirmation of the validity and reliability of the single item fatigue in dancers. The recovery item was only partially confirmed in terms of construct validity, when using the SRSS recovery items as reference, but did display acceptable reliability and agreement. Further research is warranted further exploring other measurement properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to quantify the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), duration, and training load accrued across typical training weeks undertaken by youth soccer players. Differences between starters, nonstarters, and variations in training load variables were also investigated. Data were collected from 230 elite youth players in 4 age groups (U15, U16, U17, and U19) during 5 competitive seasons. Mixed models were used to describe variation between age groups and compare starters with nonstarters, with season as a fixed covariate effect. Week-to-week variation in training load was expressed as the percentage coefficient of variation. The main findings may be used to highlight a significant effect of age and playing status on training intensity, duration, and internal training load. Weekly training load increased progressively from the U15 to U17, with significant differences between each age group (p < 0.03). Lower mean weekly perceived intensity (sRPE) was noted in U15 when compared with the older age groups (4.2 vs. 4.6-4.9 arbitrary unit for U16 to U19, p < 0.001). Low weekly training load variation was observed across the different phases of the season in each age group, with the preseason exhibiting the greatest variance (3.6-6.2%). Differences in the training load are likely more attributable to changes in training duration rather than sRPE. Control of session duration seems to play an important role when aiming to control load in the academy environment, and practitioners should closely monitor the differences in duration and load being recorded between starters and nonstarters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the physiological (resting core temperature, exercising heart rate, and sweat rate) and psychophysical (rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and thermal comfort) responses to a short-term heat acclimatization (HA) training camp in elite female rugby sevens athletes. Methods: Nineteen professional female rugby sevens athletes participated in a 5-day HA camp in Darwin, Australia (training average: 32.2°C and 58% relative humidity). Training involved normal team practice prescribed by appropriate staff. Markers of physiological and psychophysical adaptations to HA were collected at various stages during the camp. Partial eta-squared effect sizes (from linear mixed-effects models), rank-biserial correlations (from Freidman tests), and P values were used to assess changes across the protocol. Results: Resting core temperature did not significantly change. Exercising heart rate showed a large and significant reduction from day 1 to day 5 (175 [13] vs 171 [12] beats·min−1), as did sweat rate (1.1 [0.3] vs 1.0 [0.2] L·h–1). Thermal sensation showed a large and significant reduction between day 1 and day 5 (median [interquartile range] = 5 [5–5.5] vs 4.5 [4–5]). Changes in rating of perceived exertion and thermal comfort were unclear. Conclusions: Beneficial cardiovascular adaptations were observed simultaneously across a full squad of elite female rugby sevens players (without expensive facilities/equipment or modifying training content). However, beneficial changes in resting core temperature, sweat rate, and thermal/effort perceptions likely require a greater thermal impulse. These data contribute to the development of evidence-informed practice for minimal effective HA doses in female team-sport athletes, who are underrepresented in the current research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to independently validate a wearable inertial sensor designed to monitor training and performance metrics in swimmers. Methods: A total of 4 male (21 [4] y, 1 national and 3 international) and 6 female (22 [3] y, 1 national and 5 international) swimmers completed 15 training sessions in an outdoor 50-m pool. Swimmers were fitted with a wearable device (TritonWear, 9-axis inertial measurement unit with triaxial accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer), placed under the swim cap on top of the occipital protuberance. Video footage was captured for each session to establish criterion values. Absolute error, standardized effect, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to determine the validity of the wearable device against video footage for total swim distance, total stroke count, mean stroke count, and mean velocity. A Fisher exact test was used to analyze the accuracy of stroke-type identification. Results: Total swim distance was underestimated by the device relative to video analysis. Absolute error was consistently higher for total and mean stroke count, and mean velocity, relative to video analysis. Across all sessions, the device incorrectly detected total time spent in backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle by 51% (15%). The device did not detect time spent in drill. Intraclass correlation coefficient results demonstrated excellent intrarater reliability between repeated measures across all swimming metrics. Conclusions: The wearable device investigated in this study does not accurately measure distance, stroke count, and velocity swimming metrics or detect stroke type. Its use as a training monitoring tool in swimming is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daub, BD, McLean, BD, Heishman, AD, Peak, KM, and Coutts, AJ. The relationship between mental fatigue and shooting performance over the course of a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball season. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 334-341, 2024--The aim of this investigation was to examine the presence of mental fatigue and concurrent changes in shooting performance across various experimental weeks throughout a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball season. Fifteen elite male NCAA Division I collegiate basketball players (age 20.261.2 years, height 199.367.1 cm, and body mass 93.16 8.6 kg) volunteered for this study. Mental fatigue and basketball shooting performance was evaluated at 4 timepoints with varying seasonal demands: high game volume (GAME), high academic load (ACADEMIC), no games and no academic load (PRACTICE), and standard number of games and academic requirements (TYPICAL). Subjective mental fatigue increased significantly (p#0.05) from Pre to Post brief psychomotor vigilance test (PVT-B) measurements at the end of the ACADEMIC week (p 5 0.002, d 5 1.51) and from beginning to end of the ACADEMIC week (p, 0.001, d 5 2.21). Ratings of mental effort were significantly increased during the ACADEMIC week (p, 0.001, d 5 1.67). Recovery stress questionnaire (REST-Q) showed significant differences between week GAME and ACADEMIC with an increase in Social Stress (p 5 0.001, d 5 0.84), Fatigue (p 5 0.021, d 5 1.12), Disturbed Breaks (p 5 0.024, d 5 0.57), and Emotional Exhaustion (p 5 0.035, d 5 0.75). Lower shooting performance was observed during the ACADEMIC week from Pre to Post (p50.009, d50.35) and higher scores Pre to Post in the TYPICAL week (p 5 0.008, d 5 0.25). Basketball shooting performance was significantly reduced after increased levels of mental fatigue stemming from added academic stress. In addition, an increase in sport-specific training or games had no effect on subsequent basketball shooting performance. Special consideration should be given by coaches around examination periods because the existence of academic stressors can influence basketball shooting performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the effect of wearing a phase-change cooling vest in elite female rugby sevens athletes during (1) a simulated match-day warm-up in hot conditions prior to a training session and (2) a prematch warm-up during a tournament in cool conditions. Methods: This study consisted of 2 randomized independent group designs (separated by 16 d) where athletes completed the same 23- to 25-minute match-day warm-up (1) in hot conditions (range = 28.0°C to 35.1°C wet bulb globe temperature [WBGT]) prior to training and (2) in cool conditions (range = 18.8°C to 20.1°C WBGT) prior to a World Rugby Women's Sevens Series match. In both conditions, athletes were randomly assigned to wearing either (1) the standardized training/playing ensemble (synthetic rugby shorts and training tee/jersey) or (2) the standardized training/playing ensemble plus a commercial phase-change athletic cooling vest. Group-wise differences in core temperature rise from baseline, global positioning system–measured external locomotive output, and perceptual thermal load were compared. Results: Core temperature rise during a match warm-up was lower in the hot condition only (−0.65°C [95% confidence interval = −1.22°C to −0.08°C], η p 2 =.23 [95% confidence interval =.00 to.51], P =.028). No differences in various external-load variables were observed. Conclusions: Phase-change cooling vests can be worn by athletes prior to, and during, a prematch warm-up in hot conditions to limit excess core temperature rise without adverse effects on thermal perceptions or external locomotion output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether elite female rugby sevens players are exposed to core temperatures (Tc) during training in the heat that replicate the temperate match demands previously reported and to investigate whether additional clothing worn during a hot training session meaningfully increases the heat load experienced. Methods: A randomized parallel-group study design was employed, with all players completing the same approximately 70-minute training session (27.5°C–34.8°C wet bulb globe temperature) and wearing a standardized training ensemble (synthetic rugby shorts and training tee [control (CON); n = 8]) or additional clothing (standardized training ensemble plus compression garments and full tracksuit [additional clothing (AC); n = 6]). Groupwise differences in Tc, sweat rate, GPS-measured external locomotive output, rating of perceived exertion, and perceptual thermal load were compared. Results: Mean (P =.006, η p 2 =.88) and peak (P <.001, η p 2 =.97) Tc were higher in AC compared with CON during the training session. There were no differences in external load (F4,9 = 0.155, P =.956, Wilks Λ = 0.935, η p 2 =.06) or sweat rate (P =.054, Cohen d = 1.09). A higher rating of perceived exertion (P =.016, Cohen d = 1.49) was observed in AC compared with CON. No exertional-heat-illness symptomology was reported in either group. Conclusions: Player Tc is similar between training performed in hot environments and match play in temperate conditions when involved for >6 minutes. Additional clothing is a viable and effective method to increase heat strain in female rugby sevens players without compromising training specificity or external locomotive capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the relationships between internal and external training load (TL) metrics with elite international women's basketball performance. Methods: Sessional ratings of perceived exertion, PlayerLoad™/minute, and training duration were collected from 13 elite international-level female basketball athletes (age 29.0 [3.7] y, stature 186.0 [9.8] cm, body mass 77.9 [11.6] kg) during the 18 weeks prior to the International Basketball Federation Olympic qualifying event for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Training stress balance, differential load, and the training efficiency index were calculated with 3 different smoothing methods. These TL metrics and their change in the last 21 days prior to competition were examined for their relationship to competition performance as coach ratings of performance. Results: For a number of TL variables, there were consistent significant small to moderate correlations with performance and significant small to large differences between successful and unsuccessful performances. However, these differences were only evident for external TL when using exponentially weighted moving averages to calculate TL. The variable that seemed most sensitive to performance was the change in training efficiency index in the last 21 days prior to competition (performance r =.47–.56, P <.001 and difference between successful and unsuccessful performance P <.001, f2 = 0.305–0.431). Conclusions: Internal and external TL variables were correlated with performance and distinguished between successful and unsuccessful performances among the same players during international women's basketball games. Manipulating TL in the last 3 weeks prior to competition may be worthwhile for basketball players' performance, especially in internal TL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]