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The study assessed the manifestation of a regulated locomotion pattern while clearing the first two hurdles during running. In addition, the effect of a hurdles' learning design, using specific activities and manipulated task constraints, on regulation strategies and kinematic reorganization was examined. Pre- and posttests were conducted. Twenty-four young athletes were randomly assigned into an experimental and a control group, and performed 18 training sessions, consisting of a hurdle-based intervention for experimental participants and a more generalized athletics training for control participants. Different footfall variability curves were recorded, suggesting that young athletes regulated locomotion pattern to clear the hurdles according to their needs. Task-specific training contributed to lower values of variability for the entire approach run and to functional movement reorganization, affording learners to take-off further from the hurdle with a higher horizontal velocity, leading to a more flat hurdle clearance stride and to a significant hurdle running performance improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined to what extent the manipulation of hurdle height (0.76-m hurdle, low hurdle 0.50 m, and white stripe) would affect visual regulation strategies and kinematic reorganization when approaching the first hurdle. In addition, the impact of constraints as a training tool in terms of creating movement patterns functional for and representative of competitive movement models was assessed. The approach phase to the first hurdle of 13 physical education students with no previous experience in hurdling was video recorded and analyzed. Emergence of different footfall variability curves and movement coordination patterns suggests that participants interact differently with features of the performance context. Contrary to the white stripe, the hurdle height required participants to initiate regulation and distribute adjustments over a larger number of steps, and afforded the preparation for takeoff in order to clear the hurdle. In task design, manipulation of task constraints should offer valuable information regarding the dynamics of movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of change of direction (COD) and agility among players engaged in soccer, basketball, and handball. Additionally, the researchers introduced the novel concept of "Agility deficit", aimed at evaluating distinctions between COD and agility during running (COD-R; Agility-R) and dribbling (COD-D; Agility-D). The participant cohort comprises 38 individuals with an average age of 20.63 years, distributed across 13 handball players, 12 soccer players, and 13 basketball players. Statistical analyses, specifically ANOVA accompanied by Tukey's post hoc comparisons, have been employed to discern significant differences among subgroups. While no noteworthy disparities among groups were observed in both COD-D and Agility-D when participants manipulated the balls using their hands, a marked superiority in performance emerged for soccer players when the balls were manipulated with their legs. Soccer players exhibited expedited responses compared to their basketball and handball counterparts when confronted with a visual stimulus during the Agility-R test (reduced Agility-R deficit). Furthermore, the Agility-D deficit underscored the heightened visual challenge to react in visual stimuli during dribbling in soccer. Independent of the type of ball handling, soccer players consistently demonstrated a diminished Agility-D deficit, affirming their superior visual ability. The performance in Agility-D further revealed that visual ability plays a pivotal role in influencing dribbling ability. The study posits that, for a comprehensive assessment of a player's visual ability during running or dribbling, interpretations of both Agility-R deficit and Agility-D deficit are imperative. Consequently, the proposed indexes of Agility-R deficit and Agility-D deficit present valuable tools for evaluating players' COD and Agility abilities during running or dibbling. However, the efficacy of these assessments in real-game situations remains undetermined, requiring further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprinting and dribbling a ball are considered essential for success in team sports, such as soccer. The purpose of the present study was to examine straight line (SL) and changes of direction (COD) sprinting and dribbling abilities after a standing and a flying starting position. Twelve amateur U12 male soccer players participated in the study. The participants were tested in four different sprinting conditions. The first consisted of 15 m SL sprinting and dribbling test by standing position; the second consisted of 15 m SL sprinting and dribbling test by flying start. The third condition consisted of 15 m COD sprinting and dribbling test by standing position, and the fourth condition consisted of 15 m COD sprinting and dribbling test by flying start. T-tests analysis indicated significant differences between SL sprinting and dribbling sprinting tests (P < 0.05) and between standing and flying start positions (P < 0.05). Step frequency was higher for sprinting tests (P < 0.05). Moreover, the results showed that step length was longer when players had a standing position (P < 0.05). These findings emphasize the importance for trainers to add parts without ball, focused on the development of certain fitness and running components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify potential factors that may influence specific fencing offensive kinetic patterns in a large group of well-trained fencers having different ages, gender level, and training specialization. One-hundred-thirty fencers (males: n = 72) and (females: n = 58), participating in three different fencing weapons (epee, foil, and sabre), having considerable experience of national and international competitions. All members of seven national fencing teams were measured for basic anthropometric parameters, leg power performance and velocity values for three specific kinetic offensive patterns during an International Fencing camp. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed a significant velocity multivariate effect in age competitive categories (Wilks Λ = 0.129, F = 2.112, p <0.01, n² = 0.060) gender (Wilks Λ = 0.103, F = 3.743, p < 0.05, n² = 0.103), competition levels (Wilks Λ = 0.863, F = 5.198, p <0.01, n² = 0.137) and discipline practiced (Wilks Λ = 0.239, F = 4.305, p < 0.001, n² = 0.119) respectively. Significant correlations were observed between lunge and step lunge velocity and long jump (LJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ), and reaction strength index (RSI). Age, gender, level of participants, and the choice of the weapon practiced, influenced fencing performance. Different leg power abilities could be decisive factors in training schedules design and monitoring training adaptations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the contribution of instructional self-talk and observational learning on the development of long jump technique. Sixty-nine beginner athletes were randomly assigned to four groups: 'self-talk', 'video', 'self-talk + video' and control group. All groups performed 24 practice sessions, consisting of a cognitive intervention program in the form of either instructional self-talk or observational learning, or a combination of both, and the practice of specific drills. A significantly higher performance improvement was recorded for the self-talk group in post test, whereas when kinematic variables of the motor skill (center of mass displacement) were assessed, "observational learning" proved to be more effective. The findings of the current study suggest that young, beginner athletes, participating in complicated tasks, may benefit from cognitive intervention techniques, through enhanced attentional focus on the most critical elements of the motor skill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the relative influence of step length (SL) and step frequency (SF) on step velocity (SV) during the approach run of high-level long jumpers and to quantify the asymmetry of these step characteristics. Spatiotemporal data of the approach run were collected during national competition from 10 long jumpers (age 26.2 ± 4.1 years, height 1.84 ± 0.06 m, mass 72.77 ± 3.23 kg, personal best performance 7.96 ± 0.30 m). Analyses were conducted for total approach, early approach and late approach. For the total approach 4/10 athletes were SF reliant and 6/10 athletes favoured neither characteristic. At the early approach, 3/10 athletes were SF reliant and 7/10 athletes favoured neither. During late approach 2/10 athletes demonstrated SL reliance, 7/10 athletes were SF reliant and 1/10 athletes favoured neither. Four athletes displayed significant asymmetry for SL and three for SF. However, no athletes demonstrated significant asymmetry for SV indicating that the asymmetrical demands of take-off do not have a marked influence on step characteristic asymmetry, probably due to the constraints of the event. Consideration should be given to the potentially conflicting demands between limbs for individual athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of the study was to investigate possible changes at step pattern and technical performance of the long jump approach run in seven young long jumpers by modifying the performance environment (long jump runway versus track lane) and the nested actions (run-through with take-off versus complete long jump). Our findings suggest that the step pattern and technical aspects of the approach run are affected by environmental context and nested task constraints. In terms of environmental context, it appears that practising the training routine of run-through followed by take-off on the long jump runway allows athletes to simulate competition conditions in terms of step regulation and technical efficacy. The task of run-through followed by take-off on the track lane failed to initiate visual perception, step regulation and technical efficiency at the steps preceding the instant of take-off. In terms of nested task constraints, when run-ups were followed by jump for distance instead of only a take-off, a higher level of consistency was achieved and step regulation was based on perception–action coupling. Practising long jump run-up accuracy at a setting not containing the informational elements of the performance environment fails to develop the key elements of the skill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of two training protocols on the women's arms strength by using the patented equipment of PowerBall® and Shake Weight®. 39 females, aged 21.6±1.1yrs with body mass 60.3±7.4kg and stature 164±0.6cm were randomly divided into three groups: the PowerBall® (PGr), the Shake Weight® (SGr) and the Control (CGr). The participants of the PGr & SGr trained for 18 days by using specific arms exercises while the women of the CGr did not perform any training program. In all studied women the hand-grip test as well as the forearm and arm girths of the dominant hand was evaluated before and after the completion of the testing protocol. The interaction among the variables in each group was assessed with the use of the factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the women in PGr had a marginal improvement in the final handgrip measurement (18.78±3.1kg) in relation to the participants of the SGr (18.65±3.1kg). In addition, the forearm and arm girths of the women of the PGr were slightly larger than those reported in the participants of the SGr. In conclusion, the present study justifies the effectiveness of the training with the use of the innovative PowerBall® and Shake Weight® which are the proper equipment for the upper limbs muscular strength in moderate trained women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved temporal sequencing of high - intensity muscle contractions prior to the sprint start may maximize motoneuron excitability and may enhance fast twitch fiber recruitment and sprint start effectiveness. The aim of the study was to assess a) the electromyographic activity of the gastrocnemius lateralis, biceps femoris and vastus femoris muscles under exposure to specific voluntary, dynamic actions (quick skipping or tuck jumps that sometimes sprinters perform after the "on your marks" command) and to an external involuntary stimulus (WBV-whole body vibration) and b) the effectiveness of the above stimuli applied on the activation level of lower limb muscles in order to produce neuromuscular activation the very last moment just behind the blocks, as this is measured by the RT and time in 1.5m and 3m after the sprint start. Ten male sprinters executed sprint starts under 4 experimental conditions after the "on your marks command": 1st condition - without performing any action, 2ndperforming tuck jumps, 3rd performing quick skipping and 4th after being exposed to vibration stimuli. No significant difference in average muscle activity was observed after evaluation of the EMG raw data for the tuck jumps and quick skipping actions. No significant differences were, also, observed for RT and time in 1.5m and 3m in conditions 2 to 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pacing strategies at peak VO2 velocity (vVO2 peak) on performance and selected metabolic parameters. Trained subjects (n = 12) performed an incremental test to determine vVO2 peak followed by a maximal run at constant vVO2 peak (even-pace strategy, EPS) at least 48 hrs afterwards. Two days after the vVO2 peak test, the subjects performed the 2nd or 3rd maximal runs in a random order. The second trial started at a pace 1 km ⋅ h-1 faster than the vVO2 peak velocity (fast-start pacing strategy, FPS) for half of the duration of the EPS trial with the rest of the test at a pace 1 km ⋅ h-1 slower than the vVO2 peak velocity. The third pacing trial started at a pace 1 km ⋅ h-1 slower than vVO2 peak velocity (slow-start pacing strategy, SPS) for half of the duration of the vVO2 peak trial with the rest of the test at a pace 1 km ⋅ h-1 faster than the vVO2 peak velocity. Repeated measures ANOVA showed that FPS produced a significantly longer distance of 2654 ± 1668 m (P<0.05) compared with the EPS of 2001.67 ± 839.63 and the SPS of 1975.83 ± 791.22. The post-exercise blood lactate concentration was lower (P<0.05) after FPS (14.41 ± 3.51 mmol ⋅ L-1) than after SPS (16.16 ± 3.52) or EPS (16.78 ± 3.52). The accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD) was also lower during FPS (30.92 ± 8.39 mL ⋅ kg-1) than during SPS (40.36 ± 10.86). The results indicate that if the duration of maximal effort varies between 4 and 12 min, an uneven fast pace during the initial stages of exercise will produce better performance (longer distances and exercising time). There are also indications that an early, slightly fast pace produces less overall stress on anaerobic metabolism and that decreased metabolic acidosis may explain the improved performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the presence of visually regulated control in young, novice long jumpers as they approach the takeoff board. The approach run of 27 novice jumpers (age 12–13 years) practising jump training for a short period was video-recorded during competition. Findings revealed that young, novice participants adjust the length of the final steps of their approach run, suggesting the presence of visual control. Step regulation commenced on the fifth and fourth step from the board for boys and girls respectively. Their pattern of footfall variability was found to be comparable to that of skilled long jumpers, although young, novice participants presented slightly higher variability. It appears that even a limited period of jump training may contribute to a more consistent run-up as well as to smaller takeoff error, offsetting the limitations imposed by the partially developed cognitive abilities and perceptual awareness of young athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resisted and un-resisted sprint training programmes (STP) on acceleration and maximum speed performance. Sixteen sprint athletes divided into two groups (resisted group -RG and unresisted group -UG, n = 8 each), age 25 ± 4 y, height 172 ± 0.8 cm and weight 61.5 ± 10.6 kg. RG followed the STP towing a large size parachute and the UG followed a STP without resistance. Stride length (SL), stride frequency (SF), contact time (CT) and flight time (FT) were also evaluated. The results showed that the RG improved running velocity (RV) in all sections of acceleration phase (AP), while the UG in the run section 0 - 20 m. A comparison between groups indicated that RV was significantly higher during run section 0 - 20 m in the RG compared to the UG. For the maximum speed phase the resisted STP improved the RV in the 40 -50 m run section and the maximum speed between 40 - 47 m, while un-resisted STP had no effect in any run section. SL increased after resisted and un - resisted STP in AP, whereas SF increased only after resisted STP in maximum speed phase. It is concluded that resisted STP with large size parachute significantly improves RV during AP by increasing SL and during maximum speed phase by increasing SF in sprint athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stretching is a common practice for preparation before physical exercise. However, recent research has shown that there is not much scientific evidence to support this practice. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of static (SS) and ballistic stretching (BS) on flexibility and specific kinetic patterns of fencing performance in 10 elite male fencers. The subjects were tested for flexibility, "time of lunge" (TL), "power of lunge" (PL) and "time of shuttle fencing tesr' (ST), after different warm-up protocols including either static or ballistic stretching. Subjects underwent 3 repetitions of 3 static or ballistic stretching exercises for quadriceps, hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles lasting for 2osec with a 20-sec rest period each. Data were analyzed using a 2 (pre-post) x 2 (static-ballistic stretching) analysis of variance and post-hoct-test with Bonferronni corrections. Significant was set at the = 0.05 probability level. There were no observed pre-post, static-ballistic stretching or interaction significant effects. The results of this study show that static or ballistic stretching in the later stages of a general warm-up, may not affect flexibility and specific kinetic patterns of fencing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]