Snippit Sports Science

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Today's article is a great for those who want guidance around exercise and illness.

The BASES expert statement on exercise, immunity, and infection.

Journal of sports sciences, 30(3), 321-324.

Gleeson, M., & Walsh, N. P. (2012).

Abstract

An individual's level of physical activity influences their risk of infection, most likely by affecting immune function. Regular moderate exercise reduces the risk of infection compared with a sedentary lifestyle, but very prolonged bouts of exercise and periods of intensified training are associated with an increased risk of infection. There are several lifestyle, nutritional, and training strategies that can be adopted to limit the extent of exercise-induced immunodepression and minimize the risk of infection. This expert statement provides a background summarizing the evidence together with extensive conclusions and practical guidelines.

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Hi there, and thanks for tuning in each week.

This week, we are honoured to have first author Dr. Christopher Brandner talking about one his papers currently in the process for publication called:

 

Muscular Adaptations to Whole Body Blood Flow Restriction Training and Detraining.

 

We got to cover many topics on BFR aside from his paper.

Dr. Christopher Brandner is a Sports Scientist and Strength and Conditioning Coach at Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha, Qatar. In 2016, he received his PhD from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, where his research examined the acute and chronic training adaptations to resistance exercise with blood flow restriction.

 

Follow Christopher on Twitter at @ChrisBrandner

Find his publications via Research Gate:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christopher_Brandner

 

 

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Environmental temperature (whether hot or cold) can have effects on athletic performance. Our previous Snippits have looked at how passive heat maintenance can be used to optimise repeat sprint performance in cooler environments.  Today’s Snippit looks at performance across both warm and cold environmental temperatures and how different combinations of passive heat maintenance and ingestion of cold slushies can be used to optimise performance.

 

Front. Physiol., 03 August 2018

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.01064

 

Lower-Limb Passive Heat Maintenance Combined With Pre-cooling Improves Repeated Sprint Ability

 

Martyn Beaven

Liam P. Kilduff

Christian J. Cook

 

Pre-conditioning strategies to potentiate performance are a common feature of pre-competition routines. The elevation of muscle temperature is seen as a vital component of preparing for physical performance, while pre-cooling strategies have been adopted to offset fatigue during repeated efforts. We investigated the individual and combined effects of a passive heat maintenance strategy and the ingestion of an ice-water slurry on repeated sprint performance.

 

In a random cross-over design, 12 professional male athletes performed 5 × 40 m maximal running sprints under one of four conditions following a standardized warm-up: 15-min passive rest (Control); wearing a lower-body survival garment (HEAT); consuming a 500 mL ice slushy (COLD); or wearing the survival garment and consuming the slushy (H+C). Measures of sprint speed, fatigue, heart rate, and rectal temperature were collected.

 

Compared to COLD: HEAT improved Sprint 1 (ES: 0.84; p = 0.05), but negatively impacted Sprint 4 (ES: -0.87; p = 0.08), and Sprint 5 (ES: -1.57; p = 0.002). H+C was faster than Control for every sprint (ES: 0.28 to 0.66), clearly faster than COLD on Sprints 1–3 (ES: 0.73 to 0.54), and clearly faster than HEAT on Sprints 4 and 5 (ES: 1.31 and 1.87). Fatigue was greatest after the HEAT intervention with a large correlation between fatigue and rectal temperature (r = 0.66; p = 0.0204).

 

While there are undoubtedly peripheral effects of cooling and heating on various aspects of muscle function and fatigue, understanding the integration of psycho-physiological homeostatic feedback loops relating to a combined warming and cooling intervention may benefit sports in which repeat sprints are performed.

 

 

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The role of the menstrual cycle with respect to female strength and power performance on the broad scale is poorly understood and considered.  This is despite the current literature available highlighting the potential of using the menstrual cycle to optimising an athlete’s training periodisation.  

 

This article looks into the how we can optimise female’s strength and power:

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports

 Volume 28, Issue 4

 

Basal and stress‐induced salivary testosterone variation across the menstrual cycle and linkage to motivation and muscle power

J. Cook

P. Kilduff

T. Crewther

 

First published: 21 December 2017

https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13041

 

Abstract

 

This study investigated salivary testosterone (sal‐T) variation across the menstrual cycle in female athletes, at different competitive levels, and its association with motivation and neuromuscular power.

 

Six elite and 16 non‐elite female athletes were monitored on days 7 (D7), 14 (D14), and 21 (D21) across 3 menstrual cycles for basal sal‐T concentrations and self‐appraised motivation to train and compete. Two further measures were taken on D7, D14, and D21 across 2 menstrual cycles: (1) the sal‐T response (delta change) to a physical stress test and (2) peak power (PP) response to a 6‐second cycle sprint following a post‐activation potentiation (PAP) stimulus.

 

Basal sal‐T concentrations increased by 17 ± 27% from D7 to D14 before decreasing by −25 ± 43% on D21 (P 102%) who showed larger menstrual changes. Motivation, sal‐T reactivity to stress, and the PP responses to a PAP stimulus also varied by testing day (P

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Recently, the concept of eccentric overload training has been gaining a lot of social media coverage and popularity.  This type of training has been around for a while despite its uncommon use in an S&C coach’s toolbox.

 

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Volume 20, Issue 10, October 2017, Pages 943-951

 

Skeletal muscle functional and structural adaptations after eccentric overload flywheel resistance training: a systematic review and meta-analysis

 

Sergio Maroto-Izquierdo

David García-López

Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalo

Osvaldo C. Moreira

Javier González-Gallego

José A. de Paz

 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.03.004

 

Abstract

 

Objectives

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effect of flywheel (FW) resistance training with Eccentric Overload (FW-EOT) on muscle size and functional capacities (i.e. strength and power) in athletes and healthy subjects, and to compare FW-induced adaptations with those triggered by traditional resistance exercise interventions.

 

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

 

Methods

A search of electronic databases [PubMed, MEDLINE (SportDiscus), Web of Science, Scopus and PEDro] was conducted to identify all publications employing FW-EOT up to April 30, 2016. Outcomes were analyzed as continuous outcomes using a random effects model to calculate a standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% CI. A total of 9 studies with 276 subjects and 92 effect sizes met the inclusion criteria and were included in the statistical analyses.

 

Results

The overall pooled estimate from the main effects analysis was 0.63 (95% CI 0.49–0.76) with a significant (p

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Today’s Snippit is a fascinating insight into how testosterone can be used as a marker to optimise and individualise the strength training protocols to optimise muscle strength and size gains:

 

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

March 2008, Volume 22 (2), p 419-425

© 2008 National Strength and Conditioning Association

https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00124278-200803000-00014

ISSN: 1064-8011

 

Significant Strength Gains Observed in Rugby Players after Specific Resistance Exercise Protocols Based on Individual Salivary Testosterone Responses

Beaven, C Martyn; Cook, Christian J; Gill, Nicholas D

 

Abstract 

 

Our previous work has demonstrated that professional athletes show protocol-dependent variability in salivary testosterone (T) responses to resistance exercise (RE). The current study examines the consistency and functional outcomes of prescribing a RE regimen based on T response. We hypothesized that prescribing an individual-specific RE protocol based on T response would enhance weight training gains.

 

Sixteen amateur rugby players [(mean ± SD) age: 20 ± 2 years; height: 181.5 ± 8.2 cm; weight: 94.2 ± 11.1 kg] were characterized by their maximal (Tmax) and minimal (Tmin) T response to four RE protocols: four sets of 10 repetitions (reps) at 70% of one repetition maximum (1RM) with 2 minutes' rest between sets (4 ×10-70%); three sets of five reps at 85% 1RM with 3 minutes' rest (3 × 5-85%); five sets of 15 reps at 55% of 1RM with 1 minute's rest (5 × 15-55%); and three sets of 5 reps at 40% 1RM with 3 minutes' rest (3 × 5-40%). Eight athletes then performed a 3-week training block performing only their Tmax protocol. The remaining eight only performed Tmin. After 3 weeks, the athletes were retested on the RE protocols and then crossed over and performed the alternate 3-week training block.

 

All 16 athletes showed significant increases in estimated bench and leg press 1RM strength and bodyweight while performing Tmax. When Tmin was performed, 75% of athletes showed either no change or a significant decline in 1RM performance. Consistent protocol-responses over the experimental period were seen for both the Tmax and Tmin protocols in 12 of 16 athletes.

 

Thus, a relationship between an individual's biologically available T response to RE and enhanced functional gains is reported.

 

 

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Today, we are honoured to have guest author David Joyce.  He is very well known for being one of the editors of the book “High-Performance Training for Sports.”  He is also performance manager at the GWS Australian Football Club (AFL) and is respected across the world for his knowledge in the area of physical performance enhancement.

The opportunity to chat first hand with an author also gives us an opportunity to discuss more than just the paper, and we go into a myriad of other projects and thoughts that David is currently doing. Make sure to follow him on Twitter @DavidGJoyce

 

J Sports Sci. 2018 Feb; 36(3):279-285

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02640414.2017.1300315

Epub 2017 Mar 7

 

Evaluating strategic periodisation in team sport.

Robertson S, Joyce D

 Abstract

 

The planned peaking for matches or events of perceived greatest priority or difficulty throughout a competitive season is commonplace in high-level team sports. Despite this prevalence in the field, little research exists on the practice. This study aimed to provide a framework for strategic periodisation which team sport organisations can use to evaluate the efficacy of such plans.

 

Data relating to factors potentially influencing the difficulty of matches were obtained for games played in the 2014 Australian Football League season. These included the match location, opposition rank, between-match break and team "form". Binary logistic regression models were developed to determine the level of association between these factors and match outcome (win/loss). Models were constructed using "fixed" factors available to clubs prior to commencement of the season, and then also "dynamic" factors obtained at monthly intervals throughout the in-season period.

 

The influence of playing away from home on match difficulty became stronger as the season progressed, whilst the opposition rank from the preceding season was the strongest indicator of difficulty across all models.

 

The approaches demonstrated in this paper can be used practically to evaluate both the long- and short-term efficacy of strategic periodisation plans in team sports as well as inform and influence coach programming.

 

KEYWORDS:

Australian Rules football; Match difficulty; logistic regression; performance analysis; training

 

PMID: 28266908

DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1300315

 

 

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A couple of weeks ago, we discussed the wonders of chocolate and its potential health benefits.  Like a good pairing, today we review wine and it potential benefits with respect to cardiovascular disease.  Lots of interesting facts here:

 

Circulation. 2017 Oct 10; 136(15):1434-1448

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.030387

 

Wine and Cardiovascular Health: A Comprehensive Review.

Haseeb S, Alexander B, Baranchuk A

 

Abstract

 

Alcoholic beverages have been consumed for thousands of years, attracting great human interest for social, personal, and religious occasions. In addition, they have long been debated to confer cardio-protective benefits.

 

The French Paradox is an observation of a low prevalence of ischemic heart disease, with high intakes of saturated fat, a phenomenon accredited to the consumption of red wine. Although many epidemiological investigations have supported this view, others have attributed it to beer or spirits, with many suggesting that the drink type is not important.

 

Although excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages is commonly regarded to be detrimental to cardiovascular health, there is a debate as to whether light-to-moderate intake is cardio-protective. Although there is extensive epidemiological support for this drinking pattern, a consensus has not been reached.

 

On the basis of published work, we describe the composition of wine and the effects of constituent polyphenols on chronic cardiovascular diseases.

 

© 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

 

KEYWORDS:

French Paradox; alcohol drinking; myocardial ischemia; polyphenols; wine

 

PMID: 28993373

DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.030387

 

 

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Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

September 2018, Volume 32 (9), p 2665–2676

Copyright © 2018 by the National Strength & Conditioning Association.

https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00124278-201809000-00030

ISSN: 1064-8011

Brief Review

Recent Advancements in Our Understanding of the Ergogenic Effect of Respiratory Muscle Training in Healthy Humans : A Systematic Review

Shei, Ren-Jay

Abstract

Respiratory muscle training (RMT) has been shown to be an effective ergogenic aid for sport performance. Respiratory muscle training has been documented to improve performance in a wide range of exercise modalities including running, cycling, swimming, and rowing. The physiological effects of RMT that may explain the improvements in performance have been proposed to include diaphragm hypertrophy, muscle fiber–type switching, improved neural control of the respiratory muscles, increased respiratory muscle economy, attenuation of the respiratory muscle metaboreflex, and decreases in perceived breathlessness and exertion.

This review summarizes recent studies on the ergogenicity and mechanisms of RMT since 2013 when the topic was last systematically reviewed.

Recent evidence confirms the ergogenic effects of RMT and explores different loading protocols, such as concurrent exercise and RMT (i.e., “functional” RMT). These studies suggest that adapting new training protocols may have an additive improvement effect, but evidence of the efficacy of such an approach is conflicting thus far. Other recent investigations have furthered our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning RMT-associated improvements in performance. Importantly, changes in ventilatory efficiency, oxygen delivery, cytokine release, motor recruitment patterns, and respiratory muscle fatigue resistance are highlighted as potential mechanistic factors linking RMT with performance improvements.

It is suggested that future investigations focus on development of sport-specific RMT loading protocols, and that further work be undertaken to better understand the mechanistic basis of RMT-induced performance improvements.

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Today we discuss one of Chris's own papers that was part of his PhD, which looked into the biomarker ability of salivary testosterone and cortisol in response to training and competition in elite Rugby Union players. These findings were unique in that we have an ability for salivary Testosterone as a possible “predictor” of performance a few days later.  This has also been found in a couple of other rugby teams also, which is really interesting.  Hope you enjoy:

 

Relationship between Midweek Training Measures of Testosterone and Cortisol Concentrations and Game Outcome in Professional Rugby Union Matches

Gaviglio, Christopher M.; Cook, Christian J.

 

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

December 2014 - Volume 28 - Issue 12 - p 3447–3452

https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00124278-201412000-00017

 

The aim of this study was to assess the response of salivary-free testosterone and cortisol concentrations across selected midweek skill-based training sessions and their association with subsequent match outcome 3 days later.

 

Twenty-two rugby union players were assessed for salivary-free testosterone and cortisol concentrations before and after a midweek training session over 6 consecutive weeks. The relative percentage change (response) in the testosterone and cortisol concentration and the testosterone to cortisol (T/C) ratio was also determined. Game-day analysis consisted of pre-match testosterone concentrations and match outcome. Data were pooled across the winning (n = 3) and losing (n = 3) outcomes.

 

The midweek pre-training T/C ratio was significantly lower (p < 0.01) before a win than a loss and the increase in the pre- to post-T/C ratio before a win was significant (p < 0.001). The increase in the pre- to post-testosterone concentration before a win was also shown to be significant (p < 0.01). However, the relative changes in testosterone before games that were won were not statistically different to that of games lost (p > 0.01). Significant relationships were also demonstrated between game-day pre-testosterone concentrations and the midweek cortisol response (r = −0.90, p = 0.01) and midweek T/C ratio response (r = 0.90, p = 0.01).

 

In conclusion, a midweek measurement of the T/C ratio against a skill-based training session seems to show some potential as an early indicator of subsequent successfully executed performances in competitive rugby union. If this work is subsequently validated, further monitoring of midweek hormone concentrations in response to a mixed psychological-physical training session may assist with assessing competitive readiness leading up to competition.

 

 

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