Angelo Rodio

Physiological characteristics of America's Cup sailors

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the physiological profile of Americas Cup grinders and mastmen, by measuring energy expenditure during sailing and assessing their aerobic and anaerobic fitness. The study focused on estimating the energy used during grinding activity, by measuring oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2) during sail setting in real sailing conditions. In the laboratory, using an arm-cranking ergometer, we measured [Vdot]O2peak during an incremental maximal exercise test and total energy expended during the effort and recovery phases of an all-out test that simulated grinding activity, in six grinders and mastmen and ten sailors of the same crew. Total energy used during grinding corresponded to 45% (s = 9) and 51% (s = 5) of that used in the all-out test (234 kJ, s = 21.7) for tacks and gybes, respectively. In both grinding activity and the all-out test, [Vdot]O2 increased during and after the effort. The “[Vdot]O2 top value” was 53% (s = 8.6), 68% (s = 5.5), and 78% (s = 3.1) of [Vdot]O2peak (4.7 l · min−1, s = 0.43) in tacks, gybes, and the all-out test, respectively. During fast sequences of grinding activity, the “[Vdot]O2 top value” reached 65% (s = 7.1) [Vdot]O2peak in tacks and 91% (s = 3.3) [Vdot]O2peak in gybes. Our results suggest that grinders and mastmen are characterized by a high anaerobic capacity but their performance can be improved by powering aerobic fitness, to increase this energy contribution to all-out efforts and to guarantee fast recovery when grinding activity is repeated with short rest intervals.

Physiological adaptation in noncompetitive rock climbers: good for aerobic fitness?

The present investigation aimed to establish whether noncompetitive rock climbing fulfills sports medicine recommendations for maintaining a good level of aerobic fitness. The physiological profile of 13 rock climbers, 8 men (age, 43 ± 8 years) and 5 women (age, 31 ± 8 years) was assessed by means of laboratory tests. Maximal aerobic power (&OV0312;o2peak) and ventilatory threshold (VT) were assessed using a cycloergometer incremental test. During outdoor rock face climbing, &OV0312;o2 and heart rate (HR) were measured with a portable metabolimeter and the relative steady-state values (&OV0312;o2 and HR during rock climbing) were computed. Blood lactate was measured during recovery. All data are presented as mean ± SD. &OV0312;o2peak was 39.1 ± 4.3 mL·kg−1·min−1 in men and 39.7 ± 5 mL·kg−1·min−1 in women, while VT was 29.4 ± 3.0 mL·kg−1·min−1 in men and 28.8 ± 4.6 mL·kg−1·min−1 in women. The &OV0312;o2 during rock climbing was 28.3 ± 1.5 mL·kg−1·min−1 in men and 27.5 ± 3.7 mL·kg−1·min−1 in women. The HR during rock climbing was 144 ± 16 b·min−1 in men and 164 ± 13 b·min−1 in women. The aerobic profile was classified from excellent to superior in accordance with the standards of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The exercise intensity (&OV0312;o2 during rock climbing expressed as a percentage of &;o2peak) was 70 ± 6% in men and 72 ± 8% in women. Moreover, the energy expenditure was 1000-1500 kcal per week. In conclusion, noncompetitive rock climbing has proved to be a typical aerobic activity. The intensity of exercise is comparable to that recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine to maintain good cardiorespiratory fitness.

Body mass index has a curvilinear relationship with the percentage of body fat among children

BackgroundBody Mass Index (BMI), which is defined as the ratio between weight (in kg) and height (in m2), is often used in clinical practice as well as in large scale epidemiological studies to classify subjects as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. Although BMI does not directly measure the percentage of Body Fat (BF%), it is widely applied because it is strongly related with BF%, it is easy to measure and it is an important predictor of mortality. Among children, age and sex-specific reference values of BMI, known as percentiles, are used. However, it is not clear how strong the relationship between BMI and BF% is among children and whether the association is linear. We performed a cross-sectional study aiming at evaluating the strength and shape of the relationship between BMI and BF% among school-aged children aged 6-12 years.FindingsThe study was conducted on a sample of 361 football-playing male children aged 6 to 12 years in Rome, Italy. Age, weight, height and skinfold thickness were collected. BF% was estimated using 4 skinfold equations whereas BMI was converted into BMI-for-age z-score. The relationship between these variables was examined using linear regression analyses. Mean BMI was 18.2 (± 2.8), whereas BF% was influenced by the skinfold equation used, with mean values ranging from 15.6% to 23.0%. A curvilinear relationship between BMI-for-age zscore and BF % was found, with the regression line being convex. The association between BMI-for-age zscore and BF% was stronger among overweight/obese children than among normal/underweight children. This curvilinear pattern was evident in all 4 skinfold equations used.ConclusionsThe association between BMI-for-age zscore and BF% is not linear among male children aged 6-12 years and it is stronger among overweight and obese subjects than among normal and underweight subjects. In this age group, BMI is a valid index of adiposity only among overweight and obese subjects.

Downhill walking to improve lower limb strength in healthy young adults

Abstract Walking is the most natural physical activity to maintain and improve fitness and health. Walking downhill is usefully adopted to plan training programmes to improve the strength, particularly in older adults. The present research was aimed to evaluate the influence of downhill walking on leg strength in young adult. A total of 32 females (age 26 ± 4 years; height 1.64 ± 0.05 m; body mass 57.6 ± 5.6 kg) were divided into four groups and they carried out an exercise intervention consisting of three sessions per week for 6 weeks, each lasting 30 minutes. Groups were defined at several workloads characterised by treadmill inclination (%) and walking speed (m·s−1): Level Walking at treadmill inclination 0% and walking speed 1.0; Uphill Walking at +20%, 0.75; Downhill Walking (DW) at −20%, 1.36; and Mixed Walking at +20%, 0.75 and −20%, 1.36 each lasting 15 minutes. Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) developed by the Quadriceps Femoris and Endurance Time at 60% MVC were evaluated before and after experimental period. At the end of each session, Borgs scale and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were adopted in order to evaluate perception of rate exertion and pain. Statistical analysis showed significant only in MVC for DW in both right and left legs. Borgs scale and VAS described light activity free of pain. Present findings showed how an eccentric exercise, short lasting and at a low workload, can be useful in inducing improvements in leg strength.

Workload comparison between hiking and indoor physical activity.

Abstract Fattorini, L, Pittiglio, G, Federico, B, Pallicca, A, Bernardi, M, and Rodio, A. Workload comparison between hiking and indoor physical activity. J Strength Cond Res 26(10): 2883–2889, 2012—Walking is a physical activity able to maintain and improve aerobic fitness. This activity can easily be performed in all seasons both outdoors and indoors, but when it is performed in its natural environment, the use of specific equipment is required. In particular, it has been demonstrated that the use of trekking boots (TBs) induces a larger workload than those used indoors. Because an adequate fitness level is needed to practice hiking in safety, it is useful to know the energy demand of such an activity. This research aims at defining the metabolic engagement of hiking on natural paths with specific equipment at several speeds and comparing this with indoor ones (on a treadmill). This can thence be used to define the load that better reflects the one required to walk on natural paths. The walking energy cost (joules per kilogram per meter) at several speeds (0.28, 0.56, 0.84, 1.11, and 1.39 m·s−1)—on level natural terrain while wearing suitable footwear (TBs) and on a treadmill at various raising slopes (0, 1, 2, 3, 4%) while wearing running shoes—was measured in 14 healthy young men (age 23.9 ± 2.9 years, stature 1.75 ± 0.04 m, and body mass 72.9 ± 6.3 kg). A physiological evaluation of all the subjects was performed before energy cost measurements. The results showed that outdoors, the oxygen uptake was consistently less than the ventilatory threshold at all speeds tested and that a 3% slope on the treadmill best reflects the outdoor walking energy expenditure. These findings will prove useful to plan proper training for hiking activity or mixed (outdoors and indoors) training program.

Upper limb aerobic training improves aerobic fitness and all-out performance of America's Cup grinders

Abstract This research on “Americas Cup” grinders investigated the effects of a specific eight-week long-arm cranking ergometer (ACE) training on upper body (UB) aerobic fitness (ventilatory threshold – Tvent, respiratory compensation point- RCP, –oxygen uptake peak – O2peak) and high intensity working capacity. The training consisted of sessions carried out for 20–30 mins, three times per week, at an intensity between the UB-Tvent and UB-RCP, and replaced part of a typical lower limb aerobic training whilst maintaining the usual weekly schedule of callisthenics, resistance training and sailing. Seven sailors, including four grinders and three mastmen (age 30 ± 5.5 years, height 1.9 ± 0.04 m, body mass 102 ± 3.6 kg), were evaluated through both an ACE cardiopulmonary maximal exercise test (CPET) and an ACE all-out up to exhaustion exercise test, before and after the ACE training. UB aerobic fitness improved significantly: UB-O2peak increased from 4.29 ± 0.442 to 4.52 ± 0.522 l·min−1 (6.4 ± 3.66%), O2 at UB-Tvent from 2.42 ± 0.282 to 2.97 ± 0.328 l·min−1 (22.8 ± 5.09%) and O2 at UB-RCP from 3.25 ± 0.402 to 3.75 ± 0.352 l·min−1 (16.1 ± 10.83%). Peak power at the ACE CPET increased from 351 ± 27.5 to 387 ± 33.5 W (10.5 ± 6.93%). The all-out test total mechanical work increased from 28.9 ± 2.35 to 40.1 ± 3.76 kJ (72.1 ± 4.67%). In conclusion, a high intensity aerobic ACE training can be effective in improving grinding performance by increasing UB aerobic fitness and all-out working capacity.

Forestry work in the Italians alps: metabolic demand assessed by heart rate

Objective : This research aims to: a) assess the energy expenditure during typical forestry activities; b) assess the actual workload of forestry work; c) define the eventual relationship between oxygen uptake ( ) and heart rate during the studied working phases. Methods : Eleven healthy skilled forestry workers were studied. Using a portable device, oxygen uptake ( ), carbon dioxide output ( ), pulmonary ventilation ( ) and heart rate (HR) were measured. The forestry work was divided into four phases: walking uphill, felling, limbing & chain-sawing and complementary activities. A work time report was kept and in each phase a weighted average (WA) of all parameters was obtained. Results :Walking uphill, felling, limbing & chain-sawing activities did not show significant statistical differences between each other and were classified as heavy activities (mean 2.17 lmin-1,mean HR 157 beatmin-1). The complementary activity was found to be less demanding and statistically differed in respect to the others ( 0.55 l min-1, HR 98 beat min-1). By theWA, the actual workload of forestry work resulted in a moderate to heavyoptimal job ( and HR being 1.51 l min-1 and 133.5 beat min-1 respectively in a typical working day). Furthermore it was possible to set up a relationship between and HR for the forestry work. Conclusions : Forestry activity can be classified as moderate to heavy-optimal. Finally, a good and linear correlation between and HR proved to be an easy tool to evaluate the metabolic demand.

Acoustic and visual pacesetter influence on the energy expenditure in a cycling exercise

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acoustic and visual pacesetters on the energy expenditure in a steady state 30-minute long cycling. METHODS Eighteen healthy male subjects (age 27.6 ± 4.59 years; height 1.78 ± 0.07 m; body mass 80.1 ± 7.85 kg) performed a 30-minute submaximal exercise at a constant workload on a cycle ergometer. The imposed workload required a metabolic expenditure corresponding to 70% of ventilatory threshold for each subject. Energy expenditure - expressed as a caloric equivalent relative to the total net oxygen consumption during exercise - was evaluated using three conditions: control (CT), no external pacesetter; acoustic (AT), listening to rhythmic acoustic stimuli at 120 beat per minute; and visual (VT), seeing footage consisting of eight different images in a looped sequence at 120 frames per minute. RESULTS All measured parameters qualified the exercise as requiring mainly an aerobic metabolism, showing no pain and no fatigue. AT and VT energy expenditure (5.0±0.44 and 4.9±0.39 MET respectively) were significantly lower compared to CT (5.5±0.49 MET), while no difference between AT and VT were recognised. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed the ergogenic effect of the acoustic pacesetter on a 30-minute steady state rhythmic exercise. Novelty is that the visual pacesetter too was able to increase the mechanical efficiency as the same manner than the acoustic one. The present setting adopting visual pacesetter could be used in special categories, such as the deaf or in innovative technological tools as head-mounted display devices.

Evaluation of the internal training load in fitness activities: Preliminary results

Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and session-RPE methods are widely used as estimate of exercise intensity and to quantify training load in sport activities. However, no information is available in fitness activities although people are often engaged in high intensity physical activities and monitoring individual responses to the training stimulus could provide important feedback on the adaptation to training. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to verify the use of session-RPE using Edwards’ summated heart rate (HR)-zone method as a criterion measure (Herman et al., 2006). After giving their informed consent of participations, 20 volunteers (M=5; F=15; mean age: 21±10 years) practicing regular group-based fitness activities (i.e., 3 weekly sessions of Fit-boxe), participated in the study. Heart rate during the fitness lessons and CR-10 Borg’s scale 30 minutes after the end of the exercise session were recorded. Edwards’ HR method was determined by expressing the HR recordings as percentages of the athlete’s theoretical maximal HR (220-age), multiplying by a specific factor the accumulated time (minutes) in 5 HR zones (50–60% of HRmax=1; 60–70% of HRmax=2; 70–80% of HRmax=3; 80–90% of HRmax=4; 90–100% of HRmax=5), and summating the scores. Session-RPE was calculated multiplying RPE value by the training duration (minutes). RPE recorded 30 minutes after the end of the lesson was 6.1±1.4 points. High and significant correlation (r = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.41-0.88; p = 0.0006) emerged between Edwards’ HR (145.5±32.6 AU) and the session-RPE (247.7±71.6 AU) methods. Results from this preliminary study show that session-RPE can be a useful and inexpensive tool to quantify internal training load in fitness activities, and instructors could use this instrument to monitor their clients, especially when considering the high inter-individual variability of group-based fitness activities.