Bettina Karsten

The Effects of Sport-Specific Maximal Strength and Conditioning Training on Critical Velocity, Anaerobic Running Distance, and 5-km Race Performance

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of a sport-specific maximal 6-wk strength and conditioning program on critical velocity (CV), anaerobic running distance (ARD), and 5-km time-trial performance (TT). METHODS 16 moderately trained recreational endurance runners were tested for CV, ARD, and TT performances on 3 separate occasions (baseline, midstudy, and poststudy). DESIGN Participants were randomly allocated into a strength and conditioning group (S&C; n = 8) and a comparison endurance-training-only group (EO; n = 8). During the first phase of the study (6 wk), the S&C group performed concurrent maximal strength and endurance training, while the EO group performed endurance-only training. After the retest of all variables (midstudy), both groups subsequently, during phase 2, performed another 6 wk of endurance-only training that was followed by poststudy tests. RESULTS No significant change for CV was identified in either group. The S&C group demonstrated a significant decrease for ARD values after phases 1 and 2 of the study. TT performances were significantly different in the S&C group after the intervention, with a performance improvement of 3.62%. This performance increase returned close to baseline after the 6-wk endurance-only training. CONCLUSION Combining a 6-wk resistance-training program with endurance training significantly improves 5-km TT performance. Removing strength training results in some loss of those performance improvements.

Comparison of inter-trial recovery times for the determination of critical power and W' in cycling

ABSTRACT Critical Power (CP) and W’ are often determined using multi-day testing protocols. To investigate this cumbersome testing method, the purpose of this study was to compare the differences between the conventional use of a 24-h inter-trial recovery time with those of 3 h and 30 min for the determination of CP and W’. Methods: 9 moderately trained cyclists performed an incremental test to exhaustion to establish the power output associated with the maximum oxygen uptake (pmax), and 3 protocols requiring time-to-exhaustion trials at a constant work-rate performed at 80%, 100% and 105% of pmax. Design: Protocol A utilised 24-h inter-trial recovery (CP24/W’24), protocol B utilised 3-h inter-trial recovery (CP3/W’3), and protocol C used 30-min inter-trial recovery period (CP0.5/W’0.5). CP and W’ were calculated using the inverse time (1/t) versus power (P) relation (P = W’(1/t) + CP). Results: 95% Limits of Agreement between protocol A and B were −9 to 15 W; −7.4 to 7.8 kJ (CP/W’) and between protocol A and protocol C they were −27 to 22 W; −7.2 to 15.1 kJ (CP/W’). Compared to criterion protocol A, the average prediction error of protocol B was 2.5% (CP) and 25.6% (W’), whilst for protocol C it was 3.7% (CP) and 32.9% (W’). Conclusion: 3-h and 30-min inter-trial recovery time protocols provide valid methods of determining CP but not W’ in cycling.

Alcohol consumption and hormonal alterations related to muscle hypertrophy: a review

Detrimental effects of acute and chronic alcohol (ethanol) consumption on human physiology are well documented in the literature. These adversely influence neural, metabolic, cardiovascular, and thermoregulatory functions. However, the side effects of ethanol consumption on hormonal fluctuations and subsequent related skeletal muscle alterations have received less attention and as such are not entirely understood. The focus of this review is to identify the side effects of ethanol consumption on the major hormones related to muscle metabolism and clarify how the hormonal profiles are altered by such consumption.

Comparison of Two Equated Resistance Training Weekly Volume Routines Using Different Frequencies on Body Composition and Performance in Trained Males

The present study compared the effects of 2 weekly-equalized volume and relative load interventions on body composition, strength, and power. Based on individual baseline maximal strength values, 18 recreationally trained men were pair-matched and consequently randomly assigned to one of the following experimental groups: a low volume per session with a high frequency (LV-HF, n = 9) group who trained for 4 days (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays) or a high volume per session and low frequency (HV-LF, n = 9) group who trained for 2 days (Mondays and Thursdays). Both groups performed 2 different routines over 6 weeks. Participants were tested pre- and post- intervention for maximal strength, upper body power, fat-free mass, limb circumferences, and muscle thickness. Compared with baseline values, both groups increased their fat-free mass (HV-LF: +1.19 ± 1.94; LV-HF: +1.36 ± 1.06 kg, p < 0.05) and vastus medialis thickness (HV-LF: +2.18 ± 1.88, p < 0.01; LV-HF: +1.82 ± 2.43 mm, p < 0.05), but only the HV-LF group enhanced arm circumference (1.08 ± 1.47 cm, p < 0.05) and elbow flexors thickness (2.21 ± 2.81 mm, P < 0.01) values and decreased their fat mass (-2.41 ± 1.10, P < 0.01). Both groups improved (p < 0.01) the maximal loads lifted in the bench press (LV-HF: +0.14 ± 0.01; HV-LF: +0.14 ± 0.01 kg·body mass-1) and the squat (LV-HF: +0.14 ± 0.06; HV-LF: 0.17 ± 0.01 kg·body mass-1) exercises as well as in upper body power (LV-HF: +0.22 ± 0.25; HV-LF: +0.27 ± 0.22 W·body mass-1) Although both training strategies improved performance and lower body muscle mass, only the HV-LF protocol increased upper body hypertrophy and improved body composition.

The effects of physical training without equipment on pain perception and balance in the elderly: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Research supports a link between exercise and falls prevention in the older population. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to evaluate pain perception and balance skills in a group of elderly subjects and to examine the consequences of a standardized equipment-free exercise program intervention on these variables. The study utilized a randomized controlled trial method. METHODS: 92 subjects were recruited from a rural Sicilian village (Resuttano, Sicily, Italy). Subjects were randomly split into two groups, an experimental group (EG; n = 49) and a control group (CG; n = 43). Qualified fitness instructors delivered the standardized physical exercise program for the EG whilst the CG did not receive this exercise intervention. The Berg Balance Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index were administered in both groups before (T0) and after the intervention (T1). RESULTS: At T1, the EG group significantly improvement in balance (p < 0.0001) and pain perception (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found within the CG both in BBS and ODI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a 13-weeks standardized exercise equipment-free program is effective in improving balance and perception of pain in the elderly. This type of intervention can consequently provide a low cost strategy to counteract the rate of disability in elderly.

Different durations within the method of best practice affect the parameters of the speed–duration relationship

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine whether estimates of the speed–duration relationship are affected using different time-trial (TT) field-based testing protocols, where exhaustive times were located within the generally recommended durations of 2–15 min. Ten triathletes (mean ± SD age: 31.0 ± 5.7 years; height: 1.81 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 76.5 ± 6.8 kg) performed two randomly assigned field tests to determine critical speed (CS) and the total distance covered above CS (D́). CS and D́ were obtained using two different protocols comprising three TT that were interspersed by 60 min passive rest. The TTs were 12, 7, and 3 min in Protocol I and 10, 5, and 2 min in Protocol II. A linear relationship of speed vs. the inverse of time (s = D́ × 1/t + CS) was used to determine parameter estimates. Significant differences were found for CS (p = 0.026), but not for D́ (p = 0.123). The effect size for CS (d = 0.305) was considered small, while that for D́ was considered moderate (d = 0.742). CS was significantly correlated between protocols (r = 0.934; p < 0.001), however, no correlation was found for D́ (r = 0.053; p = 0.884). The 95% limits of agreement were ±0.28m s−1 and ±73.9 m for CS and D́, respectively. These findings demonstrate that the choice of exhaustive times within commonly accepted durations results in different estimates of CS and D́, and thus protocols cannot be used interchangeably. The use of a consistent protocol is therefore recommended, when investigating or monitoring the speed–duration relationship estimates in well-trained athletes.

Reliability of the parameters of the power-duration relationship using maximal effort time-trials under laboratory conditions

The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of critical power (CP) and the total amount of work accomplished above CP (W´) across repeated tests using ecologically valid maximal effort time-trials (TT) under laboratory conditions. After an initial incremental exercise test, ten well-trained male triathletes (age: 28.5 ± 4.7 years; body mass: 73.3 ± 7.9 kg; height: 1.80 ± 0.07 m; maximal aerobic power [MAP]: 329 ± 41 W) performed three testing sessions (Familiarization, Test I and Test II) each comprising three TT (12, 7, and 3 min with a passive recovery of 60 min between trials). CP and W´ were determined using a linear regression of power vs. the inverse of time (1/t) (P = W´ ∙ 1/t + CP). A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to detect differences in CP and W´ and reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the coefficient of variation (CoV). CP and W´ values were not significantly different between repeated tests (P = 0.171 and P = 0.078 for CP and W´, respectively). The ICC between Familiarization and Test I was r = 0.86 (CP) and r = 0.58 (W´) and between Tests I and II it was r = 0.94 (CP) and r = 0.95 (W´). The CoV notably decreased from 4.1% to 2.6% and from 25.3% to 8.2% for CP and W´, respectively. Despite the non-significant differences for both parameter estimates between Familiarization, Test I, and Test II, ICC and CoV values improved notably after the familiarization trial. Our novel findings indicate that for both, CP and W´ a familiarization trial increased reliability. It is therefore advisable to familiarize well-trained athletes when determining the power-duration relationship using TT under laboratory conditions.

Effects of supplementation with beef or whey protein versus carbohydrate in master triathletes

ABSTRACT Objective: The present study compares the effect of ingesting hydrolyzed beef protein, whey protein, and carbohydrate on performance, body composition (via plethysmography), muscular thickness, and blood indices of health, including ferritin concentrations, following a 10-week intervention program.Methods: After being randomly assigned to one of the following groups—beef, whey, or carbohydrate—24 master-age (35–60 years old) male triathletes (n = 8 per treatment) ingested 20 g of supplement mixed with plain water once a day (immediately after training or before breakfast). All measurements were performed pre- and postinterventions.Results: Only beef significantly reduced body mass (p = 0.021) along with a trend to preserve or increase thigh muscle mass (34.1 ± 6.1 vs 35.5 ± 7.4 mm). Both whey (38.4 ± 3.8 vs 36.9 ± 2.8 mm) and carbohydrate (36.0 ± 4.8 vs 34.1 ± 4.4 mm) interventions demonstrated a significantly (p < 0.05) decreased vastus medialis thickness Additionally, the beef condition produced a significant (p < 0.05) increase in ferritin concentrations (117 ± 78.3 vs 150.5 ± 82.8 ng/mL). No such changes were observed for the whey (149.1 ± 92.1 vs 138.5 ± 77.7 ng/mL) and carbohydrate (149.0 ± 41.3 vs 150.0 ± 48.1 ng/mL) groups. Furthermore, ferritin changes in the beef group were higher than the modification observed in whey (p < 0.001) and carbohydrate (p = 0.025) groups. No differences were found between whey and carbohydrate conditions (p = 0.223). No further changes were observed.Conclusion: Ingesting a hydrolyzed beef protein beverage after workout or before breakfast (nontraining days) can be effective in preserving thigh muscle mass and in improving iron status in male master-age triathletes.

Retraction Note: Alcohol consumption and hormonal alterations related to muscle hypertrophy: a review

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1186/1743-7075-11-26.].