Luis Viveiros

Physiological demands of match-play in elite tennis: A case study

Abstract The physiological and perceptual demands together with match notation of a four-set tennis match were studied in two elite professional players during the preparation for the 2008 Davis Cup. The design of this case report is unique in that it is the first to describe the demands of prolonged match-play (197 min) over four sets in ecologically valid conditions. The variables measured before and after each set included blood lactate and glucose concentrations, body mass, and perception of effort. Stroke count for each rally and heart rate were recorded during each set while salivary cortisol concentration was determined before and after the match. The rally length decreased as the match progressed. The results showed significant physiological stress, with each player losing greater than 2.5% of body mass (as fluid) and having elevated salivary cortisol concentrations after the match. Heart rate and perception of effort were also increased following each set indicating increasing stress. However, blood lactate decreased following the fourth set while blood glucose was maintained. The results also suggest that elite players may adjust work rates or tactics to cope with the increased perception of effort. This report shows that four sets of tennis are associated with increasing stress and fatigue.

MONITORING TRAINING LOAD, RECOVERY-STRESS STATE, IMMUNE-ENDOCRINE RESPONSES, AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN ELITE FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS DURING A PERIODIZED TRAINING PROGRAM

Abstract Nunes, JA, Moreira, A, Crewther, BT, Nosaka, K, Viveiros, L, and Aoki, MS. Monitoring training load, recovery-stress state, immune-endocrine responses, and physical performance in elite female basketball players during a periodized training program. J Strength Cond Res 28(10): 2973–2980, 2014—This study investigated the effect of a periodized training program on internal training load (ITL), recovery-stress state, immune-endocrine responses, and physical performance in 19 elite female basketball players. The participants were monitored across a 12-week period before an international championship, which included 2 overloading and tapering phases. The first overloading phase (fourth to sixth week) was followed by a 1-week tapering, and the second overloading phase (eighth to 10th week) was followed by a 2-week tapering. ITL (session rating of perceived exertion method) and recovery-stress state (RESTQ-76 Sport questionnaire) were assessed weekly and bi-weekly, respectively. Pretraining and posttraining assessments included measures of salivary IgA, testosterone and cortisol concentrations, strength, jumping power, running endurance, and agility. Internal training load increased across all weeks from 2 to 11 (p ⩽ 0.05). After the first tapering period (week 7), a further increase in ITL was observed during the second overloading phase (p ⩽ 0.05). After the second tapering period, a decrease in ITL was detected (p ⩽ 0.05). A disturbance in athlete stress-recovery state was noted during the second overloading period (p ⩽ 0.05), before returning to baseline level in end of the second tapering period. The training program led to significant improvements in the physical performance parameters evaluated. The salivary measures did not change despite the fluctuations in ITL. In conclusion, a periodized training program evoked changes in ITL in elite female basketball players, which appeared to influence their recovery-stress state. The training plan was effective in preparing participants for competition, as indicated by improvements in recovery-stress state and physical performance after tapering.

Salivary hormone and immune responses to three resistance exercise schemes in elite female athletes.

Nunes, JA, Crewther, BT, Ugrinowitsch, C, Tricoli, V, Viveiros, L, de Rose Jr, D, and Aoki, MS. Salivary hormone and immune responses to three resistance exercise schemes in elite female athletes J Strength Cond Res 25(8): 2322-2327, 2011—This study examined the salivary hormone and immune responses of elite female athletes to 3 different resistance exercise schemes. Fourteen female basketball players each performed an endurance scheme (ES—4 sets of 12 reps, 60% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) load, 1-minute rest periods), a strength-hypertrophy scheme (SHS—1 set of 5RM, 1 set of 4RM, 1 set of 3RM, 1 set of 2RM, and 1set of 1RM with 3-minute rest periods, followed by 3 sets of 10RM with 2-minute rest periods) and a power scheme (PS—3 sets of 10 reps, 50% 1RM load, 3-minute rest periods) using the same exercises (bench press, squat, and biceps curl). Saliva samples were collected at 07:30 hours, pre-exercise (Pre) at 09:30 hours, postexercise (Post), and at 17:30 hours. Matching samples were also taken on a nonexercising control day. The samples were analyzed for testosterone, cortisol (C), and immunoglobulin A concentrations. The total volume of load lifted differed among the 3 schemes (SHS > ES > PS, p < 0.05). Postexercise C concentrations increased after all schemes, compared to control values (p < 0.05). In the SHS, the postexercise C response was also greater than pre-exercise data (p < 0.05). The current findings confirm that high-volume resistance exercise schemes can stimulate greater C secretion because of higher metabolic demand. In terms of practical applications, acute changes in C may be used to evaluate the metabolic demands of different resistance exercise schemes, or as a tool for monitoring training strain.

Monitoramento do treinamento no judô: comparação entre a intensidade da carga planejada pelo técnico e a intensidade percebida pelo atleta

The aim of this study was to compare the perception concerning of the training load intensity of Judo coaches and athletes. The sample consisted of 4 coaches and 40 athletes of the Brazilian National Judo Team. The comparison between the intensity planned by the coach and the intensity experienced by the athletes was determined by the Session RPE method during a “Training camp”. In order to assess lactate responses to training, blood samples were collected pre- and post training session. The intensity experienced by athletes was higher than the intensity planned by coaches in all training sessions. Regarding lactate concentration, it was observed an increase at post-training as compared to pre-training in all sessions, with no differences between sessions. The results of this study demonstrate that although the training session has been developed by experienced coaches, significant differences were detected between the intensity of external training load planned by the coach and the intensity of the internal training load experienced by the athletes. These data reinforce the relevance of training monitoring in order to maximize performance of elite athletes.

CHANGES IN MUSCLE DAMAGE MARKERS IN FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS

The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in muscle soreness, blood muscle damage markers, muscle strength and agility following an official basketball match. Eleven elite female professional basketball players (27.4 ± 4.8 years, 179.5 ± 5.5 cm, 72.0 ± 7.8 kg) of a team participated in this study. The official match was the seventh match of the season in the first phase of the Brazilian National Female Basketball Championship. Muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase activity (CK), and myoglobin concentration (Mb) were determined before and after the match (post-match, 24 and 48 hours after the match). The 1RM strength for bench press and leg press, and the agility T test were assessed before and at 24 and 48 hours after the match. Significant increases in muscle soreness, CK and Mb were observed at 24 and 48 hours post-match (p<0.05). No significant changes in the 1RM strength and T test were detected during recovery (24 and 48 hours after the match). These results suggest that a basketball match induced limited muscle damage with minimal effect on performance during recovery. The small increase in muscle damage markers following a basketball match did not affect strength and agility performance.

Monitoramento da carga interna no basquetebol

The aim of this study was to quantify the magnitude of the internal load induced by an official women’s basketball match and to determine whether the magnitude of the internal load is correlated with the number of basketball maneuvers perfomed. The sample consisted of 10 athletes (25 ± 4 years), who participated in the XI Brazilian Women’s Basketball Championship. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion in response to the match were evaluated. The internal load was calculated by the methods of Edwards and Foster. In addition, the basketball maneuvers perfomed in the match were analyzed. The internal load estimated by the methods of Edwards and Foster was 255 ± 62 and 321 ± 127 arbitrary units, respectively. A moderate correlation was observed between the two methods used (r = 0.64, p <0.05). In addition, significant correlations (p <0.05) were observed between internal load estimated by the method of Edwards and the number of points scored in the match (r = 0.53), number of rebounds (r = 0.67), number of assists (r = 0.59), number of steals (r = 0.70), and the sum of all indicators (r = 0.64). The results of this study suggest that the internal load of the match was moderate and was influenced by the number of maneuvers performed by the athletes in the match.

Ciência do Esporte no Brasil: reflexões sobre o desenvolvimento das pesquisas, o cenário atual e as perspectivas futuras

Brazil has recently hosted one of the most important sports events in the world, the 2014 Soccer World Cup, and in a near future will host the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. These events may be considered as a great opportunity to develop Sport Science in Brazil. Sport Science can be defined by a scientific process used to guide the practice of sport with the ultimate aim of improving sporting performance. However, despite this goal, the general consensus is that Sport Science research is not currently informing/guiding sport practice. This essay revisits the model for developing Sports Science proposed earlier by Bishop1, discusses the Sport Science scenario in Brazil, and also pointed out the future perspectives. The directions from the revisited model in conjunction with the discussions undertaken in this essay may aid a sport scientist to develop applied studies which results might be adopted to guide sport practice and maximize performance.

Pattern of Weight Loss of Young Female and Male Wrestlers

Abstract Viveiros, L, Moreira, A, Zourdos, MC, Aoki, MS, and Capitani, CD. Pattern of weight loss of young female and male wrestlers. J Strength Cond Res 29(11): 3149–3155, 2015—The aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude of rapid weight loss (RWL) of female and male young wrestlers at the Brazilian high-school games. High-school wrestlers (females: n = 16, 13 ± 2 years; males: n = 15, 13 ± 2 years) participated in this study. The official weigh-in was conducted 24 hours before competition. Immediately after the official weigh-in, wrestlers completed a hydration habits and a standardized weight loss questionnaires. Twenty-four hours later, wrestlers took part in an unofficial prematch weigh-in. Sodium, potassium, chloride, hematocrit, and hemoglobin were measured immediately before the first competitive match by iSTAT Blood Gas Analyzer. A significant body mass increase was observed from the official weigh-in to the prematch weigh-in (females: 2.7 ± 1.4 kg and males: 1.5 ± 0.9 kg; p ⩽ 0.05) with significantly greater body mass increase in females (6.3%) vs. males (3.1%) (p ⩽ 0.05). Rapid weight loss practices were exercised by 42.0% of the wrestlers. Furthermore, 46.2% of those who performed RWL practices reported side effects, which they perceived negatively altered past performance. Despite RWL and subsequent body mass increase, all biomarkers (sodium, potassium, chloride, hematocrit, and hemoglobin) were in the normal range at the prematch weigh-in. The majority (82.0%) of the athletes agreed that hydration habits are important to health and performance. It seems that although wrestlers acknowledge negative performance effects due to RWL, the practice is still exercised among both female and male wrestlers. Therefore, educational programs should be implemented in high-school athletes to discourage RWL and provide information for exercise and nutritional strategies to maintain a healthy body mass and avoid chronic health issues.

Monitoring internal load in basketball

The aim of this study was to quantify the magnitude of the internal load induced by an official women’s basketball match and to determine whether the magnitude of the internal load is correlated with the number of basketball maneuvers perfomed. The sample consisted of 10 athletes (25 ± 4 years), who participated in the XI Brazilian Women’s Basketball Championship. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion in response to the match were evaluated. The internal load was calculated by the methods of Edwards and Foster. In addition, the basketball maneuvers perfomed in the match were analyzed. The internal load estimated by the methods of Edwards and Foster was 255 ± 62 and 321 ± 127 arbitrary units, respectively. A moderate correlation was observed between the two methods used (r = 0.64, p <0.05). In addition, significant correlations (p <0.05) were observed between internal load estimated by the method of Edwards and the number of points scored in the match (r = 0.53), number of rebounds (r = 0.67), number of assists (r = 0.59), number of steals (r = 0.70), and the sum of all indicators (r = 0.64). The results of this study suggest that the internal load of the match was moderate and was influenced by the number of maneuvers performed by the athletes in the match.

Monitoring internal load in basketball. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2011v13n1p67

The aim of this study was to quantify the magnitude of the internal load induced by an official women’s basketball match and to determine whether the magnitude of the internal load is correlated with the number of basketball maneuvers perfomed. The sample consisted of 10 athletes (25 ± 4 years), who participated in the XI Brazilian Women’s Basketball Championship. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion in response to the match were evaluated. The internal load was calculated by the methods of Edwards and Foster. In addition, the basketball maneuvers perfomed in the match were analyzed. The internal load estimated by the methods of Edwards and Foster was 255 ± 62 and 321 ± 127 arbitrary units, respectively. A moderate correlation was observed between the two methods used (r = 0.64, p <0.05). In addition, significant correlations (p <0.05) were observed between internal load estimated by the method of Edwards and the number of points scored in the match (r = 0.53), number of rebounds (r = 0.67), number of assists (r = 0.59), number of steals (r = 0.70), and the sum of all indicators (r = 0.64). The results of this study suggest that the internal load of the match was moderate and was influenced by the number of maneuvers performed by the athletes in the match.