Michael Kellmann

Preventing overtraining in athletes in high-intensity sports and stress/recovery monitoring.

In sports, the importance of optimizing the recovery–stress state is critical. Effective recovery from intense training loads often faced by elite athletes can often determine sporting success or failure. In recent decades, athletes, coaches, and sport scientists have been keen to find creative, new methods for improving the quality and quantity of training for athletes. These efforts have consistently faced barriers, including overtraining, fatigue, injury, illness, and burnout. Physiological and psychological limits dictate a need for research that addresses the avoidance of overtraining, maximizes recovery, and successfully negotiates the fine line between high and excessive training loads. Monitoring instruments like the Recovery–Stress Questionnaire for Athletes can assist with this research by providing a tool to assess their perceived state of recovery. This article will highlight the importance of recovery for elite athletes and provide an overview of monitoring instruments.

Self-regulation and Recovery: Approaching an Understanding of the Process of Recovery From Stress.

Stress has been studied extensively in psychology. Only recently, however, has research started to address the question of how individuals manage to recover from stress. Recovery from stress is analyzed as a process of self-regulation. Several individual difference variables which affect the efficiency of self-regulation have been integrated into a structured model of the recovery process. Such variables are action versus state orientation (a tendency to ruminate, e.g., about a past experience) and volitional components, such as self-determination, self-motivation, emotion control, rumination, and self-discipline. Some of these components are assumed to promote recovery from stress, whereas others are assumed to further the perseverance of stress. The model was supported by the empirical findings of three independent studies (Study 1, N = 58; Study 2, N = 221; Study 3, N=105). Kuhls Action Control Scale measured action versus state orientation. Volitional components were assessed with Kuhl and Fuhrmanns Volitional Components Questionnaire. The amounts of experienced stress and recovery from stress was assessed with Kellmann and Kalluss Recovery-Stress Questionnaire. As hypothesized in the model, the disposition towards action versus state orientation was a more distant determinant of the recovery from stress and perseverance of stress. The volitional components are more proximal determinants in the recovery process. Action orientation promotes recovery from stress via adequate volitional skills, e.g., self-determination, self-motivation, emotion control, whereas state orientation furthers a perseverance of stress through rumination and self-discipline.

Mood, Recovery-Stress State, and Regeneration

Stressful high intensity training periods are necessary to obtain high performance in sports. However, the simple rule ‘the more — the better’ does not apply in this context. A lot of studies clearly showed that systematic recovery periods in the training process are necessary to prevent an overtraining syndrome or staleness, and to obtain overreaching for further performance improvement. Sportmedical assessment of athletes’ training states are used as valuable tools to determine the necessary amount of training and recovery in preparing an athlete for peak performance. In addition, authors using the Borg’s Rating of Perceived Exhaustion (RPE,or the Profile of Mood States (POMS,clearly showed that changes in training load are reflected in subjective states and in the mood of athletes,In particular, studies dealing with the POMS have demonstrated that the typical ‘Iceberg-Profile’ of the well-trained athlete changes during a phase of intensive training and deteriorates during overtraining.Morgan at al. reported mood changes in swimmers during the season. Early in the season, swimmers displayed the ‘Iceberg-Profile’, a profile indicative of positive mental health that is associated with successful athletic performance. During overtraining, however, mood disturbances significantly increased and were accompanied by a profile reflecting diminished mental health. After training stimulus was significantly reduced following a taper, the swimmers again exhibited the original ‘Iceberg-Profile’. More recently, the existence of a dose-response relationship was demonstrated between training volume and mood disturbances Increases in training volume parallel corresponding elevations in mood disturbance (e.g., greater anger, depression, tension, fatigue, and less vigor and well-being).

Research and intervention in sport psychology: New perspectives for an inherent conflict

Abstract Most research publications in sport psychology are of only limited use for solving the practical problems of athletes and coaches. This paper focuses on two major problems responsible for this apparent gap between research and its application. First, most studies in applied settings are conducted for research purposes only. Second, the transfer of sport psychological knowledge gained in laboratory and field studies to actual applications is impeded by limitations due to settings, study design, artificial performance tasks, and nonathletic samples. A problem‐centered approach is proposed that could bridge this gap by integrating applied research and intervention. Action research provides an example for such a solution. This procedure enhances the acceptance of sport psychological interventions and subsequently improves their quality.

Attitudes toward sport psychology consulting of adult athletes from the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes about sport psychology consulting of athletes living in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany. The Sport Psychology Attitudes ‐ Revised form (SPA‐R; Martin, Kellmann, Lavallee, & Page, 2002) was administered to 404 athletes from the United States, 147 athletes from the United Kingdom, and 260 athletes from Germany. A 2 (Gender) x 3 (Nationality: American, British, and German) × 2 (Type of Sport: physical contact and physical non‐contact) MANCOVA was conducted with past sport psychology consulting experience as a covariate and attitudes about sport psychology as dependent variables. Follow‐up univariate and discriminant function analyses were then performed to identify the attitudes that maximized differences related to gender, nationality, and type of sport. Results revealed that attitudes about sport psychology services might be influenced by gender, nationality, and type of sport. Sport psychology practitioners must be sensitive to how personal characteristics and past experiences influence athletes’ expectations and attitudes toward sport psychology consulting to improve the services they offer.

Validity of the acute recovery and stress scale: training monitoring of the German junior national field hockey team

The aim of the present study was to examine the sensitivity of the Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS). This new psychometric questionnaire was developed to assess the physical, mental, emotional, and overall recovery and stress states of athletes. During a five-day field hockey training camp of the German Junior National Field Hockey Team (n = 25) the ARSS was administered every morning and evening. The study indicated swift reactions of the scores of the physical and general factors as well as stability of scores for the emotional factors in accordance with the training schedule. The straining effect of the camp was best reflected by the adaptations of the scales Physical Performance Capability(F2.9, 60.3 = 10.0, p< 0.001) and Muscular Stress(F4, 84 = 16.7, p < 0.001). The results support the ability of the ARSS to monitor recovery-stress (im-)balances in this sample. Thus, the questionnaire has shown to be a sensitive and practical tool that might be suitable for elite sport settings.

The longer the better: Sleep-wake patterns during preparation of the World Rowing Junior Championships.

ABSTRACT Recovery is essential for high athletic performance, and therefore especially sleep has been identified as a crucial source for physical and psychological well-being. However, due to early-morning trainings, which are general practice in many sports, athletes are likely to experience sleep restrictions. Therefore, this study investigated the sleep–wake patterns of 55 junior national rowers (17.7 ± 0.6 years) via sleep logs and actigraphy during a four-week training camp. Recovery and stress ratings were obtained every morning with the Short Recovery and Stress Scale on a 7-point Likert-type scale ranging from 0 (does not apply at all) to 6 (fully applies). The first training session was scheduled for 6:30 h every day. With two to four training sessions per day, the training load was considerably increased from athletes’ home training. Objective sleep measures (n = 14) revealed less total sleep time (TST) in the first two weeks (342.9 ± 30.3 and 340.4 ± 32.0 min), while training volume and intensity were higher. In the second half of the camp, less training sessions were implemented, more afternoons were training free and TSTs were longer (357.0 ± 24.6 and 368.7 ± 44.8 min). A single occasion of 1.5-h delayed bedtime and usual early morning training (6:30 h) resulted in reduced ratings of Overall Recovery (OR) (M = 3.3 ± 1.3) and greater Negative Emotional State (NES) (M = 1.3 ± 1.2, p < .05), which returned to baseline on the next day. Following an extended night due to the only training-free day, sleep-offset times were shifted from ~5:30 to ~8:00 h, and each recovery and stress score improved (p < .01). Moreover, subjective ratings of the first six days were summarised as a baseline score to generate reference data as well as to explore the association between sleep and recovery. Intercorrelations of these sleep parameters emphasised the relationship between restful sleep and falling asleep quickly (r = .34, p < .05) as well as few awakenings (r = .35, p < .05). Overall, the findings highlight the impact of sleep on subjective recovery measures in the setting of a training camp. Providing the opportunity of extended sleep (and a day off) seems the most simple and effective strategy to enhance recovery and stress-related ratings.

Markers for Routine Assessment of Fatigue and Recovery in Male and Female Team Sport Athletes during High-Intensity Interval Training

Aim Our study aimed to investigate changes of different markers for routine assessment of fatigue and recovery in response to high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods 22 well-trained male and female team sport athletes (age, 23.0 ± 2.7 years; V̇O2max, 57.6 ± 8.6 mL·min·kg−1) participated in a six-day running-based HIIT-microcycle with a total of eleven HIIT sessions. Repeated sprint ability (RSA; criterion measure of fatigue and recovery), countermovement jump (CMJ) height, jump efficiency in a multiple rebound jump test (MRJ), 20-m sprint performance, muscle contractile properties, serum concentrations of creatinkinase (CK), c-reactive protein (CRP) and urea as well as perceived muscle soreness (DOMS) were measured pre and post the training program as well as after 72 h of recovery. Results Following the microcycle significant changes (p < 0.05) in RSA as well as in CMJ and MRJ performance could be observed, showing a decline (%Δ ± 90% confidence limits, ES = effect size; RSA: -3.8 ± 1.0, ES = -1.51; CMJ: 8.4 ± 2.9, ES = -1.35; MRJ: 17.4 ± 4.5, ES = -1.60) and a return to baseline level (RSA: 2.8 ± 2.6, ES = 0.53; CMJ: 4.1 ± 2.9, ES = 0.68; MRJ: 6.5 ± 4.5, ES = 0.63) after 72 h of recovery. Athletes also demonstrated significant changes (p < 0.05) in muscle contractile properties, CK, and DOMS following the training program and after the recovery period. In contrast, CRP and urea remained unchanged throughout the study. Further analysis revealed that the accuracy of markers for assessment of fatigue and recovery in comparison to RSA derived from a contingency table was insufficient. Multiple regression analysis also showed no correlations between changes in RSA and any of the markers. Conclusions Mean changes in measures of neuromuscular function, CK and DOMS are related to HIIT induced fatigue and subsequent recovery. However, low accuracy of a single or combined use of these markers requires the verification of their applicability on an individual basis.

Muscle mechanical properties of strength and endurance athletes and changes after one week of intensive training

The study investigates whether tensiomyography (TMG) is sensitive to differentiate between strength and endurance athletes, and to monitor fatigue after either one week of intensive strength (ST) or endurance (END) training. Fourteen strength (24.1±2.0years) and eleven endurance athletes (25.5±4.8years) performed an intensive training period of 6days of ST or END, respectively. ST and END groups completed specific performance tests as well as TMG measurements of maximal radial deformation of the muscle belly (Dm), deformation time between 10% and 90% Dm (Tc), rate of deformation development until 10% Dm (V10) and 90% Dm (V90) before (baseline), after training period (post1), and after 72h of recovery (post2). Specific performance of both groups decreased from baseline to post1 (P<0.05) and returned to baseline values at post2 (P<0.05). The ST group showed higher countermovement jump (P<0.05) and shorter Tc (P<0.05) at baseline. After training, Dm, V10, and V90 were reduced in the ST (P<0.05) while TMG changes were less pronounced in the END. TMG could be a useful tool to differentiate between strength and endurance athletes, and to monitor fatigue and recovery especially in strength training.

Assessment of neuromuscular function after different strength training protocols using tensiomyography

Abstract De Paula Simola, RÁ, Harms, N, Raeder, C, Kellmann, M, Meyer, T, Pfeiffer, M, and Ferrauti, A. Assessment of neuromuscular function after different strength training protocols using tensiomyography. J Strength Cond Res 29(5): 1339–1348, 2015—The purpose of the study was to analyze tensiomyography (TMG) sensitivity to changes in muscle force and neuromuscular function of the muscle rectus femoris (RF) using TMG muscle properties after 5 different lower-limb strength training protocols (multiple sets; DS = drop sets; eccentric overload; FW = flywheel; PL = plyometrics). After baseline measurements, 14 male strength trained athletes completed 1 squat training protocol per week over a 5-week period in a randomized controlled order. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), TMG measurements of maximal radial displacement of the muscle belly (Dm), contraction time between 10 and 90% of Dm (Tc), and mean muscle contraction velocities from the beginning until 10% (V10) and 90% of Dm (V90) were analyzed up to 0.5 (post-train), 24 (post-24), and 48 hours (post-48) after the training interventions. Significant analysis of variance main effects for measurement points were found for all TMG contractile properties and MVIC (p < 0.01). Dm and V10 post-train values were significantly lower after protocols DS and FW compared with protocol PL (p = 0.032 and 0.012, respectively). Dm, V10, and V90 decrements correlated significantly to the decreases in MVIC (r = 0.64–0.67, p ⩽ 0.05). Some TMG muscle properties are sensitive to changes in muscle force, and different lower-limb strength training protocols lead to changes in neuromuscular function of RF. In addition, those protocols involving high and eccentric load and a high total time under tension may induce higher changes in TMG muscle properties.