Peter Reaburn

The effect of short-term Swiss ball training on core stability and running economy.

&NA; Stanton, R., P. Reaburn, and B. Humphries. The effect of short‐term Swiss ball training on core stability and running economy. J. Strength Cond. Res. 18(3):522–528. 2004.—The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a shortterm Swiss ball training on core stability and running economy. Eighteen young male athletes (15.5 ± 1.4 years; 62.5 ± 4.7 kg; &Egr;9 skinfolds 78.9 ± 28.2 mm; SymbolO2max 55.3 ± 5.7 ml·kg‐1·min‐1) were divided into a control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 8) groups. Athletes were assessed before and after the training program for stature, body mass, core stability, electromyographic activity of the abdominal and back muscles, treadmill SymbolO2max, running economy, and running posture. The experimental group performed 2 Swiss ball training sessions per week for 6 weeks. Data analysis revealed a significant effect of Swiss ball training on core stability in the experimental group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for myoelectric activity of the abdominal and back muscles, treadmill SymbolO2max, running economy, or running posture in either group. It appears Swiss ball training may positively affect core stability without concomitant improvements in physical performance in young athletes. Specificity of exercise selection should be considered. Symbol. No caption available.

Exercise and the treatment of depression: A review of the exercise program variables

OBJECTIVES There is growing interest in the use of exercise in the treatment of depression. A number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated a reduction in depressive symptoms with both aerobic and non-aerobic exercise interventions. This has been supported in a number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. However, the heterogeneous nature of the exercise intervention trials makes determining the appropriate program variables (frequency, intensity, duration and type of exercise) difficult. DESIGN A systematic review was undertaken on all RCTs reporting a significant treatment effect of exercise in the treatment of depression. METHODS Studies were analyzed for exercise frequency, intensity, session duration, exercise type, exercise mode, intervention duration, delivery of exercise, level and quality of supervision and compliance. Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. RESULTS Five RCTs published since 2007 met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently analyzed. Most programs were performed three times weekly and of moderate intensity. All included trials used aerobic exercise, either treadmill or outdoor walking, stationary cycle or elliptical cross trainer exercise. Intervention duration ranged from four to twelve weeks. Both group and individual programs were shown to be effective in lowering the symptoms of depression. Some level of supervision is recommended. CONCLUSIONS There is evidence for the use supervised aerobic exercise, undertaken three times weekly at moderate intensity for a minimum of nine weeks in the treatment of depression. Further research on the manipulation of program variables is warranted.

Effects of cold-water immersion on physical performance between successive matches in high-performance junior male soccer players

Abstract In this study, we investigated the effect of water immersion on physical test performance and perception of fatigue/recovery during a 4-day simulated soccer tournament. Twenty high-performance junior male soccer players (age 15.9 ± 0.6 years) played four matches in 4 days and undertook either cold-water immersion (10 ± 0.5°C) or thermoneutral water immersion (34 ± 0.5°C) after each match. Physical performance tests (countermovement jump height, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion after a standard 5-min run and 12×20-m repeated sprint test), intracellular proteins, and inflammatory markers were recorded approximately 90 min before each match and 22 h after the final match. Perceptual measures of recovery (physical, mental, leg soreness, and general fatigue) were recorded 22 h after each match. There were non-significant reductions in countermovement jump height (1.7–7.3%, P = 0.74, η2 = 0.34) and repeated sprint ability (1.0–2.1%, P = 0.41, η2 = 0.07) over the 4-day tournament with no differences between groups. Post-shuttle run rating of perceived exertion increased over the tournament in both groups (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.48), whereas the perceptions of leg soreness (P = 0.004, η2 = 0.30) and general fatigue (P = 0.007, η2 = 0.12) were lower in the cold-water immersion group than the thermoneutral immersion group over the tournament. Creatine kinase (P = 0.004, η2 = 0.26) and lactate dehydrogenase (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.40) concentrations increased in both groups but there were no changes over time for any inflammatory markers. These results suggest that immediate post-match cold-water immersion does not affect physical test performance or indices of muscle damage and inflammation but does reduce the perception of general fatigue and leg soreness between matches in tournaments.

Heart rate, blood lactate concentration and estimated energy expenditure in a semi-professional rugby league team during a match: a case study.

The aim of this study was to examine heart rate, blood lactate concentration and estimated energy expenditure during a competitive rugby league match. Seventeen well-trained rugby league players (age, 23.9 +/- 4.1 years; VO2max, 57.9 +/- 3.6 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1); height, 1.82 +/- 0.06 m; body mass, 90.2 +/- 9.6 kg; mean +/- s) participated in the study. Heart rate was recorded continuously throughout the match using Polar Vantage NV recordable heart rate monitors. Blood lactate samples (n = 102) were taken before the match, after the warm-up, at random stoppages in play, at half time and immediately after the match. Estimated energy expenditure during the match was calculated from the heart rate-VO2 relationship determined in laboratory tests. The mean team heart rate (n = 15) was not significantly different between halves (167 +/- 9 vs 165 +/- 11 beats x min(-1)). Mean match intensity was 81.1 +/- 5.8% VO2max. Mean match blood lactate concentration was 7.2 +/- 2.5 mmol x l(-1), with concentrations for the first half (8.4 +/- 1.8 mmol x l(-1)) being significantly higher than those for the second half (5.9 +/- 2.5 mmol x l(-1)) (P<0.05). Energy expenditure was approximately 7.9 MJ. These results demonstrate that semi-professional rugby league is a highly aerobic game with a considerable anaerobic component requiring high lactate tolerance. Training programmes should reflect these demands placed on players during competitive match-play.

Effect of post-match cold-water immersion on subsequent match running performance in junior soccer players during tournament play.

Abstract In this study, we investigated the effects of two hydrotherapy interventions on match running performance and perceptual measures of fatigue and recovery during a 4-day soccer tournament. Twenty male junior soccer players were assigned to one of two treatment groups and undertook either cold-water immersion (5 × 1 min at 10°C) or thermoneutral water immersion (5 × 1 min at 34°C) after each match. High-intensity running distance (>15 km · h−1) and total distance covered, time spent in low (<80% maximum heart rate), moderate (80–90% maximum heart rate), and high (>90% maximum heart rate) heart rate zones, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for each match. Perceptions of general fatigue and leg soreness were recorded approximately 22 h after each match. There were decreases in both groups across the 4-day tournament for high-intensity running distance (P = 0.006, Cohens d = 0.63), total distance run (P < 0.001, d = 0.90), time in high heart rate zone (P = 0.003, d = 0.90), and match RPE (P = 0.012, d = 0.52). Cold-water immersion was more effective than thermoneutral immersion for reducing the perception of leg soreness (P = 0.004, d = –0.92) and general fatigue (P = 0.007, d = –0.91), ameliorating the decrement in total distance run (P = 0.001, d = 0.55), and maintaining time in the moderate heart rate zone (P = 0.01, d = 1.06). In conclusion, cold-water immersion mediates the perceptions of fatigue and recovery and enhances the restoration of some match-related performance measures during a 4-day tournament.

Monitoring changes in rugby league players' perceived stress and recovery during intensified training.

This study assessed whether the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport) could be used to monitor changes in perceived stress and recovery during intensified training of rugby league players. 20 semiprofessional rugby league players were divided into two equal groups randomly assigned to complete 6 wk. of Normal Training or Intensified Training, each followed with a 7-day taper. Multistage Fitness Test performance and RESTQ–Sport measures were taken at the beginning, at 2-wk. intervals, and at the end of the training period. Endurance significantly decreased with Intensified Training and returned to baseline levels following the taper, while remaining unchanged in the Normal Training group. The RESTQ–Sport scores with training were positively related to stress subscale scores (Fatigue, Disturbed Breaks, and General Stress) and recovery subscale measures (Success, Physical Recovery, Being in Shape, Self-efficacy, Social Relaxation, General Well-being, and Sleep Quality) decreasing in the Intensified Training group and then normalising following the taper (Stress subscales: Fatigue and General Stress, and Recovery subscales: Physical Recovery and General Well-being). The RESTQ–Sport is a practical psychometric tool for monitoring responses to training in team-sport athletes.

A comparison of the activity demands of elite and sub-elite Australian men's basketball competition

Abstract The purpose of the study was to describe the differences in the activity demands of sub-elite and elite Australian mens basketball competition. Ten elite (age 28.3 ± 4.9 years, mass 97.0 ± 13.9 kg, height 197.4 ± 8.3 cm) and 12 sub-elite (age 26.1 ± 5.3 years, mass 85.9 ± 13.2 kg, height 191.4 ± 7.6 cm) Australian basketball players participated in the study. Player activity was analysed using video-based time–motion analysis across multiple in-season matches. Customized analytical software was used to calculate player activity into frequencies, mean and total durations (s), and mean and total distances (m) for standing/walking, jogging, running, sprinting, low shuffling, high shuffling, and dribbling movements. Only movement frequency was calculated for jumping and upper body activity. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that elite players performed significantly more total movement changes (P <0.001), and experienced greater activity workloads while jogging (P <0.01) and running (P <0.002). In contrast, sub-elite players performed significantly more standing/walking (P <0.023) and sprinting (P <0.003) activities. These data suggest that elite basketball competition requires a greater intermittent workload and more sustained activity demands, whereas sub-elite competition may involve greater bursts of activity and longer recovery periods. These differences are likely to reflect variations in player skill and fitness, as well as playing structure between playing standards.

The physiological and activity demands experienced by Australian female basketball players during competition

OBJECTIVES To describe the physiological and activity demands experienced by Australian female basketball players during competition. DESIGN A between-subjects (positional comparison) repeated measures (playing periods) observational experimental design was followed. METHODS State-level basketball players (n=12; age: 22.0±3.7 yr; body mass: 72.9±14.2 kg; stature: 174.2±6.9 cm; body fat: 17.2±5.6%; estimated V˙O(2max):43.3±5.7 ml  kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) volunteered to participate. Heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentration ([BLa]) were collected across eight competitive matches. Overall and positional player activity demands were calculated across three matches using time-motion analysis methodology. Activity frequencies, total durations and total distances were determined for various activity categories. RESULTS Mean (±SD) HR responses of 162±3b min⁻¹ (82.4±1.3% HR(max)) and 136±6b min⁻¹ (68.6±3.1% HR(max)) were evident across live and total time during matches. A mean [BLa] of 3.7±1.4 mmol L⁻¹ was observed across competition. Player activity demands were unchanged across match periods, with 1752±186 movements performed and 5214±315 m travelled across total live match time. Furthermore, 39±3%, 52±2%, 5±1% and 4±1% of total live time was spent performing low-intensity, moderate-intensity, high-intensity and dribbling activity. Positional comparisons revealed backcourt players performed more ball dribbling (p<0.001) and less standing/walking (p<0.01) and running (p<0.05) than frontcourt players. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings highlight the high intermittent demands and important contributions of both anaerobic and aerobic metabolic pathways during state-level female basketball competition.

Does Posterior Tibial Slope Influence Knee Functionality in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Deficient and Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Reconstructed Knee?

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between knee functionality and posterior tibial slope in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient and ACL-reconstructed patients. METHODS Patients with isolated ACL injuries on the surgical waiting list and patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts between 18 and 24 months after surgery were recruited from the orthopaedic sports injury clinic. The study included 44 ACL-deficient patients (range 16-49) with a mean age of 26.4 years and 24 ACL-reconstructed patients with a mean age of 27.2 years (range, 25 to 49 years). Posterior tibial slope was measured on a digitalized lateral radiograph by use of the posterior tibial cortex as a reference. The Cincinnati scoring system was used to assess knee functionality. RESULTS The posterior tibial slope averaged 6.10° ± 3.57° (range, 0° to 17°) in the ACL-deficient group and 7.20° ± 4.49° (range, 0° to 17°) in the ACL-reconstructed group. An anterior tibial slope was not measured in any of the participants. The mean Cincinnati score was 62.0 ± 14.5 (range, 36 to 84) in the ACL-deficient patients and 89.3 ± 9.5 (range, 61 to 100) in the ACL-reconstructed patients. There was a moderate but nonsignificant correlation (r = 0.47) between knee functionality and slope in the ACL-deficient patients. When we divided posterior tibial slope into intervals of 0° to 4° (mean score, 58.4), 5° to 9° (mean score, 59.6), and greater than 10° (mean score, 75.4), a strong significant correlation (r = 0.91, P = .01) was observed between knee functionality and slope. There was a weak but nonsignificant correlation (r = 0.24) between knee functionality and slope in the ACL-reconstructed patients. When we divided posterior tibial slope into intervals of 0° to 4° (mean score, 78.2), 5° to 9° (mean score, 86.1), and greater than 10° (mean score, 89.4), a strong and significant correlation (r = 0.96, P = .0001) was observed between knee functionality and slope. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed patients with higher posterior tibial slope have more functional knees. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, therapeutic case series.

The Acute Effects of a Single Set of Contrast Preloading on a Loaded Countermovement Jump Training Session

The aim of this research was to assess the effect of a single set of contrast preloading on peak vertical displacement (PD) during a loaded countermovement jump (LCMJ) training session. Nine strength-trained males participated in 2 randomly assigned, crossover design testing sessions consisting of 5 sets of 6 repetitions of 20-kg LCMJs with 3-minute rest intervals between sets. The preloading intervention was performed 3 minutes after the first set and 4 minutes before the second set of 20-kg LCMJs. The control (CON) group performed 1 set of 20-kg LCMJs, whereas the jump squat (JS) group performed 1 set of 40-kg LCMJs. The number of repetitions performed during each preloading condition was varied to match total concentric work between the 2 sessions. A significant (p < 0.05) preload 3 set interaction for PD was observed, with the JS group jumping significantly higher during the third set performed after the preload in comparison with the CON group. Analysis of peak power output and mean power output during the concentric movement for this set revealed that as the knee flexion angle increased, the effect of the preload was augmented. These results suggest that a single set of preloading exercises enhances performance during a lower-body explosive power training session; however, the effects of a single preloading set may not peak until midway through the training session.