Rodrigo Vitasovic Gomes

Monitoring training loads, stress, immune-endocrine responses and performance in tennis players.

The study aim was to investigate the effect of a periodised pre-season training plan on internal training load and subsequent stress tolerance, immune-endocrine responses and physical performance in tennis players. Well-trained young tennis players (n = 10) were monitored across the pre-season period, which was divided into 4 weeks of progressive overloading training and a 1-week tapering period. Weekly measures of internal training load, training monotony and stress tolerance (sources and symptoms of stress) were taken, along with salivary testosterone, cortisol and immunoglobulin A. One repetition maximum strength, running endurance, jump height and agility were assessed before and after training. The periodised training plan led to significant weekly changes in training loads (i.e. increasing in weeks 3 and 4, decreasing in week 5) and post-training improvements in strength, endurance and agility (P < 0.05). Cortisol concentration and the symptoms of stress also increased in weeks 3 and/or 4, before returning to baseline in week 5 (P < 0.05). Conversely, the testosterone to cortisol ratio decreased in weeks 3 and 4, before returning to baseline in week 5 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the training plan evoked adaptive changes in stress tolerance and hormonal responses, which may have mediated the improvements in physical performance.

Suplementação de creatina anula o efeito adverso do exercício de endurance sobre o subseqüente desempenho de força

OBJETIVO: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo verificar el efecto ergogenico que ejerce la suplementacion de la creatina durante la ejecucion del ejercicio competitivo. METODOS: Dieciseis estudiantes universitarios fueron aleatoriamente divididos en 2 grupos: placebo (P) y creatina (el he/she CREE). La suplementacion se siguio cumpliendo el modelo doble-ciego, 20g de placebo o creatina durante 5 dias y despues 3 gramos durante 7 dias. Antes de la suplementacion, los atletas fueron sometidos a la prueba de 1-RM y a la prueba de repeticiones del maximo en el press de pierna 45o (3 juegos de repeticiones del maximo, logro a 80% del valor de 1-RM y separado por 150 segundos de pausa - P 1o set: 9,0 ± 2,4; 2o set: 8,9 ± 2,9 y 3o set: 8,3 ± 3,3 y el CREE 1o set: 10,2 ± 2,2; 2o juego: 9,8 ± 2,9 y 3o set: 9,7 ± 3,5 representantes). Despues del periodo del suplementacion, los modelos lograron la prueba de la raza en la que los mismos fueron bien educados para alcanzar la distancia mas grande posible en 20 minutos. Inmediatamente despues de la prueba de la carrera, las pruebas de 1-RM y de repeticiones del maximo se cumplieron otra vez. RESULTADOS: No se observo diferencia en la accion de la prueba de 1-RM. Tampoco habia diferencia en la accion de la prueba de la carrera. Despues de la prueba de la carrera, un descenso se observo en el numero de las repeticiones maximas en el grupo placebo (Representantes - P: 1o set: 7,6 ± 2,6; 2o set: 4,3 ± 2,9*; p < 0,01 y 3o set: 4,6 ± 2,3*; p < 0,01). Esta reduccion no se observo en grupo de uso de creatina (Representantes - el CREE: 1o set: 10,9 ± 2,9; 2o set: 9,5 ± 2,7 y 3o set: 9,0 ± 3,0). CONCLUSIONES: La ejecucion del ejercicio de paciencia provoco un a fatiga residual que afecto la capacidad de realizacion de repeticiones del maximo a 80% del valor de un 1-RM. Se relaciona una de las posibles causas de la fatiga en el ejercicio de fuerza al vaciamiento de las acciones de creatina-fosfato. Probablemente, el volumen mas grande de creatina-fosfato, inducido por el suplementacion, acelero la re-sintesis de ATP y lo define como bueno como un substrato de energia adicional para el ejercicio competitivo.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to verify if creatine supplementation exerts an ergogenic effect during concurrent exercise. METHODS: Sixteen female university students were divided into two groups: placebo (P) and creatine supplemented (CRE). The participants received 20 g of placebo or creatine for five days and 3 g for the following seven days in a double-blind design. Before supplementation, the participants were submitted to a 1-RM test in the leg press followed by maximum repetition test (three sets of repetitions-to-fatigue, performed at 80% of the 1-RM and separated from 150 seconds of recovery - P 1st set: 9.0 ± 2.4; 2nd set: 8.9 ± 2.9 and 3rd set: 8.3 ± 3.3 and CRE 1st set: 10.2 ± 2.2; 2nd set: 9.8 ± 2.9 e 3rd set: 9.7 ± 3.5 reps). After 12 days of supplementation, the participants were submitted to aerobic test in which they were instructed to cover the maximal distance as possible in 20 min. Subsequently, the participants were submitted to 1-RM test once again followed by the maximum repetition test. RESULTS: No differences were observed in the aerobic task performance and in the 1-RM test. After the aerobic test, a decline on the repetition maximum capacity was observed during the last two sets in P (Reps - P: 1st set: 7.6 ± 2.6; 2nd set: 4.3 ± 2.9*; p < 0.01 and 3rd set: 4.6 ± 2.3*; p < 0.01). This reduction was not observed in CRE (Reps - CRE: 1st set: 10.9 ± 2.9; 2nd set: 9.5 ± 2.7 and 3rd set: 9.0 ± 3.0). CONCLUSIONS: There is a hypothesis that the performance of resistance exercise is reduced by a residual fatigue from the previous aerobic exercise bout. One of the peripheral causes of acute fatigue during resistance exercise is related to creatine-phosphate depletion. Probably, the supplementation-induced greater muscle creatine-phosphate content accelerates the recovery and the ATP re-phosphorylation, serving as an additional energetic substrate during concurrent exercise.

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.

MUSCLE DAMAGE AFTER A TENNIS MATCH IN YOUNG PLAYERS

The present study investigated changes in indirect markers of muscle damage following a simulated tennis match play using nationally ranked young (17.6 ± 1.4 years) male tennis players. Ten young athletes played a 3-hour simulated match play on outdoor red clay courts following the International Tennis Federation rules. Muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase activity (CK), serum myoglobin concentration (Mb), one repetition maximum (1RM) squat strength, and squat jump (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ) heights were assessed before, immediately after, and 24 and 48 h after the simulated match play. All parameters were also evaluated in a non-exercised group (control group). A small increase in the indirect markers of muscle damage (muscle soreness, CK and Mb) was detected at 24-48 hours post-match (p < 0.05). A marked acute decrement in neuromuscular performance (1RM squat strength: -35.2 ± 10.4%, SJ: -7.0 ± 6.0%, CMJ: -10.0 ± 6.3%) was observed immediately post-match (p < 0.05). At 24 h post-match, the 1RM strength and jump heights were not significantly different from the baseline values. However, several players showed a decrease of these measures at 24 h after the match play. The simulated tennis match play induced mild muscle damage in young players. Coaches could monitor changes in the indirect markers of muscle damage to assess athletes’ recovery status during training and competition.

Consumo alimentar e perfil antropométrico de tenistas amadores e profissionais

aBStRaCt The anthropometric profile and food intake play a key role in sports performance; however, there is little information available regarding Brazilian tennis players. Aim: the present study aimed to evaluate the food intake and the anthropometric profile of professional and amateur tennis players. Methods: twenty-four tennis players were distributed in two groups: professionals (PRO; n = 9) and amateurs (AM; n = 15). The athletes were evaluated on their anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, circumferences and skin folders). Body fat was estimated from three different equations. Food intake was determined by a 3-day food diary. Results: there were no significant differences from anthropometric profile between PRO and AM (body weight: 69.5 ± 9.8 kg and 66.0 ± 5.0 kg; height: 177.9 ± 4.3 cm and 175.6 ± 2.7 cm, BMI: 23.5 ± 1.4 kg/m 2 and 22.6 ± 0.8 kg/m 2 and body fat: 13.0 ± 5.5% and 13.7 ± 2.4%, respectively). Significant difference between the energy expenditure and estimation and reported energy intake was observed. Both groups showed low carbohydrate (AM: 6.3 ± 0.5 g/kg/day and PRO: 6.5 ± 0.7 g/kg/day) and high protein intake AM: 2.4 ± 0.2 g/kg/day and PRO: 2.3 ± 0.3 g/kg/day) compared to the current recommendations. Very low calcium intake was observed (AM: 798.1 ± 786.3 mg/day and PRO: 766.9 ± 602.4 mg/day). Conclusion: no significant differences were detected for food intake pattern and anthropometric profile between PRO and AM. The results presented herein reinforce the relevance of nutritional planning in order to achieve specific demands of tennis and maximize performance.Keywords: tennis, diet, anthropometric profile

Ecological Validity of Session RPE Method for Quantifying Internal Training Load in Tennis

This study aimed to verify the ecological validity of the session rating of perceived exertion (session RPE) method for quantifying internal training load (ITL) in competitive tennis players. Twelve professional tennis players (18.5 ± 0.4 years; 178.0 ± 4.0 cm; 72.4 ± 6.0 kg) participated in this study. In total, 384 on-court tennis training sessions, 23 simulated matches and 13 official matches were monitored. ITL was then calculated for each session using session RPE and HR-based methods. All individual correlations between the session RPE method and the HR-based method were significant (r = 0.58 – 0.89: p < 0.01). The correlation coefficients between methods during on court tennis training sessions, simulated and official matches were r = 0.74, r = 0.57 and r = 0.99, respectively. The results support the validity of session RPE as a practical method for quantifying ITL in professional tennis players.

Effect of carbohydrate supplementation on the physiological and perceptual responses to prolonged tennis match play.

Abstract Gomes, RV, Moreira, A, Coutts, AJ, Capitani, CD, and Aoki, MS. Effect of carbohydrate supplementation on the physiological and perceptual responses to prolonged tennis match play. J Strength Cond Res 28(3): 735–741, 2014—Carbohydrate supplementation is a popular nutritional practice used in tennis to enhance physical capacities, motor-skill performance, and delay fatigue. However, the effects of carbohydrate supplementation on physiological and perceptual responses during tennis match play are not established. This double blind, randomized, placebo (PLA)-controlled crossover study was designed to determine the influence of carbohydrate supplementation (0.5 g·kg−1·h−1) on glycemia, salivary hormones (cortisol and testosterone) concentration, salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during 3 hours of tennis match play in 12 well-trained tennis players. The only significant difference between the 2 conditions was a lower salivary cortisol concentration postmatch in the carbohydrate trial (p < 0.05); however, there was a trend for higher glucose concentration (p = 0.06) and lower session-RPE (p = 0.08) after tennis match play in the carbohydrate condition, which may have some practical implications. There was no change in salivary testosterone, salivary IgA, and RPE responses during tennis match play between conditions (p > 0.05). These data indicate that carbohydrate ingestion during 3 hours of competitive tennis match play helps to maintain glycemia and attenuates the increase in salivary cortisol concentration compared with PLA.

Does carbohydrate supplementation enhance tennis match play performance

BackgroundCarbohydrate (CHO) ingestion may be an interesting approach to avoid significant decrement to the tennis match performance. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the effects of CHO supplementation on tennis match play performance.MethodsTwelve young tennis players (18.0 ± 1.0 years; 176 ± 3.4 cm; 68.0 ± 2.3 kg; body fat: 13.7 ± 2.4%) with national rankings among the top 50 in Brazil agreed to participate in this study, which utilized a randomized, crossover, double blind research design. The experiment was conducted over a 5-day period in which each player completed two simulated tennis matches of a 3-hour duration. The players received either a CHO or a placebo (PLA) drinking solution during simulated tennis matches. Athlete’s performance parameters were determined by filming each match with two video cameras. Each player was individually tracked for the entire duration of the match to measure the following variables: (1) games won; (2) rally duration; (3) strokes per rally; (4) effective playing time (%); (5) aces; (6) double faults; (7) first service in; (8) second service in; (9) first return in and (10) second return in.ResultsThere were no differences between trials in any of the variables analyzed.ConclusionsCHO supplementation did not improve tennis match play performance under the present experimental conditions.

Treino de corrida não interfere no desempenho de força de membros superiores

AIM: the present study evaluated the effect of endurance exercise (running) on the subsequent strength performance of muscles of upper limbs and trunk. METHODOLOGY: Thirteen healthy female, university students, physically active were selected to compose the sample. The first phase of the experiment the subjects were submitted to an endurance exercise bout (treadmill), simulating a training session, with duration of 45 minutes at 70% of the HRmax. Immediately after the endurance exercise bout, the subjects performed strength tests (Dynamometry test - handgrip, 1RM test and maximal repetitions test at 70%-1RM in the bench press). Glycemia was measured in the beginning of the experiment and immediately before the strength tests. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the strength tests performance after the endurance exercise bout (Dynamometry, 1-RM and REPMAX - with no previous endurance exercise - 29.9 ± 3.8 kgf; 34.4 ± 3.1 kg; 1st set 12.5 ± 3.3 reps and 2nd set 11.7 ± 2.7 reps vs. with previous endurance exercise - 29.2 ± 3.1 kgf; 33.9 ± 2.5 kg; 1st set 13.2 ± 2.1 reps and 2nd set 12.2 ± 2.8 reps). Regarding glycemia, no significant alteration was observed during the experiment. CONCLUSION: the endurance exercise bout did not affect the subsequent strength performance of the upper limbs and trunk. This data suggests that the common interference observed in the concurrent training is dependent on which muscular group has been recruited. Possibly, the adverse effect induced by the concurrent training, exclusively performed with lower extremities, is due to the residual fatigue installed in the muscles recruited in the previous activity. It is important to highlight that endurance exercise did not promote alteration in the glucose plasma concentration. The glycemia maintenance associated with the lack of interference on the performance of the strength tests reinforces even more the hypothesis that the adverse effect of the concurrent training is probably caused by muscle-specific peripheral alterations.

Creatine supplementation nullifies the adverse effect of endurance exercise on the subsequent strength performance

OBJETIVO: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo verificar el efecto ergogenico que ejerce la suplementacion de la creatina durante la ejecucion del ejercicio competitivo. METODOS: Dieciseis estudiantes universitarios fueron aleatoriamente divididos en 2 grupos: placebo (P) y creatina (el he/she CREE). La suplementacion se siguio cumpliendo el modelo doble-ciego, 20g de placebo o creatina durante 5 dias y despues 3 gramos durante 7 dias. Antes de la suplementacion, los atletas fueron sometidos a la prueba de 1-RM y a la prueba de repeticiones del maximo en el press de pierna 45o (3 juegos de repeticiones del maximo, logro a 80% del valor de 1-RM y separado por 150 segundos de pausa - P 1o set: 9,0 ± 2,4; 2o set: 8,9 ± 2,9 y 3o set: 8,3 ± 3,3 y el CREE 1o set: 10,2 ± 2,2; 2o juego: 9,8 ± 2,9 y 3o set: 9,7 ± 3,5 representantes). Despues del periodo del suplementacion, los modelos lograron la prueba de la raza en la que los mismos fueron bien educados para alcanzar la distancia mas grande posible en 20 minutos. Inmediatamente despues de la prueba de la carrera, las pruebas de 1-RM y de repeticiones del maximo se cumplieron otra vez. RESULTADOS: No se observo diferencia en la accion de la prueba de 1-RM. Tampoco habia diferencia en la accion de la prueba de la carrera. Despues de la prueba de la carrera, un descenso se observo en el numero de las repeticiones maximas en el grupo placebo (Representantes - P: 1o set: 7,6 ± 2,6; 2o set: 4,3 ± 2,9*; p < 0,01 y 3o set: 4,6 ± 2,3*; p < 0,01). Esta reduccion no se observo en grupo de uso de creatina (Representantes - el CREE: 1o set: 10,9 ± 2,9; 2o set: 9,5 ± 2,7 y 3o set: 9,0 ± 3,0). CONCLUSIONES: La ejecucion del ejercicio de paciencia provoco un a fatiga residual que afecto la capacidad de realizacion de repeticiones del maximo a 80% del valor de un 1-RM. Se relaciona una de las posibles causas de la fatiga en el ejercicio de fuerza al vaciamiento de las acciones de creatina-fosfato. Probablemente, el volumen mas grande de creatina-fosfato, inducido por el suplementacion, acelero la re-sintesis de ATP y lo define como bueno como un substrato de energia adicional para el ejercicio competitivo.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to verify if creatine supplementation exerts an ergogenic effect during concurrent exercise. METHODS: Sixteen female university students were divided into two groups: placebo (P) and creatine supplemented (CRE). The participants received 20 g of placebo or creatine for five days and 3 g for the following seven days in a double-blind design. Before supplementation, the participants were submitted to a 1-RM test in the leg press followed by maximum repetition test (three sets of repetitions-to-fatigue, performed at 80% of the 1-RM and separated from 150 seconds of recovery - P 1st set: 9.0 ± 2.4; 2nd set: 8.9 ± 2.9 and 3rd set: 8.3 ± 3.3 and CRE 1st set: 10.2 ± 2.2; 2nd set: 9.8 ± 2.9 e 3rd set: 9.7 ± 3.5 reps). After 12 days of supplementation, the participants were submitted to aerobic test in which they were instructed to cover the maximal distance as possible in 20 min. Subsequently, the participants were submitted to 1-RM test once again followed by the maximum repetition test. RESULTS: No differences were observed in the aerobic task performance and in the 1-RM test. After the aerobic test, a decline on the repetition maximum capacity was observed during the last two sets in P (Reps - P: 1st set: 7.6 ± 2.6; 2nd set: 4.3 ± 2.9*; p < 0.01 and 3rd set: 4.6 ± 2.3*; p < 0.01). This reduction was not observed in CRE (Reps - CRE: 1st set: 10.9 ± 2.9; 2nd set: 9.5 ± 2.7 and 3rd set: 9.0 ± 3.0). CONCLUSIONS: There is a hypothesis that the performance of resistance exercise is reduced by a residual fatigue from the previous aerobic exercise bout. One of the peripheral causes of acute fatigue during resistance exercise is related to creatine-phosphate depletion. Probably, the supplementation-induced greater muscle creatine-phosphate content accelerates the recovery and the ATP re-phosphorylation, serving as an additional energetic substrate during concurrent exercise.