Ross Lorimer

Extremely short–duration high-intensity training substantially improves the physical function and self-reported health status of elderly adults

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High Intensity Training Improves Health and Physical Function in Middle Aged Adults

High intensity training (HIT) is effective at improving health; however, it is unknown whether HIT also improves physical function. This study aimed to determine whether HIT improves metabolic health and physical function in untrained middle aged individuals. Fourteen (three male and eleven female) untrained individuals were recruited (control group n = 6: age 42 ± 8 y, weight 64 ± 10 kg, BMI 24 ± 2 kg·m−2 or HIT group n = 8: age 43 ± 8 y, weight 80 ± 8 kg, BMI 29 ± 5 kg·m−2). Training was performed twice weekly, consisting of 10 × 6-second sprints with a one minute recovery between each sprint. Metabolic health (oral glucose tolerance test), aerobic capacity (incremental time to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer) and physical function (get up and go test, sit to stand test and loaded 50 m walk) were determined before and after training. Following eight weeks of HIT there was a significant improvement in aerobic capacity (8% increase in VO2 peak; p < 0.001), physical function (11%–27% respectively; p < 0.05) and a reduction in blood glucose area under the curve (6% reduction; p < 0.05). This study demonstrates for the first time the potential of HIT as a training intervention to improve skeletal muscle function and glucose clearance as we age.

An examination of try scoring in rugby union: a review of international rugby statistics

The purpose of this study was to review some of the key statistics collected by the International Rugby Board (IRB) in their review of the game (2003) and to compare these findings in relation to previous statistical analysis studies. Primary objectives of Rugby Union where identified using the IRB statement of intent. Statistics collected by the IRB for these objectives were then compared to parallel research in other sports regarding recommendations for effective play. The IRB statistics for Rugby Union would appear to replicate previously discovered characteristics of football (Reep and Benjamin, 1968), and would seem to favour a ‘long ball’ style of play in order to maximise scoring success. This paper highlights the IRB findings and illustrates the possible benefits of comparison and cross referencing with previous research in other sports.

A Case Study of an Athlete's Experience of Multiple Change-Events Moving Between Team and Individual Sports

The purpose of this case study was to understand the personal experience of a female athlete (aged 24 years) undergoing a significant change-event from a team sport (rugby) to an individual sport (weightlifting) at an elite level. Two in-depth informal interviews were conducted. A number of change-events were experienced in several contexts, including a change of sports, a change in academic status, and a reoccurring injury. The findings provided empirical support for the use of the scheme of change for sport psychology practice (Samuel & Tenenbaum, 2011a) for understanding the change process and the associated coping strategies athletes may adopt.

The Development of Empathic Accuracy in Sports Coaches

In sports coaching, the capacity of the coach to understand their athlete is viewed as a vital factor for evaluating that athlete and for achieving an appropriate working partnership. This understanding can be conceptualized as empathic accuracy, which is the ability to accurately infer the psychological state of an athlete. This article discusses the practical implications and guidelines for coaches that have emerged from the body of research examining empathic accuracy. Ways in which coaches can refine and develop their empathic accuracy are examined in four areas; gathering information, avoiding biases, maintaining appropriate levels of empathy, and being reflexive.

Physical self-presentation and competitive anxiety in male master divers.

This study investigated the link between physical self-presentation and competitive anxiety in male, master-level, high-board divers (N = 84, M age = 29.3 yr., SD=14.3). Competitive trait anxiety, social physique anxiety, and physical self-presentation confidence were assessed using the Sport Anxiety Scale, Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and the Physical Self-presentation inventory. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that variance in competitive anxiety was accounted for by the physical self-presentation variables and that these variables were more strongly associated with the cognitive anxiety subscale Worry, and to a lesser extent, Somatic Anxiety. The results of this study provide support for the argument that physical self-presentation is associated with competitive anxiety in male athletes.

The Potential Influence of Perception of Achievement on Performance in Volitional Time-To-Exhaustion Cycle Ergometer Trials

Abstract Lorimer, R and Babraj, J. The potential influence of perception of achievement on performance in volitional time-to-exhaustion cycle ergometer trials. J Strength Cond Res 27(6): 1546–1548, 2013—The purpose of this short communication was to report the findings of an investigation of the potential influence of spontaneous goal setting on subjects undertaking maximal fitness testing. Subjects were asked to complete a single incremental volitional time-to-exhaustion cycle ergometer trial. The final minute of the trial, after the last increase in increment in resistance, was broken down into six 10-second intervals and a frequency count made of how many subjects stopped within each interval. A chi-square test was used to determine that there was a significant difference between the expected and the observed frequencies (p < 0.05), with 45% of subjects stopping in the first interval (0–10 seconds) and 0% within the last interval (51–60 seconds). Reflections of the subjects revealed that those who were close to exhaustion but near to reaching the next increment of resistance were more likely to “push on.” However, despite having been told to keep going as long as they could, subjects upon reaching that increment stopped almost immediately as they believed they could not manage to reach the next increment. This suggests a potential psychological element related to goal achievement that influences performance in incremental volitional time-to-exhaustion cycle ergometer trials. Practically, this means that the information participants have available on which to base goals (level of increment, time, etc.) needs to be minimized to prevent spontaneous goal setting.