Ruby Otter

Monitoring Perceived Stress and Recovery in Relation to Cycling Performance in Female Athletes

The purpose was to investigate perceived stress and recovery related to cycling performance of female athletes over one full year. 20 female athletes (age, 27±8 years; ˙VO2max, 50.3±4.6 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) were measured 8 times in one year to determine perceived stress and recovery (RESTQ-Sport) in relation to cycling performance (Lamberts and Lambert Submaximal Cycle Test (LSCT)). All 19 RESTQ-Sport scales were calculated and scores of the 4 main categories were determined (i. e., general stress, general recovery, sport-specific stress and sport-specific recovery). A balance score of total stress and recovery was calculated by recovery-stress. Power at the second stage (P80), third stage (P90) and heart rate recovery (HRR60 s) of the LSCT were determined as performance parameters. 110 RESTQ-Sports and LSCTs were analysed using a multilevel approach (random intercepts model). Higher self-efficacy was related to improvement of all performance parameters. Higher total recovery stress, and lower emotional stress were related to improvement of P90 and HRR60 s. Higher sport-specific recovery was related to P80, higher general stress, fatigue and physical complaints were related to decreased P90 and higher social stress and injury were related to decreased HRR60 s. Improved perceived recovery and stress contributed to an improved performance. Relevant information could be provided by monitoring changes in perceived stress and recovery of female athletes.

A New Submaximal Rowing Test to Predict 2,000-m Rowing Ergometer Performance

Abstract Otter, RTA, Brink, MS, Lamberts, RP, and Lemmink, KAPM. A new submaximal rowing test to predict 2,000-m rowing ergometer performance. J Strength Cond Res 29(9): 2426–2433, 2015—The purpose of this study was to assess predictive value of a new submaximal rowing test (SmRT) on 2,000-m ergometer rowing time-trial performance in competitive rowers. In addition, the reliability of the SmRT was investigated. Twenty-four competitive male rowers participated in this study. After determining individual HRmax, all rowers performed an SmRT followed by a 2,000-m rowing ergometer time trial. In addition, the SmRT was performed 4 times (2 days in between) to determine the reliability. The SmRT consists of two 6-minute stages of rowing at 70 and 80% HRmax, followed by a 3-minute stage at 90% HRmax. Power was captured during the 3 stages, and 60 seconds of heart rate recovery (HRR60s) was measured directly after the third stage. Results showed that predictive value of power during the SmRT on 2,000-m rowing time also increased with stages. CVTEE% is 2.4, 1.9, and 1.3%. Pearson correlations (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) were −0.73 (−0.88 to −0.45), −0.80 (−0.94 to −0.67), and −0.93 (−0.97 to −0.84). 2,000-m rowing time and HRR60s showed no relationship. Reliability of power during the SmRT improved with the increasing intensity of the stages. The coefficient of variation (CVTEM%) was 9.2, 5.6, and 0.4%. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and 95% CI were 0.91 (0.78–0.97), 0.92 (0.81–0.97), and 0.99 (0.97–1.00). The CVTEM% and ICC of HRR60s were 8.1% and 0.93 (0.82–0.98). In conclusion, the data of this study shows that the SmRT is a reliable test that it is able to accurately predict 2,000-m rowing time on an ergometer. The SmRT is a practical and valuable submaximal test for rowers, which can potentially assist with monitoring, fine-tuning and optimizing training prescription in rowers.

Herkenning van overbelasting bij sporters

SamenvattingVan de Ven M, Otter R, Berendsen AJ, Brink MS. Herkenning van overbelasting bij sporters. Huisarts Wet 2014;57(8):426-9. Een 27-jarige amateurwielrenster kwam met vermoeidheidsklachten bij de huisarts. Ze hield trainingen vaak niet meer vol, haar prestaties liepen terug en ze had geregeld last van bovensteluchtweginfecties. Nadat lichamelijk onderzoek en algemeen screenend laboratoriumonderzoek geen bijzonderheden hadden opgeleverd, rees het vermoeden dat er sprake was van overtraindheid. Niet-functionele overbelasting en het overtrainingssyndroom worden veroorzaakt door een disbalans tussen fysieke stressfactoren, psychosociale stressfactoren en herstelfactoren. De belangrijkste symptomen zijn een afname van het prestatieniveau en een uitgesproken vermoeidheid. Het is belangrijk om ander onderliggend somatisch lijden uit te sluiten. Een diagnostische test om overtraindheid aan te tonen is tot op heden nog niet voor handen.AbstractVan de Ven M, Otter R, Berendsen AJ, Brink MS. Recognizing overtraining in sportsmen and women. Huisarts Wet 2014;57(8):426-9. A 27-year-old amateur cyclist went to her general practitioner because of fatigue. She often could not finish training sessions, her performance declined, and she regularly had upper respiratory tract infections. As physical examination and laboratory investigations were normal, the GP suspected overtraining. Both non-functional over-reaching (NFOR) and the overtraining syndrome (OTS) are caused by an imbalance between physical stress, psychosocial stress, and recovery. The main symptoms are fatigue and diminished performance. As there is no diagnostic tool to identify NFOR and OTS, it is important to exclude underlying disease.

OC10 Monitoring training intensity related to submaximal heart rate measures over one full running season

The aim of the study was to retrospectively investigate differences in training duration and intensity between runners of which submaximal test performance decreased (D), unchanged (U) and increased (I). Eighteen competitive runners were monitored over 46 weeks by daily training logs and 7 submaximal treadmill tests. Training duration was recorded in minutes and intensity was determined by session Ratings of Perceived Exertion (sRPE). Duration in intensity zones was calculated over 6 weeks according to the classifications: Zone 1, sRPE ≤ 13; zone 2, 14–16; zone 3, sRPE ≥ 17. Also, total training duration was calculated. Change, compared to the first test, in submaximal heart rate (HR) and heart rate recovery (HRR60s) was categorised into D, U and I. Previously established day-to-day variation in HR of 4bpm (Achten and Jeukendrup 2003) and HRR60s of 6bpm (Daanen et al.. 2012) were considered as U. 426 weeks of training and 71 tests were examined using multilevel analyses. Total training duration was 8.7 ± 1.1 h/week averaged over 6 week periods. Duration in zone 1, 2 and 3 was 47 ± 11%, 39 ± 11% and 14 ± 7%, respectively. Number of tests with HR classified as D, U and I was 23, 40 and 8. HRR60s classified as D, U and I was 19, 41 and 11. Runners who showed a decreased HR trained 4.6 h more in 6 weeks compared to runners who showed no change. However, no differences between the HR groups were found for intensity. Runners who showed a decreased HRR60s trained 2.4 h more in zone 3 compared to runners who showed no change. No differences in total duration and duration in zone 1 and 2 were found between the HRR60s groups. It can be concluded that runners who train more (irrespective of intensity) show a decreased HR, indicating improved submaximal running performance. Training at high intensity seems to be related to a decreased HRR60s indicating worsened submaximal running performance. These findings can help coaches to prescribe appropriate training.