Purpose Recreational and competitive slalom waterskiing is increasingly popular among individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI), particularly for those with paraplegia using sit-skis. A key ...component of slalom skiing is the deep-water start (DWS), yet little is known about the physiological and physical demands of this activity when the athlete is seated. This study aims to fill this gap by focusing on the training requirements for a seated slalom athlete. Materials and methods Focusing on a young male athlete with paraplegia, this case study evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of traditional (TDWS) and alternative (ADWS) DWS techniques during seated slalom waterskiing sessions. It assesses internal training load (TL) through heart rate (HR) zones and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), alongside pre- and post-session handgrip strength measurements to gauge peripheral muscle fatigue. Results and conclusions Performing the ADWS, achieving a full success rate, proved more effective but slightly more time-consuming than TDWS, which had limited success. HR during DWS maneuvers ranged from 63.2 to 81.3% of maximal HR, with most sessions occurring below the ventilatory threshold, thus perceived as hard effort. A moderate yet non-significant correlation was found between HR and sRPE-based TL. A significant reduction in handgrip strength post-session underscores the activity’s demands. These insights illuminate the technical, physiological, and physical challenges in mastering DWS for seated slalom athletes with SCI, providing valuable guidance for the development of tailored training programs and techniques in this sport.
Organizational stressors can undermine the psychological well-being and performance of athletes. Less is known, however, about how these relationships unfold over time and whether organizational ...stressors can impact upon perceived physical health. The current study, therefore, used a repeated-measures design to examine relationships between organizational stressors with components of perceived psychological (anxiety and depression) and physical (illness symptoms and missed training days via illness) ill-health, and perceived performance at the within-person level. Twenty-three semi-elite female rowers completed monthly measures of study variables for six-months. Multilevel models indicated that selection-related stressors positively predicted symptoms of perceived psychological and physical ill-health, and negatively predicted perceived performance. Conversely, coaching stressors negatively predicted symptoms of perceived psychological ill-health. Logistics and operations stressors positively predicted perceived performance, whereas goals and development stressors negatively predicted perceived performance. These findings demonstrate for the first time that, with a repeated-measures design, organizational stressors can predict components of perceived physical and psychological ill-health, and perceived performance at the within-person level in athletes. From a practical perspective, practitioners should incorporate these findings when diagnosing the need for, developing, and optimally implementing primary and secondary stress management interventions.
The aim of this study was to investigate similarities and differences for 18 sports toward canoe/kayak in order to identify donorsport and/or multisports, based upon a systematic analysis of the task ...constraints per sport that are assumed to be either crucial or less important from the coaches’ viewpoint.
Descriptive survey analysis.
891 certified coaches from 19 sports valued (0–10; not important at all-very important) 15 characteristics by a questionnaire (Flemish Sports Compass) within their sport. Unique sport-profiles (discriminant analysis – DA) were constructed for 19 sports based on these characteristics. Similarities and differences between canoe/kayak and the other 18 sports were analyzed by means of MANOVAs on anthropometric, physical and motor coordination characteristics.
Cross validated DA (rcan=0.660, Wilks’ Lambda=0.564, p<0.001) showed that 72.1% of the canoe/kayak coaches were correctly assigned to their sport. For canoe/kayak seven characteristics were valued crucial; dynamic balance (8.51±1.69), core stability (8.45±2.27), pulling power (8.12±1.68), speed (7.54±2.07), endurance (7.27±2.03), stature (6.43±1.41) and rhythm (6.01±3.01). Least important characteristics were: flexibility (6.16±1.75), agility (4.27±3.10), catching (3.90±3.22), climbing (2.45±3.05), jumping (1.81±2.11), throwing (1.60±2.24), hitting (.94±1.77) and kicking (.61±1.04).
This novel approach to determine important characteristics per sport makes identifying similarities and differences between sports possible. Similarities might enlarge talent-pools for possible talent transfers. Differences can help identify sports based on complementary characteristics for the construction of broad motor development programs. From this viewpoint gymnastics can serve as potential donorsport (similarities) for canoe/kayak, while handball and tennis can subserve broad development for young canoe/kayak athletes.
Background and objectives: In recent years, exercise immunology studies have focused on key components of immune function, such as immune cells, immunoglobulins, and messenger molecules, as well as ...the effects of environmental and exercise factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of 8 weeks of selected training on serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and motor performance in elite water polo players. Methods: For this purpose, 20 male water polo players (mean age: 23 years) were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=10, selected water polo training) and a control group (n=10, traditional water polo training). The selected water polo training was performed for 8 weeks, 6 sessions per week. The intensity of training was controlled using maximum heart rate (80-100%) and increased by 5% every week. Water polo performance tests included a record of 50 meters swimming, 100 meters high swimming, 200 meters’ breaststroke, 6 ×50 meters swimming, and 400 meters swimming. To evaluate the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-4, venous blood (5 ml) was taken in the pretest and posttest stages. The serum levels of IL-4 and IL-6 were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mean values were compared using the t-test, at significant level of 0.05. Results: The selected water polo training significantly changed IL-4 levels in elite water polo players (p<0.05). However, IL-6 levels and performance of the subjects did not change significantly. Conclusion: The selected swimming exercises could relatively improve swimming stagnation of water polo players. However, due to the limited knowledge in this regard, there is a need for further research.
Background
Back pain is a frequent health problem in the general population. The epidemiology of back pain in the general population is well researched, but detailed data on the prevalence and risk ...factors of back pain in athletes are rare.
Objective
The primary objective was to review articles about back pain in athletes to provide an overview of its prevalence in different sports and compare its prevalence among various types of sports and the general population.
Data Sources
A comprehensive search of articles published through May 2015 was conducted. Two independent reviewers searched six databases from inception (PubMed
®
, Embase, MEDLINE
®
, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and PSYNDEX), using specifically developed search strategies, for relevant epidemiological research on back pain in 14- to 40-year-old athletes of Olympic disciplines. The reviewers independently evaluated the methodological quality of reviewed articles meeting the inclusion criteria to identify potential sources of bias. Relevant data were extracted from each study.
Results
Forty-three articles were judged to meet the inclusion criteria and were included in the assessment of methodological quality. Of these, 25 were assessed to be of high quality. Lifetime prevalence and point prevalence were the most commonly researched episodes and the lower back was the most common localization of pain. In the high-quality studies, lifetime prevalence of low back pain in athletes was 1–94%, (highest prevalence in rowing and cross-country skiing), and point prevalence of low back pain was 18–65% (lowest prevalence in basketball and highest prevalence in rowing).
Conclusion
The methodological heterogeneity of the included studies showed a wide range of prevalence rates and did not enable a detailed comparison of data among different sports, within one discipline, or versus the general population. Based on the results of this review, however, it seems obvious that back pain requires further study in some sports.
This study used instrumented paddles to obtain on-water kinetic variables of two-seater (K2) crews during sprint kayaking. A total of 74 male kayakers of various ability levels (national team: 9, ...recreational club: 38, school team: 27) comprising 39 K2 crews were recruited. Both the front and back paddlers were provided with an instrumented paddle to perform 200-m maximal effort paddling in a reservoir. Force, power, and temporal variables were extracted from the paddle data. Difference among groups were compared using a factorial Analysis of Variance. Results showed that the force, power, and temporal characteristics of the front and back paddlers were similar during maximal effort sprint kayaking. Proficient kayakers produced greater kinetic outputs than less proficient kayakers, while the coordination strategy based on timing differences at key events between the two crew members in a K2 boat was similar across ability levels. These data can be useful for coaches, sport scientists, and athletes in planning and monitoring the training.
Objective: To evaluate the influence of glass fiber reinforcements used in nautical and sports products on the flexural strength of acrylic resin. Materials and methods: Thirty thermoactivated ...acrylic resin bars (25 x 10.5 x 3.3 mm) were used. The samples were shared in 3 groups: bars with no glass fiber (control group, n = 10), bars reinforced with glass fiber and 0.18 mm thickness (group F1, n = 10) and bars reinforced with glass fiber and 0.80 mm thickness (group F2, n = 10). After 48 hours, samples were submitted to compression test in order to evaluate flexural strength. Obtained data were statistically analyzed with significance level of 5 %. Results: It was observed that the use of glass fiber effectively increased the flexural strength compared to the control group; the thickness of the glass fiber, however, did not present statistical differences. Conclusion: The use of fiber glass is a simple and cost-effective alternative to improve acrylic resin performance.KeywordsFlexural strength; Water sports; Dentures.
ABSTRACT Introduction: In Chinese windsurfing, it can be seen that although some coaches adopt relevant contents of abdominal core stability in their physical fitness training, such implementation ...does not perform its maximum potential on youngsters, mainly due to the lack of a specific protocol. Objective: Study the application of abdominal core stability training in windsurfing athletes. Methods: 14 young athletes in a windsurfing team were selected as volunteers and randomly divided into experimental control groups. A specially designed training protocol for abdominal center strengthening was added to conventional training for the experimental group. Fitness tests were performed, in both groups, before and after the intervention. The collected data were statistically analyzed and discussed. Results: The experimental group's 15m butterfly swim performance was improved by 0.25s, being 0.21s faster than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The strengthening training protocol for the abdominal core stability presented in this study may improve the ability of windsurfing athletes, helping in dynamic and static balance. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.
RESUMO Introdução: No windsurf chinês, pode-se constatar que, embora alguns treinadores adotem conteúdos relevantes de estabilidade do centro abdominal em seus treinamentos de aptidão física, tal implementação não desempenha o seu máximo potencial sobre os jovens principalmente pela falta de um protocolo específico. Objetivo: Estudar a aplicação do treinamento de estabilidade do centro abdominal em esportistas de windsurf. Métodos: 14 jovens atletas em equipe de windsurf foram selecionados como voluntários, divididos aleatoriamente em grupos experimental controle. Um protocolo de treinamento especialmente desenvolvido para o fortalecimento do centro abdominal foi adicionado ao treinamento convencional ao grupo experimental. Os testes de aptidão física foram realizados, em ambos os grupos, antes e após a intervenção. Os dados coletados foram estatisticamente analisados e discutidos. Resultados: O desempenho do nado borboleta de 15m do grupo experimental foi aprimorado em 0,25s, sendo 0,21s mais rápido do que o do grupo controle (P<0,05). Conclusão: O protocolo de treino de fortalecimento para estabilidade do centro abdominal apresentado neste estudo pode melhorar a capacidade dos esportistas de windsurf, auxiliando no equilíbrio dinâmico e estático. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.
RESUMEN Introducción: En el windsurf chino, se observa que, aunque algunos entrenadores adoptan contenidos relevantes de la estabilidad del centro abdominal en su entrenamiento físico, dicha implementación no rinde su máximo potencial en los jóvenes debido principalmente a la falta de un protocolo específico. Objetivo: Estudiar la aplicación del entrenamiento de la estabilidad del centro abdominal en deportistas de windsurf. Métodos: Se seleccionaron 14 jóvenes atletas de un equipo de windsurf como voluntarios, divididos aleatoriamente en grupos de control experimental. Al grupo experimental se le añadió un protocolo de entrenamiento especialmente diseñado para el fortalecimiento del centro abdominal, además del entrenamiento convencional. Se realizaron pruebas de aptitud física, en ambos grupos, antes y después de la intervención. Los datos recogidos se analizaron y discutieron estadísticamente. Resultados: El rendimiento del nado de 15 metros mariposa del grupo experimental mejoró en 0,25s, siendo 0,21s más rápido que el grupo de control (P<0,05). Conclusión: El protocolo de entrenamiento de fortalecimiento de la estabilidad del centro abdominal presentado en este estudio puede mejorar la capacidad de los deportistas de windsurf, ayudando al equilibrio dinámico y estático. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.
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