Search results for "athletic performance"
showing 10 items of 200 documents
A minimal limit-cycle model to profile movement patterns of individuals during agility drill performance: Effects of skill level.
2015
Identification of control strategies during agility performance is significant in understanding movement behavior. This study aimed at providing a fundamental mathematical model for describing the motion of participants during an agility drill and to determine whether skill level constrained model components. Motion patterns of two groups of skilled and unskilled participants (n = 8 in each) during performance of a forward/backward agility drill modeled as limit-cycles. Participant movements were recorded by motion capture of a reflective marker attached to the sacrum of each individual. Graphical and regression analyses of movement kinematics in Hooke’s plane, phase plane and velocity prof…
Neuromuscular Adaptations to Short-Term High-Intensity Interval Training in Female Ice-Hockey Players
2019
Kinnunen, J-V, Piitulainen, H, and Piirainen, JM. Neuromuscular adaptations to short-term high-intensity interval training in female ice-hockey players. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 479-485, 2019-High-intensity interval training (HIIT)-related neuromuscular adaptations, changes in force production, and on-ice performance were investigated in female ice-hockey players during preseason. Fourteen Finnish championship level ice-hockey players (average age 22 ± 3 years) participated in 2½-week HIIT. Both spinal (H-reflex) and supraspinal (V-wave) neuromuscular responses of the soleus muscle were recorded before and after the training period. Static jump (SJ) and countermovement jump heights, plant…
VO2max Characteristics of Elite Female Soccer Players, 1989–2007
2013
Purpose:To quantify VO2max among female competitive soccer players as a function of performance level, field position, and age. In addition, the evolution of VO2max among world-class players over an 18-y period was quantified.Methods:Female players (N = 199, 22 ± 4 y, 63 ± 6 kg, height 169 ± 6 cm), including an Olympic winning squad, were tested for VO2max at the Norwegian Olympic Training Center between 1989 and 2007.Results:National-team players had 5% higher VO2max than 1st-division players (P = .042, d = 0.4), 13% higher than 2nd-division players (P < .001, d = 1.2), and 9% higher than junior players (P = .005, d = 1.0). Midfielders had 8% higher VO2max than goalkeepers (P = .048, d …
The effects of assisted and resisted plyometric training on jump height and sprint performance among physically active females
2021
The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of assisted and resisted plyometric jump training on jump height, sprint performance (acceleration (0-20m), maximum speed (30-40m) and 40m sprint time) among physically active females. Fifty-six participants (age: 21.1 ± 1.7 years; body mass: 64.2 ± 7.0 kg; height: 168.0 ± 5.6 cm) were randomly allocated to either an assisted (n = 16) or resisted training group (n = 17), or a control group (n = 14). Nine participants dropped out during the intervention. The training sessions consisted of three different plyometric jump exercises over an eight-week period, while the control group continued their normal training routine. The results reve…
Practice and play in the development of German top-level professional football players.
2014
This study examined the developmental sporting activities of 52 German football first Bundesliga professionals (including 18 senior national team members) and 50 fourth to sixth league amateur players. They reported their volumes of organised football practice/training, including its "microstructure" (proportions of physical conditioning, skill exercises and playing forms), non-organised leisure football play and engagement in other sports through their career, respectively. Analyses revealed that the Bundesliga professionals performed moderate amounts of organised football practice/training throughout their career. They accumulated 4264 (mean value) hours over ~16 years before debuting in …
Effects of strength vs. endurance training and their combination on physical performance characteristics in female horseback riders
2020
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of strength (S), endurance (E) and concurrent strength and endurance (SE) training on neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory characteristics during the 12-week volume-equated protocols in female horseback riders. METHODS: Subjects (N=44) (29.4±8.9 yrs) were assigned to S (n=11), E (n=11), SE (n=13) and control (C) (n=9) groups. Training consisted of progressive S, E or SE training 3x/week and riding exercise 4-6x/week. The measurements included maximal isometric bilateral leg press force (MVCLP) and EMG of VL and BF muscles, rapid isometric force production (0-500ms), maximal force of trunk extensor/flexors (MVCE/MVCF), countermo…
Different strategies for sports injury prevention in an America's Cup yachting crew.
2009
PURPOSE:: To analyze the effectiveness in reducing the number of sport injuries after application of different strategies of preventive physiotherapy during competition periods in an America's Cup yachting crew. METHODS:: A prospective physiotherapy intervention study during competition periods for three seasons was conducted on an America's Cup yachting race crew of 30 professional sailors. In the first two acts (2004), athletes did not receive any preventive physiotherapy. In the two acts celebrated in 2005, preventive intervention (phase 1) consisted of stretching exercises before the yacht race and preventative taping. During the four acts corresponding to the 2006 season, the physiothe…
Ankle and knee extensor muscle effort during locomotion in young and older athletes : Implications for understanding age-related locomotor decline
2019
AbstractAge-related reduction in muscle force generation capacity is similarly evident across different lower limb muscle groups, yet decline in locomotor performance with age has been shown to depend primarily on reduced ankle extensor muscle function. To better understand why ageing has the largest detrimental effect on ankle joint function during locomotion, we examined maximal ankle and knee extensor force development during a two-leg hopping test in older and young men, and used these forces as a reference to calculate relative operating efforts for the knee and ankle extensors as participants walked, ran and sprinted. We found that, across locomotion modes in both age groups, ankle ex…
Factors associated with potential doping behavior in Olympic-sailing: A gender-specific analysis
2019
BACKGROUND: Olympic-sailing is not contaminated with doping, and special efforts are needed to keep this sport free of doping. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with potential doping behavior (PDB) in professional Olympic sailors. METHODS: The sample of participants were professional Olympic Laser class athletes (N.=80, 39 females ; all >18 years). Data were collected through previously validated questionnaires, utilizing sociodemographic-variables, sport- related- factors, and various factors of hesitation against doping (predictors), and PDB (criterion). To calculate the associations between predictors and the criterion, gender- stratified logistic regression models…
Fitness profile of young female volleyball players
2020
BACKGROUND: Factors that influence performance in volleyball, in terms of motor skills, refer to muscle power, speed and agility. This study aimed to examine the abilities and physical characteristics of female volleyball players in terms of age and player specialization. METHODS: A total of 35 subjects (junior and cadet age), participated in this study. Subjects were assessed for body height, mass, spike and block reach, and body composition. Vertical jump, standing broad jump, spike and block jump were tests used to measure leg power. The running speed was evaluated with a 20-m single-sprint effort. The change of direction speed was assessed with a T-test, the sprint 9-3-6-3-9 m forward-b…