This study aimed to analyze how psychological flexibility, perfectionism, and reported injuries are related to pain catastrophizing in soccer referees.
Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Data were collected online from 199 soccer referees. Pain catastrophizing was assessed with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, psychological inflexibility with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, and perfectionism with the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. Data were also gathered on other injury-related variables.
Referees with medium–high scores on psychological inflexibility showed greater pain catastrophizing (t = 5.322, P < 0.001), rumination (t = 4.004, P < 0.001), helplessness (t = 5.023, P < 0.001) and magnification (t = 5.590, P < 0.001) than those with low scores. Psychological inflexibility emerged as a significant predictor of catastrophizing (β = 0.313, P = 0.006). A slight relationship was found between perfectionism and catastrophizing. For all subscales, the referees who reported mild–moderate injuries in the last three seasons showed greater pain catastrophizing, while those with severe injuries obtained higher scores on all dimensions of catastrophizing except magnification. Finally, those who reported severe injuries only obtained higher scores on rumination and helplessness.
These results provide a better understanding of the variables that influence pain perception. Possible interventions are suggested based on the observation that greater psychological flexibility was associated with lower pain catastrophizing, with the specific features of the latter depending on the presence and severity of the injury.
This study compared the acute effects of a session of isometric strength training (ISO) with heavy resistance training (HRT) training on 20-m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) performance.
Ten resistance-trained athletes (age: 26.7 ± 6.2 years, body mass: 71.5 ± 16.2 kg, height: 1.68 ± 0.10 m) performed baseline measures for 20-m sprint, CMJ and IMTP prior to either an ISO or HRT session. During both training sessions, participants performed back squats, Romanian deadlift and split squat. Post-test performances were measured 5 min and 24 h after each training session. Participants returned a week later to perform the other training session.
A significant time × condition effect was found for 20-m sprint time (P = 0.007) and IMTP peak force (P = 0.003). Main time effect was observed for 20-m sprint (P < 0.001), CMJ height (P < 0.001) and IMTP peak force (P < 0.001). HRT resulted in a greater increase in sprint time at 5 min (0.17 ± 0.12 vs. 0.06 ± 0.05 s, P = 0.013, g = 1.15) and 24 h (0.01 ± 0.09 vs. 0.00 ± 0.05 s, P = 0.004, g = 1.32) post-training as compared to ISO. Similarly, HRT resulted in a significantly larger reduction in IMTP peak force than ISO at both 5 min (− 363.3 ± 248.8 vs. − 98.9 ± 230.3 N, P = 0.024, g = 1.06) and 24 h (− 289.2 ± 256.2 vs. 37.9 ± 177.8 N, P = 0.004, g = 1.42) post-training. Total impulses generated during each exercise were greater during ISO than HRT (P < 0.001–0.006). Rating of perceived recovery post 24 h was higher in ISO than HRT (P = 0.002).
The above results indicated that acute HRT led to a greater reduction in sprinting strength performance and lower perceived recovery post-24 h than ISO.
This study aims to evaluate the effect of a 12-week physical training program on police officers’ physical fitness attributes. Thirty male police officers (age, 31.03 ± 3.15 years) participated in this experimental study, having carried out a 12-week physical training program (01−04/2023), 3 times/week with an average duration of 1 h/session (through circuit work, body weight exercises, and exercises with additional weight). The physical fitness evaluations were performed at three time points (weeks: 0, T0; 8, T1; 12, T2), and consisted of morphological (height, weight, waist circumference, fat and muscle mass, body mass index, and waist-to-height ratio) and fitness (push-ups; sit-ups; pull-ups; handgrip; horizontal jump; shuttle-run test; t-test; sit-reach test) evaluations. Were observed significant improvements at (i) 8 week (T1), in waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and all fitness tests (except in flexibility, handgrip right/left sum, and VO2max); and (ii) 12 weeks (T2), in relative fat mass, relative muscle mass, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and all the fitness tests. Although 8 weeks of training allowed us to observe improvements in most of the physical fitness attributes, all of them improved significantly in the 12-week physical training program. In accordance, prolonging the duration of the training program from, 8 to 12 weeks, results in strong improvement in the physical fitness of police officers.
The association between vertical jump and weightlifting performance have been well established often using discrete performance measures such as jump height or peak power which provides little insight into temporal strategies. The purpose of this investigation was to identify currently unassessed temporal countermovement jump metrics and their reliability and relationship to national weightlifting performance.
A total of 42 national weightlifting athletes (n = 30 females and 12 males), were recruited for this study. Countermovement jump was measured using a force plate following a national and international competition. Vertical ground reaction force and time data were analyzed using a custom script where temporal metrics relating to specific phases of the jump were extracted. Snatch, Clean and Jerk and Total weightlifting performance was obtained following each competition. Reliability of jump metrics were determined using coefficient of variation and interclass correlation coefficient. A Spearman’s Rho, non-parametric bivariate correlation was used to determine the relationship between the jump metrics and weightlifting performance.
From a total of 15 metrics, 13 were deemed reliable, with propulsive impulse showing the greatest level of reliability. Correlational analysis showed strong to very strong (r = 0.676–0.817) relationships between all absolute measures of weightlifting performance and propulsive impulse for both women and men.
This novel finding suggests that practitioners may wish to use propulsive impulse as it may provide more insight into changes of force capabilities following training. Additionally, it may also be used as a talent identification tool given its strong relationship to performance.
Anthracyclines have been one of the standard therapies for breast cancer (BC), and dose-related cardiotoxicity is one serious side effect. Exercise is an effective strategy for the prevention and management of BC, endorsed by experts in both exercise and oncology. However, there is a great deal of confusion about the effectiveness of exercise on anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and the exercise prescription (i.e., timing, type, and intensity) for cardiotoxicity, which limits its application in clinical settings. The aim of this article is to review the safety of exercise in BC patients receiving anthracyclines and its effectiveness in preventing cardiotoxicity.
Six electronic databases were searched using terms related to exercise, BC, anthracyclines, and cardiotoxicity for retrieving clinical randomized controlled trials in either Chinese or English. A summary of the included literature was also provided.
Of 202 records screened, 10 were eligible. A total of 434 BC patients (stage I–IIIC, mean age ranged from 43.5 to 52.4 years) were included. The main findings were that: (1) Acute (a single bout) moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise could prevent NT-proBNP elevation beyond the threshold of acute myocardial injury; (2) Long-term (> 8 weeks) moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise (continuous or interval) could improve or maintain left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiorespiratory fitness in BC patients. However, the optimal timing, type, and intensity of exercise for people with BC to prevent cardiotoxicity remain unclear.
Moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise may be an effective non-pharmacological approach to mitigate cardiotoxicities induced by anthracyclines in women with BC. However, the optimal exercise prescription for preventing cardiotoxicity remains unclear.
The aim of this review was to collect data on physical exercise programs in patients with HNC and to analyze the compliance with the Frecuency, Intensity, Time and Type (FITT) and progressive overload principles.
The search strategy identified 1318 articles through February 2022. After deduplication, title and abstract review, and full-text review, 15 studies met all the inclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with interventions involving at least 10 patients, and the intervention protocol included, at least, programmed strength exercise.
Physical exercise programs were performed only during and after treatment, with durations varying from 6 to 12 weeks. Only 5 studies (33.3%) detailed all the characteristics concerning FITT and progressive overload principles. In addition, 10 trials measured the changes in body composition and physical function. In contrast, 6 studies included nutritional recommendations or follow-up.
It has been proven that physical exercise programs may help people with head and neck cancer improve their body composition, strength, and quality of life. To examine the dose/response effects of physical activity more precisely, further information regarding FITT principles and the progression of the load undertaken in the treatments is required. Finally, it is necessary to investigate the optimal time to start a physical exercise program and its impact on survival.
Wearables serve to quantify the on-court activity in intermittent sports such as field hockey (FH). Based on objective data, benchmarks can be determined to tailor training intensity and volume. Next to average and accumulated values, the most intense periods (MIPs) during competitive FH matches are of special interest, since these quantify the peak intensities players experience throughout the intermittent matches. The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare peak intensities between training and competition sessions in a male FH team competing in the first german division.
Throughout an 8-week in-season period, 372 individual activity datasets (144 datasets from competitive sessions) were recorded using the Polar Team Pro sensor (Kempele, Finland). MIPs were calculated applying a rolling window approach with predefined window length (1–5 min) and calculated for Total distance, High-Intensity-Running distance (> 16 km/h), Sprinting distance (> 20 km/h) and Acceleration load. Significant differences between training and competition MIPs were analysed through non-parametric statistical tests (P < 0.05).
Analyses revealed higher MIPs during competition for all considered outcomes (P < 0.001). Effect size estimation revealed strongest effects for sprinting distance (d = 1.89 to d = 1.22) and lowest effect sizes for acceleration load (d = 0.92 to d = 0.49).
The present findings demonstrate that peak intensities during training do not reach those experienced during competitive sessions in a male FH team. Training routines such as manipulations of court-dimensions and team sizes might contribute to this discrepancy. Coaches should compare training and competition intensities to recalibrate training routines to optimize athletes’ preparation for competition.
Despite growing participation, there is limited research into the nutritional needs of climbers and none specific to female climbers. Female athletes in general are still significantly under-represented in sport and nutritional science research. The physiological requirements of climbing are extensive and variable, demanding both highly developed anaerobic and aerobic energy systems. Finger strength, upper body power and training hours have been highlighted as the key determinants of climbing performance in females. Nutritional implications of this include adequate energy and carbohydrate availability, appropriate protein intake and timing for recovery, and use of specific supplements. As a weight sensitive sport, energy intake and availability are key areas of consideration for female climbers’ health and performance. Consideration of macronutrient intake and timing with an understanding of sex hormone interaction across the menstrual cycle confers some considerations to nutritional guidelines. Micronutrients of particular interest to the female climber include iron, vitamin D and calcium. Appropriate supplement use may be beneficial, however more research is needed to provide any female specific dosing strategies. It may be premature to prescribe generalised female specific nutrition recommendations for climbers. A personalised approach that considers the individual’s menstrual cycle and experience is recommended. Further research into nutrition for the female climber is warranted.