Upper and lower thresholds of fat-free mass index in a large cohort of female collegiate athletes

ABSTRACT

Fat-free mass index (FFMI) is a height-adjusted metric of fat-free mass which has been suggested as a useful method of body composition assessment in athletic populations. The purpose of this study was to determine sport-specific FFMI values and the natural upper threshold of FFMI in female athletes. 372 female collegiate athletes (Mean±SD; 20.03±1.55 years, 167.55±7.50 cm, 69.46±13.04 kg, 24.18±5.48% bodyfat) underwent body composition assessment via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. FFMI was adjusted to height via linear regression and sport-specific reference values were determined. Between-sport differences were identified using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc tests. Average FFMI was 18.82±2.08 kg/m²; height-adjusted values were not significantly different (p<0.05) than unadjusted values. FFMI in rugby athletes (20.09±2.23 kg/m²) was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) than in gymnastics (18.62±1.12 kg/m²), ice hockey (17.96±1.04 kg/m²), lacrosse (18.58±1.84 kg/m²), swim & dive (18.16±1.67 kg/m²), and volleyball (18.04±1.13 kg/m²). FFMI in cross country (16.56±1.14 kg/m²) and synchronized swimming (17.27±1.47 kg/m²) was significantly lower (p<0.05) than in Olympic weightlifting (19.69±1.98 kg/m²), wrestling (19.15±2.47 kg/m²), and rugby. The upper threshold for FFMI in female athletes (97.5^th percentile) was 23.90 kg/m². These results can be used to guide personnel decisions and assist with long-term body composition, training, and nutritional goals.     

Monitoring changes in VO2max via the Polar FT40 in female collegiate soccer players

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if the Polar FT40 could accurately track changes in maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max) in a group of female soccer players. Predicted VO_2max (pVO_2max) via the Polar FT40 and observed VO_2max (aVO_2max) from a maximal exercise test on a treadmill were determined for members of a collegiate soccer team (n = 20) before and following an 8-week endurance training protocol. Predicted (VO_2max and aVO_2max measures were compared at baseline and within 1 week post-training. Change values (i.e., the difference between pre to post) for each variable were also determined and compared. There was a significant difference in aVO_2max (pre = 43.6 ± 2.4 ml · kg · min^?1, post = 46.2 ± 2.4 ml · kg · min^?1, P < 0.001) and pVO_2max (pre = 47.3 ± 5.3 ml · kg · min^?1, post = 49.7 ± 6.2 ml · kg · min^?1, P = 0.009) following training. However, predicted values were significantly greater at each time point compared to observed values (P < 0.001 at pre and P = 0.008 at post). Furthermore, there was a weak correlation between the change in aVO_2max and the change in pVO_2max (r = 0.18, P = 0.45). The Polar FT40 does not appear to be a valid method for predicting changes in individual VO_2max following 8 weeks of endurance training in female collegiate soccer players.     

山东省高校高水平运动员测试成绩分析

1前言高校高水平运动队的意义,不仅在于可以提高运动员竞技水平,而且还能为中国体育事业培养新生力量。1987年4月,国家教委、国家体委首次确立了51所招收高水平学生运动员的试点院校,并对招生对象、招生方法、教学管理等做了初步规定。经过十几年的探索和尝试,高校试办高水平运     

Differences in self-regulatory skills among talented athletes: The significance of competitive level and type of sport

Abstract

Research has shown that talented athletes outscore their mainstream peers on the basis of self-regulation. Although valuable, this does not tell us more about the distinction between good athletes and the best, which is a prerequisite in talent development. Therefore, we examined the self-regulatory skills of 222 male and female talented athletes aged 12–16 years as a function of competitive sport level (junior international or junior national athletes) and type of sport (individual or team sports). Multivariate analyses of covariance in combination with a discriminant function analysis revealed that “reflection” distinguishes between athletes at the highest levels of excellence. Furthermore, athletes playing individual sports had higher scores on “planning” and “effort” than team sport athletes, highlighting the importance of differences between types of sport. In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of reflection as a self-regulatory skill. Reflection facilitates the development of sport-specific characteristics, which may vary by type of sport. This means that an advanced sense of reflection may help talented athletes to acquire desirable characteristics during their “talent” years to ultimately reach adult elite levels of competition.     

羽毛球运动员运动性疲劳产生原因及恢复方法

结合羽毛球运动训练的特点,对羽毛球运动员运动性疲劳产生的原因进行分析,同时提出有效的恢复措施,旨在为尽快消除运动性疲劳、加速机体的恢复及提高运动员训练成绩提供参考。     

我国优秀男子散打运动员身体功能训练研究

探讨身体功能训练在我国优秀男子散打运动员的应用实践效果,采用随机对照实验设计对我国24名优秀男子散打运动员进行为期16周、每周3次、每次60 min的身体功能训练。结果显示:(1)在基本运动能力方面,实验组在平板支撑、仰卧脚撑瑞士球平板支撑、悬吊侧卧平板支撑(左和右两侧)、单腿站平衡垫、瑞士球静蹲、坐位体前屈7项指标上较对照组有非常显著性改善(P<0.01);(2)在一般运动能力方面,实验组在400 m跑、单足4级跳、立卧撑3项指标上较对照组有显著性提高(P<0.05),在Illinois跑、高翻、卧推、深蹲等4项指标上较对照组有非常显著性提升(P<0.01);(3)在专项运动能力方面,实验组在10 s冲拳、10 s侧踹2项指标上较对照组有显著性提高(P<0.05),在30 s变向击打靶、30 s夹背摔假人、单次鞭腿击打力量、10 s腿法击打力量、10 s拳腿组合击打力量5项指标上较对照组有非常显著性提升(P<0.01)。结果表明:优秀男子散打运动员实验组的身体功能训练方案相对于对照组传统力量训练方案,强化了运动员的核心稳定性,优化了动作模式,加强了核心力量及其传输效率,对发展散打运动员的身体功能效果更佳。     

The effect of smartphones and playing video games on decision-making in soccer players: A crossover and randomised study

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of the use of social networks in smartphones or playing video games on the passing decision-making performance in professional soccer athletes. Participants were 25 male professional soccer athletes (mean ± SD: age 23.4 ± 2.8 years). The participants performed three randomised conditions divided into three groups: control (CON), smartphone (SMA), and video game (VID). Before and after each experimental condition, the Stroop Task assessed the level of induced mental fatigue. Then, the athletes performed a simulated soccer match. A CANON® camera recorded the matches for further analysis on passing decision-making performance. A group effect was identified (p < .01) with impairment on passing decision-making performance for the SMA (p = .01, ES = 0.5) and VID (p = .01, ES = 0.5) conditions. We concluded that the use of social networks on smartphones and/or playing video games right before official soccer matches might impair the passing decision-making performance in professional soccer athletes.     

Intraseason changes in the body composition of collegiate female gymnasts

Body composition measures were collected pre‐, mid‐ and post‐season on a team of eight national‐calibre collegiate women gymnasts to examine intraseason changes. Also analysed were interseason changes using pre‐ and post‐season data on five of the eight subjects during the current and previous year, according to a 2 x 2 (years x tests) analysis of variance repeated‐measures design. Skinfold, circumference and diameter measures were collected with percentage body fat, lean body mass and body density determined by regression equations developed specifically for collegiate female gymnasts.

Intraseason body weight decreased significantly from pre‐ to mid‐season (x = 55.0 and 53.6 kg respectively); but the difference between mid‐ and post‐season (53.9 kg) values was not significant (P>0.05). The majority of the 1.4 kg weight loss occurred during intense pre‐season conditioning and not during the actual season. Percentage body fat, on the other hand, decreased significantly from pre‐to mid‐season and mid‐ to post‐season (x = 21.4%, 17.4% and 13.45% respectively; P<0.0005). Body density increased significantly from pre‐ to mid‐season and mid‐ to post‐season (x = 1.0476, 1.0584 and 1.0681 respectively; P<0.0005). Of the circumference and skinfold values used in calculating percentage body fat and body density, only the skinfold values displayed significant decreases throughout the season.

Interseason analyses revealed no significant changes in any of the dependent measures between seasons, despite consistent trends. There were no significant years x tests interactions and all intraseason changes for two seasons (n = 5) were the same as those found in more detailed analysis of a single season (n = 8) except in the case of weight loss, which was marginally significant (P < 0.046) in the single‐season and not in the dual‐season analysis (P>0.05).

Body composition of these gymnasts changed in many ways within competitive seasons. The most pronounced changes observed were decreases in subcutaneous fat and increases in body density. This study reinforces the need for administrators, coaches and athletes to be concerned with percentage body fat and skinfold measures rather than weight alone when determining if a person is ‘fat’.     

不同负荷训练对男子皮艇运动员血清—氧化氮合酶的影响

探讨不同负荷训练对男子皮艇运动员一氧化氮合酶NOS、一氧化氮NO的影响 ,并结合其他血清指标CK、CK -MB、LDH、BUN的变化 ,探索血清NOS、NO在实际训练中的作用。     

不同项目青少年运动员的血清睾酮值

：对青少年运动员血清睾酮值进行了对比研究。根据不同能量代谢系统特点分为5组：(A)项目ATP能量系统供能为主的运动员；(B)项目以糖酵解能量系统供能为主的运动员；(c)项目以有氧能量系统供能为主的运动员；(D)球类运动员；(E)普通青少年。通过对比研究，得到以下结果：(1)所有运动员组血清睾酮高于普通青少年组；(2)第1组运动员血清睾酮值明显高于其他4组；(3)第2、3、4组血清睾酮值无显差异。血清睾酮值可以作为运动员选材的指标，特别是在进行项目以ATP—CP能量系统供能为主的运动员的选择时．     

Breast pain affects the performance of elite female athletes

ABSTRACT

Although breast pain is problematic for many active women, no published research has investigated breast pain experienced by elite female athletes. This study aimed to examine the extent that mastalgia and exercise-induced breast pain affected the sporting performance of elite female athletes during training and competition. A custom-designed online survey with questions related to sport participation, as well as the frequency, severity and perceived performance effects of mastalgia and exercise-induced breast pain, was distributed to sporting organisations, coaches, medical staff and teams/clubs throughout Australia. Five hundred and forty female athletes competing nationally or internationally across 49 different sports participated in the survey. Sixty-three percent of respondents reported experiencing breast pain associated with their menstrual cycle and 33% reported that this pain worsened during activity. Forty-four percent of athletes reported experiencing exercise-induced breast pain during training or competition. Both types of breast pain were also reported to negatively affect sporting performance (20% and 32%, respectively). Mastalgia associated with the menstrual cycle and exercise-induced breast pain should be acknowledged as potential problems affecting the sporting performance of elite female athletes. Awareness around the impact of breast pain and the development and implementation of breast pain management strategies are essential for this population.     

The prevalence and risk indicators of symptoms of common mental disorders among current and former Dutch elite athletes

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and comorbidity of symptoms of common mental disorders (distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, eating disorders, adverse alcohol use) among current and former Dutch elite athletes, and to explore the inference between potential risk indicators (severe injury, surgery, life events, sport career dissatisfaction, social support) and the outcomes measures under investigation. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted on baseline questionnaires from an ongoing prospective cohort study among 203 current and 282 former elite Dutch athletes (response rate: 28% among current athletes and 95% among former athletes). Based on validated scales, an electronic questionnaire was set up and distributed. Prevalence (4-week) ranged from 6% for adverse alcohol use to 45% for anxiety/depression among current elite athletes, and from 18% for distress to 29% for anxiety/depression among former elite athletes. A higher number of past severe injuries, higher number of past surgeries, higher number of recent life events, higher level of career dissatisfaction and lower level of social support were related to the occurrence of symptoms of common mental disorders among both current and former elite athletes. On average, the 4-week prevalence of common mental disorders as shown in our study among current and former Dutch elite athletes were similar to the ones found among athletes from other sports disciplines and does compare with the lifetime prevalence estimates in the general population of the Netherlands.     

我国优秀运动员运动寿命的项群差异

通过比较连续3届进入全运会决赛运动员的项群分布，发现我国不同项群的优秀运动员运动寿命有所不同，技能类项群的运动员运动寿命长于体能类项群运动员。在技能类项群中，运动寿命较长的是球类运动员，而格斗类项目的运动员运动寿命较短。而在体能类项群中，速度性项目运动员的运动寿命长于耐力性和快速力量性项目运动员的运动寿命。     

美国社会工作介入青少年运动员服务的历程及经验

梳理美国社会工作为青少年运动员服务的历程,厘清其不同时期的主张与实践策略。研究发现美国社会工作介入青少年运动员服务的特点和经验:青少年运动员现实需求与“青年崇拜”文化的内在驱动;资源共享与规范化发展是其外在保障;社团模式是主要的运行机制;多样化的服务内容以及全球推广是未来发展方向。对于我国的青少年运动员服务的启示:关注青少年运动员身心健康,鼓励社工力量介入竞技体育服务;探索社工与体育领域跨界合作的方式,达到资源共享效果;高校助力社工介入体育实践与理论的提升。     

从国外运动员的投掷特征看我国优秀女子链球选手的投掷技术

对我国5名优秀女子链球运动员使用近景动态三维录像分析系统分析运动员的投掷技术,结果表明,第四圈双支撑阶段加速能力较强,但在第四圈单支撑阶段速度损失过大;链球旋转速度增量与各圈轨迹中双支撑与单支撑的比值有关,增大链球各圈轨迹中双支撑与单支撑的比值有助于链球旋转速度增量的提高;加大投掷动作的动作幅度,增大各圈旋转中运动员的各运动环节的最大值与最小值的差值对链球旋转速度增量的提高具有十分重要意义。     

从优秀运动员中选拔电视体育节目主持人的若干问题研究

优秀的体育节目主持人除了要具备丰富的知识、良好的口才、播音的技巧之外,还应具有运动的体验和专业知识。优秀退役运动员具备名人效应和体育节目专项化优势,但缺乏相关的知识结构。为把优秀退役运动员培养成为体育节目主持人,可尽快在有关高校开设体育节目主持人专业,可为运动员开设报考体育节目主持人的“绿色通道”,设置运动员报考体育节目主持人的限制条件,另外,运动员也应系统学习各种基本知识和进行播音技巧培训。     

Sleep/wake behaviours of elite athletes from individual and team sports

Abstract

Sleep is an essential component for athlete recovery due to its physiological and psychological restorative effects, yet few studies have explored the habitual sleep/wake behaviour of elite athletes. The aims of the present study were to investigate the habitual sleep/wake behaviour of elite athletes, and to compare the differences in sleep between athletes from individual and team sports. A total of 124 (104 male, 20 female) elite athletes (mean ± s: age 22.2 ± 3.0 years) from five individual sports and four team sports participated in this study. Participants' sleep/wake behaviour was assessed using self-report sleep diaries and wrist activity monitors for a minimum of seven nights (range 7–28 nights) during a typical training phase. Mixed-effects analyses of variances were conducted to compare the differences in the sleep/wake behaviour of athletes from two sport types (i.e. individual and team). Overall, this sample of athletes went to bed at 22:59 ± 1.3, woke up at 07:15 ± 1.2 and obtained 6.8 ± 1.1 h of sleep per night. Athletes from individual sports went to bed earlier, woke up earlier and obtained less sleep (individual vs team; 6.5 vs 7.0 h) than athletes from team sports. These data indicate that athletes obtain well below the recommended 8 h of sleep per night, with shorter sleep durations existing among athletes from individual sports.     

基层少体校羽毛球运动员选材方法实探

通过长期从事少儿羽毛球运动员的训练所积累的经验,并借鉴其他项目的选材模式,提出一套从形态、机能、素质到心理特征的选材思路和实用的、操作性较强的少体校羽毛球运动员选材方法和具体指标,为广大基层少体校羽毛球教练员提供参考。     

武术散打运动员运动性疲劳的恢复

散打运动员在长期大运动量、高强度的训练和竞赛中,生理、心理负荷强度大,致使运动员极易产生运动性疲劳。对散打运动中运动员运动性疲劳产生的原因进行了分析,探讨了运动员运动性疲劳恢复的方法和手段。