Does self-determined motivation interact with environmental contexts to influence moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during a girls’ youth sport camp?

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore whether basketball player’s self-determined motivation interacts with environmental contexts and coach training to influence percentage time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (%MVPA). Methods: A secondary analysis of data from 76 girls (mean ± SD, 10.5 ± 1.0 years) was conducted. Players were classified as high self-determined motivation (HSDM) or low self-determined motivation (LSDM) and randomised to trained (intervention) or untrained (control) coaches. Training included 2 workshops on strategies for activity-promoting practices. Girls were exposed to environmental contexts (practices and games) led by a trained/untrained coach (depending on arm) and one without coaches (free time) daily. Girls wore accelerometers each day. Using mixed random-effects models, the influence of motivation, context and training on %MVPA was analysed. Results: Trained coaches’ practices were associated with the greatest %MVPA with no difference between HSDM and LSDM players (38.28 ± 1.77%; 37.64 ± 1.80%; p = 0.66). HSDM players had significantly greater %MVPA versus LSDM players during untrained coaches’ practices (23.58 ± 1.77%; 20.51 ± 1.78%; p = 0.03). During games with trained coaches, HSDM players had greater %MVPA compared to LSDM players (23.79 ± 1.76%; 18.56 ± 1.74%; p < 0.001). No between-group difference in %MVPA during free time was found (12.85 ± 0.82%; 13.39 ± 0.84%; p = 0.64). Conclusion: The impact of individual differences in self-determined motivation on %MVPA during practices was attenuated when coaches were trained to implement activity-promoting practices.     

Physiological efficiency of constant power output at varying pedal rates

Abstract

The study investigated the absolute and relative (% maximal) physiological demands of constant power output at three pedal rates chosen to incorporate the range used by racing cyclists. Following the assessment of maximal exercise capabilities utilizing a recently developed racing cycle ergometry system, ten highly trained racing cyclists undertook a randomized sequence of work bouts at low (70.0 ± 1.1), medium (94.8 ± 0.8) and high (126.5 ± 1.1) pedal rates per minute at constant power output under an unloaded (free wheel) condition and under a loaded (196.2 ± 8.0 W) condition which demanded approximately 75% VO₂ max. In both the unloaded and loaded conditions absolute cardiorespiratory demands of work at the highest pedal rate were significantly higher than those at the low and medium pedal rates (P<0.05). Similarly, the relative (% max) cardiorespiratory demands of unloaded work at the highest pedalling rate were significantly greater that at low and medium pedal rates (P < 0.05). There were clear, but nonsignificant trends of elevated relative cardiorespiratory demands during loaded work at the highest pedal rate, compared with low and medium pedal rates. Furthermore, net muscular efficiency demonstrated a significant decline (P<0.01) at the highest pedalling rate (21.2%) compared with the medium (24.0%) and low (25.6%) pedalling rates, confirming that metabolic economy of constant power output declined with increased pedalling rate under simulated racing cycling conditions.     

Aerobic exercise and type a behaviour

The Type A behaviour pattern is a well‐documented, if controversial, risk factor for coronary heart disease. Surprisingly, relatively little work has been reported on ways of modifying this behaviour pattern. Aerobic exercise, with its demonstrated benefits for both cardiovascular reactivity and psychological ‘well‐being’, is a promising treatment. The literature is reviewed and recommendations are made for practical applications and future research.     

Nutritional strategies for promoting fat utilization and delaying the onset of fatigue during prolonged exercise

Carbohydrate ingestion before and during endurance exercise delays the onset of fatigue (reduced power output). Therefore, endurance athletes are recommended to ingest diets high in carbohydrate (70% of total energy) during competition and training. However, increasing the availability of plasma free fatty acids has been shown to slow the rate of muscle and liver glycogen depletion by promoting the utilization of fat. Ingested fat, in the form of long-chain (C 16-22 ) triacylglycerols, is largely unavailable during acute exercise, but medium-chain (C 8-10 ) triacylglycerols are rapidly absorbed and oxidized. We have shown that the ingestion of medium-chain triacylglycerols in combination with carbohydrate spares muscle carbohydrate stores during 2 h of submaximal (< 70% VO 2 peak) cycling exercise, and improves 40 km time-trial performance. These data suggest that by combining carbohydrate and medium-chain triacylglycerols as a pre-exercise supplement and as a nutritional supplement during exercise, fat oxidation will be enhanced, and endogenous carbohydrate will be spared. We have also examined the chronic metabolic adaptations and effects on substrate utilization and endurance performance when athletes ingest a diet that is high in fat (> 70% by energy). Dietary fat adaptation for a period of at least 2-4 weeks has resulted in a nearly two-fold increase in resistance to fatigue during prolonged, low- to moderate-intensity cycling (< 70% VO 2 peak). Moreover, preliminary studies suggest that mean cycling 20 km time-trial performance following prolonged submaximal exercise is enhanced by 80 s after dietary fat adaptation and 3 days of carbohydrate loading. Thus the relative contribution of fuel substrate to prolonged endurance activity may be modified by training, pre-exercise feeding, habitual diet, or by artificially altering the hormonal milieu or the availability of circulating fuels. The time course and dose-response of these effects on maximizing the oxidative contribution of fat for exercise metabolism and in exercise performance have not been systematically studied during moderate- to high-intensity exercise in humans.     

Comparison of different theoretical models estimating peak power output and maximal oxygen uptake in trained and elite triathletes and endurance cyclists in the velodrome

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between heart rate intensity and pedometer step counts in adolescents. To determine cardiorespiratory fitness, 106 participants (47 boys, 59 girls, mean age 14.2 years, s = 0.8) completed the Queen's College Step Test and were classified as having low, moderate or high cardiorespiratory fitness. Adolescents also completed a 10-min treadmill trial while wearing a pedometer and heart rate monitor. The participants were instructed to maintain their heart rate between 65 and 75% of their maximum heart rate while running or walking on a treadmill. A heart rate of 65–75% maximum was associated with 146 steps per minute (s = 22) in boys and 137 steps per minute (s = 22) in girls. Results of analysis of variance indicated that there was a main effect for level of fitness (F _2,102 = 9.36, P < 0.001). The correlation between mean steps per minute and estimated maximum oxygen consumption was statistically significant (r = 0.44, P < 0.001). The results from this study suggest that a step rate of 130 steps per minute is equal to 65–75% maximum heart rate in low-fit adolescents and achieving 130 steps per minute could be used as an initial goal to improve fitness.     

The effect of biofeedback training on affective regulation and simulated car-racing performance: A multiple case study analysis

Abstract

In this study, we wished to investigate the factors that determine the direction of the spin axis of a pitched baseball. Nineteen male baseball pitchers were recruited to pitch fastballs. The pitching motion was recorded with a three-dimensional motion analysis system (1000 Hz), and the orientations of the hand segment in a global coordinate system were calculated using Euler rotation angles. Reflective markers were attached to the ball, and the direction of the spin axis was calculated on the basis of their positional changes. The spin axis directions were significantly correlated with the orientations of the hand just before ball release. The ball is released from the fingertip and rotates on a plane that is formed by the palm and fingers; the spin axis of the ball is parallel to this plane. The lift force of the pitched baseball is largest when the angular and translational velocity vectors are mutually perpendicular. Furthermore, to increase the lift forces for the fastballs, the palm must face home plate.     

Influence of body position when considering the ecological validity of laboratory time-trial cycling performance

Abstract

The aims of this study were to compare the physiological demands of laboratory- and road-based time-trial cycling and to examine the importance of body position during laboratory cycling. Nine male competitive but non-elite cyclists completed two 40.23-km time-trials on an air-braked ergometer (Kingcycle) in the laboratory and one 40.23-km time-trial (RD) on a local road course. One laboratory time-trial was conducted in an aerodynamic position (AP), while the second was conducted in an upright position (UP). Mean performance speed was significantly higher during laboratory trials (UP and AP) compared with the RD trial (P < 0.001). Although there was no difference in power output between the RD and UP trials (P > 0.05), power output was significantly lower during the AP trial than during both the RD (P = 0.013) and UP trials (P = 0.003). Similar correlations were found between AP power output and RD power output (r = 0.85, P = 0.003) and between UP power output and RD power output (r = 0.87, P = 0.003). Despite a significantly lower power output in the laboratory AP condition, these results suggest that body position does not affect the ecological validity of laboratory-based time-trial cycling.     

Effects of active and passive recovery on performance during repeated-sprint swimming

Abstract

The effect of active and passive recovery on repeated-sprint swimming bouts was studied in eight elite swimmers. Participants performed three trials of two sets of front crawl swims with 5 min rest between sets. Set A consisted of four 30-s bouts of high-intensity tethered swimming separated by 30 s passive rest, whereas Set B consisted of four 50-yard maximal-sprint swimming repetitions at intervals of 2 min. Recovery was active only between sets (AP trial), between sets and repetitions of Set B (AA trial) or passive throughout (PP trial). Performance during and metabolic responses after Set A were similar between trials. Blood lactate concentration after Set B was higher and blood pH was lower in the PP (18.29 ± 1.31 mmol · l^?1 and 7.12 ± 0.11 respectively) and AP (17.56 ± 1.22 mmol · l^?1 and 7.14 ± 0.11 respectively) trials compared with the AA (14.13 ± 1.56 mmol · l^?1 and 7.23 ± 0.10 respectively) trial (P < 0.01). Performance time during Set B was not different between trials (P > 0.05), but the decline in performance during Set B of the AP trial was less marked than in the AA or PP trials (main effect of sprints, P < 0.05). Results suggest that active recovery (60% of the 100-m pace) could be beneficial between training sets, and may compromise swimming performance between repetitions when recovery durations are short (< 2 min).     

Choose your primary outcome variables with care

The changes in postural tremor of the hand and the subsequent effect on shooting performance produced by moderate cooling and heating of the forearm were studied in six subjects. Cooling produced a large decrease in tremor size of the ipsilateral hand, whereas warming the limb produced an increase in tremor size. Cooling or warming the forearm did not change the peak frequency of tremor significantly, which was quite stable for each subject. The improvement in shooting performance after cooling the forearm, as measured by grouping pattern of the shots, reached statistical significance and warming caused a significant worsening. This measure of performance was shown to correlate (r = 0.776) inversely with tremor size. The causes and implications of these changes are discussed. It is suggested that local cooling may be useful for people who wish temporarily to reduce tremor in order to improve dexterity for shooting and for other purposes.     

Reliability and validity of field-based measures of leg stiffness and reactive strength index in youths

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the reliability of a mobile contact mat in measuring a range of stretch–shortening cycle parameters in young adolescents. Additionally, vertical leg stiffness using contact mat data was validated against a criterion method using force–time data. The reliability study involved 18 youths completing a habituation and three separate test sessions, while 20 youths completed a single test session for the validity study. Participants completed three trials of a squat jump, countermovement jump, and maximal hopping test and a single trial of repeated sub-maximal hopping at 2.0 Hz and 2.5 Hz. All tests were performed on the contact mat. Reliability statistics included repeated-measures analysis of variance, intraclass correlation coefficient, and coefficient of variation (CV), while the correlation coefficient (r) and typical error of estimate (TEE) were reported for the validity study. Squat jump height was the most reliable measure (CV = 8.64%), while leg stiffness during sub-maximal hopping, and reactive strength index produced moderate reliability (CV = 10.17–13.93% and 13.98% respectively). Measures of leg stiffness obtained from contact mat data during sub-maximal hopping were in agreement with the criterion measure (r = 0.92–0.95; TEE = 6.5–7.5%), but not during maximal hopping (r = 0.59; TEE = 41.9%). The contact mat was deemed a valid tool for measuring stretch–shortening cycle ability in sub-maximal but not maximal hopping. Although reliability of performance was generally moderate, the tests offer a replicable assessment method for use with paediatric populations.