The Coercion Argument Against Performance-Enhancing Drugs

This paper is a critique of the coercion argument against performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). According to this argument, lifting the ban on PEDs would undermine the autonomy of athletes by creating a situation where everyone must either use PEDs or not compete at the highest levels of sport. Four problems are raised for this argument and it is concluded that the argument fails. A variation on the coercion argument is also considered and rejected.     

The influence of crank rate on peak oxygen consumption during arm crank ergometry

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of three imposed crank rates on the attainment of peak oxygen consumption ( V O 2peak ) and other physiological responses during incremental arm crank ergometry. Twenty physically active, although non-specifically trained, males volunteered for the study. They completed an exercise protocol using an electrically braked arm ergometer (Lode Angio, Groningen, Netherlands) at crank rates of 60, 70 and 80 rev·min -1 . The order of tests was randomized and they were separated by at least 2 days. Peak V O 2 was significantly higher ( P ? 0.05) at 70 and 80 rev·min -1 than at 60 rev·min -1 . Peak ventilation volume increased as a function of crank rate and was higher ( P ? 0.05) at 80 than at 60 rev·min -1 . Peak heart rate was higher ( P ? 0.05) at 70 and 80 rev·min -1 than at 60 rev·min -1 . Furthermore, 70 and 80 rev·min -1 resulted in an extended test time compared with 60 rev·min -1 . The greater physiological responses observed during the tests at the two faster crank rates might have been the result of a postponement of acute localized neuromuscular fatigue, allowing for more work to be completed. We recommend, therefore, that an imposed crank rate between 70 and 80 rev·min -1 should be used to elicit V O 2peak and other physiological responses in arm crank ergometry.     

Demographic characteristics of elite Kenyan endurance runners

Abstract

Kenyan athletes have dominated international distance running in recent years. Explanations for their success include favourable physiological characteristics, which could include favourable genetic endowment, and advantageous environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to compare the demographic characteristics of elite Kenyan runners with those of the general Kenyan population. Questionnaires, administered to 404 elite Kenyan runners specializing in distances ranging from the 800 m to the marathon and 87 Kenyan controls, obtained information on place of birth, language, and distance and method of travel to school. Athletes were separated into two groups according to athletic success: those who competed in international competition and those who competed in national competition. The athletes differed from controls in regional distribution, language, and distance and method of travel to school; athletes also differed from each other with the exception of method of travel to school. Most national and international athletes came from the Rift Valley province (controls 20%, national athletes 65%, international athletes 81%), belonged to the Kalenjin ethnic group (controls 8%, national athletes 49%, international athletes 76%) and Nandi sub-tribe (controls 5%, national athletes 25%, international athletes 44%), and spoke languages of Nilotic origin (controls 21%, national athletes 60%, international athletes 79%). A higher proportion of all athletes ran to school each day (controls 22%, national athletes 73%, international athletes 81%) and covered greater distances. In conclusion, Kenyan runners are from a distinctive environmental background in terms of geographical distribution, ethnicity and travelled further to school, mostly by running. These findings highlight the importance of environmental and social factors in the success of Kenyan runners.     

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.     

The effects of eccentric phase duration on concentric outcomes in the back squat and bench press in well-trained males

ABSTRACT

The velocity and magnitude in which the eccentric phase of an exercise is completed directly affects performance during the concentric phase. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of eccentric phase duration on concentric outcomes at 60% and 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the squat and bench press. Sixteen college-aged, resistance-trained males completed 1RM testing, established normative eccentric durations, and performed fast (0.75 times normative) and slow (2.0 times normative) metronome-controlled eccentric duration repetitions. Outcome measures assessed during the concentric phase were: average concentric velocity (ACV), peak concentric velocity (PCV), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), range of motion (ROM), and barbell path. Eccentric duration was significantly and inversely correlated with ACV at 60% (r = ?0.408, p = 0.004) and 80% (r = ?0.477, p = 0.001) of 1RM squat. At 60% of 1RM squat, both fast and slow eccentric conditions produced greater (p < 0.001) PCV than normative duration with fast also producing greater PCV than slow (p = 0.044). Eccentric duration had no impact on RPE, ROM, or barbell path. Our results report for the first time that resistance-trained males performing a deliberately faster eccentric phase may enhance their own squat and bench press performance.     

Gold Medal Volleyball: The Training Program and Physiological Profile of the 1984 Olympic Champions

Abstract

This study focused on the differences between experienced and inexperienced physical education teachers' approaches to planning, low inference indicators of teaching behavior during instruction, and global variables from the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study. It was found experienced teachers asked many more questions before they began planning than did inexperienced teachers. Experienced teachers' plans reflected a concern about contingencies that might arise during instruction, whereas inexperienced teachers' plans did not. Interaction analysis and codings of student engagement showed marked differences between experienced and inexperienced teachers. Judging the qualities of experienced and inexperienced teachers also showed important differences. These sources of data are interrelated and give a vivid picture of how experienced and inexperienced teachers differ in accomplishment of instruction. The findings are discussed in terms of what they may mean for teacher development programs.     

Effects of Different Durations of Physical Training on Cardiorespiratory Function,Body Composition,and Serum Lipids

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of 15, 30, and 45 min of conditioning on maximum performance and cardiorespiratory fitness variables, body composition, pulmonary function, and serum lipids. Subjects, ages 20 to 35, were 59 inmates at a California state prison. The conditioning included running and walking and was performed three days/week at approximately 85 to 90% max HR for 20 weeks. The distance covered per exercise session was approximately 1.75, 3.25, and 5.1 miles for the 15-, 30-, and 45-min groups, respectively.

Improvements in treadmill performance time. [Vdot]O₂ max, max O₂ pulse, diastolic blood pressure, and total skinfold fat were proportional to duration of the training session; i.e., the subjects training in the longer duration sessions showed the greater improvements. The control group showed no significant change during the same period. Compared to the control group, the 15-min group made significant reductions in resting HR, total skinfold fat, percent fat, and waist girth and increases in [Vdot]O₂ max, max O₂ pulse,[Vdot]_E max, and treadmill performance time. Vital capacity, FEV_1.0, and % FEV_1.0 remained relatively unchanged in all four groups, as did serum cholesterol and triglycerides. The 45-min group improved significantly more than the 15-min group in treadmill time, [Vdot]O₂ max, max O₂ pulse, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and percent fat. In general, comparisons between the 15- and 30-min groups and between the 30- and 45-min groups failed to yield statistically significant differences.     

The German Workers' Sport Movement between Socialism,Workers' Culture,Middle-Class Gymnastics and Sport for All

The 150th birthday of the German Labor Party Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD) provides a good opportunity to research and discuss the genesis of the workers' sport movement in Germany. In this article, the German workers' sport history is placed in a broader context of the development of the German club sports system. This system emerged in the middle of the nineteenth century and was strongly influenced by national or nationalistic, as well as socialist ideas and concepts of workers' sport. The chronological context therefore commences long before 1893, when the socialist workers' gymnastics federation (ATB) was formally founded. The history also does not end in 1933, when the socialist organisations were destroyed by the Nazi regime. The concepts, ideas, visions and morality of workers sports are still alive – at least partly – in current sports.     

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.