An anthropometric analysis of elite Australian track cyclists

An anthropometric analysis was conducted on 35 elite male Australian track cyclists having a mean age of 22.6 years and who had been competing on average for 9 years. The relationship of anthropometric parameters to both bicycle saddle height and cycling performance was also investigated. Subjects were allocated, for purposes of comparison, to an endurance or sprint group on the basis of their competitive event. The group members in total were ectomorphic mesomorphs of height 178±4.8 cm and weight 72.5 ±6.6 kg on average. Percentage of saddle height to lower limb length averaged 99±1.6%, and significant correlations existed between strength and both body mass (r=0.57) and thigh girth (r = 0.55). No significant correlation was seen between any anthropometric parameter and performance in an individual event. Cyclists in the sprint group were heavier (76.2 ± 7.4 vs. 70.0 ± 4.7 kg, P<0.01) and stronger (258 ± 44.4 vs. 216 ± 30.5 Nm, P<0.01), and had larger chest (98.2 ± 6.2 vs. 92.4 ± 2.9 cm, P<0.01), arm (33.0±2.2 vs. 30.7± 1.6 cm, P<0.01), thigh (57.5 ± 3.4 vs. 54.3 ± 2.5 cm, P<0.01) and calf girths (37.8±1.7 vs. 36.2±1.9 cm, P<0.05) than cyclists in the endurance group. They were also more mesomorphic (5.3 ± 0.7 vs. 4.7 ± 0.8, P<0.05) and less ectomorphic (2.3 ± 0.9 vs. 2.9±0.6, P<0.05) than the endurance cyclists.     

Influence of Arm Position and Lung Volume on the Center of Buoyancy of Competitive Swimmers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if anaerobic performance as measured by the Wingate is decremented in elite female athletes when fraction of inspired oxygen is decreased from 20.9% to 10%. Method: Nine collegiate female soccer players (M_weight = 63.2 ± 10 kg, M_height = 164 ± 4.7 cm, M_age = 18.6 ± 0.5 year) performed 1 Wingate test under each condition separated by at least 24 hr. Oxygen consumption was measured breath by breath using a Sensor-Medics metabolic cart. Postexercise blood lactates were measured using the finger-stick method. During normoxic and hypoxic (10% inspired oxygen [O₂]) conditions, participants inhaled air from a 300-L weather balloon during the 30-s test. Results: Peak power, minimum power, average power, postexercise blood lactate, preexercise and postexercise blood O₂ saturation, and total O₂ consumed during exercise and during recovery were not statistically different between conditions. However, the Fatigue Index and peak ventilation were significantly greater during hypoxia than normoxia (35 ± 11% vs. 27 ± 9% &; 91.6 ± 14.2 L/min vs. 75.2 ± 11.1 L/min, respectively, p < .05, Cohen's d = ? 0.80 and ? 1.29, respectively). Ventilation was elevated during hypoxia within 5 s of beginning the Wingate and remained elevated throughout exercise. This increased ventilation was sufficient to maintain oxygen consumption during exercise. Conclusion: Under hypoxic conditions, the ventilatory response to the Wingate test is perhaps more important than aerobic capacity per se in determining whether or not Wingate performance is decremented.     

Self and Team Development in Practice (STP) Walk Bally

An evaluation study was conducted to assess strengths and weaknesses of an outdoor‐based experiential training (OBET) program used in Thailand. Self and Team Development in Practice (STP) Walk Rally is used as a case. Most of the principles in adult theory, experiential learning theory, and Holton's HRD [human resource development] Evaluation Research and Measurement Model are met by the STP Walk Rally, but it cannot promise transfer of learning. In the Thai culture, sanuk, or having fun, is the best element of the training design. However, face‐to‐face feedback is not appropriate for Thais. Recommendations for practice and research are made.