Effects of soccer training on health-related physical fitness measures in male adolescents

Purpose: The aims of this study were to(1) investigate the health-related physical fitness profile of untrained adolescent boys in comparison to adolescent soccer players,(2) determine the intensity and enjoyment of 6 v 6 and 4 v 4 small-sided games, and(3) evaluate the health-related effects of a short-period of soccer training in the untrained group.Methods: Forty-one adolescent boys(untrained, n = 24: age = 15.9 ± 0.6 years; trained, n = 17: age = 15.7 ± 0.7 years) were recruited. For Purpose 1,the players(n = 17) and the untrained(n = 24) boys were tested for speed, jumping power, postural balance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. After baseline testing, Purposes 2 and 3 were addressed by randomly assigning the untrained boys to either a soccer-training group(small-sided games,2 sessions per week for 8 weeks) or to a control group, followed by identical retesting.Results: At baseline, physical fitness was higher(p < 0.001) in trained players than in untrained for aerobic fitness, sprinting, jumping power, and postural balance. Small-sided games using 6 v 6 or 4 v 4 elicited similar heart rate(HR)(mean: ~ 85% peak heart rate, HR_(peak)), rate of perceived exertion, and enjoyment responses. Over 8 weeks, the between-group analysis revealed that soccer training had a large beneficial effect on postural balance(45%) when compared with control group with unclear effects on other fitness parameters.Conclusion: Adolescent soccer players had markedly higher physical fitness compared with untrained adolescents. Small-sided soccer games practiced by untrained adolescents elicited high exercise intensity. While 8 weeks of twice-weekly soccer training sessions induced significant improvement in postural balance, the short duration of the study was not sufficient to result in between-group differences in sprint and jump performance or aerobic fitness.

EEG-Related Changes to Fatigue during Intense Exercise in the Heat in Sedentary Women

Purpose: This study examined the possible causal mechanisms of fatigue during intense exercise in the heat in a group of nine sedentary women. Methods: Two strenuous cycling sessions were performed, at 100% of maximal aerobic power, either in neutral (N-Ex, air temperature: 22°C ± 0.4°C, air humidity: 53% ± 8%) or in heat conditions (H-Ex, air temperature: 35°C ± 0.3°C, air humidity: 59 ± 6). Tympanic temperature (Tty), heart rate (HR), body mass loss (BML), lactate concentration [La] and brain electrical activity (EEG: α and β waves and α/β ratio) were recorded. Results: Tty, HR and [La] increases (p ﹣1) than that during N-Ex (0.08 ± 0.02°C·min﹣1), and time to exhaustion (Time Limit at 100%) was significantly (p β waves decreased (p α/β ratio increased (p < 0.05) significantly immediately before exhaustion. Conclusion: During exercise in the heat, the high rate of core temperature rising might be a critical factor triggering faster brain changes.

Training session intensity affects plasma redox status in amateur rhythmic gymnasts

Purpose:The aim of this study was to examine systemic responses of oxidant/antioxidant status following 2 training sessions of different intensity in amateur rhythmic gymnasts.Methods:Before the experimental training,10 female gymnasts performed a gradually increased exercise test to assess maximal heart rate,maximal oxygen consumption,and anaerobic threshold.They executed 2 intermittent training sessions separated by 48 h of recovery(48 h-post R):the first was performed at low-moderate intensity(LMI)and the second at high intensity(HI).Blood samples were collected immediately preand post-training and 48 h-post R.Hydroperoxide level(OxL)and total antioxidant capacity(TAC)were photometrically measured.Results:OxL was significantly higher in post-training and 48 h-post R following HI than the same conditions after an LMI session(HI vs.LMI post-training:381.10±46.17(mean±SD)vs.344.18±27.94 Units Carratelli(U.CARR);48 h-post R:412.21±26.61 vs.373.80±36.08 U.CARR).There was no change in TAC between the 2 training sessions investigated.In LMI training,OxL significantly decreased in post-training and increased to reach the baseline at 48 h-post R,whereas TAC increased only at 48 h-post R.In HI training,OxL significantly increased to reach a high oxidative stress 48 h-post R,whereas TAC was lower in post-training than pre-training.Conclusion:The pattern of OxL and TAC levels implies different regulation mechanisms by HI and LMI training sessions.High oxidative stress induced by an HI protocol might be associated with both insufficient TAC and recovery time at 48 h necessary to restore redox balance.

Does wet-cupping therapy improve repeated sprint ability,perceived wellness,and rating of perceived exertion in young active males?

Wet-cupping therapy(WCT)is one of the oldest known medical techniques,used as a traditional and complementary therapy with a wide application all around the world for general health.Research on the effects of WCT on sports performance are sparse and inconsistent.Thus,we aimed to explore the effects of WCT on repeated sprint ability,wellness,and exertion in young active males.Forty-nine active adult males(age:[28±5]years;body height[177±8]cm;body mass:[79±7]kg;body mass index:[25.4±1.8]kg/m^(2))were selected for the study.The participants performed a running-based sprint test on two separate occasions(Control and Post-WCT).WCT was performed 24 h before the testing session.They completed the Hooper questionnaire to assess their well-being(i.e.,sleep,stress,fatigue,and soreness)before each session.The rating of perceived exertion(RPE)was collected after each testing session.A higher maximum power(p<0.05,effect size[ES]=0.6),mean power(p<0.01,ES=0.5)and minimum power(p<0.01,ES=0.6)were recorded post-WCT as compared to Control session along with a better perceived sleep(p<0.01,ES=0.85).Perceived stress(p<0.01,ES=0.6)and RPE(p<0.001;ES=1.1)were lower during the post-WCT compared to the Control session.The present findings demonstrated that WCT moderately enhanced repeated sprint ability and had positive effects on perceived sleep,stress,and exertion.WCT may be an effective ergogenic aid to improve repeated sprint ability and general wellbeing in young adult males.Future large-scale multicentric clinical studies are paramount to confirm the results of our study.