The influence of core affect on cyclo-ergometer endurance performance:Effects on performance outcomes and perceived exertion

Background:Core affect is defined as the most general affective construct consciously accessible that is experienced constantly.It can be experienced as free-floating(mood)or related to prototypical emotional episodes.The aim of this study was to examine the influence of pleasant and unpleasant core affect on cyclo-ergometer endurance performance.Specifically,we considered the influence of pleasant and unpleasant core affect on performance outcomes(i.e.,time to task completion)and rate of perceived exertion(RPE;Borg Scale,category ratio-10)collected during the task.Methods:Thirty-one participants aged 20-28 years were recruited.Core affect was randomly elicited by 2 sets of pleasant and unpleasant pictures chosen from the international affective picture system.Pictures were displayed to participants during a cyclo-ergometer performance in 2 days in a counterbalanced order.RPE was collected every minute to detect volunteers’exhaustion.Results:The study sample was split into 2 groups.Group 1 comprised participants who performed better with pleasant core affect,whereas Group 2 included participants who performed better with unpleasant core affect.Mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance revealed a significant 2(group)×2(condition)×5(isotime)interaction(p=0.002,ηp^2=0.158).Post hoc comparisons showed that participants who obtained better performance with pleasant core affect(pleasant pictures;Group 1)reported lower RPE values at 75%of time to exhaustion in a pleasant core affect condition compared to an unpleasant core affect condition.On the other hand,participants who obtained better performance with unpleasant core affect(unpleasant pictures;Group 2)reported lower RPE values at 75%and 100%of time to exhaustion in an unpleasant core affect condition.Conclusion:Findings suggest differential effects of pleasant and unpleasant core affect on performance.Moreover,core affect was found to influence perceived exertion and performance according to participants’preferences for pleasant or unpleasant core affect.

Guasha improves the rating of perceived exertion scale score and reduces heart rate variability in male weightlifters:a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Guasha therapy on the rating of perceived exertion(RPE) scale score, and heart rate variability(HRV).METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of Guasha(skin scraping) was compared with a sham scraping group and control group. Sixteen sessions within an 8-week period were completed. Sixty-five male weightlifters who had undergone normal weightlifting training for a mean of 5 years before study commencement were recruited. The RPEscale score of "snatch", "clean and jerk" maneuvers(85% of one-repetition maximum), and HRV were measured before and after the intervention.RESULTS: The RPE scale score for snatch, clean and jerk were reduced significantly after intervention in the Guasha group and sham group. However, there was a significant difference in the low frequency(LF) domain and LF/high frequency(HF) ratio(P <0.05): the LF domain decreased, and the LF/HF ratio decreased.CONCLUSION: Guasha could be used to reduce the RPE scale score, and increase the response to HRV.Guasha could be considered as an alternative to some types of recovery from sports training.

Temporal changes in physiological and performance responses across game-specific simulated basketball activity

Purpose: The aims of this study were to:(1) provide a comprehensive physiological profile of simulated basketball activity and(2) identify temporal changes in player responses in controlled settings.Methods: State-level male basketball players(n = 10) completed 4 × 10 min simulated quarters of basketball activity using a reliable and valid courtbased test. A range of physiological(ratings of perceived exertion, blood lactate concentration([BLa~—]), blood glucose concentration([BGlu]), heart rate(HR), and hydration) and physical(performance and fatigue indicators for sprint, circuit, and jump activity) measures were collected across testing.Results: Significantly reduced [BLa~—](6.19 ± 2.30 vs. 4.57 ± 2.33 mmol/L; p = 0.016) and [BGlu](6.91 ± 1.57 vs. 5.25 ± 0.81 mmol/L;p = 0.009) were evident in the second half. A mean HR of 180.1 ± 5.7 beats/min(90.8% ± 4.0% HR max) was observed, with a significant increase in vigorous activity(77%—95% HR max)(11.31 ± 6.91 vs. 13.50 ± 6.75 min; p = 0.024) and moderate decrease in near-maximal activity(>95% HR_(max))(7.24 ± 7.45 vs. 5.01 ± 7.20 min) in the second half. Small increases in performance times accompanied by a significantly lower circuit decrement(11.67% ± 5.55% vs. 7.30% ± 2.16%; p = 0.032) were apparent in the second half.Conclusion: These data indicate basketball activity imposes higher physiological demands than previously thought and temporal changes in responses might be due to adapted pacing strategies as well as fatigue-mediated mechanisms.

Effects of compression garments on surface EMG and physiological responses during and after distance running

Background:The few previous studies that focused on the effects of compression garments(CG)on distance running performance have simultaneously measured electromyogram,physiological,and perceptual parameters.Therefore,this study investigated the effects of CG on muscle activation and median frequency during and after distance running,as well as blood-lactate concentration and rating of perceived exertion(RPE)during distance running.Methods:Eight healthy male recreational runners were recruited to randomly perform two 40 min treadmill running trials,one with CG,and the other with control garment made of normal cloth.The RPE and the surface electromyography(EMG)of 5 lower extremity muscles including gluteus maximus(GM),rectus femoris(RF),semitendinosus(ST),tibialis anterior(TA),and gastrocnemius(GAS)were measured during the running trial.The blood-lactate levels before and after the running trial were measured.Results:Wearing CG led to significant lower muscle activation(p<0.05)in the GM(decreased 7.40%-14.31%),RF(decreased 4.39%-4.76%),and ST(decreased 3.42%-7.20%)muscles;moreover,significant higher median frequency(p<0.05)in the GM(increased 5.57%)and ST(increased 10.58%)muscles.Wearing CG did not alter the RPE values or the blood-lactate levels(p>0.05).Conclusion:Wearing CG was associated with significantly lower muscle activation and higher median frequency in the running-related key muscles during distance running.This finding suggested that wearing CG may improve muscle function,which might enhance running performance and prevent muscle fatigue.

Effect of scraping therapy on weightlifting ability

OBJECTIVE:To verify the effects of scraping therapy on the weightlifting ability by measuring the subjective sensation,and changes of biomarkers.METHODS:Five students,who have been trained for 3 years in a sport school in China were participated in this study.A course of scraping therapy was applied to intervene during the normal 7-week of weightlifting training programme.The ability of weightlifting,the scale of rating perceived exertion and serum biochemical markers were measured before and after the intervention.RESULTS:Scraping therapy caused a significant increase in weightlifting ability(P<0.05).The level of rating perceived exertion remained stable with the increase in the training volume.Immuno-globulinA was significantly increased(P<0.05),and creatine kinase and blood urea nitrogen were significantly decreased(P<0.05).No significant changes were observed in white blood cell,neutrophil,and testosterone.CONCLUSION:Scraping therapy may facilitate weightlifting ability mainly by decreasing weight sensation and improving serum biochemical parameters.

Assessment of the Anaerobic Speed Reserve during Specific High-Intensity Exercise in Judo Athletes

Purpose This study aimed to describe self-selected intensity and its relationship to performance during a high-intensity all-out judo protocol,and to verify whether athletes with different anaerobic speed reserve(ASR)perform differently during a high-intensity all-out interval uchi-komi(judo-specific skill).Methods We analyzed the performance of 28 judo athletes as a whole group and divided into groups,according to their ASR.They performed several judo-specific protocols using a specific skill:maximal speed sprint(MSS)and maximal aerobic speed(MAS),and high-intensity intermittent uchi-komi protocol(12×20 s all-out:10 s passive recovery).Results The main results demonstrated a decrease in the number of repetitions and an increase in heart rate across the sets.Athletes with greater ASR performed a higher number of repetitions,compared to the low ASR group,and they were able to exercise at a higher percentage of the MAS(low ASR=126%;SD=13%;high ASR=152%,SD=l9%)and at a lower percentage of MSS compared to the low ASR group(low ASR=84%,SD=7%;high ASR=76%,SD=11%).However,both groups exercised at a similar percentage of their own ASR during the protocol(low ASR=50%,SD=20%;high ASR=53%,SD=19%).Conclusions Athletes with different ASR seem to set their pace at around 50%of their ASR within an all-out uchi-komi pro-tocol.Therefore,the ASR is useful for predicting performance during high-intensity judo-specific interval exercise intervals.

Music alters heart rate and psychological responses but not muscle activation during light-intensity isometric exercise

Listening to music manipulates attention to be more externally focused,which has the potential to improve muscular efficiency.This study aimed to determine the effect of listening to music on muscle activation during an isometric exercise task,and compare this effect to those of other attentional focus conditions.Apparently healthy subjects(n=35;16 men/19 women)completed an isometric elbow flexion task for 1 min in three randomized and counterbalanced conditions:internal focus(INT),external focus with a simple distraction task(EXT),or listening to music(MUS).Muscle activation of the biceps and triceps brachii and heart rate(HR)were recorded throughout the exercise tasks.Ratings of perceived exertion(RPE),affective valence,and motivation were measured at the end of each trial.There was no difference in muscle activation measures among the three conditions.HR during MUS was lower than EXT at 15 s([89.4±11.8]beats/min vs.[93.1±12.9]beats/min;p=0.018)and 30 s([90.6±12.4]beats/min vs.[94.2±12.5]beats/min;p=0.026),and lower than INT at 60 s([93.3±13.3]beats/min vs.[96.7±12.0]beats/min;p=0.016).Overall RPE was higher for INT(13.4±2.2)than for MUS([12.6±2.0];p=0.020)and EXT([11.94±2.22];p<0.001).Affective valence was higher for MUS than for INT([2.7±1.4]vs.[2.1±1.5];p=0.011).Manipulating attentional focus did not alter muscle activation for a light-intensity isometric muscular endurance task,though MUS was reported as more positive and requiring less exertion to complete than INT.Using music can therefore be recommended during light-intensity isometric exercise based on the psychological benefits observed.