2007. december 18., kedd

Technical performance during soccer matches of the Italian Serie A league: Effect of fatigue and competitive level.

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in technical and physical performance between the first and second half during official matches of Italian Serie A league. Further aim was to compare the technical and physical performance of the players of the more successful teams (ranked in the first 5 positions) with the players of the less successful teams (ranked in the last 5 positions) from the same league. A total of 416 individual games from 186 soccer players (27+/-4 years, 76+/-5kg, and 181+/-5cm) were analysed using a video match-analysis system. The match performance parameters analysed were: total distance covered (TD), high-intensity running distance (HIR), very high-intensity running distance (VHIR), total distance with the ball (TDB), high-intensity running distance with the ball (HIRB), and very high-intensity running distance with the ball (VHIRB). The number of skill involvements was also measured. The players from the more successful teams covered greater TDB and HIRB and also had more involvements with the ball, completed more short passes, successful short passes, tackles, dribbling, shots and shots on target compared to the less successful teams. A significant decline between the first and second half was found for both physical performance and some technical scores (involvements with the ball, short passes and successful short passes). This study showed a decline in technical and physical performance between the first and second half, and that both physical performance and technical skills were different between players from more successful and less successful teams.

Sprint vs. Interval Training in Football

Int J Sports Med

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of high-intensity aerobic interval and repeated-sprint ability (RSA) training on aerobic and anaerobic physiological variables in male football players. Forty-two participants were randomly assigned to either the interval training group (ITG, 4 × 4 min running at 90 - 95 % of HRmax; n = 21) or repeated-sprint training group (RSG, 3 × 6 maximal shuttle sprints of 40 m; n = 21). The following outcomes were measured at baseline and after 7 weeks of training: maximum oxygen uptake, respiratory compensation point, football-specific endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, YYIRT), 10-m sprint time, jump height and power, and RSA. Significant group × time interaction was found for YYIRT with RSG showing greater improvement than ITG . Similarly, a significant interaction was found in RSA mean time with only the RSG group showing an improvement after training . No other group × time interactions were found. Significant pre-post changes were found for absolute and relative maximum oxygen uptake and respiratory compensation point These findings suggest that the RSA training protocol used in this study can be an effective training strategy for inducing aerobic and football-specific training adaptations.

2007. december 17., hétfő

The effect of the Ramadan fast on physical performance and dietary habits in adolescent soccer players

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2007 Dec 11;

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the Ramadan fast on performance capacities, dietary habits, and the daily behavioral patterns in adolescent (14-16-year-old) soccer players. Nineteen male players performed a series of fitness tests before and at the end of Ramadan fast. Caloric intake, physical activity pattern and sleep habits were evaluated during the week before the Ramadan fast and during the last week of the Ramadan fast. The fast resulted in a significant reduction in aerobic capacity (3,000 m run time) speed endurance (Sum 6 x 40 m run time) and jumping performance but had no significant effect on sprint performance or agility (4 x 10 m shuttle run time) Daily intense physical activity was significantly reduced during Ramadan. There were no significant differences in total caloric intake or total daily sleeping hours between Ramadan and a regular month. The results indicate that Ramadan fasting can lead to a significant decrease in athletic performance capacities. The decrease in performance does not necessarily relate to changes in caloric intake and sleeping hours during the fast.

2007. december 10., hétfő

Natural antiinflammatory agents for pain relief in athletes.

Neurosurg Focus. 2006 Oct 15;21(4):E11
Most athletes experience musculoskeletal injuries during their sports activity that require rest at a minimum, and occasionally injuries are severe enough to necessitate surgical repair. Neurosurgeons are often consulted for athletically sustained injuries and prescribe medications for the associated pain. The use of both over-the-counter and prescription nonsteroidal medications is frequently recommended, but recent safety concerns must now be considered. The authors discuss the biochemical pathways of nonsteroidal drugs and review the potentially serious side effects of these medications. They also review the use of natural supplements, which may be a safer, and often as effective, alternative treatment for pain relief.

Pain medications in the locker room: to dispense or not.

Curr Sports Med Rep. 2007 Dec;6(6):367-70

Sports medicine physicians often treat athletes who are in pain. Treatment may allow them to return to play more quickly. However, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to guide physicians. This article reviews over-the-counter and prescription medications that athletes with acute and chronic injuries can use via oral, topical, or injectable routes to control pain.

Effect of Hydrotherapy on Recovery from Fatigue

The present study investigated the effects of three hydrotherapy interventions on next day performance recovery following strenuous training. Twelve cyclists completed four experimental trials differing only in 14-min recovery intervention: cold water immersion (CWI), hot water immersion (HWI), contrast water therapy (CWT), or passive recovery (PAS). Each trial comprised five consecutive exercise days of 105-min duration, including 66 maximal effort sprints. Additionally, subjects performed a total of 9-min sustained effort (time trial - TT). After completing each exercise session, athletes performed one of four recovery interventions (randomly assigned to each trial). Performance (average power), core temperature, heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded throughout each session. Sprint (0.1 - 2.2 %) and TT (0.0 - 1.7 %) performance were enhanced across the five-day trial following CWI and CWT, when compared to HWI and PAS. Additionally, differences in rectal temperature were observed between interventions immediately and 15-min post-recovery; however, no significant differences were observed in HR or RPE regardless of day of trial/intervention. Overall, CWI and CWT appear to improve recovery from high-intensity cycling when compared to HWI and PAS, with athletes better able to maintain performance across a five-day period.

Early Motion for Achilles Tendon Ruptures: Is Surgery Important?

The American Journal of Sports Medicine 35:2033-2038 (2007)

Background: Comparisons of surgically and nonsurgically treated Achilles tendon ruptures have demonstrated that those treated with surgery allow earlier motion and tend to show superior results. However, early motion enhances tendon healing with or without surgery and may be the important factor in optimizing outcomes in patients with Achilles tendon rupture.
Hypothesis: There is no difference in the outcome of acute Achilles tendon rupture treated nonoperatively or operatively if controlled early motion is allowed as part of the rehabilitation program.
Study Design: Randomized, controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1.
Methods: Patients with acute rupture of the Achilles tendon were randomized to surgery or no surgery, with both groups receiving early motion controlled in a removable orthosis, progressing to full weightbearing at 8 weeks from treatment. Both groups were followed prospectively for 12 months with measurements of range of motion, calf circumference, and the Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment Instrument (MFAI) outcome score; any reruptures and any complications were noted.
Results: Both groups were comparable for age and sex. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, calf circumference, or the MFAI scores measured at 2, 8, 12, 26, or 52 weeks. One patient in each group was noncompliant and required surgical rerepair of the tendon. There were no differences in complications and a similar low number of reruptures in both groups.
Conclusion: This study supports early motion as an acceptable form of rehabilitation in both surgically and nonsurgically treated patients with comparable functional results and a low rerupture rate. There appears to be no difference between the 2 groups, suggesting that controlled early motion is the important part of treatment of ruptured Achilles tendon.