Somatotyping—Development and Applications

The purpose of this study was to test the relationships between training workload (WL) parameters with variations in anaerobic power and change of direction (COD) in under-16 soccer players. Twenty-three elite players under 16 years were daily monitored for their WL across 20 weeks during the competition soccer season. Additionally, players were assessed three times for anthropometric, body composition, COD, and anaerobic power. A correlational analysis between the mean differences between assessments and accumulated WL parameters were conducted. Moreover, a regression analysis was executed to explain the variations in the percentage of change in fitness levels considering the accumulated WL parameters and peak height velocity. The accumulated daily loads during one week showed a large and a moderate correlation with peak power and COD at different periods of the season. Regression analysis showed no significant predictions for COD (F(12, 10) = 1.2, p = 0.41) prediction, acute load (F(12, 10) = 0.63, p = 0.78), or chronic load (F(12, 10) = 0.59, p = 0.81). In conclusion, it may be assumed that the values of the chronic workload and the accumulated training monotony can be used to better explain the physical capacities of young soccer players, suggesting the importance of psychophysiological instruments to identify the effects of the training process in this population.

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/7934/pdf

Relationships Between Training Workload Parameters with Variations in Anaerobic Power and Change of Direction Status in Elite Youth Soccer Players.

Peroneus longus acts as a foot evertor and pronator, thus ensuring stability of the talocrural joint by curbing inversion movement of the rearfoot. Increased activation of the peroneus longus muscle in the stance phase could have a stabilising effect on the ankle joint. This study aimed to determine whether the activity of the peroneus longus muscle could be increased by the targeted use of a specially formed lateral pressure element in a customised orthopaedic insole. This was a laboratory-based study that utilised a randomised crossover design. Thirty-four healthy participants walked along a walkway in neutral footwear wearing a control insole or a sensorimotor insole with a lateral pressure point adjacent to the tendon of the peroneus longus muscle. The electromyographic muscle activity of the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior muscles was measured using surface electromyography. Contact with the ground was recorded via two pressure sensors under the sole of the shoe. Muscle activity during the stance phase was analysed in the time and amplitude domains and compared statistically with paired t-tests for both insole types. In 27 out of the 34 participants, an additional activity peak of the peroneus longus muscle was observed in the loading response phase with the sensorimotor insole, which reached its maximum at 29.7 % (±4.5 %) of the stance phase. When averaged over all 34 participants, the integrated electromyographic output for the peroneus longus in the mid-stance phase revealed a significant higher activity (p < 0.001, post hoc power = 0.98, effect size: Cohen’s d = 0.71) with the sensorimotor insole (18.1 ± 11.3 % MVCs) than with the control insole (11.2 ± 7.7 % MVCs). No significant effects were established for the other gait phases or for the tibialis anterior. An increase of muscle activity of the peroneus longus muscle was observed during the loading response and mid-stance phase, when orthopedic insoles with a lateral pressure point were worn. We conclude that the pressure point changes afferent information and leads to an increased peroneus longus activation in the time interval in which the pressure point exerted pressure on the peroneal tendon.

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The influence of insoles with a peroneal pressure point on the electromyographic activity of tibialis anterior and peroneus longus during gait

SummaryThe mechanisms through which excessive sitting time impacts health are important to understand. This study found that each hour of sitting per day was not associated with physical function, although associations with poor body composition were observed. Reducing sitting time for improved weight management in older adults needs further exploration.IntroductionTo examine the association of sitting time and breaks in sitting time with muscle mass, strength, function, and inflammation in older Australians.MethodsData from the thigh-worn activPAL3™ monitor (7-day continuous wear) was used to derive time spent sitting (hours) and total number of sit-stand transitions per day. Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), lower-body muscle strength, function (timed up-and-go [TUG], 4-m gait speed, four square step test, 30-second sit-to-stand), and serum inflammatory markers (interleukin-[IL-6], IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], and adiponectin) were measured. Multiple regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, education, employment status, marital status, number of prescription medications, smoking status, vitamin D, and stepping time, were used to assess the associations.ResultsData from 123 community-dwelling older adults (aged 65–84 years, 63% female) were used. Total daily sitting time was associated with lower percentage lean mass (β [95%CI], − 1.70% [− 2.30, − 1.10]) and higher total body fat mass (2.92 kg [1.94, 3.30]). More frequent breaks in sitting time were associated with a 45% reduced risk of having pre-sarcopenia (OR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.34, 0.91; model 1), defined as appendicular lean mass divided by BMI. No significant associations were observed for sitting time or breaks in sitting with measures of muscle strength, function, or inflammation.ConclusionIn older community-dwelling adults, greater sitting time was associated with a lower percentage lean mass, while more frequent breaks in sitting time were associated with lower odds of having pre-sarcopenia. This suggests that reducing sedentary time and introducing frequent breaks in sedentary time may be beneficial for improving body composition in healthy older adults.

Association of sitting time and breaks in sitting with muscle mass, strength, function, and inflammation in community-dwelling older adults

Background: Each of the techniques used in sport is a complex technique requiring a combination of neuromuscular conduction, motor anticipation, and extremely developed proprioception. This is especially the case in martial arts when we deal with a kick or a blow to a specific target. Methods: The main purpose of this study was to determine the kinematic differences in the tested movement pattern among athletes with different levels of advancement in the conditions of kicking: in the air, at a target (a shield), and in direct contact with a competitor. Comparative analysis was performed among 26 players: 13 advanced (group G1) and 13 beginners (group G2). Kinematic data was recorded using an optical motion capture system. The examination consisted of performing three tests of mae-geri kick in sequences of three kicks in three different conditions (without a target, with a static target, and with an opponent). The examination was performed with the back leg and only the moment of kick was analyzed. Results: The most significant differences were observed in the movement of head, torso, hip, knee, and ankle segments, especially during a kick at a shield. Based on the conducted analysis, we can assume that karate training changes the strategy of neuromuscular control, promoting improvement of mobility pattern efficiency. Conclusion: Acquiring this type of knowledge can lead to better results, elimination of errors in training, especially in the initial period of training, and the prevention of possible injuries that occur during exercise or competition.

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/17/3155/pdf

Kinematic Analysis of Mae-Geri Kicks in Beginner and Advanced Kyokushin Karate Athletes

The validity of the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) was investigated to evaluate the anaerobic power performance in comparison to Wingate test in cycling athletes. Ten mountain-bike male cyclists (28.0±7.3 years) randomly performed Wingate Test and RAST with two trials each. After several anthropometric measurements, peak power (PP), mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI) for RAST and Wingate Test were analyzed using Student's paired t-test, Pearson's linear correlation test (r) and Bland and Altman's plots. Results showed that, with the exception of FI (33.8±4.6% vs. 37.8±7.9%; r=0.172), significant differences were detected between the Wingate and RAST tests with regard to PP and MP. Although there was a strong correlation for PP and MP, or rather, 0.831 and 0.714 respectively, agreement of analysis between Wingate and RAST protocols was low. The above suggested that RAST was not appropriate to evaluate the performance of anaerobic power by Wingate test in cycling athletes.

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Validity of the RAST for evaluating anaerobic power performance as compared to Wingate test in cycling athletes

Objective: To investigate the slope influence on the maximal subtalar pronation in submaximal running speeds. Methods: Sixteen endurance runners participated of a running economy (RE) test in a treadmill with different slopes (+1%, +5%, +10%, +15%). For each slope a 4-minute run was performed with no rest break for the purpose of measuring the magnitude of kinematic variables by means of a high frequency video camera positioned in a frontal-posterior plane of the individual. Results: No significant differences were verified in maximal subtalar pronation between legs and between the slopes adopted, showing that changes of running technique due to modifications of slope aren’t enough to modify the behavior of maximum subtalar pronation. Conclusion: The subtalar pronation is independent of slope, which may be influenced by other intervening variables. Level of Evidence II, Diagnostic Study.

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Influence of slope on subtalar pronation in submaximal running performance

Background & Study Aim: The traditional karate is a martial art that includes an application of many forms of kick in situations to combat sports, this way, involving different training methods to improve the technique of kicking. The objective of this study is the kinematics variables of the front kick of karate practitioners of traditional style in conditions with impact in a target and without impact. Material & Methods: Collected the anthropometrical data from 8 graduate male karateists athletes with brown and black belt (30.1 ± 10.2 years, body weight of 85.3 ± 16.2 kg and height of 178.9 ± 4.9 cm, time of medium training 13.7 ± 4.7 years). The assessment of kinematic of the kick was made by means of computed kinemetry, acquiring 3 sequences of front kick in conditions with and without impact with both sides of the individuals, being analysed in the Skillspector 1.3.2 software. The statistical analysis was performed in the SPSS software. Results: In relation to the kinematics variables analysed the velocity of 5th metatarsus in the condition with impact and using the dominant member was significantly larger than the other conditions, as well as at the speed of the lateral malle olus in the condition with impact and utilizing the dominant member. In relation to the angle of the ankle joint the condition without impact presented better results, the knee joint the best results were seen in the condition without impact. Conclusions: Finally, the study concludes that the kicks conducted with impact by the dominant member has higher speed values, however the kicks without impact present better angular conditions to the technique of the kick. Therewith, recommends that it be prioritized in sports training traditional karate the application of kicks with the impact targets.

Kinematics analysis of the front kick with and without impact on traditional karate

The aim of this study was to provide a descriptive analysis of the morphological structure, muscle strength, and anaerobic power performance of the upper limbs of wheelchair basketball athletes Eleven male players (332 ± 106 years, 718 ± 158 kg) were submitted to anthropometric measurements and dynamometry (kg), medicine ball throwing (m) and wingate arm tests (W) he results showed sitting height (797 ± 46 cm), relative body fat (207 ± 76%), handgrip strength and explosive muscle strength (501 ± 106 kg and 39 ± 11 m, respectively), as well as peak power (3168 ± 1262 W), mean power (1605 ± 765 W) and fatigue index (504%) lower than the performance of other wheelchair basketball athletes he morphological characteristics and performance of athletes in the present study suggest disadvantages when compared to other wheelchair basketball athletes

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Morphological characteristics, muscle strength, and anaerobic power performance of wheelchair basketball players

Background Sedentary behavior is a risk factor for several diseases, while physically active lifestyles and physical fitness contribute to the promotion and maintenance of health. Objective To establish the level of physical activity of university administrative employees and investigate its relationship with muscle strength indicators and morphological characteristics. Methods The sample comprised 44 university administrative employees. Data on body mass (BM) and height were collected to calculate the body mass index. The participants' level of physical activity was established based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The participants were subjected to four muscle strength tests: right hand grip (RHG), left hand grip (LHG), lumbar traction (LT) and lower limb traction (LLT). Relative muscle strength (%MS) was calculated dividing absolute muscle strength (AMS=RHG+LHG+LT+LLT) by BM. Results The insufficiently active participants exhibited significant higher BM, lower LT, LLT, AMS and %MS, and spent more time in sedentary activities on weekends. Conclusion Physical inactivity was associated with poorer muscle strength indicators and higher BM among university administrative employees, pointing to harms inherent to sedentary behavior.

Bruno Sergio Portela

Papers

Validity of the RAST for evaluating anaerobic power performance as compared to Wingate test in cycling athletes

Influence of slope on subtalar pronation in submaximal running performance

Kinematics analysis of the front kick with and without impact on traditional karate

Morphological characteristics, muscle strength, and anaerobic power performance of wheelchair basketball players

Indicadores de força e prática habitual de atividades físicas em agentes universitários