Objective To compare health and skill related physical fitness profiles between healthy, male, basketball and football players of Sri Lankan national teams. Results Thirty basketball players (mean age 24 ± 4.5 years) and 30 football players (mean age 23 ± 4.3 years) were evaluated for health related fitness characteristics (body fat percentage, cardio-respiratory fitness, isometric hand grip strength, lower body and upper body muscular strength, abdominal and upper body muscular endurance, and flexibility) and skill related fitness characteristics (agility, speed, explosive throwing power, jumping power, reaction time, coordination, static balance). Fat percentage, upper body endurance, grip strength, running speed, explosive power, jumping power, balance and coordination were significantly higher in basketball players than in footballers. Football players had better upper body strength, flexibility, reaction time and agility than those of basketball players. The latter two were statistically significant. Basketball players had better mean lower body strength, although not significant. Fitness characteristics were different between basketball and football players. The results have implications in tailoring training activities to improve relevant fitness characteristics.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of RMT on ventilatory parameters, aerobic fitness and rowing ergometer performance among professional rowers in Sri Lanka. Twenty national male rowers, aged 20-35 years were grouped randomly into an experimental (n=11) and a control (n=9) group. Prior to the study, baseline measurements of ventilatory functions, aerobic fitness (VO2max) and rowing performance were assessed by a portable spirometer, 2000m and 5000m rowing ergometer and Monark cycle ergometer respectively. Subsequently, rowers in the experimental group were prescribed a RMT program comprising of breathing exercises while control group was prescribed a general exercise program for a 12 weeks after which all the above parameters were assessed again. The association of rowing ergometer performance with the ventilatory functions and aerobic fitness was assessed by pearson correlation. There were significant improvements in PIF, FVC, and VO2max in the experimental group after 12-weeks (p<0.05) while only VO2 max improved non-significantly in the control group (p>0.05). Compared to the control, PIF improved significantly in the experimental group (p<0.05). The rowers in the experimental group with higher PIF and VO2max performed better at 2000m and 5000m ergometer whereas in the control group, only VO2max was associated with better performance in 5000m ergometer. This suggests that the RMT program had a significant effect in improving some ventilatory parameters and VO2max of the rowers resulting in better performance.

Background: Respiratory muscle training (RMT) has been proposed as a beneficial means of improving respiratory muscle strength (RMS) and respiratory muscle fatigue (RMF) in athletes. Aims and Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a 12-week specific RMT program on the RMS, RMF and rowing ergometer performance in highly- trained rowers. Materials and Methods: Twenty professional rowers aged 20-35 years were recruited for the study during the competitive period and randomly grouped into an experimental (n=11) or control (n=9) group. Baseline measurements of maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures were obtained with a portable handheld mouth pressure meter while performance was assessed by 2000m and 5000m rowing ergometer machine. Subsequently rowers in the experimental group were prescribed a novel RMT program comprising of specific breathing and abdominal muscle exercises while the control group was prescribed a “general exercise program” for non- respiratory muscles for a 12-week period. RMF was assessed by calculating the difference between the pre-exercise and post-exercise mouth pressures. Results: Respiratory muscle strength improved overtime in the experimental and the control group following the respective training programs (p<0.05) with the experimental group showing higher RMS and lower RMF. However, there were no statistically significant differences in RMS and RMF between the two groups (P>0.05). More importantly, rowing ergometer performance improved significantly in the experimental group compared to the control (p<0.01). Conclusion: The results suggest that the novel RMT program had a significant effect in improving rowing performance, although the effect on RMS and RMF was not significant.

ObjectiveRowing is one of the most physically demanding endurance sports requiring high levels of ventilation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of RMT on ventilatory parameters, aerobic fitness and rowing ergometer performance among 20 professional rowers (experimental (n = 11) and control (n = 9) aged 20–35 years in Sri Lanka.ResultsRowers in the experimental group were prescribed a RMT program comprising of breathing exercises while control group was prescribed a general exercise program for a 12 weeks. There were significant improvements in PIF, FVC, and VO2maxin the experimental group after 12-weeks (p < 0.05) while only VO2 max improved non-significantly in the control group (p > 0.05).Compared to the control, PIF improved significantly in the experimental group (p < 0.05). The rowers in the experimental group with higher PIF and VO2max performed better at 2000 m and 5000 m ergometer whereas in the control group, only VO2max was associated with better performance in 5000 m ergometer. This suggests that the RMT program had a significant effect in improving some ventilatory parameters and VO2max of the rowers resulting in better performance.Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials UMIN000040345, 08/05/2020. “Retrospectively registered”