This study aimed to examine inter-limb jump asymmetries and their association with sport-specific performance in young swimmers. Thirty-eight (male, n = 19; female, n = 19) regional/national level young swimmers (age: 12.3 ± 1.2 years; height: 159.6 ± 8.2 cm; body mass: 52.5 ± 9.2 kg) participated in this study. Inter-limb asymmetries were assessed for single-leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) and single-leg standing long jump (SLSLJ). Sport-specific performance was evaluated using front crawl (i.e., 50 m and 25 m) and front crawl kick (i.e., 50 m and 25 m). The kappa coefficient revealed a “slight” level of agreement (Κ = 0.156, 0.184, and 0.197 for female, male, and all, respectively) between the direction of asymmetry for SLCMJ and SLSLJ, indicating that asymmetries rarely favored the same limb during both tests. A paired sample t-test showed a significant difference (p = 0.025) between asymmetry scores obtained in SLCMJ and SLSLJ. No significant difference was found in asymmetry scores between males and females (p = 0.099 to 0.977). Additionally, no association between asymmetry scores and sport-specific performance was observed (p > 0.05). Our findings highlight the independent nature of inter-limb asymmetries derived from SLCMJ and SLSLJ among young male and female swimmers. Further, our results suggest no association between jumping asymmetries and sport-specific performance.
The purpose of this study was to find the factors responsible for winning in the men’s and women’s beach volleyball championship. Materials and methods. The study sample consisted of a total of 212 matches for men and 214 matches for women of the 2017 & 2019 FIVB Men and Women Beach Volleyball World Championships held at Vienna & Hamburg from 28 July to 6 Aug 2017 and 28 June to 7 July 2019. The matches were played by 192 teams (both men and women combined) consisting of 384 numbers (both men and women combined) of players from different nations. The data were analyzed using Binary Logistic Regression (Forward: LR Method) with the result of the game as the dependent variable and predictor variables as covariates. β, standard error β, Wald’s χ2, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated. Model evaluation was conducted using the likelihood ratio test, Cox & Snell (R2), and Nagelkerke (R2) tests. The goodness of fit test for the models was conducted using the Hosmer & Lemeshow test. Results. The analysis revealed seven factors related to winning in men’s and women’s competition. While in league rounds, six factors in men’s and seven factors in women’s competition were related to winning. Besides, in knockout rounds, four factors in men’s and six factors in women’s competition were related to winning. Conclusion. The study shows that there is a significant association of important factors with respect to winning a match in an elite beach volleyball championship. The coaches and players can take note of the important factors responsible for winning in the elite beach volleyball championship, with different factors playing an important role in men’s and women’s competition during league and knockout rounds as well.
The study purpose was to investigate the effect of complex training on aerobic and anaerobic power of amateur athletes. Materials and methods. The study included 30 amateur athletes in soccer and hockey, which were equally divided into two groups, namely an Experimental group who underwent 6 weeks of complex training along with regular training in their sports and a Control Group who only performed their regular sports training. Anaerobic power was assessed by Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) and aerobic power (VO₂max) was assessed by 12-min Cooper run/walk test. The study used the Pre-test Post-test Randomized Group Design, and Paired t-test was used as the statistical technique for data analysis at a significance level of 0.05. Results. At the end of six weeks, the Experimental group showed significant improvement in anaerobic power and VO₂max, while only VO₂max was improved in the Control group (p<0.05). No significant improvement was observed in anaerobic power for the Control group (p>0.06). Therefore, this shows that complex training has significant effect on anaerobic power, while it does not produce significant improvements in aerobic power. Conclusions. Six weeks of complex training integrated with regular sports training can improve anaerobic power. Coaches and athletes, specifically in soccer and hockey, can implement the complex training program in their regular training.
Complex contrast training (CCT) is an exercise modality that utilizes both high-load resistance activity and low-load plyometric activity in a set-by-set fashion within a single exercise session. Such a combination of exercises targets multiple aspects of the force–velocity curve and may thus lead to improvement of various components of physical fitness. However, no previous study has attempted to compare the effects of load-equated two vs. three CCT sessions per week on measures of physical fitness. Forty-five male participants aged 21.4 ± 2.0 years were randomly assigned to either two weekly CCT sessions (CCT-2; n = 15), three weekly CCT sessions (CCT-3; n = 15), or an active control group (CG; n = 15). Selected measures of physical fitness were assessed pre- and post-six weeks of training. The tests included the assessment of 15 and 30 m linear sprint speeds, upper (medicine ball throw) and lower limb muscle power (standing long jump and countermovement jump with arm thrust), muscle strength (isokinetic peak knee extensor/flexor torque), and change-of-direction speed (modified agility T-test (MAT)). Significant group–time interactions were observed for all dependent variables (all p < 0.001, ɳp2 = 0.51–0.78) using ANOVA. Post hoc tests indicated significant performance improvements for the CCT-2 and CCT3 groups for all dependent variables (Hedge’s g = 0.28–3.26, %Δ = 2.4–16.7), including the 15 and 30 m linear sprint speeds (p < 0.001), medicine ball throw (p < 0.001), standing long jump (p < 0.001), countermovement jump with arm thrust (p < 0.001), right leg knee extensor (p < 0.001) and flexor peak torque (p < 0.001), left leg knee extensor (p < 0.001) and flexor peak torque (p < 0.001), and change-of-direction speed (p < 0.001). The CCT-3 group showed greater improvements in MAT compared to the CCT-2 group (g = 3.26 vs. 0.70, p < 0.001). In conclusion, compared to active controls, the load-equated CCT-2 and CCT-3 programs provided similar effects on measures of physical fitness in active adult males. However, an athlete’s goal is to improve their MAT score, the CCT-3 program may elicit greater improvements compared with the CCT-2 program.
The purpose of the study was to compare the hematological parameters during the different phases of the menstrual cycle viz Menstrual, Follicular, Ovulation, and Luteal Phase. Thirty athletes were selected as subjects for the study who were involved in speed-endurance dominated sports. Blood samples were taken in each phase and analyzed for the following hematological variables - Red blood cells (RBCs), White blood cells (WBCs), Hemoglobin (Hb), and platelets. The results of the study showed variations in hematological parameters throughout the menstrual cycle. RBC and Hb levels significantly increased during the follicular phase (FP) but remain unchanged in the ovulation and luteal phase. WBC levels also increased during the FP, were almost similar in ovulation phase, and slightly decreased in the luteal phase. Platelet count followed a similar pattern as WBC. Platelet count increased in the FP but decreased in the luteal phase. Menstrual phase is characterized by hemorrhage which results in blood loss and decreased levels of hematological parameters. FP is seen as compensatory phase in which the hematological variables significantly increase. WBC and Platelet count decrease in the luteal phase in attributed to the decrease in the estrogen levels. The study concluded that variations in hematological parameters is observed during the different phases of the menstrual cycle.
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