ECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP30
INTRODUCTION: The last code of point ruling international artistic gymnastic competitions took another step toward the ubiquitous necessity of strength difficulty on still rings. The objective of the present study is to analyze the relationship between a bench press and an iron cross maximal isometric contraction. Based on this relationship, a theoretical model will be provided to help coaches with individual and personalized training recommendations relying on the gymnast’s current general and specific training status. METHODS: 52 sub-elite gymnasts (Mean ± SD 22.4 ± 5 years, 173 ± 5cm, 68.5 ± 6kg) were randomly assigned to start by one of two exercises: 1) Maximal isometric contraction in bench press position: The force applied by the athletes against an immobile bar in the bench press position was measured with a pair of handheld dynamometers. 2) Maximal isometric contraction in the iron cross position: Participants were standing on force plates to measure their body weight at rest and during a maximal contraction. The force developed was computed by subtracting the remaining weight to the initial body weight. Both maximal forces were normalized by body weight and expressed in percentages. RESULTS: Maximal relative strength ranged between 62.2% and 230.47% in Bench Press and between 40.9% and 102.1% in Iron Cross. Contrary to the hypothesis, the relationship between the two measurements is only moderate (Pearson’s r = 0.41; p = 2.64e-3; IC= [0.15; 0.61]). Nevertheless, by splitting the entire population according to Bench Press 20% interval (i.e. [60%; 80%[, [80%; 100%[, etc.) and analyzing the strongest individual in the iron cross for each subgroup, a threshold appears. Accordingly, iron cross relative strength can seemingly take any value between zero and a maximal theoretical value computed from the bench press: Iron Cross=0.5×Bench Press+15. CONCLUSION: The main findings from the present study are twofold: First, the absence of a linear relationship between those two maximal isometric contractions. Second, the existence of a linear threshold rather than a linear trend between bench press and iron cross. Based on the present findings, a model has been developed to help coaches locate gymnasts and provide personalized guidelines to improve the performance of the iron cross depending on the athletes’ current general and specific strength status. From the model, the threshold governing the interaction between those two relative strengths seems to stress the need to improve the bench press to improve the iron cross, while the absence of gymnasts with a low bench press and a high iron cross relative strength could highlight the necessities of the bench press to perform the iron cross. In addition, the important number of gymnasts presenting a high bench press, and a low iron cross relative strength might emphasize that while being necessary, the bench press is not sufficient for the iron cross.
Read CV Tom LecocqECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP30
INTRODUCTION: Currently, there is no field test to assess aerobic endurance in children aged 4-7 years, while taking into account the physiological and psychological characteristics specific to this population. The main validated test is a 3-minute continuous, round-trip 10m run (Ayan et al, 2015). However, studies show that intermittent effort is better suited to the physiological specifics of young children, notably due to their greater ability to recover quickly between brief efforts (Baquet et al., 2010). Furthermore, the integration of playful elements, such as imaginative storytelling or dramatizations, could not only increase the pleasure felt during effort, but also improve childrens motivation and engagement (Howells et al., 2023). These playful approaches seem particularly relevant for encouraging adherence to physical activity from an early age, and it seems worthwhile to propose a positively perceived endurance assessment test for younger children. METHODS: To take into account the particularities of the target age group, we developed a 3x1 minute intermittent endurance test (recovery = 30 seconds) accompanied by a story to make it fun. To study the validity of the test and the influence of the variables “intermittent effort” and “playful context”, 80 children will perform the test under 4 conditions: continuous non-playful test (reference test); continuous playful test; intermittent non-playful test; intermittent playful test. To study reliability, 80 children will perform both intermittent non-playful test and intermittent playful test twice. Children level of exhaustion and the level of amusement will be assessed using emoticons scales. RESULTS: Preliminary tests have been carried out to arrive at a rigorous organization enabling the evaluation of a class (around 20 children) in a single session lasting less than 45 minutes. Measurements for validity and reliability are currently underway. Full results will be available at the conference. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that the playful intermittent test will be well suited to the 4 to 7 year-old population. We hypothesize that overall validity and reliability will be good, but influenced by the age of the children, and lower in the youngest age groups. We hypothesize that, at the end of the new test, children will report a level of exhaustion comparable to other tests, but will report a higher fun score. References 1. Ayán et al (2015) JSCR. 29(10), 2874-2880 2. Baquet et al (2010) JSCR 24(5), 1381-1388 3. Howells et al (2023) JECER (12)1
Read CV Boris JidovtseffECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP30
INTRODUCTION: Heat acclimation, the repeated exposure to exercise in a hot environment, induces physiological adaptation with improved thermoregulatory and cardiovascular functions. In humans, daily training regimens in hot environments are recommended for improved adaptation and higher performance. While heat acclimation is also crucial for Thoroughbred horses, research on different training protocols for this species is scarce. This study compared the effects of consecutive and intermittent heat acclimation protocols in Thoroughbred horses. METHODS: This was a randomized crossover study, including eight trained Thoroughbred horses. The horses were assigned to either a consecutive (CONS, 9 consecutive days) or an intermittent protocol (INT, 3 days/week for 3 weeks), involving 30 min exercise in hot conditions (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature [WBGT] 29.5°C). Both training protocols comprised alternate sessions of high-intensity interval training (3 × 1 min bout at 100% VO2max with 2 min recovery) and moderate-intensity interval training (3 × 1 min bout at 70% VO2max with 2 min recovery). Before and after the heat acclimation period, incremental exercise tests (IETs) were conducted in hot conditions (WBGT 29.5°C), with collection of arterial and venous blood samples to measure blood gases and plasma lactate concentration. Pulmonary artery temperature and heart rate were also recorded. Prior to IETs, muscle biopsy samples were obtained from the middle gluteal muscle for enzyme activity analysis. Data were analyzed using mixed models, and pairwise comparisons were performed using Tukey’s test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Both protocols decreased pulmonary artery temperature after heat acclimation, both at rest (CONS, −0.2°C; INT, −0.3°C) and during submaximal exercise (CONS, −0.3°C; INT, −0.3°C). For IETs, time to exhaustion increased in INT (+11.6%, 8 of 8 horses improved) but not in CONS (+5.7%, 5 of 8 horses improved). For both protocols VO2max remained unchanged (CONS, +7.5%; INT, +3.4%) whereas speed eliciting VO2max increased (CONS, +6.5%; INT, +10.4%). For CONS only, maximal stroke volume increased (CONS, +11.8%; INT, +3.9%) while heart rate during submaximal exercise decreased (CONS, −5.5%; INT, −3.7%). Moreover, weight loss was observed after heat acclimation for CONS only (CONS, −1.8%; INT, −0.6%). Regarding enzyme activity, citrate synthase remained unchanged in both protocols (CONS, +2.0%; INT, −3.6%) whereas 3-hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydrogenase decreased in INT only (CONS, −30.2%; INT, −42.8%). CONCLUSION: Both protocols elicited physiological adaptation to thermoregulation and aerobic energy metabolism. However, improved performance occurred only in INT, while cardiovascular improvement and weight loss occurred only in CONS. These findings suggest that consecutive heat acclimation training can induce robust physiological adaptations in a short period. However, care should be taken to prevent overreaching in Thoroughbred horses.
Read CV Yusaku EbisudaECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP30