ECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP06
INTRODUCTION: Elite performance in sports is closely linked to an athlete’s muscle fibre composition, with endurance specialists typically exhibiting a predominance of type I (slow-twitch) fibres, while power and sprint athletes tend to have a higher proportion of type II (fast-twitch) fibres. A precise understanding of muscle fibre typology is valuable for guiding athlete development, refining training programs, and optimizing race strategies. However, much of these data are based on studies of male athletes and little is known about the muscle fibre typology of elite female athletes. This gap likely stems from both the historically low representation of elite female athletes in sports performance research [1] and the reliance on invasive muscle biopsies as the primary assessment method. METHODS: This study utilized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS), a non-invasive imaging technique that estimates muscle fibre typology by measuring muscle carnosine levels [2]. More than 110 elite female athletes from diverse sports—such as athletics, swimming, cycling, kayaking, rugby league, and Australian football—underwent assessments. Carnosine concentrations were recorded in the soleus, gastrocnemius, and deltoid muscles and analysed as Z-scores against a reference population. Athletes were categorized as type I or type II dominant if their Z-scores exceeded ±0.5. RESULTS: Athletes specializing in explosive, power-based disciplines—including sprinting (across multiple sports), weightlifting, jumping, and throwing—had an average Z-score of +0.71, reflecting a strong type II fibre predominance. In contrast, those competing in middle-distance events or team sports exhibited more balanced muscle fibre typology, with an average Z-score of +0.15. Meanwhile, endurance athletes participating in distance events in athletics, cycling, and swimming displayed a Z-score of -0.75, consistent with a higher proportion of type I fibres. CONCLUSION: Muscle fibre typology varies significantly among elite female athletes, not only across sports but also between event specializations within the same discipline. These findings underscore the usefulness of non-invasive muscle fibre estimation for identifying athletic potential, refining talent development strategies, and tailoring training programs to maximize performance outcomes. 1. Cowley et al. (2021); 2. Baguet et al. (2011)
Read CV Clare MinahanECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP06
INTRODUCTION: Pull-ups (PU) are a popular exercise used in resistance training programs. Anthropometrics like total body mass, and fat mass generally affect PU performance.[1,2] However, the relationships of arm lengths or length-ratios on sport and exercise performance varies.[3,4,5,6,7] The brachial index (BI) is defined as the quotient of forearm length (radiale to stylion) and upper arm length (acromiale to radiale). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BI and PU performance and determine differences between high and low performing groups. METHODS: Thirty male recreational to competitive calisthenics athletes, age 26±5.2 years, body mass 75.5±10.85kg, fat mass 14.2±4.8kg, and height 173±5.38cm, reported to the testing location on a single occasion for anthropometric and performance testing. Participants completed a survey to determine eligibility and provided informed written consent. The protocol was approved by the Sheridan Research Ethics Board prior to commencement. Anthropometric testing included measurement of body mass (BM), height, selected arm lengths, girths, and skinfolds. Performance testing consisted of a one repetition maximum (1RM) PU test which was equal to 1RM load and BM, and mean velocity (MV) at 1RM, 80% 1RM, and BM loads. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients were used to investigate the relationship between variables, and two-tailed, homoscedastic students t-tests were performed to compare differences between groups. RESULTS: A small positive relationship was found with BI and all variables of performance. No significant differences were found between high and low BI groups for any variable. However, significant differences (p<0.05) were found between groups, with the high strength group (>/=122.4kg 1RM, n=15), having greater body mass, flexed upper arm, chest, and thigh girth, as well as bicep, waist, and thigh corrected girth, lean body mass, body mass index, Brugsch index, and Takai’s equation than the low strength group (<122.4kg 1RM, n=15). The high MV at BM load group (>/=0.905m/s, n=15) had non-significant lower chest skinfold (p=0.06), abdominal skinfold (p=0.08), sum of skinfolds (p=0.09), and hip girth (p=0.1), while having a greater BI (p=0.08), flexed upper arm to thigh girth ratio (p=0.051), and significantly greater measures of performance than the low MV at BM load group (<0.905m/s, n=15). Lastly, a positive medium correlation (r=+0.42, n=30) was found with total 1RM load and BM PU MV, which is similar to prior data on first repetition concentric velocity and PU repetitions.[7] CONCLUSION: BI should not be used for talent selection in the sport of street-lifting. Athletes wishing to maximize 1RM strength and MV in the PU exercise should focus on the accrual of lean mass in the PU prime movers and decreasing excess fat mass. 1.Halet (2009) 2.Sanchez-Moreno et al., (2016) 3.Crossland et al., (2011) 4.Hamano et al., 2015 5.Caruso et al., (2012) 6.Reya et al., (2021) 7.Beckham et al., (2018)
Read CV Ethan LawsonECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP06
INTRODUCTION: The relationship between physical fitness and tennis performance in elite junior players remains a significant area of interest. Specifically, understanding how various fitness components influence on-court performance can provide valuable insights for optimizing training regimens. This study aims to investigate how fitness characteristics correlate with the competitive success of elite junior tennis players in China, focusing on differences between players with high and low semi-final list rates across different age groups (U12, U14, U16). METHODS: A total of 600 fitness test data points were collected throughout 2024 from elite junior tennis players (U12, U14, U16). Players were categorized into high (HSR) and low (LSR) semi-finalist rate groups using K-means clustering, based on the percentage of times they reached the semi-finals relative to the total number of tournaments they participated in during the competitive season. The dataset includes multiple testing instances for each player, as athletes who did not pass a fitness test were required to retake it. The players underwent a comprehensive battery of fitness tests, assessing strength, power, endurance, agility, flexibility, and balance. Performance was quantified using a points system derived from players’ tournament rankings. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to compare the fitness characteristics between the HSR and LSR groups. Additionally, bivariate correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between fitness test results and performance scores. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in fitness characteristics between HSR and LSR groups across various age and gender categories. • U12 female: double jump rope (183±63.3vs261±41.5, ES=1.46**), medicine ball throw (7.82±1.26vs8.65±0.947, ES=0.74*), and shuttle run (1251±387vs1576±254, ES=0.99**). • U12 male: double jump rope (186±69.7vs248±38.9, ES=1.10**) and shuttle run (1405±355vs1810±215, ES=1.38**). • U14 female: double jump rope (204±61vs250±42.4, ES=0.88**), medicine ball throw (8.84±1.27vs10.5±0.786, ES=1.57***), and shuttle run (1428±328vs1700±233, ES=0.96*). • U14 male: push-ups (24.7±6.89vs27.4±5.47, ES=0.43*). • U16 female: double jump rope (223±80vs292±39, ES=1.10*). • U16 male: no significant differences in any fitness tests. Bivariate correlation analyses revealed moderate to strong positive correlations between aerobic endurance (r=0.40–0.50), agility (r=0.29–0.50), while strength had moderate correlations (r=0.23–0.41). Balance and muscular endurance showed weaker correlations (r=0.20–0.30). CONCLUSION: Aerobic endurance, agility, and strength play significant roles in determining competitive success in junior tennis players. The findings suggest that players with a higher semi-final list rate exhibit superior fitness levels in endurance and agility. Coaches and sports scientists should emphasize these key attributes when designing training programs to optimize the performance and success of young tennis athletes.
Read CV Zichen ZHAOECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP06