elite sports – SEMS-journal

elite sports performance training exercise physiology sports science

Effects of two endurance training protocols (High Intensity Interval Training = HIIT versus Polarized Training = POL) on endurance capacity, heart rate at rest and heart rate variability (HRV) in young sport students

The goal of the present study was the analysis of the effects of two endurance training interventions (HIIT versus POL) over a period of 5 weeks on 16/17 year old sport major students. The study was integrated in regular P.E. lessons. In addition to the training load, daily changes of easily measurable cardiologic parameters were monitored in order to assess their validity in predicting endurance performance. The students conducted 12 training sessions in two groups. With pre- and post-tests the endurance capacity was determined via Luc Léger’s shuttle run test.

elite sports sports medicine sports nutrition supplements muscle

25-OH-VitaminD3 level in elite sports: Impact on muscle damage and infections

Summary: Muscle damage as well as recurrent and serious infections especially to the end of the playing period in team sport or to the end of preparation for competition in endurance or single sport are the most common symptoms in elite sport demolishing optimal training results. Are VitaminD deficiency responsible for these symptoms in elite sport.

sports and society sports nutrition depression performance RED-S recovery

Exercise addiction – cases, possible indicators and open questions

While addictive disorders involving substances are well researched, the field of behavioral addictions, including exercise addiction, is in its infancy. Although exercise addiction is not yet recognized as a psychiatric disorder, evidence for the burden it imposes has gained attention in the last decade. Characterised by a rigid exercise schedule, the prioritization of exercise over one’s own health, family and professional life, and mental wellbeing, and extreme distress when exercise is halted, the phenomenon shares many feature with substance use disorders.

elite sports concussion depression neurology

The relationship between professional sports and suicidal behaviour

Suicidal ideation and behaviours are still a highly stigmatized and neglected health problems in athletes. The suicides of well-known athletes have repeatedly brought the subject of mental health problems of top athletes into the public discourse. However, there is still a lack in psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care in high-performance sports.

neurology pharmacology sleep stress

Use of psychotropic substances in elite sports

lite athletes may use psychotropic substances for recreational reasons, (perceived) performance enhancement or self-medication. Causes can hereby overlap. In substance use, recreational consumption aiming primarily at psychotropic effects is distinguished from performance-enhancing use (doping).

exercise is medicine PA promotion depression monitoring training

The PACINPAT study: physical activity counselling in in-patients with major depressive disorders

Major depressive Disorder (MDD) is a widespread and burdensome disease. People with MDD suffer from loss of interest and pleasure in activities that they would usually enjoy. In addition, they report anxiety, complex somatic pain syndromes, cognitive restrictions, loss of sexual interest, impaired sleep and social withdrawal. MDD is the leading cause for years lived with disability (YLD) in women and men and has a lifetime prevalence of 10-20 %.

antidoping sports and society doping training

Muscle dysmorphia

The current ideal of beauty consists of a strong shift towards physical activity and aims to develop a muscular, athletic physique. While the athletic ideal for women has been a product of recent years, the muscular ideal for men has been observed since the 1970s. Increasing pressure to achieve this muscular ideal is associated with both body dissatisfaction and a strong desire to increase muscularity. In extreme terms, the pursuit of a muscular body and its associated behaviours, such as strength training and dieting, may lead to the development of muscle dysmorphia.

elite sports sports nutrition

Eating disorders in male elite athletes

Among elite athletes disordered eating (DE) behavior as well as eating disorders (ED) are one of the most common mental illnesses. According to Sundgot-Borgen et al. [1] DE can be illustrated by a continuum ranging from performance-oriented eating and exercise behaviors to subclinical EDs and clinical EDs such as Anorexia nervosa (AN) and Bulimia nervosa (BN) along with other medical complications and impairment of performance.

elite sports sports and society sports medicine team management depression

Mental health in competitive sports in times of COVID-19

Changes in public life, isolation, quarantine, and associated constraints within usual routine, as well as anxieties and concerns, are just some of many examples of psychiatric burdens caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (1). Not only the general population, but professional athletes in particular, are exposed to these challenges, as professional sports came to an abrupt halt upon occurrence of COVID-19.

elite sports Mental health

Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders in Elite Athletes

Anxiety is in principle a normal and (often) helpful emotion in humans and animals. However, anxiety can get excessive and be impairing and disabling. If anxiety is excessive in intensity and duration, occurs in actually non-dangerous situations, uncontrollable, and impairs actions, an anxiety disorder is typically diagnosed [2].