performance – 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.

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 performance exercise is medicine PA promotion physical education sports and society sports and youth growth maturation team management

Health for Performance: a necessary paradigm shift for youth athletes

Competitive and elite sport often challenges the balance between health and performance, especially when it involves youth athletes. As Lausanne was getting ready to host the 2020 winter Youth Olympic Games, we had the opportunity to reflect on these challenges and on what they mean for sports medicine practitioners. Elite sport pushes athletes to the limit, be it through their own intrinsic drive to achieve ever more, or through the pressures of the multiple stakeholders around sport.

elite sports performance sports and society sports and youth PA promotion

How to Use the Positive Impact of an International Sport Event to Promote Sustainable Adolescent Health

How fortunate to have been able to take part in the medical organisation of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) as head of the Olympic Village Medical Clinic and Medical Education Programme manager, while introducing some innovations to the Games! From a clinical point of view, the temporary creation of a high quality interdisciplinary medical clinic provided all participants aged 14 to 18 years old with global and equitable care. We adopted the WHO criteria to offer an adolescent friendly setting.

coaching elite sports performance sports and society sports and technology innovation sports and youth abuse education overuse physical education concussion PA promotion recovery

Health prevention in youth sports: innovative and interdisciplinary experiences at the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games

The Youth Olympic Games were introduced in 2010 with the aim to bring young athletes not only an experience of competition on the world stage, but also to help them learn about the Olympic values, explore other cultures and develop the skills to become true ambassadors. The Lausanne 2020 Games provided an excellent opportunity to develop innovative concepts for health promotion and sports-related prevention. The enthusiasm across various sectors of society (political, academic and economy) empowered us to bring together multiple skills to materialize the IOC’s pledge.

elite sports performance exercise physiology sports science

Which physiological parameters are associated with rowing performance?

This observational study used field tests to investigate the association between physiological parameters and rowing performance in athletes during ergometer and on-water Swiss national competitions. 25 Participants between 15 and 35 years who compete at national level were recruited among different clubs. We assessed anthropometric parameters such as weight, height, aerobic capacity during an incremental test on a rowing ergometer, anaerobic capacity during an on rowing ergometer Wingate test and lower limb strength and power during countermovement- and squat jumps.

sports and society cardiology performance training

Ultra-trail: Ultra-Health?

Background: The development of Mountain Ultra Marathon (MUM) raises several questions to health professionals, regarding the short or long-term consequences on the health of participants. Objective: to present the main acute and long-term effects of MUM on the main health issues usually studied among runners. Methods: Pragmatic review of the literature, including grey literature from the medical staff of the races, notably the Ultra-trail du Mont Blanc. Results:

exercise physiology sports and youth preparticipation sports medicine cardiology performance

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in children and adolescents

In cardiopulmonary exercise testing with children and adolescents, age specific protocols are used together with tools adjustable to their body dimension and development. Assessing weight, height und pubertal stage is a prerequisite for the interpretation of every test. Indications for exercise testing are airway symptoms and findings limited performance, chronic diseases, planning of trainings and scientific studies. The more tests are standardized and used on a large scale, the more normal values are available to compare individual results. However, the interindividual variability of measured values is high, depending as much from the developmental stage of the individual as from protocols, tools and the performing laboratory.

exercise physiology sports science performance

The value of performance diagnostcs in orienteering

Endurance testing has a long tradition in the Swiss Orienteering Federation. It has become an important tool in monitoring effectiveness of training and in assessing endurance performance. The vast majority of athletes and coaches indicate that sport science is meaningful and endurance testing is of high informative value for them. Endurance testing is regularly done in the lab, but also field tests are carried out each year. They particularly empower and support athletes in their specific preparation for important competitions. Also in the future new competition formats can be prepared and training may be monitored by a new format of specific tests. In various endurance sports physiological demands may be similar.

elite sports performance exercise physiology sports science

Performance diagnostics in endurance sports – anaeroboc threshold, VO2max, aerobic capacity – where do we go?

Exercise testing in athletes and patients is an important and valuable diagnostic tool in the hand of the physician and sport scientist. A close collaboration between sport scientist and sport physician creates a win-win-win-situation for athletes and patients and professionals equally. According to the demands of the sport an incremental lactate threshold test (determination of the anaerobic threshold), testing of VO2max and performance at VO2max, and a testing of aerobic capacity (performance at competitional level) are the tests of choice. All tests need to be valid, reliable and sport specific. Sport specificity in testing is for practical purposes the most important.