exercise physiology – SEMS-journal

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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.

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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.

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How athletes coped with COVID-19 restrictions: differences between Switzerland and Italy

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis of unprecedented scale in modern times. The initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan spread rapidly, affecting other parts of China and soon other countries becoming a global threat. (1) On 11 March 2020, the WHO has declared the ‘Pandemic state’ calling the governments to take ‘urgent and aggressive action’ to delay and mitigate the peak of infection.

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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.

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Psychological health in elite sports during COVID-19

Die Änderungen des öffentlichen Lebens, Isolation, Quarantäne und damit verbundene weitere Einschränkungen der gewohnten Routine sowie Ängste und Sorgen sind nur einige Beispiele für die psychischen Belastungen durch die COVID-19-Pandemie (1). Nicht nur die Normalbevölkerung, sondern auch bzw. vor allem Leistungssportler sind diesen Belastungen ausgesetzt, und Leistungssport ist in Zeiten von COVID-19 nur noch stark eingeschränkt denkbar. Von einem Tag auf den anderen änderten sich für Sportler über Jahre und Jahrzehnte etablierte Tagesstrukturen und Gewohnheiten.

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From sedentary and physical inactive behaviors to the Race Across America (RAAM): a case report

This case report presents the evolution of physiological and psychological health parameters of a former sedentary and physically inactive nursing student during an 18 months period (three academic semesters), during which she first took part to a one-semester institutional physical activity (PA) program offered by her University, before being selected to participate in relay to the Race Across America (RAAM) with a team of the University. The four months before the RAAM, she followed a cycling specific training program. After the RAAM, she was followed-up the next eight months.

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Differential coordination behaviour between concentric and eccentric contractions – many questions remain unanswered

Concentric and eccentric muscle work is characterized through different biochemical activating cascades. Concentric contraction is characterized by an ATP O2 coupling dependent interaction of the myofibril proteins Aktin and Myosin. In eccentric contraction, according to the Winding-filament hypothesis, a rotation movement around the thin filament is caused which is ATP independent. In addition, the processes of motor anticipation vary greatly between the two. This leads to the aim of the study: What are the differences in concentric versus eccentric muscle work concerning anticipation, perception and execution.

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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.

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Sex differences in thigh muscles characteristics: a systematic review

Objective: To determine differences between male and female subjects in the thigh muscles characteristics, separated into architectural (pennation, thickness, and/or fascicle length), mechanical (mass, strength, power, and/or stiffness), neuromuscular (activity) and fatigue aspects, in order to better understand the sex-related differences in the risk of muscle injuries. Methods: A systematic literature search on Pubmed was performed with different keywords: skeletal muscle AND sex characteristics AND muscle contraction, with the following limits: humans and adults (19–44 years old).

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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.