sports science – SEMS-journal

elite sports sports and technology wearables sports science coaching

Der verflixte erste Posten – Laufzeitenanalyse von OL-Juniorinnen und -Junioren

Orienteering is a combination of cognitive and physical capabilities of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system. However, especially for juniors, there is often the risk of running too fast compared to map-reading skills, which ends up in search actions. This yields directly to the aim of the study to analyze the steadiness of speed for course times in junior orienteering runners.

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 physiotherapy sports science team management education innovation

Learning and sharing at the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games medical clinic

The Youth Olympic Games are an elite sporting event that include a series of educational activities and we built the whole concept of medical care at the village in the same spirit. We wanted not only to build a clinic with a lot of expertise, but to create a space for education for the young athletes, their medical teams and our volunteers.

exercise physiology sports science muscle muscle

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.

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 youth education physical education sports science

Development of a model for physical fitness and its correlates in children and adolescents from the canton de Vaud: the PACE model

The Lausanne Youth Olympic Games in January 2020 represent a unique opportunity for the canton of Vaud to strengthen its policy of health promotion through physical activity and sport among young people. Several factors influence physical activity and physical fitness of a population. Ecological models describe correlates of physical activity in general population and youth. However, no model describes correlates of physical fitness. To close this gap, the model of physical fitness and its correlates among children and adolescents of the canton of Vaud (PACE model) was developed.

exercise physiology sports science muscle

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).

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.

elite sports recovery sports science

Sleep – A Game Changer in the Athletic World?

The restorative qualities of sleep are fundamentally the basis of the individual athlete’s ability to recover and perform, and to optimally be able to challenge and control the effects of exercise regimes in high performance sport. Research consistently shows that a large percentage of the population fails to obtain the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep per night [17]. Moreover, recent years’ research has found that athletes have a high prevalence of poor sleep quality [6]. Given its implications on the recovery process, sleep affects the quality of the athlete’s training and outcome of competitions.