The process by which young talents develop to become top-class players once they reach the age of maximum performance is influenced by numerous factors. Among the exogenous factors, the family plays a central role. In the context of a research project carried out in cooperation with the Swiss Football Association SFV, 159 former members of the national youth football team were interviewed retrospectively, among other things concerning their family circumstances. The study is interested in understanding two issues.
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We suggest that leisure cross country skiers can also profit from a serious endurance capacity diagnostic. The aim of this study was to establish a reliable and valid protocol in order to make serious recommendation for training schedule of athleths. In order to analyze the relationship between endurance performance and the technic specific capabilities of cross country skiing aiming to allow valid recommendations participants had to absolve two test protocols. The first test consisted of detecting running pace on a treadmill at a 4 mmol/l blood lactate concentration. Second, participants had to absolve a Coopertest in skating technique on flat ground allowing to measure maximum distance absolved during 12 minutes and maximum heart rate.
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This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the ability to perceive an Exertion quantified through BORG-Scale (6-20) and endurance level. Therefore 16 females and 28 males completed a lactate performance diagnostic as well as a 5000 meter course. Subjective Perception of effort was quantified according to BORG Scale (6-20). Participants were sex-divided and grouped in well endurance trained participants and not endurance trained participants. The analysis showed no clear differences between the two groups. Generally, lactate showed a closer correlative relationship with subjective perceived exertion than heart rate.
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The intake of caffeine from tablets, coffee and energy drinks has shown to benefit endurance performance, whereas the effect of caffeine bars has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine endurance performance, metabolism and perceived exertion following the co-ingestion of caffeine and carbohydrates in the form of bars.
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Due to methodological and technical challenges brain cortical activity has rarely been investigated during endurance exercise. In this respect, it is not surprising that effects of an acute bout of interval training on central nervous activity have not been examined yet. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to characterize acute adaptations of brain cortical activity and established parameters to a high intensity endurance session. In a laboratory study sixteen endurance-trained cyclists completed an exercise bout including 3 interval series on a high-performance bicycle ergometer. Changes in cortical activity were recorded with quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) and analyzed in five specific frequency ranges (theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2).
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This paper highlights the findings of a comparative cross-sectional study in the cantons of Uri (UR) and Schwyz (SZ). In this study, participating in sports and daily physical activity among 5th grades were observed trough selected indicators. The study was conducted in autumn 2012 and 2013 and included a randomly selected sample of 161 pupils in Uri (10.6±0.7 year olds) and 261 pupils in the canton of Schwyz (10.7±0.7 year olds). In both regions, a high rate of participation in free time sports activities could be detected: 68.8% (UR) and 70.1% (SZ) of all the children involved are members of a sports club, with more than half of them, being active, both in and outside of sports club.
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The aim of this study was to investigate differences in course times of a mountainmarathon (Napfmarathon) versus a city Marathon. Therefore all participants of Napfmarathon were screened concerning a double participation on a city marathon (Zürich, Winterthur, Lausanne, Luzern) and the course time were compared. Of key interest was the influence of ascents and descents which were quantified according to guidelines of Youth & Sport (Jugend + Sport / Jeunesse et Sport), whereby in first approximation 100 meter of ascent, 150 meter of descent (more than 20%) and 1 km of horizontal distance were taken as a simallar performance correlat.
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Regular sports activity is not only healthy for cardiovascular and psychological reasons, but it is neither a risk factor for increased risk for osteoarthritis, except for posttraumatic osteoarthritis due to sports injuries. But there are few hints that excessice sports activity may lead to increased risk for osteoarthritis. Therefore, adapted and moderate sports activity can be recommended and should be promoted for osteoarthritis or after total joint replacement of the lower extremity. This leads to increased functional and subjective outcome.
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Eine «Low Energy Fraktur» ist das wichtigste klinische Symptom einer Osteoporose. Der ältere Sportler weist ein geringes Risiko für das Eintreten dieses Ereignisses auf. Die mit der sportlichen Aktivität verbundenen Stösse und Belastungen auf den Knochen wirken einem drohenden Abbau von Knochensubstanz nämlich entgegen. Sollte es im Rahmen der sportlichen Aktivität dennoch zur Fraktur kommen, dann entspricht der Unfallmechanismus in aller Regel nicht den Kriterien einer «Low Energy Fraktur».
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In recent decades, increasingly greying societies have been noticed in industrialized nations. The rise in medical care necessary to manage the health of this aging population will ensue huge financial burdens on the healthcare system. The increase of age-specific diseases, compounded by declines in neuromuscular performance constitute two key reasons for a rise in the medical care of older people. Current scientific knowledge reveals that a consequence of aging is the loss of muscle mass and thus, a decrease in maximum and explosive strength.
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Senior sportsmen and -women still participate in great numbers in sport events, particularly in endurance sports. Among the participants of the Jungfrau Marathon 2014 were 43% of the 3046 runners older than 50 years. These persons beeing active in sports have age related sportmedical problems. With four case reports the article tries to give concrete propositions to the sportsmed physician. Some of the graphics and tables are particularly appropriate for the counselling of active seniors in sports.
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As a consequence of the demographically related increase of dementia prevalence, modifiable risk factors are gaining in importance as possible preventative measures. Medical treatment cannot yet heal dementia. The effects of vascular risk factors as well as behaviour and lifestyle changes on cognitive decline are the subject of a wide range of current literature. The role of physical activity has proved to be especially beneficial. Multiple studies with different study designs describe direct or indirect positive effects of physical activity on cognitive abilities. The positive effects of physical activity are particularly notable in cognitive domains such as attention or executive functions, which are often impaired in dementia.
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Regular physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of good health in the ageing population. Cardiorespiratory fitness is an important surrogate marker for survival. In primary cardiovascular disease prevention, PA is considered an effective monotherapy with beneficial effects on the cardiovascular risk profile (e.g. lipid profile, blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, body composition) and endothelial function. In secondary prevention, PA is an addition to, rather than a replacement for evidence-based medication.
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Pendant les années 2011–2013, 151 jeunes talents sportifs et artistes du programme pour talents sportifs et artistiques du Canton du Tessin («Programme pour talents SMS») ont participé à un projet de suivi de leur santé sur le plan psychologique. Les objectifs visés par ce projet étaient l’évaluation du risque de surcharge psychologique de la population observée et le test de l’efficacité d’une intervention psycho-éducative de groupe pour réduire ce risque. Les jeunes talents – subdivisés en un groupe intervention (n=28) et un groupe contrôle (n=123) – ont rempli un questionnaire d’entrée (PRE), mesurant les paramètres psychologiques tels que l’anxiété, les motivations intrinsèques, ainsi que quatre facteurs de burnout et la perception d’un conflit d’intérêt entre pratique sportive/artistique et études. 8 mois après, ils ont été à nouveau interrogés au moyen du même questionnaire (POST), complété par des questions d’évaluation finale. Les réponses aux questionnaires d’entrée ont permis de montrer que 57.6% de l’ensemble des jeunes talents sont potentiellement à risque de surcharge psychologique.
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The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the electronic jump measurement system Training TesterTM to measure team handball specific jump performance. For this reason, standing reach height and team handball jump specific reach height were determined simultaneously with the Training TesterTM and a motion capture system as criterion measure. The Training TesterTM slightly underestimated the variables of interest. This can be explained by the relative small measuring zone of the Training TesterTM in comparison to the motion capture system. However, the correlation coefficients between both measurement methods were found to be very high.
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Apophysitis are part of the growth-related diseases within youth athlete population. Despite their high incidence within this growing cohort, many doubts remain. The physiopathology is still debated. Initially, the fragmentation of the ossification center was seen as the main factor of the disease. For few years, this theory has been questioned due to consistent signs of tendon suffering. Apophysitis may have some negative long-term effect on a sporting career. There is currently poor scientific evidence on the optimal management and no treatment has been widely accepted.
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