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The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of high-repetition strength training (HRST) on performance in competitive endurance athletes. The methodology followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis protocol. A search of databases was performed until December 2020. Inclusion criteria were (a) competitive endurance athletes, (b) ≥4 weeks HRST intervention, (c) control or comparison group, (d) outcome measures of performance (either physiological or time trial performance), and (e) all experimental designs. Quality assessment was performed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Of the 615 studies retrieved, 11 studies were included (216 subjects) and 9 studies provided sufficient data for the meta-analysis (137 subjects). The PEDro scale score had a mean of 5 of 10 points (range: 3-6). There was no significant difference between the HRST and control groups (g = 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.38 to 1.07; p = 0.35) or HRST and low-repetition strength training (LRST) groups (g = 0.24; 95% CI = -0.24 to 0.72; p = 0.33). The findings of this review and meta-analysis indicate that HRST does not result in improved performance over a 4-to 12-week period, and the results seem to be similar to LRST. The majority of studies involved recreational endurance athletes and had a mean duration of 8 weeks, which is a limitation of the findings. Future intervention studies should be > 12 weeks in duration and involve well-trained endurance athletes (maximal oxygen uptake [V̇o2max] of >65 ml·kg-1·min-2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rossiter, A, Warrington, GD, and Comyns, TM. Effects of long-haul travel on recovery and performance in elite athletes: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3234–3245, 2022—Elite athletes are often required to travel long-haul (LH) across numerous time zones for training or competition. However, the extent to which LH travel affects elite athlete performance remains largely unknown. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to critically evaluate available evidence on the effects of LH travel on elite athlete psychometric, physiological, sleep, and performance markers. Electronic database searches of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science were conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were eligible for inclusion if subjects were identified as elite athletes who embarked on a LH flight (>6 hours) and used an outcome measurement of recovery or performance after the flight. Studies that were retrospective, used light therapy or pharmacological interventions were not included. Of 2,719 records assessed, 14 studies comprising a total of 197 athletes from 6 sports met the inclusion criteria. There was an increase in perceived jet lag and disturbance to various physiological markers after LH travel; however, there was minimal disturbance in other psychometric markers. Sleep was not negatively affected by LH travel. Of 10 studies that assessed performance, 3 found decrements in indirect markers of performance. Elite athletes perceived themselves to be jet lagged and experienced disturbance to various physiological mechanisms after LH travel; however, the effect on performance was inconclusive. Future research would benefit from higher quality studies with improved control measures, larger sample sizes from a wider variety of sports, and use of ecologically valid measures of circadian rhythm and athletic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinnott-O'Connor, C, Comyns, TM, and Warrington, GD. Validity of session-RPE to quantify training loads in Paralympic swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2611-2615, 2021--Multiple measures may be used by coaches to quantify training load (TL). The application of heart rate (HR) has limitations in swimming and in Paralympic swimmers, and it may not always be a suitable measure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the session-rate of perceived exertion (sRPE) method for quantifying internal TL in Paralympic swimmers. A further aim was to examine the relationship between athlete and coach perceptions of sRPE TL. Four international Paralympic swimmers selected to compete in Rio 2016 Paralympic Games participated in this study. Heart rate, RPE, and session duration were recorded for 30 training sessions of varied intensities across a 6-week home training period to quantify TL. Significant high to very high positive correlations were observed between sRPE and 3 HRbased measures--Banister's, Edwards, and Lucia's TRIMP (r 5 0.68, 0.66, 0.74, p, 0.01, respectively). Moderate correlations were observed between sRPE and distance measures (r 5 0.53, p, 0.05) but were lower than those observed with HR-based measures. A 2-way analysis of variance identified significant differences in the sRPE ratings between coaches and athletes (F(2, 108) 5 170.4, p, 0.01, h2 5 0.75). The results of this study suggest that the sRPE method may be an appropriate monitoring tool for quantifying TL during water-based training using a single measure in Paralympic swimmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No information is currently available on the effect of race distance on the physiological demands of jockeys. This study aimed to quantify the respective demands of short and long flat and jump race distances. Twenty professional jockeys (10 flat and 10 jump) participated in the study. The subjects initially performed a graded incremental exercise test to volitional exhaustion on a treadmill to determine the peak heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentrations. Two competitive races (short and long) were then monitored on 2 separate occasions for each jockey type to obtain hydration, HR, blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion data. Mean distances for the 4 races were: 1,247.2 ± 184.7 m (short flat race), 2,313.4 ± 142.2m (long flat race), 3,480.2 ± 355.3m (short jump race), and 4,546.4 ±194.3m (long jump race). The mean HR for the long flat race was 151619 b·min-1 (79611% of HRpeak), which was significantly lower than all other race distances (p = 0.000, effect size [ES] = 0.469). A longer jump race resulted in a significantly higher reported rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (146 2.8) than the short jump race (11.0 ± 1.5) (p = 0.009, ES = 0.271), whereas no significant difference was revealed between peak HR responses or blood lactate concentrations when comparing other race distances (p < 0.05). The finding of this study supports previous limited research, which suggests that horse racing is a high-intensity sport, whereas RPE and mean HR fluctuate according to the race distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strength and conditioning (S&C) is an essential component of performance enhancement and injury reduction for competitive rowers. However, information regarding the practical application of appropriate S&C programming for competitive rowers is limited. The aim of this article is to provide an evidence-based needs analysis based on a review of the literature in the area of biomechanics, physiology, and injury epidemiology in the sport of rowing. Practical considerations and guidelines for the implementation of S&C programs for competitive rowers will be provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the extent and quality of the current research literature to determine the effects of low-volume, high-intensity training (HIT) on physiological performance and swimming performance in competitive swimmers. The methodology followed the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. A search of relevant databases and conference proceedings was performed until December 2015. The inclusion criteria were (a) competitive swimmers, (b) ≥4 weeks HIT intervention, (c) comparison group had to involve a higher training volume, (d) outcome measures of physiological and swimming performance, and (e) all experimental study designs. Quality assessment was performed using the Quality Index checklist. Results indicate that of the 538 studies retrieved, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. Six of the 7 studies found that an HIT intervention resulted in significant improvements in physiological performance. Four of the 7 studies found that HIT resulted in significant improvements in swimming performance, whereas none of the 7 studies resulted in a reduction in physiological or swimming performance. Despite the positive findings of this review, the short study duration is a limitation to a number of studies. The current evidence on the effects of HIT on performance is promising; however, it is difficult to draw accurate conclusions until further research has been conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autosomal dominant proximal limb girdle or inclusion body myopathy, associated with Paget disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD) is a recently described disorder that maps to chromosome 9p21.1-p12. We refined the critical locus and identified the gene as the Valosin Containing Protein (VCP) gene, a member of the AAA-ATPase superfamily using a candidate gene approach. Six missense mutations were found to co-segregate with affected individuals only, two of these representing mutation hot spots. We report the clinical and molecular findings in 99 individuals in 13 families. VCP is associated with a variety of cellular activities, including the control of cell cycle, membrane fusion, and the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation pathway. Previous studies have associated VCP mutants in cell lines with vacuole formation and aggregate formation. Identification of VCP as the gene causing IBMPFD has important implications for understanding the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders.