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Experiencing mental fatigue (MF) before an orienteering race can lead to a slower completion time. This study aimed to explore the changes in perceived MF, mood and other psychological responses during an orienteering competition. Sixteen national level orienteering athletes (20.8 ± 4.9 years) provided informed consent and completed the online surveys, before and immediately after each race, and 24- and 48-hours post competition (48POST). This study measured MF, physical fatigue, stress, tiredness and motivation using 0–100 Visual Analogue Scale, and the mood was assessed using The Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS). A moderate to large increase in MF (ES = 0.93 [0.54 to 1.31]), BRUMS fatigue (ES = 0.61 [0.3 to 0.92]), and PF (ES = 1.21 [0.81 to 1.61]) was reported following orienteering races. A small increase in tiredness and BRUMS confusion, and a small decrease in motivation, stress and BRUMS vigour was also reported. There was a delay in recovering from the MF elicited by competition, with a small increase in MF (ES = 0.54 [0.08 to 1.15]) at 48POST compared to the pre-competition value. This study found that orienteers experience MF during competition and have a delayed recovery that can last up to two days after the competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the effects of 5 weeks of unilateral and bilateral leg press training on lower body strength, linear sprinting and vertical jumping performance in adolescent rugby players. Twenty-six male adolescent rugby players (age = 15.3 ± 0.4 years) were assigned via stratified block randomization to unilateral (n = 9), bilateral (n = 9) and control (n = 8) groups. Training consisted of either the unilateral or the bilateral leg press twice weekly over five weeks, with the control group maintaining habitual training. Lower body unilateral and bilateral strength, vertical jump and linear sprint performance were assessed before and after training. After 5 weeks of training, both training groups significantly increased the 5-repetition maximum bilateral leg press (unilateral group = 8.9%, d = 0.53; bilateral group = 10.9%, d = 0.55, p < 0.01) and the 5-repetition maximum unilateral leg press (unilateral group = 20.2%, d = 0.81; bilateral group = 12.4%, d = 0.45, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the size of improvement in unilateral and bilateral groups in the 5-repetition maximum bilateral leg press, but the 5-repetition maximum unilateral leg press increased significantly more in the unilateral group (p < 0.05). No significant training effects were found for vertical jump or linear sprint performance. The results indicated that unilateral leg press training was as effective as bilateral leg press training in improving bilateral strength and more effective in improving unilateral strength in adolescent rugby players. However, strength improvement did not transfer to athletic performance improvements in either group [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is evidence for the physical health benefits of high intensity interval exercise (HIIE), but its public health potential has been challenged. It is purported that compared with moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) the high intensity nature of HIIE may lead to negative affective responses. This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42017058203) addressed this proposition and synthesised research that compares affective responses to HIIE with MICE and vigorous intensity continuous exercise (VICE), during-, end-, and post-exercise. Searches were conducted on five databases, and findings from 33 studies were meta-analysed using random effects models or narratively synthesised. A meta-analysis of affect showed a significant effect in favour of MICE vs HIIE at the lowest point, during and post-exercise, but not at end, and the narrative synthesis supported this for other affective outcomes. Differences on affect between VICE vs HIIE were limited. Pooled data showed arousal levels were consistently higher during HIIE. For enjoyment there was a significant effect in favour of HIIE vs MICE, no difference for HIIE vs VICE at post-exercise, and mixed findings for during-exercise. Although the findings are clouded by methodological issues they indicate that compared to MICE, HIIE is experienced less positively but post-exercise is reported to be more enjoyable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of low-volume self-regulated high-intensity interval training (SR-HIIT) on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), exercise enjoyment, and intentions to repeat. Ten untrained, physically active adults (five males and five females, age: 20.3 ± 0.5 years) undertook a 2-week control period followed by 2-weeks SR-HIIT (6 x 10 min cycle ergometer sessions). Sessions involved alternate bouts at a rating of perceived exertion of 17 (work) and 11 (recovery), with bout durations self-regulated by the participant. Maximal aerobic capacity showed a small increase from post-control (3.14 ± 1.03 L.min-1) to post-training (3.45 ± 1.14 L.min-1; X̅ diff 0.31, 95%CI 0.06 L.min-1, d = 0.28, 95%CL 0.11, 0.45). First ventilatory threshold showed a large increase from post-control (65.6 ± 2.1% VO2max) to post-training (68.0 ± 2.4% VO2max; X̅diff 2.4, 95%CI 1.2%, d = 0.96, 95%CL 0.27, 1.62). Post-exercise enjoyment showed small (X̅ diff 3.5, 95%CI 8.1 AU, d = 0.31) and medium (X̅ diff 6.9, 95%CI 6.7 AU, d = 0.68) increases from SR-HIIT session 1-3 and 3-6, respectively. There were trivial to medium increases in intention to repeat SR-HIIT once per week (d = 0.06 to 0.63) and three times per week (d = 0.28 to 0.60). Low-volume SR-HIIT elicits meaningful improvements in CRF, is enjoyable, and facilitates good intentions to repeat, and may be an additional option for implementing HIIT to improve general population health and fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared cardiometabolic demand and post-exercise enjoyment between continuous walking (CW) and time- and intensity-matched interval walking (IW) in insufficiently active adults. Sixteen individuals (13 females and three males, age 25.3 ± 11.1 years) completed one CW and one IW session lasting 30 min in a randomised-counterbalanced design. For CW, participants walked at a mean intensity of 65–70% predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax). For IW, participants alternated between 3 min at 80% HRmax and 2 min at 50% HRmax. Expired gas was measured throughout each protocol. Participants rated post-exercise enjoyment following each protocol. Mean HR and V˙O2 showed small positive differences in IW vs. CW (2, 95%CL 0, 4 beat.min−1; d = 0.23, 95%CL 0.06, 0.41 and 1.4, 95%CL 1.2 ml.kg−1.min−1, d = 0.36, 95%CL 0.05, 0.65, respectively). There was a medium positive difference in overall kcal expenditure in IW vs. CW (25, 95%CL 7 kcal, d = 0.58, 95%CL 0.33, 0.82). Post-exercise enjoyment was moderately greater following IW vs. CW (9.1, 95%CL 1.4, 16.8 AU, d = 0.62, 95%CL 0.06, 0.90), with 75% of participants reporting IW as more enjoyable. Interval walking elicits meaningfully greater energy expenditure and is more enjoyable than CW in insufficiently active, healthy adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to investigate the hydration status and fluid balance of elite European youth soccer players during three consecutive training sessions. Fourteen males (age 16.9 ± 0.8 years, height 1.79 ± 0.06 m, body mass (BM) 70.6 ± 5.0 kg) had their hydration status assessed from first morning urine samples (baseline) and pre- and post-training using urine specific gravity (USG) measures, and their fluid balance calculated from pre- to post-training BM change, corrected for fluid intake and urine output. Most participants were hypohydrated upon waking (USG >1.020; 77% on days 1 and 3, and 62% on day 2). There was no significant difference between first morning and pre-training USG (p = 0.11) and no influence of training session (p = 0.34) or time (pre- vs. post-training; p = 0.16) on USG. Significant BM loss occurred in sessions 1-3 (0.69 ± 0.22, 0.42 ± 0.25, and 0.38 ± 0.30 kg respectively, p < 0.05). Mean fluid intake in sessions 1-3 was 425 ± 185, 355 ± 161, and 247 ± 157 ml, respectively (p < 0.05). Participants replaced on average 71.3 ± 64.1% (range 0-363.6%) of fluid losses across the three sessions. Body mass loss, fluid intake, and USG measures showed large inter-individual variation. Elite young European soccer players likely wake and present for training hypohydrated, when a USG threshold of 1.020 is applied. When training in a cool environment with ad libitum access to fluid, replacing ~71% of sweat losses results in minimal hypohydration (<1% BM). Consumption of fluid ad libitum throughout training appears to prevent excessive (≥2% BM) dehydration, as advised by current fluid intake guidelines. Current fluid intake guidelines appear applicable for elite European youth soccer players training in a cool environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of serial administration of a carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinse on performance, metabolic and perceptual responses during a cycle sprint. Twelve physically active males (mean (± SD) age: 23.1 (3.0) years, height: 1.83 (0.07) m, body mass (BM): 86.3 (13.5) kg) completed the following mouth rinse trials in a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind fashion; 1. 8 x 5 second rinses with a 25 ml CHO (6% w/v maltodextrin) solution, 2. 8 x 5 second rinses with a 25 ml placebo (PLA) solution. Following mouth rinse administration, participants completed a 30 second sprint on a cycle ergometer against a 0.075 g·kg-1 BM resistance. Eight participants achieved a greater peak power output (PPO) in the CHO trial, resulting in a significantly greater PPO compared with PLA (13.51 ± 2.19 vs. 13.20 ± 2.14 W·kg-1, p < 0.05). Magnitude inference analysis reported a likely benefit (81% likelihood) of the CHO mouth rinse on PPO. In the CHO trial, mean power output (MPO) showed a trend for being greater in the first 5 seconds of the sprint and lower for the remainder of the sprint compared with the PLA trial (p > 0.05). No significant between-trials difference was reported for fatigue index, perceived exertion, arousal and nausea levels, or blood lactate and glucose concentrations. Serial administration of a CHO mouth rinse may significantly improve PPO during a cycle sprint. This improvement appears confined to the first 5 seconds of the sprint, and may come at a greater relative cost for the remainder of the sprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a cross-sectional survey concussion knowledge was evaluated among forty university-level athletes (n = 20, rugby union players; n = 20, Gaelic football players) and eight experienced team coaches (n = 2, rugby union; n = 2, Gaelic football; n = 1, soccer; n = 1, hockey; n = 1, netball; n = 1, basketball). Levels of knowledge of concussion were high across all participants. Coaches had higher knowledge scores for almost all areas; however, there was evidence of important gaps even in this group. Knowledge was not sufficient in identifying concussion, and when it is safe to return to play following a concussion. Impaired knowledge of how to recognise a concussion, and misunderstanding the need for rest and rehabilitation before return to play presents a hazard to health from second impact and more catastrophic brain injury. We discuss reasons for these guideline misconceptions, and suggest that attitude issues on the significance of concussion may underlie a willingness to want to play with a concussion. This suggests the current education on sport-related concussion needs to be expanded for the appropriate management of university-level contact sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the effects of 5 weeks of unilateral and bilateral leg press training on lower body strength, linear sprinting and vertical jumping performance in adolescent rugby players. Twenty-six male adolescent rugby players (age = 15.3 ± 0.4 years) were assigned via stratified block randomization to unilateral (n = 9), bilateral (n = 9) and control (n = 8) groups. Training consisted of either the unilateral or the bilateral leg press twice weekly over five weeks, with the control group maintaining habitual training. Lower body unilateral and bilateral strength, vertical jump and linear sprint performance were assessed before and after training. After 5 weeks of training, both training groups significantly increased the 5-repetition maximum bilateral leg press (unilateral group = 8.9%, d = 0.53; bilateral group = 10.9%, d = 0.55, p < 0.01) and the 5-repetition maximum unilateral leg press (unilateral group = 20.2%, d = 0.81; bilateral group = 12.4%, d = 0.45, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the size of improvement in unilateral and bilateral groups in the 5-repetition maximum bilateral leg press, but the 5-repetition maximum unilateral leg press increased significantly more in the unilateral group (p < 0.05). No significant training effects were found for vertical jump or linear sprint performance. The results indicated that unilateral leg press training was as effective as bilateral leg press training in improving bilateral strength and more effective in improving unilateral strength in adolescent rugby players. However, strength improvement did not transfer to athletic performance improvements in either group., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © Academy of Physical Education in Katowice.)