Digital Commons Network^™

Pole Dancing For Fitness: The Physiological And Metabolic Demand Of A 60-Minute Class, Joanna C. Nicholas, Kirsty Mcdonald, Peter Peeling, Ben Jackson, James Dimmock, Jacqueline A. Alderson, Cyril J. Donnelly

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Nicholas, JC, McDonald, KA, Peeling, P, Jackson, B, Dimmock, JA, Alderson, JA, and Donnelly, CJ. Pole dancing for fitness: The physiological and metabolic demand of a 60-minute class. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2704–2710, 2019—Little is understood about the acute physiological or metabolic demand of pole dancing classes. As such, the aims of this study were to quantify the demands of a standardized recreational pole dancing class, classifying outcomes according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) exercise-intensity guidelines, and to explore differences in physiological and metabolic measures between skill- and routine-based class components. Fourteen advanced-level amateur female pole dancers …

Kinetics And Kinematics Of The Squat And Step-Up In Well-Trained Rugby Players, Brendyn B. Appleby, Robert U. Newton, Stuart J. Cormack

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the kinetics and kinematics of squat and step-up performance in well-trained athletes. Triaxial ground reaction force (GRF) and 3D kinematic data were collected in 4 maximal effort repetitions each at 70, 80, and 90% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) of squat and step-up. The difference in concentric phase kinetics and kinematics between the squat and step-up was compared using effect sizes (ES ± 90% confidence limits [CLs]) classified as: less than 0.2 as trivial; 0.2-0.6 as small; 0.6-1.2 as moderate; and 1.2-2.0 as large. Where the 90% CL crossed negative …

Reducing Aerodynamic Drag By Adopting A Novel Road-Cycling Sprint Position, Paul F. J. Merkes, Paolo Menaspa, Chris R. Abbiss

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose:

To assess the influence of seated, standing, and forward-standing cycling sprint positions on aerodynamic drag (CdA) and the reproducibility of a field test of CdA calculated in these different positions.

Methods:

A total of 11 recreational male road cyclists rode 250 m in 2 directions at around 25, 32, and 40 km·h.

Results:

A main effect of position showed that the average CdA of the 2 d was lower for the forward-standing position (0.295 [0.059]) compared with both the seated (0.363 [0.071], P = .018) and standing positions (0.372 [0.077], P = .037). Seated and standing positions did …

The Current State Of Weight-Cutting In Combat Sports, Oliver R. Barley, Dale W. Chapman, Chris R. Abbiss

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In combat sports, athletes are divided into categories based on gender and body mass. Athletes attempt to compete against a lighter opponent by losing body mass prior to being weighed (i.e., 'weight-cutting'). The purpose of this narrative review was to explore the current body of literature on weight-cutting and outline gaps for further research. Methods of weight-loss include energy intake restriction, total body fluid reduction and pseudo extreme/abusive medical practice (e.g., diuretics). The influence of weight-cutting on performance is unclear, with studies suggesting a negative or no effect. However, larger weight-cuts (~5% of body mass inh) do impair repeat-effort performance. …

A 2-Year Prospective Study Of Injury Epidemiology In Elite Australian Rugby Sevens: Exploration Of Incidence Rates, Severity, Injury Type, And Subsequent Injury In Men And Women, Liam A. Toohey, Michael K. Drew, Caroline F. Finch, Jill L. Cook, Lauren V. Fortington

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Injuries are common in rugby sevens, but studies to date have been limited to short, noncontinuous periods and reporting of match injuries only.

Purpose:

To report the injury incidence rate (IIR), severity, and burden of injuries sustained by men and women in the Australian rugby sevens program and to provide the first longitudinal investigation of subsequent injury occurrence in rugby sevens looking beyond tournament injuries only.

Study design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Ninety international rugby sevens players (55 men and 35 women) were prospectively followed over 2 consecutive seasons (2015-2016 and 2016-2017). All medical attention injuries were reported irrespective …

Controlled Ecological Evaluation Of An Implemented Exercise-Training Programme To Prevent Lower Limb Injuries In Sport: Population-Level Trends In Hospital-Treated Injuries, Caroline F. Finch, Shannon E. Gray, Muhammad Akram, Alex Donaldson, David G. Lloyd, Jill L. Cook

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

OBJECTIVE: Exercise-training programmes have reduced lower limb injuries in trials, but their population-level effectiveness has not been reported in implementation trials. This study aimed to demonstrate that routinely collected hospital data can be used to evaluate population-level programme effectiveness.

METHOD: A controlled ecological design was used to evaluate the effect of FootyFirst, an exercise-training programme, on the number of hospital-treated lower limb injuries sustained by males aged 16-50 years while participating in community-level Australian Football. FootyFirst was implemented with 'support' (FootyFirst+S) or 'without support' (FootyFirst+NS) in different geographic regions of Victoria, Australia: 22 clubs in region 1: FootyFirst+S in 2012/2013; …

The Effects Of An Eight Over Cricket Bowling Spell Upon Pace Bowling Biomechanics And Performance Within Different Delivery Lengths, Samuel J. Callaghan, Robert G. Lockie, Warren A. Andrews, Walter Yu, Robert F. Chipchase, Sophia Nimphius

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Pace bowlers must often perform extended bowling spells with maximal ball release speed (BRS) while targeting different delivery lengths when playing a multi-day match. This study investigated the effect of an eight over spell upon pace bowling biomechanics and performance at different delivery lengths. Nine male bowlers (age = 18.8 ± 1.7 years) completed an eight over spell, while targeting different lengths (short: 7–10 m, good: 4–7 m, full: 0–4 m from the batter’s stumps, respectively) in a randomized order. Trunk, knee and shoulder kinematics and ground reaction forces at front foot contact (FFC), as well as run-up velocity and …

Association Between Preseason Training And Performance In Elite Australian Football, Callum J. Mccaskie, Warren B. Young, Brendan B. Fahrner, Marc Sim

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: To examine the association between preseason training variables and subsequent in-season performance in an elite Australian football team.

Methods: Data from 41 elite male Australian footballers (mean [SD] age = 23.4 [3.1] y, height =188.4 [7.1] cm, and mass = 86.7 [7.9] kg) were collected from 1 Australian Football League (AFL) club. Preseason training data (external load, internal load, fitness testing, and session participation) were collected across the 17-wk preseason phase (6 and 11 wk post-Christmas). Champion Data© Player Rank (CDPR), coaches’ ratings, and round 1 selection were used as in-season performance measures. CDPR and coaches’ ratings were examined …

Using The Trajectory Of The Shuttlecock As A Measure Of Performance Accuracy In The Badminton Short Serve, Shayne Vial, Jodie Cochrane, Anthony J. Blazevich, James L. Croft

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Accuracy of a projectile is typically quantified as the proportion of successful target hits, or the distance an object finishes from the target. Serving in sports such as badminton differs since the shuttlecock is usually intercepted by the opponent before landing on the target (i.e. court surface). Therefore, landing accuracy measures are inappropriate and a new method of determining accuracy of the serve is needed. During interviews, elite coaches and players described an accurate short serve as crossing the net with low clearance and having an apex before the net. Three-dimensional trajectory of the shuttlecock was therefore tracked from eight …

The Use Of A Functional Test Battery As A Noninvasive Method Of Fatigue Assessment, Steven Hughes, Dale W. Chapman, G. Gregory Haff, Sophia Nimphius

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

To assess whether a battery of performance markers, both individually and as group, would be sensitive to fatigue, a within group random cross-over design compared multiple variables during seated control and fatigue (repeated sprint cycling) conditions. Thirty-two physically active participants completed a neuromuscular fatigue questionnaire, Stroop task, postural sway, squat jump, countermovement jump, isometric mid-thigh pull and 10 s maximal sprint cycle (Sprintmax) before and after each condition (15 min, 1 h, 24 h and 48 h). In comparison to control, larger neuromuscular fatigue questionnaire total score decrements were observed 15 min (5.20 ± 4.6), 1 h (3.33 ± 3.9) …

The Incidence, Prevalence, Nature, Severity And Mechanisms Of Injury In Elite Female Cricketers: A Prospective Cohort Study, Nirmala Kanthi Panagodage Perera, Alex Kountouris, Joanne L. Kemp, Corey Joseph, Caroline F. Finch

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objectives

Incidence, prevalence, nature, severity and mechanisms of injury in elite female cricketers over two seasons from March 2014 to March 2016, inclusive.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Injury data collected via Cricket Australia’s Athlete Management System on all elite female players over two seasons were analysed. Profiles of the nature, anatomical location and mechanism of injuries were presented according to dominant player position. Injury incidence rates were calculated based on match playing hours.

Results

There were 600 medical-attention injuries; with 77.7% players reporting ≥1 injury. There were 79.5% acute injuries compared to gradual onset injuries. Of the all medical-attention …

Effects Of Complex Training Versus Heavy Resistance Training On Neuromuscular Adaptation, Running Economy And 5-Km Performance In Well-Trained Distance Runners, Fei Li, Ran Wang, Robert U, Newton, David Sutton, Yue Shi, Haiyong Ding

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Recently, much attention has been paid to the role of neuromuscular function in long-distance running performance. Complex Training (CT) is a combination training method that alternates between performing heavy resistance exercises and plyometric exercises within one single session, resulting in great improvement in neuromuscular adaptation. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of CT vs. heavy resistance training (HRT) on strength and power indicators, running economy (RE), and 5-km performance in well-trained male distance runners. Methods: Twenty-eight well-trained male distance runners (19–23 years old, VO_2max:65.78 ± 4.99 ml.kg⁻¹.min⁻¹) performed one …

Controlled Ecological Evaluation Of An Implemented Exercise Training Programme To Prevent Lower Limb Injuries In Sport: Differences In Implementation Activity, Alex Donaldson, Belinda J. Gabbe, David G. Lloyd, Jill Cook, Caroline F. Finch

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

OBJECTIVE: The public health benefits of injury prevention programmes are maximised when programmes are widely adopted and adhered to. Therefore, these programmes require appropriate implementation support. This study evaluated implementation activity outcomes associated with the implementation of FootyFirst, an exercise training injury prevention programme for community Australian football, both with (FootyFirst+S) and without (FootyFirst+NS) implementation support. METHOD: An evaluation plan based on the Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) Sports Setting Matrix was applied in a controlled ecological evaluation of the implementation of FootyFirst. RE-AIM dimension-specific (range: 0-2) and total RE-AIM scores (range: 0-10) were derived by triangulating data from …

Risk Perceptions For Exertional Heat Illnesses In Junior Cricket In Sri Lanka, Prasanna Janaka Gamage, Lauren Victoria Fortington, Caroline F. Finch

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objectives Exertional heat illnesses (EHI) can occur when sport is played in hot and humid environments, such as those common across Asia. Measures to reduce the risk of EHI are important; however, causal data on EHI occurrence are limited and challenging to capture. To gain an initial understanding of EHI risks, we aimed to assess the risk perceptions of EHI of youth cricketers. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey, comprised of 14 questions on EHI risks, was conducted with 365 Sri Lankan junior male cricketers (age=12.9±0.9 years) who typically play in hot and humid conditions. Results For climate related risks, relative …

Finding Your Balance: An Investigation Of Recovery–Stress Balance In Vocational Dance Training, Peta Blevins, Shona Erskine, Luke Hopper, Gene Moyle

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Professional dance careers require years of intensive training. Stress experienced during training must be balanced with adequate recovery to prevent overtraining and burnout. Little is known, however, about how dancers achieve recovery–stress balance. This study examined dancers’ recollection of stress and recovery during their vocational dance training to identify potential stressors and recovery behaviors in vocational dance training. Twelve current and ex-professional ballet (n=4) and contemporary dancers (n=8) participated in the study. Four general dimensions, based on the extant overtraining literature in athletes, were identified: dance culture, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and situational factors. Cultural norms, health factors related to injury and …

Children Exhibit A More Comparable Neuromuscular Fatigue Profile To Endurance Athletes Than Untrained Adults, Bastien Bontemps, Enzo Piponnier, Emeric Chalchat, Anthony J. Blazevich, Valérie Julian, Olivia Bocock, Martine Duclos, Vincent Martin, Sébastien Ratel

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The present study compared neuromuscular fatigue profiles between children, untrained adults and adult endurance athletes during repeated maximal muscle contractions. Eighteen prepubertal boys, 19 untrained men and 13 endurance male athletes performed 5-s maximal voluntary isometric knee extensor contractions (MVICs) interspersed with 5-s recovery until MVIC reached 60% of its initial value. Single and doublet magnetic stimulations were delivered to the femoral nerve to quantify the time course of potentiated twitch amplitude (T_tw,pot), high-frequency torque (T_{100 Hz}) and the low-to-high frequency torque ratio (T_{10 Hz}/T_{100 Hz}), i.e., indicators of peripheral fatigue. M-wave-normalized …

Neuromuscular Factors Contributing To Reductions In Muscle Force After Repeated, High-Intensity Muscular Efforts [Journal Article], Benjamin J. C. Kirk, Gabriel S. Trajano, Timothy S. Pulverenti, Grant Rowe, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Multiple neuromuscular processes contribute to the loss of force production following repeated, high-intensity muscular efforts; however, the relative contribution of each process is unclear. In Experiment 1, 16 resistance trained men performed six sets of unilateral isometric plantar flexor contractions of the right leg (3 s contraction/2 s rest; 85% maximal voluntary contraction torque; 90-s inter-set rest) until failure with and without caffeine ingestion (3 mg kg^-1) on two separate days. Corticospinal excitability and cortical silent period (cSP) were assessed before and immediately, 10 and 20 min after the exercise. In Experiment 2, electrically evoked tetanic force and …

Foam Rolling As A Recovery Tool Following Eccentric Exercise: Potential Mechanisms Underpinning Changes In Jump Performance, Eric J. Drinkwater, Christopher Latella, Christopher Wilsmore, Stephen P. Bird, Melissa Skein

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: Recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is paramount in sports performance. Foam rolling (FR) has been suggested to improve acute performance; however, the ability to facilitate recovery from eccentric (ECC) exercise remains unclear.

Methods: Eleven males undertook 6 × 25 ECC knee extensions to induce muscular damage. Immediately, 24, 48, and 72 h post-training countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), pressure-pain threshold (PPT), knee flexion range of motion (ROM), and mid-thigh circumference (MTC) were assessed. Neurophysiological measures included voluntary activation (VA), peak twitch torque (PTT), time to peak twitch (PTT_time), and rate of twitch torque …

Comparison Of Subsequent Injury Categorisation (Sic) Models And Their Application In A Sporting Population, Liam A. Toohey, Michael K. Drew, Lauren V. Fortington, Miranda J. Menaspa, Caroline F. Finch, Jill L. Cook

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: The original subsequent injury categorisation (SIC-1.0) model aimed to classify relationships between chronological injury sequences to provide insight into the complexity and causation of subsequent injury occurrence. An updated model has recently been published. Comparison of the data coded according to the original and revised subsequent injury categorisation (SIC-1.0 and SIC-2.0) models has yet been formally compared.

Methods: Medical attention injury data was prospectively collected for 42 elite water polo players over an 8 month surveillance period. The SIC-1.0 and SIC-2.0 models were retrospectively applied to the injury data. The injury categorisation from the two models was compared using …

Implementing Eccentric Resistance Training—Part 2: Practical Recommendations, Timothy J. Suchomel, John P. Wagle, Jamie Douglas, Christopher B. Taber, Mellissa Harden, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The purpose of this review is to provide strength and conditioning practitioners with recommendations on how best to implement tempo eccentric training (TEMPO), flywheel inertial training (FIT), accentuated eccentric loading (AEL), and plyometric training (PT) into resistance training programs that seek to improve an athlete’s hypertrophy, strength, and power output. Based on the existing literature, TEMPO may be best implemented with weaker athletes to benefit positional strength and hypertrophy due to the time under tension. FIT may provide an effective hypertrophy, strength, and power stimulus for untrained and weaker individuals; however, stronger individuals may not receive the same eccentric (ECC) …

Time-To-Event Analysis For Sports Injury Research Part 2: Time-Varying Outcomes, Rasmus Oestergaard Nielsen, Michael Lejbach Bertelsen, Daniel Ramskov, Merete Møller, Adam Hulme, Daniel Theisen, Caroline F. Finch, Lauren Victoria Fortington, Mohammad Ali Mansournia, Erik Thorlund Parner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Time-to-event modelling is underutilised in sports injury research. Still, sports injury researchers have been encouraged to consider time-to-event analyses as a powerful alternative to other statistical methods. Therefore, it is important to shed light on statistical approaches suitable for analysing training load related key-questions within the sports injury domain.

CONTENT: In the present article, we illuminate: (i) the possibilities of including time-varying outcomes in time-to-event analyses, (ii) how to deal with a situation where different types of sports injuries are included in the analyses (ie, competing risks), and (iii) how to deal with the situation where multiple subsequent injuries …

Anatomical And Neuromuscular Determinants Of Strength Change In Previously Untrained Men Following Heavy Strength Training, Joanne Trezise, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study examined whether changes in strength following a moderate-duration strength training program were associated with changes in specific combinations of anatomical and neuromuscular variables. 36 men (18–40 y) completed 10 weeks of lower-limb heavy resistance (6-RM) strength training. Measurements included cross-sectional area (CSA), fascicle length (l_f) and fascicle angle (θ_f) from proximal, middle and distal regions of the four quadriceps components; agonist (EMG:M), antagonist (EMG) muscle activities and percent voluntary quadriceps activation (%VA; interpolated twitch technique); patellar tendon moment arm distance; and maximal isometric, concentric and eccentric (60° s^–1) torque. Multiple regression models …

Role Of Lactic Acidosis As A Mediator Of Sprint-Mediated Nausea, Robert J. Merrells, Ashely J. Cripps, Paola T. Chivers, Paul A. Fournier

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study aims to determine whether there is a relationship between nausea level and lactic acidosis during recovery from sprinting. In all, 13 recreationally active males completed a 60 s bout of maximal intensity cycling. Prior to and for 45 min following exercise, blood pH, pCO₂, and lactate levels were measured together with nausea. In response to sprinting, nausea, lactate, and H⁺ concentrations increased and remained elevated for at least 10 min (p < .001), whereas pCO₂ increased only transiently (p < .001) before falling below pre‐exercise levels (p < .001), with all these variables returning toward pre‐exercise levels during recovery. Both measures of nausea adopted for analyses (nausea profile, NP; visual analogue scale, VAS), demonstrated significant repeated measures correlation (rmcorr) post‐exercise between nausea and plasma lactate (VAS and NPr_rm> 0.595, p < .0001) and H⁺ concentrations (VAS and NPr_rm> 0.689, p < .0001), but an inconsistent relationship with pCO₂ (VAS r_rm = …

Considerations When Assessing Endurance In Combat Sport Athletes, Oliver R. Barley, Dale W. Chapman, Stuart N. Guppy, Chris R. Abbiss

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Combat sports encompass a range of sports, each involving physical combat between participants. Such sports are unique, with competitive success influenced by a diverse range of physical characteristics. Effectively identifying and evaluating each characteristic is essential for athletes and support staff alike. Previous research investigating the relationship between combat sports performance and measures of strength and power is robust. However, research investigating the relationship between combat sports performance and assessments of endurance is less conclusive. As a physical characteristic, endurance is complex and influenced by multiple factors including mechanical efficiency, maximal aerobic capacity, metabolic thresholds, and anaerobic capacities. To assess …

Anxious Or Empowered? A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring How Wearable Activity Trackers Make Their Owners Feel, Jillian Ryan, Sarah Edney, Carol Maher

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background The market for wearable activity trackers has grown prolifically in recent years, with increasing numbers of consumers using them to track, measure, and ideally improve their health and wellbeing. Empirical evidence tends to support wearables as valid, reliable, and effective health behaviour change tools, however little research has been conducted to understand experiential aspects of the devices, particularly thier effects on users’ psychological wellbeing and affect. This study addresses this literature gap by exploring wearable users’ affective responses to their devices and how these relate to personality traits and individual differences. Methods Data were collected from adult wearable users …

Time-To-Event Analysis For Sports Injury Research Part 1: Time-Varying Exposures, Rasmus Oestergaard Nielsen, Michael Lejbach Bertelsen, Daniel Ramskov, Merete Møller, Adam Hulme, Daniel Theisen, Caroline F. Finch, Lauren Victoria Fortington, Mohammad Ali Mansournia, Erik Thorlund Parner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: ‘How much change in training load is too much before injury is sustained, among different athletes?’ is a key question in sports medicine and sports science. To address this question the investigator/practitioner must analyse exposure variables that change over time, such as change in training load. Very few studies have included time-varying exposures (eg, training load) and time-varying effect-measure modifiers (eg, previous injury, biomechanics, sleep/stress) when studying sports injury aetiology.

AIM: To discuss advanced statistical methods suitable for the complex analysis of time-varying exposures such as changes in training load and injury-related outcomes.

CONTENT: Time-varying exposures and time-varying effect-measure …

The Application Of Maximal Mean And Critical Speed And Metabolic Powers For The Quantification Of External Load In Soccer, Cameron Nicholas Lord

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In Association football, often referred to as “soccer”, competitive match play is typically known to represent the greatest physical demand that players experience. The demands associated with match running performance may impact training outcomes and injury risk. As a result, practitioners evaluate these demands to ensure that performance is optimised. To assist in this process, global positioning systems (GPS) are typically used to quantify displacement variables and, more recently, the interaction between running speed and acceleration. However, traditional player monitoring methods tend to apply identical and somewhat arbitrary displacement, velocity and acceleration bands to describe movement “intensity”, and thus to …

Analysis Of Perceptual-Motor Calibration Processes In Indoor Climbing, Andrew Stephen Walsh

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research programme examines how people perceive maximal reach-and grasp-ness in climbing, and as such these questions will be limited to climbing.

Is experienced gained from performing daily submaximal reaching sufficient for the accurate perception of maximal horizontal reaching affordances in rock climbing?

How is perception of maximal horizontal boundary of reach-and grasp-ness affected by: hold size, body position, additional load, or fatigue.

How will inducing fatigue affect how a participant calibrates distance and their movement economy?

Velocity-Based Training: Monitoring, Implementation And Effects On Strength And Power, Henry G. Banyard

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Traditionally, resistance training has been prescribed using percent-based training (PBT) methods that use the loads relative to a maximal load lifted for one repetition (1RM). However, PBT does not take into account possible day-to-day fluctuations in performance that may occur from physical or psychological stressors. One approach to address this limitation is to monitor velocity changes during resistance training, based on research showing that declines in velocity are highly correlated with fatigue. Therefore, velocity-based training (VBT) methods are proposed to provide a more objective method to modify resistance training sessions based on individual differences in day-to-day performance and the rate …

The Manifestations Of Fatigue In Amateur Boxing Performance, Emily C. Dunn

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A subjective method of judgment, the “Ten Point Must-System” (TPMS), was introduced into amateur boxing in 2013. To be successful, boxers must deliver forceful punches and exert dominance over an opponent. There has been limited research examining the strategies used by boxers to win fights under the TPMS and whether these strategies induce fatigue that is sufficient to significantly affect punch force. The overall objective of the five studies contained in this thesis was to describe, in relation to fatigue, the performance characteristics of male amateur boxers under the TPMS, and improve our understanding of the physical characteristics associated with …