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Study aim: To evaluate the levels of strength, agility and the maximal oxygen uptake (VO ) between the offensive and de­fensive teams of football players. Material and methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 20 male Brazilian football players were divided into an offensive group (OG, n = 10, age: 25.50 ± 6.15 years) and a defensive group (DG, n = 10, age: 22.50 ± 5.48 years). We used the dy­namometer for back and legs, the shuttle run test, and the Cooper test to evaluate strength, agility and VO , respectively. Results: The independent Student t-test showed that the OG was significantly more agile than the DG (p < 0.05). The other variables did not show any statistically significant differences. In the OG there was a strong correlation between agility and VO2max (r = - 0.834, p = 0.003, r = 0.70). However, in the DG there was a moderate correlation between the same variables (r = - 0.677, p = 0.031, r = 0.46). This shows that the greater the agility is, the higher is the VO . There was no correlation between the variables muscle strength and body fat percentage. Conclusions: The study showed that the OG has a better physical condition than the DG.

Abstract It is important that players and coaches have access to objective information on soccer player’s physical status for team selection and training purposes. Physiological tests can provide this information. Physiological testing in laboratories and field settings are very common, but both methods have been questioned because of their specificity and accuracy respectively. Currently, football players have their direct aerobic fitness assessed in laboratories using treadmills or cycle ergometers, whilst indirect measures (using estimation of aerobic performance) are performed in the field, typically comprising multiple shuttle runs back and forth over a set distance. The purpose of this review is to discuss the applied techniques and technologies used for evaluating soccer players’ health and fitness variables with a specific focus on cardiorespiratory testing. A clear distinction of the functionality and the specificity between the field tests and laboratory tests is well established in the literature. The review findings prioritize field tests over laboratory tests, not only for commodity purpose but also for motivational and specificity reasons. Moreover, the research literature suggests a combination of various tests to provide a comprehensive assessment of the players. Finally, more research needs to be conducted to develop a specific and comprehensive test model through the combination of various exercise modes for soccer players.

The aim of this longitudinal study was to compare two recovery modes (active vs. passive) during a seven-week high-intensity interval training program (SWHITP) aimed to improve maximal oxygen uptake ( ), maximal aerobic velocity (MAV), time to exhaustion ( t lim ) and time spent at a high percentage of , i.e., above 90 % ( t 90 ) and 95 % ( t 95 ) of . Twenty-four adults were randomly assigned to a control group that did not train (CG, n  = 6) and two training groups: intermittent exercise (30 s exercise/30 s recovery) with active (IE A , n  = 9) or passive recovery (IE P , n  = 9). Before and after seven weeks with (IE A and IE P ) or without (CG) high-intensity interval training (HIT) program, all subjects performed a maximal graded test to determine their and MAV. Subsequently only the subjects of IE A and IE P groups carried out an intermittent exercise test consisting of repeating as long as possible 30 s intensive runs at 105 % of MAV alternating with 30 s active recovery at 50 % of MAV (IE A ) or 30 s passive recovery (IE P ). Within IE A and IE P , mean t lim and MAV significantly increased between the onset and the end of the SWHITP and no significant difference was found in t 90 V O 2max and t 95 V O 2max . Furthermore, before and after the SWHITP, passive recovery allowed a longer t lim for a similar time spent at a high percentage of V O 2max . Finally, within IE A , but not in IE P , mean V O 2max increased significantly between the onset and the end of the SWHITP both in absolute ( p  < 0.01) and relative values ( p  < 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed a significant increase in V O 2max after a SWHITP with active recovery in spite of the fact that t lim was significantly longer (more than twice longer) with respect to passive recovery.

Kenyan athletes have dominated competitive middle‐ and long‐distance running for more than half a century, a phenomenon suggested to be attributable, at least in part, to superior running economy. Given that lower‐leg anthropometry is an important determinant of running economy, a key contributor to the athletic performance of Kenyan runners is thought to be slender lower legs. Running economy and lower‐leg anthropometrics, including relative lower‐leg length and mean lower‐leg thickness, were measured in adult middle‐ to long‐distance runners, including 12 Kenyan elite and 29 sub‐elite runners, and 20 Danish elite and 37 sub‐elite runners. Additionally, 46 untrained Kenyan and 30 untrained Danish adolescents were included. Among adult runners, the oxygen cost of running was 33.61 mL kg −0.75  km −1 lower in Kenyans compared with Danes [95% confidence interval (CI): 18.63, 48.59; p < 0.0001] and increased by 2.20 mL kg −0.75  km −1 per centimetre squared increase in lower‐leg cross‐sectional area (95% CI: 1.03, 3.37; p = 0.0005). In untrained adolescents, the oxygen cost of running was 44.82 mL kg −0.75  km −1 lower (95% CI: 21.99, 67.64; p = 0.0002) and increased by 1.75 mL kg −0.75  km −1 per centimetre squared increase in lower‐leg cross‐sectional area (95% CI: 0.18, 3.32; p = 0.0294). Slender lower legs are favourably associated with superior running economy and might contribute to the dominance of Kenyan athletes in competitive middle‐ to long‐distance running. What is the central question of this study? Is the superior running economy of Kenyans compared with non‐Kenyans caused by more slender lower legs? What is the main finding and its importance? Both adult Kenyan elite and sub‐elite middle‐ to long‐distance runners and untrained adolescents have superior running economy and slimmer lower legs compared with their Danish counterparts. Across countries and levels, more slender lower legs are closely associated with better running economy.

Fitness is essential to military personnel in general, especially in the special operations forces (SOF), where the demanding tasks require a high level of physical fitness and mental robustness. However, little research has been done on SOF to characterise the putative underlying cardiopulmonary adaptations that distinguish them from conventional infantry soldiers (INF). This study aims to evaluate the cardiopulmonary function in SOF compared INF. The study assessed cardiac function and dimension using transthoracic echocardiography obtained at rest in eight soldiers from a SOF unit and in eight INF. was measured by direct calorimetry (secondary outcome) at the same time blood samples were collected to measure lactate levels. Lung function was assessed by spirometry, while the haemoglobin‐corrected pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide ( D L,COc ) was examined by the single‐breath technique. SOF had higher stroke volume (mean difference = 21 mL, P  < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (mean difference = 7%, P  = 0.026) than INF. Furthermore, SOF had higher global constructive myocardial work and global work index compared to INF. as percentage of predicted according to age, weight and sex was higher in SOF, and they also had lower lactate levels during the test than INF ( P  = 0.029). None of the measured lung function metrics differed between groups. In conclusion, when compared to conventional infantry soldiers, SOF soldiers had marked cardiac adaptations with evidence of eccentric LV remodelling. It remains to be determined if this reflects different training regimes or selection. What is the central question of this study? Do special operations forces exhibit superior cardiopulmonary function compared to conventional infantry soldiers? What is the the main finding and its importance? Special operation forces exhibited evidence of eccentric left ventricular remodelling with a concomitant relatively high whole‐body maximal oxygen uptake. It remains to be determined whether this reflects their specific training regime or selection.

Wearing face masks is recommended for the prevention of contracting or exposing others to cardiorespiratory infections, such as COVID-19. Controversy exists on whether wearing face masks during vigorous exercise affects performance. We used a randomized, counterbalanced cross-over design to evaluate the effects of wearing a surgical mask, a cloth mask, or no mask in 14 participants (7 men and 7 women; 28.2 ± 8.7 y) during a cycle ergometry test to exhaustion. Arterial oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry) and tissue oxygenation index (indicator of hemoglobin saturation/desaturation) at vastus lateralis (near-infrared spectroscopy) were assessed throughout the exercise tests. Wearing face masks had no effect on performance (time to exhaustion (mean ± SD): no mask 622 ± 141 s, surgical mask 657 ± 158 s, cloth mask 637 ± 153 s (p = 0.20); peak power: no mask 234 ± 56 W, surgical mask 241 ± 57 W, cloth mask 241 ± 51 W (p = 0.49)). When expressed relative to peak exercise performance, no differences were evident between wearing or not wearing a mask for arterial oxygen saturation, tissue oxygenation index, rating of perceived exertion, or heart rate at any time during the exercise tests. Wearing a face mask during vigorous exercise had no discernable detrimental effect on blood or muscle oxygenation, and exercise performance in young, healthy participants (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04557605).

We hypothesized that endurance athletes have lower muscle power than power athletes due to a combination of weaker and slower muscles, while their higher endurance is attributable to better oxygen extraction, reflecting a higher muscle oxidative capacity and larger stroke volume. Endurance (n = 87; distance runners, road cyclists, paddlers, skiers), power (n = 77; sprinters, throwers, combat sport athletes, body builders), team (n = 64; basketball, soccer, volleyball) and non-athletes (n = 223) performed a countermovement jump and an incremental running test to estimate their maximal anaerobic and aerobic power (VO2max), respectively. Dynamometry and M-mode echocardiography were used to measure muscle strength and stroke volume. The VO2max (L min−1) was larger in endurance and team athletes than in power athletes and non-athletes (p < 0.05). Athletes had a larger stroke volume, left ventricular mass and left ventricular wall thickness than non-athletes (p < 0.02), but there were no significant differences between athlete groups. The higher anaerobic power in power and team athletes than in endurance athletes and non-athletes (p < 0.001) was associated with a larger force (p < 0.001), but not faster contractile properties. Endurance athletes (20.6%) had a higher (p < 0.05) aerobic:anaerobic power ratio than controls and power and team athletes (14.0–15.3%). The larger oxygen pulse, without significant differences in stroke volume, in endurance than power athletes indicates a larger oxygen extraction during exercise. Power athletes had stronger, but not faster, muscles than endurance athletes. The similar VO2max in endurance and team athletes and similar jump power in team and power athletes suggest that concurrent training does not necessarily impair power or endurance performance.

Twelve healthy untrained men (age 22 ± 1 years; body mass (BM) 76.8 ± 14.4 kg; height 180 ± 8 cm, (mean ± SD)), participated in this study. The subjects performed an incremental exercise test on a cycloergometer with an increase of power output (PO) by 30 W every 3 min – until exhaustion. Gross mechanical efficiency (GE) and delta efficiency (DE) during exercise of moderate-intensity (below lactate threshold – < LT) was calculated. Both legs muscle mass (LMM) (determined using 3T MRI) amounted to 14.1 ± 2.1 kg (i.e., 18.6% of body mass). Pulmonary oxygen consumption (V̇O 2 ) at rest (sitting position) was 391 ± 42 mL min −1 . The slope of the V̇O 2 (PO) relationship (at the PO’s < LT) amounted to 10.25 ± 0.99 mL O 2 min −1 W −1 and the intercept 501 ± 130 mL min −1 . Pulmonary maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2max ) was 3198 ± 458 mL O 2 min −1 , 42.2 ± 5.7 mL O 2 min −1  kg −1 BM and 187 ± 30 mL O 2 min −1  kg −1 of LMM. The LMM was positively correlated with the V̇O 2 at rest ( p  = 0.01). No relation between the LMM and the DE was found, whereas GE at the PO of 30–90 W was negatively correlated with the LMM ( p  ≤ 0.05). We concluded that greater muscle mass is not favorable when performing moderate-intensity cycling, since it results in poorer gross muscle mechanical efficiency.

This pilot study investigates the learning effect in repeated trials of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test in adults with different levels of physical fitness. Twenty physically active (PAS) and non-physically active subjects (NAS) participated in the study (age 19.9 ± 1.6 years, height 174.5 ± 8.1 cm, body mass 66.5 ± 8.2 kg, and BMI 21.8 ± 1.6 kg/m²). They repeatedly performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1) once a week until performance plateaued. Maximal heart rate was analyzed in three one-minute intervals after the test was completed. PAS completed 3.1 ± 1.28 and NAS completed 2.7 ± 0.15 trials. Performance level significantly improved from the initial to the final trial in both PAS (from 14.5 ± 1.1 to 15.2 ± 1.1, p  = .006) and NAS (from 13.0 ± 1.0 to 13.5 ± 0.9, p  = .008). Similarly, the distance covered significantly increased in both the PAS (from 588.5 ± 317.4 m to 748.7 ± 373.4 m, p  = .001) and the NAS (from 360.0 ± 175.9 m to 432.0 ± 188.4 m, p  = .003). Maximal oxygen uptake also significantly increased in the PAS (from 41.6 ± 1.8 ml/kg/min to 43.3 ± 2.4 ml/kg/min, p  = .005) as well as in the NAS (from 39.5 ± 1.5 ml/kg/min to 40.1 ± 1.6 ml/kg/min, p  = .003). However, there were no significant changes in maximal heart rate between the first and last trials in either group. These findings indicate a significant learning effect in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1) over 3 trials, regardless of the subjects’ level of physical fitness. However, this may bias the results, and therefore, practice trials are recommended before testing.

The present study compared the isocapnic buffering phase (ICB), hypocapnic hyperventilation phase, ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) among biathlon and cross-country ski athletes during an incremental exercise test. 37 male and 33 female Turkish National Team athletes volunteered to participate in the research. Body fat percentage, lean mass, and fat mass values of athletes were measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis method, and oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) was measured with a portable cardiopulmonary exercise test system with a ramp protocol on the treadmill. In VT, RCP, and VO 2max phases, male athletes had higher VO 2 and speed values than female athletes ( p  < 0.05). In contrast, they had similar values across different categories of sports (biathlon and cross-country skiing) ( p  > 0.05). Additionally, XC skiers and males had higher absolute (Abs) VO 2 and mass-normalized (Rel) VO 2 values than biathletes and females in exhaustion times and ICBs ( p  < 0.05). In contrast, they had similar Abs VO 2 and Rel VO 2 values in hypocapnic hyperventilation phases ( p  > 0.05). In addition, XC skiers and males had higher absolute (Abs) VO 2 and relative (Rel) VO 2 values than biathletes and females in exhaustion times and ICBs ( p  < 0.05). In contrast, they had similar Abs VO 2 and Rel VO 2 values in hypocapnic hyperventilation phases ( p  > 0.05). These results indicate significant differences in physiological profiles between male and female athletes and between XC skiers and biathletes.