Purpose: This study investigated the effects of previous exhaustive upper body exercise on performance and neuromuscular fatigue following a 4-km cycling time-trial (4-km TT). Methods: Eight recreational cyclists performed a 4-km TT with (ARM[subscript PRE]) or without (CONTR) a previous arm-crank maximal incremental test. In each experimental…

Purpose: Heart rate variability (HRV) can be used to monitor changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Monitoring HRV via the natural log of the root-mean-square difference of successive normal RR intervals (lnRMSSD), a decrease was related to lower parasympathetic activity and a fatigued state, and an increase was related to higher…

Purpose: Automobile racing is physically challenging, but there is no information related to experience level and physiological responses to racing. The aim of this study was to compare physiological responses of professional (PRO) and amateur (AM) sportscar drivers. Methods: Four male racing drivers (PRO n = 2, AM n = 2), completed a physical…

Purpose: The decision by the International Football Association Board in 2004 to approve the use of artificial surfaces in elite football (soccer) competitions remains controversial amongst many players, managers and coaching staff. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of players' opinions to better understand the…

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) combined with a motor control exercises program for the lumbopelvic region. Method: Forty-five asymptomatic individuals were randomized into three groups: MI (n = 15), AO (n = 15) or control group (CG) (n = 15). The outcome measures included…

Purpose: In recent years a sub-group of minimalist runners have emerged who aim to perform physical exercise more naturally in an attempt to reduce running-related injuries. Here we aimed to determine the effect that running with minimalist footwear in a prolonged run has on foot-impact accelerations. Method: Seventeen runners ran with minimalist…

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare strength-endurance handgrip performance and muscle coactivation between judo athletes and untrained young males. Method: The sample was 38 judo athletes and 38 untrained young males, between 12 and 15 years-old. Maturational status was evaluated by age at peak height velocity. A maximal isometric…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of general warm-up (GWU) and GWU plus dynamic stretching (GWU + DS) on endurance running performance in well-trained male runners. Method: The endurance running performances of eight well-trained long-distance male runners were assessed on a treadmill after 2 types of intervention…

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate biomechanical and physiological responses to soccer-specific exercise incorporating an extra-time period (ET) and assess the test-retest reliability of these responses. Methods: Twelve soccer players performed 120 min of soccer-specific exercise. Tri-axial (PL[subscript Total]) and uni-axial…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of water-based aerobic exercises on the performance of water-based resistance exercises by assessing kinematic parameters during protocols and neuromuscular responses after them. Method: Ten women performed 2 water-based protocols (i.e., resistance and concurrent water-based…

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine changes in swimming parameters, stroke coordination, and symmetry after repeated high-intensity swimming efforts in swimmers of different performance levels and para-swimmers. Method: Forty swimmers (20 able-bodied, allocated to higher and lower performance groups--G1 and G2, respectively--and 20…

Purpose: Badminton is a sport characterized by high-intensity activity interspersed with short rests requiring specific physiological fitness, skills and game tactics. This study aimed to develop, describe and establish the reliability of a novel badminton intermittent exercise protocol, to simulate singles match-play (Part A) and assess…

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the changes in neuromuscular contractile properties in elite cyclists associated to the peripheral fatigue produced in a maximal incremental test in cycle ergometer. Methods: Forty-eight volunteers' well-trained male cyclists were evaluated during the competition season within a recovery microcycle.…

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing epidemic related with higher values of blood pressure (BP) and autonomic dysfunction. Scientific evidence has been indicating that functional resistance training (FRT) is superior over conventional (CRT) for muscle fatigue and pain, yet its effects on autonomic modulation (AM), BP and heart rate in MetS are…

Purpose: The ability to perform motor imagery (MI) might be impaired by the physical fatigue elicited during training. Interestingly, there is also theoretical support for a more limited influence of fatigue in the existing literature. Method: We evaluated MI ability before and after two exercise protocols: (i) a continuous exercise of 20 min…