Purpose: To compare cardio-metabolic, perceptual and neuromuscular responses to an aerobic interval training (AIT) running session, with active (AR) vs. passive recovery (PR). Methods: Eleven well-trained male distance runners (36.63 ± 6.93 years, 59.26 ± 5.27 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, ⁓ 35 min in 10 km) completed the University of Montréal Track Test (UMTT) and 2 AIT sessions on track in random order, which consisted of 4 × 2 min at 100% of the maximum aerobic speed (MAS), with 2 min of AR at 80% of the velocity associated to the second ventilatory threshold (vVT₂), or no exercise (i.e., PR). During sessions, oxygen consumption (V̇O₂), heart rate (HR), blood lactate [La], rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and countermovement jump (CMJ) were continuously monitored. Results: There were no differences in time spent in the “red zone” (i.e. > 90% V̇O_2max) between sessions (222 ± 73 s AR vs. 230 ± 104 s PR, p = 0.588), although the PR exhibited a greater time spent at peak V̇O₂ close to significance (117 ± 114 vs. 158 ± 109 s, p = 0.056). However, the AR elicited a higher mean V̇O₂ (49.62 ± 5.91 vs. 47.46 ± 4.20 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, p = 0.021). The AR favored a lower [La] after sessions (6.93 ± 2.22 vs. 6.24 ± 1.93 mmol·L⁻¹, p = 0.016) and a higher RPE during sessions (15 ± 0.45 vs. 14 ± 0.47, p = 0.045). Meanwhile, the CMJ was significantly potentiated during both sessions. Conclusion: Considering that PR elicited lower perceptual loading for a similar cardiorespiratory response, its use would be preferable, at least, for this type of AIT running sessions.

The presence of less healthy lifestyle habits among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia which can contribute to the escalation of physical disorders and exacerbation of psychological symptoms is well documented. The present scoping review aims to synthesize and evaluate the available evidence regarding the impact of regular physical exercise on psychopathology, cognition, and quality of life (QoL) in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. A literature search was performed across Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus for randomized control trials published up to April 2022. Two independent reviewers applied the selection criteria and a third reviewer resolved discrepancies. A total of twelve studies were included, of which nine used endurance training and three used concurrent training (one of these additionally used resistance training). The results reveal benefits of various modalities of supervised regular exercise in the psychopathology of schizophrenia. Furthermore, regular endurance training seems to improve cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia and promote their QoL; however, results are inconclusive with respect to this last variable. The assessment of methodological quality in the reviewed articles indicates a high overall risk of bias, particularly in relation to deviations from intended interventions and the selection of reported results. Furthermore, an assessment of exercise reporting revealed that only 5 out of 19 items were fulfilled in more than 50% of the articles. Future research is needed to evaluate the effects of different training modalities and the optimal dose–response relationship in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Rivera-Köfler, T, Varela-Sanz, A, Padrón-Cabo, A, Giráldez-García, MA, and Muñoz-Pérez, I. Effects of polarized training vs. other training intensity distribution models on physiological variables and endurance performance in different-level endurance athletes: a scoping review. J Strength Cond Res 39(3): 373–385, 2025—This scoping review aimed to analyze the long-term effects of polarized training (POL) on key endurance physiological- and performance-related variables and to systematically compare them with other training intensity distribution (TID) models in endurance athletes of different performance levels. Four TID models were analyzed: POL, pyramidal (PYR), threshold (THR), and block (BT) training models. The literature search was performed using PubMed, SportDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Studies were selected if they met the following criteria: compared POL with any other TID model, included healthy endurance athletes, men, and/or women; reported enough information regarding the volume distribution in the different training intensity zones (i.e., zone 1, zone 2, and zone 3), assessed physiological (i.e., maximum/peak oxygen uptake, speed or power at aerobic and anaerobic thresholds, economy of movement), and performance in competition or time-trial variables. Of the 620 studies identified, 15 met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. According to scientific evidence, POL and PYR models reported greater maximum oxygen uptake enhancements. Both POL and PYR models improved the speed or power associated with the aerobic threshold. By contrast, all TID models effectively improved the speed or power associated with the anaerobic threshold. Further research is needed to establish the effects of TID models on the economy of movement. All TID models were effective in enhancing competitive endurance performance, but testing protocols were quite heterogeneous. The POL and PYR models seem to be more effective in elite and world-class athletes, whereas there were no differences between TID models in lower-level athletes.

COVID-19-induced quarantine may lead to deleterious effects on health status as well as to impaired performance and increased injury risk when re-starting training after lockdown. We investigated the physical activity (PA) habits of recreational runners in Spain during a 48-day home quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic and the characteristics of the first outdoor running session after confinement. A cross-sectional study, including a self-reported running questionnaire completed after the first outdoor running session after quarantine, was performed. Three hundred recreational runners (74% males; 60% 18–40 years old; most typical running experience >3 years, 10–30 km weekly running distance distributed in 3–4 sessions) were considered for analysis. Advanced runners ran, at least, 4 days/week and participated in running events. They performed significantly longer and more non-supervised weekly training sessions during confinement (p < 0.01 for both) than novice and amateur runners. Most runners performed their first outdoor running session on asphalt (65.3%) and ran 5 to 10 km (61%) at a pace above 5 min/km (60%), reporting no pain before (77%), during (64%), and 24 h after (76%) the session. Advanced runners performed a significantly longer running session, at a higher pace, and covered a greater distance (p < 0.01 for all) than novice and amateur runners, while enjoyment and motivation tended to be significantly higher when runners’ level increased (p < 0.05). Higher training levels prior to and during confinement may lower the collateral effects (e.g., detraining, injury risk) of home quarantine when runners return to previous PA levels.

Background: Understanding fatigue mechanisms is crucial for exercise performance. However, scientific evidence on non-invasive methods for assessing fatigue in trail running competitions is scarce, especially when vertical kilometer trail running races (VK) are considered. The main purpose of this study was to assess the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity (i.e., central fatigue) and the state of muscle activation (i.e., peripheral fatigue) before and after a VK competition. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was performed. After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 8 recreational male trail runners (31.63 ± 7.21 yrs, 1.75 m ± 0.05 m, 70.38 ± 5.41 kg, BMI: 22.88 ± 0.48, running experience: 8.0 ± 3.63 yrs, weekly training volume: 58.75 ± 10.35 km) volunteered to participate and were assessed for both central (i.e., via heart rate variability, HRV) and peripheral (via tensiomyography, TMG) fatigue before and after a VK race. Results: After the VK, resting heart rate, RMSSD (p = 0.01 for both) and SDNN significantly decreased (p = 0.02), while the stress score and the sympathetic-parasympathetic ratio increased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). The TMG analyses suggest that runners already suffered peripheral fatigue before the VK and that 20–30 min are enough for muscular recovery after the race. In summary, our data suggest that participants experienced a pre-competition fatigue status. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to investigate the mechanisms underlying fatigue during trail running races, while training periodization and tapering strategies could play a key role for minimizing pre-competition fatigue status.

Objective: The main aim of this study was to develop an equation for predicting performance in 42.2 km (MRT) using pacing and packing behavior, age group and previous 21.1 km time as possible explanatory variables. Methods: 1571 men and 251 female runners who took part in the Valencia Marathon and Half-Marathon were selected to display the regression models. Stepwise regression analysis showed as explanatory variables for MRT: pacing behavior, age group, and time in 21.1 km. Results: The analysis showed four regression models to estimate accurately MRT based principally on athletes previous performance in half-marathon and pacing behavior for men (R²= 0.72–0.88; RMSE= 4:03–8:31 [min:s]). For women, it was suggested a multiple linear regression for estimating MRT (R² 0.95; RSE= 8:06 [min:s]) based on previous performance in half-marathon and pacing behavior. The subsequent concordance analysis showed no significant differences between four of the total regressions with real time in the marathon (p>0.05). Conclusion: The present results suggest that even and negative pacing behavior and a better time in 21.1 km, in the previous weeks of the marathon, might accurately predict the MRT. At the same time, nomadic packing behavior was the one that reported the best performance. On the other hand, although the age group variable might partially explain the final performance, it should be included with caution in the final model because of differences in sample distribution, causing an overestimation or underestimation of the final time.