This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare physiological, perceptual and biomechanical outcomes between walking on a treadmill and overground surfaces. Five databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) were searched until September 2022. Included studies needed to be a crossover design comparing biomechanical, physiological, or perceptual measures between motorised-treadmill and overground walking in healthy adults (18-65 years) walking at the same speed (<5% difference). The quality of studies were assessed using a modified Downs and Black Quality Index. Meta-analyses were performed to determine standardised mean difference ± 95% confidence intervals for all main outcome measures. Fifty-five studies were included with 1,005 participants. Relative oxygen consumption (standardised mean difference [95% confidence interval] 0.38 [0.14,0.63]) and cadence (0.22 [0.06,0.38]) are higher during treadmill walking. Whereas stride length (-0.36 [-0.62,-0.11]) and step length (-0.52 [-0.98,-0.06]) are lower during treadmill walking. Most kinetic variables are different between surfaces. The oxygen consumption, spatiotemporal and kinetic differences on the treadmill may be an attempt to increase stability due to the lack of control, discomfort and familiarity on the treadmill. Treadmill construction including surface stiffness and motor power are likely additional constraints that need to be considered and require investigation. This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship. Protocol registration is CRD42020208002 (PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) in October 2020.

A new dietary supplement, Fatigue Reviva™, has been recently developed to address issues related to amino acid depletion following illness or in conditions of sub-health where altered amino acid homeostasis has been associated with fatigue. Complex formulations of amino acids present significant challenges due to solubility and taste constraints. This initial study sets out to provide an initial appraisal of product palatability and to gather pilot evidence for efficacy.

While the effect of lower body compression garments on performance and physiological responses are well documented, no studies have examined the effect of upper body compression garments (UBCG) on upper‐body dominant exercise. This study examined the effects of wearing UBCG on performance and physiological responses during simulated flat‐water kayaking. Five male (mean values±s: 21.8±2.8 years; 83.5±9.2 kg; 63.0±5.5 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) and two female (mean values±s: 25.0±4.2 years; 71.4±2.7 kg; 51.0±4.8 ml·kg^‐1·min^‐1) elite flat‐water kayakers completed a six‐step incremental test followed by a four‐minute maximal performance test (4minPT) in both UBCG and control (no shirt or sports training bra) conditions in a randomized counter‐balanced order. Heart rate and oxygen consumption (O₂) as well as performance measures (power, distance covered, stroke rate) were recorded during the tests, and blood lactate was measured immediately after each incremental step and three minutes following the 4minPT. Near‐infrared spectroscopy‐derived measures of blood flow and oxygenation of the flexor carpi radialis were monitored continuously for all tests. No significant differences between the UBCG and control conditions were evident for any performance, cardiorespiratory or oxygenation measure across the incremental step test and 4minPT. It was concluded that wearing UBCG did not provide any significant physiological or performance benefits during simulated flat‐water kayaking.

Purpose:: The influence of various factors on training-load (TL) responses in basketball has received limited attention. This study aimed to examine the temporal changes and influence of cumulative training dose on TL responses and interrelationships during basketball activity.Methods:: Ten state-level Australian male junior basketball players completed 4 × 10-min standardized bouts of simulated basketball activity using a circuit-based protocol. Internal TL was quantified using the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), summated heart-rate zones (SHRZ), Banister training impulse (TRIMP), and Lucia TRIMP models. External TL was assessed via measurement of mean sprint and circuit speeds. Temporal TL comparisons were performed between 10-min bouts, while Pearson correlation analyses were conducted across cumulative training doses (0–10, 0–20, 0–30, and 0–40 min).Results:: sRPE TL increased (P < .05) after the first 10-min bout of basketball activity. sRPE TL was only significantly related to Lucia TRIMP (r = .66–.69; P < .05) across 0–10 and 0–20 min. Similarly, mean sprint and circuit speed were significantly correlated across 0–20 min (r = .67; P < .05). In contrast, SHRZ and Banister TRIMP were significantly related across all training doses (r = .84–.89; P < .05).Conclusions:: Limited convergence exists between common TL approaches across basketball training doses lasting beyond 20 min. Thus, the interchangeability of commonly used internal and external TL approaches appears dose-dependent during basketball activity, with various psychophysiological mediators likely underpinning temporal changes.

Few studies have directly compared physical responses to relative loading strategies between men and women during overground walking. This study aimed to compare gait mechanics of men and women during overground load carriage. A total of 30 participants (15 male, 15 female) completed three 10-min walking trials while carrying external loads of 0%, 20% and 40% of body mass at a self-selected walking speed. Lower-body motion and ground reaction forces were collected using a three-dimensional motion capture system and force plates, respectively. Female participants walked with a higher cadence (p = 0.002) and spent less absolute time in stance (p = 0.010) but had similar self-selected walking speed (p = 0.750), which was likely due to the female participants being shorter than the male participants. Except for ankle plantarflexion moments, there were no sex differences in spatiotemporal, kinematic, or kinetic variables (p > 0.05). Increasing loads resulted in significantly lower self-selected walking speed, greater stance time, and changes in all joint kinematics and kinetics across the gait cycle (p < 0.05). In conclusion, there were few differences between sexes in walking mechanics during overground load carriage. The changes identified in this study may inform training programs to increase load carriage performance.

This study investigated whether physiological demand or gait mechanics differ between sexes during treadmill load carriage. Female (n = 15) and male (n = 15) military recruit-type participants with no load carriage experience completed three 10-minute walking trials at a self-selected speed with increasing relative body-borne loads (0%, 20%, and 40% body weight). A range of cardiorespiratory, perceptual and biomechanical variables were measured. Self-selected walking speed was similar between sexes (4.6-4.8 km·h⁻¹, p >0.05) and there were no significant sex-by-load interactions for any variables. Absolute V̇O₂ and V̇CO₂ were greater in males (difference 175-178 mL·min⁻¹, p 0.05). Across all loads, cadence was 7 ± 2 steps·min⁻¹ faster (p = 0.004) and stance time was 0.06 ± 0.02 s shorter (p = 0.013) in females. Increasing load resulted in greater physiological demand, cadence, % stance time, and step length (p <0.05). Practitioner Summary: Literature comparing physiological and biomechanical variables between sexes during load carriage is scarce. Physiological and biomechanical sex differences were limited to relative measures associated with physical size (height and mass). Future research may pool male and female participants when conducting trials up to ten minutes in length.