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Dr. Russ Best
Wintec

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0 Endurance
0 Heat
0 environmental & health
0 endurance effort, running, marathon, ultra-marathon
0 Equestrian sports

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Heat
Equestrian sports

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Journal article
Published: 01 February 2021 in Beverages
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Carbohydrate and menthol mouth-swilling have been used to enhance exercise performance in the heat. However, these strategies differ in mechanism and subjective experience. Participants (n = 12) sat for 60 min in hot conditions (35 °C; 15 ± 2%) following a 15 min control period, during which the participants undertook three 15 min testing blocks. A randomised swill (carbohydrate; menthol; water) was administered per testing block (one swill every three minutes within each block). Heart rate, tympanic temperature, thermal comfort, thermal sensation and thirst were recorded every three minutes. Data were analysed by ANOVA, with carbohydrate intake controlled for via ANCOVA. Small elevations in heart rate were observed after carbohydrate (ES: 0.22 ± 90% CI: −0.09–0.52) and water swilling (0.26; −0.04–0.54). Menthol showed small improvements in thermal comfort relative to carbohydrate (−0.33; −0.63–0.03) and water (−0.40; from −0.70 to −0.10), and induced moderate reductions in thermal sensation (−0.71; from −1.01 to −0.40 and −0.66; from −0.97 to −0.35, respectively). Menthol reduced thirst by a small to moderate extent. These effects persisted when controlling for dietary carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrate and water may elevate heart rate, whereas menthol elicits small improvements in thermal comfort, moderately improves thermal sensation and may mitigate thirst; these effects persist when dietary carbohydrate intake is controlled for.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Peter Maulder; Nicolas Berger. Perceptual and Physiological Responses to Carbohydrate and Menthol Mouth-Swilling Solutions: A Repeated Measures Cross-Over Preliminary Trial. Beverages 2021, 7, 9 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Peter Maulder, Nicolas Berger. Perceptual and Physiological Responses to Carbohydrate and Menthol Mouth-Swilling Solutions: A Repeated Measures Cross-Over Preliminary Trial. Beverages. 2021; 7 (1):9.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Peter Maulder; Nicolas Berger. 2021. "Perceptual and Physiological Responses to Carbohydrate and Menthol Mouth-Swilling Solutions: A Repeated Measures Cross-Over Preliminary Trial." Beverages 7, no. 1: 9.

Journal article
Published: 07 January 2021 in Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
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When compared to other equestrian sports, Polo players engage in a high number of player-pony interactions. To ensure optimal performance of the player-pony dyad, an understanding of the workloads performed by each pony, and the physiological cost placed upon the rider are required. This investigation examined the relationship and interaction between Polo pony performance (speeds attained, distance covered, movements performed) and corresponding heart rate responses in Polo players, within and between games across a 16-goal Polo tournament. Descriptive statistics revealed Polo is played at an intensity that imposes considerable cardiovascular exertion, with players’ average heart rate (HRavg) and maximum heart rate (HRmax) frequently exceeding 165bpm and 200bpm, respectively, within most games. Data also demonstrated both HRavg and HRmax have small to moderate relationships (p<0.05) with numerous discrete measures of pony external workload, especially, pony accelerations, decelerations, impacts and sprints. These findings highlight the chukka and game specific interactions between pony actions and the players’ cardiovascular responses to these movements. If the cardiovascular conditioning of the player is insufficient to meet the demands of Polo play, the combined performance of the player-pony dyad may be limited.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. External Loading Characteristics of Polo Ponies and Corresponding Player Heart Rate Responses in 16-Goal Polo. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2021, 98, 103368 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Regan Standing. External Loading Characteristics of Polo Ponies and Corresponding Player Heart Rate Responses in 16-Goal Polo. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2021; 98 ():103368.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. 2021. "External Loading Characteristics of Polo Ponies and Corresponding Player Heart Rate Responses in 16-Goal Polo." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 98, no. : 103368.

Preprint
Published: 20 November 2020
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Carbohydrate and menthol mouth-swilling have been used to enhance exercise performance in the heat. However, these strategies differ in mechanism and subjective experience. Participants (n=12) sat for 60 min in hot conditions (35°C; 15±2%), following a 15 min control period, participants undertook three 15 min testing blocks. A randomised swill (Carbohydrate; Menthol; Water) was administered per testing block (one swill every three minutes within each block). Heart rate, tympanic temperature, thermal comfort, thermal sensation and thirst were recorded every three minutes. Data were analysed by ANOVA, with carbohydrate intake controlled for via ANCOVA. Small elevations in heart rate were observed after carbohydrate (ES: 0.22 ± 90% CI: -0.09 to 0.52) and water swilling (0.26; -0.04 to 0.54). Menthol showed small improvements in thermal comfort relative to carbohydrate (-0.33; -0.63 to 0.03) and water (-0.40; -0.70 to -0.10), and induced moderate reductions in thermal sensation (-0.71; -1.01 to -0.40 and -0.66; -0.97 to -0.35, respectively). Menthol reduced thirst by a small to moderate extent. These effects persisted when controlling for dietary carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrate and water may elevate heart rate, whereas menthol elicits small improvements in thermal comfort, moderately improves thermal sensation and may mitigate thirst; these effects persist when dietary carbohydrate intake is controlled for.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Peter S Maulder; Nicolas Berger. Perceptual and Physiological Responses to Carbohydrate and Menthol Mouth-Swilling Solutions. 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Peter S Maulder, Nicolas Berger. Perceptual and Physiological Responses to Carbohydrate and Menthol Mouth-Swilling Solutions. . 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Peter S Maulder; Nicolas Berger. 2020. "Perceptual and Physiological Responses to Carbohydrate and Menthol Mouth-Swilling Solutions." , no. : 1.

Case report
Published: 17 August 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Ultra-running comprises running events longer than a marathon (>42.2 km). The prolonged duration of ultra-running leads to decrements in most or all physiological parameters and considerable energy expenditure (EE) and energy deficits. SG, 47 years, 162.5 cm, 49 kg, VO2max 4 mL/kg/min−1/2.37 L/min−1, ran continuously for 7 days on a treadmill in 3 h blocks followed by 30 min breaks and slept from 1–5 a.m. Heart rate (HR) oxygen uptake (VO2), rating of perceived exertion, weight, blood lactate (mmol·L−1), haemoglobin (g·dL), haematocrit (%) and glucose (mmol·L−1), and nutrition and hydration were recorded. SG ran for 17.5 h/day, covering ~120 km/day at ~7 km/h. Energy expenditure for each 24 h period was 6878 kcal/day and energy intake (EI) was 2701 kcal/day. EE was 382 kcal/h, with 66.6% from fat and 33.4% from carbohydrate oxidation. 7 day EI was 26,989 kcal and EE was 48,147 kcal, with a total energy deficit (ED) of 21,158 kcal. Average VO2 was 1.2 L·min−1/24.7 mL·kg·min−1, Respriatory echange ratio (RER) 0.80 ± 0.03, HR 120–125 b·min−1. Weight increased from 48.6 to 49.5 kg. Haemoglobin decreased from 13.7 to 11 g·dL and haematocrit decreased from 40% to 33%. SG ran 833.05 km. SG exhibits an enhanced fat metabolism through which she had a large daily ED. Her success can be attributed to a combination of physiological and psychological factors.

ACS Style

Nicolas Berger; Daniel Cooley; Michael Graham; Claire Harrison; Russ Best. Physiological Responses and Nutritional Intake during a 7-Day Treadmill Running World Record. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 5962 .

AMA Style

Nicolas Berger, Daniel Cooley, Michael Graham, Claire Harrison, Russ Best. Physiological Responses and Nutritional Intake during a 7-Day Treadmill Running World Record. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (16):5962.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicolas Berger; Daniel Cooley; Michael Graham; Claire Harrison; Russ Best. 2020. "Physiological Responses and Nutritional Intake during a 7-Day Treadmill Running World Record." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 16: 5962.

Journal article
Published: 17 June 2020 in Sports
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This study aimed to assess the effects of repeated menthol mouth swilling upon strength and power performance. Nineteen (10 male) participants completed familiarisation and experimental trials of repeated menthol mouth swilling (0.1% concentration) or control (no swill) in a randomised crossover design. Participants performed an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP; peak and mean force; N), vertical jump (peak; cm) and six second sprint (peak and mean power; W) under each condition. Participants completed three efforts per exercise task interspersed with three-minute recoveries. Mean best values were analysed via a two-way mixed repeated measures ANOVA, and differences reported as effect sizes ± 95% confidence intervals, with accompanying descriptors and p values. Differences in peak IMTP values were unclear between familiarisation and experimental trials, and between menthol and control conditions. Mean IMTP force differed between familiarisation and control (0.51; −0.15 to 1.14; p = 0.001) and familiarisation and menthol conditions (0.50; −0.15 to 1.14; p = 0.002) by a small degree, but were unclear between control and menthol conditions. Unclear differences were also noted on vertical jump performance compared to familiarisation and between experimental conditions, with repeated six second peak and average power performance also showing unclear effects across all comparisons. We conclude that repeated menthol mouth swilling does not improve strength or power performance.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Dani Temm; Holly Hucker; Kerin McDonald. Repeated Menthol Mouth Swilling Affects Neither Strength nor Power Performance. Sports 2020, 8, 90 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Dani Temm, Holly Hucker, Kerin McDonald. Repeated Menthol Mouth Swilling Affects Neither Strength nor Power Performance. Sports. 2020; 8 (6):90.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Dani Temm; Holly Hucker; Kerin McDonald. 2020. "Repeated Menthol Mouth Swilling Affects Neither Strength nor Power Performance." Sports 8, no. 6: 90.

Review
Published: 16 May 2020 in European Journal of Nutrition
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Taste is a homeostatic function that conveys valuable information, such as energy density, readiness to eat, or toxicity of foodstuffs. Taste is not limited to the oral cavity but affects multiple physiological systems. In this review, we outline the ergogenic potential of substances that impart bitter, sweet, hot and cold tastes administered prior to and during exercise performance and whether the ergogenic benefits of taste are attributable to the placebo effect. Carbohydrate mouth rinsing seemingly improves endurance performance, along with a potentially ergogenic effect of oral exposure to both bitter tastants and caffeine although subsequent ingestion of bitter mouth rinses is likely required to enhance performance. Hot and cold tastes may prove beneficial in circumstances where athletes’ thermal state may be challenged. Efficacy is not limited to taste, but extends to the stimulation of targeted receptors in the oral cavity and throughout the digestive tract, relaying signals pertaining to energy availability and temperature to appropriate neural centres. Dose, frequency and timing of tastant application likely require personalisation to be most effective, and can be enhanced or confounded by factors that relate to the placebo effect, highlighting taste as a critical factor in designing and administering applied sports science interventions.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Kerin McDonald; Philip Hurst; Craig Pickering. Can taste be ergogenic? European Journal of Nutrition 2020, 60, 45 -54.

AMA Style

Russ Best, Kerin McDonald, Philip Hurst, Craig Pickering. Can taste be ergogenic? European Journal of Nutrition. 2020; 60 (1):45-54.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Kerin McDonald; Philip Hurst; Craig Pickering. 2020. "Can taste be ergogenic?" European Journal of Nutrition 60, no. 1: 45-54.

Data descriptor
Published: 02 April 2020 in Data
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This dataset provides information pertaining to the spatiotemporal stresses experienced by Polo ponies in play and the cardiovascular responses to these demands by Polo players, during 16-goal Polo. Data were collected by player-worn GPS units and paired heart rate monitors, across a New Zealand Polo season. The dataset comprises observations from 160 chukkas of Open Polo, and is presented as per chukka per game (curated) and in per effort per player (raw) formats. Data for distance, speed, and high intensity metrics are presented and are further categorised into five equine-based speed zones, in accordance with previous literature. The purpose of this dataset is to provide a detailed quantification of the load experienced by Polo players and their ponies at the highest domestic performance level in New Zealand, as well as advancing the scope of previous Polo literature that has employed GPS or heart rate monitoring technologies. This dataset may be of interest to equine scientists and trainers, veterinary practitioners, and sports scientists. An exemplar template is provided to facilitate the adoption of this data collection approach by other practitioners.

ACS Style

Russ Best. Player Heart Rate Responses and Pony External Load Measures during 16-Goal Polo. Data 2020, 5, 34 .

AMA Style

Russ Best. Player Heart Rate Responses and Pony External Load Measures during 16-Goal Polo. Data. 2020; 5 (2):34.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best. 2020. "Player Heart Rate Responses and Pony External Load Measures during 16-Goal Polo." Data 5, no. 2: 34.

Research articles
Published: 02 November 2019 in International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport
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Polo is an equestrian team sport, consisting of Open and Women’s only handicapping systems. Equine activities may differ in distribution and their affect upon match outcome in Women’s Polo compared to Open Polo, potentially impacting equine preparation and management. We aimed to quantify spatiotemporal differences between Open and Women’s Polo when matched for handicap and assess their interaction with chukka and match outcomes. Distance, speed and high-intensity activity data were collected via player-worn global positioning system (GPS) units during 16-goal Open and Women’s Polo tournaments. Notational analysis quantified chukka duration and chukka and game outcomes. Spatiotemporal metric differences between Open and Women’s Polo were small to large (ES: 0.54–1.81). In Open Polo, players covered moderately more distance in games won (mean: 429.0 m; 95% CI: 238.9 m to 619.0 m), with small to large increases in high-intensity activities also performed. Whereas in Women’s Polo, moderately higher maximum speeds were attained in games won (17.13 km.h−1; 11.86 km.h−1 to 22.40 km.h−1) and a small increase in accelerations performed (5.1; 0.2 to 10.0). Open and Women’s Polo, when matched for handicap, present with small to large spatiotemporal differences that are likely of practical significance, and may influence game outcome differently between codes.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. All things being equal: spatiotemporal differences between Open and Women’s 16-goal Polo. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport 2019, 19, 919 -929.

AMA Style

Russ Best, Regan Standing. All things being equal: spatiotemporal differences between Open and Women’s 16-goal Polo. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. 2019; 19 (6):919-929.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. 2019. "All things being equal: spatiotemporal differences between Open and Women’s 16-goal Polo." International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport 19, no. 6: 919-929.

Journal article
Published: 25 July 2019 in Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Polo is an equestrian team sport consisting of four players per team, with level of play determined by cumulative player handicap (−2 to +10 goals), with a higher handicap denoting a better player. There is minimal literature investigating Polo players’ physical attributes, hence the understanding of the physical characteristics that may contribute to an improved handicap are unknown. This study sought to identify the relationship between pertinent strength measures (left and right hand grip strength; absolute and relative isometric mid-thigh pull) and reaction time in Polo handicap in 19 New Zealand Polo players, and ascertain whether handicap could be predicted by these measures. Correlation coefficients were expressed using R values, accompanying descriptors and 90% confidence intervals (C.I.). Variance explained was expressed via the R2 statistic, and statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Right hand grip strength, isometric mid-thigh pull values were found to significantly correlate to and explain variance within Polo player handicap (all moderate to large correlations; p < 0.05). Whereas left hand grip strength (R: 0.380; 90% C.I. −0.011 to 0.670) and reaction time (0.020; −0.372 to 0.406) were non-significant, moderate and trivial correlates and predictors of handicap respectively. Practically, these findings highlight the differing roles between rein and mallet hands of Polo players and emphasise the importance of a strong and stable platform when riding and striking the ball. Lack of association with reaction time may be explained in part by higher handicapped Polo players employing a more proactive approach to the game.

ACS Style

Regan Standing; Russ Best. Strength and Reaction Time Capabilities of New Zealand Polo Players and Their Association with Polo Playing Handicap. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 2019, 4, 48 .

AMA Style

Regan Standing, Russ Best. Strength and Reaction Time Capabilities of New Zealand Polo Players and Their Association with Polo Playing Handicap. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2019; 4 (3):48.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Regan Standing; Russ Best. 2019. "Strength and Reaction Time Capabilities of New Zealand Polo Players and Their Association with Polo Playing Handicap." Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 4, no. 3: 48.

Journal article
Published: 16 July 2019 in Animals
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Global positioning systems (GPS) have recently been shown to reliably quantify the spatiotemporal characteristics of Polo, with the physiological demands of Polo play at low- and high-goal levels also investigated. This study aims to describe the spatiotemporal demands of Polo across 0-24 goal levels. A player-worn GPS unit was used to quantify distance, speed and high-intensity activities performed. Data were divided into chukkas and five equine-based speed zones, grouped per cumulative player handicap and assessed using standardized mean differences. Average distance and speed per chukka increased in accordance with cumulative player handicap, with the magnitude of differences being trivial-large and trivial-very large, respectively. Differences between time spent in high-intensity speed zones (zones 4 and 5) show a linear increase in magnitude, when comparing 0 goal Polo to all other levels of play (Small-Very Large; 6-24 goals, respectively). High-intensity activities predominantly shared this trend, displaying trivial-large differences between levels. These findings highlight increased cardiovascular, anaerobic and speed based physiological demands on Polo ponies as playing level increases. Strategies such as high-intensity interval training, maximal speed work and aerobic conditioning may be warranted to facilitate this development and improve pony welfare and performance.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0-24-Goal Polo. Animals 2019, 9, 446 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Regan Standing. The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0-24-Goal Polo. Animals. 2019; 9 (7):446.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. 2019. "The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0-24-Goal Polo." Animals 9, no. 7: 446.

Data descriptor
Published: 10 July 2019 in Data
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This dataset presents information pertaining to the spatiotemporal characteristics of Polo play from a 0 to 24-goal level. Data were collected by player worn GPS units, across a New Zealand Polo season. The dataset comprises observations from 466 chukkas of Polo, across mixed and women’s only Polo and is curated by cumulative player handicap. Data are presented for distance, speed and high intensity metrics, which have further categorised into five equine-based speed zones. The purpose of this dataset is to provide a detailed quantification of a range of Polo performance levels, advancing the scope and size of previous Polo literature that has employed GPS technology. This dataset may be of value to equine scientists and trainers, veterinary practitioners and sports scientists.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. Distance, Speed and High Intensity Characteristics of 0 to 24-Goal, Mixed and Women’s Polo. Data 2019, 4, 95 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Regan Standing. Distance, Speed and High Intensity Characteristics of 0 to 24-Goal, Mixed and Women’s Polo. Data. 2019; 4 (3):95.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. 2019. "Distance, Speed and High Intensity Characteristics of 0 to 24-Goal, Mixed and Women’s Polo." Data 4, no. 3: 95.

Preprint
Published: 03 July 2019
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Global positioning systems (GPS) have recently been shown to reliably quantify the spatiotemporal characteristics of Polo, with the physiological demands of Polo play at low and high goal levels also investigated. This study aimed to describe the spatiotemporal demands of Polo across 0 – 24 goal levels. A player worn GPS unit was used to quantify distance, speed and high intensity activities performed. Data was divided into chukkas and five equine-based speed zones, grouped per cumulative player handicap and assessed using standardised mean differences. Average distance and speed per chukka increased in accordance with cumulative player handicap, with the magnitude of differences being Trivial – Large and Trivial – Very Large, respectively. Differences between time spent in speed zones 4 and 5 show a linear increase in magnitude, when comparing 0 goal Polo to all other levels of play (Small – Very Large; 6 – 24 goals, respectively). High intensity activities predominantly shared this trend, displaying Trivial – Large differences between levels. These findings highlight the increasingly demanding cardiovascular, anaerobic and speed-based needs of Polo ponies as playing level increases. Strategies such as high intensity interval training, maximal speed work and aerobic conditioning may be warranted to facilitate this development and improve pony welfare and performance.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0 – 24 Goal Polo. 2019, 1 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Regan Standing. The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0 – 24 Goal Polo. . 2019; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. 2019. "The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0 – 24 Goal Polo." , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 23 May 2019 in Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
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The implementation of global positioning systems (GPSs) has become widely supported in a variety of sports, owing to the insight it provides into athlete workloads, training parameters, and playing styles. Despite widely reported use of GPS in equine settings, few studies have quantified the reliability of spatiotemporal characteristics in a dynamic environment of high-intensity gameplay. Owing to the unique game demands of Polo for both riders and horses, this study aimed to assess the interunit reliability between a traditional GPS placement between the shoulder blades and a Polo-specific placement on players' belts, to inform the feasibility of GPS implementation within Polo. GPS data were collected across 37 unique rider-horse interactions. GPS metrics included distance covered, speeds attained, and number of sprints performed. Data were further categorized with respect to equine-specific speed zones. All metrics agreed across multiple reliability measures and were deemed qualitatively reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.70 and coefficient of variation < 10%), with sprint count displaying 100% agreement between units. Findings suggest the spatiotemporal characteristics of Polo can be reliably measured via GPS through a traditional or belt-based placement, which leaves the decision of GPS placement at riders' discretion.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. Feasibility of a Global Positioning System to Assess the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Polo Performance. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2019, 79, 59 -62.

AMA Style

Russ Best, Regan Standing. Feasibility of a Global Positioning System to Assess the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Polo Performance. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2019; 79 ():59-62.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Regan Standing. 2019. "Feasibility of a Global Positioning System to Assess the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Polo Performance." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 79, no. : 59-62.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2019 in Cogent Medicine
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ACS Style

Regan J. Standing; Peter S. Maulder; Russ Best; Nicolas Berger. The influence of maturation on functional performance and injury markers in male youth. Cogent Medicine 2019, 6, 1 .

AMA Style

Regan J. Standing, Peter S. Maulder, Russ Best, Nicolas Berger. The influence of maturation on functional performance and injury markers in male youth. Cogent Medicine. 2019; 6 (1):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Regan J. Standing; Peter S. Maulder; Russ Best; Nicolas Berger. 2019. "The influence of maturation on functional performance and injury markers in male youth." Cogent Medicine 6, no. 1: 1.

Case report
Published: 04 October 2018 in Sports
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Ultra-endurance running provides numerous physiological, psychological, and nutritional challenges to the athlete and supporting practitioners. We describe the changes in physiological status, psychological condition, and nutritional intake over the course of two 100-mile running races, with differing outcomes: non-completion and completion. Athlete perception of pain, freshness, and motivation differed between events, independent of rating of perceived exertion. Our data suggest that the integration of multiple sensations (freshness, motivation, hunger, pain, and thirst) produce performance. Increases in carbohydrate feeding (+5 g·h−1) and protein intake (+0.3 g·kg−1) also likely contributed to successful completion of a 100-mile race, by reducing the fractional utilization of maximal oxygen uptake and satiating hunger, respectively. Nutritional data support the notion that the gut is a trainable, and critical organ with respect to ultra-endurance performance. Finally, we propose future research to investigate the rate at which peak feeding occurs throughout ultra-endurance events, as this may further serve to personalize sports nutrition strategies.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Benjamin Barwick; Alice Best; Nicolas Berger; Claire Harrison; Matthew Wright; Julie Sparrow. Changes in Pain and Nutritional Intake Modulate Ultra-Running Performance: A Case Report. Sports 2018, 6, 111 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Benjamin Barwick, Alice Best, Nicolas Berger, Claire Harrison, Matthew Wright, Julie Sparrow. Changes in Pain and Nutritional Intake Modulate Ultra-Running Performance: A Case Report. Sports. 2018; 6 (4):111.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Benjamin Barwick; Alice Best; Nicolas Berger; Claire Harrison; Matthew Wright; Julie Sparrow. 2018. "Changes in Pain and Nutritional Intake Modulate Ultra-Running Performance: A Case Report." Sports 6, no. 4: 111.

Journal article
Published: 11 June 2018 in Beverages
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Menthol mouth-swilling has been shown to improve performance across differing exercise modalities, yet no work has been conducted to ascertain the preferred concentration of menthol within a swill. Colour has also been shown to influence psychophysiological outcomes, and may influence the efficacy of ergogenic aids. We conducted two experiments: one to ascertain preferred menthol concentration (0.005–0.105% menthol), the second to assess colour preference (Light Blue, Dark Blue, Light Green, Dark Green, Red). Participants rated swills for Smell, Taste, Freshness, Mouth Feel and Irritation (plus Appearance in the second trial) via 15 cm Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), having swilled and expectorated 25 mL of fluid. Both trials employed a crossover design, with tasting order assigned by Latin squares. Differences were assessed for statistical significance (p < 0.05) using one-way repeated measures ANOVAs. Standardised mean differences ±90% confidence intervals were calculated to assess the magnitude of any observed differences. No significant differences were found between concentrations for total VAS score, but higher concentrations demonstrated a greater number of small effects. Similarly, no significant differences between colours were found. Small effects were found when Light Green was compared to Dark Green and Red. Effects were trivial when Light Green was compared to Light Blue (0.05 ± 0.20) and Dark Blue (0.19 ± 0.32). We recommend athletes employ a Light Green or Light Blue 0.1% menthol mouth-swill.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Iain R. Spears; Philip Hurst; Nicolas J. A. Berger. The Development of a Menthol Solution for Use during Sport and Exercise. Beverages 2018, 4, 44 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Iain R. Spears, Philip Hurst, Nicolas J. A. Berger. The Development of a Menthol Solution for Use during Sport and Exercise. Beverages. 2018; 4 (2):44.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Iain R. Spears; Philip Hurst; Nicolas J. A. Berger. 2018. "The Development of a Menthol Solution for Use during Sport and Exercise." Beverages 4, no. 2: 44.

Review
Published: 02 February 2018 in Sports
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This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess studies which have investigated cooling methodologies, their timing and effects, on endurance exercise performance in trained athletes (Category 3; VO2max ≥ 55 mL·kg·min−1) in hot environmental conditions (≥28 °C). Meta-analyses were performed to quantify the effects of timings and methods of application, with a narrative review of the evidence also provided. A computer-assisted database search was performed for articles investigating the effects of cooling on endurance performance and accompanying physiological and perceptual responses. A total of 4129 results were screened by title, abstract, and full text, resulting in 10 articles being included for subsequent analyses. A total of 101 participants and 310 observations from 10 studies measuring the effects of differing cooling strategies on endurance exercise performance and accompanying physiological and perceptual responses were included. With respect to time trial performance, cooling was shown to result in small beneficial effects when applied before and throughout the exercise bout (Effect Size: −0.44; −0.69 to −0.18), especially when ingested (−0.39; −0.60 to −0.18). Current evidence suggests that whilst other strategies ameliorate physiological or perceptual responses throughout endurance exercise in hot conditions, ingesting cooling aids before and during exercise provides a small benefit, which is of practical significance to athletes’ time trial performance.

ACS Style

Russ Best; Stephen Payton; Iain Spears; Florence Riera; Nicolas Berger. Topical and Ingested Cooling Methodologies for Endurance Exercise Performance in the Heat. Sports 2018, 6, 11 .

AMA Style

Russ Best, Stephen Payton, Iain Spears, Florence Riera, Nicolas Berger. Topical and Ingested Cooling Methodologies for Endurance Exercise Performance in the Heat. Sports. 2018; 6 (1):11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Russ Best; Stephen Payton; Iain Spears; Florence Riera; Nicolas Berger. 2018. "Topical and Ingested Cooling Methodologies for Endurance Exercise Performance in the Heat." Sports 6, no. 1: 11.

Leading article
Published: 17 November 2016 in Sports Medicine
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The application of menthol has recently been researched as a performance-enhancing aid for various aspects of athletic performance including endurance, speed, strength and joint range of motion. A range of application methods has been used including a mouth rinse, ingestion of a beverage containing menthol or external application to the skin or clothing via a gel or spray. The majority of research has focussed on the use of menthol to impart a cooling sensation on athletes performing endurance exercise in the heat. In this situation, menthol appears to have the greatest beneficial effect on performance when applied internally. In contrast, the majority of investigations into the external application of menthol demonstrated no performance benefit. While studies are limited in number, menthol has not yet proven to be beneficial for speed or strength, and only effective at increasing joint range of motion following exercise that induced delayed-onset muscle soreness. Internal application of menthol may provoke such performance-enhancing effects via mechanisms related to its thermal, ventilatory, analgesic and arousing properties. Future research should focus on well-trained subjects and investigate the addition of menthol to nutritional sports products.

ACS Style

C. J. (Christopher) Stevens; Russ Best. Menthol: A Fresh Ergogenic Aid for Athletic Performance. Sports Medicine 2016, 47, 1035 -1042.

AMA Style

C. J. (Christopher) Stevens, Russ Best. Menthol: A Fresh Ergogenic Aid for Athletic Performance. Sports Medicine. 2016; 47 (6):1035-1042.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C. J. (Christopher) Stevens; Russ Best. 2016. "Menthol: A Fresh Ergogenic Aid for Athletic Performance." Sports Medicine 47, no. 6: 1035-1042.