We investigated the effects of two common recovery methods; far-infrared emitting ceramic materials (Bioceramic) or cold-water immersion on muscular function and damage after a soccer match. Twenty-five university-level soccer players were randomized into Bioceramic (BIO; n = 8), Cold-water immersion (CWI; n = 9), or Control (CON; n = 8) groups. Heart rate [HR], rating of perceived exertion [RPE], and activity profile through Global Positioning Satellite Systems were measured during the match. Biochemical (thiobarbituric acid reactive species [TBARS], superoxide dismutase [SOD], creatine kinase [CK], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]), neuromuscular (countermovement [CMJ] and squat jump [SJ], sprints [20-m]), and perceptual markers (delayed-onset muscle soreness [DOMS], and the perceived recovery scale [PRS]) were assessed at pre, post, 24 h, and 48 h post-match. One-way ANOVA was used to compare anthropometric and match performance data. A two-way ANOVA with post-hoc tests compared the timeline of recovery measures. No significant differences existed between groups for anthropometric or match load measures (P > 0.05). Significant post-match increases were observed in SOD, and decreases in TBARS in all groups (p < 0.05), without differences between conditions (p > 0.05). Significant increases in CK, LDH, quadriceps and hamstring DOMS (p < 0.05), as well as decreases in 20-m, SJ, CMJ, and PRS were observed post-match in all groups (p < 0.05), without significant differences between conditions (p > 0.05). Despite the expected post-match muscle damage and impaired performance, neither Bioceramic nor CWI interventions improved post-match recovery.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Far-Infrared Emitting Ceramic Materials worn as Bioceramic pants would improve neuromuscular performance, biochemical and perceptual markers in healthy individuals after maximal eccentric exercise. Twenty-two moderately active men were randomized into Bioceramic (n = 11) or Placebo (n = 11) groups. To induce muscle damage, three sets of 30 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of the quadriceps were performed at 60°·s^-1. Participants wore the bioceramic or placebo pants for 2 hours immediately following the protocol, and then again for 2 hours prior to each subsequent testing session at 24, 48 and 72 hours post. Plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity, delayed-onset muscle soreness, perceived recovery status, and maximal voluntary contraction were measured pre-exercise and 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise. Eccentric exercise induced muscle damage as evident in significant increases in delayed-onset muscle soreness at 24 - 72 hours (p < 0.05) and creatine kinase between Pre to 2, 24, 48 and 72 hours (p < 0.05). Despite the increased delayed-onset muscle soreness and creatine kinase values, no effect of Bioceramic was evident (p > 0.05). Furthermore, decreases in maximal voluntary contraction between Pre and immediately, 2, 24, 48 and 72 hours post (p < 0.05) were reported. However, the standardized difference was moderate lower for lactate dehydrogenase at 24 h (ES = 0.50), but higher at 48 h (ES = -0.58) in the Bioceramic compared to the Placebo group. Despite inducing muscle damage, the daily use of Far-Infrared Emitting Ceramic Materials clothing over 72 hours did not facilitate recovery after maximal eccentric exercise.

During the preseason, futsal players deal with large internal load, which may result in a reduction in physical performance. The aims of this study were to compare the session rating of perceived exertion training load (s-RPE TL) during the preseason between two teams; and to analyze the changes on the delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), aerobic- and speed-power characteristics in players accumulating different s-RPE TL (Low (LTL) vs. High (HTL)). Twenty-eight players (Team A, n = 15; Team B, n = 13) were recruited. The s-RPE TL was monitored throughout the preseason phase (five weeks) in both teams. The coaches of each team planned the activities that comprised their training programs, without any interference from the researchers. Team A evaluated countermovement jumps (CMJ) and DOMS weekly. Team B performed squat jumps (SJ), CMJ, 5 m and 15 m sprints, and a futsal intermittent endurance test (PV_FIET) before and after the preseason. Team B accumulated an almost-certainly greater s-RPE TL than Team A. In Team A, the CMJ height was likely to almost certainly improved for the HTL group from week 3. In Team B, the 5 m and 15 m sprint likely decreased after the preseason. Changes in 5 m (r = −0.61) and 15 m (r = −0.56) were correlated with total s-RPE TL. Changes in PV_FIET were positively associated with changes in sprint, but inversely related to the baseline. s-RPE TL differed between both teams, and substantial gains in neuromuscular performance were observed for the HTL group in Team A. Slower and faster players in Team B showed distinct intermittent-endurance and speed adaptive responses during the high-volume preseason.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the comparability between air displacement plethysmography (ADP), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) methods for body composition assessment and their correlations with physical performance in rugby players. METHODS: Nineteen male elite players participated in the study. ADP, DXA, and BIA were used to assess fat-mass and fat-free mass. Physical performance was assessed by means of Carminatti's test of peak velocity (PVTCAR), countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint speed (10 and 30-m), and match performance analyses (sprinting, distance covered, and high-intensity running). RESULTS: BIA overestimated fat-mass (13 +/- 41%; r(2)=0.60) and underestimated fat-free mass (-1 +/- 7%; r(2)=0.66) compared to ADP (P=0.001). BIA underestimated fat-mass (-28 +/- 3%; r(2)=0.92) and overestimated fat-free mass (10 +/- 5%; r(2)=0.87) compared to DXA (P<0.001). ADP underestimated fat-mass (-36 +/- 37%; r(2)=0.69) and overestimated fat-free mass (11 +/- 8%; r(2)=0.52) compared to DXA (P= 0.49), height and peak power from CMJ (r(2)>= 0.30), sprinting ability (r(2)>= 0.65), and match performance variables (r(2)>= 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: As long as one considers that ADP and BIA underestimated fat-mass and overestimated fat-free mass compared to DXA, the methods can be used to estimate body composition, particularly to track body fat-mass changes, which negatively influence several physical capacities determinant to rugby performance. The limitations of the methods should be borne in mind when assessing the body composition of rugby athletes.

This case-study compared match activities and time spent in selected heart rate intensity zones in top-level female beach volleyball players during National and International competitions. A Blocker (180.2 cm; 72.7 kg; 35 years) and a Defender (179.3 cm; 73.5 kg; 20 years) activity profile were measured from Global Positioning Satellite and percentage of maximum heart rate systems (%HRmax) in different zones during 66 International and 33 National Brazilian Championship. Magnitude-based inference and Cohen's effect sizes were used for statistical comparisons. Both competition (i.e., International and National), the Blocker presented a higher time spent in 50-59% (100/0/0: almost certainly; 95/5/0: likely), 60-69% (97/3/0: very likely; 88/11/1:likely), and 90-100% (100/0/0: almost certainly), but lower time in 70-79% (0/1/99: very likely) and 80-89% (0/0/100: almost certainly) of HRmax than the Defender. Higher distances covered in walking (94/6/0: likely), low-intensity [LIR] (99/1/0: very likely), medium-intensity [MIR] (100/0/0: almost certainly) and high-intensity running [HIR] (86/10/3: likely), as well as acceleration (m/s2) in 0.5-0.99 (89/11/0: likely) and 2-2.99 (80/19/1: likely), and peak velocity (89/11/0; 95/5/0: likely) were seen in the Blocker compared to the Defender. Compared to National competitions, International demonstrated higher values in total distance (88/12/0: likely), peak velocity (100/0/0: almost certainly), match profile in LIR (100/0/0: almost certainly), MIR (100/0/0: almost certainly), HIR (100/0/0: almost certainly; 93/2/4: likely), 1-1.99 (100/0/0: almost certainly), 2-2.99 (100/0/0: almost certainly), >3 (96/4/6: very likely) acceleration; and in 1-1.99 (100/0/0: almost certainly), 2-2.99 (100/0/0: almost certainly), >3 (98/2/0: very likely; 100/0/0: almost certainly) deceleration; as well as during 90-100% of HRmax (94/6/0: likely). Blocker athlete and International competitions presented higher physical demands than their pairs during the matches, suggesting that the position and the level of competition are influenced by match demands.

The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of somatic maturation, anthropometric and physical performance (vertical jump and aerobic power) in young basketball players of different playing positions (under 13 years) and analyze these relationships using Peak Height Velocity (PHV) as a measure of somatic maturation. For this, 26 male athletes were evaluated. Anthropometric variables were: body mass, standing and sitting height, and length of lower limbs. Maturation was determined by age at PHV. Physical performance was determined by lower limb power (counter movement jump - CMJ) and aerobic power (Intermittent Recovery Test) tests. MANOVA reported significant differences (p<0.05) among playing positions regarding variables Maturity Offset, estimated PHV age, standing height, sitting height, estimated leg length, body mass and Yo-Yo IR1. In addition, it was identified that point guards reached estimated PHV at later age than their peers who act as small forwards and centers. Regarding CMJ, no significant differences were identified among playing positions, but in relation to aerobic power, point guards and small forwards presented higher performance. These findings confirm that maturation has great effect on growth and physical performance measures and the estimated PHV age is an applicable tool in young athletes, mainly aiding professionals in structuring the teaching-learning- training process in this age group.