In professional soccer, both speed and endurance are key physical performance indicators, and while endurance can be tested alone in a high performance lab (VO2max test), the most accurate on-field performance indicator is The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (version 1 & 2) which we talk about here. A study just published in The Journal of Sports Medicine and(…)
A new study on the effects of concurrent strength and endurance training in professional footballers has been published. 21 professional footballers (mean age 21-30, height 171 – 194cm, mass 59 – 88kg) who have all played UEFA Champions league football over the past two seasons participated in a 2 session per week * 8 week programme(…)
A short while ago, we posted about the effects of either long v short low intensity rowing warm-up and subsequent 10min time-trial performance. In that study, it was observed that the short warm-up increased mean power 322W v 316 W for the first 7.5min of the time-trial. By extension, it would follow that an increase in power(…)
The importance of both LSD and HIT training for improved athletic performance are demonstrated in the research. Baumann et al. (2011) have conducted a neat study highlighting the importance of both aerobic and anaerobic fitness on 5km time-trial performance. A group of trained cross-country runners (n=13) were tested for repeated sprint ability (RSA 50m), maximal anaerobic speed,(…)
Midgley et al 2006 performed a review of the literature analyzing various proposed methods for increasing the maximal oxygen uptake, VdotO(2max) in trained distance runners who had exhausted conventional adaptation. Numerous programs were found that extolled the benefits of training at 40-50%, 60-70%, above 80% and above 95% of VdotO(2max). However, upon completing the review,(…)
There seems to be little consensus on how to perform an adequate warm-up. We posted on sports-specific warming-up for football where the practice is to graduate from low intensity activity into higher intensity activity including sprints and plyometrics. This protocol has been shown to prevent injuries, however no reference is made by the studies as to the(…)
Both HIIT (high intensity interval training) and LSD endurance training are important components of endurance training. HIIT training has recently been shown to set in motion the process a sequence of metabolic signals necessary for mitochondrial biogenesis to occur, and you can read about that here. Although HIT research is in its infancy, these preliminary findings(…)
With times being what they are, people are both getting heavier and living longer. Solomon et al 2008 took 23 seniors with impaired glucose tolerance. Their base measurements (VO2max, insulin sensitivity, intramyocellular lipid accumulation and body composition) were all measured before the intervention. 78% completed the intervention of a restricted calorie diet and 1 hour(…)