Estimation of maximal oxygen uptake using the heart rate ratio method in male recreational football players

Recreational soccer and basketball improve anthropometric, body composition and health-related outcomes in overweight and obese young adults: A randomized multi-arm study

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8-week programmes based on recreational soccer (SCG) and basketball (BCG) conditioned games compared to self-exercise (SECG) and inactive (ICG) control groups on anthropometry, body composition, resting heart rate (RHR), and blood pressure among sedentary overweight and obese men and women. The study included 90 volunteers (aged 19.8 ± 1.5 years; 45 women) who were assessed twice, before and after the intervention, for the waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and body composition (skinfold sum and %body fat), RHR and systolic (BPs) and diastolic (BPd) blood pressure. Members of the experimental groups participated in three training sessions per week, while the control groups either maintained their routines or engaged in self-regulated exercises. Time × group interactions were found for BMI (p < 0.001; = 0.339), body fat (p < 0.001; = 0.317), WC (p < 0.001; = 0.429), skinfold sum (p < 0.001; = 0.818), RHR (p < 0.001; = 0.572), BPs (p < 0.001 = 0.534) and BPd (p < 0.001; = 0.633). Between-group analysis revealed greater improvements in BMI (p < 0.05), body fat (p < 0.05), WC (p < 0.05), skinfold sum (p < 0.05), RHR (p < 0.001), and BPd (p < 0.001) in the SCG and BCG compared to the SECG and ICG. No differences in improvements between the groups were observed. No time × group interactions were observed for sex (p > 0.05). The results suggest that intervention programmes based on recreational games such as basketball or soccer are effective in improving anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and cardiovascular health in sedentary overweight and obese men and women, and are independent of sex. The effectiveness is greater when accompanied by a more significant reduction in energy intake. Engaging in self-controlled physical activity proved to be beneficial when compared to remaining inactive, despite changes in dietary intake.

Inertial Measurement Unit and Heart Rate Monitoring to Assess Cardiovascular Fitness of Manual Wheelchair Users during the Six-Minute Push Test

Manual wheelchair users (MWUs) are prone to a sedentary life that can negatively affect their physical and cardiovascular health, making regular assessment important to identify appropriate interventions and lifestyle modifications. One mean of assessing MWUs' physical health is the 6 min push test (6MPT), where the user propels themselves as far as they can in six minutes. However, reliance on observer input introduces subjectivity, while limited quantitative data inhibit comprehensive assessment. Incorporating sensors into the 6MPT can address these limitations. Here, ten MWUs performed the 6MPT with additional sensors: two inertial measurement units (IMUs)-one on the wheelchair and one on the wrist together with a heart rate wristwatch. The conventional measurements of distance and laps were recorded by the observer, and the IMU data were used to calculate laps, distance, speed, and cadence. The results demonstrated that the IMU can provide the metrics of the traditional 6MPT with strong significant correlations between calculated laps and observer lap counts (r = 0.947, p < 0.001) and distances (r = 0.970, p < 0.001). Moreover, heart rate during the final minute was significantly correlated with calculated distance (r = 0.762, p = 0.017). Enhanced 6MPT assessment can provide objective, quantitative, and comprehensive data for clinicians to effectively inform interventions in rehabilitation.

Biomechanical, physiological and anthropometrical predictors of performance in recreational runners

Background

The maximal running speed (VMAX) determined on a graded treadmill test is well-recognized as a running performance predictor. However, few studies have assessed the variables that predict VMAX in recreationally active runners.

Methods

We used a mathematical procedure combining Fick's law and metabolic cost analysis to verify the relation between (1) VMAX versus anthropometric and physiological determinants of running performance and, (2) theoretical metabolic cost versus running biomechanical parameters. Linear multiple regression and bivariate correlation were applied. We aimed to verify the biomechanical, physiological, and anthropometrical determinants of VMAX in recreationally active runners. Fifteen recreationally active runners participated in this observational study. A Conconi and a stead-steady running test were applied using a heart rate monitor and a simple video camera to register the physiological and mechanical variables, respectively.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed that the speed at the second ventilatory threshold, theoretical metabolic cost, and fat-mass percentage confidently estimated the individual running performance as follows: VMAX = 58.632 + (-0.183 * fat percentage) + (-0.507 * heart rate percentage at second ventilatory threshold) + (7.959 * theoretical metabolic cost) (R2 = 0.62, p = 0.011, RMSE = 1.50 km.h-1). Likewise, the theoretical metabolic cost was significantly explained (R2 = 0.91, p = 0.004, RMSE = 0.013 a.u.) by the running spatiotemporal and elastic-related parameters (contact and aerial times, stride length and frequency, and vertical oscillation) as follows: theoretical metabolic cost = 10.421 + (4.282 * contact time) + (-3.795 * aerial time) + (-2.422 * stride length) + (-1.711 * stride frequency) + (0.107 * vertical oscillation).

Conclusion

Critical determinants of elastic mechanism, such as maximal vertical force and vertical and leg stiffness were unrelated to the metabolic economy. VMAX, a valuable marker of running performance, and its physiological and biomechanical determinants can be effectively evaluated using a heart rate monitor, treadmill, and a digital camera, which can be used in the design of training programs to recreationally active runners.