Association between anthropometric, physical and demographic characteristics and performance among NCAA Division III swimmers

BACKGROUND

Anthropometric, physical and demographic characteristics have the potential to affect performance in competitive pool swimmers.

METHODS

Study aimed were therefore to examine the effect of 26 anthropometric, physical and demographic characteristics on qualification for Nationals and swim times among both male and female collegiate swimmers in separate analyses. Swim times were determined by swimmers' best swim time for their best swim stroke as a percent of the top swim time among Division III collegiate swimmers during the 2017-2018 swim season.

RESULTS

Lower body fat measured mid-season and a greater ratio of height to arm span were associated with qualifying for Nationals among females. For males, associations were present for older age, shorter left-hand length and larger left arm circumference; and qualifying for Nationals. In relation to percent of top swim times, there was an association between larger right-hand width and left foot length among males. None of the other associations achieved statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Owing to the large number of analyses performed and the resultant likelihood of type I errors as well as the small effect sizes in most statistically significant associations, study results suggest that collegiate swimmers should not be chosen for swim teams based on any of the non-modifiable anthropometric or physical characteristics that were measured in this study. Results suggest however, that swim speed times are decreased among female collegiate swimmers with lower body fat percent when measured mid-season.

Mood States and Performance in Elite Canoe Polo Players: The Mediating Role of Stress

Sport performance is characterized by competitive stressful conditions that elicit emotional states. The purpose of the study was to examine whether stress mediated the relationship between mood states and performance. Thirty-two elite canoe polo players from four different Italian teams (16 senior males and 16 senior females), aged between 29 and 38 years old (M = 32.3, SD = 2.71), participated in the study. Measures included level of psychological stress, six mood dimensions, and performance outcome. We also detected the digit ratio-the lower second-to-fourth digit length (2D:4D) ratio-as it was demonstrated to be correlated to high sports performance. The assessment took place one day before the first game of the national competition "ITALY CUP". Male athletes reported lower scores on dysfunctional emotion-related states and on 2D:4D ratio than female athletes. The results of the mediation analysis showed that psychological stress plays a mediating role between moods and performance. Overall, given the limited literature, the findings supported an integrative approach to the study of the linkage between emotion and action in canoe polo.

Influences of Blood Lactate Levels on Cognitive Domains and Physical Health during a Sports Stress. Brief Review

The present review aims to examine the effects of high blood lactate levels in healthy adult humans, for instance, after a period of exhaustive exercise, on the functioning of the cerebral cortex. In some of the examined studies, high blood lactate levels were obtained not only through exhaustive exercise but also with an intravenous infusion of lactate while the subject was immobile. This allowed us to exclude the possibility that the observed post-exercise effects were nonspecific (e.g., cortical changes in temperature, acidity, etc.). We observed that, in both experimental conditions, high levels of blood lactate are associated with a worsening of important cognitive domains such as attention or working memory or stress, without gender differences. Moreover, in both experimental conditions, high levels of blood lactate are associated with an improvement of the primary motor area (M1) excitability. Outside the frontal lobe, the use of visual evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials allowed us to observe, in the occipital and parietal lobe respectively, that high levels of blood lactate are associated with an amplitude’s increase and a latency’s reduction of the early components of the evoked responses. In conclusion, significant increases of blood lactate levels could exercise a double-action in the central nervous system (CNS), with a protecting role on primary cortical areas (such as M1, primary visual area, or primary somatosensory cortex), while reducing the efficiency of adjacent regions, such as the supplementary motor area (SMA) or prefrontal cortex. These observations are compatible with the possibility that lactate works in the brain not only as an energy substrate or an angiogenetic factor but also as a true neuromodulator, which can protect from stress. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms and effects of lactic acid products produced during an anaerobic exercise lactate, focusing on their action at the level of the central nervous system with particular attention to the primary motor, the somatosensory evoked potentials, and the occipital and parietal lobe.

Role of lactic acid on cognitive functions

Objectives: The aim of this research was to establish cognitive changes in relation to blood lactate levels obtained during slow performance of a regimen of exercise sessions. Methods: A total of 15 male professional bodybuilders participated in the study; CrossFit® professionals performed the Workout 15.5, Week 5 Open 2015 consisting of 27-21-15-9 repetitions for time of Row (calories) and Thrusters, with 1-min recovery. Blood lactate, blood glucose, reaction time (RT), execution time of a dual cognitive task, number of errors, and number of omissions were measured at rest, at conclusion of the session, and after recovery for 15 min. Results: The bodybuilders had slightly elevated basal lactate levels than in untrained individuals. The bodybuilders showed significantly increased lactacidemia and decreased RT after completing the training session. Need to define what onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) means. Conclusion: We conclude that bodybuilding fitness regimens lead to an increase in basal lactate levels to 3.16 mmol/L and that acute training sessions can improve attentional performance in relation to lactacidemia, suggesting pro-cognitive effects of a workout.

Sleep Deprivation and Physiological Responses. A Case Report

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 72-h sleep deprivation on normal daily activities (work, family, and sports), and to investigate whether sleep can be chronically reduced without dangerous consequences.

METHODS

The participant in this study was an adult male (age 41 years; mass 69 kg; height 173 cm). During the 72 h, data were collected every 6 h, involving a baseline (pre-deprivation). We monitored various parameters: Oxidative Stress (D-Rom and Bap test), Psychological Responses (test POMS and Measure of Global Stress), Metabolic expenditure (kJ) using a metabolic holter, EEG records, Cortisol, and Catecholamines level.

RESULTS

An interesting result was observed in the post-test phase, when a brief moment of deep sleep and total absence of a very deep sleep occurred, while an almost normal condition occurred in the pre-test sleep.

CONCLUSION

During the 72-h sleep deprivation, no psycho-physiological stress was recorded. The participant has remained within the threshold of well-being. Only a peak was recorded during the 66th hour, but it was within the wellness threshold.

Digit ratio, personality and emotions in skydivers

The aim of the present study was investigate if there is an association between second-to-fourth digit length (2D:4D) ratio and personality factors capable of serving as predictors of individual choice towards high-risk activities in a group of experts skydivers; Furthermore, their skills in regulating anxiety and emotions were assessed. The 2D:4D ratio of the right hand of 41 expert skydivers was measured and each of them completed four questionnaires: Big Five Questionnaire-2 (BFQ-2), Profile of Mood States (POMS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y) and Risk-Taking Inventory. Lower 2D:4D ratios did not appear associated with a greater propensity for taking risks but rather with a lower aptitude to assume precautions in unsafe conditions. In fact, the only sub-dimensions of personality, analyzed by the BFQ-2, correlated with the 2D:4D ratio were conscientiousness and agreeableness. Furthermore, prior to launch, the skydiver's level of stress, measured by the POMS, or state anxiety, measured by the STAI-Y, was not significantly correlated with 2D:4D ratio; whereas there was significant positive correlation between 2D:4D values and trait anxiety. Data analysis further revealed that social desirability correlated negatively with state anxiety and total mood disturbance index, and positively with emotion control. The present results suggest that lower 2D:4D ratio may represent a significant predictor of less attentive precautionary behavior when risk-taking.

Relationships between the digit ratio (2D:4D) and game-related statistics in professional and semi-professional male basketball players

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this study was to examine relationships between digit ratio (2D:4D) and game-related statistics in professional and semi-professional male basketball players. The secondary aim was to quantify differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starting and reserve players.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, 93 male basketball players from the professional Australian National Basketball League and the semi-professional South Australian Premier League were measured in-season for height, mass, and 2D:4D, with game-related statistics collected end-season. Linear relationships between right and left 2D:4Ds and game-related statistics were quantified using nonparametric partial correlations, and differences in mean 2D:4Ds between starting and reserve players were quantified using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). All partial correlations and ANCOVAs were adjusted for playing experience, body size, and competitive standard.

RESULTS

2D:4D was a weak to moderate negative correlate of points scored and assists-to-turnovers ratio, indicating that males with lower 2D:4Ds were generally better offensively as they recorded more points and assists relative to turnovers. The difference in mean 2D:4D between starting and reserve players was negligible.

CONCLUSIONS

2D:4D was favorably correlated with open-skill sports performance, as evidenced by the better offensive statistics of male basketball players with lower 2D:4Ds. These results probably reflect the organizational benefits of prenatal testosterone and indicate that 2D:4D may be a useful complement to traditional physical, physiological, skill, and behavioral predictors of basketball success.

Digit ratio (2D:4D) and handgrip strength are correlated in women (but not in men) in Hui ethnicity

INTRODUCTION

Digit ratio, especially second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is used as a biomarker of prenatal testosterone exposure and was found associated with physical ability, such as handgrip strength (HGS). Recently, this association has been discussed in several ethnic groups.

AIMS

To investigate correlations between 2D:4D and HGS in Chinese population of Ningxia Hui ethnicity.

METHODS

Here we firstly present the evidence on digit ratio and HGS of 346 college students (119 males and 227 females) by collecting photographs and HGS of both hands at Yinchuan city, in the Ningxia province of China.

RESULTS

Females have higher mean values of digit ratio than males; significant variances of 3D:5D (left and right: P<0.05), 2D:3D, 3D:4D (left and right: P<0.01) and 2D:4D, 2D:5D (left and right: P<0.001) were found between different sex. Males showed significantly greater HGS than females on both hands. 2D:4D of both hands were significantly negative correlated with HGS in females (but not in males).

CONCLUSIONS

2D:4D ratio is negatively correlated with HGS in a Chinese population (especially in females) of Ningxia Hui ethnicity.

Does Stature or Wingspan Length Have a Positive Effect on Competitor Rankings or Attainment of World Title Bouts in International and Elite Mixed Martial Arts?

In this study the stature, wingspan and stature-to-wingspan ratio (S:W) was recorded for N = 474 elite and international mixed martial arts (MMA) competitors who appeared in televised bouts over the course of one calendar year. Each weight division was split into three or four ranking groups (RG) depending on division size, as well as into groups depending on if the competitors had won or competed for a world title (El) or had done neither (In). One-way ANOVA (≤0.05) found that shorter competitors are ranked higher in flyweight and in the middle in women’s strawweight. Independent t-tests (≤0.05) found that shorter competitors also have more chance of winning or competing for a world title in featherweight and flyweight. Independent t-tests (≤0.05) also found a significant difference between males and female for S:W. There was a weak, negative correlation and a moderate, negative correlation between stature and rank in lightweight and light heavyweight respectively and a moderate, negative correlation between S:W and rank in featherweight. There were no other significant differences found. Overall, whilst MMA competitors have a S:W of 1:1.024, due to the paucity of significant differences found, it was determined that anthropometrical measurements cannot be used to predict success in elite and international mixed martial arts.

Digit ratio (2D:4D) and handgrip strength in a Chinese population of Han ethnicity

BACKGROUND

In humans, the relative lengths of the index finger to the ring finger (2D:4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait which correlated with prenatal sex steroids and has been increasingly used as a promising tool to evaluate the impact of prenatal hormone exposure in some traits, such as physical performance. Handgrip strength (HGS) is one potent index of physical ability and its relationship with 2D:4D ratio has been discussed in several ethnic groups.

AIMS

To investigate whether there is a correlation between 2D:4D ratio and HGS in Chinese college students of Ningxia Han ethnicity.

METHODS

608 students (211 males and 397 females) of Han ethnicity were recruited from Ningxia medical university. Photocopies and HGS of both hands were collected at Yinchuan city, in the Ningxia province of China.

RESULTS

Sexual dimorphism of 2D:4D and HGS were found, males had significantly lower 2D:4D and greater HGS than females. 2D:4D in both hands were significantly negative correlated with HGS in females and not in males.

CONCLUSIONS

2D:4D ratio is negative correlated with HGS in a Chinese population of Ningxia Han ethnicity and this association should be considered on the anthropological research within an evolutionary concept in the future.