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Sargent C, Jasinski S, Capodilupo ER, Powers J, Miller DJ, Roach GD. The Night-Time Sleep and Autonomic Activity of Male and Female Professional Road Cyclists Competing in the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes. Sports Med Open 2024; 10:39. [PMID: 38625486 PMCID: PMC11021391 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-024-00716-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep is a critical component of recovery, but it can be disrupted following prolonged endurance exercise. The objective of this study was to examine the capacity of male and female professional cyclists to recover between daily race stages while competing in the 2022 Tour de France and the 2022 Tour de France Femmes, respectively. The 17 participating cyclists (8 males from a single team and 9 females from two teams) wore a fitness tracker (WHOOP 4.0) to capture recovery metrics related to night-time sleep and autonomic activity for the entirety of the events and for 7 days of baseline before the events. The primary analyses tested for a main effect of 'stage classification'-i.e., rest, flat, hilly, mountain or time trial for males and flat, hilly or mountain for females-on the various recovery metrics. RESULTS During baseline, total sleep time was 7.2 ± 0.3 h for male cyclists (mean ± 95% confidence interval) and 7.7 ± 0.3 h for female cyclists, sleep efficiency was 87.0 ± 4.4% for males and 88.8 ± 2.6% for females, resting HR was 41.8 ± 4.5 beats·min-1 for males and 45.8 ± 4.9 beats·min-1 for females, and heart rate variability during sleep was 108.5 ± 17.0 ms for males and 119.8 ± 26.4 ms for females. During their respective events, total sleep time was 7.2 ± 0.1 h for males and 7.5 ± 0.3 h for females, sleep efficiency was 86.4 ± 1.2% for males and 89.6 ± 1.2% for females, resting HR was 44.5 ± 1.2 beats·min-1 for males and 50.2 ± 2.0 beats·min-1 for females, and heart rate variability during sleep was 99.1 ± 4.2 ms for males and 114.3 ± 11.2 ms for females. For male cyclists, there was a main effect of 'stage classification' on recovery, such that heart rate variability during sleep was lowest after mountain stages. For female cyclists, there was a main effect of 'stage classification' on recovery, such that the percentage of light sleep (i.e., lower-quality sleep) was highest after mountain stages. CONCLUSIONS Some aspects of recovery were compromised after the most demanding days of racing, i.e., mountain stages. Overall however, the cyclists obtained a reasonable amount of good-quality sleep while competing in these physiologically demanding endurance events. This study demonstrates that it is now feasible to assess recovery in professional athletes during multiple-day endurance events using validated fitness trackers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charli Sargent
- CQUniversity, Appleton Institute for Behavioural Science, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| | | | | | - Jeremy Powers
- Whoop Inc, Data Science and Research, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dean J Miller
- CQUniversity, Appleton Institute for Behavioural Science, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gregory D Roach
- CQUniversity, Appleton Institute for Behavioural Science, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Rotllan C, Corbi F, Viscor G. Muscle Tone, Stiffness, and Elasticity in Elite Female Cyclists after Consecutive Short Competitions. Transl Sports Med 2024; 2024:2434494. [PMID: 38654721 PMCID: PMC11023733 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2434494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Background For professional road cyclists, most overload injuries affect the lower limbs. They are mostly represented by contractures or muscle shortening, characterised by a variation of muscular tone, stiffness, and elasticity. This real-life study aimed to assess specific mechanical parameters in top-class female cyclists who participated in 3 races a week. Hypothesis. Muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity will be affected immediately after competition and at the end of the week due to accumulated fatigue. Methods Six professional cyclists were evaluated. This pilot study consisted of a controlled trial and three days of competition, with rest days between them. MyotonPRO was used to measure tone, stiffness, and elasticity in six leg muscles: vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and medial gastrocnemius (MG). Daily basal and pre- and postrace measures were carried through to the 3 races in a week. Results The muscular tone of VL, VM, LG, and MG and the stiffness of VL, VM, RF, BF, LG, and MG decreased after races. VL and RF were mostly affected by (p=0.05) and (p=0.009), respectively. Basal elasticity improved over time until the last day. Conclusions Muscle tone and stiffness decreased after a very intense and exhausting cycling endurance competition. Basal elasticity improved immediately after the race and continued this trend until the end of the week. More research is needed on changes in mechanical properties in competition and risk prevention of injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Rotllan
- Secció de Fisiologia, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Corbi
- Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Ginés Viscor
- Secció de Fisiologia, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Gervasi M, Benelli P, Venerandi R, Fernández-Peña E. Relationship between Muscle-Tendon Stiffness and Drop Jump Performance in Young Male Basketball Players during Developmental Stages. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:17017. [PMID: 36554895 PMCID: PMC9778993 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192417017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between stiffness and drop jump performance in athletes in various stages of development has yet to be fully investigated. The first aim of this study was to investigate the association between the stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendon (PT, QT), gastrocnemius-Achilles tendon unit (GAT), and rectus femoris (RF) using drop jump (DJ) performance in young basketball players. The second aim was to investigate possible variations in the stiffness levels of those tissues in different developmental stages. METHODS The stiffness levels of the GAT, PT, QT, and RF were measured in both limbs in 73 male basketball players aged 12 to 18 years. The reactive strength index (RSI), contact time (CT) and jump height (JH) during 30 and 40 cm DJs were also measured. RESULTS Pearson correlation coefficients showed a significant association between DJ performance and PT, QT, GAT, and RF dynamic stiffness. Moreover, the youngest subjects were found to have lower stiffness values than the older ones. CONCLUSIONS Tissue stiffness can affect athletic performance by modifying the stretch-shortening cycle in young basketball players. Stiffness of muscles and tendons increases during the maturation process. Further investigations could shed light on the effect of training on the stiffness of muscles and tendons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gervasi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Division of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Piero Benelli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Division of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
- US Victoria Libertas Basketball, 61122 Pesaro, Italy
| | | | - Eneko Fernández-Peña
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01007 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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Gervasi M, Barbieri E, Capparucci I, Annibalini G, Sisti D, Amatori S, Carrabs V, Valli G, Donati Zeppa S, Rocchi MBL, Stocchi V, Sestili P. Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy in Recreational Runners with Peritendinous Hyaluronic Acid Injections: A Viscoelastometric, Functional, and Biochemical Pilot Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10071397. [PMID: 33807327 PMCID: PMC8037202 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achilles tendinopathy (AT) affects ca. 10 million recreational runners in Europe; the practice of hyaluronic acid (HA) infiltration is being increasingly adopted. The aim of this pilot study was to monitor the effects of a three-local time-spaced injections regimen of HA in the treatment of AT in middle-aged runners combining for the first time viscoelastometric, biochemical, and functional methodologies with routine clinical examinations. METHODS Eight male runners (Age 49.3 ± 3.9), diagnosed for unilateral AT, were given three ultrasound (US) guided peritendinous HA injections at the baseline (T0) and every fifteenth day with a follow-up on the forty-fifth day (T1, T2, and T3). At all-time points patients were assessed for viscoelastic tone and stiffness, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and pain level (Likert scale 0-5). The peritendinous effusions of the injured tendon were collected at T0 and T2 to quantify the volume variations and the IL-1β and MMP-3 levels. RESULTS At T0 MVIC and pain score were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in injured tendons. The volume, IL-1β and MMP-3 levels decreased in the course of treatment and the clinical endpoints ameliorated over time. Tone, stiffness, and functional performance also varied significantly at T2 and T3, as compared to T0. CONCLUSIONS The sequential peritendinous injections of HA were effective in the amelioration of the clinical symptoms, as well as of the functional and viscoelastic state associated with AT. The determination of the viscoelastometric state may help to precisely evaluate the healing process in AT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gervasi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-072-230-3013
| | - Elena Barbieri
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
- Interuniversity Institute of Myology (IIM), 06121 Perugia, Italy
| | - Italo Capparucci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Giosuè Annibalini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Davide Sisti
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Stefano Amatori
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Vittoria Carrabs
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Giacomo Valli
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Sabrina Donati Zeppa
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Marco Bruno Luigi Rocchi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Vilberto Stocchi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
| | - Piero Sestili
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University Urbino Carlo Bo, via A. Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.); (G.A.); (D.S.); (S.A.); (V.C.); (G.V.); (S.D.Z.); (M.B.L.R.); (V.S.); (P.S.)
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Huang J, Qin K, Tang C, Zhu Y, Klein CS, Zhang Z, Liu C. Assessment of Passive Stiffness of Medial and Lateral Heads of Gastrocnemius Muscle, Achilles Tendon, and Plantar Fascia at Different Ankle and Knee Positions Using the MyotonPRO. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:7570-7576. [PMID: 30352050 PMCID: PMC6402278 DOI: 10.12659/msm.909550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to assess the passive stiffness of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG and LG), Achilles tendon (AT), and plantar fascia (PF) at different ankle and knee positions. Material/Methods Stiffness was assessed using a portable hand-held device (MyotonPRO). In 30 healthy participants (15 males, 15 females) with the knee fully extended or flexed 90°, stiffness of the MG, LG, AT, and PF was measured at 50° plantar flexion, 0° (neutral position), and 25° dorsiflexion (not for AT) of the ankle joint by passive joint rotation. Results With the knee fully extended, passive dorsiflexion caused significant increase in muscle stiffness (P<0.001), whereas AT and PF stiffness increased with passive ankle dorsiflexion regardless of knee position (P<0.001). Increased stiffness was observed in MG compared to LG (P<0.001) and at the 3-cm site of AT compared to the 6-cm site (P<0.05). Stiffness was greater in LG compared to MG at −50° plantar flexion (P<0.001) and was greater in MG compared to LG at 25° dorsiflexion (P<0.05). Stiffness of AT increased in a distal-to-proximal pattern: 0 cm >3 cm >6 cm (P<0.001). Conclusions Stiffness assessed by use of the MyotonPRO was similar assessments using other techniques, suggesting that the MyotonPRO is capable of detecting the variations in stiffness of MG, LG, AT, and PF at different ankle and knee positions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiapeng Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Clinical Medicine College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Kun Qin
- Department of Rehabilitation, Clinical Medicine College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Clinical Medicine College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Yi Zhu
- Rehabilitation Therapy Center, Hainan Province Nongken Genernal Hospital, Haikou, Hainan, China (mainland)
| | - Cliff S Klein
- Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland)
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- Guangzhou, Guangdong, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan Province, Louyang, Henan, China (mainland)
| | - Chunlong Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Clinical Medicine College of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (mainland)
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Lohr C, Braumann KM, Reer R, Schroeder J, Schmidt T. Reliability of tensiomyography and myotonometry in detecting mechanical and contractile characteristics of the lumbar erector spinae in healthy volunteers. Eur J Appl Physiol 2018; 118:1349-1359. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-018-3867-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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