Gaizka Mejuto

The popularity of surfing has increased exponentially, reaching its recent debut in the Olympic Games. However, surfing suffers from a relative immature technological market, while in other sports some technologies such as global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) have become an essential work material for strength and conditioning and head coaches. This article aims to systematically review surfers’ time–motion demands based on GNSSs. A systematic review of relevant articles was carried out using five main databases (PubMed, ProQuest Central, SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, and FECYT (Web of Sciences, CCC, CIDW, KJD, MEDLINE, RSCI, and SCIELO)) until 23 March 2024. From the 238 studies initially found, 9 were included in the qualitative synthesis. In these, GNSS devices were employed with male (n = 143) and female (n = 28) surfers from different levels during competition and training situations. The studies show that the intermittent nature of the sport is evident, with substantial periods spent paddling and waiting punctuated by relatively brief high-intensity efforts when riding waves at high speeds. Notable differences emerged between competition and training demands, suggesting potential mismatches in how athletes currently prepare compared to event requirements. These novel insights allow quantifying surfing’s harsh physiological requirements and could guide conditioning practices to better meet the sport’s unique characteristics across populations. Therefore, training should emulate the lengthy aerobic capabilities needed for the paddling volumes observed, while also targeting the anaerobic systems to meet the repeated high-intensity surf riding efforts. However, inconsistencies in methods and reporting practices limit direct comparisons and comprehensive profiling of the sport’s physical characteristics.

The second ventilatory threshold (VT₂) is established as an important indicator of exercise intensity tolerance. A higher VT₂ allows for greater duration of higher intensity exercise participation and subsequently greater reductions in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of standardised and individualised exercise prescription on VT₂ among physically inactive adults. Forty-nine physically inactive male and female participants (48.6 ± 11.5 years) were recruited and randomised into a 12-week standardised (n = 25) or individualised (n = 24) exercise prescription intervention. The exercise intensity for the standardised and individualised groups was prescribed as a percentage of heart rate reserve (HRR) or relative to the first ventilatory threshold (VT₁) and VT₂, respectively. Participants were required to complete a maximal graded exercise test at pre-and post-intervention to determine VT₁ and VT₂. Participants were categorised as responders to the intervention if an absolute VT₂ change of at least 1.9% was attained. Thirty-eight participants were included in the analysis. A significant difference in VT₂ change was found between individualised (pre vs. post: 70.6% vs. 78.7% maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂max)) and standardised (pre vs. post: 72.5% vs. 72.3% VO₂max) exercise groups. Individualised exercise prescription was significantly more efficacious (p = 0.04) in eliciting a positive response in VT₂ (15/19, 79%) when compared to the standardised exercise group (9/19, 47%). Individualised exercise prescription appears to be more efficacious than standardised exercise prescription in eliciting a positive VT₂ change among physically inactive adults. Increasing VT₂ allows for greater tolerance to higher exercise intensities and therefore greater cardiovascular health outcomes.

The aim of this investigation was to compare the changes in endurance running performance and physiological variables after a four-week period of high intensity interval training (HIIT) in either running or cycling in female athletes. Fourteen recreational female runners (age = 42 +/- 10 yr, height = 1.67 +/- 0.06 m, body mass = 61.6 +/- 10.4 kg, body mass index (BMI) = 22.2 +/- 3.4 kg.m(2)) were randomly allocated to one of two MIT training groups: running (HIITrun) or cycling (HIITbike). Each group performed two MIT sessions per week for 4 weeks, which consisted of 6 x 2 min at 95% of maximal heart rate (HRmax) and 4 x 1 min all out efforts. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in treadmill running increased significantly after the HIITrun (p < 0.01, ES = 0.6) but remained unchanged in HIITbike. However, HIITbike improved average velocity in a 10 km running time trial (TTrun) (p < 0.05, ES = -0.4), whereas, no changes were found for the HIITrun group. Analysing the first and last HIIT sessions, for HIITrun only the average rate of perceived exertion (RPEav) increased significantly, whereas, performance variables such as average heart rate (HRav) and average pace (pace(av)) remained unchanged. HIITbike enhanced significantly the average speed of HIIT sets (speed(av)) and the peak power output (PPO) of the session, as well as, the RPEav and delayed onset muscle soreness immediately after MIT session (DOMSpost) were increased significantly. A regime of MIT in cycling may evoke increases in female recreational runners' power, which may be related with improvements in a 10 km TTrun independent of changes in aerobic capacity. This may be advantageous in order to avoid overuse running related injuries.

The current study focused on the differences between male and female nonprofessional triathletes during a maximal incremental test on the cycle ergometer, as well as, the cycle and run portion of a simulated sprint triathlon. In addition. this research analysed the during association between cycle ergometer maximal incremental test and simulated race variables. Fourteen recreational triathletes, 8 female (35.0 +/- 8.1 years: 166.8 +/- 7.2 cm: 69.4 +/- 14.6 kg; 24.7 +/- 3.2 kg.m(-2)) and 6 male (47.7 +/- 14.3 years: 179.9 +/- 8.6 cm; 77.8 +/- 5.8 kg; 24.0 +/- 1.3 kg.m(-2)) performed a maximal incremental test and a simulated sprint triathlon race (20 km cycle and 5 km run. No significant differences were found during maximal testing between groups, however, males obtained higher VO(2)max, Pmax. PVT1. PVT2 and VO(2)VT2 (p > 0.05, ES = -0.8 to -1.9, large values than females. No differences between gender were observed during 5 km running during the simulated triathlon. Average and maximal speed (p < 0.05 y p < 0.01. ES = -1.3 - -4.1, large and average and maximal power (p < 0.01, ES = -2.4 - -2.8, large during the 20-km cycling were significantly lower in the female group. whereas, time to complete the 20 km (p < 0.01, ES = 1.6, large was significantly longer than the male triathletes. Male triathletes who obtained greater values during the maximal test, presented a superior 20 km cycling performance. Females who presented larger values during the maximal test accomplished superior performances during both cycling and running simulated tests. These results suggest that recreational male triathletes may present a greater performance during maximal cycle ergometer test and during 20 km cycling simulation than female and the association between a maximal incremental test and simulated triathlon performances might depend on the triathlete's gender.

Purpose:The aim of this study was to investigate changes in physiological and performance variables in triathletes following a four week period of reduced training volume and increased training intensity.Methods:Sixteen moderately trained triathletes were randomly allocated to two groups: a control (CON) group which followed their usual training, or a high intensity training (HIIT) group which completed two HIIT sessions per week during four weeks of reduced training volumeResults:Maximal oxygen comsumption (VO2max) increased significantly in the HIIT group (p = .03, d = .5) but remained unchanged in the CON. Cycling power at first and second ventilatory threshold (PVT1 and PVT2) increased significantly in the HIIT subjects (p = .03, d = 1.0) and was unchanged in the CON participants (p = .57). During the simulated triathlon test, pre-post test cycling times and average power (Pav) were unchanged in both groups (p > .05). No significant interactive effects between groups were observed for running time (p ...

The aims of the present study were (1) to analyze the association between the time score obtained by a global positioning system device at a frequency of 10 Hz and by timing gates and (2) to assess intrarater reliability and agreement of these two methods in a 20 m straight sprint test. Twelve amateur soccer players (age: 21.08 ± 1.57 years) gave their voluntary consent to take part in this study. Each player performed five repetitions of a 20 m sprint test in each of the two test sessions. The start of the sprint for the global positioning system device was determined by a continuous increase in speed from below (0–0.1 km/h). No significant relationship (r = 0.118, p > 0.05) between 20 m straight sprint times measured by the timing gates and the global positioning system was found. The test–retest intra-class correlation coefficient obtained from the measurement of sprint times with the global positioning system device was small (r = 0.118, p > 0.05). The continuous increase in speed from below (0–0.1 km/h) seems not to be a precise way to evaluate the sprint time by a global positioning system device in a 20 m straight sprint test.