Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Athletic Performance”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Management of severe lower abdominal or inguinal pain in high-performance athletes. PAIN (Performing Athletes with Abdominal or Inguinal Neuromuscular Pain Study Group).

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the pathophysiologic processes of severe lower-abdominal or inguinal pain in high-performance athletes. We evaluated 276 patients; 175 underwent pelvic floor repairs. Of the 157 athletes who had not undergone previous surgery, 124 (79%) participated at a professional or other highly competitive level, and 138 patients (88%) had adductor pain that accompanied the lower-abdominal or inguinal pain. More patients underwent related adductor releases during the later operative period in the series. Evaluation revealed 38 other abnormalities, including severe hip problems and malignancies. There were 152 athletes (97%) who returned to previous levels of performance. The syndrome was uncommon in women and the results were less predictable in nonathletes. A distinct syndrome of lower-abdominal/adductor pain in male athletes appears correctable by a procedure designed to strengthen the anterior pelvic floor. The location and pattern of pain and the operative success suggest the cause to be a combination of abdominal hyperextension and thigh hyperabduction, with the pivot point being the pubic symphysis. Diagnosis of "athletic pubalgia" and surgery should be limited to a select group of high-performance athletes. The consideration of other causes of groin pain in the patient is critical.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1984

Nutrition and athletic performance.

Athletes have a keen interest in informed nutrition counsel. They recognize that food intakes are important determinants of energy availability and body fitness. For many sports, participation will prompt a general upgrading of dietary practices and nutrition-related well-being. Specific nutrition guidance can prevent abuses and can enhance the performance of the athlete and the team in many sports.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗
PubMed1983

Nutrition and athletic performance.

Athletes and physicians alike are often poorly informed about nutrition. Myths abound, some of them potentially harmful. Common errors include a disproportionately high intake of proteins (especially by weight lifters), vitamins and minerals in excess of the recommended dietary allowances, poorly designed weight gain or loss programs, and various food fads.

Body Composition↗
PubMed1995

Intrapersonal and interpersonal factors in athletic performance.

Psychologically athletic performance is a multiplicative function of intrapersonal (for example, intrinsic motivation) and interpersonal (for example, social support) factors. It is theorized that the layer immediately surrounding an athlete's inner core of psychological functioning consists of 4 intrapersonal factors: self-motivation, cognitive capacity and coping skills, affective orientation and mental training skills. The layer surrounding these factors is comprised of interpersonal factors, such as social support and the athlete-coach relationship. A theoretical model was advanced to show that competition-generated intrinsic motivation predisposition and social support are the two main properties of the athletic competition context that buffer against increased athletic and life stress. If such buffering effects occur, athletes' physical and psychological capacity is maintained or even enhanced. This in turn promotes continued competitive athletic participation and performance. Maximization of psychological conditions for successful performance requires that coaches foster athletes' intrapersonal and interpersonal psychosocial resources by serving as facilitators of their autonomous self-regulation rather than as controllers of their goals and behaviors.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

A measure of stress for athletic performance.

The Athlete Stress Inventory of 49 items was developed. Using factor analysis on the intercorrelations of responses of 148 women student-athletes, four orthogonal factors of stress in athletes were identified-Negative Mood, Team Compatibility, Physical Well-being, and Academic Efficacy. Scales for these factors were reliable and valid. The predictive validity of these scores was investigated by correlations with the athletic performance of 32 women athletes on three intercollegiate teams-tennis, gymnastics, and basketball. Stress scores (except Emotional Mood) reported four days prior to competition tended to be significantly correlated with performance for the individual sports (tennis and gymnastics) but not for the group sport (basket-ball). The correlation involving Physical Well-being was not significant for gymnasts.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

[Skin betrayal, above athletic performance].

Several compounds listed as illicit doping agents can express some effects on the skin. The cutaneous signs are diverse. The clue of the intake of such compounds can be supported by objective non-invasive biometrological assessments. However, such evaluations do not bring the irrefutable proof. The skin can also present unwanted reactions indicating intolerance to the doping agent. Such physiopathological manifestations are not limited to the sport competition, but can also affect some groups of the population searching for a look reminiscent of the ideal young and performing athlete.

Anabolic Agents↗
PubMed1993

[Statistical deviations in high-performance athletes].

Between 1978 and 1984, 1323 high level athletes were tested at the Sports sciences institute of the Swiss federal sports school. During these investigations, several characteristic variations of body statics were measured. Analysis of the pooled data reveal a link of statistical significance between certain sports and several abnormalities of lower limbs static. As it was a retrospective investigation, we cannot be sure of a causal relationship between the reported effects. Our principal aim however was to publish this somewhat extensive set of data, in view of the general dearth of such scientific results. In addition to the type of movement the athletes perform during their sports activity, it is the duration of the exertion which seems to be an important determinant for the presence of an increased number of static abnormalities in certain sports. Endurance running presents an elevated risk of developing both flat foot and splay foot. For football (soccer) and tennis players however, only a subnormal transverse foot arch appears frequently. Alpine skiers on the other hand have an increased risk of longitudinal foot arch insufficiency. The knowledge as to which abnormalities are increasingly present in a given sport is instrumental to enabling an early detection and prophylaxis of these ailments.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

What makes a champion? Explaining variation in human athletic performance.

Variation in human athletic performance is determined by a complex interaction of socio-cultural, psychological, and proximate physiological factors. Human physiological trait variance has both an environmental and genetic basis, although the classic gene-environment dichotomy is clearly too simplistic to understand the full range of variation for most proximate determinants of athletic performance, e.g., body composition. In other words, gene and environment interact, not just over the short term, but also over the lifetime of an individual with permanent effects on the adult phenotype. To further complicate matters, gene and environment may also be correlated. That is, genetically gifted individuals may be identified as children and begin training pulmonary, cardiovascular, and muscle systems at an early critical age. This review covers evidence in support of a genetic basis to human athletic performance, with some emphasis on the recent explosion of candidate gene studies. In addition, the review covers environmental influences on athletic performance with an emphasis on irreversible environmental effects, i.e., developmental effects that may accrue during critical periods of development either before conception (epigenetic effects), during fetal life (fetal programming), or during childhood and adolescence. Throughout, we emphasize the importance of gene-environment interaction (G x E) as a means of understanding variation in human physiological performance and we promote studies that integrate genomics with developmental biology.

Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

Genes and human elite athletic performance.

Physical fitness is a complex phenotype influenced by a myriad of environmental and genetic factors, and variation in human physical performance and athletic ability has long been recognised as having a strong heritable component. Recently, the development of technology for rapid DNA sequencing and genotyping has allowed the identification of some of the individual genetic variations that contribute to athletic performance. This review will examine the evidence that has accumulated over the last three decades for a strong genetic influence on human physical performance, with an emphasis on two sets of physical traits, viz. cardiorespiratory and skeletal muscle function, which are particularly important for performance in a variety of sports. We will then review recent studies that have identified individual genetic variants associated with variation in these traits and the polymorphisms that have been directly associated with elite athlete status. Finally, we explore the scientific implications of our rapidly growing understanding of the genetic basis of variation in performance.

Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The regular menstrual cycle and athletic performance.

The study of fluctuations in athletic performance attributable to the menstrual cycle has been an area of considerable interest and controversy for well over half a century. Studies have included simple observations of performance in athletic events, and have also documented specific physical, psychological and physiological changes as they relate to varying hormonal levels of the menstrual cycle. Advantages and disadvantages to human performance have been attributed to various phases of the cycle. Many investigators have documented evidence to suggest that the premenstrual phase is often associated with decreased performance. Others have noted that there are specific physiological changes, inherent in athletic performance, occurring in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. However, it is evident that there is conflict within the literature. This review considers the evidence for the cyclic effects of the regular or normal menstrual cycle on performance. It examines surveyed evidence of the effects of the regular menstrual cycle on athletic performance, effects on psychological and perceptual factors, maximum oxygen uptake, endurance and time to fatigue, temperature, sweating, bodyweight, respiratory drive, blood lactate, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular parameters. It is concluded that there is considerable variation in the findings of the literature and that any reported variations in performance may well be greatly influenced by intersubject variability, the nature of the exercise, and the nutritional status of the athlete, as well as minor changes that could be attributable to the menstrual cycle.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed2005

Challenges in understanding the influence of maximal power training on improving athletic performance.

The ability to optimise muscular power output is considered fundamental to successful performance of many athletic and sporting activities. Consequently, a great deal of research has investigated methods to improve power output and its transference to athletic performance. One issue that makes comparisons between studies difficult is the different modes of dynamometry (isometric, isokinetic and isoinertial) used to measure strength and power. However, it is recognised that isokinetic and isometric assessment bear little resemblance to the accelerative/decelerative motion implicit in limb movement during resistance training and sporting performance. Furthermore, most people who train to increase power would have limited or no access to isometric and/or isokinetic dynamometry. It is for these reasons and for the sake of brevity that the findings of isoinertial (constant gravitational load) research will provide the focus of much of the discussion in this review. One variable that is considered important in increasing power and performance in explosive tasks such as running and jumping is the training load that maximises the mechanical power output (Pmax) of muscle. However, there are discrepancies in the research as to which load maximises power output during various resistance exercises and whether training at Pmax improves functional performance is debatable. There is also some evidence suggesting that Pmax is affected by the training status of the individuals; however, other strength variables could quite possibly be of greater importance for improving functional performance. If Pmax is found to be important in improving athletic performance, then each individual's Pmax needs to be determined and they then train at this load. The predilection of research to train all subjects at one load (e.g. 30% one repetition maximum [1RM]) is fundamentally flawed due to inter-individual Pmax differences, which may be ascribed to factors such as training status (strength level) and the exercise (muscle groups) used. Pmax needs to be constantly monitored and adjusted as research suggests that it is transient. In terms of training studies, experienced subjects should be used, volume equated and the outcome measures clearly defined and measured (i.e. mean power and/or peak power). Sport scientists are urged to formulate research designs that result in meaningful and practical information that assists coaches and strength and conditioning practitioners in the development of their athletes.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1990

Athletic performance following rapid traversal of multiple time zones. A review.

Athletes travel across multiple time zones in order to engage in national or international competition. It has often been assumed that rapid transmeridian translocation has a negative impact on athletic performance. However, the available studies are characterised by major methodological problems. Consequently, no compelling evidence exists demonstrating that air travel adversely influences athletic performance. Evidence suggests that distance and sprint running performance, as well as dynamic muscular strength and endurance of the elbow flexors, is impaired following west-east travel across 6 times zones in untrained individuals. However, there is no evidence that these findings for untrained subjects generalise to athletes. Both physiological and psychological mechanisms might account for potential effects of travel on athletic performance, but little is known about these potential mechanisms with regards to athletic performance. Systematic research is needed if the relationship between air travel and athletic performance is to be elucidated.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1999

The influence of air travel on athletic performance.

Rapid transmeridian flight is a common reality for modern athletes and it has often been assumed that air travel has detrimental effects on athletic performance. The plausibility of this assumption is supported by established deteriorations in sleep and mood following transmeridian flight. However, the scientific evidence supporting the assumption is neither consistent nor compelling. Studies that have assessed athletic performance following transmeridian flight have produced mixed results and are characterised by major methodological flaws. Recent retrospective assessments of athletic team performance based on distance travelled have generally failed to indicate performance impairments following transmeridian flight. The plausibility of transmeridian air travel impairing athletic performance would be indicated by demonstration of an internally-driven circadian rhythm of athletic performance, or of deleterious performance consequences following sleep deprivation or desynchronisation between the circadian system and the environment. More rigorous research is needed to establish whether athletic performance is influenced by air travel.

Aviation↗
PubMed1992

Why is life stress ignored in studies of 'stress' and athletic performance?

Investigations of relationships between stress and athletic performance and stress and outcomes outside of sport psychology have a parallel evolution. Each area has advanced from early attempts to find simple, strong relationships to current strategies for evaluating the influences of individual differences and situational factors on more elusive relationships. However, the most common conceptualizations of stress are very different in research on sport psychology and stress, and most studies of stress and athletic performance do not involve the influences of stress outside athletics. We propose that the approaches used by sports psychologists and stress researchers could be combined to evaluate more fully the relationships between stress and athletic performance.

Achievement↗
PubMed2003

A cross-sport athletic performance rating scale.

An Athletic Performance Rating Scale, developed for comparing the characteristics of successful athletes across sports, was used by 17 coaches to rate 74 men and 83 women on 17 varsity collegiate teams. A 5-factor scale measuring Self-motivation, Self-confidence, Emotional Stability, Athletic Ability, and Character was developed using principal components analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effect of clenbuterol on athletic performance.

Unlike inhaled beta 2-agonists, more studies need to be performed before the action of systemic beta 2-agonists on athletic performance can be assessed accurately. Experiments in animals with oral clenbuterol have shown augmentation in muscle bulk across numerous species, but human studies cannot confirm similar muscle mass enlargement in healthy men. Although the human studies demonstrate the potential for long-acting systemic beta 2-agonists to increase muscle strength in certain muscle fiber types, it is difficult to judge the drugs' effects on overall athletic performance, because athletic skill is more than strength, speed, and endurance. The effect of oral clenbuterol on athletic performance cannot be evaluated from its actions on muscle strength alone. However, as evidence stands now, sports regulatory agencies are correct to ban systemic beta 2-agonists until the following 2 points can be proven: (1) oral forms provide a therapeutic benefit that cannot be obtained with aerosol or inhaled forms; and (2) oral forms do not give any unfair advantage to the competitor in muscle strength, power output, or endurance. Provided they are administered as prescribed, aerosol or inhaled beta-agonists do not impart an unfair advantage or enhance athletic performance and can continue to be used in competition by athletes with EIA.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗