Open Access
Evaluation of physical fitness in track and field throwing athletes across different competitive levels
(Cherkas Global University Press, 2024) Garcia-Carrillo, Exal; Gallardo Fuentes, Francisco; Ramírez Campillo, Rodrigo; Carter-Thuillier, Bastian; Thapa, Rohit Kumar; Zaras, Nikolaos; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
A comprehensive understanding of physical fitness across different competitive levels is essential in track and field athletics. Coaches of throwers typically develop training regimens tailored to either performance levels or the specific needs of individual athletes to maximize physical fitness and ultimately enhance competitive throwing performance. However, it remains uncertain whether the competitive level of athletes may require different training designs. Thus, this study aimed to assess and compare the physical fitness levels among throwers across varying competitive levels. Twenty-eight throwers (20 males, 8 females; age: 18.2 ± 2.7 years; body mass: 89.8 ± 15.1 kg; body height: 178.5 ± 9.9 cm) participated in the study. These athletes were categorized into three competitive experience groups: national level (n = 10), international level (n = 7), and international medallists (n = 11). During a summer training camp, comprehensive measurements were conducted, encompassing various aspects of physical fitness. These assessments comprised the following parameters: 20 m sprint time, countermovement jump (CMJ) height and power, standing long jump distance, handgrip isometric strength, and body composition analysis. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing one-way ANOVA. The results of the study revealed no significant differences for all variables between the three groups (p > 0.05). In addition, significant correlations were found between measures of physical fitness for both male and female athletes (i.e., body composition and physical fitness measurements). Therefore, in the early stage of throwers yearly preparation (i.e., summer training camp), physical fitness might be similar for throwers regardless of their competitive levels. From a practical perspective, coaches may design similar training programs for athletes especially in the beginning of the preparation phase in an attempt to enhance competitive performance among athletes with different competitive levels. Moreover, body composition may be a good predictor of physical fitness in both male and female thrower athletes. Key Words: Track and field, athletic performance, skeletal muscle, shot put, hammer throw, javelin throw.
Open Access
Effects of upper-body plyometric training on physical fitness in healthy youth and young adult participants: a systematic review with meta-analysis
(Springer, 2023) Garcia-Carrillo, Exal; Ramírez Campillo, Rodrigo; Thapa, Rohit Kumar; Alfonso, José; Granacher, Urs; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background Upper-body plyometric training (UBPT) is a commonly used training method, yet its efects on physical ftness are inconsistent and there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on the topic. Objective To examine the efects of UBPT on physical ftness in healthy youth and young adult participants com‑ pared to active, specifc-active, and passive controls. Methods This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and utilized the PICOS framework. PubMed, WOS, and SCOPUS were searched. Studies were assessed for eligibility using the PICOS framework. The efects of UBPT on upper-body physical ftness were assessed, including maximal strength, medicine ball throw performance, sportspecifc throwing performance, and upper limb muscle volume. The risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Means and standard deviations were used to calculate efect sizes, and the I 2 statistic was used to assess heterogene‑ ity. Publication bias was assessed using the extended Egger’s test. Certainty of evidence was rated using the GRADE scale. Additional analyses included sensitivity analyses and adverse efects. Results Thirty-fve studies were included in the systematic review and 30 studies in meta-analyses, involving 1412 male and female participants from various sport-ftness backgrounds. Training duration ranged from 4 to 16 weeks. Compared to controls, UBPT improved maximal strength (small ES=0.39 95% CI=0.15–0.63, p=0.002, I 2=29.7%), medicine ball throw performance (moderate ES=0.64, 95% CI=0.43–0.85, p<0.001, I 2=46.3%), sport-specifc throw‑ ing performance (small ES=0.55, 95% CI=0.25–0.86, p<0.001, I 2=36.8%), and upper limbs muscle volume (moderate ES=0.64, 95% CI=0.20–1.08, p=0.005, I 2=0.0%). The GRADE analyses provided low or very low certainty for the rec‑ ommendation of UBPT for improving physical ftness in healthy participants. One study reported one participant with an injury due to UBPT. The other 34 included studies provided no report measure for adverse efects linked to UBPT. Conclusions UBPT interventions may enhance physical ftness in healthy youth and young adult individuals com‑ pared to control conditions. However, the certainty of evidence for these recommendations is low or very low. Further research is needed to establish the optimal dose of UBPT and to determine its efect on female participants and its transfer to other upper-body dominated sports.
Open Access
Anthropometric characteristics, handgrip strength, and upper limb asymmetries in highly trained chilean shot put para-athletes
(Sociedad Chilena de Anatomía, 2023) Garcia-Carrillo, Exal; Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Rodrigo; Cortés-Roco, Guillermo; Ramírez Campillo, Rodrigo; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Las características antropométricas, incluido el tamaño, forma y composición del cuerpo, pueden tener un impacto significativo en el rendimiento deportivo debido a su influencia en diversos factores fisiológicos y biomecánicos. Sin embargo, las investigaciones sobre las características antropométricas para-atletas de lanzamiento altamente entrenados son limitadas. El propósito de este estudio fue describir las características antropométricas, la fuerza de prensión manual y las asimetrías bilaterales de miembros superiores de paralanzadores chilenos altamente entrenados en lanzamiento de la bala. Se evaluaron las características antropométricas de cinco atletas masculinos chilenos de lanzamiento de bala (edad promedio de 38,8 ± 7,7 años), incluido el grosor de los pliegues cutáneos en seis sitios anatómicos, la circunferencia en cinco sitios y la anchura de los huesos en dos sitios. También se midieron la fuerza de prensión manual y las asimetrías bilaterales. Se encontró que la masa corporal y la altura de los atletas eran 90,5 ± 5,1 kg y 179,1 ± 8,9 cm, respectivamente. Los atletas tenían un somatotipo endo-mesomorfo (4.4-6.9-1.0) con altos niveles de masa grasa (25.7 ± 2.8 %) y masa muscular esquelética (39.1 ± 3.7 %). Se encontró además que la fuerza de prensión manual de los atletas era de 66,4 ± 6,7 kg con una asimetría bilateral de 6,5 ± 6,2 %, mostrando mayor fuerza la mano dominante. Los resultados indican que los atletas de lanzamiento de bala tienen un somatotipo caracterizado por una mayor musculatura y grasa corporal, junto con una estatura considerable. Aunque se encontró que la fuerza de agarre era alta, los atletas mostraron asimetría bilateral, lo que requiere de más investigaciones para determinar las causa e implicaciones.
Open Access
Peaking for the world para athletics championships: case study of a world champion female paralympic shot putter
(Universidad de Alicante, 2020) Garcia-Carrillo, Exal; Ramírez Campillo, Rodrigo; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Tapering is used to maximize performance and reduce fatigue levels before athletic competitions. However, scientific evidence regarding Paralympic athletes is scarce. Moreover, no study has assessed the effects of tapering practices on performance in a world champion female Paralympic shot putter (FPSP). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a short tapering period on the performance of an elite FPSP. A world champion FPSP (sport class F54; age 42.2 y; body mass 74 kg; height 1.67 m) was monitored during both overload (2 weeks) and tapering (2 weeks; training volume and intensity decreased) blocks previous to Dubai 2019 World Para Athletics Championships. The internal training load (ITL) (through session rating of perceived exertion) and self-reported wellbeing (using a questionnaire) were assessed daily. Shot put performance was assessed at the beginning and after tapering. The ITL decreased 37.9% with tapering, shot put performance increased 7.6%, there were no differences between weekly wellness scores. No significant correlations were found between ITL and wellbeing indicators. It was concluded that two weeks of tapering induced a rather large improvement in shot put performance. Surprisingly, self-reported wellbeing did not improve with taper as expected.
Open Access
Effects of therapies involving plyometric-jump training on physical fitness of youth with cerebral palsy: a systematic review with meta-analysis
(MDPI, 2024) Garcia-Carrillo, Exal; Ramírez Campillo, Rodrigo; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Elnaggar, Ragab K.; Alfonso, José; Peñailillo, Luis; Araneda, Rodrigo; Ebner-Karestinos, Daniela; Granacher, Urs; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of plyometric-jump training (PJT) on the physical fitness of youth with cerebral palsy (CP) compared with controls (i.e., standard therapy). The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed. Eligibility was assessed using the PICOS approach. Literature searches were conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases. Methodological study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Data were metaanalyzed by applying a random-effects model to calculate Hedges’ g effect sizes (ES), along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The impact of heterogeneity was assessed (I2 statistic), and the certainty of evidence was determined using the GRADE approach. Eight randomized-controlled studies with low-to-moderate methodological quality were included, involving male (n = 225) and female (n = 138) youth aged 9.5 to 14.6 years. PJT interventions lasted between 8 and 12 weeks with 2–4 weekly sessions. Compared with controls, PJT improved the muscle strength (ES = 0.66 [moderate], 95% CI = 0.36–0.96, p < 0.001, I2 = 5.4%), static (ES = 0.69 [moderate], 95% CI= 0.33–1.04, p < 0.001,I2 = 0.0%) and dynamic balance (ES = 0.85 [moderate], 95% CI = 0.12–1.58, p = 0.023, I2 = 81.6%) of youth with CP. Therefore, PJT improves muscle strength and static and dynamic balance in youth with CP compared with controls. However, more high-quality randomized-controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to provide a more definitive recommendation regarding the use and safety of PJT to improve measures of physical fitness.