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
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.

Garcia-Carrillo, Exal

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