177 Development of Feasible Pre-Conditioning Programs for Limited Resource Cow-Calf Producers in North Florida

Cost-effective calf pre-conditioning programs utilizing high-quality pastures and minimal grain supplements can improve net returns of limited-resource cow-calf operations. The objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing two different supplements in a forage-based 45-day pre-conditioning program. Twenty-one Angus-cross calves averaging 6 months of age were assigned randomly at weaning to two groups based on sex and initial body weights: commercially available complete feed, 16% crude protein (Group 1), and corn-mineral mix, 10% crude protein (Group 2, Control). Calves were backgrounded on natural pastures that were predominantly Bahia grass and acclimated to the feeds for 2 weeks prior to the start of the actual trial. Supplementation rates for both groups were maintained at 1.0 lb./150 lb. calf BW equivalent to 2.0 lbs./calf/day. Groups were rotated among pasture plots weekly depending on forage availability. Calves were weighed at 2-week intervals during the study. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance using GLM methods of SAS. No differences were observed among groups in calf BW gain (P < 0.74) and net returns (P < 0.92). Initial calf BW were 357.2 ± 15.2 vs. 370.9 ± 16.6 lbs., whereas final BW were 398.2 ± 17.2 vs. 408.6 ± 20.1 lbs., for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Thus, average weight gains were 41.0 vs 37.7 lbs., for groups 1 and 2, respectively (Table 1). Feed costs were $17.97 vs. $16.97 for groups 1 and 2, respectively culminating in a $0.44 vs. $0.45 cost per lb. of gain, respectively. The current market price of a 400 lb. calf at the North Florida Livestock market averages $1.39/lb. Therefore, pre-conditioning calves using complete feed provides a $0.95/lb. return, whereas using corn-mineral mix returns a profit of $0.93/lb. Therefore, the corn-based supplement compared favorably to the commercially available complete feed in this system.

Periodização do treinamento aplicada aos programas de condicionamento extremo (Training periodization applied in extreme conditioning programs)

RESUMO Objetivos: Os programas de condicionamento extremo (ex. CrossFit, Cross Training, treinamento funcional realizado em alta intensidade, etc.) apresentam um desafio importante no desenvolvimento simultâneo de diversas valências físicas, tais como, força, força explosiva e a aptidão cardiovascular. Uma única sessão de treinamento pode induzir uma fadiga residual, que consequentemente pode prejudicar o desempenho durante o decorrer do treinamento se uma recuperação inadequada for realizada. Para minimizar esse tipo de interferência negativa, a periodização do treinamento deve considerar as características de treinamento concorrente presentes nos programas de condicionamento extremo. Conclusões: Apesar da literatura apresentar uma lacuna em relação aos modelos de periodização para os programas de condicionamento extremo, uma análise individual da periodização tradicional e em blocos nos permite observar que a periodização em blocos apresenta uma aplicabilidade maior para esse tipo de programa. ABSTRACT Objective: Extreme conditioning programs (ECP, e.g. CrossFit, CrossTraining, high intensity functional training, etc.) present a major challenge in the simultaneous development of various physical abilities, such as strength, explosive strength and cardiovascular fitness. A single training session can induce residual fatigue, which can consequently impair performance during the training if an improper recovery is performed. To minimize the effects of negative interference, training periodization should consider the concurrent training characteristics that was presented in extreme conditioning programs. Conclusions: Although the literature presents a gap in periodization models for extreme conditioning programs, an individual analysis of the traditional and block periodization and allows to observe that the block periodization presents a greater applicability for this type of programs. RESUMEN Objetivo: los programas de entrenamiento extremo (por ejemplo, CrossFit, Cross Training, entrenamiento funcional a alta intensidad, etc.) presentan un desafío importante al desarrollar diversas condiciones físicas como la fuerza, potencia o resistencia. Una única sesión de entrenamiento puede inducir una fatiga residual y, consecuentemente puede perjudicar el rendimiento a lo largo del entrenamiento si se realiza una recuperación inadecuada. Para reducir este tipo de interferencia negativa, la periodización del entrenamiento debe tener en cuenta las características concurrentes de este tipo de ejercicios presentes en los programas de entrenamiento extremo. Conclusiones: a pesar de que la literatura científica presenta una laguna de conocimiento en relación con los modelos de periodización para los programas de entrenamiento extremo, un análisis pormenorizado de la periodización tradicional y en bloques, nos permite observar que la periodización en bloques presenta una mayor aplicabilidad para este tipo de programas.

Identification of serve pacing strategies during five-set tennis matches

This study aims to investigate the prominence of different pacing strategies adopted by male professional tennis players during five-set matches and their relationship with match outcome, ATP ranking and Grand Slam tournament. Fifty five-set matches of the 2014 Grand Slam tournaments were analyzed. First and second serve velocities, percentages of first serve in, and percentages of first and second serve points won were collected for each of the five sets. According to the fluctuations of mean first serve velocity for each of the five sets, players were classified into five types of pacing strategies: ‘variable’, ‘parabolic’, ‘constant’, ‘all-out’ and ‘negative-split’. Professional players mostly used ‘variable’ pacing strategy (45%), followed by ‘parabolic’ (20%), ‘constant’ (18%) and ‘all-out’ (15%) strategies, which are closely distributed. Finally, ‘negative-split’ strategy (2%) is infrequently used. The pacing strategy used by players tends to exert an influence on match outcome ( P = 0.072). There is no significant association between players’ ranking and type of pacing strategy used ( P = 0.384). There is no significant association between Grand Slam tournaments and type of pacing strategy used ( P = 0.875). Serve velocity and serve points won are significantly decreased in losers, while they are increased or kept constant in winners during the fifth set of the match. ‘Negative split’, ‘variable’ and ‘parabolic’ strategies seem to be the most effective for winning five-set match, while ‘all-out’ strategy appears ineffective since when players used it, they lost the match in 73% of cases. Moreover, tennis players should consider physical conditioning programs to avoid decreases in serve velocity and percentage during the fifth set of a tennis match.

Injuries in an Extreme Conditioning Program

Background: Extreme conditioning programs (ECPs) are fitness training regimens relying on aerobic, plyometric, and resistance training exercises, often with high levels of intensity for a short duration of time. These programs have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, but science describing the safety profile of these programs is lacking. Hypothesis: The rate of injury in the extreme conditioning program is greater than the injury rate of weightlifting and the majority of injuries occur to the shoulder and back. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: This is a retrospective survey of injuries reported by athletes participating in an ECP. An injury survey was sent to 1100 members of Iron Tribe Fitness, a gym franchise with 5 locations across Birmingham, Alabama, that employs exercises consistent with an ECP in this study. An injury was defined as a physical condition resulting from ECP participation that caused the athlete to either seek medical treatment, take time off from exercising, or make modifications to his or her technique to continue. Results: A total of 247 athletes (22%) completed the survey. The majority (57%) of athletes were male (n = 139), and 94% of athletes were white (n = 227). The mean age of athletes was 38.9 years (±8.9 years). Athletes reported participation in the ECP for, on average, 3.6 hours per week (± 1.2 hours). Eighty-five athletes (34%) reported that they had sustained an injury while participating in the ECP. A total of 132 injuries were recorded, yielding an estimated incidence of 2.71 per 1000 hours. The shoulder or upper arm was the most commonly injured body site, accounting for 38 injuries (15% of athletes). Athletes with a previous shoulder injury were 8.1 times as likely to injure their shoulder in the ECP compared with athletes with healthy shoulders. The trunk, back, head, or neck (n = 29, 12%) and the leg or knee (n = 29, 12%) were the second most commonly injured sites. The injury incidence rate among athletes with <6 months of experience in the ECP was 2.5 times greater than that of more experienced athletes (≥6 months of experience). Of the 132 injuries, 23 (17%) required surgical intervention. Squat cleans, ring dips, overhead squats, and push presses were more likely to cause injury. Athletes reported that 35% of injuries were due to overexertion and 20% were due to improper technique. Conclusion: The estimated injury rate among athletes participating in this ECP was similar to the rate of injury in weightlifting and most other recreational activities. The shoulder or upper arm was the most commonly injured area, and previous shoulder injury predisposed to new shoulder injury. New athletes are at considerable risk of injury compared with more experienced athletes. Clinical Relevance: Extreme conditioning programs are growing in popularity, and there is disagreement between science and anecdotal reports from athletes, coaches, and physicians about their relative safety. This study estimates the incidence of injury in extreme conditioning programs, which appears to be similar to other weight-training programs.

Identifying Basketball Performance Indicators in Regular Season and Playoff Games

The aim of the present study was to identify basketball game performance indicators which best discriminate winners and losers in regular season and playoffs. The sample used was composed by 323 games of ACB Spanish Basketball League from the regular season (n=306) and from the playoffs (n=17). A previous cluster analysis allowed splitting the sample in balanced (equal or below 12 points), unbalanced (between 13 and 28 points) and very unbalanced games (above 28 points). A discriminant analysis was used to identify the performance indicators either in regular season and playoff games. In regular season games, the winning teams dominated in assists, defensive rebounds, successful 2 and 3-point field-goals. However, in playoff games the winning teams’ superiority was only in defensive rebounding. In practical applications, these results may help the coaches to accurately design training programs to reflect the importance of having different offensive set plays and also have specific conditioning programs to prepare for defensive rebounding.