In a well-conducted study, Marin et al. [1] reported significant alterations of oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant capacity, and indices of muscular damage in elite handball players after a friendly match. The authors were surprised by the marked increase of muscular damage indirectly assessed by serum creatine kinase (CK) in experienced players, which increased from about 80U/L at baseli...

The aim of this study was to assess responses to taper in elite athletes using computer simulations. Parameters of a non-linear model were derived from training and performance data over two seasons for eight elite swimmers. The fit between modelled and actual performances was statistically significant for each swimmer (r(2) = 0.56 +/- 0.06; P < 0.01). The simulations were used to estimate char...

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) has a high prevalence in elite athletes, particularly endurance athletes, winter athletes and swimmers. Recent studies have shown that a clinical diagnosis of EIB has only a moderate sensitivity and specificity for EIB. This finding in conjunction with a recent ruling by the IOC-medical commission that all athletes competing in initially the 2003 Winte...

This study examined the relationships between the performances of a swimming grab start and each of countermovement jump for distance, countermovement jump for height, squat jump for distance, and squat jump for height. Nine elite and 7 recreational female swimmers performed 6 trials in each of the 4 jumping techniques and six 25-m freestyle sprints after a grab start. Elite participants perfor...

It was investigated if high-intensity interval training (HIT) at the expense of total training volume improves performance, maximal oxygen uptake and swimming economy. 41 elite swimmers were randomly allocated to a control (CON) or HIT group. For 12 weeks both groups trained ∼12 h per week. HIT comprised ∼5 h vs. 1 h and total distance was ∼17 km vs. 35 km per week for HIT and CON, respectively...

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between foot shape and intrinsic muscles (IFMs) in adolescent swimmers compared with other athletes. Foot morphology of was athletes comparable age a competition level (n = 32 [64 feet]; total 64 feet; 128 feet two groups). variables IFMs were measured using three-dimensional scanner an ultrasound imaging system, respectively. Mul...