An exercise protocol that simulates the activity patterns of elite junior squash.
Kingsley, M., James, Nic ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4181-9501, Kilduff, L. P., Dietzig, R. E. and Dietzig, B.
(2006)
An exercise protocol that simulates the activity patterns of elite junior squash.
Journal of Sports Sciences, 24
(12)
.
pp. 1291-1296.
ISSN 0264-0414
[Article]
(doi:10.1080/02640410500497766)
Abstract
Squash is a popular racket sport that requires intermittent activity with frequent bursts of near maximal-intensity exercise. Consequently, effective physiological and thermoregulatory responses are important contributors to performance during squash match-play. Controlled field-based simulation protocols have been introduced in a growing number of sports, which allow sports scientists to investigate changes in physiology and the efficacy of various interventions in sport-specific contexts. This study aimed to develop an exercise protocol that simulates the physiological requirements of elite squash match-play. Eight elite junior squash players (age 16.2 ± 0.8 years, height 1.76 ± 0.06 m, body mass 61.3 ± 5.9 kg; mean ± s) completed the following in a randomized order: (1) a squash match against a player of similar standard and (2) a squash-specific incremental exercise protocol (multistage squash test [MST]) followed by the squash simulation protocol (SSP). The multistage squash test was continued for 18.0 ± 1.0 min and elicited near maximal post-MST heart rates, blood lactate concentrations and ratings of perceived exertion (198 ± 9 beats · min-1, 5.7 ± 1.7 mmol · l-1 and 18 ± 1, respectively). The SSP was 12.2 min in length compared with mean game length during competitive matches of 10.0 ± 1.6 min (P = 0.27). Peak heart rates were similar during the SSP and match-play (192 ± 11 and 189 ± 6 beats · min-1, respectively; P = 0.44). Mean exercising heart rates were similar during the SSP (180 ± 8 beats · min-1) and match-play (179 ± 13 beats · min-1; P = 0.73). Peak blood lactate concentrations during the SSP and match-play were 3.5 ± 1.5 and 2.4 ± 1.2 mmol · l-1 (P = 0.07), respectively. Peak ratings of perceived exertion during the SSP and match-play were similar (17 ± 2 and 17 ± 2, respectively; P = 0.64). It was concluded that the SSP closely replicated the demands of squash match-play in elite junior squash players. Furthermore, the SSP provides coaches and scientific support staff with a controlled squash-specific exercise protocol that has potential application in the objective investigation of a range of interventions such as training programmes, nutritional supplements and strategies to maintain core body temperature.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Research Areas: | A. > School of Science and Technology > London Sport Institute A. > School of Science and Technology > London Sport Institute > Performance Analysis at the London Sport Institute |
ISI Impact: | 3 |
Item ID: | 7300 |
Useful Links: | |
Depositing User: | Ms Jyoti Zade |
Date Deposited: | 16 Mar 2011 09:18 |
Last Modified: | 13 Oct 2016 14:22 |
URI: | https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/id/eprint/7300 |
Actions (login required)
![]() |
View Item |
Statistics
Additional statistics are available via IRStats2.