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Fulltext Athlete's Perceptions of a "Quarantine" Training Camp During the COVID-19 Lockdown

Washif JA, Mohd Kassim SFA, Lew PCF, Chong CSM, James C

Front Sports Act Living, 2020;2:622858.
PMID: 33521634 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2020.622858

Globally, COVID-19-related movement restrictions have caused significant disruption to athlete's training and sporting competitions. "Quarantine" camps are one approach to maintain sport-specific training, whilst minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission between athletes and society. This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of a "quarantine" training camp on athlete's routines and wellbeing, performance support, perceived stress and sleep behaviors. A survey was completed at the end of a 30-day "quarantine" camp, by 76 elite athletes (17-46 years), predominantly (~80%) Olympic/Paralympic and/or world championship representatives. Athletes described their experiences in comparison to; pre-lockdown training and/or training during "lockdown" (immediately prior to the "quarantine" camp). Compared to "lockdown," the "quarantine" camp revealed improvements (p < 0.05; 0.33 ≤ d ≤ 0.90) in access to sport-specific training (28.6%), recovery facilities (22.2%), nutritional choices (17.5%), mental (12.4%) and emotional (11.4%) health, training motivation (20.0%); and perceived stress (7.4%, d = -0.27, p = 0.026). The camp resulted in a lower sleep duration (-8.5%, d = -0.73, p = 0.014), but an improved global sleep behavior score (-5.6%, d = -0.22, p = 0.001). During the camp, the performance support athletes received was not different to pre-lockdown (p > 0.05), but there was greater sports massage (20.4%, d = 0.39) and physiotherapy usage (18.1%, d = 0.36) (both p < 0.05). The adverse effects of lockdown were restored during the camp. A "quarantine" camp may offer comparable training experiences to pre-lockdown training, without inducing additional perceived stress. Coaches and sporting organizations may consider this approach as part of a virus mitigation strategy, whilst maintaining sport-specific training.
Fulltext Regression Analysis of Perceived Stress among Elite Athletes from Changes in Diet, Routine and Well-Being: Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown and "Bubble" Training Camps

Washif JA, Ammar A, Trabelsi K, Chamari K, Chong CSM, Mohd Kassim SFA, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 12 30;19(1).
PMID: 35010662 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010402

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyles and training of elite athletes around the world. The detrimental effects of lockdown periods may vary among individuals, as well as among sports and sexes. This study investigated the changes in dietary habits, and the predictors of perceived stress during lockdown and a "bubble" training camp. This cross-sectional, online survey involved 76 elite and world-class athletes from six able-bodied sports and nine parasports, all of whom were involved in a 30-day "bubble" training camp. Questions were asked on socio-demographics, training routines and wellbeing, perceived stress, and dietary habits, pertaining to "normal" training (prelockdown), lockdown training, and "bubble" camp training periods. Changes in perceived stress were trivial to small during lockdown compared to "normal" training, and trivial to moderate during a "bubble" camp, compared to lockdown. Para-athletes, males, older athletes, less experienced athletes, married individuals, and specific ethnicities appeared to be more detrimentally affected (increased perceived stress) by lockdown. These negative experiences, however, were largely reversed during "bubble" camps. During lockdown, more athletes reported increased evening snack consumption (+8%), later meal-times (+6%), decreased fluid intake (-6%), and no breakfast (+7%). These changes were reversed during "bubble" camps (12-18% improvements). Sport classification accounted for 16% of the increased perceived stress (p = 0.001) during lockdown. Overall, socio-demographic factors, improvements in training routines, well-being, and dietary habits explained 28% of the decreased perceived stress during a "bubble" camp. In conclusion, better dietary habits, training routines and well-being have implications for reduced perceived stress. During lockdown, "bubble" camps may be beneficial, but this observation may be a case-by-case consideration, and short split "bubble" periods are recommended.
A Three Week Unexpected Disturbance Program Improves Physical Performance of Elite Female Athletes

Teichmann J, Suwarganda EK, Beaven CM, Hébert-Losier K, Lee JW, Tenllado Vallejo F, et al.

J Sport Rehabil, 2016 Dec 19.
PMID: 27992260 DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2016-0082

CONTEXT: Sensorimotor training is commonly used in a rehabilitative setting; however, the effectiveness of an unexpected disturbance program (UDP) to enhance performance measures in uninjured elite athletes is unknown.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a three-week UDP program onstrength, power, and proprioceptive measures.
DESIGN: Matched-group, pre- post design.
SETTING: National Sports Institute.
PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one international-level female field hockey athletes.
INTERVENTIONS: Two 45 min UDP sessions were incorporated into each week of a three week training program (total 6 sessions).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: One-repetition maximum strength, lower limb power, 20 m running speed, and proprioception tests were performed before and after the experimental period.
RESULTS: Substantial improvements in running sprint speed at 5- (4.4 ± 2.6%; Effect Size [ES]: 0.88), 10- (2.1 ± 1.9%; ES: 0.51), and 20-m (1.0 ± 1.6%; ES: 0.23) were observed in the UDP group. Squat jump performance was also clearly enhanced when compared to the control group (3.1 ± 6.1%; ES: 0.23). Small but clear improvements in maximal strength were observed in both groups.
CONCLUSION: A three week UDP can elicit clear enhancements in running sprint speed and concentric-only jump performance. These improvements are suggestive of enhanced explosive strength and are particularly notable given the elite training status of the cohort and relatively short duration of the intervention. Thus, we would reiterate the statement by Gruber and colleagues (2004) that sensorimotor training is a "highly efficient" modality for improving explosive strength.

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