https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index en-au 5 Physical and decision-making demands of Australian football umpires during competitive matches. https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:18891 14.4 km·h−1) demands across each quarter. Decision-making performance was assessed through video by 3 elite umpire coaches who reviewed free-kick accuracy during each match. These data were further analyzed according to the position (mid-zone or end-zone) of the umpire when each decision was made. The average distance covered was 10,563 ± 608 m, of which 1,952 ± 494 m was HSR. Significant reductions in distance covered were observed during the third (p = 0.006) and fourth (p = 0.001) quarters, compared with the first. An average of 44 ± 8 free kicks awarded per match with a decision accuracy of 84 ± 6%; however, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in these measures across a match. Significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher physical (HSR; relative distance) and decision-making requirements were observed within the mid-zone. The current data quantify the physical and decision-making demands of AF umpiring and demonstrated that despite a high physical workload, free-kick accuracy is maintained across a match. This suggests that decision making may not be directly compromised by the intermittent running demands of AF umpires. Positional rotations between the mid-zone and end-zone position allow for the demands to be shared among all field umpires during a match.]]> Wed 11 Apr 2018 15:32:45 AEST ]]> A comparison of mixed-method cooling interventions on preloaded running performance in the heat https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:32056 2 max and a 3 km time trial) on a nonmotorized treadmill in the heat (33° C). Trials consisted of precooling by combined cold-water immersion and ice slurry ingestion (PRE), midcooling by combined facial water spray and menthol mouth rinse (MID), a combination of all methods (ALL), and control (CON). Performance time was significantly faster in MID (13.7 ± 1.2 minutes; p < 0.01) and ALL (13.7 ± 1.4 minutes; p = 0.04) but not PRE (13.9 ± 1.4 minutes; p = 0.24) when compared with CON (14.2 ± 1.2 minutes). Precooling significantly reduced rectal temperature (initially by 0.5 ± 0.2° C), mean skin temperature, heart rate and sweat rate, and increased iEMG activity, whereas midcooling significantly increased expired air volume and respiratory exchange ratio compared with control. Significant decreases in forehead temperature, thermal sensation, and postexercise blood prolactin concentration were obser ved in all conditions compared with control. Performance was improved with midcooling, whereas precooling had little or no influence. Midcooling may have improved performance through an attenuated inhibitory psychophysiological and endocrine response to the heat.]]> Thu 26 Apr 2018 12:18:57 AEST ]]> Cycling power profile characteristics of national-level junior triathletes https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:37102 Thu 20 Aug 2020 12:10:20 AEST ]]> Sweat facilitated amino acid losses in male athletes during exercise at 32-34 °C https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:27775 Thu 07 Feb 2019 14:52:24 AEDT ]]> Running performance in the heat is improved by similar magnitude with pre-exercise cold-water immersion and mid-exercise facial water spray https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:31038 P = 0.01) and SPRAY (24.6 ± 3.3 min; P = 0.01) compared to CON (25.2 ± 3.2 min). Both cooling strategies significantly (P < 0.05) reduced forehead temperatures and thermal sensation, and increased muscle activation. Only pre-cooling significantly lowered rectal temperature both pre-exercise (by 0.5 ± 0.3°C; P < 0.01) and throughout exercise, and reduced sweat rate (P < 0.05). Both cooling strategies improved performance by a similar magnitude, and are ergogenic for athletes. The observed physiological changes suggest some involvement of central and psychophysiological mechanisms of performance improvement.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:25:48 AEDT ]]> The validity of endurance running performance on the Curve 3TM non-motorised treadmill https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:27071 0.05). Runners were consistently slower on the NMT, and as such it should not be used to measure performance over a specific distance. However, the strong correlations suggest that superior overground performance was reflected in relative terms on the NMT, and therefore, it is a valid tool for the assessment of endurance running performance in the laboratory.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:25:19 AEDT ]]>