Abstract: The department of Military Sports Medicine of the Royal Netherlands Army has an ongoing research line ‘Exercise-Related Leg Pain’ since 2011. This study investigated which immediate changes occur in running technique while running barefoot or in minimalist running shoes on a treadmill, which proportion of service members automatically changed from a heel strike landing to a forefoot strike landing without any instruction to do so, and whether these patients experienced a subsequent gait retraining program as easier and completed it faster or with a better clinical outcome. In total, data from 53 patients with exercise-related leg pain were used to answer the research questions. Running barefoot, 24.5% of patients automatically changed from a heel strike landing to a forefoot strike landing (16.7% of the men, 54.5% of the women), in minimalist shoes the percentage of automatic strike-changers was 5.7% (2,4% of men, 16.2% of women). Running barefoot, the patients used shorter strides and a higher cadence than in traditional running shoes and the vertical ground reaction forces under the midfoot and heel were lower. Automatic strike-changers were not better candidates for the treatment program, in terms of subjective ease of the gait retraining sessions and duration or outcome of the treatment program. Running barefoot is a helpful methodology to facilitate gait retraining.Abstract: The department of Military Sports Medicine of the Royal Netherlands Army has an ongoing research line ‘Exercise-Related Leg Pain’ since 2011. This study investigated which immediate changes occur in running technique while running barefoot or in minimalist running shoes on a treadmill, which proportion of service members automatically changed from ...Show More
Abstract: The present study aimed to determine the physical performances and physiological aptitudes of the soccer players of the first (L1) and second (L2) leagues of the Cameroon professional championship. One hundred and seventy-five male professional soccer players, including 91from L1and 84 from L2, participated in the study. Their age, anthropometric parameters (height and weight), physical performances (short-distances sprint times, squat jump) and physiological parameters such as maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), blood lactate accumulation (BLA) and heart rate (HR) were assessed. No significant age difference was observed between of L1 and L2 (23.3±3.6 vs 23.64±1.00 years) soccer players. L1 soccer players were taller and heavier than those of L2. According to the playing position, a significant difference in weight (76.0±7.6 vs 72.2±8.2 kg) and height (179.1±7.2 vs 175.8±7.3 cm) was observed between L1 and L2 midfield players. VO2max of L2 players (56.4±6.9mlO2/L/kg) was better than that of L1 players (53.8±4.3 mlO2/L/kg), as well as the BLA (8.2±2.3vs 9.7±2.9 mmol/L). L2attackers showed significant higher VO2max (p<0.05) compared to L1 players at the same position. The BLA rate was higher (p<0.01) in midfielders compared to defenders or attackers in each league. Soccer players of L1 were heavier, taller and had better physical aptitude with lower physiological response compared to those of L2. Globally, male Cameroon professional soccer players have average age of 23.4±3,8 years; high of 177.4±7,2 cm and weight 74.1±7.9 kg. These findings suggest that male Cameroon professional soccer players have good physical characteristic but lower physiological aptitudes. This may explain the poor performance of local teams during international competitions.Abstract: The present study aimed to determine the physical performances and physiological aptitudes of the soccer players of the first (L1) and second (L2) leagues of the Cameroon professional championship. One hundred and seventy-five male professional soccer players, including 91from L1and 84 from L2, participated in the study. Their age, anthropometric p...Show More
