Sprint cycling performance has been found to be reduced when two sprints were undertaken 12 minutes apart. In a follow-up study, the investigators found evidence to suggest that some of the loss in performance that was experienced in the second sprint was due to a psychological, rather than a physiological, limitation. It is conceivable that this loss in performance would not exist during a competition. The aim of this study is, therefore, to investigate the influence that a competitive environment has on repeated-sprint performance.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
16
During a competition, athletes will typically compete for a reward, against opponents and in the presence of others. This will be replicated in the laboratory.
Sprint Power Output
The Lode Excalibur Sport cycle ergometer records power output at 5Hz. Peak power output will be defined as the highest power output recorded. Mean power output will be calculated as the average power output over the 27 s sprint. Comparisons will be made between conditions.
Time frame: From baseline to completion, ~42 days
Heart-rate Variability
Heart-rate variability provides a measure of physiological stress. Recordings will be taken at rest, after the warm-up, and following the sprints. Comparisons will be made between conditions.
Time frame: From baseline to completion, ~42 days
Salivary Concentration of Alpha Amylase
Alpha amylase is a digestive enzyme found in saliva. Alpha amylase also provides a measure of physiological stress. Recordings will be taken at rest, after the warm-up, and following the sprints. Comparisons will be made between conditions.
Time frame: From baseline to completion, ~42 days
20 cm Visual Analogue Scale to Assess Anxiety
The scale will range from not at all anxious to very anxious. Participants will be asked to indicate how anxious they feel by place a clear mark on the scale. Measurements will be taken at rest, after the warm-up, and following the sprints. Comparisons will be made between conditions.
Time frame: From baseline to completion, ~42 days
20 cm Visual Analogue Scale to Assess Self-efficacy
The scale will range from cannot do it at all to highly certain. Participants will be asked about their confidence in their ability to improve on their baseline sprint performance. Measurements will be taken just prior to each sprint. Comparison to baseline.
Time frame: From baseline to completion, ~42 days
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Sport Anxiety Scale-2 - a questionnaire to assess cognitive and somatic anxiety.
Measured once. Correlation will performance. The response for each question carries a score of between 1 and 4. A higher number is reflective of a greater level of anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline