This study aims to determine the physical and physiological demands and perceived experience during different recreational team handball and walking exercise modalities. Secondary purposes are: i) To compare the cardiovascular and blood lactate responses to self-paced walking (W), brisk walking (BW), recreational walking team handball (WTH), and recreational running team handball (RTH); ii) To compare the perceived experience (Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and Fun levels (FUN)) during self-paced walking (W), brisk walking (BW), recreational walking team handball (WTH), and recreational running team handball (RTH); iii) To compare the activity profile during self-paced walking (W), brisk walking (BW), recreational walking team handball (WTH), and recreational running team handball (RTH);
Statistical analysis: Linear mixed-effects model accounting for repeated measures within the participants, will be used to compare the working demands and perceived experience during the selected exercise modalities. This model will consider the exercise modalities and group as fixed effects and the participants ID as a random effect. Significance level will be set at 5%, and confidence intervals will be reported for all comparisons. Randomization: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups due to logistical constraints. Each group will then perform 2 randomly assigned sequences of 4 exercise modalities (i.e., W, BW, WH, RH).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
23
Participants will partake in 2 sessions of self-paced walking (W), each composed by 3x14 min periods interspersed by 2 min breaks, in which the participants will walk at a self-selected speed (without running) along a 38x18 m course.
Participants will partake in 2 sessions of brisk walking (BW), each composed by 3x14 min periods, interspersed by 2 min breaks, in which the participants will follow a designated instructor who will dictate the walking speed along a 38x18 m course, thus ensuring that the speed of the walking corresponds to a brisk walking speed.
Recreational running team handball (RTH): Participants will partake in 2 sessions of recreational team handball matches (RTH), each composed by 3x14 min periods, interspersed by 2 min breaks on a 40x20m indoor court.
Recreational walking team handball (WTH): Participants will partake in 2 sessions of recreational walking team handball matches (WTH), each composed by 3x14 min periods, interspersed by 2 min breaks on a 40x20m indoor court.
University of Maia
Maia, Portugal
Relative average rate
During each exercise modality, relative average rate will be determined using heart rate monitors.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Relative time spent in each heart rate zone
During each exercise modality, relative time spent in each heart rate zone will be determined using heart rate monitors.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Absolute average heart rate
During each exercise modality, absolute average heart rate will be determined using heart rate monitors.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Absolute time spent in each heart rate zone
During each exercise modality, absolute time spent in each heart rate zone will be determined using heart rate monitors.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Relative peak heart rate
During each exercise modality, relative peak heart rate will be determined using heart rate monitors.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Absolute peak heart rate
During each exercise modality, absolute peak heart rate will be determined using heart rate monitors.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Rating of perceived exertion
Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) will be determined using the modified (0-10) Borg scale, during each exercise modality.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Fun levels
Fun levels (FUN) will be determined using an visual analog scale, during each exercise modality.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Blood lactate
Blood lactate will be measured during the each exercise modality using a portable eletroenzymatic lactate device analyzer.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Accelerations
The number of accelerations (expressed in m/s²) will be determined during each exercise modality training session using wearable accelerometers. Acceleration thresholds will be defined individually based on activity profiles established in baseline testing.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period
Decelerations
The number of decelerations (expressed in m/s²) will be determined during each exercise modality training session using wearable accelerometers. Deceleration thresholds will be defined individually based on activity profiles established in baseline testing.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
Player load
Player load (arbitrary units) will be calculated using data from wearable accelerometers during each exercise modality training session.
Time frame: Over an 8-week period.
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