Papers by Jacqueline Tran
The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a commercially-available accelerometer, ... more The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a commercially-available accelerometer, as used in the field team sports context. Ten adult participants completed two movement tasks: 1) a drop landing task from 30-cm, 40-cm and 50-cm heights [DLAND], and 2) a countermovement jumping task [CMJ]. Peak acceleration values, both smoothed and unsmoothed, occurring in the longitudinal axis [Y] and calculated to produce vector magnitude values [VM], were compared to peak vertical ground reaction force values [VGRF]. All acceleration measures were moderately correlated (r = 0.45 – 0.70), but also significantly higher than weight-adjusted VGRF, for both tasks. Though the raw acceleration measures were mostly above the acceptable limit for error (> 20%), the smoothed data had reduced error margins by comparison, most of which were well below 20%. These results provide some support for the continued use of accelerometer data, particularly when smoothed, to accurately quantify impac...
Journal of Sports Sciences, 2014
Elite rowers complete rowing-specific and non-specific training, incorporating continuous and int... more Elite rowers complete rowing-specific and non-specific training, incorporating continuous and interval-like efforts spanning the intensity spectrum. However, established training load measures are unsuitable for use in some modes and intensities. Consequently, a new measure known as the T2minute method was created. The method quantifies load as the time spent in a range of training zones (time-in-zone), multiplied by intensity- and mode-specific weighting factors that scale the relative stress of different intensities and modes to the demands of on-water rowing. The purpose of this study was to examine the convergent validity of the T2minute method with Banister's training impulse (TRIMP), Lucia's TRIMP and Session-RPE when quantifying elite rowing training. Fourteen elite rowers (12 males, 2 females) were monitored during four weeks of routine training. Unadjusted T2minute loads (using coaches' estimates of time-in-zone) demonstrated moderate-to-strong correlations with Banister's TRIMP, Lucia's TRIMP and Session-RPE (rho: 0.58, 0.55 and 0.42, respectively). Adjusting T2minute loads by using actual time-in-zone data resulted in stronger correlations between the T2minute method and Banister's TRIMP and Lucia's TRIMP (rho: 0.85 and 0.81, respectively). The T2minute method is an appropriate in-field measure of elite rowing training loads, particularly when actual time-in-zone values are used to quantify load.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2014
To investigate changes in physiology, performance, and training practices of elite Australian row... more To investigate changes in physiology, performance, and training practices of elite Australian rowers over 6 months. Twenty-one elite rowers (14 males, 7 females) were monitored throughout two phases: Phase 1 (Specific Preparation) and Phase 2 (Domestic Competition). Incremental tests and rowing ergometer time trials over 100 m, 500 m, 2000 m, and 6000 m were conducted at the start of the season, mid-, and late-season. Weekly external (frequency, duration, distance rowed) and internal (T2minute method) loads are reported. Heavyweight male rowers achieved moderate improvements in VO2max and power at VO2max. Most other changes in physiology and performance were small or unclear. External loads decreased from Phase 1 to Phase 2 (duration = 19.3 h·week-1 to 18.0 h·week-1; distance rowed = 140 km·week-1 to 125 km·week-1, respectively). Conversely, internal loads increased (Phase 1 = 19.0 T2hours; Phase 2 = 20.3 T2hours). Low intensity training predominated (~80% of training hours at T1 and T2), and high intensity training was greater in Phase 2. Training was rowing-focused (68% of training duration), although 32% of training time was spent in non-specific modes. The distribution of specificity was not different between phases. Physiology and performance results were stable over the 6-month period. Training load patterns differed depending on the measure, highlighting the importance of monitoring both external and internal loads. The distribution of intensity was somewhat polarised and substantial volumes of non-specific training were undertaken. Experimental studies should investigate the effects of different distributions of intensity and specificity on rowing performance.
INTRODUCTION Unravelling the training-adaptation-performance phenomena is a long-standing problem... more INTRODUCTION Unravelling the training-adaptation-performance phenomena is a long-standing problem in sports science. However, research to date has tended to focus on the relationships between training and athlete wellness, with relatively little exploration of how wellness subsequently impacts performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether self-reported symptoms of training distress, motivation, and burnout could distinguish between responders and non-responders to training in rowing. METHODS Nineteen sub-elite rowers (11 males, 8 females) were monitored across a 12-week training block. Participants were grouped as Responders or Non-Responders if their rowing ergometer performance improved or did not improve. Athletes completed the Multidimensional Training Distress Scale (MTDS; Main et al., 2009) and training logs (Session-Rating of Perceived Exertion (S-RPE; Foster et al., 2001)) weekly. The Sport Motivation Scale (SMS; Pelletier et al., 1995) and Athlete Burnou...
PLOS ONE, 2015
To examine the effects of sleep restriction on firefighters' physical task performance during sim... more To examine the effects of sleep restriction on firefighters' physical task performance during simulated wildfire suppression.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2013
The systematic management of training requires accurate training load measurement. However, quant... more The systematic management of training requires accurate training load measurement. However, quantifying the training of elite Australian rowers is challenging because of (a) the multicenter, multistate structure of the national program; (b) the variety of training undertaken; and (c) the limitations of existing methods for quantifying the loads accumulated from varied training formats. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to develop a new measure for quantifying training loads in rowing (the T2minute method). Sport scientists and senior coaches at the National Rowing Center of Excellence collaborated to develop the measure, which incorporates training duration, intensity, and mode to quantify a single index of training load. To account for training at different intensities, the method uses standardized intensity zones (T zones) established at the Australian Institute of Sport. Each zone was assigned a weighting factor according to the curvilinear relationship between power output and blood lactate response. Each training mode was assigned a weighting factor based on whether coaches perceived it to be "harder" or "easier" than on-water rowing. A common measurement unit, the T2minute, was defined to normalize sessions in different modes to a single index of load; one T2minute is equivalent to 1 minute of on-water single scull rowing at T2 intensity (approximately 60-72% VO2max). The T2minute method was successfully implemented to support national training strategies in Australian high performance rowing. By incorporating duration, intensity, and mode, the T2minute method extends the concepts that underpin current load measures, providing 1 consistent system to quantify loads from varied training formats.
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2010
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The use of wearable GPS units in team sport is growing rapidly. Housed wit... more ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The use of wearable GPS units in team sport is growing rapidly. Housed within these units is a triaxial accelerometer capable of logging acceleration data during training and competition. These data have the potential of giving coaches and scientists an indirect measure of load experienced by athletes “in-field”. Little study has focused on the validity of GPS housed accelerometers for measuring body loads in running and cutting which are basic maneuvers in many team sports. Thus the aim of this investigation was to validate accelerometer data during running and cutting tasks against a criterion measure. METHODOLOGY: Ten participants (5 male, 5 female) performed multiple running and cutting tasks. Acceleration data was measured from a 24-camera high speed motion analysis system (Eagle-4, Motion Analysis Corp., USA) from three markers (ankle, base of the spine and base of the neck). Acceleration was also collected from an accelerometer housed within a GPS unit (SPI Pro, GPSports Pty Ltd., Australia) which was worn at the base of the neck. A three-way general linear model ANOVA was used to determine whether the peak acceleration values recorded by each measurement tool for each task were significantly different from one another. Percentage coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated between the peak acceleration from the motion analysis system and the accelerometer. RESULTS: Peak acceleration data from the accelerometer was significantly higher in both the running and cutting tasks when compared to the motion analysis data. Further, percentage CV values calculated for both accelerometer variables (vertical load and vector magnitude load) were large (>34%) and well above acceptable limits. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that GPS housed accelerometers placed at the base of the neck, as they are commonly used in field team sports, do not provide an accurate measure of load experienced during running and cutting movements. This may be attributed to the distance of the accelerometer from the impact site, the effects of impact attenuation, and vibration of the accelerometer within its harness. The data from these monitors may however have more utility if appropriate data smoothing routines are applied in post-processing of the data to negate the effect of unwanted vibration. Further investigation may also delve into the feasibility of different accelerometer placement sites and attachment methods to minimize monitor vibration while addressing accessibility, athlete comfort, and safety factors in the context of team sports use.
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2012
Introduction: Respiratory difficulties in athletes are common, especially in adolescents, even in... more Introduction: Respiratory difficulties in athletes are common, especially in adolescents, even in the absence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Immaturity of the respiratory muscles coupling at high respiratory rates could be a potential mechanism. Whether respiratory muscle training (RMT) by means of eucapnic hyperventilation can positively influence it is yet unknown. Goal: We investigated the effects of RMT on ventilation and performance parameters in adolescent athletes and hypothesize that RMT will enhance respiratory capacity.
INTRODUCTION: Elite rowers undertake a combination of rowing-specific and non-specific modes of t... more INTRODUCTION: Elite rowers undertake a combination of rowing-specific and non-specific modes of training, incorporating bouts of continuous and interval efforts, and low- and high-intensity work (Steinacker 1993). However, current training load measures are not suitable for measuring load in certain modes and intensities, e.g., heart rate monitoring is not valid during intermittent work (Achten & Jeukendrup 2003). To address these limitations, the T2minute method was developed to quantify rowing training loads. The method incorporates a modal weighting factor to account for differences in load imposed by training in various modes. The measure also includes intensity weighting factors based upon intensity zones standardised by the Australian Institute of Sport. The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of the T2minute method for quantifying elite rowing training loads, by comparing the method to Banister’s TRIMP (Banister et al. 1975) and the Session-Rating of Perceived E...
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Papers by Jacqueline Tran