The Effects of Simulated Competition on Repeated-sprint Cycling Performance

Stress Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Effect of Simulated Competition on Repeated-sprint Cycling Performance and on Measures of Physiological and Psychological Stress.

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05571475
• Other study ID #: StMarysUC6
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 10, 2022
• Est. completion date: July 31, 2023

Study information

• Verified date: October 2022
• Source: St Mary's University College
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 16
• Est. completion date: July 31, 2023
• Est. primary completion date: July 1, 2023
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Male
• Age group: 18 Years to 50 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• regular strength/sprint training (at least 2 sessions per week)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Injured or a contraindicative medical condition

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Stress

Intervention

Other:
• Simulated competition
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.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
St Mary's University College

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	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.	From baseline to completion, ~42 days
Secondary	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.	From baseline to completion, ~42 days
Secondary	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.	From baseline to completion, ~42 days
Secondary	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.	From baseline to completion, ~42 days
Secondary	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.	From baseline to completion, ~42 days
Secondary	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.	Baseline