Fabrice Vercruyssen

University of Toulon · LAMHESS

Purpose: Repeated sessions of eccentric-biased exercise promote strength gains through neuromuscular adaptation. However, it remains unclear whether increasing the number of these sessions can mitigate the extent of neuromuscular fatigue and exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in response to a standardised eccentric-biased exercise bout. Method...

The aim of this study was to determine the minimum playing time in matches required to produce reliable acceleration – speed (AS) profiles from global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data. The playing time of 25 professional rugby union players was recorded using GNSS technology and segmented into four sections from 40, 80, 120 and 160 minutes o...

Rugby players must develop excellent levels of conditioning during adolescence. However, this pivotal period of life is also characterized by a surge in biological growth, which further increases the energy and nutritional requirements of this population. This study examined within-individual differences in energy intake (EI) and energy balance (EB...

Purpose Delayed structural and functional recovery after a 20 km graded running race was analyzed with respect to the sex effect. Methods Thirteen female and 14 male recreational runners completed the race and three test sessions: one before (PRE) and two after, once on Day 1 or 2 (D1‐2) and then on Day 3 or 4 (D3‐4). Muscle damage was assessed in...

Citation: Saidi, O.; Souabni, M.; Del Sordo, G.C.; Maviel, C.; Peyrel, P.; Maso, F.; Vercruyssen, F.; Duché, P. Association between Low Energy Availability (LEA) and Impaired Sleep Quality in Young Rugby Players. Nutrients 2024, 16, 609. https:// Abstract: Low energy availability (LEA) has been associated with several physiological consequences, bu...

Motor control, including locomotion, strongly depends on the gravitational field. Recent developments such as lower-body positive pressure treadmills (LBPPT) have enabled studies on Earth about the effects of reduced body weight (BW) on walking and running, up to 60% BW. The present experiment was set up to further investigate adaptations to a more...

It is unclear if human tendon adapts to moderate-intensity, high-volume chronic eccentric exercise, e.g. downhill running (DR) training. This study aimed to investigate the time course of patellar tendon (PT) adaptation to short-term DR training, and to determine if changes in PT properties were related to changes in mechanical stress and/or loadin...

Introduction: Originally developed for astronauts, lower body positive pressure treadmills (LBPPTs) are increasingly being used in sports and clinical settings because they allow for unweighted running. However, the neuromuscular adjustments to unweighted running remain understudied. They would be limited for certain lower limb muscles and interind...

In recent years, running has dramatically increased in children and adolescents, creating a need for a better understanding of running gait in this population; however, research on this topic is still limited. During childhood and adolescence multiple factors exist that likely influence and shape a child's running mechanics and contribute to the hi...

The ability to produce muscle power during sprint acceleration is a major determinant of physical performance. The comparison of the force–velocity (F–v: theoretical maximal force, F0; velocity, v0 and maximal power output, Pmax) profile between men and women has attracted little attention. Most studies of sex differences have failed to apply a sca...

Après une course d'endurance, le patron de récupération fonctionnelle est décrit comme biphasique, étant caractérisé par des déficits fonctionnels immédiats, suivis d'une récupération partielle à 2 h, avant de nouveaux déficits 1 à 2 jours plus tard ne s'atténuant que progressivement sur plusieurs jours. En raison du potentiel effet protecteur des...

Purpose Due to its eccentric nature, downhill running (DR) training has been suggested to promote strength gains through neuromuscular adaptations. However, it is unknown whether short-term chronic DR can elicit such adaptations. Methods Twelve untrained, young, healthy adults (5 women, 7 men) took part in 4 weeks’ DR, comprising 10 sessions, with...

In recent years, there has been a significant expansion in female participation in endurance (road and trail) running. The often reported sex differences in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) are not the only differences between sexes during prolonged running. The aim of this narrative review was thus to discuss sex differences in running biomechanics,...

INTRODUCTION: Endurance running exercises are known to induce in men a biphasic recovery, with acute and delayed functional decrements attributed to metabolic fatigue and inflammatory process respectively (1). However, most studies have focused on the acute recovery phase and only a few on its potential influence on the delayed phase (1,2). Our rec...

SUMMARY: Recent studies suggest that women may be less fatigable than men, but this has been mostly studied in isometric test condition and in the acute recovery phase. This study assessed the sex influence on the delayed neuromuscular fatigue two and four days after a 20 km graded running race by using a pluri-articular horizontal force-velocity (...

Background Thanks to the specific materials they embed, far infrared (FIR)-emitting garments can interact with the body’s physiological functions. Such effects have been sought in medicine and physiotherapy for a long time for the treatment/relief of a variety of pathologies and disabling conditions. Recently, FIR-emitting garments have been introd...

This study investigated the sex influence on the acute and delayed fatigue effects of a 20 km graded running race. Eighteen recreational runners, 10 women and 8 men, completed the race. The testing protocol included five sessions: a week before the race (PRE), 35 ± 15 min after (POST), 2 h, 2 and 4 days (2D and 4D) later. Each session included uni-...

Downhill running (DR) is a whole-body exercise model that is used to investigate the physiological consequences of eccentric muscle actions and/or exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). In a sporting context, DR sections can be part of running disciplines (of-road and road running) and can accentuate EIMD, leading to a reduction in performance. The...

DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00496.2019

Master athletes are often considered as exemplars of successful aging thanks to their capacity to maintain a high sports performance during their entire life. A high training capacity, regular participation in sporting competitions and delayed alterations in body composition and physiological capacities have been listed amongst the main factors con...

We aimed to determine the neurophysiological mechanisms associated with reduced endurance performance during cognitive-motor dual-task at different levels of cognitive load, compared to a motor task alone. Eighteen healthy men performed isometric quadriceps contractions at 15% of maximal voluntary contraction (blocks of 170s interspaced by neuromus...

Master athletes are genuine examples of successful ageing thanks to their capacity of maintaining a high level of sports performance during their entire life. Within the last decade many studies have focused on the evolution of performance in many sports with ageing, as well as on the training modalities to reach such performance. On the contrary,...

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine, from a crossover experimental design, whether wearing high-pressure compression garments (CGs) during downhill treadmill running affects soft-tissue vibrations, acute and delayed responses in running economy (RE), neuromuscular function, countermovement jump, and perceived muscle soreness. Method...

Introduction L’ajout d’une tâche cognitive à un exercice prolongé peut altérer la performance en endurance, tant chez le sportif sain que chez le malade chronique. Les mécanismes neurophysiologiques sous-jacents restent cependant méconnus. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer les ajustements s’opérant lorsqu’une tâche de mémorisation (n-back) es...

Introduction et contexte Nous assistons actuellement à un vieillissement de la population aussi bien au niveau national, qu’européen et mondial. Au 1er janvier 2018, la population française comptait 67,1 millions d’habitants dont un quart (16,8 millions) est âgé de plus de 60 ans. Cette tranche de la population française ne cesse d’augmenter. Ce so...

Purpose: To examine the extent to which the classical physiological variables of endurance running performance [VO2max, %VO2max at ventilatory threshold (VT), and running economy (RE)], but also muscle strength factors contribute to short trail running (TR) performance. Methods: A homogeneous group of nine highly-trained trail runners performed...

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of footwear and neuromuscular fatigue induced by short distance trail running (TR) on running economy (RE) and biomechanics in well-trained and traditionally shod runners. Methods: RE, vertical and leg stiffness (Kvert and Kleg) as well as foot strike angle were measured from two 5-min treadmill r...

Background: Physiological mechanisms behind the use of compression garments (CGs) during off-road running are unknown. Purpose: This study investigated the influence of wearing CGs vs. conventional running clothing (CON) on muscle contractile function and running economy before and after a short distance trail running. Methods: Knee extensors...

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing compression socks (CS) on performance indicators and physiological responses during prolonged trail running. Eleven trained runners completed a 15.6 km trail run at a competition intensity whilst wearing or not wearing CS. Counter movement jump, maximal voluntary contrac...

Background: Compression garments are increasingly popular in long-distance running events where they are used to limit cumulative fatigue and symptoms associated with mild exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). However, the effective benefits remain unclear. Objective: This study examined the effect of wearing compression stockings (CS) on EIMD...

Objectives: This study aimed to test the reproducibility of running performance, neuromuscular fatigue markers and indirect muscle damage indicators in a field-based trail time-trial. Design: Running performance and changes in classical physiological parameters were analysed in 11 experienced trail runners before and in the days following four b...

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of kick frequency on metabolic efficiency and performance in elite monofin-swimmers at the surface. Seven participants of international calibre were requested to perform three separate time limit exercises conducted at an intensity corresponding to 97.5% of the velocity at the maximal oxygen uptake. T...

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the physiological demands of freestyle kitesurfing. Ten elite subjects performed an incremental running test on a treadmill and a three 7 min simulated freestyle heats of kitesurfing in MW (Midwind) condition ranging from 15 to 22 knots. Oxygen uptake (VO(2)) was estimated from the heart rate (HR) recorded duri...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of swimming with a wetsuit on energy expenditure during subsequent cycling. Nine well-trained triathletes underwent three submaximal trials. The first trial (SC) consisted of a 750-m swim realised at a competition pace, followed by a 10-min cycling exercise at a power output corresponding to the...

To determine the acute effects of a trail running competition and the age-dependent differences between young and master athletes, 23 subjects [10 young (30.5 ± 7 years), 13 master (45.9 ± 5.9 years)] participated in a 55-km trail running competition. The study was conceived as an intervention study compromising pre, post 1, 24, 48 and 72 h measure...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of kick frequency (K F) on the energy cost of aquatic locomotion in elite monofin (Mf) swimmers at the surface. Eight subjects of international calibre (4 females, 4 males) were requested to perform in a 50-m outdoor swimming pool: (1) a continuous multi-stage incremental test to determine maximal...

Physiological characteristics to maximal exercise in elite monofin-swimmers at the surface. The objective of this study was to compare maximal physiological responses in both swimming pool and ergocycle in elite monofin-swimmers. Eight subjects performed in the swimming pool, a continuous incremental test but also an all-out 600 m test, and a maxim...

The present review of cycling science focuses on the identification of criteria that affect the freely chosen cadence (FCC) during submaximal exercise of short and prolonged durations. Cadence selection during submaximal cycling constitutes a potential parameter affecting the endurance performance in subjects of varying aerobic fitness level and ex...

To evaluate the physiological demands of kitesurfing, ten elite subjects performed an incremental running test on a 400-m track and a 30-min on-water crossing trial during a light crosswind (LW, 12-15 knots). Oxygen uptake (V(O)(2)) was estimated from the heart rate (HR) recorded during the crossing trial using the individual HR-V(O)(2) relationshi...

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that extreme pedal rates contributed to the slow component of oxygen uptake (VO(2) SC) in association with changes in surface electromyographic (sEMG) during heavy-cycle exercise. Eight male trained cyclists performed two square-wave transitions at 50 and 110 rpm at a work rate that would elicit a VO...

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of maximal strength capacity on muscle activation, during cycling, at three selected cadences: a low cadence (50 rpm), a high cadence (110 rpm) and the freely chosen cadence (FCC). Two groups of trained cyclists were selected on the basis of the different maximal isokinetic voluntary contractio...

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between strength capacity and preferred and optimal cadence in well trained cyclists. Eighteen cyclists participated in this study. Each subject completed three sessions. The initial session was to evaluate the maximal isokinetic voluntary contraction level of lower limb. The second session...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of constant versus variable power output cycling exercise on subsequent high-intensity, running performance. Eight triathletes completed two testing sessions (in a random order), which required the subjects to perform 30 min of cycling at either, a constant power output (90% of the lactate thresho...

The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic responses to variable versus constant-intensity (CI) during 20-km cycling on subsequent 5-km running performance. Ten triathletes, not only completed one incremental cycling test to determine maximal oxygen uptake and maximal aerobic power (MAP), but also three various cycle-run (C-R) combinati...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of drafting, i.e., swimming directly behind a competitor, on biomechanical adaptation during subsequent cycling. Eight well-trained male triathletes underwent three submaximal sessions in a counterbalanced order. These sessions comprised a 10-min ride on a bicycle ergometer at 75% of maximal aero...

To investigate the effect of cadence selection during the final minutes of cycling on metabolic responses, stride pattern, and subsequent running time to fatigue. Eight triathletes performed, in a laboratory setting, two incremental tests (running and cycling) to determine peak oxygen uptake (VO2PEAK) and the lactate threshold (LT), and three cycle...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of drafting (i.e., swimming directly behind a competitor) while swimming with a wet suit on physiological parameters and cadence during subsequent cycling. Eight well-trained male triathletes underwent two submaximal sessions conducted in a counterbalanced order. One of these sessions (SAC...

Purpose. – Investigate the influence of previous swimming on energy expenditure during the subsequent cycling exercise of a triathlon.Methods. – Ten well trained triathletes underwent 3 swim-to-cycle transitions and 1 isolated cycling trial (C trial). The cycling exercises consisted in 15 min on a bicycle ergometer at a power output corresponding t...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of swimming with a wetsuit on energy expenditure during subsequent cycling. Nine well-trained triathletes underwent three submaximal trials. The first trial (SC) consisted of a 750-m swim realised at a competition pace, followed by a 10-min cycling exercise at a power output corresponding to the...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of swimming with a wetsuit on energy expenditure during subsequent cycling. Nine well-trained triathletes underwent three submaximal trials. The first trial (SC) consisted of a 750-m swim realised at a competition pace,followed by a 10-min cycling exercise at a power output corresponding to the v...

After the swim to cycle transition of a triathlon, perceived exertion (RPE) during cycling was higher than during a single cycling bout for 8 well-trained triathletes, but swimming in a drafting position led to lower RPE responses and energy cost of cycling than swimming alone.

To investigate the effect of three cycling cadences on a subsequent 3000 m track running performance in well trained triathletes. Nine triathletes completed a maximal cycling test, three cycle-run succession sessions (20 minutes of cycling + a 3000 m run) in random order, and one isolated run (3000 m). During the cycling bout of the cycle-run sessi...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of different cycling cadences on metabolic and kinematic parameters during subsequent running. Eight triathletes performed two incremental tests (running and cycling) to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and ventilatory threshold (VT) values, a cycling test to assess the energeticall...

A significant effect of fatigue induced byphysical exercise leading to exhaustion was observed for 6 male triathletes using some specific analysis of the critical flicker fusion test.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of prolonged exercise at the ventilatory threshold and carbohydrate ingestion on single (SRT) and choice (CRT) reaction time. Eight well-trained triathletes completed three testing sessions within a 3-week period. Maximal oxygen uptake was determined in the first test, whereas the second and t...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an exercise duration similar to triathlon's cyclism event (approximately 1 hr), on factors determining the freely chosen cadence. Nine trained triathletes completed a cycling track session conducted at a speed corresponding to 75% of maximal heart rate. This session was composed of five sub...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an exercise duration similar to triathlon's cyclism event (EI hr), on factors determining the freely chosen cadence. Nine trained triathletes completed a cycling track session conducted at a speed corresponding to 75% of maximal heart rate. This session was composed of five submaximal rides...

The aim of this study was to examine whether the increase in the energy cost of running (C(r)), previously reported to occur at the end of a prolonged run, could be influenced by the ingestion of either an artificially sweetened placebo (Pl) or a 5.5% carbohydrate (CHO) solution. Ten well-trained triathletes completed three testing sessions within...

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between cadence and oxygen consumption with exercise duration. Ten triathletes who trained regularly were examined. The first test was always a maximal test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The other sessions were composed of six submaximal tests representing 80% of the maximal p...