Kevin G Thompson

• BSc(Hons) M.MED.SCI PhD
• CEO at NSW Institute of Sport

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the reliability of surface electromyography (EMG) assessed at seven muscles during three repeated 2000 m rowing ergometer sessions. Methods Twelve male well-trained rowers participated in a repeated measures design, performing three 2000 m rowing ergometer sessions interspersed by 3–7 days (S1, S2, S3). Surf...

Objectives Determine the extent and underlying causes of post-exercise hyperthermia in athletes with a spinal cord injury following exercise. Design Observational. Methods Thirty-one males (8 with tetraplegia [TP; C5-C8], 7 with high paraplegia [HP; T1-T5], 8 with low paraplegia [LP; T6-L1] and 8 able-bodied [AB]), recovered in 35 °C/50%RH for 45...

Pacing is arguably more crucial for optimal performance in swimming than in land-based sports, however little is known about the process of developing pacing skills in swimmers. The aim of this study was to examine the current practices of high-performance swimming coaches in relation to pacing entrainment and competition preparation. Twenty-one sw...

Purpose: Although pacing is considered crucial for success in individual swimming events, there is a lack of research examining pacing in relays. The authors investigated the impact of start lap and pacing strategy on swimming performance and whether these strategies differ between relays and the corresponding individual event. Methods: Race dat...

The aim of this study was to investigate whether individuals who engage in more frequent self-regulation are less susceptible to mental fatigue. Occupational cognitive demand and participation in sports or exercise were quantified as activities requiring self-regulation. Cardiorespiratory fitness was also assessed. On separate occasions, participan...

New findings: What is the central question of this study? Hyperoxia enhances endurance performance by increasing O2 availability to locomotor muscles. We investigated whether hyperoxia can also improve prolonged self-paced exercise under conditions of elevated thermal and cardiovascular strain. What is the main finding and its importance? Hyperoxi...

INTRODUCTION: Pacing is considered crucial to success in swimming, however little is known about the methods and tools utilised by coaches to entrain pacing strategies. With recent technology advancements in swimming there are a wide a range of new training tools and devices available to coaches, including various pacing aids. The primary aim of th...

We investigated the variability of strength trained athletes' self-selected rest periods between sets of heavy squat training. Sixteen strength-trained male athletes (Mage = 23, SD = 3 years) completed two squat training sessions 48 hours apart. Each training session consisted of five sets of 5RM squats, interspersed with self-selected interset res...

Purpose: This study aimed to establish the true influence of spinal cord injury (SCI) level on core temperature and sweating during exercise in the heat independently of biophysical factors. Methods: A total of 31 trained males (8 with tetraplegia [TP; C5-C8], 7 with high paraplegia [HP; T1-T5], 8 with low paraplegia [LP; T6-L1], and 8 able bodi...

Purpose: To assess pacing strategies using prescribed and self-selected inter-set rest periods and their influence on performance in strength trained athletes. Methods: Sixteen strength-trained male athletes completed three randomised heavy-strength training sessions (five sets, five repetitions) with different inter-set rest periods. The inter-...

Purpose: Determine if a series of trials with fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) content deception could improve 4000-m cycling time-trial (TT) performance. Methods: Fifteen trained male cyclists (mean ± SD: body mass 74.2 ± 8.0 kg; peak oxygen uptake 62 ± 6 mL.kg-1.min-1) completed six, 4000-m cycling TTs in a semi-randomised order. After a fam...

The questionable efficacy of Live High Train High altitude training (LHTH) is compounded by minimal training quantifica-tion in many studies. We sought to quantify the training load (TL) periodization in a cohort of elite runners completing LHTH immediately prior to competition. Eight elite runners (6 males, 2 females) with a V ̇ O2peak of 70 ± 4 m...

New finding: What is the central question of this study? To determine how 14 days of LHTL at simulated altitude alters an individual's metabolomic/metabolic profile? What is the main finding and its importance? This study demonstrated that ∼200 h of moderate simulated altitude exposure showed greater variance in measured metabolites between-person...

Interest in medal winning opportunities in swimming relays has grown with the addition of mixed events at the FINA World Championships and the 2020 Olympics. Although pacing is considered crucial for success in individual events, there is a lack of research examining pacing in relays. Performance in relays may be affected by the order swimmers are...

Mental fatigue reflects a change in psychobiological state, caused by prolonged periods of demanding cognitive activity. It has been well documented that mental fatigue impairs cognitive performance; however, more recently, it has been demonstrated that endurance performance is also impaired by mental fatigue. The mechanism behind the detrimental e...

Purpose: To determine the effect of altitude training at 1600 and 1800 m on sea-level (SL) performance in national-level runners. Methods: After 3 wk of SL training, 24 runners completed a 3-wk sojourn at 1600 m (ALT1600, n = 8), 1800 m (ALT1800, n = 9), or SL (CON, n = 7), followed by up to 11 wk of SL racing. Race performance was measured at S...

Introduction: We sought to determine the effect of low and moderate normobaric hypoxia on oxygen consumption and anaerobic contribution during interval running at different exercise intensities. Methods: Eight runners (age: 25 ± 7 years, V˙O2max: 72.1 ± 5.6 ml.kg.min) completed three separate interval sessions at threshold (4 x 5 min, 2 min reco...

Background: Pacing strategy, or how energy is distributed during exercise, can substantially impact athletic performance and is considered crucial for optimal performance in many sports. This is particularly true in swimming given the highly resistive properties of water and low mechanical efficiency of the swimming action. Objectives: The aim o...

Prior research indicates that providing participants with positive augmented feedback tends to enhance motor learning and performance, whereas the opposite occurs with negative feedback. However, the majority of studies were conducted with untrained participants performing unfamiliar motor tasks and so it remains unclear if elite athletes completin...

Subjective feelings of appetite assessment via 1–10 Likert visual analogue scale. (JPG)

Linear mixed model data for the energy intake model. Data are presented as the F-statistic and p-value, and a +/- symbol to denote a positive or negative linear association over time, where relevant. Where a significant linear relationship is observed, * denotes p < 0.05, ** denotes p < 0.01, *** denotes p < 0.001. (DOCX)

Raw data: Appetite. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Raw data: Cycling performance. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Raw data: Mood questionnaires—Multicomponent training distress scale. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Raw data: Mood questionnaires—RESTQ-52 sport. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Raw data: Absolute RMR. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Raw data: Relative RMR. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Raw data: Minute ventilation [VE(STPD)]. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Raw data: Biochemical markers PRE-POST ergometer warm-up. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Raw data: Heart rate variability. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Linear mixed model data for the body composition model. Data are presented as the F-statistic and p-value, and a +/- symbol to denote a positive or negative linear association over time, where relevant. Where a significant linear relationship is observed, * denotes p < 0.05, ** denotes p < 0.01, *** denotes p < 0.001. (DOCX)

Linear mixed model data for the biochemical markers model. Data are presented as the F-statistic and p-value, and a +/- symbol to denote a positive or negative linear association over time, where relevant. Where a significant linear relationship is observed, * denotes p < 0.05, ** denotes p < 0.01, *** denotes p < 0.001. (DOCX)

Linear mixed model data for the heart rate variability model. Data are presented as the F-statistic and p-value, and a +/- symbol to denote a positive or negative linear association over time, where relevant. Where a significant linear relationship is observed, * denotes p < 0.05, ** denotes p < 0.01, *** denotes p < 0.001. (DOCX)

Linear mixed model data for the cycling performance model. Data are presented as the F-statistic and p-value, and a +/- symbol to denote a positive or negative linear association over time, where relevant for the Modified Power Profile sprints and 4000m TT. Where a significant linear relationship is observed, * denotes p < 0.05, ** denotes p < 0.01...

Linear mixed model data for the mood questionnaire tesponses model. Data are presented as the F-statistic and p-value, and a +/- symbol to denote a positive or negative linear association over time, where relevant for a) the MTDS and b) RESTQ-52 Sport. Where a significant linear relationship is observed,* denotes p < 0.05, ** denotes p < 0.01, ***...

Linear mixed model data for the appetite model. Data are presented as the F-statistic and p-value, and a +/- symbol to denote a positive or negative linear association over time, where relevant. Where a significant linear relationship is observed, * denotes p < 0.05, ** denotes p < 0.01, *** denotes p < 0.001. (DOCX)

Raw data: Body composition. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Raw data: Energy intake. Data are presented as individual values for each time point, and group mean ± SD. (DOCX)

Background Recent research has demonstrated decreases in resting metabolic rate (RMR), body composition and performance following a period of intensified training in elite athletes, however the underlying mechanisms of change remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate how an intensified training period, designed to e...

Recently, a novel optical player tracking system has been developed to determine positional information of athletes in a non-invasive manner. The aim of this study was to measure the accuracy and reliability of displacement estimates derived from the system. Participants completed five soccer-specific running courses at three different speeds three...

Studies examining pacing strategies during 4000m cycling time-trials (TTs) typically ensure participants are not pre-fatigued, however competitive cyclists often undertake TTs when already pre-fatigued. This study aimed to determine how TT pacing strategies and sprint characteristics of cyclists change during an intensified training period (mesocyc...

The potential relationship between physical activity and endogenous pain modulatory capacity remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to compare the pain modulatory responses of athletes and non-athletes. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) was assessed in 15 athletes and 15 non-athletes at rest. Participation was restricted to pa...

Money has frequently been used as an extrinsic motivator since it is assumed that humans are willing to invest more effort for financial reward. However, the influence of a monetary reward on pacing and performance in trained athletes is not well-understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the influence of a monetary reward in well-...

Introduction: Mental fatigue has consistently been shown to impair endurance performance including both time to exhaustion tasks and self-paced time trials (Van Cutsem et al., 2017). A recent study however, reported that when compared to recreational endurance athletes, professional endurance athletes performed better on a mentally fatiguing task o...

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether facial feature tracking reliably measures changes in facial movement across varying exercise intensities. Fifteen cyclists completed three, incremental intensity, cycling trials to exhaustion while their faces were recorded with video cameras. Facial feature tracking was found to be a moderatel...

Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a magnitude of deception of 5% in power output would lead to a greater reduction in the amount of time taken for participants to complete a 4000 m cycling TT than a magnitude of deception of 2% in power output, which we have previously shown can lead to a small change in 4000 m cycling...

(XLSX)

Background The ergogenic effects of analgesic substances suggest that pain perception is an important regulator of work-rate during fatiguing exercise. Recent research has shown that endogenous inhibitory responses, which act to attenuate nociceptive input and reduce perceived pain, can be increased following transcranial direct current stimulation...

Dataset

Background Elite rowers complete a high volume of training across a number of modalities to prepare for competition, including periods of intensified load, which may lead to fatigue and short-term performance decrements. As yet, the influence of substantial fatigue on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and exercise regulation (pacing), and their subseque...

Four elite rowers completed a 12-day altitude training camp living at 1800 m, and training at 1800 m and 915 m, to assess changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR). RMR and body composition were assessed pre- and postcamp. Downward trends in RMR and body composition were observed postaltitude: absolute RMR (percent change: –5.2%), relative RMR (–4.6%...

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the acceleration (≥2ms(-2)) and deceleration (≤-2ms(-2)) profiles of elite female soccer players during competitive matches. Design: Single cohort, observational study. Methods: An Optical Player Tracking system was used to determine acceleration (≥2ms(-2)) and deceleration (≤-2ms(-2)) variabl...

McGowan, CJ, Pyne, DB, Raglin, JS, Thompson, KG, and Rattray, B. Current warm-up practices and contemporary issues faced by elite swimming coaches. J Strength Cond Res 30(12): 3471–3480, 2016—A better understanding of current swimming warm-up strategies is needed to improve their effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to describe current prec...

In search of their optimal performance athletes will alter their pacing strategy according to intrinsic and extrinsic physiological, psychological and environmental factors. However, the effect of some of these variables on pacing and exercise performance remains somewhat unclear. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to provide an overview...

Purpose: This investigation sought to determine the effect of training at 2100 metres natural altitude on running speed (RS) during training sessions over a range of intensities relevant to middle-distance running performance. Methods: In an observational study, 19 elite middle-distance runners (mean ± SD; Age, 25 ± 5 years; VO2 max, 71 ± 5 ml.k...

The aim of this study was to determine the high-speed running and sprinting profiles of elite female soccer players during competitive matches using a new Optical Player Tracking System. Eight stationary video cameras were positioned at vantage points surrounding the soccer field so that when each camera view was combined the entire field could be...

Purpose: To examine the influence of morning exercise on afternoon sprint swimming performance. Methods: Thirteen competitive swimmers (seven male, 19 ± 3 y; six female, 17 ± 3 y; mean ± SD) completed a morning session of 1200 m of varied intensity swimming (SwimOnly), a combination of varied intensity swimming and a resistance exercise routine...

This study investigated the effect of completing additional warm-up strategies in the transition phase between the pool warm up and the start of a race on elite sprint-swimming performance. Twenty-five elite swimmers (12 men, 20 ± 3 yr; 13 women, 20 ± 2 yr, performance standard ~807 FINA2014 points) completed a standardised pool warm-up followed by...

High altitude exposure can increase resting metabolic rate (RMR) and induce weight loss in obese populations, but there is a lack of research regarding RMR in athletes at moderate elevations common to endurance training camps. The present study aimed to determine whether four weeks of classical altitude training affects RMR in middle-distance runne...

The potential relationship between physical activity and endogenous pain modulatory capacity remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to compare the pain modulatory responses of athletes and non-athletes. Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) was assessed in 15 athletes and 15 non-athletes at rest. Participation was restricted to pa...

Purpose: Given the important role of the brain in regulating endurance performance, this comparative study sought to determine whether professional road cyclists have superior inhibitory control and resistance to mental fatigue compared to recreational road cyclists. Methods: After preliminary testing and familiarization, eleven professional and...

Performance, physiological and psychological data. (XLSX)

Stroop performance data for professional and recreational road cyclists. (XLSX)

Competitive swimmers typically experience a delay (transition phase) between the pool warm-up and race start. Additional warm-ups may be required to optimize performance. Exercise completed several hours prior to an event may also elicit a priming effect on performance later that same day. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of additional warm-ups and...

This study aimed to determine the effects of a short-term, strength training intervention, typically undertaken by club-standard rowers, on 2,000 m rowing performance and strength and power development. Twenty-eight male rowers were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. All participants performed baseline testing involving assessment...

The post-exercise hepcidin response during prolonged (>2 weeks) hypoxic exposure is not well understood. We compared plasma hepcidin levels 3 h after exercise [6 × 1000 m at 90% of maximal aerobic running velocity (vVO2max)] performed in normoxia and normobaric hypoxia (3000 m simulate altitude) 1 week before, and during 14 days of normobaric hypox...

The purpose of this study was to compare the pacing profiles between distance- and duration-based trials of short and long duration. 13 trained cyclists completed two time-based (6 min and 30 min) and two distance-based (4 km and 20 km) self-paced cycling time trials. Participants were instructed to complete each trial with the highest average powe...

Purpose: To investigate the physical and physiological response to different formats of various-sided games. Methods: Eighteen elite female soccer players wore 15Hz global positioning system (GPS) devices and heart-rate monitors during various-sided games (small: 4v4 and 5v5, medium: 6v6 and 7v7, large: 8v8 and 9v9). Results: Players covered m...

We investigated whether performance gains achieved with deception persisted after the deception was revealed, and whether pacing strategy changed. 14 trained cyclists completed 4 simulated 4-km time trials (TT) on a cycle ergometer comprising familiarization and baseline trials (BAS), followed by "unaware" (of deception, UAW) and "aware" (of decept...

The aim of the present study was to determine if a single ParvoMedics TrueOne 2400 metabolic cart provides valid and reliable measurement of RMR in comparison with the criterion Douglas Bag method (DB). Ten endurance-trained participants completed duplicate RMR measurements on two consecutive days using the ParvoMedics system in 'Exercise' mode, wi...

Purpose: Targeted passive heating and completion of dryland-based activation exercises within the warm-up can enhance sprint freestyle performance. We investigated if these interventions would also elicit improvements in sprint breaststroke swimming performance. Methods: Ten national and internationally competitive swimmers (~805 FINA2014 scorin...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of moderate-high altitude on power output, cadence, speed and heart rate during a multi-day cycling tour. Methods: Power output, heart rate, speed and cadence were collected from elite male road cyclists during maximal efforts of 5, 15, 30, 60, 240 and 600 s. The efforts were complet...

It is widely accepted that warming-up prior to exercise is vital for the attainment of optimum performance. Both passive and active warm-up can evoke temperature, metabolic, neural and psychology-related effects, including increased anaerobic metabolism, elevated oxygen uptake kinetics and post-activation potentiation. Passive warm-up can increase...

To investigate if swimming performance is better in a relay race compared to the corresponding individual race. 166 elite male swimmers from 15 nations were analyzed within the same competition (downloaded from www.swimrankings.net). Out of a total of 778 observed races, 144 were Olympic Games performances (2000, 2004 & 2012), with the remaining 63...

Exercise is known to result in hemodynamic changes in the bi-lateral prefrontal cortex. The aim of this study was to investigate hemodynamic changes in right and left hemispheres of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during incremental cycling exercise. Following ten minutes rest, nine participants (mean age 26.6 ± 2.5 years, mass 77.5 ± 9.7 kg and statur...

Introduction In competitive swimming after the pool warm-up, swimmers must change into their racing suit, confer with their coach and report to marshalling ~15-20 min prior to race start, thus transition phases of 30-45 min are not uncommon. There is a risk of a significant decline in body temperature with a long transition phase given that body t...

This 10 min oral presentation was delivered at the 20th Annual European Congress of Sport Science in Malmo.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of 14 days live high, train low (LHTL) altitude exposure (14 h.d-1, at 3,000 m simulate altitude) on resting and post-exercise hepcidin and iron parameter responses in distance runners. Methods: Ten well-trained distance runners (six males, four females) performed a 6 × 1,000 m interval running session at 90% v...

Introduction: Mental fatigue (MF) increases perceived exertion (RPE) and impairs endurance performance in recreationally-trained athletes (Marcora 2009; Pageaux 2014). The effect of MF on elite athletes is unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the performance, physiological and psychological responses of elite cyclists following a bout of men...

The lengthy competition transition phases commonly experienced by competitive swimmers may mitigate the benefits of the pool warm-up. To combat this, we examined the impact of additional passive and active warm-up strategies on sprint swimming performance. Counterbalanced, repeated-measures cross-over study. Sixteen junior competitive swimmers comp...

The aim of this study was to assess the total and exercise energy expenditure of elite female soccer players during a training week. Eight elite female soccer players wore SenseWear Mini Armbands (SWA) for seven consecutive days during the preseason phase of a national league competition. In addition, players wore 15Hz GPSports tracking devices dur...

To investigate the variation in training demands, physical performance and player wellbeing across a female soccer season. Seventeen elite female players wore GPS tracking devices during every training session (n = 90) throughout one national league season. Intermittent high-speed running capacity, 5, 15 and 25m sprint testing were conducted at the...

Mara, JK, Thompson, KG, and Pumpa, KL. Assessing the energy expenditure of elite female soccer players: A preliminary study. J Strength Cond Res 29(10): 2780–2786, 2015—The aim of this study was to assess the total and exercise energy expenditure of elite female soccer players during a training week. Eight elite female soccer players wore SenseWear...

Mental fatigue can negatively impact on submaximal endurance exercise and has been attributed to changes in perceived exertion rather than changes in physiological variables. The impact of mental fatigue on maximal anaerobic performance is, however, unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to induce a state of mental fatigue to examine...

This study examined the acceleration demands associated with changing direction and the subsequent physiological consequences of acceleration during running at 3 submaximal speeds. 10 male professional footballers completed four 600 m running bouts at 3 speeds (2.50, 3.25 & 4.00 m.s-1). Each bout was in the format of either: i) 3 laps of a 200 m tr...

A better understanding of current swimming warm-up strategies is needed to improve their effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to describe current pre-competition warm-up practices and identify contemporary issues faced by elite swimming coaches during competition. Forty-six state-international level swimming coaches provided information via...

Purpose To determine the effect of intravenous iron supplementation on performance, fatigue and overall mood in runners without clinical iron deficiency. Methods Fourteen distance runners with serum ferritin 30–100 µg·L−1 were randomly assigned to receive three blinded injections of intravenous ferric-carboxymaltose (2 ml, 100 mg, IRON) or normal...

Purpose: Previous literature has presented pacing data of groups of competition finalists. The aim of this study was to analyze the pacing patterns displayed by medalists and nonmedalists in international competitive 400-m swimming and 1500-m running finals. Methods: Split times were collected from 48 swimming finalists (four 100-m laps) and 60...

We've all heard the advice 'Pace yourself. Save energy and finish strong'. It sounds simple enough, so why is it so hard? Why do even supremely conditioned elite athletes mismanage their energy supplies and fail to finish strong? Pacing: Individual Strategies for Optimal Performance examines the latest science, research and application in search of...

Purpose: To quantify the effects of a 12-wk isolated core-training program on 50-m front-crawl swim time and measures of core musculature functionally relevant to swimming. Methods: Twenty national-level junior swimmers (10 male and 10 female, 16±1 y, 171±5 cm, 63±4 kg) participated in the study. Group allocation (intervention [n=10], control [n...

Plasma volume can be modulated by altitude exposure (decrease) and periods of intense exercise (increase). Cycle racing at altitude combines both stimuli, although presently no data exist to document which is dominant. Hemoglobin mass (Hbmass), hemoglobin concentration [Hb], and percent reticulocytes (%Retics) of altitude (ALT, n=9) and sea-level (...

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether performance gains achieved with deception persist after the deception was revealed, and to assess whether pacing strategy was altered following knowledge of deception. Methods: Fourteen trained competitive cyclists completed four simulated 4-km cycling time trials on a cycle ergometer...