Lars Donath

Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln | DSHS · Intervention Research in Exercise Training

Annually, one in three seniors aged over 65 years fall. Balance and strength training can reduce neuromuscular fall risk factors and fall rates. Besides conventional balance and strength training, explosive or high-velocity strength training, eccentric exercises, perturbation-based balance training, trunk strength, and trunk control have also been...

Background Balance training is considered an important means to decrease fall rates in seniors. Whether virtual reality training (VRT) might serve as an appropriate treatment strategy to improve neuromuscular fall risk parameters in comparison to alternative balance training programs (AT) is as yet unclear. Objective To examine and classify the eff...

Background: Mindfulness as a present-oriented form of mental training affects cognitive processes and is increasingly considered meaningful for sport psychological training approaches. However, few intervention studies have examined the effects of mindfulness practice on physiological and psychological performance surrogates or on performance outc...

Background Adequate static and dynamic balance performance is an important prerequisite during daily and sporting life. Various traditional and innovative balance training concepts have been suggested to improve postural control or neuromuscular fall risk profiles over recent years. Whether slackline training (balancing over narrow nylon ribbons) s...

The study examined effects of traditional balance vs. mat-based Pilates training on balance and trunk strength in healthy community dwellers. Forty-eight seniors were either stratified to a balance training group (BAL, n=16, 69.1 (SD 5.8) y), Pilates training group (PIL, n=17, 70.8 (6.5) y) or control group (CON, n=15, 69.2 (6.1) y). BAL performed...

Objectives As a high-intensity intermittent sport with short and repeated rapid accelerations, decelerations and changes of direction, badminton involves high joint and muscle loads. This review aims to identify relevant injury risk characteristics and factors that facilitate developing and implementing badminton-specific injury prevention programm...

The aim of this study was to investigate the change of direction (COD) frequencies and intensities of high- performance soccer players of the German Bundesliga independent of tactical and match context. COD data were collected from 18 German Bundesliga soccer teams (season 2016–2017; 308 fixtures) by an optical tracking system (OTS) (TRACAB). CODs...

Purpose High-intensity functional interval training (HIFT) is predominantly composed of high exercise training intensities (HiT) and loads. Both have been linked to a higher risk of overtraining and injuries in inexperienced populations. A polarized training approach is characterized by high amounts of low-intensity training (LiT) and only approxim...

Purpose Within human skeletal muscle, statin treatment leads to elevated levels of the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ). Further, GILZ mediates the muscle-related side effects of statins. Physical exercise leads to GILZ suppression, in a mechanosensitive manner. Given that statin treatment is rarely tolerated by habitually exercising in...

Introduction Major depressive disorders (MDD) are a leading health concern worldwide. While first line medication treatments may fall short of desired therapeutic outcomes, physical activity (PA) interventions appear to be a promising and cost-effective add-on to improve symptoms of depression. This study aimed to address challenges in the assessme...

The decision of the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne to replace horse riding with Obstacle after the 2024 Olympic Games challenges training, testing, and recovery management in Modern Pentathlon. This commentary discusses physiological, technical, and tactical effects of rule changes in the 5 disciplines with a specific focus on the new d...

Chronic low back disorders are the leading cause of direct and indirect healthcare burden globally. Exercise training improves pain intensity, mental health and physical function. However, the optimal prescription variables are unknown. We aim to compare the efficacy of various exercise dosages for chronic low back disorders to identify the optimal...

Introduction: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) cannot be clearly distinguished from and may be explained in large by warm-up effects. To disentangle PAPE from a systemic warm-up effect, we conducted three randomized crossover trials (RCT). Methods: Each RCT consisted of a familiarization/one-repetition-maximum (1RM) assessment session...

The aim of this pilot study is to develop a method to measure the sport-specific biomechanics of the Olympic discipline of halfpipe snowboarding. An integrated fusion approach using a global navigation satellite system, inertial measurement units, and an insole system to analyse the athlete's position, movements, and forces transmitted to the board...

Methods • Systematic literature search & screening [Pubmed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus] • Frequentist network meta-analysis (R version 4.3.2, package 'netmeta') [3] P I C O S ≥ 60 years Resistance training ≥28 days / ≥8 sessions Active and inactive Measurement of maximal strength-related outcome Pre-and post testing Study information • 29 out of 6...

The glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) serves as an anti-inflammatory regulator of gene expression in different tissues and is also expressed in human skeletal muscle. GILZ mediates the anti-myogenic and myotoxic side effects of statins via a shift in the Akt/FoxO signaling pathways. Recent evidence suggests that GILZ suppression is regul...

The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation generates several metabolites such as kynurenine or kynurenic acid that serve as endogenous ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Due to its distinct biological roles particularly modulating the immune system, the AHR is a current therapeutic target across different inflammation-related dis...

The glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) serves as an anti-inflammatory regulator of gene expression in different tissues and is also expressed in human skeletal muscle. GILZ mediates the anti-myogenic and myotoxic side effects of statins via a shift in the Akt/FoxO signaling pathways. Recent evidence suggests that GILZ suppression is regul...

Objective: Wheelchair basketball (WCB) demands high-intensity training due to its intermittent nature. However, acute oxygen uptake (V˙O2) in handcycling is restricted. Combining handcycling with low-frequency electromyostimulation (LF-EMS) may enhance V˙O2 in elite WBC athletes. Design: Randomized crossover trail. Subjects: Twelve German national...

INTRODUCTION & AIMS The structure and function of human tissue, such as bone, muscle and tendon, can be improved with targeted exercise training. However, the effects of exercise training on intervertebral disc tissue has received comparably less attention. With a scope to identify types of exercise training that improve intervertebral disc health,...

Over 300 million individuals worldwide suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD). Individuals with MDD are less physically active than healthy people which results in lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and less favorable perceived fitness compared with healthy controls. Additionally, individuals with MDD may show autonomic system dysfunction....

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether manipulating contextual effects (eg, interaction with patients, or beliefs about treatments) boosted the outcomes of nonpharmacological and nonsurgical treatments for chronic primary musculoskeletal pain. DESIGN: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials DATA SOURCES: We searched for trials in 6 databases, ci...

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an increasingly common psychiatric illness associated with a high risk of insufficient physical activity, which in turn is associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes. Theory-based, individually tailored, in-person and remote physical activity counseling has the potential to increase physical acti...

Held, S, Rappelt, L, Rein, R, Deutsch, J-P, Wiedenmann, T, and Donath, L. Five-week, low-intensity, blood flow restriction rowing improves V̇ o 2 max in elite Rowers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2024—This controlled intervention study examined the effects of low-intensity rowing with blood flow restriction (BFR) on maximal oxygen uptake (V̇...

The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation generates several metabolites such as kynurenine or kynurenic acid that serve as endogenous ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Due to its distinct biological roles particularly modulating the immune system, the AHR is a current therapeutic target across different inflammation-related dis...

Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Telemedicine is of growing importance, yet impacts on treatment efficacy remain unclear. Objective: This umbrella review (CRD42022298047) examined the effectiveness of telemedicine interventions on pain intensity, disability, psychological function, quality of life...

Background and Objective Contextual effects (e.g. patient expectations) may play a role in treatment effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of contextual effects for conservative, non‐pharmacological interventions for musculoskeletal pain conditions. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) tha...

The maximal lactate accumulation rate (VLamax) has been linked to lactic anaerobic performance. Hence, accurate and reliable assessment is crucial in sport-specific performance testing. Thus, between-day reliability data of rowing-specific VLamax assessment was examined. Seventeen trained rowers (eight females and nine males; 19.5±5.2 yrs; 1.76±0.0...

Musculoskeletal pain conditions are the largest contributors to disability and healthcare burden globally. Exercise interventions improve physical function and quality of life in individuals with musculoskeletal pain, yet optimal exercise prescription variables (e.g. duration, frequency, intensity) are unclear. We aimed to examine evidence gaps, me...

Background The planning of training is a popular yet controversial topic among coaches and sports scientists. Periodisation is often presented in the literature as the most efficacious approach to planning training. While historically surveys of coaches appeared to support this a key failing was that no unified definition of periodisation exists. R...

Background: Exercise training recommendations for seniors include the targeted training of strength, balance, endurance and flexibility domains. Agility training (AT) is conceptualized as a multi-component and time-efficient training framework for older adults to improve physical, functional and cognitive health domains that are relevant for mainta...

Geschwindigkeitsbasiertes Krafttraining verbessert die Sprung-, Spring- und Kraftleistung. Die Autoren haben verschiedene Studien miteinander verglichen, um herauszufinden, ob die Trainingseffekte hierbei besser sind als bei traditionellem Krafttraining.

Wer wünscht sich nicht ein einfaches System zur Ermittlung der optimalen Trainingsbelastung? Herkömmliche Verfahren sind oft aufwendig, wenig objektiv und werden den Trainierenden wegen der unvermeidbaren Leistungsschwankungen oft nicht gerecht. Geschwindigkeitsbasiertes Krafttraining verspricht hier Abhilfe. Es ermöglicht eine relativ einfache Erm...

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an increasingly common psychiatric illness associated with a high risk of insufficient physical activity, which in turn is associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes. Theory-based, individually tailored, in-person and remote physical activity counseling has the potential to increase p...

Objective We surveyed coaches’ views on topics related to the training process to elucidate whether their opinions are aligned with the current literature. Here the results for a sub-set of questions regarding factors affecting the training adaptation process are presented and discussed.Methods106 coaches [age range 18–65 + years, 31% 15 + years co...

Reliable talent identification and selection (TID) processes are prerequisites to accurately select young athletes with the most potential for talent development programmes. Knowledge about the agreement between scouts who play a key role in the initial TID in football is lacking. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the agreemen...

Introduction Compared to the general population, individuals with depression have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, little is known so far whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) moderates this relationship. Therefore, we examined whether common physiological cardiovascular risk factors differ between patients with depres...

Purpose Acute exercise elicits a transient anti-inflammatory state during the early recovery period. Since recent studies reported on regimen-specific effects on immune-related humoral factors and cellular subsets, this study compared the effects of intensity- and time-matched acute interval and continuous exercise on peripheral anti-inflammatory c...

Für eine optimale Steuerung von Trainingsumfängen und -intensitäten im Leistungssport oder in der Rehabilitation nach Verletzungen und Erkrankungen werden zunehmend neuartige Trainingsmethoden integriert. Das Blutflussrestriktionstraining (engl. Blood-Flow-Restriction Training, BFR) beschreibt eine dieser neuen Trainingsmethoden, bei der es zu eine...

Grip and elbow flexor strength and endurance are crucial performance surrogates in competitive climbing. Thus, we examined the effects of blood flow restricted (BFR) climbing on grip and elbow flexor performance. Fifteen trained climbers (8 females; 20.8 ± 7.0 yrs; 1.72 ± 0.08 m; 63.0 ± 9.7 kg; 21.7 ± 2.7 IRCRCA grade) were either assigned to the i...

Background: Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are characterized by neurocognitive impairments and show deficits in various cognitive performance indicators, including executive function. We examined whether sustained attention and inhibitory control differ between patients with MDD and healthy controls, and whether differences exist be...

Purpose: Handgrip strength is considered as important indicator for general fitness in older adults. However, it does not notably reflect adaptations from whole-body training but may reflect adaptions of multicomponent exercise training. These approaches seem to be more functional and related to relevant daily tasks. Effects of multicomponent agil...

Introduction This systematic review and network meta-analysis assessed via direct and indirect comparison the occurrence and magnitude of effects following different nutritional supplementation strategies and exercise interventions on acute and chronic rowing performance and its surrogates. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, PsycNET and SPORTDiscus s...

Introduction: Low-intensity endurance training is frequently performed at gradually higher training intensities than intended, resulting in a shift towards threshold training. By restricting oral breathing and only allowing for nasal breathing this shift might be reduced. Methods: Nineteen physically healthy adults (3 females, age: 26.5 ± 5.1 years...

The combination of strength training with complementary whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) and plyometric exercises has been shown to increase strength and jumping performance in athletes. In elite sport, however, the mesocycles of training are often organized according to block periodization. Furthermore, WB-EMS is often applied onto static...

Die Ausdauerleistungsfähigkeit bezeichnet die Fähigkeit, körperliche Belastungen über einen längeren Zeitraum aufrechtzuerhalten bzw. die Ermüdung hinauszuzögern. Sie ist im Wesentlichen durch die Kapazität des Herz-Kreislauf-Systems und Stoffwechsels determiniert. Eine Ausdauerleistungsdiagnostik ist indiziert, wenn eine generelle Bestimmung des a...

Trainingsprinzipien gelten als Handlungsorientierungen für die Gestaltung des Trainingsprozesses. In den letzten Jahrzehnten haben sich eine Vielzahl dieser Prinzipien etabliert. Je nach Bezugssystem und Sprachraum existieren in der Literatur bis zu 20 dieser Prinzipien. Deren wissenschaftliche Evidenz und die Bedeutung für den Trainingsprozess ist...

Running on less predictable terrain has the potential to increase the stimulation of the neuromuscular system and can boost aerobic performance. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of trail versus road running on neuromuscular and endurance performance parameters in running novices. Twenty sedentary participants were randoml...

The time spent above 90% of maximal oxygen uptake ( V ̇ O2max) during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions is intended to be maximized to improve V ̇ O2max. Since uphill running serves as a promising means to increase metabolic cost, we compared even and moderately inclined running in terms of time ≥90% V ̇ O2max and its corresponding p...

Sports and exercise training research is constantly evolving to maintain, improve, or regain psychophysical, social, and emotional performance. Exercise training research requires a balance between the benefits and the potential risks. There is an inherent risk of scientific misconduct and adverse events in most sports; however, there is a need to...

Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and speed at first (LT1, minimal lactate equivalent) and second lactate threshold (LT2 =LT1 + 1.5 mmol·L-1) are crucial swimming performance surrogates. The present randomized controlled study investigated the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) during low intensity swimming (LiT) on VO2peak, LT1, and LT2. Eighteen...

Running power is a popular measure to gauge objective intensity. It has recently been shown, though, that foot-worn sensors alone cannot reflect variations in the exerted energy that stems from changes in the running economy. In order to support long-term improvement in running, these changes need to be taken into account. We propose leveraging the...

Background Traditional meta-analyses with pairwise direct comparison revealed that a variety of exercise-based training interventions can prevent falls in community-dwelling older adults. This network meta-analysis adds value by comparing and ranking different exercise training strategies based on their effects on fall risk reductions determined by...

Introduction A physical activity counseling intervention based on a motivation-volition model was developed and delivered to in-patients with Major Depressive Disorders with the aim of increasing lifestyle physical activity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the short-term outcomes of this intervention. Methods A multi-center randomized control...

Chronic blood flow restriction (BFR) training has been shown to improve drop jumping (DJ) and balance performance. However, the acute effects of low intensity BFR cycling on DJ and balance indices have not yet been examined. 28 healthy young adults (9 female; 21.8 ± 2.7years; 1.79 ± 0.08m; 73.9 ± 9.5kg) performed DJ and balance testing before and i...

The combination of plyometric and resistance training (RT) is frequently used to increase power-related adaptations. Since plyometric training is most effective when athletes are in a well-rested state, the acute effect of RT on plyometric performance should be carefully considered. Thus, 15 highly trained males (23.1±3.5 yrs, 1.80±0.06 m, 79.1±7.9...

Purpose The present study aims to investigate the acute response of potential exercise-sensitive biomarkers in capillary plasma to an acute incremental running test. In a second step, their concentration was compared to the changes in the venous serum. Methods Thirty-seven active young female and male adults completed a VO2max ramp test on a tread...

Background Physical inactivity is a world-wide health issue. In people with major depressive disorders approximately 68% do not reach the recommended physical activity levels. Psychosocial determinants of and implicit attitudes towards physical activity serve to explain physical activity behavior and may form the basis of interventions to promote p...

A rowing cycle is characterised by a stretch‐shortening cycle (SSC) at the quadriceps femoris muscle‐tendon unit (MTU) level. However, due to the associated decoupling between MTU and muscle fascicle length changes, it remains unclear whether a rowing cycle causes active stretch at the muscle level. Fifteen young, sub‐elite, male rowers (19.5 ± 1.6...

Cluster Training (CT) has been shown to induce strength at lower perceived efforts compared to traditional training (TRT) with sets performed to repetition failure. These findings have not yet been extended to remote online training in middle-aged to older people. Thus the present study aimed at investigating whether a cluster set online training w...

The fact that potentially skilled, but biologically later-maturing athletes are less likely to be selected into talent development programmes (TDP) can represent a failure of Talent Identification (TID) in sports. To overcome maturation selection biases, maturation independent TID should be established to include less mature, but talented athletes...

This network meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of different velocity-based (VBT) and traditional 1RM-based resistance training (TRT) interventions on strength and power indices in healthy participants. The research was conducted until December 2021 using the online electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, PsycNet, and SPORTDis...

This systematic review and network meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different electromyostimulation (EMS) interventions on performance parameters in athletes. The research was conducted until May 2021 using the online databases PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane and SPORTDiscus for studies with the following inclusion criteria: (a...

In young and middle‐aged adults, executive function is associated with success in work‐life and mental health. Physical activity with and without cognitive training has the potential to benefit executive function, but its relative effectiveness remains unclear. This network meta‐analysis compares the effectiveness of different exercise and cognitiv...

Recreational and professional climbing is gaining popularity. Thus, valid and reliable infield strength monitoring and testing devices are required. This study aims at assessing the validity as well as within- and between-day reliability of two climbing-specific hanging positions for assessing the maximum force with a new force measurement device....