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2nd Edition: Assessment of Physical Fitness and Training Effect in Individual Sports

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (12 April 2023) | Viewed by 10837

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Tadeusz Ambrozy

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Guest Editor

Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Interests: physical fitness; training; training strain; training control individual sports; martial arts combat sports; performance analysis technical and tactical preparation; trainer control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Szczepan Wiecha

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Guest Editor

Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Biała Podlaska, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: physiology; biochemistry; sports training

Prof. Dr. Wojciech J. Cynarski

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Guest Editor

Institute of Physical Culture Studies, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: cultural tourism; sport; recreation; leisure; sociology of physical culture; martial arts; martial arts tourism; physical culture in processes of globalization; institutionalization; cultural dialogues
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The first series of our Special Issue was very popular. As researchers, we are very happy to see that sport is constantly evolving. Therefore, we are pleased to open the second Special Issue of "Assessment of Physical Fitness and Training Effect in Individual Sports". This Special Issue aims to further our knowledge of physical fitness and training effects in individual sports. We are looking forward to reviewing papers on innovative forms of training that influence the development of general and special physical fitness. Additionally included in this Special Issue are training modifications and the influence of training on human homeostasis. We encourage you to submit research and review articles.

Prof. Dr. Tadeusz Ambrozy
Dr. Szczepan Wiecha
Prof. Dr. Wojciech J. Cynarski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

physical fitness
training
training strain
training control individual sports
martial arts combat sports
performance analysis technical and tactical preparation
trainer control

Related Special Issue

Assessment of Physical Fitness and Training Effect in Individual Sports in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (19 articles)

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 1280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Head Strike Incidence under K1 Rules of Kickboxing with and without Helmet Protection—A Pilot Study

by Łukasz Rydzik, Wojciech Wąsacz, Tadeusz Ambroży, Tomasz Pałka, Ewa Sobiło-Rydzik and Marta Kopańska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4713; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064713 - 7 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1717

Abstract

Background: Kickboxing is a combat sport that encompasses various forms of competition. K1 kickboxing is conducted without any restrictions on the force of strikes, and the bout can end prematurely through a knockout. Headgear has been introduced in amateur kickboxing to safeguard the head. However, scientific studies have shown that despite their use, serious head injuries can still occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal structure of the bout by calculating the number of head strikes in K1 kickboxing bouts with and without headgear. Methods: Thirty K1 kickboxing bouts were analyzed, with 30 participants included in the study. The fights were conducted according to the World Association Kickboxing Organization (WAKO) rules. The bouts consisted of three rounds of 2 min each, with a 1 min break between rounds. Sparring pairs were arranged according to weight categories. The first bouts were conducted without headgear, and two weeks later, the fights were repeated with WAKO-approved headgear. The number of head strikes was assessed retrospectively by analyzing video recordings of the bouts, categorizing strikes as hand or foot strikes, and differentiating between strikes that hit the head directly or indirectly. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between bouts with and without headgear in terms of the number of strikes to the head (p = 0.002), strikes directly to the head (p < 0.001), all hand strikes to the head (p = 0.001), hand strikes directly to the head (p = 0.003), and foot strikes directly to the head (p = 0.03). Higher values were observed in bouts with headgear. Conclusions: Headgear increases the probability of direct strikes to the head. Therefore, it is important to familiarize kickboxers with the use of headgear in their sport to minimize head injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Assessment of Physical Fitness and Training Effect in Individual Sports)

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10 pages, 539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eight Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training Using Elevation Mask May Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Pulmonary Functions, and Hematological Variables in University Athletes

by Nasser Abouzeid, Mahmoud ELnaggar, Haytham FathAllah and Mostafa Amira

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3533; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043533 - 17 Feb 2023

Viewed by 2894

Abstract

Background: In the last two decades, high-altitude training (HAT) and elevation training masks (ETMs) have been widely used among athletes to enhance physical performance. However, few studies have examined the effect of wearing ETMs on physiological and hematological parameters in different sports. Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the impact of ETM use in athletes on several hematological and physiological indicators among cyclists, runners, and swimmers. Methods: The impact of wearing an ETM on lung function (LF), aerobic capacity (AC), and hematological levels in male university-level athletes (cyclists, runners, and swimmers) was investigated using an experimental approach. The participants (N = 44) were divided into (i) an experimental group wearing ETMs (n = 22; aged 21.24 ± 0.14 years old) and (ii) a control group not wearing ETMs (n = 22; aged 21.35 ± 0.19 years old). Both groups underwent 8 weeks of high-intensity cycle ergometer interval training. Pre- and post-training tests included the above-mentioned physiological and hematological parameters. Results: Except for FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, VT1, and MHR in the control group and FEV₁/FVC and HRM in the experimental group, all variables were significantly improved after the 8-week cycle ergometer HIIT program. Significant benefits in favor of the experimental group were noted in terms of changes in FVC, FEV₁, VO₂max, VT1, PO to VT, VT2, and PO to VT2. Conclusions: The eight-week ETM-assisted HIIT program improved cardiorespiratory fitness and hematological variables in all participants. Future research would be useful to further investigate the physiological changes resulting from ETM-assisted HIIT programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Assessment of Physical Fitness and Training Effect in Individual Sports)

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17 pages, 440 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Ultrasound Examination (QUS) of the Calcaneus in Long-Term Martial Arts Training on the Example of Long-Time Practitioners of Okinawa Kobudo/Karate Shorin-Ryu

by Wojciech M. Glinkowski, Agnieszka Żukowska and Bożena Glinkowska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2708; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032708 - 3 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1716

Abstract

Quantitative research of bone tissue related to physical activity (PA) and sport has a preventive dimension. Increasing the parameters of bone tissue strength, especially reaching the maximum value of peak bone strength in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood due to practicing sports can contribute to maintaining bone health throughout life. Practicing martial arts (tai chi, traditional karate, judo, and boxing) can effectively improve the quality of bone and reduce the risk of falls and fractures. The study aimed to evaluate the calcaneus bones among Okinawa Kobudo/Karate Shorin-Ryu practitioners using the quantitative ultrasound method as an indicator for assessing bone fracture risk. Forty-four adult martial arts practitioners with a mean age of 36.4 participated in this study. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) with a portable Bone Ultrasonometer was used in this study. Speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and the stiffness index (SI) were measured. Subjects were assigned to two groups of black and color belts, according to the advancement in Kobudo/karate practice. The measurements of the SI, BUA, SOS, T-score, and Z-score were significantly higher in subjects from the advanced, long-term practice (black belts) (p < 0.05). The long-term martial arts training in traditional karate and Kobudo significantly impacts the parameters of the calcaneus quantitative ultrasound measurements. Significantly higher bone density was observed among the black belt holders. Long-term practice subjects achieved results far beyond the norm for their age groups. Further studies using non-invasive methods of bone quantification are needed to determine the specific conditions for preventing osteoporosis through physical activity, sports, and martial arts, particularly the duration of the activity, the magnitude of loads, and other related factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Assessment of Physical Fitness and Training Effect in Individual Sports)

15 pages, 1681 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of a Skating Time-Trial Competition and Associated Performance-Determinants in Cross-Country Skiers

by Lei Shang, Øyvind Sandbakk, Ruiying Shi, Xiaoping Chen and Rune Kjøsen Talsnes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11580; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811580 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1632

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the contributions of time in different terrains and sub-technique distribution to overall time-trial performance, as well as the relationships of laboratory and field-based performance determinants in cross-country skiers. Methods: Fourteen male XC skiers were monitored during a 10 km (3 × 3.3 km) skating time-trial competition. On separate days, the skiers performed body composition assessments, laboratory tests while roller-ski skating and a 3 km uphill skating field test. Results: Time in uphill terrain was most strongly correlated with overall performance (r = 0.99, p < 0.01). G2 and G3 were the predominant sub-techniques (61% of overall time) with more use of G2 on lap three compared to lap one (p < 0.05). Body mass and lean mass were inversely correlated with overall and uphill performance (r = −0.60–0.75, all p < 0.05). VO₂ at 4 mmol·L⁻¹, VO_2peak and TTE while roller-ski skating in the laboratory and the 3 km uphill skating field test correlated with overall performance (r = −0.66–0.85, all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Time in uphill terrain was the main contributor to overall performance, and G3 and G2 the most used sub-techniques with increased utilization of G2 throughout the competition. VO_2peak and TTE while roller-ski skating in the laboratory and performance in an uphill skating field test had the strongest associations with time-trial performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Assessment of Physical Fitness and Training Effect in Individual Sports)

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12 pages, 2237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Muscle Contraction Adaptations in Top-Level Karate Athletes Assessed by Tensiomyography

by Velimir Jeknić, Milivoj Dopsaj, Lazar Toskić and Nenad Koropanovski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10309; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610309 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2018

Abstract

Background: This paper aimed to compare the involuntary stimulated neuromuscular response of thigh muscles in top-level karate athletes and recreational groups. Methods: The study included 13 male karate athletes (KAs) and 14 non-athlete male individuals (NAs). Tensiomyographic (TMG) measurements were obtained from the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST). Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between KAs and NAs in knee extensor/flexor delay time (Td), contraction time (Tc), total contraction time (Tct), maximal radial displacement of the muscle belly (Dm) and rate of muscle tension development (RMTD). On a group level, KA dominant-leg extensors and flexors and also non-dominant-leg knee flexors had significant differences when compared to NA. Tct is a TMG parameter in which the KAs and NAs differ the most in the case of the knee extensors, while flexor muscles differ the most in the RMTD parameter. Conclusions: The lower Tct values indicate an improved ability of top-level karateka to make fast contractions of the agonist muscles. KAs’ higher RMTD values suggest on strength characteristics needed in breaking actions of the antagonist muscles. Existence of contraction-relaxation-contraction neuromuscular pattern in the RF muscle suggests on implementation of training strategies that involves both rapid muscle contractions and relaxations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Assessment of Physical Fitness and Training Effect in Individual Sports)

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