Sports, Volume 13, Issue 7

This study examined the effects of a short-term ballistic training program on neuromuscular performance and strength-deficit (SDef) in elite youth female soccer players. Twenty-two under-20 athletes completed a 4-week intervention during the pre-seas...

Background/Objectives: The role of body composition in sports performance has been widely studied, particularly in soccer. Understanding how anthropometric characteristics impact movement efficiency and neuromuscular performance is crucial for optimi...

Background/Objectives: Cooling strategies are critical for optimizing athlete recovery and performance in team sports, yet practical, accessible solutions remain underexplored. This study evaluated the efficacy of a cool vest during a 15 min recovery...

This study aimed to describe the training leading to the Zwift Academy (ZA) Finals of a world-class road cyclist who earned a professional contract after winning the contest. Four years of daily power meter data were analyzed (male, 25 years old, 68...

Mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, have become increasingly prevalent among elite athletes, exacerbated by factors such as competitive pressure and the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzes trends...

Exercise addiction (EA) is a maladaptive behavior characterized by excessive physical activity, often linked to negative psychological outcomes. This study investigated the relationships between perfectionism, sport commitment, and EA in a sample of...

Breathing reserve (BR) is the remaining proportion of achievable minute ventilation that remains unutilized at total exhaustion during exercise. Previous studies have found a smaller BR in endurance-trained athletes compared to untrained controls. Ho...

The investigation of the neuromuscular components of fatigue in team sports, especially in developmental ages, is limited. This study aimed to examine the neuromuscular fatigue and recovery patterns in prepubertal and adult female handball players, f...

This study examined the influence of student–teacher relationships and school infrastructure on preschool children’s motor creativity, encompassing fluency, originality, and imagination. Twenty teachers completed the Student–Teacher...

The available scientific evidence on padel injuries is scarce and inconclusive. For this reason, the main aim was to analyze the differences in injury incidence in padel according to specific factors of the sport, as well as to the level of physical...

This study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) experience on bone mineral density (BMD) and stress fractures (SFs) in female collegiate athletes. Overall, 492 female athletes from 16 competitive sports were included. Sports w...

Maximal and explosive strength—defined as the ability to rapidly generate high levels of force—are widely recognized as critical for performance in strength–power sports such as track and field throwing. However, their interrelation...

As mental health has gained prominence in recent years, elite ice hockey players have shared their experience of psychological problems, including adverse alcohol use, anxiety, depression, distress, eating disorders, and sleep disturbances. Mental he...

The aim of the present study is to predict a 1RM through the load–velocity relationship using the minimum velocity threshold (MVT) in a free-weight back squat. Twenty-five males and twenty-five females performed a 1RM test during a free-weight...

Dance encompasses physical, emotional, and social elements, creating a dynamic platform for the exploration of well-being. As a therapeutic approach, dance movement further applies these dimensions to enhance emotional resilience, foster mindfulness,...

Wheelchair basketball (WB) grants important benefits for people with disabilities but also presents a relevant risk of injury. Wheelchair straps are restraint devices that can improve safety and performance, but limited research has explored their us...

Background: Emerging evidence highlights the role of physical exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. While most research has focused on aerobic modalities and chronic training programs, the acu...

Poor officer fitness can lead to decreased occupational task performance, injuries, increased absenteeism, and a variety of negative health sequalae further adding to the challenges of staffing law enforcement agencies. Optimizing the physical fitnes...

This study investigated the percentage of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and iron deficiency (ID) among 71 elite female athletes at a Japanese university and assessed their dietary habits. IDA was identified in 9.9% (n = 7) of participants, and only 22...

Background: This study aimed to develop a method to analyze the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of the traditional karate Gyaku Tsuki (reverse punch), focusing on the activation sequence of lower and upper extremities and trunk muscles during e...

Background: Recess provides a valuable opportunity for physical activity for students at school. However, there is no clear evidence regarding the effects of running a mile daily on schoolchildren’s physical fitness. The objective of this study...

Background: Sports scientists have increasingly used point-of-care methods for training load management, and blood gas analysis has shown promise in this area. However, the reproducibility of this method in high-performance athletes remains unproven....

The benefits of regular physical exercise, primarily moderate-intensity exercise, are widely known, recognized, and acclaimed. As an important lifestyle modification, regular training activities are gaining increasing popularity in the general popula...

Training individualisation is a key principle for maximising improvements in players’ performance, but there are still few approaches to individualisation of training in basketball players. The aims of this study were as follows: (I) to analyse...

This study aimed to examine whether managerial changes and their training methodology influence the physical attributes of soccer players and determine if these changes significantly impact the overall physical performance of the team. Twenty-seven m...

Background: High-intensity actions like accelerations and decelerations, often performed unilaterally, are crucial in elite female football but increase the risk of interlimb asymmetries and injury. Flywheel resistance training enhances eccentric str...

This study examined the temporal relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMSs) and sport-specific skills (SSSs) in children aged 7 to 10. Based on the premise that FMSs are the basis for sport skills, we implemented a 10-week intervention p...

Women have a lower age-matched cardiovascular risk than men, largely due to estrogen’s protective role in endothelial function. While exercise improves vascular health, acute vascular responses are influenced by factors such as age, fitness lev...

The assessment of player well-being through questionnaires is vital for managing training and match demands in soccer, aiming to mitigate injury and overtraining risks. This study investigates the impact of Four-Match Congestion on the well-being of...

Over the past decade, a growing body of evidence has highlighted the positive impact of full and equal participation in sport on the quality of life (QoL) of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). However, access to mainstream sports remains li...

The Second Time University Program is a federal government policy instituted in 2009. Given its importance, this study aimed to analyze the program’s contributions and limitations in promoting leisure-time physical activity and student health....

Background: Oral health (OH) has been linked to overall health status and common physical performance (PP). Aim: The objective was to compare the OH and PP of two third league professional team players from different sports (soccer, ice hockey). Meth...

Elite female tennis players are among those at high risk for developing the Female Athlete Triad (Triad), characterized by three interrelated conditions: energy deficiency/low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density....

Tests assessing physical qualities are regularly used in youth rugby league teams for various functions. However, the utility of such tests is under-explored in this population. In this way, tests are commonly examined in terms of how well they can d...

Emotional processes and sleep quality have become fundamental aspects of performance in Paralympic sports among elite and youth athletes. The objective of this study was to compare levels of depression, stress, anxiety, and sleep quality among youth...

Body image is understood as a social construction acquired over the years that is generated as people learn behaviors and relate to each other in the search of their own identity. The aim of this research is to identify the personal and contextual fa...

Background: The UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) grassroots concussion guidance, May 2023, advised that all community-based sport-related concussions (SRCs) be diagnosed by a healthcare practitioner. This may require that g...

Background: Fundamental movement skills (FMS)—including muscular strength, endurance, and mobility—are linked to better health-related quality of life and higher physical activity in children. Rural children often score lower on FMS tests...

Background: Nutraceuticals have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional pharmacological treatments for managing joint pain and low-grade inflammation in physically active individuals. However, few clinical studies have evaluated the combine...

Background: Correct assessment of resting metabolic rate (RMR) is fundamental for estimating total energy expenditure in both clinical nutrition and sports sciences research. Various methods have been proposed for RMR determination, including predict...

This study aimed to explore the effects of fatigue on the kinematic parameters and performance of the tennis serve, specifically speed and accuracy. Xsens inertial measurement units (IMUs) were used to obtain the kinematic parameters of the tennis se...

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep quality, and anxiety are interrelated factors that play a critical role in physical and mental health. However, limited evidence exists on their associations within the Saudi Arabian context. This study a...

Exercise-induced hypertension (EIH) has increasingly been observed among middle-aged long-distance runners, raising concerns about cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to investigate acute changes in cardiovascular biomarkers associated with vascula...

Over the last two and a half decades, there has been a surge of research into adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ACEs have been found to be a significant predictor of mental health outcomes in adulthood, and researchers have begun to explore the r...