Sports, Volume 13, Issue 9

The TT genotype of the ACTN-3 polymorphism (rs1815739) has been previously associated with lower sprinting and jumping performance, higher frequency and severity of muscle injuries and eccentric muscle damage in professional football players. This st...

Female university ice hockey players experience elevated and sustained cardiovascular stress during training and competition. There remains limited research on the “exercise dose–response” in female ice hockey players. The purpose o...

The aim of this systematic review (PROSPERO registration number CRD42024517069) was to investigate the effectiveness of exercise interventions in Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS). We searched on several databases and followed the PRISMA guidelines...

The purpose of this longitudinal case report was to assess physical fitness changes in world-class shot put para athletes during six months of training. One male (age: 34.8 years; mass: 96.9 kg; height: 1.79 m; sport class: F42), and one female (age:...

This study examined the effects of motorized resisted sprint training (RST) on neuromuscular activation and sprint performance in elite female sprinters. Ten highly trained athletes (age: 23 ± 2.8 years; body mass: 58.3 ± 4.7 kg) perfor...

Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an impairment of functional status, increasing dependency and mortality. The high prevalence among hospitalized patients has increased interest in active interventio...

Squash is a commonly played racquet sport in which players are at risk of concussion injuries. This review aims to identify and assess the squash concussion guidelines in top squash countries. Design: Scoping review. Method: This review follows the f...

Postural stability is influenced by several anthropometric factors as well as age. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body height, body mass, BMI, and arch index with stabilometric parameters in physically active young...

With the growing availability of strength training information through online platforms and social media, there is an increasing need to ensure that individuals possess sufficient knowledge to train safely and effectively. Nonetheless, previous studi...

Arch structure is a crucial interface between the human body and the ground during landing tasks, but the biomechanical effects of arch support stiffness remain insufficiently explored. This study examines the effects of arch supports with different...

The use of dietary supplements is widespread among athletes and physically active individuals, yet their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated the associations between supplement u...

Recently, there has been rising interest in the use of cannabis and its derivatives as therapeutic tools to support brain health, particularly in athletes. Cannabis-based substances interact with the endogenous cannabinoid (i.e., endocannabinoid) sys...

Background/Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) is increasingly reported among young nulliparous women, especially those engaged in high-impact sports. This may increase the risk of developing stress urinary incontinence (SUI) later in life. This sc...

Access to high-performance sports is crucial for the holistic development and well-being of athletes with intellectual impairment (II). However, ensuring fair and equitable participation requires effective eligibility systems. This study investigates...

Many athletes consume caffeine before late afternoon/evening training sessions or competition, yet the impact on subsequent sleep remains unclear. This systematic review with meta-analysis examined the effects of late afternoon/evening caffeine consu...

This study examined the influence of physiological parameters on peak velocity (Vpeak) and of kinematic variables on running economy (RE) during an outdoor incremental VAM-EVAL test completed by eleven national-level triathletes. Maximal oxygen uptak...

(1) This systematic review evaluates the role of structured exercise within the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, a multidisciplinary approach designed to reduce surgical stress and enhance recovery. Prehabilitation, primarily through...

(1) Background: This study analyzed the effects of intervention programs conducted between 2021 and 2025 as part of the “Aula UCLM-FNCLM” initiative—a partnership between a regional swimming federation and the university—on ps...

Background: This study examined the effects of repeated ischemic preconditioning (IPC) combined with normobaric hypoxia on anaerobic performance and physiological stress markers. Methods: Fourteen physically active males (22.3 ± 3.1 years) com...

Objetives: This study aimed to (1) describe and compare the external physical requirements of international cerebral palsy (CP) football players during training sessions and official matches at the 2024 IFCPF World Cup, and (2) analyze the relationsh...

Physical fitness, especially strength, is key for football performance and injury prevention, but its role in match running remains unclear. This study examined correlations between knee flexor and extensor isokinetic torque (60°/s, 180°/s, 3...

Archery performance is substantially influenced by postural stability. Although archery is commonly practiced outdoors, most studies have focused on short-distance indoor environments. Accordingly, this study examined the correlation between postural...

Despite a robust body of evidence supporting both the need for and the effectiveness of physical fitness interventions in children aged 5–11, global fitness levels in this age group continue to decline. This systematic scoping review interrogat...

A history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) during the Australian Football (AF) talent pathway may impact draft prospects and increase the risk of a second injury during a professional career. This study investigated whether a histo...

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of jump rope training on cardiovascular capacity, assessed with the Ruffier test, and muscular strength, measured using isometric dynamometry (BioFET Mustec, Almere, The Netherlands), within a university physi...

Background: Plantar fascitis is a common cause of heel pain in adults. Although various conservative treatments have been studied, comparative real-world effectiveness remains underreported. Objective: To retrospectively evaluate and compare the clin...

In football, linear speed and change-of-direction speed are fundamental skills for performance in the sport. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of an 8-week running technique program on the variables described in young footballers. Thirty-...

Introduction: Acute neuromuscular fatigue impairs athletic performance and increases the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Recovery strategies such as manual massage (MM) and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) have been proposed to mitigate these...

This study investigated relationships between mood profiles, sports injuries, and countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJ) performance in a cohort study of 417 Brazilian athletes using a multi-methods approach during the period from January to Novem...

Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a time-efficient, joint-friendly, and highly customizable training technology that particularly attracts sportspeople and athletes looking to enhance performance, accelerate regeneration, and prevent injur...

Studies highlight the importance of physical activity (PA) in relation to positive psychological functioning (PPF) among adults. Physical inactivity is strongly associated with lower levels of PPF, supporting the idea that lifestyle choices can be id...

Background/Objectives: Peak force (PF) reflects maximal strength, while early rate of force development (RFD; 0–100 ms) indicates explosive neuromuscular output. The Athletic Shoulder (ASH) test is gaining popularity in overhead athlete profili...

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are a major concern in baseball because of repetitive valgus stress from overhead throwing, often leading to surgical intervention. In recent years, UCL reconstruction has become increasingly frequent. Althoug...

Understanding neuromuscular adaptations resulting from specific training modalities is crucial for optimizing athletic performance and injury prevention. This in silico proof-of-concept study aimed to computationally model and predict neuromuscular a...

This paper propose a practical field-based screening protocol for evaluating the risk of hamstring injury. This is done by discerning the most important factors that better explain the underlying structure among various measurements. Following a cros...

The transition period in football can negatively affect players’ fitness indicators. However, if appropriate training programs are implemented during this period, these effects can be reversed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the e...

The purpose of the present study was twofold: (i) to examine within-group differences in external load metrics during practice and official competition, and (ii) to examine between-group differences in external load metrics across the U16 and U18 lev...

Trail running involves constant changes in terrain and slope, complicating the accurate assessment of energy expenditure during performance. This study aimed to examine the relationship between running power output (RPO), oxygen consumption (VO₂), ca...

High-intensity/sprint interval training (HIIT/SIT) improves aerobic and anaerobic performance, but it is unknown if HIIT/SIT increases strength, muscle mass/size, and muscle endurance (ME). We aimed to determine if HIIT/SIT increases strength, muscle...

This study investigated countermovement jump (CMJ) strategies among NCAA Division 1 athletes and explored key variables associated with jump height. A total of 69 athletes (38 male, 31 female) from basketball and volleyball teams completed three or m...

Objectives: This study aimed to assess changes in anthropometric measures, cardiometabolic markers, and physical fitness following a structured basketball training program in healthy prepubertal boys. Methods: The intervention consisted of a 6-week p...

Background: Cryocompression, an emerging therapy combining cryotherapy and compression therapy, has limited evidence regarding its effects on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. Methods: This study aimed to compare the effects of cryotherap...

Playgrounds are global environments that are purpose made for children and can offer a variety of opportunities for children to be physically active and practice their fundamental movement skills (FMS), which can lead to future physical activity and...

Background: Athletes’ skin is exposed to increased microbial challenges due to rigorous physical activity, perspiration, constant “skin-to-skin” contact, frequent showering, use of hygiene products, and environmental factors present...

This study compared the body composition and strength of the lower extremity parameters between novice runners (NRs) and amateur marathon runners (AMRs). A total of 50 NRs (33.84 ± 4.32 years) and 50 AMRs (33.36 ± 5.55 years) were analy...

This study aimed to monitor internal load, well-being, and recovery status in U16 male water polo players during a congested competitive period. Fourteen athletes from an Italian club played 12 matches (seven friendly, five official) over 7 days. The...

Background: Body composition assessment is important in professional football as a measure of overall adaptation of the athlete to the training demand and calorie intake. However, it is operator-dependent, relying on subject positioning and the focus...

Emotion regulation strategies, specifically expressive suppression (ES) and cognitive reappraisal (CR), are known to influence mental health outcomes in the general population and adult elite athletes. Young elite athletes, who face unique academic a...

Background: Systematic reviews with meta-analyses play a critical role in synthesizing evidence on injury prevention programs in football. However, their utility depends on transparent and complete reporting, as promoted by the PRISMA 2020 guidelines...

Self-myofascial release tools like foam rollers and massage guns are being integrated into athlete warm-ups with increasing frequency, but evidence on their acute effects is limited. Sixteen healthy, trained athletes (23.2 ± 1.3 years; four fe...