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Life
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Advances and Applications of Sport Physiology: 2nd Edition
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Advances and Applications of Sport Physiology: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 3268

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sime Versic

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Interests: performance analysis; biomechanics; injuries; strength and conditioning; sport demands
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nikola Foretic

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Interests: strength and conditioning; handball; performance analysis; biomarkers in sport; exercise-induced stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The editors are grateful to the many researchers who contributed to the success of the first volume of this Special Issue (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/22327H4OE3). We are very pleased to announce the second volume of our Special Issue, “Advances and Applications of Sport Physiology: 2nd Edition”.

Modern sport, including the field of sport and exercise physiology, has progressed in many ways thanks to the development of science. The analysis of physiological parameters in the background of sports training and competition has ensured advanced and optimal training systems that have brought athletes' capacities to exceptional limits.

Knowledge in the fields of sport diagnostics, the effects of training on athletes’ bodies, fatigue, stress, recovery, and many other aspects of sport physiology is crucial for athletes’ development, improving their performance and reducing injuries. This knowledge is applied by athletes, coaches, sport practitioners, and medical professionals.

The aim of this Special Issue is to publish high-quality, multi-disciplinary studies related to the following topics:

  • Diagnostics in sport;
  • Biochemical markers in sport;
  • Load monitoring;
  • Sport injuries—risk factors, prevention, and diagnosis;
  • Training effects;
  • Physiological sport demands;
  • Performance analysis.

We invite authors to submit original scientific research or systematic reviews for the further development of sports physiology. All manuscripts will be peer-reviewed by experts in the field.

Dr. Sime Versic
Dr. Nikola Foretic
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. Life 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 2600 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

  • sports medicine
  • strength and conditioning
  • diagnostics
  • sport injuries
  • performance analysis

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1355 KB  
Article
Influence of Stride Length on Pelvic–Trunk Separation and Proximal Plyometrics in Baseball Pitching
by Dan K. Ramsey and Ryan L. Crotin
Life 2025, 15(9), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15091440 - 14 Sep 2025
Viewed by 325
Abstract
Pelvis and trunk counter-rotation are key factors known to effect throwing arm kinematics in baseball pitching, where energy or momentum is transferred from the lower extremities through to the trunk during the pitching cycle. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze [...] Read more.
Pelvis and trunk counter-rotation are key factors known to effect throwing arm kinematics in baseball pitching, where energy or momentum is transferred from the lower extremities through to the trunk during the pitching cycle. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze previously recorded motion capture data of 19 skilled competitive pitchers to test the a priori hypothesis whether different stride lengths affect transverse pelvis and trunk biomechanics. A blinded randomized crossover design was used where pitchers threw two simulated games at ±25% from desired stride length (DSL), respective of overstride (OS) and under-stride (US). Variables of interest included pelvic–trunk separation (PTS) angle or degree of uncoupling and proximal plyometric effect (PPE) or ratio between trunk–pelvis angular velocities, as surrogate measures of rotational and elastic energy transfer. Paired t-tests were used to compare across stride conditions. A one-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc analysis demonstrated stride lengths differed statistically, (DSL vs. OS p = 0.006), (DSL vs. US, p < 0.001), and (US vs. OS, p < 0.001). Despite the statistically different stride lengths, fastball velocities tracked with radar were consistent. No significant differences within and across innings pitched between OS and OS conditions were found. The ±25% stride length changes influenced temporal parameters within the pitching cycle. Shorter stride elicited by early SFC reduced time during the Generation phase and extended the Brace-Transfer duration (p < 0.001). Statistically different transverse pelvis and trunk kinematics at hallmark events and phases consequently influenced pelvic–trunk separation and proximal plyometrics. During the Generation (PKH-SFC) and Brace-Transfer (SFC-MER) phases, the pelvis and trunk were significantly more externally rotated (p < 0.001) with shorter strides, concomitant with less separation at the instant of SFC and the Generation phase with greater peak proximal plyometrics effect ratios peak during throwing arm acceleration, indicative of greater contribution of trunk angular velocity (p < 0.05). Greater transverse trunk angular velocities relative to the pelvis late in double support necessitates the throwing arm to “catch up” from a position of greater arm lag, which compromises the dynamic and passive stabilizers. In conclusion, stride length alters pitching biomechanics and timing of peak pelvic–trunk separation and trunk angular velocity relative to the pelvis. Increased shoulder and elbow tensile stress is to be expected, consequently increasing risk for injury. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications of Sport Physiology: 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 1261 KB  
Article
Effects of Different Interventions Using Taekwondo, Boxing, and Elastic Band Training on Body Composition and Physical Function in Chilean Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Edgar Vásquez-Carrasco, Jordan Hernandez-Martinez, Izham Cid-Calfucura, Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz, Camila Ruiz, Camila Baeza, María José Márquez, Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela, Braulio Henrique Magnani Branco, Eduardo Carmine-Peña, Paulina Sepúlveda, Cristian Sandoval and Pablo Valdés-Badilla
Life 2025, 15(7), 1049; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15071049 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 924
Abstract
Background: Interventions involving Olympic combat sports, such as Taekwondo (TKD) and Boxing (BOX), represent innovative approaches for promoting health in older people. Elastic bands training (EBT), by contrast, is a safe and cost-effective method that has demonstrated positive effects on functional physical [...] Read more.
Background: Interventions involving Olympic combat sports, such as Taekwondo (TKD) and Boxing (BOX), represent innovative approaches for promoting health in older people. Elastic bands training (EBT), by contrast, is a safe and cost-effective method that has demonstrated positive effects on functional physical parameters in this population. This study aimed to compare the effects of TKD and BOX interventions, relative to EBT, on body composition and physical function in Chilean older women. Methods: This randomized controlled trial comprised three parallel groups: TKD (n = 10), BOX (n = 10), and EBT (n = 10). Participants in each group underwent pre- and post-intervention assessments following two 60 min sessions per week over an eight-week period. Results: Multiple comparisons revealed significant advantages for EBT over TKD and BOX in maximal isometric handgrip strength for both the dominant (p < 0.001; d = 0.967, large effect) and non-dominant (p < 0.001; d = 0.641, moderate effect) hands. Conversely, significant improvements in Timed Up-and-Go performance were observed in the TKD and BOX groups compared to EBT (p < 0.001; d = 2.071, large effect). All groups showed significant within-group improvements in the 30 s chair stand test (p < 0.001; d = 0.095, large effect). No significant changes were found in body fat percentage, fat-free mass, back scratch test, sit-and-reach test, or 2 min step test across groups. Conclusions: Although no substantial differences were observed between groups for most variables, TKD and BOX interventions significantly reduced Timed Up-and-Go times, whereas EBT enhanced maximal isometric handgrip strength in both hands. These findings highlight the distinct functional benefits of each intervention modality for older Chilean women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications of Sport Physiology: 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 480 KB  
Article
The Impact of an Acrobatics-Based Curriculum on Motor Fitness in Adolescents
by Saša Veličković, Edvard Kolar, Miloš Paunović, Petar Veličković, Saša Pantelić, Saša Bubanj, Igor Ilić, Bojan Bjelica, Tomislav Gašić, Adem Preljević, Ana-Maria Vulpe, Bogdan Constantin Rață, Cristina-Elena Stoica, Nicolae-Lucian Voinea and Tatiana Dobrescu
Life 2025, 15(5), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15050778 - 13 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1696
Abstract
(1) Background: This study aimed to examine whether an experimental acrobatics curriculum, conducted three times a week, could lead to greater improvements in specific components of motor fitness—coordination, balance, agility, and speed—compared to the standard physical education program; (2) Methods: The research was [...] Read more.
(1) Background: This study aimed to examine whether an experimental acrobatics curriculum, conducted three times a week, could lead to greater improvements in specific components of motor fitness—coordination, balance, agility, and speed—compared to the standard physical education program; (2) Methods: The research was conducted over a 16-week period and included 50 seventh-grade students, divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 25) and a control group (CG, n = 25). The experimental group participated in a program of acrobatics and skipping twice a week, while the control group followed the standard physical education curriculum. Motor skills tests were administered before and after the intervention using standardized methods; (3) Results: Results from the ANCOVA analysis showed significant improvements in flexibility, coordination, balance, and agility in the experimental group, with large effect sizes, confirming the effectiveness of the acrobatics and skipping program. However, the impact on speed was variable, indicating the need for specific exercises to improve this ability; (4) Conclusions: The findings are consistent with previous research, highlighting the superiority of specialized acrobatic exercises in enhancing overall motor performance in adolescents. Further research is needed to optimize acrobatics and skipping programs for maximum benefits in the development of motor skills and physical education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications of Sport Physiology: 2nd Edition)
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