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Life
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New Insights into Athlete Physiology
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New Insights into Athlete Physiology

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 5851

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maamer Slimani

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), Genoa University, 16132 Genoa, Italy
2. Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, Genoa University, 16132 Genoa, Italy
3. Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia
Interests: physical fitness; sport psychology; psychophysiology; strength and conditioning; sports science; injury prevention; resistance training; athletic training; physical education; meta-analysis; systematic reviews; physical activity assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nicola Luigi Bragazzi

grade E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Interests: public health; mathematical modeling; statistical modeling; sports science; physical education; meta-analysis; systematic reviews
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past decade, research in sports physiology has expanded significantly, providing new insights into athletes' physiological responses and adaptations. From a fundamental perspective, sports physiology explores how the body responds to physical exertion. However, from a broader, interdisciplinary viewpoint, these adaptations emerge from the intricate interplay of multiple fields, including medicine, cardiovascular science, biomechanics, nutrition, technology, and psychology. Each domain is crucial in optimizing sports performance, preventing injuries, and improving overall health.

Despite the growing body of empirical evidence and advancements in diagnostic tools, testing methodologies, training strategies, and athlete development techniques, many controversies and unanswered questions remain.

This Special Issue aims to bring together researchers from diverse fields to contribute new findings and perspectives on athlete physiology, encompassing both able-bodied and disabled athletes. We welcome original research articles, critical or integrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Physiological characteristics of able-bodied and disabled athletes;
  • Physiological responses and adaptations to training/exercise;
  • The impact of diet and weight management on sports performance;
  • Injury prevention and rehabilitation in training and competition;
  • Age- and gender-related physiological differences in sports;
  • Dose–response relationships in training and recovery;
  • The role of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence in sports science;
  • Neurobehavioral and neuropsychiatric markers in athletic performance;
  • The intersection of neurobehavioral medicine, psychology, and sports performance.

Dr. Maamer Slimani
Dr. Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • sport physiology
  • physical performance
  • injury prevention
  • cognition
  • artificial intelligence
  • dose–response relationship

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 287 KB  
Article
Physical and Performance Characteristics of Elite Youth Male Basketball Players Characterized by Maturity Status
by Denis Čaušević, Monica Delia Bîcă, Amila Hodžić, Alina Elena Albină, Blake Densley, Dan Iulian Alexe, Milan Zelenović, Marta Bichowska-Pawęska, Mirza Ibrahimović and Cătălin Vasile Savu
Life 2026, 16(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16010040 - 26 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1105
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of biological maturity status on anthropometric, body composition, and physical performance characteristics in elite youth male basketball players. A total of 140 players (15.12 ± 0.78 years) competing in national elite programs were categorized as early, on-time, or [...] Read more.
This study investigated the influence of biological maturity status on anthropometric, body composition, and physical performance characteristics in elite youth male basketball players. A total of 140 players (15.12 ± 0.78 years) competing in national elite programs were categorized as early, on-time, or late maturers according to years from peak height velocity (PHV). Each participant completed a standardized testing battery including anthropometric assessments, body composition analysis (InBody 720), countermovement jump (CMJ) with and without arm swing, drop jump from 40 cm (DJ40), linear sprints over 5–20 m, and agility tests (t-test and Lane Agility). Between-group differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests, while partial eta squared (ηp2) and magnitude-based inference (MBI) were applied to assess effect size and practical significance. Significant differences were observed across maturity groups (p < 0.05), with early maturers being taller, heavier, and more muscular than their on-time and late-maturing peers. Large effects were found for height (ηp2 = 0.667) and body mass (ηp2 = 0.455), and moderate-to-large effects for jump, sprint, and agility performance (ηp2 = 0.051–0.166). MBI results indicated that most differences between early and late maturers were “very likely” or “almost certain,” highlighting their practical relevance. These findings confirm that biological maturity substantially affects physical and performance profiles in adolescent basketball players and underscore the importance of maturity-informed approaches such as bio-banding and individualized training to ensure fair evaluation and equitable talent development in youth sport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Athlete Physiology)
14 pages, 1590 KB  
Article
The Effects of Low-Load Resistance Training Combined with Blood Flow Restriction or Hypoxia on Cardiovascular Response: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Apiwan Manimmanakorn, Pudis Manimmanakorn, Lertwanlop Srisaphonphusitti, Wirakan Sumethanurakkhakun, Peeraporn Nithisup, Nattha Muangritdech and Worrawut Thuwakum
Life 2025, 15(8), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081162 - 23 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3841
Abstract
Low-load resistance training combined with vascular occlusion or hypoxia can increase muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), but the effect of such training on hormonal response and cardiovascular response is less clear. Thirty female netball athletes took part in a 5-week training of knee muscles [...] Read more.
Low-load resistance training combined with vascular occlusion or hypoxia can increase muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), but the effect of such training on hormonal response and cardiovascular response is less clear. Thirty female netball athletes took part in a 5-week training of knee muscles in which low-load resistance exercise (20% 1-RM) was combined with either an occlusion pressure (KT, n = 10), hypoxic air (HT, n = 10), or no additional stimulus (CT, n = 10). Growth hormones (GHs), cardiovascular parameters, and CSA were measured before and after the training program. Compared to CT, both HT and KT showed a substantial increase in GH release after the first training bout (pre). After 5 weeks of training (post), the release of GH was substantially reduced in all groups. Compared to CT, HT showed a substantial decrease in SP (11.7 ± 11.3%, mean ± 90% CL) over the training period. The reduction in systolic blood pressure (SP) after hypoxic training resulted in a substantial decrease in the rate-pressure product (RPP) by 15.6 ± 9.6%, compared to CT. CSA from HT and KT is likely related to the heightened release of GH found after training. The hypoxic training protocol has a greater cardiovascular benefit than similar resistance training with blood flow restriction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Athlete Physiology)
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