Sports

Research on the best athletic performance is undergoing a paradigm shift, characterized by a progressive decline in the age of specialization in numerous sports [...]

Background: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Peripheral Heart Action (PHA) are widely used training modalities, but comparative longitudinal data using standardized anthropometric methods remain limited. Purpose: To compare within-group changes over 12 weeks of HIIT and PHA training on body composition and perceived psychophysical well-being in moderately active young adults. Methods: Twenty-four adults (12 males, 12 females; age 30.9 ± 3.5 years) were allocated to either HIIT or PHA in a non-randomized pilot study, based on training schedule availability and previous training routine, which may introduce selection bias. Training was performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Body composition was assessed using standardized ISAK anthropometry. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: Significant effects of Time were found for body mass, BMI, sum of skinfolds, waist circumference, and endomorphy (all p < 0.05). Significant Time × Group interactions were observed for BMI, sum of skinfolds, waist circumference, and endomorphy (p < 0.05), indicating different adaptation patterns. HIIT showed greater reductions in selected skinfolds and higher perceived performance improvement (p < 0.001), whereas PHA showed greater increases in arm circumferences and mesomorphy (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Within-group improvements were observed in anthropometric/body composition indicators over time, with distinct longitudinal adaptation patterns between HIIT and PHA.

Handgrip strength (HGS) has been considered as an indicator of muscle strength and overall physical fitness, with increasing relevance in sports science for talent identification and performance monitoring. However, no bibliometric study has been conducted to map the HGS research landscape in athletic contexts. A bibliometric analysis was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection database, retrieving 229 publications. Typical bibliometric laws (i.e., Price’s, Bradford’s, Lotka’s, and Zipf’s) were employed to analyze publication trends, core journals, influential authors, country contributions, and keyword co-occurrences. Annual publications increased exponentially, especially after 2019, reaching 37 documents in 2024. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness were the most prominent journals. The United States and Spain led in productivity and impact. Key research themes included strength, performance, body composition, and physical fitness, with HGS demonstrating significant associations with sport tasks such as throwing, racquet sports, and weightlifting. HGS constitutes an accessible and valuable tool for assessing and predicting athletic performance, especially in sports requiring upper body strength and coordination. Future research should aim to expand database inclusion and address identified gaps, such as the relationship between HGS training and sport-specific outcomes.