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Sports and Paralympic Sports Physiology: Environmental, Training, Physiology and Other...
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Sports and Paralympic Sports Physiology: Environmental, Training, Physiology and Other Variables Related to Performance and Performance

A special issue of Sports (ISSN 2075-4663).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2024) | Viewed by 18346

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Felipe Aidar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physical Education Department, Federal University of Segipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil
Interests: environmental and exercise physiology; physiological responses; simulated and real adaptations to training; exercise performance for athletes and para-athletes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Several factors have been reported that tend to impact the success, performance, rehabilitation and physical conditioning of athletes and para-athletes. Another important point in paralympic sports and parasports would be the combination of performance with physical, physiological and psychological characteristics, among others. Thus, from childhood to adulthood, there tend to be adaptations related to training and exercise. This Special Issue aims to present research on exercise physiology, adaptation, and environment, in addition to the use of ergonomic aids related to exercise under extreme environmental conditions and performance improvement strategies in athletes and para-athletes.

As a result, we expect to receive contributions related to, but not limited to, the following topics: training load monitoring; stress and physiological responses during exercise or sports; the recovery process after exercise; changes after stress and/or training load; and the physiology of health training and sports performance.

In paralympic sport, we intend to promote the discussion of topics related to the reliability and validity of the classification system, as well as topics related to environmental conditions, physical, physiological and ergonomic considerations.

Prof. Dr. Felipe Aidar
Guest Editor

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. Sports 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 1800 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
  • fatigue monitoring
  • training load monitoring
  • biological maturation
  • psychobiological changes
  • immune and endocrine responses
  • neuromuscular performance
  • adaptation to training
  • stress
  • recovery
  • sleep
  • health promotion
  • delayed onset muscle soreness
  • psychobiological changes
  • immunological responses
  • neuromuscular performance
  • paralympic athletes
  • impairment
  • hypoxia
  • heat balance
  • training
  • adaptation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1812 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Velocity, Power and Skin Temperature in Paralympic Powerlifting Athletes with Fixed and Variable Resistance
by Gildo Francisco dos Santos Filho, Felipe J. Aidar, Márcio Getirana-Mota, Ciro José Brito, Esteban Aedo-Muñoz, Ângelo de Almeida Paz, Joilson Alves de Souza Leite Júnior, Edson Lucas Monteiro Vieira and Pantelis T. Nikolaidis
Sports 2024, 12(9), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12090250 - 11 Sep 2024
Viewed by 832
Abstract
Variable resistance training has been widely used in athletic preparation. Objectives: To analyze the use of currents (VRT) and the traditional method (TRAD) on speed, power and temperature in a training session. Methods: Fourteen paralympic powerlifting (PP) athletes took part over three weeks. [...] Read more.
Variable resistance training has been widely used in athletic preparation. Objectives: To analyze the use of currents (VRT) and the traditional method (TRAD) on speed, power and temperature in a training session. Methods: Fourteen paralympic powerlifting (PP) athletes took part over three weeks. In week 1, familiarization and 1RM tests took place, and, in weeks 2 and 3, pre- and post-training took place, where the propulsive mean velocity and power and temperatures were assessed before and after, at 24 h and 48 h. Results: There was a difference in the sternal pectoral temperatures before and after VRT (p = 0.040) and at 48 h for TRAD and VRT (p = 0.018); in the clavicular pectoralis before and after VRT and TRAD (p = 0.003); in the anterior deltoid after and at 48 h for TRAD and VRT (p = 0.026 and p = 0.017); and in the triceps after and at 24 h and 48 h between TRAD and VRT (p = 0.005). In the training series, the MPV was significant in TRAD between Set1 and Set5 (p = 0.003), in training (VRT) between Set1 and Set5 (p = 0.001) and in Set5 between the methods (p = 0.047). For power, there was a difference between Set1 and 5 in TRAD (p = 0.016) and VRT (p = 0.002). Conclusion: We conclude that training with currents (VRT) promoted greater muscle fatigue when compared to traditional training. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Paralympic Sports Physiology: Environmental, Training, Physiology and Other Variables Related to Performance and Performance)
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15 pages, 4590 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Technical Training for Wheelchair-User Billiard Players through Modified Equipment Implementation
by Viktoriia Nagorna, Artur Mytko, Olha Borysova, Liubov Zhyhailova and Silvio R. Lorenzetti
Sports 2024, 12(9), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12090246 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 730
Abstract
This study aims to enhance the effectiveness of the preparation process and the performance of wheelchair users in international billiard competitions through modified equipment. The research methods include analysis and synthesis of the scientific and methodological literature, sociological research methods (questionnaires), expert assessment [...] Read more.
This study aims to enhance the effectiveness of the preparation process and the performance of wheelchair users in international billiard competitions through modified equipment. The research methods include analysis and synthesis of the scientific and methodological literature, sociological research methods (questionnaires), expert assessment methods, pedagogical research methods (observation, testing, experimentation), and methods of mathematical statistics. The results of our study are significant: Implementing our developed training program for billiards players with musculoskeletal disorders, utilizing the modified equipment (special mechanical bridge and straps for cue fixation during shots) we created in a pedagogical experiment, demonstrated a probable improvement of 36% in the technical and tactical preparedness of the athletes compared to previous years. This led to a 33% increase in players from the Ukrainian team’s competition performance at the national and European Pool Championships (wheelchair division). In conclusion, implementing our developed training program, accompanied by specialized auxiliary equipment, demonstrated promising results in a pedagogical experiment. These findings underscore the potential of the modified equipment and tailored training programs to optimize sports training for individuals with musculoskeletal impairments in adaptive billiards, contributing to the continued humanization of the sport and offering an effective preparation process for the athletes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Paralympic Sports Physiology: Environmental, Training, Physiology and Other Variables Related to Performance and Performance)
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10 pages, 592 KiB  
Article
How Elite Athletes with a Spinal Cord Injury Sweat during Exercise—An Exploratory Study
by Anneke Hertig-Godeschalk and Claudio Perret
Sports 2024, 12(3), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12030081 - 14 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1861
Abstract
Background: Sweat and thermal responses in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are impaired depending on lesion characteristics. This is particularly problematic for athletes and may ultimately lead to reduced performance. This exploratory study investigated the feasibility of field-usable methods to objectively collect [...] Read more.
Background: Sweat and thermal responses in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are impaired depending on lesion characteristics. This is particularly problematic for athletes and may ultimately lead to reduced performance. This exploratory study investigated the feasibility of field-usable methods to objectively collect data relevant to sweat response in elite athletes with SCI. Differences in sweat response were also evaluated for different athlete characteristics. Methods: Measurements were performed during exercise and included core temperature (Tc), heart rate, urine specific gravity, fluid intake, sweat rate, and sweat electrolyte concentration. Differences for sex, lesion level (tetraplegia versus paraplegia), motor impairment (complete versus incomplete), and sport type (endurance versus team/skill) were evaluated. Results: Fifteen athletes (median (Q1–Q3) age, 30 (28–36) years; three females; 11 with complete lesions) were included. Endurance athletes were measured during indoor performance tests (n = 10), whereas team/skill athletes were measured during training sessions (n = 5). In the mixed exercise intensities, the average Tc was 37.7 (37.3–37.8) °C and the average heart rate was 126 (100–146) bpm. Dehydration, defined as a urine specific gravity > 1.020 ng/mL, was prevalent in six athletes before exercise and in five athletes after exercise. The sweat rate was lower in athletes with tetraplegia (p = 0.02) and in team/skill athletes (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Collecting sweat and thermal response data from athletes with SCI in the field is feasible. Given the suboptimal hydration status of many athletes, raising awareness of the importance of hydration seems valuable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Paralympic Sports Physiology: Environmental, Training, Physiology and Other Variables Related to Performance and Performance)
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14 pages, 1920 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Dynamic Balance, Jumping Ability, and Agility with 100 m Sprinting Performance in Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities
by Ghada Jouira, Dan Iulian Alexe, Dragoș Ioan Tohănean, Cristina Ioana Alexe, Răzvan Andrei Tomozei and Sonia Sahli
Sports 2024, 12(2), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12020058 - 14 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2945
Abstract
Sprinting is a competitive event in athletics that requires a combination of speed, power, agility, and balance. This study investigated the relationship between dynamic balance, jumping ability, and agility with 100 m sprinting performance in athletes with intellectual disabilities, addressing an underexplored connection. [...] Read more.
Sprinting is a competitive event in athletics that requires a combination of speed, power, agility, and balance. This study investigated the relationship between dynamic balance, jumping ability, and agility with 100 m sprinting performance in athletes with intellectual disabilities, addressing an underexplored connection. A sample of 27 sprinters with intellectual disabilities participated in this study and completed 100 m sprint and various tests, including the Y Balance Test (YBT), the Crossover hop test, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and t-test to evaluate their dynamic balance, jumping ability, and agility, respectively. The findings revealed significant negative correlations between the YBT, Crossover hop test, SJ, and CMJ and 100 m sprint performance (r range: −0.41 to −0.79, p < 0.05). Regression analysis identified these variables as significant predictors (R2 = 0.69; p < 0.01). SJ exhibited the strongest association with 100 m sprint performance, (R2 = 0.62, p < 0.01). The agility t-test did not show a significant association. The combination of the YBT ANT and SJ demonstrated a predictive capability for 100 m sprint performance (R2 = 0.67, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study revealed predictive capabilities between dynamic balance, jumping ability, and 100 m sprint performance in sprinters with intellectual disabilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Paralympic Sports Physiology: Environmental, Training, Physiology and Other Variables Related to Performance and Performance)
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14 pages, 1776 KiB  
Article
Age-Related Differences between Maximum Flight Height of Basic Skills on Floor, Beam and Vault and Physical Condition of Youth Female Artistic Gymnasts
by Christoph Schärer, Luca Reinhart and Klaus Hübner
Sports 2023, 11(5), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11050100 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2598
Abstract
In women’s artistic gymnastics, difficult elements with great flight heights have to be performed on the apparatuses. However, the importance of the physical condition for generating flight height and its development with age remains elusive. Therefore, we investigated the age-related differences of lower [...] Read more.
In women’s artistic gymnastics, difficult elements with great flight heights have to be performed on the apparatuses. However, the importance of the physical condition for generating flight height and its development with age remains elusive. Therefore, we investigated the age-related differences of lower body power, reactive strength, 20 m sprint speed, flight heights (basic elements on beam and floor) and run-up speed on the vault of 33 youth female gymnasts. Further, we calculated correlations between all parameters separately for different age groups (7–9 y; 10–12 y; 13–15 y). We found larger differences between the age groups 7–9 y and 10–12 y than between 10–12 y and 13–15 y on the apparatuses (10–12 y vs. 7–9 y: +23% to +52%; 13–15 y vs. 10–12 y: +2% to +24%) and for physical conditioning variables (10–12 y vs. 7–9 y: +12 to +24%; 13–15 y vs. 10–12 y: + 5% to +16%). The correlations between flight heights and physical condition were the lowest for age group 7–9 y (r: from −0.47 to 0.78; 10–12 y: r: from −0.19 to 0.80; 13–15 y: r: from −0.20 to 0.90). An optimal application of the physical condition to enhance the gymnastics-specific performance (e.g., flight height) is strongly age-dependent. Regular monitoring of jumping abilities and the derivation of training recommendations can accelerate this development and the future performance of young athletes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Paralympic Sports Physiology: Environmental, Training, Physiology and Other Variables Related to Performance and Performance)
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17 pages, 2624 KiB  
Article
Factors Influencing the Training Process of Paralympic Women Athletes
by Manuel Rodríguez Macías, Francisco Javier Giménez Fuentes-Guerra and Manuel Tomás Abad Robles
Sports 2023, 11(3), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11030057 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2863
Abstract
(1) Background: Paralympic women athletes in their training process go through a series of interrelated stages which are parallel to their evolutionary development, during which a wide variety of psychological, social, and biological factors will have an impact. The purpose of this study [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Paralympic women athletes in their training process go through a series of interrelated stages which are parallel to their evolutionary development, during which a wide variety of psychological, social, and biological factors will have an impact. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors influencing the sports training process of Spanish Paralympic women athletes (social, sporting, psychological, technical–tactical factors, physical condition, as well as barriers and facilitators) who had won at least one medal (gold, silver, or bronze) in the 21st century Paralympic Games (from Sydney 2000 to Tokyo 2020). (2) Methods: The research involved 28 Spanish Paralympic women athletes who had won at least one medal at a Paralympic Games in the 21st century. An interview of 54 questions grouped into 6 dimensions (sport context, social context, psychological, technical–tactical, physical fitness, and barriers and facilitators) was used. (3) Results: Coaches, as well as families, were essential in the sport development of Paralympic athletes. In addition, most women athletes recognized that psychological aspects were of vital importance, as well as working on technical–tactical aspects and physical fitness in an integrated way. Finally, the Paralympic women athletes highlighted that they had to face numerous barriers, mainly financial challenges and issues with visibility in the media. (4) Conclusions: Athletes consider it necessary to work with specialists to control emotions, increase motivation and self-confidence, as well as to reduce stress and anxiety and manage pressure. Finally, the training process and sporting performance of Paralympic women athletes are conditioned by several barriers, including economic, social, architectural, and disability barriers. These considerations can be taken into account by the technical teams working with Paralympic women athletes, as well as by the competent bodies, to improve the sports training process of these athletes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Paralympic Sports Physiology: Environmental, Training, Physiology and Other Variables Related to Performance and Performance)
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17 pages, 2133 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Using Reactive Agility Exercises with the FITLIGHT Training System on the Speed of Visual Reaction Time and Dribbling Skill of Basketball Players
by Ahmed K. Hassan, Majed M. Alhumaid and Badry E. Hamad
Sports 2022, 10(11), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports10110176 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5455
Abstract
The study aimed to determine the effect of reactive agility with the FITLIGHT training system on the speed of the visual reaction time and dribbling skill of basketball players. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 10; age, 14.80 ± 0.79 [...] Read more.
The study aimed to determine the effect of reactive agility with the FITLIGHT training system on the speed of the visual reaction time and dribbling skill of basketball players. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 10; age, 14.80 ± 0.79 years; height, 163.80 ± 3.46 cm; weight, 55.90 ± 0.99 kg; training, 4.50 ± 0.53 years) and a control group (n = 10; age, 14.60 ± 0.70 years; height, 163.30 ± 3.47 cm; weight, 56.10 ± 0.74 kg; training, 4.30 ± 0.48 years). Reactive agility was assessed through a modified t-test, visual reaction time was assessed using the Li Lafayette instrument Visual Reaction Time Apparatus 63014 response panel, and dribbling skills were assessed through dribbling testing. The results showed improved agility through the modified agility t-test (11%; p = 0.001), an increased speed of visual reaction time for both the right and left hands (23–31%), and improved dribbling skills (19%; p = 0.001) for the experimental group using the FITLIGHT reactive agility software. The results also showed increased skills of the experimental group when compared to the control group. Differences in variability emerged between 6 and 14.1% in favor of the experimental group. Therefore, the researchers recommended that attention should be paid to activating the role of the FITLIGHT reactive agility training to improve and develop the physical, visual, and skill capabilities of basketball players. The researchers propose that FITLIGHT can be effectively used in the basketball training process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Paralympic Sports Physiology: Environmental, Training, Physiology and Other Variables Related to Performance and Performance)
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