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Sports
Special Issues
Sport-Specific Testing and Training Methods in Youth
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Sport-Specific Testing and Training Methods in Youth

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 26 September 2025 | Viewed by 2994

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alessandra Amato

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Anatomy, Histology and Movement Science, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia No 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: performance; training; sport; body composition; adapted physical activity
Dr. Andrea Fusco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti–Pescara, Chieti, Italy
Interests: sport; physical activity; sport statistics; training monitoring; testing; exercise prescription; rate of perceived exertion; fatigue; sport biomechanics; human balance; proprioception; postural control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Cristina Cortis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Lazio Meridionale, 03043 Cassino, Italy
Interests: sport performance; performance analysis; fitness assessment; recovery and stress; determinants of physical activity; dual career in athletes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The physiological and psychological needs of a young athlete are different from those of an older athlete who is already established in a specific sport. 

As the age of sports specialization and professional sports appears to be decreasing, more research is needed related to training and testing specific young athletes and specific disciplines. Exercise testing in the cohort of younger athletes is critical for safety, injury prevention, and to ensure long-term health. This awareness can guide coaches and trainers toward effective and balanced training strategies to promote performance, early talent identification, and long-term success. 

This Special Issue aims to provide a snapshot of the management of the young athlete through the adaptability and specificity of training, testing, and early specialization in the sports world. Contributions might illustrate the current testing and training strategies specific to improving young athletes' sports technique and sports conditioning. To progress in the knowledge of such complex issues, contributions by experts in the field in the form of research papers and critical reviews are called for.

Dr. Alessandra Amato
Dr. Andrea Fusco
Prof. Dr. Cristina Cortis
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. 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

  • young athletes
  • sports specialization
  • training
  • testing
  • performance
  • injury prevention
  • talent identification
  • early specialization

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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14 pages, 1466 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of Specific Professional Training in Male Elite Adolescent Team Handball Players
by Wagner Herbert, Radic Vanja and Hinz Matthias
Sports 2025, 13(6), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13060193 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 410
Abstract
Professional training in elite team handball academies is key to developing top players, yet its direct impact on physical performance remains unclear. This study aimed to (1) provide professional training to elite adolescent players and (2) assess performance improvements using a team handball-specific [...] Read more.
Professional training in elite team handball academies is key to developing top players, yet its direct impact on physical performance remains unclear. This study aimed to (1) provide professional training to elite adolescent players and (2) assess performance improvements using a team handball-specific test. Thirty elite male players (six goalkeepers, 24 field players) participated in an 11-week program, with nine under-19 (17.2 ± 1.3 years) and nine under-17 (15.6 ± 0.9 years) field players completing at least 80% of sessions. All underwent pre- and post-testing using the game-based performance test. A two-way ANOVA analyzed differences between tests and age groups as well as playing positions. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) were found in defense and offense time and body weight for both groups. Under-17 players also showed a significant increase in peak oxygen uptake (+9%), ball velocity (+7%), and jump height (+20%). Agility in defense and offense improved in under-19 (+3%) and under-17 (+6%) players, aligning with training goals. Positional differences were observed between backcourt players and wings (p < 0.01) in the ball velocity, while all players showed improvements in both defense and offense performance. We suggest that professional and targeted specific training at this age has a significant impact on the long-term development of adolescent team handball players and is the basis for a professional handball career. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport-Specific Testing and Training Methods in Youth)
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14 pages, 2259 KiB  
Article
Physiological Correspondence Between Different Indexes of High-Intensity Endurance Exercise in Young Male Runners
by Danilo A. Massini, Renato A. C. Caritá, Tiago A. F. Almeida, Anderson G. Macedo, Víctor Hernández-Beltrán, José M. Gamonales, Mário C. Espada and Dalton M. Pessôa Filho
Sports 2025, 13(6), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13060167 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 361
Abstract
Critical speed (CS), the respiratory compensation point (RCP), and the midpoint between gas exchange threshold and maxial oxygen uptake (VO2max) (i.e., 50%Δ) have been considered indexes able to demarcate the boundary between the heavy and severe exercise domains. However, the agreement [...] Read more.
Critical speed (CS), the respiratory compensation point (RCP), and the midpoint between gas exchange threshold and maxial oxygen uptake (VO2max) (i.e., 50%Δ) have been considered indexes able to demarcate the boundary between the heavy and severe exercise domains. However, the agreement between these indexes—and therefore the validity of using them reciprocally—remains to be reported in running. The current study analyzed the agreement between RCP, 50%Δ, and CS. Twelve young runners performed an incremental test to assess VO2max, RCP, and 50%Δ, with CS estimated by the linear model of time-limited trials at 90, 95, and 110% of the speed corresponding to VO2max. One-way ANOVA showed no differences when comparing VO2 and running speed at CS vs. 50%Δ vs. RCP (47.5 ± 4.4 vs. 46.6 ± 4.4 vs. 47.8 ± 4.5 mLO2∙kg−1∙min−1; and 13.9 ± 1.3 vs. 13.7 ± 1.3 vs. 14.0 ± 1.4 km∙h−1; p > 0.05 for all comparisons). The bias for 50%Δ vs. CS was −0.82 ± 1.55 mLO2∙kg−1∙min−1 and −0.23 ± 0.55 km∙h−1, and for RCP vs. CS, it was 0.36 ± 1.21 mLO2∙kg−1∙min−1 and 0.05 ± 0.46 km∙h−1. Therefore, the agreement between RCP, 50%Δ, and CS in estimating VO2 responses and running speed did not preclude their reciprocal similarity in exercise intensity, although the observed individual variability in physiological variables is a constraint on considering these indexes interchangeable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport-Specific Testing and Training Methods in Youth)
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11 pages, 914 KiB  
Article
Relationships Between Sport-Specific Anaerobic Tests, Interlimb Asymmetry, and Bilateral Deficit as Measured from Vertical Jump Performances in Highly Trained Taekwondo Athletes
by Ibrahim Ouergui, Slaheddine Delleli, Gennaro Apollaro, Hamdi Messaoudi, Rafael Lima Kons, Craig Alan Bridge, Hamdi Chtourou, Emerson Franchini, Emanuela Faelli and Luca Paolo Ardigò
Sports 2025, 13(4), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13040103 - 28 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1213
Abstract
The present study investigated the effect of inter-limb asymmetry and bilateral indexes (BLIs) in power performance, assessed by squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ), on sport-specific anaerobic performance. Forty-eight taekwondo athletes (24 males and 24 females; mean ± SD, age: 19.8 ± [...] Read more.
The present study investigated the effect of inter-limb asymmetry and bilateral indexes (BLIs) in power performance, assessed by squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ), on sport-specific anaerobic performance. Forty-eight taekwondo athletes (24 males and 24 females; mean ± SD, age: 19.8 ± 2.1 years) performed randomly, in separate sessions, SJ and CMJ tests using the right, left, and both legs to determine the asymmetry and BLI, the 10 s Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT10s), and its multiple version (FSKTmult). FSKT10s was positively correlated with CMJ asymmetry (ρ = 0.299, p = 0.039, low) and SJ BLI (r = 0.596, p < 0.001, large), and negatively correlated with CMJ BLI (r = −0.472, p = 0.001, moderate). Similarly, FSKTmult was positively correlated with SJ BLI (ρ = 0.632, p < 0.001, large), and negatively correlated with CMJ BLI (ρ = −0.532, p < 0.001, large). CMJ and SJ BLI explained 45.9% of the variance of the FSKT10s performance, whilst they explained 55.7% of the variance of FSKTmult performance. These results highlight the importance of managing both interlimb asymmetry and bilateral deficit indexes to achieve better performance by improving the strength of the non-dominant leg and using exercises that are performed bilaterally despite unilateral movements being predominant in taekwondo, which can potentially enhance the effectiveness in sport-specific actions Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport-Specific Testing and Training Methods in Youth)
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12 pages, 1004 KiB  
Brief Report
Power–Load Relationship of Bench Press, Ballistic Bench Press, and Prone Bench Pull in International Medal-Winning Canoeists and Kayakers
by Oscar Crisafulli, Matteo Fortunati, Tiziano Gemelli, Massimiliano Febbi, Patrik Drid, Stefano Ramat and Giuseppe D’Antona
Sports 2025, 13(6), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13060191 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 375
Abstract
Paddler athletes use resistance training (RT) to optimize power output (PO) during competitions. Understanding the power–load relationship (P–Lr) is essential for effective RT prescription. Moreover, the push-to-pull ratio (PU/PR)—the one-repetition maximum (1RM) of a pulling exercise divided by the one of a pushing [...] Read more.
Paddler athletes use resistance training (RT) to optimize power output (PO) during competitions. Understanding the power–load relationship (P–Lr) is essential for effective RT prescription. Moreover, the push-to-pull ratio (PU/PR)—the one-repetition maximum (1RM) of a pulling exercise divided by the one of a pushing exercise—has been suggested as a metric associated with sprint kayak performance. This study aimed to describe P–Lr in three guided exercises (bench press (BP), ballistic bench press (BBP), and prone bench pull (PBP)), along with PU/PR in international-level canoeing and kayaking athletes. Nine male athletes (21.0 ± 1.5 years) were monitored during two sessions of an incremental testing protocol. Load ranged from 30 to 100 kg in BP, 30 to 95 kg in PBP, and 20 to 60 kg in BBP. Instantaneous displacement was measured using a linear position transducer, and PO was computed for each repetition and exercise. PU/PR was calculated upon PBP and BP. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to explore differences among exercises and relative load from 20% to 90% 1RM. PBP displayed a higher PO between 40% and 90% 1RM compared to BP and BBP), while no statistical difference was found between BP and BBP at any relative load. Additionally, mean PU/PR resulted 0.96. This study provides preliminary values regarding P–Lr and PU/PR in elite paddlers, which may assist in designing training programs for those targeting major competitions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport-Specific Testing and Training Methods in Youth)
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