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Sports
Special Issues
Neuromechanical Adaptations to Exercise and Sports Training
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Neuromechanical Adaptations to Exercise and Sports Training

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2025) | Viewed by 3382

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Denis César Leite Vieira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. INSERM U1093 CAPS, Sports Science Faculty, University of Burgundy, 21078 Dijon, France
2. Graduate Program of Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
Interests: neuromuscular system; exercise; stretching; warm-up; neuromechanical adaptations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Improvements in muscle strength, power, and joint range of motion are crucial physical adaptations sought by both professional and amateur athletes. Physiological adaptations play a significant role in enhancing these aspects. Specifically, neural adaptations at the corticospinal and spinal levels can lead to gains in muscle strength and joint mobility. Additionally, mechanical adaptations in the muscle–tendon unit also contribute to these improvements. Various exercise strategies, such as stretching, resistance training, and others, are commonly employed to promote neural and mechanical adaptations that enhance the physical capacities of athletes. Moreover, sport-specific training can have a significant impact on neuromuscular function and the muscle–tendon unit.

This Special Issue provides an opportunity to publish high-quality original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses focusing on the development of exercise strategies and sport-specific training to promote neuromechanical adaptations that improve physical capacities, including muscle strength, power, and joint range of motion. Our goal is to highlight recent research on innovative methods and strategies aimed at promoting neuromechanical adaptations and improving performance in both young and adult professional and amateur athletes.

Dr. Denis César Leite Vieira
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

  • stretching
  • resistance exercise
  • training
  • warm-up
  • motor evoked potential
  • spinal excitability
  • corticospinal excitability
  • peak torque
  • evoked contractile properties
  • muscle tendon stiffness

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 284 KB  
Article
Can Conditioning Activity with Blood Flow Restriction Impact Neuromuscular Performance and Perceptual Responses to Exercise?
by Robson Conceição Silva, Leandro Lima Sousa, Hugo de Luca Correa, Thailson Fernandes Silva, Lucas de Souza Martins, Pedro Felix, Martim Bottaro, Denis César Leite Vieira and Carlos Ernesto
Sports 2025, 13(8), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13080243 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 408
Abstract
Low-load conditioning activity with blood flow restriction has been addressed as an efficient method to enhance an individual’s performance during their main exercise activity. However, the optimal degree of blood flow restriction remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the acute effects of low-load [...] Read more.
Low-load conditioning activity with blood flow restriction has been addressed as an efficient method to enhance an individual’s performance during their main exercise activity. However, the optimal degree of blood flow restriction remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the acute effects of low-load conditioning activity with different degrees of blood flow restriction on muscle strength, power, and perceived exertion. Twenty recreationally trained men (20.9 ± 2.3 years) participated in a randomized crossover design including three conditions: control, low-load blood flow restriction at 50%, and 75% of total arterial occlusion pressure. Participants performed squats (three sets of ten reps) followed by isokinetic assessments of the knee flexor and extensor performance at 7 and 10-min post-exercise. The session rating of perceived exertion (SRPE) was recorded 30 min after each session. No significant effects were observed for condition, time, or their interaction on peak torque, total work, or average power (p < 0.05). However, SRPE was significantly higher in the 75% BFR condition compared to both the 50% BFR and control conditions (p < 0.05), with no difference between the 50% BFR and control. These findings suggest that low-load conditioning activity with blood flow restriction does not acutely enhance neuromuscular performance. However, a higher degree of restriction increases perceived exertion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromechanical Adaptations to Exercise and Sports Training)
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11 pages, 762 KB  
Article
Acute Effects of Short Static, Dynamic, and Contract–Relax with Antagonist Contraction Stretch Modalities on Vertical Jump Height and Flexibility
by Clément Cheurlin, Carole Cometti, Jihane Mrabet, Jules Opplert and Nicolas Babault
Sports 2025, 13(4), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13040115 - 10 Apr 2025
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Abstract
The present study investigated the acute effects of different stretching modalities applied within a warm-up on flexibility and vertical jump height. Thirty-seven young adults participated in four randomized experimental sessions, each corresponding to a different condition: static stretch (SS), dynamic stretch (DS), contract–relax [...] Read more.
The present study investigated the acute effects of different stretching modalities applied within a warm-up on flexibility and vertical jump height. Thirty-seven young adults participated in four randomized experimental sessions, each corresponding to a different condition: static stretch (SS), dynamic stretch (DS), contract–relax with antagonist contraction (CRAC) or a control condition with no stretch (CTRL). Conditions were five min in total duration, including 2 × 15 s stretches for each muscle group (knee flexor, knee extensor, and plantar flexor muscles). Ten min and five min of cycling preceded and followed these procedures, respectively. Hamstring flexibility and a series of countermovement jump (CMJ) measurements were interspersed within this procedure. Except for CTRL, hamstring flexibility significantly increased (p < 0.01) after all experimental procedures (7.5 ± 6.6%, 4.1 ± 4.9%, and 2.7 ± 6.0% for CRA, SS, and DS, respectively). The relative increase was significantly greater for CRAC as compared CTRL (p < 0.001). Vertical jump height significantly decreased (p < 0.05) immediately after SS (−2.3 ± 3.9%), CTRL (−2.3 ± 3.5%), and CRAC (−3.2 ± 3.3%). Jump height was unchanged after DS (0.4 ± 4.5%). Whatever the condition, no additional jump height alteration was obtained after the re-warm-up. The main findings of the present study revealed that DS is more appropriate for maintaining vertical jump height. However, stretching has no major effect when performed within a warm-up. In contrast, if the main objective is to increase flexibility, CRAC is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromechanical Adaptations to Exercise and Sports Training)
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Other

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22 pages, 626 KB  
Systematic Review
Exercise as Modulator of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
by Markel Rico-González, Daniel González-Devesa, Carlos D. Gómez-Carmona and Adrián Moreno-Villanueva
Sports 2025, 13(8), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13080253 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1458
Abstract
Adolescence represents a critical period of neurodevelopment during which brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a fundamental role in neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. While exercise-BDNF relationships are well-documented in adults, evidence in adolescents remains limited and inconsistent. This systematic review examined the effects [...] Read more.
Adolescence represents a critical period of neurodevelopment during which brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a fundamental role in neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. While exercise-BDNF relationships are well-documented in adults, evidence in adolescents remains limited and inconsistent. This systematic review examined the effects of exercise modalities on circulating BDNF concentrations in adolescent populations. A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across multiple databases (FECYT, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest Central, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library) through June 2025. Inclusion criteria comprised adolescents, exercise interventions, BDNF outcomes, and randomized controlled trial design. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. From 130 initially identified articles, 8 randomized controlled trials were included, with 4 rated as excellent and the other 4 as good quality. Exercise modalities included aerobic, resistance, concurrent, high-intensity interval training, Taekwondo, and whole-body vibration, with durations ranging 6–24 weeks. Four studies demonstrated statistically significant BDNF increases following exercise interventions, four showed no significant changes, and one reported transient reduction. Positive outcomes occurred primarily with vigorous-intensity protocols implemented for a minimum of six weeks. Meta-analysis was not feasible due to high heterogeneity in populations, interventions, and control conditions. Moreover, variation in post-exercise sampling timing further limited comparability of BDNF results. Future research should standardize protocols and examine longer interventions to clarify exercise-BDNF relationships in adolescents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromechanical Adaptations to Exercise and Sports Training)
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