Search Results (228)

Objective: Resistance exercise can induce muscle damage that impairs sports performance and cellular repair. Myokines, particularly mitochondrial myokines, play an important role in regulating energy metabolism and muscle recovery. The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism, which alters the expression of α-actinin-3 in muscle fibers, may influence myokine responses by modulating exercise adaptation and recovery. Methods: Seventy-five amateur runners (30–55 years) from the São Paulo International Marathon were evaluated. Plasma levels of mitochondrial myokines (BDNF, FGF-21, FSTL, IL-6, apelin, IL-15, musclin, and myostatin) were measured before and after the race and correlated with ACTN3 R577X genotypes. Results: In this study, the genotypic frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism were 36% (RR), 39% (RX), and 14% (XX). Plasma concentrations of BDNF, FSTL, FGF-21, and IL-6 increased immediately after running across all genotypes, with no significant differences observed between genotypes. In contrast, plasma levels of myostatin, musclin, IL-15, and apelin decreased during the recovery period only among runners carrying the R allele. Conclusions: Mitochondrial myokine responses to resistance exercise were not substantially different among genotypes of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism. However, myokines associated with protein breakdown and bioenergetic adaptation were reduced during the recovery period in runners carrying the R allele, which may impact muscle repair and bioenergetic adaptation. Full article

Objective: to clarify differences in the intermuscular coherence of core muscles during side kicks among male Sanda athletes at varying skill levels, particularly in critical frequency bands; to reveal the association between neuromuscular coordination mechanisms and technical proficiency; and to provide methodological references for quantitative analysis of combat sports techniques. Methods: Thirty-six male Sanda athletes were divided into professional (n = 18) and amateur (n = 18) groups based on athletic ranking and training duration. Surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from 15 core muscles and kinematic data were synchronously recorded using a wireless EMG system and a high-speed camera. Signal processing extracted root mean square amplitude (RMS) and integral EMG (iEMG). Muscle coordination was quantified via time-frequency coherence analysis across alpha (8–15 Hz), beta (15–30 Hz), and gamma (30–50 Hz) bands. Results: The professional group exhibited significantly higher RMS and iEMG values in most core muscles (e.g., rectus femoris RMS: 0.298 ± 0.072 vs. 0.214 ± 0.077 mV, p < 0.001). Regarding intermuscular coherence, the professional group demonstrated significantly superior coherence in the α, β, and γ bands for key muscle pairs, including upper limb–swing leg, support leg–swing leg, and upper limb–support leg. Notable differences were observed in pairs such as external oblique–rectus femoris (alpha band: 0.039 ± 0.012 vs. 0.032 ± 0.011, p < 0.01) and right rectus femoris–biceps femoris (beta band: 0.033 ± 0.010 vs. 0.023 ± 0.007, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The fundamental difference in side kick technique among Sanda athletes lies in neuromuscular control strategies and muscle coordination efficiency. Sensor-based intermuscular coherence analysis provides an objective quantitative indicator for distinguishing technical proficiency, offering a scientific basis for optimizing training and extending the methodological framework for technique assessment in combat sports. Full article

Accurate golf swing correction requires modeling not only static pose deviations but also temporal rhythm and biomechanical stability throughout the swing sequence. Most existing pose-based approaches rely on frame-wise similarity and therefore fail to capture timing, velocity transitions, and coordinated joint dynamics. This study proposes a reinforcement learning-based framework that generates frame-level corrective motions by formulating swing correction as a sequential decision-making problem optimized via Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO). A multi-term reward function is designed to integrate geometric pose accuracy, incremental correction improvement, hip-centered stability, and temporal rhythm consistency measured using a Velocity-DTW metric. Experiments conducted with swing sequences from one professional and five amateur golfers demonstrate that the proposed method produces smoother and more temporally coherent corrections than static pose–based baselines. In particular, rhythm-aware rewards substantially improve the motion of highly dynamic joints, such as the wrists and shoulders, while preserving lower-body stability. Visual analyses further confirm that the corrected trajectories follow expert patterns in both spatial alignment and timing. These results indicate that explicitly incorporating temporal rhythm within a reinforcement learning framework is essential for realistic and effective swing correction. The proposed method provides a principled foundation for automated, expert-level coaching systems in golf and other dynamic sports requiring temporally coordinated whole-body motion. Full article

Aim: This study aimed to assess self-reported oral and orofacial health, hygiene habits, and oral health knowledge among Croatian athletes, and to determine factors influencing that knowledge. Differences between contact and non-contact sports, as well as the occurrence of dental trauma and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms, were also examined. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 1007 athletes (56% male, 44% female) aged 18–42 years, recruited through national sports federations and university sports clubs. The instrument comprised 85 items divided into five domains: sociodemographic data, oral hygiene habits, self-assessed oral health, TMJ symptoms, and oral health knowledge. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, and generalised linear modelling (p < 0.05). Results: Athletes demonstrated moderate oral health knowledge (mean score 11.3 ± 4.4/18). While 92.2% recognised that poor oral hygiene leads to caries and periodontitis, only 52.4% correctly identified the ideal time to replant an avulsed tooth. Female participants, older age groups, and those with higher education had significantly better knowledge (p ≤ 0.05). Recreational athletes scored higher than amateurs (p = 0.002), and those with prior dental trauma experience also showed greater awareness (p = 0.028). No significant difference was found between contact and non-contact sports (p = 0.287). Despite good brushing habits (86.9% brushed twice daily), only 25.4% regularly used dental floss or interdental brushes. A small proportion of athletes reported symptoms related to temporomandibular joint function, most commonly joint clicking (18.2%), tooth wear (13.4%), and nocturnal bruxism (14.3%). There were no significant differences between contact and non-contact sports, except for muscle stiffness near the temples (p = 0.024) and daytime or stress-related teeth grinding (p = 0.013 and p = 0.018). Conclusions: Croatian athletes demonstrated moderate oral health knowledge and satisfactory hygiene habits, but preventive practices remain inadequate. Education level, gender, and previous dental trauma were key determinants of knowledge. Systematic preventive programmes and targeted education are necessary to improve oral health awareness in sports populations. Full article

Background/Objectives. Edible oils derived from herbaceous and woody plants are an important nutritional resource, assuring the health and performance of sportspeople. The aim of this study was to review the inventions and experimental articles referring to the application of vegetable oils in food products for sportspeople and published in the period of 2015–2024. Methods. The literature search was conducted across Google Scholar, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases, as well as by using Google Patents and Espacenet Patent search engines. Results. Altogether, 58 patents and 35 original articles were found. In total, the use of 39 plant taxa belonging to 27 botanical families was documented. The majority of disclosures refer to sports nutrition, post-exercise recovery support, and/or sport performance improvement and may be provided in the form of powders, tablets, beverages, and/or capsules. According to the reviewed studies, the consumption of olive, walnut, and perilla oils beneficially affects the morphological, physiological, and biochemical indicators of sportspeople. The substantial intake of olive oil reported by sportspeople from southern Europe is linked to the recommendations of the Mediterranean diet, while lower consumption of other vegetable oils might be connected to focusing on intake of carbohydrates and/or proteins and/or consumption of other fat sources such as seeds or nuts. Conclusions. Considering the great potential of useful plant species, it might be concluded that future investigations should focus on both (i) further investigations of the effects of well-known vegetable oils on the health and performance of sportspeople, and (ii) searching for novel plant oil sources, suitable for the preparation of food products dedicated to amateur and professional sportspeople. Full article

(1) Background: Ankle joint range of motion is recognized as abnormal in individuals with ankle sprains and Chronic ankle instability (CAI), especially in the dorsiflexion movement. This research investigated the test–retest and inter-rater reliability of the Motustech Beyond IMU for dorsiflexion movement following only one hour of rater training and familiarization. (2) Methods: In total, 62 subjects were evaluated for the inter-rater reliability and test–retest with a one-week interval. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), along with the Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC), was determined for each test of reliability. Standard error of measurement, coefficients of variation, limits of agreement (LoA) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were used for the measurement error analysis. (3) Results: Test–retest reliability was ranked excellent (ICC = 0.949) and very high (CCC = 0.897) for both ankle dorsiflexion measurements. On the other hand, Inter-Rater reliability was evaluated as good (ICC = 0.881–0.906) and very high (CCC = 0.783–0.811). However, the measurement error analysis showed poor absolute agreement (LoA), indicating that the resulting measurement variability is considered clinically unacceptable for high-precision applications. (4) Conclusions: Beyond Inertial demonstrated excellent test–retest reliability for ankle dorsiflexion movements, although measurement error analysis showed considerable absolute error. Consequently, it may be considered a reliable tool for single-rater monitoring of ankle dorsiflexion ROM in non-clinical settings such as general physical activity and amateur sports. Future research should investigate its potential role in injury prevention contexts. Full article

In the context of national fitness and ecological construction, urban water, as the core carrier of water sports, is increasingly being explored. Through empirical analysis of urban water bodies in Nanjing and Shanghai, the Spearman model and an XGBoost model, based on SHAP, are used to examine the correlation between the subjective perceptions of water-landscape images by various types of water-sports participants and objective evidence of urban water-landscape elements. The results show that amateurs prefer a high green-view index (>20%) + low water visibility (≤30%) + low sky visibility (≤30%) + shallow-water area (≤1.5 m), which enhances their satisfaction with the leisure experience; progressors prefer a moderate green-view index (10–20%) + moderate water visibility (30–40%) + moderate sky visibility (30–40%) + medium water-depth area (1.5–2.5 m), which helps them achieve better perception of skill improvement and training effectiveness; professionals prefer high water visibility (≥40%) + high sky visibility (≥40%) + low green-view index (≤10%) + deep-water area (≥2.5 m), which meets their training requirements for professional competitions. This study provides a scientific basis for urban water landscape planning and design in order to create urban water sports spaces that respond to the needs of various types of water sports participants. Full article

Background: Sport-related concussion is common in rugby union, yet female players remain underrepresented in research. This study examined seasonal changes in cerebral oxygenation, cardiac function, and concussion symptomology in adult female rugby players, and explored acute physiological responses following a single documented concussion. Methods: A total of 29 adult females (19 amateur rugby, 10 control) completed pre-, mid-, and end-season assessments. Measures included functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) of the pre-frontal cortex, seismocardiography (SCG)-derived cardiac timing indices, and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6). Group and time effects were analysed using general linear models and statistical parametric mapping. Typical error (TE) and its 90% confidence intervals (90% CI) were used to determine meaningful changes post-concussion. Results: Rugby players reported more SCAT6 symptoms (number: p = 0.006, η²_p = 0.23; severity: p = 0.020, η²_p = 0.17). They also had shorter systolic time (p = 0.002, η²_p = 0.19) and higher twist force values (p = 0.014, η²_p= 0.21) than controls. fNIRS revealed higher right-hemisphere oxyhaemoglobin (ΔO₂Hb) responses for both tasks (ps < 0.001, η²_p = 0.77 and η²_p = 0.80) and lower activation in specific prefrontal channels. No seasonal changes occurred in global oxygenation or frequency band activity. In the exploratory single-concussion case, symptomology, SCG twist force, ΔO₂Hb, and cardiac band power exceeded TE and its 90% CI at 5 days post-injury. Conclusions: The multimodal approach detected stable group-level physiology alongside localised cortical and cardiac differences, and acute changes following concussion. While these results highlight the potential of combined fNIRS and SCG measures to capture physiological disturbances, the small sample size and single-concussion case necessitate cautious interpretation. Further validation in larger, longitudinal cohorts is required before any biomarker utility can be inferred. Full article

Although athletes who have disabilities face unique challenges, little is known about the interaction between mindfulness and emotional intelligence in the context of their psychological self-feeling. This study is among the first to systematically examine how mindfulness and emotional intelligence are related to stress, anxiety and depression in this population and to reveal the pathways through which the mediating effect of emotional intelligence manifests itself. A total of 95 athletes who have various types of disabilities were surveyed. The research instrument consisted of several scales: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS), and the Emotional Intelligence Scale for Use in Sport (EIS). The data were analysed by employing descriptive statistical methods, performing correlation analysis, creating regression models, and through mediation analysis. Several significant trends were identified: professional athletes demonstrated higher mindfulness than amateurs, and higher education was associated with lower mindfulness and emotional intelligence. Mindfulness predicted better emotional competencies (B = 0.511, p < 0.001), which were related to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (B = −0.310, p = 0.001), confirming a partial mediating effect (B = −0.158, 95% PI [−0.273; −0.065]). These findings add to the existing knowledge, demonstrating that in the context of sport for people with disabilities, mindfulness can improve mental health not only directly but also indirectly—through emotional intelligence. This study lays the foundation for individually tailored psychological interventions that would correspond to the specific needs of athletes who have disabilities. Full article

Background: Climbing and strength training are among the most popular types of sports among recreational athletes. However, many newcomers quickly lose motivation and abandon training due to a lack of visible and athletic progress. Hence, we assessed whether a 6-week combined structured gym and climbing training could improve arm muscle strength and size. Methods: We recruited 25 healthy recreational athletes (14 [56.0%] females, age = 20.4 ± 1.7 years, BMI = 21.8 ± 1.7 kg·m⁻²). Most participants trained several times per week (N = 12, 48.0%), and training sessions lasted between 1 and 2 h (N = 11, 44.0%). Most athletes rated their current fitness level as “very good” (N = 15, 60.0%). Subjects performed two gym sessions and two climbing training sessions per week and avoided other training for 6 weeks. We measured the time of bar hang, handgrip strength, and forearm circumference before and after 6 weeks. Results: Hanging time increased from 55.3 ± 3.2 s to 60.9 ± 31.3 s (t(24) = 6.68, p < 0.001). Right handgrip strength increased from 31.6 ± 8.4 N to 34.3 ± 7.6 N (t(24) = 5.58, p < 0.001). Left handgrip strength increased from 29.4 ± 9.9 N to 31.0 ± 9.8 N (t(24) = 4.62, p < 0.001). Right forearm circumference increased from 24.6 ± 1.5 cm to 25.4 ± 1.7 cm (t(24) = 9.04, p < 0.001). Left forearm circumference increased from 24.6 ± 2.0 cm to 25.1 ± 2.1 cm (t(24) = 5.94, p < 0.001). All the relationships remained significant when stratified between males (p < 0.001–0.003) and females (p < 0.001–0.008). Conclusions: A 6-week training intervention consisting of structured climbing and strength training induces significant improvements in grip strength and the appearance of arm muscles in recreational athletes. Amateurs could benefit even from shorter training mesocycles, as a 6-week window to see visible progress. Full article

(1) Background: This study examined the acute and chronic effects of sled-resisted training on power, strength, jump height (evaluated through a CMJ), and sprint kinematics in Spanish amateur football players. (2) Methods: A total of 19 football players (28 ± 8 years; 172 ± 12 cm; 79.3 ± 22.3 kg) performed 10 sled-resisted training sessions with loads of 80% (±2 kg) of their body mass on the day before the match (MD-1). Performance was assessed using a CMJ measured with the My Jump Lab app and sprint kinematics recorded with the 1080 Sprint system; both of these sensor-based technologies are validated for sports performance analysis. The CMJ was performed on MD-1 before the training and again on match day. Sprinting was evaluated before the sled-resisted training and again one week after it ended. (3) Results: These results suggest that sled training with heavy loads and low volume may not have acute effects on CMJ in amateur football players 24 h after it is performed, but there are chronic improvements in CMJ relative force and changes in sprinting after 10 weeks of sled-resisted training. (4) Conclusions: The findings of this study will enable football coaches and physical trainers to understand the changes in this training method to improve performance in amateur football players, using only three repetitions per player per week. Full article

(1) Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, with over 265 million players worldwide. The core muscles play a crucial role in supporting the body’s upper and lower limbs, and training to strengthen these muscles has been shown to improve athletic performance. In 11- to 15-year-old soccer players, core training can be effectively integrated into exercises that resist body weight, improving stability and agility. (2) Our study examines the impact of core muscle training on stability and agility in this age group. (3) 22 male soccer players in an amateur league at the age of 13 ± 1.01 years, height 1.47 ± 0.06 m, weight 60.06 ± 7.44 kg were enrolled. Participants were divided into two groups: experiment (core and ball movement training) and control (ball movement training). The intervention period lasted 12 weeks and included two 15–20 min-long training sessions weekly. Pre- and post-intervention tests were conducted, including tests for agility, stability, ball kick accuracy, speed, and distance jumping. (4) Core training significantly and clearly improved agility, accuracy in ball kicking, and balance with both legs towards the back. Based on these results, and considering that no special equipment is required, we recommend the inclusion of core training in young footballers’ training routine. Full article

Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) is an acute performance increase in voluntary exercises induced by a conditioning activity. Due to the scarcity of evidence about the effectiveness of distinct protocols, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different flywheel PAPE protocols (half-squat and lunge exercises) on vertical and horizontal jump performance, as well as change-of-direction ability in female amateur footballers (n = 21). Each protocol consisted of 3 sets of 6 repetitions for the half-squat protocol or 10 repetitions for the lunge protocol, with two minutes of passive rest, performed with a conical pulley. Both protocols were followed by rests of two, eight, and twelve minutes for repeated countermovement jump (CMJ), triple hop, and change-of-direction test (modified T-505) testing. The fixed-effect model 2-ways-repeated measures ANOVA showed that there was no significant interaction between time and exercises performed (p > 0.05). There was no significant relationship between exercise specificity and performance in sport-specific tasks. Our results suggest that, within this population, neither flywheel protocol provided measurable PAPE benefits across varied time windows. The findings underscore the importance of strength levels in achieving PAPE benefits and question the specificity of PAPE protocols to targeted sport performance outcomes. Full article

Handball is a sport that demands explosive movements and unique skills, and its popularity has been rising in recent years. This study evaluated elite handball players’ nutritional supplement (NS) use profiles and the differences in sex, competition level, and competition type based on the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) criteria. The data collection form contains questions about participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, training details, use of supplements, and related factors. Supplements were classified into A, B, C, and D classes according to the scientific evidence level of the AIS. The study involved 92 elite handball athletes, comprising 48 professionals and 44 amateurs, and included 37 females and 55 males. The most frequently used supplements among participants were magnesium (37.0%) (Group C—AIS), vitamin C (20.7%) (Group B—AIS), whey protein (19.6%), sports bars (19.6%), and vitamin D (19.6%) (Group A—AIS). Regarding sex differences, a significant difference was observed only in Group C supplements, with male players using them more frequently than female players (p < 0.05). Professional athletes exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of supplement use, covering total, Group A, sports foods, performance supplements, and Groups B and C, relative to amateur players (p < 0.05). The results reveal that handball players have limited awareness of NS, emphasizing the need for training and consulting services. Full article

It is important to study if and how athletes’ mental resilience and mindfulness are connected, because both could promote mental health, as well as facilitate coping with stress and successful athletic performance. It was hypothesized that mental resilience and mindfulness would correlate, and also that mental resilience and mindfulness would differ in both means and correlation strength according to the type of sport. The possible nexus of mental resilience and mindfulness with the longevity of sports practice was also examined. The sample consisted of 177 athletes whose mean age was 21 years old and whose average sports practice lasted 8.7 years. Most of them were professional athletes (N = 121, 68.4%). They practiced individual sports (N = 85, 48.0%), combat sports (N = 47, 26.6%), and team sports (N = 45, 25.4%). The Bulgarian adaptations of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale were used. The athletes’ mental resilience and mindfulness correlated significantly and positively. The athletes’ mental resilience correlated positively with the years of sports practice among the amateur athletes and among the athletes practicing team sports. The athletes’ mindfulness increased with age for the athletes practicing combat sports and team sports. Mindfulness diminished with more years of sports practice for the amateur athletes and for those practicing individual sports. The athletes practicing combat sports had higher mental resilience than those practicing individual sports and those practicing team sports. The male athletes had higher mental resilience than the female athletes. The established positive nexus between the athletes’ mental resilience and mindfulness means that training mindfulness could be a mechanism for strengthening mental resilience, as well as higher mental resilience could facilitate mindful awareness of the present moment and focus attention on what is happening now. The athletes practicing individual sports are those who need more training for enhancing mindfulness and mental resilience. Physical activity and sports participation may contribute to mental health improvement by strengthening mindfulness and mental resilience. Full article