Search Results (298)

Multisensory integration is crucial for effective cognitive functioning, especially in complex tasks such as those requiring rapid audiovisual information processing. High-level martial arts routine athletes, trained in integrating visual and auditory cues for performance, may exhibit superior abilities in cross-audiovisual integration. This study aimed to explore whether these athletes demonstrate an expert advantage effect in audiovisual integration, particularly focusing on whether this advantage is due to enhanced automatic auditory processing. A total of 165 participants (81 male, 84 female) were included in three experiments. Experiment 1 (n = 63) used a cross-audiovisual Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) paradigm to compare the martial arts routine athlete group (n = 31) with a control group (n = 33) in tasks requiring target stimulus identification under audiovisual congruent and incongruent conditions. Experiment 2 (n = 52) manipulated the synchronicity of auditory stimuli to differentiate between audiovisual integration and auditory alerting effects. Experiment 3 (n = 50) combined surprise and post-surprise tests to investigate the role of automatic auditory processing in this expert advantage. Experiment 1 revealed that martial arts routine athletes outperformed the control group, especially in semantically incongruent conditions, with significantly higher accuracy at both lag3 (p < 0.001, 95% CI = [0.165, 0.275]) and lag8 (p < 0.001, 95% CI = [0.242, 0.435]). Experiment 2 found no significant difference between groups in response to the manipulation of auditory stimulus synchronicity, ruling out an alerting effect. In Experiment 3, martial arts routine athletes demonstrated better performance in reporting unexpected auditory stimuli during the surprise test, indicating enhanced automatic processing capacity. Additionally, a significant improvement in working memory re-selection was observed in the martial arts routine group. The expert advantage effect observed in martial arts routine athletes is attributable to enhanced cross-audiovisual integration, independent of an auditory alerting mechanism. Long-term training improves the efficiency of working memory re-selection and the ability to inhibit conflicting information, suggesting that the expanded capacity for automatic auditory processing underpins their multisensory integration advantage. Full article

Muscle–joint flexibility is defined as the ability of a muscle to stretch in a controlled manner, allowing a wide range of movement at the joints. While numerous methodologies exist for improving flexibility, few studies have investigated the role of athletes’ perceptual processes and awareness related to their own body and movement control during such training. In this pilot study, we explored how two different training protocols—static and dynamic stretching (control group, CON) and multi-joint resistance training (experimental group, EXP)—influence both flexibility and psychophysical awareness, understood as a multidimensional construct involving perceived flexibility improvements, self-assessed control over exercise execution, and cognitive-emotional responses such as engagement, motivation, and satisfaction during physical effort. The study involved 24 male amateur track-and-field athletes (mean age 23 ± 2.5 years), randomized into two equal groups. Over 12 weeks, both groups trained three times per week. Flexibility was assessed using the Sit and Reach Test at three time points (pre-, mid-, and post-intervention). A 2 × 3 mixed ANOVA revealed a significant group × time interaction (F = 20.17, p < 0.001), with the EXP group showing greater improvements than the CON group. In the EXP group, Sit and Reach scores increased from pre = 28.55 cm (SD = 4.91) to mid = 29.39 cm (SD = 4.67) and post = 29.48 cm (SD = 4.91), with a significant difference between pre and post (p = 0.01; d = 0.35). The CON group showed minimal changes, with scores of pre = 28.66 cm (SD = 4.92), mid = 28.76 cm (SD = 5.03), and post = 28.84 cm (SD = 5.10), and no significant difference between pre and post (p = 0.20; d = 0.04). Psychophysical awareness was assessed using a custom questionnaire structured on a 5-point Likert scale, with items addressing perception of flexibility, motor control, and exercise-related bodily sensations. The questionnaire showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.92). Within the EXP group, psychophysical awareness increased significantly (from 3.50 to 4.17; p = 0.01; d = 0.38), while no significant change occurred in the CON group (p = 0.16). Post-hoc power analysis confirmed small to moderate effect sizes within the EXP group, although between-group differences lacked sufficient statistical power. These results suggest that resistance training may improve flexibility and concurrently enhance athletes’ psychophysical self-awareness more effectively than traditional stretching. Such findings offer practical implications for coaches seeking to optimize flexibility training by integrating alternative methods that promote both physical and perceptual adaptations. Full article

Background: Repeated high-intensity intervals under normoxic (NOR) and hypoxic (HYP) conditions is a training strategy used by athletes. Although different protocols have been used, the effect of longer recovery between repetitions is unclear. In addition, information on the effect of repeated high-intensity intervals on HYP in women is scarce. Aims: To analyse the differences between sexes and between conditions (NOR and HYP) in Repeated Wingate (RW) performance and neuromuscular fatigue in triathletes. Methods: A total of 12 triathletes (men: n = 7, 23.00 ± 4.04 years; women: n = 5, 20.40 ± 3.91) participated in this randomised, blinded, crossover study. In two separate sessions over seven days, participants performed 3 × 30” all out with 7′ of recovery in randomised NOR (fraction of inspired oxygen: ≈20%; ≈300 m altitude) and HYP (fraction of inspired oxygen: ≈15.5%; ≈2500 m altitude) conditions. Before and after RW, vertical jump tests were performed to assess neuromuscular fatigue. Oxygen saturation, power, perceived exertion, muscle soreness and heart rate parameters were assessed. Results: Significant differences were reported between sexes in the parameters of vertical jump, oxygen saturation, RW performance and heart rate (p < 0.05). However, between conditions (NOR and HYP), only differences in oxygen saturation were reported (p < 0.05). No significant differences were reported between conditions (NOR and HYP) in RW performance, neuromuscular fatigue, muscle soreness and perception of exertion. Conclusions: A 3 × 30” RW protocol with 7′ recovery in HYP could have no negative consequences on performance, neuromuscular fatigue and perception of exertion in triathletes compared to NOR, independently of sex. Full article

Background/Objectives: Injury prevention programs (IPPs) are evidence-based interventions that reduce musculoskeletal injuries in youth sports. Despite their proven benefits, the adoption of IPPs by coaches remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, usage, and perceptions of IPPs among youth sports coaches in Poland and to identify factors associated with their implementation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based survey tailored to youth sports coaches in Poland. Coaches of athletes aged 9–17 were recruited through targeted outreach to clubs and professional networks. The survey assessed IPP awareness, implementation, perceptions, and sources of information. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, non-parametric comparisons, Firth’s logistic regression, and cluster profiling. Results: Only 54.6% of coaches (59 out of 108) were aware of IPPs, and among them, just 47.5% reported using them. No significant associations were found between IPP use and demographic variables such as gender, sport, or place of residence. Coaches who were aware of IPPs were significantly younger than those who were unaware (p = 0.029). The information source was the strongest predictor of IPP implementation: coaches trained via formal courses were over 20 times more likely to use IPPs compared to those learning from peers (OR = 20.4, p < 0.001). While coaches generally perceived IPPs as beneficial for fitness and recovery, 28.6% expressed doubts about their effectiveness in reducing injury risk. Conclusions: Despite broadly positive beliefs, only 47.5% of coaches who were aware of IPPs reported using them. Formal training significantly enhances the likelihood of adoption. These findings emphasize the need for structured educational efforts and improved dissemination strategies to promote evidence-based injury prevention in youth sports settings. Full article

The current study investigates effects from a non-formal coach education program based on mentorship on the coach–athlete working alliance (CAWA), perceived coach performance (PCP), coaches’ perceptions of self (CPS), and social resources in sport (SRS). Fifty-four elite coaches from a variety of sports who participated in a non-formal coach education program based on mentorship over a period of 18 months, and 21 coaches from a control group, completed data collection at both the pre- and post-test. The results from regression analyses show that the group variable significantly explained the variance in the PCP and SRS at the post-test, whereas the group variable did not significantly explain any variance in CAWA and CPS at the post-test. Thus, the results in the current study indicate positive results from the coach education program on PCP and SRS. The current results are discussed based on the effect mentorship might have on coaches’ self-reflections based on their own experiences, and the importance of building social networks among their peer coaches. Full article

This study examines perceptions of sexual harassment in sports 25 years after the enactment of Israel’s prevention of sexual harassment law, building upon a 1999 study by Feigin and Negbi. Utilizing feminist and power relations theories, this research investigates how perceptions have evolved across genders, competitive levels, and coaching statuses. A total of 361 participants, including non-competitive, competitive, and Olympic athletes, completed a questionnaire assessing perceptions of potentially harassing behaviors. The results reveal significant shifts in awareness, particularly among female athletes, across all four factors of sexual harassment examined. The most substantial change was observed in the “Between concern and interest” factor, indicating increased sensitivity to ambiguous behaviors. Olympic athletes and coaches demonstrated heightened awareness compared to non-competitive athletes. Gender disparities persisted, with female participants consistently showing higher sensitivity to potentially harassing behaviors. These findings underscore the need for tailored educational programs, policy revisions, and increased representation of diverse perspectives in sports leadership. Full article

This study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in elite youth soccer players using a novel multidomain correlational mapping approach. A four-week HIIT intervention was applied in a randomized controlled design, with physiological, cognitive, and neuromuscular data collected through laboratory, field-based, and biochemical tests. Metrics such as VO₂max, BDNF levels, lactate dynamics, and cognitive load were analyzed across time points and groups. HIIT elicited statistically significant improvements in aerobic capacity, buffering efficiency, and perceptual-cognitive function, with a notable emergence of cross-domain associations. Unlike the control group, HIIT participants showed strengthened correlations between metabolic, cognitive, and neuromuscular indices, such as lactate slope with exertion perception and BDNF response with cardiac recovery. Hierarchical clustering further revealed tightly integrated multidomain clusters in the HIIT group, absent in the controls, suggesting a reorganization of physiological networks. These findings support the concept that HIIT not only improves discrete capacities but fosters systemic adaptation through enhanced inter-domain coordination. These results align with emerging frameworks in network physiology and highlight the potential for using correlation structures as biomarkers of holistic training adaptation. This multidimensional perspective offers new insights into how targeted training reshapes performance-related systems and may inform individualized athletic programming. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and stability of both Perception of Velocity (PV) and Perception of Velocity Loss (PVL) over four weeks, without any feedback regarding velocity during training sessions. Fifteen subjects performed six training sessions: four sessions familiarized the athletes with PV and PVL and the final two sessions assessed the accuracy and stability of PV and PVL, with one conducted 48 h after the familiarization and the other after 4 weeks. To assess PV and PVL, two loads (60% 1RM and 80% 1RM) and two velocity losses (20% VL and 40% VL) were employed. PV accuracy was measured by the DeltaScore, the difference between perceived velocity (Vp) and the velocity provided by the encoder (Vr): DetlaScore = Vp − Vr. PVL was measured by the Vscore, the difference between repetitions where the subject perceived the target %VL (Np) and repetitions that actually met it (Nr): Vscore = Np − Nr. The analysis performed revealed no differences in DeltaScore nor in Vscore between the two test sessions performed 4 weeks apart (p > 0.05). On the other hand, the effect of load on both DeltaScore and Vscore was significant in both sessions (p < 0.05). PVL and PV accuracy are stable throughout time. PVL may be used to prescribe and monitor velocity-based training. Conversely, when prescribing training sessions based on PV, it is essential to pair PV with a perception scale and incorporate an encoder when possible. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various nutritional supplements in enhancing endurance performance and subjective thermal perception in athletes exposed to high-temperature environments through a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EBSCOhost from inception to January 2025. Studies were included if they evaluated the effects of nutritional supplements on either endurance performance or subjective thermal perception in athletes under heat stress. Two independent reviewers screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. A network meta-analysis was performed using R software (version 4.3.1). The search was limited to English-language publications and employed both MeSH and free-text terms related to “athletes,” “nutritional supplements,” and “exercise performance,” using Boolean operators (AND/OR) to construct the strategy. Results: Twenty-five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 552 participants were included, yielding 22 comparisons: 18 assessed endurance performance, and 11 assessed subjective perception. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and posterior probabilities (P-scores based on Bayesian ranking) were calculated using random-effects and Bayesian models. Menthol (SMD = −1.83, 95% CI [−3.15, −0.51]; P-score = 71.04%) and taurine (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI [0.08, 1.73]; P-score = 12.75%) demonstrated significant positive effects on endurance. Menthol energy gel showed the greatest improvement in thermal comfort (SMD = 2.14, 95% CI [1.01, 3.26]; P-score = 99.54%). Conclusions: Menthol and taurine appear effective in enhancing endurance in hot environments, while menthol energy gel substantially improves perceived thermal comfort. Future research should apply stricter controls regarding environmental conditions, supplement dosage, and participant characteristics. While individual supplements may offer limited benefits, synergistic combinations may yield greater improvements in performance and comfort. Full article

Blockchain technology is reshaping the sports industry by enhancing transparency, data security, and fan engagement through applications such as smart contracts, tokenized sponsorships, and decentralized ticketing. This study investigates blockchain adoption in Romanian team sports, specifically football and basketball, through a comparative analysis based on a survey of 293 sports professionals (213 from football and 80 from basketball). Using structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS and cluster analysis in SPSS, the study explores the perceived benefits of blockchain and its relationship with athlete performance. The findings reveal distinct adoption patterns: football shows higher use of blockchain in ticketing and fan engagement, while basketball leads in performance analytics and financial support mechanisms. Statistically significant differences were confirmed through MANOVA, and clustering revealed varied stakeholder perceptions across professional roles. Benchmarking against sectors like finance and healthcare highlights transferable best practices for blockchain integration in sports. Full article

Objective: Protein supplements (PSs) are widely consumed by professional and non-professional athletes, yet research on non-athletic PS users’ perceptions, motivations, and health risk awareness is limited. This study aimed to investigate non-professional athletes’ PS patterns of use, motivations, and safety. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a constructed questionnaire reporting on PS usage trends, exercise habits, and demographic factors. Adult respondents were recruited from gyms, athletic organizations, amusement parks, and playing fields. Results: We received 1100 responses, and 327 were PS users. From the total of PS users, there was a prevalence of PS use in males [(203 (62%)]; adults in the age group of 25–34 [136 (42%)], p < 0.001; and participants with a normal BMI (189, 58%), p < 0.001. Following high-intensity fitness exercise sessions and engagement with more than two types of physical activity were associated with more than doubled odds of PS consumption (p < 0.001). The main reasons for PS intake were for muscle mass increase (35%) and recovery (18%), and protein powder was the most popular PS (279; 64%). The main channels of information for PS use were Web/social media (50, 40%) and coaches (54, 43.2%), while one out of two [35 (49%); p = 0.008] of those engaged in more than two types of physical exercise declared that PSs are good for health. Conclusion: The findings highlight demographic, behavioral, and informational factors shaping PS consumption in non-professional athletes. Despite the perceived benefits, reliance on non-expert sources and unregulated products raises concerns about consumer awareness and safety, while educational initiatives to promote evidence-based supplementation practices are deemed crucial. Full article

Objectives: Adolescents’ health is positively influenced by the performance of physical activity. Regarding soccer, a very popular sport, the aims of the study were to assess changes in body composition and body image of late adolescent players during pre- and in-season training periods, analyzing the relationships between dissatisfaction and body composition parameters. Methods: A sample of 16–19-year-old male soccer players was examined longitudinally by three surveys. The body composition was assessed by anthropometric method. Body image perception was evaluated using two different figural scales related to shape and muscularity. Results: During the period examined, fat-free mass increased, and changes in perceived and ideal figures occurred, showing a desire toward more robust and muscular figures. Body image dissatisfaction was generally low, with a decrease in muscle dissatisfaction during the period. Body composition parameters significantly predicted body image dissatisfaction. Conclusions: Our findings suggest anthropometric and body image perception changes during soccer training with improvements in body composition parameters and a decrease in musculature dissatisfaction. These results highlight the importance of incorporating physical and psychological monitoring into training programs to support the healthy development of athletes’ body image and body composition. Full article

Objectives: This explorative study aimed to evaluate athletes’ perceptions of how CrossFit^® affects physical, psychological, and social well-being, exploring gender differences. CrossFit^® is a high-intensity functional training modality aimed at enhancing overall fitness and health. Limited research has explored its perceived impact on broader aspects of well-being, particularly considering gender differences. Methods: A total of 202 participants (age 34.3 ± 10.0 years) with at least 6 months of CrossFit^® experience completed an online self-reported questionnaire not previously published but created following published guidelines. The questions explore athletes’ perceptions of their improvements in physical fitness, injury occurrence, and the effects on mental well-being. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and parametric and non-parametric tests to investigate gender differences. Results: In total, 81.2% of participants perceived improvements in strength, while 83.2% reported enhanced aerobic capacity. Significant body composition improvements were noted by 68.3% of the sample, and 87.6% reported changes in eating habits. Injury incidence was lower among women (30.2%) than men (45.3%) (p = 0.02). Regarding psychological outcomes, 95% of respondents indicated a reduction in stress levels, 73.3% reported better sleep quality, and over 90% perceived improvements in self-esteem and daily energy. Furthermore, 98.5% of participants formed new social connections through CrossFit^®, with 79.2% acknowledging a positive impact on social relationships. No significant gender differences were found across most psychological and social outcomes. Conclusions: CrossFit^® is perceived positively by participants, with similar views across genders, except for injury rates. It enhances physical fitness, mental health, and social well-being, with high training adherence and relatively low injury risk. Full article

This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle on the performance of female athletes. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases using the keywords: (“Menstrual cycle”) AND (“performance” OR “female athlete” OR “sport” AND NOT “male”); AND NOT (“contraceptive”). Inclusion criteria focused on original studies published between 2013 and 2023, in English or Spanish, involving eumenorrheic female athletes without menstrual disorders or oral contraceptive use. The studies were critically assessed using the McMaster scientific review method. Results: Thirteen eligible articles were reviewed, comprising a total sample of 152 athletes. Significant findings include increased flexibility during the ovulatory phase and enhanced aerobic and anaerobic capacities in the luteal phase. Additionally, the menstrual and premenstrual phases notably influenced aerobic and anaerobic capacities, performance perception, symptomatology, and exercise-induced muscle damage. Conclusion: Hormonal fluctuations can impact female athletes’ performance. However, further research is warranted due to inconsistent results stemming from variations in cycle phases studied, lack of standardized methodologies, small sample sizes, and short observation periods. Full article

Objective: This study analyzed the relationship between self-perceived physical fitness and anthropometric and biochemical variables in young athletes from extracurricular sports programs in northeastern Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 673 young athletes. Data collection included self-reported physical fitness and objective anthropometric and biochemical measurements. The analysis explored associations between perceived fitness dimensions and physical/biochemical variables, with attention to sex differences. Results: Fat mass showed significant inverse associations with all perceived fitness dimensions: general fitness (OR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.41, 0.94]), cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 0.56, 95% CI [0.37, 0.83]), muscular strength (OR = 0.61, 95% CI [0.41, 0.91]), speed/agility (OR = 0.59, 95% CI [0.39, 0.88]), and flexibility (OR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.39, 0.84]). Higher fat mass was consistently linked to lower perceived fitness. HDL levels were positively associated with general (OR = 1.40, 95% CI [1.13, 1.74]) and cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.07, 1.62]), while LDL levels showed no significant effect (p > 0.05). Sex differences emerged for general fitness (OR = 0.52, 95% CI [0.33, 0.82]) and flexibility (OR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.33, 0.78]), favoring boys, but no differences were found for cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, or speed/agility (p > 0.05). This suggests that shared athletic environments may reduce typical sex-based disparities. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the importance of considering both anthropometric and biochemical variables when evaluating perceived fitness in youth athletes. Regular athletic engagement may buffer sex-based differences in fitness perception. Full article