Search Results (114)

Background: Rowing is a highly demanding endurance sport, requiring simultaneous work of approximately 70% of the body’s muscle mass and the combined contribution of aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the cardiorespiratory responses and performance characteristics of elite junior male and female rowers during maximal effort over 2000 m on a rowing ergometer. Methods: Fifteen junior rowers (six males aged 15–17 and nine females aged 15–18) participated in the study. Anthropometric data (body height, weight, and body surface area) were recorded. All participants performed a maximal 2000 m test on a Concept2 D-model ergometer. Throughout the test, oxygen uptake (VO₂), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), heart rate, and ventilation parameters were continuously measured. Performance and physiological data were analyzed in three intensity zones, defined by ventilatory thresholds (VT1–VT3), as well as at peak exercise. Results: Significant anthropometric differences were observed between genders. In terms of performance, males completed the 2000 m test significantly faster than females (208.83 ± 87.66 s vs. 333.78 ± 97.51 s, p = 0.0253). Relative VO₂ at peak exercise was higher in males (58.73 ± 5.25 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) than females (48.32 ± 6.09 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹, p = 0.0046). In most cardiorespiratory parameters, males outperformed females significantly, except for heart rate and ventilatory equivalents. Ranking analysis revealed that higher VO₂max values were generally associated with a better placement in both genders, though this relationship was not perfectly linear. Performance time was negatively correlated with VO₂Peak (r = −0.8286; p < 0.001), rVO₂Peak (r = −0.6781; p < 0.01), and O₂P_Peak (r = −0.7729; p < 0.01). Conclusions: The findings confirm significant gender differences in anthropometric and cardiorespiratory characteristics of elite junior rowers and reinforce VO₂max as a key determinant of performance. Yet, deviations from a direct VO₂max–rank correlation highlight the influence of tactical, psychological, and biomechanical factors. Future research should provide practical recommendations for monitoring performance and tailoring training to optimize adaptation and long-term athlete development. Full article

Introduction: Overuse injuries are a growing concern among adolescent soccer players, with the repetitive nature of the sport placing significant physical demands on young athletes. These injuries can have long-term implications for physical development, performance, and overall well-being. This narrative synthesis aimed to evaluate the existing literature on the epidemiology, risk factors, and management strategies for overuse injuries in adolescent soccer players. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Embase. A total of 123 articles were identified, 27 of which met the inclusion criteria after screening. Studies focusing on overuse injuries in adolescent soccer players aged 10–18 years were included, while those addressing acute injuries, non-soccer populations, or adult athletes were excluded. Relevant quantitative and qualitative data were extracted and evaluated. Due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcomes, findings were narratively synthesized rather than meta-analyzed. Results: The period around peak height velocity (PHV: 11.5 years in girls, 13.5 years in boys) was consistently identified as a high-risk window, with seven studies demonstrating a significantly increased incidence of overuse injuries. Additional risk factors included leg length asymmetry, truncal weakness, early sport specialization, high ratios of organized-to-free play, and increased body size. Injury burden was greatest for hamstring and groin injuries, often leading to prolonged time lost from play. Preventive interventions such as plyometric training, trunk stabilization, and structured load monitoring demonstrated reductions in injury incidence in several prospective studies, though protocols varied widely. Conclusion: This narrative synthesis highlights PHV as the most consistent risk factor for overuse injuries in adolescent soccer players, alongside modifiable contributors such as training load, sport specialization, and free play balance. Evidence supports neuromuscular training and structured monitoring as promising preventive strategies, but there remains a lack of standardized, evidence-based protocols. Future research should focus on optimizing and validating interventions, integrating growth and load monitoring, and leveraging emerging approaches such as machine learning-based risk prediction. Full article

Indoor sports facilities face distinctive indoor air quality (IAQ) challenges due to high occupant density, elevated metabolic emissions, and diverse pollutant sources associated with physical activity. This review presents a narrative synthesis of multidisciplinary evidence concerning IAQ in sports environments. It explores major pollutant categories, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and airborne microbial agents, highlighting their sources, behavior during exercise, and associated health risks. Research shows that physical activity can increase PM concentrations by up to 300%, and CO₂ levels frequently exceed 1000 ppm in inadequately ventilated spaces. The presence of semi-volatile organics and bioaerosols further complicates pollutant dynamics, especially in humid and densely occupied areas. Measurement technologies such as optical sensors, chromatographic methods, and molecular techniques are reviewed and compared for their applicability to dynamic indoor settings. Existing IAQ standards across China, the USA, the EU, the UK, and WHO are examined, revealing a lack of activity-specific thresholds and insufficient responsiveness to real-time conditions. Mitigation strategies (e.g., including demand-controlled ventilation, use of low-emission materials, liquid chalk substitutes, and integrated HEPA-UVGI purification systems) are evaluated, many demonstrating pollutant removal efficiencies over 80%. The integration of intelligent building management systems is emphasized for enabling real-time monitoring and adaptive control. This review concludes by identifying research priorities, including the development of activity-sensitive IAQ control frameworks and long-term health impact assessments for athletes and vulnerable users. Full article

Adolescent athletes face unique nutritional challenges due to the simultaneous demands of growth, development, and athletic performance. This review synthesizes current evidence on energy and macronutrient requirements, hydration strategies, and key micronutrients, including iron, calcium, and vitamin D, which are essential for supporting health and performance in youth sport. It explores the physiological risks associated with low energy availability (LEA), while emphasizing the importance of carbohydrate and protein timing, quality, and distribution. The review also evaluates the role of dietary supplements and ergogenic aids, including creatine and energy drinks, highlighting safety concerns and advocating for a food-first approach. Practical strategies for nutrition education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and individualized care are presented to guide healthcare professionals, coaches, and caregivers in fostering sustainable, performance-supportive eating habits. By aligning intake with training demands and developmental needs, adolescent athletes can optimize performance, recovery, and long-term well-being. Full article

During the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, sports activities were restricted, raising concerns about their impact on the physical condition of adolescent athletes, which remained largely unquantified. This study was designed with two primary objectives: first, to precisely quantify and elucidate the differences in the physical condition of adolescent athletes before and after activity restrictions due to the pandemic; and second, to innovatively develop and validate a non-contact medical checkup application. Medical checks were conducted on 563 athletes designated for sports enhancement. Participants were junior high school students aged 13 to 15, and the sample consisted of 315 boys and 248 girls. Furthermore, we developed a smartphone application and compared self-checks using the application with in-person checks by orthopedic surgeons to determine the challenges associated with self-checks. Statistical tests were conducted to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in range of motion and flexibility parameters before and after the pandemic. Additionally, items with discrepancies between values self-entered by athletes using the smartphone application and values measured by specialists were detected, and application updates were performed. Student’s t-test was used for continuous variables, whereas the chi-square test was used for other variables. Following the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, athletes were stiffer than during the pre-pandemic period in terms of hip and shoulder joint rotation range of motion and heel–buttock distance. The dominant hip external rotation decreased from 53.8° to 46.8° (p = 0.0062); the non-dominant hip external rotation decreased from 53.5° to 48.0° (p = 0.0252); the dominant shoulder internal rotation decreased from 62.5° to 54.7° (p = 0.0042); external rotation decreased from 97.6° to 93.5° (p = 0.0282), and the heel–buttock distance increased from 4.0 cm to 10.4 cm (p < 0.0001). The heel–buttock distance and straight leg raising angle measurements differed between the self-check and face-to-face check. Although there are items that cannot be accurately evaluated by self-check, physical condition can be improved with less contact by first conducting a face-to-face evaluation under appropriate guidance and then conducting a self-check. These findings successfully address our primary objectives. Specifically, we demonstrated a significant decline in the physical condition of adolescent athletes following pandemic-related activity restrictions, thereby quantifying their impact. Furthermore, our developed non-contact medical checkup application proved to be a viable tool for monitoring physical condition with reduced contact, although careful consideration of measurable parameters is crucial. This study provides critical insights into the long-term effects of activity restrictions on young athletes and offers a practical solution for health monitoring during infectious disease outbreaks, highlighting the potential for hybrid checkup approaches. Full article

Laboratory-based assessment of cardiorespiratory function is a widely applied method in sports science. Most performance evaluations focus on oxygen uptake parameters. Despite the well-established concept of oxygen deficit introduced by Hill in the 1920s, relatively few studies have examined its behavior during submaximal exercise, with limited exploration of deficit dynamics. The present study aimed to analyze the behavior of oxygen deficit in young female handball players (N = 42, age: 15.4 ± 1.3 years) during graded exercise. Oxygen deficit was estimated using the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) algorithm, restricted to subanaerobic threshold segments of a quasi-ramp exercise protocol. Cardiorespiratory parameters were measured with the spiroergometry test on treadmills, and body composition was assessed via Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Cluster and principal component analyzes revealed two distinct athlete profiles with statistically significant differences in both morphological and physiological traits. Cluster 2 showed significantly higher relative VO₂ peak (51.43 ± 3.70 vs. 45.70 ± 2.87 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹; p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 1.76), yet also exhibited a greater oxygen deficit per kilogram (39.03 ± 16.71 vs. 32.56 ± 14.33 mL·kg⁻¹; p = 0.018; d = 0.80). Cluster 1 had higher absolute body mass (69.67 ± 8.13 vs. 59.66 ± 6.81 kg; p < 0.001), skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.001), and fat mass (p < 0.001), indicating that body composition strongly influenced oxygen deficit values. The observed differences in oxygen deficit profiles suggest a strong influence of genetic predispositions, particularly in cardiovascular and muscular oxygen utilization capacity. Age also emerged as a critical factor in determining the potential for adaptation. Oxygen deficit during submaximal exercise appears to be a multifactorial phenomenon shaped by structural and physiological traits. While certain influencing factors can be modified through training, others especially those of genetic origin pose inherent limitations. Early development of cardiorespiratory capacity may offer the most effective strategy for long-term optimization. Full article

Objective: As performance progression provides an essential indicator for talent selection and development, this study aimed to compare annual swimming performance progression between different competitive levels and to establish benchmarks for long-term athlete development. Methods: Annual best times of swimmers who competed up to the age of 21 years and achieved over 450 World Aquatics points were extracted from the database of European Aquatics. A total of 13,310 male and 7798 female pool swimmers of all race distances were grouped into three performance levels. Results: The results showed a continuous decline in annual performance progression throughout the years across all race distances (all p < 0.001) and in both sexes. There were differences between performance level across the age groups for all race distances in male swimmers, but only for the 100–400 m races in females (p < 0.05). Absolute performance showed significant main effects for level and age over all race distances for both sexes (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Annual performance progression of swimmers consistently decreases across the competitive lifetime in both sexes, regardless of race distance and performance level. The event-specific benchmarks should be used as a framework to set realistic goals for both sexes and swimmers of different competitive levels, as well as to guide swimmers throughout their careers. Full article

Coach development is typically considered to consist of a complex mix of experiences, including formal, informal and non-formal. Elements of the early research in this area led to the production of a model of long-term coach development (LTCD) over a decade ago, consisting of three core categories of experience: athletic, coaching and education, later published in a number of significant coaching documents. Whilst this model has clearly been of benefit in providing a framework to consider long-term coach development, it can also be considered to have its limitations in focusing on a somewhat narrow coaching context (typically Olympic sports in North America) and lacking currency. This study therefore attempted to consider and update this model to a professional team sport context away from North America by investigating the life stories of head coaches in English rugby league. Data collection consisted of a novel life story approach, whilst analysis utilised elements of constructivist grounded theory. Though supporting elements of the original LTCD model, results here provide an additional category of experience occurring prior to athletic experience, childhood, consisting of a number of sub-themes, alongside several other novel elements with implications for both research and practice. This work points towards a need to further understand coaches’ lifelong developmental journeys across a range of sports and contexts. Full article

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of shot selection on the muscle coordination characteristics during basketball shooting. Methods: A three-dimensional motion capture system, force platform, and wireless surface electromyography (sEMG) were used to simultaneously collect shooting data from 14 elite basketball players. An inverse mapping model of sEMG signals and spinal α-motor neuron pool activity was developed based on the Debra muscle segment distribution theory. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and K-means clustering were used to extract muscle coordination features. Results: (1) Significant differences in spinal segment activation timing and amplitude were observed between stationary and jump shots at different distances. In close-range stationary shots, the C5-S3 segments showed higher activation during the TP phase and lower activation during the RP phase. For mid-range shots, the C6-S3 segments exhibited greater activation during the TP phase. In long-range shots, the C7-S3 segments showed higher activation during the TP phase, whereas the L3-S3 segments showed lower activation during the RP phase (p < 0.01). (2) The spatiotemporal structure of muscle coordination modules differed significantly between stationary and jump shots. In terms of spatiotemporal structure, the second and third coordination groups showed stronger activation during the RP phase (p < 0.01). Significant differences in muscle activation levels were also observed between the coordination modules within each group in the spatial structure. Conclusion: Shot selection plays a significant role in shaping neuromuscular control strategies during basketball shooting. Targeted training should focus on addressing the athlete’s specific shooting weaknesses. For stationary shots, the emphasis should be on enhancing lower limb stability, while for jump shots, attention should be directed toward improving core stability and upper limb coordination. Full article

Objective: This study examined the effects of a short-duration plyometric training program during physical education on neuromuscular ballistic performance in youth. Methods: Thirty-two students were assigned to a control group (CG; n = 16; age: 16.76 ± 0.72 years; height: 1.66 ± 0.09 m; body mass: 61.38 ± 6.07 kg) or an experimental group (EG; n = 16; age: 16.56 ± 0.62 years; height: 1.69 ± 0.09 m; body mass: 61.90 ± 7.83 kg). Both groups completed pre- and post-intervention Countermovement Jump (CMJ) tests using force plates. Over a four-week period, the EG completed eight sessions. Both the EG and the CG participated in 40 min sessions incorporating speed games, directional changes, and agility exercises. Paired t-tests and Cohen’s d were used for analysis. Results: The EG showed significant improvements in jump height (p = 0.006, ES = 0.83), jump momentum (p = 0.008, ES = 0.80), and take-off velocity (p = 0.003, ES = 0.93), with a decrease in peak propulsive power (p = 0.01, ES = 0.77). In contrast, the CG exhibited declines in multiple metrics, including jump height, jump momentum, and take-off velocity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that integrating plyometric training into physical education classes can effectively enhance neuromuscular performance in youth. Implementing structured training protocols within school programs may optimize strength, power, and movement efficiency, benefiting long-term athletic development. Full article

This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025101243), aimed to evaluate how specific badminton shoe design features influence lower-limb biomechanics, injury risk, and sport-specific performance. A comprehensive search in six databases yielded 445 studies, from which 10 met inclusion criteria after duplicate removal and eligibility screening. The reviewed studies focused on modifications involving forefoot bending stiffness, torsional stiffness, lateral-wedge hardness, insole and midsole hardness, sole structure, and heel curvature. The most consistent biomechanical benefits were associated with moderate levels of forefoot and torsional stiffness (e.g., 60D) and rounded heel designs. Increased forefoot bending stiffness was associated with reduced foot torsion and knee loading during forward lunges. Torsional stiffness around 60D provided favorable ankle support and reduced knee abduction, suggesting potential protection against ligament strain. Rounded heels reduced vertical impact forces and promoted smoother knee–ankle coordination, especially in experienced athletes. Lateral-wedge designs improved movement efficiency by reducing contact time and enhancing joint stiffness. Harder midsoles, however, resulted in increased impact forces upon landing. Excessive stiffness in any component may restrict joint mobility and responsiveness. Studies included 127 male-dominated (aged 18–28) competitive athletes, assessing kinematics, impact forces, and coordination during sport-specific tasks. The reviewed studies predominantly involved male participants, with little attention to sex-specific biomechanical differences such as joint alignment and foot structure. Differences in testing methods and movement tasks further limited direct comparisons. Future research should explore real-game biomechanics, include diverse athlete populations, and investigate long-term adaptations. These efforts will contribute to the development of performance-enhancing, injury-reducing badminton shoes tailored to the unique demands of the sport. Full article

Background: Personality traits, particularly Conscientiousness, are recognised as crucial psychological factors contributing to success in elite-level athletes. Emerging evidence suggests that individual differences in these traits are influenced by environmental exposure and genetic variation, especially within the dopaminergic system. The DRD2 promoter polymorphism rs1799732, which affects dopamine D2 receptor expression, may modulate goal-directed behaviour and self-regulation traits. Methods: This study included 323 participants (141 elite mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes and 182 non-athlete controls). Participants completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Genotyping for the DRD2 rs1799732 polymorphism was conducted using real-time PCR. Group comparisons and two-way ANOVA were used to assess genotype–phenotype associations and gene × environment interactions. Results: Athletes scored significantly higher on Conscientiousness than controls. A significant main effect of the DRD2 rs1799732 genotype and a genotype × group interaction were observed for Conscientiousness. Specifically, athletes with the ins/ins genotype exhibited the highest levels of Conscientiousness, whereas individuals with the del/del genotype showed the lowest scores. No significant associations were found for other personality traits. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the DRD2 promoter polymorphism rs1799732 moderates the expression of Conscientiousness, particularly under the structured and demanding conditions experienced by elite athletes. Our results support a gene × environment interaction model, highlighting the importance of considering genetic predispositions in high-performance environments. These insights may inform personalised psychological support strategies tailored to athletes’ genetic profiles, enhancing motivation, self-regulation and long-term athletic development. Full article

In recent years, advances in artificial intelligence, machine vision, and the Internet of Things have significantly impacted sports analytics, particularly basketball, where accurate measurement and analysis of player performance have become increasingly important. This study proposes a real-time goal state recognition system based on inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, focusing on four shooting scenarios: rebounds, swishes, other shots, and misses. By installing IMU sensors around the basketball net, the system captures real-time data on acceleration, angular velocity, and angular changes to comprehensively analyze the fluency and success rate of shooting execution, utilizing five deep learning models—convolutional neural network (CNN), recurrent neural network (RNN), long short-term memory (LSTM), CNN-LSTM, and CNN-LSTM-Attention—to classify shot types. Experimental results indicate that the CNN-LSTM-Attention model outperformed other models with an accuracy of 87.79% in identifying goal states. This result represents a commanding level of real-time goal state recognition, demonstrating the robustness and efficiency of the model in complex sports environments. This high accuracy not only supports the application of the system in skill analysis and sports performance evaluation but also lays a solid foundation for the development of intelligent basketball training equipment, providing an efficient and practical solution for athletes and coaches. Full article

Introduction: Rotational ankle instability (RAI), involving combined medial and lateral ligament insufficiency, is an increasingly recognized clinical entity. While open surgery has traditionally been the mainstay for treating deltoid ligament injuries, recent developments in arthroscopic techniques offer a minimally invasive alternative. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the arthroscopic management of medial and rotational ankle instability, focusing on surgical techniques, clinical outcomes, and complications. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The search strategy included the following terms: ((rotation instability) OR (deltoid) OR (medial ankle instability)) AND (ankle arthrosc*). Eligible studies included adult patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of medial ankle instability with a mean 26.4 months follow-up and reported clinical outcomes. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 336 patients and 346 ankles. Results: The mean patient age was 32.6 ± 5.0 years, with 80.6% being male. MRI was the primary diagnostic tool across most studies. Ankle sprains were the most common cause of instability. Lateral ligament insufficiency was frequently associated with medial injuries, reported in all studies evaluating this parameter. All patients underwent prior conservative treatment (mean duration: 5.6 months). Surgical management involved all-inside arthroscopic repair using knotless suture anchors. Additional procedures were performed in 90% of studies, including osteophyte resection (33.3%) and microfracture (22.2%). The mean follow-up period was 26.4 months. The mean postoperative AOFAS score was 95.3, with return to sport generally achieved between 3 and 5 months. Complications were minimal, primarily consisting of superficial wound issues and transient nerve irritation; no major complications or revision surgeries were reported. Discussion: Arthroscopic management of medial and rotational ankle instability is associated with excellent functional outcomes, low complication rates, and early return to sport. Compared to open procedures, arthroscopic techniques offer advantages including reduced soft tissue trauma, fewer wound complications, and the ability to address concomitant intra-articular lesions in a single session. Although technically demanding, this approach is particularly beneficial in athletic populations. However, high-quality prospective studies are still needed to validate these findings and establish long-term comparative outcomes with open reconstruction techniques. Full article

Early detection of modifiable motor deficits is essential for safe, long-term athletic development, yet most field screens provide only binary risk scores. We therefore designed a practical and interpretable profiling system that classifies youth athletes into one of four functional categories—Functionally Weak, Strength-Deficient, Stability-Deficient, or No Clear Dysfunction—using three common assessments: Functional Movement Screen, hand-held dynamometry, and Y-Balance Test. A total of 46 youth athletes aged 11–16 years participated in the study, including 37 male soccer players (13.3 ± 1.6 y) in the development cohort and 9 handball players (5 male, 4 female; 12.8 ± 0.7 y) in the external validation group. Expert rules based on FMS quartiles and ≤−0.5 SD Z-scores for strength or balance generated the reference labels. The random forest model achieved 81% cross-validated accuracy (with balanced performance across classes) and 89% accuracy on the external handball group, exceeding the performance of the decision tree model. SHAP analysis confirmed that model predictions were driven by domain relevant variables rather than demographics. An accompanying web-based application automatically generates personalized reports, visualizations, and targeted training recommendations, making the system directly usable by coaches and clinicians. Rather than merely predicting injury, this field-ready framework delivers actionable, profile-based guidance to support informed decision making in athlete development. Further validation in larger, sport-diverse cohorts is needed to assess its generalizability and long-term value in practice. Full article