Search Results (250)

Tennis is a demanding sport that requires physical abilities and optimal body composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and somatotype development of young Slovenian tennis players (754 boys and 514 girls aged 12 to 18 years) over the last two decades. Using standardised anthropometric measurements and the Heath-Carter method, somatotypes were calculated and analysed by age and gender. The results showed clear age- and gender-specific trends and differences in both somatotype profiles and detailed anthropometric characteristics. Significant differences were found in height, body mass, BMI, skinfolds, girths, and limb lengths, with gender differences becoming more pronounced in the older age groups. In boys, mesomorphy increased with age, reflecting an increase in musculature, while in girls, a shift from ectomorphic to endomorphic profiles was observed during adolescence, probably influenced by pubertal and hormonal changes. Significant sex-specific differences were observed in all three somatotype components in most age groups, especially in fat mass and muscle. The longitudinal design provides valuable data and insights into the evolving physical profiles of adolescent tennis players that support more effective talent identification and training. Despite the changes that have taken place in tennis over time, standardised measurement protocols ensured comparability, making the results relevant for practitioners working with adolescents in tennis development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability. When traumatic brain injury is repeated over time, it can lead to the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a chronic neurodegenerative disease commonly observed in individuals who engage in contact sports or military personnel involved in activities with a high risk of repeated head trauma. At autopsy, the examination of the brain reveals regional atrophy, corresponding to high concentrations of glutamate receptors. Microscopically, the primary findings are the deposition of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. The aim of this study is to highlight the clinical and histopathological characteristics of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, providing diagnostic support to forensic pathologists. Additionally, it seeks to aid in the differential diagnosis of similar conditions. Methods: A review of literature was conducted following the PRISMA criteria. Of 274 articles, 7 were selected. Results: According to these papers, most patients were male and exhibited neurological symptoms and neuropsychiatric impairments, and a proportion of them committed suicide or had aggressive behavior. Conclusions: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy remains largely underdiagnosed during life. The definitive diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is established post-mortem through the identification of pathognomonic tauopathy lesions. Early and accurate antemortem recognition, particularly in at-risk individuals, is highly valuable for its differentiation from other neurodegenerative conditions, thereby enabling appropriate clinical management and potential interventions. Full article

The Relative Age Effect (RAE) refers to the advantage that relatively older athletes within the same age group may have in sports. While this phenomenon has been widely documented in numerous disciplines, its presence in orienteering remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to analyse the existence of RAE among Spanish orienteers selected for international competitions organised by the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) between 1987 and 2023. A total of 384 participations (225 male, 159 female) were examined across the European Youth Orienteering Championships (EYOC), Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC), and the European and World Orienteering Championships (EOC + WOC). The distribution of birth dates by quartiles and semesters was compared using chi-square tests, Cramér’s V, Z-tests, and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. The results revealed a significant RAE in male athletes, particularly in JWOC, where those born in the first quartile were up to 3.77 times more likely to be selected than those in the third quartile. In contrast, no significant associations were found in female athletes, which may reflect structural or developmental differences related to sex. These gender-based disparities highlight the importance of integrating sex-specific considerations into selection policies. Overall, the findings suggest a selection bias favouring relatively older males, which may hinder the development of late-born talent. Therefore, it is recommended that selection criteria be reassessed to ensure fairer and more inclusive talent identification and development in youth and elite orienteering. Full article

Sport injury recognition is rapidly evolving with the integration of new emerging technologies. This systematic review aims to identify and evaluate technologies capable of detecting injuries during sports participation. A comprehensive search of PUBMED, Sport Discus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024608964). Inclusion criteria focused on prospective studies involving athletes of all ages, evaluating tools which are utilised to identify injuries in sports settings. The review included research between 2014 and 2024; retrospective, conceptual, and fatigue-focused studies were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool. Of 4283 records screened, 70 full-text articles were assessed, with 21 studies meeting the final inclusion criteria. The technologies were grouped into advanced imaging (Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DFI), and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM), with biomarkers (i.e., Neurofilament Light (NfL), Tau protein, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Salivary MicroRNAs, and Immunoglobulin A (IgA), and sideline assessments (i.e., the King–Devick test, KD-Eye Tracking, modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS), DETECT, ImPACT structured video analysis, and Instrumented Mouth Guards (iMGs)), which demonstrated feasibility for immediate sideline identification of injury. Future research should improve methodological rigour through larger, diverse samples and controlled designs, with real-world testing environments. Following this guidance, the application of emerging technologies may assist medical staff, coaches, and national governing bodies in identifying injuries in a sports setting, providing real-time assessment. Full article

An electromechanical actuator system was used on a general aviation aircraft to automatically execute programmed test inputs for system identification and parameter estimation. The flight test campaign consisted of approximately 10 flight hours with over 250 carefully designed dynamic test inputs, including multisteps, frequency sweeps, phase-optimized orthogonal multisines, and the optimal inputs for parameter estimation. This paper describes the actuator system retrofitted to the REMOS GX aircraft and the software developed for automatic maneuver injection. The design of the flight test maneuvers is discussed while considering the characteristics and the limits of the onboard actuator system. The initial parameter estimation results are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the applied methods, which is a first for a light sport aircraft. The lessons learned and the advantages of such a system with respect to manual (piloted) flight testing will be described, as will recommendations for future applications of electromechanical actuators to aircraft of this weight class. Full article

The relative age effect (RAE) refers to the advantage often observed in sports selection processes, where athletes born earlier in the calendar year are favored over those born later. While the RAE has been widely studied in various sports, little is known about its presence in rhythmic gymnastics (RG), a female-dominated esthetic sport characterized by early specialization. This study investigated the presence of the RAE among elite rhythmic gymnasts (RGs) at the international level, focusing on differences in birth quarter distribution across age categories and performance levels. The sample included 578 RGs—356 juniors and 222 seniors—competing in individual and group events. Birthdates were categorized into four quartiles (Q1–Q4). Chi-square goodness-of-fit tests and standardized residuals as post hoc tests were used to analyze the RAE. No significant RAE was found in the overall sample or when analyzed by geographic region (p > 0.05). However, a significant under-representation in Q4 occurred for Group RGs (SR = −2.17), and among all juniors (SR = −2.54) (χ²[3, 356] = 9.833, p < 0.05, w = 0.17), particularly in the subgroup of 15-year-old gymnasts, who were over-represented in Q3 (SR = 2.55; χ²[3, 183] = 10.027, p < 0.05, w = 0.23). Finalists—especially those in group events—also showed a higher proportion of Q3 athletes and a lower proportion of those born in Q4. Among junior finalists, Q4 was significantly under-represented (p < 0.05). These novel sport-specific findings suggest the presence of an atypical RAE pattern in RG, particularly in younger age groups and among high-performing athletes. RG coaches and policymakers should consider alternative selection models and adapt training approaches for Q4-born gymnasts in order to prevent early deselection. Full article

Assistive technology (AT) is increasingly utilized across various sectors, including digital healthcare and sports education. E-learning plays a vital role in enabling students with special needs, particularly those in remote areas, to access education. However, as the adoption of AI-based AT systems expands, the associated cybersecurity challenges also grow. This study aims to examine the impact of AI-driven assistive technologies on cybersecurity in digital healthcare applications, with a focus on the potential vulnerabilities these technologies present. Methods: The proposed model focuses on enhancing AI-based AT through the implementation of emerging technologies used for security, risk management strategies, and a robust assessment framework. With these improvements, the AI-based Internet of Things (IoT) plays major roles within the AT. This model addresses the identification and mitigation of cybersecurity risks in AI-based systems, specifically in the context of digital healthcare applications. Results: The findings indicate that the application of the AI-based risk and resilience assessment framework significantly improves the security of AT systems, specifically those supporting e-learning for blind users. The model demonstrated measurable improvements in the robustness of cybersecurity in digital health, particularly in reducing cyber risks for AT users involved in e-learning environments. Conclusions: The proposed model provides a comprehensive approach to securing AI-based AT in digital healthcare applications. By improving the resilience of assistive systems, it minimizes cybersecurity risks for users, specifically blind individuals, and enhances the effectiveness of e-learning in sports education. Full article

(1) Background: Research examining the combined influence of anthropometric characteristics, chronological age, and training age on motor performance in handball is limited. Given the sport’s demands and the participation of both adolescent and adult athletes, understanding these relationships is essential for talent identification, personalized training, and long-term athlete development. This study aimed to explore how these variables affect motor performance indicators such as speed, agility, and explosive power. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 29 male handball players. Anthropometric data (height and body weight), chronological age, and training age were collected. Motor performance was assessed using a 30 m sprint, a vertical jump test, and an agility test. (3) Results: Chronological age showed a strong positive correlation with training age (r = 0.819), and moderate correlations with height, body weight, vertical jump, agility, and sprint time. Training age was moderately correlated with vertical jump (r = 0.465) and agility (r = 0.439). Height and body weight were positively associated with sprint time. BMI exhibited low but consistent correlations with all motor tests. Regression analysis revealed that height significantly predicted sprint performance (β = 0.401, p = 0.033), while BMI was not a significant predictor. No significant regression models were found for agility or vertical jump performance. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that both chronological and training age influence certain aspects of motor performance in handball players. Height may serve as a useful predictor of sprint ability, but anthropometric indicators such as BMI appear insufficient for explaining performance in agility or explosive power tasks. These findings support the use of multidimensional and individualized approaches in athletic assessment and training design. Full article

In the automotive industry, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) represent the future of individual mobility. To establish a long-term market presence, innovative vehicle and powertrain concepts are essential, and therefore, identifying the most promising concepts is crucial to determine where to focus research and development further. Academia plays a significant role in this identification process; however, researchers often face restricted access to data from the industry, and identifying different technological approaches is often connected to significant costs. We present a comprehensive study of the Porsche Taycan Performance Battery Plus, which integrates two technological advancements: the first series-production implementation of a two-speed transmission in an electric vehicle allowing for high acceleration while reaching high top speeds and a 800 V battery system architecture providing more efficient charging capabilities. This study details vehicle dynamics, electric powertrain efficiencies, their impact on vehicle level, and the two technological advancements. This work aims to provide researchers access to vehicle dynamometer and real-world data from one of the most advanced and innovative battery electric sports cars. This allows for further analysis of cutting-edge technologies that have yet to reach the mass market. In addition to providing researchers with this study’s results, all data utilized in this study will be made available as open-access, enabling individual use of test data for parameter identification and the development of simulation models. Full article

Background: Maturation is a complex biological process affecting all tissues, organs, and systems, particularly during adolescence. The Peak Height Velocity (PHV) period, a hallmark of adolescent growth spurts, is associated with individual differentiations in the development of performance attributes amongst youth. Understanding the influence of sports participation on strength and power during the PHV period is essential for optimizing training outcomes and reducing injury risk. This scoping review synthesizes the literature on the strength and power development in athletes during the PHV period across various sports, highlighting the interaction between maturation, training, and performance outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus, supplemented by manual searches, identified peer-reviewed studies from 2004 to 2025. The included longitudinal studies involved structured training and assessed strength-related performance during and around the PHV period. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. It is found that strength and power are significantly affected during the PHV period and participation in sports mitigates these effects. Training characteristics such as training frequency/volume and sport specificity were key factors. Early maturers often outperformed late maturers, though adolescent awkwardness temporarily reduced performance around PHV. Conclusions: Systematic participation in sports training can limit the phenomenon of adolescent awkwardness in the performance of strength and power. Hence, training programs should be tailored to maturity status, emphasizing skill development, strength training, and injury prevention. Future research should explore individualized training and the mechanisms underlying performance variability during the PHV period. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of growth and maturation (GAM) research in youth basketball. A systematic search of Web of Science (up to August 2024) identified 1160 records; after screening per bibliometric review guidelines, 141 relevant studies were selected. Descriptive analysis indicates an 11.59% annual increase in GAM publications since 2003, underscoring significant expansion of this field. The 576 authors contributing to these studies show a high degree of collaboration, averaging 5.42 co-authors per paper, and 52.60% of publications involve international partnerships. Citation network analysis reveals that GAM research on basketball players predominantly addresses sports performance, strength, and injuries. Core themes (e.g., maturity/maturation) are well integrated, while foundational topics such as growth, strength, and age, although central to the field, remain underexplored. These gaps highlight the need for more targeted investigations. Practically, the findings guide coaches, trainers, and sports administrators in designing developmentally appropriate training programs, implementing targeted injury-prevention strategies, and refining talent identification initiatives. By identifying key areas for further inquiry, this study seeks to strengthen youth basketball programs through growth-stage-specific training methods, optimized injury-prevention protocols, and a holistic approach to athlete development. Full article

In the evolving landscape of Internet of Things (IoT) applications, human activity recognition plays an important role in domains such as health monitoring, elderly care, sports training, and smart environments. However, current approaches face significant challenges: sensor data are often noisy and variable, leading to difficulties in reliable feature extraction and accurate activity identification; furthermore, ensuring data integrity and user privacy remains an ongoing concern in real-world deployments. To address these challenges, we propose a novel framework that synergizes advanced statistical signal processing with state-of-the-art machine learning and deep learning models. Our approach begins with a rigorous preprocessing pipeline—encompassing filtering and normalization—to enhance data quality, followed by the application of probability density functions and key statistical measures to capture intrinsic sensor characteristics. We then employ a hybrid modeling strategy combining traditional methods (SVM, Decision Tree, and Random Forest) and deep learning architectures (CNN, LSTM, Transformer, Swin Transformer, and TransUNet) to achieve high recognition accuracy and robustness. Additionally, our framework incorporates IoT security measures designed to safeguard data integrity and privacy, marking a significant advancement over existing methods in both efficiency and effectiveness. Full article

Equine skin mycoses are a significant concern in Kazakhstan’s livestock industry due to the country’s historical livestock farming practices, the development of equestrian sports, and food traditions. Skin infections are among the most common fungal infections in horses. Emerging pathogens of equine dermatophytosis include keratinophilic Chrysosporium spp., which can degrade and metabolize keratin found in superficial tissues. This, combined with their thermotolerance, contributes to their pathogenicity. In this study, we investigated the biological properties and pathogenicity of two Chrysosporium strains isolated from equine skin lesions in northern and central Kazakhstan. Our findings showed that the Chrysosporium isolates caused a variety of clinically expressed skin lesions and exhibited cultural and morphological similarities to Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Genetic identification using ribosomal gene sequencing revealed 98.9% identity with Chrysosporium kreiselii and Chrysosporium zonatum sequences in both cases. The C. kreiselii strain caused pronounced skin lesions typical of classic dermatomycoses, demonstrated both keratinophilic and keratinolytic properties, and showed resistance to antifungal drugs. In contrast, the C. zonatum strain, which caused atypical lesions such as dandruff and seborrhea, was more sensitive to antifungal agents and exhibited keratinophilic properties. Our results highlight the emergence of new pathogenic Chrysosporium strains responsible for skin pathology in horses in Kazakhstan. We recommend that the identification of Chrysosporium skin infections in horses in Kazakhstan be followed by a comprehensive retrospective analysis of newly identified pathogens, including a full characterization of their pathogenicity. Full article

This study investigates the relative age effect (RAE) in Spanish orienteering, comparing birth distributions between the general population and federated athletes, as well as across different age groups. A cross-sectional and retrospective observational analysis was conducted on data from 34,718 athletes federated (female: n = 12,338; male: n = 22,380) with the Spanish Orienteering Federation (FEDO) between 2005 and 2023. Birth distributions by quartiles and semesters were compared with birth data from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics. Chi-square tests, Z-tests for proportions, and odds ratio (OR) analysis were used to assess differences and the magnitude of the RAE. A significant RAE was found in the total population of federated athletes and the youth and male elite subgroups, with an over-representation of athletes born in the first semester of the year. The effect was small in magnitude but persistent in youth categories and intensified in the male elite category. In contrast, no significant RAE was observed in the female elite category. The RAE exists in Spanish orienteering, although its magnitude is smaller compared to other sports. The persistence of the RAE in the male elite category suggests that advantages accumulated in formative stages influence access to higher levels. Strategies to mitigate the impact of the RAE in talent identification and development are recommended. Full article

With the growing interest in health and fitness, whey protein supplements are becoming increasingly popular among fitness enthusiasts and athletes. The surge in demand for whey protein supplements highlights the need for cost-effective methods to characterise product quality throughout the food supply chain. This study presents a rapid and low-cost method for authenticating sports whey protein supplements using smartphone video imaging (SVI) combined with machine learning. A gradient of colours ranging from purple to red is displayed on the front screen of a smartphone to illuminate the sample. The colour change on the sample surface is captured in a short video by the front-facing camera. Then, the video is split into frames, decomposed into RGB colour channels, and converted into spectral data. The relationship between video data and sample labels is established using machine learning models. The proposed method is tested on five tasks, including identifying 15 brands of whey protein concentrate (WPC), quantifying fat content and energy levels, detecting three types of adulterants, and quantifying adulterant levels. Moreover, the performance of SVI was compared to that of hyperspectral imaging (HSI), which has an equipment cost of around 80 times that of SVI. The proposed method achieves accuracies of 0.933 and 0.96 in WPC brand identification and adulterant detection, respectively, which are only around 0.05 lower than those of HSI. It obtains coefficients of determination of 0.897, 0.906 and 0.963 for the quantification of fat content, energy levels and milk powder adulteration, respectively. Such results demonstrate that the combination of smartphones and machine learning offers a low-cost and viable preliminary screening tool for verifying the authenticity of whey protein supplements. Full article