Search Results (2,954)

Background/Objectives: Acute health impacts and longer-term sequelae of sport-related concussion (SRC) are recognized concerns in football (soccer), warranting investigation of interventions to reduce the incidence. The purpose of this study was to identify, synthesize and evaluate interventions used in preventing sport-related concussion (SRC) in adult soccer players. Methods: Five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO) were searched on 6 September 2024 and updated on 17 December 2025 for concussion prevention intervention studies involving adult footballers. Study quality was assessed with the Modified Downs and Black Checklist. A narrative synthesis of all included studies followed Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) guidelines. Results: From 3463 records, five studies met inclusion criteria: three reported rule changes and two reported head-neck training interventions. The low volume of studies discovered were non-randomized and rated fair or poor on quality assessment. Whilst these interventions were grounded in sound and well-reasoned mechanisms to mitigate SRC risks, none reported statistically significant directional effects. This, combined with high heterogeneity, prevented data pooling and no firm conclusions could be drawn about the effectiveness of any intervention. Conclusions: Sparce, preliminary, heterogeneous evidence represents research to reduce SRC in adult soccer players, and this is limited to investigating rule changes and head-neck training and interventions. A larger volume of primary research is needed to determine meaningful practice recommendations of these and other conceivable interventions. Full article

Equine swimming is increasingly used for injury prevention and rehabilitation, but objective analysis of movement during swimming remains limited compared to land-based locomotion. Spatiotemporal parameters are essential for evaluating therapeutic outcomes, yet capturing these parameters is technically challenging due to difficulties in observing limb motion in water. Inertial sensors, already widely applied in equine science, offer a promising solution for measuring swimming kinematics objectively. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of inertial sensors placed on equine distal limbs in detecting key spatiotemporal events during swimming by comparing it with video-based detection made by veterinarians. For the duration of the hindlimb swimming cycle, 24 data values were analysed and showed an “excellent” agreement, with an intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.904–0.983, and Bland–Altmann analysis showed an upper limit of agreement of 50 ms (95% CI: 70 ms, 30 ms) and lower one of −60 ms (95% CI: −40 ms, −80 ms). The estimates of the “swimming” duty factor of the hindlimb (n = 24) demonstrated “moderate” to “excellent” with intraclass correlation of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.625–0.920) and limits of agreement of 4.39% (95% CI: 6.21%, 2.53%) and −5.28% (95% CI: −3.42%, −7.14%). The results of the forelimb were mixed, suggesting that the cycle duration and “swimming” duty factor parameters determined for this limb should be used with caution. Overall, the findings confirm that inertial sensors, particularly on the hindlimbs, provide reliable spatiotemporal measurements and are well suited for studying equine swimming. Full article

Thermal water-supplied swimming pools are increasingly used worldwide for recreation, wellness, and therapeutic purposes, yet their management poses specific challenges due to the complex physicochemical properties of thermal and mineral waters and the need to balance microbiological safety with preservation of their natural characteristics. This scoping review adopts an integrative and comparative methodological approach, combining a systematic mapping of the scientific literature with a structured analysis of regulatory documents across 39 countries. It maps and comparatively synthesizes current evidence on health benefits, safety issues, and regulatory frameworks governing thermal pools. The analysis focuses on microbiological hazards and chemical risks related to disinfection practices, including the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). The review also examines emerging contaminants (CECs), including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and discusses the potential role of thermal water environments in the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Moving beyond a purely descriptive approach, the analysis introduces a comparative framework that identifies distinct regulatory models and evaluates their implications for risk management and disinfection strategies. Thermal pools are conceptualized as integrated exposure systems generating complex mixtures with uncertain toxicological effects. The analysis reveals global regulatory heterogeneity and critical gaps in managing DBPs, CECs, and AMR-related risks, highlighting the need for integrated, risk-based and harmonized approaches within a One Health framework. Full article

Ras El-Bar, a premier historic coastal resort on Egypt’s Nile Delta, has experienced a marked increase in drowning incidents in recent years, despite the presence of extensive coastal protection structures. While these measures, particularly detached breakwaters (DBWs), groins, and port jetties, were originally implemented to mitigate shoreline erosion, their influence on nearshore hydrodynamics and swimmer safety remains insufficiently understood. In this context, the present study integrates high-resolution bathymetric data, remote sensing observations, and coupled numerical modeling (CMS-Wave and CMS-Flow) to examine how these interventions have altered wave–current interactions. The results indicate that the modified coastal setting produces distinct flow regimes, ranging from weak offshore currents (<0.1 m/s) to moderate rip currents (≈0.25 m/s) within DBW shadow zones, and locally intensified flows exceeding 0.7 m/s in shallow nearshore areas. These conditions facilitate the development of vortices and persistent rip currents, particularly within inter-DBW embayments. A simulation-based swimming risk map was developed by integrating water depth and simulated current characteristics, classifying the coastline into safe, moderate-risk, and high-risk zones. High-risk zones, concentrated within inter-DBW embayments at depths exceeding 2 m, show broad spatial agreement with available drowning and rescue incident records, subject to the limitations of the informal dataset, while the shallow accretional shadow zones landward of the DBWs exhibit comparatively lower hydrodynamic energy and safer conditions. Overall, the study demonstrates that coastal protection structures, although effective in controlling erosion, may unintentionally increase human risk when safety considerations are not incorporated into their design and management. Accordingly, a set of integrated, sustainability-oriented measures is proposed, including enhanced real-time monitoring, regulated beach access, adaptive sand nourishment, and targeted public awareness, with the aim of achieving a more balanced and resilient approach to coastal zone management. Full article

Background: Hypoxic environments significantly impair exercise performance, whilst existing interventions are often limited by adverse effects or insufficient efficacy. Objectives and Methods: This study employed network meta-analysis to screen plant bioactive compounds that effectively enhance exercise performance under hypoxic conditions, with subsequent validation of the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of their combined formulations through animal experiments. Results: Results from hypoxic mouse experiments demonstrated that supplementation with the plant bioactive compound combination significantly improved exercise performance, as evidenced by increased weight-loaded swimming time and limb grip strength. Differential metabolite analysis revealed that the intervention altered key metabolic pathways, including the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and the metabolism of arginine and proline. Supplementation with the plant bioactive compound combination modulated short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production by gut microbiota, decreased levels of lactic acid (LA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK), maintained blood glucose levels before and after exercise, and increased muscle and hepatic glycogen reserves. These effects collectively improved exercise endurance and performance in mice under hypoxic conditions. Conclusions: The findings provide novel insights into developing functional interventions to enhance exercise performance in hypoxic environments. Full article

Background: Although menstrual cycle-based training has attracted increasing attention in endurance sports, research has predominantly focused on ergometric parameters. However, the subjective perspectives and lived realities of athletes remain relatively underexamined. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore performance perceptions and self-regulatory experiences of female endurance athletes within real-life training and competitive contexts. Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve female endurance athletes (ages 18–42) across triathlon, running, swimming, cycling, and skiing. Data were analysed inductively using descriptive thematic analysis in MaxQDA. Results: Six themes emerged related to menstrual cycle experiences: body awareness and cycle-related perceptions; the influence of expectations and self-efficacy on perceived performance; heterogeneous approaches to cycle-based training; training and recovery adjustments; the ambivalent role of digital tracking tools; and communication openness and barriers. Overall, cycle-based training was applied inconsistently and served more as a framework for interpreting physical symptoms than as a means of optimising performance. Conclusions: In this sample of endurance athletes, cycle-related effects on performance and symptom perceptions were primarily shaped by biopsychosocial factors rather than physiological considerations alone. The menstrual cycle supported self-regulation, but rigid interpretations may risk reinforcing negative expectancies. These insights extend existing work by foregrounding athlete-centred, flexible approaches over deterministic training models. Full article

Marine organisms that episodically aggregate near coastal nuclear power plant water intakes pose a substantial risk to cooling water security. Predicting the spatial distribution of such high-risk species remains challenging because their occurrence is shaped not only by environmental conditions but also by complex trophic interactions. In this study, we model the habitat distribution of three high-risk nektonic species, Dotted gizzard shad (Konosirus punctatus), Japanese swimming crab (Charybdis japonica) and squid (Loligo sp.), in the cooling water intake area of a coastal nuclear power plant in eastern Liaodong Bay using generalized linear models (GLMs) and joint species distribution models (JSDMs). Based on summer surveys conducted in 2024–2025, we explicitly incorporated trophic linkages among target species, their prey, and predators within JSDMs. Model performance was evaluated using cross-validation based on AUC, RMSE, and coefficient of determination (R²). Our results indicate that water depth was the dominant environmental driver for all three species, while chlorophyll-a concentration and distance to the intake exerted species-specific effects. By incorporating interspecific trophic associations and environmental responses, JSDMs showed consistently improved predictive performance relative to GLMs, with approximately 1.5-fold higher R² values and 10–30% lower RMSE, while offering enhanced ecological interpretability. The models revealed strong positive associations between target species and both lower-trophic prey and higher-trophic predators, suggesting that top–down and bottom–up processes jointly regulate aggregation dynamics. This study demonstrates that integrating trophic interactions into species distribution modeling substantially improves predictions of high-risk marine species near coastal infrastructure and provides an ecological basis for proactive management of cooling water intake systems. Full article

The aim of this study was to understand the female swimmers’ annual performance progression and stability between 10 and 18 years across swimming distances and techniques. Data from female Portuguese Top-50 rankings in the short-course pool was extracted from an open access database (swimrankings.net). Performances were grouped by distances (50-, 100- and 200 m) and techniques (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly), totalizing 12 events as performance metrics. A total of 343 swimmers and 3087 performances distributed by nine consecutive competitive seasons were retrospectively assessed. The mean and normative stability were computed for tracking performance trends, while reporting the year-to-year percentage improvement. The differences across distances and techniques were tested with a linear mixed-effects model using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The performance progression was characterized by marked improvements during the early ages (up to 13% yearly) and an emerging plateau around the 15–16 years. The stability patterns varied between events, with the backstroke technique (ICC = 0.13) demonstrating greater consistency of individual differences on developmental trajectories, whereas shorter races (i.e., 50 m; ICC = 0.15) tended to be more stable than 100 m or 200 m (ICC = 0.12). It can be concluded that female swimmers’ performance stabilizes at the 15–16 years of age. Despite reduced differences, the backstroke technique and short distances seem to show a slightly more stable trend in progressing from childhood to adulthood. Full article

Enterococci are found not only in warm-blooded animals but also as a resident population of water and an indicator of fecal pollution. The species Enterococcus haemoperoxidus and E. moraviensis are relatively new, having been detected in water. Strains with genes for biofilm formation can serve as reservoirs for gene transfer. The aim and novelty of this study were to determine whether the postbiotic substance (PS) of proteinaceous character (Durancin-like) produced by our strain Enterococcus durans ED26E/7 can inhibit in vitro the growth of biofilm-forming E. haemoperoxidus and E. moraviensis isolated from water sources. E. haemoperoxidus and E. moraviensis lacked the biofilm-forming genes ica, bap, ace, and fsrA. The bopD gene was found only in three strains of E. haemoperoxidus. The srtA gene was present in two strains of E. haemoperoxidus and E. moraviensis. Using the quantitative test, three strains showed low-grade biofilm-forming ability. They exhibited ɤ-hemolysis, and they were mostly susceptible to antibiotics. However, they were susceptible to PS Durancin-like ED26E/7. E. haemoperoxidus, the strains EHae466 and EMo494, showed the highest susceptibility to Durancin-like ED26E/7. Full article

Background: Histamine H3 receptor-targeting compounds modulate histaminergic tone and downstream monoaminergic/arousal circuits and have been proposed to exert potential antidepressant-like effects in preclinical models. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of rodent studies evaluating H3-related interventions on depression-like behavior. We screened 60 records, assessed 12 studies qualitatively (four CORE, eight sensitivity), and included nine studies in random-effects meta-analyses (REML). Primary outcomes were the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST); effect sizes were summarized as Hedges’ g (positive values indicate reduced immobility). Results: In the primary ALL analysis, H3-related interventions improved FST outcomes (g = 1.40, 95% CI 0.83–1.97; k = 7) and were also associated with improved TST outcomes, albeit with substantial heterogeneity (g = 2.27, 95% CI 0.80–3.73; k = 5). CORE-only analyses were directionally consistent but less precise (FST: g = 1.11, 95% CI −0.06–2.27; k = 3; TST: g = 2.95, 95% CI 0.87–5.02; k = 2). Sucrose preference was reported in one study and indicated improvement (g = 1.61, 95% CI 0.29–2.92). Conclusions: H3-related interventions show an antidepressant-like signal in rodent FST and TST, with greater heterogeneity for TST, highlighting the need for more standardized and adequately powered preclinical studies. Full article

Fishways play a critical role in restoring river connectivity and conserving fishery resources, yet their efficiency is often limited by mismatches between hydraulic conditions and species-specific behavioral traits. To quantify the upstream migration behavior of fish under the combined influence of flow heterogeneity and schooling effects, this study examined the endangered species L. elongata in the Yangtze River Basin. Volitional swimming behavior was tested in an open-channel flume under three spatially heterogeneous flow regimes (I: Low–Moderate–High; II: High–Moderate–Low; III: Moderate–High–Low). A video monitoring system recorded the upstream movement of solitary fish and three-individual schools. Swimming trajectories, upstream migration time, preferred flow velocities, and schooling metrics—including nearest neighbor distance (NND) and mean pairwise distance (MPD)—were analyzed. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to account for repeated measures and individual variability. Results showed that schooling behavior significantly enhanced upstream migration efficiency: schooling fish arrived at the target area on average 8.93 s earlier than solitary individuals (p < 0.01), while flow condition alone had no detectable effect on arrival time. L. elongata consistently preferred low-velocity zones (0.20–0.50 m/s) and avoided high-velocity regions (0.75–1.25 m/s), with meandering upstream trajectories predominating. NND showed no significant differences across flow conditions (p > 0.05), indicating stable schooling cohesion. However, MPD increased significantly under Flow III compared to Flows I and II (p < 0.01), suggesting that higher flow heterogeneity leads to more dispersed group spacing while overall cohesion is maintained. Distinct movement strategies were observed: solitary fish predominantly utilized boundary regions as hydraulic refuges (wall-following: 63.8–80.5%), whereas schools exhibited greater spatial exploration and reduced wall-following. These findings demonstrate that schooling enhances migration efficiency while preserving a cohesive group structure and that flow heterogeneity influences within-group spatial organization. To optimize fishway performance for L. elongata, we recommend maintaining flow velocities within 0.20–0.50 m/s. This study provides scientific guidance for hydraulic regulation in fishway design and habitat restoration, emphasizing the combined effects of flow heterogeneity and schooling behavior on migration performance. Full article

The rising global demand for lithium has led to substantial accumulation of lithium slag, a by-product of lithium carbonate production and a potential environmental contaminant. Leachates from this material contain various metal elements and may pose risks to ecosystems and organismal health. However, research on its neurotoxicity and underlying mechanisms remains limited. In this study, zebrafish embryos at 6 h post-fertilisation were exposed to varying concentrations of lithium slag leachate for 7 days. The leachate contained multiple metal ions (Li, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Cd, Pb, etc.). Following exposure, significant metal accumulation was observed in larvae, accompanied by developmental malformations (yolk sac oedema, cardiac haemorrhage, and uninflated swim bladders). Behavioural assessment revealed reduced swimming distance and velocity, along with disrupted circadian rhythms. Biochemical analyses showed elevated Reactive oxygen species (ROS), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and Malondialdehyde (MDA), alongside decreased Glutathione (GSH), indicating oxidative stress. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed downregulation of core circadian genes. Neurotransmitter assays revealed decreased acetylcholine (Ach), noradrenaline (NE), and dopamine (DA), with increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin (5-HT). These findings demonstrate that lithium slag leachate induces oxidative stress, circadian disruption, and neurobehavioural toxicity in zebrafish, providing important evidence for environmental risk assessment. Full article

Background/Objectives: This systematic review examined whether oral vitamin D supplementation improves vitamin D status, health, and exercise outcomes in indoor-training aquatic athletes. Methods: We systematically reviewed randomized, placebo-controlled trials (>2 weeks) investigating vitamin D supplementation in competitive swimmers and divers. Six eligible trials (n = 246) were included and summarized descriptively. Results: Supplementation (2000–5000 IU/day for 12 weeks to 6 months) consistently increased serum 25(OH)D compared with placebo, with average increases up to 9.3 ng/mL. While higher doses occasionally improved muscle strength and lean mass, evidence showed no consistent benefits for swimming performance, immune function, or bone turnover. Additionally, higher body mass index (BMI) correlated with smaller 25(OH)D increases. Conclusions: Vitamin D effectively corrects deficiencies in aquatic athletes but lacks consistent ergogenic benefits. Therefore, in practice, supplementation should serve primarily as a targeted corrective measure for deficiency to support fundamental musculoskeletal health, rather than a generalized strategy for performance enhancement. Full article

Large amounts of radionuclides and microplastics (MPs) have been released and will continue to be discharge into the environment. They will exist and interact in the aquatic environment over extended periods. However, the toxicological risks associated with their co-exposure remain poorly understood. In this study, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to ¹³⁷Cs (6.8 × 10⁴ Bq/L) in combination with 9.9 μm polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs, 10, 100 μg/L) for 7 days. Early developmental growth was significantly influenced in the ¹³⁷Cs-exposed groups. This was evidenced by delayed hatching, increased swimming total distance, and anxiety behavior (increasing swimming distance in the inner circle). Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that a higher number of differentially expressed genes were found in the ¹³⁷Cs group compared to other exposure groups. In ¹³⁷Cs groups, KEGG enrichment analysis highlighted significant disruptions in lipid metabolism pathways. ¹³⁷Cs can influence its neuro-related genes by inducing lipid metabolism toxicity, providing a mechanistic explanation for the observed locomotory abnormalities in larvae. Interestingly, during the early stage of development, MPs appeared to reduce the internal irradiation dose and toxic effect by absorbing the ¹³⁷Cs. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of the ecological risks posed by combined exposure to ¹³⁷Cs and MPs. Full article

Fluopyram (FO), a widely used succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide, poses a potential risk to aquatic ecosystems due to its mitochondrial toxicity in non-target organisms. This study investigated its toxic effects on zebrafish (Danio rerio). Embryos (n = 30 per concentration) were exposed to FO (0, 0.375, 0.75, 1.5 mg/L) for 96 h, resulting in concentration-dependent developmental toxicity, including increased malformations, reduced heart rate, and inhibited swimming behavior. Adult zebrafish were chronically exposed to lower concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mg/L; n = 20 per concentration per replicate) for 28 days. Biochemical analyses across both life stages revealed that FO significantly inhibited succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and mitochondrial complex II, reduced ATP levels, and induced oxidative stress. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed that FO profoundly perturbed specific metabolic pathways, primarily glutathione metabolism, cytochrome P450-mediated detoxification, and core nutrient metabolism pathways involving carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids. In adults, chronic exposure induced significant hepatotoxicity, evidenced by histopathological damage, altered liver enzyme activities (GPT/GOT), and activation of autophagy and PPAR/FoxO signaling pathways. Our results demonstrate that FO induces multifaceted toxicity in zebrafish, from developmental defects to hepatic metabolic dysfunction, primarily driven by mitochondrial impairment and oxidative stress. This study provides crucial mechanistic hazard data and insights for the ecological risk assessment of SDHI fungicides. Full article