Frontiers in Sports and Active Living最新文献

Extended feedback on knowledge of performance in sports techniques is very challenging and requires a high level of expertise. This poses a significant problem for experiments on providing extended feedback, as it is essential to ensure that the "correct" feedback is given for it to be effective. In this study, we investigate whether the correct feedback can be determined based on kinematic data. Ten participants and one model were recorded during shot put using a Motion Capturing (MoCap) system and simultaneously captured on video. The videos were analysed by two experts, and the two most critical errors were noted. By qualitatively comparing the deviations of the participants from the model, the experts' error feedback was identified in the motion curves of the MoCap system. The expert feedback for two participants was sealed in an envelope. In a qualitative analysis of the motion data, the error feedback was then determined and subsequently compared with the experts' feedback. These error feedbacks largely matched. It was shown that, in principle, it is possible to extract errors from the kinematic angle and distance curves of the movement. This study opens the door to an automated version of the qualitative assessment of movements by AI. Further research can now focus on the topic of conveying AI-generated feedback. This could then also provide a valid foundation for experiments on the effects of knowledge of performance.

Introduction: Although circadian rhythms have been shown to influence some neuromuscular performance tasks, the time-of-day effect on team sports performance athletes remains equivocal. This study aimed to examine the existing evidence concerning diurnal variations in neuromuscular performance in professional and semi-professional team sports athletes using a meta-analytic approach.

Methods: A literature search was conducted through three different databases: PubMed, SportDiscus and Web of Science. Article selection was made based on the following inclusion criteria: team sports athletes, professional or semi-professional athletes, neuromuscular performance, testing protocols and time-of-day testing times. Neuromuscular performance parameters such vertical jump capacity (i.e., squat and countermovement jump), agility and isometric strength were included in the analysis. Testing protocols that specifically assessed these parameters across morning (AM) and late afternoon/evening (PM) periods were considered were extracted from the selected studies.

Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis and five for quantitative synthesis. Meta-analysis indicated lower countermovement jump in the AM compared to with PM (mean difference, -1.44; 95% CI -2.80 to -0.08; p = 0.04) and higher agility performance (mean difference 0.42; 95% CI 0.09-0.74; p = 0.01) in PM comparing with AM. No differences were reported in isometric strength and squat jump performance (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Neuromuscular performance is higher in the late afternoon or early evening compared to morning schedules in team sport athletes. Hence, time-of-day variations need to be considered when evaluating neuromuscular performance in professional and semi-professional team sports athletes.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate age-related differences in physical performance metrics, specifically vertical jumping and sprinting capabilities, between young (average age 12.5) and senior (average age 23.2) male basketball players.

Methods: Performance metrics were assessed through standardised tests measuring jump height and sprint times, alongside force production during eccentric and concentric phases of jumping movement.

Results: Key findings show that senior players outperform younger athletes in both sprint times and jump heights, attributed to greater physical maturation and neuromuscular development. However, contraction times and phase durations were similar across both age groups, indicating that strength improvements do not affect fundamental movement timing.

Discussion: These results highlight the importance of age-specific training programs that focus on developing explosive power for younger players and optimising performance while minimising injury risk for seniors. The study provides valuable insights and recommendations for tailoring training strategies to athletes' developmental stages and suggests that further research is needed to explore effective interventions for enhancing physical performance across the lifespan.

Introduction: Inter-set rest intervals are essential to reduce muscle fatigue and increase the total amount of volume of resistance training. Static stretching and walking may increase muscle blood flow and promote recovery during inter-set rest intervals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 20 seconds of static stretching and walking during inter-set rest intervals of leg extension exercises on the number of repetitions to exhaustion, total amount of volume, and flexibility of the quadriceps (joint range of motion and muscle hardness) in untrained healthy males.

Methods: Fourteen healthy, untrained men performed three different interventions (passive rest, static stretching, and walking) during inter-set rest intervals of a leg extension exercise with a 70% load of maximum muscle strength, in random order. The range of motion and muscle hardness of the quadriceps were measured before and immediately after all interventions using a goniometer and a portable muscle hardness meter. The number of repetitions to exhaustion and total amount of volume load (load × repetitions) of the leg extension exercise were assessed. Repeated two-way ANOVA and a Friedman test were used to analyze the variables.

Results: Range of motion and muscle hardness were increased after all interventions (both p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of repetitions to exhaustion (p = 0.651) or total amount of volume load (p = 0.206) between interventions.

Discussion: These results indicated that static stretching and walking during inter-set rest intervals did not influence the change in flexibility and muscle fatigue of the leg extension exercise.

Introduction: Predicting competitive alpine skiing performance using conventional statistical methods has proven challenging. Many studies assessing the relationship between physiological performance and skiing outcomes have employed statistical methods of questionable validity. Furthermore, the reliance on Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) points as a performance outcome variable presents additional limitations due to its potential unreliability in reflecting short-term, sport-specific performance. These factors complicate the selection of appropriate tests and the accurate prediction of competitive outcomes.

Method: This study aimed to evaluate the predictive power of a generalized physiological test battery for alpine skiing performance, as measured by FIS points, utilizing multivariable data analysis (MVDA). Physiological test results from a total of twelve (n = 12) world-class female skiers were included in the analysis.

Results: The result on goodness of regression (R²) and goodness of prediction (Q²) in this study indicate that valid Orthogonal Projection to Latent Structures (OPLS) models for both Slalom and Giant Slalom can be generated (R² = 0.39 to 0.40, Q² = 0.21 to 0.15), but also that competition performance still cannot be predicted at a group level (low Q2). In contrast, higher predictive power of competitive performance was achieved on an individual level using the same data (R² = 0.88 to 0.99 and Q² = 0.64 to 0.96).

Discussion: The findings of this investigation indicate that the selected tests employed in this study exhibit limited generalizability for the assessment of elite alpine skiers, as the predictive value of specific physiological parameters on competitive performance appears to be highly athlete-dependent.

Objectives: The research aimed to examine exercise cravings that arise from the disruption of daily routine resulting from the earthquake and the consequent mandatory absence from exercising at fitness centers.

Study design: This study utilized the phenomenological design through qualitative research methods.

Methods: The research sample comprises six individuals aged between 22 and 29 years. They were selected using the criterion sampling method. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results: Two different types of cravings were identified. The first type is related to exercise addiction, while the second type is related to anxiety-induced cravings.

Conclusions: Exercise craving manifests in two ways. The first type originates from exercise addiction, emerging when an individual with exercise addiction experiences a lack of exercise. With a more clinical dimension, the second type arises from the inability to engage in training for uncontrollable reasons.

Introduction: To determine if athletes with coordination impairment (CI) can continue playing wheelchair rugby (WR), while an evidence-based classification system, including impairment tests for CI is not yet available. This is a defensible practise if they show similar activity limitations as athletes with other eligible impairment types (OI) within the same sports class.

Methods: Standardised activities were measured in 58 elite WR athletes; 14 with CI and 44 with OI. Wheelchair activities consisted of 20-meter sprint, 12-meter sprint with full stop, intermittent sprint (3-meter sprint, stop, 3-meter sprint, stop, 6-meter sprint with full stop), sprint-curve-slalom-curve, turn on the spot 180°, turn on the spot 90°, stop, turn 90°in the same direction, X-test (short circuit with sharp turns) without the ball. Ball activities consisted of maximal throwing distance, precision throwing short (25% of maximum throw) and long (75% of maximal throw) distance and X-test with the ball (pick-up the ball and dribble whilst pushing). Descriptive statistics were used and Spearman's Rank correlation was assessed for athletes with CI and OI for each outcome measure. Differences between athletes with CI and OI were assessed using a Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: Most activities showed a high correlation with the athlete class in both athletes with CI and athletes with OI. Furthermore, outcome measures of athletes with CI overlapped with athletes with OI in the same sports class for all activities. There was a trend for worse performance in athletes with CI in turn on the spot 90°, stop, turn 90°in the same direction, the short distance one handed precision throw (P 0.11)and in the X-test with the ball (P 0.10).

Discussion: Despite the current lack of evidence based impairment tests for CI, it is a defensible practise to not exclude athletes with CI from WR with the current classification system. The trends for differences in performance that were found can support athletes and coaches in optimising performance of athletes with CI.

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a global health challenge, exacerbated by increased screen time and sedentary behaviors. Enhancing physical activity levels at schools offers a promising approach to promote lifelong healthy habits.

Methods: This protocol paper outlines the MOVE12 pilot study, a 12-week intervention study designed to increase physical activity among Norwegian upper secondary school students through 6-7-min daily MOVE-breaks integrated into lessons. Developed using the six-phase Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol, grounded in the social-ecological model and self-determination theory, the intervention focuses on fostering motivation and creating a supportive environment. Key steps include needs assessment, performance objectives, theoretical methods, and program structuring for sustainability.

Results: Linear mixed models, t-tests, and regression analyses will evaluate quantitative outcomes, while qualitative focus groups will explore engagement and behavior change.

Discussion: MOVE12 provides insights into scalable school-based interventions addressing physical inactivity, highlighting the potential of the IM framework to establish sustainable health promotion strategies.

Introduction: Our goal was to determine the differences in changes in cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory interaction indicators during a respiratory maneuver with a change in breathing rate in athletes with different types of heart rate regulation.

Methods: The results of a study of 183 healthy men aged 21.2 ± 2.3 years, who were systematically involved in various sports, were analyzed. According to the results of the analysis of the HRV study during spontaneous breathing, the athletes were divided into 4 groups taking into account the type of heart rate regulation (HRR). Group 1 (with type I) consisted of 53 people, group 2 (with type II)-29 people, group 3 (with type III)-85 people, group 4 (with type IV)-16 people. The methodology for studying the cardiorespiratory system included combined measurements of the respiratory and cardiovascular system activity indicators in a sitting position using a spiroarteriocardiorhythmograph. The duration of the study was 6 min.

Results: According to changes in cardiorespiratory and cardiovascular interaction indicators during controlled breathing with a frequency of 6 and 15 per minute (CR₆ and CR₁₅), it is shown that with a pronounced predominance of parasympathetic influences (type IV) in conditions of excessive cardiorespiratory control and moderate hyperventilation, differences in changes in arterial baroreflex sensitivity (δBR_LF and δBR_HF) are noted in comparison with other HRR. Athletes with type IV at CR₆ in δBR_LF significantly differ from athletes with type III (p = 0.026) and do not differ from athletes with type II (p = 0.141). In δBR_HF significantly (p = 0.038 and p = 0.043)-from athletes with types I and II. It is shown that with the predominance of sympathetic influences (types I and II), the reactivity of BRS (δBRLF and δBR_HF) in response to moderate hyperventilation (CR₁₅) is significantly lower. Changes in the Hildebrandt index and the volume synchronization index additionally differentiate HRR associated with a moderate and pronounced predominance of sympathetic and parasympathetic influences.

Conclusion: The use of a respiratory maneuver in a combined study of the cardiorespiratory system in the conditions of current control of athletes showed informativeness in the differentiation of HRR types and states of functional overstrain.

Introduction: Marathon running has become increasingly popular among amateur athletes, many of whom maintain speeds of 8-9 km/h. However, existing methods for estimating oxygen consumption (VO₂) during running and walking-such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) equations and commercial activity monitors-often lack accuracy and transparency. This study introduces the Hata-Yanagiya Physical Activity Calculation (HYPAC) system, a novel approach for estimating VO₂ using Global Positioning System (GPS) and map data.

Methods: The HYPAC system was developed through regression equations based on metabolic equivalents (METs) and slope data. To validate the system, 10 university students (5 runners, 5 non-runners) completed a 5 km course while equipped with a GPS device and a portable metabolic measurement system. VO₂ estimates from the HYPAC system were compared with measured values and those calculated using ACSM equations.

Results: The HYPAC system demonstrated high accuracy in estimating VO₂, with a relative error of -0.03 [95% confidence intervals (CI): -0.14, 0.08] compared to measured values. For the running group, the HYPAC system achieved the lowest absolute mean relative error (0.02). In the mixed running/walking group, the HYPAC system maintained strong performance with a relative error of -0.07 (95% CI: -0.26, 0.12).

Discussion: The HYPAC system provides a transparent and accurate method for estimating VO₂ during walking and running, outperforming existing methods under varied conditions. Its open-source framework encourages further validation and improvement by researchers and practitioners. Future studies should address limitations such as sample size and population diversity to enhance the system's applicability.