Frontiers in Sports and Active Living最新文献

Background: K1 kickboxing is an elite combat sport that combines striking techniques (punches, kicks, knee strikes) with tactical decision-making and anthropometric advantages. Success in K1 matches depends on both technical-tactical (TE-TA) structures and physical characteristics. However, few studies have developed comprehensive predictive models that integrate these factors to explain match outcomes in elite K1 competition.

Objective: This study was to identify a model of success that incorporates key technical-tactical (TE-TA) structures and anthropometric characteristics that predict the outcome of kickboxing matches under K1 rules.

Methods: A total of 96 qualifying matches for the K1 Final Grand Prix in Japan, comprising 192 fighter appearances from tournaments held between 1995 and 2012, were analyzed using logistic regression. Model fit was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and discriminative power was assessed via Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results: The Hosmer-Lemeshow test (χ ² = 9.93, p > 0.05) indicated a good model fit, while the Receiver Operating Characteristic ROC analysis (area Under the Curve [AUC] = 0.84 demonstrated high discriminative power. The largest positive effects were observed for the rear-hand uppercut to the head, the lead-hand hook to the head, and the low rear-leg roundhouse kick to the lead leg, with each additional successful execution being associated with a 23.0%, 17.3%, and 12.6% increase in the odds of winning, respectively (e.g., OR = 1.23 for the rear-hand uppercut). Conversely, defensive structures involving hand blocks, whether against punches or leg strikes, were associated with 4.2% and 10.4% decreases in the odds of winning, respectively, suggesting these may be reactive structures taken under pressure. Additionally, each centimeter of greater height was associated with a 9.8% increase in the odds of winning.

Conclusion: These findings provide expert coaches and scientists with guidance for optimizing contemporary training systems, enhancing tactical decision-making, and implementing predictive accuracy in elite-level kickboxing.

Introduction: Hypertension is a major public health concern, prevalent among aging populations. We aimed to compare the cardiovascular metabolic effects of four traditional Chinese exercises (Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, and Yijinjing) in middle-aged and older adults hypertensive patients through network meta-analysis, and provide exercise recommendations for this population.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials of traditional Chinese exercises on cardiovascular health in middle-aged and older adults hypertensive patients were systematically searched in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data, Cqvip, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases from January 2010 to July 2025. 19 studies with 1,501 individuals were selected and analyzed with RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.1. The primary outcomes were blood pressure measures, lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and endothelial function indicators (nitric oxide, endothelin). Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Area (SUCRA) probability rankings were determined to select best interventions.

Results: The SUCRA probability ranking results show that in terms of improving the blood pressure of middle-aged and elderly hypertensive patients, Tai Chi demonstrated the highest probability of being the best intervention for reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with SUCRA values of 86.7% and 79.3% respectively probability (63.6%).

Discussion: Tai Chi and BaduanJin demonstrated a relatively high probability of superiority in improving multiple cardiovascular and metabolic indicators of middle-aged and older adults patients with hypertension. These findings support the practical application of traditional Chinese exercise regimens, Tai Chi and Baduanjin, in cardiovascular disease care strategies for middle-aged and older adults hypertensive patients.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO CRD420251141539.

Introduction: This study investigated the acute effects of post-activation potentiation (PAP) induced by predominantly inertial loading on upper-body muscle mechanics, with particular consideration for applications in racket sports performance.

Methods: Fifteen participants experienced in resistance training completed two testing sessions. During the first session, participants underwent anthropometric assessment, familiarization with the bench press throw under inertial resistance, and determination of one-repetition maximum (1RM). The second session included a pre-test, a PAP protocol consisting of 2 sets of 3 ballistic chest press repetitions at approximately 80%-90% 1RM with inertial loading (rubber bands counteracted gravitational force to provide predominantly inertial load), followed by a post-test after five minutes of standardized rest. Performance variables-movement velocity, power, and maximal force-were recorded.

Results: Results demonstrated significant increases in movement velocity and maximal power output following PAP (p ≤ 0.05), while maximal force significantly decreased. Consequently, the force-velocity relationship exhibited a rightward shift.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that predominantly inertial loading can effectively elicit PAP and enhance explosive upper-body performance. Such effects may be particularly beneficial for athletes in racket sports, where rapid, high-velocity upper-limb actions performed under light external loads are critical for optimizing stroke power and precision.

Introduction: A high peak knee abduction moment (pKAM) during change-of-direction (COD) movements is considered a risk factor for non-contact injury to the anterior cruciate ligament during multidirectional team sports. COD technique training aimed at avoiding injury-prone movement patterns can lead to reductions in the pKAM but may limit COD performance. In this study we investigated a novel constraints-led training approach based on a 1-on-1 laser tag game, which may optimize COD movement patterns simply through the game's constraints rather than technique instructions. Specifically, we investigated whether the constraints-led training approach reduces the pKAM but with COD performance maintained or even improved.

Methods: Twelve highly active individuals (75% female) with experience in COD sports completed an eight-week laser tag training (LASG) intervention while COD biomechanics and performance were obtained from 3D motion capture and full-body musculoskeletal modeling of a maximum-speed 135° COD. Training effects in the LASG group were compared to training effects of traditional COD technique training (CODG) and linear sprint training (CG) obtained from a previous study.

Results: After the training, the LASG showed a statistically significant reduction in the pKAM compared to pre-training (p = 0.038, Cohen's d = 0.63) with magnitudes comparable to the CODG (p = 0.056, d = 0.58). Further, the LASG showed improvements in COD performance, quantified through statistically significant reductions in COD completion times (p < 0.001, d = 2.47), which was not observed for CODG (p = 0.898, d = 0.04).

Discussion: In conclusion, an eight-week laser tag training intervention can reduce the pKAM and improve performance during a maximum-speed COD and thus may be a useful tool in ACL injury prevention training.

Background: Running offers substantial physical and psychological health benefits, however, novice runners experience a markedly higher incidence of running-related injuries than experienced runners. Differences in biomechanical characteristics between these groups contributed to this elevated risk, but findings remain inconsistent and need to be synthesized. This study aims to synthesize evidence on biomechanical differences between novice and experienced runners.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted to identify studies published between 2004 and December 2025. Fourteen eligible studies (n = 457 runners) were included for analysis. Data were extracted on study characteristics, definitions of running experience, biomechanical variables, and the risk of bias was assessed using the NIH tool.

Results: Included studies consistently reported that novice runners exhibited greater spatiotemporal variability, larger joint ranges of motion along with weaker proximal muscle control, poorer coordination, and lower dynamic stability compared with experienced runners. However, inconsistencies were observed in knee kinematic findings, particularly in knee flexion-extension and ankle motion patterns.

Conclusions: Novice runners exhibit less stable and less coordinated gait patterns, reflecting reduced neuromuscular control and higher injury susceptibility. Standardized, multidimensional definitions of running experience and more rigorous biomechanical protocols are needed to clarify these mechanisms and guide targeted injury-prevention strategies.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=607126, identifier CRD42024607126.

Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are a significant concern in multidirectional sports, often occurring during change-of-direction (COD) maneuvers under high biomechanical loads. While laboratory-based studies have provided valuable insights into ACL injury mechanisms, they often fail to replicate the complexity of real-world scenarios. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the kinematic patterns and performance of COD maneuvers in ecologically valid settings, incorporating on-field testing with reduced constraints, multiple angles, and both preplanned and unplanned conditions. Additionally, the study examined how kinematics evolve during a sequence of CODs, simulating game-like scenarios.

Methods: Twenty male soccer players performed COD sequences on artificial turf, with joint and segment kinematics captured using wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs).

Results: Results revealed that limiting movement planning did alter COD movement executions and elicited a mix of protective and risk-associated movement adaptations. Unplanned CODs exhibited less favorable trunk and pelvis alignment in regard to ACL injury risk, but they also showed safer sagittal knee and frontal hip kinematics, however, at the cost of performance. Notably, kinematic patterns deteriorated in the last COD of an unplanned sequence, with participants displaying characteristics associated with elevated injury risk: more extended knees, higher hip abduction at sharper angles, and misaligned trunk rotation.

Discussion: These findings suggest that the combined cognitive and physical demands of sequential CODs constrain motor planning, leading to riskier biomechanical patterns. This study underscores the importance of incorporating realistic, game-like conditions in ACL injury research to better understand the interplay between performance and injury risk. The results highlight the need for injury prevention programs to address the cognitive and physical demands of unplanned, sequential CODs, offering a more comprehensive approach to mitigating ACL injury risk in multidirectional sports.

Activity pattern (AP) concepts are widely used in interdisciplinary chronic pain (CP) care. It is assumed that AP can be objectively measured with accelerometry, but previous results show inconsistencies which may be attributed to methodical choices. This scoping review aims to provide insight in the process of methodical reasoning for measuring AP concepts within CP and the implications for the validity of the methods presented. This process comprises (1) selection of the AP-related concept, (2) its definition or specification (conceptualization), (3) its operationalization with variables and indicators, and (4) measurement properties and data processing. Five databases were searched for full-text publications from inception to November 2024 and publications were included when AP were measured with tri-axial accelerometers for at least five consecutive days in adults with primary musculoskeletal CP. The searches yielded 11,648 papers. Fifteen papers were included and summarized in three tables: 1. Study characteristics, 2. Concepts, definitions and operationalization, 3. Measurement properties and data processing. Concepts were diverse and could be divided into behavioral concepts and concepts derived from physics. Methods were heterogeneous, reporting of methods was incomplete and validity was doubtful in multiple cases. This review provides recommendations for future research steps that could facilitate the comparison of upcoming studies and their application in daily practice. As a first step in securing comparability and usability of future research, consensus is needed on clinically relevant and valid AP concepts and their definitions, followed by consensus on operationalization, data processing, and measurement methods.

Systematic review registration: 10.17605/OSF.IO/A8U6J.

The Vienna Test System (VTS) is a widely used computerized tools for assessing psychology-related constructs in different populations. Our objectives were to (1) identify the available evidence on the use of VTS, (2) examine how research is conducted using VTS and, therefore, (3) draw attention to the challenges in the practical application of the VTS for assessing cognitive functions in general, athletic and clinical populations. A literature search following the JBI and PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews was conducted in September 2024 across four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, ELSEVIER Scopus, and EBSCOhost) to identify peer-reviewed articles reporting cognitive functions measured by at least one VTS cognitive test. Of the 79 identified articles, 24 used the VTS to assess cognitive function in the general population, while 41 and 14 studies recruited participants from the athletic and clinical populations, respectively. Our analysis revealed RT (36.7% of total articles, n = 29), DT (35%, n = 28), COG (34.2%, n = 27), PP (19%, n = 15) and LVT (16.5%, n = 13) as the TOP 5 most popular tests in the VTS. Nevertheless, only two studies (2.5%, 2/79) received a modified JBI quality score above 70%, while 9 studies (11.4%, 9/79) scored between 50% and 70%. In addition, only 36.7% of the articles were published in Q1 journals, while almost one quarter (24%) were published in journals that do not even appear in the Scimago Journal Ranking. Overall, the wide spectrum of cognitive tests in the VTS has the potential to assess cognitive functions; however, quality assessments revealed that, e.g., the relatively poor experimental designs, lack of a control group, and inconsistent use of VTS tests of many included studies make it difficult to draw clear conclusions about their validity, feasibility, and reliability, highlighting the need for higher-quality studies.