Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness最新文献

{"title":"“Phoenix Rising”: A scoping review on the impacts of dragon boating exercise on well-being among breast cancer survivors and factors affecting their participation","authors":"Nelson Chun Yiu Yeung ,&nbsp;Victor Chi Wing Tam ,&nbsp;Stephanie Tsz Yung Lau ,&nbsp;Lihua Pan ,&nbsp;Sze Nok Ng ,&nbsp;Deng Yau Shy ,&nbsp;Raymond Kim Wai Sum","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2026.200453","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2026.200453","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Breast cancer survivors (BCS) often experience declines in physical and psychosocial well-being post-treatment, making supportive interventions essential. Dragon boating(team-based paddling in a long boat) has emerged as a promising, popular exercise for BCS. However, no comprehensive reviews exist on its impacts or participation factors. This scoping review addressed these gaps by examining two research questions (RQ): RQ1) the impacts of dragon boating on BCS’ well-being, and RQ2) facilitators and barriers influencing their participation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Seven databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Scopus, CNKI) were used to search for eligible studies from January 1996 to November 2025 involving BCS engaging in dragon boating. Screening from 245 records, 33 articles (18 quantitative, 14 qualitative, 1 mixed-methods) were identified.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among studies addressing RQ1 (n = 27), 24 studies reported at least one benefit on well-being. Dragon boating improved BCS’ physical functioning (e.g., upper limb strength, range of motion), psychosocial well-being(e.g.,mental health, posttraumatic growth), and health behaviors(healthier lifestyle), without increasing lymphedema risk. Benefits on biochemical indicators (e.g., anti-inflammatory markers/antioxidant capacity) were less conclusive. For RQ2 (n = 10), common facilitators for joining dragon boating were social support, focus away from cancer, information sharing, and being physically active/competitive; common barriers included feeling not fit enough to participate, reminders of death/cancer recurrence, concerns about cancer identity disclosure, time commitment, and location constraints.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Most studies demonstrated the benefits of dragon boating for BCS' physical and psychosocial well-being, but evidence did not support its superiority to other activities. To maximize impacts, addressing facilitators/barriers of participation will be important when designing and implementing dragon boating programs for BCS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 2","pages":"Article 200453"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pacing of the first and only female finisher in the world's longest triathlon: The 2024 Triple Deca ultra triathlon","authors":"Sasa Duric ,&nbsp;Marilia Santos Andrade ,&nbsp;Luciano Bernardes Leite ,&nbsp;Pedro Forte ,&nbsp;Pantelis T. Nikolaidis ,&nbsp;Ivan Cuk ,&nbsp;Katja Weiss ,&nbsp;Thomas Rosemann ,&nbsp;Beat Knechtle","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2026.200454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2026.200454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Pacing in triathlon has been analyzed for distances up to 60 long-distance triathlons in 60 days in men. However, no study has examined pacing in a female ultra-endurance triathlete in a multi-day triathlon exceeding 10 days. Thus, this case study analyzes the pacing of the first and only woman to complete 30 long-distance triathlons in 30 days.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Lap times for swimming, cycling, and running, including transitions, were collected from race results. The athlete tracked each discipline daily using a Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar, recording average and maximum heart rates and energy expenditure. The coefficient of variation and second-order polynomial regression were calculated for average pace, split, and total times. Repeated measures ANOVA tested interactions in pace performance across 10-day phases and intra-discipline daily pacing variations. Multivariate regression examined physiological parameters’ impact on pacing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The female triathlete maintained a relatively even pacing strategy throughout the race, with a decrease in cycling speed and an increase in running speed. Cycling showed the strongest and significant correlation with total race time (r = 0.810; p &lt; 0.001), while running (r = 0.347; p = 0.119) and swimming (r = −0.312; p = 0.165) displayed non-significant associations. The pace varied within the disciplines, with cycling becoming slower and running faster in the last quarter of the race. Energy expenditure, maximum and average heart rate were significant predictors for cycling (R² = 0.538; p &lt; 0.001), while only average heart rate was the best predictor for running performance (R² = 0.450; p &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Tactical considerations most likely influenced pacing, particularly in cycling and running. Future research should further explore pacing strategies in ultra-endurance events.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 2","pages":"Article 200454"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of an eight-week composite plantar sensory exercise on postural stability in older adults: a randomised controlled trial","authors":"Xiaoyue Hu ,&nbsp;Ziwei Zeng ,&nbsp;Lin Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2026.200451","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2026.200451","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background/objectives</h3><div>The purpose of our study is to examine the effects of an eight-week composite plantar sensory exercise on plantar sensation, ankle proprioception and postural control in healthy older adults.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>108 healthy older adults were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 54) or the control group (n = 54). The intervention group received composite plantar sensory exercise which included plantar vibration/perception training and walking exercise (3 times per week for 8weeks), while the control group only received walking exercise. Postural stability (static and dynamic), plantar sensation (tactile sensation/vibration sensation/discrimination) and ankle proprioception (ankle kinesthesia/joint position sense/force sense) were tested.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Over the 8-week intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in the static postural stability test especially under challenging test conditions (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Moreover, intervention group showed a marked reduction in the centre of gravity sway velocity during eyes open eyes closed in single-leg stance tasks (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in plantar tactile sensation/vibration sensitivity in six tested positions (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) and ankle kinesthesia threshold of ankle plantarflexion/dorsiflexion/inversion/eversion compared with controls (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Composite plantar sensory exercise improves sensory feedback and static postural stability in healthy older adults—particularly under challenging condition such as visual conflict/visual conflict and unstable surface conditions. These findings highlight the potential of plantar sensory training for fall prevention strategies in aging populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 2","pages":"Article 200451"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of habitual physical activity on cognitive performance of healthy young adults after passive heat exposure","authors":"Fuhai Zhuo ,&nbsp;Reubenjamin J. Gaurani ,&nbsp;Ivan C.C. Low ,&nbsp;Thomas A. Deshayes ,&nbsp;Jason K.W. Lee ,&nbsp;Stephen S. Cheung ,&nbsp;Pei Ling Choo ,&nbsp;Xiang Ren Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Regular physical activity is positively associated with enhanced cognitive performance, whereas excessive heat stress may negatively impact cognition. The role of habitual physical activity on cognitive function under heat stress is unclear. Thus, we investigated the influence of physical activity status on the cognitive performance of healthy individuals after acute passive heat exposure.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Our study involved non-randomised quasi-experimental controlled trials where 28 participants (active: n = 13, 4 females, less-active: n = 15, 5 females) underwent 45-min hot water immersion (HWI). Participants immersed their lower limbs in 42 °C water in a seated position for 15 min before they wore a disposable raincoat and continued immersion for 30 min. Estimated core temperature via non-invasive CORE sensor, heart rate, ratings of thermal sensation and thermal comfort were monitored. Pre- and post-immersion, the participants performed Stroop test and Iowa gambling task (IGT) to assess selective attention, executive function and decision-making.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After HWI, both active and less-active participants attained hyperthermia (38.5 ± 0.4 °C and 38.3 ± 0.4 °C, respectively; <em>p</em> = 0.247). During HWI, the heart rate profiles, and subjective ratings were not different between groups regardless of physical activity status. Both groups exhibited faster reaction times and preserved accuracies in the Stroop test post-HWI, with no performance differences between groups. Similarly, for IGT, both active and less-active groups exhibited improved net scores post-HWI with no differences between groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>When exposed to modest levels of heat strain (≤38.5 °C), both physically active and less-active groups did not show impairment in executive function and risk-taking behaviour.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 1","pages":"Article 200436"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is non-adherence to Canadian 24-h movement guidelines associated with emotional and behavioral difficulties in Brazilian adolescents?","authors":"Maria Carolina Juvêncio Francisquini ,&nbsp;Pedro Henrique Garcia Dias ,&nbsp;Thais Maria de Souza Silva ,&nbsp;Géssika Castilho dos Santos ,&nbsp;Aristides M. Machado Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Jeffer Eidi Sasaki ,&nbsp;Bruno Gonçalves Galdino da Costa ,&nbsp;Antonio Stabelini Neto","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examined the individual and combined association between meeting the 24-h movement guidelines with emotional and behavioral difficulties in Brazilian adolescents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study included 815 adolescents (52 % female), aged 11–15 years (mean age: 13.43 years), enrolled in public schools from Jacarezinho, Paraná, Brazil. Sleep duration (SLP) was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. Screen time (ST) was assessed by self-reported daily use of electronic devices during the leisure time. Physical activity (PA) was measured by accelerometer. Mental health difficulties were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using generalized linear models, adjusted for age, gender, mother's education level, medication use, and BMI.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Findings showed that non-adherence to the ST guideline was associated with higher symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention (β: 1.22; 95 % CI: 1.05; 1.41; n = 815), and non-adherence to the SLP guideline was associated with higher total difficulties (β: 1.08; 95 % CI: 1.00; 1.16; n = 815). Combined analyses indicated significant associations between non-adherence to the PA + ST guidelines with higher emotional symptoms (β: 1.73; 95 % CI: 1.06; 2.83; n = 349), while non-adherence to the ST + SLP was associated with hyperactivity/inattention symptoms (β: 1.32; 95 % CI: 1.07; 1.62; n = 815).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Non-adherence to the 24-h movement guidelines was associated with higher symptoms of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Understanding adolescents’ lifestyles is crucial for developing efficient policies that enhance mental health among youth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 1","pages":"Article 200437"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exercise improves physical function in young women with functional ankle instability: a randomized controlled trial of 8-week structured high-intensity circuit training on balance, ankle function, and physical fitness","authors":"Qianwen Liao,&nbsp;Borui Zhang,&nbsp;Yuan Fang,&nbsp;Chen Zheng,&nbsp;Fenghua Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200439","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200439","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Prolonged sedentary behavior in women is associated with weakened lower-body musculature and increased risk of falls and injury. Although high-intensity circuit training (HICT) has been reported to effectively improve aerobic and anaerobic fitness in previously inactive individuals, few studies have evaluated its effectiveness in young women with functional ankle instability (FAI).</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>We aimed to evaluate the effect of an 8-week HICT program on balance, ankle stability, and physical fitness in sedentary young women with FAI.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This randomized controlled trial included 96 sedentary young women with FAI (aged 18–30 years, Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) &lt; 25), who were randomly assigned to the HICT (n = 54) or control (n = 42) groups. The HICT group completed an 8-week program (3 sessions/week) with progressive intensity stages, whereas the control group maintained routine activity. A battery of outcomes was assessed before and after the intervention. The primary outcomes included objectively measured balance function and perceived ankle stability, whereas the secondary outcomes included body composition, body circumference, and physical fitness. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance was used to detect the time × group interaction effect, with adjustment for baseline values.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A significant time × group interaction effect (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) was observed for balance function and ankle stability (<em>F</em> = 4.732–54.806, <em>η</em>² = 0.048–0.496), body composition (i.e., reductions in hip and thigh circumference: <em>F</em> = 5.092–8.933, <em>η</em>² = 0.061–0.213), and physical fitness (i.e., improvements in back and leg strength, flexibility, upper limb strength, and abdominal strength: <em>F</em> = 7.783–54.806, <em>η</em>² = 0.082–0.386).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>An 8-week HICT program appears to effectively improve balance and ankle stability in sedentary young women with FAI, providing preliminary evidence that HICT is a promising intervention for enhancing physical function and reducing the risk of falls and injuries in this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 2","pages":"Article 200439"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145897870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Treasured but not measured ?: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical literacy in children and adolescents","authors":"John J. Reilly ,&nbsp;Kerry Robertson ,&nbsp;Farid Bardid","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200434","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200434","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Physical literacy is treasured because it underpins participation in physical activity and sport in children and adolescents. Physical literacy might have declined following COVID-19 movement restrictions, but whether such a decline took place is uncertain. This study aimed to examine if a post-COVID-19 decline in physical literacy occurred in children and adolescents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic review, registered on PROSPERO CRD42025646499 in February 2025, was used to assess changes in physical literacy following the COVID-19 pandemic in healthy, typically developing 3–18 year olds. Searching in June 2025 used 7 databases: Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PsychINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, Sports Medicine &amp; Education Index and a grey literature search in Global Think Tanks.Risk of bias assessment used the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) instrument.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Only one eligible study was identified, which reported declining physical literacy in 8–14 year olds in Canada between 2019 and 2020.Evidence quality was moderate as assessed using the EPHPP.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The impact of COVID-19 movement restrictions on physical literacy in children and adolescents could not be assessed due to lack of evidence. The lack of evidence on such an important topic is a valuable finding in itself. Understanding trends in physical literacy will require greater monitoring, and the inclusion of physical literacy measurement in public health surveillance. If physical literacy is really treasured it should be measured.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 1","pages":"Article 200434"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationships between physical activity dimensions and frailty incidence and progression in middle-aged and older adults: A 7-year cohort study","authors":"Kening Xue ,&nbsp;Dingsheng Deng ,&nbsp;Hongwei Xie ,&nbsp;Zhen Bai ,&nbsp;Xiaoguang Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200435","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200435","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Physical activity (PA) is well-established as a key factor in frailty prevention. However, existing evidence relies predominantly on cross-sectional studies, creating a gap in understanding the long-term impact of PA on frailty progression. This study therefore aimed to investigate the longitudinal associations of multiple PA dimensions with both the incidence and trajectory of frailty in middle-aged and older adults in China.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This 7-year cohort study included 5916 initially non-frail participants (frailty index, FI &lt; 0.25) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and quantified in terms of frequency, duration, and volume. Frailty was assessed with a validated 40-item FI. The study employed discrete-time survival models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for incident frailty (FI ≥ 0.25) and linear mixed-effects models to evaluate the FI trajectory over time.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>During the 7-year follow-up, 22.9 % of participants developed frailty. In fully adjusted models, most dimensions of PA (frequency, duration, and volume) demonstrated inverse associations with frailty risk. A clear dose-response relationship was observed, whereby engaging in vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) for 1–2 days per week was associated with a 63 % lower risk (Adjusted HR = 0.37). Similarly, even as little as 10–29 min of VPA per day was associated with a 75 % risk reduction (Adjusted HR = 0.25). Higher levels of PA were also significantly associated with a slower annual increase in the FI score (e.g., Adjusted β = −0.0025 for VPA 6–7 days/week). Gender-stratified analyses revealed that the protective association of VPA was more pronounced in men, whereas moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) was more consistently associated with reduced frailty risk in women.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings suggest that regular PA, particularly VPA, is associated with a lower incidence and slower progression of frailty, showing a clear dose-response relationship. Notably, even modest amounts of VPA were associated with substantial protection. The associations appeared to be gender-specific, with the protective association of VPA appearing more pronounced in men and MPA more consistent for women. These findings underscore the critical importance of promoting tailored PA for frailty prevention in aging populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 1","pages":"Article 200435"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation on recovery of muscle performance after high-intensity sprint and resistance combined training sessions","authors":"Yosuke Hiroshige ,&nbsp;Ryusei Yamaguchi ,&nbsp;Tomoki Ebato ,&nbsp;Ryosuke Kunitomo ,&nbsp;Ryosuke Kajitani ,&nbsp;Naohiro Shinada ,&nbsp;Hajime Kato ,&nbsp;Masanobu Wada","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200433","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200433","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examined the effects of microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) on recovery of hamstring muscle function after high-intensity sprint and resistance training in male collegiate sprinters.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>A double-blinded, randomized, within-subjects crossover trial.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>A university research laboratory.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>Nine athletes underwent a crossover trial, receiving either MENS (for 20 min per day) or placebo treatment for five days during and after three consecutive days of training.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force of hamstring, eccentric force using Nordic hamstring (NH force), jump ability (counter movement jump), muscle soreness using a visual analog scale, muscle flexibility, and muscle contractile properties using tensiomyography, were assessed before training and immediately, 1 day, and 2 days after training.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>MENS significantly accelerated recovery of MVC and NH force, muscle contraction velocity, and reduced muscle soreness compared to the placebo (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). However, no significant effect was observed on muscle flexibility and jump height recovery.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>MENS may be a practical and effective passive recovery strategy to promote performance recovery in sprinters following high-intensity training. The study is the first investigation to evaluate MENS in training context and supports its potential to mitigate overreaching effects and reduce injury risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 1","pages":"Article 200433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of tangeretin combined with whey protein supplementation on body composition and hormonal profiles in elite sprinters: A double-blind RCT","authors":"Zhi Cao ,&nbsp;Zheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Meng Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200430","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jesf.2025.200430","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study explored the combined effects of tangeretin and whey protein on serum testosterone and cortisol in competitive athletes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In a double-blind,controlled trial, 24 elite sprinters were divided into two groups: an experimental group (EXP, n = 12) taking tangeretin (200 mg) and whey protein (19.8 g) daily, and a control group (CTRL, n = 12) taking only whey protein (19.8 g) over four weeks. Weekly and post-intervention tests measured serum testosterone, cortisol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels, along with pre- and post-intervention anthropometric assessments.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After intervention, a significant Time × Group interaction was observed for fat-free mass (FFM), which increased significantly in the EXP but not in the CTRL, with a greater percentage increase in EXP (2.3 % vs. 1.1 %, p = 0.018). Similar interactions were found for fat mass and body fat percentage, which decreased significantly in EXP. For biochemical indicators, no significant Group × Time interactions were found. However, a significant main effect of time was identified for serum testosterone and ACTH, indicating comparable temporal changes in both groups. No significant time or interaction effects were observed for cortisol, T/C ratio and SOD.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Four weeks of combined whey protein and tangeretin supplementation significantly improved body composition in elite sprinters, whereas it did not significantly alter systemic hormonal profiles or antioxidant activity compared to whey protein alone.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15793,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness","volume":"24 1","pages":"Article 200430"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}