Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness最新文献

Background: This study explored the perceptions of talent scouts regarding the attributes they consider essential when identifying talented youth soccer players.

Methods: This qualitative study used a pragmatic research paradigm. The sample comprised nine scouts (mean age: 50.12±9.33 years) who were interviewed. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Four main themes and 11 sub-themes emerged from the interview transcripts: 1) technical attributes (i.e., first touch, dribbling, passing and finishing); 2) physical attributes (i.e., height, speed and endurance); 3) psychosocial attributes (i.e., discipline and coachability); and 4) tactical attributes (decision-making and game sense and awareness).

Conclusions: These results could help soccer coaches determine what qualities prospective talented players should have to improve their chances of getting selected for future opportunities, and thereby direct training for talent development initiatives.

Background: This study analyzed the impact of a 6-week joint-specific flywheel-based resistance training program on serve velocity (SV) and serve accuracy (SA) in junior tennis players.

Methods: Fourteen participants were assigned to either an experimental group (FG; N.=7) training with an inertial conical pulley or a control group (CG; N.=7). SV, SA, one-handed and two-handed overhead medicine ball throws (MBT) were measured preintervention, at 3 weeks, and at 6 weeks.

Results: A large main effect of time (F=5.371, P=0.012, η²=0.309) and nonsignificant group- by-time interaction (F=2.102, P=0.144, η²=0.149) was found in SV. The FG demonstrated significant increases in SV from pretest to intertest (7.1 km·h-1, 4.5%, P=0.023, ES=1.5) and from pretest to posttest (7.3 km·h^-1, 4.7%, P=0.035, ES=1.5). No changes in SV were observed in the CG. SA and MBT did not show significant changes over time in FG or CG.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that incorporating flywheel-based joint-specific exercises into training programs positively affects SV without SA impairments in junior tennis players within a relatively short timeframe. Coaches can integrate similar layouts into training to optimize player performance.

Human movement, in its synergistic, functional, and stabilizing nature, necessitates a balance of muscle length and strength between the muscles surrounding a joint. This balance, known as muscle balance, ensures optimal joint function during movement. Using a bibliography that can be linked to indexed literature, this article has as its strength the correlative analysis between gestural repetitiveness in soccer, related to players' roles on the field on the playing field that result in dysfunctional postural frameworks with increased risk factors for lower extremity injuries. Soccer, characterized by rapid changes of direction, accelerations, decelerations, twisting motions, and cutting maneuvers often performed with a dominant limb can contribute to the development of asymmetries, lateralization, and postural/dysfunctional patterns. These patterns could increase the risk of injury to the musculoskeletal system, particularly during the return-to-sport process after an injury. In contact/collision sports like soccer, asymmetrical imbalances within the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex have been linked to dysfunctional states that affect lower limb alignment. This can have clinical implications, manifesting as knee pain, low back pain, groin injuries, or adductor injuries. Additionally, rotational deficits at the hip have been identified as predictors of ACL and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) injuries. To address these issues, a screening process to identify muscle imbalances and assess movement quality should be integrated into both preseason and in-season training programs, with regular follow-ups. Compensatory training tailored to the specific roles players occupy on the field can be effective in reducing asymmetries and mitigating the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders frequently seen in soccer.

Background: Suicide is one of the leading causes of premature death. Prevalence of suicidal thoughts in the general adult population is approximately 4%, with lifetime prevalence of 5.6%, and suicidal attempts of 2.7%. No data are available on endurance runners (ER) and ultra-endurance runners (UER).

Methods: Prospective cohort study of ER (distance of ≥21.1 km-42.2 km) and UER (≥42.2 km), collecting self-reported data on biometrics, social, psychological, medical, and training history. Suicidal risk was assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and open questions. Statistical analysis included descriptive, predictive techniques, and regression analysis.

Results: A total of N.=601 runners participated in the study (female N.=222; male N.=379; mean age [standard deviation (SD)] 42.8 (10.1) years). Suicidal thoughts were present in 8.0%, with a lifetime prevalence of 14.1% (P<0.001). Previous suicidal attempts occurred in 2%. Associated factors for suicidal thoughts included previous diagnosis of depression (P<0.001), anxiety (P=0.015), age (P=0.013), and participating in fewer (<9) competitions per year (P=0.026). Associated factors of lifetime risk of suicidal thoughts included previous diagnoses of depression (P<0.001) and age (P=0.015). Runners aged less <30 years of age presented with a higher risk of suicide (P<0.001) than older runners. Associated factors for previous suicidal attempts included previous diagnosis of depression (P=0.01) and stress (P=0.028).

Conclusions: We present novel data on prevalence of suicidal thoughts in ER/UER, which were 2-2.5-fold higher than in the general population. Creating awareness among athletes, families, coaches, medical teams, and race organizers and providing education, screening and access to appropriate support are important to reduce the burden of suicide in this sport.

Background: This proof-of-concept study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of cryo-plus-ultrasound treatment on pain and functioning in patients with acute long head of biceps tendinopathy (LHBT), through clinical and instrumental assessment with measurement of shearwave sonoelastography.

Methods: Adults with anterior shoulder pain and dysfunction (symptoms persisting for at least 2 weeks), diagnosed by imaging as LHBT, were randomly assigned to the experimental group (receiving active cryo-ultrasound therapy combined with conventional physical therapy) or control group (sham cryo-ultrasound therapy combined with conventional physical therapy). Pain intensity and physical functioning were assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), handgrip strength (HGS), Euro-QoL, QuickDASH, and tendon stiffness with a SWE assessment baseline (T0) at the end of treatment (T1), and after one month (T2) after the end of the treatment.

Results: Twenty-one patients with LHBT tendinopathy, 11 in the experimental group and 10 in the control group, were included. At T1, a similar reduction in pain and tendon stiffness was reported in both groups (NRS, experimental group:4.45±1.92 vs. control group:3.5±0.97), (SWE, experimental group: 31.44±7.8 vs. control group: 29.38±5.66). However, at T2, the experimental reported improved perceived-pain and stiffness scores compared to the control group (NRS, experimental group:2.27±0.9 vs. control group: 3.3±0.67; SWE, experimental group:24.27±5.15 vs. control group:28.1±3.75).

Conclusions: The main findings proved that a concurrent rehabilitative approach with proper physical agent modality (PAM) could provide significant results in acute LHBT with regards to pain, tendon stiffness and shoulder function. The experimental group, which synergistically received both conventional physical therapy and active cryo-ultrasound therapy, achieved similar results to the sham group at T1, but more significant improvements were observed in the active PAMs group at T2.

Introduction: The Apple Watch is increasingly used in rehabilitation to monitor physical activity, cardiovascular health, and other physiological parameters. This review evaluates its effectiveness and accuracy in various rehabilitation settings, examining its potential to enhance patient adherence and clinical outcomes.

Evidence acquisition: A comprehensive search was conducted across databases including MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Scopus, PEDro, and Web of Science, alongside grey literature. Studies were included based on the PCC criteria (Population, Concept, Context), focusing on the use of the Apple Watch in rehabilitation programs. Bias risk was assessed using RoB 2 for RCTs and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies.

Evidence synthesis: Five studies were reviewed. The Apple Watch showed potential in improving physical activity levels and functional outcomes, particularly when combined with behavioral interventions. It demonstrated effectiveness in detecting atrial fibrillation in large-scale screening but presented variability in heart rate and energy expenditure accuracy, especially during high-intensity activities. The studies highlighted that integrating cognitive support with the device enhances adherence and health outcomes. However, limitations in measurement accuracy and the need for hybrid monitoring approaches were noted.

Conclusions: The Apple Watch is a valuable tool in rehabilitation when used alongside behavioral support and validated clinical methods. Its effectiveness is enhanced when integrated into a multidisciplinary approach, but its limitations in accuracy necessitate further calibration and hybrid use with traditional tools. Future research should focus on long-term impacts and algorithm improvements to optimize its clinical utility in diverse rehabilitation contexts.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the performance of chatbot-generated information for a complex injury, concussion, compared to two less complex injuries, sprains and fractures.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was implemented. Queries on concussions, sprains, and fractures were developed and inputted into ChatGPT Version 4.0 and Google Gemini (Gemini). Responses were graded on accuracy, readability, quality, understandability, and actionability using guideline-based Likert scales, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, the DISCERN instrument, and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Printable Materials (PEMAT) instrument. T-tests, Mann-Whitney U Tests and One-way ANOVAs compared continuous variables, and Chi-square tests were used for categorical variables.

Results: Only three out of 180 responses had misinformation, all of which related to concussions. Concussion-related queries (mean: 10.80) had statistically greater reading grade level responses compared to sprain (mean: 8.13; P<0.0001) and fracture (mean: 8.29; P<0.0001) queries. Median cumulative DISCERN scores significantly differed between chatbots (V4.0 median = 38.00, Gemini median = 44.50; P<0.0001), with no significant difference between injury type. There were no significant PEMAT understandability or actionability differences by injury type.

Conclusions: Our results show that responses to complex injuries have significantly higher reading grade levels with minor accuracy issues, but no differences in understandability and actionability. With better reading level, quality, and actionability, ChatGPT and Gemini chatbots could become conventional options for general information on injuries because they have minimal misinformation and high understandability.

Background: Although the relationship between pride, moral disengagement, and social behavior has been investigated and the importance of transformational leadership has been highlighted in prior studies, little effort has been made to examine the relationship between transformational leadership and social behavior.

Methods: In order to better understand this, we tested the mediating effects of pride and moral disengagement on the relationship between transformational leadership and social behaviors. We recruited 296 elite athletes registered in the Korean sport and Olympic Committee.

Results: Structural equation modeling was performed to test the hypotheses. Despite the nonsignificant direct effect, transformational leadership had significant indirect effects on antisocial behavior towards teammates and opponents mediated by authentic and hubristic pride. Further, moral disengagement showed negative mediation effects on prosocial behaviors towards opponents and positive mediation effects on antisocial behaviors towards teammates and opponents.

Conclusions: Our study supported a full mediation model of transformational leadership, pride, moral disengagement, and social behaviors. These extends theoretical approaches of the transformational leadership theory and as the empirical research model conveys important implications in competitive sport situations.