Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness最新文献

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.

Background: The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) is a submaximal, effort-independent index derived from cardiopulmonary exercise testing that reflects aerobic fitness. Although OUES has shown strong correlations with maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in clinical populations, its validity and relationship with habitual physical activity in healthy middle-aged adults remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate OUES as a marker of aerobic fitness and examine its association with self-reported physical activity in this demographic.

Methods: Twenty-one middle-aged adults (14 women, seven men; mean age 63.3±3.8 years) without known cardiopulmonary disease were recruited. Participants completed the Sports Medicine Australia pre-exercise screening questionnaire, including weekly physical activity reporting. Each participant underwent a graded treadmill test (Bruce protocol) to submaximal effort, with oxygen uptake (VO2) and ventilation (VE) measured continuously using a validated portable metabolic system. OUES was calculated from the linear regression of VO2 against the log10VE). VO2max was estimated via a resting seismocardiography device (VentriJect Seismofit^®). Pearson's correlations and one-way ANOVA were used to evaluate relationships between variables and tertile-based fitness groups. An independent-samples t-test compared OUES values by sex.

Results: Mean peak VO2 was 25.2±4.1 mL/kg/min; mean OUES was 1629.6±522.0 mL/min per log L/min. OUES showed a moderate but non-significant correlation with estimated VO2max (r=0.415, P=0.069) and no meaningful association with self-reported physical activity (r=-0.012, P=0.960). One-way ANOVA showed significant differences in VO2max across VentriJect VO2 tertiles (P<0.001, η²=0.65), but not in OUES (P=0.162). Males had significantly higher OUES values than females (2171±391 vs. 1366±282; P<0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen's d=2.50).

Conclusions: OUES can be reliably obtained using a brief treadmill protocol and portable metabolic equipment in middle-aged adults. While not associated with self-reported activity, OUES showed moderate correlations with VO2max and differentiated higher-fitness individuals, especially by sex. These findings support OUES as a valid submaximal marker of cardiorespiratory fitness and underscore the importance of objective fitness measures alongside self-report tools in health and exercise settings.

Introduction: While it is understood that resistance exercise in humans induces muscle growth primarily via muscle hypertrophy, there is some debate as to whether muscle hyperplasia also occurs. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to quantitively assess whether the presence of muscle hyperplasia occurs in humans performing resistance training.

Evidence acquisition: Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched on May 17, 2024. Studies that measured or reported sufficient data to estimate muscle fiber number before and after resistance training were included in a three-level random effects model. Fiber number was estimated from the ratio of muscle cross-sectional area to fiber cross-sectional area.

Evidence synthesis: A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Changes in fiber number were estimated in the biceps brachii or vastus lateralis muscles. Meta-analysis results indicated that resistance exercise did not significantly alter the estimated number of muscle fibers (ES: 4086; 95% CI: -6430, 14,604; P=0.419). Additionally, the presence of muscle hyperplasia was not moderated by prior training status, training duration, or the muscle group analyzed (all P>0.05).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that meaningful changes in muscle fiber number are unlikely to occur in humans following resistance training interventions lasting up to 6 months. While muscle hyperplasia was not evident, it may be difficult to detect due to the relatively short duration of the included training interventions and/or difficulties in estimating muscle fiber number, which resulted in a wide range of estimates across studies.

Background: The Body Oxygen Level Test (BOLT), also known as the control pause in the Buteyko method, is a breath-hold test proposed to reflect CO2 tolerance and breathing efficiency. Although popularized as a fitness indicator, its relationship to aerobic capacity and physical activity in healthy adults remains unclear. This study examined associations between BOLT score, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), treadmill time to exhaustion (TTE), and weekly physical activity in active university students.

Methods: Twenty-eight healthy, physically active university students (15 men, 13 women; age 22.1±2.5 years) completed a graded treadmill test (Bruce protocol) with gas analysis to determine VO2max and TTE. BOLT was measured as comfortable breath-hold time after normal exhalation. Weekly physical activity was assessed using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Spearman correlations examined associations between BOLT, VO2max, TTE, and GLTEQ. A multiple linear regression tested whether VO2max, TTE, age, height, weight, and GLTEQ predicted BOLT.

Results: BOLT times did not significantly differ between sexes. BOLT scores showed no strong correlation with VO2max (ρ=0.31, P=0.10), TTE (ρ=0.27, P=0.16), or GLTEQ (ρ=0.05, P=0.59). Regression analysis (R²=0.22, P=0.46) identified no significant predictors of BOLT.

Conclusions: In active young adults, the BOLT breath-hold test was not significantly associated with VO2max, endurance time, or self-reported exercise levels. These findings suggest that BOLT - a measure of breathing function and CO2 tolerance - does not serve as a surrogate indicator of aerobic capacity or habitual physical activity in this population. BOLT should be interpreted with caution if used for fitness assessment, as it appears to reflect a distinct aspect of physiological function not captured by standard aerobic performance tests.