Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness最新文献

Background: Skyrunning is a running sport performed in a mountain environment, characterized by reaching an altitude of at least 2000 meters above sea level, where symptoms of acute mountain sickness can appear. This sport has recently gained significant popularity, with an increasing number of participants. The purpose of this study was to analyze female performances in the different subdisciplines of skyrunning.

Methods: The study considered official results of 173 races of the Italian Skyrunning Federation held in 2021 and 2022. Female and male biological sexes, as well as age and race time of 13,850 participants who crossed the finish line were analyzed.

Results: Female athletes represented 16% of finishers and showed a preference for competitions of medium distances (skyrace and skytrail). They were younger and more self-selected among the most talented in terms of performance compared to males (P<0.001). Males showed significantly faster race times than females in all the competitions (P<0.05). Race times of female winners were on average 123-144% higher than those of male counterparts. In both sexes, winners were predominantly young; female winners were more represented among the older age-groups in skyrace and vertical kilometer (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Regardless of biological differences affecting female sporting performances, gender inequalities are still widely present despite the progress made in every sport. Since gender equality in sports cannot be separated from gender equality in the sociocultural sphere, it is necessary to invest economically and take proactive measures to achieve real equity, both in the macro-social and sports contexts.

Introduction: This meta-analysis examined the effects of plyometric training (PT) and resistance training (RT) on lower limb explosive power and speed quality in athletes, including lower limb jumping and short-distance sprinting abilities.

Evidence acquisition: Empirical studies investigating the PT and RT effect on lower limb explosive power were identified using the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSOC, and CNKI databases. Heterogeneity testing and potential publication bias assessment were conducted using STATA 15 and Review Manager 5.4.

Evidence synthesis: There were 20 articles included, involving 457 participants (230 in the PT group and 227 in the RT group). The meta-analysis results indicated no significant difference in countermovement jump (CMJ) between PT and RT groups (SMD = -1.03; 95% CI = -5.20 - 3.14). Additionally, no significant differences were found between the two training methods for standing long jump (SLJ) (MD = -0.04; 95% CI = 0.00 - 0.09), squat jump (SJ) (MD = -0.79; 95% CI = 1.79 - 0.22), 10-m sprint (MD = -0.02; 95% CI = -0.06 - 0.02), and 30-m sprint (MD = -0.02; 95% CI = -0.15 - 0.11). However, PT and RT comparisons revealed a significant difference between the 5-m sprint (MD = -0.03; 95% CI = -0.05 - 0.00) and the 20-m sprint (MD = -0.05; 95% CI = -0.09 - 0.01).

Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated that relative to RT, PT significantly improved the sprinting abilities of athletes at 5-m and 20-m distances. However, no significant differences were observed in sprinting at 10 and 30 meters, CMJ, SLJ, and SJ, indicating consistent effects of PT and RT on jumping performance.

Introduction: This study aimed to synthesize the literature comparing muscle strength and endurance characteristics between 1) sport climbers and non-climbing controls; 2) sport climbers at different performance levels; and 3) boulderers and lead climbers.

Evidence acquisition: A systematic literature search (PubMed, Embase and SportDiscus) was performed. Inclusion criteria involved participants aged ≥18, muscular performance measurements and comparisons of either: climbers and non-climbers, boulder climbers and lead-climbers, or climbers of different levels. Meta-analyses comparing grip strength and muscle endurance of the forearm between sport climbers and non-climbers, and finger strength between boulders and lead climbers were conducted providing the standardized mean difference (SMD).

Evidence synthesis: A total of 960 climbers and 301 non-climbers were included in the study. The data showed: 1) Compared to non-climbers, climbers showed significantly higher grip strength: SMD 1.82 (95% CI 1.23; 2.41, P<0.001) and underarm endurance: SMD 0.70 (95% CI 0.17; 1.24, P=0.01); 2) compared to lead-climbers, boulder climbers showed significantly higher finger strength: SMD 1.08 (95% CI 0.54; 1.62, P<0.001); 3) higher-level climbers showed better finger strength, grip strength, forearm endurance and powerslap when compared to lower-level climbers.

Conclusions: Climbers had superior grip strength and forearm endurance compared to non-climbers. High-level climbers exhibited better finger strength, grip strength, forearm endurance and powerslap, when compared to lower-level climbers. Finally, boulder climbers exhibited greater finger strength than lead-climbers. These findings expand our understandings of climbers' physical attributes across disciplines and levels.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the injury incidence rate among calisthenics athletes and explore the factors associated with injuries, including demographic and athlete characteristics, as well as injury patterns and skill levels.

Methods: We collected data from Dutch calisthenics athletes using an electronic questionnaire administered between February and March 2020. The inclusion criteria required participants to be calisthenics athletes willing to take part and aged over 18 years. Exclusion criteria were applied for individuals residing outside the Netherlands and those who did not comprehend the Dutch or English language.

Results: A total of 401 athletes responded to the survey, of whom 181 met the inclusion criteria. The injury incidence rate over the previous 12 months was 59%. The most frequently injured body parts were the shoulders (32%), wrists (15%), elbows (10%), and back (10%). Several factors were significantly associated with the injury incidence rate, including the duration of participation in calisthenics (6-12 months, 1-2 years, and 2-4 years), doing multiple training sessions per day, utilizing technique training as a warm-up, and possessing an intermediate skill level in power elements.

Conclusions: The findings revealed an injury incidence rate of 59% among calisthenics athletes over the previous 12 months. Calisthenics athletes most often injure their shoulders, wrists, elbows, and back. Athletes who had been training for 6 months to 4 years, did engage in multiple training sessions per day, used technique training as a warm-up, and had an intermediate skill level in power elements were associated with an increased risk of injury.

Background: Isometric handgrip exercise (IHE) is recommended as a non-pharmacological treatment for managing blood pressure. However, the effect of various modes of IHE on neuromuscular fatigue and post-exercise blood pressure responses have not been explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the duration and muscle mass factors of IHE on post-exercise blood pressure responses.

Methods: Twenty healthy participants were recruited for this repeated-measures study. Three isometric protocols with similar exercise load were conducted on 3 different days including: 1) unilateral IHE at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) for 2 minutes; 2) bilateral IHE at 30% MVC for 1 minute; and 3) unilateral IHE at 20% MVC for 3 minutes. Each exercise had four bouts of IHE with two minutes of rest between bouts. The median frequency (MDF) and root mean square (RMS) of surface electromyography was used to assess the level of neuromuscular fatigue in the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), extensor carpi radialis longus (ECR), flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU).

Results: Correlation analysis revealed that FDS MDF fatigue during the bilateral IHE was moderately correlated with the immediate post-exercise systolic blood pressure change (SBP, r=0.456, P<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure change (DBP, r=0.682, P<0.01) and ten-minute post-exercise SBP change (r=0.510, P<0.05) and DBP change (r=0.569, P<0.01) during bilateral IHE at 30% MVC for 1 min. The RMS results indicate a significant correlation between ECR and DBP immediate post-exercise (r=-0.634, P<0.01) and DBP 10-minute post exercise (r=-0.484, P<0.05).

Conclusions: This study suggests that neuromuscular fatigue of FDS and ECR of IHE are related to post-exercise blood pressure changes.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine age group differences in the postural stability of female rhythmic gymnasts, as well as the asymmetries in postural control between them.

Methods: A total of 126 female rhythmic gymnasts (aged 6-12 years) were tested. The rhythmic gymnasts were grouped based on their age between 6-8 years (N.=45; young pioneers), 9-10 years (N.=36; pioneers), and 11-12 years (N.=45; cadets). Postural stability and asymmetry were evaluated by the Y-Balance Test (YBT) with both legs (right and left) in three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral and Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Postural stability was analyzed between age categories using the Kruskal-Wallis Test and Dunn's post-hoc test, and the differences in asymmetry were determined by univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: The young pioneers (age 6-8 years) had a greater number of errors in the single-leg foam stance and tandem foam stance than the 9-10-year-old and 11-12-year-old rhythmic gymnasts (P≤0.005). They also had a greater number of errors in BESS Total scores compared to other age categories (young pioneers 18.42±5.63; pioneers 15.08±4.78 and cadets 13.89±5.61; P≤0.005). Results showed significant differences (P≤0.005) between the young pioneers (age 6-8 years) and the cadets (age 11-12 years) in normalized left and right posteromedial reach direction. No significant differences (P≥0.005) in reach asymmetry were observed among age categories.

Conclusions: In conclusion, 6-8-year-old rhythmic gymnasts (young pioneers) should have continuum screening during training and completion development.

Background: Foot rock-paper-scissors and towel-gathering exercises are widely used for isometric strengthening of intrinsic foot muscles. An initial trial demonstrated that foot rock-paper-scissors and towel-gathering exercises affected skeletal muscles associated with the medial longitudinal arch and toe pressure force, respectively. However, no quantitative reports of interosseous muscle activity after continuous training exist. We aimed to quantitatively assess and compare the impact of foot rock-paper-scissors and towel-gathering exercises on skeletal muscle activity in university athletes over a 3-month period using FDG-PET 3 imaging.

Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in a university hospital with pre- and post-training PET measurements of muscle activity changes. Eight healthy university athletes were subjected to two 3-month-long exercise regimens: foot rock-paper-scissors and towel-gathering. Skeletal muscle activity changes were quantitatively evaluated using FDG-PET imaging. We defined regions of interest across 25 specific muscles and conducted measurements of toe pressure strength and vertical jump height.

Results: The foot rock-paper-scissors exercise initially impacted medial muscles and later intrinsic foot muscles, including lateral longitudinal arch muscles. The towel-gathering exercise improved toe pressure force and vertical jump. Therefore, each exercise targets specific muscle groups differently.

Conclusions: Foot rock-paper-scissors and towel-gathering exercises have distinct effects on skeletal muscle activity. The former primarily enhances medial intrinsic muscles, while the latter improves toe pressure force and vertical jump ability. This highlights the importance of selecting specific exercises for targeted muscle training in athletic and rehabilitation settings. Further research is suggested to extend these findings to broader athletic populations and clinical applications.

Background: Ultra-marathon trails involve a combination of specific physiological and mechanical constraints and raise new questions regarding the osteoarticular impact on the knees and the long-term risk of osteoarthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 relaxation time measurement has shown the ability to determine cartilage response to loading. Higher T2 measurements correspond with cartilage damage. The aim of this study was to quantify the changes in MRI T2 relaxation times of knee articular cartilage after an ultra-trail run and determine knee's consequences of regular practice.

Methods: Twenty participants in a 55-km race involving total elevation changes of 2600 m had 1.5-T knee MRI prior to the race (V0), immediately after (V1) and one month after the race (V2) for T2 relaxation times measurement and morphological sequences (T1, T2 & T2 Fast-Spin Echo (FSE)).

Results: T2 measurements were significantly increased in V1 from V0 and remained so one month after the race (V2), despite a significant reduction from V1. Morphological sequences revealed that 65% of the participant had cartilage damage and 65% meniscal damage, 100% of which affected the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Only one subject (5%) presented no anomaly whatsoever. Damage appeared to be stable between the assessments.

Conclusions: Ultra-trail running leads to modifications in the knee cartilage ultrastructure, which persists for at least one month after the event. Furthermore, regular ultra-trail runners present a high number of low-grade cartilage and meniscus lesions.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been increasingly recognized in recent years as an important predictor of risk for adverse outcomes in numerous chronic conditions. In fact, a growing body of epidemiological and clinical evidence demonstrates that CRF is a potentially stronger predictor of mortality than established risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, adding CRF to these traditional risk factors significantly improves the reclassification of risk for adverse outcomes. The utility of CRF now extends far beyond all-cause and cardiovascular mortality to include the prevention and treatment of numerous other chronic conditions; CRF has been demonstrated to have a mitigating influence in as many as 40 such conditions. Herein we discuss the impact of CRF in the prevention of chronic disease in both adults and children. This discussion includes recent data on interactions between CRF and aging, obesity, statin use, incidence of diabetes, and the impact of CRF and physical activity patterns in adolescents including mental health, scholastic achievement, and cardiometabolic health. Finally, we discuss how CRF, as an essential vital sign, can be implemented in clinical practice.