BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation最新文献

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a single session of high-pressure intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) on post-match recovery in international level youth soccer players, using neuromuscular, biochemical, and perceptual markers.

Methods: Forty-two observations (across 6 matches) of 23 elite U19 soccer players (age: 17.45 ± 0.72 years; height: 1.82 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 74.95 ± 6.45 kg) participated in this randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Following competitive matches, participants were assigned to receive either 30 min of high-pressure IPC (200 mmHg) or a placebo intervention (hydrant cream). Recovery status was assessed pre-match, and at 30 min, 24- and 48-hours post-match using countermovement jump height, low-frequency fatigue of the knee extensors (Myocene^®), creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, and self-reported fatigue and soreness. Linear mixed models were used to examine the effects of time, group, and time x group interaction. Covariates such as perceived exertion, GPS metrics, and sleep metrics were included when appropriate.

Results: No significant time x group interactions were found for any of the variables under analysis (p = 0.089 to 0.834). Significant main effects of time were detected in CK, perceived fatigue and soreness (p < 0.001), confirming match-induced fatigue, but without group differences. Exploratory analyses revealed that internal and external load, as well as total sleep time influenced recovery markers, particularly CK and perceptual responses.

Conclusion: A single session of high-pressure IPC does not seem to enhance post-match recovery in elite youth soccer players compared to a placebo, on neuromuscular, biochemical, and subjective markers.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov code NCT06636942 (date of registration: 02/10/2024).

Background: After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, asymmetries in central activation are suspected to prevent complete functional recovery. This cross-sectional study investigated the motor function of both lower limbs in ACLR patients using morphological, mechanical, and neurophysiological measures after surgical repair with a semitendinosus-gracilis graft.

Methods: Ten male patients (age 20-31 years; 6/4 right/left knee surgery; 6-12 months after ACLR) were recruited. Muscle trophism was quantified through ultrasound estimates of quadriceps volume and mid-thigh circumference; knee extensors' rate of force development (RFD), maximum torque and voluntary activation (interpolated twitch technique, ITT) were assessed through dynamometry during maximal isometric effort; spinal excitability was measured with the Soleus H-reflex; transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess corticospinal excitability (resting motor threshold (rMT) and recruitment curve of motor evoked potentials (MEP) during submaximal contraction) and intracortical excitability (short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI)) of the Vastus medialis (VM) and Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles.

Results: The quadriceps muscle on the operated side showed significant volume loss (mean [SD] of 2264.6 [345.1] cm³ and 2082.9 [386.2] cm³ for the non-operated and operated sides, respectively; p = 0.035) and mid-thigh circumference (52.2 [2.7] cm and 50.2 [3.3] cm; p = 0.035). In the VM recruitment curves, the increase in MEP amplitude with increasing stimulation intensity was steeper on the operated side (p = 0.001). The operated limb also showed a higher RFD (p = 0.026). No inter-limb differences were found for the remaining outcomes.

Conclusions: The steeper rise of knee extensor torque, paralleled by an increased corticospinal excitability of the operated side VM muscle, suggests that an increased drive from the motor cortex is needed to engage the quadriceps in fast contractions following ACLR. This may represent a compensatory phenomenon aimed at counteracting the decline in muscle power associated with reduced muscle mass and altered quadriceps morphology.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04837417 (submitted On 2021-03-31).

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the acute effects of flywheel resistance training (FRT) on jump and sprint performance, and to examine the moderating roles of rest intervals and inertial loads.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across seven electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane) from inception to February 22, 2025. The quality of included randomized controlled trials (including crossover designs) was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Data were synthesized using random-effects meta-analysis in Review Manager 5.4.1, with subgroup analyses performed for rest intervals and inertial loads. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251029079).

Results: Nine crossover trials were included. Overall, FRT had a small, significant positive effect on CMJ performance [SMD = 0.32, 95% CI: (0.03, 0.60)], but no significant effect on overall sprint performance [SMD = -0.03, 95% CI: (-0.29, 0.22)]. Subgroup analysis revealed enhancement effect on CMJ at rest intervals of 8-12 min [SMD = 0.55, 95% CI: (0.17, 0.93)] and when using inertial loads > 0.05 kg·m² [SMD = 0.48, 95% CI: (0.09, 0.88)]. No significant subgroup effects were found for sprint performance.

Conclusion: Flywheel resistance training induces a small, acute enhancement in jump performance, primarily through a post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) mechanism, with significant effects observed at 8-12 min post-exercise. Greater benefits for jumping occurred with inertial loads > 0.05 kg·m², but no significant acute effect was observed for sprint performance. These findings are limited by low evidence certainty and restricted generalizability, necessitating further research with larger, diverse samples and standardized protocols.

Background: Integrative Neuromuscular Training (INT) is a multi-component training approach aimed at optimizing neuromuscular function, improving athletic performance, and reducing injury-related risks. While existing studies suggest that INT can improve injury risk factors and enhance performance, its effectiveness and underlying mechanisms remain contentious, with many existing studies lacking comprehensive quantitative synthesis and subgroup analyses.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across nine databases from their inception to August 31, 2025, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the application of INT in athletes. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (ROB2) was used for quality assessment. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata/MP 17.0, with risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous outcomes. Hedges' g and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for effect sizes, and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Begg's and Egger's tests. The GRADE method was employed to assess the quality of evidence.

Results: A total of 25 RCTs (10,124 participants) were included. The meta-analysis revealed that INT is associated with a reduced injury risk in athletes (RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58-0.91, p = 0.004), as well as improvements in jump performance (SMD = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.58-1.17, p < 0.001), sprinting ability (SMD = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.44-1.06, p < 0.001), change-of-direction ability (SMD = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.38-1.57, p = 0.001), and dynamic balance (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.31-1.51, p = 0.003), However, significant heterogeneity was found in most studies, and according to ROB2, the majority of studies were categorized as "having some concerns". Therefore, the certainty of the evidence should be interpreted in the context of the GRADE framework. Subgroup analysis suggests that INT may be particularly effective in adult athletes (≥ 18 years), female athletes, football players, and those undergoing high-frequency (≥ 3 sessions/week) and longer-duration (single session > 30 min) interventions.

Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that INT is associated with reduced injury risk and improvements in jump performance, sprinting, change-of-direction, and dynamic balance in athletes. Adult athletes, female athletes, and football players may benefit more significantly from INT, especially when the intervention frequency is ≥ 3 sessions per week and the duration exceeds 30 min per session. This study has been prospectively registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (registration number: CRD420251131811) and was reported in strict adherence to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The complete PRISMA flowchart and relevant details can be found in the supplementary materials.