BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation最新文献

Background: This study aimed to examine differences in muscle activity and activation timing in wheelchair fencers across disability categories A and B to better understand the neuromuscular dynamics involved in their performance.

Methods: Sixteen right-handed wheelchair fencers from the Polish National Paralympic Team, grouped into categories A and B, participated in the study. Muscle activity and activation timing (reaction time) were recorded during a visual-cue task using a surface electromyography system and a 3D accelerometer. Eight upper body muscles, including the deltoid, triceps, biceps, forearm extensors/flexors, latissimus dorsi, and obliques, were assessed. Data were processed using MyoResearch and MATLAB, and statistical analyses utilized the Wald-Wolfowitz runs test.

Results: Intergroup differences in reaction time and muscle activity were found: category A fencers tended to achieve lower reaction times and higher muscle bioelectric tension values than category B fencers. Significant differences between the groups were found in the activity of the left latissimus dorsi and the deltoid muscles (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The study indicates the important role of the back and abdominal muscles as stabilizing postural muscles in wheelchair fencing. The significant differences in muscle activity for the back and deltoid muscles suggest distinct neuromuscular profiles between disability categories A and B. These findings could enhance classification accuracy and inform training strategies for para-athletes, optimizing performance and targeting specific muscle groups for improvement.

This study aimed to compare the anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite 15-, 16-, and 17-year-old male soccer players by playing position. We recruited 238 players under 17 years of age from Chinese professional soccer clubs. The measurements included body height and mass, body girth and length, and body composition. The countermovement jump (CMJ), T-test, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YYIR1) were used to assess physical ability. The results revealed that the U16 and U17 players had significantly greater body mass (p < 0.05), body height (p < 0.05), muscle mass (p < 0.05), lower limb length (p < 0.05), and chest girth (p < 0.05) than did the U15 players. Significant differences in calf girth (p < 0.001), thigh girth (p < 0.05), and Achilles tendon length (p < 0.05) were observed between the U17 group and U15 group. Additionally, the U16 group and U17 group both scored significantly better than the U15 group on the 5-m sprinting test, 20-m sprinting test, 30-m sprinting test (p < 0.001), single left jump test with arm swing (p < 0.001), single right jump test with arm swing (p < 0.001), T-test (p < 0.001), CMJ test (p < 0.001), and YYIR test (p < 0.001). Furthermore, U17 players performed significantly better on the CMJ test (p < 0.001) and YYIR test (p < 0.001) than U16 players did. This study revealed significant differences in body height, body mass, muscle mass, chest girth, lower limb length, ankle circumference, calf length, Achilles tendon length, 20-m speed, 30-m speed, and YYIR test results among the six playing position groups. Goalkeepers and central defenders had significantly greater body heights than players at other playing positions. Goalkeepers scored significantly lower on the YYIR test than players in other positions did. These findings revealed the anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite 15-17-year-old male soccer players in China, helping soccer coaches better understand the anthropometric and physical characteristics across ages and playing positions when selecting youth soccer players and optimizing soccer training programs. Moreover, youth soccer players can gain insights into their own strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to develop training for personal improvement.

Purpose: The primary aim was to determine the effect of a physical activity (PA) program with education sessions on walking capacity and fatigue in people with cancer. The secondary objective was to assess the factors that moderated the program's effect on walking capacity and fatigue among sociodemographic, physical capacity and symptom-related factors. Satisfaction with the program was also evaluated.

Method: A retrospective, observational study of data from a 12-week program of twice-weekly group PA sessions combined with education sessions was conducted. The 6-min walk test (6MWT), the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) and program satisfaction were assessed. Paired t-tests were applied to assess changes in 6MWT and MFI-20. Multiple linear regressions were applied to determine the influence of age, gender, initial walking capacity and fatigue on the effects of the program.

Results: Among the 264 participants (age 57.36 ± 12.43 years; 189 women; 134 with breast cancer), 125 (47%) completed the program. Walking capacity (+ 41.63 ± 91.00 m) and fatigue (-2.01 ± 3.77) were improved after the program (p < 0.001). Age and gender did not influence the program's effect; however, lower initial walking capacity and higher fatigue scores were associated with larger improvements after the program. Satisfaction with the program was high among participants who completed it.

Conclusions: Walking capacity and fatigue improved significantly after the PA program, but the drop-out rate was high. The program could be individualized based on an individual's initial walking capacity or fatigue score to enhance its effectiveness.

Background: Pilates is widely acknowledged as an effective exercise for enhancing physical, psychological, and motor functions. However, there remains ongoing debate regarding the effects of Pilates on pregnancy outcomes. Thus, the objective of this systematic review was to evaluate and critically analyze the existing scientific evidence regarding the effects of Pilates on pregnant women.

Methods: A thorough search was performed across 7 databases, focusing on articles published up to June 2024. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane RoB Tool, and STATA 17.0 software was utilized to perform tests for heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis.

Results: (1) A total of 11 studies were included in this review, comprising 538 participants. Among these, 3 studies exhibited a low risk of bias, while 8 studies presented an unclear risk of bias. (2) The meta-analysis results indicated that Pilates exercise resulted in non-significant changes in the Body Mass Index (BMI) of pregnant women (SMD 0.02; 95% CI, -0.27 to 0.31; P = 0.887), the body weight of pregnant women (SMD 0.25; 95% CI, -0.52 to 1.02; P = 0.519), the mode of delivery (RR 1.41; 95% CI, 0.95 to 2.09; P = 0.093), and the Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels of pregnant women (SMD - 1.182; 95% CI, -2.443 to 0.079; P = 0.066). However, Pilates exercise during pregnancy was associated with significant improvements in APGAR scores at 1 min (SMD 0.41; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.74; P = 0.015), a reduction in the duration of labor (SMD - 0.557; 95% CI, -0.915 to -0.198; P = 0.002), and a decrease in the Visual Analogue Score (VAS) score (SMD - 0.76; 95% CI, -1.45 to -0.07; P = 0.032). (3) Sensitivity analysis revealed no significant differences in effect size before and after the removal of any individual study, indicating that the meta-analysis results were stable.

Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that Pilates during pregnancy positively influences the shortening of labor duration, improves the newborn's immediate physiological status, and alleviates labor pain.

Trial registration: The study was registered on the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews--PROSPERO database (CRD42023393309) on January 30, 2023.

Objective: To analyze the effects of different track and field events on human cardiovascular function and physiological energy metabolism.

Method: The research subjects were ordinary male students majoring in physical education at a certain university, aged between 18 and 25 years old. A total of 42 people were divided into four sub sample groups: sprint group (10 people), jump group (10 people), long-distance running group (10 people), and regular student group (12 people). The COSMED K5 portable gas metabolism analysis system was used to measure cardiopulmonary function, and key indicators such as Maximum Oxygen Uptake (VO₂max) were evaluated using a Stepwise Increasing Load Test (SILT). The two factor repeated measures ANOVA method was used to analyze the effects of different load levels and groups on cardiopulmonary function and energy metabolism.

Result: The weight, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure of different populations were not statistically significant in a quiet state (p > 0.05). The waist to hip ratios of the short-distance and long-distance running teams were 0.75 ± 0.03 and 0.76 ± 0.03, respectively, which showed significant differences compared to ordinary students (p < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in heart rate between different track and field teams and ordinary students in a quiet state (p < 0.05). The termination load of different track and field teams varied, with the long-distance running team having the highest load (p < 0.01), followed by the jumping team. Compared with ordinary students, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the termination heart rate among the sprinting, long-distance, and jumping teams. However, there was p > 0.05 in the systolic blood pressure index among the four groups of subjects. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in diastolic blood pressure between sprinting and jumping teams and ordinary students. In a quiet state, the energy metabolism of long-distance running teams, sprinting teams, jumping teams, and ordinary students was 1.52 ± 0.64, 1.81 ± 0.91, 1.86 ± 0.87, and 2.87 ± 0.96, respectively.

Conclusion: In a quiet state, there are significant differences in body shape and function between different track and field training teams and the general population. In a quantitative load state, long-distance runners have the strongest adaptability to load.

The sports club setting is a key context for health promotion, but it can also be associated with risky behaviours. Sports coaches play a crucial role in supporting the physical, mental and social health of sport participants but often lack the resources and support to do so. This paper proposes a guide to help coaches become health promoters by aligning their actions with the Health Promoting Sports Club model, which represents the setting-based approach applied to sports clubs. An embedded mixed-method study with a QUAL (qual) design was used, where 15 experts took part in 5 meetings and 299 coaches provided input through an online survey. Four steps were carried out: (1) defining the health-promoting sports coach and key action principles, (2) co-constructing progression stages using the settings-based approach, (3) identifying key actions for promoting health in different moments of coaching (i.e., before, during, and after training and competition, and outside of coaching), and (4) developing long-term intervention components. A definition of the health-promoting sports coach was produced, and eight key action principles have been identified, divided into three dimensions: connection with the system, adoption of a coaching philosophy, and focus on participants. Five stages of progression for integrating health promotion into coaching have been established, ranging from risk prevention to a global approach involving the entire sports system. Specific actions for each moment of coaching (before, during, and after training and competition, and outside of coaching) have been identified, such as monitoring the physical, mental, and social health of participants or plan the coaching session to ensure safety, inclusion, and well-being for all sports participants, staying open for last-minute changes. Finally, long-term intervention components to support the implementation of these actions in practice have been developed, based on what coaches are already doing, the skills they possess and the five stages of progression. This paper enables the development of a guide to help sports coaches promote health by identifying concrete actions and short- and long-term interventions, whilst making links with the health promoting sports club model. It broadens the scope of coaching by incorporating health principles, while emphasising the need to adapt to the environment and context of the club. This work calls for future research to test the effectiveness and feasibility of these approaches in various sporting environments.

Background: Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) often exhibit lower levels of physical fitness, including reduced balance and neuromuscular coordination, compared to the general population. Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) training has been proposed as a potential intervention to improve physical fitness in this population, but its effectiveness and durability on specific fitness components remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate the effects and durability of an 8-week DNS program on balance and coordination in adult males with IDs.

Methods: Thirty-one participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 15). Balance and neuromuscular coordination were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and two months post-intervention using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), walking forward heel-to-toe test, and bilateral coordination test. The intervention group participated in the DNS training program for 8 weeks, with three sessions per week, while the control group maintained their usual activities.

Results: Analysis of the outcome measures revealed significant time, group, and time-group interaction effects. Post-hoc analyses indicated that the DNS group showed significantly greater improvements in BESS scores and coordination compared to the control group (p < 0.01). These improvements were maintained at the two-month follow-up assessment.

Conclusion: This study provides robust evidence that DNS exercises can significantly enhance balance and neuromuscular coordination in middle-aged males with IDs, with improvements maintained over two months post-training. However, the exclusive focus on male participants limits the extrapolation of these findings to the broader population of individuals with IDs, particularly females. Future investigations should aim to address this limitation by including more diverse samples to advance the generalizability and applicability of DNS-based interventions in this field.

Trial registration: RTC, Registered prospectively at the registry of the clinical trial (UMIN000053560), Registered on 07/02/2024.

Background: Insightful motion analysis provides valuable information for athlete health, a crucial aspect of sports medicine. This systematic review presents an analytical overview of the use of various sensors in motion analysis for sports injury assessment.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted in February 2024 using search terms related to "sport", "athlete", "sensor-based technology", "motion analysis", and "injury." Studies were included based on PCC (Participants, Concept, Context) criteria. Key data, including sensor types, motion data processing methods, injury and sport types, and application areas, were extracted and analyzed.

Results: Forty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors were the most commonly used for motion data collection. Sensor fusion techniques have gained traction, particularly for rehabilitation assessment. Knee injuries and joint sprains were the most frequently studied injuries, with statistical methods being the predominant approach to data analysis.

Conclusions: This review comprehensively explains sensor-based techniques in sports injury motion analysis. Significant research gaps, including the integration of advanced processing techniques, real-world applicability, and the inclusion of underrepresented domains such as adaptive sports, highlight opportunities for innovation. Bridging these gaps can drive the development of more effective, accessible, and personalized solutions in sports health.

Background: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is characterized by recurrent sprains and persistent symptoms, which impair postural control. This study evaluates the diagnostic utility of various linear and nonlinear postural stability measures in distinguishing individuals with CAI from healthy controls.

Methods: Postural stability was assessed in 24 participants (12 with CAI and 12 healthy controls) using a force platform under four conditions: hard surface with eyes open, hard surface with eyes closed, soft surface with eyes open, and soft surface with eyes closed. Linear measures of center of pressure (COP) included range in the anteroposterior (Rfa) and mediolateral (Rsw) directions, mean velocity (MV), and sway area. Nonlinear measures included approximate entropy (ApEn), the largest Lyapunov exponent, and correlation dimension (CD) with its standard deviation. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine cutoff scores, allowing effective differentiation between CAI and healthy participants.

Result: AI individuals exhibited increased mediolateral COP sway and higher mean velocity on hard surfaces with both eyes open and closed. On soft surfaces with eyes closed, they showed significant deficits in sway area and mean velocity, reflecting challenges in postural control. ROC analysis revealed that certain linear and nonlinear measures showed strong diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing individuals with CAI from healthy controls. Nonlinear analysis revealed elevated ApEn and reduced CD in CAI participants, indicating greater postural irregularity and reduced dynamic stability. On a hard surface with eyes open both Rsw (cutoff: 1.18 cm, OR: 4.55) and ApEn (cutoff: 0.07, OR: 4.0) were particularly strong diagnostic indicators.

Conclusion: Linear and nonlinear postural stability measures effectively differentiate individuals with CAI from healthy controls. Key metrics, including Rsw, MV, ApEn, and CD, offer strong diagnostic value for early detection and personalized rehabilitation. Incorporating these measures into clinical practice may improve CAI management and patient outcomes.

Ethical code: IR.TUMS.FNM.REC.1400.236. March 14, 2022.

Background: Isokinetic dynamometry is a common tool for evaluating muscle function and is used across various disciplines. Technical advancements have shifted focus towards multi-joint exercises such as the leg press, offering insights into practical human movement dynamics. However, previous reproducibility studies have focused predominantly on single-joint exercises, warranting investigations into the reliability of multi-joint exercises. This study aimed to assess the reproducibility of peak force (PF) during multi-joint leg press exercises using the IsoMed 2000 dynamometer.

Methods: Thirty physically active subjects (mean: stature 179.4 cm; body mass 76.0 kg; age 30.6 years) participated in three testing sessions. Each session consisted of isometric and isokinetic leg press exercises. Knee angles for isometric exercises included 100° and 140°; velocities for isokinetic exercise included 30 mm/s and 600 mm/s. The first session served as the familiarization session. Statistical analysis included paired sample t-tests, Cohen's d effect sizes, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard errors of measurement (SEM), and Bland-Altman calculations, including corresponding plots.

Results: Descriptive data revealed consistent PF across sessions, with a significant between-sessions difference observed only for isometric (100°) leg extension in the right leg (p < 0.001; d = 0.13). ICC calculations showed high relative reproducibility (ICC > 0.911), with SEM ranging from 37.6 to 294.7 N (SEM% 2.3-6.3%, respectively). Bland-Altman plots depicted minimal intersession disparities (-141.8-68.3 N, respectively - 3.02-1.26%), supporting high reliability.

Conclusions: This study highlights the reliability of assessing peak force during isometric and isokinetic leg press exercises using the IsoMed 2000 after a single familiarization session. These findings support its utility in muscular performance evaluation, urging practitioners to incorporate familiarization trials for accurate assessments.