BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation最新文献

Background: Impaired neuromuscular control is a feature for people with chronic ankle instability and could be restored by the destabilising footwear, yet there is a lack of destabilisation insole design targeting medial-lateral neuromuscular control. This study investigated whether a medial-lateral destabilising insole (medial-lateral density gradient + heel lift) acutely enhances peroneus longus (PL) activation, ankle inversion control during gait, and postural stability during single-leg standing in CAI.

Methods: The study followed the randomised crossover laboratory design. Twenty CAI participants and twenty healthy controls performed walking trials at self-selected speeds and eyes-closed single-leg standing under two conditions (destabilising vs. flat insole) randomly. Joint angle, electromyography of lower extremity during gait and centre-of-pressure (COP) parameters during stance were analysed using two-way repeated statistical parametric mapping and ANOVA.

Results: Compared to the flat insole, the destabilising insole significantly increased ankle inversion angle (mean differences = 2.7°; -56 to + 100 milliseconds relative to heel strike; P = 0.041) and normalised PL activation (mean differences = 20.1%; -100 to + 80 milliseconds; P < 0.001) exclusively in the CAI group during gait. During standing, destabilising insoles reduced time-to-boundary minima in the medial-lateral direction (η² = 0.487; P < 0.001) in CAI and increased medial-lateral (η² = 0.213, P = 0.036) and anterior-posterior COP velocity (η² = 0.170, P = 0.012) in both groups.

Conclusion: The destabilising insole acutely enhanced ankle inversion control and PL activity during gait in CAI individuals while challenging postural stability during standing for healthy and CAI individuals. These findings support its potential as a supervised intervention to augment sensorimotor training during weight-bearing tasks.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registration, ChiCTR2100046146. May 5^th 2021.

Background: Start performance is a critical determinant of success in competitive swimming. This study investigated the relationships between anaerobic power (AP), vertical jump height (VJ), and flight distance (FD) in adolescent swimmers.

Methods: Fifty-four Tier 2 adolescent swimmers (32 males, 22 females; age: 13.57 ± 1.31 years) participated in the study. Anaerobic power was calculated using the Lewis formula, and FD was measured via video analysis with Kinovea software. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression models to identify performance predictors.

Results: Significant gender differences were observed in body height, weight, VJ, FD, and AP (all p < 0.05), with males outperforming females, while training experience was similar. FD showed a significant positive correlation with AP (r = 0.51, p < 0.001), representing a moderate effect size. Multiple regression analysis further revealed that Age (β = 0.65, p < 0.001) and Gender (β = 0.32, p = 0.003) were the primary predictors of FD, while AP did not emerge as an independent predictor in the final model.

Conclusion: Although anaerobic power is associated with start performance, age and gender are the strongest predictors of flight distance in adolescent swimmers. These findings add to previous research by highlighting the importance of maturational and technical development for optimizing start efficiency during early specialization.

Purpose: This exploratory pilot study investigated serum bile acids (BAs) as metabolic regulators in boxers, focusing on their dynamic responses to rapid weight loss (RWL) and recovery across different training levels. A developmental control group of young athletes served as a physiological reference.

Methods: Serum samples from 13 male boxers (5 elite, 8 national-level) and 10 young athletes were collected at baseline, post-RWL, and after 24 h recovery. Targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantified 82 BA species. Multivariate (OPLS-DA), univariate, and KEGG pathway analyses assessed phase- and level-dependent differences.

Results: Elite boxers showed higher baseline concentrations of conjugated and regulatory BAs (e.g., taurolithocholic acid [TLCA], glycohyocholic acid [GHCA]) and faster post-RWL restoration of BA balance. Non-elite athletes exhibited stronger shifts toward unconjugated secondary BAs (e.g., deoxycholic acid [DCA], lithocholic acid [LCA]) and incomplete recovery. Compared with young athletes, trained boxers displayed enhanced BA conjugation and FXR/TGR5-linked regulation. KEGG analysis indicated RWL-related disturbances in bile secretion and peroxisomal pathways, while elite profiles reflected greater hepatic-intestinal resilience.

Conclusion: BA composition may serve as a biochemical marker of metabolic adaptability in combat athletes. Elite boxers maintained tighter BA homeostasis through weight cycles, whereas non-elite athletes exhibited transient hepatic stress. Findings are preliminary and should be interpreted cautiously due to small subgroup sizes and unstandardized diet and microbiome control.

Background: Few studies have analyzed the medium- to long-term effects of warm-up protocols on biomechanical and performance parameters in athletes. This study evaluated the effects of a 3-week foam rolling (FR) protocol integrated into the initial phase of the warm-up on ankle dorsiflexion parameters and jumping performance through the countermovement jump test (CMJ) in young rhythmic gymnasts.

Methods: Twenty-six female young rhythmic gymnasts who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study and were divided into the FR group (n = 12; Age = 13.2 ± 2.59 years; Height = 152.3 ± 13.34 cm; Weight = 39.9 ± 11.22 kg) or the C (Control) group (n = 14; Age = 13.4 ± 2.17 years; Height = 149.5 ± 13.33 cm; Weight = 40.6 ± 10.14 kg). An initial evaluation (T0) and an evaluation after the 3-week FR warm-up protocol were conducted. An inertial sensor was used to analyze ankle dorsiflexion using the following parameters: range of motion (ROM) (°), angular velocity (°/s), and fluency index (0-1). An optical detection sensor detected the jump height and flight time of the CMJ test.

Results: Significant differences were found between T0 and T1 in the FR group and between the FR group and the C group at T1. Significant between-subject interaction effects (F = 32.58; p < 0.001; ηp² = .576) and group-by-time interaction effects (F = 9.73; p < 0.01; ηp² = .288) were found. Specifically, significant enhancements in CMJ performance (p < 0.001) and angular dorsiflexion velocity of the right ankle (p < 0.05) were noted after the intervention in the FR group.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that a 3-week FR intervention incorporated into the warm-up routine of young rhythmic gymnasts led to an increase in jump performance, but not in ankle dorsiflexion ROM parameters. Further studies are necessary to investigate the effects of warm-up on biomechanical parameters using longer FR protocols.

Trial registration: NCT07113249. Registration date: 02/08/2025.

Background: Ankle injury prevention is critically important in tennis. Although prophylactic ankle supports can effectively reduce the risk of injury, they may potentially impair athletic performance. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate both immediate and six-week effects of ankle taping and bracing on tennis-specific performance in male collegiate tennis players, thereby supporting evidence-based application.

Methods: Forty-five male collegiate tennis players were randomized into three groups, namely the brace group (BG), the taping group (TG), and the control group (CG). Participants in BG and TG wore ankle supports during tennis sessions for six weeks, whereas those in the CG trained without any support. Performance was measured at five time points: baseline (Tb), immediately after the intervention (T0), and at biweekly intervals thereafter (T2, T4, and T6). Outcomes included four tennis-specific performance measures, the International Tennis Number On-court Assessment, and self-perception questionnaires. The performance measures included vertical jump, 10-meter sprint, sideline to forward sprint, and sideline turn-back sprint.

Results: After adjusting for baseline (Tb) using a linear mixed model, both ankle braces and taping demonstrated immediate improvements at T0 compared with the control group in the 10-m sprint (BG vs. CG: p = 0.002, TG vs. CG: p = 0.001) and left sideline to forward sprint (BG vs. CG: p = 0.026, TG vs. CG: p = 0.043). However, in the ITN mobility test, the brace group was significantly slower than the control group (MD = 0.958s, p = 0.044). We found a significant Group × Time interaction in the 10-m sprint (F = 9.736, p < 0.001) and the sideline to forward sprint (Left: p = 0.002; Right: p = 0.011). The brace group recorded its fastest 10-m sprint time at Week 2 (p < 0.001), whereas the taping group did so at Week 4 (p < 0.001). A significant main effect of time was observed across all speed and agility assessments (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: In simple sprint and single change-of-direction tasks, both ankle bracing and taping led to faster performance, with improvements observed both immediately and over a six-week period. However, in complex directional-change agility tasks such as the ITN mobility test, ankle bracing resulted in slower performance. Athletes should weigh potential performance benefits against possible movement constraints, and the use of ankle supports should be individualized.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2500107099, August 4, 2025, retrospectively registered.

Background: Explosive power training is increasingly relevant for general fitness participants. While complex training effectively enhances strength and power in athletes, its practicality and efficacy for trained non-athletes using moderate loads and minimal equipment remain unclear.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a practical complex training (CT) protocol-featuring moderate-load resistance and accessible plyometric exercises-on jump performance, sprint acceleration, and reactive strength in physically active young men.

Methods: Thirty trained young males (≥ 1 year of resistance and aerobic training) were randomly assigned to a complex training group (CTG, n = 15) or traditional resistance group (TRG, n = 15). Both trained 3 times/week for 6 weeks. CTG combined moderate-load resistance and basic plyometrics (e.g., squat + box jump), while TRG followed load-matched resistance-only routines. Tests included squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ), reactive strength index (RSI), eccentric utilization ratio (EUR), five-repetition vertical jump (5RVJ), 100-m sprint with segmental splits, standing long jump (SLJ), and 25-m sled drag. Training load was monitored using heart rate-based Training Impulse (TRIMP) and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE).

Results: CTG showed no significant gains in CMJ or SJ performance (p > 0.05), but exhibited a significant improvement in EUR (p = 0.016, d = 0.76), with a notable between-group difference at post-test (p = 0.005, d = 0.92). In contrast, significant improvements were observed in DJ height (p = 0.023, r = 0.49), DJ power (interaction p = 0.0002, d = 0.51), and RSI (p = 0.031, d = 0.83). Sprint performance improved significantly in the 0-10 m (p = 0.012, r = -0.54) and 20-30 m (p = 0.016, d = 0.45) phases, with significant interaction effects observed for 100 m total time (p = 0.0035, d = 0.41). No significant changes were noted in SLJ, 25 m sled drag sprint, or 5RVJ metrics.

Conclusion: A CT protocol using moderate loads and basic equipment can enhance reactive strength and sprint acceleration in physically active young men, offering a practical and accessible approach for performance gains in general fitness settings.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500112099). Registration Date 10/11/2025 (Retrospectively registered).