Matthew S Chapelski, Tyler Tait, Stacey Woods, Sarah Benson, Marta C Erlandson, M Louise Humbert, Adam D G Baxter-Jones
Background: Gross movement skills (GMS) development is important for long-term physical activity participation. Despite this, the influence maturation has on GMS is understudied. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of maturation and sex on GMS in adolescents and identify numbers for a definitive study. Methods: We recruited seventy-one athletes (21 male, 50 female) from 8 to 17 years of age. Height, sitting height, and body mass were measured, and biological age (indexed as years from peak height velocity [PHV]) was predicted. Athletes were classified into three maturational categories: pre-PHV, peri-PHV, and post-PHV. The Test of Gross Motor Development-2 was used to assess GMS. Differences in overall GMS, locomotor skill, and object control skills were evaluated using ANCOVA controlling for height, weight, sex, physical activity, and sport specialization. Results: We found that GMS scores were greater for athletes post-PHV (83.62 ± 6.09) when compared to athletes peri-PHV (74.25 ± 12.92; p = 0.01). There were no differences between the pre-PHV and post-PHV groups (p = 0.13). Between sexes, males had greater GMS scores than females within each maturational category (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our pilot study is inconclusive but suggests that factors such as sex, exposure to different GMS, and time spent practicing GMS may influence GMS performance to a greater extent than maturation. However, these findings are underpowered; a sample of 154 would be required for a definitive study.
{"title":"The Influence of Biological Age and Sex on Gross Motor Skill Development in Young Athletes: A Pilot Study.","authors":"Matthew S Chapelski, Tyler Tait, Stacey Woods, Sarah Benson, Marta C Erlandson, M Louise Humbert, Adam D G Baxter-Jones","doi":"10.3390/sports14040153","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040153","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Gross movement skills (GMS) development is important for long-term physical activity participation. Despite this, the influence maturation has on GMS is understudied. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of maturation and sex on GMS in adolescents and identify numbers for a definitive study. <b>Methods:</b> We recruited seventy-one athletes (21 male, 50 female) from 8 to 17 years of age. Height, sitting height, and body mass were measured, and biological age (indexed as years from peak height velocity [PHV]) was predicted. Athletes were classified into three maturational categories: pre-PHV, peri-PHV, and post-PHV. The Test of Gross Motor Development-2 was used to assess GMS. Differences in overall GMS, locomotor skill, and object control skills were evaluated using ANCOVA controlling for height, weight, sex, physical activity, and sport specialization. <b>Results:</b> We found that GMS scores were greater for athletes post-PHV (83.62 ± 6.09) when compared to athletes peri-PHV (74.25 ± 12.92; <i>p</i> = 0.01). There were no differences between the pre-PHV and post-PHV groups (<i>p</i> = 0.13). Between sexes, males had greater GMS scores than females within each maturational category (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> Our pilot study is inconclusive but suggests that factors such as sex, exposure to different GMS, and time spent practicing GMS may influence GMS performance to a greater extent than maturation. However, these findings are underpowered; a sample of 154 would be required for a definitive study.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13119707/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147789014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Richárd Bauer, Bálint István Ruppert, Bálint Kilvinger, Árpád Petrov, István Barthalos, László Suszter, Ferenc Ihász, Zoltán Alföldi
Background/objectives: The aim of this study was to describe seasonal trends in match-average External Load (EL) variables across three (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25) consecutive competitive seasons in a Hungarian professional second-division soccer team (Gyirmót FC Győr), using the Catapult Vector S7 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Specifically, Average Distance (AD; m), Average Player LoadTM (PL; AU), and Acceleration-Deceleration Efforts (>2 m·s-2) (ADE) were examined. The study aimed to provide descriptive reference values and characterize seasonal variation in match EL demands within a professional second-division context.
Methods: A descriptive seasonal comparison was conducted based exclusively on aggregated match average EL values. The unit of analysis was the match, with each match contributing one aggregated value per variable derived from players who completed the full match. A total of 94 matches were included (2022/23: N = 38; 2023/24: N = 29; 2024/25: N = 27); matches with red cards were excluded. EL data were collected using a 10 Hz Catapult Vector S7 GNSS.
Results: The median AD decreased continuously from the 2022/23 season (10.210 m) to the 2024/25 season (9.795 m). The median PL decreased from 1002 (2022/23 and 2023/24) to 846 in the 2024/25 season. The median ADE decreased from 220.8 (2022/23) to 199.0 (2024/25).
Conclusions: Lower values were observed across match EL variables, with the most pronounced reduction in PL. These findings provide descriptive reference values and may support the interpretation of seasonal variation in match EL demands in professional second-division soccer.
背景/目的:本研究的目的是利用弹射矢量S7全球导航卫星系统(GNSS),描述匈牙利职业二级足球队(Gyirmót FC Győr)连续三个赛季(2022/23、2023/24、2024/25)的比赛平均外部负荷(EL)变量的季节趋势。具体来说,研究人员检查了平均距离(AD; m)、平均球员负载tm (PL; AU)和加减速努力(bbb20 m·s-2) (ADE)。本研究旨在提供描述性参考值,并描述二级联赛背景下比赛EL需求的季节性变化。方法:仅根据汇总匹配平均EL值进行描述性季节性比较。分析单元是比赛,每场比赛对每个变量贡献一个汇总值,这些变量来自完成完整比赛的球员。共纳入94例配对(2022/23:N = 38; 2023/24: N = 29; 2024/25: N = 27);红牌比赛被排除。使用10 Hz弹射矢量S7 GNSS收集EL数据。结果:中位AD从2022/23季(10.210 m)到2024/25季(9.795 m)持续下降。平均PL从1002(2022/23和2023/24)下降到846(2024/25赛季)。中位ADE从220.8(2022/23)降至199.0(2024/25)。结论:比赛EL变量值均较低,其中PL值降低最为明显。这些发现提供了描述性参考价值,并可能支持解释职业乙级足球比赛EL需求的季节性变化。
{"title":"Seasonal Analysis of Match External Load in Hungarian Second-Division Professional Football Across Three Competitive Seasons Using GPS-Derived Match-Average Data.","authors":"Richárd Bauer, Bálint István Ruppert, Bálint Kilvinger, Árpád Petrov, István Barthalos, László Suszter, Ferenc Ihász, Zoltán Alföldi","doi":"10.3390/sports14040155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040155","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to describe seasonal trends in match-average External Load (EL) variables across three (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25) consecutive competitive seasons in a Hungarian professional second-division soccer team (Gyirmót FC Győr), using the Catapult Vector S7 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Specifically, Average Distance (AD; m), Average Player Load<sup>TM</sup> (PL; AU), and Acceleration-Deceleration Efforts (>2 m·s<sup>-2</sup>) (ADE) were examined. The study aimed to provide descriptive reference values and characterize seasonal variation in match EL demands within a professional second-division context.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive seasonal comparison was conducted based exclusively on aggregated match average EL values. The unit of analysis was the match, with each match contributing one aggregated value per variable derived from players who completed the full match. A total of 94 matches were included (2022/23: N = 38; 2023/24: N = 29; 2024/25: N = 27); matches with red cards were excluded. EL data were collected using a 10 Hz Catapult Vector S7 GNSS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median AD decreased continuously from the 2022/23 season (10.210 m) to the 2024/25 season (9.795 m). The median PL decreased from 1002 (2022/23 and 2023/24) to 846 in the 2024/25 season. The median ADE decreased from 220.8 (2022/23) to 199.0 (2024/25).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Lower values were observed across match EL variables, with the most pronounced reduction in PL. These findings provide descriptive reference values and may support the interpretation of seasonal variation in match EL demands in professional second-division soccer.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13119771/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147789022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Krisztián Havanecz, János Matlák, Ferenc Ihász, Gábor Géczi, Bence Kopper, Sándor Sáfár, Gábor Schuth
Background: Global positioning system (GPS) technology is widely used to quantify external training load (ETL) in youth soccer. Despite its extensive application in training and match contexts, considerable heterogeneity is present in the selection, definition, and interpretation of GPS-derived variables, limiting comparability between studies and practical implementation by coaches.
Objective: This narrative review aimed to summarize and critically evaluate the current literature on GPS-based ETL monitoring in youth soccer players, with a focus on commonly used variables, methodological considerations, and practical applications in training and match contexts.
Methods: A narrative literature search was conducted using PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus databases. Peer-reviewed studies published in English between the years of 2012 and 2025 were included. Data were extracted on participant characteristics, GPS technology, monitored ETL variables, and contextual settings.
Results: The 34 reviewed studies primarily reported total distance (TD; m), high-speed running distance (HSR; m), sprint distance (SD; m), distance per minute (m·min-1), peak speed (km·h-1), and acceleration- and deceleration-based (ACC, DEC; count) ETL variables. Substantial variability was observed in speed thresholds, acceleration definitions, and data processing methods. Positional roles, training formats (e.g., small-sided games), and seasonal phase influenced ETL demands, although methodological inconsistencies limited cross-study comparisons.
Conclusion: GPS technology provides valuable insights into the ETL demands of youth soccer. The lack of standardized variable definitions and thresholds remains a major limitation. Greater methodological consistency and clearer reporting standards are required to enhance the practical usefulness of GPS monitoring for coaches in youth soccer.
{"title":"A Call for Consensus: A Narrative Review of GPS-Based External Training Load Monitoring in Male Youth Soccer Players.","authors":"Krisztián Havanecz, János Matlák, Ferenc Ihász, Gábor Géczi, Bence Kopper, Sándor Sáfár, Gábor Schuth","doi":"10.3390/sports14040152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Global positioning system (GPS) technology is widely used to quantify external training load (ETL) in youth soccer. Despite its extensive application in training and match contexts, considerable heterogeneity is present in the selection, definition, and interpretation of GPS-derived variables, limiting comparability between studies and practical implementation by coaches.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This narrative review aimed to summarize and critically evaluate the current literature on GPS-based ETL monitoring in youth soccer players, with a focus on commonly used variables, methodological considerations, and practical applications in training and match contexts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A narrative literature search was conducted using PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus databases. Peer-reviewed studies published in English between the years of 2012 and 2025 were included. Data were extracted on participant characteristics, GPS technology, monitored ETL variables, and contextual settings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The 34 reviewed studies primarily reported total distance (TD; m), high-speed running distance (HSR; m), sprint distance (SD; m), distance per minute (m·min<sup>-1</sup>), peak speed (km·h<sup>-1</sup>), and acceleration- and deceleration-based (ACC, DEC; count) ETL variables. Substantial variability was observed in speed thresholds, acceleration definitions, and data processing methods. Positional roles, training formats (e.g., small-sided games), and seasonal phase influenced ETL demands, although methodological inconsistencies limited cross-study comparisons.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>GPS technology provides valuable insights into the ETL demands of youth soccer. The lack of standardized variable definitions and thresholds remains a major limitation. Greater methodological consistency and clearer reporting standards are required to enhance the practical usefulness of GPS monitoring for coaches in youth soccer.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13119910/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147789047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Endurance performance is regulated through dynamic interactions between physiological capacity, nutritional status, and psychological control processes. While traditional endurance models have emphasized metabolic and cardiorespiratory determinants, growing evidence indicates that energy availability also influences cognitive function, perceived effort, and decision-making during prolonged exercise. This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the interplay between nutritional strategies and psychological regulation in endurance sports, with particular emphasis on low energy availability, carbohydrate availability, mental fatigue, and pacing behavior. Acute and chronic reductions in energy availability are associated not only with endocrine and metabolic disturbances but also with amplified perceived exertion, impaired executive functioning, reduced effort tolerance, and altered risk-related decision-making, even in the absence of overt physiological failure. Carbohydrate availability emerges as a central modulator operating through both peripheral mechanisms (substrate supply and glycogen preservation) and central neurocognitive pathways influencing perception, motivation, and fatigue regulation. Hydration status, caffeine ingestion, and gastrointestinal tolerance further interact with perceptual and cognitive processes to shape real-time pacing and endurance sustainability. Integrating sport nutrition and sport psychology provides a unifying framework for understanding endurance regulation as a multilevel process linking metabolic state to perceptual experience and behavioral decision-making. From an applied perspective, optimizing endurance performance requires maintenance of adequate long-term energy availability, strategic carbohydrate periodization aligned with training demands, and systematic monitoring of perceived effort alongside physiological load. Future research should prioritize interdisciplinary, ecologically valid designs combining metabolic, perceptual, and cognitive measurements, supported by wearable and data-driven technologies capable of capturing real-time endurance regulation. Bridging nutritional and psychological mechanisms within a unified conceptual model offers a stronger scientific basis for improving performance sustainability while safeguarding athlete health in modern endurance sport.
{"title":"Energy Availability as a Neurocognitive Regulator of Endurance Performance: Integrating Metabolic, Perceptual, and Decision-Making Mechanisms-A Narrative Review.","authors":"Gerasimos V Grivas, Walaa Jumah Alkasasbeh","doi":"10.3390/sports14040150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Endurance performance is regulated through dynamic interactions between physiological capacity, nutritional status, and psychological control processes. While traditional endurance models have emphasized metabolic and cardiorespiratory determinants, growing evidence indicates that energy availability also influences cognitive function, perceived effort, and decision-making during prolonged exercise. This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the interplay between nutritional strategies and psychological regulation in endurance sports, with particular emphasis on low energy availability, carbohydrate availability, mental fatigue, and pacing behavior. Acute and chronic reductions in energy availability are associated not only with endocrine and metabolic disturbances but also with amplified perceived exertion, impaired executive functioning, reduced effort tolerance, and altered risk-related decision-making, even in the absence of overt physiological failure. Carbohydrate availability emerges as a central modulator operating through both peripheral mechanisms (substrate supply and glycogen preservation) and central neurocognitive pathways influencing perception, motivation, and fatigue regulation. Hydration status, caffeine ingestion, and gastrointestinal tolerance further interact with perceptual and cognitive processes to shape real-time pacing and endurance sustainability. Integrating sport nutrition and sport psychology provides a unifying framework for understanding endurance regulation as a multilevel process linking metabolic state to perceptual experience and behavioral decision-making. From an applied perspective, optimizing endurance performance requires maintenance of adequate long-term energy availability, strategic carbohydrate periodization aligned with training demands, and systematic monitoring of perceived effort alongside physiological load. Future research should prioritize interdisciplinary, ecologically valid designs combining metabolic, perceptual, and cognitive measurements, supported by wearable and data-driven technologies capable of capturing real-time endurance regulation. Bridging nutritional and psychological mechanisms within a unified conceptual model offers a stronger scientific basis for improving performance sustainability while safeguarding athlete health in modern endurance sport.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13119643/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147787911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bilel Cherni, Hamza Marzouki, Okba Selmi, Wesam Al Attar, Karim Chamari, Katsuhiko Suzuki
Traditional deadlift guidelines prioritize maintaining a neutral spine to prevent low back injuries. However, recent evidence questions whether moderate spinal flexion under load is inherently harmful, especially among trained individuals. This article proposes a modern, multifactorial framework for deadlift-related injury prevention that moves beyond rigid postural prescriptions. It integrates biomechanical evidence, load management strategies, movement variability principles, and dynamic trunk control. This narrative review synthesizes literature identified through structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, prioritizing peer-reviewed studies examining spinal biomechanics, load management, motor control, and injury epidemiology. Evidence suggests that trained lifters often exhibit natural lumbar flexion without clear prospective evidence of increased injury risk. Abrupt increases in training load appear to be consistently associated with elevated injury incidence, although relationships remain probabilistic and context-dependent. While technical factors, including spinal posture, may influence local tissue loading, current evidence suggests that rapid changes in training exposure and cumulative load management appear to be more consistent predictors of injury risk than isolated deviations from an externally defined "neutral" alignment. Movement variability appears protective, and dynamic trunk control is more functionally relevant than static core strength. A paradigm shift is needed in how deadlifts are coached and programmed. Injury prevention should emphasize progressive loading, adaptive movement strategies, and dynamic stability, rather than rigid technique enforcement. Rather than systematically appraising all available evidence, this review offers an interpretative synthesis to guide modern, evidence-informed coaching and rehabilitation practice.
{"title":"Beyond the Neutral Spine: A Narrative Review and Modern Framework for Low Back Injury Prevention in Deadlifting.","authors":"Bilel Cherni, Hamza Marzouki, Okba Selmi, Wesam Al Attar, Karim Chamari, Katsuhiko Suzuki","doi":"10.3390/sports14040151","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040151","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Traditional deadlift guidelines prioritize maintaining a neutral spine to prevent low back injuries. However, recent evidence questions whether moderate spinal flexion under load is inherently harmful, especially among trained individuals. This article proposes a modern, multifactorial framework for deadlift-related injury prevention that moves beyond rigid postural prescriptions. It integrates biomechanical evidence, load management strategies, movement variability principles, and dynamic trunk control. This narrative review synthesizes literature identified through structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, prioritizing peer-reviewed studies examining spinal biomechanics, load management, motor control, and injury epidemiology. Evidence suggests that trained lifters often exhibit natural lumbar flexion without clear prospective evidence of increased injury risk. Abrupt increases in training load appear to be consistently associated with elevated injury incidence, although relationships remain probabilistic and context-dependent. While technical factors, including spinal posture, may influence local tissue loading, current evidence suggests that rapid changes in training exposure and cumulative load management appear to be more consistent predictors of injury risk than isolated deviations from an externally defined \"neutral\" alignment. Movement variability appears protective, and dynamic trunk control is more functionally relevant than static core strength. A paradigm shift is needed in how deadlifts are coached and programmed. Injury prevention should emphasize progressive loading, adaptive movement strategies, and dynamic stability, rather than rigid technique enforcement. Rather than systematically appraising all available evidence, this review offers an interpretative synthesis to guide modern, evidence-informed coaching and rehabilitation practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13120164/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147789081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wissal Abassi, Nejmeddine Ouerghi, Georges Jabbour, Moncef Feki, Anissa Bouassida, Mykolas Deikus, Jolita Vveinhardt, Antonella Muscella
Postmenopausal women with obesity often show blood abnormalities and low plasma volume, which reduce aerobic capacity and raise health risks. The purpose is to compare the effects of high-intensity (HIIWT) versus moderate-intensity interval walking training (MIIWT) on body composition, plasma volume variations (PVV), hematological parameters, muscle damage, and aerobic capacity in postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity. Thirty-two postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity were randomly assigned to HIIWT (n = 11), MIIWT (n = 11), or control (CON, n = 10) groups. The HIIWT and MIIWT groups performed intermittent walking at 90-110% and 60-80% of their 6-min-walk-test (6MWT) distance, respectively, four times per week for 10 weeks. Body composition, hematological and muscle damage markers, and 6MWT performance were assessed pre- and post-intervention. After ten weeks, PVV was calculated in all three groups. A significant group × time interaction was observed for body composition, erythrocytes, hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and 6MWT performance (p < 0.05). Both the HIIWT and MIIWT groups showed significant reductions in body mass, body fat, waist circumference (p < 0.05), and erythrocyte count (p = 0.010 and 0.028, respectively). Only the HIIWT group showed significant reductions in hemoglobin (p < 0.001), hematocrit (p = 0.005), CK (p = 0.002), and LDH (p = 0.009), along with a significant increase in 6MWT-performance (p = 0.002). The HIIWT group demonstrated a significantly greater increase in PVV compared to both MIIWT (p = 0.018) and CON (p < 0.001) groups. HIIWT induced superior improvements in body composition, aerobic capacity, plasma volume, and hematological and muscle-damage markers compared to MIIWT. HIIWT represents a practical strategy for improving health outcomes in postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity.
{"title":"A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing High- and Moderate-Intensity Interval Walking on Hematological and Functional Markers in Postmenopausal Women with Obesity.","authors":"Wissal Abassi, Nejmeddine Ouerghi, Georges Jabbour, Moncef Feki, Anissa Bouassida, Mykolas Deikus, Jolita Vveinhardt, Antonella Muscella","doi":"10.3390/sports14040149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Postmenopausal women with obesity often show blood abnormalities and low plasma volume, which reduce aerobic capacity and raise health risks. The purpose is to compare the effects of high-intensity (HIIWT) versus moderate-intensity interval walking training (MIIWT) on body composition, plasma volume variations (PVV), hematological parameters, muscle damage, and aerobic capacity in postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity. Thirty-two postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity were randomly assigned to HIIWT (<i>n</i> = 11), MIIWT (<i>n</i> = 11), or control (CON, <i>n</i> = 10) groups. The HIIWT and MIIWT groups performed intermittent walking at 90-110% and 60-80% of their 6-min-walk-test (6MWT) distance, respectively, four times per week for 10 weeks. Body composition, hematological and muscle damage markers, and 6MWT performance were assessed pre- and post-intervention. After ten weeks, PVV was calculated in all three groups. A significant group × time interaction was observed for body composition, erythrocytes, hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and 6MWT performance (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Both the HIIWT and MIIWT groups showed significant reductions in body mass, body fat, waist circumference (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and erythrocyte count (<i>p</i> = 0.010 and 0.028, respectively). Only the HIIWT group showed significant reductions in hemoglobin (<i>p</i> < 0.001), hematocrit (<i>p</i> = 0.005), CK (<i>p</i> = 0.002), and LDH (<i>p</i> = 0.009), along with a significant increase in 6MWT-performance (<i>p</i> = 0.002). The HIIWT group demonstrated a significantly greater increase in PVV compared to both MIIWT (<i>p</i> = 0.018) and CON (<i>p</i> < 0.001) groups. HIIWT induced superior improvements in body composition, aerobic capacity, plasma volume, and hematological and muscle-damage markers compared to MIIWT. HIIWT represents a practical strategy for improving health outcomes in postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13120229/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mental fatigue (MF) has been hypothesized to contribute to injury risk in athletes, but observational studies have not directly investigated this relationship. Therefore, the current study evaluates potential relationships between mental fatigue and subsequent injury occurrence in basketball. Using an observational design, we monitored fourteen male semi-professional basketball players (age: 22 ± 4 years; stature: 192.6 ± 8.8 cm; body mass: 85.5 ± 9.1 kg; Tier 3) from a single team for 21 weeks throughout the competitive season. Each week, the players participated in 5 team-based training sessions, 2-4 individual training sessions, and 1-2 official games. Subjective MF ratings were collected using 100 mm visual analogue scales twice a week (the day before and after the official game) and then averaged. Time-loss injuries were registered, noting the body location, mechanism, and context (training and games). Generalized logistic mixed models were employed to evaluate whether MF levels were associated with injury occurrence in the subsequent 1, 3, and 5 days and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of basketball activity. A total of 11 injuries were registered during the study (7.40 per 1000 h of basketball activity), with an average time loss of 12 ± 19 days. There were no associations between MF and injury occurrence in the following 1, 3, 5 days nor 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks (all p > 0.05, odds ratios: 1.00-1.28). In male semi-professional basketball settings, preliminary evidence indicates that MF might not be associated with injury occurrence. However, due to the dearth of injury events, the statistical power of this study is insufficient to detect potential small-medium effects. Therefore, the current results should be considered exploratory as opposed to a definitive rejection of the hypothesis. Future studies should evaluate the relationship between MF and injury risk in larger samples and among professional athletes.
{"title":"Exploring the Relationship Between Mental Fatigue and Injury Occurrence in Sport: Preliminary Evidence from a Male Semi-Professional Basketball Team.","authors":"Pierpaolo Sansone, Suzanna Russell, Carlotta Longo, Damiano Polverari, Bart Roelands","doi":"10.3390/sports14040148","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040148","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mental fatigue (MF) has been hypothesized to contribute to injury risk in athletes, but observational studies have not directly investigated this relationship. Therefore, the current study evaluates potential relationships between mental fatigue and subsequent injury occurrence in basketball. Using an observational design, we monitored fourteen male semi-professional basketball players (age: 22 ± 4 years; stature: 192.6 ± 8.8 cm; body mass: 85.5 ± 9.1 kg; Tier 3) from a single team for 21 weeks throughout the competitive season. Each week, the players participated in 5 team-based training sessions, 2-4 individual training sessions, and 1-2 official games. Subjective MF ratings were collected using 100 mm visual analogue scales twice a week (the day before and after the official game) and then averaged. Time-loss injuries were registered, noting the body location, mechanism, and context (training and games). Generalized logistic mixed models were employed to evaluate whether MF levels were associated with injury occurrence in the subsequent 1, 3, and 5 days and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of basketball activity. A total of 11 injuries were registered during the study (7.40 per 1000 h of basketball activity), with an average time loss of 12 ± 19 days. There were no associations between MF and injury occurrence in the following 1, 3, 5 days nor 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks (all <i>p</i> > 0.05, odds ratios: 1.00-1.28). In male semi-professional basketball settings, preliminary evidence indicates that MF might not be associated with injury occurrence. However, due to the dearth of injury events, the statistical power of this study is insufficient to detect potential small-medium effects. Therefore, the current results should be considered exploratory as opposed to a definitive rejection of the hypothesis. Future studies should evaluate the relationship between MF and injury risk in larger samples and among professional athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13120295/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Héctor Fuentes-Barría, Raúl Aguilera-Eguía, Miguel Alarcón-Rivera, Lisse Angarita-Davila, Eduardo Pena, Samia El Alam, Cherie Flores-Fernández
Objectives: This overview of systematic reviews aimed to synthesize and critically evaluate the current evidence on the effects of exercise performed under hypoxic or altitude conditions in adults, with particular attention to studies reporting altitude-related clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: Following PRIOR and PRISMA guidelines, and with the protocol registered in PROSPERO CRD420261325746, a comprehensive search was conducted on 22 February 2026 across Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, and Preprints.org, using the query "Exercise AND Hypoxic AND Altitude Sickness." Because the search included "Altitude Sickness," this review may miss some studies on performance or physiological adaptations under hypoxia. Eligibility was defined according to the PICOS framework, including only systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses in adults exposed to normobaric or hypobaric hypoxia. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2. Results: A total of 137 records were identified (114 from databases and 23 through citation tracking), of which 28 systematic reviews met inclusion criteria. Nineteen included quantitative meta-analyses. Structured altitude training strategies-live high-train low (LHTL), live low-train high (LLTH), and live high-train high (LHTH)-were generally associated with improvements in maximal oxygen uptake and hematological parameters, particularly in trained and athletic populations. In contrast, acute hypoxic exposure was consistently associated with reduced exercise performance and increased susceptibility to altitude-related symptoms in unacclimatized individuals. Evidence regarding effects on body composition and metabolic outcomes was heterogeneous and inconsistent. According to AMSTAR 2, most meta-analyses presented critically low or low methodological quality. Conclusions: Exercise under hypoxic conditions may enhances aerobic and hematological adaptations in trained populations, whereas acute exposure tends to impair performance and entails clinical risks. However, given the restricted search strategy, substantial heterogeneity, lack of formal overlap quantification, and the predominance of low methodological quality reviews, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Evidence on metabolic benefits remains limited, highlighting the need for further high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses to clarify optimal hypoxic training protocols and outcomes.
目的:本综述旨在综合和批判性地评估目前关于成人在低氧或高海拔条件下进行运动的影响的证据,特别关注报告海拔相关临床结果的研究。材料和方法:遵循PRIOR和PRISMA指南,并使用在PROSPERO CRD420261325746中注册的方案,于2026年2月22日在Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Epistemonikos和Preprints.org上进行了全面检索,查询“运动和缺氧和高原反应”。因为搜索包括“高原反应”,这篇综述可能会错过一些关于缺氧下的表现或生理适应的研究。根据PICOS框架定义资格,仅包括有或没有荟萃分析的暴露于常压或低压缺氧的成人的系统评价。采用AMSTAR 2评价方法学质量。结果:共检索到137篇文献(114篇来自数据库,23篇来自引文追踪),其中28篇系统评价符合纳入标准。其中19项包括定量荟萃分析。结构化的高原训练策略——高训练低训练(LHTL)、低训练高训练(LLTH)和高训练高训练(LHTH)——通常与最大摄氧量和血液学参数的改善有关,特别是在训练和运动人群中。相反,急性缺氧暴露始终与未适应环境的个体的运动表现降低和对海拔相关症状的易感性增加有关。关于对身体成分和代谢结果的影响的证据是不一致的。根据AMSTAR 2,大多数荟萃分析呈现出极低或低的方法学质量。结论:低氧条件下的运动可以增强训练人群的有氧和血液适应能力,而急性暴露往往会损害表现并带来临床风险。然而,考虑到有限的搜索策略,大量的异质性,缺乏正式的重叠量化,以及低方法学质量评价的优势,这些发现应该谨慎解释。关于代谢益处的证据仍然有限,强调需要进一步的高质量系统评价和荟萃分析来阐明最佳的低氧训练方案和结果。
{"title":"Exercise in Hypoxic Environments: An Overview of Systematic Reviews on Performance, Physiological Adaptation, and Clinical Implications.","authors":"Héctor Fuentes-Barría, Raúl Aguilera-Eguía, Miguel Alarcón-Rivera, Lisse Angarita-Davila, Eduardo Pena, Samia El Alam, Cherie Flores-Fernández","doi":"10.3390/sports14040147","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040147","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives:</b> This overview of systematic reviews aimed to synthesize and critically evaluate the current evidence on the effects of exercise performed under hypoxic or altitude conditions in adults, with particular attention to studies reporting altitude-related clinical outcomes. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Following PRIOR and PRISMA guidelines, and with the protocol registered in PROSPERO CRD420261325746, a comprehensive search was conducted on 22 February 2026 across Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, and Preprints.org, using the query \"Exercise AND Hypoxic AND Altitude Sickness.\" Because the search included \"Altitude Sickness,\" this review may miss some studies on performance or physiological adaptations under hypoxia. Eligibility was defined according to the PICOS framework, including only systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses in adults exposed to normobaric or hypobaric hypoxia. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2. <b>Results:</b> A total of 137 records were identified (114 from databases and 23 through citation tracking), of which 28 systematic reviews met inclusion criteria. Nineteen included quantitative meta-analyses. Structured altitude training strategies-live high-train low (LHTL), live low-train high (LLTH), and live high-train high (LHTH)-were generally associated with improvements in maximal oxygen uptake and hematological parameters, particularly in trained and athletic populations. In contrast, acute hypoxic exposure was consistently associated with reduced exercise performance and increased susceptibility to altitude-related symptoms in unacclimatized individuals. Evidence regarding effects on body composition and metabolic outcomes was heterogeneous and inconsistent. According to AMSTAR 2, most meta-analyses presented critically low or low methodological quality. <b>Conclusions:</b> Exercise under hypoxic conditions may enhances aerobic and hematological adaptations in trained populations, whereas acute exposure tends to impair performance and entails clinical risks. However, given the restricted search strategy, substantial heterogeneity, lack of formal overlap quantification, and the predominance of low methodological quality reviews, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Evidence on metabolic benefits remains limited, highlighting the need for further high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses to clarify optimal hypoxic training protocols and outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13120319/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147788355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alvaro Murillo-Ortiz, Javier Raya-Gonzalez, Moises Falces-Prieto, Samuel Lopez-Mariscal, Francisco Javier Iglesias-Garcia, Luis Manuel Martinez-Aranda
Inter-limb asymmetries are common in soccer players and are frequently monitored in high-performance settings; however, their expression across different flywheel-based strength exercises, movement phases, and over time remains unclear. This study aimed to (i) compare inter-limb power asymmetry magnitudes across multiple unilateral flywheel exercises and between concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) phases, and (ii) describe changes in these asymmetries over an 8-week period of routine soccer training, stratified by baseline asymmetry magnitude. The present study was designed as an observational and descriptive study. Twenty-one professional male soccer players completed two testing sessions separated by eight weeks. Players performed six unilateral flywheel exercises targeting hip- and knee-dominant quadriceps (Qhip, Qknee), hip- and knee-dominant hamstrings (Hhip, Hknee), adductors (ADD), and abductors (ABD). For each exercise and limb, the repetition with the highest CON mean power and its consecutive ECC phase were selected for analysis. Inter-limb asymmetry (%) was calculated for mean and peak power in both phases. Across exercises, ECC asymmetries were generally greater than CON asymmetries, with the largest values observed for Qknee peak power (CON: 12.86 ± 11.04%; ECC: 27.60 ± 13.65%) and Hknee peak power (CON: 10.45 ± 11.26%; ECC: 24.01 ± 20.46%). Exercise-specific patterns were evident, with generally weak associations between asymmetries across tasks. Over time, players classified with higher baseline asymmetry (≥10%) presented lower values at follow-up in several outcomes (particularly ECC-related measures), whereas players with lower baseline asymmetry (<10%) showed small increases or remained stable; These between-group patterns should be interpreted cautiously, as they may be more strongly influenced by regression to the mean and measurement variability than by underlying physiological changes. Overall, inter-limb power asymmetries assessed with flywheel technology were phase- and exercise-specific in this professional soccer sample. These descriptive findings may help contextualize phase-specific and multi-exercise asymmetry monitoring in professional soccer settings.
{"title":"Assessing Strength Asymmetries with Rotational Inertial Technology: Exercise-Specific Patterns and Temporal Changes in Professional Male Soccer Players.","authors":"Alvaro Murillo-Ortiz, Javier Raya-Gonzalez, Moises Falces-Prieto, Samuel Lopez-Mariscal, Francisco Javier Iglesias-Garcia, Luis Manuel Martinez-Aranda","doi":"10.3390/sports14040145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Inter-limb asymmetries are common in soccer players and are frequently monitored in high-performance settings; however, their expression across different flywheel-based strength exercises, movement phases, and over time remains unclear. This study aimed to (i) compare inter-limb power asymmetry magnitudes across multiple unilateral flywheel exercises and between concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) phases, and (ii) describe changes in these asymmetries over an 8-week period of routine soccer training, stratified by baseline asymmetry magnitude. The present study was designed as an observational and descriptive study. Twenty-one professional male soccer players completed two testing sessions separated by eight weeks. Players performed six unilateral flywheel exercises targeting hip- and knee-dominant quadriceps (Qhip, Qknee), hip- and knee-dominant hamstrings (Hhip, Hknee), adductors (ADD), and abductors (ABD). For each exercise and limb, the repetition with the highest CON mean power and its consecutive ECC phase were selected for analysis. Inter-limb asymmetry (%) was calculated for mean and peak power in both phases. Across exercises, ECC asymmetries were generally greater than CON asymmetries, with the largest values observed for Qknee peak power (CON: 12.86 ± 11.04%; ECC: 27.60 ± 13.65%) and Hknee peak power (CON: 10.45 ± 11.26%; ECC: 24.01 ± 20.46%). Exercise-specific patterns were evident, with generally weak associations between asymmetries across tasks. Over time, players classified with higher baseline asymmetry (≥10%) presented lower values at follow-up in several outcomes (particularly ECC-related measures), whereas players with lower baseline asymmetry (<10%) showed small increases or remained stable; These between-group patterns should be interpreted cautiously, as they may be more strongly influenced by regression to the mean and measurement variability than by underlying physiological changes. Overall, inter-limb power asymmetries assessed with flywheel technology were phase- and exercise-specific in this professional soccer sample. These descriptive findings may help contextualize phase-specific and multi-exercise asymmetry monitoring in professional soccer settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13120088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147789061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Miguel Alarcón-Rivera, Leonardo Poblete-Sánchez, Cristian Salazar-Orellana, Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz, Exal Garcia-Carrillo, Pablo Luna-Villouta, Héctor Fuentes-Barría
The purpose of this study was to examine differences between squat variations performed with a traditional barbell (TRAD) and a safety squat bar (SSB) in university athletes, focusing on mean propulsive velocity (MPV), peak velocity (PV), and velocity loss (VL). Nineteen university athletes participated in a randomized crossover repeated-measures design. Participants performed squat exercises with both barbell types at 65% and 85% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) across multiple testing sessions. Neuromuscular performance indicators were assessed using a linear velocity transducer. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects of barbell type and load for MPV and PV (all p < 0.05). Higher MPV values were observed with the SSB at both loading intensities, whereas higher PV values were observed only at 85% 1RM. For VL, a significant main effect of barbell type was found (p = 0.013), with no significant effect of load (p = 0.155) or interaction (p = 0.507). In conclusion, the SSB elicited higher movement velocities compared with the traditional barbell. These findings suggest that barbell selection may influence velocity-based performance outcomes during squat exercise. However, due to the cross-sectional design, these results should be considered preliminary.
{"title":"Comparison of Velocity-Based Performance and Velocity Loss Between Traditional and Safety Squat Barbells During the Squat Exercise.","authors":"Miguel Alarcón-Rivera, Leonardo Poblete-Sánchez, Cristian Salazar-Orellana, Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz, Exal Garcia-Carrillo, Pablo Luna-Villouta, Héctor Fuentes-Barría","doi":"10.3390/sports14040146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040146","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this study was to examine differences between squat variations performed with a traditional barbell (TRAD) and a safety squat bar (SSB) in university athletes, focusing on mean propulsive velocity (MPV), peak velocity (PV), and velocity loss (VL). Nineteen university athletes participated in a randomized crossover repeated-measures design. Participants performed squat exercises with both barbell types at 65% and 85% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) across multiple testing sessions. Neuromuscular performance indicators were assessed using a linear velocity transducer. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects of barbell type and load for MPV and PV (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). Higher MPV values were observed with the SSB at both loading intensities, whereas higher PV values were observed only at 85% 1RM. For VL, a significant main effect of barbell type was found (<i>p</i> = 0.013), with no significant effect of load (<i>p</i> = 0.155) or interaction (<i>p</i> = 0.507). In conclusion, the SSB elicited higher movement velocities compared with the traditional barbell. These findings suggest that barbell selection may influence velocity-based performance outcomes during squat exercise. However, due to the cross-sectional design, these results should be considered preliminary.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13119703/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147789131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}