Recent estimates indicate that the prevalence of insufficient physical activity has been increasing globally, with nearly one third of adults (31 [...].
Recent estimates indicate that the prevalence of insufficient physical activity has been increasing globally, with nearly one third of adults (31 [...].
Background: Targeted training interventions, including neuromuscular warm-up protocols, eccentric resistance training, and dynamic stretching exercises, with limited and heterogeneous evidence on recovery strategies, have shown potential benefits for muscle performance and reductions in injury risk.
Objective: To synthesize and structure contemporary evidence on exercise-based interventions spanning the pre-activity warm-up through post-activity recovery, emphasizing performance outcomes, injury-related effects, reported dose-response patterns, and implementation characteristics.
Methods: This systematic review with structured qualitative synthesis was based on a systematic database search and eligibility screening process (n = 40 studies). Studies evaluating exercise-based interventions targeting injury prevention and/or performance in athletes were included. Data extraction included study design, population characteristics, intervention components, outcomes, and risk-of-bias assessments, which were summarized using comparative tables and descriptive analyses. Due to heterogeneity, results were synthesized qualitatively without meta-analysis.
Results: Neuromuscular warm-ups (e.g., FIFA 11+) were frequently linked to reduced reported lower-extremity injury risk, alongside improvements in sprint, jump, and balance performance. Eccentric hamstring training was linked in several studies to lower reported hamstring injury rates and increased eccentric strength and fascicle length, while dynamic warm-ups may acutely improve sprint and jump performance. Evidence regarding recovery modalities was heterogeneous, supporting a cautious and individualized emphasis on sleep, nutrition, and hydration. However, heterogeneity in study designs, outcome measures, and populations limits the comparability and generalizability of the findings.
Conclusions: Exercise-based interventions, including neuromuscular warm-ups, eccentric strengthening, dynamic stretching, and progressive load and recovery strategies, may support performance enhancement and injury-risk reduction in youth and adult athletes when appropriately implemented, although interpretation is limited by study heterogeneity.
Background: Sunfish sailing requires a combination of morphological and neuromuscular characteristics to effectively manage sail control and maintain postural stability during hiking maneuvers. Objectives: We aimed to describe the anthropometric and neuromuscular characteristics of elite Colombian Sunfish sailors and explore potential sex-related patterns. Methods: Six competitive sailors (three men and three women) underwent anthropometric assessment and somatotype calculation. Neuromuscular performance was evaluated using handgrip strength (HGS), quadriceps maximal voluntary isometric contraction, rate of force development (RFD), one-repetition maximum (1RM) lower-limb assessment, countermovement jump (CMJ), trunk endurance tests, and the Y-balance test for dynamic balance. Descriptive statistics and standardized effect sizes (Hedges' g) were used to characterize between-sex patterns. Results: Anthropometric assessments suggested descriptive sex-related differences in body composition and skeletal dimensions, with a predominance of mesomorphic characteristics. Descriptive data suggested higher HGS values among men (g = 2.27-4.85), while lower-limb neuromuscular performance showed higher values among men across several RFD time windows (g = 0.81-1.45). Conversely, dynamic balance and trunk endurance outcomes showed minimal variation between sexes. Conclusions: This pilot study provides a preliminary physical profile of elite Colombian Sunfish sailors. The observed patterns in strength-related and morphological variables, especially HGS, quadriceps MVIC, and lower-limb power, should be interpreted as exploratory. Further research with larger samples is required to confirm these findings.
This case report documents the multi-season development of a 38-year-old elite F12 shot putter with macular degeneration (<10% functional vision) who improved from 13.00 m to a personal best of 14.41 m between 2021 and 2023. Athletes classified as F11-F13 compete with significant visual impairment that limits spatial feedback during rotational tasks, yet longitudinal evidence describing integrated training frameworks remains scarce. A 12-month macrocycle integrated phase-dependent velocity-based resistance training using mean concentric velocity targets (0.70-1.00 m·s-1) monitored via linear position transducers with a 10% velocity loss threshold, combined with structured auditory and tactile cueing, including metronome pacing and environmental anchors. High-volume warm-ups and prehabilitation addressed a prior L4-L5 disk herniation. The athlete achieved 14.41 m at the 2023 U.S. Para Athletics Trials, with TrackMan®-verified release velocity of 11.3 m·s-1. Bench throw velocity improved by 35.4% (0.65 to 0.88 m·s-1) and squat jump velocity improved by 22.9% (1.18 to 1.45 m·s-1), while post-session RPE remained manageable, indicating improved neuromuscular readiness and training tolerance. No lumbar symptom recurrence occurred. This case illustrates that integrating velocity autoregulation, multisensory stabilization, and injury-informed preparation can support meaningful performance gains in visually impaired throwers and offers an applied framework for coaches working with F11-F13 athletes.
Background: An important role in postural control is played by the plantar proprioceptive inputs, as they contribute to the sensorimotor integration of the Tonic Postural System (TPS). Although plantar stimulation is an excellent strategy for improving balance, evidence remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to examine the acute effects of plantar proprioceptive training on dynamic balance performance and ankle range of motion (ROM).
Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 26 physically active young adults were divided into an experimental group (EG; n = 13) and a control group (CG; n = 13). The EG performed plantar proprioceptive training including walking on a reflexology mat and balance exercises on a proprioceptive pad. The CG remained lying supine on a couch for the same amount of time as the experimental intervention. The Y-Balance Test (YBT) was used to assess dynamic balance, while the ankle ROM (i.e., dorsiflexion and plantarflexion) was measured using an inertial sensor. All measurements were taken before (T0) and immediately after (T1) the experimental or control condition.
Results: Improvements in the YBT were found in the EG from T0 to T1 for both right (p = 0.002; SE = 1.24) and left (p = 0.015) foot, but no changes from T0 to T1 were observed in the CG for both right and left foot (p > 0.05). No changes were observed for ankle ROM in both groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that plantar proprioceptive training can provide acute improvements in dynamic balance with no significant changes in ankle ROM. The findings support a potential role of plantar stimulation in postural control mechanisms.
Background: Balance is a key ability in rhythmic gymnastics, affecting not only technical performance but also the aesthetic and expressive quality of routines. Standard tests often do not reflect the real demands of the sport, where gymnasts must simultaneously maintain stability, manipulate apparatus, and follow the musical rhythm. Therefore, there is a need for a specific test that combines motor and cognitive challenges to provide a precise and reliable assessment of athletes' functional abilities.
Methods: The study involved 12 girls with an average age of 9 years. Participants underwent anthropometric measurements and were tested using standard motor tests as well as a specific balance test for rhythmic gymnasts (BTRG). Test reliability was assessed using a test-retest procedure, and construct validity was evaluated through factor analysis in comparison with existing balance tests.
Results: The BTRG demonstrated high reliability (ICC = 0.96; CV = 6.4%; SEM = 0.18) and the ability to distinguish gymnasts from different programs. Factor analysis confirmed that the BTRG effectively measures specific balance in accordance with theoretical expectations.
Conclusions: The new test provides a potentially valid and reliable tool for assessing specific balance in rhythmic gymnasts and maybe useful in the training process, athlete evaluation, and talent development; however, these finding should be interpreted with caution as they are preliminary and derived from pilot study.
Background: Sleep is a critical recovery mechanism for athletes, supporting hormonal regulation, muscle repair, and cognitive function. Dual-career athletes are particularly vulnerable to sleep disruption, which may impair performance and stress regulation. This study examined the effects of a 14-day sleep hygiene intervention protocol (SHIP) on aerobic and anaerobic performance, as well as anticipatory cortisol responses, in university-level soccer players. Methods: Thirty athletes (females: n = 14, 22.1 ± 3.3 y, 157.8 ± 6.0 cm, 53.5 ± 3.9 kg, males: n = 16, 21.5 ± 1.7 y, 167.5 ± 5.9 cm, 62.7 ± 5.4 kg) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), provided pre-test salivary cortisol samples, and performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1) and Repeated Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) before and after the intervention (adhering daily to 10-18 individualized sleep hygiene). Results: The SHIP significantly reduced sleep latency (p = 0.04) and increased sleep duration (p = 0.03), and PSQI scores (p < 0.001) in both sexes. Females showed marked increases in sleep duration (p = 0.002), while males showed improved latency (p = 0.07). Five behaviourally coherent clusters derived from the SHIP adherence explained a substantial proportion of variance (74.99%). Stimulant and metabolic regulation, and bedroom light and thermal environment control consistently predicted sprint and physiological outcomes (p < 0.05). Anticipatory cortisol decreased before both tests (p = 0.03-0.04). YYIR1 performance improved for the full cohort (p = 0.001). RAST times slowed slightly (p = 0.02), though fatigue index improved (p = 0.05). Conclusions: A short-term SHIP effectively enhanced sleep, reduced physiological stress, and improved key performance outcomes in collegiate athletes.
This study examined the effects of a 16-week periodized resistance training program on the strength, power, and body composition of elite collegiate cheerleaders. Thirteen female athletes from a nationally top-ranked university team completed a structured program comprising hypertrophy and strength/power phases. Performance testing at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention included one-repetition maximum (1RM) assessments for the front squat, power clean, and shoulder press, as well as measurements of body mass, lean body mass, and body fat percentage. All strength measures improved significantly across the intervention (front squat: +14.0%, power clean: +17.7%, and shoulder press: +18.3%). Body fat percentage decreased by 6.7%, and lean body mass increased by 2.6%, while total body mass remained statistically unchanged. These results demonstrate that periodized resistance training can elicit meaningful improvements in performance and body composition without increases in body mass. Moreover, the final post-intervention 1RM values-1.43× body mass for the front squat, 1.11× for the power clean, and 0.73× for the shoulder press-offer preliminary benchmarks for the strength performance of high-level collegiate cheerleaders.
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of sport-related concussions (SRCs) in Japanese university sports and to identify factors associated with experiencing multiple SRCs within a single season. Methods: Data were collected through a web-based survey conducted from June to October 2022, focusing on injuries sustained between April 2021 and March 2022. Participants were recruited from universities affiliated with the Japan Association for University Athletics and Sport and were required to be actively participating in sports. Results: Overall, 10,978 participants were analyzed; 195 reported SRCs, whereas 10,783 did not. Athletes who reported SRCs were significantly taller and heavier, had a higher body mass index, and included a higher proportion of male athletes than those who did not report SRCs. SRCs were most frequently reported in rugby football, American football, soccer, and lacrosse. Among athletes with SRCs, those with multiple SRCs tended to be taller and were significantly heavier. They also had a significantly higher proportion of severe first SRCs during the season. Conclusions: SRCs were most frequently reported in rugby football, American football, soccer, and lacrosse, and greater severity of the initial SRC in a season was associated with multiple SRC occurrence. These findings should be interpreted with caution because SRCs were self-reported and not clinically verified, mild cases may have been underreported, and time-loss-based severity may not reflect clinical severity.
In the published paper [...].
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