Despoina Ourda, Lida Skoufa, Andreas Loukovitis, Haralambos Tsorbatzoudis, Vassilis Barkoukis
Doping research has predominantly focused on proximal cognitive predictors of athletes' intentions to use prohibited substances, often conceptualizing doping as a final behavioral outcome. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory and Goal Systems Theory, the present study examined the relationships between doping intentions, perceived means of performance enhancement, and internal and external life aspirations among competitive athletes. A total of 204 athletes (Mage = 22.99 years) completed measures assessing doping intentions, perceived effectiveness of different performance enhancement means, and aspiration components. The results indicated that stronger doping intentions were negatively associated with internal aspiration components and positively associated with external aspiration components. Doping intentions were also positively related to perceived effectiveness of nutritional supplements, doping, and combined enhancement practices, while being negatively associated with reliance on training and nutrition alone. Several indirect effects were observed, demonstrating that perceived performance enhancement partially mediated the relationships between doping intentions and aspiration components. These findings suggest that performance enhancement behaviors are cognitively embedded within athletes' motivational goal systems and play an active role in shaping aspiration-related evaluations. Overall, this study advances doping research by conceptualizing doping behavior as part of a broader, goal-directed, motivational structure rather than an isolated outcome.
{"title":"From Doping Intentions to Life Aspirations: A Goal Systems Perspective of Performance Enhancement in Sport.","authors":"Despoina Ourda, Lida Skoufa, Andreas Loukovitis, Haralambos Tsorbatzoudis, Vassilis Barkoukis","doi":"10.3390/sports14060219","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14060219","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Doping research has predominantly focused on proximal cognitive predictors of athletes' intentions to use prohibited substances, often conceptualizing doping as a final behavioral outcome. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory and Goal Systems Theory, the present study examined the relationships between doping intentions, perceived means of performance enhancement, and internal and external life aspirations among competitive athletes. A total of 204 athletes (Mage = 22.99 years) completed measures assessing doping intentions, perceived effectiveness of different performance enhancement means, and aspiration components. The results indicated that stronger doping intentions were negatively associated with internal aspiration components and positively associated with external aspiration components. Doping intentions were also positively related to perceived effectiveness of nutritional supplements, doping, and combined enhancement practices, while being negatively associated with reliance on training and nutrition alone. Several indirect effects were observed, demonstrating that perceived performance enhancement partially mediated the relationships between doping intentions and aspiration components. These findings suggest that performance enhancement behaviors are cognitively embedded within athletes' motivational goal systems and play an active role in shaping aspiration-related evaluations. Overall, this study advances doping research by conceptualizing doping behavior as part of a broader, goal-directed, motivational structure rather than an isolated outcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148320674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liliana C Baptista, Aristides M Machado-Rodrigues, Marco Antônio Rabelo Da Silva, Elias De França, Raul A Martins
Statins' effects on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and their interaction with exercise training remain unclear in older adults with dyslipidemia. This cohort study enrolled nine hundred and eighty-one older adults with dyslipidemia who underwent one of three interventions: (i) multicomponent exercise training (MEX; n = 298; 74% females), (ii) daily statin monotherapy (ST; n = 178; 65% females), or (iii) combined treatment with statins and multicomponent exercise training (STMEX; n = 505; 79% females). CRF, functional status, and lipid profile were assessed at baseline and after 24 months. After follow-up, statin therapy reduced CRF by 4% in women (p < 0.001), but not in men. The statin groups also showed reduced upper- and lower-limb strength in both sexes. Exercise alone significantly improved CRF (women: 27% vs. men: 21%, p < 0.001) and functional status, regardless of sex. The combined treatment significantly increased women's CRF, whereas men showed an attenuated CRF benefit (women: 27% vs. men: 1%, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest sex-specific patterns in the effects of statin therapy on CRF in older adults with dyslipidemia. Statin therapy was associated with lower CRF over time in women, but not in men, whereas multicomponent exercise training may reverse these effects.
他汀类药物对老年血脂异常患者心肺功能(CRF)的影响及其与运动训练的相互作用尚不清楚。这项队列研究纳入了981名患有脂质异常的老年人,他们接受了三种干预措施之一:(i)多组分运动训练(MEX; n = 298;女性占74%),(ii)每日他汀类药物单药治疗(ST; n = 178;女性占65%),或(iii)他汀类药物和多组分运动训练联合治疗(STMEX; n = 505;女性占79%)。在基线和24个月后评估CRF、功能状态和血脂。随访后,他汀类药物治疗使女性的CRF降低了4% (p < 0.001),但在男性中没有。他汀类药物组在两性中也表现出上肢和下肢力量的减弱。无论性别如何,单独运动均可显著改善CRF(女性:27%,男性:21%,p < 0.001)和功能状态。联合治疗显著增加了女性的CRF,而男性的CRF获益减少(女性:27%,男性:1%,p < 0.001)。我们的研究结果表明,他汀类药物治疗对老年血脂异常患者CRF的影响存在性别特异性模式。随着时间的推移,他汀类药物治疗与女性较低的CRF有关,但与男性无关,而多组分运动训练可能逆转这些影响。
{"title":"Sex Patterns of Statin Therapy and Multicomponent Exercise Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Older Adults with Dyslipidemia: A 24-Month Cohort Study.","authors":"Liliana C Baptista, Aristides M Machado-Rodrigues, Marco Antônio Rabelo Da Silva, Elias De França, Raul A Martins","doi":"10.3390/sports14060215","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14060215","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Statins' effects on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and their interaction with exercise training remain unclear in older adults with dyslipidemia. This cohort study enrolled nine hundred and eighty-one older adults with dyslipidemia who underwent one of three interventions: (i) multicomponent exercise training (MEX; n = 298; 74% females), (ii) daily statin monotherapy (ST; n = 178; 65% females), or (iii) combined treatment with statins and multicomponent exercise training (STMEX; n = 505; 79% females). CRF, functional status, and lipid profile were assessed at baseline and after 24 months. After follow-up, statin therapy reduced CRF by 4% in women (<i>p</i> < 0.001), but not in men. The statin groups also showed reduced upper- and lower-limb strength in both sexes. Exercise alone significantly improved CRF (women: 27% vs. men: 21%, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and functional status, regardless of sex. The combined treatment significantly increased women's CRF, whereas men showed an attenuated CRF benefit (women: 27% vs. men: 1%, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Our findings suggest sex-specific patterns in the effects of statin therapy on CRF in older adults with dyslipidemia. Statin therapy was associated with lower CRF over time in women, but not in men, whereas multicomponent exercise training may reverse these effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148320598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabriel de Souza Zanini, David Michel de Oliveira, Pedro Luiz Santorsula de Paula Oliveira, Eduarda Corteze Santos, Renata da Silva Alves Bolzam, Víctor Hernández-Beltrán, José M Gamonales, Mário Cunha Espada, Danilo Alexandre Massini, Dalton Muller Pessôa Filho
Scientific production on CrossFit® has expanded alongside the growing popularity of the modality; however, multi-database scientometric analysis describing its structure, research trends, and knowledge gaps remains limited.
Objective: This study conducted a scientometric analysis to identify patterns within the literature and to provide directions for future research.
Methods: Searches were performed in the databases Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, including all publications available up to December 2024. The search identified 3927 records. After removing duplicates and excluding reviews, meta-analyses, and studies outside the scope, 526 original articles were included in the analysis. Scientometric analyses were conducted using Bibliometrix (version 4.3.2) implemented in R (version 4.4.2), with additional support from Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer (v1.6.20).
Results: The results indicate a marked growth in publication output, with an average annual increase of approximately 37.5%, reflecting the increasing academic interest in the modality. The United States and Brazil emerged as leading contributors, supported by strong research infrastructure and expanding scientific communities. The thematic structure of the field is predominantly centered on physiological responses, performance outcomes, and injury-related topics, while psychosocial, behavioral, and population-specific dimensions remain comparatively underexplored. Despite the observed expansion, the findings suggest that quantitative growth has outpaced methodological diversification and longitudinal development within the field. In addition, a limited integration between scientific findings and applied training contexts was identified, highlighting a gap between research production and real-world practice.
Conclusion: Overall, CrossFit® research appears to be expanding toward a more diversified and structured scientific field; however, advancing the field will require greater methodological rigor, increased focus on longitudinal and integrative approaches, and stronger translation of scientific evidence into applied settings.
CrossFit®的科学生产随着这种方式的日益普及而扩大;然而,描述其结构、研究趋势和知识差距的多数据库科学计量分析仍然有限。目的:通过科学计量学分析,找出文献中的规律,为今后的研究提供方向。方法:在Web of Science、PubMed和Scopus数据库中进行检索,包括截至2024年12月的所有可用出版物。搜索确定了3927条记录。在剔除重复、排除综述、meta分析和范围之外的研究后,526篇原创文章被纳入分析。采用R语言(4.4.2版本)实现的Bibliometrix(4.3.2版本)进行科学计量学分析,并获得Microsoft Excel和VOSviewer(1.6.20版本)的额外支持。结果:结果表明,出版物产量显著增长,平均每年增长约37.5%,反映了学术界对该模式的兴趣日益浓厚。在强大的研究基础设施和不断扩大的科学界的支持下,美国和巴西成为主要贡献者。该领域的主题结构主要集中在生理反应、表现结果和伤害相关主题上,而社会心理、行为和人口特定维度的探索相对不足。尽管观察到扩大,但调查结果表明,数量增长超过了该领域方法多样化和纵向发展的速度。此外,确定了科学发现与应用培训背景之间的有限整合,突出了研究成果与现实世界实践之间的差距。结论:总体而言,CrossFit®研究似乎正在向更加多样化和结构化的科学领域扩展;然而,推进这一领域将需要更严格的方法,更加注重纵向和综合方法,以及更有力地将科学证据转化为应用环境。
{"title":"From Performance to Health: A Global Scientometric Analysis of the Evolution of CrossFit Research.","authors":"Gabriel de Souza Zanini, David Michel de Oliveira, Pedro Luiz Santorsula de Paula Oliveira, Eduarda Corteze Santos, Renata da Silva Alves Bolzam, Víctor Hernández-Beltrán, José M Gamonales, Mário Cunha Espada, Danilo Alexandre Massini, Dalton Muller Pessôa Filho","doi":"10.3390/sports14050213","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports14050213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Scientific production on CrossFit<sup>®</sup> has expanded alongside the growing popularity of the modality; however, multi-database scientometric analysis describing its structure, research trends, and knowledge gaps remains limited.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study conducted a scientometric analysis to identify patterns within the literature and to provide directions for future research.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Searches were performed in the databases Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, including all publications available up to December 2024. The search identified 3927 records. After removing duplicates and excluding reviews, meta-analyses, and studies outside the scope, 526 original articles were included in the analysis. Scientometric analyses were conducted using Bibliometrix (version 4.3.2) implemented in R (version 4.4.2), with additional support from Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer (v1.6.20).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicate a marked growth in publication output, with an average annual increase of approximately 37.5%, reflecting the increasing academic interest in the modality. The United States and Brazil emerged as leading contributors, supported by strong research infrastructure and expanding scientific communities. The thematic structure of the field is predominantly centered on physiological responses, performance outcomes, and injury-related topics, while psychosocial, behavioral, and population-specific dimensions remain comparatively underexplored. Despite the observed expansion, the findings suggest that quantitative growth has outpaced methodological diversification and longitudinal development within the field. In addition, a limited integration between scientific findings and applied training contexts was identified, highlighting a gap between research production and real-world practice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, CrossFit<sup>®</sup> research appears to be expanding toward a more diversified and structured scientific field; however, advancing the field will require greater methodological rigor, increased focus on longitudinal and integrative approaches, and stronger translation of scientific evidence into applied settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13210993/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037445","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}
Igor E Anpilogov, Nicolas H Kruchynsky, Eugene B Postnikov
Tracking biomechanical changes associated with different training modalities remains a methodological challenge in applied sports science. This pilot longitudinal study examined stroke technique stability in seven junior rowers (aged 16.6 ± 0.5 years) across three measurement sessions (March, April, June), separated by two training mesocycles emphasising strength training and intensive rowing, respectively. Upper body angular velocity was recorded using a smartphone-based MEMS sensor fixed to the upper back during incremental ergometer exercise. Overall stroke duration and its standard deviation remained stable throughout the study period, whereas the durations of the two stroke phases corresponding to forward (drive) and backward (recovery) body motion changed systematically across mesocycles. Phase-specific changes were statistically significant in 10 of 12 paired comparisons (rank-sum test) and 7 of 12 within-subject comparisons (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) for phase durations, and in 9 and 5 of 12 comparisons for their standard deviations, respectively. These findings suggest that the internal structure of the rowing stroke is sensitive to training load specificity, even when overall stroke timing remains unchanged, and that smartphone-based angular velocity analysis provides a feasible tool for individualized biomechanical monitoring in young athletes.
{"title":"Stability of Rowing Technique and Specificity of Training Load: A Pilot Longitudinal Study in Young Athletes.","authors":"Igor E Anpilogov, Nicolas H Kruchynsky, Eugene B Postnikov","doi":"10.3390/sports14050214","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports14050214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tracking biomechanical changes associated with different training modalities remains a methodological challenge in applied sports science. This pilot longitudinal study examined stroke technique stability in seven junior rowers (aged 16.6 ± 0.5 years) across three measurement sessions (March, April, June), separated by two training mesocycles emphasising strength training and intensive rowing, respectively. Upper body angular velocity was recorded using a smartphone-based MEMS sensor fixed to the upper back during incremental ergometer exercise. Overall stroke duration and its standard deviation remained stable throughout the study period, whereas the durations of the two stroke phases corresponding to forward (drive) and backward (recovery) body motion changed systematically across mesocycles. Phase-specific changes were statistically significant in 10 of 12 paired comparisons (rank-sum test) and 7 of 12 within-subject comparisons (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) for phase durations, and in 9 and 5 of 12 comparisons for their standard deviations, respectively. These findings suggest that the internal structure of the rowing stroke is sensitive to training load specificity, even when overall stroke timing remains unchanged, and that smartphone-based angular velocity analysis provides a feasible tool for individualized biomechanical monitoring in young athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13210610/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037419","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}
Obesity is a significant risk factor for metabolic diseases and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Exercise exerts beneficial effects partly through myokines secreted by skeletal muscle. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on exercise-induced myokines in obesity. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to Jan 2026 using keywords "myokines", "obesity", "resistance training", "aerobic exercise", and "HIIT". We focused on six myokines (IL-6, irisin, FGF21, myostatin, apelin, and Metrnl) that are consistently linked to metabolic and cardiovascular health. Key findings are as follows: resistance training effectively increases irisin and decreases myostatin, promoting muscle mass and fat browning; high-intensity interval training (HIIT) induces rapid IL-6 peaks and elevates Metrnl, enhancing anti-inflammatory responses and cardiac function; aerobic exercise improves FGF21 sensitivity and supports long-term metabolic homeostasis. For clinicians and exercise practitioners, a preliminary exercise framework can be suggested based on available human evidence. In obese patients, ≥3 sessions per week of resistance training (60-80% of one-repetition maximum, 8-12 repetitions, 3-4 sets) may be considered to optimize irisin/myostatin balance, combined with ≥150 min per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (50-70% of maximum heart rate) or 75 min per week of HIIT (85-95% of peak heart rate, 4 × 4 min intervals) to improve FGF21 sensitivity and Metrnl levels. These suggestions should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating rather than definitive clinical guidance, given the heterogeneity of included studies and the absence of quantitative synthesis. Nevertheless, they offer a molecular basis for hypothesis-driven precision exercise prescription that requires validation in future prospective studies and randomized controlled trials.
{"title":"Exercise-Induced Myokines in Obesity-Related Metabolic Disorders and Cardiovascular Protection: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Yuxuan Zhang, Yajun Qiu","doi":"10.3390/sports14050212","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports14050212","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Obesity is a significant risk factor for metabolic diseases and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Exercise exerts beneficial effects partly through myokines secreted by skeletal muscle. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on exercise-induced myokines in obesity. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to Jan 2026 using keywords \"myokines\", \"obesity\", \"resistance training\", \"aerobic exercise\", and \"HIIT\". We focused on six myokines (IL-6, irisin, FGF21, myostatin, apelin, and Metrnl) that are consistently linked to metabolic and cardiovascular health. Key findings are as follows: resistance training effectively increases irisin and decreases myostatin, promoting muscle mass and fat browning; high-intensity interval training (HIIT) induces rapid IL-6 peaks and elevates Metrnl, enhancing anti-inflammatory responses and cardiac function; aerobic exercise improves FGF21 sensitivity and supports long-term metabolic homeostasis. For clinicians and exercise practitioners, a preliminary exercise framework can be suggested based on available human evidence. In obese patients, ≥3 sessions per week of resistance training (60-80% of one-repetition maximum, 8-12 repetitions, 3-4 sets) may be considered to optimize irisin/myostatin balance, combined with ≥150 min per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (50-70% of maximum heart rate) or 75 min per week of HIIT (85-95% of peak heart rate, 4 × 4 min intervals) to improve FGF21 sensitivity and Metrnl levels. These suggestions should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating rather than definitive clinical guidance, given the heterogeneity of included studies and the absence of quantitative synthesis. Nevertheless, they offer a molecular basis for hypothesis-driven precision exercise prescription that requires validation in future prospective studies and randomized controlled trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13210986/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037465","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}
The association between return-to-sport test batteries (RTS-TBs) and clinical outcomes remains unclear. Previous systematic reviews of RTS-TBs have reported low pass rates; however, these reviews have been limited by substantial heterogeneity. This systematic review aimed to quantify RTS-TB pass rates and examine their association with timing (post-op). Five electronic databases (AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PubMed) were searched on 22 December 2024. Observational studies reporting RTS-TB outcomes as a single pass or fail were included. A random-effects proportion meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of pass rates. A meta-regression was performed to assess the association between test timing and pass rate. Twelve studies (n = 1977) met the eligibility criteria, but five were excluded from the meta-analysis and meta-regression due to overlapping cohorts. From the remaining eight studies (n = 1449), the pooled prevalence of pass rates was 33% overall (95% CI 19 to 47%), 26% (95% CI 18 to 33%) for non-professional athletes, and 73% (95% CI 66 to 80%) for professional athletes, although only a single study focused on professional athletes. No association was observed between the post-operative timing of the test and passing RTS-TB (p = 0.73). The observed RTS-TB pass rates are low, and this may be influenced by the extreme heterogeneity. Although no association was observed between the RTS-TB timing and pass rates, this finding alone cannot confirm causality.
重返运动测试电池(RTS-TBs)与临床结果之间的关系尚不清楚。以前对rts - tb的系统审查报告通过率很低;然而,这些综述受到实质性异质性的限制。本系统综述旨在量化RTS-TB通过率,并检查其与时间(术后)的关系。检索了5个电子数据库(AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PubMed),检索时间为2024年12月22日。报告RTS-TB结果为单一通过或不通过的观察性研究被纳入。随机效应比例荟萃分析用于估计通过率的总流行率。进行meta回归来评估测试时间和通过率之间的关系。12项研究(n = 1977)符合入选标准,但有5项研究因队列重叠而被排除在meta分析和meta回归之外。从其余8项研究(n = 1449)中,总体通过率为33% (95% CI 19 - 47%),非专业运动员的通过率为26% (95% CI 18 - 33%),专业运动员的通过率为73% (95% CI 66 - 80%),尽管只有一项研究关注专业运动员。术后检查时间与RTS-TB的通过无相关性(p = 0.73)。观察到的RTS-TB通过率很低,这可能受到极端异质性的影响。虽然没有观察到RTS-TB时间和通过率之间的关联,但这一发现本身不能证实因果关系。
{"title":"Pass Rates of Return to Sport Test Batteries Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Dominic Richmond, Caroline White, Thomas Gomulko","doi":"10.3390/sports14050211","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports14050211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The association between return-to-sport test batteries (RTS-TBs) and clinical outcomes remains unclear. Previous systematic reviews of RTS-TBs have reported low pass rates; however, these reviews have been limited by substantial heterogeneity. This systematic review aimed to quantify RTS-TB pass rates and examine their association with timing (post-op). Five electronic databases (AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PubMed) were searched on 22 December 2024. Observational studies reporting RTS-TB outcomes as a single pass or fail were included. A random-effects proportion meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of pass rates. A meta-regression was performed to assess the association between test timing and pass rate. Twelve studies (n = 1977) met the eligibility criteria, but five were excluded from the meta-analysis and meta-regression due to overlapping cohorts. From the remaining eight studies (n = 1449), the pooled prevalence of pass rates was 33% overall (95% CI 19 to 47%), 26% (95% CI 18 to 33%) for non-professional athletes, and 73% (95% CI 66 to 80%) for professional athletes, although only a single study focused on professional athletes. No association was observed between the post-operative timing of the test and passing RTS-TB (<i>p</i> = 0.73). The observed RTS-TB pass rates are low, and this may be influenced by the extreme heterogeneity. Although no association was observed between the RTS-TB timing and pass rates, this finding alone cannot confirm causality.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13211181/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037529","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}
The study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiorespiratory fitness, hormonal, and psychological markers in adolescents. Twenty-eight healthy male adolescents were randomized to a HIIT group or a non-training control group. HIIT comprises three sessions per week for 10 weeks, alternating 30 s runs at high-intensity and low-intensity. VO2max was estimated using the incremental running test. Plasma testosterone and cortisol were assessed by ELISA methods. Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were determined using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Significant "group × time" interactions were detected for VO2max, testosterone, cortisol, testosterone-to-cortisol ratio, and stress score, but not for anxiety and depression scores. HIIT resulted in increased VO2max (p < 0.001, d = 1.04), testosterone (p = 0.005, d = 0.52), and testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (p = 0.008, d = 1.05), and decreased cortisol (p = 0.036, d = 1.09) and stress score (p = 0.020, d = 0.98). Ten-week HIIT resulted in an improvement in physical fitness, steroid hormonal balance, and self-reported stress symptoms, but no changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms in comparison to the control group. The findings should be interpreted with caution due to limitations, including the small sample size and the lack of assessment of sex-related differences. Further research is required to elucidate the topic.
该研究调查了高强度间歇训练(HIIT)对青少年心肺健康、激素和心理指标的影响。28名健康男性青少年被随机分为HIIT组和非训练对照组。HIIT包括每周三次训练,持续10周,交替进行30次高强度和低强度的训练。使用增量运行测试估计VO2max。ELISA法测定血浆睾酮、皮质醇水平。抑郁、焦虑和压力得分采用抑郁焦虑压力量表-21进行测定。数据分析采用重复测量的双向方差分析。VO2max、睾酮、皮质醇、睾酮对皮质醇比率和压力评分之间存在显著的“组×时间”交互作用,但焦虑和抑郁评分之间没有交互作用。HIIT导致VO2max (p < 0.001, d = 1.04)、睾酮(p = 0.005, d = 0.52)、睾酮-皮质醇比值(p = 0.008, d = 1.05)升高,皮质醇(p = 0.036, d = 1.09)和应激评分(p = 0.020, d = 0.98)降低。10周的HIIT改善了身体健康、类固醇激素平衡和自我报告的压力症状,但与对照组相比,抑郁和焦虑症状没有变化。由于样本量小和缺乏对性别相关差异的评估等局限性,研究结果应谨慎解释。需要进一步的研究来阐明这个问题。
{"title":"Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Steroid Hormones and Psychological Outcomes in Healthy Male Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Nejmeddine Ouerghi, Wissal Abassi, Nidhal Jebabli, Mohamed Bessem Hammami, Anissa Bouassida, Katja Weiss, Thomas Rosemann, Moncef Feki, Beat Knechtle","doi":"10.3390/sports14050209","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports14050209","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiorespiratory fitness, hormonal, and psychological markers in adolescents. Twenty-eight healthy male adolescents were randomized to a HIIT group or a non-training control group. HIIT comprises three sessions per week for 10 weeks, alternating 30 s runs at high-intensity and low-intensity. VO<sub>2max</sub> was estimated using the incremental running test. Plasma testosterone and cortisol were assessed by ELISA methods. Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were determined using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Significant \"group × time\" interactions were detected for VO<sub>2max</sub>, testosterone, cortisol, testosterone-to-cortisol ratio, and stress score, but not for anxiety and depression scores. HIIT resulted in increased VO<sub>2max</sub> (<i>p</i> < 0.001, d = 1.04), testosterone (<i>p</i> = 0.005, d = 0.52), and testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (<i>p</i> = 0.008, d = 1.05), and decreased cortisol (<i>p</i> = 0.036, d = 1.09) and stress score (<i>p</i> = 0.020, d = 0.98). Ten-week HIIT resulted in an improvement in physical fitness, steroid hormonal balance, and self-reported stress symptoms, but no changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms in comparison to the control group. The findings should be interpreted with caution due to limitations, including the small sample size and the lack of assessment of sex-related differences. Further research is required to elucidate the topic.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13211211/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037435","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}
Diego Hernán Villarejo-García, Carlos Navarro-Martínez, José Pino-Ortega
Elite women's rugby has often been analysed using the male performance model as a reference, despite evidence that women's rugby presents distinct game demands and potentially different risk profiles. This study aimed to compare the frequency of key contact-related events between elite men's and women's rugby. An observational, retrospective, comparative cohort study was conducted using official performance data from 135 international matches from the men's and women's Six Nations Championships. Variables were grouped into three categories: Open-Play, Static Phases, and Discipline. Independent samples t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Linear Discriminant Analysis were used to identify sex-based differences. The results showed that men presented a higher frequency of rucks lasting more than 6 s (p < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were found in total tackles (p = 0.378) or total rucks (p = 0.634). In Static Phases, women's teams recorded significantly more scrums (p < 0.001). In Discipline, women conceded fewer free kicks (p = 0.003) but received more red cards (p = 0.020). In conclusion, elite women's rugby shares some open-play characteristics with the men's game but differs in scrum frequency and disciplinary profile, supporting the existence of a distinct contact and risk exposure profile that should be considered when designing training and prevention strategies.
{"title":"Collision Volume and Contact Exposure Profile in Elite Women's Rugby Union: Differences Compared with Men.","authors":"Diego Hernán Villarejo-García, Carlos Navarro-Martínez, José Pino-Ortega","doi":"10.3390/sports14050210","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports14050210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Elite women's rugby has often been analysed using the male performance model as a reference, despite evidence that women's rugby presents distinct game demands and potentially different risk profiles. This study aimed to compare the frequency of key contact-related events between elite men's and women's rugby. An observational, retrospective, comparative cohort study was conducted using official performance data from 135 international matches from the men's and women's Six Nations Championships. Variables were grouped into three categories: Open-Play, Static Phases, and Discipline. Independent samples <i>t</i>-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Linear Discriminant Analysis were used to identify sex-based differences. The results showed that men presented a higher frequency of rucks lasting more than 6 s (<i>p</i> < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were found in total tackles (<i>p</i> = 0.378) or total rucks (<i>p</i> = 0.634). In Static Phases, women's teams recorded significantly more scrums (<i>p</i> < 0.001). In Discipline, women conceded fewer free kicks (<i>p</i> = 0.003) but received more red cards (<i>p</i> = 0.020). In conclusion, elite women's rugby shares some open-play characteristics with the men's game but differs in scrum frequency and disciplinary profile, supporting the existence of a distinct contact and risk exposure profile that should be considered when designing training and prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13210970/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037293","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}
Background: Padel is a rapidly growing sport, yet limited evidence is available regarding movement quality and injury history among competitive players. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) may help describe movement patterns associated with previous injury, although its predictive value remains uncertain. This study examined the association between FMS total and component scores and self-reported injury history among competitive male padel players. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 17 competitive male padel players, with 9 injured and 8 uninjured based on self-reported musculoskeletal injury history within the preceding 12 months. Movement quality was assessed using the seven-item FMS. Spearman's rank correlation was used to examine the association between FMS total score and injury history, while Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare FMS total and component scores between groups. The seven component-level comparisons were considered exploratory. Bonferroni correction was applied by using an adjusted significance threshold of α = 0.05/7 = 0.007; therefore, unadjusted p-values were interpreted against this corrected threshold. Results: Lower FMS total scores were associated with previous injury history (ρ = -0.703, 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.38, p = 0.002). Previously injured players demonstrated lower FMS total scores than uninjured players (p = 0.005). Among individual components, the In-Line Lunge showed a significant between-group difference after Bonferroni correction (p = 0.004), suggesting lower performance in a task requiring lower-limb stability, mobility, and trunk control. Conclusions: In this small exploratory cross-sectional study, lower FMS scores were associated with self-reported previous injury among competitive male padel players. These findings should be interpreted cautiously, as the study design does not allow causal or predictive conclusions. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify whether FMS scores have practical value in monitoring movement quality in padel athletes.
{"title":"The Correlation Between Functional Movement Screen Scores and Self-Reported Injury History Among Competitive Male Padel Players: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Khalid Yaseen, Mohannad Felemban, Layan Barassin, Elan Alnakeeb, Anfal Astek, Ziyad Neamatallah, Mazen Homoud, Khalid Alsayed, Mishari Rowished, Mazen Almutairi, Ayah Ismail","doi":"10.3390/sports14050208","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports14050208","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Padel is a rapidly growing sport, yet limited evidence is available regarding movement quality and injury history among competitive players. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) may help describe movement patterns associated with previous injury, although its predictive value remains uncertain. This study examined the association between FMS total and component scores and self-reported injury history among competitive male padel players. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 17 competitive male padel players, with 9 injured and 8 uninjured based on self-reported musculoskeletal injury history within the preceding 12 months. Movement quality was assessed using the seven-item FMS. Spearman's rank correlation was used to examine the association between FMS total score and injury history, while Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare FMS total and component scores between groups. The seven component-level comparisons were considered exploratory. Bonferroni correction was applied by using an adjusted significance threshold of α = 0.05/7 = 0.007; therefore, unadjusted <i>p</i>-values were interpreted against this corrected threshold. <b>Results:</b> Lower FMS total scores were associated with previous injury history (ρ = -0.703, 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.38, <i>p</i> = 0.002). Previously injured players demonstrated lower FMS total scores than uninjured players (<i>p</i> = 0.005). Among individual components, the In-Line Lunge showed a significant between-group difference after Bonferroni correction (<i>p</i> = 0.004), suggesting lower performance in a task requiring lower-limb stability, mobility, and trunk control. <b>Conclusions:</b> In this small exploratory cross-sectional study, lower FMS scores were associated with self-reported previous injury among competitive male padel players. These findings should be interpreted cautiously, as the study design does not allow causal or predictive conclusions. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify whether FMS scores have practical value in monitoring movement quality in padel athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13210838/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037493","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}
Crossfit® is a high-intensity interval training modality that combines weightlifting, aerobic exercises, and gymnastics. Although it has gained widespread popularity, it also presents a considerable injury rate without clarity on the extent to which experience categories exhibit distinct temporal patterns. This study identifies the most common injuries and their progression across CrossFit® categories over 12 months. We defined injury as any Crossfit-related event requiring healthcare consultation and interrupting an athlete's activity. An observational, longitudinal study was conducted with 102 participants categorized into three groups (n = 34): beginner, scale, and rx. An adapted injury index questionnaire was applied, and descriptive statistics were performed. Results showed that the most frequent injuries affected the shoulder and knee, with variations across the different athlete categories. Beginners exhibited the highest injury rates: knee (56%) and shoulder (35%). The scale group presented a greater concentration of shoulder injuries, whereas rx demonstrated the lowest injury incidence overall. Over the 12-month follow-up, 135 injuries were reported at baseline, decreasing to 116 at six months and 101 at the final evaluation. Dropout rates were 35% among beginners, 12% in the scale group, and 0% in the rx group. Crossfit-related injuries primarily affect the shoulders and knees, with a higher incidence in beginners. Future studies should investigate movement technique, strength, mobility, and limb dominance considering the overhead demands and the associated injury risk, in addition studies should examine training programming too.
{"title":"Common Injuries Across Baseline, 6-Month, and 12-Month Assessments in CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Athletes of Different Experience Levels.","authors":"Luiz Paulo Milares, Ricardo Luís Fernandes Guerra","doi":"10.3390/sports14050205","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports14050205","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Crossfit<sup>®</sup> is a high-intensity interval training modality that combines weightlifting, aerobic exercises, and gymnastics. Although it has gained widespread popularity, it also presents a considerable injury rate without clarity on the extent to which experience categories exhibit distinct temporal patterns. This study identifies the most common injuries and their progression across CrossFit<sup>®</sup> categories over 12 months. We defined injury as any Crossfit-related event requiring healthcare consultation and interrupting an athlete's activity. An observational, longitudinal study was conducted with 102 participants categorized into three groups (n = 34): beginner, scale, and rx. An adapted injury index questionnaire was applied, and descriptive statistics were performed. Results showed that the most frequent injuries affected the shoulder and knee, with variations across the different athlete categories. Beginners exhibited the highest injury rates: knee (56%) and shoulder (35%). The scale group presented a greater concentration of shoulder injuries, whereas rx demonstrated the lowest injury incidence overall. Over the 12-month follow-up, 135 injuries were reported at baseline, decreasing to 116 at six months and 101 at the final evaluation. Dropout rates were 35% among beginners, 12% in the scale group, and 0% in the rx group. Crossfit-related injuries primarily affect the shoulders and knees, with a higher incidence in beginners. Future studies should investigate movement technique, strength, mobility, and limb dominance considering the overhead demands and the associated injury risk, in addition studies should examine training programming too.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"14 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13210725/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037314","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}