Journal of Sports Science and Medicine最新文献

This study aimed to examine the effects of aerobic and strength training methodologies, either combined with or without cognitive training, on mitigating cognitive decline. A total of 154 subjects were recruited (72.8 ± 6.1 years, 69% females) and were divided into four groups: i) strength plus cognitive training (STCT, n = 56); ii) strength training (ST, n = 23); iii) aerobic training (AT, n = 41); and iv) aerobic plus cognitive training (ATCT, n = 34). Subjects were previously cognitively assessed and showed cognitive decline (less than 26 points on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA). For 12 weeks, all groups performed 3 times a week, for 60 minutes, a training program corresponding to their attributed group. The MoCA test and the Senior Fitness test were applied at the beginning and the end of the intervention. A repeated-measures ANCOVA revealed significant time-by-group interactions for physical performance measures, including the 2-minute step-in-place (p = 0.026), arm curl (p < 0.001), chair sit-and-reach (p < 0.001), back-scratch (p < 0.001), 8-foot up-and-go (p < 0.001), and 6-minute walk tests (p < 0.001). However, no significant improvements were observed for cognitive function (MoCA, p = 0.242) or lower body strength (chair stand, p = 0.411). The AT group showed greater improvements in upper body strength compared to STCT and ST (p < 0.001; d = 0.698; p = 0.004; d = 0.598), while STCT significantly improved flexibility compared to ATCT (p < 0.001; d = 1.049). ATCT had the greatest improvements in aerobic endurance compared to STCT and ST (p = 0.004; d = 0.133; p < 0.001; d = 0.350). It was demonstrated that aerobic and strength training significantly improved overall physical performance in elderly individuals. However, no significant effects were observed on cognitive performance. Although these findings suggest that both aerobic and strength exercise, with or without cognitive training, improve overall physical fitness, further research is needed to determine its impact on cognitive performance.

Flossing has been hypothesized to improve joint range of motion (flexibility), potentially through enhanced fascial gliding, although this mechanism remains speculative. This study aimed to clarify the effect of flossing, a new type of myofascial release, on joint range of motion by focusing on tissue gliding properties. This study involved 14 healthy participants (aged 18-25 years) who performed two types of active exercises with floss bands wrapped around their lower legs. As a control, the participants performed the same active exercises on different days without floss bands. Measurements taken before and after the intervention included ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, ankle plantar flexion maximum voluntary contraction, medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle thickness using ultrasound, and fascial hardness at five locations according to depth. Lower leg flossing significantly increased ankle dorsiflexion range of motion by 28.3 ± 19.9% (control: 14.6 ± 12.4%, P = 0.04, d = 0.83). No significant changes were observed in maximum voluntary plantar flexion contraction or overall muscle and fascial hardness. However, the rate of change in hardness showed a trend toward reduction in the superficial fascia and the upper and middle gastrocnemius muscles, with the upper gastrocnemius muscle exhibiting a statistically significant decrease in hardness (P = 0.05). Flossing showed trends toward reducing superficial muscle and fascial hardness, particularly in the superficial fascia and the upper gastrocnemius muscle, although not all changes were statistically significant. This suggests that potential improvements in intertissue gliding around the fascia could contribute to an increased range of motion.

The relative age effect (RAE), as a widely recognized phenomenon in the field of sports, reveals the bias in talent selection across various sporting disciplines and the neglect of certain potentially gifted athletes. The study aims to analyze RAE incidence and athletic performance among the top 100 world-ranked high jump and long jump athletes, as well as to examine the differences across the five continents. Finally, successful professional athletes are divided into two groups, namely the "All-Phase Success (AS)" and the "Senior Success (SS)" based on their success during their youth. A comparison is made between the performance and age differences of these two groups. The results indicate: 1) the RAE is present across all age groups (U18, U20, Senior) and both sexes in the high jump and long jump events (except for the senior male high jump). 2) Athletes in the AS group are consistently 2-3 years younger at each key stage of their athletic careers compared to those in the SS group. 3) Relatively younger athletes exhibit higher transition rates during their youth period compared to relatively older athletes. However, despite the larger number of relatively older athletes, AS athletes still outperform SS athletes in high jump and long jump events.

While ball touch limitations are frequently implemented in small-sided games (SSGs) to alter physiological and physical responses, existing research has yet to assess their medium-term impact on physical fitness adaptations. This study aimed to compare the effects of SSGs with ball touch limitations (limitedBT) versus free play (freeBT) on adaptations in linear speed, anaerobic power, and aerobic performance. In this randomized parallel controlled trial, 47 youth male soccer players (16.6 ± 0.6 years) were randomly assigned to limitedBT (n = 16), freeBT (n = 16), or a control group (n = 15). Over six weeks, participants in the experimental group attended three additional SSG sessions per week, lasting 12 to 20 minutes, with formats including 4v4, 3v3, 5v5, and 2v2, where the only difference between groups was that the freeBT group had no ball touch limitations, while the limitedBT group did; the control group only participated in regular training. Players were assessed at baseline and post-intervention for linear speed over 10 and 30 meters, anaerobic power performance using the Repeated Sprint Ability Test (RAST), and aerobic performance using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test (YYIRT). While at the baseline, no differences were found between groups, following the intervention, significant differences between the groups were observed in the YYIRT (p < 0.001; η_p ² = 0.278), 10-m sprint time (p < 0.001; η_p ² = 0.367), RAST total time (p < 0.001; η_p ² = 0.367) and RAST initial-final decline (p<0.001; η_p ² = 0.274). In the case of YYIRT, the control group showed significantly lower values post-intervention compared to both freeBT (p = 0.048) and limitedBT (p < 0.001). For the 10-meter sprint time, limitedBT demonstrated significantly faster times than both freeBT (p = 0.045) and control (p < 0.001), while freeBT was also significantly faster than control (p = 0.042). Regarding RAST total time, limitedBT recorded significantly better times than both freeBT (p = 0.042) and control (p < 0.001), with freeBT also outperforming control (p = 0.045). Finally, in the RAST initial-final decline, the control group performed significantly worse than both limitedBT (p < 0.001) and freeBT (p = 0.034). In conclusion, this study found that limitedBT effectively enhances anaerobic and short-distance sprint performance, while both limitedBT and freeBT formats similarly improve aerobic capacity, suggesting that incorporating ball touch conditions into training can optimize overall player fitness.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8-week concurrent training (CT) program that combined short sprint interval training (sSIT) and resistance training (RT) in alternating sequences (i.e., sSIT + RT or RT + sSIT) on the physical fitness, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic performance of male karate athletes, in comparison to each training intervention conducted independently. Forty national-level young male athletes volunteered to participate in this study and were divided into sSIT, RT, sSIT + RT, RT + sSIT, and active control (CG) groups, each group consisted of eight athletes and performed 3 days of weekly training intervention including 4 sets of 5 repetitions of 5 seconds of all-out running for sSIT program and also back squats, leg presses, seated knee flexions, and calf raises for 3 sets of 6-12 repetition maximum for the RT intervention. After the intervention, the sSIT, RT, sSIT + RT and RT + sSIT groups demonstrated improvements in the countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) (effect size [ES] = 0.64, 0.88, 1.58, 1.55), 20-m sprint (ES = -0.82, -0.62, -1.10, -1.16), 4 × 9-m shuttle run (ES = -0.62, -0.35, -1.15, -0.89), strength (ES = 0.19, 0.44, 0.34, 0.43), peak (ES = 1.27, 0.73, 1.80, 1.53), and mean power output (ES = 0.87, 0.54, 1.37, 1.11), as well as in comparison to the CG (p < 0.05), respectively. Additionally, improvements in aerobic performance were observed in the sSIT, sSIT + RT, and RT + sSIT groups (ES = 0.75, 0.92, 0.62) after the training intervention, and in comparison to CG (p < 0.05), while the RT group did not show significant changes post-training. By comparing the CT groups, no sequencing effects were observed in the adaptations of variables between the sSIT + RT vs. RT + sSIT groups. In conclusion, this study's findings demonstrate that sSIT, RT, and CT with different orders have a positive impact on inducing adaptations in physical fitness, aerobic and anaerobic performance. Additionally, combining sSIT and RT resulted in further adaptations in karate athletes without any differences between CT groups.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 60-second static stretching on the neuromuscular control strategies of lower limb muscles during a squat jump (SJ), with a specific focus on changes in muscle synergy patterns, muscle weightings, and temporal activation characteristics. The muscles targeted for stretching included the quadriceps, hamstrings, and triceps surae. Electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the activity of the biceps femoris (BFL), triceps surae(TS), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM). Twenty-five active males completed experiments under both a static stretching condition (SS) and a non-stretching condition (NS). Electromyography and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) were employed to extract muscle synergy and the muscle weightings along with temporal activation characteristics were subsequently analyzed. The results revealed two distinct muscle synergy patterns in both the SS and NS. 60-second static stretching had no significant impact on the number of muscle synergy patterns during the squat jump. However, it significantly altered the contribution and temporal activation characteristics of individual muscles. Notably, post-stretching muscle activation levels were lower during the early phase of the jump, necessitating compensatory activation in the later phase to maintain performance. Additionally, jump heights were significantly lower in the stretched compared to the non-stretched condition.These findings suggest that while 60 seconds of static stretching before explosive movements may impair neuromuscular efficiency, ensuring proper and balanced static stretching for all muscle groups could help mitigate over-reliance on individual muscles.

This study aimed to compare the effects of a combined high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and small-sided games (SSG) training program (SSG + HIIT) with training programs consisting solely of either HIIT or SSG on the cardiometabolic and physical fitness of sedentary, overweight youth. A randomized, parallel-controlled study design was employed, with interventions lasting six weeks (twice a week, with each work time lasting 12-16 minutes). Fifty-seven sedentary, overweight male youth participants (15.1 ± 0.8 years) were assessed twice on anthropometric measures, blood pressure, endurance (using the Multi-Stage Fitness Test, MSFT), muscle power (countermovement jump and broad jump), and change of direction ability (using the 5-0-5 COD test). The session's ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and scores on the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) were also monitored. The HIIT group exhibited a significantly smaller waist circumference compared to the control group (p = 0.041) after the intervention. The control group exhibited a significantly worst COD deficit compared to the SSG + HIIT (p = 0.002), SSG (p = 0.001) and HIIT (p = 0.048) after the intervention. In the case of MSFT, the group exhibited a significantly smaller distance covered than SSG + HIIT (p = 0.002), and SSG (p = 0.005). Moreover, significant differences on RPE (p < 0.001) and PACES (p < 0.001) was found between groups. The SSG + HIIT or SSG are effective for improving COD and aerobic capacity, while being more enjoyable and less intense than HIIT alone. However, HIIT is more effective in reducing waist circumference. The research limitations include the short intervention duration, lack of control for diet and external factors, and the need for longer-term research.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying frequencies (1 vs. 2 vs. 3) of short sprint interval training (sSIT) on young male soccer players' physical performance and physiological parameters. Forty young male soccer players were randomly assigned to four experimental groups engaging in 36 trials sSIT for a duration of 6 weeks as follows: once weekly (1sSIT = 4 sets of 9 × 5 sec all-out runs), twice weekly (2sSIT = 2 sets of 9 × 5 sec all-out runs), and three times weekly (3sSIT = 2 sets of 6 × 5 sec all-out runs), or an active control group which continued their soccer practice routines. Before and after the 6-week training period, physical performance (countermovement vertical jump, 20-m sprint, Illinois change of direction, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 [Yo-Yo IR 1] and kicking distance) and physiological parameters (cardiorespiratory fitness, peak and average power output) were evaluated. All sSIT groups demonstrated significant (p < 0.01) and small to very large training effects (i.e., effect size) on measured parameters. More importantly, a comparison of inter-individual variability in the adaptive changes revealed that the 3sSIT group results in lower residuals in changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and anaerobic power, coupled with lower coefficient of variations in the mean group changes and perceived exertion throughout the training period. The findings indicate that incorporating one, two, or three weekly sessions of sSIT into routine soccer training can lead to similar enhancements in soccer players' physiological and performance adaptations. More importantly, higher training frequencies result in more homogenized adaptations among team members by reducing inter-individual variability in the magnitude of the adaptive responses.

Supplementary high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs, focusing on different aspects of fitness, are commonly used in soccer practice. This study examined the impact of two different HIIT formats applied during the competitive season on aerobic and neuromuscular performance. Twenty-six young players from two youth amateur soccer teams (aged 18.1 ± 0.7 and 18.7 ± 1.1 years) participated. In a randomized design, Team A served as an experimental group, performing either a 10s/10s linear running HIIT or a 15s/15s HIIT with changes of direction, both at 100% of maximum aerobic speed, twice per week for six weeks. In that period, team B acted as a control group, maintaining their usual training soccer regimen. Following two weeks of lower volume and frequency training, team B added the two HIIT formats in their training for six weeks, while team A acted as control. Before and after each 6-weeks period, aerobic fitness and neuromuscular performance was evaluated by the countermovement jump (CMJ). The 3-way ANOVA showed that both HIIT formats significantly enhanced Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-YO IR1) performance compared to the respective control periods. However, the main finding was that the 10s/10s compared with the 15s/15s HIIT format induced 45-50% greater improvements in Yo-YO IR1 (total distance: 18.5 ± 11.7% vs. 9.0 ± 8.5%, V̇O2max: 5.6 ± 3.2% vs. 3.0 ± 2.7%, and vV̇O₂max: (3.3 ± 1.9% vs. 1.8 ± 1.7%, all p = 0.39, d = 0.85). Countermovement jump performance remained unchanged across both groups (p > 0.68). During HIIT rating of perceived exertion was higher in the 15s/15s vs. the 10s/10s format (6.4 ± 0.5 vs. 4.7 ± 1.2 a.u., p < 0.001). These findings suggest that while both HIIT formats effectively enhance aerobic performance during the season, the 10s/10s format offers superior benefits with less perceived exertion, while the 15s/15s format induces higher internal load.

The effects of specific training protocols to improve repeated sprint ability are well known; however, the utility of non-specific training for this purpose is doubtful. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of a specific (sport-related) vs. non-specific (general physical development) eight-week training protocol on developing or maintaining repeated sprint ability in soccer players. Thirty-eight male soccer players (aged 17.1 ± 0.3 years) were randomly divided into a speed endurance group (n = 18) and a core training group (n = 20). The speed endurance group performed 4 sprints lasting 15 seconds with a recovery of 75 seconds, while the core training group performed 2 sets of 4 exercises for 30 seconds with 15 seconds of recovery. Both protocols were performed twice a week. All players performed the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (6 consecutive 35-meter sprints with 10-seconds recovery intervals). A mixed two-way ANOVA was performed with no significant effects in the interaction term. On average, the speed endurance and the core training groups improved their repeated sprint ability by 7.9% and 8.0%, respectively, from pre- to post-assessment (p < 0.001, η² _p = 0.459). No significant between-group differences were detected for the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test total time or maximum power. In principle, specific and non-specific low-volume training protocols may improve repeated sprint ability over eight weeks in soccer players. However, the improvements may have been derived from the continued soccer-specific training, which is the reason why future studies should include a passive control group and test whether high session volumes produce different results.