European journal of sport science最新文献

This study investigated the effect of monophasic oral contraceptive (OC) use on self-paced cycling performance, thermoregulation, and skeletal muscle strength and contractile properties in healthy women. Eight physically active women performed 30 min fixed intensity cycling at 50% W_max, followed by a 30 min self-paced time trial (TT) with each section interspersed with a 30 s maximal sprint at 9, 19, and 29 min. The tests were conducted in different ambient conditions corresponding to either baseline day 1 (20°C, BASE), day 8 (20°C COOL), or day 18 (32°C WARM) of 1 month pill cycle. Core (T_c) and skin (T_sk) temperatures, heart rate, perceptual, neuromuscular responses, and serum cortisol (CORT) were measured multiple times throughout the trials and postexercise. Time trial performance remained unchanged across conditions (range 10.9–11.1 km) although T_c was elevated in WARM in the final 15 min of self-paced exercise, reaching 38.5°C (p < 0.05). CORT was increased from preexercise, whereas lactate increased in all conditions (p < 0.05). Peak force was significantly reduced from pre (439 ± 95 and 429 ± 121 N) to postexercise (345 ± 91 and 361 ± 94 N) for BASE and WARM, respectively, (p < 0.05). Twitch contractile duration declined (∼14%; p < 0.05) in all conditions along with time to peak force (∼17%, p < 0.05) in BASE and WARM. We conclude that OC use does not affect self-paced cycling performance across ambient conditions with no detrimental alteration in neuromuscular performance across the menstrual cycle.

Although osteophytes in climbers' fingers are known as part of a mechano-adaption, the progression of osteophytes and contributing factors during an advanced elite climber's career is still unknown. This study analyzes osteophyte growth over 10 years for each phalangeal head and base of all proximal and distal interphalangeal joints (PIP and DIP) individually as well as the impact of potential climbing related influencing factors. Furthermore, the osteophytes located at the palmar neck of the proximal phalanx (palmar neck osteophytes) were investigated separately and joint space narrowing was evaluated and compared with osteophyte growth. Radiographs of 31 male elite climbers were analyzed in lateral view for osteophytes and in anterior–posterior (a.p.) view for joint space at baseline and 10-year follow-up. Even after more than 2 decades of elite climbing, osteophytes grew significantly at most phalangeal heads and bases. Already severely affected joints at baseline, specifically DIP Dig III and IV of both hands, had an especially high effect size (DIP base: Dig III: left; 0.517, right; 0.355, Dig IV: left; 0.519, right; 0.555, DIP head: Dig III: left; 0.348, right; 0.591, Dig IV: left; 0.533, right; 0.408). The extent of osteophytes at baseline is highly predictive for further development (79.3%); however, no climbing-related factors were determinable for additional explanation. Palmar neck osteophytes are pathognomonic to climbing as they are most likely caused by the phalangeal base hitting this area repeatedly in a hyperflexed position. Furthermore, there is no correlation between osteophyte growth and joint space narrowing during an elite climber's career.

Instructions are a common part of training in many sports. The content of the instructions and how they are formulated is relevant for the effect on performance. For motor learning and skill development, instructions that initiate an external focus of attention are predominantly described as beneficial in the literature. We assume that an instruction-guided attentional focus causes an effect on jump performance depending on whether the instruction matches the imagery type. Twenty-nine female participants (M_age = 19.55 ± 3.01 years) with artistic gymnastics expertise (M = 11.38 ± 4.24 years) completed an online questionnaire, the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire (VMIQ-2) and performed stretched jumps with a 450° longitudinal axis (LA) turn in a laboratory setting. Crucial gymnastic-specific performance criteria such as jump height, body position and landing details were recorded and analysed. ANOVA results indicate no significant differences in performance between three instruction groups. Results of linear mixed models analyses show differences between baseline performance and the instruction phases for five variables. There seems to be a disruptive effect on performance when attention is consciously directed. The effect of an instruction-guided attentional focus on performance appears to be independent of the imagery type.

There is no empirical evidence that soft-padded headgear is protective against head injury risk in rugby. However, studies that have assessed purported protective effects have not accounted for rates of contact. The aim of this study was to compare head injury rates while considering tackle-event exposure in players with and without headgear. In the 2018 and 2019 professional men's SuperRugby season, video analysts recorded headgear use, playing position, match time and head injury assessments (proxy for head injury risk) for each player. Tackle-event involvements for each player were obtained from third-party video analysis provider. Tackle-related head injury rates were calculated per 1000 h (incidence) and per 1000 tackle-events (propensity), and compared between headgear and non-headgear wearers using incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals and Poisson regression models. Players wearing headgear were involved in more tackles per match than players without headgear (IRR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05–1.09). Head injury incidence (IRR: 1.78 95% CI: 1.11–2.70) and propensity (IRR: 1.66 95% CI: 1.04–2.52) were higher in players wearing headgear. However, statistical models found no difference in this risk between positional groups. A lack of protective effect is consistent with previous studies and could be explained by World Rugby's headgear design regulations while increased risk may be a result of greater injury susceptibility. As World Rugby's headgear regulations change and further advancements in headgear is made, it is important to continue to examine their effect on head injury risk at an individual level.

Physical inactivity is considered to increase depressive symptoms. There are also studies reporting that overly strenuous physical activity can negatively affect a person's mental state. Insomnia, which is associated with lower levels of physical activity and increased sleep reactivity, is also known to be associated with depression. However, the directionalities of the associations among these factors remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether both insufficient and excessive physical activity affect depressive symptoms through sleep reactivity and sleep quality. Between April 2017 and April 2018, self-administered surveys were provided to adult volunteers through our acquaintances at Tokyo Medical University. The study included 526 volunteers whose responses were considered valid. Demographic information, results of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used for analysis. Quadratic regression was performed to examine whether the PHQ-9 score was significantly explained by physical activity duration in a U-shaped curve. Path analysis was performed to identify indirect effects. Quadratic regression indicated the presence of an optimal physical activity duration (25.7 h/week) that was related to the lowest PHQ-9 score, and both insufficient and excessive physical activity could be expressed as a Difference from Optimal Physical Activity Duration (DOP). Path analysis demonstrated that DOP increased the PHQ-9 score through the FIRST score.These findings indicate that deviation from the optimal physical activity duration worsens depressive symptoms through high sleep reactivity.

This study investigated the relationships among alexithymia, impulsivity, and aggression in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes. Participants (N = 60, 51 men, and 9 women) were recruited from MMA clubs and training centers in Lebanon. They completed self-report measures including the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) to assess alexithymia, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) to measure impulsivity, and the Buss-Perry Aggression Scale short form (BPAS-SF) to evaluate aggression tendencies. Results indicated that alexithymia was positively correlated with impulsivity (attentional, r = 0.41, and p < 0.01; motor, r = 0.32, and p < 0.05), aggression (r = 0.49 and p < 0.001), and its various forms of aggression (physical, verbal, anger, and hostility). Mediation analyses showed that attentional impulsivity significantly mediated the link between alexithymia and aggression (β = 0.10 and 95% CI [0.02, 0.22]), whereas motor impulsivity accounted for a smaller portion of the effect (β = 0.08 and 95% CI [0.00, 0.22]). The direct effect remained significant (β = 0.28 and 95% CI [0.03, 0.52]), indicating partial mediation. These findings underscore the importance of emotional and behavioral regulation in competitive sports contexts, highlighting potential implications for athlete development programs.

Although acute exercise can have positive effects on individual's cognitive functioning, performing ultra-endurance race can diminish these benefits. No previous studies have examined if cognitive decline can be estimated by subjective perception; thus, changes in cognitive functions and their relation to subjectively reported parameters (SRPs) were evaluated. Before, immediately after, and ~20h post ultra-endurance race, 43 amateur cyclists filled out questionnaire rating SRPs and performed digit symbol test (DST), stroop test (ST), finger tapping test (FTT). Changes between three timepoints were determined by one-way repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman test. Mixed model regression was used to test relationship between cognitive functions and SRPs. DST results exhibit no changes in post-race measurement, but an improvement of performance in recovery period was observed for correct number count (increase by 8,6 taps per 2 min, p < 0.001) and mean reaction time (decrease by 190 ms, p < 0.001). In ST, average time for correct reactions post-race increased in all three stages by 22, 35, and 68 ms, respectively (p < 0.001), with no changes in accuracy. For FTT, non-dominant hand showed decline in performance post-race. Changes in several SRPs (effort to answer the questions, physical strength, sleep quality, and stress levels during the previous day) were associated with changes in participants' cognitive performance. Short-term decline in cognitive functions was observed after ultra-endurance race, indicating possible increase in accident risk for participants. SRPs assessing sleep, current effort, stress, and physical strength, but not fatigue, may be reliable predictors of these changes.

Golf demands sustained physical effort and effective fatigue management, especially in competitive play. Allowing players to ride golf carts in elite play has raised concerns about potential performance advantages, yet well-controlled studies are lacking. This study examined the effects of golf cart use on physiological, physical and cognitive outcomes in competitive golfers. Sixteen males (mean age: 21 ± 3 years; handicap: 2.3 ± 3.7) completed two randomised competitive rounds on a championship course (6587m; 19°C), either walking with a caddie or riding a golf cart. Physiological measures included activity energy expenditure (Actiheart), core temperature, heart rate and perceived exertion (0–100). Physical outcomes were step count, carry distance, clubhead speed, ball speed and muscle power. Cognitive workload (NASA-Task Load Index) was assessed post-round. The step count and activity energy expenditure were significantly higher for walking than using a golf cart (17,007 ± 1708 vs. 6274 ± 1111 steps; 880 ± 279 vs. 456 ± 155 kilocalories). Core temperature was higher for walking at holes 6, 12, and 18 (p = 0.022). The heart rate increased across the round when walking but decreased while using a cart (p < 0.01), and post-round exertion was higher for walking (41 ± 19 vs. 25 ± 14 and p < 0.001). Carry distance, clubhead and ball speed did not differ. NASA-Task Load Index subscales of physical demand and performance (reverse scored) were higher for walking. Relative to walking, golf cart use lowered internal physiological and external physical load, without impairing muscle power or shot performance. Cognitively, walking imposed higher physical strain and reduced perceived performance. Further research should explore whether these physiological, physical and cognitive outcomes impact performance across multiday tournaments.

The structure of a talent identification and development system (TIDS), in terms of its starting, entry, and exit points is an important consideration for sporting organisations. Early talent identification decisions can be ineffective due to unpredictable and individually variable talent development. Physical qualities are a key contributor to performance in rugby league. Therefore, understanding physical development differences between age groups can inform the structure of the rugby league TIDS by highlighting key phases of development. Between-player variability in physical development must also be considered to understand the generalisability of age-group trends. Consequently, this study aimed to compare rates of physical development between annual age groups (i.e., U15, 16, 17, 18) in 261 youth rugby league players from multiple clubs, considering individual differences in development rates. Latent growth curve analysis was used to model rates of physical development for size (i.e., height, mass), strength, power, speed, and cardiovascular fitness in each age group. Results showed that U15s had significantly faster rates of development for body size and strength qualities compared with all older age groups, with large between-player variability. No differences were apparent between age groups for power, speed, or cardiovascular fitness. These findings suggest that early talent identification and (de)selection decisions may ignore the potential development of body size and strength qualities, which occurs at individually variable rates. Such findings can inform the structure and design of the rugby league TIDS by highlighting expected rates of physical development based on players' age groups.