European journal of sport science最新文献

High-quality sleep is necessary for optimal health and promoting recovery from training, contributing to sport performance. Research suggests a high prevalence of poor sleep duration and quality in athletes. Reduced sleep duration has been shown to be deleterious to performance, but less is known about sleep quality and its relationship to training responses and performance. In 26 elite male (n = 10) and female (n = 16) collegiate swimmers, we assessed sleep quality (sleep duration (hrs), sleep debt (hrs), slow-wave sleep (SWS_hrs and SWS%), rapid-eye movement (REMhrs and REM%)), training measures (strain (AU), average heart rate (HR) (ExHR_avg) and maximum exercising HR (ExHR_max)), and swimming performance (200yd time trial swim) during heavy training, preceding championship competition. Collection of sleep data was matched to days of training data collection, and also to the day preceding the performance swim. Pearson correlations were utilized to determine relationships between variables unless sex effects existed in which case linear regression analyses were utilized to control for sex differences in variables. In all swimmers, sleep duration is related to strain (R = −0.78; p = 0.01), and sleep debt is related to ExHR_avg (R = 0.53; p = 0.005). SWS_hrs negatively is related to ExHR_avg (R = −0.42; p = 0.032). Controlling for sex, sleep duration predicted swimming performance (R² = 0.881; p < 0.001), swimmers with greater sleep durations exhibited faster swim race times. Similarly, when controlling for sex, SWS% predicted swimming performance (R² = 0.883; p < 0.001), swimmers with greater SWS% exhibited faster times. Sleep quality measures were related to training adaptations and swimming performance was predicted by sleep quantity and quality. Athletes should obtain adequate sleep to support recovery and optimize training and performance.

Nine ultra-endurance athletes completed a randomised, crossover trial involving two 28-day dietary arms during which the athletes consumed a carbohydrate-rich diet (carbohydrate 58 ± 3, protein 15 ± 2 and fat 26 ± 2%) containing low- or high-glycaemic-index (LGI or HGI, respectively) carbohydrates. At the start and end of each dietary arm, participants performed a fasted 3-h submaximal run outdoors before ingesting either a low (GI = 32, isomaltulose [Palatinose]) or high (GI = 100, maltodextrin) glycaemic index drink (0.75 g/kg bm/h over 3.5 h). Participants then completed a treadmill run to exhaustion at 74 ± 1% v$$O_2peak, with pulmonary gas exchange measured over the first hour. Interstitial glucose [iG] was measured via continuous glucose monitoring (Supersapiens, Atlanta, USA). Data were analysed ANOVA and post hoc t-tests with Bonferroni adjustment as appropriate, with p ≤ 0.05 accepted as significant. Mean 24-h [iG] was similar between diets (LGI:102 ± 5 vs. HGI:100 ± 5 mg/dL). [iG] variability measures, including standard deviation (LGI:17 ± 1 vs. HGI:18 ± 2 mg/dL, p = 0.016) and coefficient of variation (LGI:16 ± 1% vs. HGI:18 ± 1%, p = 0.0003), were lower in the LGI diet, with a reduced percentage of time spent below the recommended range (LGI 2 ± 1% vs. HGI 4 ± 2%, p = 0.006. Level 1 [55–69 mg/dL] LGI 1 ± 1% vs. HGI 3 ± 2, p = 0.005). Carbohydrate oxidation during the first hour of the run test was reduced in the LGI diet arm (ΔLGI −0.14 ± 0.32 vs. ΔHGI 0.06 ± 0.28 g·min⁻¹, p = 0.016) but endurance capacity was similar across diets. Adopting a 28-day LGI carbohydrate-rich diet and incorporating isomaltulose improved glycaemic variability and reduced time spent below the target glycaemic range with evidence of similar endurance performance capability when compared to a HGI carbohydrate-rich diet.

This study investigated actions preceding goals in male and female players across 6 FIFA World Cups. This is the first longitudinal, multi-sex analysis of goal actions using world-class data, extending validity and findings beyond the current evidence base (domestic, single-sex studies). In total, 2995 actions preceding goals from open-play were analysed across the last 6 men's’ and women's FIFA world cups (2014–2023) using the modified Bloomfield method. Additionally, possible longitudinal (tournament cycle), sex, and role-based (i.e., scorer vs. assister) differences were examined using Bayesian and chi-squared analyses. Linear advancing movements (≈41%), particularly sprinting, were the most prevalent actions leading to goals, followed by deceleration (≈22%) and turns (≈19%) (Cramer's V = 0.27–0.38; p < 0.05). Longitudinal, between-sex and between-role (i.e., scorer vs. assister) differences were predominantly minimal for movement types (Bayes Factors [BF₁₀] < 0.01; Cramer's V = 0.02–0.06; p > 0.05). Sprinting preceded goals more prevalently for males (43.4%) and scorers (43.2%), when compared with females (39.0%) and assisters (39.1%), respectively (Cramer's V = 0.04–0.10; p < 0.05). Female players performed significantly greater proportions of actions at high intensity versus males (53.0 vs. 47.9%; BF₁₀ = 38.7; Cramer's V = 0.369; p < 0.05), and the 2022/2023 cycle had lower proportion of actions at high intensity compared to earlier cycles (46.6% vs. 52.3%–52.5%; BF₁₀ = 0.019; Cramer's V = 0.06; p < 0.05). This analysis highlights the importance of sprinting, decelerating, and turning for goal-scoring. Therefore, enhancing players' physiological and mechanical reserves to undertake these actions, as and when required during match-play, appears prudent. Further, analysts/coaches may apply this information to identify decisive goal-scoring actions and design targeted training drills accordingly.

The impact of National Governing Body talent development programmes on injury, illness, sleep, wellbeing and stress of developing elite athletes (DEA) is poorly understood. Therefore, we examined differences between age-matched DEA (n = 42, 25 females; Mage = 21.0; SD = 2.5) and recreationally active athletes (RAA, n = 79, 56 females; Mage = 21.2; SD = 2.8) on these variables over 14 weeks of training using a weekly online monitoring tool. Compared to RAA, DEA completed a greater proportion of planned training and competition without health problems or reducing training volume. Despite training more hours (DEA M = 17.1; SD = 5.1, RAA M = 6.0; SD = 3.2, p < 0.001), DEA reported similar recovery, higher readiness to train, more sleep, better sleep quality, higher wellbeing (DEA M = 68%; SD = 15, RAA M = 56% SD = 16, p < 0.001), lower stress and fewer injuries, resulting in fewer days lost to injuries than RAA (DEA M = 0.4; SD = 1.5, RAA M = 2.5 SD = 6.7, p = 0.01). There was no difference between DEA and RAA in the prevalence of illness or days lost due to illness. In conclusion, despite a greater training and competition load, DEA reported better health and wellbeing than RAA, suggesting the increased demands of National Governing Body talent development programmes may not adversely affect health. These findings also highlight the benefits and importance of talent development systems undertaking a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to athlete monitoring.

The positive impact of physical activity on cognitive functions is well established and varies by exercise type, with open-skill sports—activities involving high uncertainty—offering distinct advantages. Although team sports are traditionally considered open-skill activities, parkour provides a dynamic and varied environment. This study compared the effects of indoor team sports (consistent environment) and parkour (varied environments) on cognitive functions. Forty healthy young adults (mean age: 21.5 ± 3 years) were divided into a team sports group (TS, n = 19) and a parkour group (PK, n = 21). Both groups trained twice a week for 4 weeks, with sessions lasting 2 hours each. Cognitive performance was assessed pre- and posttraining using the Trail Making Test (TMT), Letter Cancellation Test (LCT), Change Blindness Test (CB), visual memory tests, and short- and long-term memory recall. The PK group significantly improved in TMT and CB tests (p < 0.001), whereas the TS group showed no significant changes (p > 0.05). Both groups improved similarly in the LCT and working memory tests (p < 0.001). However, the PK group outperformed the TS group in long-term memory tasks (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that parkour's exploratory nature enhances observation skills, visuospatial attention, and long-term memory more effectively than indoor team sports. Training in diverse environments appears to yield greater benefits for visual and cognitive capacities than practice in static settings.

Basic motor competencies (BMC) are foundational skills essential for children's participation in sports and physical activities. While normative data exist in countries like Germany and Switzerland, benchmarks for Italian children are lacking. This study addresses this gap by establishing normative data for Italian schoolchildren aged 5–11 years using the MOBAK test battery, which assesses self-movement (balancing, rolling, jumping, running) and object movement (throwing, catching, bouncing, dribbling) competencies. A total of 1626 children (838 boys, 788 girls) from kindergarten to 10–11 years in Northern Italy were assessed using the MOBAK tests battery. Descriptive statistics, percentile ranks, z-scores, and T-scores were used to establish normative values, while analysis of variance (ANOVA) examined differences by sex and grade level. The normative data and the comparison between sexes highlight developmental trends in motor skills, with raw scores increasing steadily across age groups. Boys consistently outperformed girls in object movement tasks, while girls excelled in self-movement tasks, particularly in grades 5 and 6. Notably, boys had increasing difficulty in achieving high scores with age, as seen in the changing percentile ranks for the same raw scores. In contrast, girls exhibited more stable development, maintaining or improving percentile ranks over time. This study provides the first normative data for BMC in Italian children, highlighting sex-based differences and developmental trajectories. The benchmarks offer a vital tool for educators and policymakers to design tailored interventions, supporting children's motor competence and promoting lifelong physical activity.

Athletes with patellar tendinopathy (PT) seem to have superior jumping performance compared to asymptomatic counterparts. However, previous studies have primarily assessed bilateral tasks which does not capture unilateral impairments. Hence, this study aimed to assess the patellar tendon properties and unilateral jump performance, and their associations in volleyball athletes with and without PT. Lower extremity injury assessment, patellar tendon properties using shear wave (SW) elastography and comprehensive jump performance analysis were performed. From 27 athletes (16 females) included in the study, 13 had unilateral PT. Three-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the influence of PT. Differences between asymptomatic and symptomatic athletes were examined using simple contrasts. Moreover, we explored associations between patellar tendon properties and performance. Jump performance did not differ between or within asymptomatic and symptomatic athletes. In unilateral PT, the painful limb had lower SW velocity compared to the non-painful limb with a mean difference of −1.7 m × s⁻¹ (95% CI −3.32 to −0.013 m × s⁻¹) and compared to asymptomatic athletes −1.4 m × s⁻¹ (95% CI −2.59 to 0.20). Regardless of condition, patellar tendon cross sectional area (CSA) was negatively correlated with jump height in both sexes. In males, CSA correlated negatively with SW velocity (r = −0.55, p = 0.008), while in females, SW velocity was negatively correlated with countermovement jump unweighting duration (r = −0.45, p = 0.023) and peak braking phase power (r = −0.60, p = 0.001). Jumping performance was not different in volleyball athletes with unilateral PT from their asymptomatic counterparts. Athletes with inferior jumping performance had larger patellar tendon CSA while tendinopathic tendons had worse patellar tendon properties.