Review
Food Science & Technology
Kathryn L. Beck, Pamela R. von Hurst, Wendy J. O'Brien, Claire E. Badenhorst
Summary: Optimizing nutrition intake is crucial for supporting athletic performance and training adaptation. Studies suggest that well-nourished athletes may not benefit from micronutrient supplementation and excessive intake of supplements could hinder physiological responses to exercise. Micronutrient supplementation may be necessary in certain cases, prescribed by medical professionals, while athletes are encouraged to obtain nutrients from a balanced diet.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Sport Sciences
Anthea C. Clarke, Matt Whitaker, Courtney Sullivan
Summary: This study aimed to observe the position-specific peak movement demands of AFLW players and assess seasonal changes in movement or performance metrics over the initial three years of competition. Results showed differences in high speed running between playing positions, with no seasonal changes observed in total distance or high speed running peak periods for any positions. Various mean running movements showed seasonal changes and positional differences, but with small effect sizes.
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN SPORT
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Paulo Francisco de Almeida-Neto, Luiz Felipe Da Silva, Bianca Miarka, Jason Azevedo De Medeiros, Rafaela Catherine da Silva Cunha de Medeiros, Rafael Pereira Azevedo Teixeira, Felipe J. Aidar, Breno Guilherme De Araujo Tinoco Cabral, Paulo Moreira Silva Dantas
Summary: The advancement of biological maturation has been shown to have an impact on anaerobic and sports performance in adolescent rowing athletes, but does not affect aerobic capacity.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Catarina Proenca Lopes, Edem Allado, Mathias Poussel, Aziz Essadek, Aghiles Hamroun, Bruno Chenuel
Summary: This critical review examines alexithymia in sport and finds a lack of data to support the belief that alexithymic athletes have a competitive advantage. The studies reviewed are mostly observational and do not allow for a definitive causal relationship to be established.
Article
Sport Sciences
Jennifer B. Fields, Justin M. Merigan, Sina Gallo, Jason B. White, Margaret T. Jones
Summary: The study examined changes in external and internal load metrics in men collegiate soccer athletes during preseason training. Despite reductions in hormonal stress and external load, negative perceptions of fatigue increased, suggesting a delayed response in fatigue patterns. Load may have a more belated, chronic effect on perceptions of fatigue, whereas hormonal changes may be more immediate and sensitive to change.
JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Young-Eun Noh, Syazana Shahdan
Summary: This research aimed to understand the relationship between religion and sport performance by formulating a model using a grounded theory approach. Through purposive sampling, 21 elite athletes were recruited, identifying fundamental and contributing factors that influence athletes' sporting performances. The Religion and Sport Performance (RSP) model provides a foundational framework for intervention programmes design.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Hugo-Henrique Silva, Valeria Tavares, Beatriz Vieira Neto, Fatima Cerqueira, Rui Medeiros, Maria-Raquel G. Silva
Summary: Gene variation linked to elite athletic performance, specifically the FAAH rs324420 single-nucleotide polymorphism, has been shown to impact training and competition behavior. However, conflicting evidence exists regarding the role of the C385A variant. Further validation studies are needed to better understand the biological and psychological mechanisms through which this SNP influences athletic performance.
Article
Biology
Luiz Felipe da Silva, Paulo Francisco de Almeida-Neto, Dihogo Gama de Matos, Steven E. Riechman, Victor de Queiros, Joseane Barbosa de Jesus, Victor Machado Reis, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Bianca Miarka, Felipe J. Aidar, Paulo Moreira Silva Dantas, Breno Guilherme de Araujo Tinoco Cabral
Summary: The study developed a mathematical model to predict the performance of young rowers on the 2000m course based on a 100m indoor rowing machine test, which showed high correlation and reliability while being easy to implement and cost-effective.
Article
Physiology
Alba Roldan, Matias Henriquez, Aitor Iturricastillo, Daniel Castillo, Javier Yanci, Raul Reina
Summary: This study revealed associations between spasticity in lower limb muscle groups and measures of dynamic balance, coordination, horizontal jump, acceleration, and change of direction ability in international-level CP footballers. Further research is needed to understand the impact of neural and non-neural impairments on the motor skills of para-footballers with CP.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
David Friebe, Thorben Huelsduenker, Florian Giesche, Winfried Banzer, Florian Pfab, Christian Haser, Lutz Vogt
Summary: The SKILLCOURT is a newly developed testing and training device that allows for the assessment of agility and cognitive skills in a more realistic setting. This study evaluated the reliability and usefulness of the SKILLCOURT technology. The results showed good reliability and usefulness in agility tests, as well as relative reliability and moderate usefulness in motor-cognitive tests. It is important to consider learning effects and familiarize oneself with the tests when using them for diagnostic purposes.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Hugo-Henrique Silva, Valeria Tavares, Maria-Raquel G. Silva, Beatriz Vieira Neto, Fatima Cerqueira, Rui Medeiros
Summary: Genetic factors play a significant role in athletic performance, and this study found that elite rink-hockey players carrying the FAAH rs324420 A allele are more likely to be super athletes, possibly due to their higher pain tolerance and better stress coping abilities. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Aldo Coelho Silva, Andressa Silva, Ben J. Edwards, David Tod, Adriana Souza Amaral, Diego de Alcantara Borba, Isadora Grade, Marco Tulio de Mello
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the effects of sleep extension on sports performance and found limited evidence suggesting that sleep extension interventions may improve athletic performance, with the magnitude dependent on the variable assessed. However, the conclusions are tentative due to the quality of evidence and risk of bias.
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Margo E. K. Adam, Alexandra Bristow, Kacey C. Neely, Marta C. Erlandson
Summary: This study aims to explore and describe the rates and experiences of menstrual function and dysfunction among athletes of differing competition levels. The findings indicate that female athletes face challenges in sport regarding menstrual dysfunction regardless of competition level, and the normalization of dysfunction in sport does not always support their health and well-being.
PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE
(2022)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Ming -Yang Cheng, Kuo-Pin Wang, Michael Doppelmayr, Fabian Steinberg, Tsung-Min Hung, Calvin Lu, Ying Ying Tan, Bradley Hatfield
Summary: For elite performers, the success or failure of psychomotor behavior can be attributed to differences in brain dynamics. The psychomotor efficiency hypothesis suggests that refined cortical activity contributes to success through selective activation of task-relevant processes and inhibition of non-essential processes. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of task-relevant and non-essential neural processes to superior psychomotor behavior. The findings support the hypothesis, showing that superior performers exhibit less effortful engagement of task-relevant processes and lower interference from non-essential cortical regions.
PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE
(2023)
Review
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Dirk Folkerts, Roland Loh, Andrea Petroczi, Sebastian Brueckner
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS) for the first time, revealing a negative doping attitude among athletes regardless of gender or involvement in doping. Strong correlations were found between moral disengagement and PEAS scores.
PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE
(2021)
Article
Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
Nawel Gaamouri, Mehrez Hammami, Roy J. Shephard, Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly, Beat Knechtle, Katsuhiko Suzuki, Sabri Gaied
Summary: This study investigated the effects of an 8-week combined plyometric exercise and high intensity running training on the performance fitness of male U17 handball players. The results showed significant improvements in sprint performance, change of direction, vertical jumping, horizontal jumping, repeated sprint ability, and shuttle run in the experimental group compared to the control group.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCE & COACHING
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Rizia Rocha Silva, Douglas Assis Teles Santos, Bagnolia Araujo Costa, Nelson Carvalho Farias Jr, Allison Gustavo Braz, Gustavo De Conti Teixeira Costa, Marilia Santos Andrade, Rodrigo Luiz Vancini, Katja Weiss, Beat Knechtle, Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira
Summary: During remote classes, undergraduate students experienced high levels of depression and anxiety, but low levels of fear of COVID-19. Factors such as female gender, poor health status, lack of physical activity, and strict adherence to restriction measures were found to be associated with higher levels of fear, depression, and anxiety. These findings can be utilized to develop interventions, including physical activity programs, to address mental health issues among students.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Joanna Jastrzebska, Maria Skalska, Lukasz Radziminski, Guillermo F. Lopez Sanchez, Lee Hill, Katja Weiss, Beat Knechtle
Summary: This study investigated the impact of vitamin D supplementation, sunlight radiation, and home isolation on the seasonal changes in 25(OH)D concentration and selected biomarkers in young soccer players during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed significant seasonal variations in 25(OH)D, HGB, asparagine aminotransferase, and creatine kinase levels throughout the one-year training cycle. The 8-week vitamin D supplementation had no prolonged effect on the level of 25(OH)D concentration.
JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF SPORTS NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Higgor Amadeus Martins, Jose Geraldo Barbosa, Aldo Seffrin, Lavinia Vivan, Vinicius Ribeiro dos Anjos Souza, Claudio Andre Barbosa De Lira, Katja Weiss, Beat Knechtle, Marilia Santos Andrade
Summary: Male athletes generally outperform female athletes in endurance sports due to higher VO(2)max values. However, when adjusting for lean mass, the differences in VO(2)max between sexes become insignificant. This suggests that lean mass may play a role in explaining sex differences in performance.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Bruno Lombardi Amado, Claudio Andre Barbosa De Lira, Rodrigo Luiz Vancini, Pedro Forte, Taline Costa, Katja Weiss, Beat Knechtle, Marilia Santos Andrade
Summary: Muscular weakness and strength imbalance in the thigh muscles are risk factors for knee injuries. Hormonal changes during puberty affect muscle strength, but their effects on muscular strength balance are unknown. This study compared knee flexor strength, knee extensor strength, and strength balance ratio between prepubertal and postpubertal swimmers of both sexes. The findings suggest that postpubertal swimmers have higher muscle mass and peak torque than prepubertal swimmers, indicating a potential higher risk of knee injuries.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Guilherme Correa De Araujo Moury Fernandes, Jose G. G. Barbosa Junior, Aldo Seffrin, Lavinia Vivan, Claudio A. B. de Lira, Rodrigo L. Vancini, Katja Weiss, Beat Knechtle, Marilia S. Andrade
Summary: This study compared the differences in ventilatory threshold, respiratory compensation point, and maximal aerobic speed between male and female triathletes in an Olympic triathlon race. The results showed that male athletes had significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake and maximal aerobic speed compared to female athletes, but there were no gender differences in the percentage of maximal oxygen uptake reached at the ventilatory threshold and respiratory compensation point. The average race speed did not differ between sexes, but female athletes ran at a higher percentage of speed at the respiratory compensation point.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jose Geraldo Barbosa, Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira, Rodrigo Luiz Vancini, Vinicius Ribeiro dos Anjos, Lavinia Vivan, Aldo Seffrin, Pedro Forte, Katja Weiss, Beat Knechtle, Marilia Santos Andrade
Summary: The purpose of this study was to identify the key determinants of triathlon performance in female and male athletes. The study involved 40 triathletes and utilized various measurements, including body composition and physiological variables. The findings revealed that different factors predict performance in men and women, providing valuable information for athletes and coaches to optimize their training strategies.
Article
Sport Sciences
Mabliny Thuany, Patxi Leon-Guereno, Kevin Kipchumba, Raphael Fabricio de Souza, Beat Knechtle, Thayse Natacha Gomes
Summary: This study aims to determine the nationality of European middle-distance athletes under 18 years (U18) and under 20 years (U20) over the last decade, examine the participation trend for each country, and assess the possible relationship between the place of competition and athletes' ranking positions. The sample included 902 European male runners who achieved top rankings from 2009 to 2020. The results showed that Spain had the highest number of athletes, followed by Turkey and Great Britain. Most countries did not exhibit significant trends in both distances. Slovenia demonstrated a positive trend in the 3000 m race. There was no significant association between countries and ranking positions, as well as between the place of competition and ranking positions. These findings may be valuable for guiding athlete development programs in each country.
SPORTS MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Thalles Guilarducci Costa, Vinnycius Nunes de Oliveira, Douglas Assis Teles Santos, Ricardo Borges Viana, Marilia Santos Andrade, Rodrigo Luiz Vancini, Katja Weiss, Beat Knechtle, Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira
Summary: Mobility applications have achieved rapid growth worldwide, providing convenience and affordability. However, the prolonged work burden of drivers in this sector has resulted in increased sedentary behavior. This article aims to explore the potential effects and propose strategies to address this concerning situation.
SPORTS MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Lenaic Borot, Benjamin Pageaux, Davy Laroche, Gregoire Vergotte, Romuald Lepers, Stephane Perrey
Summary: Compared to concentric exercise, eccentric exercise has a higher mental demand and activates the frontoparietal network, especially when the exercise intensity is fixed by torque.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Claudio Quagliarotti, Vittorio Coloretti, Emanuele Dello Stritto, Sarah Cuccurullo, Jessica Acalai, Romuald Lepers, Silvia Fantozzi, Matteo Cortesi, Maria Francesca Piacentini
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate biomechanical and perceptual variables during swimming training in different mental fatigue states. The results showed that mental fatigue did not have an effect on swimming biomechanics, but the warm-up may have counteracted its negative effects.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Robert Gajda, Wojciech Drygas, Jacek Gajda, Pawel Kiper, Beat Knechtle, Magdalena Kwasniewska, Maciej Sterlinski, Elzbieta Katarzyna Biernacka
Summary: This case describes a 36-year-old professional marathon runner who experienced irregular palpitations during competitions. Despite initial suspicion of Munchausen syndrome, an exercise test confirmed the presence of exercise-induced arrhythmia.
Article
Rehabilitation
Rafaela G. dos Santos, Joao V. R. de Freias, Lara M. Alcantara, Giovanna G. C. Lopes, Lucas L. Galvao, Bruno M. de Queiroz, Douglas A. T. Santos, Claudio A. B. de Lira, Marilia S. Andrade, Beat Knechtle, Pantelis T. Nikolaidis, Rodrigo L. Vancini
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week training program with Dance Exergames on the mood and functional fitness profile of elderly women. The results showed that the training program led to significant improvements in the mood state of healthy elderly women.
JOURNAL OF BODYWORK AND MOVEMENT THERAPIES
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Mabliny Thuany, Beat Knechtle, Kevin Kipchumba, Lee Hill, Thayse Natacha Gomes
Summary: This study investigated the representation of countries in the TOP20 long-distance elite runners ranking from 1997 to 2020, considering the countries' Human Development Index (HDI), and examined the presence of the Matthew effect in countries' representation over the years.
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE IN SPORT AND EXERCISE
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
Beat Knechtle, David Valero, Elias Villiger, Mabliny Thuany, Marilia Santos Andrade, Pantelis T. Nikolaidis, Ivan Cuk, Katja Weiss
Summary: This study investigated the sex differences in the IRONMAN 70.3 race by age group, analyzing data from all official IRONMAN 70.3 races held worldwide between 2004 and 2020. The results showed that males were faster than females in all split disciplines and age groups. The sex difference was lower in swimming compared to cycling and running, and it decreased with age for swimming and cycling but not for running. The lowest sex difference was observed in the 75+ age group for swimming and cycling, and in the 30-34 age group for running. Overall, the study found that the sex difference in performance decreased with age in the IRONMAN 70.3 race distance.
SPORTS MEDICINE-OPEN
(2023)
