This study aimed to determine the acute effects of high-intensity forward-backward and low-intensity side-to-side plyometric jumps performed following the warm-up on sprint (5, 10, and 15m) and change-of-direction (COD) (T-half test and repeated T-half tests) performance in youth volleyball players. After a familiarization week, 30 male volleyball players (age = 12.04 ± 1.03years) performed three randomized conditions (no-plyometrics, high-intensity plyometrics, and low-intensity plyometrics) in three sessions. In a within-subject design, three sets of six repetitions of forward-backward 30-cm hurdle jumps (high-intensity) and side-to-side 20-cm hurdle jumps (low-intensity) were completed. Sprint and COD were tested after each of the conditions with a 2-min rest. A significant effect of the plyometric condition was observed on sprint (p < .001, ηp2 range: .56-.70) and COD (p < .01, ηp2=.24), but not on repeated COD. More specifically, the high-intensity plyometric condition exhibited significantly better results compared with the low-intensity plyometric (Cohen's d range: 0.73-1.21) and control conditions (Cohen's d range: 0.91-2.21). Due to the importance of speed and COD in volleyball, these results suggest that young volleyball players may benefit from high-intensity forward-backward plyometric protocols following the warm-up to improve subsequent performance.

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, healthy adult Muslims observe fasting as an integral part of their religious practice. This dawn to dust daily fasting regimen for over 29-30 days involves strict adherence to various lifestyle aspects, including nutrition, hydration, and sleep patterns, which can potentially influence physical performance. It is often observed that Ramadan fasting may deter athletes from training and participating in competitions, and it can also discourage the general community from engaging in physical exercise. This situation can place practicing Muslim athletes at a competitive disadvantage. Therefore, the objective of this clinical guideline was to offer practical recommendations, supported by consensus from an expert panel, for healthy athletes and their support teams on how to effectively adapt their behavioural, social, and psychological strategies to cope with the changes and constraints imposed by Ramadan fasting. The scope of these recommendations extends beyond merely prescribing appropriate exercise routines during the month of Ramadan, but also encompassing considerations like scheduling, intensity, duration, exercise type, and training load. Additionally, the recommendations address various aspects of lifestyle, including nutrition, hydration, and sleep, while also delving into psychosocial and cognitive facets related to Ramadan fasting. It is important to emphasize that these recommendations are intended for healthy individuals. Patients with chronic illnesses should consult their healthcare providers to ensure that they can safely practice Ramadan fasting.

ABSTRACTThe moon’s influence on human physiology and behavior has been a topic of interest, with studies exploring its potential impact on sleep and physical activity. However, findings have been fragmented and inconclusive. This review summarizes 17 studies investigating lunar cycles’ effects on sleep and physical activity. Some studies reported associations between the full moon phase and poorer sleep quality, while others found no significant effect. Similarly, the impact of lunar cycles on physical activity showed conflicting results. To address methodological challenges, we propose a standardized protocol using moon cycle variables like moon illumination and gravitational force. This approach may provide more reliable insights into the moon’s influence on human well being.

Sports performance is the result of an interaction of several variables, such as physical, technical, and psychological. The ability of athletes to use motivation, is an important predictor to achieve high performance in sport. SMS-II comprised 18 elements to measure six behavioral control factors. This study aims to validate an Arabic version of the revised sports motivation scale-II (SMS-II) and measure the psychometric properties of factorial structure, internal reliability, construct validity, and sensitivity. A total of 780 athletes from different disciplines (432 men, 348 women; mean age = 18.97 years) participated in this study. Athletes voluntarily responded to the version of SMS-II. Factorial validity was established by principal component analysis. Both exploratory (EFA; N = 390; males: 52.6%; females: 47.4%; [13-18] = 172; [19-30] = 218) and confirmatory (CFA; N = 390; males: 58.2%; females: 41.8%; [13-18] = 247; [19-30] = 143) analyses were examined. The 18 SMS-II items revealed perfect reliability (McDonald's omega = 0.841, Cronbach's α = 0.858, Gutmann's λ6 = 0.952) and good temporal stability (ICC = 0.960, 95% CI = 0.915-0.980; r = 0.935, 95% CI = 0.889-0.963 at p < 0.001) over 4-week period. The CFA adjustment indices were perfect. The results tended to clarify all indices as perfect adjustments to the theoretical model, ensuring the confirmation of factor structure and construction validity regarding the Tunisian sports workforce.

BackgroundStatic postural control disorders have been documented in soccer players suffering from groin pain (GP). Understanding the mechanisms of these disorders is crucial in designing rehabilitation programs. ObjectivesTo (i) assess static postural control and core stability in soccer players suffering from GP compared to their peers and (ii) explore the relationship between these two parameters. MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 42 male soccer players suffering from GP (GP group: GPG) and 42 healthy players (control group: CG). Static postural control (stabilometric platform) and core stability (core endurance tests) were assessed. ResultsCenter of pressure velocity in the GPG was significantly higher compared to the CG during bipedal stance on the firm surface with eyes closed (2.66 [95 % CI: 0.86–3.67]; p < 0.01) and on the foam one (p < 0.001) in both conditions; eyes opened (2.88 [95 % CI: 1.42–4.43]) and closed (5.88 [95 % CI: 2.66–9.10]), and on the IL in eyes closed (12.54 [95 % CI: 4.27–20.80]; p < 0.01). Besides, GPG revealed significant (p < 0.001) lower core stability measures compared to CG. No significant associations (p > 0.05) were observed between static postural control and core stability in GPG. ConclusionSoccer players suffering from GP showed static disorders of postural control compared with their peers. These impairments were not associated with measures of core stability. These findings provide insight into the direction of future research exploring the mechanisms underlying deficits in static postural control in soccer players suffering from GP.

BackgroundAlthough several studies have shown that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has had negative impacts on mental health and eating behaviors among the general population and athletes, few studies have examined the long-term effects on elite and sub-elite athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health and eating behaviors in elite versus sub-elite athletes two years into the pandemic. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted between March and April 2022, involving athletes from 14 countries, using a convenient non-probabilistic and snowball sampling method. A total of 1420 athletes (24.5 ± 7.9 years old, 569 elites, 35% women, and 851 sub-elites, 45% women) completed an online survey-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included a sociodemographic survey, information about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items (DASS-21) for mental health assessment, and the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants (REAP-S) for assessing eating behavior.ResultsThe results showed that compared to sub-elite athletes, elite athletes had lower scores on the DASS-21 (p = .001) and its subscales of depression (p = .003), anxiety (p = .007), and stress (p < .001), as well as a lower REAP-S score indicating lower diet quality (p = .013).ConclusionIn conclusion, two years into the pandemic, elite athletes were likelier to have better mental health profiles than sub-elite athletes but surprisingly had lower diet quality.

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of static (SBT), quasi-dynamic (QDBT), and dynamic (DBT) balance training on balance and muscle power performance in prepubertal children. DesignRandomized, controlled trial design. MethodsFifty-six children (10 and 11 years) were randomly assigned to static (n = 14), quasi-dynamic (n = 14) and dynamic balance training (n = 15), or a control group (n = 13). One-legged static (i.e., unipedal stance on stable surface), quasi-dynamic (i.e., unipedal stance on unstable surface), and dynamic balance (i.e., jumping and stabilizing in unipedal stance on unstable surface) were assessed using two dependent variables, i.e., center of pressure surface area (CoP SA) and velocity (CoP V) with opened (OE) and closed (CE) eyes; as well as lower limbs muscle power (i.e., standing long jump test [SLJ] and countermovement jump [CMJ height]). ResultsA significant group × test interactions were observed for static (CoP SA OE; p < 0.05, d = 1.18), quasi-dynamic (CoP SA CE; p < 0.05, d = 0.80), dynamic (CoP V CE; p < 0.05, d = 0.87) balance and power (SLJ [p < 0.05, d = 0.87] and CMJ height [p < 0.01, d = 2.66]) tests. Post hoc analysis showed that DBT demonstrated greater improvement in the measure of balance (p < 0.05, d = 0.80 to 5.17) and power (p < 0.05, d = 2.66 to 3.65) performance. ConclusionsTo enhance balance and muscle power performance in prepubertal children, it appears that the level of difficulty in balance training may influence the observed effects.

This study aimed to investigate whether Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) influences O2 supply including O2 delivery and release to the active muscles during maximal physical exercise. Twelve CKD patients undergoing dialysis therapy (HD group) and twelve healthy adults (CTR group) performed an incremental exercise test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Throughout the exercise, near-infrared spectroscopy allowed the investigation of changes in oxyhemoglobin (∆O2Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (∆HHb), and total hemoglobin (∆THb) in the vastus lateralis muscle. VO2peak was significantly lower in HD group. In addition, HD patients had impaired changes in muscular oxygenation (∆HHb and ∆O2Hb) and blood volume (∆THb) during the exercise (p < 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between VO2peak and muscle blood volume (∆THb) in both groups (p < 0.05). This study provides the first evidence that HD patients displayed lower VO2peak and blunted muscular deoxyhemoglobin increase during exercise. This result supports the hypothesis of an increase in oxygen affinity and/or mitochondrial dysfunction in this population.

This study aimed to compare the effects of an acute bout of small-sided soccer game (SSG) and sprint exercise on attention, mood, and enjoyment in untrained adolescent boys. Eighteen adolescent boys aged 13-15 years participated in a counterbalanced order intervention: 1-No-training control condition (CONTROL), 2-SSG (SOCCER), and 3-Repeated sprint (SPRINT) sessions. Before and after the sessions, all participants completed the revised d2-test of attention and a mood assessment (i.e., Brunel mood scale [BRUMS]). Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and perceived enjoyment (i.e., physical activity enjoyment scale) were evaluated after each session. A 3 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance with contrast-coded test was used to analyze the data. Attentional test performance increased from pre- to post-exercise intervention for both SOCCER and SPRINT (main effect of Phase, F = 40.81, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.48), compared with the CONTROL. BRUMS scores did not change for any of the interventions. RPE was significantly lower after SOCCER compared with SPRINT (t = 3.05 [3.20-7.18], p < .001, ηp2 = 0.46). SOCCER was perceived to be significantly more enjoyable compared with SPRINT (p = .03) and CONTROL (p < .001). To conclude, an acute bout of exercise based on SOCCER or SPRINT exercise was beneficial for adolescent boys' attention, with significantly better enjoyment reported after the SOCCER session, whereas we did not observe any mood effects.

Abstract Background It has previously been shown that drop jump height is an effective programming parameter in plyometric jump training. Less is known on the usage of maximal rebound jump height from a distinct drop height as a parameter for individualized plyometric jump training. Aim This study examined the effects of 8-weeks of two drop jump (DJ) training modalities using maximal rebound height (MRHT) vs fixed (FDHT) drop height programming approaches on selected measures of physical fitness in young volleyball players. Methods Thirty male youth volleyball players aged 14 to 16 years were randomly assigned to a MRHT (n = 15) or a FDHT (n = 15) group. The MRHT group performed DJ exercises using a drop height according to the individual’s maximal rebound jump height from 20-cm, 30-cm, 40-cm, and 50-cm drop heights. The FDHT group performed DJs following a standardized drop height (30-cm) across the 8-week intervention period. The overall training volume was similar between MRHT and FDHT with 3 sets of 10 repetitions of DJ exercises per session. Pre- and post-training, DJs were tested from 30, 40, and 50-cm drop heights. In addition, dynamic balance (Y-balance test) as well as linear sprint and change-of-direction (CoD) speed were assessed. Results Significant group-by-time interactions were found for DJ, balance, and linear sprint tests (p &lt; 0.0001; d = 0.12–0.88) but not for CoD speed. Post-hoc tests showed significant improvements in favor of the MRHT group for DJ heights from 30-cm (Δ20.4%, p &lt; 0.0001, d = 6.31), 40-cm DJ (Δ20.3%, p &lt; 0.0001, d = 3.46), 50-cm DJ (Δ18.3%, p &lt; 0.0001, d = 4.99), 5-m (Δ9.2%, p &lt; 0.001, d = 1.21) and 20-m (Δ7.4%, p &lt; 0.01, d = 1.60) linear sprint speed. Conclusions MRHT is a safe and effective training regime to improve DJ and linear sprint speed performance. Due to the importance of vertical jumps and short accelerations for overall competitive performance in volleyball, our results suggest that young male players should perform MRHT as part of plyometric jump training if the goal is to improve acceleration and vertical jump performance.