Health Of Athletes Research Articles

Impact of exhaustive exercise on autonomic nervous system activity: insights from HRV analysis

IntroductionExhaustive exercise is a common training method in sports, but its impact on the autonomic nervous system of the human body remains unclear. Understanding the effects of exhaustive exercise on the body and its connection with the autonomic nervous system and central nervous system is crucial for guiding healthy training methods.MethodsTwenty-three participants were selected, and exhaustive exercise intervention was performed using the Bruce Protocol. By measuring heart rate variability (HRV), the effects of exhaustive exercise on the autonomic nervous system function were analyzed.ResultsAfter exhaustive exercise, time-domain indices SDNN, RMSSD, and PNN50 all significantly decreased, with changes reaching significant levels (p < 0.01). Among them, the decrease in pNN50 was particularly pronounced, with a change rate of −94.55%. Frequency-domain indices VLF, LF, and HF also showed significant decreases (p < 0.01), but the ratio of LF to HF showed an upward trend (p < 0.01), with LF showing a greater decrease. Nonlinear indices SD1 and SD2 showed extremely significant decreases (p < 0.01), and the SD2/SD1 ratio showed a significant increase (p < 0.01), indicating significant changes in HRV nonlinear characteristics after exercise.DiscussionExhaustive exercise leads to a decrease in autonomic nervous system activity and an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity. These findings underscore the profound impact of exhaustive exercise on the autonomic nervous system, with implications for understanding the physiological responses to intense physical exertion. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of exhaustive exercise on autonomic regulation and its potential implications for training methodologies and athlete health.

Beyond the Menstrual Cycle: Time for a Holistic Approach to Athlete Health and Performance.

Beyond the Menstrual Cycle: Time for a Holistic Approach to Athlete Health and Performance.

Maladaptive eating habits in judo athletes and psychological side effects: Case studies

Originating in 19th-century Japan, judo blends traditional martial arts with modern educational principles. As a martial art rooted in the Budo tradition, it embodies a philosophy focused on the harmony of mind and body. In the West, however, the discipline evolved with an emphasis on competition and athleticism, which has led to increased competitive pressures among athletes. We report here the case studies of two Italian judokas who retired due to the development of unhealthy eating habits, extreme exercise and other unwanted psychological distress. It will be argued that the prevalent practice of weight cutting in combat sports poses substantial physical and psychological risks, particularly for young athletes. Despite regulatory efforts to mitigate extreme weight loss methods, there remains a critical need for improved education on safe practices. It sheds light on the complex interplay between athletic success, physical and mental health, and cultural perceptions of Judo in contemporary society.

Enhancing nutritional knowledge and practices: The impact of nutrition education on iron and calcium consumption among cricket players

Background Problems: This study emphasises the critical importance of maintaining a balanced intake of nutrients relative to individual needs, as deficiencies or excesses can significantly impact health and nutritional status. Among these essential nutrients are iron and calcium. Research Objectives: The aim of this research is to assess the impact of nutrition education on the knowledge and dietary practices related to iron and calcium among athletes. Methods: The research used a pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest. To evaluate the effect of the intervention, the subjects were given a pretest, nutrition education, and posttest. The study was conducted on a total of 30 cricket players from the Special Capital Region of Jakarta over a period of 1 month, with a frequency of 4 intervention meetings, each session lasting 60 minutes. Data analysis was performed using an independent t-test. The participants in this research were cricket players from Jakarta. Findings and Results: The results indicated that nutrition education significantly improved athletes' nutritional knowledge (p-value 0.000) and dietary practices (p-value 0.011). Conclusion: This research demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted nutrition education interventions in enhancing athletes' knowledge and adoption of healthier dietary practices, particularly concerning iron and calcium consumption. These findings contribute valuable insights to the field of sports nutrition, emphasising the importance of well-designed educational programs in promoting good nutritional behaviour and supporting overall health and performance in athletes. This study underscores the critical role of nutrition education in the advancement of both the scientific understanding and practical application of sports nutrition.

Mental health in athletes: anxiety sensitivity as a transdiagnostic risk factor

Mental health in athletes: anxiety sensitivity as a transdiagnostic risk factor

THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

The role of physiotherapists in professional football is critical for both the physical recovery of athletes and the implementation of strategies that promote injury prevention and enhance performance. With a comprehensive understanding of biomechanics and movement principles, physiotherapists can assess players’ performance and work closely with coaching staff to devise effective game tactics. Their expertise enables them to identify movement patterns and areas of stress that can lead to injuries, ultimately helping to minimize these risks. Education plays a vital part in the physiotherapist's responsibilities, as they teach athletes about health maintenance and the significance of injury prevention. This educational component is essential for ensuring that players can sustain a long and successful sports career. Despite progress in prevention and rehabilitation practices, studies reveal persistent gaps between clinical practice and scientific evidence. Increased regulation of the profession, coupled with a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates psychological support, emphasizes the growing importance of physiotherapy within football. Moreover, recognizing the psychological factors that influence recovery and utilizing evidence-based protocols are vital for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes. The physiotherapist’s influence extends beyond physical recovery; they are integral in fostering the overall health and well-being of athletes, which significantly impacts team performance. Moving forward, the field of physiotherapy in football must prioritize continuous professional development, the adoption of innovative practices, and the establishment of an environment that values both the physical and mental health of players.

Impact of the Quadriceps Angle on Health and Injury Risk in Female Athletes

Impact of the Quadriceps Angle on Health and Injury Risk in Female Athletes

Small-Sided-Game-Induced Mechanical Load in Adolescent Soccer: The Need for Care and Consideration for Athlete Preservation.

The logistical efficiency and flexibility of small-sided games (SSG) to develop various soccer-specific attributes simultaneously make them a staple component of contemporary training programs in youth soccer. Their high ecological validity and consequential high utilization mean that if not considerately prescribed, players may be exposed to frequent repetitive mechanical stress that may induce maladaptation in skeletally and/or load-naïve or sensitive athletes. The purpose of this clinical review is to summarize mechanical load adaptations associated with the manipulation of area per player in SSG to outline the mechanistic pathway of load-related injuries in skeletally maturing athletes and to offer practical guidelines for coaches for the preservation of athlete health. A nonsystematic search of computerized databases of peer-reviewed articles in English between 2010 and the present was used, and a critical appraisal of existing literature was subsequently conducted. Clinical review. Level 4. The temporary relative strength deficit and inefficiency of the musculotendinous system associated with accelerated growth increase the mechanical cost of activity. As a result, the load tolerance (ie, tolerant, naïve, or sensitive) of athletes is transiently reduced as the musculoskeletal system struggles to attenuate force absorption adequately. Repeated exposure to submaximal mechanical loads that stimulate the accumulation of "microdamage" in structural tissue may lead to aggravation and/or tissue failure at connective sites in skeletally fragile athletes. Coaches and practitioners need to individualize exposure to mechanical load for load-tolerant, naïve, and sensitive athletes during adolescence. Subtle changes to SSG prescription including modifying the area per player, inclusion of goalkeepers, constrained floaters, and management of work; rest ratios can offer practical and efficient methods to mitigate risk without derailing the development process. This, in turn, should contribute to reducing injury burden in this population and enhance developmental opportunities for young players. A. Recommendation based on consistent and good-quality evidence published from 2010 onwards.

Sleep & Nutrition for Athletes

Abstract Sleep is vital for the maintenance of physical and mental health, recovery and performance in athletes. Sleep also has a restorative effect on the immune system and the endocrine system. Sleep must be of adequate duration, timing, and quality to promote recovery following training and competition. Inadequate sleep adversely impacts carbohydrate metabolism, appetite, energy intake and protein synthesis affecting recovery from the energy demands of daily living and training/competition related fatigue. Sleep’s role in overall health and wellbeing has been established. Athletes have high sleep needs and are particularly vulnerable to sleep difficulties due to high training and competition demands, as such the implementation of the potential nutritional interventions to improve sleep duration and quality is commonplace. The use of certain nutrition strategies and supplements has an evidence base i.e. carbohydrate, caffeine, creatine, kiwifruit, magnesium, meal make-up and timing, protein and tart cherry. However, further research involving both foods and supplements is necessary to clarify the interactions between nutrition and the circadian system as there is potential to improve sleep and recovery. Additional research is necessary to clarify guidelines and develop products and protocols for foods and supplements to benefit athlete health, performance and/or recovery. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential interaction between sleep and nutrition for athletes, and how these interactions might benefit sleep and/or recovery.

Anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Elite Athletes

Physical activity is recommended as a strategy for promoting mental health, and it can even be integrated into treatment plans for psychiatric disorders affecting the general population. However, elite athletes are a subpopulation with protective and risk factors inherent to high-level competition and are not shielded from psychiatric symptoms and conditions. The mental health of elite athletes has been the subject of increasing attention, driven in part by the initiatives of the International Olympic Committee and the growing importance of sports psychiatry. This article is a narrative review that provides an overview regarding anxiety, in particular generalized anxiety disorder in elite athletes. Our assessment concluded that competitive anxiety may affect an elite athlete's performance in both harmful and beneficial ways. Assessing the duration, frequency, and functional impact of anxiety symptoms is crucial for ruling out generalized anxiety disorder. Elite athletes do not show a significantly different prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder compared to the general population. Identifying specific protective and risk factors can contribute to adopting more effective preventive and intervention strategies. As in the general population, psychotherapy is recommended for elite athletes as the initial treatment for this condition, combined, if necessary, with pharmacotherapy, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency Code.

The Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency on Physical Fitness and Sport Performance – A Review

Introduction: Deficiency or insufficiency of vitamin D affects all individuals, of both sexes and all ages, and consequently brings a series of negative health consequences for them. This deficiency seems to be a very widespread problem in the population in general and also among physically active individuals and particulary in athletes. Currently, the insufficiency of vitamin D is a problem appearing worldwide. While in the population the main source of deficiencies are insufficient exposure to the sun and deficiency in the food diet, in individuals who participate in physical activity and sports it seems that the main factors are high use and depletion of reserves from muscle and adipose tissue. Vitamin D deficiency has an important role not only in bone and muscle health, but also negatively affects physical fitness and sports performance. Therefore, continuing measurement and monitoring of free vitamin D and/or its bioavailable 25(OH)D metabolites is the best way to determine the true vitamin D status for preventive reasons or supplementation in all individuals. Objectives: This review aims to highlight the current situation of the status of vitamin D, especially in subjects participate in physical activity and sports, and its importance and role in the health of athletes and in sports performance. Methods: For this review, we used the database in Scopus and PubMed, searching with key words: vitamin D deficiency - vitamin D status - elite athletes - sports performance. Full articles in English, published from 2016 to 2024, that evidenced the association between vitamin D status and health outcomes and sports performance were included. Results and Conclusions: The results of the study showed that the deficiency of vitamin D in the general population, but also in those who are actively involved in sports and even elite sports, is present at worrying levels. In different groups and populations, the deficiency factors are partly different, but the results show that the lack of food in the diet today constitutes one of the main factors that has almost taken the same weight as insufficient exposure to the sun. For physically active subjects and those involved in various types of sports, deficiencies are present at an unpredictably high rate, putting in serious danger in some cases the lives of the athletes. This comes from a low attention regarding the deficiencies of this vitamin, compared to other elements that are usually taken in the form of supplements in sports. The results show that maintaining an optimal level of vitamin D affects not only the bone and muscle health, the optimal physical fitness of physically active individuals, but also the health and improvement of sports performance (not only physical) of athletes. Therefore, the measurement, monitoring, ensuring a balanced food diet and supplementing with this vitamin, if needed, should accompany the entire course and activity of the subjects of this category in a strict and consistent manner.

Effects of Sedentariness and Repetitive Joint Activities on the Health of E-sports Athletes

As an emerging sport, eSports has received more and more attention, especially the impact of eSports on health is a topic of interest to researchers. Combined with key statistics, Gaming requires competitive rivalry through electronic systems, and athletes need to sit and stand for long periods of time and engage in repetitive joint activities, which also leads to physical injuries and to a certain extent affects their technical and tactical performance as well as their normal lives. This paper first analyzes the characteristics of eSports and the essence of the impact on eSports athletes’ health and dissects the health problems it brings and the mechanisms that generate them. Finally, corresponding countermeasures and suggestions are proposed, which are expected to raise the awareness of injury prevention among athletes engaged in e-sports as well as enthusiasts in general, and thus reasonably improve the level of e-sports in China.

Studying the characteristics of physical development of young athletes

Medical and biological support for the training of young athletes is a separate specific part of medical science and practice. This area of medicine includes determining the health and physical development of athletes, as well as diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases and injuries associated with physical education and sports. The main goal of medical and biological support for children’s and youth sports is the harmonious development of the child within the chosen sport, taking into account his age characteristics, functionality, physical development, including puberty.Objective. The purpose of the study is to investigate the characteristics of the physical development of young athletes of various specializations.Materials and methods: 102 young teenage athletes took part in the study. The control group consisted of 28 schoolchildren who were not involved in sports professionally. The first group of the study included 35 young athletes from the «Children and Youth Sports School of Swimming». The second group of the study consisted of 47 teenagers, students of a specialized children’s and youth sports school of the Olympic reserve in field hockey. The third group of the study included 20 young athletes, students of a specialized children’s and youth sports school of Olympic reserve fencing.Results: In terms of physical development parameters, young athletes have indicators above the average values of children in the control group. The percentage of body fat in boys and girls in the control group was significantly higher than in young athletes. At the same time, the level of muscle mass of boys who do not engage in sports is lower than that of the group of athletes.Conclusions: Based on the results of the work, it was established that the physical development of young athletes has significant differences from their peers who do not play sports professionally.

Psychological and social factors associated with mental health of European dual career athletes: A systematic review.

Dual careers (DCs) are challenging trajectories followed by athletes willing to develop their academic/professional career with their athletic careers. These trajectories usually entail additional stressors, which can decrease athletes' mental health or even increase their risk of mental ill-health. While existing research has recognized the importance of psychological and social factors in both of these areas separately, we lack systematic knowledge on which factors are associated with European DC athlete mental health outcomes, making evidence-based practice more challenging. In this regard, to advance the European DC tradition and to provide a strong base for researchers and practitioners working within this field, this systematic review aims to appraise this evidence identifying and categorizing the psychological and social factors associated with the European DC athletes' mental health. We conducted this review according to Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines and performed the systematic search in six databases, finding 56 eligible articles. Our analysis identified 35 different psychological and social factors, most showing significant associations with athletes' mental health. Notably, affect, stress, motivational climate, mindfulness, resilience, perfectionism, goal orientation, motivation, and basic psychological need satisfaction showed the strongest evidence associated with mental health. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive synthesis of psychological and social factors, advancing the holistic ecological approach in dual careers and athlete mental health. Yet, our results highlight the need to strengthen the evidence regarding these factors and provide specific research avenues, such as focus on DC-specific factors and consideration of DC athlete definition and career trajectories.

Biotechnology and physical performance in sports "the mutants of the future"

There is great concern in the field of public health and sports ethics about how doping and gene doping are transforming athletes. This systematic review aims to analyze the current state of research on the contribution of biotechnology to sport and how this affects the health of athletes, bodybuilders, and high-intensity exercisers. The search includes articles published between 2014 and 2024; for this, databases without language restriction were used, finding 93 articles in the first search; finally, a total of 8 studies were selected in terms of the methodological process through the variables: biotechnology, sport, doping, and health. Studies on biotechnology and sports show that athletes continue to use substances to increase physical performance, and bodybuilders use them to improve size and aesthetic appearance.

Diagnostic Applications of AI in Sports: A Comprehensive Review of Injury Risk Prediction Methods.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting and preventing sports injuries across various disciplines. By exploring the application of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques, such as random forests (RFs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and artificial neural networks (ANNs), this review highlights AI's ability to analyze complex datasets, detect patterns, and generate predictive insights that enhance injury prevention strategies. AI models improve the accuracy and reliability of injury risk assessments by tailoring prevention strategies to individual athlete profiles and processing real-time data. A literature review was conducted through searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science, focusing on studies from 2014 to 2024 and using keywords such as 'artificial intelligence', 'machine learning', 'sports injury', and 'risk prediction'. While AI's predictive power supports both team and individual sports, its effectiveness varies based on the unique data requirements and injury risks of each, with team sports presenting additional complexity in data integration and injury tracking across multiple players. This review also addresses critical issues such as data quality, ethical concerns, privacy, and the need for transparency in AI applications. By shifting the focus from reactive to proactive injury management, AI technologies contribute to enhanced athlete safety, optimized performance, and reduced human error in medical decisions. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to revolutionize sports injury prediction and prevention promises further advancements in athlete health and performance while addressing current challenges.

How is coaches’ social identity leadership related to mental health in elite athletes? The mediating role of satisfaction with performance

ABSTRACT It has been found that the way high-performance coaches lead influences both athletes’ performance and mental health. However, limited research exists on the Social Identity Approach to leadership in elite sports, despite growing interest in coaching science regarding interpersonal behaviours and leadership. This study investigates the empirical links between coaches’ leadership, sport performance and mental health from a social identity approach. One hundred and forty-five elite athletes (M age = 20.6 years; SD = 4.1; 62% women, 38% men) answered questionnaires measuring coaches’ social identity leadership, sport performance satisfaction and mental health. The overall structural equation model (SEM) accounted for 36% and 19% of the variances in athletes’ mental health and mental illness dimensions, respectively. There was a positive association between perceived coaches’ social identity leadership and sport performance satisfaction, explaining 10% of its variance. Coaches’ social identity leadership predicted athletes’ mental health but not mental illness. Sport performance satisfaction positively influenced mental health and negatively impacted mental illness. Fostering a sense of “we” and “us” within elite sport training groups is instrumental in promoting sport performance satisfaction and, consequently, enhancing the mental health of athletes. Coaching educational courses may benefit from social identity leadership in interpersonal behaviours.

Systematic Review: Mental Health Screening Tools for Collegiate Athletes

The mental health of college athletes has become a priority for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and for athletic departments across numerous Colleges and Universities. Sport social work has limited research exploring empirical evidence on the use and effectiveness of specific mental health assessments for the population of college athletes. College athletes experience a plethora of stressors and mental health concerns that will require the use of mental health assessments to determine the appropriate level of care. A systematic review was conducted utilizing the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews for Interventions. An initial search of sport social work literature yielded 1,199 articles. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, five articles remained that met the full criteria for inclusion. Results indicate there are mental health assessment tools that have empirical data supporting their use with college athletes. Although appropriate mental health screening tools were identified, future research is necessary to expand the breadth of empirical data that supports additional mental health assessment tools for specific use with the population of college athletes. These tools should include a positive psychology component to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care in the college athlete population and increase their likeliness to engage in mental health services.

Association of self-reported health problems and interpersonal violence in sport: a cross-sectional study in world-level performing athletes

ObjectivesA paucity of studies assesses the intersection of physical health (injury and illness), mental health and experiences of interpersonal violence (IV, also known as harassment and abuse) in sport. The...

ATUAÇÃO DA ENFERMAGEM EM SAÚDE ESPORTIVA: CUIDADOS ESSENCIAIS PARA ATLETAS PARALÍMPICOS COM LESÃO MEDULAR E PARALISIA CEREBRAL

This article explores the role of nursing in the external sports health of Paralympic athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) and cerebral palsy (CP), emphasizing the importance of specific care for their well-being and performance. Through a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals and athletes, along with a literature review to identify nursing practices that meet the unique needs of these athletes. Findings reveal that nursing plays an essential role in supporting both the physical and emotional health of athletes, with guidelines encompassing medication administration, chronic condition management, and complication prevention. Likewise, nursing professionals face unique challenges, such as monitoring and adapting health practices according to the demands of Paralympic competitions. The study indicates the need for continuous development in training and personalized resources to enable nursing to effectively contribute to comprehensive and humane care for athletes, enhancing interdisciplinary as essential to improving sports care.