Athletic Performance Research Articles

Comparison of Australian Football League Women's athletes match day energy and nutrient intake to recommendations.

This cross-sectional observational study quantified Australian Football League Women's athletes' match volume, and compared match-day dietary intakes against recommendations. Self-report, direct observation, and fluid measurements determined dietary intake (n = 17, 25 ± 4.5 years, 22.8 ± 1.8 kg/m2) on five home match days (early or late starting). Global positioning system software captured match volume. Linear mixed effects models evaluated differences in early versus late match volume and nutrient intakes. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Athletes covered 6712 ± 622 m during matches, with similar numbers of very high-intensity running efforts over equal distances in early and late matches (early vs. late efforts [no.]: 8.5 ± 4.9 vs. 9.5 ± 5.5; distance [m]: 203 ± 127 vs. 212 ± 113). Across all match days, 71% (n = 12) of athletes met their predicted daily energy requirements. However, 82% (n = 14) failed to meet minimum daily carbohydrate recommendations; intake was lower on early compared with late match days (4.7 g/day vs. 5.4 g/kg/day, p = 0.027). On average, no athletes met carbohydrate recommendations in the 2 h prior to a match and only 24% (n = 4) met recommendations during matches. All athletes met post-match carbohydrate and protein requirements. Athletes cover large distances during games with frequent bursts of high-intensity running. However, they do not adjust their intake to meet the energy demands of competition, with inadequate fuelling prior to and during matches. These findings emphasise the need for greater athlete education and dietary support to maximise strategic fuelling to optimise athletic performance.

Evolution of Core Stability, Athletic Performance, and ACL Injury Risk across a Soccer Season

Evolution of Core Stability, Athletic Performance, and ACL Injury Risk across a Soccer Season

Exploring the impact of colostrum supplementation on athletes: a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials and diverse properties

Colostrum, an invaluable food produced by mammals during the postnatal period, contains important bioactive components. It is a valuable therapeutic substance that can be used to treat a variety of disorders, in addition to its primary function of providing passive immunity to newborns. Undoubtedly, a strong dedication to intense effort and demanding training schedules is necessary to succeed in today’s sports environment. Peak physical fitness, strategic skill development, and mental toughness are highly valued in the environments in which athletes compete. However, the inherent difficulties brought about by athletes’ intense schedules are matched with the demanding character of modern sports. The intensity of athletic activity frequently provides little time for sufficient relaxation, nutritional preparation, and overall recovery, which can contribute to mental and physical tiredness. Athletes need to develop all-encompassing strategies to overcome these obstacles. These strategies should prioritize self-care and recovery in addition to maximizing training efficiency. The bioactive components of colostrum bring forth various therapeutic effects against the challenges experienced by athletes; including diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infections, muscle injuries, intestinal disorders, etc. This review examined the different therapeutic effects of the bioactive components of colostrum on athletes, the effect of the use of colostrum as a whole on the performance of athletes, and the clinical research conducted in this field. While the majority of studies report positive effects of colostrum, further research is needed.

Effects of Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction in Adolescents: A Qualitative Study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) on adolescents. Twenty patients (< 17 years) diagnosed with EILO participated in this study. Patients completed semistructured interviews examining their experience with the health care system, treatment, and the effects of EILO symptoms on quality of life. Interviews were analyzed using a combination of directed and conventional content analyses. Researchers identified seven overarching themes either prior to or during analysis, and 24 subthemes were inductively identified from patient interviews using open, axial, and selective coding. On average, patients went 1.9 years between symptom onset and EILO diagnosis. Patients described symptom onset as frightening and confusing. Even after initially reporting symptoms to a medical provider, patients went an average of 10.5 months before diagnosis. Patients perceived that delays in diagnosis prevented efficient management and allowed symptoms to escalate. Patients reported that EILO detrimentally influenced athletic performance, forcing them to pace themselves or cease participation altogether. Social and academic effects of EILO included missed classes, difficulty in physical education courses, and resentment from teammates if athletic performance declined. Both athletes and nonathletes indicated that EILO elicited feelings of fear, frustration, dread, guilt, and embarrassment. Patients reported that therapy with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) effectively addressed symptoms; however, employing rescue breathing techniques was often more difficult than anticipated. Physical and emotional sequelae associated with EILO may have widespread influence on patient quality of life. Therapy with an SLP reportedly ameliorated EILO symptoms; however, patients indicated that delayed diagnosis allowed negative effects to intensify prior to treatment.

Vertical jump neuromuscular performance of professional female handball players—starters vs. non-starters comparison

Given the complex nature of the handball as a game, players are required to possess a distinct set of physical and physiological attributes to attain peak performance. With the countermovement vertical jump (CVJ) being widely implemented as a non-invasive and time-efficient testing modality in sports settings, the purpose of the present study was twofold: (a) to establish a CVJ profile of professional female handball players and (b) to examine differences in force-time metrics between starters and non-starters. Forty-two professional female handball players (e.g., SuperLeague) volunteered to participate in this study. Each athlete performed three maximum-effort CVJs with no arm swing while standing on a uni-axial force plate system sampling at 1,000 Hz. Independent t-tests were used to examine differences in each variable between starters and non-starters. The results revealed that starters attained superior performance within the eccentric phase of the CVJ when compared to non-starters, particularly in terms of eccentric peak velocity (−0.957 ± 0.242 vs. −0.794 ± 0.177 m·s−1), eccentric mean power (320.0 ± 77.7 vs. 267.1 ± 75.2 W), and eccentric peak power (929.0 ± 388.1 vs. 684.4 ± 214.2 W). While not reaching the level of statistical significance, moderate-to-large effect sizes were observed for concentric impulse, peak velocity, and mean and peak force and power, all in favor of players included in the starting lineup (g = 0.439–0.655). Overall, these findings suggest that at the top-tier level of handball competition, the ability to secure a spot in a starting lineup may be possibly influenced by the athlete's eccentric performance capabilities. Thus, the development of lower-body eccentric strength and power may positively impact on-court athlete performance and ultimately help the team secure the desired game outcome.

Filling the gaps: A multiple imputation approach to estimating aging curves in baseball

In sports, an aging curve depicts the relationship between average performance and age in athletes’ careers. This paper investigates the aging curves for offensive players in Major League Baseball. We study this problem in a missing data context and account for different types of dropouts of baseball players during their careers. We employ a multiple imputation framework for multilevel data to impute the player performance associated with the missing seasons, and estimate the aging curves based on the imputed datasets. We then evaluate the effects of different dropout mechanisms on the aging curves through simulation, before applying our method to analyze MLB player data from past seasons. Results suggest an overestimation of the aging curves constructed without considering the unobserved seasons, whereas estimates obtained from multiple imputation address this shortcoming.

The Relationship of Power Lemb Agility and Hip Joint Fitness to the Results of the Mawashi Geri Kick in the Sport Branch of Karate

Athletes often practice, not all of them have mastered the mawashi geri kick technique, the lack of effective leg power, agility and flexibility of the hip joint when the athlete performs the mawashi geri kick attack has an effect on the athlete's performance not being optimal. The aim of this research was to determine "the relationship between leg power, agility and hip joint flexibility on the results of mawashi geri kicks in the sport of karate". The research method uses quantitative descriptive methods with a correlational approach. The population in this study were Sukabumi City BKC athletes with a sampling technique using purposive sampling, so the research sample was 14 athletes who took part in the West Java BKC Provincial Championship. The results of the research show that: 1) there is a significant relationship between leg power and the results of the mawashi geri kick in the sport of karate, which is 53.80%. 2) there is a significant relationship between agility (X2) and the results of the mawashi geri kick in the sport of karate (Y) which is 55.40%. 3) there is a significant relationship between hip joint flexibility (X3) and the results of the mawashi geri kick in karate (Y) which is 55.60%. There are three independent variables, namely leg power, agility and hip joint flexibility, which together have a significant influence on the results of the mawashi geri kick in the sport of karate at the Bandung Karate Club (BKC) Sukabumi City, amounting to 74.50%.

Nutrition status of elite Jiu-Jitsu athletes during training season

Optimizing high-intensity Jiu-Jitsu requires careful nutritional consideration, impacting body composition and performance. Balancing dietary intake with expenditure enhances athlete performance. This study, conducted with ten healthy Jiu-Jitsu athletes from the Jiu-Jitsu Association of Thailand, scrutinized their dietary intake compared to recommendations and its correlation with body composition to enhance performance and training adaptations. Participants completed three days of 24-hour dietary recalls. body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Across both genders, total energy intake is inadequate, with carbohydrate consumption falling significantly below the recommended levels (p &lt; .05). Female athletes showed significant positive correlations between dietary intake and body composition, notably with protein intake and skeletal muscle mass percentage and the skeletal muscle mass index (r = .895, and .963, respectively, p &lt; .05). Conversely, male athletes displayed no significant correlations, but a broader analysis across genders revealed a strong positive correlation between protein consumption and muscle mass (r = .685, p &lt; .05). The study highlights inadequate dietary intake, particularly in carbohydrates, among Jiu-Jitsu athletes during training, potentially compromising competition performance due to insufficient energy sources. Addressing these nutritional deficiencies is crucial to optimizing performance and body composition, emphasizing the need for dietary practice improvements among Jiu-Jitsu athletes.

The role, readiness to change and training needs of the Athlete Health and Performance team members to safeguard athletes from interpersonal violence in sport: a mini review

The role, readiness to change and training needs of the Athlete Health and Performance team members to safeguard athletes from interpersonal violence in sport: a mini review

Gait Pattern Analysis: Integration of a Highly Sensitive Flexible Pressure Sensor on a Wireless Instrumented Insole.

Gait phase monitoring wearable sensors play a crucial role in assessing both health and athletic performance, offering valuable insights into an individual's gait pattern. In this study, we introduced a simple and cost-effective capacitive gait sensor manufacturing approach, utilizing a micropatterned polydimethylsiloxane dielectric layer placed between screen-printed silver electrodes. The sensor demonstrated inherent stretchability and durability, even when the electrode was bent at a 45-degree angle, it maintained an electrode resistance of approximately 3 Ω. This feature is particularly advantageous for gait monitoring applications. Furthermore, the fabricated flexible capacitive pressure sensor exhibited higher sensitivity and linearity at both low and high pressure and displayed very good stability. Notably, the sensors demonstrated rapid response and recovery times for both under low and high pressure. To further explore the capabilities of these new sensors, they were successfully tested as insole-type pressure sensors for real-time gait signal monitoring. The sensors displayed a well-balanced combination of sensitivity and response time, making them well-suited for gait analysis. Beyond gait analysis, the proposed sensor holds the potential for a wide range of applications within biomedical, sports, and commercial systems where soft and conformable sensors are preferred.

Return to play and Athletic Performance in division I female volleyball players following anterior cruciate ligament injury

ABSTRACT Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine NCAA Division I volleyball players’ return to play rates and performance statistics compared to pre-injury levels following ACL injury. Methods Female volleyball players that sustained ACL injuries from 2008-2020 and competed in one of seven collegiate conferences (n = 99) were identified via an internet search algorithm. Players were categorized by position, academic year, and playing time pre- and post-injury. Post-injury performance statistics were gathered for a subset of outside hitters and middle blockers that played in ≥ 35 sets in a single season for up to 3 years following injury (mean 1.7 seasons). A control group (n = 512) was generated for demographic and statistical comparison. Mean pre-injury and post-injury statistics were compared for players that did not change positions and played ≥ 35 sets before and after injury. Results Volleyball attackers were 54.7% of the control population but sustained 78.8% of identified injuries. Following ACL injury, 6.1% of players registered no in-game statistics, 16.2% played in < 35 sets, 65.7% played in ≥ 35 sets, and 12.1% graduated. Mean performance statistics increased linearly the more years players were from ACL injury. Conclusions Female collegiate volleyball players return to play following ACL injury at high rates (93.1%) and maintain pre-injury performance levels. Volleyball attackers sustain ACL injuries more commonly than setters and libero/defensive specialists.

A Framework for Using Virtual Reality to Enhance Psychological Performance in Baseball

Virtual reality (VR) has become an increasingly popular tool for use in sports, particularly with regards to enhancing the psychological performance of athletes. Despite this, a systematic approach in exactly how sporting organizations can apply the technology appears to be lacking. This paper proposes the Baseball Framework for Applying Virtual Reality (Baseball-FAVR) which aims to guide practitioners within professional baseball as to how, when, and with whom VR can be used to enhance the performance of their players. The framework outlines six specific use cases which are reflected by their suggested prioritization at each affiliate level from Major League down to Rookie (newly drafted to an organization). It is hoped that the Baseball-FAVR will enable baseball organizations to take advantage of the many potential benefits that VR technology offers to the sport.

Predictive Modeling of Heart Rate Dynamics based on Physical Characteristics and Exercise Parameters: A Machine Learning Approach

To accurately forecast heart rate changes during exercise, which is essential for customized health monitoring and improving training regimens, it is necessary to comprehend both the physiological foundations and the technical capacities for data processing. This research utilizes Machine Learning (ML) methodologies to predict heart rate reactions based on physical characteristics and activity variables. Our research focuses on the health and sports aspects of our results, using a comprehensive dataset that includes a wide range of activity types and ambient circumstances across 12,000 sets. We establish a connection between the ability of models such as Linear Regression (LR) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) to predict outcomes and their practical use in exercise management and optimizing athlete performance. These models accurately forecast variations in heart rate and also provide insights into the cardiovascular demands of various physical activities. Standard metrics measure the effectiveness of these models. The Linear Regression (LR) model achieved a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.419, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.294, a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.543, and an R-Squared value of 0.997. On the other hand, the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) Regressor model achieved a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.421, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.335, a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.578, and an R-Squared value of 0.996. These metrics demonstrate the usefulness of these models in real-world scenarios. Our study's findings demonstrate that the combination of physiological data and powerful machine learning models may improve an individual's comprehension of fitness levels and the requirements for adaptive training. This study not only adds to the field of computational physiology, but it also aids in the creation of adaptive, real-time therapies for improving health and performance.

Balance abilities in high dynamic-sport athletes with different maximal voluntary contraction

Background: Previous studies have shown that muscle force control during submaximal isometric contractions is associated with the ability of dynamic balance to a greater extent than static balance in healthy adults. However, the effect of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) on balance abilities of athletes with high dynamicsport, which are most popular in Thailand, needs to be addressed. Objective: To determine static and balance abilities of high dynamic-sport athletes at different levels of MVC. Materials and methods: Three groups of high dynamic-sport athletes at different levels of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), were voluntarily recruited using a sports matrix classification. Outcome measures comprised the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Correlations between BESS and SEBT and confounding variables comprised of performance time of the Mcgill core endurance tests (Core), single-leg sit-to-stand (STS) test, and flexibility were investigated using Pearson’s correlation. After controlling for Core and STS, a factorial analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine group differences in SEBT and BESS variables. Results: Athletes with high- and low- MVC had significantly different reaching distances in all SEBT directions (all, p&lt;0.05). Significant differences between the high- and the moderate- MVC groups were observed in anterior and lateral directions (p&lt;0.05). A significant difference between the moderate- and the low MVC groups was found in the medial direction (p&lt;0.05). After controlling for Core and STS, the observed group differences disappeared, except in the posterolateral reaching distance between the high- and the low-MVC groups (p&lt;0.05). A significant difference between the high- and the low-MVC groups was only observed in the total foam BESS scores with tandem stance (p&lt;0.05) and then disappeared after adjusting for Core and STS (all, p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The observed differences in all SEBT directions among groups and the difference in the total BESS scores between the high- and the low- MVC, which were observed only in challenged conditions i.e., tandem-foam stance, suggested that dynamic, but not static balance performance of athletes with high dynamicsport appears to be associated with the magnitude of MVC. Core and STS, but not flexibility, are considered significant contributions to their balance performance.

Bone morphology and physical characteristics of the pro-cyclist hip joint.

This study aimed to investigate the radiographic findings for the hip joint and hip range of motion in professional cyclists, and to determine their bone morphology and physical characteristics. The effects of physical characteristics on athletic performance were examined in terms of metabolic efficiency using simulation analysis. We performed a case-control research study on 22 hips in 11 male professional cyclists (average age 28.5, height 1.73m, weight 77.6kg). Thirty hips in 15 healthy male volunteers were selected as controls. As radiographic evaluations, acetabular dysplasia was assessed on standardized radiographs. During physical evaluations, the hip range of motion was examined. We used simulation analysis to investigate the metabolic efficiency in the different cycling forms. The radiographic evaluations showed a significant difference in the incidence of acetabular dysplasia (p = 0.01): 59% (13/22 hips) in the pro-cyclist group versus 10% (3/30 hips) in the control group. The physical evaluations revealed significant differences in the hip internal rotation angle (p = 0.01), with greater ranges of internal rotation in the pro-cyclist group versus the control group. The simulation analyses showed that metabolism was reduced in the cycling form with hip internal rotation, especially in the lower extremities. Pro-cyclists showed a high frequency of acetabular dysplasia and superior hip internal rotation. According to the cycling model analyses, hip internal rotation allowed pedaling with reduced metabolic power.

The Impact of Plyometric Resistance Training Implemented During the European Championship Preparation on Athletic Performance: A Case Study of the Youth Boxing National Team

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of plyometric resistance training applied to the Turkish National Junior Men's Boxing Team during the European Championship preparation process. A total of 14 athletes from the Turkish National Junior Men's Boxing Team volunteered to participate in the study. The average age of the boxers was 17.57±1.04 years, the average height was 172.28±5.7 cm, the average weight was 72.14±2.9 kg, and the average body fat percentage was 20.47±1.15%. Participants engaged in a plyometric resistance training program prepared and scheduled by the researchers throughout the preparation camp. Various physical and biomotor parameters of all boxers (weight, BMI, body fat percentage, Squat, vertical jump, reaction time, grip strength, 5-meter speed, 10-meter speed, 40-meter speed, flexibility included) were measured at the beginning and end of the camp. Statistical analyses of all data were performed using the SPSS 22.0 statistical package program. Normal distribution analyses were conducted using the Shapiro-Wilk Test. Wilcoxon Test was used for the pre-test and post-test comparison of Body Mass Index and weight values, while the paired T-test statistic was used for the pre-test and post-test comparison of body fat percentage, Squat, vertical jump, reaction time, grip strength, 5-meter speed, 10-meter speed, 40-meter speed, and flexibility values. A significance value of p &lt; 0.05 was accepted. Statistically significant changes were observed between pre- and post-camp changes. In conclusion, we suggest that a well-designed plyometric resistance training program can positively contribute to the physical and biomotor parameters of national junior male boxers before an important tournament during a preparation camp.

Effect of COVID-19 on Performance and Recovery of Division I Women’s Basketball Players: A Case Study

This report aimed to examine the effects of COVID-19 on athletic performance and recovery in women’s basketball players. Twelve participants were included in this case report, with four serving as the test group and eight serving as the control group. All participants wore a Polar GPS unit and a Whoop Strap. The Polar unit was worn during games and practices and used to collect metrics of physical workload. The Whoop strap was worn during daily activities, including periods of sleep, to collect metrics of sleep and recovery. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics (mean difference ± standard deviations), and T-tests were used to evaluate between-group differences (p &lt; 0.05). To further analyze clinical significance, the Smallest Worthwhile Change (SWC) and Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated. The results indicated that COVID-19 had the greatest effect on heart rate and sleep metrics with smaller, yet still clinically meaningful, effects on athletic performance. The results show the multisystem effect of COVID-19 on women’s basketball players, including both a physiological and performance decrement during training and less efficient recovery. This was the first study to examine the direct impact of COVID-19 on athletic performance and recovery, and it provides insight into the importance of proper return-to-play considerations.

Ecdysterone and Turkesterone-Compounds with Prominent Potential in Sport and Healthy Nutrition.

The naturally occurring compounds ecdysterone and turkesterone, which are present in plants, including Rhaponticum carthamoides Willd. (Iljin), Spinacia oleracea L., Chenopodium quinoa Willd., and Ajuga turkestanica (Regel) Briq, are widely recognized due to their possible advantages for both general health and athletic performance. The current review investigates the beneficial biological effects of ecdysterone and turkesterone in nutrition, highlighting their roles not only in enhancing athletic performance but also in the management of various health problems. Plant-based diets, associated with various health benefits and environmental sustainability, often include sources rich in phytoecdysteroids. However, the therapeutic potential of phytoecdysteroid-rich extracts extends beyond sports nutrition, with promising applications in treating chronic fatigue, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Case Study: Performance Analysis throughout the History in Summer and Winter Olympics

The Olympics is the world’s foremost multisport international event that occurs every four years in 2 seasonal editions which are the Summer and Winter Olympics respectively. With more than 200 nations participating in hundreds of events, it is a matter of prestige for any nation and the dream of every sportsperson to win a medal in the Olympics. Despite the massive hard work of the sportspersons, many nations fail to win medals whereas some nations are able to grab most of the medals under the names of their nations. Therefore, an analysis of the history of the Olympics is needed to understand the performances of nations, athletes and events to observe certain patterns occurring throughout the history of Olympics, in order to help the nations to improve themselves. The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the historical data of both the Winter and Summer Olympics under 14 different factors using Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) techniques and statistical methods to evaluate the performance of nations and athletes as well as the historical evolution of Olympics and correlation of medal win of sports persons with external variables such as GDP and population. The analyses provide accurate insights of the performance of nations in the Olympics throughout history and help sportspersons to analyze their own and the competitor’s performances. In this paper, the data visualization aspect of EDA is used to provide a statistical view of factors that led to the evolution of the Olympic games as well as the performance of nations and sportspersons and helps countries with average and poor performances to improve themselves in upcoming Olympic editions.

Sports promote brain evolution: a resting-state fMRI study of volleyball athlete

BackgroundLong-term skill learning can lead to structure and function changes in the brain. Different sports can trigger neuroplasticity in distinct brain regions. Volleyball, as one of the most popular team sports, heavily relies on individual abilities such as perception and prediction for high-level athletes to excel. However, the specific brain mechanisms that contribute to the superior performance of volleyball athletes compared to non-athletes remain unclear.MethodWe conducted a study involving the recruitment of ten female volleyball athletes and ten regular female college students, forming the athlete and novice groups, respectively. Comprehensive behavioral assessments, including Functional Movement Screen and audio-visual reaction time tests, were administered to both groups. Additionally, resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were acquired for both groups. Subsequently, we conducted in-depth analyses, focusing on the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and functional connectivity (FC) in the brain for both the athlete and novice groups.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in the behavioral data between the two groups. However, the athlete group exhibited noteworthy enhancements in both the ALFF and ReHo within the visual cortex compared to the novice group. Moreover, the functional connectivity between the visual cortex and key brain regions, including the left primary sensory cortex, left supplementary motor cortex, right insula, left superior temporal gyrus, and left inferior parietal lobule, was notably stronger in the athlete group than in the novice group.ConclusionThis study has unveiled the remarkable impact of volleyball athletes on various brain functions related to vision, movement, and cognition. It indicates that volleyball, as a team-based competitive activity, fosters the advancement of visual, cognitive, and motor skills. These findings lend additional support to the early cultivation of sports talents and the comprehensive development of adolescents. Furthermore, they offer fresh perspectives on preventing and treating movement-related disorders. Trial registrationRegistration number: ChiCTR2400079602. Date of Registration: January 8, 2024.