Athletics Track Research Articles

Sex differences in elite track and field performances and inferences about steroid doping.

Females likely experience larger performance benefits from androgenic-anabolic steroids than males. We set out to determine if there were temporal differences in select athletics (track and field) records between females and males. Exploratory aims included: (1) evaluating the improvements in female and male world records over time, and (2) investigating the influence of doping programs on male and female world records before and after 1990, when sports governing bodies began to implement random out-of-competition and systematic in-competition drug testing. We collected the top 500 performances of all time for both sexes from an online database (worldathletics.org) in four running events (100, 200, 400 and 800m) and two throwing events (discus throw and shot-put). Data were stratified into quintiles based on world record ranking (1st to 100th, 101st to 200th, etc.). The temporal distribution of the top 100 female performers was significantly earlier than the top 100 male performers (year: 2000±1 vs. 2005±1, respectively; P<0.0001). Within the event, the top performances occurred significantly earlier for females in the 800m (year: 1995±15 vs. 2003±12; P=0.0007) and shot-put (year: 1992±14 vs. 2003±17; P=0.0004). Among females, world records rapidly improved through the 1980s, but following 1990, the world records ceased to improve. Geographically, there was a greater representation of countries with state-sponsored doping programs, specifically among female performances. We postulate these sex differences in the temporal distribution of top performances are likely associated with enhanced effectiveness of exogenous androgens (steroid doping) among female athletes with lower endogenous androgen hormones compared to males.

Multifunctional Human-Computer Interaction System Based on Deep Learning-Assisted Strain Sensing Array.

Continuous and reliable monitoring of gait is crucial for health monitoring, such as postoperative recovery of bone joint surgery and early diagnosis of disease. However, existing gait analysis systems often suffer from large volumes and the requirement of special space for setting motion capture systems, limiting their application in daily life. Here, we develop an intelligent gait monitoring and analysis prediction system based on flexible piezoelectric sensors and deep learning neural networks with high sensitivity (241.29 mV/N), quick response (66 ms loading, 87 ms recovery), and excellent stability (R2 = 0.9946). The theoretical simulations and experiments confirm that the sensor provides exceptional signal feedback, which can easily acquire accurate gait data when fitted to shoe soles. By integrating high-quality gait data with a custom-built deep learning model, the system can detect and infer human motion states in real time (the recognition accuracy reaches 94.7%). To further validate the sensor's application in real life, we constructed a flexible wearable recognition system with human-computer interaction interface and a simple operation process for long-term and continuous tracking of athletes' gait, potentially aiding personalized health management, early detection of disease, and remote medical care.

Bone stress injuries in athletics (track and field) championships: findings from a prospective injury surveillance conducted across 24 international championships with 29,147 registered athletes

BackgroundAthletics (track and field) athletes are prone to develop bone stress injuries (BSIs) but epidemiological data on BSIs from top-level sports events are scarce.ObjectiveTo describe the incidence and characteristics of BSIs during 24 international athletics championships held from 2007 to 2023.MethodsBSI-related data were prospectively collected during 24 international athletics championships, including the Olympic Games (n = 3), World Outdoor Championships (n = 4), European Outdoor Championships (n = 6), World Indoor Championships (n = 3) and European Indoor Championships (n = 8). Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to assess the epidemiological characteristics of BSIs.ResultsBSIs accounted for 1.5% of all reported injuries (n = 36; 1.2 per 1000 registered athletes (95%CI 0.8 to 1.6)). No significant difference of BSI incidence was detected between female (2.0 per 1000 athletes (95%CI: 0.9 to 2.3)) and male athletes (0.9 per 1000 athletes (95%CI: 0.4 to 1.4)) (relative risk (RR) = 1.73, 95%CI: 0.88 to 3.40). BSI incidence was significantly higher during outdoor championships (1.6 per 1000 registered athletes (95%CI: 1.0 to 2.1)) as compared to indoor championships (0.2 per 1000 registered athletes (95%CI: 0.0 to 0.5)) (RR = 10.4, 95%CI: 1.43 to 76.0). Most BSIs were sustained in the foot (n = 50%) or leg (n = 33%). BSIs were reported in athletes participating in endurance disciplines (52.8%) or in explosive disciplines (47.2%).ConclusionsBSIs represent a small portion of injuries sustained during international athletics championships. Collective results suggest that injury rates are higher in outdoor competitions as compared to indoor competitions. The most common injury locations comprise the foot and leg.Clinical Trial NumberNot applicable.

Accounting for friction in the mechanical testing of athletics tracks

This investigation deals with the problem of identifying the mechanical behaviour of rubbers from compression tests, performed on specimens having unfavorable geometry. A typical situation is that of flat specimens obtained from high-friction sports surfaces. To this purpose, experimental tests were conducted, aimed at measuring friction under various conditions and evaluating its effect on the compressive behavior of different rubber samples. The experimental results have been interpreted in view of an existing analytical model proposed by Gent and coworkers. The method was shown to be valid within a relatively broad range of conditions (in terms of materials, lubrication and aspect ratio). Its application allowed the creation of virtual “frictionless” curves, by rescaling experimental data for the stiffening factor predicted by Gent model. These curves represent more closely the intrinsic material behaviour, removing the large frictional contribution present in the experimental tests, and can be used as a more reliable input for numerical simulations.

Aerobic Exercise in the Aquatic Environment Suppresses the Plasma Renin Activity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

To compare the acute effects of aquatic walking/running versus dry-land walking/running on blood glucose and plasma renin activity (PRA) in individuals with type 2 diabetes, participants with type 2 diabetes performed deep-water or dry-land walking and/or running sessions in a swimming pool or on an athletics track, respectively. Both sessions comprised seven blocks of 3 min at 85-90% of the heart rate deflection point (HRDP), interspersed with 2 min at <85% HRDP, totaling 35 min, with a 48 h interval between sessions. PRA and blood glucose were assessed before and immediately after the sessions. Generalized estimation equations were used to verify the session effects, with the Bonferroni post hoc test, considering the significance level as 0.05. Twelve individuals (53.2 ± 8.9 years) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for 6.3 ± 6.34 years participated in the study. A reduction in PRA was found only after the aquatic session (-7.75 ng/mL/h; -69%; p: 0.034), while both aquatic and dry-land sessions similarly reduced the blood glucose levels (aquatic: -38 mg/dL, -21%; dry-land: -26 mg/dL, -14%; time effect, p = 0.007). Despite yielding similar glycemic reductions as dry-land walking/running, aquatic walking/running led to an expressive decrease in PRA among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Real-time body movement tracking of athletes via a CNN-based approach

Sports injuries frequently stem from improper poses and movements. This paper explores the potential of using video and deep neural network model in mitigating such risks. A novel real-time body movement tracking system is designed to enable athletes to analyze and refine their techniques without the need for intrusive sensors. Central to our approach is the development of a user-friendly graphical interface, facilitating the effortless display and examination of tracked movements. This system not only enhances athletic performance but also aims to significantly reduce the sports injuries.

Real-time body movement tracking of athletes via a CNN-based approach

Sports injuries frequently stem from improper poses and movements. This paper explores the potential of using video and deep neural network model in mitigating such risks. A novel real-time body movement tracking system is designed to enable athletes to analyze and refine their techniques without the need for intrusive sensors. Central to our approach is the development of a user-friendly graphical interface, facilitating the effortless display and examination of tracked movements. This system not only enhances athletic performance but also aims to significantly reduce the sports injuries.

Injuries in Athletics (Track and Field): A Narrative Review Presenting the Current Problem of Injuries

Objective: In Athletics (Track and Field), athletes can be affected by injuries, especially in their quest for top performance. Therefore, we aim to provide an overview of the current knowledge about the problem of injuries in Athletics. Main findings: It is necessary to maintain a clear definition of “injury” when stakeholders in Athletics discuss clinical, administrative, and/ or research perspectives. There are several possible methodological approaches to collect injury data in Athletics depending on the context, population, and injury definition. In general, about two thirds of Athletics athletes sustain at least one injury during an Athletics season, and there are about 100 injuries per 1000 registered athletes during an international championship. The injury rates and characteristics vary by sex and discipline. The injuries can affect athletes physically, psychologically, and socially, with short- and long-term consequences for musculoskeletal function, athletics performance and athletics career. Although it is logical to try to reduce the injury risk, little scientific evidence is currently available to help Athletics-related stakeholders. Conclusions: Injury can currently be considered as an omnipresent problem in Athletics, which affects their practice, with consequences on performance and health. Injury risk is today an undeniable part of the life of Athletics athletes, which implies that there is a pressing need to continue the development of injury risk reduction strategies, to scientifically evaluate their efficacy, and to implement them in sports practice.

Sprint Acceleration Mechanical Outputs and Lower Limb Injuries: A Follow-Up of Sprint, Jumps and Combined Events Athletes during an Athletics Season

Problem: We aimed to explore the potential association between sprint running horizontal force production capacities (the theoretical maximum horizontal force that the lower limbs can produce at zero velocity: FH0, and the theoretical maximum velocity until which they can produce force (velocity at zero force): v0 ) and occurrence of lower limb injuries (LLI) in athletics (track and field) athletes through a season. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study with data collection of FH0 and v0 and their week-to-week changes (dFH0 and dv0 , respectively) and LLI in 16 athletes practicing sprints, jumps or combined events in the same training group during the 2021/2022 season (37 weeks). We performed a multivariable binomial logistic regression with LLI (yes/no) as the dependent variable, and FH0 and v0 , dFH0 and dv0 as explanatory variables, adjusted for individual athletes and LLI during the previous week (yes/no). Risk indicators were presented as odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). › Results: The multivariable binomial logistic regression showed that a higher FH0 was associated with lower LLI risk (OR=0.12 (95%CI: 0.00-0.89). Conclusion: Lower FH0 was associated with higher risk of sustaining a new lower limb injury during the next week. Although caution should be taken on these preliminary results (e.g., small athletes’ sample, missing measurements, few confounding factors included), monitoring the FH0 could be one additional relevant approach to detect LLI in athletics.

Training load monitoring and wellness tracking of student athletes

The evolution of Strength and Conditioning (S&amp;C) has been significant in enhancing athletic performance, especially with a more recent shift in considering holistic athlete wellness which encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological aspects. Understanding the multifaced nature of athlete wellness allows an insight into the holistic wellbeing of athletes. Despite this, student-athletes are an understudied population who face unique challenges due to academic pressures, financial challenges, and intense training schedules in contrast to the established professional athlete. This study aims to investigate the correlation between S&amp;C training loads and various wellness metrics (sleep quality, muscle soreness, mood and educational stress) in student athletes. Understanding how student athlete wellness varies over the academic year allows S&amp;C coaches to tailor training loads to better compliment wellness and improve psychological, physical wellbeing and ultimately athletic performance. With institutional ethics approval from University of Derby, a mixed methods approach was adopted using an online questionnaire which 50 student athletes filled out multiple times a day over the academic year. Sports included were men’s &amp; women’s volleyball, badminton and men’s futsal. Data collected by the survey included sleep duration and quality, muscle soreness ratings, mood surveys, illness reports, training load measurements, stress and anxiety evaluations. This comprehensive data set enables a detailed analysis of trends over time. It is anticipated that the study will reveal significant relationships between training loads and various wellness indicators. Specific trends, such as the impact of academic stress on training effectiveness or the role of sleep quality in recovery and performance, are expected to emerge. These insights will provide valuable information for tailoring S&amp;C programs to better support student athletes. Understanding the complex relationship of training loads and wellness in student athletes is crucial for optimising their performance and overall well-being. This study aims to contribute to a more intricate understanding of these relationships, informing the development of more effective, individualised training and wellness strategies. Ultimately, the research will provide an understanding for the importance of a holistic approach in athlete development, considering both physical and psychological aspects for optimal performance enhancement.

Differences and relationship between velocity attained at VO2max and time trial performances in Para athletes with vision impairment and their guides

The aim of this study was to compare the relationship and difference between velocity attained at maximal oxygen consumption (vVO2max) and 1000-m time trials in Para athletes with vision impairment and their guides. This study had seven Para athletes of class T11 (six Paralympic Games medalists and one non-medalist) and seven respective guides who performed an incremental treadmill test and 1000-m time trial on the athletics track. Data normality was checked through the Shapiro-Wilk test, Student t test, and effect size (ES) to compare differences between groups, and the association between vVO2max and time trial mean velocity (vTT) was made through linear regression. No differences were observed ( p = .555, ES: 0.236) in the VO2max of the T11 athletes (49.29 ± 9.25 ml kg−1 min−1) and their respective guides (51.30 ± 8.92 ml kg−1 min−1), as well as in the vVO2max (T11 athlete: 18.14 ± 3.53 km h−1, guide: 19.00 ± 2.52 km h−1, p = .585, ES: 0.218) and vTT (T11 athlete: 17.25 ± 3.57 km h−1, guide: 20.12 ± 2.25 km h−1, p = .100, ES: 0.735). However, the linear regression analysis between vVO2max and vTT revealed a positive and moderate relationship in T11 athletes (R2 = 0.684, p &lt; .01) and a very large guide (R2 = 0.774, p &lt; .01). The speed reserve of the guide in relation to the T11 athlete was 16%. The results of vTT underestimate the vVO2max more in guides than in T11 athletes.

The Effect of Cannabidiol on Subjective Responses to Endurance Exercise: A Randomised Controlled Trial

BackgroundExercise is known to improve health. However, it can be unpleasant, often inducing negative feelings, or ‘affect’. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating constituent of the cannabis plant, has been reported to enhance the subjective experience of exercise; specifically, in trained individuals performing fixed-intensity endurance activity. Here, we investigated the effects of CBD on subjective responses to exercise under more ecologically valid conditions; namely, in recreationally active individuals performing self-paced endurance activity.MethodsA randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted at Griffith University between July 17 and August 28, 2023. Griffith University students studying sports nutrition were invited to take part, with eligible volunteers ≥ 18 years of age and able to perform endurance exercise. Participants ingested placebo or 150 mg CBD in two soft-gel capsules 90 min before completing a self-paced 25-lap (10 km) run around an outdoor athletics track (400 m, synthetic). The primary outcomes were affective valence during exercise, assessed on completion of laps 6, 12, 18 and 24 using the ‘Feelings Scale’, and positive and negative affect, assessed at baseline, pre-run and post-run using the ‘Positive and Negative Affect Schedule’. Exercise enjoyment, motivation and self-efficacy, the core features of the ‘runner’s high’ (i.e., euphoria, pain, anxiety, sedation), perceived exertion and run time were also assessed.ResultsFifty-two participants were randomised and 51 were included in the final sample (n = 22 female; 22 [21–25] years). Exercise induced negative affect (i.e., at the time of undertaking) and increased pain. CBD did not counteract either response. In fact, CBD had no significant effects on any of the outcomes measured. In contrast, exercise, once completed, increased positive affect, and decreased negative affect and anxiety.ConclusionsCBD (150 mg, oral) does not appear to enhance the subjective experience of self-paced endurance exercise in recreationally active individuals. Nor, however, does it appear to compromise it. These findings suggest that CBD use is safe under exercise conditions and unlikely to impede physical activity participation. Our study also reaffirms the powerful mood-enhancing effects of exercise.Trial RegistrationRegistered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (www.anzctr.org.au) on May 31, 2023 (Trial ID: ACTRN12623000593639).

Ethical Risks of Systematic Menstrual Tracking in Sport.

In this article it will be concluded that systematic menstrual tracking in women's sport has the potential to cause harm to athletes. Since the ruling of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) in the United States, concerns regarding menstrual health tracking have arisen. Research suggests that the menstrual tracking of female athletes presents potential risks to "women's autonomy, privacy, and safety in sport" (Casto 2022, 1725). At present, the repercussions of systematic menstrual tracking are particularly under-scrutinized, and this paper seeks to combine novel research in the sport sciences with present ethical debates in the philosophy of sports. Utilizing Beauvoir's feminist philosophy (2011), this paper argues that systematic menstrual tracking may contribute to the wider system of women's oppression by exploiting female athletes, as well as enabling the internalization of submissive behaviour in cultures where athletes are expected to comply unquestioningly. Five policy recommendations are made concerning autonomy, informed consent, education, safeguarding and data access. The overall findings of this paper propose that a more in-depth understanding of the links between data, privacy, and the menstrual cycle are required by sports organizations and governing bodies if athletes are to be protected in a future where systematic menstrual tracking is inevitable.

The Eye in the Sky—A Method to Obtain On-Field Locations of Australian Rules Football Athletes

The ability to overcome an opposition in team sports is reliant upon an understanding of the tactical behaviour of the opposing team members. Recent research is limited to a performance analysts’ own playing team members, as the required opposing team athletes’ geolocation (GPS) data are unavailable. However, in professional Australian rules Football (AF), animations of athlete GPS data from all teams are commercially available. The purpose of this technical study was to obtain the on-field location of AF athletes from animations of the 2019 Australian Football League season to enable the examination of the tactical behaviour of any team. The pre-trained object detection model YOLOv4 was fine-tuned to detect players, and a custom convolutional neural network was trained to track numbers in the animations. The object detection and the athlete tracking achieved an accuracy of 0.94 and 0.98, respectively. Subsequent scaling and translation coefficients were determined through solving an optimisation problem to transform the pixel coordinate positions of a tracked player number to field-relative Cartesian coordinates. The derived equations achieved an average Euclidean distance from the athletes’ raw GPS data of 2.63 m. The proposed athlete detection and tracking approach is a novel methodology to obtain the on-field positions of AF athletes in the absence of direct measures, which may be used for the analysis of opposition collective team behaviour and in the development of interactive play sketching AF tools.

OPTIMISING SPRINT PERFORMANCE: CONCURRENT VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF 25HZ GNSS UNITS FOR SPEED PROFILING

Sprint performance profiling is crucial for understanding an athlete’s capabilities and identifying potential areas for improvement. While traditional gold standard systems provide valid and reliable measurements, they are often costly, laboratory-based, or impractical for field-based settings. New GNSS units (25Hz) with higher sampling rates may address some of these limitations. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the concurrent validity and inter-unit reliability of 25Hz GNSS units by examining their agreement with laser devices for velocity measurements and timing gates for interval times. Validity was assessed during a track and field training session. 30 participants performed between 3 and 6 sprints over 40m whilst being assessed simultaneously through all systems. Inter-unit reliability was assessed on a closed athletics track by placing 3 GNSS units on a motor vehicle and completing 60 accelerations from 0-60m. Low mean bias (&amp;lt;1%) and typical error less than &amp;lt;2% for all measurements demonstrate excellent agreement between GNSS and criterion devices. The units demonstrated good reliability for the 0-10m interval (ICC = 0.86), excellent reliability for all remaining 10m intervals to 60m (ICC = 0.91-0.99), full times 0-60m (ICC = 0.97) and maximal sprint velocity (ICC = 1.0). These GNSS units offer a more efficient and practical alternative to traditional measurement devices. For coaches, this technology offers a scalable method to concurrently assess the sprint performances of multiple athletes during training and competitions, enabling evidence-based decisions to guide athletic development.

Skiing economy and kinematic during a field double poling roller skiing among novice and experienced cross-country skiers

To assess the skiing economy (SE) and kinematics during double poling (DP) roller skiing between two groups of skiers in a field setting. Five experienced and five novice male skiers performed a SEDP test at 16 km∙h−1 on an outdoor athletics track. Gas exchange parameters were measured to determine SEDP. A two-dimensional video was filmed to measure the kinematics variables. Experienced skiers exhibited a 21% lower oxygen cost than novice skiers (p = 0.016) in DP, indicating a strong association between SEDP, cycle length and cycle rate (p < 0.001). Additionally, before the poling phase, experienced skiers manifested significantly greater maximum hip and knee extension angles than novice skiers (p < 0.001). During the poling phase, experienced skiers with a greater pole plant angle (p = 0.001), longer flexion time (p < 0.001) and higher flexion angular velocity in the elbow joint (p < 0.05) demonstrated better SEDP. There was an interaction effect of the one-repetition maximum bench press × group in SEDP (b = − 0.656, SE = 0.097, t = − 6.78, p = 0.001). Therefore, experienced skiers with better SEDP demonstrated more efficient cycles, potentially accomplished using dynamic full-body DP motion to ascertain effective propulsion. Combined upper body strength and ski-specific skill training may enhance SEDP in novice skiers.

Real Time Monitoring Research on Rehabilitation Effect of Artificial Intelligence Wearable Equipment on Track and Field Athletes

INTRODUCTION: With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, wearable artificial intelligence devices show great potential in medical rehabilitation. This study explores the Real Time monitoring effect of AI wearable devices in the rehabilitation process of track and field athletes. The application of this technology in rehabilitation monitoring was investigated through the introduction of advanced sensing technology and data analysis algorithms to provide track and field athletes with more scientific and personalized rehabilitation programs. OBJECTIVES: A group of track and field athletes was selected as the research object and equipped with an artificial intelligence wearable device, which is capable of Real Time monitoring of the athletes' physiological parameters, sports postures, joint mobility, and other rehabilitation-related data. An individualized rehabilitation model was established through the data collected by these sensors, and advanced artificial intelligence algorithms were used to analyze the data in Real Time. At the same time, the sensor data were combined with the actual performance of the athletes' rehabilitation training to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of AI wearable devices in rehabilitation monitoring. METHODS: This study aims to assess the effect of Real Time monitoring of AI wearable devices in the rehabilitation of track and field athletes and to explore their potential application in the rehabilitation process. Real Time tracking of athletes' physiological status and athletic performance aims to provide more accurate and timely information to rehabilitation doctors and coaches to optimize the rehabilitation training program and promote the rehabilitation process of athletes. RESULTS: The study showed that artificial intelligence wearable devices have significant Real Time monitoring effects in rehabilitating track and field athletes. Through Real Time monitoring of data such as physiological parameters, sports posture, and joint mobility, the rehabilitation team was able to identify potential problems and adjust the rehabilitation program in a more timely manner. Athletes using artificial intelligence wearable devices improved the personalization and targeting of rehabilitation training, and the rehabilitation effect was significantly better than that of traditional monitoring methods. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that artificial intelligence wearable devices perform well in rehabilitating track and field athletes, providing a more scientific and comprehensive means of rehabilitation monitoring. Through Real Time tracking, the rehabilitation team could better understand the rehabilitation progress of the athletes, adjust the rehabilitation program in a targeted manner, and improve the rehabilitation effect. However, future research still needs to optimize the performance of the devices further, expand the sample size, and thoroughly study the monitoring needs at different stages of rehabilitation to better meet the individualized requirements of track and field athletes' rehabilitation process.

Classification of Male Athletes Based on Critical Power.

This study aimed to classify male athletes based on their performance levels derived from running critical power (CP) using the 9/3-minute Stryd CP test, enabling customized training strategies and goal setting. Twenty-four trained athletes underwent the 9/3-minute running CP test on a certified 400-m athletics track. Hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward's method categorized athletes based on CP into distinct performance tiers. Three clusters were identified with centroids of 3.87±0.12, 4.45±0.17, and 5.14±0.29 W/kg. Five performance tiers were defined through ordinary least square linear regression based on power (W/kg): Tier 1: Fair (2.9 to 3.6 W/kg), Tier 2: Tourist (3.6 to 4.2 W/kg), Tier 3: Regional (4.2 to 4.8 W/kg), Tier 4: National (4.8 to 5.5 W/kg), Tier 5: International (5.5 to 6.1 W/kg). Low semi-partial R-squared (SpR 2) values (0.02 to 0.05) indicated minimal homogeneity loss when merging clusters. R-squared (R 2) explained 89% to 96% of CP variance, emphasizing cluster analysis effectiveness. The linear regression model demonstrated a strong fit (r 2+=+0.997) with a significant intercept (3.22 W/kg), slope (0.63 W/kg/tier), and a low standard error of estimate (0.045 W/kg). This classification offers insights into male athlete performance levels based on CP, facilitating targeted training programs for varying performance levels.

Digital technologies in sports: Opportunities, challenges, and strategies for safeguarding athlete wellbeing and competitive integrity in the digital era

Digital technologies are revolutionizing operations across various industries, including the sports sector. This study employed a mixed methods approach to investigate technology adoption rates and assess the perceived impacts on performance, injuries, operations, and fan experience in 21 sports organizations. Furthermore, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 industry experts, providing information on decision drivers, implementation challenges, emerging innovations, and ethical considerations associated with responsible technology integration. The survey findings revealed extensive usage of analytics, wearables, management information systems, and fan engagement platforms among the sports organizations under investigation. Notably, analytics and statistics tools, along with management information systems, were identified as having the most significant influence on enhancing organizational performance and efficiency. Wearable technologies emerged as crucial tools for injury prevention through the monitoring of athlete health metrics. Insights gleaned from the expert interviews underscored the potential of emerging technologies, such as augmented reality, athlete tracking, predictive analytics, exoskeletons, and AI coaching, in the sports industry. However, experts also highlighted implementation challenges, including financial considerations, skills gaps, resistance to change, uncertainties surrounding return on investment demonstration, and ethical risks that necessitate mitigation measures. The study results indicated that data-driven systems have the capacity to improve operations and athlete outcomes; however, an over-reliance on such systems may diminish the significance of human expertise. It is imperative that responsible integration of these technologies aligns with organizational goals and values. By investigating current trends in technology adoption, assessing perceived impacts, and considering stakeholder viewpoints through an integrated methodology, this study aimed to provide evidence-based guidance for maximizing the benefits of digital transformation in a responsible manner.

How do sports injury epidemiological outcomes vary depending on athletes' response rates to a weekly online questionnaire? An analysis of 39-week follow-up from 391 athletics (track and field) athletes.

To explore how sports injury epidemiological outcomes (i.e., prevalence, average prevalence, incidence, burden, and time to first injury) vary depending on the response rates to a weekly online self-reported questionnaire for athletes. Weekly information on athletics injuries and exposure from 391 athletics (track and field) athletes was prospectively collected over 39 weeks (control group of the PREVATHLE randomized controlled trial) using an online self-reported questionnaire. The data were used to calculate sports injury epidemiological outcomes (i.e., prevalence, average prevalence, incidence, burden, and time to first injury) for sub-groups with different minimum individual athletes' response rates (i.e., from at least 100%, at least 97%, at least 95%, … to at least 0% response rate). We then calculated the relative variation between each sub-group and the sub-group with a 100% response rate as a reference. A substantial variation was considered when the relative variation was greater than one SD or 95% CI of the respective epidemiological outcome calculated in the sub-group with a 100% response rate. Of 15 249 expected weekly questionnaires, 7209 were completed and returned, resulting in an overall response rate of 47.3%. The individual athletes' response rates ranged from 0% (n = 51) to 100% (n = 100). The prevalence, average weekly prevalence, and time to first injury only varied substantially for the sub-groups below a 5%, 10% and 18% minimum individual response rate, respectively. The incidence and injury burden showed substantial variations for all sub-groups with a response rate below 100%. Epidemiological outcomes varied depending on the minimum individual athletes' response rate, with injury prevalence, average weekly prevalence, and time to first injury varying less than injury incidence and injury burden. This highlights the need to take into account the individual response rate when calculating epidemiological outcomes, and determining the optimal study-specific cut-offs of the minimum individual response rate needed.