Enhance Sports Performance Research Articles

The impact of coffee in athletics: a comprehensive review of its components, sensory attributes and implications for sports health

This comprehensive review explores coffee’s diverse impact on athletics, covering its bioactive elements, sensory qualities, and effects on sports performance and health. It examines coffee’s potential benefits and challenges in sports health, encompassing physical fitness, mental well-being, nutrition, injury prevention, and recovery. The review first investigates key bioactive compounds in coffee, including polyphenols (e.g., caffeic acid, chlorogenic acids), caffeine, and bioflavonoids. It discusses how these compounds contribute to enhanced sports performance and overall health. The review highlights caffeine’s impact on alertness, endurance, and recovery, emphasizing optimal dosages and potential discomfort at higher levels. Additionally, it underscores the antioxidative properties of chlorogenic acids, which can mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation, supporting neuronal protection and injury recovery. The sensory experience of coffee, including taste and aroma, is also explored for its psychological influence on sports performance and health. The review addresses potential risks linked to coffee consumption, emphasizing the importance of moderation in the context of sports health. Concluding, the review identifies research gaps and suggests areas for future exploration. This comprehensive analysis underscores coffee’s multi-dimensional role in athletics, spanning its bioactive components and sensory qualities, shedding light on its potential to enhance sports performance and overall well-being.

The roles of readiness and dosage in predicting outcomes of a mindful sport performance enhancement intervention with U.S. college student-athletes

Research suggests that Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Interventions (MABIs) can impact sport performance and performance-relevant factors, though questions remain regarding when and for whom MABIs are effective. Specifically, inquiries into intervention engagement (i.e., dosage), potentially impacted by participant readiness, are needed. The present study utilized a non-randomized control group design with U.S. collegiate athletes to investigate MABI effects. Four teams from two universities in the Appalachian region (N = 57) engaged in Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) interventions during their offseason or pre-season training period. Participants were assessed on flow, psychological distress, mindfulness, emotion regulation difficulties, life satisfaction, readiness to practice mindfulness, attitudes toward sport psychology, and sport performance and enjoyment. Mindfulness dosage was measured weekly via self-report. Compared to controls, initial MSPE participants reported reductions in depressive symptoms and emotion regulation difficulties, and improvements in self-rated sport performance; at 6-week follow-up, initial MSPE participants reported significant increases in mindfulness and sport enjoyment, in addition to sustained reductions in emotion regulation difficulties. Pre-intervention readiness was not associated with changes across the intervention, though higher post-intervention readiness was associated with improvements in mindfulness, life satisfaction, and sport enjoyment. Higher post-intervention readiness was also associated with significantly more engagement (i.e., dosage), though no evidence indicated that dosage moderated the relationship between readiness and outcomes. These data suggest that post-intervention readiness may impact long-term engagement in mindfulness practice, and that pre-intervention readiness may not be an accurate indicator of engagement in or outcomes of an MABI with athletes.

Revitalizing performance: Exploring the influence of sports massage and PNF stretching on lactic acid recovery in females futsal athletes

Elevated levels of lactic acid in the blood and muscles following intense training or competition can have detrimental effects on physical performance and increase the likelihood of injury. Therefore, it is crucial to identify effective recovery techniques to mitigate fatigue promptly. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of sports massage and the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) method on the recovery of lactic acid in athletes. This study employed a true-experimental design using a pretest-posttest without a control group. A sample of 20 female futsal athletes was divided into two groups: the sports massage group (SM) consisting of 10 participants, and the PNF method group also comprising 10 participants. Lactic acid levels were assessed before exercise, immediately after completing the anaerobic exercise, and immediately after the recovery intervention based on the respective group allocation. The results showed an increase in lactic acid after anaerobic exercise in both groups. The SM group experienced a significant decrease compared to the PNF group which did not experience a significant decrease. A significant disparity was observed in the mean lactic acid levels between the two groups in the post-test data. In conclusion, the application of sports massage following anaerobic exercise proves to be effective in reducing lactic acid concentrations in futsal athletes compared to the PNF method. The findings of this study are anticipated to yield advantages for coaches, sports medical teams, and athletes by lowering lactic acid levels, enhancing sports performance, and mitigating injury risks. Practically, the findings underscore the potential benefits of incorporating a 15-minute sports massage into the recovery routine of female futsal players.

Psychological skill training to enhance sports performance among undergraduate athletes in Kogi State

Psychological skill training to enhance sports performance among undergraduate athletes in Kogi State

An Independent Examination of the Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement Protocol in National Collegiate Athletic Association Swimming and Diving

The mindful sport performance enhancement (MSPE) protocol is designed to enhance mindfulness, emotional regulation, and attentional awareness and control. The MSPE consists of trainer led group sessions teaching the concepts of mindfulness through discussion and meditation practice. However, little research has tested the MSPE protocol’s adaptability and generalizability to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division-I teams and practitioners independent of the MSPE protocol’s creators. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of an adapted MSPE protocol. The adapted MSPE protocol was delivered to a NCAA Division I team while a second team participated as a potentially equivalent control group. Both teams completed measures of attentional control, flow, rumination, and mindful attention as primary outcome variables. Results revealed significant decreases in rumination and trait anxiety, as well as improvements in concentration control and focusing ability compared with the control group. Findings support the external validity of the MSPE protocol to adapt to independent practitioners and a previously unstudied combination of sport and level of competition.

An extensive screening method for the identification and quantitation of ecdysteroids in equine urine and plasma using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Recently, there has been a report suggesting that ecdysteroids can enhance sports performance, making them relevant substances in doping control. Hence, it is imperative to examine the analytical characteristics of ecdysteroids in biological samples to identify their misuse in competitive sports. To assess the doping of ecdysteroids such as ecdysone, ecdysterone, ponasterone A, turkesterone, and ajugasterone C, a fast and sensitive extraction and detection method was developed, optimized, and validated using equine urine and plasma. Different extraction techniques, namely, solid-phase extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, and dilute-and-inject, were explored to detect ecdysteroids from equine urine and plasma. The most suitable method of detection was solid-phase extraction using ABS Elut-NEXUS, while liquid-liquid extraction and dilute-and-inject methods encountered difficulties due to the high polarity of ecdysteroids and the presence of significant matrix interferences. Mass spectrometric parameters are optimized on both the Q Exactive high-resolution mass spectrometer and the TSQ Altis triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. However, the study indicated that the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer exhibited improved limit of detection when analyzing samples. To achieve optimal separation of the analytes under investigation from the matrix interferences, various liquid chromatography columns were compared. The Selectra PFPP LC column with a mobile phase consisting of 0.2% formic acid in water (mobile phase A) and acetonitrile (mobile phase B) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min demonstrated superior performance. The findings of this study will significantly contribute to the accurate identification of ecdysteroids, facilitating the investigation of their illicit use in horse racing.

In Search of Clear Scientific Criteria for Including New Substances and Methods on the WADA Prohibited List

In the World Anti-Doping Code and in the practice of its application in the sports world, four criteria were elaborated to guide the process of including new substances and methods on the Prohibited List, namely representing an actual or potential risk to the health of athletes, enhancing sport performance, violating the spirit of sports, masking the use of other prohibited substances or prohibited methods. However, these criteria do not fully address the question of how the selection should be carried out when a substance or method is included on the Prohibited List. The approach according to which the presence of any two out of the three following criteria — enhancing sport performance, representing a risk to the health of athletes, violating the spirit of sports — in a specific case can hardly be considered exhaustive and definite (the fourth criterion — masking the use of other prohibited substances or methods — is self-evident). The authors identify new problems that need to be taken into account in the future. These are, in particular, the need to improve the decision-making procedure for including new substances and methods on the List and to make it more transparent and the need to normatively settle the issue of using new technological devices, more specifically nanotechnologies and nanomaterials (technological doping).

Mind and Body in Sync: The Fascinating Field of Psychophysiology in Sports

This letter to the chief editor delves into the captivating world of psychophysiology in sports, an interdisciplinary field that explores the dynamic interplay between the mind and body in athletic contexts. It outlines the fundamental concepts of psychophysiology, emphasizing its significance in understanding how psychological states influence physical performance. The letter highlights key historical developments and pivotal research that have shaped our understanding of this field, illustrating how psychophysiological principles have been integrated into sports science. It further discusses the practical applications of these principles in enhancing sports performance, including techniques like biofeedback, mental training, and stress management. The letter addresses existing challenges in the field, such as the need for comprehensive research and the integration of psychophysiological practices in training regimens. It concludes with a forward-looking perspective, emphasizing the potential for future advancements and the importance of continued exploration in this area. The letter aims to draw attention to the importance of psychophysiology in sports, advocating for greater recognition and application within the sports community, and suggesting a pathway for future research and collaboration.

Recent Advances in Biomechanics Research: Implications for Sports Performance and Injury Prevention

This narrative review provides a comprehensive examination of the latest advancements in biomechanics and their implications for sports performance enhancement and injury prevention. Utilizing systematic literature search methodologies, the review draws on peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, and comprehensive review papers published between 2019 and 2023, sourced from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. This article synthesizes findings from these sources to outline critical developments in the field of sports biomechanics. The review focuses on several key areas: technological innovations in biomechanics, biomechanical analysis of sports movements, injury prevention strategies, and the integration of biomechanical research into practical athletic training. Additionally, the review highlights the current challenges and limitations within the field and proposes future directions for research and application. By categorizing and analyzing recent literature into thematic areas, this review offers a detailed and structured overview of the state-of-the-art in sports biomechanics, emphasizing its significant impact on optimizing sports performance and reducing injury risks. The findings and discussions presented in this review are intended to inform researchers, practitioners, and athletes, contributing to the enhancement of sports science practices and athlete safety.

Superhydrophobic Conductive Suede Fabrics Based on Carboxylated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Polydopamine for Wearable Pressure Sensors

Textile-based pressure sensors have attracted considerable attention due to their potential to detect vital signals in humans, enhance sports performance, and facilitate human–machine interactions. However, practical challenges, such as unstable assembly structures, weak interfacial bonds with functional materials, and incompatibility with current established finishing technologies in production, remain significant obstacles to their widespread applications. This research explores commercially available suede fabric as a promising substrate for pressure sensing. The conductive suede sensor was readily by integrating carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (C-MWCNTs) and polydopamine (PDA) and subsequently modifying it with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane to achieve a superhydrophobic surface. The resulting suede sensor, featuring a robust PDA-(C-MWCNTs)-HDTMS chemical configuration, exhibited satisfactory hydrophobicity, excellent stability, and repeatability, capable of detecting pulse, throat movement, and daily human motions. Furthermore, the properties of the suede sensor can be well preserved after 60 min of machine washing and ultrasonic cleaning, highlighting its potential in practical applications. This study provides an environmentally stable, lightweight, and well-structured substrate for high-performance electronic textiles suitable for large-scale production.

Thick-film – a mature technology at the cutting edge of advances in the electronics industry

For decades, thick-film technology has proven to be a dependable, cost-efficient method for highly reliable electronic circuitry and components. Hybrid microelectronics was the first major application for fired thick-film materials, finding its way into military and aerospace applications, where reliability is paramount. Inner and outer electrodes for passive components have been another traditional thick-film market. One of the main advantages of thick film is that it is an additive process, where the various conductor, resistor, and dielectric pastes are screen-printed and fired or cured in succession to form the circuit. This results in cost-efficient processing for the circuit manufacturer. Patterned screens are relatively easy to manufacture, allowing for flexibility in circuit design, and screen printing allows for flexibility in feature sizes from hundreds of microns down to 30 microns or less. The main drivers in electronics today are miniaturization – higher circuit density, adaptation to new forms such as 3D and flexible substrates, and ecological factors such as reduced energy consumption, waste reduction, and reduction in the use of toxic substances (RoHS – REACH). Thick film has evolved to address these main drivers and due to its reliability, flexibility, and adaptability, The technology has found new applications. 5G telecommunications utilizes highly conductive silver coatings on signal filters for low losses. Automobiles have historically used thick film technology in fuel/air sensors, air bag deployment sensors, and electronic control units (ECUs). Current vehicles have become computers on wheels and have multiple driver assistance sensors (ADAS), e.g. lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, automatic braking, regenerative braking, and fully autonomous driving. Both fired and non-fired thick-film technology is enabling these developments. Also in the automotive space, applications include thick film heaters for cabin comfort, heaters keeping ADAS sensors free from frost and snow, and heaters for battery management systems (BMS) in electric vehicles. Polymer thick-film (PTF) pastes for cured (90 – 250o C) electronic circuitry on temperature sensitive polymers have also been around for decades, used in membrane touch-switch keypads and similar circuity. Recently, new applications have emerged for PTF in printed electronics, where the ability to develop flexible, highly durable pastes is enabling new applications in flexible displays, medical monitoring, and performance enhancement in sports. As the megatrends continue to drive the advancement in technologies, the versatility, reliability, and adaptability of thick-film technology is expected to continue to facilitate these advancements. Heraeus Electronics, with its extensive portfolio of thick-film pastes and matched systems, is primed to support these advancements.

Skill Level Classification in Basketball Free-Throws Using a Single Inertial Sensor

Wearable sensors are an emerging technology, with growing evidence supporting their application in sport performance enhancement. This study utilized data collected from a tri-axial inertial sensor on the wrist of ten recreational and eight professional basketball players while they performed free-throws, to classify their skill levels. We employed a fully connected convolutional neural network (CNN) for the classification task, using 64% of the data for training, 16% for validation, and the remaining 20% for testing the model’s performance. In the case of considering a single parameter from the inertial sensor, the most accurate individual components were upward acceleration (AX), with an accuracy of 82% (sensitivity = 0.79; specificity = 0.84), forward acceleration (AZ), with an accuracy of 80% (sensitivity = 0.78; specificity = 0.83), and wrist angular velocity in the sagittal plane (GY), with an accuracy of 77% (sensitivity = 0.73; specificity = 0.79). The highest accuracy of the classification was achieved when these CNN inputs utilized a stack-up matrix of these three axes, resulting in an accuracy of 88% (sensitivity = 0.87, specificity = 0.90). Applying the CNN to data from a single wearable sensor successfully classified basketball players as recreational or professional with an accuracy of up to 88%. This study represents a step towards the development of a biofeedback device to improve free-throw shooting technique.

Correlation between Ethical Sensitivity as Well as Doping Attitude and Dispositions in Taekwondo Kyorugi Athletes: Athlete Career and National Team Moderation Effect.

We aimed to examine the effect of ethical sensitivity on doping attitude and dispositions for Taekwondo athletes, as well as whether there was a difference depending on the athlete's career and national team status. Overall, 331 Korean adult Taekwondo athletes were enrolled. Data were collected using sports ethical sensitivity and Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS) tools as the research tools. For data processing, frequency analysis was performed to confirm demographic characteristics, and the fitness index was calculated by applying the Rasch model to confirm the validity and reliability of ethical sensitivity and PEAS. An independent sample t-test was performed to confirm the difference between ethical sensitivity and doping attitude and dispositions according to demographic characteristics. Pairwise parameter comparison values were used using multi-group analysis of path analysis to confirm the effect of ethical sensitivity on PEAS and the moderating effect was calculated. First, according to the demographic characteristics of Taekwondo athletes, there were statistically significant differences in ethical sensitivity and PEAS only by gender. Second, as ethical sensitivity factors, both intentional behavior factors and intentional collusion factors had statistically significant effect on PEAS. Third, in the effect of ethical sensitivity on doping attitude and dispositions, there was no moderating effect of athlete experience and national representative status. Ethical sensitivity has a positive linear correlation with PEAS. In other words, enhancing the ethical sensitivity of sports players will enhance athletes' ethical consciousness and prevent unethical behavior, and furthermore, doping.

Playful sport design: A game changer?

The aim of this paper is twofold. First, the concept Playful Sport Design (PSD) is introduced, based on play and proactivity theories. PSD is defined as a proactive cognitive-behavioral orientation that makes athletes incorporate fun and self-oriented challenges into training sessions. Second, we develop and test an instrument to assess PSD. In phase 1 (N = 562), the PSD instrument is tested on its reliability, factorial validity, and construct validity. In phase 2 (N = 131), the test-retest reliability and predictive validity of the PSD instrument is considered. Additionally, the nomological network of PSD is expanded. In phase 3 (N = 212), the predictive validity of PSD is further assessed. As hypothesized, the results of factor analyses show that PSD is best represented by two dimensions: designing fun and designing competition. The psychometric properties of the scale were shown to be satisfactory. Providing evidence for convergent validity, PSD was positively related to playfulness, competitiveness, fantasy proneness, personal initiative, openness to experience, achievement striving, and fun seeking. Specifically, designing fun showed more robust relations with fun-focused personality traits, while designing competition showed stronger relations with competition-focused traits. Providing evidence for divergent validity, PSD did not share variance with negative affect, procrastination, and perfectionism. Finally, in support of predictive validity, athletes who playfully designed their training sessions reported better subjective and objective sports performance. Lay summary: We introduce the concept Playful Sport Design (PSD), which refers to athletes’ proactive addition of play elements to their sports training. We present a scale that reliably and validly measures PSD. Further, we show that PSD is positively associated with immersion in sports training and sports performance. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Results of this paper could result in more awareness among adult athletes that play during sports training has beneficial sports outcomes. Athletes can use PSD to increase flow experiences during training sessions and enhance sports performance. The results of this paper open the door for practitioners to develop PSD interventions, through which athletes are taught how they can approach their training sessions in a more playful manner.

Recent Advances in Nutrition for Disease Prevention and Sports Performance Enhancement

The important role of nutrition on both health and sports performance, and particularly its joint association with physical exercise, is becoming increasingly clear in recent years [...].

Effectiveness of the mindfulness–acceptance–commitment approach: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT The presented study evaluates the evidence base underpinning the use of the Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment approach (MAC) in applied sport psychology. To assess the effectiveness of the MAC protocol on improving mindfulness and psychological flexibility, and on enhancing sport performance and well-being among athletes, we used Robust Bayesian Meta-Analysis with Publication Selection Model-Averaging (RoBMAPSMA). In total, there were eleven controlled trials included in the meta-analysis. Results of the RoBMAPSMA show: a moderate model-averaged effect size estimate for developing mindfulness with strong evidence (g = 0.64, 95% CI 0.00–0.91, BFes = 25.35); a small model-averaged effect size estimate for experiential acceptance with anecdotal evidence (g = 0.36, 95% CI 0.00–0.92, BFes = 2.32); and a small model-averaged effect size estimate for improving sport performance with moderate evidence (g = 0.37, 95% CI 0.00–0.79, BFes = 3.27). Only one study assessed the effectiveness of the MAC protocol on well-being and averaged effect sizes ranged from 0.01 to 0.82. Based on the results of the meta-analysis, the Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment protocol can be effective in improving mindfulness. In addition, results suggest that the MAC protocol might be effective in improving sport performance. Currently available trials, however, do not provide sufficient evidence supporting the MAC protocol's effectiveness in developing psychological flexibility, experiential acceptance, and promoting well-being among athletes.

Thyroid Hormone Abuse Among Elite Athletes.

Thyroid hormone (TH) abuse for performance enhancement in sport remains controversial and it is not prohibited in sports under the World Anti-Doping Code. However, the prevalence of TH usage in athletes is not known. We investigated TH use among Australian athletes undergoing antidoping tests for competition in World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-compliant sports by measuring TH in serum and surveying mandatory doping control form (DCF) declarations by athletes of all drugs used in the week prior to the antidoping test. Serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and reverse T3 were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and serum thyrotropin, free T4, and free T3 by immunoassays in 498 frozen serum samples from antidoping tests together with a separate set of 509 DCFs. Two athletes had biochemical thyrotoxicosis giving a prevalence of 4 per 1000 athletes (upper 95% confidence limit [CL] 16). Similarly, only 2 of 509 DCFs declared usage of T4 and none for T3, also giving a prevalence of 4 (upper 95% CL 16) per 1000 athletes. These estimates were consistent with DCF analyses from international competitions and lower than the estimated T4 prescription rates in the age-matched Australian population. There is minimal evidence for TH abuse among Australian athletes being tested for competing in WADA-compliant sports.

Online Dispositional Flow Enhancement Training for Chinese Recreational Runners: A Single-Group Mixed-method Evaluation

Background: There are limited studies examining the effectiveness of Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) on dispositional flow enhancement in the recreational population. This is the first empirical evaluation of an online 4-week MSPE designed to enhance dispositional flow in Chinese recreational runners.

The Effect of High Nicotine Dose on Maximum Anaerobic Performance and Perceived Pain in Healthy Non-Smoking Athletes: Crossover Pilot Study.

Background: In recent years, there has been intensive discussion about the positive effect of nicotine usage on enhancing sports performance. It is frequently applied through a non-burned tobacco form before physical activity. Nicotine is under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2021 monitoring program. Therefore, study results that reveal either positive or negative effects are expected. This is the pilot study that reports the effect of 8 mg dose of nicotine on performance and perceived pain. Material and Methods: This research aimed to explore the oral intake effect of a high-nicotine dose (8 mg) on the maximum anaerobic performance and other selected physical performance parameters in healthy, well-trained adult athletes (n = 15, age 30.7 ± 3.6, BMI 25.3 ± 1.7). The cross-sectional study protocol included the oral administration of either sublingual nicotine or placebo tablets before the anaerobic load assessed by a standardized 30 s Wingate test of the lower limbs. Afterward, the Borg subjective perception of pain (CR 10) and Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were evaluated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for the analysis of data with a 0.05 level of significance. Results: The results revealed that oral administration of an 8 mg nicotine dose does not significantly improve any of the physical performance parameters monitored. We only reported the statistically significant positive effect in RPE (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Lower perception of pain intensity that we reported after nicotine application might be an important factor that affects performance. However, we did not report any improvement in physical performance parameters.

Integrating Technology and Personalized Approaches in Sports Rehabilitation: Enhancing Performance and Preventing Sports Injuries

This study analyses how personalized therapy and technology might enhance sports performance and minimize injury risk. China used PLS to assess data. Issue Statement Athletes must avoid injuries and recuperate to perform well. Modern technologies and specific therapies may enhance recovery. This concept uses technology and individualized therapy to help athletes recover quicker and avoid injuries. Many effective study methods were used. We first researched sports rehabilitation technology and tactics. Next, a representative Chinese athlete sample was surveyed on the new training methods. PLS was used to detect correlations and other patterns that might elucidate research issues. Sports rehabilitation is enhanced by VR/AR, motion tracking, biomechanical analysis, and neurostimulation. Widely used. Kinematic analysis, balance and strength testing, and flexibility training improved athlete recovery. Research Advice This research may support various beliefs. Cutting-edge rehabilitation facilities must invest in cutting-edge technologies. Physicians must accommodate athletes. Technology and individualized training should be supported in rehabilitation and training programs to decrease sports injuries and increase athlete performance by the sport’s governing organizations and groups. This research shows that sports rehabilitation needs personalized treatment plans and technologies to improve outcomes and prevent recurrence. Physicians, sports teams, and Chinese athletes may benefit from the results.