Improve Sports Performance Research Articles

A Novel Approach for Monitoring Training Load and Wellness in Women's College Gymnastics.

Monitoring training load has the potential to improve sport performance and reduce injuries in athletes. This study examined training load and its association with wellness in artistic gymnastics. Training load and changes in training load (acute:chronic workload ratio [ACWR]) vary throughout 1 season; wellness is inversely correlated with training load and ACWR. Prospective case series. Level 3. A total of 30 female collegiate gymnasts from 4 Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association teams participated (mean age, 20 ± 2 years). During 4 months, before daily training, wellness surveys assessed sleep, energy, soreness, and mood (1-10; higher = better). After daily training, training load surveys assessed training duration per event (warm-up, vault, bars, beam, floor, strength and conditioning) and session rating of perceived exertion (RPE; 1-10; 10 = hardest) per event. Coaches reported technical complexity of training per event (1-4; 4 = hardest). Training load was calculated as [duration] × [RPE] × [technical complexity]. ACWR represented a ratio between acute [1-week] and chronic [4-week rolling average] training loads. ACWR and weekly training load fluctuated throughout the season (ACWR mean weekly range: 0.68-1.11; training load mean weekly range: 2073-6193 arbitrary units). ACWR and weekly training loads were trichotomized into low, medium, and high groups; positive correlations were observed between each wellness variable and ACWR (P < 0.01) and between each wellness variable and weekly training load (P < 0.01). Our novel training load monitoring framework for women's college gymnastics enabled us to characterize training load and its relationship with wellness throughout 1 season. This method should be explored in gymnasts across various ages and competitive levels. This study proposes a framework and the initial findings of monitoring training load and wellness in collegiate women's gymnastics.

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

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

CREATINA E DOENÇA RENAL CRÔNICA

Creatine is one of the most sought after supplements by those who perform physical activities, as it enables strength gain, muscle recovery and hypertrophy. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have greater creatine losses and impairment in the endogenous synthesis process, since the first and limiting stage occurs in the kidney. This study is a literature review and its main objective is to investigate the possible adverse effects of chronic creatine use on renal function. Creatine is widely used as a supplement to improve sports performance, but there are concerns about its potential adverse effects. Previous studies have been reviewed to address the main factors contributing to the divergence in conclusions. The results indicate that while creatine is generally safe for healthy people, there are reported cases of kidney failure in genetically predisposed individuals.

Characteristics, Relationships, and Differences in Muscle Activity and Impact Load Attenuation During Tennis Forehand Stroke with Different Grips.

In forehand strokes with different grips in tennis, the forearm muscle activities, the distribution and attenuation of the impact loads, and the effects of the muscles on the impact load attenuation exhibited different characteristics. This study aimed to explore these characteristics by analyzing electromyography (EMG) and acceleration data, and comparing the differences between the Eastern and Western grips. Fourteen level II or above tennis players (ten males, aged 22.4 ± 3.6 years; four females, aged 19.8 ± 2.0 years) were recruited and instructed to perform forehand strokes using the Eastern and Western grips, respectively. The EMG of eight forearm muscles and the acceleration data at the ulnar and radial sides of the wrist and elbow were collected. The root mean square (RMS), the peaks of the impact load, the amplitude of impact load attenuation (AC), and the jerk value (Jerk) were calculated. The cross-correlation coefficients and time delays of EMG-EMG, EMG-AC, and EMG-jerk were obtained using the cross-correlation method. The results showed that in the Eastern grip group (group E), the RMS of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) was significantly greater than that in the Western grip group (group W). In group E, the peaks of impact load, AC, and Jerk on the Y axis of the wrist ulnar side were all significantly higher than those in group W. The activity of the extensor digitorum commonis (EDC) had significantly different effects on the amplitude and rate of impact load attenuation at specific locations in different grips, especially at the elbow (p < 0.05). The conclusion indicated that the FCU exhibited higher levels of EMG activity in the Eastern grip. This grip responded to greater impact loads with more substantial and rapid attenuation on the wrist ulnar side. Furthermore, the EDC appeared to contribute more to the amplitude of impact load attenuation in the Western grip and to have a more significant influence on the rate of impact load attenuation in the Eastern grip, especially at the elbow. These results suggest that tennis players and coaches should pay more attention to improving the strength of the EDC and FCU, which can improve sports performance and comfort, as well as prevent sports injuries.

Research on motion control strategy of athlete muscle training based on blockchain and visual image analysis

Muscle training is an important part of athletes’ physical training. Its goal is to keep athletes in high intensity and improve sports performance in physical training. With the continuous improvement of the level of competitive sports, there are still many problems in the training of competitive athletes. The research on the control strategies of some technical movements in the process of athletes’ muscle development would help to improve the efficiency and effect of athletes’ training. By analyzing and quant description of muscle movement control process based on blockchain and visual image processing technology, the muscle movement control rule is discussed and then a complete movement database is constructed. At the same time, combined with the sports experiment method and cognitive behavioral theory, this paper analyzed the exercise load, exercise time allocation, muscle training time allocation methods and the corresponding muscle training strategy selection methods under different muscle states, providing theoretical basis for athletes to conduct muscle strength training scientifically and efficiently. This paper first analyzed the importance of athletes’ muscle training action control. After that, the research was mainly carried out from the following two aspects. The first is to analyze the motion control strategy of athlete muscle training based on blockchain and visual image, and summarize its characteristics. The second is to use electronic imaging technology to analyze the data related to posture control in athletes’ muscle training, and explore the characteristics and changes of muscle posture. At last, this paper put forward relevant algorithms about visual images and conducted experimental research on athletes’ physical indicators and performance under different muscle training according to the research in this paper. It was concluded that the score ratio of athletes’ performance after muscle training action control was 7.39% higher than that of general muscle training. Therefore, it is very important to strengthen the research of movement technology in muscle training and analyze the influence of some training control strategies on the development of athletes’ muscles in training.

Pasteables: A Flexible and Smart “Stick-and-Peel” Wearable Platform for Fitness and Athletics

Wearable technologies are becoming increasingly popular and transforming our fitness and sports industry. Monitoring health parameters and body activity can help achieve fitness goals, improve sports performance, and aid in physiotherapy. However, state-of-the-art wearable devices are often not flexible, expensive, hard to set up, or have privacy concerns. They are designed and optimized for a specific application with tight hardware-software integration and it is hard or impossible to re-purpose them for diverse use cases. In this paper, we propose a flexible, re-configurable human body movement and health monitoring platform, called "Pasteables". It is a stick-and-peel device (which acts like a band-aid) that attaches to the skin or clothing and can create an on-body network of smart wearables. Given an application, Pasteables can be easily adapted to its requirements while ensuring good performance and privacy. We present the overall architecture, system design steps, and the configuration process. We have designed a set of functional prototypes and configured them for performing a variety of camera-less pose and posture detection tasks, which are important for athletes, professional dancing, physiotherapy, and fitness workouts. We note that the Pasteables can perform pose/posture detection without external stationary reference at low cost and high accuracy.

A new playbook: preparing young team athletes for diverse futures

This article highlights innovative approaches to the development of young athletes in team sports, focusing on strategies that facilitate a successful transition to adulthood. Through a systematic review of the literature in high-impact databases, we investigate the role of positive development, the promotion of transferable skills, the fostering of a growth mindset, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the sports context. We observe the need for athlete-centered approaches that emphasize autonomy, the development of technical, tactical, and cognitive competencies, and the importance of socio-emotional skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Another important factor found was the relevance of constructive feedback and effective communication in optimizing learning and improving sports performance. Therefore, the implementation of these innovative strategies in teaching and training contributes to the holistic development of young athletes, preparing them not only for sports success but also for facing future challenges in adult life. This study offers significant insights for researchers, coaches, and educators involved in the sports development of young athletes, highlighting the need for integrated and athlete-centered approaches to promote positive development and a successful transition to adult life.

ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS AMONG STUDENTS OF THE FACULTY OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Supplements are products widely used among athletes to improve sports performance and reduce fatigue symptoms. The aim of the study was to determine the differences of the use of dietary supplements among students of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš (by year of study and gender), as well as the differences between the frequency and duration of physical activity with the use of dietary supplements. The survey was conducted on a sample of 201 students of both genders, all four years of undergraduate studies, aged 19 to 23. The respondents completed questionnaire containing questions related to dietary supplementation, physical activity and the existence of fatigue symptoms. Survey results show that 40.8% of respondents use supplements. Male students used dietary supplementation more often than female . Students most commonly take vitamins (68.3%), proteins and amino acids (15.1%) whereas 5.6% of them use minerals. The results have shown that with the increase of the year of study, the number of students taking supplements decreases significantly. Also, the analysis of the results by gender showed that male students were more likely to take amino acid supplements. No differences were found between the duration and frequency of physical activity and the use of supplements. It could be concluded that with the increase of the year of study, we note positive changes in students' attitudes to the use of supplements, which could be explained by the acquisition of knowledge in the field of sports nutrition and supplementation through the curriculum contents of the study program.

A Histological Study on the Effect of Whey Protein on Liver and Skeletal Muscle with or without Exercise in Adult Male Albino Rats

Abstract Introduction Whey protein provides a rapid source of amino acids that the muscles can utilize. Whey protein is frequently used by people to increase their strength and improve sports performance. However, other people use whey protein as a dietary supplement because of its beneficial effects without performing any exercise. Aim of the Work to evaluate the effect of whey protein with/or without exercise on the histological structure of the liver and skeletal muscle in adult male albino rats. Materials and Methods Twenty adult male albino rats with weight ranged from 150 to 200 grams were used in this study, rats were randomly divided into two main groups: Group I (Standard diet group): subdivided into two subgroups. Subgroup IA (Standard diet, sedentary): left without intervention. Subgroup IB (Standard diet, exercise-trained): subjected to exercise training. Group II (Whey protein group): received high dose of whey protein daily (6 gram/kilogram) by oral gavage and were further subdivided into two subgroups. Subgroup IIA (Whey protein, sedentary). Subgroup IIB (Whey protein, exercise-trained): received whey protein within 30 minutes after exercise training. Rats of subgroups IB and IIB were subjected to swimming exercise training in swimming basin for four weeks, five days per week, in which the exercise time was increased gradually throughout the four weeks of the study. Liver and gastrocnemius muscle were subjected to microscopic examination, morphometric and statistical studies. Results Histological, morphometric, and statistical studies of liver of subgroup IB were nearly similar to that of subgroup IA. Histological examination of liver of subgroup IIA showed congestion of central vein and portal vein with surrounding mononuclear cellular infiltration and increased mean collagen percentage as compared to other subgroups. It also showed vacuolated hepatocytes with shrunken, irregular, and heterochromatic nuclei. Meanwhile, subgroup IIB showed improved hepatic architecture than subgroup IIA. Histological examination of gastrocnemius muscle of exercise-trained subgroups IB and IIB showed increase in mitochondrial content, mean glycogen optical density, and mean muscle fiber diameter with appearance of splitting and central nuclei, which were more pronounced in subgroup IIB as compared to subgroup IA. Meanwhile, subgroup IIA showed significant decrease in mean muscle diameter as compared to subgroup IIB, however it showed nonsignificant increase in mean diameter when compared to subgroup IA. Conclusion High intake of whey protein without physical exercise has its degenerative effects on liver, also it showed non-significant increase in mean diameter of skeletal muscle as compared to rats fed standard diet. Thus, whey protein should be taken within its recommended dose and accompanied by physical exercise.

Alterations in hamstring properties of athletes with hamstring strain injuries can impact jump-landing performance.

Hamstring strains may alter the contractile properties of the muscle and affect functional movement. Thus, this study evaluated the association between the hamstring properties and the jump-landing performance in athletes with hamstring strains. Sixteen hamstring-injured athletes and 16 healthy controls were recruited. The mechanical properties and contractile function of the hamstring were assessed in both the injured and non-injured legs. The control group was tested only in the matched injured leg. The kinetic outcomes during squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tasks were analyzed to evaluate the jump-landing performance. The injured limb exhibited higher muscle tone (P=0.042) and stiffness (P=0.010), but lower flexibility (P=0.002) and strength (P=0.040) than the control limb. The injured limb showed a poorer jumping performance (P=0.037 for jump height) and landing performance (P=0.011 for landing force and P=0.004 for loading rate) during the CMJ task compared to the control limb. All the hamstring properties showed mild-to-moderate correlations with the jump-landing performance. Impairments in the muscle properties following hamstring strain impact the jumping and landing performance, leading to degraded sports outcomes in athletes with hamstring injuries. Thus, more attention should be paid to tissue property changes following hamstring strain injuries to develop effective strategies for restoring muscle function and improving sports performance.

Analysis of sports clubs at Vietnam National University, Hanoi

This study aimed to determine the types of sports clubs operating in accordance with the functions and tasks of the Center for Physical Education and Sports at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Additionally, it proposed solutions to organize sports clubs to enhance the quality of comprehensive physical and mental education and improve sports performance for students. This study employed a mixed-methods design, including document analysis, interviews, social investigations, and pedagogical testing. A total of 70 individuals at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, comprising 40 physical education and sports lecturers and 30 officials and students from the Youth Union and Student Association, were interviewed. Five solutions have been proposed for organizing and operating the university's sports clubs managed by the Center. Additionally, four solutions have been identified to develop sports and entertainment clubs at the member universities of Vietnam National University, Hanoi. These initiatives have led to significant improvements, including enhanced quality of comprehensive physical and mental education, an increase in the number of clubs and members, and notable advancements in sports achievements through training in various disciplines. As a result, the overall sports level at Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has been elevated. The selected solutions have demonstrated effectiveness in promoting sports club activities at the university and advancing physical education as a whole.

Mental training strategies in improving sport performance: A literature review

Mental training strategies in improving sport performance: A literature review

Implementation of Effective Sports Human Resource Management Policies in Improving the Performance of Sports Organizations in the Society 5.0 Era

Current advances have created very tight competition among Central Java Petanque sports organizations, encouraging the need for extraordinary performance to support national sporting achievements. The change from the previous era to the Society 5.0 Era reflects significant evolution in the industrial revolution, technological progress and social change. In the Era of Society 5.0, the role of the Central Java Petanque sports organization is increasingly important in responding to the dynamics of social and technological change. Human resource management in the Central Java Petanque sports organization faces various challenges, such as the diversity of team members involving differences in culture, language and work styles. Therefore, implementing human resource management policies that focus on sports is very important to compete at the global level, improve sports performance, and support the achievement of national goals in Indonesia's sports achievements. This research uses descriptive qualitative methods. The research results show that its application will face dynamics and challenges regarding limited sports human resources, cultural and value differences, and dynamic flexibility. Therefore, alternative solutions are needed to deal with various problems, such as automation in increasing awareness about the value of various crocodiles, automation that leads to digitalization, as well as developing programs for the involvement of all human resources in sports

Integration of innovations into the sports training system: analysis of Ukrainian experience and global trends

This article explores the integration of innovations into sports training systems with a focus on the Ukrainian context compared to global trends. The relevance of this research lies in the constant evolution of the sphere of improving sports performance, which demands a comprehensive study of how innovations are integrated into training methodologies. Through detailed examination, this study reveals diverse approaches applied both in Ukraine and worldwide, analyzing the effectiveness and consequences of such integration. The purpose of the article is a comprehensive analysis of the integration of innovations into the sports training system, considering both Ukrainian experience and global trends, identifying key trends and opportunities for improving athletes' performance and training process efficiency. The research results are substantial. Firstly, it highlights a diverse spectrum of innovations encompassing technological advancements, psychological techniques, and strategic methodologies in sports training. Secondly, it presents a comparative analysis of how these innovations are implemented in the Ukrainian sports training system and how they correspond to or differ from global practices. Such comparison provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the Ukrainian approach, aiding a better understanding of areas needing improvement. Conclusions drawn from this research emphasize the key role of innovations in optimizing sports training regimes. Despite significant efforts by the Ukrainian system to integrate innovations, areas requiring improvement remain, especially concerning the adoption of technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration. The research also underscores the importance of adaptation to specific contexts, recognizing that the applicability of global trends may vary across different sports systems and infrastructures. The prospects for further research are extensive. Future studies could delve into a more detailed analysis of specific innovations and their impact on athletes' productivity and health.

Effects of ischemic pre-conditioning on electrically stimulated contractions.

Ischemic pre-conditioning (IPC) offers protection against future ischemic events and may improve sports performance due to several mechanisms at local and systemic levels. This study investigates the local effects on muscle contractility in electrically induced muscle contractions, thus effectively excluding any uncontrolled change in the motor drive. Twenty-one subjects were divided into two groups: 12 subjects in the IPC group (3 × 5/5min right arm ischemia/reperfusion; cuff pressure 250mmHg) and 9 subjects in the SHAM group (same treatment at 20mmHg). The adductor pollicis was contracted by supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve with single pulses, trains of stimuli (5, 8, 10 and 12Hz, 1-s duration) and bursts (4 pulses, 25Hz), all separated by 5-s intervals. The stimulation sequence was delivered before and 15 and 30min after IPC/SHAM treatment. The isometric contraction force, the superficial electromyographic signal, and tissue oxygenation were continuously monitored. A significant force decrease in time was observed at 8, 10 (p < 0.01) and 12Hz (p < 0.05) along with a decrease in half-relaxation time in single twitches and bursts (p = 0.01), regardless of treatment. This general time-related weakening was more marked in IPC than SHAM at 5-Hz stimulation. No effects were observed on the magnitude of the superficial electromyographic signal. Data indicate that IPC does not increase muscle force during electrically stimulated contractions, supporting the idea that IPC's ergogenic effects are not due to increased muscle contractility.

Health Aspects of Amateur Long-Distance Running

Introduction: Running, as a generally accessible form of physical activity, is recognized as a popular means of preventing lifestyle diseases. Each year, an increasing number of people of various ages, levels of training, and physical fitness participate in mass running events. Purpose: The study aims to identify the opinions of amateur long-distance runners regarding health. Material: 140 individuals from several Polish provinces, approximately 30 years old. Method: A proprietary questionnaire survey. Results: The most important factor motivating the respondents to engage in long-distance running is the improvement of sports performance, followed by the need to relieve stress, improve quality of life, and, to a lesser extent, health goals. According to most respondents, endurance-based long-distance running is healthy because it improves physical fitness, positively affects the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, enhances immunity, and is a way to relieve stress. Only a few respondents believe that running is not healthy. The main forms of preparation for half marathons and marathons among runners include warm-up exercises before the planned effort and strength and muscle stretching exercises. In the studied group of runners, past injuries do not diminish the satisfaction of engaging in long-distance running. Despite a significant number of respondents having experienced injuries in the past while practicing this sport, they still consider running to be healthy. Conclusions: Long-distance running brings numerous health benefits. It improves physical fitness, positively affects cardiovascular function, including lowering blood pressure, significantly enhances sleep quality, and helps reduce stress, as confirmed by the respondent’s opinions.

Sex differences in intra-set kinematics and electromyography during different maximum repetition sets in the barbell back squat?

Barbell squats are commonly utilized in resistance training for rehabilitation, daily living enhancement, and improving sports performance. The current study investigated the kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) parameters in the squat between sexes across different repetition ranges (1-, 3-, 6-, and 10-RM) among recreationally strength-trained subjects. A total of 26 subjects (13 men: age 25 ± 3.5 years, height 178.2 ± 5.8 cm, weight 82.3 ± 9.1 kg; 13 women: age 24 ± 4.1 years, height 165.4 ± 6.3 cm, weight 68.2 ± 8.7 kg) participated in the study. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. The findings revealed no sex-specific differences in average barbell velocity across repetition ranges. However, the 1-RM showed a significantly lower average velocity compared to the final repetition of other repetition ranges (p<0.001), with the last repetition at 10-RM revealing a significantly higher velocity (p<0.001). Women had greater maximal angular hip extension velocity in the final repetitions of the 6- and 10-RM (p≤0.035, ηp2≤0.20), while both sexes displayed lower maximal angular knee extension velocity in the final repetition of the 10-RM (p = 0.028, ηp2 = 0.15). Moreover, men had lower EMG amplitude in the rectus femoris (3- and 10-RM), soleus, and lateral vastus (10-RM) compared to women (p≥0.011, ηp2≥0.26). It was concluded that 10-RM differed greatly in kinematics and EMG, suggesting different fatigue mechanisms compared to other repetition ranges with heavier loads. Furthermore, sex differences in EMG and angular hip extension velocity might imply sex-specific fatiguing mechanisms during high-repetition squats. These considerations could be important when prescribing training programs.

Relationship between minerals, vitamins and sports ability of dance athletes

Vitamins and minerals are essential for regulating metabolism. According to the nature of sports, athletes can take multi vitamin and mineral supplements to enhance some important metabolic processes and improve sports performance. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of minerals and vitamins on the sports ability of dance athletes. In this study, 100 professional dancers were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group by the control variable method. The sports diet and water of the experimental group were supplemented with certain vitamins and minerals. After that, the athletes were trained and tested, including 12 min running, strength test and dance training duration test. The results showed that the 12 min running distance of the experimental group was 420 m more than that of the control group, the balance time was 16 min longer, and the strength was increased by 25 N. In the overall energy comparison, the energy and endurance of the experimental group was two hours more than that of the control group. The conclusion is that minerals and vitamins play a role in promoting and subsidizing the physical fitness of athletes, which are more prominent in endurance and strength. This study provides a certain value for the effect of nutrients on athletes’ ability.

THE LOW SERUM FERRITIN AS AN INDICATOR OF INADEQUATE NUTRITION IN INTERNATIONAL-LEVEL FEMALE SWIMMER

Introduction: Iron deficiency is a common feature in athletes, and optimizing iron levels may become a contributing factor to improved athletic performance. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate body iron stores and their relationship with sports performance. It also sought correlations between the swimmers’ hematological, hormonal, anthropometric, and functional status and their sports achievements. Methodology: The research involved 19 athletes (11 women and 8 men) from the Bulgarian national swimming team. They were tested for maximal aerobic capacity on a cycle ergometer and had blood samples taken to determine iron status and hematological and hormonal markers. Their swimming achievements (Swimming points) were evaluated as a percentage of the world records in the respective discipline. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the female and male swimmers for Unbound Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC) and ferritin. A higher UIBC in women indicated lower iron levels in them. Among female swimmers, five had ferritin levels below 40 ng/mL. In women, a highly reliable correlation between the Swimming points and ferritin concentration (r = .68) was observed. All male swimmers had ferritin values above 40 ng/mL, and there was no reliable correlation between ferritin concentration and Swimming points, probably because ferritin was in the optimal range and is no longer a significant performance factor. Conclusions: In swimmers, the optimal serum ferritin concentration is probably in the range of 40–90 ng/mL. Many female swimmers have a relative iron deficiency with sub-optimal ferritin values. In competitive female swimmers, low ferritin level is an indicator of both iron deficiency and inadequate diet. It can be expected that an adequate nutritional regime in athletes with low ferritin values will lead both to the replenishment of iron stores and to an increase in muscle mass and, ultimately, to an improvement in sports performance.

Evaluating EEG neurofeedback in sport psychology: a systematic review of RCT studies for insights into mechanisms and performance improvement.

Electroencephalographic Neurofeedback Training (EEG NFT) aims to improve sport performance by teaching athletes to control their mental states, leading to better cognitive, emotional, and physical outcomes. The psychomotor efficiency hypothesis suggests that optimizing brain function could enhance athletic ability, indicating the potential of EEG NFT. However, evidence for EEG-NFT's ability to alter critical brain activity patterns, such as sensorimotor rhythm and frontal midline theta-key for concentration and relaxation-is not fully established. Current research lacks standardized methods and comprehensive studies. This shortfall is due to inconsistent EEG target selection and insufficient focus on coherence in training. This review aims to provide empirical support for EEG target selection, conduct detailed control analyses, and examine the specificity of electrodes and frequencies to relation to the psychomotor efficiency hypothesis. Following the PRISMA method, 2,869 empirical studies were identified from PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, and PsycINFO. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria: (i) proficient skill levels; (ii) use of EEG; (iii) neurofeedback training (NFT); (iv) motor performance metrics (reaction time, precision, dexterity, balance); (v) control group for NFT comparison; (vi) peer-reviewed English-language publication; and (vii) randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. Studies indicate that NFT can enhance sports performance, including improvements in shooting accuracy, golf putting, and overall motor skills, as supported by the psychomotor efficiency hypothesis. EEG NFT demonstrates potential in enhancing sports performance by optimizing performers' mental states and psychomotor efficiency. However, the current body of research is hampered by inconsistent methodologies and a lack of standardized EEG target selection. To strengthen the empirical evidence supporting EEG NFT, future studies need to focus on standardizing target selection, employing rigorous control analyses, and investigating underexplored EEG markers. These steps are vital to bolster the evidence for EEG NFT and enhance its effectiveness in boosting sport performance.