Improve Sports Performance Research Articles

Training load, sleep, reaction time, sports performance, and mood in paralympic swimmers before a competition.

Coaches usually reduce the training load (tapering) before competition to improve performance; however, in paralympic athletes this strategy had not yet been tested and we did not know which variables are associated with improved performance. Therefore, the objective was to compare the sleep, mood, sports performance, and reaction time (RT) of paralympic swimmers (PS) during tapering and to investigate whether there is a relationship between the variables during this training phase. Eight PS were monitored for 17 days before the main competition, with an actigraphy to record sleep in 16 days. Evaluations were performed on Mondays (Evaluation 1 = E1) and Fridays (E2) during the first and second weeks (E3 and E4), and on Tuesday (E5) of the third week, the day traveling to the competition. Brunel Mood Scale, RT (Psychomotor Vigilance Test), and sports performance (50 m in the pool) were assessed before training on each assessment day. Internal training load (ITL) was evaluated using ratings of perceived exertion. ITL decreased gradually between assessments. Performance and RT were better on E5 than on E1. Fatigue was higher on E1 and E2 than on E4 and E5. Sleep parameters (total sleep time [TST], awakenings after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency) improved in the second week compared with the first week. Furthermore, TST from the previous night was correlated with RT, and RT and fatigue correlated with sports performance. The increase in TST and the reduction in fatigue just before competition achieved by tapering correlated with the improvement in RT and sports performance. In addition, the tapering improved sports performance, RT, sleep parameters, and decreased fatigue.

Acute Effect of Post-activation Potentiation on Semi-dynamic Balance in Girl Gymnasts Aged 9–12

Background: Post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a novel warm-up method shown to improve sports performance. This study aimed to investigate the acute impact of this method on semi-dynamic balance while walking on the balance beam among female gymnasts aged 9–12 in Kerman city. Methods: Twenty healthy gymnasts volunteered to participate (height: 138.1±5.04 cm; mass: 40.7±3.12 kg) and were randomly divided into two equal sub-groups. The two groups attended the laboratory on two separate days, 48 hours apart. On the first day, the first sub-group performed a general warm-up (GWU), while the second sub-group performed a PAP warm-up. On the second day, the first sub-group switched to a PAP warm-up, and the second sub-group switched to a GWU. After the warm-up, the subjects took a two-minute rest, and then they walked on the balance beam while their movements were recorded using six motion analyzer cameras that captured the kinematic data of the shoulder, thigh, knee, and ankle joints. The data were processed using a low-pass Butterworth filter and analyzed using one-way ANOVA and paired t tests. Results: The results showed significant differences in shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle joint positions in proximal-distal movements following GWU and PAP warm-ups (P≤0.001). In addition, PAP caused a significant decrease in shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle joint positions in medial-lateral movements compared to GWU (P≤0.001, P≤0.001, P≤0.038, P≤0.001, respectively). Conclusion: PAP warm-up positively affects semi-dynamic balance factors in gymnasts. Given the importance of balance in gymnastics, PAP warm-up is recommended to improve sports performance.

Attitudes and doping prevalence among Norwegian youth across exercise activities

BackgroundUse of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs), such as anabolic-androgenic steroids, has in the last decades spread from elite athletes to recreational exercisers seeking a shortcut to a lean and muscular physique. The drugs are associated with multiple potential negative health consequences, some of which may be particularly harmful for adolescents. To better develop adequate and targeted preventive measures, identifying individuals and groups at risk for using IPEDs are important. MethodsBy analyzing quantitative data extracted from Ungdata, a national data collection survey on adolescent health and well-being, this study describe self-reported physical activity and exercise habits, IPED prevalence, and attitudes and intentions towards IPEDs among 88 412 Norwegian adolescents aged 13–19 years. Results72 % participated in weekly sport or physical exercise. Young adolescents mostly exercised in sport clubs while older adolescents preferred training in gyms. Average lifetime IPED prevalence was 2.2 % (0.7 %–4.0 % depending on exercise activity). Respondents reported more favorable attitudes and higher intentions to use IPEDs when it was related to increasing muscle size (18 % and 5.8 %, respectively) and reducing weight (19 %, 8.1 %), compared to improving sport performance (5.6 %, 3.0 %). Large variations in attitudes and intentions were found between exercise groups, with individuals exercising in gyms having more favorable attitudes toward IPEDs than other groups. ConclusionThe study finds a low relative prevalence, but high acceptance for IPED use in certain exercise groups. Education and preventive measures should specifically target groups at risk for future use of these drugs.

REAL-TIME MOTION IMAGE POSE DECOMPOSITION, CLASSIFICATION AND ANALYSIS

Exercise can boost metabolism and make the body healthier. It also increases metabolic rate, helping to consume more calories and burn fat. Regular exercise can stimulate the brain to secrete endorphins, making people feel relaxed and happy, and improves self-confidence, and has been shown to reduce symptoms in people with depression and anxiety. However, incorrect exercise posture may cause harm to the body, such as torn ligaments or muscle strains, so good exercise posture is needed to improve sports performance. This article proposes to use artificial intelligence image analysis method to decompose fitness exercise posture images and establish exercise posture cycle samples to assist in completing fitness exercises.

Differences in the Lateral and Vertical Jump Performances of Elite Male Basketball Players—An Axial Stabilization Training Program

This study aimed to conduct a kinetic analysis of the lateral and vertical jumps of elite male basketball players through a 12-week axial stability training program to improve sports performance. Thirty elite Taiwanese male basketball players were openly recruited and divided into experimental groups and control groups. The experimental group conducted the test twice a week, a 12-week (24-session) axial stability training program intervention in total, and the control group only received general basketball training. A double-track force plate was used to measure lateral and vertical jumps in order to understand their dynamic parameters. Finally, a difference analysis between the post-test of lateral and vertical jumps was conducted. The results show that the axial stability training program affected the activation of the abdominal and lower limb extensor muscles and had a stabilizing effect on the muscles of the experimental group. When the participants conducted a lateral jump, they were able to stand firm within 1 s and take off instantly. The θ value of the T-PRF ranged from 60.7° to 68.6°. The post-test of the participants’ vertical jump showed that the kurtosis of the RFD was steeper, the time required for the RFD was shorter, the GRF and the duration of passage increased, and the experimental group was better than the control group in all post-tests. By comparing the two types of jumps, it was found that they had the vertical force in common. The main differences were in the reaction force of the leg strength, the jump distance and height, and the take-off angle.

Dietary Patterns, Gut Microbiota and Sports Performance in Athletes: A Narrative Review.

The intestinal tract of humans harbors a dynamic and complex bacterial community known as the gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in regulating functions such as metabolism and immunity in the human body. Numerous studies conducted in recent decades have also highlighted the significant potential of the gut microbiota in promoting human health. It is widely recognized that training and nutrition strategies are pivotal factors that allow athletes to achieve optimal performance. Consequently, there has been an increasing focus on whether training and dietary patterns influence sports performance through their impact on the gut microbiota. In this review, we aim to present the concept and primary functions of the gut microbiota, explore the relationship between exercise and the gut microbiota, and specifically examine the popular dietary patterns associated with athletes' sports performance while considering their interaction with the gut microbiota. Finally, we discuss the potential mechanisms by which dietary patterns affect sports performance from a nutritional perspective, aiming to elucidate the intricate interplay among dietary patterns, the gut microbiota, and sports performance. We have found that the precise application of specific dietary patterns (ketogenic diet, plant-based diet, high-protein diet, Mediterranean diet, and high intake of carbohydrate) can improve vascular function and reduce the risk of illness in health promotion, etc., as well as promoting recovery and controlling weight with regard to improving sports performance, etc. In conclusion, although it can be inferred that certain aspects of an athlete's ability may benefit from specific dietary patterns mediated by the gut microbiota to some extent, further high-quality clinical studies are warranted to substantiate these claims and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Role of Sport Vision in Performance: Systematic Review.

Sport Vision is a speciality of multidisciplinary interest aimed at improving the performance of the visual system to achieve benefits in practiced sports, as well as in daily life and in preventive care. The type of training practiced by the athlete, his or her physical condition, cognitive level, and level of fatigue condition affects the speed of the reaction time and, consequently, the speed of motor response. Specific orthoptic exercises, the use of technological devices, the recovery of static and dynamic postural stability by using unstable platforms and the dual-task paradigm can help to achieve the expected results. The aim of this systematic review of Sport Vision was to assess the overall existing literature on Sport Vision, paying particular attention to the effects of visual training and its application in different sports and in rehabilitation and preventive settings. We analysed published English language studies about the role of sport vision in athletic performance from 1950 to 2023. We searched through the Medline database. The PRISMA 2020 checklist was used to assess the transparency and reproducibility of this review. The enrolled papers were evaluated with the Jadad Scale, Amstar 2 Scale and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. 25 (16 studies, 5 reviews, 2 comments, 1 editorial, 1 descriptive paper) out of 476 studies met the inclusion criteria. Due to the variability in the age of the samples, the different techniques, the treatments among the participants in the studies and the finding of non-evaluable articles, a meta-analysis was not conducted. The limitations of this review are the single database research, the studies analyzed contain a non-statistically representative sample size and the lack of a control group. There is no standardized test to measure performance. It was shown that the development of visual skills can benefit athletes in injury prevention, and can lead to improved sports performance and motor function at any age, acquiring adaptive motor behaviour even when the visual system is impaired, due to task repetition and familiarity of the gesture. We intended to identify a multidisciplinary approach and a manual treatment scheme to optimize the circuitry involved in sport vision in order to increase the results that are achieved, but further studies will be needed to this end.

Analysis of Core Endurance and, Static and Dynamic Balance Relationship in Adolescent Athletes

Objectives: Core muscles are key components for improving sports performance and preventing injury. In addition, balance is known to have a significant effect on sports performance. This study focuses on how the static endurance of core muscles interact with the static and dynamic balance in adolescent athletes. Materials and Methods: 49 athletes [water polo (n=13), fencing (n=8) and swimming (n=28)] have participated in this study. Mc-Gill core endurance tests were used to evaluate the core muscles endurance. And, HUBER-360 device was used to evaluate the static and dynamic balance skills. Once the measurements were completed, Pearson or Spearman correlation test was used to assess the relationship between the collected data. Results: The results have revealed a moderately negative correlation between trunk flexion test and double-foot static balance test’s eyes open area value (r =-0.427; p=0.002); and a weak negative correlation among the left bridge endurance test and the eyes open test and the left foot static balance test’ area values (r=-0.306/-0.347; p<0.05). No relationship was observed between the core muscles endurance and the dynamic balance skills (p>0.05). Conclusion: Incorporating anterior core muscles endurance exercises into training regimens may be beneficial in improving static balance performance in adolescent athletes. However, it appears that the endurance of lateral and posterior trunk muscles is not associated with static and dynamic balance.

Improving coaches and parents' knowledge and attitude towards sport sciences implementation: a community-based program in football schools (SSB) in Sleman

Introduction: Many young athletes joined football schools (SSB) to gain and improve their skills, aiming to participate further in high-level competitions. However, most SSB management lacked comprehension of sports sciences, essential to support young athletes' growth and development and improved sports performance. This program aimed to improve coaches' and parents' knowledge and attitudes towards sports sciences and its implementation in SSB. Methods: Involving representatives from 13 SSBs in Sleman, an integrated training on sports sciences comprising of long-term athlete development (LTAD), nutrition and psychological development for young athletes, coaching program, and management of SSB was carried out. Knowledge was measured before and after training using questionnaires consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQ). A focus group discussion (FGD) was also conducted to assess participants' knowledge and attitudes about implementing sports sciences in SSB. Changes in knowledge scores were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results: Thirty-five participants completed both pre-test and post-test, whereas only 17 participated in the FGD. The mean score during the post-test increased significantly by 12.71 points compared to the pre-test (74.29 vs. 61.58, p<0.05) with increased passing rate (57.14% vs 25.71%). Individual's change in knowledge improved by 28.83%. As stated during FGD, participants believed in the benefits of implementing sports sciences on athletes' growth and development, health, well-being, and performance. They also believed in the possibility of implementation, considering the growing number of licensed coaches. However, the inhibiting factors might be a lack of capable human resources, funding, readiness, and knowledge. Fortunately, a few SSBs reported having partially implemented sports sciences, and all SSBs are willing to start implementing sports sciences by educating all involved parties regarding sports sciences. Conclusion: These findings concluded the program's success and the promising possibility of sports sciences implementation in SSB.

Assessing the technical efficiency performance of Chinese ports logistics: Evidence from the DEA and fsQCA.

Ports are critical centers of international trade and global logistics now that economic globalization has taken hold. The efficiency performance of port logistics is crucial to building an emerging pattern of development in which domestic and foreign dual cycles are complementary for China. This paper examines the efficiency performance of 19 ports within five major economic circles in China. It explores how their efficiency is distributed, and the configurations of efficiency improvement during the new normal of China's economy. First, the DEA-BCC model is employed to calculate the technical efficiency performance and distribution of each port from 2011 to 2020. Then, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was applied to integrate and analyze the influencing factors. The results show as follows: (1) Each port group performed differently on efficiency rankings, as well as regional distributions. Among these, the port groups of the Bohai Rim region, the Yangtze River Delta region, and the Bohai Rim region continue to rank highly. (2) From the perspective of configuration analysis, the results suggest that government support is not necessary for port logistics with better economic endowments. However, it is critical for backward ones. (3) A rational industrial structure can enhance levels of infrastructure, openness, and information technology, improving port performance. The findings can provide theoretical and practical references for better promoting the development of Chinese port management.al references for better promoting the development of Chinese port management.

The impact of wet cupping on haematological and inflammatory parameters in a sample of Jordanian team players

Background/objectiveThe practice of complementary and alternative medicine has significantly gained acceptance worldwide, such as Al-Hijama, also known as cupping therapy. Despite the growing popularity of therapeutic cupping among athletes, little is known about the impact of cupping therapy on sports fields. The current study was designed to explore the effect of wet cupping therapy on the haematological and inflammatory parameters in Jordanian national team players. MethodsThe procedure was carried out at a specialized centre for cupping in Amman on the morning of the 19th Rajab. The data were obtained from 14 healthy male participants aged between 21 and 22 years. The haematological and inflammatory parameters were assessed by comparing venous blood components before and after four weeks of wet cupping. ResultsComplete blood count (CBC) analysis of venous blood samples four weeks after wet cupping showed a significant increase in the values of total white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, lymphocytes, red blood cells (RBCs), haematocrit, and haemoglobin as compared with venous blood samples before cupping. Blood film examination of venous blood samples post-cupping revealed normocytic normochromic RBCs; WBCs and platelets were unremarkable. Analysis of inflammatory markers post cupping showed a significant decrease in the monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) but no differences in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that wet cupping has an indispensable influence on haematological and immunological parameters in athletes, where it reinforces cellular immunity, generates younger blood cells, and reduces inflammation markers. It is probable, therefore, that cupping improves sports performance and achievement. The evidence from this research adds to a growing body of literature on cupping therapy in sports.

Rehabilitation support of the training process of athletes

Relevance. According to scientists, the main influence on the development of sports pathologies is exerted by: irrational organization and direction of the training process, a number of factors related and not related to the training process and the high motivation of athletes to achieve high results at any cost (without paying attention to existing pathological conditions). The purpose of the study of this article was the need to update the need to develop complexes of rehabilitation and recovery measures for the relief of sports pathological syndromes or unformed dysfunctions of organs and systems, taking into account the type of sport, age and gender of athletes. Methods and organization of research. To achieve this goal, scientific and methodological literature on the research topic was analyzed. Conclusions. The means for identifying pathological syndromes (sports and health monitoring), generally accepted methods for their relief (restorative and rehabilitation measures), as well as the stages of developing complexes of rehabilitation and restorative measures are disclosed. The development of complexes of rehabilitation and restorative measures for the relief of sports pathological syndromes or unformed disorders of the functioning of organs and systems, taking into account the type of sport, age and gender of athletes, will help increase sports longevity, prevent sports disability and possibly improve sports performance.

Illegal products containing selective androgen receptor modulators purchased online from Italy: health risks for consumers.

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are small synthetic drug molecules that are still not approved as medicine in Europe or the United States but are sold on illegal websites to improve sport performance, particularly bodybuilding. To address the quality issues of illegal SARM products and their increasing diffusion in Italy with their potential health risks for consumers. Web-based tools were used to investigate retail websites, trending searches, and information exchange via social media. Thirteen SARM products, purchased on retail websites accessible from Italy, were subject to visual inspection and chemical analysis by mass spectrometry and quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance. The primary outcome was demonstration of additional health risks due to the illicit presence of other active ingredients, contamination, and misdosage in SARM products sold on the internet. The secondary outcome was to show the increasing trend of interest in Italy for these products. Most websites reported misleading information; specifically, the statement "for research only" was reported notwithstanding indications on dosage and training phases. The trending search showed that interest toward SARMs increased in Italy in the last years. The use of these products is clearly encouraged by the emerging phenomenon of "broscience" as revealed in socials. Visual inspection evidenced nonconform labeling. Qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of the stated SARM in about 70% of samples. In 23% of samples, the expected SARM was not detected but a different one instead, and in 1 sample, no SARMs were detected. Other undeclared pharmaceutical substances (tamoxifen, clomifene, testosterone, epimethandienone, tadalafil) were measured in 30% of samples. The copresence of >1 active substance was observed in >60% of samples. Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance data showed nonuniform content ranging from 30% to 90% of the label claim. The use of SARMs, in the presence of unexpected life-threatening reactions in persons using the products to increase sport performance, should be assessed. This investigation involved an integrated approach to study SARM products and related sociologic aspects. The main shortcomings are the limited number of samples and retail websites in the clear web investigated. SARMs sold online as food supplement-like products represent a health hazard due to the presence of unapproved and undeclared active substances. The presence of contaminants clearly indicates the absence of good manufacturing practices in the production, which increases the health risks.

Physiological and metabolic effects of using interval training loads by athletes specializing in race walking in different training periods

Purpose: to evaluate the efficiency of using interval training loads by athletes specializing in race walking in different training periods using biochemical and physiological indicators.
 Material and methods. The study included 22 athletes specializing in race walking aged 19-30 years with 6-15 years of sports experience and qualifications of Master of Sports (MS) and International Master of Sports (ICMS). The athletes performed physical tests - 500m x 20 times and 1000m x 12 times. The study was conducted both at rest and during the recovery period after performing the physical tests. Physiological and biochemical control with the determination of lactate content in the blood, heart rate, and sports performance was used to assess the direction and effectiveness of the training process in different periods of athletes' training.
 Results. Used interval loads confirm the correct choice of the training load program, which has shown its effectiveness in the competitive period of training compared to the preparatory period: it contributed to the improvement of test results, speed capabilities and high-speed endurance of athletes. It has been established that the use of interval training, accompanied by the accumulation of lactate up to 12 mmol·l-1 in the blood and an increase in heart rate over 180 min-1, leads to an improvement in sports performance.
 Conclusions. The used interval training loads contributed to the improvement of sports result in the competitive period in comparison with the preparatory period when overcoming series of 500 m distance by 2,08s, and 1000 m distance - by 6,56s, that testifies to the improvement of motor qualities - speed and high-speed endurance of sportsmen in the competitive period in comparison with the preparatory period.

An Updated View of the Effect of Probiotic Supplement on Sports Performance: A Detailed Review.

Modulation of the host microbiota through probiotics has been shown to have beneficial effects on health in the growing body of research. Exercise increases the amount and diversity of beneficial microorganisms in the host microbiome. Although low- and moderate-intensity exercise has been shown to reduce physiological stress and improve immune function, high-intensity prolonged exercise can suppress immune function and reduce microbial diversity due to intestinal hypoperfusion. The effect of probiotic supplementation on sports performance is still being studied; however, questions remain regarding the mechanisms of action, strain used, and dose. In this review, the aim was to investigate the effects of probiotic supplements on exercise performance through modulation of gut microbiota and alleviation of GI symptoms, promotion of the immune system, bioavailability of nutrients, and aerobic metabolism. Probiotic supplementation may improve sports performance by reducing the adverse effects of prolonged high-intensity exercise. Although probiotics have been reported to have positive effects on sports performance, information about the microbiome and nutrition of athletes has not been considered in most current studies. This may have limited the evaluation of the effects of probiotic supplementation on sports performance.

The Relationships Between Stressors, Emotion and Sport Performance of Adolescents

This article analyzes the stressors and the emotions which influence adolescents’ sport performance. Then a relationship model of stressors, emotion and sport performance was established. The weighting values between the factors in the model were determined through a questionnaire. The results show that the effect of stressors on sport performance is reflected through emotional responses. The degree of influence of each emotional factor on sports performance was, in descending order, concentration, sense of achievement, confidence, and anxiety. Finally, some measures of response to improve sport performance are proposed.

Influence of Torsional Stiffness in Badminton Footwear on Lower Limb Biomechanics.

Torsional stiffness of athletic footwear plays a crucial role in preventing injury and improving sports performance. Yet, there is a lack of research focused on the biomechanical effect of torsional stiffness in badminton shoes. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the influence of three different levels of torsional stiffness in badminton shoes on biomechanical characteristics, sports performance, and injury risk in badminton players. Fifteen male players, aged 22.8 ± 1.96 years, participated in the study, performing badminton-specific tasks, including forehand clear stroke [left foot (FCL) and right foot (FCR)], 45-degree sidestep cutting (45C), and consecutive vertical jumps (CVJ). The tasks were conducted wearing badminton shoes of torsional stiffness measured with Shore D hardness 50, 60, and 70 (referred to as 50D, 60D, and 70D, respectively). The primary biomechanical parameters included ankle, knee, and MTP joint kinematics, ankle and knee joint moments, peak ground reaction forces, joint range of motion (ROM), and stance time. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was employed for normally distributed data and Friedman tests for non-normally distributed data. The 70D shoe exhibited the highest ankle dorsiflexion and lowest ankle inversion peak angles during 45C task. The 60D shoe showed significantly lower knee abduction angle and coronal motions compared to the 50D and 70D shoes. Increased torsional stiffness reduced stance time in the FCR task. No significant differences were observed in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral ground reaction forces (GRF). However, the 70D shoe demonstrated higher vertical GRF than the 50D shoe while performing the FCR task, particularly during 70% - 75% of stance. Findings from this study revealed the significant role of torsional stiffness in reducing injury risk and optimizing performance during badminton tasks, indicating that shoes with an intermediate level of stiffness (60D) could provide a beneficial balance between flexibility and stability. These findings may provide practical references in guiding future badminton shoe research and development. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects of altering stiffness, considering factors such as athletic levels and foot morphology, to understand of the influence of torsional stiffness on motion biomechanics and injury prevalence in badminton-specific tasks.

Methodology Based on the Continuous Wavelet Transform for Estimation of the Drop Jump Gesture

One of the main objectives of sports biomechanics is the improvement of sports performance. The Drop Jump (DJ) is a vertical jump that seeks to evaluate reactive strength capacity, which can also be expressed as the ability to perform the muscle Stretch Shortening Cycle (SSC) quickly [1]. Thus, the interest in studying the EMG signals of some of the main muscles of the lower extremity was born. Different methods of surface Electromyography (sEMG) signal processing have been studied, some of them are focused on amplitude analysis. Nevertheless, this kind of methodology does not provide information about the frequency content of the signal. Therefore, analysis methods focused on spectral analysis has been introduced, for instance the Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) [4]. Considering the foregoing, the aim in the present pilot study is the application of CWT as a methodology for sEMG signals processing of high-performance athletes during the contact phase of DJ maneuver. First and foremost, the instants that define the contact phase were identified. Then, the processing of sEMG signals was carried out using the CWT with the Morlet wavelet as mother wavelet. Finally, the scalograms were segmented using Otsu’s method and followed of a post-processing stage to obtain information of the frequency content of the signals. From this methodology, information is obtained on the kinematic behavior of the Center of Mass (CoM) and the knee joint during the contact phase, as well as the muscular behavior in the time and frequency domains. In summary, it is possible to appreciate the benefits of the CWT as a processing methodology for sEMG signals. Also, this methodology has allowed a better understanding of the muscle activity and the kinematic variables during the contact phase of the Drop Jump maneuver. Nevertheless, observing the total contact phase makes it difficult to appreciate details in the muscle activity during the eccentric phase.

Is menstrual cycle misunderstanding a bias for ergogenic aids use? A cross sectional study

The complex process of hormonal release and interaction of the Menstrual Cycle (MC) seems to impact the athlete's physical and psychological state. Objective: 1) investigate female athletes' understanding of MC, including its various phases and their potential effects on sports performance, 2) analyze the athletes' self-perception of sports performance during the different phases of MC and 3) identify possible ergogenic strategies (nutritional, mechanical, pharmacological, and/or psychological) adopted by athletes for alleviating premenstrual and menstrual symptoms in order to improve sports performance. Design: This exploratory cross-sectional study involved 105 competitive athletes, from 12 different sport modalities, from regional to international competitive level. Setting: Participants completed a survey assessing contraceptive use, knowledge regarding MC phases and perceptions of sports performance at different phases of MC as well as the adopted strategies to alleviate pre and menstrual symptoms to enhance sport performance. Results: Although 65.8% of the athletes reported knowing the MC phases, only 53.5% were able to identify them. Also, 60% of the athletes feel unmotivated or unwilling to exercise and 72.4% feel tired, indisposed, or self-reported worse sports performance during a certain phase of the MC, being follicular phase the most cited. Conclusions: The use of hormonal contraceptive methods, fatigue/discomfort and the number of weekly workouts seem to influence the use of nutritional aids. Competitive athletes have a limited understanding of MC, even considering that it has a detrimental effect on sports performance, especially during follicular phase. Feelings of tiredness, indisposition, or worse sports performance are the most common reasons for nutritional aids use.

Nutrological aspects of polyphenols and gut microbiota in sports performance: a systematic review

Introduction: In the context of nutrology and sports performance, the focus for intake in athletes and physically active individuals has been directed to the main class of polyphenols. Interest in a personalized approach is increasing in sports to maximize each individual's athletic ability in endurance and strength sports. Polyphenols represent a heterogeneous class of compounds with marked antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The impact of the gut microbiota on the bioavailability and activity of polyphenols is highlighted. Objective: It was to carry out a systematic review to highlight the main relationships between polyphenols, gut microbiota, and sports performance. Methods: The systematic review rules of the PRISMA Platform were followed. The research was carried out from May to July 2023 in Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: A total of 115 articles were found, and 81 articles were evaluated in full and 76 were included and developed in this systematic review study. Considering the Cochrane tool for risk of bias, the overall assessment resulted in 6 studies with a high risk of bias and 10 studies that did not meet GRADE. As a result and conclusion, it was shown that the metabolic mechanisms favored by polyphenols improve sports performance, improve cardiometabolic functions, reduce recovery times and post-exercise pain, maintain a low degree of oxidative stress, and avoid unregulated inflammatory processes. Thus, polyphenols are able, through their interaction with the gut microbiota, to favor the proliferation of bacterial genera of great importance for metabolic and cognitive functions, such as Akkermansia, Lactobacilli, and Bifidobacteria. Gut microbiota metabolizes polyphenols in the colon to produce small bioactive molecules that exert epigenetic mechanisms on biochemical pathways modulating gene expression. Polyphenols have multiple biological effects, and future exercise studies should be appropriately and specifically designed to determine the physiological interactions between exercise and the selected supplement, rather than just considering performance.