Individual Athletes Research Articles

Comparison between Warm-Up Protocols in Post-Activation Potentiation Enhancement (PAPE) of Sprint and Vertical Jump Performance in a Female Futsal Team

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine the influence of three warm-up protocols, with and without post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE), on sprint and vertical jump performance in female athletes. Twenty-five university futsal athletes were randomly assigned to three protocols: i) Traditional Warm-Up (TWU), involving cardiovascular, coordination exercises, and dynamic stretching; ii) Drop Jump Warm-Up (DJWU), consisting of drop jumps from heights of 30 and 40 cm; and iii) Maximum Isometric Warm-Up (MIWU), with high-intensity isometric contractions held for 10 seconds in a squat position at approximately 130–135 degrees of knee flexion. Tests included the countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) and a 20-meter sprint (S20). The CMVJ showed a significant increase across all three groups (F(1,72) = 125.312; p < .0001; ηp2 = 0.635), while S20 displayed a significant time reduction only for MIWU (p = .002). Although no significant differences were found between groups, individual analysis revealed significant CMVJ differences for TWU, DJWU, and MIWU (p < .0001). We conclude that PAPE effectiveness varies according to protocol and individual athlete characteristics; however, maximum isometric exercises appear to have a more pronounced effect on PAPE production in sprint performance.

Response of infrared thermography related parameters to (non-)sport specific exercise and relationship with internal load parameters in individual and team sport athletes—a systematic review

Response of infrared thermography related parameters to (non-)sport specific exercise and relationship with internal load parameters in individual and team sport athletes—a systematic review

Relationship of Individual Athlete External Load, Session Rating of Perceived Exertion, and Athlete Playing Status Across a Collegiate Women’s Basketball Season

External (EL) and internal (IL) load are commonly used methods used to quantify training load in team sports. Playing time and playing position may influence the training loads for specific athletes throughout a season. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of athlete playing status and individual in-season practices on EL and IL across a collegiate women’s basketball season. Female basketball athletes were classified as high-minute (HMA; ≥15 min/game) or low-minute (LMA; &lt;15 min/game) and wore microsensors during 53 practices for a total of 583 data points. EL was obtained via an inertial measurement unit (IMU) device that contained a triaxial accelerometer to obtain three-dimensional positioning data. IL and strength training (ST) load were determined via session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) to create a daily summated value. Descriptive statistics indicate that athletes experienced individual differences in EL, ST, and IL throughout the season. A growth model showed that HMAs experienced higher EL than LMAs at the start of the season for practices (90.21 AU). Across all athletes, IL increased across the season (40.11 AU) and for each 1 unit of change in EL, IL increased by 1.04 AU. Repeated measures correlations identified a large relationship between IL and EL (r = 0.51, p &lt; 0.001). A location-scale model indicated that the within-person variability of IL across all athletes was 3.29 AU but was not due to athlete playing status. It is recommended to base in-season training on individual loads and game demands to promote athlete readiness and improved sport performance.

Looking beyond relative age to understand relative advantage and disadvantage in talent development.

In this perspective article, we argue for a broader consideration of relative advantages and disadvantages in youth sport; a lens that considers the complex biopsychosocial factors that influence athlete development beyond relative age. We begin with a brief overview of Relative Age Effects (RAEs), with a particular focus on the proposed underlying mechanisms, followed by a discussion of the cultural and organisational considerations and implications that talent systems must consider when implementing interventions to counteract RAEs. We conclude by proposing key directions for future research in respect to RAEs and talent development more broadly. We argue that there is a need to consider the highly complex nature of RAEs, but also that there are no clear solutions to the issue of RAEs in youth sports, and that proposed solutions may come with unintended consequences. This should encourage us to experiment more, not less, with diverse ways of providing meaningful sports experiences that promote learning, psychosocial development, and performance. We suggest an urgent need for greater practical and research focus on supporting coaches, as they have the greatest capacity to understand the needs of individual athletes. In addition, systemically working towards equal access to skilful coaches. We encourage a shift in focus beyond descriptive methodologies of RAEs toward transformative research methodologies that include action-based research, complex interventions that incorporate context-sensitive qualitative methods, and other participatory research approaches.

Diagnostic Applications of AI in Sports: A Comprehensive Review of Injury Risk Prediction Methods.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting and preventing sports injuries across various disciplines. By exploring the application of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques, such as random forests (RFs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and artificial neural networks (ANNs), this review highlights AI's ability to analyze complex datasets, detect patterns, and generate predictive insights that enhance injury prevention strategies. AI models improve the accuracy and reliability of injury risk assessments by tailoring prevention strategies to individual athlete profiles and processing real-time data. A literature review was conducted through searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science, focusing on studies from 2014 to 2024 and using keywords such as 'artificial intelligence', 'machine learning', 'sports injury', and 'risk prediction'. While AI's predictive power supports both team and individual sports, its effectiveness varies based on the unique data requirements and injury risks of each, with team sports presenting additional complexity in data integration and injury tracking across multiple players. This review also addresses critical issues such as data quality, ethical concerns, privacy, and the need for transparency in AI applications. By shifting the focus from reactive to proactive injury management, AI technologies contribute to enhanced athlete safety, optimized performance, and reduced human error in medical decisions. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to revolutionize sports injury prediction and prevention promises further advancements in athlete health and performance while addressing current challenges.

Transgender athletes and the sex category: change in competition level

Most contemporary sports have a sex category with two sub-categories (male and female). The participation of transwomen in the female category has been the subject of heated discussion, from the standpoint of fairness and safety. However, no research has been conducted to determine how the competition level has changed for transgender athletes who have changed their sex sub-category following transition, which brings additional complexity to the issue. This study examines changes in competition level of transgender athletes, comparing pre- and post-transition changes in the sex (male/female) category. This study was an investigation of the content of English-language newspapers published between 1 January 2016 and 31 August 2021 that identified individual transgender athletes. Nexis Uni was used to investigate gender (transwoman or transman), sport, and competition levels. Competition levels were classified as international, national, and regional. Change of sex sub-category was compared statistically with the decrease/increase in competition level. The study examined 2220 articles, which yielded usable data from 68 athletes (52 transwomen, 16 transmen) in 23 sports. The study found that transwomen were more likely to participate in the female category than transmen in the male category; and that, when the sex sub-category was changed, 41% of transwomen improved their competition level, while no transmen improved their competition level.

An Exploratory Vector Field Analysis of Ground Reaction Force During Maximum Sprinting Efforts in Male Soccer Players and Sprinters.

The ability to accelerate and attain high velocities is essential for both individual and team sport athletes. The purpose of this explorative study was to retrospectively analyze the ground reaction force using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) vector field analysis, as traditional scalar analyses often fail to acknowledge the interdependence of force vector components. The ground reaction force vector and the scalar components (i.e., vertical and horizontal force) were analyzed for 28 male sprinters and 24 male soccer players at 8.0 and 8.5 m·s-1, and between 85%, 90%, 95%, and 100% of their maximum velocity. The ground reaction force vector differed predominately during mid-stance and late stance between both groups at 8.0 and 8.5 m·s-1. Within-group analysis also revealed that in both groups, the first ~60% of stance tended to increase in relevance when transitioning to higher sprinting velocities as evident by the increasing {T2} test statistic between adjacent velocity comparisons. Sprinters and soccer player reached their respective maximal sprinting velocity at ~40 m. This exploratory study discusses the potential limitations of scalar analysis and highlights the benefits of incorporating vector field analysis. Although both analysis methods resulted in similar conclusions in our re-analysis, vector field analysis may still enhance the understanding of force application in sprint performance by considering the interdependence of force components. We recommend utilizing vector field analyses alongside traditional methods in sports biomechanics research to ultimately enhance the accuracy of interpretations related to vector data.

Return to Play After Shoulder Stabilization –What If This Isn't Going Well?

Traumatic shoulder instability is prevalent among athletes, often leading to surgical intervention and challenging rehabilitation outcomes. This chapter explores the complexities surrounding return to play (RTP) following shoulder stabilization procedures, highlighting the significant variance in RTP rates and the common lag in returning to pre-injury performance levels, particularly in throwing athletes. Factors influencing successful outcomes include the nature of the instability, surgical approach, and individual athlete characteristics. A consensus on RTP criteria remains elusive, with a predominant reliance on time-based recovery, yet evidence suggests that other physical and psychological variables must be considered. Emphasizing a shared decision-making process and ongoing assessment of range of motion, strength, and proprioception, this chapter aims to identify key deficits and interventions that can enhance rehabilitation success for athletes struggling to return to play. Effective communication among the sports medicine team and the athlete is essential to optimize adherence to rehabilitation protocols and improve overall outcomes.

An Evidence-Based Approach to Utilizing Cold Therapies for Post-Exercise Recovery

Whilst cold therapies such as cold-water immersion are regularly used in practice, the practical application does not always align with best practices. In this commentary, we highlight the key components of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Expert Statement on the use of cooling therapies for post-exercise recovery and provide additional discussion on the empirical evidence and rationale that informed our perspective. We developed a series of specific questions to ensure that cold therapy recovery protocols are context-specific and tailored to the needs of the individual athletes. These questions, which cover the WHEN, WHAT, and HOW of cold therapy, were central to the development of the Expert Statement. This was presented as a decision tree to ensure that key messages could be concisely disseminated across a range of sporting environments and populations (e.g., gyms, locker rooms, and treatment rooms), supporting and informing decision-making for those wanting to use cold therapy to assist their recovery in line with previously published peer-reviewed work. Discussion points included the suitability of cooling therapies in some contexts, how athletes’ choice of cooling mode should be largely driven by practicalities (e.g., budget and availability), and, lastly, future research directions.

A high-performance sports career as a signal in the job application process

AbstractThe decision to pursue a career in sports often has far-reaching consequences in the professional career planning of high-performance athletes. Therefore, it is highly relevant to examine how the high-performance sports career is perceived as a signal in terms of the signaling theory (Spence, 1973) during a job application. To this end, an experiment was conducted to investigate how recruiters evaluate job applications from former high-performance athletes (both single and team sports), considering social, motivational, and cognitive competencies. In total, 303 subjects participated in this study. It is shown that the same person as a team athlete was considered significantly more capable for a professional entry than as an individual athlete or someone without a high-performance sports background. Although careers in high-performance sports can be considered a risky way to earn a living, our findings indicate that this is not necessarily the case: athletes who manage to complete an apprenticeship alongside their sport reduce their risk enormously, as their high-performance sports career is interpreted as a positive signal when applying.

Monitoring hip adductor strength in professional women's football players over a season: A prospective study

ObjectivesTo describe the changes in hip adductor strength of professional women's football players over a season. DesignOne-season prospective study. SettingFacilities of a national first division club. ParticipantsProfessional women's football players. Main outcome measuresMaximum hip adductor isometric strength in the long-lever and short-lever positions at four timepoints: early preseason, early season, mid-season, and end-season. ResultsTwenty-two players completed the study. Hip adductor strength values in early preseason (134 ± 29 N in the long-lever position and 317 ± 68 N in the short-lever position) were significantly lower than in the early season (171 ± 29 N and 363 ± 54 N) and mid-season (163 ± 23 N and 369 ± 53 N). By the end of the season (150 ± 19 N and 345 ± 39 N), strength values had significantly declined from both early and mid-season levels. Visual inspection of individual athletes' strength evolution over time reveals heterogeneous responses, with some players showing trajectories opposite to the group at specific time points. ConclusionsHip adductor strength increased from the preseason to the start of the women's football national league, remained stable during the first half of the league, but slightly declined in the second half. The heterogeneous responses among athletes underscore the importance of individualized monitoring throughout the season.

Initial Symptom Severity and Recovery of Sport-Related Concussion in Team Versus Individual Sport Athletes.

Recovery after sport-related concussion is variable, and potential differences between team vs individual sport athletes are not fully understood. In a cohort of athletes with concussions, we sought to compare these groups across (1) symptom severity score, (2) individual symptom cluster scores, and (3) recovery metrics. A retrospective, cohort study of 13 to 23-year-old athletes treated at a regional sport concussion center between November 2017 and April 2022 was conducted. Athletes were categorized into team vs individual sport athletes, with additional classification of individual sports based on strong vs minimal team elements (ie, the degree of interdependence displayed by athletes). The primary outcomes were symptom severity score, measured by either the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5th Edition or the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, and physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep symptom cluster scores. Secondary outcomes were recovery metrics, including time to return-to-learn, symptom resolution, and return-to-play. Of the 1051 athletes, 954 (90.8%) were in team sports and 97 (9.2%) in individual sports. In multivariable linear regression, individual sport athletes had higher emotional symptom severity compared with team sport athletes (β = 0.09 [0.01, 0.17], P = .034) when adjusting for sex, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, psychological disorders, time to clinic, on-field evaluation, and Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing vs Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5th Edition scale. There were no significant differences in return-to-learn (P = .104), symptom resolution (P = .941), or return-to-play (P = .279) on univariate regressions. In the current single-center, pilot study of athletes with a sport-related concussion, individual sport athletes exhibited more emotional symptoms than team sport athletes. These preliminary data lend early support that individual sport athletes may be more at risk of emotional symptoms than team sport athletes after a sport-related concussion. Clinicians may use these findings to identify athletes who may be particularly vulnerable to emotional symptoms.

Are we asking the right questions? Female athletes’ perspectives on the menstrual cycle in sport

BackgroundMenstrual cycle (MC) research employing qualitative and quantitative methods has recently increased in athlete populations. A move towards a participant-centered approach to help formulate questions that align with practitioners’ and stakeholders’ priorities in the sport environment is needed. Therefore, our study aims were to 1) understand what athletes feel is important to consider regarding their MC in sport, and 2) provide practical recommendations for coaches and practitioners to support a positive sport culture around the MC. MethodsParticipants were Canadian female athletes competing at national and international levels. Team (n = 10) and individual (n = 10) sport athletes (median age 23 years) shared their experiences and values in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. ResultsThree main theories were identified by constructive grounded theory analyses: 1) training and performance, 2) culture, and 3) health. Athletes expressed a desire for symptom management strategies and more evidence on MC training periodization to optimize performance. Key determinants in creating a positive culture included communication and feeling supported. Athletes also expressed challenges in balancing health with performance and felt ill-informed on how hormonal contraceptives could potentially impact performance. Practical recommendations included 1) addressing individualized, context-specific symptom impacts on the athlete’s sport demands, 2) using a group-based approach to initiate MC communication topics and, 3) designate female health point-of-contact staff to facilitate MC information. ConclusionFuture research should continue to evaluate MC impacts on training and performance and study designs should include participants who are using hormonal contraceptives. Coaches and sport practitioners should prioritize female athlete health alongside performance goals.

Medical microbiological diagnosis of sports-accidental infections: promoting global peace, quality health, and entrepreneurship; through One Health approach

Most diseases acquired from sporting activities are accidental and often influenced by environmental factors. Neglecting the environment in disease prevention is counterproductive. This was evident during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when many sporting activities were halted. Medical laboratory diagnostics, particularly microbiological techniques, detect infectious agents and help contain diseases, thereby fostering a healthy environment for entrepreneurship. Using a One Health approach, this review highlights the dual role of sporting activities in promoting healthy living and facilitating the spread of pathogens. Although sports are widely recognized for enhancing health, the link between microbiology and sports, and their combined roles in promoting global peace, quality health, and entrepreneurship, is not well understood. To address this knowledge gap, the main objective of this review is to examine the relationship between sports-accidental infections and their impact on global peace, health, and entrepreneurship. This review employs a combination of life experiences, observations, and literature analysis, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative data. The findings reveal various types of sports-accidental infections, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, blood-borne, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative infections. The results indicate that microbial infections significantly impair athletic performance, often necessitating a &amp;ldquo;return-to-sport&amp;rdquo; strategy, where athletes must fully recover before resuming sports activities. Sports-accidental infections are also associated with sudden deaths among athletes on the field, negatively affecting health, peace, and entrepreneurship. Microbiology plays a significant role in diagnosing, treating, and managing sports-accidental infections. Through medical laboratory diagnostics, such as microbiological investigations, many pandemics, including COVID-19, have been contained. Identifying infectious agents enables effective preventive measures, helping restore peace and health, and supporting economic activities. The review offers eight recommendations that aim to foster a safer, healthier, and more resilient sports environment, benefitting individual athletes and promoting broader societal goals of health, peace, and economic growth.

Toward painless road-cycling for women: Innovative pressure distribution through lattice-based seat pads

Potential health risks for male athletes in professional road cycling are numerously investigated. For female athletes, necessary information is missing and thus there is a lack of equipment meeting their specific needs. The different pelvic anatomy of women compared to men suggests different saddle designs, different cycling short pads, and even different types of material to avoid pain and health problems. To collect data for a systematic development of pads specifically for women, we performed a study with 29 ambitious female athletes, who road cycle long distances (&gt;90 min) at least once a week. First, we documented each athlete’s recent cycling situation, including the perceived comfort, grievances and the equipment used. Second, molds of the pelvis-saddle interfaces were generated using a previously developed measurement saddle to analyze pressure distributions during both static and dynamic loading. Measures were taken using the idmatch system following a bike fitting, which suggested a bicycle setup incorporating, among other factors, the individual athlete’s anthropometric data. Molds were subsequently digitized with a calibrated 3D scanner. Third, the digital pressure data resulting from the molds was analyzed considering its ability to represent interindividual differences, which validated the developed measurement saddle. Finally, a novel lattice-based pad prototype was designed based on the measured pressure data. Finite element analyses (FEA) were carried out to observe mechanical loads in the lattice structure and enable an optimization of the design. The prototype was additively manufactured using stereolithography (SLA).

Athlete Health and Human Performance Will Not Improve Without Transdisciplinary Collaboration and Data Sharing in Elite Sport.

There are two largely competing models for an athletics organization at both the collegiate and professional levels: the High Performance Model and the Medical Model. The High Performance Model arises from international Football perspective that places a "Performance Director" at the center of teams supporting the athletes. The Medical Model, supported by both the National Athletic Trainers Association and the NCAA, separates off medical staff (athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians, predominantly) and emphasizes the autonomy of medical decisions. The Medical Model has left clinicians in a "medical silo", limiting our ability to care for the individual athletes as holistic people and limits our wider impact in the field of athlete health and injury mitigation. We argue that Medical. Model is consistent with the High Performance Model only if we reject the notion that the "Performance Director" is an administrative person and instead conceptualize this as a "Health and Performance Information Hub" which facilitates transdisciplinary collaboration. This Commentary details how a data broker system can be used to accelerate transdisciplinary collaboration within an athletic organization, leading to better healthcare for athletes and improved team and individual performance. Furthermore, a transdisciplinary organization with data sharing is able to turn real-world data into real-world evidence, enhancing the care and performance of athletes locally as well as facilitating the creation of generalizable knowledge in the area of sports medicine and human performance.

Effects of Music on Repeated-Sprint Performance of Elite Tunisian Soccer Players: Comparing Morning to Afternoon Practice Sessions.

Our aim in the present study was to examine the effect of listening to self-selected music during soccer warm-ups in morning and afternoon sessions on repeated-sprint performances of elite soccer players. Twenty elite academy male soccer players performed a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test in the morning (i.e., 07:00hours) and in the afternoon (i.e., 17:00hours), with or without listening to music during the warm-up period. The RSA test consisted of six 40-meter sprints with 180° direction changes interspersed with a 20-second passive recovery period. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were obtained at the end of the warm-up period and immediately after the RSA test. Results showed that listening to music during warming-up had no significant effect on these selected performance measures (i.e., mean sprint time, best sprint time, RSA decrement), regardless of whether performances were in the morning or the afternoon. Moreover, players reported higher post-warm-up RPE scores in the music listening condition than in the no-music listening condition, only in the afternoon session. Furthermore, RPE scores measured after the RSA test were higher in the no-music listening condition compared to the music listening condition, only in the morning session. Thus, the use of music during warming-up in elite soccer players appears to be an individual athlete's choice but not a reliable means of enhancing performance.

Environment as a vulnerability factor for doping: a qualitative examination of Indian track and field athletes’ hurdles to compete clean

ABSTRACT India has one of the highest rates of doping, without accompanying international sporting success. Research on doping and developing countries has been sparse, and cases, such as India, warrant exploration. One approach to examining such a phenomenon is to move beyond interpersonal explanations and explore the athletes’ environment. Although environmental influence on athletes’ doping has been underscored, previous research in this regard has been limited. Hence this study explored the factors that contribute to Indian athletes’ vulnerability to doping by accounting for situational and systematic factors in the environment. Using a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-one elite Indian track and field athletes of which seven admitted using prohibited substances. Athletes discussed factors that influence their vulnerability to doping. Through data analysis, the following four themes were developed: (a) Coaching Structure and Deference, (b) Obligations, (c) Limited Oversight and Enforcement, and (d) Doping Reinforcement. Together, these themes highlight that the distinct cultural nuances within Indian society, pressure from, and interactions among influential others, the lack of coach development, added incentives, coupled with limited trust in anti-doping organizations engender a system where doping is openly witnessed. Moreover, the results demonstrate the interactions among environmental levels, illustrative of a complex system where doping is an emergent product. This study provides insights into the challenges of managing dopin in a developing country and highlights the need for research in the Global South and for structural interventions to effectively prevent doping rather than just focus on the individual athlete level.

Comparative kinematic analysis of high-speed treadmill vs. overground sprinting across athletic levels and sex.

This investigation aimed to dissect the kinematic differences in sprinting between high-speed treadmill and overground conditions, examining how these variations are influenced by the athlete's training status and biological sex. A total of 40 participants, 20 NCAA Division 1 sprinters and 20 recreational runners, performed a series of maximal sprints on a high-speed treadmill and on a standardized competition overground track. Sprinting kinematic variables such as stride length, stride frequency, contact time, and flight time were collected via photoelectric sensors. Maximal sprinting kinematics were analyzed by linear mixed-effects models, considering the impacts of sprinting environment (treadmill vs. overground), training level, and sex, with leg length as fixed factors and individual athletes as random effects. Statistical significance was set at a significance level of 0.05. The statistical analysis revealed that high-speed treadmill sprinting significantly affects all measured kinematic variables, leading to increased stride frequency and contact time. Elite sprinters demonstrated enhanced kinematic efficiency over recreational runners, characterized by increased stride length and frequency and reduced contact time. Sex-based kinematic distinctions also emerged, with male athletes exhibiting superior stride length and frequency compared to female athletes. Leg length significantly influenced stride frequency, and an interaction effect was observed for flight time between sprint type and athletic group. These findings elucidate the distinct biomechanical profiles across sprinting modalities and athlete demographics, emphasizing the need for sprint training customization. This study's insights offer a valuable reference for coaches and athletes to refine training and performance assessment in varied sprinting environments.

The Examination of the Coach-Athlete Relationship and Sports Participation Motivations of Individual and Team Athletes

The Examination of the Coach-Athlete Relationship and Sports Participation Motivations of Individual and Team Athletes