Male Athletes Research Articles

Analysis of successful and unsuccessful snatch and clean and jerk lifts in IWF World Championships (2011-2023).

In this research, male and female athletes who won gold, silverand bronze medals at the International Weightlifting Federation Senior World Championship (between 2011 and 2023); (a) analysis of successful and unsuccessful lifts in snatch and clean and jerk techniques, (b) analysis of successful and unsuccessful lifts in 3 lift attempts in both techniques and, (c) It is aimed to investigate the lifting attempts of athletes that determine their medal rankings in snatch, clean and jerk and total. In this retrospective study, data of 3144 (1603 and 1541 for male and female, respectively) individual results obtained from the lifting performances of 528 athletes (male n = 270; female n = 258) participating in the Senior World Championship (between 2011 and 2023) in snatch and clean and jerk were analyzed. In the study, the frequencies and rates of the individuals included in the study according to different variables are presented with descriptive statistics. Various Chi-square analyzes were conducted to determine differences in distribution rates between groups. The significance level in the analyzes was determined as p < .05. It was determined that the successful lifts ratios of the athletes who achieved gold, bronze, silver medals in the light weight, middle weight and heavy weight categories of the male and female groups were higher than the unsuccessful lifts ratios in both lifting techniques (excluding silver medals in clean and jerk in lightweight for men; except bronze medals in snatch in lightweight for women). It was observed that the percentage rates in the unsuccessful lifts of athletes who achieved gold medals in both snatch and clean and jerk of the male and female groups were lower than the percentage rates in the unsuccessful lifts of athletes who took part in silver and bronze medals. It was observed that there was no significant difference between the distribution rates of successful and unsuccessful lifts distribution rates according to gender in both snatch and clean and jerk of both genders. It was observed that the successful lifts rates in both the snatch and clean and jerk of the male and female groups decreased from the 1st attempt to the 3rd attempt, and the lifting rates in the unsuccessful lifts increased. It has been observed that the lift attempts that determine the medal rankings of the groups in snatch, clean and jerk and total are the 2nd attempt and 3rd attempt. The findings can provide a comprehensive perspective on the in-competition factors that contribute to World Championship success in order to directly inform coach and athlete strategies. These findings may also be valid for national or regional champions and may include other strength-based sports with a similar structure.

Relationships between bone age, physical performance, and motor coordination among adolescent male and female athletes

Relationships between bone age, physical performance, and motor coordination among adolescent male and female athletes

Effects of high-intensity interval training on selected indicators of physical fitness among male team-sport athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Superior physical fitness and performance are essential in male team sports. Among a myriad of training methodologies, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained popularity owing to its unparalleled efficiency and effectiveness. Previous studies have established that HIIT is a proven and effective approach for enhancing various physiological performance outcomes, particularly oxygen consumption capacity, in individual sports. Despite potential differences in training practices between male and female athletes, HIIT is recognized as an anaerobic training approach for team-sport athletes. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively and innovatively analyze the existing literature to examine the effectiveness of HIIT on oxygen consumption performance among male team-sport athletes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines across the PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus databases until December 31, 2023. The inclusion criteria for this review encompassed research articles published in peer-reviewed journals that specifically focused on the impact of HIIT on the oxygen consumption performance of male players engaged in team sports. The study population exclusively consisted of male participants. The collected data included study characteristics, participant demographics, intervention details, and outcomes. Methodological quality assessment was performed using standardized criteria. The effect sizes (ESs) were calculated, and a meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. The literature search yielded 13 eligible studies encompassing 286 athletes aged 14-26 years. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant enhancements in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in six studies (ES, 0.19-0.74; p < 0.005), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIRT) performance in six studies (ES, 0.20-2.07; p = 0.009), repeated-sprint ability total time (RSAtotal) in five studies (ES, 0.18-1.33; p < 0.001), and the best and average times for repeated-sprint ability (RSAbest and RSAmean, respectively) in four studies (ES, 0.47-1.50; p < 0.001). However, two studies did not report any significant differences in the outcomes of the Velocity in 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (VIFT) between the experimental and control groups (ES, -0.08 and -0.27; p = 0.87 and 0.443, respectively). Moreover, one study did not report any significant differences in the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) (ES, 0.41, p = 0.403). HIIT significantly improved VO2max, YYIRT, and RSA; however, it did not appear to enhance VIFT and MAS performance, irrespective of age or competition level. These findings indicate that HIIT could serve as a valuable method for improving oxygen consumption performance (VO2max, YYIRT, and RSA) in male team-sport athletes, offering a time-efficient alternative to the traditional training methods. Further research is warranted to investigate its impact on performance outcomes in competitive settings and identify optimal HIIT protocols tailored to specific team sports.

The effectiveness of cryostimulation exposure on sleep and recovery in male athletes: Timing considerations.

The objectives of the study were (i) to evaluate the effects of whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) after training as an effective tool to improve sleep and recovery and (ii) to determine which exposure schedule for WBC (immediately after training vs. 1h before bedtime) is the most appropriate to improve sleep and recovery. Twenty-two well-trained male athletes or triathletes (23.1±3.5-years) were recruited in this controlled crossover protocol. Each participant completed the three experimental sessions, each composed of a running training session and one night of sleep analysis. Depending on the experimental condition, subjects were exposed-or not (CONT)-to WBC immediately after training (CRYO 7 p.m.) or 1h before going to bed (CRYO 10 p.m.). All participants were randomly assigned to each condition, spaced seven days apart. Sleep was monitored via actimetry, cerebral activity recordings, heart rate variability, body core temperature, and perceptual measurements. WBC after training did not modify subjective or objective sleep parameters compared to the control condition. However, WBC significantly improved cardiac parasympathetic activity. More specifically, it was more activated during the night following the CRYO 10 p.m. condition than in the other experimental conditions. Core body temperature (CBT) 1h after bedtime was the lowest in the CRYO 10 p.m. condition. This study confirmed the effectiveness of WBC as a recovery technique after intense evening training. We suggest that WBC may exhibit the most significant benefit on recovery if the session is performed 1h before bedtime, acting on subsequent parasympathetic activation and CBT drop.

The behavior of the serve, return of serve, and third action in male young athletes from the Brazilian national padel team

The objective of this study was to investigate the initial actions' behavior in Padel (serve, service return, and third action) among young athletes from the Brazilian national team. The sample consisted of a total of 1547 points from 52 matches, involving 32 athletes from the youth category of the Brazilian male national team. A Chi-square test was conducted to verify associations, along with descriptive analysis of variables related to the serve (first or second serve, direction, and effectiveness), service return (type of shot, direction, and effectiveness), and third action (type of action, effectiveness, and player executing it). The results revealed that most serves were directed towards the glass (50.2%), and service returns were predominantly executed with flat shots towards the net (55.1%) to the player positioned diagonally (53.9%), who predominantly performed the third action through volleys (50.3%) and lobs (28.5%). However, a statistically significant relationship was not found in the studied model. These findings contribute to a more targeted training planning for such competitive demands and provide insights for coaches aiming at the long-term development of youth athletes.

Variability and repeatability of spinal manipulation force-time characteristics in thoracic spinal manipulation on a manikin.

As part of multimodal therapy, spinal manipulation (SM) is a recommended and effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms for pain relief are largely unknown. SM thrusts can be described and quantified using force-time characteristics (e.g. preload force, peak force, thrust speed, thrust duration, and thrust impulse). If these biomechanical parameters of SM are important for clinical outcomes, a large variability in the delivery of SM could lead to inconsistent responses and could thereby potentially mask a significant clinical effect. Our goal was to determine variability, and repeatability of thoracic spinal manipulation (SM) force-time profiles in a sample of Swiss chiropractors. All interventions were performed on a human analogue manikin. Participating chiropractors received three case scenarios with the following scenarios: 50-year-old male patient, 30-year-old male athlete, and a 70-year-old female patient, each presenting with uncomplicated musculoskeletal thoracic pain. Clinicians were asked to perform three consecutive thoracic SM thrusts for each of the scenarios and repeated the same interventions after 24-48h. Eighty-one chiropractors participated in the study, including 32 females (39.5%) with a mean age of 45.22 ± 12.96years. The variability in SM force-time characteristics between clinicians was substantial, with preload forces ranging from 4.50 to 450.25 N and peak forces ranging from 146.08 to 1285.17 N. Significant differences between case scenarios were observed for peak force (p < 0.0001), maximum thrust speed (p = 0.0002), and thrust impulse (p = 0.0004). Except for thrust duration, repeatability within and between sessions was fair to excellent (ICCs between 0.578 and 0.957). Substantial variability in application of SM was evident across clinicians and between case scenarios. Despite substantial clinician-dependent variability, the high repeatability of thoracic SM thrusts suggests a level of standardization in SM delivery, indicating that chiropractors might have 'their' individual force-time profile that they are capable to reproduce. Further research based on these findings should explore how to enhance the consistency, effectiveness, and safety of thoracic SM delivered clinically to humans.

What is the difference between shooting technique and pointer kinematics in novice athletes? A study on the sport of Petanque

Petanque, as a sport, requires proficiency in shooting techniques and pointing kinematic movements. Understanding the distinctions between these two skills is crucial for novice athletes to excel in the sport. This study aimed to assess the kinematic motion of children practicing petanque pointing and shooting techniques. Employing a quantitative approach with a comparative design, the study utilized purposive sampling to select 21 male novice petanque athletes. Kinematic analysis using Kinovea Software 0.9.4 was conducted to observe throwing success in the sagittal plane. The kinematic data collected for both pointing and shooting techniques were categorized into four stages: backswing, zero position, release, and advanced throwing position. Results indicated significant differences in the backswing phase, particularly in shoulder extension and ball height (α &lt; 0.05). Several variables differed significantly between the two techniques across various phases. Shooting exhibited higher speed (10.94 ± 13.34 m/s) compared to pointing (5.290 ± 0.44 m/s). At the release stage, variables such as ball height, speed, and release angle differed significantly (α &lt; 0.05), with pointing generally resulting in higher ball height (92.53 ± 9.69 m) but slower speed (6.46 ± 0.43 m/s) compared to shooting (80.19 ± 10.74 m and 16.09 ± 5.18 m/s, respectively). Moreover, pointing involved a wider release angle (42.38 ± 5.85 o) compared to shooting (35.31 ± 7.26 o). Significant differences in body and knee flexion, maximum ball height, and ball speed were observed during the follow-through phase (α &lt; 0.05). Notably, ball speed during pointing was slower (4.90 ± 2.35 m/s) than shooting (13.01 ± 5.36 m/s). The study suggests that specific techniques in shooting and pointing can be tailored to enhance training methods for children, thereby improving their performance outcomes. Deep comprehension of the disparities between these techniques enables novice athletes to develop their skills effectively in petanque. Further research exploring various age groups and genders could provide additional insights into petanque throwing techniques.

Force-velocity-power variables derived from isometric and dynamic testing: metrics reliability and the relationship with jump performance.

We investigated the convergent validity and intrasession reliability of force, velocity, and power (FVP) variables and the dynamic strength index (DSI) obtained from isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and squat jump (SJ) testing. Fifteen male combat sports athletes (27 ± 5 years, 77 ± 9 kg, 1.76 ± 0.1 m, 14 ± 6% body fat) participated in a 2-days study. The first day involved testing familiarization, while the second was dedicated to IMTP and SJ testing. Maximal isometric force (Fiso ) was obtained from IMTP, while mean force, mean velocity, jump height, and jump impulse (J) were gathered from SJ. To analyze the FVP, we calculated the linear relationship between force and velocity, which allowed us to obtain the slope of the relationship (SFV ), the theoretical velocity at zero force (V0 ), and the theoretical maximal power (Pmax ). DSI was obtained as a ratio from SJ peak force and Fiso . The convergent validity was investigated using Spearman's ρ coefficients to assess the relationships between jump height and J with Fiso , V0 , SFV , Pmax , and DSI. The intrasession reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficient of variations (CV). All variables demonstrated acceptable reliability scores. ICC ranged from moderate to excellent, and the mean CV was <10%. We found a "very large" correlation between jump J and Pmax , while jump height was not correlated with any variable. In conclusion, the IMTP and SJ combination is a practical way to determine FVP producing capacities that can be reliably measured (intrasession). The Pmax , derived from FVP, was correlated with jump performance, which might evidence the convergent validity of the method.

Differences in 5-km running pace between female and male triathletes.

During an IRONMAN, the pacing strategy in the running segment differs significantly between sexes. However, it is unknown if sex affects the running pace in shorter triathlon events. This study compared the pacing strategy between sexes during a 5-km running test performed following a 20-km cycle (sprint triathlon distances). Participants included 16 men (34.7±7.5 years) and 16 women (39.5±7.7 years). A cardiopulmonary exercise test to measure maximal oxygen uptake (˙VO2max) and a functional threshold power (FTP) were performed. Body composition was measured using a dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system. Participants cycled at 90% FTP for 20 km and ran as fast as possible for 5 km. The total time spent cycling 20 km was shorter (~11%) in male than in female athletes (p<0.001). Similarly, the time spent to run 5 km was shorter in male (~11%) than in female athletes (p=0.006). Male athletes performed the last 600 m of the 5km race significantly faster than the initial meters (p<0.05). Female athletes performed the 5-km race without pace variation (p>0.05). In conclusion, apart from the sex differences associated with performance in short-term triathlon events, the pacing strategy was also different.

Investigation of the relationships between sports anxiety, positive thinking skills, and life satisfaction in male athletes

Investigation of the relationships between sports anxiety, positive thinking skills, and life satisfaction in male athletes

Neurophysiologic inhibitory factors influencing subsequent ankle sprain in collegiate male athletes: a prospective cohort study.

Many athletes with recurrent ankle sprains complain of neurophysiological deficits related to chronic ankle instability (CAI). However, it remains unclear how changes in the corticospinal pathway affect the potential risk of subsequent ankle sprains. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the corticospinal excitability (input-output properties) and silent period (SP) could be related to the risk of subsequent ankle sprains among athletes. Forty-three male collegiate basketball athletes were enrolled, and 82 ankles were finally sorted into four ankle groups based on symptoms (CAI, sub-CAI, copers, and normal). The neurophysiological data was recorded in both ankles using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as baseline assessments. Subsequently, we prospectively followed the occurrence of subsequent ankle sprain injuries for 24 months (SG, subsequent ankle sprain group; NSG, non-sprain group). In the baseline assessment, we confirmed that the threshold of the input-output properties in the CAI group was higher than those in the normal group. After the follow-up, 22 ankles sustained subsequent ankle sprains (SGs). We also found that SGs exhibited a significantly longer SP at the middle and high stimulus intensities of TMS compared to NSGs (60 ankles) (middle: p = 0.012, Cohen's d = 0.644, and high: p = 0.020, Cohen's d = 0.590). These findings suggest that a prolonged SP could be a crucial factor affecting subsequent ankle sprains in athletes. To prevent further recurrent sports injuries, neurophysiologic probes, particularly a longer SP, might be a potential assessment tool to return to the field.

Identification of the serum metabolomic profile for acute ischemic preconditioning in athletes

PurposeIn recent years, ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has emerged as an effective strategy to increase tissue resistance against long-term ischemic damage and has been increasingly integrated into exercise regimens. However, further research is needed to explore the impact of IPC-mediated metabolic alterations from an exercise standpoint to conduct a comprehensive exploration of metabolic alterations and their exercise-related mechanisms during acute IPC.MethodsNontarget metabolomics was performed on blood samples obtained from 8 male athletes both before and after IPC. The studies included the identification of differentially abundant metabolites, analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis for differentially abundant metabolites, and metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA).ResultsNineteen differentially abundant metabolites were identified, with increasing levels of five metabolites, such as O-desmethyltramadol and D-gluconate, whereas 14 metabolites, including 9-hydroxy-10e, 12z-octadecadienoic acid (9-HODE), tetradione, 2-hexenal, (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4-D), and phosphatidylserine (PS), decreased. ROC curve analysis revealed an AUC of 0.9375 for D-gluconate. Both KEGG enrichment analysis and MSEA revealed enrichment in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP).ConclusionThis study revealed that PPP, D-gluconate, O-desmethyltramadol, and D-2-aminobutyric acid could be upregulated within 5 min after acute IPC, whereas 2,4-D, PS, 9-HODE, 2-hexenal, and tetradinone could be downregulated. These identified metabolites show promise for improving physical functional status and could be harnessed to enhance athletic performance.

The Efficacy of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Athletes for Injury Management, Training Response, and Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate the prevalent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in athletes and to comprehensively review the effectiveness and the results of these medications as it relates to injury management, training response, and overall sport performance. (2) Methods: An electronic literature search was performed in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol. A total of 7 randomized controlled studies met the review’s specific inclusion criteria from the 2250 studies initially identified within the PubMed database. (3) Results: In total, 346 adult female and male athletes from a variety of sporting activities and fitness levels were observed, of which 175 athletes were treated with either oral, topical, or local muscular infusion of an NSAID. Depending on study design, the outcomes focused on results obtained through physical exam findings, questionnaires, various performance metrics, and direct tissue sampling from microdialysis or biopsies. Across the 7 total studies, 2 articles focused on injured athletes and their varying pain responses with NSAIDs; 2 studies assessed the limited impact of NSAIDs on performance; and 3 articles revealed the use of NSAIDs correlating to no increases in either collagen synthesis or satellite cell activity after exercise. (4) Conclusions: The systematic review affirmed that NSAIDs can be effective for managing acute pain. However, their value appears to diminish when treating chronic injuries or if NSAIDs are expected to improve performance or have other ergogenic effects in athletes, as the aggregate data did not support such benefits. (5) Practical applications: NSAIDs can be beneficial for athletes in the right situation, but the fact that there are risks and possible disadvantageous results with their use highlights the importance of promoting appropriate expectations and the judicious use of these medications with the athletic community.

Effect of foot strike patterns and angles on the biomechanics of side-step cutting

ObjectivesThe study aimed to determine how foot strike patterns and cutting angles affect lower extremity (LE) kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity during side-step cutting.MethodsTwenty male college sport athletes participated in this research. Three-dimensional motion analysis featuring ground reaction force (GRF) and electromyography (EMG) of the dominant leg was used. LE kinematics, kinetics, and EMG data parameters were obtained during a 45° and 90° side-step cutting involving rearfoot strikes (RFS) and forefoot strikes (FFS).ResultsThe significant foot strike pattern × angle interactions were observed for the ankle eversion range of motion (ROM) at the loading phase. Cutting of 90° had greater knee flexion ROM, knee valgus ROM, and knee varus moment compared to that of 45°. RFS cutting had greater knee flexion, hip flexion, knee valgus, knee varus moment, knee varus moment, and ankle eversion ROM. FFS cutting produced a lower vertical GRF, lateral GRF, and a loading rate. Both vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscle activities were remarkably greater during cutting of 90° than 45°. At the loading phase, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle activities during FFS cutting were considerably greater than those during RFS cutting.ConclusionThe FFS pattern can better protect the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and improve the flexibility of athletes by increasing the plantarflexion torque of the ankle. The injury risk also increases with the larger cutting angle. The EMG activities of semitendinosus and biceps femoris are vital for the stability of knee joint during side-step cutting, which helps reduce ACL stress during buffering.

Spatiotemporal kinematics during top speed sprinting in male intercollegiate track and field and team sport athletes

ABSTRACT We investigated spatiotemporal kinematics during top speed sprinting and biomechanical running strategies in 98 male intercollegiate athletes from a range of athletic backgrounds in track and field (TF, n = 28) and team sports (TS, n = 70). Participants completed 40 m running trials with sagittal plane motion analyses of high-speed video captured from 30 m to 40 m. Across the entire sample, measures of contact time, step rate, step length, flight length and duty factor (ratio of contact duration to stride duration) were meaningfully correlated with top speed (p < 0.05, 0.51 ≤ |r or ρ| ≤ 0.78). Flight time and contact length were weakly correlated with top speed (p < 0.05, 0.27 ≤ |r or ρ| ≤ 0.34). When comparing sub-groups of Slow TF (n = 14) and Fast TS athletes (n = 22) with similar top speeds (~9.3 m/s), Fast TS athletes clearly demonstrated a more ground-based strategy, with longer ground contact times and contact lengths, shorter flight times and flight lengths, and larger duty factors. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that existing technical models and normative metrics based on data from TF athletes could require modification when evaluating and coaching sprinting performance with TS athletes.

Association of self-reported health problems and interpersonal violence in sport: a cross-sectional study in world-level performing athletes

ObjectivesA paucity of studies assesses the intersection of physical health (injury and illness), mental health and experiences of interpersonal violence (IV, also known as harassment and abuse) in sport. The...

Effects of Preconditioning Lower-Extremity Resistance Exercises on Multidirectional Repeated Sprinting-Induced Muscle Damage.

Hsu, SM, Tseng, WC, Chiu, CH, Hsieh, TY, Weng, MC, Dai, X, and Chen, CH. Effects of preconditioning lower-extremity resistance exercises on multi directional repeated sprinting-induced muscle damage. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Sprint exercise-induced muscle damage is a popular area of investigation. To examine whether preconditioning lower-extremity resistance exercises would reduce the amount of muscle damage observed after a multi-directional repeated sprinting (MDS) exercise. Thirty-six elite male athletes were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups: general warm-up (GW), GW with loaded jump squat (SQ), and GW with loaded hip thrust (HT). Knee flexion isometric strength (MVIC), passive hip flexion range of motion (ROM), soreness, countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint time, and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity were measured at the pretest and post-24, -48, and -72 hours of the MDS. For SQ, the CK at post-72 hours was significantly lower than the GW group. The decrements of MVIC at post-48 and -72 hours for SQ were significantly less than the GW group. The CMJs at post-24 and -48 hours for SQ and at post-48 and -72 hours for HT were significantly higher than the GW group. The 0-10 m sprint time at post-48 hour for HT was significantly better than the GW group. Adding the SQ or HT interventions to a GW before MDS has a protective effect on the sprinting-induced muscle damage and faster recovery.

Pre-exercise ingestion of a low glycaemic index rice-based mixed meal increases fat oxidation and endurance running performance in a hot-humid environment.

Relative to exercise in a thermoneutral environment, there is only limited evidence demonstrating that a low glycaemic index (LGI) pre-exercise meal can enhance endurance exercise performance in a hot-humid (HH) condition. Also, previous studies predominantly utilised Western-based and single food items, with minimal focus on Asian-based mixed meals. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pre-exercise LGI and high glycaemic index (HGI) rice-based mixed meals on endurance performance among acclimatised trained athletes in HH condition (32°C, 65% relative humidity). Twelve native-born endurance-trained male runners (age 22.0 ± 5.8 years; peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak) 64.2 ± 5.5 mL.kg-1.min-1) completed two trials consisting of 45-min steady-state (SS) run at 70% V̇O2peak followed by 10 km performance run (TT10km). Three hours before exercise, participants consumed an isocaloric rice-based mixed meals containing either LGI (GI=47) or HGI (GI=80), providing 1.3 g of carbohydrate (CHO) per kg of body mass. Participants ran faster during TT10km after consuming the LGI meal compared to the HGI meal (LGI: 55.18 ± 1.22 vs. HGI: 57.03 ± 2.25 min, p = 0.010). End rectal temperature did not significantly differ between trials (LGI: 39.16 ± 0.74 vs. HGI: 38.95 ± 0.46°C, p = 0.352). Fat oxidation was higher during the SS run in the LGI compared to the HGI trial (LGI: 0.19 ± 0.05 vs. HGI: 0.13 ± 0.19 g.min-1, p = 0.001). This study demonstrated that, relative to HGI, consuming a pre-exercise LGI rice-based mixed meal enhanced endurance performance in HH environment among acclimatised trained male athletes.

Do we need a guideline for all: a qualitative study on the experiences of male athletes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

BackgroundConsidering the low rate of qualitative studies on athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), aiming to access in-depth data, we thought that the utilization of the qualitative method would allow us to collect the appropriate and sufficient data to yield novel findings and achieve sound conclusions. The study’s aim was to investigate anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury experience processes in athletes who had undergone isolated ACLR, reveal the clinically related milestones, and highlight the necessary gaps.MethodsSemi-structured interview techniques, in-depth follow-up questions, and thematic analysis were used to explore the experiences of participants with isolated ACL injuries 1–3 years after surgical treatment. The study was conducted in the Orthopaedics and Traumatology outpatient clinic of the Adana City Training and Research Hospital and included 14 male athletes who had undergone isolated primary ACLR. The study group’s demographic and qualitative data were collected in the first week of September 2023. The member checking process was completed in the third following week. A thematic analysis checklist was used to ensure the reliability of the thematic analysis. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting of Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines were followed.ResultsThe experiences of 14 patients (22.78 ± 3.76 years, all males) were summarized into four themes that emerged from the data analysis process: ‘The Distinctions in the Participants’ Experiences Regarding the Moment of Injury,’ ‘Gathering Information about the ACL Injury,’ ‘Factors That Facilitate The Treatment Process and Reinforce Positive Experiences,’ and ‘Desperate Plight: Main Points of Patients’ Negative Experiences.’ Based on the main themes, there were 14 subthemes.ConclusionsOur study revealed that varying perceptions of ACL injury presented by the participants, which were caused by all stakeholders, including themselves, the professional environment, family members, social network, and the healthcare staff, showed that the physical and psychological impacts of the injury were observed in different severity levels at each stage of the process. We believe that an extensive guide for athletes with ACL injuries that includes all components of well-being and displays the required details for the sports club/coach, family/companion, and physician.

Injuries Following COVID-19 Infection in Academy-level Male Youth Soccer Players.

Injury epidemiology data are key to injury prevention strategy development. Most such data surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic compare team injury data during the pandemic to that before the pandemic; few investigate injuries by infection status and even less involve academy-level organizations. We hypothesized that in male youth developmental academy-level soccer players, the rate of injury would be higher following COVID-19 infection than in the uninfected. Retrospective cohort study involving 141 male youth athletes from a single midwestern US developmental soccer academy during the spring 2022 soccer season. Injury data was gathered prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. Injury rate (incidence per 1000 playing hours), type, location, severity, mechanism, and mode of play were compared between COVID-19-positive and -negative athletes. Thirty-four (24.11%) of 141 athletes tested positive for COVID-19. Of those 34, 20 (58.8%) sustained at least 1 injury, totaling 30 injuries. Of the 107 (75.89%) uninfected athletes, 30 (28.04%) sustained at least 1 injury, totaling 37 injuries. COVID-19-positive athletes sustained injuries at higher rates (7.10, 95% CI: 4.79-10.14) than uninfected athletes (2.71, 95% CI: 1.91-3.74), with an infected to uninfected adjusted injury rate ratio of 2.08 (95% CI: 1.20-3.59, P=0.008). COVID-19 positive players were 2.78 times more likely to sustain an injury following their infection than uninfected players (95% CI: 1.14-6.96, P=0.026). There were no significant differences in injury type (P=0.515), location (P=0.319), severity (P=0.679), mechanism (P=0.225), or mode of play (P=0.557) between groups. Among academy-level youth soccer athletes, injury rate increased significantly after COVID-19 infection; injury patterns were similar. II - Retrospective cohort study.