Non-elite Athletes Research Articles

A172: Performance of Muscle Explosive and Maximal Strength in Trampoline Athletes at Different Levels of Competition

Purpose: To study the differences in lower limb muscle explosive and maximal strength among trampoline athletes at different levels of competition. Methods: A total of fifteen trampoline athletes, comprising seven elite and eight non-elite athletes, participated in this project. Lower limb explosive strength was assessed using the countermovement jump (CMJ) test. Maximal strength was evaluated by the MicroFet portable system. The maximal strength of the hip, knee, and ankle were measured and standardized by weight. Independent t-tests were employed to examine the differences between the two groups. Cohen's d was used to evaluate the related effect size. Small, medium, and large effect sizes are represented by 0.20 ≤ d < 0.50, 0.50 ≤ d < 0.80, and d ≥ 0.80, respectively. Results: Significant differences were observed in the CMJ performance between the two groups. The take-off velocity of elite athletes (2.91±0.17m/s) was higher than that of non-elite athletes (2.63±0.24 m/s, p=0.023, d=1.328). Additionally, the jump height increased from elite athletes (0.42±0.05m) to non-elite athletes (0.32±0.06m, p=0.009, d=1.591). Furthermore, elite athletes demonstrated higher average power output (32.79±3.49W/kg) compared to non-elite athletes (27.10±3.51W/kg, p=0.008, d=1.627). The reactive strength index in the non-elite athletes (0.75±0.12m/s) was lower than in the elite athletes (0.96±0.15m/s, p=0.011, d=1.530). However, no significant differences were observed in relative muscle strength of the lower limb (hip, knee, and ankle) between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: For trampoline athletes, the explosive strength of the lower limbs appears to have a more pronounced effect on performance than maximal strength. Therefore, developing the explosive strength of the lower limbs may be crucial for enhancing the performance of trampoline athletes.

Eating Disorders in Taekwondo Athletes: The Contribution of Coach Behavior, Body Satisfaction, and Goal Orientation.

Taekwondo is a weight-classified combat sport. Taekwondo athletes often resort to restrictive eating behaviors and weight reduction, especially just before competitions, which, in the long run, endanger their physical and mental health. This study aimed to determine the incidence of eating disorder (ED) symptoms regarding sex, age, and competitive level categories and examine the correlation and contribution of coach behavior, body satisfaction, and goal orientation to the development of ED symptoms in different subgroups. A total of 335 active Croatian taekwondo athletes, with a mean age of 14.7 years, among whom were 132 males and 203 females (range 10-26 yrs, SD = 3.06), completed the Croatian version of the Eating Attitude Test, Figure Rating Scale, Croatian Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire, Negative Coach Behavior Questionnaire, and a questionnaire related to taekwondo practice. The results showed that ED symptoms were more present in female than male athletes (p < 0.001), while there was no statistically significant difference among the age and competitive level categories between elite and non-elite athletes. The risk of ED was significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with taekwondo athletes' body dissatisfaction, coach pressure, and task goal orientation. In general, regression analyses showed that athletes' body image dissatisfaction (β = 0.310; p < 0.001), coach pressure on diet and weight (β = 0.156; p < 0.005), and athletes' task goal orientation (β = 0.120; p < 0.032) are statistically significant predictors that explain the variance in ED symptoms in Croatian taekwondo athletes. The culture of taekwondo sports represents a risk factor for ED development.

The Effects of a 12-Week Training Multicomponent Exercise Program on Landing Mechanics in Recreational Athletes.

This study investigated the impacts of a 12-week training program on kinetic parameters during landings in non-professional recreational athletes. Fifty-seven non-elite recreational athletes performed three unilateral-landing trials from a 30 cm high structure on a force platform. The following outcome measures were analyzed: the ground reaction forces at initial ground contact (PF1) and the highest value (PF2), impulse (change in the moment of force during landing), stabilization time, and ankle and knee accelerations. The ground reaction forces, momentum, and accelerations were evaluated in the vertical, medio-lateral, and anteroposterior axes. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group (EG) underwent a 12-week intervention, three times per week, consisting of various exercises, such as strength, eccentric, proprioceptive, whole-body vibration (WBV), and neuromuscular exercises. After 12 weeks, the same outcome measures were analyzed. The effects of the training program on vertical ground reaction forces were not clear (0.3% and 0.9%, respectively). Medio-lateral (64.8%, d = 0.51) and anteroposterior (43.9%, d = 1.34) forces were probably reduced due to the training program. The stabilization time was also reduced in the experimental group (44.2%). The training program most likely decreased the vertical impulse (47.3%, d = -1.56), whereas the total ankle acceleration increased (18.4%, d = 0.79). The findings reveal significant improvements in neuromuscular control and stability during landings, specifically demonstrating reduced medio-lateral forces, vertical momentum, and acceleration during monopodal landings. This study focuses on the importance of proper landing techniques in minimizing the risk of knee injuries, emphasizing the falling strategy's role in injury prevention.

Chronotype, sleep hygiene, and sleep characteristics among athletes of different disciplines.

The objective of the study was to assess chronotype, sleep hygiene, and sleep characteristics of Italian athletes in order to identify differences among sport disciplines (team- vs individual-sports), level of competition (Elite vs Non-Elite) and sexes. Moreover, correlations between chronotype, sleep hygiene and sleep quality were evaluated. Two hundred eighty Italian athletes (Females:113; Males:167) participated in the study. They completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) and the MorningnessEveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Among the athletes, 66.4% were intermediate-type, 21.8% were morning-type and 11.8% were evening-type. 55.4% of the sample was classified as good sleeper (PSQI<5), while 16.1% had poor sleep hygiene (SHI≥35). Females had higher total sleep time (p=0.022) than males. Individual-sports showed more morning-oriented score (p=0.001) and lower PSQI (p=0.006) and SHI (p<0.001) scores, with earlier timing of sleep (bedtime:p<0.001; wake-up time:p<0.001) compared to teamsports. Elite athletes exhibited greater sleep efficiency (p=0.009), and lower sleep latency (p=0.018) and wake after sleep onset (p=0.043) than Non-Elite athletes. Additionally, significant correlations were found between PSQI and SHI (r=0.43, p<0.001), and between MEQ and SHI (r=-0.35, p<0.001). This study yields crucial insights into the sleep behaviors of Italian athletes, revealing that nearly half of the sample were bad sleepers.

In non-elite athletes, women are more likely to return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe desire to return to sports (RTS) and return to performance at preinjury level (RTSP) is a common motivator for athletes undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery. However, for non-elite athletes little is known about the patient and surgical variables influencing RTS/RTSP. Purpose was to determine which patient or surgical variables had an effect on RTS/RTSP in non-elite athletes. We also analyzed whether patients that RTS and RTSP have more confidence in the knee and less difficulty pivoting.MethodsA single-centre retrospective cohort study. All patients who had undergone primary hamstring ACL reconstruction within a 5-year period were included. Patients were asked about their pre- and postoperative sports participation using the Tegner Activity Score (TAS) as well as about their RTS/RTSP. Confidence in the knee and difficulty with pivoting were asked about. To determine the potential adverse effect of patient variables at the time of surgery (sex, age, height, weight, TAS preop) and surgical variables (graft diameter, surgical technique, concomitant injury) influencing RTS/RTSP, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used.Results370 ACL reconstructions were included. Average follow-up was 4.6 years (SD 1.4). RTS rate was 65% and RTSP 43%. Median preinjury TAS was 7 (Q1:6, Q3:8)), postoperative 6 (Q1:4, Q3:7). Multivariate analysis showed that women were more likely to RTS (OR 2.40, 1.16–4.97). A lower preinjury TAS (OR 0.80, 0.67–0.95) resulted in higher RTSP levels. None of the surgical variables had a significant influence on RTS or RTSP. Patients who returned to sports or to preinjury-level performance displayed significantly more confidence in the operated knee and less difficulty pivoting than non-returning patients.ConclusionOur study shows that 65% of non-elite athletes with an ACL reconstruction returned to sports, 43% at preinjury level. Women were over twice more likely to RTS than men. Preinjury TAS significantly influences RTSP, with a lower preinjury TAS leading to a higher percentage of RTSP. Patients returning to both scored better in their self-reported confidence in the knee and difficulty pivoting than non-returning patients.Level of evidenceRetrospective cohort III.

Comparative Investigation of Differential Mood Responses among Elite, Non-Elite, and Non-Athletes in Total Lockdown

The onset of the COVID-19 global health crisis, marked by stringent restrictions on training routines and sudden cancellations of competitive events, precipitated abrupt and radical transformations within the sporting landscape. The emergency alert prompted governments worldwide to enforce various lockdown measures to curb the escalation of the viral outbreak. Recognising the potential psychological repercussions of these circumstances, a rapid assessment of mood states as well-being indicators was conducted during the initial months of the lockdown in the Philippines. A cross-sectional study using Tilly’s (1984) variation-finding approach was undertaken to distinguish mood profiles between athletes of different competitive tiers and between athletes and non-athletes. Employing the 16-item version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS-16), mood responses were collected and compared across 705 elite athletes, 1,702 non-elite athletes, and 1,246 non-athletes. Analysis of mean patterns revealed that elite athletes consistently reported greater levels of dejection/anxiety, fatigue, irritability, vigour, and overall mood disturbance than did their non-elite and non-athlete counterparts. The findings affirm the substantial disparities in mood states between athletes of different competitive tiers and between athletes and non-athletes during the pandemic. Nonetheless, despite the elevated scores for negative mood responses, vigour emerged as consistently the highest among all mood responses across all three groups. The results are discussed considering the unique characteristics of elite and non-elite athletes and the protective role of vigour in mental well-being during adversity. By acknowledging athletes' distinct psychological reactions to circumstances hindering competitive sport engagement, this study contributes to understanding how disruptive health crises could affect athletes’ well-being, potentially informing the development of targeted support programmes for athletes confronting similar challenges.

Impact of probiotic supplementation on exercise endurance among nonelite athletes: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial.

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel trial investigated whether generally healthy adult, nonelite runners would have a greater time-to-exhaustion during submaximal treadmill running with probiotic versus placebo supplementation. It was hypothesized that the probiotic would impact training progression by reducing gastrointestinal (GI) and cold/flu symptoms. Participants who typically ran ≥24km/week, ran or cross-trained 3-5 days per week, and had a maximal oxygen intake (V̇O2 max) in the 60-85th percentile were enrolled. V̇O2 max was used to establish individualized workload settings (85% of V̇O2 max) for the submaximal endurance tests at baseline and following 6 weeks of supplementation with a probiotic (Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10, 5×109 CFU/capsule/day) or placebo. Participants self-reported GI and cold/flu symptoms and physical activity via daily and weekly questionnaires. Outcomes were tested using a linear model to determine if mean response values adjusted for baseline differed between groups. Twenty-eight participants (n=14/group), aged 25±5 years (mean±SD) with a body mass index of 23 ± 3kg/m2, completed the study. At the final visit the probiotic group had a lower time-to-exhaustion versus the placebo group (P=0.01) due to an increase in time-to-exhaustion with the placebo (1344±188 to 1565±219 s, P=0.01) with no change with the probiotic (1655±230 to 1547±215 s, P=0.23). During the intervention, the probiotic group completed fewer aerobic training sessions per week (P=0.02) and trained at a lower intensity (P=0.007) versus the placebo group. Few GI and cold/flu symptoms were reported with no differences between groups. Time-to-exhaustion increased in the placebo group, possibly due to differences in training habits.

Self-reported prevalence of sleep and mental health disorders in current and former athletes: a preliminary cross-sectional investigation of help-seeking behaviours

ABSTRACT Objective Athletes typically report a high prevalence of mental health issues and face significant barriers within the sporting environment that prevent help seeking. However, little is known about how retired or non-elite athletes engage with support; this lack of empirical data is even more pronounced in the case of sleep disorders. Method A cross-sectional online survey was completed by current and former athletes (n = 946; 495 women, 444 men, 7 non-binary) from all sports and competition levels in seven countries. Self-disclosed diagnosis history, help-seeking behaviours, and functional impact of sleep and mental health disorders were assessed. Results Comparable rates of mental health disorders were observed between current athletes (39.3%) and former athletes (42.0%), OR = 1.17, p = .337. Similarly, comparable rates of sleep disorders were observed between current athletes (25.4%) and former athletes (30.9%), OR = 1.20, p = .298. Men reported lower mental health disorder prevalence than women (32.9% vs. 46.3%), OR = 1.82, p < .001. Gender differences were also evident in the types of disorders reported. For sleep disorders, men were less likely to seek assistance from a psychologist than women (8.4% vs. 26.2%), p < .001,φ = 0.23. No differences in help seeking avenues for mental health were observed. Comorbid disorders had more frequent functional impairment than individual sleep or mental health disorders. Conclusions These self-reported prevalence estimates have significance for practitioners and clinicians. Data indicates the most prevalent types of disorders in these populations and where athletes typically engage in support. Evaluating the time course of these disorders can inform health promotion strategies and treatment methods for practitioners and support staff.

HUBUNGAN ANTARA ASUPAN CAIRAN HARIAN DAN MINUMAN ISOTONIK DENGAN TINGKAT HIDRASI ATLET NON-ELITE UKM SEPAK BOLA DI UNIVERSITAS NEGERI SURABAYA

The purpose of this study was to describe the amount of daily fluid intake, isotonic drinks, hydration, physical activity, and to determine the relationship between fluid intake with isotonic drinks on the hydration level of non-elite athletes. This study applied cross-sectional design with total sampling method on 25 non-elite football athletes. The instruments used was SQFFQ Beverages for daily fluid intake and isotonic drinks, IPAQ shortform for physical activity levels, and Urine Specific Gravity (USG) for hydration levels. The results of this study found that the average fluid intake of athletes was less (3468.81±1330.34 ml), less isotonic drink intake (548±243.82 ml), hydration level is minimal dehydration (1018.20±7.05 g/dl), and high physical activity level (3009.52±1275.86 MET-minutes/week). Daily fluid intake and hydration levels had a significant relationship (r=0.657, p=0.000), and the relationship between isotonic drinks and hydration level its also significant (r=0.561, p=0.004). The amount of daily fluid intake and isotonic drinks had a significant relationship with athletes' hydration levels.

Psychometric analysis of the International Olympic Committee's Sport Mental Health Assessment Triage Tool among non-elite amateur adult athletes

ABSTRACT Background The International Olympic Committee developed the Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool-1, encompassing the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) – used for initial screening of mental ill-being symptoms and risk in elite athletes. Despite preliminary psychometric evidence, the APSQ has yet to be tested in non-elite amateur athletes, who represent the majority of sporting participants. Method Athletes (n = 605) aged 28.57 years (SD = 9.32) comprising 402 males (73.5%) completed the 10-item APSQ, alongside validated measures of anxiety, depression and well-being. Two Confirmatory Factor Analysis models were tested, in addition to a series of receiver operating characteristics curves benchmarked against clinically relevant anxiety and depression symptoms to examine pre-defined and alternative cut-point sensitivity values. Nomological validity was tested through Pearson's correlations, and intraclass correlation coefficients were examined for test–retest reliability. Results A higher-order APSQ model comprising a general “Psychological Strain” factor, and three subcomponents of “External coping”, “Self-Regulation” and “Performance” were selected. Convergent and divergent validity were shown, and a new revised cut-point was found to have good classification accuracy within the sample. Largely “fair-to-good” test–retest reliability values were found. Conclusion The APSQ could be considered for initial screening of athlete mental health symptoms by sports organisations and may enable effective triaging to follow-up mental health assessment and/or supporting guidance, potentially preventing, or mitigating, short and long-term effects of mental ill-being. Further research should be undertaken to establish if the psychometric properties found amongst the present sample are generalisable to the broader amateur sporting population.

Self-Compassionate Motivation and Athlete Well-Being: The Critical Role of Distress Tolerance

This cross-sectional study explored athlete responses to the Compassion Motivation and Action Scales Self-Compassion Scale, examining its relationship with well-being. Athlete (N = 207; mean age 27.9 years) scores were consistent with previous population means. Scores on the Compassion Motivation and Action Scales Self-Compassion Scale did not differ between elite and nonelite athletes, nor did they correlate significantly with trait competitiveness. Significant differences emerged based on athlete well-being state, with athletes categorized as “flourishing” scoring higher on the total score and all subscales of the Compassion Motivation and Action Scales Self-Compassion Scale, as compared with those with “moderate mental health” (Cohen’s ds from 0.58 to 0.92). Furthermore, the distress tolerance subscale significantly mediated the relationship between self-compassion intentions and well-being (indirect path: B = 0.034, p &lt; .001). The results suggest that self-compassionate intentions are not enough, and athletes may need support to tolerate the distress that comes with moving toward one’s own suffering.

Glutamine Accelerates Post-Exercise Recovery of Arms Power, Leg Power, and Smash Velocity at 48 Hours for Non-Elite Badminton Athletes

Badminton is a sport that is characterized by long-lasting muscle contractions in continuous smash movements which lead to fatigue and glutamine can potentially reduce the incidence of muscle fatigue. The aim of the study is to investigate glutamine affecting post-exercise recovery in non-elite badminton athletes. It was a randomized group pre-test and post-test design. Twenty male students were involved and divided into 2 groups: The placebo (Plac) group was only given instruction for jumping smash activities and mineral water, while the glutamine (Glut) group was jumping smash activities and mineral water containing glutamine. The jumping smash activities were carried out in 10 sets with 20 repetitions with a rest period of 30 seconds per set. Glutamine was given 3 times after 1 hour of jumping smash activities, 24 hours, and 48 hours with a dose of 0.4 grams/KgBW. There were significant differences in the vertical jump, leg power, arm power, and smash velocity in pre-post-2 between the Placebo and Glutamine groups with p&lt;0.05. Meanwhile, no difference was observed in the vertical jump, leg power, arm power, and smash velocity (p&gt;0.05) between the Placebo and Glutamine groups 72 hours after the jumping smash activities (post 3). The administration of glutamine at a dose of 0.4 gram/Kg BW given three times post-jumping smash (eccentric) exercise can accelerate the 48-hour post-exercise recovery of vertical jump, arm power, leg power, and smash velocity. Badminton athletes who play matches daily are expected to consume glutamine to speed up recovery. Keywords: Glutamine; physical exercise; badminton; non-elite athletes

Dynamic strength and muscle power in elite and non-elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) athletes: a systemat-ic review with meta-analysis

A systematic review with meta-analysis on the dynamic strength and muscle power in elite and non-elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) athletes is essential to provide a comprehensive and quantitative evaluation of the physical attributes critical for performance, allowing for a better understanding of the training needs and physical characteristics that distinguish different levels of athletes in this sport. Therefore, this study endeavors to comprehensively synthesize existing literature on muscle strength and power in the context of BJJ, making a comparative analysis between elite and non-elite athletes. The research was conducted up to April 20, 2022, employing the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol to systematically search electronic databases using the keywords: "Brazilian Jiu-jitsu" or "BJJ" or "Jiu-jitsu" and "power" or "muscle power" or "physical fitness" or "muscle strength" or "strength." Following a rigorous selection process, 26 articles were included in the systematic review. Subsequently, the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) tool was employed for evidence assessment. The primary assessments of dynamic strength encompassed protocols involving the Bench press, squat, and pull-up-gi. In the context of muscle power, the meta-analysis considered parameters such as the countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump, and variables derived from jump power assessed on the force platform, including Peak velocity, peak power, mean power, and maximum force. The data showed a substantial effect size for strength [1.012 (p≤0.0001)] and a moderate effect size for power [0.619 (p≤0.0001)], indicating superior performance among elite athletes compared to their non-elite counterparts. Although power is predominant in most BJJ actions, strength emerges as a crucial element distinguishing elite from non-elite athletes in this sport. This realization carries significant implications for training and injury prevention, as both strength and power necessitate specialized training to enhance performance in the sport. Keywords: Physical Fitness, Martial Arts, Sport Physiology, Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena, Judo

COVID-19 in Female and Male Athletes: Symptoms, Clinical Findings, Outcome, and Prolonged Exercise Intolerance—A Prospective, Observational, Multicenter Cohort Study (CoSmo-S)

BackgroundAn infection with SARS-CoV-2 can lead to a variety of symptoms and complications, which can impair athletic activity.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the clinical symptom patterns, diagnostic findings, and the extent of impairment in sport practice in a large cohort of athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2, both initially after infection and at follow-up. Additionally, we investigated whether baseline factors that may contribute to reduced exercise tolerance at follow-up can be identified.MethodsIn this prospective, observational, multicenter study, we recruited German COVID elite-athletes (cEAs, n = 444) and COVID non-elite athletes (cNEAs, n = 481) who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR (polymerase chain reaction test). Athletes from the federal squad with no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection served as healthy controls (EAcon, n = 501). Questionnaires were used to assess load and duration of infectious symptoms, other complaints, exercise tolerance, and duration of training interruption at baseline and at follow-up 6 months after baseline. Diagnostic tests conducted at baseline included resting and exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, spirometry, and blood analyses.ResultsMost acute and infection-related symptoms and other complaints were more prevalent in cNEA than in cEAs. Compared to cEAs, EAcon had a low symptom load. In cNEAs, female athletes had a higher prevalence of complaints such as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, myalgia, sleeping disturbances, mood swings, and concentration problems compared to male athletes (p < 0.05). Until follow-up, leading symptoms were drop in performance, concentration problems, and dyspnea on exertion. Female athletes had significantly higher prevalence for symptoms until follow-up compared to male. Pathological findings in ECG, echocardiography, and spirometry, attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection, were rare in infected athletes. Most athletes reported a training interruption between 2 and 4 weeks (cNEAs: 52.9%, cEAs: 52.4%), while more cNEAs (27.1%) compared to cEAs (5.1%) had a training interruption lasting more than 4 weeks (p < 0.001). At follow-up, 13.8% of cNEAs and 9.9% of cEAs (p = 0.24) reported their current exercise tolerance to be under 70% compared to pre-infection state. A persistent loss of exercise tolerance at follow-up was associated with persistent complaints at baseline, female sex, a longer break in training, and age > 38 years. Periodical dichotomization of the data set showed a higher prevalence of infectious symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and coryza in the second phase of the pandemic, while a number of neuropsychiatric symptoms as well as dyspnea on exertion were less frequent in this period.ConclusionsCompared to recreational athletes, elite athletes seem to be at lower risk of being or remaining symptomatic after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It remains to be determined whether persistent complaints after SARS-CoV-2 infection without evidence of accompanying organ damage may have a negative impact on further health and career in athletes. Identifying risk factors for an extended recovery period such as female sex and ongoing neuropsychological symptoms could help to identify athletes, who may require a more cautious approach to rebuilding their training regimen.Trial Registration NumberDRKS00023717; 06.15.2021—retrospectively registered.

Investigation of Visual and Auditory Reaction Times of Elite and Non-Elite Field Hockey Athletes

The aim of this study is to examine the visual and auditory reaction times of elite and non-elite hockey players. Between the ages of 19-29 33 elite male hockey players who selected to U21 national team of Türkiye and 37 non-elite hockey players who playing in the hockey super league and 1. league as a volunteer in the study. In the laboratory where age, height, body weight measurements and appropriate environmental and environmental conditions are provided to the groups. Firstly, the auditory reaction test was applied to the athletes, and then the visual reaction test was applied. Measurements were applied with online computerized programs (for visual reaction, www.humanbenchmark.com; for auditory reaction, www.cognitivefun.net).When statistical analysis of data is done; A significant difference was found in favor of non-elite athletes in the visual reaction test (p&amp;lt;0.05). In the auditory reaction test, a significant difference was found in favor of elite athletes (p&amp;lt;0.05). Consequently, a significant difference in favor of non-elite athletes in the visual reaction time test indicate that visual reaction time of non-elite athletes is better than elite athletes. a significant difference in favor of elite athletes in the auditory reaction time test indicate that auditory reaction time of elite athletes is better than non-elite athletes. In addition, it was concluded that the auditory reaction times of the elite and non-elite hockey players were better than the visual reaction times.

Comparing the seoi-nage skill of elite and non-elite judo athletes

Seoi-nage performance requires a high level of skill and proficiency. The aim of this study was to compare the motor planning, regulation, and control skills of elite versus non-elite seoi-nage judo athletes. Twenty subjects (10 elites and 10 non-elite) performed the three-phase seoi-nage skills of unbalancing, positioning, and throwing while an optical motion capture 3D camera monitored their shoulder, pelvis, hip, and knee joint movements to calculate their force magnitude and direction. Elite athletes performed better than non-elite athletes in terms of the shoulder (247.4° vs. 208.3° in Event 4) and pelvic (235.4° vs. 194.4° in Event 4) rotation, tilt angle (15.13° vs. − 0.74° in Event 4) characteristics, as well as hip (136.1° vs. 125.0° in Event 4) and knee joint (124.0° vs. 120.8° in Event 3) flexion–extension angle. Compared to non-elite athletes, elite athletes also showed more controlled force and movement in all bodily areas. These results can help to guide the development of seoi-nage skills as judo athletes advance from the non-elite to the elite level.

Relationship Between Athletes' History of Stressors and Sport Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

A history of stressors in athletes represents psychosocial factors that may lead to sport injury. However, empirical studies have provided varying results for the relationship between stress history and sport injury. We examined prior literature on the stress history - sport injury relationship within a systematic review and, by meta-analysis, we offered a pooled estimate of the strength of this relationship. We searched seven major academic databases (Sportdiscus, Psyinfo, Academic Search Premier, Ovid, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed) from January 2000 to September 2023 and identified 19 empirical studies that examined injuries in sports contexts for meta-analysis. In 19 empirical studies of moderate to high publication quality, we found moderate heterogeneity (Q(17) = 98.61; p < .001), low sensitivity (I2 77.82-83.77), and low publication bias (Z-value = 7.74; p < .001). Further, using a random effect estimate-r, we found a low but significant correlation between stress history and sport injury, yielding a small overall effect size (ES) of r = .12. Furthermore, moderation analyses found adolescents (r = .14), contact-sport athletes (r = .09), non-elite athletes (r = .13), and non-European athletes (America r = .16; Asia r = .14; Oceania r = .14) to have a relatively higher ES than their counterparts in this stress history/sport injury relationship. We concluded that inevitable life stressors may lead to many negative consequences for athletes, such that sports professionals should provide stress management educational programs to enhance athletes' health and well-being.

Using Proteins As Markers for Anabolic Steroid Abuse: A New Perspective in Doping Control?

Drug toxicity is a major concern and has motivated numerous studies to elucidate specific adverse mechanisms, with acetaminophen being the favorite candidate in toxicology studies. Conversely, androgenic anabolic steroids (AASs) also represent a severe public health issue in sports for elite and non-elite athletes. Supraphysiological dosages of AASs are associated with various adverse effects, from cardiovascular to neurological repercussions including liver dysfunction. Yet, few studies have addressed the toxicity of anabolic steroids, and a significant amount of work will be needed to elucidate and understand steroid toxicity properly. This Perspective suggests ideas on how proteomics and liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) can contribute to (1) pinpoint serum proteins affected by substantial doses of anabolic steroids that would represent interesting novel candidates for routine testing and (2) provide additional knowledge on androgenic anabolic steroid toxicity to help raise awareness on the harmful effects.

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Kinetic Parameters of Countermovement Jump in Healthy Non-elite Athletes

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive technique for stimulating the brain that can alter brain excitability. Prior research has indicated that tDCS has the potential to enhance performance by increasing corticospinal excitability or improving muscle recruitment strategies. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether tDCS could enhance kinetic parameters of the countermovement jump (CMJ) in non-elite jumping athletes, specifically focusing on the maximum force, time to maximum force, and rate of force development. Additionally, the study aimed to assess whether any potential improvements persisted after one week. Methods: This study involved the participation of 48 healthy individuals within a double-blinded, randomized controlled design. The participants were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions: Anodal tDCS, sham tDCS, and control. Both the anodal and sham tDCS groups underwent a series of three intervention sessions, with each session occurring 48 hours apart. Kinetic assessment of the lower limb during the CMJ was conducted using a force plate before and after these intervention sessions. Additionally, a follow-up evaluation session was conducted one week after the last intervention session to assess the persistence of the stimulation effects. The control group underwent kinetic assessments of the lower limb during the CMJ within a similar time frame as the other groups. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed for maximum force (P = 0.881), time to maximum force (P = 0.570), and rate of force development (P = 0.474) between the different conditions at any of the assessed time points. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that applying 20 minutes of anodal tDCS at 2 mA over the Cz region did not have an impact on the maximum force, time to maximum force, and rate of force development in the CMJ task among non-elite jumping athletes when compared to the Sham and Control conditions.

Sebelasmaret Boccia Throw Test (SBTT) Instrument Development

This research aims to design Sebelasmaret boccia Throw Test (SBTT) instrument and test its validity and reliability. The research used Research and Development (R&amp;amp;D) method through six steps of instrument development by Gall, Gall, &amp;amp; Borg. 50 Indonesian boccia athletes with cerebral palsy (25 elite and 25 non-elite) participated to evaluate this instrument.In SBTT, players were instructed to throw boccia balls to the jack placed within the square, with each player given six throwing opportunities. The validity construct was tested by comparing throwing test results of elite and non-elite boccia athletes. Reliability testing was conducted by testing correlation between tests and retests. Data analysis was performed using the independent t test and Pearson correlation with the help of SPSS 16 software.Results show that there was a significant difference in SBTT test scores with p value &amp;lt; 0.05 and tstat (6.340) &amp;gt; ttable (2.011). Elite player group had higher average test score than non-elite player one, with average score of 18.56 and 8.20 respectively. This means that the SBTT is a test that can differentiate a boccia player's throwing skills based on playing experience.Test and retest results show a medium correlation on tests and retests (r = 0.707) with significant relation with p value (0.000) &amp;lt; 0.05. This means that boccia players have consistent performance in the SBTT test.Therefore, it is concluded that SBTT instrument is a valid and reliable instrument to assess boccia players’ throwing skills.