Recovery In Athletes Research Articles

Self-regulating recovery: Athlete perspectives on implementing recovery from elite endurance training

Recovery is the process of restoring performance capabilities between training sessions. Recovery strategies must be implemented to meet contextual demands, yet this process is not well-understood from an athlete perspective. Drawing on previous descriptions of self-regulation in learning, this study aimed to describe the process of implementing recovery from the perspective of endurance athletes. Twelve elite Canadian endurance athletes (6 women, 6 men; 25–31 years-old; each had competed in multiple Olympics or World Championships) participated in two semi-structured interviews, separated by 1 week of recording their thoughts, feelings, and activities of recovery in an activity journal. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we found that recovery was athlete-led; they used self-regulatory processes pertaining to self-knowledge and planning (the theme of “Knowing my body”), self-awareness and interpretation (“Listening to my body”), and self-control and adjustment (“Respecting my body”). The athletes’ described their recovery as integrated with their environment; various people and places supplemented, facilitated, and provided aspects for their recovery. Our results suggest that recovery can be effectively understood as a series of athlete-led skills, supported and enhanced through specific environmental interactions, which we summarize in a novel heuristic called the Athlete Recovery Regulation Cycle. These findings advance a new perspective on recovery as a product of skills that athletes can develop to hone the effectiveness of their recovery from training. Keywords: self-regulated learning; sport performance; sport practice; mental performance. Lay summary: We asked elite endurance athletes to describe their process of implementing recovery around training. This process was primarily athlete-led, involving a set of self-regulatory skills, integrated with the support of people and places in their environment. Recovery should be considered in terms of skills that athletes can develop and for which they can take ownership.

Competitive Season-Long Changes in Countermovement Vertical Jump Force-Time Metrics in Female Volleyball Players.

Cabarkapa, DV, Cabarkapa, D, Philipp, NM, and Fry, AC. Competitive season-long changes in countermovement vertical jump force-time metrics in female volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): e72-e77, 2024-Although force plates remain one of the most widely used tools for neuromuscular performance assessment in applied sports-specific settings, there is still a lack of scientific literature focused on studying changes in countermovement vertical jump (CVJ) performance in team sports such as volleyball, especially within the female athlete population. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine season-long neuromuscular performance changes in volleyball players. Eighteen National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division-I collegiate female athletes performed 3 maximal-effort CVJs while standing on a uniaxial force plate system sampling at 1,000 Hz at 5 different testing timepoints throughout a competitive season span (∼11 weeks). The testing sessions were separated 2-3 weeks apart and performed at the approximately same time of the day (12:00 hours). Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that both concentric and eccentric force-time metrics remain relatively unchanged throughout a regular season span (e.g., concentric peak force and power, eccentric impulse and duration). However, the eccentric metrics such as peak and mean power and peak velocity displayed a slight improvement after a brief tapering period purposely implemented before the post-season competition to optimize the athlete's recovery (∼15, 18, and 14% increase, respectively). In addition, the outcome metrics such as vertical jump height and reactive strength index-modified did not display notable fluctuations across the competitive season span. These findings can help coaches, sports scientists, and strength and conditioning practitioners to obtain a deeper insight into collegiate female athletes' force-time characteristics that may aid with developing adequate training regimens targeted toward optimizing on-court performance.

Diffusion tensor imaging of hamstring muscles after acute strain injury and throughout recovery in collegiate athletes.

To identify the region of interest (ROI) to represent injury and observe between-limb diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) microstructural differences in muscle following hamstring strain injury. Participants who sustained a hamstring strain injury prospectively underwent 3T-MRI of bilateral thighs using T1, T2, and diffusion-weighted imaging at time of injury (TOI), return to sport (RTS), and 12 weeks after RTS (12wks). ROIs were using the hyperintense region on a T2-weighted sequence: edema, focused edema, and primary muscle injured excluding edema (no edema). Linear mixed-effects models were used to compare diffusion parameters between ROIs and timepoints and limbs and timepoints. Twenty-four participants (29 injuries) were included. A significant ROI-by-timepoint interaction was detected for all diffusivity measures. The edema and focused edema ROIs demonstrated increased diffusion at TOI compared to RTS for all diffusivity measures (p-values < 0.006), except λ1 (p-values = 0.058-0.12), and compared to 12wks (p-values < 0.02). In the no edema ROI, differences in diffusivity measures were not observed (p-values > 0.82). At TOI, no edema ROI diffusivity measures were lower than the edema ROI (p-values < 0.001) but not at RTS or 12wks (p-values > 0.69). A significant limb-by-timepoint interaction was detected for all diffusivity measures with increased diffusion in the involved limb at TOI (p-values < 0.001) but not at RTS or 12wks (p-values > 0.42). Significant differences in fractional anisotropy over time or between limbs were not detected. Hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging used to define the injured region holds promise in describing muscle microstructure following hamstring strain injury by demonstrating between-limb differences at TOI but not at follow-up timepoints.

The Relationship Between the Characteristics of Central Java Athletes in the Post-Sports Injury Recovery Period

This study aims to determine athletes' characteristics and the length of the recovery period after a sports injury. This research is cross-sectional; this sample is 50 athletes in an epidemiological study design that studies the relationship between athlete characteristics and recovery after sports injury. Based on statistical tests selected using chi-square with α = 0.05. Type of injury with lecture time 0.015 no relationship, Athlete age with lecture time 0.013 no relationship, Gender with lecture time 0.300 no relationship, Athlete nature with lecture time 0.001 no relationship, Training frequency with lecture time 0.348 no relationship, Length of competition with lecture time 0.050 no relationship, Player position with lecture time 0.297 no relationship, Playing techniques with lecture time 0.300 no relationship, Level of injury with lecture time 0.002 no relationship. This study concludes that there is a relationship between recovery time and age, athlete characteristics, and injury level. There is no relationship between recovery time and type of injury, gender, competition length, training frequency, player position, and playing techniques.

Monitoring the recovery-stress states of athletes: Psychometric properties of the acute recovery and stress scale and short recovery stress scale among Dutch and Flemish athletes

ABSTRACT The Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS) and the Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) are recently-introduced instruments to monitor recovery and stress processes in athletes. In this study, our aims were to replicate and extend previous psychometric assessments of the instruments, by incorporating recovery and stress dimensions into one model. Therefore, we conducted five confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and determined structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity. Dutch and Flemish athletes (N = 385, 213 females, 170 males, 2 others, 21.03 ± 5.44 years) completed the translated ARSS and SRSS, the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport-76), the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and the Total Quality of Recovery (TQR). There was a good model fit for the replicated CFA, sub-optimal model fit for the models that incorporated recovery and stress into one model, and satisfactory internal consistency (α=.75 – .87). The correlations within and between the ARSS and SRSS, as well as between the ARSS/SRSS and the RESTQ-Sport-76 (r = .31 – -.77 for the ARSS, r = .28 – -.63 for the SRSS), the RPE (r = .19 – -.23), and the TQR (r = .63 – -.63) also supported construct validity. The combined findings support the use of the ARSS and SRSS to assess stress and recovery in sports-related research and practice.

A facile electrochemical cortisol sensing based on zinc oxide nanostructures for monitoring stress and recovery in high-performance athletes

This work created a simple electrochemical cortisol sensing method based on ZnO nanostructures to track high-performance athletes' stress levels and recuperation times. ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs) were deposited on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (ZnO/GCE) using an electrodeposition technique. Subsequently, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was applied to the electrode surface in order to improve cortisol antibody (C-M ab) immobilization and stability (C-M ab/APTES/ZnO/GCE). Successful immobilization of C-M ab on APTES/ZnO/GCE and electrodeposition of ZnO NRs on GCE were confirmed by structural investigations conducted using XRD, FT-IR, and FE-SEM. Cortisol was detected using an electrochemical immunosensor (C-M ab/APTES/ZnO/GCE) by monitoring the change in DPV and CV currents following cortisol binding to C-M ab. According to electrochemical experiments, the immunosensor exhibited a steady, selective, and sensitive response when it detected cortisol at concentrations between 10−6 nM and 106 nM, with a detection limit of 2 × 10−4 nM. It was assessed if the C-M ab/APTES/ZnO/GCE combination could identify cortisol in human serum. The samples' relative standard deviation (RSD) values range from 3.63% to 4.30%, and their recovery rates range from 90.00% to 98.50%, according to the analytical study. These findings imply that the C-M ab/APTES/ZnO/GCE offers accurate evaluations for cortisol detection in human serum samples.

Advancing athletic assessment by integrating conventional methods with cutting-edge biomedical technologies for comprehensive performance, wellness, and longevity insights.

In modern athlete assessment, the integration of conventional biochemical and ergophysiologic monitoring with innovative methods like telomere analysis, genotyping/phenotypic profiling, and metabolomics has the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of athletes' performance and potential longevity. Telomeres provide insights into cellular functioning, aging, and adaptation and elucidate the effects of training on cellular health. Genotype/phenotype analysis explores genetic variations associated with athletic performance, injury predisposition, and recovery needs, enabling personalization of training plans and interventions. Metabolomics especially focusing on low-molecular weight metabolites, reveal metabolic pathways and responses to exercise. Biochemical tests assess key biomarkers related to energy metabolism, inflammation, and recovery. Essential elements depict the micronutrient status of the individual, which is critical for optimal performance. Echocardiography provides detailed monitoring of cardiac structure and function, while burnout testing evaluates psychological stress, fatigue, and readiness for optimal performance. By integrating this scientific testing battery, a multidimensional understanding of athlete health status can be achieved, leading to personalized interventions in training, nutrition, supplementation, injury prevention, and mental wellness support. This scientifically rigorous approach hereby presented holds significant potential for improving athletic performance and longevity through evidence-based, individualized interventions, contributing to advances in the field of sports performance optimization.

The validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire.

Sleep as a biological phenomenon is effective in the performance and recovery of athletes. Questionnaires can be used as a cost-effective initial assessment tool for sleep. The Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) demonstrated a clinically valid instrument for screening relevant sleep issues in athletic populations. Due to the lack of validated tools for adequate screening for sleep difficulties in the Iranian athlete population, the present study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the ASSQ. The translation process was performed using instructions by Beaton et al. Content validity was assessed by a panel of experts. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed for two 5-item sleep difficulty scores (SDS) and a 4-item chronotype score. Internal consistency based on Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega and stability reliability were used to evaluate reliability. The ASSQ achieved conceptual and semantic equivalence with the original scale. The item-level content validity index (I-CVI) of each item ranged from 0.87 to 1, and the averaging scale-level CVI/average was 0.95. In factor analysis, one factor for SDS and one factor for chronotype score were identified and confirmed. The internal consistency of the SDS scale (α =0.77, Ω =0.83) and chronotype (α =0.74, Ω =0.77) was acceptable. Stability reliability was confirmed for SDS scale (intra-class correlation [ICC] =0.87) and for chronotype (ICC = 0.83). Persian ASSQ has acceptable psychometric measurement properties as a screening tool to assess sleep in Iranian athletes.

Hardware and software complex for creating a digital passport of an athlete’smotor stereotype

The key feature of the dynamic stereotype in sports is that it is formed asstable only for standard movements, in the case of situational movements it has labilityand is determined by temporal and spatial characteristics. A more in-depth study of biomechanical processes within the framework of the athlete’s motor stereotype allows us to develop and implement effective approaches to preparing for competitive activity,as well as to form ideas about the recovery of athletes after injuries and competitions. Currently, in the process of training athletes, digital technologies are increasingly being used to create an up-to-date digital passport of athletes’ motor activity. The article presents modern data on the use of a software and hardware complex in the process ofcreating a digital passport of an athlete’s motor stereotype.

Підвищення функціональної підготовленості спортсменів, які займаються рукопашним боєм методикою кругового тренування

This article examines the effectiveness of circuit training for increasing the functional fitness of athletes who specialize in hand-to-hand combat. Circuit training is aimed at developing a specific skill, muscle group or general physical condition. This form of training involves participants taking turns going through several stations, performing various exercises for a limited time or number of repetitions, one after the other, with minimal rest between them, until the entire cycle is completed. There are different ways to organize circuit training, but they usually involve multiple movements, such as bodyweight exercises, weights, and dynamic exercises. The purpose of the study is to increase the level of functional readiness at the stage of initial sports specialization. The study is based on the analysis of training results and physiological indicators of athletes after the implementation of this technique. The results allow us to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of circuit training in the training of arm wrestling athletes. The research was conducted on the basis of the sports complex of the National Academy of the State Border Service named after B. Khmelnytskyi among the cadets of the educational institution. Athletes were divided into control (CG) and experimental (EG) groups. Classes were conducted under equal conditions, in the same sports hall and had the same duration. There were no significant differences in the indicators of the functional fitness of athletes revealed before the pedagogical experiment. The testing conducted after three months revealed differences in the indicators of functional readiness. In this way, faster recovery of EG athletes after speed-strength load compared to CG athletes was found. Also, CG athletes had insufficient recovery during rest breaks, their breathing was confused and uneven. The conducted pedagogical experiment made it possible to obtain data confirming the effectiveness of the methodology, according to which EG was engaged in, and to substantiate the importance of functional training of athletes engaged in hand-to-hand combat by means of circular training.

Ландшафтно-рекреационный потенциал терренкуров Национального парка «Кисловодский»

Abstract. The objective of the research was to develop terrain cure routes and study the landscape and recreative potential of the Kislovodsk National Park. The Kislovodsk National Park has a unique health-improving potential: green areas of the park, favorable climate, mineral waters, which create the necessary comfort level for recovery, treatment, rehabilitation and health maintenance. Materials and methods. The research was conducted on February 20-22, 2024 in the Kislovodsk National Park with the application of route landscape and climatic observations, as well as an assessment of human physical capabilities, using the example of a woman aged 31 years, height 165 cm and weight 56 kg. Results. Researchers of the Center of Biomedical Technologies (North-Caucasian Federal Research-Clinical Center) have developed two terrain cure routes: Route No 1 and Route No 2. According to the classification, the Route No 1 is considered difficult, the route’s length is 1600 m, angle of elevation – not more than 4°, completion time – 30-40 minutes, the pulse zone No 1 is mainly a light activity zone. The whole route runs through the lower part of the park and is protected from direct sunlight and, deep in the valley, from winds. The path is mostly flat, but has slopes in some locations. According to the classification, the Route No 2, developed from the “Orion” athlete rehabilitation and recovery center (North-Caucasian Federal Research-Clinical Center), is also considered difficult, the route’s length – 2600 m, angle of elevation – up to 13°, completion time – 50-60 minutes, the pulse zone No 1 is mainly a light activity zone. The route is also characterized by a long ascent and steep descent. Conclusion. The comprehensive analysis of the Kislovodsk National Park’s landscape modules proves that the landscape and climatic potential is high enough – 2.8 points out of 3.0 possible. It conditionally corresponds to the sparingly training effect on the human body, gives the possibility to conduct air therapy, heliotherapy, natural air and plant ion therapy in the low altitude conditions to prevent UV-insufficiency, increasing the resistance of the human body to physical stress and accelerating the recovery processes.

A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Exercise Training in Promoting Physical Fitness and Health in College Students

Abstract As we all know, a healthy body is a guarantee that students to do better in their studies, so students’ health should not be neglected in the process of students’ development. This study examines the impact of exercise training on the physical health of college students by combining college physical education teaching and exercise training. Sixty students from a college in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, were selected as experimental subjects. The effect of exercise training on college students’ physical fitness and health promotion was studied using pre- and post-test analysis of data, correlation analysis, and multiple regression, and an independent t-test was performed on the study subjects. There were significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in the physical fitness of the students in the experimental group. The only indicators that did not show significant differences were the seated forward bend, the 800-meter run, and the 1000-meter run, where the P values were &gt;0.05. There is no significant difference between the indicators of physical function. It indicates that sports training has a significant effect on promoting physical fitness improvement in students. The students’ body mechanics and physical fitness improved significantly after 12 weeks of sports training. It shows that exercise training helps to improve students’ body mechanics and physical fitness. There was a multidimensional association between students’ physical fitness and athletic training skills, and there was a significant positive correlation between students’ functional movements, physical fitness, and body mechanics on total athletic training, recovery training, and sports fitness training.

Exploring The Relationship between Injury, Addiction, and Physical Activity: A Path to Recovery for Athletes

Elite, professional athletes face elevated levels of stress, anxiety, or depression, which sometimes lead to use of illicit substances to mitigate stress by self-medication.This study aimed to highlight the need for developing tailored, exercise mediated approaches to recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) and alcohol use disorders (AUD), offering significant benefits for athlete-specific rehabilitation, and reintegration into their social and professional environment

Multimodal approach to rehabilitating a traumatic brachial plexus lesion in a Thoroughbred yearling

Forelimb peripheral neuropathy is uncommon and is usually caused by traumatic injury to the brachial plexus or nerves arising from it. Common clinical signs include instability of the shoulder, dropped elbow, inability to fully bear weight and difficulty in protraction. A 16-month-old Thoroughbred colt was found non-weight bearing in the field. The horse was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Perugia, Italy, after two days of treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and stable rest without improvement. At admission, the horse was unable to bear weight on the limb. Diagnostic imaging was unremarkable and a diagnosis of brachial plexus injury with major involvement of suprascapular and radial nerves was made. The horse was treated with a combination of drugs, electrical modalities, physical therapy sessions and holistic techniques. Pharmacological treatment included gabapentin, dexamethasone, phenylbutazone and mesotherapy of the shoulder and neck area. Physical treatments, electrical modalities and holistic therapies included neuromuscular electrical stimulation, acupuncture, kinesiology taping, eccentric loading and dynamic mobilization exercises. The horse was discharged from the hospital after 26 days, having fully regained the ability to bear weight on the limb and the ability to walk normally, although a degree of shoulder instability was still present. Follow-up of the case showed that the horse made a full athletic recovery and raced successfully a year after discharge. This multimodal approach to severe peripheral neuropathy responsible for severe lameness resulted in a fast and efficient option for initial recovery while reducing the risk of complications such as contralateral limb laminitis.

The Crucial Role of Carbohydrate Intake for Female Long-Distance Runners : A Literature Review

This research is a literature study that aims to explore the relationship between carbohydrate consumption and athlete performance and health, especially female athletes who run long distances. This study uses the method of literature study or literature review using secondary data from scientific journal articles. Article searches are conducted through various platforms such as Google Scholar, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, and Proquest using keywords related to carbohydrate consumption in female long-distance runners. The inclusion criterion for articles is that they must be scientific journal research articles conducted in the UK with the main subject female athletes long-distance runners and the topic relates to carbohydrates. Articles that meet these criteria are then further analyzed Through an analysis of 8 scientific journal articles, it was concluded that carbohydrate intake has a crucial role in improving athletes' performance and endurance, as well as preventing the risk of low energy availability that can have a negative impact on health. In addition, research also highlights the need for adjustments in carbohydrate intake based on environment and stress to maximize athletes' training and recovery abilities. These findings affirm the importance of designing a balanced diet of carbohydrates and protein to achieve the desired results in improving athlete performance and supporting healthy weight loss. This study provides a deep understanding of the importance of carbohydrate intake in supporting the performance and health of female long-distance runners, and emphasizes the need for more inclusive research to develop better nutritional interventions.

Acupuncture in Sports Medicine.

Acupuncture is gaining popularity and wider acceptance as a treatment modality within the field of sports medicine. Our objective was to provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature pertaining to acupuncture in sports medicine to shed light on approaches utilized in acupuncture while revealing its personalized nature and its impact on athletes' preparation, performance, and recovery. We evaluated acupuncture research in the context of medicine and sports-related injury treatment, assessing its impact on athletic performance across demographics of athletes. Athletes participating in most sports have shown positive outcomes from acupuncture interventions. Acupuncture improves peak oxygen levels, maximum heart rate, delayed-onset muscle soreness, pain, swelling, explosive force production, and joint mobility. Furthermore, the efficacy of acupuncture appears to be similar regardless of age and sex. Lastly, the acceptance of acupuncture is influenced by cultural factors, with Western and traditional East Asian cultures exhibiting distinct perspectives on its rationale and mechanisms of action. Traditional East Asian acupuncturists typically employ qi and meridian theories in their acupuncture practices, with the recent incorporation of Western concepts. Acupuncture shows promise as an effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain and neuropathies in athletes across different age groups and for addressing injuries in various sports. Our comprehensive review will enhance our understanding of acupuncture's potential as a complementary or distinct therapeutic approach compared to conventional therapies. Additionally, our review explores its specific applications within different sports and delves into the cultural dimensions involved in integrating this practice into modern sports medicine.

Effects of photobiomodulation applied at different times on functional performance and ergogenic response of rugby athletes: Randomized clinical trial

BackgroundPhotobiomodulation (PBM) is indicated to accelerate the recovery of athletes and reduce muscle damage caused by physical exercise. The objective of this study was to establish the best time to apply photobiomodulation to increase the functional performance and ergogenic response of rugby athletes. MethodsRandomized crossover clinical trial with 18 rugby athletes of both sexes. The interventions were carried out from January to May 2019. The blood levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate, and performance in the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test, Single Hop Test, Triple Hop Test, Bangsbo Sprint test (BST), and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (YoyoIR1) were evaluated. The athletes underwent two blocks of exercises with the BST and Yoyo-IR1, as well as the random application of four interventions: without application of photobiomodulation (CO), pre-exercise photobiomodulation (PBpre), PBM during the exercise interval (PBint), or post-exercise photobiomodulation (PBpos). The photobiomodulation using light-emitting diodes (850 nm, 8 J/cm2) lasted 10 min and was applied to the quadriceps, hamstrings, and triceps surae muscles. The results were compared between groups and times, and the effect size for the interventions was established. ResultsNo differences were found between groups in CK, lactate, and performance in the functional tests between groups and times. Only the PBpre presented improved performance in the first Yoyo-1R1 test (p < 0.01), while the PBint improved in the second Yoyo-IR1 test and BST (p < 0.05). ConclusionThe PBM did not change muscle damage markers or performance in the functional tests. For an ergogenic response, photobiomodulation applied before exercise improves performance, which can be maintained when PBM is performed in the exercise interval.

Postoperative Body Composition in NCAA Division I Collegiate Athletes

INTRODUCTION: Determining return to sport for athletes after surgery can be challenging. Some evidence suggests the risk for injury changes with differences in anthropometrics. Therefore, body composition may be predictive of risk for reinjury after orthopaedic surgery in Division I athletes. The purpose of this study is to establish an objective model of anthropometric changes of Division I collegiate athletes following orthopaedic surgery with specific consideration of gender differences for potential use in future nutritional and return-to-play guidelines. METHODS: Division I athletes who underwent orthopaedic surgery in a five-year window were identified using training room records and cross-referenced against the facility BOD POD (air displacement plethysmography ) database for body metrics. Changes in body metrics were evaluated as trends from the immediate preoperative measurement up to 1 year following the date of surgery. Data was analyzed with respect to gender and sport. Significance was determined as p&lt;0.05. RESULTS: In total, 245 Division I athletes were identified as having undergone orthopaedic surgery in the study period. Eighty-four athletes representing 11 sports met the inclusion criteria. Overall, athletes were found to experience a 0.89kg reduction in fat-free body mass (p=0.021) and an increase in body fat percentage by 1.15% (p=0.002) from baseline measurements over the 5-month period following surgery at an average rate of -0.18kg and +0.23% body fat per month, respectively. At the conclusion of the 12-month period following surgery, measurements of fat-free body mass (p=0.341) and body fat percentage (p=0.104) were not found to differ significantly from preoperative baseline. The greatest decrease in fat-free body mass (p=0.013) and increase in body fat percentage (p=0.0008) of male athletes was found the first 3 months after surgery before trending towards baseline months 4-12. The greatest increase in body fat percentage for female athletes was found the first 4 months after surgery before trending towards baseline months 5-12 (p=0.049). No significant trend was observed in fat-free body mass of female athletes (p=0.42). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that NCAA Division I collegiate athletes undergo statistically significant anthropometric changes following sports-related orthopaedic surgery, with distinct differences observed between male and female athletes. These changes return to a level that does not significantly differ from baseline body composition measurements one year following surgery. We hope to motivate further studies to compare these trends against return-to-play time and reinjury rates of athletes to provide validated novel metrics for consideration in guiding athlete recovery following surgery.

A gutsy performance: the potential for supplementation of short-chain fatty acids to benefit athletic health, exercise performance, and recovery.

The gut microbiome is known to play an important role in the day-to-day physiology and health of the human host. It is, therefore, not surprising that there is interest surrounding the gut microbiome and its potential to benefit athletic health and performance. This has, in part, been driven by the consideration that gut bacterial by-products (i.e. metabolic waste) could be harnessed by the host and utilised for a beneficial outcome. The concept of harnessing bacterial metabolites as beneficial health modulators has developed the theory of leveraging short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as novel supplements for enhancing athletic performance. This review discusses the current literature investigating SCFA administration in cellular, animal, and human models, with the aim of linking the demonstrated physiological/biochemical mechanisms to potential exercise/athletic benefit. In addition, practical implications and factors relating to SCFA-supplementation in athletic populations are considered. The literature demonstrates a tangible rationale that SCFAs can have a positive impact on human physiology to afford benefits to the athletic population. These advantages include the capacity to improve respiratory immunity to combat elevated levels/severity of upper respiratory tract infections often reported in athletes; the blunting of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic pathways to aid in exercise recovery; and the role of SCFAs as usable energy sources and metabolism modulators to fuel exercise and improve performance and/or endurance capacity. However, there is currently minimal research completed in human participants and thus further investigations into the direct benefit of SCFAs in exercise performance and/or recovery-based studies are required.

Nutritional Needs in Court Tennis Athletes

This study explores the specific nutritional needs of field tennis athletes, a sport discipline that demands strength, endurance, agility, and high concentration. The purpose of this study was to understand how proper dietary intake can support physical fitness, maximum performance, efficient recovery, and general health of athletes. The research methodology involved a detailed survey of a number of field tennis athletes, as well as an analysis of related scientific literature and several journals. The parameters considered include the necessary nutritional composition, caloric intake, proper meal timing, and other special aspects relating to the nutritional needs of court tennis athletes. The results showed that appropriate nutrient intake is a key element in maintaining and improving the performance of court tennis athletes. An understanding of the need for carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals is important in maintaining energy, speeding recovery, and optimizing strength and endurance. In conclusion, field tennis athletes need a carefully planned diet to reach their full potential. This research provides useful guidance for athletes, coaches, and health professionals in designing nutrition strategies that fit the individual needs of athletes.