Sports Performance Research Articles

Sports Results Prediction Model Using Machine Learning

Within the past few decades, more and more people use Machine learning technology to predict sports performance. This paper aims to research the possibility of sports results prediction with good precision. Machine learning methods are often used to create model that will produce a representative output of the probable match result. This can assist coaches and managers in evaluating player performance, identifying skills, predicting injuries, and evaluating game strategy. Thanks to the good accuracy of the forecast, one of the constantly evolving areas is sports betting. Finally, considering the current research review, a framework is proposed to develop a system based on artificial intelligence to predict the outcome of a football match. This research provides information on how system learning algorithms have proven to be useful and how they can produce success. This research also reviews the research of data mining systems to predict athletic performance and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each system.

Test–Retest Reliability of Concentric and Eccentric Muscle Strength in Knee Flexion–Extension Controlled by Functional Electromechanical Dynamometry in Female Soccer

In the field of sports performance, sports medicine, and physical rehabilitation, there is a great interest in the development of protocols and reliable techniques and instruments for the evaluation of strength produced by athletes. In the last ten years, women’s football has increased its popularity and participation in numerous countries, which has contributed to players developing more professionally and requiring more specific muscle strength training to improve their performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the absolute and relative test–retest reliabilities of peak muscle strength in knee flexion (FLE) and extension (EXT) controlled using a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD) in a group of seventeen professional female soccer players (age = 18.64 ± 0.62 years; weight = 54.72 ± 7.03 kg; height = 1.58 ± 0.04 m; BMI = 21.62 ± 2.70 kg/m2). Peak muscle strength was measured with knee flexion (FLE) and extension (EXT) movements at a speed of 0.4 m·s−1 unilaterally in a concentric phase (CON) and an eccentric phase (ECC). No significant mean differences were found in the test–retest analysis (p > 0.05; effect size < 0.14), and high reliability was reported for peak muscle strength assessments in both the CON (ICC) = 0.90–0.95) and the ECC (ICC = 0.85–0.97). Furthermore, stable repeatability was presented for extension in the CON (CV = 7.39–9.91%) and ECC (CV = 8.65–13.64). The main findings of this study show that peak muscle strength in knee flexion and extension in CON and ECC is a measure with acceptable absolute reliability and extremely high relative reliability using the FEMD in professional female soccer players.

Urinary Incontinence in Nulliparous Female Elite Athletes: A Mixed Methods Exploration.

Urinary incontinence (UI) occurs in 40-50% of nulliparous female elite athletes. However, causative factors, management, and perceptions of UI in this population are suboptimally understood. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify factors that precipitate UI in nulliparous female elite athletes and (2) explore management strategies for UI and its effect on sports performance and quality of life. This was a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study in Division 1, college-aged nulliparous female athletes. Surveys assessed demographics, sport characteristics, relevant medical history, bladder symptoms during exercise, and validated genitourinary symptom questionnaires (Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Network Symptom Index-29, Female Genitourinary Pain Index). Data were compared between symptomatic athletes (who had ever experienced urinary leakage during exercise) and asymptomatic athletes. Symptomatic athletes discussed their experiences with UI in focus groups. Symptomatic athletes (33/67, 49%) had more asthma (21% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.027) and constipation (15% vs. 0%, P = 0.025), were more sexually active (76% vs. 44%, P = 0.008), and had worse overall urinary symptoms and genitourinary pain than asymptomatic athletes. They described both stress and urgency incontinence precipitated by various factors, including running, jumping, sustained efforts, and stressful situations. Many described voiding frequently before and during exercise. Despite increasing normalization of UI in the female athlete population since the onset of adolescence and variable degrees of bother, interest in improving symptom management was common. Urinary incontinence in nulliparous female elite athletes may be multifactorial given its association with medical, behavioral, exercise-specific, and environmental conditions, which may be explored longitudinally to inform prevention and treatment strategies.

Exploring the effect of familiarity on sports performance food perception in various simulated consumption contexts

Leveraging immersive room technologies this study sought to explore the impact of consumer familiarity on the perceived appropriateness and liking of high-protein energy bars across three distinct contexts: Pre-Workout, Office Break, and Outdoor Break. Results showed that both context and familiarity have significant influence on consumer perceptions, with high familiarity consumers giving the bars greater liking and appropriateness scores than low familiarity consumers. The Office Break context received the highest appropriateness and liking scores, while the Outdoor Break context was rated lowest. Post-test focus groups revealed diverse perspectives on the balance between utility and hedonism in food consumption, underscoring the influence of consumer usage patterns, consumption context, and prior product experience.

Stimulated C2C12 Myotube Headspace Volatile Organic Compound Analysis.

Understanding exercise metabolism and the relationship with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) holds potential in both health care and sports performance. Exercise metabolism can be investigated using whole body exercise testing (in vivo) or through the culture and subsequent electrical pulse stimulation (EPS) of myotubes (in vitro). This research investigates the novel headspace (HS) analysis of EPS skeletal muscle myotubes. An in vitro system was built to investigate the effect of EPS on the volatile constituents in the HS above EPS skeletal muscle. The C2C12 immortalised cell line was chosen. EPS was applied to the system to induce myotube contraction. The in vitro system was applied to the analysis of VOCs using thermal desorption (TD) sampling. Samples were collected under four conditions: environmental samples (enviro), acellular media HS samples (blank), skeletal muscle myotubes without stimulation HS samples (baseline) and EPS of skeletal muscle myotube HS samples (stim). TD sampling combined with gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detected two compounds that, after multivariate and univariate statistical analysis, were identified as changing due to EPS (p < 0.05). These compounds were tentatively assigned as 1,4-Dioxane-2,5-dione, 3,6-dimethyl- and 1-pentene. The former is a known lactide and the latter has been reported as a marker of oxidative stress. Further research should focus on improvements to the EPS system, including the use of more relevant cell lines, quantification of myotube contractions, and the application of targeted analysis, metabolic assays and media analysis.

Analysis of Tactical-Technical Attack Performance Factors: A Case Study of a Professional Women's Handball Team

Game analysis based on tactical-technical sports performance provides important information for coaches to periodize and evaluate team processes more accurately. The aim of this study was to analyze the probabilities of success in offensive situations by a Brazilian professional women’s handball team. The method used was a quantitative, descriptive and case study approach, which was a professional women’s handball team with national and international achievements. Data collection was based on the Handball Observation System, which allowed a total of 726 game actions to be evaluated from the two target competitions (world and national), 143 for the Women’s Super Globe and 583 for the national handball league. The data was analyzed using the Lince program, which helps with video analysis (games from different sports), optimizing data verification, and the SPSS 23.0 software, using multinomial regression. The results showed that the team had 10.538 more probabilities of scoring when using basic tactical means, compared to 1-on-1 actions (CR = 1.061) and complex tactical means (CR = 1). The offensive organization showed greater probabilities (OR = 1.668) of scoring with the full team, in attacks from the central area of the court of less than 9 meters (OR = 1.917) and with shots between 21 and 40 minutes (OR = 1.393). There were also 7.968 more chances for the opposing goalkeeper to make a save when the team attacked with basic tactical means and 2.562 more chances for him to save the shot between 21 and 40 minutes.

Caffeine Placebo Effect in Sport and Exercise: A Systematic Review.

The objective of this review article is to systematically identify the caffeine placebo effect in sport and exercise activities. We selected randomized controlled trial studies to better understand the impact of caffeine and its placebo effect on sports performance. We extracted a set of articles that refer strictly to the topics of caffeine and its placebo effect in sport and exercise, considering the databases integrated to the Core Collection Web of Science and Scopus, as well as the registration of the documents in PubMed®, a system with a selection process aligned with the guidelines for the PRISMA methodology, establishing the eligibility criteria of the articles with the PICOS tool, to which a systematic review is applied. Finally, the results show that caffeine improves anaerobic capacity and endurance, while placebo perceived as caffeine can also increase performance by reducing pain and improving concentration. This finding underscores the influence of expectations and placebo on physical performance, suggesting that managing these expectations may be an effective strategy for improving athletic performance.

A multi-sample examination of the relationship between athlete burnout and sport performance

Athlete burnout potentially has negative consequences for sport performance. However, to the best of our knowledge, empirical studies have yet to examine the relationship between athlete burnout and objective sport performance. Consequently, we aimed to provide a first such examination. To do so, we recruited three samples. We used Sample 1 (n = 106: track and field athletes) to examine the predictive utility of athlete burnout on a single performance, Sample 2 (n = 181: swimmers) to examine whether the findings from Sample 1 can be replicated in a different sport, and Sample 3 (n = 169: track and field athletes) to examine the predictive utility of athlete burnout on peak performance in a three-month period. Finally, having captured three samples each assessing the athlete burnout-performance relationship, we also sought to quantify the combined effect across these samples using a relatively new analytical technique – mini meta-analysis. Results from regression analyses showed that in at least two of the three samples total burnout, reduced sense of accomplishment, and sport devaluation each negatively predicted performance, whereas emotional and physical exhaustion was unrelated to performance. When we combined the samples, mini meta-analysis showed that total burnout, reduced sense of accomplishment, and sport devaluation each displayed a small-to-medium negative and significant meta-correlation with performance. The findings suggest that certain athlete burnout symptoms may indeed have negative consequences for sport performance, and that this is the case when considering a single performance and peak performance.

Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Sports Performance: A Systematic Review

Background and objectives: Advances in sports science have allowed us to understand the importance of variables related to athletes' emotions, which, in turn, influence sports performance. The study's objective is to examine the influence of emotional intelligence on sport performance. Materials and methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed for the current systematic review. The review was conducted to retrieve relevant articles published from 2018 to March 2024 using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Information on participants, interventions, and outcomes (PIO) was extracted. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the PEDro scale. The revision was registered with INPLASY under the number INPLASY202480001. Results: Initially, a total of 7927 studies were identified. Following the review process and using inclusion criteria, 16 studies were selected. The total sample size of the studies was 8008 with (3228 womens) and (4780 mens). Results revealed that emotional intelligence influences sports performance. Conclusions: In conclusion, the main contribution of emotional intelligence to sports performance lies in enhancing cognitive processes. Similarly, emotional intelligence is a determining factor in improving sports performance. Antecedentes y objetivos: Los avances en las ciencias del deporte han permitido comprender la importancia de las variables relacionadas con las emociones de los deportistas, las cuales, a su vez, influyen en el rendimiento deportivo. El objetivo del estudio es examinar la influencia de la inteligencia emocional en el rendimiento deportivo. Materiales y métodos: Para la presente revisión sistemática, se siguieron las directrices PRISMA. La revisión se realizó para recuperar artículos relevantes publicados desde 2018 hasta marzo de 2024 utilizando las bases de datos PubMed, Web of Science y Scopus. Se extrajo la información sobre los participantes, las intervenciones y los resultados (PIO). La calidad de la evidencia se evaluó mediante la escala PEDro. La revisión se registró en INPLASY con el número INPLASY202480001. Resultados: Inicialmente, se identificaron un total de 7.927 estudios. Tras el proceso de revisión y utilizando criterios de inclusión, se seleccionar 16 estudios. El tamaño total de la muestra de los estudios fue de 8008 (3228 mujeres), y (4780 hombres). Los resultados revelaron que la inteligencia emocional influye en el rendimiento deportivo. Conclusiones: En conclusión, la principal contribución de la inteligencia emocional al rendimiento deportivo radica en la mejora de los procesos cognitivos. Del mismo modo, la inteligencia emocional es un factor determinante en la mejora del rendimiento deportivo. Enquadramento e objectivos: Os avanços nas ciências do desporto têm levado à compreensão da importância das variáveis relacionadas com as emoções dos atletas, que, por sua vez, influenciam o desempenho desportivo. O objetivo do estudo é analisar a influência da inteligência emocional no desempenho desportivo. Materiais e métodos: Para a presente revisão sistemática, foram seguidas as directrizes PRISMA. A revisão foi realizada para recuperar artigos relevantes publicados de 2018 a março de 2024, utilizando as bases de dados PubMed, Web of Science e Scopus. Foram extraídas informações sobre os participantes, as intervenções e os resultados (IOPs). A qualidade da evidência foi avaliada utilizando a escala PEDro. A revisão foi registada no INPLASY com o número INPLASY202480001. Resultados: Inicialmente, foi identificado um total de 7.927 estudos. Após o processo de revisão e utilizando os critérios de inclusão, foram definidos 16 estudos. O tamanho total da amostra dos estudos foi de 8008 (3228 do sexo feminino) e (4780 do sexo masculino). Os resultados revelaram que a inteligência emocional influencia o desempenho desportivo. Conclusões: Em conclusão, o principal contributo da inteligência emocional para o desempenho desportivo reside na melhoria dos processos cognitivos. Da mesma forma, a inteligência emocional é um fator determinante para a melhoria do desempenho desportivo.

Strategy in Sport Performance: How Training Programmes Could Shape Dynamic, Adaptive Intentional Processes in Performers

Recent developments in sports science have indicated that traditional models for planning training programs typically lack coherence for developing the complexity of adaptive processes that emerge from and are invited by, training and competition. Here, we argue that the strategic management of training programs for sports performance development may emerge from continuous interactions between individuals in a non-linear transformative causality, displaying transactional intentionality. Based on the understanding and application of theories in complexity sciences, and from the perspective of the ecological dynamics of human behavior, it is intended to contribute to the strategic process that underlies the development of sports performance. Here, we seek to articulate how the strategic process that underlies sports performance development is based on an "educated intentionality" that guides the coaches' actions (e.g., problem-solving, decision-making, planning, and organization). This approach requires a co-evolving design process and decision-making in sports performance development so that athletes can implement adaptive behaviors in competitive contexts. Recientes avances en las ciencias del deporte han indicado que los modelos tradicionales de planificación del entrenamiento no son coherentes con la complejidad de los procesos adaptativos que surgen del entrenamiento y la competición y a los que invitan. En este artículo, se defiende que el comportamiento de los deportistas durante las adaptaciones al entrenamiento es un proceso emergente e impredecible. Desde este punto de vista, la estratégica subjacente en los programas de entrenamiento y el desarrollo del rendimiento deportivo, pueden surgir de las interacciones continuas de los individuos en una causalidad transformadora no lineal, mostrando una intencionalidad transaccional. A partir de la comprensión y aplicación de las teorías de la complejidad y desde la perspectiva de la dinámica ecológica del comportamiento humano, se pretende contribuir al proceso estratégico que fundamenta el desarrollo del rendimiento deportivo. Se pretende destacar que el proceso estratégico que fundamenta el desarrollo del rendimiento deportivo se basa en una "intencionalidad educada" que guía las acciones de los entrenadores (por ejemplo, la resolución de problemas, la toma de decisiones, la planificación y la organización). Este punto de vista requiere un proceso de concepción coevolutiva y autonomía de decisión en el proceso de desarrollo del rendimiento deportivo para que los deportistas puedan adoptar comportamientos adaptables en contextos competitivos. Os desenvolvimentos recentes nas ciências do desporto indicam que os modelos tradicionais de planeamento do treino são inconsistentes com a complexidade dos processos adaptativos que emergem do treino e da competição. Defende-se neste artigo que a estratégia subjacente aos processos de treino e ao desenvolvimento do desempenho desportivo pode emergir de interações contínuas dos indivíduos numa causalidade transformativa não linear, exibindo intencionalidade transacional. Com base na compreensão e aplicação das teorias da complexidade e sob a perspetiva da dinâmica ecológica do comportamento humano, pretende-se contribuir para o processo estratégico que consubstancia o desenvolvimento da performance desportiva. Pretende-se evidenciar que tal processo estratégico se baseia numa "intencionalidade educada" que canaliza as ações dos treinadores (por exemplo, resolução de problemas, tomada de decisões, planeamento e organização). Este ponto de vista requer um processo de conceção co-adaptativa e de autonomia de decisão no processo de desenvolvimento da performance desportiva dos atletas.

Using wearable technology to optimize sports performance and prevent injuries

Using wearable technology to optimize sports performance and prevent injuries

Intestinal Microbiota Interventions to Enhance Athletic Performance-A Review.

Recent years have witnessed an uptick in research highlighting the gut microbiota's role as a primary determinant of athletes' health, which has piqued interest in the hypothesis that it correlates with athletes' physical performance. Athletes' physical performances could be impacted by the metabolic activity of the assortment of microbes found in their gut. Intestinal microbiota impacts multiple facets of an athlete's physiology, including immune response, gut membrane integrity, macro- and micronutrient absorption, muscle endurance, and the gut-brain axis. Several physiological variables govern the gut microbiota; hence, an intricately tailored and complex framework must be implemented to comprehend the performance-microbiota interaction. Emerging evidence underscores the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and physical fitness, revealing that athletes who engage in regular physical activity exhibit a richer diversity of gut microbes, particularly within the Firmicutes phylum, e.g., Ruminococcaceae genera, compared to their sedentary counterparts. In elite sport, it is challenging to implement an unconventional strategy whilst simultaneously aiding an athlete to accomplish feasible, balanced development. This review compiles the research on the effects of gut microbiota modulation on performance in sports and illustrates how different supplementation strategies for gut microbiota have the ability to improve athletic performance by enhancing physical capacities. In addition to promoting athletes' overall health, this study evaluates the existing literature in an effort to shed light on how interventions involving the gut microbiota can dramatically improve performance on the field. The findings should inform both theoretical and practical developments in the fields of sports nutrition and training.

How Do I? Support exercise and sports performance in T1D

How Do I? Support exercise and sports performance in T1D

Exploring the dynamics of sports records evolution through the gembris prediction model and network relevance analysis

Background Sports records hold valuable insights into human physiological limits. However, presently, there is a lack of integration and evolutionary patterns in the recorded information across various sports. Methods We selected sports records from 1992 to 2018, covering 24 events in men’s track, field, and swimming. The Gembris prediction model calculated performance randomness, and Pearson correlation analysis assessed network relevance between projects. Quantitative study of model parameters revealed the impact of various world records’ change range, predicted value, and network correlation on evolutionary patterns. Results 1) The evolution range indicates that swimming events generally have a larger annual world record variation than track and field events; 2) Gembris’s predictions show that sprint, marathon, and swimming records outperform their predicted values annually; 3) Network relevance analysis reveals highly significant correlations between all swimming events and sprints, as well as significant correlations between marathon and all swimming events. Conclusion Sports record evolution is closely linked not only to specific sports technology but also to energy expenditure. Strengthening basic physical training is recommended to enhance sports performance.

Oxygen Consumption, Ventilatory Thresholds, and Work Zones in Nordic Walking Competitors.

Background: Nordic walking (NW) is a physical sports activity that has been sufficiently studied from the point of view of health, but physiological and performance analyses have not been so much. Objectives: With this study, we intend to analyse the physical work areas, according to ventilatory thresholds, that occur during a NW competition. Methods: Four participants of different characteristics anthropometrics (weight 57.6-85.6 kg; height 165.8-178 cm; and fat percentage 14.5-21.5%) gender (3 males and 1 female) and age (15-57 years) who participated in the NW regional championship have been chosen, and their electrocardiographic tracing was recorded using a NUUBO® device throughout the race, obtaining average and maximum heart rates (HR) in eight sections of the circuit. Previously, in the laboratory, a maximal stress test was performed to determine the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), the first (VT1) and second (VT2) ventilatory threshold (VT). With these data, four work areas were obtained. Results: Most of the sections of the circuit were conducted with average HRs in zone 2a (above average between VT1 and VT2 but below VT2) and peak HRs in zone 3 (between VT2 and VO2max). Conclusions: We conclude that, with the data collected on HR, VO2max, and VT, the training zones obtained can be related to the heart rates in the different sections of the circuit. This can be used to improve the sports performance of the walkers.

Data base of Cognitive functions and their relation to balance and agility in athletes from differents sports branches

Successful performance in each sport requires high ability in various features, including motor and perceptual-cognitive skills. This study aimed to compare the balance and agility in athletes from several sports branches to find out how cognitive functions relate to these parameters. Seventy-three individuals aged 18-30 were included in this prospective-descriptive study. In the assessment of cognition, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, d2 Test of Attention, and a Bassin Anticipation Timer Device were used. While Prokin-TecnoBody was used to measure the balance skills, Illinois Agility Test (IAT) was used for agility. IAT times showed positive weak correlations with both the absolute error-score (AES) at 8mph (r=0.260, p=0.040) and mediolateral balance score (ML)(r=0.255, p=0.043). While there was a negative weak correlation between AES at 3mph and anteroposterior score of balance (r=-0.267, p=0.035), we found positive weak correlation between AES at 8mph and ML of balance (r=0.253, p=0.046). It was found that the IAT scores of the sedentary group were significantly lower than athletes (p=0.000). According to AES at 3mph, there were significant differences between tennis players and both sedentary and volleyball players (p=0.008, p=0.002, respectively). When the AES at 8mph compared, the only statistically significant difference was between tennis players and sedentary (p=0.008). In conclusion, this study shows how cognitive functions, particularly coincidence anticipation timing (CAT), correlate with essential physical performance factors like agility and balance across different sport branches, suggesting that improving cognitive skills could enhance overall athletic performance and inform mental training strategies in sports. It is recommended that future sports science research focus on enhancing CAT through targeted training programs.

Cognitive functions and their relation to balance and agility in athletes from different sports branches

Successful performance in each sport requires high ability in various features, including motor and perceptual-cognitive skills. This study aimed to compare the balance and agility in athletes from several sports branches to find out how cognitive functions relate to these parameters. Seventy-three individuals aged 18-30 were included in this prospective-descriptive study. In the assessment of cognition, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, d2 Test of Attention, and a Bassin Anticipation Timer Device were used. While Prokin-TecnoBody was used to measure the balance skills, Illinois Agility Test (IAT) was used for agility. IAT times showed positive weak correlations with both the absolute error-score (AES) at 8mph (r=0.260, p=0.040) and mediolateral balance score (ML)(r=0.255, p=0.043). While there was a negative weak correlation between AES at 3mph and anteroposterior score of balance (r=-0.267, p=0.035), we found positive weak correlation between AES at 8mph and ML of balance (r=0.253, p=0.046). It was found that the IAT scores of the sedentary group were significantly lower than athletes (p=0.000). According to AES at 3mph, there were significant differences between tennis players and both sedentary and volleyball players (p=0.008, p=0.002, respectively). When the AES at 8mph compared, the only statistically significant difference was between tennis players and sedentary (p=0.008). In conclusion, this study shows how cognitive functions, particularly coincidence anticipation timing (CAT), correlate with essential physical performance factors like agility and balance across different sport branches, suggesting that improving cognitive skills could enhance overall athletic performance and inform mental training strategies in sports. It is recommended that future sports science research focus on enhancing CAT through targeted training programs.

Ethical Aspects of Human Genome Research in Sports-A Narrative Review.

Human genome research in sports raises complex ethical considerations regarding the intersection of genetics and athletic performance. Pursuing genetic enhancements must uphold fairness, equality, and respect for human dignity. This narrative review explores the ethical dimensions of human genome research in sports, its potential implications on athletes, and the integrity of sports. As a narrative review, this study synthesizes the existing literature and expert insights to examine the ethical aspects of human genome research in sports. This study extensively examined the current literature on genetics, sports performance, ethical concerns, human rights, and legal regulations within the European context. The literature was searched using the SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases. Exploring human genome research in sports reveals significant ethical implications, including potential genetic discrimination, impacts on human rights, and creating a genetic underclass of athletes. There are also definite benefits surrounding genetic testing. In conclusion, this review contends that integrating ethical considerations into developing and applying genetic technologies in sports is crucial to upholding fundamental principles of fairness, equality, and respect for human dignity. It stresses the importance of open and inclusive dialogue about the potential consequences of genetic advancements on athletic performance, future generations, and the integrity of sports.

Kinematical Effects of a Mandibular Advancement Occlusal Splint on Running until Exhaustion at Severe Intensity.

The effects of occlusal splints on sport performance have already been studied, although their biomechanical impacts are often overlooked. We investigated the kinematical changes during running until exhaustion at severe intensity while wearing a mandibular advancement occlusal splint. Twelve trained runners completed (i) an incremental protocol on a track to determine their velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen uptake and (ii) two trials of square wave transition exercises at their velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen until exhaustion, wearing two occlusal splints (without and with mandibular advancement). Running kinematics were compared within laps performed during the square wave transition exercises and between splint conditions. The mandibular advancement occlusal splint increased the running distance covered (~1663 ± 402 vs. 1540 ± 397 m, p = 0.03), along with a noticeable lap effect in decreasing stride frequency (p = 0.04) and increasing stride length (p = 0.03) and duty factor (p < 0.001). No spatiotemporal differences were observed between splints, except for improved balance foot contact times in the mandibular advancement condition. An increased knee flexion angle at initial contact (p = 0.017) was noted along laps in the non-advancement condition, despite the fact that no differences between splints were found. Running patterns mainly shifted within laps rather than between conditions, indicating that a mandibular advancement occlusal splint had a trivial kinematical effect.

Assessing the Quality and Effectiveness of School-Based Sports Coaching Programs in China

This research assessed the effectiveness of sports coaching programs implemented in schools in China. It examines explicitly crucial elements such as coaching credentials, program structure, sports infrastructure, safety protocols, monitoring and evaluation approaches, and technology integration. The study used a stratified sampling technique to choose a representative sample of athletes from various universities. Data was gathered by administering questionnaires and conducting interviews to evaluate the athletes' perspectives on the coaching programs. The findings suggest that athletes typically have a good perception of coaching programs, especially about their effective promotion of cooperation, safety, and use of technology. However, some aspects need improvement, including grasping sports skills, allocation of facility money, and availability of contemporary resources. Furthermore, the research revealed no statistically significant disparities in athletes' evaluations or program outcomes when they were categorized according to their gender, sport, or length of participation. Furthermore, the coaching programs show a modest favorable impact on athletes' physical fitness, sports performance, and general well-being, with specific attention on the development of endurance, resilience, and problem-solving skills. The study furthermore cites many significant obstacles coaches encounter, including resource constraints, cultural and academic demands, inadequate professional growth opportunities, and hurdles to effective communication.