Sport Athletes Research Articles

Shaping futures: The impact of family involvement, peer and coach support on the career orientation of indigenous student athletes

This study explores the impact of family involvement on the career orientation of Indigenous baseball student athletes, considering the mediating roles of peer and coach support. Using Structural Equation Modeling, data were collected from 354 Indigenous student athletes registered on a regional baseball network between October and December 2022. The analysis reveals that family involvement directly influences career orientation significantly and also indirectly affects it through the mechanisms of peer and coach support. The findings highlight the critical need for integrated support from families, schools, and communities to foster the educational achievements and career orientations of these athletes. Recommendations include strengthening parental guidance, enhancing school support, and promoting community collaboration to provide extensive educational and training opportunities. It is crucial that schools, families, and sports clubs work together to develop tailored programs that address the unique cultural and social challenges faced by Indigenous student athletes. This collaborative approach aims to improve not only the athletes' career development but also their overall well-being, emphasizing the importance of a holistic support system that considers the socio-economic and cultural dynamics influencing these athletes. Furthermore, the study advocates for policies that recognize the distinctive needs and contributions of Indigenous athletes in sports, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment. Engaging with the broader community and leveraging cultural strengths can enhance these initiatives, promoting lasting benefits for Indigenous student athletes.

Photobiomodulation as Medicine: Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Acute Tissue Injury or Sport Performance Recovery.

Background/Objectives: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has gained traction in sports and exercise medicine as a non-invasive therapeutic for preconditioning the body, exertion recovery, repair and injury rehabilitation. LLLT is hypothesized to modulate cellular metabolism, tissue microenvironment(s) and to decrease inflammation while posing few adverse risks. This review critically examines the evidence-base for LLLT effectiveness focusing on immediate care settings and acute/subacute applications (<6 months post-injury). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted, prioritizing systematic reviews, meta-analyses and their primary research papers. Results: Findings are relevant to trainers and athletes as they manage a wide range of issues from superficial abrasions to deeper tissue concerns. LLLT parameters in the research literature include wide ranges. For body surface structures, studies show that LLLT holds promise in accelerating wound healing. In sport performance studies, LLLT is typically delivered pre-exercise and reveals beneficial effects on exertion recovery, improvements in muscle strength, endurance and reduced fatigue. Evidence is less convincing for acute, deep tissue injury models, where most studies do not report significant benefits for functional outcomes over conventional therapeutic modalities. Conclusions: Variability in LLLT delivery parameters and findings across studies underscores a need for clear treatment guidelines for the profession. Technical properties of laser light delivery to the body also differ materially from LED devices. Sport physiotherapists, team physicians, trainers and athletes should understand limitations in the current evidence-base informing photobiomodulation use in high-performance sport settings and weigh potential benefits versus shortcomings of LLLT use in the mentioned therapeutic contexts.

High Rate of Return to Sport in Contact and Collision Athletes After Arthroscopic Latarjet With Cortical Button Fixation

Background: Contact and collision athletes face a higher risk of recurrent anterior shoulder instability after surgical stabilization. The Latarjet procedure is often preferred given the high incidence of bony lesions. However, this stabilizing procedure, performed either open or arthroscopically, is met with concerns regarding complications and revision surgery rates. Purpose: To evaluate the return to sport (RTS) and assess complication and instability recurrence rates in contact/collision athletes undergoing the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure using a guided technique with suture buttons for coracoid fixations. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on contact/collision athletes who underwent the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure for recurrent anterior shoulder instability between January 2011 and March 2018. All patients were operated on arthroscopically using glenoid and coracoid guides and suture button fixation of the transferred coracoid. RTS was defined as the patient being able to participate in his or her activity without any restriction postoperatively. Two independent observers assessed patients using postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans to evaluate coracoid positioning and healing. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictive factors associated with persistent apprehension. A group comparison was performed to assess RTS failure risk factors. Results: In 136 contact/collision athletes (mean age, 25 ± 7 years), 93% were satisfied, and 98% achieved shoulder stability at a mean follow-up of 60 months (range, 24-117 months). No suture button–related complications or neurovascular issues were reported. Overall, 82% (112/136) returned to contact/collision sports. The mean time to RTS was 5.3 ± 1.2 months (range, 3-7.3 months). In a CT study performed 2 weeks after surgery, 87% (118/136) of bone grafts were positioned below the equator and 93% (126/136) were flush to the glenoid surface. At the 6-month postoperative CT examination, complete bone block healing was achieved in 84% (114/136). On clinical examination at the latest follow-up, 36 patients (26%) reported some anterior apprehension on testing. On multivariate analysis, patients with severe humeral bone defects (medium to large Hill-Sachs lesions, Calandra grade 2 or 3) had a higher risk of postoperative persistent apprehension. On group comparison, a visual analog scale score >3 and persistent anterior apprehension were found to be associated with failure of RTS. Conclusion: The arthroscopic Latarjet procedure with suture button fixation allowed 82% of athletes with recurrent anterior shoulder instability to return to contact or collision sports. Patients with severe humeral bone defects have a higher risk of persistent anterior apprehension and decreased RTS. The arthroscopic-guided procedure with suture button fixation is safe; accurate, with a high rate of anatomic graft positioning and healing; and reliable, with a low recurrence rate.

Values Scale for Positive Youth Development in Sport.

Adolescence is a period of special significance for the development of personal and social values. Positive adolescent development (PYD) can be an ideal perspective from which to promote values in young people through their sports practice. The aim of the study was to adapt and analyse the measurement properties of the Values Scale for Positive Youth Development for use in the context of sport in young athletes. A total of 599 adolescents, competitors of different sports modalities, participated in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability and invariance analyses were performed. The results confirmed a good model fit, with adjustment indexes (CFI, GFI and AGFI) above 0.90 and error (RMSEA and SRMR) below 0.08. The factor loadings above 0.50 were obtained for all items. Adequate reliability of the scales was also confirmed, between 0.72 and 0.89, and gender, age and sport invariance were confirmed. In conclusion, the analysed scale is a valid and reliable instrument with adequate psychometric properties, which makes it an appropriate assessment tool to be used in sports contexts, based on the positive adolescent development approach.

Health outcomes of former division I college athletes

ABSTRACT Background Former professional collision sport (CS) athletes, particularly American football players, are at risk of developing chronic health conditions; however, little is known about the health outcomes of amateur athletes. Methods A 60-item health survey examined self-reported symptoms and diagnoses among former Division 1 Collegiate CS athletes and non- or limited-contact sport (non-CS) athletes. Binary logistic regressions tested the association between playing CS and health outcomes. Results Five hundred and two (6.2%) participants completed the survey: 160 CS athletes (mean age: 59.2, SD = 16.0) and 303 non-CS athletes (mean age: 54.0, SD = 16.9). CS athletes had increased odds of reported cognitive complaints and neuropsychiatric symptoms including memory (Padj < 0.01), attention/concentration (Padj = 0.01), problem solving/multi-tasking (Padj = 0.05), language (Padj = 0.02), anxiety (Padj = 0.04), impulsivity (Padj = 0.02), short-fuse/rage/explosivity (Padj < 0.001), and violence/aggression (Padj = 0.02). CS athletes also reported higher rates of sleep apnea (Padj = 0.02). There were no group differences in cardiovascular and physical health outcomes. Conclusions Former CS athletes reported more cognitive and neuropsychiatric complaints. The low response rate is a limitation of this study; however, over 500,000 athletes play college sports each year, thus research on long-term health outcomes in this population is critical.

Repeated Sprint Variations According to Circadian Rhythm at Different Menstrual Cycle Phases.

This study assessed the repeated sprint performance in relation to circadian rhythm during different menstrual cycle phases (MCP). Twelve volunteer eumenorrheic women team sport athletes performed 5×6-s cycling sprints in morning (9 am to 10 am) and evening (6 pm to 7 pm) sessions during the mid-follicular (FP, 6th-10th d) and luteal phases (LP, 19th-24th d). Body weight, oral body temperature, resting heart rate and lactate levels together with estradiol, progesterone and cortisol levels were determined before tests. Relative peak and mean power and performance decrements were determined as performance variables and maximum heart rate, lactate and ratings of perceived exertion were determined as physiological variables. Evening body temperatures were significantly higher. Cortisol levels were higher in the morning and in the FP. Resting lactate levels did not vary with MCP or time of day, but a significant MCP x time of day interaction was observed. Body weight showed no change according to time of day and MCP. There was no significant effect of MCP and time of day on performance and physiological variables, in contrast, maximum lactate values were notably higher in the evening. In conclusion, MCP and time of day need not be considered during repeated sprint exercises of eumenorrheic women athletes.

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.

Effect of Physical Activity Behaviors, Team Sports, and Sitting Time on Body Image and Exercise Dependence.

This study aimed to evaluate whether the type and degree of physical activity commitment (i.e., team sport athletes, highly active individuals, sedentary behavior) influence body image and exercise behavior. A total of 96 participants (46 women and 50 men; age: 22.7 ± 2.7 years; height: 170 ± 8.6 cm; weight: 67.6 ± 10.8 kg) were divided in six groups: female volleyball and male football players (student athletes classified as Tier 2), highly physically active women and men, with high sitting time completed the Body Image Dimensional Assessment and the 21-item Exercise Dependence Scale to evaluate body dissatisfaction and level of dependency on exercise. The Body Image Dimensional Assessment is a silhouette-based scale, where three direct indices are derived from the participants' responses: body dissatisfaction, sexual body dissatisfaction, and comparative body dissatisfaction. The Exercise Dependence Scale is a six-point Likert scale that evaluates seven dimensions of exercise dependence (tolerance, withdrawal, intention effects, lack of control, time, reductions in other activities, and continuance) and provides an overall score. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of different levels of physical activity, team sport participation (volleyball and football), and sedentary behavior (i.e., high sitting time) on participants' body image indices and dimensions of exercise dependence according to sex. Volleyball players showed significantly higher body dissatisfaction than football players (d = 0.99) and the physically active men group (d = 2.31), who had lower values than sedentary women group (d = 1.68). Football players had lower comparative body dissatisfaction values than volleyball players (d = 1.70) and sedentary women (d = 1.69), who had higher values than sedentary men (d = 1.04). Sedentary women had a significantly lower exercise dependence scale score than volleyball players (d = 1.71), football players (d = 1.12), and physically active men (d = 1.21). The findings highlight the impact of regular physical activity on body dissatisfaction and the variance in body image perceptions between the sexes. Moreover, the high exercise dependence values found in volleyball and football players and physically active men suggest an effect of intense training and maladaptive exercise behaviors, underlining the need for comprehensive strategies to address exercise dependence.

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.

Features of collective emotions in sports teams: a theoretical overview of the issues

Relevance The article is devoted to the study of ideas about the group emotions of a sports team as a small group. Achieving group-wide goals becomes more difficult within the framework of intra-group interaction due to the need for equal inclusion of all team members in this process. In the process of teamwork, there is an increase in emotions and experiences, which affects the effectiveness of work.The aim of the study is to determine the influence of collective emotions on team spirit in playing sports.Methods and organization of research. It is known that the collective emotions shared by the group members can be both positive (pride for their country, joy for the success of their team) and negative (fear, anger). It is noteworthy that collective experiences are necessary and important for the team, as they enhance the effectiveness of interaction between its members. Collective emotions in the form of festive experiences, the experiences of fans at sports, ethnic, religious and patriotic, aesthetic, and jealous character for non-permanent groups.The analysis of scientific data on this problem has revealed that the study of the mechanisms and causes of group emotions is focused on the analysis of predominantly negative group emotions, or on the study of collective emotions in groups of a non-permanent nature of interaction. It should be noted that group activity is stressful, especially in the field of team sports. Many researchers in the field of sports psychology emphasize the existence of additional stressors in the field of team sports, coupled with the need for constant interaction with other people to achieve a common goal. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the study of such a phenomenon as group coping. Conclusions. Thus, an important role is played by a detailed study of group coping in overcoming stress by a team, its importance in the process of expressing group emotions, the mechanisms of its occurrence and management are interesting in order to increase the level of psychological fitness of modern team sports athletes.

Exploring the impact of impulsive urban sounds and noise on open sports training through real-time AI sound analysis

This study examines the impact of impulsive urban sounds and noise on athletes' performance during open sports training sessions. It specifically explores how various sports react to environmental noise disturbances. Impulsive urban sounds, defined as sudden, sharp noises that occur unpredictably in urban settings, were the focus of this study. Utilizing a sample of 160 sports students, divided into control and experimental groups, the study employed Independent Samples t-Tests and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). These tests were used to assess athletic performance variations between concentration-intensive sports (e.g., archery, golf) and non-concentration-intensive sports (e.g., football, basketball). The findings reveal that while impulsive urban noises do not uniformly affect overall athletic performance, athletes in concentration-intensive sports experience a significant decline in athletic performance metrics, indicating a heightened vulnerability to such disturbances. In contrast, athletes in non-concentration-intensive sports showed a negligible impact from similar noise conditions. These observations suggest a complex interaction between the specific demands of a sport and its noise sensitivity, challenging the traditional view that urban noise universally disrupts athletic activities. The study highlights the importance of considering a sport's cognitive demands when evaluating the effects of environmental factors on athletic performance. It recommends strategic planning in the design and timing of urban sports training to minimize the negative impacts of impulsive noise, especially for disciplines that require intense concentration and mental focus. Future research should investigate individual adaptive capacities and develop customized noise mitigation strategies for different sports contexts. Keywords: urban noise, athletic performance, impulsive sounds, concentration-intensive sports, environmental stressors, noise mitigation, sports training environments.

The Braking Performance Framework: Practical Recommendations and Guidelines to Enhance Horizontal Deceleration Ability in Multi-Directional Sports

Horizontal deceleration is a critical locomotor skill underpinning the many changes of speed and direction performed by athletes in multi-directional sports. Despite its importance there are currently no evidence-based guidelines on how to improve horizontal deceleration ability. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide practitioners tasked with preparing athletes for the demands of multi-directional sports with practical recommendations and guidelines on how to improve their athlete’s horizontal deceleration ability. The article proposes the concept and use of a Braking Performance Framework to help guide the selection of training methods and exercises to target the currently known neuromuscular and biomechanical determinants of horizontal deceleration ability. The Braking Performance Framework provides practitioners with evidence-informed training methods that can be integrated with other important physical, technical, and tactical components to optimize a player’s horizontal deceleration ability.

Conservative Management and Postoperative Return to Sport in Endurance Athletes with Flow Limitations in the Iliac Arteries: A Scoping Review.

Flow limitations in the iliac arteries (FLIA) is a sport-related vascular condition increasingly recognised as an occupational risk for professional cyclists and other endurance athletes. Surgical reconstruction is the definitive treatment for athletes wishing to continue competition. However, less information has been published regarding conservative management options and return-to-sport (RTS) guidelines. Our aim was to review the existing literature on conservative treatment of FLIA, identify knowledge gaps and propose an RTS framework for athletes returning to competition. A comprehensive literature review was performed using the Ovid-MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase and PEDro databases for publications relevant to conservative management of FLIA. A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Original, peer-reviewed publications in English describing conservative or postoperative management for athletes with FLIA were included. Additional grey literature and clinical expertise were consulted to inform RTS guidelines. Overall, 62 studies were included in this review. In total, 11 categories of conservative modalities were extracted and presented qualitatively in terms of the information source (discussion or results statements) and perspective of the authors (positive, negative or mixed). We have proposed RTS guidelines covering pre-operative preparation and postoperative rehabilitation based on the available literature, clinical experience, and drawing from other areas of sports medicine research. There is insufficient literature evaluating the effectiveness of conservative management options for FLIA to establish best practices. Considering the importance of RTS for competitive athletes, we proposed practical guidelines to help with clinician and patient decision making. Future consensus should be sought for RTS best practices.

Is isometric mid-thigh pull associated with the competitive performance of striking high-level athletes?

Background: The isometric mid-thigh pull test (IMTP) is commonly used in sports performance assessment, but it remains underutilized among combat sports athletes. Aims: to evaluate whether Pan-American medalists (PM) showed differences when compared with other athletes (NM) when performing the IMTP. Methods: a total of 72 Karate [n=35 (♀12)] and Taekwondo [n=37 (♀15)] athletes were measured (22.4±3.7 yrs.; 67.4±11.5 Kg; 1.7±0.1 m; 22.1±2.8 kg/m2). From the total, 32 athletes were PM of their specific combat sport (♀11). All participants performed the IMTP 60-90 days before the competition. The following variables were measured: a) Impulse Net at 50; 100; 150 and 200 ms (N*s); b) absolute (N) and relative peak force (PF; N/Kg) and; c) Rating of force development (RFD) at 50; 100; 150 and 200 ms (N/s). Results: PM showed a better performance on absolute (2,398.5±623.1 vs. 2,096.2±559.3 N; p=0.034) and relative PF (34.6±5.0 vs. 31.2±5.1 N/Kg; p=0.006); RFD at 150 (5,273.4±2,670.8 vs. 3,963.4±1,904.2 N/s; p=0.0018) and 200ms (4,870.3±2,184.6 vs. 4,022.1±1,574.8 N/s; p=0.05). Relative PF (Τ=0.249; p=0.011) and RDF at 150 ms (Τ=0.208; p=0.033) showed a positive and significative correlation with the competition result. Conclusion: PM showed a high PF and RFD at 150 and 200 ms. Furthermore, the competition result was correlated with relative PF and RDF at 150 ms. Based on our findings, we recommend that coaches incorporate the IMTP into their evaluation routine for striking athletes. Keywords: martial arts, athletic performance, elite athlete, task performance and analysis.

B - 54 Concussion Symptomology Reporting by Sport

Abstract Objective To investigate whether post-concussion symptomology differs between the following sports: basketball, cheerleading, soccer, and volleyball. Method A multivariate ANCOVA was conducted between the four sports, basketball, cheer, soccer, and volleyball, on post-concussion symptom reporting. Sex, handedness, age, level of education, number of concussions, past psychiatric treatment, and diagnosis of ADHD, autism, and dyslexia were controlled for. The basketball group (N = 86, 37.3% male, 62.7% female, Mage = 19.89). The cheerleading group (N = 78, 22.9% male, 77.1% female, Mage = 19.73). The soccer group (N = 160, 44% male, 56.0% female, Mage = 19.47). The volleyball group (N = 52, 100% female, Mage = 19.47). Post-hoc analyses were conducted to see which sports significantly differed in symptom reporting. Results There were significant differences in post-concussion symptom reporting between the four sports on symptoms of “balance problems” (p = 0.018, ηp2 = 0.027), “trouble falling asleep” (p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.040), and “sleeping less than usual” (p = 0.005, ηp2 = 0.035). Post-hoc analysis revealed that volleyball players had significantly higher reports of balance problems when compared to basketball players. Cheerleaders had significantly higher reports of “trouble falling asleep” than basketball, soccer, and volleyball players. Cheerleaders had significantly higher reports of “sleeping less than usual” when compared to basketball and soccer players following a concussion. Discussion The study revealed that concussion symptoms vary depending on the sport, likely due to differences in mechanics, collision frequency, and protective measures. This emphasizes the need for customized concussion management for athletes in different sports to enhance safety and well-being..

Cost-Benefit Analysis in Sports Organizations

The Provincial Organising Committee, set up to organise local sports events, submits the annual programme of activities to the Provincial Directorate and the Sports Federation at the beginning of the season, has the programme approved and carries out the activities. As part of this process, it carries out the necessary procedures to appoint the competent organisation. In this study, the cost-benefit analysis of the organising officers appointed by the provincial organising committee was carried out. The research used the document analysis method. According to the results of the research, competitions were organised as school sports (athletes=186), sports clubs (athletes=112) and private competitions (athletes=523). The costs of the competitions were calculated and a total of 97006.98 TL was spent on organising officials (19995.36 TL), referees (39333.57 TL) and other expenses (23280 TL). Although cost-benefit analysis is not used in the dissemination and massification of sport, it is necessary to evaluate the results of the organisations that were the subject of the study. According to the results obtained through the evaluation of the collected data, both the organisations are carried out by incurring more costs than necessary, and the athletes who are ranked with the results of the organisations do not have a significant success. The results of the study will be communicated to the relevant stakeholders with a recommendation for reorganisation planning.

Smart mouthguards and contact sport: the data ethics dilemma

The use of smart mouthguards in contact sports like rugby aims to enhance player safety by providing real-time data on head impacts. These devices, equipped with sensors, measure collision force...

Rehabilitation, Decision-Making, and Return to Pivoting Sports in Athletes 1–3 Years After ACL Reconstruction: A Nationwide Study

OBJECTIVE: To describe rehabilitation and decision-making from ACL reconstruction to return to sport (RTS), characteristics and RTS proportions for pivoting sports athletes undergoing usual care. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: We invited people with ACL reconstruction who were aged 16-40 years, and injured during soccer, handball, or basketball, and registered in the Norwegian Knee Ligament Register, to complete a study-specific questionnaire at 1-3 years post-surgery. We reported descriptive statistics and RTS proportions for return to participation, sport and performance. RESULTS: Of 1,875 individuals, 631 (34%) responded. The physical therapist-led rehabilitation ceased before 9 months in 52% (n=268), and a physical therapist was most frequently involved in RTS decisions (n=462, 77%). Fifty-five percent (n=353) of the participants underwent physical testing prior to RTS. At a mean of 2.3 years (SD=0.8) after ACL reconstruction, 62% (n=391) returned to participation, 50% (n=312) returned to sport, and 17% (n=93) returned to pre-injury performance. The main reasons for non-return were fear of re-injury (35%, n=27) and knee problems (35%, n=27). Median time to RTS was 12 months (interquartile range 10 to 15 months), and 16% (n=102) had sustained a new ACL injury at follow-up. CONCLUSION: This nationwide study found that half of pivoting sport athletes ceased rehabilitation within 9 months, half performed physical testing to inform RTS, with physical therapists most frequently involved in the RTS-decision. Half of the athletes returned to sport, and one in six returned to performance. RTS proportions were highest in athletes younger than 20 years.

Lower extremity injury and return to sports of elite taekwondo athletes

Abstract Objective We attempted to analyze the characteristics of lower-extremity injuries that occur during training based on the sex and weight class of elite taekwondo (TKD) athletes and the effect of pain scores on the return to sports periods (RTSP). Methods and Methods: We included 198 elite TKD athletes who participated in January–December 2023 and were trained in Korea. Injury incidence rates (IIR) were expressed as Poisson rates with 95% confidence intervals per 1,000 h of training. One-way analysis of variance was conducted to determine the pain score and RTSP according to sex, weight, and injury type. In addition, we performed simple linear regression to determine the effects of pain score on the RTSP. Results The lower-extremities IIR was 2.45 injuries per 1000 training hours, including 0.77 contact and 1.68 non-contact injuries. The IIR was lower in male than in female athletes (p&lt;0.001), the most common injuries occurred in the ankle (0.78) and knee(0.53). In addition, the ligament (0.99) and muscle (0.70) were the most common injury types. All athletes demonstrated significant differences in pain scores (p&lt;0.001) and RTSP (p&lt;0.001) based on the injury type. In addition, we observed a significant difference between the pain score (p&lt;0.001) and RTSP (p=0.004) based on sex. For every 1-point increase in pain score, all athletes had a 1.43-day increase in RTSP. Conclusion These results can be used as data to develop injury prevention programs for TKD athletes and to determine their RTSP.

Acute effects of lower limb wearable resistance on horizontal deceleration and change of direction biomechanics.

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of lower limb wearable resistance on maximal horizontal deceleration biomechanics, across two different assessments. Twenty recreationally trained team sport athletes performed acceleration to deceleration assessments (ADA), and 5-0-5 change of direction (COD) tests across three load conditions (unloaded, 2% of BW, 4% of body weight (BW)), with load attached to the anterior and posterior thighs and shanks. Linear mixed effect models with participant ID as the random effect, and load condition as the fixed effect were used to study load-specific biomechanical differences in deceleration mechanics across both tests. Primary study findings indicate that for the ADA, in the 4% BW condition, participants exhibited significantly greater degrees of Avg Approach Momentum, as well as significant reductions in deceleration phase center of mass (COM) drop, and Avg Brake Step ground contact deceleration (GCD) in both the 2% BW, and 4% BW condition, compared to the unloaded condition. In the 5-0-5 tests, participants experienced significant reductions in Avg Approach Velocity, Avg deceleration (DEC), and Stopping Time in the 4% BW condition compared to the unloaded condition. Similar to the ADA test, participants also experienced significant reductions in Avg Brake Step GCD in both the 2% BW and 4% BW conditions, and significant increases in Avg Approach Momentum in the 4% BW condition, compared to the unloaded condition. Therefore, findings suggest that based on the test, and metric of interest, the addition of lower limb wearable resistance led to acute differences in maximal horizontal deceleration biomechanics. However, future investigations are warranted to further explore if the use of lower limb wearable resistance could present as an effective training tool in enhancing athlete's horizontal deceleration and change of direction performance.