World-class Athletes Research Articles

Relationship Between Poor Sleep and Depressive Symptoms in Korean Elite Youth Athletes

Background: Sleep and mental health are crucial to elite youth athletes, who face combined pressures of training, competition, school, and social commitments. We examined the association between sleep and depression in elite youth athletes. Methods: We analyzed data of 248 Korean world-class youth athletes (aged 13–19 years). The athletes completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: Overall, 50.4% of the athletes were considered poor sleepers (global PSQI score ≥ 5.5); 23.8% reported depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥ 16). Depression was 4.26 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.00–9.09, p < 0.001) more likely in poor than in good sleepers. Odds of depression were increased with poor subjective sleep quality (odds ratio [OR]: 4.62; 95%CI, 2.10–10.18, p < 0.001), prolonged sleep latency (OR: 2.45: 95% CI, 1.28–4.69, p < 0.01), increased sleep disturbances (OR: 3.98: 95% CI, 1.83–8.63, p < 0.001), and daytime dysfunction (OR: 3.28; 95% CI, 1.67–6.44, p < 0.001). Depressive symptoms were associated with worse sleep, particularly poor subjective sleep quality, prolonged sleep latency, increased sleep disturbances, and increased daytime dysfunction. Conclusions: These results suggest that depressive symptoms are associated with poor sleep in the elite youth athlete population.

Effects of Polarized Training vs. Other Training Intensity Distribution Models on Physiological Variables and Endurance Performance in Different-Level Endurance Athletes: A Scoping Review.

Rivera-Köfler, T, Varela-Sanz, A, Padrón-Cabo, A, Giráldez-García, MA, and Muñoz-Pérez, I. Effects of polarized training vs. other training intensity distribution models on physiological variables and endurance performance in different-level endurance athletes: a scoping review. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-This scoping review aimed to analyze the long-term effects of polarized training (POL) on key endurance physiological- and performance-related variables and to systematically compare them with other training intensity distribution (TID) models in endurance athletes of different performance levels. Four TID models were analyzed: POL, pyramidal (PYR), threshold (THR), and block (BT) training models. The literature search was performed using PubMed, SportDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Studies were selected if they met the following criteria: compared POL with any other TID model, included healthy endurance athletes, men, and/or women; reported enough information regarding the volume distribution in the different training intensity zones (i.e., zone 1, zone 2, and zone 3), assessed physiological (i.e., maximum/peak oxygen uptake, speed or power at aerobic and anaerobic thresholds, economy of movement), and performance in competition or time-trial variables. Of the 620 studies identified, 15 met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. According to scientific evidence, POL and PYR models reported greater maximum oxygen uptake enhancements. Both POL and PYR models improved the speed or power associated with the aerobic threshold. By contrast, all TID models effectively improved the speed or power associated with the anaerobic threshold. Further research is needed to establish the effects of TID models on the economy of movement. All TID models were effective in enhancing competitive endurance performance, but testing protocols were quite heterogeneous. The POL and PYR models seem to be more effective in elite and world-class athletes, whereas there were no differences between TID models in lower-level athletes.

The ARK2N (C18ORF25) Genetic Variant Is Associated with Muscle Fiber Size and Strength Athlete Status.

Data on the genetic factors contributing to inter-individual variability in muscle fiber size are limited. Recent research has demonstrated that mice lacking the Arkadia (RNF111) N-terminal-like PKA signaling regulator 2N (Ark2n; also known as C18orf25) gene exhibit reduced muscle fiber size, contraction force, and exercise capacity, along with defects in calcium handling within fast-twitch muscle fibers. However, the role of the ARK2N gene in human muscle physiology, and particularly in athletic populations, remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was threefold: (a) to compare ARK2N gene expression between power and endurance athletes; (b) to analyze the relationship between ARK2N gene expression and muscle fiber composition; and (c) to investigate the association between the functional variant of the ARK2N gene, muscle fiber size, and sport-related phenotypes. We found that ARK2N gene expression was significantly higher in power athletes compared to endurance athletes (p = 0.042) and was positively associated with the proportion of oxidative fast-twitch (type IIA) muscle fibers in untrained subjects (p = 0.017, adjusted for age and sex). Additionally, we observed that the ARK2N rs6507691 T allele, which predicts high ARK2N gene expression (p = 3.8 × 10-12), was associated with a greater cross-sectional area of fast-twitch muscle fibers in strength athletes (p = 0.015) and was over-represented in world-class strength athletes (38.6%; OR = 2.2, p = 0.023) and wrestlers (33.8%; OR = 1.8, p = 0.044) compared to controls (22.0%). In conclusion, ARK2N appears to be a gene specific to oxidative fast-twitch myofibers, with its functional variant being associated with muscle fiber size and strength-athlete status.

Training volume and total energy expenditure of an Olympic and Ironman world champion: approaching the upper limits of human capabilities.

Research on world-class athletes in endurance events, such as cycling Grand Tours, has reported extreme levels of total energy expenditure. However, it has been argued that over extended periods, such as months, sustained energy expenditure is capped at approximately 2.5 times the basal metabolic rate. Triathlon is particularly notable for its high energetic demands due to its multimodal nature, requiring athletes to maintain high training volumes. In this case study, we analyzed the total energy expenditure of world-class triathlete Kristian Blummenfelt using doubly labelled water over two specific periods, along with three years of training data. Total energy expenditure ranged from 7,019-8,506 kcal/day, while energy intake ranged from 4,899 to 6,360 kcal/day. The annual training volumes for the years 2020-2022 were 1,480, 1,350 and 1,308 hours, respectively, following a pyramidal intensity distribution. Approximately 53% of the entire three-year period matched with the doubly labeled water measurement periods in terms of training volume, indicating that the recorded total energy expenditure is representative of the majority of the observed data. Hence, the greater part of the three-year period likely exceeds the proposed metabolic ceiling for sustained total energy expenditure. This not only questions the validity of the current metabolic limits but also suggests a new perspective on what is physiologically achievable in world-class athletes.

Engaging athletes as research participants. A document analysis of published sport science literature.

Sport science practitioners utilise findings from peer reviewed research to inform practice. Fewer studies are conducted with high performance athletes, however, than those involving recreationally active participants. Noting that research findings from recreational athletes may not be generalisable to the elite, there is a need to engage the latter cohort in research with better potential to influence health and performance. This study identified methods used to engage and recruit highly trained, elite and world class athletes as research participants. A document analysis was conducted using a purposive sample of peer-reviewed sport science literature. All articles published in 2022 from 18 highly ranked sport science journals were screened for inclusion. Studies investigating athletes ranked as highly trained/national level or above were included. All details related to participant recruitment were extracted from included articles, with the content being coded and thematically analysed using an interpretivist approach. A total of 439 studies from the 2356 screened were included in the analysis. Five primary themes of recruitment strategies were identified, beneath an overarching strategy of purposeful, convenience sampling. Recruitment themes related to the use of a gatekeeper, the research environment providing convenient access to athletes, promoting the study electronically, utilising professional networks and recruiting at training or competition. Engaging athletes through a gatekeeper is a prominent strategy to involve elite athletes in research. It is suggested that researchers work collaboratively with team or organisation personnel to promote recruitment, creating co-designed approaches that address issues most relevant to athletes and staff.

Physical and technical attributes associated with on-water rowing performance in junior and elite rowers

ABSTRACT On-water rowing performance consists of the integration of physical and technical attributes. This exploratory study aimed to describe key physical and technical variables for elite and junior rowers and examine the associations and predictive capacity of these variables with on-water rowing performance outcomes. Twenty-eight junior (16 females, 16 ± 0.8 years and 12 males, 17 ± 0.7 years) and 24 elite rowers (12 females, 24 ± 2.7 years and 12 males, 27 ± 2.6 years) completed an on-water, single sculling biomechanics assessment combined with a series of physical, strength and power tests. Elite men and women were superior in mean gate force, distance per stroke and recovery distance compared to junior groups as determined by independent t-tests and effect size appraisal (p < 0.017, d > 1.2). Large associations (p < 0.01) were evident between anthropometry, strength and power assessments with the on-water measures of catch angle, mean gate force, recovery distance and boat speed. Differences in ROM and flexibility attributes did not distinguish between elite and junior rowers. Linear discriminant analysis revealed that individual rowers can be appropriately categorised by sex and performance level based on their physical and technical attributes. This battery of testing with world-class athletes represents an excellent level of ecological validity for the assessment of rowers pertinent to on-water performance.

Training Session Models in Endurance Sports: A Norwegian Perspective on Best Practice Recommendations

BackgroundOur scientific understanding of the mechanistic and practical connections between training session prescriptions, their execution by athletes, and adaptations over time in elite endurance sports remains limited. These connections are fundamental to the art and science of coaching.ObjectiveBy using successful Norwegian endurance coaches as key informants, the aim of this study is to describe and compare best practice session models across different exercise intensities in Olympic endurance sports.MethodsData collection was based on a four-step pragmatic qualitative study design, involving questionnaires, training logs from successful athletes, and in-depth and semi-structured interviews, followed by negotiation among researchers and coaches to assure our interpretations. Twelve successful and experienced male Norwegian coaches from biathlon, cross-country skiing, long-distance running, road cycling, rowing, speed skating, swimming, and triathlon were chosen as key informants. They had been responsible for the training of world-class endurance athletes who altogether have won > 370 medals in international championships.ResultsThe duration of low-intensity training (LIT) sessions ranges from 30 min to 7 h across sports, mainly due to modality-specific constraints and load tolerance considerations. Cross-training accounts for a considerable part of LIT sessions in several sports. Moderate (MIT)- and high-intensity training (HIT) sessions are mainly conducted as intervals in specific modalities, but competitions also account for a large proportion of annual HIT in most sports. Interval sessions are characterized by a high accumulated volume, a progressive increase in intensity throughout the session, and a controlled, rather than exhaustive, execution approach. A clear trend towards shorter intervals and lower work: rest ratio with increasing intensity was observed. Overall, the analyzed sports implement considerably more MIT than HIT sessions across the annual cycle.ConclusionsThis study provides novel insights on quantitative and qualitative aspects of training session models across intensities employed by successful athletes in Olympic endurance sports. The interval training sessions revealed in this study are generally more voluminous, more controlled, and less exhaustive than most previous recommendations outlined in research literature.

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The main cause of injury in athletes is of muscular origin and of all those of the hamstrings it is the most important. The inadequate eccentric strength of these is a factor that is related to lower limb injuries. At the Sports Science Center of the Ministry of Sports, the eccentric strength of the hamstrings is evaluated with the Nordic test. In Colombia, it is not known if this is related to lower limb injuries in the different world-class high-performance athletes who attend there. A descriptive work was proposed with a quantitative approach and analytical phase, evaluating the pre-participation medical records of 195 athletes who underwent the Nordic test during the year 2021. The athletes analyzed were 56% men, with ages for both sexes on average of 21.5 years, with body mass indexes of approximately 22.1 k/m2. The most frequent injury to the lower limbs was muscle (38.5%), followed by tendinopathies (27%). Of the muscle, the hamstrings were injured in 69%. An average maximum force was found for all athletes of 292.4 ± 67.06 N and a relative force of 4.52 ± 1 N/kg. The bivariate analyzes show an association between the presence of injury and lower maximum eccentric hamstring strength for both sexes. Furthermore, it was found that asymmetries less than 15% of the maximum eccentric hamstring strength were associated with a lower presence of injury. From a multivariate analysis, normative reference curves were constructed for weight, sex, and maximum eccentric strength of these athletes. It contributes to the conceptual gap of the behavior of eccentric hamstring strength and its relationship with the presence of lower limb injuries in different Colombian elite athletes.

Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Elite Athletics: “There’s a Lot of Work Still Yet To Be Done”

Several female athletes have recently challenged the long-standing assumption that pregnancy/parenthood (particularly motherhood) and participation in elite-level sport are mutually exclusive. These women’s actions have elicited change across the elite athletics industry and have sparked a need for further research to understand how elite athlete-parents perceive these shifts. We used feminist poststructuralist theory, feminist participatory action research, and semistructured interviews to explore the perspectives of 21 pregnant and parenting elite/international and world-class athletes (11 women and 10 men) on the developing degree of acceptance of parenthood in elite athletics. Through feminist poststructuralist discourse analysis, we identified that, despite considerable recent advancements, there is still a need for continued change in the degree to which pregnant/parenting elite athletes are accepted and supported within elite athletics.

Identification of the optimal racing line for top male athletes on a segment of a World Cup downhill alpine ski slope using tracking data

Using tracking data we can identify the optimal racing line for top male athletes on the famous S-curved segment (Brueggli-S) of the downhill FIS world cup track “Lauberhorn” in Switzerland. For this, we have measured and analysed training runs, measured on a single day, of 10 world class athletes. Based on curvatures derived from the tracking data, a large variation in racing lines adopted by the athletes was observed. Each of the detected racing lines share a similar pattern: The maximum curvature in the first curve is strongly correlated with the minimum curvature of the second curve. We have found that, for the athletes under investigation, the overall best racing line is characterized by a defined ratio of the maximum curvature of the first to the second curve. We claim that the observed correlation, as well as the optimal ratio of curvatures, is universal for a class of athletes with nearly identical performance levels. If and how this ratio varies for different classes of athletes (i.e. U10, U12 or U16 athletes) is an as yet unanswered question and remains open to further investigation.

Development of world class ski performance: Similarities and differences in pathways to expertise for freeskiers and cross-country skiers

The overall purpose of the present study was to investigate similarities and differences in pathways to expertise for freeskiers and cross-country skiers. Specifically, 1) Entrance to the main sport, 2) Amount of training hours and organization of training, and 3) Variability in activities and content in training. Sampling athletes had to be on the highest level in their sport by competing in, e.g., the World Cup, World Championship, Olympic games, freeride World Tour. In total, 18 world-class skiers participated in the study. Eight freeskiers (age range 19-37) and ten cross-country skiers (age range 22-32 years). They answered a digital questionnaire designed to collect retrospective data describing their pathways to expertise. The first section elicits biographical information, age for entering sport and practice. The second section focused on sport-specific training, accumulated hours of training, and the distribution of organized versus self-organized training. The third section recalled the variability of activities they participated in and how they perceived the relevance of the content of different types of training for their sport-specific development. The results showed similarities in athletes’ entrance to the main sport, specialization age and total amount of training. At the same time, differences were observed in their training history regarding the organization of training. In contrast to cross-country skiers, freeskiers seem to be more self-organized and more involved in additional activities besides their main sport. Interestingly, the two groups of world-class athletes representing sports with distinctive demands share several common variables in their paths to expertise, amplified by perceived specificity. Practitioners and academics should substantiate patience in expertise development, driven by a multi-disciplinary understanding of distinct and individual characteristics or conditions that may be beneficial in fulfilling varied future demands. Hence, research should explore the rationale behind and potential learning effects between sports and training content.

PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTES ASSOCIATED ON-WATER ROWING PERFORMANCE IN JUNIOR AND ELITE ROWERS

INTRODUCTION &amp; AIMS On-water rowing performance consists of the integration of both physical and technical attributes. The aims of this exploratory study were to describe key physical and technical variables for elite and junior rowers and to examine the associations and predictive capacity of these variables with on-water rowing performance outcomes. METHODS Twenty-eight junior (16 females, 16 ± 0.8 years and 12 males, 17 ± 0.7 years) and 24 elite rowers (12 females, 24 ± 2.7 years and 12 males, 27 ± 2.6 years) volunteered to participate in the study. Participants completed an on-water single sculling biomechanics assessment combined with a series of physical, strength and power tests conducted in a high-performance training facility. RESULTS Descriptive analysis identified differences between junior and elite rowers separated by sex in several physical and on-water characteristics. Elite men and women were superior in mean gate force, distance per stroke and recovery distance compared to junior groups (P&amp;lt;0.0.17). Large correlations (P&amp;lt;0.01) were found between anthropometry, strength and power assessments with the on-water measures of catch angle, mean gate force, recovery distance and boat speed. Differences in ROM and flexibility attributes did not distinguish between elite and junior rowers, with other factors potentially involved. CONCLUSION This unique exploratory study combined a comprehensive physical assessment with an on-water single sculling biomechanical assessment to explore the interaction of physical attributes with on-water rowing technical variables. This battery of testing with world class athletes represents an excellent level of ecological validity for the assessment of rowers pertinent to on-water performance. The results provide a descriptive dataset of physical and technical characteristics for elite and junior rowers, of both sexes, which may be useful when evaluating the status of development rowers and to gauge the possibility of achieving further success in the sport.

Performance pathways in elite middle- and long-distance track and field athletes: The influence of a successful youth

ObjectivesThere is limited information on the performance progression of athletics endurance athletes from junior-to-senior status and the determinants of success in adulthood. This study aimed to quantify the youth-to-senior transition rate, the likelihood of success and the relationship between youth and senior performance amongst world-class athletes competing in middle- and long-distance disciplines. DesignRetrospective design examining public data between 2000 and 2019. MethodsThe performances of 4678 international athletes (45.3 % female) were analysed. World's all-time top 50 athletes were identified for U18 and Senior categories (age ≥ 20 years). Youth-to-senior transition rate and transition probabilities were calculated. Correlations between best U18 and Senior performances were determined to assess the stability of the performance. ResultsThe youth-to-senior transition rate for top U18 athletes was low for males and females (~19 % and 21 %). Nevertheless, the probability of transition to a top senior was ~7 times higher for top U18 athletes than for non-top U18 athletes. The correlations between youth and senior best performances were low-to-high. ConclusionsFew top U18 athletes maintained top world ranking status during their senior careers. Still, they are more likely to become top senior athletes than those who did not perform at the top level in U18. The association between youth and senior performance is stronger when comparing the same discipline or when athletes competed over longer distances in their senior compared to U18 career. Being a successful youth athlete may represent a small advantage for future success, however, it does not guarantee advancement to the senior top level.

Outcomes of clinical studies of mindset and lifestyle in sports performance: a systematic review

Introduction: The athlete's lifestyle and mindset become an integral part of sports performance. The quest to improve the performance of world-class athletes involves understanding the attributes, skills, strategies, support, environment, and lifestyles of elite performers. Objective: It was to develop a systematic review to highlight the main outcomes of clinical studies of mindset and lifestyle in sports performance. Methods: The PRISMA Platform systematic review rules were followed. The research was carried out from September to October 2023 in the Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: A total of 151 articles were found, and 34 articles were evaluated in full, and 27 were included and developed in the present systematic review study. Considering the Cochrane tool for risk of bias, the overall assessment resulted in 29 studies with a high risk of bias and 44 studies that did not meet GRADE and AMSTAR-2. Most studies showed homogeneity in their results, with X2=61.9%&gt;50%. It was concluded that champion athletes attribute their good mindset as the main predictor of competitive success. Furthermore, championship performance requires a particular way of life that integrates mindset, performance factors, lifestyle, and relationships. High-performance strategies include using sharp mental rehearsal skills and practice retrieval.

Sex-Related and Performance Differences in Contractile Properties, ROM, Strength, and Dynamometry Performance of World-Class Flatwater Canoeists

The inclusion of women canoe in the Olympic Games reflects the growth and development that women have ahead of them in this modality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore sex and performance level differences in muscle contractile properties through Tensiomyography (TMG), range of motion (ROM), strength, and canoe-specific functional electromechanical dynamometry (FEMD) performance and establish performance differences between international medalists and non-medalists. Twelve male and nine female canoeists from the Spanish and Portuguese national canoe teams were assessed through TMG, ROM, strength, and canoe-specific isometric and incremental FEMD tests. Few sex and performance level differences were found in TMG and ROM; however, significant sex differences were found in the strength and FEMD tests. Male canoeists had a greater Fmax in Leg Press, Pm and Pmax in canoe position cable row, 1RM bench press and bench pull, Fm and Fpeak canoe-specific isometric FEMD test and number of strokes, and Fpeak and Pmax on the incremental FEMD test than females. International medalists showed a lower time until reaching Vmax and Pmax in Leg Press on both sides and a greater number of strokes and Fpeak in the maximal incremental FEMD test than non-medalists. This study reinforces the utility of the use of TMG and FEMD for assessing and monitoring world-class athletes.

Modelling the optimization of world-class 400 m and 1,500 m running performances using high-resolution data.

The 400 m and 1,500 m are track events that rely on different but important contributions from both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. The purpose of this study is to model men's and women's 400 m and 1,500 m championship performances to gain a deeper understanding of the key mechanical and physiological factors affecting running speed and bend running using high-resolution data from live competition (10 Hz). To investigate World-class athletes' instantaneous speeds, propulsive forces and aerobic and anaerobic energy, we model and simulate the performances of the men's and women's European Athletics 400 m champions, Matthew Hudson-Smith and Femke Bol, as well as the men's European Athletics 1,500 m champion, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and the women's European Athletics U23 1,500 m champion, Gaia Sabbatini. The simulations show that a fast start is essential in both the 400 m and 1,500 m because of the need for fast oxygen kinetics, with peak running speeds occurring within the first ∼50 m in both events. Subsequently, 400 m athletes slow continually from this maximum speed to the finish, and a total anaerobic contribution of ∼77% is found for both male and female champions. The key to faster 400 m racing is to reduce the decrease in velocity: this comes from both a high VO2 and a high anaerobic contribution. Ingebrigtsen's winning tactic in the European 1,500 m final is to adopt a very fast cruising pace from 300 m onwards that is possible because he is able to maintain a high VO2 value until the end of the race and has a large anaerobic contribution. He has fast VO2 kinetics that does not require as fast a start as his opponents, but then he speeds up in the last two laps, without a fast sprint finish. The comparison between Sabbatini's slower and quicker races (∼8 s difference) shows that it is the improvement of aerobic metabolism that has the greatest effect on 1,500 m performance. Coaches should note in particular that the all-out pacing nature of the 400 m requires the prioritization of anaerobic energy system development, and those who coach the 1,500 m should note the differing energy contributions between even-paced races and championship racing.

The perspective of current and retired world class, elite and national athletes on the inclusion and eligibility of transgender athletes in elite sport

ABSTRACT There has been limited empirical study allowing athletes to voice their opinions on transgender participation in elite sport. This study surveyed 175 national, elite and world class athletes eligible to compete in the female category regarding transgender inclusion and eligibility. The study compared current Olympic versus current Olympic Recognised sports, elite versus world class, and current versus retired Olympic sport athletes. Most athletes favoured biological sex categorisation (58%) and considered it unfair for trans women to compete in the female category, except for precision sports. This view was held most strongly by world class athletes regarding their own sport (77% unfair, 15% fair). For trans men inclusion in the male category, most athletes considered it fair, except for Olympic sport athletes regarding contact sports (49% unfair, 27% fair) and sports heavily reliant on physical capacity (53% unfair, 29% fair). Notwithstanding those views, athletes (81%) believed sporting bodies should improve inclusivity for transgender athletes. Opinion varied somewhat according to career stage, competitive level and sport type. Nevertheless, athletes in the present study favoured categorisation by biological sex and did not support trans women eligibility for the female category in sports reliant on performance-related biological factors that differ between sexes.

SNP Diagnosis in Elite Athletes by Korean Athletic Performance

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze SNPs related to performance (maximal strength vs. cardiovascular endurance) of world-class Korean elite athletes using the Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 and to determine genotypes related to maximal strength and cardiovascular endurance performance that are unique to “Koreans”.METHODS: Using the Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0, we analyzed SNPs obtained from 54 world-class Korean elite athletes (Olympic participants/World Championship medalists). The group was divided into the 16 maximal strength group (12 males and 4 females weightlifters who had won medals at the Olympic and World Championships), 12 cardiovascular endurance group (12 males marathon runners who had run within 2 hours and 12 minutes in international competitions), and 26 individuals from the general population (25 males and 1 female). All the obtained SNPs were subjected to quality control (QC), and a total of 867,982 SNPs were analyzed between the marathon runners and general population subjects (641,040 SNPs) and between weightlifters and general population subjects (634,418 SNPs).RESULTS: The number of SNPs with more than two SNPs within 100 kb, which satisfied the threshold of sample QC and significance level of &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.0001, was 60 in marathoners and 18 in weightlifters compared to the general population subjects. When the genomic features of SNPs of each performance trait were analyzed, the 60 SNPs for cardiovascular endurance with two or more SNPs within 100 kb that met the &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.0001 threshold for significance were distributed across 15 regions, and the 18 SNPs for maximal strength were distributed across 7 regions.CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, SNPs related to cardiovascular endurance and maximal strength suggest the possibility of producing gene chips to derive genotypes unique to “Koreans” in the future. Additionally, this study provides important basic data for further research.

Warning Signs, Monitoring Tools, and Actions Taken by World-Class Endurance Coaches in Cases of Underperformance

Purpose: To describe warning signs, monitoring tools, and training- and non-training-related actions taken by world-class endurance coaches in cases of underperformance. Methods: Twelve highly acclaimed male Norwegian coaches known for coaching world-class endurance athletes with a remarkable collection of over 350 Olympic, World, and European Championship medals—primarily with Norwegian athletes—participated in the study. Data collection and analyses followed a 3-step pragmatic qualitative study design, including an initial questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and structured negotiation between researchers and coaches. Results: Reduced performance levels and discrepancies between external (speed or power output) and internal (heart rate, lactate concentrations, and rating of perceived exertion) training-intensity measures in competitions, key training sessions, and testing scenarios, as well as observed changes in emotional state and coach–athlete communication, were highlighted as early warning signs of underperformance. Consistently, daily follow-up, systematic use of training diaries, training-intensity measures, and information from testing scenarios were rated as the most important monitoring tools in both detection and management of underperformance. In cases of underperformance, ruling out medical conditions as underlying causes was followed by a decreased training load (intensity and volume) and actions to reduce life stress to restore athletes’ performance levels. Conclusions and Practical Applications: The presented data collectively propose applying both objectively and subjectively measured monitoring tools and systems to the early detection and management of underperformance in endurance athletes. In addition, this should be complemented by the holistic and observational role of the coach.

Fatherhood and Elite Athletics: Sacrifice, Selfishness, and Gaining "Dad Strength".

This study contributes to a growing body of scholarly discussions around the many aspects and challenges of combining parenthood with elite-level sport, with a particular focus on the experiences of male elite athletes who are fathers. We used a caring masculinities theoretical framework, community-based participatory research, and semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences of 10 elite/international and world-class athletes (n = 9 fathers, n = 1 expectant father). Through reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three main themes: fatherhood can (1) improve and (2) impede elite athlete-fathers' athletic performance; and (3) athlete-fathers experience a trade-off between athletic performance and fatherhood responsibilities. Our findings underscore the ways in which male athletes' experiences with parenthood reflect the new era of involved fatherhood and are analogous to some of the identity tensions that have been reported with regard to the experiences of elite female athletes who are pregnant and/or mothers. Recognizing the impact of children on male athletes' athletic careers and the parallels between fatherhood, motherhood, and elite sport may lead to better support for athlete-fathers while also contributing to diminishing the expectation that women are primary caregivers to children.