The intermittent fasting period of Ramadan is associated with reductions in training volumes and intensities to maintain physical fitness levels and reduce injury occurrence. Accordingly, it might be beneficial to include neuromuscular training (NMT) applied during Ramadan to avoid detraining and promote injury prevention in soccer players. This study aimed to analyze NMT effects...
As whether the positive effects of physical activity on mortality outweigh the negative effects of exposure to pollution is still under debate, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the risk of mortality for combined exposure to physical activity and air pollution. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase and ScienceDirect databases were searched for studies assessing the risk of...
Despite the great contribution of the cycling segment to the Sprint-Distance Triathlon (SDT) races, very few studies have reported the power output of elite triathletes during races. The aim of this study was to analyse the competitive demands of elite triathletes during the cycling segment of SDT races and their influence on the subsequent running segment performance...
Pre-participation evaluation (PPE) aims to support safe participation in sports. The goal of this systematic review was to aggregate evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for the PPE of recreational or competitive athletes as preparation for developing a German guideline on this subject. Five databases, including MEDLINE, were searched in August 2022, complemented by...
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of risk factors that contribute to the development of many of today’s chronic diseases. Rates of MetS continue to increase and it is now considered a worldwide epidemic. As with many chronic diseases it may take years for symptoms and the effects of MetS to manifest into severe health problems. Therefore, early detection is paramount A...
Several studies have evaluated the most predictive discipline (swimming, cycling, and running) of performance in elite IRONMAN® triathletes. However, no study has ever determined the most decisive discipline for IRONMAN® age group triathletes. The present study analyzed the importance of the three disciplines on the overall race times in IRONMAN® age group triathletes, in order...
Even well-planned no-decompression dives can still produce inert gas bubbles that increase decompression sickness risk. A previously proposed formula for predicting post-dive bubble grades integrates individual factors (age, breathing gas consumption) with dive parameters (maximum depth, surface interval). This study aimed to confirm the formula’s validity in an independent...
Interest in ‘exercise snacks’ has increased, yet a comprehensive and holistic review of this novel concept is lacking. We aimed to map global research on ‘exercise snacks’, across youth, adult and clinical populations through a scoping review. A systematic search was conducted in six databases. Grey literature searches were also conducted. Studies whereby participants were...
Formal statements articulating the meaning of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention concepts are commonly used in the musculoskeletal sports injuries literature, but appear to be employed inconsistently and incorrectly. Standard definitions, appropriate to athletic health and performance practice, are required to systematically develop the state-of-the-art. To accomplish...
Endurance athletes’ competitions have increased over the decades and marathon races are becoming increasingly popular. Proper nutrition is critical for optimal performance and long-term health in marathon athletes. This study aimed to investigate runners’ nutritional intake, especially fluids, food, and supplements, competing in the Seville Marathon. A descriptive and cross...
There are no reviews describing current measurement protocols and accelerometer processing decisions that are being used in 24-h MovBeh studies, across the lifespan. We aim to synthesise information on methods for assessing 24-h movement behaviors using accelerometry across all age groups. PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, and EMBASE were searched until December 2022. Observational...
Concussion is a common consequence of engaging in collision sports, with the often mild, transient nature of symptoms posing a considerable diagnostic and management challenge. This challenge is vastly magnified for athletes competing at grassroots/non-professional levels, who lack field side access to medical expertise in the assessment of a player’s capacity to continue playing...
Fitness has been dominantly defined in terms of physical conditioning components. Under such definition, males tend to outperform females in strength, speed, aerobic or anaerobic capacity when compared at the same age and training status. However, females have a higher life expectancy, which in humans is related to higher biological fitness. Using the paradox of sex differences...
Providing runners with injury prevention suggestions from a biomechanical perspective is crucial in light of the increased incidence of running-related injuries forecasted with the rising popularity of the half-marathon. Previous research has demonstrated associations between running injuries and patterns of lower extremity biomechanics, as well as indicating that inadequate rest...
Various exercise thresholds have been evaluated to predict athlete performance. However, a systematic review of the literature assessing the association between lactate-based exercise thresholds and 2000 m rowing ergometer performance is still lacking. These may have utility in the prediction of 2000 m rowing ergometer performance due to the close relationship between metabolic...
The Rating-of-Fatigue (ROF) scale is a validated tool to measure changes in perceived fatigue in sports and everyday contexts; thus, this study aimed to translate and validate the Portuguese version of the ROF scale. For this, the study was composed of three phases. Phase 1 involved a comprehensive translation of the ROF scale into Portuguese, followed by a back-translation and a...
Recent data show a dramatic increase in non-communicable diseases in developing countries, including cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. Most of these diseases may be preventable and to some extent treatable by alterations in physical activity. We investigated the correlations of physical activity levels, according to energy expenditure [measured in metabolic equivalent...
Prolonged sitting induces fatigue in deep trunk muscles, thereby decreasing spinal support and increasing stress on the spine. Core exercises effectively facilitate recovery from trunk muscle fatigue based on evidence from subjective outcomes; however, there is a lack of systematic investigation into localized muscle activity specifically related to prolonged sitting. Therefore...
Injury and illness prevention practices in competitive snow sports must be better understood among stakeholders. In particular, there is a need for a greater understanding of what context-specific stakeholders require for prevention. Therefore, this study surveyed stakeholders’ current practices, needs, responsibilities and knowledge dissemination preferences related to injury...
To best simulate armed combat-related emergencies, military personnel undergo operational training that attempts to recreate multiple physical stressors. Understanding the specific aspects of physical performance degradation after operational training helps to better inform future training practices, as these declines translate to real-world operations. The purpose of this meta...
Enhancing youth's physical fitness levels during childhood and adolescence through prior training programs can significantly optimize their athletic performance. The integrative neuromuscular training (INT) model is designed to improve neuromuscular function and prevent athletic injuries, and is superior to the traditional physical training method. This systematic review and meta...
Imbalances between muscle strength and tendon stiffness influence the mechanical demand on the tendon (i.e., tendon strain) and may increase tendon injury risk. The purpose of this study was to identify muscle–tendon imbalances and to promote a more balanced musculotendinous adaptation through a personalized assessment and exercise prescription concept in female adolescent...
Persistent pain is a complicated phenomenon associated with a wide array of complex pathologies and conditions (e.g., complex regional pain syndrome, non-freezing cold injury), leading to extensive disability and reduced physical function. Conventional resistance training is commonly contraindicated in load compromised and/or persistent pain populations, compromising...
Marathon training and running have many beneficial effects on human health and physical fitness; however, they also pose risks. To date, no comprehensive review regarding both the benefits and risks of marathon running on different organ systems has been published. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive review of the benefits and risks of marathon training and...
Drafting for drag reduction is a tactic commonly employed by elite athletes of various sports. The strategy has been adopted by Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge on numerous marathon events in the past, including the 2018 and 2022 editions of the Berlin marathon (where Kipchoge set two official world records), as well as in two special attempts to break the 2 h mark for the distance...