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Human Performance in Sports and Training
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Human Performance in Sports and Training

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 3025

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Mon-López Daniel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF—Departamento de Deportes), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro 7, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: human performance; sport training; training methodology; physical conditioning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sports have become a social phenomenon, with an exponentially growing number of participants and monetary resources in the last decade. Consequently, analyses of the training and factors affecting performance have become crucial. In this Special Issue, we wish to analyse some of the relevant aspects that can affect or improve sports performance, such as gender differences, psychological and physiological demands, data analysis, nutritional and ergogenic supplementation, and, more specifically, aspects related to training programmes, models, and structures. 

Dr. Mon-López Daniel
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • sport performance
  • sport science
  • sport training
  • biomechanics

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 662 KiB  
Article
Percentile Values of Specific Physical Performances in Tunisian Basketball Players Aged 9 to 21: Considering Maturity Status
by Chirine Aouichaoui, Mohamed Tounsi, Ghazi Racil, Johnny Padulo, Domenico Martone and Yassine Trabelsi
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 10882; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142310882 - 24 Nov 2024
Viewed by 339
Abstract
Background: Success in basketball is influenced by various factors, including biological maturation. Peak height velocity (PHV) is a key indicator of maturation, playing an important role in assessing the performance of basketball players. This study aimed to analyze the effects of maturational status, [...] Read more.
Background: Success in basketball is influenced by various factors, including biological maturation. Peak height velocity (PHV) is a key indicator of maturation, playing an important role in assessing the performance of basketball players. This study aimed to analyze the effects of maturational status, chronological age, and gender on anthropometric characteristics and physical performance parameters in Tunisian basketball players and to establish local percentile reference values for physical performance. Methods: A total of 470 basketball players (240 males and 230 females) were categorized into three maturity status groups: pre-PHV (n = 111), circa-PHV (n = 170), and post-PHV (n = 189). Anthropometric and physical fitness parameters were assessed to provide percentile reference values. Results: Our findings revealed significantly higher anthropometric and physical performance values in the post-PHV athletes compared to those in the pre- and circa-PHV groups. Additionally, male athletes outperformed females in most measured variables. Basketball-specific skills appeared to be more dependent on chronological age than on pubertal status. Conclusions: Percentile values were established for both boys and girls, offering valuable references for trainers to quantify and individualize training programs. These findings may assist practitioners in identifying potentially talented basketball players based on their maturation status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Sports and Training)
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12 pages, 7627 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Usefulness of a PNT Solution Using DGNSS-SBAS for Canoe Slalom: Simulated and Real-World Analysis
by Paul William Macdermid, Mathew E. Irwin and Darryl Cochrane
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10614; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210614 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 328
Abstract
This study investigated the accuracy and precision of a commercially available PNT solution that uses DGNSS-SBAS technology. Time and position data were sampled at a frequency of 20Hz during both a short and long trajectory of a simulated controlled dry-land slalom, as well [...] Read more.
This study investigated the accuracy and precision of a commercially available PNT solution that uses DGNSS-SBAS technology. Time and position data were sampled at a frequency of 20Hz during both a short and long trajectory of a simulated controlled dry-land slalom, as well as during a real-world on-water slalom exercise. The primary objective was to assess the positional accuracy, availability, integrity, and service continuity of the PNT solution while evaluating its ability to differentiate between trajectories. Additionally, the simulated results were compared with an on-water real-world slalom test to validate the findings. The results of the controlled dry-land slalom test indicate that the PNT solution provided accurate measurements with an overall mean ± SD Hrms of 0.20 ± 0.02 m. The integrity measures, HDOD and PDOP, were found to be ideal to excellent, with values of 0.68 ± 0.03 and 1.36 ± 0.07, respectively. The PNT solution utilised an average of 20 ± 1 satellites from the constellation, resulting in an accuracy of <1.5% when measuring the known trajectory of 50 simulated slalom runs. The data from the real-world on-water slalom test supported these findings, providing similar or improved results. Based on these findings, a PNT solution using DGNSS-SBAS can be considered an effective means of tracking athlete trajectory in the sport of canoe slalom. Future research should be conducted to quantify its efficacy more precisely. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Sports and Training)
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16 pages, 4400 KiB  
Article
Accuracy of GNSS-Derived Acceleration Data for Dynamic Team Sport Movements: A Comparative Study of Smoothing Techniques
by Susanne Ellens, David L. Carey, Paul B. Gastin and Matthew C. Varley
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10573; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210573 - 16 Nov 2024
Viewed by 426
Abstract
This study examined the impact of various smoothing techniques on acceleration data obtained from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) device during accelerating and decelerating movements, resembling those commonly observed in team sports. Eight participants performed six different accelerating and decelerating movements at [...] Read more.
This study examined the impact of various smoothing techniques on acceleration data obtained from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) device during accelerating and decelerating movements, resembling those commonly observed in team sports. Eight participants performed six different accelerating and decelerating movements at different intensities and starting speeds for a total of 46 trials each. The movements were collected concurrently at 10 Hz using a GNSS device (Vector S7, Catapult Sports) at 100 Hz using a motion analysis system (Vicon). Acceleration data were smoothed using (I) a fourth-order Butterworth filter (cut-off frequencies ranging from raw to 4.9 Hz), (II) exponential smoothing (smoothing constant ranging from 0.1 to 0.9), and (III) moving average (sliding window ranging from 0.2 s to 2.0 s). To determine the ability of a GNSS to quantify acceleration, a variety of measurement indices of validity were obtained for each movement and each smoothing technique. The fourth-order Butterworth filter with a cut-off frequency of 2 Hz (mean bias 0.00 m·s−2, 95% LoA ± 1.55 m·s−2, RMSE 0.79 m·s−2) showed the strongest relationship with the Vicon data. These results indicate that this smoothing technique is more accurate than those currently used and accepted on GNSS devices in the sports science community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Sports and Training)
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12 pages, 4731 KiB  
Article
Reliability of a Portable Fixed Dynamometer During Different Isometric Hamstring Assessments
by Ryan Woodbridge, Chloe Ryan, Josh Burkitt, Dana Ye-Lee and John Cronin
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10202; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210202 - 6 Nov 2024
Viewed by 496
Abstract
Hamstring strain injuries are one of the most common non-contact injuries in sport. Hamstring strength and asymmetry are two key modifiable risk factors for hamstring strain injuries; therefore, it seems important to find reliable tests for assessing hamstring strength. The purpose of this [...] Read more.
Hamstring strain injuries are one of the most common non-contact injuries in sport. Hamstring strength and asymmetry are two key modifiable risk factors for hamstring strain injuries; therefore, it seems important to find reliable tests for assessing hamstring strength. The purpose of this study was to determine the within- and between-session reliability of a portable fixed dynamometer for measuring hamstring strength using three different protocols. Fourteen male participants completed three hamstring isometric protocols across three testing occasions separated by seven days. Peak force, mean force and impulse all had good to excellent within- and between-session reliability for the standing hamstring, supine 90:90 and standing 90:20 assessment (CV = 2.6–11.7%, ICC = 0.74–0.99), while peak rate of force development had moderate to excellent relative consistency (ICC = 0.64–0.90) and unacceptable absolute consistency (CV = 17.1–36.6%). The 90:20 assessment produced significantly higher values (33.4–47.3%) compared to the standing and 90:90 assessments for peak force, mean force and impulse. It appears that a portable fixed dynamometer can reliably measure a range of force–time metrics during three different hamstring assessments; however, the results of the tests cannot be used interchangeably and practitioners comparing hamstring force capability between individuals/research studies need to be cognizant of this and proceed with caution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Sports and Training)
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10 pages, 2406 KiB  
Article
Can Women Maintain Their Strength Performance Along the Menstrual Cycle?
by Florent Osmani, Danel Terán-Fernández, Sergio Alonso-Pérez, Santiago A. Ruiz-Alias, Felipe García-Pinillos and Carlos Lago-Fuentes
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(21), 9818; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14219818 - 27 Oct 2024
Viewed by 962
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the effect of the menstrual cycle (MC) phases (i.e., early follicular phase [EFP], late follicular phase [LFP], and mid-luteal phase [MLP]) on the repetitions performed to momentary failure in back squat and bench press exercises, as well as [...] Read more.
This study aimed to explore the effect of the menstrual cycle (MC) phases (i.e., early follicular phase [EFP], late follicular phase [LFP], and mid-luteal phase [MLP]) on the repetitions performed to momentary failure in back squat and bench press exercises, as well as to determine subsequent fatigue (i.e., change in countermovement jump [CMJ], perceived effort, and muscle soreness). Twelve physically active eumenorrheic women performed a back squat and bench press set to momentary failure at 80% of the one-repetition maximum during the EFP, LFP, and MLP. The results revealed that subjects were able to perform 2.2 [0.2 to 4.2] more repetitions in the LFP with respect to the EFP for the back squat exercise (p = 0.009), but no significant differences were observed for the bench press (p = 0.354). The EFP displayed a larger CMJ height drop (−0.86 [−1.71 to −0.01] cm) with respect to the LFP (0.01 [−0.57 to 0.58] cm) and the MLP (−0.36 [−1.15 to 0.43] cm). Neither the perceived effort of each set to failure nor the resulting muscle soreness differed between MC phases. Therefore, practitioners should be aware that the MC could condition the repetitions available to momentary failure and the resulting allostatic load. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance in Sports and Training)
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