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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 23269

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Einat Kodesh

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Guest Editor

Department of Physical Therapy, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Interests: exercise physiology; exercise science

Prof. Dr. Gali Dar

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Interests: anatomy; musculoskeletal system; spine; low back pain; sport injuries; pelvic floor; physiotherapy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that Applied Sciences is planning a Special Issue dedicated to the topic of Sport & Exercise Medicine, to be published in Applied Sciences.

The field of sport & exercise medicine focuses on the medical, therapeutic, and functional aspects of exercise and training in fit, sedentary, and medically compromised populations. Physical activity, exercise, and training influence and interact with the function of many body systems including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, and nervous systems. Physical activity, exercise, and training also impact physical fitness, cognitive performance, and the health status. As such, physical activity and different training modalities (e.g., aerobic and resistance) are a leading strategy for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle across the lifespan in healthy individuals as well in those with medical conditions. We need to expand our understanding of the dose–response relationships between exercise or training load on the one hand, and functional improvement or injury risk reduction on the other hand.

In this Special Issue, we are inviting submissions of original research, case reports, and reviews that address or provide novel insights in sport and exercise medicine and bridge the gap between theory and practice. We invite researchers from multiple disciplines including physical therapists, exercise physiologists, physicians, athletic trainers, coaches, and sport sciences to submit articles that will advance our understanding in any of the many aspects of sports and exercise medicine.

Dr. Einat Kodesh
Dr. Gali Dar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

physical activity
sport
sport injuries
training
exercise
skeletal muscle
cardiac muscle
rehabilitation
chronic diseases
molecular markers
performance
health
longevity
aging
bone
pediatrics

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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11 pages, 1373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of a Single Session of Balance and Coordination Training on Cognitive Function in Older Adults

by Ayelet Dunsky, Liat Unger, Refael Carasso and Orly Fox

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 3598; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063598 - 11 Mar 2023

Viewed by 2934

Abstract

The cognitive decline that is characteristic of older adults has led researchers to seek methods for improving cognitive functions in this population in the short and long term. One broadly studied aspect relates to physical activity interventions and their impact on cognitive functions in older adults. This study examines the effect of a single session of balance and coordination exercises on the cognitive functions in older adults compared to that of a single session of aerobic exercises or a single control session of reading. The study included 30 physically active participants (23 females), with an average age of 73 (±5) years. The participants completed computerized cognitive tests to assess attention and executive functions in five separate sessions: two without interventions and three with interventions (aerobic exercise; balance and coordination and reading while sitting). The interval between each session was at least two weeks. The order of interventions between participants was random. While no differences were seen between the three types of intervention in executive function scores, our findings indicate that a single session of aerobic exercises and a single session of balance and coordination exercises led to higher scores on the attention test than in the control condition. This suggests that older adults may benefit from a single 30-min session of aerobic exercises or balance and coordination exercises prior to performing attention-demanding tasks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport & Exercise Medicine)

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12 pages, 1856 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Load Carrying on Gait Kinetic and Kinematic Variables in Soldiers with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

by Gali Dar, Aviv Saposhnik, Aharon S. Finestone and Moshe Ayalon

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2264; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042264 - 10 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2415

Abstract

Individuals suffering from patello-femoral pain syndrome (PFPS) exhibit altered gait parameters compared with healthy individuals. As soldiers carry heavy equipment, the extra load might further alter gait pattern. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of load carrying on kinetic and kinematic variables in soldiers with PFPS compared with controls. The sample comprised 23 active-duty infantry soldiers (10 with bilateral/13 without bilateral PFPS, mean age: 20.4 (±0.5) years, height 179 (±5.8) cm, weight 76 (±6.9) kg). The participants walked barefoot on a 10 m walkway with and without loading equipment. The equipment added 50% to each participant’s body mass. Gait kinematic and kinetic variables were assessed by the VICON three-dimensional motion analysis system and two force plates. Weight carrying increased joint maximal angles, mean peak moments and double support and decreased single support and walk speed in both groups, without differences between groups (p > 0.05). The only difference between groups was in the hip adduction angle without a load (p < 0.05); no difference was observed while carrying the load. Kinematic and kinetic differences in gait were detected between weight and non-weight conditions, yet there was no effect of PFPS. Further studies with subjects performing different tasks are essential to examining the effect of PFPS and load among soldiers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport & Exercise Medicine)

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12 pages, 274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Two Cuff Inflation Protocols to Measure Arterial Occlusion Pressure in Males and Females

by Pat R. Vehrs, Chase Blazzard, Hannah C. Hart, Nicole Kasper, Ryan Lacey, Daniela Lopez, Shay Richards and Dennis L. Eggett

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1438; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031438 - 21 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2011

Abstract

We measured the arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) in the dominant (DOM) and non-dominant (NDOM) legs of males (n = 20) and females (n = 20), 19–26 years of age, using a continuous (CONT) and incremental (INCR) cuff inflation protocol. ANOVA revealed no significant differences in AOP within (<1 mmHg; p > 0.493) or between (<6 mmHg; p > 0.418) the DOM and NDOM legs in males or females with either CONT or INCR. There were no significant sex differences in AOP in the DOM or NDOM legs when using CONT (<3 mmHg; p > 0.838) or INCR (<3 mmHg; p > 0.856). Measures of AOP are highly reliable, as evidenced by correlation coefficients >0.96 and small mean differences (<1.5 mmHg) between repeated measures. The choice of which cuff inflation protocol to use is one of personal preference. The AOP is not always greater in the dominant or larger leg. Although mean differences in AOP between the two legs was small, actual differences of over 100 mmHg could lead to unsafe and ineffective cuff inflation pressures during BFR if AOP is measured in only one leg. Further investigation of factors that explain difference in AOP between legs and between males and females is warranted. To ensure safe and effective use of BFR during exercise, AOP of both limbs should be measured regularly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport & Exercise Medicine)

8 pages, 768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anthropometric Characteristics of Road Cyclists of Different Performance Levels

by Sebastian Sitko, Rafel Cirer-Sastre, Nuria Garatachea and Isaac López-Laval

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(1), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010224 - 24 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3577

Abstract

Road cycling is an endurance sport characterized by several anthropometric performance factors, such as reduced body mass and body fat percentage. As the power to weight ratio is considered one of the most important markers of performance in this sport discipline, it is speculated that anthropometric factors could relate to the physiological parameters found in road cyclists of different performance levels. The current study aimed to describe the anthropometric differences across road cyclists of different performance levels and to assess whether anthropometric values could relate to physiological markers that are commonly used to classify road cyclists, according to their performance level. We classified 46 cyclists as recreationally trained, trained, well trained and professional, according to their VO_2max, and performed graded exercise tests and complete anthropometric assessments. The results showed that there were no significant anthropometric differences between trained, well trained and professional cyclists, with only recreationally trained cyclists exhibiting larger perimeters and skinfolds than professional cyclists. Further, although physiological performance, such as VO_2max and respiratory compensation point, correlated negatively with several skinfolds and perimeters, these correlations remained restrained and did not distinguish between cyclists of different specialties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport & Exercise Medicine)

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12 pages, 620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aerobic Upper-Limb Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia: Does It Work?

by Noa Katz-Betzalel, Irit Weissman-Fogel and Einat Kodesh

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11391; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211391 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1567

Abstract

Background: Aerobic exercise reduces pain sensitivity, a phenomenon known as exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH); however, little is known about EIH when the upper limbs are aerobically exercised. This study aimed to test the acute effect of a single aerobic upper-limb exercise on pain threshold and pain intensity in healthy participants, with two different protocols for controlling intensity. Methods: 31 participants performed two 20 min exercise sessions a week apart. In each session, the intensity was controlled by a target heart rate (THR) of 60% of heart rate reserve or by a rate of perceived exertion (RPE) of 7/10 on the Borg scale. Pain threshold for pressure (PPT) heat (HPT) and pain intensity in response to Tonic Heat Pain (THP) were measured pre- and post-exercise. To examine the effect of exercise in each protocol on pain sensitivity, rmANOVA was conducted. Results: Pain sensitivity remained unchanged following arm exercise in both protocols (PPT, p = 0.67; HPT, p = 0.56; and THP p = 0.39). Higher HR in the THR protocol was demonstrated with a significant protocol X time, interaction effect (F₍₃₎ = 11.194 p < 0.004). Conclusions: Moderate–high-intensity upper-limb aerobic exercise did not affect pain sensitivity in healthy individuals. Exercise intensity when controlled by THR showed a higher mean heart rate compared to exercise intensity based on RPE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport & Exercise Medicine)

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16 pages, 1991 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between the Ability to Cope with Unexpected Perturbations and Mechanical and Functional Ankle Instability

by Nili Steinberg, Galit Tenenbaum, Aviva Zeev, Jeremy Witchalls and Gordon Waddington

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(21), 11119; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122111119 - 2 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2071

Abstract

We aimed to examine the associations between ankle instability, identified by mechanical and functional assessments, and an individual’s ability to cope unexpected perturbations. Sixty students were assessed for five different mechanical/functional ankle instability assessments: the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), history of previous ankle sprains, the Ankle Instability Instrument (AII) questionnaires, proprioception ability, and mechanical instability. The point where participants lost postural balance due to an unexpected perturbation was recorded when participants were standing on BalanceTutor-Treadmill^® with eyes open-SO, eyes closed-SC, tandem-dominant-leg forward-TD, tandem non-dominant-leg forward-TND, single-leg same side-SLSS, single-leg opposite side-SLOS and walking. Significant correlations were found between: CAIT and perturbation in the TND-position; AII scores and perturbations in TD and TND positions; ankle sprains and perturbations in SC, ND, and NTD positions; and proprioception ability and perturbations in SO, SC, TD, TND, and walking (p < 0.05). No correlations were found between mechanical assessments and perturbations. Survival-analyses showed significant differences in coping with perturbations between individuals identified with CAI in 4/5 mechanical/functional assessments compared to those with no-CAI in 4/5 assessments (p < 0.05). Functional ankle instability and proprioception ability were associated with the ability to cope with unexpected perturbations when starting from different standing/walking positions. Individuals with ‘stable’ ankles in most mechanical/functional assessments had better ability to cope perturbations than those with ‘unstable’ ankles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport & Exercise Medicine)

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11 pages, 659 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Walking and Sitting Time after a Stroke: A Comparison of Shifts and Changes over Time within an Acute Care Setting

by Tammuz Yaron Katz, Hen Hallevi, Jeremy Molad and Michal Kafri

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(21), 10945; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122110945 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1447

Abstract

Early activity post-stroke reduces secondary complications and improves rehabilitation outcomes. This study aimed to describe the physical activities of stroke patients in an acute hospital setting, compare activity patterns between working shifts, and assess associations between activity and clinical status. Twenty-one patients (mean age 69.4 ± 33.4 years,13 men) admitted due to acute ischemic stroke wore activity monitors for two weeks or until discharge. During the morning and evening shifts, the activity monitor collected daily data on walking and body position. The study discovered that patients’ overall activity levels were low and that activity was higher during morning shifts than evening shifts (sitting time: 185.31 ± 109.31 min and 91.8 ± 98.46 min, p = 0.002; number of steps: 58.3 ± 32.73 and 30.4 ± 17.6 steps, p < 0.001). Upright and sitting time increased in morning shifts (p = 0.002), while the number of steps increased in both morning and evening shifts (p = 0.002). In the evening shift, there was a fair (r = 0.28, p = 0.02) positive correlation between grip strength and the number of steps, such that patients with higher grip strength took more steps. In addition, there were poor (r = −0.2, p = 0.02) correlations between motor function (Trunk Control Test and Functional Ambulation Category) and time in an upright position, such that patients with lower functional ability sat longer. Clinical characteristics and level of activity did not show any other correlations. To conclude, the main out-of-bed activity of patients was sitting during morning shifts. The findings highlight the temporal differences in activity throughout the day, as well as the disconnect between clinical characteristics and activity levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport & Exercise Medicine)

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7 pages, 766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Body Height Trajectories in Pediatric Competitive Athletes from 46 Different Sport Types

by Ran Efrati, Shiran Leib, Amir Rimon, Miri Gelbart, Yoni Yarom, Tomer Ziv-Baran and Gal Dubnov-Raz

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(10), 5033; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12105033 - 16 May 2022

Viewed by 1766

Abstract

There is some concern that competitive sports in children and adolescents might hinder their growth. This study’s purpose was to examine height changes in pediatric competitive athletes from 46 different sports. Clinical data from athletes aged <18 years that underwent annual preparticipation examinations at a single sports medicine center were extracted from computerized medical records. Height was transformed into standard deviation scores (SDS). Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze height SDS changes over time in the total cohort and in subgroups of age, sex and several sport types. Data on 2276 athletes were available (71.3% males, age: 12.3 ± 2.6 years), of which 688 had repeated measurements. The median duration between examinations was 1.9 years (interquartile range: 1.0–2.9, maximum: 9.3 years). Height SDS neither significantly changed throughout follow up in the total cohort (−0.01 per year, 95%CI = −0.48–0.03, p = 0.62) nor in subgroups of age and sex. However, height SDS was significantly reduced by −0.12 to −0.23 per year in athletes engaged in endurance sports (i.e., swimming, cycling and triathlon) but not in gymnastics, tennis, basketball or football. We conclude that competitive sports in youth are generally not associated with significant changes in body height relative to age. However, this might occur in endurance sports, possibly due to low energy availability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport & Exercise Medicine)

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14 pages, 677 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Physical Activity Programmes in the Treatment of Addictions: A Systematic Review

by Estefanía Castillo-Viera, Francisco-Javier Gago-Valiente, Francisco-Javier Giménez-Fuentes-Guerra, Manuel-Tomás Abad-Robles and Emilia Moreno-Sánchez

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(18), 9117; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12189117 - 10 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3406

Abstract

Background: The scientific literature was reviewed with the aim of determining the current state of the research on relationships between physical activity programmes and addiction treatment. Methods: The search was carried out in the WOS, Scopus and PubMed databases, restricting the publication language to English and Spanish, and it was limited to studies conducted in the last 5 years, i.e., between 1 January 2016 and 31 November 2021, selecting only open-access articles with physical activity programmes for the treatment of addictions to harmful substances. Results: Of the 38 initial articles selected, a total of 10 articles were ultimately included, as they met the established eligibility criteria after performing a more exhaustive analysis. The results show a positive relationship between physical activity and adherence to addiction cessation treatment. Conclusions: Physical activity has been incorporated into coadjuvant treatments in combination with other pharmacological or behavioural treatments. These results strengthen the importance of promoting physical activity in rehabilitation and substance-withdrawal treatments. Complementarily, physical activity programmes improve other health variables that influence the quality of life, such as sleep quality and mood, and reduce the risk of social exclusion. Physical activity also directly reduces a sedentary lifestyle, which is responsible for more than 40 diseases and chronic disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport & Exercise Medicine)

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