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Human Performance and Health in Sports
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Human Performance and Health in Sports

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 6815

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Javier Sanchez-Sanchez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
Interests: time–motion analysis; GPS; match tracking; football; physical demands
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Juan Antonio Sánchez Sáez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. GDOT Research Group, Faculty of Sport, Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Murcia, Spain
2. Instituto Mediterraneo de Estudios de Protocolo, 03003 Alicante, Spain
Interests: beach sports; beach handball; team sports; training monitoring; sport management; sport events
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
Interests: body composition; diet; exercise; soccer; nutrition; health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue delves into the intricate landscape of human performance, nutrition, and health within the realm of sports. Comprehensive coverage spans from the implementation of cutting-edge technologies for performance monitoring to the application of targeted training interventions aimed at optimizing athletic performance. Encompassing the latest breakthroughs in sports science, this Issue elucidates advancements in athlete performance enhancement, innovative nutritional strategies, and the integration of novel training methodologies. By exploring these facets, it aims to present a holistic perspective on fostering superior athletic achievements while prioritizing athlete well-being.

Prof. Dr. Javier Sanchez-Sanchez
Prof. Dr. Juan Antonio Sánchez Sáez
Prof. Dr. Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez
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

  • performance monitoring
  • training interventions
  • technological innovations
  • athletic achievement
  • performance enhancement
  • sport nutrition

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 572 KiB  
Article
Sounds and Natures Do Often Agree: Prediction of Esports Players’ Performance in Fighting Games Based on the Operating Sounds of Game Controllers
by Yamato Hiratsuka, Kazuki Kuga, Takahiro Miura, Tetsuo Tanaka and Mari Ueda
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020719 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 539
Abstract
In research focusing on esports, studies have been conducted on designs that attract competitors, performance estimation, training methods, and motivational factors. However, quantitative and convenient methods for performance evaluation are still in the development stage among the numerous performance evaluation methods. In particular, [...] Read more.
In research focusing on esports, studies have been conducted on designs that attract competitors, performance estimation, training methods, and motivational factors. However, quantitative and convenient methods for performance evaluation are still in the development stage among the numerous performance evaluation methods. In particular, few method has been developed to objectively measure an individual’s mental state utilizing limited equipment. It has been observed that when players’ performance deteriorates or they are under pressure, they occasionally operate the controller in accordance with their state, resulting in the sound of the controller increasing. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between the sound of esports players’ controller operations and their objective as well as subjective metrics, including their emotional state and performance during the game. Initially, the controller sounds of players of various ranks in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) by Nintendo were explored, aiming to elucidate the connection between the operation sounds of adept and intermediate esports competitors and their day-to-day fluctuations in game performance and emotional well-being. The findings revealed a discernible pattern: the more proficient the player, the more resonant the sounds emanating from their controller during gameplay. Furthermore, the operational sounds of skilled players exhibited an escalation when their performance faltered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance and Health in Sports)
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11 pages, 892 KiB  
Article
Reliability of Critical Fitness Tests for Police Officers
by João Daniel Freitas, Sérgio Antunes Ramos and Luís Miguel Massuça
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15010405 - 4 Jan 2025
Viewed by 841
Abstract
Police officers in training (cadets and provisional officers) are the population most tested in fitness attributes compared to police officers already in operational service. As such, this study aims (i) to validate a fitness assessment protocol for police officers, and (ii) to confirm [...] Read more.
Police officers in training (cadets and provisional officers) are the population most tested in fitness attributes compared to police officers already in operational service. As such, this study aims (i) to validate a fitness assessment protocol for police officers, and (ii) to confirm the effect of sex on fitness performance. In this methodological study, 122 cadets from the Portuguese Police Academy participated and carried out the fitness protocol (horizontal jump, handgrip strength, 60 s of sit-ups, and 20 m shuttle run tests) in two moments (test–retest), separated by one week (seven days). Complementarily, the results of the first assessment were used to study the effect of sex on fitness performance. Superior fitness performances were observed on the retest, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.89 and a standard error of the mean of 0.45 in the fitness assessment protocol and significantly higher values (in all fitness assessments) in male participants. In conclusion, the fitness assessment protocol achieved high reliability in terms of reproducibility (which indicates that it is a valid and reliable protocol), and the influence of sex on the police officers’ fitness profile was confirmed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance and Health in Sports)
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15 pages, 2219 KiB  
Article
Exploring Whole-Body Vibration Transmission Through the Human Body in Different Postures on a Large Vibration Platform
by Jose F. Gisbert-Orozco, Bruno Fernández-Valdés, Robert Arcos Villamarin, Jacob González-Otazo, Carlos Ramírez-López and Gerard Moras Feliu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9516; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209516 - 18 Oct 2024
Viewed by 957
Abstract
The positive effects of whole-body vibration exercise in rehabilitation, sport, fitness and preventive medicine have led to a proliferation of vibrating platforms. However, discrepancies have been claimed between the manufacturers’ vibration parameters and the vibration applied by the platforms. In addition, the dimensions, [...] Read more.
The positive effects of whole-body vibration exercise in rehabilitation, sport, fitness and preventive medicine have led to a proliferation of vibrating platforms. However, discrepancies have been claimed between the manufacturers’ vibration parameters and the vibration applied by the platforms. In addition, the dimensions, materials and motors used in their manufacture mean that each platform behaves differently. These factors can influence their transmission to the human body and, consequently, their effects. Thus, measured vibration parameters were recommended to report the vibration parameters as accurately as possible. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the feasibility of a large vibration platform. Measurements of vibration parameters and their transmission were added. These parameters were measured using six accelerometers (platform, ankle, knee, hip, third lumbar vertebra, and head) throughout five postures (toe-standing, erect, high squat, deep squat, and lunge) and three vibration frequencies (20 Hz, 25 Hz, and 30 Hz). On the platform, peak accelerations of 1 ± 0.2 g, displacements of 1 ± 0.1 mm at 20 Hz and 25 Hz and 0.6 mm at 30 Hz, and a frequency from the setting of +0.5 Hz were obtained. In the human body, peak accelerations can exceed 2 g, and these transmissibility amplifications were found at the ankles and knees. However, at the hip, accelerations plummet and transmissibility attenuation occurs all the way to the head. The signal purity was highly satisfactory, although at the hip and third lumbar vertebra when adopting the toe-standing and lunge, some less satisfactory results were found—especially at 20 Hz and 30 Hz. Present data indicate that the long vibration platform can be used for exercise and health in a safe way, although its specific behaviours have to be taken into account in order to optimise its applicability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance and Health in Sports)
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11 pages, 1936 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Upper Limb Muscle Power and Shooting Velocity in Elite Male Youth Rink Hockey Players
by Jordi Arboix-Alió, Bernat Buscà, Guillem Trabal, Hugo Sarmento, Vasco Vaz and Dani Moreno-Galcerán
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9368; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209368 - 14 Oct 2024
Viewed by 913
Abstract
The present study examined the relationship between upper limb muscle power and shooting velocity in elite male youth rink hockey players. Seventeen participants (age: 18.2 ± 1.44 years) underwent assessments of upper limb power and shooting velocity. Upper limb power was evaluated through [...] Read more.
The present study examined the relationship between upper limb muscle power and shooting velocity in elite male youth rink hockey players. Seventeen participants (age: 18.2 ± 1.44 years) underwent assessments of upper limb power and shooting velocity. Upper limb power was evaluated through bench press exercises, including indirect 1RM, mean power, and peak power. Shooting velocity was measured using a shooting test, including static drive shot, static slap shot, dynamic drive shot, and dynamic slap shot techniques. Results showed significant positive correlations between upper limb power and shooting velocity in static slap shot (r = 0.62, p = 0.04) and dynamic slap shot (r = 0.86; p < 0.01). Dynamic slap shot also correlated significantly with peak power (r = 0.63; p = 0.03). Differences in shooting velocity were observed among the techniques (F(3,64) = 23.7; p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.56), with dynamic slap shot displaying the highest velocity and static drive shot the lowest. These findings highlight the positive association between upper limb muscle power and shooting velocity in elite youth rink hockey players. Developing upper limb power can enhance shooting performance. The choice of shooting technique significantly affects shooting velocity, underscoring the importance of optimizing technique for maximizing performance. These findings provide practical insights for coaches and practitioners, informing the design of targeted training programmes aimed at improving shooting velocity in rink hockey players. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance and Health in Sports)
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22 pages, 1533 KiB  
Article
Effects of a Physical Training Program on Cognitive and Physical Performance and Health-Related Variables in Professional esports Players: A Pilot Study
by Manuel Sanz-Matesanz, Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda and Gemma María Gea-García
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2845; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072845 - 28 Mar 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2868
Abstract
The present study focused on the effects of a physical training program on physical- and psychological-related variables in professional esports players. Five professional League of Legends (LOL) players belonging to the highest national category participated in this study. Data were obtained before and [...] Read more.
The present study focused on the effects of a physical training program on physical- and psychological-related variables in professional esports players. Five professional League of Legends (LOL) players belonging to the highest national category participated in this study. Data were obtained before and after a 5 h virtual training session (acute), as well as before and after an 8-week intervention period, focused on decreasing the impact of fatigue on players’ health and performance. The results showed that a complete virtual training session influences their performance, decreasing jump height and joint mobility (p < 0.01), as well as increasing perceived physical and cognitive exertion by 76.9% (p < 0.01) and 166.67% on the “Rating of Fatigue” scale (p = 0.002). Moreover, the intervention was able to reduce the impact of fatigue (30.8% and 43.3% reduction in cognitive and overall fatigue, respectively, p < 0.05), improving, at the same time, the amount of muscle mass by 2%, jumping ability by 9.8% to 21%, and strength levels in various exercises by 63% to 173% (p < 0.01). The implementation of a physical training program is capable of reducing the players’ fatigue perception, improving their physical conditioning and health status, and decreasing the injury risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Performance and Health in Sports)
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