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Frontiers in Sport Performance, Health, and Fitness

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 19589

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Athos Trecroci

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Guest Editor

Department of Biomedical Science for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: training and testing; football; team sports; strength and conditioning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Alessio Rossi

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Guest Editor

Department of Computer Science, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy
Interests: heart rate variability; sleep quality; anxiety status; stressful events; physical activity; autonomic nervous system; predictive models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Luca Cavaggioni

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Guest Editor

1. Obesity Unit—Laboratory of Nutrition and Obesity Research, Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
2. Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
Interests: breathing; disability; respiratorion; posture; motor control; obesity; physical activity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sports performance, health, and fitness development and maintenance are interconnected aspects underpinning physical exercise.

In sports performance, practitioners should establish what the best interventions or strategies are to improve athletes (whether they are advanced or novices, adults or young, with or without disability) in the following domains:

Technical–tactical: Analyzing the different gestures and movements intimately correlated with sport-specific performance in individual and team sport athletes, also in the transition from youth to adult context.
Physical: Increasing the range of choices to refine practitioners’ decision-making ability on the use of the most suitable and appropriate interventions in order to bring improvements in biomotor qualities (e.g., muscle strength and power, speed, aerobic power and capacity, and flexibility) and body composition, and to reduce the risk of injuries.
Cognitive: Providing additional information on the influence of cognitive function on physical performance during competitive events with the aim of helping athletes to maximize their outcomes when immersed in a highly stimulated (open skill sports) or poorly stimulated (closed skill sports) environment.

Being healthy and fit is vital to combat the adverse effects of urbanization and stress. As a matter of fact, a regular participation in physical exercise is associated with health-related benefits, particularly preventing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and conditions affecting the cardiovascular system for all age groups. Of note, a disease could include an impairment. A disability (physical or intellectual) is an alteration in normal body structures or function. Thus, for an individual with disability, it is important to explore health-related physical exercise solutions that can increase health, fitness, and cognitive wellbeing. In this sense, investigating the dose–response to physical exercise is required to better develop health and fitness of individuals with and without disabilities. This would also assist professionals in prescribing safe and effective physical exercise programs toward a better quality of life.

Therefore, the scope of the current Special Issue is to advance knowledge on the development of performance, health, and fitness with special emphasis on novel practical implications that could be exploited within a wide range of people.

Dr. Athos Trecroci
Dr. Alessio Rossi
Dr. Luca Cavaggioni
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sport performance
paralympic
cognitive function
actual motor competence
training and testing

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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12 pages, 993 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reactive Agility and Pitching Performance Improvement in Visually Impaired Competitive Italian Baseball Players: An Innovative Training and Evaluation Proposal

by Giuditta Carretti, Raffaele Bianco, Eleonora Sgambati, Mirko Manetti and Mirca Marini

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(12), 6166; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126166 - 18 Jun 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1926

Abstract

Visual input significantly affects kinesthesis skills and, hence, visually impaired individuals show less developed sensorimotor control, especially in an unfamiliar outdoor environment. Regular blind baseball practice can counteract such a deficit but, given the complex kinetic chain model required, a targeted workout proposal is needed to improve the main athletic gesture performance. On these premises, we investigated, for the first time, the running and pitching performance of a competitive Italian blind baseball team through quantitative tools and parameters such as Libra Easytech sensorized proprioceptive board, goniometric active range of motion, chronometric speed, and pitching linear length. Moreover, the perceived physical exertion was assessed by the Borg CR10 scale. Consequently, an adapted athletic training protocol was designed and tested on the field during the competitive season, with the aim to strengthen sport specific-gesture coordination and efficacy as well as to prevent injuries. Quantitative assessments showed an improvement in ankle stability index, bilateral upper limb and hip mobility, reactive agility, running braking phase control during second base approaching, and auditory target-related pitching accuracy along with a decrease in perceived physical exertion. This protocol might therefore represent an effective and easily reproducible training and evaluation approach to tailor management of visually impaired baseball players, and safely improve their athletic performance under the supervision of an adapted exercise specialist. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Sport Performance, Health, and Fitness)

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15 pages, 782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Pool Data from Meta-Analysis for the Prediction of Countermovement Jump Improvement

by Indy Man Kit Ho, Anthony Weldon, Jason Tze Ho Yong, Candy Tze Tim Lam and Jaime Sampaio

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(10), 5881; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105881 - 19 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2223

Abstract

To solve the research–practice gap and take one step forward toward using big data with real-world evidence, the present study aims to adopt a novel method using machine learning to pool findings from meta-analyses and predict the change of countermovement jump. The data were collected through a total of 124 individual studies included in 16 recent meta-analyses. The performance of four selected machine learning algorithms including support vector machine, random forest (RF) ensemble, light gradient boosted machine, and the neural network using multi-layer perceptron was compared. The RF yielded the highest accuracy (mean absolute error: 0.071 cm; R²: 0.985). Based on the feature importance calculated by the RF regressor, the baseline CMJ (“Pre-CMJ”) was the most impactful predictor, followed by age (“Age”), the total number of training sessions received (“Total number of training_session”), controlled or non-controlled conditions (“Control (no training)”), whether the training program included squat, lunge, deadlift, or hip thrust exercises (“Squat_Lunge_Deadlift_Hipthrust_True”, “Squat_Lunge_Deadlift_Hipthrust_False”), or “Plyometric (mixed fast/slow SSC)”, and whether the athlete was from an Asian pacific region including Australia (“Race_Asian or Australian”). By using multiple simulated virtual cases, the successful predictions of the CMJ improvement are shown, whereas the perceived benefits and limitations of using machine learning in a meta-analysis are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Sport Performance, Health, and Fitness)

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12 pages, 655 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Acute Judo Training on Countermovement Jump Performance and Perceived Fatigue among Collegiate Athletes

by Chien-Chun Chang, Tzu-Yi Chen, Chia-Luan Wu, Pi-Yen Ho and Chieh-Ying Chiang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 17008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417008 - 18 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1942

Abstract

This study focused on the effect of acute Judo training on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and perceived fatigue among a group of highly trained collegiate judo athletes. Twenty male judo athletes participated in this study (age: 20.65 ± 1.22 years, weight: 84.17 ± 28.45 kg). Participants were assessed for CMJperformance changes before, immediately after (0 h), 12 h after, and 24 h after judo training (JT) using unloaded CMJ(CMJ_unloaded) and loaded CMJ(CMJ_loaded). All the jumps were performed on a force plate, and the force–time curves were collected for further analysis. Respondents’ perceptions were evaluated using the modified rating of perceived exertion (mRPE) before, after (0 h), 12 h, and 24 h after JT. CMJparameters were analyzed at four measured points using a one-way repeated analysis of variance. Effect sizes (ES) and percentage changes before versus 24 h after JT were calculated for comparison. Associations between the CMJparameters and mRPE were analyzed using the Pearson product–moment correlation. The ratio of flight time to contact time significantly decreased, whereas the eccentric duration, concentric duration, and total duration significantly increased (p < 0.05) in both CMJs 24 h after JT. Compared with CMJ_unloaded, CMJ_loaded had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) flight time, jump height, peak velocity, and peak power. The mRPE and CMJ_loaded peak velocity showed moderate- to high-level negative correlation results both 0 and 24 h after training (r = −0.543, p < 0.05; r = −0.479, p < 0.05). In this study, we only observed the effect of fatigue on the neuromuscular (NM) system 24 h after JT. CMJ_loaded height may help to better determine fatigue state compared with CMJ_unloaded. According to the results, the neuromuscular effects of fatigue were not observed until 24 h after a single high-intensity training. Therefore, when arranging high-intensity special training or strength and conditioning training, one should reduce the volume of training appropriately to avoid fatigue accumulation and reduce the risk of sports injuries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Sport Performance, Health, and Fitness)

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15 pages, 1027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Women’s Respiratory Movements during Spontaneous Breathing and Physical Fitness: A Cross-Sectional, Correlational Study

by Wen-Ming Liang, Zhen-Min Bai, Maiwulamu Aihemaiti, Lei Yuan, Zhi-Min Hong, Jing Xiao, Fei-Fei Ren and Osvaldas Rukšėnas

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12007; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912007 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2393

Abstract

Background: Abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing exercises are popular worldwide and have been proven to be beneficial for physical performance. Is abdominal motion (AM) during spontaneous breathing correlated with physical fitness? The present study aimed to answer this question. Methods: 434 women (aged 20–59) were enrolled and participated in respiration tests using two respiration belts (one was tied at the height of the xiphoid and another at the navel) to detect AM and thoracic motion (TM). They also performed physical fitness tests to measure body size, muscular strength, muscular power, muscular endurance, balance, flexibility, reaction time, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Results: All the correlation coefficients between respiratory movements (AM, TM, AM + TM, AM/(AM + TM)) and physical fitness outcomes were less than 0.4/−0.4. Only AM and muscular power (countermovement jump height) had a weak correlation, with a correlation coefficient close to 0.4 in the 20−29-year age group (r_s = 0.398, p = 0.011, n = 40). Conclusions: Women’s respiratory movements during spontaneous breathing were not correlated with physical fitness. Future studies may focus on the relationship between AM and countermovement jump height in young women with a larger sample size and using ultrasound to directly test the excursion of the diaphragm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Sport Performance, Health, and Fitness)

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12 pages, 3054 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence on Post-Activation Potentiation Exerted by Different Degrees of Blood Flow Restriction and Multi-Levels of Activation Intensity

by Hang Zheng, Jiajun Liu, Jia Wei, Hui Chen, Shan Tang and Zhexiao Zhou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10597; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710597 - 25 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2551

Abstract

(1) Background: To explore the influence on post-activation potentiation (PAP) when combining different degrees of blood flow restriction (BFR) with multi-levels of resistance training intensity of activation. (2) Purpose: To provide competitive athletes with a more efficient and feasible warm-up program. (3) Study Design: The same batch of subjects performed the vertical jump test of the warm-up procedure under different conditions, one traditional and six BFR procedures. (4) Methods: Participants performed seven counter movement jump (CMJ) tests in random order, including 90% one repetition maximum (1RM) without BFR (CON), and three levels of BFR (30%, 50%, 70%) combined with (30% and 50% 1RM) (BFR-30-30, BFR-30-50, BFR-50-30, BFR-50-50, BFR-70-30 and BFR-70-50). Jump height (H), mean power output (P), peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), and the mean rate of force development (RFD) were recorded and measured. (5) Results: Significantly increasing results were observed in: jump height: CON (8 min), BFR-30-30 (0, 4 min), BFR-30-50 (4, 8 min), BFR-50-30 (8 min), BFR-50-50 (4, 8 min), BFR-70-30 (8 min), (p < 0.05); and power output: CON (8 min), BFR-30-30 (0, 4 min), BFR-30-50 (4 min), BFR-50-30 (8 min), BFR-50-50 (4, 8 min) (p < 0.05); vGRF: CON (8 min), BFR-30-30 (0, 4 min), BFR-30-50 (4, 8 min), BFR-50-30 (4 min), BFR-50-50 (4, 8 min) (p < 0.05); RFD: CON (8 min), BFR-30-30 (0, 4 min), BFR-30-50 (4 min), BFR-50-30 (4 min), BFR-50-50 (4 min) (p < 0.05). (5) Conclusions: low to moderate degrees of BFR procedures produced a similar PAP to traditional activation. Additionally, BFR-30-30, BFR-30-50, and BFR-50-50 were longer at PAP duration in comparison with CON. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Sport Performance, Health, and Fitness)

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11 pages, 363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Children’s Involvement in Different Sport Types Differentiates Their Motor Competence but Not Their Executive Functions

by Martha Spanou, Nektarios Stavrou, Aspasia Dania and Fotini Venetsanou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5646; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095646 - 6 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2410

Abstract

Sports provide a context where important aspects of children’s health, such as motor skills and cognitive functions, can be enhanced. However, it is unknown which type of sport may be better for the development of motor competence (MC) and executive functions (EFs). This study investigated potential differences in MC and EFs in boys and girls, being involved in different types of sports (team, individual open skill, individual closed skill). A total of 115 children (49 boys), 8–12 years old (10.30 ± 1.19 years), participated in the study. Their MC was assessed with the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 Short Form, whereas for EFs, the Attention Network Test, the digits backwards test, and the how many–what number test were utilized. Significant MC differences among participants in different types of sports were revealed, favoring those from closed-skill sports; nevertheless, their EFs were at similar levels. Furthermore, no significant gender MC and EFs differences were detected. It seems that children’s participation in specific types of sports differentiates their motor skills but not their EFs, whereas boys and girls, when provided with the same opportunities, present similar levels of MC and EFs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Sport Performance, Health, and Fitness)

11 pages, 945 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Anthropometrics and Body Composition with Maximal and Relative Force and Power of Kayak Stroke in Competitive Kayak Athletes

by Filip Kukić, Miloš Petrović, Gianpiero Greco, Stefania Cataldi and Francesco Fischetti

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 2977; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052977 - 3 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2055

Abstract

This study determined to what degree anthropometrics and body composition are associated with force and power outputs of a single-stroke kayak test (SSKT). Body height (BH), sitting height, biacromial distance, arm span, stroke length, body mass index (BMI), percent of skeletal muscle mass (PSMM), skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI), percent body fat (PBF) and maximal and relative force (SSKT_Fmax and SSKT_Frel) and power (SSKT_Pmax and SSKT_Prel) of the SSKT were assessed in 21 male kayak competitors, including sprint specialists and long-distance specialists. Correlation analysis established the association (p < 0.05) between SSKT_Fmax and BM (r = 0.511), BMI (r = 0.495) and SMMI (r = 0.530). A significant correlation (p < 0.05) also occurred between SSKT_Pmax and BMI (r = 0.471) and SMMI (r = 0.489). Regression analysis determined a significant association of the anthropometrics–body composition model of kayakers with SSKT_Fmax (R² = 0.790), SSKTF_Rel (R² = 0.748), SSKT_Pmax (R² = 0.676) and SSKT_Prel (R² = 0.625). A longer and wider upper body supported by higher amounts of skeletal muscle mass per square of body size provides higher force outcomes in a complex single-handed SSKT, while the PSMM provides higher outcomes in SSKT_Pmax. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Sport Performance, Health, and Fitness)

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10 pages, 720 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Changes in Upper-Body Muscular Strength and Power in Paralympic Swimmers: Effects of Training Confinement during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Luca Cavaggioni, Alessio Rossi, Massimiliano Tosin, Raffaele Scurati, Giovanni Michielon, Giampietro Alberti, Giampiero Merati, Damiano Formenti and Athos Trecroci

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5382; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095382 - 28 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2571

Abstract

The aim of this case series was to evaluate the effectiveness of a dry-land home-training program conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Paralympic swimmers. Previous evidence showed the importance of muscular strength and power training for Paralympic swimmers due to the positive relationship between severity of impairment, swimming technique and biomechanics parameters. Specifically, we aimed to analyze: (i) the effects of a customized training regime conducted pre, during and post restrictions on upper-body muscular strength and power (one repetition maximum, mean propulsive velocity, and mean relative propulsive power) compared to a regular gym-based program; (ii) the associations between mean propulsive velocity and load during two upper body exercises in order to estimate the one repetition maximum. Four elite Paralympic swimmers were retrospectively analyzed in upper-body muscular strength, mean propulsive velocity and mean relative propulsive power in bench press and lat pull-down exercises at three time points: T0 (prior the Lockdown period), T1 (immediately after the Lockdown confinement), T2 (sixteen weeks after returning to gym training). Our findings suggest a very likely decrement in one repetition maximum, mean propulsive velocity, and mean relative propulsive power during the Lockdown period compared with the T0 period with a subsequent very likely increment in one repetition maximum after returning to gym training (T2) compared with the lockdown period (T0). Conversely, mean relative propulsive power showed an unclear improvement in all athletes in T2 compared with T1. These results were also corroborated by the Friedman’s test followed by the Dunn’s pairwise comparison that mainly showed a decrement from T0 to T1 (p < 0.05). At the same time, it appears that muscle strength and power could be rapidly restored close to the pre-lockdown levels following an adequate training program in the gym, albeit without significance (p > 0.05). Finally, the close relationship between mean propulsive velocity and load in bench press and lat pull-down exercises was also confirmed in para swimming, making a possible estimation of one repetition maximum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Sport Performance, Health, and Fitness)

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