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Sports
Special Issues
Connecting Health and Performance with Sports Sciences
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Connecting Health and Performance with Sports Sciences

A special issue of Sports (ISSN 2075-4663).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2024 | Viewed by 17121

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. António M. Monteiro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, Vila Real, Portugal
2. Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
Interests: physical activity; exercise; sports; injury prevention; fitness; fatigue; health; wellness; rehabilitation; performance; sports medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sports science encompasses a number of fundamental sciences such as training methodology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, sports nutrition, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, health and wellbeing. All these sciences have two fundamental pillars in common: health and performance. Sports scientists, researchers, and practitioners have focused the survey the improvement of performance, however the concerns with health and well-being indicators are increasingly studied because of the interdependence that exists between both dimensions. Thus, it becomes important to understand the new challenges, opportunities and issues for connecting health and performance in competitive athletes. Similarly, understanding the influence of health and wellness factors should also be a concern for a good quality of life in the career phase and the years that follow afterwards.

Prof. Dr. António Monteiro
Guest Editor

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. Sports is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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
  • exercise
  • sports
  • injury prevention
  • fitness
  • fatigue
  • health
  • wellness
  • rehabilitation
  • performance
  • sports medicine

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 828 KiB  
Article
The Acute and Long-Term Effects of Olympic Karate Kata Training on Structural and Functional Changes in the Body Posture of Polish National Team Athletes
by Eliza Gaweł and Anna Zwierzchowska
Sports 2024, 12(2), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12020055 - 07 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1145
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the acute and long-term effects of karate kata training on body posture (range of motion (ROM)) and musculoskeletal pain in elite karate athletes. Twelve kata athletes from the Polish national team participated in the study. [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to assess the acute and long-term effects of karate kata training on body posture (range of motion (ROM)) and musculoskeletal pain in elite karate athletes. Twelve kata athletes from the Polish national team participated in the study. A cross-sectional study protocol was used, with direct participatory observation (NMQ-7/6 questionnaire, spinal curvatures and spinal ROM testing, ROM of joints) and natural experiment (225 min of kata training) methods of assessment. Age and number of weekly kata sessions were found to correlate with ROM of the lumbar spine (R = (−0.6), p < 0.05). High increase in the prevalence of lumbar hypolordosis and posterior pelvic tilt was noted after karate training sessions. ROM of the inclination in the sagittal plane differed significantly between the first and second trials, by 10.0 degrees on average. Kata stances and their movement pattern seem to be related to the occurrence of disturbances in the ROM of the internal and external rotations of the hip joints and decreased depth of the lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, and their ROM. The locations of the long-term musculoskeletal complaints (NMQ-6) seem to result from compensatory changes that occur in the musculoskeletal structures as a result of elite-level kata training. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Connecting Health and Performance with Sports Sciences)
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11 pages, 821 KiB  
Article
Effect of Self-Myofascial Release of the Lower Back on Myofascial Gliding, Lumbar Flexibility, and Abdominal Trunk Muscle Strength: A Crossover Study
by Yuki Nakai, Katsutoshi Oe, Ryuko Matsuno, Ryoji Kiyama, Masayuki Kawada, Yasufumi Takeshita, Takasuke Miyazaki and Sota Araki
Sports 2023, 11(8), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11080147 - 02 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2221
Abstract
Roller massage has been recognized as an effective intervention for managing various conditions. However, data on the effects of roller massage on the dynamic mechanisms of the myofascial and soft tissues of the lower back are limited. This study aimed to examine the [...] Read more.
Roller massage has been recognized as an effective intervention for managing various conditions. However, data on the effects of roller massage on the dynamic mechanisms of the myofascial and soft tissues of the lower back are limited. This study aimed to examine the effect of the self-myofascial release of the lower back on myofascial gliding, lumbar flexibility, and abdominal trunk muscle strength using a roller massager. This crossover study included 24 college athletes who underwent three interventions—roller massage, static stretching, and control (rest). Before and after the intervention, lumbar and fascial gliding were evaluated using ultrasonography. Long-seat anteflexion (lumbar flexibility) and abdominal trunk muscle strength were assessed. The movement velocities of the subcutaneous tissue and the multifidus muscle over time were calculated using echo video analysis software, and gliding was estimated using the cross-correlation coefficient between the velocities. Gliding, lumbar flexibility, and abdominal trunk muscle strength showed significant intervention-by-time interactions. Roller massage significantly improved gliding, lumbar flexibility, and abdominal trunk muscle strength. The self-myofascial release of the lower back using a roller massager improved the lumbar/fascia gliding, lumbar flexibility, and abdominal trunk muscle strength compared to static stretching. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Connecting Health and Performance with Sports Sciences)
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Review

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15 pages, 675 KiB  
Review
The Effects of Massage Therapy on Sport and Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review
by Miloš Dakić, Lazar Toskić, Vladimir Ilić, Saša Đurić, Milivoj Dopsaj and Jožef Šimenko
Sports 2023, 11(6), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11060110 - 29 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 8565
Abstract
Background: A massage is a tool that is frequently used in sports and exercise in general for recovery and increased performance. In this review paper, we aimed to search and systemize current literature findings relating to massages’ effects on sports and exercise performance [...] Read more.
Background: A massage is a tool that is frequently used in sports and exercise in general for recovery and increased performance. In this review paper, we aimed to search and systemize current literature findings relating to massages’ effects on sports and exercise performance concerning its effects on motor abilities and neurophysiological and psychological mechanisms. Methods: The review has been written following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis) guidelines. One hundred and fourteen articles were included in this review. Results: The data revealed that massages, in general, do not affect motor abilities, except flexibility. However, several studies demonstrated that positive muscle force and strength changed 48 h after the massage was given. Concerning neurophysiological parameters, the massage did not change blood lactate clearance, muscle blood flow, muscle temperature, or activation. However, many studies indicate pain reduction and delayed onset muscle soreness, which are probably correlated with the reduction of the level of creatine kinase enzyme and psychological mechanisms. In addition, the massage treatment led to a decrease in depression, stress, anxiety, and the perception of fatigue and an increase in mood, relaxation, and the perception of recovery. Conclusion: The direct usage of massages just for gaining results in sport and exercise performance seems questionable. However, it is indirectly connected to performance as an important tool when an athlete should stay focused and relaxed during competition or training and recover after them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Connecting Health and Performance with Sports Sciences)
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Other

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18 pages, 2403 KiB  
Systematic Review
Recovery Methods in Basketball: A Systematic Review
by Mladen Mihajlovic, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Damjana V. Cabarkapa, Nicolas M. Philipp and Andrew C. Fry
Sports 2023, 11(11), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11110230 - 20 Nov 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4472
Abstract
Although different strategies have been implemented to manage recovery-fatigue status in athletes, there is still a lack of consensus on which recovery protocols have the greatest impact and effectiveness when implemented with basketball players, including both physiological and psychological recovery methods. Thus, the [...] Read more.
Although different strategies have been implemented to manage recovery-fatigue status in athletes, there is still a lack of consensus on which recovery protocols have the greatest impact and effectiveness when implemented with basketball players, including both physiological and psychological recovery methods. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review is to: (a) determine which recovery methods attain the greatest benefit in restoring the process of attenuating fatigue and (b) provide sports practitioners with guidelines on how some of the most effective recovery strategies can be used to optimize athletes’ recovery and ultimately enhance their performance. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a total of 3931 research reports were obtained through four database searches (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science), from which only 25 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The recovery protocols analyzed in this systematic review were: sleep, nutrition, hydration, ergogenic aids, cold-water immersion, compression garments, massage, acupuncture, tapering, mindfulness, and red-light irradiation. The results revealed that all recovery strategies are capable of attenuating fatigue and enhancing recovery in basketball players to a certain degree. However, an individualized approach should be promoted, where a combination of proactive recovery modalities appears to result in the most rapid rates of recovery and athletes’ ability to maintain high-level performance. Recovery should be programmed as an integral component of training regimens. Also, cooperation and communication between coaches, players, and the rest of the team staff members are essential in minimizing the risk of non-functional overreaching or injury and optimizing basketball players’ on-court performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Connecting Health and Performance with Sports Sciences)
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