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Special Issue "Connecting Health and Performance with Sports Sciences"

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2023 | Viewed by 4096

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Dr. António M. Monteiro

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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
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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.

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 1600 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

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Effect of Self-Myofascial Release of the Lower Back on Myofascial Gliding, Lumbar Flexibility, and Abdominal Trunk Muscle Strength: A Crossover Study

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Sports 2023, 11(8), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11080147 - 02 Aug 2023

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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 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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The Effects of Massage Therapy on Sport and Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review

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Sports 2023, 11(6), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11060110 - 29 May 2023

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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 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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