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Background: During the repetitive execution of the swimming strokes, the muscles responsible for the internal rotations of the shoulders tend to become stronger compared to the muscles that oppose these movements. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of a strengthening program for the shoulder rotator muscles using elastic band exercises in a diagonal Kabat pattern (D2 for flexion) in swimmers, to develop an effective, quick and easy-to-implement protocol for preventive training routines.Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was carried out. Internal and external rotation range of movement, isometric strength of the muscles responsible for internal and external rotation of the shoulder, scapular movements, was measured at the beginning of the study and after 8 weeks post-intervention. A total of 22 male swimmers participated in the study and were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 11) or a control group (n = 11). The experimental group underwent a 8-week shoulder-strength program using elastic bands, while the control group focused on aquatic training.Results: The strength-training program resulted in an improvement in the isometric strength of the muscles responsible for external rotation and a better balance between the shoulder rotator muscles in the experimental group. However, these improvements have not been significant (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The strengthening exercise program showed minimal improvement in shoulder rotation strength and range of motion. These findings suggest that the prescribed shoulder-strengthening exercise could be a quick-beneficial dry-land training option to improve external rotation shoulder strength or range of motion, but more studies with larger sample sizes and more weeks of treatment are needed to determine the efficacy of this protocol.

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to compare the thickness of the deep local muscles in the neck region, as well as local and widespread sensitivity and functionality, between individuals with migraine and healthy control subjects. Methods: An observational study was carried out in accordance with the STROBE statements. The flexor longus colli and multifidus, two neck-stabilizing muscles, were measured using B-mode ultrasound imaging. The upper trapezius, masseter, temporalis, anterior tibialis, and median nerve all underwent bilateral pressure-pain threshold (PPT) assessments. The statistical program SPSS 29.0 was used to implement the Mann–Whitney U test and Chi-squared test. Spearman Rho was utilized to establish the correlations between the variables. Results: Sixty participants were enrolled in the study. The subjects, who were matched in terms of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), were equally divided into migraine and control groups. No significant differences between the groups were found in the multifidus CSA regarding both sides at rest (right: p = 0.625; left: p = 0.203). However, in contraction, the multifidus CSA showed a significant decrease on the left side in the patients with migraine compared to the controls (p = 0.032), but no significant differences were found in the right multifidus CSA in contraction between the two groups (p = 0.270). In comparison to the healthy volunteers, the migraine sufferers showed a substantial reduction in CSA in the longus colli muscle on both the left side (p = 0.001) and the right side at rest (p = 0.003), as well as in the CSA of the left longus colli in contraction (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the migraine patients showed significantly lower PPT compared to the healthy subjects in local and widespread areas bilaterally. All the parameters revealed higher sensitization in the migraine group in the following areas: the right and left temporal regions (p < 0.001), the right and left upper trapezius (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively), the right and left masseter muscles (p < 0.01), the right and left median nerves (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively), and the right and left anterior tibialis muscles (p < 0.001). In terms of the craniocervical flexion test (CCFT), the migraine patients demonstrated significantly lower values than the healthy subjects (p < 0.001). A moderate positive correlation was noted between the PPT in the right temporalis muscle and that in the left longus colli and the right multifidus in contraction. The PPT in the right temporalis muscle also exhibited a positive correlation with the CCFT, although this correlation was low. Between the PPT values, the upper trapezius on both sides showed a moderate positive correlation with the median nerve bilaterally. Conclusions: This research suggests that individuals with migraine may experience local and widespread pain sensitization. A decrease in functionality due to the low muscle endurance of the deep cervical muscles is also accompanied by low values of muscle thickness in contraction. These findings may help to select more accurate treatment approaches for patients with migraine.

The aims of this study were to analyse the differences in anger levels in single and collective sports, and to know if there are any differences in anger levels depending on international successes. The study was conducted in an accidental and cross sampling, in which 366 athletes from different sports were taken (32.78% individual sports and 67.21% collective sports). In order to measure the different variables were taken, an ad hoc Sociodemographic questionnaire, the Oviedo Scale of Infrequency Response and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. The results of the U Mann Whitney test and linear regression showed higher anger levels in collective athletes in: temperament, external anger expression, internal anger expression and anger expression index, whereas, individual athletes had greater external control of anger. It was concluded that single athletes have lower anger levels and greater external anger control, than collective athletes. Furthermore, there are no differences in anger levels between the two distinct athlete’s groups considering the rate of sporting success. Keywords: Emotion; anger; mood; sport; sport performance.

The goal of this research was to review the experimental studies that have analyzed the influence of “high-speed swimsuits” on sports performance up to the appearance of the model “Jammer” in competitive swimmers. The design was a review following PRISMA Methodology, in which 43 studies were reviewed of a total of 512. Several searches were conducted in electronic databases of the existing research in this field (Google Scholar, Dialnet, Web of Sciences, and Scopus). The only studies excluded were those that reviewed the effects with neoprene and tests with triathletes. The studies that were included were published and peer-reviewed from 1999 to 2018 in which the effect of high-speed swimsuits was analyzed. The results showed the possible effects that high-speed swimwear can have in relation or not to competitive performance, biomechanical, physiological and psychological factors, flotation, drag, the material and the design until the introduction of the model “Jammer.” As conclusions, the lack of consensus due to the variety of fields of study means that improvements in competitions are still not clarified. In addition, the change in the rules may have effects on swimmers even though they have beaten records with other swimwear. Finally, the debate concerning whether medals were won unfairly or not is proposed.

The aims of the study were to identify coach profiles and examine whether participants from distinct profiles significantly differed on burnout, emotions, and coping or not. A sample of 268 athletes (Mage = 29.34; SD = 12.37) completed a series of self-reported questionnaires. Cluster analyses revealed two coach leadership profiles: (a) profile 1 with high scores of training and instruction, authoritarian behavior, social support, and positive feedback, and a low score of democratic behavior; and (b) profile 2 with low levels in training and instruction, authoritarian behavior, social support, and positive feedback and high levels in democratic behavior. Results of Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) indicated significant differences across coach profiles on reduced accomplishment, sport devaluation, happiness and seeking support and marginal differences on dejection, logical analysis, imagery/thought control, and excitement. Moreover, coach leadership profiles were not confounded by demographic variables (level of competition, gender, age, number of practice hours, professional versus no professional athletes). As a conclusion, the profile approach offered a holistic way to examine coach leadership in sport as two distinct coach profiles emerged from the cluster analyses with an unexpected combination of coach leadership dimensions.

Este estudio ha tenido como objetivo analizar las diferencias en los indicadores de rendimiento de las pruebas finales de 50, 100 y 200 metros estilo libre. Se analizaron 384 nadadores pertenecientes a los Campeonatos Europeos de Natación en piscina de 25 y 50 metros. Se utilizaron diferentes variables de tipo: tiempo, velocidad, frecuencia de ciclo, longitud de ciclo e índice de nado, realizándose un análisis comparativo según género, pruebas y piscinas. Los resultados mostraron que los hombres fueron más rápidos, teniendo menores tiempos y niveles de frecuencia en las pruebas de 200 m. En cambio, las mujeres mostraron inferiores valores en las longitudes e índices de ciclo en las pruebas de 100 y 200 m. En la comparación entre piscinas, existen diferencias significativas en los tiempos finales, velocidades parciales y frecuencias de ciclos en la prueba de 200 m. Y finalmente, en las medias comparadas en función de la pruebas, existieron diferencias significativas en todos los indicadores, excepto en el índice de nado.