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Study aim: Dietary and non-dietary weight loss methods are highly prevalent among combat sports athletes (CSA). Most CSA undergo rapid weight loss (RWL) usually a week before the competition to reduce their body mass and thus compete in the lowest weight category possible. The objective of the study was to distinguish the impact of high-intensity sport-specific training (HISST) combined with RWL (phase 1 – P1) on muscle damage markers as well as the effects of HISST alone (phase 2 – P2).

Study aim: The aim of this study is to assess whether a closed (CG) or open grip (OC) can influence the maximum number of repetitions during the pull-up test to exhaustion.

Study aim: This study aimed to evaluate predictors of futsal-specific change-of-direction speed and futsal-specific reactive agility in professional male futsal players.

Study aim: To asses and compare the aerobic capacity and respiratory parameters in recreational basketball-engaged university students with age-matched untrained young adults.

Study aim: The body structure can play a determining role in the achievement of top judo performance, and it seems to influence the type of techniques applied. The aim of this study is to determine the somatotypes in male and female national level judokas across weight categories in order to observe possible differences among athletes.

Study aim. The purpose of the current study is to determine the impact of single bouts of physical exercise of different duration and intensity on young adults’ executive functions.

Background/Aim. All changes in the knee that appear after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lesion lead to difficulties in walking, running, jumping especially during sudden changes of the line of movement. This significantly impairs quality of life of these subjects and leads to decrease in physical activity. Knee injuries make 5% of all most severe acute sport injuries. The aim of the study was to determine strength of the thigh muscles in persons with unilateral rupture of the ACL and to evaluate potential bilateral differences between healthy and injured leg. Methods. This study involved 114 male athletes of different sport specialities with the clinical diagnosis of ACL rupture. Each subject had unilateral ACL rupture and the other leg was actually the control for this research. An isokinetic device was used to evaluate the muscle strength of thigh muscles. Testing was performed for two testing speeds, 60º/s and 180º/s. Results. Data analysis showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) between the ACL and the healthy leg in the following parameters: peak torque for thigh extensors (Ptrq_E), angle to peak torque during extension (Ang_E), power of extension (Pow_E) and work during extension (Work_E). Analysing hamstrings to quadriceps (H/Q) ratio we found the unilateral disbalance of thigh muscle strength in ACL leg. Conclusion. A high level of validity makes isokinetic dynamometry the method for evaluation of thigh muscles strength and leaves this field of research open for new studies in order to improve both diagnostic and rehabilitation of patients with the insufficient ACL.

Background/Aim. The Wingate anaerobic test is a valid and reliable method of measuring anaerobic capacity. The aim of this study was to determine whether other modified test can be used instead of the Wingate test. Methods. A group of 30 sedentary young men were first tested with a cycle ergometer (classic Wingate test), and then with a dynamometer during 30 s of 'all out' leg extension exercise (modified Wingate test; WAnTe) in order to test anaerobic capacity. Subsequent correlations between these tests were made. Results. Peak power, mean power on cycling ergometer in absolute and relative values were 463 ± 105 W, 316.7 ± 63.8 W, 5.68 ± 1.17 W/kg, 3.68 ± 0.78 W/kg, respectively. On a dynamometer absolute and relative values of maximal and mean load in kg and power in Watts were 136.54 ± 21.3 kg, 1.67 ± 0.26; 128.65 ± 19.93 kg, 1.57 ± 0.24 kg, 657 ± 125.87 W, and 8 ± 1.54 W/kg, respectively. There was no correlation between 5 s intervals of the classic Wingate test and WAnTe during the first, fourth and fifth intervals, but in the second (r = 0.49, p < 0.05), third (r = 0.38, p < 0.05) and last 5 s intervals (r = 0.39, p < 0.05), and also in peak power and mean power (r = 0.42, p < 0.05 and r = 0.45, p < 0.05 respectively), a significant positive correlation was detected. Conclusion. A modified Wingate test of leg extension on a dynamometer in sedentary young men shows a correlation with the classic Wingate test only in parameters of peak power, and mean power and the second, the third and the last 5 s intervals. Because of that it should only be used for orientation, whereas for precise measurements of anaerobic capacity the classic Wingate test should be used.

Study aim: the aim of the study was to identify differences between athletically trained and untrained subjects with respect to body composition, motor and cognitive abilities.

This study investigated the weight loss (WL) practices of Chinese amateur boxers using the Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire (RWLQ). A total of 701 (563 males, 138 females) boxers participated in the study and were categorized by sex, age group, and competitive level. Sixty-seven percent of boxers purposefully engaged in WL practices before competition. The average habitual WL was 6.0% (5.8% for juniors and 6.3% for seniors) of body mass (BM), with the average highest WL was 9.5% (9.1% for juniors and 10.1% for seniors) of BM. Most participants (69% for juniors and 84% for seniors) allocated 15+ days for WL before competition. No significant differences in habitual WL%, highest WL%, and rapid weight loss score (RWLS) were found between age groups or competitive levels (all p > 0.05). However, males' highest WL% and RWLS were significantly higher than females (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). International boxers began WL later than local boxers (15.5 vs. 14.3 years, p = 0.012). National boxers began WL later than provincial and local boxers (15.6 vs. 14.8 years, p < 0.001; 15.6 vs. 14.3 years, p < 0.001). Increased exercise and training in plastic suits were the most frequently used WL methods. Coaches were identified as the most influential person concerning boxer's WL practices, surpassing doctors or nutritionists. This study found that some WL practices among Chinese boxers differ from those in other sports and countries. Although the prevalence of WL among junior boxers was relatively low, the magnitude of WL was high, warranting more attention in both academic and practical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the effect size of conservative methods based on exercise for respondents with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: This study was developed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched in May 2023. The key search terms were "Idiopathic scoliosis", "Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis", "Cobb angle", "Angle of trunk rotation", "Quality of life", "Schroth method", and "Core stabilization exercises". Risk of bias was assessed for each randomized trial using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the methodological index for non-randomized studies. The outcomes included Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and quality of life (QoL). R 4.0.5 software was used, and standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for continuous outcomes using a random model. Results: In total, 23 studies were included. Depending on the outcome measured, the effect size of the different methods in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis ranged from small to large as follows: Cobb angle (SMD = −0.43, p < 0.0001), ATR (SMD = −0.25, p = 0.06), FVC (SMD = 0.48, p = 0.03), FEV1 (SMD = 0.51, p = 0.004), and QoL (SMD = 0.95, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis indicates the positive effects of applying conservative methods based on therapeutic exercises on patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display%5frecord.php?RecordID=373554 , PROSPERO (CRD42022373554). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The movement of the barbell has been detected as success factor for the snatch and the clean and jerk events. As the barbell's movement has been shown to be related to the athlete's body movement, we hypothesized that the latter could be a success factor also for the back squat (BS) event. Hence, this study aimed to investigate postural control during the execution of the BS at different load intensities in powerlifters and weightlifters. Methods: Seventeen powerlifters and weightlifters were enrolled and the one-repetition maximum (1-RM) of the BS of each participant was measured. Afterwards, the assessment of postural control during the execution of the BS at different load intensities (i.e. 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%) of the 1-RM of each participant was carried out through a posturographic platform to measure the displacement of the centre of pressure (CoP). The following parameters were considered: sway path length (SPL), sway ellipse surface (SES), length/surface (LFS ratio), sway mean speed (SMS), CoP coordinates along X and Y planes. Results: We found a significant increase in SPL and LFS ratio, and a significant decrease in SMS as the load intensity increased. In detail, we detected a significant difference in: (a) SPL between the BS at 60% and 80%, 60% and 90%, 60% and 100%; between the BS at 70% and 90%, 70% and 100%; between the BS at 80% and 100%; and between the BS at 90% and 100%; (b) SMS between the BS at 60% and 80%, 60% and 90%; (c) LFS ratio between the BS at 60% and 90%, 60% and 100%. Conclusions: These results suggest that powerlifters and weightlifters adopt different postural control strategies depending on the load intensity when performing the BS. Our findings showed that higher effort could affect postural control during the BS. Thus, postural control could be considered a success factor for the BS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous physical activity interventions for children (5-12yrs) have aimed to change determinants associated with self-report physical activity behaviour (PAB) and/or sedentary behaviour (SB), however, the associations between these determinants and PAB/SB in different settings are uncertain. The present study aimed to identify modifiable determinants targeted in previous PAB/SB interventions for children. Intervention effects on the determinants and their associations with self-report PAB/SB were assessed across settings. Search of relevant interventions from pre-defined databases was conducted up to July 2023. Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials with modifiable determinants were included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were conducted by two independent researchers. Where data could be pooled, we performed Robust Bayesian meta-analyses. Heterogeneity, publication bias and certainty of evidence were assessed. Fifteen studies were deemed eligible to be included. Thirty-seven unique determinants within four settings were identified–school, family, school with family/home, and community with(out) other settings. Ninety-eight percent of determinants belonged to individual/interpersonal determinant categories. Narratively, intervention effects on student perception of teachers' behaviour (school), self-management, perceived barriers, external motivation, exercise intention, parental modeling on SB (school with family/home) and MVPA expectations (community) were weak to strong, however, corresponding PAB/SB change was not evident. There were negligible effects for all other determinants and the corresponding PAB/SB. Meta-analyses on self-efficacy, attitude, subjective norm and parental practice and PAB/SB in two settings showed weak to strong evidence against intervention effect, while the effect on knowledge could not be determined. Similarly, publication bias and heterogeneity for most analyses could not be ascertained. We found no concrete evidence of association between the modifiable determinants and self-report PAB/SB in any settings. This is presumably due to intervention ineffectiveness. Design of future interventions should consider to follow the systems-based approach and identify determinants unique to the context of a setting, including policy and environmental determinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the angular kinematics of the hip, knee, ankle, and the linear kinematics of the barbell during the back squat (BS) at different load intensities in powerlifters and weightlifters. Methods: Seventeen athletes were recruited (n = 14 powerlifters; n = 3 weightlifters). The 1-RM of the BS of each participant was calculated and, 1-week after, each participant was asked to perform 5 trials of the BS at different load intensities (i.e., 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%) of the 1-RM. An action camera recorded the execution of each BS trial in the sagittal plane and, afterward, the videos were analyzed by measuring the range of motion (ROM) of hip, knee, and ankle for the angular kinematics, and the timing, distances, speeds, and accelerations of the barbell for the linear kinematics. Results: Regarding the angular kinematics, no significant differences were found in the parameters in the starting and ending positions among the 5 trials, while a significant decrease was found in the hip relative angle (p = 0.026) in the maximum flexion position as load intensity increased. Regarding the linear kinematics, a significant difference was found in the descent acceleration (p = 0.049) in the descent phase, while a significant difference was found in the ascent speed (p <.001) and vertical speed of ascent (p <.001) in the ascent phase, which decreased as load intensity increased. Discussion: Our findings show that the angular and linear kinematics of BS change as load intensity increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practicing physical activities or sports that involve frequent jumping and landing can strain the muscles and joints of the lower limbs, especially in those who do not have adequate physical preparation. The objective of this study was to (a) determine the correlation between ankle range of motion (ROM) and landing stability following jumps; (b) assess the association between the jump height in a counter-movement jump (CMJ) test and ankle ROM; and (c) examine the connection between stabilometry during specific jumps movements present in many sports and in ankle stabilization. Sixty-two healthy amateur volleyball players participated in the study (age: thirty-seven females and twenty-five males; age (years): 16.5 ± 4.25; height (cm): 166 ± 11.4; weight (Kg): 61.6 ± 13.7). Participants were recruited for the study in collaboration with student sports associations. The evaluations encompassed the measurement of ankle joint mobility for both lower limbs using an inertial sensor, a static baropodometric and stabilometric analysis using a pressure platform, and the CMJ test using the Microgate system. After the assessments, participants performed a "specific jump landing task". Significant correlations were found between foot range of motion (ROM) and counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance. Specifically, the ROM of the right foot had a strong correlation with the CMJ (r = 0.81, p < 0.001), while the left foot ROM showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). The specific jump task revealed substantial changes in stabilometry parameters, particularly during forward hops compared to lateral jumps. Dorsiflexion ROM significantly impacts jumping ability. Evaluating landing patterns and stabilometry during targeted activities can help optimize training, improve dynamic balance, and reduce ankle injury risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low back pain is the most frequently reported musculoskeletal disorder and represents one of the highest patient burdens in healthcare. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Pilates exercise on pain intensity and functional disability caused by low back pain (LBP). A Systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted. Data sources: MEDLINE-NLM and MEDLINE-EBSCO. We also searched on Scopus Elsevier, Cochrane, DOAJ, SciELO, PEDro, and PLOS ONE databases. Eligibility criteria: randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating LBP in which the primary treatment was based on Pilates exercise compared with no exercise, or non-specific exercise. The search returned 1566 records of which 36 articles were included in the systematic review and 19 in the meta-analysis. Twenty-two studies compared the effects of Pilates exercise vs no exercise and 13 studies examined the effects of Pilates exercise vs non-specific exercise. Analysis showed that Pilates had a positive effect on the perception of LBP vs no exercise. A similar trend occurred with non-specific exercise. Pilates exercise can decrease LBP compared to no exercise and non-specific exercise. General practitioners should consider Pilates exercise as an effective strategy to manage LBP and counteract the growing health. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022308387. Pilates is a good strategy for improving low back pain and is more effective than other exercise programs or no exercise. Pilates is a safe tool to apply to most of the population with low back pain. Pilates is a non-pharmacological strategy useful for counteracting low back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the efficacy of a novel polycomponent formulation (KARISMA Rh Collagen® FACE, Taumedika Srl, Rome, Italy), containing 200 mg/mL of non-crosslinked high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA), 200 μg/mL of a human recombinant polypeptide of collagen-1 alpha chain, and 40 mg/mL of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a regenerative medicine for skin regeneration and rejuvenation. This formulation combines non-crosslinked high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, human recombinant polypeptide of collagen-1 alpha chain, and carboxymethyl cellulose to stimulate collagen type I production and enhance skin hydration. This study involved 100 subjects with varying skin conditions, divided into three groups based on skin aging, smoking history, and facial scarring, to evaluate the product's effectiveness in skin regeneration and aesthetic improvement. The methodology included two injections of Karisma (2 mL for each injection) one month apart, with evaluations conducted using FACE-Q questionnaires, the SGAIS Questionnaire, and Antera 3D skin scanner measurements at baseline, 30 days, and 60 days post-treatment. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in skin roughness and an improvement in skin quality across all the groups, with no correlation between the outcomes and the patient's age. The subjective assessments also indicated high satisfaction with the treatment's aesthetic results. The analyzed data allow us to conclude that the single-stranded collagen with hyaluronic acid and carboxymethyl-cellulose formulation is able to stimulate the skin's regenerative response, yielding significant results both in vitro and, through our study, also in vivo. This new polycomponent formulation effectively stimulates skin regeneration, improving skin quality and texture, with significant aesthetic benefits perceived by patients, and a low incidence of adverse events, marking a promising advancement in regenerative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]