Pekka Matomäki, Mimmi Iivari, Olli-Pekka Nuuttila, Timi Malinen
{"title":"Substituting Low-Intensity Endurance Exercise With High-Intensity Microintervals: Responses to Acute Exercise.","authors":"Pekka Matomäki, Mimmi Iivari, Olli-Pekka Nuuttila, Timi Malinen","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0397","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0397","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>During very short (≤15 s) high-intensity (∼100% maximum rate of oxygen uptake [VO2]) intervals, defined here as microintervals, VO2 and lactate concentrations can remain near the first lactate threshold (LT1). However, no research has yet identified microinterval combinations that maintain acute responses entirely within the low-intensity zone below LT1, accounting for oscillations caused by pulsating power output.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirteen endurance athletes cycled for four 45-minute exercises: continuous low-intensity exercise (CON; power: 88% LT1) and 3 microinterval exercises alternating 111% power associated to maximum rate of VO2 and ∼60 W, with cycles of 4-6, 7-23, and 10-20 s.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with CON, heart rate and VO2 did not exceed LT1 more during microintervals (P ≥ .26, effect size ≤ 0.44), and rating of perceived exertion was greater only during 10-20 s (3.1 [0.8] vs 2.4 [0.7], P = .01). Blood lactate and mean respiratory exchange ratio did not differ between exercises (analysis of variance P ≥ .36). All mean responses of 4-26 and 7-23 were equivalent to CON (P ≤ .02). Oscillation of the examined variables during microintervals was largely greater than CON only for heart rate (>100% greater; P ≤ .001, effect size ≥ 1.7), while oscillation of VO2 was at most 25% greater (P ≥ .02, effect size ≤ 0.70).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Microintervals could be classified as oscillating low-intensity exercises as they fulfill the traditional low-intensity criteria-responses of almost all internal variables did not exceed those of CON, not even fat oxidation. Microinterval exercises form a unique exercise class in which high-intensity muscular work blends with mild metabolic perturbation.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabriel Protzen, José Riesco-Villar, Alejandro González-Fernández, Aaron Escribano-Pascual, Daniel Boullosa
{"title":"Limited Validity of the Low-Cost Coospo H808S Heart-Rate Monitor Compared to the Polar H10.","authors":"Gabriel Protzen, José Riesco-Villar, Alejandro González-Fernández, Aaron Escribano-Pascual, Daniel Boullosa","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2025-0126","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study assessed the validity and agreement of the low-cost Coospo H808S chest-strap heart-rate (HR) monitor compared with the Polar H10 during varied conditions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifteen recreational runners (25 [5] y) participated in the study. Each participant wore both the Polar H10 and Coospo H808S simultaneously, with strap placement randomized. HR and HR variability (HRV) were recorded for 5 minutes in 3 conditions: supine, seated, and low-intensity running (rating of perceived exertion 2-3/10). The last 4 minutes of each recording were analyzed using Kubios HRV software, with both raw and medium-filtered data. Agreement between devices was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The raw data of the Coospo H808S demonstrated excellent agreement with the Polar H10 for HR and HRV in the supine condition (ICC > .96, P < .001). In the seated position, agreement remained excellent (ICC > .99, P < .001). During running, the HR agreement slightly decreased (ICC = .94, mean bias = -2.35), and root mean square of successive difference showed a marked reduction to poor agreement (ICC = -.24, mean bias = +17.6 milliseconds). After applying the filtering to the running HRV data, the agreement remained poor (ICC = .13, mean bias = -5.1 milliseconds).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Coospo H808S is a low-cost valid alternative to the Polar H10 for HR and HRV assessments in resting conditions and HR during running, but it presents divergences during low-intensity running for time-domain vagally related HRV indices. Researchers and practitioners should be cautious when using HRV data from low-cost monitors in dynamic conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144564792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Erratum. Limited Effects of a 6-Month Training Period on Repeated-Sprint Performance, Blood Lactate, and Jump Performance in Competitive Swimmers.","authors":"","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2025-0304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0304","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144553510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiaocong Zhang, Changhua Zhu, Zhiyong Ou, Lijuan Wu, Ming Li
{"title":"The Relationship Between Lower-Limb Asymmetry and Speed-Climbing Time: The Role of Muscle Thickness and Neural Activation.","authors":"Xiaocong Zhang, Changhua Zhu, Zhiyong Ou, Lijuan Wu, Ming Li","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2025-0052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study investigated lower-limb asymmetry in speed climbers and its relationship with climbing time while exploring the underlying mechanisms through muscle-thickness and activation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nineteen speed climbers completed muscle-thickness measurements, single-leg countermovement-jump tests, and speed-climbing tests. Muscle thickness was assessed using ultrasound, single-leg countermovement-jump tests were performed on a force platform, and climbing tests were conducted on a standardized climbing wall. Data were used to calculate muscle thickness, peak force (Fpeak), rate of force development, and integrated electromyography [EMG] percentage (iEMG %). Correlation analysis assessed the relationship between lower-limb asymmetry and climbing time, while paired t tests and asymmetry indices were used to analyze differences and asymmetry levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed significant positive correlations between climbing time and asymmetry indices of Fpeak (r = .57, P = .028) and rate of force development (r = .52, P = .045). No significant differences were observed in Fpeak, rate of force development, muscle thickness, iEMG (%) during jumping, or iEMG (%) of the biceps brachii and medial gastrocnemius during climbing (P > .05). However, significant differences were found in rectus femoris iEMG (%) during climbing (P = .028, d = 0.89). Most asymmetry indices, except for Fpeak, muscle thickness, and iEMG (%) of the biceps brachii and medial gastrocnemius, exceeded 15%, indicating high asymmetry levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights significant lower-limb asymmetry in speed climbers, potentially affecting performance. Findings suggest neural-activation differences, rather than muscle thickness, as the primary contributors. Regular monitoring and targeted interventions are recommended to reduce asymmetry and its impact on performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144527915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Normalizing Acceleration and Power in Elite Soccer With Acceleration-Speed Profiles: A Case Study of Game Segment, Position, and Goal Differential.","authors":"Patrick Cormier, Ming-Chang Tsai, Marc Klimstra","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2025-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Acceleration-speed (AS) profiling provides a novel way to quantify soccer players' maximum running ability without requiring dedicated sprint tests. This study explored how normalizing player effort with AS profiles could reveal unique patterns of changes in effort compared with nonnormalized absolute values during distinct goal differential conditions throughout matches and across positions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>AS profiles were developed from global navigation satellite system sensor data from 3 years of match play from a women's national soccer team. Acceleration and power data were then grouped into low, moderate, high, and very high speed domains using either nonnormalized maximum values or normalized values based on individualized AS profiles. Separate linear mixed model analyses were carried out for normalized and nonnormalized data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed that when examining changes in acceleration effort based on goal differential, both normalized and nonnormalized values showed a general increase in effort when either in a draw, or winning in the first half, and a general trend in sustained effort when losing in the first half or losing/drawn throughout the match. Furthermore, differences were mostly displayed at high to very high running-speed domains for normalized and moderate- to low-speed zones for nonnormalized metrics.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings highlight the value of using individual AS and power profiles to normalize effort to facilitate investigation of player- and position-specific differences and reveal important positional behaviors displayed when in draw, losing, or winning states from first to second halves.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144505628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hannes Kock, Jürgen Wick, Thomas Gronwald, Marko S Laaksonen, Helen Hanstock
{"title":"The Making of a Biathlete: Insights From 2 Decades of Training Data From Junior, World, and Olympic Champions.","authors":"Hannes Kock, Jürgen Wick, Thomas Gronwald, Marko S Laaksonen, Helen Hanstock","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0382","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>To retrospectively describe the annual training characteristics of elite biathletes across different age groups over 2 decades.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Self-documented training-diary data from 18 elite biathletes (tier 4/5, 7 ♀, 11 ♂) between 1994 and 2014 were included in the study and classified by age group (junior: 16-18 y, U23: 19-23 y, senior: >23 y). Linear mixed models were used to analyze the effect of age group on training characteristics (intensity, distance, time, and modality shooting training) for each sex.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Male biathletes increased their total training volume (TV) by 34% across age groups, while female biathletes did not show increasing TV with age. Endurance TV increased from junior to senior level by 35% and 23% in both men and women. The proportional distribution of low-intensity training, moderate-intensity training,, and high-intensity training was significantly different for both sexes between age groups. Senior male biathletes shot 4% and 15% more annual shots than Under-23s and juniors due to greater number of technical and in-competition shots, while females only increased in-competition shots at senior level.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides further insights into the biathlon training puzzle, suggesting sex-specific differences in training strategies from junior to senior level. Our data may emphasize the importance of increasing endurance TV from junior to senior level by increasing the proportion of low-intensity training, with a reduction in moderate-intensity training and maintenance of high-intensity training when transitioning between age groups. Increasing the number of technical shots, as well as in-competition shots, while maintaining precision-shooting volumes may also be important for biathletes' long-term development.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nikolaos D Asimakidis, Marco Beato, Chris Bishop, Anthony N Turner
{"title":"Evaluating the Reliability and Seasonal Sensitivity of a Fitness-Testing Battery in Elite Youth Soccer.","authors":"Nikolaos D Asimakidis, Marco Beato, Chris Bishop, Anthony N Turner","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2025-0055","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate the reliability and seasonal sensitivity of a fitness-testing battery in elite youth soccer players using 2 data-treatment methods: (1) the best score of multiple trials and (2) the mean of multiple trials.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Countermovement jump (CMJ), single-leg CMJ, isometric midthigh pull, Nordic hamstring strength, 10-m sprint, 505 change of direction, and the Bronco endurance test were assessed in 24 elite academy soccer players (age 17.6 [1.0] y, height 183.5 [8.5] cm, body mass 78.2 [8.5] kg) at preseason, midseason, and end of season.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The CMJ, Nordic hamstring strength, 10-m sprint, 505 change of direction, and Bronco tests demonstrated high sensitivity to change (signal-to-noise ratio [SNR]: 1.14-3.08), with over 60% of athletes displaying an individual SNR >1.0. In contrast, single-leg CMJ and isometric midthigh pull relative peak force exhibited the lowest reliability and sensitivity (SNR: 0.93-1.19), with less than 60% of athletes demonstrating an individual SNR >1.0, suggesting limited utility for evaluating performance changes. While the mean of multiple trials generally yielded marginally better reliability and sensitivity, both data-treatment methods were similar.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The majority of the studied fitness tests were reliable and sensitive enough to detect meaningful changes over a season in elite youth soccer players. Practitioners can select either the best trial or mean of trials for data analysis, depending on their context. Overall, these findings illustrate the reliability and seasonal sensitivity of common fitness tests, enabling practitioners to prioritize tests that accurately monitor player performance changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Filipe Maia, Fábio Y Nakamura, Ricardo Pimenta, Sandro Tito, Henrique Sousa, João Ribeiro
{"title":"Intermittent Pneumatic Compression May Reduce Muscle Soreness but Does Not Improve Neuromuscular Function Following Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.","authors":"Filipe Maia, Fábio Y Nakamura, Ricardo Pimenta, Sandro Tito, Henrique Sousa, João Ribeiro","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0410","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0410","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the impact of an intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) protocol on the recovery kinetics following exercise-induced muscle damage caused by an all-out flywheel protocol consisting of 6 sets of 12-repetition squats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-three active male university students (age 20.85 [2.8] y, height 178 [5.7] cm, body mass 75.05 [7.54] kg) were randomly assigned to either a 30-minute peristaltic IPC treatment at 200 mm Hg or a 30-minute placebo intervention (ie, simulated microcurrent treatment). Participants performed functional tests, including maximal knee extension and flexion, countermovement jump, and broad jump, and completed a perceptual soreness questionnaire before the fatigue protocol, immediately after the 30-minute recovery intervention and 24 and 48 hours postintervention. To examine the effects of the fatigue protocol and recovery interventions, a 2 × 4 repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted, and effect sizes were calculated to assess practical relevance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant time effect was observed for all measurements (ηp2: .216-.697; P < .05), indicating substantial fatigue from the exercise-induced-muscle-damage protocol. However, no statistically significant differences were detected between recovery interventions (ηp2: .001-.130; P: .155-.859). Notably, based on the effect-size analysis, a consistent trend toward reduced perceived soreness with IPC was observed, which may hold practical relevance for athletes (d: 0.32-0.75).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, a 30-minute IPC application immediately following exercise-induced muscle damage does not appear to improve the recovery kinetics of jumping and maximal voluntary contraction performance; however, the potential reduction in perceived soreness suggests a need for further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tiago A Neves, Igor Soalheiro, Ciro Winckler, Lars B Michalsik, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Ricardo L F Guerra
{"title":"The Impact of Unilateral and Bilateral Plyometric Training Combined With Linear Sprints on Physical Performance in Youth Male Elite Futsal Players.","authors":"Tiago A Neves, Igor Soalheiro, Ciro Winckler, Lars B Michalsik, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Ricardo L F Guerra","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0538","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0538","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To compare the effect of linear sprint training combined with plyometric training involving unilateral compared with bilateral exercises on youth male elite futsal players' physical performance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>During 4 weeks of their regular futsal training routine, players were randomly distributed into groups. Plyometric training involved bipedal (BG, n = 13) or unipedal (UG, n = 11) horizontal maximum-intensity jumps, and linear sprint training involved maximal-intensity 10-m sprints. The 2 training groups completed an equal number of total jumps (n = 837) and sprints (n = 280), and the control group (CG, n = 10) worked with a futsal ball to equate temporally the training time. Players were measured in squat and countermovement jump, standing long jump, 5-multiple-bounds test, sprint (10 and 20 m), and T-test change-of-direction speed (CODS). Two-way analysis of variance (group × time) with Tukey post hoc and effect size were calculated. Significance levels were set at P < .05 for all tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No time-group interactions were noted. Time effects were noted for vertical and horizontal jumps (squat jump, countermovement jump [cm, W·kg-1], standing long jump dominant, nondominant [cm]), with moderate and mainly large (magnitude) improvements to UG and BG, and only small or ignored to CG. The sprints presented large improvements to BG (10 and 20 m) and UG (20 m) and small or moderate to CG, which was similar to the CODS (except for the ignored magnitude to CG).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Linear sprint training combined with plyometric training involving unilateral or bilateral exercises seems to induce similar improvements in youth male futsal players' physical performance, including vertical and horizontal jump performance and linear and CODS sprint performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maxime Chauvineau, Enzo Hollville, François Duforez, Gaël Guilhem, Mathieu Nedelec
{"title":"Effect of a High-Heat-Capacity Mattress Topper on Sleep in Elite Badminton Players During a Summer Training Period: Does 1 Size Fit All?","authors":"Maxime Chauvineau, Enzo Hollville, François Duforez, Gaël Guilhem, Mathieu Nedelec","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0554","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0554","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Inadequate sleep quantity or quality is common in elite athletes and may worsen with high summer temperatures. High-heat-capacity bedding systems have demonstrated beneficial effects on several sleep parameters. The present study evaluated the effect of a high-heat-capacity mattress topper (HMT) on sleep quantity and quality in elite badminton players during a summer training period.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In a randomized, single-blinded, and counterbalanced order, 14 elite badminton players completed two 1-week conditions: sleeping on HMT and on a low-heat-capacity mattress topper. Sleep-wake patterns and perceived sleep quality were assessed daily using actigraphy and sleep diaries alongside nocturnal thermal comfort and sensation. Nocturnal core body temperature was monitored continuously for 2 consecutive nights per condition. Seven players also performed a 1-night polysomnography in each condition for gold-standard assessment of sleep architecture.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Despite a significant reduction in core body temperature (-0.037 °C, P < .001), sleeping on HMT did not affect any sleep variable or perceived sleep quality, thermal comfort, or sensation (all P > .05) compared with a low-heat-capacity mattress topper. Nevertheless, players with poorer sleep efficiency (<91.6%) and longer wake after sleep onset (>27.1 min) showed significant improvements in sleep efficiency (+1.5%, P < .01) and wake after sleep onset (-6.4 min, P < .001) relative to those wither greater values.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights that HMT did not improve sleep quantity and quality in elite badminton players. However, it provides evidence of improved sleep efficiency and reduced wakefulness for those with more disturbed sleep, suggesting an individual approach when prescribing this sleep strategy.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}