Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology最新文献

{"title":"Decoding the Contribution of Shoulder and Elbow Mechanics to Barbell Kinematics and the Sticking Region in Bench and Overhead Press Exercises: A Link-Chain Model with Single- and Two-Joint Muscles.","authors":"Paolo Evangelista, Lorenzo Rum, Pietro Picerno, Andrea Biscarini","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030322","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030322","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives:</b> This study investigates the biomechanics of the bench press and overhead press exercises by modeling the trunk and upper limbs as a kinematic chain of rigid links connected by revolute joints and actuated by single- and two-joint muscles, with motion constrained by the barbell. The aims were to (i) assess the different contributions of shoulder and elbow torques during lifting, (ii) identify the parameters influencing joint loads, (iii) explain the origin of the sticking region, and (iv) validate the model against experimental barbell kinematics. <b>Methods:</b> Equations of motion and joint reaction forces were derived analytically in closed form. Dynamic simulations produced vertical barbell velocity profiles under various conditions. A waveform similarity analysis was used to compare simulated profiles with experimental data from maximal bench press trials. <b>Results:</b> The sticking region occurred when shoulder torque dropped below a critical threshold, resulting in a local velocity minimum. Adding elbow torque reduced this dip and shifted the velocity minimum from 38 cm to 23 cm above the chest, although it prolonged the time needed to overcome it. Static analysis revealed that grip width and barbell constraint had a greater effect on shaping the sticking region than muscle architecture parameters. Elbow extensors contributed minimally during early lift phases but became dominant near full extension. Model predictions showed high similarity to experimental data in the pre-sticking (SI = 0.962, <i>p</i> = 0.028) and sticking (SI = 0.949, <i>p</i> = 0.014) phases, with reduced, non-significant similarity post-sticking (SI = 0.881, <i>p</i> > 0.05) due to the assumption of constant torques. <b>Conclusions:</b> The model offers biomechanical insight into how joint torques and barbell constraints shape movement. The findings support training strategies that target shoulder strength early in the lift and elbow strength near lockout to minimize sticking and improve performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12372072/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144956993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relative Strength Does Not Influence the Sticking Region Among Recreational Trained Participants in Squat.","authors":"Alexander Olsen, Vidar Andersen, Atle Hole Saeterbakken","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030321","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030321","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives</b>: The barbell back squat is one of the most frequently used exercises to improve lower-body strength and power. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of relative strength on the kinematics in the barbell back squat to a 90-degree angle. <b>Methods</b>: Forty-six recreationally trained men completed five familiarization sessions over three weeks to ensure proper lifting technique. The participants were tested in a ten-repetition maximum (10 RM), during which barbell velocity, acceleration, vertical displacement, and the time of the pre-sticking, sticking, and post-sticking regions were measured. The participants were then categorized into two groups: (1) the above-median group or (2) the below-median group, to examine whether kinematics were affected by relative strength (10 RM load/body weight). <b>Results</b>: The below-median group had a relative strength of 1.37, whereas the above-median group had a relative strength of 1.76. There was a 5.86% non-statistical difference (<i>p</i> = 0.052) in vertical barbell displacement between the groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in barbell velocity or lifting time for the whole movement nor differences between the groups for any of the kinematic variables in the pre-sticking, sticking, or post-sticking regions. When combining the data from the two groups, there was a significant weak negative correlation between relative strength and barbell displacement throughout the whole movement. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings suggest that distinct levels of relative strength may not influence lifting kinematics in 90-degree back squats among recreationally trained participants.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12372000/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144957083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Weight-Cutting Practices on Sleep, Recovery, and Injury in Combat Sports: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Adrian Kużdżał, Oleg Bilianskyi, Zbigniew Wroński, Grzegorz Magoń, Gracjan Olaniszyn, Magdalena Hagner-Derengowska, Anna Michalska","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030319","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030319","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives:</b> This scoping review aims to synthesize the methodological characteristics of weight-cutting strategies, summarize their effects on sleep, recovery, and injury outcomes, and identify research gaps. <b>Methods:</b> Following the PRISMA guidelines, searches were conducted on 20 May 2025, across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with snowball citation tracking and expert consultation to enhance retrieval. Inclusion criteria targeted peer-reviewed studies involving competitive or recreational combat sport athletes (all ages and sexes) undergoing weight-cutting practices, reporting outcomes on sleep (e.g., quality and duration), recovery (e.g., perceived fatigue and biomarkers), or injury incidence (e.g., reported injuries and odds ratios). Studies included randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials, or cohort studies with or without comparator groups. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool for randomized trials and the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies. <b>Results:</b> From 2784 records, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. Participant ages ranged from 17.79 ± 0.75 to 30.1 ± 7.5 years, predominantly national-level combat sport athletes (wrestling, judo, taekwondo, and MMA). Rapid weight loss (RWL, 2-10% body mass loss over 1-7 days) via food/fluid restriction, sauna use, and caloric deficits consistently increased creatine kinase (peaking at 713.4 ± 194.6 U/L), perceived fatigue (41.8 ± 0.9 to 51.3 ± 2.0 A.U.), and injury rates (45.62 injuries/1000 athletic exposures in females). Cortisol responses showed increases in some studies (from 499.9 ± 107.8 to 731.6 ± 80.2 nmol/L) and decreases in others (from 603.2 ± 146.8 to 505.8 ± 118.4 nmol/L). Sleep quality showed mild worsening (5.15 ± 1.83 to 5.52 ± 1.71 A.U.), and perceived recovery declined post-RWL (101.40 ± 2.52 to 87.63 ± 2.47 A.U.). <b>Conclusions:</b> RWL in combat sports consistently impairs recovery, increases muscle damage and fatigue, and increases injury risk, though sleep quality effects are less pronounced. Variability in weight-cutting protocols, outcome measures, and study designs shows the need for standardized methodologies, broader inclusion of female athletes, and longitudinal studies to assess long-term impacts.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12371904/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144957058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Age-Related Changes in Predictors of BMI in 6, 9 and 12-Year-Old Boys and Girls: The NW-CHILD Study.","authors":"Barry Gerber, Anita Elizabeth Pienaar","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030320","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030320","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: Information on childhood body composition is critical to understanding children's growth, development, and long-term health outcomes. BMI metrics, however, have several limitations for assessing and understanding changes in BMI. Therefore, understanding the influence of various body composition factors (covariates) that are linked to, and influence, BMI over time in growing children is important. This study aims to determine sex differences in longitudinal changes in covariates of BMI from 6 to 13 years. <b>Methods</b>: Participants (N = 332, 160 boys 172 girls) from North West Province in South Africa were assessed longitudinally at the following three time-points during their primary years of schooling: Grade 1 (6-7 years); Grade 4 (9-10 years); and Grade 7 (12-13 years). Covariates included: stature (cm); body weight (kg); sub-scapular-, calf-, and triceps skinfolds (mm); body fat percentage (%), relaxed forearm, waist and mid-upper arm circumferences; percentage fat weight; and percentage muscle weight. Correlational analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis in SPSS analyzed the significance of the contributions of the different covariates to changes in BMI from 6 to 12 years. <b>Results</b>: Different covariates influence BMI in boys and girls at different ages and the covariates also change over time in boys and girls. Weight had the strongest influence on the BMI of boys and girls, although the prediction value decreased over time. Weight and stature were consistently the strongest BMI predictors across all ages in boys. In girls, a broader range of variables influences BMI from a younger age, where slightly higher BMI correlations with fat-related variables emerged, and the percentage of fat weight distribution was a strong influential factor. These findings indicate a more in-depth analysis of BMI to determine sound intervention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12372163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144956726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pitch Invariance Reveals Skill-Specific Coordination in Human Movement: A Screw-Theoretic Reanalysis of Golf Swing Dynamics.","authors":"Wangdo Kim","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030315","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030315","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Skilled human movement, such as the golf swing, emerges from coordinated rotational and translational dynamics. This study investigates pitch-a screw-theoretic invariant defined as the ratio of linear to angular velocity along the instantaneous screw axis (ISA)-as a compact metric for quantifying motor coordination. <b>Methods:</b> We reanalyzed a validated motion capture dataset involving a proficient and a novice female golfer. ISA trajectories and pitch values were computed from 3D marker data, and synchronized with vertical ground reaction force (GRF) signals collected via force plate. <b>Results:</b> The proficient golfer exhibited tightly bounded pitch oscillations (approximately ±0.0025 cm/rad) that were temporally aligned with a single, well-defined GRF peak. In contrast, the novice showed irregular pitch fluctuations (-0.025 to +0.01 cm/rad) and asynchronous GRF patterns with multiple peaks. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings demonstrate that pitch can serve as a biomechanical indicator of skilled performance, reflecting the degree of intersegmental coordination and force timing. Screw theory thus offers a rigorous framework for evaluating movement efficiency in sport and rehabilitation contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12371979/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144957141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ultrasound-Guided Fascial Hydrorelease for Persistent Pain After Hamstring Injury.","authors":"Kousuke Shiwaku, Hidenori Otsubo, Daiki Nishikawa, Rikiya Itagaki, Hiroyuki Takashima, Gakuto Nakao, Tomoaki Kamiya, Daisuke Suzuki, Makoto Emori, Carla Stecco, Atsushi Teramoto","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030318","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030318","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Post-hamstring-injury residual pain may persist despite muscle-tissue healing and impairs athletes seeking early full recovery. Given their unclear cause, recent attention has focused on the role of fascial dysfunction and a method to restore fascial mobility, namely, hydrorelease (HR), involving the ultrasound (US)-guided injection of saline. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of HR for treating residual pain and ascertained the underlying pathological mechanisms. <b>Methods</b>: Seven patients (aged 17-49 years) with residual pain ≥8 weeks after hamstring injury were included. All exhibited localized tenderness and US findings of fascial thickening around the aponeurotic fascia (APF). HR with 6.0 mL saline-lidocaine solution (0.17% lidocaine) was performed and targeted the peri-APF loose connective tissues. Pain was evaluated using a numerical rating scale (NRS) before and after HR. Passive straight leg raise (SLR) was used to assess tightness. <b>Results</b>: Post-HR, the mean NRS score significantly decreased from 10 to 0.86 (<i>p</i> = 0.017). Four patients required a single HR session; three required two-four sessions. Post-HR, the tightness of all patients improved. Short-axis US of the posterior thigh revealed APF fascial thickening in the area of tenderness, including the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve (PFCN). No adverse events or recurrence occurred during the follow-up (mean: 6.6 months). <b>Conclusions</b>: HR targeting the peri-PFCN-APF effectively reduced residual pain following hamstring injury. These findings support the concept of \"Perineural fascial pain\"-a pathology wherein persistent pain originates not from direct nerve damage or classical myofascial pain syndrome but rather from the dysfunction of the surrounding fascia.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12371940/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144957152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Compression Garments on Muscle Oxygen Saturation Recovery in the Upper Limbs Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.","authors":"Maria Teresa Benincasa, Francesco Coiro, Silvia Coppola, Enrico Serra, Ester Celentano, Claudia Costa, Daniele Albano, Rodolfo Vastola","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030317","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030317","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In recent years, the use of compression garments has expanded into sports contexts to enhance performance and optimize post-exercise recovery. One of the most investigated physiological variables for evaluating their effectiveness has been peripheral muscle oxygenation, a crucial indicator of physical performance. However, studies regarding the effects of compression on the upper limbs remain limited and the topic is insufficiently explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of compression garments on muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) recovery in the biceps brachii after brief maximal isometric contractions. Specifically, physiological responses were compared between two conditions (with and without compression garments), hypothesizing that compression would promote faster and more efficient muscle reoxygenation compared to traditional clothing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fourteen male participants (mean age: 24.4 years; mean height: 176.75 cm; mean body mass: 73 kg) performed three 10 s isometric contractions separated by 180 s passive recovery periods under compression (CG) and non-compression (noCG) conditions. SmO₂ was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), assessing Half-Recovery Time (HRT), Overshoot Amplitude, Initial Slope, and the time constant τ.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The compression garment significantly reduced HRT (CG 8.52 s vs. noCG 10.21 s; <i>p</i> = 0.035), significantly increased Overshoot Amplitude (CG 21.40% vs. noCG 7.92%; <i>p</i> = 0.0014), resulted in a greater Initial Slope (CG 2.43%/s vs. noCG 2.09%/s; <i>p</i> = 0.027), and significantly reduced the time constant τ (CG 11.68 s vs. noCG 21.04 s; <i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The use of compression garments demonstrated significant improvements in post-exercise muscle oxygen saturation, suggesting potential advantages for muscle recovery and positive implications for athletic performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12371961/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144956998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Training on Postural Stability and Chronic Pain in Older Women with Osteoporosis: A Six-Month Prospective Pilot Study.","authors":"Katya Mollova, Steliyana Valeva, Nazife Bekir, Pavlina Teneva, Kaloyan Varlyakov","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030316","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: Osteoporosis is the most prevalent metabolic bone disease, characterized by decreased bone mineral density, which leads to increased bone fragility, back pain, impaired postural stability, and a heightened risk of fractures. Proprioceptive exercises have been identified as an effective approach for reducing the risk of falls and adverse events. <b>Objective</b>: Our aim was to conduct a pilot exploratory study evaluating the effectiveness of proprioceptive training in improving coordination and balance, and in reducing chronic thoracolumbar back pain in older women diagnosed with osteoporosis. <b>Methods</b>: Quantitative ultrasound bone densitometry was performed on 144 women over the age of 60, followed by the implementation of a proprioceptive training program. The One-Leg Stance balance test and the Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity were administered before and after a six-month training intervention. <b>Results</b>: ANOVA revealed significant improvements in balance, with the OLS duration increasing from 2.49 s at baseline to 7.31 s following the intervention. Participants aged over 70 years demonstrated a positive, though comparatively lower increase in stability and balance. Chi-squared (χ²) analysis indicated that 83.9% of the variance in OLS performance was attributable to proprioceptive training (Cramer's V = 0.839, <i>p</i> = 0.001). A significant reduction in VAS pain scores was observed, with 48.1% of the variance explained by the moderate effect of proprioceptive training (Cramer's V = 0.481, <i>p</i> = 0.001). <b>Conclusions</b>: Proprioceptive training has the potential to improve postural stability, balance, and coordination and stimulate pain intensity in the thoracolumbar region. Despite promising results, the absence of a control group limits our ability to draw definitive causal conclusions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12371942/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144957043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Short-Term Structural Exercise on Cardiopulmonary Function, Quality of Life, and Oxidative Status in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Case Series.","authors":"Narubet Mekkhayai, Jirakrit Leelarungrayub, Supatcha Konghakote, Rungtiwa Kanthain, Khanittha Wonglangka, Sunhawit Junrungsee, Mujalin Prasannarong","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030313","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030313","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) poses significant physiological challenges, especially during early postoperative recovery. While the long-term benefits of structured rehabilitation are well documented, data on short-term effects-particularly during the critical early inpatient phase-remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term impact of a structured exercise program on cardiopulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, physical performance, oxidative stress markers, and quality of life in LDLT recipients. <b>Methods:</b> Four LDLT recipients (2 males, 2 females; mean age 48.00 ± 18.35 years) underwent a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation protocol. Weeks 1-2 involved conventional care, while weeks 3-4 included structured exercise consisting of early mobilization and inspiratory muscle training. Outcome measures included cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (PImax, PEmax), 6 min walk distance (6MWD), lower limb muscle strength, Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), and serum oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and malondialdehyde [MDA]). <b>Results:</b> All patients demonstrated postoperative declines in VO₂ peak, PImax, PEmax, and TAC. Structured exercise yielded clinically meaningful improvements in respiratory muscle strength, notably in female and younger participants. Two younger patients showed increased 6MWD; however, no patient regained preoperative VO₂ peak. TAC levels decreased following the intervention, and MDA levels remained stable in most cases. <b>Conclusions:</b> A two-week structured exercise program during early postoperative recovery may provide partial benefits in respiratory muscle strength and physical performance but is insufficient to restore full cardiopulmonary function in LDLT recipients. Longer rehabilitation periods may be necessary to achieve preoperative recovery levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12372123/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144957030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hematological, Biochemical, and Performance Adaptations in Amateur Soccer Players Following a 4-Week Preseason Training Period.","authors":"Panagiotis Georgiadis, Pierros Thomakos, Ilias Smilios, Angeliki Papapanagiotou, Anastasia Evaggelatou, Gregory C Bogdanis","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10030314","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10030314","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: We examined changes in hematological, biochemical, and hormonal biomarkers, along with endurance and explosive performance indices, in amateur soccer players over a 4-week preseason period. <b>Methods</b>: Thirteen players (age: 19.7 ± 2.0 years; body mass: 73.0 ± 6.8 kg; height: 180 ± 0.1 cm; body fat: 8.6 ± 3.5%) were monitored during a 4-week preseason program, which included 21 training days, three friendly matches, and four days of rest. Before and after this period, endurance capacity was evaluated using the Yo-Yo IR1 test, and leg power was assessed using the CMJ. Blood samples were collected for three consecutive days in week 1 and after week 4 to assess hematological and biochemical parameters. Internal load during all weeks was assessed with session RPE (sRPE). <b>Results</b>: There was a 25.5% increase in Yo-Yo IR1 distance (2123 ± 413 vs. 1560 ± 356 m, <i>p</i> = 0.002), with the estimated VO₂max and the speed associated with VO₂max (vVO₂max) improving by 8.7% (49.5 ± 3.0 to 54.2 ± 3.5 mL/kg/min, <i>p</i> = 0.002) and 5.3% (16.0 ± 0.7 to 16.9 ± 0.6 km/h, <i>p</i> = 0.002), respectively. In contrast, CMJ performance in weeks 2-4 declined by 13.4-21.0% relative to baseline, while sRPE peaked during week 3 (4011 ± 440 AU). Hematological variables were mostly stable except for small increases in MCV and MCH (1.5-1.8%, <i>p</i> < 0.001), while there were significant reductions in urea (12%), uric acid (6.2%), and erythropoietin (33%). <b>Conclusions</b>: A 4-week preseason program substantially improved aerobic capacity yet compromised leg power. Changes in biomarker profiles suggest that the training load maintained an appropriate balance between overload and recovery. These findings provide valuable guidance for coaches seeking to optimize training protocols while minimizing the risk of overtraining and preventing injuries during the competitive season.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12372030/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144957056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}