Dylan R Poulus, Patricia C Jackman, Job Fransen, Remco C J Polman, Kyle J M Bennett
{"title":"An exploration of high-performance environments in esports: A preliminary model.","authors":"Dylan R Poulus, Patricia C Jackman, Job Fransen, Remco C J Polman, Kyle J M Bennett","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2533538","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2533538","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The professionalisation of esports has led to increased investment in high-performance environments. However, disparities in resources and infrastructure between major and minor regions remain a challenge to achieving competitive parity. We explored key success factors in elite esports environments and developed a preliminary conceptual model to capture the core elements identified. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with elite players (<i>n</i> = 10), coaches (<i>n</i> = 9), and support staff (<i>n</i> = 7) from major and minor regions. Three categories were developed to represent the key success factors: <i>training environment</i>, <i>interpersonal dynamics</i>, and <i>intrapersonal development</i>. Players from major regions benefited from structured support, including dedicated training facilities, psychological services, and in-person cohesion-building strategies. In contrast, minor region players faced resource limitations, restricted access to support services, and appeared at high risk of burnout. From these findings, we proposed the Esports High-Performance Model (EHPM), a multi-layered, context-specific preliminary model illustrating the interplay between training conditions, social dynamics, and individual development in high-performance esports settings. This model offers a foundation for future research and can inform policies to support healthy, sustainable esports environments. The EHPM also provides a promising platform of evidence upon which to develop policies and practices that address disparities between regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"2380-2403"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144731937","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}
Benjamin Jonathan Narang, Kristina Drole, James F P Barber, Paul S R Goods, Tadej Debevec
{"title":"Utility of hypoxic modalities for musculoskeletal injury rehabilitation in athletes: A narrative review of mechanisms and contemporary perspectives.","authors":"Benjamin Jonathan Narang, Kristina Drole, James F P Barber, Paul S R Goods, Tadej Debevec","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2024.2416779","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2024.2416779","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent evidence suggests that different hypoxic modalities might accelerate the rehabilitation process in injured athletes. In this review, the application of hypoxia during rehabilitation from musculoskeletal injury is explored in relation to two principles: (1) facilitating the healing of damaged tissue, and (2) mitigating detraining and inducing training adaptations with a reduced training load. Key literature that explores the underlying mechanisms for these themes is presented, and considerations for practice and future research directions are outlined. For principle (1), passive intermittent hypoxic exposures might accelerate tissue healing through angiogenic and osteogenic mechanisms. Experimental evidence is largely derived from rodent research, so further work is warranted to establish whether clinically meaningful effects can be observed in humans, before optimal protocols are determined (duration, frequency, and hypoxic severity). Regarding principle (2), a hypoxia-related increase in the cardiometabolic stimulus imposed by low-load exercise is appealing for load-compromised athletes. As rehabilitation progresses, a variety of hypoxic modalities can be implemented to enhance adaptation to energy-systems and resistance-based training, and more efficiently return the athlete to competition readiness. While hypoxic modalities seem promising for accelerating musculoskeletal injury rehabilitation in humans, and are already being widely used in practice, a significant gap remains regarding their evidence-based application.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"2227-2240"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142502742","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}
Tulasiram Bommasamudram, Zoe G Morrell, Matthew J Clarkson, Kirtana Raghurama Nayak, Rajagopal Kadavigere, Aaron P Russell, Stuart A Warmington
{"title":"Chronic adaptations to blood flow restriction aerobic or bodyweight resistance training: A systematic review.","authors":"Tulasiram Bommasamudram, Zoe G Morrell, Matthew J Clarkson, Kirtana Raghurama Nayak, Rajagopal Kadavigere, Aaron P Russell, Stuart A Warmington","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2474346","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2474346","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This systematic review aimed to examine the chronic adaptations of blood flow restriction (BFR) in conjunction with aerobic and bodyweight resistance training. A search of the electronic databases PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, SPORTDiscus® (via EBSCOhost), Embase, and Cochrane (Central) was conducted to identify relevant published studies. The inclusion criteria encompassed a healthy adult sample population (>18 years), original studies, chronic exercise training interventions (minimum 2 weeks duration) employing aerobic BFR exercise or bodyweight resistance BFR exercise, and comparisons with equivalent intensity non-BFR aerobic or bodyweight resistance training. Thirty-three (<i>n</i> = 33) studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Among the included studies, chronic adaptations to BFR aerobic training were characterized by significant improvements in aerobic capacity (4-9%), muscle strength (6-31%), and muscle hypertrophy (2-11%) compared to non-BFR aerobic training. Furthermore, bodyweight resistance BFR training increased muscle hypertrophy (3-5%) and strength (4-11%). The findings suggest that both aerobic and bodyweight BFR training provide interchangeable options for practitioners prescribing BFR without access to a traditional equipment filled training environment, supporting flexibility in exercise programme design tailored to individual preferences, facility constraints, and specific fitness goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"2241-2255"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143567472","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":"The influence of specific resistance training methodological prescription variables on strength development under hypoxic conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Cristina Benavente, Belén Feriche","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2024.2425536","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2024.2425536","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted focused on the impact of specific methodological prescription variables in resistance training (R<sub>T</sub>) programming on muscle strength under hypoxic conditions. Searches of Pubmed-Medline, Web of Science, Sport Discuss and the Cochrane Library compared the effect of R<sub>T</sub> on strength development under hypoxic (RTH) vs. normoxic (RTN) conditions through the 1-repetition maximum (1RM) test. Apart from the overall meta-analysis, several R<sub>T</sub> methodological prescription variables available in the included studies (set end point, total weekly training volume, type of exercise, region of the body measured or type of routine) were analysed. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall analyses showed trivial differences in 1RM favouring RTH over RTN (SMD = 0.18 [CI: 0.04; 0.31]; <i>p</i> = 0.030). Sub-analyses revealed that a R<sub>T</sub> programme of a non-full-body routine, including 9 or more sets per exercise/week of multi-joint exercises performed to non-failure, favoured RTH for enhancing 1RM (<i>p</i> < 0.10). In conclusion, the evidence ratified a trivial benefit of RTH over RTN for muscle strength gains after a R<sub>T</sub> period. However, the handling of specific R<sub>T</sub> methodological prescription variables can slightly improve strength development outcomes in hypoxia.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"2105-2114"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142648165","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}
Jeremy P Loenneke, William B Hammert, Ryo Kataoka, Yujiro Yamada, Takashi Abe
{"title":"Twenty-five years of blood flow restriction training: What we know, what we don't, and where to next?","authors":"Jeremy P Loenneke, William B Hammert, Ryo Kataoka, Yujiro Yamada, Takashi Abe","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2474329","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2474329","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Blood flow restriction is a technique that involves inflating a cuff at the proximal portion of the limb with the goal of reducing arterial inflow into the muscle and venous outflow from the muscle. Low-load or low-intensity exercise in combination with blood flow restriction has been consistently shown to augment adaptations over the same/similar exercise without restriction, with changes in muscle size and strength being two of the most commonly measured adaptations. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an updated narrative review on blood flow restriction. Blood flow restriction's history, methodology, safety, and efficacy are highlighted. We discuss the effects of blood flow restriction on changes in muscle size and strength, and also review work completed on other variables (e.g. bone, resting blood flow, tendon, pain sensitivity, cognition, orthostatic intolerance). We finish by highlighting six possible areas for future research: 1) identifying mechanisms for growth and strength; 2) sex differences in the effects of blood flow restriction; 3) individual responses to blood flow restriction; 4) influence of pressure versus amount of blood flow restricted; 5) application of blood flow restriction with higher-loads; and 6) what considerations should be made to test the effects of blood flow restriction.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"2115-2132"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143625128","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}
Pieter Van den Berghe, Colin Boreham, Gareth Davison, Robin Jackson, Eric Wallace, Simon Jobson, A Mark Williams
{"title":"Science beyond borders: Publishing and funding in a contemporary geographical context.","authors":"Pieter Van den Berghe, Colin Boreham, Gareth Davison, Robin Jackson, Eric Wallace, Simon Jobson, A Mark Williams","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2496562","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2496562","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"2303-2305"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144023099","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}
Antoine Godin, Esther Eustache, Yoshimasa Sagawa, Laurent Mourot
{"title":"Influence of slope and speed on spatio-temporal variability of recreational runners.","authors":"Antoine Godin, Esther Eustache, Yoshimasa Sagawa, Laurent Mourot","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2533008","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2533008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Variability of spatio-temporal running parameters (STp) provides insights into the runner's self-organisation to the running environment. The aim of this study was to examine the influences of speed and slope on linear and non-linear measurements of variability for various STp (i.e. contact, flight, step times, step length, duty factor, leg and vertical stiffness). Twenty recreational runners (age 24.8 ± 6.3 years; height 1.8 ± 0.1 m; weight 64.0 ± 9.8 kg) completed 10-min randomized bouts of treadmill running at different conditions (80-120% of preferred running speed by 10% increments, ±2, 5 and 8% of slope). The influences of speed on the linear measurements of variability varied depending on the STp. As speed increased, there was no change in the linear measurement of step time variability, but a decrease for contact time variability. Negative slopes exhibited higher linear measurements of STp variability compared to flat or positive slopes, with results like those seen in slower speed conditions. Neither slope nor speed impacted non-linear measurements of STp variability, likely due to the use of moderate slope gradients and preferred running speed derived conditions. Future research should explore a wider range of conditions to gain a more comprehensive understanding of slope influence.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"2343-2354"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144821642","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}
Charles W C Simpson, Julia Walter, Steven P Gieseg, Sonja Lackner, Sandra Holasek, Michael J Hamlin
{"title":"Central and peripheral nervous system activity and muscle oxygenation in athletes during repeated-sprint exercise in normoxia and normobaric hypoxia.","authors":"Charles W C Simpson, Julia Walter, Steven P Gieseg, Sonja Lackner, Sandra Holasek, Michael J Hamlin","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2461947","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2461947","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>To investigate central and peripheral nervous system activity and muscle oxygenation in athletes during repeated-sprint exercise in normoxia and normobaric hypoxia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The effects on vastus lateralis muscle strength in a cross-over study were examined in 18 athletes (13 males, 5 females) completing 10 × 6-s cycle sprints. Immediately after and again 5 minutes post-exercise, electromyography (EMG), heart rate variability, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), muscle oxygenation, peak power output, and arterial oxygen saturation were compared to 2 baseline sets named (\"Baseline\" and \"Pre\").</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Post-exercise MVC was significantly lower (6.7 ± 10.0%) than Baseline, but root-mean-square amplitude during hypoxia (all-times) was significantly lower than normoxia (0.38 ± 0.19 vs 0.41 ± 0.17 mV). Comparative frequency analysis of the percentage change in pre- to post-exercise EMG area, at low 1-29 hz (type-1 fibre) and high 75-100 hz (type-2 fibre) areas, revealed a significant reduction in type-1 fibre activity relative to type-2, by 20-30% across time and by 10% in type-1 activity between conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Exercise in hypoxia appeared to cause a temporary increase in central sympathetic nervous system activity and greater recruitment of type-2 muscle fibres, with accompanying reduction in type-1. Acute hypoxia may stimulate type-2 fibre conditioning.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"2204-2216"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143256100","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}
Matthew J Clarkson, Brendan R Scott, Stephen D Patterson, Stuart A Warmington
{"title":"Blood flow restriction exercise in high-performance sport settings: A practitioner survey.","authors":"Matthew J Clarkson, Brendan R Scott, Stephen D Patterson, Stuart A Warmington","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2525710","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2525710","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this study was to characterise how blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise is utilised by practitioners in high-performance sports settings. Participants (<i>n</i> = 154) engaged with the questionnaire, of which 123 provided data about their use of BFR with athletes in high-performance sports settings. The main findings indicated that BFR was primarily used for injury rehabilitation (81.3% of practitioners) or supplementary to traditional strength and conditioning programs for muscle hypertrophy (80.4%), limiting loss of muscle mass (71.9%), or muscle strengthening (51.6%). Participants used BFR with both team and individual sports, but with only a small subset of the athletes they worked with (65% of practitioners used BFR with less than 25% of their athletes). Cuff pressures were prescribed using both measured individualised occlusion pressures (56.1%) and arbitrary set pressures (52.8%). Despite practitioners' awareness of contraindications and the need for screening, formal screening tools were underutilised (55.7% of practitioners did not use a screening tool for clearance to use BFR). Ultimately, BFR exercise was largely prescribed in line with established guidelines, although the application of individualised cuff pressures and health screening processes may require further attention from practitioners in high-performance sports.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"2133-2144"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144821640","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}