Sports Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Protein Nutrition for Endurance Athletes: A Metabolic Focus on Promoting Recovery and Training Adaptation","authors":"Oliver C. Witard, Mark Hearris, Paul T. Morgan","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02203-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02203-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The purpose of this narrative review is to provide an evidence-based update on the protein needs of endurance athletes with a focus on high-quality metabolic studies conducted on the topics of recovery and training adaptation over the past decade. We use the term ‘protein needs’ to delineate between the concepts of a daily protein requirement and per meal protein recommendations when devising scientific evidence-based protein guidelines for the endurance athlete to promote post-exercise recovery, enhance the adaptive response to endurance training and improve endurance performance. A habitual protein intake of 1.5 g/kg of body mass (BM)⁻¹·day⁻¹ is typical in male and female endurance athletes. Based on findings from a series of contemporary protein requirement studies, the evidence suggests a daily protein intake of ~ 1.8 g·kgBM⁻¹·day⁻¹ should be advocated for endurance athletes, with the caveat that the protein requirement may be further elevated in excess of 2.0 g·kgBM⁻¹·day⁻¹ during periods of carbohydrate-restricted training and on rest days. Regarding protein recommendations, the current lack of metabolic studies that determine the dose response of muscle protein synthesis to protein ingestion in relation to endurance exercise makes it difficult to present definitive guidelines on optimal per meal protein intakes for endurance athletes. Moreover, there remains no compelling evidence that co-ingesting protein with carbohydrate before or during endurance exercise confers any performance advantage, nor facilitates the resynthesis of liver or muscle glycogen stores during recovery, at least when carbohydrate recommendations are met. However, recent evidence suggests a role for protein nutrition in optimising the adaptive metabolic response to endurance training under conditions of low carbohydrate and/or energy availability that represent increasingly popular periodised strategies for endurance athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143666000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Anticipation and Dual-Tasking on Lower Limb Biomechanics While Performing Change-of-Direction Tasks in Physically Active Individuals: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis","authors":"Clara Ebner, Urs Granacher, Dominic Gehring","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02182-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02182-w","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are highly prevalent in team sport athletes and often occur while performing change-of-direction (COD) tasks in combination with high cognitive demands, such as decision making or divided attention. Given the expanding body of research in this field, an updated literature review is warranted, as the most recent meta-analysis on this topic included original studies published up to November 2020.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objective</h3><p>The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effects of anticipation and/or dual-tasking on lower limb biomechanics during COD tasks in healthy individuals.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Design</h3><p>Systematic review with meta-analysis.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Data Sources</h3><p>A systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus from inception until February 2024. The included studies examined the effects of anticipation and/or dual-tasking on knee kinetics and kinematics in the frontal and sagittal planes during COD tasks.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>A multilevel meta-analysis was performed to aggregate the results of studies comparing unanticipated versus anticipated CODs on lower limb biomechanics. Due to the limited available literature on dual-task versus single-task conditions, this aspect was analyzed qualitatively.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The meta-analysis included 17 studies involving 355 individuals from different sports (e.g., soccer, American Football). No statistically significant differences were found between unanticipated and anticipated CODs for knee abduction and flexion moments as well as knee abduction angles (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). Significantly higher knee flexion angles were found in unanticipated CODs (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.30–1.19; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). Qualitative analyses of six studies including 171 individuals provided initial evidence for higher knee abduction moments and flexion angles during anticipated CODs while performing a secondary task concurrently.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Findings from quantitative and qualitative analyses indicate that anticipation and dual-tasking during COD performance have an impact on injury-related aspects of lower limb biomechanics. Hence, cognitive challenges should be implemented in injury risk screening and preventive strategies. Further studies with high methodological quality are needed to improve the understanding of the biomechanical and cognitive interplay in injury-threatening situations.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">PROSPERO Registration Number</h3><p>CRD42023433074.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Date of Registration</h3><p>13.10.2023.</p>","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143661350","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Translation of Policy to Person: A Qualitative Analysis of Elite Athletes’ Perceptions of Pregnancy in the United Kingdom","authors":"Catherine V. Caro, Storm Trow, Zoë Bell, Angela C. Flynn, Fiona Lavelle","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02191-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02191-9","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>An increasing number of female athletes are navigating an athletic career alongside pregnancy. Limited qualitative research has investigated the experiences of elite athletes in the United Kingdom (UK). This study aimed to explore the experiences of elite athletes in the UK as they navigated pregnancy, employing a socio-ecological framework to inform future research and policy recommendations on sport participation during pregnancy.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>A descriptive qualitative study design, adopting a relativist ontology and constructivist epistemology, was implemented. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with elite athletes ≥ 18 years old, who resided in the UK, and who trained and/or competed at the highest level of their sport prior to and/or during pregnancy. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Eleven athletes (mean age 31 ± 3 years) from nine team and individual sports participated in the study. Four key themes were developed: (1) <i>From the Podium to Parenthood: Institutional versus Individual Influence on Reproductive Planning</i>; (2) <i>Is My Career Over? Micro Level Support versus Macro Level Doubt and Worry</i>; (3) <i>Athlete to Mother: Internal Conflict to Community Role Model</i>; (4) <i>Navigating the Bump: Individual Drive to Tackle Systemic Gaps</i>.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Findings highlight the complexity female athletes face when navigating pregnancy, motherhood and elite sport. There is a need for high-quality research focusing on preconception and pregnancy-specific training and nutrition modifications for elite athletes, particularly regarding nutrient intake and supplementation. Additionally, efforts to improve the translation of evidence-based research into practical applications remain essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":"89 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143631327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Why We Must Stop Assuming and Estimating Menstrual Cycle Phases in Laboratory and Field-Based Sport Related Research","authors":"Kirsty Jayne Elliott-Sale, Marco Altini, Patricia Doyle-Baker, Eva Ferrer, Tessa Rose Flood, Rachel Harris, Franco Milko Impellizzeri, Xanne Janse de Jonge, Katrine Okholm Kryger, Gary Lewin, Constance M. Lebrun, Alan McCall, Sophia Nimphius, Stuart M. Phillips, Paul A. Swinton, Madison Taylor, Evert Verhagen, Richard James Burden","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02189-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02189-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The increased growth, popularity, and media interest in women’s sport has led to calls for greater prioritisation of female-specific research and innovation. In response, science and medicine researchers have increased the volume of sport-related studies investigating female-specific matters, such as the menstrual cycle. Whilst the accelerated rate of published studies with female participants is welcome, the emerging trend of using assumed or estimated menstrual cycle phases to characterise ovarian hormone profiles is a significant concern. Replacing direct measurements of key characteristics of the menstrual cycle (e.g. the surge in luteinising hormone prior to ovulation via urine detection and sufficient luteal phase progesterone via blood or saliva sampling) with assumptions or estimates (i.e. no measurements) is proposed to be a pragmatic and convenient way of generating data, particularly in field-based research (i.e. elite athlete environments), where time, resources, and athlete availability are sometimes constrained. Using assumed or estimated phases, however, amounts to guessing the occurrence and timing of ovarian hormone fluctuations and risks potentially significant implications for female athlete health, training, performance, injury, etc., as well as resource deployment. The positive intentions of researchers and scientific journals in this space are not in question. The aim of this Current Opinion is to explain why using assumed or estimated menstrual cycle phases is an approach that has little scientific basis and lacks the rigour and appropriate methodological quality to produce valid and reliable data. In doing so, we provide evidence-based responses to common speculation points and offer recommendations for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":"88 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143618549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary Nitrate Supplementation and Exercise Performance: An Umbrella Review of 20 Published Systematic Reviews with Meta-analyses","authors":"Eric Tsz-Chun Poon, Jason Chun-Kit Iu, Wesley Man-Kuk Sum, Po-San Wong, Kenneth Ka-Hei Lo, Ajmol Ali, Stephen F. Burns, Eric T. Trexler","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02194-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02194-6","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\"&gt;Background&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dietary nitrate (NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;−&lt;/sup&gt;) supplementation is purported to benefit exercise performance. However, previous studies have evaluated this nutritional strategy with various performance outcomes, exercise tasks, and dosing regimens, often yielding inconsistent results that limit the generalizability of the findings.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\"&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;We aimed to synthesize the available evidence regarding the effect of NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;−&lt;/sup&gt; supplementation on 11 domains of exercise performance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\"&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;An umbrella review was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews guideline. Seven databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database, CINAHL, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception until July 2024. Systematic reviews with meta-analyses comparing NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;−&lt;/sup&gt; supplementation and placebo-controlled conditions were included. Literature search, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews Assessing the Methodological quality of SysTemAtic Review [AMSTAR-2]) were conducted independently by two reviewers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\"&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;Twenty systematic reviews with meta-analyses, representing 180 primary studies and 2672 unique participants, met the inclusion criteria. Our meta-analyses revealed mixed effects of NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;−&lt;/sup&gt; supplementation. It improved time-to-exhaustion tasks [standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19–0.47] with subgroup analyses indicating more pronounced improvements when a minimum dose of 6 mmoL/day (372 mg/day) and chronic (&gt; 3 days) supplementation protocol was implemented. Additionally, ergogenic effects of NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;−&lt;/sup&gt; supplementation were observed for total distance covered (SMD: 0.42; 95% CI 0.09–0.76), muscular endurance (SMD: 0.48; 95% CI 0.23–0.74), peak power output (PPO; SMD: 0.25; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.39), and time to PPO (SMD: − 0.76; 95% CI − 1.18, − 0.33). However, no significant improvements were found for other performance outcomes (all &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &gt; 0.05). The AMSTAR-2 ratings of most included reviews ranged from low to critically low.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\"&gt;Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;This novel umbrella review with a large-scale meta-analysis provides an updated synthesis of evidence on the effects of NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;−&lt;/sup&gt; supplementation across various aspects of exercise performance. Our review also highlights significant methodological quality issues that future systematic reviews in this field should address to enhance the reliability of evidence.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\"&gt;Clinical Trial Registration&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (PROSPERO) database (regist","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143627734","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Lifestyle Interventions to Promote Physical Activity on Physical Activity and Glycated Hemoglobin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","authors":"Vivien Hohberg, Eric Lichtenstein, Jan-Niklas Kreppke, Cedrine Zanitti, Fiona Streckmann, Markus Gerber, Oliver Faude","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02184-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02184-8","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Numerous studies have explored the impact of controlled exercise interventions in type 2 diabetes, as physical activity can positively influence its progression. However, our understanding of how broader lifestyle interventions can effectively promote physical activity in practical real-world scenarios remains limited.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objective</h3><p>This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the potential of lifestyle interventions targeting the promotion of physical activity on physical activity outcomes and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), providing a comprehensive understanding of both behavioral and clinical impacts.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, searching three databases and examined the study design, structure, and content of the lifestyle interventions. We assessed physical activity and HbA1c as endpoints and performed a multivariate meta-regression to explore physical activity’s impact on HbA1c.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>This review incorporated 13 studies (<i>n</i> = 5301 patients), with heterogeneity in intervention designs, components, and durations. Lifestyle interventions showed a slight increase in physical activity, equivalent to an average of 9.0 min more total physical activity per day (95% confidence interval 5.8, 12.2) and 1.7 min more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day (95% confidence interval 1.1, 2.3), irrespective of objective (e.g., accelerometers) or subjective measurement (e.g., questionnaires) method. However, HbA1c reduction through these interventions was minimal 0.09% (95% confidence interval − 0.20, 0.03). The effect of physical activity was − 0.04 (standard error = 0.05, 95% confidence interval − 0.15, 0.06), suggesting that physical activity does not act as a moderator for changes in HbA1c.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Lifestyle interventions effectively increase physical activity but have limited impact on HbA1c compared to controls. The role of physical activity as a moderator for changes in HbA1c remains uncertain. Further research is needed to enhance the efficacy of these interventions in reducing HbA1c in individuals with type 2 diabetes.</p>","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143607942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"On the Fallacy of Single Trials: A Proposal to Reduce Variability in Running Shoe Research","authors":"Fernando G. Beltrami, Gian-Andri Baumann, Kai Biedermann, Christina M. Spengler","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02180-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02180-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":"212 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143582866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Supervision During Strength Training—the Interplay with Facilitation, Feedback and Attentional Focus: A Narrative Review","authors":"James P. Fisher","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02192-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02192-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p>There is a growing body of research supporting the acute and chronic benefits of supervision during strength training. However, to date, there has been a lack of clarity within the terminology used, as well as when considering the differences between supervision and facilitation, and connections between supervision, feedback and attentional focus. Multiple articles have identified a lack of transparency in previous research and a need for greater detail on key elements which form the basis of supervision. The aim of this review is to discuss supervision as a construct within the parameters of strength training, including differentiating characteristics along a spectrum from supervision to facilitation, the use of different mediums (one-to-one, small group and virtual) and the effects of internal feedback (including perceptions and measures of effort), external feedback (including contemporary technological approaches) and attentional focus, and augmented feedback upon performance outcome measures. Finally, this review discusses the possible importance of positive feedback within supervision and the position of personal training and strength coaching as a service industry, as well as providing context around autonomy and input on the part of the trainee. In context, this paper provides guidance for future researchers about presenting clarity and detail of supervision and feedback, while also providing practitioners with information to stimulate awareness in coaching practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143560783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comment on: \"Does Swimming Exercise Impair Bone Health? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing the Evidence in Humans and Rodent Models\".","authors":"Tengfei Li, Qingyong Zheng, Jianguo Xu, Jinhui Tian","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02177-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02177-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143493391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dry Needling in Sports and Sport Recovery: A Systematic Review with an Evidence Gap Map","authors":"Adrian Kużdżał, Robert Trybulski, Jarosław Muracki, Sebastian Klich, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Adam Kawczyński","doi":"10.1007/s40279-025-02175-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02175-9","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Dry needling is an increasingly popular technique used in sports and regenerative medicine contexts. However, there is no comprehensive overview of investigations of dry needling in sports and sport recovery.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Objectives</h3><p>The objectives were to perform a systematic review of dry needling in sports athletes with an evidence gap map, to identify current gaps in the literature, and to provide stakeholders with direction for future research.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines were followed. Studies on healthy and injured athletes receiving dry needling were included. Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched, data were synthesized narratively, key data were summarized quantitatively, and an evidence gap map was created.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The authors incorporated 24 studies into the current study, encompassing 580 athletes, predominantly involving talent/developmental and highly trained/national-level athletes across 13 sports. Most studies used passive or placebo controls, with 37.5% incorporating active controls. Interventions focused mainly on the lower limbs (58.3%). Around 69% of studies reported pain perception outcomes, while six examined muscular strength, activity, and range of motion. While results varied, dry needling generally showed a more positive effect on pain than on athletic performance.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Dry needling studies seem to describe general effectiveness and safety for reducing pain and muscle stiffness in a wide variety of body regions. However, further research is needed on underrepresented populations such as elite, world-class, and Paralympic athletes, as well as expanding investigations into long-term effects and a broader range of muscle groups, particularly the hamstrings. The results may be valuable for medical professionals, sports medicine specialists, and researchers.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Registration</h3><p>OSF project no.: osf.io osf.io/h3yeq.</p>","PeriodicalId":21969,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143375358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}