Sports Medicine and Health Science最新文献

{"title":"Effect of the cutting angle on intra-foot coordination pattern during unanticipated side-cutting maneuvers in female soccer players","authors":"Shiki Takeuchi ,&nbsp;Masaya Anan","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Numerous ankle sprains have been reported in female players performing noncontact play such as side-cutting maneuvers. This study examined the coordination between foot joints during unanticipated side-cutting maneuvers in female soccer players under various cutting angles.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twelve healthy female soccer players performed unanticipated side-cutting maneuvers in three directions (anterolateral, lateral, and posterolateral). The stance phase was time-normalized and categorized into three phases, namely loading response, deceleration, and propulsion. A modified vector coding technique was used to quantify the coupling angle between the rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot on the cutting side, which indicates intra-joint coordination, and categorizes the angle into four distinct coordination patterns.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared with anterolateral cutting maneuvers, posterolateral cutting maneuvers considerably increased the proportion of in-phase with distal dominancy in the rearfoot vs. midfoot (<em>p</em> ​= ​0.011) during the loading response and in-phase with proximal dominancy in the midfoot vs. forefoot (<em>p</em> ​= ​0.049) during the propulsion phase. During sharp-angle side-cutting maneuvers, the ankle dorsiflexion angle decreased (anterolateral vs. posterolateral: <em>p</em> ​&lt; ​0.001, lateral vs. posterolateral: <em>p</em> ​= ​0.005), and the ankle inversion angle increased (anterolateral vs. lateral: <em>p</em> ​&lt; ​0.001) in most of the stance phase.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The intra-foot coordination pattern of the ankle joint during unanticipated side-cutting maneuvers with sharper angles indicated an increased risk of lateral ankle sprain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 319-326"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147862700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regulation of the gut microbiota through meditation and exercise: Potential for enhancing physical well-being across all ages in the twenty-first century","authors":"Veronica Volpini ,&nbsp;Sofia Bricca ,&nbsp;Francesca Ubaldi ,&nbsp;Tehreema Ghaffar ,&nbsp;Serena Platania ,&nbsp;Federica Valeriani ,&nbsp;Vincenzo Romano Spica","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.07.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.07.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study explores the gut microbiota of Aikido practitioners, a Meditation in Motion discipline, focusing on the integration of moderate-intensity physical activity with meditative practices. The innovative approach examines how these combined activities influence gut health and overall well-being.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Researchers collected data through anonymous questionnaires including personal information, dietary habits, physical activity levels, and meditation depth, assessed using the Meditation Depth Index. Fecal samples were analyzed to identify correlations between gut microbiota changes and participants biographical and behavioral factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis revealed significant alterations in gut microbiota among high-meditation practitioners, with increased levels of <em>Bacteroides</em> and <em>Faecalibacterium</em> and a slight rise in <em>Prevotella</em>. Moderate-intensity Aikido practice was linked to enrichment of Firmicutes. These findings suggest that Aikido promotes a balanced Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, supporting intestinal eubiosis. The dual focus of Aikido—movement and meditation contribute to improved gut health and enhanced well-being.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Aikido benefits not only physical fitness and muscular function but also cognitive and mental health, particularly stress management, a crucial factor in modern life. While the study has limitations, it provides preliminary insights into the relationship between gut microbiota and Meditation in Motion disciplines. Further research is needed for deep understanding of this topic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 350-362"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147862984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the effectiveness of blood flow restriction training in older adults: An overview of systematic reviews","authors":"Victor S. de Queiros ,&nbsp;Nicholas Rolnick ,&nbsp;Jason R. Jaggers ,&nbsp;Igor H. Fortunato ,&nbsp;Nailton José Brandão de Albuquerque Filho ,&nbsp;Jozilma de Medeiros Gonzaga ,&nbsp;Maria Goretti da Cunha Lisboa ,&nbsp;Luke Hughes","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To synthesize evidence from systematic reviews on the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) training on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and functional performance in older adults.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An umbrella review was conducted after a comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science until June 17, 2025. Eligible studies were systematic reviews, with or without meta-analyses, examining low-load BFR training in adults aged ≥ 50 years. Outcomes included muscle strength, hypertrophy, and physical function. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers, and methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-three systematic reviews comprising 53 unique trials were included. Meta-analyses consistently indicated that BFR training promotes hypertrophy comparable to high-load resistance training (HL-RT) and superior to low-load training without BFR. Evidence on strength is mixed: some meta-analyses found gains similar to HL-RT, others reported inferior or superior results. Nevertheless, the majority of evidence suggests that BFR provides greater strength improvements compared to low-load training without BFR. Findings on functional performance were inconsistent. All reviews were rated as low or critically low in methodological quality. Across comparisons, heterogeneity and recurring methodological limitations-such as inadequate blinding and allocation concealment-were noted in primary studies.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>BFR training is a promising approach to enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in older adults, but evidence certainty is limited by methodological weaknesses in both trials and reviews. Well-designed, high-quality studies are needed to confirm these effects and support clinical implementation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 262-272"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147862701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lower body muscular strength as a predictor of health indicators in youth population: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Laura Moreno-Gonzalez ,&nbsp;Antonio Alonso-Callejo ,&nbsp;Jose Luis Felipe ,&nbsp;Samuel Manzano-Carrasco ,&nbsp;Leonor Gallardo ,&nbsp;Jorge Garcia-Unanue","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.06.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.06.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Muscular strength in the lower body during childhood and adolescence is crucial for determining various health indicators. While previous reviews have examined the benefits of health-related muscular fitness (MF) in youth, this study aims to analyse a specific indicator of muscular fitness, focusing on current evidence regarding lower-limb muscular strength and power tests as predictors of health parameters in children and adolescents. A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, MEDLINE (PubMed), and Scopus databases up to December 2023. Observational studies were considered if they quantitatively assessed the association between lower body muscular strength and health outcome variables. Meta-analyses were performed to determine the pooled standardized coefficients. Age was evaluated as a potential moderating factor. Twenty-four studies (<em>n</em> = 121 306) were included, covering outcomes like adiposity, cardiometabolic risk, bone health, and inflammatory biomarkers. Meta-analyses of 11 studies revealed pooled standardized coefficients; statistical significance was determined for <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001. Lower body strength/power was negatively associated with multiple adiposity indicators: waist circumference (<em>r =</em> −0.27), body fat percentage (<em>r =</em> −0.31), sum of skinfolds (<em>r =</em> −0.31). Additionally, significant negative correlations were observed with insulin resistance (<em>r =</em> −0.20), and cardiometabolic risk index (<em>r =</em> −0.27). Associations with systolic (<em>r =</em> 0.14) and diastolic (<em>r =</em> 0.07) blood pressure, and bone mineral density of the femoral neck (<em>r =</em> 0.12) were weaker. Lower body muscular strength predicts health outcomes like obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. Although no direct link to bone mass was found, lean mass influenced by muscle is essential for bone health. Further research is needed to clarify these relationships and guide interventions, supporting guidelines promoting muscle-strengthening activities in youth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 273-290"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147863010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Higher BMI might increase risk of ankle–foot sprains: A mendelian randomization study","authors":"Xicheng Gu ,&nbsp;Xiao'ao Xue ,&nbsp;Yi Li ,&nbsp;Ziyi Chen ,&nbsp;He Wang ,&nbsp;Yinghui Hua","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Although previous research has suggested that a greater body mass index (BMI) may be linked to a higher incidence of ankle–foot sprains, the causal relationship between BMI and these injuries has not been established. This study aims to determine the causal effect of BMI-related features on ankle–foot sprains using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Exposure single-nucleotide polymorphisms were collected from Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT Consortium) for BMI, hip circumference (HIP), hip circumference adjusted for BMI (HIP_adjBMI), waist circumference (WC), waist circumference adjusted for BMI (WC_adjBMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI (WHR_adjBMI), encompassing a study population of more than 200 ​000 individuals. Furthermore, exposure statistics were gathered from MEC-IEU for body fat percentage (BFP), involving a study population of 454 ​633 individuals. Additionally, outcome statistics for ankle sprains were identified from FinnGen based on hospital discharge records (9 141 cases and 290 ​508 healthy controls). Random-effect, inverse-variance weighted MR was used as the primary method.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>BMI (<em>β</em> ​= ​0.173, <em>p</em> ​= ​0.035), BFP (<em>β</em> ​= ​0.341, <em>p</em> ​= ​9.08 ​× ​10⁻⁶), hip circumference (<em>β</em> ​= ​0.265, <em>p</em> ​= ​0.001), and WC (<em>β</em> ​= ​0.193, <em>p</em> ​= ​0.045) were found to have positive causal relationships with higher risk of ankle–foot sprains, whereas HIP_adjBMI, WC_adjBMI, WHR, and WHR_adjBMI were found to have no such effect. Additionally, no reverse causal effect was found between ankle–foot sprains and BMI or BFP.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>A genetic predisposition to higher BMI-related features can lead to a higher risk of ankle–foot sprains, providing new insight into how to prevent ankle–foot sprains in middle-aged and elderly people.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 302-310"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147863014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modified constraint-induced movement therapy for lower extremity intervention on patients with stroke: A Scoping Review","authors":"Liping Zhou ,&nbsp;Huaide Chu ,&nbsp;Manting Cao ,&nbsp;Nur Arzuar Abdul Rahim ,&nbsp;Hazwani Ahmad Yusof ,&nbsp;Ying Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.06.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Stroke is the main cause of long-term disability, burdening people and healthcare systems. In stroke patients, modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) may improve lower extremity function. Protocol variability complicates efficacy evaluation.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>For stroke patients' lower extremity rehabilitation, examine mCIMT safety and effectiveness and identify important protocol components for motor recovery augmentation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An extensive PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PEDro search found clinical studies on mCIMT for lower extremity mobility impairments in adult stroke patients published between January 1, 2000, and November 30, 2023. Constraints, doses, transfer packages, and outcome measures analyzed heterogeneity and study classifications appraised quality.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>36 trials with 931 stroke victims were examined. Heterogeneity prevented clear results on the best mCIMT methods. Studies show that mCIMT improves motor function, functional mobility, balance, lower limb strength, weight-bearing, and walking ability with minor side effects. Physical restraint devices may be unsafe and painful. For safety, behavioral limitations are advised. Instead of training length, task repetitions are a better indication of training intensity and can decrease training time. Transfer packages help transfer training gains to daily activities and preserve long-term effects, as shown by better real-world walking habits and functional mobility during follow-up.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>mCIMT is safe and effective for stroke lower extremity rehabilitation. Behavioral limitations, a specified dose of task repetitions, and patient-specific transfer packages are recommended for mCIMT. Standardizing methods and finding appropriate component combinations to overcome heterogeneity and improve clinical applicability and patient outcomes require further study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 291-301"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147863013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validity and reliability of V˙O2max determination immediately after a maximal fat oxidation assessment in pre-diabetes/type 2 Diabetes Mellitus population","authors":"Alberto Marín-Galindo ,&nbsp;Edgardo Opazo-Diaz ,&nbsp;Miguel Ramirez-Jimenez ,&nbsp;Adrián Montes-de-Oca-García ,&nbsp;Juan Corral-Pérez ,&nbsp;Alejandro Perez-Bey ,&nbsp;Cristina Casals ,&nbsp;Jesus G. Ponce-Gonzalez","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Measuring maximal fat oxidation (MFO) and maximal oxygen consumption (<span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max) typically requires two separate days, which can be time-consuming. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a single-day test for measuring MFO and <span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max in individuals with pre-diabetes/type 2 diabetes (T2DM).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty adults with pre-diabetes/T2DM (10 women; [53.1 ​± ​8.8] years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants underwent a single-day MFO- <span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max protocol, followed by the traditional <span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max test on a cycle ergometer 4–7 days later, with both assessments performed using indirect calorimetry. The single-day test commenced with the MFO test, involving 15 ​W per 3 ​min increments until the respiratory exchange rate reached 1.0. After a 5-minute (min) rest, the <span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max test was conducted, starting at the last load and increasing by 15 ​W·min^-1 until voluntary exhaustion. The traditional <span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max test involved a 15 ​W·min^-1n incremental protocol until voluntary exhaustion, followed by a verification test at 110% of the previous maximum load.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No significant differences were observed between MFO-<span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max and traditional <span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max protocol in <span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max values ([2 099.4 ​± ​534.1] ml·min^-1 <em>vs.</em> [2 119.1 ​± ​548.3] ml·min^-1, <em>p</em> ​= ​0.715) or heart rate ([163.2 ​± ​18.2] beat/min <em>vs.</em> [164.5 ​± ​16.1] beat/min, <em>p</em> ​= ​0.485). The MFO-<span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max protocol test demonstrated excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ​= ​0.957), limits of agreement ranging from 300.06 ​ml·min^-1 to −306.77 ​ml·min^-1, and the standard error of measurement was 181.67 ​ml·min^-1.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Therefore, the single-day test is a valid and reliable method for assessing both MFO and <span><math><mover><mi>V</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover></math></span>O_2max in men and women with pre-diabetes/T2DM. With a mean total duration of (34 ​± ​8) min, this test enhances clinical applicability by significantly reducing the time and cost associated with traditional assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 327-334"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147863017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Update: Is exercise-induced oxidative stress a friend or foe?","authors":"Scott K. Powers ,&nbsp;Mari Carmen Gomez-Cabrera","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2026.03.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2026.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Free radicals (radicals) are highly reactive atoms or molecules that contain one or more unpaired electrons in their outermost shell. The first evidence that muscular exercise increases radical production and promotes oxidative damage to tissues was reported almost five decades ago. Following this milestone discovery, many studies have corroborated the finding that exercise increases the production of radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in oxidative damage to macromolecules in muscles and other tissues. Although exercise-induced ROS production is associated with oxidative damage in many tissues, growing evidence reveals that ROS produced in contracting muscles act as signaling molecules to promote healthy exercise-induced adaptations in skeletal muscles and other tissues. These adaptive responses include increased mitochondrial volume, improved antioxidant capacity, and expression of cytoprotective proteins. Therefore, a key question emerges: “Is exercise-induced ROS production a friend or foe?” This review provides a state-of-the-art discussion of both the positive and negative effects of exercise-induced ROS production by examining the consequences of both oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules and the redox signaling-induced adaptations that occur in muscle fibers. To address the question of whether exercise-induced ROS production is a friend or foe we conclude with a risk/benefit analysis of the biological effects of exercise-induced production of ROS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 229-239"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147863011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular signaling effects of electrical stimulation of the soleus muscle during 6 days of dry immersion","authors":"Kristina A. Sharlo,&nbsp;Irina D. Lvova,&nbsp;Natalya A. Vilchinskaya,&nbsp;Sergey A. Tyganov,&nbsp;Olga V. Turtikova,&nbsp;Ksenia V. Sergeeva,&nbsp;Roman O. Bokov,&nbsp;Boris S. Shenkman,&nbsp;Elena S. Tomilovskaya,&nbsp;Oleg I. Orlov","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.06.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Unloading of skeletal muscles triggers rapid changes in molecular signaling, leading to muscle atrophy and functional alterations. Electrical stimulation of muscles is commonly used to counteract these changes, but the precise molecular mechanisms behind its effects remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>To investigate the early changes in postural soleus muscle under unloading conditions (dry immersion, DI) and the impact of electrical stimulation during unloading, two groups of volunteers (10 men in each) underwent a 6-day DI or a 6-day DI with electrical stimulation (DI ​+ ​ES). Soleus muscle samples were collected 14 days before and 6 days after DI and DI ​+ ​ES.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Six-day DI did not did not cause atrophy of the soleus myofibers or alter protein synthesis parameters, However, it did lead to an increase in atrogin-1 expression, a downregulation of markers for mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics, and a decline in the mRNA expression of fast oxidative myosin isoform IIa. It also resulted in the downregulation of microRNAs mir-206 and mir-208b, which support slow fiber types. There was an upregulation of CpG methylation in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1a) promoter region and an accumulation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (p-CaMK II), indicating an increase in myoplasmic calcium levels. Electrical stimulation during the 6-day disuse period prevented the disuse-induced decreases in mitochondria-related markers and the content of mir-206 and mir-208b. It also induced a shift in myosin mRNA expression from types IId/x to IIa, counteracted the accumulation of p-CaMK II and CpG methylation in the PGC1a promoter region.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Electrical stimulation upregulated markers of both protein synthesis and proteolysis, as well as resulted in lower cross-sectional area of fast-type fibers compared to pre-DI ​+ ​ES.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 335-349"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147863018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Why do we have a musculoskeletal injury? - Beyond biomechanics","authors":"Iberê Pereira Datti","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.04.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.04.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Musculoskeletal injuries remain a prevalent challenge in healthcare, yet our understanding of their root causes and optimal prevention strategies still needs to be completed. While biomechanical approaches are widely favored, focusing primarily on biomechanics may not sufficiently address injury prevention. This manuscript discusses the often-overlooked roles of fortuity and unknown, non-modifiable factors in injury occurrence. Additionally, it questions the efficacy of biomechanical interventions, which, despite their popularity among healthcare providers, may have limited applicability and durability in altering established motor patterns.</div><div>It explores whether attempting to teach perfect movement patterns, especially in adults, is realistic or beneficial, and consider the risk of unintentionally shifting mechanical stress to other structures. In light of these limitations, we advocate for greater emphasis on training load control, which offers a systematic approach to balancing stress and capacity. Key concepts, such as supercompensation, functional reserve, and load periodization, provide a foundation for more pragmatic and potentially effective injury prevention strategies.</div><div>It also calls attention to the need for updated medical training curricula that include these principles to equip providers with practical, non-surgical strategies for managing musculoskeletal injuries. This perspective offers a shift from purely biomechanical frameworks, proposing a broader view that includes physiological and psychological load management as integral to comprehensive injury prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"8 3","pages":"Pages 363-364"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147862985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}