BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation最新文献

{"title":"Unplanned movement tasks requiring rapid decision-making: a scoping review of study characteristics and methodological approaches.","authors":"Maximilian Siener, Alexandra Unger, Jan Wilke","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01682-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01682-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The integration of neurocognitive challenges into biomechanical movement tasks has gained attention due to its potential relevance for assessments of physical function, injury risk, and performance. However, a comprehensive mapping of the chosen methodological approaches, targeted populations, and applied outcome measures is still lacking. This scoping review hence aimed to synthesize the current literature on unplanned movement tasks combining cognitive decision-making and biomechanical outcome measurements.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic literature search following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-extension for scoping reviews) guidelines was performed in Web of Science (Core Collection), MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Included studies combined unplanned movement tasks (e.g., change-of-direction or stopping) with biomechanical assessments. Eligible articles were analysed in terms of participant characteristics, movement type, unplanned task type, reactive stimulus, and biomechanical outcome variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From the total of 167 studies, the majority focused on change-of-direction tasks (82%), mostly using standardized angles of 45° and moderate approach speeds (3.9 ± 0.9 m/s). Jump (7%), land (12%), and/or stop tasks (3%) were less frequent. Most studies (83%) relied on simple visual cues (e.g., lights or symbols), whereas more ecologically valid stimuli (e.g., videos or real opponents) were rarely applied. Biomechanical analyses predominantly focused on knee angles and moments as well as ground reaction forces, while only 23% of studies included electromyography measurements. Older adults (50+ years) were not represented.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although research on unplanned biomechanical tasks is growing, significant methodological heterogeneity and limited ecological validity may constrain the interpretability and applicability of findings. Future research should aim for task designs that better reflect real-world conditions and include diverse populations and comprehensive neuromuscular assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147857465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling heart rate (HR) dynamics to reconstruct missing HR data in trail running.","authors":"Tjorven Schnack, Raimundo Sanchez, Arnold Baca","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01727-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01727-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Heart rate (HR) is widely used to guide exercise intensity because it is non-invasive and easy to measure. However, outdoor recordings often contain artifacts and gaps, which can bias downstream metrics if not reconstructed accurately. Common reconstruction methods (e.g. linear interpolation) perform well in short gaps but ignore HR kinetics and changing external load, which is problematic in trail running with frequent intensity changes. The present study presents a HR reconstruction approach that leverages GNSS data and a model of HR dynamics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>12 recreational trail runners completed a total of 53 trail bouts, of which 37 were included in the final analysis (1 Hz GNSS, 130 Hz chest-strap ECG). Gaps of 1-800 consecutive heart beats were simulated at four phases representative of trail running: onset, uphill, switch (uphill-to-downhill), and downhill. Energy expenditure was estimated from GNSS data and mapped to heart rate using a first-order differential equation, with individualized parameters. The end of the reconstructed gap was aligned with post-gap measurements via a linear drift correction. HR model based reconstructions without (HRM) and with drift correction (HRMD) were compared against baseline linear interpolation (LI). Reconstruction accuracy was assessed via RMSE and a linear mixed-effects model, and bias was summarized using mean error (ME) and limits of agreement (LoA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, HRMD and LI had a similar low median RMSE (approx. 2 bpm), both outperforming HRM (approx. 3 bpm). However, significant interaction effects indicated condition-dependent performance. HRMD was significantly better than LI for non-steady exercise intensities at longer gaps (onset and switch for 200 missing beats or more). LI slightly outperformed HRMD during steady uphill (200 missing beats or more). Bias and dispersion favored HRMD: ME remained near zero with LoA less than 10 bpm across all conditions. LI showed large, length-dependent bias at onset (ME up to 14.6 bpm; LoA up to 20.3 bpm). This indicates that HRMD provides an absolute reduction of mean error of up to 14 bpm (at onset for 800 missing beats).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>LI is adequate for short gaps and steady intensity, but errors grow and become biased during long, non-steady gaps. Integrating GNSS-derived energy expenditure with individualized HR dynamics and drift correction (HRMD) reduces error and bias in these challenging conditions. Practical implementation of this reconstruction approach is accessible since wearables facilitate synchronous HR and GNSS recordings. However, it remains uncertain how the results generalize to different demographics and other running disciplines.</p>","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal changes in bone mineral parameters and body composition in youth football players.","authors":"Antonio Hernandez-Martin, Javier Sanchez-Sanchez","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01724-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01724-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to examine seasonal changes in bone mineral characteristics and body composition among youth football players throughout a full competitive season. A total of 60 male participants were recruited and stratified into four competitive age categories (U10, U12, U14, U16). Assessments were conducted at three key timepoints: the beginning (P1), midpoint (P2), and end (P3) of the season. Bone Mineral Content (BMC), Bone Mineral Density (BMD), lean mass, and fat mass were measured using standardized dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) procedures. Significant increases in whole-body BMC and lower limb BMC were observed at P3 compared to P1 and P2 (p < 0.01). Whole-body BMD also exhibited a significant rise at P3 relative to earlier measurements (p < 0.01). Additionally, a significant increase in the percentage of lean mass was detected from P2 to P3 (p < 0.05), accompanied by a general trend of fat mass reduction over time in all the age categories. The most pronounced and rapid improvements in bone parameters were observed in the older age categories (U14 and U16), particularly in whole-body BMC and BMD. Nonetheless, positive adaptations in bone health and body composition were evident across all age groups in football players by the end of the season. These findings describe the physiological adaptations observed during a competitive season, highlighting the musculoskeletal development that occurs in youth players during these key stages of growth.</p>","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of neuromuscular training on pain, physical function, balance, muscle strength, and lower limb kinematics in individuals with patellofemoral pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Ali Asghar Maleki, Evangelos Pappas, Sara R Piva, Seyed Hamed Mousavi","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01730-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01730-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common musculoskeletal condition that impairs daily function and quality of life. Neuromuscular training (NMT) has been proposed to address pain, functional limitations, and biomechanical deficits in PFP, but its overall effectiveness across multiple outcomes remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of NMT in individuals with PFP. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase were searched from inception to May 2025. Eligible studies compared NMT with control conditions or active interventions such as strength training (ST) and reported at least one of the following outcomes: pain, physical function, balance, muscle strength, or lower-limb kinematics. Data were pooled using random-effects models to calculate mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seventeen RCTs (n = 871; 66% female; mean age 23 years) met the inclusion criteria. Compared with control groups, NMT reduced pain (MD = - 0.60; 95% CI: - 0.96 to - 0.23; moderate certainty) and improved physical function (MD = 10.83; 95% CI: 9.71 to 11.94; moderate certainty). Compared with strength training, NMT produced greater pain reduction (MD = - 0.55; 95% CI: - 0.77 to - 0.34; moderate certainty) but did not improve physical function beyond ST alone (MD = - 2.32; 95% CI: - 10.31 to 5.66; low certainty). Although NMT appears effective for reducing pain and improving physical function, its effects on lower-limb biomechanics remain inconclusive, with current evidence showing inconsistent findings across studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>NMT is an effective intervention for reducing pain and improving physical function in individuals with PFP. Although not superior to ST for functional outcomes, NMT may provide added value when incorporated into multimodal rehabilitation programs targeting neuromuscular control, proprioception, and dynamic stability. Further high-quality trials with standardized protocols are needed to clarify its effects on balance, strength, and kinematics.</p>","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anthropometric and motor-fitness signatures of defensive efficiency in professional football defenders: a principal component and cluster analysis.","authors":"Jeneviv Nene John, Sam Chidi Ibeneme, Gerhard Fortwengel, Emeka Mong, Davidson Okwudili John, Ezinne Olive Nwosu, Blessing Chidimma Okpagu, Nnenna Christiana Chinagozi-Amanze, Paul Onyeudo","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01711-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01711-y","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Team-level defensive efficiency is a central determinant of success in professional football, yet defenders' physical and motor profiles are rarely examined in relation to ecological defensive outcomes, particularly in under-researched professional leagues. This study investigated anthropometric and motor-fitness signatures of defensive efficiency among professional football defenders in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) using multivariate profiling methods.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;An observational ecological study was conducted among 36 professional defenders from Enugu Rangers International FC across three competitive seasons (2021/22-2023/24). Standardised anthropometric and motor-fitness assessments (agility, vertical-jump power, reaction time, balance, and coordination) were obtained during pre-season testing. Team-level defensive efficiency was derived from predefined ecological defensive indicators obtained from official league statistics, including goals conceded per match, defensive success index, points per goal conceded, and goal-prevention rate. Analyses included Spearman correlations, Kruskal-Wallis tests with eta-squared effect sizes (η²_H), principal component analysis (PCA), and k-means clustering; no individual-level regression was undertaken.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;GA/PLD was relatively stable between full seasons (0.79 in 2021/22; 0.87 in 2023/24), whereas DSI and PPGC improved (0.68→0.74; 1.87→2.06), with GPR and GD/PLD also increasing (0.27→0.38; 0.29→0.53), indicating that comparable goals conceded yielded more favourable results. Defenders showed substantial muscularity (mean BMI 25.7 kg/m²; muscle mass 41.2 kg) and good motor fitness (agility 11.0 s). Anthropometric variables were strongly coupled, and BMI and jump classifications showed large effects on muscle mass, body fat, and jump power. PCA yielded three components explaining 72.5% of variance (body size/composition; agility-balance-coordination; power vs. adiposity), and k-means clustering identified three defender archetypes that differed most clearly in agility, separating heavier, slower stoppers from leaner, faster coverage profiles and balanced hybrids.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;This ecological profiling study shows that, within a single NPFL club, professional defenders cluster into distinct anthropometric and motor-fitness archetypes-ranging from heavier high-mass stoppers to leaner, more agile mobile coverage defenders-while team-level indicators suggest increasingly efficient conversion of broadly stable goals conceded into better results and goal difference. These patterns do not establish individual causal effects but illustrate how multivariate profiling can support role allocation, interpretation of body-size and power metrics, and context-sensitive conditioning in data-limited professional environments. Inferences remain exploratory and are constrained by single-club sampling, lack of p","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Emerging sports footwear technologies and their effects on running economy, biomechanics, and performance: a systematic review.","authors":"Cristina Ioan Alexe, Prashant Kumar Choudhary, Suchishrava Choudhary, Sohom Saha, Elena Adelina Panaet, Dan Iulian Alexe","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01721-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01721-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advances in running footwear technology, particularly carbon-fibre plates and highly resilient midsole foams, have been proposed to enhance running economy and performance. However, evidence remains heterogeneous and context-dependent.PurposeThis systematic review synthesised empirical evidence on the biomechanical, physiological, and performance effects of emerging footwear technologies. A PRISMA-guided search identified 14 experimental studies examining footwear effects on running economy, biomechanics, and physiological responses. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using a modified approach based on the Cochrane Risk of Bias framework, adapted to accommodate the diversity of study designs included in this review, including randomized, non-randomized, and biomechanical simulation studies. Fourteen studies were included. Carbon-fibre plate shoes with resilient midsole foams improved running economy by 2.6-4.2%, with some models reducing metabolic cost by ~ 4% and improving running economy during prolonged running by 2-6%, while increasing lactate-threshold speed by 0.5-0.6 km·h⁻¹ and reducing heart rate (~ 4-5%) and blood lactate (~ 0.3-0.5 mmol·L⁻¹). Biomechanical adaptations included reduced joint work, altered stride mechanics, and improved energy return, whereas maximalist cushioning increased impact loading by 10.7% and loading rate by 12.3%, and carbon-fibre insoles showed no significant performance or metabolic benefits. Modern running footwear technologies can enhance running economy and endurance performance through complex interactions between cushioning properties, plate stiffness, and shoe geometry. Nevertheless, the biomechanical and physiological effects of these technologies are context-dependent. Future research should investigate long-term adaptations, injury risk implications, and individualized footwear design to optimize performance while minimizing injury risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147822600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trunk muscle thickness and sprint, agility, and jump performance in competitive football players.","authors":"Ozan Ucar, Hilal Er Ulubaba, Ilgın Ali Coskun, Armagan Sahin Kafkas, Fahri Safa Cinarli","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01726-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01726-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Trunk musculature is increasingly recognized for its role in athletic performance, yet remains less studied than lower limb muscles. This study aimed to examine the associations between trunk muscle thickness and sprint, agility, and jump performance in competitive male football players.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifteen male football players (tier 3; mean age: 19.73 ± 1.75 years; training experience: 8.06 ± 1.57 years) participated. Thickness of five trunk muscles was measured at rest using B-mode ultrasound. Sprint (20-m), agility (Pro-Agility), and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests were conducted. To control for type I error across 15 comparisons, Bonferroni correction was applied (α_adj = 0.0033). Significant associations were further examined using linear regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After adjustment for multiple testing, transversus abdominis and internal oblique thickness were significantly associated with 20 m sprint time (r = - 0.739 to - 0.746, p ≤ 0.002). These muscles were also significantly associated with agility performance (r = - 0.704 to - 0.746, p < 0.003). No significant associations were found between trunk muscle thickness and CMJ performance after correction. No bilateral asymmetries were detected (all p > 0.05; d < 0.2).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Greater thickness of specific deep anterior trunk muscles appears to be associated with sprint and agility performance in competitive football players. These findings suggest that deep trunk morphology may be associated with sprint and change-of-direction performance, although causal relationships cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional design.</p>","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative effects of tabata-based HIIT modalities on physical performance in competitive table tennis players.","authors":"Mahmut Esat Uzun, Alirıza Han Civan","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01690-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01690-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to examine the differential effects of two Tabata-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) modalities-calisthenic/plyometric-focused versus kettlebell-focused exercise-on neuromuscular performance and physiological adaptations in competitive table tennis athletes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-four male athletes (aged 18-24 years) were randomly assigned to a calisthenic/plyometric HIIT group (n = 12) or a kettlebell HIIT group (n = 12). Both groups performed their respective Tabata protocols in addition to regular table tennis training, three days per week for eight weeks. Flexibility, agility, sprint performance, vertical jump height, peak and average power output, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) were assessed before and after the intervention. Analysis of normally distributed data was performed using a 2 (group) × 2 (time) mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA). When significant interaction effects were detected, post-hoc comparisons were conducted using paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both HIIT methods resulted in significant improvements in most measured parameters (p < 0.05). The calisthenic/plyometric protocol led to greater gains in agility, flexibility, and vertical jump performance, indicating enhanced neuromuscular function. Conversely, the kettlebell protocol elicited superior improvements in sprint performance. Both groups demonstrated increases in VO₂max; however, these changes were not significantly different between groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Tabata-based HIIT effectively enhances neuromuscular and physiological performance in table tennis athletes; however, adaptations differ based on exercise modality. Calisthenic/plyometric-focused HIIT preferentially improves agility, mobility, and explosive leg power, while kettlebell-focused HIIT yields greater benefits for speed and aerobic capacity. These findings demonstrate that modality-specific HIIT programming is a practical and time-efficient approach to target sport-specific performance demands in racket sport athletes.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07403461), registered on 16/01/2026.</p>","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of land-based and aquatic plyometric training on lower-limb power and flexibility in young male basketball players.","authors":"Zeliha Nur Sarıkurt, Gökmen Özen","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01731-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01731-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Basketball is a high-intensity sport that often results in lower extremity muscle and tendon injuries due to its rapid tempo and complex movement mechanics. Consequently, plyometric exercises are widely implemented in basketball training programs to enhance athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury. Recently, however, the benefits and drawbacks of plyometrics performed in various conditions have been widely debated. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of land- and aquatic-based plyometric training on lower-limb performance parameters including jumping, sprinting, agility, and flexibility in young male basketball players.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 32 male basketball players aged 15.15 ± 0.807 years participated in the study. Participants were assigned to one of four groups: aquatic vertical plyometric (AVP, n = 8), land-based vertical plyometric (LVP, n = 8), land-based horizontal plyometric (LHP, n = 8), and a control group (CG, n = 8). The training program was conducted three days per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting approximately 90 min in total, including warm-up, plyometric exercises, and cool-down phases. The sit-and-reach, standing long jump, vertical jump, 30 m sprint, RAST, agility T-test, and lane agility tests were administered before and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant improvements were found in flexibility performance in the aquatic vertical plyometric group (+ 1.62 cm, + 4.8%; p = 0.001). The land-based horizontal plyometric group showed a significant increase in standing long jump performance (+ 0.05 m, + 2.3%; p = 0.006). In the land-based vertical plyometric group, agility performance improved significantly, as evidenced by reductions in both lane agility test time (- 0.07 s, - 0.6%; p = 0.035) and agility T-test time (- 0.62 s, - 6.1%; p = 0.015). No statistically significant improvement was detected in vertical jump performance in the aquatic group (+ 0.71 cm, + 1.8%; p > 0.05). Between-group analysis revealed a significant post-test difference in RAST fatigue index values (ANCOVA, p = 0.021), indicating differential training responses among the intervention groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study demonstrated that plyometric training can effectively improve specific anaerobic performance parameters in young basketball players. Among the examined methods, aquatic plyometric training produced more favorable outcomes in flexibility and fatigue-related parameters and may represent a potentially lower-impact training alternative for young athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of prolonged slump sitting on postural sway in female athletes and non-athletes.","authors":"Reihaneh Zarnegar, Hooman Minoonejad, Mohammad Karimizadeh Ardakani, Ebrahim Ebrahimi","doi":"10.1186/s13102-026-01704-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-026-01704-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Prolonged sedentary behavior and slump sitting posture may impair neuromuscular function; however, acute effects on postural sway and potential differences between athletes and non-athletes remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to examine the acute effects of prolonged slump sitting on postural sway in female athletes and non-athletes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, 24 females (12 athletes, 12 non-athletes; age 18-30 years) completed balance assessments using the Biodex Balance System, followed by a 30-minute standardized slump sitting protocol. Outcomes included static postural stability test (PST), Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB), and limits of stability (LOS). Group differences were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Prolonged slump sitting significantly influenced selected postural sway outcomes. Athletes demonstrated greater post-intervention sway compared with non-athletes in the Overall Stability Index (p = 0.01) and the eyes-closed firm-surface mCTSIB condition (p = 0.02). A significant group difference was also observed in static left LOS performance (p = 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In a nutshell, the present study demonstrated that prolonged slump sitting may influence postural sway in female athletes and non-athletes, with specific differences emerging between groups under certain sensory and stability conditions. By highlighting the potential impact of slump sitting on postural stability, this research contributes to the fields of sports science, ergonomics, and rehabilitation, emphasizing the need for strategies that mitigate the negative effects of prolonged sedentary behavior.</p>","PeriodicalId":48585,"journal":{"name":"BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147821517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}