Sports最新文献

{"title":"Effects of Speed, Orthosis, and Load on Calf Muscle Electromyography Signal During Treadmill Walking.","authors":"Yasha Nahreini, Monika Herten, Jens-Peter Stahl, Christoph Schönle, Marcel Dudda, Thomas Jöllenbeck","doi":"10.3390/sports13020047","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Achilles tendon rupture rehabilitation protocols often emphasize two key factors, namely plantar flexion and load restriction during the early recovery stages. However, we hypothesize that variations in walking speed also play a significant role in affecting the load on the Achilles tendon. This study aims to explore the combined impact of plantar flexion angle and walking speed on the surface electromyography (EMG) activity of the calf muscles.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Surface EMG measurements on 24 healthy volunteers assessed the activity of the calf muscles (gastrocnemius lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis, and soleus). Participants walked on a treadmill using two designs of ankle foot orthoses set at three different angles of the ankle joint (mainly 0°, 15°, or 30° plantar flexion), as well as barefoot and in sports shoes. The tests were performed at full loads of 1, 2 and 4 km/h or with additional measurements at 1 and 2 km/h with a partial load of 20 kg. The walking speed of 4 km/h in sports shoes was used as reference, corresponding to the maximum load on the calf muscles during walking.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both orthoses demonstrated a significant reduction in EMG activity by more than half even at a 0° setting and 1 km/h compared to walking barefoot or in sports shoes. However, as walking speed increased to 2 km/h and especially to 4 km/h, EMG activity significantly increased, approaching the level of walking with sports shoes at 1 km/h. The results indicated that even minor changes in walking speed had a significant impact on muscle activity, underscoring the importance of this parameter.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study suggests that walking speed should be considered a crucial factor in rehabilitation protocols for Achilles tendon ruptures, alongside plantar flexion and load restrictions, to optimize recovery outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11860926/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validity and Inter-Device Reliability of the OTBeat Burn^TM Monitor to Estimate Heart Rate During Exercise.","authors":"Matteo F de Leon, Clayton L Camic, Matthew J Herring, Christopher M Hill","doi":"10.3390/sports13020049","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy and inter-device reliability of the OTBeat Burn^TM heart rate monitor during an incremental test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. Twenty males (mean ± SD age = 21.1 ± 1.9 years) volunteered to complete a test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer with OTBeat Burn^TM devices placed on the forearm and upper arm, with a 12-lead electrocardiogram used as the criterion. The heart rate was recorded every 30 s and averaged across each two-minute stage. Accuracy was assessed through calculation of the mean absolute percent error (MAPE), Bland-Altman plot, and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the inter-device reliability. Statistical significance was set at α < 0.05. The MAPE (±SD), Bland-Altman regression analyses, and Lin's CCC values were 0.9 (±0.6)% and 0.8 (±0.5)%, r = 0.107 and 0.303, and r<i>_c</i> = 0.998 and 0.998 for the forearm and the upper arm monitors, respectively. The ICC for inter-device reliability was <i>R</i> = 0.999. Our findings indicated the OTBeat Burn^TM monitors placed on the forearm and upper arm provided highly accurate and reliable values when compared to an electrocardiogram from low to maximal exercise intensities.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11860634/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future Directions.","authors":"Adam C Eckart, Pragya Sharma Ghimire, James Stavitz, Stephen Barry","doi":"10.3390/sports13020046","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) risk screening has gained significant attention in rehabilitation, sports, and fitness due to its ability to predict injuries and guide preventive interventions. This review analyzes the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) landscape. Although these instruments are widely used because of their simplicity and ease of access, their accuracy in predicting injuries is inconsistent. Significant issues include reliance on broad scoring systems, varying contextual relevance, and neglecting individual characteristics such as age, gender, fitness levels, and past injuries. Meta-analyses reveal that the FMS and YBT overall scores often lack clinical relevance, exhibiting significant variability in sensitivity and specificity among different groups. Findings support the effectiveness of multifactorial models that consider modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors such as workload ratios, injury history, and fitness data for better prediction outcomes. Advances in machine learning (ML) and wearable technology, including inertial measurement units (IMUs) and intelligent monitoring systems, show promise by capturing dynamic and personalized high-dimensional data. Such approaches enhance our understanding of how biomechanical, physiological, and contextual injury aspects interact. This review discusses the problems of conventional movement screens, highlights the necessity for workload monitoring and personalized evaluations, and promotes the integration of technology-driven and data-centered techniques. Adopting tailored, multifactorial models could significantly improve injury prediction and prevention across varied populations. Future research should refine these models to enhance their practical use in clinical and field environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11860429/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Objective Evaluation of Out-of-Competition Volume of Action in Wheelchair Basketball Classification.","authors":"Yuki Shimoyama, Shintaro Kasai, Hiroaki Wagatsuma, Tatsuru Ibusuki, Takumi Tsukada, Kaori Tachibana","doi":"10.3390/sports13020048","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In wheelchair basketball, classes are based on competition observations. Since 2021, out-of-competition testing has been implemented; however, research remains limited. This study aimed to determine whether the quantified volume of action (VOA) can be an indicator for classification and examined the influence of a competitive wheelchair on VOA evaluation. This cross-sectional study included 47 wheelchair basketball players (21 able-bodied, 26 with physical impairments: class 1, n = 8; class 2, n = 5; class 3, n = 4; class 4, n = 9). Tests were performed in a wheelchair (wheelchair condition) and on a trainer bed (bed condition). Participants held a ball and rotated their trunks in various planes. Movements were recorded using four cameras, and position coordinates were extracted using the three-dimensional DLT method. Classes and sitting conditions were compared across five groups: classes 1, 2, 3, 4, and able-bodied. Comparisons between classes revealed significant differences in all planes, including wheelchair and bed conditions (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The VOA expanded in the wheelchair condition compared to the bed condition across multiple classes and planes (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Measuring the VOA outside the competition while sitting on a bed may effectively classify players by eliminating equipment influence.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11860575/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting Heart Rate Slow Component Dynamics: A Model Across Exercise Intensities, Age, and Sex.","authors":"Massimo Teso, Alessandro L Colosio, Maura Loi, Jan Boone, Silvia Pogliaghi","doi":"10.3390/sports13020045","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The heart rate slow component (_scHR) is an intensity-dependent HR increment that emerges during constant exercises, partially dissociated from metabolism (V˙O₂). The _scHR has been observed during constant-workload exercise in young and older adults. Unless this _scHR is accounted for, exercise prescription using HR targets lead to an undesired reduction in metabolic intensity over time.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this study is to characterize _scHR across intensities, sex, and age to develop and validate a predictive equation able to maintain the desired metabolic stimulus over time in a constant aerobic exercise session.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In our study, 66 individuals (35 females; 35 ± 13 yrs) performed the following: (i) a ramp-test for respiratory exercise threshold (GET and RCP) and maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O_2max) detection, and (ii) 6 × 9-minute constant exercises at different intensities. The _scHR was calculated by linear fitting from the fifth minute of exercise (bpm⋅min^-1). A multiple-linear equation was developed to predict the _scHR based on individual and exercise variables. The validity of the equation was tested on an independent sample by a Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analysis between the measured and estimated HR during constant exercises.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The _scHR increases with intensity and is larger in males (<i>p</i> < 0.05). A multiple-linear equation predicts the _scHR based on the relative exercise intensity to RCP, age, and sex (<i>r</i>² = 0.54, SEE = 0.61 bpm⋅min^-1). _scHR (bpm⋅min^-1) = -0.0514 + (0.0240 × relative exercise intensity to RCP) - (0.0172 × age) - (0.347 × Sex (males = 0 and females score = 1)). In the independent sample, we found an excellent correlation between the measured and estimated HR (r² = 0.98, <i>p</i> < 0.001) with no bias (-0.01 b·min^-1, z-score= -0.04) and a fair precision (±4.09 b·min^-1).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The dynamic of the _scHR can be predicted in a heterogeneous sample accounting for the combined effects of relative intensity, sex, and age. The above equation provides the means to dynamically adapt HR targets over time, avoiding an undesired reduction in the absolute and relative training load. This strategy would allow the maintenance of the desired metabolic stimulus (V˙O₂) throughout an exercise session in a heterogeneous population.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11860534/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reasons for the Practice, Abandonment, and Non-Practice of Extracurricular Physical Activity and Sport Among Primary and Secondary School Students in Cantabria: What Can We Do About It?","authors":"Martín Barcala-Furelos, Iván González-Gutiérrez, Josune Rodríguez-Negro, Marcos Mecías-Calvo, Rubén Navarro-Patón","doi":"10.3390/sports13020044","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>(1) Background: Physical education at school is not able to meet the need for physical activity and sport (PA and S) established by international organizations, making it necessary to implement its practice outside school hours. This study aimed to find out the reasons for practicing, abandoning, and never having practiced PA and S outside school hours among students of Primary Education (PE) and Secondary Education (SE) in Cantabria (Spain). (2) Overall, 1038 students participated (349 from PE and 689 from SE), consisting of 512 boys and 526 girls between 10 and 17 years old (M = 12.92; SD = 1.92). They completed an ad hoc questionnaire with 21 questions about reasons for practicing (12 items), abandoning (3 items), and never having practiced PA and S (6 items) between the months of May and June 2024. (3) Results: As for active students, boys argue that they do so because of the influence of friends (<i>p</i> = 0.024), search for excitement (<i>p</i> = 0.002), liking PA and S (<i>p</i> = 0.022), and entertainment (<i>p</i> = 0.001). In PE, compared to SE, the most important factors are excitement (<i>p</i> < 0.001), health (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and liking PA and S (<i>p</i> = 0.022). Students who abandon PA and S do so because of the competitive environment (<i>p</i> = 0.001), with boys predominating. SE students highlight reluctance and laziness (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and the loss of liking PA and S (<i>p</i> = 0.013). Students who have never practiced PA and S do so because they do not find any sport motivating (<i>p</i> = 0.047) and because of reluctance and laziness (<i>p</i> = 0.018), especially among girls. In SE, the differences appear due to reluctance and laziness (<i>p</i> = 0.009) and because friends do not practice PA and S (<i>p</i> = 0.049). (4) Conclusions: Boys prioritize emotional and competency aspects, while girls focus on social aspects and happiness. PE students tend to participate in sports for fun and to improve their skills, while SE students tend to show reluctance and laziness and a loss of interest in PA and S.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11861988/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex-Based Effects on Muscle Oxygenation During Repeated Maximal Intermittent Handgrip Exercise.","authors":"Modesto A Lebron, Justine M Starling-Smith, Ethan C Hill, Jeffrey R Stout, David H Fukuda","doi":"10.3390/sports13020042","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This investigation aimed to examine sex-based differences in deoxy[heme] (HHb), tissue saturation (StO₂), and force-deoxygenation ratio (FD) of the forearm flexor muscles during a maximal-effort intermittent fatiguing handgrip protocol.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-three healthy males (<i>n</i> = 15) and females (<i>n</i> = 18) completed a fatiguing handgrip protocol consisting of 60 4 s contractions separated by a 1 s rest. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure muscle oxygenation before, during, and after the protocol.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sex differences in HHb (<i>p</i> = 0.033) and StO₂ (<i>p</i> = 0.021) were observed with significantly greater values for females (HHb: 110.204 ± 12.626% of baseline; StO₂: 72.091 ± 5.812%) in comparison to males (HHb: 101.153 ± 12.847% of baseline; StO₂: 66.978 ± 7.799%). Females (0.199 ± 0.081 AU) also demonstrated significantly (<i>p</i> = 0.001) lower FD in comparison to males (0.216 ± 0.094 AU). However, males (b = -0.023 ± 0.008 AU) demonstrated a significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.001) greater rate of decline in FD in comparison to females (b = -0.017 ± 0.006 AU).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Prior to, during, and after a maximal-effort intermittent fatiguing handgrip fatiguing protocol, males demonstrate significantly lower StO₂ than females and a faster rate of decline in FD. Moreover, females demonstrate greater HHb values than males when assessed relative to a resting baseline.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11860420/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sports-Related Injuries in Deaf Competitive Squad Athletes-Results of a Retrospective Self-Assessment.","authors":"Bastian Mester, Kim Lennartz, Julia Kristin, Heinz-Lothar Meyer, Christina Polan, Monika Herten, Marcel Dudda, Manuel Burggraf","doi":"10.3390/sports13020043","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Deaf squad athletes regularly participate in national/international competitions and most prepare for competitions in clubs with hearing athletes. Hearing loss is associated with difficulties in balance control which may impair functionality. The aim of this study is to provide epidemiological data on sports injuries in deaf squad athletes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this retrospective study, data on main sport, training and competitions, injury rates, and downtimes were collected. Questionnaires from <i>n</i> = 65 athletes (<i>n</i> = 15 females, <i>n</i> = 50 males; age 28.00 ± 0.40 years) were finally analyzed. All injuries during the athlete's career within nine body regions were recorded. The influence of contact sports, supervision by Olympic Training Center (OSP), and hearing aids on injury rates and downtimes were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>An amount of 89.20% were additionally registered in a regular sports club. A total of 1430 injuries were recorded during 465,400 training hours (3.07 injuries/1000 training hours). The highest prevalences were found for hand/fingers (43.00%) and ankle/foot (14.00%). Contact sport athletes had higher injury rates and longer downtimes (5.66 versus 1.28 injuries/1000; <i>p</i> < 0.001; 2.45 versus 1.11 weeks/1000; <i>p</i> = 0.011). OSP athletes showed lower injury rates (0.92 versus 4.38 injuries/1000, <i>p</i> = 0.004). Longer downtimes were recorded for athletes without hearing aids during training (2.29 weeks/1000 versus 0.96 weeks/1000; <i>p</i> = 0.045).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Deaf athletes are exposed to additional training and competition in hearing sports. The negative impact of contact sports may be attributed to hearing loss. Hearing aids in training seem to be protective. Athletes should consider supervision by OSP. The results of this study may help to improve treatment and integration of deaf athletes into hearing sports.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11861969/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Analysis of Young Women University Students's Physical Activity Levels.","authors":"Gema Díaz-Quesada, Juan Francisco Jiménez-Jiménez, Rosario Padial-Ruz, Gema Torres-Luque","doi":"10.3390/sports13020041","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The physical activity (PA) level in women, it seems, tends to decrease in adulthood. The aims of the study were: (i) to evaluate the degree of compliance with PA recommendations in young women university students and (ii) to measure steps and the level of PA in different periods during the week. Eighty-eight young adult girls (21.38 ± 2.71 years) were recruited for this study. Participants wore an \"Actigraph GT3X\" accelerometer for seven days, collecting minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps volume. The results show an 80% of compliance of the 10,000 steps per day and a 220% of compliance of the 300 min/week of MVPA. The analysis shows a trend towards higher steps and PA minutes at the Weekdays (steps/day, BF10 = 168.563, δ = 0.418; meeting recommendations 10,000 steps/day, BF10 = 168.563, δ = 0.419; MVPA minutes/day, BF10 = 10.648, δ = 0.323; meeting recommendations 300 min/week, BF10 = 10.648, δ = 0.324) and during the Out-of-University-Time (steps/day, BF10 = 1.387 × 10¹⁰, δ = -0.883; meeting recommendations 10,000 steps/day, BF10 = 1.387 × 10¹⁰, δ = -0.886; MVPA minutes/day, BF10 = 1.110 × 10¹⁵, δ = -1.138; meeting recommendations 300 min/week, BF10 = 1.1 × 10¹⁵, δ = -1.144). This study can provide strategies and motivational PA guidelines at university to enhance well-being in young female university students.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11860924/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Aerobic Fitness Dynamics in Post-COVID-19 Athletes: Implications in the Return-to-Play Performance.","authors":"Lucas Rafael Lopes, Rui Medeiros, Valéria Tavares, Francisca Dias, Marcus Vinícius Galvão Amaral, Rodrigo Araújo Goes, João Antonio Matheus Guimarães, Jamila Alessandra Perini","doi":"10.3390/sports13020040","DOIUrl":"10.3390/sports13020040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Maximal oxygen uptake (V.O₂max) assesses athletic performance; however, its values are inconsistent in post-COVID-19 athletes. This study aimed to analyze the dynamics of V.O₂max in post-COVID-19 athletes. Observational studies were identified by screening the PubMed database published up to 17 July 2023. The initial electronic search found 320 studies. Of these, 26 employing the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to assess aerobic fitness were selected. Of the 2625 pooled athletes, 1464 were infected and considered as the post-COVID-19 group, either asymptomatic or symptomatic, while the remaining 1161, who were uninfected or had V.O₂max results prior to infection, were defined as the infection-free group. Age and V.O₂max were differently distributed between post-COVID-19 athletes and those without infection (<i>p</i> = 0.03 in both). Persistent symptoms athletes had 8 mL/Kg/min lower V.O₂max than those without infection (<i>p</i> = 0.04). In addition, post-infected athletes who underwent CPET after 12 weeks showed a significant reduction of 2.9 mL/Kg/min in V.O₂max according to the increase in body mass index (BMI). The pooled analysis showed that aerobic fitness was reduced in athletes post-COVID-19. V.O₂max was negatively correlated with BMI in those who underwent CPET at 12 weeks, suggesting that symptoms persist beyond 12 weeks, affecting return-to-play.</p>","PeriodicalId":53303,"journal":{"name":"Sports","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11860767/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}