Sports Sciences Commons^™

Assessing The Relationship Between Perceived Psychological And Physical Pain In Adults With Orthopedic Pain, Daniel C. Karimi Dehkordi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Suicide remains a public health concern in the U.S., particularly among individuals experiencing chronic pain and psychological distress. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between perceived physical and psychological pain in 41 adults with chronic orthopedic conditions. The relationship between other risk and protective factors and perceived levels of pain distress was also examined. Results showed a significant positive correlation between psychological distress and physical pain (r(39) = 0.388, p < .05) and psychological distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms (r (39) = 0.477, p < .01). Psychological distress was moderately associated with feelings of hopelessness (r (39) = 0.403, p < .01), however, the relationship between physical pain and hopelessness was weak and nonsignificant (r (39) = -0.06, p = .71). Contrary to expectations, emotional support did not buffer the effects of psychological distress (r (39) = 0.07, p = 0.66). Mediational analysis confirmed that emotional support did not influence the relationship between physical pain and psychological distress (Beta (β) = -0.969, p = 0.572; Sobel Z = 0.5598, p = 0.575). Age was not correlated with psychological distress (r (39) = -0.24, p = 0.13) or mental health symptoms (r (39) = -0.05, p = .77). While there was no significant difference across sex, males reported higher mental health symptomatology and psychological distress scores than female counterparts. These findings underscore the direct impact of physical pain on psychological distress and challenge assumptions about the protective role of social support. The study highlights the need for integrated, multidisciplinary interventions targeting both physical and psychological pain to mitigate suicide risk among individuals with chronic orthopedic conditions. Future research should iii explore alternative support mechanisms and resilience-building strategies to address the complex interplay of pain, distress, and suicidality.

Isapa 2025: Program Guide, Catherine Carty, Gerard Masdeu Yelamos

Publications

ISAPA 2025 is a landmark international event that brings together global leaders, researchers, practitioners, and advocates in Adapted Physical Activity to ignite systemic change under the unifying theme “Shifting the Dial: From Awareness to Transformation.” Hosted in Kerry, Ireland, under the patronage of UNESCO, the symposium integrates five major events into one dynamic platform.

The program reflects IFAPA’s mission to advance inclusion, research, professional excellence, and international cooperation, while also contributing meaningfully to the implementation of global frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris 2024 Call …

"On The Mat They Will Get Treated The Same": Male High School Wrestlers' Attitudes Towards Female Opponents, Emily Ann Kaht

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Wrestling has historically been considered a male sport. Until recently, so few girls wrestled that those who did had no choice but to take on male opponents. Media reports and the literature indicate that those girls faced a wide range of attitudes from their opponents. While some women reported feeling supported by their male teammates, others reported hostility. Some stakeholders have, in the past, argued that wrestling is inherently unsuitable for girls, and some girls had trouble securing matches due to widespread refusal of boys to wrestle against them. Reasons given for boys forfeiting against girls have included a fear …

ผลของการฝึกการเพ่งความตั้งใจที่มีต่อความสามารถในการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางทางด้านข้าง ในนักกีฬารักบี้ฟุตบอลเพศหญิง, เอนด้า อลีนา ปรียอซูซีลอ

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การวิจัยเชิงทดลองฉบับนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาผลฉับพลันของ การเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายใน (internal focus) และการเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอก (external focus) ที่มีต่อความสามารถในการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางทางด้านข้าง (Side-step cutting: SSC) ตัวแปรทางชีวกลศาสตร์ และความเสี่ยงต่อการบาดเจ็บของเอ็นไขว้หน้าหัวเข่า (cutting Movement Assessment Score: CMAS) ในกลุ่มนักกีฬารักบี้ฟุตบอลเพศหญิง จำนวน 13 คน อายุระหว่าง 18–24 ปี โดยให้ผู้เข้าร่วมทำการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางด้วยขาข้างถนัดและขาข้างที่ไม่ถนัด ภายใต้เงื่อนไขการเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายใน การเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอก และเงื่อนไขควบคุม ใช้รูปแบบการถ่วงดุลลำดับ (counterbalance design) เพื่อกำหนดลำดับเงื่อนไขการทดสอบ โดยเว้นระยะห่าง 7 วันระหว่างแต่ละครั้ง วิเคราะห์ความแตกต่างทางสถิติของค่าเฉลี่ยของความสามารถในการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางชีวกลศาสตร์การเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทาง และความเสี่ยงในการเกิดการบาดเจ็บของเอ็นไขว้หน้าหัวเข่า ด้วยสถิติ paired-sample t-test และ one-way ANOVA with repeated measures ที่ระดับนัยสำคัญ .05 ผลการวิจัยพบว่า ผู้เข้าร่วมงานวิจัยสามารถเพ่งความตั้งใจไปยังตำแหน่งที่กำหนดได้อย่างถูกต้องตามเงื่อนไขการเพ่งความตั้งใจที่ได้รับ อย่างไรก็ตาม ไม่พบความแตกต่างอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติของระยะทาง ความเร็ว และตัวแปรทาง ชีวกลศาสตร์ภายใต้เงื่อนไขการเพ่งความตั้งใจที่ต่างกัน ส่วนคะแนน CMAS ของขาข้างที่ไม่ถนัดภายใต้การเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอก (3.25±1.15) มีค่าต่ำที่สุด (p = 0.07) แสดงถึงคุณภาพการเคลื่อนไหวที่ดีและความเสี่ยงต่อการบาดเจ็บที่ลดลงสรุปผลการวิจัย การเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอกแม้ไม่ส่งผลต่อผลลัพธ์ด้านความสามารถในการเคลื่อนที่เปลี่ยนทิศทางและตัวแปรทางชีวกลศาสตร์โดยรวม แต่แสดงแนวโน้มที่ช่วยให้คุณภาพการเคลื่อนไหวของขาข้างที่ไม่ถนัดดีขึ้น โดยสะท้อนผ่านคะแนน CMAS ที่ต่ำกว่าเมื่อเทียบกับเงื่อนไขอื่น ชี้ให้เห็นว่าคำชี้แจงการเพ่งความตั้งใจแบบภายนอกอาจมีศักยภาพในการพัฒนารูปแบบการเคลื่อนไหวในขาข้างที่ไม่ถนัด ทั้งนี้ควรมีการศึกษาเพิ่มเติมด้วยการเพิ่มขนาดของกลุ่มตัวอย่างและศึกษาผลของการเพ่งความตั้งใจในระยะยาวเพื่อยืนยันผลลัพธ์ของการใช้คำชี้แจงการเพ่งความตั้งใจ

Barriers And Motivators To Attending Group Exercise Classes In Women With Anxiety, Depression And Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sarah Ford

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Research has demonstrated the positive effect of exercise on mental health disorders such as anxiety disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Studies have also investigated the barriers and motivators that women in particular experience when contemplating the ways in which to engage in physical activity. However, a literature gap exists regarding women who experience anxiety disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and the barriers and motivators that they specifically navigate when looking to attend group exercise classes. In this body of research for the award of Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, a scoping review was first conducted …

The Interplay Between Injury And Body Composition With Performance In Police Recruits, Vanessa Sutton

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The occupational demands of policing are challenging and potentially hazardous, with substantial rates of musculoskeletal injuries occurring during recruit training. Academy injury prevalence can be as high as one in five recruits. Injuries impact performance, result in lost training, and impose financial burdens on police agencies. However, limited research has explored pre-injury body composition or musculoskeletal characteristics in relation to police recruit performance. This thesis investigates injuries, body composition and musculoskeletal characteristics in physical performance and injury risk among law enforcement recruits.

Study One quantified prevalence and severity of pre-academy injuries and association with performance. Among 121 recruits, nearly half …

Athlete Monitoring And Training Modification Decision-Making: Insights From High-Level Endurance Sports Coaches, Wouter Piet Timmerman

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Athlete monitoring technology has proliferated in the last decades. However, much of what is known about athlete monitoring tends to come from unpublished personal experiences and anecdotal information. In the last decade, considerable athlete monitoring research has been conducted, leading to multiple reviews and consensus statements mainly on athlete monitoring tools and methods. Recognising that athlete monitoring is a human-driven process, typically with the coach as the decision-maker, it is imperative to study coaches given their extensive knowledge and expertise. The overall aim of the thesis was to gain insights into why and how high-level endurance sports coaches use athlete …

The Relationship Between Nutrition Knowledge And Dietary Behavior Of Student-Athletes, Kerry A. Smith, Kathleen Fritch, James Rost, Amy Jo Riggs, Juliann Sergi Mcbrayer, Monika Krah

Georgia Educational Researcher

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior while controlling for academic major, year, and gender among Division III student-athletes. Sufficient nutrition is essential for athletic performance, injury reduction, and overall health. However, student-athletes face unique challenges that can disrupt optimal nutrition, including poor nutrition knowledge and access to available resources. While several studies have examined the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior, no known studies have addressed this among Division III student-athletes. This non-experimental correlational study examined dietary behavior using the Rapid Eating and Activity Assessment for Participants (REAP-S) and …

Sports Metaresearch: An Emerging Discipline Of Sport Science And Medicine, John Warmenhoven, Paolo Menaspà, David N. Borg, Simine Vazire, Nicole White, Kristin Sainani, Sophia Nimphius, Aaron J. Coutts, Franco M. Impellizzeri

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Inadequacies in the conduct and quality of research are well established across many research domains, including sport science and medicine. Metaresearch—the practice of performing research on research—is presented as a practical vehicle for improving research quality through evaluating the research processes. This article introduces the concept of metaresearch to sport as a new sub-field of sport science. The broad types of metaresearch are introduced, with a mapping of current sports metaresearch activity across these areas. Interdisciplinary centres aimed at improving scientific quality across other fields are also introduced to sport, and specific considerations for beginning metaresearch are provided for sport. …

Muscle Strength, Muscle Endurance, Voluntary Activation, And Perception Of Effort In Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Me/Cfs): An Overview, James L. Nuzzo, Janet L. Taylor, Christopher Latella

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating condition characterized by fatigue, post-exertional malaise, perceived muscle weakness and other symptoms. Whether muscle strength is objectively reduced in ME/CFS is unclear. Objective and methods: Our aim was to determine if muscle strength, muscle endurance, voluntary activation, and perceived effort during muscle endurance tasks are altered in ME/CFS by reviewing the relevant literature. Results: We identified 27 studies that compared muscle strength or endurance between individuals with ME/CFS (n = 1,023) and healthy controls (n = 672). Tests typically involved handgrip, elbow flexion, or knee extension tasks. Across studies, muscle strength …

Psychophysiological Tools & Techniques To Predict Perceptual Motor Task Outcomes, Bobby Gerald Rawls Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The process of perceiving environmental information, analyzing it, formulating a plan of action, and carrying out said plan is vital to our day to day lives. This loop occurs for every motor task we perform, from actions as simple as elbow flexion to as complex as performing surgery. As such, it is imperative to understand what physiological, psychological, and neurocognitive factors most dictate success or failure in the motor performance loop.

Prior research has shown that measures from each of these facets have strong relationships with motor performance outcomes, though these findings tended to rely on artificially produced stress in …

Psychological Impacts In Exercise Riders And Professional Jockeys Following Injury, Kelley M. Renner

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

One of the most well-known equestrian sports, horse racing, is not only a cornerstone of Kentucky’s economy, but also a vital part of its culture, with professional jockeys playing an essential role in the local communities and traditions that define the state. Despite its popularity and financial impact, mental health challenges within the sport have continually been shrouded in silence and ignored in research (Ball et al., 2007). Equally concerning is the high injury prevalence, and psychological impact of these injuries (e.g., psychological distress, depression, anxiety, loss of identity, and self-esteem (King et al., 2022; Losty et al., 2019; McConn-Palfreyman …

You’Re Too Slow! Self-Selected Volitional Efforts Reveal Unexploited Neuromuscular Reserve Capacity Compared To Maximal Efforts During Fatiguing, Load Equated Resistance Exercise, Brian Benitez

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This investigation examined how movement intent influences neuromuscular excitation strategies during fatiguing resistance exercise, comparing maximal intended concentric efforts versus self-selected volitional efforts during load-equated Smith machine back squat exercise to quantify reserve capacity and characterize underlying neuromuscular mechanisms. Twenty-three resistance-trained participants (12 males, 11 females) completed a repeated-measures design, with replication, across six visits, performing smith machine back squat repetitions-to-failure at 70% 1RM under maximal intent (accelerate rapidly) and volitional intent (self-selected effort) conditions. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions used rapid (instantaneous 10-second effort) and ramp (5-second build-up, 5-second maximal) protocols. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was recorded from vastus lateralis and …

The Effects Habitual Training Shoe Use Has On Running Economy When Transitioning To High Performance Running Shoes, Dalton C. Harris

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Background: The recent increase in popularity of minimal shoes in endurance running is linked to potential improvements in running economy and reduced injury risk. However, high performance running shoes, specifically designed to improve running economy remain the fastest shoe to wear when racing. Purpose: Knowing this, the aim of this paper is to examine whether or not the habitual use of minimal shoes increases the benefits of the high performance shoes. This will guide practitioners and athletes when establishing shoe rotations and training plans during race preparation. Methods: The study consisted of 4 sessions: Sessions 1 and 2 were maximal …

Why We Must Stop Assuming And Estimating Menstrual Cycle Phases In Laboratory And Field-Based Sport Related Research, 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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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 …

Individual Differences Provide A Nuanced Understanding Of The Contributions Of Age, Experience, And Level Played To Superior Perceptual-Cognitive-Motor Skill, Khaya Morris-Binelli, Minerva A. Westbrook, Benjamin Piggott, Sean Müller, Paola Chivers

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Theories of expertise either predict superior performance is due to monotonic and progressive exposure to a domain task or due to non-linear exposure to a domain. The aim of this study was to explore the predictions of these theories by use of an individual differences approach to investigate how age, experience, and level played within a sample of athletes with high expertise contributes to superior perceptual-cognitive-motor skill. Twenty-seven players sampled from junior rugby union high-performance pathways and professional rugby union teams in Australia completed an in-situ perceptual-cognitive-motor test involving four attackers and three defenders. Participants were presented with scenarios representative …

College Athlete Workload Management To Improve Performance, Brody Reid

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Load management is an often used and misunderstood term within the realm of sport science. It has been described as the reason behind numerous soft tissue injuries as well as being the reason star athletes sit on the bench for games. This review aims to synthesize the existing literature regarding the workload management paradox within sport. Seminal work in this topic has been gathered mostly by Tim Gabbett in the paper “The Injury Prevention Paradox” where a relationship between fitness gain and fatigue accrued is outlined. This theory was first proposed by Roger Bannister in 1975. This paper …

The Mediating Effect Of Injury On The Relationship Between Running Mileage And Depressive Symptoms In Division 2 Cross Country Athletes, Jaxon Leduc

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Training for a cross-country season requires athletes to accumulate a high volume of training miles at different intensities. Over a period of months and years, consistent high training volumes have been shown to contribute to overuse injuries in cross country athletes. Injuries have been shown to negatively impact athlete’s mental health; this is especially true in student athletes. The purpose of this research is to explore the mediating effect of injuries on the relationship between training volume and mental health in collegiate cross-country runners. Participants in this study were 40 members of NCAA Division 2 Cross Country teams with eligibility …

Practices And Perceptions In Hamstring Training For Injury Prevention And Enhancement Of Athletic Performance: A Qualitative Analysis, Steven Ross, Nicholas J. Ripley, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) remain a prevalent issue across sports, despite extensive research. Previously, the current authors have reported practices and perceptions of training for the mitigation of HSIs, however such practices are highly nuanced. In this study, the authors utilised semi-structured interviews to further understand applied practitioner perceptions and identify how evidence is translated into practice. Twelve practitioners (one physiotherapist and eleven strength and conditioning [S&C] coaches including one dual accredited S&C coach and physiotherapist) working in a range of sporting disciplines were interviewed across six broad categories of questioning (practitioner profile, job role challenges, resistance training, high-speed running …

How Strong Is Strong Enough? Assessing When Physical Performance Tests Cease To Be Predictive Of Sprint Performance In Trained Football Players, Shayne Vial, Mark Scanlan, Philipp Beranek, Daniel Kadlec, Oliver R. Barley, Jodie Cochrane Wilkie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Vial, S, Scanlan, M, Beranek, P, Kadlec, D, Barley, OR, and Cochrane Wilkie, J. How strong is strong enough? Assessing when physical performance tests cease to be predictive of sprint performance in trained football players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025 - Quantifying underlying capacities of sprint performance are useful for monitoring training and guiding interventions. Traditional statistical techniques, such as correlation and regression analyses, have been widely used to model relationships between physical capacity and sprint performance. However, these methods often assume linearity, potentially oversimplifying complex, nonlinear interactions, and generalizing group-level data that may misrepresent individual trends. For …

Investigating The Internal And External Load Associated With Umpiring Semi-Professional Australian Rules Football, Corey Wilson, Mark Scanlan, Colin S. Doherty, Oliver R. Barley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: This investigation examined internal and external load associated with umpiring semi-professional Australian Rules football, an area of limited research. Objective: This exploratory quantitative study recruited 39 field umpires (Age: 25.2 ± 6.8 y, Body Mass: 74.6 ± 7.9 kg, Height: 178.9 ± 7.4 cm) from the Western Australian Football League (WAFL). Each participant was assessed in one match only. Methodology: External measures (total distance [TD], floating distance [FSD], high-intensity running distance [HSD]) and internal measures (blood lactate [BLa], heart rate [HR], rating of perceived exertion [RPE]) were collected during 22 matches, of the 2023 WAFL season. Data collection was …

Do Anxiety, Depression, Fear Of Movement And Fear Of Achilles Rupture Correlate With Achilles Tendinopathy Pain, Symptoms Or Physical Function?, George White, Fletcher Bright, Ebonie K. Rio, Ruth L. Chimenti, Myles C. Murphy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: To determine if psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, fear of movement and fear of rupture are associated with increased tendon-related disability, quantified by the Tendinopathy Severity Assessment-Achilles (TENDINS-A). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Online Qualtrics survey. Participants: Sixty-eight participants (54% female) with Achilles tendinopathy and a mean (standard deviation) age of 40.1 (12.6) years. Main Outcome Measures: The TENDINS-A (including subscales of pain; symptoms such as stiffness; physical function), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and fear of tendon rupture. Associations were evaluated using generalised linear models (adjusting for age and sex), with significance accepted when …

Is There A Relationship Between Rapid Weight Changes And Self-Reported Injury In Combat Sports Athletes? A 14-Month Study Of 24 Combat Sports Events, Colin S. Doherty, Oliver R. Barley, Lauren V. Fortington

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: To explore the potential association between rapid weight changes and self-reported injury status (presence or absence of injury) 7 days following competitive events among male and female combat sports competitors.

Design: A 14-month study of 24 events.

Methods: A weight management questionnaire was completed 1-day post-competition, and an injury questionnaire was completed 7 days post-competition. These online questionnaires provided data on body mass and injury status. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyse the odds ratios of rapid weight change variables and their impact on athletes' self-reporting as injured or non-injured.

Results: There were 172 responses (155 …

Perception-Based Methods And Beyond: A Current Opinion On How To Assess Static Stretching Intensity, Konstantin Warneke, Anthony J. Blazevich, Daniel Jochum, David G. Behm, Ewan Thomas, Masatoshi Nakamura, José Afonso

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Muscle stretching is widely used in clinical, athletic, and otherwise healthy populations, yet a consensual definition of stretch intensity—a key component of stretch load—does not exist. This is important because the effects of stretch intensity on range of motion and strength are controversial but suggested to affect clinical practice and scientific research. Most commonly, stretch intensity is defined in relation to an individual’s perceived level of discomfort or pain; however, these definitions are problematic for several reasons, including that consensual and objective quantifiable definitions of ‘pain’ and ‘discomfort’ do not exist, perceptions vary widely (and may not be sensed in …

Effects Of Multi-Ingredient Protein Supplementation Combined With Exercise Intervention On Body Composition And Muscle Fitness In Healthy Women: A Systematic Review With Multilevel Meta-Analysis, Chengyu Zhou, Muen Qiu, Zhuo Zeng, Qi Xie, Kai Xu, Henghao Yan, Bo Wang, Bopeng Qiu, Guoxin Shi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: This meta-analysis investigated whether multi-ingredient protein supplements (MIPS) combined with exercise improve body composition and muscle fitness in women. It also examined how participant characteristics, training protocols, and supplementation strategies might influence these outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of five electronic databases was conducted through February 2025 to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of MIPS combined with exercise training on body composition and muscle-related outcomes in women. A multilevel meta-analysis was performed to pool effect sizes, reported as standardized mean differences (Hedges’ g), with heterogeneity assessed through predefined subgroup analyses. Results: Nine randomized controlled trials involving 408 …

The Acute Effects Of Caffeine, Creatine, And Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse Combined With Conditioning Activity On Subsequent Sports Performance: A Systematic Review And Bayesian Meta-Analysis, Yanfeng Li, Bopeng Qiu, Hongyan Kuai, Kongyun Huang, Hengxian Liu, Mingyang Zhang, Mingyue Yin, Yilin Zhang, Hengzhi Deng, Yuming Zhong, Hao Kong, Jun Chen, Kai Xu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) refers to the acute improvement in sports performance following a conditioning activity (CA), commonly used in warm-up protocols and complex training. While CA alone has demonstrated performance benefits, the effects of combining CA-induced PAPE with supplements (e.g., caffeine, creatine, or carbohydrate mouth rinse) remain unclear. Objectives: This study was to (i) assess the effects of PAPE combined with supplements on sports performance and fatigue resistance compared to PAPE + placebo, warm-up + supplements, or warm-up alone, and (ii) synthesize direct and indirect evidence on performance outcomes using network meta-analysis. Methods: Searches were conducted across three …

Training Load Influences Gut Microbiome Of Highly Trained Rowing Athletes, B. Charlesson, J. Jones, C. Abbiss, P. Peeling, S. Watts, C. T. Christophersen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Despite the importance of the gut microbiome on physical performance and health, little is known on the impact of training on an athlete’s gut health. Objective: This study investigates the effect of training load on markers of gut health. Methods: Whole stool (24 h) samples were collected from 23 highly trained rowers (mean ± SD; age 19.2 ± 1.1 y; weight 80.1 ± 11.4 kg; height 1.83 ± 0.09 m) following periods of high (HT) and low training load (LT). The microbiome and short-chain fatty acid concentrations were characterized from the whole stool samples. Three-day weighted food records were …

Neuromuscular Characteristics Of Eccentric, Concentric And Isometric Contractions Of The Knee Extensors, Cassio V. Ruas, Janet L. Taylor, Christopher Latella, G. Gregory Haff, Kazunori Nosaka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: We compared voluntary drive and corticospinal responses during eccentric (ECC), isometric (ISOM) and concentric (CON) muscle contractions to shed light on neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning the lower voluntary drive in a greater force production in ECC than other contractions.

Methods: Sixteen participants (20–33 years) performed ISOM and isokinetic (30°/s) CON and ECC knee extensor contractions (110°–40° knee flexion) in which electromyographic activity (EMG) was recorded from vastus lateralis. Voluntary activation (VA) was measured during ISOM, CON and ECC maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs). Transcranial magnetic stimulation elicited motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and corticospinal silent periods (CSP) during MVCs and submaximal (30%) contractions, …

Normative Data And Objective Benchmarks For Selected Force Plate Tests For Professional And Youth Soccer Players In The English Football League, Andrew J. Badby, Paul Comfort, Nicholas J. Ripley, Peter D. Mundy, Marcos A. Soriano, Francisco J. Robles-Palazón, Jack Fahey, Paul Sindall, Bramah, John J. Mcmahon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this study was to establish objective benchmarks for countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement rebound jump (CMRJ), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) metrics in male professional and youth soccer players. Professional (N = 139; age: 24 ± 5 years; height: 184 ± 7 cm; mass: 81 ± 9 kg) and youth (N = 137; age: 17 ± 1 years; height: 178 ± 17 cm; mass: 72 ± 8 kg) soccer players were recruited from 7 separate clubs. Many CMJ (25/32), CMRJ (24/30), and (2/2) IMTP metrics discriminated between age groups. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were identified in CMJ outcome (4/4), propulsive kinetic (6/6), and relative propulsive kinetic (4/4) metrics, but trivial non-significant (p > 0.05) differences were identified in strategy (4/4) …

Practices And Perceptions In Hamstring Training For Injury Risk Mitigation: A Survey-Based Mixed-Methods Analysis, Steven Ross, Nicholas J. Ripley, John J. Mcmahon, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this study, the practices and perceptions of sport and exercise practitioners regarding hamstring training for injury risk mitigation were investigated. Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) remain a prevalent issue across sports, despite extensive research. An anonymous survey was conducted to assess how practitioners integrate evidence-based strategies, such as the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) and high-speed running (HSR), into their training programmes. The survey included both fixed-response and open-ended questions, enabling a mixed-methods analysis of training approaches. A total of 47 practitioners responded, revealing that most incorporate the NHE and HSR into both in-season and off-season training. However, there were notable …