Sports Medicine Commons^™

Are Combat Athletes Different Sleepers? A Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Based Comparative Survey Across Athletic Populations, Zofia Tkocz, Małgorzata Hołda Dr, Michał Spieszny, Adam Zając, Robert Trybulski, Aleksandra Filip-Stachnik

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Sleep plays an important role in athletic performance, recovery, and cognitive function. The aim of this study was to compare sleep quality and selected sleep-related  variables in combat sports athletes and athletes from other sport disciplines . Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight competitive athletes participated in the study, including 52 combat sports athletes and 46 athletes  representing other sport disciplines. Sleep quality was assessed using the modified Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) with a weekly recall period, global PSQI score and additional  variables, such as sleep duration, sleep latency, and habitual sleep-wake times, were analyzed using general linear models adjusted …

The Effect Of Plyometric Training On Leg Muscle Explosive Power In Adolescent Amateur Volleyball Players, Dany Fajar Muhlasin, Fendy Nugroho, Jasmine Kartiko Pertiwi

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Background: Leg muscle explosive power is a crucial physical component in volleyball, particularly in supporting the execution of smashes and blocks. The ability to generate force rapidly and explosively plays a key role in determining an athlete’s jumping performance. One training method proven effective in enhancing leg muscle explosive power is plyometric exercise. Several recent studies have shown that plyometric training can significantly improve vertical jump performance in adolescent athletes. However, there is still limited research specifically examining the effect of plyometric exercise on jumping explosive power in amateur players aged 14–18 years, indicating a research gap that warrants further …

Pengaruh Rehabilitasi Berbantuan Robot Terhadap Pemulihan Fungsional Setelah Total Hip Arthroplasty: Literature Review, Dian Rahayu Wijayanti, Kholida Nabila, Nadzifa Salsabila Haris Putri, Nur Afrina Azra, Septina Olivia, Farid Rahman

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) remains a gold standard for restoring joint function in patients with severe hip osteoarthritis, yet achieving optimal functional recovery post-surgery remains a challenge. Robot-assisted rehabilitation (RAR) has emerged as a novel physiotherapy modality offering structured, repetitive, and sensor-driven training that may enhance recovery trajectories. Objective: This literature review aims to identify and synthesise current evidence on the effectiveness of RAR in improving functional outcomes after THA, focusing on gait performance, muscle strength, balance, and quality of life. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, PEDro, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar was conducted for peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 …

Community-Based Exercise Programs Dalam Mengurangi Fear Of Falling Dan Meningkatkan Quality Of Life Pada Lansia: A Systematic Literature Review, Amirah Hasna Rafifah -, Hanif Maulana, Saffanah

Jurnal Fisioterapi Terapan Indonesia

The global increase in the elderly population presents significant challenges in maintaining independence and quality of life among older adults. One of the most common problems experienced by the elderly is fear of falling, which negatively affects physical activity, balance, and psychological well-being. Community-based exercise programs represent an approach that not only improves physical function but also strengthens social interaction and self-confidence among older adults. This study aims to review community-based exercise programs in reducing fear of falling and improving quality of life among the elderly through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The literature …

Microelement Deficiencies In Perimenopausal Women And Their Impact On Metabolic And Physical Performance: Potential Applications Of Vis–Nir Tissue Spectrophotometry And The So/Check Platform, Izabela Pabin, Damian M. Dudek, Łukasz Jaworski, Ewa Maria Kłodzińska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The perimenopausal period, typically occurring between the ages of 40 and 55 years, represents a critical transitional stage in women’s physiology characterized by profound hormonal, metabolic, and systemic adaptations. While the endocrine aspects of this transition have been extensively investigated, increasing attention has recently been directed toward the role of micronutrient homeostasis in maintaining metabolic health and physical performance during this period. Therefore, the aim of this narrative review is to summarize current knowledge regarding microelement deficiencies in perimenopausal women and their potential impact on metabolic health and physical performance. Additionally, the review discusses the potential applications of VIS–NIR …

Athletic Training Preceptors' Accuracy In Assessing Ai-Generated Clinical Scenarios Aligned With Caate Educational Standards, Elisabeth (Beth) Shoulders

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Athletic training preceptors play a critical role in clinical education by evaluating student competence; however, little is known about their preparedness to assess competency-based standards, particularly when using emerging tools such as artificial intelligence (AI). The purpose of this study was to examine preceptors’ accuracy in applying Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) standards and classifying student proficiency within AI-generated clinical scenarios, and to determine whether accuracy differed based on preceptor characteristics.

This quantitative, cross-sectional study included Board of Certification-certified athletic trainers who had served as preceptors within the past five years (N = 68). Participants completed an …

Objectively And Subjectively Measured Physical Activity Levels Among Children And Adolescents In Poland (2012–2022): A Systematic Review, Jarosław Herbert, Vasylyna Petrovets

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of research on physical activity levels among children and adolescents in Poland from 2012 to 2022, considering both objective and subjective assessment methods. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA reporting recommendations. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar databases, as well as Polish scientific databases were searched. The review included studies published from 2012 to 2022, on children and adolescents aged 3–18 living in Poland, assessing physical activity levels using objective and/or subjective methods. This analysis of the selected studies showed that physical activity levels …

Influence Of Peak Height Velocity On The Level Of Motor Skills And Anthropometric Features In Young Male Footballers, Dariusz Tadeusz Skalski, Magdalena Prończuk, Artur Terbalyan, Kinga Łosińska, Adam Maszczyk, Robert Krzysztof Roczniok

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study examines the influence of Peak Height Velocity (PHV) on motor abilities and anthropometric characteristics of young male football players aged 12–16. The research aimed to determine whether PHV significantly affects motor performance beyond the chronological age, providing insights for talent identification and training optimization. Materials and methods: A total of 248 male football players from four professional academies were assessed and categorized into three maturation groups: Pre-PHV (n = 95, 38.3%), Mid-PHV (n = 98, 39.5%), and Post-PHV (n = 55, 22.2%) Anthropometric measurements included height, body mass, BMI, and leg length, while motor tests …

Proceedings Of The 25th International Symposium On Adapted Physical Activity: Easy Read Edition Of The Symposium Proceedings, Catherine Carty, Niamh Cronin, Ian Coleman Horgan, Stuart Dodd, Jack Dowling, Lydia Murphy, Alex Nicholls, Yann O'Carroll, Robbie O'Neill, Meabh Rohan, Brandon Rumian, Diarmuid O'Connor, Eamonn Carroll, Gerard O'Carroll, Jasmin Richter, Mary Shanahan, Aaron Doherty, Sasha Fitzgerald, Katie Lyons, Katie Mahoney, Afeefah Memon, Conor Moriarty, Adrian O'Sullivan, Dylan Shine, Michelle Enright, Phil Mcsweeney, Sophie Casey

Publications

This book is the Easy Read Proceedings of the 25th International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA 2025), hosted by Munster Technological University under the Patronage of UNESCO. A small number of printed books are available in MTU libraries, and there is a digital version available online on the South West Open Research Deposit.

The Effect Of Weight Training With Blood Flow Restriction On Muscle Strength Development In Mma, Tomáš Kozák, Marek Kokinda, Pavel Ružbarský

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study aimed to elucidate the effect of weight training with blood flow restriction (BFR) on explosive power and isokinetic strength in combat athletes. Materials and methods: The sample included 12 male MMA fighters divided into a control (19.50±0.50 years) and an experimental (18.00±1.00 years) group. Participants trained twice weekly for 8 weeks, with BFR in the experimental group. Explosive power was assessed using following tests by Optogait: countermovement push-up, kneeling countermovement push-up and kneeling squat push-up for upper limbs and countermovement jump, countermovement jump with free arms and squat jump for lower limbs. Isokinetic strength was measured by …

Granular Phenotyping Of Neuromuscular And Cortical Adaptation In Elite Judo Athletes: A Three-Group Experimental Analysis Using Eeg And Emg Markers, Magdalena Prończuk, Dariusz Tadeusz Skalski, Wirginia Likus, Łukasz Jaworski, Adam Maszczyk, Kinga Łosińska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Inter-individual variability in neuromuscular and cortical adaptation presents a significant challenge for the personalization of neurofeedback protocols in elite sports, particularly in judo. Objective: This study aimed to identify distinct adaptation phenotypes in elite Polish judo athletes by integrating electrophysiological and performance-based measures following an EEG biofeedback intervention. Materials and methods: Twenty-four male athletes from the Polish national judo team completed a 15-session EEG biofeedback protocol targeting frontal alpha asymmetry. Post-intervention assessments included surface EMG amplitude (RMS), median frequency (MF), percentage EMG change, composite EEG indices (EEG_SUM), and normalized lower-limb strength. A composite Global Adaptation Index (GAI) was used …

Evolution Lower Limb Functional Asymmetry In Women's 400 M Hurdles From 1978-2022, Janusz Iskra, Wojciech Paśko, Paweł Gwiazdoń, Magdalena Chanas, Krzysztof Przednowek

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Functional asymmetry of the lower limbs in the technique of clearing 10 hurdles in the 400 m hurdles event was the subject of the study. Materials and methods: This study investigates the patterns of hurdle clearance, distinguishing between left and right lead legs by 196 female hurdlers competing in major championship events (including Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships) from 1978 to 2022. The hurdlers were categorized into three groups based on competition periods: Group A (1978–2000), Group B (2001–2011), and Group C (2012–2022). The share of the left lead leg (assumed by most authors to be the lead …

Remote Hr-Guided High-Intensity Interval Training With Weekly Health Monitoring In Breast Cancer Patients During Chemotherapy: A Moderation Analysis Of Physiological Predictors, Madara Ketlīna Štarka-Rantiņa, Rudolfs Ceseiko, Martins Campa, Maksims Zolovs, Greta Franceska Jermolenko, Kristaps Eglitis, Alicia Llorente, Aija Linē, Aija Klavina

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-month remotely monitored heart rate – guided high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on aerobic capacity, functional performance, and weekly self-reported health outcomes in women with stage II–III breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and methods: Fifty-six women (mean age 47 ± 8 years) were randomly assigned (1:1) to a HIIT group or a control group (CG). Thirty-five participants were included in analyses (HIIT group = 17; CG = 18). HIIT group performed 4 × 4-minute HIIT sessions at the intensity of 85–95% of the peak heart rate, two to three …

Exercise Prescription For Adults With Prediabetes In The Primary Care Clinic, Katherine W. Hall

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Prediabetes affects approximately one in three adults in the United States, with an estimated 10% progressing to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) annually. Despite strong evidence supporting exercise as a first-line intervention to prevent disease progression, most patients in primary care settings do not receive structured physical activity counseling. This evidence-based project (EBP) aims to address this gap by implementing a standardized protocol to assess baseline physical activity levels and deliver individualized exercise prescriptions to adults with prediabetes in the primary care clinic.

Eligible participants, defined by HbA1c values between 5.70% and 6.49%, were identified during routine primary care visits …

Effects Of A 10-Day Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Protocol On Anaerobic And Aerobic Performance And Post-Exercise Cytokine Responses, Paulina Brzezińska, Jan Mieszkowski, Madalena Kochanowicz, Andżelika Borkowska, Jędrzej Antosiewicz, Andrzej Kochanowicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) consists of brief cycles of limb is-chemia and reperfusion and has been proposed as an ergogenic strategy. This study examined whether a 10-day lower-limb RIPC protocol affects anaerobic and aerobic performance and post-exercise cytokine responses in physically active men. Materials and methods: Sixty healthy, physically active men were assigned to anaerobic (Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), n = 29) or aerobic (Bruce treadmill test (BTT), n = 28) protocols and completed a 10-day lower-limb RIPC (220 mmHg) or SHAM (20 mmHg) intervention. Serum IL-6, IL-10, and IL-15 were measured at baseline and immediately post-exercise before and …

Gastrointestinal Symptoms After Sport-Related Concussion: Prevalence And Patterns In A Multi-Cohort Analysis, Emma Finnegan, Ed Daly, Katherine J. Hunzinger, Lisa Ryan

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: Concussions occur across all sports globally; however, inconsistent symptom recognition continues to challenge diagnosis, management, and recovery. Although concussion effects extend beyond neurological dysfunction, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms remain insufficiently captured within current assessment frameworks and may influence athletes’ fuelling choices and food tolerance during recovery. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and patterns of GI symptoms reported among athletes with a history of concussion and to explore whether symptom prevalence and burden differed by sex and country. Methods: A total of 401 adult athletes (225 males; mean age 32.4 ± 11.3 years) with a history of concussion were …

Comparing Injury Incidence Between Major League Soccer And The English Premier League During The 2024/2025 Season: A Retrospective Cohort Study, William Gadbois, Youssef Salama, Kevin Reck, Scott Mohamed El-Sayed Yaekle

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background

Major League Soccer (MLS) and the English Premier League (EPL) differ substantially in geographic footprint, travel requirements, competition structure, and scheduling. These structural differences may influence player injury risk, yet no study has directly compared injury incidence between the two leagues within the same competitive season. In 2024, MLS introduced a centralized, standardized injury-reporting system that improved transparency and created a unique opportunity for direct comparison with the EPL.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study will analyze all reported time-loss injuries during the 2024 MLS and 2024–25 EPL seasons. Injury data will be collected from publicly available league reports, club …

The Contribution Of Psychophysiological Stress Factors On Muscle Cramp Susceptibility, Lauren D. Levine

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) are painful phenomenon that involves involuntary muscle spasms occurring during physical activity or directly after. 1 The landscape of the research on EAMC etiology has expanded from focusing on a single prevailing cause (e.g., hydration status) to a more holistic approach of how numerous factors contribute to the onset of neuromuscular fatigue, and the significance of each factor in those who suffer from EAMC. Following the multifactorial theory of cramp pathophysiology, this research sought to advance the knowledge of cramp susceptibility by investigating if there is a relationship between common psychophysiological factors like high anxiety, sleep …

Turf Toe And Sesamoid Fracture Case Study, Mason Cannon

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE This case presents the evaluation and management of a 15-year-old male multi-sport high school athlete. The athlete initially sustained a turf toe injury that progressed into a sesamoid fracture. This report showcases the clinical findings, treatment progression, and outcomes within a disablement model framework.

Prevalence Of Low Energy Availability (Lea) Risk In Division Iii Female Distance Athletes, Ciara Murphy

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of LEA among division III female distance athletes.