The Influence of Maturity Status on the Development of Neuromuscular Performance in the Lower Body After One Season in Adolescent Tennis Players.

Baiget, E, Canós-Portalés, J, Martínez-Gallego, R, Corbi, F, and Fernandez-Fernandez, J. The influence of maturity status on the development of neuromuscular performance in the lower body after 1 season in adolescent tennis players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of biologic maturation on lower body neuromuscular performance over the course of a competitive tennis season in young tennis players.

Content Validity of a New Soccer (Football) Return-to-Play Test: The RONDO-TEST.

Objectives: The aim was to assess the content validity of a new field test on general and soccer-specific motor skills before return to play.

Methods: The RONDO-TEST was assessed by a Delphi panel for its content validity. It included a survey to evaluate 16 items related to the test consisting of four 10 m lines which cross over at their mid-point, resulting in eight 5 m sectors that include locomotor skills (speeding, moving sideways, side cutting, and jumping) and soccer-specific technical skills (dribbling, slalom course, and kicking/passing).

[Effects of intermittent fasting and sports performance: a narrative review].

Recently, fasted exercise has generated interest for its potential to stimulate metabolic and performance adaptations. The present study aims to analyze the effects of fasting and fasted training on performance and metabolism, acutely and chronically. The databases Medline (PubMed), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched.

Muscle Tone, Stiffness, and Elasticity in Elite Female Cyclists after Consecutive Short Competitions.

Background: For professional road cyclists, most overload injuries affect the lower limbs. They are mostly represented by contractures or muscle shortening, characterised by a variation of muscular tone, stiffness, and elasticity. This real-life study aimed to assess specific mechanical parameters in top-class female cyclists who participated in 3 races a week.

Possible relationship between the gut leaky syndrome and musculoskeletal injuries: the important role of gut microbiota as indirect modulator.

This article aims to examine the evidence on the relationship between gut microbiota (GM), leaky gut syndrome and musculoskeletal injuries. Musculoskeletal injuries can significantly impair athletic performance, overall health, and quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that the state of the gut microbiota and the functional intestinal permeability may contribute to injury recovery.

Cardiac Troponin Release after Exercise in Healthy Young Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Cardiac troponin (cTn) is a recognized marker used to assess damage to the heart muscle. Actual research has indicated that the levels of cTn increase after doing exercise in individuals who are in good health, and this is believed to be a result of a normal cellular process rather than a pathological one. The main goal of this study was to investigate the evidence of a postexercise release of cTn in child and adolescent athletes (6-17.

Effects of different maturity status on change of direction performance of youth tennis players.

The aim of this study was to examine the maturational status (i.e., peak height velocity [PHV]) differences in neuromuscular performance (i.

Joint-specific Postactivation Potentiation Enhances Serve Velocity in Young Tennis Players.

Baiget, E, Colomar, J, and Corbi, F. Joint-specific postactivation potentiation enhances serve velocity in young tennis players. J Strength Cond Res 37(4): 840-847, 2023-This study aimed (a) to analyze the influence of sport-specific postactivation potentiation (PAP) on serve velocity (SV) and serve accuracy (SA) in young tennis players, (b) to compare the PAP effects of 2 different conditioning activities (CA) on SV and SA, and (c) to explore if changes in SV would be related to tennis player's neuromuscular performance.

Influence of anthropometric, ball impact and landing location parameters on serve velocity in elite tennis competition.

This study aimed (i) to analyse the associations between serve velocity (SV) and anthropometric, ball impact and landing location parameters in total serves (TS) and fastest serves (FS) performed during an ATP Tour event; (ii) to observe differences between first (S1) and second (S2) serves, and (iii) to determine a SV prediction model based on the relationship between the observed variables. Using Foxtenn technology, 30 S1 and 15 S2 were registered in 14 matches in twenty-one male professional tennis players. Ball impact (impact height [IH], impact projection angle [IPA] and relative impact height [RIH]), bounce landing (width and depth) location parameters, S1 and S2 SV in TS (TSV1 and TSV2) and FS (FSV1 and FSV2) alongside anthropometric characteristics of tennis players (body height [BH], body mass [BM] and body mass index [BMI]) were analysed.

Six-Week Joint-Specific Isometric Strength Training Improves Serve Velocity in Young Tennis Players.

Purpose: Evaluate the effects of 6 weeks of specific-joint isometric strength training on serve velocity (SV), serve accuracy (SA), and force-time curve variables.

Methods: Sixteen young competition tennis players were divided into an intervention (n = 10) or control group (n = 6). SV, SA, maximal voluntary isometric contraction, peak rate of force development, rate of force development, and impulse (IMP) at different time frames while performing a shoulder internal rotation (SHIR) or flexion were tested at weeks 0, 3, and 6.

Performance Outcomes Following Isoinertial or Machine-Based Training Interventions in Female Junior Tennis Players.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in physical performance indicators after executing a flywheel or machine-based neuromuscular training program in young female tennis players.

Methods: Twenty-four players were divided into a machine-based  group (MG), flywheel  group (FG), and control group. Countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint time (5, 10, and 15 m), change-of-direction (COD) performance (right and left), medicine-ball throws (overhead, forehand, and backhand), and serve velocity were included as tests at baseline, week 4, and week 8.

Effects of Maturation on Lower-Body Neuromuscular Performance in Youth Tennis Players.

Fernandez-Fernandez, J, Canós-Portalés, J, Martinez-Gallego, R, Corbi, F, and Baiget, E. Effects of maturation on lower body neuromuscular performance in youth tennis players. J Strength Cond Res 37(1): 167-173, 2023-The aim of this study was to examine the maturational status differences in neuromuscular performance of young tennis players.

Long-Term Analyses of the Rate of Perceived Exertion as an Indicator of Intensity in Women's Basketball during a Relegation Play-off.

Knowledge of internal load is essential to understand the effect of training and competition on athletes. The aim of this study was to analyse the validity of the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) scale as an indicator of intensity in amateur female basketball players during a relegation play-off. The heart rate and RPE of 10 players (age: 21.

Inter-Limb Muscle Property Differences in Junior Tennis Players.

The goal of this study was to investigate side-to-side differences and asymmetries regarding muscle characteristics in young tennis players. Thirty-four participants performed contractile property measurements (stiffness, tone, elasticity and time to relaxation) on the dominant and non-dominant extremities including nine muscle groups involved in the kinetic chain of main tennis strokes. Significant differences (p≤0.

Effects of isoinertial or machine-based strength training on performance in tennis players.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of two 8-week neuromuscular training (NMT) interventions on selected physical indicators in young tennis players. Twenty-four junior male tennis players were assigned to a machine-based (MG) (n = 8), flywheel (FG) (n = 8) or a control training group (CG) (n = 8). Tests at baseline, week 4 and 8 included: countermovement jump (CMJ); speed (S; 5, 10, 15 m); agility (right [AR] and left [AL]); serve velocity (SV) and medicine ball throws (MBT; overhead [O], forehand [FH], backhand [BH]).

Determinant Physical Factors of Tennis Serve Velocity: A Brief Review.

Purpose: To review the main physical aspects that could positively or negatively influence serve velocity (SV).

Methods: An examination of existing literature including studies analyzing positive (biomechanical aspects, anthropometrics, range of motion, strength, and power) and negative (competition-induced fatigue) associations to SV are summarized in this review.

Results: Aspects such as lower-leg drive, hip and trunk rotations, upper-arm extension, and internal rotation seem to be the major contributors to racquet and ball speed.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Appearance, Diagnosis and Treatment: A Narrative Review.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is the most common osteochondritis of the lower limb in sport-practicing children and adolescents. Its manifestation usually coincides with the appearance of the secondary ossification center of the tibia and is linked to the practice of sports with an explosive component. In the present study, a review of the factors related to its appearance, diagnosis and treatment was carried out.

Force-Time Curve Variable Outcomes Following a Simulated Tennis Match in Junior Players.

This study examined the alterations induced by a simulated tennis competition on maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC), peak rate of force development (PRFD) and rate of force development (RFD) at different stages of contraction. Twenty junior tennis players performed an 80-minute simulated tennis match and two (pre and post) muscular performance tests. Variables tested included MVC, PRFD and RFD at 50, 100, 150 and 200 ms while performing a 90º shoulder internal rotation (IR90), 90º shoulder external rotation (ER90), shoulder horizontal adduction (ADD), shoulder horizontal abduction (ABD) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP).

Relationship between isometric force-time curve variables and serve velocity in young tennis players.

This study aimed to investigate the associations between serve velocity (SV), maximal absolute and relative isometric voluntary contraction (MVC and RMVC), peak rate of force development (PRFD), rate of force development (RFD) and impulse (IMP) at different stages of contraction (≤200 ms). Sixteen players performed four maximum isometric tests in positions involved in the tennis serve motion. Variables tested included MVC, PRFD, RFD and IMP at 50, 100, 150 and 200 ms while performing a 90º shoulder internal rotation (SHIR), shoulder flexion (SHF), horizontal shoulder abduction (SHABD) and an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP).

The Effectiveness of Shoulder Mobility and Strength Programs in Competitive Water-Polo Players.

Background: Water-polo is the water sport with the highest incidence of injuries, with shoulder pain being the most common one. The understanding of risk factors and guidance on preventive measures is essential in this sport discipline. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a specific 6-week training plan on range of motion (ROM) and joint strength levels in a group of professional water-polo players.

Upper-Limb Force-Time Characteristics Determine Serve Velocity in Competition Tennis Players.

Purpose: (1) To analyze the associations between serve velocity (SV) and various single-joint upper-limb isometric force-time curve parameters, (2) to develop a prediction model based on the relationship between these variables, and (3) to determine whether these factors are capable of discriminating between tennis players with different SV performances.

Method: A total of 17 high-performance tennis players performed 8 isometric tests of joints and movements included in the serve kinetic chain (wrist and elbow flexion [EF] and extension; shoulder flexion [SHF] and extension [SHE], internal [SHIR] and external rotation). Isometric force (IF), rate of force development (RFD), and impulse (IMP) at different time intervals (0-250 ms) were obtained for analysis.

Five-Minute Power-Based Test to Predict Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Road Cycling.

Purpose: To examine the ability of a multivariate model to predict maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) using performance data from a 5-minute maximal test (5MT).

Methods: Forty-six road cyclists (age 38 [9] y, height 177 [9] cm, weight 71.4 [8.

Characteristics of Pedaling Muscle Stiffness among Cyclists of Different Performance Levels.

The aim of the present study was to compare the impact of an incremental exercise test on muscle stiffness in the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and gastrocnemius (GL) among road cyclists of three performance levels. The study group consisted of 35 cyclists grouped according to their performance level; elite ( = 10; professional license), sub-elite ( = 12; amateur license), and recreational ( = 13; cyclosportive license). Passive muscle stiffness was assessed using myometry before and after an incremental exercise test.

Functional Threshold Power as an Alternative to Lactate Thresholds in Road Cycling.

Sitko, S, Cirer-Sastre, R, Corbi, F, and López-Laval, I. Functional threshold power as an alternative to lactate thresholds in road cycling. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3179-3183, 2022-This study assessed the relationship between functional threshold power (FTP) and 7 lactate landmarks (Dmax, modified Dmax, fixed blood lactate concentrations of 2 and 4 mmol·L -1 , lactate increases of 1 and 2 mmol·L -1 above baseline, and lactate increases of 1.

Alterations in mechanical muscle characteristics and postural control induced by tennis match-play in young players.

Background: Central and peripheric fatigue indicators are among the main reasons for performance decline following competition. Because of the impact of these factors on performance, how these variables are affected by match-play could be of interest, especially in young tennis players.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate alterations induced by a simulated tennis match on postural control and muscle characteristics in young tennis players.