Kinematical and Physiological Responses of Overground Running Gait Pattern at Different Intensities.

Runners achieve forward locomotion through diverse techniques. However, understanding the behavior of the involved kinematical variables remains incomplete, particularly when running overground and along an intensity spectrum. We aimed to characterize the biomechanical and physiological adaptations while running at low, moderate, heavy and severe intensities.

Breaststroke and butterfly intercycle kinematic variation according to different competitive levels with Statistical Parametric Mapping analysis.

Breaststroke and butterfly are complex swimming techniques requiring refined motor skills to perform successfully, with coordinated and consistent interaction between propulsive and resistive forces being decisive when considering swimmers expertise. The current study analysed those techniques intercycle kinematic variation in two swimmers cohorts. Twenty elite and 15 national level swimmers performed one 25 m breaststroke and one 25 m butterfly sprints, with an underwater camera recording images at 120 Hz in the sagittal plane.

The Influence of Kinematics on Tennis Serve Speed: An In-Depth Analysis Using Xsens MVN Biomech Link Technology.

An inertial measurement system, using a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers, is of great interest to capture tennis movements. We have assessed the key biomechanical moments of the serve phases and events, as well as the kinematic metrics during the serve, to analyze their influence on serve speed. Eighteen male competitive tennis players, equipped with the inertial measurement units, performed a prolonged serve game consisting of 12 simulated points.

Kinematical Effects of a Mandibular Advancement Occlusal Splint on Running until Exhaustion at Severe Intensity.

The effects of occlusal splints on sport performance have already been studied, although their biomechanical impacts are often overlooked. We investigated the kinematical changes during running until exhaustion at severe intensity while wearing a mandibular advancement occlusal splint. Twelve trained runners completed (i) an incremental protocol on a track to determine their velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen uptake and (ii) two trials of square wave transition exercises at their velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen until exhaustion, wearing two occlusal splints (without and with mandibular advancement).

Effects of Swimming Exercise on Early Adolescents' Physical Conditioning and Physical Health: A Systematic Review.

Background/objectives: Swimming is a popular and cost-effective way to prevent sedentary behavior and improve physical conditioning and health during early adolescence. However, information on its impact and benefits on daily life activities is lacking. This systematic review aims to summarize the chronic effects of swimming on physical conditioning and physical health outcomes in early adolescents.

Changing the Mandibular Position in Rowing: A Brief Report of a World-Class Rower.

We investigated the acute biophysical responses of changing the mandibular position during a rowing incremental protocol. A World-class 37-year-old male rower performed two 7 × 3 min ergometer rowing trials, once with no intraoral splint (control) and the other with a mandibular forward repositioning splint (splint condition). Ventilatory, kinematics and body electromyography were evaluated and compared between trials (paired samples -test, ≤ 0.

Ventilatory and Perceived Ergogenic Effects of Mandibular Forward Repositioning During Running at Maximal Oxygen Uptake Intensity.

Cardoso, F, Costa, MJ, Colaço, P, Vilas-Boas, JP, Pinho, JC, Pyne, DB, and Fernandes, RJ. Ventilatory and perceived ergogenic effects of mandibular forward repositioning during running at maximal oxygen uptake intensity. J Strength Cond Res 39(1): e13-e19, 2025-Wearing an intraoral dental splint may enhance ventilatory function and exercise performance.

Assessment of Angular and Straight Linear Rowing Ergometers at Different Intensities of Exercise.

We aimed to conduct a biophysical comparison of angular (Biorower) and linear (Concept2) rowing ergometers across a wide spectrum of exercise intensities. Sixteen (eleven male) skilled rowers, aged 29.8 ± 8.

Does Swimming Exercise Impair Bone Health? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Comparing the Evidence in Humans and Rodent Models.

Background: The effect of swimming on bone health remains unclear, namely due to discrepant findings between studies in humans and animal models.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to identify the available evidence on the effects of swimming on bone mass, geometry and microarchitecture at the lumbar spine, femur and tibia in both humans and rodent animal models.

Methods: The study followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered at PROSPERO (CRD4202236347 and CRD42022363714 for human and animal studies).

Effect of experimentally induced muscle pain on neuromuscular control of force production.

Purpose: Neural and peripheral effects of induced muscle pain on explosive force production were investigated.

Methods: Nine participants performed two maximal, six explosive, and six electrical stimulations induced (twitches and octets) isometric knee extensions before and after (15 min of rest) receiving an intramuscular injection of hypertonic saline (pain inducer) or isotonic (placebo) infusions in two laboratory visits separated by 7 days.

Results: It was observed a reduction of peak torque production in maximal voluntary contraction in both conditions (9.

Training zones in competitive swimming: a biophysical approach.

Since swimming performance depends on both physical conditioning and technical proficiency, training zones should be built based on physiology and biomechanics inputs to dispose of structured and effective training programs. This paper presents a zone-based swimming training, supported by the oxygen uptake (O) kinetics at low, moderate, heavy, severe and extreme intensities concurrently with lactate and heart rate values. Since technique is vital for efficiently moving through the water, upper limbs frequency and length should also be targeted during the workouts.

Assessment of Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Contributions in an Extreme Intensity CrossFit Benchmark Workout.

Our purpose was to characterize the oxygen uptake kinetics (VO), energy systems contributions and total energy expenditure during a CrossFit benchmark workout performed in the extreme intensity domain. Fourteen highly trained male CrossFitters, aged 28.3 ± 5.

Effect of Randall foils on the rowing propulsive cycle.

Rowing performance depends on the design and building materials used for competition. Recently, attempting to improve rowing performance, the Randall foil has been attached to the top edge of a rowing Big blade, making it spoon shaped. The current study aimed to analyse the differences between Big blades with and without Randall foils in force-related variables.

Effect of the Fran CrossFit Workout on Oxygen Uptake Kinetics, Energetics, and Postexercise Muscle Function in Trained CrossFitters.

Purpose: Fran is one of the most popular CrossFit benchmark workouts used to control CrossFitters' improvements. Detailed physiological characterization of Fran is needed for a more specific evaluation of CrossFitters' training performance improvements. The aim of the study was to analyze the oxygen uptake (V˙O2) kinetics and characterize the energy system contributions and the degree of postexercise fatigue of the unbroken Fran.

Biophysical characterization of the tennis serve: A systematic scoping review with evidence gap map.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the available evidence on the biophysics of the tennis serve, mapping the populations, interventions, contexts and other relevant information to highlight what is already known and to identify gaps in the literature.

Design: Systematic scoping review with evidence gap map.

Methods: The protocol was designed according to PRISMA 2020, Prisma-ScR guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook.

Swimmers' Effective Actions during the Backstroke Start Technique.

The analysis of the external forces of swimming starts has revealed how swimmers propel themselves out of the block, but data should be properly interpreted to fully understand force-generation mechanisms. This study aimed to assess horizontal and vertical forces in the backstroke start based on swimmers' structural and propulsive actions. Firstly, a simulated structural force was estimated by two transient backstroke-start inter-segmental realistic body positions: a maximally tucked position and an extended one (just before the hands-off and the take-off, respectively).

The Effects of Massage Guns on Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review.

The use of massage guns has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although their use is more and more common, both in a clinical and sports context, there is still little information to guide the practitioners. This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of massage guns in healthy and unhealthy populations as pre- and post-activity or part of a treatment.

From Entry to Finals: Progression and Variability of Swimming Performance at the 2022 FINA World Championships.

The aim of the present study was two-fold: (i) to analyze the progression and variability of swimming performance (from entry times to best performances) in the 50, 100, and 200 m at the most recent FINA World Championships and (ii) to compare the performance of the Top16, semifinalists, and finalists between all rounds. Swimmers who qualified with the FINA A and B standards for the Budapest 2022 World Championships were considered. A total of 1102 individual performances swimmers were analyzed in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly events.

Acute Recovery after a Fatigue Protocol Using a Recovery Sports Legging: An Experimental Study.

Enhancing recovery is a fundamental component of high-performance sports training since it enables practitioners to potentiate physical performance and minimise the risk of injuries. Using a new sports legging embedded with an intelligent system for electrostimulation, localised heating and compression (completely embodied into the textile structures), we aimed to analyse acute recovery following a fatigue protocol. Surface electromyography- and torque-related variables were recorded on eight recreational athletes.