Larger strength losses and muscle activation deficits in plantar flexors induced by backward downhill in reference to distance-matched forward uphill treadmill walk.

We tested the hypothesis that backward downhill walking (eccentric component) impairs both voluntary activation and muscle contractile properties in the plantar flexors and delays recovery as compared to a gradient and distance-matched uphill walk. Fourteen males performed two 30-min walking exercises (velocity: 1 m/ s; grade: 25%; load: 12% of body weight), one downhill (DW) and one uphill (UP), in a counterbalanced order, separated by 6 weeks. Neuromuscular test sessions were performed before, after, 24-, 48- and 72-h post-exercise, including motor nerve stimulations during brief (5 s) and sustained (1 min) maximal isometric voluntary contractions of the plantar flexors.

Evidence of sub-optimal sleep in adolescent Middle Eastern academy soccer players which is exacerbated by sleep intermission proximal to dawn.

The purpose was to assess sleep patterns, quantity and quality in adolescent (16.2 ± 1.2 yr) Middle Eastern academy soccer players (n = 20) and the influence of an intermission upon these characteristics.

Compelling overuse injury incidence in youth multisport athletes.

The present investigation was carried out to examine the incidence and pattern of injuries in adolescent multisport athletes from youth sports academy. Injury data were prospectively collected from 166 athletes during the seasons from 2009 to 2014. A total of 643 injuries were identified, 559 (87.