Cristancho E, Espitia Porras LF, Villamil-Parra W
… +2 more, Sanz Herrera SA, Schmidt W
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 May · PMID 42013893
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To investigate the effects of descent from moderate altitude combined with exposure to high ambient temperatures on plasma volume, a repeated measures design was used in young male cyclists (=10). The cyclists (age: 18.2...To investigate the effects of descent from moderate altitude combined with exposure to high ambient temperatures on plasma volume, a repeated measures design was used in young male cyclists (=10). The cyclists (age: 18.2±1.2 y and maximal oxygen uptake: 62.0±4.1 mL/kg/min), who lived at an altitude of 2,600 m, trained at a lower altitude (450 m) for 7 days. Hematological variables were measured prior to descent, at low altitude, and 1 day after returning to 2,600 m. Hemoglobin mass was measured before descent and used for the indirect calculation of plasma volume. Hemoglobin concentration decreased from 17.1±0.7 g/dL to 15.9±0.6 by day 1 and to 15.4±0.3 g/dL by day 5 (both <0.001) and then increased to 16.5±0.7 g/dL the day after returning to the initial altitude. Plasma volume increased from 2,946±463 mL by 12.9±6.6% on day 1, reached a maximum of 16.2±9.7% on day 5 (both <0.01), and decreased again to+7.4±9.5% after returning to the altitude. The change from moderate to low altitude leads to a rapid increase in plasma volume, which can be expected to affect performance by reducing oxygen transport capacity and increasing maximal cardiac output. Additionally, the athlete's biological passport may be affected erroneously.
Chatzinikolaou PN, Margaritelis NV, Prokopiou N
… +6 more, Karyofyllidou AV, Theodorou AA, Nikolaidis MG, Malliou VJ, Geladas N, Paschalis V
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 May · PMID 42013892
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This study investigated whether acutely consuming a large dose of a highly acidic beverage (orange juice) affects blood pH, muscle oxygenation or exercise performance in young active men. Thirteen participants completed...This study investigated whether acutely consuming a large dose of a highly acidic beverage (orange juice) affects blood pH, muscle oxygenation or exercise performance in young active men. Thirteen participants completed two experimental phases. In Phase A, subjects ingested either orange juice with added sodium bicarbonate (pH 6.72±0.32; placebo) or orange juice (pH 3.50±0.99), randomly assigned. Blood pH and muscle oxygenation were monitored over 40 minutes following the ingestion of both beverages to identify any beverage-induced changed in blood pH and muscle oxygenation to guide sampling times for Phase B. In Phase B, participants consumed the same beverage as in Phase A, followed by assessments of anaerobic (Wingate test) and aerobic (peak oxygen consumption) performances, along with continuous muscle oxygenation monitoring. Results showed no significant differences (>0.05) between treatments in blood pH, aerobic or anaerobic performance, or muscle oxygenation parameters. The acute ingestion of a highly acidic beverage like orange juice does not disrupt acid-base regulatory mechanisms or impair physiological or performance outcomes in healthy active men. These findings highlight the robustness of the body's acid-base regulatory mechanisms and offer direct empirical evidence countering publicly circulated claims that normal dietary acidity impairs physiological function or exercise performance.
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 May · PMID 41997261
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The present study aimed to assess the reliability, responsiveness, and age-related and competitive level differences of a 25-m change of direction maneuver (V-cut test) in football players. Two-hundred and eighty-nine ma...The present study aimed to assess the reliability, responsiveness, and age-related and competitive level differences of a 25-m change of direction maneuver (V-cut test) in football players. Two-hundred and eighty-nine male football players performed the V-cut test. Thirty-four players underwent the test on two occasions, separated by 5-7 days, to assess test-retest reliability. Eighty-six young players performed the V-cut test three times, separated by 12 weeks, to analyze responsiveness. Finally, 89 young players of different ages (U-15 to U-20) and 80 adult players of different competitive levels performed the V-cut test several times throughout the season to examine between-group differences. Reliability analysis showed a high intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.94 and a low coefficient of variation of 0.8%. The responsiveness was dependent on maturity status, showing a positive response in pre-peak height velocity (short-term <0.05) or post-peak height velocity (short- and long-term <0.05) players, although the peak height velocity group did not exceed the minimal detectable change. Age-related (effect size [ES]: 0.93-5.68) and competitive-level difference (ES: 0.57-1.96) analyses reported better V-cut test performance as age and competitive-level increased in football players. The V-cut test is reliable for assessing change of direction ability and can be used to monitor change of direction ability depending on maturity, allowing it to differentiate between players of different ages and levels.
Sato R, Ishigaki T, Kurisuga Y
… +8 more, Furuto I, Sakamoto K, Kato Y, Hirabayashi R, Yokota H, Komiya M, Akuzawa H, Edama M
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 May · PMID 41974195
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This study aimed to (1) identify acute changes in supraspinatus and biceps longus tendon thickness after pitching and (2) determine the relationship between changes in tendon thickness and changes in glenohumeral range o...This study aimed to (1) identify acute changes in supraspinatus and biceps longus tendon thickness after pitching and (2) determine the relationship between changes in tendon thickness and changes in glenohumeral range of motion after pitching. Fourteen healthy men with at least 5 years of baseball experience as baseball players performed 100 full-effort fast ball pitches. Tendon thicknesses and the glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion were measured before, immediately after, and 24 hours after pitching. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance or the Friedman test with Bonferroni post hoc comparisons was performed to compare changes in tendon thicknesses and glenohumeral range of motion due to repetitive pitching and to identify the relationships between changes in tendon thicknesses and in glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion. The supraspinatus and biceps longus tendon thicknesses increased immediately (<0.001) and 24 hours after pitching (supraspinatus: =0.024 and biceps longus: <0.001). The glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion decreased immediately after pitching (<0.001) but not at 24 hours (=0.086). The decreased glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion was associated with increased supraspinatus tendon thickness immediately after pitching (=- 0.77 and =0.001). Our results suggest that it takes time for tendon swelling to improve in pitchers after high-velocity repetitive pitches.
Dunst AK, Holmberg HC, Hesse C
… +2 more, Kowalski T, Klich S
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Jul · PMID 41862212
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This study investigated the temporal dynamics of metabolic energy contributions during maximal cycling sprints lasting up to 60 seconds and explored their association with key performance metrics in elite track cyclists....This study investigated the temporal dynamics of metabolic energy contributions during maximal cycling sprints lasting up to 60 seconds and explored their association with key performance metrics in elite track cyclists. Fifteen elite male track cyclists (11 sprint specialists and 4 endurance specialists) performed four maximal sprints of 3, 8, 12, and 60 seconds, as well as a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Alactic, lactic, and aerobic energy contributions were quantified based on the net energy supply methodology. Energy system contributions demonstrated clear temporal specificity: the alactic pathway dominated shorter sprints (3 s: 87±4%, 8 s: 61±5%, and 12 s: 50±6%), while the lactic pathway became the primary contributor during 60-second efforts (42±4%). Despite significant inter-individual differences in sprint performance, relative energy system contributions remained consistent across athletes. Neuromuscular performance metrics, particularly maximal power output and anaerobic power reserve, emerged as primary determinants of early sprint performance, while anaerobic work capacity became increasingly important for sustaining power output during extended efforts, underscoring the importance of both neuromuscular performance and fatigue resistance. These findings support a hierarchical but metabolically interdependent model of sprint performance, in which anaerobic power initiates performance but requires aerobic support to preserve high-intensity output under fatigue. This framework informs the design of training periodization, targeted interventions, supplementation strategies, and recovery protocols in sports requiring maximal efforts lasting up to 60 seconds.
Cogburn J, Pierpoint L, Kordell J
… +4 more, Hunt KJ, Saeedi A, Spittler J, Khodaee M
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Apr · PMID 41844205
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Lower extremity fractures are relatively common in winter sports. This retrospective descriptive study evaluated the demographics, injury mechanisms, and environmental factors associated with lower leg fractures (below t...Lower extremity fractures are relatively common in winter sports. This retrospective descriptive study evaluated the demographics, injury mechanisms, and environmental factors associated with lower leg fractures (below the knee, excluding tibial plateau and fibular head fractures) among patients treated at a Colorado clinic during the 2012/13 to 2016/17 ski seasons. The chart review confirmed diagnoses and assessed associated factors. A total of 346 lower leg, ankle, and/or foot fractures were identified, representing 5.4% of all visits. The average patient age was 33.1 years (range 4-74), and 60.7% were men. Most injuries were ski-related (84.7%). The majority of fractures were sustained among skiers and snowboarders who self-identified as a beginner or an intermediate skill level (64.8%), on easy or intermediate runs (64.9%). The most common injuries were complete tibia/fibula fractures (36.4%), isolated tibia fractures (28.3%), and lateral malleolus fractures (26.9%). Of the complete tibia/fibula fractures, 57.0% were "boot-top" fractures. Danis-Weber B was the most frequent type of lateral malleolus fracture (73.6%). Only 12 foot fractures were recorded. In conclusion, lower leg fractures were more common in skiers than snowboarders and in men than women. Most fractures occurred on mild-to-moderate runs, with lower risk in older individuals. Tibia/fibula fractures were most common, followed by lateral malleolus fractures.
Magee MK, Miller A, Fields JB
… +4 more, Jagim AR, Lockard B, Stroiney D, Jones MT
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Jul · PMID 41819138
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The purpose of the current study was to identify the influence of individual characteristics on differences in body fat percentage between air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (change in...The purpose of the current study was to identify the influence of individual characteristics on differences in body fat percentage between air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (change in body fat percentage) in 360 collegiate student-athletes. Body fat percentage was obtained from air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A 2 (sex)×3 (Brozek body fat percentage, Siri body fat percentage, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry body fat percentage) analysis of variance was used to evaluate the difference between the body fat percentages obtained from air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in men and women. The agreement between air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was evaluated via Bland-Altman plot and linear regression. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the influence of sex, race, height, and body mass on the change in body fat percentages. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry yielded greater body fat percentages in both men (4.8±2.8; < 0.001) and women (2.2±2.9; < 0.001) compared to air displacement plethysmography measurements. Proportional and systematic biases were observed between air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Race, height, and mass were significant predictors of the body fat percentage difference between air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry ( =0.445, <0.001, and standard error of the estimate=2.527). The present study suggests that air displacement plethysmography underestimates body fat percentages when compared to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and this underestimation may not be the same for every athlete due to their individual characteristics.
King M, Ball D, Gibson NV
… +3 more, Weston M, Gallagher IJ, Dugdale JH
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Mar · PMID 41802761
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The present study aimed to investigate the development of physical performance attributes across one competition year in male youth soccer players from different playing levels, while controlling for baseline performance...The present study aimed to investigate the development of physical performance attributes across one competition year in male youth soccer players from different playing levels, while controlling for baseline performance, chronological age, and biological maturity. A total of 175 male Scottish youth soccer players from three distinct playing levels, such as grassroots, professional youth, and performance school, were recruited. Physical testing (linear sprint, change of direction, squat jump, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1) was conducted for all players to establish baseline fitness and then repeated under matched conditions at the end of the same competition year. A Bayesian approach was used to estimate the size of any change in each physical test over the season, estimate the uncertainty around these changes, and estimate the probability of direction of these changes. In all cases, the players improved fitness testing metrics. The grassroot group made the greatest changes in physical performances but did not match absolute performance of the professional youth and performance school groups. Our results provide meaningful benchmark data for evaluating and interpreting isolated physical fitness metrics between distinct youth playing levels and may augment the ongoing critique of the discriminative ability of isolated physical fitness tests in youth soccer.
Ribas PAT, Roth JVS, Takarada HK
… +5 more, Borges MO, Reitmeyer FB, Soares TB, Zielak JC, Steffens JP
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Mar · PMID 41791411
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Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that involves bone resorption and leads to tooth loss. This study aimed to evaluate the biological plausibility of exercise's potential impact on periodontal repair in ra...Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that involves bone resorption and leads to tooth loss. This study aimed to evaluate the biological plausibility of exercise's potential impact on periodontal repair in rats. Forty-eight male Wistar rats received cotton ligatures around the lower first molars bilaterally. After 7 days, all animals were allocated to the following groups: control (ligature removal), early treatment (ligature removal+exercise) and late treatment (exercise alone for 28 days and then ligature removal; =16 per group). All groups were evaluated at 28 and 56 days. Swimming exercise was performed 5 days/wk. Mandibles, blood and gingiva were collected for radiographic, histological and inflammatory analysis using multiplex. At 56 days, both exercise groups showed significantly lower bone loss compared to the control group. Histological analysis revealed that early treatment promoted increased percentages of fibroblasts and blood vessels. Late treatment provided statistically higher serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels than early treatment or control groups. In gingiva, the epidermal growth factor level was significantly higher in the exercise groups compared to the control. In conclusion, late or early treatment including exercise improved bone repair in rats, possibly through growth factor modulation.
Jacobs MW, Feuerbacher JF, Bloch W
… +1 more, Schumann M
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Jul · PMID 41740949
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Overall performance in triathlon is largely determined by cycling and running performances, which depend on maximal and submaximal physiological factors. This study assessed the associations of these physiological factor...Overall performance in triathlon is largely determined by cycling and running performances, which depend on maximal and submaximal physiological factors. This study assessed the associations of these physiological factors between running and cycling in well-trained triathletes. Thirty-one male triathletes (age: 25±1 y; maximal aerobic capacity: 63.6±0.7 mL min kg), competing in Olympic to long distance triathlon, participated in this study. Physiological parameters (maximal aerobic capacity, movement economy, fractional utilization at 4 mmol L blood lactate, energy consumption, and maximal fat oxidation rate) were assessed using a combined step and a ramp protocol for cycling and running, respectively. Testing sessions were separated by 48-96 hours. Movement economy and energy consumption were analyzed at 50, 60, and 70% of each participant's maximal aerobic capacity. All cycling performance parameters correlated with those of running. Thereby, the maximal aerobic capacity showed a correlation of =0.81, and the relative use of maximal aerobic capacity at a 4 mmol L lactate concentration a correlation of =0.49. Furthermore, the maximal fat oxidation rate was statistically correlated with =0.44, while movement economy (=0.79-0.85) as well as energy consumption (=0.46-0.52) showed statistical correlations over all three intensity zones (50-70%, all < 0.050). In well-trained triathletes, central parameters like maximal aerobic capacity show strong correlations between cycling and running, while submaximal, peripheral indicators appear more discipline-specific. Thus, training should be aligned with the targeted physiological adaptation.
Kamiya-Saito M, Zempo H, de Almeida KY
… +6 more, Homma H, Mochizuki Y, Deguchi M, Kozuma A, Tashiro S, Kikuchi N
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Feb · PMID 41740948
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The R577X polymorphism in the gene () influences the expression of α-actinin-3, and previous studies have reported its association with muscle strength and power performance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim...The R577X polymorphism in the gene () influences the expression of α-actinin-3, and previous studies have reported its association with muscle strength and power performance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the relationship between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and various indicators of muscle strength and power. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted on 15 October 2025, and studies were included if they were published in English, involved healthy human participants, assessed muscle function, and analyzed the ACTN3 R577X genotype. Muscle function outcomes examined in this review included maximum voluntary contraction, one-repetition maximum, isokinetic strength, jump performance, sprint performance, Wingate test, chair stand test, and walking test. Fifty-three articles were included in the meta-analysis. One-repetition maximum, maximum voluntary contraction and jump performance showed a significant association with the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in the additive model and were higher for the RR, RX and XX genotypes (one-repetition maximum: = 0.005, maximum voluntary contraction: = 0.006, and jump performance: = 0.003). There was no significant association between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and other measurements. This study suggests that the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is associated with one-repetition maximum, maximum voluntary contraction, and jump performance in the additive model and the impact may be stronger among men.
Ferraro-Farro D, Bandeira-Guimarães M, Blanco-Rambo E
… +3 more, Vieira AF, Cadore EL, Benítez-Flores S
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Mar · PMID 41734815
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The interference effect associated with concurrent training has been widely debated. A recent model suggests that including sprint interval training as the endurance component may attenuate this effect. However, studies...The interference effect associated with concurrent training has been widely debated. A recent model suggests that including sprint interval training as the endurance component may attenuate this effect. However, studies examining the impact of sprint interval training-based concurrent training on neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory adaptations are limited. This systematic review with meta-analysis evaluated the effects of concurrent training programs including sprint interval training on strength, hypertrophy, maximum oxygen consumption, and sprint performance. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and SPORTDiscus, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. Randomized controlled trials in healthy adults (≥18 y) comparing sprint interval training-based concurrent training with resistance training alone, including at least six supervised sessions over 2 weeks, were eligible. Nine studies (177 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled analyses showed no significant differences between sprint interval training combined with resistance training and resistance training alone for lower-body strength (standardized mean difference=0.01; = 0.94), upper-body strength (standardized mean difference=- 0.06; = 0.83), jump performance (standardized mean difference=0.11; = 0.11), or sprint performance (standardized mean difference=- 0.01; = 0.95). However, sprint interval training combined with resistance training significantly improved maximum oxygen consumption compared with resistance training alone (standardized mean difference=0.78; = 0.001). Sensitivity analysis revealed greater jump gains with short sprint protocols (≤10 s; standardized mean difference=0.41; = 0.025). These findings indicate that introducing sprint interval training into concurrent training enhances cardiorespiratory fitness without compromising strength or power and may potentiate jump performance when short sprints are used.
Asgari M, Hägglund M, Terschluse B
… +4 more, Sueck M, Nolte K, Schmidt M, Jaitner T
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Jul · PMID 41713850
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The effectiveness of the Football+- and 11+-programs in improving landing quality among players with a history of severe ankle or knee injury remains unexplored. This study examined (i) the efficacy of these programs in...The effectiveness of the Football+- and 11+-programs in improving landing quality among players with a history of severe ankle or knee injury remains unexplored. This study examined (i) the efficacy of these programs in developing landing assessed via the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) and (ii) the association between injury history and landing quality. Fifty-six amateur female players (24.12±5.37 y) reported their injury history and completed the LESS test before and after a 4-month intervention. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and independent -tests analyzed the outcomes at ≤0.05. Players with a history of severe ankle (6.33±1.53; = 0.019 and = -0.76) or knee (5.92±0.74; =0.041, =-0.77) injury exhibited higher LESS scores compared to the non-injured counterparts (5.25±1.37). Analysis of variance revealed a significant time (= 0.001 and = 0.31) and time-group effects (= 0.002 and = 0.24) following the 11+ (5.59±1.35 vs. 5.04±1.47) and the Football+ (5.76±1.55 vs. 4.65±1.37). A history of severe knee or ankle injury reduces the landing quality. Both the Football+ and 11+ improved landing, with the Football+ demonstrating greater efficacy. Previously injured players benefited most, although their landing performance remained inferior to non-injured peers. While the injury history is traditionally regarded as a non-modifiable risk factor, targeted neuromuscular programs may partially mitigate its impact on movement quality.
Martinez-Navarro I, Vicente-Mampel J, López-Grueso R
… +2 more, Collado-Boira E, Hernando C
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Jul · PMID 41688062
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The aim of this study was two-fold. Firstly, to assess whether uphill walking economy was related with step and ventilatory kinematics. Secondly, to examine whether uphill walking economy represented an independent perfo...The aim of this study was two-fold. Firstly, to assess whether uphill walking economy was related with step and ventilatory kinematics. Secondly, to examine whether uphill walking economy represented an independent performance factor in ultra-trail races. Thirty-six athletes (25 men and 11 women) completed an uphill peak exercise test and an uphill walking economy test 4-8 weeks before a 106-km ultra-trail race. Ventilatory and gait parameters were recorded during uphill walking. Body composition, jumping, and isometric and inspiratory strength were also measured. Step length and tidal volume were associated (=0.72; < 0.001) and they correlated with uphill walking economy ( between 0.47 and 0.58;< 0.01). Peak speed and running power and speed and running power linked to ventilatory thresholds all correlated with race time ( between 0.51 and 0.80;< 0.01). Uphill walking economy, when expressed as a percentage of peak oxygen uptake, explained 58% of performance variation; however, multiple regression analysis revealed that the best model comprised peak oxygen uptake alone, predicting 79% of performance. In conclusion, longer step length and greater tidal volume align with lower energy expenditure during uphill walking. Uphill walking economy is not an independent performance factor in ultra-trail races. Uphill-obtained peak oxygen uptake predicts a large percentage of performance variation in ultra-trail races.
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Feb · PMID 41638248
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The incidence of ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability is higher in women than in men. One sex-specific factor may be the greater ligamentous laxity in women compared with men, potentially influenced by estrogen an...The incidence of ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability is higher in women than in men. One sex-specific factor may be the greater ligamentous laxity in women compared with men, potentially influenced by estrogen and relaxin activity. This study aimed to investigate changes in ankle joint laxity and its association with hormone levels in women with and without recurrent ankle sprains. Eleven female college students with recurrent ankle sprains and seven students with no or a single prior sprain participated. Ankle joint laxity was assessed using an ankle arthrometer with a 125-N load for anterior-posterior displacement and with a 4000 N-mm for inversion-eversion rotation. Serum estradiol and relaxin-2 levels were measured. Ankle laxity assessments and blood sampling were performed in the follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases of the participant's individual menstrual cycle. A significant group×phase interaction was found for inversion-eversion ankle joint laxity; however, post hoc analyses adjusted for Bonferroni multiple comparisons were not significant, implying a lack of clinical interest or potential sampling fluctuations. A positive correlation was found between serum relaxin-2 level and anterior-posterior ankle joint laxity during the luteal phase (=0.557 and =0.048). This association should be interpreted as an observational finding that may help generate hypotheses regarding potential hormone-related factors in ankle sprains in women.
Putti GM, Norberto MS, Dellavechia de Carvalho C
… +2 more, Silva-Neto PVD, Papoti M
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Jun · PMID 41617156
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Intermittent hypoxia combined with physical training may enhance performance and health parameters but can impair session quality, limiting adaptations. To address these drawbacks, inter-effort recovery hypoxia has been...Intermittent hypoxia combined with physical training may enhance performance and health parameters but can impair session quality, limiting adaptations. To address these drawbacks, inter-effort recovery hypoxia has been proposed. This study investigated the effects of a 5-week inter-effort recovery hypoxia protocol followed by a 1-week tapering period in recreational runners. Twenty-four men were allocated to an inter-effort recovery hypoxia group (= 11) or a normoxia group (= 13) and assessed for body composition, hematological profile, running economy, maximum velocity, and peak oxygen uptake before training (W0), after training (W6), and after tapering (W8). Training consisted of 3 weekly sessions for 5 weeks: a 5-minute warm-up at 60% of maximum velocity, ten 1-minute effort at 120% (wk 1-3) or 130% (wk 4 and 5) of maximum velocity with 2-minute passive recovery, and 5-minute cool-down at 60% of maximum velocity. The inter-effort recovery hypoxia group inhaled hypoxic air (fraction of inspired oxygen=0.136) during warm-up, recovery bouts, and cool-down. Outcomes were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Peak oxygen uptake increased in the inter-effort recovery hypoxia group at W6 (+7%) and W8 (+10%), while the normoxia group improved at W8 (+7%), without group differences; running economy improved in the normoxia group at W8 (+10%). No significant changes occurred in erythropoietin, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, reticulocytes, or body composition. The 5-week inter-effort recovery hypoxia protocol enhanced peak oxygen uptake without hematological changes, indicating a feasible and non-erythropoietic strategy for improving aerobic fitness.
Mateo-March M, Javaloyes A, Moya-Ramón M
… +1 more, Peña-González I
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Jun · PMID 41617155
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Sex differences in performance loss above critical power in professional cycling are underexplored, yet crucial for tailoring training and race strategies. This study examined sex-specific differences in performance loss...Sex differences in performance loss above critical power in professional cycling are underexplored, yet crucial for tailoring training and race strategies. This study examined sex-specific differences in performance loss above critical power across accumulated work levels and effort durations in elite cyclists. Power output data from 16 female and 17 male WorldTour professionals were analyzed over one season. Performance loss was quantified after 1-5 kJ kg accumulated work above critical power (∫(power output - critical power) dt for power output>critical power, normalized to body mass). Power decay was assessed for efforts of 5 and 30 seconds and 1, 5, 10, and 20 minutes. A small sex difference emerged at 1 kJ kg (women: 3.73±4.12% vs. men: 2.44±4.23%, =0.031, and =0.31), with no differences at 2-4 kJ kg. At 5 kJ kg, men showed less loss (women: 29.58±29.35% vs. men: 16.58±10.44%, <0.001, and =0.60). Women exhibited greater decay in 5-minute efforts from 1 kJ kg (≤0.001) and 10-20 minute efforts from 1 to 2 kJ kg (<0.05), with gaps widening at higher work levels. Men had higher estimated maximum oxygen uptake and critical power, enabling better sustainability under high-intensity fatigue, likely due to superior aerobic capacity.
Int J Sports Med
· 2026 Feb · PMID 41581506
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The aim of the present study was to determine the responsiveness of health-related field-based physical fitness tests in adults. A total of 62 non-active participants aged 18-64 years were randomized into the interventio...The aim of the present study was to determine the responsiveness of health-related field-based physical fitness tests in adults. A total of 62 non-active participants aged 18-64 years were randomized into the intervention (= 31) and control (= 31) groups. The exercise program included three sessions/wk (60 min per session) of multicomponent exercise training for 12 weeks. The control group continued with their usual routines. Pre-post differences were explored with pairwise comparison analysis of variance for each group. The proportion of responders/non-responders and the percentage of the population that was expected to respond to the intervention were calculated. None of the tests changed pre-post in the control group (all > 0.05 and Cohen's ≤ 0.2). In the intervention group, overall, all tests were found to be responsive (all < 0.01) after the exercise program with an effects size improvement of moderate to large (all Cohen's > 0.50), except the body weight, waist circumference, and handgrip (Cohen's ≤ 0.1). In absolute terms, the pre- and post-test differences in the intervention group were -0.94 kg in body weight, -0.84 cm in waist circumference, 1.30 stages in the 20-m shuttle run test, -82.62 s in the 2-km walk test, 62.50 m in the 6-min walk test, -0.33 s in the 6-m gait speed test, -0.71 s in the timed up & go test, -1.23 s in the 4 x 10-m shuttle run test, 1.35 kg in the handgrip test, 17.25 cm in the standing long jump test, 3.62 repetitions in the 30-s sit to stand test and 44.11 s in the prone bridging test. The proportion of individual responders was >46%, while the proportion of the population expected to respond was >85% in most of the tests evaluated, except for the anthropometric and handgrip tests. The proportion of individual responders was>46%, while the proportion of the population expected to respond was>85% in most of the tests evaluated. All the health-related field-based physical fitness tests were found to be responsive following a 12-week multicomponent exercise training program, except the anthropometric and handgrip tests, which were less responsive than the others and might require specifically targeted interventions to respond further.