Med Sci Sports Exerc [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Six-Minutes' Walk Test and Handgrip Strength Associated with Increased Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.
Soares Miranda L, Romero-Elías M, Silva M … +4 more , Peixoto A, Macedo G, Abreu S, Ruiz-Casado A
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41150897 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The number of cancer survivors has been increasing in Europe by 3.5% per year since 2010. Overall, 38% of all prevalent cases will live more than 10 yr after the diagnosis. Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as the...
PURPOSE: The number of cancer survivors has been increasing in Europe by 3.5% per year since 2010. Overall, 38% of all prevalent cases will live more than 10 yr after the diagnosis. Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as the second most prevalent cancer among survivors across genders. Interestingly, most CRC survivors will be older than 75 and will possibly need survivorship care services. This study's primary aim was to investigate the association between physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with CRC. Secondary analyses explored detailed subdomains. METHODS: We investigated the cross-sectional association between physical fitness, measured with the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and isometric handgrip strength, and HRQoL in a cohort of Portuguese and Spanish CRC patients ( N = 272, mean [standard deviation] age: 65 ± 10.8 yr, 65% men; and 11%, 22%, 36%, and 31% in stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively). Linear regression models were used to assess the association between physical fitness and HRQoL. Minimally important differences (MIDs) of 5-10 points were used to evaluate clinical relevance. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) global HRQoL was 69.2 (21.8). A 50-m longer 6MWT distance was associated with differences in cognitive function ( β : 0.11 [0.08-0.14]) and body weight ( β : 0.10 [0.05-0.14]) scores that exceeded the MIDs threshold (5-10 points), suggesting potential clinical relevance. Additionally, physical function, role function, emotional function, dyspnea, and anxiety approached clinical relevance with differences ranging from +4.0 to +4.5 points. A 5-kg increase in handgrip strength was associated with meaningful differences in several HRQoL domains: role function ( β : 1.90 [1.45-2.36]), fatigue ( β : -1.64 [-2.11 to -1.18]), nausea/vomiting ( β : -1.96 [-2.42 to -1.51]), body image ( β : 1.14 [0.63-1.64]), and anxiety ( β : 1.57 [1.07-2.07]), exceeding the MIDs thresholds (5-10 points). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that greater 6MWT performance and upper-body muscle strength are associated with better functioning and lower symptom burden. Additionally, greater aerobic fitness was linked to better cognitive function. These findings underscore the potential importance of physical fitness for quality of life in cancer survivors and highlight the need for future interventional studies to determine whether improving fitness through rehabilitation strategies can enhance patient outcomes.
Synergistic Relationship between Muscle Thickness and Cellular Health after Resistance Training in Older Women.
Stavinski N, Rosa GB, Kassiano W … +13 more , Santos-Melo V, Prado A, Francsuel J, Lisboa F, Cavalcanti AM, Cyrino LT, Kunevaliki G, Antunes M, Rodrigues RJ, Magalhães JP, Silva AM, Sardinha LB, Cyrino ES
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41150891 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study investigated the relationship between muscle thickness and raw and derived bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters following 12 wk of resistance training (RT) in older women. METHODS: Fifty-...
PURPOSE: This study investigated the relationship between muscle thickness and raw and derived bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters following 12 wk of resistance training (RT) in older women. METHODS: Fifty-five older women were assigned to a control group ( n = 31) or an RT group ( n = 24). Muscle thickness was assessed using B-mode ultrasound, while BIA parameters, including reactance (Xc), resistance (R), phase angle (PhA), intracellular water, extracellular water (ECW), and total body water, were measured at 50 kHz. Total and appendicular lean soft tissue and fat mass were evaluated via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Muscle thickness and total and appendicular lean soft tissue increased in the RT group (2.9%-6.2%; P < 0.001), whereas muscle thickness decreased in the control group (-4.1%; P < 0.001). Xc, PhA, and ECW also increased in the RT group (1.6%-5.8%; P ≤ 0.002) but decreased in the control group (-1.1% to -5.8%; P ≤ 0.022). In the RT group, muscle thickness was positively correlated with Xc, PhA, total body water, and ECW ( rrm = 0.40-0.52; P ≤ 0.023), whereas in the control group, muscle thickness correlated only with Xc, R, and PhA ( rrm = 0.43-0.46; P ≤ 0.015). Linear mixed models showed that muscle thickness was associated with all raw and derived BIA parameters in the RT group but only with PhA in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that increases in muscle thickness resulting from a 12-wk RT program are synergistically associated with changes in both raw and derived BIA parameters, which may play a crucial role in enhancing cellular health in older women.
Impact of Prenatal Activity on Child Growth Trajectories: Findings from the APrON Study.
Matenchuk BA, Osachoff L, Cai C … +7 more , Bell RC, Letourneau N, Giesbrecht GF, Pereira LR, Ntanda F, Ntanda H, Davenport MH
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41150888 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the impact of prenatal physical activity on child growth from birth to 3 years. METHODS: Data were obtained from a subset of the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition cohort ( N =...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the impact of prenatal physical activity on child growth from birth to 3 years. METHODS: Data were obtained from a subset of the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition cohort ( N = 1725). Prenatal physical activity was evaluated using the Baecke Questionnaire in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy and separate trajectories of latent clusters of total, work, leisure, and sports activity scores were generated (group 1 = lowest activity; group 3 = highest activity). Child weight and length/height were collected from birth to 36 months. Multitrajectory modeling identified four latent clusters of child growth based on World Health Organization Z scores of length/height, weight, and body mass index (kg/m 2 ). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the associations (relative risk ratio; RRR) between prenatal activity and child growth. RESULTS: Infants were classified into four latent growth trajectories: low length low weight (18.7%), reference (41.2%), low length moderate weight (16.0%), and high length high weight (24.2%). Maternal total activity was not associated with child growth trajectory. Higher work activity was associated with increased risk of low length low weight trajectory (group 2, RRR: 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.89, P = 0.02; group 3, RRR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.05-2.18; P = 0.02), persisting after adjustment (group 2, adjRRR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.08-2.03, P = 0.02; group 3, adjRRR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.09-2.37; P = 0.02). Higher maternal sports activity was linked to low weight low length trajectory following adjustment for maternal demographic variables, but not gestational age at birth. High prenatal leisure activity was associated with an increased likelihood of child classification in the low length moderate weight trajectory in crude (RRR: 1.66; 95% CI: 0.98-2.82; P = 0.06) and adjusted (adjRRR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.01-2.95; P = 0.04) analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity domains during pregnancy are differently related to child growth trajectories.
Clarifying the Role of [ 15 O]H 2 O PET in Assessing Skeletal Muscle Perfusion following Postexercise Cooling.
Mawhinney C, Kalliokoski K, Gregson W … +1 more , Heinonen I
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41128494 · Publisher ↗
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Predictors of Advanced Menstrual Recovery in Exercising Women with Oligo/Amenorrhea: A Secondary Analysis of the REFUEL Study.
Salamunes ACC, Mallinson RJ, DE Souza MJ … +3 more , Ricker EA, Allaway HCM, Williams NI
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41121582 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: To determine the energetic and hormonal predictors of advanced menstrual recovery (≥2 consecutive menstrual cycles of <36 d) in the REFUEL study, a 12-month intervention of increased energy intake in exercising...
PURPOSE: To determine the energetic and hormonal predictors of advanced menstrual recovery (≥2 consecutive menstrual cycles of <36 d) in the REFUEL study, a 12-month intervention of increased energy intake in exercising women with oligo/amenorrhea. METHODS: Participants (21.8 ± 0.7 yr; N = 25) were categorized based on whether they experienced advanced menstrual recovery (REC) or not (non-REC). Potential recovery predictors were measured at baseline (BL) and at the time point preceding advanced menstrual recovery (PRE). For the non-REC group, PRE was the measurement preceding the last two menstrual cycles/28-d amenorrheic monitoring periods recorded during the intervention. Predictors included body composition, energy intake, energy availability, urinary estrone-1-glucuronide and pregnanediol glucuronide, serum metabolic hormones, and resting metabolic rate variables. T tests and Mann-Whitney U tests assessed group differences. Logistic regressions determined recovery predictors. RESULTS: The REC group had higher percent fat (25.7 ± 1.0% vs 21.8 ± 1.0%, P = 0.006) and fat mass (14.7 ± 0.7 vs 11.6 ± 0.7 kg, P = 0.003) at BL and fat mass (15.3 ± 0.6 vs 13.4 ± 0.5 kg, P = 0.019), insulin-like growth factor-1 (273.1 ± 13.5 vs 229.6 ± 19.3 ng·mL -1 , P = 0.036), and leptin (7.5 ± 1.3 vs 4.6 ± 0.7 ng·mL -1 , P = 0.033) at PRE than the non-REC group. Estrone-1-glucuronide and pregnanediol glucuronide increased in the REC group (from 27.6 ± 4.5 to 35.3 ± 5.0 ng·mL -1 , P = 0.007; from 1.2 ± 0.2 to 1.3 ± 0.2 µg·mL -1 , P < 0.001). Predictors of menstrual recovery were the number of menstrual cycles experienced in the 12 month before the intervention, BL percent fat and fat mass, and fat mass and insulin-like growth factor-1 at PRE ( P < 0.05). Combining BL fat mass and previous 12-month menstrual frequency correctly classified 91.3% of women as REC or non-REC. CONCLUSIONS: A higher fat mass and a previous pattern (12-month) of frequency of menses may have an important role for advanced menstrual recovery to be achieved.
Reliability and Repeatability of Determining Power Associated with Maximal Metabolic Steady State Using Changes in NIRS-Derived Muscle Oxygenation.
Hudgins JH, Schoeberlein MI, Wilkins BW
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41121574 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The heavy-severe domain boundary can be estimated with muscle oxygen saturation (%SmO 2 ) by determining the power at which a %SmO 2 slope of zero occurs. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability...
PURPOSE: The heavy-severe domain boundary can be estimated with muscle oxygen saturation (%SmO 2 ) by determining the power at which a %SmO 2 slope of zero occurs. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and repeatability of determining power at a %SmO 2 zero-slope. METHODS: Thirty endurance-trained participants (15 women) completed six laboratory visits. Maximal oxygen uptake and gas exchange parameters were determined via a cycling ramp test. Participants completed four weekly cycling protocols consisting of four 4-min stages spanning the exercise intensity domains. During each stage, %SmO 2 was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on the rectus femoris (Moxy Monitor, Fortiori Design). The %SmO 2 zero-slope power was determined from %SmO 2 responses at each stage, followed by a 4-min confirmation stage at the predicted %SmO 2 zero-slope power. Linear regression between stage power ( X -axis) and the slope of the %SmO 2 response during each stage ( Y -axis) was used to predict the power at a %SmO 2 zero-slope. Differences in %SmO 2 zero-slope power across visits were examined via one-way analysis of variance, and reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 2,1) as well as the standard error of measurement, expressed as a coefficient of variation. RESULTS: %SmO 2 zero-slope power was not significantly different across visits in both men and women combined ( P = 0.108), nor was it different in men and women separately. The ICC across visits was 0.953 (95% CI: 0.917-0.978; P < 0.001) indicating excellent reliability with a standard error of measurement of 2.6 W or 1.2%, and a minimal difference to detect a real change of 7.3W or 3.4%. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the power at maximal metabolic steady state can be reliably determined using a %SmO 2 zero-slope method using NIRS.
The Influence of Sleep Restriction and High-Intensity Interval Exercise on Plasma and Skeletal Muscle Inflammatory Markers in Young Healthy Males.
Saner NJ, Garcia-Dominguez E, Lee MJ … +3 more , Garnham A, Bartlett JD, Bishop DJ
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41121573 · Full text
PURPOSE: Inadequate sleep has been linked to the development of cardiometabolic disease, with increases in inflammation suggested as a possible underlying mechanism. Exercise has anti-inflammatory properties and may amel...
PURPOSE: Inadequate sleep has been linked to the development of cardiometabolic disease, with increases in inflammation suggested as a possible underlying mechanism. Exercise has anti-inflammatory properties and may ameliorate some of the detrimental inflammatory effects associated with sleep loss. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of sleep restriction, with or without high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), on plasma and skeletal muscle markers of inflammation. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy, young males underwent a five-night sleep intervention period. Participants were allocated to one of three groups: normal sleep (NS, n = 8) (8 h time in bed each night [TIB]), sleep restriction (SR, n = 8) (4 h TIB), or sleep restriction and exercise (SR+EX, n = 8, 4 h TIB, with three sessions of HIIE). Skeletal muscle and plasma samples were collected pre- and post-intervention and assessed for inflammatory markers. RESULTS: Plasma inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) did not change from pre- to post-intervention in any group ( P > 0.05). Skeletal muscle protein content of NFAT1 increased in the SR group only (mean difference ± SD: 0.39 ± 0.45 A.U.; 95% CI[0.10-0.67 A.U.], P = 0.010). However, no further changes in inflammation-related skeletal muscle mRNA content (NF-KB (p50), NF-KB (p65), and SOD1) or protein content (p-STAT1, p-JNK, and p-ERK 1/2) were observed in any group ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Five nights of SR, with or without HIIE, resulted in minimal changes to plasma and skeletal muscle inflammatory markers. Additional timepoints and broader inflammatory assessments may better elucidate the relationship between sleep loss and inflammation.
Efficacy and Sustainability of tDCS Combined with TENS in Alleviating Pain and Improving Functional Mobility in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis.
Song Q, Wang D, Zhang X … +4 more , Luo X, Ge Y, Shen P, Song Q
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41121572 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effectiveness and sustainability of a 6-wk intervention combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain and funct...
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effectiveness and sustainability of a 6-wk intervention combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain and functional mobility in older adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). It also explored the mediation effect of pain relief on functional mobility. METHODS: Thirty older adults with KOA were randomly split into tDCS + TENS and TENS groups in a 1:1 ratio. The former received combined tDCS and TENS, while the latter had TENS with sham tDCS, for 6 wk with four 20-min sessions weekly. Twenty-seven participants finished the intervention and a 12-wk follow-up (14 and 13 in each group). Assessments using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for mobility were conducted at week 0 (baseline), week 7 (6-wk training), week 11 (4-wk detraining), and week 19 (further 8-wk detraining). Two-way mixed-design analysis of variance and a simple mediation model were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Significant time × group interactions were detected in VAS scores ( P = 0.009, ηp2 = 0.391) and TUG times ( P = 0.011, ηp2 = 0.397). The tDCS + TENS group showed lower VAS scores at weeks 7, 11, and 19, and lower TUG times at weeks 7 and 11 compared with week 0. The TENS group had lower scores and times at weeks 7 and 11. A significant mediation effect of pain scores on TUG times was seen in the TENS group (95% confidence interval: 0.008-0.406). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of tDCS and TENS demonstrates superior and more enduring efficacy in alleviating pain and enhancing functional mobility in older adults with KOA. TENS improves functional mobility primarily through pain reduction, while the tDCS + TENS intervention likely operates via other mechanisms.
Creating and Evaluating a Prediction Equation for VO 2peak in Individuals with Early Stage, Never Medicated Parkinson's Disease.
Griffith GJ, Thomsen B, Xie Z … +4 more , Zhang A, Davis Z, McKee KE, Corcos DM
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41121570 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative nervous system condition causing motor and nonmotor symptoms. Endurance training is commonly prescribed in people with PD for possible slowing of disease progre...
BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative nervous system condition causing motor and nonmotor symptoms. Endurance training is commonly prescribed in people with PD for possible slowing of disease progression. Since people with PD exhibit lower cardiorespiratory fitness, it is important to understand peak aerobic capacity (VO 2peak ) in people with PD. VO 2peak prediction equations may be used when cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is unavailable; however, exercise-based PD-specific prediction equations are lacking. The purpose of the study was to develop a PD-specific VO 2peak prediction equation and to compare this equation to published VO 2peak prediction equations. METHODS: This study included N = 127 never-medicated individuals with PD, aged 40-80 yr, Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-2, within 5 yr of diagnosis, and exercising ≤3 d/wk, who completed a treadmill CPET. Linear regression analyses were performed to generate the VO 2peak equation from a validation subsample, which was applied to a cross-validation subsample. The equation was compared with two published equations for healthy adults. RESULTS: The PD-specific VO 2peak equation was: VO 2peak (mL/kg/min) = 12.466 + 0.149 × (treadmill speed [m/min]) + 85.7 × (treadmill grade [%, as a decimal]) - 2.383 × (sex [0 = male, 1 = female]) - 0.135 × (age [years]). There was no difference between estimated and measured VO 2peak in the cross-validation subsample. Our equation successfully predicted VO 2peak in early PD, whereas VO 2peak was over- and underestimated in people with PD by the American College of Sports Medicine and Foster equations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians can estimate VO 2peak in individuals with PD to identify those for whom endurance exercise training should be a major health priority, develop an exercise prescription, and assess changes in VO 2peak over time.
Functional Adaptation of Brain Network Topology in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Graph-Theoretical Study.
Shen B, Xiao S, Zong X … +5 more , Zhang C, Xu Z, Liang X, Zhou J, Fu W
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41121569 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to understand the supraspinal regulation of balance control in chronic ankle instability (CAI) by characterizing the large-scale communication and interaction via brain functional network topo...
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to understand the supraspinal regulation of balance control in chronic ankle instability (CAI) by characterizing the large-scale communication and interaction via brain functional network topology in CAI and establish the association between topological properties and dynamic balance performance. METHODS: In this cross-sectional design study, 40 CAI individuals and 39 healthy control (HC) individuals were enrolled. To assess the dynamic balance, the Y-balance test was utilized. To explore the topological structure of brain networks, graph theory was used to analyze resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data. RESULTS: The CAI group had lower normalized reach distances in the Y-balance test than HC. Compared with HC, CAI exhibited remarkably lower nodal degree centrality and higher nodal shortest path length (NLp) within the sensorimotor network (SMN), particularly in the precentral gyrus, temporal cortex, and presupplementary motor area of the right hemisphere. CAI showed reduced NLp and increased nodal efficiency in the posterior cingulate cortex of the left hemisphere, a hub region of the default mode subnetwork. In CAI, high degree centrality and low NLp in the precentral gyrus of the right hemisphere were substantially correlated to poor performance of the Y-balance test, but not in HC. CONCLUSIONS: CAI individuals demonstrated diminished regional processing capability within the SMN and a potential compensatory increase in nodal efficiency within the DMN, which are critical to maintain safe balance in this cohort. These alterations in supraspinal networks could be an effective target for rehabilitation and management in CAI.
Effect of Unilateral Forearm Amputation on Fluid Torques and Body Roll in Front Crawl Swimming and the Implications for Performance.
Payton C, Osborough C, Sanders R … +1 more , Gonjo T
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41121553 · Full text
PURPOSE: Rotation of the body about its longitudinal axis or "body roll" in front crawl swimming may reduce injury risk, enhance propulsion, and reduce drag. An upper limb amputation may hinder body roll and diminish the...
PURPOSE: Rotation of the body about its longitudinal axis or "body roll" in front crawl swimming may reduce injury risk, enhance propulsion, and reduce drag. An upper limb amputation may hinder body roll and diminish the benefits associated with this movement. This study examined the external fluid torques (buoyant and hydrodynamic) acting on unilateral upper limb amputee swimmers and their influence on whole-body roll, shoulder roll, and hip roll during front crawl. METHODS: Ten Para swimmers with unilateral at-elbow amputation completed front crawl trials at sprinting speed. Three-dimensional motion analysis provided shoulder roll and hip roll angle-time histories. Swimmer's center of mass ( CM ), center of buoyancy ( CB ), and whole-body angular momentum ( H ) were determined relative to the body roll axis. Whole-body roll was calculated by dividing H by the moment of inertia at each time and integrating over the cycle. Buoyant torque was obtained from the cross product of the CM - CB position vector and the buoyant force vector. Net external torque was computed as the time derivative of H , and hydrodynamic torque was then found by subtracting buoyant torque from net external torque. RESULTS: Shoulder roll amplitude, maximum buoyant torque, and buoyant torque-impulse were greater ( P < 0.01) during recovery (over-water phase) of the nonimpaired limb than during recovery of the impaired limb. No significant bilateral differences were found for whole-body roll, hip roll, or trunk-twist amplitudes. Mean contributions of buoyant torque and hydrodynamic torque to whole-body roll over the full upper limb cycle were 48% and 52%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Swimmers with unilateral forearm amputation experience an asymmetric buoyant torque, requiring them to sacrifice propulsive force to counterbalance the torque asymmetry and maintain symmetric whole-body roll.
Acute Effect of Exercise with and without Cooperative Activities on Emotion Recognition in Preadolescent Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Berger M, Ishihara T, Kamijo K … +3 more , Greifeneder R, Gerber M, Ludyga S
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41121549 · Full text
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the acute effect of exercise, with and without cooperative activities, on emotion recognition in preadolescent children and its association with parasympathetic activity as well a...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the acute effect of exercise, with and without cooperative activities, on emotion recognition in preadolescent children and its association with parasympathetic activity as well as prosocial behavior and inclusive thinking. METHODS: Using an experimental design, 100 participants ( N = 44 male; age = 11.6 ± 0.6 y) were randomly assigned to a group performing 20-min exercise demanding cooperation (EX+CO), aerobic exercise without cooperation (EX), or a control group (CON) watching a video in a 1:1:1 ratio. Before and after the exercise bout or control condition, a computerized emotion recognition task was administered with simultaneous recording of heart rate variability via electrocardiography, reflecting parasympathetic activity. Additionally, prosocial behavior was measured by willingness to help an excluded classmate and inclusive thinking by a social grouping task. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance revealed a statistically significant group effect for emotion recognition accuracy ( P < 0.05, η² p = 0.07), which indicated that EX had a greater posttest accuracy compared to EX+CO and CON, when adjusted for pretest scores, age, and sex. Better behavioral performance at posttest was correlated with less inclusive thinking ( r (73) = 0.20, P = 0.091), whereas no correlation with was found with parasympathetic activity during the emotion recognition task. CONCLUSIONS: A short exercise session can temporarily enhance emotion recognition abilities, which are related to social behaviors essential for classroom dynamics. The exercise-induced benefit does not seem to be related to a parasympathetic withdrawal, but depends on the required level of cooperation.
The Need for Greater Methodological Rigor in Evaluating Cooling Interventions.
Kim D, Huggins RA, Stearns RL … +3 more , Figueiredo P, Casa DJ, Hosokawa Y
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41098048 · Publisher ↗
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Response.
Renaghan EJ, Feigenbaum LA, Galasso PJ … +6 more , Wittels HL, Wishon MJ, McDonald SM, Hecocks D, Ren T, Wittels SH
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41098046 · Publisher ↗
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Participation in High-Static, Low-Dynamic Demand Sports Increases Prevalence of Elevated Blood Pressure in Adolescent Athletes.
Musselman JR, Price DE, Nelson VR
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41094740 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Hypertension is a growing public health concern. While physical activity is generally beneficial, the role of varying physiologic demand on elevated blood pressure risk in adolescents is not well understood. Thi...
PURPOSE: Hypertension is a growing public health concern. While physical activity is generally beneficial, the role of varying physiologic demand on elevated blood pressure risk in adolescents is not well understood. This study evaluates the relationships between blood pressure in athletes and the physiologic demands of their sports. METHODS: A total of 7127 adolescent athletes (ages 13-19) were included in a retrospective analysis of blood pressure measurement during preparticipation evaluation. Sports were classified by high or low demand for static and dynamic components. Binomial logistic regression was completed to assess associations between static and dynamic components and elevated blood pressure screening. Differences in mean blood pressures (analysis of variance) and prevalence of elevated blood pressure (chi-square test) were assessed between high and low demand sports participation. RESULTS: Participation in sports with a high-static or low-dynamic demand showed high rates of elevated blood pressure. Athletes in high-static demand sports had 1.6 times greater odds of elevated blood pressure screening ( P < 0.0001); high-dynamic demand was associated with reduced odds (0.75, P = 0.006). The combination of high-static and low-dynamic demand resulted in the highest prevalence (17.5%). Mean systolic blood pressure was higher among high-static and low-dynamic participants, while diastolic pressure was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Athletes participating in sports with high-static or low-dynamic demands have a higher risk of elevated blood pressure. This suggests a need for sport-specific cardiovascular assessment and consideration of training modifications to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk. Longitudinal studies are warranted to evaluate the persistence of elevated blood pressure and clinical implications.
Local Vibration of the Hamstrings Induces Changes in Cortical and Spinal Excitability to the Antagonist Quadriceps following ACL Reconstruction.
Lowe T, Suresh T, Oró EG … +3 more , Freedberg M, Hussain SJ, Griffin L
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41094739 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Prolonged vibration of the hamstrings increases voluntary activation of the quadriceps in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). To gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for...
INTRODUCTION: Prolonged vibration of the hamstrings increases voluntary activation of the quadriceps in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). To gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for this increase, we investigated the effects of prolonged vibration of the hamstrings on spinal and cortical excitability of motor pathways to the quadriceps and on the time course of these effects in patients post-ACLR and in noninjured (NI) age-matched participants. METHODS: Spinal and cortical excitability of neural pathways to the vastus medialis were assessed in 42 participants (14 ACLR, 14 NI, and 14 NI Sham) before and at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 min after prolonged (20 min) vibration of the hamstrings. The NI Sham group received no vibration. Voluntary activation of the quadriceps was evaluated with the central activation ratio technique. RESULTS: In both vibration groups (ACLR and NI), vibration induced a persistent increase in corticospinal ( P < 0.001) excitability for 60 min after vibration. In the ACLR group only, vibration induced a sustained increase in spinal (H-reflex amplitude) excitability for up to 60 min following vibration ( P < 0.001). In the ACLR group, an increase in voluntary activation was positively correlated with increases in spinal and corticospinal (motor evoked potential amplitude) excitability. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in voluntary activation of the quadriceps following prolonged vibration of the hamstrings is due to an increase in quadriceps spinal excitability. Furthermore, prolonged vibration of the hamstrings increases cortical and spinal excitability of neural pathways to the quadriceps for at least an hour following cessation of the vibration. Understanding these mechanisms will enable clinicians to optimize this technique and enhance rehabilitation outcomes.
Test-Retest Variability and Reliability of Volitional and Nonvolitional Assessments of Muscle Endurance in Healthy Humans.
Metcalfe AJ, Mills E, Chalder T … +2 more , Jolley CJ, Rafferty GF
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41094738 · Full text
PURPOSE: Muscle endurance is commonly assessed using repeated or sustained volitional contractions, but measurement can be affected by subject cooperation and motivation. Nonvolitional techniques employing direct muscle...
PURPOSE: Muscle endurance is commonly assessed using repeated or sustained volitional contractions, but measurement can be affected by subject cooperation and motivation. Nonvolitional techniques employing direct muscle stimulation may overcome the shortcomings associated with volitional techniques. We have therefore examined the variability and reliability of both volitional and nonvolitional techniques to assess quadriceps and handgrip endurance. METHODS: Fourteen healthy participants (10 male, age 30 ± 7 yr, height 173.3 ± 9.2 cm, weight 67.0 ± 12 kg) completed measurements of strength and endurance on three occasions. Hand grip and quadriceps strength were determined from hand grip maximal voluntary contraction (HGMVC) and quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction (QMVC), respectively. Volitional hand grip endurance was determined as the time to task failure during a sustained contraction at 50% HGMVC. Volitional quadriceps endurance was assessed using repeated 5-s isometric contractions at 60% QMVC with 3 s rest until task failure. Nonvolitional quadriceps endurance was assessed using repetitive transcutaneous electrical stimulation (30 Hz, 250 ms on, 750 ms off for 180 s) at 30% QMVC. Endurance was taken as the time for the force to fall to 70% of the initial force. Variability was determined using the coefficient of variation, and reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Volitional hand grip endurance demonstrated fair variability (20.5%) and good reliability (0.81). Volitional quadriceps endurance demonstrated good variability (15.2%) and good reliability (0.76) while nonvolitional quadriceps endurance demonstrated good variability (16.4%) and excellent reliability (0.92). Overall, HGMVC and QMVC demonstrated either good or very good variability and either good or excellent reliability. CONCLUSIONS: Both volitional and nonvolitional measures of endurance in the hand and quadriceps muscles are reliable. Nonvolitional measures of muscle endurance may be helpful in cohorts unable to perform volitional maneuvers.
Comparison of the Eccentric Exercise Effects on the Myotendinous Elastic Properties between Men and Prepubertal Boys: A Shear Wave Elastography Study.
Chanel B, Babault N, Cometti C
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Mar · PMID 41094735 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the effects of a fatiguing eccentric exercise on the myotendinous elastic properties between men and prepubertal boys. METHODS: Ten prepubertal boys and 10 men performed a fatigu...
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the effects of a fatiguing eccentric exercise on the myotendinous elastic properties between men and prepubertal boys. METHODS: Ten prepubertal boys and 10 men performed a fatiguing exercise composed of five sets of 20 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of the knee extensors. Before the exercise, the elastic properties of the vastus lateralis, the rectus femoris (RF), and the patellar tendon were assessed using shear wave elastography to measure the shear wave velocity (SWV). These measurements were repeated immediately after the exercise (Post), 30 min after (Post 30 min), and 48 h after (Post 48 h). RESULTS: A significant time effect was observed for SWV vastus lateralis ( P = 0.005), but no difference was revealed by the post hoc tests. A significant time × age interaction ( P = 0.05) was observed for SWV RF and revealed an increase at Post ( P = 0.004; + 24.37% ± 36.67) and Post 30 min ( P = 0.010) compared with Pre for men, while no modification was observed for boys (Post: P = 1.000; + 0.86% ± 16.92). For patellar tendon, a significant time effect was observed ( P < 0.001) and revealed an increase from Pre at Post ( P < 0.001) and Post 30 min ( P = 0.002), whatever the age group. CONCLUSIONS: The alterations of the myotendinous elastic properties after an eccentric exercise were age dependent. Indeed, they were only observed in the tendon tissue in boys, while they were observed in the RF and tendon tissues in men.
The Isolated Effect of Midsole Compliance on Running Economy and Biomechanics in Highly Trained Runners.
Petrella D, Swinnen W, Tam N … +2 more , Lane B, Vanwanseele B
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Feb · PMID 41090637 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Running economy is a key determinant of endurance performance, with recently developed advanced footwear technologies (AFTs) improving running economy substantially. One key feature of AFTs is the thick, complia...
PURPOSE: Running economy is a key determinant of endurance performance, with recently developed advanced footwear technologies (AFTs) improving running economy substantially. One key feature of AFTs is the thick, compliant midsole. Previously, greater surface compliance has been associated with greater leg stiffness and enhanced running economy, suggesting that increased shoe compliance could induce similar effects and therefore at least partially explain the metabolic benefit of AFTs. However, it remains unclear whether midsole compliance replicates the effects of surface compliance on running economy and leg stiffness and what biomechanical mechanisms underlie these improvements. METHODS: Nineteen well-trained male runners completed biomechanical and metabolic testing in two shoes designed to differ only in midsole compliance. Participants ran three 5-min trials at 12 and 16 km·h -1 on an instrumented treadmill in each shoe. During these trials, we collected 3D motion capture data, ground reaction forces, and whole-body metabolic rate via indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: More compliant footwear was associated with a 3.90% improvement in running economy ( P < 0.001) and a 2.98% increase in leg stiffness ( P < 0.01). Additionally, runners exhibited reduced knee flexion at midstance, leg compression, average knee extension velocity, and peak knee extensor moment with greater midsole compliance ( P < 0.05). These biomechanical changes resulted in a 9.46% decrease in average positive knee joint power ( P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Greater midsole compliance improves running economy. Altering midsole compliance primarily affects knee mechanics and average positive knee joint power. While future research should explore muscle fascicle dynamics to directly determine the muscle-level effect, our results suggest that shoe compliance improves running economy by lowering knee extensor muscle metabolic demand.
Sex Differences in Exercise Responses to Constant Load Cycling and Repeated-Sprint Ability in Hot-Dry and Hot-Humid Conditions.
Anbalagan P, Peeling P, Ihsan M … +3 more , Racinais S, Wallman K, Girard O
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2026 Feb · PMID 41090623 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Constant load cycling followed by a repeated-sprint ability test was compared in males and females under thermoneutral (TN), hot-dry (HD), and hot-humid (HH) conditions. METHODS: Twenty-four trained participants...
PURPOSE: Constant load cycling followed by a repeated-sprint ability test was compared in males and females under thermoneutral (TN), hot-dry (HD), and hot-humid (HH) conditions. METHODS: Twenty-four trained participants (12 males and 12 females) were assessed under three conditions: TN (20°C, 40% relative humidity [RH]), HD (40°C, 35% RH), and HH (31.5°C, 90% RH), with HD and HH matched to a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of ~31°C. Each session included 40 min of constant load cycling (7.5 W·kg -1 metabolic heat production), 5 min of passive rest, and five 6-s sprints (24-s recovery). RESULTS: Rectal temperature reached 38.5°C in both HD and HH, compared with 38.0°C in TN ( P < 0.001) after 40 min, with no sex differences ( P > 0.05). Heart rate was consistently higher in HD and HH than TN from 15 min onwards ( P < 0.001) during constant load cycling, with females exhibiting higher heart rates across all conditions (150 vs 146 bpm; P < 0.001). Mean and peak power output, alongside sprint decrement score, did not differ between conditions; however, males had greater sprint decrement scores than females (-9.5% vs -5.2%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite higher cardiovascular strain in females, both sexes showed comparable rectal temperature to constant load cycling, indicating similar heat tolerance in the two hot conditions. The lack of differences in repeated-sprint ability between hot environments, despite 40 min of submaximal cycling, suggests that RH and ambient temperature impose comparable performance challenges during "all-out" efforts.
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