Recovery Characteristics of Maintenance Training in Soccer Players.

Purpose: To determine the recovery kinetics of performance, muscle damage, and neuromuscular fatigue following 2 speed-endurance maintenance training (SEMT) protocols in soccer.

Methods: Ten well-trained male soccer athletes randomly completed 3 trials: work-to-rest ratio SEMT/1:3, SEMT/1:1, and a control trial. Training load during SEMT was monitored using a global positioning system and heart-rate monitors.

Evidence of a redox-dependent control of vascular function after muscle-damaging exercise in young adults: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: High-intensity resistance exercise may temporarily induce vascular dysfunction mediated by pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory pathways. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the possible protective effect of the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on vascular function after a bout of high-intensity resistance exercise.

Methods: In this randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study, ten healthy male volunteers (mean age 24.

Evaluation of the Physiological Responses and Energy Expenditure Induced by Suspension Training Exercises.

Chatzikamagianni, E, Poulios, A, Avloniti, A, Rosvoglou, A, Liakou, C, Papanikolaou, K, Stampoulis, T, Tsimeas, P, Batrakoulis, A, Chatzinikolaou, A, Draganidis, D, Jamurtas, AZ, and Fatouros, IG. Evaluation of the physiological responses and energy expenditure induced by suspension training exercises. J Strength Cond Res 39(9): 933-944, 2025-This study determined the energy expenditure and physiological responses of 6 beneficial suspension training (ST) exercises (overheads [OS], single-leg squat [SLS], torso rotations [TR], back row [BR], chest press [CP], and plank).

New Bioelectrical Impedance-Based Equations to Estimate Resting Metabolic Rate in Young Athletes.

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) significantly impacts total daily energy expenditure, particularly on training days, and varies among trained individuals. Studies estimating RMR in this population show notable discrepancies. This study aimed to develop and validate new bioelectrical impedance analysis-based (BIA) RMR equations for young athletes, using a calibration and a validation group of 219 and 51 participants, respectively.

The Effect of Peak Height Velocity on Strength and Power Development of Young Athletes: A Scoping Review.

: Maturation is a complex biological process affecting all tissues, organs, and systems, particularly during adolescence. The Peak Height Velocity (PHV) period, a hallmark of adolescent growth spurts, is associated with individual differentiations in the development of performance attributes amongst youth. Understanding the influence of sports participation on strength and power during the PHV period is essential for optimizing training outcomes and reducing injury risk.

The Effect of Protein Supplementation and Playing Time on Recovery Kinetics During a Congested Basketball Schedule.

Background/objectives: Despite being widely promoted, protein supplementation's overall effectiveness during demanding basketball schedules remains unclear. This study investigated whether increased protein intake can accelerate recovery of muscle function during a 6-day congested basketball microcycle consisting of three consecutive games while accounting for the impact of playing time.

Methods: In a randomized, two-trial, cross-over, double-blind repeated measures design, eighteen male basketball players were assigned to a high (High PT) or a moderate (Mod PT) playing time group and participated in two trials, receiving daily either milk protein (PRO trial) or an isoenergetic amount of carbohydrates.

The Effect of Intraset Rest Periods on External and Internal Load During Small-Sided Games in Soccer.

The purpose of this study was to compare the internal and external load in continuous and intermittent small-sided games (SSG) formats. Eight semi-professional soccer players participated in the study, and they completed three protocols: (a) I-intermittent SSG protocol (Int-I, 4 sets of 4 min with a 3 min recovery); (b) Continuous SSG protocol (Con, 2 sets of 8 min with a 3 min recovery); (c) II-SSG protocol (Int-II, 4 sets of 4 min, where each set includes 1 min of exercise with varying recovery periods (10, 20, 30 s), with a 3 min recovery period between sets). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the dependent variables, with significance determined at < 0.

The Effects of Antioxidant Supplementation on Soccer Performance and Recovery: A Critical Review of the Available Evidence.

Soccer is linked to an acute inflammatory response and the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant supplements have shown promising effects in reducing muscle damage and oxidative stress and enhancing the recovery process after eccentric exercise. This critical review highlights the influence of antioxidant supplements on performance and recovery following soccer-related activity, training, or competition.

Gut Microbiota in the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes and the Potential Role of Exercise: A Critical Review.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the predominant metabolic epidemic posing a major threat to global health. Growing evidence indicates that gut microbiota (GM) may critically influence the progression from normal glucose tolerance, to pre-diabetes, to T2D. On the other hand, regular exercise contributes to the prevention and/or treatment of the disease, and evidence suggests that a possible way regular exercise favorably affects T2D is by altering GM composition toward health-promoting bacteria.

The Energy Expenditure Associated With Body-Weight Resistance Exercises of Various Movement Patterns Performed at Different Durations.

Poulios, A, Fotiou, C, Draganidis, D, Avloniti, A, Rosvoglou, A, Batrakoulis, A, Tsimeas, P, Papanikolaou, K, Deli, CK, Stampoulis, T, Douroudos, II, Chatzinikolaou, A, Jamurtas, AZ, and Fatouros, IG. The energy expenditure associated with body-weight resistance exercises of various movement patterns performed at different durations. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): 2034-2046, 2024-Although body-weight resistance exercises (BWRE) are popular and effective for body mass reduction and neuromuscular performance, limited information exists regarding their total energy expenditure (TEE).

Characterization of the Extract SidTea+ and Its Effect on Physiological Profile, Metabolic Health and Redox Biomarkers in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

This study aimed to characterize a extract (SidTea+) and investigate its effect on the physiological profile, metabolic health and redox status in healthy individuals. The chemical profile and antioxidant potential of the SidTea+ extract were evaluated by UPLC-HRMS analysis and in vitro cell-free methods. Twenty-eight healthy adults participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Recovery during Successive 120-min Football Games: Results from the 120-min Placebo/Carbohydrate Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the recovery kinetics (i.e., time-dependent changes) of performance-related variables between two 120-min male football games performed 3 d apart with and without carbohydrate supplementation.

Recovery kinetics following eccentric exercise is volume-dependent.

The present study compared the effect of 75 vs 150 vs 300 intensity-matched eccentric contractions on muscle damage and performance recovery kinetics. Ten healthy males participated in a randomized, cross-over study consisted of 4 experimental trials (ECC75, ECC150, ECC300 and Control - no exercise) with a 4-week washout period in-between. Performance and muscle damage, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were evaluated at baseline, post-exercise, 24, 48 and 192 hours following each exercise protocol.

Recovery kinetics following sprint training: resisted versus unresisted sprints.

Purpose: To determine the recovery kinetics of performance and exercise-induced muscle damage following different sprint-training protocols.

Methods: In a crossover design, ten male and female athletes (20.6 ± 2.

Functional and Morphological Adaptations in the Heart of Children Aged 12-14 Years following Two Different Endurance Training Protocols.

This study investigated the cardiac functional and the morphological adaptations because of two endurance training protocols. Untrained children (N = 30, age: 12-14 years) were divided into three groups (N = 10/group). The first group did not perform any session (CONTROL), the second performed ventilatory threshold endurance training (VTT) for 12 weeks (2 sessions/week) at an intensity corresponding to the ventilatory threshold (VT) and the third (IT) performed two sessions per week at 120% of maximal oxygen uptake (VOmax).

Skeletal muscle and erythrocyte redox status is associated with dietary cysteine intake and physical fitness in healthy young physically active men.

Purpose: To investigate the association between redox status in erythrocytes and skeletal muscle with dietary nutrient intake and markers of physical fitness and habitual physical activity (PA).

Methods: Forty-five young physically active men were assessed for body composition, dietary nutrient intake, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory capacity and habitual PA. Blood and muscle samples were collected to estimate selected redox biomarkers.

The Effects of Greek Orthodox Christian Fasting during Holy Week on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Overweight Adults.

This study investigated whether Greek Orthodox Christian fasting during Holy Week can change body composition and cardiometabolic parameters in overweight individuals, and whether these changes are maintained one week after fasting cessation (FC). Body composition and physiological and biochemical parameters were measured before, immediately after (n = 23) and one week after FC (subgroup of n = 10). Fasting resulted in decreased body weight, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index and total body fat, as well as blood glucose, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Extended Match Time Exacerbates Fatigue and Impacts Physiological Responses in Male Soccer Players.

Purpose: This study evaluated how extended match time (90 + 30 min) affected physiological responses and fatigue in male soccer players.

Methods: Twenty competitive players (mean ± SD: age, 20 ± 1 yr; maximal oxygen uptake, 59 ± 4 mL·min -1 ·kg -1 ) completed an experimental match with their activity pattern and heart rate assessed throughout the game, whereas countermovement jump performance and repeated sprint ability were tested and quadriceps muscle biopsies and venous blood samples were taken at baseline and after 90 and 120 min of match play.

Results: Less high-intensity running (12%) was performed in extra time in association with fewer intense accelerations and decelerations per minute compared with normal time.

Comparative Efficacy of 5 Exercise Types on Cardiometabolic Health in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of 81 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Although regular exercise is recommended for preventing and treating overweight/obesity, the most effective exercise type for improving cardiometabolic health in individuals with overweight/obesity remains largely undecided. This network meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and rank the comparative efficacy of 5 exercise modalities on cardiometabolic health measures in individuals with overweight/obesity.

Methods: A database search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception up to September 2020.

Hybrid-type, multicomponent interval training upregulates musculoskeletal fitness of adults with overweight and obesity in a volume-dependent manner: A 1-year dose-response randomised controlled trial.

This study examined the dose-response effects of a 1-year hybrid-type, multicomponent interval training programme (DoIT) on various musculoskeletal fitness parameters in inactive overweight and obese adults in a gym setting. Ninety-seven middle-aged (44.8 ± 5.

Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation Interferes with Anabolic and Catabolic Characteristics of the Aged Human Skeletal Muscle.

Aging is associated with the development of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (LGSI) characterized by increased circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Collective evidence suggests that elevated levels of inflammatory mediators such as CRP, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) are correlated with deteriorated skeletal muscle mass and function, though the molecular footprint of this observation in the aged human skeletal muscle remains obscure. Based on animal models showing impaired protein synthesis and enhanced degradation in response to LGSI, we compared here the response of proteolysis- and protein synthesis-related signaling proteins as well as the satellite cell and amino acid transporter protein content between healthy older adults with increased versus physiological blood hs-CRP levels in the fasted (basal) state and after an anabolic stimulus comprised of acute resistance exercise (RE) and protein feeding.

Hybrid Neuromuscular Training Improves Cardiometabolic Health and Alters Redox Status in Inactive Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 5-month high-intensity hybrid-type neuromuscular training program with nontraditional implements on cardiometabolic health, redox status, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in inactive overweight and obese women. Forty-nine inactive female participants with overweight and obesity (age: 36.4 ± 4.

Skeletal muscle phenotype and game performance in elite women football players.

We combined game activity analyses with skeletal muscle phenotypes and comprehensive physiological testing to elucidate factors of importance for physical performance in elite women's football. GPS-data from an experimental game, sprint and endurance testing, and muscle tissue analysis of metabolic enzyme activity, protein expression and fiber type composition were completed for international top-level women players (n = 20; age; 23 ± 4 yrs, height; 166 ± 10 cm, weight; 60 ± 8 kg; VO ; 51 ± 6 ml/min/kg). Muscle monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) protein expression explained 46% of the variance in total game distance, while the ability to maintain high-intensity running (HIR) during the final 15 min of the game correlated to myosin heavy chain 1 (MHCI) and Na -K ATPase β1, FXYD1 (phospholemman) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) protein expression (range: r = 0.

Muscle metabolism and impaired sprint performance in an elite women's football game.

The present study examined skeletal muscle metabolism and changes in repeated sprint performance during match play for n = 20 competitive elite women outfield players. We obtained musculus vastus lateralis biopsies and blood samples before, after, and following intense periods in each half of a friendly match, along with 5 × 30-meter sprint tests and movement pattern analyses (10-Hz S5 Global Positioning System [GPS]). Muscle glycogen decreased by 39% and 42% after an intense period of the second half and after the match, respectively, compared to baseline (p < 0.