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Applied Sciences
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Exercise, Fitness, Human Performance and Health: 2nd Edition
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Exercise, Fitness, Human Performance and Health: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 2781

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marios Hadjicharalambous

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Interests: exercise physiology; sports performance; sports nutrition; exercise & health; fitness testing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nikolaos Zaras

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sports Science Program, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Interests: athletic performance; sports science; resistance training; sports physiology; Olympic weightlifting; track & field; strength-power training; exercise & health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Irrespective of the age, gender and initial fitness level of each individual, specific strength and conditioning exercises are essential elements to incorporate in a training program for fitness development either for improving human sports performance or for maintaining and securing human health.

This Special Issue of Applied Sciences, entitled “Exercise, Fitness, Human Performance and Health: 2nd Edition”, will be dedicated to new perspectives in the aforementioned research topic. We intend to attract high-quality experimental and review manuscripts that will examine/discuss the metabolic, cardiorespiratory, muscular/neuromuscular, immune, hormonal and myokine effects of acute and/or chronic strength and conditioning training on human performance and on health for both genders and at all fitness levels and age groups.

We would like to welcome various types of manuscript submissions, including original experimental/research (cross-sectional, intervention studies) articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Potential themes and sub-topics may include, but are not limited to, the effect of various types of strength/resistance (i.e., concentric, plyometric, isometric), cardiorespiratory (anaerobic: HIIT, SIT and aerobic) and/or concurrent strength and endurance training on fitness development attempting to maximize human sports performance and promote/secure human health.

We are looking forward to receiving your valuable manuscripts and collaborating with you.

Prof. Dr. Marios Hadjicharalambous
Dr. Nikolaos Zaras
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • strength and conditioning
  • fitness development
  • biological responses
  • sports performance
  • human health

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1955 KiB  
Article
Cyclical Physiology of Elite Female Athletes: Longitudinal Quantification of Wellness Parameters Considering Menstrual, Weekly, and Seasonal Variations
by Nolwenn Badier, Marine Dupuit, Gaëlle Dormion, Tom Chassard, Kilian Barlier, Alice Lafitte, Lidia Delrieu, Jean-François Toussaint and Juliana Antero
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031357 - 28 Jan 2025
Viewed by 536
Abstract
The purpose of the study is to identify variations in wellness parameters among elite female athletes, considering simultaneously the influence of natural menstrual cycle (MC) or hormonal contraception (HC) phases and weekly and seasonal variations. A total of 54 elite female athletes were [...] Read more.
The purpose of the study is to identify variations in wellness parameters among elite female athletes, considering simultaneously the influence of natural menstrual cycle (MC) or hormonal contraception (HC) phases and weekly and seasonal variations. A total of 54 elite female athletes were followed up with through a 6-month daily monitoring of their reported fitness, sleep quality, mood, and menstrual symptoms. Estimated cycle phases, days of the week, and seasons were all integrated into a single model to study cyclicities concomitantly. A total of 263 cycles were analyzed, totaling 7370 pieces of daily self-reported data. We observed more frequent symptoms during the menstruation and the pause phase. Reported fitness was greater in the mid-cycle and mood was lower at the end of the cycle for the MC group. Wellness parameters were rather stable for HC users. For both groups, symptoms were more frequent in summer. Reported fitness levels were lower on Monday, while mood scores were highest on Saturday and Sunday. In summer and autumn, fitness, sleep quality, and mood were greater. A cyclical wellness rhythm was identified in the menstrual cycle and persists even when considering weekdays and seasons cyclicities. This comprehensive approach helps to identify physiological influence on human behaviors, considering the specificities of women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise, Fitness, Human Performance and Health: 2nd Edition)
12 pages, 1302 KiB  
Article
Towards Personalized Recovery in Handball? The Effects of Playing Positions and Player Role on Internal Match Load and Well-Being Responses in Female Players
by Carlos García-Sánchez, Raúl Nieto-Acevedo, Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo, Moisés Marquina Nieto, Rafael Manuel Navarro and Alfonso de la Rubia
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1228; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031228 - 25 Jan 2025
Viewed by 406
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the playing position (backs vs. pivots vs. wings) and the player role (starter vs. non-starter) on the internal match load and well-being status of female handball players after official matches. Fourteen female [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the playing position (backs vs. pivots vs. wings) and the player role (starter vs. non-starter) on the internal match load and well-being status of female handball players after official matches. Fourteen female handball players from the Spanish 2nd Division were monitored during a half-season (13 matches, n = 102 individual observations) using the rate of perceived exertion (match RPE) and the Hooper questionnaire in MD+1 and MD+2. Differences in match RPE according to playing positions and player roles were determined by one-way ANOVA or by a paired t-test, respectively. Differences in well-being status according to playing positions or player roles and time (MD+1 and MD+2) were assessed through mixed two-way ANOVA. Furthermore, partial eta-squared (ηp2) and Cohen’s d (ES) were calculated and interpreted using Hopkins’ categorization criteria. Backs registered moderately more match RPE compared to pivots (p < 0.05, ES = 0.84). By contrast, wings experienced the highest values of fatigue and muscle soreness in MD+1 and MD+2 compared to all other playing positions (p < 0.05, ES = 0.66–0.93). Also, the wings reported moderately higher Hooper index scores in MD+1 and MD+2 than backs (p < 0.01, ES = 0.73–0.77). In relation to the player role, starters reported higher absolute values of match RPE, fatigue, muscle soreness, and the Hooper index in MD+1 compared to non-starters (p < 0.05, ES = 0.25–0.29). Additionally, regardless of the playing position and the role, all of the players reported moderately less fatigue and Hooper index scores in MD+2 compared to MD+1 (p < 0.05, ES = 0.66–1.34). Therefore, coaches and practitioners should consider the internal match load and well-being status of players to implement different training stimuli (e.g., recovery or compensatory strategies) in MD+1 according to playing positions and player roles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise, Fitness, Human Performance and Health: 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 1946 KiB  
Article
Neuromuscular Excitation Pattern in Expert Indoor Skydivers
by Susanna Rampichini, Eloisa Limonta, Irene Di Giulio, Marta Borrelli, Emiliano Cè, Giuseppe Coratella, Johnny Padulo, Stefano Longo and Fabio Esposito
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020852 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 393
Abstract
The evolution of indoor skydiving from military origins to a globally recreational pursuit has attracted individuals without prior specific training, exposing them to the heightened risk of muscle–joint injuries associated with indoor skydiving. This study aims to assess the muscular excitation patterns in [...] Read more.
The evolution of indoor skydiving from military origins to a globally recreational pursuit has attracted individuals without prior specific training, exposing them to the heightened risk of muscle–joint injuries associated with indoor skydiving. This study aims to assess the muscular excitation patterns in highly skilled instructors to determine the optimal activation strategies for preventing musculoskeletal injuries. Nine expert indoor skydiving instructors (M/F: 8/1; age 31 ± 7 years; body mass: 70.5 ± 11.1 kg; stature: 1.74 ± 0.09 m) were enrolled. The surface electromyographic signal was recorded on the anterior deltoid, AD; posterior deltoid, PD; pectoralis major, PM; latissimus dorsi, LD; rectus abdominis, Rabd; erector spinae, ES; rectus femoris, RF; and biceps femoris, BF for each position: PRONE, SUPINE, SIT, and head-down (HD). A synchronous heart rate was recorded to assess the cardiac engagement. The neuromuscular load (NeLo), representative of the excitation amplitude of a muscle set, was determined for each position across different body regions. PRONE and SUPINE were the least demanding in terms of cardiac engagement (67 ± 6 and 85 ± 8 bpm, respectively) and exhibited the lowest neuromuscular excitation (24 ± 10 and 24 ± 8% Max, respectively). By contrast, HD exhibited the highest cardiac (127 + 18 bpm) and neuromuscular (71 + 11% Max) engagement and particularly in the lower-trunk and lower-limbs muscles. SIT predominantly engaged upper-trunk and shoulder muscles. The findings indicate the significant engagement of the musculature surrounding the shoulder joint and that responsible for lower-trunk stabilization in maintaining the investigated positions. A targeted training regimen on strengthening these muscles is advised before practicing indoor skydiving to prevent shoulder joint injuries or lower back muscle overloads. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise, Fitness, Human Performance and Health: 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 2124 KiB  
Article
An Incongruent 2-Minute Stroop Task Alters the Response Time Performance in Semi-Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot Study
by Andrés Prieto-Sánchez, Juan M. García-Ceberino, Juan Luis Leon-Llamas and Santos Villafaina
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10296; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210296 - 8 Nov 2024
Viewed by 884
Abstract
Introduction: Mental fatigue is a key factor in soccer that can affect physical performance. Mental fatigue protocols based on the Stroop test used in soccer involve extensive time, ranging from 10 to 30 min. Offering a protocol with a shorter duration that is [...] Read more.
Introduction: Mental fatigue is a key factor in soccer that can affect physical performance. Mental fatigue protocols based on the Stroop test used in soccer involve extensive time, ranging from 10 to 30 min. Offering a protocol with a shorter duration that is more applicable in ecological situations seems to be an exciting challenge. Objective: To analyze the effects of a mental fatigue induction protocol (2 min Stroop test in its incongruent mode) on decision-making, response time, and technical execution accuracy in soccer players. Methods: A total of 18 semi-elite soccer male players, 25.83 (4.71) years from a Spanish soccer team, participated in this cross-sectional study. The 2 min incongruent Stroop test was used like mental fatigue protocol, followed by a specific analytical soccer task. The Wilcoxon signed-rank and Chi-squared tests were used to analyze the statistical differences. Results: A significant increase in participants’ response time after the fatigue protocol (p < 0.001; r = 0.878) was observed. Regarding the variables of correct decision (p = 0.457; r = 0.031) and technical execution accuracy (p = 1; r < 0.001), no significant differences were found. Additionally, no differences were observed between the first and second attempts of the 2 min incongruent Stroop test, in terms of execution accuracy, errors, or total words. Conclusions: The 2 min Stroop incongruent task may induce some degree of mental fatigue, leading to slower response time during certain technical tasks in semi-elite soccer players. However, this Stroop task was insufficient to promote significant changes in the accuracy of technical execution and the effectiveness of decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise, Fitness, Human Performance and Health: 2nd Edition)
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