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Applied Sciences
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Advances in Sport Science: Athlete Development and Performance
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Advances in Sport Science: Athlete Development and Performance

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 5542

Special Issue Editor

Dr. William Guyton Hornsby

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Office, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
Interests: sport science; athlete monitoring; weightlifting; force plate assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Applied research aimed at an improved understanding of the training process and/or underlying aspects of sport performance can be invaluable to coaches and sport scientists. Competitive athletes can respond differently than untrained or recreationally trained individuals to the same training stimuli. Additionally, the physiological makeup of more advanced athletes has been shown to favor certain “profiles” (e.g., anthropometrics, muscle fiber type) depending on the sport. This general area of research is often challenging for many reasons, e.g., small sample sizes, lack of a true control group, and studies being conducting well past the initial adaptation period.

This Special Issue welcomes research on trained athletes of various sports and developmental stages, including cross-sectional research (e.g., relationships), longitudinal studies (e.g., training studies), and review articles.

Dr. William Guyton Hornsby
Guest Editor

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

  • sport science
  • athlete monitoring
  • performance testing
  • coach education

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

11 pages, 1445 KiB  
Article
Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on the Capacity to Perform Burpees: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Tai-Chih Chen, José Manuel García de Frutos, David Colomer-Poveda, Gonzalo Márquez, Shyamali Kaushalya Fernando, Francisco Javier Orquín-Castrillón and Salvador Romero-Arenas
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(13), 5832; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135832 - 3 Jul 2024
Viewed by 692
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a potential intervention to improve physical performance. This study investigates the effects of tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on performance in a maximal effort task, specifically the [...] Read more.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a potential intervention to improve physical performance. This study investigates the effects of tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex (M1) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on performance in a maximal effort task, specifically the No-Jump Burpee exercise. Twenty healthy male subjects (26.0 ± 4.91 years) completed three experimental conditions (a-DLPFC, a-M1, and SHAM) in a double-blind crossover design. Prior to the performance of burpees to exhaustion, tDCS (2 mA, 20 min) was administered. The total number of repetitions, vastus lateralis muscle oxygen saturation, heart rate, and subjective perception of exertion (RPE) during exercise were measured. Repeated ANOVAs showed a significant effect of condition on the number of repetitions (p < 0.001). Subjects performed more repetitions under the M1 condition (68 ± 19.5) compared to DLPFC (63 ± 17.9) and SHAM (58 ± 18.0), with significant differences between all conditions. This study demonstrates that tDCS can improve performance in a physical endurance task such as the No-Jump Burpee. The findings suggest that tDCS may be a viable ergogenic tool for improving athletic performance. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms and the practical application of these results in long-term physical training programs (NCT06472882). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sport Science: Athlete Development and Performance)
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19 pages, 3778 KiB  
Article
User Assessment of a Customized Taekwondo Athlete Performance Cyber–Physical System
by Pedro Cunha, Paulo Barbosa, Fábio Ferreira, Tânia Silva, Nuno Martins, Filomena Soares and Vítor Carvalho
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4683; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114683 - 29 May 2024
Viewed by 430
Abstract
This study outlines the assessment of the cyber–physical system SPERTA, which was designed to evaluate the real-time performance of Taekwondo athletes. The system conducts performance analyses focusing on speed, acceleration, strength, and identifying and quantifying the athlete’s movements. The research involved administering an [...] Read more.
This study outlines the assessment of the cyber–physical system SPERTA, which was designed to evaluate the real-time performance of Taekwondo athletes. The system conducts performance analyses focusing on speed, acceleration, strength, and identifying and quantifying the athlete’s movements. The research involved administering an online questionnaire to athletes and coaches to evaluate the system’s acceptance and usability. The methodology included using a questionnaire with open and closed questions to assess participant satisfaction and system usability. The results showed a positive response to the system, with participants emphasizing its reliability and ease of use. An analysis of the responses revealed a strong internal consistency, as indicated by the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, which enhances the research instrument’s reliability. Additionally, the analysis of open-ended questions was conducted through thematic analysis to gain a deeper understanding of participants’ experiences and perceptions of the system. These results highlight the effectiveness of the SPERTA system as a valuable tool for the real-time performance evaluation of Taekwondo athletes, providing insights for future improvements and the development of more effective training techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sport Science: Athlete Development and Performance)
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Review

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28 pages, 623 KiB  
Review
The Use of Free Weight Squats in Sports: A Narrative Review—Terminology and Biomechanics
by Michael H. Stone, W. Guy Hornsby, Satoshi Mizuguchi, Kimitake Sato, Daniel Gahreman, Marco Duca, Kevin M. Carroll, Michael W. Ramsey, Margaret E. Stone, Kyle C. Pierce and G. Gregory Haff
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 1977; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14051977 - 28 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3439
Abstract
There is substantial evidence indicating that increased maximum strength as a result of training with squats, particularly full and parallel squats, is associated with superior athletic capabilities, such as sprinting, jumping and agility. Although full and parallel squats have been strongly associated with [...] Read more.
There is substantial evidence indicating that increased maximum strength as a result of training with squats, particularly full and parallel squats, is associated with superior athletic capabilities, such as sprinting, jumping and agility. Although full and parallel squats have been strongly associated with sport performance, there is also some evidence that the use of partial squats may provide angle specific adaptations that are likely advantageous for specific sporting activities. Partial squats may be particularly advantageous when trained in conjunction with full or parallel squats, as this practice results in a greater training effect. There is a paucity of evidence that squatting is associated with excessive injuries to the knees, lower back, or other structures. Evidence does indicate that squatting, including full squats, can be undertaken safely, provided an appropriate training methodology is applied. Indeed, based on scientific data, the cost/benefit ratio indicates that squats should be recommended and should be a central strength training exercise for the preparation of athletes in most sports, particularly those requiring strong and powerful whole body and lower body movements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sport Science: Athlete Development and Performance)
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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

19 pages, 583 KiB  
Systematic Review
Measurement of Training and Competition Loads in Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Systematic Literature Review
by Katarzyna Sterkowicz-Przybycień and Tijana Purenović-Ivanović
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(14), 6218; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14146218 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 450
Abstract
In the long-term performance development of rhythmic gymnasts aged 16–17, athletes enter a high-performance training phase, marked by increased training loads and preparation for international competitions. This study aimed to (1) provide an overview of methods used to capture external and internal training/competition [...] Read more.
In the long-term performance development of rhythmic gymnasts aged 16–17, athletes enter a high-performance training phase, marked by increased training loads and preparation for international competitions. This study aimed to (1) provide an overview of methods used to capture external and internal training/competition loads in elite rhythmic gymnasts, and (2) identify measurements of external and internal training/competition loads and their responses during monitored periods. Conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, the systematic review included 6 studies out of the 815 initially identified. The most common methods for calculating external training load were hours or minutes per week. Internal measures varied and included objective methods such as heart rate monitoring and biochemical, hormonal, and hematological assessments from saliva and blood samples. Among subjective methods, session-RPE was most frequently used, along with other questionnaires examining recovery, well-being, sleep, and competition anxiety. The analyzed studies integrated diverse external and internal training load variables, delving into their impact on athlete’s biochemical parameters, recovery, and well-being. Pre-competitive and competitive training periods were the focal points of measuring loads. The complex training structure of rhythmic gymnastics can complicate the calculation of training loads. Therefore, more studies are needed to explore the dose-response relationships between training load and training adaptations, fatigue, and recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sport Science: Athlete Development and Performance)
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