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Neuromuscular Performance and Wellness in Sport: Assessment, Training, Gender and Technology

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 15267

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Óscar García García

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Educational Sciences and Sports, Universidad de Vigo, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain
Interests: sport performance; tensiomyography; strength and conditioning; physical condition; exercise physiology

Dr. Virginia Serrano Gomez

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Educational Sciences and Sports, Universidad de Vigo, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain
Interests: kinesiology; sport management; consumer behavior

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sport performance analysis requires a multifactorial approach, where coaches must have at their disposal useful information to improve every single factor that influences their athletes’ performance. This approach should be characterized by the use of advanced research methods, as well as by the analysis of the reliability and validity of new technologies used for evaluating these performance factors. Although much more research is still needed, there is already some evidence that the development of the athlete’s neuromuscular system is a key factor in performance in many sports, both in team and individual sports actions (i.e., sprinting, hitting, throwing, changes of direction, etc.). However, in sports related to maintaining an effort over time (e.g., kayaking, cycling, endurance running, rowing, triathlon, cross-country skiing), there are still few studies that address the analysis of the neuromuscular system’s contribution to performance. Likewise, from the point of view of gender, barely any evidence exists in the literature. Therefore, researchers with articles that address this topic are invited to participate in this Special Issue, especially articles that combine a high academic level with a clear practical application for coaches, in order to forge ahead in the knowledge of athletes’ neuromuscular system.

Prof. Dr. Óscar García García
Dr. Virginia Serrano Gomez
Guest Editors

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Keywords

power
neuromuscular fatigue
strength
contractile properties
sprint
central motor drive
balance
muscle recruitment pattern
motor coordination
neuromuscular feedback

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Individualized Analysis of Lateral Asymmetry Using Hip-Knee Angular Measures in Soccer Players: A New Methodological Perspective of Assessment for Lower Limb Asymmetry

by Oscar García-García, Ángela Molina-Cárdenas, Tania Álvarez-Yates, Mario Iglesias-Caamaño and Virginia Serrano-Gómez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(8), 4672; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19084672 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1732

Abstract

This study aimed to: (1) determine the magnitude and direction of lateral asymmetry in well-trained soccer players using hip and knee ROM tests; (2) inquire if asymmetry relies on the ROM test performed and/or gender; and (3) establish asymmetry thresholds for each ROM test to individualize lower-limbs asymmetry. One hundred amateur soccer players were assessed using hip–knee ROM tests: Straight Leg Raise, modified Thomas Test, hip internal rotation and external rotation, hip abduction (ABD) and adduction (ADD), Nachlas Test and Rigde Test. There are significant differences between tests when determining the magnitude of lateral asymmetry (F = 3.451; p = 0.001; η_p² = 0.031) without significant differences between gender (F = 0.204; p = 0.651; η_p² = 0.001). Asymmetry threshold results differ significantly between using a fixed or a specific threshold (F = 65.966; p = 0.001; η_p² = 0.985). All tests indicate that the direction of asymmetry is towards the dominant limb. In conclusion, the ROM test used determines the magnitude and direction of the lateral asymmetry of the amateur soccer players. The ABD and ADD are the ROM tests that showed higher percentages of asymmetry, without differences between female and male soccer players. Using a specific asymmetry threshold formula can classify more players as asymmetrical than with a fixed threshold. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromuscular Performance and Wellness in Sport: Assessment, Training, Gender and Technology)

11 pages, 861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Patellar Tendon Structural Adaptations Occur during Pre-Season and First Competitive Cycle in Male Professional Handball Players

by Silvia Ortega-Cebrián, Ramon Navarro, Sergi Seda, Sebastià Salas and Myriam Guerra-Balic

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12156; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182212156 - 19 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1518

Abstract

Background: While there is evidence that tendon adapts to training load, structural alterations in the patellar tendon in response to training loads are still unclear. The aim of this study is to identify changes in patellar tendon structure throughout pre-season and after finalizing the first competitive cycle. Methods: Nineteen professional handball players participated in the aforesaid cross-sectional study, in which patellar tendon scan and counter movement jump (CMJ) performance were conducted. Measurements were taken on the first and last day of pre-season training, and at the end of the first competitive cycle. Results: The results revealed that variation on the tendon structure occurred, mainly at the end of pre-season training; for injured tendons this occurred at the proximal (Right p = 0.02), distal (Right p = 0.01), and (Left p = 0.02) tendon, while changes in healthy tendons occurred at the mid (Left p = 0.01) and distal tendon (Right p = 0.01). At the end of the first competitive cycle, changes were observed in the distal injured tendon (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Patellar tendon shows greater structural change after completing pre-season training than at the end of the first competitive cycle, from which it may be inferred that gradual loading during pre-season training allows the tendon to adapt and potentially decrease the onset of patellar tendinopathy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromuscular Performance and Wellness in Sport: Assessment, Training, Gender and Technology)

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12 pages, 1508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intercostal Muscles Oxygenation and Breathing Pattern during Exercise in Competitive Marathon Runners

by Felipe Contreras-Briceño, Maximiliano Espinosa-Ramírez, Eduardo Moya-Gallardo, Rodrigo Fuentes-Kloss, Luigi Gabrielli, Oscar F. Araneda and Ginés Viscor

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8287; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18168287 - 05 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3344

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the association between the changes in ventilatory variables (tidal volume (Vt), respiratory rate (RR) and lung ventilation (

\dot{V}

E)) and deoxygenation of m.intescostales (∆SmO₂-m.intercostales) during a maximal incremental exercise in 19 male [...] Read more.

The study aimed to evaluate the association between the changes in ventilatory variables (tidal volume (Vt), respiratory rate (RR) and lung ventilation (

\dot{V}

E)) and deoxygenation of m.intescostales (∆SmO₂-m.intercostales) during a maximal incremental exercise in 19 male high-level competitive marathon runners. The ventilatory variables and oxygen consumption (

\dot{V}

O₂) were recorded breath-by-breath by exhaled gas analysis. A near-infrared spectroscopy device (MOXY^®) located in the right-hemithorax allowed the recording of SmO₂-m.intercostales. To explore changes in oxygen levels in muscles with high demand during exercise, a second MOXY^® records SmO₂-m.vastus laterallis. The triphasic model of exercise intensity was used for evaluating changes in SmO₂ in both muscle groups. We found that ∆SmO₂-m.intercostales correlated with

\dot{V}

O_2-peak (r = 0.65; p = 0.002) and the increase of

\dot{V}

E (r = 0.78; p = 0.001), RR (r = 0.54; p = 0.001), but not Vt (p = 0.210). The interaction of factors (muscles × exercise-phases) in SmO₂ expressed as an arbitrary unit (a.u) was significant (p = 0.005). At VT1 there was no difference (p = 0.177), but SmO₂-m.intercostales was higher at VT2 (p < 0.001) and

\dot{V}

O_2-peak (p < 0.001). In high-level competitive marathon runners, the m.intercostales deoxygenation during incremental exercise is directly associated with the aerobic capacity and increased lung ventilation and respiratory rate, but not tidal volume. Moreover, it shows less deoxygenation than m.vastus laterallis at intensities above the aerobic ventilatory threshold. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromuscular Performance and Wellness in Sport: Assessment, Training, Gender and Technology)

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Review

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21 pages, 668 KiB

Open AccessReview

Elite Triathlete Profiles in Draft-Legal Triathlons as a Basis for Talent Identification

by Alba Cuba-Dorado, Tania Álvarez-Yates and Oscar García-García

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(2), 881; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19020881 - 13 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2834

Abstract

Draft-legal triathlons are the main short-distance races worldwide and are those on which talent-identification programs are usually focused. Performance in these races depends on multiple factors; however, many investigations do not focus on elite triathletes. Therefore, the aim of this narrative review was to carry out a systematic literature search to define the elite female and male triathlete profiles and their competition demands in draft-legal triathlons. This will allow us to summarize the main determinant factors of high-level triathletes as a basis for talent detection. A comprehensive review of Web of Science and Scopus was performed using the search strategy: Triathl* and (performance or competition or profile) and (elite or professional or “high performance” or “high level” or talent). A total of 1325 research documents were obtained, and after screening following the criteria, only 83 articles were selected. After data synthesis, elite triathlete aspects such as age, physiological, anthropometric, and psychosocial profile or competition demands were studied in the scientific literature. Thus, it is essential that when implementing talent identification programs, these factors must be considered. However, constant updating is needed due the continuous regulatory changes and the need of triathletes to adapt to these new competition demands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromuscular Performance and Wellness in Sport: Assessment, Training, Gender and Technology)

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Other

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11 pages, 590 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

A Pilot Study on the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Australian Football Athletes

by Mikaeli A. Carmichael, Rebecca L. Thomson, Lisa J. Moran, Joel R. Dunstan, Maximillian J. Nelson, Michael L. Mathai and Thomas P. Wycherley

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(18), 9591; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18189591 - 12 Sep 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4784

Abstract

The effect of the menstrual cycle on athlete performance, wellbeing and perceived exertion and fatigue is not well understood. Furthermore, it has not been investigated specifically in Australian Football athletes. This pilot study aimed to explore how naturally menstruating Australian Football athletes may be affected by menstrual cycle phase. The data collected from the routine monitoring of five naturally menstruating athletes (average menstrual cycle length of 28 ± 3 [SD] days) in one team (athlete age range 18–35 years) competing in the Women’s Australian Football League during the 2019 season were retrospectively analysed to compare performance (countermovement jump parameters and adductor squeeze pressure), perceived exertion, perceived fatigue and wellbeing (perceived sleep quality, stress and soreness) outcomes between the follicular and luteal phases. Performance, perceived exertion, stress and soreness did not appear to be affected by menstrual cycle phase (p > 0.17). However, perceived fatigue appeared to be significantly greater (p = 0.042) and sleep quality worse (p = 0.005) in the luteal phase. This pilot study suggests further research focusing on the effect of menstrual cycle phase on subjective fatigue and wellbeing is warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuromuscular Performance and Wellness in Sport: Assessment, Training, Gender and Technology)

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Neuromuscular Performance and Wellness in Sport: Assessment, Training, Gender and Technology

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