An endothelial regulatory module links blood pressure regulation with elite athletic performance.

The control of transcription is crucial for homeostasis in mammals. A previous selective sweep analysis of horse racing performance revealed a 19.6 kb candidate regulatory region 50 kb downstream of the Endothelin3 (EDN3) gene. Here, the region was narrowed to a 5.5 kb span of 14 SNVs, with elite and sub-elite haplotypes analyzed for association to racing performance, blood pressure and plasma levels of EDN3 in Coldblooded trotters and Standardbreds. Comparative analysis of human HiCap data identified the span as an enhancer cluster active in endothelial cells, interacting with genes relevant to blood pressure regulation. Coldblooded trotters with the sub-elite haplotype had significantly higher blood pressure compared to horses with the elite performing haplotype during exercise. Alleles within the elite haplotype were part of the standing variation in pre-domestication horses, and have risen in frequency during the era of breed development and selection. These results advance our understanding of the molecular genetics of athletic performance and vascular traits in both horses and humans.

Meta-analysis of genomic variants in power and endurance sports to decode the impact of genomics on athletic performance and success.

Association between genomic variants and athletic performance has seen a high degree of controversy, as there is often conflicting data as far as the association of genomic variants with endurance, speed and strength is concerned. Here, findings from a thorough meta-analysis from 4228 articles exploring the association of genomic variants with athletic performance in power and endurance sports are summarized, aiming to confirm or overrule the association of genetic variants with athletic performance of all types. From the 4228 articles, only 107 were eligible for further analysis, including 37 different genes. From these, there were 21 articles for the ACE gene, 29 articles for the ACTN3 gene and 8 articles for both the ACE and ACTN3 genes, including 54,382 subjects in total, from which 11,501 were endurance and power athletes and 42,881 control subjects. These data show that there is no statistically significant association between genomic variants and athletic performance either for endurance or power sports, underlying the fact that it is highly risky and even unethical to make such genetic testing services for athletic performance available to the general public. Overall, a strict regulatory monitoring should be exercised by health and other legislative authorities to protect the public from such services from an emerging discipline that still lacks the necessary scientific evidence and subsequent regulatory approval.

A simulation framework to determine optimal strength training and musculoskeletal geometry for sprinting and distance running.

Musculoskeletal geometry and muscle volumes vary widely in the population and are intricately linked to the performance of tasks ranging from walking and running to jumping and sprinting. As an alternative to experimental approaches, where it is difficult to isolate factors and establish causal relationships, simulations can be used to independently vary musculoskeletal geometry and muscle volumes, and develop a fundamental understanding. However, our ability to understand how these parameters affect task performance has been limited due to the high computational cost of modelling the necessary complexity of the musculoskeletal system and solving the requisite multi-dimensional optimization problem. For example, sprinting and running are fundamental to many forms of sport, but past research on the relationships between musculoskeletal geometry, muscle volumes, and running performance has been limited to observational studies, which have not established cause-effect relationships, and simulation studies with simplified representations of musculoskeletal geometry. In this study, we developed a novel musculoskeletal simulator that is differentiable with respect to musculoskeletal geometry and muscle volumes. This simulator enabled us to find the optimal body segment dimensions and optimal distribution of added muscle volume for sprinting and marathon running. Our simulation results replicate experimental observations, such as increased muscle mass in sprinters, as well as a mass in the lower end of the healthy BMI range and a higher leg-length-to-height ratio in marathon runners. The simulations also reveal new relationships, for example showing that hip musculature is vital to both sprinting and marathon running. We found hip flexor and extensor moment arms were maximized to optimize sprint and marathon running performance, and hip muscles the main target when we simulated strength training for sprinters. Our simulation results provide insight to inspire future studies to examine optimal strength training. Our simulator can be extended to other athletic tasks, such as jumping, or to non-athletic applications, such as designing interventions to improve mobility in older adults or individuals with movement disorders.

Sex differences in human performance.

Sex as a biological variable is an underappreciated aspect of biomedical research, with its importance emerging in more recent years. This review assesses the current understanding of sex differences in human physical performance. Males outperform females in many physical capacities because they are faster, stronger and more powerful, particularly after male puberty. This review highlights key sex differences in physiological and anatomical systems (generally conferred via sex steroids and puberty) that contribute to these sex differences in human physical performance. Specifically, we address the effects of the primary sex steroids that affect human physical development, discuss insight gained from an observational study of 'real-world data' and elite athletes, and highlight the key physiological mechanisms that contribute to sex differences in several aspects of physical performance. Physiological mechanisms discussed include those for the varying magnitude of the sex differences in performance involving: (1) absolute muscular strength and power; (2) fatigability of limb muscles as a measure of relative performance; and (3) maximal aerobic power and endurance. The profound sex-based differences in human performance involving strength, power, speed and endurance, and that are largely attributable to the direct and indirect effects of sex-steroid hormones, sex chromosomes and epigenetics, provide a scientific rationale and framework for policy decisions on sex-based categories in sports during puberty and adulthood. Finally, we highlight the sex bias and problem in human performance research of insufficient studies and information on females across many areas of biology and physiology, creating knowledge gaps and opportunities for high-impact studies.

The acute effects of motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation on athletic performance in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses independently the acute effects of anodal and cathodal motor cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on athletic performance in healthy adults. Besides, it evaluates the unique and conjoint effects of potential moderators (i.e., stimulation parameters, exercise type, subjects' training status and risk of bias). Online database search was performed from inception until March 18th 2024 (PROSPERO: CRD42023355461). Forty-three controlled trials were included in the systematic review, 40 in the anodal tDCS meta-analysis (68 effects), and 9 (11 effects) in the cathodal tDCS meta-analysis. Performance enhancement between pre- and post-stimulation was the main outcome measure considered. The anodal tDCS effects on physical performance were small to moderate (g = .29, 95%CI [.18, .40], PI = -.64 to 1.23, I2 = 64.0%). Exercise type, training status and use of commercial tDCS were significant moderators of the results. The cathodal tDCS effects were null (g = .04, 95%CI [-.05, .12], PI = -.14 to .23, I2 = 0%), with a small to moderate heterogeneity entirely due to sampling error, thus impairing further moderator analysis. These findings hold significant implications for the field of brain stimulation and physical performance, as they not only demonstrate a small to moderate effect of acute tDCS but also identify specific categories of individuals, devices and activities that are more susceptible to improvements. By addressing the multidimensional factors influencing the mechanisms of tDCS, we also provide suggestions for future research.

Connection of pre-competition anxiety with gut microbiota and metabolites in wrestlers with varying sports performances based on brain-gut axis theory.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection of pre-competition anxiety with gut microbiota and metabolites in wrestlers with different sports performances. METHODS: One week prior to a national competition, 12 wrestlers completed anxiety questionnaires. Faecal and urine samples were collected for the analysis of gut microbiota and metabolites through the high-throughput sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene in conjunction with untargeted metabolomics technology. The subjects were divided into two groups, namely, achievement (CP) and no-achievement (CnP) wrestlers, on the basis of whether or not their performances placed them in the top 16 at the competition. The relationship amongst the variations in gut microbiota, metabolites, and anxiety indicators was analyzed. RESULTS: (1) The CP group exhibited significantly higher levels of "state self-confidence," "self-confidence," and "somatic state anxiety" than the CnP group. Conversely, the CP group displayed lower levels of "individual failure anxiety" and "sports competition anxiety" than the CnP group. (2) The gut microbiota in the CP group was more diverse and abundant than that in the CnP group. Pre-competition anxiety was linked to Oscillospiraceae UCG_005, Paraprevotella, Ruminococcaceae and TM7x. (3) The functions of differential metabolites in faeces and urine of the CP/CnP group were mainly enriched in caffeine metabolism, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and VEGF and mTOR signaling pathways. Common differential metabolites in feces and urine were significantly associated with multiple anxiety indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Wrestlers with different sports performance have different pre-competition anxiety states, gut microbiota distribution and abundance and differential metabolites in faeces and urine. A certain correlation exists between these psychological and physiological indicators.

Plant-based diets benefit aerobic performance and do not compromise strength/power performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Plant-based diets have emerged as athletic performance enhancers for various types of exercise. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of plant-based diets on aerobic and strength/power performances, as well as on BMI of physically active individuals. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted and reported according to the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. A systematic search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus, was performed. On the basis of the search and inclusion criteria, four and six studies evaluating the effects of plant-based diets on aerobic and strength/power performances in humans were, respectively, included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Plant-based diets had a moderate but positive effect on aerobic performance (0·55; 95 % CI 0·29, 0·81) and no effect on strength/power performance (-0·30; 95 % CI -0·67, 0·07). The altogether analyses of both aerobic and strength/power exercises revealed that athletic performance was unchanged (0·01; 95 % CI -0·21, 0·22) in athletes who adopted plant-based diets. However, a small negative effect on BMI (-0·27; 95 % CI -0·40, -0·15) was induced by these diets. The results indicate that plant-based diets have the potential to exclusively assist aerobic performance. On the other hand, these diets do not jeopardise strength/power performance. Overall, the predicted effects of plant-based diets on physical performance are impactless, even though the BMI of their adherents is reduced.

H2OAthletes study protocol: effects of hydration changes on neuromuscular function in athletes.

We aim to understand the effects of hydration changes on athletes' neuromuscular performance, on body water compartments, fat-free mass hydration and hydration biomarkers and to test the effects of the intervention on the response of acute dehydration in the hydration indexes. The H2OAthletes study (clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT05380089) is a randomised controlled trial in thirty-eight national/international athletes of both sexes with low total water intake (WI) (i.e. < 35·0 ml/kg/d). In the intervention, participants will be randomly assigned to the control (CG, n 19) or experimental group (EG, n 19). During the 4-day intervention, WI will be maintained in the CG and increased in the EG (i.e. > 45·0 ml/kg/d). Exercise-induced dehydration protocols with thermal stress will be performed before and after the intervention. Neuromuscular performance (knee extension/flexion with electromyography and handgrip), hydration indexes (serum, urine and saliva osmolality), body water compartments and water flux (dilution techniques, body composition (four-compartment model) and biochemical parameters (vasopressin and Na) will be evaluated. This trial will provide novel evidence about the effects of hydration changes on neuromuscular function and hydration status in athletes with low WI, providing useful information for athletes and sports-related professionals aiming to improve athletic performance.

The relationship between T7-Fz alpha coherence and peak performance in self-paced sports: a meta-analytical review.

We examined whether the alpha-band coherence between the T7-Fz (verbal analytical-motor planning) brain areas were related to superior performance in sports. We searched for related papers across eight databases: ProQuest Central, ProQuest Psychology Journals, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science using relevant keywords (i.e., EEG AND sports AND coherence). Seven studies, with a total of 194 participants, met our inclusion criteria and were shortlisted for statistical analysis. We compared EEG coherence data for both within-subject and between-subject experimental designs. Our analysis revealed that athletes had lower coherence in the T7-Fz brain pathway for alpha- band activation (Hedges' g = - 0.54; p = 0.03) when performing better. Theoretically, these results corroborate the notion that athletes become more "neurally efficient" as the verbal and motor areas of their brains function more independently, i.e., the neural efficiency hypothesis. Accordingly, athletes who can limit verbal interference are more likely to perform a sporting task successfully.

Neurocognitive performance of badminton players at different competitive levels in visuospatial attention tasks.

Visuospatial attention (VSA) is a cognitive function that enables athletes, particularly those engaged in open-skill sports, to allocate attentional resources efficiently to the appropriate target and in the appropriate direction. Studies have indicated that expert players exhibit superior cognitive performance to that of novices. However, no study has investigated differences in VSA performance among elite, expert, and intermediate badminton players or the potential neurophysiological mechanisms underlying such differences. Accordingly, the present study explored neuropsychological and neurophysiological parameters during VSA tasks among badminton players of varying competitive levels. The study included 54 participants and divided them into three groups according to their competition records: elite (n = 18), expert (n = 18), and intermediate (n = 18). Their neuropsychological performance and brain event-related potentials (ERPs) during the Posner cueing paradigm were collected. Although the three groups did not differ in their accuracy rates, ERP N2 amplitudes, or N2 or P3 latencies, the elite and expert groups exhibited notably faster reaction times and more pronounced P3 amplitudes than did the intermediate group during the cognitive task. However, we did not observe these between-group differences when we controlled for the covariate training years. Additionally, the elite and expert groups exhibited comparable neurocognitive performance. These findings indicate that badminton players' competitive levels influence their VSA. However, the beneficial effects on neuropsychological and neurophysiological performance could stabilize after a certain level of badminton competence is reached. Year of training could also be a major factor influencing badminton players' neurocognitive performance in VSA tasks.

Exploring the relationship between caffeine metabolism-related CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism and team sport athlete status and training adaptations.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to achieve a dual objective: to compare the frequencies of CYP1A2 rs762551 genotypes between team sport athletes and a control group, and to determine the association between the rs762551 polymorphism and changes in physical performance after a six-week training program among elite basketball players. METHODS: The study encompassed an analysis of 504 individuals, comprising 320 athletes and 184 controls. For the Turkish cohort, DNA was isolated using the buccal swab method, and genotyping was conducted using the KASP technique. Performance assessments included the Yo-Yo IR2 and 30 m sprint tests. For Russian participants, DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood, a commercial kit was used for DNA extraction, and genotyping of the rs762551 polymorphism was conducted using DNA microarray. RESULT: Notably, a statistically significant linear decline in the prevalence of the CC genotype was observed with ascending levels of athletic achievement within team sports (sub-elite: 18.0%, elite: 8.2%, highly elite: 0%; p = 0.001). Additionally, the CA genotype was the most prevalent genotype in the highly elite group compared to controls (80.0% vs. 45.1%, p = 0.048). Furthermore, statistically significant improvements in Yo-Yo IR2 performance were noted exclusively among basketball players harboring the CA genotype (p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The study's findings indicate that the rs762551 CC genotype is a disadvantage in elite team sports, whereas the CA genotype provides an advantage in basketball performance.

Caffeine gum improves 5 km running performance in recreational runners completing parkrun events.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether caffeine gum improves the performance of recreational runners completing parkruns (weekly, 5 km, mass participant running events). METHODS: Thirty-six recreational runners (M = 31, F = 5; age 33.7 ± 10.7 y; BMI 23.1 ± 2.4 kg/m2) capable of running 5 km in < 25 min were recruited to a study at the Sheffield Hallam parkrun, UK. Runners were block randomized into one of three double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over intervention trials with caffeine gum as the treatment (n = 6 per intervention trial) or into one of three non-intervention trials that ran concurrently with the intervention trials (n = 6 per non-intervention trial). Changes in conditions across different parkruns were adjusted for using data from the non-intervention trials. Runners in the randomized cross-over intervention trials chewed gum supplying 300 mg of caffeine or a placebo gum for 5 min, starting 30 min before each parkrun. RESULTS: Caffeine gum improved 5 km parkrun performance by a mean of 17.28 s (95% CI 4.19, 30.37; P = 0.01). Adjustment for environmental conditions using data from the non-intervention trials attenuated the statistical significance (P = 0.04). Caffeine gum also decreased RPE by 1.21 (95% CI 0.30, 2.13; P = 0·01) units relative to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: A 300 mg dose of caffeine supplied in chewing gum improved the performance of recreational runners completing 5 km parkruns by an average of 17 s. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02473575 before recruitment commenced.

Effects of different doses of caffeine on cognitive performance in healthy physically active individuals.

PURPOSE: Caffeine is a potent central nervous system stimulant that increases the activity of the prefrontal cortex and can improve various cognitive skills. An improvement in these cognitive skills can lead to further benefits in athletic performance. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the dose-response of caffeine on cognitive performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of different doses of caffeine on sport-related cognitive aspects. METHODS: Twenty-nine healthy physically active young adults were recruited. All participants completed three trials under the following conditions: (a) placebo, (b) 3 mg/kg, or (c) 6 mg/kg body mass of caffeine. In each trial, different cognitive abilities were evaluated with the following battery of tests: reaction time (Dynavision™ D2), anticipation (Bassin Anticipation Timer), sustained attention (Go/No-Go and Eriksen Flanker Test) and memory tests. Moreover, the side effects and the perceived sensation index were recorded 24 h after each test. RESULTS: Reaction time only improved following 6 mg/kg of caffeine intake (Physical reaction time: -0.04 s, 95% CI -0.08 to -0.01 s, P = 0.036, d = 0.5; Motor reaction time: -0.04 s, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.01 s, P = 0.008, d = 0.6) compared to the placebo condition. Anticipation, sustained attention, and memory were not affected after either caffeine dose intake (all P > 0.05). In addition, the 6 mg/kg dose of caffeine augmented the occurrence of the side effects of increased activeness (P = 0.046) and nervousness (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Acute intake of 6 mg/kg caffeine is effective in improving reaction time despite increasing the occurrence of side effects in healthy physically active young adults. STUDY REGISTRATION: This study has been registered in ClinicalTrials whose ID is: NCT05995314 (2023-08-08).

Exploring the nexus between sports performance and genetics: a comprehensive literature review.

Sport is a multifactorial phenomenon that is influenced by many factors. Although many factors affect sports performance, genetic factors may be important issues that need to be examined. In addition, the relationship between sports performance and genes is still unclear. Due to the developments in omics technologies, approximately 185 genetic markers have been identified for the relationship between sports performance and genes. These genes are expressed differently in metabolism according to the characteristics of sports performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sports and genetics. Pubmed, Pubmed Central and Google Scholar internet search engines were used in current study. Additionally, the PRISMA technique was used in the study design. For this purpose, COL1A1, COL5A1, ACTN3 and ELN genes may be important regulators on soft tissues. For endurance sports, genes like ACE, ACTN3, ADRB2, HFE, COL5A1, BDKRB2, NOS3, HIF, VEGF, AMPD and PPARGC1A significantly may influence performance limits. ACE and ACTN3 genes, on the other hand, may determine power/strength and speed skills in athletes. As a result, knowing the athlete's genetic predisposition to sports can be effective in achieving success.

Electrophysiological differences in inhibitory control processing between collegiate level soccer players and non-athletes in the absence of performance differences.

Inhibitory control, the ability to manage conflicting responses and suppress inappropriate actions, is crucial for team sports athletes, including soccer players. While previous studies have shown that soccer players possess superior inhibitory control, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this advantage remain unclear. Thus, this research aimed to investigate the neural processes involved in conflict resolution and response inhibition, comparing collegiate level soccer players with non-athletes. Participants completed a novel go/no-go task that involved conflict resolution and response inhibition, while their electroencephalograms were recorded. Despite no significant difference in behavioral performance between the two groups, soccer players exhibited notable N2 and frontal midline theta modulations in response to conflict resolution and inhibition, which were comparatively weaker in non-athletes. Our findings suggest that expertise in team sports may enhance neural sensitivity to subtle yet significant information, even without a discernible behavioral advantage.

The impact of renovation on the air quality in the stadium, and prevention of indoor air pollution.

Indoor air quality is a critical factor influencing athletic performance, particularly in professional sports settings, yet its impact remains underexplored. This study utilizes a panel dataset from 2516 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) matches across 20 cities in China between 2014 and 2019. We integrate daily air pollution metrics with player efficiency ratings (PER) to investigate the effects of air quality on individual performance. We find that a 10% increase in the air quality index (AQI) corresponds to a 1.4223 decrease in PER, indicating a strong negative effect of poor air quality on player productivity. Different pollutants have varying effects, with some exacerbating the decline in both overall performance and precision in tasks. Notably, older players and international players exhibit greater resilience to air pollution. These insights contribute to the development of a comprehensive index for assessing work efficiency under varying air quality conditions and suggest targeted strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of air pollution in competitive athletic settings.

Geriatric medicine and Olympic elite sports-parallels and philosophies.

The 30th Olympiad took place in July 2024. At first glance, sports science and training of elite athletes may appear to be of little relevance to geriatric medicine. However, there are important parallels between the practice of geriatric medicine and elite sports and lessons that we can learn from our sports science colleagues. Elite athletes and older people are operating at the margins of physiological capacity. Both benefit from tailored, scientifically informed training programmes delivered and monitored by a multidisciplinary team. There are parallels between the comprehensive geriatric assessment and the philosophy of marginal gains pioneered by British Cycling. Insights into the biology of skeletal muscle function are beginning to translate into the development of clinical interventions and substances that offer an unfair advantage in sport by improving muscle strength and physical performance may be of therapeutic benefit in sarcopenia. The 2024 Olympics provide an opportunity for us to learn lessons for excellence in our research and provide an opportunity to promote exercise across the life course-important for healthy ageing.

The Effects of the French Contrast method on Soccer Player's Jumping, Sprinting and Balance Performance.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a six-week French contrast method applied to professional Soccer players on jumping, sprinting, and dynamic balance performance values. METHODS: A total of 21 male Soccer players voluntarily participated in the study, all of whom played professionally for 1461 Trabzonspor club. Data on gender, age, body weight (kg), body fat percentage (%BF), body mass index (BMI), vertical jump (cm), 30m sprint, and dynamic balance were obtained from the players. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the normality of the data. Since the data showed normal distribution, paired samples T-test statistical analysis was applied. RESULTS: According to the statistical results obtained from professional Soccer players, there is a statistically significant difference between vertical jump, 30m sprint, and dynamic balance values (p<0.05). Based on these findings, it can be stated that the applied French contrast training method is effective on the mentioned variables. CONCLUSION: French contrast training program applied to professional Soccer players can be considered effective in improving vertical jump, 30m sprint, and dynamic balance values.

Comparison of the Effects of Compound Training, Plyometric Exercises, and Kettlebell Exercises on Strength, Power, Dynamic Balance, and Pitched Ball Velocity in 30 Male High School Baseball Pitchers Aged 16-19 Years.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine how the combination of plyometric training (PT), which builds strength through fast, repetitive extensions and contractions, and kettlebell training (KT), using a device that is smaller than a barbell and allows for strength and full-body work, affects the physical performance and performance of high school pitchers during the season. MATERIAL AND METHODS Participants (n=30 males; age group=16-19 years) were randomized into 3 groups: compound training group (CTG) (n=10), plyometric training group (PTG) (n=10), and kettlebell group (KTG) (n=10). All groups performed training twice weekly for 4 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted on isokinetic strength to measure strength, vertical jump (VJ) to measure power, dynamic balance (Y-balance), and ball speed (BS) to measure baseball performance. RESULTS We found there was increased strength, VJ, Y-balance, and BS in the CTG, PTG, and KTG (p=.000). CTG had significantly different results than PTG and KTG (p=.000). There was a significant difference in increased strength of the right knee joint flexors between PTG and KTG (p=.000). CONCLUSIONS CTG, PTG, and KTG for pitchers during the season improved significantly. These results suggest that combination training, rather than just 1 type of training, affects pitchers' strength, VJ, Y-balance, and BS during the season.