Bone Mineral Density in Field Hockey Players: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review to compare and analyse the bone mineral density of field hockey players of both sexes and of different ages, with other sports and with a sedentary population. The search process was carried out using the PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The search ended on 18 March 2024. We selected articles in which a comparison was made of bone mineral density of the whole body, lumbar spine, femoral neck, arms and legs, among field hockey players, and/or with other sports and/or with a sedentary population. The systematic review followed the guidelines described in the 2020 PRISMA statement. The initial search identified 220 articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the search was narrowed down to seven articles in total. It was observed that the field hockey group had better bone mineral density values than sedentary population and the low-impact sports population. Basketball players had better whole body and leg bone mineral density values than field hockey players. Causality could not be established due to the cross-sectional nature of the included studies. The better bone mineral density values in field hockey players compared to the sedentary population may be because people who participate in impact sports have a better bone mineral density. The differences in bone mineral density between field hockey and low-impact sports could be related to a lower impact during their practice in these disciplines.

Physical fitness in young top level table tennis players: differences between sex, age and playing style.

Understanding the physical fitness of table tennis (TT) players could be interesting in improving the training process and evaluating talent. This study aimed to assess the physical fitness of U14 TT players and differentiate between sex, age and playing style. A total of 352 players (203 males and 149 females) aged between 9 and 13 years participated in the present study. Furthermore, the sample was divided according to playing style: offensive (OFF) and mixed + defensive (M + D). A battery of tests was carried out to assess cardiorespiratory capacity, speed, strength, flexibility and power. Both sexes reported significant differences in cardiorespiratory capacity and speed (p < 0.05). Concerning age, there were substantial differences in cardiorespiratory capacity, speed, strength and power, with older players obtaining better results (p < 0.05). Finally, concerning playing style, differences were reported in cardiorespiratory capacity, higher in OFF style group, and flexibility, higher in the M + D style group. Finally, there were relationships between playing style and cardiorespiratory fitness and flexibility. Physical fitness evolves with increasing age as a function of sex. This is the first study to assess fitness in a large sample of TT players as a function of playing style.

Analysis of Technical-Tactical Actions in High-Level Table Tennis Players: Differences between Sexes.

Table tennis is a sport played at a high speed; therefore, the technical-tactical variables are very important. The objective of the research is to analyze the technical and tactical characteristics of high-level TT players according to sex. A total of 48 high-level players (24 women and 24 men) participated in the present study. The investigation was carried out during two championships. The matches were recorded and subsequently analyzed by notational analysis. The results indicate that women stroke the ball more times during the rallies. In the men's competition, the forehand technique predominates over the backhand technique. The flip was the most used in the male sex (p < 0.05). At the tactical level, more winning actions were performed in the men's competition than in the women's, both with the forehand and backhand game. Men performed more losing technical actions when using the forehand and backhand flips. The pivot footwork tactical action was higher in the men's competition. The analysis of the technical-tactical actions highlighted important differences between the sexes. The predominant losing techniques among players are forehand and backhand flip. Female players use more defensive strokes, while male players use more offensive strokes, in particular the flip technique. The potential biomechanical progress of the male player characterized by a larger wingspan biotype could facilitate a better technical-tactical performance. The results obtained are of interest to improve the performance of the players as they must train at a technical-tactical level differently depending on the sex and style of play.

Physiological demands of racket sports: a systematic review.

The practice of racket sports has had an exponential growth in the last decade, along with it, the scientific interest in researching the different disciplines: badminton, padel, table tennis, tennis, and squash. However, most research has focused on the technical and tactical field. Therefore, the aim of this review is to analyze and compare the indicators of the internal load of each sport: heart rate (HR), maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), oxygen consumption (VO2), and lactate (LA) in order to reset physiological references to adjust the training of the players and also use these references to propose the practice of these sports for healthy purposes to the general population. PRISMA Guidelines for Systematic Review were used to search for articles that met the inclusion criteria in three databases: Web of Science, Pubmed, and Sportdiscus. The search was performed between January 2010, and September 2022. Finally, a total 27 records were included for analysis in this study. The main findings were related to the differences in the intensity rates between sports. The highest lactate concentrations and heart values were found in badminton in the intensity of effort values (whose highest values were found in badminton) 10.11 (±4.99) mmol/L and 182.6 (±2.7) bpm respectively, whereas table tennis showed the lowest ones 1.2 (± 0.4) mmol/L, and 103.99 (±15.09) bpm, respectively. The highest mean VO2 was found in table tennis with a value of 36.8 (±13.2) ml/kg/min and the lowest in tennis with a value of 26.6 (±2.7) ml/kg/min. The highest VO2max was found in tennis players 58.0 (±4.6) ml/kg/min, and the lowest value was in table tennis with a value of 42.9 (±4.2) ml/kg/min. Since most of the studies were carried out on elite men players, future research should focus on amateur and women level players.

Plyometric Training's Effects on Young Male Karatekas' Jump, Change of Direction, and Inter-Limb Asymmetry.

This study analysed the effects of performing a plyometric training programme on different types of jumping and specific changes of direction, and their respective asymmetries in karatekas. Twenty male karatekas (age 19 ± 4 years) were distributed in two groups, the control group (CG) and the experimental group (EG). The EG group (n = 10) performed a 6-week intervention of unilateral plyometric training, performing countermovement jumps (CMJ), drop jumps (DJ), and long jumps (SH). The tests performed at the beginning and at the end of the intervention were a unilateral and bilateral countermovement jump test (CMJ), single-leg hop test (SH), single-leg side-hop test (SSH), triple hop test (TH), and change of direction in a karate position test (MKUKS). The EG group obtained improvements in the CMJ with the stronger (p = 0.01; ES = 0.39) and weaker leg (p = 0.01; ES = 0.59), in the SH with the weaker leg (p = 0.01; ES = 0.45), in the SSH with the weaker leg (p = 0.03; ES = 0.33), in the MKUKS (p = 0.00; ES = 0.98), and improved the asymmetries obtained in the TH (p = 0.02; ES = -0.85). The GC group obtained significant differences in the CMJ with the stronger (p = 0.03; ES = 0.46) and weaker leg (p = 0.00; ES = 0.69), in the bilateral CMJ (p = 0.02; ES = 0.24), in the SH with the weaker leg (p = 0.00; ES = 0.34), in the TH with the stronger (p = 0.00; ES = -0.15) and weaker leg (p = 0.01; ES = 0.09), and in the MKUKS test (p = 0.04; ES = -0.94). A between-group analysis showed improvements of the EG over the GC in the TH with the stronger leg (p = 0.02; ES = 1.05). Performing plyometric training provides improvements in jumping, mainly in horizontal jumps, reducing inter-limb asymmetries in repetitive jumps.

Performance Outcome Measures in Padel: A Scoping Review.

Padel is a modern doubles racket sport which has become popular around the world in the last decades. There has been an increase in the quantity of scientific research about this sport in the last years. Therefore, the main objective of this scoping review is to provide an updated contextualization of research regarding padel. PRISMA ScR was used in order to search for articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria in five fields of interest: the anthropometric profile, physiology and physical performance, biomechanics, the epidemiology of injuries, and match analyses Seventy-seven records were included in the study. Padel is an emerging sport both in sport and research terms. This scoping review provides coaches and researchers with all the knowledge available in the five fields of interest. Furthermore, this study enables them to make a map of the current state of the research about padel, and it opens up doors to future investigations.

May Young Elite Cyclists Have Less Efficient Bone Metabolism?

The purpose of this work was to describe changes in metabolic activity in the bones of young male competitive cyclists (CYC) as compared with age-matched controls (CON) over a one-year period of study. Eight adolescent male cyclists aged between fourteen and twenty, and eight age-matched controls participated in this longitudinal study. Serum osteocalcin (OC), amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), beta-isomerized C-telopeptides (ß-CTx) and plasma 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], were investigated by an electrogenerated chemiluminescence immunoassay. Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in formation and resorption markers between cyclists and controls. Within the groups, both CYC and CON showed decreased OC at -30% and -24%, respectively, and PINP where the figures were -28% and -30% respectively (all p < 0.05). However, only the CYC group showed a decrease in [25(OH)D], lower by 11% (p < 0.05). The similarity in the concentrations of markers in cyclists and controls seems to indicate that cycling does not modify the process of bone remodeling. The decrease in vitamin D in cyclists might be detrimental to their future bone health.

Effects of Cardiorespiratory Exercise on Cognition in Older Women Exposed to Air Pollution.

The aim was to analyze the effects of cardiorespiratory exercise and air pollution on cognition and cardiovascular markers in four groups of older women: the active/clean air group (AC), the active/polluted air group (AP), the sedentary/clean air group (SC), and the sedentary/polluted air group (SP). Active groups performed a training task based on progressive walking. Prior to and after the experiment, the following parameters were assessed: cognition, by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), estimated by the Six-Minute Walk Test (6mWT); heart rate (HR); and oxygen saturation (SpO2). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the AC and the SP in all the MMSE dimensions except "Registration", and in all the physiological variables (VO2max, SpO2, HR). Aerobic exercise may be a protective factor against the effects that pollution have on cognition and on the mechanisms of oxygen transport.

Bone metabolism markers and vitamin D in adolescent cyclists.

This study aimed to describe bone metabolic activity in adolescent competitive cyclists compared to age-matched controls. The main result is that younger subjects present a higher bone turnover than the older ones. Moreover, cyclists under the age of 17 have higher scores on all markers than age-matched controls. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe bone metabolic activity in adolescent competitive cyclists compared to age-matched controls. METHODS: Twenty-two male adolescent cyclists between 14 and 20 years (y) and 20 age-matched controls participated in this study. Serum osteocalcin (OC), aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), and ß-isomerized C-telopeptides (ß-CTX) were analyzed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA); plasma 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in bone metabolism markers and vitamin D between cyclists and controls. Cyclists over 17 y had a significantly lower concentration in bone formation and resorption biochemical markers compared to cyclists under 17 y (all P < 0.05). Moreover, controls over 17 y presented lower concentration for PINP (P < 0.05) compared to their peers under 17 y. Comparisons between cyclists and controls under 17 y revealed higher concentrations of OC and PINP (P < 0.05) in cyclists. Group interaction by age was found for OC, PINP, and ß-CTX (P < 0.01). Cyclists over 17 y had higher concentrations of [25(OH)D] (P < 0.05) than age-matched controls. CONCLUSIONS: The present results support the idea that cycling during adolescence may be associated to a decrease in bone turnover that may affect bone health later in life.

[Bone metabolism in child and adolescent athletes: a systematic review]. / Metabolismo óseo en niños y adolescentes deportistas: revisión sistemática.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is beneficial for the prevention of osteoporosis. Bone metabolism markers are the main indicators of metabolic balance and may indicate early risk in bone tissue. AIM: This systematic review aims to summarize and update present knowledge about bone metabolism markers in child and adolescent athletes. METHOD: Literature search was conducted up to March 2017 in PubMed and Sport Discus. A total of 19 studies (case-control, longitudinal and randomized control trials) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. RESULTS: In females, bone remodeling decreases with age independently of sport practiced. Athletes with amenorrhea had lower levels of both markers of bone turnover than control subjects. High-impact sports present higher biomarkers in females. A brief period of training have positive effects in bone formation markers in adolescent males. CONCLUSIONS: The age, sex type of exercise and sport, and performance level of the subjects can deeply affect bone metabolism markers during adolescence. More studies are needed to establish common criteria for metabolic response to physical exercise in these stages.

Metabolismo óseo en niños y adolescentes deportistas: revisión sistemática / Bone metabolism in child and adolescent athletes: a systematic review

Introducción: la práctica de ejercicio físico resulta beneficiosa para la prevención de la osteoporosis. Los marcadores metabólicos del hueso se consideran los principales indicadores para conocer el estado de equilibrio o desequilibrio metabólico, pudiendo mostrar de forma temprana riesgos en el tejido óseo. Objetivo: resumir y actualizar el conocimiento que existe sobre los marcadores de metabolismo óseo en niños y adolescentes deportistas. Método: se ha realizado una revisión sistemática, consultando las publicaciones hasta marzo de 2017, en las bases de datos PubMed y Sport Discus. Se han incluido 19 artículos (caso-control, longitudinales y ensayos controlados aleatorizados) que cumplían con los criterios de inclusión. Resultados: en las chicas se produce con la edad una disminución de los marcadores metabólicos, independientemente del deporte practicado. Se observa un menor remodelado óseo en atletas amenorreicas frente a grupo control. En el sexo femenino, los deportes de impacto presentan un mayor efecto en el remodelado óseo. En los chicos, los programas de entrenamiento de corta duración producen efectos positivos sobre los marcadores de formación del hueso. Conclusiones: la edad, el sexo, el nivel de rendimiento físico, el tipo de ejercicio físico y el número de horas de práctica son las variables que parecen influir en el metabolismo óseo durante la adolescencia. Debido a los escasos estudios existentes orientados a analizar estos cambios, resulta difícil establecer unos criterios comunes de respuesta del metabolismo óseo a la práctica deportiva en estas edades (AU)

Background: Physical exercise is beneficial for the prevention of osteoporosis. Bone metabolism markers are the main indicators of metabolic balance and may indicate early risk in bone tissue. Aim: This systematic review aims to summarize and update present knowledge about bone metabolism markers in child and adolescent athletes. Method: Literature search was conducted up to March 2017 in PubMed and Sport Discus. A total of 19 studies (case-control, longitudinal and randomized control trials) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Results: In females, bone remodeling decreases with age independently of sport practiced. Athletes with amenorrhea had lower levels of both markers of bone turnover than control subjects. High-impact sports present higher biomarkers in females. A brief period of training have positive effects in bone formation markers in adolescent males. Conclusions: The age, sex type of exercise and sport, and performance level of the subjects can deeply affect bone metabolism markers during adolescence. More studies are needed to establish common criteria for metabolic response to physical exercise in these stages (AU)

Relación entre la ansiedad estado/ rasgo, posición en el terreno de juego y ocurrencia de lesiones deportivas / Relationship between Anxiety and Self-Esteem, Field Position and Development of Physical Injuries

Son numerosos los estudios que intentan establecer una relación directa entre variables de tipo físico, táctico, psicológico y la ocurrencia de lesiones deportivas. El objetivo fundamental del presente estudio fue evaluar la influencia de la ansiedad y la posición en el terreno de juego, en el desarrollo de lesiones físicas que se producen en el deporte. La participación de un total de 277 jugadores de fútbol permitió el registro y evaluación de las variables edad, lesión deportiva, demarcación y ansiedad estado/rasgo (medida con el Cuestionario de Spielberger, Gorsuch & Lusbene). Los resultados no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la variable lesión deportiva y ansiedad estado/rasgo, respectivamente (p = 0.583; p = 0.598), ni tampoco entre lesión deportiva y demarcación (p = 0.541). Como principal conclusión se indica la necesidad de elaborar más estudios que intenten dilucidar aquellas variables tácticas y psicológicas que pueden prevenir lesiones deportivas.

There has been a number of studies aiming to establish a relationship between physical, tactical, psychological-type variables and the incidence of sports injuries. The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of anxiety and self- esteem in the development of physical injuries when practising sport. In this regard, the participation of277 football in this study allowed to record and assess such variables as age, sports injury, field position and anxiety state/ trait (measured by the Spielberger, Gorsuch & Lusbene questionnaire). The results did not yield statistically significant differences between the sports injuries and the anxiety state/trait variables (p = 0.583; p = 0.598), nor did they prove a relationship between sports and field position (p = 0.541). As a main conclusion, we advocate the necessity of further studies for the elucidation of such psychological variables which may prevent sports injuries.

Características antropométricas, composición corporal y somatotipo de jugadores de tenis de mesa de alto nivel / Anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of high level table tennis players

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las características antropométricas, la composición corporal y el somatotipo de una muestra internacional de jugadores de tenis de mesa de alto nivel clasificados entre los 150 mejores jugadores del mundo. En el estudio participaron un total de 31 jugadores (18 varones y 13 mujeres) de categoría absoluta. Todos los deportistas analizados en el estudio competían de manera regular en la Superdivisión, máxima categoría de la liga española y en pruebas internacionales de carácter oficial (ETTU e ITTF). La muestra fue distribuida en dos grupos atendiendo al sexo. Un total de 16 variables antropométricas fueron evaluadas. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la masa, talla, IMC (p<0,01), en cinco pliegues (p<0,05), en dos perímetros (p<0,01) y en todos los diámetros (p0,01). Asimismo se encontraron diferencias en el componente endomórfico y mesomórfico del somatotipo (p<0,02). El grupo masculino presentó una distribución del somatotipo mesomorfo balanceado (2,5-4,6-2,6) mientras que el grupo femenino fue endo-mesomórfico (4,0-3,4-2,9). Los resultados obtenidos sugieren un biotipo diferente a los datos de referencia, presentando los hombres menor endomorfia mientras que las mujeres alcanzan mayores niveles en su endomorfia y un descenso en la mesomorfia. Este estudio aporta datos biotipológicos actualizados de referencia para la población de elite de tenis de mesa.

The aim of this study was to analyze the anthropometric profile, body composition and somatotype of international top-level table tennis players belonging to the 150 best world players. A total of 31 players (18 males and 13 females) belonging to the absolute category were evaluated. All of them played regularly in the "Superdivision", the highest Spanish table tennis championship category as well as in other official international championships (ETTU e ITTF). Participants were divided into two groups according to their sex and a total of 16 anthropometric variables were assessed. Statistically significant differences were recorded in: body mass, height and BMI values (p<0.01); seven skinfolds (p<0.05), two girths (p<0.01) and in all breadths (p<0.01). Significant differences were also found between the somatotype mesomorph and endo-mesomorph profiles (p<0.02). A balanced mesomorph somatotype was found for males (2.5-4.6-2.6) while females recorded a mesomorph-endomorph somatotype (4.0-3.4-2.9). These results highlight a different biotype if compared with reference data with less endomorphy between males and an improvement of endomorphy and less mesomorphy between females. This study provides new biotypology data that represent a suitable reference for elite table tennis players.