Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between athletic performance and physiological characteristics in wheelchair basketball (WB) athletes with different classification scores. Methods: Twenty-six (24 male and 2 female) WB athletes were involved into the study. The participants were divided into two functional categories (Category A:1.0–2.5 points, category B: 3.0–4.5 points) according to the IWBF rules. Shoulder internal (IR) and external rotation (ER) muscle strengths were evaluated with the ISOMED 2000® isokinetic dynamometer. Handgrip strength was evaluated with hydraulic hand dynamometer. Custom ramp protocol on treadmill was employed to measure aerobic capacity. Anaerobic capacity was evaluated with Wingate anaerobic power test in standard laboratory conditions. The athletic performance was assessed by 20 m Sprint test, Slalom Test, and Zone Shot tests. Results: Category B athletes achieved significantly better results in the measurements of shoulder IR and ER muscle strength, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and athletic performance while the grip strength was found similar in the categories. There was a significant correlation between the athletic performance and shoulder IR and ER muscle strength, and aerobic and anaerobic capacities in two categories. There was no significant relationship between grip strength and athletic performance parameters in two categories. Conclusion: It was concluded that athletic performance in WB athletes with different classification scores is related to upper extremity muscle strength, aerobic, and anaerobic capacity. Additionally, upper limb muscle strength, athletic performance, aerobic and anaerobic capacity assessments to be made will contribute positively to the planning of individual training and exercise programs.

Introduction: Pre-competition warm-ups play a critical role in optimizing athletic performance and minimizing injury risk. This randomized, controlled crossover study investigated the acute effects of the Raise, Activate, Mobilize, and Potentiate (RAMP) warm-up protocol on key performance parameters in young male soccer players.Methods: Fourteen participants (aged 16–22 years) completed three different warm-up conditions—no warm-up (control), static stretching, and RAMP—on non-consecutive days with a 48-h washout period. Performance was assessed using 30-m sprint and vertical jump tests, each performed twice per session with the best trial recorded for analysis.Results: A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that both vertical jump height and sprint performance differed significantly across conditions (p < 0.05). Post hoc Bonferroni comparisons indicated that the RAMP group exhibited superior results compared with static stretching (Effect size: d = 0.41) and control (Effect size: d = 0.52), while no notable difference was observed between static stretching and control conditions.Discussion: These results suggest that the structured progression of the RAMP protocol—combining exercises that elevate body temperature, activate key muscle groups, improve mobility, and enhance neuromuscular readiness—can acutely enhance explosive strength and sprint speed by effectively priming the neuromuscular system. This study contributes novel insights by demonstrating the acute efficacy of the RAMP method in youth soccer players, a population that has been underrepresented in previous literature. Although the study was limited to male amateur athletes and focused on short-term performance gains, the findings indicate suggestive potential for implementing the RAMP protocol as an evidence-based approach in pre-competition preparation.

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of neuro-athletic training (NAT) on flexibility, spike speed, and upper extremity stability in elite volleyball players. Thirty professional male athletes aged 18–23 years old (mean age of 19.5 ± 1.77 years old in the NAT group and 19.8 ± 1.87 years old in the control group) participated, with 26 completing this study. The participants were randomly assigned into an NAT intervention group or a control group continuing traditional training. Both groups trained three days per week for eight weeks, with the NAT program targeting neuromuscular adaptations while maintaining equal total training durations. Flexibility was assessed using the Sit and Reach Test, spike speed was evaluated using the Pocket Radar Ball Coach, and upper extremity stability was measured using the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST). The NAT group demonstrated significant improvements across all performance metrics. Flexibility increased significantly (p = 0.040; Cohen’s d = 0.845), indicating improved range of motion and musculoskeletal adaptability. Spike speed showed a highly significant improvement (p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 1.503), reflecting enhanced neuromuscular coordination and power. Similarly, upper extremity stability exhibited substantial gains (p = 0.002; Cohen’s d = 1.152), highlighting improved shoulder stability and motor control. In contrast, the control group did not show statistically significant changes in their flexibility (p = 0.236; Cohen’s d = 0.045), spike speed (p = 0.197; Cohen’s d = 0.682), or upper extremity stability (p = 0.193; Cohen’s d = 0.184). Between-group comparisons confirmed the superiority of the NAT intervention, with significant differences across all metrics (p-values ranging from 0.040 to <0.001) and effect sizes spanning from moderate to large (Cohen’s d = 0.845–1.503). These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of NAT in enhancing volleyball-specific performance metrics, emphasizing its potential to target neuromuscular adaptations for improved flexibility, power, and stability. Future studies should explore the long-term effects of NAT and its applicability across various sports disciplines.

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the TecnoBody D-Wall system in assessing joint range of motion (ROM) during overhead squat movements in healthy individuals, using Kinovea as a reference tool for data comparison. A total of 29 participants (16 males, 13 females) with a mean age of 28.41 ± 6.66 years were included. Measurements were conducted for hip and knee joint angles in the sagittal plane, with three repetitions per participant analyzed using both systems. The D-Wall system employed a 3D Kinect V2 camera and force platform, while Kinovea used 2D video-based motion analysis. The results demonstrated excellent agreement between the two systems, with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.79 to 0.99. For the knee joint, the test-retest ICC values were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97–0.99) for Kinovea and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95–0.99) for the D-Wall on the right side, and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97–0.99) for Kinovea and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.79–0.94) for the D-Wall on the left side. For the hip joint, test-retest ICC values were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97–0.99) for Kinovea and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–0.97) for the D-Wall on the right side, and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97–0.99) for Kinovea and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.87–0.97) for the D-Wall on the left side. Bland–Altman plots confirmed good agreement, with no significant systematic bias observed. Both systems showed statistically insignificant differences (p > 0.05) between measurements, and correlation values ranged from 0.83 to 0.99, indicating strong associations. These findings highlight the high validity and reliability of both TecnoBody D-Wall and Kinovea systems in measuring joint angles during dynamic movements. The comparable accuracy between systems suggests that either system can be effectively utilized in clinical or research settings, depending on specific needs and resource availability.