Sarcopenia is a significant health concern primarily affecting old adult individuals, characterized by age-related muscle loss, and decreased strength, power, and endurance. It has profound negative effects on overall health and quality of life, including reduced independence, mobility, and daily activity performance, osteoporosis, increased fall and fracture risks, metabolic issues, and chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. Preventive strategies typically involve a combination of proper nutrition and regular physical activity. Among strength training exercises, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) stands out as the most effective approach for improving muscle function in older adults with sarcopenia. The current review identifies and summarizes the studies that have examined the effects of HIIT on muscle strength in older adults as an element of the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. A systematic search using several computerized databases, namely, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science, was performed on 12 January 2023, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 224 studies were initially retrieved. A total of five studies met the selection criteria. HIIT training shows improvements in body composition and functional and cardiorespiratory capacity, has benefits on muscle strength, increases muscle quality and architecture, and is associated with muscle hypertrophy in healthy older adults. Nonetheless, given the shortcomings affecting primary research in terms of the limited number of studies and the high risk of bias, further research is warranted.

Analysis of the key performance variables in soccer is one of the most continuous and attractive research topics. Using global positioning devices (GPS), the primary aim of this study was to highlight the physiological response of a professional soccer team across competitive microcycles in-season according to the most influential contextual performance variables. Determining the training load (TL), a work ratio was established between all recorded data within the training sessions and the competitive profile (CP). Each microcycle was classified in accordance with the contextual variables: opponent level (high, medium, low), match location (home and away) and score (win, draw, lose). Results revealed that the team were significantly more successful (games won) in competitive games against high-level opponents and when played at home. Cumulative microcycle/weekly training load (WTL) was significantly lower when the team won. In addition to the opponent level and the match location, WTL could condition the athlete’s performance in the competition. Competitive performance responses are the main source of information for the planning of training programs. The results of this study could be used as a reference to structure TL and WTL according to contextual variables in the competition. This study, which is the first of its kind, revealed that WTL effects the performance of the players in the competition.

Introduction: The force–velocity profile has been analysed previously in different sports modalities; nevertheless, it has not been analysed in CrossFit. Objective: The aim of this study was to report neuromuscular characteristics of CrossFit athletes using their individual force-velocity profile, investigating differences according to sex, age, and training frequency. Materials and Methods: 72 males (33.17 ± 6.86 years; BMI: 25.93 ± 3.64 kg/m2) and 18 females (30.11 ± 6.92 years; BMI: 23.53 ± 3.98 kg/m2) participated in this study. The force-velocity profile was calculated using Samozino’s method. Furthermore, neuromuscular characterization was completed with a squat jump and three drop jumps (20, 30, and 40 cm). Results: Regarding sex, significant differences in all analysed mechanical variables (p < 0.001) were found except for the theoretical maximal force (p = 0.944). No significant differences were found between age groups. Considering training frequency, athletes who train more than 5 days per week showed higher performance in all analysed mechanical variables (p < 0.05). Conclusion: CrossFit athletes have a force-velocity profile more oriented towards velocity than force. Males and females have different neuromuscular characteristics, also neuromuscular improvements can be achieved at any age. Moreover, higher neuromuscular performance is developed with a training frequency of 5 days or more per week.

Background. The muscular response of athletes in a judo contest is one of the most important aspect to measure with precision. Objective. Our purpose was to obtain and analyse the variability of strength associated to muscular performance parameters during a judo contest. Methods. Thirty-five men performed five 5-minute bouts with 15 minutes of passive rest. Immediately after each bout, muscular performance parameters were tested: countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal dynamic strength capacities (mean power velocity (MPV), mean strength (MS), maximum strength (MXS), mean power (MP) and maximum power (MXP)) in upper body, dominant (DHS) and non-dominant handgrip isometric strength (NDHS). ANOVA to compare baseline test data and successive bouts was used. Results. ANOVA revealed significant differences in NDHS (p<0.001), DHS (p<0.001), CMJ (p<0.001), MPV (p<0.001), MXS (p<0.001), MP (p<0.001) and MXP (p<0.001). No significant differences in MS (p = 0.008) were found. Some significant correlations between NDHS and ΔPMX (r=0.368, p=0.050), MPV and ΔMXS (r=0.528, p=0.001) and ΔMXP (r=0.683, p<0.001), MPX and ΔMXS (r=0.528, p=0.001) and ΔMP (r=0.877, p<0.001) were found. Conclusion. Due to judo contest can be considered a high intensity exercise, it produces an amount of muscular fatigue and therefore significant loss strength that it cannot be recovery during rest-times between successive bouts. For this reason, it was a high variability in strength production capacities, which are modified during a judo contest.

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