Osgood-Schlatter disease is the most common osteochondritis of the lower limb in sport-practicing children and adolescents. Its manifestation usually coincides with the appearance of the secondary ossification center of the tibia and is linked to the practice of sports with an explosive component. In the present study, a review of the factors related to its appearance, diagnosis and treatment was carried out. Its appearance seems to be multifactorial and related to multiple morphological, functional, mechanical and environmental factors. Given all the above, risk factor reduction and prevention seem the most logical strategies to effectively prevent the appearance of the condition. In addition, it is essential to create prevention programs that can be objectively assessed and would allow to stop the progress of the pathology, particularly in those sports where high forces are generated on the insertion zone of the patellar tendon at sensitive ages. More studies are needed to clarify which type of treatment is the most appropriate—specific exercises or the usual care treatment.

Background : The role of high-volume low-intensity training for enhancing endurance performance has gained growing interest in recent years. Specifically, so-called “zone 2 training” is currently receiving much attention, and many propose that this is the target intensity at which a large proportion of total endurance training should be performed. However, despite the popularity of this concept, there is no clear consensus among coaches, athletes, and scientists regarding the definition of zone 2 training. Purpose : This commentary summarizes the perspectives, experience, and knowledge of an expert panel of 14 applied sport scientists and professional coaches with the aim of providing insight and a basis for definitional consensus on zone 2 training. Moreover, potential training strategies at this intensity are proposed, and the expected physiological adaptations when exercising at this intensity and related research gaps are also discussed. Results : Experts reached consensus that zone 2 training should preferably be performed at intensities located immediately below the first lactate or ventilatory threshold through continuous, variable, or interval-type sessions. Furthermore, experts expected a broad range of central and peripheral adaptations from zone 2 training. These expected adaptations might not be unique to zone 2 and could also be induced with sessions performed at slightly higher and lower intensities. Conclusions : This commentary provides practical insight and unified criteria regarding the preferred intensity, duration, and session type for the optimization of zone 2 training based on the perspectives of acknowledged sport scientists and professional coaches.

High altitude mountaineering is characterized by high energetic requirements due to the environment in which the activity is developed: negative energy balance, extreme cold, high altitude and the assumption of potential risks can be found during the practice of this sport. High altitude mountaineering, as a result of the previous factors, induces changes in body composition which have never been studied previously in a systematic review. A search within four different databases (PubMed, SportDiscus, Scopus and Medline) was performed using the thesaurus terms "Mountaineering" and "Body composition". A second search was performed using the following terms "Altitude" and "Body composition". The selection criteria included studies with healthy adults which evaluated the effects of at least 14 days of uninterrupted stays at altitudes above 4,000 m. The studies included in the review assessed body composition through different methods such as anthropometry, bioimpedance, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, hydrostatic weighing and air displacement plethysmography. The search was performed up to and including December 1st 2018. Eleven observational studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies reported weight loss, of which five reported significant reductions in lean mass and six reported reductions in fat mass. Also, three studies reported reductions in both fat mass and lean mass. Current evidence is limited to observational studies with important confounding factors affecting the final conclusions. Longitudinal studies with a better methodological design and control groups are needed in order to verify these results.

Purpose: To examine the ability of a multivariate model to predict maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) using performance data from a 5-minute maximal test (5MT). Methods: Forty-six road cyclists (age 38 [9] y, height 177 [9] cm, weight 71.4 [8.6] kg, VO₂max 61.13 [9.05] mL/kg/min) completed a graded exercise test to assess VO₂max and power output. After a 72-hour rest, they performed a test that included a 5-minute maximal bout. Performance variables in each test were modeled in 2 independent equations, using Bayesian general linear regressions to predict VO₂max. Stepwise selection was then used to identify the minimal subset of parameters with the best predictive power for each model. Results: Five-minute relative power output was the best explanatory variable to predict VO₂max in the model from the graded exercise test (R² 95% credibility interval, .81–.88) and when using data from the 5MT (R² 95% credibility interval, .61–.77). Accordingly, VO₂max could be predicted with a 5MT using the equation VO₂max = 16.6 + (8.87 × 5-min relative power output). Conclusions: Road cycling VO₂max can be predicted in cyclists through a single-variable equation that includes relative power obtained during a 5MT. Coaches, cyclists, and scientists may benefit from the reduction of laboratory assessments performed on athletes due to this finding.

Background: Water-polo is the water sport with the highest incidence of injuries, with shoulder pain being the most common one. The understanding of risk factors and guidance on preventive measures is essential in this sport discipline. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a specific 6-week training plan on range of motion (ROM) and joint strength levels in a group of professional water-polo players. Methods: Quasi-experimental study with a sample of 28 participants (age: 20.1 ± 2.5 years; height: 176.9 ± 6.2 cm; body mass: 74.6 ± 8.1 kg). Three study groups, which consisted of one control group and two experimental groups, were established. Two repeated measurements, pre and post intervention, were performed. During these measurements, ROM of the glenohumeral joint was analyzed both in external (ER) and internal (IR) rotation, as well as the maximal isometric strength. Conclusions: The application of a training program improved glenohumeral joint ROM. ER and IR evolve differently in both shoulders. ER improved only in the throwing arm only in the group undergoing intervention but for the non-dominant side, improvements were observed in both ER and IR, regardless of whether or not they had followed the intervention plan. No improvements were observed in either the isometric strength or contralateral asymmetries.

Aim: Exercise addiction is a compulsive need to engage in physical activity despite potential negative consequences. This study aims to analyze adolescents' psychosocial health in relation to the risk of exercise addiction, focusing on competition levels, sport types, gender, and age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 7,596 participants (44.2% girls) aged 11–19. Data on physical activity (PAQ-C and PAQ-A), sleep quality (PSQI), anxiety (SAS), depression symptoms (BDI-II), eating disorders (EDI-3), and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-52) were collected via validated questionnaires. The prevalence of exercise addiction risk (EAI) was assessed, and differences based on competition level, sport type, gender, and age were analyzed. Gamma GLMs factors-adjusted were used for statistical comparisons. Results: 6.4% of adolescents in non-competitive sports and 15.6% in competitive sports showed a risk of exercise addiction. The risk was higher in boys, but the difference diminished at higher competition levels. The risk of addiction increased notably in late adolescence. Competitive athletes, especially at high levels, were at greater risk compared to noncompetitive athletes. Those in individual sports were at higher risk than those in team sports. Adolescents at risk of exercise addiction reported poorer mental health, including sleep quality ( β = 1.62, p < 0.001), anxiety ( β = 3.58, p < 0.001), depression ( β = 2.283, p < 0.001), and eating disorders ( β = 3.101, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Exercise addiction is a significant concern among adolescents, especially in competitive and individual sports. It is associated with poorer mental health outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of addiction and promote holistic health in adolescent athletes.