The integration of wearable technology and artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed modern sports science by enhancing athlete monitoring, performance optimization, and injury prevention. Wearable sensors, including fitness trackers, GPS-based devices, and biomechanical motion trackers, provide real-time physiological and biomechanical data, enabling personalized training programs and workload management. AI-driven analytics, utilizing machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision, enhance performance assessment, injury prediction, and rehabilitation strategies by processing vast datasets to detect fatigue patterns, optimize recovery schedules, and refine tactical decision-making. Despite these advancements, challenges persist regarding data accuracy, privacy, and accessibility. Variability in sensor precision and standardization issues hinder reliable cross-comparisons, necessitating the development of validation protocols. Additionally, AI-driven wearables raise concerns over data security, ethical handling, and equitable access, as high costs limit their use in amateur sports. Future research should focus on refining AI-powered injury prevention models, improving biometric sensing capabilities, and advancing edge AI for real-time data processing. Addressing these challenges will ensure that wearable technology and AI continue to enhance sports performance, injury mitigation, and athlete well-being at all levels of competition.

Background The menstrual cycle (MC) plays a fundamental role in female physiology, influencing endurance, strength, and overall athletic performance. Hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual phases impact metabolism, muscle recovery, thermoregulation, cardiovascular function, and psychological well-being. Recognizing these variations is crucial for optimizing training and competition strategies for female athletes. Objective This review synthesizes recent scientific findings on the effects of MC phases on athletic performance, specifically examining endurance, strength, neuromuscular function, and perceived exertion. Methods A review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Results Hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle influence endurance, strength, and perceived performance. The follicular phase supports muscle recovery, neuromuscular efficiency, and cardiovascular function, potentially enhancing performance, though increased ligament laxity may raise injury risk. During ovulation, energy availability improves, but joint laxity increases susceptibility to injury. The luteal phase introduces physiological challenges such as elevated core temperature, cardiovascular strain, and increased perception of effort, which may impair endurance. Despite these complexities, current evidence does not support a one-size-fits-all approach to training modifications based on the menstrual cycle. Instead, individualized menstrual tracking and adaptive training strategies may offer more effective ways to optimize female athlete performance.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) encompasses a range of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms occurring cyclically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety often overlap with PMS, suggesting shared pathophysiological mechanisms. This narrative review explores the hormonal, neurochemical, psychosocial, and cultural factors contributing to the comorbidity of PMS and mood disorders. Understanding these interactions can guide effective diagnostic approaches and individualized treatment strategies.

Background Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used in sports medicine due to its portability, real-time imaging capabilities, and ability to guide clinical decision-making. As a dynamic, cost-effective, and non-invasive tool, POCUS has been incorporated into the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal injuries among athletes. Objective This review evaluates the applications of POCUS in sports medicine, including its role in diagnosing soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries, monitoring recovery, and guiding therapeutic interventions. Results POCUS is highly valuable for the rapid assessment of muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint injuries. It provides real-time visualization of dynamic structures, assisting in immediate decision-making and treatment planning. Compared to traditional imaging modalities such as X-ray and MRI, POCUS offers advantages in accessibility, cost, and repeatability. Conclusion POCUS is a crucial imaging tool in sports medicine, enabling rapid injury assessment and aiding in return-to-play decisions. However, further research is required to standardize protocols, improve operator training, and optimize its integration into clinical practice.

Background Exercise-induced inflammation is a complex physiological response influenced by both the intensity of physical activity and the gut microbiome. While moderate exercise enhances immune function and microbial diversity, excessive training can lead to gut dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, and chronic inflammation. Objective This review examines the interplay between the gut microbiome, exercise-induced inflammation, and recovery. It explores the mechanisms by which gut microbes influence immune regulation, metabolic adaptation, and muscle repair, while also identifying potential nutritional strategies to optimize gut health and enhance post-exercise recovery. Results Findings suggest that moderate exercise enhances microbial diversity and promotes an anti-inflammatory immune profile. Conversely, excessive training induces gut dysbiosis, increases intestinal permeability, and elevates inflammatory cytokines. Nutritional interventions, particularly probiotic and prebiotic supplementation, polyphenol-rich foods, dietary fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, have been shown to mitigate gut permeability, enhance SCFA production, and accelerate immune recovery. Conclusion The gut microbiome plays a critical role in regulating exercise-induced inflammation and recovery, influencing immune responses, metabolic efficiency, and muscle repair. Integrating microbiome-targeted nutritional strategies may optimize gut health, enhance recovery, and improve overall athletic performance. Future research should explore personalized microbiome-based interventions, considering individual variability in microbiota composition, training load, and dietary habits.

Background: ACL injuries are common in sports requiring sudden deceleration, pivoting, and directional changes. Optimizing reconstruction and rehabilitation is crucial for knee stability, reinjury prevention, and successful return to sport. Objective: This systematic review evaluates ACL reconstruction techniques, rehabilitation protocols, and return-to-sport outcomes, focusing on graft selection, surgical advancements, rehabilitation strategies, and reinjury risk factors. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2000–2025). Key factors analyzed included graft type, surgical methods, rehabilitation phases, return-to-sport timelines, and long-term complications. Results: Autografts, particularly bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and quadriceps tendon grafts, provide superior biomechanical strength and lower failure rates compared to allografts and synthetic grafts. Allografts, while suitable for lower-demand patients, have higher failure rates in young athletes. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in recovery, with neuromuscular training and psychological readiness significantly influencing return-to-sport outcomes. Despite surgical advancements, only 55–65% of athletes regain pre-injury performance within two years. Psychological factors, including fear of reinjury, delay return and increase the risk of secondary injuries. Conclusions: While surgical and rehabilitation advancements have improved ACL reconstruction outcomes, challenges remain in optimizing return-to-sport success and reducing reinjury risks. Future research should focus on optimizing rehabilitation protocols, incorporating psychological interventions, and exploring regenerative therapies and AI-driven rehabilitation tools to enhance long-term athletic outcomes.