Background/Objectives: Dominant leg use in badminton may contribute to lower limb asymmetry, potentially affecting performance and injury risk. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week integrated neuromuscular training (NMT) program on sports performance. Methods: Twenty-four well-trained male badminton players (age: 13.5 ± 1.15 years) were randomly assigned to groups based on maturation status (pre-peak height velocity [pre-PHV] and post-peak height velocity [post-PHV]; n = 12 each). All participants completed two NMT sessions weekly. Pre- and post-training assessments included a 20 m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), agility t-text, hexagon test, and Y-balance test. Results: Both groups improved significantly across most tests. The post-PHV group (ES: 0.70–1.35) showed greater improvements in sprinting, CMJ, and agility, while the pre-PHV group (ES: 0.39–1.23) improved more in balance and asymmetry. Conclusions: These results underscore the need for age- and maturity-specific training strategies to optimize performance and address asymmetries in youth athletes.

This study investigated the effect of wearing a typical surgical mask (SM) or a three-dimensional (3D) SM (3DSM) during whole-body, high-intensity, short-rest resistance exercise on cardiorespiratory, respiratory, and perceptual comfort responses in weightlifters. Twenty elite weightlifters (6 women and 14 men; age = 24.1 ± 4.9 years; height: 167.45 ± 7.60 cm; body mass = 76.48 ± 19.86 kg) who participated in this study performed 3 resistance exercise sessions in a randomized order: (1) without a mask (NM), (2) while wearing a typical SM, and (3) while wearing a 3DSM. Resistance exercise consisted of a descending pyramid scheme starting at 10 repetitions, with a decrease of one repetition per set for the back squat, bench press, and deadlift, as fast as possible at 75% of the one-repetition maximum. Cardiorespiratory and pulmonary function and comfort were measured. Across all conditions, effective postexercise hypotension (PEH) was noted in terms of decreased systolic blood pressure (−4.64%), diastolic BP (−5.36%), mean arterial pressure (−5.02%), and ankle–brachial index (−6.84%). However, the heart rate (40.34%) and rate of pressure product (33.60%) increased, and no effects on pulmonary function were observed in the three conditions. The participants reported higher breathing resistance and tightness when wearing a typical SM than when wearing a 3DSM or no mask. Therefore, both wearing and not wearing a face mask during whole-body, high-intensity, short-rest resistance exercise promoted PEH and exerted no detrimental effect on pulmonary function. Coaches, trainers, and athletes should consider wearing a 3DSM during resistance exercise.

Purpose: This study examined the effects of low- and high-pressure ischemic preconditioning (LIPC and HIPC) on muscle oxygenation, physiological responses, and performance during repeated 2000-m rowing trials. This was a counterbalanced, repeated-measures crossover study. Methods : Eleven elite high school rowers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 warm-up protocols: (1) traditional warm-up (control trial [CON]), (2) LIPC (100–190 mmHg) + traditional warm-up, or (c) HIPC (210–300 mmHg) + traditional warm-up. Measurements were taken before and after warm-up, immediately following two 2000-m rowing efforts, and 10 minutes postexercise. Variables included blood lactate, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, muscle tissue oxygen saturation (tissue saturation index), mean power output, and total time. Results : Significantly greater reductions in tissue saturation index of the vastus lateralis during occlusion were observed in LIPC (36.41% [12.03%]) and HIPC (35.05% [14.29%]) compared with CON (10.43% [4.9%], P < .001). No significant group differences were found in blood lactate, heart rate, or rating of perceived exertion, although time effects were noted ( P < .001). While first-trial performance was similar, the second 2000-m trial showed significant group differences ( P = .009), with HIPC outperforming both CON and LIPC ( P < .05). The CON group demonstrated a performance decline, while LIPC and HIPC maintained output. High-pressure ischemic preconditioning also exhibited significantly higher mean power in the second trial compared with CON ( P = .04), with consistent pacing. Conclusions : These findings suggest that ischemic preconditioning, particularly HIPC, may enhance repeated high-intensity rowing performance by improving muscle oxygen extraction and sustaining output, offering practical benefits for endurance athletes.