Although myofascial release techniques (MRTs) are commonly used to improve athletes’ range of motion (ROM), the effectiveness of MRTs may vary depending on the specific method performed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of MRTs on the ROM performance of athletes. (2) Methods: The electronic databases of Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant articles published up to June 2023. This study utilized the PRISMA guidelines, and four databases were searched. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the certainty of evidence was reported using the GRADE scale. The overall effect size was calculated using the robust variance estimator, and subgroup analyses were conducted using the Hotelling Zhang test. (3) Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall effect size results indicated that the myofascial release intervention had a moderate effect on ROM performance in athletes when compared to the active or passive control groups. (4) Conclusions: Alternative MRTs, such as myofascial trigger point therapy, can further improve the ROM performance of athletes. Gender, duration of intervention, and joint type may have a moderating effect on the effectiveness of MRTs.

This study aimed to assess the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of mobile applications for assessing change-of-direction speed (CODS) performance. Thirty college athletes performed two Illinois CODS tests during one session. Assessments were carried out simultaneously using six devices (the CODTimer app, Seconds Count app, StopwatchCamera app, two analog stopwatches, and timing gates). Validity analyses included Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis, a linear regression model, and Bland-Altman plots. Reliability analyses included the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the coefficient of variation (CV%), and the paired-sample t test. Sensitivity analyses included the typical error and smallest worthwhile change (SWC). The results showed that validity, reliability, and sensitivity values were higher for the CODTimer app (r = 0.99, R2 = 0.99, mean bias = −0.03 ± 0.10, CV% = 3.21, ICC = 0.89, SWC rating: good, p = 0.84) and the Seconds Count app (r = 0.99, R2 = 0.99, mean bias = −0.03 ± 0.08, CV% = 3.28, ICC = 0.88, SWC rating: good, p = 0.84) relative to the StopwatchCamera app (r = 0.98, R2 = 0.97, mean bias = −0.11 ± 0.22, CV% = 3.43, ICC = 0.86, SWC rating: marginal, p = 0.10), Analog Stopwatch 1 (r = 0.98, R2 = 0.96, mean bias = −0.09 ± 0.42, CV% = 2.95, ICC = 0.90, SWC rating: good, p = 0.91), and Analog Stopwatch 2 (r = 0.99, R2 = 0.97, mean bias = −0.12 ± 0.88, CV% = 3.51, ICC = 0.87, SWC rating: marginal, p = 0.96). In conclusion, compared to timing gates, the CODTimer app and Seconds Count app provided lower measurement bias and higher sensitivity for assessing CODS performance.

Combined strength training is performed with a combination of plyometric exercises and traditional strength exercises. This training method with different protocols (such as complex training or contrast training) is used to develop vertical jump performance in basketball. Combined strength training is based on the theory of PAP, and physiological changes in the nervous musculature allow for acute performance enhancement. Included and excluded studies were determined according to PICOS criteria. The search was performed on the electronic databases of Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus between September 1-7, 2022. The effect of combined strength training on vertical jump performance in basketball was compared with different training methods and as a result, a moderate effect was found in favor of combined strength training (ES=1.11, (95%CI 0.63-1.60), I²= 82%). As a result of systematic review and meta-analysis, it has been found that combined strength training applied in different forms in basketball is superior to other training methods in improving vertical jump performance. On the other hand, there is no superiority between the combined strength training protocols. Athletic performance specialists may improve jump performance by combining plyometric and traditional strength exercises in the same training season.

Günümüzde üniversiteler bilimsel faaliyetlerin merkezi olarak görülmekte ve bilimsel alandaki gelişmeler sonucunda multidisipliner bilim dalları ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı ise tarihi uzun yıllara dayanmasına rağmen gelişimini sürdüren ve pek çok disiplinden etkilenerek alt disiplinlere ayrılan Beden Eğitimi ve Spora ilişkin doktora tezlerini bibliyometrik analiz ile değerlendirmektir. Çalışma kapsamında; beden eğitimi ve öğretim kelimelerini tez başlığında içeren araştırmalara ulaşmak için veri toplama aracı olarak Ulusal Tez Merkezi kullanılmıştır. Bu kapsamda 2007-2020 yılları arasında beden eğitimi ve öğretim anahtar kelimelerini tez başlığında içeren 26 doktora tezi araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturmuştur. Tezlerin yıllara göre dağılımı, cinsiyet dağılımı, danışman unvanları, kullanılan kaynakça sayısı ve türü, anahtar kelimelerin analizi, tezlerin yapıldığı üniversiteler, enstitüler, ana bilim dalları ve konu alanları, katılımcı türleri ve özellikleri araştırmanın değişkenlerini oluşturmuş; araştırmanın veri analizi için ise tanımlayıcı istatistiklerden yüzde ve frekans kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda doktora tezlerinin ağırlıklı olarak erkekler tarafından yapıldığı (n=18, 69,2%), en çok doktora tezinin Gazi Üniversitesinde yapıldığı, enstitü bazında en fazla doktora tezinin Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsünde (n=11, 42,3%) yapıldığı ve anabilim dalı olarak da en fazla doktora tezinin Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Anabilim Dalı’nda (n=11, 38,5%) yapıldığı saptanmıştır. Ayrıca çalışmanın bulgularından hareketle, beden eğitimi ve spor alanındaki araştırmacıların nicel analiz yapmaya eğilimli oldukları (%71,3) ve bilim dalının multidisipliner yapısından dolayı beden eğitimi ve öğretimi anahtar kelimeleri ile eğitim biliminden spor yönetimine kadar geniş kapsamda çalışmalar yapılabildiği sonucuna varılmıştır.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of the speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) training method on linear sprinting, jumping, and change of direction speed (CODS) performance in soccer players. Three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) were searched, and 17 studies were included in the three-level meta-analysis. The results indicated that SAQ training significantly improved linear sprinting (effect size [ES] = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.19–1.39, p = 0.01, I² = 95.9%), jumping (ES = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.26–1.39, p = 0.01, I² = 85.9%), and CODS performance (ES = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.29–1.11, p = 0.01, I² = 82.8%) when compared with the control groups. Furthermore, a moderating effect of sprint distance (favoring 10 m versus 20 or 30 m) was observed for the sprint performance. In addition, the moderating effect of jump type (favoring horizontal versus vertical) and training frequency (favoring >2 versus ≤2 sessions/week) was observed for jump performance. Finally, a moderating effect of age (favoring >15 versus ≤15 years) was observed for CODS. In conclusion, coaches may prefer SAQ training to improve sprint, jump, and CODS abilities of soccer players.

(1) Background: Enhancing repeated sprint ability (RSA) is critical to soccer performance. Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) protocols, particularly those utilizing heavy resistance preloading, have shown promise in improving RSA. Yet, the optimal preloading intensity for amateur players is still unknown. This study investigated the effects of two PAPE protocols using different preloading intensities (85% and 90% of 1 RM back squat) on RSA. (2) Methods: A double-blind, randomized, two-period crossover design was used, and 18 amateur male players were included in this study. RSA was assessed using a 6 × 35 m sprint protocol with 10 s rest intervals (RAST). (3) Results: While the main effect of time significantly (p = 0.01, η² = 0.71) influenced performance decline across all groups, there was no significant (p = 0.65, η² = 0.01) interaction between time and condition. Individual responses to PAPE varied, highlighting the importance of individual differences. Interestingly, the BS85% group exhibited a less pronounced decline in performance compared to the control group, while the BS90% group only showed significant differences in three sprint levels. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a lower preload of 85% of 1 RM may be as adequate as a higher preload of 90% of 1 RM in enhancing RSA in amateur soccer players. These results may indicate a potential fatigue-delaying effect of PAPE protocols and emphasize the importance of individualized approaches for optimizing PAPE strategies.