Taekwondo is a complex martial art that requires speed, balance, agility, and endurance. This study aims to examine the effects of nitrate and L-arginine supplementation on acute aerobic and anaerobic performance, balance, agility, and recovery in elite taekwondo athletes. This study was conducted as a double-blind, randomized, crossover study with the participation of 15 experienced taekwondo athletes aged 19.06 ± 0.96 years and 8.93 ± 1.27 years of training experience. Participants visited the laboratory a total of nine times, including a practice session and anthropometric measurements. These visits consisted of eight experimental sessions conducted at 72-hour intervals. The experimental sessions were conducted with nitrate, L-arginine, and a combination of both supplements (NIT*L-ARG) and placebo. Nitrate supplementation was provided by homogenizing fresh spinach (837.40 mg/kg), while L-ARG was given as a single dose of 6 g in powder form three hours before exercise. NIT*L-ARG supplementation significantly improved the anaerobic performance of athletes in Wingate peak power and peak power (w/kg) compared to placebo and in mean power compared to NIT, L-ARG, and PLA. In addition, NIT*L-ARG supplementation significantly improved blood lactate levels and agility performance immediately after Wingate and Shuttle run tests. The combined intake of NIT*L-ARG was found to be effective in improving aerobic, anaerobic, and agility performances as well as fatigue levels of athletes. It was determined that taking NIT and L-ARG supplements alone contributed to the improvement of improving athletes' performance in Wingate mean power values and subsequent fatigue level compared to PLA.

Background: This study aims to determine and compare the effects of exercise modalities with different intensities on the secretion of key inflammation and hypoxia markers in amateur athletes.Methods: Twenty-three athletes with a mean age of 20.1 years, living at low altitude (1850 m) participated in this study. The participants' maximal oxygen consumption values (VO₂max) were determined with an incremental cycle exercise test as 54.15 ± 6.14 mL kg min⁻¹. Athletes performed four protocols: at rest, 50% VO₂max, 75% VO₂max and 100% VO₂max (until exhaustion) with one-week intervals. 50% VO₂max, 75% VO₂max sessions were performed continuously for 30 min on a bicycle ergometer and 100% VO₂max session was performed by cycling until exhaustion. Blood samples were obtained at rest and immediately after each exercise session. Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) levels were measured.Results: There were significant differences in serum TNF-α levels in 75% VO₂max and 100% VO₂max sessions (489.03 ± 368.37 and 472.70 ± 365.21 ng/L, respectively) compared to rest conditions (331.65 ± 293.52 ng/L). Serum CRP levels of 50% VO₂max and 75% VO₂max sessions (1.19 ± 0.50; 1.07 ± 0.52 mg/L) were significantly higher than the rest condition (0.74 ± 0.35 mg/L). There were significant differences in serum IL-10 levels of rest condition and 50% VO₂max; 50% VO₂max, and 100% VO₂max sessions (328.09 ± 128.87; 446.36 ± 142.84; 347.44 ± 135.69; 324.88 ± 168.06 pg/mL). Serum HIF-1α levels were significantly higher in 75% VO2 max session compared to rest (1.26 ± 0.16; 1.08 ± 0.19 ng/mL) (P < 0.05 for all comparisons).Conclusions: Both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathway is induced on different exercise intensities. Exercise protocols performed until exhaustion may lead to activation of inflammatory pathways and hypoxia-induced damage.

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de 2018-2024 yılları arasında Yükseköğretim Kurulu (YÖK) verilerine dayanarak combat sporları alanındaki lisansüstü tezlerin incelenmesini ve değerlendirilmesini içermektedir. Combat sporlarının akademik alandaki yeri, sağlıklı yaşam üzerindeki etkileri ve toplumsal katkıları vurgulanmıştır. Yüksek lisans tezlerinin sayısının fazla olması, bu alanın akademik olarak genç olduğunu ve daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç duyulduğunu göstermektedir. Araştırma yöntemlerinde nicel yaklaşımların öne çıktığı, ancak nitel yöntemlerin de önem taşıdığı belirtilmektedir. Combat sporlarının bireylerin fiziksel, psikolojik ve sosyal gelişimleri üzerindeki olumlu etkileri, bu alandaki araştırmaların önemini artırmaktadır. Gelecek çalışmalar için öneriler arasında disiplinlerarası yaklaşımlar, nitel araştırmaların teşvik edilmesi ve kadın katılımının artırılması gibi unsurlar yer almaktadır. Bu öneriler, combat sporları alanındaki araştırmaları derinleştirerek toplumsal katkıları artırmayı hedeflemektedir.

Background and Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the combined acute and long-term effects of exposure to blows and exercise on serum BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and selenium levels. Materials and Methods: Serum BDNF and selenium levels were determined in 40 male elite athletes before and after vigorous exercise (training match) with a probability of exposure to blows and in 10 sedentary men subjected to exercise (Astrand running protocol). Results: Serum BDNF levels were found 11.50 ± 3.50 ng/mL before exercise and 14.02 ± 3.15 ng/mL after exercise in the athlete group (p = 0.02), and 12.18 ± 4.55 ng/ mL and 11.74 ± 2.48 ng/ mL before and after exercise in the sedentary group, respectively (p = 0.873). Serum BDNF (pre-exercise, baseline) levels were slightly lower in the athlete group than those in the sedentary group (11.50 ± 3.50 and 12.18 ± 4.55 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.796). Pre-exercise serum selenium levels in athletes were significantly higher compared to those of sedentary participants (130.53 ± 36.79 and 95.51 ± 20.57 µg/L, respectively, p = 0.011). There was no difference in selenium levels after exercise (124.01 ± 29.96 µg/L) compared to pre-exercise (130.53 ± 36.79 µg/L) in the athlete group (p = 0.386). Similarly, there was no difference in selenium levels after exercise (113.28 ± 25.51 µg/L) compared to pre-exercise (95.51 ± 20.57 µg/L) in the sedentary group (p = 0.251). Conclusions: BDNF results show that even if athletes are exposed to blows, they may be protected from the long-term effects of blows thanks to the protective effect of their non-sedentary lifestyle. Regular exercise may have a protective effect on maintaining serum selenium levels in athletes even exposed to blows chronically.

Background and Study Aim. Trait anger, psychological maladjustment, resilience, and loneliness are crucial aspects influencing mental health in both athletes and physically inactive individuals. Exploring these factors provides valuable insights into their psychological well-being. The study aims to investigate the relationship between trait anger, psychological maladjustment, psychological resilience, and loneliness among athletes and physically inactive individuals, with a particular focus on the predictive role of psychological resilience in these relationships. Material and Methods. The sample consisted of 793 individuals divided into three groups. These included 176 participants selected randomly, 120 team athletes, and 497 sedentary individuals. Data collection involved the following tools: the Demographic Information Form, the Trait Anger and Anger Expression Style Scale, the Psychological Maladjustment Scale, the Psychological Resilience Scale, and the Loneliness Scale. Cronbach's Alpha coefficients were calculated to assess the reliability of the scales. Multiple regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between loneliness, psychological resilience, anger traits, anger expression styles, and levels of depression, stress, and anxiety. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 24. Results. For combat athletes, outward anger, anger control, and stress significantly predicted psychological resilience (R = .653, F = 15.557, p < .05), explaining 43% of the variance. Among team athletes, anger control emerged as a significant predictor (R = .605, F = 7.784, p < .05), accounting for 37% of the variance. For physically inactive individuals, outward anger, anger control, anxiety, and stress predicted psychological resilience (R = .545, F = 25.768, p < .05), explaining 30% of the variance. Across all groups, the key predictors were anxiety (β = -.219, p < .05), stress (β = -.190, p < .05), anger control (β = .196, p < .05), and outward anger (β = .189, p < .05). Conclusions. Targeted interventions focused on anger control and stress reduction can effectively enhance psychological resilience. These strategies may support both athletes and physically inactive individuals in managing psychological maladjustment and reducing loneliness.