Incisional hernias are a common condition after abdominal wall incisions, with varying incidence rates and significant associated costs^1,2. The rates tend to increase over time, reaching approximately 12.8% 2 years after the initial surgery², though they can be considerably higher when patient-related factors (obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, active smoking, malnutrition, etc.), hernia characteristics (hernia defect size, contaminated surgical field) or the type of surgical repair (closure technique, mesh placement, etc.) are taken into account^3–5.

Background. Studies of self-efficacy in sports have demonstrated its importance in performance. These have been of English-speaking and Latin American origin, mostly descriptive, qualitative, and relate it essentially to emotional variables; interventions reveal its sources and the way to improve it. Objective. A meta-analysis and systematic review of self-efficacy studies in high- performance sports in 2015–2022. Design. The PRISMA method and a flow diagram were used. The databases were SciELO, Dialnet, Redalyc, CORE, REBID, Science Research, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The dimensions of analysis were: descriptions of the articles; methodological approach, and characteristics of the self-efficacy measurements. The keywords “self-efficacy” and “sports,” along with their translations into Spanish, were connected using the OR Boolean operator. The inclusion of “high performance” or “elite” was carefully considered to avoid unintended exclusions. Results. Thirty-four articles were selected, with soccer and basketball being the most studied sports. Descriptive and correlational designs predominated: increasing relationships between two or more variables with self-efficacy, the studies that discussed interventions were the only ones that addressed longitudinal studies. In the measurements, those of general self-efficacy predominate according to the tasks faced by the athletes; individual self-efficacy is more highly valued; strength and generality are considered in the microanalyses. Conclusion. Progress has been shown in studies of self-efficacy in high-performance sports. There remain opportunities for longitudinal studies, instruments with sport-specific indicators, analysis of levels and collective self-efficacy that will allow researchers to further explain the phenomenon.

Background: Currently, the fusion of technology and sports is inevitable. The integration of various systems and devices has brought about significant transformations in established sports practices, impacting not only the rules but also physiological, biomechanical, and even psychological aspects. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of an attention intervention through a video game on young soccer players. Methods: Twelve young male soccer players (age: mean 8.5, SD 1 years) were divided into 2 groups: a control group (CG; n=10) and an experimental group (EG; n=10). During the 6-week training program, the EG received attention training through a video game twice a week for 15 minutes per session. Pre- and postintervention measurements included a specific decision-making soccer test and interviews with coaching staff. Additionally, success in the video game, muscular activity, and sweat levels were monitored. Results: The EG demonstrated a significant improvement in video game success following the intervention program, as indicated by the achieved level (P<.001). However, no significant differences were found between groups regarding electromyographic (EMG) activity (P=.21) and sweating (P=.20). Prior to implementing the attention training program, both groups exhibited similar data for variables related to decision-making and execution mechanisms (≤10%). Only 2 decision-making variables exceeded 10% but remained below 15% (Shot_D=13.35%; Marking_with_Ball_D=−12.64%). Furthermore, changes in attacking action variables were more pronounced in execution-related variables, except for dribbling and fixing. Conversely, in defensive action variables, changes were greater in decision-related variables, except for marking with the ball and marking without the ball. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that incorporating a specific attentional video game into a soccer training program enhances decision-making compared to a program without the video game. Therefore, it is advisable for practitioners to consider using this tool due to its high efficiency in terms of economic and temporal costs, particularly in improving a key psychological variable.

This study aims to fill a knowledge gap by investigating electromyographic disparities in anterior and posterior muscle activation and coactivation ratios among non-professional men and women during side-cuttings. A cohort of 162 non-professional athletes participated in directional change maneuvers. Electromyographic assessments focused on coactivation ratios during the initial 50, 100, 150, and 200 ms of contraction, analyzing thigh muscle activations and exploring sex-based differences. Findings revealed higher quadriceps than hamstring muscle activation during directional changes, emphasizing the pivotal role of timing and coactivation ratios. Although the coactivation ratio, indicative of protective muscle control, approached 1 in all directional changes, 40% of subjects exhibited ratios below 0.8, suggesting an elevated injury risk. During open side-cutting at 30°, no significant sex differences were observed in anterior and posterior thigh muscle activation. However, in explosive ratios, women outperformed men, potentially attributable to uncontrolled motor unit recruitment. In open side-cutting at 45° and closed side-cutting at 45°, women displayed significantly higher H/Q ratios, indicating a nuanced sex-specific response. The study underscores the importance of an innovative coactivation ratio approach, revealing its early association with injury risk. Although anterior thigh muscle activation generally exceeded posterior, women exhibited poorer coactivation, potentially heightening knee injury risks during directional changes. This research contributes valuable insights into neuromuscular responses among non-professional athletes, particularly within the context of sex-specific differences.

Introduction: Both mood and self-efficacy seem to be components closely related to the athlete’s performance. In athletics, to have an exhaustive control of training from the physical and mental point of view is to lay the foundations for sporting success. Exercises such as the vertical jump are an excellent element of control of athletic performance. However, their relationship with psychological aspects during training has been little reported in the literature. Our objective was to analyze the relationship between the mood profile and self-efficacy during vertical jumps in youth athletes of the Cuban national preselection of athletics. Method: Mood and self-efficacy were evaluated before executing a countermovement jump (CMJ), presenting the 40-cm value as the element of maximum success in elite athletes. Results: A significant correlation was found between anxiogenic mood and vertical jump variables. In addition, a negative correlation was found between self-efficacy and anxiety, although not significant (p > .05). Conclusions: Athletes with a medium anxiety score mood although not overelevated (score 2 out of 4) before the execution of vertical jumps obtained better CMJ results, achieving higher performance in both jump height, speed, strength and power of the jump. However, no significant correlations were found between self-efficacy and mood, nor with the jumping variables.

One of the most important implications of technology in swimming is to control training loads. Lactate control, video-analysis of the technique or the assessment of specific actions, i.e., the vertical jump, have helped to provide load adaptation indicators in swimmers in recent decades. However, these indicators have led to a longer application time, due to their indirect procedure and the need to analyze each variable. The aim of this study was to analyze whether inspiratory spirometry values can serve as a training load control tool in swimmers. Countermovement jump (CMJ), Inspiratory Force Index (S-INDEX) and Peak Inspiratory Flow (PIF) were evaluated with a load of 3 cm H₂O before, during and after performing a swimming performance test (critical speed test: specific warming up, 400 m and 100 m freestyle). Positive correlations were found between S-INDEX and jump height after warm-up, after 400 m and at the end of 100 m (Spearman = 0.470, R² = 0.280; Spearman = 0.508, R² = 0.392; Spearman = 0.458, R² = 0.359, p < 0.05, respectively). Moreover, positive correlations were also found between PIF and jump height at the same evaluated moments (Spearman = 0.461, R² = 0.305; Spearman = 0.493, R² = 0.386; Spearman = 0.454, R² = 0.374, p < 0.05). Both the S-INDEX and the PIF could serve as useful tools for swimmer load control, allowing coaches to make more immediate decisions.