Amaç: Bu çalışmada, 40 dakikalık sabit submaksimal bir egzersiz sırasında, farklı aerobik kapasiteye sahip sedanter ve sporcu bireylerin maksimal yağ oksidasyon hızlarına ait değişimlerin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya rekreasyonel düzeyde spor yapan (n=11) ve sedanter olan (n=10) toplam 21 erkek katıldı. Katılımcıların egzersiz testleri yürüme bandında (Cosmed), gerçekleştirildi. Yağ oksidasyon hızları ve egzersize verdikleri metabolik cevaplar indirekt kalorimetri ile ölçüldü (Quark CPET). Tüm katılımcılara, maksimal performans testi, yağmaks testi ve 40dk yürüme testi olmak üzere üç farklı test uygulandı.Bulgular: Sporcu gruba ait zirve oksijen tüketim değeri, % yağ ve % kas oranları, beden kitle indeks değeri ve maksimal yağ oksidasyonunun elde edildiği egzersiz şiddet düzeyi ile sedanter gruba ait aynı parametre değerlerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılıklar bulundu. Maksimal yağ oksidasyonu değerlerinde ise anlamlı bir farklılık yoktu. Diğer taraftan yağ oksidasyonu 40dk’lık sabit submaksimal egzersiz sırasında sabit kalmayarak her iki grupta da azaldı. Sporcu grupta 16dk, Sedanter grupta yaklaşık 14dk’da sabit bir düzeye ulaştı.Sonuç: Yağ oksidasyonunu belirlemede maksimal aerobik kapasite dışında başka faktörlerin de araştırılmaya devam edilmesi oldukça önemlidir. Daha elit sporcularda yağ oksidasyon paterninin araştırılması yağ metabolizmasındaki farklı fizyolojik mekanizmaların anlaşılmasında katkıda bulunabilir.

Background: Maximal kicking performance relies heavily on the coordinated involvement of the hip flexors and knee extensors, yet exercises that specifically target these muscle groups are rarely prioritized in soccer training regimens. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of a leg-kicking exercise program (LKE) on the kicking speed, sprint performance, and agility of young players. Methods: Thirty-nine youth players were randomly assigned to either an LKE group (n = 18; 15.9 ± 0.9 years) or a control group (n = 21; 15.8 ± 0.6 years). The LKE group performed a leg-kicking exercise three days a week. The participants underwent body composition analysis, isometric knee, isokinetic knee and hip strength tests, maximal ball speed, linear sprint, and agility tests at baseline and post-intervention. Results: In the LKE group, muscle mass, maximal ball speed in both legs, and both isometric and isokinetic strength significantly increased (p < 0.05), while agility and sprint performance showed no significant changes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: A 6-week LKE program, in addition to soccer training, may enhance kicking speed in youth players. The LKE may serve as a practical alternative to traditional strength training for improving muscle strength and kicking performance.

Background/Objectives: Telomeres and the enzyme telomerase play essential roles in cellular aging and cardiovascular health. Physical activity is thought to influence telomere dynamics via upregulation of the hTERT gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase. However, data on this relationship in middle-aged endurance athletes remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between long-term endurance training, cardiac structural adaptations, and hTERT gene expression in middle-aged elite athletes. Methods: A total of 38 middle-aged elite runners and 37 age-matched sedentary controls were enrolled. Echocardiographic assessments, VO₂peak measurements, and hTERT gene expression analysis using RT-PCR were conducted. Left ventricular mass (LVM), wall thicknesses, and cardiac volumes were compared, and correlations with hTERT expression were analyzed. Results: Athletes demonstrated significantly higher VO₂peak and echocardiographic parameters including LVEDD, LV mass, and wall thicknesses (p < 0.05). hTERT gene expression was 2.06-fold higher in athletes compared to controls. Significant positive correlations were observed between hTERT expression and VO₂peak, LVM, LV wall thicknesses, and right ventricular parameters. Conclusions: These findings suggest that regular aerobic exercise may contribute to both improved cardiovascular performance and cellular longevity by enhancing telomerase-related mechanisms.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to compare the thigh muscle strengths between the operated and non-injured legs and to evaluate the hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratios by the isokinetic dynamometer at different angular velocities, in individuals with unilateral interior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. Material and Methods: Five female and fifteen male recreational athletes with a single-limb ACL operation within the last 1 year enrolled in the study. After physical examination, thigh circumferences were measured. Isokinetic testing of the hamstring and quadriceps were performed at different angular velocities. Peak torque and H/Q ratio values were evaluated from the isokinetic data, and the relation between leg circumference differences were analyzed. Results: The isokinetic extension and flexion muscle strengths at 60, 180, and 240°/sec (19.4 ± 11.5%, 16.6 ± 13.2%, 17.4 ± 13.2% higher in extension, 17.9 ± 14.5%, 19.7 ± 15.9%, 21.9 ± 17.4% higher in flexion, respectively) and the 10cm and 15cm above the patella circumferences were significantly higher in non-injured leg than operated leg. The extension fatigue index was significantly higher in the non-injured leg(30.6±9.5%) than operated leg (24.7±10.9%). In the operated leg, significant correlation was found between flexion peak torque at 60°/sec and flexion fatigue index. Conclusion: The decreases in peak strengths indicate atrophy of the thigh muscles in the operated leg. The muscle atrophy will lead to imbalance and may cause complications. In the post-operative period, it is important to detect the deficit with an isokinetic dynamometer and organize appropriate treatment protocols at early stages to enable the patient to regain their preoperative health.