The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether adding a set of vibrating foam rollers (VFR) to a regular running‐based warm‐up before a bout of multidirectional repeated sprints provides protective effects against the sprinting‐induced muscle damage. Twenty‐four elite college handball and rugby players participated in this study. After the familiarization visit, the subjects were randomly divided into either the vibration rolling (VFR) or the general warm‐up (GW) group. Before (pretest), post‐24, 48, and 72 h after the muscle‐damaging protocol (15 sets of 30‐m maximal multi directional repeated sprints), plasma creatine kinase (CK), muscle soreness, hip flexion passive range of motion (ROM), isometric strength, and hexagon agility was measured. After the VFR, the CK and DOMS were significantly less than GW (p < 0.05). In addition, when compared with the GW, the hamstring isometric strength, hexagon agility, and 0–10 m and 0–30‐m sprint performances showed faster recovery for the VFR (p < 0.05). The VFR protocol had protective effect on multidirectional repeated sprinting‐induced muscle damage markers than GW protocol. Therefore, preconditioning warm‐up activities using VFR can be integrated into a traditional sport‐specific warm‐up protocol for elite athletes before competitions/training may take advantage of this strategy to facilitate muscle recovery.

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 different resistance increments during warm-up on snatch performance of male weightlifters. Nine male college weightlifters were recruited. The 3 warm-up protocols were performed every 7 days with a randomized order: 1. Power snatch exercise with 10 % resistance increment (50 %, 60 %, 70 %, and 80 % of one-repetition maximum); 2. Power snatch exercise with 15 % resistance increment (50 %, 65 %, and 80 % of one-repetition maximum); 3. Self-selected resistance increment. Participants were tested based on 85 % maximum weight snatch after warm-up. Snatch performance was measured using peak vertical ground reaction force. Postural stability was measured using center-of-pressure displacement. Activation of seven shoulder, back, and leg muscles was measured using electromyography on the dominant side. In snatch performance, the 10 % increment protocol had a significantly higher peak vertical ground reaction force during the second-pull phase than the 15 % increment (d = 0.92, p < 0.05) and self-selected (d = 1.32, p < 0.05) protocols. In postural stability, no significant differences in center-of-pressure displacement among the three protocols were observed. For muscle activation, the 10 % increment protocol resulted in significantly higher activation of shoulder (d = 1.2-2.2, p < 0.05) during the second-pull phase than the other two protocols and higher activation of hip muscles (d = 1.73, p < 0.05) than self-selected protocol. To conclude, a warm-up protocol combining slow progression is preferable in improving power output during snatch in male weightlifters, probably through facilitating the activation of proximal limb muscles. It can enhance training quality while potentially reducing the risk of sports injuries.

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.

The study investigated the acute effects of traditional (TRAD) and cluster (CLUS) set full-body flywheel eccentric exercise (FW) protocols on muscular performance, damage, vascular responses, and cognitive function. Twenty-four well trained male team sport athletes participated in this randomized...