Due to their potential positive outcomes, hamstring eccentric exercises are becoming increasingly popular in training regimens. Among the various exercises, the Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) is the most common. Despite its popularity, there are still some doubts about its benefits and risks. So, the aim of this umbrella review was to summarize the effects of NHE on performance and injury prevention. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple e-databases, according to the P (injured and non-injured athletes or recreationally active or healthy individuals) I (NHE) C (no intervention, placebo, or other interventions) O (performance or injury) S (systematic reviews) model. The quality of the studies was accessed with the AMSTAR-2. From the 916 systematic reviews found, only 10 could be included. They encompassed 125 studies, enrolling 17,260 subjects. The results from the studies indicate that NHE interventions demonstrated positive effects on sprint performance, muscle activation, eccentric strength, and muscle architecture (fascicle length, muscle thickness, and pennation angle). Furthermore, NHE is effective in preventing hamstring injuries (up to 51%). In conclusion, NHE should be integrated in training (especially, in the warm-up phase) for both enhancing athletic performance and preventing hamstring injuries. For achieving more positive results, it is recommended that high-volume is followed by low-volume maintenance, targeting 48 reps/week.

Ergogenic supplements are becoming increasingly popular in the diet of trained individuals, due to their potential benefits. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the supplements that has recently grown in popularity. Despite growing interest, its scientific background remains limited and sometimes inconsistent. Objective: This overview of systematic reviews aimed to evaluate the effects of Ashwagandha supplementation on sports performance and health-related outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out on the following electronic databases: PUBMed, Scopus, Academic Search Complete, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using the search terms “ashwagandha” and “systematic review” in the title or abstract of the publication in July 2024. The eligibility of the articles was assessed using the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, and Study Design) approach, and risk of bias was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 checklist. Results: Of the 2388 systematic reviews found, 11 met the inclusion criteria, which included 151 original studies representing 9005 individuals. Findings suggest that Ashwagandha supplementation may improve various aspects of sports performance, such as endurance and muscular strength, as well as health-related outcomes, including anxiety reduction, improved sleep quality, and enhanced sexual function. The most commonly used doses of Ashwagandha supplementation are between 500 mg and 1000 mg a day. Conclusion: While current evidence indicates promising effects of Ashwagandha on physical and psychological parameters, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed. Therefore, its use in athletes or healthy individuals should be considered with caution and based on individual needs.

Background/Objectives: CrossFit^® is one of the most popular yet controversial training regimens. Some groups extol the positive effects of its practice, while others argue that it is unsafe and that there is limited information. The aim of this study was to investigate, through a self-reported questionnaire, the epidemiology of Portuguese CrossFit^® training practitioners. Methods: Statistical analyses, including Mann–Whitney U, chi-square, Spearman’s rho correlations, and logistic regressions, were conducted. Results: A total of 288 practitioners completed the questionnaire, with 39.9% reporting injuries. These injuries occurred mainly during training, particularly when performing gymnastics exercises. Tendon (40.9%) and shoulder (46.1%) were the most common injuries. Key risk factors for injury included male gender (OR = 2.7), years of practice (4–6 years: OR = 7.22), heavier body weight (OR = 4.76), and higher weekly training volume (4–6 times per week). Conclusions: Approximately 40% of CrossFit^® practitioners are expected to experience injuries, particularly in the shoulder and tendons. Injury risk is influenced by factors such as practice years, weekly training, sex, and body weight. These findings may help guide practitioners, coaches, and health professionals in better understanding the risk factors, mitigating injuries, and developing effective injury prevention strategies.

Background and Objectives: Padel is becoming an increasingly popular sport, yet epidemiological data on sport-related musculoskeletal injury in Portuguese practitioners are limited. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive epidemiological analysis of Padel practitioners in Portugal to fill this gap. Materials and Methods: A nationwide self-reported questionnaire was administered to Portuguese Padel practitioners. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic, occupational, and health-related items. Results: Overall, 69.2% of respondents reported at least one lifetime Padel injury (mean 2.1 ± 1.2 injuries per injured athlete). Estimated injury incidence was 3.4 ± 4.7 injuries per 1000 h of exposure for the total sample (6.1 ± 4.9 per 1000 h among injured athletes). Tendinous (35.6%) and muscular (26.1%) injuries predominated. Most affected anatomical sites were the elbow (18.0%), ankle (16.6%), knee (12.5%), and shoulder (10.5%). Injuries most frequently occurred during training (32.9%) and were commonly attributed to fatigue/overload (24.1%). Reported severity was commonly moderate to severe (most frequent absences: 3–4 weeks and 1–3 months); physiotherapy was the principal management approach. Multivariable analyses identified several associations of practical relevance: higher body mass index was linked to greater overall injury risk (and specifically neck injuries); female sex was associated with higher odds of muscular injuries; years of Padel experience and equipment characteristics (e.g., number of overgrips) showed site-specific associations; and instructor supervision correlated with greater warm-up adherence and lower odds of elbow injury. Playing surface also influenced risk patterns. Conclusions: Portuguese Padel practitioners in this study experience a substantial burden of predominantly tendinous and muscular injuries concentrated at the elbow and lower limb. Athlete factors, exposure, surface, equipment, and supervision represent modifiable targets for multidisciplinary prevention and rehabilitation strategies.

This study investigated the acute effects of three re-warm-up conditions (small-sided games (SSG), jogging, and inactivity) on physical performance in youth female footballers. Sixteen under-15 players (14.06 ± 0.66 years) participated in a randomised crossover design over three weeks. Each intervention consisted of 4 min of either SSG (4v4, 25 m × 25 m), jogging, or passive rest, applied after a standardised warm-up. Physical performance was assessed using 10 m and 30 m sprint tests and the countermovement jump (CMJ) at six time points: baseline (Pre-Wu), immediately after warm-up, and at 5-, 10-, and 15-min post-re-warm-up. SSG produced meaningful improvements in CMJ height, with increases of +5.9% to +6.9% vs. baseline (ε ² = 0.22–0.36, p < 0.01). Jogging also improved CMJ (+0.9% to +4.6%), although with slightly smaller effect. In the 30 m sprint, SSG helped maintain performance (≤1.0% variation), whereas jogging resulted in consistent performance decline (+1.9% to +3.1% slower than baseline, p < 0.05). Passive rest led to significant decrements in both CMJ and sprint performance (CMJ −5.6% at 15 min; 30 m sprint +2.1% to +3.0% slower, p < 0.05). No between-condition differences were observed for the 10 m sprint. In conclusion, both SSG and jogging are effective short re-warm-up strategies for preserving or enhancing CMJ performance, but SSG demonstrates greater practical relevance, sustaining jump performance while preventing sprint deterioration.

Background: Nutritional supplements are commonly used to increase strength, recovery, and overall athletic performance. Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ), a natural adaptogen, has shown promising ergogenic potential; however, evidence in athletes—particularly over short-term periods remains limited. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of 8 days of Ashwagandha supplementation (600 mg of standardized root extract daily) – a duration chosen to evaluate its potential utility during acute competitive periods – on neuromuscular performance and recovery in 31 male handball players (age: 20.3 ± 3.1 years). Participants ingested either Ashwagandha (600 mg/day) or placebo capsules. Assessments included knee extension and flexion strength, handgrip strength, perceived muscle soreness, fatigue, and total quality recovery (TQR), measured at baseline, day 4, and day 8. Results: Ashwagandha significantly improved handgrip strength compared with placebo after 8 days (d = 0.33; p = 0.011), whereas no consistent effects were found for knee flexion or extension. Perceived soreness, fatigue, and recovery did not differ meaningfully between groups. Conclusions: Short-term Ashwagandha supplementation may enhance handgrip strength, suggesting a potential neuromuscular benefit in athletes. However, the lack of consistent effects on lower-limb strength and subjective recovery highlights the need for longer-term studies to confirm these findings.