This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the validity and reliability of the My Jump smartphone application in measuring vertical jump height, specifically using flight-time-based measures. To identify potential studies for inclusion, a comprehensive search strategy was employed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO host databases. Validity was assessed in two ways: (1) mean and standard deviations of My Jump measurements were compared to criterion methods to assess the agreement of raw scores; (2) correlation coefficients evaluated the within-group consistency of rankings between My Jump and criterion methods. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Heterogeneity was evaluated via Cochrane’s Q statistic, its p-value, I² value, and tau² value. Publication bias was explored through funnel plot symmetry and confirmed with extended Egger’s test. Following the search, 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results showed no significant difference in raw scores between My Jump and criterion methods, indicating high agreement. High correlation was also found for within-group rankings, suggesting consistency. The My Jump application demonstrated nearly perfect reliability scores. The My Jump application appears to be a valid and reliable tool for sports scientists and strength and conditioning practitioners, offering a cost-effective and accessible means for accurately assessing vertical jump performance in various settings. However, it should be noted that these results are specific to flight-time-based measures, and further research is needed to validate these findings against gold-standard take-off velocity methods.

This study aims to compare the effect of sprint distance and repetition number on performance, physiological responses, and energy systems contributions. Eighteen male university league soccer players (age: 19.9 ± 1.6 years, height: 177.9 ± 4.7 cm, body mass: 72.4 ± 6.3 kg, percentage body fat: 8.9 ± 1.8, training experience: 7.4 ± 1.6 years) completed two different repeated sprint protocols: 20 × 20 m (20 × 20) and 10 × 40 m (10 × 40) with 15s and 30s rest intervals, respectively. Oxygen uptake (VO2) were measured during the rest, exercise, and recovery phases. Rest and peak blood lactate concentrations were determined. Using VO2 and lactate values, the energy system contributions were calculated using a mono-exponential model and mathematical calculations. Energy systems contributions and total energy expenditure (TEE) were calculated both for the entire protocol (overall) and for the sprints only. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), peak and mean heart rate (HR) responses were significantly higher in the 20 × 20 whereas lactate response was higher in the 10 × 40. TEE was similar between the 10 × 40 (586.3 ± 60.8 kJ) and 20 × 20 (595.6 ± 57.5 kJ). For overall estimations, the 10 × 40 and 20 × 20 presented similar results of oxidative (47.5 ± 5.4 vs 45.7 ± 5.1 kJ min−1) and phosphagen (44.7 ± 5.4 vs (42.9 ± 4.8 kJ min−1) systems contributions whereas glycolytic contribution was higher in the 10 × 40 (15.5 ± 2.2 vs 12.8 ± 2.3 kJ min−1). For sprints only estimation, the phosphagen (257.6 ± 31.5 vs 225.2 ± 28.2 kJ min−1), glycolytic (89.4 ± 13.4 vs 67.3 ± 12.5 kJ min−1), and oxidative (76.9 ± 6.9 vs 72.0 ± 7.9 2 kJ min−1) systems contributions were higher in the 10 × 40. Although HR and RPE responses were higher in the 20 × 20, phosphagen (during sprints) and glycolytic (during both sprints and overall protocol) were higher in the 10 × 40 protocol. Therefore, the 10 × 40 protocol seems more reasonable for developing or evaluating the anaerobic systems.

Ulupınar, S, Özbay, S, Gençoğlu, C, and İnce, İ. Performance differences between Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestlers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3270–3279, 2021—This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarize evidence on performance differences between Greco-Roman (GR) and freestyle (Fr) wrestlers. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria (91 individual data and a total of 752 wrestlers). The analysis of handgrip strength comprised 9 outcomes from 5 studies with no significant difference between GR and Fr wrestlers. The analysis of isometric (back or leg) strength comprised 15 outcomes from 6 studies with a significant effect favoring GR wrestlers. The analysis of muscle power comprised 15 outcomes from 5 studies with a significant effect favoring GR wrestlers. The analysis of strength endurance comprised 4 outcomes from 3 studies with no significant difference between GR and Fr wrestlers. The analysis of anaerobic capacity and power comprised 6 outcomes from 3 studies with no significant difference between GR and Fr wrestlers. The analysis of speed comprised 19 outcomes from 7 studies with a significant effect favoring GR wrestlers. The analysis of flexibility comprised 20 outcomes from 6 studies with a significant effect favoring Fr wrestlers. This study indicated that GR wrestlers had greater isometric strength, muscle power, and speed performance, but Fr wrestlers had greater flexibility. Given the significant effect sizes favoring GR wrestlers, it is possible that they focused on training strategies to improve physical strength-power performance. However, considering the significant effect size favoring Fr wrestlers, it is possible that they focused on training strategies to improve flexibility because Fr wrestling techniques require a larger range of motion during both attack and defense.

Purpose: This study investigated the test-retest reliability and discriminant validity of the Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test (KAST) and established a comparison with the maximal cycling sprint test (MCST). Methods: Forty-two male kickboxing athletes (18 elite and 24 sub-elite) participated in this study. Kickboxers performed the tests in both single and multiple forms. The KAST_single was composed of kicks and punches, performed as quickly as possible until 5 reps of a 4 techniques’ combination (i.e., straight left punch, right-roundhouse kick, straight right punch, and left-roundhouse kick) were completed. The MCST_single was composed by a single 6-s maximal effort. The KAST_multiple was performed using 5 sequential sets of the single form following a 10s rest interval between sets. The MCST_multiple was performed using 5 × 6 s repeated cycling efforts with 10s rest intervals. The tests and retests were carried out on separate occasions. To establish the test’s discriminatory capability, elite and sub-elite athletes were compared. Results: All tests’ performance scores showed excellent relative and absolute reliability (ICC > 0.900, SEM ≤ 0.98 s for KASTs and ≤ 0.74 W•kg⁻¹ for MCST tests). Significant correlations between the identical versions were “large” (r > 0.70). Receiving operating characteristic analyses indicated that the KASTs and cycling tests were able to effectively discriminate between elite and sub-elite kickboxers. Additionally, the findings showed that KAST_single, MCST_single, KAST_multiple, and MCST_multiple correctly classified the groups by 78.6%, 73.6%, 88.1%, and 78.6%, respectively. Conclusions: This study supported the test-retest reliability and the discriminant validity of the KAST_single and KAST_multiple to evaluate kickboxing athletes.

Çeviklik sportif performansı etkileyen en önemli belirleyicilerden birisidir. Çeviklik, uyarana karşı tepki olarak verilen, tüm vücudun katılımını gerektiren, hızlı hareket edebilme, dengeyi koruma ve yön değiştirme gibi becerileri uyumlu bir şekilde gerçekleştirebilme yeteneği olarak tanımlanabilir. Çeviklik, diğer sportif becerilere göre daha karmaşık bir yapıya sahiptir. Bu kavramın içeriği, geliştirilmesi, ölçülmesi ve değerlendirilmesi konusunda birçok farklı görüş ortaya koyulmuştur. Çeviklik, eskiden yön değiştirme ve sürat gibi becerileri içeren, önceden planlanmış etkinlikler şeklinde değerlendirilirken, güncel çalışmalarda algılama ve karar verme gibi bilişsel faktörlerin çeviklik kavramının temelindeki unsurları oluşturdukları vurgulanmaktadır. Çeviklik performansı ile ilgili tanımlamalar ve değerlendirmeler spora özgü farklılıklar içerebilmektedir. Ayrıca çeviklik becerisini ölçmek için birçok farklı çeviklik testi geliştirilmiştir, ancak bu testlerin geçerliği, süresi, mesafesi ve tasarımı hakkında kabul görmemiş bazı hususlar vardır. Bunun yanında çeviklik performansının spor başarısındaki önemi herkes tarafından kabul görse de, geliştirilmesi konusunda yeterli sayıda bilgi mevcut değildir. Bu sebeple bu çalışmanın amacı çeviklik kavramını tüm yönleriyle ele almak ve güncel çalışmalar ışığında konuyla ilgili değişen yaklaşımları incelemektir. Sonuç olarak, çeviklik performansının geliştirilmesine yönelik alternatif antrenman yöntemi arayışları devam ederken, ölçme ve değerlendirme için de bütün bileşenlerin dahil edildiği yeni test yöntemleri geliştirmek için çalışmalar sürmektedir.

Valid and reliable measurement methods are the basic requirements that enable the measurement and evaluation process to reach education's basic goals. Usually, using laboratory-based tools and methods for measuring the physical fitness of students is not possible within school settings. Therefore, field-based tests provide crucial solutions to physical education teachers to measure both the physical fitness of school-aged students and the athletic competence of a school’s athletes. This study aims to identify the differences in physical-fitness levels between student athletes and non-athletes and determine the effectiveness of the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity (ALPHA) test battery in discrimination between these groups. Sixty-eight healthy male students (34 athletes and 34 non-athletes) participated in this study. As a major indicator of physical fitness in student athletes and non-athletes, the body mass index for assigned study groups was controlled. After a familiarization training, participants completed three test sessions in 48-hour intervals. The 20-m progressive shuttle run test for cardiorespiratory fitness, handgrip strength test and standing broad jump test for musculoskeletal fitness, and the 4 × 10-m shuttle run test for motor fitness were used to measure the fitness levels of the groups. A t-test was used to determine the differences between athletes and non-athletes, and effect sizes were calculated to assess practical importance. Additionally, a discriminant function analysis was used to determine whether the ALPHA test battery could differentiate between athletes and non-athletes. The findings indicated that student athletes presented with significantly greater levels of fitness than non-athletes. Additionally, when the effect of body mass index was eliminated, student athletes and non-athletes were classified correctly at a rate of 70.6% using these tests. Therefore, this study shows that physical education teachers can use the ALPHA test battery to monitor athletic performance and identify talented students.