In athletes, exercise training induces autonomic nervous system (ANS) adaptations that could be used to monitor training status. However, the relationship between training and ANS in athletes has been investigated without regard for individual training loads. We tested the hypothesis that in long-distance athletes, changes in ANS parameters are dose-response related to individual volume/intensity training load and could predict athletic performance. A spectral analysis of heart rate (HR), systolic arterial pressure variability, and baroreflex sensitivity by the sequences technique was investigated in eight recreational athletes during a 6-mo training period culminating with a marathon. Individualized training load responses were monitored by a modified training impulse (TRIMP_i) method, which was determined in each athlete using the individual HR and lactate profiling determined during a treadmill test. Monthly TRIMP_i steadily increased during the training period. All the ANS parameters were significantly and very highly correlated to the dose of exercise with a second-order regression model ( r² ranged from 0.90 to 0.99; P < 0.001). Variance, high-frequency oscillations of HR variability (HRV), and baroreflex sensitivity resembled a bell-shaped curve with a minimum at the highest TRIMP_i, whereas low-frequency oscillations of HR and systolic arterial pressure variability and the low frequency (LF)-to-high frequency ratio resembled an U-shaped curve with a maximum at the highest TRIMP_i. The LF component of HRV assessed at the last recording session was significantly and inversely correlated to the time needed to complete the nearing marathon. These results suggest that in recreational athletes, ANS adaptations to exercise training are dose related on an individual basis, showing a progressive shift toward a sympathetic predominance, and that LF oscillations in HRV at peak training load could predict athletic achievement in this athlete population.

Physical activity analysis assessment has been a concern throughout human history. The intersection of technological growth with sports has given rise to a burgeoning field known as sports engineering. In the 19th century, the advent of chrono-photography and pioneering marked the inception of sports performance analysis. In recent years, the noticeable developments achieved in wearable low-power electronics with wireless high interconnection capability, as a part of modern technologies, have aided us in studying sports parameters such as motor behavior, biomechanics, equipment design, and materials science, playing an essential role in the understanding of sports dynamics. This study aims to review over 250 published articles since 2018, focusing on utilizing and validating these emergent technologies in sports and clinical aspects. It is predicted that one of the next steps in sports technology and engineering development will be using algorithms based on artificial intelligence to analyze the measurements obtained by multi-sensor systems (sensor fusion) to monitor biometric and physiological parameters in performance analysis and health assessments.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of recovery mode on repeated sprint ability in young basketball players. Sixteen basketball players (age, 16.8 +/- 1.2 years; height, 181.3 +/- 5.7 cm; body mass, 73 +/- 10 kg; VO2max, 59.5 +/- 7.9 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) performed in random order over 2 separate occasions 2 repeated sprint ability protocols consisting of 10 x 30-m shuttle run sprints with 30 seconds of passive or active (running at 50% of maximal aerobic speed) recovery. Results showed that fatigue index (FI) during the active protocol was significantly greater than in the passive condition (5.05 +/- 2.4, and 3.39 +/- 2.3, respectively, p < 0.001). No significant association was found between VO2peak and FI and sprint total time (TT) in either repeated sprint protocols. Blood lactate concentration at 3 minutes post exercise was not significantly different between the 2 recovery conditions. The results of this study show that during repeated sprinting, passive recovery enabled better performance, reducing fatigue. Consequently, the use of passive recovery is advisable during competition in order to limit fatigue as a consequence of repeated high intensity exercise.

Objective: This systematic review was conducted to examine the effects of whole-body vibration training on motor impairments among patients with neurological disorders and to investigate which the whole-body vibration training parameters induced improvement in motor impairments. Design: PubMed, SCOPUS, PEDro, REHABDATA, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials and pseudo-randomized controlled trials investigated the effect of whole-body vibration on motor impairments in patients with neurological disorders. The methodological quality was rated using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. Results: Twenty studies were included in this systematic review. Four studies included patients with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy (n = 2), stroke (n = 9), Parkinson disease (n = 3), spinal cord injuries (n = 1), and spinocerebellar ataxia (n = 1). The results showed different evidence of benefits and nonbenefits for whole-body vibration training in motor impairments outcomes. Conclusions: There is weak evidence for a positive effect of short-term whole-body vibration training on spasticity of lower limbs, mobility, balance, and postural control. Besides, positive effect of the long-term effect of whole-body vibration training on mobility in patients with neurological disorders. The optimal whole-body vibration training parameters in treating patients with neurological disorders remain unclear.

Background: Upper extremity functional impairments are common consequences of stroke. Therefore, continuous investigation of effective interventions for upper extremity functions after stroke is a necessity. Segmental muscle vibration (SMV) is one of the interventions that incorporate sensory stimulation to improve motor cortical excitability. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of 5-minute SMV application along with supervised physical therapy (SPT) on improving activities of daily living and motor recovery on the hemiparetic upper extremity in patients with stroke. Methods: A sample of 37 patients poststroke (29 males) was randomly allocated to either SPT control group (n = 18) or SPT and SMV (SPT-SMV) experimental group (n = 19). All patients received 3 sessions per week of SPT for 8 weeks. The SPT-SMV experimental group received SMV at the end of each SPT session. Outcome measures used were Barthel index (BI), modified Ashworth scale, manual muscle testing, and goniometry for range of motion (ROM) assessment. Results: Thirty-four patients completed the study. Patients in both groups improved significantly after treatment in BI, elbow ROM, and elbow muscles strength. However, muscle tone in elbow joint of the hemiplegic upper extremity improved significantly after SMV only in the experimental group (SPT-SMV). Conclusion: The SPT intervention can improve functional outcomes of upper extremity in people after stroke. However, using SMV may have superior effect on improving muscle tone after stroke.