The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 led to a situation of home lockdown. Competitions, training, and sports activities were canceled for much of this period. This situation could have affected the physical and mental health and the mood states of young athletes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the variations in the mood states of young athletes of a highly competitive level during the different phases of lockdown in. The mood states of 45 Spanish youth athletes confined during the 10-week lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic -19 were assessed, using the Spanish-translated version of the POMS questionnaire, at the start of the home lockdown and at the start and at the end of the partial lockdown. The Total Mood Disturbance scores at week 10 were lower than those obtained in week 1 (p_Bonferroni = 0.031). The depression scores at week 6 (p_Bonferroni = 0.048) and at week 10 (p_Bonferroni < 0.001) were lower than those obtained in week 1. The confusion scores at week 10 were lower than those obtained in week 1 (p_Bonferroni = 0.002). These variations differed between team and individual sports. In conclusion, the lockdown produced changes in the young athletes’ mood states that should be considered when trying to optimize their physical and mental performance.

Overspeed-based training is widely used to improve athletes’ maximum running speed and towing systems are one of the most frequently employed methods for this purpose. However, the effectiveness of this modality has not been thoroughly determined. This review analyzes the acute effects of overspeed conditions with towing systems in sprinters. The articles were searched, analysed and selected following the PRISMA methodology in the PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Google Scholar databases. Sixteen studies were included, with a total sample of 240 men and 56 women (14 to 31y; 1.73 to 1.82 m; 66.2 to 77.0 kg). The main acute responses found were: 1) an increase in maximum running speed (ES = 1.54, large), stride length (ES = 0.92, moderate), flight time (ES = 0.28, small) and stride rate (ES = 0.12, trivial); and, 2) a decrease in contact time (ES = 0.57, small). However, analysis of the reported ground reaction forces and electromyography data did not provide enough consistent evidence to conclusively determine whether the changes are due to a greater muscular response of the athlete or the effect of the towing system. Future research should focus on studying the mechanisms responsible for the observed acute effects.

Knowledge of internal load is essential to understand the effect of training and competition on athletes. The aim of this study was to analyse the validity of the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) scale as an indicator of intensity in amateur female basketball players during a relegation play-off. The heart rate and RPE of 10 players (age: 21.30 ± 2.71 years, weight: 68.84 ± 11.21 kg, body fat: 20.74 ± 3.51%) from a Copa Catalunya team while competing over a 10-day period were analysed. The mean heart rate of each match was registered with the Suunto Team Pack™ heart rate monitors. The RPE values were obtained once the match ended, completing the original Borg scale. The mean RPE ranged from 15.20 ± 2.39 to 18.00 ± 1.07 AU, whereas the mean heart rate (MHR) ranged from 132.35 ± 12.37 to 147.33 ± 10.61 bpm. There was also an improvement in the statistical correlation between the two variables as the days progressed. Regression equations were calculated for the total number of registered matches and the last five matches, obtaining the following regression equations: MHR = 6.23 × RPE20 + 36.8 (R² = 0.56) for all games and MHR = 30.95 + 6.73 × RPE (R² = 0.73) for the last five games. The results suggest that RPE could be seen as an indicator of intensity in amateur basketball players during a relegation play-off, improving their relationship with MHR as the weeks went by, which could suggest a learning process.

Overspeed is a training method used to improve running speed, although its effects are not supported by consensual scientific evidence. The overspeed stimulus can be boosted by several methods, including motorized towing devices. Our objectives were to analyze the acute effects of three overspeed loads in young athletes and to select optimal loads for training periods. Eight young athletes (16.73 ± 1.69 years) performed one unassisted sprint and three assisted sprints, and kinematic and biomechanical data were compared. Significant increases (p < 0.05) in step velocity and step length were found with 2, 4, and 5.25 kg in maximum running speed, flight time and horizontal distance from the first contact to the vertical projection of the center of mass with 4 and 5.25 kg. Significant time decreases were found in 5 m flying sprint and contact time with 4 and 5.25 kg, and no significant changes were observed in step rate. The individually recommended loads would be between 3.47 ± 0.68% and 6.94 ± 1.35% body weight. Even having limitations, we can understand this work and its results as a pilot study to replicate the methodology and the use of new devices to more broadly investigate the effects of overspeed.

Muscle tone in young soccer players is key for optimizing performance and reducing injury risk. This study evaluated an 8-week predominantly eccentric training protocol's impact on triceps surae/Achilles tendon mechanical properties and ankle dorsiflexion. Thirty players were randomized to an intervention group (IG, n = 15; additional 2 weekly eccentric sessions) or control group (CG, n = 15; regular training). Mechanical properties were assessed via myotonometry and ankle dorsiflexion via the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test. Results at 8 weeks showed in IG vs. CG: 1) Reduced active tension (muscle frequency: lateral gastrocnemius left d = −0.82, right d = −1.40; medial gastrocnemius left d = −1.29, right d = −1.30; soleus right d = −0.80; Achilles tendon left d = −0.68; all p < 0.05). 2) Decreased stiffness in lateral gastrocnemius right (d = −1.12) and medial gastrocnemius (left d = −0.68, right d = −0.86; p < 0.05). 3) Increased passive tension properties: creep in lateral gastrocnemius right (d = 0.94; p < 0.05) and medial gastrocnemius (left d = 0.79, right d = 0.97; p < 0.05); relaxation in medial gastrocnemius (left d = 0.64, right d = 1.03; p < 0.05). 4) Reduced ankle dorsiflexion in the right leg (d = −0.68; p < 0.05). These findings indicate that eccentric training modulates musculotendinous mechanical properties, potentially influencing neuromechanical factors related to injury-related mechanisms.

Handgrip strength is a marker of health and performance, with prospective associations with mortality. Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training allows for the induction of adaptations with low mechanical stress; however, its added effect on isometric hand/forearm tasks is uncertain and may depend on load prescription. The study's objective was to evaluate the effects of a six-week isometric program with and without BFR on handgrip strength. A 6-week clinical trial (3 sessions/week) was conducted in 18 physically active males aged 20 to 40 years, assigned to training with BFR (n=10) and without BFR (n=8). Volume and effort were kept constant between groups. The dependent variable was maximal grip strength (dynamometry). Data were analysed using mixed linear models with group, time, and their interaction effects. The results showed that both groups improved after the intervention, with no evidence of additional benefit with BFR (group × time not significant; difference in differences = 0.56 kgf, 95% CI −2.09 to 3.21). Although the BFR group showed higher absolute values at Pre and Post-intervention (difference in Post-intervention 8.07 kgf; 95% CI 0.12–16.02), the change trajectories were parallel. The hand effect was small (~1.9 kgf) and not significant, with no interactions. Conclusion: In active males, a six-week isometric program improves handgrip, but adding BFR does not provide an additional gain with the exercise prescription used.