ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

This study looked at whether adding halotherapy (breathing in salt particles) to regular preseason training helps elite female soccer players. 28 players from Turkey's top league were split into two groups: one did normal training plus halotherapy, the other just trained. After 1…

This study looked at whether a daily probiotic drink (like Yakult) can reduce cold symptoms in triathletes. 80 healthy adult triathletes drank either the probiotic or a placebo before and after a competition. Researchers tracked symptoms like sore throat and stuffy nose, and meas…

This study tested whether a menthol gel applied to the skin can help recreational runners feel cooler and perform better when exercising in hot weather. Thirty-seven healthy adults aged 18 to 45 ran twice, once with the menthol gel and once with a placebo gel, while researchers m…

This study looked at whether chewing caffeinated gum could help female volleyball players jump higher. Ten professional players took part, each trying both a caffeine gum and a placebo gum. The caffeine gum improved one type of jump (countermovement jump) but not others. The find…

This study looked at whether beetroot extract, a natural source of nitrates, can improve athletic performance in rugby players. Ten trained rugby athletes took part in the completed trial. Researchers measured speed, acceleration, strength, and fatigue after supplementation to se…

This study looked at whether drinking casein protein before bed or right after exercise helps trained football players recover better and perform well. Twenty-four male players were split into three groups: pre-sleep protein, post-exercise protein, or no protein. Researchers meas…

This study looked at how different amounts of caffeine affect physical and mental performance in 20 female handball players. Each player tried a placebo, a low dose (3 mg/kg), and a moderate dose (6 mg/kg) of caffeine. They were tested on running, throwing speed, and reaction tim…

This study tested whether a 120-second percussive therapy session on the hamstring muscles improves flexibility, balance, and jump performance in 60 males aged 15-19, including licensed U19 football players and sedentary teens. Researchers measured changes using standard tests li…

This study looked at whether a 10-minute cold water bath (55°F) after training helps NCAA athletes recover and perform better. 75 volleyball, football, and cross-country athletes wore a WHOOP wristband to track sleep, heart rate, and other body signals. They also did jump tests t…

This study looked at two ways of doing resistance training—velocity-based (focusing on movement speed) and percentage-based (using a fixed weight percentage)—to see which improves athletic skills like jumping, sprinting, agility, and strength. Twenty male university athletes trai…

This study looked at 38 elite tennis players aged 11-18 to see if core muscle endurance and flexibility are linked to better athletic performance. Participants did tests for sprint speed, agility, jump height, balance, and strength. The goal is to help coaches design training tha…

This study looked at whether taking whey protein for 8 weeks changes key minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron) in the blood of elite male track-and-field athletes. 59 athletes took 30 grams of whey protein daily after training. The goal was to understand how supplementa…

This study tested whether an 8-week neuro-athletic training program could improve balance, strength, and agility in elite soccer goalkeepers. Sixteen male goalkeepers were split into two groups: one did the brain-focused training plus their usual practice, while the other only di…

This study looked at 24 Chinese national korfball players to see if a 10-week complex training program (mixing heavy weights with jumps) could improve their strength, balance, and shooting. The goal was to reduce differences between their dominant and non-dominant sides and lower…

This study looked at whether an 8-week French Contrast Training program could improve jump height, sprint speed, and anaerobic power in 28 elite youth football players. Participants were all licensed academy players with at least 3 years of training and no recent injuries. The re…

This study looked at whether an 8-week training program using a device called Exer-Genie, combined with speed and coordination drills, could improve sprinting, hamstring strength, and jumping in young female football players. 37 players from the Turkish Women's Second League took…

This study looked at whether a six-week training program focusing on eccentric (muscle-lengthening) exercises could improve dynamic balance and maximum strength in 15 healthy young male football players. Participants did supervised workouts and were tested before and after. The g…

This study looked at whether nine sessions of high-intensity interval training could help youth amateur boxers throw more punches and recover quicker. Nine young boxers completed a boxing-specific test before and after the training program. Researchers measured total punches, hea…

This study looked at 40 male kickboxers to see if certain blood markers can predict how well they respond to high-intensity interval training. Participants either added sport-specific conditioning to their routine or kept their usual training for eight weeks. Researchers measured…

This study looked at whether doing isometric (static) strength exercises on one leg or both legs, as part of an 8-week training program, improves jumping, sprinting, and overall strength in elite youth soccer players. 41 male players aged 15-19 took part. The goal was to see whic…

This study looked at how adding high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to regular field hockey practice affects fitness and performance in teenage girls. Twenty-four players were split into two groups: one did only regular training, the other added HIIT three times a week for ei…

This study looked at whether a lower-protein, multi-ingredient supplement works as well as a high-protein shake for building muscle and improving performance in elite rugby players. Twenty male university rugby players took either a 40-gram whey protein supplement or a 20-gram mi…

This study looked at 45 judo athletes to see if foot type (neutral, flat, or high-arched) affects their ability to balance on one leg. Participants had their foot posture measured and performed a reach test while standing on one leg. The goal is to help coaches and trainers preve…

This study looked at 22 elite male soccer players to see if a special type of strength training (flywheel) is better than traditional weight training for improving how fast they can change direction. Both groups trained twice a week for 8 weeks. The main goal was to see which tra…

This study looked at whether a 4-week nutrition education program for parents could improve the body composition and athletic performance of 30 young basketball players aged 8-13. Researchers measured changes in lean body mass, body fat, and performance tests like jumping and spr…

This study looked at whether taking whey protein supplements helps adolescent soccer players improve their performance, recover faster, and change body composition during a 10-12 week competitive season. Researchers measured fitness and muscle fatigue in 31 high school players. T…

This study looked at whether virtual reality (VR) training can improve physical skills and brain activity in young professional football players. Thirty-nine male players aged 18-19 were split into VR training, traditional training, or a control group. The VR group did exercises …

This study tested whether wearing pressurized cuffs on the legs during small-sided soccer games helps players keep their passing and dribbling skills accurate when they are tired. Forty young male soccer players trained for 6 weeks, with one group wearing pressurized cuffs and th…

This study looked at two ways of strength training for young soccer players: one that tracks how fast they move (velocity-based) and one that trains until they can't do another rep (traditional). Twenty-four male players aged 15-17 trained twice a week for six weeks. The goal was…

This study tested a training program that uses critical thinking exercises to help university futsal players make better decisions during games. Thirteen players completed the program, which included problem-solving activities and team discussions. The goal was to see if this app…

This study looked at whether 12 sessions of jumping exercises over six weeks could improve sprinting in 9 boys aged 12-13 who do track and field. The exercises were added to their regular training. Researchers measured sprint times and movement before and after the program to see…

This study tested whether a 4-week Tactical Critical Thinking Program helps university volleyball players make better decisions during games. Twenty-four male players from a Colombian university were split into two groups: one did the special program, the other continued normal t…

This study looked at whether adding plyometric exercises (like jumps and bounds) to regular basketball practice improves speed, agility, and leg strength. Twenty-four male basketball players, ages 18-22, either continued their normal training or added plyometrics twice a week for…

This study looked at whether a four-week mental training program could help athletes feel more motivated to achieve their goals. Fifty licensed athletes took part, with half receiving the training and half not. The training included techniques like goal setting, positive self-tal…

This study looked at whether caffeine gum or nicotine gum affects balance in 20 healthy, trained adults. Each person tried caffeine gum, nicotine gum, a placebo gum, and no gum at all on different days. Balance was measured with a special platform. The results showed no meaningfu…

This study looked at how chronic ankle instability (a condition from repeated ankle sprains) affects athletes' jumping and agility. 32 athletes (16 with ankle instability and 16 healthy) performed various tests like hops and sprints. Results showed that athletes with unstable ank…

This study looked at 27 male under-23 football players to see if using each player's personal best speed gives a better picture of training intensity than using a fixed standard. Players wore GPS trackers during practices and games over a season. The goal was to find out which me…

This study looked at whether a short daytime nap (25 or 45 minutes) helps teenage soccer players run faster and feel less tired. Sixteen male players from a Turkish club tried both nap lengths and a no-nap day. Results showed that napping improved their agility and made them feel…

This study looked at how making the calf muscle tired changes its stiffness and how high people can jump. 28 healthy adults aged 18-25 did a special exercise to tire their calf, and their muscle properties and jump height were measured right after and again 24 hours later. The go…

This study looked at whether a brief, high-intensity isometric exercise can improve jump performance in highly trained male volleyball players several hours after they do it. Fourteen players completed two different warm-up routines on separate days, and their jump height, muscle…

This study looked at whether adding elastic bands to jump exercises helps young male soccer players jump higher. Thirty-three players aged 14-15 did either band-resisted jumps, regular jumps, or their usual training for 6 weeks. Researchers measured their jump height to see which…