ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

This study tested whether a daily probiotic drink (like Yakult) can reduce cold symptoms in triathletes before and after a competition. 80 healthy amateur triathletes drank either the probiotic or a placebo for 30 days before and 14 days after a race. Researchers tracked symptoms…

This study tests whether a six-week program of unilateral (one-leg) exercises can reduce strength differences between the legs in competitive female handball players aged 18-25. Participants either add the training to their regular handball practice or continue as usual. The goal…

This study looked at whether drinking hydrogen-rich water can improve performance and recovery in national-level fin-swimmers. Fourteen elite athletes took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Researchers measured swimming times, muscle fatigue, and oxidati…

This study looked at whether virtual reality (VR) training can improve physical and brain performance 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 used immersive app…

This study looked at how different doses of caffeine affect physical and cognitive performance in 20 female handball players. Each player took a placebo, a low dose (3 mg/kg), or a moderate dose (6 mg/kg) of caffeine before testing. The goal was to see if caffeine improves runnin…

This study looked at whether taking a whey protein supplement twice a day helps adolescent soccer players improve their performance, recover faster, and change body composition during a 10-12 week competitive season. Thirty-one high school players aged 13-18 took either the prote…

This study tested whether wearing pressurized cuffs on the legs during soccer drills helps players maintain passing and dribbling accuracy when fatigued. Forty young male soccer players did a 6-week training program, with one group using cuffs at 80% pressure and a control group …

This study tested whether a gel containing 4% menthol, applied to the neck, arms, and legs, helps recreational runners feel cooler and perform better in hot conditions. Thirty-seven healthy adults aged 18 to 45 completed two runs, once with the menthol gel and once with a placebo…

This study tested whether breathing in dry salt particles (halotherapy) during preseason training could improve lung function and running performance in elite female soccer players. Twenty-eight players from the Turkish Women's First League were split into two groups: one did sta…

This study tested whether beetroot extract, given as a waffle, could improve speed, strength, and fatigue in 10 trained rugby players. Participants took beetroot or a placebo before sprint and fitness tests. The goal was to see if the nitrates in beetroot help in intermittent spo…

This study looked at whether chewing caffeinated gum (200 mg caffeine) could help female volleyball players jump higher. Ten professional players from Turkey took part, each trying both the caffeinated gum and a placebo gum on different days. The results showed that the caffeinat…

This study tested whether taking casein protein before sleep or after exercise improves recovery and performance in trained football players. Twenty-four male athletes were split into three groups: pre-sleep casein, post-exercise casein, or no supplement. Researchers measured ana…

This study looks at whether a 90-minute afternoon nap, a moderate dose of caffeine, and a short recovery routine (stretching plus a snack) can improve evening athletic performance. Sixty elite university athletes (30 men, 30 women) will try different combinations of these strateg…

This trial compares two high-intensity training programs—CrossFit and running-based HIIT—in elite male distance runners who live and train at moderate altitude. Over six weeks, participants train five days per week and undergo tests for aerobic fitness, strength, and blood marker…

This study looks at how young male basketball players (ages 12-18) perform lower-body movements like jumping and agility tests. Researchers use artificial intelligence to analyze performance data and identify patterns that might signal a higher risk of injury. The goal is to help…

This study tested whether the sequence of two types of muscle-and-connective-tissue training affects how much young football players improve their jumping power and balance. Forty male players aged 15-16 were split into two groups: one started with posterior chain training then s…

This study looked at whether a short, low-intensity core warm-up could improve football skills like dribbling, passing, and shooting in 24 male youth players aged 15-16. Each player tried both a standard warm-up and a core-focused warm-up in one session. The goal was to see if th…

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. The main goal was to see if the band group improved…

This study looked at how a 12-week jumping exercise program (plyometric training) affects power, speed, and agility in 38 sport-active boys aged 10 to 18. The researchers wanted to see if a boy's biological maturity changes how well the training works. Results may help coaches ta…

This study looked at how making the calf muscle tired affects its stiffness and how high people can jump. 28 healthy young adults did a calf exercise until they felt very tired. Their muscle stiffness and jump height were measured right after and again 24 hours later. The goal wa…

This study looked at how well sports massage, static stretching, and passive rest help adolescent judokas recover after training. Thirteen male athletes aged 10-13 took part, and researchers measured things like heart rate, blood lactate, and jump height. They also checked if rec…

This study tested whether adding neuro-athletic training—exercises for vision, balance, and body awareness—to regular practice could improve balance, strength, and agility in 16 elite male soccer goalkeepers. Half did the extra training for 8 weeks, while the other half stuck to …

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

This study tested whether a special flywheel training machine improves how quickly soccer players can change direction, compared to standard weight training. Twenty-two elite male players did either flywheel or traditional exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. Researchers measured …

This study looked at whether 12 sessions of horizontally oriented plyometric training (jumping and explosive exercises) over six weeks could improve sprint performance in 9 early-adolescent male track-and-field athletes. The researchers measured sprint times and movement patterns…

This study looked at whether nine sessions of high-intensity intermittent boxing training could improve punching output, heart-rate recovery, and movement in youth amateur boxers. Nine young boxers completed a boxing-specific test before and after the training. The goal was to se…

This study looked at whether adding isometric strength exercises (like holding a squat against a bar) to an 8-week training program helps youth soccer players jump higher, sprint faster, and get stronger. Forty-one male players aged 15-19 were split into groups doing unilateral (…

This study looked at whether a six-week training program that focuses on the lowering phase of exercises (eccentric loading) can improve dynamic balance and maximum strength in young male football players. Fifteen healthy athletes completed the supervised program, and their perfo…

This study tested whether 8 weeks of French Contrast Training (a mix of heavy weights, jumps, and speed drills) could improve jump height, sprint speed, and overall power in 28 elite youth football players. Half did the special training plus regular practice; the other half did o…

This study looked at whether taking whey protein powder right after training for 8 weeks affects blood levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron in elite male track-and-field athletes. Fifty-nine athletes took 30 grams of whey protein daily after exercise. The goal was t…

This study tested whether a brief, intense isometric exercise could improve jump performance in highly trained male volleyball players several hours later. Fourteen players did either the isometric exercise or a standard warm-up, and their jump height was measured before, 6 hours…

This study looked at how an eight-week high-intensity training program affects fitness and certain blood markers in 40 male kickboxers. The goal was to see if changes in substances like myostatin and irisin could predict improvements in aerobic capacity. The findings may help exp…

This study looked at 27 male under-23 soccer players over a season, using GPS to track their high-speed runs and stops. Researchers compared standard fixed thresholds with personalized ones based on each player's maximum ability. The goal was to see which method better reflects t…

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

This study looked at two different ways of strength training in 24 teenage male soccer players. One method used speed of movement to guide training, while the other used the traditional approach of training until failure. After six weeks, researchers measured changes in strength,…

This study looked at how adding high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to regular hockey practice affects teenage girls' fitness. Twenty-four players either did their usual training or added HIIT three times a week for eight weeks. The HIIT group improved their endurance, balanc…

This observational study looked at 45 judo athletes to see if foot posture (neutral, pronated, or supinated) affects balance on one leg. Participants had their foot type assessed and performed a balance test. The goal is to help coaches and healthcare professionals prevent injuri…

This study looked at whether adding plyometric exercises—like jumps and bounds—to regular basketball training improves speed, agility, and strength. Twenty-four male basketball players aged 18 to 22 took part. Half did the extra jumping drills twice a week for 8 weeks, while the …

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 to 13. Parents learned about healthy eating, and researchers measured changes in the kids' lean body mas…

This study looked at whether taking a 10-minute cold water bath (around 55°F) after training helps NCAA Division I athletes recover and perform better. 75 volleyball, football, and cross country athletes wore a WHOOP device to track sleep, heart rate, and other recovery signs. Th…

This study tested whether a 120-second percussive therapy session on the hamstring muscles could improve flexibility, balance, and jump performance in 60 males aged 15-19. Half were licensed U19 football players, and half were sedentary healthy teens. Researchers measured changes…

This study looked at whether a 25-minute or 45-minute nap helps teenage soccer players run faster and feel less tired. Sixteen male players tried both nap lengths and a no-nap day. Results showed that napping improved agility and made exercise feel easier, but did not help them k…

This study looked at how a 10-week complex training program—mixing heavy weights with explosive jumps—affects the physical fitness, balance, and shooting of Chinese national korfball players. Twenty-four athletes completed the program, and researchers measured changes in strength…

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

This study looked at whether an 8-week training program using a device called Exer-Genie could help young female football players run faster, strengthen their hamstrings, and jump higher. Thirty-seven players from the Turkish Women's Second League took part, with some doing the s…

This small study looked at whether chewing caffeine or nicotine gum changes balance in healthy, trained athletes. Twenty participants completed balance tests after taking each gum or a placebo. The results showed no meaningful difference in balance performance between the active …

This study tested whether adding structured reflection and guided questioning to volleyball practice helps university players make better decisions during games. Twenty-four male players from a Colombian university program were split into two groups: one did a 4-week Tactical Cri…

This study looked at two ways of doing resistance training in 20 male university athletes over 8 weeks. One group used a velocity-based approach (adjusting weights based on movement speed), while the other used a fixed percentage of their maximum strength. Researchers measured ju…

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 compared 16 athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI) to 16 healthy athletes. They performed tests like jumps, hops, and agility runs. Results showed that those with CAI jumped lower, hopped shorter distances, and were slower in agility tests. The study suggests th…