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Context: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 8-week ballistic-strength-training program using a validated specific throwing device (ie, Arm/Shoulder Specific Strength Device), on isokinetic shoulders' rotation muscle-torques and ratios as well as range of motion in team handball players. Design: A repeated-measures experimental design with a randomized controlled trial was used. Methods: Twenty-six high-level competitive male U-19 team handball players were randomly assigned into training (TG, n = 15) and control (n = 11) groups. The TG undertook a twice a week for 8-week periodized throws program with an individually predetermined optimal load. The program incorporated shackled eccentric and concentric exercises using the Arm/Shoulder Specific Strength Device. Peak torques, functional, and conventional ratios for both arms at different angular velocities (60°·s−1, 180°·s−1, and 300°·s−1) were assessed over time and between groups, using an isokinetic dynamometer. Results: A significant improvement for TG (P <.01; d = 1.13 [moderate]; +20.2%) of the concentric peak torques for dominant arm in external rotation was observed at 300°·s−1. Significant (P <.05–.01) increases were also noted for nondominant arm at the 3 studied angular velocities. In addition, 300°·s−1 eccentric peak torques of the dominant arm and nondominant arm have significantly improved for both external and internal rotations (P <.05; d =.99 [moderate] and d = 1.21 [large]; +15.7% and + 17.9%, respectively) with small changes at the other angular assessed velocities. Posttraining, TG's dominant arm showed significant improvements (P <.05–.01) in functional and conventional ratios at all velocities. Notably, significant differences (P <.05–.01) were observed at 60°·s−1 and across all velocities when comparing the TG with the control group. TG showed significant increase for internal rotation and external rotation shoulder range of motions (P <.05; d = 1.22–1.27 [large]), +5.0% and +7.7%, respectively). Conclusions: The specific 8-week throwing training program on the Arm/Shoulder Specific Strength Device showed significant performance improvements in almost all assessed isokinetic concentric and eccentric peak torques as well as internal and external range of motion increase for both arms while ensuring rotator cuff torque ratios and shoulder mobility in team handball real sport-specific condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of ChatGPT (Chat generative pretrained transformer), a large language model, in calculating sample size for sport-sciences and sports-medicine research studies. Methods: We conducted an analysis on 4 published papers (ie, examples 1–4) encompassing various study designs and approaches for calculating sample size in 3 sport-science and -medicine journals, including 3 randomized controlled trials and 1 survey paper. We provided ChatGPT with all necessary data such as mean, percentage SD, normal deviates (Zα/2 and Z1−β), and study design. Prompting from 1 example has subsequently been reused to gain insights into the reproducibility of the ChatGPT response. Results: ChatGPT correctly calculated the sample size for 1 randomized controlled trial but failed in the remaining 3 examples, including the incorrect identification of the formula in one example of a survey paper. After interaction with ChatGPT, the correct sample size was obtained for the survey paper. Intriguingly, when the prompt from Example 3 was reused, ChatGPT provided a completely different sample size than its initial response. Conclusions: While the use of artificial-intelligence tools holds great promise, it should be noted that it might lead to errors and inconsistencies in sample-size calculations even when the tool is fed with the necessary correct information. As artificial-intelligence technology continues to advance and learn from human feedback, there is hope for improvement in sample-size calculation and other research tasks. However, it is important for scientists to exercise caution in utilizing these tools. Future studies should assess more advanced/powerful versions of this tool (ie, ChatGPT4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors reflect on a teamwork modeling method to achieve good performance management in elite football (soccer) and ensure the health and availability of players during games. The model focuses on key performance indicators (KPI) to improve the performance of players and the pillars of the model like creating a systematic monitoring system and establishing an appropriate training process.

Background: The effect of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown on athlete sleep and training behavior is documented, albeit without a worldwide soccer-specific focus. Method: Soccer (football) players (N = 1639; 30 countries; age 22.5 [5.7] y; 81% ≤25 y; 56% male; 30% elite; 66% Muslim) answered a retrospective, cross-sectional questionnaire related to their behavioral habits before and during COVID-19 lockdown (survey period July to September 2020), including (1) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index PSQI, (2) Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), (3) bespoke questions about training behaviors, and (4) Muslim player focused sleep and training behavior questions. Results: During lockdown (compared to prelockdown), PSQI (P <.001; moderate effect size [ES]) and ISI (P <.001; moderate ES) scores were higher in the overall sample and in elite versus nonelite (PSQI: P <.05; small ES and ISI: P <.001; small ES), >25 years versus ≤25 years (PSQI: P <.01; small ES and ISI: P <.001; moderate ES), females versus males (PSQI: P <.001; small ES), <1 month versus >1 month lockdown (PSQI: P <.05; small ES and ISI: P <.05; small ES), and players maintaining versus reducing training intensity (PSQI: P <.001; moderate ES and ISI: P <.001; small ES). Muslim players (41%) reported unfavorable sleep and/or training behaviors during Ramadan in lockdown compared to lockdown outside of Ramadan. Conclusions: Specific subgroups appear more vulnerable to lockdown effects, with training-intensity maintenance moderating negative effects relative to sleep. Policy and support (respectful of subgroup nuances) during lockdown-like challenges that facilitate training (including intensity) appear prudent, given their favorable relationship with sleep, mental health, and physical health, in the present data and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interval-training is widely implemented among populations with obesity to decrease metabolic-disorders; however, high-intensity-interval-training (HIIT) has rarely been studied in severely obese adolescent girls. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of 8 weeks of (HIIT) or moderate-intensity interval-training (MIIT), on cardiometabolic risk factors and hormonal-ratios in severely-obese-girls. For this aim, 35 female-adolescents (14.4 ± 1.4 years) were assigned randomly into HIIT (n = 12) and MIIT (n = 12), groups and a control group (CG, n = 11). Both training groups significantly improved (p < 0.05): the body-mass, body-mass-index (BMIp95), body-fat (BF%), waist-circumference (WC), mean-arterial-pressure (MAP), with a slight increase in the HIIT group. However, HIIT induced greater improvements on the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2MAX) and the speed related (24.7 and 11.8%) compared to MIIT. Higher improvements occurred in HIIT group related to leptin and adiponectin concentrations and the A/L ratio at (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the findings indicate that both HIIT and MIIT can positively influence body composition and cardio-respiratory fitness. Given the significant correlation noted between the A/L ratio, BMIp95, BF%, and MAP post-HIIT, this training modality may be considered a more advantageous approach over MIIT for mitigating cardio-metabolic issues in severely obese adolescent girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural language processing (NLP) has been studied in computing for decades. Recent technological advancements have led to the development of sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) models, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT). These models can perform a range of language tasks and generate human-like responses, which offers exciting prospects for academic efficiency. This manuscript aims at (i) exploring the potential benefits and threats of ChatGPT and other NLP technologies in academic writing and research publications; (ii) highlights the ethical considerations involved in using these tools, and (iii) consider the impact they may have on the authenticity and credibility of academic work. This study involved a literature review of relevant scholarly articles published in peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus as quartile 1. The search used keywords such as "ChatGPT," "AI-generated text," "academic writing," and "natural language processing." The analysis was carried out using a quasi-qualitative approach, which involved reading and critically evaluating the sources and identifying relevant data to support the research questions. The study found that ChatGPT and other NLP technologies have the potential to enhance academic writing and research efficiency. However, their use also raises concerns about the impact on the authenticity and credibility of academic work. The study highlights the need for comprehensive discussions on the potential use, threats, and limitations of these tools, emphasizing the importance of ethical and academic principles, with human intelligence and critical thinking at the forefront of the research process. This study highlights the need for comprehensive debates and ethical considerations involved in their use. The study also recommends that academics exercise caution when using these tools and ensure transparency in their use, emphasizing the importance of human intelligence and critical thinking in academic work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in sporting event suspensions and cancellations, affecting competition calendars worldwide during 2020 and 2021. This challenged high-performance athletes' capacity to complete physical, technical, or tactical training during restricted movement measures (lockdown). With the Football World Cup organized in the last quarter of 2022, the past period of training and match disturbances challenged footballers concerning their performance and potential higher risk of injury at official matches' resumption. There has been considerable debate about the management of resuming professional football (soccer) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governing bodies worldwide implemented measures to ensure a safe resumption of football. These precautionary measures aimed to protect the health of players, their support staff, and officials around the pitch and ensure the enjoyment of the event by spectators in the football stadiums. We have therefore narratively reviewed scientific papers about how football has resumed on the pitch and in the stands with special focus on the COVID-19 infection control strategies allowing footballers to perform again and supporters to enjoy the game after the 2020 global stop to sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To survey elite athletes and practitioners to identify (1) knowledge and application of heat acclimation/acclimatization (HA) interventions, (2) barriers to HA application, and (3) nutritional practices supporting HA. Methods: Elite athletes (n = 55) and practitioners (n = 99) completed an online survey. Mann–Whitney U tests (effect size [ES; r]) assessed differences between ROLE (athletes vs practitioners) and CLIMATE (hot vs temperate). Logistic regression and Pearson chi-square (ES Phi [ϕ]) assessed relationships. Results: Practitioners were more likely to report measuring athletes' core temperature (training: practitioners 40% [athletes 15%]; P =.001, odds ratio = 4.0, 95% CI, 2%–9%; competition: practitioners 25% [athletes 9%]; P =.020, odds ratio = 3.4, 95% CI, 1%–10%). Practitioners (55% [15% athletes]) were more likely to perceive rectal as the gold standard core temperature measurement site (P =.013, ϕ =.49, medium ES). Temperate (57% [22% hot]) CLIMATE dwellers ranked active HA effectiveness higher (P <.001, r =.30, medium ES). Practitioners commonly identified athletes' preference (48%), accessibility, and cost (both 47%) as barriers to HA. Increasing carbohydrate intake when training in the heat was more likely recommended by practitioners (49%) than adopted by athletes (26%; P =.006, 95% CI, 0.1%–1%). Practitioners (56% [28% athletes]) were more likely to plan athletes' daily fluid strategies, adopting a preplanned approach (P =.001; 95% CI, 0.1%–1%). Conclusions: Practitioners, and to a greater extent athletes, lacked self-reported key HA knowledge (eg, core temperature assessment/monitoring methods) yet demonstrated comparatively more appropriate nutritional practices (eg, hydration). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moon's influence on human physiology and behavior has been a topic of interest, with studies exploring its potential impact on sleep and physical activity. However, findings have been fragmented and inconclusive. This review summarizes 17 studies investigating lunar cycles' effects on sleep and physical activity. Some studies reported associations between the full moon phase and poorer sleep quality, while others found no significant effect. Similarly, the impact of lunar cycles on physical activity showed conflicting results. To address methodological challenges, we propose a standardized protocol using moon cycle variables like moon illumination and gravitational force. This approach may provide more reliable insights into the moon's influence on human well being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]