Isaac López-Laval

Sports science has evolved rapidly in recent years through advances in physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and performance analytics

Adolescence is a critical period marked by significant physical, psychological, and social changes, with physical activity (PA) playing a pivotal role in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between PA, sports participation, and HRQoL among adolescents, considering gender, age, maturation, competition level, and type of sport. A total of 9383 adolescents aged 11–19 completed assessments of PA, HRQoL, and demographic variables. Participants were classified based on PA levels and sports competition levels. HRQoL was assessed using standardized measures, including the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire. Girls reported lower scores in physical and mental HRQoL domains compared to boys, starting from Tanner maturation stage 3. All HRQoL domains, except social acceptance, declined with age and maturation, with a more pronounced decline in girls. Inactive adolescents exhibited the lowest HRQoL levels across all domains. Competitive athletes demonstrated better HRQoL than non-competitive peers, with improvements in self-perception and social acceptance at higher competition levels. Sport type influenced HRQoL outcomes, with gymnastic sports associated with lower autonomy and peer relationships, while racquet sports showed better outcomes. This study highlights the complex interplay between PA, sports participation, and HRQoL among adolescents. Tailored interventions promoting physical activity and supporting young athletes’ psychosocial needs are essential for enhancing HRQoL during this critical developmental stage.

Aim: Exercise addiction is a compulsive need to engage in physical activity despite potential negative consequences. This study aims to analyze adolescents' psychosocial health in relation to the risk of exercise addiction, focusing on competition levels, sport types, gender, and age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 7,596 participants (44.2% girls) aged 11–19. Data on physical activity (PAQ-C and PAQ-A), sleep quality (PSQI), anxiety (SAS), depression symptoms (BDI-II), eating disorders (EDI-3), and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-52) were collected via validated questionnaires. The prevalence of exercise addiction risk (EAI) was assessed, and differences based on competition level, sport type, gender, and age were analyzed. Gamma GLMs factors-adjusted were used for statistical comparisons. Results: 6.4% of adolescents in non-competitive sports and 15.6% in competitive sports showed a risk of exercise addiction. The risk was higher in boys, but the difference diminished at higher competition levels. The risk of addiction increased notably in late adolescence. Competitive athletes, especially at high levels, were at greater risk compared to noncompetitive athletes. Those in individual sports were at higher risk than those in team sports. Adolescents at risk of exercise addiction reported poorer mental health, including sleep quality ( β = 1.62, p < 0.001), anxiety ( β = 3.58, p < 0.001), depression ( β = 2.283, p < 0.001), and eating disorders ( β = 3.101, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Exercise addiction is a significant concern among adolescents, especially in competitive and individual sports. It is associated with poorer mental health outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of addiction and promote holistic health in adolescent athletes.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the performance gap commonly observed between men and women during traditional endurance events could be reduced during longer races. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the performance gap between men and women in ultra-endurance events. A systematic search was performed in major databases until 1 ^st July 2024 for studies reporting the differences between top men and women in ultra-endurance events (duration ≥6 h). Only studies reporting performance in either winners or top-three athletes were considered. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to determine the overall performance gap. A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria, providing performance data from 20 different events (3 swimming, 4 cycling, 7 running, 6 triathlon). Analyses revealed a performance gap of 22% (95% confidence interval 17 to 27%, p < 0.001), equivalent to a standardized mean difference of 3.21 (1.65 to 4.76, p < 0.001). A large heterogeneity was observed for the pooled differences across studies (I ² > 95%), although similar differences were observed across sports (p > 0.1). Existing evidence shows that women do not outperform men in ultra-endurance events, and indeed a large performance gap is still observed. Given that some physiological mechanisms suggest that women might have an increased fatigue resistance, future research should confirm whether this research gap gets closer with increasing participation of women in these events.

Background: Health-related quality of life is a key indicator of well-being that integrates physical, emotional, and social dimensions. Identifying its determinants during childhood and adolescence is essential to guide effective health promotion strategies. Objective: To analyze the association between health-related quality of life and demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, lifestyle, and environmental variables in school-aged children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2023–2024 academic year in northeastern Spain. A total of 571 children and adolescents participated in the study (mean age = 11.64 ± 1.64 years), of whom 254 were girls (44.48%). Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Revised Children’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (KINDL-R), a validated instrument for assessing perceived well-being in pediatric populations. Independent variables included waist-to-height ratio, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, weekly physical activity, sleep quality, and residential context (i.e., large urban areas, small urban areas, and municipalities). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the associations. Results: Older age was associated with lower health-related quality of life (β = −1.07; 95% CI: −1.61 to −0.53; p < 0.001). In contrast, better adherence to the Mediterranean diet (β = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.09 to 1.37; p = 0.023), better sleep quality (b = −2.48; p < 0.001), and participants living in cities and large urban areas reported compared to those in municipalities were associated with higher HRQoL (p < 0.05), with moderate effect sizes. No significant associations were found for sex, waist-to-height ratio, cholesterol levels, or physical activity. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach to promote health-related quality of life in young populations, addressing dietary habits, sleep quality, and environmental factors within health promotion strategies.

Objective: This study analyzed the relationship between self-perceived physical fitness and anthropometric and biochemical variables in young athletes from extracurricular sports programs in northeastern Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 673 young athletes. Data collection included self-reported physical fitness and objective anthropometric and biochemical measurements. The analysis explored associations between perceived fitness dimensions and physical/biochemical variables, with attention to sex differences. Results: Fat mass showed significant inverse associations with all perceived fitness dimensions: general fitness (OR = 0.62, 95% CI [0.41, 0.94]), cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 0.56, 95% CI [0.37, 0.83]), muscular strength (OR = 0.61, 95% CI [0.41, 0.91]), speed/agility (OR = 0.59, 95% CI [0.39, 0.88]), and flexibility (OR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.39, 0.84]). Higher fat mass was consistently linked to lower perceived fitness. HDL levels were positively associated with general (OR = 1.40, 95% CI [1.13, 1.74]) and cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.07, 1.62]), while LDL levels showed no significant effect (p > 0.05). Sex differences emerged for general fitness (OR = 0.52, 95% CI [0.33, 0.82]) and flexibility (OR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.33, 0.78]), favoring boys, but no differences were found for cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, or speed/agility (p > 0.05). This suggests that shared athletic environments may reduce typical sex-based disparities. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the importance of considering both anthropometric and biochemical variables when evaluating perceived fitness in youth athletes. Regular athletic engagement may buffer sex-based differences in fitness perception.

Background/Objectives: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a key indicator of current and future health in children and adolescents, and is influenced by both physiological and behavioral factors. This study examined the associations between CRF, body composition, and health-related habits in 685 children and adolescents (aged 8–16 years) who regularly participated in extracurricular sports programs in northeastern Spain. Methods: Participants underwent anthropometric assessments, completed a 20 m shuttle run test to evaluate CRF, and filled out validated questionnaires on physical activity levels, sleep quality, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results: Significant sex differences were observed, with boys achieving higher CRF performance (p < 0.001), primarily associated with greater muscle mass (p < 0.001) and lower body fat percentage (p < 0.001). Age positively correlated with improved CRF (p < 0.001), whereas higher body mass index (p = 0.003) and fat mass (p = 0.020) negatively impacted fitness outcomes. Conclusions: These findings underscore the critical role of physical activity and optimal body composition in promoting cardiorespiratory fitness among youth, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to foster healthy behaviors from early childhood. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs to better elucidate the dynamic interactions between lifestyle factors, body composition, and physical fitness throughout childhood and adolescence.

Conventional strength training and core exercises are commonly prescribed to improve cycling performance. Although previous studies have explored the utility of strength training in various cycling populations, this intervention has never been compared to core exercises. Thirty-six trained road cyclists were divided into three groups of 12 participants that performed either no strength training, conventional strength training, or core exercises, in all cases together with their regular cycling training during a 12-week period. Peak power outputs (POs) across different durations (five seconds, 60 seconds, five minutes, and 20 minutes) were recorded before and after the intervention. The results of the present study showed higher increases in relative PO with conventional strength training when compared to core training and no strength training for all measured durations: five-second Δ = 1.25 W/kg vs 0.47 W/kg and -0.17 W/kg; 60-second (Δ = 0.51 W/kg vs 0.13 W/kg and 0.02 W/kg; five-minute Δ = 0.22 W/kg vs 0.06 W/kg and 0.05 W/kg; and 20-minute Δ = 0.22 W/kg vs 0.07 W/kg and 0.06 W/kg. According to the data obtained in this study, conventional strength training is superior to core exercises, and no strength training was performed by trained road cyclists. Accordingly, it is recommended that this population incorporates strength training during their regular weekly workouts.

(1) Background: Conventional strength training and core exercises are commonly prescribed to improve cycling performance. Although previous studies have explored the utility of strength training in various cycling populations, this intervention has never been compared to core exercises; (2) Methods: 36 trained road cyclists were divided in 3 groups of 12 participants that performed either no strength training, conventional strength training or core exercises, in all cases together with their regular cycling training during a 12-week period. Peak power outputs across different durations (5 seconds, 60 seconds, 5 minutes, and 20 minutes) were recorded before and after the intervention; (3) Results: Conventional strength training is superior to core training and no strength training for all measured durations. At the same time, core training results in improved 5 second power output when compared to no strength training, while all the other measures are comparable among groups; (4) Conclusions: Conventional strength training is superior to core exercises and no strength training in trained road cyclists, and accordingly, it is recommended that this population incorporates strength training during their regular weekly workouts.

The Allen & Coggan protocol suggests that 95% of the power output during a 20-min time trial is a valid surrogate for 60-min maximal power. The validity of this concept has not been studied previously in cyclists with different performance levels. As a result, we classified 120 cyclists in our study as recreationally trained, trained, well trained or professional, based on their maximal oxygen consumption. Participants performed a functional threshold power testing protocol based on a 20-min time trial and a 60-min time trial, separated by a 72-hour rest. Sixty-minute maximal power was successfully modeled with 20-min maximal power and performance group using 2/3 of the dataset (R²=0.77, 95% CrI [0.74, 0.79]) with different coefficients for each group: Professional: PO_60min=PO_20min × 0.96; well trained: PO_60min=PO_20min × 0.95; trained: PO_60min=PO_20min × 0.92 and recreationally trained: PO_60min=PO_20min × 0.88. The predictions of the original equation and our model were assessed using the remaining third of the data. The predictive performance of the updated equation was better (original: R²=0.51, mean absolute error=27 W, mean bias=–12 W; updated: R²=0.54, mean absolute error=25 W, mean bias=–7 W). Received: 24 November 2022 Accepted: 04 April 2023 Article published online: 06 October 2023 © 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany