Yongming Li

High‐intensity interval training (HIIT) is widely used in team sports, but the influence of participant and programme characteristics on physiological adaptations remains unclear. Five databases (Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CNKI) were searched initially on 25 April 2025 and updated on 21 December 2025. Mixed‐effects models were used to estimate Hedges' g and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Forty‐six studies involving 1204 athletes were included. Compared with regular sport‐specific training alone, HIIT produced positive effects on maximal oxygen uptake (VO ₂ max; g = 0.76, 95% CI [0.61, 0.92]), maximal aerobic power ( g = 0.43, 95% CI [0.04, 0.82]), ventilatory threshold ( g = 0.70, 95% CI [0.53, 0.88]), Yo‐Yo intermittent recovery test performance ( g = 1.02, 95% CI [0.76, 1.28]), and 30‐s Wingate peak ( g = 0.91, 95% CI [0.67, 1.16]) and mean power ( g = 0.70, 95% CI [0.39, 1.01]). Effects on body composition were generally unclear. Mutually adjusted multivariable meta‐regression identified no convincing evidence of differences in VO ₂ max or Yo‐Yo intermittent recovery test performance effects by sex or training level. Longer training duration was associated with greater VO ₂ max effects. In exploratory analyses, model predictions indicated increases in VO ₂ max of 2.56 mL·kg ⁻¹ ·min ⁻¹ (95% CI [1.54, 3.58]) after approximately 5 weeks and 5.11 mL·kg ⁻¹ ·min ⁻¹ (95% CI [3.32, 6.91]) after approximately 10 weeks. Shorter between‐repetition recovery was associated with greater VO ₂ max effects, although other programme variables were estimated imprecisely. Overall, adding HIIT to regular sport‐specific training improves aerobic and anaerobic performance in trained team‐sport athletes, whereas effects on body composition are limited. Associations involving programme characteristics should be interpreted cautiously because they were derived from study‐level meta‐regression. Trial Registration: PROSPERO Registration CRD42024609379

This study assessed the physiological and neuromuscular consequences of using different footwork techniques during table tennis forehand loop multi-ball training. Ten male table tennis players executed forehand loops with no step, a chasse step, a side step, and a cross step at three different frequencies (12, 24 and 36 balls·min−1 for the cross step, and 24, 36 and 48 balls·min−1 for the others) on separated days. Cardiorespiratory variables along with total and per-stroke energy cost were determined. Plantar pressure data were collected using instrumented insoles. Countermovement jump tests were performed before and immediately after each stage. The heart rate, oxygen uptake, and total energy cost significantly increased with frequency for all footwork techniques (all p < 0.05). However, the energy cost per stroke decreased at higher frequencies (p < 0.05), as did the peak plantar pressure across the whole foot and specific foot regions (p < 0.05). Countermovement jump height decreased at moderate and high frequencies (p < 0.05), except for no step and the chasse step. In conclusion, integrating footwork into forehand loop multi-ball training increases physiological and neuromuscular demands in table tennis players. The reduced energy cost at higher frequencies likely reflects a reduction in movement amplitude, a strategy to cope with shorter time windows, which in turn leads to lower force production from the lower limbs. Coaches should adapt training interventions focusing on improving the power and strength of lower limbs to offset the reduction of force caused by the shortened time window at high frequency.

Objective: To determine the effects of exercise snacks on cognitive function and to examine whether intervention characteristics and cognitive domains moderate these effects. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: Six electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2026 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Eligibility criteria: Randomised controlled trials of participants of any age evaluating exercise snacks and cognitive function were eligible. Results: This three-level meta-analysis included 25 randomised controlled trials and 152 effect sizes. Exercise snacks resulted in a significant small-to-moderate improvement in cognitive function (Hedges’ g = 0.24, 95% CI [0.10, 0.38], p < 0.001). Greater effects were observed in interventions lasting several weeks (g = 0.51) and those conducted in school or workplace settings (g = 0.61), with cognitive flexibility (g = 0.60) and inhibitory control (g = 0.28) showing the most pronounced improvements. Meta-regression identified exercise intensity (β = 0.263, p = 0.003) and inter-bout interval (β = 0.011, p = 0.035) as positive moderators. Funnel plots and trim-and-fill analysis indicated no significant publication bias (adjusted g = 0.27, 95% CI [0.21, 0.34]). Conclusions: Exercise snacks confer a significant yet modest benefit to cognitive function, with effects varying by intervention duration, setting, and cognitive domain. Benefits were most pronounced in multi-week interventions and school or workplace settings. Higher exercise intensity and longer inter-bout intervals were also associated with greater cognitive improvements. These findings provide an evidence-based basis for developing tailored cognitive enhancement programmes in school and workplace settings.

To evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) versus resistance training (RT) on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and concurrent obesity (diabesity). Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to April 2026. RCTs comparing AE and RT for a minimum duration of two weeks. Participants were adults with diabesity. A total of 23 RCTs qualified, involving 1, 184 patients (58/42 women/men ratio; age range: 30-70 years; body mass index: 32.1 ± 6.6 kg/m2). AE appears to be more efficacious than RT in reducing fasting blood glucose (mean differences (MD) = -0.89 mmol/L, 95% CI: -1.62 to -0.16; I2 = 0%) and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness (MD = 1.78 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: 0.38 to 3.18; I2 = 66%). However, AE led to a greater increase in body fat (MD = 0.34%, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.57; I2 = 1%) and less fat-free mass retention (MD = -0.86 kg, 95% CI: -1.46 to -0.26; I2 = 37%) compared with RT. For selected cardiometabolic health-related outcomes, including anthropometrics, blood lipids, and hemodynamics, no statistically significant between-group difference was detected. The overall certainty of the evidence across outcomes ranged from high to very low, with most being moderate. In adults with diabesity, AE appears to provide greater benefits for FBG and CRF, whereas RT appears more favorable for preserving FFM and improving BF. For the majority of cardiometabolic outcomes, the two modalities exhibit analogous effects. The present findings support a goal-directed and complementary approach to exercise prescription, as opposed to a one-modality-fits-all model, for the improvement of cardiometabolic health in patients with diabesity.

Background : Neuromuscular exercise interventions include diverse modalities, yet their performance effects remain inconsistent, particularly across athlete levels. Purpose : This review examined the effects of neuromuscular exercise interventions on athletic performance in trained, highly trained, and elite athletes, and explored moderating variables by analyzing intervention protocol variables (eg, weekly intervention frequency, session duration, number of sets, repetitions, duration per set, and intervention formats [warm-up or training]), athletic performance (balance, jumping, sprinting, and change of direction times), and study design. Methods : Systematic searches were conducted up to September 21, 2025. Pooled effects were calculated using standardized mean difference (Hedges g ) through a 3-level meta-analysis model. Subgroup and regression analyses were used to explore potential moderators. Results : The systematic search identified 25,251 articles, of which 42 studies (1690 athletes, PEDro score 6.1) met the inclusion criteria. Compared to the control group, neuromuscular exercise interventions significantly improved performance in trained ( g = 0.51 medium) and highly trained athletes ( g = 0.62, medium). While not statistically significant for elite athletes, the effect size was positive ( g = 1.26, large). Subgroup analysis indicated that intervention format, performance outcome, and study design significantly moderated effects. Regression analysis showed that session duration was linearly related to improvements in trained and highly trained athletes, while weekly frequency, sets, and repetitions were not. Conclusion : The effectiveness of neuromuscular exercise interventions varies by performance outcome and athlete level and is influenced by intervention format and study design, highlighting the need for tailored neuromuscular programs across different levels of athletes.

The surge in sport coaching science (SCS) highlights the necessity of regular knowledge synthesis. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the field of SCS from both macro-level and historical perspectives. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 4264 SCS publications indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) up to 2024, following a standard four-step procedure. The results showed that the development of SCS spans nearly a century, with publications and citations accelerating sharply over the past 15 years. Journals specialised in coaching and sport psychology served as the primary publication outlets. Western countries, institutions, and authors dominated the research community. Seven research themes (co-word) and their evolutionary trajectories were revealed. Moreover, 18 research specialties (co-citation) were identified, along with their knowledge bases and temporal trends. Based on these results, we highlighted some key gaps and trends in SCS and proposed future research directions. This study helps SCS researchers set research agendas and reflect on academic achievements, while offering insights for journal editors, funders, policymakers, practitioners, and coach developers/educators, thereby contributing to the advancement of SCS and the coaching profession.

This systematic review aimed to: 1) explore muscular fitness adaptations (e.g., muscle mass, muscle strength, functional performance) in older adults (≥ 60 years) following exercise with resistance training compared to control; and 2) investigate the moderating effects of load intensity, training frequency, and movement velocity on muscular fitness adaptations. Four databases were searched (April 2024, updated 2025). Pooled effects for each outcome were summarized using Standardized Mean Difference (Hedges’ g) through a three-level meta-analysis model, and subgroup was used to explore moderators. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Sixteen studies were eligible (n = 801), with data available from fifteen moderate quality randomized controlled trials. Compared to control, resistance training was effective in improving muscle mass (g = 0.16, I² = 67%), muscle strength (g = 0.55, I² = 11%), and functional performance (g = 0.76, I² = 62%). Muscular fitness was significantly moderated by load intensity, frequency, and movement velocity. SubmaxV (g = 0.47) resistance training with low intensity (g = 0.79) and high frequency (g = 0.79) was superior for improving muscle mass. SubmaxV (g = 0.56) resistance training with moderate intensity (g = 0.63) and moderate frequency (g = 0.55) was superior for improving muscle strength. MaxV (g = 0.93) resistance training with moderate intensity (g = 0.71) and low frequency (g = 0.64) was superior for improving functional performance Resistance training effectively enhances muscular fitness in older adults. Load intensity, frequency, and movement velocity (SubmaxV was better for muscle mass and muscle strength compared to MaxV, and MaxV for functional performance) may significantly modulate improvements in muscular fitness adaptations. CRD42023489470

This study aimed to examine the reliability, validity and efficacy of using group or individualized load-velocity profiles (LVPs) in four machine-based exe