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Aim: This scoping review examines the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in sports biomechanics, with a focus on enhancing performance and preventing injuries. The review addresses key research questions, including primary AI methods, their effectiveness in improving athletic performance, their potential for injury prediction, sport-specific applications, strategies for translating knowledge, ethical considerations, and remaining research gaps. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across five databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus), encompassing studies published between January 2015 and December 2024. After screening 3248 articles, 73 studies met the inclusion criteria (Cohen’s kappa = 0.84). Data were collected on AI techniques, biomechanical parameters, performance metrics, and implementation details. Results revealed a shift from traditional statistical models to advanced machine learning methods. Based on moderate-quality evidence from 12 studies, convolutional neural networks reached 94% agreement with international experts in technique assessment. Computer vision demonstrated accuracy within 15 mm compared to marker-based systems (6 studies, moderate quality). AI-driven training plans showed 25% accuracy improvements (4 studies, limited evidence). Random forest models predicted hamstring injuries with 85% accuracy (3 studies, moderate quality). Learning management systems enhanced knowledge transfer, raising coaches’ understanding by 45% and athlete adherence by 3.4 times. Implementing integrated AI systems resulted in a 23% reduction in reinjury rates. However, significant challenges remain, including standardizing data, improving model interpretability, validating models in real-world settings, and integrating them into coaching routines. In summary, incorporating AI into sports biomechanics marks a groundbreaking advancement, providing analytical capabilities that surpass traditional techniques. Future research should focus on creating explainable AI, applying rigorous validation methods, handling data ethically, and ensuring equitable access to promote the widespread and responsible use of AI across all levels of competitive sports.

Background and Objectives: Hyperthermia significantly limits endurance performance in hot environments. To enhance heat loss and optimize athletic performance, pre-cooling interventions can be employed to accelerate body cooling. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an internal pre-cooling intervention combined with external pre-cooling or hydrogen-rich water on endurance performance in the heat. Materials and Methods: In a double-blind crossover with counterbalanced trials, all participants underwent a shuttle run test after 30 min under the following conditions: (1) hydrogen-rich cold water ingestion (HRCW); (2) cold water ingestion and external pre-cooling (IEPC); and (3) cold-water ingestion (control). Maximal aerobic speed (MAS), number of shuttle run repetitions, dehydration, temperature, heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate, and feeling scale (FS) were measured during the 20 m shuttle run test. Results: Our results revealed a significant variation in dehydration, MAS, number of shuttle run repetitions, blood lactate, RPE, and FS (p = [0.001–0.036]); additionally, a significant group × time interaction was found for body temperature (p = 0.021). Post hoc tests revealed a significant change for MAS (HRCW: p < 0.001), number of shuttle run repetitions (HRCW: p < 0.001), dehydration (HRCW: p= 0.009; IEPC: p = 0.008), blood lactate (HRCW: p < 0.001; IEPC: p < 0.001), RPE (HRCW: p = 0.05; IEPC: p = 0.004), and FS (HRCW: p = 0.05; IEPC: p = 0.004), as well as a significant decrease in body temperature (IEPC: p < 0.001; HRCW: p = 0.028) compared to the control condition after the test. However, no significant differences were reported in HR among the different conditions. Conclusions: In conclusion, findings from this study suggest that ingesting hydrogen-rich cold water effectively mitigates the effects of heat stress, thereby improving endurance performance, enhancing mood, and reducing ratings of perceived exertion.

The present study assessed the effects of listening to preferred music during warm-up at different frequencies (440 Hz vs. 432 Hz) on the physical performance and psychophysiological responses in male athletes. In a double-blind crossover study design, twenty-two male athletes (Mean ± SD: age: 22.4 ± 1.6 years; body mass: 71.8 ± 8.3 kg; height: 1.83 ± 0.1 m; BMI: 22.7 ± 1.9 kg. m − 2 randomly performed the 3-min all out test (3MT), repeated sprint test (RST), squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests after listening to preferred music at 440 Hz–432 Hz frequencies or without music during warm-up. Heart rate was measured during 3MT, Also, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and feeling scale (FS) were measured just after 3MT and RST tests. Results showed that no music condition induced lower performance compared to listening to preferred music at 440 Hz (mean speed: p  < 0.001, d = 0.82; peak speed: p  < 0.001, d = 0.85; total distance covered: p  < 0.001, d = 0.83; FS: p  < 0.001, d = 1.21) and music 432 Hz (mean speed: p  < 0.001, d = 0.75; peak speed: p  < 0.001, d = 0.58; total distance covered: p  < 0.001, d = 0.76, FS: p  = 0.004, d = 0.77) during 3MT. In addition, a significant decrease in Total time and Fast time indices of RST, FS, SJ and CMJ values was recorded with music at 440 Hz compared to music 432 Hz (total time: p  < 0.001, d = 0.65; fast time: p  < 0.001, d = 0.53; FS: p  = 0.018, d = 0.59; SJ: p  = 0.031, d = 0.3; CMJ: p  = 0.007, d = 0.41) and no music condition (total time: p  < 0.001, d = 0.89; fast time: p  < 0.001, d = 0.57; FS: p  < 0.001, d = 1.21; SJ: p  < 0.001, d = 0.64; CMJ: p  < 0.001, d = 0.54). However, no significant change was observed in heart rate, fatigue index of the RST, or RPE. Listening to preferred music at a fast tempo and moderate volume during warm-up sessions improved physical performance and positive mood irrespective of whether it was tuned to 440 Hz–432 Hz. The benefits were more noticeable at 440 Hz.

Listening to self-selected motivational music (SSMM) during warm-ups and caffeine (CAF) intake prior to exercise can independently enhance athletic performance among female athletes. Likewise, the potential synergistic effects of these interventions have not yet been thoroughly examined. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the independent and combined effects of SSMM during warm-up and pre-exercise CAF intake on maximal short-duration performance in female athletes. Methods: Seventeen female handball players (aged 16.7 ± 0.4 years) participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Each athlete completed four conditions: (i) placebo (PLA) with no interventions, (ii) music and placebo (MUS), (iii) caffeine intake only (CAF), and (iv) a combination of music and caffeine (MUS + CAF). Performance assessments included the countermovement jump (CMJ), modified agility t-test (MAT), repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test (mean and peak sprint performance), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Results: The MUS (p > 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.01; p < 0.001, respectively), CAF (all p < 0.001), and MUS + CAF (all p < 0.01) conditions significantly outperformed the PLA condition in CMJ, MAT, RSA mean, and RSA peak measures. No significant differences were observed between the CAF and MUS + CAF conditions; however, the best performances were recorded during MUS + CAF. RPE scores remained consistent across conditions. Conclusions: Warm-up routines incorporating either SSMM or a moderate dose of CAF (6 mg·kg−1) enhance anaerobic performance in female athletes. While both interventions are effective independently, CAF intake elicits a stronger effect. Although no significant difference was demonstrated for this combination, the concurrent use of SSMM and CAF appears to produce a potential effect, emerging as the most effective strategy for optimizing anaerobic performance.

Aim: This study compared the effects of standard evening smartphone restriction with an adapted intervention combining progressive restriction, psychoeducational guidance, and pre-sleep relaxation on sleep, psychological state, cognitive performance, and physical performance in physically active physical education students with moderate-to-high nomophobia. Methods: Thirty participants (age 21.9 ± 1.2 years; intermediate chronotype) completed a randomized controlled trial consisting of a 7-day baseline period, a 14-day intervention phase, and post-intervention assessments. The standard group (n = 15) implemented a 2-h pre-bedtime smartphone restriction combined with general sleep hygiene guidance. The adapted group (n = 15) followed a progressive restriction protocol (30→60→120 min) supplemented with psychoeducational guidance targeting smartphone-related anxiety and a nightly slow-paced breathing routine. Objective sleep parameters were quantified using wrist-worn actigraphy. Subjective sleep quality, pre-sleep anxiety, and stress were assessed using visual analog scales. Cognitive performance (psychomotor vigilance task and choice reaction time) and physical performance (vertical jumps and agility) were evaluated at both morning and afternoon time points. Results: The adapted intervention produced significantly greater improvements in sleep efficiency (time × group: F(1,28) = 6.84, p = 0.014, ηp2 = 0.20; d = 0.78) and sleep onset latency (F(1,28) = 5.97, p = 0.021, ηp2 = 0.18; d = 0.72) compared with standard restriction. Significant reductions were also observed in pre-sleep anxiety (F(1,28) = 7.12, p = 0.012, ηp2 = 0.20; d = 0.81) and stress (F(1,28) = 6.45, p = 0.017, ηp2 = 0.19; d = 0.74). Cognitive performance showed significant time × group × time-of-day interactions, with improvements during afternoon assessments in psychomotor vigilance (F(1,28) = 7.48, p = 0.011; d = 0.83) and choice reaction time (F(1,28) = 6.89, p = 0.014; d = 0.79) exclusively in the adapted group. Physical performance outcomes remained stable across interventions. Conclusions: Progressive smartphone restriction combined with psychoeducational strategies and pre-sleep relaxation yields clinically meaningful improvements in sleep continuity, psychological arousal, and afternoon cognitive performance, exceeding the benefits achieved through behavioral restriction alone.

Preferred music has been shown to enhance psychological and physiological parameters in order to increase physical performance in high intensity exercises. However, the effects of preferred music are less conclusive with different frequencies. The present study assessed the effects of listening to preferred music during warm-up at different frequencies on physical performance and psychophysiological responses specific in male and female kickboxers. In a double-blind crossover study design, fifteen men and thirteen women kickboxers randomly performed the intermittent kickboxing anaerobic speed test (IKAST) after listening to preferred music around 440 Hz (PM44Hz), or 432 Hz (PM432Hz) frequencies or no music during warm-up. Physical performance indices, heart rate, blood lactate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and feeling scale (FS) were measured. Warm-up with PM440 Hz significantly improved IKAST performance indices with the highest impact velocity and FS, lowest mean heart rate and RPE, followed by PM432 Hz for both sexes compared to the control condition. For sex interaction, men had lower heart rate with PM440Hz, women the lowest with PM432Hz. In addition, women had higher positive feeling scale with PM440Hz, while men did not experience any significant change between the two musical conditions. PM440Hz during warm-up was found to be more effective in improving specific performance, positive mood with a potential dissociation from discomfort during the test. Also, women were more affected by the music frequency difference compared to men.

The study aimed to investigate the effects of acute ingestion of saffron (SAF) on physiological (i.e., heart rate and blood lactate) and perceptual (i.e., ratings of perceived exertion [RPE] and feeling scale) measures in response to a repeated-sprint ability test (RSS) in healthy young males ( N  = 22; mean ± SD: age, 21.7 ± 1.24 yrs.). All participants completed two experimental trials with a one-week washout period using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. In each session, the participants were randomly chosen to receive either a capsule of saffron (300 mg) (SAF session) or a capsule of lactose (PLB session) two hours before performing the RSS. No significant differences ( p  > 0.05) were found for heart rate, RPE, and feeling scale between the SAF or PLB sessions at pre- and post-RSS. There were no significant changes ( p  > 0.05) in peak time, total time, fatigue index, and blood lactate in either the SAF or PLB sessions. Acute SAF ingestion did not significantly improve RSS performance nor physiological and perceptual measures in active young males. Future trials should address the topic by using shortened/prolonged higher doses of SAF on biological, physical, physiological, and perceptual responses to acute and chronic exercise.

This investigation aimed to examine the effect of verbal encouragement teacher to student (VETS) versus verbal encouragement student to student (VESS) on physical performance and affective responses during different modalities of sprint tests in active male students. In a randomized crossover design, twenty-two male sport science students (age: 21 ± 1.2 years, body height: 1.77 ± 0.3 m, body mass: 76.6 ± 2.1 kg, BMI: 22.9 ± 1.3 kg·m−2) performed linear and change-of-direction sprint tests under one of three conditions: (1) VETS; (2) VETS; (3) no verbal encouragement. In each condition, participants performed the 20 m sprint test, the 10 × 2 sprint test, and the L sprint test. The assessed parameters comprised physical performance, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and a feeling scale. Post hoc test analysis indicates a significant increase in physical performance during VETS and VESS conditions compared to the control condition due to a decrease in sprint in line 20 m (VETS: p < 0.001, d = 0.55; VESS: p = 0.016, d = 0.41), sprint 10*2 (VETS: p < 0.001, d = 0.64; VESS: p = 0.05, d = 0.36), and sprint L (VETS: p = 0.001, d = 1.19) times compared to the control condition. Moreover, the feeling score was greater after VETS compared to other conditions (p = [<0.001–0.001], d = [0.77–1.18]). In addition, the RPE had no effect on sprint performance between the different conditions. It is indicated that VETS, rather than VESS, is a more significant and effective way to increase effort intensity and positive feelings during sprinting modalities.

Background The preseason offers an opportunity to achieve an optimal level of physical fitness for the entire season. The question arises whether the training programs induce muscle damage and inflammatory processes which may have a negative impact on players’ readiness at the beginning of the season. Objectives To examine the effects of a preseason neuromuscular training program (NMT) versus endurance training (ET) on measures of isokinetic strength, muscle damage, and blood parameters in female soccer players. Methods Twenty-two highly trained female soccer players with a mean age of 17.0 ± 1.3 years were randomly assigned to a NMT ( n  = 11) or ET group ( n  = 11). NMT and ET programs lasted six weeks with three sessions per week, each 45–60 min. NMT included strength, power, linear sprint and change-of-direction speed, and dynamic stability exercises. ET comprised running, circuit drills, coordination, aerobic circuit, interval-training, speed-endurance exercises, and dynamic stretching. isokinetic knee flexor/extensor parameters (e.g., peak torque) were tested pre- and post-training. Blood samples were analyzed for muscle damage markers: creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and inflammation markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results Significant group-by-time interactions were found for all isokinetic parameters (0.001 <  p  < 0.012, 1.35 < d < 4.17). Post-hoc tests revealed significant improvements following NMT but not ET (0.001 <  p  < 0.045, 0.81 < d < 2.46). Additionally, there were also significant group-by-time interactions for IL-6 ( p  = 0.005; d = 0.31), CK ( p  = 0.026; d = 1.0), and LDH ( p  < 0.003; d = 1.44). Variations in IL-6, CK, and LDH determined by post-hoc tests indicated decreases in NMT but not ET (IL-6: p  = 0.005, d = 1.27; CK: p  = 0.023, d = 1.01; LDH: p  = 0.002, d = 1.42). Conclusions Six weeks of preseason NMT produced larger improvements in isokinetic strength and less muscle damage and inflammation in highly-trained female soccer players compared to ET group.