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The objectives of this study were to investigate the reliability, validity, and usefulness of the 30–15 intermittent fitness test (30–15 IFT ) in soldiers. The 34 infantry members of the Slovenian armed forces were recruited as participants. Participants performed the continuous incremental treadmill test (TR), a 2-mile run (2 MR ) test, and two 30–15 IFT tests. Additionally, participants were divided into a highest-scoring group (HSG) and a lowest-scoring group (LSG) based on their scores on the Army Physical Fitness Test. A very high reliability ratings were observed for 30–15 IFT measures, as follows: end-running speed (ERS) ERS IFT (ICC = 0.971) , maximal heart rate (HR max ) HR maxIFT (IC = 0.960) , and maximal relative oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) VO 2max-IFT (ICC = 0.975) . Although 30–15 IFT measures demonstrated high correlations (r = 0.695–0.930) to the same measures of TR test, ERS, HR max and VO 2max were higher in the 30–15 IFT (p > 0.05) . Furthermore, ERS IFT and predicted VO 2maxIFT were higher in HSG compared to LSG, whereas HR max did not differ. The results of this study show that the 30–15 IFT test is a reliable, valid and useful tool for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in the armed forces. Moreover, the ERS and predicted VO 2 max values derived from the 30–15 IFT could be considered more sensitive markers of combat readiness than the parameters derived from the TR and 2 MR tests. Trial registration number: NCT05218798.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of drop height and selected somatic parameters on the landing kinetics of rebound jumps in force and power production, performed by male and female student athletes. Twenty female and forty male students with a sports background participated in the experiment (mean and standard deviation (± SD): age 20.28 ± 1.31 years, height 166.78 ± 5.29 cm, mass 62.23 ± 7.21 kg and 21.18 ± 1.29, 182.18 ± 6.43, 78.65 ± 7.09). Each participant performed three maximal jumps on two independent and synchronized force platforms (Bilateral Tensiometric Platform S2P) at each of the two assigned drop-jump heights (20-, and 40-, cm for female and 30-, and 60-, cm for the male special platform). Significant between-sex differences were observed in all variables of selected somatics, with men outperforming women. Statistically significant differences were noted in four parameters, between men and women, in both DJs from 20/40 and 30/60 cm. The height of the jump was 6 cm and 4 cm higher for men. A slightly higher statistical significance (p = 0.011) was demonstrated by the relative strength (% BW) generated by the left limb in both men and women. Only women showed a significant relationship between body mass, body height, and five parameters, dropping off of a 20 cm box. In men, only the left leg—relative maximal F (p =−0.45)—showed a relationship with body mass. There were no relationships between the above-mentioned dependencies in both groups, in jumps from a higher height: 40 cm and 60 cm. From a practical application, the DJ with lower 20/30 cm or higher 40/60 cm (women/men) respectively emphasizes either the force or power output via an increase in the velocity component of the rebound action or increased height of the DJ jump.

To investigate the level of bilateral symmetry or asymmetry between right and left foot center of pressure (COP) trajectory in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions, this study involved 102 participants (54 females and 48 males). Ground reaction forces were measured using two Kistler force plates during two 45-s quiet standing trials. Comparisons of COP trajectory were performed by correlation and scatter plot analysis. Strong and very strong positive correlations (from 0.6 to 1.0) were observed between right and left foot anteroposterior COP displacement trajectory in 91 participants; 11 individuals presented weak or negative correlations. In the mediolateral direction, moderate and strong negative correlations (from −0.5 to −1.0) were observed in 69 participants, weak negative or weak positive correlations in 30 individuals, and three showed strong positive correlations (0.6 to 1.0). Additional investigation is warranted to compare COP trajectories between asymptotic individuals as assessed herein (to determine normative data) and those with foot or leg symptoms to better understand the causes of COP asymmetry and aid clinicians with the diagnosis of posture-related pathologies.

This study aimed to establish and assess the reliability of spino-pelvic and sagittal balance parameters measured during walking in patients with back pain, some of whom had radiological signs of sagittal imbalance, reflecting real-world clinical conditions. Dynamic assessment offers an alternative to conventional static measurements, potentially improving the evaluation of sagittal balance. Ten patients aged 56–73 years completed a six-minute walking assessment while being monitored by the optoelectric Qualisys Motion Capture System. Forty-nine reflective markers were placed to measure the spino-pelvic and sagittal balance parameters across five gait phases: pre-walk, initial-walk, mid-walk, end-walk, and post-walk. Test–retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The results showed excellent reliability for thoracic kyphosis angle (ICC = 0.97), C7-L5 sagittal trunk shift (ICC = 0.91), and global tilt angle (ICC = 0.99); good reliability for auditory meatus-hip axis sagittal trunk shift (ICC = 0.85); and moderate reliability for pelvic angle (ICC = 0.57), lumbar lordosis angle (ICC = 0.72), and sagittal trunk angle (ICC = 0.73). Despite minor marker placement inconsistencies and variations in body movement across trials, the findings support the use of this dynamic assessment method in research settings. Its clinical application could also enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning for patients with sagittal balance disorders, allowing for better-tailored therapeutic interventions.

The paper addresses relations between the characteristics of body composition in international sprint swimmers and sprint performance. The research included 82 swimmers of international level (N = 46 male and N = 36 female athletes) from 8 countries. We measured body composition using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance methods with “InBody 720” device. In the case of male swimmers, it was established that the most important statistically significant correlation with sprint performance is seen in variables, which define the quantitative relationship between their fat and muscle with the contractile potential of the body (Protein-Fat Index, r = 0.392, p = 0.007; Index of Body Composition, r = 0.392, p = 0.007; Percent of Skeletal Muscle Mass, r = 0.392, p = 0.016). In the case of female athletes, statistically significant relations with sprint performance were established for variables that define the absolute and relative amount of a contractile component in the body, but also with the variables that define the structure of body fat characteristics (Percent of Skeletal Muscle Mass, r = 0.732, p = 0.000; Free Fat Mass, r = 0.702, p = 0.000; Fat Mass Index, r = −0.642, p = 0.000; Percent of Body Fat, r = −0.621, p = 0.000). Using Multiple Regression Analysis, we managed to predict swimming performance of sprint swimmers with the help of body composition variables, where the models defined explained 35.1 and 75.1% of the mutual variability of performance, for male and female swimmers, respectively. This data clearly demonstrate the importance of body composition control in sprint swimmers as a valuable method for monitoring the efficiency of body adaptation to training process in order to optimize competitive performance.

Mountain bikes with electric assistance (e-bikes) have gained popularity recently by allowing riders to increase their pedaling power through an electric motor. This innovation has raised questions about how e-bikes compare to traditional mountain bikes regarding physical effort, speed, and physiological demands. By examining these factors, the study aims to compare and characterize differences in performance-related parameters when using an electric-assisted mountain bike compared to a conventional mountain bike on different types of terrain (uphill, downhill, flat section, technically demanding terrain) concerning power output, velocity, cardiorespiratory parameters, and energy expenditure. Six experienced mountain bikers (mean age: 44.6 ± 6.4 years, mean body height: 173.3 ± 5.6 cm, mean body weight: 70.6 ± 4.9 kg) cycled 4.5 km on varying off-road terrain at their own race pace, once with and once without electrical assistance, in randomized order. The results of the study indicate significantly faster (24.3 ± 1.85 to 17.2 ± 1.22 km/h (p < 0.001)) cycling on an electric-assisted mountain bike, which reduces cardiorespiratory parameters and metabolic effort as well as results in less demanding workload (138.5 ± 31.8 W) during the cycling with an electric-assisted mountain bike in comparison to a conventional mountain bike (217.5 ± 24.3 W (p < 0.001)). The results indicate significant differences especially when riding uphill. The performance advantage of an electrically assisted mountain bike diminishes compared to a conventional mountain bike on downhill, flat, or technically challenging terrain. The highlighted advantages of electric-assisted mountain bikes could represent a novel strategy for cycling in different terrains to optimize efficiency.

This study assessed differences in agility performance between athletes of team and individual sports by assessing change-of-direction speed (CODS) as pre-planned agility and reactive agility (RA) as non-planed in different spatial configurations. The study involved 36 individual (sprint, hurdles, jumping, tennis, and judo) and 34 team (soccer, basketball, and handball) athletes. CODS and RA were measured with a light-based reactive training system in a frontal (FR), universal (UN), semicircular (SC), and lateral (LA) design. Lower limb power and sprint performance were also measured in a 10 m single leg jump test and 15 m sprint. Individual athletes showed significantly better performance in three of the eight agility tests: LA-RA, UN-RA, and SC-CODS (p < 0.008, p < 0.036, and p < 0.027, respectively) and were found to present stronger correlations (p < 0.01) between jump test performance and the CODS condition. Team athletes showed stronger associations between sprint performance and the CODS condition. In the RA condition both jump and sprint performance showed stronger correlations in the group of individual athletes. Agility performance as measured by CODS and RA should improve with enhanced of motor proficiency. Finally, the tests applied in this experiment seem to be multidimensional, but require spatio-temporal adjustment for their implementation, so that they meet the requirements of the particular sport.

Acute performance enhancement techniques are relevant in athletic training, with tissue flossing gaining attention for its potential. Yet, the effectiveness of different flossing protocols-particularly regarding frequency, duration, and applied pressure-remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of one-time versus two-time thigh tissue flossing on neuromuscular function, measured through tensiomyography. Twenty highly trained male athletes (22.35 ± 5.9 years) participated in assessments of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) at baseline, after warm-up, immediately post-flossing, and 5- and 10- minute post-flossing. The warm-up significantly improved in several tensiomyography parameters, including a reduction in VL delay time (p < 0.001, large ES = 1.7), contraction time (p = 0.001, moderate ES = 0.9), sustain time (p < 0.001, large ES = 1.44), RF delay time (p< 0.001, large ES = 1.5), contraction time (p = 0.001, large ES = 0.96), and sustain time (p < 0.001, large ES = 0.85). A time effect revealed that flossing negatively influenced all evaluated parameters: delay time (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.164), contraction time (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.153), sustain time (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.335), relaxation time (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.113), and maximal displacement amplitude (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.171), indicating signs of muscular fatigue rather than potentiation. No interaction effect between time and flossing frequency was observed. These findings suggest that acute tissue flossing does not enhance muscle contractile properties at 10 minutes post-application. Future studies should examine different populations and protocol variations.

The purpose of the research study was to determine the structure of the competitive performance variables of male and female ski jumpers who participated in the second series of the competition on the smaller HS106m ski jumping hill at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The dependent criterion variable was the length of the jump. The following independent variables were included: in-run velocity, flight velocity at a point 30 m after the end of the take-off table, velocity of movement of the jumper at landing, V-angle between the skis at a point 30 m after the end of the take-off table and wind speed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and factor analysis were used to analyze the data. Differences in the dependent criterion variable (jump length) were much higher in women (M = 85 m, SD = 8.3 m) than in men (M = 98 m, SD = 3.9 m). At a fairly similar in-run velocity, men achieved an average of 13 m longer final jump than women. A statistically significant correlation between jump length and wind speed was observed in males (r = .42). In females, the variables in-run velocity (r = .59) and landing speed (r = .59) were significantly corelated with jump length. The multiple correlation showed a much higher correlation of independent variables in women (Mult R = .78; Sig R = 0.00) than in men (Mult R = .54; Sig R = 0.23). The overall competitive performance factor for men and women was largely determined by the jump length and style scores variables. The wind speed factor was completely independent of the other independent variables. The research showed a significant difference in the average quality level of competitive performance in male and female category. In particular, women had a much higher variability in competitive performance than men. The results of the survey confirmed that for a top achievement, in addition to the length of the jump, the score for style is also important. Based on this important knowledge for practice, coaches should pay more attention to the development of the aesthetic component of ski jumping technique. Namen raziskovalne študije je bil ugotoviti strukturospremenljivk tekmovalne uspešnosti smučarjev skakalcev in smučark skakalk, ki so nastopili v drugi serijitekmovanja na manjši skakalnici HS106m na zimskiholimpijskih igrah v Pekingu 2022. Odvisno kriterijskospremenljivko je predstavljala dolžina skoka. Medneodvisne spremenljivke so bile uvrščene: zaletna hitrost, hitrost leta v točki 30 m za robom odskočišča, hitrost ob doskoku, kot med smučkama v točki 30 m za robom odskočišča in hitrost vetra. Za analizo podatkov je bila uporabljena opisna statistika, korelacijska analiza infaktorska analiza. Razlike pri odvisni kriterijskispremenljivki (dolžina skoka) so bile precej višje priženskah (M = 85 m, SD = 8,3 m) kot pri moških (M = 98m, SD = 3,9 m). Pri podobni zaletni hitrosti so moškidosegli v povprečju 13 m daljši finalni skok kot ženske.Pri moških je bila ugotovljena statistično pomembnakorelacija med dolžino skoka in hitrostjo vetra (r = 0,42).Pri ženskah sta bili z dolžino skoka značilno povezanispremenljivki zaletna hitrost (r = 0,59) in hitrost obdoskoku (r =0,59). Z multiplo korelacijo je bilaugotovljena precej višja povezanost neodvisnihspremenljivk pri ženskah (Mult R = 0,78; Sig R = 0,00) kotpri moških (Mult R = 0,54; Sig R = 0,23). Faktortekmovalne uspešnosti sta tako pri moških kot pri ženskah v največji meri skupno determinirali spremenljivki dolžina skoka in stilne ocene. Faktor hitrosti vetra je bil neodvisen od ostalih neodvisnih spremenljivk. Raziskava je pokazala značilno razliko v povprečni kakovostni ravni tekmovalne uspešnosti v moški in ženski konkurenci. Še zlasti je bilapri ženskah prisotna precej višja variabilnost tekmovalneuspešnosti kot pri moških. Rezultati raziskave so potrdili,da je za vrhunski dosežek, poleg dolžine skoka pomembna tudi ocena za slog. Na osnovi tega pomembnega spoznanja za prakso, bi morali trenerji posvetiti več pozornosti razvoju estetske komponente tehnike smučarskega skoka.

This study investigated gender-specific predictors of vault performance in gymnastics by applying machine learning techniques to analyse body composition and run-up dynamics. Data were collected from 27 national-level gymnasts (17 female, 10 male) during the Slovenian Cup competition. The focus on gender-specific predictors stems from fundamental physiological and biomechanical differences between male and female athletes, which influence force production, movement kinematics, and execution mechanics. A deeper understanding of these distinctions enhances the precision of performance modelling and supports the development of targeted, evidence-based training interventions. Spatiotemporal parameters of the run-up were recorded using the OptoGait system, while body composition was assessed with the Tanita DC-360. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Boosting regression models were used to identify key predictors of vault execution scores. These methods were selected for their ability to reduce dimensionality and capture complex, nonlinear relationships in performance data. The results revealed clear gender-specific patterns. For female gymnasts, the model explained 74.4% of the variance in execution scores, with Overall Lean Body Mass emerging as the most influential predictor (47.12% relative influence), followed by Overall Contact Phases (25.28%). For male gymnasts, the model demonstrated exceptionally high predictive power, explaining 97.8% of the variance, with Body Fat as the primary predictor (48.44% relative influence), followed by Flight and Contact Dynamics (35.22%). These findings suggest that training strategies should be tailored to gender-specific needs. For women, emphasis on lean muscle development, stride optimisation, and the coordination of rhythm and timing may be beneficial. For men, managing body fat levels, optimising flight and contact dynamics, and adopting an integrated approach to stride mechanics appear essential. Given the potential for misinterpretation of body composition metrics, a holistic approach to athletic conditioning is recommended. However, the study’s limitations, including the small sample size and cross-sectional design-warrant cautious interpretation. This research provides a foundation for future investigations into gender-specific factors affecting vault performance. Larger and longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings and support the development of more precise training interventions. Ta raziskava je raziskovala napovedne dejavnike uspešnosti preskoka v telovadbi ločeno po spolu z uporabo tehnik strojnega učenja za razčlenitev telesne sestave in dinamike zaleta. Podatki so bili zbrani pri 27 osebah (17 žensk, 10 moških) med tekmovanjem za pokal Slovenije. Poudarek na napovednih dejavnikih uspeha po spolu izhaja iz temeljnih fizioloških in biomehaničnih razlik med moškimi in ženskami, ki vplivajo na proizvodnjo sile, kinematiko gibanja in mehaniko izvedbe. Globlje razumevanje teh razlik povečuje natančnost modeliranja uspešnosti in podpira razvoj ciljno usmerjenih, na dokazih temelječih vadbenih posegov. Prostorsko-časovni parametri zaleta so bili zabeleženi s sistemom OptoGait, medtem ko je bila telesna sestava ocenjena z napravo Tanita DC-360. Za prepoznavo ključnih napovednih dejavnikov rezultatov izvedbe preskoka sta bila uporabljena razčlenitev glavnih sestavin (PCA) in model Boostingove regresije. Ti metodi sta  bili izbrani zaradi njihove sposobnosti zmanjšanja razsežnosti in zajemanja zapletenih, nelinearnih odnosov v podatkih o uspešnosti. Rezultati so razkrili jasne vzorce, ki se točno ločijo op spolu. Pri telovadkah je model pojasnil 74,4 % spremenljivost v rezultatih izvedbe, pri čemer se je kot najpomembnejši napovedovalec izkazala celotna pusta telesna masa (47,12 % sorazmernega  vpliva), sledililo je  trajanje opore (25,28 %). Pri telovadcih je model pokazal izjemno visoko napovedno moč, saj je pojasnil 97,8 % variance, pri čemer je bila telesna maščoba najpomembnejši napovedovalec (48,44 % sorazmernega vpliva), sledila pa sta dinamika leta in opore (35,22 %). Te ugotovitve kažejo, da bi morale biti strategije vadbe prilagojene potrebam posameznega spola. Za ženske je lahko koristen poudarek na razvoju puste mišične mase, optimizaciji korakov ter skladnosti ritma in časa. Za moške se zdi bistveno obvladovanje ravni telesne maščobe, izboljšanje dinamike leta in opre ter sprejetje celostnega pristopa k mehaniki korakov. Glede na možnost napačne razlage meritev telesne sestave je priporočljiv celosten pristop k stanju telesne priprave. Vendar pa omejitve raziskave, vključno z majhno velikostjo vzorca in presečno zasnovo, zahtevajo previdno razlago. Ta raziskava zagotavlja osnovo za prihodnje raziskave dejavnikov, ločeno po spolu, ki vplivajo na uspešnost preskoka. Za potrditev teh ugotovitev in podporo razvoju natančnejših vadbenih ukrepov so potrebne obsežnejše in večletno spremljanje.