2026-03-31
Joanna Motowidło et al.
Background: Evidence on lower-limb strength, explosive power and bilateral asymmetry in competitive fencing is fragmented, and the relative impact of general neuromuscular capacity versus targeted training interventions remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide a multidimensional, evidence-based synthesis of data on strength, power, and bilateral asymmetry of the lower limbs in professional fencers. Materials and methods: Following PRISMA 2020 (PROSPERO CRD420251041007), six databases were searched by 31 January 2025. Forty studies of fencers aged ≥ 12 years met the inclusion criteria. Three domain-specific random-effects meta-analyses (DerSimonian–Laird) were conducted: (1) integrated strength and power across all study designs; (2) strength- and power-focused intervention trials; and (3) asymmetry-targeted training. Results: The integration of observational and interventional data (nine studies) yielded a pooled effect size of d = 0.62 (95% CI 0.32–0.92). Seven intervention studies produced a larger pooled effect for strength/power programs ( d = 1.08; 95% CI 0.74–1.42). Six asymmetry trials demonstrated d = 0.95 (95% CI 0.58–1.32). Between-study heterogeneity was moderate (I² = 45–60%), and GRADE assessments rated evidence quality as low to moderate. Conclusions: Both general neuromuscular capacity and targeted strength/power interventions strongly influence fencing performance, with interventions showing the greatest effects. Bilateral-symmetry training also yields substantial benefits. We recommend routine diagnostics, evidence-based strength and power programs, and symmetry-focused protocols. Future research should standardize assessment methods, adopt longitudinal designs and expand demographic representation.
2026-02-04
Nasser Abouzeid et al.
Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week bungee-based training program on selected physical performance variables and arch jump kinematics in female college rhythmic gymnasts. Material and methods: Eighteen female college students (age: 18.1 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n = 9) or a control group (CG; n = 9). The EG completed a bungee workout training program three times per week for eight weeks, while the CG followed a traditional rhythmic gymnastics training program. Physical performance variables included vertical jump, leg strength, back strength, standing long jump, and sit-and-reach flexibility. Arch jump kinematics were assessed using video-based motion analysis. Pre- and post-intervention comparisons were conducted within and between groups. Results: Following the intervention, the EG demonstrated significant improvements in all physical performance variables ( p p
2025-12-30
Aysel Gökçe Kurt et al.
Background: The study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic performance on balance, anaerobic power, agility, and visual reaction in fencers and was designed as a prospective cohort study. Materials and methods: This study involved 26 fencing athletes (age = 20.35 ± 5.12 years, sports experience: 8.44 ± 4.33 years). The 20-m shuttle test, the vertical jump test, the Y-balance test, the fencing-specific 4-2-2-4 forward-back step method, and the Nelson hand reaction test were used to evaluate aerobic performance, anaerobic performance, balance, agility-change of direction, and visual reaction, respectively. Results: The maximum oxygen consumption determined with a use of the 20-m shuttle run test was moderately negatively correlated with the agility test duration ( r = −0.624, p = 0.001). The shuttle number and distance were moderately negatively correlated with the agility test duration ( r = –0.626, p = 0.001) and was positively correlated with vertical jump height (r = 0.577, p = 0.002). A moderate negative correlation was found between anaerobic power and lower limb fatigue determined using the shuttle run test (r = −0.407, p = 0.039) and the agility test duration ( r = −0.679, p p > 0.05). Conclusions: The study showed that the agility levels, vertical jump heights, and anaerobic power of fencers increased with an increase in their aerobic performance. Furthermore, fencers with greater power had better agility and showed fewer signs of fatigue. Therefore, training programs that combine both anaerobic and aerobic exercises should be designed specifically for the athlete to improve their fencing performance.
2025-12-17
Wojciech Wołyniec et al.
Background: Physical activity is an important part of healthy lifestyle and should be continued during low-risk pregnancy. Several studies have suggested that most pregnant women had no contraindications to perform exercises. The aim of the study was to assess the acute effect of an exercise test up to refusal and a chronic impact of an 8-week HIIT program on albuminuria and kidney function in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Material and Methods: A group of 36 pregnant women was studied. At the beginning of the study, all participants had normal kidney function and albuminuria at rest. Nineteen women participated in an 8-week HIIT program (HIIT group), and seventeen in an educational program (EDU group). Before and after the training or education programs, a progressive exercise test up to volitional exhaustion on a cycloergometer was conducted. Several biochemical measurements were performed to assess changes in the kidney function. Results: After a short exercise test, some unexpected findings were observed: the fractional excretion of urea and uric acid increased (FeUrea from 41.25 to 50.05%; FeUA from 7.18 to 8.04%), and serum uric acid significantly decreased (sUA from 3.35 to 3.28mg/dL). Although the 8-week HIIT program had no impact on the kidney function at rest, the interesting finding was that albuminuria significantly increased only in the EDU group. Conclusion: Changes in the kidney function after a short very intense exercise in pregnancy were typical of healthy women, but there was no negative impact on markers of renal hypoperfusion. The supervised HIIT program during pregnancy had no negative impact on the kidney function.
2025-12-16
Mariola Gepfert et al.
Background: This study aims to compare locomotion metrics between Poland’s Top League and First League at the team level using 10 Hz GPS. Methods: Team-level match data (autumn round) were analysed. The following metrics were computed: total distance, high-speed running (HSR: 19–23 km·h⁻¹ [5.28–6.39 m·s⁻¹]), sprinting (> 23 km·h⁻¹ [> 6.39 m·s⁻¹]), accelerations and decelerations at two thresholds (> 3.0 and > 4.0 m·s⁻²), and Player Load (arbitrary units, tri-axial accelerometry). Between-league differences were tested with Mann–Whitney U; rank-biserial effect sizes were reported. Results: Top League teams covered more sprint and HSR distance and performed more ACC/DEC at both thresholds (all p
2025-12-01
Jan Strawiński et al.
Background: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) has become a recognized method for acutely improving explosive output, particularly relevant to upper-body performance in combat sports. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bench press conditioning activities (CAs) at different intensities (50 %, 65 %, and 80 % 1RM) on upper-body explosive performance in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes, with emphasis on training status. Methods: Twenty-nine male MMA athletes were divided into intermediate ( n = 14) and advanced ( n = 15) groups. Each participant completed three CA sessions followed by a 4-minute recovery and then performed a plyometric push-up (PPU) and medicine ball throw (MBT). Key outcome measures included peak power (PP), rate of force development (RFD), rate of power development (RPD), and MBT distance. Results: Advanced athletes demonstrated significantly higher peak power after the 80 % CA ( p = 0.021, d = 0.77) and improved MBT performance ( p = 0.028, d = 0.61). No significant group differences were found in RFD or RPD, but moderate effect sizes ( d ≈ 0.40) suggest practical relevance. Greater response variability was observed among intermediate athletes. Strong positive correlations were found between PP, RPD, and RFD. Conclusion: Upper-body PAPE effects are influenced by both CA intensity and training level. High-load CAs (≥ 80 % 1RM) are most effective in eliciting acute explosive responses in advanced athletes, while rate-based and throwing outcomes may require individualized or longitudinal interventions.