Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Effect of lowering the maximum tackle height in English Schoolboy rugby union on tackle characteristics, and all-injury and concussion rates

2026-06-04

Response letter

Injury incidence and prevalence across the women's cricket performance pathway in England and Wales: a three-season retrospective cohort study

2026-06-04

To describe the epidemiology of time-loss and non-time-loss injuries in the women's cricket professional pathway across international, domestic and academy levels in England and Wales.

Heat preparation and nutrition strategies for a 100-mile ultramarathon in extreme hot conditions: A questionnaire study at the Western States Endurance Run

2026-06-03

This study examined heat preparation, nutritional strategies, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of runners competing in the 2025 Western States Endurance Run (WSER), a 100-mile ultra-marathon with extreme heat exposure.

Comment on “the effect of lowering the maximum tackle height in English schoolboy rugby union on tackle characteristics and all-injury and concussion rates”

Swarupanjali Padhi, Prashant Ramdas Kokiwar, Janvi Patel, Ankita Kalra — 2026-06-03

We read with interest the recent prospective cohort study in Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport evaluating a reduction in the maximum legal tackle height from the shoulder to the armpit in English U15 and U18 schoolboy rugby.1 The study reported fewer shoulder-height contacts and more tacklers bent at the waist after the law change, but no significant reduction in overall injury or concussion incidence. This is an important contribution in a policy area where prospective youth data remain limited.

Corrigendum to “What lies behind injury prevention behaviour in youth handball and football? A cross-sectional nationwide study of behavioural constructs in 865 coaches and players” [J Sci Med Sport volume 29, issue 4 (2026). Pages 385–392, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.10.009]

2026-06-02

The authors regret that an error was identified in Table 3, where estimates for the full sample were incorrectly reported as estimates for boys only. This error affected the reported significant differences between and within sports but did not alter the study conclusions.

Understanding symptoms of swimming-induced pulmonary edema through the patient's perspective: a qualitative approach

Evelyn N. Ong, Louise H. Naylor, Timothy Budden, Nat Benjanuvatra — 2026-06-01

Swimming-induced pulmonary edema (SIPE)d is a potentially fatal condition that can develop in healthy individuals during swimming. Detailed descriptions of episode onset to resolution are lacking but needed to facilitate early recognition and support swimmer safety. We aimed to explore personal accounts of SIPE, focusing on the symptoms.

Tackle behaviour trial lowers concussion and overall injury rates: A seven-season prospective study in adult men's, women's and schoolboy rugby union

2026-05-25

To determine the impact of lowering the legal tackle height from the armpit to the base of the sternum on tackle-event match concussion, all tackle-event and overall match injury rates across adult community (men and women) and schoolboy rugby union competitions in Ireland.

“I'm breaking my back for this sport and they're not supporting me”

2026-05-21

The elite athlete low back pain experience is typically examined through an individualistic lens, which overlooks the broader societal context in which pain, disability and recovery occur. We aimed to examine the societal and structural factors influencing the recovery experiences of elite athletes with persistent low back pain.

Large variations in analgesic consumption patterns in youth elite athletes: a 28-week prospective cohort study

2026-05-19

In this prospective cohort study, we aimed to identify different analgesic consumption patterns among 690 youth elite athletes and 505 students (15–20 years). Group-based trajectory modeling identified distinct consumption patterns and mixed-effects Poisson regression estimated relative risks of analgesic use between groups based on weekly reports of analgesic use over 28 weeks. Four patterns emerged: minimal/non-users (48% athletes/53% students), occasional users (31%/33%), frequent users (19%/11%), and persistent users (2.5%/3.2%), and relative risks of use increased with higher trajectory groups.

Prevalence of stress urinary incontinence and associated factors in elite female football players: Better understanding for better prevention

2026-05-18

Stress urinary incontinence affects many female athletes. Its effect in elite women's football has received little attention. This study aims to determine the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in elite women's football, investigate its triggers, analyze compensatory strategies, and identify practical solutions to reduce its impact on health and performance.

Sprint acceleration technique is associated with lower limb injury epidemiology in professional male Rugby Union players: a seven-season analysis

James J. Wild, Neil E. Bezodis — 2026-05-14

To investigate whether sprint acceleration technique is associated with the epidemiology of non-contact lower limb running-based injuries in professional male Rugby Union players.

From plan to practice: Development, awareness, and implementation of sports injury and illness risk management plans in a professional male football setting

2026-05-13

To examine the development, stakeholder involvement, and implementation of risk management plans in professional football clubs in Qatar during the 2022–2023 season, with a focus on creation, team awareness, and completion of mitigation tasks.

Doping susceptibility in Korean athletes: A validation study of the ADBS-K

Youngho Kim, Dojin An — 2026-05-13

The current study aimed at developing a doping behavior scale for Korean athletes based on the Sport Drug Control Model, and to evaluate its reliability and validity.

Artificial intelligence applications in sport-related concussion: an updated scoping review

2026-05-07

Sport-related concussion is a complex mild traumatic brain injury for which diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis remain largely dependent on subjective clinical assessment. Artificial intelligence has emerged as a potential tool to enhance objectivity by integrating large, multimodal datasets across the concussion care pathway.

Sport-specific prevalence of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) risk among Finnish female national- and international-level athletes

2026-05-07

To determine the prevalence and sport-specific patterns of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport risk among Finnish national- and international-level female athletes and active non-athletes.

Effects of head impact exposure on in-game heart rate dynamics in Canadian varsity football athletes

2026-05-06

To characterize the association between head impact exposure and heart rate dynamics during varsity football games.

Implementing Prep to be PRO - Bridging the gap between design and delivery

Heiestad Hege, Myklebust Grethe, Bahr Roald, Holm Moseid Christine — 2026-05-05

Prep to be PRO is a comprehensive, module-based educational program for young athletes attending sport high schools, focusing on injury and illness prevention, long-term development, and health literacy, delivered by the school's coaching and teaching staff. Guided by the TRIPP and RE-AIM frameworks, this study aimed to evaluate the final development phase. We explored early coach and athlete experiences and examined the implementation process using Durlak and DuPre's eight dimensions of implementation quality to identify factors that may facilitate or hinder future integration of the program into routine practice.

Agreement between lactate threshold and critical speed in trained, highly trained, and World Class runners

Katie L. Rainsberger, Andrew W. Subudhi, James Pearson, Marissa N. Baranauskas — 2026-04-30

To determine whether differences between laboratory-based lactate and field-based critical speed estimates of the heavy-to-severe intensity threshold vary by athlete caliber, and to assess agreement between methods.

Probability of meeting the restrained sitting guideline in early childhood: an international cross-sectional study

2026-04-27

To estimate the proportion of children who meet the restrained sitting guidelines (i.e. <1 h in continuous restrained sedentary). The secondary aim was to determine which factors contribute to the probability a child will meet the restrained sitting guidelines.

Physical activity intensity in active learning: Implications for sports medicine and early childhood cognitive development

2026-04-27

We have read with great interest the recent article by Martin Martinez and colleagues on the effects of active learning based on physical activity at varying intensities on foreign language vocabulary, cognitive performance, and physical fitness in preschool children.1 The ELFIT study makes an important contribution to sports medicine and exercise science, particularly in the context of school-based interventions in early childhood, which are still relatively rare in experimental, randomized, controlled designs.

Trends in sport and active recreation participation during the transition from mid to late adulthood: A longitudinal cohort analysis of sociodemographic patterns

2026-04-27

To examine five-year trends in participation in sports and active recreation during the transition from midlife to early older age, and to assess how these trends varied by sex, age group, and education level.

Physical activity and active recreation practices of LGBTQIA+ individuals in regional and rural Australia: A cross-sectional analysis of 17,398 residents

Chathurani De Silva, Emiliano Mazzoli, Nicola D. Ridgers, Lisa M. Barnett — 2026-04-27

To explore physical activity and active recreation participation among LGBTQIA+ adults in regional and rural Australia using census data.

Ultrasound-based evaluation of changes in tendon macro- and micromorphology following exercise and ESWT in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: A randomized clinical trial with a 26-week follow-up

2026-04-27

To evaluate effects of progressive resistance training alone and in combination with focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy on tendon macromorphology measured by ultrasound and micromorphology evaluated using spatial frequency analysis in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

Water-resistant sunscreen use may increase core body temperature during prolonged exercise in the heat

Julián C. Garzón-Mosquera, Luis Fernando Aragón Vargas — 2026-04-24

To examine the effects of a water-resistant sunscreen on body mass loss, skin temperature (Tskin), and core temperature (Tcore) during prolonged exercise in the heat.

Impact of changes in pitch limit guidelines on position distribution and capitellar OCD in youth baseball: A 6-year cohort study

2026-04-19

To evaluate changes in position distribution and capitellar osteochondritis dissecans detected at annual screening before and after the 2019 introduction of pitch limit guidelines, focusing on dual-role players.

Association of cardiovascular health status and cardiac troponin proteoforms following endurance exercise: a case series of long-distance walkers

2026-04-15

Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) elevations are common after strenuous exercise and may present a sign of cardiac vulnerability. From our derivation cohort of long-distance walkers (n = 804), we re-analyzed blood samples from six individuals exhibiting very high post-exercise cTnT concentrations using Gel Filtration Chromatography to explore associations between cTnT proteoforms and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Healthy individuals demonstrated elevated concentrations in small cTnT proteoforms (<20 kDa), whereas individuals with CVD demonstrated elevated concentrations of both small and large cTnT proteoforms (≥29 kDa).

Medical encounters in Brazilian trail running: A multicenter study and safety framework

Camila Romano Berindoague, Bruno Vergara, Rafael de Araujo Porto — 2026-04-15

This multicenter study analyzes medical encounters across 17 Brazilian trail running events involving 18,314 athletes (2022–2025). With a 4.5% medical attendance rate, findings reveal a significant paradigm shift: systemic illnesses—including exercise-associated collapse, heat stroke, and hyponatremia—accounted for 66% of encounters, while injuries represented only 34%. Tropical climate stressors likely exacerbate these clinical risks, particularly among males aged 31–50. To bridge the gap between sport growth and athlete safety, we propose a six-pillar framework to establish a structured national medical surveillance system for trail running in Brazil, transitioning from a data vacuum to specialized, evidence-based care.

Supraventricular arrhythmias and left atrial evaluation in athletes by CMR: going beyond the left ventricle

2026-04-14

Regular physical exercise induces cardiac morpho-functional adaptation, ventricular dilatation, increased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, and low-normal ejection fraction (EF) with preserved stroke volume. The extent of cardiac remodelling depends on type, intensity and volume of training, being highest in high cardiovascular (CV) demand sports.1 Whilst dilatation often involves all the cardiac chambers, including the atria, data on left atrial (LA) remodelling and function from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) remain limited, despite echocardiographic studies highlighting this phenomenon.

The VEGFA and KDR genes are associated with bilateral and multiple chronic Achilles tendon injuries

2026-04-12

Pain is the primary symptom of Achilles tendinopathy, with neovascularisation implicated in symptom development despite unclear mechanisms. Neovascularisation and pain are regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and its receptor, KDR. Since VEGFA polymorphisms have previously been associated with Achilles tendinopathy, this study aimed to determine whether VEGFA (rs699947 C>A, rs2010963 G>C) and/or KDR (rs2071559 C>T, rs1870377 A>T) polymorphisms are associated with exercise-related pain at injury onset, multiple and/or bilateral injuries, as well as self-reported pain using multidimensional pain scales.

Explainable artificial intelligence models for accurate physical activity prediction using wearable device data

2026-04-10

Wearable devices such as smartwatches are increasingly used for physical activity monitoring, but their proprietary algorithms often lack transparency and limit generalizability. Existing machine learning models prioritize accuracy, overlooking interpretability and real-world applicability. This study addresses these gaps by applying explainable deep learning techniques to raw sensor data from commercial devices.

Hypertensive responses to exercise after 12-weeks of high-intensity interval training or moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training in patients with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation: a non-prespecified post-hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial

2026-04-09

Does 12-weeks of high-intensity interval training or moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training lead to changes in hypertensive responses to exercise in adults with atrial fibrillation?

Cumulative increases in circulating mtDNA as a potential biomarker of brain injury in rugby union: a pilot study

2026-04-06

Rugby is a high contact sport that can lead to head contact events, especially in forward players, triggering inflammatory processes. Mitochondrial DNA, released during injury, may act as a proinflammatory signal. This study aimed to assess levels of three mitochondrial DNA forms—mitochondrial (Fraction 1), protein bound (Fraction 2), and naked (Fraction 3) - across a rugby season and correlate them with neuroinflammatory markers, blood parameters, and head impact exposure.

The association between sibling characteristics and young females' physical activity

2026-04-06

This study examined the associations of sibling constellation variables (sex and relative age) with (i) the proportion of female children meeting physical activity guidelines and (ii) their context of weekend play (indoor quiet play and outdoor time).

Reliability of novel diagnostic protocols for metabolic performance determinants in swimming

Tinka Smolarek, Patrick Wahl, Sebastian Keller — 2026-04-02

While reliable performance diagnostics are crucial for guiding training and detecting small changes in swimming performance, the reliability of existing protocols remains insufficiently evaluated.

Soccer-related blunt chest trauma inducing aberrant supraventricular tachycardia and unmasking Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome in an adolescent

Mohammed Abrahim, Neil Dilworth — 2026-04-01

We report a rare case of a hemodynamically unstable adolescent boy who developed aberrant supraventricular tachycardia following minor blunt chest trauma during soccer, successfully terminated with vagal maneuvers alone. Post-termination electrocardiography revealed previously unrecognized Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome. This case demonstrates that seemingly minor blunt chest trauma during contact sports can precipitate clinically significant arrhythmias in children with occult conduction abnormalities.

The effect of adherence to functional stability training on lower-limb injury prevention: A meta-analysis based on intervention type and training dose

Jinfa Gu, Shiwei Chen, Zhongxu Hu, Yu Zhang, Ruohan Zhang — 2026-03-29

To quantify the effect of functional stability training on lower-limb injury risk in athletes and assess whether programme composition, programme type, weekly frequency, and adherence modify effectiveness.

Is the muscle post-ACL injury ready to rebuild or is it limited by mitochondrial dysfunction?

2026-03-29

Muscle atrophy following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is often attributed to disuse, neural inhibition (commonly termed arthrogenic muscle inhibition, AMI), or poor adherence to rehabilitation. Yet emerging evidence challenges this narrative. Persistent atrophy has been documented even among elite athletes who resume high-level sport participation, suggesting that traditional explanations may be incomplete.1 Recent work instead points to a deeper barrier to recovery: a problematic metabolic environment in the quadriceps muscle, characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative distress.

A characterisation of elite open water swimmers' core temperature responses and preparation practices in European Aquatics competitions

2026-03-27

Open water swimming competition occurs within a water temperature (Tw) range (World Aquatics Tw: 16–31 °C) where heat- (hyperthermia) and cold-related (hypothermia) medical events and race-dropouts regularly occur. These can be attributed to the thermodynamic properties of water and human thermoregulatory (Treg) maladaptations for submersion [modest deviations (±0.5–2 °C) in core temperature (Tc) can impair performance and health]. Additionally, little real-world knowledge regarding elite open water swimmer preparation [e.g., heat/cold acclimation/acclimatisation] for extreme environments is available.

“It's about the cake, not the icing”: The current state of the Australian high-performance sport pathway system: A qualitative gap analysis study

2026-03-26

Primary: To examine the current macro-system state of the Australian high-performance sport (HPS) pathway system and characterise macro-system level factors (gaps) influencing athlete attrition, including the relationships between these factors.Secondary: To develop an integrative framework to increase awareness and facilitate targeted discussions about how to retain talented athletes within HPS pathway programmes.

Chinese coaches' perceptions of non-physical factors in training adaptation: A multicausal, cross-cultural perspective

Kechi Anyadike-Danes, Meijun Qu, Lars Donath — 2026-03-26

Chinese coaches were surveyed to examine their opinion on non-physical factors role in training adaptation and performance, results were compared with prior Western data and the influence of cultural reasoning styles on causal prioritisation considered.

Comparison of haemoglobin mass across elite endurance sports and within-subject reliability using the optimised CO re-breathing method

David J. Green, Clare Lobb, Ben E. Scott, Gareth Turner — 2026-03-26

Total haemoglobin mass (tHbmass) is a critical factor in endurance performance. The aim of this study was to compare tHbmass between elite endurance athletes of different sports and assess the reliability of the optimised carbon monoxide rebreathing (oCOR) method in elite endurance athletes.

Multisensory assessment and machine learning for athlete classification in talent identification

2026-03-25

Talent identification in elite sport is challenged by maturation confounding and limited objective assessment tools. This preliminary study examined whether visual-vestibular-somatosensory and autonomic (VVS-A) measures distinguished podium-level from entry-level divers using machine learning.

Development of a machine learning model to detect toddlers' physical activity and sedentary time using accelerometers: Little Movers Activity Analysis

2026-03-18

Toddler movement patterns challenge current accelerometer-based detection of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED). The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop a novel machine learning (ML) model to detect toddlers' PA and SED; and (2) compare this ML model to existing cut-point methods to analyze toddlers' PA (independent sample cross-validation of existing methods).

It's never too late: The impact of resistance training on strength and body composition in females across the lifespan – A systematic review and meta-analysis

2026-03-18

Resistance training improves muscular strength and body composition, yet women are underrepresented in research, and guidelines are mainly based on men. No meta-analysis has systematically evaluated its effects on strength and body composition in women. This study therefore synthesizes evidence across the female lifespan and examines potential dose–response relationship.

Effects of diagnostic labels on management intentions for patellofemoral pain: An online randomised experimental study

2026-03-16

To investigate whether different labels for patellofemoral pain influence peoples' perceived need for imaging (primary outcome), surgery, an injection, a second opinion, and relative rest and activity modification, perceived seriousness of the conditions, concern about exercise and physical activity engagement, and recovery expectations; and whether being engaged in recreational sport influenced the effect of labels on outcomes.

Normative values for hip strength and range of motion in Dutch professional female football players – PROFE hip study

2026-03-16

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine normative values for hip strength and range of motion in professional female football players and to explore associations of age, playing position, leg dominance, hip/groin symptoms and previous hip/groin injuries. By establishing baseline measures, this study aims to provide reference values that can help guide injury prevention strategies in female football players.

The impact of bio-banding on technical–tactical performance in youth handball: first insights from male and female academy players

2026-03-12

To examine and compare the impact of bio-banding with regard to age group competition on technical–tactical performance in young male and female handball players.

Is trunk motion influenced by breast volume? The effect on joint moments at the hip, knee and ankle

2026-03-12

The relationship between breast size and factors impacting running biomechanics is poorly understood. This study examined the effect of breast volume on trunk motion and subsequent, lower limb joint moments.

Regional alterations in Achilles tendon morphology in elite adolescent athletes with Achilles tendinopathy compared to matched controls

Michael Cassel, Lucie Risch, Frank Mayer, Kornelia Kulig, Greg Bashford — 2026-03-10

The study aims to analyze intra-tendinous micro-morphology measured with ultrasound image spatial frequency analysis in adolescent athletes with unilateral Achilles tendinopathy but without signs of tendon pathology on conventional ultrasound images.

The missing pieces: A systematic review of the reporting of resistance training variables in studies of pregnant women

Alexandra Geard, Thomas M. Doering, Michael A. Carron, Melanie Hayman — 2026-03-03

To examine the comprehensiveness in reporting resistance training variables among studies of pregnant women.

Authors' response: Little evidence of cardiac involvement in Mild and Moderate Swimming Induced Pulmonary Oedema (SIPE)

Doug Hacking, Brian Cowie, Andre La Gerche — 2026-02-28

Re: Little evidence of cardiac involvement in Mild and Moderate Swimming Induced Pulmonary Oedema (SIPE) Manuscript Number: JSAMS-D-25-00278R1.

The effects of high-intensity interval training on competitive swimmers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2026-02-26

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on physiological adaptations and performance in competitive swimmers.

A blinded study of inter-rater agreement of video signs for potential concussion in the National Rugby League comparing novice versus expert reviewers

2026-02-26

Inter-rater agreement between novice and expert clinicians for the six international consensus video signs of concussion was investigated in the National Rugby League. Consecutive head injury events from the 2017 and 2018 seasons were included (n = 636). Video footage was examined by two novice and two experienced raters. Agreement for any video sign and the exact combination of video signs was fair (Gwet's AC1 of 0.31, 0.37). Agreement for individual video signs ranged from fair (motor incoordination, Gwet's AC1 0.28) to almost perfect (impact seizures, Gwet's AC1 0.99).

If in doubt, sit them out? — Exploring the influence of the ‘Recognise and Remove’ process on management decisions and player disclosure in community rugby union

2026-02-23

World Rugby's ‘Recognise and Remove’ process facilitates immediate removal of players with suspected concussion from community-level games to enhance player safety. The aim of this study was to explore community stakeholders' perceptions of the ‘Recognise and Remove’ process, and its influence on concussion management decisions.

Comment on: Little evidence of cardiac involvement in mild and moderate swimming induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE)

2026-02-23

We read with great interest the recent article by Lindqvist, Hacking and colleagues examining cardiac involvement following prolonged open water swimming in individuals with ultrasound-detected lung fluid.1 The authors are to be commended for undertaking detailed physiological assessments in a challenging field-based environment. The inclusion of echocardiographic measures alongside lung ultrasound and symptom assessment represents a valuable contribution to a literature that has often relied on retrospective case series2 and symptomatic individuals seeking medical assistance, like those large cohort studies associated with the Swedish Vansbrosimningen.

Adaptations to endurance vs strength training in elite athletes revealed by serum proteomics

2026-02-18

Elite training induces profound physiological adaptations, yet whether these changes manifest as stable circulating proteomes remains unclear. This study characterized serum proteomic profiles in male and female Olympic-level athletes to identify biomarkers associated with long-term endurance and strength training.

Chasing safety: Race-day falls and injuries in Irish professional and amateur horseracing from 2016 to 2024

Alannah Reville, John Corrigan, Jennifer Pugh, Siobhan O'Connor — 2026-02-15

This study aimed to: 1) examine fall and injury incidence in Irish horseracing between 2016 and 2024, 2) establish injury characteristics, 3) compare incidence rates between professional and amateur racing and 4) investigate changes in incidence rates over time.

From replication crisis to research rigor: What applied sport science can learn from psychology

Tomasz Kowalski — 2026-02-13

The replication crisis in psychology revealed that many published findings could not be reproduced, raising concerns about the field's reliability and credibility. This feature paper explores how lessons from the reproducibility movement in psychology can be adapted to applied sport science, particularly in applied research contexts that involve interventions and ecological constraints. Drawing on recent replication attempts in sport science, the author argues that replication should be seen as a continuum rather than a simple binary outcome.

Is Osgood–Schlatter's associated with an increased risk of pars fracture? A retrospective exploratory study of male academy football players

2026-02-12

This retrospective exploratory cohort study investigated the association between Osgood–Schlatter disease and pars interarticularis fractures in elite male academy footballers. Among 341 players, those with a history of Osgood–Schlatter disease were over 19 times more likely to sustain a pars fracture (relative risk: 19.27). Findings suggest Osgood–Schlatter disease may act as a clinically observable risk marker for future spinal pathology. Early identification and management of Osgood–Schlatter disease could help identify those at risk of future pars injuries and may therefore help optimise player health and availability.

Short and long-term effects of a play-based therapeutic exercise programme in children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: A randomised controlled trial

2026-02-09

To determine whether an 8-week, play-based therapeutic exercise program increases the proportion of children with bronchiectasis who remain exacerbation-free over 12-months. Secondary objectives were to assess effects on time of exacerbations, fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), aerobic fitness, perceived movement competence, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and related hip morphologies, and its developmental dose–response relationship in professional female football players: a multicentre cohort study (PROFE)

2026-02-05

To determine the prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, primary cam morphology, pincer morphology and acetabular dysplasia in professional female football players. The secondary aim was to explore a dose–response relationship between sport frequency, age of menarche, and the development of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and primary cam morphology.

Exploring the link between acute symptom changes and repetitive head impacts in boxing sparring

Enora Le Flao, Gunter P. Siegmund, Seth Lenetsky, Robert Borotkanics — 2026-01-31

The acute dose–response relationship between head impact exposure and the development of concussion remains elusive. Previous research has suggested that individual-specific approaches and the cumulative effects of head impacts should be investigated. This study aimed to monitor acute changes in concussion-related symptoms resulting from boxing sparring, and assess how they relate to head impact exposure.

Viewpoint: Defining and developing the Pacific ‘elite athlete’ – Considerations for Pacific Island Countries

Andy Roosen, Alison Burchell, Stephen Cobley — 2026-01-29

Notwithstanding cases of high performance, Pacific Island (PI) athletes or team presence in international sporting competition may be considered limited or underrepresented. For instance, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, 105 PI athletes, of an estimated 10,500 total, attended. Of which, Fiji contributed 33 mainly due to the Men's and Women's Rugby Sevens events.1 When comparing to other similar geography and population-sized regions like the Caribbean, some countries had larger numbers of ‘qualified on merit’ athlete delegations such as Cuba (61), Jamaica (58), Dominican Republic (58), and Puerto Rico (51).

Tackling change: Players try the new tackle height law trial in community Welsh rugby

2026-01-29

World Rugby introduced the 2023 tackle height law change (THLC) to reduce concussion risk by lowering the legal tackle height. This study explored factors influencing players' self-efficacy, attitudes, and behaviours towards the THLC.

Return on investment? Associations between resources and effectiveness of player development in a male rugby union talent system

2026-01-27

Substantial research has considered the factors contributing to effective talent systems, including environmental features and resources. This study aimed to quantitatively explore associations between academy resources and outcome effectiveness in the English male Premiership rugby talent system.

Thinking outside the box: comparing age at performance milestones of swimmers to cross-country skiers and biathletes

Malin Jonsson Kårström, Jesús J. Ruiz-Navarro, Michael Romann, Dennis-Peter Born — 2026-01-23

To compare age at key performance milestones between technical whole-body endurance sports and performance levels.

Effects of an eight-week neuro-athletic training program on passing accuracy, shooting precision, flexibility, and isokinetic knee strength in male soccer players: A randomized controlled trial

Ali Polat Cakici, Numan Alpay, Caglar Soylu — 2026-01-23

To investigate the effects of an eight-week neuro-athletic training (NAT) program, in addition to usual football training, on passing accuracy, shooting precision, flexibility, and isokinetic knee strength in competitive male soccer players.

The influence of handcycling warmup protocol intensity on workload production during sprint tests in athletes with spinal cord injuries

2026-01-20

Post activation potentiation (PAP) is the phenomenon where muscle force-generating capacity during explosive activities increases after sustained activation. Alternatively, fatigue refers to the decrease in muscle force-generating capacity following sustained activation. The level to which muscles are fatigued or potentiated may influence whether performance is enhanced or decreased. While PAP has been well-documented in able-bodied athletes, few studies have examined PAP in athletes with spinal cord injuries (SCI).

Strength in numbers: Exploring the link between upper body muscular strength and academic achievement in youth

Julian A. Reed, Marsha Dowda, Russell R. Pate — 2026-01-20

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between upper body strength and endurance (UMSE) and academic achievement in youth.

Interactions between menstrual cycle, training load and strength performance in elite female weightlifters

2026-01-16

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the menstrual cycle on strength performance, training load, and subjective recovery in elite female weightlifters.

Global burden of ischemic heart disease attributable to low physical activity in adults ≥40 years, 1990–2021 and projections to 2046: a GBD 2021 analysis

2026-01-08

To analyze and predict the temporal and spatial trends of ischemic heart disease burden attributable to low physical activity in adults ≥40 years.

Trends in physical activity among South Korean adults before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, 2009–2024: A nationwide representative study

2026-01-07

Comprehensive evidence on the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of physical activity in large-scale datasets was limited. We aimed to investigate national trends in sufficient physical activity over 16 years, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and variation across population subgroup differences.

Are exercise booster sessions effective at preserving exercise-induced effects in people with multiple sclerosis? A randomised controlled trial: results from the MSBOOST trial

2025-12-28

In people with multiple sclerosis (PWMS), exercise improves aerobic capacity and muscle strength which are key components of physical function and overall health status. However, the effects diminish after exercise cessation. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether exercise booster sessions (EBS) could preserve the exercise-induced improvements.

Abdominally targeted physical exercises as a therapeutic intervention for inflammatory bowel diseases

2025-12-17

To examine the effect of routine physical exercises (PhExs) targeted to the abdomen, compared to general exercises, on clinical outcomes, biomarkers, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Navigating care and compromise: A qualitative study of medical staff roles in German elite handball

Anna K. Reussner, Jannika M. John — 2025-12-17

This study explores how medical staff in German elite handball interpret their roles in managing athlete health and how they navigate role-related challenges within the performance-driven context of elite sport.

Core temperature responses of male football players during matches in the heat — Associations with physiological and running demands

2025-12-15

This study describes core temperature (Tcore) responses during football matches in warm to hot conditions. It aims to identify which physiological, running, and perceptual factors are associated with reaching high Tcore values while controlling for environmental conditions and cooling.

Little evidence of cardiac involvement in Mild and Moderate Swimming- Induced Pulmonary Oedema (SIPE)

2025-12-12

Swimming-induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE) is a potentially fatal condition associated with open-water swims. We sought to quantify the contribution of cardiac dysfunction to SIPE.

Is it feasible to implement an injury surveillance system for amateur boxing events in Australia? A mixed methods study

2025-12-09

To identify facilitators and barriers to implementing an injury surveillance system for amateur boxing in Australia, and to evaluate an implementation trial of an injury surveillance system.

Playing Australian football on artificial turf: what do the players think?

Dara M. Twomey, Lauren A. Petrass, Marlon S. Gonsalves — 2025-12-05

To investigate Australian Football players’ perceptions of the safety and performance attributes of artificial turf, considering the influences of gender, surface composition, level of exposure and injury status.

Dog ownership, dog walking, and physical function in mid-older adults: Findings from the HABITAT cohort study

2025-12-04

To examine the longitudinal effects of dog ownership and dog walking on self-reported and objective measures of physical function in mid- to older-aged adults.

Age-related change in children's participation in team, fitness, and recreational physical activities

Russell R. Pate, Marsha Dowda, Ruth P. Saunders, Sharon E. Taverno Ross — 2025-12-04

The objectives of this study were to describe sex-specific patterns of age-related change in physical activity (PA) domains as children transitioned from elementary to high school; and to examine longitudinal associations of PA domains with device-measured PA.

Queensland Family Cohort Sub-Study: The effects of physical activity throughout pregnancy on maternal lumbopelvic musculoskeletal health

2025-12-04

To investigate associations between physical activity volume during pregnancy and early postpartum with musculoskeletal conditions, specifically urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and lumbopelvic pain.

WITHDRAWN: Response to reassessing the link between PA and CKD in CMD patients

Hongyan Liu, Zhongli Wang, Saijun Zhou, Yao Lin, Guangyang Ma, Rui Zhang, Pei Yu — 2025-12-03

The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport is withdrawing this letter at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. The letter is a response to another letter. During the production process of the original letter, the corresponding author did not complete proof corrections or respond to repeated editorial communications. As a result, the correspondence record could not be finalised in accordance with the journal’s publication standards. In the absence of a complete and verified exchange, the Editor-in-Chief has decided to withdraw both the letter and the associated author response to maintain clarity of the scholarly record.

One system, two paths: Unifying autonomic and behavioural thermoregulation via perceptual control

2025-11-30

From the searing heat of an endurance race to the frontlines of a bushfire or the suffocating humidity of a tropical patrol, one imperative remains: manage heat before it overwhelms you. The human body fights for thermal control whilst the mind makes split-second decisions. The familiar story is linear – environment heats, physiology responds, mind notices – but this framing misses the engine. Each behavioural adjustment (e.g., slowing pace, ventilation, targeted cooling) keeps experience within tolerable limits.

WITHDRAWN: Reassessing the link between PA and CKD in CMD patients

Dongxu Gao — 2025-11-12

The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport is withdrawing this letter at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. During the production process, the corresponding author did not complete proof corrections or respond to repeated editorial communications. As a result, the correspondence record could not be finalised in accordance with the journal’s publication standards. In the absence of a complete and verified exchange, the Editor-in-Chief has decided to withdraw both the letter and the associated author response to maintain clarity of the scholarly record.

WITHDRAWN: The decrement in swimming performance following an increase in training volume is associated with muscle fibre typology

2022-08-22

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the authors. The Publisher regrets any inconvenience that this may cause.The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy

Editorial Board

2026-06

JSAMS' approach to systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Tim Meyer — 2026-06

Over the last years the number of submitted systematic reviews, regardless if scoping or with meta-analysis, has grown rapidly and now reached an unhealthy high number. In some months this is almost 20% of all submissions which does not make a lot of sense considering that this comes down to only 4 original articles per systematic review. Even though, in theory, meta-analyses represent a high-level publication within the evidence-based medicine framework, we are now going to use strict and more defined criteria in the future for the assessment of such submissions.

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Effect of lowering the maximum tackle height in English Schoolboy rugby union on tackle characteristics, and all-injury and concussion rates

Injury incidence and prevalence across the women's cricket performance pathway in England and Wales: a three-season retrospective cohort study

Heat preparation and nutrition strategies for a 100-mile ultramarathon in extreme hot conditions: A questionnaire study at the Western States Endurance Run

Comment on “the effect of lowering the maximum tackle height in English schoolboy rugby union on tackle characteristics and all-injury and concussion rates”

Corrigendum to “What lies behind injury prevention behaviour in youth handball and football? A cross-sectional nationwide study of behavioural constructs in 865 coaches and players” [J Sci Med Sport volume 29, issue 4 (2026). Pages 385–392, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.10.009]

Understanding symptoms of swimming-induced pulmonary edema through the patient's perspective: a qualitative approach

Tackle behaviour trial lowers concussion and overall injury rates: A seven-season prospective study in adult men's, women's and schoolboy rugby union

“I'm breaking my back for this sport and they're not supporting me”

Large variations in analgesic consumption patterns in youth elite athletes: a 28-week prospective cohort study

Prevalence of stress urinary incontinence and associated factors in elite female football players: Better understanding for better prevention

Sprint acceleration technique is associated with lower limb injury epidemiology in professional male Rugby Union players: a seven-season analysis

From plan to practice: Development, awareness, and implementation of sports injury and illness risk management plans in a professional male football setting

Doping susceptibility in Korean athletes: A validation study of the ADBS-K

Artificial intelligence applications in sport-related concussion: an updated scoping review

Sport-specific prevalence of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) risk among Finnish female national- and international-level athletes

Effects of head impact exposure on in-game heart rate dynamics in Canadian varsity football athletes

Implementing Prep to be PRO - Bridging the gap between design and delivery

Agreement between lactate threshold and critical speed in trained, highly trained, and World Class runners

Probability of meeting the restrained sitting guideline in early childhood: an international cross-sectional study

Physical activity intensity in active learning: Implications for sports medicine and early childhood cognitive development

Trends in sport and active recreation participation during the transition from mid to late adulthood: A longitudinal cohort analysis of sociodemographic patterns

Physical activity and active recreation practices of LGBTQIA+ individuals in regional and rural Australia: A cross-sectional analysis of 17,398 residents

Ultrasound-based evaluation of changes in tendon macro- and micromorphology following exercise and ESWT in mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy: A randomized clinical trial with a 26-week follow-up

Water-resistant sunscreen use may increase core body temperature during prolonged exercise in the heat

Impact of changes in pitch limit guidelines on position distribution and capitellar OCD in youth baseball: A 6-year cohort study

Association of cardiovascular health status and cardiac troponin proteoforms following endurance exercise: a case series of long-distance walkers

Medical encounters in Brazilian trail running: A multicenter study and safety framework

Supraventricular arrhythmias and left atrial evaluation in athletes by CMR: going beyond the left ventricle

The VEGFA and KDR genes are associated with bilateral and multiple chronic Achilles tendon injuries

Explainable artificial intelligence models for accurate physical activity prediction using wearable device data

Hypertensive responses to exercise after 12-weeks of high-intensity interval training or moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training in patients with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation: a non-prespecified post-hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Cumulative increases in circulating mtDNA as a potential biomarker of brain injury in rugby union: a pilot study

The association between sibling characteristics and young females' physical activity

Reliability of novel diagnostic protocols for metabolic performance determinants in swimming

Soccer-related blunt chest trauma inducing aberrant supraventricular tachycardia and unmasking Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome in an adolescent

The effect of adherence to functional stability training on lower-limb injury prevention: A meta-analysis based on intervention type and training dose

Is the muscle post-ACL injury ready to rebuild or is it limited by mitochondrial dysfunction?

A characterisation of elite open water swimmers' core temperature responses and preparation practices in European Aquatics competitions

“It's about the cake, not the icing”: The current state of the Australian high-performance sport pathway system: A qualitative gap analysis study

Chinese coaches' perceptions of non-physical factors in training adaptation: A multicausal, cross-cultural perspective

Comparison of haemoglobin mass across elite endurance sports and within-subject reliability using the optimised CO re-breathing method

Multisensory assessment and machine learning for athlete classification in talent identification

Development of a machine learning model to detect toddlers' physical activity and sedentary time using accelerometers: Little Movers Activity Analysis

It's never too late: The impact of resistance training on strength and body composition in females across the lifespan – A systematic review and meta-analysis

Effects of diagnostic labels on management intentions for patellofemoral pain: An online randomised experimental study

Normative values for hip strength and range of motion in Dutch professional female football players – PROFE hip study

The impact of bio-banding on technical–tactical performance in youth handball: first insights from male and female academy players

Is trunk motion influenced by breast volume? The effect on joint moments at the hip, knee and ankle

Regional alterations in Achilles tendon morphology in elite adolescent athletes with Achilles tendinopathy compared to matched controls

The missing pieces: A systematic review of the reporting of resistance training variables in studies of pregnant women

Authors' response: Little evidence of cardiac involvement in Mild and Moderate Swimming Induced Pulmonary Oedema (SIPE)

The effects of high-intensity interval training on competitive swimmers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

A blinded study of inter-rater agreement of video signs for potential concussion in the National Rugby League comparing novice versus expert reviewers

If in doubt, sit them out? — Exploring the influence of the ‘Recognise and Remove’ process on management decisions and player disclosure in community rugby union

Comment on: Little evidence of cardiac involvement in mild and moderate swimming induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE)

Adaptations to endurance vs strength training in elite athletes revealed by serum proteomics

Chasing safety: Race-day falls and injuries in Irish professional and amateur horseracing from 2016 to 2024

From replication crisis to research rigor: What applied sport science can learn from psychology

Is Osgood–Schlatter's associated with an increased risk of pars fracture? A retrospective exploratory study of male academy football players

Short and long-term effects of a play-based therapeutic exercise programme in children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: A randomised controlled trial

Prevalence of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and related hip morphologies, and its developmental dose–response relationship in professional female football players: a multicentre cohort study (PROFE)

Exploring the link between acute symptom changes and repetitive head impacts in boxing sparring

Viewpoint: Defining and developing the Pacific ‘elite athlete’ – Considerations for Pacific Island Countries

Tackling change: Players try the new tackle height law trial in community Welsh rugby

Return on investment? Associations between resources and effectiveness of player development in a male rugby union talent system

Thinking outside the box: comparing age at performance milestones of swimmers to cross-country skiers and biathletes

Effects of an eight-week neuro-athletic training program on passing accuracy, shooting precision, flexibility, and isokinetic knee strength in male soccer players: A randomized controlled trial

The influence of handcycling warmup protocol intensity on workload production during sprint tests in athletes with spinal cord injuries

Strength in numbers: Exploring the link between upper body muscular strength and academic achievement in youth

Interactions between menstrual cycle, training load and strength performance in elite female weightlifters

Global burden of ischemic heart disease attributable to low physical activity in adults ≥40 years, 1990–2021 and projections to 2046: a GBD 2021 analysis

Trends in physical activity among South Korean adults before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, 2009–2024: A nationwide representative study

Are exercise booster sessions effective at preserving exercise-induced effects in people with multiple sclerosis? A randomised controlled trial: results from the MSBOOST trial

Abdominally targeted physical exercises as a therapeutic intervention for inflammatory bowel diseases

Navigating care and compromise: A qualitative study of medical staff roles in German elite handball

Core temperature responses of male football players during matches in the heat — Associations with physiological and running demands

Little evidence of cardiac involvement in Mild and Moderate Swimming- Induced Pulmonary Oedema (SIPE)

Is it feasible to implement an injury surveillance system for amateur boxing events in Australia? A mixed methods study

Playing Australian football on artificial turf: what do the players think?

Global burden of ischemic heart disease attributable to low physical activity in adults ≥40 years, 1990–2021 and projections to 2046: a GBD 2021 analysis