Does wet-cupping therapy improve repeated sprint ability, perceived wellness, and rating of perceived exertion in young active males?

Wet-cupping therapy (WCT) is one of the oldest known medical techniques, used as a traditional and complementary therapy with a wide application all around the world for general health. Research on the effects of WCT on sports performance are sparse and inconsistent. Thus, we aimed to explore the effects of WCT on repeated sprint ability, wellness, and exertion in young active males. Forty-nine active adult males (age: [28 ​± ​5] years; body height [177 ​± ​8] cm; body mass: [79 ​± ​7] kg; body mass index: [25.4 ​± ​1.8] kg/m2) were selected for the study. The participants performed a running-based sprint test on two separate occasions (Control and Post-WCT). WCT was performed 24 ​h before the testing session. They completed the Hooper questionnaire to assess their well-being (i.e., sleep, stress, fatigue, and soreness) before each session. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected after each testing session. A higher maximum power (p ​< ​0.05, effect size [ES] ​= ​0.6), mean power (p ​< ​0.01, ES ​= ​0.5) and minimum power (p ​< ​0.01, ES ​= ​0.6) were recorded post-WCT as compared to Control session along with a better perceived sleep (p ​< ​0.01, ES ​= ​0.85). Perceived stress (p ​< ​0.01, ES ​= ​0.6) and RPE (p ​< ​0.001; ES ​= ​1.1) were lower during the post-WCT compared to the Control session. The present findings demonstrated that WCT moderately enhanced repeated sprint ability and had positive effects on perceived sleep, stress, and exertion. WCT may be an effective ergogenic aid to improve repeated sprint ability and general well-being in young adult males. Future large-scale multicentric clinical studies are paramount to confirm the results of our study

Moving Beyond the Stigma: Understanding and Overcoming the Resistance to the Acceptance and Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Chatbots

Artificial intelligence chatbots may fundamentally transform academic research, automate mundane tasks, and enhance productivity. However, the integration of artificial intelligence chatbots (AIc) is impeded by a complex stigma deeply rooted in individuals’ misconceptions and apprehension, including concerns about academic integrity, job displacement, data privacy, and algorithmic bias. The aim of this study was to scrutinize the origins and impacts of the stigma associated with artificial intelligence chatbots within the realm of academic research and to propose strategies to mitigate such stigmas. This study draws parallels between the reception of artificial intelligence chatbots and previous transformative technologies, presenting case studies illustrating the spectrum of responses to the integration of artificial intelligence chatbots into academic research. This study identifies the need for a shift in mindset from perceiving artificial intelligence chatbots as threats to recognizing them as facilitators of efficiency and innovation. It also underscores the importance of understanding these models as tools that aid researchers but do not replace the need for human expertise and judgment. We further highlighted the role of education, transparency, regulation, and ethical guidelines in overcoming the stigma associated with artificial intelligence chatbots. Given how adaptable people are, the surrounding stigma will likely fade with time. We support a cooperative strategy with continuing education and discussion to maximize the benefits of artificial intelligence chatbots while minimizing their drawbacks, hopefully paving the way for their ethical and successful application in scholarly research

Outside the Lab: a practical perspective transition in sports science research

Exercise and sports sciences continue to grow as a collective of disciplines exploring a broad array of basic and applied research questions (1, 2) with a notable shift from traditional laboratory settings to data collection in real-world sports environments (1-4). This transition is determined by the recognition that lab-based studies, while valuable, often do not fully capture the complexities and dynamics of contextual parameters of sports performance (3-6). Real world data offers a comfortable, more nuanced understanding of the factors influencing athletic performance. For instance, studying athletes in their natural training environments can provide insights into how different training regimens affect performance, or how athletes respond to environmental stressors (4, 7). Applied research utilizing the Real-world data methodology explores physical performance and health in depth, leading to novel methods for improving athletic talents. A new paradigm has emerged that emphasizes the analysis of data obtained from training to make inferences and identify practical applications (3, 4). This paradigm advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to sports research (1). Unfortunately, this approach is not without its difficulties and challenges (4). Collecting data in the field requires careful consideration of methodological rigor, ensuring that the data gathered is both accurate and relevant (4, 5, 8). For example, when monitoring an athlete’s response during a competition or training, researchers must consider factors like the invasiveness of data collection methods and their potential impact on performance (2, 8). Additionally, the variability of external conditions and covariables such as weather, and equipment differences can introduce complexities in data interpretation (9). It's essential to account for these factors to ensure the conclusions drawn are valid and reflect the true performance dynamics (2, 8, 9). This editorial aimed to (i) establish a comprehensive framework for research methodology in applied exercise and sports sciences, (ii) discuss the benefits of field-based data collection for providing contextually relevant insights into athletic performance, and (iii) address the practical and ethical challenges in this research area, offering strategies to manage these issues and advocating for realistic, multidisciplinary applied research in sports science.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Relationship between daily training load and psychometric status of professional soccer players

International audienceWe studied the relationship between daily training load (TL) experienced by professional soccer players and the Hooper questionnaire reflecting their perceived quality of sleep, fatigue, stress and delayed onset muscle soreness. During a 16-week training period, the rating of perceived exertion and duration were collected after each training session, and daily TL was calculated from 14 professional soccer players. The Hooper questionnaire was completed every day before the first training session and the Hooper's score (HS) was then calculated. The daily TL and HS were 379.9 ± 198.3 AU and 16.2 ± 5.1, respectively. Pearson correlation showed significant relationships (p < 0.01) between TL and perceived fatigue, muscle soreness, sleep and stress. Our findings revealed that the perceived sleep, stress, fatigue and muscle soreness are moderately related to the daily TL in professional soccer players. The Hooper questionnaire is both a simple and useful tool for monitoring perceived wellness and psychometric players' status of professional soccer players