Training load and injury incidence over one season in adolescent Arab table tennis players : a pilot study

Background: It has been established that injury incidence data and training load in table tennis is somewhat limited. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze and report training load and injury incidence. This was established over a full season in highly trained youth table tennis athletes. We further aimed to establish what variables related to training load have a statistically significant effect on injury in youth table tennis. Methods: Data was collected from eight male adolescent table tennis players of Arabic origin. Training and game time were monitored continuously throughout each training session and match. Heart rate was measured throughout and then subsequently analyzed to quantify internal training load. Results: Players were subjected to an average of 1901 h 33 min ± 44 h 30 min of training time and 140 h 0 min ± 11 h 29 min of game time over the season. Overall injury incidence was 8.3 (95% CI: 4.6 - 12.0), time-loss injuries 4.4 (95% CI: 1.9 - 6.9) and growth conditions 2.0 (95% CI: 0.6 - 3.3) per 1000 hours. Internal training loads quantified via the Edwards training impulse equation were significantly different between training weeks (P = 0.001), with lowest values around competition periods (P < 0.05). For every extra auxiliary unit of relative training load per minute during training, a significant increase (P = 0.014) in injury occurrence was present. Conclusions: Most of the injuries occurred during the first quarter of the year (65%), when training loads were highest. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary study showed that training loads increase during a season until competition period, with relative training load per minute being linked to the likelihood of injuries. The rate of overuse injuries and growth-related conditions were higher than previously reported in adolescents in other racket sports

Anthropometric characteristic, somatotype, and body composition of Indian Female Combat Sport Athletes: A comparison between Boxers, Judokas, and Wrestlers

Introduction: The aim of this study was:1) to ascertain the anthropometric characteristics of Indian female combat athletes and 2) to determine and compare the sport-specific (boxing, judo, and wrestling) somatotype of Indian female combat athletes. Method: Ninety-nine national level female combat sports athletes (40 Boxers, 25 Judokas, and 34 Wrestlers who regularly compete in national and/or international competitions, took part in the study. Anthropometric measurements were performed for body mass, stature, 7 skinfold sites, 3 girths, and 2 breadths. Somatotypes for all subjects were also calculated. All measurements were statistically analyzed using pairwise comparison analysis and differences between groups were also compared. Results: Significant differences between boxing and judo for the mean value of BMI. Pairwise comparison analysis revealed significant differences in the mesomorphy component between boxing and judo (p = 0.001; 95% CI: -1.83 – -0.40) and between boxing and wrestling (p = 0.001; 95% CI: -1.69 – -0.39); as well as in the ectomorphy component between boxing and judo (p = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.16 – 1.35) and between boxing and wrestling (p = 0.007; 95% CI: 0.17 – 1.25). Conclusion: There are significant differences in anthropometric characteristics when analyzing the somatotype of Indian female combat athletes which could be attributed to the specific demands of each sport. Sport-specific training programmes that consider the anthropometric characteristics and somatotype of female athletes participating in Boxing, Judo and Wrestling should be considered by practitioners and coaches.Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio fue: 1) analizar las características antropométricas de las atletas de combate indias y 2) determinar y comparar el somatotipo específico del deporte (boxeo, judo y lucha libre) de las atletas de combate indias. Método: Noventa y nueve atletas de deportes de combate de nivel nacional (40 boxeadoras, 25 judocas y 34 luchadoras que competían regularmente en competencias nacionales y/o internacionales participaron en el estudio. Se realizaron mediciones antropométricas de masa corporal, estatura, 7 sitios de pliegues cutáneos, 3 perímetros y 2 diámetros. También se calculó el somatotipo para todos los sujetos. Todas las mediciones se analizaron estadísticamente mediante un análisis de comparación por pares y se estudiaron las diferencias entre los grupos. Resultados: Se hallaron diferencias significativas entre el boxeo y el judo para el valor medio del IMC. El análisis de comparación por pares reveló diferencias significativas en el componente mesomorfo entre el boxeo y el judo (p = 0,001; 95% IC: -1,83 – -0,40) y entre el boxeo y la lucha libre (p = 0,001; 95 % IC: -1.69 – -0.39); así como también en el componente ectomorfo entre el boxeo y el judo (p = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.16 – 1.35) y entre el boxeo y la lucha libre (p = 0.007; 95% CI: 0.17 – 1.25). Conclusión: Existen diferencias significativas en las características antropométricas al analizar el somatotipo de las atletas de combate indias, estas podrían atribuirse a las demandas específicas de cada deporte. Los practicantes y entrenadores deben considerar los programas de entrenamiento específicos del deporte teniendo en cuenta las características antropométricas y el somatotipo de las atletas que participan en el boxeo, el judo y la lucha libre

Physical Determinants of Sprint and Long Jump Performance in Male Youth Track-and-Field Athletes With Differing Maturity Statuses

Purpose: This study examined the physical determinants of 60-m sprint and long jump (LJ) performance and differences between maturity groups in physical characteristics in young male track-and-field athletes. Methods: Competition results, countermovement jump, isometric leg press, 10-5 repeated jump test, and 50-m sprint were collected over 3 seasons for 54 male athletes (age 13 [1] y; stature 160.0 [8.9] cm; body mass, 48.0 [9.8] kg; percentage predicted adult height 92.2% [5.5%]) grouped by maturity status: approaching- (n = 16), circa- (n = 19), and post-peak height velocity (PHV) (n = 19). Results: There were significant between-group differences in 60 m, LJ, and all physical testing variables (P < .001, g = 0.88–5.44) when comparing the approaching- and circa-PHV groups with the post-PHV group. Significant differences were identified between the approaching- and circa-PHV groups in 40-m (P = .033, g = 0.89), 50-m (P = .024, g = 1.64), and 60-m (P < .001, g = 0.89) sprint times. Countermovement jump and 50-m sprint variables were consistently important for projection of 60 m and LJ performance across the valid multivariate models. Conclusions: Large differences in performance across maturity groups highlight the importance of understanding athletes’ maturity status to accurately interpret performance. Several physical performance variables were important for projecting competition 60 m and LJ performance

Diurnal variation in variables related to cognitive performance : A systematic review

Purpose The aim of this review was to assess current evidence regarding changes in cognitive function according to time-of-day (TOD) and assess the key components of research design related to manuscripts of chronobiological nature. Methods An English-language literature search revealed 523 articles through primary database searches, and 1868 via organization searches/citation searching. The inclusion criteria were met by eleven articles which were included in the review. The inclusion criteria set were healthy adult males, a minimum of two timepoints including morning and evening, cognitive measures of performance, and peer-reviewed academic paper. Results It was established that cognitive performance varies with TOD and the degree of difference is highly dependent on the type of cognitive task with differences ranging from 9.0 to 34.2% for reaction time, 7.3% for alertness, and 7.8 to 40.3% for attention. The type of cognitive function was a determining factor as to whether the performance was better in the morning, evening, or afternoon. Conclusion Although some studies did not establish TOD differences, reaction time and levels of accuracy were highest in the evening. This implies that cognitive processes are complex, and existing research is contradictory. Some studies or cognitive variables did not show any measurable TOD effects, which may be due to differences in methodology, subjects involved, testing protocols, and confounding factors. No studies met all requirements related to chronobiological research, highlighting the issues around methodology. Therefore, future research must use a rigorous, approach, minimizing confounding factors that are specific to examinations of TOD

Φυσικά, φυσιολογικά &amp; τεχνικά χαρακτηριστικά υδατοσφαιριστών υψηλού επιπέδου. Σύγκριση γυναικών και νεανίδων

Τα φυσικά, φυσιολογικά και τεχνικά χαρακτηριστικά των αθλητών /τριων υψηλού επιπέδου προσφέρουν γνώση για τις ελάχιστες απαιτήσεις συµµετοχής στον αγώνα και τις προσαρµογές που συµβαίνουν µε την προπόνηση. Σκοπός αυτής της ερευνητικής πρότασης ήταν η περιγραφή της κατατοµής των υδατοσφαιριστριών υψηλού επιπέδου µέσω του προσδιορισµού των φυσικών, φυσιολογικών και ιδιαίτερων τεχνικών χαρακτηριστικών. Επιπροσθέτως στη µελέτη αυτή εξετάσθηκαν οι διαφορές µεταξύ των υδατοσφαιριστριών της εθνικής οµάδας γυναικών (ασηµένιο µετάλλιο στους Ολυµπιακούς Αγώνες της Αθήνας 2004) και των υδατοσφαιριστριών της εθνικής οµάδας νεανίδων (4η θέση Ευρωπαϊκό Πρωτάθληµα Νεανίδων 2005). Το δείγµα αποτέλεσαν 26 υδατοσφαιρίστριες υψηλού επιπέδου, 13 αθλήτριες µέλη της εθνικής οµάδας γυναικών µε προπονητική εµπειρία 9.8 ± 3 χρόνια και µέση ηλικία 26.3 ± 1.4 χρόνια και 13 αθλήτριες µέλη της εθνικής οµάδας νεανίδων µε προπονητική εµπειρία 6.4 ± 1.7 και µέση ηλικία 17 ± 1.2 χρόνια. Ο διαχωρισµός των κατηγοριών έγινε σύµφωνα µε τους κανονισµούς της Παγκόσµιας Κολυµβητικής Οµοσπονδίας (FINA). Στην εργασία αυτή διεξήχθησαν οι παρακάτω µετρήσεις: α) Σωµατοµετρήσεις, προσδιορισµός σωµατικής σύστασης και σωµατότυπου. β) Μετρήσεις φυσιολογικών και επίδοσης χαρακτηριστικών (εκτίµηση µέγιστης πρόσληψης οξυγόνου (VO2max) µε τη χρήση φορητού αναλυτή αερίων, εκτίµηση µέγιστης συγκέντρωσης γαλακτικού οξέος στο αίµα ύστερα από 4x50µ. µέγιστης κολυµβητικής προσπάθειας, προσδιορισµός Κ.Σ, προσδιορισµός ροπής εσωτερικής και εξωτερικής περιστροφής σε ισοκινητικό µηχάνηµα, εκτίµηση χρόνου στα 25µ. και στα 50µ. υπερµέγιστης ελεύθερης κολύµβησης). γ) Τεχνικές µετρήσεις (πέταγµα στο νερό µε τη χρήση βαθµονοµηµένου πίνακα και ταχύτητα εκτέλεσης ρίψης µε τη χρήση συσκευής ραντάρ). Οι µετρήσεις πραγµατοποιήθηκαν στην ίδια φάση της προετοιµασίας για την κάθε εθνική οµάδα (γυναικών – νεανίδων). Όλα τα αποτελέσµατα εκφράστηκαν ως µέσες τιµές µε τις τυπικές αποκλίσεις. Για τη σύγκριση των χαρακτηριστικών µεταξύ γυναικών και νεανίδων έγινε t-test για ανεξάρτητα δείγµατα. Επίσης, προκειµένου να εξεταστεί πιθανή σχέση µεταξύ επιλεγµένων µεταβλητών πραγµατοποιήθηκε συσχέτιση και βρέθηκε ο συντελεστής r (Pearson correlation). Για όλες τις στατιστικές αναλύσεις ένα επίπεδο σηµαντικότητας p&lt;0.05 εφαρµόστηκε. Τα αποτελέσµατα έδειξαν ότι οι σύγχρονες υδατοσφαιρίστριες διακρίνονται για το µέσο υψηλό ανάστηµα τους (172.3 ± 6.4 cm), για το µέσο βάρος τους (65.8 ± 5.8 kg), για τα µεγάλα άκρα και το ευρύ τους θώρακα. Στη σύγκριση µεταξύ γυναικών και νεανίδων αθλητριών φαίνεται ότι οι µικρότερες σε ηλικία αθλήτριες δε διαφέρουν από τις µεγαλύτερες σε βασικά ανθρωποµετρικά χαρακτηριστικά παρά µόνο σε περιορισµένα. Συγκεκριµένα διαφέρουν στο µήκος της άκρας χείρας, στην περιφέρεια βραχιονίου σε σύσπαση και στην περιφέρεια βραχιονίου σε χάλαση. Οι γυναίκες υδατοσφαιρίστριες παρουσίασαν υψηλή αερόβια ικανότητα VO2max (47.8 ± 3.1 ml•kg-1•min-1), µέτρια συγκέντρωση γαλακτικού οξέος στο αίµα (8.4 ± 0.7 mmol.lit-1) και υψηλές επιδόσεις σε όλες τις τεχνικές και κολυµβητικές δοκιµασίες. Επίσης σύµφωνα πάντα µε τα αποτελέσµατα της εργασίας, οι γυναίκες υπερτερούν των νεανίδων σε όλα τα φυσιολογικά και επίδοσης χαρακτηριστικά καθώς και στα τεχνικά ως αποτέλεσµα της πιο έντονης και εξειδικευµένης προπόνησης. Οι γυναίκες υπερτερούν στη µέγιστη πρόσληψη οξυγόνου (50. 3 ± 3.3 vs 45.3 ± 2.9 ml•kg-1•min1), στη µέγιστη συγκέντρωση γαλακτικού οξέος (8.4 ± 0.7 vs 6.4 ± 1.8 mmol.lit-1), στην αναερόβια αγαλακτική ικανότητα, στην ροπή εσωτερικής και εξωτερικής περιστροφής, στο πέταγµα µέσα στο νερό (62.0 ± 2.7 vs 59.3 ± 3.0 cm) και στην ταχύτητα εκτέλεσης της ρίψης (16.0 ± 0.6 vs 15.1 ± 0.5 m.sec-1)

Variations of oxidative stress, inflammation and angiogenesis markers during an annual training cycle of elite level female waterpolo players

Elite water polo athletes in order to respond to the demands of the sport undergo heavy training programs throughout the season. Especially in our country, due to the development that women's water polo has been shown the last decade (2nd position, Athens Olympics 2004, 1st position World Championship, China 2011), the female players must participate in series of training and games throughout the year with minimum time for recovery. The purpose of this survey was to record this strain and fatigue of these athletes through the monitoring of specific markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and angiogenesis. The participants were the same time basic members of a Greek National League club and of women’s Greek National Waterpolo Team. The biomarkers were evaluated in four distinct phases of an athletic season a) the preseason training period in September (phase T1), b) the championship in November (phase T2), c) the second round of the championship in February (phase T3) and d) during the play-offs in April (phase T4). The evaluated parameters were: a) for oxidative stress and redox status: GSH, GSSG, TBARS, PC, CAT, TAC, b) for inflammation: MCP-1, IL-10, adiponectin, c) for angiogenesis: endoglin, d) for biochemical markers: hematological markers (WBC, RBC, HBG, HCT, iron, ferritin, etc), metabolites (glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, urea, uric acid, creatinine), enzymes (CK, AST, ALT), hormones (cortisol, testosterone) and trace (K, Na, Mg). The main findings of this study suggest that the degree of oxidative stress and inflammatory response vary throughout the year in elite water polo athletes. The response of oxidative stress was increased, while the volume of training and intensity increased as the athletes went through from preparation period (preseason) to the play-offs. Conversely, the inflammatory response appeared reduced when athletes approached the time of the play-offs, where tapering and maximizing performance are the main goals. Additional, significant changes were recorded in diverse training phases for some hematological markers, metabolites, hormones and traces (ferritin, T/C ratio, creatinine, uric acid, electrolytes). These changes should be seriously taken in consideration by coaches in the formation of suitable training programs. In each training phase sport scientists have evaluate and reshape their programs according to the underlying condition of athletes in order to maintain their health and maximize their performance.Οι αθλητές/τριες υψηλού επιπέδου στην υδατοσφαίριση προκειμένου να ανταποκριθούν ένα βαρύ πρόγραμμα προπόνησης και αγώνωνπου διαρκεί σχεδόν όλο το χρόνο. Ειδικότερα στην Ελλάδα που η γυναικεία υδατοσφαίριση την τελευταία δεκαετία παρουσιάζει μεγάλη ανάπτυξη (2η θέση Ο.Α Αθήνα 2004, 1η θέση Παγκόσμιο Πρωτάθλημα, Κίνα, 2011) οι αθλήτριες προπονούνται και συμμετέχουν διαρκώς σε αγωνιστικές υποχρεώσεις (τόσο σε σωματειακό όσο και σε επίπεδο εθνικής ομάδας) με ελάχιστη ενδιάμεση αποκατάσταση και μεγάλη καταπόνηση. Σκοπός αυτής της εργασίας ήταν η καταγραφή της καταπόνησης μέσω της παρακολούθησης της διακύμανσης συγκεκριμένων δεικτών οξειδωτικού στρες, φλεγμονής και αγγειογέννεσης σε αθλήτριες της πρωταθλήτριας ομάδας υδατοσφαίρισης της περιόδου 2008-2009, από τις οποίες οι περισσότερες αποτελούσαν και βασικά μέλη της ελληνικής εθνικής ομάδας. Σύμφωνα με το αγωνιστικό πρόγραμμα της χρονιάς, δείγματα αίματος συλλέχθηκαν κατά την έναρξη της περιόδου (preseason), το Σεπτέμβριο (φάση Τ1), κατά την έναρξη του πρωταθλήματος, τον Νοέμβριο (φάση Τ2), κατά την έναρξη του δεύτερου γύρου του πρωταθλήματος, τον Φεβρουάριο (φάση Τ3) και κατά στα play-offs, τον Απρίλιο (φάση Τ4). Οι δείκτες που αξιολογήθηκαν ήταν: α) οξειδωτικού στρες και οξειδοαναγωγικής ικανότητας: GSH, GSSG, TBARS, PC, CAT, TAC, β) φλεγμονής: MCP-1, IL-10, αντιπονεκτίνη, γ) αγγειογένεσης: ενδογλίνη και δ) βιοχημικοί δείκτες όπως αιματολογικές παράμετροι (ερυθροκύτταρα, λευκοκύτταρα, αιμοσφαιρίνη, φεριτίνη κλπ), μεταβολίτες (γλυκόζη, ολική χοληστερόλη, χοληστερόλη LDL, χοληστερόλη HDL, ουρία, ουρικό οξύ, κρεατινίνη), ένζυμα (κρεατινική κινάση, αμινοτρανσφεράσες), ορμόνες (κορτιζόλη, τεστοστερόνη) και ανόργανα μικροστοιχεία (κάλιο, νάτριο, μαγνήσιο). Τα κύρια ευρήματα της μελέτης αυτής δείχνουν ότι ο βαθμός του οξειδωτικού στρες και οι φλεγμονώδεις αντιδράσεις μεταβάλλονται σε όλη τη χρονιά σε αθλήτριες υδατοσφαίρισης υψηλού επιπέδου. Η απάντηση του οξειδωτικού στρες ήταν αυξημένη, όσο ο όγκος της προπόνησης και η ένταση αυξάνονταν καθώς οι αθλήτριες μετέβαιναν από την περίοδο προετοιμασίας (preseason) προς τα play-offs. Αντίθετα, όταν οι αθλήτριες βρίσκονταν λίγο πριν τους αγώνες την εποχή των play-offs, όπου το φορμάρισμα και η μεγιστοποίηση της απόδοσης είναι οι κύριοι στόχοι, η φλεγμονώδης αντίδραση εμφανίστηκε μειωμένη. Επίσης, σημαντικές μεταβολές καταγράφηκαν στις διάφορες προπονητικές φάσεις σε ορισμένα αιματολογικά χαρακτηριστικά, ιχνοστοιχεία, μεταβολίτες και ορμόνες (φεριτίνη, T/C ratio, κρεατινίνη, ουρικό οξύ, ιχνοστοιχεία). Οι μεταβολές αυτές θα πρέπει να λαμβάνονται σοβαρά υπόψη από τους προπονητές στο σχεδιασμό της προπόνησης ώστε σε κάθε προπονητική περίοδο να επαναπροσδιορίζουν τα προγράμματα τους σύμφωνα με την βαθύτερη κατάσταση των αθλητριών με στόχο τη συντήρηση της υγείας τους και τη μεγιστοποίηση της απόδοσης τους

Impact of ball possession time and number of passes on the efficiency of scoring in men’s water polo

Purpose. this study aimed to explore whether a meaningful relationship existed between scoring in men’s water polo and ball possession time and the number of passes in even and extra player offence conditions. Methods. Overall, 24 close matches played during international competitions were analysed twice, for the winning and losing teams separately. this allowed to collect a sample consisting of 1588 offences when teams played in equal conditions and 492 with an extra player. Results. For effective scoring in even conditions, the results demonstrated significant relationships between the exchanging of many passes (7.78 ± 1.09 passes) and short-duration attacks lasting for 1–10 s (7.87 ± 2.29 s) (p = 0.05). In the extra player condition, a considerable relationship was noted between short to average ball possession time and scoring (p = 0.05). However, the effect size for these differences ranged from moderate to low. Conclusions. Knowledge of this study results could help coaches design specific workouts during routine practices and make decisions during matches. © Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences

Redox Homeostasis and Inflammation Responses to Training in Adolescent Athletes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have highlighted the substantial role of the athlete’s redox and inflammation status during the training process. However, many factors such as differences in testing protocols, assays, sample sizes, and fitness levels of the population are affecting findings and the understanding regarding how exercise affects related biomarkers in adolescent athletes.ObjectivesTo search redox homeostasis variables’ and inflammatory mediators’ responses in juvenile athletes following short- or long-term training periods and examine the effect size of those variations to training paradigms.MethodsA PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. The entire content of PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Science Direct were systematically searched until December 2019. Studies with outcomes including (1) a group of adolescent athletes from any individual or team sport, (2) the assessment of redox and/or inflammatory markers after a short- (training session or performance testing) or longer training period, and (3) variables measured in blood were retained. The literature search initially identified 346 potentially relevant records, of which 36 studies met the inclusion criteria for the qualitative synthesis. From those articles, 27 were included in the quantitative analysis (meta-analysis) as their results could be converted into common units.ResultsFollowing a short training session or performance test, an extremely large increase in protein carbonyls (PC) (ES 4.164; 95% CI 1.716 to 6.613;Z= 3.333,p= 0.001), a large increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (ES 1.317; 95% CI 0.522 to 2.112;Z= 3.247,p= 0.001), a large decrease in glutathione (GSH) (ES − 1.701; 95% CI − 2.698 to − 0.705;Z= − 3.347,p= 0.001), and a moderate increase of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level (ES 1.057; 95% CI − 0.044 to 2.158;Z= 1.882,p= 0.060) were observed. Following more extended training periods, GSH showed moderate increases (ES 1.131; 95% CI 0.350 to 1.913;Z= 2.839,p= 0.005) while TBARS displayed a small decrease (ES 0.568; 95% CI − 0.062 to 1.197;Z= 1.768,p= 0.077). Regarding cytokines, a very large and large increase were observed in IL-6 (ES 2.291; 95% CI 1.082 to 3.501;Z= 3.713,p= 0.000) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra) (ES 1.599; 95% CI 0.347 to 2.851;Z= 2.503,p= 0.012), respectively, following short-duration training modalities in juvenile athletes.ConclusionsThe results showed significant alterations in oxidative stress and cytokine levels after acute exercise, ranging from moderate to extremely large. In contrast, the variations after chronic exercise ranged from trivial to moderate. However, the observed publication bias and high heterogeneity in specific meta-analysis advocate the need for further exploration and consistency when we deal with the assessed variables to ascertain the implications of structured training regimes on measured variables in order to develop guidelines for training, nutritional advice, and wellbeing in young athletes.Trial RegistrationPROSPEROCRD42020152105</jats:sec

Redox Homeostasis and Inflammation Responses to Training in Adolescent Athletes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Several studies have highlighted the substantial role of the athlete’s redox and inflammation status during the training process. However, many factors such as differences in testing protocols, assays, sample sizes, and fitness levels of the population are affecting findings and the understanding regarding how exercise affects related biomarkers in adolescent athletes. Objectives To search redox homeostasis variables’ and inflammatory mediators’ responses in juvenile athletes following short- or long-term training periods and examine the effect size of those variations to training paradigms. Methods A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. The entire content of PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Science Direct were systematically searched until December 2019. Studies with outcomes including (1) a group of adolescent athletes from any individual or team sport, (2) the assessment of redox and/or inflammatory markers after a short- (training session or performance testing) or longer training period, and (3) variables measured in blood were retained. The literature search initially identified 346 potentially relevant records, of which 36 studies met the inclusion criteria for the qualitative synthesis. From those articles, 27 were included in the quantitative analysis (meta-analysis) as their results could be converted into common units. Results Following a short training session or performance test, an extremely large increase in protein carbonyls (PC) (ES 4.164; 95% CI 1.716 to 6.613;Z= 3.333,p= 0.001), a large increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (ES 1.317; 95% CI 0.522 to 2.112;Z= 3.247,p= 0.001), a large decrease in glutathione (GSH) (ES − 1.701; 95% CI − 2.698 to − 0.705;Z= − 3.347,p= 0.001), and a moderate increase of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level (ES 1.057; 95% CI − 0.044 to 2.158;Z= 1.882,p= 0.060) were observed. Following more extended training periods, GSH showed moderate increases (ES 1.131; 95% CI 0.350 to 1.913;Z= 2.839,p= 0.005) while TBARS displayed a small decrease (ES 0.568; 95% CI − 0.062 to 1.197;Z= 1.768,p= 0.077). Regarding cytokines, a very large and large increase were observed in IL-6 (ES 2.291; 95% CI 1.082 to 3.501;Z= 3.713,p= 0.000) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra) (ES 1.599; 95% CI 0.347 to 2.851;Z= 2.503,p= 0.012), respectively, following short-duration training modalities in juvenile athletes. Conclusions The results showed significant alterations in oxidative stress and cytokine levels after acute exercise, ranging from moderate to extremely large. In contrast, the variations after chronic exercise ranged from trivial to moderate. However, the observed publication bias and high heterogeneity in specific meta-analysis advocate the need for further exploration and consistency when we deal with the assessed variables to ascertain the implications of structured training regimes on measured variables in order to develop guidelines for training, nutritional advice, and wellbeing in young athletes. Trial Registration PROSPEROCRD42020152105Other Information Published in: Sports Medicine - Open License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40798-020-00262-x</p