Sports Medicine

High-intensity functional training outperforms standard conditioning in Wushu athletes

Sixty male Wushu athletes were randomized to 12 weeks of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) or standard conditioning at 60%–70% HRmax. Both groups trained three times weekly for 60 minutes, but HIFT produced greater gains in push-ups, standing long jump, rope jumping, and 30 m sprint. Effect sizes for these performance outcomes were moderate to large (Cohen's d 0.57–0.93) versus standard conditioning. These findings support incorporating structured HIFT blocks to enhance strength–power and sprint capacity in combat and comparable field or court athletes. 1

HIIT improves VO2max and sprint performance in competitive swimmers

This systematic review and meta-analysis included 11 intervention studies with 237 competitive swimmers, mean age 15.4 years. High-intensity interval training significantly improved VO2max (SMD 0.86) and swimming performance (SMD 0.52), with sprint events improving by about 1.8%. Polarized programs produced larger VO2max gains than sprint-interval or threshold approaches, and interventions lasting at least eight weeks had greater effects than shorter protocols. Ultra-short race-pace sets preserved 98.5% target speed with lower lactate and perceived exertion, supporting their use in sprint-specialist programs. 2

Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets preserve VO2max but often impair exercise economy

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized 33 studies of trained endurance athletes allocated to low-carbohydrate, ketogenic, or high-carbohydrate diets. VO2max was preserved in half the studies and improved in a minority, whereas submaximal exercise economy was frequently impaired. Time-to-exhaustion outcomes were context dependent, with most studies showing maintained performance despite reduced carbohydrate availability. All 30 studies measuring fat oxidation reported large increases, typically between 28% and 200%. Performance decrements were common when outcomes were tested within seven days of diet initiation, but measures taken after one week generally showed maintained or improved performance. The authors advocate periodized carbohydrate strategies, using low-carbohydrate phases for metabolic adaptation while ensuring sufficient carbohydrate around competition. 3

Higher concussion burden predicts worse early mental health in former collegiate athletes

This CARE Consortium study evaluated 3,910 former collegiate athletes within five years of graduation. Athletes reporting three or more concussions had higher anxiety, depression, global symptom scores, sleep problems, SCAT symptom severity, and lower SF-12 mental scores than concussion-free peers. Those with one to two concussions also showed elevated global psychological symptoms and anxiety and lower Neuro-QoL cognitive scores versus never-concussed athletes. Results support counseling on potential mental health risks, conservative return-to-play decisions, and proactive post-career mental health surveillance. 4