KOSALB International Journal of Human Movements Science

The Effect of Judo Training According to the Tabata Protocol on Selected Hematological and Biochemical Values in Elite Female Judoka

Burcu Yentürk Şişman — 2026-05-12

Study aim(s): This study aimed to investigate the effects of a judo training program based on the Tabata protocol on hematological and biochemical parameters (hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) in female judoka.

Methods: The research involved 16 elite female judokas with an average age of 18.20±1.30 years. The participants underwent a training program adapted to the Tabata protocol five days a week for six weeks. Blood measurements were taken at both the beginning and the end of the training program. Data analyses were conducted using the SPSS 22.0 software. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test was employed to assess differences between pre-test and post-test measurements, and the results were evaluated at a significance level of p<0.05.

Results: Notable differences were observed in body weight and body mass index when analyzing physical parameters (p<0.05). Significant changes were detected in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and LDL levels, while no significant difference was found in HDL levels (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The athletes’ age and training levels were appropriate for the judo training program based on the Tabata protocol. Significant changes were noted in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and LDL levels following the effective application of the protocol, while HDL levels remained stable within the normal range (p<0.05).

The Female Swimmers Triad: Literature Review

Jona Macula — 2026-05-12

Study aim(s): This study aims to clarify the Female Athlete Triad (FAT), which is a medical condition defined by the interrelationship of three health concerns: low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and decreased bone mineral density. Critically examine and synthesize literature on the Female Athlete Triad in swimmers, focusing on interactions among its three components and their short- and long-term health effects.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the academic databases PubMed Web of Science, and Scopus to identify peer-reviewed studies published in English. Included studies addressed one or more components of the Female Athlete Triad in competitive or recreational female swimmers and encompassed clinical, physiological, or epidemiological research. The review process followed the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparent and systematic reporting.

Results: The findings reveal a significant gap in integrated research addressing all three components of the Triad simultaneously in swimmers. Most studies approach low energy availability, menstrual irregularities, and bone health as separate issues. However, the evidence suggests a strong interconnection between these factors, with female swimmers particularly vulnerable due to prolonged training demands and a lean body ideal. Consequences include delayed menarche, amenorrhea, stress fractures, and long-term hormonal and skeletal health risks.

Conclusion: There is a clear need for increased awareness, early detection, and interdisciplinary strategies to prevent and manage the Female Athlete Triad in swimming. Education for athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals is essential to safeguard both the health and athletic performance of female swimmers.

Research Trends and Thematic Structures in Sports Marketing: A Bibliometric Analysis

Eda Aras — 2026-05-12

Study aim(s): This study aims to examine the sports marketing literature using bibliometric analysis in order to identify research trends, academic collaboration networks, and the conceptual structure of the field.

Methods: A total of 481 articles published in English between 2016 and 2025 were retrieved from the Scopus database using the keywords “sport marketing” and “sports marketing.” Data were analyzed using VOSviewer software. The analyses examined annual publication trends, the most cited countries, author co-authorship networks, bibliographic coupling of documents, and keyword co-occurrence. The study selection and data inclusion process followed the PRISMA guidelines.

Results: The findings indicate a steady growth in scientific output over the study period. The United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom show the highest citation impact. Co-authorship analysis revealed collaboration patterns among authors, while keyword co-occurrence analysis identified “sport marketing,” “social media marketing,” “sponsorship,” “consumer behavior,” and “fan identification” as prominent themes.

Conclusion: The results show that sports marketing research is organized around behavioral, brand-oriented, and increasingly digital-focused themes. While behavioral approaches remain central, digital marketing and athlete branding are emerging as distinct research directions. This study provides an overview of research trends and thematic structures in the field, serving as a reference point for future research.

The Impact of Neuromuscular Asymmetry on Change of Direction Deficit (CODD) And Non-Contact Injury Risk in Elite Football Players: A Systematic Review

Nurettin Ersin Uzun — 2026-05-12

Study Aim(s): This review aims to synthesize the effects of inter-limb neuromuscular asymmetry on the Change of Direction Deficit (CODD) and its association with non-contact injury risk in elite football players. The primary focus is to determine the mechanical cost of asymmetry on athletic performance and to evaluate its integration into contemporary injury prediction models.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed/Medline (32 sources), Web of Science (24 sources), Scopus (21 sources), SportDiscus (18 sources), and Google Scholar (7 sources). A total of 102 studies were synthesized in accordance with PRISMA protocol guidelines. Selected studies were analyzed based on asymmetry thresholds, biomechanical efficiency metrics, and the integration of modern technologies, specifically Machine Learning (ML) algorithms.

Results: The findings indicate that traditional total-time measures often mask an athlete's true maneuvering skills, whereas the CODD metric more effectively captures change-of-direction efficiency by isolating linear velocity from technical proficiency. Asymmetries exceeding the 10-15% threshold in eccentric braking capacity were associated with impairments in the penultimate step phase, resulting in increased ground contact time (GCT) and great load accumulation at the knee joint. These neuromuscular deficits were linked to a 3.24-fold increase in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk. Furthermore, ML-supported longitudinal monitoring strategies demonstrated the ability to predict injury trends with up to 78% accuracy.

Conclusion: Neuromuscular asymmetry should be recognized as a significant mechanical constraint on directional efficiency in elite football players and as a powerful predictor for non-contact injury risk. Interventions such as flywheel resistance training and unilateral plyometric training appear effective in promoting neural adaptation and mitigating inter-limb deficits. These findings support a shift from reactive rehabilitation toward proactive, data-driven neuromuscular management models in elite sport.

Inter-Limb Asymmetry and the Relationship Between Explosive Leg Power and Hamstring Strength in Athletes: A Multiple One-Leg Hopping and Nordic Hamstring Test Analysis

Florent Miftari — 2026-06-19

Study aim(s): This study aimed to investigate lower-limb asymmetries in female football players using the Multiple One-Leg Hopping (m1LH) test and the Nordic Hamstring Test, while examining the relationship between explosive unilateral leg performance and eccentric hamstring strength.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study was conducted on ten active female football players from KF Mitrovica, aged 18-28 years. Lower-limb performance was assessed using the Leonardo Mechanograph Multiple One-Leg Hopping test, while eccentric hamstring strength was evaluated using the Nordic Hamstring Test. Paired-samples t-tests, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests, and correlation analyses were performed to compare limb performance and examine relationships between variables.

Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the left and right limbs for vertical jump height, maximum force, stiffness, average jump displacement or peak power output (p > .05). The Nordic Hamstring Test revealed a mean inter-limb asymmetry of 6.73%, although one participant exceeded the commonly accepted injury-risk threshold of 15%. No significant correlations were observed between maximum hopping force and Nordic hamstring torque or angle measures (p > .05).

Conclusion: Female football players in this sample demonstrated generally symmetrical lower-limb performance and low levels of hamstring asymmetry. The absence of significant associations between hopping force and hamstring strength suggests that these assessments evaluate distinct neuromuscular qualities. The combined use of the m1LH and Nordic Hamstring Test may provide valuable information for athlete monitoring, performance optimization and injury prevention.