Biology of Sport

Biology of Sport is the official journal of the Institute of Sport – National Research Institute, located in Warsaw (Poland) published since 1984.

Biology of Sport is an international scientific peer-reviewed journal, published quarterly in electronic format. The journal publishes articles concerning basic and applied sciences in sport: sports and exercise physiology, sports genetics, training and testing, sports performance and analysis, as well as in other biological aspects related to sport.

IMPACT FACTOR

6.4

MNiSW

140

JCI (Journal Citation Indicator)

2.33

Cite Score

10.7

Deceleration specific isometric exercises acutely enhance change of direction performance in male youth academy soccer players

Julián E. Smoliga, Viktor Oliva, Adrián Novosád, Matej Suja, Damian J. Harper

Effects of different full squat training volumes matched for fatigue on strength gains, neuromuscular adaptations, and muscle hypertrophy

José Antonio Páez-Maldonado, Clara Cano-Castillo, Pedro Jesús Cornejo-Daza, Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas, Luis Rodiles-Guerrero, Mathias Wernbom, Manuel Ortega Becerra, Fernando Pareja-Blanco

Possession in motion: a five-season analysis of running in-possession and out-of-possession with match outcomes in the English Premier League

Tom Allen, Matt Taberner, Mikhail Zhilkin, Damian Harper, Jill Alexander

Return of match running performance following muscle strain injuries of varying severity in professional football

Victor Moreno-Pérez, Aaron Miralles-Iborra, Juan Del Coso, Fidel Agulló, Aitor Soler, Javier Courel-Ibáñez

Toward autonomous artificial intelligence agents in sports science: a modular framework for development, validation, and implementation

Ismail Dergaa, Sabri Barbaria, Wissem Dhahbi, Piotr Zmijewski, Karim Chamari, Helmi Ben Saad

Digital twins in sports science: applications for performance enhancement, injury prevention, and rehabilitation through advanced big data analytics and deep learning methodologies – a comprehensive narrative review

Afef Sédiri, Sabri Barbaria, Halil Ibrahim Ceylan, Andrea De Giorgio, Luca Puce, Valentina Stefanica, Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Ismail Dergaa, Hanene Boussi Rahmouni

Integrated monitoring in high-performance tennis: tools and strategies across monitoring horizons and player needs – a scoping review

Marie-Florine Michel, Machar Reid, Jean-Marc Duboscq, Cyril Brechbuhl, Olivier Girard

Chronic co-use of cannabis and tobacco on short-term recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage: A pilot study

Antoine Mendes, Gregory Cuvelier, Léo Duriez, Pauline Chartreux, Patrice Maboudou, Alexandr Gish, Jean-Michel Gaulier, Elsa Heyman, Serge Berthoin, François-Xavier Gamelin

ACTN3 rs1815739 but not ACE rs1799752 is associated with non-contact knee ligament rupture in elite handball players

Katarzyna Krawczak-Wójcik, Aleksandra Bojarczuk, Andrzej Mastalerz, Monika Johne, Aleksandra Garbacz, Katarzyna Komar, Ewelina Maculewicz

Deceleration and eccentric training for muscle damage protection and recovery in football: A narrative review with practical applications

Carlos Galiano, Damian J. Harper, Fábio Y. Nakamura, Jose A. Asian-Clemente

Match-to-match variability during whole and peak official match locomotor demands in top-class football players across sexes and age-categories

Michele Trapletti, Stefano Mazzoni, Athos Trecroci, Mattia Bazzoni, Fabio Esposito, Andrea Riboli

Starters and substitute players’ appearance and performance in penalty shootouts in major international football tournaments for men and women before and after the 5+1 substitution rule

Mourad Amraoui, Sebastian Høyvik Skjold, Xiaobin Wei, Peter Krustrup, Geir Jordet

Current issue

2026 vol. 43

Original paper

A novel combination of genomic loci in ITGB2, COL5A1 and VEGFA associated with anterior cruciate ligament rupture susceptibility: insights from Australian, Polish, Swedish, and South African cohorts

Senanile B. Dlamini, Colleen J. Saunders, Paweł Cieszczyk, Krzysztof Ficek, Charlotte K. Häger, Eva-Lena Stattin, Kjell G. Nilsson, Nir Eynon, Julian A. Feller, Oren Tirosh, Christian D. Bope, Emile R. Chimusa, Mary-Jessica N. Laguette, Malcolm Collins, Alison V. September

Biol Sport. 2026;43:3–20

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152346

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Original paper

Effects of eccentric- and concentric-based plyometric programmes on strength, speed and tensiomyography parameters of female athletes

Nikola Prvulović, Ana Lilić, Saša Pantelić, Milan Čoh, Milica Kojadinović, Vesna Vučić, Boštjan Šimunič

Biol Sport. 2026;43:21–33

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152343

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Original paper

Interaction effects between possession status and percentage: insights from modeling match-running performance across possession status in male soccer

Pengyu Pan, Carlos Lago-Peñas, Miguel Lorenzo-Martinez, Robert Rein, Tianbiao Liu, Daniel Memmert, Ricardo Resta Serra, Roberto López del Campo

Biol Sport. 2026;43:35–44

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.151653

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Original paper

Interchangeability of external player load variables from different athlete tracking systems in English Premier League soccer players

Ronan Kavanagh, Kevin McDaid, Jack McDonnell, David Rhodes, David Tivey, Jill Alexander, Damian Harper, Piotr Zmijewski, Ryland Morgans

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 45–52

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153304

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Original paper

Key performance indicators of offensive transitions in elite women’s football: a machine learning and explainability approach

Claudio A. Casal, José Luis Losada, Ana M. de Benito Trigueros, Rubén Maneiro, Iyán Iván-Baragaño

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 53–64

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153309

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Original paper

Effects of velocity loss with blood flow restriction in full squat on strength gains, neuromuscular adaptations, and muscle hypertrophy

Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas, Luis Rodiles-Guerrero, Pedro Jesús Cornejo-Daza, Jose Antonio Paez-Maldonado, Clara Cano-Castillo, Beatriz Bachero-Mena, Miguel Sánchez-Moreno, Juan José González-Badillo, Eduardo Saez de Villarreal, Fernando Pareja-Blanco

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 65–75

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.151657

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Original paper

Pupil dynamics reveal preparatory processes in the generation of pro-saccades and anti-saccades in open skill sports athletes

Jui-Tai Chen, Yi-Hsuan Chang, Cesar Barquero, Chin-An Wang

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 77–94

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153308

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Original paper

Exploring the potential synergistic pharmacological and psychological effects of caffeine on exercise performance: a placebo-balanced study

Juan Del Coso, Beatriz Lara, César Gallo-Salazar, Francisco Areces, Millán Aguilar-Navarro, Verónica Giráldez-Costas, Jorge Gutiérrez-Hellín, Fernando Valero, Juan Jose Salinero

Biol Sport.2026; 43: 95–105

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153332

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Original paper

The loading impact of training and match-play on non-contact muscle injuries in elite male soccer players. A seasonal analysis

Ryland Morgans, Rafael Oliveira, Mauro Mandorino, Piotr Zmijewski, Ben Ryan, Toni Modric, Jose Teixeira, Alexandre Moreira

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 107–114

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153305

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Original paper

The impact of caffeine-mediated gut microbiota regulation on the athletic performance of football players

Jianlou Yang, Hongda Zhu, Bo Yao, Wei Zhang, Xiaodong Xing, Weibo Cheng, Chen Dong

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 115–125

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153312

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Original paper

Effect of plyometric training based on the integral reactive strength index of national-level jumpers and sprinters. A randomized crossover trial

Raynier Montoro-Bombú, Hugo Sarmento, Armando Costa, Valter Pinheiro, Paulo Malico Sousa, Carlo Buzzichelli, Luis Rama

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 127–138

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152351

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Original paper

Ischemic preconditioning combined with inter-set palm cooling enhances performance in strength-trained men during high-intensity resistance training: A randomized crossover trial

Chih-Min Wu, Wei-Cheng Chou, Wen-Yi Wang, Zong-Yan Cai

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 139–147

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152344

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Review paper

The effects of daytime napping on psychophysiological measures in physically active individuals and athletes: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression, with assessment of the certainty of evidence

Omar Boukhris, Khaled Trabelsi, Haresh Suppiah, Haitham Jahrami, Matthew Driller

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 149–163

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153310

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Original paper

How do muscle injuries relate to return-to-performance metrics in male elite football players?

Marc Guitart, Antonio Alonso-Callejo, Gil Rodas, Francesc Cos, Andres Martin-Garcia, Xavi Franquesa, Berta Carles, Xavier Valle, Xavier Yangüas, Jose Luis Felipe

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 165–175

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153532

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Original paper

Twenty-four weeks of combined exercise training prevents metabolic syndrome progression in adult women: evidence from a randomized controlled trial

Mouna Abrougui, Refka Hassine, Monia Zaouali, Asma Ben Abdelaziz, Asma Omezzine, Meriam Denguezli

Biol Sport. 2026; 43: 177–186

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153313

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Original paper

Effects of different velocity loss thresholds on strength, neuromuscular adaptations, and muscle hypertrophy during bench press training in women

Luis Rodiles-Guerrero, Clara Cano-Castillo, Pedro Jesús Cornejo-Daza, Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas, Borja Sañudo, Miguel Sánchez-Moreno, Beatriz Bachero-Mena, Fernando Pareja-Blanco

Biol Sport. 2026;43:187–198

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152347

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Original paper

The effectiveness of differential learning in small-sided soccer games for skill development in U20 amateur male players

Jaouher Hamaidi, Wissem Dhahbi, Mohamed Mansour Bouzourraa, Noomen Guelmami, Mohamed Ben Aissa, Wassim Moalla, Ismail Dergaa, Katja Weiss, Thomas Rosemann, Beat Knechtle, Makrem Zghibi

Biol Sport. 2026,43:199–211

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.151661

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Original paper

Relationship between aerobic performance and match running performance in elite soccer players including playing position and contextual factors

Jakub Kryściak, Tomas Maly, Maciej Tomczak, Toni Modric, James Malone, František Zahálka, Christian Clarup, Kirk Phillips, Marcin Andrzejewski

Biol Sport. 2026;43:213–225

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153311

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Original paper

Evening smartphone exposure impairs sleep quality and next-day performance in elite soccer players: a randomized controlled trial

Nadia Dridi, Mohamed Abdelkader Souissi, Rim Dridi, Halil İbrahim Ceylan, Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Atef Salem, Sofien Fekih, Mokhtar Chtara, Bessem Mkaouer, Hamdi Chtourou, Ismail Dergaa, Nizar Souissi, Valentina Stefanica, Piotr Żmijewski, Ryland Morgans

Biol Sport. 2026;43:227–242

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152348

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Original paper

Technical-tactical performance of Spanish female basketball players in first division (2013–2022): effects of match outcome, location, and playing position

Carlos D. Gómez-Carmona, Elena Gómez-Ramos, María I. Piñar, José M. Contreras, Sergio J. Ibáñez

Biol Sport. 2026;43:243–256

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152349

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Original paper

Physiological and performance parameters associated with critical power decline in hypoxia among highly-trained endurance athletes

Tomasz Kowalski, Adrian Wilk, Kinga Rębiś, Jadwiga Malczewska-Lenczowska, Andrzej Klusiewicz, Tadej Debevec, Raphael Faiss

Biol Sport. 2026;43:257–265

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153530

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Original paper

Reciprocal relationships between sleep quality, mental health and the quality of life in elite athletes: A pilot study

Mohamed Romdhani, Emna Bentouati, Rihab Abid, Imen Moussa-Chamari, Karim Chamari, Helmi Ben Saad, Tarak Driss, Nizar Souissi

Biol Sport. 2026;43:267–279

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154147

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Original paper

Recreational football training preserves bone health in women over 9 years during the menopause transition

Magni Mohr, May-Britt Skoradal, Tórur Sjúrðarson, Niklas R. Jørgensen, Jann Mortensen, Peter Krustrup

Biol Sport. 2026;43:281–290

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154145

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Review paper

Nutrition as a missing piece in the development of youth male soccer players: a scoping review and future directions

Diogo V. Martinho, Oliver Gonzalo-Skok, Karim Chamari, Adam Field, Filipe Manuel Clemente, André Rebelo, Élvio R. Gouveia, Vitor Hugo Teixeira, Piotr Zmijewski, Pedro Mendes, Pedro Campos, Hugo Sarmento

Biol Sport. 2026;43:291–317

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.151654

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Original paper

Neuromechanical effects and predictive profiling of sprint priming strategies in elite youth sprinters

Krzysztof Kotuła, Aleksander Matusiński, Adam Maszczyk, Lucas A. Pereira, Adam Zajac, Irineu Loturco

Biol Sport. 2026;43:319–327

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154150

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Review paper

A new conceptual framework for managing hamstring injury risk in soccer – implementing a data-informed approach: a narrative review

Guglielmo Pillitteri, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Marco Petrucci, Hugo Sarmento, Antonio Figueiredo, Tindaro Bongiovanni, Antonino Bianco, Giuseppe Battaglia, Tim J. Gabbett

Biol Sport. 2026;43:329–353

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.151660

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Original paper

The role of artificial intelligence in sports training: opportunities, challenges and future applications for competitive swimming

Luca Puce, Piotr Żmijewski, Filippo Cotellessa, Cristina Schenone, Halil I. Ceylan, Nicola L. Bragazzi, Carlo Trompetto

Biol Sport. 2026;43:355–367

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152352

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Original paper

Inter-limb asymmetry across multiple soccer tasks varies with maturity status in young players: a cross-sectional study

Hamza Marzouki, Bilel Cherni, Alâa Edine Sassi, Anissa Bouassida, Ezdine Bouhlel, Yung-Sheng Chen, Karim Chamari

Biol Sport. 2026;43:369–378

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154159

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Original paper

More details, less variability? A crossover design study on the impact of information granularity on ChatGPT’s training program stability

Zhangyu Yang, Xing Zhang, Hansen Li, Jianfei Ye

Biol Sport. 2026;43:379–392

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154148

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Original paper

Injuries according to sexual maturity status: a three-season observational study with male academy players of a professional Spanish football club

Mauricio Monaco, Eirik Halvorsen Wik, Abdulaziz Farooq, Gil Rodas

Biol Sport. 2026;43:393–403

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154143

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Review paper

Match demands and physical qualities of female athletes in Australian football, rugby union, rugby sevens, and rugby league: a scoping review

Riley J Brassington, Jocelyn K Mara, Nick Ball, Gordon Waddington, Kiera Paul, Julie Cooke

Biol Sport. 2026;43:405–428

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153306

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Original paper

Why do parents sign their children up for soccer in the United States?

José M. Oliva-Lozano, John Sullivan, Rick Cost, Felipe Lobelo, George Chiampas

Biol Sport. 2026;43:429–438

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154144

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Original paper

The relative age effect and transition rates across a national soccer program in male and female youth to senior players. A longitudinal analysis

Daniel Nisbet, Mauro Mandorino, Piotr Zmijewski, Toni Modric, José Eduardo Teixeira, Alexandre Moreira, Ryland Morgans

Biol Sport. 2026;43:439–448

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154941

Abstract

Original paper

Energy expenditure and physical activity responses to football for health training in adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

Athanasios Poulios, Lambros Tsiokanos, Dimitrios Draganidis, Konstantinos Papanikolaou, Panagiotis Tsimeas, Niki Syrou, Georgios Metsios, Athanasios Chatzinikolaou, Georgios Ermidis, Athanasios Tsiokanos, Aggelos Pappas, Magni Mohr, Peter Krustrup, Athanasios Z. Jamurtas, Ioannis G. Fatouros

Biol Sport. 2026;43:449–461

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154146

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Review paper

Changes in physical fitness and body composition of athletes after the COVID-19 lockdown: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression, with assessment of the certainty of evidence

Jad Adrian Washif, Khaled Trabelsi, Jeffrey Pagaduan, Marie Stella Louise Perreras, Imen Moussa-Chamari, Narimen Yousfi, David B. Pyne, Karim Chamari

Biol Sport. 2026;43:463–488

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153307

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Original paper

Longitudinal cohort study on subsequent injury risk in professional football players in the Qatar Stars League: a probabilistic approach using basic learning

Montassar Tabben, Karim Chamari, Khalid Alkhelaifi, Tanvir Alam, Jassim Almulla

Biol Sport. 2026;43:489–498

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152345

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Original paper

Injury incidence, burden and associated risk factors in walking football players

Maite Lejonagoitia-Garmendia, Iraia Bidaurrazaga-Letona, Iratxe Duñabeitia, Izaro Esain, Rakel Berriozabalgoitia, Begoña Sanz, Xabier Monasterio, Jon Larruskain, Susana M Gil

Biol Sport. 2026;43:499–510

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154946

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Review paper

Enhancing physical performance with ischemic preconditioning: a systematic review and meta-analysis of moderators and performance outcomes

Yilin Zhang, Kai Xu, Hao Kong, Mingyue Yin, Chenghao Liu, Yun Xie, Liam Kilduff, Gustavo R Mota, Olivier Girard

Biol Sport. 2026;43:511–554

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154945

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Review paper

Can OpenCap deliver valid and reliable kinematic data for motion analysis? A systematic review and three-level meta-analysis

Salih Çabuk, Süleyman Ulupınar, İzzet İnce, Serhat Özbay

Biol Sport.2026;43:555–573

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154942

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Original paper

Data-driven classification of playing styles and match outcome prediction in UEFA Champions League teams

Yonghan Zhong, Ying Xu, Kecheng Zhu, Jorge Diaz-Cidoncha Garcia, Miguel Ángel Gómez Ruano, Qing Yi

Biol Sport.2026;43:575–586

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154944

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Original paper

Seasonal changes and variability of physical match demands in a highly trained female soccer team

João Barreira, Pedro Figueiredo, Cristian Petri, Luca Pengue, Francesco Perondi, Alessandro Buccolini, Jaime Fernandez-Fernandez, Fábio Y. Nakamura

Biol Sport. 2026;43:587–595

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156226

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Review paper

The effect of virtual and augmented reality training on soccer players: a systematic review of cognitive-motor performance

Ana Carolina Paludo, Adam Lipčák, Koulla Parpa, Elisavet Kyprianidou, Marios N. Avraamides

Biol Sport. 2026;43:597–604

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.153531

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Original paper

Comprehensive multivariate insights into external training load in women’s football: four session clusters to optimize weekly periodization

Eider Barba, Beñat Erkizia, David Casamichana, Udane Etxebeste, Julen Castellano

Biol Sport. 2026;43:605–616

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154943

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Review paper

Aging reimagined: Bridging clinical modulation and scientific breakthroughs

Salah Mhamdi, Karim Chamari, Ahmed S. BaHammam, Walid Ahmed Alkeridy, Abdulrahman Ahmed Aldeeri, Helmi Ben Saad

Biol Sport. 2026;43:617–630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156224

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Original paper

Repeated sprint training induces prolonged residual fatigue compared to other high-intensity interval training modalities in middle-distance runners

Kai Yang, Yang Xia, Ana Filipa Silva

Biol Sport.2026;43:631-645

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156227

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Original paper

Reaching higher, landing harder: classifying individualized jump intensity zones and ground impact forces in professional male and female volleyball matches

André Rebelo, Irineu Loturco, Aaron T. Scanlan

Biol Sport. 2026;43:647–657

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156230

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Letter to the Editor

Correction: Acute effects of beetroot juice vs. creatine supplementation on maximal strength, autonomic regulation, and muscle oxygenation during incremental resistance exercise

Atef Salem, Achraf Ammar, Mohamed Kerkeni, Mohamed Ali Boujelbane, Ayse Merve Uyar, Leonard Moritz Köbel, Saranya Selvaraj, Reza Zare, Katie M. Heinrich, Haitham Jahrami, Slim Tounsi, Giuseppe Grosso, Piotr Zmijewski, Wolfgang I. Schöllhorn, Khaled Trabelsi, Hamdi Chtourou

Biol Sport. 2026;43:659–660

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156734

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Original paper

Resistance priming strategies in professional Spanish soccer: A survey study into the practices and perceptions of strength and conditioning coaches

Enrique Cañadas-García, Alfonso de la Rubia, Anthony Weldon, Jaime González-García, Verónica Giráldez-Costas, Carlos García-Sánchez

Biol Sport. 2026;43:661–670

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156228

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Original paper

The effect of contextualised match variables on the metabolic power of elite soccer players during English Premier League match-play

Ryland Morgans, Rafael Oliveira, Mauro Mandorino, Ben Ryan, Piotr Zmijewski, Toni Modric, Jose Eduardo Teixeira, Alexandre Moreira

Biol Sport. 2026;43:671–678

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156783

Abstract

Original paper

Does Ramadan fasting influence time-motion metrics and psychophysiological responses in soccer players during small-sided games performed in fed and fasted states?

Mohamed Kerkeni, Karim Chamari, Manel Kerkeni, Omar Boukhris, Achraf Ammar, David B. Pyne, Waqar Husain, Hamdi Chtourou, Abdul Rashid Aziz, Haitham Jahrami, Khaled Trabelsi

Biol Sport. 2026;43:679–691

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156231

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Original paper

Growth, maturity status and performance of youth soccer players by playing status as adults

Robert M. Malina, Luís Horta, João P. Duarte, Nuno Silva-Borges, Tomas Oliveira, Jorge M. Celis-Moreno, Oscar M. Tavares, Andre Seabra, Jan M. Konarski, Manuel J. Coelho-e-Silva

Biol Sport. 2026;43:693–701

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156225

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Original paper

Is the positioning of defensive players an aspect to consider in soccer transition games?

Jose A. Asian-Clemente, Bernardo Requena, Luis Suarez-Arrones, Piotr Żmijewski

Biol Sport. 2026;43:703–709

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156229

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Original paper

Influence of competitive level and playing position on the physical and technical demands of professional men’s football

Miguel Lampre-Ezquerra, José Luis Arjol-Serrano, Roberto López-Del Campo, Ricardo Resta, Elena Mainer-Pardos, Demetrio Lozano

Biol Sport. 2026;43:711–720

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156233

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Original paper

Comparable blood pressure reductions after indoor and outdoor walking exercise

Olga Papale, Emanuel Festino, Francesca Di Rocco, Carl Foster, Iris Prestanti, Sofia Serafini, Pascal Izzicupo, Cristina Cortis, Andrea Fusco

Biol Sport. 2026;43:721–728

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156232

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Original paper

The influence of contextual factors on the physical demands of soccer match-play

Enrique Benéitez-Andrés, Javier Sánchez-Sánchez, Alejandro Rodríguez-Fernández, Mercedes Sánchez-Barba, Daniel Rojas-Valverde, Mario Sánchez

Biol Sport. 2026;43:729–741

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.157995

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Original paper

Force vs. impulse: assessing the applicability of dynamic strength indices in individualized training recommendations

Yuhang Liu, Chris Bishop, Lachlan P. James, Changda Lu, Fanhao Meng, Xiaoyi Yuan

Biol Sport. 2026;43:743–752

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.157994

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Review paper

Sex differences in hip and groin injury prevalence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 3133 team-sport athletes

Toni Bailén-García, Marcos Quintana-Cepedal, Omar de la Calle, María Medina-Sánchez, Irene Crespo, Hugo Olmedillas

Biol Sport. 2026; 43:753–767

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158668

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Original paper

Monitoring game load across quarters in professional basketball: positional differences and contextual effects

Shaoliang Zhang, Ming Li, Xing Wang, Enrique Alonso-Pérez-Chao, Pierpaolo Sansone, Jordan L Fox

Biol Sport. 2026;43:769–778

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.157997

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Original paper

Gene expression profiling of whole blood samples following marathon running in non-elite athletes

Pol Ezquerra-Condeminas, Laura Martin-Fernandez, Antonio Cardenas, Oriol Sibila, Nina Borràs, Francisco Vidal, Alexandre Perera-Lluna, José Manuel Soria

Biol Sport. 2026;43:779–793

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158303

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Original paper

The association between domain-specific physical activity in adults and Parkinson’s disease and all-cause mortality: a NHANES study from 2007 to 2018

Wenwen Diao, Shunxiong Tang

Biol Sport.2026;43:795-813

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158669

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Original paper

Morning priming exercises for explosive performance: time course effects of two-way ballistic and strength-based protocols

Yiheng Zeng, Tao Wu, Junlei Lin, Wei Li, Paul B. Gastin, Olivier Girard

Biol Sport. 2026;43:815–827

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158671

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Original paper

Does curvilinear sprint training with different radii improve multidirectional speed and sprint mechanics in youth soccer players?

David Solleiro-Duran, Jose Suarez-Rial, Ezequiel Rey, Andrés Baena-Raya, Miguel Lorenzo-Martínez, Alberto Filter, Alexis Padrón-Cabo

Biol Sport.2026;43:829-838

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.157996

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Original paper

Training with an elastic bench press device provides comparable adaptations to conventional resistance training in trained men

Simon Gavanda, David Wischtukat, Moritz Ruckdeschel, Stephan Geisler, Steffen Held

Biol Sport. 2026;43:839-846

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.157993

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Original paper

Associations of physical activity domains and delayed biological aging: assessing heterogeneity and interaction of effects

Yongyu Huang, Yang Wang, Yanwei You, Ming Ding, Zuosheng Lu, Qing Wang

Biol Sport. 2026;43:847–873

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158670

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Original paper

Influence of contextualized physical performance metrics on offensive and defensive outcomes in professional football players

Paolo Troiani, Antonio Lucadamo, Dario Pompa, Cristian Savoia, Francesco Laterza, Maurizio Bertollo, Marco Beato

Biol Sport. 2026;43:875–886

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158681

Abstract

Original paper

Return of match running performance following muscle strain injuries of varying severity in professional football

Victor Moreno-Pérez, Aaron Miralles-Iborra, Juan Del Coso, Fidel Agulló, Aitor Soler, Javier Courel-Ibáñez

Biol Sport. 2026;43:887–897

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159530

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Original paper

Possession in motion: a five-season analysis of running in-possession and out-of-possession with match outcomes in the English Premier League

Tom Allen, Matt Taberner, Mikhail Zhilkin, Damian Harper, Jill Alexander

Biol Sport.2026;43:899–909

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159531

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Original paper

The influence of functional kinematic asymmetry on maximum speed performance in repeated sprints

Mateusz Jopek, Michal Krzysztofik, Dariusz Mroczek, Adam Zajac, Krzysztof Mackala

Biol Sport. 2026;43:911–919

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158304

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Original paper

The overload loop: a distinct reoxygenation pattern above the second ventilatory threshold revealed by a new analytical method

Annette Schmidt, Lucas Koch, Tom Brandt, Timo Schinköthe

Biol Sport.2026;43:921-931

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159557

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Original paper

Training characteristics of male and female World Tour professional road cyclists before the competitive phase

Manuel Mateo-March, David Barranco-Gil, Xabier Muriel, Jesús G. Pallarés, Pedro L. Valenzuela

Biol Sport. 2026;43:933–940

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156234

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Original paper

Within-game performance decrements in relation to peak fat oxidation, Fatmax and peak oxygen uptake in elite male footballers

Morten Bredsgaard Randers, Tue Rømer, Mikkel Thunestvedt Hansen, Christina Rohde Ruppert, Viktor Slott, Thomas Nielsen, Loftur Gísli Jóhannsson, Jesper Sangild, Jørn Wulff Helge, Peter Krustrup, Malte Nejst Larsen

Biol Sport. 2026;43:941-948

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158678

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Review paper

The AI recommendation paradox: a systematic review evaluating the promise, peril, and path forward for large language models in exercise recommendation

Tianyuan He, Di Lu, Yongye Ma, Jiaxin He, Duanying Li, Guoxing Li, Jian Sun

Biol Sport. 2026;43:949–970

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158676

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Review paper

Current approaches to measuring high-intensity locomotor actions in adult male professional soccer. A scoping review

Paul McGrath, Damian Harper, Jill Alexander

Biol Sport. 2026;43:971–984

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158302

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Original paper

Effects of different full squat training volumes matched for fatigue on strength gains, neuromuscular adaptations, and muscle hypertrophy

José Antonio Páez-Maldonado, Clara Cano-Castillo, Pedro Jesús Cornejo-Daza, Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas, Luis Rodiles-Guerrero, Mathias Wernbom, Manuel Ortega Becerra, Fernando Pareja-Blanco

Biol Sport. 2026;43:985–997

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.157999

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Original paper

Objective sleep characteristics of elite academy soccer players: a seven-day actigraphy analysis of a U15 national league squad

Lorcán Mason, James Connolly, Lydia E. Devenney, Karl Lacey, Maria Faulkner, Rónán Doherty

Biol Sport. 2026;43:999-1008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158301

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Original paper

Assessing the contributions of technical error and biological variability to error of measurement in reliability studies

Basilio Pueo, Will Hopkins

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1009–1018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.160239

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Original paper

Effects of unilateral and bilateral training on performance in team sports athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bitai Wu, Mingyue Yin, Zhiquan Song, Meiling Tao, Kai Xu, George P. Nassis, Chris Bishop, Olivier Girard

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1019–1049

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159564

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Original paper

Are three recovery days enough? Elevated match day creatine kinase levels under congested schedules in youth soccer

Gabor Schuth, Gyorgy Szigeti, Gergely Dobreff, Peter Revisnyei, Tim Gabbett, Adam Szilas, Gabor Pavlik

Biol Sport.2026;43:1051–1060

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.157992

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Original paper

Internal and external training load in men’s professional padel players: A positional comparison in the Premier Padel circuit

Álvaro Bustamante-Sánchez, Diego Muñoz, Sergio José Ibáñez, Adrián Escudero-Tena, Rafael Conde-Ripoll

Biol Sport.2026;43:1061–1070

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154149

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Original paper

Sex dimorphism in serum lipid dynamics after acute exhaustive exercise

Zhongxun Ren, Baile Wu, Chunxue Tang, Jiayu Qian, Zihan Fan, YanYan Zhang, Lijun Shi

Biol Sport.2026;43:1071–1081

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158677

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Original paper

Does repeated daytime napping over consecutive days enhance physical, perceptual, and cardiac autonomic responses in high-level adolescent basketball players?

Mehdi J Souabni, Maher Souabni, Omar Hammouda, Mathieu Nedelec, Achraf Ammar, Tarak Driss

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1083–1095

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159567

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Original paper

Accelerated biological aging and risk of sarcopenia: evidence from 29,000 Chinese adults

Qing Wang, Huijing He, Yaoda Hu, Jing Nai, Zhen Song, Hui Pan, Hanze Du, Ji Tu, Zichao Wang, Da Xu, Zhujie Ran, Zhili Chen, Mengwei Zhang, Gang Liu, Guangliang Shan

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1097–1132

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159572

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Original paper

Effects of movement velocity in squat training with and without blood flow restriction

Pedro Jesús Cornejo-Daza, Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas, Luis Rodiles-Guerrero, Paula Costales-Muñoz, Miguel Sánchez-Moreno, Irineu Loturco, Juan A León-Prados, Fernando Pareja-Blanco

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1133–1147

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.160853

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Original paper

Comparing full-body flywheel eccentric protocols: cluster set vs. traditional training on muscle damage, arterial stiffness, jump performance, grip strength, cognitive, and perceptual responses

Ming-Chia Weng, Chih-Yuan Fang, Hsi-Hsun Su, Eisuke Ochi, Maximillian J. Nelson, Hunter Bennett, Thomas P. Wycherley, Xiang Dai, Che-Hsiu Chen

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1149–1160

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158673

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Original paper

Match running performance upon return to play in professional male LaLiga football players following anterior cruciate ligament rupture

Manuel Manchón-Davó, Aarón Miralles-Iborra, Juan Del Coso, Francisco J Vera-Garcia, Heidy Rondón-Espinosa, Casto Juan-Recio, Joaquín González-Rodenas, Roberto López del Campo, Ricardo Resta, Víctor Moreno-Pérez

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1161–1180

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.160857

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Original paper

Technical and tactical performance of major Asian professional football leagues: a comparative analysis of 14,115 matches across six seasons

Liangzhu Feng, Yanlong Chen, Zhe Cheng, Hongyou Liu

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1181–1191

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159568

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Review paper

The impact of maximal fat oxidation intensity exercise on glucose and lipid metabolism in individuals with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Yunyang Liu, Jiawen Gao, Zihan Bao, Ziyang Li, Xunling Wang, Shun Wang

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1193–1234

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159565

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Original paper

Dietary nitrate supplementation reduces performance decline during repeated sprint exercise independent of sex

Yadan He, Xiaochuan Ge, Chunxue Tang, Yanqiu Wang, Haizheng Huang, Bin Leng, Chuan Zhang

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1235–1242

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.162401

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Original paper

The acute effect of training on hip-adduction strength within a football microcycle

Maziar J. Hamad, Pedro E. Alcaraz, Kristian Thorborg, Steve Barrett, Konstantinos Spyrou

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1243–1251

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159562

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Original paper

Deceleration specific isometric exercises acutely enhance change of direction performance in male youth academy soccer players

Julián E. Smoliga, Viktor Oliva, Adrián Novosád, Matej Suja, Damian J. Harper

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1253-1259

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159569

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Original paper

Comparison of different load-velocity profiles and electromyography activity in the free-weight jump squat

Yi-Chien Chiang, Chieh-Ying Chiang, Jonathon Weakley

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1261–1270

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159566

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Review paper

Digital twins in sports science: applications for performance enhancement, injury prevention, and rehabilitation through advanced big data analytics and deep learning methodologies – a comprehensive narrative review

Afef Sédiri, Sabri Barbaria, Halil Ibrahim Ceylan, Andrea De Giorgio, Luca Puce, Valentina Stefanica, Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Ismail Dergaa, Hanene Boussi Rahmouni

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1271–1291

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.161106

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Original paper

Effects of a 6-week horizontal speed deceleration training on measures of physical fitness in youth tennis players

Yassine Negra, Senda Sammoud, Raja Bouguezzi, Jason Moran, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Younés Hachana, Helmi Chaabene

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1293–1301

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159558

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Original paper

Do important points change the game? Technical-tactical performance in high-level men’s padel

Rafael Conde-Ripoll, Adrián Escudero-Tena, Jesús Ramón-Llin, Álvaro Bustamante-Sánchez

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1303–1313

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.158680

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Original paper

Weekday-specific associations of movement behaviors with body composition in preschool children: A compositional data analysis

Jin Guo, Xiangli Liu, Haowen Zhang, Chaonan Wang, Fang Wang, Wei Chen, Di Heng, Qingfeng Dong, Yihua Bao, Zhaoxu Lu, Ting Zhang

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1315–1327

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159563

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Original paper

Impact of biological maturation on match workload in Portuguese elite male academy soccer players

Nuno Ribeiro, Oliver Gonzalo-Skok, João Valente-Dos-Santos, Mauro Mandorino, Marco Beato, Jamie Salter, Hadi Nobari, Nuno Loureiro, Ruben Ferreira, João Pedro Araújo, Francisco Tavares

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1329-1340

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.161102

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Original paper

A matter of time or timing: longitudinal analysis of sensitive periods for linear running speed performance and development in elite youth soccer

Maros Kalata, Jakub Lukavsky, Diogo V. Martinho, Craig A. Williams, Jan M. Konarski, Frantisek Zahalka, Robert M. Malina, Tomas Maly

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1341–1351

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.161105

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Review paper

Toward autonomous artificial intelligence agents in sports science: a modular framework for development, validation, and implementation

Ismail Dergaa, Sabri Barbaria, Wissem Dhahbi, Piotr Zmijewski, Karim Chamari, Helmi Ben Saad

Biol Sport.2026;43:1353–1426

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.161708

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Original paper

Physiological and performance effects of a simulated prolonged service game in competitive male tennis players

André V. Brito, Filipa Cardoso, Anna Ogonowska-Slodownik, Alejandro Javaloyes, Jaime Fernandez-Fernandez, Ricardo J. Fernandes

Biol Sport.2026;43:1427-1435

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.160854

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Original paper

Does movement efficiency differentiate performance? An analysis of competition load in elite women’s padel

Ricardo Miralles, José Guzmán, Rafael Martínez-Gallego, Diego Muñoz, Jesús Ramón-Llin

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1437–1445

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.159560

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Original paper

Repeated static stretching was more effective for increasing range of motion and decreasing passive stiffness than a combination of a thermal agent with static stretching

Masatoshi Nakamura, Andreas Konrad, Kosuke Takeuchi, David G Behm

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1447–1453

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.161101

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Original paper

Priming strategies to enhance sprint performance in highly trained athletes across sports: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Krzysztof Kotuła, Lucas A. Pereira, Adam Zajac, Artur Golas, Adam Maszczyk, Irineu Loturco

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1455–1463

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.161110

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Original paper

Change-of-direction ability in soccer is angle-specific: implications for multi-angle testing and speed deficit calculation

Georgios-Marios Giannakopoulos, Pierros Thomakos, Athanasios Tsoukos, Gregory C. Bogdanis

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1465–1472

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.162048

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Original paper

An innovative RPE-based approach using machine learning to analyse starter and substitute training load in soccer

Francesco Laterza, Karim Chamari, Giuseppe Caminiti, Giuseppe Annino, Marco Beato, Antonio Bovenzi, Rosario D’Onofrio, Vincenzo Manzi

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1473–1485

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.162046

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Review paper

An umbrella review of soccer small-sided games: developing an evidence-informed design model linking training components to performance outcomes

Süleyman Ulupınar, Serhat Özbay, Osman Ateş, Murat Turan, Kemal Coşkun, Salih Çabuk, Cebrail Gençoğlu, Adam Owen, Chris Barnes

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1487–1522

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.161109

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Original paper

Prevalence, implementation, and barriers of sodium bicarbonate supplementation in team sports

William H. Gurton, Lewis A. Gough, Anthony Lynn, Mayur K. Ranchordas

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1523–1531

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156235

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Original paper

Impact of biological maturation on physical tests performance in Portuguese elite male academy soccer players

Nuno Ribeiro, Oliver Gonzalo-Skok, Joao Valente dos Santos, Joao R. Pereira, Mauro Mandorino, Jo Clubb, Marco Beato, Jamie Salter, Hadi Nobari, Nuno Loureiro, Ruben Ferreira, Joao Pedro Araujo, Francisco Tavares

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1533–1546

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.161099

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Original paper

Early bloom, early boom? Motor competence profiles across maturation: a cross-sectional study

Matteo Giuriato, Alessandro Gatti, Agnese Pirazzi, Caterina Cavallo, Vittoria Carnevale Pellino, Marco Del Bianco, Roberto Codella, Nicola Lovecchio, Matteo Vandoni

Biol Sport. 2026;43:1547–1557

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.160855

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Original paper