Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (JSSM)

31/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM New Podcast Episode

🦶⚡ How does lateral shuffle–induced fatigue affect ankle proprioception and explosive performance?

In this episode, we explore a study investigating the effects of lateral shuffle–induced fatigue on ankle proprioception and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, providing new insights into how sport-specific fatigue influences neuromuscular function.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• How repeated lateral shuffle movements induce fatigue

• The impact of fatigue on ankle proprioception and joint awareness

• Changes in countermovement jump performance following lateral movement demands

• Practical implications for injury prevention, performance monitoring, and training design

💡 Why it matters:

Lateral movements are fundamental to sports such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, and soccer. Understanding how fatigue affects balance, proprioception, and explosive power can help coaches and clinicians develop strategies to reduce injury risk and maintain performance during competition.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=AU-4k1QEo-k

🎙️ An episode from the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (JSSM...

29/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM New Podcast Episode

💪🧠 Can fatigue in one muscle group affect performance elsewhere in the body—and for how long?

In this episode, we explore the fascinating concept of non-local muscle fatigue, examining how long its effects persist and what this means for athletic performance, training, and recovery.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• What is non-local muscle fatigue, and how does it occur?

• Examining the duration of fatigue effects beyond the exercised muscles

• Potential mechanisms behind central and neuromuscular fatigue

• Practical implications for exercise sequencing, recovery planning, and performance optimization

💡 Why it matters:

Fatigue isn't always confined to the muscles doing the work. Understanding how long non-local fatigue lasts can help coaches, clinicians, and athletes make better decisions about training order, recovery timing, and return-to-performance strategies.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=bTcqTLjBTtw

🎙️ An episode from the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (JSSM...

27/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM Research Spotlight — Podcast Episode

🏃‍♂️🦵 Can a previous hamstring injury leave lasting changes beyond the hamstring itself?

In this episode, we explore a study investigating thoracolumbar fascia and lumbar muscle stiffness in athletes with a history of hamstring injury, shedding light on the interconnected nature of the body's movement system.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• Understanding the relationship between hamstring injuries and the thoracolumbar fascia

• Assessing changes in lumbar muscle stiffness following previous injury

• What these findings reveal about regional interdependence and movement mechanics

• Practical implications for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and return-to-play strategies

💡 Why it matters:

Hamstring injuries are among the most common injuries in sport and are known for their high recurrence rates. This study explores whether previous hamstring injuries are associated with lasting changes in the tissues of the lower back, providing valuable insights that may help clinicians and coaches refine rehabilitation and performance strategies.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=D8Tkj9p874c

🎙️ An episode from the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (JSSM...

25/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM New Podcast Episode

💧⚡ Can hydrogen-rich water give athletes an edge during repeated sprint exercise?

In this episode, we explore a study investigating the effects of hydrogen-rich water supplementation on exercise performance, autonomic nervous system recovery, and blood lactate concentration in male university athletes performing repeated sprints.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• What is hydrogen-rich water, and why is it attracting attention in sports nutrition?

• Its effects on repeated sprint performance in trained athletes

• How supplementation influences autonomic nervous system recovery after intense exercise

• Changes in blood lactate concentration and their implications for recovery and fatigue

• Practical considerations for athletes, coaches, and sport scientists

💡 Why it matters:

Repeated sprint ability is critical in many team and racket sports, where rapid recovery between high-intensity efforts can influence performance. This study explores whether hydrogen-rich water can support recovery and physiological responses, providing evidence to inform nutrition and hydration strategies for athletes.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=irWepU9YrlI

🎙️ An episode from the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (JSSM...

22/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM New Podcast Episode

🏐🔥 Can a brief isometric conditioning routine outperform a traditional volleyball warm-up?

In this episode, we explore the acute performance, mechanical, and thermal effects of isometric conditioning compared with a standardized pre-training activation routine in highly trained male volleyball players.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• Comparing isometric conditioning with traditional volleyball warm-up strategies

• Immediate effects on performance, mechanical, and thermal responses

• How different activation methods may influence readiness before training

• Practical implications for coaches seeking evidence-based pre-session routines

💡 Why it matters:

The moments before training or competition can significantly influence athletic performance. This study examines whether isometric conditioning provides advantages over conventional activation routines, offering valuable insights into optimizing player preparedness while balancing performance and recovery.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=xjV1cRYl0SU

🎙️ An episode from the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (JSSM...

20/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM New Podcast Episode

🏓📈 Do training matches truly prepare young athletes for the demands of international competition?

In this episode, we explore the differences between training matches and international competitions in elite Chinese U15 female table tennis players, uncovering how competitive environments influence performance demands.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• Comparing the physical and technical demands of training versus international competition

• Identifying performance differences in elite U15 female table tennis players

• Insights into how match environments shape athlete preparation and development

• Practical recommendations for coaches aiming to bridge the gap between practice and competition

💡 Why it matters:

Success on the international stage requires more than technical skill—it demands preparation that reflects the realities of competition. This study highlights key differences between training and tournament play, offering valuable evidence to help coaches design more representative and effective training environments.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=gY5A48LbBzE

15/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM New Podcast Episode

🩸🦶 Can blood flow restriction (BFR) influence ankle reaction time and proprioception?

In this episode, we explore the acute effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) on ankle muscle reaction time and proprioception in healthy individuals, offering new insights into how BFR may affect neuromuscular function beyond strength training.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• How blood flow restriction influences neuromuscular performance

• Effects on ankle muscle reaction time and proprioceptive function

• Potential implications for athletic performance, rehabilitation, and injury prevention

• Practical considerations for incorporating BFR into training and clinical practice

💡 Why it matters:

While BFR is widely recognized for its role in strength and muscle adaptations, its immediate impact on sensory and motor function is less understood. This study explores how BFR affects ankle responsiveness and joint awareness, providing valuable evidence for coaches, clinicians, and researchers using BFR in performance and rehabilitation settings.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=9Ihy1OjdUVo

🎙️ An episode from the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (JSSM...

13/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM New Podcast Episode

🥊🚿 Can alternating hot and cold water improve recovery more than a thermoneutral shower?

In this episode, we explore a randomized field trial comparing contrast heat–cold showering with thermoneutral showering to evaluate recovery outcomes in trained combat sport athletes.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• Comparing contrast heat–cold and thermoneutral shower protocols

• Effects on post-exercise recovery outcomes in combat sport athletes

• Practical implications for recovery strategies between training sessions and competitions

• Evidence-based insights for coaches and practitioners working with high-performance athletes

💡 Why it matters:

Recovery is a key component of athletic success, especially in combat sports where athletes often face repeated high-intensity training and competition. This study examines whether a simple shower-based intervention can enhance recovery, providing valuable guidance for athletes seeking practical and accessible recovery methods.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=IyY6YRebCFg

🎙️ An episode from the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (JSSM...

11/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM New Podcast Episode

💪🧠 How does the nervous system adapt when pushing against different mechanical demands?

In this episode, we explore how muscle synergies are reorganized during upper-limb pushing tasks with different mechanical characteristics—and what these changes reveal about force production and motor control.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• Understanding muscle synergies and coordinated movement strategies

• How different mechanical conditions reshape neuromuscular control

• Differences in force–time characteristics across upper-limb pushing tasks

• Practical implications for strength training, rehabilitation, and performance optimization

💡 Why it matters:

Human movement relies on the nervous system coordinating multiple muscles into efficient patterns. This study provides new insights into how these patterns adapt to changing mechanical demands, helping practitioners better understand movement efficiency, performance, and injury prevention.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=qq5y2tHq7rY

🎙️ An episode from the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine (JSSM) ...

09/08/2026

🎙️ JSSM New Podcast Episode

Can fatigue in one leg affect performance in the other?

In this episode, we explore a fascinating study investigating how continuous unilateral hopping with the dominant leg influences contralateral lower-limb and upper-body explosive performance.

🔎 Episode Highlights:

• The concept of cross-limb fatigue and neuromuscular interactions

• How dominant-leg unilateral hopping affects the opposite leg's explosive performance

• Why upper-body explosive performance appears to remain unaffected

• Practical implications for training, fatigue monitoring, and recovery strategies in sport

💡 Why it matters:

Many sports rely on repeated single-leg actions, making it essential to understand how fatigue transfers across the body. This study provides new insights into unilateral fatigue and its effects on explosive performance, helping coaches and practitioners refine training and recovery protocols.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=5e5LWwt8Aos

🎙️ An episode from the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine (JSSM) ...