New Approaches in Exercise Physiology

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between gut microbiome composition, athletic performance, and post-exercise recovery in endurance athletes following probiotic supplementation.  Method: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 40 male endurance runners (age: 28.3 ± 5.2 years) were randomly assigned to either a probiotic (n=20) or placebo (n=20) group for 8 weeks. The probiotic group received a daily supplement containing a blend of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus plantarum (20 billion CFU total). Fecal samples were collected before and after the intervention and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Athletic performance was assessed through VO2max testing and time to exhaustion. Recovery was evaluated by measuring delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and creatine kinase (CK) levels. Results: The probiotic group showed a significant increase in gut microbial diversity (Shannon index: p<0.01) and relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus (p<0.001). Significant improvements were observed in VO2max (4.7%, p<0.05) and time to exhaustion (7.2%, p<0.01) in the probiotic group compared to placebo. The probiotic group also demonstrated reduced DOMS (23%, p<0.05) and lower peak CK levels (18%, p<0.01) relative to the placebo group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that changes in Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacterium abundances were significant predictors of performance improvement (R² = 0.68, p<0.001). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that gut microbiome modulation through probiotic supplementation can enhance athletic performance and accelerate post-exercise recovery in endurance runners. These findings suggest that targeted manipulation of the gut microbiome may be a novel strategy for improving sports performance and recovery.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensions of brand impact on sports, economic and professional experts, managers and experts in Kermanshah province. Method: This is a descriptive-survey research. The statistical population consisted of 120 experts, managers and experts in sport and economic in Kermanshah province who were selected by random sampling. In this study, 87 experts including experts, managers and experts in two fields of sport and economics completed a researcher-made questionnaire assessing the dimensions of sport brand effectiveness. The measurement tool was a questionnaire of sport brand management whose reliability and validity were tested for this research. The Cronbach's alpha value for all factors is 7 or higher, indicating the appropriateness of the questions posed to assess each of the dimensions affecting sport brand management. SPSS software version 20 was used for data analysis. The results of the tests showed that all four sectors (managerial, economic, cultural and social) influenced sport brand management. Results: Finally, the overall summary of the tests shows that social media management brand with a mean of 3.09 and cultural management factor with a mean of 1.82 have the highest and lowest priority in influencing sport brand, respectively. Conclusions: The research results show that the social sector of the brand has a higher priority and microeconomic and macroeconomic indicators should be recognized.

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the influence of genetic polymorphisms and metabolomic profiles on physiological adaptations to a 6-week High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) program in individuals with moderate fitness levels, addressing the variability in exercise response. Method: Thirty moderately fit adults participated in a supervised 6-week HIIT intervention. Pre- and post-training assessments included VO2max, lactate threshold, genetic profiling of key polymorphisms (e.g., PPARGC1A rs8192678) using PCR and next-generation sequencing, and untargeted metabolomic analysis via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Statistical analyses involved paired t-tests, multivariate regression, principal component analysis (PCA), and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Results: Significant improvements were observed in VO2max (p < 0.001) and lactate threshold (p = 0.004). Carriers of the PPARGC1A G allele showed greater aerobic capacity gains, accompanied by upregulation of PGC-1α expression. Metabolomic profiling revealed significant shifts in glucose and lipid metabolism pathways post-HIIT. Multivariate models identified interactions between genetic variants and metabolomic changes that predicted individual training responsiveness. Conclusion: Integrating genetic and metabolomic data enhances understanding of individual variability in HIIT adaptations and supports the development of personalized exercise prescriptions to optimize health and performance outcomes.

Abstract Purpose: Today, in many developed countries, talent management throughout is the long-term process, under the supervision of expert executive managers and coaches, has been done and is an important concept in football. Therefore, in many developed countries, talented people can come to talent programs and received trained continuously to become professional players. Method: In this study, based on German's football talent management program, and procedure informed by Sandelowski and Barroso's qualitative meta-synthesis. Results: The suggested model has three sections: 1- hardware system, 2- software system, and 3- many subsystems that are collaborating in an executive context. Achievements of this program are not just the detection of talented young players at an early age, but rather a long-term process that is a high-level management program, which, for full success, requires collaboration between many organizations such as the government, football association, footballleagues, clubs, academies, education schools, football schools, coaches, and players. Conclusions: According to results, the growing process of this cycle and its periodic revision show the brilliant future of the German football community in gaining championship and promoting the national identity of Germany over the years. We hope that by studying this system we can introduce it to the researchers and officials in developing countries, who are interested in furthering a developmental view of football.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the criteria of successful salespersons, which is important to enhance in store customer experience. Method: Employed two phase sequential exploratory design, qualitative and quantitative data were collected using purposive sampling technique. For qualitative analysis, 11 sales experts with at least 4 years working experience were interviewed and the data were analyse using thematic analysis. For quantitative analysis, 20 physical education and sports science students were chosen as respondents. Criteria and sub-criteria is weighted quantitatively using Fuzzy AHP and analysed using MATLAB software. Results: From the qualitative analysis, 4 criteria’s (customer orientation, information knowledge, ethical behaviour, and personal characteristics) and 11 sub-criteria were identified. From the quantitative analysis, ranked were provided whereby customer-orientation with a weight of 0.2647 were in the first rank, information knowledge is at the second rank with 0.2556 weight, ethical behavior is at the third rank with 0.2450 weight, and personal characteristics is at the last rank with 0.2347 weight. Conclusions: The findings of this paper are important for sports retail industry, to revamp their sales and marketing strategies. With enhanced understanding regarding consumer needs, sports retailer can sell their products in a more effective manner to increase their market share.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to summarize the results of existing studies that addressed the relationship between some effective variables in sporting events (with emphasis on quality component features). Method: The methodological design followed three steps data collection, data coding, and statistical analysis. The study examined two databases (ISI WoS and Scopus) and analyzed 71 relationships. The metafor software from the R package used for analysis. Also, the coefficient of correlation r as a metric to measure the effect size of the studied scope variables. Findings: These findings provide empirical support for several previous studies. In other words, the relatively large effect size on the relationship between each of the variables considered in this study obtained. In such a way that event quality with satisfaction, perceived value with behavioral intention, perceived value with satisfaction, event quality with behavioral intention, satisfaction with loyalty, and finally satisfaction with behavioral intention obtained effect sizes (0.52), (0.56), (0.59), (0.64), (0.61), (0.62), respectively. Conclusion: Considering the meta-analytic approach in this study, it can be noted that managers and officials of sports events in their future decisions can have a more comprehensive and deeper understanding of the relationship between the variables studied in this study; and implement their strategies accordingly.

Abstract Background: Along with the outbreak of coronavirus and quarantine practices in many countries, physical activities have certainly been severely restricted. The purpose of this review was to investigate the role of technology in maintaining and improving physical health. Method: For this systematic review study, the research method in this study included searching on PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Articles written in English and Persian in peer reviewed journals that examining the effect of electronic games and virtual reality on physical fitness were selected for analysis. Then, the eligible studies classifieds based on the study population ages. Results: Of 12563 studies found, 14 studies were eligible to enter the study. Research has shown that the use of technology significantly affect gait, balance, strength, flexibility, and mental functioning of the elderly, as well as balance, strength, endurance, and cognitive abilities in adults and children's physical endurance. Conclusions: According to studies under review, the use of technology has a significant effect on improving and maintaining the physical and mental fitness of people in different ages. So, we can suggest using exergame and virtual reality exercises as a possible intervention to promote and maintain physical and mental fitness in quarantine.