Welcome, science enthusiasts.

In today’s edition:

• Hypertrophy training plans using AI

• Menstrual phase effects on sleep in footballers

• Recovery of the elbow after pitching in high school players

• Developing physical literacy in disabled individuals

• Activities in wheelchair rugby for athletes with impairments

• Characteristics of freestyle snowboard and freeski athletes

and several more…

FEATURED ARTICLES 🌭

💪 Which AI Creates Better Workout Plans GPT-4 or Gemini?

Key finding:

GPT-4 generates higher-quality resistance training plans than Google Gemini, improving with more detailed input.

How they did it:

• Methodology: The study assessed muscle hypertrophy-related resistance training plans generated by Google Gemini and GPT-4 using two prompts (one with minimal information and another with detailed personal data) evaluated by 12 coaching experts who rated them using a 5-point Likert scale.

• Results: Both AI models exhibited a high degree of reproducibility in training plan quality, with 27 of 28 aspects rated similarly (p > 0.05); however, GPT-4 was rated significantly higher across several quality criteria (p = 0.000–0.043).

• Training Input Effect: The training plans’ quality improved when detailed information was provided in prompts, with experts noting higher ratings for plans generated from complex prompts compared to simpler ones (p = 0.000–0.037).

• Innovations: This study marks the first comparison of LLMs (large language models) in generating resistance training programs, demonstrating that advanced training techniques such as drop sets could be incorporated into these AI-generated plans.

• Recommendations: The research highlights the necessity for precise input when utilizing LLMs for generating training regimens and emphasizes the need for professional oversight to ensure safety and efficacy in training recommendations.

Why it matters:

The study reveals that using advanced AI models like GPT-4 and Google Gemini can produce resistance training plans for muscle hypertrophy with commendable consistency and quality. Notably, the plans generated by GPT-4 were rated higher across multiple quality criteria, emphasizing the value of detailed user input: with more comprehensive prompts, the training plans improved significantly. This insight invites coaches and athletes to harness AI for personalized training strategies, potentially saving time while enhancing training outcomes.

🏟️ How Menstrual Symptoms Affect Footballers’ Sleep Schedule

Key finding:

Menstrual phase does not affect sleep in footballers, but increased menstrual symptom severity leads to longer total sleep time.

How they did it:

• Methodology: The study involved 23 professional female footballers who tracked their menstrual cycle using urinary hormone tests and reported on menstrual symptoms. Sleep was assessed through actigraphy for at least three nights surrounding matches, capturing bedtime, wake time, total sleep time, and other sleep metrics.

• Results: Bedtime was significantly later on match night compared to the night before (average delay of 1 hour 27 minutes) and the night after the match (average delay of 1 hour 17 minutes). Total sleep time was longest the night before matches, averaging 1 hour 21 minutes longer than on match night.

• Statistical Significance: Increased menstrual symptom severity was associated with longer total sleep time (3.1 minutes for each unit increase in the symptom severity score) and later wake times (3.2 minutes for each unit increase).

• Innovations: The study utilized actigraphy as an effective, practical sleep measurement tool, showcasing its potential as a valid alternative to polysomnography. Additionally, the use of both hormonal testing and a symptom severity index for menstrual phase classification represents a novel approach in investigating sleep in athletes.

• Key Findings: Menstrual phase did not significantly impact sleep quality or duration, indicating that the demands of match schedules may be a greater determinant of sleep patterns in professional female athletes than menstrual cycle variations.

Why it matters:

Understanding how menstrual symptoms affect sleep is key for coaches and sports practitioners supporting female footballers. Notably, increased symptom severity correlated with a longer total sleep time (TST), suggesting that athletes may instinctively leverage sleep to manage such symptoms. This insight allows coaches to tailor recovery strategies, ensuring athletes can optimize their rest and performance around matches.

QUICK BITES 🍤

Physical Education and Pedagogy

🛁 How PlayTubs Empower Families with Disabilities

-PLayTubs empower families of children with disabilities to enhance physical literacy through engaging, home-based activities.

Recovery

⚾️ Can Pitchers Safely Throw Again After 24 Hours?

-High school pitchers’ medial elbow joint recovers to baseline within 24 hours after 100 pitches.

Sport Physiology

🏂 Are Freestyle Snowboarders Stronger Than Freeskiers?

-Sex differences significantly impact physiological characteristics in freestyle snowboard and freeski athletes, rather than sport type.

Talent Identification and Development

🏆 Can Athletes with Coordination Impairment Excel in Rugby?

-Athletes with coordination impairment can competently participate in wheelchair rugby similar to those with other impairments.

Curated by Haresh Suppiah