Beat Knechtle

This study investigates the effects of two blended learning strategies on improving tacking technique in Optimist sailing among children aged 11–13. Specifically, it compares video feedback with online written instructions (BLIV) and online written instructions only (BLI). Thirty-one children aged 11–13 years old were randomly divided into three gr...

Background Antarctic expeditions, although supported by scientific knowledge, face various challenges, with little research conducted to explore the physical demands that explorers experience. Objective To summarise physiological, psychological, body composition and nutritional changes faced during trek expeditions in the Antarctic’s continental p...

Traditionally, there are two pedagogical approaches to teaching human anatomy. The first is the systems-based approach (study of body systems – bones, muscles, organs – separately) gross anatomy courses and the second is the segmental-based approach (study of body segments – upper and lower limbs and trunk – separately); both are highly recommended...

Aim: We aimed to analyze sex differences in time-limited ultramarathon participation, while also identifying trends in participation, age, and performance across different formats of events, from 1990 to 2020. Method: This is an exploratory study, using data obtained from the official event web pages. We downloaded information regarding the year of...

Objective Ultra-marathon running races are held as distance-limited or time-limited events, ranging from 6 h to 10 days. Only a few runners compete in 10-day events, and so far, we have little knowledge about the athletes’ origins, performance, and event characteristics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the origin and performance of...

Background The IRONMAN® (IM) triathlon is a popular multi-sport, where age group athletes often strive to qualify for the IM World Championship in Hawaii. The aim of the present study was to investigate the location of the fastest IM racecourses for age group IM triathletes. This knowledge will help IM age group triathletes find the best racecourse...

Purpose Previous study has shown that cycling is the most predictive modality in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon distance. As a result, understanding the physiological and anthropometric variables that are mostly closely related to cycling performance can help coaches and athletes to direct their training programs. This study aimed to investigate the ph...

Postural differences have been evident between female and male athletes, but there is insufficient information on how these differences are characterized in different sports branches. Our aim in this study was to compare the static postures of female and male athletes paired into identical sports. We included 172 athlete participants (86 female and...

Depression is an important public health issue. In the general adult population about 6.7% are affected. Little data are available in endurance runners. We conducted a prospective survey study screening for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and investigating potential associated risk factors in endurance runners (21.1km to...

Ultramarathon running is of increasing popularity, where the time-limited 24-hour run is one of the most popular events. Although we have a high scientific knowledge about different topics for this specific race format, we do not know where the best 24-hour runners originate from and where the fastest races are held. The purpose of the present stud...

Introduction : Statins are effective in reducing high cholesterol levels; however, due to associated side effects, many patients actively seek alternative medications. This review evaluates the efficacy, side effects, patient adherence, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility of dietary supplements (DS) as a treatment option for hypercholesterolemia....

During an IRONMAN, the pacing strategy in the running segment differs significantly between sexes. However, it is unknown if sex affects the running pace in shorter triathlon events. This study compared the pacing strategy between sexes during a 5-km running test performed following a 20-km cycle (sprint triathlon distances). Participants included...

Extensive research has delved into the impact of environmental circumstances on the pacing and performance of professional marathon runners. However, the effects of environmental conditions on the pacing strategies employed by marathon participants in general remain relatively unexplored. This study aimed to examine the potential associations betwe...

Background The sex difference in athletic performance has been thoroughly investigated in single sport disciplines such as swimming, cycling, and running. In contrast, only small samples of long-distance triathlons, such as the IRONMAN® triathlon, have been investigated so far. Aim The aim of the study was to examine potential sex differences in t...

Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is a muscular disease characterized by loss of muscular strength and function, affecting mainly women, and associated with increased mortality risk. The aim of this study was to compare active women with inactive women of different age groups regarding muscle mass, strength, and muscle quality. Methods: This study...

Purpose This study aimed to verify participation and performance in all road and trail-based races in Switzerland over two decades (1999-2019). Methods This is a secondary data-based study. We used 1,149,182 race records (788,818 from men and 360,364 from women) from 407,944 unique finishers of the 5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, marathon, and ultra-m...

Given the increasing popularity of CrossFit® as a high-intensity functional training program and the potential benefits of citrulline malate (CM) in enhancing exercise performance through its role as a precursor to L-arginine and nitric oxide production, this study aimed to investigate the acute effects of CM supplementation on CrossFit® performanc...

Marathon sports events and those who participate in them have grown over the last years, reflecting notably an augmentation of women and master runners' participation. The aim of the present narrative review was to briefly present the results of studies on anthropometric, physiological, and training characteristics, as well as predictors of perform...

Running performance is crucial for triathlon performance. However, the prior bout of cycling may affect the running split time. This study compared the triathletes’ cycling plus running (C+R) time, when cycling was performed at three different intensities and running was maximal. A total of 38 athletes (21 males and 17 females) were included. Body...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the birthplace effect on Brazilian elite runners. Methods: Information about Brazilian elite runners (5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, and marathon) competing between 2002 and 2022 was obtained using the official webpage of the Brazilian Track and Field federation. The downloaded information includes th...

Background: Triathletes are pushing their limits in multi-stage Ironman-distance triathlons. In the present case study, we investigated the pacing during 20, 40, and 60 Ironman-distance triathlons in 20, 40, and 60 days, respectively, of one professional IRONMAN ® triathlete. Case study: Event 1 (20 Ironman-distance triathlons in 20 days), Event 2...

This study aimed to critically evaluate the information provided by ChatGPT on the role of lactate in fatigue and muscle pain during physical exercise. We inserted the prompt: "What is the cause of fatigue and pain during exercise?" using ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4o. In both versions, ChatGPT associated muscle fatigue with glycogen depletion and "l...

The majority of participants in Ironman triathlon races are age group athletes. We have extensive knowledge about recreational athletes’ training and competition participation. Nonetheless, Ironman age group triathletes must achieve fast race times to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. They can, therefore, benefit from knowing wh...

The study aimed to investigate the effects of acute ingestion of saffron (SAF) on physiological (i.e., heart rate and blood lactate) and perceptual (i.e., ratings of perceived exertion [RPE] and feeling scale) measures in response to a repeated-sprint ability test (RSS) in healthy young males (N = 22; mean ± SD: age, 21.7 ± 1.24 yrs.). All particip...

Purpose: Antarctic expeditions are exceptional physiological challenges. Sleep plays a critical role in athletic performance, recovery, and wellness, with sleep disturbances having a negative impact on health and performance. Methods: The authors investigated sleep, fatigue, and recovery profiles of the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski jo...

The present study intended to determine the nationality of the fastest 100-mile ultra-marathoners and the country/events where the fastest 100-mile races are held. A machine learning model based on the XG Boost algorithm was built to predict the running speed from the athlete’s age (Age group), gender (Gender), country of origin (Athlete country) a...

Objective This study aims to evaluate and predict the long-term effectiveness of five lifestyle interventions for individuals with eating disorders using machine learning techniques. Methods This study, conducted at Dr. Irandoust’s Health Center at Qazvin from August 2021 to August 2023, aimed to evaluate the effects of five lifestyle intervention...

Ultramarathon running enjoys unwavering popularity. This includes the 72-h run, the longest time-limited ultramarathon based on hours and not days, yet this specific race format remains understudied. In particular, we are still determining where the fastest 72-h ultra-marathoners originate or where the fastest races are held. The aim of the present...

The six‐minute walking test (6MWT) is commonly used to measure functional capacity in field settings, primarily through the distance covered. This study aims to establish reference curves for the six‐minute walking distance (6MWD) and peak heart rate (PHR) and develop a predictive equation for cardiovascular capacity in Tunisian children and adoles...

Backstroke has been thoroughly investigated in the context of sports science. However, we have no knowledge about the nationalities of the fastest age group backstroke swimmers. Therefore, the present study intended to investigate the nationalities of the fastest backstroke swimmers. For all World Masters Championships held between 1986 and 2024, t...

The marathon sport events and those who participate in these have grown over the last years reflecting notably an augmentation of women and master runners participation. The aim of the present narrative review was to briefly present the results of studies on anthropometric, physiological and training characteristics, as well as predictors of perfor...

Purpose Physical inactivity is considered an important risk factor for osteoporosis, however, some athletes performing extremely high training volumes can also develop bone mass loss. Moreover, the effect of total body mass or body surface area on bone mineral density remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the absolu...

Purpose The IRONMAN® triathlon is an endurance multisport discipline of high popularity. Professional IRONMAN® triathletes need to qualify for the IRONMAN® World Championships and, therefore, would benefit from identifying the fastest race courses. Our purpose was to identify the fastest races held for professional IRONMAN® triathletes competing fr...

Introduction Antarctic expeditions present exceptional physiological and mental challenges. Research data are lacking on psychological aspects of such endeavours. The aim of our study is to provide data on changes in mood, well-being, personality traits and personal experiences during an Antarctica crossing. Methods This is a study of a 33-year-ol...

Many of today’s recreational runners have changed their diet from omnivorous to vegetarian or vegan for reasons like better sport performance, animal ethics, positive health, eco-aspects, or male infertility. Others have constructed the flexitarian diet due to current trends in sustainable eating. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the di...

Background Ultra-endurance events are gaining popularity in multiple exercise disciplines, including cycling. With increasing numbers of ultra-cycling events, aspects influencing participation and performance are of interest to the cycling community. Main body The aim of this narrative review was, therefore, to assess the types of races offered, t...

This descriptive study aimed to identify sub-elite athletes using a performance-based mathematical model and analyze their performance trends by age and sex using 20 years of Ironman® triathlon (IM) performance data. It includes data from athletes who competed in IM from 2002 to 2022. A sub-elite category of athletes was identified within the age g...

Participation in marathons has dramatically increased over the last few years. Marathon running has many proven beneficial effects, especially on cardiovascular health and fitness. Most research has focused on physiologic and pathophysiologic adaptations in connection with endurance exercise. Nevertheless, marathon running also has a major impact o...

The 50-km ultra-marathon is a popular race distance, slightly longer than the classic marathon distance. However, little is known about the country of affiliation and age of the fastest 50-km ultra-marathon runners and where the fastest races are typically held. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate a large dataset of race records for the 50-k...

While it is known that focusing on positive attributes and capabilities can enhance psychological resilience, the specific effectiveness of strength-based therapy in improving self-efficacy and life satisfaction among athletes remains unexplored. By emphasizing positive attributes and capabilities, strength-based therapy aims to enhance athletes' p...

Microgravity is an environment incompatible with human physiology that induces unique physiological changes to the body. Exposure to microgravity environment can cause some possible physiological hazards, such as impairment of immune function, bone mass and skeletal muscle mass, in addition to possible negative psycological alterations (depression,...

Background: For Ironman® triathlon, it has been reported that most of the fnishers and the fastest women and men in Ironman® Hawaii originated from the United States of America (USA). We have, however, no knowledge ofwhere the fastest race courses in the Ironman® 70.3 triathlon took place. We aim to analyse where the Ironman® 70.3 races were held a...

Background: Research in sports medicine and exercise science has experienced significant growth over recent years. With this expansion, there has been a concomitant rise in ethical challenges specific to these disciplines. While various ethical guidelines exist for numerous scientific fields, a comprehensive set tailored specifically for sports med...

Background It is widely accepted that countries’ characteristics influence sports performance. However, there is a missing link regarding the association between cultural dimensions and runners’ performance. Our purpose was to verify if the six cultural dimensions of Hofstede are related to performance in non-elite runners and to investigate whethe...

This study evaluated the acute effect of the exergame Kinect Sports® beach volleyball on state anxiety level in adult women. Thirty healthy adult women (age: 21 [4] years, body mass: 54.70 [19.50] kg, height: 1.61 ± 0.05 m, and body mass index: 21.87 [5.76] kg/m 2 , data are expressed as median [interquartile range] and as the mean ± standard devia...

This study investigated the combined effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and spirulina supplementation on adipokine levels, insulin resistance, anthropometric indices, and cardiorespiratory fitness in 44 obese males (aged 25–40 years). The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (CG), supplement...

Purpose Endurance sports performance is influenced by several factors, including maximal oxygen uptake (⩒O2max), the percentage of ⩒O2max that can be sustained in endurance events, running economy, and body composition. Traditionally, ⩒O2max can be measured as an absolute value, adjusted for body mass, reflecting the athlete’s central capacity (max...

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to characterize the determinants of metabolic changes in young type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and to determine glycemic variability during low and high-intensity exercise. Patients and methods: 20 young male T1DM patients were divided into two subgroups characterized by levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c):...

This study aimed to investigate the effects of swimming in cold water on the release of FGF21 from various tissues and its impact on fat metabolism. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: untrained (C), trained in thermo-neutral water (TN, 30 °C) and trained in cold water (TC, 15 °C). The training groups swam intervals (2–3 min...

Introduction Our study examined 16,611 records of professional triathletes from 163 Ironman® 70.3 races across 97 countries (2004-2020). The aim was to identify the most predictive discipline—swim, bike, or run—for overall race time. Methods We used correlation matrices to compare the dependent variable “finish time” with independent variables “sw...

Background and Objectives: Pacing analyses for increasingly popular long-distance running disciplines have been in researchers' spotlight for several years. In particular, assessing pacing variability in long-distance running was hardly achievable since runners must repeat long-running trials for several days. Potential solutions for these problems...

Purpose To compare the academic performance of undergraduate students in physical education who studied exercise physiology before and after studying human physiology and investigate students’ perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses. Methods This study included 311 undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in phys...

The dominance of certain nations in certain sports disciplines is well knowed in scientific context. For triathlon, it has been reported that most of the finishers, and the fastest in Ironman ® Hawaii originated from the United States of America. However, nothing is known regarding the role of specific race courses in athletes' performance. The pre...

Background Although runner’s profiles were previously investigated, information on the training frequency and training distance for short (5 km, 10 km) and long-distance (>21 km) running is absent. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between training routines and exercise habits of recreational endurance runners considering self...

Background and rationale The literature shows that the prevalence of dietary supplements is high and guidance by a nutritionist or specialized professional is low in professional triathletes. It is reasonable to assume that in recreational triathletes, the prevalence of dietary supplements will also be high and that a significant portion of the sam...

Introduction Physical activity is an important tool to manage systemic arterial hypertension. However, less is known about the relationship of physical activity with the number of antihypertensive drugs used by older adults. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the number of antihypertensive drugs used by older female adults (aged ≥ 60 y...

Introduction Physical activity is an important tool to manage systemic arterial hypertension. However, less is known about the relationship of physical activity with the number of antihypertensive drugs used by older adults. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the number of antihypertensive drugs used by older female adults (aged ≥ 60 y...

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare provides new possibilities for personalized health management. AI-based fitness applications are becoming more common, facilitating the opportunity for individualised exercise prescription. However, the use of AI carries the risk of inadequate expert supervision, and the efficacy a...

Aim Although it has been previously observed that sedentary behavior (SB) was not related to training duration in marathon runners, little information existed about the relationship of SB with training, anthropometric and physiological characteristics in this population. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SB and its correlation with...

Introduction Many studies indicate a considerable impact of optimal pacing on long-distance running performance. Given that the amount of carbohydrates in metabolic processes increases supralinearly with the running intensity, we may observe differences between the pacing strategies of two long-distance races and different performance levels of run...