Exercise Echo Report - 2026-10-25

65 new studies · 2 disputed

In this report
Grade	Study	Skeptic	Red flags	Original
Tier A	Moderate vs low-intensity cycling in stress-related exhaustion: lower post-exercise HRV at 55% VO2max, not in controls	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	Creatine with 6 weeks of resistance training in perimenopausal women: +7.4 points sleep consistency vs placebo, no cognitive edge	—	vendor metric, multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier D	MX3 saliva osmolality device in the heat: tongue readings varied 31-35% between days, collected saliva 17-18%	—	none	no primary source
Tier B	Slow-paced breathing in 962 servicemen: HRV rose for all, most in those breathing >=15/min (RMSSD 15.6 to 21.9 ms)	—	headline overclaim	no primary source
Tier D	Accelerometer energy expenditure in elite female runners: about 12% (416 kcal/day) above doubly labeled water	—	none	no primary source
Tier C	12-month multicomponent training in 288 older adults: 27-46% were high responders per outcome	Tier B	multiple metrics, regression to mean	no primary source
Tier A	HIIT in D-galactose-aged rats: reversed liver SIRT1/P16 changes and oxidative stress markers	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	Evening HIIT session: next-morning flow-mediated dilation 7.6% vs 4.7% without exercise	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	14 weeks of periodized max-strength vs strength-power training in 80 athletes: both raised squat 1RM, neither clearly superior	—	none	no primary source
Tier D	NIRS muscle oxygen saturation in running: no leg-to-leg difference on average (bias -0.34%), wide individual limits	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	Hyperoxic vs hypoxic Tabata HIIT for 3 weeks: VO2max 37.8 to 41.5 vs 38.3 to 39.8 mL/kg/min	—	none	no primary source
Tier B	Elite IPF powerlifters 2013-2026: population peak at age 26.0, top-100 median age falling 0.20 years per year	—	none	no primary source
Tier B	Squat, bench and deadlift norms from 74,892 lifters: median relative squat 1.77 vs 1.38 kg/kg in young vs older men	—	vendor metric, selection bias	no primary source
Tier C	Machine learning model of peak ACL force in 204 athletes: XGBoost fit R2 = 0.929	Tier B	correlation causation	no primary source
Tier A	Adding blood flow restriction to on-field team-sport training: relative mean power -0.50 W/kg in favour of BFR, low certainty	—	none	no primary source
Tier C	Fixed-load biceps curls to exhaustion: trained men did 16.3 vs 13.3 reps with less muscle swelling (12.7% vs 18.1%)	—	none	no primary source
Tier B	Relative age effect in 1,322 Chinese youth table tennis players: present at national level, absent provincially	—	none	no primary source
Tier C	Static stretching in 48 elite gymnasts: 60 s holds cut jump height, 90 s holds did not	—	multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier B	Physiotherapy adherence after ankle sprain in 118 pro athletes: return to sport 8.0 vs 14.5 weeks for high vs low adherence	—	none	no primary source
Tier B	Limb asymmetry in 75 youth soccer players: dominant side 0.22 s faster on change of direction, shrinking with maturity	—	correlation causation	no primary source
Tier A	Exercise prehabilitation before ankle ligament surgery in 276 patients: 2-year FAOS 92.4 vs 80.0 with standard care	—	selection bias	no primary source
Tier A	Creatine-based multi-ingredient supplement over 4 weeks: no extra leg-press 1RM gain vs placebo	—	multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier C	Final-rep bar velocity in 62 pro Australian footballers: strong link to reps in reserve (marginal r2 = 0.78)	Tier B	none	no primary source
Tier D	Dips vs wheelchair speed in 13 wheelchair athletes: r = 0.892 at international level, r = -0.919 at national level	—	cherry pick, numbers not in text	no primary source
Tier C	Countermovement jumps in 14 college soccer players: jump momentum and phase timing fell after a match	—	multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier C	Internal load in 28 college football players over 10 weeks: linemen TRIMP 135 vs 101 AU and HRV 53.4 vs 72.6 ms vs skill players	Tier B	correlation causation	no primary source
Tier B	Physical tests and playing time in 144 NCAA D3 baseball players: starting pitchers 5074 vs 4779 W peak power	—	correlation causation, multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier C	Countermovement jump testing in 41 academy rugby league players: jump height CV 6.64%, 33 of 37 metrics reliable	Tier B	none	no primary source
Tier A	Caffeine mouthwash before a Wingate test: only a 30-second rinse raised peak power vs placebo	—	multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier C	Quadriceps strength in 90 people with knee osteoarthritis: not linked to self-reported activity (delta R2 = 0.007)	Tier B	none	no primary source
Tier A	Multicomponent exercise in mild cognitive impairment (17 RCTs, 1,260 people): better global cognition and memory, not executive function	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	Melatonin after exhaustive swimming in 60 rats: faster glycogen resynthesis and lower muscle-damage markers	—	headline overclaim	no primary source
Tier B	Static flexibility tests in 157 elite African footballers: no link to agility (Random Forest R2 = 0.008)	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	Hydrogen-rich water for 14 days in 11 men: less soreness after downhill running (AUC d = 0.71), strength not preserved	—	headline overclaim, multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier A	Exercise in coronary heart disease (23 RCTs): aerobic capacity SMD 0.65 and quality of life SMD 0.42 vs usual care	—	correlation causation, multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier B	Body morphology in 29 elite aerials skiers: models explained 89.2% of competitive performance	—	multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier A	Traditional vs band-assisted Nordic hamstring training for 8 weeks: eccentric force up about 17% in both, no difference	—	cherry pick, headline overclaim, no baseline, selection bias	no primary source
Tier B	Mendelian randomization: genetically higher vigorous activity linked to lower type 2 diabetes risk (OR 0.402)	—	multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier C	6 weeks of squat training in novices: load-velocity profile changed mainly in the first 2 weeks while 1RM kept rising	—	headline overclaim	no primary source
Tier A	Aerobic training in cardiovascular disease (28 RCTs, 1,659 people): flow-mediated dilation +2.29%	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	BFR interval cycling vs HIIT in 40 adolescent cyclists: peak torque +21.47 vs +9.28 N·m, 78% vs 64% retained	—	none	no primary source
Tier B	Southpaw vs orthodox kickboxers at the 2023 world championship: southpaws landed more left straights and left low kicks	—	correlation causation, multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier B	Fitness and heart rate recovery in 2,815 exercise tests: faster recovery at higher fitness, slower in low-fit women	—	none	no primary source
Tier D	Xiaomi Mi Band 5 in 38 older adults: steps accurate (MAPE -3.7%), calories far off (MAPE 95.46%)	—	selection bias	no primary source
Tier A	4-minute daily strength routine in 97 adults over 65: 4.2 more chair stands in 30 s after 12 weeks vs no intervention	—	headline overclaim	—
Tier B	Daily steps in about 300 older adults with early Alzheimer signs: benefits from 3,000 steps, best at 5,000-7,500	—	correlation causation, headline overclaim	numbers not found
Tier A	Limb loading in 12 growing guinea fowl: untrained birds used 23% more energy carrying the load, trained birds none	—	headline overclaim	not checked
Tier A	Personalized gait retraining for knee osteoarthritis in 68 patients: pain down 2.5 vs 1.3 points vs sham at one year	—	headline overclaim, selection bias	no primary source
Tier B	VO2max reference values from 22,379 US lab tests: Trondheim adults aged 70-77 match US 40-50-year-olds	—	selection bias	not checked
Tier A	Exercise after stroke (52 RCTs, 2,329 patients): whole-body vibration improved balance most, Berg score +9.86	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	Optimal power load strength training (meta-analysis): jump height effect 0.586, sprint and peak power unclear	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	Partial blood flow restriction during cycling in 15 young men: slower heart rate recovery at 30-120 s	—	none	no primary source
Tier B	Injuries in 390 female artistic swimmers: incidence rose from 0.23 to 1.18 per 1,000 h from under-12 to seniors	—	none	no primary source
Tier B	Functional tests in 115 professional ballet dancers: 30% had over 15% limb asymmetry on the vertical hop	—	stale data, selection bias	no primary source
Tier A	Circuit vs traditional resistance training at 60% vs 80% 1RM: more reps and less fatigue at 60%, structure irrelevant	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	Heavy back squat (90% 1RM) vs light jump squat (30% 1RM) before rebound jumps: both raised jump height, no winner	—	no baseline	no primary source
Tier C	Three consecutive days of 5-km runs in 16 adults: pre-run plantar fascia thickness rose from day 1 to days 2 and 3	—	none	no primary source
Tier A	24 weeks of resistance training in 42 hemodialysis patients: higher active MMP-2, unchanged MMP-9	—	multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier A	Inspiratory muscle training vs TheraBand training in 60 healthy adults: larger gain in inspiratory pressure with IMT	—	no baseline	no primary source
Tier C	4-year 100-m tracking of East and South African adolescent sprinters: gains slowed toward a plateau	Tier B	headline overclaim, regression to mean	no primary source
Tier A	Guarana vs caffeine vs placebo before a 30-s jump test: only guarana raised peak power, +4.0% vs placebo	—	headline overclaim, multiple metrics	no primary source
Tier B	Rugby recovery intervals 2022-2025: sevens rest rose from 7.9 h (Taiwan) to 15.0 h (world tier)	—	none	no primary source
Tier B	Physical activity in 294 people with Parkinson disease: most active lost 0.007 vs 0.478 cognitive points a year	—	correlation causation, headline overclaim	not checked
Tier B	47-year Swedish cohort of 427 people: capacity peaked around 26-36 and fell 30-48% by age 63	—	correlation causation	not checked
Tier C	Daily activity and sleep in young adults: as little as 10 minutes of MVPA a day linked to more deep sleep	Tier B	correlation causation, stale data, headline overclaim, vendor metric	not checked
Tier B	Recreational masters runners vs sedentary peers: ascending aorta 3.25 vs 2.90 cm, within normal limits	D	selection bias	no primary source
Tier C	Exercise and the DEAF1 gene in aging flies and mice: exercise lowered DEAF1 and rebalanced mTORC1	D	headline overclaim	not checked

How to read this table

Tier A Tier B Tier C Tier D strongest to weakest evidenceTier ? ungradedSkeptic: the blind second grade, — when it agrees≠disputed#numbers not found in the original∅original not reachable

New studies

Tier Aindependent

Moderate vs low-intensity cycling in stress-related exhaustion: lower post-exercise HRV at 55% VO2max, not in controls

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology had 30 people with stress-related exhaustion and 29 matched healthy controls each ride two 22-minute sessions at 40% and 55% of estimated VO2max in a randomized crossover. The exhaustion group showed lower RMSSD than controls, mostly after exercise, and only in that group did the moderate intensity lower RMSSD further. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: Recovery markers · recovery-markers

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Exercise & health outcomes

Question: Does moderate- versus low-intensity exercise lower post-exercise HRV in stress-related exhaustion?

Published: 2026-10-25

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Aindependent

Creatine with 6 weeks of resistance training in perimenopausal women: +7.4 points sleep consistency vs placebo, no cognitive edge

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology randomized 51 perimenopausal women to creatine, placebo or a non-training control alongside twice-weekly resistance training. Stroop times improved in all groups equally, while creatine showed higher prefrontal oxygenation and 7.4 percentage points more sleep consistency (a WHOOP-derived measure) than placebo at week 6; the authors call it exploratory. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: vendor metric, multiple metrics

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Ergogenic aids

Question: Does creatine with resistance training improve cognition or sleep versus placebo?

About: Creatine

Published: 2026-10-24

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Dindependent · judge: C

MX3 saliva osmolality device in the heat: tongue readings varied 31-35% between days, collected saliva 17-18%

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology tested 20 active adults in two 120-minute exercise trials in the heat against a laboratory osmometer. Collected-saliva readings were moderately reliable and tracked the reference (R2 0.57-0.82) but read about 24-26 mOsm/kg low; direct tongue readings were unreliable. In this small validation sample (n=20), no control group applies. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Other

Question: How reliable is the MX3 saliva osmolality device during exercise in the heat?

About: MX3 Hydration Testing System

Published: 2026-10-24

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Bindependent

Slow-paced breathing in 962 servicemen: HRV rose for all, most in those breathing >=15/min (RMSSD 15.6 to 21.9 ms)

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology analysed the ADVANCE cohort: 962 male UK military personnel, about half with combat injury, measured during five minutes of spontaneous and five of slow (6/min) breathing. All HRV measures rose with slow breathing; injury, walking distance and activity did not change the effect, but a higher baseline breathing rate did. The breathing order was fixed and the effect is acute. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: headline overclaim

Measured: Recovery markers · recovery-markers

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Other

Question: Does slow-paced breathing raise heart rate variability?

Published: 2026-10-24

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Dindependent · judge: C

Accelerometer energy expenditure in elite female runners: about 12% (416 kcal/day) above doubly labeled water

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology reports on 16 elite female university runners, in a small validation study. The Cunningham equation estimated basal metabolic rate within about 1.6% of indirect calorimetry, while the triaxial accelerometer overestimated total energy expenditure by about 12% versus doubly labeled water. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Other

Question: How accurately does an accelerometer estimate total energy expenditure in athletes?

About: Cunningham equation

Published: 2026-10-24

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Cindependent · skeptic: B

12-month multicomponent training in 288 older adults: 27-46% were high responders per outcome

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology analysed 288 community-dwelling older adults from a 12-month training trial without a non-training control. Grip and knee extension strength, walking speed and distance improved on average; 46% were high responders in two to five outcomes, linked to multimorbidity, younger age, lower BMI and higher resistance-training adherence. Responder labels are sensitive to measurement noise. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: multiple metrics, regression to mean

Measured: Maximal strength · maximal-strength

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Ageing & sarcopenia

Question: What share of older adults respond well to multicomponent training?

Published: 2026-10-24

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Aindependent

HIIT in D-galactose-aged rats: reversed liver SIRT1/P16 changes and oxidative stress markers

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology assigned 28 male rats to four groups (control, HIIT, D-galactose aging, D-galactose plus HIIT) for eight weeks. HIIT restored AMPK, SIRT1 and PGC-1alpha expression, lowered malondialdehyde and inflammatory cytokines and raised antioxidant enzymes. This is an animal model; human relevance is not tested. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: HIIT & sprint training

Question: Does HIIT reduce aging-related oxidative stress in rat liver?

Published: 2026-10-24

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Aindependent

Evening HIIT session: next-morning flow-mediated dilation 7.6% vs 4.7% without exercise

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology had 11 healthy young men complete a 30-minute late-afternoon HIIE session and a control condition in a randomized crossover. The usual early-morning drop in endothelial function was blunted after exercise, and night-time systolic pressure was lower. The sample is very small. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: HIIT & sprint training

Question: Does an evening HIIT session raise next-morning endothelial function?

Published: 2026-10-15

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Aindependent

14 weeks of periodized max-strength vs strength-power training in 80 athletes: both raised squat 1RM, neither clearly superior

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology matched 80 athletes into back-squat, jump-squat (optimal power load), isokinetic and control groups. Both free-weight programs raised 1RM while the control group declined; jump height rose only with squat training and power output at 40-80% 1RM only with jump squats; isokinetic training changed little. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: Maximal strength · maximal-strength

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Strength

Question: Does a dedicated power phase raise strength more than max-strength training alone?

Published: 2026-10-14

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Dindependent · judge: C

NIRS muscle oxygen saturation in running: no leg-to-leg difference on average (bias -0.34%), wide individual limits

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology had 48 young adults run two graded treadmill tests with Moxy NIRS sensors on both thighs. There was no systematic side difference at any workload, regardless of fat thickness, but the limits of agreement were wide, so individual side comparisons are unreliable. Small within-subject measurement study. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Endurance training

Question: Does muscle oxygen saturation differ between legs during running?

About: Moxy Monitor

Published: 2026-10-14

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Aindependent

Hyperoxic vs hypoxic Tabata HIIT for 3 weeks: VO2max 37.8 to 41.5 vs 38.3 to 39.8 mL/kg/min

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation randomized 23 active men to supramaximal Tabata intervals breathing 60% or 16% oxygen, nine sessions in total. The hyperoxic group showed larger baseline-adjusted VO2max and threshold gains and lower peak lactate. There was no normoxic arm and the authors label the study exploratory. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: VO2max · vo2max

Research: unstated

Subtopic: HIIT & sprint training

Question: Does hyperoxic HIIT raise VO2max more than hypoxic HIIT?

Published: 2026-10-24

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Bindependent

Elite IPF powerlifters 2013-2026: population peak at age 26.0, top-100 median age falling 0.20 years per year

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation analysed 431,476 OpenIPF entries from 161,073 lifters over 2013-2026. The age of the active population did not change, but top-100 and podium lifters got younger (0.20 and 0.37 years per year) while their scores rose; age at first recorded competition fell only slightly. Descriptive trend analysis.

Measured: other

Research: 2013-2026

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Are elite powerlifters getting younger over time?

About: International Powerlifting Federation

Published: 2026-10-23

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Bindependent

Squat, bench and deadlift norms from 74,892 lifters: median relative squat 1.77 vs 1.38 kg/kg in young vs older men

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation derived percentile norms from 2024 user-submitted data on the Strength Level website (64,457 males and 10,435 females aged 12-79). Relative strength peaked in young adulthood and was lower in middle and older age; young and older women squatted a median 1.30 and 0.99 kg/kg. Self-reported, self-selected data on a platform whose founder co-authored the study.

Red flags: vendor metric, selection bias

Measured: Maximal strength · maximal-strength

Research: 2024

Subtopic: Strength

Question: What are typical squat, bench and deadlift strength levels by age and sex?

About: Strength Level

Published: 2026-10-23

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Cindependent · skeptic: B

Machine learning model of peak ACL force in 204 athletes: XGBoost fit R2 = 0.929

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation recorded side-cutting biomechanics and EMG in 204 male football and basketball players and trained models to predict peak ACL force. Knee flexion angle and hamstring-to-quadriceps activation ratio were the strongest predictors. The model was validated internally only and the feature importances are not causal. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: correlation causation

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Injury prevention & rehab

Question: Can machine learning predict peak ACL force from biomechanics?

About: XGBoost

Published: 2026-10-23

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Aindependent

Adding blood flow restriction to on-field team-sport training: relative mean power -0.50 W/kg in favour of BFR, low certainty

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation pooled 5 trials (102 athletes, search to July 2026). BFR may improve 30-second mean power, while effects on 1RM, VO2, repeated sprints and jump height were unclear, and all intervals crossed zero under stricter inference. Certainty was rated low to very low.

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: searched to July 2026

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Does adding blood flow restriction to on-field training raise anaerobic power?

Published: 2026-10-23

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Cindependent

Fixed-load biceps curls to exhaustion: trained men did 16.3 vs 13.3 reps with less muscle swelling (12.7% vs 18.1%)

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation compared 20 advanced and 20 novice male lifters doing 10-kg curls to failure, with ultrasound and EMG. Trained men did more reps and showed a smaller rise in muscle thickness; a combined classifier sorted fatigue stages with 86% internal accuracy. Groups were not randomized and the same load was a different relative intensity for each. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Other

Question: Do resistance-trained men tolerate a fixed-load curl set better than novices?

Published: 2026-10-23

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Bindependent

Relative age effect in 1,322 Chinese youth table tennis players: present at national level, absent provincially

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation analysed birth quarters of players at the 2024-2025 national and Liaoning provincial youth championships. Players born early in the year were over-represented at the national level, more so in younger age groups. Cross-sectional data.

Measured: other

Research: 2024-2025

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Are relatively older players over-represented in youth sport selection?

Published: 2026-10-23

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Cindependent

Static stretching in 48 elite gymnasts: 60 s holds cut jump height, 90 s holds did not

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation tested Italian Gold-level gymnasts on repeated countermovement jumps before and after two lower-limb stretching protocols. After 60 s holds, jump height, RSI and power fell; after 90 s holds nothing changed, and males showed no decline. There was no non-stretching control. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: multiple metrics

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Flexibility & mobility

Question: Does static stretching reduce jump performance?

Published: 2026-10-22

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Bindependent

Physiotherapy adherence after ankle sprain in 118 pro athletes: return to sport 8.0 vs 14.5 weeks for high vs low adherence

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation analysed a single-centre retrospective cohort. Each 10-point rise in session completion was associated with faster return to sport (HR 1.27), lower odds of ankle instability and less residual pain, partly through lower kinesiophobia. Associations only, not a trial. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: Pain & function · pain-function

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Injury prevention & rehab

Question: Is higher physiotherapy adherence linked to faster return to sport after ankle sprain?

Published: 2026-10-22

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Bindependent

Limb asymmetry in 75 youth soccer players: dominant side 0.22 s faster on change of direction, shrinking with maturity

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation tested national-level male youth players on balance and change-of-direction tests. The dominant limb performed better on every test, and maturity offset explained 15-62% of the asymmetry variance, with asymmetry falling as players matured. Cross-sectional design. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: correlation causation

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Does the dominant limb outperform the non-dominant in balance and change of direction?

Published: 2026-10-21

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Aindependent

Exercise prehabilitation before ankle ligament surgery in 276 patients: 2-year FAOS 92.4 vs 80.0 with standard care

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation enrolled patients scheduled for arthroscopic Brostrom repair in 2021-2022 and gave about half a 4-week supervised prehab program, with 24-month follow-up (92% completion). The prehab group scored higher on sport and quality-of-life subscales and other ankle measures. The control group was not randomized.

Red flags: selection bias

Measured: Pain & function · pain-function

Research: 2021-2024

Subtopic: Injury prevention & rehab

Question: Does exercise prehabilitation improve outcomes after ankle ligament surgery?

Published: 2026-10-21

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Aindependent

Creatine-based multi-ingredient supplement over 4 weeks: no extra leg-press 1RM gain vs placebo

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation randomized 46 male lifting novices (40 analysed) in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial with identical training. Strength rose equally in both groups, while the supplement group gained more muscle mass and thigh girth and reported better recovery; kidney markers stayed normal. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: multiple metrics

Measured: Maximal strength · maximal-strength

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Ergogenic aids

Question: Does creatine-based supplementation add strength gains during resistance training versus placebo?

About: Creatine

Published: 2026-10-21

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Cindependent · skeptic: B

Final-rep bar velocity in 62 pro Australian footballers: strong link to reps in reserve (marginal r2 = 0.78)

A study in the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning had athletes take bench press sets at 80-85% 1RM to failure on two occasions. The velocity-RIR relationship held regardless of sex, height, load or experience, and was repeatable between sessions (CV 7-15%). No control group applies. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Intensity & proximity to failure

Question: Can final-repetition velocity estimate repetitions in reserve?

Published: 2026-09-25

Coverage: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning

Tier Dindependent · judge: C

Dips vs wheelchair speed in 13 wheelchair athletes: r = 0.892 at international level, r = -0.919 at national level

A study in the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning reports a small test with Japanese wheelchair racers. Across all athletes dip count and peak roller speed were not correlated; only in the two small subgroups were they related, in opposite directions. Very small sample; treat as preliminary. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: cherry pick

Numbers not found in the text: 0.919

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Is dip-test performance linked to wheelchair sprint speed?

Published: 2026-08-21

Coverage: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning

Tier Cindependent

Countermovement jumps in 14 college soccer players: jump momentum and phase timing fell after a match

A study in the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning tested Division II female players before and after an off-season exhibition game. Braking and propulsive phases shortened, depth was shallower and jump momentum fell, while force, power and velocity metrics did not change. No control group, single match. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: multiple metrics

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Do countermovement jump metrics fall after a soccer match?

Published: 2026-10-02

Coverage: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning

Tier Cindependent · skeptic: B

Internal load in 28 college football players over 10 weeks: linemen TRIMP 135 vs 101 AU and HRV 53.4 vs 72.6 ms vs skill players

A study in the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning monitored players with Firstbeat chest straps across a 10-week season. Linemen carried the highest internal load and showed the lowest pre-practice HRV; the COMBO and SKILL groups had only 3 and 5 players. Observational pilot study. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: correlation causation

Measured: Recovery markers · recovery-markers

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Recovery & sleep

Question: Do American football linemen show lower pre-practice HRV than skill players?

About: Firstbeat

Published: 2026-10-23

Coverage: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning

Tier Bindependent

Physical tests and playing time in 144 NCAA D3 baseball players: starting pitchers 5074 vs 4779 W peak power

A study in the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning tested players from three universities before their season. Starters were older and better on countermovement jump metrics, and starting hitters had stronger grip (109 vs 101 kg). Cross-sectional comparisons across many metrics; age is a confounder. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: correlation causation, multiple metrics

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Do starting baseball players outperform backups on physical tests?

Published: 2026-09-18

Coverage: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning

Tier Cindependent · skeptic: B

Countermovement jump testing in 41 academy rugby league players: jump height CV 6.64%, 33 of 37 metrics reliable

A study in the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning repeated three CMJ trials 48 hours apart in club settings. Jump height and momentum showed good to excellent reliability (ICC 0.78 and 0.90), and the authors give minimal detectable changes for profiling. Reliability study, no intervention. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: How reliable are countermovement jump metrics between sessions?

Published: 2026-08-07

Coverage: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning

Tier Aindependent

Caffeine mouthwash before a Wingate test: only a 30-second rinse raised peak power vs placebo

A study in the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning tested active men in a randomized crossover with 10, 20 or 30 s rinses of a 2% caffeine solution or a placebo. The 30 s rinse raised peak power and shortened time to peak; mean power and fatigue index did not change, and shorter rinses had no effect. The sample size is not given in the abstract. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: multiple metrics

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Ergogenic aids

Question: Does a caffeine-based supplement raise peak anaerobic power compared with placebo? · ✓ consistent (2 independent studies) · corroborated by 1 other independent study

About: Caffeine

Published: 2026-09-04

Coverage: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning

Tier Cindependent · skeptic: B

Quadriceps strength in 90 people with knee osteoarthritis: not linked to self-reported activity (delta R2 = 0.007)

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise analysed participants before and after a therapeutic intervention. After adjusting for age, sex, severity and pain, strength was not associated with activity at baseline, and strength gains did not lead to more activity up to 4 weeks after the program. Secondary analysis without a control group. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Injury prevention & rehab

Question: Is quadriceps strength linked to physical activity in knee osteoarthritis?

Published: 2026-10-21

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Aindependent

Multicomponent exercise in mild cognitive impairment (17 RCTs, 1,260 people): better global cognition and memory, not executive function

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise pooled randomized controlled trials against control conditions. Subgroups suggested larger gains with higher training frequency and 13-24-week programs. The dose findings come from exploratory subgroup analyses. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Exercise & health outcomes

Question: Does multicomponent exercise improve global cognition in mild cognitive impairment?

Published: 2026-10-21

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Aindependent

Melatonin after exhaustive swimming in 60 rats: faster glycogen resynthesis and lower muscle-damage markers

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise gave rats melatonin (10 mg/kg) or a vehicle after a 60-minute swim, sampling at 6, 12 and 48 hours. Melatonin raised glycogen in several muscles and the liver and lowered triglycerides, CK and LDH, with the largest effect at 12 hours. Animal study only. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: headline overclaim

Measured: Recovery markers · recovery-markers

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Recovery & sleep

Question: Does melatonin after exercise speed muscle glycogen resynthesis?

About: Melatonin

Published: 2026-09-29

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Bindependent

Static flexibility tests in 157 elite African footballers: no link to agility (Random Forest R2 = 0.008)

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise tested male players from seven nations on Thomas, 90/90 hamstring and Illinois agility tests. Neither statistics nor machine-learning models found that flexibility predicts agility; test number, age and position explained most variance. Cross-sectional data. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Flexibility & mobility

Question: Do static flexibility test results predict agility?

Published: 2026-09-15

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Aindependent

Hydrogen-rich water for 14 days in 11 men: less soreness after downhill running (AUC d = 0.71), strength not preserved

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise ran a double-blind placebo crossover with 1.74 L/day of hydrogen-rich water around a 30-minute downhill run. Soreness, CK and HSP70 were lower than with placebo, but 1RM strength loss and other damage markers were unchanged. Very small sample. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: headline overclaim, multiple metrics

Measured: Recovery markers · recovery-markers

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Recovery & sleep

Question: Does a recovery supplement reduce muscle soreness after damaging exercise versus placebo?

About: Hydrogen-rich water

Published: 2026-09-14

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Aindependent

Exercise in coronary heart disease (23 RCTs): aerobic capacity SMD 0.65 and quality of life SMD 0.42 vs usual care

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise pooled trials searched to April 2026. Aerobic training, more than three sessions a week and sessions under 60 minutes showed the largest effects. The prescription findings come from subgroup cuts.

Red flags: correlation causation, multiple metrics

Measured: VO2max · vo2max

Research: searched to April 2026

Subtopic: Exercise & health outcomes

Question: Does exercise training raise aerobic capacity in coronary heart disease?

Published: 2026-08-28

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Bindependent

Body morphology in 29 elite aerials skiers: models explained 89.2% of competitive performance

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise tested Chinese national-team athletes preparing for the Beijing 2022 Olympics. A high-muscle, low-fat physique with strong limbs and core was associated with better scores; morphology alone explained 63.6%. Many predictors for a small sample; the data is from before 2022.

Red flags: multiple metrics

Measured: other

Research: before 2022 Olympics

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Is body morphology linked to competitive performance in aerials skiers?

Published: 2026-08-12

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Aindependent

Traditional vs band-assisted Nordic hamstring training for 8 weeks: eccentric force up about 17% in both, no difference

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise assigned 45 collegiate athletes (30 completed with at least 80% adherence) to two Nordic variants. Both raised eccentric and long-length isometric knee flexor force, break angle and hip flexion ROM; the assisted version caused less early soreness. There was no non-training control. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: cherry pick, headline overclaim, no baseline, selection bias

Measured: Maximal strength · maximal-strength

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Strength

Question: Does band-assisted Nordic hamstring training build knee flexor strength differently from traditional NHE?

Published: 2026-08-03

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Bindependent

Mendelian randomization: genetically higher vigorous activity linked to lower type 2 diabetes risk (OR 0.402)

A study in Sport Sciences for Health used UK Biobank genetic instruments and FinnGen outcome data for eight activity traits. Accelerometer-measured vigorous activity and rest-activity rhythm amplitude showed protective effects, partly mediated by beta-hydroxybutyrate (11.2%) and SHBG (4.4%). The causal reading rests on MR assumptions. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: multiple metrics

Measured: Health & mortality outcomes · health-mortality-outcomes

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Exercise & health outcomes

Question: Does more vigorous physical activity lower type 2 diabetes risk?

Published: 2026-10-23

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Cindependent

6 weeks of squat training in novices: load-velocity profile changed mainly in the first 2 weeks while 1RM kept rising

A study in Sport Sciences for Health tracked untrained people through the program and compared them with short- and long-term trained lifters. Theoretical maximal strength fell relative to 1RM and the slope flattened early; profiles did not differ by training status, though the evidence was inconclusive. Sample sizes are not stated in the abstract. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: headline overclaim

Measured: Maximal strength · maximal-strength

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Strength

Question: Does early squat training change the load-velocity profile?

Published: 2026-10-17

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Aindependent

Aerobic training in cardiovascular disease (28 RCTs, 1,659 people): flow-mediated dilation +2.29%

A study in Sport Sciences for Health pooled trials of aerobic training against controls. Exercise-reporting quality (CERT score 12 of 19 on average) did not predict the size of the benefit, nor did adherence or training volume. Heterogeneity was very high (I2 92%). The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Exercise & health outcomes

Question: Does aerobic training improve endothelial function in cardiovascular disease?

Published: 2026-10-16

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Aindependent

BFR interval cycling vs HIIT in 40 adolescent cyclists: peak torque +21.47 vs +9.28 N·m, 78% vs 64% retained

A study in Sport Sciences for Health compared 4 weeks of low-intensity cycling with cuffs and conventional HIIT, followed by two weeks without training. The two protocols produced different neuromuscular changes, with larger torque gains and better retention after BFR. The protocols were not work-matched and there was no non-training control. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: Maximal strength · maximal-strength

Research: unstated

Subtopic: HIIT & sprint training

Question: Does low-intensity BFR interval cycling raise peak torque more than HIIT?

Published: 2026-10-16

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Bindependent

Southpaw vs orthodox kickboxers at the 2023 world championship: southpaws landed more left straights and left low kicks

A study in Sport Sciences for Health coded 150 matches (300 competitors, 37 southpaws) from video. Total punch and kick counts did not differ, but guard type shifted which side landed. Many uncorrected comparisons and no link to winning.

Red flags: correlation causation, multiple metrics

Measured: other

Research: 2023

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Do southpaw kickboxers land more lead-side techniques than orthodox fighters?

Published: 2026-10-10

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Bindependent

Fitness and heart rate recovery in 2,815 exercise tests: faster recovery at higher fitness, slower in low-fit women

A study in Sport Sciences for Health clustered 2,331 men and 484 women by ventilatory thresholds and VO2max after incremental tests. Both a relative recovery index and the absolute 2-minute drop rose with fitness, and women recovered more slowly than men at low and medium fitness. Cross-sectional associations. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: Recovery markers · recovery-markers

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Endurance training

Question: Is higher cardiorespiratory fitness linked to faster heart rate recovery?

Published: 2026-10-09

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Dindependent · judge: C

Xiaomi Mi Band 5 in 38 older adults: steps accurate (MAPE -3.7%), calories far off (MAPE 95.46%)

A study in Sport Sciences for Health compared the wristband with an ActiGraph GT3X+ over seven free-living days. Step counts agreed well (ICC 0.94), while energy expenditure agreed poorly (ICC 0.39). Small, possibly all-female sample recruited via social media. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: selection bias

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Other

Question: How accurately does the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 measure steps and energy expenditure?

About: Xiaomi Mi Band 5, ActiGraph GT3X+

Published: 2026-10-08

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Aindependent

4-minute daily strength routine in 97 adults over 65: 4.2 more chair stands in 30 s after 12 weeks vs no intervention

ScienceDaily reports a Penn State randomized trial in PLOS One (FAST-2). Participants also rose from a chair 2.3 s faster and did the routine on 81% of days. The trial enrolled inactive older adults who already had walking difficulty; the primary check found one reading faithful and one overstated, so it is undecided. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: headline overclaim

Measured: Pain & function · pain-function

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Ageing & sarcopenia

Question: Does a brief daily strength routine improve physical function in older adults?

Published: 2026-10-21

Primary source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336748

Coverage: ScienceDaily: Fitness

Tier Bindependent

Daily steps in about 300 older adults with early Alzheimer signs: benefits from 3,000 steps, best at 5,000-7,500

ScienceDaily carries a commentary on a cohort that tracked participants with pedometers for 9-11 years. More steps went with less tau build-up and slower decline, but not less amyloid. Observational data with confounding the piece itself notes; the linked original is a Nature news item. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: correlation causation, headline overclaim

Original: numbers not found — 5,000 to 7,500 steps

Measured: Health & mortality outcomes · health-mortality-outcomes

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Exercise & health outcomes

Question: Is higher physical activity linked to slower cognitive decline? · ✓ consistent (2 independent studies) · corroborated by 1 other independent study

Published: 2026-10-19

Primary source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03596-2

Coverage: ScienceDaily: Fitness

Tier Aindependent

Limb loading in 12 growing guinea fowl: untrained birds used 23% more energy carrying the load, trained birds none

ScienceDaily reports a Penn State experiment (Proceedings of the Royal Society B) in which 6 birds wore leg weights from 2 to 16 weeks of age and 6 did not. Respirometry showed full load-carriage economy in the trained birds. Animal study; the link to human childhood exercise is not tested. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: headline overclaim

Original: not checked (could not be fetched)

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Other

Question: Does limb loading during growth reduce the energy cost of carrying load as an adult?

Published: 2026-10-14

Primary source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0199

Coverage: ScienceDaily: Sports Medicine

Tier Aindependent

Personalized gait retraining for knee osteoarthritis in 68 patients: pain down 2.5 vs 1.3 points vs sham at one year

ScienceDaily reports a randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in 2025. About 91% vs 66% had a clinically meaningful pain reduction, and one of two MRI measures suggested slower cartilage loss. Participants were pre-selected as responders to the foot-angle change. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: headline overclaim, selection bias

Measured: Pain & function · pain-function

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Injury prevention & rehab

Question: Does personalized gait retraining reduce knee osteoarthritis pain more than sham?

Published: 2026-10-11

Coverage: ScienceDaily: Sports Medicine

Tier Bindependent

VO2max reference values from 22,379 US lab tests: Trondheim adults aged 70-77 match US 40-50-year-olds

Sweat Science highlights a 2022 Mayo Clinic Proceedings reference standard built from US cardiopulmonary tests, with percentiles for ages 20-89. Trondheim men in their 70s averaged 31.5-35.2 ml/kg/min. The comparison mixes very different samples. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: selection bias

Original: not checked (could not be fetched)

Measured: VO2max · vo2max

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Endurance training

Question: What are typical VO2max values by age?

Published: 2026-09-01

Primary source: https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(21)00645-5/fulltext

Coverage: Sweat Science

Tier Aindependent

Exercise after stroke (52 RCTs, 2,329 patients): whole-body vibration improved balance most, Berg score +9.86

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation ran a Bayesian network meta-analysis searched to January 2026. Aerobic, combined, coordinative and strength training improved walking endurance versus control, with no clear differences among them. Most comparisons were low or very low certainty.

Measured: other

Research: searched to January 2026

Subtopic: Injury prevention & rehab

Question: Which exercise types improve balance after stroke versus control?

Published: 2026-10-20

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Aindependent

Optimal power load strength training (meta-analysis): jump height effect 0.586, sprint and peak power unclear

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation pooled controlled studies of training at the load that maximises power. The jump height benefit was the most consistent; the 1RM effect (0.368) depended on analytic assumptions, and sprint time and peak power were not established. Few studies with varied comparators. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Does optimal power load strength training raise jump height versus comparators?

Published: 2026-10-20

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Aindependent

Partial blood flow restriction during cycling in 15 young men: slower heart rate recovery at 30-120 s

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology compared two-stage cycling at 40% and 60% of peak power with and without thigh cuffs in a crossover. BFR lowered parasympathetic HRV indices, raised sympathetic indices and blunted heart rate recovery after cuff release. Acute responses in a small sample only. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: Recovery markers · recovery-markers

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Endurance training

Question: Does blood flow restriction during cycling slow heart rate recovery?

Published: 2026-10-14

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Bindependent

Injuries in 390 female artistic swimmers: incidence rose from 0.23 to 1.18 per 1,000 h from under-12 to seniors

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation followed 390 swimmers (511 athlete-seasons) in six clubs over 2023-2025. It recorded 70 injuries in 65 swimmers, 80% non-contact and most often lower-limb, with injury burden highest in seniors (29.6 days lost per 1,000 h). Descriptive surveillance without a comparison group.

Measured: Injury rate · injury-rate

Research: 2023-2025

Subtopic: Injury prevention & rehab

Question: How often are artistic swimmers injured?

Published: 2026-10-24

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Bindependent

Functional tests in 115 professional ballet dancers: 30% had over 15% limb asymmetry on the vertical hop

A study in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation screened dancers from four German classical ballet companies on eight tests. Men did better on most hop and upper-body tests, women on the heel-rise test, and side-hop asymmetry was also common (24%). Companies were recruited by word of mouth, and the data period is not stated.

Red flags: stale data, selection bias

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: How common are lower-limb asymmetries in professional ballet dancers?

Published: 2026-10-22

Coverage: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Tier Aindependent

Circuit vs traditional resistance training at 60% vs 80% 1RM: more reps and less fatigue at 60%, structure irrelevant

A study in the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning had 10 trained men complete four randomized protocols. All raised blood pressure and heart rate, with no post-exercise hypotension; high intensity caused more cardiovascular stress and fatigue, while circuit and traditional formats did not differ. Very small sample. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Intensity & proximity to failure

Question: Do moderate-intensity resistance sessions allow more total work than high-intensity ones?

Published: 2026-10-09

Coverage: International Journal of Strength and Conditioning

Tier Aindependent

Heavy back squat (90% 1RM) vs light jump squat (30% 1RM) before rebound jumps: both raised jump height, no winner

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise had 17 collegiate volleyball players do both conditioning activities in a randomized crossover. Jump height rose at 3-10 minutes after both and RSI peaked above baseline, with no difference between conditions. There was no no-conditioning control. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: no baseline

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: Does a heavy-load conditioning activity raise jump performance more than a light ballistic one?

Published: 2026-09-04

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Cindependent

Three consecutive days of 5-km runs in 16 adults: pre-run plantar fascia thickness rose from day 1 to days 2 and 3

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise measured the plantar fascia by ultrasound and shear-wave elastography before and after each maximal run. Thickness and stiffness fell acutely after each run and thickness recovered within 30 minutes, but resting thickness accumulated across days. No control group and no injury outcome. The data collection period is not stated.

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Injury prevention & rehab

Question: Does running on consecutive days increase pre-run plantar fascia thickness?

Published: 2026-08-24

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Aindependent

24 weeks of resistance training in 42 hemodialysis patients: higher active MMP-2, unchanged MMP-9

A study in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise randomized patients to training three times a week or a control group. Active MMP-2 rose with training, though the effect weakened after baseline adjustment, and it was associated with grip strength, fat-free mass and TUG time. Exploratory analysis. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: multiple metrics

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Exercise & health outcomes

Question: Does resistance training change MMP activity in hemodialysis patients?

Published: 2026-08-24

Coverage: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise

Tier Aindependent

Inspiratory muscle training vs TheraBand training in 60 healthy adults: larger gain in inspiratory pressure with IMT

A study in Sport Sciences for Health randomized participants at a hospital in Faisalabad, Pakistan, over six months (56 analysed). Both groups improved pulmonary function equally, while maximal inspiratory pressure rose more with the threshold device. There was no untreated control. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: no baseline

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Other

Question: Does inspiratory muscle training raise inspiratory muscle strength more than band resistance training?

About: TheraBand

Published: 2026-10-21

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Cindependent · capped from B · skeptic: B

4-year 100-m tracking of East and South African adolescent sprinters: gains slowed toward a plateau

A study in Sport Sciences for Health followed sprinters from Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa over 2021-2024 with yearly electronic timing. Higher baseline ground-contact variability and grit went with steeper later improvement, and the gap between early- and late-born athletes narrowed. Cohort size is not stated, and catching up is partly regression to the mean.

Red flags: headline overclaim, regression to mean

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: 2021-2024

Subtopic: Sports performance

Question: How does 100-m sprint performance develop across adolescence in elite sprinters?

Published: 2026-10-16

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Aindependent

Guarana vs caffeine vs placebo before a 30-s jump test: only guarana raised peak power, +4.0% vs placebo

A study in Sport Sciences for Health ran a randomized double-blind crossover in 18 active men taking about 5 mg/kg caffeine from either source. Guarana beat placebo on peak power but never differed significantly from caffeine, and the other jump measures showed only descriptive trends. One of six outcomes reached significance. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: headline overclaim, multiple metrics

Measured: Power & speed · power-speed

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Ergogenic aids

Question: Does a caffeine-based supplement raise peak anaerobic power compared with placebo? · ✓ consistent (2 independent studies) · corroborated by 1 other independent study

About: Guarana, Caffeine

Published: 2026-10-13

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Bindependent

Rugby recovery intervals 2022-2025: sevens rest rose from 7.9 h (Taiwan) to 15.0 h (world tier)

A study in Sport Sciences for Health analysed published match schedules of international and national tournaments. In world-tier 15s, men had longer gaps between matches than women (198.7 vs 168.2 h), and Taiwanese 15s schedules varied most. Descriptive schedule analysis, no player outcomes.

Measured: other

Research: 2022-2025

Subtopic: Recovery & sleep

Question: How long are recovery intervals between rugby tournament matches?

Published: 2026-10-11

Coverage: Sport Sciences for Health

Tier Bindependent

Physical activity in 294 people with Parkinson disease: most active lost 0.007 vs 0.478 cognitive points a year

ScienceDaily reports a Neurology study (University of Cincinnati) that followed adults with mild to moderate Parkinson disease for up to seven years. More active participants also had slower worsening of movement symptoms. Activity was self-reported and the study shows an association, not cause. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: correlation causation, headline overclaim

Original: not checked (could not be fetched)

Measured: Health & mortality outcomes · health-mortality-outcomes

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Exercise & health outcomes

Question: Is higher physical activity linked to slower cognitive decline? · ✓ consistent (2 independent studies) · corroborated by 1 other independent study

Published: 2026-10-23

Primary source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000218682

Coverage: ScienceDaily: Fitness

Tier Bindependent

47-year Swedish cohort of 427 people: capacity peaked around 26-36 and fell 30-48% by age 63

ScienceDaily reports the Karolinska Institutet SPAF study, which tested people born in 1958 from age 16 to 63 (about 1974-2021). Those who became active as adults gained about 5-10% in capacity. The claim that exercise slows decline is observational.

Red flags: correlation causation

Original: not checked (could not be fetched)

Measured: Endurance performance · endurance-performance

Research: 1974-2021

Subtopic: Ageing & sarcopenia

Question: At what age does physical capacity peak and how much is lost by the 60s?

Published: 2026-10-15

Primary source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.70134

Coverage: ScienceDaily: Sports Medicine

Tier Cindependent · skeptic: B

Daily activity and sleep in young adults: as little as 10 minutes of MVPA a day linked to more deep sleep

ScienceDaily reports a University of Texas at Austin study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health (2025). Frequent activity, including light movement, was associated with more slow-wave sleep and better mood. Observational wearable data with no stated sample size. The data collection period is not stated.

Red flags: correlation causation, stale data, headline overclaim, vendor metric

Original: not checked (could not be fetched)

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Recovery & sleep

Question: Is more frequent daily physical activity linked to more deep sleep?

Published: 2026-10-12

Primary source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0844

Coverage: ScienceDaily: Sports Medicine

Disputed (verdict and skeptic disagree; both grades shown)

Tier Bskeptic: D · independent

disputed

Recreational masters runners vs sedentary peers: ascending aorta 3.25 vs 2.90 cm, within normal limits

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology compared 42 recreational runners over 40 (at least 20 km/week) with 27 sedentary controls in a cross-sectional design. The aorta was about 0.3 cm wider in runners after adjusting for age, sex and height, and ankle-brachial index was slightly higher, with no aortopathy. The sample is small and not randomized, and the grade is disputed. The data collection period is not stated.

Disputed: grades two tiers apart.
Skeptic's doubts: Small cross-sectional comparison of 42 runners vs 27 sedentary controls with a pre-specified adjusted regression; runners were recruited via social media and differed in sex and height, though conclusions are appropriately hedged.

Red flags: selection bias

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Endurance training

Question: Do recreational masters runners have a wider ascending aorta than sedentary peers?

Published: 2026-10-24

Coverage: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Tier Cindependent

disputed

Exercise and the DEAF1 gene in aging flies and mice: exercise lowered DEAF1 and rebalanced mTORC1

ScienceDaily reports a PNAS mechanism study in fruit flies and older mice. Exercise reduced DEAF1, restoring clearance of damaged muscle proteins, but not when DEAF1 was very high. No numbers are given, the grade is disputed, and the human headline goes beyond the animal data. The data collection period is not stated.

Disputed: no quoted number found in the text.
Skeptic's doubts: Press release on a fruit-fly and mouse mechanism study that gives no quantitative results or explicit control description; 'exercise reverses muscle aging' is extrapolated from animal gene manipulation to humans.

Red flags: headline overclaim

Original: not checked (could not be fetched)

Measured: other

Research: unstated

Subtopic: Ageing & sarcopenia

Question: Does exercise lower DEAF1 and normalize mTORC1 activity in aging muscle?

Published: 2026-10-16

Primary source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2508893122

Coverage: ScienceDaily: Sports Medicine