Sports drinks are popular in athletics, with various formulations catering to enhance performance and recovery time. This experimental study investigated the effects of glucose polymer-based drinks on maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and recovery time in male collegiate long-distance runners (18-25 years old). Six participants underwent a randomized crossover design, comparing a sucrose-based control with a glucose polymer-based drink. MAS was assessed via a 1600-meter time trial, and recovery time through heart rate monitoring (measured in heart rate recovery or HRR). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests (α=0.05) and Cohen's d to determine effect size. Findings indicated that glucose-polymer supplementation significantly decreased MAS (t(5)=−3.54, p=0.017; Cohen's d=−1.44) and significantly impaired HRR (t(5)=−14.09, p<0.001; Cohen's d=−5.75) compared to the control. For this specific group, glucose polymer supplementation decreased both performance and recovery time than sucrose supplementation. These findings underscore the importance of individualized performance testing and careful evaluation of carbohydrate supplementation choices for endurance athletes. Further research with larger, more diverse samples is recommended to enhance generalizability and to explore underlying physiological mechanisms.

Disaster response is an important infrastructure in the Philippines, as the country is affected by flooding due to typhoons multiple times annually. The national disaster response network relies on volunteers to carry out the provision of emergency services, among which the most common is search and rescue, which requires a certain level of muscular strength. As a result, engaging in the provision of emergency response services such as search and rescue exposes Filipino volunteer disaster responders to hazardous situations wherein muscular strength can affect not only their occupational performance but also mitigate the risk of acquiring injuries. This study determined the effects of a resistance training program on the specific muscular strength of 12 adult Filipino volunteer disaster responders, using the 3RM in the deadlift and seated row as a performance metric. The pre-test and post-test seated row scores of the control group (n = 6) were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test due to being non-normally distributed and revealed no significant differences. On the other hand, the dependent t-test was performed on the deadlift scores of the control group and the seated row and deadlift scores of the experimental group (n = 6) revealed significant differences. Likewise, the independent t-test performed on the scores differences between both groups revealed a significant difference. These findings indicate that there were improvements in the specific upper body and lower body strengths of the selected Filipino volunteer disaster responders, which has been identified as important in disaster response, specifically SAR, potentially benefitting their occupational performance and decreasing the risk of acquiring injuries during hazardous situations. This study may also be used as a reference for similar studies in the future.

Despite being a sport with weight classes that influence training and competition outcomes, Judo is one in which body image significantly affects the performance and well-being of female collegiate judoka athletes. The current study examined the lived experiences of ffemale collegiate judokas aged 18–23 regarding their body image perceptions. The study employed structured interviews to investigate how social, sport-specific, and personal expectations influence body image and athletic performance. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s 2006 six-phase framework emerging themes revealed both positive and negative perceptions of body image among the participants. Some female collegiate judokas came to associate their evolving bodies with progress and strength, leading to a sense of satisfaction and self-acceptance. Others, however, reported difficulties with negative body image stemming from weight management, past experiences, and lifestyle changes. A mixture of social pressures and Judo's physical nature shaped the participants' experiences, with weight management being identified as a primary source of psychological pressure. Nevertheless, some female collegiate judokas employed coping techniques such as mindfulness, peer support, reframing self-talk, and setting performance-based goals over appearance. The study highlighted that exploring body image among female collegiate judokas is a complex and multifaceted experience. These results underscore the importance of support systems that address the psychological and physical needs of female judoka athletes in weight-sensitive sports, thereby promoting positive body image perceptions among female collegiate judoka athletes.

Young adults should obtain the recommended levels of physical activity as insufficient levels could lead to numerous health problems and a sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity in the Philippines has already been a problem before the pandemic hit and encompassed the world. With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns and other sanitary measures that were put
in place as an attempt to decrease its effects and transmission bring with them physical movement limitations and increases the temptation of a sedentary lifestyle - especially with current technological advancements. This study aimed to determine the physical activity levels of young adults and if it reaches the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standards, as well as know what motivates and what prevents them from doing physical activity. Young adults living in the Philippines participated through answering a survey distributed online. The results showed that, despite the majority of young adults stating that they were more physically active before the pandemic, most still reached high levels of physical activity and WHO’s guidelines. This study also found that Lack of Energy and COVID-19-related factors are the main barriers that prevent the majority of the respondents from doing physical activity. Most of the participants are under Integrated Regulation, with none falling under Amotivation, which means that being physically active aligns with the majority’s values and goals, and none of the respondents do not see the value of exercise. Despite still having healthy levels, the further decrease in physical activity should still be prevented, and negative physical activity habits formed during the pandemic should be reduced. This study also serves as a basis for comparison for future researchers to find out if the levels have differed after the lifting of restrictions, as well as an insight for instances wherein young adults find themselves in quarantine and isolation.

Post-activation potentiation or PAP has been utilized as part of the warm-up protocol to enhance subsequent athletic performance. Previous studies on PAP have shown improvements in athletic performance following a conditioning activity of resistance exercise or plyometrics. However, there is no consensus yet regarding which type of PAP should be used before a main activity. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the effects of strength-focused and power-focused PAP before short sprint performance. Nine (9) physically fit young adult males with a mean age of 24.1 ± 1.7 years participated in this study. Only five (5) participants were able to complete the testing process. Four (4) non-consecutive days were allotted for the testing process, with a minimum of 48 hours between testing days given for complete recovery. The participants had their 20-m baseline sprint time measured on a track oval using timing gates. The participants then had their one repetition maximum on the barbell half squat exercise measured. They were then divided into 2 groups, which determined the PAP intervention they would perform first. After each intervention, participants were tasked to perform a 20-m maximal effort sprint at 4- and 8-minutes post-intervention. The results gathered in this study showed no significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores of the participants who performed the interventions. This implied that neither PAP intervention was able to induce a potentiation that would significantly affect sprint performance for this set of participants. This study showed no conclusive evidence to support the claim that PAP improves athletic performance, especially in recreational runners with weight training experience. The findings of this study affirm prerequisites to induce PAP itself, such as an individual’s fitness level, intensity, and movement specificity. Considering these factors might help in future research regarding PAP.