Competing at high altitude (HA) poses major physiological challenges for sea-level athletes and can markedly impair performance. Normobaric hypoxia has emerged as a practical training and acclimation strategy, yet real-world evidence in elite sports remains limited. We report the preparation of the Chilean men's national football team ahead of a World Cup qualifying match in El Alto, Bolivia (4150 m.a.s.l.). Thirteen players completed 4-10 normobaric hypoxia sessions simulating altitudes of 3250-4480 m.a.s.l. Physiological responses were evaluated, and performance at HA was compared with that at sea-level. SpO2 remained stable during sessions 1-4 followed by progressive increases in sessions 5-6. Mixed-effects modeling identified an association between session number and SpO2 with effects independently influenced by exercise type, simulated altitude, and number of sessions completed. Although the acclimation protocol improved physiological responses, it did not fully offset the demands of HA, and high-speed running per minute (HSR/min) and average speed (m/min) remained lower at HA than at sea level. This case report describes the implementation of short-term normobaric hypoxia training in elite football and suggests potential benefits for acclimation. The heterogeneous responses observed highlight the importance of individualized monitoring to optimize performance at altitude.
Mechanical wave-based therapies are a widely used and effective treatment for chronic plantar fasciopathy (PF); however, some patients do not achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes. Treatment failure is not necessarily related to the intrinsic efficacy of the method but is more frequently associated with modifiable clinical factors. This narrative review aims to analyze the most common causes of failure, focusing on diagnostic errors, inappropriate timing of treatment, inadequate technical application, and failure to address biomechanical abnormalities. Misdiagnosis is a major cause of therapeutic failure, as plantar heel pain may originate from multiple conditions other than PF, including tarsal tunnel syndrome, Baxter’s nerve entrapment, heel fat pad syndrome, calcaneal stress fractures, bursitis, tumors, and systemic inflammatory diseases. Technical factors, such as inappropriate energy delivery, incorrect targeting, and the use of local anesthesia, may also negatively influence outcomes. Furthermore, uncorrected gastrocnemius contracture and altered foot biomechanics contribute to persistent overload of the plantar fascia. Finally, both radial pressure waves and focused shockwaves appear to be more effective in chronic than in acute PF. A better understanding of these factors may improve patient selection and optimize treatment outcomes. Keywords: Heel pain, Radial pressure waves, Focused shock waves, Plantar fasciitis
Weekend cyclists are individuals who engage in vigorous physical activity only on weekends, as opposed to those who exercise regularly during the week. Research suggests that concentrating physical training on one or two days may benefit heart health and metabolism, similar to exercising regularly. However, it remains unclear whether weekend cyclists exhibit similar adaptations in metabolic, performance, and muscle oxygenation markers. The aim of this study is to compare cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, cardiometabolic risk markers, muscle strength, and muscle oxygenation between cyclists who concentrated training on weekends and cyclists who distributed training across three or more days per week. In this study, we used an analytical, observational, non-experimental design that recruited 28 cyclists, divided into weekend cyclists (n = 14) and regular cyclists (n = 14). Body composition, blood tests, lower body strength, aerobic capacity, and muscle oxygen saturation were assessed. Results: Weekend cyclists exhibited lower VO2max (36.7 ± 3.9 vs. 48.9 ± 6.3 mL·kg-1·min-1), lower knee extension strength (3.16 ± 0.57 vs. 4.42 ± 0.83 Nm·kg-1), and reduced ΔSmO2 responses during exercise compared with regular cyclists (all p < 0.05). In addition, weekend cyclists presented higher body fat percentage (25.9 ± 3.8 vs. 17.2 ± 4.2%), greater waist circumference (90.5 ± 4.3 vs. 83.6 ± 5.1 cm), and lower HDL cholesterol levels (54.2 ± 8.4 vs. 64.1 ± 11.0 mg/dL). In conclusion, weekend cyclists have lower cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and reduced ΔSmO2 responses during incremental exercise, along with higher levels of visceral fat and triglycerides, compared to those who train three or more days a week. The distribution and frequency of training within their workout plans were associated with differences in cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic markers.
