Finally, we identify gaps in the knowledge of sex differences in athletic performance and the underlying mechanisms, providing substantial opportunities for high-impact studies.

The gap

Consensus across the literature

Supporting evidence — 6 representative gaps

• The effect of augmented feedback with velocity-based training on post-activation performance enhancement in college soccer players (2026) · doi

  Some limitations should be acknowledged. First, the sam- ple comprised a small group of trained male college soc- cer players; therefore, the findings should be cautiously generalized to female players, adolescents, or untrained populations. Second, the conditioning activity (85% 1RM, 2 × 6 repetitions with 1-min rest) may have induced fatigue, which could attenuate or delay PAPE and poten- tially mask effects on 20-m sprint time and Vmax. Third, only acute responses were examined; the chronic adap- tations remain unknown. Future studies should include larger, more diverse samples and evaluate longer train- ing interventions with different feedback modalities (e.g., auditory or combined feedback) and different velocity- loss thresholds.

  Keywords: players different feedback limitations acknowledged first comprised small group trained male college cautiously generalized female
• Effects of core training on physical performance in team-sport athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2026) · doi

  There are a number of limitations to our study. Firstly, a number of included trials had concerns around randomisation procedures and selective reporting, which may have reduced the precision ARTICLE IN PRESSARTICLE IN PRESS ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT of our pooled estimates, although effect directions were generally consistent across outcomes and benefits require confirmation in future high-quality RCTs. In particular, all included studies raised some concerns regarding selective outcome reporting, which may have led to some inflation of effect estimates, most likely in a positive direction. Secondly, the included evidence was dominated by male-only samples. Only 4 studies included female athletes only, and 3 studies did not report participant sex. As a result, the pooled effects may mainly reflect responses in male team-sport athletes. Their applicability to female athletes remains uncertain, especially given possible sex-related differences in lower-limb mechanics, injury risk, and neuromuscular control. Thirdly, core training protocols varied widely in type, frequency, length and training setting, and a number provided insufficient details on session length or training adherence; therefore, current evidence does not allow identification of the optimal training strain in terms of training volume and intensity or exercise dose. In addition, although all control groups were classified as non-core training controls, the specific comparator conditions varied across studies and included regular sport-specific training, mobility training, strength training, small-sided games, and recreational activities. These differences in intervention structure and comparator type may have contributed to clinical and methodological heterogeneity. Training season was not reported in 13 of the 22 included studies, which may have contributed to the heterogeneity observed for balance outcomes, as training ARTICLE IN PRESSARTICLE IN PRESS ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT responses may differ across in-season, pre-season, and off-season contexts. Fourthly, while we reported standardized effect sizes, within outcome domains trials used different field-based tests which may have impacted both the ability to combine trials and the practical relevance of the findings. This was particularly relevant for the balance domain, where different tools assessed somewhat different constructs, such as dynamic versus static balance and unilateral versus bilateral control. This also applied to linear sprint, where sprint distances ranged from 10 m to 40 m and may have reflected different sprint capacities. Finally, many interventions were short term and follow-up data were generally unavailable and owing to the limited number of controlled trials available for each outcome we were unable to attempt moderation analyses based upon variables such as age and level of competition. In addition, the small sample sizes of many included trials may have limited statistical power and increased the risk of small-study effects and inflated effect estimates. Therefore, the low I² values for VJ, linear sprint, and CODA should not be taken as clear evidence of homogeneity, since the small evidence base may have reduced the ability to detect between-study differences.

  Keywords: training included trials number article press effect evidence small season different sprint estimates across outcome
• Integrated monitoring of training and sport performance throughout an entire handball season: practical applications in semi-professional female players (2026) · doi

  its methodological indicator provides practical a sensitive to both detraining and retraining processes in team sport athletes (29), underscoring the importance of periodic assessment. Additionally, changes in body composition across competitive seasons can influence performance and injury risk profiles, particularly in female athletes (28). Finally, performance validation requires linkage to notational analysis, as match- derived indicators (e.g., defensive and offensive efficiency, fast breaks, goalkeeper effectiveness) differentiate winning and losing teams in handball (30–32). Despite the availability of these monitoring tools, there is limited empirical guidance on how to integrate internal load indices, neuromuscular readiness, strength and endurance monitoring, body composition, and match analytics into a semi-professional coherent decision-making female handball. framework turnovers, efficiency, shooting and for In team handball, increasing match congestion, extended competitive calendars, and the multidimensional nature of to performance require more context-sensitive approaches training management, particularly in semi-professional settings. In semi-professional female handball, training processes are further constrained by limited training time and restricted recovery resources, which may reduce the applicability of rigid preplanned periodization models. Consequently, ecologically valid the dynamic interactions among training load, athlete responses, and match performance across the entire competitive season are needed. Although previous studies have examined isolated components such as internal load, neuromuscular fatigue, and subjective well-being, these variables within a comprehensive, season-long framework in semi-professional team sports contexts. integrated monitoring approaches few studies have that capture investigated The aims of this study were: 1) to investigate the temporal dynamics and training and interrelationships among key performance variables across the competition season, and 2) to establish reference ranges for integrated monitoring variables to support adaptive, data-informed microcycle adjustments in semi-professional female handball.

  Keywords: performance handball semi professional training female match monitoring team across competitive load season variables sensitive
• The Biological Basis of Sex Differences in Athletic Performance: Consensus Statement for the American College of Sports Medicine (2023) · doi

  Finally, we identify gaps in the knowledge of sex differences in athletic performance and the underlying mechanisms, providing substantial opportunities for high-impact studies.

  Keywords: finally identify gaps knowledge differences athletic performance underlying mechanisms providing substantial opportunities high impact
• Mechanisms Underlying ACL Injury-Prevention Training: The Brain-Behavior Relationship (2010) · doi

  Although the reasons underlying the sex differences in the performance of athletic maneuvers are not fully understood, evidence suggests that differences in proximal control may play a contributory role.

  Keywords: differences reasons underlying performance athletic maneuvers fully understood evidence suggests proximal control play contributory role
• MENSTRUAL CYCLE EFFECTS ON EXERCISE CAPACITY AND TRAINING ADAPTATIONS (2026) · doi

  Interpretation of the evidence is limited by heterogeneous study populations, inconsistent menstrual cycle phase verification, limited biochemical confirmation of hormonal status, and insufficient data on elite female athletes.

  Keywords: limited interpretation evidence heterogeneous populations inconsistent menstrual cycle phase verification biochemical confirmation hormonal status insufficient