We are proud to announce that the Journal of Human Kinetics has released its Special Issue entitled, “Monitoring and Diagnosis of Fatigue, Maladaptation, Overload and Overtraining in Sports: Strategies for Optimizing Sports Performance.”
The guest editors, professors Jakub Chycki & Michał Toborek have selected 20 manuscripts from close to 100 submitted papers. Authors from around the World responded to the invitation, including scientists from Spain, Portugal, USA, China, South Korea, Turkey, Poland, Brazil, Lithuania and Taiwan.
This Special Issue encompasses high-quality original research and review articles addressing one of the most critical challenges in sport science, understanding and managing the complex balance between training stimulus and athlete adaptation. Some of the contributions explored the identification of fatigue symptoms, physiological and biochemical markers, and mechanisms underlying adaptation and maladaptation in response to training loads.
While preparing this special issue of JHK, particular emphasis was placed on studies examining functional and nonfunctional overreaching, overtraining syndrome, and evidence-based strategies for monitoring athlete readiness and optimizing performance. Interdisciplinary approaches integrating physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and data-driven monitoring were strongly encouraged.
By advancing knowledge in fatigue detection and training optimization, this Special Issue seeks to support practitioners, coaches, and researchers in enhancing athlete performance while minimizing the risk of overload and long-term performance decline.
Editor in Chief of JHK
Prof. Adam Zajac
Current Issue: Volume 101 (2026)
Monitoring and Diagnosing Overtraining in Sports: Performance Optimization StrategiesRESEARCH PAPER
You Play the Way You Train: The Influence of Accumulated Weekly Training Loads on Match Physical Performance in Soccer Players
Iván Asín-Izquierdo, Carlos Galiano, Fabio Y. Nakamura, Fernando H. Pareja-Blanco, Jose A. Asian-Clemente
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 5–20
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/208874
RESEARCH PAPER
Effects of Hot Water Immersion at Different Temperatures during a Transition Period on Vertical Jump Performance
Caiyan Li, Anjie Wang, Chansol Hurr
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 21–33
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/215290
RESEARCH PAPER
Impact of Prior Fatigue on Velocity Loss as a Set-Termination Criterion in the Bench Press Exercise
Luis Rodiles-Guerrero, Beatriz Bachero-Mena, Miguel Sánchez-Moreno
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 35–48
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/214212
RESEARCH PAPER
Multifactorial Thresholds of Psychomotor Fatigue in Soccer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Moses Gnanasigamani, Jennifer M. Kiruba, Paweł Chmura
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 49–71
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/212912
RESEARCH PAPER
The dRM-Index: Applicability of the Differential Respiratory-to-Muscular Training Load Index in Young Female Soccer Players
Oihan Esnal-Arrizabalaga, Ibai Garcia-Tabar, Asier Gonzalez-Artetxe, Asier Los Arcos
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 73–86
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/211330
RESEARCH PAPER
Aerobic Exercise under Cold Conditions May Affect the Cardiac Structure by Elevating the Galectin 3 and CK-MB Levels
Saime Ozbek Sebin, Engin Sebin, Basak Gulakar, Cebrail Gencoglu, Serhat Ozbay, Suleyman Ulupinar, Konca Altinkaynak, Abdullah Bora Ozkara
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 87–102
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/213943
RESEARCH PAPER
Dose-Dependent Effects of Astaxanthin on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Exercising Males
Muhammet Yılmaz, Halit Harmancı, Filiz Özyiğit, Muhammed M. Atakan
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 103–117
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/210201
RESEARCH PAPER
Data-Driven External-Load Analytics: Integrating Cluster Analysis and ACWR Monitoring in Elite Handball
Nebahat Eler, Tevfik Cem Akalın, Serdar Eler, Marko Joksimovic
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 119–132
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/217125
RESEARCH PAPER
The Relationship between Training Load Indicators and the Total Quality Recovery Scale during the Preseason Period in Collegiate Taekwondo Athletes
Chan-Ho Park, Hyun Chul Jung
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 133–145
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/217225
RESEARCH PAPER
Neuromuscular Adaptation to Varying Drop Jump Heights: A Muscle Synergy Approach in Elite Handball Players
Jinwei Zhao, Kinga Łosińska, Luyao Chen, Piotr Aschenbrenner
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 147–164
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/217230
RESEARCH PAPER
Acute Normobaric Hypoxia at 2000 and 3000 m Significantly Lowers the Maximal Lactate Steady State (MLSS)in Trained Cyclists: Training Implications
Marta Bazańska-Janas, Natalia Grzebisz-Zatońska, Kamila Płoszczyca, Marek Janas, Adam Niemaszyk, Miłosz Czuba
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 165–178
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/217391
RESEARCH PAPER
Genes and Injuries in Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Kinga Łosińska, Paweł Cięszczyk, Adam Zając, Jarosław Markowski, Jan Pilch, Wojciech Smółka, Adam Maszczyk
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 179–198
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/218951
RESEARCH PAPER
Risk of Rhabdomyolysis and Kidney Injury after Intensive Exercise. Potential of Novel Biomarkers of Kidney Injury: A Narrative Review
Eugenia Murawska-Ciałowicz, Gilmara Gomes de Assis, Maria Ciałowicz, Ewa Bakońska-Pacoń
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 199–226
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/218100
RESEARCH PAPER
Thermal Responses to Exercise in Male Master Track & Field Athletes: Monitoring during Competition
Jakub Grzegorz Adamczyk, Bartłomiej Michalak, Łukasz Gutkowski, Jakub Bałdyka, Manuel Sillero-Quintana, Dariusz Boguszewski, Karol Gryko, Kazimierz Mikołajec, Anna Kopiczko
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 227–243
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/218447
RESEARCH PAPER
Strength and Power Responses to a Power-Oriented Resistance Training Model across an Entire Soccer Competitive Season
Renan F. H. Nunes, Lucas A. Pereira, Juan P. Fiorenza, Carlos A. Paes, Rafael Grazioli, Piotr Bryk, Irineu Loturco
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 245–255
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/218820
RESEARCH PAPER
Physiological Effects of the Cool Vest Jacket on Recovery after a Repeated Shuttle Sprint Ability Test
Carlos Lorente-González, Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido, Abraham Batalla-Gavaldà, Francisco Corbi
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 257–270
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/218610
RESEARCH PAPER
Managing Training Load in the Lead-Up to Competition: Session-Rating of Perceived Exertion, not the Acute-to-Chronic Workload Ratio, Associated with the Performance of Elite Swimmers
Alexanter Marinof, Jesús Martínez-Sobrino, Jesús Santos del Cerro, José María González-Ravé, Santiago Veiga
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 271–284
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/218950
RESEARCH PAPER
Pre-Exercise Hydration Modulates the Sweat Rate and Executive Control during Moderate Exercise to 3% Dehydration under Thermoneutral Conditions
Karol Skotniczny, Michał Toborek, Artur Terbalyan, Adam Zając, Mateusz Gawełczyk, Szymon Siatkowski, Jakub Chycki
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 285–303
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/220097
RESEARCH PAPER
Impact of Heat and Humidity on Critical Power and Physiological Responses during the Three-Minute All-Out Test in Cyclists
Yu-Hsuan Kuo, Yun-Rong Yang, Huey-June Wu, Yu-Chi Kuo
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 305–315
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/219785
RESEARCH PAPER
Core-Perception Coupling: Relationships among Core Temperature, the Rating of Perceived Exertion, and Thirst during Moderate Continuous Exercise under Different Hydration Status
Karol Skotniczny, Jan Walencik, Szymon Siatkowski, Jakub Chycki
Journal of Human Kinetics volume 101/2026, 317–338
DOI: 10.5114/jhk/220099
