Adolescence is a critical developmental period in which lifestyle behaviors and digital media exposure may influence physical, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes. This study examined differences in physical activity (PA), eating habits (EH), sleep quality (SQ), problematic internet use (PIU), and cognitive ability (CA) among adolescents participating in sport activity (SA) and non-sport (NS) extracurricular programs, while accounting for socioeconomic and demographic covariates. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 adolescents aged 12–16 years from public junior high schools in Jakarta, Indonesia (NS = 165; SA = 175). Validated instruments included the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), Adolescent Food Habits Checklist, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS), and Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices–Short. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests, Pearson correlations, and multivariate general linear models. SA participants reported higher PA, better SQ, lower PIU, and higher CA than NS participants (p ≤ .001), while EH differences were not significant in multivariate models. Multivariate results showed SA was associated with PA (p < .001), SQ (p = .001), and CA (p < .001). Affordability was associated with all outcomes (p = .036–.003), while parental education showed the strongest associations across all variables (p < .001). Correlations indicated strong associations among variables, with PIU showing the strongest negative association with CA (r ≈ −0.77 to −0.79). In conclusion, adolescents involved in SA programs reported higher physical activity levels, healthier eating habits, better sleep quality, lower problematic internet use, and higher cognitive ability compared with those in non-sport NS programs. However, socioeconomic factors, particularly parental education and affordability, were also associated with these outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of integrated school-based health promotion strategies addressing both behavioral and socioeconomic determinants of adolescent development.
Background: Even in healthy individuals, inter-limb asymmetry may influence locomotor efficiency, balance, and injury susceptibility. Turning movements place greater demands on bilateral coordination than straight-line locomotion. This study aimed to examine left–right asymmetry in lower extremity joint motion and mechanical function in adolescents during multiple locomotor tasks. Methods: Fifteen right-leg-dominant male adolescents (age: 15.4 ± 1.05 years; height: 160.62 ± 6.13 cm; body mass: 50.82 ± 5.28 kg) performed four tasks at self-selected speeds: straight walking, straight running, walking with turning, and running with turning. Three-dimensional kinematics were captured using a Vicon system, while ground reaction forces were simultaneously recorded with Kistler force platforms. Kinematic and kinetic data were filtered in MATLAB and processed in OpenSim. One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping was used to identify inter-limb differences across the entire stance phase. Results: Significant left–right differences in ankle, knee, and hip kinematics and kinetics were observed across all tasks. Running exhibited larger and more prolonged asymmetries than walking. Turning tasks amplified asymmetry further, particularly at the knee and ankle, while hip differences were most pronounced during running. Asymmetries were most evident in the ankle during early and mid-stance, in the knee across the majority of the turning stance, and in the hip throughout the running stance. Conclusions: Interlimb asymmetry was task-dependent, with greater differences in running than walking and further amplification during turning. These findings provide insight into lower limb motor control during demanding locomotor tasks and may inform injury prevention, rehabilitation, and the design of sport-related training programs. Highlights • Left–right asymmetries in ankle, knee, and hip kinematics were present across all tasks, with prolonged asymmetry in running than walking and further amplification during turning. • Asymmetry was joint- and phase-specific: hip asymmetry was nearly continuous during running stance, while ankle (early–mid stance) and knee (most of stance) asymmetries were most pronounced during turning tasks.
Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of a 6-week functional training (FT) program on body composition, neuromuscular performance, and technical proficiency in young adult male soccer players. Methods: Thirty young adult male soccer players (aged 19–24 years) were randomized into either a functional training group (FTG, n = 15), performing specialized strength, agility, and precision-based exercises thrice weekly, or a control group (CG, n = 15), engaging in standard soccer drills. Metrics assessed included leg muscle mass, fat mass, vertical jump, T-test agility, 30-m sprint, and passing accuracy (Loughborough Soccer Passing Test; LSPT) at baseline, week 3, and week 6. Results: No significant baseline differences were observed. Significant time × group interactions were found for leg muscle mass (FTG: +1.38 kg vs. CG: –0.14 kg, p < 0.001) and fat mass (FTG: –1.91 kg vs. CG: +0.76 kg, p < 0.001). The FTG demonstrated marked improvements in T-test agility (–11.58%, p < 0.001), 30-m sprint (–17.7%, p < 0.001), and LSPT total performance time (p < 0.001). Crucially, the FTG showed significant enhancements in explosive power and a substantial reduction in LSPT penalty points (p < 0.05) in both weeks 3 and week 6, whereas the CG remained stagnant. Conclusion: A 6-week FT intervention effectively optimizes neuromuscular coordination and movement efficiency in young adult male soccer players. By concurrently enhancing explosive power and technical passing accuracy, FT serves as an evidence-based strategy to maximize athletic capacity and skill development within a compressed training cycle.
Background: Individuals with fragility fractures typically show reduced functional status and lowered quality of life, but there is limited information on the role of accumulating fractures over longer follow-up time. This study examined the longitudinal association between the cumulative fragility fractures and self-reported physical capability (PC) and self-rated health (SRH) over a 20-year period in 6,612 older women. Methods: The 25-year questionnaire responders in the population-based Kuopio osteoporosis and risk-factor prevention (OSTPRE) study were selected as a base population for whom PC and SRH data were available from the earlier questionnaires. The cumulative number of fractures of the wrist, hip, ankle, humerus, and spine was assessed, with PC and SRH recorded at 10-year intervals from 1994 (baseline) to 2014 (endpoint). Associations with cumulative fracture count and PC/SRH were assessed with descriptive analyses and with longitudinal regression models for ordinal responses that were estimated with generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: Women in the no-fracture group consistently reported higher PC and SRH at all time points. At baseline, 93.9% of women without fractures reported good PC, with a 14.9 percentage point (pp) decline over 20 years; in comparison, declines were 19.5 pp, 16.2 pp, and 19.2 pp for those with one, two, and three or more fractures, respectively. Baseline SRH was similarly lower among women with fractures. The prevalence of good SRH at baseline was 47.9% in the no-fracture group, declining by 5.2 pp by the endpoint; corresponding declines for the one, two, and three or more fracture groups were 5.3 pp, 10.1 pp, and 3.2 pp. GEE analyses confirmed associations between cumulative fracture burden and worse PC and SRH after full adjustment, with comorbidity burden emerging as the strongest independent predictor of both outcomes. Conclusion: Women with fractures demonstrated consistently lower PC and SRH throughout the 20-year follow-up, with the greatest reductions observed in those with multiple fractures. Mitigating comorbidity burden and prioritizing fracture prevention may be essential strategies to maintain physical capability and self-rated health in aging populations.
Physical activity (PA) is positively associated with well-balanced regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), measured as heart rate variability (HRV), while obesity is linked more towards ANS dysfunction. However, the interplay between PA, obesity, and HRV during adolescence remains less understood. This study examined the relationship between PA, body mass index (BMI), and HRV in a population-based sample of adolescent men. The study included 3,389 adolescent men (mean age 18 ± 0.2 years, mean BMI 23 ± 4) attending military call-ups. Short-term vagal related HRV index root mean square of successive differences (rMSSD) was measured using a Polar (RS800) heart rate monitor. Body composition was assessed via bioimpedance (Inbody 720), and anthropometric data were collected using standard methods. PA was self-reported via standardized questionnaire and categorized into low, moderate, or high PA based on intensity and volume. Vagal modulation associated rMSSD significantly (p < 0.001) increased according to PA level both in normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9), overweight (BMI 25–29.9), and individuals with obesity groups (BMI ≥30). In multivariable models, PA alone explained 4% of rMSSD variance in individuals with normal weight (p < 0.001). Among participants with overweight PA together with waist circumference explained 5.9% (p < 0.001) of the variance in rMSSD and 7.4% (p < 0.001) of the variance among obese participants, respectively PA was positively associated with vagal modulation of HRV in adolescent men, regardless of BMI. The association was strongest in those with obesity, suggesting that regular physical activity may partially mitigate obesity-related reductions in vagal autonomic function.
Although adolescent athletes face a wide variety of different stressors, various breathing techniques have shown to have a significant impact on cognitive functions and stress levels. The objective of this scoping review is to identify, summarize, and analyse breathing techniques for the enhancement of cognitive functioning and stress reduction for a 14–17-year-old adolescent athlete population. Eight databases (Science Direct, Scopus, Cochrane, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, The Web of Science, and EBSCOhost Complete) were scanned for English-language research on breathing techniques used in adolescent sports environments from January 2000 to December 2023. Five articles were found eligible and implemented such techniques as heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback, slow-paced breathing, Yogic breathing techniques and relaxation breathing. The results showed significantly reduced anxiety, improved HRV indices, lung function and performance, changes in brain waves, significant prediction capability of biopsychosocial stress states and cognitive stress, improvement in positive affect, CO2 tolerance, psychological skills and responsiveness to stress. The included studies used a wide variety of different breathing techniques, and no clear consensus can be reached as to which breathing technique might be more prominent or useful. This scoping review provides the first look at this field for the adolescent athlete population.
Introduction: Middle-aged and older women experience physiological adaptations related to ageing and menopause, including declines in musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic health, wellbeing, and functionality. Strength training is crucial for mitigating these adaptations and promoting long-term health, yet participation rates in this cohort are low. Tailored interventions are needed to overcome specific barriers. This study aims to examine the efficacy of ‘Beginner to 5kg’ – a 6-week women-specific hybrid strength training and health education intervention on physical performance, wellbeing, physical self-efficacy, physical activity participation, and menopausal symptoms. Methods: Fifty-one female participants (52.5 ± 8.9 years, n = 12 pre-menopause, n = 12 perimenopause, n = 27 post-menopause) completed a 6-week intervention involving strength training (2*40-minutes/week, online and/or in-person) and health education (1*20-minute/week, online). The 60-second sit-to-stand test, 60-second box press-up test, 45-second static one-legged stance eyes-open balance test, WHO-5 wellbeing index, LIVAS physical self-efficacy questionnaire, single-item measure physical activity participation question, and menopausal rating scale were completed pre- and post-intervention. Paired samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests assessed changes pre- and post-intervention. Results: Post-intervention, there were significant improvements in the sit-to-stand test, box press-up test, wellbeing, physical self-efficacy, physical activity participation and menopausal symptoms (p < 0.05). No significant change was observed for static one-legged stance balance on either side (p > 0.05). Conclusion: ‘Beginner to 5kg’ significantly improved lower- and upper-body muscular strength and endurance, wellbeing, physical self-efficacy, physical activity participation, and menopausal symptoms in middle-aged and older women over six weeks. Education on strength training’s physiological role, training principles, recovery and nutrition is pivotal for understanding and enhancing confidence, supporting sustained engagement and health benefits.
Background: The disproportionality of chronic disease deaths such as breast cancer among Black women, has become a growing public health concern. Researchers are attempting to utilize primary prevention techniques in the form of physical activity to prevent future breast cancer diagnoses and deaths among Black women. Unfortunately, existing physical activity-based interventions have not thoroughly explored the cultural needs of a physical activity-based intervention that targets Black women specifically. The purpose of this study is to identify the needs of a culturally tailored physical activity intervention among Black women with a family history of breast cancer using constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory. Methods: Participants were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling methods. Once participants expressed interest in the study, they were screened for eligibility and enrolled once they provided their consent. A total of twelve individuals were invited to participate in focus groups to answer a series of questions reflective of the barriers and motivators related to physical activity engagement. All findings were thematically analyzed using Dedoose software. Results: Common barriers were as follows: environmental-level factors were both childcare and access to resources/gym, behavioral-level factors were fear/intimations and beliefs about physical activity, and personal-level factors were time management. Motivators were discovered to be: the environmental-level factor of an accountability partner, the behavioral-level factors of rewards/incentives, and the personal-level factor of self-motivation. Conclusions: Findings from this study showcase that the cultural needs of Black women with a family history of breast cancer are essential for designing an effective physical activity-based intervention.
Objective: To determine the incidence and characteristics of injuries among physicians participating in the 2022 National Medical Football Tournament. Design: Prospective observational cohort study. Methods: The tournament has been held annually in Colombia since 2017, similar to the World Medical Football Championship. The primary outcome was the incidence of injuries, expressed as the number of injuries per 1000 player-hours. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on the F-MARC questionnaire. Players who sustain injuries were contacted by telephone during the month post-tournament to complete the clinical characterization and confirm details of each injury. Secondary outcomes included the type, location, and causes of injuries. Results: A total of 500 physicians participated in the tournament. Sixty-four participants reported a total of 68 injuries, corresponding to an injury incidence of 35.3 injuries (95% CI 27.4–44.8) per 1000 player-hour. Most injuries occurred in the lower limb (86.7%), with thigh injuries leading (41%), followed by leg (27%) and knee (25%). Muscle and tendon injuries were most prevalent (59%), with trauma identified as the main cause (75%). Conclusions: This study highlights a high incidence of injuries in the Colombian medical football tournament compared with other amateur football tournaments. Although the types and anatomical locations of injuries were consistent with previous reports, the predominance of trauma as the main injury mechanism aligns with global evidence, emphasizing the physical demands and contact nature of the sport and underscoring the importance of implementing preventive strategies.
Introduction: Black women in the United States have higher rates of hypertension (56.9%) compared to White (36.9%) and Hispanic (36.8%) women. Physical activity can prevent and/or improve hypertension, yet most Black women do not meet the national guidelines for physical activity. Mind body physical activity interventions involve integrating principles of mindfulness with physical activity. The purpose of this review was to synthesize the available literature on the feasibility and acceptability outcomes of interventions and hypertension in Black women. Methods: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). A comprehensive search of three databases (PubMed, APA PsycInfo and Scopus) was performed. Results: In total, 321 records were screened and 41 were selected for full text review. Four studies met inclusion criteria, including two culturally tailored lifestyle interventions, a peer support and dancing intervention, and a church/faith-based walking intervention. Feasibility outcomes showed high feasibility of mind body physical activity interventions among Black women with hypertension. Three interventions show that incorporating faith-based components (e.g. prayer and gospel music) are acceptable to Black women. Qualitative findings suggest that participants had health-related motivation to participate in activities and the interventions facilitated peer and social support. Conclusions: This review demonstrates the promise of mind-body physical activity interventions for Black women with hypertension. Future studies should test the efficacy of these interventions as a means for managing hypertension in Black women.
Doping use in recreational sport is an emerging concern, yet limited research has examined the cognitive mechanisms underlying doping intentions in non-competitive settings. This study investigated whether Compensatory Health Beliefs (CHBs), beliefs that unhealthy behaviors can be offset by subsequent healthy actions, influence intentions to use doping substances through the mediating role of attitudes toward doping, after controlling for doping-related knowledge. A sample of 219 amateur gym trainees in Greece completed validated questionnaires assessing four dimensions of CHBs (substance use, health habits, stress management, and weight control), attitudes toward doping, doping intentions, and doping-related knowledge. Mediation analyses were conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 4). Results indicated that CHBs related to substance use, health habits, and weight control significantly predicted doping intentions, with attitudes mediating these relationships. Specifically, health habit- and weight control-related CHBs showed full mediation through attitudes, while substance-related CHBs exhibited partial mediation. In contrast, stress-related CHBs were not associated with doping attitudes or intentions. Doping-related knowledge did not significantly predict either attitudes or intentions and did not alter the mediation pathways. These findings suggest that CHBs serve as a psychological mechanism through which individuals rationalize doping, primarily by shaping more favorable attitudes. Interventions targeting doping behavior in recreational sport should address not only attitudes but also the compensatory justifications athletes use to engage in risky practices, while reconsidering the limited role of knowledge in this context.
Background: Dance-based exercise has been shown to improve balance, glucose control, and neuromuscular function. Thai dance, which involves rhythmic and multi-directional movements, may offer a culturally appropriate and enjoyable form of aerobic exercise for older adults. This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week Thai Dance Aerobic Training (TDAT) program on gait, balance, muscle strength, and sudomotor function in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods: Forty-four DPN participants were allocated to either a 12-week Thai Dance Aerobic Training (TDAT) intervention or a control group receiving standard care. Gait, balance, muscle strength, and sudomotor function were assessed. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA or non-parametric equivalents, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The TDAT group showed significant improvements in resting heart rate, blood pressure, body fat percentage, blood glucose, and HbA1C, along with reduced sensory loss based on the 10-g monofilament test. Significant group × time interactions were found for gait parameters, balance, fear of falling, and sudomotor function, including hand and foot electrochemical skin conductance. Muscle strength in the knee extensors, flexors, dorsiflexors, and plantar flexors significantly improved in the TDAT group compared to controls. Conclusion: Thai dance-based training is a safe, engaging, and effective alternative exercise for improving gait, balance, muscle strength, and sudomotor function in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). These findings support the potential of Thai dance as a culturally relevant, low-impact intervention that can be integrated into diabetic care programs to help manage DPN-related complications.
Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the cognitive changes of normal aging and early dementia. MCI is increasingly prevalent among the elderly. Some studies have shown that various pulmonary measures are associated with cognitive function. However, there has been limited investigation into this matter regarding cognitive impairment among community-dwelling individuals, particularly in relation to pulmonary function. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function and cognitive performance in female older adults with MCI. Methods: This study involved 21 female older adults aged 64 to 77 years, all diagnosed with MCI. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with scores ranging from 18 to 24. Executive function was evaluated using the Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B). Pulmonary function was measured through Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) using a computerized spirometer. Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze the relationship between cognitive and pulmonary function variables. A Bonferroni correction was applied to adjust for multiple comparisons (10 tests), setting the significance threshold at p < 0.005. Results: The analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between TMT-B scores and FVC (r = –0.602, p = 0.004). However, no statistically significant correlations were found between TMT-B scores and either FEV1 (r = –0.534, p = 0.029) or MVV (r = –0.359, p = 0.110) after Bonferroni correction. Similarly, no significant correlations were observed between MoCA scores and MVV (r = 0.315, p = 0.165), FVC (r = 0.441, p = 0.045), or FEV1 (r = 0.476, p = 0.029). Conclusion: The findings suggest an association between better pulmonary function and improved cognitive performance, particularly in female older adults with MCI. These findings highlight the importance of considering respiratory health as part of a comprehensive approach to cognitive aging and dementia prevention.
Background: The lunge exercise is commonly adopted in public fitness programs. However, inadequate training experience and knowledge may result in improper actions, resulting in lowering training efficacy and possibly causing exercise-related diseases. Methods: Twenty-four male fitness trainees (12 novices and 12 experienced seniors) were recruited. Kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation were measured during forward and backward lunges with different loading positions. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping (SPM1D) were employed to explore various between training experience across different loading positions and lunge directions. Results: Hip, knee, and ankle ROM and angle peaks were significantly greater in novices than in seniors (P < 0.001). During forward lunges, dumbbells reduced hip moments and stiffness in novices (P < 0.001), while barbells increased ankle moments in seniors (P = 0.022). In the backward lunges, novices showed increased negative power and significant joint instability with dumbbells. Conclusions: Training experience is the significant influence during male lunge exercises. Novices show more stability when using dumbbells instead of barbells for forward lunges. Novices are less stable during backward lunges than more experienced seniors. Overall, novices get a greater benefit of training with dumbbells, while seniors are less likely to hurt their knees and ankles when they use barbells.
Background: There is currently no study that concurrently investigates physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, pulmonary function, HIT-6 Score, and the impact of smoking in young adults. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationships between pulmonary function, physical activity level, and headache occurrence among university students, with a focus on differences between smokers and non-smokers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 207 university students (103 smokers and 104 non-smokers). Pulmonary function was assessed using Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). Physical activity and sedentary behavior were evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The impact of headaches on daily life was measured using the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels were recorded to assess smoking exposure. Results: Regression analysis indicated that FEV1 significantly predicted HIT-6 Score in both smoker and non-smoker groups (R2 = 0.092, p = 0.003; R2 = 0.062, p = 0.012, respectively). Additionally, Body Mass Index (BMI) was a significant predictor of HIT-6 Score in the non-smoker group (R2 = 0.097, p = 0.006). Conclusion: FEV1 and BMI are significant predictors of headache occurrence among university students. Furthermore, sedentary behavior and CO levels differentiate smokers from non-smokers, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions in young adult populations. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06680570, registered on july, 2024.
E-cigarettes may contribute to aortic stiffness through inflammation and elastic lamina fragmentation. Inflammation triggers IL-6, IL-15, and FSTL-1 production in oxidative cells. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise also increases these cytokines; however, it confers cardiovascular benefits. This study investigates the effects of e-cigarettes and aerobic exercise on IL-6, IL-15, FSTL-1, and aortic elastic lamina fragmentation in male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups: control, exercise, e-cigarette, and combined e-cigarette plus exercise. After six weeks, aortic tissue was analyzed for cytokine expression using Western blot and for elastic lamina fragmentation using Elastic-Van Gieson staining. E-cigarette exposure significantly increased IL-6 (1.14 ± 0.362) and IL-15 (1.07 ± 0.252) compared to the control group (IL-6: 0.48 ± 0.103, p = 0.002; IL-15: 0.49 ± 0.091, p < 0.001). Exercise also increased IL-6 (0.72 ± 0.200, p = 0.017) and IL-15 (0.69 ± 0.211, p = 0.046). Aortic fragmentation was significantly higher in the e-cigarette group (11.00 ± 3.46) compared to the control (4.71 ± 2.69, p = 0.003) and combined groups (5.86 ± 2.54, p = 0.008). Elastic lamina fragmentation positively correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.772, p = 0.001) and IL-15 (r = 0.688, p = 0.009). FSTL-1 expression was inversely correlated with fragmentation in the e-cigarette groups (r = –0.564, p = 0.036). E-cigarettes promote inflammation and aortic damage, whereas exercise reduces elastic lamina fragmentation. FSTL-1 may have a protective role in limiting aortic damage.
