It is unknown whether graft type influences post-exercise changes in neuromuscular function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and, specifically, how different grafts affect electromyographic median frequency (EMG-MF), an indirect spectral descriptor of muscle activation during dynamic tasks. In this cross-sectional study, 53 physically active men (18–30 years) participated: 38 with unilateral ACLR were divided into single-bundle hamstring tendon (SB-HT), n=12; double-bundle hamstring tendon (DB-HT), n=16; and allograft, n=10; and 15 healthy controls. Participants completed a progressive treadmill running protocol using ≥85
Boxing-based training has emerged as a multicomponent exercise modality for aging populations; however, its implementation characteristics and health-related outcomes remain heterogeneous and insufficiently synthesized. This scoping review aimed to systematically map and critically characterize the application of structured boxing-based training in middle-aged and older adults, focusing on intervention characteristics, feasibility, and reported health-related outcomes. This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute framework and reported following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Databases were searched from inception to June 2025, and weekly search alerts were monitored until October 25, 2025. A comprehensive search was performed across 15 electronic databases and gray literature sources from inception to June 2025, followed by weekly monitoring of search alerts until October 25, 2025. Studies involving individuals aged ≥45 years undergoing structured boxing-based training were included. Data extraction focused on intervention characteristics, adherence, acceptability, and health-related outcomes. A total of 49 studies involving 1,033 participants were included. Most interventions were conducted in clinical populations, particularly individuals with Parkinson’s disease, while evidence in healthy aging populations was limited. Interventions were predominantly non-contact and varied substantially in frequency, duration, and structure. Balance, mobility, and gait were the most frequently assessed outcomes. Overall, adherence and acceptability were high when reported. Boxing-based training appears to be a feasible and well-accepted intervention in aging populations, particularly in clinical settings; however, substantial heterogeneity in intervention design limits comparability. Future research should prioritize standardization of protocols and expand investigation into non-clinical populations.
This study aimed to analyze the relationship between physical activity (PA) level, sedentary behavior (SB) duration, and the quality of life (QoL) among people living with HIV (PLWH). In total, 183 PLHIV from a Reference Center in Santarém, Pará, Brazil, participated in this cross-sectional study. Information was collected on socioeconomic, clinical, QoL, PA, and SB variables. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, adopting p<0.05. Participants had a mean age of 36.49±11.27 years, and most were male (58
This study aimed to validate the novel "Sanda-specific planned agility test" (S-SPAT) for assessing sport-specific planned agility in Sanda Wushu and establish its relationship with planned agility, linear speed, and lower-limb power. 49 elite athletes (30 males, 19 females; 7.6 ± 1.6 years of training) completed a test–retest protocol performing the S-SPAT alongside reference tests for linear speed (5m, 20m sprints), lower-limb power (Squat Jump, Countermovement Jump, Standing Long Jump, 3-hop jump), dynamic balance (Y-Balance test), and generic planned agility (T-Test). The S-SPAT demonstrated high convergent validity, showing no systematic differences from the T-Test (p > 0.05) with moderate-to-large correlations (r = 0.5–0.9) across genders. It exhibited excellent psychometric properties, including good-to-excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.86–0.94), low typical measurement error (TEM
Competitive anxiety is a critical factor influencing performance in explosive, self-paced sports such as sprinting. Although mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches are increasingly used in sport psychology, evidence for their effects in young female track athletes remains limited. This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of an 8 week Mindfulness–Acceptance–Commitment (MAC) program on pre-competitive anxiety, mindfulness skills, and 200 m sprint performance in junior female sprinters. Thirty national-level junior female sprinters aged 17–18 years participated in the study. Fifteen athletes recruited from two regional clubs participated in the MAC intervention, whereas fifteen athletes recruited from a third club continued their usual training. Because intervention condition was completely confounded with club membership, differences in coaching practices, training environment, team culture, and expectancy may have contributed to between-group differences. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised (CSAI-2R), the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and an electronically timed 200-m sprint test. The intervention consisted of one 60-min group session per week for 8 consecutive weeks. Significant Group × Time interactions were observed for cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence (all p < .001). In the MAC group, cognitive anxiety decreased from 15.47 ± 1.41 to 10.07 ± 1.33, somatic anxiety decreased from 17.20 ± 2.11 to 13.80 ± 1.57, and self-confidence increased from 10.47 ± 1.68 to 16.67 ± 1.45. Significant Group × Time interactions were also observed across all five FFMQ facets, including Describing, Acting with Awareness, Non-judging of Inner Experience, Non-reactivity to Inner Experience, and Observing, with greater pre–post improvements in the MAC group than in the control group. For example, Nonjudging of Inner Experience increased in the MAC group from 19.80 ± 2.18 to 21.20 ± 2.04, whereas the control group remained unchanged (20.60 ± 1.64 to 20.60 ± 1.64). Mean 200-m sprint time decreased from 26.63 ± 0.60 s to 26.20 ± 0.54 s in the MAC group, representing a 0.43-s reduction (1.61
Despite wider access to remote/home-based exercise, many breast cancer survivors still decline structured programs. We analyzed the sociodemographic/clinical profile of women on adjuvant endocrine therapy who declined an online exercise intervention and explored their reasons for non-participation. This ancillary cross-sectional survey was nested within a registered parent randomized trial (ReBEC RBR-3tqb39m). Ninety-eight women on adjuvant endocrine therapy were contacted; 25 were not reached. Of the 73 screened, 4 were excluded before randomization and 39 provided written consent and were randomized to supervised online or unsupervised home-based training. The 30 women who declined the intervention were invited to this survey; 21 completed questionnaires covering reasons for non-participation, physical activity (IPAQ), fatigue (FACT-F), and breast cancer-specific health-related quality of life (FACT-B). Decliners were compared with acceptors at baseline. Decliners reported significantly higher physical activity levels than acceptors (IPAQ 3108 [1840–5139] vs. 2046 [960–4216] MET-min/week; p = 0.04). A trend toward better fatigue scores was observed in decliners (FACT-F 134 [114–140] vs. 118 [99.5–131]; p = 0.06) while breast cancer-specific health-related quality of life was similar between groups (FACT-B 113 [92–122] vs. 110 [92–118.5]; p = 0.332). The most frequent reasons for declining were already being physically active (52
Despite insights into supraspinal fatigue, it remains unclear whether non-invasive brainstimulation can acutely extend maximal running time. Here, the objective was to examine whetheranodal tDCS over the left DLPFC would prolong time to exhaustion (Tlim) and modulate perceivedexertion in trained men. TThe study involved 12 trained men (age: 25.1-5.3 years). Initially,participants performed a maximal incremental test on a treadmill to establish the maximum velocityassociated with maximum oxygen consumption (100 2Max ). Subsequently, the subjects underwenttwo experimental conditions: they performed the time limit test (Tlim) after applying anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) (2mA for 20 minutes) or a sham. The interventions were randomized, with a 48-hour intervalrespected between each visit. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected after the Tlim tests. There was a significant difference in Tlim (p=0.03), where the a-tDCS condition lasted longer(174.3s ± 34.4s) compared to the sham condition (159.5s ± 36.4s). Anodal tDCS applied tothe left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex acutely improved anaerobic power performance in trained subjects,with no changes observed in RPE.
Load carriage has been widely studied; however, gait and jump performance assessment after prolonged military load carriage in experienced soldiers has received less attention. This study aimed to map neuromuscular, physiological, and gait changes associated with long-distance simulated load carriage in experienced military personnel. Sixteen male soldiers performed a 12-km simulated military march with a 30-kg load on a treadmill. Gait and vertical jump characteristics were evaluated pre- and post-task using ground reaction force (GRF) measurements. Heart rate (HR), pelvic accelerometry, and Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) data were collected at the beginning and end of the march. Decline in lower-limb mechanical performance following prolonged load carriage was evidenced by reduced gait propulsive forces (second peak of force: 1.17 ± 0.05 vs 1.14 ± 0.05
To identify the best-performing nationalities and race locations for professional IRONMAN® triathletes, and to explore the best environmental conditions. We collected and analyzed records from 6,848 professional finishers representing 37 countries participating in 54 IRONMAN® race locations between 2002 and 2022. Information extracted includes athlete information (sex, country of origin, race location), performance (hh:mm:ss), and environmental conditions (i.e., water and air temperature). A non-linear machine learning predictive model was developed with race finish time as the predicted variable and sex, country of origin, event location, and the locations’ average air and water temperatures as predictors. Several model interpretability tools were used to assess the contribution of each predictor to the model’s predictions. All analyses, modeling, and visualizations were performed using Python. Among the top five, the fastest overall male race times were achieved by athletes from Ukraine (8.71±0.58 h), Portugal (8.79±0.41 h), Poland (8.94±0.68 h), Switzerland (8.98±0.48 h), and Estonia (9.00±0.67 h). The fastest overall female race times were recorded by athletes from Poland (9.37±0.35 h), Finland (9.53±0.64 h), Chile (9.70±0.33 h), Switzerland (9.71±0.55 h), and Denmark (9.78±0.59 h). The fastest overall race times were achieved at IRONMAN® Tallinn (9.01±0.67 h), and IRONMAN® Switzerland Thun (9.02±0.38 h). The model identified sex as the most important predictor, followed by the athlete’s country of origin. For air temperature, the model predicted the best race times within a range of 19 to 27 °C. For water temperature, the model favored warmer temperatures for faster race time predictions. The professional IRONMAN® performance is influenced by a combination of geographical and environmental factors. European countries and race locations were consistently associated with superior performances, while favorable environmental conditions were characterized by relatively warm water temperatures and moderate air temperatures.
Cardiorespiratory fitness is an important determinant of cardiovascular health and functional independence in ageing women. Postmenopausal physiological changes, including reduced muscle mass and increased central adiposity, may negatively influence cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic risk. Aims: This study examined the association between musculoskeletal markers (handgrip strength and lean mass) and cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women. A total of 136 women (age: 61.3 ± 6.4 years; body mass index (BMI): 27.2 ± 3.1 kg/m2; VO₂peak: 17.5 ± 4.5 ml.kg−1.min−1), who had been postmenopausal for at least one year, were evaluated. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the standard Bruce treadmill protocol with continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic monitoring and gas analysis. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), including appendicular lean mass (ALM), appendicular lean mass index (ALMI), trunk fat mass (TFM), and the ALM/TFM ratio, an index of capacity-to-metabolic load balance. Muscle strength was evaluated by a handgrip dynamometer (absolute and relative to body mass). Based on bivariate associations and the need to avoid multicollinearity between mathematically related indicators, ALM/TFM and relative handgrip strength were retained as musculoskeletal predictors in the hierarchical regression model. ALM/TFM was the only significant predictor of VO₂peak (β = 0.307; p = 0.003), whereas age, years since menopause, and relative handgrip strength were not significant predictors (all p > 0.05). The final model explained 31.1
To assess the incidence rate of lower limb injuries in children and adolescents practicing combat sports. Five databases (Embase, PubMed, SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched, encompassing articles published up to February 04, 2026. Studies investigating individuals ≤19 years old practicing any combat sport were considered eligible. Information extracted from included articles comprised key elements, such as sample size, participants’ age and sex, exposure measure, sport characteristics, use of protective gear, injury types, and incidence rates. Injury incidence rates (IR) were estimated and reported per 1000 athlete exposure (AE). From 1951 records found, 148 were assessed for eligibility, and 30 included for analysis. Of these, most studies investigated Wrestling (n=18), followed by Taekwondo (n=5), Judo (n=4), and Karate (n=3). Due to overlapping samples, only 12 studies were further assessed by presenting individual study estimates in forest plots. The IR for grappling sports ranged from 0.07 to 3.85 per 1000 AE, including Wrestling (0.07 to 1.86) and Judo (3.85). For striking sports, the IR ranged from 4.60 to 23.66 per 1,000 AE, including Karate (5.00 to 12.74) and Taekwondo (4.60 to 23.66). The most commonly reported injured body parts were the foot/toes, knees, and ankles. Within the limitations of this systematic review, children and adolescents practicing combat sports presented IRs ranging from 0.07 to 23.66 per 1,000 AE considering lower limb injuries, with higher IRs observed in studies assessing striking sports compared to grappling sports.
Concurrent training is frequently utilized by endurance runners due to its physiological and neuromuscular benefits. However, despite its practical relevance, the acute effects of a bodyweight (BW) circuit session on self-paced interval training (ITSP), in which runners freely regulate their running speed during each interval, and whether these effects differ by sex, remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acute effects of BW circuit on ITSP performance, perceptual, and physiological responses, comparing male and female runners. Sixteen runners (8 men, 8 women) completed two ITSP sessions (8 × 200 m with 90 s recovery) under randomized, counterbalanced conditions: (i) a control condition and (ii) a condition preceded by a BW circuit consisting of four exercises performed for three sets of 15 s of work and of 45 s rest. Readiness for exercise was evaluated immediately pre ITSP by a 10-point scale. The BW circuit impaired performance (339.9 ± 51.2 vs. 325.1 ± 52.1 s, p < 0.01), irrespective of sex (p > 0.05). The BW circuit also reduced readiness for ITSP (5.8 ± 2.2 vs. 7.5 ± 2.0 a.u., p < 0.05), with no significant changes in heart rate or rating of perceived exertion (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that a BW circuit induces sufficient acute fatigue to impair subsequent interval running performance, regardless of sex. Coaches should consider exercise sequencing when integrating bodyweight circuits and high-intensity interval sessions within the same training day.
Evidence for the effects of sports supplements on recovery, muscle damage, and inflammation during intense, repetitive exercise remains limited. This study examined the effects of 8-week milk protein concentrate (MPC) supplementation on blood lactate, CK, LDH, and CRP in CrossFit athletes. This randomized, double-blind controlled trial included 25 male CrossFit athletes. Participants completed an 8-week sport-specific CrossFit program (4 sessions/week) consisting of four standardized WODs: WOD1, 12-min “For Time” (bench press, back squat, dumbbell swings); WOD2, 15-min AMRAP (thrusters, V-ups); WOD3, “For Time” (deadlift and burpees); and WOD4, 15-min AMRAP (snatch, 200-m run, sit-ups). The supplement group consumed 40 g milk protein concentrate (≈32 g protein) 1 h before sleep, whereas the placebo group received 40 g maltodextrin. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05. A significant Group × Time interaction was observed for blood lactate (p = 0.010, ηp2 = 0.25), with an attenuated rise in the MPC group. No significant Group × Time interactions were found for CK, LDH, or CRP (p > 0.05). Within-group reductions in CK and LDH occurred in the supplementation arm (p = 0.001), but these did not result in superior between-group effects. No significant changes were observed in BMI (p > 0.05). Eight weeks of bedtime MPC supplementation significantly attenuated blood lactate accumulation in male CrossFit athletes. However, it did not produce superior between-group effects on muscle damage or inflammatory markers compared to placebo. IRCT20231228060556N1 with the Clinical Trial Registry 2024–02-14.
Low back pain is a common condition reported by white- and blue-collar workers. It is unknown whether quality of life (QoL) is associated with low back pain among these occupational groups, and whether moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) influences this association. The sample consisted of 263 participants, including 99 blue-collar workers (37.6
Therapeutic recreation is a discipline that uses leisure in professional interventions to improve health, function, and emotional well-being. While its history has led to professionalisation, there is a need to evaluate the educational frameworks supporting this. This study examines therapeutic recreation education in Türkiye, identifies challenges, and suggests solutions for its development. A qualitative phenomenological design captured experts’ lived experiences and insights. The 21 academics from five regions of Türkiye, selected using maximum-variation sampling, provided data via forms and semi-structured online interviews (averaging 33 min). Content analysis and MAXQDA 26 software ensured rigorous, transparent analysis. Findings highlight a gap in therapeutic recreation education between theory and practice. Academics stress that while theory is vital, the lack of applied courses and practical opportunities harms professional competence. Although employment prospects are broad due to rising social awareness and the growing needs of people with disabilities, a clear occupational definition and professional recognition are lacking, posing barriers. The field’s interdisciplinary nature links health, education, and social services, but its potential remains underutilised. To advance the field, establish a standardised definition for therapeutic recreation specialists and promote their employment, improving education quality will ensure job security and enhance services. Future research should compare educational models across universities for a unified academic framework.
This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on skeletal muscle metabolic determinants of inter-individual variation in weight and fat loss responses to exercise-based and combined lifestyle interventions. Responses to exercise and lifestyle interventions exhibit substantial inter-individual variability, particularly in weight and fat loss. Despite similar exercise prescriptions, many individuals show minimal or no improvements in body composition. Accumulating evidence indicates that skeletal muscle metabolic characteristics may underlie this variability. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science following PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies included adult human interventions reporting responder and non-responder phenotypes for weight or fat loss outcomes and incorporating skeletal muscle metabolic, molecular, or phenotypic assessments. Findings were qualitatively synthesized with emphasis on mitochondrial function, metabolic pathways, metabolomic profiles, and molecular or genetic markers related to skeletal muscle metabolism. Included studies consistently demonstrated marked heterogeneity in weight and fat loss responses despite comparable intervention protocols. Non-response emerged as a reproducible and biologically meaningful phenomenon rather than random variation. Differential responsiveness was associated with skeletal muscle metabolic features, such as mitochondrial oxidative capacity, amino acid metabolism, metabolomic signatures, adipokine profiles, and genetic variation, related to mitochondrial function. Importantly, group-level mean effects often masked clinically relevant responder and non-responder subgroups. Skeletal muscle metabolic phenotype appears to be a key determinant of inter-individual variation in weight and fat loss responses to exercise and lifestyle interventions. These findings support phenotyping-based, precision-oriented exercise strategies that account for biological heterogeneity.
Father involvement in play is recognized as a critical factor in children’s emotional and social development, yet experimental evidence on father-mediated traditional games in school-aged children remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the effects of father involvement in the Bentengan traditional game on the emotional and social development of elementary school boys. Thirty boys were randomly assigned to either a father-involvement Bentengan group (n = 15) or a Bentengan group without father involvement (n = 15). Emotional development was assessed using the Children’s Emotional Adjustment Scale (CEAS), and social development was evaluated with the Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS). Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, and data were analyzed using ANCOVA to control for baseline scores. ANCOVA results indicated a significant improvement in emotional development in the father-involvement group compared to the control group (F = 56.36, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.64). However, no significant difference was found between the groups for social development (F = 0.205, p = 0.645, partial η2 = 0.006), although post-test VSMS scores were slightly higher in the father-involvement group. Father involvement in culturally grounded traditional games such as Bentengan is an effective strategy to enhance emotional development in elementary school boys. While short-term involvement did not significantly affect social maturity, these findings highlight the importance of integrating structured, father-inclusive play activities in school or community programs to support children’s emotional well-being. This clinical trial was registered with Iran’s Clinical Trial Registration Center (IRCT) [IRCT201909088044722N13] on 20 January 2026.
To investigate, in adults with coronary artery disease (CAD), (i) the comparative effectiveness of aerobic exercise interventions differing in intensity and/or pattern—low-, moderate- and high-intensity continuous training (LICT, MICT, HICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)—versus usual care or no exercise, and (ii) the relative effectiveness of continuous versus interval modalities, on peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and mortality. MEDLINE (PubMed), CENTRAL, EMBASE, PEDro, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to June 2026, with grey-literature sources and reference-list screening, without language restrictions. Randomized trials were eligible per our PICO strategy. Population: adults with CAD; Intervention: aerobic exercise classified by intensity following the European Association of Preventive Cardiology; comparator: another aerobic intensity, usual care (cardiac rehabilitation without structured aerobic prescription), or control (no intervention); outcomes: VO₂peak (primary), HRQoL and mortality (secondary). Two reviewers independently extracted data and appraised methodological quality (PEDro); risk of bias for the certainty assessment used RoB 2 within CINeMA. 78 trials (6287 participants) were included; 58 (3171 participants) contributed to VO₂peak, 7 (553) to HRQoL and 13 (2,563) to mortality. For VO₂peak versus usual care, HIIT (MD = 3.92 mL/kg/min, 95
This study examined the relationships between sports nutrition knowledge, healthy-eating attitudes, and sports supplement beliefs in physically active adults. Within the Knowledge–Attitude–Practice (KAP) framework, the joint associations of knowledge and the cognitive and affective dimensions of attitudes with supplement beliefs were examined. In this cross-sectional study, 344 physically active adults aged 19–65 in İzmir, Türkiye, completed the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN), the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ), and the Sports Supplements Beliefs Scale (SSBS) between February and April 2024. Analyses used non-parametric tests with effect sizes, Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression. Healthy-eating attitudes were positive (64.0
Metformin, a biguanide commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has recently gained attention for its potential ergogenic effects. Whilst prior studies have reported improvements in anaerobic performance following metformin intake, its impact on agility, an ability requiring complex neuromuscular coordination and rapid energy turnover, remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of metformin on agility performance and physiological responses during two repeated-bout agility protocols. Fourteen healthy, physically active males (23.6 ± 3.3 years) participated in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Participants completed six bouts of two agility tests: the T test (ATP-PCr dominant) and the Illinois agility test (glycolytic dominant), 60 min after ingesting 500 mg of metformin or placebo. Performance (total and fastest exercise-bout time and magnitude of change in performance), heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and glucose were measured. Performance progressively declined over time (p < 0.05), whilst RPE and heart rate increased linearly (p < 0.05) and exponentially (p < 0.05), respectively, with no significant differences between the experimental conditions (p > 0.05) for either intermittent agility protocol. No main effect of moment or condition was found for glucose in either test (p > 0.05). Acute metformin intake does not enhance agility performance or alter physiological responses during repeated high-intensity efforts in healthy, active men. These findings suggest that the metabolic effects of a single metformin dose are insufficient to improve performance and psychophysiological responses in short-duration, high-intensity and neuromuscular tasks.
