The game of soccer is physically demanding. A couple of strength and conditioning sessions, practices, and a competitive schedule, and it is plausible that each athlete on the team may develop deficits in performance (slower reaction times, less explosive, etc.). This study aimed to investigate whether a competitive soccer season impacted maximal and rapid force characteristics in female soccer players. Eighteen female Division II National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) soccer players with a mean age of 19.28 (standard deviation [SD]=1.07) years, height 167.38 (SD=6.91) cm, and weight 62.83 (SD=7.26) kg participated in the study. The participants were assessed before the competitive season began (pre-season) and during the final week of the regular season (end of season). Each participant performed two isometric mid-thigh pulls (IMTP) with knee angles between 125° and 145°. A wireless uniaxial dual force plate system sampling at 1,000 Hz was used to collect the provided metrics of absolute force (peak force [PF], PF50, PF100, PF150, PF200, and PF250) and absolute rate of force development (RFD) (RFD0-50 milliseconds [ms], 0-100 ms, 0-150 ms, 0-150 ms, 0-200 ms, and 0-250 ms). A Wilcoxon Non-Parametric test observed a significant decline in PF across the season (P=0.018). At the same time, no differences were seen for time-specific PFs (P=0.215 to 0.723), or RFD (RFD0-50 ms, 0-100 ms, 0-150 ms, 0-150 ms, 0-200 ms (P=0.157 to 0.327), a significant difference was seen for RFD0-250 ms (P=0.048). The present study observed minimal deficits in maximal and rapid force characteristics across a competitive soccer season. The findings provide important insights for programming for female competitive soccer players, potentially enhancing athletic performance and success within a competitive soccer season.
Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and Down syndrome (DS) often experience impaired balance and postural control, increasing their risk of falls and functional limitations. Dual-task training, which simultaneously engages cognitive and motor processes, may offer a promising approach to address these deficits. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dual-task training on improving balance and postural stability in individuals with ID and DS. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase from inception until December 2025. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of dual-task interventions on balance outcomes in individuals with ID or DS. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool were performed independently by two reviewers following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Of the 992 initially retrieved records, eight RCTs involving 311 participants were included. Interventions varied in duration, type, and intensity of dual-task training. Most studies used objective balance measures, such as stabilometric platforms, and clinical assessments, such as the Berg Balance Scale or the Timed Up-and-Go Test. Across all studies, dual-task training demonstrated positive effects on static and dynamic balance, with greater improvements observed in interventions combining cognitive and motor challenges. Dual-task training appears to be an effective strategy for enhancing balance and postural stability in youth with ID and DS. These findings support its inclusion in rehabilitation and physical education programs. However, further high-quality studies with follow-up assessments are needed to evaluate long-term effects.
This cross-sectional study examined differences in absolute and relative peak force (PF), time-dependent force measures, and absolute rate of force development (RFD) among positional groups during isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) testing. A total of 22 female collegiate athletes were included in this research. The participants had a mean age of 19.36 (SD=1.05) years, with a mean height of 167.63 (SD=6.34) cm and a mean body weight of 63.06 (SD=6.65) kg. Each participant performed two IMTPs at knee angles of 125°-145°. A wireless, single-axis dual force plate system with a 1,000 Hz sampling rate was utilized to record both absolute and relative force metrics including PF50, PF100, PF150, PF200, and PF250, as well as absolute RFD across time intervals of 0–50 ms, 0–100 ms, 0–150 ms, 0–200 ms, and 0–250 ms. Between-group comparisons using a Kruskal-Wallis test observed significant differences for all absolute and relative force data (P=0.011-0.032). Post-hoc analysis revealed greater absolute PF at all time-specific forces for forwards compared to midfielders (P=0.015-0.050). Significant differences were observed among defenders, with PF50, PF200, and PF250 significantly higher than among midfielders (P=0.024-0.045). For relative forces, all variables were significantly greater for forwards vs. midfielders (P=0.012-0.048). For absolute RFD, all RFD metrics were significantly different between positions (P=0.012-0.022). Post hoc analyses revealed greater early and late RFD for forwards than for midfielders (P=0.015-0.050) and for defenders than for midfielders (P=0.025-0.042). For absolute and relative time-specific and maximal forces, the present study found that midfielders had lower values than players in other positions. Differences in position demands could contribute to these findings; however, further research is warranted.
While pharmacological treatment provides short-term comfort, non-pharmacological therapies, such as Box Breathing, offer a structured method for relaxation and improved sleep patterns in older adults. The purpose of this case study is to evaluate the utility of Box Breathing as an adjunctive therapy for insomnia in older adults. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was administered before and after the intervention to measure the participants’ sleep quality. After completing a 12-week Box Breathing routine, the patient’s sleep improved moderately, which hints that the practice may affect autonomic regulation. Although daytime fatigue persisted, the intervention demonstrated efficacy in promoting pre-sleep relaxation and reducing nighttime awakenings. Because the technique is easy to administer and simple to use, it is a viable option for sleep management. Future research with long-term follow-up and a larger sample size is needed to establish its role in the management of insomnia.
Retiring from professional sport is a major life change that can deeply impact athletes' mental health, especially for those with a strong athletic identity. Although awareness of mental health issues in retired athletes is increasing worldwide, there is little research on African footballers. This study investigated the relationship between athletic identity and mental health outcomes among retired male Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League (ZPSL) footballers, employing a mixed-methods approach to examine both the magnitude and the lived experience of this association. Fifty retired male ZPSL footballers (aged 35–55; 44.7 [SD=5.8]) completed the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Fifteen of them also took part in semi-structured interviews about their retirement experiences. Quantitative data were analyzed with Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed for themes. There was a significant positive link between athletic identity and psychological distress (r=0.52, P<0.001). Participants had high AIMS scores (39.2 [SD=7.1]) and GHQ-28 scores (27.8 [SD=8.5]), with 62% above the clinical threshold for psychological distress. The interviews highlighted three main themes: identity loss, social isolation, and difficulties with career transitions. Strong athletic identity constitutes a significant risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes following retirement from professional football in Zimbabwe. These findings underscore the urgent need for proactive psychosocial support programs, career development initiatives, and mental health services specifically designed for transitioning and retired athletes in resource-limited contexts.
