Sustained engagement in physical activity during adolescence is a critical determinant of long-term health and well-being. Performance feedback is widely used in youth sport settings, yet its motivational impact may depend on athletes’ developmental stage and training experience. This study examined adolescents’ motivational responses following individualized sprint performance feedback and investigated whether training experience and sprint performance moderated these responses. Fifty-three adolescent athletes (mean age = 14.86 ± 0.81 years) completed a brief five-item questionnaire assessing commitment, enjoyment, self-determination, intention to continue training, and self-efficacy immediately after receiving individualized sprint performance feedback. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to evaluate the scale’s factorial structure and reliability. A two-way analysis of variance examined the effects of training age (1–6 vs. 7–12 years) and sprint performance (faster vs. slower) on overall motivational response. Factor analyses provided preliminary support for a unidimensional motivational response construct (ω = 0.92; α = 0.92). Overall motivational responses following feedback were moderately positive. Sprint performance demonstrated a significant main effect on motivation. Importantly, a significant interaction between training age and performance emerged as the key finding, indicating that less experienced athletes were more sensitive to performance outcomes, whereas motivation among more experienced athletes remained relatively stable. Individualized sprint performance feedback appears to be associated with moderately positive motivational responses in adolescent athletes, particularly during early stages of sport participation. These findings highlight the importance of developmentally appropriate feedback strategies that emphasize progress and competence development to support engagement in youth sport, which may be relevant for sustained participation over time.

This study assessed the effectiveness of a position-specific and time-efficient warm-up injury prevention program for male football players. This season-long quasi-experimental study included 129 male amateur football players. A structured injury prevention program was incorporated into the warm-up routine during the preseason and competitive season. Prospectively collected injury data from the intervention season were compared with retrospectively collected injury data from the previous season and included injury incidence, the number of injured players, injury severity, and injury burden. The program included general exercises and position-specific modifications for defenders, midfielders, and attackers. Implementation of the program was associated with a 60% reduction in total injuries (p < 0.05) and a 60.3% reduction in total injured players The injury burden was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), as indicated by a reduced mean day lost per injury from 33.24 to 19.56 days. Although injury reductions were observed across all playing positions, between-position differences were not statistically significant. The type of injuries and their mechanisms were not significantly affected. These preliminary, associative findings suggest that a time-efficient, position-specific warm-up program may contribute to reduced injury occurrence in amateur football; however, given the quasi-experimental design, confirmation through randomized controlled trials is required.

Background/Objectives: The global aging population faces rising rates of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders. This review explores how physical exercise influences brain health in aging, focusing on mechanisms, moderators, and personalized strategies to enhance cognitive resilience. Methods: A narrative review methodology was applied. Literature published between 2015 and 2025 was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using keywords and MeSH terms related to exercise, cognition, neuroplasticity, aging, and dementia. Inclusion criteria targeted peer-reviewed original studies in humans aged ≥ 60 years or aged animal models, examining exercise-induced cognitive or neurobiological outcomes. Results: Evidence shows that regular physical activity improves executive function, memory, and processing speed in older adults, including those with mild impairment or genetic risk (e.g., APOE ε4). Exercise promotes neuroplasticity through increased levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and irisin, and enhances brain structure and functional connectivity. It also improves glymphatic clearance and modulates inflammation and circadian rhythms. Myokines act as messengers between muscle and brain, mediating many of these effects. Cognitive benefits vary with exercise type, intensity, and individual factors such as age, sex, chronotype, and baseline fitness. Combined interventions—physical, cognitive, nutritional—show synergistic outcomes. Digital tools (e.g., tele-exercise, gamification) offer scalable ways to sustain engagement and cognitive function. Conclusions: Physical exercise is a key non-pharmacological strategy to support cognitive health in aging. It acts through diverse systemic, molecular, and neurofunctional pathways. Tailored exercise programs, informed by individual profiles and emerging technologies, hold promise for delaying or preventing cognitive decline.

Background: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle associated with pain and dysfunction, often impacting individuals’ quality of life. Various interventions, such as dry needling and manual therapy, have shown limited effects in addressing these conditions. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a functional neurology intervention in reducing pain and improving muscle function in patients with MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle. We hypothesized that a single session of functional neurology intervention would significantly increase the pressure pain threshold (PPT) and improve peripheral vascular response in individuals with myofascial trigger points compared to a control group. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 63 participants randomly assigned to an experimental (receiving functional neurology treatment) or control group. Pre- and post-treatment assessments were conducted, and both intra- and inter-group comparisons were performed using algometry to measure the PPT and infrared thermography to analyze peripheral vascular response. Data were analyzed using dependent and independent t-tests with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The experimental group demonstrated a significant 46.4% increase in PPT, while the control group showed negligible changes. Thermographic analysis indicated improved peripheral blood flow in the experimental group, reflected by increased skin temperatures and reduced thermal anomalies. No significant differences were observed between the groups at baseline. Conclusions: A single session of functional neurology intervention significantly reduced pain and improved muscle function in patients with MTrPs. These findings suggest that functional neurology offers a promising non-invasive alternative to traditional treatments, with potential implications for more rapid and sustained therapeutic outcomes.

Background/objectives: Previous studies on aquatic exercises have primarily focused on either physical fitness or psychological outcomes. This study examines the effects of a structured 10-week aqua fitness program on physical fitness and psychosocial outcomes in healthy adult women. Additionally, a 4-week training cessation period was incorporated to assess the sustainability of any observed physical fitness benefits. Methods: A total of 32 female participants (mean age 51.28 ± 9.12 years) with prior aqua aerobics experience engaged in supervised aqua fitness sessions, conducted three times per week (~55 min/session) at moderate intensity (RPE = 12, on a 6–20 scale). The physical fitness outcomes assessed included dominant hand grip strength, lower limb muscle endurance, dynamic balance, mobility, and upper and lower limb flexibility. The psychosocial outcomes included subjective well-being and social inclusion. Results: The results demonstrate significant improvements in dynamic balance (ES = 0.85) and lower limb flexibility (ES = 0.73 and 0.65 for the two limbs, respectively), with smaller yet notable gains observed in other physical fitness outcomes (ES = from 0.20 to 0.48). On the contrary, only a marginal improvement was detected in a single domain of subjective well-being (environmental domain, ES = 0.35) and no changes were observed across the seven domains of social inclusion. Importantly, all physical fitness gains were maintained during the 4-week training cessation period, with lower limb flexibility showing additional improvements. Conclusions: These findings underscore the effectiveness of supervised aqua fitness programs in enhancing physical fitness in middle-aged women, while their impact on psychosocial outcomes appears limited in this population.

A single session of functional neurology led to the integration of multiple retained primitive reflexes in a child, resulting in improved motor coordination and cognitive function. This case highlights functional neurology as a promising treatment for neurodevelopmental challenges.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of external (EXT) versus internal (INT) focus of attention on acquiring and transferring simple and complex motor skills in novice female volleyball players. Methods: Fifty-seven participants were assigned to one of the three groups: The external focus (EXT), the internal focus (INT), and the control group (CON). Over a 6-week intervention, participants practiced a simple skill (volleyball passing) and a complex skill (overhead tennis serve). Pre-tests, post-tests, and transfer tests (conducted two weeks later) assessed movement form and accuracy. Results: The results showed a statistically significant interaction among focus methods, skill complexity, and testing periods for movement form and performance outcome. The EXT group showed higher movement form and performance outcome improvements during the simple skill (passing) compared to the INT and CON groups. For the complex skill (serving), the EXT group outperformed the INT and CON groups regarding movement outcome; however, no differences in movement form were observed between the EXT and INT groups. Post hoc Tukey tests indicated that the EXT group scored higher than the INT and CON groups in the post-test and transfer test for the simple skill, with movement form improving from 1.68 ± 0.48 to 2.32 ± 0.58. In the complex skill, the EXT group’s movement outcome improved from 11.32 ± 6.83 to 44.47 ± 16.57. Conclusions: External focus significantly enhances movement form and outcome in simple tasks and performance outcomes in more complex skills among novice athletes.

The current study examined the changes in muscle oxygenation values and swimming performance after six sessions of sprint interval training during a three-week period in untrained swimmers. Twelve swimmers of both genders (age: 23.5 ± 5.6yrs) executed the twice-weekly experimental training protocol (EXP, n = 12), consisting of a 4 × 50 m front-crawl swimming (repeated sprint training—RST) with maximal intensity, and 2 min of passive recovery in between, after a short in-water warm-up. The control group (CON, n = 9) performed a continuous swimming set (200 m) at 120 b pm−1, with the same weekly frequency. Performance times in two maximum swim trials (400 m: T400 and 50 m: T50), muscle oxygenation of the deltoid muscle (SmO2) immediately after T400 and T50, 1-min heart rate recovery (HRR1) after T400, T50, and swim strokes during both swim trials (S/T400, S/T50) were assessed. For the EXP group, T400 improved by 2.4 (p = 0.011). In contrast, T50 presented no significant improvement (1%, p > 0.05). SmO2 decreased at T400 (5.5%, p = 0.017) and increased at T50 (3.7%, p = 0.030). HRR1 improved after T400 (7.9%, p = 0.002), T50 (4.6%, p = 0.005) and RST (9.6%, p = 0.002). S/T400 and S/T50 remained relatively unchanged (p > 0.05). The CON group presented no significant changes in any of the variables examined. In conclusion, six sprint interval training sessions can improve aerobic capacity over a 3-week training period, as indicated by the enhanced T400 performance and the reduced HRR1 values, in previously trained swimmers. Finally, the sensitivity of the near-infrared spectroscopy method to detect short-term training-induced changes is highlighted.

Obesity is a non-communicable disease that is associated with a number of serious physical and mental health conditions. The present study examines the effect of recreational physical activity and the Mediterranean diet on body image dissatisfaction and propensity for eating disorders. It is based on 1311 participants categorized by body mass index (BMI) into a normal ΒΜΙ group (NBG; N = 513), an overweight and obese ΒΜΙ group (OBG; N = 492), and a control group (CG; N = 309). All participants completed the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scale (MBSRQ-AS), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), Mediterranean Diet Score (MedDietScore), and Fitness Evaluation and Fitness Orientation subscales from the original Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ). The results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that the overall prediction of the variables was statistically significant. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) demonstrated the existence of significant interactions between groups and gender across a range of scales. Despite higher body image dissatisfaction in the OBG group, they maintained positive self-esteem and did not exhibit eating disorder tendencies. Notably, women reported greater dissatisfaction than men across all three groups. Our findings have practical implications for public health promotion strategies, policymaking, future research, and clinical practice. Encouraging regular exercise and adherence to the Mediterranean diet could improve body satisfaction and reduce eating disorder risk. Policymakers can advocate for community-based policies promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits.

As the population ages, maintaining an active lifestyle becomes increasingly vital to promote overall health and well-being in older individuals. Water- and land-based exercises have emerged as popular options, each offering a distinct set of benefits tailored to the unique needs of this population group. An electronic database search, including PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science, was conducted until 15 September 2023, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, to investigate the effects of water-based compared to land-based exercise on selected fitness parameters in older healthy individuals. The eligibility criteria included studies with at least two groups of participants aged 60 and older, with physical fitness outcome measures. A total of ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. While both exercise modalities may offer significant benefits, this review's findings emphasized the absence of conclusive evidence and consensus for recommending a single exercise category applicable to aquatic or land environments and providing more definite guidance to improve health-related physical fitness parameters in healthy older individuals. Finally, combining both training approaches may lead to a comprehensive array of health benefits for this age group population by also considering individual's needs, preferences, and fitness goals.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different dryland warm-up protocols on knee isokinetic strength, vertical jumping, and sprint performance in competitive swimmers. Twenty-four male swimmers were randomly assigned to the FIFA 11 + group (n = 12) or the post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) group (n = 12). The FIFA 11 + group performed the FIFA 11 + warm-up program three times per week for 6 weeks, whereas the PAPE group consisted of performing general activities and three sets of five drop jumps. Performance test included concentric (con) and eccentric (ecc) isokinetic strength of the quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) of the dominant (DL) and non-dominant (NDL) limbs at three angular velocities, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) and a 50-m time trial. The conventional (Hcon: Qcon) and functional (Hecc: Qcon) ratios were calculated pre- and post- intervention. The FIFA 11 + group showed a significant increase in DL-Hcon (p < 0.05, ES = 1.0-1.8), and NDL-Hcon (p < 0.05, ES = 1.0-1.6) in all angular velocities, and DL-Qcon (p < 0.05, ES = 0.9) at 60°·s- 1. The PAPE group significantly improved DL-Qcon at 180°·s- 1, 240°·s- 1 (both p < 0.05, ES = 1.0), and NDL-Qcon at 240°·s- 1 (p < 0.05, ES = 0.9). Additionally, FIFA 11 + showed significant improvement in DL-Hcon and NDL-Hcon (both p < 0.05, ES = 0.9-1.8) compared with PAPE. FIFA 11 + increased DL-Hcon: Qcon60 (p < 0.05, ES = 1.1) and NDL- Hcom: Qcon60,240 (both p < 0.05, ES = 1.2) compared with PAPE. Both groups significantly improved CMJ (FIFA 11 + p < 0.01, ES = 0.4 and PAPE p < 0.01, ES = 0.3), SJ (both p < 0.01, ES = 0.6) and 50-m swimming performance (FIFA 11 + p < 0.05, ES = -0.8 and PAPE p < 0.05, ES = -0.6).Both warm-up protocols showed similar improvements in jumping ability and sprint swimming performance. The FIFA 11 + seemed more efficient in improving lower limb isokinetic strength and conventional strength ratios in male competitive swimmers.

Sports coaches have a fundamental role in talent identification and development pathways as they are responsible for determining the characterization of an athlete and overseeing his subsequent advancement in the sport.This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive survey on coaches' current perceptions of talent identification and development issues in swimming.An online survey of 20 different types of questions was completed by 112 swim coaches (87 male/25 female) of competitive swimmers based in five countries.Pearson chi-square test assessed the relationship between coaches' responses and their coaching experience and gender.Cramer's V test was applied as an effect size of the relationship.According to the results, general health indicators (37.6%), buoyancy (46.2%), body composition (33.7%), family support (55.9%), coaching environment (66.4%), and the desire for training (25.5%) were considered the highest-ranked answers regarding the physiological, technical, morphological, social, environmental, and psychological factors, respectively.Moreover, coaching level and gender appeared to have a minor effect on participants' perceptions.The data presented provide a detailed overview of the methods and beliefs adopted by contemporary swim coaches and may offer valuable insights into issues and practices related to talent selection and development.The results can also be useful for coaching education curriculums and designing and implementing future talent identification programs in swimming.

ABSTRACT:Vasileiou, SS, Asimakidis, ND, Dalamitros, AA, and Manou, V. Effects of an 8-week in-season explosive power training program on neuromuscular performance and lower limb asymmetries in young male soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): 2121-2128, 2024-This study analyzed the effects of incorporating 8 weeks of twice-weekly explosive power training on neuromuscular performance and lower-limb asymmetries applied to soccer. Thirty-five young male soccer players were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EXP: n = 18; mean age: 13.7 ± 0.8 years; height: 166.9 ± 8.4 cm; body mass: 58.5 ± 12.8 kg) or the control group (CON: n = 17; mean age: 13.7 ± 0.9 years; height: 168.8 ± 9.1 cm; body mass: 58.0 ± 11.4 kg). Before (TP 1 ) and after the training period (TP 2 ) neuromuscular performance (countermovement jump [CMJ], 10 and 20 m sprint times [T10 and T20], change of direction ability [COD]) and lower-limb asymmetries (single-leg CMJ [SLCMJ]) were evaluated. The asymmetry index (AI) for COD and CMJ tests was also calculated. Significant differences (from TP 1 to TP 2 ) were revealed for all the tested parameters in the EXP group (1.50-4.9%, p < 0.00 to 0.12, effect size [ES] = -0.44 to 0.27). For the CON group, T10, T20 505 for nondominant limb and SLCMJ performances for both limbs were significantly improved (0.85 to 1.5%, p < 0.00 to 0.21, ES = -0.36 to 0.37). Finally, the AI remained relatively unchanged for both tests and groups (1.28-3.33%, p = 0.162-0.521). These results indicate that adding twice-weekly explosive power training for 8 weeks can improve neuromuscular performance and reduce lower-limb asymmetries to a greater degree than soccer training alone in young male soccer players.

Mitochondria play a vital role in maintaining cellular energy homeostasis, regulating apoptosis, and controlling redox signaling. Dysfunction of mitochondria has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various brain diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, stroke, and psychiatric illnesses. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate relationship between mitochondria and brain disease, focusing on the underlying pathological mechanisms and exploring potential therapeutic opportunities. The review covers key topics such as mitochondrial DNA mutations, impaired oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial dynamics, calcium dysregulation, and reactive oxygen species generation in the context of brain disease. Additionally, it discusses emerging strategies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitochondrial protective agents, metabolic modulators, and gene therapy approaches. By critically analysing the existing literature and recent advancements, this review aims to enhance our understanding of the multifaceted role of mitochondria in brain disease and shed light on novel therapeutic interventions.

This study investigated swim coaches' perceptions of professional development issues and current training practices according to their coaching experience, education level, and gender. An online survey (January—April 2022) was completed by 123 swim coaches (96 male/27 female) of competitive swimmers based in 41 countries. The survey consisted of 36 questions divided into six sections: (1) background information, (2) developing swim coaching through learning, (3) self-evaluation, (4) interpersonal-intrapersonal interactions, (5) life skills, and (6) analyzing swimming performance. Pearson chi-square assessed the relationship between the frequency of responses and professional background and gender. The survey results indicated that swim coaches' educational level is potentially one of the most influential parameters affecting the coaches' perceptions about their own professional development. The data presented may be used for the future design of coach education programmes as they advance current knowledge on understanding psycho-social issues related to professional development and training perceptions involved in the competitive swimming environment.

This review examines the transformation of educational practices to online and distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It specifically focuses on the challenges, innovative approaches, and successes of this transition, emphasizing the integration of educational technology, student well-being, and teacher development. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly transformed the educational landscape, necessitating a rapid shift to online and distance learning. This review has highlighted key strategies and innovations in online teaching, emphasizing the importance of engaging, adaptable, and inclusive educational practices. It underscores the need for continuous professional development for educators, the integration of advanced technological tools, and the importance of prioritizing student well-being and academic success in digital environments. As we move forward, the insights gathered from this experience will be invaluable in shaping a resilient and dynamic educational framework that is well suited for the post-pandemic era, focusing on inclusivity, engagement, and the effective use of technology to enhance learning experiences.

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to an unprecedented long-term cessation in athletes’ training routines. This study examined the effect of a 32-week detraining period, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, on selected neuromuscular performance indicators in 29 young male soccer players, assessed close to their adolescent growth spurt (age = 13.0 ± 0.8 years). Change of direction ability of both lower limbs (COD), linear sprint times (10 and 20 m), and vertical jump height (CMJ) was evaluated twice, once before the first national lockdown, and one week after the return to training activities. Paired-sample t-tests detected significant improvements in all three testing variables (COD: 2.82 ± 0.23 vs. 2.66 ± 0.22 s, p ≤ 0.005, 0.001, effect size [ES] = 0.91 to 1.05 for the right and left limb, respectively; 10 m: 2.12 ± 0.16 vs. 1.96 ± 0.15 s, p ≤ 0.001, effect size [ES] = 1.67, 20 m: 3.56 ± 0.3 vs. 3.42 ± 0.27 s, p ≤ 0.001, effect size [ES] = 1.02 and CMJ: 23.3 ± 7.5 vs. 24.5 ± 7.6 cm, p = 0.033, ES = 0.42). These results indicate that maturation-related adaptations can lead to enhanced change of direction, linear sprint, and vertical jump performance, even in the absence of exposure to any level of exercise. Soccer coaches and practitioners working with youth athletes should consider the stage of maturation when planning and implementing training programs aiming to enhance neuromuscular performance.

Abstract Asimakidis, ND, Dalamitros, AA, Ribeiro, J, Lola, AC, and Manou, V. Μaturation stage does not affect change of direction asymmetries in young soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3440–3445, 2022—This study examined whether the stage of biological maturation can affect interlimb asymmetries during a change of direction (COD) test. Seventy-six young soccer players were divided into 2 different groups according to their peak height velocity stage (PHV): pre-PHV (n = 45, age = 11.8 ± 1.2 years, height = 149.8 ± 9.3 cm, body mass = 43.9 ± 11.2 kg) and post-PHV (n = 31, age = 14.4 ± 0.9 years, height = 170.0 ± 4.9 cm, body mass = 61.5 ± 8.9 kg). Subjects performed a 505 test to measure the completion time in both directions and a 20-m maximum sprint test. Change of direction deficit (CODD) was used as a measure for isolating COD ability. An independent sample t-test detected no significant differences between the asymmetry index values for the 505 test completion time when the pre-PHV group and the post-PHV group were compared (−3.49 ± 2.49% vs. −3.45 ± 2.47%, effect size [ES] = 0.02, p = 0.923). Similarly, the CODD asymmetry index indicated no differences between the 2 groups (−8.21 ± 5.95% vs. −7.37 ± 5.12%, ES = 0.15, p = 0.457). A paired sample t-test revealed that the values of the CODD asymmetry index were larger than those of the 505 asymmetry index (−7.88 ± 5.61% vs. −3.49 ± 2.46%, ES = 1.09, p < 0.001). According to these results, maturational status has no influence on the interlimb asymmetries of COD ability. Furthermore, subjects showed greater asymmetry values in CODD compared with the 505 test completion time, reinforcing that the evaluation of COD asymmetries should be based on CODD. As interlimb asymmetries are not altered during the maturation process, practitioners should address abnormal COD asymmetries early on during athletes' development processes.