Worldwide, mobile health interventions have been developed to foster knowledge and encourage behavioral changes. The purposes of this study were twofold: (1) to evaluate a short-term gamified intervention using a mobile health system on the physical literacy (PL) cognitive domain among school-aged adolescents, and (2) to assess the users’ experience while using the proposed mobile health system designed for the school community. Participants were 115 students aged 13.8 ± 1.2 years (52.2

Purpose: Special Forces units are responsible for performing the most demanding and risky operations. They are mainly characterized by elite operators, a high level of physical preparation, commitment, creativity, adaptation to changing combat conditions, and a greater range of skills. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of current knowledge about the motor skills of male special forces operators worldwide and to identify the methods used to assess them. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Of the 8 632 studies identified, 38 met the inclusion criteria. Results: The review showed that aerobic and anaerobic endurance, strength, and power are the most frequently analyzed motor abilities. Among the less frequently analyzed motor abilities, we can include agility, speed, flexibility, and balance. Conclusions: The results of this review indicate that testing methodology should be standardized so that motor profiles can be compared between different special forces units and even between other populations. Additionally, creating a motor profile and administering a single battery of tests can help select, train, and accelerate the return to full fitness of special forces operators after injury.

Since its development, the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) scale has been widely used to measure addictive behaviour towards information and communication technologies. However, its French adaptation and associated psychometric properties have not been validated. This study aimed at addressing this gap in the literature and proposed a validated measure for French-speaking populations. Specifically, we investigated the factorial structure of the scale in French with a lifespan sample and test its age, sex, education, and time invariance. Data were derived from an online longitudinal study (2-waves, 2 months interval) with a lifespan sample (N = 543, age range18 to 98 years, M = 46.8). The results showed that the French adaptation had a different factorial structure than the original scale. Specifically, the selected model had excellent fit and identified three lower-order factors, based on 8 out of 10 original items, which were then loaded to one higher-order factor. Moreover, measurement invariance testing revealed that the scale can be used for mean level comparisons (scalar invariance) between men and women, high vs. low educated individuals and across measurement points, while caution is suggested when comparing young vs. older individuals (partial scalar invariance). Lastly, the findings supported convergent and discriminant validity of the scale. In conclusion, the French adaptation of the FoMO scale can be used in longitudinal studies and for mean comparisons across sexes, educational levels and time, while the factorial structure (three lower-order factors loading to one higher-order factor) can be used when modelling FoMO with structural equation methods.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:The link between childhood misfortunes and the risk and trajectories of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in older age remains unclear. The study examined (1) whether childhood misfortunes are associated with self-reported MetS and its trajectories in older age, and (2) whether life course socioeconomic conditions and unhealthy behaviours attenuate these associations. METHODS AND RESULTS:Data from 39'251 respondents aged 50+ years, collected between 2004 and 2018 (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe - SHARE) were analysed using logistic and multinomial regressions. MetS was defined as obesity plus hypertension, high cholesterol or diabetes. Childhood socioeconomic conditions, adverse experiences, and poor health were treated as distinct exposures. Life course socioeconomic conditions included education, occupation and financial strain. Unhealthy behaviours included smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Disadvantaged childhood socioeconomic conditions were associated with higher MetS risk, partially attenuated by life course socioeconomic conditions but not by unhealthy behaviours. Four MetS trajectories were observed: "never MetS" (81%), "persistent MetS" (8%), "developed MetS" (6%) and "lost MetS" (4%). Disadvantaged childhood socioeconomic conditions, not childhood adverse experiences, increased the risk of each trajectory, partially reduced by adjustment for life course socioeconomic conditions but unaffected by behaviours. Poor childhood health increased the risk of "persistent MetS", with no attenuation by life course conditions or behaviours. CONCLUSIONS:Childhood misfortune predicts elevated MetS risk and trajectory patterns in later life. Early-life misfortune warrants clinical consideration in metabolic risk assessment, as its effects may not be visible through current lifestyle or socioeconomic indicators, pending further research.

BACKGROUND:Cancer is strongly associated with depression. Grip strength (GS) is a widely used functional test to assess strength, functional status, and depression. This study aimed to explore the associations between various cancer trajectories and changes in depression levels and GS over four years in European aged 50 years and older. METHODS:A longitudinal analysis was conducted with 17,048 participants (9330 men) aged ≥50 from 17 European countries. Participants responded to waves 6 and 8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project. The participants reported the diagnosis of cancer according to a medical diagnosis. GS was measured twice on each hand using a dynamometer, while depression was assessed using the 12-item EURO-D scale. RESULTS:Women reported higher baseline depression scores across all cancer trajectories. However, men exhibited a greater increase in depression levels from baseline to four years later, regardless of the cancer trajectory. Notably, within the continued CA trajectory, women had GS loss of 1.7% and a 10.5% reduction in depression, while men reported GS loss of 7.9% and a 12.3% increase in depression. We found a significant effect of time on depression for men, but not for women, as well as a significant time × group interaction for men and women. For GS, we found a significant effect of time on depression for men and women, and a significant time × group interaction for men and women. CONCLUSIONS:Improvements in GS may be beneficial in supporting the treatment of depression among cancer survivors.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a crucial role in brain health and cognitive function, with levels varying across APOE genotypes, a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Here, cross-lagged path modeling was used to examine longitudinal associations between IGF-1 levels, cognitive performance, and sociodemographic factors across APOE genotypes in 1247 older adults from the Rancho Bernardo Study of Healthy Aging. Distinct association patterns emerged across genotypes. Both IGF-1 and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were associated with age and sex in ε2 and ε3 carriers. IGF-1 was differently related to early-life conditions, occupation, and education across genotypes, while MMSE was related to early-life conditions, occupation, and physical activity. Evidence of partial reciprocity was observed between IGF-1 and global cognition only among ε4 carriers, although associations were modest. These findings suggest genotype-specific patterns linking metabolic aging, cognitive performance, and life trajectories, and provide support for associations between early-life experiences and cognitive reserve proxies.

Background: Studies on the association between cognitive and physical fitness in older adults from particularly vulnerable settings are scarce. This study aims to analyse the relationship between different protocols for assessing physical fitness and the cognitive function of low-income older adults. Methods: A total of 312 adults aged 60-96 years (M age = 72.63, SD= 7.81) living in the urban area of Amazonas, Brazil, participated in the study. The following measures of physical fitness were assessed: body composition, handgrip strength, the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test and Senior Fitness Tests. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Linear regression models were used to analyse the relationship between physical function measures and cognitive function. Results: For men, only the 30-chair stand test power (β = 0.33, p < 0.001) presented favourable association with cognitive function. For women, significant associations between MMSE score were observed for every fitness test, except for the chair sit-and-reach test. Conclusions: Physical fitness is differently associated with cognitive function among low-income older men and women from Amazonas. Muscular fitness particularly seems to be an important indicator of cognitive function. It should be considered for monitoring, promoting, and managing health-ageing of low-income elderly populations of both sexes.

Jump height (JH) is widely used as an indicator of athletic performance. This study aimed to (1) evaluate the relative importance and predictive value of JH for neuromuscular performance across key physical metrics and (2) describe the neuromuscular profile of soccer players from different age groups, positions, and competitive levels. Senior (SG) and youth (YG) players were evaluated after the off season for neuromuscular power, strength, change of direction, speed, repeated sprint ability, and aerobic endurance. SG outperformed YG in most measures, especially JH, abduction strength, and Peak Power (RAST PP). Notably, YG exhibited higher maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and lower fatigue index (RAST FI), highlighting their robust aerobic capacity and greater ability to sustain repeated efforts. These results reinforce established developmental patterns, with aerobic endurance more pronounced in youth and anaerobic power in seniors. In seniors, JH correlated moderately with sprint and anaerobic power, while its associations in youth were weaker and linked to endurance. Positional analysis suggested overall higher JH in SG. JH emerged as a practical predictor for physical performance monitoring in seniors and a useful benchmark for athletic potential identification. Findings support targeted training and monitoring based on age-specific profiles. This study enhances applied sports science, underscoring the need for tailored approaches in player development and evaluation.

ObjectivesTo examine the mediating role of activities of daily living (ADL) in the association between stroke and depressive symptoms, and to investigate whether moderate physical activity (MPA) moderates this mediation in older adults, using sex-stratified analyses.MethodsCross-sectional data from 31,137 participants (≥65 years) were analysed using wave eight of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Depression, ADL limitations, stroke history and weekly frequency of MPA were assessed. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted.ResultsADL partially mediated the association between stroke and depression in males (36.53%) and females (37.20%). In males, both medium and high weekly frequencies of MPA significantly moderated the direct and indirect associations between stroke, ADL and depression. In females, only a high frequency of MPA (> once per week) showed a significant moderating effect.ConclusionLimitations in ADLs represent an important pathway linking stroke and depression in older age.

This study examined, in Europeans aged 50 and over, 4-year associations between trajectories of non-cancer, incident cancer, and continued cancer with changes in depression levels and grip strength (GS). A longitudinal analysis was conducted with 17,048 participants from 17 European countries using data from waves 6 (2015) and 8 (2019) of the SHARE project. Cancer diagnosis was self-reported, GS was assessed with a hand-held dynamometer, and depression were evaluated with the 12-item EURO-D scale. Participants were classified into three cancer trajectories: non-cancer, incident cancer, and continued cancer. Over 4 years, men showed significant increases in depression across all trajectories, whereas women presented stable or reduced depression levels, especially the continued cancer group. In this group, women exhibited a 1.7% decline in GS and a 10.5% reduction in depression, while men showed a 7.9% decline in GS and a 12.3% increase in depression.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurocognitive disorder that affects a significant part of the population. Its symptoms include progressive loss of memory and executive dysfunction. Genetic susceptibility to AD can be influenced by allele variants of the APOE gene. On the other hand, lifelong experiences such as educational attainment, occupational complexity, and leisure activities, known proxies for cognitive reserve (CR), may modulate gene expression, ultimately impacting AD susceptibility. In this study, we systematically investigated research that explored the interaction between APOE-related AD outcomes and CR. The literature search was conducted using PubMed and all Web of Science databases. We screened 33,861 references, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. The studies varied in research design, population characteristics, proxies for CR, and measured outcomes. The publications presented mixed results, with some indicating protective effects (n = 7), others showing detrimental effects (n = 4), and still others suggesting no significant interaction effects (n = 4). Some of these findings may be attributed to the reliance on individual proxies, which may capture only limited aspects or different dimensions of the broader CR framework. Overall, our analysis suggests that individual risk factors may interact in complex ways and that even genetic predispositions can potentially be influenced by CR. Implications for CR and aging research as well as public health policies are discussed.

This study aimed to investigate the moderating effect of frailty on the relationship between cognition and symptoms of depression in individuals aged ≥65 and to explore differences between four European regions (West, North, South, and East). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 29,094 participants (16,365 women) from 27 countries, aged ≥65 years, who responded to wave 8 of the SHARE project. The variables analysed were depression (12-item EURO-D scale), frailty, and a general cognition index (CogId). A higher CogId was associated with less depression. Western and Northern European countries indicated better cognitive performance, lower depression symptomology, and frailty scores than those in the South and East. A pre-frail and frail status was a significant moderator, increasing the association between depression and cognition in the East, South, North, and West regions, respectively. The interaction effects between CogId and frailty were found in the West and East regions. Comparatively, the moderating role of frailty in countries in the Western region differed significantly from those in the North. In turn, countries in the South and East differed from those in the North region. Frailty was a moderator of depression symptoms, increasing its association with cognition. Strategies to prevent frailty are important to reduce the burden of depression and cognitive deficits in Europe.

This study aimed to investigate autoregressive and lagged associations over 2 years between frailty, depression and quality of life, and to examine sex differences in these longitudinal associations among European men and women aged ≥50 years. The analyses included 10,077 individuals (5589 women) from 12 European countries. Women attested to a higher frailty and depression score and lower quality of life than men. For both sexes, frailty and depression correlated positively cross-sectionally and longitudinally (2 years later), while quality of life correlated negatively with frailty and depression cross-sectionally and longitudinally. With regard to lagged associations, for both men and women, frailty proved to be a predictor of depression 2 years later. In turn, depression did not predict frailty and quality of life 2 years later in women, but it did among men.

Lower-body strength plays a crucial role in football performance and injury prevention, and thus, monitoring of strength variables has become crucial in the training process. This study aims to (1) assess knee muscle strength performance through intra- and inter-limb asymmetries and (2) examine the relationships between knee muscle strength, body composition, and vertical jump performance (squat jump and countermovement jump). Twenty-seven semiprofessional female football players (21.5 ± 4.9 years) were evaluated for body composition, isokinetic knee muscle strength (60º/s and 180º/s), and vertical jump tasks. Peak torque (PT), peak torque/body weight (PT/BW), bilateral strength deficit, and the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H/Q) for knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) in both the preferred and non-preferred legs. The H/Q ratio and the bilateral strength deficit revealed no significant intra- or inter-limb asymmetries in knee muscle strength. Strong correlations were found between vertical jump performance and KE strength at both 60º/s (p ≤ 0.01) and 180º/s (p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, a significant negative correlation was observed between vertical jump performance and body fat percentage (p ≤ 0.01). These findings highlight the critical role of knee muscle strength in explosive tasks and underline the negative impact of higher body fat on lower-body strength performance.

Parental involvement in youth sports is an increasingly relevant topic because of its key implications for children’s development in youth sports. This study’s aims are threefold: (1) to investigate parental involvement practices based on parents’ previous sports experiences, (2) to examine athletes’ and parents’ perceptions on parental involvement practices across different age categories, and (3) to compare the athletes’ and parents’ overall perceptions on parental involvement practices. In total, 423 participants (151 youth players and 272 parents) completed the Parental Behaviors in Sports (PBSP) questionnaire. The PBSP includes separate versions for parents and athletes, each assessing five key dimensions: (1) sports support, (2) competition attendance, (3) technical influence, (4) performance pressure, and (5) sports expectations. In the parents’ group, 154 participants (56.6%) reported previous sports experience. No statistically significant differences were observed in the PBSP dimensions between parents with and without previous sports experience. Parents’ years of sports experience negatively correlated with performance pressure (r = −0.155, p = 0.013) and expectations (r = −0.149, p = 0.017). Age group analysis showed lower competition attendance in the U18 group and higher expectations in the U12 group. When comparing parents’ and athletes’ responses, statistically significant differences emerged in all PBSP dimensions except for performance pressure. These findings underscore the importance of aligning parental involvement with children’s experiences to foster enjoyment, reduce pressure, and support sustained engagement in youth sports.

BACKGROUND:The desire to die among older adults has been reported in several European countries. This study aimed to investigate the associations between grip strength (GS) and the frequency of weekly moderate physical activity (MPA) with wish to die (WTD) in European middle-aged and older adults. METHODS:A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 39,377 participants (22,313 women) from 27 European countries, aged ≥50 years, responding to wave 8 of the SHARE project. GS was assessed for both hands by a dynamometer, WTD was obtained by asking: 'In the last month, have you felt that you would rather be dead?' from the 12-item EURO-D scale, and the weekly frequency of moderate physical activity (MPA) was self-reported. RESULTS:Greater GS (per 1 unit) was associated with a 26 % to 55 % lower chances of WTD among men. Among women, a 1 kg increase in GS was associated with a 40 % to 70 % lower chance of WTD. MPA once a week or more than once a week (compared to MPA less than once a week) was associated with a 57 % and 58 % lower chance of WTD among men. Among women, MPA once a week or more than once a week (compared to MPA less than once a week) was associated with 44 % and 48 % lower odds of WTD. CONCLUSION:GS was inversely associated with WTD, particularly in women. Engaging in MPA once a week showed a greater association with less WTD for both sexes than MPA more than once a week, particularly in men.

There are several ways to describe psychomotor and cognitive abilities in the context of sport performance, including psychomotor abilities, cognitive functioning, perceptual-cognitive skills, exercise-cognition, and motor-cognitive abilities. This review aimed to identify methods for measuring the aforementioned concepts within the context of relevant terminology. Studies examining psychomotor performance, as well as attentional, perceptual, and visual processes, were selected from three online databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Twenty-eight (28) studies were included in the review. The results were divided into sample characteristics and methodological details, including nomenclature specific to performance, methods, and outcomes. The studies were also categorised in the context of comparisons by the competitive level, sex and sport. Analysis showed that the most frequent basis of comparison included athletic performance. Computer-based methods occurred with the greatest frequency across all sport disciplines. Outcomes were typically reported in milliseconds, focusing on reaction time or accuracy. There was no consistency in the presentation of performance nomenclature and performance procedure. Addressing the selection and description of methods is relevant as it can contribute to a more effective research intervention design.

BACKGROUND:A death wish is a passive ideation about thoughts that suggest dying is better than continuing to live. We investigated the associations of different wish-to-die (WTD) trajectories with changes in frailty over a four-year period in European citizens aged 50 and over. METHODS:A longitudinal analysis was conducted with 27,350 participants (13,921 women) from 17 European countries, all aged ≥50 years, who responded to waves 6 and 8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project. WTD was assessed by asking, 'In the last month, have you felt that you would rather be dead?'. Frailty was measured using the SHARE-Frailty (SHARE-FI) questionnaire. RESULTS:A significant effect of time on frailty was observed, with a medium effect size (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.08), as well as a significant time × group interaction with a medium effect size (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.12). Post hoc analysis revealed a 54.5 % increase in frailty for the continued non-WTD trajectory group over four years. The non-WTD to WTD trajectory group showed a 186.0 % increase in frailty, while the continued WTD group showed a 27.9 % increase in frailty. On the other hand, the group with a trajectory from WTD to non-WTD indicated a reduction in the index of 28.8 %. CONCLUSIONS:Emerging WTD may be associated with increased frailty in older age. Conversely, frailty may be reduced among those who exchanged the passive idealization of dying for living.

This study aimed to explore whether immediate recall, delayed recall, and verbal fluency mediated the relationship between meaning in life and depression in a large sample of older adults from 17 European countries. The study also sought to investigate potential differences in mediation trajectories by sex. The data used were from the eighth wave of the SHARE project (year 2019), involving 24,277 individuals (13,874 women). The variables analyzed were: meaning in life extracted from the CASP-19 scale, tests for immediate recall, delayed recall and verbal fluency, and depression (12-item EURO-D scale). Depression was more prevalent among women. For both sexes, meaning in life was positively associated with immediate recall, delayed recall, and verbal fluency, while meaning in life was negatively associated with depression, indicating its potential to alleviate depressive feelings. The three cognitive domains significantly mediated the relationship between meaning in life and depression. Differences in indirect mediation effects between men and women were identified in the pathways: meaning in life → delayed recall → depression and meaning in life → verbal fluency → depression. The total indirect models for men and women differed significantly.

Pet ownership has been shown to have a positive influence on cognitive functioning and cognitive decline in late adulthood. However, there is limited understanding of how different species of pets are associated with these outcomes in different age groups. This study employed a multilevel modelling approach using data from eight waves of the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to longitudinally examine: (1) the relationship between pet ownership and cognitive decline over 18 years among adults aged 50 and older, (2) The moderating role of younger vs. older age subgroups on this relationship, and (3) the distinct role of owning dogs, cats, birds, and fish. The targeted cognitive domains were executive functioning and episodic memory. Results confirmed that pet ownership is associated with slower decline in both cognitive domains. While age group did not moderate this relationship, differences emerged in the relationship between cognitive decline and individual pet species. Dog and cat ownership was associated with slower cognitive decline compared to no pet ownership; bird and fish ownership showed no such association. These findings suggest that dog and cat ownership might act as a protective factor aiding to slow down cognitive decline, thus contributing to healthy cognitive ageing.