The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world population’s health and living habits. The pandemic is over, but some of its mid- to long-term effects remain, and its impacts have not yet been measured, especially on physical activity levels and sports practice among adolescents. This study aimed to compare the pre-pandemic levels of adolescents’ physical activity and sports practice with the post-pandemic ones, and to examine differences between boys and girls. Portuguese data from the Health Behaviour in School-age Children (HBSC) of 2018 and 2022 were included. Self-reported data related to adolescents’ physical activity (number of days with ≥ 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity), sports practice and sport club participation were analysed. A total of 8023 adolescents (3773 boys) participated in this study. After the pandemic there was an increase in weekly physical activity levels. Regarding sports practice, among boys, there was an increase in the practice of some team sports, of which football and futsal continued to be the most practised (by nearly 60

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with a particularly high burden in low- and middle-income countries such as Mexico. Cardiometabolic risk factors are strongly associated with increased mortality. Although exercise is well established as protective against mortality, evidence on its joint associations with these risk factors in high-risk populations remains limited. This study aimed to examine the joint associations of exercise and classical cardiometabolic risk factors with all-cause, premature, and cardiovascular mortality among Mexican adults.MethodsThis prospective cohort study analyzed data from 155156 adults (mean age, 52.3 years; 67.1% women) from the Mexico City Prospective Study. Exercise behavior and cardiometabolic risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking) were assessed at baseline. Mortality outcomes (all-cause, premature <75 years, and cardiovascular mortality) were tracked over a median follow-up of 18.26 years. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and additional risk factors, were used to estimate associations. Joint exposure categories combining exercise with each cardiometabolic risk factor were analyzed.ResultsDuring follow-up, 27510 deaths were recorded, including 13970 premature and 9192 cardiovascular deaths. Individuals who exercised had significantly lower mortality risk compared to non-exercisers. Exercise was associated with a 12-16% reduction in all-cause mortality, 16-20% reduction in premature mortality, and 10-15% reduction in cardiovascular mortality, even in the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors. The joint associations, combining absence of the cardiometabolic risk factor and exercise, showed the greatest risk reduction (HRs ranging from 0.20 to 0.43).ConclusionsRegular exercise is consistently associated with reduced risk of all-cause, premature, and cardiovascular mortality, regardless of the presence of major cardiometabolic risk factors. These findings highlight exercise as a powerful and broadly applicable strategy for reducing mortality risk and support its integration into clinical and public health interventions, particularly in populations with high cardiometabolic burden.

BACKGROUND:This study aimed to analyze the longitudinal associations between adherence to different possible combinations of 24-hour movement guidelines and perceived motor competence (MC) in children and adolescents. METHODS:The study involved 429 students (median = 15.0) aged 13-16 years (182 girls, 42.4%). Physical activity, recreational screen time, sleep duration, and perceived MC were longitudinally measured via self-reports. Generalized linear mixed models were conducted to examine the associations between adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines and MC over the time. Age, sex, and body mass index were considered covariates. RESULTS:Adolescents who met all 3 guidelines presented the highest levels of perceived MC. Conversely, the lowest levels of perceived MC were observed in those who did not meet any of the guidelines. In particular, individuals with more 24-hour movement guidelines exhibited greater self-perceptions of stability and object control skills. Furthermore, the associations between the 24-hour movement guidelines and MC remain stable over time. CONCLUSIONS:Our outcomes suggest the relevance of jointly promoting 24-hour movement guidelines as they appear to have greater benefits for adolescents' perceived MC.

INTRODUCTION:Healthy behaviors and grip strength are individually associated with a lower mortality risk, but their combined effect remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine their joint association with all-cause mortality in European middle-aged and older adults. METHODS:A 16-year prospective cohort study (2004-2020) was conducted using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, including 12,693 adults (aged ≥50 years). Healthy behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sleep) were self-reported. Grip strength was measured with a handheld dynamometer and categorized into age- and sex-specific groups. Cox proportional hazards models assessed the joint hazard ratio for all-cause mortality. Analysis was performed in 2025. RESULTS:Higher grip strength was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality, regardless of smoking (hazard ratio=0.70, 95% CI=0.54, 0.90), alcohol consumption (hazard ratio=0.60, 95% CI=0.46, 0.77), low physical activity (moderate intensity: hazard ratio=0.51, 95% CI=0.36, 0.71; vigorous intensity: hazard ratio=0.55, 95% CI=0.45, 0.67), and sleeping trouble (hazard ratio=0.60, 95% CI=0.45, 0.79). For each healthy behavior, except not smoking, the joint protective effect on mortality was comparable with the individual effect of higher grip strength. The greatest survival benefits were observed in individuals who combined higher grip strength with healthy behaviors, with risk reductions ranging from 43% to 64%. CONCLUSIONS:Higher grip strength seems to be a protective factor against all-cause mortality, even in individuals not following healthy behaviors. Findings highlight the importance of public health strategies that promote both muscle strength and healthy behaviors to improve longevity.

BackgroundDespite growing scientific evidence and health guidelines, the global health paradox persists, with rising lifestyle-related diseases and escalating healthcare costs exposing the inadequacy of current efforts.ObjectiveThree multidisciplinary congresses were held to generate evidence-based conclusions aimed at addressing the global health paradox.MethodsA total of 58 experts from 62 entities participated in the international research and knowledge-exchange panels. Experts reviewed the latest findings to develop practical strategies and identify key research and policy priorities, focusing on the Healthy Eating & Active Living (HEAL) approach.Results, conclusion, and relevanceThe expert consortium endorsed a 33 evidence-based consensual-statement policy roadmap for addressing global health challenges, emphasizing that the HEAL approach can significantly contribute to the “Prevention First” appeal and broad ethical, social, ecological, and economic advantages, and ultimately supporting policy change.

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.

This study investigates online health information sources and eHealth literacy among older adults and explores a model examining mediating health behavior factors on the relationship between eHealth literacy, physical well-being, and quality of life in seniors. A cross-sectional design was employed using a convenience sample of 502 Israeli seniors aged 65 and above. The questionnaire comprised five sections: background characteristics, eHealth Literacy, Older People's Quality of Life, Health Behavior Inventory, and physical well-being. Seniors primarily used Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), general Google searches, and official government health websites for online health information. No significant differences were found in eHealth literacy levels between seniors who used reliable sources and those who used unreliable sources. Structural equation modeling revealed that higher eHealth literacy was associated with better use of health resources, adherence to healthy diets, and improved physical well-being and quality of life. These health behaviors partially mediated the relationship between eHealth literacy and well-being outcomes. While seniors use a mix of reliable and unreliable online health information sources, eHealth literacy levels do not significantly differ based on source reliability. Higher eHealth literacy predicts better health behaviors such as the appropriate use of health resources and adherence to healthy diets, which, in turn, lead to improved physical well-being and quality of life.

This systematic review examined the effects of physical activity (PA) at different intensities (light, moderate, and vigorous) on learning variables in students aged 6 to 16 years, considering practice modality (individual or group) and timing (before, during, or after school). Based on 42 intervention studies (2014–2024), PA positively influences emotional, socio-behavioral, and cognitive learning dimensions. Emotionally, PA reduces stress, enhances emotional regulation, and boosts intrinsic motivation. Socio-behaviorally, it strengthens skills like cooperation and teamwork, with group interventions being most effective. Cognitively, light-to-moderate PA improves attention and memory, while moderate-to-vigorous intensities benefit inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, though fatigue may limit high-intensity benefits. Importantly, the context of implementation (regular classroom, physical education class, extracurricular programs, or whole-school approaches) shaped the type and magnitude of benefits observed, highlighting the need to align interventions with pedagogical goals and school conditions. PA during school hours is most effective when integrated with academics, while extracurricular interventions excel when they emphasize voluntary participation and enjoyment. A proposed model positions PA as a critical tool for enhancing learning and overcoming educational barriers, offering guidelines to optimize its impact through intensity, modality, and timing. This review also aims to generate evidence-based recommendations that are adaptable to diverse school contexts worldwide and accessible to educators and families, ensuring that guidance is both practical and inclusive.

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.

Regular physical activity is associated with improved mental health, yet its role following mass trauma-and the differential contributions of motivational versus behavioural components-remains insufficiently understood. Drawing on stress-buffering and self-determination frameworks, this study examined whether value-based motivation for fitness and weekly vigorous physical activity are differentially associated with well-being as a function of trauma-exposure severity. A cross-sectional design was used with three groups (N = 306): survivors of the October 7, 2023 Nova music-festival attack (direct exposure; n = 74), university students assessed in 2024 (vicarious exposure; n = 82), and students assessed in 2022 (pre-event, non-exposed; n = 150). Measures included value fitness commitment (VFC), weekly vigorous physical activity (WPA), subjective happiness, somatic complaints, and PTSD symptoms (directly exposed group only). Group differences were examined using ANOVA/MANOVA. Associations and moderation effects were tested with correlation analyses and Hayes' PROCESS models controlling for age and family status. Directly exposed participants reported lower subjective happiness and higher somatic complaints than comparison groups. WPA was associated with fewer somatic complaints in the full sample and with lower PTSD symptom severity among directly exposed participants. VFC was associated with greater subjective happiness and fewer somatic complaints among directly exposed participants. Moderation analyses showed that the inverse association between VFC and somatic complaints was significant only in the directly exposed group, whereas WPA-well-being associations were not moderated by exposure level. Both motivational and behavioural physical-activity indices were linked to better well-being following trauma, but through partially distinct and context-dependent pathways. Value-based fitness commitment functioned as a protective resource specifically under conditions of severe trauma, consistent with stress-buffering and psychological-flexibility models, whereas actual vigorous activity showed a more general association with reduced somatic distress and PTSD symptoms. Low-cost, scalable physical-activity-related interventions that target both engagement and motivational processes may support post-trauma recovery.

This study explored the interrelationships between movement behaviors, compliance with 24-h recommendations, and their association with physical fitness in Portuguese youth. A total of 263 Portuguese adolescents (51.3

Background Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized digital wellness by providing innovative solutions for health, social connectivity, and overall well-being. Despite these advancements, the older population often struggles with barriers such as accessibility, digital literacy, and infrastructure limitations, leaving them at risk of digital exclusion. These challenges underscore the critical need for tailored AI-driven interventions to bridge the digital divide and enhance the inclusion of older adults in the digital ecosystem. Objective This study presents a comparative bibliometric analysis of research on the role of AI in promoting digital wellness, with a particular emphasis on the older population in comparison to the general population. The analysis addressed five key research topics: (1) the evolution of AI’s impact on digital wellness over time for both the older and general population, (2) patterns of collaboration globally, (3) leading institutions’ contribution to AI-focused research, (4) prominent journals in the field, and (5) emerging themes and trends in AI-related research. Methods Data were collected from the Web of Science between 2016 and 2025, totaling 3429 documents (344 related to older people), analyzed using bibliometric tools. Results Results indicate that AI-related digital wellness research for the general population has experienced exponential growth since 2016, with significant contributions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. In contrast, research on older people has seen slower growth, with more localized collaboration networks and a steady increase in citations. Key research topics for the general population include digital health, machine learning, and telemedicine, whereas studies on older people focus on dementia, mobile health, and risk management. Conclusions The results of our analysis highlight an increasing body of research focused on AI-driven solutions intended to improve the digital wellness among older people and identify future research directions to refer to the specific needs of this population segment.

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.

Purpose This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the influence of menstrual cycle (MC) phases on physical fitness components in eumenorrhoeic women to inform training practices. Methods Studies including eumenorrhoeic women aged ≥ 18 years comparing different MC phases, with the early follicular phase as reference, were included. Data were extracted for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), anaerobic power, knee extensor and flexor strength, sprint, and jumping performance. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted RoB 2.0 tool. Standardised mean differences were meta-analysed using a random-effects model; heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated. Meta-regression assessed MC phase as a moderator. Results From 15,423 records screened, 91 studies met the inclusion criteria, and 24 were included in the meta-analysis. VO2max was significantly lower during the early follicular phase compared to other phases [SMD = –0.28, 95% CI (–0.40, –0.15)]. Sprint time was higher (worse) in the early follicular phase versus the ovulatory and late follicular phases [SMD = 0.25, 95% CI (0.02, 0.48)]. No consistent significant differences were found for anaerobic power, knee strength, or jumping performance. Heterogeneity varied across outcomes; some strength analyses required the exclusion of influential studies. MC phase was not a significant moderator for any outcome. The certainty of evidence was low for all outcomes. Conclusions These findings suggest VO2max and sprint performance may decrease during the early follicular phase, but conclusions are limited due to low evidence certainty. Other fitness components showed no consistent influence from MC phases.

Background Psychological responses to training and competition can vary across the menstrual cycle, yet phase-specific patterns in active and trained women remain poorly characterised. Objective To synthesise current evidence on psychological outcomes across the phases of the natural menstrual cycle in active women and athletes. Methods This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. Studies were eligible if they assessed psychological outcomes across at least two menstrual cycle phases in women with natural menstrual cycles (≥18 years) who were engaged in structured training or physically active (≥150 min of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week) for at least 3 months. Five studies were identified through database searches (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) and screened independently by two reviewers. Outcomes were analysed narratively due to the heterogeneity of results. The methodological quality of the included studies was independently assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Results Across studies, the menstrual and luteal phases were associated with reductions in positive mood and motivation, increased somatic complaints, and elevated emotional tension. Cognitive-affective outcomes such as attention and perceived performance were also impaired, particularly in the late luteal phase. In contrast, the follicular phase showed more favourable psychological functioning. The ovulatory phase was often not verified in the studies. Perceived interference and negative menstrual attitudes moderated several outcomes independent of physiological measures. Conclusions Psychological states may vary across the menstrual cycle, with evidence suggesting greater vulnerability during the luteal and menstrual phases. These findings support the relevance of cycle-informed monitoring and the potential value of individualised support strategies in sport contexts.

BACKGROUND:Frailty is a growing concern in ageing populations, linked to physical and mental health. Although physical activity (PA) attenuates frailty and depression, limited research has explored their joint association with frailty. This study investigated the joint association of depression and PA with pre-frailty and frailty among European adults ≥50 years. METHODS:Cross-sectional data from 39,647 participants in wave 8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Frailty was assessed with SHARE-Frailty Instrument (SHARE-FI). Depression was measured with EURO-D scale, and PA was categorised into four levels based on self-reported frequency. Multinomial logistic regressions examined the joint associations of depression and PA on frailty status. RESULTS:Depression was associated with higher odds (OR) of both pre-frailty and frailty. PA showed a protective effect, even among individuals with depression. The biggest odds reduction occurred in participants without depression and with very high PA (pre-frailty: OR = 0.016, 95% CI = 0.013, 0.019; frailty: OR = 0.001; 95% CI = 0.000, 0.001) compared to participants with depression and very low PA levels. CONCLUSIONS:PA is associated with lower odds of pre-frailty and frailty, even among individuals with depressive symptoms. This supports considering both PA and depressive symptoms when addressing frailty risk in ageing populations.

Abstract Background Detraining is a partial reduction or total stoppage of training workloads, resulting in physical and physiological modifications. Prior studies have shown significant reductions in strength and power typically after long-term interruptions (i.e., > 4 weeks), whereas evidence for short-term detraining (i.e., < 4 weeks) remains inconclusive. This observational study describes acute changes in the physical abilities of football players associated with a 5-day in-season break under real-world conditions. Methods In this uncontrolled observational study, repeated sprinting ability (primary outcome), body composition, vertical jump performance, and maximum thigh adduction and abduction strength were assessed in 17–21 semi-professional male football players (n = 17 for the primary outcome; other tests ranged from 17 to 21) before and after a 5-day in-season break (age: 21.5 ± 1.37 years; height: 178.96 ± 6.59 cm). Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used for comparisons. Intra-individual differences were also calculated. Results After the 5-day break, repeated sprinting ability was significantly worse. Total time to complete the RAST was approximately 1.0 s higher (before: 29.89 ± 1.14 s; after: 30.77 ± 1.62 s, p = 0.009, d = 0.634). Peak power and maximal velocity showed mean reductions of 55 watts (before: 892.34 ± 125.46 W; after: 837.54 ± 108.92 W, p = 0.049, d = -0.427) and 0.65 km.hˉ¹ (before: 26.86 ± 1.03 km.hˉ¹; after: 26.21 ± 1.35 km.hˉ¹, p = 0.030, d = -0.489), respectively, indicating small-to-moderate effect sizes. Vertical jump performance showed slight, non-significant improvements. No significant changes were found for maximum thigh strength or body composition. Conclusion A brief 5-day in-season break under uncontrolled, real-world conditions was associated with small-to-moderate impairments in repeated sprinting ability, while body composition, maximal strength, and vertical jump performance were largely maintained. These findings underscore the need for practitioners to prioritise targeted interventions for repeated sprinting ability following short in-season breaks, alongside strategies to restore performance without compromising technical-tactical demands.

Este estudo analisou as barreiras ao deslocamento ativo de adolescentes para a escola, de acordo com o sexo, zona de moradia e estatuto socioeconômico. As variáveis foram coletadas através de questionários (Neighborhood Impact on Kids e Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Pesquisa). Participaram 1.431 estudantes, com idade entre 12 e 17 anos. As variáveis categóricas dicotomizadas foram analisadas por meio do teste do Qui-quadrado com intervalos de confiança de 95% e significância de p<0,05. As principais barreiras para o deslocamento ativo reportadas foram: Na zona urbana: “o tempo é muito quente e transpiro muito” e “há muito trânsito”; na zona rural: “não existem calçadas ou ciclovias e “a escola fica longe”; moças da zona urbana: “a escola fica longe” e “há muito trânsito”; moças da zona rural: “o caminho era cansativo”; rapazes da zona rural: “o caminho não era bem iluminado”; estatuto socioeconômico: alunos de baixo estatuto socioeconômico da zona urbana e zona rural reportaram “a escola fica longe”. As principais barreiras ao deslocamento ativo referem-se ao clima quente, às escolas distantes, ao trânsito e ao ambiente construído, impactando principalmente escolares de baixo estatuto socioeconômico das duas zonas de moradia, demandando uma tomada de decisão dos entes políticos visando facilitar o deslocamento ativo dos adolescentes.

According to Germany’s 2022 Report Card, the prevalence of overall physical activity among children and adolescents is poor (D-). Cycling to/from school is one possibility among others to increase physical activity. We developed an intervention based on the self-determination theory in previous research to promote a more self-determined form of motivation among students. To establish a robust measurement instrument, this study aimed to validate the German need satisfaction in cycling to/from school scale in terms of construct and criterion validity and reliability, and examine gender differences regarding the mean satisfaction of needs. In 2021, 239 students (46.9% girls, 51.9% boys, 1.3% diverse) aged between 10 and 17 attending an intermediate or high educational level in Southern Germany participated in this study. Global model fit, measurement model invariance tests across gender, and internal consistency were good. Convergent validity was established; however, discriminant validity was doubtful. Concurrent criterion validity was shown by the correlation between mean satisfaction of needs and mean intrinsic motivation and an increased likelihood of cycling to school through the mean satisfaction of needs. We concluded that our study provides a valid and reliable scale to measure the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in cycling to/from school, but only if item 10 within the autonomy subscale is removed.

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.