Health and Performance through Sports at All Ages 3.0

Background: The objective of this study was to analyze the impacts of a comprehensive physical exercise program with cognitive involvement during the school day on the executive functions and interpersonal skills of 5- and 6-year-old children. Methods: A total of 68 children participated in a 3-week pre–post intervention. Results: The results showed significant improvements in executive functions and interpersonal skills under the experimental conditions compared to the control group. These positive effects were observed to persist after a three-week follow-up. Conclusions: Therefore, the ActivaMotricidad program, which focuses on developing fundamental motor skills through cognitive, cooperative, and coordinative challenges, can serve as a useful and low-cost tool to achieve the objectives of comprehensive development and sustainability for children in early childhood education. Full article

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of the most debated methods involving several parameters that could be modulated, but the long-term adaptations it induces are still unclear. This investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of running and whole-body exercises with high-intensity (>80% heart rate) short intervals (30 s) in body composition and physical performance and compare the effects between groups with active (AR) or passive recovery (PR), both in males and females. Methods: Eighteen trained young adults (55.56% ♀) were randomly allocated to the PR (n = 9, 23.09 ± 2.56 years, 163.69 ± 9.88 cm, 68.96 ± 14.62 kg) or AR (n = 9, 22.05 ± 1.54 years, 170.61 ± 11.5 cm, 68.78 ± 12.45 kg) group. Both groups performed eight weeks of HIIT, with an equal progression, training, and volume load (TL: F = 1.55, p = 0.214; VL: F = 0.81, p = 0.505). Body fat (BF), fat-free mass (FFM), upper and lower limb fat (UFI, LFI) and muscle areas (UMA, LMA), handgrip strength (HGS), power (countermovement jump, CMJ), agility (5-0-5), and maximal oxygen consumption ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2p) were tested before and after treatments. Results: The proposed HIIT reduced BF by 9.57% and increased FFM by 2.09%. Females reported better adaptations in LMA (8.34 times higher than males), while both sexes’ upper limb mass distribution was better affected by PR (♀: UFI g = 1.851, 95% CI: 0.51, 3.14; ♂: UFI g = 2.456, 95% CI: 0.336, 4.487). Concerning conditioning, the protocol increased $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2p by 6.47%. Females showed better adaptations in CMJ (RR = 1.8), while males showed better adaptations in agility (RR = 3.76). The interaction effects were significant for PR females (right = +6.28%; left = +9.28%) and for AR males (right = +19.21%; left = +19.04%) in HGS. Conclusions: Short-interval HIIT with different exercise recovery types may be a practical solution in training where several physiological improvements are needed. Coaches and trainers can take advantage of the versatile nature of HIIT, relying on desired movement patterns and long-term responses in both male and female individuals. Full article

Background: A knee injury in an athlete leads to periods of forced exercise interruption. Myocardial work (MW) assessed by echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) are two essential methods for evaluating athletes during the period following injury. However, compared to pre-surgery evaluations, the variations in cardiovascular parameters and functional capacity assessed by these methods after surgery remain unclear. Methods: We evaluated 22 non-professional athletes aged 18–52, involved in prevalently aerobic or alternate aerobic/anaerobic sports activities, who were affected by a knee pathology requiring surgical treatment. The evaluation was performed at rest using transthoracic echocardiography, including MW assessment, and during exercise using CPET. Each athlete underwent the following two evaluations: the first before surgery and the second after surgery (specifically at the end of the deconditioning period). Results: Resting heart rate (HR) increased significantly (from 63.3 ± 10.85 to 71.2 ± 12.52 beats per minute, p = 0.041), while resting diastolic and systolic blood pressure, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in the first second did not show significant changes. Regarding the echocardiographic data, global longitudinal strain decreased from −18.9 ± 1.8 to −19.3 ± 1.75; however, this reduction was not statistically significant (p = 0.161). However, the global work efficiency (GWE) increased significantly (from 93.0% ± 2.9 to 94.8% ± 2.6, p = 0.006) and global wasted work (GWW) reduced significantly (from 141.4 ± 74.07 to 98.0 ± 50.9, p = 0.007). Additionally, the patients were able to perform maximal CPET at both pre- and post-surgery evaluations, as demonstrated by the peak respiratory exchange ratio and HR. However, the improved myocardial contractility (increased GWE and decreased GWW) observed at rest did not translate into significant changes in exercise parameters, such as peak oxygen consumption and the mean ventilation/carbon dioxide slope. Conclusions: After surgery, the athletes were more deconditioned (as indicated by a higher resting HR) but exhibited better resting myocardial contractility (increased GWE and reduced GWW). Interestingly, no significant changes in exercise capacity parameters, as evaluated by CPET, were found after surgery, suggesting that the improved myocardial contractility was offset by a greater degree of muscular deconditioning. Full article

Practicing physical activities or sports that involve frequent jumping and landing can strain the muscles and joints of the lower limbs, especially in those who do not have adequate physical preparation. The objective of this study was to (a) determine the correlation between ankle range of motion (ROM) and landing stability following jumps; (b) assess the association between the jump height in a counter-movement jump (CMJ) test and ankle ROM; and (c) examine the connection between stabilometry during specific jumps movements present in many sports and in ankle stabilization. Sixty-two healthy amateur volleyball players participated in the study (age: thirty-seven females and twenty-five males; age (years): 16.5 ± 4.25; height (cm): 166 ± 11.4; weight (Kg): 61.6 ± 13.7). Participants were recruited for the study in collaboration with student sports associations. The evaluations encompassed the measurement of ankle joint mobility for both lower limbs using an inertial sensor, a static baropodometric and stabilometric analysis using a pressure platform, and the CMJ test using the Microgate system. After the assessments, participants performed a “specific jump landing task”. Significant correlations were found between foot range of motion (ROM) and counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance. Specifically, the ROM of the right foot had a strong correlation with the CMJ (r = 0.81, p < 0.001), while the left foot ROM showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). The specific jump task revealed substantial changes in stabilometry parameters, particularly during forward hops compared to lateral jumps. Dorsiflexion ROM significantly impacts jumping ability. Evaluating landing patterns and stabilometry during targeted activities can help optimize training, improve dynamic balance, and reduce ankle injury risk. Full article

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein involved in synaptic transmission and neuronal plasticity, which underlie the processes of learning and memory formation. Acute exercise and exercise training increase BDNF concentration. We aimed to evaluate the effects of a 3-month integrated neuromuscular training (INT) on salivary BDNF concentration and the mastery of fundamental motor skills in school-aged children. An additional goal was to explore the associations between potential changes in BDNF and fundamental motor skills. Sixty-seven primary school-aged children were randomly allocated to control (N = 32; 7.52 ± 0.31 y) or INT groups (N = 35; 7.56 ± 0.29 y). A 3-month INT was applied during the warm-up of physical education (PE) classes, twice weekly. Salivary BDNF was measured using a sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the mastery of fundamental motor skills was assessed using the CAMSA test, at baseline and after 3 months. The children in the INT group, as compared to the children in the control group, exhibited higher salivary BDNF (F = 8.865; p = 0.004), higher scores for sidestep (F = 13.240, p = 0.001), 1-foot hop (F = 11.684, p = 0.001), kick (F = 4.010, p = 0.050), the sum of locomotor skills (F = 18.799, p < 0.0001), and the sum of control and manipulative skills (F = 8.151, p = 0.006), as well as the total sum of fundamental motor skills (F = 11.266, p = 0.001) after the 3 months. Interestingly, the increase in salivary BDNF concentration after the 3-month INT was associated with an improvement in locomotor skills (beta = 0.385; p = 0.039; adjusted R² = 0.088) and the total improvement in fundamental motor skills (beta = 0.428; p = 0.020; adjusted R² = 0.124). A school-based 3-month INT increased salivary BDNF and improved the mastery of fundamental motor skills in children, highlighting the positive impact of this intervention for a pediatric population. Full article

The testosterone to cortisol ratio (T:C ratio) is a measure of whether elite athletes are recovering from their training. This study described this hormone balance stress in elite women’s basketball. (1) Objectives: to analyse the fluctuation of T:C ratio over a 16-week period and explore itis relation to their athletic performance. The participants characteristics were: (height: 177.6 ± 6.4 cm; body mass: 77.808 ± 12.396 kg age: 26.0 ± 5.9 years; and a playing experience of 14.7 ± 2.9 years with 5.0 ± 1.2 years at the elite level. The T:C ratio at Time 1 is: 4.0 ± 2.4 (n = 12); and at Time 2 is: 5.1 ± 4.3 (n = 12). (2) Methods: during 16 weeks of competition, participants underwent analysis of blood samples to assess various biochemical parameters including hormone levels. In addition, their athletic performance was assessed with the following tests: jumping (SJ, CMJ, ABK, DJ); throwing test with a medicine ball (3 kg); Illinois COD agility test; sprint repeatability with change of direction; 20-m speed test without change of direction; and Yo-yo intermittent endurance test IET (II). (3) Results: The main alterations observed were an increase in T levels (1.687%) and a decrease in C levels (−7.634%) between moments, with an improvement (26.366%) in the T:C ratio. Improvements were also observed in some of the tests developed, such as jumping (SJ: 11.5%, p = 0.029; CMJ: 10.5%, p = 0.03; DJ: 13.0%, p = 0.01), upper body strength (MBT: 5.4%, p = 0.03), translation ability (20 m: −1.7%), repeated sprint ability (RSA: −2.2%), as well as intermittent endurance test (Yy (IET): 63.5%, p = 0.01), with significant changes in some of the performance tests. (4) Conclusions: T:C ratio may differ in a manner unrelated to training volume, showing some variation. These results may be attributed to the accumulation of psychophysiological stress during the season. Full article

Volleyball primarily focuses on technical and tactical training with a ball. However, there is growing interest in integrating fitness training into volleyball practice, particularly to enhance explosive strength through plyometric methods, but there is a lack of a direct scientific comparison between training with and without the ball. This study aimed to compare the effects of two training protocols on volleyball players. One protocol combined plyometric exercises with technical gestures (wall drills) using the ball, while the other protocol excluded the ball during plyometric exercises. Twenty male volleyball players (aged 18.6 ± 0.3 years, height 189.8 ± 2.2 cm, weight 79.4 ± 1.6 kg) were divided into experimental (with ball) and control (without ball) groups. The analysis of the results highlights significant improvements in both the squat jumps (SJs) and the countermovement jumps with arm swing (CMJas) for both groups. While there were no significant differences between the groups for SJ, significant differences emerged in CMJas, indicating varied training effects. Specifically, the interaction effect was significant (p = 0.004), demonstrating a meaningful distinction in performance improvements between the two groups. The effect size of the interaction is moderate (η_p² = 0.37, 95% CI: 0; 0.91). These results suggest that incorporating a ball into plyometric training can be beneficial for developing explosive strength in a different way, thereby improving performance due to the motivational stimulus provided. However, given the specificity of the sample and the training protocols used, further studies are needed to confirm these results and evaluate their applicability to a larger sample of volleyball players. Full article

Occupational health is a major problem in modern work environments. Physical activity breaks (PABs), short exercise periods delivered during working hours, incorporating exergames or outdoor activities, have emerged as a novel approach that could be used to improve work efficiency and workplace wellbeing. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of PABs on attention levels and executive functions in healthcare workers. A total of 27 healthcare workers (M = 14, W = 13; 49.55 ± 12.46 years), after 4 h of work, randomly performed one of three 10 min conditions weekly in a counterbalanced order: No Physical Activity Break (NPAB); Outdoor Physical Activity Break (OPAB); Physical Activity Break with Exergame (PABEx). After the conditions, executive functions and selective attention were assessed by the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), and the Trail Making A,B test (TMT A,B), respectively. Significant differences between OPAB and NPAB as well as between PABEx and NPAB in the TMT-A test χ2(2) = 44.66 (p < 0.001) and TMT-B test χ2(2) = 48.67 (p < 0.001) were found, respectively. TMT-A and SCWT interference/time scores of the PABEx and OPAB conditions were significantly lower than those of NPAB (p < 0.001). In the SCWT interference/error score, no significant difference was found between the PABEx and NPAB (p > 0.05), but the score was statistically lower in the OPAB condition than PABEx (p = 0.001) and PABEx condition compared to OPAB for TMT-A (p = 0.001). Findings showed that the OPAB and PABEx conditions are effective in improving selective attention and executive functions in healthcare workers. Employers can foster a healthier and more productive workforce by promoting a culture of movement and prioritizing employee health, which in turn can enhance patient care outcomes. Full article

One of the most important implications of technology in swimming is to control training loads. Lactate control, video-analysis of the technique or the assessment of specific actions, i.e., the vertical jump, have helped to provide load adaptation indicators in swimmers in recent decades. However, these indicators have led to a longer application time, due to their indirect procedure and the need to analyze each variable. The aim of this study was to analyze whether inspiratory spirometry values can serve as a training load control tool in swimmers. Countermovement jump (CMJ), Inspiratory Force Index (S-INDEX) and Peak Inspiratory Flow (PIF) were evaluated with a load of 3 cm H₂O before, during and after performing a swimming performance test (critical speed test: specific warming up, 400 m and 100 m freestyle). Positive correlations were found between S-INDEX and jump height after warm-up, after 400 m and at the end of 100 m (Spearman = 0.470, R² = 0.280; Spearman = 0.508, R² = 0.392; Spearman = 0.458, R² = 0.359, p < 0.05, respectively). Moreover, positive correlations were also found between PIF and jump height at the same evaluated moments (Spearman = 0.461, R² = 0.305; Spearman = 0.493, R² = 0.386; Spearman = 0.454, R² = 0.374, p < 0.05). Both the S-INDEX and the PIF could serve as useful tools for swimmer load control, allowing coaches to make more immediate decisions. Full article

Early childhood is a critical period for physical and motor development with implications for long-term health. This systematic review examined the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and measures of physical fitness and motor skills in preschool-aged children (typically 2–6 years). The search strategy was applied in four databases (PubMed, ProQuest Central, Scopus, and Web of Science) to find articles published before 11 April 2024. The results consistently demonstrated significant associations between anthropometric variables (height, weight, body mass index [BMI], body composition) and physical performance measures. Notably, height and mass were often better predictors of fitness status than BMI alone. Indicators of undernutrition (stunting, wasting) were negatively associated with motor development, emphasizing the importance of adequate nutrition. While some studies reported impaired fitness and motor skills among overweight/obese preschoolers compared to normal-weight peers, others found no differences based on weight status. Relationships between physical activity levels, anthropometrics, and motor outcomes were complex and inconsistent across studies. This review highlights key findings regarding the influence of anthropometric factors on physical capabilities in early childhood. Early identification of children with impaired growth or excessive adiposity may inform tailored interventions to promote optimal motor development and prevent issues like obesity. Creating supportive environments for healthy growth and age-appropriate physical activity opportunities is crucial during this critical developmental window. Full article