Low Birth Weight and Related Metabolic Risk Factors, Cardio-Respiratory Fitness and Physical Activity in Adolescents.

Background/objectives: The associations between low birth weight (LBW) and the aggregation of metabolic risk factors (MRF) in youth remain ambiguous. Thus, this study analysed the interrelationship among MRF, LBW, and behavioural factors in adolescents.

Methods: The sample of the present cross-sectional study comprised 491 youth (229 males, 262 females) aged 14-17 years.

Analyzing Parental Involvement in Youth Basketball.

Parental involvement in youth sports is increasingly relevant in scientific research since parents have gradually developed awareness regarding youngsters' sports experiences. This study aimed to (1) examine potential differences in athletes' and parents' perceptions of parental involvement practices in youth basketball, (2) verify whether these perceptions differ by sex, and (3) analyze the relationship between the different perceptions dimensions recorded. The analysis included a large sample of 423 Portuguese participants (151 youth basketball athletes and 272 parents) who completed the Parental Behaviors in Sports (PBSP) questionnaire.

Learning to Cycle: Why Is the Balance Bike More Efficient than the Bicycle with Training Wheels? The Lyapunov's Answer.

Background/objectives: Riding a bicycle is a foundational movement skill that can be acquired at an early age. The most common training bicycle has lateral training wheels (BTW). However, the balance bike (BB) has consistently been regarded as more efficient, as children require less time on this bike to successfully transition to a traditional bike (TB).

Heart Rate Variability, Blood Pressure and Peripheral Oxygen Saturation during Yoga and Breathing Techniques without Retention in Adult Practitioners.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the change in time intervals between heart beats, reflecting the autonomic nervous system's ability to adapt to psychological and physiological demands. Slow breathing enhances parasympathetic activity, increasing HRV. , a yoga breathing technique, affords the conscious regulation of respiration frequency.

Beyond the Classroom: Investigating the Relationship between Psychomotor Development and Academic Achievement in 4-12-Year-Olds.

Background/objectives: The relevance of psychomotor skills in children's growth is being increasingly recognized. The transversal role of psychomotor skills in learning performance is described through a link between cognitive and motor functioning, promoting socio-affective-expressive competencies, but there is a scarcity of evidence from the field. A two-fold goal was defined: to investigate the relationship between psychomotor functions and academic performance and to examine the factors affecting children's academic performance.

The effects of melatonin and magnesium in a novel supplement delivery system on sleep scores, body composition and metabolism in otherwise healthy individuals with sleep disturbances.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel dietary supplement, including melatonin and magnesium, delivered via coffee pods on sleep quality, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and body composition in individuals with poor sleep quality disturbances. Using a double-blinded, randomized, crossover trial, we recruited 35 participants to a 4-week intervention with both supplements (1.9 mg melatonin + 200 mg elemental magnesium before sleep) and placebo conditions, considering a 7d washout period between treatments.

The effect of menthol rinsing before intermittent exercise on physiological, physical, and thermo-behavioral responses of male football referees in hot and humid environment.

Introduction: In the current experiment, we aimed to evaluate whether eliciting pre-exercise non-thermal cooling sensations would alter perceptual measures, and physical and physiological responses in football referees.

Methods: Nine highly trained male football referees undertook two 45-minute intermittent exercise protocols in hot and humid conditions (34.2 ± 0.

Acute effects of isotonic eccentric exercise on the neuromuscular function of knee extensors vary according to the motor task: impact on muscle strength profiles, proprioception and balance.

Introduction: Eccentric exercise has often been reported to result in muscle damage, limiting the muscle potential to produce force. However, understanding whether these adverse consequences extend to a broader, functional level is of apparently less concern. In this study, we address this issue by investigating the acute and delayed effects of supramaximal isotonic eccentric exercise on neuromuscular function and motor performance of knee extensors during tasks involving a range of strength profiles, proprioception, and balance.

Menthol mouth rinsing and performance in elite football referees in the heat: A study protocol for a randomized crossover trial.

Background: Within professional European competitions, matches can be played in extreme environmental temperatures, ranging from -5 °C to +30 °C in different countries. Furthermore, the World Cups are usually played in the summer months, when temperatures can exceed 35 °C, increasing physiological stress. Practical and cost-effective cooling strategies may be implemented to help players and referees to cope with exercising in the heat.

Reliability of Maximal Strength and Peak Rate of Force Development in a Portable Nordic Hamstrings Exercise Device.

The Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is a very popular exercise used to improve eccentric strength and prevent injuries. The aim of this investigation was to assess the reliability of a portable dynamometer that measures maximal strength (MS) and rate of force development (RFD) during the NHE. Seventeen physically active participants (34.

Effects of Exposure to Formal Aquatic Activities on Babies Younger Than 36 Months: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review investigated the possible effects of exposing infants to formal activities in aquatic environments. A literature search of eight databases was concluded on 12 December 2022. Studies were eligible if they: (i) focused on 0-36 months of age infants, (ii) addressed the exposure of infants to formal aquatic activities, and (iii) compared the 'same condition of aquatic exposure with the control' or 'before and after exposure'.

Kindergarten Affordances for Physical Activity and Preschoolers' Motor and Social-Emotional Competence.

This study examined the relationship between the quality of the kindergarten physical and social environment to promote physical activity (PA) and preschoolers' motor and social-emotional competence. Two Portuguese kindergartens (Gondomar city) were selected from a pool of seventeen with an assessment of kindergarten PA best practices (one with high PA practices, the other with low). Thirty-six children (M = 4.

Methods over Materials: The Need for Sport-Specific Equations to Accurately Predict Fat Mass Using Bioimpedance Analysis or Anthropometry.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and anthropometry are considered alternatives to well-established reference techniques for assessing body composition. In team sports, the percentage of fat mass (FM%) is one of the most informative parameters, and a wide range of predictive equations allow for its estimation through both BIA and anthropometry. Although it is not clear which of these two techniques is more accurate for estimating FM%, the choice of the predictive equation could be a determining factor.

Fat-free mass estimation in male elite futsal players: Development and validation of a new bioelectrical impedance-based predictive equation.

Objectives: The present study aimed to develop and cross-validate a futsal-specific bioelectrical equation for estimating fat-free mass (FFM) in male players.

Methods: A total of 66 futsal players (age 23.3 ± 5.

Performance effects of internal pre- and per-cooling across different exercise and environmental conditions: A systematic review.

Exercise in a hot and humid environment may endanger athlete's health and affect physical performance. This systematic review aimed to examine whether internal administration of ice, cold beverages or menthol solutions may be beneficial for physical performance when exercising in different environmental conditions and sports backgrounds. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and SPORTDiscus databases, from inception to April 2022, to identify studies meeting the following inclusion criteria: healthy male and female physically active individuals or athletes (aged ≥18 years); an intervention consisting in the internal administration (i.

Association between Phase Angle from Bioelectric Impedance and Muscular Strength and Power in Physically Active Adults.

This study aimed to compare muscle strength and power indicators according to bioimpedance spectroscopy’s phase angle (PhA) values, in resistance-trained (RT) men, while exploring associations between PhA and performance. Forty-four men aged 18−45 years, engaged in RT, were allocated according to PhA tertiles. Lean soft tissue (LST) and fat mass (%FM) were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; dynamic muscle strength using 1 repetition maximum (1RM) of bench press (BP) and back squat (BS) and muscle power using Wingate test (WT) and countermovement jump (CMJ).

Associations between Training Load and Well-Being in Elite Beach Soccer Players: A Case Report.

The current case study aimed to quantify within-subjects correlations between training load and well-being in elite male beach soccer players. Data were obtained over three consecutive days during the preparation camp for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia 2021. The session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) and external training load metrics using global positioning system (GPS) were recorded.

Editorial: New Training Strategies and Evaluation Methods for Improving Health and Physical Performance.

Physical activity is among the most effective methods for improving health, body composition, and physical function, and its practice is suitable for every population [...

Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis Discriminates Aerobic Power in Futsal Players: The Role of Body Composition.

Aims: The present study aimed to assess the ability of bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in discriminating fitness levels in futsal players, exploring the association of body composition and bioelectrical parameters with aerobic power. Methods: Forty-eight professional futsal players (age 23.8 ± 5.

Biomechanical Performance Factors in the Track and Field Sprint Start: A Systematic Review.

In athletics sprint events, the block start performance can be fundamental to the outcome of a race. This Systematic Review aims to identify biomechanical factors of critical importance to the block start and subsequent first two steps performance. A systematic search of relevant English-language articles was performed on three scientific databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) to identify peer-reviewed articles published until June 2021.

Pressure ulcer risk profiles of hospitalized patients based on the Braden Scale: A cluster analysis.

Aim: The aim of this work is to identify the pressure ulcer risk profiles of hospitalized patients with reference to Braden Scale subscales.

Methods: A total of 2996 hospitalized Portuguese participants were screened using the Braden Scale. A hierarchical and nonhierarchical cluster analysis was conducted, with ethical approval.

Exploring the provision and motives behind the adoption of health-promotion programmes in professional football clubs across four European countries.

This study mapped existing health-promotion provisions targeting adults in professional football clubs across England, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal, and explored motives behind the clubs' adoption of the European Fans in Training (EuroFIT) programme. We surveyed top-tier football clubs in the four countries and interviewed representatives from football clubs and the clubs' charitable foundation who delivered EuroFIT. The findings showed large between-country differences, with football clubs in England reporting far greater healthy lifestyle provision than other countries.

Relationship between the Affordances for Motor Behavior of Schoolchildren (AMBS) and Motor Competence Assessment (MCA) in Brazilian Children.

During growth, children are influenced by an extensive network, in which more favorable contexts provide better affordance landscapes, and consequently have a better potential to foster child development. We aimed to examine the affordances provided to children using the Affordances for Motor Behavior of Schoolchildren (AMBS) tool, estimating its association with children's motor competence, as assessed by the Motor Competence Assessment (MCA) battery. Seventy-two Brazilian children were evaluated using the MCA instrument.

Physiological Responses During High-Intensity Interval Training in Young Swimmers.

This study analyzed whether 100- and 200-m interval training (IT) in swimming differed regarding temporal, perceptual, and physiological responses. The IT was performed at maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) until exhaustion and time spent near to maximalVO peak oxygen uptake (⩒Opeak), total time limit (t), peak blood lactate [La] peak, ⩒O kinetics (⩒OK), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were compared between protocols. Twelve swimmers (seven males 16.