Mental preparation of karateka for sports competition in kata.

Mental preparation for sports competition in karate is significant, as it is deeply embedded in the philosophical and ethical values that underpin this combat method. In practice, the mental preparation of karateka varies depending on the type of competition, for example preparation for kata (forms) and kumite (fights). Thus, this perspective offers a concise account of the authors' viewpoint on the leading mental skills required of kata competitors.

Exploring the Association Between Adolescents' Health Literacy and Health Behavior by Using the Short Health Literacy (HLS-Q12) Questionnaire.

Background: Health literacy (HL) is an important element of public health that is linked to health behavior in children and adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the structural validity and reliability of the HLS-Q12 in the adolescent population, to measure the general HL of adolescents, and to assess the relationship between adolescents' HL and health behavior.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 825 students aged 15-19 years attending Lithuanian gymnasiums.

Uncovering deep-rooted conflicts: the role of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in treating athletes' social media-related psychological distress.

The use of social media by athletes can support them in difficult moments, but it can also become a source of negative emotions and psychological distress. This perspective critically examines psychoanalytic psychotherapy as a method for restoring athletes' psychological well-being after experiencing negative effects from social media use. The paper characterizes the key elements of psychoanalytic psychotherapy relevant to athletes, discusses the role of the psychoanalytic psychotherapist in working with athletes and describes the specifics of the psychoanalytic therapeutic process in this context.

Sex-specific differences in insulin response and substrate oxidation after repeated, brief whole-body immersion in 45 °C water: A prospective, interventional study.

Prolonged heat exposure is suggested to improve glucose metabolism and fat oxidation, but no studies have addressed whether brief heat stimuli represent a viable, time-efficient, alternative approach. Consequently, we examined the ability of brief stimuli evoked by 45 °C water to improve glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and fat oxidation in young, non-obese, males and females. Twenty-four participants completed fourteen 5-min sessions involving whole body passive heating in 45 °C water.

DE-PASS Best Evidence Statement (BESt): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Effectiveness of Trials on Device-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour and Their Determinants in Children Aged 5-12 Years.

Background: To combat the high prevalence of physical inactivity among children, there is an urgent need to develop and implement real-world interventions and policies that promote physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behaviour (SB). To inform policy makers, the current body of evidence for children's PA/SB interventions needs to be translated.

Objectives: The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify modifiable determinants of device-measured PA and SB targeted in available intervention studies with randomized controlled trial (RCT) and controlled trial (CT) designs in children and early adolescents (5-12 years) and to quantify the effects of the interventions within their respective settings on the determinants of PA/SB and the outcomes PA and SB.

Central and peripheral kynurenine pathway metabolites in COVID-19: Implications for neurological and immunological responses.

Long-term symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairments are commonly observed in individuals affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Metabolites of the kynurenine pathway have been proposed to account for cognitive impairment in COVID-19 patients. Here, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma levels of kynurenine pathway metabolites in 53 COVID-19 patients and 12 non-inflammatory neurological disease controls in Sweden were measured with an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system (UPLC-MS/MS) and correlated with immunological markers and neurological markers.

The use of assistive technology to promote practical skills in persons with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities: A systematic review.

Persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disability (ID) have difficulties in planning, organising and coping with change, which impedes the learning of daily living skills (DLSs), social participation and self-management across different environmental settings. Assistive technologies (ATs) is a broad term encompassing devices and services designed to support individuals with disabilities, and if used in a self-controlled manner, they may contribute inclusion in all domains of participation. This comprehensive literature review aims to critically assess and unify existing research that investigates the use of assistive technology within the practical domain for individuals with ASD and/or ID.

Correlations among flexibility, stiffness, strength and muscle ultrasound parameters in older males afflicted with hamstrings tightness.

Introduction: Age-induced inflexibility may lead to significant mobility impairments and declines in well-being. However, the relationship between the structural and mechanical properties of soft tissue and joint extensibility remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between flexibility, muscle tendon unit (MTU) stiffness, muscle ultrasound characteristics, muscle strength, and hamstring flexibility prediction in older males with hamstring inflexibility.

The Effect of Corrective Exercises on Ground Reaction Forces in Male Students With Upper Crossed Syndrome During Throwing.

Purpose: Poor posture has a negative impact on physical capability and is associated with changes in biomechanics and motor control. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of corrective exercises on ground reaction forces (GRFs) in male student handball players with upper crossed syndrome (UCS) during throwing.

Methods: Thirty male handball students with UCS participated in this single-blind randomized controlled trial (IRCT20200622047888N2; IR.

The Combined Impact of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior on Executive Functions in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The interplay between physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) significantly influences cognitive health in older adults, with executive functions (EFs) being particularly vulnerable to lifestyle factors. However, previous research on older adults focused mainly on PA and is limited due to the lack of comprehensive consideration of other factors that influence EFs. Current guidelines suggest an association between sedentary behavior (SB) and EFs, yet few studies have examined the combined effects of PA and SB on EFs.

Discipline-specific adaptation patterns in respiratory and lower limb musculotendinous structures: cyclists vs. basketball players.

Background: This study aimed at assessing how chronic exposure to specific exercise training (high-intensity intervals vs. endurance), comparing experienced basketball-players (BP, N.=16), cyclists (CY, N.

Training environment and sponsorship dynamics in Hungarian artistic swimming.

The present study examines the training environment and sponsorship dynamics in Hungarian artistic swimming, with a particular focus on competitiveness. Through the utilization of a linear regression method ample aspects were identified, such as coach qualifications, funding sources, and facilities, that positively impact the number of qualified competitors. The availability of funding sources, when coupled with governmental assistance, has a favorable effect on the number of competitors, whereas membership fees have a deleterious impact.

The Associations between Depressive Symptoms and Self-Rated Health in Relation to Sense of Coherence among Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: We investigated the predictors of poor SRH in a representative sample of Lithuanian mainstream school students in grades 7-8. We also checked for gender differences in the associations between SRH and depressive symptoms and other predictors.

Methods: A total of 2104 7th-8th-grade students participated (response rate 73.

The associations of n-3 fatty acid intake with handgrip strength and muscle mass indices in older adults: A cross-sectional study from UK Biobank.

Objectives: To investigate the associations of n-3 fatty acid intake with handgrip strength and muscle mass indices in older adults. A secondary aim was to investigate whether these associations differed by physical activity status.

Research Methods & Procedures: A cross-sectional study included 53,170 participants aged 60 years and over from the UK biobank (25,324 men and 27,846 women).

The association between smoking/vaping habits and self-reported respiratory symptoms.

Background: Smoking is well known for its harmful effect on the respiratory system, but whether vaping is less harmful is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the association of smoking/vaping habits with self-reported respiratory symptoms in vapers and cigarette smokers.

Methods: An online survey was developed and shared on different vaping and smoking social media platforms and communities.

Aerobic capacity in swimming, cycling and arm cranking in swimmers aged 11-13 years.

Background: This study aimed to compare the aerobic capacity in swimming, cycling and arm cranking in swimmers aged 11-13 years.

Methods: Eleven swimmers (mean age, 12.1 ± 1.

Cardiorespiratory fitness, independent of APOE genotype, is associated with better neurocognitive function in older adults: An ERP study.

This study assessed the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and carriage of the apolipoprotein-E ε4 (APOE ε4) alleles and cognitive function using behavioral and neuroelectric measures obtained from cognitively normal older adults. A total of 159 adults aged 50-70 years were categorized into four groups based on cardiorespiratory fitness (i.e.

Inside the Defensive Playbook: Pick-and-Roll Tactical Adjustments Impact the External and Internal Loads During Small-Sided Games in Female Basketball Players.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effect of playing different pick-and-roll (PnR) defensive tactical options during small-sided games (SSGs) on external and internal loads in female basketball players.

Methods: Twelve female basketball players (age 28 [2] y; stature 175 [6] cm; body mass 65 [7] kg; playing experience 18 [4] y) belonging to a team competing in the Lithuanian second division were recruited for this study. Across 3 experimental sessions and in a randomized order, players performed 3 SSGs sharing the same features but using 3 defensive strategies on the middle PnR action: Switch, Trap, and Drop.

Nutrition Practices of Lithuanian Elite International and National-level Male Bodybuilders in the Pre-competition Period.

Objectives: To compare the pre-competition nutrition practices of Lithuanian elite international-level (IL) and national-level (NL) bodybuilders.

Methods: Sixteen male bodybuilders (n=8 per group) were enrolled. The IL group comprised individuals achieving 1 to 4 place in the World and European Championships organized by the IFBB, whereas the NL group ranked between 1 and 6 place in the national championships.

Effect of Low vs. High Carbohydrate Intake after Glycogen-Depleting Workout on Subsequent 1500 m Run Performance in High-Level Runners.

Carbohydrate (CHO) metabolism is crucial for short-duration, high-intensity exercise performance, but the effects of variations in glycogen availability have not been investigated in field trials of trained athletes. This study was designed to test how 1500 m time trial (TT) performance is affected by the manipulation of pre-race glycogen reserves. Competitive middle-distance runners ( = 11 (4 females)) completed a 1500 m individually paced indoor TT after abundant (high, >5 g/kg/d) or restricted (low, <1.