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Background: Supervised online exercise training (OET) may help to counteract physical inactivity in healthy older adults. Few studies to date have compared the effect of OET and traditional face-to-face exercise training (TET). Aims: With this study we compared the effect of OET and TET on physical function in healthy older adults and investigated the feasibility of OET. Methods: Power analysis indicated that a sample size of n = 20 per group was necessary to detect a moderate effect size. Of 80 individuals potentially interested in the study, 32 did not meet the inclusion criteria and 22 declined participation; 26 were assigned to receive OET via Zoom© and 19 to receive TET twice a week for 12 weeks. The exercise training program was the same for both groups: fine finger and muscle strengthening and balance exercises. Performance was measured using the 400-m Walk, Timed Up and Go, Four Square Step, One Leg Stance, Five Time Chair Stand, and Hand Grip tests. Results and conclusions: In general, physical function was improved after OET and TET (ηp2 range, 0.349–0.642). No improvement in upper limb strength was observed in either group (p > 0.05), whereas endurance on the 400-m Walk Test was increased for the OET group and decreased for the TET group (Time × Group interaction F 5.540, ηp2 0.187; p = 0.007). Good adherence was noted for the OET group (82%). No adverse events during the 12-week study period were recorded. Our findings suggest a positive effect of exercise training on physical function over time, regardless of how delivered. OET was found to be feasible and acceptable, making it a viable alternative to conventional exercise programs for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Football is a popular sport, but little is known about the youth-to-senior transition rates in elite players, particularly in large and successful countries. This study aims to investigate the youth-to-senior transition rate in the Italian national football team, both prospectively and retrospectively, and to explore if Relative Age Effects (RAEs) affect this transition. Data from 885 players selected in youth and senior Italian national teams between 2000 and 2021 were included in the study. For each player, the birthdate and the number of selection in Under 16, 17, 19, 21 and senior team was considered. The transition rate was determined by the number of youth players competing in the Senior National team (and vice versa), whilst birth quarter (Q) distributions with a chi-square goodness-of-fit test. Prospectively, the transition rate increased as age increased (i.e., from ~20% in U16 to ~50% in U19). Retrospectively, less than 10–20% of youth players were subsequently selected for the senior team. Data revealed a skewed birth date distribution in all age groups, and the RAEs magnitude decreased when age increased (i.e., ORs for Q1 vs Q4 was ~ 9 in U16 and ~ 1.7 in senior teams). Nevertheless, the RAE magnitude was smaller for successfully transitioned players. In conclusion, most players in the senior team were not previously selected for youth teams suggesting that junior international experience may not be a prerequisite for later success. Moreover, while the birthdate strongly influences the selection of youth national teams, its impact is less evident in the youth-to-senior transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative age effect (RAE) is a selection bias resulting from the interaction between the selected dates and birthdates. Nevertheless, the impact of birthdate on the junior-to-senior transition in international track and field is unclear. This study aimed to quantify the RAE's magnitude and test if birthdate affects the junior-to-senior transition rate. The birthdate and performances of 5,766 sprinters (female: 51.0%) and 5,863 jumpers (female: 45.9%) were collected. Elite athletes (operationally defined as the World's all-time Top 200, 100 and 50 athletes) were identified according to Under 18 and Senior categories. Skewed quartile distributions were observed in the Under 18 (effect size ranged = 0.15–0.10) but not in the Senior category. RAE magnitude increased according to performance level (i.e., from Top 200 to Top 50) and was higher in males than females. Relatively younger athletes showed significantly higher transition rates with a higher chance of maintaining top level in the senior category (odds ratio (OR) ~ 1.64). The probability of maintaining success was lower for sprinters than jumpers (OR ~ 0.70), influenced by decade of birth and continental place but similar for male and female athletes. Data corroborate that relatively younger athletes are disadvantaged in the junior category but advantaged when transitioning to the senior category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate youth-to-senior transition and the relative age effect in Italian female football national teams. Birthdate data of 774 female players selected for Under 17 (N = 416), 19 (N = 265) and National Senior team (N = 93) were analysed. The youth-to-senior transition rate was determined by the number of youth players competing in the Senior National team (and vice versa), whilst birth quarter (Q) distributions with a chi-square goodness-of-fit test. Only 17.4% of youth players were able to be selected for the Senior National team, whereas 31.2% of the players reached the high-senior level without being selected for youth age groups. Data revealed a skewed birth date distribution in Under 17 and 19 teams (on average, Q1 = 35.6% vs Q4 = 18.5%) but not in the Senior National team. Youth players born in Q1 were two times more likely to be selected than in Q4. In Under 17, goalkeepers, defenders, and midfielders of Q1 players were overrepresented. However, Q4 players recorded higher conversion rates than Q1 (Q1 = 16.4% vs. Q4 = 25.0%). National youth experience may not be a prerequisite for being selected at the senior level. Moreover, this confers a higher probability of playing in the National Senior team than players not selected in youth rosters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 'Mental health outcomes of the Daily Mile in elementary school children: a single‐arm pilot study', Arkesteyn et al. (Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2022) discussed and investigated the effect of a classroom activity break, named The Daily Mile, on pupils' self‐esteem, self‐perception competence, and mental health. Starting from the interesting and novel results of Arkesteyn et al. (Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2022), this comment focuses on the concurrent evidence about the effect of The Daily Mile on pupils' physical and mental health. Overall, this comment would reflect and critically review considerations for future research on the topic and to adopt it in the school context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective study investigated whether corrective adjustment procedures can remove the relative age effect (RAE) from world-class junior sprinters at the beginning of their career. A total of 2,918 male and 3,029 female athletes competing in sprint races (100 m, 200 m, and 400 m) of the World Athletics lists between 2000 and 2018 were considered. Longitudinal quadratic trendline equations across ages 16–25 yrs were calculated considering athletes' exact age and respective performance. Corrective adjustment calculations from the estimated longitudinal quadratic equations were applied at 16 yrs and 17 yrs. RAE was investigated for the whole sample and top-level athletes (i.e., first Top50 and Top100) considering the uncorrected and corrected performance. Moderate to large RAE was observed in Top50 and Top100 at 16 yrs. Differently, a lower RAE was observed at 17 yrs. When re-examining the data using the corrective adjustment calculations, the RAE disappeared in all sprint events and both genders at 16 yrs, while a more equal distribution was observed at 17 yrs. Corrective adjustment procedures can remove or at least reduce the RAE in world-class sprinters. Applying simple equations based on exact age might improve the accuracy of performance evaluation and talent identification in international track and field sprint competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neural drive to the muscle is the primary determinant of the rate of force development (RFD) in the first 50 ms of a rapid contraction. It is still unproven if repetitive rapid contractions specifically impair the net neural drive to the muscles. To isolate the fatiguing effect of contraction rapidity, 17 male adult volunteers performed 100 burst‐like (i.e., brief force pulses) isometric contractions of the knee extensors. The response to electrically‐evoked single and octet femoral nerve stimulation was measured with high‐density surface electromyography (HD‐sEMG) from the vastus lateralis and medialis muscles. Root mean square (RMS) of each channel of HD‐sEMG was normalized to the corresponding M‐wave peak‐to‐peak amplitude, while muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) was normalized to M‐wave conduction velocity to compensate for changes in sarcolemma properties. Voluntary RFD 0–50 ms decreased (d = −0.56, p < 0.001) while time to peak force (d = 0.90, p < 0.001) and time to RFDpeak increased (d = 0.56, p = 0.034). Relative RMS (d = −1.10, p = 0.006) and MFCV (d = −0.53, p = 0.007) also decreased in the first 50 ms of voluntary contractions. Evoked octet RFD 0–50 ms (d = 0.60, p = 0.020), M‐wave amplitude (d = 0.77, p = 0.009) and conduction velocity (d = 1.75, p < 0.001) all increased. Neural efficacy, i.e., voluntary/octet force ratio, largely decreased (d = −1.50, p < 0.001). We isolated the fatiguing impact of contraction rapidity and found that the decrement in RFD, particularly when calculated in the first 50 ms of muscle contraction, can mainly be explained by a decrease in the net neural drive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]