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Background: Today's public health discourse prioritizes the health and well-being of children and adolescents. As step counts include both light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities, and monitoring steps has become a popular method for assessing daily physical activity, it is critical to gain a better understanding of how measuring daily steps may contribute to overall health in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to thoroughly review the studies that investigated the associations between daily number of steps (DNoS) and health outcomes (HO) in children and adolescents. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, MEDLINE, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus (2000 –January 2024.). Key terms such as number of steps, daily steps, average steps, physical activity, health outcomes were used. The primary outcomes were (1) body composition/obesity risk factors; (2) cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF); and (3) cardiovascular risk factors. Secondary outcomes were psychological/psychosocial parameters (sleep habits, i.e. quality of life). We assessed the methodological quality of each trial using AXIS quality assessment tool. In instances where continuous data emanated from two or more trials, a meta-analysis was undertaken. Results: The main findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis are that an increased number of DNoS is associated with better HO in children and adolescents, as evidenced by improvements in body mass index (BMI), body weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and cardiorespiratory fitness (i.e., VO2max). However, due to a dearth of studies and conflicting results from current studies, no inferences can be drawn about the correlations between DNoS and sleep quality, quality of life, or cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., blood pressure). Across most of the studies, the average correlation between the DNoS and HO reflected a small, but significant, association with a small effect size. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of daily physical activity, as evidenced by the association between the number of steps and health outcomes in children and adolescents. Trial registration: PROSPERO # CRD42024523729. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is aimed at determining the effects of intensity-modified recreational volleyball training on health markers and physical fitness in healthy middle-aged men. Thirty-four healthy untrained men aged 25–55 years were randomized to either a modified recreational volleyball group (MRV, n = 17) or a recreational volleyball group (RV, n = 17). Both groups performed volleyball training twice a week over 12 weeks, with participants in MRV playing a modified game with higher intensity due to shorter breaks between rallies. The small to moderate improvements of both groups were observed in SBP (MRV g av = − 0.50 [-0.67, -0.33] vs. RV g av = − 0.37 [-0.55, -0.20]) to a similar extent (p = 0.12). However, only the MRV significantly improved (p < 0.001) the mean body weight ( g av = − 0.35 [-0.52, -0.18]) and BMI ( g av = − 0.39 [-0.56, -0.22]) to a moderate extent and the YYIR1 performance ( g av = 2.45 [2.22, 2.69]) to a large extent. Even though both groups significantly improved the rest HR, the mean change of rest HR was significantly greater in MRV as compared to the RV (p < 0.001 , ŋ p 2 = 0.47). The study revealed that an intensity-modified type of recreational volleyball, involving shorter breaks between rallies, improves cardiorespiratory fitness and health markers for men aged 25–55 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between strength of ankle plantar and dorsal flexors and range of motion (RoM), and body sway variables during single-leg quiet stance, in highly trained athletes. The participants for this study were young athletes from 9 disciplines (n = 655). Center of pressure (CoP) velocity, amplitude, and frequency were measured during single-leg quiet stance. Moreover, athletes were measured for passive ankle plantar flexion (PF) and dorsal flexion (DF) RoM, and for rate of torque development (RTD) in the 0–50 (RTD50) and 0–200 ms time windows (RTD200). Ankle strength and RoM could not predict CoP velocity total, anterior–posterior (AP), and medial–lateral (ML) (p > 0.05). However, PFRTD50 and PFRoM and PFRoM positively influenced CoP amplitude in ML direction (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.10). Moreover, CoP frequency in ML direction significantly increased with lower PFRTD50, DFRTD50, DFRTD200, PFRoM, and DFRoM (p < 0.05). We have demonstrated that ankle strength and RoM were related to single-leg quiet stance postural balance in trained athletes. The ankle RoM showed the greatest influence on CoP variables in ML directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of the measurements of postural stability in the context of screening for ankle sprain risk is still equivocal. Transient characteristics of body sway have been suggested as an alternative or an improvement to traditional whole-trial analyses.Research Question: Are transient characteristics of body sway sensitive to the history of ankle sprain?.Methods: The assessment of 30-s single-leg body sway was performed on a group of 93 athletes from basketball, soccer, tennis and running who reported at least 1 ankle sprain in the last 12 months, while a group of 244 athletes from the same disciplines served as a control group without an ankle sprain reported for the same time period. We considered the mean center-of-pressure (CoP) velocity, CoP amplitude and CoP frequency. In addition to traditional whole-trial variables, we calculated the relative differences between the 1 st and the 2nd (DIF_21) and 1 st and 3rd (DIF_31) 10-s time intervals within the whole trial.Results: The indexes of transient characteristics of body sway (i.e., the DIF_21 and DIF_31) were in trivial or weak correlations with whole-trial variables (all r ≤ 0.29). Athletes with ankle sprain history exhibited smaller CoP ML velocity (p = 0.002) and larger CoP ML frequency (p = 0.001). In the injured group, the injured leg exhibited lower total and medial-lateral (ML) CoP velocity (p = 0.005-0.040), as well as lower CoP ML amplitude (p = 0.002) and higher CoP ML frequency (p = 0.010). The transient characteristics of body sway (DIF_21 and DIF_31) were very similar between the groups and between the injured and uninjured legs.Significance: Transient characteristics of body sway do not appear to differentiate the athletes with and without a history of ankle sprain. Further research is needed to confirm if the transient characteristics of body sway could be used for detection of risk of falls in older adults or assessment of athletic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) face impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic control, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a promising exercise modality with potential benefits for both aspects in this population. Objectives: The primary aim was to investigate the effects of HIIT on cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic parameters in patients with T1DM. The secondary aim was to examine the most effective HIIT protocol for cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic parameters in patients with T1DM. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data Sources: Two major electronic databases (Web of Science and PubMed) were searched up to February 2024. Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies: Randomized and non-randomized trials involving adult patients with T1DM, free of complications and other diseases examining the effects of HIIT (HIIT pre vs. post; HIIT vs. control group or HIIT vs. moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT)) on cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic parameters were included. Results: A total of ten studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed a significant improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness following HIIT interventions (pre vs. post) in patients with T1DM (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.16 to 1, p = 0.01). Furthermore, HIIT (pre vs. post) was associated with significant improvements in 24-h mean glucose control (SMD = − 0.44, 95% CI = − 0.81 to − 0.06, p = 0.02), but the results (pre vs. post) failed to identify significant improvements in fasting glucose (SMD = − 0.26, 95% CI = − 0.78 to 0.24, p = 0.3) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) values (SMD = − 0.28, 95% CI = − 0.61 to 0.05, p = 0.1). However, in comparison with a control group, HIIT showed significantly favorable effects on HbA1C (SMD = − 0.74, 95% CI = − 1.35 to − 0.14, p = 0.02). Finally, the meta-regression analysis did not find any moderating effect of any HIIT characteristics (i.e., intervention duration, session duration, work time, rest time, number of bouts, and intensity) on cardiorespiratory fitness and glycemic parameters. Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis show that T1DM patients who performed a HIIT intervention significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness and reduced their 24-h mean glucose levels, but not their HbA1C and fasting glucose. These findings support the application of HIIT interventions in T1DM patients. However, the guidelines for the most effective protocol remain unclear; hence, future studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on research which was conducted to investigate the effect six weeks of preseason skill based conditioning had on the physical performance of competitive male volleyball players. Researchers evaluated 16 players. They found that a preseason skill based conditioning program does not provide much benefit to volleyball players and that a general conditioning and hypertrophy training program along with specific volleyball conditioning is necessary for volleyball players.

This study aimed to determine if there is a difference in postural stability in highly trained adolescents and young adult athletes regarding sex and sport. The participants were young athletes (n = 464) from seven different sports. We considered the center of pressure (CoP) velocity (total, anterior–posterior (AP) and medial–lateral (ML)), CoP amplitude (AP and ML), and CoP frequency (AP and ML), as assessed by single-leg quiet stance test. Significant interactions were found between sex and sport for all CoP variables (p < 0.02). Additionally, a significant main effect of sport was also found in all CoP variables (p = 0.01). Regarding sex, significant effects were found for all CoP amplitude variables (p = 0.01), as well as for CoP velocity variables, except for CoP ML (p = 0.06). Moreover, there was no sex effect for CoP frequency AP (p = 0.18). The results of the current study confirm the claim that the criteria for optimal postural strategies for elite athletes likely depend on a given sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the interrater and intrarater reliability of EasyForce dynamometer for assessing shoulder, knee, and hip muscle strength in healthy young adults. Shoulder, knee, and hip maximal isometric strength were measured using the EasyForce in healthy adults (11 women and 12 men). Three repetitions of shoulder internal rotation, abduction, knee flexion, extension, and hip abduction and adduction were performed. The tests were performed by three raters on the same day. The results showed good to high inter- and intrarater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient range: 0.63–0.91). Moreover, the absolute reliability of the EasyForce was slightly higher than acceptable for all tests (CV > 10%) except for hip abduction on the right leg (CV = 7.2%). The EasyForce dynamometer can be considered a reliable tool for assessing shoulder internal rotation and abduction, knee extension and flexion, as well as hip abduction and adduction strength. The EasyForce dynamometer showed no differences between the raters' measurements, which could be of great importance for professionals who want to perform the tests regardless of their strength on the values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study summarized the relevant literature and aimed to determine the effect of exercise-based interventions after myocardial infarction in middle-aged and older adults. Studies were identified and analyzed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The following electronic databases were used: Google Scholar, PubMed, Mendeley, Science Direct, and Scopus. The identified studies had to be longitudinal, be published in English, have taken place between 2010 and 2020, involve participants who had suffered myocardial infarction, and address different types of exercise-based interventions to be included. Of the 592 relevant studies identified, 20 were included in the qualitative analysis. After analyzing the results obtained, it could be concluded that different types of exercise-based interventions or their combination have a positive effect after myocardial infarction in middle-aged and elderly adults. It can also be suggested that the combination of a cycle ergometer and a treadmill may be the most effective exercise-based intervention. An adequate choice of intensity and volume is crucial, with the optimal duration of the experimental program and the type(s) of exercises adapted to participants after myocardial infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess intra- and inter-visit reliability of a novel EasyForce dynamometer for assessment of maximal strength in knee extension and flexion, and hip abduction and adduction tasks. Young healthy participants (n = 50; 25 males, 25 females; age: 23.4 ± 2.1 years) were measured for maximal joint torque with EasyForce dynamometer and rigid isometric dynamometers with external fixation, in two-sessions (5–10 days apart). The intra-visit reliability was high (ICC) = 0.84–0.95 knee; 0.90–0.94 hip), with absolute reliability sometimes exceeding the acceptable threshold (CV = 6.9–10.6% knee; 7.8–11.8% hip). Inter-visit reliability was excellent for all tasks (ICC = 0.95–0.97 knee; 0.95–0.96 hip). Although the EasyForce values were different compared to rigid dynamometers, the correlations between the devices were high (r = 0.64–0.75 knee; 0.70–0.75 hip). In conclusion, the EasyForce dynamometer provides reliable means of assessing knee (extension and flexion) and hip (abduction and adduction) muscle strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Krespi, M, Sporiš, G, and Trajković, N. Effects of two different tapering protocols on fitness and physical match performance in elite junior soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 34(6): 1731–1740, 2020—The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 2 different tapering protocols on fitness and physical match performance in elite junior soccer players. One hundred fifty-eight elite junior soccer players (mean age: 17.1 ± 0.79 years; mean height: 177.9 ± 6.64 cm; mean body mass: 71.3 ± 7.96 kg; and mean body mass index: 22.5 ± 1.66 kg.m-2) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: an exponential (n = 79) and a linear tapering (n = 79) group. Training sessions were conducted 3 times per week for 8 weeks. After 4 weeks of training and 4 weeks of tapering, participants were assessed in terms of body composition, physical fitness, and distance covered within a match. Both groups showed similar changes for body composition. The exponential group showed better improvement than the linear group in the 5- and 30-m sprints, counter movement jump, and VO2max (p < 0.05). The exponential tapering group had larger changes (p < 0.05) than the linear group in medium running (8–13 km.h-1) (6%; effect size = 0.26 compared with 5.5%; effect size = 0.22) and sprinting (>18 km.h-1) (26%; effect size = 0.72 compared to 21.7%; effect size = 0.60). The results show that exponential tapering produced better effects on speed, power, and endurance abilities than the linear protocol. Our results confirmed the reports of others that suggest that volume is the optimal variable to manipulate while maintaining both the intensity and the frequency of sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attitudes, motivation, and school sports engagement frequency, using the newly constructed Attitudes and Motivation Toward School Sports Questionnaire (AMTSSQ) inventory as a tool for assessment. The study found a significant effect of attitudes (F = 11.96, p < .001, np² = 0.02) and motivation (F = 19.63, p < .001, np²= 0.03) with strong positive correlation coefficients (r = 0.71) between attitudes, motivation, and school sports engagement frequency. However, Bayesian analyses supported the null hypothesis with moderate to strong evidence (Bayes Factor < 0.33), and credible intervals for effect size and R² were relatively narrow. Additionally, school sports engagement frequency is not significantly related to motivation (b = -0.08 to 0.03, p > .05), and the highest order unconditional interaction of school sports engagement frequency and attitudes was not significant (F = 1.18, p = .315). However, attitudes were strongly related to motivation (R²= .99), suggesting that students who viewed school sports as important and developed had higher motivation toward school sports. Hence, we can conclude that the AMTSSQ reliably and validly assesses students’ attitudes and motivation toward school sports, and we found positive associations between attitudes and motivation. The findings suggest that attitudes towards school sports, like the perceived importance and developmental benefits, are significant predictors of motivation and may influence engagement in school sports. However, school sports engagement frequency did not moderate the relationship between attitudes and motivation. These findings have implications for promoting physical activity and student-school sports participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since knowledge possession about the morphological characteristics trend is important to understand, it is necessary to monitor the physical growth and children's development. We have aimed to examine the current state, dynamics, and direction of changes in morphological characteristics, over a 30-year period in Serbian children and adolescents. Morphological characteristics measured in 2020 (n = 304 ; age 7 ± 6 and 11 ± 6) were compared with the results of same-age children and adolescents from 1990 (n = 1789). The following characteristics were measured: body height, body mass, body mass index, forearm circumference, and upper arm skinfold. The average height (95% IP) of 7-year-old boys was significantly lower in all morphological variables in 1990, compared to their 2020 peers, while in forearm circumference was opposite. As for the 11-year-old boys, body mass (p = 0.02) and BMI (p = 0.009) had significantly better average values in 2020 than 1990, whereas forearm circumference (1.6-2.5 cm) and upper arm skinfold (2.7-4.9 cm) results were opposite. Seven-year-old girls from a 1990 sample also had significantly lower average values for morphological characteristics, compared to their 2020 peers. All morphological characteristic variables of 11-year-old girls have significantly better average values in 1990 sample than in 2020, except for body mass (p = 0.47) and BMI (p = 0.55). The current results have presented a true "picture" of the trends in morphological characteristics status among 7- and 11-year-old Serbian children by comparing them with the already obtained results 30 years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 12 week conditioning programme involving speed, agility and quickness (SAQ) training and its effect on agility performance in young soccer players. Soccer players were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental group (EG; n = 66, body mass: 71.3 ± 5.9 kg; body height: 1.77 ± 0.07 m) and control group (CG; n = 66, body mass: 70.6 ± 4.9 kg; body height: 1.76 ± 0.06 m). Agility performance was assessed using field tests: Slalom; Slalom with ball; Sprint with 90° turns; Sprint with 90° turns with ball; Sprint with 180° turns; Sprint with backward and forward running; Sprint 4 x 5 m. Statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) between pre and post training were evident for almost all measures of agility, with and without the ball, with the exception being the Sprint with backward and forward running. This suggests that SAQ training is an effective way of improving agility, with and without the ball, for young soccer players and can be included in physical conditioning programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness in preschool children. A total of 72 children (36 boys) and 92 children (47 boys) composed the experimental (EG) and control group (CG), respectively. We used the PREFIT battery access physical fitness. In EG, participants had 45 minutes of organized physical activity 5 days per week. The CG continued their usual routine with 30 minutes of structured physical activity two times per week. The EG improved the mean performance of grip strength (η p 2 =0.08) and sit-ups in the 30s ( p 2 =0.16) to a significantly greater extent as compared to the CG. In boys, the improvements of mean performance of handgrip strength (η p 2 =0.13), 4x10m shuttle run η p 2 =0.09), standing long jump (η p 2 =0.05), sit-ups in 30s (η p 2 =0.17) were significantly greater in EG than in the CG. However, girls in EG only had significant improvements in the sit-ups in the 30 s test compared to CG (η p 2 =0.14). Overall, our study shows that after 6 months of daily exercise programme, preschool children improved muscular strength compared to those peers allocated in the control group. No significant differences between groups were found in the remaining fitness components analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children in schools are facing many academic challenges. Moreover, there is constant pressure on children and parents to maximize academic achievement. We aimed to determine the relationship between motor competence, physical fitness, and academic achievement in young school-aged children. Participants were 130 elementary school children (mean ± SD 8.60 ± 0.61 years; 51 boys and 79 girls) from Serbia. The KTK (Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder) battery of tests was used to assess the motor competence in children; children' physical fitness was assessed using the EUROFIT battery of tests, while academic achievement was assessed based on the children's GPA (grade point average) scores at the end of the school year. Pearson's r showed the weak to moderate relationships between the GPA and motor competence and physical fitness measures. The GPA correlates positively and significantly with almost all motor competence and physical fitness measures, but negatively with BMI (p ≤ 0.05). However, the hierarchical linear regression indicated only the plate tapping and sit and reach as the significant predictors of the GPA. Although both tests positively affect the GPA, the plate tapping (B = − 0.22 , p = 0.02) tends to influence the GPA more than the sit and reach test (B = 0.18 , p = 0.04) after adjusting for effects of motor competence (B = 0.19 , p = 0.03), age (B = − 0.01 , p = 0.89), and BMI (B = − 0.19 , p = 0.03). This study provides evidence demonstrating that academic achievement is generally associated with physical fitness and motor competence in children. However, plate taping and sit and reach were accounted as the most important predictors for academic achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of internal and external load parameters during recreational small-sided football games. Methods: Ten healthy untrained young adult males (age: 20.2 ± 1.9 yr, body mass: 69.2 ± 6.3 kg, height: 175.4 ± 5.9 cm, body fat: 19.7 ± 5.2%) performed two 2 × 20-min sessions of four versus four plus goalkeeper small-sided games (SSG) 1 week apart on a standard, outdoor, 40 × 20-m artificial grass pitch. Twelve external (total distance, peak speed, player load, work rate and distance covered at 0–2, 2–5, 5–7, 7–9, 9–13, 13–16, 16–20 and >20 km/h) and seven internal load parameters (heart rate and time spent in different heart rate zones [<70%, 71–80%, 81–90%, 91–95%, 96–100%, 91–100%]) were measured. Reproducibility was reported as intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC), the coefficient of variation (CV), and the typical error of measurements (TE). Results: No statistical differences (p>.05) between sessions were found in any measures. Minimal test-retest variability was noted for mean and peak heart rate (HRpeak) relative to HRpeak with CV values of 3.4% and 2.6%, respectively. Acceptable variability (CV<10%) was demonstrated for total distance covered, distance covered at 2–5 km/h, and peak speed. Distance covered in different speed zones (CV = 15.7–47.6%) and percentage of time in each HR zone showed large-to-very large variability (CV = 36.2–128.4%). Mean heart rate (HRmean), HRpeak, distance covered at 5–7, 13–16 and >20 km/h, and percentage of time above 95%HRpeak were the most reliable variables (ICC = 0.74–0.79), followed by total distance covered, peak speed, and percentage of time at 80–90% HRpeak (ICC = 0.39–0.67). The lowest reliability was observed for distance covered in the moderate speed zones 7–9 km/h (ICC = 0.12) and 9–13 km/h (ICC = −0.09), and percentage of time at 70–80% HRpeak (ICC = −0.01). Conclusions: Small-sided games can be used when planning training-induced exercise responses in relation to total distance covered, peak speed, and mean heart rate. This evidence further supports the use of SSG when organizing recreational football training, in young adult males, with the purpose of improving health profile due to the high reproducibility of HRmean and total distance covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Soccer as a sport has a very high injury rate and low back pain (LBP) is considered to be the most common overuse injury typically occurring in the back and spine in elite soccer players. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate differences in knee muscle strength and muscle imbalances in soccer players according to lower back pain. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six male professional soccer players (20.49 ± 3.73 years, 76.57 ± 8.24 kg, 182.63 ± 6.73 cm) volunteered for the study. The isokinetic dynamometer PrimaDOC (EASYTECH, Italy) was used to assess the hamstring and quadriceps strength at the selected speeds of 60 ∘ /s, whereas the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) was used as a health status measure to assess physical disability caused by low back pain. RESULTS: A univariate analysis of variance has shown that there is a statistically significant difference among the groups divided into Absolute peak torque right knee flexors, Absolute peak torque left knee flexors, Ratio between hamstrings and quadriceps strength right leg, and Ratio between hamstrings and quadriceps strength left leg based on the RDQ scores. On the other hand, no other significant differences among the groups were found in other parameters CONCLUSION: The current study indicates that knee muscle strength variables, resulting from an isokinetic testing, have the potential to discriminate between soccer players with and without a history of low back pain. However, low back pain is a multidimensional phenomenon and knee muscle strength or imbalance alone cannot be expected to explain low back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]