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Background/Objectives: Physical performance is becoming increasingly critical in basketball, as it directly influences players' agility, power, and endurance. This study aimed to assess the progression of body composition and physical performance metrics across different ages and genders, establishing age- and gender-specific reference values for Tunisian basketball athletes. Methods: A total of 469 Tunisian basketball players (239 boys and 230 girls) were assessed and grouped by age. Anthropometric measures—including standing and sitting height, body mass, leg length, body mass index, fat mass, fat-free mass, body fat percentage, wingspan, and leg muscle volume—were collected alongside physical performance metrics. Performance tests included countermovement and squat jumps, change-of-direction speed, maximal oxygen uptake, flexibility, the five-jump test, and 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m sprints with and without the ball. Normative data were generated based on age and gender categories. Results: The findings revealed significant age-related improvements in both anthropometric and performance parameters. Boys consistently outperformed girls in physical and fitness-related measures, with gender differences becoming more pronounced with age. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that, for boys, body fat percentage, leg muscle volume, standing height, and wingspan were the best predictors of physical performance. For girls, body fat percentage, standing height, and sitting height were identified as key predictors. Conclusions: The newly established Tunisian reference values for physical performance in youth basketball provide valuable benchmarks that can support the development of explosive power and strength in players, aiding in talent identification and potentially enhancing individual and team performance outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study examines the potential impact of Ramadan fasting on sleep patterns and physical fitness in under 14 (U14) and under 17 (U17) female handball players. Methods: For this study, sixty-five female handball players' (U14, n = 33 and U17, n = 32) sleep habits were assessed before (BR) and during the first (R1) and last weeks (R4) of Ramadan using: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Physical ability tests including balance and jumps were conducted throughout these periods.; Results: During Ramadan, both groups noted significant increases in PSQI and ISI scores during R1 (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) and R4 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively) compared to before Ramadan (BR). For the U14 group, a significant increase occurred in ESS scores during R1 (p < 0.01) and R4 (p < 0.05), whereas for the U17 group, this increase was limited over the R1 period (p < 0.05). In contrast, for all physical ability parameters, both groups showed no significant difference during R1 and R4; Conclusions: During adolescence, Ramadan fasting may alter sleep patterns in young female athletes but appears to have no effect on their performance in short-duration exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing prevalence of age-related cognitive decline, alongside the aging global population, underscores the urgent need for innovative and effective preventative strategies. While the advantages of combining physical and cognitive exercises have been recognized as a promising approach to address these socioeconomic challenges, the acute effects of such interventions on cognitive functions remain understudied. This study aimed to investigate whether simultaneous physical and cognitive exercise has a greater beneficial impact on the cognitive functions of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than physical exercise alone or reading activities. A total of 44 MCI patients (75% females aged between 65 and 75 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: aerobic exercise alone (EG group, n = 15), aerobic combined with cognitive exercises (CEG group, n = 15), or a reading task for controls (CG group, n = 14). Attention, memory, and problem solving were assessed before and after the acute intervention using the Tower of Hanoi, Digit Span, and Stroop tasks, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that both of the experimental interventions appeared to enhance cognitive function scores (p < 0.05), except for the number of moves in the Tower of Hanoi task, where no improvement was noted. In contrast, no significant differences in any cognitive performance measures were observed following the reading session. Notably, the CEG group exhibited a more pronounced positive impact, especially on working memory. This advantage was specifically evident in the digit span tasks, where significantly greater percentage gains were found in the CEG than in the CG (p = 0.02), while no significant difference existed between the EG and CG. Simultaneous combined exercise has proven to be a more effective method than aerobic physical exercise alone for improving cognitive function. The results of this study are recommended for inclusion in clinical practice guidelines to maintain the mental health of older adults, as simultaneous exercise seems to offer a time-efficient strategy to enhance cognitive performance in adults with MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive impairment has been well described in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in addition to cardiorespiratory disability. To reduce this impairment, researchers have recommended the use of single or combined exercise training. However, the combined effect of cognitive training (CT) and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on selective cognitive abilities in patients with COPD has not been fully evaluated. Therefore, we aimed to assess the impact of PR combined with CT on 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) and cognitive parameters in Tunisian males' patients with COPD. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with COPD were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 21, age = 65.3 ± 2.79) and a control group (n = 18, age = 65.3 ± 3.2). The intervention group underwent PR combined with CT, and the control group underwent only PR, three times per week for 3 months. The primary outcomes were 6MWT (6 minutes walking test -6MWT-parameters) and cognitive performance, as evaluated by Montreal cognitive assessments (MOCA) and P300 test. Secondary outcomes were patient's characteristics and spirometric data. These tests were measured at baseline and after 3 months of training programs. Results: Results showed a significant improvement of the 6MWT distance after the rehabilitation period in both groups (p < .001). Moreover, both groups showed significant improvement (p < .001) in cognitive performance including MOCA score and P300 test latency in three midline electrodes. However, the improvement in cognitive performance was significantly greater in the PR+CT group than the PR group. Conclusion: In conclusion, although PR alone improves 6MWT parameters and cognitive function, the addition of CT to PR is more effective in improving cognitive abilities in patients with COPD. This combined approach may provide clinicians with a complementary therapeutic option for improving cognitive abilities in patients with COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive impairment has been well described in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in addition to cardiorespiratory disability. To reduce this impairment, researchers have recommended the use of single or combined exercise training. However, the combined effect of cognitive training (CT) and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on selective cognitive abilities in patients with COPD has not been fully evaluated. Therefore, we aimed to assess the impact of PR combined with CT on 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) and cognitive parameters in Tunisian males' patients with COPD. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with COPD were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 21, age = 65.3 ± 2.79) and a control group (n = 18, age = 65.3 ± 3.2). The intervention group underwent PR combined with CT, and the control group underwent only PR, three times per week for 3 months. The primary outcomes were 6MWT (6 minutes walking test-6MWT-parameters) and cognitive performance, as evaluated by Montreal cognitive assessments (MOCA) and P300 test. Secondary outcomes were patient's characteristics and spirometric data. These tests were measured at baseline and after 3 months of training programs. Results: Results showed a significant improvement of the 6MWT distance after the rehabilitation period in both groups (p < .001). Moreover, both groups showed significant improvement (p < .001) in cognitive performance including MOCA score and P300 test latency in three midline electrodes. However, the improvement in cognitive performance was significantly greater in the PR+CT group than the PR group. Conclusion: In conclusion, although PR alone improves 6MWT parameters and cognitive function, the addition of CT to PR is more effective in improving cognitive abilities in patients with COPD. This combined approach may provide clinicians with a complementary therapeutic option for improving cognitive abilities in patients with COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Limited research has investigated the relationship between anthropometric profile, biological maturity, and specific physical performances in female basketball players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of chronological age and maturity status on anthropometric variables and physical performances. Methods. One-hundred-fifty female basketball-players aged between 12-16 years participated in this study. Anthropometric measurement and physical performances such as sprinting performances, jumping performances, 1-kg throw, agility tests and 20-m run test were recorded. Players were aligned by age categories (U-12 to U-16) and 5 maturational groups according to their maturity offset from -1.5 to 2.5 years from Peak-Height-Velocity (PHV). Full model and multiple regression were used to identify which anthropometric parameters significantly contributed to performance variables. Results. Anthropometric variables demonstrated early development of lower limbs length, which led to significant improvements in jumping performance. Increases in body composition and fat mass significantly influenced the physical performances (p < 0.05) such as in endurance performance were observed around-after the PHV. A positive correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between anthropometric variables and age, which proved to be the best predictor of all physical performance. Conclusions. This study provides novel normative data on specific physical performances in female Palestinian basketball players aged 12 to 16 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Recognizing the significance of maturity-related adaptations is imperative for specialists and coaches when designing training regimens to nurture long-term athlete development. Objective. This study aims to explore how both chronological age and maturity status influence anthropometric measurements and physical performance in elite youth male soccer-players. Additionally, our goal is to establish percentile values for anthropometric variables and physical performance across different maturity groups. Methods. Two-hundred-eighty-seven soccer-players aged between 12-17 years participated in this study. Anthropometric measurements, including leg-muscle-volume (LMV), along with soccer-specific-physical-performances (SPP) such as Squat-Jump (SJ), Countermovement-Jump (CMJ), sprinting performances, and intermittent-endurance tests were assessed. Players were categorized into age groups (U12 to U17) and six maturational groups based on their maturity offset, ranging from -2.5 to +2.5 years. Results. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in anthropometric variables and SPP among different maturity groups. Body mass, leg length, and leg muscle volume exhibited consistent changes across consecutive maturity groups. Notably, jumping performances, particularly CMJ/SJ, were significantly influenced by maturity status, showing a progression of changes from -0.5 to +0.5 maturity groups for CMJ and from -0.5 to +0.5 maturity groups for SJ. Similarly, sprinting performances were significantly affected by maturity status, particularly in the -1.5 maturity group. Conclusions. Our findings highlight the significant role of growth and peak height velocity (PHV) in the anthropometric development and SPP potential of youth soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The six-minute walking distance (6MWD) test has demonstrated validity and reliability to assess changes in functional capacity following pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. However, no attempt has been made to establish an iterative measurement of 6MWD during the overall period of pulmonary rehabilitation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a twelve-week rehabilitation program on the iterative weekly measurement of 6MWD in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and healthy subjects., Methods: Twenty-six patients with COPD and nine age-matched healthy subjects were studied. Measurements were taken at baseline and after twelve weeks except for the 6MWD. The exercise measurements included a six-minute walking test (6MWT) and an incremental exercise test. Oxygen saturation, heart rate, and dyspnea will be monitored during all these tests., Results: At baseline there were significant differences between groups, except in age, body mass index, and oxygen saturation. After 12 weeks, there was no significant change in lung function in patients with COPD and healthy subjects. The 6MWD, peak oxygen uptake (.)VO(2peak) and anaerobic threshold increased significantly after training in both groups (P < 0.01). The averaged trace of the 6MWD of patients with COPD and healthy subjects was followed-up respectively by a logarithmic and linear fitting. 6MWD showed a plateau after eight weeks in patients with COPD, however, it increased continually overall in healthy subjects., Conclusion: Both patients with COPD and healthy subjects demonstrated functional responses to training but with somewhat different patterns in quality of the improvement of the 6MWD.