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Purpose: The aims of this study were to classify, identify and follow-up young swimmers' performance and its biomechanical determinants during two competitive seasons (in seven different moments of assessment--M), and analyze the individual variations of each swimmer. Method: Thirty young swimmers (14 boys: 12.70 ± 0.63 years-old; 16 girls: 11.72 ± 0.71 years-old) were recruited. A set of anthropometric, kinematic, efficiency, hydrodynamic and mechanical power variables were assessed. Results: The cluster solution (i.e., number of ideal clusters for this sample) resulted in three clusters, which were named as--cluster 1 ("talented"), cluster 2 ("proficient"), and cluster 3 ("non-proficient"). The performance improved between moments of assessment in all clusters (cluster 1--M1: 68.07 ± 6.62s vs M7: 61.46 ± 3.43s; cluster 2--M1: 73.14 ± 4.87s vs M7: 65.33 ± 2.97s; cluster 3--M1: 82.60 ± 4.18s vs M7: 70.09 ± 3.48s). Anthropometric features also increased between moments of assessment, and remaining biomechanical variables (kinematic, efficiency, hydrodynamic and mechanical power) also increased between M1 and M7, in all clusters. Cluster 1 increased their swimmer's membership between M1 and M7 (4 to 11), cluster 2 decreased (12 to 5), and cluster 3 maintained (14). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the cluster formation depends on different determinant factors during two competitive seasons, and young swimmers are prone to change from one cluster to another over this period of time.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of swimming goggles on swimming hydrodynamics by numerical simulations. An elite swimmer volunteered for this research. The swimmer's head was scanned both without goggles, and while wearing 3 different types of goggles (Nikko, Ankor and Swedish). Numerical simulations were conducted at 2 m/s with the Fluent code. The condition without goggles showed the highest viscous drag (1.65 N), followed by the Ankor (1.64 N), Swedish (1.63 N) and Nikko (1.62 N) goggles, respectively. The highest pressure drag was found in the situation without goggles (11.34 N), followed by the Ankor (10.87 N), Nikko (10.78 N) and Swedish (10.20 N) goggles. The condition without goggles presented the highest total drag (12.99 N), followed by the Ankor (12.52 N), Nikko (12.40 N) and Swedish (11.83 N) goggles. Thus, Swedish goggles yields the best hydrodynamics, followed by the Nikko and Ankor goggles and lastly without goggles. Thus, goggles minimise the swimmer's drag comparing to not wearing any. The design of the goggles may impose varying drag forces and therefore it is advised to use goggles at least in competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Patellofemoral syndrome is a common osteoarticular condition that affects many individuals. Various treatment options are available, with a significant emphasis on targeted muscle-strengthening exercises. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of isokinetic muscle strengthening on muscle strength, joint range of motion, quality of life, physical performance, and pain tolerance in overweight/obese women with patellofemoral syndrome. Methods: Twenty-four overweight or obese women with patellofemoral syndrome participated in the study during September and October 2023 in a private medical facility for physical medicine and functional rehabilitation. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups for six weeks of isokinetic muscle strengthening. The first group (ISO.G) followed a rehabilitation program combined with isokinetic muscle strengthening. A second group (PCM.G) followed a rehabilitation program that includes an isokinetic protocol in passive compensation movement. The extensors' peak torque was measured before and after training. Results: The flexors' peak torque, stair climbing test, 10 m walk, chair lift, monopodal support, goniometric knee flexion test, heel–buttock distance measurement, pain, and quality of life scores improved significantly in both groups. The ISO.G, on the other hand, benefited from a significant increase in quadriceps muscle strength revealed by the extensors' peak torque. Conclusions: For the treatment of patellofemoral syndrome, isokinetic muscle strengthening in concentric mode appears to have a significant advantage over the classic rehabilitation program with isokinetic passive compensation, particularly in muscle strength gain, in addition to the improvement of joint range of motion, quality of life, physical performance, and pain tolerance. Isokinetic training may be recommended as a beneficial approach for the rehabilitative treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome in overweight/obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhood obesity presents a significant public health concern globally, with implications for cardiovascular health and metabolic syndrome. In Portugal, approximately 31.6% of children are affected, highlighting the urgency for intervention strategies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portuguese school-aged children, with a focus on sex and age differences. Methods: Anthropometric measurements were conducted on 1564 children aged 6–10 years, including weight, height, and skinfold thickness. Body Mass Index (BMI) and the percentage of body fat were calculated using established methods. Results: The results revealed significant differences in BMI (≤0.001) and body fat percentage (≤0.001) among different BMI categories, with a notable prevalence of overweight and obesity, particularly among boys. A total of 37% of the studied population is overweight or obese, among which 40.1% and 33.9% are boys and girls, respectively. Conclusions: This study highlights statistically significant differences in BMI and body fat percentage for both sexes in different BMI categories. A large proportion of the population is overweight or obese, with a greater prevalence in boys. In short, childhood obesity has a negative impact on body composition and is associated with significant differences in anthropometric parameters, emphasizing the importance of preventative and intervention strategies to address this health problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing techniques for reducing multivariate data is essential for comprehensively understanding the variations and relationships within both biomechanical and physiological datasets in the context of youth football training. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the primary factors influencing training sessions within a standard microcycle among young sub-elite football players. A total of 60 male Portuguese youth sub-elite footballers (15.19 ± 1.75 years) were continuous monitored across six weeks during the 2019–2020 in-season, comprising the training days from match day minus (MD-) 3, MD-2, and MD-1. The weekly training load was collected by an 18 Hz global positioning system (GPS), 1 Hz heart rate (HR) monitors, the perceived exertion (RPE) and the total quality recovery (TQR). A principal component approach (PCA) coupled with a Monte Carlo parallel analysis was applied to the training datasets. The training datasets were condensed into three to five principal components, explaining between 37.0% and 83.5% of the explained variance (proportion and cumulative) according to the training day (p < 0.001). Notably, the eigenvalue for this study ranged from 1.20% to 5.21% within the overall training data. The PCA analysis of the standard microcycle in youth sub-elite football identified that, across MD-3, MD-2, and MD-1, the first was dominated by the covered distances and sprinting variables, while the second component focused on HR measures and training impulse (TRIMP). For the weekly microcycle, the first component continued to emphasize distance and intensity variables, with the ACC and DEC being particularly influential, whereas the second and subsequent components included HR measures and perceived exertion. On the three training days analyzed, the first component primarily consisted of variables related to the distance covered, running speed, high metabolic load, sprinting, dynamic stress load, accelerations, and decelerations. The high intensity demands have a high relative weight throughout the standard microcycle, which means that the training load needs to be carefully monitored and managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eminent purpose of physical education (PE) is to promote physical fitness, health, and overall well-being among individuals. It aims to develop motor skills, improve cognitive functions, and instill a lifelong appreciation for an active and healthy lifestyle. Physical education also fosters social skills, teamwork, and discipline, contributing to the holistic development of individuals. The study aimed to assess the impact of a hybrid teaching model, integrating elements from the Sport Education Model (SEM) and Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU), on the performance and motivation of students during basketball lessons. Eighteen adolescents (9 girls and 8 boys) aged 15-17 years (mean ± SD: 15.67 ± 0.69 years) participated in the study. Participants engaged in basketball physical education classes twice a week, incorporating principles and attributes from both TGfU and SEM. Motivation and performance (GP) were evaluated before and after basketball sessions. The students' motivation was assessed using the Attitude Questionnaire of Students towards PE, and the performance was measured using the Game Performance Assessment Instrument. The results showed significant improvements in students' GP, but no differences in motivation was found at the end of the instructional unit. However, it was discovered that students enjoyed and appreciated physical education (PE), demonstrating a favorable attitude towards the subject. A hybrid teaching model with principles based on TGfU and SEM seems to be an appropriate approach to enhance students' game understanding, decision-making and overall GP (game skills, both technical and tactical). Attributes and principles such as simulating a sports season and student-centered learning situations that consider individual needs, seems to be important to develop students' awareness of attributing meaning to their actions, resulting in improved GP. The findings could be useful to teachers, coaches and researchers contributing to the development of teaching strategies to empower the PE classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The IRONMAN® triathlon is an endurance multisport discipline of high popularity. Professional IRONMAN® triathletes need to qualify for the IRONMAN® World Championships and, therefore, would benefit from identifying the fastest race courses. Our purpose was to identify the fastest races held for professional IRONMAN® triathletes competing from 2002 to 2022. Methods. This was an observational study, sampling 7,078 race records (380 different events in 55 different event locations) of professional IRONMAN® triathletes of both sexes (4,235 males and 2,843 females). We downloaded information about sex, nationality, both split (swimming, cycling, and running) and overall race times, the event location, and the year. Information about race course characteristics, water temperatures, and air temperatures was obtained. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each event location, and factorial ANOVA tests were used to explore the statistical significance of the results. A confidence interval of 95% was adopted. Results. The fastest overall IRONMAN® average race times were achieved during the IRONMAN® Tallinn, IRONMAN® Switzerland held in Thun, and IRONMAN® Des Moines. A lake for the swim split characterized the first five courses, while the bike split featured rolling or hilly terrain. For the run split, most of the courses were characterized as flat. For environmental characteristics, lower water and air temperatures also added time to the average finish time. Conclusions. Understanding the fastest race courses and their characteristics would assist professional IRONMAN® triathletes in selecting races that offer the optimal conditions for their competition. Fast IRONMAN® race courses typically feature a lakeside swim course, a rolling or hilly bike course, and a flat run course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nowadays, the determining role that Physical Education (PE) assumes for cognitive, psychomotor and affective development is widely accepted. Even so, several investigations continue to report the difficulty in motivating children to be involved and participate in PE classes through traditional teaching methods. Thus, to combat this scourge, gamification has been suggested as a useful tool to increase students' motivation to practice PE. Based on these considerations, the main objective of this survey review was to critically analyze the potential impact of using gamification in PE classes. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses literature search extension (PRISMA-S) guidelines were advised for this survey review. After searching procedures, 68 articles remained for analysis. Traditional teaching models can be applied by using the direct instruction model, and teaching dominated approaches. By contrast, nowadays physical education and sports education have been based on game-based models. From this, gamification strategies seem to be valid and efficient as a contribute to the previous ones, applying game elements, mechanics, and principles to non-game contexts to enhance engagement and intrinsic motivation. Thus, gamification models extend to as fundamental element the theory of self-determination expressed by theory of gamified learning, dynamical model for gamification of learning, goal-access-feedback-challenge-collaboration, gamification, and virtual gamification. This investigation allows us to conclude that the inclusion of gamification in PE classes seems to translate into an increase in motivation in children and youth. For this reason the introduction of technology in classes seems to be a key factor to increase sports participation, regular physical activity and improve motor learning and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Previous evidence indicates that it appears to be possible to identify a pattern of success (playing styles) in football using principal components analysis or k-means clustering approaches. However, until now, little is known about the topic in teams that participated in football world cups. Aim of Study. This study aimed to verify if a successful playing style exists in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 (2022-WC). The second aim is to intensify playing style behavior between Confederations. Material and Methods. Data was collected from the 32 teams that competed in the 2022-WC. The 2022-WC resulted in 64 games and produced a total of 128 data points and 68 variables. A machine learning approach (k-means cluster) was used to identify playing style behaviors in the 2022-WC competition. Results. The k-mean clustering identified three different playing style during ball possession and without ball possession game phases (all P < 0.001). Also, we identify significant associations (all P ≤ 0.016) between the team’s playing style and their strength in the 2022-WC (i.e., FIFA ranking and 2022-WC final classification). With ball possession playing style, successful teams adopt high ball possession, building games, and high player movement (offering to receive and to receive the ball). In contrast, unsuccessful teams tend to adopt direct play, set pieces, and lower player movement. Without ball possession playing style, successful teams adopt high-block and high-press, counter-press, and recovery, while unsuccessful teams adopt low-block or mid-block and lower-press (passive approach to recover the ball). Finally, a significative association between confederations (all P < 0.01) and playing style exists during 2022-WC. In conclusion, in the 2022-WC, playing style is significantly associated with team strength and confederations. Conclusions. A clear successful playing style existed in the 2022-WC, and this information should provide direction for the national team’s preparation for the next FIFA WC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]