Physical fitness is an important marker of health from a young age, yet it has been little studied in adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study aimed to compare physical fitness, physical activity levels, and sedentary behaviors between adolescents with and without ID. A cross-sectional analytical design was used with 569 adolescents divided into two groups: 303 with ID (13.54 ± 1.07 years; 180 boys, 123 girls) and 266 without ID (13.54 ± 1.10 years; 142 boys, 124 girls). Data were collected over a three-month period from November 2022 to February 2023. Physical fitness was assessed using the Eurofit test battery, including grip strength, explosive strength, seated trunk flexion, and the 20-meter shuttle run. Anthropometric measurements were also taken, and physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using the CAPAS-Q 8–18 questionnaire. Adolescents with ID showed significantly lower physical activity levels and higher sedentary behavior than their peers without ID (p < .001). They also performed worse on grip strength, explosive strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance tests (d = -0.77 to -1.23 for boys; d = -0.77 to -1.73 for girls; p < .001). These findings highlight important disparities and underscore the need for further longitudinal and intervention studies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the independent associations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with glycemic control parameters in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 44 individuals with T2DM (age: 52.20 ± 9.02 years; T2DM duration: 5.39 ± 4.65 years; baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C): 7.05 ± 0.78%) participated in this study. Following blood analysis, anthropometric assessments, and resting blood pressure measurements, participants performed the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) to estimate peak oxygen uptake (VO_₂peak). The main findings indicated that relative VO_₂peak was significantly and inversely associated with HbA1C in the unadjusted model (B = -0.12, p = 0.03), explaining 10.7% of the variance. However, this association was attenuated and became non-significant after adjusting for age, T2DM duration, and body mass index (BMI). Neither relative nor absolute VO_₂peak was significantly associated with fasting blood glucose (B = -0.41, p = 0.42 and B = -0.13, p = 0.20, respectively). Age emerged as the only independent predictor of FBG (B = 0.07, p = 0.04). These results suggest that the association between CRF and long-term glucose regulation in this population is complex and heavily influenced by demographic and anthropometric factors, highlighting the need for a multifactorial approach in clinical assessments.

Physical activity is generally associated with better psychological well-being, yet the role of sedentary behavior as a distinct contributor to perceived stress remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the associations of total physical activity and sedentary behavior with perceived stress and its components in a cross-sectional sample. A total of 40 adults (24 females) participated in the study. Perceived stress was assessed using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), including total score and subcomponents of helplessness and self-efficacy. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between physical activity indicators and perceived stress outcomes, adjusting for sex and age. Sedentary behavior was positively associated with total perceived stress (B = 0.35, 95% CI [0.08, 0.62], p = .018) and perceived helplessness (B = 0.41 [0.14, 0.68], p = .005), but not with self-efficacy (B = −0.01 [−0.34, 0.32], p = .941). Total physical activity was not significantly associated with any perceived stress outcome (all p ≥ .556), suggesting that sitting time, rather than overall activity volume, was more consistently related to perceived stress. Sedentary behavior appears to be more strongly related to perceived stress than total physical activity. Interventions targeting stress regulation may benefit from focusing not only on increasing physical activity but also on reducing prolonged sitting.

The goal of the research was to determine the effects of six weeks of isoinertial training on explosive strength, speed, and agility compared to traditional strength training in tennis players. The subjects, thirty male tennis players aged 20 to 35, were divided into three groups: the experimental group 1 (E1; n=10), which performed strength training on an isoinertial device; the experimental group 2 (E2; n=10), which performed traditional strength training; and the control group (C1; n=10). E1 and E2 groups had a total of six weeks of training with two training sessions per week, with three exercises per training session performed in four series for six to eight repetitions. The results showed that isoinertial strength training has a positive effect in the variables squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-meter sprint (5M), 20-meter sprint (20M), agility T-test (T-test), and 505 agility test (505). Post hoc analysis revealed that there are significantly better effects of isoinertial training compared to isodynamic training in the countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-meter sprint (5M), and 20-meter sprint (20M). The E1 group had significantly better results than the C1 group in all tests. The E2 group had significantly better results compared to the C1 group in the variables SJ, 20M, and T-test. The results also show that six weeks of isoinertial training produce better results in the development of variables CMJ and 20M compared to the traditional strength training group. Accordingly, fitness and tennis coaches should also use this training method when working with tennis players.

Modern directions in the development of physical education in the world emphasize the importance of health-related physical fitness (HRPF), with special attention to the development and monitoring of knowledge about HRPF through the application of a targeted questionnaire. The main goal of this research was to analyze the characteristics of the HRPF questionnaire adapted to the Serbian language. After adjustment to Serbian language and terminology, questionnaire was administered to a sample of 270 children, 175 children of the fifth grade (11 to 12 years) and 95 children f the eighth grade (14 to15 years). In both subsamples, the questionnaire has shown good internal consistency (Cronbach's α was 0.73 for fifth grade and 0.67 for eighth grade) and good features of most questions. The results also suggested problems with three questions which needed adjustment for further use: Question Q2 - Jana wants to do something after school what would help her to become successful in the football team she plays in, she should; Question Q11 - Volleyball is good; Question Q25 - If you want to be stronger, you should. After that kind of implementation, the questionnaire can be recommended for evaluation of HRPF of older primary-school children.

Recently, entrepreneurship has become increasingly attractive to sports and physical education students. As a result, many students recognize entrepreneurship as an opportunity for career development and the achievement of professional goals. This study examines the entrepreneurial preparedness of sports and physical education students, revealing significant gaps in essential business skills despite high entrepreneurial interest. The findings highlight the need for enhanced educational programs to better equip graduates for successful entrepreneurial endeavors. Based on previous research, to analyze the readiness and understanding of entrepreneurship among students, assess their entrepreneurial capabilities, and evaluate their level of competence in running their own business. The following academic databases were used for literature search: Scopus (158 sources) and Web of Science (104 sources). A total of 262 references were found. After removing duplicates, 234 references remained. The following inclusion criteria were applied: 1. Articles published since 2010; 2. Studies written in English; 3. Research focused on the topic of entrepreneurship in sports and student entrepreneurship. The results of this study indicate that entrepreneurship in sports faces significant challenges, including limited employment opportunities and a lack of essential entrepreneurial skills among students. These challenges hinder the development of successful entrepreneurial initiatives in the sports sector, as students often lack adequate training in the areas of starting and managing a business. Moreover, the job market in sports offers relatively few employment opportunities, further complicating students' ability to find jobs or start their own entrepreneurial projects in this specialized field.

This study investigates the potential benefits of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy for recovery following a fatiguing exercise protocol in recreational athletes. Despite growing interest in PEMF therapy for athletic recovery, few studies have evaluated its effects across a wide range of performance and recovery measures, particularly among recreationally active individuals. This study is the first-ever investigation to examine the effects of PEMF therapy on recovery from fatiguing exercise across multiple performance outcomes, including maximal strength, power, vertical jump height, and muscle soreness, in a sample of recreationally active college-aged individuals. Thirty participants (mean age: 23.7 ± 3.7 years; 19 males, 11 females) were randomly assigned to one of three recovery conditions: PEMF therapy (n=10), placebo (n=10), or control (n=10). The fatigue protocol used in this study was the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT1), designed to induce neuromuscular fatigue. Recovery was assessed through quantitative measures of performance (peak power, peak cadence, vertical jump, and isometric strength) and qualitative measures of muscle soreness. No statistically significant differences were observed between the recovery groups in terms of performance outcomes. However, PEMF therapy did show trends toward improved recovery, particularly in peak power at 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-exercise, and was the only group to show consistent reductions in muscle soreness. These findings underscore the need for further research in this area and suggest that PEMF therapy may offer marginal recovery benefits, particularly for perceived recovery and power restoration. This study addresses a crucial gap in the scientific literature by providing empirical evidence on the efficacy of PEMF therapy for recreational athletes, suggesting potential applications in non-elite athletic populations, though further research is required to confirm its mechanisms and long-term effects.

Female reproductive hormones such as progesterone and estrogen play an important role in the body as they orchestrate functions of numerous cells including skeletal muscle cells. Onset of menses marks the beginning of reproductive life, whereas menopause marks its cessation. We distinguish three phases of the 28-day menstrual cycle namely follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases. The follicular phase is characterised by marked increases in estrogen, which triggers ovulation. During this phase, estrogen peaks, whereas progesterone levels are low. Following ovulation, the luteal phase commences marked by high progesterone levels and reduced estrogen. Indeed, these periodic fluctuations in reproductive hormones may affect rates of muscle protein synthesis and hence hinder sought adaptations such as skeletal muscle hypertrophy in female athletes. With the introduction of hormonal contraceptives, female athletes were able to have ameliorate the negative effects of the menstrual cycle by reducing menstrual cramping and bleeding. Hormonal contraceptives are constituted of a single or multiple synthetic hormones namely estrogen and progestin. Nevertheless, the impact of hormonal contraceptives on skeletal muscle hypertrophy remains elusive. In this review, we aim to present the potential implications of hormonal contraceptives on skeletal muscle hypertrophy.

This study examines user satisfaction with the upgraded eSavezi sports information system of the Provincial Secretariat for Sports and Youth, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (APV). The 2024–2025 upgrade introduced advanced search, multi-format data export, faster processing, expanded cloud storage, a universal cost management module, standardized financial planning, program consolidation, and centralized document upload. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 5–20, 2025, with 257 provincial sports association administrators (~12% coverage). Data were collected via an online five-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics.Results indicate high satisfaction with all features, particularly data export, storage capacity, and administrator support. All eight hypotheses were confirmed, demonstrating the system’s contribution to operational efficiency, transparency, and digital transformation in sports administration.

Introduction: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity characterized by lateral curvature, vertebral rotation, and sagittal imbalance. It affects 2–4% of adolescents, predominantly females (7:1 ratio). Progressive deformity can cause respiratory dysfunction, chronic pain, and psychosocial distress. Developing effective conservative treatments remains a major challenge in orthopedic rehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combined Schroth therapy and 3D-Chêneau bracing in managing AIS, focusing on sagittal alignment, postural control, and functional improvement. Material and Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted with 60 adolescents (mean age 13.3 ± 1.6 years) diagnosed with AIS (Cobb angle 20°–47°). The intervention consisted of two phases: an intensive 3-week supervised Schroth exercise program (21 sessions) followed by continued home exercises combined with a custom 3D-modified Chêneau brace. Assessments were performed at baseline, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Primary outcomes included sagittal balance (mm) and sagittal index (mm), evaluated by standardized plumb-line analysis. Results: After six months, significant improvements were observed in sagittal alignment (p < 0.001). Sagittal balance increased toward the physiological reference (~20 mm), indicating improved postural symmetry and trunk stability. Sagittal index values reflected curve-specific and localization-dependent adaptations, particularly in thoracic deformities. Conclusion: Combined Schroth therapy and 3D-modified Chêneau bracing effectively enhanced sagittal spinal alignment in adolescents with AIS. This integrated conservative approach demonstrated measurable improvements in physiological balance and postural organization, supporting its role as a functional, noninvasive intervention for AIS management.