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.

Physician quality of life is a critical factor influencing overall health, wellness, occupational stress, and burnout.  Exercise has been demonstrated to enhance quality of life through multiple mechanisms, positively impacting physical, psychological, and social health domains.  The objective of this study was to examine the exercise habits of emergency medicine physicians and their association with quality of life.  A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed to study 103 attending emergency medicine physicians.  Participants completed an online questionnaire comprising the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) survey to assess physical activity levels and quality of life, respectively.  There was no significant difference between compliance with moderate and vigorous physical activity and quality of life across domains.  However, strength training compliance was statistically significant (p = 0.041) and correlated with improved physical health and quality of life scores.  Quality of life among this cohort was slightly elevated in the physical health domain but lower in psychological, social, and environmental health domains compared to population averages.  Furthermore, age and the number of hours worked per week were not statistically different in any quality of life domains. Exercise compliance among emergency physicians showed no statistically significant impact on quality of life, except for strength training, which was found to significantly enhance the physical health domain of quality of life.

This systematic review analyses the existing research on service quality in football academies, focusing on its impact on user satisfaction and loyalty. Several factors can influence user satisfaction in football academies. Some of them are: academy infrastructure, quality of training, expert and professional staff, location and environment of the academy, status and reputation of the academy, levels of competition, as well as prospects in terms of career progression and career management in youth football. All of these factors contribute to better service and directly influence the increase in user satisfaction and loyalty, i.e., future members of the academy. For this reason, it is necessary to analyse the existing research on this topic to understand the measurement of service quality and the impact it has on the value and satisfaction of athletes. This systematic review aims to investigate service quality and to analyze the current state and factors that influence quality in the management of football academies. For this research, the electronic databases Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to find relevant articles on this topic. The following inclusion criteria were applied during the search: only topics related to service quality, scientific papers covering the field of management, papers written in English, papers published from 2009 to the present, and full-text papers available. The results of the selected studies for this research showed that service quality is a key factor in achieving a high level of user loyalty towards a football academy.

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.

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 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.