Our current hypermodern era, as described by many authors, imposes frenzied rhythms of life on individuals exacerbated by new communication technologies. In this incessant tumult, it has become more and more difficult for humans to take time for themselves or even a moment to reflect on their daily lives. It therefore seems necessary for some to indulge in more contemplative and meditative leisure and sporting activities that reconnect with the principles of otium and thus fall into a form of hypomodernity. It is in this reflective context that this study was conducted to interview seven flowart practitioners using a qualitative approach. Halfway between artistic practice and physical activity, flowart seems to allow these individuals to reconnect with a rhythm of life that is more biological than digital. These participants see a way to slow down the frenzy of their daily life in this practice while becoming more aware of their place in a cosmic and metaphysical whole.

Studies have shown that the performance of scheduled physical activity is positively related to a higher quality of life related to health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of physical activity according to the quality of life in the adult population of Paraguay in the period from November to December 2020. A descriptive, analytical cross-sectional design study, which included 211 adults of both sexes. Sociodemographic data such as age, sex and origin were collected, as well as data on physical activity (IPAQ/METS questionnaire) and quality of life (EuroQol-5D questionnaire). The predominant sex was female (89%), 53.5% resided in Gran Asunción and the average age was 34.6±10.6. The level of physical activity was mostly moderate (36.5%). The quality of life index was 0.67±0.15 and the perception of health was 79.12±18.35. Within the dimensions of quality of life, it was observed that 23% had moderate pain or discomfort and that 33% had moderate depression or anxiety. Significant differences were found between the level of physical activity and the quality of life index and the perception of health. The level of physical activity is a determinant of health-related quality of life, the greater the intensity of physical activity, the better the quality and perception of health indices in adults.

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of proprioceptive training in the prevention of lower extremity injuries, especially the ankle and knee joint, in team athletes. PRISMA recommendations were applied for this research. PubMed, ScienceDirect, and BioMed Central were used to identify relevant studies. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database-PEDro scale. Only 7 research met the eligibility criteria, and their outcomes were presented. Proprioceptive training has been shown to be very effective in preventing ankle injuries, especially in recurrent ankle sprains. However, in 3 of 4 studies lacked the effects of proprioceptive training in the prevention of knee and ACL injuries. Based on the results of the analyzed research, I can conclude that proprioceptive training is a very effective training tool in the prevention of ankle sprains in the population of team athletes, but proprioceptive training is not sufficient as the only training component in preventing knee injuries.

This study aimed to investigate whether the exercise-based amputee rehabilitation program improves postural control and quality of life in people with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA). Twenty middle-aged men (48.4±3.8 y) with lower limb amputation, in a randomized-controlled longitudinal design, volunteered to participate in the study and were divided into experimental (EXP, n=10) and control (CON, n=10) groups. Before and after 8 weeks of the exercise training program, postural control performance, using one-leg standing (OLS) and Y-balance tests, was measured. The quality of life was also assessed before and after 8 weeks training period using standard questionnaires. Group x time interactions were observed for the EXP group in OLS and Y-balance tests and quality of life scores in comparison to pre- training values and the CON group (p<0.05). People with unilateral TTA who received exercise-based amputee rehabilitation program demonstrated significant improvement in balance performance with significant effects on quality of life.

In esthetic sports, such as rhythmic gymnastics, body size and body composition can directly affect performance and outcome. The aim of this study was to identify anthropometric characteristics and to notice their impact on the prediction of higher performance in rhythmic gymnastics. For the needs of this review, scientific literature was analyzed from prestigious scientific journals. This systematic review included available data from the following databases: Google Scholar, Springer, PubMed, Europe PMC and research databases. Studies with the following criteria were included: anthropometric characteristics, profile or status and somatic constitution, body composition, somatotypes and morphological models, factors influencing performance and the level of the performance (reliability), and being published in English and Serbian language. Out of total 52 studies, reviewed 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. Based on the findings of the present study it could be concluded that anthropometric characteristics are an important item on the basis of which talent identification, sports selection and programming of training and nutrition plan is performed.

This study compared different groups yearly based on the different annual quota of Physical Education (PE) classes in anthropometric parameters, physical fitness tests, and grades achievements. The study included adolescents from 14 to 18 years of age, at the Croatian Industrial School in Slavonski Brod. They were 225 participants in the 2015-2016 academic year, 213 in 2016-2017, 200 in 2017-2018, and 318 in 2017-2018. Groups were determined yearly by the different annual quota of PE classes (1 or 2 per week) in the teaching program. Anthropometric measures (body height, body weight, BMI), physical fitness tests (standing long jump, sit-ups, run for 1000 m), grade in the PE class, and the general achievement grade at the end of the school year were conducted. Data collected from the 2015-2016 until the 2018-2019 academic year. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the differences between groups for each school year separately. Results for sit-ups and run for 1000 m test in 2015-2016, BMI in 2018-2019, and the grade of PE class in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 academic year indicated significant differences between groups (p<0.05). The groups with 2 PE classes per week were made better results compared to the groups with 1 PE class. Therefore, increasing the number of PE classes per week should be necessary for achieving the positive, beneficial, physical, and mental outcomes of Physical Education.

This easy readible and thoroughly scientifically-backed book by australian professor Felica Jacka, explains the recent science on how diet can affect the brain and mental health, with a specific focus on the risk to anxiety and depression. The scientific evidence is drawn from the results with larger cohorts and randomized controlled trials including amongst others: ALSPAC (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, United Kingdom); HELFIMED (Healthy Eating for Life with a Mediterranean Diet, Australia); HUSK (Hordaland Health Study, Norway); PREDIMED (Prevencíon con Dieta Mediterránea, Spain); SMILES (Supporting the Modification of Lifestyles in Lowered Emotional States, Australia). These and other studies show that wherever the geographical area, plant-based Mediterranean-like diets improve the health outcomes of children, adolescents, adults and ageing individuals affected by mental health illnesses, in cost-effective ways. Consecutive chapters illustrate recent understandings of the effects of diets on the immune system, their influence on brain plasticity (which also occurs in older humans), epigenetics, food sensitivities, inflammation, and centrally, the importance of food to the gut microbiota (including the consumption of fermented foods). These effects are explained simply and efficiently in relation to mental health, as well as briefly to psychotic illnesses, autism and ADHD. By doing so, it is possible for every physical-activity researcher or athlete interested in the combination of nutrition, lifestyles and good habits, to get up to date easily, or to make a first aquaintance with the fields of nutrition and brain health. The appendix contains a reference list that restricts itself to the most influential studies like systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Also included is the Modified Mediterranean Diet (ModiMED) food pyramid, and several ModiMEd recipies (used in the SMILES study), as well a weekly meal planner, that all could be of use to get started with an easy intervention study. Although it is intended for the general public, the book is recommended for scholars of any life sciences. With her to-the-point and easy language writing gift, professor Jacka manages to explain the complicated matters of brain health effortlessly. She does this convincingly, but not superficially, relevant and correct, without any simplification. To influence mental health through nutritious, whole foods will be an essential topic to come, also in the fields of sports. In that sense Brain Changer, can be exactly that.

The purpose of the present study was to present a report of the biomechanical analysis of the winner of the Women’s Long Jump in the 2017 European Indoor Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia. All attempts of the examined jumper (age: 26.8 years; height: 1.76 m; mass: 65 kg), who won the competition with an official distance of 7.24 m, were recorded with a high-speed video camera operating at a sampling frequency of 300 fps. The kinematical parameters of the final steps of the approach and the take-off were calculated using with a panning analysis method. Results revealed that the best jump was accomplished with the highest individual value for vertical take-off velocity (2.94 m/s). The less variable parameter of the approach was the horizontal velocity (9.6±0.1 m/s), while the most variable parameter was the contact/flight time ratio for the last step (0.65±0.09). An inter-limb difference was observed for step frequency in the final steps. For the best jump, the examined athlete had an exact coincidence at the final step of the adjustment needed and the adjustment made in order to optimize the foot placement on the board. The examined jumper’s biomechanical parameters were in accordance with reports about her technique analyzed in major international competitions. The findings of the present report are in agreement with previous research concerning the importance of vertical take-off velocity, the accuracy of foot placement on the board and the observed reliance and asymmetries in the step parameters of the final approach. 

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint disorders and a major cause of disability and disability in old age. Although previous research has shown the positive effects of exercise on land to some extent, but due to high pressure on land, the elderly does not want to participate in these exercises. Water exercise has recently been considered to reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, although its effects have not yet been fully elucidated. So, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a water jogging training program on the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis in elderly men. 15 elderly men with knee osteoarthritis were purposefully selected as subjects. We used global questionnaire of the consequences of knee injuries and osteoarthritis (KOOS) to collect data. The subjects performed a jogging in water program for 10 weeks under the supervision of a hydrotherapy instructor level. Correlated t-test was used to analyze the data at the significance level (P<0.05). Between pre-test and post-test, the mean symptoms (P=0.033), knee pain (P=0.024), motor function in daily activities (P=0.014), motor function in recreational sports activities (P=0.006) and Quality of life (P=0.005) was significantly different after the program. The results of this study show that regular practice of jogging in water can be a new, safe, effective and low-cost way to improve pain and quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis. These exercises may reduce the need for surgery and knee replacement in patients with knee arthritis.

This study was designed to assess the changes in lipid profile of HIV-seropositive patients following 6week aerobic and resistance exercise training. The pretest-posttest control-group design (experimental and control groups) was adopted. Sixty female HIV-seropositive patients in stage 1 and 2 of the disease registered in University of Benin Teaching Hospital participated in the study. They were randomly assigned into control and experimental groups. The experimental group exercised for One hour, three times a week for six weeks while the control group continued with their daily routine. The baseline intensity of the exercise was 60% of maximum Heart Rate (HRmax) and 60% 1RM and it was progressed by 10% every 3 weeks. Lipid profile were recorded at baseline and on completion of 6 weeks for both groups. The hypotheses were tested with inferential statistics of Analysis of variance. The findings of this study revealed that short duration exercise training improved some of the components of the lipid profile (high density lipoprotein and triglycerides). It was therefore concluded based on the findings of this study that health professionals should recommend exercise for female HIV-infected individuals due to the health benefits. Also, human kinetics specialists should design exercise programmes suitable for this special population.