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Punch impact power is crucial for boxing performance and varies with punch biomechanics. Straight punches rely primarily on linear force production, whereas Hook punches depend more on rotational and lateral force generation; however, the effectiveness of strength and conditioning (S&C) interventions remains insufficiently explored. This study investigated the effects of targeted S&C programs on Straight and Hook punch impact power in trained boxers compared with regular boxing training. Thirty-one boxers completed an eight-week intervention and were allocated to three groups: a Linear-Oriented Training Group (LOTG), a Rotational-Oriented Training Group (ROTG), or a Control Group (CG). Punch impact power (Jab, Cross, Lead Hook, and Rear Hook) was assessed using PowerKube at baseline and post-intervention. One-repetition maximum bench press (1 RM BP), countermovement jump (CMJ), and handgrip strength (HS) were also evaluated. Data were analyzed using mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA on post-pre change scores (Δ). A significant main effect of time was observed for all punch types (p < 0.001), with significant group × time interactions for the Cross, Lead Hook, and Rear Hook (p < 0.05). The ROTG showed the greatest improvements, particularly in Hook punches. Targeted S&C interventions, particularly rotational training, improved punching impact power and neuromuscular performance.

This study examined whether pre-existing situational motivation correlates with the magnitude of performance improvement elicited by verbal encouragement (VE) in long jump. A total of 134 physically active sports science students (21.1 ± 1.4 years) performed a long jump task under two conditions: with and without peer VE. Situational motivation, differentiated into autonomous (Intrinsic Motivation [IM], Identified Regulation [IR]) and controlled (External Regulation [ER], Amotivation [AM]) forms, was assessed immediately prior to trials using the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS). Performance improvement was calculated as the percentage change (Δ%) between conditions. Paired t-tests evaluated the overall effect of VE, while multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the predictive relationship between situational motivation subscales and performance gains (Δ%), with sex included as a covariate. The results showed that VE significantly enhanced performance across both sexes (p < 0.001; d = 1.109-1.331). The regression models indicated that Δ% was positively predicted by autonomous forms of motivation (IM: R² = 0.252; IR: R² = 0.262) and negatively predicted by controlled forms (ER: R² = 0.27; AM: R² = 0.249). Sex was not a significant predictor in any model (p > 0.05), indicating that all observed relationships were consistent across both male and female participants. These findings indicate that the performance-enhancing effect of VE in long jump is associated with the initial motivational state of the practitioners, being greater in autonomously motivated individuals and attenuated in those with controlled motivation. Consequently, situational motivation should be assessed before implementing VE in long jump, as its effectiveness is limited in individuals with low autonomous drive and may require preliminary strategies to enhance task engagement.

Background: Blood volume (BV), haemoglobin mass (Hb-mass) are key determinants of blood oxygen transport. The aim of this study was to assess BV and Hb-mass in elite junior rowers and evaluate their relationship with fat-free mass (FFM) and aerobic capacity.

Methods: Twenty-five males (18.4 ± 2.4 y, 1.92 ± 0.5 m, 89.3 ± 4.7 kg) and fourteen females (17.0 ± 1.9 y, 1.77 ± 0.7 m, 74.2 ± 11.3 kg) participated. BV, plasma volume (PV), and Hb-mass were assessed via CO rebreathing. Pulmonary gas exchange was measured during a graded rowing test.

Results: Males had higher absolute BV (7270 ± 717 vs. 5388 ± 471 mL) and Hb-mass (1083 ± 91 vs. 720 ± 49 g). After adjusting for FFM, most differences disappeared, except PV, which remained higher in females (57.2 ± 4.8 vs. 49.9 ± 6.5 mL·FFM·kg^-1). V̇O₂max was higher in males in absolute (6.28 ± 0.40 vs. 4.48 ± 0.29 L·min^-1) and body-mass-relative terms (70.2 ± 5.6 vs. 61.3 ± 7.3 mL·kg^-1·min^-1), but not when expressed per FFM (79.4 ± 5.3 vs. 81.1 ± 7.3 mL·FFM·kg^-1·min^-1). BV, PV, and Hb-mass correlated positively with V̇O₂max in both sexes, with stronger associations in females.

Conclusions: Sex differences in blood parameters among junior rowers are largely explained by FFM, except for PV, which is relatively higher in females. Stronger associations between blood variables and aerobic capacity in females suggest greater reliance on central oxygen transport.

Background: Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) is a supportive intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Aim: This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a cognitive-motor EAT intervention to explore its preliminary effects on motor coordination in children with ASD.

Methods: A single-group pre-test-post-test design was adopted. Twelve children (mean age: 10.08 ± 1.51 years; ASD level 1-2) participated in a 16-week EAT program. The intervention integrated EAT with cognitive dual-task activities targeting attention and perceptual processing. Motor performance was assessed before and after the intervention using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2).

Results: The RM-ANOVA examined pre-post changes. A significant improvement in the MABC-2 Total Test Score was observed (p = 0.036; ηp² = 0.34; 95% CI [0.541, 13.792]), indicating a trend of improvement of global motor coordination. No significant improvements were observed in Manual Dexterity, Aiming and Catching, and Balance subscale scores.

Conclusions: A cognitively enriched EAT program promoted improvements in overall motor competence in ASD children, even without measurable changes in specific motor skills. The intervention was feasible and well-tolerated, with high adherence and no adverse events. These preliminary findings support the feasibility and potential value of integrating cognitive-motor demands into EAT and provide a rationale for larger randomized controlled studies.

The Y Balance Test (YBT) is widely used to assess dynamic balance and lower-limb function in both clinical and sports settings. However, substantial variability exists in YBT measurement procedures across studies, which may complicate interpretation of the reliability and validity findings. This scoping review aimed to systematically map the reporting frequency and heterogeneity of participant characteristics and measurement procedures in studies evaluating the reliability and/or validity of the YBT. This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and clinical trial registries were searched from inception to 20 September 2025. Observational studies assessing the reliability and/or validity of the YBT were also included. Data on participant attributes and key measurement procedures, including practice trials, rest periods, upper-limb restrictions, heel lift allowance, and other protocol components, were extracted. A total of 32 studies involving 1701 participants were analyzed. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in the reporting of YBT measurement procedures across studies, with differences according to study design and participant characteristics. While practice trials and error criteria were frequently described, other factors that may influence outcomes, including warm-up protocols, rest periods, heel lift allowance, and trial order, were less consistently reported. Such variability may limit the interpretability and comparability of YBT findings. Notable gaps were identified in both reliability and validity studies, as well as in studies involving injured or clinical populations. These findings highlight the need for greater transparency and consistency in YBT reporting. Clearer reporting standards may improve evidence synthesis and the application of YBT findings.

Physical activity (PA) has been associated with improvements in cognitive function and psychological well-being in the school population; however, its specific impact on gifted students has been scarcely investigated. This systematic review analyzes the effects of PA, as well as the associations between PA and cognitive performance, emotional well-being, and social integration in students with high abilities (HA), also considering moderating variables such as sex and type of intervention. A total of four studies published between 2004 and 2025 were identified through searches in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, including cross-sectional and quasi-experimental designs with more than 700 participants aged 8 to 13 years. The findings suggest that PA may be associated with improvements in memory, attention, and creativity, as well as lower levels of anxiety and stress. Benefits were also observed in body perception and social integration, although these effects appear to be influenced by factors such as gender and academic demands. Overall, the evidence suggests that PA may represent a potentially valuable educational resource for the comprehensive development of these students; however, further longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to establish more robust and context-sensitive intervention protocols.

Background: Plantar pressure analysis provides insight into load distribution at the foot-pedal interface during cycling; however, its modulation by pedaling power, cadence, and overuse injury status remains poorly understood by professional cyclists. It is unclear whether common overuse injuries, such as Achilles tendinopathy, patellofemoral pathology, and iliotibial band syndrome, are associated with distinct plantar loading patterns. This study aimed to characterize plantar pressure distribution in elite cyclists and determine how power, cadence, and injury status influence this pattern. Methods: Professional cyclists completed a single integrated protocol using a high-resolution in-shoe pressure system. Plantar forces were recorded across nine anatomical regions and grouped into the transverse and longitudinal segments of the foot. Three phases were included: absolute power manipulation (100 and 200 W), cadence manipulation (80 and 100 rpm) at fixed power, and an ecological combined protocol using relative power (1.5 and 3 W·kg^-1) with individualized cadence. The cyclists used their habitual bike setups. Participants were classified into the non-pathological (NP), AT, PFP, or ITBS groups. Mixed repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to analyze the effects of power, cadence, zone, foot, and injury status. Results: The plantar pressure distribution was consistently dominated by the medial forefoot. Increasing the absolute power from 100 to 200 W increased the maximal plantar pressures by 84.74% (p < 0.001), whereas increasing the cadence from 80 to 100 rpm at a fixed power increased the pressures by 15.90% (p = 0.003). Under individualized conditions, increasing relative power from 1.5 to 3 W·kg^-1 increased pressures by 39.59% (p < 0.001), whereas cadence had no global main effect but significantly altered the regional pressure distribution (p < 0.001). Injury groups showed pathology-specific deviations, including higher overall pressures and asymmetry in Achilles tendinopathy, bilateral asymmetry in patellofemoral pathology, and asymmetric loading patterns in iliotibial band syndrome. Conclusions: Power is the main determinant of plantar pressure, and cadence modulates load distribution. Overuse injuries induce pathology-specific pressure patterns, supporting plantar pressure analysis for injury prevention and performance optimization in athletes.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in youth athletes are multifactorial, and the relative contributions of neuromuscular and neurocognitive variables remain inadequately comprehended.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 220 young handball players (104 girls and 116 boys; mean age 16.3 ± 1.4 years) participated in functional testing with the Back in Action system and baseline neurocognitive evaluation with the ImPACT battery. During the 24-month follow-up period, orthopedic specialists identified ACL damage, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Univariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to evaluate predictive capability.

Results: During the 24-month follow-up, 26 athletes sustained an ACL injury. Prolonged plyometric ground contact time was significantly associated with ACL injury occurrence in logistic regression analysis (p = 0.019) and demonstrated fair discriminatory ability (AUC = 0.63) (OR = 0.98 per ms; 0.98 95% CI: 0.964-0.997). Female sex emerged as a profound and independent risk factor (OR = 5.74).

Conclusions: Neuromuscular performance, specifically plyometric ground contact time and female sex, has predictive ability for ACL damage in youth handball players, while separate cognition assessments failed to independently differentiate injury risk. These findings support the use of objective neuromuscular evaluation in comprehensive injury prevention strategies in youth sport.

Background: Soccer kicking biomechanics has traditionally focused on lower limbs, overlooking whole-body integration. Three-dimensional motion analyses have demonstrated that upper limbs contribute substantially through tension arc formation, counterbalancing, and kinetic chain coordination. The hand-wrist complex may influence performance through proprioceptive pathways, yet this remains untested.

Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus (inception-February 2026). Peer-reviewed studies examining kicking mechanics, kinetic chains, and joint proprioception were included. Two reviewers independently screened records and extracted data. Narrative synthesis was used to organize findings across four thematic categories: upper limb biomechanics, kinetic chain principles, wrist-hand stability, and proprioceptive enhancement.

Results: From 3847 records, 51 studies (1988-2025) were included. Upper limbs are essential for kicking through tension arc formation, energy transfer, and balance maintenance. Kinetic chains operate bidirectionally; available evidence suggests that proximal segment deficits are associated with substantially increased compensatory demands at distal segments. External joint support has been shown to enhance proprioception and force perception.

Conclusions: This scoping review identifies a theoretical rationale and a critical research gap: no direct empirical evidence exists that hand-wrist bandaging affects kicking performance. Evidence from adjacent domains (upper limb kicking biomechanics, kinetic chain theory and proprioceptive enhancement with external supports) provides indirect, translational support for the plausibility of a hypothesis that remains entirely untested. Future research should employ within-subject crossover designs in elite soccer players to determine whether this intervention produces any measurable effect. Practical recommendations to athletes or practitioners are premature and are not supported by the current evidence base.