Sports Activities Research Articles

Return-to-sports after conservative treatment of ligamentous elbow dislocations: a monocentric retrospective cohort study. European journal of trauma and emergency surgery.

Ligamentous elbow dislocations often affect young patients with high functional and athletic demands. After reduction and clinical examination of joint stability, further treatment options are, therefore, the subject of controversial debate. In order to be able to advise patients adequately, an assessment of the possible return-to-sport based on experience is necessary. This study examines the medium to long-term return-to-sports after conservative treatment of a ligamentous elbow dislocation. In this clinical study, 42 patients (47.6% female, 52.4% male) who were treated conservatively for a ligamentous elbow dislocation at our clinic were surveyed. Conservative treatment was carried out for at least 6 weeks. Exclusion criteria were concomitant bony lesions requiring surgery, a tendency to dislocate between 30 and 130° of flexion after reduction, a positive apprehension test after reduction, and athletes with medial pop-up/instability and high valgus stress as part of their sporting activities. The Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH), the sport-DASH and the subjective elbow value (SEV) were tested. The sport-DASH was correlated with gender, age, arm dominance, and the type of sport practiced. Descriptive statistics and significant differences were determined using statistical analyses. The average age was 42.7 years (range 22-75). After an average follow-up after 4.5 years, the mean value of DASH was 2.44 (SD 4.77), the mean value of sports DASH was 4.17 (SD 11.04) and the mean value of SEV was 94.93% (SD 6.40). There were no significant differences in sports DASH depending on gender (p = 0.81), age (p = 0.68), dislocation side in relation to the dominant arm (p = 0.54) or the type of sport practiced (p = 0.94, p = 0.65, p = 0.71). 2 patients (4.8%) underwent surgery after 6 and 8 weeks of conservative treatment due to persistent elbow stiffness. In our patient cohort, a very good return-to-sports after conservative treatment of ligamentous elbow dislocation was demonstrated, taking into account the above exclusion criteria. Factors such as age, gender, the side of the dislocation in relation to the arm dominance, and the type of sport had no influence on the outcome of our study. The data help practitioners to advise patients better when deciding on treatment and the question of a possible return to sport.

Measurement of the Vaginal Pressure Profile with the Femfit® and Leakage Events Using a Newly Developed Pad Test during Selected Sports Activities: A Pilot Study.

Measuring changes in the vaginal pressure profile (VPP) with the Femfit® by JUNOFEM during various sports will help improve understanding of the magnitude of pressures generated during such activities and the pelvic floor's response to those pressures. This could aid in selecting safe exercises for women with pelvic floor dysfunction. The primary aim of this study was to measure intravaginal pressure changes using a novel pressure sensor array (Femfit®) during high-risk sports activities in elite female athletes with and without stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The secondary aim was to quantify the amount of urine leakage during these activities using a newly developed innovative pad weighing test (iPWT). We used the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) to assess participants and measured the VPP using the Femfit® device during ground jumps, trampoline jumps, weightlifting, slow running and fast running. Urine leakage was assessed using the iPWT during the five sports activities. The highest VPP (53.7 ± 21.6mmHg) was recorded during ground jumps, followed by trampoline jumps. The second-highest values (24.7 ± 8.1mmHg) were measured during fast and slow running, while the lowest values were observed during weightlifting (11.6 ± 4.0mmHg). Measurements of VPP during sporting activities revealed lower pressure values in elite female athletes with SUI than in those without SUI. The overall mean urine leakage in the SUI group during the five activities was 6.6 ± 1.8g. On the basis of the VPP and the newly developed iPWT, sports involving jumps and lunges have been identified as revealing SUI and should therefore be included in testing female athletes. The iPWT may prove suitable for measuring SUI in elite female athletes but requires further testing and validation. gov Registration: NCT06224335.

Future Directions in Understanding Acute and Chronic Effects of Mental Fatigue in Sports: A Commentary on Bridging Laboratory Findings and Real-World Applications.

Mental fatigue (MF) is a psychobiological state that could negatively impact physical and cognitive performance, although the extent of this impact remains controversial. While laboratory studies have provided valuable insights into the acute effects of MF, their ecological validity in real-world sport settings remains limited. Recent research indicates that MF can naturally arise during sport activities, leading to chronic effects on endurance and perceptual-cognitive skills. These effects may persist beyond individual sessions, potentially increasing the risk of injury due to their cumulative nature. This commentary aims to guide future research by emphasizing the need to investigate the natural occurrence and chronic effects of MF in applied sport settings. Understanding how MF develops and manifests in real-world settings, particularly individual differences in perception and response, is crucial for creating more effective management strategies. Addressing these factors will enable better support for athletes who may experience prolonged periods of MF that could affect their training and competitive performance. Future research should prioritize studying MF in natural sport settings to enhance the ecological validity of findings. By focusing on the chronic and cumulative nature of MF, as well as individual variability, researchers can develop more tailored and effective strategies for managing MF. This research will not only bridge the gap between laboratory studies and real-world applications but also contribute to more precise monitoring and intervention techniques. Ultimately, these advancements will improve athletes' ability to maintain peak performance and reduce the risk of injury, thereby enhancing overall athletic well-being.

A novel multivariate time series dataset of outdoor sport activities

This study introduces a novel multivariate time series dataset of 228 outdoor sport activities recorded by individual non-competitive athlete in uncontrolled environments. The dataset includes three features: Heart Rate, Speed, and Altitude, and covers five sport categories: walking, running, skiing, roller-skiing, and biking. The data was collected using two types of Garmin sport watches. The original dataset was carefully pre-processed using typical data cleansing methods such as gaps filling, and value format transformations. Furthermore, activity filtering was implemented for missing sensor value data and using domain knowledge of sport categories. Full length sequences, varying from 10 min to several hours, were split into equal length segments, approximately 1 min. To address the small number of instances data was augmented using several consecutive segments from the same activity. However, only a small part of the whole original data was used as a computational cost–information gain tradeoff. Three-dimensional dataset is divided into three parts, each dimension to its own comma separated value (CSV) file. The dataset aims to provide a unique resource for researchers and practitioners in the field of sports science, human performance analysis, and activity recognition. It aims to complement the very limited or non-existent publicly available sport activity datasets.

Return to Sport and Graft Failure Rates After Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With a Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Versus Hamstring Tendon Autograft: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequent injuries in athletes that often require surgical reconstruction so that patients may return to their previous levels of performance. While existing data on patient-reported outcomes are similar between bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) and hamstring tendon (HT) autografts, the literature regarding return to sport (RTS), return to previous levels of sport activity, and graft failure rate remains limited. To compare rates of RTS, return to previous activity levels, and graft retears among athletes undergoing primary ACL reconstruction using a BTB versus HT autograft. Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. The MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were queried, and studies reporting on RTS after primary ACL reconstruction using a BTB or HT autograft were included. Exclusion criteria included revision reconstruction, ACL repair, quadriceps tendon autografts, allografts, graft augmentation, or double-bundle autografts. Rates of RTS, return to previous levels of activity, and retears were extracted and analyzed across included studies. A total of 33 articles met inclusion criteria, with a patient cohort of 4810 athletes. The overall RTS rate for all athletes was 80.4% (95% CI, 75.3%-84.6%) at a mean follow-up of 35.7 months, with 54.6% (95% CI, 48.5%-60.6%) returning to preinjury levels of activity. No significant difference was found between BTB and HT autografts with respect to rates of RTS, return to preinjury activity levels, or reruptures. The overall RTS rate in patients after primary ACL reconstruction with a BTB autograft was 83.3% (95% CI, 77.0%-88.2%), with 56.1% (95% CI, 49.3%-62.7%) returning to preinjury levels of activity. Conversely, the overall RTS rate in patients after primary ACL reconstruction with an HT autograft was 77.9% (95% CI, 70.3%-84.0%), with 53.5% (95% CI, 42.8%-63.9%) returning to preinjury levels of activity. The overall graft rerupture rate for the entire patient cohort was 3.6% (95% CI, 2.5%-5.1%), for patients with BTB grafts was 3.2% (95% CI, 1.9%-5.3%), and for patients with HT grafts was 4.4% (95% CI, 2.8%-6.8%). Primary ACL reconstruction using BTB autografts demonstrated similar rates of RTS, return to previous activity levels, and reruptures compared with reconstruction using HT autografts.

Sports behaviour and adherence to sports and exercise recommendations in patients with myocarditis

AimIn the clinical setting of acute myocarditis, existing guidelines recommend refraining from moderate-intensity to high-intensity sports for 3–6 months, yet the extent to which these recommendations are implemented by clinicians...

Endoscopic Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis with Plantar Heel Spur Pain: A Combined Suprafascial and Infrafascial Approach.

To determine whether a combined endoscopic suprafascial and infrafascial approach with medial and lateral portals is a safe and effective technique for the endoscopic treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis with plantar heel spur pain. An interventional, prospective study was conducted. A total of 61 patients with plantar fasciitis with plantar heel spur pain underwent an endoscopic plantar fasciotomy with plantar heel spur resection, using a combined suprafascial and infrafascial approach between January 2018 and August 2022. Preoperative Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were measured. The measurements were repeated at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and at the final follow up. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative film parameters (Meary angle, calcaneal pitch angle, medial cuneiform-fifth metatarsal height) were compared.Complications were recorded at each encounter. The mean follow up time was 2.6 ± 1.1 years. At the 6-week postoperative visit, the mean change in FAAM-ADL, FAAM-Sport, SF-36 physical component summary, SF-36 mental component summary, and VAS were 26.0,19.0, 44.8, 61.2, and -5.8, respectively. These changes were statistically significant (P < .001). These findings were sustained and generally improved at all other follow-up points: 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and final follow-up. The average period until the recovery of activities of daily living and sport activities were 2.6 and 8.6 weeks, respectively. There were no significant differences between the pre- and 1-year postoperative radiographic values (P > .05). No cases resulted in medial arch collapse. Five cases (8%) had an injury to the first branch of lateral plantar nerve. Endoscopic plantar fascia release and plantar heel spur resection using a combined suprafascial and infrafascial approach resulted in the improvement of postoperative FAAM, SF-36, and VAS scores and involved a low incidence of postoperative complications.

The generational shift towards the reciprocal disclosure of intimacy in daughter–father relationships through physical activity in the UK

Within family sociology during the past 30 years, while a general consensus has developed that most parents and children in the Western world have come to share relationships characterised by a greater degree of intimate disclosure, the extent to which parent–child relationships have become ‘purer’ and more egalitarian remains a contested issue. Although there has been a developing interest in involved fathering through sport and physical activity over the past decade, research has yet to concentrate on the consequences of this transformation for daughters. This article applies Mannheim’s tenet of generation entelechy to life history interviews with 14 women born between 1950 and 1994 to argue that involved fathering through physical activity offers conditions for daughters to realise a long-held desire to establish more emotionally reciprocated intimate bonds with fathers. Daughters described a shift from viewing fathers as emotionally uninvolved workers to becoming interdependent intimates.

Exploring Gender Differences in the Effects of Diet and Physical Activity on Metabolic Parameters.

Gender differences in metabolic response to lifestyle interventions remain poorly explored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a six-month Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention combined with regular physical activity on metabolic parameters in overweight adults. A prospective cohort study was conducted in an obesity clinic in Rome, Italy, involving overweight adults (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) motivated to improve their lifestyle. Participants (n = 205; 107 men and 98 women) self-selected into physical activity groups (aerobic, anaerobic, combined or no activity). Gender-specific metabolic changes were assessed, including lipid profiles, liver markers and fasting glucose. Significant gender differences in metabolic results were observed. Men showed greater reductions in total cholesterol (TC) and LDL, as well as significant reductions in alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Women showed a significant increase in HDL cholesterol. Fasting blood glucose decreased significantly in both sexes, with no differences between the sexes. Activity-specific analysis revealed that anaerobic activity significantly improved lipid metabolism in men, while aerobic activity produced the greatest benefits in women, including increased HDL and improved liver marker profiles. Therapeutic strategies combining MD and physical activity must take into account gender-specific physiological differences and the type of sport activity to optimise metabolic benefits. Personalised approaches may improve the management of cardiovascular risk factors in overweight individuals. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06661330).

A Deep Learning Approach for Mental Fatigue State Assessment.

This study investigates mental fatigue in sports activities by leveraging deep learning techniques, deviating from the conventional use of heart rate variability (HRV) feature analysis found in previous research. The study utilizes a hybrid deep neural network model, which integrates Residual Networks (ResNet) and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) for feature extraction, and a transformer for feature fusion. The model achieves an impressive accuracy of 95.29% in identifying fatigue from original ECG data, 2D spectral characteristics and physiological information of subjects. In comparison to traditional methods, such as Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and Random Forests (RFs), as well as other deep learning methods, including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), the proposed approach demonstrates significantly improved experimental outcomes. Overall, this study offers a promising solution for accurately recognizing fatigue through the analysis of physiological signals, with potential applications in sports and physical fitness training contexts.

Development and Preliminary Validation of a Novel Instrument to Assess Re-Injury Associated Anxiety Following Traumatic Orofacial and Dental Injury in Young Boxers.

An injury sustained during sports activity can lead to the development of reinjury anxiety and hamper performance. Although tools exist to assess re-injury anxiety, a domain of interest in the field of sports medicine, research in the psychological impact of an orofacial injury is rudimentary. The present study envisaged to develop an instrument to assess the presence of reinjury anxiety following orofacial and dental injury in boxers aged between 10 and 16 years. In Phase 1, items were generated following literature search and focus-group discussions (FGD). In Phase 2, a group discussion was conducted with three experienced boxing coaches to assess face validity, followed by two rounds of scrutiny by expert groups to assess the content validity through the content-validity-index (CVI), respectively. In Phase 3, the modified tool was pre-tested on an independent sample of young boxers. Finally, in Phase 4, to determine dimensionality, the modified tool was administered to 183 young boxers and their responses were subject to an exploratory factor analysis through Principal component analysis, followed by Promax rotation to determine the factor loading. Internal consistency reliability was measured through calculation of Cronbach's-alpha. From the 29-items devised initially, the tool was sequentially modified. Analysis of the responses by the second expert group, an average Scale-level-CVI of 0.9 and Universal agreement of 0.526 was obtained, which resulted in the inclusion of 20 items for the final phase of the study. From the factor analysis, the items were found to fit to a five-factor structure, which explained 56.4% of the variance in the constructs. Internal consistency of the tool was measured to be 0.74. A 10-item oral re-injury anxiety scale for young boxers (ORAS-YB) tool was developed. It was found to have high face and content validity, and acceptable reliability. Further research with a larger sample is required to confirm the factor structure and determine test-retest reliability of the developed tool.

Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes Following Autologous Osteochondral Transplantation for Lateral Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus.

Autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) is an option to treat large osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs), accompanying subchondral cyst, and previous unsuccessful bone marrow stimulation (BMS) procedures. Although there is extensive literature on the outcomes of surgical interventions for medial osteochondral lesions, research focusing on lateral lesions remains limited. This article presents the intermediate-term clinical and radiologic outcomes following AOT for lateral OLTs. Twenty-eight patients with lateral OLTs were followed up for a minimum of 3 years after AOT. Clinical evaluations included the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Radiographic assessments evaluated articular surface (subchondral plate) irregularity, progression of degenerative arthritis, and changes in talar tilt and anterior talar translation. The quality of osteochondral graft was evaluated using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score. The average FAOS and FAAM scores significantly increased from 39.6 to 91.2 and from 37.8 to 89.8 points, respectively, at the final follow-up (P < .001). Radiologic assessments revealed 2 patients (7.1%) with articular step-off ≥2 mm and 1 patient (3.6%) with progressive arthritis. The average MOCART score reached 92.8 points. Postoperative complications included 2 patients with wound problems, 1 with a superficial peroneal nerve injury, and 1 with donor site morbidity. The rate of return to preinjury level of sports activity was 82.1%. At a mean follow-up of 68.5 months, no patient required reoperation for OLT or recurrent ankle instability. AOT for lateral OLTs demonstrated favorable intermediate-term clinical and radiologic outcomes. Most lateral OLTs were accessible via lateral ankle ligament division and capsulotomy, with minimal occurrence of iatrogenic complications such as recurrent ankle instability. AOT appears to be an effective surgical option for patients with large lateral osteochondral lesions unresponsive to conservative treatment, large subchondral cysts, and prior unsuccessful BMS procedures.

Exploring the experiences of urban high school students in Paralympic School Day

This study explored the experiences of urban high school students in the Paralympic School Day (PSD) program and their perceptions about disability. Fifteen students took part in focus group interviews and written reflections were collected. Three interrelated themes were constructed: (a) “the people who we usually think of having to help were actually helping us”: flipping the script; (b) “an interesting way to put yourself in the shoes of others”: developing empathetic intelligence, and (c) “it feels ugly to be in a wheelchair”: spotlight on ableism. These findings provide support for the assertion that while PSD programs have a positive impact on participants’ disability-related perceptions, ableist notions and terminology are still unmistakable in their accounts. Therefore, PSD may be a crucial part of disability education and awareness, as initial ableist posturing began to dissipate through meaningful contact and experiences with disabled people while participating in disability sport activities.

Female youth sport participation and gender role beliefs around occupational suitability in later life: exploring the associations

ABSTRACT Purpose: Many professional fields remain highly male-dominated and this has been linked to people’s gender role beliefs around occupational suitability. Youth sport participation has often been presumed to influence people’s gender role beliefs in later life, but there is a lack of empirical evidence around this. This study examines the associations between female youth sport participation and gender role beliefs around occupational suitability in later life. Methodology: An online survey was administered, resulting in 501 responses from women aged 18-74. In-depth interviews were conducted with five women. Findings: The survey found a significant association between pre-college participation in “masculine” sports and gender role beliefs around occupational suitability, but not between frequency of participation, or participation in competitive and/or team sport. The interviews provided further insight, highlighting the importance of family environment and self-confidence. Practical implications: The findings provide empirical evidence for practitioners and policymakers involved in designing sport activities for young people. Research contribution: This study develops the evidence base around the influence of youth sport participation on gender role beliefs in later life and offers suggestions for future research. Originality: This is the first study that directly measures the relationship between female youth sport participation and gender role beliefs around occupational suitability in later life.

Carbon emission and energy risk management in mega sporting events: challenges, strategies, and pathways

Carbon emissions from mega sporting events pose a serious challenge to the sustainable development of the global environment, and the management of carbon emissions and energy efficiency in sporting events has become a focus of attention for both countries and international organizations. However, most existing research focuses on carbon emissions in sporting events is limited by a narrow focus on individual cases, limited attention to indirect emissions, insufficient integration of socioeconomic dimensions, a lack of broader data coverage, the adoption of interdisciplinary methodologies, and an emphasis on lifecycle energy risk management to provide robust support for sustainable event practices and policy development. To remedy these deficiencies, this study systematically compiles the current situation of carbon emissions in sports activities, analyzes the carbon emission characteristics and energy-saving potential of different types of sporting events, and summarizes the excellent cases of carbon emission and energy efficiency management in sports activities. The study reveals that large-scale sporting events generate substantial carbon emissions and energy consumption in transportation, venue construction, and event operation. However, carbon emissions and energy usage can be significantly reduced by optimizing venue locations, promoting green transportation, and implementing energy-saving measures at all stages. This study not only provides empirical data and theoretical support for the management of carbon emissions and energy efficiency in sporting events but also proposes practical and feasible suggestions that are highly important for the sustainable development of future sporting events. The findings have reference value for policymakers and event organizers in planning and implementing energy-saving and low-carbon events, helping promote environmental governance and sustainable development in the sports sector.

The single antegrade sling graft: a novel hamstring autograft technique for combined anterior cruciate ligament and anterolateral ligament reconstruction

IntroductionAs a result of increased incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in young athletes, there is a rise in the indications surgical ACL reconstruction procedures. The value of anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction emerges as a proposed solution to prevent graft failures and improve stability in this high demanding category of patients. The purpose of this study is to present our experience with a novel hamstring auto-grafting technique, the single antegrade sling graft (SASG), for combined reconstruction of both ACL and ALL using autologous gracilis (GR) and semitendinosus (ST) grafts utilizing a single femoral tunnel and double tibial tunnels.Materials and methodsFrom January 2020 to December 2021, 21 soccer players were operated utilizing the SASG technique, a modification of the technique of SANTI study group. Inclusion criteria were participating in pivoting sport, high-grade pivot shift examination (Grade 2–3), and evidence of a lateral femoral notch sign or Segond's fracture on preoperative imaging. Patients were assessed for 2 years postoperatively by Lachman’s test for anteroposterior laxity and pivot shift test for rotational laxity. The postoperative outcomes were assessed by Tegner-Lysholm and International knee documentation committee scores. Also, the postoperative complications such as stiffness, infection and graft failure were reported.Results21 male soccer players with a mean age 26.4 years were included in this study. After 2 years follow up there was a statistically significant improvement in the both post-operative functional scores, P value < 0.001. Fifteen patients (71.4%) could return to their preoperative sport activity level with no giving-way symptoms. Only one case of graft failure was reported in the follow up.ConclusionsThe single antegrade sling graft (SASG), for combined reconstruction of both ACL and ALL yielded good results in terms of stability and return to sports. The technique is reproducible, and results are comparable to the available published literature.

Land- and water-based sports activities in natural environments as a group exercise for Parkinson’s disease: proof-of-concept pilot study

Land- and water-based sports activities in natural environments as a group exercise for Parkinson’s disease: proof-of-concept pilot study

The Role of Sports Management in Promoting the Participation of Individuals with Disabilities in School Sports Activities

This study seeks to examine the function of sports administrations in facilitating the involvement of individuals with disabilities in school sports activities, emphasizing the aspects that affect the establishment of a complete and suitable environment for this demographic. Data were gathered via a questionnaire administered to 82 principals of schools for individuals with disabilities, focusing on the sports programs offered, required adaptations to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, students' reactions to these activities, and variables influencing their participation, including gender, age group, and type of disability. The findings indicated that sports administrators foster a conducive atmosphere, as students with disabilities exhibited a favorable inclination to engage in sports activities, with variations in participation levels noted according to disability type and age group. Research indicates that sports policies and procedures implemented in schools enhance the involvement of individuals with disabilities; yet, certain areas require enhancement, particularly in providing further adjustments to accommodate students' requirements. The statistical study revealed a favorable and statistically significant correlation between the function of sports administrations and the enhancement of participation among individuals with disabilities in sports activities. This research elucidates the significant role of sports administrations in facilitating equitable opportunities for individuals with disabilities within the sports domain, and offers recommendations to enhance these opportunities and foster the inclusive participation of this demographic in school sports activities.

Development of an Active Play Learning Model to Promote Executive Functions for Elementary School Students

In this study, we aimed to develop an active play learning model to enhance cognitive thinking skills in elementary school students. We employed a qualitative research methodology, targeting health and physical education teachers from schools in Suphan Buri Province in Thailand. We collected data through individual surveys and in-depth interviews and performed data synthesis using documents and focus groups to guide the model&amp;rsquo;s development. The research findings revealed that teachers have a moderate understanding of cognitive thinking skills and the active play learning model. Although sports activities are regularly incorporated into lessons, they are not done so effectively enough to develop cognitive thinking skills. However, teachers recognize the importance of organizing activities to help students develop social skills through play. Therefore, we recommended additional training to enhance the active play learning model&amp;rsquo;s knowledge and understanding and ensure its effective implementation in teaching and learning. Based on data synthesis, we focused on three key areas: working memory skills, inhibitory control and reflective thinking skills, and cognitive flexibility skills. We utilized a variety of games and activities, such as rock-paper-scissors, imaginative block games, and treasure hunts using maps, to stimulate skill development in each area.

Hormonal and Glycemic Responses During and After Constant- and Alternating-Intensity Exercise.

Background/Objectives: Glucose metabolism and hormonal responses are largely affected by exercise intensity, which exhibits an alternating pattern in many sports activities. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare glycemic and hormonal responses during and after exercise of constant (CON) and alternating (ALT) intensity with the same duration and total work. Methods: Ten healthy male volunteers performed two, 60 min cycling exercise bouts in random order: the ALT bout, where exercise intensity alternated between 46.5 ± 1.9% of VO2max for 40 s and 120% of VO2max for 20 s, so the mean intensity was at 105% of the lactate threshold (LT), and the CON exercise bout, where the intensity was constant at 105% of LT (70 ± 4.7% of VO2max). Results: No significant differences were observed in blood glucose concentrations between the two exercise protocols (p = 0.22) or over time at any time point measured, i.e., before, at 30 and 60 min of each exercise bout, and 60 min post-exercise (p > 0.05). Circulating insulin levels decreased significantly over time in both protocols (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 in ALT and CON, respectively); nevertheless, they did not differ between the exercise protocols (p = 0.45). Similarly, there were no significant differences in serum leptin and prolactin levels between the two protocols (p = 0.77 and p = 0.80 in ALT and CON, respectively); however, circulating levels of leptin decreased at 30 and 60 min of exercise only in CON (p < 0.05) and those of prolactin at 60 min of exercise only in ALT (p < 0.05) compared to pre-exercise values. Conclusions: Cycling exercise of constant or alternating moderate intensity (~70% of VO2max) with the same duration induces similar glycemic but differential over time hormonal responses in healthy males.