This study aimed to assess relationships between standard and advanced lipids, body composition, and physical fitness. Associations between standard and advanced blood lipid biomarkers, body composition, and physical fitness parameters were assessed among 43 LEOs. Across separate and hierarchical regression models, the standard lipids consistently accounted for greater variation in the dependent variables, while the advanced lipids rarely provided additional explanatory power, even after controlling for multicollinearity. The standard lipid panel is likely sufficient and the most cost-effective way to identify lipid-related associations with body composition and fitness among LEOs.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a crucial component for health. However, measuring cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in practice and in large-scale studies remains challenging. The Two-Minute Step Test (2MST) is a submaximal cardiorespiratory fitness test that is brief, relatively easy to perform, and does not require any expensive materials. However, the clinimetric properties of the 2MST for older adults with ID are unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the feasibility, reliability and convergent validity of the 2MST in older adults with ID. This was a cross-sectional study within the 'Healthy Ageing and Intellectual Disabilities' (HA-ID) cohort study. Participants (n = 180, 70.6 [66-75] years) that participated in the physical fitness assessment were included in this study. Feasibility was defined as a successful completion according to protocol. Test-retest reliability was assessed over two measurements, on the same day, with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Convergent validity was assessed relative to other fitness components (static balance, muscular endurance, comfortable and fast gait speed), with Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients. The 2MST showed moderate feasibility for the first (49.4%) and second (48.3%) measurement. Feasibility was good in participants with borderline, mild and moderate ID (57.1%-80%), but low in participants with severe (15.2%) and profound ID (7.7%). Test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.88). The 2MST had a moderate correlation with static balance (r = 0.46) and comfortable (r = 0.42) and fast (r = 0.51) gait speed, and a good correlation with muscular endurance (r = 0.63). Based on predefined criteria, all correlations were at least moderate (r > 0.30), supporting good convergent validity (categorised as good if three or more out of four correlations were at least moderate). The 2MST is a feasible, reliable and valid test to use in older adults with ID. Feasibility was especially good in older adults with borderline to moderate ID; however, it was low in adults with more severe ID. The excellent test-retest reliability and good indications for convergent validity show this test is a suitable field test for cardiorespiratory fitness to use in older adults with ID.

Background: Bouldering is a rapidly growing sport with emerging evidence of health-promoting effects across physical, psychological, and social domains. Aim: To synthesize current research on the health benefits of bouldering and assess its potential as a preventive and therapeutic intervention. Methods: This paper reviews over 20 peer-reviewed studies, including randomized controlled trials, qualitative analyses, and mixed-methods research, examining bouldering’s effects on mental health, physical fitness, and social well-being. Results: Bouldering was associated with significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress, alongside improvements in self-efficacy and emotional regulation. Physical benefits included increased muscular strength, endurance, and improved body composition. Social gains involved enhanced connection, inclusion, and subjective well-being. Outcomes were comparable or superior to traditional exercise and therapeutic approaches in several studies. Conclusions: Bouldering is a holistic, accessible intervention that fosters integrated health benefits. Its unique combination of cognitive, physical, and social challenges supports its inclusion in health promotion and therapeutic settings.

Wellness tourism is not a new concept, but it has gained increasing popularity in recent years. It has become a popular choice among travellers due to its unique aspects and positive benefits. This study examines the impact of wellness tourism services on the Spiritual, physical, mental, and social well-being of tourists, with a focus on India's wellness city, Uttarakhand. This study employed a quantitative research design, using a structured questionnaire filled out by 62 domestic and international tourists who visited top wellness centres in Uttarakhand. Analyse the data through Pearson correlation to understand the relationship between wellness tourism services, such as yoga, meditation, spa treatments, and Ayurveda, and the spiritual, physical, mental, and social well-being of tourists. The findings show that wellness services were significantly enhanced, promoting spiritual growth, reducing stress, facilitating emotional healing, and improving physical fitness. This research highlights the multiple benefits offered by wellness tourism, self-discovery, and holistic health. This study offers valuable insights for tourism planners, governments, and policymakers seeking to enhance the global appeal of wellness tourism services, thereby enriching travel experiences.

Older adults with type 2 diabetes face increased risks of macrovascular and microvascular complications. Aquatic exercise offers a joint-friendly alternative in this population. However, the influence of water temperature on exercise outcomes remains unclear. This study compared the effects of warm-water versus cold-water aerobic exercise on physical fitness, glycemic control, and vascular function in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Thirty-two sedentary older adults (aged 60-75) with type 2 diabetes were randomized into warm-water (36°C; n=16) or cold-water (20°C; n=16) cycling exercise groups, training three times per week for 12 weeks. Fifteen participants in the warm-water group and twelve in the cold-water group completed the study. Both groups demonstrated improvements in peak aerobic fitness, HbA1c, lipid profiles, pulse wave velocity, flow-mediated dilation, and skin microvascular function (p<0.05). Warm-water exercise produced greater improvements in all indices of foot microvascular reactivity than the cold water group. Warm water training additionally improved isometric leg strength, trunk flexibility, plasma nitric oxide, and reduced oxidative stress (p<0.05), while cold-water exercise led to reductions in blood pressure (p<0.05). Both warm- and cold-water aerobic exercise effectively improved both macro- and micro-vascular function and metabolic health in older adults with type 2 diabetes. However, warm-water exercise conferred extra benefits in muscle strength, flexibility, and oxidative stress, while cold water exercise reduced blood pressure.

Effects of a 12-week multicomponent exercise programme on physical function in older adults with cancer: Study protocol for the ONKO-FRAIL randomised controlled trial.

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the gold standard for assessing cardiopulmonary fitness. However, the link between VO2max and mitochondrial function is complex, with no direct causality proven. Analysing mtDNA copy number offers an innovative way to understand aerobic performance by measuring mitochondrial biogenesis, although its relation to physical performance and fitness is not well studied, especially in trained individuals. This study aimed to compare VO2max and mtDNA copy number in blood leukocytes between highly trained runners and nontrained men. It also examined how leukocyte mtDNA content adapts to a 6-week HIIT aerobic training programme in nontrained individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 20 highly trained runners and 20 nontrained healthy subjects. Then, we implemented a 6-week HIIT training programme for the nontrained group, comparing their VO2max and mtDNA copy number to a control group. Participants trained 4min/4min HIIT treadmill running, three times a week. The cross-sectional part showed that highly trained runners had significantly higher mtDNA copy numbers than nontrained subjects (p = 0.046; d = 0.652; 95% CI: [0.01, 1.28]; [medium-large effect]); further, we observed a significant positive correlation between mtDNA copy number and VO2max combining both groups (p = 0.013; R2 = 0.153 [small-moderate effect]). After the 6-week HIIT programme, the intervention group showed significant increases in both VO2max (p < 0.001) and mtDNA copy number (p = 0.015), with large and medium effect sizes, respectively. The intervention group's mtDNA copy number increased by 321.6 ± 391.6%; 95% CI: [120.2, 522.9], compared to 12.8 ± 32.8%; 95% CI: [-5.4, 30.9] in controls, indicating substantial interindividual variability, which could be attributed to a combination of biological factors, but we also observed indications of a potential responder versus non-responder pattern. These findings align with previous research, indicating that mtDNA copy number correlates with VO2max, being higher in highly trained runners than in nontrained subjects, and increasing with training after a 6-week HIIT intervention. This study is novel in showing that a 6-week HIIT programme significantly boosts leukocyte mtDNA content, enhancing our understanding of individual adaptations to endurance training.

Insufficient physical activity (PA) and extensive sedentary behavior (SB) in adolescents has been related to adverse outcomes related to physical fitness, body weight as well as social and psychological health indicators. Furthermore, these behaviors tend to track from adolescence to adulthood, thereby affecting adult chronic disease risk. The knowledge of factors associated with PA and SB is needed particularly in adolescents, in order to plan public health strategies aiming at increasing PA and reducing SB. The aim of this Citizen Science project (conducted between February 2020 and June 2021) was to work together with young citizens on a school-based epidemiologic study assessing device-based measured PA and SB in students (grades 8 or higher) to identify associated factors based on both established as well as co-created questionnaires. In 12 school classes from Berlin and Brandenburg, students were as Citizen Scientists involved in the co-creation of class-specific questionnaires by collecting factors that may influence their PA and SB. Students participating in the study wore thigh-worn accelerometers (activPAL) for seven consecutive days and subsequently completed established as well as the newly developed class-specific questionnaires to ascertain potential influencing factors of PA and SB. Multilevel linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SB. Accelerometry data with at least four recorded days were available for 119 students (783 recorded days). In models adjusted for age, sex and parental socioeconomic status, high traffic safety around the school (14.8min/day, 95% CI 0.9, 28.7) and higher degree school type (10.7min/day, 95% CI 1.7; 19.8) were associated with more time spent in MVPA. From the class-specific questionnaires developed based on input from students, the feeling of being exhausted after school and homework was associated with less time spent in MVPA, while internal motivation to be physically active, active hobbies and working out regularly at a gym were associated with more time spent in MVPA. The potential influencing factors under investigation were not associated with sedentary time (except female sex, which was related to lower sedentary time). Although our findings warrant confirmation in larger samples, this Citizen Science study points to potential action points that may be targeted in public health interventions aimed at increasing PA to improve health in adolescents.

Badminton players normally prioritize technical and tactical training over physical conditioning before competition, presenting a challenge in enhancing physical fitness within a constrained timeframe. While evidence have indicated complex contrast training can enhance strength and power, it is still unclear whether the French Contrast Method Training (FCMT) can bring greater explosive power gains to young badminton players. This study evaluated the effects of French Contrast Method Training versus Complex Training on lower limb explosive strength and its endurance in elite adolescent male badminton players. In a single-blind randomized controlled trial, 20 athletes were allocated to either an FCMT group (n = 10) or a CT group (n = 10) and completed an 8-week intervention. Performance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using standardized tests, including countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), drop jump (DJ), 10-m sprint, 5-0-5 agility test, eccentric utilization ratio (EUR), one-repetition maximum (1RM) squat, and lower extremity explosive endurance (LEEE). Subjective fatigue was monitored using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Results demonstrated that while both training modalities improved explosive strength, the French Contrast Method Training led to significantly greater improvements in CMJ, DJ, Reaction Strength Index (RSI), EUR, agility, and LEEE (p < 0.05). The French Contrast Method Training also induced a larger effect size across most performance indicators. In contrast, the Complex Training improved strength and speed-related measures but showed limited effects on stretch-contraction cycle (SSC) utilization and endurance. Perceived fatigue was consistently higher in the CT group than in the FCMT group. These findings suggest that adaptation occurred more rapidly in the CT group (after roughly 3 weeks), whereas the FCMT group showed a more prolonged adaptation period (~1 month). The findings suggest that the French Contrast Method Training is more effective than the Complex Training in developing reactive strength, agility, SSC efficiency, and explosive endurance in youth badminton athletes within a short-term training period. Given its neuromechanical advantages across the force–velocity spectrum, the French Contrast Method Training is recommended for use in the pre-competition phase of training, while Complex Training may be more suitable for foundational strength development. These results provide practical insights for coaches and support the strategic integration of French Contrast Method Training into performance enhancement programs for adolescent athletes.

This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week afterschool game-based physical activity program (AGPAP) on the physical fitness (PF) of children. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 120 children aged 9-10 years from a state school in Eskisehir, Turkey, following the CONSORT guidelines. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG), which participated in AGPAP, or a control group (CG), which continued with regular physical education classes. Physical fitness was assessed using handgrip strength, curl-ups, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, and 10-meter running speed tests. Baseline comparisons indicated no significant differences between groups in age, body weight, height, or body mass index. Following the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements in sit-and-reach, right and left handgrip strength, curl-ups, standing long jump, and 10-meter running speed performance. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in the control group. These findings suggest that a 12-week AGPAP can effectively enhance multiple components of physical fitness in 9-10-year-old children, underscoring the potential value of incorporating game-based physical activity into school curricula to promote overall health and well-being.Trial registration. NCT06919146, Registration date 07 April 2025.

Background The 24-h movement guidelines integrate physical activity (PA), screen time, and sleep for health benefits, yet little is known about how adherence to these guidelines relates to physical fitness (PF) among adolescents, particularly in the context of ethnic and residential differences. This study examines the independent and combined associations of adhering to the 24-h movement guidelines with self-reported PF among Han and Zhuang adolescents in southern China, while exploring potential differences by residence and ethnicity. Methods Cross-sectional data from 6,913 adolescents were analyzed using a validated self-reported questionnaire to assess adherence to the 24-h movement guidelines and PF components (cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, speed/agility, muscular strength, and flexibility). Generalized linear models were used to examine associations. Results In this sample, only 1.6% of participants met the overall guidelines. Meeting more guidelines was significantly ( p &amp;lt; 0.001) associated with better self-reported PF indicators. The combinations containing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guideline were significantly ( p &amp;lt; 0.05) associated with self-reported PF indicators enhancement compared to those combinations without MVPA guideline. Meeting screen time guideline was significantly ( p &amp;lt; 0.05) associated with more self-reported PF indicators, but not in the case of meeting sleep duration guideline. Most of the results were similar for Han and Zhuang ethnicity, whereas residence differences exerted a significant impact on the relationship between adherence to “Screen only,” “Sleep only,” and “Screen + sleep” guideline and self-reported PF indicators. Conclusion Our findings highlight the critical role of adhering to the 24-h movement guidelines, mainly MVPA, in improving self-reported PF among adolescents and underscore the need to address urban–rural disparities in promoting the 24-h movement guidelines.

Introduction Physical literacy (PL) embodies the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding necessary to sustain physical activity throughout life. Understanding how future physical education (PE) teachers conceptualize PL is essential for its effective implementation in schools. This longitudinal study examined the evolution of trainee teachers’ conceptions of PL across 5 years of initial teacher education in Spain. Methods A total of 397 students (76% male; 22.6 ± 3.8 years) from two universities participated, with data collected at three time points: the first and final years of the bachelor’s degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and the final year of the master’s degree in Teacher Training. Responses to the open question “What is a physically literate student?” were coded into 13 conceptual categories and analysed through two-step cluster analysis, multinomial logistic regression, and chi-square tests ( p &amp;lt; 0.05). Results Three profiles emerged: (1) an Enjoyment-Oriented group focused on participation and enjoyment in physical activity; (2) a Performance-Centred group emphasizing motor skills, physical fitness, and sport competence; and (3) a Competence-Driven group highlighting motor competence and active lifestyles. Over time, students’ conceptions shifted significantly ( χ 2 = …, p &amp;lt; 0.05) from enjoyment and personal competence towards motor competence and performance-related attributes, with lifestyle habits and maternal education predicting cluster membership. Discussion These findings indicate that initial teacher education may foster more performance-oriented understandings of PL, underscoring the need for balanced curricula that integrate physical, cognitive, and affective dimensions of physical literacy.

A general Richards family growth curve fit in European livestock for use in physiologically-based toxicokinetic modelling.

Chronic low-grade inflammation associated with nutritional deficits and physical inactivity plays a key role in development and progression of skeletal muscle diseases. The study was designed to assess the inflammatory status in relation to dietary inflammatory index (DII) in sarcopenia. One hundred twenty-one individuals aged 60-96 years were allocated into sarcopenia (n = 38), probable sarcopenia (n = 38) and non-sarcopenia (n = 45) group based on the algorithm of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2). The isometric strength of hand grip was measured using a hand dynamometer KERN type MAP130 (Germany). Sarcopenia cut-off points for low muscle quantity were evaluated using the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM kg) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI kg/m2). Meanwhile, the 6-min walk test (6MWT) was used to assess the severity of sarcopenia. In the quantitative assessment of the daily food rations, a single 24-hour dietary recall was applied. The Dietary Inflammatory Index was used to assess the Energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII). The optimal threshold value for studied individuals corresponded to 2.283 for E-DII (AUC = 0.734, specificity 75.6%, sensitivity 70.6%, p < 0.001), which indicates an increased risk of sarcopenia with high intakes of pro-inflammatory dietary components. Furthermore, E-DII correlated with gait speed (rs = - 0.502, p = 0.001) and the 6MWT (rs = - 0.496, p = 0.001) thereby confirming the assumption that nutritional frailty and poor physical performance enhance sarcopenia symptomology. For E-DII and inflammatory profile models, AUC measurements for E-DII + cfDNA (cell free DNA) (AUC = 0.805) were considered a good discrimination, and the evaluation was as acceptable for cytokines interleukin 1β(IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (0.7 < AUC < 0.8) i.e., it enabled sarcopenia diagnosis. The analysis of E-DII with cfDNA (Classifier Accuracy 79.7%, p = 0.001) showed a higher diagnostic utility in sarcopenia prediction then conventional inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, which may have important implications in defining healthy or unhealthy ageing. The results demonstrate that high intake of pro-inflammatory dietary components and low physical fitness may be one of the factors that increase the progression of sarcopenia in older adults Polish population, and simultaneously indicate a potential target for nutrition interventions to counteract the pathophysiological effects of skeletal muscle ageing.

Aerobic exercise and resistance exercise have been shown to improve sarcopenia. However, whether combining aerobic and resistance exercise could alleviate sarcopenia symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with sarcopenia remains unclear. This 12-week randomized controlled trial enrolled older patients with T2DM and sarcopenia, diagnosed by grip strength, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Participants were randomized to an exercise group (aerobic plus resistance training) or a control group receiving health education. Physical function was evaluated with the 6-minute walk and Timed Up-and-Go tests. Serum 25(OH)D3 was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and irisin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Before the intervention, there were no differences in baseline characteristics between the non-intervention and intervention groups. However, grip strength and ASMI significantly increased in patients in the intervention group after receiving combined aerobics and resistance exercise. Moreover, functional physical fitness also improved in the intervention group after the intervention. Additionally, the sarcopenia-associated factors, including Irisin and 25(OH)D3, increased significantly in patients with T2DM complicated with sarcopenia following the intervention. Overall, combined aerobics and resistance exercise may help alleviate sarcopenia in patients with T2DM.

Currently, physical fitness levels of Japanese children are lower than in the 1980s. Investigating the relationship between adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines (24-h MG)—which include moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen time (ScT), and sleep duration (Sleep)—and physical fitness is crucial for improving children’s fitness. This cross-sectional study examined differences in physical fitness by 24-h MG adherence patterns among children in grades 1–6. Eight fitness components were assessed using standardized tests: handgrip strength (muscle strength), sit-up (trunk muscle strength and endurance), sit-and-reach (flexibility), repeated side jump (agility), 20-meter shuttle run (cardiorespiratory fitness), 50-meter sprint (speed), standing long jump (explosive power), and softball throw (explosive power and dexterity). A total of 307 participants (41.4% male) were included in the analysis. Analysis of covariance was performed, with sex, grade, BMI, and other guideline adherence as covariates. Total fitness scores were significantly higher in those meeting the MVPA (Cohen’s d = 0.47; standardized effect size), both the MVPA and ScT (d = 0.63), both the MVPA and Sleep guidelines (d = 0.65), or with all three guidelines (d = 0.59) compared to those not meeting them. Children meeting the MVPA guideline—either alone or in combination with ScT or Sleep guidelines—showed significantly higher scores in multiple fitness components compared to those not meeting them. When comparing effect sizes, differences in total and most of the individual fitness scores were greater among those who met both the MVPA and either the ScT or Sleep guideline. In contrast, those who did not meet the MVPA guideline but adhered to one or both of the ScT and Sleep guidelines showed no significant differences in total and individual fitness scores. These findings suggest that promoting MVPA adherence is crucial for enhancing physical fitness, and that additionally encouraging appropriate ScT and Sleep behaviors may further improve children’s physical fitness.

This study compared physical fitness adaptations following 8-weeks of flywheel cluster-set and traditional cluster-set training. Seventy-six amateur male field sport athletes (age: 23.5 ± 3.7 years; height: 1.81 ± 0.08 m; body mass: 83.6 ± 14.4 kg) were randomly assigned to flywheel cluster-set, traditional cluster-set, or a control group. Participants underwent pre- and post-intervention assessments for 20 m sprint speed, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, force, and velocity, change of direction (COD) speed, isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and three-repetition maximum (3RM) strength. Both training groups performed quarter-squat and Romanian deadlift exercises twice weekly (four sets of nine repetitions), in cluster blocks of three repetitions (3x3x3) with 45 s intra-set rest. Flywheel blocks included two submaximal 'momentum repetitions' followed by three maximal efforts. No significant group × time interactions were found between flywheel and traditional cluster-set groups for any measure. Compared to the control group, both intervention groups significantly improved sprint speed (5 m and 20 m), CMJ height and force, COD ability, and 3RM strength (p = 0.024 to < 0.001; ES = 0.20-1.14). Additionally, the flywheel group improved IMTP strength (p = 0.049, ES = 0.25), whereas the traditional group improved CMJ velocity (p = 0.011, ES = 0.26). In conclusion, both training modalities effectively enhanced physical fitness in field sport athletes, with flywheel training favouring isometric-strength and traditional methods favouring jump-velocity adaptations.

BackgroundAdolescence is a critical developmental period marked by significant physical and psychosocial changes that shape adult behavior and personality. In Saudi Arabia, where female sports participation is newly encouraged, this study therefore aimed to explore how athletic participation influences body image perception, including potential discrepancies between self-perception and fitness outcomes, in a context where female participation in structured physical activity has historically been limited but is now being promoted under Vision 2030.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh province from October 2024 to February 2025, involving 439 female students aged 12–18. Participants were recruited from schools in Al Majma’ah city and were categorized as athletes (school sports participants, n = 252) or non-athletes (n = 241). Outcomes were assessed using the Physical Self-Inventory-Short (PSI-S) for self-perception, the Stunkard Scale for body image, and physical performance tests (Shuttle Run, V Sit-and-Reach, and Wall Sit Test).ResultsOur findings revealed that athletes reported significantly higher self-perception on the PSI-S compared to non-athletes (53.17% vs. 37.34% high self-perception; p = 0.002). After body mass index (BMI) adjustment, athletes scored higher on the Stunkard Scale (5.83 vs. 4.31; p < 0.001). Athletes demonstrated a tendency to perceive their bodies as moderately larger than their actual BMI-adjusted size, a disparity not observed in non-athletes. This self-perception coexisted with superior physical performance, suggesting that athletic training may decouple size perception from functional capability. Athletes outperformed non-athletes in cardiorespiratory fitness (Shuttle Run: 9.96 vs. 8.01; p < 0.001), flexibility (V Sit-and-Reach: 14.50 vs. 13.02; p = 0.012), and muscular endurance (Wall Sit Test: 63.17 vs. 58.30; p = 0.024). No significant differences in self-perception were observed across BMI categories, suggesting athletic participation’s benefits transcend weight status.ConclusionThe findings align with global research linking physical activity to enhanced body satisfaction and self-worth. However, athletes’ self-perception of larger body figures may reflect societal pressures toward thinness, highlighting the complex interplay of cultural ideals and body image. The study underscores the role of sports in promoting physical fitness and psychological well-being among Saudi adolescent females, supporting national efforts to encourage female athletic participation.

Objective: This systematic review examined whether siblings act as facilitators or barriers to children’s motor competence and physical fitness. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, systematic searches were conducted in four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and MEDLINE/PubMed) up to September 2025. Results: Seventeen studies (total n = 116,827) met eligibility criteria. Eleven studies were rated fair quality and the remainder poor. Twelve studies assessed motor competence, four assessed physical fitness, and one addressed both. Children with older siblings often showed better coordination and motor skills, whereas some evidence indicated earlier gross motor development in only children and no consistent differences in fine motor skills. The presence of younger siblings was associated with lower motor skill scores in infants, while older siblings were linked to higher scores. Across motor competence outcomes, the available evidence is concentrated in object control and fine/hand motor skills, with comparatively fewer data on locomotor and stability domains. Regarding physical fitness, siblings generally exerted a positive influence across several dimensions, but these findings are based on a small number of studies, and results for cardiorespiratory fitness are conflicting. Conclusions: Given the heterogeneity in ages and measurement tools, along with the predominance of methodological constraints, readers should interpret the findings with caution. In summary, the available evidence suggests that having siblings may be associated with higher motor competence and some aspects of physical fitness, yet the certainty of evidence is limited by heterogeneity (age ranges and measurement tools) and methodological constraints.

Table tennis is an enjoyable sport which can enhance physical fitness and motor-cognitive skills for athletes and regular players. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week table tennis training on physical fitness and blood redox status of healthy adults aged 55-65, who were beginners in the sport. The participants were randomly allocated into the Table Tennis group (11 males and 25 females) or the Control group (11 males and 23 females). The measurements of single-leg stance, reaction time, hand-grip strength, body composition and serum antioxidant variables were carried out at baseline and after the intervention. The training program resulted in significant improvements in the duration of single-leg stance, reaction time, and hand-grip strength, particularly among the female participants. The training also maintained favorable body composition. Especially, the serum catalase activity in the Table Tennis group demonstrated a significant enhancement compared to those of its own baseline level and the Control group. Furthermore, a substantial reduction in malondialdehyde content was observed within the Table Tennis group when compared to their baseline data. Therefore, the table tennis training is effective to improve physical fitness and serum antioxidant parameters for older adults.