Hoverboards are always more popular among children. Hoverboards are to them like a game or a mean of transport, but they could be used as a valid and useful instrument in children’s training programs to improve their performance. In this study, we compared the athletic performance of two groups of 12 children. A total of 24 children aged between 8 and 11 years followed a similar training program for five months, but the first group used a hoverboard (Hb+ group: Age: Standard Deviation (SD) = 1.15 Mean = 9.66; Weight: SD = 5.90 Mean = 32; Height: SD = 7.64 Mean = 135.08) for some of the training time, differently from the second group (Hb- group: Age: SD = 1.15 Mean = 9.66; Weight: SD = 5.82 Mean = 31.16; Height: SD = 7.66 Mean = 136.16), which never used it. All of the children were asked to complete three tests (one leg test, stork test and balance beam walking test) before starting their own training program and after five months, to evaluate how their performances changed in terms of time. Comparing the recorded time difference between T0 and T1 of the Hb+ group with the same difference measured in Hb- group, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference (p value < 0.05) between these data for all three tests. Children who used the hoverboard in their training program achieved better result than children who did not use it. In the future, the hoverboard could help athletes to improve their performances, possibly applying it not only in football training, but even in other sports.

Background: Haglund syndrome is characterized by heel pain associated with posterosuperior calcaneal exostosis, insertional Achilles tendinopathy, and retrocalcaneal bursitis. When conservative treatments fail, surgical intervention is required. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined surgical approach, integrating percutaneous resection of the calcaneal exostosis and proximal medial gastrocnemius release (PMGR) using the Barouk technique in treating Haglund syndrome. The goal is to assess whether this approach offers superior clinical outcomes compared to percutaneous resection alone. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 224 patients undergoing combined percutaneous resection and PMGR, divided into group A (n = 106; with Achilles–plantar complex contracture) and group B (n = 118; without contracture) based on passive dorsiflexion testing. Outcomes were compared to 2 historical retrospective control groups treated with resection only: group 1 (n = 124; with contracture) and group 2 (n = 135; without contracture). All prospective patients received the combined treatment regardless of contracture status. Patients with body mass index >30 were excluded. The Foot Function Index (FFI) and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) Questionnaire scores were collected at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Groups A and B improved a mean 30 ± 5 FFI points and 40 ± 7 VISA-A points at 12 months (both P < .001). When compared to historical controls who underwent resection alone, the combined treatment groups showed statistically superior outcomes at all follow-up intervals ( P < .05). However, these comparisons are limited by the nonconcurrent, unmatched study design. Conclusion: This mixed prospective-retrospective study suggests potential benefits of adding Achilles–plantar complex lengthening to percutaneous calcaneal resection. However, the nonrandomized design, historical controls, and lack of patient/outcome assessor masking significantly limit causal inference. Although the combined approach showed statistically superior outcomes compared with historical controls, these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating pending validation in randomized controlled trials. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective-comparative cohort.

Recent events in prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic showed how the health situation and overcrowding in prisons are a source of high risk to the health and physical and mental well-being of the prison population and how this has become an important medical problem. The original purpose of this study, which was initially planned to last 6 months, was to examine the effects of a training program on cardio-respiratory capacity, resistance to dynamic strength of the upper and lower body and muscle mass. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the purpose was subsequently modified by highlighting whether and which deficiencies occurred as a result of the absence of physical activity. Forty adult men between 35 and 55 years of age with more than 1 year of detention were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and control group. The fitness training protocol of the experimental group consisted of three weekly sessions lasting 90 min, while control group subjects followed a walk of 30–60 min three days a week without running or resistance training. The unpaired and paired t-tests revealed significant effects of both health status and fitness level (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) on group training. The results of this research show that prisoners can improve their fitness and health through participation in physical education programs. This conclusion is especially important for prisoners who have to serve very long prison sentences and who are at great risk of showing poor physical condition levels.

The Pilates method consists of a series of exercises designed to stretch and strengthen muscles, thereby improving muscle elasticity and joint mobility. This study aims to evaluate the influence of Pilates on the spine, lower limbs, and abdominal strength using specific tests. Forty young female volleyball players from University Sports Center of Campobasso were equally randomized into two groups: the Pilates group and the control group. The Pilates group underwent a 32-week biweekly training program (from October 2022 to May 2023) in addition to their regular athletic training. All athletes participated in the following tests: Modified Schober Test (MST) for flexion and trunk rotation, Modified Fingertip-To-Floor Test (MFTFT), Straight Leg Raise (SLR), Popliteal Angle (PA), and Half Sit-Up (HSU). In the Pilates group, the results from the MST for flexion and trunk rotation, SLR, PA, and HSU showed statistically significant improvements 32 weeks after the start of the training protocol (p < .05). However, no significant changes were observed in the control group. Additionally, both groups demonstrated significant improvements in MFTFT. These findings suggest that Pilates training can be an effective method to enhance flexibility and performance in young female volleyball players. Coaches should consider incorporating Pilates into their programs.

Background/Objectives: Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder of the shoulder, accounting for 44% to 65% of clin-ical presentations. This condition involves mechanical stress on the soft tissues within the subacromial space. This review aims to synthesize evidence on acromial, glenoid, and ligamentous variations to provide a framework for individualized surgical and rehabilitative strategies. Methods: A rigorous literature search was performed across PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Eligibility was strictly limited to original re-search—including cross-sectional and retrospective designs—that evaluated demo-graphic and anatomic predictors such as age, sex, and hand dominance in relation to shoulder morphology. Results: Acromial morphology is classified using the Bigliani system into Type I (flat), Type II (curved), and Type III (hooked). Os acromiale, present in 7–15% of the population, causes dynamic narrowing of the subacromial space. Gle-noid dimensions exhibit significant sexual dimorphism and ethnic variability, while hand dominance typically increases retroversion on the dominant side. In gleno-humeral osteoarthritis, humeral head osteophytes ≥13 mm are strong predictors of ec-centric B2 glenoid morphology. Biomechanically, SAIS patients demonstrate excessive superior humeral translation (1.5–5 mm) and disrupted scapulothoracic kinematics, often exacerbated by slouched posture. Finally, recognizing congenital variants like the Buford complex is vital to avoid unnecessary surgical repairs. Conclusions: Shoulder pathology is multifactorial, arising from a convergence of static anatomical deviations and dynamic kinematic failures. The profound morphometric diversity between sexes and ethnicities necessitates patient-specific, individualized approaches to shoulder arthroplasty and rehabilitation.