The objective of this study was to test the effects of two types of intervention, one based on small-sided games (SSGs), and the other one that had, in addition, a behavioral component consisting of goal setting, public posting, and positive reinforcement. The participants were 16 male soccer players aged 12–14 years old who participated in a couple of training sessions per week between August and November 2021. We used Playr Catapult GPS devices to assess the effect of the intervention on the total distance covered and total sprint distance in the task of playing SSGs. We used Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 to test the effect of the intervention on players’ aerobic capacity and the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire to investigate levels of motivational climate. Multiple two-way mixed ANOVAs were conducted and the results indicated that our intervention had a positive effect on the total distance and total sprint distance covered during SSGs. For aerobic capacity, even if the results were not significant, they indicate a high effect size. The effect of the intervention on task-oriented motivational climate and ego-oriented motivational climate was not significant. Discussions focus on the application of the intervention in team training settings.

Introduction. Goal setting theory (Locke & Latham, 1990) was initially developed for the field of organizational psychology, and since then it was used as a motivational technique in a variety of areas, including sports performance. Considering the multiple factors influencing sports performance and the fact that goal setting has become an increasingly popular subject, we consider it appropriate to summarize the recent results regarding this topic. Objective. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on goal setting interventions to enhance sports performance. Methods. A comprehensive literature search of Scopus, ScienceDirect, Directory of Open Access Journals, ERIC, Social Sciences Citation Index, Science Citation Index, and APA PsycArticles databases was conducted in October 2020 and included journal articles published since 2000. Results. A total of 1520 results were identified, of which 27 studies met eligibility criteria and were fully reviewed. Conclusions. This systematic review highlights that goal setting is an effective behavior modification procedure that can improve athletes’ performance. Discussions focus on practical implications and future research directions. REZUMAT. O recenzie sistematică asupra intervențiilor care folosesc stabilirea obiectivelor pentru îmbunătățirea performanței sportive. Introducere. Teoria stabilirii obiectivelor (Locke & Latham, 1990) a fost dezvoltată inițial pentru domeniul psihologiei organizaționale, iar de atunci a fost folosită ca tehnică motivațională în mai multe domenii, printre care și cel al performanței sportive. Având în vedere factorii multiplii care influențează performanța sportivă, precum și faptul că stabilirea obiectivelor a devenit un subiect din ce în ce mai popular, considerăm oportună sumarizarea celor mai recente rezultate științifice din acest domeniu. Obiectiv. Obiectivul acestei lucrări este de a realiza o recenzie sistematică a literaturii de specialitate asupra intervențiilor care folosesc stabilirea obiectivelor pentru creșterea performanței sportive. Metode. O căutare comprehensivă a literaturii de specialitate a fost realizată în bazele de date: Scopus, ScienceDirect, Directory of Open Access Journals, ERIC, Social Sciences Citation Index, Science Citation Index și APA PsycArticles în Octombrie 2020 și a inclus articole științifice publicate începând cu anul 2000. Rezultate. Un total de 1520 de rezultate au fost identificate, dintre care 27 de articole au întrunit criteriile de eligibilitate și au fost incluse în această recenzie. Concluzii. Această recenzie sistematică evidențiază faptul că stabilirea obiectivelor reprezintă o strategie eficientă de modificare comportamentală care poate îmbunătăți performanța sportivilor. Discuțiile se concentrează asupra implicațiilor practice și a direcțiilor viitoare de cercetare. Cuvinte cheie: stabilirea obiectivelor, sport, analiza aplicată a comportamentului, performanța sportivă.

Background: Children and adolescents with hearing loss frequently experience reduced participation in physical activity and impairments in balance and postural control, often associated with vestibular dysfunction and altered sensory integration. In this context, school-based motor interventions may represent an accessible strategy to support functional balance. The present study investigated the effects of a 12-week dance- and rhythm-based motor programme implemented within the school curriculum on static and dynamic balance in students with hearing loss. Methods: Twenty-five participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n = 15), which received the intervention in addition to standard curricular activities, or to a control group (n = 10), which continued with regular school-based physical activity only. Balance was assessed at baseline and post-intervention using stabilometric measures under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions and the Pediatric Reach Test. Results: Stabilometric outcomes showed mixed patterns: improvements over time were observed in both groups under eyes-closed conditions, whereas under eyes-open conditions greater reductions in sway were detected in the control group. A significant Group × Time interaction emerged exclusively for backward reach performance and for the composite balance score, indicating a relative preservation of posterior dynamic balance and a more favourable multidimensional adaptation in the experimental group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that dance- and rhythm-oriented motor activities integrated into school settings may support specific, functionally relevant components of balance in students with hearing loss, although the results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and the heterogeneity of the participants.

The aim of the study was to identify differences in obesity-related parameters between active sports students and semi-active or sedentary students, differentiated by sex, in order to optimize health. The study sample included 286 students, of which the male experimental sample consisted of 86 active sports students, age X ± SD 21.25 ± 0.32 years; height X ± SD 181.08 ± 3.52 cm; control group consisting of 89 semi-active students aged X ± SD 21.07 ± 0.1.13 years; height X ± SD 182.11 ± 1.32. The female experimental sample includes 57 active sports students, age X ± SD 21.02 ± 0.92 years; height X ± SD 167.48 ± 1.34 cm; the control group includes 54 semi-active students aged X ± SD 21.57 ± 0.1.98 years; height X ± SD 168.42 ± 1.76. The study used a thalliometer, Tanita Health Ware software and Quantum Resonance Magnetic Analyzer equipment to investigate height (cm), Body Mass Index (BMI), muscle mass (kg, %), as well as the obesity analysis report, and componential analysis of body and nourishment. The differences registered between the samples of active and semi-active sports subjects were predominantly statistically significant for p < 0.05. The differences registered between the samples of active and semi-active sports subjects were predominantly statistically significant for p < 0.05. The most important parameters regarding obesity and body composition that registered significant differences between the two male groups were in favor of the group of active athletes: triglyceride content of abnormal coefficient 0.844 (CI95% 0.590–1.099), abnormal lipid metabolism coefficient 0.798 (CI95% 1.091–0.504), obesity degree of body (ODB %) 10.290 (CI95% 6.610–13.970), BMI 2.326 (CI95% 1.527–3.126), body fat (kg) 2.042 (CI95% 0.918–3.166), muscle volume (kg) 2.565 (CI95% 1.100–4.031), Lean body weight (kg) 2.841 (CI95% 5.265–0.418). In the case of female samples, the group of active sportswomen registered the biggest differences compared to the group of students who were significantly active in the parameters: abnormal lipid metabolism coefficient 1.063 (CI95% 1.380–0.746), triglyceride content of abnormal coefficient 0.807 (CI95% 0.437–1.178), obesity degree of body (ODB%) 8.082 (CI95% 2.983–13.181), BMI 2.285 (CI95% 1.247–3.324), body fat (kg) 2.586 (CI95% 0.905–4.267), muscle volume (kg) 2.570 (CI95% 0.154–4.985), lean body weight (kg) 4.118 (CI95% 1.160–7.077). The results of the study directly facilitate the understanding of the complexity of the impact of obesity on multiple parameters of body composition and health.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of jump rope training on cardiovascular capacity, assessed with the Ruffier test, and muscular strength, measured using isometric dynamometry (BioFET Mustec, Almere, The Netherlands), within a university physical education program. A total of 52 undergraduate students from non-specialist faculties at the University of Oradea were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Over eight weeks, the EG performed a ten-minute jump rope training session once per week in combination with cardiovascular exercises, while the CG participated only in cardiovascular exercises. Statistical analyses revealed a significant group effect on cardiovascular response (Ruffier Index: p = 0.019; Cohen’s d = −0.271) and a substantial increase in right lower limb strength (p = 0.003; d = 1.026) in the EG compared to the CG. Furthermore, improvements were observed in upper limb strength (left arm: p = 0.010; d = 0.922) and left lower limb strength (p = 0.027; d = 0.779). These findings suggest that incorporating jump rope training into university physical education classes may represent an effective and low-cost strategy to enhance both cardiovascular efficiency and muscular strength in young adults. Given its simplicity and affordability, jump rope training appears feasible for implementation in schools and universities, even where resources are limited. Future research should investigate its long-term effects across different populations.

Background: Reaction time and coordination are key performance components in team sports such as handball, particularly during the developmental years. Integrating visual and cognitive stimuli through smart technologies has been shown to facilitate motor skill development in young athletes. Methods: This study evaluated the effects of a BlazePod-based training protocol on reaction time, visuomotor coordination, movement quickness, and change-of-direction performance in junior male handball players aged 12–14 years. Thirty-two athletes (mean age = 13.37 ± 0.29 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 16), in which the traditional neuromotor/coordination block of regular practice was replaced with BlazePod-based drills three times per week for eight weeks, or to a control group (n = 16), which trained the same capacities with traditional handball-specific exercises without technology. Training frequency (3 sessions/week), session duration (90 min), and the workload of the 30 min neuromotor block were matched between groups. Motor performance was assessed using four tests: Focus Reactions, Fast Feet, Clap Challenge, and the Agility T-Test. Paired- and independent-samples t-tests were applied to compare pre- and post-intervention scores. Results: The experimental group showed significant within-group improvements in Focus Reactions (p = 0.002) and AgilTT_ShuffleLeft (p = 0.014), whereas the control group showed no improvements and a small but significant worsening in Focus Reactions. Between-group comparisons at post-test revealed significant differences in favor of the experimental group for Fast Feet (p = 0.036), Clap Challenge (p = 0.008), AgilTT_Overall (p < 0.001), and AgilTT_SprintBack (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The integration of BlazePod technology into handball training produced measurable improvements in reaction speed and lateral agility among junior players. These findings suggest that technology-assisted neuromotor training represents a viable training modality that can replace a traditional neuromotor block within youth handball practice while maintaining overall training dose.