The Golden Ratio (GR) and the Fibonacci sequence have wide applications in biodiversity research, and recent studies indicate that the GR can be highlighted in the organization and physiological functioning of many body systems. The aim of this cross-sectional descriptive study is to determine the applicability of a mathematical model derived from the Fibonacci sequence to investigate the changes in hand grip strength (HGS) induced by the aging process. We assessed the HGS for both hands, using a Saehan hydraulic hand dynamometer in a group of autonomous elderly subjects. One hundred twenty 55-year-old subjects (58 males and 62 females) and seventy 89-year-old subjects (31 men and 39 women) were included in the study group. All subjects were completely independent or independent with minimal assistance in activities of daily living (ADL), as determined after applying the Barthel index of ADL. The data series were statistically processed using descriptive statistics (univariate analysis) and inferential statistical methods (the t test for unpaired groups, with effect size measure – Cohen’s d and the ratio of the means method). The decline of the relative HGS between the two age groups can be expressed by values close to the GR value (p < 0.001), both in relation to body symmetry (left hand/right hand evaluation) and laterality (dominant hand/non-dominant hand evaluation), for both sexes. For the whole group of men and women, the rhythm of HGS decline may be expressed by a value (1.61) notably close to the GR, regardless of body symmetry or laterality. The common pattern of the relative HGS reduction between 55 and 89 years, as expressed by a value notably close to GR, can be considered to be an expression of a specific and predictable manifestation of the aging process, in the absence of disability.

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between anxiety, reaction time and motor performance before and after sports competitions. We conducted a correlational study (N = 70 men, mean age 20.3 years, athletes) and we used as instruments The Anxiety Inventory - STAI, proposed by Spielberger et all., a software for measuring the simple reaction time to the appearance of a visual stimulus on the screen and a motor performance assessment test. Our findings suggest the importance of psychological monitoring of elite athletes and the necessity of including of the tested variables in a psychological training program.

(1) Background: This study aims to put into evince the relationship between the variability of the reaction time (RT) during repeated testing, expressed through indicators extracted by the Poincaré plot method, and the age of the participants, their self-reported health (SRH), and level of perceived anxiety. (2) Methods: The study was performed using computerized RT testing software. An observational cross-sectional study was performed on a group of 120 subjects (mean age 42.33 ± 21.12 years), sex ratio men to women 1.14:1. Data were processed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The Poincaré plot method was applied in the analysis of the RT series of data, by calculating the indicators SD₁, SD₂, SD₁/SD₂, and area of the fitting ellipse (AFE) (3) Results: We provided evidence of the excellent reliability of the web-based RT serial testing (Cronbach’s Alpha 0.991) with this sample group. Our results showed that age is an important predictor for mean values of RT, while SD₁, SD₂, and AFE indicators are for SRH (p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: the variability of RT, expressed by the Poincaré plot indicators, reflects the health status rather than the aging of the subjects and is barely influenced by their level of anxiety.

Background: This study examines how socio-demographic factors relate to post-pandemic physical activity patterns among Romanian adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study explores post-COVID-19 physical activity levels (PAL) and their correlation with socio-demographic factors in Romanian adults (n = 237, average age 28.23 ± 9.91 years). An online questionnaire covering constitutional, socio-demographic, and physical activity-related variables was administered for data collection. Data analysis involves descriptive and inferential statistics, including Kendall’s tau correlation, along with multinomial regression analyses. Results: Noteworthy correlations emerged, including a robust association (r = 0.79, p < 0.001) between testing and history of clinical signs of COVID-19; a significant moderate correlation between health status and PAL compared to the period before the pandemic (τ = 0.56, p < 0.001); and significant moderate correlation between health status and current PAL (τ = −0.51, p < 0.001). Multinomial regression underscores an intricate relationship; testing for COVID-19 relates to clinical sign severity, health status changes influence post-pandemic PAL, and self-perceived health associates with current PAL (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Revealing significant links between PAL and socio-demographic factors among adults in Romania’s post-pandemic landscape, this study emphasizes the interaction between health changes and activity involvement. It also highlights the potential to guide interventions for rehabilitation and healthier living.

(1) Background: In this research, we aimed to investigate a computational model of repetitive reaction time (RT) and virtual reaction time (VRT) testing. (2) Methods: The study involved 180 subjects (50 men, 130 women, mean age 31.61 ± 13.56 years). The data were statistically analyzed through the coefficient of variation (CV) and the Poincaré plot indicators. (3) Results: We obtained an excellent level of reliability for both sessions of testing and we put into evidence a relationship of association of the RT and VRT with the subjects’ age, which was more pregnant for RT (p < 0.05). For both RT and VRT data series, we determined a consistent closer association between CV and the Poincaré plot descriptors SD₁, SD₂ (SD—standard deviation), and the area of the fitting ellipse (AFE) (p < 0.01). We reported an underestimation of the time interval of 2 s during the VRT session of testing, with an average value of CV of VRT, the equivalent of the Weber fraction, of 15.21 ± 8.82%. (4) Conclusions: The present study provides novel evidence that linear and nonlinear analysis of RT and VRT variability during serial testing bring complementary insights to the understanding of complex neurocognitive processes implied in the task execution.

Teachers’ burnout, a psychological syndrome that emerges in response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job, can have serious consequences on children and staff in schools. The Maslach Burnout Inventory – Educators Survey (MBI-ES) is the most widely used scale to measure burnout among educational staff. However, this scale has revealed divergent results in factorial validity analysis across countries, calling for further cross-cultural research. This study examines the cross-cultural factorial validity of MBI-ES among a sample of 391 early childhood education professionals from four countries – Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, and Romania. Results of multi-group confirmatory factor analysis suggest that a 1-factor solution, exclusively focused on measuring emotional exhaustion, holds partial scalar invariance across countries. In light of previous research on this scale, the conceptualization of burnout, and the specificities of working in early childhood education and care contexts, these findings are discussed.