This review aimed to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the scientific literature on mobile health (mHealth) interventions to promote physical activity (PA) or reduce sedentary behavior (SB) in cancer survivors. We searched six databases from 2000 to 13 April 2020 for controlled and non-controlled trials published in any language. We conducted best evidence syntheses on controlled trials to assess the strength of the evidence. All 31 interventions included in this review measured PA outcomes, with 10 of them also evaluating SB outcomes. Most study participants were adults/older adults with various cancer types. The majority (n = 25) of studies implemented multicomponent interventions, with activity trackers being the most commonly used mHealth technology. There is strong evidence for mHealth interventions, including personal contact components, in increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA among cancer survivors. However, there is inconclusive evidence to support mHealth interventions in increasing total activity and step counts. There is inconclusive evidence on SB potentially due to the limited number of studies. mHealth interventions that include personal contact components are likely more effective in increasing PA than mHealth interventions without such components. Future research should address social factors in mHealth interventions for PA and SB in cancer survivors.

Over the years, the foot tapping test protocol has been proposed by scientists to identify the capabilities of the lower limb neuromuscular system in the medical context; however, to our knowledge, no studies have established its usefulness and relationship to athletic performance. The aim of the present study was to test the reliability, criterion validity and sensitivity of a new foot tapping (TAP) test, and to examine its relationship with proxies of athletic performance in soccer players. Forty voluntary soccer players of two different levels participated in this study (20 players from the national level: age: 22.6 ± 2.5 years and 20 players from regional level: 25.1 ± 3.6 years). They performed the TAP test on two separate occasions to test its relative and absolute reliability. To examine the criterion validity of the TAP test, all participants performed four types of jumps, sprint tests, agility tests, the Wingate test and the finger tapping test considered a gold standard tapping test. The sensitivity was assessed with national and regional player levels. The TAP test presented a high relative and absolute reliability with intra-class correlation coefficient ICC > 0.90, standard errors of measurement SEM < 5% and mean difference ±95% limits of agreement equal to 0.2 ± 0.8 tap·s⁻¹. National level players showed a higher TAP score (p < 0.001; dz = 1.96, large) compared to regional players (9.68 ± 1.41 tap·s⁻¹ vs. 7.28 ± 1.01 tap·s⁻¹, respectively) and the value of area under curve measured by the receiver operating characteristic curve technique was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.827–0.990). The TAP test showed a significant association with the finger tapping test (r = 0.84, p < 0.001), whereas no correlation was seen between the TAP test and all the other physical tests measured. The TAP test could be considered a valid and reliable test to assess lower limb neuromuscular ability in soccer players.

Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) has been consistently associated with higher levels of psychological well-being (WB) and lower levels of psychological distress (PD). Yet, relatively little is known about how these relationships operate within Arab cultural contexts, especially among students training to become professionals in fields that promote both mental and physical health. Given the growing recognition of mental health challenges among youth in the region, examining these associations within Arab university settings is both timely and important. This study aimed to investigate how EI, WB, and PD are connected in undergraduate physical education students from Oman, Kuwait, and Jordan. It also examined whether WB helps explain the link between EI and PD and whether the proposed model holds consistently across these different cultural settings. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used with a sample of 788 undergraduate physical education students. Participants completed validated self-report measures assessing EI (five theoretically grounded dimensions: Self-Awareness, Empathy, Self-Regulation, Social Regulation, and Emotional Control), psychological well-being (Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale), and psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) evaluated the measurement models, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) tested direct and indirect relationships. Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA) examined measurement invariance across the three countries. To provide a more comprehensive picture of the associations, Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were also conducted. Results: CFA confirmed the validity and reliability of the measures across all three samples. The SEM results indicated that EI was directly and positively related to WB, and indirectly related to PD through the mediating effect of WB. While configural and metric invariance were established, scalar invariance was not, limiting mean-level comparisons across countries. Nonetheless, the achieved invariance allowed valid structural analyses. Mediation analysis revealed that WB significantly mediated the EI– PD relationship in Kuwait, but not in Oman or Jordan. These findings suggest that the strength and direction of psychological mechanisms may vary by cultural context. Conclusion: The study highlights the positive role of EI in enhancing well-being and reducing psychological distress among university students in Arab contexts. However, the pathways linking these constructs may differ across cultural settings. Practical implications include the integration of emotional intelligence development into university curricula, particularly in disciplines that emphasize both mental and physical health. These findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive approaches to emotional intelligence training and mental health promotion, especially for students preparing to serve as future educators and health professionals.

Elevated plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and increased vascular complications, particularly in populations such as individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). This study aimed to investigate the effect of a single exercise session on postprandial TAG levels in children with SCD following the consumption of a high-fat meal. The high-fat meal was used to induce a significant postprandial increase in plasma triayglecrol (TAG) levels, aknown risk factor for endothelial dysfunction and vascular implication, particualry in population with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Twelve male children with SCD (mean age: 10.5 ± 1.2 years) participated in two 2-day trials, one involving brisk walking (exercise trial) and one with rest (rest trial), in a randomized, counter-balanced design. A mixed high-fat test meal (97 g fat, 124 g carbohydrate, 1,450 kcal) was administered after a 10-h overnight fast, and blood samples were collected at baseline, 60, 120, 240, 300, and 360 min post-meal to measure serum TAG, glucose, insulin, and total cholesterol concentrations. Postprandial TAG levels significantly increased in both trials, but the exercise trial showed a significantly lower TAG response compared to the rest trial (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for TAG was greater in the rest trial than in the exercise trial (P < 0.05). Specifically, TAG concentrations were significantly lower in the exercise trial at 120 and 180 min post-meal (P < 0.05), indicating faster clearance of TAG following exercise. Insulin and glucose concentrations also increased post-meal, with significantly lower insulin and glucose AUC values in the exercise trial compared to the rest trial (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in total cholesterol between the two trials at 360 min post-meal. These findings suggest that a single bout of exercise prior to a high-fat meal reduces postprandial TAG concentrations in children with SCD, consistent with previous studies in healthy populations. The reduction in postprandial TAG may have implications for improving endothelial function and reducing the risk of cardiovascular and vaso-occlusive events in individuals with SCD. Further studies are needed to explore the long-term effects of regular exercise on lipid metabolism and disease complications in this population.

Objectives: This study explores the reality of strategic vigilance practices in sports clubs in Oman. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 162 participants which included members of boards of directors, club managers, sports activity directors, coaches, and players in Oman. Result: Institutions show significant gaps in competitor analysis and communication with authorities, leading to a shortage of technological expertise that negatively impacts service promotion. Sports institutions prioritize continuous service development to retain existing clients and attract new ones. Conclusions: The study revealed a need to promote a culture of strategic vigilance among all employees in sports institutions in Oman. It emphasizes the necessity of engaging marketing specialists to address weaknesses within the institutions and contribute to the development of marketing vigilance