Since early childhood is regarded as an important period of motor and cognitive development, understanding the effects of physical activity on motor abilites and cognitive development in preschool children has major public health implications. This study investigates the effects of a 12 weeks' yoga intervention program on motor and cognitive abilities in preschool children. Preschool children (n = 45; age 5–6 years) attending regular preschool programs were non-randomly assigned to yoga intervention (n = 23; 30 min sessions three times per week) or a control group (n = 22; no additional organized physical activity program). Exercise training for the intervention group included yoga program. Motor abilities (BOT-2 subtests: fine motor integration, manual dexterity, balance and bilateral coordination), and cognitive abilities (School Maturity Test subtests: visual memory, stacking cubes and codes) were assessed before and after the intervention period in both groups. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Participants in the intervention group improved fine motor integration (p = 0.022), fine motor skills in general (0.029), bilateral coordination (0.000), balance (0.000), and body coordination (0.000). Preschool children's participation in the preschool yoga intervention significantly improved their motor abilities, but not their cognitive abilities.

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of foam rolling and traditional stretch treatments on physical performance and self-perceived fatigue in youth football players. Methods: The sample of participants consisted of 20 youth football players from the Serbia Under-17 league. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, the Foam group (age: 16.6 ± 1.5 years) or the Stretch group (age: 16.9 ± 1.0 years), with each group consisting of 10 participants. The first measurement (I) was conducted before the match; then, the football players played the match, which was followed by the second measurement (II), and afterward, the groups performed their foam and stretch activities. The third measurement (III) was conducted 2 h after the recovery interventions, and the fourth measurement (IV) was conducted 24 h after the match. Players were tested for the following: linear sprints at 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m, squat jumps (SJs), countermovement jumps (CMJs), and arm-driven countermovement jumps (ACMJs). Participants also completed self-assessment questionnaires on fatigue (Hooper scales) and perceived exertion (Borg scales). Results: A 2 × 4 split-plot ANOVA revealed that there were no differences between the foam rolling and stretching treatments in any parameter of physical performance or self-perceived fatigue. However, a separate within-group analysis showed that the Foam group achieved significantly better sprint times in the third and fourth measurements (2 and 24 h post-match, respectively) compared to measurements taken immediately after the football match. Regarding self-perceived parameters, foam rolling reduced fatigue and stress at 2 and 24 h post-match. On the other hand, the stretching treatment only affected the stress parameter, which was reduced 24 h after the football match. Conclusions: These findings indicate that although there were no significant differences between treatments, foam rolling demonstrated certain advantages compared to stretching. Specifically, foam rolling may offer benefits in enhancing subjective recovery and reducing perceived exertion in young football players. However, these conclusions should be interpreted with caution, as the study was cross-sectional and involved a small sample of young football players.

The aim of this study was to determine the differences between healthy-weight and overweight 5–6-year-old preschool children in fine and gross motor skills and cognitive abilities. There were 91 subjects, preschool children (41 boys and 50 girls), who participated in this cross-sectional study. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on measures of body height and body mass, and WHO cutoff points were used for the assessment of the children’s nutrition status. Fine motor abilities were determined using two Bruininks–Oseretsky (BOT-2) subtests, and gross motor skills are determined by the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), while cognitive abilities were tested by the School Maturity Test (TZŠ+). Based on an independent-samples t-test, a difference in two out of three variables of gross motor skills was determined: manipulative skills and total gross motor skills between healthy-weight and overweight children, while in fine motor abilities and cognitive abilities there was no difference between these two groups. Although significant differences were found only in gross motor skills between healthy and overweight preschool children but not in fine motor skills and cognitive abilities, further longitudinal studies are required to understand the mechanisms of this, including the possible role of psychological factors.

Background: Falls are a leading cause of injury, disability, and loss of independence among community-dwelling older adults. Although exercise-based interventions are widely recommended for fall prevention, the comparative effectiveness of different exercise modalities remains insufficiently synthesized. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Randomized and controlled trials were identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL, including studies involving adults aged ≥60 years who participated in balance-based, strength-based, multimodal, Tai Ji Quan, Otago Exercise Program, or perturbation-based reactive balance training interventions. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (ROB-2) tool. Due to substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity across interventions and outcome measures, a narrative synthesis was undertaken. Results: Twenty-seven trials met the inclusion criteria. Exercise interventions consistently reduced fall incidence across studies. Tai Ji Quan interventions were associated with approximately 31–58% reductions in falls, the Otago Exercise Program with 23–40% reductions, and multimodal strength–balance training with 20–45% reductions. Perturbation-based reactive balance training demonstrated particularly strong effects on laboratory-induced falls, with reductions ranging from 50–75%. Functional outcomes also improved across intervention types, including faster Timed Up and Go performance, increased gait speed, improvements of approximately 1.2–2.5 points in Short Physical Performance Battery scores, 15–35% gains in lower-limb strength, and enhanced reactive balance responses. Longer-duration interventions (12–24 months) generally demonstrated sustained reductions in fall risk. Conclusions: Evidence from randomized and controlled trials indicates that structured exercise interventions, particularly Tai Ji Quan, the Otago Exercise Program, multimodal strength–balance training, and perturbation-based reactive balance training, are effective in reducing falls and improving balance, mobility, and strength in community-dwelling older adults. These findings support the use of targeted, evidence-based exercise programs as central components of fall-prevention strategies in older populations.

This study examined seasonal variation and the effect of the transition period on physical fitness parameters in female youth soccer players. Twenty-four players (13–17 years old) were assessed through field and laboratory testing. They completed laboratory testing three times: (1) at the beginning of the season (post-preseason), (2) at the end of the regular season (postseason), and (3) following the transition period (preseason). Field testing was conducted post-preseason and postseason. Results indicated that weight and body fat significantly increased from post-preseason to postseason and following the transition period. A paired samples T-test revealed that the players performed significantly better in the vertical jump and 30 m sprint test (all p < 0.01) postseason compared to post-preseason. Also, it was indicated that torque production for the right quadriceps, left quadriceps, and right hamstring (all p < 0.01) was significantly reduced after the transition period by 10%, 11.8%, and 10.5%, respectively. Cardiorespiratory measurements demonstrated that performance on an incremental cardiopulmonary treadmill test, maximal oxygen consumption, velocity at the first ventilatory threshold, velocity at the second ventilatory threshold, and velocity at maximal oxygen consumption (all p < 0.01) were significantly reduced postseason and following the transition period. Based on the results, coaches and trainers should primarily focus on maintaining the aerobic capacity of the players during the season, as it has been indicated to be reduced from the beginning to the end of the competitive period (VO2max reduced by 3.3%). In addition, they should focus on maintaining lower body strength and aerobic capacity during the transition period.

The aim of the study was to examine the association between cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters and match running performance (MRP) in highly trained football players. The sample of participants consisted of 41 national-level football players (aged 23.20 ± 3.40 years, body height 182.00 ± 5.15 cm, and body mass 76.86 ± 6.06 kg) from the Serbian Super league. For the purposes of this research, the following measurements were applied. A maximal multistage progressive treadmill test, with a direct measurement of maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) (using Fitmate MED, Cosmed, Rome, Italy) was conducted, alongside continuous heart rate monitoring. Capillary blood samples were taken from the hyperemic area using specific test strips, and, after sample collection, lactate concentration was immediately determined using a lactate analyzer. MRP variables were analyzed according to the BioIRC model of motion structure analysis, based on existing standards for profiling movement intensity. The results of multiple regression analysis indicated an association between cardiac parameters and total distance (R2 = 54.3%, p = 0.000), high-speed running (R2 = 46.4%, p = 0.000), and jogging (R2 = 33.6%, p = 0.004). Regression analysis revealed an association between cardiorespiratory parameters and total distance (R2 = 24.8%, p = 0.014), and high-speed running (R2 = 20%, p = 0.039). Meanwhile, no association was found between lactate concentration and running performance. The explanation for these regression analysis results is based on the observation that functional abilities represent significant potential for expressing movement performance, a crucial condition for success in football.