(1) Background: Complex training combines weight training and plyometric exercises within one series. This is one of the first systematic reviews to thoroughly investigate the effects of complex training on the motor abilities of male basketball players. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to determine the effects of complex training on the motor abilities of male basketball players; (2) Methods: The study protocol of this systematic review was registered at the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (INPLASY202520116). Papers published from January 2008 to October 2024 were searched digitally using the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, ERIC, and Google Scholar databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines using the PICOS strategy. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) and Physical Therapy Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess the quality of the included randomized and non-randomized control trials, respectively; (3) Results: The results of this study showed that complex training is an effective method for improving the motor abilities of basketball players. Most studies investigating the effects of complex training have focused on explosive strength, where a positive impact has been demonstrated. In addition, studies show the positive effects of complex training on speed, agility, muscle strength, isometric muscle force, and aerobic endurance; (4) Conclusions: The authors of the study recommend that the most effective programs are 10 weeks long and conducted 2–3 times per week, with at least 48 h of recovery between sessions. For the pre-competition period, it is recommended to perform 3–5 sets of one complex pair; 2–12 repetitions of weight training, (70–95% 1RM); and 5–15 repetitions of plyometric exercises which are performed at maximum intensity. Future researchers in the field of basketball are encouraged to compare the effects of complex training in male and female basketball players or to compare the effects among male basketball players based on age (juniors vs. seniors) and competitive level (amateur vs. elite).

This work aims to reproducing the partial results of a study carried out at the level of the 11-14-year-old age group, which involves an initial approach to the identification of children's motor skills, as well as the creation of a planning framework proposed by a specialized program - by choosing some basketball-related content for the development of physical and general motor skills. The study started from the premise that the degree of development and evolution of speed and skill in a group with a basketball profile (11-14 years) can be enhanced by objectively placing some tests at the beginning and end of each stage of development during a specific period of time. The study was carried out using an experimental group (8 boys and 10 girls) and a control group (8 boys and 9 girls) during 9 months of activity, within a private sports club. The variety of technical methods specific to the basketball game, associated with the environmental conditions and material conditions of the experiment, contributed to the development of a large number of specific skills and motor skills, all of which were associated with the experimental results and contributed to the improvement of the physical health of the children.

(1) Background: Physical activity (PA) plays a crucial role in preserving and enhancing mental health, particularly in the aftermath of major health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the specific levels and domains of physical activity that have the greatest impact on alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress in the post-COVID-19 period remain unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of different levels and domains of PA on mental health parameters, specifically symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, in individuals who had recovered from COVID-19. (2) Methods: The study included initial measurements (2–4 weeks post-recovery) and final measurements (14–16 weeks post-recovery). The sample comprised 288 participants aged 20 to 60 years (M = 47.06; SD = 12.41), with 95 men and 193 women. PA was assessed using the long version of the IPAQ questionnaire, while mental health was evaluated using the long version of the DASS scale. (3) Results: Stepwise regression analysis revealed that low- (p = 0.010) and moderate-intensity (p = 0.022) PA was significantly associated with reductions in anxiety symptoms as well as lower stress levels (low PA: p = 0.014; moderate PA: p = 0.042). Total PA (p < 0.001) and vigorous-intensity PA (p = 0.008) emerged as significant predictors of reduced depression levels. Among the domains of PA, home-based activities had a statistically significant impact on all three mental health components: anxiety (p = 0.005), depression (p = 0.002), and stress (p = 0.041). Transport-related PA was significantly associated with anxiety (p = 0.011) and stress (p = 0.022), but not with depression. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that a combined model incorporating different levels and domains of PA may represent an effective approach to improving mental health in individuals recovering from COVID-19. Further longitudinal studies are needed to establish more precise causal relationships.

Background and Study Aim. Football performance depends on the integration of speed, strength, agility, and balance, all of which contribute to efficient movement and injury prevention. Neuromuscular training (NMT) is widely used to improve these attributes by combining strength, plyometric, balance, and coordination exercises within a structured program. Although various training methods are applied in football conditioning, their relative effectiveness in enhancing multiple performance domains simultaneously remains a matter of practical interest. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week NMT program on sprint performance, explosive power, change-of-direction (COD) ability, and dynamic balance in female university football players. Materiasl and Methods. A total of 41 athletes were initially screened. Thirty-four athletes aged 20–24 years met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EXP, n = 17) or a control group (CON, n = 17). The EXP group completed structured NMT sessions three times per week alongside regular football training. The CON group continued standard practice without additional training. Pre- and post-intervention tests included the 50-m sprint, standing broad jump, 505 COD test, and Y-Balance Test. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, ANCOVA, and repeated measures ANOVA. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s dz and partial eta squared. Results. The EXP group showed significant within-group improvements across all outcomes (p < .001, Cohen’s dz = 1.07–1.24). The CON group demonstrated no meaningful changes. Between-group comparisons showed significant differences for all performance variables (all p < .01), with large effect sizes (η²p = 0.28–0.35). Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between improvements in dynamic balance, COD, and sprint performance (r = −0.56 to +0.62, p < .01). Sensitivity analyses confirmed that the findings remained robust after excluding low adherence and outlier cases. Conclusions. An eight-week NMT program led to significant improvements in speed, power, agility, and balance among female university football players. The results highlight the effectiveness of integrated neuromuscular interventions in enhancing multidimensional performance characteristics in this population.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major contributor to global disability. Exercise-based rehabilitation is widely recommended as first-line management; however, in clinical practice, it is frequently combined with adjunct therapeutic modalities, and the incremental effectiveness of these approaches remains unclear. The present review addressed the research question: Do adjunct modalities provide additional benefits beyond exercise-based rehabilitation alone in individuals with musculoskeletal disorders? Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines and prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number CRD420261309183). Electronic searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify controlled clinical trials evaluating exercise-based rehabilitation delivered alone or combined with adjunct modalities. Outcomes included pain, functional disability, physical performance, strength, structural or imaging-based measures, biomechanical variables, injury risk, and work-related outcomes. Due to methodological heterogeneity across studies, a structured narrative and tabular synthesis were performed. Results: Twenty-one controlled clinical trials were included, encompassing tendinopathies (n = 7), knee osteoarthritis (n = 5), post-ACL reconstruction (n = 2), chronic spinal pain (n = 3), sarcopenia (n = 2), low bone mass (n = 2), and occupational musculoskeletal conditions (n = 1), with sample sizes ranging from 22 to 823 participants. Pain outcomes were reported in 18 studies (86%) and functional outcomes in 16 studies (76%). Exercise-based rehabilitation consistently produced clinically meaningful improvements across studies, whereas adjunct modalities demonstrated short-term advantages in a limited number of trials but rarely showed sustained long-term superiority. Conclusions: Evidence from controlled clinical trials indicates that exercise-based rehabilitation is an effective primary intervention for improving pain, functional capacity, and physical performance across diverse musculoskeletal conditions. Adjunct modalities may provide condition-specific or short-term benefits but do not consistently enhance long-term outcomes beyond structured exercise programs.

INPLASY202520116 Enhancing Motor Abilities in Basketball Players through Complex Training: A Systematic Review Keywords: Team Sport; Motor Skills; Male Basketball Players; Complex Training; Explosi…