Drop jump (DJ) performance gain with increasing drop height is well documented in adults, but there is still no clear evidence of such gain in children. This study aimed to examine the differences in DJ performance gain in male adults and prepubescent boys by comparing drop heights tailored to each individual’s performance and expressed as a percentage of their squat jump (SJ) performance. Fifteen boys (9–11 y) and 15 men (19–27 y) executed DJs from drop heights that were set at 75%, 100%, 125%, and 150% of their best performance in SJ (DJ₇₅, DJ₁₀₀, DJ₁₂₅, and DJ₁₅₀, respectively). Vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), contact time and kinematics of the lower extremities were captured. The results showed that boys jumped significantly lower than adults in DJs, and both age groups presented jumping gain with increasing drop height, up to DJ₁₂₅. Boys demonstrated longer total contact time, lower angular velocity and vGRF during the propulsive phase, as well as smaller knee flexion at touchdown and lower reactive strength index. vGRF in DJ₇₅ and DJ₁₀₀ was lower than in DJ₁₂₅ and DJ₁₅₀. The highest value for maximum knee flexion was also presented at DJ₁₅₀. It is concluded that in prepubescent boys, the appropriate drop height for an effective DJ is linked to their performance in SJ and might be between 75% and 125% of their maximum SJ performance.

Introduction: 3x3 basketball is a relatively new form of basketball aiming to promote mass participation and make the sport more attractive at a community level. Objective: This paper aimed to apply a service quality model in the context of 3x3 basketball and test the degree to which players’ satisfaction can be predicted by the five dimensions of the model. Methodology: This study used a quantitative, correlational design to explore associations between service quality dimensions and participant satisfaction in 3x3 basketball tournaments in Greece, and to evaluate the predictive contribution of each dimension to overall satisfaction. The sample of the study consisted of 305 players (65 females, 22%, and 238 males, 78%) who participated in 3x3 basketball tournaments in the region of Central Macedonia, Greece. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the factorial validity of the model, with its five dimensions. All the five dimensions significantly contributed to the prediction of players’ satisfaction, with the Reliability one being the most important one. Discussion: It is concluded that 3x3 basketball, with its modern image, can be an effective vehicle for Basketball Associations to make the sport more attractive to young people and local communities. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of service quality management in 3x3 basketball tournaments to enhance player satisfaction and support the growth of the sport.

Hiking poles significantly benefit hikers by improving balance, reducing strain on lower limbs and spine, and redistributing workload to the upper extremities. However, exercise at moderate altitude often causes respiratory muscle fatigue (RMF), which limits performance. This study investigated the effect of mountaineering poles use on RMF during submaximal uphill walking, examining cardiovascular and pulmonary responses, perceived exertion (RPE) and perceived dyspnea (DYS). Seventeen hikers (36.2 ± 11.9 years) walked a 6.4 km trail (1010 m elevation) at 65–85% of their heart rate maximum (HR_max), with and without poles (wp/np). Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV₁₂), inspiratory capacity (IC), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), vital capacity (VC), tidal volume (VT), ventilation (VE), forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SaO₂), blood lactate accumulation (BLC), energy expenditure (EE), RPE, DYS, and performance (Time) were measured at the trail’s end (2070 m). Paired samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for comparison. IC was higher when using poles compared to hiking without poles (Δ = 0.21 L, p = 0.011, adjusted p = 0.187). Non-significant differences were observed for MVV₁₂, ERV, VT, VE, RR, and BLC. In conclusion, under the investigated submaximal conditions, pole use did not significantly alter the overall physiological load or respiratory muscle endurance. These findings suggest that recreational hikers can utilize poles for mechanical support, without additional ventilatory or cardiovascular strain.