Introduction. Inclusive education is one of the main objectives of the educational system toward achieving equal opportunities among students. To this end, teacher training plays an important role in the different educational stages. Objectives. To analyze the perceived readiness of teachers for inclusive education and to see the differences in primary and secondary education. Methods: A total of 961 active teachers from public schools, 53.3% Primary and 46.7% Secondary Education, were analyzed by means of a questionnaire on Teachers’ perceptions about their preparation for inclusive education and the CEFI-R instrument. Results. There are statistically significant differences between the two stages in the first questionnaire (question 1: p = 0.03; question 2: p < 0.01 and question 3: p < 0.01) and also, in 3 of the four CEFI-R dimensions, with the primary score being higher. Conclusions: This study shows that there is a large percentage of teachers who believe that their initial training is insufficient to deal with student diversity. In addition, most of them state that continuous training has helped them to improve inclusive education and that they would be willing to attend training courses on inclusion, although in secondary school, the predisposition is lower than in high school. On the other hand, teachers of both educational stages show a mostly favorable attitude according to the CEFI-R, being higher in primary than in secondary school. In this sense, the public administration has work to do.

This study aimed to analyze the different types of emotional regulation in first and second year high school students according to sex and age. Many adolescents do not meet the minimum WHO recommendations, at a critical stage in which habits that will later be maintained are established. For this reason, physical education is an important means to promote these habits and an understanding of the reasons for their participation in physical education. For this purpose, PLOC-2 was used. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to determine the characteristics of the data, the ANOVA test to explore the differences between sexes, and the Spearman test for correlations between the type of regulation and age. The results showed significant differences in several items and emotional regulation by sex and an inverse correlation between age and demotivation. There are differences between the reasons why both sexes perform physical activity, and we have determined that boys have more intrinsic regulation than girls do.

Self-concept can be defined as a structured, multidimensional, and evolving construct that constitutes all the beliefs that an individual has about him/herself. Among its dimensions is the physical dimension that encompasses perceptions of physical attractiveness, self-esteem, and physical condition. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to look for differences between the educational stages from the third cycle of primary school and high school, as well as to study the possible correlations between the age groups and the dimensions of the scale. The AF-5 scale was used to measure self-concept, the Kolmogoronov–Smirnov test was applied to determine the normality of the data, Kruskall–Wallis to identify the differences between the dimensions of the scale and the educational stages, and Spearman’s Rho for correlations between dimensions and age groups. Significant differences were found in the academic, emotional, family, and physical dimensions between educational stages and between the scale as a single construct. Significant inverse correlations were also found between age groups and dimensions. Overall self-concept decreases with age and varies according to the educational stage.

Background: Ageing and sedentary lifestyles affect physical and cognitive function and markers of frailty, increasing the risk of falls in older adults and affecting their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Square Step Exercise programme on physical and cognitive function and plasma SMP30 levels for the prevention of falls in older adults. Methods: A randomised controlled trial was designed with 44 participants assigned to an experimental group (SSE group) and a control group. The SSE group performed SSE sessions twice a week for three months, with a follow-up in the fourth month. The assessments of physical function included tests such as the Four-Square Step Test, Brisk Walking and its dual-task variant, Time Up and Go and its imagined and dual-task variants, 30 s Sit-to-Stand and its dual-task and imagined variants and a 6 min walking test. Questionnaires were also used to assess the risk and fear of falling. Resting EEG activity was also recorded to assess electrocortical brain activity. SMP30 levels were measured by Western blotting. Results: The SSE group showed significant improvements compared to the control group in the Four-Square Step Test (p < 0.001), Brisk Walking (p < 0.05) and reduction in the fear of falling (p < 0.001) after the training programme, but these adaptations were not maintained one month after the programme ended (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the remaining variables of physical function, cognitive function, fall risk questionnaire, EEG activity or plasma levels of SMP30 compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The SSE programme showed efficacy in improving balance, gait speed and reducing fear of falling in older adults but did not show improvement over the control group in other areas of physical or cognitive function or plasma SMP30 levels for fall prevention.

Background: The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the effects of Square Stepping Exercise (SSE) on physical and cognitive function in older people, including its effects on biomarkers, body composition and mental health, focusing only on research that assessed the efficacy of SSE-based interventions. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane databases were searched from June 2006 to June 2024 according to the PRISMA guidelines. The main search terms used were related to “older people” and “square-stepping exercise”. Controlled trials that included at least one intervention group focused on SSE were included. Participants had to be healthy, without physical or cognitive impairment, and the studies published in English or Spanish. The methodological quality of the selected research was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Results: Twelve studies were selected from a total of 444 original records, with a total sample size of 577 participants. The health parameters of the participants were homogeneous, with ages ranging from 60 to 80 years. Significant gains were reported in certain physical function assessments, including balance, lower body strength and power, gait speed and flexibility. There were also significant findings in cognitive function, particularly in general cognitive status, focused attention, response time, basic task performance, and executive function. In addition, SSE can improve metrics such as body composition, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and mental health characteristics. Conclusions: SSE has the potential to significantly improve physical function, cognitive performance and body composition, as well as provide mental health benefits and have variable effects on biomarkers and cardiovascular health.

Background: The search for alternatives to improve physical performance is rising, and in recent years has been focused on the brain. No bibliometric study analyzing research on physical activity (PA) and transcranial stimulation has been found in the scientific literature. Aims: To provide an overview of the existing scientific research on PA and transcranial brain stimulation in healthy and sports participants, using a bibliometric analysis and graphic mapping of the references in the field. To do this, we analyze annual publication trends in this area, identifying the most productive and cited authors, journals and countries with the highest number of publications, and the most cited documents and keywords. Methods: Those publications related to this area, published in journals indexed in the web of science main collection were retrieved and analyzed using the traditional laws of bibliometrics. Results: A total of 305 documents were found. Annual publications followed an exponential growth trend (R² = 94.2%); with A. J. Pearce (9 documents) is the most productive coauthor and M.C. Ridding, H. Theoret and M. Lassonde as the most prominent (with 5 most cited papers). The USA (67 papers) and the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (12 papers) were the most productive country and journal respectively. The paper “Action anticipation and motor resonance in elite basketball players” was the most cited paper and “transcranial magnetic stimulation” was the most used keyword. Conclusion: There are extensive research networks throughout the world, with the USA leading the production. Publications on the issue are of high interest in the scientific community as an exponential increase in publications over the last few years was found. The contribution of these findings is to offer a complete picture of the relationship between PA and transcranial brain stimulation in healthy individuals and athletes. Therefore, this comprehensive analysis provides fruitful information for sports researchers and policymakers to make future correct decisions about how to better design and implement training interventions in these groups of individuals.