Background and Objectives: Post-menopausal estrogen decline is considered a contributing factor to sarcopenia, and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may provide benefits in this demographic. This study examined the impact of a four-week IMT program on diaphragm thickness, abdominal wall muscle thickness (AWMT; transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique), and liver fat percentage in healthy elderly women. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six women aged 60–80 years were randomly assigned to an IMT group (n = 13) or a control group (n = 13). The IMT group used the PowerBreathe^® Classic device at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), with weekly increments of 10%. Training was performed twice daily, five days per week, with 30 breathing cycles per session (60 per day). The control group maintained their usual routines. AWMT, diaphragm thickness (DT), and fatty liver density (FLD) were measured by a radiologist before and after the intervention. Results: After four weeks, the IMT group showed significant improvements in all parameters compared to controls. Mid-diaphragm thickness (MDT) increased by 11.44% (effect size (ES) = 0.358, p < 0.001) versus 0.76% in controls (p = 0.271). Posterior diaphragm thickness (PDT) improved by 7.48% (ES = 0.282, p < 0.001) versus 0.38% (p = 0.564). Right AWMT increased by 12.7% (ES = 0.492, p < 0.001) compared to 0.10% (p = 0.872), and left AWMT increased by 9.93% (ES = 0.395, p < 0.001) versus 2.64% (p = 0.014). FLD improved by 11.79% (ES = 0.959, p < 0.001) in the IMT group, while the control group showed no meaningful change (−0.13%, p = 0.847). Conclusions: A short-term IMT protocol significantly enhanced diaphragm and AWMT and reduced liver fat in elderly women. These findings support the use of IMT as a simple, non-invasive intervention to preserve musculoskeletal and metabolic health in aging populations.

The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions, understanding and experiences of the families of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) related to adapted physical activity (APA), and their educators, through their use of metaphors. The research was based on systematic content analysis in the qualitative research model. The data were collected based on metaphors. The participants included 85 families of individuals with ASD attending private institutions operating in Istanbul and Ankara. The metaphors used by the families were examined under two headings: adapted physical activities, and educators. When the metaphors used to describe APA were examined, four themes emerged, education, emotion, support and development, and these themes were divided into the categories of guidance, skill, affection, and care. When the metaphorical perceptions of educators were examined, three themes emerged: education, emotion, and social adaptation. These were further categorized as experience, knowledge, entertainment, independence, happiness, and treatment. The metaphors showed that experiences in APA support increased self-confidence for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and support the social adaptation of individuals who have the opportunity to apply knowledge and experience. This research shows that families have positive perceptions of APA educators and their lessons.

Objective: Dietary supplementation with beetroot juice (BRJ), rich in nitrate, enhances nitric oxide bioavailability and may positively influence exercise performance. However, the impact of acute BRJ ingestion on judo-specific performance has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of BRJ on judo-specific performance, explosive power, back-muscle strength, and handgrip strength in recreational adolescent judokas.Methods: Thirty-five male adolescent recreational judokas completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, consuming either 140 mL of BRJ (∼12.8 mmol nitrate) or a placebo, with a 7-day wash-out. In each session, after a 4-min randori, athletes performed the Sargent jump test, back-strength dynamometer pulls, handgrip dynamometer trials, and the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT), with a 10-s rest between each performance.Results: Compared to placebo, BRJ significantly increased explosive jump height (+3%, p < 0.05), back-muscle strength, (+3.2%, p < 0.01), handgrip strength (+8.4%, p < 0.01), and total SJFT throws (+2.4%, p < 0.05), while reducing 1-min post-SJFT heart rate (−7.9 b·min⁻¹, p < 0.001) and improving the SJFT index (−4%, p < 0.001). Immediate post-SJFT heart rate and perceived exertion did not differ between conditions (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Acute BRJ is a practical, natural ergogenic aid for adolescent judokas, enhancing explosive power, muscular strength, and judo-specific performance. These findings support the use of nitrate supplementation as an ergogenic aid for young athletes engaged in high-intensity, intermittent exercise activities.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of active or passive recreational adapted physical activities on older adults. Accordingly, adapted physical activity programs and games were implemented with individuals defined within the older adult classification scale by the World Health Organization, and participants’ experiences and opinions were examined. A total of 13 older adults residing in nursing homes in İstanbul voluntarily participated in the study (female = 4, male = 9; age ≥ 64 years). The study was conducted in a nursing home selected through purposive sampling. The research consisted of three stages. First, recreation leaders and nursing home residents were informed about the study, and eligible individuals aged 64 years and above, with sufficient physical fitness and willingness to participate, were identified. Participants’ functional fitness levels were assessed by the institution’s physiotherapist, and individuals were considered eligible based on the absence of serious limitations in walking, balance, and basic mobility, as well as having no health-related barriers to participation in recreational adapted physical activities. In the second stage, participants were regularly involved in various adapted recreational physical activity sessions for eight weeks. In the final stage, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participants’ perceptions and experiences regarding the activities. This study was designed as a qualitative case study, utilizing in-depth one-on-one interview techniques. Semi-structured interview questions were employed as the primary data collection tool. The interviews were audio-recorded, and the data were analyzed using the qualitative analysis software MAXQDA 2020. As a result of the analysis, 12 codes emerged, which were grouped under five main themes: participation, motivation, perceived benefits, activity preference, and expectations. In conclusion, participation in recreational adapted physical activities plays a significant role in enhancing older adults’ motivation and overall experiences, contributing positively to both their physical and psychological well-being. Moreover, such programs serve as an important tool for improving quality of life in older individuals. These findings provide valuable insights for increasing physical activity participation among older adults and developing programs tailored to their specific needs. Cite this article as: Gökçelik, E., & Yaşar, B. Ç. (2026). Participant perspectives on adapted recreational physical activity programs: the nursing home model. Research in Sports Science, 16, 0071, doi: 10.5152/rss.2026.25071.

Bu kitap, kadın güreşçilerde toparlanma yöntemlerini ele almaktadır. Güreş, hem bireysel hem de takım sporlarında önemli bir yer tutan bir branştır. Son yıllarda kadın güreşçilerin sayısı artmış ve başarılarıyla dikkat çekmiştir. Bu kitap, kadın güreşçilerin müsabaka sonrası toparlanmalarına yardımcı olabilecek etkin stratejileri sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Yüksek yoğunlukta ve kısa süreli aktiviteler içeren güreş branşında, sporcuların uzun süre optimum performans gösterebilmesi ve sakatlık riskinin en aza indirilmesi için etkin bir toparlanma süreci gerekmektedir. Kitap, bilimsel bulgulara dayalı olarak toparlanma protokolleri sunmaktadır. Ayrıca, son dönemlerde popüler hale gelen self myofascial release (SMR) uygulamaları ve vibration foam roller (VFR) aracının müsabaka sonrası toparlanmada kullanımının faydaları da ele alınmaktadır. Bu kitap, kadın güreşçilerin performanslarını artırmak ve sakatlık riskini azaltmak isteyen antrenörler ve sporcular için önemli bir kaynak olacaktır. This book discusses recovery methods in female wrestlers. Wrestling is a sport that holds an important place in both individual and team sports. In recent years, the number of female wrestlers has increased and they have attracted attention with their successes. This book aims to provide effective strategies that can help female wrestlers recover after competitions. In the wrestling discipline, which involves high-intensity and short-duration activities, an effective recovery process is necessary for athletes to maintain optimum performance for a long time and minimize the risk of injury. The book presents recovery protocols based on scientific findings. Additionally, the benefits of self myofascial release (SMR) practices and the use of a vibration foam roller (VFR) tool in post-competition recovery, which have become popular in recent years, are also discussed. This book will be an important resource for coaches and athletes who want to improve the performance of female wrestlers and reduce the risk of injury.