Background/Objectives: This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and synthesize scientific evidence about the combined cognitive stimulation and physical activity interventions on Activities of Daily Living (ADL), cognitive function, and physical function in older people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted between August 2024 and October 2024 using the core collection of six generic databases: PubMed, EBSCOhost, CINAHL Complete, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science. The PRISMA, RoB 2, and GRADEpro tools assessed the evidence’s methodological quality and certainty. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42024577229. Results: Of 270 records identified in the databases, 9 studies were analyzed using the PICOS format. The MMSE meta-analysis showed significant improvements in cognitive function in favor of the experimental groups (p = 0.010). In contrast, no significant improvements were found for TMT-A (p = 0.51) and TMT-B (p = 0.37). No significant differences were reported for the other variables studied. Conclusions: Cognitive function, as measured by the MMSE, showed significant improvements, while the interventions analyzed did not produce significant improvements in ADL or physical function among older people with MCI. Individual studies suggest that programs that integrate both cognitive stimulation and physical activity components may provide some benefits.

This study aims to compare the effects of standard warm-up versus warm-up using stretching exercises on the physical performance of male youth soccer players. Eighty-five male soccer players (age: 10.3 ± 4.3 years; body mass index: 19.8 ± 4.3 kg/m²) were assessed for countermovement jump height (CMJ, cm), 10 m, 20 m and 30 m running sprint speed (s) and ball kicking speed (km/h) for the dominant and non-dominant leg under five (randomized) warm-up conditions. Using 72 h of recovery between conditions, the participants completed a control condition (CC) and four experimental conditions, including static stretching (SSC), dynamic stretching (DSC), ballistic stretching (BSC), and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNFC) exercises. All warm-up conditions had a duration of 10 minutes. The main results indicate that no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between warm-up conditions compared to CC in CMJ (CC = 28.1 ± 4.9; SSC = 28.4 ± 4.9; DSC = 30.9 ± 4.8; BSC = 30.9 ± 5.2; PNFC = 28.4 ± 5.0), 10 m sprint (CC = 2.42 ± 0.4; SSC = 2.50 ± 0.4; DSC = 2.30 ± 0.3; BSC = 2.27 ± 0.3; PNFC = 2.53 ± 0.4), 20 m sprint (CC = 5.42 ± 0.9; SSC = 5.59 ± 0.9; DSC = 5.37 ± 0.9; BSC = 5.40 ± 0.9; PNFC = 5.44 ± 0.9), 30 m sprint (CC = 8.05 ± 1.3; SSC = 8.27 ± 1.3; DSC = 8.01 ± 1.3; BSC = 8.00 ± 1.3; PNFC = 8.12 ± 1.3), ball kicking speed for dominant (CC = 56.2 ± 4.9; SSC = 55.3 ± 5.2; DSC = 56.9 ± 5.8; BSC = 57.3 ± 5.8; PNFC = 55.7 ± 5.2) and non-dominant leg (CC = 52.8 ± 3.4; SSC = 51.8 ± 4.6; DSC = 53.5 ± 5.4; BSC = 53.6 ± 4.9; PNFC = 52.5 ± 4.0). In conclusion, compared to standard warm-up, stretching-based warm-up exerts no effect on male youth soccer players jump height, sprint speed and ball kicking speed.

This study aimed to identify the relationship between body composition (fat-free mass and body fat percentage) and physical performance (countermovement jump, CMJ; throwing ball; maximal isometric handgrip strength, MIHS dominant and non-dominant hands; 10-m and 20-m sprints with and without ball) in Chilean professional basketball players. Its secondary aim was to analyze if there were differences in body composition and physical performance according to sex. This was a cross-sectional study that analyzed 23 professional basketball players with a mean age of 24.0 ± 4.92 years, distributed among male professional basketball players (male professional BPs, n = 12) and female professional basketball players (female professional BPs, n = 14). The main results indicate the correlation presented significant relationships between fat-free mass with CMJ (r = 0.760; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.43), MIHS dominant hand (r = 0.783; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.50) and MIHS non-dominant hand (r = 0.805; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.85), throwing ball (r = 0.586; p = 0.001; ES = 0.56), 10 m sprint with ball (r = −0.510; p = 0.007; ES = 0.35), and 20 m sprint with ball (r = −0.143; p = 0.046; ES = 0.16). As did body fat percentage with CMJ (r = −0.647; p = 0.000; ES = 0.56), throwing the ball (r = −0.657; p = 0.000; ES = 0.58), MIHS dominant hand (r = −0.745; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.17), and MIHS non-dominant hand (r = −0.820; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.50). In conclusion, body composition is related to physical performance in professional basketball players. Meanwhile, male professional BPs had better body composition and physical performance than female professional BPs.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the available body of published peer-reviewed articles related to the effects of Olympic combat sports (OCS), compared with active/passive controls, on balance, fall risk, or falls in older adults. The TESTEX and GRADE scales assessed the methodological quality and certainty of the evidence. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42020204034). From 1496 records, eight studies were included, involving 322 older adults (64% female; mean age = 71.1 years). The TESTEX scale revealed all studies with a score ≥ 60% (moderate-high quality). The GRADE scale indicated all studies with at least some concerns, up to a high risk of bias (i.e., was rated very low). Meta-analyses were planned, although the reduced number of studies precluded its incorporation in the final manuscript. Only two from six studies that assessed balance found improvements after OCS compared to controls. No differences were found between OCS vs. control groups for fall risk or falls. The available evidence does not allow a definitive recommendation for or against OCS interventions as an effective strategy to improve balance and reduce the fall risk or falls in older adults. Therefore, more high-quality studies are required to draw definitive conclusions.

Background/Objectives: This systematic review with meta-analysis synthesizes current evidence on the effectiveness of non-immersive virtual reality (VR) interventions in enhancing gross motor function, balance, and functional independence in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: A systematic search was performed across six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to July 2025. Primary outcomes included gross motor function (GMFM-D/E), balance (Pediatric Balance Scale, PBS), and functional independence (WeeFIM). Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated with GRADE. Results: From 1233 retrieved records, 13 RCTs involving 624 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Pooled analyses demonstrated significant improvements with non-immersive VR in gross motor function (GMFM-D: ES = 2.04, p = 0.02; GMFM-E: ES = 2.02, p < 0.001), balance (PBS: ES = 1.34, p = 0.02), and functional independence (WeeFIM: ES = 0.99, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Non-immersive VR interventions were associated with meaningful gains in gross motor function, balance, and independence in children with CP. Significant differences were consistently observed in GMFM-D, GMFM-E, PBS, and WeeFIM outcomes when compared with control groups.