Studies have proven the effectiveness of different weight-bearing exercise interventions for diabetic patients with neuropathy; however, several adverse effects were reported using solid surfaces. Thus, in the present study, we investigated the effects of a novel sand exercise training intervention on biomechanical and functional parameters in seven diabetic patients (age = 62.7 ± 9.7 years) with neuropathy. Patients underwent a 12-week sand exercise training program, using strengthening, stretching, balance, and gait exercises. They were tested for ankle plantar- and dorsiflexion peak torque, active range of motion (ROM), timed up and go (TUG), and bilateral static balance. EMG activity of tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), and lateralis (GL) muscles were measured during unilateral isometric contraction in plantar- and dorsiflexion. In the intervention period, plantarflexion peak torque improved significantly (p = 0.033), while dorsiflexion torque remained unchanged. Plantar- and dorsiflexion ROM increased (p = 0.032) and (p = 0.021), respectively. EMG activity of GM (p = 0.005) and GL (p = 0.002) measured during dorsiflexion and postural sway in the balance test, as well as time to complete the TUG test, decreased significantly (p = 0.021) and (p = 0.002), respectively. No adverse effect was reported during the intervention period. We concluded that sand exercise training can be a safe and effective method to improve plantarflexion strength, ankle flexibility, and balance, which is reflected in better gait function in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Football is a multifaceted sport in which cognitive function plays a crucial role alongside physical performance in overall athletic success. However, widely adopted warm-up protocols primarily target motor skills, with minimal attention to cognitive readiness. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of motor–cognitive warm-up protocols incorporating auditory and visual stimuli on various cognitive and motor skills in youth male football players. Twenty-four male players (age = 8.56 ± 0.33 years) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 8): motor–verbal (MVEG), motor–visual (MVIG), and motor-only. Each player completed one warm-up session followed by four performance tests. All groups completed the same football-specific warm-up exercises, differing only in instruction modality: pre-given for MG, verbal (auditory) for MVEG, and visual for MVIG. Immediately after the warm-up, participants completed the Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT), Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT), Illinois Ball Test (IBT), and t-test. Significant group differences were found in SCWT error rate (p = 0.009), LSPT time (p = 0.001), IBT time (p = 0.036), and t-test time (p = 0.003). Across these tests, seven outcome measures were recorded: SCWT completion time and error rate, LSPT total time (finishing time plus penalties), IBT completion time and error rate, and t-test completion time. No differences were observed in SCWT completion time or IBT error rate. MVEG outperformed the other groups in most tests, except the LSPT, where MVIG achieved the best performance. MG showed the lowest overall performance, except in the t-test. Warm-up protocols incorporating cognitive stimuli can immediately improve motor and executive performance.

Pull-ups are a widely recognized exercise for training and assessing upper-body strength and muscular endurance, requiring coordinated activation of the latissimus dorsi, biceps brachii, forearm flexors, and core stabilizers. However, many individuals experience difficulty performing pull-ups due to inadequate grip strength or core stability. This study aimed to investigate the comparative effects of forearm-specific and core-specific training, combined with standardized pull-up routines, on upper-body performance indicators in physically inactive male students. Thirty participants (age = 21 ± 1.58 years) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 10): pull-up plus interval training (PIT), pull-up plus forearm training (PFT), and pull-up plus core training (PCT). All groups performed identical pull-up-based programs for eight weeks, differing only in the supplemental exercises. Before and after the intervention, participants were tested for maximum pull-up repetitions, grip strength (both hands), and dead-hanging time. Significant improvements were found in all variables (p ≤ 0.009), with group differences in pull-up repetitions (p < 0.001) and right-hand grip strength (p = 0.004). The PFT group achieved the greatest gains, with a 222.5% increase in repetitions, 12% and 14.0% increases in right- and left-hand grip strength, and a 55.3% increase in hanging time. The PCT group showed moderate progress, while PIT yielded the smallest improvement. Forearm-specific training proved the most effective strategy for enhancing pull-up performance, grip strength, and endurance.

Egy nemzetközi kezdeményezésre Magyarországon is elindult egy országos felmérés, mely a Covid-19 járvány egészségügyi és életviteli hatásait vizsgálta egy kérdőív segítségével. A kutatás első fázisában, 2023 januárjától augusztus közepéig, 788 felnőtt vett részt a kérdőívek kitöltésében, melynek célja a lakosság körében szubjektív és objektív adatok gyűjtése volt. A kutatási módszertan kialakításánál a nemzetközi kutatócsoport figyelembe vette a korábbi tapasztalatokat és a Covid-járvánnyal kapcsolatos kutatások eredményeit. A magyarországi statisztikai adatok és kérdőíves vizsgálatok alapján megállapítható, hogy a járvány jelentősen befolyásolta a lakosság életét, többek között egészségtelen táplálkozási szokások és testsúlynövekedés, stressz és aggodalom növekedése, valamint az egészségérzet változása tapasztalható. A kutatások többsége kérdőíves felméréseken alapult, melynek célja a különböző demográfiai csoportoknál megfigyelt életviteli és egészségügyi jellemzők közötti összefüggések feltárása. A vizsgálat egy holisztikus megközelítésen alapul, mely nemcsak a szociodemográfiai adatokat, hanem a felnőttek rekreációs szokásait, élettel való elégedettségüket, valamint fizikai és mentális egészségük érzetét is vizsgálja. Az alkalmazott kérdőívekkel végzett korábbi mérések igazolták, hogy ezek a módszerek alkalmasak egy adott társadalmi helyzet következményeinek megértésére, fontos tanulságokat adva a járvány megelőzéséhez és kezeléséhez.

This study compared health-conscious behaviors, dietary patterns, supplement use, and body image dissatisfaction among amateur female fitness competitors in lower-demand categories and recreational gym users. A total of 199 participants completed a self-constructed and validated questionnaire (BSQ-34). Fitness competitors trained more frequently and followed seasonally variable diets, with stricter adherence during competition periods. Although both groups showed health awareness, competitors prioritized performance, while recreational athletes emphasized long-term well-being. Supplement use was significantly higher among competitors, who favored effectiveness over natural composition. Recreational athletes preferred natural ingredients and were more concerned about side effects. Despite healthier routines, recreational athletes reported greater body dissatisfaction, likely influenced by aesthetic goals and social media. Findings reveal that even in lower-demand categories, competition preparation involves health-compromising practices similar to bodybuilding. In contrast, recreational athletes maintain consistent health-oriented behaviors. These results highlight the need for education and support to promote sustainable health practices in fitness sport environments.

Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) is commonly used in functional screening related to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk; however, assessments often rely on peak valgus alone despite the combined influence of knee valgus and flexion on knee loading. This study compared knee kinematics and vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs) between single-leg landing (SLL) and single-leg countermovement jump (SL-CMJ), focusing on peak knee valgus, knee flexion at peak valgus, valgus angular velocity, knee flexion-normalized valgus, and GRFs. Physically active, asymptomatic female participants (n = 30) performed both the SLL and SL-CMJ tasks. Knee kinematics and GRFs were recorded using motion-tracking sensors and a force platform. Peak knee valgus did not differ between tasks. Compared with SL-CMJ, SLL produced 24% less knee flexion at peak valgus, 17% greater knee flexion-normalized valgus, 254% higher valgus angular velocity, and 124% higher GRFs (all p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate task-dependent differences in landing mechanics that are not captured by peak knee valgus alone. Assessing knee valgus together with knee flexion and its temporal development may provide a more comprehensive characterization of potentially relevant knee-loading mechanics. The high valgus angular velocities observed during SLL may also inform the development of velocity-specific neuromuscular training strategies.