Sprinting is a competitive event in athletics that requires a combination of speed, power, agility, and balance. This study investigated the relationship between dynamic balance, jumping ability, and agility with 100 m sprinting performance in athletes with intellectual disabilities, addressing an underexplored connection. A sample of 27 sprinters with intellectual disabilities participated in this study and completed 100 m sprint and various tests, including the Y Balance Test (YBT), the Crossover hop test, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and t-test to evaluate their dynamic balance, jumping ability, and agility, respectively. The findings revealed significant negative correlations between the YBT, Crossover hop test, SJ, and CMJ and 100 m sprint performance (r range: −0.41 to −0.79, p < 0.05). Regression analysis identified these variables as significant predictors (R² = 0.69; p < 0.01). SJ exhibited the strongest association with 100 m sprint performance, (R² = 0.62, p < 0.01). The agility t-test did not show a significant association. The combination of the YBT ANT and SJ demonstrated a predictive capability for 100 m sprint performance (R² = 0.67, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study revealed predictive capabilities between dynamic balance, jumping ability, and 100 m sprint performance in sprinters with intellectual disabilities.

Coordination abilities have a considerable influence on the acquisition and improvement of specific elements and their stability. They enable the execution of motor acts in various conditions with high efficiency and determine the performance of movements in optimal conditions. The main purpose of this research was to highlight the most appropriate means of training that would lead to improved balance and general coordination among junior female gymnasts aged 10-12. The study was conducted on a sample of 13 female gymnasts between September 2020 and January 2021. The tests applied were the following: Flamingo test, Standing static balance test, and Matorin test. The training programs included means for improving balance and general coordination, namely: maintaining the body in static positions on a small support surface, maintaining body stability in balance positions, maintaining body balance while performing acrobatic elements, and changing body positions depending on the working level. The results were interpreted using the ANOVA test and t-test. The Flamingo test indicated a significant change in results, with t = 19.13 (p ˂ 0.0001); in the Standing static balance test, the value improved, with t = 10.58 (p ˂ 0.0001); the results in the Matorin test recorded significant progress, with F = 6.854 (p ˂ 0.0001). Given the results obtained, it can be stated that the training programs applied to junior female gymnasts have proven to be effective tools for improving the coordination abilities analyzed in this study.

Introduction: Sprinting performance has been shown to depend on multiple physiological variables, among which age and start reaction capacity may exert a major influence. Since hundredths of a second can decide the outcome of sprint races, understanding these factors has been considered essential. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationships between athletes’ age, reaction times at the start, and sprint performance, based on data from the last five editions of the World Athletics Championships. Materials and Methods: Official data on age, reaction times, and final results of athletes who competed in the 100 m and 200 m events (male and female) were collected and processed. Correlation statistical analyses were performed to identify potential associations between the studied variables. Results: Preliminary results showed a trend of increasing reaction times with age, as well as an association between faster reaction times and superior sprint performance. Discussion: These findings were consistent with previous studies that reported an association between increasing age and a progressive decline in reaction speed and sprint performance (Collet, 1999; Tønnessen et al., 2013; Haugen et al., 2019). Those studies showed that athletes typically reached peak sprint performance between the ages of 20 and 27, after which reaction times tended to increase, and maximal sprinting speed gradually declined. Conclusions: Age and reaction time appear to be relevant predictive factors for sprint performance and should be considered in the selection and training strategies of elite athletes.

Background and Objectives: Muscle hypertrophy and strength increase are significantly influenced by the distribution of muscle fiber types in individuals. Individuals exposed to similar training intensity in fitness and bodybuilding exhibit different levels of adaptation suggesting that muscle fiber type may influence training outcomes. The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the strength development that occurs in fitness and bodybuilding athletes with different muscle fiber types (Type I, Type II, and Mixed) following a standardized resistance training program. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design based on a single-group pre-test–post-test model, with no control group. A total of 48 male athletes aged 19–26 years (22.75 ± 1.68) who had been regularly training in fitness and bodybuilding for at least two years voluntarily participated in the study. Muscle fiber types of the participants were indirectly estimated based on the number of repetitions performed at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press exercise, and individuals were divided into three groups: Type I, Type II, and mixed. All participants underwent a resistance training program for 6 weeks, 3 days a week, at 80% 1RM intensity and in the range of 8–12 repetitions. Data were analyzed using Shapiro–Wilk normality test, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, and Mann–Whitney U. Results: The findings showed statistically significant increases between pre-test and post-test measurements in all groups. When percentage improvements were examined, the highest increase was observed in individuals with Type II muscle fiber type, and the lowest increase was observed in individuals with Type I muscle fiber type. Conclusions: In conclusion, the findings indicate that resistance training increases strength development in all muscle fiber types, but the level of development differs depending on the muscle fiber type. These findings highlight the importance of training programs based on individual muscle fiber type characteristics.

Background: Effective playing time (EPT) is a crucial determinant of the physical, technical, and cognitive development of young soccer players. Reducing match interruptions may enhance game rhythm and support player progression. This study examined the effects of a rapid-restart protocol, based on the availability of spare balls (SB), on EPT, sprint performance, and agility in young Tunisian players. Methods: Sixty male youth players (aged 11–16) from a Tunisian first-division club were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG, n = 30) or a control group (CG, n = 30) across three age categories (U12, U14, U16). The EG played 10 weekly matches using the rapid-restart protocol, while the CG competed under standard conditions. Sprint performance (5 m, 10 m, 20 m) and agility (Illinois Agility Test, IAT) were assessed at baseline (T0), mid-intervention (T1), and post-intervention (T2). EPT was determined through video analysis. Results: Compared with controls, the EG showed significant improvements in sprint (5 m and 20 m) and IAT performance across all age categories (p < 0.01). EPT increased, providing additional opportunities for ball-in-play exposure during matches. The protocol also reduced contact between ball retrievers and players, thereby improving safety and minimizing interruptions. Conclusions: The rapid-restart protocol (RRP) effectively increased EPT and was associated with improvements in sprint and agility performance. Whether these improvements were mediated by changes in match intensity or physiological load remains to be determined. Its simplicity, low cost, and safety benefits make it a practical strategy for coaches, organizers, and the Tunisian Football Federation. This approach may represent a practical organizational strategy for improving match continuity and EPT during youth soccer competitions.