Background/Objectives: This study addresses the growing interest in nutritional supplements that improve athletic performance in endurance sports. Previous research suggests that nitrates in beetroot juice enhance blood vessel dilation and oxygen delivery to muscles. However, the effects of these nitrates on cardiopulmonary performance in female athletes remain underexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of beetroot juice supplementation on aerobic work capacity in female endurance athletes. Methods: A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was conducted to assess aerobic work capacity. Eighteen healthy female endurance athletes (22.9 ± 5.6 years) participated in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group (placebo group n = 9), which received a nitrate-free placebo beverage, and the experimental group (beetroot juice group n = 9), which consumed 50 mL of beetroot juice concentrate (~6.2 mmol nitrate) two and a half hours before the second test. Results: The results showed that the beetroot juice group demonstrated significant improvements in minute ventilation (VE), respiratory equivalents (VE/VO₂ and VE/VCO₂), and heart rate (HR) (p < 0.05). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) increased by 4.82% in the beetroot juice group (from 35.24 ± 5.07 to 36.94 ± 4.91 mL·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹), whereas a small decrease was observed in the placebo group. Conclusions: These findings indicate that beetroot juice may be an effective ergogenic aid, enhancing oxygen utilization and energy production during exercise in female athletes. In terms of practical applications, beetroot juice could contribute to improved athletic performance and serve as a valuable addition to athletes’ nutritional plans. Future studies should explore the long-term effects, optimal dosages, and duration of supplementation in larger and more diverse populations.

Physical activity among adults and adolescents do not meet the recommendations of WHO. Many studies focus on investigation of physical activity in students and the role of self-efficacy as important factor in predicting physical activity behaviour. Aim of the study was to determine the role of self-efficacy in physical activity in students. A literature review has been conducted to determine the self-efficacy measurements in physical activity studies and to determine factors related to self-efficacy and physical activity. Through search in the PubMed database 206 records were identified and 24 articles were included in further analysis. Thirteen studies used the General Self-Efficacy Scale [GSES] to measure self-efficacy level. Two studies considered The Exercise Self-Efficacy scale [ESES] focusing specifically on physical activity. Other studies considered different self-efficacy measurement tools including separate questions about physical activity self-efficacy as part of the questionnaire or survey used in the study. One study focused on emotional self-efficacy measures. Other factors investigated in relation to self-efficacy and physical activity were health beliefs, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, academic behaviour, academic procrastination, academic burnout, emotional intelligence, subjective well-being, Self-control, motivation and addiction, self-esteem, body image, sense of inferiority, and social support.

It is important to integrate knowledge about the need for physical activities (PA) in the prevention and care of human health in nursing study programs so that nurses can promote PA among their patients. This study aims to evaluate the PA habits of Latvian nursing students. Participants were students of three universities in Latvia who were enrolled in a four-year bachelor study program, “Nursing”, with a total of 341 after the data cleaning (population size n = 1554). The questionnaire contained questions about sociodemographic variables derived from the survey of the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia “Health Behaviour among Latvian Adult Population”, habits of PA, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. The data were collected between September and November 2021. Both descriptive and inferential statistics (difference between groups, correlation, and association tests) were calculated to analyse the data. Of the study population, 39% did not reach the minimum WHO-recommended PA. Increased PA level in the later study years is related to more frequent engagement in work and fewer table activities in the curriculum study process, but the higher intensity and total PA could be related to the specifics of nurse and nurse assistant work, which could be especially intense due to the overloaded health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Accurate assessment of aerobic capacity is essential for performance monitoring in masters athletes, particularly in high-intensity team sports. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity and agreement of three indirect maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) protocols (Åstrand–Ryhming, YMCA, and Polar OwnIndex Fitness test) against the gold-standard cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in masters basketball players. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study included 50 male masters basketball players (aged 51–81 years, M = 64.3 ± 7.9). Validity was determined by comparing results from the three indirect protocols to direct VO₂max measurement via CPET. Agreement was assessed using Pearson correlations (r), systematic error, mean absolute error (MAE), and Bland–Altman limits of agreement. Results: The Åstrand–Ryhming test and YMCA tests showed the closest agreement with CPET (systematic error < 4%, MAE ≈ 17–18%, r > 0.50). The Polar OwnIndex test substantially overestimated VO₂max (mean error ≈ 30%, MAE = 32%). The Åstrand–Ryhming test at low workload yielded the strongest correlation (r = 0.75). Conclusions: The Åstrand–Ryhming and YMCA submaximal tests demonstrated acceptable validity and low systematic bias for estimating VO₂max in masters basketball players, positioning them as practical alternatives to CPET. Conversely, the Polar OwnIndex test showed poor agreement and clinically significant overestimation. These findings support the use of submaximal cycling protocols for fitness monitoring and tailored training prescription in this specific older athlete population. Future longitudinal research is warranted to confirm their ability to track fitness changes over time in this population.

Physical activity plays a critical role in health and well-being, particularly during students’ academic development. This study explores the relationship between self-efficacy and physical activity among physiotherapy students, recognizing self-efficacy as a key factor influencing exercise behavior. Despite awareness of physical activity’s benefits, academic demands may hinder participation, reducing confidence in maintaining an active lifestyle. A total of 244 physiotherapy students (mean age 24.44 ± 7.56 years) completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The results showed that the self-efficacy scores ranged from 17 to 40, with a mean of 30.44 (±3.93), indicating moderate to high levels. In terms of activity, 40.3% of students reported sufficient activity (high level), 51.7% reported moderate activity (meeting minimum guidelines), and 8.05% reported insufficient (low) activity. Self-efficacy positively correlated with age (r = 0.199, p < 0.01) and education level (r = 0.191, p < 0.01), and negatively with employment (r = –0.171, p < 0.05). Physical activity was significantly associated with self-efficacy (r = 0.217, p < 0.01). These findings underscore the importance of fostering self-efficacy to promote physical activity, highlighting the need for targeted strategies within academic settings to support student well-being and healthier lifestyle choices.

Background. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a key health indicator, particularly for physiotherapy students who are expected to model healthy behaviors. Objectives. The objective of the study was to analyze CRF trends among physiotherapy students over the period from 2007 to 2023 and to assess variations in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) across gender and body mass index (BMI) categories. Materials and Methods. Secondary data from 2007–2009 and 2010–2012 were compared with primary data collected in 2022–2023. CRF was measured using a submaximal Monark Ergomedic 839E cycle ergometer test in 242 students (aged 18–25 years). Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, and non-parametric tests (p < 0.05). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for between-group comparisons and Spearman’s correlation — to assess trends over time. Results. Over half of male (52%) and female (63%) participants had CRF levels below the reference values. Female students showed a significant VO2 max decline in 2022–2023 compared to 2007–2009 (mean difference = 1.78 ml/min/kg, p < 0.05), while no trend was observed in males. Students with BMI > 25 kg/m² had significantly lower VO2 max than those with BMI ≤ 25 kg/m² (p < 0.05). Conclusions. These findings highlight the need for targeted fitness programs for female students and those with elevated BMI. Future research should explore lifestyle factors and intervention strategies to improve CRF in students. This study provides foundational data for future research on the relationship between CRF, clinical skills, and patient satisfaction among physiotherapy students.