Volleyball primarily focuses on technical and tactical training with a ball. However, there is growing interest in integrating fitness training into volleyball practice, particularly to enhance explosive strength through plyometric methods, but there is a lack of a direct scientific comparison between training with and without the ball. This study aimed to compare the effects of two training protocols on volleyball players. One protocol combined plyometric exercises with technical gestures (wall drills) using the ball, while the other protocol excluded the ball during plyometric exercises. Twenty male volleyball players (aged 18.6 ± 0.3 years, height 189.8 ± 2.2 cm, weight 79.4 ± 1.6 kg) were divided into experimental (with ball) and control (without ball) groups. The analysis of the results highlights significant improvements in both the squat jumps (SJs) and the countermovement jumps with arm swing (CMJas) for both groups. While there were no significant differences between the groups for SJ, significant differences emerged in CMJas, indicating varied training effects. Specifically, the interaction effect was significant (p = 0.004), demonstrating a meaningful distinction in performance improvements between the two groups. The effect size of the interaction is moderate (η_p² = 0.37, 95% CI: 0; 0.91). These results suggest that incorporating a ball into plyometric training can be beneficial for developing explosive strength in a different way, thereby improving performance due to the motivational stimulus provided. However, given the specificity of the sample and the training protocols used, further studies are needed to confirm these results and evaluate their applicability to a larger sample of volleyball players.

Objectives. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of sport-specific educational proposals in school-age sports, currently used in planning of sports activities, such as game-based karate training, on social interactions and improving perceptions of one’s motor skills. Materials and methods. The sample consisted of 34 children from the Comprehensive Institute “Matilde Serao” in Ortona, Chieti, attending the third classes of the Primary School, in the school year 2023/2024. The method used was based on the Karate Sport Game protocols in conjunction with the dissemination of the ethical principles inherent to the martial arts. A questionnaire was developed for the purpose of assessing the learners’ levels of satisfaction, as well as the perceptions they had about themselves and in relation to others during this training intervention. Results. In the post-implementation evaluation of the educational proposals’ results, it was shown that 94.1% of participants had a positive experience engaging in the Game-Karate activities, 82.3% reported feeling significantly supported by the Instructors during the project, and 94.1% were very satisfied with the activities. The application of the Chi-Square test revealed two significant relationships with respect to the concept of opportunity for interaction with all peers. The first pertained to the participants’ overall satisfaction with the karate instructional project (p=0.006), while the second concerned the concept of improving teamwork (p=0.006). Conclusion. The findings indicate that Karate Game had a beneficial impact on the participants’ emotional sphere, involvement, perceived improvement in motor skills, and group dynamics. In addition, the significant relationships found underscore the importance of social interaction and collaboration in the context of physical activity. These results suggest that playful and participatory approach to the training process in Karate classes can be a valuable resource for the comprehensive development of children’s personality and motor skills during the developmental age.

Karate is divided into two disciplines, Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring), both of which are strongly influenced by the function of the tibiotarsal joint. However, the performance model differences between the two have not yet been thoroughly explored. The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in ankle range of motion between Kata and Kumite, investigating the correlations between joint mobility, elastic strength, and Rate of Force Development (RFD). The sample consisted of 36 athletes, of male sex, evenly split between the two disciplines, who underwent a specific training protocol for three months. Three tests were administered: Weight Bearing Lunge, Counter Movement Jump, and Squat Jump. Data were analysed using Pearson’s correlation. In the Kata group, a moderate negative correlation emerged between ankle ROM and elastic strength (R = −0.521), and between ankle ROM and RFD (R = −0.570). In the Kumite group, the correlations were weakly negative: R = −0.261 for elastic strength and R = −0.257 for RFD. Greater ankle mobility, typical of Kata, appears to be associated with lower explosive capabilities, whereas more limited mobility in Kumite correlates with higher reactive strength and a faster rate of force development.

Background and Study Aim. Technological advancements are increasingly integrated into sports training to enhance athletic performance. Despite these developments, optimising sprint performance and muscular endurance in youth football players remains a challenge. The introduction of technologies such as the Sprint Resister offers potential new solutions, but its effectiveness for this age group has not been thoroughly investigated, and currently, there is a lack of research analysing its specific effectiveness in young football players. This study evaluates the efficacy of the Sprint Resister in a sample of 18-year-old football players. Materials and Methods. Using a pre-post experimental design with a control group, the study involved 20 players who were randomly assigned to either the Sprint Resister group or a conventional training group. Over an 8-week period, the experimental group performed resistance-enhanced sprint drills, while the control group followed a standard training regimen. Performance was assessed using the Microgate Witty detection system, measuring speeds at 5, 10, 20, and 30 metres. Paired t-tests compared pre- and post-training results within each group, and independent t-tests compared performance changes between the experimental and control groups. Results. The results revealed significant improvements in acceleration and top speed for the Sprint Resister group, with an average 15% increase in overall physical performance compared to the control group. These improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion. These findings suggest that the Sprint Resister is an effective tool for improving the fundamental performance capabilities of young football players, which are essential in modern football.

The present study will assess workers’ perceptions of the benefits of exercise and their awareness of the usefulness of performing it during working hours. The sample consists of 40 employees, in a small and medium-sized business, equipped with a gymnasium that gives the opportunity to exercise internally for 12 months. Convenience sampling was used, having direct access to employees through contact with the owner. A specially developed questionnaire was then administered to participants to collect detailed information on their fitness habits, perceptions of the benefits of exercise, and awareness of the usefulness of performing exercise activities in the workplace. Post-administration of the questionnaire indicated that 87.5% believed that exercise was important for health, 82.5% believed that having the opportunity to exercise in the workplace would boost mental and physical well-being and productivity. Following the application of the ChiSquare test, a first significant relationship was found between employees’ perceptions regarding the usefulness of implementing exercise in the work and non-work context (p=.041). A second relationship was found between the possibility of performing exercise at work and the desire to be more physically fit (p=.002). It is shown that the possibility of performing exercise at workplaces gives way to practice at least the recommended daily amount of movement, making workers perceive the benefits of this practice and its repercussions in the work context.

Objectives. The study aimed to test an agile monitoring tool to correlate physical activity levels for the 2 target age groups of school education with energy consumption. Materials and methods. The sample consisted of 42 students, divided into two age-based groups: between 5 and 8 years of 24 and between 13 and 16 years of 18. Both were administered the adapted International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), comprising ten questions, the first of which distinguished active athletes from others participants. The remaining nine questions were divided into sections: “intense activities,” “moderate activities,” and “walking only.” The data on the amount of physical activity undertaken in the past seven days were converted to energy expenditure through the evaluative unit of Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET). Results. For subjects between 5-8 years who were active in sports, the weekly average was 3355.2 METs, with 1577 for intense activities, 1617 for moderate activities, and 159.7 for walking. Among subjects in the 13-16 years age group who were active in sports, the weekly average was 3799.5 METs, with 3376 for intense activities, 577.6 for moderate activities, and 529.9 for walking. For the same age group who were not engaged in sports activity, the weekly average was594.5 METs, with 20 for intense activities, 360 for moderate activities, and 214.5 for walking. Conclusions. The findings show that it is possible to use the physical activity monitoring tool proposed in the study, with the measurement of METs.