Sarcopenia and physical frailty are interconnected geriatric syndromes that frequently coexist in older adults, sharing common pathophysiological pathways. However, their early detection in community settings is limited by resource constraints and by the lack of simplified, scalable diagnostic tools. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence and overlap of sarcopenia and frailty in a real-world public health screening programme and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a pragmatic two-step algorithm. In September 2025, a total of 256 consecutive community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years underwent standardized assessment using the SARC-F questionnaire, handgrip strength dynamometry, and selective bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Sarcopenia was defined according to 2019 EWGSOP2 criteria, and frailty according to the Fried phenotype. Confirmed sarcopenia was identified in 37 participants (14.5%, 95% CI 10.7–19.1%) and frailty in 31 (12.1%, 95% CI 8.6–16.7%), with substantial overlap (77.4% of frail individuals also had sarcopenia; Cohen’s κ = 0.62). The two-step algorithm (Step 1: SARC-F ≥ 4; Step 2: handgrip strength and BIA only in screen-positive participants) demonstrated excellent accuracy for confirmed sarcopenia (AUC 0.913, 95% CI 0.871–0.955), with sensitivity 91.9%, specificity 81.3%, and a 53.9% reduction in BIA use. Factors independently associated with confirmed sarcopenia included older age, BMI < 22 kg/m², physical inactivity, and higher SARC-F score. A simple, function-centered two-step approach enables efficient and scalable identification of sarcopenia and frailty in community settings, supporting early preventive strategies to preserve physical function.

Background: Rare diseases constitute a heterogeneous group of approximately 7000–8000 conditions, distinguished by their low prevalence. Collectively, they present a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is estimated that rare diseases affect approximately 10% of the global population, which places a significant burden on individuals, families, and society. It is, therefore, important to consider strategies to improve the overall well-being and quality of life of individuals with rare diseases. One potential avenue for exploration is the incorporation of physical activity (PA). The scope of this study was to ascertain whether PA has a positive impact on measures of well-being and to determine its potential to enhance the quality of life of these individuals. Methods: The data were collected via an online survey. The one-way ANOVA test for multiple groups and multivariate Poisson models were employed to identify the significant predictors of the outcomes of interest. Results: The protective effects of PA become evident with a minimum of six hours of activity per week. Our data confirm that the weekly hours devoted to PA can serve as a significant protective factor for QoL. The study also provided some insights into the motivations behind patients’ engagement in PA. These included improving QoL and physical well-being, as well as the desire to interact socially, with the goal of meeting friends or making new acquaintances. Finally, for adults and older adults, engaging in PA can also be a way to control weight. Conclusions: It is becoming increasingly clear that individuals with rare diseases stand to benefit greatly from PA, so it is only sensible to educate them on the advantages of an active lifestyle.

Background: Evidence regarding the longitudinal use of infrared thermography in elite under-18 soccer players remains limited. Most previous studies have relied on cross-sectional designs or short observation periods. Methods: This prospective longitudinal observational study monitored 18 elite under-18 male outfield soccer players across 16 official matches (96 valid assessments). Thermographic evaluations were performed 48 h post-match under standardized conditions across six bilateral lower-limb regions. A thermal asymmetry was defined as relevant if ΔTsk ≥ 0.5 °C. Linear mixed-effects models, paired t-tests and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Relevant asymmetries were detected in 79.2% of assessments (mean maximum ΔTsk 0.77 ± 0.43 °C). Posterior Thigh BF (40.6%) and Posterior Thigh ST (35.4%) showed the highest prevalence (χ² = 16.31, p = 0.006). Significant side-to-side differences were found for Anterior Thigh (p = 0.004), Adductor (p = 0.039) and Posterior Thigh BF (p = 0.032). The intraclass correlation coefficient for Thermal Asymmetry Burden was very low (ICC = 0.024). Fifteen athletes (83.3%) showed recurrent asymmetry and 13 (72.2%) showed a recurrent same-region pattern. Match-to-match variation in TAB was significant (Kruskal–Wallis p = 0.025; ANOVA p = 0.011). No time-loss muscle injuries occurred. Conclusions: Post-match thermal asymmetries are highly prevalent in elite youth soccer and appear to reflect dynamic, load-dependent recovery responses rather than stable thermal phenotypes. Longitudinal thermographic monitoring may help characterise individual recovery patterns when interpreted alongside other monitoring tools.