Individuals with intellectual disability are less physically active than individuals without intellectual disabilities, and rarely reach the recommended daily level of physical activity. There is sufficient scientific evidence for the beneficial effects of exercise on the cardiovascular and muscular fitness of young adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities. To assess the impact of leisure physical activity on the physical fitness of adults with intellectual disabilities. 21 people (35,4 ± 11,61 years) with intellectual disabilities were allocated to two groups: I group (mean age 32,14 ± 9 years, 2 months, 1 t/week) and group II (mean age 38,25 ± 13,39 years, 2 months, 2 t/week). At the baseline and at the end of the intervention, the cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-body muscular strength and endurance, mobility and balance were assessed with 6-min walking (6MWT), lateral step-up (LSUT), sit-to-stand (30CST), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Tinetti balance tests. Both groups showed improvements in cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, and balance. Significant improvements were observed in Group I in the TUG (p = 0.002), LSUT (p = 0.001), and 6MWT (p = 0.004) results. Group II also demonstrated progress in TUG (p = 0.010), LSUT (p = 0.008), and 6MWT (p = 0.012), though they did not reach recommended physical activity benchmarks. Significant differences between the groups were observed in leg strength and mobility (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that short-term, low-frequency interventions may be insufficient for individuals with low baseline fitness. This study fills a gap in the literature by focusing on young adults with ID and shows that leisure PA can yield meaningful functional improvements. However, higher frequency and longer-duration interventions are likely needed to achieve recommended physical activity levels. The findings offer practical insights for developing inclusive, evidence-based PA programs for this underserved population. For individuals with intellectual disabilities, physical capability is often assessed through abilities essential to daily living-such as coordination, balance, muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. As people age, functional strength and exercise tolerance tend to decline. This study showed that in young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, leisure physical activity improves fitness and mobility and can reduce some cardiovascular risk factors. Programs should prioritize exercises that improve gait, balance, and physical function to lower fall risk and support greater independence. These findings highlight that leisure physical activity is a simple, cost-effective way to promote health in this population.

Background: Dysfunctional breathing patterns may impair autonomic regulation and increase perceived stress. Breathing-based interventions, particularly those involving guided exercises and supportive tools, have the potential to provide non-pharmacological benefits. Methods: In this parallel two-arm randomized controlled trial, 14 women aged 35–45 years with signs of dysfunctional breathing and no comorbidities were recruited from a fitness club. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) using a computer-generated sequence to an intervention group (n = 7) or a control group (n = 7). Blinding was not applied. Both groups completed a 6-week program of guided breathing exercises using the iBreathe app, while the intervention group additionally used mouth tape during sleep. The primary outcomes were heart rate variability (HRV) indices—root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and the high-frequency (HF) component. Secondary outcomes included respiratory rate, Hencho test performance, and perceived stress measured using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). All participants were included in the final analysis (no loss to follow-up). Results: The intervention group showed a significant increase in the HF component of HRV (p = 0.018) and improved Hencho test performance (p = 0.018). Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in respiratory rate (p < 0.05) and PSS scores (p < 0.05). Between-group differences were not significant for RMSSD or perceived stress. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: A 6-week breathing intervention improved respiratory efficiency and reduced perceived stress among women with dysfunctional breathing. The additional of night-time mouth taping provided further benefits for HRV and respiratory control. Larger and longer trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Objective: This short-term prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) in Patients Diagnosed with Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD). Methods: Given the exploratory design, the small sample (n = 25) and absence of a formal power calculation limit precision, findings should be interpreted as preliminary, and confirmatory trials are warranted. Patients were assessed before (T1), immediately after a five-week vestibular rehabilitation program (T2), and again three months later without continued therapy (T3). Clinical symptoms were assessed using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). A Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) model was used to analyze changes in dizziness-related physical, emotional, and functional impacts over time, accounting for sex and its interaction with time. Statistical significance was tested using the Wald test, with results reported as estimated means and standard errors (SEs), and a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 44.48 ± 14.43 years, and the majority were women (84%). In the functional domain, the mean score difference was 6.69 points between T1 and T2 (p = 0.018), 7.11 points between T1 and T3 (p = 0.013), and 0.42 points between T2 and T3 (p > 0.05). In the emotional domain, the mean difference was 4.12 points between T1 and T2 (p = 0.008), 4.40 points between T1 and T3 (p = 0.005), and 0.29 points between T2 and T3 (p > 0.05). In the physical domain, the mean difference was 3.77 points between T1 and T2 (p = 0.024), 4.32 points between T1 and T3 (p = 0.009), and 0.55 points between T2 and T3 (p > 0.05). For the total score, the mean difference was 14.58 points between T1 and T2 (p = 0.005), 15.83 points between T1 and T3 (p = 0.003), and 1.25 points between T2 and T3 (p > 0.05). The moment variable had a statistically significant effect across all domains. Sex had a significant effect only in the emotional domain, with women consistently reporting higher scores than men. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a five-week vestibular rehabilitation program significantly improves the physical, emotional, and functional impacts of dizziness in patients with PPPD, with these benefits largely sustained three months after the intervention. Emotional improvements were particularly notable among women, highlighting potential sex-related differences in response to treatment. These findings underscore the importance of addressing emotional health in PPPD management and support the long-term effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in improving patient outcomes.

Background: Trunk and pelvic strength balance and functional movement quality are relevant factors for musculoskeletal health and injury-prevention monitoring in youth soccer players. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate longitudinal changes in isometric trunk and pelvic strength balance, functional movement quality, and selected muscle imbalance indicators during a physiotherapy-based strengthening programme in adolescent male soccer players. Methods: A longitudinal single-group repeated-measures study was conducted in male soccer players aged 12–18 years. Isometric strength balance was assessed using the Dr. Wolff Back-Check system, and functional movement quality was evaluated using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Complete-case analyses were performed according to available repeated measurements. Results: FMS total scores improved across repeated assessments, whereas the global Back-Check score showed no significant longitudinal change. Component-level and imbalance analyses indicated reductions in adductor–abductor imbalance, and better FMS performance was moderately associated with lower adductor–abductor imbalance. Conclusions: Functional movement quality and selected muscle imbalance indicators demonstrated favorable longitudinal changes during the physiotherapy-based strengthening programme. These findings suggest that physiotherapy-oriented strengthening and movement-control exercises may contribute to improvements in functional movement quality and selected muscle balance indicators in adolescent male soccer players. However, the small repeated-measures subsamples and observational study design limit causal interpretation and generalizability.

Background Dysfunctional breathing patterns can impair autonomic regulation and increase perceived stress. Breathing interventions, particularly those incorporating guided exercises and supportive tools, may offer non-pharmacological benefits. Methods In this parallel two-arm randomized controlled trial, 14 women aged 35–45 years with signs of dysfunctional breathing and without comorbidities were recruited from a fitness club. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) using a computer-generated sequence to an intervention group (n=7) or a control group (n=7). Blinding was not applied. Both groups followed a 6-week program of guided breathing exercises using the iBreathe app; the intervention group additionally used mouth tape during sleep. The primary outcomes were heart rate variability indices (RMSSD, HF component). Secondary outcomes included respiratory rate, Hencho test performance, and perceived stress (PSS-10, VAS). All participants were included in the final analysis (no loss to follow-up). Results The intervention group showed a significant increase in the HF component of HRV (p=0.018) and improved Hencho test performance (p=0.018). Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in respiratory rate (p< 0.05) and PSS scores (p< 0.05). Between-group differences were not significant for RMSSD or perceived stress. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions A 6-week breathing intervention improved respiratory efficiency and reduced stress in women with dysfunctional breathing. Mouth taping at night provided additional benefits for HRV and respiratory control. Larger, longer trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently show postural abnormalities and elevated muscle tone, which can hinder participation in education and rehabilitation. Evidence on the immediate physiological effects of standardized multisensory environments is limited. Objective: To evaluate feasibility, safety and short-term physiological/postural responses to an automated multisensory smart relaxation system in children with severe ASD. Methods: In a single-session pilot across three sites, 30 children (27 boys; 6–16 years) underwent pre–post postural observation and bilateral surface EMG of the upper trapezius, biceps brachii and rectus abdominis. The system delivered parameterized sound, vibration, and mild heat. EMG was normalized to a quiet-sitting baseline. Results: The intervention was well tolerated with no adverse events. Most children sat independently (25/30; 80%) and a majority stood up unaided after the session (24/30; 76.9%). Postural profiles reflected common ASD features (neutral trunk 76%, forward head 52%, rounded/protracted shoulders 46%), while limb behavior was predominantly calm (73%). Normalized EMG amplitudes were low, with no significant pre–post changes and no meaningful left–right asymmetries (all p > 0.05; Cohen’s d < 0.20), indicating physiological calmness rather than tonic co-contraction. Conclusions: A single session with a smart multisensory relaxation system was safe, feasible, and physiologically calming for children with severe ASD, without increasing postural or muscular tension. The platform’s standardization and objective monitoring support its potential as a short-term calming adjunct before therapy or classroom tasks. Larger, gender-balanced, multi-session trials with behavioral outcomes are warranted.