Background/Objectives: Despite extensive research on caffeine’s (CAF’s) ergogenic effects, evidence regarding its impact on anaerobic performance in female athletes remains limited and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of 6 mg/kg⁻¹ caffeine on anaerobic performance, functional strength, agility, and ball speed in female soccer players. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design was employed. Thirteen moderately trained female soccer players (age: 21.08 ± 1.11 years; height: 161.69 ± 6.30 cm; weight: 59.69 ± 10.52 kg; body mass index (BMI): 22.77 ± 3.50 kg/m²; training age: 7.77 ± 1.16 years; habitual caffeine intake: 319 ± 160 mg/day) completed two experimental trials (caffeine vs. placebo (PLA)), separated by at least 48 h. Testing sessions included performance assessments in vertical jump (VJ), running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST), bilateral leg strength (LS), handgrip strength (HS), single hop for distance (SH), medial rotation (90°) hop for distance (MRH), change of direction (COD), and ball speed. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was also recorded. Results: CAF ingestion significantly improved minimum (p = 0.011; d = 0.35) and average power (p = 0.007; d = 0.29) during RAST. A significant increase was also observed in SHR (single leg hop for distance right) performance (p = 0.045; d = 0.44). No significant differences were found in VJ, COD, ball speed, LS, HS, SHL, MRHR, or MRHL (p > 0.05). RPE showed a moderate effect size (d = 0.65) favoring the CAF condition, though not statistically significant (p = 0.110). Conclusions: In conclusion, acute CAF intake at a dose of 6 mg/kg⁻¹ may enhance anaerobic capacity and lower-limb functional strength in female soccer players, with no significant effects on jump height, agility, or upper-body strength.

Considering the rising prevalence of smartphone usage among adolescents with intellectual disabilities and their frequent motor challenges, understanding its impact on their physical well-being is important. This study aims to investigate the impact of smartphone activities on postural balance in adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Two groups of adolescents participated in the study: an intellectual disability group (IDG) (n = 16) and atypical development group (TDG) (n = 12). Static postural balance, using a stabilometric platform on firm and foam surfaces, and dynamic balance, using the Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUGT), were performed under various conditions, such as playing a game, watching videos, video calls, and listening to music. The center of pressure (CoP) values significantly increased (p < 0.05) during all smartphone activities (except listening to music) compared to the control condition in both groups, with the IDG demonstrated a more pronounced increase (p < 0.05) during playing video games and video calls on the firm surface. TUGT scores significantly increased (p < 0.05) during smartphone activities, with greater changes observed in the IDG (p < 0.05), and significantly decreased (p < 0.01) during listening to music in both groups. Our study suggests that adolescents with intellectual disabilities need special tools and guidance to ensure their safety and well-being when using smartphones.

The purpose of the study was identified by the effort to complement the standard sports training programme with a portfolio of innovative means and methods to optimise the process of achieving performance in gymnastics competitions. The group of subjects investigated was female and consisted of 19 gymnasts, aged 10 - 12 years. They were tested initially and finally to determine the effects that going through the training program had on the analyzed indicators. The Matorin, Flamingo, Balance Plate Position Maintenance and the "Y" tests were used in the research. We used descriptive statistics (Arithmetic Mean, Standard Deviation, Median, Confidence Interval and Coefficient of Variation) and significance tests which were used to assess the statistical significance of the difference between the means for two sets of scores (STUDENT paired sample t-test and Wilcoxon test). Based on the results recorded, we identified a significant difference between the mean values for the two tests. Following the results obtained, we can confirm that they help to form an overall picture from the perspective of motor skills on gymnasts and that there is a significant effectiveness of the motor intervention program in the sports training process.

The aim of this study was to identify the existence of some relationships between certain psychomotor behaviors, which we consider specific to swimming, and learning to execute the technique of some swimming styles (front crawl and backstroke). The study was carried out for 10 months and included 76 children (40 boys and 36 girls) aged between 6 and 9 years who practice recreational swimming in a city in Romania. Several tools were used: the Tapping test for manual dexterity, the Goodenough test for body schema, the Flamingo test for static balance, and the horizontal buoyancy test for body balance on the water. The results indicated better ratings on all psychomotor behaviors analyzed according to gender (in favor of girls compared to boys). The levels of all analyzed psychomotor behaviors have a direct relationship to the subjects’ age. Also, we identified moderate positive correlations for manual dexterity (rs = 0.63 in the front crawl style; rs = 0.57 in the backstroke style) and strong correlations for body schema, static balance and buoyancy, coordination with the learning of the two swimming styles (r or rs between 0.77 and 0.85). In conclusion, psychomotor behaviors can be predictors for learning swimming styles.

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.

Fatigue index of female athletes in relation with body mass index. New Trends and Issues Proceedings on Humanities and Social Sciences.