This study assessed the intra-individual reliability of oxygen saturation in intercostal muscles (SmO₂-m.intercostales) during an incremental maximal treadmill exercise by using portable NIRS devices in a test-retest study. Fifteen marathon runners (age, 24.9 ± 2.0 years; body mass index, 21.6 ± 2.3 kg·m⁻²; V̇O₂-peak, 63.7 ± 5.9 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) were tested on two separate days, with a 7-day interval between the two measurements. Oxygen consumption (V̇O₂) was assessed using the breath-by-breath method during the V̇O₂-test, while SmO₂ was determined using a portable commercial device, based in the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) principle. The minute ventilation (VE), respiratory rate (RR), and tidal volume (Vt) were also monitored during the cardiopulmonary exercise test. For the SmO₂-m.intercostales, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) at rest, first (VT1) and second ventilatory (VT2) thresholds, and maximal stages were 0.90, 0.84, 0.92, and 0.93, respectively; the confidence intervals ranged from −10.8% – +9.5% to −15.3% – +12.5%. The reliability was good at low intensity (rest and VT1) and excellent at high intensity (VT2 and max). The Spearman correlation test revealed (p ≤ 0.001) an inverse association of SmO₂-m.intercostales with V̇O₂ (ρ = −0.64), VE (ρ = −0.73), RR (ρ = −0.70), and Vt (ρ = −0.63). The relationship with the ventilatory variables showed that increased breathing effort during exercise could be registered adequately using a NIRS portable device.

This study aims to compare the effects of standard warm-up versus warm-up using stretching exercises on the physical performance of male youth soccer players. Eighty-five male soccer players (age: 10.3 ± 4.3 years; body mass index: 19.8 ± 4.3 kg/m²) were assessed for countermovement jump height (CMJ, cm), 10 m, 20 m and 30 m running sprint speed (s) and ball kicking speed (km/h) for the dominant and non-dominant leg under five (randomized) warm-up conditions. Using 72 h of recovery between conditions, the participants completed a control condition (CC) and four experimental conditions, including static stretching (SSC), dynamic stretching (DSC), ballistic stretching (BSC), and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNFC) exercises. All warm-up conditions had a duration of 10 minutes. The main results indicate that no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between warm-up conditions compared to CC in CMJ (CC = 28.1 ± 4.9; SSC = 28.4 ± 4.9; DSC = 30.9 ± 4.8; BSC = 30.9 ± 5.2; PNFC = 28.4 ± 5.0), 10 m sprint (CC = 2.42 ± 0.4; SSC = 2.50 ± 0.4; DSC = 2.30 ± 0.3; BSC = 2.27 ± 0.3; PNFC = 2.53 ± 0.4), 20 m sprint (CC = 5.42 ± 0.9; SSC = 5.59 ± 0.9; DSC = 5.37 ± 0.9; BSC = 5.40 ± 0.9; PNFC = 5.44 ± 0.9), 30 m sprint (CC = 8.05 ± 1.3; SSC = 8.27 ± 1.3; DSC = 8.01 ± 1.3; BSC = 8.00 ± 1.3; PNFC = 8.12 ± 1.3), ball kicking speed for dominant (CC = 56.2 ± 4.9; SSC = 55.3 ± 5.2; DSC = 56.9 ± 5.8; BSC = 57.3 ± 5.8; PNFC = 55.7 ± 5.2) and non-dominant leg (CC = 52.8 ± 3.4; SSC = 51.8 ± 4.6; DSC = 53.5 ± 5.4; BSC = 53.6 ± 4.9; PNFC = 52.5 ± 4.0). In conclusion, compared to standard warm-up, stretching-based warm-up exerts no effect on male youth soccer players jump height, sprint speed and ball kicking speed.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. Recent data suggest that loss of skeletal muscle mass and function (i.e. sarcopenia) is highl...

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the level of emotional intelligence—specifically in the dimensions of emotional attention, clarity, and repair—and its association with mental health among clinical educators in health-related university programs. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using validated self-report instruments (TMMS-24 and GHQ-30) with clinical educators from health sciences programs. Participants' mental health and emotional intelligence levels were assessed and compared according to their work context (public vs. private). Results: The findings revealed high performance in the dimensions of emotional clarity (68.5%) and emotional repair (73.98%), and low performance in emotional attention (43.47%). Most participants (84.83%) showed high levels of emotional well-being, with better GHQ outcomes in the private sector (90%) compared to the public sector (81.39%). However, self-perceived mental health was higher in the public sector (76.67%) than in the private sector (58.14%), indicating a divergence between subjective perception and GHQ results. Statistically significant associations were found between GHQ scores and self-perceived mental health (r = .33; p < .01), and between GHQ scores and emotional repair (r = .26; p = .02). Conclusion: Emotional intelligence, particularly the ability to repair emotional states, appears to play a protective role in the mental health of clinical educators. The low scores in emotional attention underscore the need for institutional strategies to strengthen this competence. These findings highlight the importance of addressing both emotional and mental health aspects in educators who contribute to the clinical training of future health professionals. Objetivo: El estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el nivel de inteligencia emocional—en sus dimensiones de atención, claridad y reparación emocional—y su asociación con la salud mental en docentes con rol clínico formativo en carreras universitarias del área de la salud. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, utilizando instrumentos validados de autorreporte (TMMS-24 y GHQ-30) en docentes clínicos de programas de ciencias de la salud. Se evaluaron y compararon los niveles de salud mental e inteligencia emocional según el contexto laboral (sector público o privado). Resultados: Los resultados mostraron un alto rendimiento en claridad emocional (68,5%) y reparación emocional (73,98%), y un bajo rendimiento en atención emocional (43,47%). La mayoría de los participantes (84,83%) presentó altos niveles de bienestar emocional, con mejores resultados en el sector privado (90%) frente al público (81,39%). Sin embargo, la autopercepción de salud mental fue superior en el sector público (76,67%) que en el privado (58,14%), lo que evidencia una divergencia entre percepción subjetiva y resultados del GHQ. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre los puntajes del GHQ y la autopercepción de salud mental (r = .33; p < .01 y entre el GHQ y la dimensión reparación emocional (r = .26; p = .02). Conclusión: La inteligencia emocional, especialmente la capacidad de reparación emocional, parece desempeñar un rol protector frente a alteraciones en la salud mental de los docentes clínicos. Los bajos niveles en atención emocional refuerzan la necesidad de estrategias institucionales que fortalezcan esta competencia. Estos hallazgos resaltan la importancia de abordar conjuntamente los aspectos emocionales y de salud mental en quienes forman a futuros profesionales de la salud. Objetivo: O estudo teve como objetivo analisar o nível de inteligência emocional — nas suas dimensões de atenção, clareza e reparação emocional — e a sua associação com a saúde mental em professores com função clínica formativa em cursos universitários da área da saúde.Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal, utilizando instrumentos validados de autoavaliação (TMMS-24 e GHQ-30) em professores clínicos de programas de ciências da saúde. Os níveis de saúde mental e inteligência emocional foram avaliados e comparados de acordo com o contexto de trabalho (setor público ou privado).Resultados: Os resultados mostraram um alto desempenho em clareza emocional (68,5%) e reparação emocional (73,98%) e um baixo desempenho em atenção emocional (43,47%). A maioria dos participantes (84,83%) apresentou altos níveis de bem-estar emocional, com melhores resultados no setor privado (90%) em comparação com o público (81,39%). No entanto, a autopercepção de saúde mental foi superior no setor público (76,67%) do que no privado (58,14%), o que evidencia uma divergência entre a percepção subjetiva e os resultados do GHQ. Foram encontradas associações significativas entre as pontuações do GHQ e a autopercepção de saúde mental (r = 0,33; p < 0,01) e entre o GHQ e a dimensão reparação emocional (r = 0,26; p = 0,02).Conclusão: A inteligência emocional, especialmente a capacidade de reparação emocional, parece desempenhar um papel protetor contra alterações na saúde mental de os docentes clínicos. Os baixos níveis de atenção emocional reforçam a necessidade de estratégias institucionais que fortaleçam essa competência. Essas descobertas destacam a importância de abordar conjuntamente os aspectos emocionais e de saúde mental daqueles que formam os futuros profissionais de saúde.

Introduction: Early primary education represents a sensitive developmental period for the emergence of affective self-regulation. The integration of mind–body practices within Physical Education, such as Kundalini Yoga (KY), may foster more adaptive processes of affective organisation and contribute to children’s psychological well-being. Objective: To examine the effects of a seven-week KY programme, delivered during Physical Education lessons, on affectivity in first-grade pupils. Methodology: An exploratory, controlled quasi-experimental study using intact groups of children aged 6–8 years was conducted (Yoga n=14; Control n=14). Affectivity was assessed pre- and post-intervention using a four-level ordinal classification applied across four affective domains. A cumulative link mixed-effects model (CLMM) with a logit link was estimated, incorporating a participant-level random intercept alongside fixed effects for time, group, the Time x Group interaction, and affective domain. Complementary non-parametric analyses and qualitative thematic analysis conducted by child psychologists were also undertaken. Results: The CLMM revealed a statistically significant Time × Group interaction (OR= 4.06; 95% CI [1.46, 11.28]; p= .007), demonstrating a substantially greater likelihood of transitions towards more adaptive affective classifications in the KY group. Within this group, significant improvement in affective involvement was observed (p= .034), alongside qualitative indications of affective stabilisation, enhanced impulse regulation, increased bodily awareness, and a more competence-oriented self-perception. Discussion: These findings are consistent with previous research examining mental and emotional outcomes of yoga-based practices in older school-aged populations. Conclusions: KY integrated within Physical Education may support more adaptive affective trajectories in early primary schoolchildren. Nevertheless, the non-randomised design and modest sample size warrant cautious interpretation of the findings.

Introduction. Bilateral asymmetry is defined as the difference between the right and left sides, or between the dominant and non-dominant limbs. In sports, the specific demands of training and competition often favor the development of one limb over the other, potentially leading to muscle imbalances that increase the risk of injury and reduce performance. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine lower-limb asymmetry levels using single-leg jump tests, comparing the dominant limb with its contralateral in pre-throw jumps among Chilean junior national handball players. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 16 male athletes (mean age: 19.9 ± 1.6 years; mean body mass: 84.3 ± 8.3 kg; mean height: 183.8 ± 5.3 cm). Four single-leg jump tests were performed: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ), and Abalakov jump (ABK). Eleven players demonstrated left-leg dominance, and five right-leg dominance. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between limbs in jump height, strength, or power. Relative asymmetry values ranged from 3% to 17% in both groups. Discussion: Greater asymmetries were found in right-dominant athletes (>10%) compared with left-dominant athletes (<8%), without significant effects on performance. However, monitoring these differences remains important due to their association with injury risk. Conclusions: Limb dominance did not guarantee superior performance over the contralateral limb. Observed inter-limb differences were mild and non-significant, suggesting that natural asymmetries below 10% may be advantageous in high-performance sports by minimizing injury risk and optimizing athletic performance.