The aim of the present study was to determine if an inertial measurement unit placed on the metatarsal part of the foot can provide valid and reliable data for an accurate estimate of vertical jump height. Thirteen female volleyball players participated in the study. All players were members of the Republic of Serbia national team. Measurement of the vertical jump height was performed for the two exemplary jumping tasks, squat jump and counter-movement jump. Vertical jump height estimation was performed using the flight time method for both devices. The presented results support a high level of concurrent validity of an inertial measurement unit in relation to a force plate for estimating vertical jump height (CMJ t = 0.897, p = 379; ICC = 0.975; SQJ t = −0.564, p = 0.578; ICC = 0.921) as well as a high level of reliability (ICC > 0.872) for inertial measurement unit results. The proposed inertial measurement unit positioning may provide an accurate vertical jump height estimate for in-field measurement of jump height as an alternative to other devices. The principal advantages include the small size of the sensor unit and possible simultaneous monitoring of multiple athletes.

The force‐velocity (F‐V) relationship observed in multi‐joint tasks proved to be strong and approximately linear. Recent studies showed that mechanical properties of muscles: force (F), velocity (V) and power (P) could be assessed through the F‐V relationship although the testing methods have not been standardized. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare F‐V relationships assessed from two tests performed on a modified Smith machine that standardizes kinematics of the movement pattern. Fifteen participants were tested on the maximum performance bench press throws and squat jumps performed against a variety of different loads. In addition, their strength properties were assessed through maximum isometric force (Fiso) and one repetition maximum (1 RM). The observed individual F‐V relationships were exceptionally strong and approximately linear (r = 0.98 for bench press throws; r = 0.99 for squat jumps). F‐V relationship parameter depicting maximum force (F0) revealed high correlations with both Fiso and 1 RM indicating high concurrent validity (p < 0.01). However, the generalizability of F‐V relationship parameters depicting maximum force (F0), velocity (V0) and power (P0) of the tested muscle groups was inconsistent and on average low (i.e. F0; r = ‐0.24) to moderate (i.e. V0 and P0; r = 0.54 and r = 0.64, respectively; both p < 0.05). We concluded that the F‐V relationship could be used for the assessment of arm and leg muscle mechanical properties when standard tests are applied, since the typical outcome is an exceptionally strong and linear F‐V relationship, as well as high concurrent validity of its parameters. However, muscle mechanical properties could be only partially generalized across different tests and muscles.

This study aimed to determine the instruction that maximizes fencing attack performance and to explore the sensitivity of a novel efficiency index (EI) that considers reaction time, attack velocity, and absolute error to discriminate between beginners and experienced fencers. Instructions that directed attentional focus internally (react as fast as possible and perform the attack movement as fast as possible) or externally (be as accurate as possible) were provided prior to stimulus presentation. The EI did not differ between the instructions in any group (p > .05), the instructions “react as fast as possible” and “be as accurate as possible” promoted in beginners the highest and the lowest EI, and the EI was higher for fencers. Our findings suggest that the EI could be recommended as a general index of fencing attack efficiency.

Employee well-being and affective states are critical factors influencing overall organizational success. This study examined the immediate effects of a sensory-enhanced acute exercise program on employees’ affective characteristics, including emotions, anxiety, and work motivation; A total of 84 participants, split into an experimental and control group, participated in the actual study. The experimental group engaged in a 14-min tailored exercise program in a sensory-rich “smart room” while the control group watched a neutral animated documentary. A pretest–posttest design was used, and data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc tests for significant interactions; The results revealed significant improvements in positive emotions (F(1, 82) = 20.99, p < 0.01) and work motivation (energy level: F(1, 82) = 48.36, p < 0.01; emotional arousal: F(1, 82) = 12.29, p < 0.01) in the experimental group, along with a significant reduction in anxiety (F(1, 82) = 11.37, p < 0.01) compared to the control group. Although reductions in negative emotions were observed across both groups, the differences were not statistically significant; This study underscores the effectiveness of integrating exercise with tailored sensory environments to enhance emotional states and workplace motivation. Such interventions offer a practical and scalable approach to improving employee well-being, highlighting their potential for adoption in diverse professional settings.

Introduction: This study investigated the acute effects of post-activation potentiation (PAP) induced by predominantly inertial loading on upper-body muscle mechanics, with particular consideration for applications in racket sports performance. Methods: Fifteen participants experienced in resistance training completed two testing sessions. During the first session, participants underwent anthropometric assessment, familiarization with the bench press throw under inertial resistance, and determination of one-repetition maximum (1RM). The second session included a pre-test, a PAP protocol consisting of 2 sets of 3 ballistic chest press repetitions at approximately 80%–90% 1RM with inertial loading (rubber bands counteracted gravitational force to provide predominantly inertial load), followed by a post-test after five minutes of standardized rest. Performance variables—movement velocity, power, and maximal force—were recorded. Results: Results demonstrated significant increases in movement velocity and maximal power output following PAP ( p ≤ 0.05), while maximal force significantly decreased. Consequently, the force–velocity relationship exhibited a rightward shift. Conclusion: These findings indicate that predominantly inertial loading can effectively elicit PAP and enhance explosive upper-body performance. Such effects may be particularly beneficial for athletes in racket sports, where rapid, high-velocity upper-limb actions performed under light external loads are critical for optimizing stroke power and precision.