Presently there are approximately 50 million ballroom dancers in China, and over 100 tertiary institutions offering bachelor’s degrees majoring in ballroom dance. It was this context and the growth of tertiary ballroom dance education and the prosperity of ballroom dance competition in China that prompted this research question: What are tertiary teachers’ meanings of competition in tertiary ballroom dance education in China? In contextualising the study in China, the history of tertiary ballroom dance education and ecology of ballroom dance competition was outlined. Related to this were the various pedagogical approaches valued within Chinese educational institutions and ballroom dance contexts. A qualitative methodology was utilised in answering the research question. This study found that ballroom dance competition culture informed tertiary teachers’ pedagogy, students’ learning, and curriculum setting. This study posits that as ballroom dance continues to grow in China, tertiary ballroom dance education in China will require a more finely balanced approach to the role of competition within the curriculum, pedagogical approaches and assessment.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined supplementation with Rhodiola rosea (RHO) and caffeine (CAF) on the explosive power and sustained output capacity of lead and rear straight punches in both untrained and trained volunteers, with a focus on potential synergistic effects. Methods: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was employed, enrolling 96 participants (48 untrained, 48 trained). Participants were stratified and randomly assigned to the control (CTR), CAF, RHO, or CAF+RHO group. All subjects completed an 8-week standardized boxing training program (twice per week). Punch performance was assessed using professional boxing equipment and a biomechanical testing system, evaluating lead and rear straight punches, ground reaction force (GRF), and a 30 s continuous punching test. Results: the CAF+RHO group showed significant improvements in both untrained and trained volunteers. Com-pared to the RHO group, this group demonstrated higher lead punch velocity, shorter bi-lateral peak force time during rear punches, and more punches in the 30 s test (p < 0.05). Compared to the CAF group, the CAF+RHO group exhibited greater rear punch force, higher bilateral peak force during lead punches, increased forefoot peak force in rear punches, and improved 30 s power output (p < 0.05). The CAF+RHO group also outperformed the CTR group across all parameters (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Combined supple mentation with CAF and RHO significantly enhances both explosive power and sustained output in boxing performance. This may result from improved energy metabolism efficiency and neuromuscular coordination, providing a promising nutritional strategy for high-intensity intermittent exercise.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effects of short-term Rhodiola rosea supplementation on simulated game performance, perceived fatigue, and aerobic capacity in basketball players. Methods: A total of 48 professional male basketball players participated in this study. The participants were randomly divided into a Rhodiola rosea group (RHO group, n = 24) and a Control group (CTR group, n = 24). During the experiment, the RHO group received continuous 28-day Rhodiola rosea supplementation, while the CTR group received empty capsules without being informed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software. A two-way mixed ANOVA (2 × 2) group (CTR/RHO) × time (Pre-test/Post-test) was conducted to compare differences. Results: In comparison to the CTR group, the RHO group showed significant differences in total completion time in the simulated game (p = 0.046), heart rate 60 s after the simulated game (p = 0.026), 5 km run (p = 0.027), YO-YO test (p = 0.036), VO2max (p = 0.034) and total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.044) compared to the CTR group. Within the RHO group, pre- and post-test comparisons revealed significant improvements in total completion time (p = 0.000), heart rate 30 s (p = 0.021) and 60 s (p = 0.016) after the simulated game, RPE score (p = 0.030), Countermovement jump test (p = 0.036), 5 km run (p = 0.000), YO-YO test (p = 0.000), VO2max (p = 0.000) and Superoxide Dismutase (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Short-term Rhodiola rosea supplementation can improve sprint performance and reduce perceived fatigue in basketball players during simulated games, enhance aerobic work capacity, and delay fatigue.

Background: Higenamine, a bioactive alkaloid derived from plants such as Aconitum and Annona squamosa, has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for treating heart diseases like bradycardia, arrhythmia, and heart failure. It exhibits multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidative stress, improved cellular energy metabolism, anti-apoptosis, and enhanced erectile dysfunction. Aim and Methods: To investigate the reasons for these functions of higenamine and its application in the clinic, the literature of the database was searched and read in this study. Results: As a non-selective β-agonist, higenamine activates both β₁- and β₂-adrenergic receptors, leading to cardiovascular benefits such as increased heart rate and myocardial contractility, as well as bronchodilation. It has also been studied for its potential in weight loss, anti-inflammatory properties, and antioxidant properties, with applications in treating asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and ischemia-reperfusion injuries. However, its clinical use is limited by the need for further research on its long-term safety, pharmacokinetics, and interactions with other drugs. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, higenamine’s inclusion in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list highlights concerns over its stimulant effects and safety in athletic contexts. Conclusions: Future studies should focus on optimizing its clinical applications while ensuring safety and efficacy. In terms of clinical applications, future research will also be able to explore more possibilities to use higenamine more in the treatment of diseases.

Background: Current evidence indicates an association between peak expiratory flow (PEF) and frailty in older adults, yet critical gaps persist regarding: the longitudinal dynamics of PEF trajectories, their temporal relationships with frailty progression and underlying biological mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the associations of baseline PEF and its longitudinal trajectories with incident frailty risk, while elucidating potential mechanistic pathways in older adults. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted of general community‐dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years from 2006 to 2022 in the Health and Retirement Study from the United States. PEF trajectories were identified using group‐based trajectory modelling. Frailty was assessed by the Fried frailty phenotype, encompassing five key components: weight loss, exhaustion, physical activity, gait speed and grip strength. Participants were classified as frailty if they met three or more. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to estimate the associations. Results: A total of 5686 participants with a median age of 72.5 (interquartile range: 68–77) years and 3262 (57.37%) females were included and followed up for 34 052 person‐years with an incidence density of frailty of 31.69 per 1000 person‐years. The proportion of White, Black and other ethnic populations was 83.45%, 12.56% and 3.99%, respectively. Compared with participants in the Q ₅ level of PEF at baseline, its Q ₄ , Q ₃ , Q ₂ and Q ₁ levels increased the risk of frailty by 38% (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.74), 86% (HR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.46–2.38), 112% (HR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.46–2.38) and 172% (HR = 2.72, 95% CI: 2.11–3.51), respectively. Similar associations were observed when using standardized residuals of PEF. A total of 1826 participants were included to model PEF trajectories over an 8‐year period, identifying five trajectories: high level (6.63%), upper‐moderate level (14.84%), moderate level (24.15%), lower‐moderate level (41.29%) and low level (13.09%). Compared with the high level, the low level increased the risk of frailty by 522% (HR = 6.22, 95% CI: 2.53–15.26). Low PEF over both short and extended periods was associated with an increased risk of various degrees of frailty phenotypes. Conclusions: Low PEF over both short and extended periods was significantly associated with an increased risk of frailty in older adults. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring pulmonary function as a potential marker for frailty risk and suggest that PEF may influence different frailty phenotypes to varying extents.