Background and Study Aim. Technological advancements are increasingly integrated into sports training to enhance athletic performance. Despite these developments, optimising sprint performance and muscular endurance in youth football players remains a challenge. The introduction of technologies such as the Sprint Resister offers potential new solutions, but its effectiveness for this age group has not been thoroughly investigated, and currently, there is a lack of research analysing its specific effectiveness in young football players. This study evaluates the efficacy of the Sprint Resister in a sample of 18-year-old football players. Materials and Methods. Using a pre-post experimental design with a control group, the study involved 20 players who were randomly assigned to either the Sprint Resister group or a conventional training group. Over an 8-week period, the experimental group performed resistance-enhanced sprint drills, while the control group followed a standard training regimen. Performance was assessed using the Microgate Witty detection system, measuring speeds at 5, 10, 20, and 30 metres. Paired t-tests compared pre- and post-training results within each group, and independent t-tests compared performance changes between the experimental and control groups. Results. The results revealed significant improvements in acceleration and top speed for the Sprint Resister group, with an average 15% increase in overall physical performance compared to the control group. These improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion. These findings suggest that the Sprint Resister is an effective tool for improving the fundamental performance capabilities of young football players, which are essential in modern football.

Objectives. The study aimed to test an agile monitoring tool to correlate physical activity levels for the 2 target age groups of school education with energy consumption. Materials and methods. The sample consisted of 42 students, divided into two age-based groups: between 5 and 8 years of 24 and between 13 and 16 years of 18. Both were administered the adapted International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), comprising ten questions, the first of which distinguished active athletes from others participants. The remaining nine questions were divided into sections: “intense activities,” “moderate activities,” and “walking only.” The data on the amount of physical activity undertaken in the past seven days were converted to energy expenditure through the evaluative unit of Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET). Results. For subjects between 5-8 years who were active in sports, the weekly average was 3355.2 METs, with 1577 for intense activities, 1617 for moderate activities, and 159.7 for walking. Among subjects in the 13-16 years age group who were active in sports, the weekly average was 3799.5 METs, with 3376 for intense activities, 577.6 for moderate activities, and 529.9 for walking. For the same age group who were not engaged in sports activity, the weekly average was594.5 METs, with 20 for intense activities, 360 for moderate activities, and 214.5 for walking. Conclusions. The findings show that it is possible to use the physical activity monitoring tool proposed in the study, with the measurement of METs.

The holonic approach in sports education offers a new paradigm for collective tactical training, moving beyond rigid and hierarchical models. This study explores how systemic creativity enhances team performance by integrating individual autonomy with collective adaptability. Players function as holons, self-organizing units that dynamically interact within a structured system, fostering emergent tactical patterns. The research highlights how team coordination and decision-making improve when tactical structures are designed to be flexible and responsive rather than rigid. By shifting from fixed positional roles to adaptive interactions, players develop a deeper situational awareness, enhancing strategic cohesion. This study emphasizes the practical applications of holonic thinking in sports, demonstrating how it can optimize team dynamics, creativity, and performance. The findings suggest that holonic structures in training and gameplay lead to greater tactical intelligence, reinforcing the importance of self-organization and adaptive strategies in modern sports education.

Population ageing leads to a progressive decline in functional abilities, with significant impacts on the independence and quality of life of older people. Structured physical activity is an effective tool for counteracting these processes; however, there is still limited evidence regarding possible differences in response to exercise between older men and women. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the effects of a structured physical activity program on muscle strength, cardiorespiratory endurance and balance in the elderly population, analysing any gender differences. Twenty-five functionally independent elderly subjects participated in the study. The experimental protocol, lasting six months with twice-weekly sessions, included progressive strength, endurance and balance exercises. Functional abilities were assessed before and after the intervention using validated tests. Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Both men and women showed significant improvements in all variables analysed. In particular, increases in upper and lower limb strength, cardiorespiratory endurance and improvements in static and dynamic balance were observed, with a reduction in execution times and number of errors. Men performing better in strength tests and women in balance tests. The results confirm the effectiveness of a structured physical activity program in improving the functional physical abilities of older adults, regardless of gender. The intervention proves to be a valid tool for promoting active ageing and functional autonomy, highlighting the importance of exercise programs that are adapted and sensitive to gender differences

Introduction: Artistic roller skating is a complex sport discipline integrating physical, technical, expressive, and educational components. Despite its international competitive development, scientific evidence remains limited, particularly regarding studies combining objective performance indicators with perceptual and educational dimensions. Objective: This longitudinal observational study aimed to analyze changes in physical performance parameters and educational perceptions associated with artistic roller skating in elite athletes. Methodology: Thirty Italian athletes (15 Junior and 15 Senior; mean age 17.8 ± 3.4 years) were assessed at two different time points. Data collection included field-based motor tests evaluating core strength and endurance, lumbar and lower-limb flexibility, and an exploratory perceptual questionnaire (α = 0.81). Results: Significant improvements emerged in several physical parameters. Junior athletes showed increases in sit-up performance, flexibility, and plank endurance (p < 0.01). Senior athletes demonstrated significant improvements in sit-up performance and lumbar flexibility (p < 0.01). Between-group analyses revealed higher plank endurance values among Senior athletes at both assessment periods. Perceptual findings highlighted a strong attribution of educational value to artistic roller skating and to the role of the coach. Significant correlations were also observed between self-discipline, stress management, and perceived personal growth (ρ = 0.47–0.55; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Artistic roller skating appears to represent a complex formative environment in which physical performance and educational dimensions are closely interconnected. However, the findings should be interpreted within the limits of an observational exploratory design and a relatively small sample.

Background. In team sports, decisive actions such as anticipating opponents’ scheme executions and realizing game objectives depend on the ability to accelerate rapidly and maintain high speeds, often under external resistance and during changes of direction. Resisted sprint training has been proposed to simulate these conditions and to enhance the sprint-specific neuromuscular qualities required in competitive settings. Objectives. This study aimed to critically examine, through a systematic approach, the various methodologies of resisted sprinting (sled training, motorized systems) applied in team sports, in order to acquire practical recommendations to optimize acceleration velocity and explosive power. Materials and methods. A PRISMA-guided literature review was performed on Scopus (2020–2025) using the keywords “resisted sprinting”, “sled training” and “sprint with overload”. After screening 103 records and assessing 56 full-text articles, 14 studies (13 original research articles and 1 meta-analysis) were included based on language, article type and relevance to the topic. Results. According to the results obtained, it has been determined that protocols employing sled resistance corresponding to a 50 % velocity decrement or loads of approximately 10–13 % of body mass led to significant improvements in acceleration over 5-30 m, horizontal force production and maximal power output. Profiling tools (e.g., the 1080 Sprint system) proved valid and reliable, while force–velocity profiling revealed load-specific adaptations that support individualized loading based on athlete role, age and sport discipline. Conclusions. The findings suggest that resisted sprint training is effective in improving acceleration and neuromuscular power in team sports. Optimal outcomes depend on precise load calibration, the use of valid profiling instruments, and personalized programming tailored to the specific needs of athletes and their disciplines.