Background/Objectives: Executive functions—including inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility—are fundamental for children’s learning and development. Physical activity is recognized as a key factor that enhances these functions through neurobiological and structural brain adaptations. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between physical activity, executive functions, and brain outcomes in children. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using systematic evidence search across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science until August 2025. Search terms encompassed physical activity, executive functions, and brain mechanisms. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that examined executive function domains and brain-related outcomes in children, with or without neurodevelopmental disorders. Results: The evidence reviewed highlights that acute physical activity improves inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, primarily through enhanced neurotransmission and cerebral oxygenation. Chronic interventions promote structural and functional brain adaptations, including improved white matter integrity and increased network efficiency. Benefits are observed in both neurotypical children and those with ADHD, with inhibitory control emerging as the most responsive domain. However, findings are moderated by intervention type, intensity, and duration, with heterogeneity across protocols. Conclusions: Physical activity is a promising strategy to support the development of executive and brain functions in childhood, with implications for education and clinical practice. Despite consistent short- and long-term benefits, further research is required to establish optimal prescriptions and evaluate sustained real-world impacts, particularly in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Physical inactivity is a major health concern, associated with the development of several non-communicable diseases and with an increased mortality rate. Therefore, promoting active lifestyles has become a crucial public health necessity for enhancing overall health and quality of life. The WHO guidelines for physical activity (PA) present valuable contributions in this respect; however, we believe that greater specificity should be added or complemented towards physical exercise (PE) testing, prescription and programming in future recommendations. In this review article, we suggest simple and practical tools accessible to the entire population to improve the specificity of this approach, highlighting aspects of PE programming used by trained subjects. By adopting these suggestions, exercise professionals, clinicians and physical trainers can optimise the current general PA recommendations towards PE prescription to improve fitness status and encourage PE adherence in the general population.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with walking and cycling for transport in inhabitants from Latin American countries. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 9218 participants (15–65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, which included a nationally representative sample of eight countries. All participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form for measure walking and cycling for transport and the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated. Furthermore, perceived proximity from home to public open spaces and shopping centers was assessed. Results: Perceived land use mix-access (OR: 1.32; 95%CI: 1.16,1.50) and the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.09 1.01,1.17) were associated with higher odds of reporting any walking for transport (≥10 min/week). Perceived slow speed of traffic (1.88 1.82,1.93) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.92; 1.86,1.98) were also related to higher odds of reporting any walking for transport. The odds of reporting any cycling for transport (≥10 min/week) were higher in participants perceiving more walking/cycling facilities (1.87 1.76,1.99), and better aesthetics (1.22 1.09,1.38). Conclusions: Dissimilar perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with walking and cycling for transport among inhabitants from Latin America.

The use of creatine monohydrate (Cr) in professional soccer is widely documented. However, the effect of low doses of Cr on the physical performance of young soccer players is unknown. This study determined the effect of a low dose of orally administered Cr on muscle power after acute intra-session fatigue in young soccer players. Twenty-eight young soccer players (mean age = 17.1 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to either a Cr (n = 14, 0.3 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ for 14 days) or placebo group (n = 14), using a two-group matched, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Before and after supplementation, participants performed 21 repetitions of 30 m (fatigue induction), and then, to measure muscle power, they performed four repetitions in half back squat (HBS) at 65% of 1RM. Statistical analysis included a two-factor ANOVA (p ˂ 0.05). Bar velocity at HBS, time: p = 0.0006, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.22; group: p = 0.0431, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.12, time × group p = 0.0744, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.02. Power at HBS, time: p = 0.0006, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.12; group: p = 0.16, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.06, time × group: p = 0.17, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.009. At the end of the study, it was found that, after the induction of acute intra-session fatigue, a low dose of Cr administered orally increases muscle power in young soccer players.

Lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the social, psychological, and physical well-being of the world population. In the case of people with intellectual disabilities, the impact of lockdown on their physical condition and functionality is not completely clear. This study aimed to determine the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the anthropometric indicators of cardiometabolic risk, muscle strength, and functionality on schoolchildren with intellectual disabilities. The sample was composed of 132 students of both sexes (n = 74 pre-lockdown; n = 58 lockdown) belonging to two special education centers from the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile. Our results showed significant reductions (p ≤ 0.05) in absolute and relative handgrip strength, as well as in functionality, when comparing pre-lockdown and lockdown measurements, with a greater loss in girls than boys. The design and implementation of physical exercise programs centered on strength training are necessary for the physical and functional reconditioning of this population. These programs need to be implemented in special education centers considering the general well-being, quality of life and work needs of people with intellectual disabilities.

Fundamento: Analisar os métodos de exercício físico eficientes na melhoria dos níveis de densidade mineral óssea (DMO)/escore T em mulheres na pós-menopausa e desenvolver um modelo de prescrição de exercícios para mulheres com baixa DMO e/ou osteoporose. Métodos: Foram pesquisadas nas bases de dados MEDLINE (via PubMed), ScienceDirect, Web of Science e Scopus ensaios clínicos randomizados (ECR) que analisassem métodos de exercício físico que mostrassem eficiência para DMO em mulheres na pós-menopausa com baixa DMO e/ou osteoporose. Resultados: Nove ECRs foram selecionados. Os exercícios mais eficientes para melhorar a DMO foram o treinamento resistido, multicomponente, aeróbico e vibratório. O método menos eficaz foi o treinamento aquático (hidroginástica). Conclusão: Os exercícios em gravidade normal tiveram os melhores efeitos na DMO em comparação com aqueles realizados em gravidade reduzida. A frequência de treinamento apropriada deve ser 3 vezes por semana ou mais. O tempo de intervenção deve ser de cerca de 12 meses ou mais. A intensidade do treinamento deve estar entre moderada e alta. Além disso, a proposta de prescrição de exercícios relaciona a classificação do T-score, o nível de atividade física e o uso de medicamentos, além da anamnese, que considera as fraturas prévias dos pacientes e os fatores de risco para fraturas. Palavras-chave: Exercício, densidade óssea, osteoporose, pós-menopausa, envelhecimento.