This study aimed to identify and compare the basic anthropometric characteristics, physical performance, and game-related skills of female soccer players across different age groups, including under-15 (U15), U17, U19, and first teams. Also, it aimed to account for performance tests variability through anthropometric features. A total of 56 athletes participated in a comprehensive test battery assessing anthropometric and bioelectrical parameters, air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and physical performance (Countermovement Jump Test (CMJ) and 30-15 _IFT ). The older groups outperformed the younger players in physical and physiological characteristics. Significant differences were observed in body dimensions and composition, with the first team showing higher fat-free mass (FFM) than U15 and U17 players. Skinfold thickness was consistent across groups. The first team also exhibited the highest levels of power and speed, while U15 athletes showed the lowest CMJ. General linear models by stepwise procedures identified training hours as the main predictor for CMJ and speed, with each additional hour of training improving CMJ by 1 cm and speed by 1 km/h. Additionally, a decrease in skinfold thickness predicted improved power. A multidimensional approach, including anthropometric, bioelectrical, and physical performance data, provides essential insights for supporting athletic development in young female soccer players and can inform tailored training strategies to enhance their physical performance.

In recent decades, extensive evidence has indicated that green spaces and physical activity (PA) are associated with mental health, while limited research has explored the combined effects of supervised PA in urban green spaces. To address the research gap, this study examines whether supervised PA within green spaces improves mental health among middle-aged adults (45–65 years) through a quasi-experimental longitudinal study developed as part of the “Moving Parks” project in Bologna, Italy. Using the Italian version of the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), mental health was measured at pre- and post-assessment. A total of 340 participants (258 intervention, 82 control) were included in the study. The effects of intervention, group assignment, and their interaction on mental health scores were analysed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. No significant differences in mental health improvements were observed between the intervention group and control group. The results indicated significant main effects of time on total WEMWBS scores and several subscales such as optimism, usefulness, energy, and cheerfulness, but these changes were not significantly influenced by group assignment. The only significant group-by-time interaction was found in perceived usefulness. These findings do not provide conclusive support for the hypothesised benefits of the supervised PA intervention. Possible explanations include seasonal variation, baseline or ceiling effects, and the potential limitations of the WEMWBS in detecting short-term psychological changes. Future research should consider extending intervention duration, improving group comparability, and employing more sensitive assessment tools to better evaluate the mental health impact of green space–based PA programmes.

The study of human body composition covers many fields, from clinical assessment to sports performance. Humans manifest different traits that set limitations in model estimation. This investigation aimed to (i) provide sport-specific densities for reducing biological variation in body composition assessment, and (ii) develop new regression models for body volume and density estimation by field applications. Thirty elite basketball players (16.84 ± 1.15 years; 188.48 ± 6.74 cm; 82.66 ± 12.23 kg) with a mean of 10.48 years of sport experience underwent anthropometric, bio-impedance (BIA) and air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) evaluations. Many models accounting for body fat percentage (BF) used the measured body mass (BM), volume (BV) and density (d) to analyse adipose and fat-free tissues. A new model payable for all players encompassed BF, with low error propagation (3.4% of BM). In addition, two new methods estimated BV by anthropometry (R² = 0.96, RMSE = 2.9%) or BIA (R² = 0.81, RMSE = 4.56%), with a high degree of precision (97.8 and 86.8%) and accuracy (100 and 99.6%). Body composition requires rigorous speculation, advanced instruments and high costs that could lead investigators to omit relevant concepts and produce estimation biases. Specific and easier methods may enhance its applicability.

Objective: Since specific bioelectrical reference values for Italian adults are lacking, this study aims to define specific values and test their suitability in pathological cases and athletes. Methods: A sample of 1049 Italian individuals (441 men, 608 women) aged 30–65 years was considered. Competitive athletes (bodybuilding, streetlifting and tennis) were identified within the general sample, and an independent group of individuals with obesity or anorexia nervosa was analyzed for comparison. Anthropometric (weight, kg; stature, mid-upper arm, waist and calf circumferences; cm) and bioelectrical (resistance and reactance, at 50 kHz) variables were taken. Resistivity, (Rsp, Ωcm), reactivity (Xcsp, Ωcm), impedivity (Zsp, Ωcm) and phase angle (PhA, °) were calculated. Two-way ANOVA and Hotelling’s T² test were applied to assess group differences. These data were then pooled with existing datasets to create a comprehensive reference for individuals aged 18 to 100 years. Results: The specific bioelectrical variables were: Rsp = 352.3 ± 55.5, Xcsp = 41.8 ± 9.1, PhA = 6.8 ± 1.0, r (Rsp, Xcsp) = 0.67 (men); Rsp = 384.9 ± 71.2, Xcsp = 40.7 ± 9.4, PhA = 6.1 ± 1.0, r (Rsp, Xcsp) = 0.72 (women). Men showed higher PhA values (p < 0.001), reflecting higher muscle mass and quality, and shorter vectors (p < 0.001), indicative of lower relative fat mass (FM%), than women. Advancing age was associated with lower PhA and longer vectors (p < 0.001). Bioelectrical vectors of individuals with obesity or anorexia nervosa were outside the 95% variability, indicating abnormal values of FM%, whereas those of athletes fell within the lower left quadrant. Conclusions: The specific tolerance ellipses for the Italian adult population fill a gap in the existing literature, providing essential new tools for evaluating body composition in clinical and sports settings, and for comparative analyses.

Background Physical ability and body composition affect players’ health. Understanding body features and using valid methods to evaluate them is crucial in football at all ages. Methods This was a cross-sectional study with a cross-validation design that aims to compare body composition in competitive women's football between adolescents and adults and to validate new methods for predicting body volume (BV) and estimating body fat (BF). Eighty players (62.5% adults, body mass (BM) = 59.98 ± 6.69, stature = 165.32 ± 6.19) from Italian Serie A participated in the study. Air-displacement plethysmography (ADP), anthropometry, and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) were assessed according to reference standards. Five different models were computed to estimate body fat from body density. The one-way ANOVA compared age categories, while the stepwise procedure selected the best regressors for model predictions. The paired student test compared the first assessment and cross-validation outcomes, while the Bland-Altman method checked for bias. Results Adult players were heavier (+ 10.69%), taller (+ 2.83%), and reported larger limb circumferences. Whilst their BV was higher (+ 9.89%), the rate of BM was ~ 8% higher, resulting in lower BF across most models, and wider body water (TBW) mass. BV was strongly related to circumferences (p < 0.001), resulting in the best prediction (adj. R ² = 95.04%, with 99.97% accuracy, 97.69% precision, and 94.5% reliability). Conclusion Women’s players need specific references to achieve optimal seasonal goals, and validated methods and guidelines are mandatory for evaluating and monitoring their health.

Objectives: To examine disordered eating behaviors, orthorexic tendencies, binge-eating episodes, attitudes toward exercise, perceived hormone-related symptoms and body image perception among competitive bodybuilders across different levels of competitive experience. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 competitive bodybuilders (29 men, 31 women) completed an anonymous online questionnaire. The survey evaluated demographic characteristics, coaching and training management, phase-specific symptoms (such as libido, sleep, eating behaviors, and menstrual alterations), orthorexic tendencies, exercise addiction, and body-image perception. Results: Both sexes reported reduced libido, increased hunger, and sleep disturbances, along with frequent weight monitoring and common binge-eating episodes. Moreover, females frequently reported menstrual irregularities. ORTO-15 scores indicated a potential risk of orthorexia nervosa, while EAI-3 scores suggested a risk of exercise addiction in novice females and advanced males, with differences in mood regulation and guilt across sex and experience. Males showed higher perceived and ideal muscle mass, whereas females reported higher perceived body fat and a preference for leaner physiques. Conclusions: Competitive bodybuilders of both sexes exhibit post-competition binge eating, mood- and appearance-driven exercise behaviors, and pronounced body-image concerns. Screening, education on energy availability, structured post-competition support, and health-focused coaching are recommended to prevent the progression from sport-specific practices to clinical pathology.