This study compared the physical performance differences between young Portuguese male and female basketball players according to chronological and biological age. Furthermore, it also aimed to establish physical reference values. Sixty-nine Portuguese basketball players from four age categories (U14 males [U14M], U14 females [U14F], U16 males [U16M], and U16 females [U16F]) performed the 20-m sprint, countermovement jump, V-Cut change of direction, 3-kg medicine ball throw, and lane agility test. Maturity offset (pre-, mid-, and post-peak height velocity [PHV]) was estimated using sex-specific equations. A one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni tests analyzed the differences between age categories (U14 vs. U16) and maturity offset (mid-PHV vs. post-PHV) in physical variables. The 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles were calculated for each physical variable. The U16M outperformed the U14M, U14F, and U16F in all physical tests (p < 0.001), and the U16F had better sprint and change of direction times than the U14F (p < 0.001). No differences between U14M vs. U14F/U16F were found. The post-PHV male group outperformed mid-PHV males/females and post-PHV females in all physical tests (p < 0.001), while mid-PHV males threw the medicine ball further than the mid-PHV and post-PHV females (p < 0.001). This study reinforced that physical performance differences between young basketball players increase with chronological age, although some differences seem to be attenuated depending on the maturational stage, especially in females. Coaches can follow the physical reference values provided in this study to identify potential talent, design training programs, define competitive goals, and monitor physical changes over time in young basketball players.

Resistance training (RT) has emerged as an effective strategy to counteract the deleterious effects of aging, improving metabolic health, and preserving functional capacity. However, the impact of low-volume RT on older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairment, remains underexplored. This study investigated the effects of an eight-week low-volume RT program on muscle health, liver function, lipid profile, glycemic control, and oxidative stress markers in individuals with cognitive decline. Twenty-eight participants were assigned to a low-volume RT group (81.0 ± 9.66) and a control group (90.0 ± 10.39 years). The low-volume RT group performed an 8-week RT program (two sessions per week) comprised of one set of 6–12 repetitions at 40–70% 1RM. The control group did not receive the intervention. Before and after the 8 weeks, the biomarkers of muscle health, metabolic profile, and oxidative stress were assessed. The results showed no significant differences between the groups in any biomarker at the baseline or post-test. The intervention group showed a significant increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, all of which remained within normal ranges. No changes were observed in serum creatine kinase activity or the AST/ALT ratio in the intervention group, suggesting that acute-phase responses were occurring rather than tissue damage. Additionally, the intervention group showed a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, accompanied by a reduction in the atherogenic index, indicating potential cardiovascular benefits. No significant alterations were detected in the glycemic control and lipid peroxidation markers. These results suggest that low-volume RT can elicit modest, yet clinically meaningful metabolic improvements in individuals with cognitive impairment. Future studies should focus on identifying the minimal effective RT dose needed to optimize the health benefits in this vulnerable population, facilitating long-term adherence to exercise interventions.

Background : Velocity-monitored resistance training (RT) marked a significant advancement in the RT paradigm by providing precise information about the loads applied. Objectives : This study compared the acute effects of velocity-monitored RT with 10% versus 20% velocity loss (VL) on hemodynamic, metabolic, and mechanical parameters in older adults. Methods : Twenty-nine older adults (81 ± 8 years) randomly performed two training protocols separated by a 1-week rest period: three sets of 10% VL (VL10) or 20% VL (VL20) at 60% of one-repetition maximum in chest and leg press exercises. Before and immediately after each protocol, we collected the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and blood lactate. Furthermore, we recorded the fastest velocity and peak power reached against the same weight before and after each resistance exercise. Results : The analysis revealed significant differences between protocols in VL (∼12% vs. ∼21%, p < .001) and total repetitions (∼12 vs. ∼24, p < .001). Furthermore, in comparison with the VL10 protocol, the VL20 elicited a higher increase in blood lactate (29% vs. 11%, p < .001) and a reduction in chest press peak power (−4% vs. +3%, p < .001) and chest press velocity (−4% vs. +2%, p < .001). There were no differences between protocols on systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Conclusion : This study shows that a VL20 magnitude induces higher metabolic and mechanical stress than a VL10 magnitude, whereas the latter can preserve mechanical performance in older adults. Implications : Implementing velocity-monitored RT ensured regulation of the training load, uniform effort, and objective assessment of training effect.