The study purpose was to follow a prospective cohort study design to use gait kinematic parameters to identify the risk factors and to develop a statistical model to predict running-related lower limb injuries of sportspersons. Materials and methods. BTS G-WALK® gait analysis system was used to collect gait kinematic data of 87 subjects from an institute of physical education and sports science. The subjects were followed for a full academic season after which the researcher inquired about their injury occurrences. Binary logistic regression was used to develop a prediction model to predict lower limb injuries of sportspersons. Results. The result of the study revealed that increasing Range of Obliquity, Range of Tilt and Range of Rotation were associated with increased likelihood of future running-related lower limb injury. However, the lower Symmetry Index was associated with increase in the likelihood of future running-related lower limb injury. Conclusions. The study confirmed that it is possible to predict injury, but for practical implication further research is essential with a bigger sample size.

Background and Study Aim. Balance is a critical component of athletic performance, particularly in sports requiring rapid directional changes and stability under dynamic conditions. In basketball, maintaining balance can enhance movement efficiency, reduce injury risk, and improve overall gameplay. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a six-week balance training program incorporating perturbation techniques in enhancing the dynamic balance of university basketball players. Materials and Methods. An experimental study was conducted with 14 male university basketball players aged 19 to 25 years. Participants were randomly assigned to either the Experimental Group (n = 7) or the Control Group (n = 7). The Experimental Group underwent a six-week balance training program with perturbation alongside their regular training routine, consisting of 18 sessions conducted three times per week. Each session lasted 40–47 minutes and included exercises that altered proprioceptive and vestibular inputs through various stances (e.g., tandem stance, split squat, single-leg stance) and unpredictable perturbations differing in number, speed, and predictability. The Control Group continued with their regular training without additional intervention. Dynamic balance was assessed for all participants before and after the intervention using the Y-Balance Test. Statistical analysis was performed using independent and paired sample t-tests with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results. The Experimental Group showed a significant improvement in dynamic balance after the intervention. Their mean Y-Balance Test score increased from 80.22 ± 4.01 cm pre-test to 89.75 ± 4.38 cm post-test (p = 0.000). In contrast, the Control Group showed no significant change, with pre-test and post-test scores of 77.85 ± 9.22 cm and 78.25 ± 8.91 cm, respectively (p > 0.05). Between-group comparison at post-test revealed a statistically significant difference favoring the Experimental Group (p = 0.000). Conclusions. The six-week balance training program with perturbation effectively enhanced the dynamic balance of university basketball players. Incorporating such training into regular practice routines may improve proprioceptive abilities and reduce injury risk. Coaches and trainers are encouraged to integrate balance training with perturbation techniques to promote optimal balance control and enhance athletic performance.

Background and Study Aim. Fundamental motor skills in children serve as the basis for constructing more complex movement patterns. Therefore, the quality of mastering these skills, relative to children's age, largely determines success. These skills are influenced by both gender and weight status. This study aimed to analyze gender differences and the relationship between BMI and motor competence in school-aged children. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 children (130 boys and 130 girls) aged 9–13 years from three schools in Mumbai, India. Motor competence was evaluated using the Basic Motor Skills Assessment Scale. The scale assessed locomotor skills, object control, and turning and rolling. Anthropometric data were collected to calculate BMI, categorized as normal, overweight (≥85th percentile), and obese (≥97th percentile). Extracurricular physical activity habits were assessed through a structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc comparisons (p < 0.05). Results. Among the sample, 19.2% were overweight and 11.6% were obese. Boys showed significantly greater engagement in extracurricular physical activity than girls (t = 3.214, p = 0.002). Boys preferred team-based sports, while girls favored individual activities. Significant intragender differences in locomotor and turning/rolling skills were found among boys. Normal-weight boys outperformed both overweight (p = 0.002) and obese peers (p = 0.001, 0.019, respectively). Obese boys also showed significantly lower turning and rolling competence than overweight boys (p = 0.011). In object control, normal-weight boys and girls both demonstrated superior performance compared to obese counterparts (p = 0.018 for boys; p = 0.010 for girls). Among girls, no significant differences were observed in locomotor or turning/rolling skills across BMI categories. Conclusions. Gender and BMI significantly impact motor competence in children. Interventions should consider these factors to support inclusive physical development and target the needs of overweight and obese children.

Background and Study Aim. Movement competence is essential for physical literacy and long-term engagement in active lifestyles. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week cooperative game-based learning (CGBL) intervention in enhancing fundamental movement patterns among university students compared to a traditional physical education curriculum. Materials and Methods. Sixty male university students (age: 19.02 ± 0.84 years) were divided equally into an experimental group (CGBL based activities) and a control group (standard PE instruction). Five core movement competencies (bodyweight squat, lunge and twist, push-up, bend and pull, and single-leg squat) were assessed pre and post intervention using a validated rubric. Data met normality (Shapiro-Wilk, p > 0.05) and homogeneity assumptions (Levene’s test, p > 0.05). Independent and paired sample t-tests were used for analysis, and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) quantified practical significance. Results. No significant baseline differences were observed between groups (p > 0.05), confirming equivalence. Post intervention scores were significantly higher in the experimental group across all tests (p < 0.001). For example, push-up scores improved from 4.85 ± 0.40 to 9.25 ± 1.80 in the experimental group (t = -12.501, p < 0.001, d = 2.69) versus 5.15 ± 0.75 to 8.30 ± 0.80 in the control group (t = -15.024, p < 0.001, d = 2.71). Lunge and twist showed the highest effect size (d = 3.71) in the experimental group. Between group comparisons post test revealed moderate to large effect sizes (d = 0.86 to 1.87), favoring the CGBL approach. Conclusions. The cooperative game-based learning intervention significantly enhanced movement competence compared to traditional instruction. The combination of strong statistical significance and large effect sizes underscores the pedagogical value of integrating peer based, interactive motor tasks in physical education. These findings support CGBL as a powerful strategy for improving physical skill acquisition and should inform future curriculum designs.

Objectives. This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week structured yoga intervention on flexibility, balance, and joint angles (JA) among university athletes. It was hypothesized that participants undergoing yoga training would show greater improvements across these parameters compared to those following regular sport-specific training alone. Materials and methods. A quasi-experimental pre–post design was employed, involving 28 male collegiate athletes divided equally into two groups: the Yoga Group (YG, n = 14; handball players) and the Non-Yoga Group (NYG, n = 14; basketball players). The YG underwent bi-weekly 60-minute yoga sessions over 12 weeks in addition to regular training, while the NYG followed only their conventional training. Outcome measures included the Sit-and-Reach (SR) test, Shoulder Flexibility (SF) test, Stork Stand (SS) test for balance, and joint angle (JA) analysis using Dartfish software during three postures: Right Forward Lunge (RFL), Downward Dog (DD), and Chair pose. Normality of the data was confirmed using Shapiro–Wilk tests (p > 0.05). Paired t-tests and Welch’s t-tests were used for within- and between-group comparisons respectively, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results. The YG showed statistically significant improvements in flexibility and balance: SR increased by +2.1 inches (p = 0.009), SF improved by +1.0 inch (p = 0.025), and SS time increased by +5.1 seconds (p = 0.018). No substantial changes were found in the NYG (p > 0.05). Joint angle improvements in the YG included left ankle dorsiflexion during RFL (−7.3°, p = 0.032), right hip extension during DD (+11.4°, p = 0.008), and right knee flexion during Chair pose (−13.2°, p = 0.011). The NYG exhibited either negligible or regressive joint angle adaptations. Conclusions. The findings demonstrate that structured yoga training significantly enhances flexibility, balance, and biomechanical efficiency in collegiate athletes. Integrating yoga into regular athletic conditioning may serve as a valuable adjunct for performance optimization and injury prevention.

Background/Objectives: Exercise-induced fatigue is a fundamental component of running performance and training, yet it is also implicated in altered movement mechanics and increased injury risk. While numerous studies have examined fatigue-related biomechanical changes during running, findings remain fragmented across biomechanical domains and fatigue modalities. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize contemporary evidence on the effects of fatigue on lower-limb biomechanics during running and to interpret the potential injury relevance of these adaptations. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for original empirical studies published between January 2010 and December 2025. Eligible studies involved human participants performing running or running-related tasks, applied an explicit fatigue protocol, and reported quantitative lower-limb biomechanical outcomes. Study selection followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Data extraction included participant characteristics, fatigue protocols, biomechanical measures, instrumentation, and key findings. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB-2) tool. Due to substantial methodological heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively. Results: Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Across studies, fatigue consistently altered spatiotemporal parameters, joint kinematic and kinetic variables, spring-mass behavior, impact loading, coordination variability, neuromuscular output, and inter-limb symmetry. Common adaptations included increased ground contact time, reduced ankle joint power and stiffness, increased joint range of motion, elevated impact loading, and greater movement variability. These changes reflected reduced mechanical efficiency and a redistribution of mechanical load from distal to proximal joints, particularly toward the knee and hip. Similar fatigue-related biomechanical patterns were observed in both laboratory-based and real-world endurance running conditions. Conclusions: Exercise-induced fatigue produces systematic and injury-relevant alterations in lower-limb biomechanics during running. These adaptations may preserve short-term performance but create mechanical conditions associated with increased susceptibility to overuse and non-contact injuries. Integrating fatigue-aware biomechanical assessment, neuromuscular conditioning, and individualized load management strategies may help mitigate adverse fatigue-related adaptations.