The development of obesity is a complex problem, conditioned by heterogeneous factors. Despite the impressive amount of research, the phenomenon is difficult to investigate, due to the inadequacy of quantitative methods to assess the negative spiral that triggers between self-efficacy perception and physical activity levels. The present study uses tools from quantitative research relating to conditional motor skills and tools coming from qualitative research relating to psychological factors. The hypothesis is that overweight affects not only motor performance, but also related psychological factors (perceived self-efficacy and enjoyment). The survey was conducted on a group of 177 adolescents (85 males and 92 females) aged between 14 and 18 years in the Puglia region. The subjects, once the quantitative tests were carried out, completed the PAQ_C scales (levels of physical activity in the last week), PACES (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale) and Motor Self-efficacy questionnaire. Attested a negative relationship between overweight and motor tests results, a Spearman ranks correlation analysis was carried out to investigate the BMI relationship with the scores obtained at the qualitative scales. A negative correlation was identified between BMI and the scores of scales for all subjects (rs =-0.03;-0.15;-0.09 for PAQ_C, PACES and SEM). Based on the analysis of the collected data, adolescents with a high BMI have a high probability of developing adverse perceptions of their effectiveness and facing a high risk of sedentary behaviours.

The Dual Career of Athletes represents a chance for élite athletes involved in higher education too, from school to University, to be able to successfully combine excellence in sport with higher education, with the intent to prevent school and university drop-out, increasing the number of university graduates, as well as the rise of the European employability rate, things at the basis of the European 2020 Strategy. Under investigation are the institutions that organize and govern sport and education, because it seems useless to talk about a fruitful integration between sport and education where the skills developed in the first are not seen as value and resource in the second, and vice versa. Even if Italy has witnessed a rapid spread of research projects and guidelines about the Dual Career of Athletes, which have spread an increasing recognition of sport in school and university, pedagogy critically contributes in suggesting guidance as a tool of harmonious integration between sport and education that, first of all, concerns the subject’s identity as athlete and as student.

Background: Bikram yoga, a form of hot yoga practiced in heated environments, has been associated with improvements in flexibility, body composition, and overall well-being. However, longitudinal evidence on its effects in adult women remains limited. Obesity/metabolic syndrome (MetS) is highly prevalent among adult women worldwide, with estimates exceeding 40% in middle-aged populations, underscoring the need for low-impact interventions targeting adiposity and age-related metabolic risks. This study evaluated the effects of 6-month Bikram yoga on body fat percentage (%BF) in adult women, with age-stratified analyses. Methods: Twenty-two women (20–65 years) participated in a structured Bikram yoga program consisting of three weekly sessions (90 min, 26 postures + 2 breathing exercises, 40 °C, 40% humidity) over six months. Anthropometric assessments (8 skinfolds, 5 body circumferences, weight, and height) were conducted at T0, T1 (~45 days), T2 (~90 days), and T3 (6 months). %BF was estimated using multiple validated prediction equations integrated into the Exercise Science Toolkit. Results: A significant and progressive reduction in %BF was observed across the sample: −3.71% at T1 (p < 0.0001) and −6.07 at T3 (p < 0.0001) compared to the baseline. Positive outcomes were consistent across all age subgroups: subgroup A (20–35 years, T3 −6.62%), subgroup B (36–50 years, T3 −5.96%), and subgroup C (51–65 years, T3 −5.39%). Decreased inter-subject variability (SD) suggests a similar direction of change among participants. Conclusions: Regular Bikram yoga practice (three sessions per week for six months) was associated with significantly and consistently reduced %BF among adult women aged 20–65, exceeding the clinical threshold (>5%) for metabolic benefits. Effects were evident after six weeks and remained across all age subgroups, suggesting that Bikram yoga may represent an effective, low-impact intervention for health promotion and active aging.

Physical activities promotion in developmental age is a public health priority and numerous studies highlight the benefits of various structured and unstructured activities for the prevention of non-communicable diseases and health promotion. Curricular physical education in secondary school offers several and different opportunities to practice physical activities that help promoting learning competences, complying with international guidelines on physical activity and acquiring correct lifestyles. Increasing levels of daily physical activity as well as the development of motor skills are a specific curricular area necessary to structure the conditions for motor learning and the premises for the continuation of sports and physical activities in extracurricular hours. Unfortunately, environmental and socio-cultural characteristics in Italy contribute to increase sedentary habits, limit opportunities to practice unstructured physical activities and lead to a reduction in motor performance. The aim of the following paper is to present the project of the University of Foggia in Italy aimed at systematic monitoring the adolescents’ levels of physical activity and motor development. The Regional Observatory at the University of Foggia wants to assess motor skills related to health, analyze correlations with body weight and gender differences, compare the results of prevention interventions carried out in school and structure the premises for regional health promotion projects.