Physical activity has been recognized as an essential element for the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Therefore, this systematic review delves into the study of the relationship between extracurricular physical activity (PA) academic achievement (AA), and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among students aged 3–16 years. This systematic review was guided by adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The review included studies that evaluated PA as an independent variable and its impact on academic performance (AP) through mediation models, structural equations, and multiple regression analyses. The key mediators identified between PA and AA include cognitive function, psychological well-being, and social factors. Cognitive self-regulation, attention, memory, self-efficacy, and self-esteem are key mediators between PA and AA as well as sleep patterns and a healthy lifestyle. In conclusion, extracurricular PA significantly influenced AA, and its influence was mediated by various cognitive, psychological, and social factors. These results support the inclusion and promotion of PA in educational settings, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals by improving AA and overall student well-being.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an explosive strength training program on the physical performance of amateur padel players. Eight females amateur padel players, aged between 25 and 40, were randomly split up in two groups: a control group (CG, n=4) and an experimental group (EG, n=4). The experimental group performed a 6-week explosive strength training program. Physical performance variables were measured before and after the intervention using several assessments: Change of direction was gauged using a modified padel-specific test (Test 505) with the "COD Timer" application. Bilateral and unilateral horizontal jumps, along with the countermovement jump (CMJ), were measured using the "Myjump" application. Upper extremity strength was evaluated through overhead medicine ball throwing. The experimental group showed significant improvements in all analyzed variables except for the bilateral horizontal jump, dis-playing an overall enhancement in their performance following the intervention. These findings contribute to shedding light on this sport, especially within the amateur domain, as most social clubs rely on it for sustenance despite the limited available information.

Contextual factors may influence external load demands during futsal competition, yet evidence in women’s futsal remains limited. This study aimed to analyse the influence of match location and match outcome, as well as their interaction, on external load variables in female futsal players. Fourteen national-level female outfield players from a Spanish Second Division team were monitored across 27 official matches during the 2024–2025 season. External load variables were recorded using wearable inertial measurement units and normalised per minute of effective playing time. A total of 191 valid player-match observations were analysed using linear mixed models, with player identity and match identity included as crossed random intercepts. Neither match location nor match outcome significantly influenced any of the external load variables analysed, and no significant match location × match outcome interactions were observed (all p > 0.05). Nevertheless, descriptive differences and effect sizes ranging from trivial to large were observed across the analysed variables. These findings indicate that external load demands in female futsal remain relatively stable across match locations and final match outcomes. Future research including larger samples and more detailed situational variables is required to further investigate the potential influence of contextual factors on external load demands in women’s futsal.

El objetivo de este estudio fue comprobar la eficacia de un entrenamiento neuromuscular en el rendimiento de jóvenes tenistas. Once jóvenes tenistas (4 chicas, 7 chicos, edad; 13.36 ± .5; peso 46.54 ± 7.97; altura 160.45 ± 8.38; APHV 12.90 ± .51) participaron y fueron distribuidos aleatoriamente en grupo experimental (GE), donde realizaron un entrenamiento neuromuscular durante 10 semanas, con dos sesiones semanales, y grupo control (GC), el cual siguió solo su entrenamiento habitual de tenis sin preparación física. El rendimiento se midió por medio de las variables de: salto con contramovimiento bilateral y unilateral, salto con caída de 30cm bilateral y unilateral, salto horizontal bilateral y unilateral, el test 505 modificado (CD) realizando el CD tanto con la pierna derecha como con la izquierda, sprint de 20m, lanzamiento de balón medicinal de 3kg (BM) por encima de la cabeza y la prueba “Course- Navette”. Se determinó el impacto del entrenamiento por medio del tamaño del efecto. Los resultados mostraron que el GE mejoró en todas las variables significativamente mientras que el GC no, por lo que la implantación de un programa de entrenamiento neuromuscular parece ser un método eficaz para la mejora del rendimiento en jóvenes tenistas de competición, mejorando sus atributos físicos tanto en tren inferior como superior.

In padel, an emerging racket sport, evidence regarding competition demands in adolescent players remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze absolute external load during official competition in male and female U18 padel players. A total of 18 official matches from the Spanish Championship of Regional Teams were analyzed. Eighteen U18 players (9 females: age 15.1 ± 1.5 years, height 162.9 ± 8.2 cm, body mass 54.6 ± 9.1 kg; 9 males: age 15.4 ± 1.8 years, height 175.1 ± 9.4 cm, body mass 67.2 ± 11.0 kg), competing at the regional and national levels, were monitored using OLIVER™ inertial devices. External load variables included playing time, total distance, high-intensity accelerations and decelerations, changes of direction, time spent at high metabolic power, session volume, session intensity, and maximum speed. Statistical analysis was performed using linear mixed models to compare differences between sexes. Male players showed significantly higher values than female players in playing time (82.34 ± 23.95 vs. 51.03 ± 12.39 min; p < 0.001) and total distance (3958.50 ± 242.57 vs. 2225.54 ± 257.29 m; p < 0.001). They also presented significantly greater values in high-intensity external load variables, including accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, time spent at high metabolic power, session volume, and session intensity (all p ≤ 0.009). No significant differences were found for maximum speed (p = 0.074). These findings suggest that official competition demands differ according to sex in U18 padel and may help inform more specific training prescriptions and load-monitoring strategies.