This article analyses the offensive phase of the national team than won the 2010 UEFA Championship. More specifically, the observational sampling includes all plays in which the Spanish national futsal team managed to “shoot” in the competition in question. This data was obtained by adapting an observational and recording tool typically used for football to the technical specifications of futsal; the SOF-CODER (Jonsson et al., 2006). Two types of analysis have been performed. One statistical analysis using the SPSS programme, version 15.0, the most relevant results from which refer to the significant differences found on linking: the zone from which the shot is made and the type of shot (χ² = 55.821, P = 0.006); and the contact surface used and the type of shot (χ² = 30.293, P = 0.017). And another, using the Theme programme, version 5.0, through which regular behaviour structures (temporal patterns) have been detected within the plays that include shooting. The temporal patterns obtained – in addition to elaborating on the relationship between the area from which the shot is made, the contact surface used and the type of shot – enable a tactical interpretation of the technical actions that support the development of the offensive phase of futsal.

Motor imagery has been suggested as an efficient alternative to improve the rehabilitation process of affected limbs. In this study, a low-cost robotic guide is implemented so that linear position can be controlled via the user’s motor imagination of movement intention. The patient can use this device to move the arm attached to the guide according to their own intentions. The first objective of this study was to check the feasibility and safety of the designed robotic guide controlled via a motor imagery (MI)-based brain–computer interface (MI-BCI) in healthy individuals, with the ultimate aim to apply it to rehabilitation patients. The second objective was to determine which are the most convenient MI strategies to control the different assisted rehabilitation arm movements. The results of this study show a better performance when the BCI task is controlled with an action–action MI strategy versus an action–relaxation one. No statistically significant difference was found between the two action–action MI strategies.

Stress control as well as other psychological characteristics influence sports performance (SP) and could be relevant according to the playing position in team sports, such as the futsal where players have different specific functions within the team. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychological characteristics and profile related to SP of top-level young futsal players, according to the offensive or defensive role. A total of one hundred sixty-seven young promises futsal players participated in this study (84 U16 and 83 U19) and have been chosen to play Championship of Spain Selections. The Psychological Characteristics related to SP for soccer players Questionnaire was used, and one-way ANOVA test was performed based on the playing position (goalkeeper, defender and defender-wing, wing and wing-defender, pivot and wing-pivot, and universal). Results showed that goalkeepers had the best psychological profile and characteristics related to SP. Pivots and wing-pivots had less self-confidence, and universals players, less stress control in relation to the rest of the playing positions (p < 0.05). The main findings revealed that the psychological characteristics and profile related to SP in young promises futsal players are different according to the playing position, and this study suggest the inclusion of psychological-training programs in order to improve the psychological abilities of players, especially for players with offensive role who seek to score goals.

Aim: Online university students face unique challenges that can impact their well-being, including sedentary lifestyles, prolonged screen exposure, and reduced physical activity. These factors have been linked to mental health issues, emphasizing the need to explore the role of physical activity in this specific population. This study aims to examine physical activity levels and the prevalence of mental health disorders, such as burnout, academic stress, sleep quality, and screen time among online university students. Subject and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 2204 university students (34.66 ± 9.15 years) undertaking an online university course. The students completed various self-report measures to assess life habits (sleep quality and screen time), physical activity levels, and indicators of mental health, including stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. Results: Students who engaged in higher levels of physical activity reported fewer sleep problems and lower screen time on both weekdays and weekends. Also, significant differences were observed in academic stress, generally revealing better mental health outcomes. Gender differences were found in sleep problems, screen time, and depression, indicating that these variables may be influenced differently depending on gender. Conclusion: The findings suggest that physical activity influences sleep quality, screen habits, and six key mental health factors. Additionally, sleep problems, screen time, and depression should be addressed with a gender-specific approach in online education settings.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the perception of schoolchildren whether their academic performance improved or worsened during the pandemic, analyzing their social anxiety, gender, use of masks in the classroom, and school year. The total sample was 107 primary school students (25 in the fourth, 40 in the fifth and 42 in the sixth grade), with a mean age of 10.51 years old (SD = 1). The gender were 58 girls and 49 boys, from a school in the province of La Coruña (Spain). The study was based on a quantitative methodology, and the design was cross-sectional, descriptive, observational and correlational. The social anxiety questionnaire (CASO-N24) was used to assess social anxiety, and an ad hoc self-report register was elaborated to evaluate sociodemographic variables. The results indicated that 44.8% of the schoolchildren considered that the pandemic had neither improved nor worsened their academic performance. Although 38.3% considered that high and very high social anxiety increased progressively as the school year progressed, both in boys and girls. Besides, the schoolchildren who presented very low and low social anxiety improved their grades in Physical Education, while those who presented high social anxiety worsened them. In conclusion, having a low social anxiety, lower grades before the pandemic and higher grades after, makes children perceive an improvement in their academic performance during the pandemic.

Background: The pandemic caused by COVID-19 had a great impact on our society as the lives of children have been affected, as well as their psychological health and social anxiety. Objective: To examine whether COVID-19 causal factors perceived by children predicted basic psychological needs and social anxiety, and if basic psychological needs predicted social anxiety. Methods: A sample of 58 schoolchildren (Mage = 10.18; SD = 0.77; 36 boys, 22 girls) participated in the study and completed a series of self-report measures. The relationship between the study variables was examined using partial least square path modelling (PLS-PM). Results: Social distancing and protection were found to significantly reduce competence satisfaction. Perceived psychological impact significantly negatively predicted relatedness satisfaction and significantly positively autonomy frustration and competence frustration. Perceived psychological impact significantly negatively predicted anxiety in the interaction with the opposite sex. Autonomy satisfaction significantly positively predicted anxiety in the interaction with the opposite sex. Autonomy frustration significantly positively predicted anxiety in public speaking interaction with teachers, significantly positively anxiety in the interaction with the opposite sex, significantly positively anxiety of being embarrassed or ridiculed and significantly positively anxiety in the interaction with strangers. Conclusion: Perceived psychological impact was the causal factor that revealed a higher impact on basic psychological needs. As such, it is important to take measures with children in pandemic situations to minimize this variable. On the other hand, Autonomy frustration revealed a higher impact on social anxiety. Thus, it is necessary to emphasize autonomy in children respecting the restrictions imposed to minimize the impact of social anxiety.