The use of massage guns has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although their use is more and more common, both in a clinical and sports context, there is still little information to guide the practitioners. This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of massage guns in healthy and unhealthy populations as pre- and post-activity or part of a treatment. Data sources used were PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, and the study eligibility criteria were based on “healthy and unhealthy individuals”, “massage guns”, “pre-activity, post-activity or part of a treatment” and “randomized and non-randomized studies” (P.I.C.O.S.). Initially, 281 records were screened, but only 11 could be included. Ten had a moderate risk of bias and one a high risk of bias. Massage guns could be effective in improving iliopsoas, hamstrings, triceps suralis and the posterior chain muscles’ flexibility. In strength, balance, acceleration, agility and explosive activities, it either did not have improvements or it even showed a decrease in performance. In the recovery-related outcomes, massage guns were shown to be cost-effective instruments for stiffness reduction, range of motion and strength improvements after a fatigue protocol. No differences were found in contraction time, rating of perceived exertion or lactate concentration. Massage guns can help to improve short-term range of motion, flexibility and recovery-related outcomes, but their use in strength, balance, acceleration, agility and explosive activities is not recommended.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of front crawl sprint performance of young swimmers using a cluster analysis. 103 swimmers, aged 11- to 13-years old, performed 25-m front crawl swimming at 50-m pace, recorded by two underwater cameras. Swimmers analysis included biomechanics, energetics, coordinative, and anthropometric characteristics. The organization of subjects in meaningful clusters, originated three groups (1.52 ± 0.16, 1.47 ± 0.17 and 1.40 ± 0.15 m/s, for Clusters 1, 2 and 3, respectively) with differences in velocity between Cluster 1 and 2 compared with Cluster 3 (p = .003). Anthropometric variables were the most determinants for clusters solution. Stroke length and stroke index were also considered relevant. In addition, differences between Cluster 1 and the others were also found for critical velocity, stroke rate and intracycle velocity variation (p < .05). It can be concluded that anthropometrics, technique and energetics (swimming efficiency) are determinant domains to young swimmers sprint performance.

Age-related decreases in muscle function lead to disabilities and are associated with negative health outcomes in older people. Although several physical tests can be used to assess physical performance, muscle strength, and power, their interpretation can be hampered by the ceiling effect of some of them. The aim of this study was to assess whether vertical jump tests are safe in terms of physical integrity and whether they are useful in assessing physical performance in forty-one robust older women. The investigation entailed an assessment of anthropometric characteristics, physical functioning tests (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), sit-to-up 5 times and sit-to-up 30 s, gait speed, time-up-to-go test (TUGT)), and tests evaluating muscle strength and power (handgrip, lower limb isokinetic tests, and vertical jumping tests). Significant negative correlations were found between vertical jumping tests and BMI, body fat percentage, sit-to-up 5 times and TUGT. In addition, significant positive correlations were observed between vertical jumping tests and SPPB, gait speed, handgrip, and concentric isokinetic tests of knee muscles. No adverse events in volunteers’ physical integrity were reported during and after the performance of all physical tests. Thus, the study results showed that vertical jumping tests are safe and accurate for assessing physical performance and are useful for monitoring age-related loss of muscle performance in robust older women.

While there are positive benefits from physical activity participation for individuals with Down syndrome, little is known about the effects of swimming training. The aim of this study was to compare the body composition and physical fitness profile of competitive swimmers and moderately active (untrained) individuals with Down syndrome. The Eurofit Special test was applied to a group of competitive swimmers (n = 18) and a group of untrained individuals (n = 19), all with Down syndrome. In addition, measurements were taken to determine body composition characteristics. The results showed differences between swimmers and untrained subjects in height, sum of the four skinfolds, body fat %, fat mass index and all items of the Eurofit Special test. Swimmers with Down syndrome exhibited physical fitness levels near to the Eurofit standards, although lower fitness levels were attained by these persons when compared to athletes with intellectual disability. It can be concluded that the practice of competitive swimming seems to counteract the tendency for obesity in persons with Down syndrome and also helps to increase strength, speed and balance.

Fitness coaches seem to play an essential role in the field of exercise as they help prevent sedentary lifestyles and promote overall health, quality of life, and well-being. This study aimed to explore the effects of fitness coaches’ behavior perceptions, intrinsic motivation, and enjoyment of exercisers on their long-term fitness and health, as well as their commitment to exercise. A total of 202 individuals participated in the study that was developed over three data gathering occasions (baseline, three months and six months). To this end, three psychometric scales were used as part of a multi-section survey: FCBS-Fit (perception of the fitness coach’s behavior), IMIp (intrinsic motivation of exercisers), and PACES (enjoyment in exercise), along with the assessment of four health/fitness variables: anthropometry (i.e., waist-hip ratio), strength (i.e., handgrip strength), flexibility (i.e., sit-and-reach), and cardiorespiratory fitness (i.e., VO₂máx.). Overall, the results suggested that the perception of the fitness coach’s behavior, the exerciser’s intrinsic motivation, and enjoyment were predictors of the health/fitness outcomes, and seemed to be related to the exercise commitment at the end of three and six months. The novelty of this study is the examination of psychological and physiological factors in an integrated and longitudinal manner within the scope of exercise in fitness and health clubs. Therefore, these findings shed light on fitness coaches as an important element in the propagation and maintenance of exercise habits, accomplishment of tangible outcomes by exercisers, health promotion and the fitness sector’s growth.

The purpose of the present research was to develop and provide initial validation of the Fitness Coaching Behavior Scale (FCBS-Fit) designed for assessing perceived the quality of instructor’s behaviors in fitness group classes through the theoretical adaptation to the Coaching Model (Côté et al., 1995), originally derived from sports. In total, 618 participants of fitness group classes accepted to participate in this investigation. The purpose of the research was achieved in three phases: (1) development of the item pool and content validation of the preliminary version of the FCBS-Fit (27 items); preliminary examination of the factorial structure through exploratory factor analysis (n1 = 185) that revealed a scale with 20 items distributed by 4 factors: Technical and Positive Rapport, Exercise Planning and Prescription, Negative Rapport, and Goal Setting; (2) confirmatory factor analysis to the 4-factor model indicated adequate fit model fit, reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. In addition, a multi-group CFA indicated measurement invariance of the factorial structure across samples (n2 = 210); (3) structural equation model examined criterion validity through analysis of the relationships between the 4-factors of EPCI-Fit and enjoyment in exercise (n3 = 223). Psychometric evidence suggests that the FCBS could be used as a reliable and valid measure to assess Portuguese participant`s perceptions of the quality of instructor’s behaviors in fitness group classes.Resumen. El propósito del presente estudio fue desarrollar y validar preliminarmente la Escala de Percepción del Comportamiento del Instructor de Fitness (EPCI-Fit) cuyo objetivo es evaluar la calidad de los comportamientos de los instructores de fitness en clases de grupo, a través de la adaptación teórica al Coaching Model (Côté et al., 1995), original del entrenamiento deportivo. En total, participaran 618 practicantes de fitness en clases de grupo de diversas áreas del litoral de Portugal continental. El propósito del estudio fue alcanzado en tres fases: (1) desarrollo del banco de ítems y validación inicial del contenido de la versión inicial de EPCI-Fit (27 ítems); la evaluación preliminar de la estructura factorial a través de análisis factorial exploratorio (n1 = 185) que resultó en una escala con 20 ítems distribuidos por 4 factores - Feedback técnico positivo, Feedback negativo, Formulación de objetivos, y Planificación y prescripción del ejercicio; (2) estimación del ajuste del modelo de 4-factores a través de análisis factorial confirmatorio, y análisis a la fiabilidad compuesta, y validez convergente y discriminante (n2 = 210); evaluación de la invariancia métrica del modelo de 4-factores en dos muestras independientes (n1 = 185; n2 = 210); y (3) estimación de la validez de criterio a través del análisis a las relaciones entre los 4-factores de la EPCI-Fit y el disfrute en la práctica de ejercicio (n3 = 223). En general, los resultados provenientes de las diferentes fases de análisis psicométrico a EPCI-Fit soportan la validez y la fiabilidad de los datos, indicando que esta escala podrá ser utilizada en el futuro para evaluar las percepciones de la calidad del comportamiento del instructor de fitness en clases de grupo. Resumo. O propósito do presente estudo foi desenvolver e validar preliminarmente a Escala de Perceção do Comportamento do Instrutor de Fitness (EPCI-Fit) cujo objetivo é avaliar a qualidade dos comportamentos dos instrutores de fitness em aulas de grupo, através da adaptação teórica ao Coaching Model (Côté et al., 1995), original do treino desportivo. No total, participaram 618 praticantes de fitness em aulas de grupo de várias zonas de Portugal continental. O propósito do estudo foi alcançado em três fases: (1) desenvolvimento da pool de itens e validação inicial do conteúdo da versão inicial da EPCI-Fit (27 itens); avaliação preliminar da estrutura fatorial através de análise fatorial exploratória (n1 = 185) que resultou numa escala com 20 itens distribuídos por 4 fatores – Feedback técnico positivo, Feedback negativo, Formulação de objetivos, e Planificação e prescrição do exercício; (2) estimação do ajustamento do modelo de 4-fatores através de analise fatorial confirmatória, e análise à fiabilidade compósita, e validade convergente e discriminante (n2 = 210); avaliação da invariância métrica do modelo de 4-fatores em duas amostras independentes (n1 = 185; n2 = 210); e (3) examinação da validade de critério através da análise às relações entre os 4-fatores da EPCI-Fit e o divertimento na prática de exercício (n3 = 223). No geral, os resultados oriundos das diferentes fases de análise psicométrica à EPCI-Fit suportam a validade e a fiabilidade dos dados, indicando que esta escala poderá ser utilizada futuramente para avaliar as perceções da qualidade do comportamento do instrutor de fitness em aulas de grupo.