Background: Integrating diverse sensor technologies into smart insoles offers significant potential for monitoring biomechanical metrics; enhancing sports performance; and managing therapeutic interventions, diseases, disorders, and other health-related issues. The variation in sensor types and applications requires a systematic review to synthesize existing evidence and guide future innovations. Objectives: This review aims to identify, categorize, and critically evaluate the various sensors used in smart insoles, focusing on their technical specifications, application scopes, and validity. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted in three major electronic databases, namely, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, for relevant literature published from 2014 to 2024. Other works not located in the mentioned databases were added manually by parallel searches on related themes and suggestions from the website of the databases. To be eligible, studies were required to describe sensor implementation in insoles, specify the sensor types, and report on either validation experiments or practical outcomes. Results: The search identified 33 qualifying studies. Proper analysis revealed a dominance of pressure sensors, with accelerometers and gyroscopes also being widely used. Critical applications included gait analysis, posture correction, and real-time athletic and rehabilitation feedback. The review also examined the relative effectiveness of different sensor configurations. Conclusions: This systematic review comprehensively classifies sensor technologies within smart insoles and highlights their broad application potential across various fields. Future research should aim to standardize measurement protocols, enhance sensor integration, and advance data processing techniques to boost functionality and clinical applicability.

Background: The basketball jump shot (JS) is consensually considered as a high-complexity specific motor skill, with a complex teaching and learning processes involved. The aim of this paper was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the JS performance among youth basketball players. Methods: The data search was made according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) in the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus and Sportdiscus databases until March 2021. Results: The results suggest that JS performance of youth basketball players is influenced by (i) distance to the basket, (ii) fatigue, (iii) presence of a defender and (iv) visual information available. Conclusion: This research emphasizes the crucial need for players and coaches to promote training situations matching the game reality to develop successful shooting performance of youth basketball players.

The paddling stroke rate (SR) is one of the key determinants of flat water kayak performance. The aim of this study was to analyse the way in which the kayak paddler changes the duration of the water and aerial phases due to the increase in stroke rate. Ten elite kayak paddlers (five males and five females) were analysed performing 200 m on-water trials in an individual kayak (K1), at four different stroke rates (60, 80, 100 strokes per minute and race pace). The duration of the water and aerial phases, SR and impulse were computed based on the data collected using the FPaddle system. Results corroborate the importance of reaching higher SR to increase kayak velocity (r = 0.904, p < 0.001). Both water and aerial phase durations correlated negatively with SR (r = −0.929, p < 0.001; R = −0.909, p < 0.001, respectively). However, with the first, the correlation was linear (r² = 0.883), and for the second, the trend of relationship was curvilinear (r² = 0.893). Due to differences in correlation, the results suggest that at high SR (above 120 strokes per minute) to continue increasing SR it will be more productive to reduce the duration of the water phase.

The average life expectancy of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) is increasing. However, living more years does not mean living better, leading to the need for research on comorbidities associated with the aging process. Associated with this process are the physical characteristics most prevalent in an individual with IDD: low levels of all physical capacities, the accumulation of central fat, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, variables considered to be some of the main risk factors of the onset of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and variables that can negatively impact quality of life (QoL). Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate a sample of 21 institutionalized adults with IDD (42.81 ± 10.99 years old) in terms of their anthropometric characteristics, body composition, general health status, functional capacity, neuromuscular capacity, and dementia/cognitive function, and the possible associations with QoL. All assessments were performed in the laboratory of the Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education—University of Coimbra. Participants, in the present study, have low levels of physical fitness and high metabolic and cardiovascular markets, which need to be improved. On the other hand, functional and neuromuscular ability seems to be associated with QoL (p ≤ 0.05). This study highlights the role of primary and secondary care providers in diagnosis, prevention, and supporting individuals with IDDs to promote QoL.

This study aimed to validate the use of a Global Positioning System with an accelerometer (GPS-Acc) unit to quantify canoeing kinematic variables. Eight canoe and kayak (200 and 500 m) sprint races were analysed. All the races were recorded sideways by a digital camera that followed the kayak or canoe bow and simultaneously using a GPS-Acc unit recorded the data concerning boat position, velocity, and acceleration. In 200 m races, 50 m splits were established over the entire race distance. In 500 m races, 100 m splits were used, excepting the race start and end, where the splits were divided into two sections of 50 m. The data of the GPS-Acc unit were analysed using a self-developed routine. The agreement between the video and the GPS-Acc analysis was measured regarding all the variables by a Bland-Altman analysis. No differences were found between both methodologies, except for time and velocity at the first 50 m, suggesting thus an agreement between the analysis methods. The GPS-Acc unit is valid for measuring quickly and accurately kinematic variables, mainly boat velocity and stroke rate. However, video analyses may be necessary when a more detailed analysis of the paddling technique is of interest.