Background: Previous research has reported a strong relationship between vertical jumping, sprinting, and agility, as a reflection of lower-limb power. Unilateral analysis of this relationship has not yet been explored. This study primarily investigated the associations between single-leg countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint, and agility performances in youth basketball players. Methods: Thirty-five male basketball players from the youth category (age 15.06 ± 2.62 years, n = 32 right-limb dominant; n = 3 left-limb dominant) performed single-leg CMJ, 20 m sprint, and T-drill agility tests over two sessions. Force–time-related performance variables were measured using a single-leg CMJ test on a Kistler force plate. Results: Significant moderate to large negative correlations were observed between single-leg CMJ variables, 20 m sprint, and T-drill agility, except for mean force for both dominant and non-dominant leg measures (r = −0.384 to −0.705). Mean power and mean force were correlated with the physical characteristics of the athletes for both legs (r = −0.389 to −0.843). Flight time and jump height were identified as the best predictor variables for both sprint and agility time in the stepwise model (R² = 0.608 to 0.660). No statistical inter-limb differences were found during the single-leg CMJ test (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The study findings suggest that youth basketball players with greater single-leg jump output most likely have better sprint and agility performances. Thus, trainers and athletic performance coaches may include unilateral limb exercises in their training programs to enhance lower-limb explosive performance and reduce limb asymmetries.

The foot absorbs shocks with its arches, muscles, ligaments and joints, and bodyweight transmission and it pushes the body forward during all movement patterns. Pes planus is more important in sports activities that include balance and sports performance, such as walking, running, jumping, or transferring weight to a single lower limb. This study, conducted with this information in mind, aims to examine the effects of pes planus deformity on balance and vertical jump performance. Fifty athletes were included in the study. The presence of pes planus was evaluated according to the Feiss line. Balance measurements were performed with a Balance System SD Biodex. Vertical jump performance was recorded using an Omegawave jumping mat. The relationship between the pes planus grades of the participants and their balance and jump performances was analyzed using the Spearman correlation method. Vertical jump and Limit of stability (LOS) was significantly correlated with pes planus.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined training with maximal aerobic speed and small-sided games on football players’ aerobic capacity development. Methods: The football players were divided into three groups as a combined training group (n = 20) (Mean ± SD age 23.40 ± 2.92 yrs, BMI was 23.67 ± 1.59 kg/m², mass: 74.80 ± 5.46 kg, height: 177.73 ± 4.31 cm), maximal aerobic speed group (n = 20) (Mean ± SD age 23.93 ± 2.46 yrs, BMI was 23.32 ± 1.42 kg/m², mass: 72.66 ± 5.38 kg, height: 176.46 ± 4.99 cm) and regular training group (n = 20) (Mean ± SD age 24.80 ± 5.84 yrs, BMI was 22.87 ± 1.67 kg/m², mass: 73.06 ± 6.74 kg, height: 178.33 ± 7.98 cm). In addition to regular football training, maximal aerobic speed training with small-sided games was applied to the combined training group (CT) and only maximal aerobic speed training was applied to the maximal aerobic speed group (MAS) twice a week for 12 weeks. The normal training group (NT) continued their routine football training programme. All participants applied the Yo-Yo IR1 test in the pre-test and post-test of the study. As a result of normality tests, it was determined that the data showed normal distribution, and the ANOVA test and Tukey’s multiple comparison test were used in the intergroup evaluation. Results: When the Yo-Yo IR1 Test pre-test and post-test results were analysed, maximal aerobic speed training with small-sided games (CT) and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) groups were significantly higher compared to the normal training (NT) group regarding training load, running distance, and VO2max value among the football players (p = 0.001). There was no difference in the normal training group (p > 0.05). As a result, it was determined that combined training with maximal aerobic speed, small-sided games, and only maximal aerobic speed effectively improved football players’ aerobic capacity and general performance.

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of the FIFA 11+ and Harmoknee warm-up protocols in female football players on flexibility, vertical jump, and shooting speed performance. Methods: This study involved 17 female football players who volunteered to participate, had no history of medical conditions, maintained regular menstrual cycles (28 ± 2 days, range: 26–33 days) in the three months preceding the study, and consistently engaged in football training. The Harmoknee and FIFA 11+ neuromuscular warm-up protocols were applied to the study group on different days, 48 h apart. After the exercises, athletes were tested for flexibility, vertical jump, and shooting speed. Two trials were allowed for each test, with a 3 min break between trials. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to check for normality, and an independent sample t-test was used to compare groups. The p-value was set at <0.05 to determine statistical significance. Results: When comparing warm-up protocols, it was established that the FIFA 11+ neuromuscular warm-up protocol positively affects athletes’ vertical jump performance compared to other protocols (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the FIFA 11+ warm-up protocol resulted in better vertical jump performance in female soccer players compared to the Harmoknee warm-up routine. The FIFA 11+ protocol activates leg muscles, and balance exercises improve the neuromuscular characteristics of the warm-up compared to the Harmoknee protocol.

This study aimed to compare the physiological performance and physical fitness based on the academic achievement levels of secondary school students and to explore the effect of gender on the relationship between physiological performance, physical fitness, and academic achievement. In this cross-sectional study, 304 children aged 13–14 years were recruited. To assess physical fitness, students performed a 20 m sprint test, a pro-agility test, a one-mile endurance run/walk test, and a countermovement jump test. At the end of the one-mile endurance run/walk test, the estimated VO_2peak value of the participants was calculated. The physiological performance of the students was determined by measuring their resting heart rate and blood pressure. Students were grouped into three categories based on their academic achievement levels. The assessment of academic achievement considered their scores from the previous academic year. The scores were divided into three levels: poor (average score of 69 points or less), average (scores ranging from 70 to 84 points), and good (scores of 85 points or higher). The study revealed a notable disparity among students’ VO_2Max measurements based on their academic achievement (F = 8.938, p < 0.001, η² = 0.056). However, we observed that the group with poor academic achievement displayed lower diastolic blood pressure values than the groups with average and good performances. Finally, no significant gender differences were evident in the relationship between academic achievement and any of the physical and physiological parameters.

This study examines the effects of two plyometric training interventions over an eight-week preparatory period on straight punch impact force, cardiovascular fitness, and muscle strength in national-level boxers. Twenty male professional boxers participated voluntarily, with an average age of 22.64 ± 3.12 years and an average training experience of 5.11 ± 0.88 years. Their mean body weight and height were 70.20 ± 10.13 kg and 184.28 ± 5.38 cm, respectively. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1, the Plyometric Stair Jump group, consisted of ten male boxers, while Group 2, the Plyometric Reaction Box Jump group, also included ten male boxers. To assess maximum punching velocity (PVmax), an accelerometer was embedded within the boxing glove, capturing data during three maximal-speed jabs with each arm to evaluate both rear-arm (RA) and lead-arm (LA) punches. Upper-body strength was assessed using a one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press (BP) test, while maximum velocity at various percentages of 1RM was recorded via a linear encoder. Significant correlations were observed between the right arm punch velocity maximum (RA PVmax) and the bench press velocity at all submaximal intensities in both intervention groups (p < 0.05). However, no correlation was found between left arm punch velocity maximum (LA PVmax) and bench press velocity at any intensity within the Plyometric Reaction Jump (PRJ) group. Conversely, in the Plyometric Stair Jump (PSJ) group, a velocity at 80% of 1RM was the sole significant predictor of RA PVmax at submaximal bench press intensities. Adjusting for the strength-to-weight ratio significantly influenced the predictive values in intergroup comparisons (p < 0.005). These findings suggest that high-load bench press exercises (e.g., at 80% 1RM) may serve as reliable predictors of performance in specific boxing movements. However, since no significant relationship was observed with LA PVmax in this study, further research is warranted to identify exercises and intensities that may explain left arm punch velocity.