Background and Objectives: This study analyzes the effects of proprioceptive training on the physical fitness and soccer-specific technical skills of young professional soccer players. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male professional soccer players from the Türkiye Football Federation’s Third League, aged 20.46 ± 1.60 years (average), participated voluntarily. Body composition was assessed with the Inbody270 bioelectrical impedance analyzer, while agility and maximal VO₂ cardiorespiratory fitness were measured using the ChronoJump smartspeed mat. Soccer-specific technical skill assessments were also conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22, with paired sample t-tests for comparisons, Cohen’s d test for effect size, and repeated measures two-way ANOVA for interaction effects (group × time). Eta squared (η²) values were reported for effect size. A 95% confidence level and p = 0.05 were used. Results: Proprioceptive training significantly improved body fat percentage (p < 0.05; η² = 0.006) and soccer-specific technical skills, including free juggling (p < 0.05; η² = 0.302), alternating foot juggling (p < 0.05; η² = 0.271), right foot juggling (p < 0.05; η² = 0.250), and shooting performance (p < 0.05; η² = 0.513). Conclusions: A 12-week proprioceptive training program, when incorporated into soccer practice, significantly enhances soccer-specific technical skills and reduces body fat percentage.

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.

The aim of this study was to examine the relation between certain anthropometric characteristics and strength and vertical jump performance of elite wrestlers. 16 athletes wrestling in different clubs participated in our research. Average age of the wrestlers was 23,62 ± 244, while their average height was 177,31 ± 5,18 and their average weight is 86,45 ± 14,91. In determining the anthropometric measurements of the subjects, height, body weight, skin fold thickness, circumference and diameter measurements were made. For measurement of strength parameters, claw strength was measured with a Takkei brand hand dynamometer, while back and leg strength was measured with a back and leg dynamometer. An electronic smart speed lite system was used to measure the vertical jump performance of the athletes. Pearson Correlation Analysis was used to determine the relationship between anthropometric measurements and strength parameters and vertical jump ratios, and values with p <0,05 were considered significant. As a result, the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and physical performance of elite wrestlers was examined, and a high correlation was found between anthropometric measurements and strength parameters. There was no relationship between vertical jump and anthropometric measurements and strength parameters. In addition, it is a remarkable detail that no significant difference could be detected between the leg, back, right and left claw strengths of wrestlers and their anthropometric characteristics.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week Zumba exercise program on weight, body fat percentage (BFP), body muscle mass (BMM), grip strength, back strength, flexibility, and MaxVo2 parameters in sedentary women. Twenty-four women (age: 21.54±1.84, height: 163.75±4.15) who did not engage in regular physical activity and had no history of illness or sports injuries volunteered to participate in the study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (12 participants) and a control group (12 participants). The experimental group underwent 60-minute Zumba exercises three days a week. Weight, height, BFP, BMM, grip strength (right and left), flexibility, and MaxVo2 were measured. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25 statistical software package. Wilcoxon Test was used for intra-group pre-test and post-test comparisons, and a significance level of p0.05 was accepted. In the experimental group, significant differences were observed in weight, BFP, BMM, flexibility, back strength, and MaxVo2 values between the pre-test and post-test, while there was no statistically significant difference in grip strength (right and left) with p0.05. In the control group, a significant difference was observed in BFP. However, no statistically significant differences were found in weight, BMM, flexibility, grip strength (right and left), back strength, and MaxVo2 with p0.05. In conclusion, based on the results of this study and considering the literature, it can be stated that Zumba exercises, which are widely practiced today, expose individuals to high-intensity physical activity. Consequently, an 8-week Zumba exercise program may positively affect weight, body fat percentage, body muscle mass, MaxVo2, flexibility, and strength parameters.Keywords: Exercise, Physical Fitness, Strength, Zumba