This study aimed at identifying the reliability and validity of the Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment (CAMSA), when assessed in real-time.

A sample of 70 primary and 356 secondary students participated voluntarily. Anthropometric variables, CAMSA, 10 × 5-m shuttle run test and 10 × 4-m shuttle run test results of all participants were analysed.

Higher internal consistency values were observed among secondary children (α: 0.737–0.864) compared to primary students (α: 0.360–0.762). Absolute and relative reliability values were in general low, with only the CAMSA-S demonstrating fair reliability (ICC: 0.717). A fair significant association between CAMSA-S and agility measured by the 10 × 4-m and 10 × 5-m shuttle tests (Rho = 0.422) was found. This association was moderate in primary students (Rho = 0.649) and fair in secondary students (Rho = 0.382). A fair association with the time component of CAMSA (Rho = 0.402), and a weaker fair association with the skill component (Rho = 0.260) was observed.

The CAMSA demonstrated low test-retest reliability and fair validity when assessed in real-time, in a sample of primary and secondary children.

Women’s cricket has grown in popularity over the last decade, however despite this there is a paucity of literature examining the female version of the game. Furthermore, no research has examined the physical attributes of female cricketers, particularly adolescents. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to develop a physical profile for u/11, u/13, u15, and u/18 female adolescent cricket players.

One hundred and five (age: 13.00 ± 2.37 years, stature: 156.91 ± 12.06 cm, mass: 50.85 ± 10.40 kg) female academy players were profiled for body composition, flexibility, lower and upper body power, sprint speed, and change of direction ability.

Both the u/11 and u/13 age groups differed significantly (P < 0.05) to each other and the u/15 and u/18 age groups for stature, lower and upper limb power, and change of direction time. No significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed for all tests between the u/15 and u/18 age groups.

The findings of this investigation provide normative data for adolescent female cricketers that can be used by strength and conditioning coaches for the implementation of scientifically based training programs, as well as to set goals to identify progression in physical ability during maturation and training. Additionally, the study is relevant for coaches working within the age group to support their own learning and development within the applied nature of coaching and support of their female athletes.

To systematically review all the physiological and nutritional research conducted in squash to guide practitioners and researchers on how best to interpret the data, while identifying gaps in the literature to determine future directions of research within squash.

Following PRISMA guidelines, studies investigating an aspect of physiology or nutrition within squash were identified using scientific databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, PUBMED, and SPORTDiscus, from March 2022 to October 2023.

Of the 1208 studies identified, 35 met the inclusion criteria across a variety of physiological and nutritional topics, such as the physiological demands of squash, anthropometric and physiological characteristics of squash players, squash-specific performance tests, training demands of squash, nutritional requirements of squash, hydration demands of squash, nutrition knowledge of squash players, and nutritional supplements for squash players. Ten studies had poor methodological quality, 19 as fair, four as good, and two as excellent. Seventeen out of 35 studies included were undertaken post the 2009 rule change, and 14 studies were conducted on either elite or world class players. Twenty-nine of the studies involved male players, with 15 involving female players.

Much of the physiological and nutritional literature is of low quality and outdated. We present future research focuses throughout the review, such as quantifying the game characteristics of male and female players, the energy expenditures during a training and competition microcycle, and the efficacy of certain nutritional supplements. These efforts aim to create sport specific guidelines and advance evidence-based practice within squash.

Changes in plasma volume (PV), acid–base status and ventilation have rarely been investigated in relation to resistance training (RT). This study aimed to investigate the effect of a single set of exhaustive leg press exercise on these basic physiological parameters in an integrated manner.

Twenty-seven male individuals (27.1 ± 4.1 years, 1.82 ± 0.62 m, 84.4 ± 12.5 kg, BMI: 25.4 ± 3.0 k/gm²) performed a single set leg press exercise during which hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), hematocrit (Hct), pH, oxygen (pO₂) and carbon dioxide partial pressures (pCO₂), hydrogen carbonate concentration ([HCO₃⁻]), standard base excess (SBE) and lactate concentration ([La⁻]) were determined. Total buffer capacity was calculated based on pH, [HCO₃⁻] and pCO₂.

Mean PV decreased by 559 ± 230 mL (13.7%). As a result, arterial oxygen content was significantly increased due to hemoconcentration (P < 0.001). At exhaustion, pH (7.30 ± 0.06), [HCO₃⁻] (18.6 ± 2.0 mmol/L) and SBE (− 6.6 ± 2.4 mmol/L) were all significantly decreased (P < 0.0001). The pCO₂ first remained unchanged (39.4 ± 4.3 mm Hg) but demonstrated a significant decrease one-minute post-exercise (34.4 ± 4.2 mmHg), indicating metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation, which was maintained until t₊₁₅. Non-bicarbonate buffering remained constant during recovery while the respiratory component steadily increased until 15-min post-exercise (50.2 mmol/L per pH).

PV shifts following a single set of leg press exercise improve post-exercise arterial oxygen content. The moderate metabolic acidosis was not compensated during exercise because of restricted breathing but partly compensated during the following 15-min recovery period. The respiratory compensation as part of the bicarbonate buffering made up 50% of total buffer capacity in the course of recovery.

“Cuban Motion” (CM) is a term often used to label a basic movement of many Latin-American dances, such as salsa and bachata. It is characterized by a cyclical and rhythmic flexion and rotation of the pelvis, accompanied by ample movements of the spine and lower limbs. Since Latin dances are considered both a recreational activity and a kind of healthy gymnastics for young and older subjects, a biomechanical analysis of the CM was performed to quantitatively assess the main features of this movement, from joint kinematics to muscle activations.

The study combined experimental acquisitions with a Vicon Motion Capture system and musculoskeletal analyses in OpenSim. Only one subject was considered, an instructor of Latin dances, who was equipped with 55 retro-reflective markers, according to the Full Body CGM2.5 marker set. Data were processed in OpenSim, using the ThoracoLumbar model (111 DoFs and 620 musculo-tendon actuators).

The cycle of the CM and its main events were defined. Results showed a wide RoM of many joints, with correlations between hip and knee flexion angles and among list, between hip adduction and shoulder flexion. The main role of the iliopsoas and the ileus costalis muscles was observed.

The current study quantified the CM as a physical exercise using a biomechanical approach similar to a gait analysis. The main kinematic and kinetic features were described, also providing an estimation of the muscle activations and joint reactions, derived from simulation activity in OpenSim. The main limitation of this study is the focus on a single subject, but this step was necessary to define a context and guidelines for future investigations, where we are going to compare èlite vs. novices and male vs. female dancers.

Bariatric surgery is a treatment for severe obesity and its associated conditions, which already has ample evidence of its benefits. In addition to the reduction in body fat mass, the weight loss caused by bariatric surgery includes a significant reduction in skeletal muscle and bone mineral mass, which could negatively affect functional capacity and increase the risk of sarcopenia. The need for prophylactic programs that prevent sarcopenia in bariatric surgery patients seems to be one of the crucial points for the long-term surgical success of bariatric and metabolic surgery. This study aims to review the published literature regarding the effects of physical exercise on the prevention of sarcopenia induced by bariatric surgery.

We followed the PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews conducted in PubMed/Medline, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Randomized controlled, controlled clinical, and other types of experimental studies were considered for inclusion. A total of 356 possibly relevant studies were identified with quality considered reasonable and good. Eight studies were included in the review: six of which were randomized experimental studies, one was a pilot study, and one a quasi-experimental study.

Structured physical exercise allows significant improvements in body composition, positively affecting functional capacity, muscle strength, cardio-metabolic risk factors, and quality of life in patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery, especially when combined exercise is implemented in the initial weeks following surgery.

A combined, individualized, and supervised exercise program contributes to preventing and reducing sarcopenia after bariatric surgery.

Tennis demands exceptional technical skills, speed, strength and endurance. Previous studies have highlighted the high energy expenditure during tennis drills due to constant directional changes. While metabolic monitoring and player tracking have been used to quantify exercise intensity and movements, mechanical efficiency (ME) in tennis remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate ME in tennis by combining metabolic and mechanical measurements during on-court drills.

Ten elite adolescent tennis players (males n = 5, females n = 5) performed a VO_2max test on a treadmill and participated in three standard tennis drills, Spanish cross, lateral and inside out. During the tennis drill, full-body kinematics were captured, and energy expenditure was measured using a portable breath-by-breath gas analysis. ME was calculated for each drill, and individual differences were examined.

Results revealed significant differences in energy expenditure and mechanical work between drills. ME was not associated with VO_2max or running speed. highlighting the need to focus on other factors like strength, footwork technique, and neuromuscular training to enhance ME.

This study underscores the complexity of ME in tennis, with individual variations and where factors like footwork technique, muscular strength and motor abilities might influence ME.