Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology最新文献

{"title":"Pain, Function, and Elastosonographic Assessment After Shockwave Therapy in Non-Calcific Supraspinatus Tendinopathy: A Retrospective Observational Study.","authors":"Gabriele Santilli, Antonello Ciccarelli, Milvia Martino, Patrizia Pacini, Francesco Agostini, Andrea Bernetti, Luca Giuliani, Giovanni Del Gaudio, Massimiliano Mangone, Vincenzo Colonna, Mario Vetrano, Maria Chiara Vulpiani, Giulia Stella, Samanta Taurone, Federico Vigevano, Vito Cantisani, Marco Paoloni, Pietro Fiore, Francesca Gimigliano","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010039","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Non-calcific supraspinatus tendinopathy (SNCCT) is a frequent cause of shoulder pain, often associated with functional impairment and reduced quality of life. Recent advancements in diagnostic imaging, including shear wave elastography (SWE), provide quantitative data on tendon stiffness and thickness, facilitating more precise evaluations. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a minimally invasive and effective treatment for SNCCT, but its effects on tendon properties measured through SWE require further investigation. <b>Objective:</b> This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the impact of ESWT on supraspinatus tendon characteristics in patients with SNCCT by assessing tendon thickness, SWE velocity, and clinical outcomes. Methods: This observational study enrolled 39 patients with SNCCT, aged 30-75 years, who received three ESWT sessions over 3 weeks. The intervention was delivered using a Modulith SLK system at an energy level of 0.20 mJ/mm² with 2400 pulses per session. SWE and conventional ultrasound were used to measure tendon thickness and SWEv at baseline (T0) and 6 months post-treatment (T1). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Constant and Murley Score (CMS), and modified Roles and Maudsley scale. Data were analyzed using paired <i>t</i>-tests and correlation analyses. <b>Results:</b> At baseline, affected tendons exhibited increased thickness (7.5 ± 0.9 mm) and reduced SWEv (3.1 ± 0.7 m/s) compared to healthy tendons (4.5 ± 0.7 mm and 6.9 ± 1 m/s, respectively; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Six months after ESWT, tendon thickness decreased significantly (6.2 ± 0.9 mm, <i>p</i> < 0.05), and SWEv increased (5.7 ± 1.8 m/s, <i>p</i> < 0.05), indicating improved elasticity. Clinical outcomes improved significantly, with the VAS scores decreasing from 6.5 ± 1.4 to 3.2 ± 2.1, the CMS score rising from 59.1 ± 17.3 to 78.2 ± 17.7, and the modified Roles and Maudsley scale improving from 2.3 ± 0.6 to 1.5 ± 0.8 (<i>p</i> < 0.05 for all). SWEv positively correlated with the CMS (r = 0.4) and negatively with the VAS and the modified Roles and Maudsley scale (r = -0.6 and r = -0.5, respectively). <b>Conclusions:</b> ESWT significantly reduces tendon thickness and enhances elasticity, correlating with improvements in pain and functional scores. SWE proved to be a reliable method for monitoring structural and clinical changes in SNCCT. Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is recommended to confirm these findings and explore longer-term outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11843871/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143468028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal Variations in the Physical Fitness of South African Premier Soccer League Players over an Annual Training Macrocycle (Nine Months).","authors":"Mduduzi Rhini, Robert Charles Hickner, Rowena Naidoo, Takshita Sookan-Kassie","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010038","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: Anecdotal data indicate that the physical fitness of soccer players fluctuates across the season. This is often a concern for coaches, since players are expected to be at optimal fitness during matches on weekly basis across the season. <b>Objectives</b>: To analyze the physical fitness variation in South African Premier Soccer League players over an annual training macrocycle. <b>Methods</b>: Twenty-four Premier Soccer League players belonging to the same team participated in the study. Players went through fitness assessments at three stages of the season: at the beginning of pre-season (T1); mid-first round in-season (T2); and mid-second round in-season (T3). The assessments included body fat percentage; sit and reach; vertical jump; 10 and 30 m sprints; and YoYo Intermittent Recovery Level 2 (YoYo IR2). <b>Results</b>: There was a significant increase in body fat percentage from T1 to T2 (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and a slight decline was evident at T3 (<i>p</i> = 0.04). Flexibility was significantly greater at T2 (<i>p</i> < 0.001) compared to T1 and T3. Vertical jump significantly improved at T3 (<i>p</i> = 0.004) compared to T1 and T2. A similar trend was evident in the YoYo IR2, where players reached the highest levels at T3 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). However, there were no significant changes in the 10 and 30 m sprints across the season. <b>Conclusions</b>: These results indicate that, indeed, some parameters, such as body fat percentage and flexibility, are likely to fluctuate as the season progresses. However, it is also evident that a gradual improvement can be achieved, as seen in vertical jump and YoYo IR2.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11843924/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143468124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of Fitness Profiles in Youth Soccer Players in Response to Playing Roles Through Principal Component Analysis.","authors":"Boryi A Becerra Patiño, Aura D Montenegro Bonilla, Juan D Paucar-Uribe, Diego A Rada-Perdigón, Jorge Olivares-Arancibia, Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda, José Francisco López-Gil, José Pino-Ortega","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010040","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Physical fitness in youth soccer impacts individual and team performance through the specific demands that must be met on the field. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize and identify youth soccer players with regard to the roles they play on the field. <b>Material and Methods:</b> A cross-sectional study was designed to characterize and identify the physical fitness levels of youth soccer players using previously validated measurement tests. A total of 36 players were evaluated (15 defenders and 24 attackers) using various physical fitness tests: Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Single-leg Countermovement Jumps (SLCMJs), COD-Timer 5-0-5, Speed (5, 10, 15, and 20 m), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level I (YYIR1), and Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). The data were confirmed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Effect sizes were obtained using the Rank-Biserial coefficient, and, to identify the profiles of attackers and defenders, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed. <b>Results:</b> For the strength variables, attackers obtained better results than defenders in the variable flight time in the SJ (<i>p</i> = 0.03; R-b = -0.33) and contact time (%) in the SLCMJ test (<i>p</i> = 0.04; R-b = -0.33). Meanwhile, defenders achieved better results than attackers in the SLCMJ test for the variable flight time (%) (<i>p</i> = 0.01; R-b = 0.33) and breaking angle (A°) in the Nordic Hamstring (<i>p</i> = 0.01; R-b = 0.33). The results showed differences according to the players' roles. Three principal components were identified for both attackers and defenders. The PC1 for attackers considered variables of strength, asymmetry, change of direction, and power. PC2 only considered strength and power variables. PC3 considered variables of strength, speed, endurance, and power. For defenders, PC1 considered strength, asymmetry, and power. PC2 analyzed variables of strength, asymmetry, change of direction and power. Finally, PC3 only grouped speed variables. <b>Conclusions:</b> Although youth soccer positions involve offensive and defensive roles, this study reveals differences in certain physical fitness variables. Therefore, it is necessary to tailor training tasks according to the specificity of the playing position, in line with the systems of play used and the predominance of the role that players occupy, whether in defense or attack.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11843846/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143468161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Different Reduced Training Frequencies After 12 Weeks of Concurrent Ballistic and Aerobic Training on Muscle Power and Triceps Brachii Muscle Architecture.","authors":"Thomas Mpampoulis, Spyridon Methenitis, Angeliki N Stasinaki, Nikolaos Zaras, Gregory C Bogdanis, Gerasimos Terzis","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010037","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of two long-term reduced concurrent training frequencies (incorporating power training for the upper and high-intensity interval aerobic training for the lower extremities), in which participants performed one training session every either 7 or 14 days, after 12 weeks of systematic concurrent training on upper extremities' muscle strength, power, and morphology in young females. <b>Methods:</b> After a 12-week concurrent resistance and aerobic training period, participants were assigned into three groups and performed either one training session every 7 days (G7), or once every 14 days (G14), or detraining (GD) for 12 weeks, followed by 12 additional weeks of detraining. <b>Results:</b> Performance and muscle mass increased after the initial 12-week training period. After the reduced training frequency period, bench press 1-RM and aerobic power remained unchanged in G7 and decreased significantly in G14 (-5.9 ± 4.9%; -1.4 ± 4.5%). Muscle power and muscle thickness of the triceps branchii long head decreased significantly in G7 (-9.8 ± 7.7%; -0.9 ± 0.6%; respectively, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and G14 (-10.9 ± 7.6%; -2.8 ± 2.7%, respectively, <i>p</i> < 0.05), without significant differences between groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> In conclusion, 12 weeks of systematic concurrent resistance (upper extremities) and aerobic training (lower extremities) induced significant improvements in upper extremities muscle power/strength and muscle architecture characteristics. Both reduced training frequencies led to significant reductions in power performance. Thus, performing one training session every 2 weeks for 3 months may preserve 90 to 95% of the muscle power/strength, aerobic power and 72% of muscle mass adaptations achieved with systematic concurrent training. However, greater preservations in the above parameters could be observed if the training frequency is one training session per week.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755545/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acute Effects of Foam Rolling and Stretching on Physical Performance and Self-Perceived Fatigue in Young Football Players.","authors":"Elzan Bibić, Valentin Barišić, Borko Katanić, Andrii Chernozub, Nebojša Trajković","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010036","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of foam rolling and traditional stretch treatments on physical performance and self-perceived fatigue in youth football players. <b>Methods</b>: The sample of participants consisted of 20 youth football players from the Serbia Under-17 league. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, the Foam group (age: 16.6 ± 1.5 years) or the Stretch group (age: 16.9 ± 1.0 years), with each group consisting of 10 participants. The first measurement (I) was conducted before the match; then, the football players played the match, which was followed by the second measurement (II), and afterward, the groups performed their foam and stretch activities. The third measurement (III) was conducted 2 h after the recovery interventions, and the fourth measurement (IV) was conducted 24 h after the match. Players were tested for the following: linear sprints at 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m, squat jumps (SJs), countermovement jumps (CMJs), and arm-driven countermovement jumps (ACMJs). Participants also completed self-assessment questionnaires on fatigue (Hooper scales) and perceived exertion (Borg scales). <b>Results</b>: A 2 × 4 split-plot ANOVA revealed that there were no differences between the foam rolling and stretching treatments in any parameter of physical performance or self-perceived fatigue. However, a separate within-group analysis showed that the Foam group achieved significantly better sprint times in the third and fourth measurements (2 and 24 h post-match, respectively) compared to measurements taken immediately after the football match. Regarding self-perceived parameters, foam rolling reduced fatigue and stress at 2 and 24 h post-match. On the other hand, the stretching treatment only affected the stress parameter, which was reduced 24 h after the football match. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings indicate that although there were no significant differences between treatments, foam rolling demonstrated certain advantages compared to stretching. Specifically, foam rolling may offer benefits in enhancing subjective recovery and reducing perceived exertion in young football players. However, these conclusions should be interpreted with caution, as the study was cross-sectional and involved a small sample of young football players.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755551/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing Recovery Strategies in Elite Speedskating: A Comparative Analysis of Different Modalities.","authors":"Tomasz Kowalski, Kinga Rębiś, Jadwiga Malczewska-Lenczowska, Andrzej Klusiewicz, Michał Starczewski, Sebastian Klich, Przemysław Kasiak","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010034","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> As short-track speed skaters have to race multiple races to achieve success during competition, optimizing the recovery between efforts is a noteworthy performance determinant. Therefore, we compared three different recovery modalities (active cycling recovery, pneumatic compression boots, and isocapnic breathing protocol) in the context of perceived subjective pain and recovery variables, multiple biochemical and biomechanical indices, CMJ height and power, as well as repeated efforts on the ice track. <b>Methods:</b> Fifteen elite short-track speed skaters (eight males and seven females; age 18.3 ± 1.0 years, height 175.6 ± 7.5 cm, weight 73.7 ± 7.7 kg, 23.8 kg/m², VO₂max 55.5 mL·kg^-1·min^-1: ♂ 58 20 ± 3.6 mL·kg^-1·min^-1; and ♀ 53 ± 4.5 mL·kg^-1·min^-1) completed the study experiment and were included in the analyses. Repeated measures ANOVA with optional post hoc Bonferroni correction was used to assess the association magnitude of changes in variables across the recovery methods. <b>Results:</b> All the investigated protocols were associated with significant changes in multiple recovery indices observed within all the investigated protocols (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). However, for this sample, they resulted in analogous effects on subjective variables, hormonal response, creatine kinase, CMJ parameters, and on-ice performance (between-protocol effect: <i>p</i> ≥ 0.002). Changes in creatine kinase were generally higher in males than females (<i>p</i> = 0.05), which might suggest that optimal recovery protocols in short-track are gender-dependent. <b>Conclusions:</b> Since compression and active cycling remain gold standard recovery protocols, a similar response from isocapnic breathing suggests it may be a modality particularly useful in real-world settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755552/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Time Estimation Following an Exhaustive Exercise.","authors":"Tiziana Maci, Mario Santagati, Grazia Razza, Maria Cristina Petralia, Simona Massimino, Sergio Rinella, Vincenzo Perciavalle","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010035","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Time estimation was investigated in 24 healthy adults, including 12 women and 12 men, before and after an exhaustive exercise. <b>Methods</b>: We compared the ability of estimating time intervals in the range 1 to 5 s using tasks requiring mental counting and tasks that did not allow it. Time estimation and blood lactate levels were evaluated before and at the end of the exercise. <b>Results</b>: We found that the perception of time intervals between 1 and 5 s was affected at the end of the exercise. The observed effects, associated with a significant increase in blood lactate levels, were different in the two types of time estimation used in the present study. When participants had to evaluate the duration of the time interval using mental counting, a significant reduction in the overestimation of time made at rest was observed at the end of exercise. On the other hand, when participants had to assess the difference in duration between two events without the possibility of mental counting, a significant deterioration in performance was observed at the end of the exercise. In both cases, no differences were seen between genders. <b>Conclusions</b>: It could be hypothesized that an increase in blood lactate, acting as a type of physiological arousal, could contribute to the distortion of perceived time intervals. On the other hand, it does not yet seem possible to propose a model to explain the worsening of the perception of time when mental counting is not possible.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755588/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardiovascular Diseases, Vital Organ Fibrosis, and Chronic Inflammation Associated with High-Intensity and/or High-Volume Exercise Training: Double-Edged Sword Effects of Vigorous Physical Activity in Elderly People and/or in Middle-Age Cancer-Therapy-Treated Patients.","authors":"Pierre A Guertin","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010033","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cardiotoxicity, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), hypertension, hepatotoxicity, and respiratory problems occurring several months to several years post-chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are increasingly documented by scientists and clinicians. Anthracyclines, for example, were discovered in the late 1960s to be dose-dependently linked to induced cardiotoxicity, which frequently resulted in cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Most of those changes have also been associated with aging. While it is well known that exercise can slow down cellular aging processes, lessen the effects of chemotherapy, improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments, and prevent health problems in the general population, it remains unclear how exercise volume or intensity may affect the overall benefits of physical activity on health. For instance, higher rates of sudden cardiac arrest or coronary artery calcification have been found in marathon and ultra-marathon runners. Several additional pathological consequences have also been reported recently on many organs of those athletes. This review reports the most recent evidence suggesting that excessive intensity and/or volume may have deleterious effects on health. These findings are in clear contrast with the popular belief that all forms of physical activity can generally reduce the pathological changes associated with aging or cancer therapies. In conclusion, high-intensity training (HIT) and/or high-volume training (HVT) should not be recommended for middle-age and elderly people who have had cancer therapies or not in order to avoid an exacerbation of the consequences of aging or long-term cancer treatment effects on vital organ structures and functions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755580/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relative Age Effect (RAE) According to Norm Values on Anthropometric Performance and Physical Fitness in 9-11-Year-Old Children.","authors":"Artan R Kryeziu, Bujar Begu, Dana Badau, Astrit Iseni","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010032","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The main purpose of this study is to identify the relative effect of age (RAE) according to norm values on the anthropometric performance and physical fitness of children between the ages of 9 and 11 years. The data, namely the percentiles of anthropometric parameters and physical fitness, are relevant for identifying the RAE in relation to gender and the month of birth in children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For the sample in this study, 1185 young people from Kosovo were enrolled, including 626 males and 559 females aged 9-11 years. The gathered data were assessed via the EUROFIT methodology, which takes into account comparisons based on the quartile of birth and the relative age effect (RAE).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results of the data show us that there are significant differences in the RAE among children born in Q2 at the age of 9 years, especially in boys, as well as significant differences in the height variable at the <0.005 significance level. Others factors did not show significant differences, for example, variables that are indicators of physical fitness. For both boys and girls born in Q1, significant differences were mainly found in the indicators of explosive strength, flexibility, static strength, speed, and agility, with a level of significance of <i>p</i> < 0.001, while other indicators did not show significant differences. In addition, there was a significant difference the ratio between genders at the <i>p</i> < 0.001 and <i>p</i> < 0.005 levels, mainly among those born in Q1 and Q2. Similarly, at 10 years of age, children who were born earlier in the year had better scores, although the large disparities were more noticeable between quartiles than between genders, where the significant differences were mainly in the indicators of explosive strength, speed, and strength at the <i>p</i> < 0.001 level, as well as static strength, agility, and speed at the <i>p</i> < 0.005 level. Significant differences were also found for the indicators in terms of gender. At the age of 11, significant percentiles were mainly found in the quartiles at the beginning of the year for both boys and girls, and significant differences were also found at the <i>p</i> < 0.001 level for RAE between quartiles and gender.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>By using these data, it will be possible to highlight how males, who have demonstrated notable advantages in anthropometric and physical fitness measures, as well as those born in the first few months of the year, exhibit a relative age effect (RAE) in accordance with gender norm values.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755560/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Subgroup Characteristics of Middle-Aged and Older Women with Chronic Low Back Pain by Multiple Factors: A Hierarchical Cluster Analysis.","authors":"Ryo Miyachi, Takaaki Nishimura, Masahiro Noguchi, Akio Goda, Hiromichi Takeda, Eisuke Takeshima, Yuji Kanazawa, Tadashi Imai, Wataru Tanaka","doi":"10.3390/jfmk10010030","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jfmk10010030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Chronic low back pain (CLBP) after middle age is a complex multifactorial condition, and subgrouping is recommended to determine effective treatment strategies. Multidimensional data help create new groupings to increase the effectiveness of interventions in middle-aged and older adults with CLBP. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the factors associated with CLBP after middle age and to create and characterize a new subgroup based on these factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional observational study was conducted and included 46 women aged ≥40 years with CLBP who participated in health events. Trunk muscle mass, lumbar movement control ability, autonomic balance, lumbar tenderness threshold, lumbar proprioception, and severity of central sensitization were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Partial correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between lumbar movement control ability and autonomic balance. A significant positive correlation was observed between trunk muscle mass and the lumbar tenderness threshold. Hierarchical clustering analysis identified three subgroups. The cluster 1 participants had low trunk muscle mass, low tenderness threshold, and low severity of central sensitization. The cluster 2 participants had low trunk muscle mass and tenderness threshold and high severity of central sensitization. The cluster 3 participants had high trunk muscle mass and tenderness threshold and were sympathetically predominant. Trunk muscle mass, pressure pain threshold, severity of central sensitization, and autonomic balance were significantly different between the clusters.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Three characteristic subgroups were identified. The results contribute to treatment and prevention strategies for middle-aged and older adults with CLBP based on the characteristics of the subgroups rather than a uniform approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":16052,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11755572/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}