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As the importance of developing good thinkers from an early age is widely recognised as an overarching goal of contemporary early childhood curricula, research on nurturing children’s thinking continues to grow. This study sought to gain insight into kindergarten children’s understanding of the concept and process of thinking. A socio-cultural perspective that conceptualises thinking and its development as a dynamic, socially mediated process, in which signs, including drawing, guided the research. 35 children from Greece, aged 4–6 years, participated in the study and were involved in a drawing-telling activity. Thematic analysis, which included both the drawings and verbal responses of the participants, resulted in five main themes that reveal new aspects of children’s perceptions and reflect the inherent complexity of the concept of thinking. Although the findings have direct implications for teaching and learning in early childhood classrooms, the discussion calls for further research in this area.

Ankle sprains are considered to be the most common musculoskeletal lower limb injury, accounting for a high percentage of all sport injuries in football. Motor imagery (MI) has been widely used for sports performance optimization purposes, suggesting that athletes’ ability to reenact a motor action can improve sports performance and rehabilitation. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of MI as an adjunct intervention in VO2max and lactate in football players with Grade II ankle sprains during the return-to-play period. Fifty-eight professional football players were randomly divided into two groups: first, the MI (n = 29) and second, the placebo (n = 29). The MI group received recorded MI instructions, whereas the placebo group received only relaxation instructions. A one-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant results within the first 4 weeks following the interventions in both groups. Additionally, a t-test showed statistically significant differences between the two groups in VO2max (t = −6.04, p = 0.000, two-tailed, p < 0.05) and lactate (t = 4.33, p = 0.000, two-tailed, p < 0.05). Further research across various sports is needed to better understand the role of MI in the return-to-play period, particularly regarding injury management and sports performance.

The VMIQ-2 has been proven a valid and useful psychometric tool to measure the ability of vividness of movement imagery in sports. However, no validity study has been reported in Greek. The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity and reliability of the VMIQ-2 into Greek in adult athletes derived from various sports activities and different athletic levels. The VMIQ-2-GR (n = 160) was examined for translation, construct and discriminant validity, and also for internal consistency and test–retest reliability. CFA did not show acceptable global fit indices and only the index of (x 2 /df) showed an acceptable fit. The resulting factors of the EFA highlighted the discrepancy between the Greek version and the original version of the VMIQ-2. The results of the discriminant validity confirmed that the VMIQ-2-GR was well discriminated between subgroups of athletes and, therefore, showed a good discriminant validity. The Cronbach a coefficient was excellent at both measurements (> 0.92 in all cases for all factors). The Spearman rho correlation coefficients were statistically significant (< 0.001) with values > 0.47. The findings of the VMIQ-2–GR suggest that it is a valid and reliable tool and it can be used by sports psychologists, sports physiotherapists, coaches and researchers who aim to apply MI in the Greek athletic population.

Physical fitness is of great significance to athletes in both single-player and team sports. The countermovement jump (CMJ) is one of the most commonly applied jump tests for assessing the mechanical capacities of the lower extremities. The KForce Plates system is a portable force platform that sends action-time audio and visual biofeedback to a smartphone or tablet through the KForce application, making it a suitable instrument for assessing the CMJ. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the test–retest reliability and validity of the portable force platform (KForce Plates) in the evaluation of the CMJ in collegiate athletes compared to a validated application, My Jump 2. Thirty-four collegiate professional athletes, deriving from various sports backgrounds, participated in the present study. The CMJs were reported with the portable KForce Plates and the simultaneous use of the ‘My Jump 2’ application using an iPhone 13 between days 1 and 7. Our findings revealed high test–retest reliability (ICC = 1.00 and ICC = 0.99) in-between measurements. High correlations were monitored amongst the portable KForce plates and the My Jump 2 application for measuring the CMJ (r = 0.999, p = 0.001). The Bland–Altman plot exhibits the limits of agreement amongst the portable KForce plates and the My Jump 2 application, where the bulk of the data are within the 95% CIs with an agreement of ≈1 cm. Our findings suggest that the portable KForce Plates system is a reliable and valid instrument and, therefore, can be used by experts in the sports field.

Background: Overhead athletes frequently perform rapid and powerful throwing overhead strokes in positions at the extreme range of motion, increasing the risk of upper limb injury. The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow Score has shown to be a valid and reliable questionnaire that can be used for the assessment of the functional status of the upper limb of patients involved in highly demanding overhead sports. The KJOC has been translated into several other languages however, a Greek version of the KJOC is not available yet. Methods: The KJOC will be cross-culturally adapted into Greek following international guidelines. At least 100 overhead athletes with or without shoulder or elbow complaints will be recruited and asked to fill in the Greek version of the KJOC twice and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) once. The internal consistency and the test-retest reliability will be examined using Cronbach's alpha and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimum detectable change (MDC) will be calculated and possible ground or ceiling effects will be also examined. Convergent validity will be evaluated with the Greek DASH using Pearson's correlation. Results: The results of this study will be presented in an article to be published later. Conclusions: This report describes the process of translation and cross cultural adaptation of the Greek version of the KJOC. We believe a study protocol will assist researchers in the field to improve the reporting of similar studies and as a result improve the quality of their studies.

Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is a common upper limb pathology in people involved in manual occupations. The upper extremity functional index (UEFI) was specifically designed to evaluate functional limitations in patients with upper limb pathology. The UEFI was developed in English and has been translated into several languages, including Greek. However, it has been assessed only in patients with shoulder pathology. Thus, the aim of this study was to pilot-test the Greek version of the UEFI (GV-UEFI) questionnaire and assess its measurement properties in patients with LET. Thirty patients with LET were recruited and asked to fill in the GV-UEFI twice and the disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire (DASH) once. The internal consistency and test–retest reliability were examined using Cronbach’s alpha and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated and possible ground or ceiling effects were also examined. Convergent validity was evaluated with the Greek DASH using Pearson’s correlation. Lastly, the unidimensionality of the scale was examined through principal component analysis to verify construct validity. Internal consistency was high for the GV-UEFI (Cronbach’s a = 0.98) and test–retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.98). The SEM was 2.95 and the MDC was 6.85. Test–retest reliability of each item was good (ICC > 0.87). The correlation analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between the GV-UEFI and the DASH. No floor or ceiling effects were found. Principal component analysis verified the construct validity and the unidimensionality of the scale. The GV-UEFI was successfully tested in patients with LET. It seems that the GV-UEFI can be used reliably in Greek-speaking patients with LET. However, the measurement properties of this scale should be examined in a larger sample of LET patients.

This editorial aims to feature authors who intend to submit their research to this Special Issue of Sports entitled “Clinical Advances in Upper Limb Sports Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention” in areas that need special consideration [...]

Background: Pole dancing is a physically demanding sport that combines dance and acrobatic movements on a vertical pole. Despite its highly growing popularity, there is currently limited research in the field. The aim of this study was to create and evaluate a strength assessment protocol for athletes in pole dancing, with a specific focus on functional positions on the pole. Methods: Thirty-two female pole dancing athletes participated in this study. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) were measured at three different sport-specific positions on the pole (shoulder abduction and adduction, and hip adduction), on two separate days (test and re-test) with a five to seven day interval between them. A hand-held dynamometer (Activ5- Activbody) stabilized on the pole was used for this study. Results: The intra-session reliability was good to excellent for all sports-specific positions and for both sides of the body, across all different movements (ICC = 0.837–0.960, SEM = 5.02 Kg–2.24 Kg, and SDD = 27.46%–14.92%). Slightly better results were found regarding inter-session reliability (ICC = 0.927–0.970, SEM = 3.72 Kg–1.97 Kg, and SDD = 22.86%–15.19%). There was not a statistically significant difference between the MVICs between the left and right or dominant and non-dominant side in shoulder abduction (p = 0.105) and hip adduction (p = 0.282), in contrast to shoulder adduction (p = 0.00). Conclusion: The strength assessment protocol developed in the current study has proven to be a reliable and functional tool, with the potential for utilization in clinical practice as part of objective strength testing. Further studies are needed in order to expand the protocol to other muscle groups and positions and to generalize the results in all pole dancing populations such as male athletes.

Background Diaphragm dysfunction is prevalent among individuals with asthma due to lung hyperinflation and hyperventilation in asthma paroxysm. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the manual diaphragm release technique (MDRT) on diaphragm function in individuals with asthma. Methods Adults with diagnosed stable asthma (n = 24), will be recruited from the General Hospital of Kifissia “Agioi Anargyroi” in Athens, Greece. The volunteers who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to two groups: (a) the experimental group (n = 12) that will receive 12 sessions of MDRT in conjunction with breathing retraining exercises (BRE), and (b) the control group (n = 12) that will receive 12 sessions of BRE. Measurements will occur at three time points: before the initiation of treatment sessions (week 0), followed by 12 treatment sessions (week 6), and three months from the beginning of the trial (week 12). The main outcomes will be the diaphragm excursion (ultrasonography) and chest expansion (inch tape), with secondary outcomes the maximal respiratory pressures (digital pressure manometer), dysfunctional breathing (Nijmegen questionnaire), asthma control (ACT), dyspnea (Borg scale) and quality of life (SF-12v2). Discussion The proposed protocol is the first to examine the effectiveness of MRDT on diaphragm’s function in individuals with asthma. Manual Therapy (MT) is a low-cost alternative and supplementary therapy to standard treatment procedures that might improve the biomechanics of respiration in pulmonary rehabilitation. Trial Registration Registered on Clinical Trials.gov (ID: NCT05709054) Protocol version 29/09/2023

Background: Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal issue, encompassing various shoulder conditions. While exercise typically forms the foundation of conservative treatment, there exists ongoing discourse regarding the effectiveness and role of passive treatments. International guidelines recommend initial conservative management, with surgery considered only after failed conservative treatment. However, recent studies reveal discrepancies between recommended practices and actual clinical management. The aim of the study was to assess current practices in managing RCRSP among Greek physiotherapists, with a focus on understanding the alignment of these practices with international guidelines for conservative treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Greek physiotherapists to assess current practices in managing RCRSP. The survey, adapted from previous studies, collected demographic data and assessed clinical reasoning through a vignette-based approach. Responses were analyzed for alignment with guideline-recommended care. Results: Out of over 9000 contacted physiotherapists, 163 responded. A majority expressed a specific interest in shoulder pain (85%). Patient education (100%) and exercise (100%) were widely endorsed, with limited support for imaging (44%), injection (40%), and surgery (26%). Younger respondents were less inclined towards surgical referral (p = 0.001). Additionally, adjunctive interventions like mobilization (66%) and massage therapy (58%) were commonly employed alongside exercise and education. Treatment duration typically ranged from 6 to 8 weeks, with exercises reviewed weekly. Conclusions: The study highlights a consistent preference for conservative management among Greek physiotherapists, aligning with international guidelines. However, there are variations in practice, particularly regarding adjunctive interventions and exercise prescription parameters. Notably, there is a disparity between recommended and actual use of certain modalities.