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This study aimed to estimate the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine on low back pain (LBP) intensity, prevalence, and associated risk factors among adults in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). A total of 463 adults (259 males and 204 females) aged between 18 and 64 years and residing in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered structured questionnaire composed of 20 questions regarding demographic characteristics, work- and academic-related aspects, physical activity (PA), daily habits and tasks, and pain-related aspects was used. The LBP point prevalence before the quarantine was 38.8%, and 43.8% after the quarantine. The LBP intensity significantly increased during the quarantine. The low back was also the most common musculoskeletal pain area. Furthermore, during the quarantine, a significantly higher LBP intensity was reported by those individuals who (a) were aged between 35 and 49 years old, (b) had a body mass index equal to or exceeding 30, (c) underwent higher levels of stress, (d) did not comply with the ergonomic recommendations, (e) were sitting for long periods, (f) did not practice enough physical activity (PA), and (g) underwent teleworking or distance learning. No significant differences were found between genders. The COVID-19 quarantine resulted in a significant increase in LBP intensity, point prevalence, and most associated risk factors.

Objective This study aimed to explore the motivational factors influencing physical activity among college students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Saudi Arabia. Methods An observational, cross-cultural, and cross-sectional study was conducted at two universities in Saudi Arabia, Prince Sultan University (PSU) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). Data were collected on family and PE teacher influence, availability of sports facilities and resources, persistence in physical activity, social interaction, and physical activity frequency across life stages. Results Significant differences were observed between PSU and KFUPM students in family and teacher influence, access to facilities, and engagement in physical activity. PSU students reported higher levels of family support, teacher influence, and access to facilities and resources, which correlated with greater engagement in physical activities. Conversely, despite having fewer resources, KFUPM students demonstrated higher social interaction in physical activities. Regression analysis revealed that for KFUPM, social interaction within physical education was a key predictor of physical activity frequency, while for PSU, persistence and engagement were primary, with family influence as a secondary factor. Conclusion The findings underscore the role of institutional support, resource availability, and social factors in promoting physical activity among STEM students. PSU’s supportive environment and access to sports facilities significantly contribute to higher physical activity engagement. In contrast, KFUPM’s emphasis on social interactions highlights the role of peer networks in fostering engagement. These insights emphasize the importance of universities establishing comprehensive support systems designed to enhance student engagement in physical activities. Trial registration The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Prince Sultan University (Approval Number PSU IRB2022010101).

This pilot study investigates the learning effect in repeated trials of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test in adults with different levels of physical fitness. Twenty physically active (PAS) and non-physically active subjects (NAS) participated in the study (age 19.9 ± 1.6 years, height 174.5 ± 8.1 cm, body mass 66.5 ± 8.2 kg, and BMI 21.8 ± 1.6 kg/m²). They repeatedly performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1) once a week until performance plateaued. Maximal heart rate was analyzed in three one-minute intervals after the test was completed. PAS completed 3.1 ± 1.28 and NAS completed 2.7 ± 0.15 trials. Performance level significantly improved from the initial to the final trial in both PAS (from 14.5 ± 1.1 to 15.2 ± 1.1, p  = .006) and NAS (from 13.0 ± 1.0 to 13.5 ± 0.9, p  = .008). Similarly, the distance covered significantly increased in both the PAS (from 588.5 ± 317.4 m to 748.7 ± 373.4 m, p  = .001) and the NAS (from 360.0 ± 175.9 m to 432.0 ± 188.4 m, p  = .003). Maximal oxygen uptake also significantly increased in the PAS (from 41.6 ± 1.8 ml/kg/min to 43.3 ± 2.4 ml/kg/min, p  = .005) as well as in the NAS (from 39.5 ± 1.5 ml/kg/min to 40.1 ± 1.6 ml/kg/min, p  = .003). However, there were no significant changes in maximal heart rate between the first and last trials in either group. These findings indicate a significant learning effect in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1) over 3 trials, regardless of the subjects’ level of physical fitness. However, this may bias the results, and therefore, practice trials are recommended before testing.

Background Previous research has shown the importance of motivation in promoting sustained physical activity, but the impact of cultural and geographical differences on motivational profiles remains underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by comparing motivations for engaging in health-oriented physical activity across three countries on different continents. Methods Following STROBE guidelines, a cross-sectional study was conducted using a stratified sampling method across three countries, yielding 1,252 respondents: 422 from Mexico, 405 from Saudi Arabia, and 425 from Spain. Participants were college students aged 18–25 years. The Motivation Scale Towards Health-Oriented Physical Activity (EMAPS), validated for the Spanish population, was used for data collection. Data integrity was ensured through response verification and addressing flagged entries. Results Identified regulation and intrinsic motivation were the most prevalent types of motivation across all three countries. All countries shared high scores in identified regulation, but cultural differences were evident. Mexico showed higher levels of self-determined regulation, while Spain and Saudi Arabia exhibited more introjected regulation and amotivation, reflecting distinct motivational profiles. Conclusion Despite cultural differences, common motivational patterns for physical activity were identified, emphasizing the universal value of health and well-being goals. Mexico’s motivational profile aligns closely with Self-Determination Theory (SDT), highlighting a predominantly self-determined structure with reduced external influence. Conversely, Spain and Saudi Arabia displayed stronger internalization of external pressures. These findings underscore the importance of culturally tailored interventions to promote physical activity, adapting motivational strategies to specific cultural contexts to foster long-term engagement and adherence. Trial registration The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Prince Sultan University (PSU IRB2023110167).

Objectives: Motor competence (MC) and physical fitness are important factors for a healthy life over time. This study aimed to assess the association between motor competence and physical performance in children aged 4-6 years. Methods: One hundred thirty-nine children (78 boys and 61 girls) were recruited for the study from a preschool in Tekirdağ province, Turkey. Their motor competence was evaluated by the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK+3) test battery combined with an alternating one-handed ball-catching and -throwing task on the first day of the study. On the second day of the study, the children underwent a series of performance tests, including the static and dynamic balance test, pro-agility test, and countermovement jump test. Results: Partial correlation analyses showed no association between motor competence and any performance test results. Fisher’s r-to-z analysis test also indicated that gender did not differentiate the results in terms of the potential association between motor competence and performance test results. Conclusion: No significant association was found between motor competence and physical performance in children aged 4-6 years. Gender did not influence this relationship either. These findings suggest that further research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to better understand the link between motor competence and physical performance in early childhood. Objetivo: La competencia motriz (CM) y la aptitud física son factores importantes para una vida saludable a lo largo de la vida. El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre la competencia motriz y el rendimiento físico en niños de 4 a 6 años. Métodos: Ciento treinta y nueve niños (78 niños y 61 niñas) de preescolar de la provincia de Tekirdağ, (Turquía) participaron en la investigación. Su competencia motriz se evaluó mediante la batería de pruebas Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK+3) combinada con una tarea alternativa de lanzamiento y recepción de pelotas con una mano el primer día del estudio. En el segundo día del estudio, los participantes realizaron una serie de pruebas de rendimiento, incluyendo la prueba de equilibrio Miniboard, la prueba de Pro agilidad y la prueba de salto con contramovimiento. Resultados: Los análisis de correlación parcial no mostraron asociación entre la competencia motriz y los resultados de las pruebas de rendimiento. La prueba de análisis r-to-z de Fisher también demostró que el género no tenía efecto significativo en los resultados en relación con la posible asociación entre la competencia motriz y el rendimiento físico. Conclusión: No se encontró asociación significativa entre la competencia motriz y el rendimiento físico en niños de 4 a 6 años. El género tampoco influyó en esta relación. Estos hallazgos sugieren que se necesitan más investigaciones con muestras más grandes y diversas para comprender mejor el vínculo entre la competencia motriz y el rendimiento físico en la primera infancia.

Offensive transitions, (defined as shifts from defense to attack) have an extraordinary impact on goal scoring patterns. Identifying the factors that most significantly influence its achievement is crucial, enabling teams to tailor strategies to their specific characteristics and the particular demands of their championships. The study aims to provide analyzes of the separate and combined impacts of various variables on the success of offensive transitions and their outcomes. The sample comprised 1151 games from nine distinct countries, categorized into three league groups: Top, Marginal, and Emerging. These matches yielded 1649 goals, which were classified as either direct offensive transitions or offensive transitions resulting from positive outcomes (goals scored from set-piece situations following successful offensive transitions). The statistical method employed was binomial logistic regression. A total of 20 to 23% of goals scored by Offensive transitions resulted from positive outcomes. Offensive transitions play a pivotal role in competitive leagues, with 47% of all goals. Top leagues exhibit an even higher proportion (53%) of goals originating from offensive transitions, emphasizing the effectiveness of defensive pressure in specific areas and involving more passes and offensive combinations. All league groups highlighted the central zones of the defensive midfield as essential to initiating successful direct offensive transitions. In Emerging Leagues, they are more likely to succeed with three passes than with two passes. In Marginal leagues, the number of players involved and the passes are related to the starting area. The findings enhance understanding of offensive transition tactics in football for greater scoring impact.

Objective This study investigated the concept of ‘game style’ in football, focusing on a team’s distinctive approach characterized by tactics, formations, and strategies. The objective is to compare goal-scoring patterns related to “non-offensive transition,” “set pieces,” “offensive transition,” and “positive outcomes” across different league groups. Methodology: The sample comprises 702 football games, categorized into three league groups: Top Leagues, Marginal Leagues, and Emerging Leagues. A total of 2140 goals were analyzed, classifying them into four types: “No Transitions”, “Set Pieces”, “Offensive Transitions (direct), and “Positive Outcomes” of offensive transitions. The study aims to identify relevant differences between two distinct competitive periods, namely “Rounds 1 to 5” and “Rounds Last 5.” Results: The analysis reveals no significant differences in scoring methods between “Rounds 1 to 5” and “Rounds Last 5” across all variables in the analyzed league groups, except for goals conceded by “No Transition” in the Emerging Leagues. Additionally, results indicate that goals resulting from direct offensive transitions and positive outcomes substantially impact the Top Leagues, constituting 54% of the total scoring. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of establishing and maintaining consolidated game patterns, as demonstrated by the consistent scoring patterns across different league groups. While most leagues show no variations in scoring methods between early and late rounds, attention to goals conceded by “No Transition” in Emerging Leagues is warranted. The prominence of direct offensive transitions and positive outcomes in Top Leagues highlights the relevance of these strategies in the scoring process, emphasizing the need for teams to focus on developing and implementing effective game patterns.

Strength training (ST) for runners is typically based on low volumes and high intensities. However, alternative approaches emphasizing higher volume and lower intensity, such as protocols with high time under tension (TUT), remain underexplored in this population. Notably, the effects of high-TUT may vary depending on the predominant type of muscle contraction. To analyze the impact of strength training with high time under tension on different muscle actions in performance-related variables in runners. Thirty-four physically active young males were randomly divided into three groups: dynamic strength training, isometric strength training, and a control group. Over four weeks, the training groups performed two weekly sessions of bodyweight exercises with equalized time under tension per set (84 s), adjusted according to the type of contraction. The primary outcomes were performance in a 3000-meter time trial, peak torque, countermovement jump, neuromuscular fatigue, internal running load, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation. The data were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Peak torque increased by 13.3% in the dynamic group and 14.2% in the isometric group, compared with 2.5% in the control, with statistical significance only for the isometric group (p = 0.034, d = 1.12). Vertical jump height improved by 5.4% in the dynamic group and 4.1% in the isometric group compared with 0.7% in the control (p = 0.003, d = 1.54 and p = 0.030, d = 1.13, respectively). In conclusion, high time under tension strength training, both dynamic and isometric, improved neuromuscular characteristics in runners. However, these adaptations did not translate into significant changes in running performance or running economy over the duration of the intervention. This trial was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC) with the identifier RBR-686kqdx.

Objective: This study aimed to verify the association between specific field-based physical fitness test results and selected health biomarkers in college-aged males. Method: A total of 390 males participated in this research. The association between fitness test scores and anthropometric and health variables were examined. The fitness tests conducted were: Sit-and-reach test (S&R), standing long jump test (SLJ), Shuttle run test (SHR), and 20 m Multistage Fitness Test (BT) to estimate the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). The anthropometric and health variables assessed were: Weight (WE), height (HE), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (FAT), lean body mass (LBM), abdominal Girth (AG), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), oxygen saturation (SPO2), average blood pressure (A-BP), double product (DP), and fasting blood glucose (GLU). Results: S&R presented a weak significant correlation with SLJ, VO2max, and AG. SLJ maintained weak to moderate significant correlations with S&R, SHR, VO2max, HE, WE, LBM, WHR, BMI, FAT, AG, SBP, DBP, A-BP, DP, and GLU. SHR presented weak to moderate significant correlations with SLJ, VO2max, WE, BMI, AG, FAT, HE, SBP, DP, and GLU. VO2max maintained weak to moderate correlations with S&R, SLJ, SHR, WE, BMI, FAT, LBM, AG, and DP. Weak to moderate correlations were found between anthropometric and health variables, whereas the anthropometric variables presented significant correlations with each other, ranging from weak to very strong. Fitness test results presented weak to moderate correlations among themselves. Conclusion: SLJ and SHR present weak to moderate validity to predict the selected anthropometric markers and weak to predict the selected health indicators except for SPO2. VO2max has only weak validity to predict the selected anthropometric markers, whereas S&R is not valid to predict the selected health or anthropometric markers. Anthropometric measurements have weak validity in predicting the selected health markers. BMI and AG are valid, simple, and economical measurements to assess body fat. A positive interaction between the results obtained in the field-based fitness tests conducted was observed.

Young soccer players need to enhance their athletic performance, including speed and endurance. Traditional training methods may not be effective enough to improve athletic performance in these young athletes. Velocity-based high-intensity interval training (vHIIT) workouts can increase the efficiency of energy systems and improve athletic performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four weeks of vHIIT on athletic performance in young soccer players. A total of 14 male soccer players participated in the study (mean age: 18.9 ± 1.0 years, body mass: 76.5 ± 5.3 kg, height: 1.81 ± 0.08 m). Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group ( = 7) or a control group ( = 7). While the control group continued their regular soccer training without additional vHIIT intervention, the experimental group underwent vHIIT training at 85-90% intensity twice a week for 4 weeks in addition to their regular training. Change of direction speed (COD), maximum sprint speed (MSS), maximum oxygen consumption (VO ), and the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (VIFT) were assessed twice, in the control and experimental groups, both at pre-test and post-test measurements. The findings indicated a significant decrease in COD time ( < 0.001, η p = 0.682) and 30-15 IFT ( < 0.001, η p = 0.735) in the experimental group. However, no statistically significant change was observed in these parameters between the pre-test and post-test in the control group. Additionally, group-time interaction effects were found to be significant in favor of the experimental group in all parameters. Four weeks of speed-based vHIIT training led to improvements in sprint performance, COD, and aerobic capacity in young soccer players. Incorporating vHIIT workouts into conditioning programs for youth soccer players may be an effective strategy for enhancing physical performance components, including speed, agility, and endurance, which are requirements of soccer.