Rubén Maneiro

The mandatory hydration breaks implemented during the 2026 FIFA World Cup represented a novel universal application of these interruptions, with breaks occurring in every match regardless of environmental conditions, prompting discussion regarding their potential implications for game dynamics. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to compare offensive passing patterns during the five minutes immediately before and after mandatory hydration breaks. A total of 22,728 passes corresponding to the 104 matches played in the tournament were analysed, examining 25 indicators related to the frequency, effectiveness, direction, progression, spatial location, and attacking threat of passes. Qualitative indicators were analysed using chi-square tests, while quantitative indicators were assessed using linear mixed-effects models. Statistically significant differences (p < .05) were detected in several passing indicators following hydration breaks; however, all effect sizes were small (V ≤ 0.079; │d│ ≤ 0.083), indicating limited practical impact on offensive game dynamics. These findings suggest that collective attacking behaviours in elite football exhibit notable stability in the face of planned regulatory interruptions, remaining practically unchanged after play resumes. Taken together, these results provide relevant empirical evidence for coaches, performance analysts, and governing bodies, as they indicate that only small differences in passing behaviour were observed between the five-minute periods immediately before and after mandatory hydration breaks.

La actividad física desempeña un papel trascendental en el desarrollo integral de las personas a lo largo de su vida, promoviendo la mejora de la condición física, a la vez que favorece su bienestar social y cognitivo. Por este motivo, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la intencionalidad de ser físicamente activo en estudiantes de Educación Primaria. Para ello, se ha utilizado el cuestionario de Medida de la Intencionalidad para ser Físicamente Activo (MIFA). La muestra de este estudio ha tomado en consideración un total de 185 participantes (96 alumnos pertenecientes al 5.º curso de Educación Primaria y 89 alumnos de 6.º curso de esta misma etapa educativa), con edades comprendidas entre los 10 y los 12 años. Los resultados alcanzados no presentan diferencias estadísticamente significativas atendiendo al sexo ni a la edad, observándose tamaños del efecto muy pequeños en todos los análisis realizados (η²p = .000–.015). Sin embargo, sí se observan tendencias positivas, como el acuerdo generalizado de los participantes con la necesidad de llevar a cabo práctica deportiva tanto dentro como fuera de los centros educativos. La ausencia de diferencias significativas en función del sexo o la edad, junto con los reducidos tamaños del efecto, sugiere que, durante este periodo, la intención de ser físicamente activo se mantiene relativamente estable entre los distintos subgrupos analizados, una situación que respondería a cuestiones como la motivación o el disfrute. Estos resultados pueden ampliar el interés aplicado del estudio más allá del ámbito educativo, aportando evidencia útil desde una perspectiva ocupacional para el diseño de estrategias preventivas orientadas a favorecer la participación en ocupaciones físicamente activas y la promoción de la salud desde edades tempranas.

A second block of studies addresses technical-tactical performance analysis in team sports, providing insights into decision-making and efficiency. Amatria et al., 2025 analyzed the effectiveness of pick-and-roll actions in elite women's basketball, showing that collective solutions, rapid decision-making, and specific game moments (particularly the second and third quarters) are associated with greater success. In women's volleyball, Sitti and Rungbuhet, 2025 examined spiking efficiency according to attack type, court zone, and phase of play, demonstrating that certain central zones and attack conditions yield higher efficiency. Wang and Wang, 2025 compared first-attack performance in elite women's volleyball teams between the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games, identifying evolving offensive trends and structural changes in gameplay. Similarly, Zhang et al., 2025 analyzed positional technical differences between men's and women's basketball at the Olympic level, highlighting distinct performance profiles that require position-specific training and tactical approaches.A third group focuses on physiological, biomechanical, and neuromuscular determinants of performance, emphasizing physical adaptations and underlying biological mechanisms. Wang et al., 2025 through a network meta-analysis, compared strength and plyometric training, concluding that strength training is more effective for sprint performance, whereas plyometric training shows greater benefits for jump performance. Pismiri et al., 2026 analyzed affective responses and fatigue under hypoxic and normoxic conditions, demonstrating that different environmental and training protocols elicit distinct responses in variables such as energy, tension, and fatigue. Petrovic et al., 2025 examined age-related differences in jumping and sprinting performance among basketball players, finding superior results in older athletes, likely due to neuromuscular development. Ogata et al., 2026 investigated the relationship between ground reaction forces and sacrum acceleration during changeof-direction movements, identifying significant associations during specific phases of the movement. Additionally, Lu et al., 2025 explored psychomotor efficiency using electroencephalography (EEG), revealing neural activation differences between individuals with varying levels of expertise, associated with motor control and cognitive processing.Another group of studies addresses coaching, training management, and applied sport contexts, providing insights for practitioners. Cano-Cuartero et al., 2025 analyzed swimming coaches' perceptions of training periodization and performance management, revealing a predominance of traditional approaches combined with contextual adaptations and limited athlete involvement in planning. Johnson et al., 2025 From a methodological and measurement perspective, Shin et al., 2025 validated the "creactability" scale in football using Rasch modeling, confirming its unidimensional structure, reliability, and construct validity. Sáez de Ocáriz et al., 2025 developed and validated the CHEAT-1 questionnaire to assess perceptions of cheating in traditional sporting games, demonstrating strong psychometric properties and its applicability in educational and sport contexts.Several studies adopt systematic review and evidence synthesis approaches. González-del Castillo and Barbero-Alcocer., 2025 reviewed the effects of physical activity on executive functions in children, identifying improvements particularly in inhibitory control, although with heterogeneous results across studies. Bezuglov et al., 2025 reviewed the ergogenic effects of music in team sports, highlighting its positive influence on both physiological and psychological variables, despite variability in protocols. Carlone et al., 2025 examined the relationship between the gut microbiome and athletic performance, identifying emerging evidence linking microbiota composition with metabolic processes, recovery, and training adaptation.Finally, other contributions expand the field toward health-related and emerging research areas. Nie and Fan, 2025 investigated the effects of different exercise modalities on inhibitory control in individuals with internet addiction, showing modality-specific neurocognitive responses and highlighting the therapeutic potential of physical activity. This Research Topic highlights the increasing complexity and interdisciplinarity of Sport Sciences. The diversity of approaches, methodologies, and populations underscores the importance of integrating multiple perspectives to better understand performance, behavior, and health in sport contexts. Future research should continue to advance methodological rigor, strengthen interdisciplinary integration, and promote evidence-based practices that enhance both performance and well-being in sport.

La investigación en Ciencias del Deporte ha estado tradicionalmente marcada por la dualidad entre enfoques cuantitativos y cualitativos. En las últimas décadas, los mixed methods han emergido como una vía de integración que favorece una comprensión más amplia del objeto de estudio. Sin embargo, su consideración como paradigma sigue siendo objeto de debate, coexistiendo posturas que los interpretan como un enfoque metodológico integrador y otras que los sitúan como un posible tercer paradigma desde perspectivas pragmáticas. En este contexto, la Metodología Observacional puede entenderse como mixed methods, debido a la secuencia QUAL–QUAN–QUAL presente en sus fases. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar el papel de los mixed methods en las Ciencias del Deporte mediante una revisión bibliométrica y narrativa. Los resultados muestran un aumento progresivo en su uso, aunque su consolidación conceptual y visibilidad como marco autónomo siguen siendo limitadas, destacando su valor para la integración metodológica.

Background: Adolescence represents a critical period for the adoption of lifestyle behaviors that may influence physical health, emotional well-being, and health-related behaviors later in life. However, limited evidence exists regarding the combined association of dietary habits and physical activity with motivation toward physical education, particularly among adolescent girls from different residential environments. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity levels, and motivation toward physical education among adolescent girls from urban and rural settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving girls aged 12 to 14 years (n = 217; N_Urban = 108 and N_Rural = 109). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity levels, and motivational dimensions toward PE were assessed using validated questionnaires. Differences between groups were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed controlling for physical activity levels. Effect sizes were calculated using partial eta squared (η²p). Results: Significant differences were observed in intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, and amotivation according to adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.05), with small to moderate effect sizes (η²p = 0.029–0.040). Post hoc analyses indicated that girls with optimal adherence to the Mediterranean diet exhibited higher intrinsic motivation toward PE compared with those with low adherence. The ANCOVA revealed that higher physical activity levels were significantly associated with greater intrinsic motivation, particularly among girls from urban environments. No significant differences were found between urban and rural environments in overall physical activity levels or dietary adherence. Conclusions: Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet and higher levels of physical activity are associated with more self-determined motivational profiles toward physical education in adolescent girls. These findings highlight the importance of integrated school-based interventions that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles to enhance motivation and engagement in PE among adolescent girls.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue describir y analizar el comportamiento de los saques de esquina en el fútbol masculino profesional en función del tiempo de partido. Se analizaron 441 saques de esquina correspondientes a 51 partidos mediante metodología observacional, utilizando un diseño nomotético, puntual y multidimensional. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, análisis bivariados y un análisis multivariante mediante un árbol de decisión CHAID. Los resultados del análisis bivariado mostraron asociaciones significativas entre el tiempo de partido y el número de jugadores en ataque (χ² = 52,31; p < .001; ES = 0,217), los jugadores que intervienen en la acción (χ² = 8,43; p = .03; ES = 0,123) y el resultado parcial del encuentro (χ² = 56,43; p < .001; ES = 0,225). A nivel multivariante, el árbol de decisión permitió identificar patrones contextuales en la ejecución de los saques de esquina en función del tiempo y del marcador, aunque el modelo presentó una capacidad discriminativa limitada, por lo que sus resultados deben interpretarse desde un enfoque exploratorio y descriptivo.

Los objetivos del presente estudio han sido estudiar las acciones ofensivas con balón de los delanteros centros en la UEFA EURO 2020, conocer la relación entre diversos criterios y categorías técnico-tácticas analizados -incluyendo criterios espaciales, de interacción e intención- y el resultado de la acción, y establecer un modelo predictivo del resultado de las acciones. Para ello, 599 acciones ofensivas de los delanteros participantes en la UEFA EURO 2020 han sido analizadas a partir de la metodología observacional mediante el uso de un instrumento de observación “ad hoc” formado por 4 dimensiones, 14 criterios y 129 categorías, con una fiabilidad interobservador de k = 0,842. Se llevaron a cabo tres tipos de análisis: análisis descriptivo mediante recuento de frecuencias absolutas y relativas, análisis bivariado mediante tablas de contingencia entre los criterios incluidos en el instrumento de observación y el resultado de la acción y análisis predictivo mediante regresión logística binaria. Los resultados mostraron la influencia de los siguientes criterios en el resultado final de las acciones analizadas: Zona del campo de donde viene el balón (χ² = 140,3; p < .001; ES=.342), Zona dónde se produce la acción (χ² = 148,7; p < .001; ES=.352), Contexto de Interacción Inicial (χ² = 57,7; p < .001; ES=.219), Acción Previa (χ² = 78,2; p < .001; ES=.256), Superficie de contacto (χ² = 20,5; p = .002; ES=.131), Zona del campo a dónde va el balón (χ² = 498; p < .001; ES=.645), Intención táctica (χ² = 73,9; p < .001; ES=.351), Acción que realiza (χ² = 557,9; p < .001; ES=.682) y Contexto de interacción final (χ² = 348,2; p < .001; ES=.539). A nivel multivariado, el modelo de regresión logística demostró una capacidad predictiva del 80% a la hora de predecir la capacidad de los delanteros centro de mantener la posesión de balón. Las variables predictoras significativas fueron el Contexto de interacción inicial, la Intención táctica y la Acción que realiza. Estos resultados pueden ser útiles a la hora de entrenar específicamente a los delanteros centro y aumentar su rendimiento.

Background: Healthy lifestyle habits, such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and regular engagement in physical activity (PA), have been associated with physical and psychological well-being during adolescence. However, there is limited evidence regarding their combined association with motivation towards physical education (PE), particularly among adolescent girls from different residential environments. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyse the association between adherence to the MD, levels of PA, and motivation towards PE in adolescents from urban and rural environ-ments. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adolescents aged 12 to 14 years. Adherence to the MD, PA levels, and motivational dimensions towards PE were assessed using validated questionnaires. Differences between groups were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed controlling for PA levels. Effect sizes were calculated using partial eta squared (η²p). Results: Significant differences were observed in intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, and motivation according to adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) (p < 0.05), with small to moderate effect sizes. Post hoc analyses showed that girls with optimal adherence to the MD exhibited higher intrinsic motivation towards PE compared with those with low adherence. The ANCOVA re-vealed that higher levels of PA were significantly associated with greater intrinsic mo-tivation, particularly among girls from urban environments. No significant differences were found between urban and rural environments in overall PA levels or dietary ad-herence. Conclusions: Greater adherence to the MD and higher levels of PA are associ-ated with more self-determined motivational profiles towards PE in adolescent girls. These findings highlight the importance of integrated school-based interventions that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles to enhance motivation and engagement in PE, particularly among adolescent girls.

Introduction: The serve is one of the most important technical-tactical behaviors in men’s performance volleyball and, at the same time, one of the least studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was threefold: first, to analyze the usual practices of these actions; second, to examine the relationship between the variables considered using Match Status as the reference criterion; and finally, to determine, at a multivariate level, the influence of the predictor variables on Match Status. Method: A total of 3,530 serves from 22 matches of the Spanish Superliga Masculina 2 during the 2023-2024 season were recorded. An observational methodology was applied within the mixed methods paradigm, using an ad hoc instrument with a field format and category system, and coding the data with the Lince Plus software. At the bivariate level, the association between Match Status and the other variables was assessed through contingency tables and the chi-square statistic. At the multivariate level, two classification models (a decision tree and a multinomial logistic regression) were trained using Match Status as the dependent criterion. Results: The results revealed significant associations between Match Status and six variables: Serve After Pause, Serving Player, Set Phase, Type of Serve, Result of the Previous Serve, and Execution Zone. The decision tree model identified the Result of the Previous Serve as the criterion with the highest informational gain, followed by Serve After Pause and the Server itself, and showed that serves executed after regulatory interruptions (e.g., time-outs) increased the probability of obtaining a favorable outcome. The multinomial regression confirmed the significant influence of Set Phase (χ ² = 40.311; p < 0.001), Reception Zone (χ ² = 17.784; p = 0.023), Serve After Pause (χ ² = 173.907; p < 0.001), Result of the Previous Serve (χ ² = 16.802; p = 0.002), and Type of Serve (χ ² = 17.232; p = 0.002). Performing the serve after a time-out significantly increased the odds of being ahead [Exp(B) = 3.13], and reception in zone 4 was associated with greater success [Exp(B) = 10.80]. Conclusions: The conclusions highlight that serve effectiveness is multifactorial and provide practical applications for coaches to adjust serving and receiving strategies, considering match score dynamics and critical moments of the match.