Susana Franco

Volleyball involves fast, dynamic actions requiring precision and coordination. Repetitive asymmetrical movements increase the risk of spinal issues due to mechanical stress and micro-trauma. Despite this, the effectiveness of specific training protocols to mitigate these problems remains underexplored. This study examines whether a targeted exercise programme can improve posture and reduce musculoskeletal dysfunction risk. To evaluate the effect of an ad hoc training protocol, measuring its effectiveness in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal dysfunction in young volleyball players. Forty-eight athletes (14-16 years) from four teams were divided into an Experimental Group (EG) and a Control Group (CG). The EG followed a six-month protocol integrating balance and corrective exercises in warm-up and post-training sessions, while the CG maintained standard training. Postural changes in kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis were measured pre- and post-intervention using the Zebris Medical GmbH system. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney U test. Significant differences emerged between EG and CG, confirming the protocol's effectiveness in improving kyphosis (P = .002), lordosis (P = .033), and scoliosis (P < .001 left, P = .012 right). These findings indicate a significant reduction in spinal postural alterations in EG. A training protocol focusing on balance and postural correction positively impacted spinal alignment in young volleyball players. The significant improvements in EG highlight the importance of integrating targeted exercises into training programmes to reduce postural imbalances and musculoskeletal dysfunction risks.

Introduction: The Fitness market is heterogeneous and competitive, and knowledge about its trends can be important for the various stakeholders to adjust. Objective: Identify fitness trends in Portugal for 2025; compare the opinion of groups about trends considering sexes, professional title, whether they work as a fitness professional and compare the Portuguese results of 2025 with those of 2024 and with the results of Spain and the world. Methodology: The methodology of the American College of Sports Medicine study on global fitness trends was followed, with an online questionnaire with 51 trends being applied to 554 fitness professionals, health professionals related to exercise and students in the sector. Results: The Top 5 Fitness trends for 2025 in Portugal are “Personal training”, “Employ certified fitness professionals”, “Exercise for weight loss”, “Pilates” and “Traditional strength training”. Except for “Pilates”, in the Top 5, the remaining trends remained the same in relation to 2024. Differences were found in 10 trends between professional titles, 12 between those who work as fitness professionals and those who do not, and 30 between sexes. Fitness trends in Portugal are more similar to Spain than to those worldwide. Discussion: The main trends in Portugal value “Personal training” service first and assume some stability in relation to recent years. Conclusions: The specificity of the Portuguese market justifies the continuation of this study and the contribution it can make to the growth of the sector.

Introduction: The fitness market in Portugal currently registers the highest number ever of gyms, participants, revenue, and market penetration rate. In this context, the production of knowledge about the sector represents an added value for all stakeholders. Objective: To identify the fitness trends in Portugal for 2026; to compare opinions among groups (gender, professional title, and whether they hold professional functions); and to contrast the 2026 findings with the 2025 national results, as well as with the 2026 Spanish and worldwide surveys. Methods: Following the methodology of the Worldwide Fitness Trends survey developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), an online questionnaire comprising 55 potential trends was applied in Portugal. A total of 630 respondents—including fitness professionals, exercise-related health professionals, and students—completed the survey. Results: The top five fitness trends for 2026 were “Employing certified fitness professionals”, “Personal training”, “Specialized fitness studios”, “Programs for older adults”, and “Exercise for mental health”. The top 10 included three new entries related to disease management. Group comparisons revealed 13 differences between genders, 21 between professional title, and 20 between performing or not performing professional functions. Additionally, three of the top ten trends in Portugal coincide with those of Spain and the global ranking. Conclusions: The Portuguese market continues to strongly value the hiring of certified professionals and personalized training, while simultaneously registering growth in practices focused on health and disease management. The ongoing evolution and heterogeneity of the sector justify the continuation of this study and its contribution to the development of Fitness in Portugal.

Although bodybuilding is widely practiced, the integration of adaptive rule‑based wearable systems providing real‑time feedback for monitoring movement quality in bodybuilding‑specific training contexts remains limited. Although commercial systems for resistance‑training monitoring exist, their application to bodybuilding‑specific execution analysis remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable devices providing real‑time adaptive feedback, particularly in their ability to monitor and enhance movement quality. A controlled experimental design was adopted, involving the collection and analysis of kinematic, angular, and temporal data within a structured training protocol. Variables were measured for each exercise under two conditions (pre‑ and post‑feedback). Results revealed aggregate mean improvements across exercises in execution symmetry (+12%), range of motion (+9%), and angular velocity (+11%), along with a reduction in technical errors (–18%), although the magnitude of change varied between movements. Improvements in time under tension (+5%) were observed but did not reach statistical significance. The findings demonstrate that real‑time adaptive feedback systems can effectively enhance movement quality in bodybuilding practice.

Introduction: the perceived instructor quality (PIQ), in fitness group activities (GA), plays a vital role in users’ satisfaction, motivation, and long-term engagement with fitness services. Objective: this study aimed to assess and compare PIQ from both user and instructor perspectives, and to analyze how user perceptions vary according to gender, age group, and club attended. Methodology: a total of 270 users and 32 instructors from five clubs of a fitness chain in Portugal completed an adapted version of the QIF-AG questionnaire, assessing 10 IQ items. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA, with Tukey post hoc comparisons. Results: results showed that users consistently rated instructors more positively than the instructors themselves, with statistically significant differences in their communication, punctuality, and knowledge. Female users reported higher IQ scores than males, particularly in relational dimension. While age-related differences were not statistically significant, younger users tended to give higher ratings across most items. Significant variations were also found among the clubs, some showing more favorable ratings, especially in technical-pedagogical dimension. Discussion: findings underscored the multidimensional and context-sensitive nature of users PIQ. Fitness professionals and managers are encouraged to implement targeted quality improvement strategies, considering the user profiles and club characteristics. Conclusions: this investigation highlights the value of integrating multiple perspectives and contextual variables when assessing service quality in fitness.

Introduction: The fitness industry continues adapting to customers' unique characteristics and needs across different regions. Studying fitness trends enables industry professionals to make informed decisions, seize new opportunities, and foster a culture of health and well-being. Objective: This observational and cross-sectional study aimed to determine the most relevant fitness trends in Ibero-America for the first time and examine any differences between global fitness trends for 2025. Methodology: A national online survey was conducted in two countries of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and three countries in the Americas (Mexico, Brazil, and Chile), following the methodology used by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) since 2006. An online questionnaire was sent to fitness professionals to assess the relevance of over 50 fitness trends. Discussion: A total of 5,262 responses were collected across the 5 national surveys, with an overall mean response rate of 13.44%. Some of the most relevant fitness trends in Ibero-America for 2025 include: exercise for weight loss, personal training, employing certified exercise professionals, fitness programs for older adults, and traditional strength training. Conclusions: The present findings highlight the similarities in the results of the Ibero-American surveys and their significant differences in global fitness trends. The results can help fitness professionals plan services and make strategic decisions based on the priorities of each Ibero-American region.

The present study aimed to characterize and compare pedagogical feedback behavior in group resistance training classes among fitness professionals with different educational backgrounds. The study sample consisted of 20 fitness professionals with up to two years of experience, divided into two groups: professionals holding a bachelor’s degree in Sports, Physical Condition and Health from the Sport Science School of Rio Maior (n=10), and fitness professionals with a a Specialist Technical Course in Physical Exercise (n=10). Video analysis was conducted using the Fitness Instructor Feedback Observation System in Group Fitness Classes (SOFIF-GFC). The results obtained showed significant differences in the emission of feedback per minute, with the group of graduate fitness professionals emitting significantly more feedback per minute and in the breathing categories, of the Content dimension, and feedback cycle, of the Monitoring of Practice Consequent to Feedback dimension. The findings suggest that the type of academic training has a more pronounced impact on the quantity of feedback delivered than on the way it is delivered.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to present estimates of mortality from noncommunicable diseases attributable to low physical activity in Brazil in 2019. METHODS: An epidemiologic and descriptive study. We retrieved the data during the month of September 2023. Two independent researchers accessed the indicators in the Global Burden of Disease database: (i) number of cases and (ii) mortality from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, kidney diseases, and neoplasms, and (iii) level of physical activity in Brazilian individuals for the year 2019. Data were extracted by two researchers independently for the states of Brazil, stratified by sex (male and female), age groups (15–49 years, 50–69 years, and 70 or more years), cause of death and corresponding mortality (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and kidney diseases, and neoplasms) and classified by regions according to geographic and administrative distribution in North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Central-West. The number of deaths, age-standardized mortality, and years of life lost due to the disease were extracted, gross and in rates per 100,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: Mortality from noncommunicable diseases associated with low levels of physical activity in Brazil in 2019 was 293.39 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, highest in Maranhão, with 407.98 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, and lowest in the Distrito Federal and Minas Gerais, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular disease was the most prominent risk factor among the results of this study.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is the change in time intervals between heart beats, reflecting the autonomic nervous system’s ability to adapt to psychological and physiological demands. Slow breathing enhances parasympathetic activity, increasing HRV. Pranayama, a yoga breathing technique, affords the conscious regulation of respiration frequency. This study aimed to characterize HRV, blood pressure and peripheral oxygen saturation of basic yoga breathing slow techniques with regular yoga practitioners. Methods: In total, 45 yoga practitioners were included in the study (including 7 males, mean age of 54.04 ± 11.97 years) with varying levels of yoga experience (minimum 3 months, maximum 37 years). Participants performed three breathing conditions: baseline (control) and two yoga techniques (abdominal (adham) and complete (mahat)) breathing, each for 10 min in the supine position (i.e., savasana). For each condition, respiratory frequency, heart rate (HR), blood pressure and peripheral oxygen levels were collected. Results: The findings revealed that both abdominal and complete yoga breathing techniques promoted a decrease in respiratory frequency (p < 0.001, r = 0.61; p < 0.001, r = 0.61, respectively), and an increase in peripheral oxygen saturation (p < 0.001, r = 0.50; p < 0.001, r = 0.46, respectively), along with blood pressure decreases in all mean values, and a significant decrease in systolic pressure, considering all conditions (p = 0.034, W = 0.08). There were significant increases in standard deviation of HR during abdominal and complete yoga breathing techniques compared with the baseline (p = 0.003, r = 0.31; p < 0.001, r = 0.47, respectively), indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity. Moreover, the complete breathing technique exhibited the greatest variability in HRV measures, with several significant differences compared with abdominal breathing (standard deviation of HR, p < 0.001, r = 0.42; SD2, standard deviation of points perpendicular to the Poincaré parallel line, p < 0.003, r = 0.31; SD1/SD2, p < 0.003, r = 0.31), suggesting a more profound impact on autonomic modulation. Conclusions: simple, inexpensive and non-intrusive abdominal and complete yoga breathing techniques can effectively and momentarily enhance HRV and oxygen saturation in adults, mature adults and the elderly.