Haithem Rebai

Objective: To develop and validate a musculoskeletal disorder screening scale for motorcycle operators. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 140 Tunisian operators rated pain in nine body regions on a four-point scale. Results: Two factors separated upper-body from lower-body regions and explained 67.5 percent of the variance. Cronbach alpha reached 0.910 and 0.881. The two-factor model outperformed the one-factor model (chi-square difference 67.92, p < 0.001), with loadings from 0.75 to 0.91 and approximation error of 0.103 under ordinal estimation. Engine displacement separated the groups on both subscales (partial eta squared 0.196), age band on the upper body alone (p = 0.007), and riding discipline on neither (p = 0.183). Conclusions: The scale shows a coherent two-factor structure and high internal consistency, with model fit short of the approximation-error threshold.

This study investigated the influence of Ramadan fasting on injury incidence, training load, subjective well‐being, postural control, and dietary intake in competitive mid‐ and late elite male adolescent football players across three study phases. A prospective observational cohort design was employed over 13 consecutive weeks in 101 elite male youth football players (U17, n = 56; U19, n = 22; U21, n = 23). Three phases were identified: Pre‐Ramadan (Weeks 1–4), Ramadan (Weeks 5–8), and Post‐Ramadan (Weeks 9–13). Weekly session‐RPE training load, Hooper Index, anthropometrics, and 3‐day dietary records were collected prospectively. Injury surveillance was conducted according to the UEFA guidelines. Forty‐six players (45.5%) sustained ≥ 1 time‐loss injury over 10.419.3 h of exposure. Injury incidence increased during Ramadan from 3.76 to 6.83/1.000 h (RR = 1.816, 95% CI: 0.904–3.651; + 81.6%), with injury burden doubling from 55.16 to 111.68 days/1.000 h (+102.5%). Perceived training load (+134.3 AU; χ ² = 106.77, p < 0.001; d = 1.79) and Hooper Index (+1.99 points; χ ² = 122.16, p < 0.001; d = 8.97) increased significantly. Muscular injuries represented 69.6% of Ramadan injuries, while osseous injuries occurred exclusively during Ramadan. Protein intake decreased (26.30%–23.01%; p < 0.001; d = 3.68), with increased carbohydrate contribution (49.36%–54.13%; p < 0.001). Ramadan intermittent fasting was associated with a clinically significant elevation in injury incidence and burden in mid‐ and late elite male adolescent football players, occurring concurrently with increased perceived training load, progressive psychophysiological deterioration, and reduced dietary protein intake. These findings underscore increased injury risk during Ramadan and the need for tailored prevention.

Background and Aims: The effect of time‐of‐day on postural balance has been documented in sighted children. Given that vision is central to postural control and circadian synchronization, its absence may influence these temporal patterns. To date, the time‐of‐day effect on postural balance in blind children remains unexamined. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of time‐of‐day on postural balance in blind children and to examine whether its temporal variation differs from the typical daily pattern observed in sighted peers. Methods: Two groups participated: 12 blind and 12 age‐matched sighted children. Postural balance was assessed using the center of pressure mean velocity (CoP _Vm ) during bipedal stance on firm and foam surfaces at 07:00, 12:00, 17:00, and 22:00 h. Quadriceps femoris muscle strength, auditory reaction time (ART), and oral temperature were also evaluated at each time point. Results: Blind children showed a significant nocturnal decrease in CoP _Vm at 22:00 h ( p < 0.001), temporally aligned with a significant increase in lower limb strength ( p < 0.001). Oral temperature was significantly lower at 07:00 h ( p < 0.001), whereas no significant time‐of‐day effect was observed on ART ( p > 0.99). In sighted children, at 17:00 h, CoP _Vm was significantly lower ( p < 0.001), ART decreased significantly ( p < 0.001), MVC increased significantly ( p < 0.001), and oral temperature showed a significant peak ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: Time‐of‐day influences postural balance in blind children, but with atypical fluctuations compared to sighted peers. Postural stability was lower during the diurnal phase in blind participants, highlighting the need for caution during balance‐demanding daily activities to reduce fall‐related injury risk.

Background: Plyometric training is widely used to enhance explosive performance in youth athletes, yet limited evidence exists regarding the persistence of neuromuscular and morphological adaptations after training cessation in prepubertal populations. Objective: This study examined the effects of an 8-week plyometric training program on sprint performance, change-of-direction (COD) ability, and muscle size-related changes, and evaluated the retention of these adaptations following a 4-week detraining period in prepubertal basketball players. Methods: Twenty-eight prepubertal boys were allocated to either a plyometric training group or a control group. Sprint performance (5, 10, and 20 m) and COD ability were assessed, and muscle size-related changes were evaluated through measurements of muscle volume and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thigh and calf. Assessments were conducted at baseline, after the intervention, and following the detraining period. Results: The plyometric group demonstrated significant improvements in sprint and COD performance and increases in muscle volume and CSA of the mid-thigh and calf (p ≤ 0.05). The control group showed modest improvements in sprint performance and muscle volume, likely reflecting normal growth and regular basketball participation. After 4 weeks of detraining, sprint and COD performance and muscle volume in the plyometric group declined to levels comparable with the control group, whereas CSA of the mid-thigh and calf remained elevated. Conclusions: These findings indicate that short-term plyometric training improves explosive performance and induces structural adaptations in prepubertal basketball players, although continued training stimuli appear necessary to maintain most performance-related gains.

Background: Older adults with intellectual disability often experience impaired postural balance due to the combined effects of intellectual disability‐related deficits and age‐related motor, sensory and cognitive limitations. Evidence on Pilates in this population remains limited. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effects of a Pilates programme on postural balance, muscle strength and reaction time in older male adults with mild intellectual disability. Methods: Twenty male older adults with mild intellectual disability were randomly assigned to Pilates training group (PTG; mean age: 50.00 ± 2.71 years) or control group (CG; mean age: 49.40 ± 2.12 years). Static postural balance (centre of pressure mean velocity, CoPVm), quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and simple reaction time (SRT) were assessed pre‐ and post‐8‐week mat Pilates training programme consisting of 60‐min sessions performed twice per week. Results: PTG showed a significant reduction in CoPVm values ( p < 0.001) and SRT ( p < 0.01) with a significant increase in MVC ( p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in CG. Conclusion: These findings highlight Pilates as an effective intervention to improve postural balance, muscle strength and reaction time in older male adults with mild intellectual disability.

Proprioception is fundamental for accurate movements, balance, and postural control, ensuring stability and orientation in both static and dynamic tasks. I

Background: Drop height has previously been used as an effective programming parameter in plyometric jump training. Less is known about the usage of maximal rebound jump height from a distinct drop height as a parameter for individualized plyometric jump training. Hence, the aim of this study was to contrast the effects of two different drop jump (DJ) training modalities using either the individualized maximal rebound height (MRHT) or a standard (SDHT) drop height on selected measures of physical fitness in young volleyball players. Methods: Thirty male young volleyball players aged 14 to 16 years were randomly assigned to an MRHT (n = 15) or an SDHT (n = 15) group. The MRHT group performed DJ exercises using a drop height according to the individual’s maximal rebound jump height from 30 cm, 40 cm, and 50 cm drop heights. The SDHT group performed DJs following a standardized drop height (30 cm) across the 8-week intervention period. The overall training volume was similar between MRHT and SDHT with one to three sets of 8 to 10 repetitions of DJ exercises per session. Before and after training, jump height and the reactive strength index (RSI) were taken as dependent variables from 30, 40, and 50 cm drop heights. In addition, dynamic balance (Y-balance test) as well as linear sprint and change-of-direction (CoD) speed were assessed. Results: Significant group × time interactions were found for jump height, balance, RSI, and linear sprint (p < 0.001; d = 0.12–3.42) but not CoD speed. Post hoc tests showed significant jump height improvements in favor of the MRHT group for drop heights from 30 cm (Δ20.4%, p < 0.001, d = 3.69), 40 cm (Δ20.3%, p < 0.001, d = 2.90), and 50 cm (Δ18.3%, p < 0.001, d = 3.37) and RSI50 (Δ30.14%, p < 0.001, d = 2.29). MRHT but not SDHT resulted in significant 5 m (Δ9.2%, p < 0.001, d = 1.32) and 20 m (Δ7.4%, p < 0.01, d = 2.30) linear sprint speed improvements. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that MRHT but not SDHT improved DJ height, RSI, and linear sprint speed. Due to the importance of vertical jumps and short accelerations for overall competitive performance in volleyball, our results suggest that young male players should perform MRHT as part of plyometric jump training if the goal is to improve acceleration, reactive strength, and vertical jump performance.

Individuals with intellectual disabilities often face unique challenges in physical capabilities, making traditional training methods less effective for their specific needs. This study aimed to investigate the effect of combining balance, plyometric, and strength (CBPS) training with sprint training on physical performance in male athletes with intellectual disabilities. Twenty-seven participants were randomly assigned to either a CBPS group or a control group that only maintained their regular sprint training. Participants underwent pre- and posttraining tests, including measures of balance, jumping, agility, and sprinting ability. The results showed that the CBPS group demonstrated significant improvements (p < .05) in one-leg stance, crossover-hop jump, squat jump, countermovement jump, and 10- and 30-m sprint at posttraining compared with pretraining. CBPS training combined with sprinting significantly improves physical performance in male athletes with intellectual disabilities, suggesting implications for tailored training programs to enhance their physical fitness and overall health.