Nouf H. Alkhamees

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between emotional intelligence and self-reported performance-related outcomes (psychological performance and subjective athletic performance satisfaction) in athletes, and to evaluate the indirect role of psychological resilience in these relationships. The research was conducted using a quantitative, cross-sectional design. A total of 403 national-team athletes aged between 18 and 38 years voluntarily participated. Data were collected through self-report measures of emotional intelligence, psychological resilience, psychological performance, and aggression, together with a visual analog scale assessing subjective athletic performance satisfaction. Direct and indirect associations were estimated using path analysis with observed composite scores. Statistical inference was based on 95% bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) bootstrap confidence intervals obtained from 10,000 resamples, with aggression included as an auxiliary covariate. Emotional intelligence was positively associated with psychological resilience (β = 0.586, 95% BCa CI [0.495, 0.670]), and psychological resilience was positively associated with psychological performance (β = 0.469, 95% BCa CI [0.368, 0.559]) and subjective athletic performance satisfaction (β = 0.170, 95% BCa CI [0.054, 0.286]). The adjusted direct associations of emotional intelligence with psychological performance (β = 0.013, 95% BCa CI [-0.093, 0.121]) and subjective athletic performance satisfaction (β = 0.117, 95% BCa CI [-0.004, 0.231]) were not supported because their confidence intervals included zero. Significant indirect associations through psychological resilience were observed for psychological performance (β = 0.275, 95% BCa CI [0.205, 0.354]) and subjective athletic performance satisfaction (β = 0.100, 95% BCa CI [0.032, 0.176]). After accounting for aggression as an auxiliary covariate, the findings indicate that psychological resilience is an important statistical pathway linking emotional intelligence with self-reported performance-related outcomes. Because the study was cross-sectional, the results should be interpreted as directional associations rather than causal effects. Because all outcomes were self-reported with satisfaction assessed by a single item and the psychological performance measure showing mixed confirmatory factor analysis fit these associations should be interpreted with caution.

Purpose: This study compared the effects of a modern multimodal non-fatiguing recovery protocol with traditional low-intensity active running and passive recovery on neuromuscular performance, muscle damage, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and perceptual outcomes following a standardized football match. Methods: Twenty male semi-professional football players completed a randomized, counterbalanced, repeated-measures crossover design. Each participant completed three recovery conditions: passive recovery, traditional active running at 55–60% HRmax, and modern multimodal recovery consisting of very low-intensity cycling at 40–50% HRmax, foam rolling, and percussive therapy. A 7-day washout interval separated experimental periods. Neuromuscular performance and biochemical markers were assessed at baseline (Pre), immediately following completion of the assigned 20-min recovery condition (post-recovery), and at 24 h. Perceptual outcomes were assessed at post-recovery and 24 h. Results: The standardized football match was followed by neuromuscular impairments and increases in markers of muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The modern condition showed smaller post-recovery declines in several neuromuscular outcomes, including peak force (− 7.5% vs. −14.3% in passive recovery), RFD (− 12.9% vs. −21.4%), and CMJ height (− 7.3% vs. −16.0%). Significant pairwise differences favored the modern condition over passive recovery for several outcomes, whereas differences between the modern and traditional active recovery conditions were outcome-specific. At 24 h, several neuromuscular variables were numerically closer to baseline under the modern condition. The modern condition also showed smaller increases in CK (+ 78% vs. +115% in passive recovery), IL-6 (+ 172% vs. +239%), MDA (+ 40% vs. +56%), and TOS (+ 40% vs. +63%), together with smaller disturbances in antioxidant status. Perceptual outcomes similarly showed a more favorable recovery pattern under the modern condition. Conclusion: A modern multimodal non-fatiguing recovery strategy may support short-term neuromuscular recovery and attenuate biochemical disturbances following a standardized football match, particularly when compared with passive recovery. However, differences between the modern and traditional active recovery conditions were outcome-specific and were not consistently observed across all measures. These findings support interpreting the multimodal protocol as an integrated recovery strategy rather than as evidence for the independent efficacy of its individual components. Clinical trail number: This study was not prospectively registered.

Adherence to home-based exercise programs is central to rehabilitation, yet adherence to prescribed rest intervals remains largely unexplored. This narrative review synthesized relevant literature identified through targeted, purposive searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for publications from 2000 to 20 July 2026, supplemented by reference-list screening. Direct evidence is extremely limited: no study identified prospectively quantified adherence to prescribed rest intervals in a home-based rehabilitation setting. Accordingly, most interpretation is extrapolated from broader literature on general exercise adherence, resistance training, telerehabilitation, and digital monitoring. Rest duration can influence neuromuscular recovery, fatigue, and performance, providing a physiological rationale for studying recovery timing, but these effects do not establish the clinical consequences of rest-interval non-adherence. We distinguish participant adherence from intervention fidelity and propose temporal fidelity as a hypothesis-generating framework describing concordance between the intended and implemented timing structure of exercise. Explicit prescriptions, patient education, simplified timing cues, supervised familiarization, and digital monitoring are presented as candidate strategies rather than established rest-specific interventions. Prospective studies should objectively measure prescribed and actual recovery periods and determine whether temporal fidelity predicts or improves rehabilitation outcomes.

To evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) versus resistance training (RT) on cardiometabolic health-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and concurrent obesity (diabesity). Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to April 2026. RCTs comparing AE and RT for a minimum duration of two weeks. Participants were adults with diabesity. A total of 23 RCTs qualified, involving 1, 184 patients (58/42 women/men ratio; age range: 30-70 years; body mass index: 32.1 ± 6.6 kg/m2). AE appears to be more efficacious than RT in reducing fasting blood glucose (mean differences (MD) = -0.89 mmol/L, 95% CI: -1.62 to -0.16; I2 = 0%) and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness (MD = 1.78 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: 0.38 to 3.18; I2 = 66%). However, AE led to a greater increase in body fat (MD = 0.34%, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.57; I2 = 1%) and less fat-free mass retention (MD = -0.86 kg, 95% CI: -1.46 to -0.26; I2 = 37%) compared with RT. For selected cardiometabolic health-related outcomes, including anthropometrics, blood lipids, and hemodynamics, no statistically significant between-group difference was detected. The overall certainty of the evidence across outcomes ranged from high to very low, with most being moderate. In adults with diabesity, AE appears to provide greater benefits for FBG and CRF, whereas RT appears more favorable for preserving FFM and improving BF. For the majority of cardiometabolic outcomes, the two modalities exhibit analogous effects. The present findings support a goal-directed and complementary approach to exercise prescription, as opposed to a one-modality-fits-all model, for the improvement of cardiometabolic health in patients with diabesity.

Background/Objectives: Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) may be associated with altered kinetic-chain mechanics above and below the shoulder. The posterior oblique sling integrates the gluteus maximus and latissimus dorsi through established fascial and neuromuscular connections, yet empirical evidence examining its relevance in SIS remains limited. Therefore, this cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate the surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity of the latissimus dorsi (LD) and contralateral gluteus maximus (GM) and evaluate their associations with pain, disability, and shoulder range of motion (ROM) in young adults with SIS. Methods: Sixty sedentary young adults with SIS and matched controls were assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Arabic QuickDASH, twin-axis electrogoniometer, and sEMG of the gluteus maximus and latissimus dorsi. Results: The SIS group had significantly lower GM activity (23.96 ± 3.54% MVIC for SIS and 34.49 ± 4.16% MVIC for controls) and significantly higher LD activity (118.63 ± 24.87% MVIC for SIS and 75.52 ± 25.93% MVIC for controls) (p = 0.001). In addition to these differences, the SIS group exhibited significantly less ROM in all directions (flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation) and greater disability and pain intensity (both p = 0.001) than controls. Correlations between sEMG activity and clinical outcome measures in the SIS group were weak and not statistically significant. Discriminant logistic regression indicated that both GM and LD sEMG were significant discriminative variables of group membership, with GM underactivity showing the greater discriminative value. Conclusions: These results indicate an altered neuromuscular activation pattern observed in participants with SIS, characterized by decreased GM and increased LD sEMG activity. They may justify further investigation of kinetic-chain-informed rehabilitation, with attention to both hip/lumbopelvic function and shoulder-based treatment.

Background: Aging is associated with progressive declines in neuromuscular function, postural control, and cognitive performance, which may compromise functional independence. Mind–body exercise approaches such as Pilates and Yoga have been suggested as effective strategies to counteract these age-related changes; however, comparative evidence examining their multidimensional physiological effects remains limited. Purpose: This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of PNF-supported Reformer Pilates and Hatha Yoga interventions on joint mobility, trunk stability, dynamic balance, spinal mobility, muscular endurance, hand grip strength, and working memory performance in older women. Methods: Women aged 65–85 years were randomly assigned to a Pilates group, a Yoga group, or a control group. Participants in the exercise groups completed structured training programs twice weekly for 16 weeks. Functional performance was evaluated using the Beighton score, Trunk Stability Push-Up (TSPU), Y-Balance Test (upper and lower quarter), Step Down test, trunk flexor/extensor and side bridge endurance tests, Schober test, inclinometer measurements, hand grip strength, and the N-back working memory test. The primary outcomes of the study were trunk stability, dynamic balance, spinal mobility, and trunk muscular endurance, assessed using the TSPU, YBT-LQ, Schober/inclinometer measurements, and trunk endurance tests. Joint mobility, hand grip strength, and working memory performance were considered secondary outcomes. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA (time × group). Results: Significant time × group interactions were observed across the majority of outcomes, indicating differential adaptations between interventions. For the predefined primary outcomes — trunk stability (TSPU), dynamic balance (YBT-LQ), spinal mobility (Schober/inclinometer), and trunk muscular endurance — both exercise programs improved relative to the control group, with large time × group interaction effects (partial η² ≈ 0.56–0.87); these improvements tended to be more pronounced in the Pilates group. For the secondary outcomes joint mobility (Beighton), handgrip strength, and working memory (N-back) significant but comparatively smaller interaction effects were observed (partial η² ≈ 0.15–0.32) and should be interpreted more cautiously given their exploratory nature and the number of comparisons performed. As no direct physiological measures were obtained, any mechanistic interpretation remains tentative and derived from previous literature rather than directly assessed in the present study. Conclusion: Both PNF-supported Reformer Pilates and Hatha Yoga appeared beneficial for improving functional and cognitive performance in older women. Pilates-based training showed greater improvements in several primary outcomes; however, these findings should be interpreted cautiously due to baseline differences, intervention characteristics, and multiple outcome analyses. Further confirmation is needed.

Background: Weightlifters commonly use upper-extremity high-load training, which encompasses techniques ranging from momentary failure to non-failure. However, little is known about how this training affects posture and core endurance, despite knowing that these factors are risk factors for weightlifting injuries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the immediate effects of upper-extremity high-load training to momentary failure versus non-failure, using the dumbbell overhead press, on posture and core endurance in recreational collegiate weightlifters. Methods: Fifty recreational weightlifters aged 18–24 with two years of upper extremity resistance training experience were recruited for this study. The participants performed dumbbell overhead press exercises under high-load failure (HL-F) and high-load non-failure (HL-NF) conditions two days after 1RM testing and calculation of the 80% 1RM load. The study analyzed postural changes using photographic data processed in Kinovea, while core endurance was assessed during a prone plank test. Standardized warm-ups, controlled exercise execution, and pre- and post-exercise assessments were conducted to measure core endurance and postural alterations. Results: The thoracic kyphosis angle, together with scapular balance angle and lateral scapular slide distance, increased significantly after HL-F compared to the unloading state, while the craniovertebral angle and prone plank time decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The HL-NF condition showed no statistically significant differences relative to the unloading measurements (p > 0.05). The unloading measurements across testing days were consistent, indicating no carryover effect (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicate that high-load training to failure adversely affects posture and core endurance, increasing fatigue and potentially increasing the risk of acute injuries. Non-failure training maintains stability, underscoring the importance of strategic program design for achieving optimal performance while minimizing adverse effects.

Chromium picolinate influences antioxidant mechanisms, potentially affecting oxidative stress levels during prolonged aerobic exercise. This study investigates the effects of chromium supplementation on Catalase (CAT) activity and Malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in chronic aerobic exercise in male rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups containing 7 mice each (control, exercise, chromium, and chromium + exercise). Supplemented rats received chromium picolinate (8 µg/kg/day) daily for eight weeks. Exercise was performed on a rat treadmill at an average speed of 15 cm/s for 20 min, five days a week for eight weeks. At the end of the 8th week of the experimental period, blood samples were taken. CAT, MDA, AOPP, and GSH analyses were performed. It was observed that the chromium + exercise group induced a significant reduction in CAT activity compared to the other three groups (− 8.6 to − 12%, p < 0.05). MDA values meaningfully increased (18.2–25.7%, p < 0.001) in all groups, except the controls after the 8-week intervention. All groups demonstrated an increase in AOPP (8.1–12.3%, p < 0.001), but not the controls. In GSH, all experimental groups showed a significant elevation (30.3–45.8%, p < 0.001) compared to the control group (p < 0.001) following an 8-week intervention period. The present findings indicate that supplementation with chromium picolinate, whether administered alone or in conjunction with aerobic exercise, led to modulations in oxidative stress and redox status indices in male rats following an 8-week aerobic exercise regimen. The observed reduction in CAT activity may suggest a lowered oxidative challenge; however, this finding should be interpreted with caution, as decreased antioxidant enzyme activity can also reflect a potential limitation in defense capacity.