Alexandra Cristina Pop

Objective: This study aimed to examine the extent to which physical activity influences the mood of university students. Methods: The sample consisted of 37 first-year female students (mean age = 20.16 ± 0.45). Data were collected using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire (Grove & Prapavessis, 2016). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 19. To compare pre- and post-intervention results, paired-sample t-tests were applied, with the level of significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Significant differences were observed between pre- and post-activity scores across multiple mood dimensions. Tension decreased significantly (t = 5.59, df = 36, p < 0.001), as did anger (t = 6.24, df = 36, p < 0.001) and fatigue (t = 4.05, df = 36, p < 0.001). Similar patterns were found for depression (t = 4.28, df = 36, p < 0.001), confusion (t = 5.47, df = 36, p < 0.001), esteem (t = -3.20, df = 36, p = 0.003), and vigor (t = -2.07, df = 36, p = 0.04). Moreover, total mood disturbance scores were significantly lower after physical activity (t = 6.96, df = 36, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Findings indicate that moderate physical activity—whether through fitness equipment, stationary cycling, or aerobic running—exerts positive effects on students’ mood states. A single session of physical education reduced scores across all mood components, as well as the overall mood disturbance score.

Background: Physical activity (PA) can attenuate the health risks associated with elevated body mass index (BMI), but its impact is heterogeneous and appears to depend on intensity, dose, and concurrent dietary change. Objective: To synthesize recent evidence on PA, BMI and fitness relationships and to test whether vigorous PA predicts superior fitness outcomes in a cohort of physically active university students. Methods: Twenty‑nine students (23 men, 6 women; M age = 18.82 ± 1.71 years) reported weekly PA (vigorous/moderate MET‑min·week⁻¹) and completed fitness tests (standing broad jump, 10×5 m shuttle run, sit‑ups/30 s, sit‑and‑reach). BMI was classified using standard cut points. Pearson correlations examined links between PA intensity, anthropometrics, and performance. Results: Most participants reported high PA (n = 26). BMI status was predominantly normal weight (n = 20). Significant associations were observed for height with standing broad jump (r = .60, p = .001); vigorous PA with shuttle‑run time (r = −.38, p = .043) and sit‑ups (r = .40, p = .030); and sit‑ups with both standing broad jump (r = .51, p = .005) and shuttle‑run time (r = −.48, p = .008). Moderate PA and flexibility showed no meaningful relationships with performance. Conclusions: Vigorous, sustained PA and core endurance align with faster, stronger, and more powerful performance profiles, whereas moderate PA appears insufficient on its own. These findings parallel contemporary literature indicating that PA benefits are dose dependent and amplified when paired with nutritional and behavioural support. Future work should incorporate objective PA monitoring, larger and more diverse samples, and longitudinal designs to clarify causal pathways and optimal PA thresholds.

Introduction: Basketball-specific high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been documented to be a time-efficient, skill focused training method for enhancing the aerobic performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of basketball-specific HIIT on aerobic capacity in adolescent female basketball players. Materials and methods: Participants were 16 female basketball players, aged 13-15 years. They were equally and randomly divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. The subjects from the experimental group performed a basketball-specific HIIT protocol for 6 weeks (2 times per week, 25 minutes per session), before the basketball training. The control group followed a basketball training program for the same period, with the same frequency (2 times a week, 90 minutes per session). Pre- and post-intervention, the multi-stage fitness (beep) test was used to assess aerobic endurance. Results: After 12 training sessions, the experimental group showed a significant increase in test scores (p = .002, with a mean difference of 1.263). When compared to the control group, post-intervention, the experimental group showed significantly higher test scores (p .001, with a mean difference of 1.69). The findings suggest that aerobic endurance increases in adolescent basketball athletes after 6 weeks of training. Conclusion: Basketball-specific HIIT appears to be a solid option for improving aerobic performance in adolescent female players while maintaining focus on basketball skills. Article history: Received 2024 January 07; Revised 2025 January 20; Accepted 2025 January 22; Available online 2025.02.10; Available print 2025.02.28