Arben Kaçurri

This study investigated the profile, qualifications, and perceptions of Italian boxing coaches working with female athletes, focusing on perceived barriers in women's boxing. A total of 87 coaches (79.3% males; mean age: 47.7 ± 11.2 years; experience: 16.6 ± 11.5 years; females: 20.7%, 40.1 ± 8.6 years; experience: 8.2 ± 5.3 years) completed an online questionnaire addressing demographic and educational background, certification level, and contextual perceptions. All participants held official certifications by the Italian Boxing Federation (FPI), with 65.5% possessing at least a Level 2 certification and 21.8% classified as Master coaches. Significant gender differences emerged: female coaches were underrepresented at higher certification levels and absent in professional contexts. Coaches generally reported positive attitudes toward women's boxing, with 73.6% rejecting the belief that boxing is unsuitable for women. Perceived barriers were mainly organisational and institutional, including moderate ratings for facilities and competition settings, and lower ratings for dual-career support. While 62.1% reported high knowledge of female-specific psychophysiological aspects, qualitative responses highlighted the need for further education, particularly regarding menstrual cycle management and weight management. In conclusion, Italian boxing coaches reported a qualified and supportive profile; however, structural constraints and educational gaps remain key challenges for the development of women's boxing.

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.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess whether a warm-up routine incorporating plyometric exercises promotes greater improvements in jumping performance, power output, and neuromuscular responsiveness compared with warm-up strategies commonly used in volleyball practice. Materials and Methods. Twenty-four sub-elite female volleyball players (age: 16.3 ± 0.6 years; body mass: 58.7 ± 3.8 kg; height: 165.6 ± 6.8 cm) from a regional club performed three different warm-up protocols, each lasting 20 minutes: traditional warm-up (TWU), neuromuscular warm-up (NWU), and isometric warm-up (IWU). To minimize fatigue effects, three experimental sessions were conducted with 48-hour intervals. Following each warm-up protocol, participants were randomly assessed using the Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Standing Long Jump (SLJ), Squat Jump–Block Jump (SJ–BJ), Repeated Countermovement Jump (RCMJ), and Drop Jump (DJ) tests. Results. Jump performance outcomes demonstrated significantly higher values (p < 0.001) following the NWU protocol. Compared with IWU, TWU resulted in higher performance values in SLJ, SJ–BJ, RCMJ, and shorter ground contact time during the DJ test. Conclusions. Neuromuscular warm-up appears to be particularly effective in sports requiring explosive, high-speed actions, as it may directly enhance training quality and jumping performance during competition. The findings indicate that post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) can be observed in Under-17 female volleyball players when appropriate warm-up exercises are applied. This study provides practical insights into warm-up strategies for youth volleyball clubs with limited access to resistance training equipment.

Background: Despite the increasing interest in combat sports within higher education, studies on technical skill acquisition among novice female students remains limited. This study examined the effects of a short-term structured boxing program on the acquisition and retention of fundamental technical skills, focusing on stance (S), straight punches (SP), hooks (H), and uppercuts (U) among novice female university students. Methods: Technical performance was assessed under static and dynamic conditions at baseline (T1), after four weeks of course (T2), and at a two-month follow-up (T3) using customized scoring system. Handgrip strength (HG) and countermovement jump (CMJ) were measured as exploratory neuromuscular outcomes. Results: Results showed significant improvements in all technical skills at T2 compared with T1, in both static and dynamic executions (p < 0.001). Straight punches showed higher composite scores than hooks and uppercuts, while static performance was superior to dynamic execution (p < 0.001). Compared with T2, T3 showed a partial decline in performance for each skill in both executions (p < 0.001) (S_static = −18%; SP_static = −17%; H_static = −19%; U_static = −19%; S_dynamic = −22%; SP_dynamic = −18%; H_dynamic = −19%; U_dynamic = −21%), although T3 values generally remained above T1 baseline (S_static = +3%; SP_static = +19%; H_static = +22%; U_static = +29%; S_dynamic = −7%; SP_dynamic = +29%; H_dynamic = +29%; U_dynamic = +31%). HG showed a significant time effect (p = 0.005), while CMJ did not change significantly. Conclusions: These findings indicate that a short-term structured boxing program can effectively improve the technical boxing skills in female beginners. This supports the inclusion of a boxing course in university sport science curricula to enhance technical, motor, and educational development.

Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a customized training regimen in enhancing balance among young volleyball athletes. Materials and Methods. A total of 48 athletes (aged 14-16) from four volleyball teams participated, divided into Experimental (EG) and Control Groups (CG). Over six months, the EG adhered to a specialized protocol integrating balance exercises into warm-ups and post-training sessions, encompassing both static and dynamic exercises, while the CG followed a standard program. Balance assessments were conducted using the Leonardo Platform, with tests administered before and after implementing the protocol. Statistical analysis involved paired-samples and independent-samples T-tests to compare within-group changes and between-group differences. Results. The results obtained revealed significant improvements in the EG, particularly evident in the TanEC test (P = .00001), indicating enhanced stability without visual reference. Marked advancements were also noted in single-limb stability tests (1L_EO, P = .0018; 1L_EC, P = .0258). Conversely, the TanEO test showed no substantial group differences (P = .107), suggesting minimal impact on stability under visual conditions. Conclusions. These findings underscore the efficacy of tailored balance training in enhancing postural stability, motor coordination, and control among young volleyball players, advocating for the integration of targeted exercises in athletic training programs to optimize performance outcomes.

This systematic review analysis the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in active tourism and recreation, its advantages, its disadvantages, and its strategic implication for industry stakeholders. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic research was conducted. Evidences recognize that ICT boosts data-driven management, automation of service delivery and also community participation, improves strategic planning, and boosts crisis resilience. In addition, innovation technologies like gamification, virtual reality, and intelligent infrastructure enrich the tourist experience, particularly for young generations such as Generation Z. However, although the above developments occur, there are challenges that come in terms of digital dependency, unequal access to technology, as well as a potential loss of authenticity in tourist experiences. Overall, ICT is an innovative driver of active tourism, guiding future models of competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation through technology use, marketing, and visitor experience.

Background: Recently, elite women’s boxing has undergone significant structural and regulatory changes, including the adoption of the 3 × 3-min-bout format and expanded Olympic categories. Despite increased female participation, scientific literature remains predominantly focused on male athletes. This study aimed to identify the technical and tactical actions that distinguish winner from loser boxers in elite amateur women’s boxing by analysing the final matches of the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. Methods: Twelve final bouts (one per weight-category) were analysed using a customised notational framework based on the offensive–defensive interaction cycle. A total of 1323 offensive and 1456 defensive actions were recorded and categorised using Kinovea (0.9.5 release) software and an Excel dashboard. Offensive Effectiveness Ratio (OER) and Defensive Effectiveness Ratio (DER) were calculated, and Chi-square tests with standardised residuals were applied to detect associations between action types and bout outcomes. Results: Winners performed fewer offensive actions (n = 635) than losers (n = 688) but demonstrated significantly higher OER across all rounds (W: 0.39-0.38-0.39; L: 0.26-0.28-0.29). Winners landed more punches to the head and made greater use of rear-hand hooks and uppercuts. Pivoting and shifting back, particularly when followed by counterattacks, were significantly associated with winners (p < 0.001). Conversely, parrying and single counterpunches were linked to losing outcomes. DER values suggested superior defensive efficiency among winners. Conclusions: Winner boxers showed superior technical effectiveness, selective use of single and rear-hand punches and used more dynamic defensive strategies. These findings support using notational analysis in high-performance coaching and emphasise the need for more research on elite female combat athletes.

This study aimed to monitor internal load, well-being, and recovery status in U16 male water polo players during a congested competitive period. Fourteen athletes from an Italian club played 12 matches (seven friendly, five official) over 7 days. The internal match load was measured using the session-RPE method (s-RPE). Perceived enjoyment was measured with the Enjoyment Likert Scale (ENJ), while recovery and well-being were evaluated using the Perceived Recovery Scale (PRS) and the Hooper Index (HI), respectively. No significant main effects were found on s-RPE, PRS, and HI considering friendly and official matches. However, ENJ was significantly higher during official matches (p < 0.005). PRS values were significantly affected by daytime matches (p < 0.005), with better perceived recovery reported for morning matches. Linear mixed model analysis revealed significant associations between s-RPE and HI (p = 0.001), the fatigue item (p = 0.001), and the PRS (p = 0.004). These results suggest that as internal load increases, players experience higher fatigue and report lower recovery and well-being scores. Employing simple, non-invasive tools like the RPE, PRS, and HI can help coaches and support staff to identify early signs of overtraining or insufficient recovery, allowing for more individualized load management and injury prevention in youth water polo athletes.

Background. In team sports, decisive actions such as anticipating opponents’ scheme executions and realizing game objectives depend on the ability to accelerate rapidly and maintain high speeds, often under external resistance and during changes of direction. Resisted sprint training has been proposed to simulate these conditions and to enhance the sprint-specific neuromuscular qualities required in competitive settings. Objectives. This study aimed to critically examine, through a systematic approach, the various methodologies of resisted sprinting (sled training, motorized systems) applied in team sports, in order to acquire practical recommendations to optimize acceleration velocity and explosive power. Materials and methods. A PRISMA-guided literature review was performed on Scopus (2020–2025) using the keywords “resisted sprinting”, “sled training” and “sprint with overload”. After screening 103 records and assessing 56 full-text articles, 14 studies (13 original research articles and 1 meta-analysis) were included based on language, article type and relevance to the topic. Results. According to the results obtained, it has been determined that protocols employing sled resistance corresponding to a 50 % velocity decrement or loads of approximately 10–13 % of body mass led to significant improvements in acceleration over 5-30 m, horizontal force production and maximal power output. Profiling tools (e.g., the 1080 Sprint system) proved valid and reliable, while force–velocity profiling revealed load-specific adaptations that support individualized loading based on athlete role, age and sport discipline. Conclusions. The findings suggest that resisted sprint training is effective in improving acceleration and neuromuscular power in team sports. Optimal outcomes depend on precise load calibration, the use of valid profiling instruments, and personalized programming tailored to the specific needs of athletes and their disciplines.

Background: This study investigated boxers’ activity profiles during the final matches (3 × 3 min format) of the IBA 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships. Methods: Footage of the 12 finals was used to analyse the frequency and duration of fighting (F), punching (P), clinching (C), no-fighting (NF), and arbitral interruption (AI) phases. The analysis was conducted both for weight categories and divisions (lightweight (LWC): 48, 50, 52, 54, 57, and 60 kg; middleweight (MWC): 63, 66, 70, and 75 kg; heavyweight (HWC): 81 and 81+ kg). Results: Pooled data per round revealed significant differences for P (p = 0.002), NF (p < 0.001), and AI (p < 0.001) phases, as well for P mean duration across rounds (p < 0.001). The MWC division showed significantly shorter F duration compared with the LWC (p = 0.007) and MWC divisions (<0.001). The F/NF total time ratio showed a prevalence of F in the 48, 50, 63, and 81+ kg categories, while NF prevailed in the 54, 57, 60, and 75 kg categories. Conclusions: While HWC primarily relied on C actions, the 54, 57, 60, and 75 kg categories showed higher NF frequency. This fact explains a different strategic match management approach with deliberate rhythm, controlled pauses, and opponent analysis, which coaches should consider for enhancing athletes’ performance by considering weight categories.