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Objectives: From a longitudinal perspective, the direction of the relationship between cognitive functioning and well-being in old age, both conceptually and empirically, is still under debate. Therefore, we aimed to disentangle the different longitudinal relationship patterns proposed and whether those differed between young-old and old-old adults. Methods: We used latent change score modeling based on longitudinal data from 1,040 older adults (M = 74.54 years at Time 1 [T1], median = 73 years) to analyze reciprocal lead-lag relationships over 6 years in executive functioning (trail making test [TMT] completion time) and well-being (life satisfaction), taking into account chronological age, sex, education, leisure activities, and chronic diseases. Results: In young-old adults (<73 years), longer TMT completion time at T1 (i.e., lower executive functioning status) significantly predicted steeper subsequent decline in well-being. This was not the case for old-old adults ([greater than or equal to] 73 years), for whom this relationship was significantly different from that of the young-old (moderation effect). In either group, well-being status at T1 did not predict changes in TMT completion time. Discussion: Lower executive functioning may predict a subsequent decline in well-being in young-old adults only. Wider implications in a context of promotion of healthy aging are discussed.

In soccer, knee and hip muscle strength assessments have been recommended for injury prevention. The aims of this study were threefold: (1) to compare knee and hip muscle strength between professional players competing at different levels; (2) to compare strength performance according to the preferred leg (PL) and the non-preferred leg (NPL); and (3) to compare knee and hip muscle strength performance at two moments of the season. This study included 33 professional soccer players: 13 were in the elite group (EG), and 20 were in the sub-elite group (SEG). Body composition, isokinetic knee strength at 60°/s, and hip adduction strength were assessed at two different moments (M1 and M2). Values of peak torque (PT), peak torque/bodyweight (PT/BW), and the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H:Q) for knee extensors (KEs) and knee flexors (KFs) for both legs were used for analysis. The statistical analysis included the Mann-Whitney U and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. At M1, the EG presented a significantly better performance in KF PT/BW and in the squeeze strength test for the PL and the NPL (p ≤ 0.01). At M2, the EG performed substantially better in KE PT/BW and KF PT/BW (p ≤ 0.01). No substantial strength differences were observed in knee and hip muscle performance between the PL and the NPL. From M1 to M2, significant increases were found in knee strength in both groups (p ≤ 0.01). Overall, the EG players outperformed significantly their lower-division peers in strength assessments. The results indicate significant knee and hip muscle strength increases during the season, probably as a response to the exposure to training and competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relation between students' attitude toward physical education (PE) and its correlates by simultaneously considering age, sex, enjoying physical activity (PA), self-perceived physically active lifestyle (PAL), self-perception of physical competence, PA, and cardiovascular fitness (CF). This cross-sectional study included 235 students (M = 15.2 [plus or minus] 2.5 years). All correlates of students' attitude toward PE were assessed via questionnaires. CF was assessed by via Fitnessgram. Pearson correlation coefficients confirmed a large positive correlation between attitude toward PE and PA enjoyment (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) and PAL (r = 0.52, p < 0.001). Moderate positive correlations were found for self-perception of physical competence, nonorganized PA, organized PA, and CF (0.24 = r = 0.48, ps < 0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that enjoying PA ([beta] = 0.62, p < 0.001) was the only significant predictor when all variables were considered simultaneously. The model explained 55% of explained variance on students' attitude toward PE. Binary logistic regressions showed that students who reported enjoying PA were 9.3 times more likely to report a positive attitude toward PE. In contrast, students who did not enjoy PA and those who overperformed in the CF test were 4.2 and 1.1, respectively, more likely to report a negative attitude toward PE. Coherently across all analyses, from all the predictors studied, PA enjoyment seems to be the most powerful, showing the highest contribution in explaining students' attitude toward PE.

Speed and agility have been described as crucial abilities for soccer players. The purpose of this study was to analyze, in detail, the variance in speed and agility tasks explained by lower-body power after controlling for age and body composition. The participants were 96 male soccer players aged 16.1 ± 1.6 years. Body composition (stature, body fat percentage—BF%, body mass, and fat-free mass—FFM), lower-body power (countermovement jump—CMJ, and squat jump—SJ), speed (5-, 10-, and 35 m sprints), and agility (t-test) were assessed. Among body composition parameters, BF% presented the highest number of significant relationships with speed and agility, with the strength of correlations ranging from small (5 m sprint, r = 0.25) to large (35 m sprint, r = 0.52). The strongest correlation coefficient emerged between FFM and the 35 m sprint (r = −0.65). Significant correlations were found between vertical jump performance and the 35 m sprint (CMJ: r = −0.68; SJ: r = −0.69), followed by the t-test (CMJ: r = −0.35; SJ: r = −0.47). The hierarchical multiple regression model could explain 22% to 67% of the variance observed in agility scores and speed. BF% remained the most statistically significant negative predictor of all regression models. The CMJ remained a statistically significant positive predictor of the 35 m sprint (β = −0.581, p ≤ 0.01) after controlling for age and body composition. Integrating programs targeting lower-body power might be important to enhance speed and agility performance in youth soccer. On the other hand, future research based on multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the effects of nutritional strategies in reducing or preventing gains in BF% is still needed, which remained a significant predictor of sprint and agility performance in the final models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tensiomyography (TMG) has been described as an effective method for identifying differences in muscle response to athletic training stimuli. However, there is a lack of studies that evaluated changes in muscle contractile properties in response to anaerobic effort and related these changes to Wingate test parameters in more than one lower limb superficial muscle. The main contribution of this work is to evaluate changes in the contractile properties of muscles in response to anaerobic exercise. In a group of 20 physically active men, the body composition analysis was performed using a Tanita DC-360 device. The anaerobic effort was assessed by a Wingate test (30 s), and the contractile properties of muscles were measured using a TMG S2 device. The TMG parameters were measured in selected superficial muscles of the dominant lower limb. The study also calculated indices of the differences (d) and the size of the effect (r). An anaerobic effort in the form of the Wingate test resulted in greater stiffness (Dm) in the vastus lateralis muscle (p = 0.0365; r = 0.47) and a delayed response to stimulus (Td) in the vastus lateralis (p = 0.0239; r = 0.51) and vastus medialis (p = 0.0031; r = 0.66) muscles. The half relaxation time (Tr) (p = 0.0478; r = 0.44) and sustained contraction time (Ts) (p = 0.0276; r = 0.49) in the rectus femoris muscle were also increased. In contrast, a prolonged stimulus-response time (Td) with a decrease in sustained contraction time (Ts) was observed in the gastrocnemius lateralis (Td: p = 0.0054; r = 0.64 and Ts: p = 0.0012; r = 0.74) and gastrocnemius medialis (Td: p = 0.0229; r = 0.52 and Ts: p = 0.0054; r = 0.64) muscles. A significant decrease in contraction time (Tc) (p = 0.0051; r = 0.63) occurred only in the soleus muscle. In addition, significant correlations were shown between selected changes in contractile properties of muscle and parameters of the Wingate anaerobic test. Anaerobic exercise has a significant effect on changes in skeletal muscle contractility parameters. TMG is an effective method for identifying differences in muscle response to sports training stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relation between students' attitude toward physical education (PE) and its correlates by simultaneously considering age, sex, enjoying physical activity (PA), self-perceived physically active lifestyle (PAL), self-perception of physical competence, PA, and cardiovascular fitness (CF). This cross-sectional study included 235 students (M = 15.2 [+ or -] 2.5 years). All correlates of students' attitude toward PE were assessed via questionnaires. CF was assessed by via Fitnessgram. Pearson correlation coefficients confirmed a large positive correlation between attitude toward PE and PA enjoyment (r = .71, p < .001) and PAL (r = .52, p < .001). Moderate positive correlations were found for self-perception of physical competence, nonorganized PA, organized PA, and CF (.24 [greater than or equal to] r [less than or equal to] .48, ps < .001). Multiple linear regression showed that enjoying PA ([beta] = .62, p < .001) was the only significant predictor when all variables were considered simultaneously. The model explained 55% of explained variance on students' attitude toward PE. Binary logistic regressions showed that students who reported enjoying PA were 9.3 times more likely to report a positive attitude toward PE. In contrast, students who did not enjoy PA and those who overperformed in the CF test were 4.2 and 1.1, respectively, more likely to report a negative attitude toward PE. Coherently across all analyses, from all the predictors studied, PA enjoyment seems to be the most powerful, showing the highest contribution in explaining students' attitude toward PE., School-based physical education (PE) is one of the most widely available sources of physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents. It is well accepted that PE plays an important role [...]