Arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction with hamstring graft (ALALR) generally yields good clinical outcomes and enables an early return to sports. However, no studies have specifically evaluated persistent functional deficits, particularly regarding jumping ability, following ALALR with hamstring autograft. To evaluate post-operative ankle stability via jumping ability in patients six months after ALALR with hamstring autograft compared to healthy patients. Retrospective comparative study; METHODS: Forty-nine patients who underwent ALALR with hamstring graft and forty-nine healthy controls performed bipodal drop jump (DJ), single hop (SNH), side hop (SDH), and single-leg vertical jump (SVJ) tests. Measurements included jump height (m), jump distance (m), lateral jump time (s), and reactive strength index for bipodal drop jump (DJ-RSI). These metrics were compared between groups. Additionally, single hop, side hop, and SVJ results were compared between healthy participants and both the injured and contralateral legs of ALALR patients. At an average of 5.8 ± 0.9 months postoperatively, ALALR patients showed no significant differences in DJ-RSI, Single hop, Side Hop tests or SVJ compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Vertical, lateral, and anteroposterior jumping performances were similar for both the injured and contralateral legs (p > 0.05). No statistically significant difference in jumping ability was detected between patients six months after ALALR with hamstring autograft and healthy controls. As a non-significant result does not establish equivalence, these findings should be interpreted as descriptive and suggest that jumping ability is not markedly impaired, which may support return to sport after the ALALR procedure. III.
Dynamic bipedal jumping is highly sensitive to takeoff momentum and landing configuration, making the direct execution of purely offline-optimized trajectories unreliable on full-sized humanoid robots in the presence of modeling inaccuracies and execution uncertainties. A key challenge is the gap between dynamic feasibility predicted offline using simplified models and executability on physical hardware, because such models cannot fully capture full-body dynamics, actuator behavior, contact transitions, and execution uncertainty. This paper proposes an offline-to-online planning and whole-body control framework for robust in-place jumping of full-sized humanoid robots. The framework integrates phase-consistent offline trajectory optimization, lightweight online reference reshaping, constraint-aware whole-body control, and actuator-level command mapping to improve execution robustness without online re-optimization. In the offline stage, centroidal-dynamics-based trajectory optimization generates jumping references subject to kinematic-consistency and contact-feasibility constraints. During execution, these references are adapted online using real-time state estimates to compensate for takeoff deviations and regulate the landing state; a weighted quadratic-programming whole-body controller then tracks the adapted references. Hardware experiments on a 79.5 kg humanoid robot demonstrate repeatable in-place vertical jumps with a height of approximately 30 cm and stable landings. The results show that robust jumping on a full-sized humanoid robot can be achieved by combining offline nominal trajectory generation with online execution adaptation rather than relying on exact reproduction of the offline trajectories.
Following repeated trampoline jumping, the actual vertical jump height on the ground decreases compared to before the trampoline session, and the perceived jump height feels even lower than the actual height. While it is known that these aftereffects dissipate with subsequent vertical jumps, the time required for their dissipation when no additional jumps are performed remains unclear. This study investigated the time course of the readaptation of motor and perceptual functions following trampoline jumps, focusing on how these aftereffects diminish over time. Fourteen male participants performed vertical jumps on the ground before and after completing 30 repetitive trampoline jumps at 1.2 Hz. To assess the time-dependent recovery process, the first post-trampoline vertical jump was conducted under five conditions: immediately (0 min) and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 min after trampoline jumps. After each post-trampoline vertical jump, participants estimated their jump height and reported their perceived performance. In the 0-minute condition, the actual vertical jump height was lower than in the pre-trampoline jump, and participants underestimated their jump height relative to their actual performance. While the actual vertical jump height recovered to its original level within 1 min, the perceived jump height remained lower than the actual height at this time point. The ability to accurately perceive jump height took 2 min to recover. These findings indicate that the passage of time is sufficient for motor recovery, whereas perceptual recovery requires a longer duration, suggesting that motor and perceptual aftereffects of trampoline jumps follow distinct temporal dynamics in their dissipation.
Inter-limb asymmetry is frequently evaluated during bilateral tasks such as the countermovement jump (CMJ), typically using discrete peak-based metrics. However, these approaches may inadequately capture the complex, time-varying nature of inter-limb coordination. This study examined inter-limb asymmetry during CMJ in youth football players using both discrete and continuous assessments, with consideration of limb dominance. Forty-three male youth academy football players (14 ± 1.1 years) performed three maximal bilateral CMJs with data collected using dual force platforms and three-dimensional motion capture. Inter-limb asymmetry was quantified using discrete symmetry indices for peak vertical ground reaction force (GRFvert), joint displacements, and joint moments, alongside time-series approaches including statistical parametric mapping (SPM1D) and the normalized symmetry index (SInorm). Asymmetry threshold breaches (±10% and ±20%) and their duration across the movement cycle were assessed, with comparisons between dominant and non-dominant limbs. Discrete metrics indicated low levels of inter-limb asymmetry at the group level, with mean values typically within ±10% thresholds. In contrast, time-series analyses revealed frequent, phase-specific asymmetry within individual trials, particularly for joint moments, despite no significant group-level differences identified using SPM1D. A ±10% GRFvert asymmetry breach occurred in every trial. Limb dominance had minimal influence, except for longer GRFvert breach durations on the non-dominant limb. Inter-limb asymmetry during bilateral CMJ is observed frequently when assessed using time-series methods, despite apparently symmetrical discrete outcomes. These findings demonstrate that reliance on peak-based symmetry metrics may overlook substantial phase-specific asymmetry, with implications for the interpretation of bilateral loading during athlete monitoring and rehabilitation contexts.
Homologous replacement of genomic sequences with large DNA fragments (> 100 bp) holds great potential for crop breeding, yet an efficient method to achieve such edits is lacking in plants. Here, in rice, we developed template-jumping prime editing (TJ-PE), a recently reported PE strategy for large targeted insertion, as an efficient tool for homologous replacement with DNA fragments ranging from dozens to hundreds of base pairs, and using TJ-PE, we replaced genomic fragments of up to 340 bp with homologous fragments of the same length. In addition, our TJ-PE tool also enabled precise deletion of 944- to 2024-bp fragments in rice, with efficiencies of up to 34.6% for c. 2000-bp precise deletions. Collectively, this study expands the editing scope of PE in rice and establishes TJ-PE as a generalist tool for precise deletion and replacement of large DNA fragments.
As the pace and physical demands of female adolescent team sports continue to rise, jumping, sprinting, and change-of-direction (COD) ability have become key markers of performance. However, current evidence is scattered, and most previous reviews used pairwise meta-analysis, which cannot compare several training methods at once. Therefore, this study used a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the effects of different exercise interventions on jumping, straight-line sprinting, and COD performance in female adolescent team-sport athletes. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, SPORTDiscus, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP were searched from inception to March 18, 2026. Eligible studies were RCTs involving healthy female adolescent team-sport athletes. A frequentist random-effects NMA was conducted to calculate mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Interventions were ranked in combination with SUCRA values. Risk of bias, consistency, heterogeneity, and certainty of evidence were assessed. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also performed. Forty-seven RCTs involving 1,433 athletes were included, covering eight intervention nodes. Overall, CT and PT showed the most consistent benefits for jumping and sprinting performance. For jumping, CT ranked first for CMJ (MD 6.62 cm, 95% CI 3.31 to 9.94; SUCRA 94.2%; moderate-certainty evidence) and SJ (MD 3.18 cm, 95% CI 2.51 to 3.85; SUCRA 82.0%). PT showed the greatest benefit for SLJ (MD 11.93 cm, 95% CI 1.35 to 22.52; SUCRA 64.0%). For sprinting, CT and PT performed best in the 20 m sprint. CT showed an MD of -0.21 s (95% CI -0.34 to -0.07; SUCRA 78.8%), while PT showed an MD of -0.20 s (95% CI -0.32 to -0.08; SUCRA 76.5%; moderate-certainty evidence). PT ranked first for the 30 m sprint (MD -0.67 s, 95% CI -1.03 to -0.30; SUCRA 93.2%). Both PT and CT also produced clear improvements in the 10 m sprint. For COD performance, NMT ranked first in the T-test (MD -1.14 s, 95% CI -1.46 to -0.82; SUCRA 88.4%), PT ranked first in the modified T-test (MD -0.94 s, 95% CI -1.48 to -0.40; SUCRA 95.8%), and CT ranked first in the Illinois test (MD -0.94 s, 95% CI -1.29 to -0.60; SUCRA 91.0%). Sensitivity analyses supported the stability of the main findings. Subgroup analyses suggested that interventions lasting more than 8 weeks and training programs matched to sport-specific movement patterns produced larger gains. Overall, CT and PT may be more effective for improving jump and linear sprint performance. In contrast, the best approach for improving change-of-direction ability appears to depend on the demands of the specific task. However, the current evidence is generally of low to moderate certainty, highlighting the need for further high-quality studies to confirm these findings. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420261358990.
Plyometric training (PT) is a popular method of improving explosive power, speed, and agility in adolescent athletes. Nevertheless, earlier reviews have been mainly based on individual performance domains, individual sports or general youth groups. It is therefore not clear whether the effects of PT differ based on sex, type of sport, frequency of training or duration of intervention. This meta-analysis and systematic review investigated the impact of PT on jumping, sprinting, and agility performance in adolescents. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from database inception to 1 January 2025, with an updated search on 30 January 2026. Randomized controlled trials that included healthy adolescents aged 10-19 years were included. Conventional random-effects models were used to pool the effects of PT on jumping, sprinting, and agility performance as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To account for multiple effect sizes contributed by the same study, dependency-adjusted analyses were additionally conducted using three-level random-effects models with CR2 cluster-robust variance estimation. A total of 63 studies were included. Conventional random-effects analyses showed that PT significantly improved jump performance (SMD = 0.648, 95% CI [0.523-0.772]; P < 0.001), sprint performance (SMD = -0.496, 95% CI [-0.609 to -0.383]; P < 0.001), and agility performance (SMD = -0.659, 95% CI [-0.851 to -0.467]; P < 0.001). Dependency-adjusted analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings for jump performance (SMD = 0.613, 95% CI [0.447-0.779]; P < 0.001), sprint performance (SMD = -0.414, 95% CI [-0.583 to -0.245]; P < 0.001), and agility performance (SMD = -0.595, 95% CI [-0.796 to -0.394]; P < 0.001). Benefits were more consistent with longer intervention durations, whereas sex- and sport-specific subgroup findings remained exploratory because of small subgroup sizes and heterogeneity. PT seems to be effective in enhancing jumping, sprinting, and agility performance among adolescents, especially when the interventions are continued at least 10 weeks. However, between-study heterogeneity, testing protocol variability, and small sample sizes in some sex- and sport-specific studies limit the generalizability of subgroup results. Future randomized controlled trials should use standardized outcome measures, report training dose and adherence in detail, and have a higher proportion of female participants. PROSPERO registration: CRD42024627316.
(1) the acute effects of RWU on physical performance, body temperature (BT), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in basketball players; and (2) individual-level performance improvements across different RWU methods. Three databases were searched for RWU studies in basketball players. An individual participant data meta-analysis was conducted using a two-stage approach with multilevel models, including adjustments for small sample sizes. Effect sizes were expressed as standardized mean changes (SMC) for within-group comparisons and standardized mean differences (SMD) for between-group comparisons. Seven studies (n = 82; 35 females, 47 males) were included, with individual raw data obtained from three. Compared with the control condition, the RWU resulted in better preservation of jumping (SMD = 0.64) and change-of-direction (COD) performance (SMD = -0.83), while showing no significant differences in isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) peak force (SMD = 0.34), BT (SMD = 0.72), or RPE (SMD = 0.61). These effects were largely driven by greater declines in the control than in the RWU for jumping (SMC = -1.24 vs. -0.53), COD (SMC = 1.00 vs. 0.44), and IMTP peak force (SMC = -0.68 vs. -0.28). Across five interventions from three studies with individual data, the plyometric protocol showed the highest proportion of improvements (CMJ: 100%; COD: 93.3%) compared with the control condition. Preliminary evidence suggests that RWU may be an effective strategy to maintain physical performance and BT in basketball players. However, given the limited number of studies and the high degree of individual variability, further research is required.
Neuromuscular performance is influenced by diurnal variation, but it remains unclear whether sex moderates these patterns in team sport athletes. This study examined whether sex moderates the effect of time of day on neuromuscular performance in volleyball players. One hundred and two volleyball players (46 males and 56 females) completed a randomized battery of tests in the morning (08:00-10:00) and evening (18:00-20:00) on separate days. The battery included vertical jumps (squat, countermovement, and spike jumps), spike performance (standing and jumping spike), agility (modified T test), isometric handgrip strength, and dynamic balance (modified star excursion balance test). A significant sex-by-time interaction was observed in squat jump (P  =  .002, ηp2=.09), with males showing higher evening values, whereas females showed no significant change. A sex-by-time interaction was also found in jumping spike (P = .045, ηp2=.04), agility (P = .027, ηp2=.05), and dynamic balance (ie, posterolateral) on the dominant leg (P = .005, d = 0.26), reflecting different response patterns between sexes. No significant changes were observed in other dynamic balance directions (P > .05). A significant time-of-day effect was observed, indicating higher evening performance in all jump tests (P = .005, ηp2=.08-.19), ball velocity in spike velocity (P = .002, ηp2=.09), and isometric handgrip strength (P = .001, ηp2≈.10). Sex-specific differences were limited to a few tasks and were generally small in magnitude, whereas a consistent enhancement in neuromuscular performance in the evening compared with the morning emerged as the primary finding, regardless of sex.
Many fishes can propel themselves out of water, but few species exhibit the intentional, repeated jumping behavior as seen in freshwater hatchetfishes (Ostariophysi: Characiformes: Gasteropelecidae). Freshwater hatchetfishes have a unique body plan characterized by a deep keel and enlarged pectoral fins, which are specialized for ballistic jumping behavior to avoid predation. Rapid underwater and aerial escape behaviors are likely mediated by multiple sensory modalities, including visual and mechanosensory systems. We used fluorescent staining to visualize the neuromasts of the lateral line system and high-speed videography to quantify aerial escape responses induced by a custom vibrational apparatus in two species, Gasteropelecus maculatus and Thoracocharax stellatus. Behavioral experiments were conducted using fish pairs (one species per pair) across a 2×2 factorial design: light vs. dark (infrared) and intact vs. chemically ablated (neomycin-treated) lateral line systems. Behavioral outcomes were categorized as no response, underwater C-start, or aerial escape, followed by kinematic analyses of the jumps. Morphological analysis revealed an unusual lateral line system characterized by modified cranial and trunk canals alongside a massive proliferation of superficial neuromasts, particularly on the dorsal surface of the head and on the ventral keel. Behavioral results demonstrated that fish with ablated lateral line systems performed significantly fewer escape maneuvers than intact individuals, regardless of light condition. Furthermore, lateral line-ablated fish exhibited significantly shorter jump path lengths, reduced jump durations, and lower maximum vertical displacements. While fish jumped at remarkable speeds (mean: 56 ± 14 BL/s), maximum jump velocity and most body orientations (pitch and yaw) did not vary significantly across experimental conditions. Our findings demonstrate that the mechanosensory lateral line system is an important sensory modality contributing to escape performance in hatchetfishes, particularly in response to vibrational stimuli, while the relative roles of vision and hearing warrant further study. We conclude that both the highly derived body shape and the lateral line system of freshwater hatchetfishes are evolutionarily tuned to enhance survival through rapid detection of mechanosensory stimuli and execution of aerial escapes.
Neuromuscular exercise interventions include diverse modalities, yet their performance effects remain inconsistent, particularly across athlete levels. This review examined the effects of neuromuscular exercise interventions on athletic performance in trained, highly trained, and elite athletes, and explored moderating variables by analyzing intervention protocol variables (eg, weekly intervention frequency, session duration, number of sets, repetitions, duration per set, and intervention formats [warm-up or training]), athletic performance (balance, jumping, sprinting, and change of direction times), and study design. Systematic searches were conducted up to September 21, 2025. Pooled effects were calculated using standardized mean difference (Hedges g) through a 3-level meta-analysis model. Subgroup and regression analyses were used to explore potential moderators. The systematic search identified 25,251 articles, of which 42 studies (1690 athletes, PEDro score 6.1) met the inclusion criteria. Compared to the control group, neuromuscular exercise interventions significantly improved performance in trained (g = 0.51 medium) and highly trained athletes (g = 0.62, medium). While not statistically significant for elite athletes, the effect size was positive (g = 1.26, large). Subgroup analysis indicated that intervention format, performance outcome, and study design significantly moderated effects. Regression analysis showed that session duration was linearly related to improvements in trained and highly trained athletes, while weekly frequency, sets, and repetitions were not. The effectiveness of neuromuscular exercise interventions varies by performance outcome and athlete level and is influenced by intervention format and study design, highlighting the need for tailored neuromuscular programs across different levels of athletes.
Explosive power is a key determinant of soccer performance and is closely associated with lower extremity joint function, particularly hip and knee range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength. These factors contribute to essential actions such as jumping, sprinting, and rapid changes of direction; however, their influence may vary across developmental stages due to age-related neuromuscular and physical differences. Despite existing evidence linking strength and flexibility to motor performance, the moderating role of age in these relationships remains unclear in youth soccer players. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of hip and knee joint ROM and muscle strength on motor performance and to evaluate the moderating role of age in these associations. A total of 59 male soccer players (U15: n = 14, U16: n = 15, U17: n = 15, U19: n = 15) from the youth academies of professional teams participated in the study. ROM values of the hip and knee joints, as well as quadricep and hamstring muscle strength, were measured; subsequently, motor performance assessments were conducted. The data were analyzed using multiple regression models including interaction terms with age, and regions of significance were determined using the Johnson-Neyman technique. For the reactive strength index, hip and knee ROM and quadriceps strength were identified as significant predictors; however, these effects were particularly pronounced in soccer players under the age of 17-18 (r2 = 0.076-0.239; p < 0.01). Similarly, for vertical and horizontal jump performance, hip and knee ROM, as well as quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength, were significant predictors, with these effects again being more evident in players under the age of 17-18 (r2 = 0.061-0.553; p < 0.01). Lower extremity physical characteristics influence motor performance in an age-dependent manner, with stronger effects observed in players under 17-18 years and reduced effects at older ages. These results suggest that training programs for younger age groups may benefit from incorporating range of motion and strength development alongside neuromuscular control exercises, though longitudinal research is needed to confirm causal relationships.
Postprandial glycemic excursions represent a critical determinant of metabolic health in individuals with overweight or obesity. Previous studies have demonstrated that moderate-to-vigorous exercise lasting at least 5 min, initiated 30 min after breakfast, significantly attenuates postprandial glycemic responses and reduces peak glucose levels. However, whether this effect remains consistent across various grain powder based meals is still unclear. This study therefore examined the exercise diet interaction to determine whether 5 min of moderate-to-vigorous exercise performed 30 min after breakfast could elicit a distinct glucose lowering effect depending on the dietary composition. This study adopted a within subject, fixed sequence, repeated measures intervention design. A total of 43 adults with overweight or obesity were enrolled and completed a 15 day dietary and exercise intervention trial. Throughout the experimental period, participants consumed a test breakfast daily consisting of a designated grain powder served with one boiled egg; meanwhile, their remaining dietary intake was not controlled, and they were instructed to maintain their habitual lifestyles. The five grain powders-tartary buckwheat flour, millet flour, oat flour, yam flour and soy milk powder were commercially available products (Joyoung brand) procured by the research team. On the third day of each 3 day breakfast intervention phase, participants performed 5 min of moderate-to-vigorous exercise 30 min after breakfast consumption. The exercise routine comprised jumping jacks, lateral squats, shadow punches, under leg claps, and lateral shuffles. Each movement was executed for four 8 count phrases synchronized with Tabata style music. Demonstration videos of the exercise routine were recorded by the research staff, who also provided instruction and supervised the exercise sessions. Statistical analyses, including non-parametric tests and generalized estimating equations generalized estimating equations (GEE), were performed using SPSS software, and data visualization was conducted using GraphPad Prism. This study analyzed the main effects of grain powder type and exercise, as well as their interaction, on 2-h postprandial glycemic (2-h PBG) responses using a GEE model. Model effect tests indicated that the type of grain powder significantly influenced postprandial glycemic parameters, including the incremental area under the curve (iAUC; Wald χ2 = 64.997, p < 0.001), peak glucose increment (Wald χ2 = 45.989, p < 0.001), and glycemic variability (GV) (Wald χ2 = 86.352, p < 0.001). Neither the main effect of exercise nor the powder-exercise interaction was statistically significant (all p > 0.05). Soy milk powder elicited the lowest iAUC (51.494 ± 6.335, 95% CI: 39.078-63.911), which was significantly lower than those following the consumption of oat powder (107.421 ± 10.591, 95% CI: 86.662-128.179), millet powder (95.319 ± 10.078, 95% CI: 75.567-115.071), and tartary buckwheat powder (93.542 ± 8.031, 95% CI: 77.801-109.283; all p < 0.01). Additionally, soy milk powder resulted in the lowest peak glucose increment (1.194 ± 0.101, 95% CI: 0.997-1.391) and GV (0.068 ± 0.004, 95% CI: 0.060-0.076). By contrast, yam powder yielded a significantly lower overall glucose area under the curve (AUC; 746.773 ± 13.669, 95% CI: 719.982-773.563) compared with tartary buckwheat powder, millet powder, and oat powders (all p < 0.05). Within the present study context, the type of grain powder was identified as the primary factor influencing postprandial glycemia in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas neither the short bout of moderate-to-vigorous exercise nor the exercise-powder interaction achieved statistical significance. Soy milk powder elicited the lowest iAUC, peak glucose increment, and GV, a favorable glycemic profile largely attributable to its low carbohydrate and high protein composition. These findings suggest that incorporating high protein, low glycemic index options such as soy milk powder into breakfast may favorably modulate acute postprandial glycemic responses.
Social distancing and reduced physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic may have adversely affected children's physical fitness and visual health. This study compared physical fitness indicators and the prevalence of suspected myopia among Chinese children aged 6-11 years in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2020 (during the pandemic) using cross-sectional school screening data. Data were collected in 2019 (N = 1,183) and 2020 (N = 1,120), and analyzes complete cases for each outcome (maximum n = 1,069 and n = 1,116, respectively). Physical fitness outcomes included body mass index (BMI), flexibility, and athletic performance. Visual acuity (unaided distance) was used to define suspected myopia as visual acuity < 5.0 (Chinese standard logarithmic chart) in either eye. Year differences were evaluated using regression models adjusted for age and sex with class-level cluster-robust standard errors. Prevalence ratios for suspected myopia were estimated using modified Poisson regression, and multiple tests were controlled using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate. During the pandemic period, BMI increased among children aged 6-8 years. Flexibility declined among 6-year-olds and girls aged 7 years. Rope-jumping performance improved in most age groups, except for boys aged 6 and 10 years, while no statistically significant changes were observed in 50 m sprint performance across age groups. The prevalence of suspected myopia increased significantly in 2020 compared with 2019, with age- and sex-specific differences, including higher risks among girls aged 7 and 11 years and boys aged 10 years. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions-particularly for younger children-to mitigate the potential impacts of the pandemic on weight management, physical fitness, and visual health, considering age- and sex-specific differences.
Borderline intellectual functioning (BIF), defined by intelligence quotient (IQ) scores between 71 and 84, is associated with increased psychiatric vulnerability but remains poorly characterized in terms of clinical severity and treatment complexity. This study aimed to compare psychopathological burden, adaptive functioning, suicidality, and psychopharmacological treatment patterns among hospitalized adolescents with BIF, average intellectual functioning, and intellectual disability. A retrospective chart review was conducted on adolescents aged 12-18 years admitted to a tertiary child and adolescent neuropsychiatry inpatient unit. Participants were classified into three groups based on full-scale IQ. Standardized assessments of cognitive functioning, psychiatric diagnoses, symptom severity, adaptive behavior, global functioning, and suicidality were integrated with clinical indicators derived from medical records, including emergency service utilization and psychotropic medication at discharge. Group differences were examined using nonparametric statistical analyses. The sample included 194 adolescents. Adolescents with BIF showed significantly poorer adaptive functioning across conceptual and practical domains compared with peers with average intellectual functioning, despite comparable global functioning. Overall psychiatric symptom severity at admission and discharge did not differ across groups; however, the BIF group displayed a mixed clinical profile with both internalizing and externalizing symptoms and persistent behavioral dysregulation. Compared with adolescents with average intellectual functioning, those with BIF demonstrated more frequent emergency psychiatric admissions and a higher likelihood of antipsychotic prescription at discharge. Suicidality differed qualitatively across cognitive groups: adolescents with cognitive impairment showed lower rates of suicide attempts, characterized by precipitation (i.e., falling from height) or defenestration (i.e., jumping from a window) as the only suicidal modality observed in this group. BIF in adolescence is associated with a distinct pattern of functional impairment and clinical complexity, characterized by adaptive difficulties and increased reliance on psychopharmacological treatment. These findings highlight the importance of considering cognitive functioning when planning treatment strategies in inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry.
The skeletal pattern of a Class II malocclusion can increase the probability of problems with oronasal function. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the clinical effects of dentofacial orthopedics and oral function in deficient mandibles with proclined maxillary incisors during puberty. Of 120 randomized participants, 63 with complete records were included in the final analysis (median age: 12 years; 38% females). Subjects were treated with the Sander bite jumping appliance (BJA; n = 34) or the twin block appliance (TB; n = 29) with a maxillary expansion jackscrew. The growth effect was monitored by comparisons with the findings in 63 historical untreated Class II cases. Palatal scans and cephalograms were analyzed before and at one-year intervals after treatment. Both the children and their parents reported oral symptoms and functional limitations (FLs). Palatal volume increased in both appliance groups (BJA: 860.3 mm3 [95% confidence interval (CI): 481.6-1,150.1] and TB: 958.9 mm3 [95% CI: 555.1-1,446.3]) in comparison with the untreated group (287.0 mm3 [95% CI: 193.4-426.5]; P < 0.001). However, the treatment did not affect airways. In comparison with the untreated group, the treated groups showed greater mandibular length and reduced overjet (P ≤ 0.002). No linear correlations were found between changes in dentofacial, palatal, or airway characteristics and changes in oral function. However, the palatal volume of the treated children who experienced improvement in FLs increased more than that of those who showed no FL improvement (1,220.6 mm3 [95% CI: 772.6-1,616.4] and 760.5 mm3 [95% CI: 491.6-1,002.1]; P = 0.035). Both appliances promoted mandibular growth and increased oral space, but did not significantly influence the measured upper airway widths.
Basketball requires repeated jumping, short-distance acceleration, rapid deceleration, and frequent changes of direction, yet it remains unclear whether French contrast training (FCT) produces greater adaptations than equal-load traditional training (ELT) in female collegiate basketball players. This study examined the effects of a 10-week FCT program on lower-limb power, short-distance acceleration, change-of-direction performance, and one-repetition maximum (1RM) back squat performance. In this randomized controlled trial, twenty-five female collegiate basketball players were randomly allocated to an FCT group (n = 13) or an ELT group (n = 12). Jump, sprint, change-of-direction, and 1RM back squat outcomes were assessed before and after training and analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Significant group × time interactions favored FCT for squat jump, countermovement jump, drop-jump height, reactive strength index (all p < 0.001), and eccentric utilization ratio (p = 0.003). Significant group × time interactions were also observed for 10-m sprint time, 10-m maximal velocity, 10-m maximal acceleration, lane agility, and basketball-specific change-of-direction performance (all p < 0.001). Post hoc analyses showed significant pre-to-post improvements in the FCT group for all jump-related, sprint, and change-of-direction outcomes (p = 0.035 for eccentric utilization ratio; all other p < 0.001). The ELT group also improved in these outcomes, although the magnitude of improvement was generally smaller. For 1RM back squat, there was a significant main effect of time (p < 0.001), with significant improvements in both groups (both p < 0.001), whereas the group × time interaction was not significant (p = 0.106). FCT may provide greater benefits than ELT for improving explosive and basketball-specific rapid movement outcomes in female collegiate basketball players. These findings may help strength and conditioning coaches select FCT when the goal is to improve explosive and rapid multidirectional movement performance rather than maximal strength alone.
Understanding shallow-level relationships within the Tree of Life is essential for resolving taxonomic uncertainties and elucidating evolutionary processes. Despite significant advances in the deep-level phylogenetics of jumping spiders, many shallow-level relationships remain poorly understood, as exemplified by the widespread Southeast Asian genus Lechia Żabka, 1985. The phylogenetic placement of this genus is uncertain, compounded by the lack of a formal male description for its type species, Lechia squamata Żabka, 1985. In this study, we present the first formal description of the male of L. squamata, improving the morphological diagnosis of this genus and leading to the proposal of two new synonyms: Phintelloides manipur Caleb, 2020, syn. nov. and P. scandens Deeleman-Reinhold, Addink & Miller, 2024, syn. nov. To clarify the phylogenetic placement of Lechia, we reconstructed phylogenies using both phylogenomic (ultraconserved elements, UCE) and Sanger datasets. The UCE phylogeny provided well-supported backbone relationships, while the Sanger dataset maximized the taxonomic coverage of Lechia and related genera by integrating COI and 28S sequences extracted in silico from the UCE data with available GenBank sequences. Both phylogenetic and comparative morphological evidence strongly support the placement of Lechia within the tribe Chrysillini, closely related to the genera Phintelloides Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2019 and Proszynskia Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2019. Furthermore, our analyses validate the placement of Heliophanoides and Nandicius within Chrysillini, corroborating previous morphology-based classifications. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:187A5429-4BB2-4149-9B7B-17769475AC51.
This study aimed to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality following suicide attempts and examine the disparities between methods used amongst older and younger cohorts. A retrospective analysis of data from the National Trauma Data Bank was completed for the year 2022 for younger adults (18-54) and older adults (≥55) that presented to trauma centers following suicide attempts. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality with secondary outcomes including any in-hospital complications as well as intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stays. Older adults demonstrated higher in-hospital mortality compared to younger adults and differed in suicide methods, injury patterns, and clinical presentation. Older adults (40.7%) had a higher percentage of firearm use compared to younger adults (24.9%). Older adults were more frequently admitted to the intensive care unit compared to younger adults (44.5% vs 36.5%). In multivariable models, factors associated with increased mortality included, male sex, greater injury severity, lower GCS, head injury, and multiple comorbidities. Interaction analysis demonstrated that the effect of age on mortality differed by suicide method, with a greater age-related difference observed for jumping/lying-in-front injuries. In sensitivity analyses restricted to inpatients, the inverse association between ICU admission and mortality was attenuated. Mortality following suicide attempts is influenced by both age and method, with older adults experiencing higher risk. The impact of early deaths on observed associations highlights the importance of incorporating timing of death in trauma-based analyses. These findings highlight age-related disparities and emphasize the need for tailored suicide prevention strategies.
Rugby is a collision-based team sport requiring repeated high-intensity sprinting, technical execution, and physical contact under fatigue. Although caffeine is used as an ergogenic supplement, evidence from mixed team-sport populations may not be applicable to rugby. This systematic review evaluated the effects of acute caffeine supplementation on physical and sport-specific performance, perceptual responses, and physiological markers in rugby players. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase were searched from inception to May 1, 2026. Randomized placebo-controlled studies examining acute caffeine supplementation in rugby players were included in the quantitative synthesis, whereas observational studies related to sleep and recovery were narratively summarized. Standardized mean differences were calculated as Hedges' g with 95% confidence intervals. Three-level random-effects models accounted for dependent effect sizes. Methodological quality and risk of bias in randomized trials were assessed using the PEDro scale and RoB 2, respectively. Observational studies were assessed using the JBI checklist, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. Fifteen studies were included, and 13 randomized placebo-controlled trials contributed data to the meta-analysis. Acute caffeine supplementation was associated with small improvements in sprint performance (k = 11, Hedges' g = -0.41, 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.08, p = 0.02) and lower rating of perceived exertion (RPE) measured during or immediately after rugby-specific or resistance-exercise protocols (k = 9, Hedges' g = -0.40, 95% CI: -0.73 to -0.06, p = 0.02). A large positive effect was observed for passing accuracy (k = 9, Hedges' g = 1.65, 95% CI: 0.69 to 2.61, p = 0.004), but this finding showed high heterogeneity and potential small-study effects. No significant effects were found for jumping performance, strength performance, metabolic markers, or hormonal markers. Subgroup analyses did not identify moderating effects of rugby code, dose, form of administration, or competitive level. Observational evidence suggested possible sleep and recovery concerns following caffeine exposure. In rugby players, acute caffeine may improve sprint performance and passing accuracy while reducing RPE measured during or immediately after rugby-specific or resistance-exercise protocols. However, certainty of evidence ranged from low to very low, and findings should be interpreted cautiously. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO: CRD420261371265.