Background: COVID-19 significantly disrupted the routines of school sports for adolescent athletes. In the post-pandemic era, athletes’ levels of physical activity (PA) may remain low, with ongoing mental health (MH) concerns, and exacerbated eating disorder (ED) symptoms. However, factors such as emotional intelligence (EI; the ability to understand and regulate emotions in oneself and others), may serve as a coping mechanism for altered PA, MH, and ED. Methods: Participants of the study included 315 Iranian adolescent athletes residing in Mazandaran province (one of the most affected areas of Iran during COVID-19), who played in 1 of 10 sports post quarantine restrictions (January 2022-January 2023). PA was assessed by the Physical Activity Stages of Change Questionnaire (PASCQ), MH concerns were assessed by the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), ED symptoms were assessed by the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), and EI was assessed by the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). Results: There was a significant positive relationship between PASCQ and GHQ-28 (p = .038; as PA increased, MH increased), and a negative relationship between EAT-26 and GHQ-28 (p = -.041; as ED increased, MH decreased). Nevertheless, there was a positive relationship between SSEIT and GHQ-28 (p= .028; as EI increased, MH increased), and a negative relationship between SSEIT and EAT-26 (p = -.038; as EI increased, ED decreased). Conclusions: The study has limitations which future research should address. However, the findings highlight the need for sports professionals working with adolescent athletes in the post COVID-19 era to monitor the status of PA, MH, and ED, and promote EI coping skills, to provide early intervention, and mitigate long-term consequences.

Background This study aims to investigate the effect of a course of selected corrective exercises on posture, scapula-humeral rhythm and performance of adolescent volleyball players. Methods 30 adolescent volleyball players with upper cross syndrome were purposefully selected and assigned into 2 control and training groups. The degree of back curvature was evaluated using a flexible ruler, forward head and forward shoulder size by photographic method, scapula-humeral rhythm by Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST), and performance by closed kinetic chain test. The training group performed the exercises for 10 weeks. After the exercises, the post-test was administered. To analyze the data, analysis of co-variance tests and paired t-test at the level of 0.05 were employed. Results The research results showed that corrective exercises have a significant effect on abnormalities of forward head, forward shoulder, kyphosis, scapula-humeral rhythm and performance. Conclusions Corrective exercises can be effective in reducing shoulder girdle and spine abnormalities and improving scapula- humeral rhythm and performance of volleyball players.

BackgroundThe level of mobility and general health has decreased among students in virtual classes during COVID-19 pandemic. The present cross-sectional study aims to investigate the mental and physical conditions related to inactivity among the students of Farhangian University during the virtual classes.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study. 475 students (214 females and 261 males) were selected as the statistical sample of the study based on Morgan’s Table from Farhangian University, Iran. The statistical population includes students studying at Farhangian University of Mazandaran province that using Convenience Sampling the sample size based on Morgan’s Table, 475 students consisting of 214 females and 261 males were randomly selected as the statistical sample of the study. The research instruments of this study include International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Saehan Caliper (SH5020), Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Questionnaire, and Nordic Skeletal and Muscular Disorders Questionnaire. For data analysis, independent sample t-test was employed to compare two groups. All analyses were conducted using spss24 software.ResultsWith respect to students’ skeletal-muscular disorders, findings proved that both genders suffered physical conditions during virtual classes. The research findings showed that the average weekly activity level among women is 634 Met/min with a standard deviation of ±281, and the average weekly activity level among men is 472 Met/min with a standard deviation of ±231. Fat percentage by gender, men’s average fat percentage is 47.21% (S. D ± 4.74) and women’s average fat percentage is 31.55% (S. D ± 4.37). Also, the self-esteem scores of male and female students were obtained 29.72 and 29.43, respectively, and the difference between the two was considered significant (p < 0.05). On the other hand, 67% (No. 25) of female students and 32% (No. 12) of male students suffered from high depression. Also, based on students’ skeletal-muscular disorders, findings of our study showed that both genders suffered physical conditions during virtual classes.ConclusionThis study suggests increasing the level of physical activity to reduce body fat mass, increase mental health and reduce skeletal disorders, which can be properly accomplished through university planning and prioritizing the health of male and female students.

Objective: The level of mobility and general health has decreased among students in virtual classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to investigate the mental and physical complications caused by inactivity among the students of Farhangian University during virtual classes. Methods: This was survey research with a cross-sectional design. The statistical population included all male and female students studying at Farhangian University of Mazandaran Province, Iran. According to the determination of the sample size based on the Morgan table, 475 students, consisting of 214 females and 261 males, were randomly selected as the statistical sample of the study. The research instruments include the international physical activity questionnaire, Saehan Caliper (SH5020), the Coopersmith self-esteem scale (1967), the Beck depression questionnaire, and the Nordic skeletal and muscular disorders questionnaire. To analyze the data, we used the independent sample t test to compare the two groups. All analyses were conducted using the SPSS software, version 24. Results: The research findings showed that the average weekly activity level among women was 634±281 MET/min, and the average weekly activity level among men was 472 ±231 MET/min. In terms of fat percentage by gender, men’s average fat percentage was 21.47%±4.74%, and women’s average fat percentage was 31.55%±4.37%. Meanwhile, the self-esteem scores of male and female students were obtained at 29.72 and 29.43, respectively. The difference between the two was considered significant as P<0.05. In addition to these findings, the correlation between self-esteem and activity level was +0.41. On the other hand, 25(67%) female students and 12(32%) male students suffered from high depression. Conclusion: Concerning students’ skeletal-muscular disorders, findings proved that both genders suffered from physical complications during virtual classes. This study suggests increasing the level of physical activity to reduce body fat mass, increase mental health, and reduce skeletal disorders, which can be properly accomplished through university planning and prioritizing the health of male and female students.