Sports University of Tirana

Volleyball performance relies on repeated explosive movements such as jumping and spiking, which are determined by the interaction of biomechanical efficiency, neuromuscular coordination, physiological fitness, and body composition; however, comprehensive investigations integrating these determinants remain limited.This study aimed to examine the biomechanical and physiological determinants of jumping and spiking performance in competitive volleyball players, with particular emphasis on the influence of body composition on force-time characteristics and mechanical efficiency.Twenty-four competitive volleyball players participated in a crosssectional design and were classified into lower and higher skinfold groups based on the median value of six skinfold measurements.Anthropometric assessments were conducted, while biomechanical performance was evaluated using force-platform analysis during countermovement and volleyball-specific spike jumps.Performance variables including jump height, peak force, and peak power, expressed in both absolute and relative terms, were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, effect size calculations, and Pearson correlation coefficients.Athletes in the lower skinfold group demonstrated significantly greater countermovement and spike jump heights, along with superior absolute and relative force and power production, compared with players presenting higher subcutaneous fat mass.The largest between-group differences were observed in relative mechanical variables, highlighting the importance of normalizing performance outputs to body mass.Additionally, subcutaneous fat thickness showed strong negative associations with all biomechanical performance indicators, particularly relative peak power.Considering athletic performance within a broader human ecology perspective, environmental factors such as indoor training conditions, air quality, and thermal comfort may further influence neuromuscular efficiency and fatigue resistance during highintensity volleyball activities.Overall, the findings indicate that lower subcutaneous fat mass is strongly associated with improved explosive performance and biomechanical efficiency in volleyball-specific movements.This study provides an integrated biomechanical and anthropometric framework linking body composition to force-platform derived performance variables and supports the systematic integration of body composition monitoring and biomechanical assessment in volleyball training and performance optimization.

Wrestling is a physically and mentally demanding combat sport that requires discipline, focus, and emotional control. Although its physiological effects are well documented, its psychological benefits in adolescents remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine whether a short-term, non-competitive wrestling program could enhance psychological well-being, reduce sport anxiety, and strengthen resilience in adolescent boys. Thirty sedentary male adolescents (aged 12–15 years) were randomly assigned to a wrestling training group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention consisted of six weeks of supervised wrestling sessions performed three times per week. Psychological well-being (WHO-5), sport anxiety (SAS-2), and resilience (BPRS) were assessed before and after the intervention using the validated Turkish versions of the scales. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze group × time interactions. Participants in the wrestling group demonstrated significant improvements in well-being (p < 0.001) and resilience (p < 0.001), alongside marked reductions in total sport anxiety and its subdimensions (p < 0.001), compared with the control group. All effects were large (ηp² = 0.52–0.94). A structured six-week wrestling program produced meaningful psychological benefits in adolescent boys. Regular participation in non-competitive wrestling may serve as an effective approach to promote well-being, emotional stability, and adaptive coping skills during early adolescence, supporting the preventive and developmental role of combat sports in youth mental health. Effects of wrestling training on psychological well-being, anxiety, and Resilience in Adolescent Boys. NCT07193121, Date: 12-09-2025.

Physical activity plays a crucial role in the overall development of children, influencing various aspects of their daily lives. However, obesity and physical inactivity are among the main public health concerns globally. It becomes essential to promote sports in schools as an effective strategy to combat obesity, encouraging children to develop active lifestyle habits that could last into adulthood. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of regular participation in sports activities on overall well-being in the context of primary school. The participants, consisting of 200 students, underwent a structured physical activity program for six months, with exercise sessions held three times a week. Pre- and post-intervention measurements included assessments of psychological, physical, and social well-being through standardized questionnaires and physical tests. The results showed a significant reduction in anxiety and depression levels, an increase in self-esteem, and improvements in social skills such as cooperation and self-control. From a physical perspective, participants recorded improvements in cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, and a reduction in body mass index (BMI). These findings suggested that integrating physical activity into the school routine could have significant beneficial effects on children's overall well-being, promoting healthy habits and combating childhood obesity.

This study examines how biomechanical efficiency shapes the effectiveness of fundamental resistance-training movements, highlighting the importance of movement quality over external load. Five primary patterns squat, hinge, push, pull, and rotational or anti-rotational tasks were analyzed to determine how joint torque distribution, ground reaction forces, centre-of-mass control, and neuromuscular activation influence performance outcomes. An applied analytical methodology was used, integrating evidence from peer-reviewed studies published over the past 15 years, with particular emphasis on exercises commonly utilized in strength and conditioning. Biomechanical variables were mapped onto each movement category, and a three-day training micro cycle was used to contextualize mechanical demands in practical settings. The findings show that each movement pattern demonstrates a distinct mechanical profile. Squat variations promote balanced loading and lower-body symmetry, whereas hinge exercises generate the highest hip extensor torques and posterior-chain activation, making them essential for maximal strength and explosive power development. Upper-body push and pull patterns exhibit contrasting scapulothoracic mechanics and muscle recruitment strategies, underscoring the need for balanced programming. Rotational movements, despite using lower external loads, demand substantial trunk stiffness and coordinated segmental control, contributing to functional stability and movement transfer. Overall, the results emphasize that mechanical efficiency not simply the amount of load lifted plays the central role in shaping training adaptations. Integrating biomechanical principles into programmed design enables more targeted exercise selection, enhances motor control, reduces injury risk, and supports long-term performance development. These insights bridge the gap between biomechanics research and practical training application, providing a framework for more intelligent and sustainable resistance-training practice.

Facility location problems are a fundamental component of supply chain optimization, particularly in agriculture, where collection centers must be strategically positioned to minimize transportation costs and improve accessibility for producers. Traditional mathematical programming techniques are suitable for small-scale problems but become computationally expensive as the problem size increases. To overcome these limitations, this study applies metaheuristic approaches, specifically Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), to determine the optimal siting of agricultural collection centers in Elbasan, Albania. The case study considers thirteen administrative areas with annual production volumes used as demand weights, while distances are calculated using geographic coordinates. The proposed algorithms aim to minimize the weighted travel distance between farmers and assigned collection facilities. Results show that both GA and PSO successfully identify near-optimal solutions with significantly reduced total transportation costs compared to single-facility baselines.

Introduction: Speed is a key performance factor in football. While traditional training emphasizes strength and power, proprioception—the body’s awareness of position and movement—supports balance and neuromuscular control, which are essential for efficient movement. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of a 6-month proprioception training program on linear and change-of-direction speed in 17-year-old male football players. Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 62 adolescent male footballers. The experimental group received proprioceptive training focusing on ankle, knee, and hip joint stability, integrated into their regular sessions. The control group continued standard football training. Speed and agility were tested before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests, with significance set at p &lt; 0.05. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in both linear and change-of-direction speed after six months. The control group did not demonstrate notable changes. Post-test comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between the groups (p &lt; 0.05), favoring the experimental group. Discussion: Performance gains in the experimental group likely resulted from improved neuromuscular coordination, joint stability, and movement efficiency due to proprioceptive training. These adaptations may contribute to faster, more controlled sprinting and directional changes. Conclusion: A 6-month proprioception training program effectively enhances speed performance in adolescent football players. Incorporating such training into youth development programs is recommended to support optimal athletic performance.

Abstract Childhood and teenage obesity increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in childhood and adolescence, as well as the incidence of metabolic syndrome and CVD in adulthood. Primary goal was to assess body composition in 11 to 16 years old children from 5 different Albanian cities. 120 kids, 70 girls and 50 boys, were chosen at random. Air displacement plethysmography (BOD-POD, GS-X) was used for body composition. The average percentage of body fat is higher in boys (26.17%, SD = 13.33) compared to Girls (23.29%, SD = 7.43). Conversely, the average percentage of FFM is higher in Girls (76.72%, SD = 7.43) than in boys (73.83%, SD = 13.33). This indicates that, Girls have a higher proportion of lean mass relative to body fat than boys. Descriptive statistics of %FFM revealed that mean values for boys (M = 75.55, SD = 11.77) were comparable to those of Girls (M = 75.02, SD = 10.32). The equality of variances was not significant according to Levene's test, F(1, 114) = 1.05, p =. 307, and the assumption of equal variances was met. The % FFM was not significantly different between boys and Girls as indicated by the t-test, t(114)=0.26, p=. 798; mean difference, 0.53 (95% CI [-3.54, 4.59]). This sample did not yield significant differences in the % FFM, suggesting that % FFM may not be influenced by gender. More studies have to be conducted with a greater number of participants in order to have more reliable data’s regarding body composition in children. Keywords: Body Composition, Children, Evaluation, Fat Mass, Fat Free Mass.

Background. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients. While yoga and music therapy have shown individual benefits for cardiovascular health, their combined effect on inflammatory markers remains unexplored. Objective. To evaluate the effects of a 12-week combined yoga and music therapy intervention on inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) and blood pressure parameters in middle-aged hypertensive men. Methods. In this quasi-experimental pre-post study, 36 hypertensive men (mean age 42.3 ± 6.4 years) participated in a combined yoga and music therapy intervention for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included changes in inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) and blood pressure measurements. Results. Following the 12-week intervention, significant reductions were observed in inflammatory markers: hs-CRP (−1.50 ± 0.55 mg/L, p &lt; 0.001), IL-6 (−1.45 ± 0.45 pg/mL, p &lt; 0.001), and TNF-α (−3.85 ± 1.15 pg/mL, p &lt; 0.001). Blood pressure parameters also improved significantly: systolic (−10.55 ± 3.5 mmHg, p &lt; 0.001) and diastolic (−7.05 ± 2.25 mmHg, p &lt; 0.001). Large effect sizes were observed across all outcomes (0.72–0.79). Conclusion. Combined yoga and music therapy effectively reduced inflammatory markers and blood pressure in middle-aged hypertensive men. This integrative approach shows promise as a complementary intervention for managing hypertension and associated inflammatory markers.

Aims to examine the relationship between stress and the social environment for elite Albanian volleyball players. The impact of stress is individual and subjective. Methods: In total, there are 14 elite volleyball teams that participate in the National Championship in Albania. There are 7 female teams (no. 105) and 7 male teams (no. 102) competing in the National Championship in Albania over the age of 18. The number of selected subjects is a statistically representative sample of the target group, calculated with a confidence coefficient of over 92%. The applied scientific instrument is the standardized Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ). The questionnaire contains 30 statements, 6 for each stress dimension. For each statement, the athletes expressed their responses on a scale from 1 to 5. Results: All the project results were statistically documented; IBM SPSS Statistics 26 and Microsoft Excel statistics were used. The level of significance was set at p &lt; 0.05. Only in dimension 3 (stress from pressure outside of sports) do volleyball players experience a common point where females show 44.71% and males 44.85%. Conclusions: The lack of significant differences between men and women indicates that gender does not determine psychological stress states in athletes.

Introduction:Tendinopathy considered as a problem present in sports, like in basketball players.Patellar tendon injuries in the sport of basketball are widespread bigger compared to other sported nearly (21,5%)of injuries.The purpose of aour study is to evaluate the effect of the Mulliagn technique on tendinopathy of the knee in basketball payers. Objectives: The objectives of this study is to evaluate the effect of the mulligan technique in the case of tendinopathy. How does the mulligan technique affect the improvement of the articular amplitudes for the knee joint and how does this technique affect the improvement of the pain level. Methods: This a case report. professional basketball in Gega basketball team 19-year-old male. During the routine assessment, the basketball player complains of pain while palpating the patellar tendon. Several tests were applied like the one-leg stand test SLDS and the Royal London Hospital test. Results: This study evaluates positive values for the pain scale; NPRS test from grade 6 pain pre -treatment in 2 and 0 scale of pain after first session e third session of mulligan technique. Also, regarding the articular amplitude, especially the flexion, we noticed its improvement from the first day after the treatment to reaching the final flexion amplitudes in the second treatment. Conclusions: The Mulligan technique in this case report of the basketball player of the Gega basketball team were effective in two important variables, range of motion of knee joint, especially for the flexion movement, and the absolute improvement of pain.