The aim of the study was to establish the bone and body composition characteristics of high-level athletes with and without a history of stress fracture injury. 279 high-level athletes (212 men, 67 women) (age 28.0 ± 9.2 years; body mass 75.0 ± 17.4kg; height 1.78 ± 0.10m) and 112 non-athletic controls (60 women, 52 men) 36.2 ± 15.0 years; 70.9 ± 12.9kg; 1.71 ± 0.10m) were assessed by DXA to establish their bone mineral density and content, body fat and lean mass. Athletes completed a questionnaire detailing their stress fracture history. There were no differences in whole-body bone mineral density (men 1.41 ± 0.12g/cm2, women 1.19 ± 0.09g/cm2), bone mineral content (men 3709 ± 626g,women 2263 ± 290g), body fat (men 16.3± 5.0%,women 23.0 ± 4.6%) and lean mass (men 65.4 ± 9.9kg,women 38.7 ± 3.6kg) between athletes with a history of stress fracture (34 men, 16 women) and those without (176 men, 40 women). DXA derived bone and body composition characteristics were not independent risk factors for stress fracture injury in high-level athletes. This study in a large cohort of high-level athletes provides normative bone and body composition values that can be used as a benchmark for researchers and applied practitioners. DXA derived bone and body composition characteristics were not independent risk factors for stress fracture injury in high-level athletes. This study in a large cohort of high-level athletes provides normative bone and body composition values that can be used as a benchmark for researchers and applied practitioners. Breast cancer is a major health burden for women and the most common female cancer. With regard to secondary prevention, it is important to evaluate new approaches of supportive care. Recently, exercise interventions derived from martial arts have been applied in breast cancer patients. The aim of this pilot study was to describe the feasibility of a health-related Karate intervention in breast cancer patients. In this pilot study, health-related Karate was offered to 20-60 years old women after primary cancer treatment. Participants were recruited in an oncological outpatient centre. Feasibility of the intervention was described by eligibility, uptake, adherence, class attendance, adverse events, and continuation after the study. The uptake rate was 46.5% out of 88% eligible patients. Class attendance of the 15 participating women (median age 52 years) was 84%. Adherence during intervention was 93% and 12 women (80%) continued the karate training after the study. No adverse events were reported. Health-related Karate exercises are feasible in breast cancer patients after finished primary cancer treatment. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/ex229-compound-991.html High eligibility, uptake and adherence allow the initiation of exercise classes. Health-related Karate exercises are feasible in breast cancer patients after finished primary cancer treatment. High eligibility, uptake and adherence allow the initiation of exercise classes. The aim of this study was to examine the fitness profile of the Italian national male Team-Handball players of different competitive level. Forty-one male handball players from the senior (N.=21, height 1.90±0.06m, body mass 94.04±11.59kg, BMI 26.13±2.45) to the junior category (N.=20, height 1.86±0.06m, body weight 84.99±12.52kg, BMI 24.56±3.35) Italian National Teams participated in this study. Players were tested for lower and upper limbs muscle strength, change of direction ability and specific endurance. Lower limbs explosive strength was assessed with squat (SJ) countermovement (CMJ), stiff leg (stiffness) jumps. Explosive strength was assessed by measuring kinematic aspects of squat and bench exercises. Change of direction ability was assessed with the 505 test. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YYIR1) was considered for specific endurance. Large and significant differences (d>1; partial η >0.14; P<0.01) between senior and junior national team players were found in anthropometrics, jumping, power, sprint, agility, and aerobic fitness (junior body weight accounting for 10% less than the senior one, P=0.021; SJ and CMJ in juniors smaller than the seniors by 15% and 12%, P=0.000 and P=0.001, respectively). Similar differences were found among positional roles (goalkeepers, backs, centers, pivots, wings), suggesting practical implications for training. The differences between the competitive level and the playing role in relevant handball performance were reported in Italian national team players. The magnitude of the differences suggests the need of individual training approach when dealing with the young handball players. The differences between the competitive level and the playing role in relevant handball performance were reported in Italian national team players. The magnitude of the differences suggests the need of individual training approach when dealing with the young handball players. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) stimulates the strengthening of the respiratory muscles by placing a resistance to the entry of air into the lung. The objective was to observe the effect of IMT on swimming performance, and its relationship with inspiratory strength and lung function. Fifteen male swimmers (age=15.1±1.1 years) were divided into an experimental group (EG; n=9) and a sham control group (SCG; n=6). Lung flows/volumes using spirometry, dynamic inspiratory strength (S-Index), maximum inspiratory flow (MIF), and swimming tests (50-m, 100-m and 200-m) were measured before and after a four-week aerobic swimming training program (R1-R2) and IMT. An initial load at 50% and 15% of S-Index was adjusted for EG and SCG respectively. Only the EG increased the initial load by 5% each week. The S-Index and MIF were only increased in the EG after IMT (ΔS-Index=18.0±8.8 cmH2O and ΔMIF=0.7±0.33 L·min-1; p<0.05). The same occurred for FVC (Δ=0.3±0.2 l), and MVV (Δ=6.9±3.6 l·min-1) (p<0.05). For swimming performances, the EG swimming times decreased significantly respect to CG for 50-m (ΔEG=-1.2±0.3 s vs ΔCG=-0.1±0.2 s), 100-m (ΔEG=-2.9±1 s vs ΔCG=-0.7±0.5 s) and 200-m (ΔEG=-7.3±2.8 s vs ΔCG=-2.0±1 s) with p<0.05. Finally, the S-Index and MIF had a negative correlation with swimming performances for 50-m (S-Index, r=-0.72; MIF, r=-0.70) and 100-m (S-Index, r=-0.65; MIF, r=-0.62) with p<0.05. A short-period IMT increases the maximum S-Index, ventilation and MIF which positively influence the swimming performance of young swimmers. A short-period IMT increases the maximum S-Index, ventilation and MIF which positively influence the swimming performance of young swimmers.