Abstract

The social support network of children and adolescents without parental care in residential institutions extends beyond the institutional framework to include civil society activities, community based services, and alternative support programs. This trend highlights the need for research on multisectoral approaches within the social protection system. The present study examines sports and recreational support programs delivered by civil society organizations in residential institutions for children and adolescents without parental care. A qualitative approach was employed, based on interviews with representatives of the social protection system.

The results indicate that sports activities represent the most accessible and frequently implemented form of support, provided by both professional staff and external collaborators. At the same time, the findings reveal a certain inconsistency in the quality of program implementation, which is influenced by differences in the expertise of civil society representatives, their understanding of the target group, and their level of preparedness for working within an institutional context. Furthermore, the findings emphasize that the continuity and long-term sustainability of sports and recreational programs are essential for establishing emotional support and maintaining stable relationships with beneficiaries.

Overall, the results suggest that sports and recreational programs may serve as an important instrument of social inclusion and psychosocial support for children and adolescents in residential care within the context of expanding community services and the evolving role of the civil sector.

Aromatherapy has been proposed as a non-pharmacological strategy capable of modulating psychophysiological responses that may influence athletic performance; however, evidence regarding its acute effects on swimming performance remains limited. The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of different olfactory essential oils on 50-m sprint swimming performance in competitive swimmers. Twenty-one competitive sprint swimmers (8 males/13 females; age: 21.9 ± 2.0 years) completed four experimental conditions separated by four days: control (CON); activation essential oil (ACT); relaxation essential oil (REL); and placebo (PLA). Following a standardized warm-up, participants were exposed to the respective olfactory stimulus and subsequently performed a maximal 50-m sprint swim. Sprint time was recorded using a partially randomized within-subject crossover design. No statistically significant overall effect of condition on sprint performance was observed [F (3,57) = 2.762, p = 0.062]. A small reduction in sprint time (~1.2 %) was observed under the relaxation condition, which could be practically relevant in competitive sprint swimming settings. Acute olfactory exposure to a relaxation essential oil following warm-up was associated with a small numerical reduction in sprint swimming time. Although the overall effect was not statistically significant, these exploratory findings suggest that olfactory stimulation may influence short-duration swimming performance under specific conditions and should be interpreted cautiously. Further research is warranted to confirm these effects and clarify the underlying mechanisms.

This study assessed the individual and cumulative associations of post-stroke cognitive, depressive, and sexual disorders with quality of life (QoL) among patients undergoing rehabilitation. This cross-sectional study included 169 stroke survivors receiving outpatient rehabilitation. QoL was assessed using the Stroke Impact Scale version 3.0 (SIS 3.0). Cognitive, depressive, sexual, motor, and disability status were assessed using validated instruments. Bivariate analyses and multivariable linear regression were performed. Cumulative association was examined using a 0–3 disorder score and ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc comparisons. Cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, and sexual dysfunction were identified in 29.6%, 46.7%, and 55.0% of participants, respectively. Lower SIS scores were observed among participants with cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, and interview-reported sexual difficulties. In multivariable regression, participants without cognitive impairment had higher QoL scores than those with impairment (B = 8.23, 95% CI [4.05, 12.42], p < 0.001). Depressive symptoms (B = −4.80, 95% CI [−9.10, −0.40], p = .031) and interview-reported sexual difficulties (B = −5.30, 95% CI [−10.20, −0.30], p = .037) were independently associated with lower QoL, whereas BISF-W/MSHQ-assessed sexual dysfunction was not. Age and motor function were positively associated with QoL, whereas disability was negatively associated. QoL differed significantly by number of co-occurring disorders (ANOVA F = 5.61, p = .001, η² = 0.093), decreasing from 55.3% with no disorders to 38.6% with three disorders. Co-occurring disorders were cumulatively associated with QoL. Given the cross-sectional design, causality cannot be inferred. The findings support multidimensional rehabilitation addressing motor and non-motor sequelae in this rehabilitation cohort in Kinshasa.

University belonging and major satisfaction are two key psychological constructs that influence first-year students' academic adjustment and retention. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between university belonging and major satisfaction among first-year students enrolled in the Physical Education and Sports Sciences program (STAPS) at Kasdi Merbah University of Ouargla, Algeria. A purposive sample of 53 students (88.7% male, 11.3% female; aged 21.2 ± 5.2 years) completed two questionnaires developed for this study: the University Belonging Scale (15 items, α = .837) and the Major Satisfaction Scale (15 items, α = .898). Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and simple linear regression were computed using SPSS v25. University belonging was rated at a moderate-to-high level (3.84 ± 0.45; 76.77%), and major satisfaction was rated high (4.14 ± 0.50; 82.88%). A significant positive correlation was found between the two variables (r = .565, p < .001). Linear regression identified university belonging as a significant predictor of major satisfaction (β = .565, B = 0.629, R² = .319, F(1, 51) = 23.88, p < .001), explaining 31.9% of the variance. Exploratory factor analysis supported a two-factor structure for the belonging instrument and a unidimensional structure for the satisfaction instrument, and the association remained significant after removal of psychometrically weak items (r = .506, p < .001). These findings suggest that a stronger sense of university belonging was associated with higher major satisfaction scores in this sample. Practical implications for academic counseling in Algerian higher education institutions are discussed.

The identification of talented young swimmers is a major focus in sports science, with increasing attention being directed toward biomechanical and technical indicators associated with future performance. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available evidence regarding biomechanical and technical factors related to swimming performance and talent identification in young competitive swimmers. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases following PRISMA guidelines. Eleven studies published between 2007 and 2023 met the inclusion criteria. The findings consistently demonstrated that higher-performing young swimmers exhibited superior biomechanical profiles characterized by higher stroke index, optimal combinations of stroke frequency and stroke length, greater swimming velocity, lower velocity fluctuations, and enhanced propulsive efficiency. Among these variables, stroke index emerged as the most consistent predictor of swimming performance and potential future success. Longitudinal studies further emphasized the importance of monitoring the development of these characteristics throughout growth and maturation. Overall, the evidence suggests that biomechanical and technical indicators should complement competition outcomes in talent identification programs and may provide valuable information for supporting long-term athlete development in youth swimming.