INTRODUCTION: This study was to investigate and analyze the effects on pain, range of motion (ROM), functional status, balance, quality of life (QOL), and kinesiophobia between a rehabilitation program including traditional physiotherapy and dual-task exercises (CP + DT) and another rehabilitation program including foam roller application in addition to traditional physiotherapy and dual-task exercises (CP+DT+FR) in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R).
METHODS: A total of 28 patients who underwent unilateral arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendon graft were included in this randomized controlled study. Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction for the 1st time, were in the post-operative rehabilitation phase, and were still participating in the study up to 1 year, were eligible for inclusion. Individuals with bilateral ACL injury, concomitant ligament injuries, previous knee surgery, or neurologic disorders affecting balance were excluded. Participants were divided into two groups using the randomization method, which was created by randomly drawing the group names we wrote on the papers according to their order of arrival: Traditional physiotherapy plus dual-tasking exercise group (CP+DT; n=14; mean age: 27.64 ± 6.51 years; 14 males) and traditional physiotherapy, dual-tasking and foam roller exercise group (CP+DT+FR; n=14; mean age: 23.07±3.97 years; 11 males and 3 females). All participants attended supervised rehabilitation sessions 3 times a week for a total of 8 weeks. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention period and included measures of pain intensity, knee ROM, functional status, balance performance, QOL, and kinesiophobia.
RESULTS: Both rehabilitation groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain intensity, knee ROM, functional status, balance performance, QOL, and kinesiophobia from baseline to the end of the 8-week intervention period (p < 0.05). However, when between-group comparisons were performed, no statistically significant differences were observed between the CP+DT and CP+DT+FR groups for any of the outcome measures (p>0.05). These findings indicate that while both rehabilitation protocols were effective in improving clinical and functional outcomes following ACL reconstruction, the addition of foam roller exercises did not confer a statistically superior benefit compared with conventional physiotherapy combined with dual-task training.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study indicate that an 8-week intervention comprising conventional physiotherapy and dual-task exercises leads to significant improvements in clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, incorporating foam roller exercises into this rehabilitation protocol does not provide additional advantages with respect to pain, ROM, functionality, balance, QOL, or kinesiophobia. These results suggest that the inclusion of foam roller exercises does not appear to enhance clinical outcomes beyond those achieved with conventional physiotherapy and dual-task training within the study period.

INTRODUCTION: Perceived ageism has been shown to play an important role in older adults’ health and well-being; however, brief measures assessing both negative and positive age-related experiences require robust psychometric evidence across different languages and contexts. This study provides psychometric evidence for the Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ-8) in Turkish community-dwelling older adults.
METHODS: This study used a methodological design and included 101 adults aged 55 years and older. After translation and expert appraisal, content validity was examined using item- and scale-level indices. Evidence for construct validity was obtained through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Reliability was evaluated by assessing internal consistency and short-term stability in a subsample. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 27 and R (lavaan package).
RESULTS: In the present sample, participants’ mean age was 61.46±5.88 years. Content validity was excellent (Item content validity index=1.00). Sampling adequacy was supported (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin=0.747), and Bartlett’s test indicated suitability for factor analysis (p<0.001). Exploratory factor analysis supported a two-factor structure (negative and positive perceived ageism) explaining 49.62% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor model with excellent fit. The total scale and both subscales showed satisfactory internal consistency coefficients (total α=0.81, ω=0.85; negative α=0.80, ω=0.81; positive α=0.75, ω=0.76).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The Turkish PAQ-8 demonstrated excellent content validity, a stable two-factor structure, satisfactory internal consistency, and excellent test–retest reliability. It appears to be a brief and reliable instrument for assessing perceived negative and positive ageism among older adults in Türkiye.

INTRODUCTION: Neck pain (NP) is associated with impaired cognitive function and altered neck awareness; however, its impact on implicit motor imagery performance, assessed by the left/right judgment task (LRJT), remains unclear. This study compared LRJT performance, cognitive function, and neck awareness between patients with NP and pain-free controls.
METHODS: This cross-sectional comparative study included 35 patients with NP and 35 matched pain-free controls. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), neck awareness using the Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire (FreNAQ), pain levels by the Visual Analog Scale, and LRJT performance using the Recognize® application.
RESULTS: Patients with NP had significantly lower MoCA scores and higher FreNAQ scores compared to controls (p<0.05). LRJT accuracy and right response time did not differ between groups; however, left response time was significantly shorter in patients with NP (p<0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between MoCA scores and left response time in patients with NP (r=-0.391, p=0.020).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results indicate that chronic NP is associated with reduced cognitive function and altered neck awareness, while overall LRJT performance may remain preserved. The observed association between cognitive function and response time suggests that cognitive capacity may influence lateralized motor judgment processes in individuals with chronic NP. Consideration of cognitive function may therefore be important when interpreting LRJT outcomes in this population.

INTRODUCTION: Archery performance relies heavily on sustained attention and concentration. This pilot study examined the relationships between attention level, concentration performance (CP), and dietary intakes in adolescent and young adult archers.
METHODS: The sample comprised 27 active archers from Istanbul Anka Sports Club (mean age 17.3±3.2 years). Nutritional intake was assessed using a 3-day food consumption record. Attention was evaluated with the d2 Test of Attention, and concentration-related indices were derived. Body composition was estimated by measuring skinfold thickness at three sites (triceps, subscapular, and abdominal), and body fat percentage was calculated accordingly. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20.0.
RESULTS: Regarding the general nutritional status of the archers, it was observed that total energy and fluid intakes were generally below the recommended levels for their age groups. A significant negative association was found between attention consistency (FR) and body fat percentage (r=-0.507, p=0.043). Processing speed (TN-E) scores were negatively correlated with protein intake (g/kg) (p=0.035). CP showed significant positive relationships with carbohydrate intake (g/kg) and fiber intake (g) (p<0.05). Vitamin C intake was negatively associated with attention consistency (FR) and specific learning difficulty (E2) (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that nutritional factors and body composition are meaningfully related to attention and concentration metrics in archers. Appropriate, balanced nutrition strategies, particularly regarding macronutrient distribution and fiber intake, may support concentration continuity, whereas higher body fat percentage may be linked to reduced sustained attention. These results offer practical insights for sports nutrition and cognitive performance interventions in archery.

Climate change (CC) is reshaping our world in profound ways, particularly impacting our food systems, health, and daily eating habits. As global temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable, farming is facing significant challenges. Crops that once thrived are now struggling, leading to reduced yields and heightened food insecurity. Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, further disrupt food production and distribution, causing widespread hunger and malnutrition. These environmental changes threaten food production, quality, prices, and distribution systems on a global scale. Recent studies suggest that adopting plant-based diets can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, plant-based foods generally use less energy, land, and water, and have lower greenhouse gas intensities than animal-based foods. CC may influence the prevalence of seasonal affective disorder, affecting eating habits and potentially leading to overeating or unhealthy food choices. The economic impacts of CC are vast, affecting agriculture, food security, and health systems, potentially leading to increased poverty and inequality, further impacting food access and health outcomes. In summary, CC profoundly affects food systems, health, and eating habits through complex interactions that influence food availability, quality, and consumption patterns, with significant implications for global health and well-being.

Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) is an approach based on developmental kinesiology and aims to optimize postural control, movement patterns, and musculoskeletal functions. DNS focuses on the synchronized activation of the pelvic floor, diaphragm, transversus abdominis, and multifidus muscles to provide spinal stabilization. In the literature, DNS has been shown to be an effective method for improving postural control, pain management, and motor functions in orthopedic, sports, pediatric, and neurological rehabilitation. From a developmental kinesiology perspective, DNS addresses motor control levels at spinal, subcortical, and cortical levels. Based on the developmental patterns of motor functions in early childhood, it works on the correct activation and coordination of the muscles that stabilize the spine. This provides a basis for developing postural control and motor skills in children, and for reorganizing movement patterns in neurological disorders. In orthopedic rehabilitation, DNS improves movement patterns by addressing problems such as muscle weakness and postural disorders. In sports rehabilitation, DNS reduces injury risks by increasing core stabilization and optimizing athletic performance. In pediatric rehabilitation, DNS supports children’s motor control and postural stability, contributing to their social, cognitive, and emotional development. It has been reported that DNS improves musculoskeletal system functions and increases quality of life, especially in children with neurological developmental delays. In neurological rehabilitation, DNS is used to improve balance, postural control, and functional independence in neurological disorders. In conclusion, DNS exercises are a holistic approach that addresses not only the symptoms but also the root causes of movement disorders in rehabilitation processes.

Chronic wounds may not always heal with traditional dressings and may require reconstructive surgical intervention. Free tissue flaps are an effective method for repairing complex defects; however, the success rate is associated with nursing monitoring and quality of care during the early post-operative period. A 78-year-old male patient presented with a chronic wound on the posterior aspect of his left ankle that had been present for 2 years. The lesion was excised through wide excision, and the resulting defect was repaired with an anterolateral thigh free flap. Systematic nursing care was provided during the post-operative period, focusing on flap monitoring and risk-oriented nursing diagnoses. Complication-free flap survival was achieved through systematic nursing monitoring. Nursing interventions for infection, pain, anxiety, pressure injury, and respiratory function contributed to successful recovery and complete wound healing in this patient. This case demonstrates that dressing alone is insufficient for chronic wounds and highlights the importance of nursing care in free flap surgery.