Search Results (642)

Background/Objective: Caffeine has demonstrated ergogenic effects across various doses (2–9 mg·kg⁻¹). However, aerobic responses to caffeine vary substantially, with time-trial performance ranging from ~–3% to +16%. Given that higher doses may increase adverse effects without clear additional benefits, this review examined the effects of low (≤3 mg·kg⁻¹), moderate (4–6 mg·kg⁻¹), and high (>6 mg·kg⁻¹) caffeine doses on time-trial performance. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Virtual Health Library databases. Eligible studies included healthy adults (18–59 years) acutely ingesting oral anhydrous caffeine before aerobic time-trial tests, with performance outcomes measured exclusively as time-to-completion variables. Data were pooled using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals under random-effects models, and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results: Forty-eight studies (689 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Both low and moderate caffeine doses significantly reduced time-trial completion time relative to placebo. Low doses produced a standardized mean difference of −0.27 (95% CI: −0.44 to −0.11; p = 0.001), whereas moderate doses resulted in an SMD of −0.52 (95% CI: −0.77 to −0.28; p < 0.0001). No studies evaluating high caffeine doses (>6 mg·kg⁻¹) and reporting time-to-completion outcomes met the inclusion criteria. Subgroup analyses demonstrated similar ergogenic effects in both trained and highly trained individuals consuming moderate caffeine doses. Conclusions: This is the first meta-analysis specifically focused on aerobic time-trial performance to suggest that pre-exercise ingestion of low caffeine doses (1.3–3 mg·kg⁻¹) may enhance endurance performance by reducing time-trial completion time. Notably, the use of moderate caffeine doses (4–6 mg·kg⁻¹) appears to produce a more consistent ergogenic effect. Full article

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women. The disease and its treatments often lead to physical and psychosocial impairments, compromising quality of life. While exercise and music-based interventions have individually demonstrated benefits on these symptoms, the advantages of their combination remain unexplored. This study evaluates whether a concurrent exercise program, including aerobic and strength training performed while listening to music based on individual preferences, is more effective than the same exercise program without music in improving self-esteem, body image, cancer-related fatigue, physical function (upper and lower limb strength and cardiorespiratory endurance), quality of life, sleep quality, and intolerance of uncertainty in female breast cancer survivors. A single-blind, two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial will be conducted including 42 women who completed primary treatment for stage 0–III breast cancer at least six months before enrollment. Participants will be randomly assigned to a music-listening concurrent exercise training group (MLTG), or a no music exercise training group (NMLTG), both performing the same 8-week exercise program. The primary outcome will be self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale). Secondary outcomes include body image, fatigue, upper and lower limb strength, cardiovascular endurance, quality of life, sleep quality, and intolerance of uncertainty. Measurements will be collected using validated and reliable questionnaires and standardized functional tests at baseline, post-intervention, and at 6 months. Data will be analyzed under the intention-to-treat principle. Music listening, particularly when based on individual preferences and synchronized with movement, may enhance mood and exercise performance while modulating reward-related neural pathways. This trial will provide new evidence on a feasible and low-cost strategy to enhance supportive care and physical and psychosocial outcomes in breast cancer survivors. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07045961). Ethics Committee code: 2025-0855. Full article

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based wearable devices offer non-invasive, continuous monitoring of muscle oxygenation, providing direct microvascular and metabolic information that complements indirect indices of intensity such as heart rate and accelerometry. Their clinical applicability in chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remains under active development. Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore (January 2010–January 2026) using pre-specified search strings combining NIRS, muscle oxygenation, SmO₂, StO₂, wearable, exercise intensity, ventilatory/lactate threshold, and individual chronic disease terms. Eligible studies addressed technical validation of wearable NIRS, NIRS-derived exercise intensity estimation, clinical applications in NCDs, or rehabilitation implementation. Evidence was synthesized thematically; quality of validation studies was appraised against AMSTAR-2-informed, COSMIN-informed, or Cochrane RoB-2 criteria. Results: Wearable continuous-wave NIRS shows acceptable concurrent validity with frequency-domain laboratory systems (r = 0.79; range 0.69–0.88; ±8% SmO₂ agreement in 95% of measurements) and good test–retest reliability for moderate-to-severe domains (ICC 0.72–0.91). NIRS-derived breakpoints align more reliably with the second ventilatory/lactate threshold (ICC = 0.80) than with the first (ICC = 0.53), constraining its use for prescribing lower-intensity domains. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease, chronic respiratory failure and selected cardiovascular conditions, wearable NIRS detects disease-specific patterns of muscle deoxygenation and post-exercise reoxygenation that track responses to rehabilitation. Conclusions: Current evidence supports wearable NIRS as a complementary, intensity-aware monitoring tool—particularly for delineating the heavy/severe-intensity boundary and detecting peripheral metabolic limitations—rather than as a stand-alone replacement for ventilatory or lactate thresholds. Because much of the evidence derives from small, single-sex or athlete-only cohorts, these findings should be regarded as a promising basis requiring further validation in broader NCD populations. Implementation in NCDs requires standardized placement and calibration protocols, sex- and body composition-stratified reference values, motion-artifact mitigation, and adequately powered longitudinal trials in clinical populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lifestyle Modification Programs (LMPs) based on exercise and nutrition aim to prevent/manage chronic diseases and foster well-being. However, moving LMPs from research to medical practice can be challenging, as programs must be both effective and feasible. The primary goal of this study was to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) changes according to an LMP, measured through VO_2max, as a key indicator of health outcomes and intervention efficacy. Methods: In this single-arm intervention study, 100 subjects were enrolled; per-protocol analysis of main parameters was performed on 85 participants (15 were excluded due to medical/technical reasons). A feasible intervention program (of low resource intensity with only two physician/patient encounters) provided personalized exercise prescription, optimized nutritional habits based on the Mediterranean diet and Healthy Eating Plate principles, and supported behaviour change. We assessed CRF through VO_2max, a key indicator of health outcomes and intervention efficacy. We also analyzed, using regression analysis, the relationship between VO_2max (the gold-standard measure of CRF) and MET_Speak, a simpler, feasible parameter of CRF derived from Exercise Stress Testing. Body composition (BC) and AHA diet score were also measured at baseline and post-6-month intervention. Statistical analyses included paired comparisons and multivariable regression to explore factors influencing CRF changes. Results: Analysis on the primary outcome, VO_2max, was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle and per-protocol. This feasible protocol resulted in a significant increase in VO_2max, improvements in fat-free mass, and a reduction in fat mass. Overall, 42.4% of participants achieved an improvement of ≥1 MET, a change previously associated with reduced mortality risk. Older participants tend to experience smaller improvements in VO_2max. Conclusions: Although observing an improvement in CRF and BC following an LMP is not surprising, the strength of the study is to show the feasibility of implementing an effective, feasible LMP into clinical routine, supporting the integration of such programs into clinical practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: Evidence for herbal ergogenic aids remains uncertain, and ashwagandha trials span heterogeneous performance domains. This review evaluated oral Withania somnifera supplementation on exercise performance and explored participant-, outcome-, formulation-, and supplementation-related moderators. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and SPORTDiscus-EBSCO were searched from inception to 1 April 2026. Eligible randomized controlled trials compared oral ashwagandha with placebo or control conditions and reported objective exercise-performance outcomes. Dependent effects were synthesized using restricted-maximum-likelihood three-level random-effects models; 95% prediction intervals, GRADE certainty ratings, subgroup analyses, and dose/duration meta-regressions were reported. Results: Thirteen trials involving 599 participants contributed 79 effect sizes. Samples were mainly young adults or athletes; reported ages included one 18–40-year trial and one late-adolescent athlete cohort aged 17.4 ± 1.7 years. Trial-level sex composition was four male-only, one female-only, three mixed-sex, and five incompletely reported cohorts. Ashwagandha improved overall exercise performance on average (Hedges’ g = 0.47, 95% CI [0.25, 0.69], p < 0.001; I² = 60%; 95% prediction interval [−0.40, 1.33]), but the prediction interval crossed zero. Exercise type was the clearest moderator (P_between = 0.006): evidence was most consistent for aerobic endurance (g = 0.54, 95% CI [0.22, 0.85], p = 0.002), whereas strength effects were positive but uncertain and power or muscular endurance evidence remained sparse. Dose analyses were hypothesis-generating; 500–600 mg/day was the most evidence-supported extract-dose range. Conclusions: Oral ashwagandha may improve selected exercise-performance outcomes, particularly aerobic endurance, but benefits are not uniform across contexts. Future trials should be preregistered, adequately powered, double-blind, formulation-standardized, sex-stratified, and include rigorous blinding checks, mechanistic endpoints, adverse-event monitoring, and sport-specific performance tests. Full article

Background/Objectives: Canine athletes have a higher energy requirement and are more susceptible to nutrient depletion, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic stress than sedentary pets. The objective of this study was to characterize the plasma metabolome of American Foxhound dogs following a bout of unstructured exercise. Methods: Thirty-nine adult American Foxhound dogs (32 intact males, 7 spayed females; age: 6.2 ± 3.1 yr; BW: 36.3 ± 5.3 kg) were allotted to a standard performance diet (CTRL) or NUTRO^® Natural Choice^® Adult High Endurance Formula (TEST). After 80 d in the study, blood samples were collected prior to (0 h), and 3 h and 25 h post-exercise (average: 17.7 km run over 2–3 h). Plasma samples of the 10 top performers of each treatment group were analyzed for untargeted metabolite profiling. Results: Of the 566 named metabolites identified, >200 and >185 metabolites were impacted (p < 0.05) by exercise and diet, respectively. Principal component analysis indicated distinct clustering by diet. Random forest analysis highlighted several metabolites having a high degree of predictive accuracy based on diet and exercise, with most related to amino acid, lipid, xenobiotic, and cofactor and vitamin metabolism. Relating to exercise, glycolytic end-products and citric acid cycle intermediates were increased at 3 h post-exercise. Similarly, tocopherols and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher in dogs fed TEST than those fed CTRL during recovery, indicating a lower oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory response. Conclusions: Overall, the data suggest a protective effect (lower susceptibility to oxidative stress and muscle fatigue) of feeding a nutrient-fortified diet for dogs undergoing unstructured exercise. Full article

Background and Objectives: Persistent quadriceps weakness, muscle atrophy, and functional deficits are common following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and may compromise return to sport and increase the risk of reinjury. Eccentric-oriented strength training has been widely used to enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in various musculoskeletal conditions; however, its specific application within ACL rehabilitation remains insufficiently explored. The aim of this scoping review was to map the existing evidence on the use of eccentric-oriented strength training in ACL rehabilitation, identify gaps in the current literature, and provide suggestions for future research. Materials and Methods: A scoping review search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro from inception to February 2026 using the following keywords and Boolean operators: (“anterior cruciate ligament”, “ACL”, “anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction”, “ACLR”) AND (“eccentric training”, “eccentric exercise”, “eccentric loading”, “flywheel training”, “isoinertial training”). Eligible studies included studies that investigated eccentric exercises as part of ACL rehabilitation and reported outcomes related to muscle strength, muscle morphology, functional performance, or return to sport. Data were extracted and synthesized descriptively in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Methodological quality and risk of bias were evaluated using the PEDro scale (RCTs) and the ROBINS-I tool (non-randomized studies). Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The included literature primarily examined isokinetic eccentric exercise, eccentric cycling, early progressive eccentric resistance training, Nordic hamstring exercise, eccentric ergometry, and flywheel strength training. Most studies reported improvements in quadriceps strength and muscle morphology, with additional benefits observed in functional performance measures (i.e., hop tests), gait mechanics, and limb symmetry. Evidence was unevenly distributed across rehabilitation phases, with relatively few studies focusing on the mid-phase of ACL rehabilitation. Conclusions: Eccentric-oriented strength training represents a promising but underexplored component of ACL rehabilitation. However, the existing literature lacks standardized protocols, comprehensive outcome measures, and phase-specific guidance, particularly during the mid and late stages of rehabilitation. Further high-quality studies are needed to clarify the optimal timing, dosage, and integration of eccentric training across rehabilitation phases. Full article

Increasing attention has been directed toward the consistency between sustainability disclosures and financial statements, giving rise to the concept of financial connectivity. A prevailing assumption in this debate is that climate-related risks and opportunities will directly translate into quantifiable impacts on financial statement amounts under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This study challenges that assumption by arguing that connectivity does not necessarily materialise through immediate recognition outcomes in financial statements. To address this gap, the paper develops a three-stage, judgement-based connectivity framework that links climate-related disclosures under IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 to recognition, measurement, and disclosure decisions under IFRS Accounting Standards. Rather than treating sustainability disclosures as direct valuation inputs, the framework evaluates each disclosed risk or opportunity through structured accounting judgements. The framework is illustrated using the 2024 climate-related disclosures of a listed manufacturing entity (Company A). The illustrative application suggest that significant climate exposures do not automatically result in recognised provisions under IAS 37. Instead, connectivity primarily operates through assumption-setting mechanisms embedded in existing measurement models, including impairment testing (IAS 36), asset life assessments (IAS 16), and deferred tax evaluations (IAS 12). The study makes three interrelated contributions: it reconceptualises financial connectivity as a structured judgement process rather than a numerical reconciliation exercise; it operationalises this reconceptualisation through a replicable step-by-step mapping framework that links IFRS S2 disclosures to specific IFRS recognition, measurement, and disclosure requirements without expanding existing accounting rules; and it clarifies that disciplined non-recognition may represent adherence to accounting integrity rather than a reporting deficiency. These contributions distinguish the framework from existing professional guidance by making the underlying judgement logic explicit and replicable within the scope of IFRS-based financial reporting. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although creatine (Cr) supplementation is well established for enhancing strength exercise adaptations, limited evidence exists regarding whether the timing of a single Cr dose relative to exercise acutely influences performance and related physiological and perceptual responses. This study examined whether the timing of a single dose of Cr ingestion relative to a strength exercise session influences acute strength and power performance, cognitive function, perceptual responses, and selected blood biomarkers in physically active men. Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design, 11 physically active men (26.09 ± 4.39 years) completed five experimental conditions: Cr ingested before exercise (CrB), during exercise (CrD), and after exercise (CrF), placebo (PL), and a no-supplement control. Participants ingested 0.1 g·kg⁻¹ body mass of monohydrate Cr or placebo. Each condition included a standardized strength training session, where bench press (BP) and back squat (BSQ) performance was assessed as the total external load lifted (kg) across six sets performed at 80% of 1-RM for each exercise. Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, Profile of Mood States (POMS), cognitive performance (digit cancelation test), perceived exertion (RPE), perceived recovery scale (PRS), Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), and blood markers of muscle damage and renal function were assessed after the resistance training session. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA or non-parametric equivalents, with post hoc comparisons adjusted for multiple testing. Results: There was a significant main effect of condition for both BP (F = 4.91, ηp² = 0.33, p = 0.035) and BSQ performance (F = 33.22, ηp² = 0.77, p < 0.001), with greater performance under the CrB condition compared with PL and control (p < 0.05). A significant effect of condition was also observed for creatine kinase (χ² (4) = 12.22, p = 0.016) and creatinine concentrations (χ² (4) = 17.75, p = 0.001). Blood creatine kinase concentrations were greater under CrF conditions than control (p = 0.013) and PL (p = 0.041). Moreover, creatinine concentration was lower under the CrB condition compared to CrD (p = 0.033), CrF (p = 0.003), and the control (p = 0.021). No differences were observed for CMJ performance, cognitive performance, POMS, RPE, PRS, DOMS, or the remaining biochemical markers across treatments. Conclusions: Pre-exercise creatine ingestion (without loading phase) was associated with greater acute strength performance compared with other timing conditions. However, the findings are exploratory and have to be confirmed with a higher sample size and robust placebo/control structures. Full article

Background and Objectives: Muscle hypertrophy and strength increase are significantly influenced by the distribution of muscle fiber types in individuals. Individuals exposed to similar training intensity in fitness and bodybuilding exhibit different levels of adaptation suggesting that muscle fiber type may influence training outcomes. The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the strength development that occurs in fitness and bodybuilding athletes with different muscle fiber types (Type I, Type II, and Mixed) following a standardized resistance training program. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design based on a single-group pre-test–post-test model, with no control group. A total of 48 male athletes aged 19–26 years (22.75 ± 1.68) who had been regularly training in fitness and bodybuilding for at least two years voluntarily participated in the study. Muscle fiber types of the participants were indirectly estimated based on the number of repetitions performed at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the bench press exercise, and individuals were divided into three groups: Type I, Type II, and mixed. All participants underwent a resistance training program for 6 weeks, 3 days a week, at 80% 1RM intensity and in the range of 8–12 repetitions. Data were analyzed using Shapiro–Wilk normality test, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, and Mann–Whitney U. Results: The findings showed statistically significant increases between pre-test and post-test measurements in all groups. When percentage improvements were examined, the highest increase was observed in individuals with Type II muscle fiber type, and the lowest increase was observed in individuals with Type I muscle fiber type. Conclusions: In conclusion, the findings indicate that resistance training increases strength development in all muscle fiber types, but the level of development differs depending on the muscle fiber type. These findings highlight the importance of training programs based on individual muscle fiber type characteristics. Full article

Background: The use of wearable sensors to measure and monitor heart rate has exponentially grown in recent years, representing an inexpensive, time-efficient, and non-invasive method to assess the status of cardiovascular fitness and the autonomic nervous system. Validating new devices against a criterion standard, such as electrocardiography (ECG), is essential to ensure their accuracy and reliability. This study examined the accuracy and validity of the Prevayl heart rate monitor against 3-lead ECG. Methods: Twenty-six healthy adults (15 female, mean age 32.0 ± 10.4 years) completed a 16-min, incremental running test on a treadmill. Heart rate data were recorded simultaneously throughout the test via ECG and the Prevayl wearable and compared retrospectively. Beat count error (%), mean heart rate absolute error (beats per minute (bpm)), and percentage error (bpm) were calculated. In addition, a Bland–Altman analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were conducted to assess agreement and correlation, respectively. Results: The Prevayl device demonstrated a median beat count agreement of 100.5% with ECG (range: 98.6–104.4%; N_part = 26). Strong correlations were observed between ECG and Prevayl for both raw beat count (r = 0.94, p < 0.01) and heart rate (beats per minute (bpm)) from ECG and the Prevayl algorithm (r = 0.96, p < 0.01). Across running speeds (0–12 kph), a strong correlation was found between raw beat count from ECG and Prevayl (r = 0.82–0.89, p < 0.01) and between bpm from ECG and Prevayl (r = 0.86–0.93, p < 0.01). Bland–Altman plots demonstrated negligible systematic bias. Conclusions: The Prevayl system provides valid measurements when compared to ECG during incremental running. This is demonstrated through strong correlations to ECG heart rate data at different speeds and with different analysis methods, supporting its use for monitoring cardiovascular responses during exercise. Full article

Sports drinks have traditionally been formulated as carbohydrate–electrolyte beverages to support fluid replacement and energy provision during exercise. However, commercially available and experimentally tested formulations now include amino acids, proteins, phytochemicals, caffeine, menthol, ketone-related nutrients, and other functional ingredients intended to support thermoregulation, performance, or post-exercise recovery. This narrative review summarizes evidence on sports drinks and related functional beverages, with emphasis on hydration, gastric emptying and intestinal absorption, thermoregulation, biomarkers of hydration and recovery, and potential effects beyond hydration, including fatigue, muscle and organ damage, inflammation, and immune responses. Because available studies vary widely in population, exercise mode, environmental conditions, beverage composition, intake timing, and outcome measures, the evidence should be interpreted cautiously. A functional distinction is made between hydration-oriented carbohydrate–electrolyte beverages and beverages primarily designed for ergogenic or recovery-oriented purposes. Current evidence supports the practical value of appropriate fluid, electrolyte, and carbohydrate intake for maintaining hydration and exercise performance, whereas evidence for broader effects on inflammation, immunodepression, organ protection, and recovery remains context-dependent. Future studies should differentiate acute responses from longer-term adaptations, consider population-specific needs, and use standardized, context-appropriate biomarkers and ecologically valid protocols. Full article

Tracking biomechanical changes associated with different training modalities remains a methodological challenge in applied sports science. This pilot longitudinal study examined stroke technique stability in seven junior rowers (aged 16.6 ± 0.5 years) across three measurement sessions (March, April, June), separated by two training mesocycles emphasising strength training and intensive rowing, respectively. Upper body angular velocity was recorded using a smartphone-based MEMS sensor fixed to the upper back during incremental ergometer exercise. Overall stroke duration and its standard deviation remained stable throughout the study period, whereas the durations of the two stroke phases corresponding to forward (drive) and backward (recovery) body motion changed systematically across mesocycles. Phase-specific changes were statistically significant in 10 of 12 paired comparisons (rank-sum test) and 7 of 12 within-subject comparisons (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) for phase durations, and in 9 and 5 of 12 comparisons for their standard deviations, respectively. These findings suggest that the internal structure of the rowing stroke is sensitive to training load specificity, even when overall stroke timing remains unchanged, and that smartphone-based angular velocity analysis provides a feasible tool for individualized biomechanical monitoring in young athletes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic intake for 7 to 14 days of anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant extract or powder has been shown to alter cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during rest and moderate-intensity exercise. Whether the observed effects were due to the final intake on the day of testing is not known. We examined whether there were effects of an acute intake of blackcurrant extract on the cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during supine rest and moderate-intensity treadmill walking. Methods: Healthy men (n = 15, age: 24 ± 6 years, body mass index: 24.4 ± 4.5 kg·m⁻²) volunteered in a randomized, cross-over designed exploratory study. Acute intake effects of blackcurrant extract (210 mg of anthocyanins) were compared to a control condition. Hemodynamic recordings and indirect calorimetry techniques were used to record physiological and metabolic responses during 10 min of supine rest and 30 min of moderate-intensity treadmill walking. Results: At rest, there may have been an effect for an increase in cardiac output (p = 0.088). Based on the smallest worthwhile change (i.e., 0.2 × the standard deviation in the control condition), eight participants were classified as responders with an increase in cardiac output of 13.5 ± 8.4% (range: 4.0 to 24.7%). For total peripheral resistance, a decrease was observed (p = 0.048, d = −0.40, small effect size), with nine participants classified as responders with a decrease of 17.5 ± 6.1% (range: −9.7 to −28.0%). No changes were observed for other cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters during supine rest. During moderate-intensity exercise, only heart rate was lower by 2 beats·min⁻¹ for the cohort (d = −0.11, trivial effect size) with four participants considered responders when presenting a heart rate lower than the smallest worthwhile change of 3 beats·min⁻¹. Conclusions: An acute intake of a blackcurrant extract with 210 mg of anthocyanins may have had an effect on vascular regulation mechanisms affecting total peripheral resistance and cardiac output during rest in at least ~50% of the male participants. No acute effects were observed for metabolic responses during rest and exercise. Our findings regarding the metabolic effects are not consistent with previous chronic dosing studies suggesting that repeated daily intake with a dose of 210 mg of anthocyanins is needed to alter substrate oxidation at rest and during moderate-intensity exercise. Full article

Background: Equine-assisted programs have been shown to promote psychosocial outcomes, but quantitative evidence of motor benefits in correctional settings is scarce. Aim: The present study examined the effects of a one-week equine-assisted riding program on riding performance, movement quality, and well-being among young inmates in an open German prison. Methods: Ten male participants (24.5 ± 0.71 years) completed a five-day program combining practical riding exercises, cooperative activities, and guided reflection. Riding performance was assessed using standardized expert video ratings based on the German performance testing guidelines on a 10-point scale, movement quality using a semantic differential with bipolar adjective pairs assessing telic and autotelic dimensions on a six-point scale, and well-being using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. A single-group pre–post repeated-measures design without a control group was applied. Results: Significant improvements were found in riding performance for both walk and trot, with large effect sizes (n = 10). Participants also reported a significant enhancement in the autotelic, experience-oriented dimension of movement quality, whereas no significant change occurred in the telic, goal-oriented dimension. Well-being increased significantly from pre- to post-test. Conclusions: Even a short, experience-focused equine-assisted program can produce meaningful improvements in motor performance, positive movement experience, and well-being in a correctional context. Equine-assisted programs may therefore represent a promising complementary approach to rehabilitation by integrating physical, emotional, and social learning processes. Full article