Certainly, a great amount of work has been done in this field, but a number of questions remain unanswered. What are the long-term effects of sports and relaxation? Can young people manage their own stress? The important question is whether there is an effect on stress management. For sports and relaxation techniques to have a long-term impact on daily life, young individuals need to appropriate how they are practiced. A process of internalization and incorporation is required to create the conditions for young people's self-empowerment. How can we help young people manage their own stress? The aim of this special issue is to explore these questions.

The work proposed by Aslam and Yong Bin evaluated the impact of a structured agility training study on sedentary behavior, mood and stress in adolescents aged 12–18 years in Pakistan (N = 100). Sedentary behavior, mood and stress levels were assessed at the beginning and after the intervention. Results show that mood improved with a reduction in tension and fatigue and an increase in vigor. Stress levels in the intervention group decreased significantly. Systematically organized and agile training was found to significantly reduce sedentary behavior while simultaneously improving the psychological well-being of adolescent populations.

The study by Majauskiene et al. aimed to determine whether participation in professional sports activities or exercise in a health or sports center was associated with indicators related to health behavior compared with no exercise. The survey included Lithuanian professional athletes (N = 293) who practice independently or in a sports or health center. The study examined health-related indicators: body mass index, subjective health, depressive mood, stress, sedentary behavior, sleep, alcohol consumption, smoking, and overeating. This study reveals that participants who engage in physical activity generally score higher on various health-related scales than those who are inactive.

This study by Hajj et al. aimed to examine the impact of mindfulness practices on stress levels and their effect on engagement in physical activity among young people. Quantitative data were collected electronically from students at the University of Rouen and the Université de Paris-Cité (N = 218). The questionnaires included personalized tools on sports practices and mindfulness and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The results confirm the idea that integrating wellness practices into educational settings can improve the mental resilience and overall well-being of students, providing them with the essential tools to effectively manage future stressors.

In the article by Coquinos et al., the objective was to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and the concept of the physical self in women with endometriosis aged less than 30 years (N = 198). The authors observed an amelioration in mental well-being and a reduction in the risk of anxiety and depression. Their results show that women who practice regular physical activity have a significantly higher self-concept than those who do not. Physical activity was found to contribute to the development of the concept of the physical self and increases the ability to overcome life's obstacles.

The objective of the study conducted by Dugué et al. was to test the effectiveness of an emotional intelligence program with health education students (N = 68). The authors showed that the early implementation of this program prepares students to face difficult situations through the integration of emotionally intelligent behaviors, such as reflection, Control of discomfort and appropriate expression of emotions. Their results confirm that a cooperative dynamic increases motivation and improves self-efficacy and social behaviors. According to the authors, emotional intelligence can be improved with physical activities and opens possibilities to include an emotional intelligence program in a health training program.

Trpkovici et al. aimed to show through their research how stress conditions created in virtual reality generate psychological responses in athletes compared to the responses they experience during a competitive match. All participants (N = 24 female athletes) completed the Athlete Anxiety Questionnaire in order to measure anxiety in high-stakes situations and assess levels of concentration and self-confidence during games. The results of this research indicate that the virtual reality simulated sports stress scenario triggers athletes' stress responses that are comparable to those experienced in real competitive games. Based on these results, the authors conclude that virtual reality technology shows promise as a tool for improving athletes' stress management skills and could be an important asset in sports psychology preparation processes.