Sport Intervention Research Articles

« I won’t lie in my head it’s just ‘Fight, fight, fight’ »: relationships between emotional processes and attentional focus in a competitive context

This study explored elite fencers’ attentional focus and emotional processes during competitive foil bouts. Relationships between emotional processes (i.e., appraisal, coping strategies, and emotions) and direction of attention were investigated. Nine male athletes from a senior national team competed in a simulated tournament reproducing the Olympic format. They took part in 13 video-assisted self-confrontation interviews. Using composite sequence qualitative analysis and temporal patterning, the adaptation responses of fencers were depicted. Five situations requiring adaptation emerged: Missing, losing the point, unfavorable referee’s decision, breaks and pressure from the opponent. Fencers frequently used combined coping strategies, which often included: rest/stall, acceptance or cognitive restructuring, and strategies requiring heightened attentional effort. A combination of such strategies appeared to favor a focus on strategy or technique. On the other hand, some coping strategies (e.g., rumination, increased physical engagement) and emotions (e.g., unregulated anger) seemed to disrupt attentional focus. Results suggest that in-between points routines and automaticity of coping strategies should be developed. Overall, this study supported that attentional focus and emotional processes are closely intricated constructs. They should be studied jointly to better understand adaptation to competitive situations. They also should be considered conjointly when designing interventions in sports comprising rapidly changing conditions.

Community sports as a conduit for police–youth relationships: a scoping review

PurposeThis paper sought to bring together police science and sport-for-development (SFD) with a scoping review of the empirical literature on at-risk youth and police relationship-building in the context of sport interventions.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a scoping review with a Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison and Evaluation (SPICE) model to systematically examine existing studies on the involvement of police in sports-based youth development programs. A total of 1,247 records were identified, and ten empirical research studies were included in the review.FindingsThe review identifies the critical role of stakeholders, especially coaches and community leaders, in facilitating police–youth contact. Coaches often serve as boundary-spanners, building trust between police officers and at-risk youth. Police involvement in these programs is multifaceted, with officers participating as teammates, leaders or mentors. This participation helps dismantle barriers and foster positive relationships but shows that different roles are associated with different benefits and risk factors. Relatedly, the review highlights potential risks such as the hyper-criminalization of youth, emphasizing the need for program designs that promote equality and collaboration.Originality/valueThis paper provides the first significant steps toward conceptualizing the role of police within sport interventions by integrating community policing and SFD literature. We advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration between police science and SFD scholars to further develop police–youth relationships.

Bibliometric analysis of rehabilitation in Alzheimer's disease (2000-2023): trends, hotspots and prospects.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that leads to insidious deterioration of brain functions and is considered the sixth leading cause of death in the world. Multiple studies have shown that rehabilitation therapy is becoming an important field of AD research in recent years. We opted for bibliometric analysis to comprehensively summarize the advancements in the study of AD rehabilitation treatment, aiming to provide researchers with current trends and future research directions. All articles and reviews pertaining to rehabilitation treatment in Alzheimer's disease from 2000 to 2023 were downloaded through Web of Science Core Collection. The results were subjected to bibliometric analysis using Microsoft Excel (2019 version), CiteSpace (6.3 R1 Advanced) and VOSviewer 1.6.20. Overall, 1,284 publications were included. The number of publications was increasing yearly. The United States has published the most publications. University of Toronto has published the most papers of all institutions. NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION and ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION were the journals with the most studies and the most commonly cited, respectively. Clare L is the author with the highest productivity and co-citation. After analysis, the most common keywords are mild cognitive impairment, cognitive, impairment memory and executive function indicates that cognitive impairment is the main focus of research. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, cognitive rehabilitation, and physical activity/exercise are the hotspots of research at the present stage and are likely to continue. Distinguishing non pharmacological treatments at different stages of development is a research hotspot in AD rehabilitation; Sports intervention, brain functional imaging techniques represented by brain functional connectivity, virtual reality, and quality of life are research directions that need attention.

Letter to the editor: Reflections on “Effectiveness of sports intervention: A meta-analysis of the effects of different interventions on adolescent internet addiction”

Letter to the editor: Reflections on “Effectiveness of sports intervention: A meta-analysis of the effects of different interventions on adolescent internet addiction”

The Effects of 11+ Dance on Physiological Parameters in Adolescent Ballet Dancers: A Randomized Controlled Equivalence Trial.

Introduction: The use of neuromuscular interventions in sports induce meaningful motor performance in strength, sprint and power. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the "11+ Dance" exercise program versus normal training (control) on possible adaptations in power, lower-body strength, and inter-limb asymmetry in adolescent ballet dancers. Study Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial. Methods: Dancers (n = 76) from a pre-professional ballet school volunteered for this study. Data from the two trials (pilot and main trials) were combined to protect the results from possible learning effect of the intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to either the 11+ Dance intervention (n = 38) or Control (n = 38). Participants completed at least 21 sessions over 7-9 weeks. The 11+ Dance intervention consisted of neuromuscular-based exercises, whereas the Control group carried out their normal routine. Baseline and post intervention outcome measures included countermovement jump (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and inter-limb asymmetry (ASYM). Results: Non-statistically significant improvements were noted for both 11+ Dance and control groups across outcome measures; CMJ F(1, 66) = 3.52, P = .065, = .051 (14% vs 8%), RSI F(1, 65) = 1.02, P = .316, = .015 (6% vs 13%), and IMTP F(1, 67) = 1.7, P = .197, = .025 (23% vs 18%). ASYM (F[1, 63] = .109, P = .743, = .002) (24% vs 15%). No statistically significant interaction for adherence was revealed for all the parameters. Conclusion: The 11+ Dance intervention elicited similar physiological adaptations as the Control group. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the efficacy of the 11+ Dance on injury incidence and severity as current evidence suggests prophylactic programs such as the 11+ Dance have an effect on injury prevention.

Intervention Mapping for Refining a Sport-Based Public Health Intervention in Rural Schools

Sport-based youth development programs, delivered through campus–community partnerships, can create impactful experiences for college students, meet university objectives, and improve the health of children in under-resourced rural communities. This study aimed to pilot test intervention mapping (IM), a systematic approach to intervention development and implementation, to refine the Hoosier Sport intervention, which is a local public health initiative that utilizes the Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials (ORBITs) model to improve physical activity in middle school children. The IM process, which included a diverse IM planning and advisory group of university representatives and local schools, was guided by self-determination theory (SDT) and social cognitive theory (SCT) and followed four steps: Logic Model of the Problem, Logic Model of Change, Program Design, and Program Production. Using SDT and SCT, we identified our personal determinants as autonomy, competence, and relatedness, while our environmental determinants were role-modeling and sports equipment access. We then created change methods and practical applications for refining and implementing our intervention and gathered pilot test data to assess the feasibility of the intervention. The IM process provided a more robust and evidence-based approach to intervention design and production, while involving stakeholders to foster meaningful collaboration and increase program success. By using IM in program development, public health interventions that promote youth development through sport will likely be more easily scaled up.

Influence of Sports Intervention on the Mental Health of College Students in the Background of COVID-19 :A Systematic Review

Objective: This review aims to understand the mental health status of college students during the popularity of covid-19, and explore the impact of sports intervention on College Students' mental health and its path mechanism through a literature review. Methods: According to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this paper searched the literature on the Sports College Students' Mental Health from 2019 to 2022 in PubMed, web of science, CNKI, and dimensional spectrum database. Results: 64 research papers were included for comprehensive analysis. Conclusions: Sport interventions as an important means for the regulation of the development of the mental health of the college students. Sport intervention improves cognitive functioning, emotional state, interpersonal relationships, and self-efficacy in college students and is an important strategy for dealing with public health emergencies. Sport intervention therapy is recommended as one of the important means to prevent mental health problems among college students.

Effects of Arnica Phytotherapeutic and Homeopathic Formulations on Traumatic Injuries and Inflammatory Conditions: A Systematic Review.

Arnica L. genus (Asteraceae) comprises perennial herbs native to the temperate and boreal parts of the northern hemisphere. Arnica montana is the main species. It shows different biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antitumor effects. The Arnica formulations are mainly used for pain management. This systematic review is aimed at summarizing the studies focusing on the use of Arnica products on pain and inflammatory signs due to traumatic injuries related to sport and surgical interventions as well as to arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Both phytotherapeutic and homeopathic formulations are taken into account. This paper only includes manuscripts published in mainstream journals. A literature search from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases has been carried out using a combination of the keywords "Arnica", "trauma", "sport", "injury", "injuries", and "pain". According to the search strategy and inclusion criteria for this study, 42 eligible papers, focusing on both Arnica alone and formulations containing a mixture of plant extracts, have been finally selected. This review critically discusses the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies dealing with Arnica products, reporting both positive and negative outcomes, thus providing perspectives for future research on the plant pharmacological potential.

Active Teaching-learning Methodologies in Higher Education: A Project with the Community

Active teaching-learning methodologies are a reality at the School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria (Portugal), namely through the articulation with institutions of the community. The qualitative research presented in this article intends to analyse the perception of the students who are attending the Higher Professional Technical Course in Sociocultural and Sports Intervention, specifically concerning the importance of these methodologies in a project carried out with the District Hospital of Leiria. During the development of this partnership, 42 students were challenged to collaborate throughout the training process and, at the end, they were asked to write a report, which was considered the data collection instrument. These individual reports include descriptions, analyses and reflections that were processed through content analysis, using categories, and adopting an exploratory approach. The results showed that the students considered that this methodology of teaching-learning allows them to acquire know-what, know-why and know-how competencies. Moreover, they admit that the articulation with external institutions contributes to a better acquisition and mobilisation of practical knowledge that they will be able to apply to different situations, spaces and times in their future professional lives. Keywords: higher education, active teaching-learning methodologies, pedagogic innovation, community intervention, transdisciplinarity

Shuttle Time for Seniors: The Impact of 8-Week Structured Badminton Training on Markers of Healthy Aging and Evaluation of Lived Experiences-A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Engagement in sport offers the potential for improved physical and psychological well-being and has been shown to be beneficial for promoting healthy aging. Opportunities for older adults to (re)engage with sport are limited by a paucity of age-appropriate introductory sports intervention programs. As such, the study evaluated the efficacy of a newly designed 8-week badminton training program (Shuttle Time for Seniors) on markers of healthy aging and the lived experiences of participation. Forty-three older adults assigned to a control (N = 20) or intervention group (N = 23) completed pre-post assessment of physical and cognitive function, self-efficacy for exercise, and well-being. Focus groups were conducted for program evaluation and to understand barriers and enablers to sustained participation. Those in the intervention group increased upper body strength, aerobic fitness, coincidence anticipation time, and self-efficacy for exercise. Objectively improved physical and cognitive functions were corroborated by perceived benefits indicated in thematic analysis. Shuttle Time for Seniors was perceived as appropriate for the population, where the age-appropriate opportunity to participate with likeminded people of similar ability was a primary motivator to engagement. Despite willingness to continue playing, lack of badminton infrastructure was a primary barrier to continued engagement. Shuttle Time for Seniors offered an important opportunity for older adults to (re)engage with badminton, where the physical and psychosocial benefits of group-based badminton improved facets important to healthy aging. Significance/Implications: Age-appropriate introductory intervention programs provide opportunity for older adults to (re)engage with sport. However, important barriers to long-term engagement need to be addressed from a whole systems perspective.

The impact of an exercise and sport intervention on cognitive function and pain among forcibly displaced individuals at risk for PTSD: a secondary analysis of the SALEEM randomized controlled trial

BackgroundIn response to the global scope of forced displacement, international organizations highlight the need of scalable solutions to support individuals’ health and integration into host societies. Exposure to high mental and physical stress perceived before, during, and after displacement can impair functional capabilities, essential for adapting to a new environment. This secondary analysis examined the impact of an exercise and sport intervention on cognitive function and pain severity among individuals living in a refugee camp in Greece.MethodsWe implemented a randomized controlled trial involving n = 142 (52.8% women) forcibly displaced individuals from Southwest Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants were randomly assigned to a waitlist or a 10-week co-designed exercise and sport intervention with a 1:1 allocation rate between groups and sexes. Assessments at baseline and follow-up included the Flanker task, the Oddball paradigm, pain severity via visual analog scales, and the Åstrand-Rhyming indirect test of maximal oxygen uptake. We analyzed the intervention effects using structural equation modeling.ResultsOur findings did not indicate a direct intervention effect on cognitive function or pain (p ≥ .332). However, the intervention group significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness, ß = .17, p = .010, which was associated with faster reaction times in cognitive tasks, ß = − .22, p = .004. Moreover, there was some evidence that adherence might be linked to reduced pain severity, ß = − .14, p = .065.ConclusionsExercise and sport did not directly impact cognitive function and pain severity among a sociodemographically diverse sample living in a refugee camp, suggesting the need for complementary measures. Nevertheless, our results indicate that improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness benefit aspects of attention.Trial registrationThe study was approved by the local ethics committee of the University of Thessaly (no. 39) and registered prospectively on February 8, 2021 at the ISRCTN registry (no. 16291983).

Designing sport and physical activity interventions for children and adolescents with ADHD: a conceptual framework

PurposeThis paper aims to present a theoretical framework and underpinning evidence to support researchers and practitioners to systematically design sport and exercise interventions.Design/methodology/approachThe framework highlights the theoretical underpinnings and practical feasibility considerations that are important when designing sport and exercise interventions for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).FindingsFuture research may wish to apply and evaluate the utility of this framework and research and practice and make recommendations for further refinement.Originality/valueThe quality and strength of conclusions from this body of research has been undermined by a lack of methodological quality and clarity in these studies. One criticism has been the lack of an evidence based, transparent and consistent approach to the design of physical activity and sport interventions and selection of outcome measures. This paper will facilitate the transparent and evidence-based decision-making to guide the design of sport/physical activity interventions for children/adolescents with ADHD.

Risk, harm, and the enhanced games: Whose job is harm reduction?

The Enhanced Games (TEG) have drawn interest from sports organizations, athletes, media, fans, and academics since they were first announced as a possibility. TEG not only presents a shift in how enhancement is approached, but it also turns the entire logic of anti-doping on its head and adopts an approach intended to support enhanced athletes and reduce the risks they may otherwise face in sport. This change was why here I will both concur with Andrew Richardson's general view on harm reduction and challenge some of the points around risk, harm, and responsibility. Specifically, I argue that many of the risks posed to athletes result from anti-doping itself and that by shining a light on enhanced performance TEG are already doing more to reduce those harms than other sport interventions in recent decades.

A systematic Review of the Impact of Open and Closed Sports Interventions on Executive Function in Individuals with ADHD

A systematic Review of the Impact of Open and Closed Sports Interventions on Executive Function in Individuals with ADHD

Local Public Policies in the Field of Sports: A Systematic Review of the Literature from the SDG

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate public policies on sports at the local level, with the aim of highlighting the importance of sports as a tool for social development, inclusion, and community well-being. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a systematic review of the literature. The study design followed the PRISMA guidelines and included an analysis of articles found in the Web of Sciences, Scopus, Wiley, and EBSCO databases. Data collection was carried out through the compilation and analysis of key studies, focusing on trends, approaches, and challenges in research on state intervention in local sports. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed significant trends in the importance of sports as a tool for social development, inclusion, and community well-being. The review identified various approaches and challenges present in the research on state intervention in local sports. Specifically, the studies conducted in Latin American contexts provided a critical and regional perspective on the subject. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of local sports policies. These implications could encompass the enhancement of social inclusion, the promotion of community well-being, and the development of effective public policies on sports. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines, highlighting the originality of the research through its comprehensive analysis of key studies. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its critical and regional perspective on public policies on sports in Latin America, offering new discoveries and practical contributions that may impact the area of study or professional practice. The systematic analysis identifies areas of opportunity and gaps in current research, providing a solid foundation for future studies in the field of local sports policies.

Systematic development of an injury and illness prevention programme for athletes with a physical impairment: the TIPAS study

Background/aimThe participation of individuals with physical impairment in sports has numerous benefits, yet there is also the risk of sustaining sport-related injuries or illnesses. Therefore, prevention programmes of these problems...

Cultural variation in self-assessment in athletes: towards the development of culturally-grounded approach in sports psychology

ABSTRACT Sports psychologists have assumed that, to achieve success in sports, all athletes must motivate themselves by viewing themselves positively (self-enhancement) and objectively analyzing their weaknesses to improve their performance (self-improvement). However, cross-cultural psychologists revealed that the type of motivation varies based on culture. North Americans tend to view themselves positively, whereas East Asians are likely to see themselves objectively. If these cultural variations are applicable to athletes, exploring how culture influences motivation in athletes will help create culturally fit interventions in sports. As such, the current studies examined cultural variations in motivation by selectively focusing on motivation in athletes participating in team and open-skills sports. Overall, the results revealed cultural variations in athletes’ motivation regarding their attention to positive and negative information about the self; as such, culturally fine-tuned theories for athletes are suggested.

Impact Of Early Childhood Sports Intervention on The Discovery of Physical Fitness Potential of Young Children: Jiang Xi Province

This study highlights the significance of forming lifelong physical activity habits at a young age by investigating the effects of early childhood sports intervention on young children's capacity for physical fitness in Jiangxi Province, China. The study looks at physical strength, flexibility, coordination, and cardiovascular health using a quantitative methodology that includes surveys and objective evaluations. Partial Least Squares regression is used for analysis. The results show that sports intervention programmes have a positive impact on participants' potential for physical fitness as well as their emotional, social, and cognitive development. While practical implications place an emphasis on policy integration and community partnerships, theoretical implications depend on a variety of theories to understand developmental outcomes. Nonetheless certain limitations, such as the cross-sectional design, the study offers insightful information about how sports intervention might promote children's well-being and suggests future research directions to improve generalizability and deepen understanding.

Refined Feasibility Testing of an 8-Week Sport and Physical Activity Intervention in a Rural Middle School.

This study examines how the 8-week Hoosier Sport program impacts cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks by promoting physical activity (PA) among rural, low-income children. Using a human-centered participatory co-design approach, the program aimed to increase PA levels (e.g., total PA, daily steps) in at-risk children. The present study explored the feasibility of the intervention as well as physiological and psychological changes across the intervention using a hybrid type 2 design (a model that evaluates both the effectiveness of an intervention and its implementation in real-world settings). Favorable feasibility indicators like attendance, acceptability, and compliance, with a 23.3% recruitment rate and 94.3% retention rate, were observed. Moreover, participants attended over 80% of sessions across the 8 weeks. Accelerometers (AX3) tracked daily steps and total PA for 7 days before and after the intervention, revealing increased PA levels throughout. At post-intervention, notable improvements were observed in psychological factors such as autonomy, social competence, and global self-worth. This study highlights the importance of tailored PA interventions in schools, emphasizing their potential to improve PA levels among rural, low-income children.

Physical activity and exercise motivation of multiple myeloma patients: a prospective cross-sectional study.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy with its prevalence increasing. Patients with symptomatic MM can show numerous comorbidities, affecting their quality of life (QoL). Physical activity (PA) may improve QoL but is not a standardized intervention of comprehensive cancer centers (CCCs). Since data on the PA of patients with MM are scarce, we aimed to prospectively assess fitness levels and patients' motivation to join PA-interventions at our CCC. We generated an exercise questionnaire to interview consecutive patients MM. We prospectively collected data on (a) past and current PA, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, (b) knowledge on exercise effects, (c) exercise motivation, and (d) willingness to participate in PA-interventions. Demographics, comorbidities, response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed in 211 symptomatic patients MM. While our patients were elderly and most showed bone involvement, their PA was similar to healthy individuals. Aerobic PA (≥ 60 minutes/week) was performed by 65%, and 25% exercised ≥ 150 minutes/week. WHO PA recommendations were fulfilled by 17% of patients. No sport activities or complete physical inactivity were observed in 35% and 16%, respectively. Notably, 38% were motivated to join MM-specific sport interventions. Self-reported knowledge of PA-induced benefits for patients cancer was high (82%), but only 27% knew which exercises were safe to perform. This study provides an overview of the PA of patients MM. Our results suggest that the PA of patients MM might not be much lower than in the age-matched general population.