Sports Practice Research Articles

Subjective body-related experiences, and perception of the interventions and empathy of the healthcare team in adolescents with overweight.

Introduction. Overweight adolescents are confronted daily with stereotypes that condition their body image, self-esteem, and mood. Objectives. To describe, in adolescents with overweight, the subjective experiences related to the body in daily life and their perceptions regarding the interventions and empathy of the health team. Population and methods. Descriptive study with qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents aged 11 to 18 years with selfreported mass index (BMI) ≥ 26 and referring to medical or nutritional follow-up for overweight, attended at the Adolescence Service of a hospital in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, between October 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022. Results. Twenty adolescents were evaluated, with a median age of 13.5 years, most of them from female sex (16/20). All reported body dissatisfaction from an early age (median age: 10 years old). They mention difficulty dressing due to the lack of different sizes; they even limit sports practice. They suffered weight- related body humiliation at school, in the family, or public (15/20). They perceived weight control in a dual way: weight loss was the primary stimulus for treatment, but its centrality in the consultations generated discomfort. The leading causes of therapeutic abandonment were the impossibility of temporarily sustaining the recommendations and the lack of weight loss. The treating team was willing to listen to the patients but needed to understand their daily experiences, physical, material, esthetic, social conditioning, beliefs, and perceptions. Conclusion. The adolescents included in this study perceived specific interventions of the healthcare team as beneficial, with empathic deficiencies.

Escalando no estado de São Paulo: levantamento dos ginásios e dos praticantes

The practice of sport climbing has been growing, especially in recent years, with the inclusion of this sport in the Olympic Games, showing greater adherence of the population, despite the need for investment to practice it. The present study surveyed and analyzed the spaces of this indoor practice in the state of Sao Paulo and the climbers who attend these spaces. The method used was exploratory descriptive research with the application of a questionnaire, whose sample consisted of 28 climbing spaces and 152 subjects, all climbers divided in 102 men and 50 women, all aged 18 years or older. As a result, it was possible to realize that the spaces are concerned in promoting the sport; with the practice guided by qualified professionals; provide events for socialization and dissemination of climbing; offer specific equipment and other activities to improve the technique and performance of climbers. Regarding to climbers it was observed that they use these spaces to prepare themselves for later climbing in natural environment; as well to health gains; they practice recreationally rather than competitively, preferring mainly the guided/top rope style and; they have in the psychological factor their greatest difficulty. It is possible to conclude that indoor climbing has expanded in the state of Sao Paulo, as well as the interest of practitioners in this practice, especially for women.

Correction: Ask me if I am happy: sport practice and life satisfaction in Italy

Correction: Ask me if I am happy: sport practice and life satisfaction in Italy

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 4 Years after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents with Different Levels of Physical Activity Engagement: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to assess whether the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents had decreased four years after the initial assessment. This study aimed to determine if children with an active lifestyle and participation in sports activities were protected against this traumatic stress. This study included a total of 284 Italian participants assessed at two different time points: the first assessment was conducted in 2020 when the children were aged 9-12 years, and a second assessment was carried out four years later when the participants were aged 13-16. Participants completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised questionnaire (IES-R), with the IES-8 and IES-15 versions used accordingly based on age group. In the 2020 assessment, 146 (51.4%) reported a score higher than the cut-off for significant traumatic stress, while in 2024, only 49 participants (17.2%). The chi-square analysis indicated that this decrement was statistically significant (p < 0.001). RM-ANOVA showed a significant reduction for both Intrusion Score and Avoidance Score (p < 0.001). A statistical interaction between gender and time was observed. There were weak correlations between the level of children's sport practice, and no differences between those who engage in individual or team sports. Despite this study showing that young people are overcoming the pandemic crisis and its consequences, identifying potential modifiable risk factors and empowering protective factors remains crucial, especially for those who continue to experience psychological issues. The restrictions particularly impacted active children by disrupting their routine, which may have compromised the universally recognized protective value of sports.

Myostatin serum levels depends on age and diet in athletic and no athletic dogs

Myostatin is a growth factor related to muscular mass atrophy via mTOR pathway inhibition. Mutations in this gene have been correlated with high muscular mass development in different species of mammals, including human and dogs. Different studies have shown that sport practice increases myostatin gene expression. Some of them were conducted in canine breeds selected for different sport practices, including mushing sports. In this study, body weight, muscular mass, and serum levels of myostatin were analysed in different canine breeds, selected, and not selected for sprint and middle-distance racing, and the effect on epidemiological factors was evaluated. Sex, reproductive status, and canine breed affects body weight and muscular mass, being higher in males, and in sled canine breed. Age has an effect in body weight and myostatin serum levels, being lower in elder dogs. Sport practice and type of diet had an effect in muscular mass development but not in myostatin serum levels. Results showed a high positive correlation between muscular mass and body weight but not with myostatin levels. These results suggest that independent-myostatin mechanisms of mTOR pathway regulation could be related to muscular mass development in dogs.

An Investigation of the Current Insights of Vietnam National Athletes’ Sport Injury Anxiety

Injury in sport training and competition is considered to be one of the critical factors that greatly affect an athlete’s sport performance, training and post training outcomes. The purpose of this study is to provide insights into the sport injury anxiety currently existing among the Vietnam National Athletic Team Members. Analysis of the study’s findings reports that 78% of the participants indicating at least once during their sport practice that they experienced injury. Additionally, there maintains a high level of anxiety about getting reinjury among the Vietnam National Athletes (TB = 4.54 ± 0.43). The findings also reveal that there are significantly statistical differences by gender and sports in some factor groups.

Effects of intense exercise on pregnancy - a review of the literature

Introduction and Purpose: We are increasingly seeing new trends on social media regarding intense strength training in pregnant women. How much should women in a physiological pregnancy exercise? The aim of this piece is to trace the guidelines and set a healthy limit for such an important aspect during pregnancy. Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted using the medical databases PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles were retrieved in English, employing the key words: “strength training”, “activity during pregnancy”, „intensive exercise” and „ physical activity guidelines” appropriate configurations. Conclusions: The available guidelines and medical literature show that it is worthwhile to regularly practise sport both during and in preparation for pregnancy. In a healthy, physiological pregnancy, there is a wide range of activities to choose from, through which health benefits can be achieved, such as strengthening muscles, improving performance, alleviating pregnancy complaints (constipation, pain, nausea) and improving wellbeing, and much more. However, there are contraindications to certain exercises for specific conditions during pregnancy. You should consult your doctor on a case-by-case basis.

Do high-risk head trauma sports athletes have impaired vestibular function?

PurposeThe primary aim of this study was to examine the vestibular function of athletes involved in high-risk head trauma sports by means of complete vHIT testing of all six semicircular canals (SCCs). The secondary objective was to investigate whether the vestibular function is significantly reduced among athletes within certain high-risk sports. MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study of 137 adult athletes in football, handball, boxing, horseback riding, and ice hockey with a minimum of one reported sports-related head injury within the past five years. All subjects underwent screening with a complete examination of all six SCCs with vHIT and fulfillment of the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). ResultsTwo subjects (1.5 %) fulfilled the criteria of having a pathological vHIT. Some degree of impairment of the vestibular function was seen when data was divided into individual sports and time since the last head injury. Likewise, no subjective dizziness was seen in the group of athletes when evaluated by total DHI scores. This score did not differ significantly between groups when subgrouped into number of head injuries or time since the last head injury. When divided into type of sport, total DHI scores differed significantly between groups. These total DHI-scores did, however, all fall within the range of the “no dizziness handicap” classification. ConclusionThe results suggest that the vestibular function of athletes in high-risk head trauma sports is unaffected by the practice of a high-risk head trauma sport. Therefore, vHIT has no clinical utility in the assessment of a sports-related concussion (SRC) in athletes with no subjective feeling of dizziness.

Research on Identification of the Capacity Influencing Factors of Youth Sports Clubs in China

Since the 1970s, nonprofit organizations have identified organizational capacity as the key to improving organizational effectiveness. Youth sports clubs have long been trapped in a predicament that makes it difficult for them to keep non-profit nature, operate independently and maintain high performance for a long time. This study investigates which influencing factors can act on the capacity of youth sports clubs to ensure their non-profit nature whilst achieving healthy and sustainable development. The organizational theory systems view emphasizes the relationship between open internal structures and the role of external environmental factors, therefore the capacity influencing factors of youth sports clubs can be comprehensively considered to achieve this by considering both the internal and external influencing components of organizational capacity. The focus of this study was obtained by searching 11 relevant policy documents, 21 papers, and in-depth interviews with 26 experts including youth sports club managers, coaches, and venue management personnel and scholars studying in the field of youth sports research or practice. The study revealed the internal and external influences on youth sports club capabilities, including strategic leadership, service innovation, resource acquisition, network relationships, policy, social media, and environmental uncertainty; and constructed a relationship between internal and external influences on youth sports club capabilities and organizational effectiveness. In addition, we found that Social media had the highest weight, policy had the lowest weight, and the rest of the influences did not differ significantly by the method of the weight calculation. We recommend that youth sports clubs increase the application of social media, stimulate employees&amp;apos; service and innovation ability, and cultivate the strategic leadership ability of leaders.

The myth of a “human right to sport”: how human rights can lead to true inclusion for children with disability

AbstractFundamental Principle 4 of the Olympic Charter provides, ‘[t]he practice of sport is a human right’. However, to think of the practice of sport as a human right is misleading and potentially unhelpful to the true inclusion of children with disability in sport. The various permutations of a human right to sport—a right in sport; a right to participate in sport; a right to the practice of sport; and a right to sport—result in an attitude that children with disability are provided sporting opportunities in a way that are separate, segregated, or unnecessarily different. In this article, we argue that sport should be thought about and analysed through a different human right: the right to non-discrimination. If the right being applied to the experience for a child with a disability in sport, is that of non-discrimination, then the aim is to provide the child with the same experience as a mainstream child. This also means that the focus changes from providing a right to ‘sport’, which results in access to simply the physical activities of sport and shifts to the experience the child has within a sport. Most importantly, the human right to non-discrimination means that a child with disability should have the opportunity to be included in mainstream sport, with adjustments to provide them with a fair and meaningful contest.

Inequality in Children’s Physical Activity Across Time-Segmented Youth Sport Practice

ABSTRACT Purpose: Youth sport (YS) is a community system for promoting children’s physical activity (PA). Studies have examined mean PA during YS practices, but few have examined inequalities in the distribution of PA among children during practice time. This study examined PA inequality in time-segmented YS practices and differences in inequality by time segment characteristics. Methods: Children’s PA and YS practices were examined using accelerometer and video observation data from a sample of YS teams (n = 36 teams, n = 101 practices) for third- through sixth-grade children (n = 392), approximately eight to 12 years old, in two rural U.S. communities. Practices were time-segmented into smaller units (episodes; n = 991). Episodes were assigned codes for purpose (e.g. warm-up), member arrangement (e.g. whole group), and setting demand (i.e. fosters participation, creates exclusion). Group accelerometer data were paired with episodes, and the Gini coefficient quantified inequality in activity counts and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Beta generalized estimating equations examined the influence of episode structure on PA inequality. Results: Warm-up (Gini = 0.22), fitness (Gini = 0.24), and sport skill (Gini = 0.24) episodes had significantly lower inequality (p < .05) in activity counts than other purpose types. Management (Gini = 0.32) and strategy (Gini = 0.40) episodes had significantly greater inequality (p < .05) in MVPA minutes than other purpose types. Episodes fostering participation (Gini = 0.32) had significantly lower activity count inequality (p < .05) than episodes creating exclusion (Gini = 0.35). Conclusion: PA inequality among children during YS varied by practice structure. Metrics such as the Gini coefficient can illuminate inequalities in PA and may be useful for guiding efforts to improve population PA in children. Trial Registration: This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03380143).

ENGLISH

Introduction and objectives: Eating disorders are a growing problem in our society, especially among young people. The aim of this study is to know which are the individual and social factors that support and perpetuate the danger of suffering from eating disorders, and their possible consequences on the sports and academic performance of individuals. Material and method: The sample consisted of 395 athletes between 12 and 16 years of age (M = 14.07; SD = 1.35), of whom 142 (35.9%) were female and 253 (64.1%) male. A questionnaire was administered to collect information on sociodemographic data, body image, use of social networks, social relationships, sports practice, risk of eating disorders, and academic and sports performance. In the analysis, firstly, cross-tabulations were carried out to observe the body distortion of the respondents according to body mass index; secondly, a linear regression was performed to analyze the factors influencing the risk of eating disorders. In addition, correlations were performed to find out the relationship between risk of manifesting eating disorders and academic and sports performance. Results: The main result shows that there is a high risk of eating disorders among young athletes, due to a high distortion of body image, which becomes the main determinant factor. In addition, relationships with family and friends have a significant influence on this danger. On the other hand, behaviors related to eating disorders cause academic and sports performance to decrease. Conclusión: Due to these data, it is necessary to generate and promote prevention and early detection guidelines during adolescence.

Influence of Temperature and LED Light Spectra on Flavonoid Contents in Poa pratensis

Light and temperature are the driving forces in plant development and growth. Specific photoreceptors provide the ability to sense and interpret light and temperature to regulate growth. Under the limited light conditions in most sports stadiums, natural grasses suffer from light deficiency. Artificial light provided by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is used to increase their growth and adjust their development. Flavonoids like flavonols and anthocyanins are influenced by light conditions and temperature. Increased blue light can elevate the content of these secondary metabolites. Remote measurements of internal parameters using non-destructive methods provided information on their content under different temperature conditions for quality monitoring. This experiment tested flavonoid contents in Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) for different blue-to-red light ratios (0.6 and 0.4) and three temperature courses (constant temperature of 4 °C, constant temperature of 12 °C, and temperature switching among 12–8–4–8–12 °C). The results show elevated levels of flavonoids under blue-dominant artificial light as well as increased content under low-temperature (4 °C) conditions. The lack of flavonoids at elevated temperatures (12 °C), especially under red-dominant light, suggests an increased requirement for artificial blue light at increased temperatures. Non-destructive flavonoid determination was suitable for this experiment and can therefore be used for practical sports turf quality monitoring.

Influence and Relationship of Pain on Lumbar Biomechanics in a Young Adult Population with Non-Specific Low Back Pain.

The therapeutic actions indicated for low back pain, in addition to physiotherapy, include mobilization of the affected segment, as it is assumed that a loss of mobility may contribute to a patient's pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of back pain on the degrees of spinal mobility in young adults. Eighty-six volunteers participated in the study. Fingertip-to-floor distance, Schöber's test, the fingertip-to-floor lateral flexion test, GHQ-12, the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and the STarT Back Screening Tool were used. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups (pain and no pain) in degrees of spinal flexion (Schöber's test and side flexion) showing greater mobility in the group with pain. However, the group with low back pain showed less rotational mobility. The presence or absence of back pain had an impact on the individual's sporting practice and perception of pain, and they were able to carry out their sporting activities normally. Young adults with idiopathic low back pain showed some statistically significant differences in relation to the mobility of the spine in the different planes of movement (flexion and side flexion), conditioning their quality of life and sports practice.

Clinical presentation and imaging findings in juvenile-onset back pain: a ten-year hospital-based retrospective analysis in Douala (Cameroon).

Studies exploring the clinical and imaging characteristics of juvenile-onset back pain (JOBP) are scarce. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical presentation, imaging findings, and factors associated with JOBP. A retrospective record-based study was conducted among all pediatric cases presenting to the Rheumatology unit of the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon, from January 2014 to December 2023. The study did not include children whose back pain began after 16 years of age. Of the 216 records of patients under 18 examined, 67 children (31 girls) were diagnosed with JOBP. The median age was 15 [13-16] years. More than two-third of the children included in this study had chronic pain (n = 46; 68.65%). Pain was mild to moderate in intensity in 48 children (71.6%). Radiculopathy was present in 10 children (14.92%). The most common location of back pain was the lumbar region (n = 64; 95.52%). Some children experienced pain in more than one location. The location of the pain was not associated with gender, duration of the pain, radiculopathy, or practice of a competitive sport (p > 0.05). Musculoskeletal abnormalities on imaging were found in 38 children (62.29%). In multivariate analysis, peripheral joint involvement [aOR = 0.253 (0.073-0.878); p = 0.030] and mild pain intensity [aOR = 0.077 (0.014-0.422); p = 0.003], were independently associated with the presence of musculoskeletal abnormalities on imaging. JOBP affects a third of children and adolescents of our clinic population. The common musculoskeletal abnormalities found on spine imaging are disc diseases and scoliosis.

Sense of safety or meaning in danger? Real-contact stick fighting as an imagistic ritual.

It is a common assumption that human behavior is guided by a desire to feel safe and avoid harm. However, this view is challenged by the popularity of high-risk leisure sport and other practices that involve subjecting oneself to a considerable danger with no apparent gain. By using real-contact stick fighting as an example, I suggest that the attractiveness of at least some such practices can be explained by cognitive dynamics that are typical of affectively intense rituals such as initiations. Affectively intense rituals are known to enhance personal meaning-making and foster identity fusion, that is, the overlapping of personal and social identities. The sense of meaning thus engendered effectively satisfies common identity motives and thus elicits positive affect. By introducing ritual studies perspectives into the edgework paradigm that is commonly used to conceptualize voluntary risk taking, I contribute to an increased understanding of the cognitive processes motivating participation in extreme leisure sport.

The effects of different levels of sports activity on health-related quality of life and lifestyle habits in high school Italian students

Physical activity (PA) is an important predictor of physical and mental health preventing chronic degenerative diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate in a group of Italian high school students whether health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and lifestyle habits (diet) are associated with the level of physical activity performed (low, moderate, high). Data were collected from 2819 adolescents (n = 951 males). HRQoL was analyzed using the Italian version of the KIDSCREEN-52. Physical activity level was analyzed using the PAQ-A, while eating habits with KIDMED. Practicing physical activity in general improves HRQoL. Specifically, adolescents practicing moderate or high PA, in single dimensions of HRQoL, showed better mood (p < 0.001), self-perception (p < 0.001), family relationships (p < 0.001), reported a higher perception of socioeconomic status (p < 0.05), relationship with peers (p < 0.001), and social acceptance (p < 0.001). High PA subjects reported increased physical (p < 0.001) and mental health (p < 0.001), increased autonomy (p < 0.001), and school learning (p < 0.001). For lifestyle habits, practicing moderate PA showed higher adherence tox the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Our results highlighted a positive association between the frequency of PA levels, some dimensions of HRQoL, and risk behaviors. These findings demonstrated the protective role of sports not only as a preventive strategy for the onset of chronic degenerative diseases, but also as an educator of healthy lifestyle habits, thus suggesting the importance and need to implement strategies to promote sports practice.

Sports Practice for Children and Its Role in Enhancing Family Communication and Academic Achievement in the Point of View of the Parents

The study aimed to identify children’s sports practice and its role in enhancing family communication and academic achievement from the parents’ point of view. The descriptive approach was used, in addition to using the questionnaire as a tool for the study, which was applied to a sample of (57) parents of children who practice sports; The study concluded that children's sports practice would open areas of discussion and dialogue between members of the same family in various fields, which paves the way for communication within the family; In addition, regular sports practice plays an effective role in creating a positive family atmosphere, and paves the way for dialogues and discussions between children and parents. It also concluded that practicing sports in the right ways is a helpful factor in increasing the level of academic achievement. In addition, the practice of systematic sports activities helps in psychological compatibility and modifies and refines the behavior of children who practice sports.

Sport practice and depression during adolescence: Special emphasis on performance level and sport discipline

ObjectivesDepression is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, with almost half of the adolescent population affected according to latest research. Given this serious burden of disease, research points toward interventions that could effectively fight this disease in this population subset. One of these pivotal interventions is physical activity, although the effects of different sport types and sport performance level on depression have not yet been studied in adolescent populations. Accordingly, the objective of the current study was to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms, sport type and performance level in a large adolescent population. DesignCross-sectional study assessing a large cohort of adolescents through self-reported data. Methods10,248 participants aged 11–19 years old answered questionnaires regarding depressive symptoms and sporting habits and were classified according to their sport performance level: from physically inactive to internationally competitive. ResultsGirls reported higher incidence of depressive symptoms than boys, difference that further increased during late adolescence. Performance level was related to depressive symptoms: inactive participants reported the highest depressive scores while internationally competitive athletes reported the lowest. However, there were no differences between competitive athletes of different performance levels. Further, sport type had a small influence on depressive symptoms. ConclusionsAll these findings result in a potential guideline for future research and community health recommendations: as long as sufficient physical activity levels are met and the adolescent engages in sporting activities, the protection against depressive symptoms remains largely unrelated to the sport type and the level at which he or she performs.

Effects of Different Conditioning Activities on the Sprint Performance of Elite Sprinters: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Postactivation performance enhancement (PAPE), which refers to the phenomena associated with the attainment of enhanced performance in sport-specific tasks after a conditioning activity, is an important objective of warming-up practices in many sports. This is even more relevant for sprinters, as potential increases in sprinting speed will directly influence their competitive results. This systematic review with meta-analysis evaluated the effects of different PAPE protocols (ie,using plyometrics, strength-power exercises, and resisted/assisted sprints) on the sprinting performance (ie,sprint time or sprint speed) of competitive sprinters. Initially, 1205 records published until last December 18 were identified, using the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Clarivate Web of Science. After removing duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, 14 high-quality studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Overall, there were no significant changes in sprint performance after implementing various types of conditioning activities (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.16 [95% CI, -0.02 to 0.33]; Z = 1.78; P = .08; I2 = 0%). In addition, when comparing prechanges and postchanges between experimental, control, and other conditions, no significant differences were found in sprint speed or time across all studies (SMD = 0.09 [95% CI, -0.10 to 0.28]; Z = 0.92; P = .36; I = 0%). Results revealed that different types of conditioning activities may not be capable of acutely enhancing the sprint speed of competitive sprinters. This aligns with previous observations indicating that sprinting is a highly stable physical capacity, a phenomenon that is even more consistent among elite sprinters. Coaches and sport scientists should collaborate to develop more efficient PAPE protocols for these highly specialized athletes, with special attention to study design and individualization, while considering their effects on acceleration versus top speed.