Sports Practice Research Articles

Enhancing satiety and aerobic performance with beer microparticles-based non-alcoholic drinks: exploring dose and duration effects.

Beer is an alcoholic beverage, rich in carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins and polyphenols, consumed worldwide as a social drink. There is a large number of beer styles which depends on the ingredients and brewing process. The consumption of beer as a fluid replacement after sport practice is a current discussion in literature. A non-alcoholic pale-ale microparticles-based beverage (PABM) have been previously designed, however, its phenolic profile and ergogenic effect remain unknown. Thus, this study aims to verify the ergogenic potential (increase of running performance) of PAMB in male Wistar rats. Beer microparticles were obtained by spray drying and beverages with different concentrations were prepared in water. Wistar rats were subjected to a training protocol on a treadmill (5 times/week, 60 min/day) and daily intake of PABM (20 mg.kg-1 or 200 mg.kg-1) or water by gavage. Chlorogenic acid was found to be the main component in the phenolic profile (12.28 mg·g-1) of PABM analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. An increase in the aerobic performance was observed after 4 weeks in the 20 mg.kg-1 group, but the same dose after 8 weeks and a higher dose (200 mg.kg-1) blunted this effect. A higher dose was also related to decrease in food intake. These data suggest that PABM can improve satiety and aerobic performance, but its effect depends on the dose and time of consumption.

Describing physical and sports activity in France: Review of the questionnaires of three national surveys

The present article focuses on the questionnaires of three national surveys on physical and sports practises in France in 1985, 2000 and 2010 (as 2020 has just been completed, the documentation is not yet available). Applying the process of the history of science, it analyzes the list of questions asked for each survey and the connected documentation, with the aim of identifying the descriptive intentions behind the drawing up of each questionnaire. The article demonstrates that there existed three descriptive goals that followed one another : tastes and ways of life (1985 questionnaire), the evolution of individually-organized sports practices (2000 questionnaire) and the standardization of a statistical tool including important ministerial preoccupations (2010). On the one hand, it draws the conclusion that translating an institutional request into a survey questionnaire always implies a mismatch. On the other hand, it also draws the conclusion that in France the national survey has evolved from being a descriptive academic tool of physical and sports practices to being a more multi-purpose descriptive tool that today gives an important role to concerns regarding management of physical and sports activities.

INJURY EPIDEMIOLOGY IN BEACH TENNIS: INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS.

Due to the growing increase in beach tennis practice in Brazil and the lack of studies on the injuries that occur in this sport, it has become necessary to develop more research on the subject. to identify risk and protection factors for injuries in beach tennis, in order to generate prevention strategies for musculoskeletal injuries. A cross-sectional epidemiological study, level 3 of evidence, was carried out through an electronic form with 698 Beach Tennis players, who answered questions about their relationship with the practice of the sport and occurrences of injuries. We researched the prevalence of injuries, their types, and their relation with personal physical characteristics and the practice of other sports. We found a positive relationship between injuries when associated with longer exposure time and the presence of a previous injury. We did not find differences regarding BMI, gender, and stretching and muscle strengthening performance. the most frequent non-traumatic injuries were to the elbow and shoulder (tendonitis) and traumatic (sprain) injuries to the knee and ankle. Level of Evidence II; Cohort Study.

Influence of the Sociomotor Component of Sports Practice on Adolescent Sustainability Awareness.

In the context of increasing global focus on sustainability, it is critical to explore how various activities, such as sports, affect young people's understanding of sustainability. Despite the recognized importance, there is a significant research gap regarding the impact of different sports practices especially their sociomotor components on adolescents' sustainability awareness (SA) across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. This cross-sectional study assessed the relationship between the sociomotor component of sports practices and SA in 1157 adolescents, representing diverse genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and educational levels. The Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire was employed to measure aspects of sustainability, and sports practices were categorized by their sociomotor components to evaluate their influence on SA. Analysis revealed a significant association between cooperative sports without opposition and SA, particularly within the social dimension. These sports practices, which emphasize team collaboration over competition, were linked to increased social SA among adolescents, suggesting the educational potential of incorporating such sports into academic and extracurricular programs. The findings underscore the potential role of cooperative sports in fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability among youth. By reducing ego-centric behavior and encouraging teamwork, these sports practices may contribute to developing a more socially conscious and sustainable mindset. This study points to the importance of including cooperative sports in educational curricula and suggests the need for further research to explore the long-term effects of sports on sustainability education, with the goal of leveraging sports as a tool for promoting a sustainable future.

Analysis of the association between different domains and intensities of physical activity in adults: An observational and cross-sectional study.

To analyze the association between different domains and intensities of physical activity (PA) in adults. 269 participants were randomly selected in a community-dwelling representative sampling process. The habitual PA practice was assessed in different domains (occupational, sports practice, and leisure time/commuting) using Baecke's questionnaire and in different intensities (light, moderate, vigorous, and very vigorous) by accelerometry. Linear regression models analyzed the association between variables. Moderate and moderate-to-vigorous PA was positively associated with the three PA domain scores. Vigorous PA was associated with sports practice and leisure time/commuting PA. Only sports practice was associated with very vigorous-intensity PA (β = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.29; 2.35). Different associations were observed in stratified analyses according to sex and age groups. Men and younger participants showed an association of domain scores with higher intensity PA than their counterparts. The findings suggest that higher intensities of PA were observed primarily in leisure time/commuting PA and sports practice, and this association varied according to sex and age.

Aktivno vreme vežbanja devojčica na treningu ritmičke gimnastike

Nowadays, children are most often involved in different sports clubs where they can satisfy their need for movement through recreational activities or the practice of sport on a higher level, and obtain benefits brought by regular physical activity. If the program of these activities is well-organized, its contribution is reflected in the fact that in this manner young people can increase their total time of practicing physical activity during the day. The goal of this research was to establish the active exercise time of female gymnasts in rhythmic gymnastics training sessions, with various apparatuses used in the training, as well as exercises without any apparatuses. A method of descriptive analysis was applied in this paper, with the utilization of objectively acquired data in rhythmic gymnastics training sessions. The data was collected by trained observers by applying the "SOFIT" instrument, during November and December of 2022. Twelve training sessions were observed and analyzed, performed in three different gymnastics clubs, and attended by a total of 126 girls, aged 7 to 11. Out of the total number of training sessions, there were three that had exercises without apparatus as their content, three with jump rope exercises, three with ball exercises, and three with hoop exercises. The acquired data was first analysed by the methods of descriptive statistics, after which a comparative analysis of gained results was performed. The application of various forms of apparatuses or exercises without apparatuses influences the active exercise time, as well as coach behaviour in rhythmic gymnastics training.

Research on the Innovation Mode of Sports Management in Colleges and Universities under the Perspective of Sports Informatization

Abstract As the “smart sports” continue to heat up, some colleges and universities have launched the first practice in sports in terms of information technology and extensive data management. In this paper, we first constructed an innovative sports public service platform using information technology, created an intelligent management mode of sports in colleges and universities, and realized the synergistic governance of services and management of sports. Then, based on entropy weight-TOPSIS method, it constructed an evaluation model for the quality of intelligent sports management. It solved the implementation effect of college innovative sports from informationization management matching degree, safety management feedback and informationization sports teaching feedback. The results show that the average value of the feedback scores for college sports safety management is above 35 points. Students’ learning engagement and sports interest before and after the introduction of sports teaching management in colleges and universities showed significant differences at the 1% level. The research presented in this paper is conducive to deepening and expanding theoretical research on topics such as computerized sports management and campus sports, and promoting modernization and development of sports teaching and management.

Validation of the Sport Motivation Scale-II: Implications for the Portuguese Youth Sport System

Based on the tenets of self-determination theory, the Sport Motivation Scale-II is an 18-item instrument that consists of six subscales. Despite the numerous studies that have been conducted using self-determination theory in organized youth sport contexts, measures available to assess self-determined forms of motivation across socio-cultural contexts are scarce. This is particularly important because there are socio-cultural contexts that have diverse reward systems, competitive structures, and convey different social norms, values, and cultural nuances. The existence of measures available to assess self-determined forms of motivation across socio-cultural contexts may enable the development of a robust knowledge base that informs research-to-practice partnerships and potential changes across a complex youth sport landscape. The present study aimed to validate the factor structure of the Sport Motivation Scale-II with a sample of 239 Portuguese adolescent athletes. The participants’ ages ranged between 12 and 17 years old ( M = 14.39; SD = 1.35). Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to achieve the aim of this study. Findings showed that the six-factor model used by the authors presents a good adjustment concerning sports participants’ level of motivation toward sports practice. Moving forward, the Sport Motivation Scale-II may be used in future studies to help provide an understanding about athletes’ self-determination. Several practical and theoretical implications are provided.

COMPARATIVE DYNAMICS OF ADOLESCENT’S MOTOR FITNESS, CONSIDERING ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICATORS

The analysis of shifts in the indicators of athletes’ motor fitness, taking into account anthropometric indicators, in sports practice and in all sports, is of particular importance. In this regard, the authors have been studying these issues using the example of schoolchildren aged 11-13 years for a long time. Comparative characteristics of the indicators of motor fitness in the dynamics of school athletes at the age of 11 and 13 with the account of anthropometric indicators have been considered. Methods of studying and generalizing literary sources on the problem under study, dynamometry, chronometry, anthropometry, pedagogical testing with an assessment of speed, strength and jumping abilities were used. The obtained data are processed mathematically. The research was carried out on the basis of Yerevan primary school N 71, where 20 schoolchildren at the age of 11 and 13 took part. A comparative analysis of the indicators of the level of motor fitness of schoolchildren at the age of 11 and 13 showed a constant increase in strength, speed and jumping abilities. Positive changes were also achieved in the indicators of anthropometric measurements, which were reflected in a number of motor manifestations of students. Regular age shifts have been revealed among students at the age of 11 and 13, which confirms the data available in the literature. It is especially important that anthropometric indicators significantly contribute to the improvement of results in running at 20 m and pushoff in jumps. These data should be taken into account when practicing school physical education.

Pain Catastrophizing, Beliefs and Perception, and Their Association With Profiling Characteristics in Athletes.

Variables associated with pain catastrophizing and beliefs in athletes presenting with musculoskeletal pain and/or sports-related injuries are largely unexplored. We aimed to evaluate which anthropometric, sociodemographic, sporting, injury history, and care-seeking characteristics were associated with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (PBAPI) scores in athletes. This study followed a cross-sectional design. Three hundred and twelve athletes (40% females) from different sports and levels completed a questionnaire including demographic information, details regarding sports practice, injury history, health care use, PCS, and PBAPI. Univariable associations between PCS and PBAPI scores and each variable were assessed using linear regression. Variables with univariable associations where P < .05 were entered into multivariable regression models. The final multivariable model including gender, recurrent and persistent pain, a history of a severe atraumatic injury, and a history of more than 5 atraumatic injuries explained 14.9% of the variance in PBAPI scores. Performing a team sport and a history of more than 5 atraumatic injuries explained 5.1% of the variance in PCS scores. Gender, sporting, and injury history characteristics explained only a small portion of the variance in PCS and PBAPI scores, whereas having received healthcare support and the number of appointments did not. Most of the variance was left unexplained.

Golfe como Inovação no Ensino de Finanças: Relato de uma Experiência Pioneira

ABSTRACT Objective to analyze the possibility of using golf as a metaphor for teaching finance. Study reports on a pilot experience of teaching finance using golf as a metaphor.Golf can be a means of promoting the engagement of finance students. Theoretical framework: a normative and positive economic decision theory is used as a framework. Sports can be a means of engaging students in finance education programs. Golf, in particular, can fulfill this role and serve as a powerful tool for building and maintaining social networks relevant to high-level professionals. Methods: thirty undergraduate students voluntarily participated in a pilot teaching program over five days. The program included sessions (in the field) on the fundamentals of golf and financial decisions, and students looked for synergies between these two domains. Participants showed a high level of interest in both the sports practice sessions and the finance activities. Results: the results suggest that psychological errors common to golf and financial behavior-for example, overoptimism, overconfidence, and emotional judgments-can be diagnosed and addressed through sports practice. In addition, the participants’ self-assessment indicates the possibility that the program can induce behaviors in line with the corporate environment. Conclusions: Despite golf’s contribution to the teaching of business subjects, it is still absent from formal curricula.

Sports practices and leisure in the “Periférico Oriente linear park” in Iztapalapa, Mexico City, 2020-2022

Las prácticas deportivas y el ocio son elementos necesarios para la sociabilización y el bienestar físico y emocional de las personas, sobre todo en las grandes ciudades latinoamericanas donde los espacios públicos dedicados a la realización de estas actividades son cada vez más escasos e insuficientes ante el crecimiento urbano. Por lo anterior, la presente investigación analiza las prácticas deportivas y de ocio que se presentan en el parque lineal Periférico Oriente a partir de su renovación, así como la infraestructura del lugar para conocer si responde a las necesidades de la población o no, y si el parque es un espacio de recreación, encuentro e integración social. Para ello, se utilizó la observación directa como método etnográfico, la cual permitió indagar en los distintos usos y formas de apropiación que los diferentes usuarios hacen del parque, y se realizaron encuestas a los usuarios y entrevistas semiestructuradas a los instructores de las prácticas deportivas. En ambos instrumentos se abordaron los siguientes rubros: datos generales, seguridad, equipamiento y mantenimiento del parque, los usos, prácticas deportivas y de ocio, y lo que representa el parque. Se identificó que la renovación del parque lineal ha permitido una apropiación del lugar a través de nuevas prácticas deportivas como la calistenia, la danza aérea, el patinaje y el futbol, y de otras actividades recreativas y de ocio como las caminatas, los juegos infantiles, el descanso, la convivencia, el cine, la música y talleres. Todo esto ha repercutido en la vida de las personas que son parte de ese espacio.

Substantiation of the methodology for assessing the biological age of adolescents.

Aim: To substantiate the methodology for assessing the biological age of adolescent high schoolers (boys and girls). Materials and Methods: Boys aged 14-15 (n = 102) and girls aged 12-13 (n = 101) were studied. The choice of these age groups is explained by the presence of the most significant individual differences in morphological and functional characteristics in these adolescents. Methods: anthropometry, somatometry, somatoscopy, tonometry, spirometry, dynamometry, Stange's test, Rufier and Robinson indices. The interaction of the results of different methods of assessing biological age was conducted on one sex-age sample using factor analysis (principal components method). Results: It has been established that the biological age of adolescents can be reliably determined using a set of three components: an assessment of the level of physical development, the index of heterochronicity, and the degree of manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics (for boys with a probability of 90.2 %, for girls - 92.1 %). The percentage ratio of these components has sexual peculiarities. Methodologies for assessing biological age for scientific purposes and rapid assessment for use in the practice of physical education and sports have been proposed. The indicators of rapid assessment are body length and the degree of hair development in the axilla. The reliability of the rapid assessment is 81.4 % for boys and 83.2 % for girls. Conclusions: Developing adequate physical activities for adolescents of different biological ages will help improve the physical health of the younger generation.

When the body fosters empathy: The interconnectivity between bodily reactivity, meditation, and embodied abstract concepts.

Empathy is a fundamental social ability that allows humans to infer others' emotions and intentions. Empathy is thought to be rooted in bodily sensations coming from the autonomic nervous system. In parallel, the functionality and perceptions coming from the autonomic nervous system could be improved by practicing activities that involve mind-body interactions, such as meditation. Furthermore, perceptions from the autonomic nervous system are thought to be important in the embodiment of abstract concepts. Consequently, in the current study, we collected data online from 581 participants and explored the associations between levels of empathy and (1) the practice of meditation, music, and sports; (2) the impact of self-report measures on bodily awareness and reactivity; and (3) the embodiment of abstract concepts in interoception. In line with previous studies, Meditators were found to have higher empathy scores than Non-Meditators. In addition, lower levels of autonomic reactivity in organs above the diaphragm were associated with higher empathy. Finally, we also observed that empathy was positively associated with interoceptive components of abstract concepts in those participants with high autonomic reactivity. Taken together, the results suggest that meditation practice and having low autonomic reactivity are associated with empathy, arguably through the downregulation of autonomic responses. Implications for mind-body interaction in meditation and its role in promoting empathy are discussed.

Research on Sports Communication Theory and Practice in the Digital Era

Research on Sports Communication Theory and Practice in the Digital Era

Can habits and behaviors predict colonization by community-associated MRSA in patients admitted to a Brazilian hospital?

This study aimed to identify factors associated with colonization by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in adult patients admitted to a Brazilian hospital. This is a cross-sectional study, in which patients underwent a nasal swab and were asked about hygiene behavior, habits, and clinical history. Among the 702 patients, 180 (25.6%) had S. aureus and 21 (2.9%) MRSA. The factors associated with MRSA colonization were attending a gym (OR 4.71; 95% CI; 1.42 - 15.06), smoking habit in the last year (OR 2.37; 95% CI; 0.88 - 6.38), previous hospitalization (OR 2.18; CI 95%; 0.89 - 5.25), and shared personal hygiene items (OR 1.99; 95% CI; 0.71 - 5.55). At the time of admission, colonization by CA-MRSA isolates was higher than that found in the general population. This can be an important public health problem, already endemic in hospitals, whose factors such as those associated with habits (smoking cigarettes) and behaviors (team sports practice and activities in gyms) have been strongly highlighted. These findings may help developing infection control policies, allowing targeting patients on higher-risk populations for MRSA colonization.

Double and Single Bundle in Athletes: A Comparison in Medium and Long-Term Rates to Return to Sport and Re-Injury.

Compare, retrospectively, the medium- and long-term of return to sport rates and re-injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in patients submitted to single-bundle (SB) compared to double-bundle (DB) technique reconstruction. Athletes operated by SB or DB ACL reconstruction, with at least five years of follow-up at a single center, were included. The following data were collected: demographic data; competitive sports practice before the injury; previous surgery; injury/surgery to the contralateral knee; return to sports and level of the return; re-injury (time of the re-injury after the first surgery; mechanism of trauma for the re-injury; necessity of operative treatment); signs and complaints related to the knee the last clinical consultation. Seventy-six athletes (27 SB and 49 DB) were included. The return to sport rate (98%) was the same for both groups, and the return to the previous level rate showed an improvement in the DB group but without statistical significance (63% vs. 79%; P = 0.173). However, other outcomes showed higher results for the DB group: lower re-injury rate throughout the follow-up period (41% vs. 18%; P = 0.034) and during the first year of follow-up (22% vs. 4%; P = 0.021), and less stiffness (0% vs. 22%, P = 0.001). While in primary reconstruction cases, there was not a higher re-injury rate using SB (P = 0.744), in the revision cases, SB was correlated with more re-injuries than DB (P = 0.002). The overall re-injury in the medium- and long-term and the return to practice sports at the same level as before surgery in athletes submitted to DB reconstruction were slightly better than those submitted to SB reconstruction, especially in the cases that were asecond time lesion ( revisioned knees).

Construction of evaluation system for students’ practical ability in sports training in colleges and universities

Abstract Sports training is the principal pedagogical approach to achieving educational objectives in college-level sports courses, where the demands on students’ practical sports skills are increasingly stringent. This study formulates an evaluation index system for the sports practice abilities of college students tailored to the contemporary requirements of sports training in higher education institutions. The entropy value method was employed to determine the weights of the indices in this system. Using colleges as a case study, the gray correlation model was applied to assess the comprehensive practical abilities of students, leading to the development of targeted sports training optimization strategies. Additionally, the effectiveness of these strategies was evaluated. The findings indicate that the weight coefficient for sports character is the most significant at 0.41659, highlighting its substantial role in overall practical ability. Beyond basic physical skills, significant improvements were observed in the experimental class’s sports cognition, health behavior, and sports character scores (P&lt;0.05). The practical ability system proposed in this paper serves as a valuable guide for instruction and has proven effective in enhancing students’ practical sports skills.

Preliminary results of student survey at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" practicing sports: a focus on the effects of Dual Career regulation.

The importance of sports and the approval of the Dual Career regulation at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" are highly significant topics for the well-being and personal development of students. In line with European and international policies, this initiative recognizes the specific needs of student-athletes by offering them tools and flexibility to excel in both sports and academics. However, monitoring student-athletes by Universities requires thorough investigations and the development of initiatives to promote students' adherence to sports practice. Therefore, our study aims to analyze the results of a survey administered to students enrolled at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" during the academic years 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024, investigating the effects of the introduction of the Dual Career regulation on the student population. Our preliminary results showed that the introduction of the Dual Career program was associated with a significant increase in the number of students practising sports over the academic years, with greater participation in the academic years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. Noteworthy, the number of student-athletes who applied to the Dual Career program markedly increased in the last year, with the highest number of enrollments in the macroareas of Medicine and Surgery, Economy, and Engineering. Overall, the Dual Career regulation offers the possibility to plan the study path in a personalized way, dedicated academic support, and flexibility in deadlines, making the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" a model of integration between education and sportiness.

Psycho-physio-neurological correlates of qualitative attention, emotion and flow experiences in a close-to-real-life extreme sports situation: low- and high-altitude slackline walking.

It has been indicated that extreme sport activities result in a highly rewarding experience, despite also providing fear, stress and anxiety. Studies have related this experience to the concept of flow, a positive feeling that individuals undergo when they are completely immersed in an activity. However, little is known about the exact nature of these experiences, and, there are still no empirical results to characterize the brain dynamics during extreme sport practice. This work aimed at investigating changes in psychological responses while recording physiological (heart rate-HR, and breathing rate-BR) and neural (electroencephalographic-EEG) data of eight volunteers, during outdoors slackline walking in a mountainous environment at two different altitude conditions (1 m-low-walk- and 45 m-high-walk-from the ground). Low-walk showed a higher score on flow scale, while high-walk displayed a higher score in the negative affect aspects, which together point to some level of flow restriction during high-walk. The order of task performance was shown to be relevant for the physiological and neural variables. The brain behavior during flow, mainly considering attention networks, displayed the stimulus-driven ventral attention network-VAN, regionally prevailing (mainly at the frontal lobe), over the goal-directed dorsal attention network-DAN. Therefore, we suggest an interpretation of flow experiences as an opened attention to more changing details in the surroundings, i.e., configured as a 'task-constantly-opened-to-subtle-information experience', rather than a 'task-focused experience'.