Field Of Sports Research Articles

Sport for development in German development cooperation: early and unknown efforts

ABSTRACT The early involvement some Western liberal states, such as Norway and Canada, in the field of Sport for Development (SfD) is well known, with both countries regarded amongst the pioneers in this area. In contrast, Germany’s early investments in the field are not widely known, in part due to deficiencies in documentation and publication. This paper will not only challenge the deficient historical documentation on the subject but will also provide a preliminary descriptive account of the factors that have driven investment or withdrawal from the SfD sector within Germany. This will be set against a broader global context and in relation to key turning points affecting the field. Based on a literature review and content analysis, the results trace the chronological course and development of SfD in Germany in three phases, where the popularity of sport as a developmental tool is subject to strong fluctuations. Additionally, German efforts in SfD have differed from international trends, particularly in the early adoption of sport in German development cooperation in the mid-1970s and the constraints observed during SfD’s international growth in the 2000s. Key implications of this paper include highlighting the strong influence of domestic politics on SfD funding and activity, and formally documenting the breadth and scale of German SfD efforts. Overall, this paper provides a foundation for further work looking at German international SfD efforts, as well as future consideration of the role of national politics in SfD funding.

Biomechanics mechanism of sports promoting psychological benefits based on blockchain and intelligent network security

The application of intelligent network technology has realized the transformation of people’s production and lifestyle, and also promoted the transformation of physical education teaching mode. At present, the application of intelligence in the field of sports is becoming more and more powerful. Using the advanced methods and technologies of intelligent network security, this paper aimed to realize the optimization of sports under the security of intelligent network for psychological benefits and study the sports factors that promote psychological benefits. This paper proposed a target tracking algorithm to guide the integration of intelligent network and sports that promote psychological benefits. Using the target tracking in intelligent network security for reference, the biological mechanism of movement promoting psychological benefits was studied to achieve the integration between the two. In the expert evaluation results of the research on sports and psychological benefits of adolescents, creativity and subjective well-being scored the highest and the lowest, with 97.2 and 93.6 points respectively. Therefore, it is very important to use intelligent network security to study the biological mechanism of sports promoting psychological benefits.

Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratios in Women Team Sport Athletes: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Women experience a higher rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than men. Muscle imbalance, in particular hamstring-to-quadriceps (H:Q) strength ratio, is considered a risk factor for ACL injury. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify isokinetic H:Q strength ratios in women team sport athletes and determine whether cutoff values, determined from research with predominantly males, of >0.6 for conventional ratio (Hamstringconcentric:Quadricepsconcentric [CR]) and >1.0 for functional ratio (Hamstringeccentric:Quadricepsconcentric [FR]) were met. The CR (0.6) was not met for team ([mean ± SD: 0.56 ± 0.08]), field (0.57 ± 0.08), and court (0.56 ± 0.08) sports. Handball presented the highest (0.58 ± 0.07), and softball presented the lowest CRs (0.47 ± 0.06). The FR (1.0) was not met for team (0.69 ± 0.14), field (0.85 ± 0.14), and court (0.65 ± 0.14) sports. Soccer presented the highest (0.85 ± 0.14) and handball the lowest (0.66 ± 0.13) FRs. When assessing hamstring and quadriceps strength balance, women team sport athletes did not meet CR or FR values, which may contribute to increased ACL injury risk. H:Q ratios below cutoff values may indicate compromised hamstring strength. It is recommended practitioners implement strength exercises aimed to improve H:Q ratios.

The Real Situation and Main Problems of Rural Primary School Physical Education in Current China: Based on the Teaching Students’ Perspectives

The common problem of rural primary school Physical Education (PE) is the same consensus of the education sector in China. According to the materials obtained from the interviews with the students in the teaching practice process, the common problems of China’s rural primary school PE include: insufficient or no physical education class; lack of physical education equipment and sports fields; serious shortage of Physical Education teachers; and nearly no physical education teaching and learning activities based on an established instructional plan. These problems reflect the real state of current rural primary school PE in China, and have always been the basic state of rural primary school PE in China.

Implementation of Sports Science and Technology Integration Infrastructure: A Case Study of Speed Skating Utilizing Web and Mobile Applications, and Information Visualization Technologies

In the field of sports, there is an active discussion on and an attempt to apply technologies that integrate sports with cutting-edge science and technology for the purpose of enhancing athletic performance. In line with this trend, South Korea is supporting research on the fusion of sports and science technology at an interdepartmental level. For the improvement of performance in elite sports, it is important to consider the athlete’s skills, the coach’s information analysis, the scientification of equipment, and the environmental optimization. Accordingly, this study aims to propose web and mobile app technologies to establish an integrated infrastructure of sports science and technology for the three factors of athletes, equipment, and environment to improve the performance of speed skating. Furthermore, it aims to make policy recommendations to activate this integration. The application of such technologies and policy recommendations can be transferred and organically integrated into other sports, including track and field, which are time-based competitions. Additionally, it is expected that this approach will lead to the formation of new theories that consider the emotional aspects occurring in sports situations.

Implementation of innovative technologies in the training process of martial artists

Purpose: to establish leading directions for the implementation of innovative technologies in the practical activities of coaches and athletes in martial arts. Material and methods. A systematic review of scientific publications for the period from 2020 to 2024 related to the application of innovations in the sports field was carried out. The search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases using the following keywords: «innovative technologies», «digital technologies», «sports», «training», «martial arts». The search was conducted by article titles. Full-text articles of a practical or review nature were analyzed. Results: it was established that the use of innovative technologies in the training of martial artists is an important component of the modernization of the training process. It contributes to improving the organization and control of training, increasing their effectiveness, forming training programs using remote technologies. This helps to create flexible training programs and predict their effectiveness. As a result of the bibliographic analysis of relevant studies, it was established that the key directions of the introduction of innovative technologies in the process of training martial artists are: digitization of individual components of training activities of athletes; introduction of technologies based on artificial intelligence; use of virtual and augmented reality technologies; systematic use of mobile applications and personal trackers in the training of athletes; the use of distance learning technologies in the organization of training activities. Along with the established advantages of using innovations in martial arts training, the problems of their implementation in the process of training athletes were identified, which consists in: limited availability of modern technologies to athletes and martial arts coaches; the need to develop programs for the use of technologies by participants in the training process. Conclusions. The use of innovative technologies is an important factor in the modernization of the training process of martial arts athletes. They are aimed at optimizing the training of martial arts athletes, reducing the risk of injuries and increasing the level of individualization of training. Despite the identified potential, the number of studies devoted to the practical implementation of innovations in sports training of martial artists is insufficient. This is due to the complexity of the wide application of technologies and the rapid pace of their modernization, which makes it difficult to assess their long-term effectiveness in various types of martial arts. In general, the findings of this study confirm that innovative technologies are a key driver of qualitative changes in the process of training martial arts athletes. Further research will focus on the development of comprehensive programs using digital technologies at the initial stage of multi-year martial arts training.

The Digitalized Assessment for Decision-Making (DAsDec)

Decision-making processes involve a dynamic interplay between cognitive and emotional mechanisms. While traditional models address these components, few tools assess decision-making in an ecological, multi-dimensional way: the Digitalized Assessment for Decision-Making (DAsDec) tool was developed to meet this need. DAsDec evaluates decision-making skills across five key domains: decision style, strategies, effectiveness, awareness, and metacognition. Its modular structure allows for flexible administration and is adaptable to various contexts, including educational, organizational, legal, and sports fields. The tool integrates behavioral, psychophysiological, and neurocognitive measurements, such as autonomic indices and wearable electroencephalogram (EEG) application, providing a comprehensive analysis of decision-making abilities. DAsDec offers unique insights by combining self-assessment, realistic simulations, and objective neurocognitive data, allowing for a thorough evaluation of the multicomponential facets of decision process. Ultimately, this commentary discusses how this tool holds great potential for enhancing decision-making skills across a range of applied contexts.

Analysis of NBA player salary based on multiple linear regression model

Abstract. This study explores the use of machine learning techniques to predict NBA player salaries. Traditional salary evaluation methods often rely on subjective expert judgment, whereas data-driven approaches can provide more objective and accurate predictions. With the advancement of data analysis techniques and machine learning algorithms, it is now feasible to predict player salaries based on performance data. This study employs advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to analyze detailed player performance data, including points scored, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, to establish a data- and algorithm-based salary prediction model. This model can assist team management in making more scientific decisions during contract negotiations and player acquisitions, thereby avoiding the overvaluation or undervaluation of players and achieving a more balanced and fair salary distribution. Accurate salary predictions help teams allocate their limited salary cap more effectively, optimizing budget management and enhancing overall team competitiveness. This study not only demonstrates the practical value of data analysis and machine learning methods in the sports field but also promotes the further development of data science in sports management. Additionally, the results of the prediction model can provide valuable references for fans and media, enhancing their understanding of player salaries and team management strategies. This transparency enriches the overall fan experience and media coverage of the sport, facilitating more informed discussions and debates about player value and team decisions.

The development of various fields of paralympic sports: a systematic review

The development of various fields of paralympic sports: a systematic review

Аналіз результатів анкетування волейболістів-аматорів та здобувачів освіти ЗВО фізичної культури і спорту щодо теоретичної підготовки в навчально-тренувальному процесі волейболістів

The aim of the study is to determine the opinions of amateur volleyball players and students of higher education institutions in the field of physical culture regarding theoretical preparation. Materials and Methods. During the research, the following methods were used: methods of theoretical level of research, methods of empirical level of research and mathematical statistical methods. Our survey aimed to identify the attitudes of amateur volleyball players and students of higher education institutions in physical culture regarding distance teaching of volleyball and theoretical preparation during both online and offline training processes. We proposed 8 specific questions in the survey about the respondents' awareness of theoretical preparation in volleyball, its significance, and the availability of modern forms and methods, as well as their self-assessment of theoretical preparedness, etc. A total of 70 respondents participated in the survey, including: 1 Master of Sports of International Class (1.4%); 1 Master of Sports (1.4%); 6 Candidates for Master of Sports (8.6%); 8 First-Class players (11.4%); 3 Second-Class players (4.3%); and 51 unclassified players (72.9%). Among all respondents, 49 were female (70%) and 21 were male (30%). By age: under 20 years – 17 individuals (24.2%); 20 to 25 years - 24 (34.3%); 25 to 30 years – 18 (25.8%); 30 to 35 years – 7 (10,0%); 35 to 40 years – 3 (4.3%); over 40 years – 1 (1.4%). Additionally, 65 volleyball players live in the city (92.85%), 1 in an urban-type settlement (1.43%), and 4 (5.72%) in rural areas. Among the respondents there were 24 students (34.3%), 40 (57.1%) working volleyball players, and 6 (8.6%) temporarily unemployed. The experience of volleyball training among the respondents varied from 1 to over 20 years: from 0 to 5 years – 19 (27.1%), from 5 to 10 years – 22 individuals (31.4%); from 10 to 15 years – 14 (20%); from 15 to 20 years – 9 (12.85%); over 20 years – 6 (8.6%). The survey was conducted during the "Fit-Mix" park volleyball tournament among amateur teams in Dnipro from March 9 to March 10, 2024, which involved 10 teams. Results. The analysis of the responses from amateur athletes and students of higher education institutions in physical culture to the question "Do you feel the need to acquire theoretical knowledge in volleyball?" indicates that 15 of them (21.4%) do not need theoretical knowledge at all, 14.3% rely on the coach's knowledge, only 8 (11.4%) have a constant need for knowledge about volleyball, and 37 (52.8%) feel the need for theoretical knowledge "from time to time." Conclusions. The research established that our assumption as to the necessity of scientific substantiating the structure and content of theoretical preparation in volleyball is confirmed by the majority of respondents expressing a need for theoretical knowledge. This is a relevant issue which solution will enhance the quality of training for higher education students in the field of physical culture and sports.

Navigating between mobility and immobility: precarious sporting trajectories of young Guinea-Bissauan footballers in Portugal

This paper addresses the issue of migratory mobilities in football, dwelling specifically on Guinea-Bissauan footballers’ migration to Portugal. In this respect, it tackles two concerns: Firstly, despite its increasingly significant prominence in international football, the sporting migration processes of footballers from Guinea-Bissau have remained strangely absent from analyses of West African sports migration. Secondly, to combine the logic of mobility in the transnational field of sport with the subjectivities and aspirations of sporting immigrants, and how these young people navigate the fine line between mobility and immobility. In most cases, football winds up being a vehicle for uncertain and risky trajectories. Subsequently, we highlight three categories of immobility that affect these players and the respective strategies to counteract them: stalled sporting careers, remigration, and subalternization.

문자중계와 몬테카를로 시뮬레이션 기반 배구 경기 승패 예측에 관한 연구

With advancements in science and technology, a vast amount of data from various media is being generated in the field of sports. Applying statistical methods to extract meaningful information from this data has become essential. This study aimed to predict volleyball match outcomes by performing Monte Carlo simulations based on live text commentary data from the 2023-2024 women's professional volleyball season. By generating the necessary variables for the simulation from the text commentary data and conducting 10,000 iterations of Monte Carlo simulations, the study confirmed that the simulations accurately mirrored actual match outcomes. In particular, when one team demonstrated overwhelming performance, the accuracy of set score predictions was notably high, and the simulation results demonstrated the potential for developing customized strategies. However, limitations were observed in predicting outcomes in specific scenarios, such as when a team with a high total score loses 3-2. To address these limitations, future work should focus on more precisely modeling the complex interactions between various situational and variable factors by converting qualitative factors, which have been challenging to quantify, into objective indicators for integration into the model.

Sport Architecture. Technological evolution models and paradigms

The paper focuses on technological evolution applied to sports architecture, considered as urban infrastructures. A field of research – that has not been given its due importance both by architectural historiography and by technological culture – despite the fact that sports architecture has always represented privileged places of formal, technical and engineering experimentation. Some design experiences in the field of sports venues – from the twentieth century to the contemporary age – have instead represented significant steps of technological development. In particular, the latest generation of sports infrastructures, represent the architectural typology where it is possible to find, concentrated, paradigms such as those of resilience, flexibility, sustainability technologies for adaptive skins and many others innovative parameters.

Geodesic-Based Maximal Cliques Search for Non-Rigid Human Point Cloud Registration.

Non-rigid point cloud registration holds significant importance for human body pose analysis in the fields of sports, medicine, gaming, etc. In this paper, we propose a non-rigid point cloud registration algorithm based on geodesic distance measurement, which can improve the accuracy of the registration for matching point pairs during non-rigid deformations. Firstly, a graph is constructed for two sets of point clouds using geodesic distance measurement considering that geodesic distance changes minimally during non-rigid deformation of the human body, which can preserve the point cloud matching information between corresponding points. Furthermore, a maximal clique search is employed to find combinations of matching pairs between point clouds. Finally, by driving the human body model parameters, sparse matching pairs are overlapped as much as possible to achieve non-rigid point cloud registration of the human body. The accuracy of the proposed algorithm is verified with FAUST and CAPE datasets.

Science in the clutches of elite sports: hard science, relational skills and power in Norwegian sports coaching

In this article, we examine the professionalization coaching in Norway, focusing on the years between 1990 and 2020. During this period, Norway started to perform comparatively well in international elite sport. Data are drawn from two relatively separate fields of Norwegian elite sport, namely elite football for men and the Norwegian organization for elite sports’ (Olympiatoppen) programme for future elite sport coaches. In our analysis, we rely on two sets of concepts: Giddens’ notion of reflexivity in late modern society, and Foucault’s concept of pastoral power. When concepts and methods from both the natural and the social sciences enter the clutches of elite sport, academic perspectives transform into recipes that aim to help athletes achieve more. The more the coach knows about the athlete, the better she can plan for training sessions. On the other hand, it creates a risk of manipulation and abuse of power.

Trends in real-time artificial intelligence methods in sports: a systematic review

This review focuses on the usage of machine learning methods in sports. It closely follows the PRISMA framework for writing systematic reviews. We introduce the broader field of using sensor data for feedback in sport and cite similar reviews, that focus on other aspects of the field. With its focus on machine learning models that use signals from simple sensors, this review covers a very focused area that has not yet been covered by any other review. As described in problem definition, we use well-defined inclusion criteria, we have reviewed 72 papers. They present existing solutions, that use machine learning to extract useful information from data collected using various sensors in sports. To be included, papers had to use machine learning methods using data collected from sensors during sports, had to focus on sports-related applications and the result of machine learning had to be some information that can be used in real-time. We have found that the field is rapidly developing as 46 of the 72 included papers were from the last four years. Furthermore, we have found that the field is moving from using classical machine learning techniques to using deep learning. We analyze which data is used as input for machine learning, and we find that the most commonly used sensor is the accelerometer, closely followed by the gyroscope. The most common sensor platform is using a single wearable sensor, however, the studies that used deep learning, use multiple wearable sensors most often. Dataset sizes of sports papers are relatively small compared to other fields, but datasets are on average slightly larger in studies that use deep learning than in those that do not. We analyze the most common preprocessing methods and find that low-pass filtering and feature extraction are commonly used. We compare different machine learning models and the results of the studies that have tested multiple models on the same data, where we find that deep learning proved to be better than classical machine learning. Most studies show classification accuracy of over 90%, showing that machine learning is a useful tool for the researched problems. We end the review by researching how far the machine learning methods were implemented. Twenty of the included papers used their machine learning models in applications beyond a research paper and provided some sort of feedback back to athletes or coaches. After completing the review of the field, we propose a solution – a plan for future research. The proposed solution is to use a combination of best practices from the included paper and methods that we found are not yet implemented in the field of sports. We further elaborate, where we see the current state of the field. We conclude the article with short summary of the findings.

Perceived Safety in Community Parks: The Case of Erbil

The parks are significant pillars of the city that fulfill various goals with clear objectives to engage. People can experience nature, engage in physical activity, and relax in parks. The research was based on a case study methodology to examine the reality of the park’s situation in residential neighborhoods through observations, in-person interviews, and a questionnaire. The study was conducted in neighborhoods and community parks within the city of Erbil (Sami Abdulrahman, Shanadar1, Peshmerga, Manar, Runaki, Kanyaw, Shanadar 2, Shanader 3, Gilkand, and Khanzad). The most significant conclusions from the study are: The research area's parks and gardens did not meet the requirements. In addition to lacking the majority of recreational amenities like sports fields and playgrounds, most parks offer areas for resting, strolling, and sitting down. According to the survey's findings, residents of Erbil's residential districts have a significant desire and curiosity to express their opinions in the city's parks. People of all ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds share this desire. Residents of the area make up the bulk of visitors to these parks and gardens (82%), and afternoons are the best times for them to visit., Additionally, only 8% of respondents think that these parks' playgrounds and exercise equipment satisfy their needs. Additionally, there is a great desire among visitors to add new recreational activities to these parks, such as sitting areas, family picnic areas, gathering areas for the elderly, play areas for kids, reading areas for school children, as well as walking corridors

A Comparison of Match External Load Demands Across Women's Collegiate Field Sports.

Kuhlman, NM, Jagim, AR, Jones, MT, Feit, MK, and Fields, JB. A comparison of match external load demands across women's collegiate field sports. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Historically, soccer (SOC), lacrosse (LAX), and field hockey (FH) have been grouped together as "field sports" due to their intermittent nature of match play and similar physiological demands. However, questions have emerged regarding potential variations in demands between sports. The purpose of this study was to compare external match workloads between collegiate women's SOC, LAX, and FH, and examine within-sport positional differences. Athletes (SOC: n = 15; LAX: n = 15; FH: n = 14) wore a global positioning system device during all matches throughout a competitive season. External load metrics included in the analysis were total distance (TD), sprint distance (SD), accelerations (>3 m·s-2), sprint efforts (SE), player load (PL), PL per minute (PL/min), top speed (m·s-1), and distances covered in select speed zones. Soccer performed higher external load volumes (TD, PL) (p ≤ 0.025) but incurred lower intensities (SD, SE, accelerations) (p < 0.001) compared with LAX and FH. Within-sport positional differences were apparent in SOC (p < 0.001-0.018), LAX (p < 0.001-0.045), and FH (p < 0.001-0.004). However, FH exhibited more positional variance in external load metrics compared with SOC or LAX. Field hockey midfielders covered greater volumes (TD, PL) compared with attackers and defenders (p < 0.001), while attackers sustained greater intensities (SD, SE, top speed) compared with midfielders and defenders (p < 0.004). Results indicate that there are significant differences in external workload parameters between sports and across positions. Practitioners should tailor sport-specific and position-specific programs to match demands, and future research should explore the proposed categorizations of LAX as a "fast collision invasion sport," FH as a "fast contact invasion sport," and SOC as a "slow contact invasion sport."

One-Dimensional Flexible Capacitive Sensor with Large Strain and High Stability for Human Motion Monitoring.

Flexible capacitive sensors have attracted the attention of researchers owing to their simple structure, ease of realization, and wearability. Currently, flexible capacitive sensors mainly have three-dimensional and two-dimensional structures, which are subject to several limitations in their applications. A low-cost, high-efficiency, and continuously processable process was used to wrap nylon DTY (PA) filaments on the surface of silver-coated nylon (SCN) core yarns and impregnate them with waterborne polyurethane (WPU) to obtain SCN/PA/WPU composite yarns, which were then utilized in the design of SCN/PA/WPU for the preparation of one-dimensionally structured flexible capacitive sensors. The morphology and mechanical properties of the SCN core yarn, SCN/PA wrapped yarn, and SCN/PA/WPU composite yarn were characterized. The strain-sensing performance of the sensor was analyzed, and the sensor was used to monitor human physiological activities. The sensor exhibited excellent strain capacitance sensing performance with a strain range of up to 140%. With a gauge factor of 0.66 at 10% tensile strain, it can detect strains as low as 1% and has good repeatability, withstanding more than 3200 tensile-unload cycles at 80% strain. The one-dimensional structure sensor can be used to monitor the large-scale movements of joints and muscles in various parts of the human body and the physiological signals of tiny human movements, such as breathing, coughing, and facial expressions, which have potential applications in the fields of sports monitoring and smart wearable.

Visual Awareness and Its Impact on Sports Performance of Basketball Players in The Maldives

Objective: This study aimed to assess the visual awareness and its impact on basketball performance among Maldivian basketball players. Material and Methods: A 16-item questionnaire about visual and ocular problems, perception towards eye health, and sports performance was distributed electronically to basketball players in the Maldives through various basketball organizations. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-Square test in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.Results: Eighty two Maldivian basketball players aged between 10-40 years, with sixty males, participated in this study. Data showed that only 30.5% of the respondents wore vision correction when playing basketball, none had undergone any visual training, and 20.7% never had any eye examination.Majority of those who underwent eye examination had more than two years since their last eye check-up. Visual difficulties during games were reported by 41.5% of the respondents, with blurry vision and eye injury being the most commonly reported visual symptom and ocular problem, respectively. Moreover, 70.7% of the players experienced inconsistent performance level and loss of concentration during games. There was a significant relationship between experiencing visual difficulties and inconsistent sports performance χ2 (1, N=82) =5.95, p-value=0.02. Conclusion: The visual awareness among Maldivian basketball players is generally low and this seems to be associated with their sports performance. Importance of using corrective/protective eyewear and attending regular eye examinations should be cultivated among athletes in the Maldives, aiming to improve the sports field in this country.