Personal Training Research Articles

Inter-subject variability in muscle synergies during squatting movements.

This study investigated muscle synergies during squats, focusing on the individual variability in motor control strategies. Sixteen healthy young adults performed 20 squats at a consistent speed. Muscle synergies were extracted using non-negative matrix factorization, followed by k-means clustering and discriminant analysis to categorize similar muscle synergies. The analysis revealed an average of 3.3±0.4 muscle synergies per squat. Further clustering analysis identified six distinct types of muscle synergies across subjects. Among them, one synergy involving trunk, hip, and knee extensors was universal across all subjects, representing a fundamental motor strategy for successful squat execution. In contrast, the remaining synergies varied across subjects, exhibiting mutual exclusivity, where individuals systematically select one synergy type or another during the same squatting phase. These findings demonstrate inter-subject variability in muscle synergies during the squat and underscore the coexistence of universal and individualized muscle synergies in human motor control, providing practical insights for designing personalized squat training and rehabilitation strategies guided by neuromechanical principles.

Breed differences in olfactory performance of dogs

Most studies on dogs’ olfactory performance focused only on some individuals pre-trained for a task or on specially selected/trained detection dogs. Here, using the Natural Detection Task (NDT) that does not require training, we assessed the effect of several potential factors on the performance of a large sample of dogs (N = 527/tested, 484/analysed). Olfactory success was associated with breeds, but breed groups (selected for olfaction, cooperation, or both) were proven non-relevant, suggesting that breed-specific traits are more influential than functional breed group characteristics. Border collies, selected for herding, reached higher success levels than golden retrievers, Hungarian/German vizslas and basset/bloodhounds, selected for hunting/olfaction tasks. Beagles found the hidden food quicker than border collies, basset/bloodhounds, golden retrievers, Labradors, and cocker spaniels. Dogs with higher Responsiveness to training personality scores were more successful, while higher training level linked to slower successful search. Activity/Excitability scores, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder scores, and owners’ rewarding style were not associated with performance. Overall, large within-breed/breed-group variabilities reflect complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors influencing performance. Given the complex nature of life-like detection tasks, the NDT may provide more information about dogs’ olfactory ability than on their potential effectiveness in detection work.

Umbrella review of economic evaluations of interventions for the prevention and management of healthcare-associated infections in adult hospital patients.

Healthcare-associated infections result in worse outcomes for patients and greater financial burden. An estimated 4.8 million HCAIs occurred in hospitals across Europe in 2022-23. Sixty-four percent of antibiotic-resistant infections in Europe are associated with healthcare. It is therefore vital to identify cost-effective interventions. Our objective was to summarise the cost-effectiveness evidence of interventions addressing HCAIs in hospitals. An umbrella review was conducted to identify evidence on the cost-effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control, and microbiology and diagnostic stewardship interventions for the prevention and clinical management of HCAIs in adult hospital patients. Medline, Embase and EconLit databases were searched. A qualitative synthesis was undertaken. Twenty-four systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria, with 101 separate analyses extracted and grouped into 10 intervention and 14 infection/organism categories, across various countries and settings. Most evidence focussed on screening followed by contact precautions, isolation and/or decolonisation, with selective screening most cost-effective. Most IPC bundles were cost-effective, although interventions were heterogeneous. The evidence base was sparse for the remaining intervention categories, with more research required. The limited evidence suggests standalone environmental cleaning, hand hygiene, diagnostics, surveillance, ABS, and decolonisation interventions were mostly cost-effective. The cost-effectiveness of standalone personal protective equipment, and education and training interventions was mixed. Most interventions focussed on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other Gram-positive infections, with more research needed on Gram-negative infections. The comparator was unclear in many extracted analyses. Cost-effective interventions to address HCAIs in hospitals exist, although more evidence is needed for most interventions.

Actualization of Fisip Unila’s Partnership with Atpusi Lampung Province Through Personal Rebranding Training for Librarians in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: In the contemporary landscape characterized by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), the profession of librarianship is experiencing a noteworthy transformation, thereby necessitating a re-evaluation and re-branding of the role in order to maintain its relevance. Librarians are transitioning from their traditional role as custodians of physical books to emerging as essential stakeholders in the domains of digital literacy, privacy, and information ethics. They currently fulfill the roles of information strategists, data analysts, and educators, demonstrating proficiency in navigating intricate digital environments. Notwithstanding these advancements, public perception frequently remains outdated, perceiving librarians primarily as engaged in rudimentary administrative activities. This stereotype inhibits the recognition of their extensive contributions to society. Re-branding initiatives center on emphasizing the evolving roles of librarians, which encompass the management of comprehensive digital resources and the promotion of critical information literacy within the context of the artificial intelligence era. The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at the University of Lampung (Unila), in conjunction with the Association of Indonesian Political Science Students (ATPUSI), has commenced the implementation of training programs aimed at facilitating the re-branding efforts of the institution. These initiatives aim to enhance the digital competencies of librarians and transform public perceptions by positioning them as crucial facilitators in the process of knowledge dissemination. The results of the training indicate a significant enhancement in participants' comprehension of personal re-branding, thereby suggesting the efficacy of these initiatives in preparing librarians with the requisite skills for a future increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. Keywords: librarian re-branding, artificial intelligence (AI) era, librarian skill improvement.

Actualization of Fisip Unila’s Partnership with Atpusi Lampung Province Through Personal Rebranding Training for Librarians in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: In the contemporary landscape characterized by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), the profession of librarianship is experiencing a noteworthy transformation, thereby necessitating a re-evaluation and re-branding of the role in order to maintain its relevance. Librarians are transitioning from their traditional role as custodians of physical books to emerging as essential stakeholders in the domains of digital literacy, privacy, and information ethics. They currently fulfill the roles of information strategists, data analysts, and educators, demonstrating proficiency in navigating intricate digital environments. Notwithstanding these advancements, public perception frequently remains outdated, perceiving librarians primarily as engaged in rudimentary administrative activities. This stereotype inhibits the recognition of their extensive contributions to society. Re-branding initiatives center on emphasizing the evolving roles of librarians, which encompass the management of comprehensive digital resources and the promotion of critical information literacy within the context of the artificial intelligence era. The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at the University of Lampung (Unila), in conjunction with the Association of Indonesian Political Science Students (ATPUSI), has commenced the implementation of training programs aimed at facilitating the re-branding efforts of the institution. These initiatives aim to enhance the digital competencies of librarians and transform public perceptions by positioning them as crucial facilitators in the process of knowledge dissemination. The results of the training indicate a significant enhancement in participants' comprehension of personal re-branding, thereby suggesting the efficacy of these initiatives in preparing librarians with the requisite skills for a future increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.Keywords: librarian re-branding, artificial intelligence (AI) era, librarian skill improvement.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.61436/bsscd/v3i1.pp08-18

Functional contractility of young soccer players' muscles in the context of playing positions

The high-intensity activity of soccer players during a match are affected by the basic contractile properties of lower limb muscles. Several studies have confirmed that playing position crucially determines absolute performance and physical load and also determines the intensity of fast movements during matches. However, little is known whether muscle contractile properties vary in relation to a specific playing position. The aim of this paper is to describe differences in functional contractility of muscles in young soccer players in the context of playing position. U14-U15 soccer players (n = 127) were divided into 6 groups based on their playing position: G - Goalkeeper (n = 14), FB - Fullback (n = 23), CB – Centre-back (n = 28), W – Winger (n = 15), M – midfielder, (n = 28), F - Forward (n = 19). Functional contractility of the biceps femoris and rectus femoris in the dominant lower limb was assessed from the following variables: contraction time (tc), maximal displacement of the muscle contraction (dm) and contraction velocity (vc) measured by a non-invasive method of tensiomyography using a TMG S2 system (TMG-BMC Ltd, Slovenia). The Shapiro-Wilk test showed a violation of normality of the data distribution. Differences in contractile properties in terms of the playing position factor were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (K-W Anova) with multiple pairwise comparisons. The K-W Anova results showed significant differences in the maximal amplitude (dm) and velocity of contraction (vc) for the biceps femoris muscle (H = 19.008; p = 0.002 and H = 24.421; p = 0.001, respectively). In the variable of time of contraction (tc), a significant difference between the playing positions was identified for the rectus femoris muscle (H = 18.257; p = 0.003). The results of the study suggest that different playing positions of young soccer players are associated with specific muscle contractility requirements. These differences suggest that muscle characteristics are influenced by the functional demands of each playing position. The findings point to the need for personalised training interventions that consider the specific biomechanical and functional demands of playing positions, which may contribute to performance enhancement and injury prevention.

AECuration: Automated event curation for spike sorting.

Spike sorting is a commonly used analysis method for identifying single-units and multi-units from extracellular recordings. The extracellular recordings contain a mixture of signal components, such as neural and non-neural events, possibly due to motion and breathing artifacts or electrical interference. Identifying single and multi-unit spikes using a simple threshold-crossing method may lead to uncertainty in differentiating the actual neural spikes from non-neural spikes. The traditional method for classifying neural and non-neural units from spike sorting results is manual curation by a trained person. This subjective method suffers from human error and variability and is further complicated by the absence of ground truth in experimental extracellular recordings. Moreover, the manual curation process is time consuming and is becoming intractable due to the growing size and complexity of extracellular datasets. To address these challenges, we, for the first time, present a novel automatic curation method based on an autoencoder model, which is trained on features of simulated extracellular spike waveforms. The model is then applied to experimental electrophysiology datasets, where the reconstruction error is used as the metric for classifying neural and non-neural spikes. As an alternative to the traditional frequency domain and statistical techniques, our proposed method offers a time-domain evaluation model to automate the analysis of extracellular recordings based on learned time-domain features. The model exhibits excellent performance and throughput when applied to real-world extracellular datasets without any retraining, highlighting its generalizability. This method can be integrated into spike sorting pipelines as a pre-processing filtering step or a post-processing curation method.

Improving Human Activity Recognition Through 1D-ResNet: A Wearable Wristband for 14 Workout Movements

This study presents a 1D Residual Network(ResNet)-based algorithm for human activity recognition (HAR) focused on classifying 14 different workouts, which represent key exercises commonly performed in fitness training, using wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. Unlike traditional 1D Convolutional neural network (CNN) models, the proposed 1D ResNet incorporates residual blocks to prevent gradient vanishing and exploding problems, allowing for deeper networks with improved performance. The IMU sensor, placed on the wrist, provided Z-axis acceleration data, which were used to train the model. A total of 901 data samples were collected from five participants, with 600 used for training and 301 for testing. The model achieved a recognition accuracy of 97.09%, surpassing the 89.03% of a 1D CNN without residual blocks and the 92% of a cascaded 1D CNN from previous research. These results indicate that the 1D ResNet model is highly effective in recognizing a wide range of workouts. The findings suggest that wearable devices can autonomously classify human activities and provide personalized training recommendations, paving the way for AI-driven personal training systems.

Technology Acceptance and Service Experience of Elderly Users with AI Translation Tools

With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), AI-assisted translation tools have become vital for daily communication. However, elderly users often face various challenges and obstacles when adopting these technologies. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Service-Dominant Logic (SDL), this study delves into the behaviors and experiences of elderly users engaging with AI translation tools. Based on interviews with multiple elderly participants, the findings reveal that their acceptance of new technologies depends not only on ease of use and functionality but also on factors like service experience, emotional support, and social networks. The study highlights that simplifying interface design, improving translation accuracy, and providing personalized training and service support are key to enhancing technology acceptance among the elderly. Theoretically, this study extends the application of TAM and SDL, while practically, it offers actionable recommendations for the design and promotion of AI translation tools.

Human–Robot Interactions: A Pilot Study of Psychoaffective and Cognitive Factors to Boost the Acceptance and Usability of Assistive Wearable Devices

Robotic technology to assist rehabilitation provides practical advantages compared with traditional rehabilitation treatments, but its efficacy is still disputed. This controversial effectiveness is due to different factors, including a lack of guidelines to adapt devices to users’ individual needs. These needs include the specific clinical conditions of people with disabilities, as well as their psychological and cognitive profiles. This pilot study aims to investigate the relationships between psychological, cognitive, and robot-related factors playing a role in human–robot interaction to promote a human-centric approach in robotic rehabilitation. Ten able-bodied volunteers were assessed for their anxiety, experienced workload, cognitive reserve, and perceived exoskeleton usability before and after a task with a lower-limb exoskeleton (i.e., 10 m path walking for 10 trials). Pre-trial anxiety levels were higher than post-trial ones (p < 0.01). While trait anxiety levels were predictive of the experienced effort (Adjusted-r2 = 0.43, p = 0.02), the state anxiety score was predictive of the perceived overall workload (Adjusted-r2 = 0.45, p = 0.02). High–average cognitive reserve scores were predictive of the perception of exoskeleton usability (Adjusted-r2 = 0.45, p = 0.02). A negative correlation emerged between the workload and the perception of personal identification with the exoskeleton (r = −0.67, p-value = 0.03). This study provides preliminary evidence of the impact of cognitive and psychoaffective factors on the perception of workload and overall device appreciation in exoskeleton training. It also suggests pragmatic measures such as familiarization time to reduce anxiety and end-user selection based on cognitive profiles. These assessments may provide guidance on the personalization of training.

Effects of a Wearable-Based Intervention on the Hemiparetic Upper Limb in Persons With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction Wearables have emerged as a transformative rehabilitation tool to provide self-directed training in the home. Objective. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a novel wearable device, “Smart Reminder” (SR), to provide home-based telerehabilitation for hemiparetic upper limb (UL) training in persons with stroke. Methods Forty stroke survivors from community support groups were randomized (stratified by the period after stroke onset and impairment severity) to either the SR group or the sham device group. Participants received either 20 hours of telerehabilitation using the SR device or training with pictorial handouts and a sham device over 4 weeks. In addition, all participants wore a standard accelerometer for 3 hours each day, 5 times a week, outside the prescribed training. Participants were assessed by a masked assessor at baseline, post-intervention (week 4), and follow-up (week 8). The outcome measures included Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test, Motor Activity Log, muscle strength, active range of motion and amount of movement of the UL, and compliance rate of training. Results The SR group improved substantially in their FMA-UE scores after treatment (mean difference = 2.05, P = .036) compared to the sham group. Also, adherence to the training using the SR device was significantly higher, 97%, than the sham group, 82.3% (P = .038). Conclusion The 4-week telerehabilitation program using a “SR” device demonstrated potential efficacy in improving FMA-UE scores of the hemiparetic upper limb. However, it did not significantly enhance the performance of the affected limb in daily activities. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrial.gov (URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov) with the identifier NCT05877183.

Las prácticas docentes en relación con la enseñanza del pasado reciente: Un estudio de casos

In this qualitative research, the methods adopted by Social Sciences teachers in the oriented cycle, specifically in 5th and 6th year, in three secondary schools in the city of Río Cuarto, were explored to address the curriculum guidelines related to the study of recent history. The objective was to identify the elements that influence teaching practices on this topic, considering both stable and changing elements of school cultures, based on the analysis of perceptions and opinions of the teachers, who are key actors in educational transformations. Two instruments were used to collect data: classroom observations and individual semi-structured interviews with the teachers. The analysis of the diversity of teaching practices revealed the existence of several basic aspects that influence their formation: perceptions of curricular designs, adaptations and appropriations of the content related to recent history, the educational objectives associated with this topic, the personal trajectory and professional training of the teachers, the characteristics and motivations of the students, and the relationship of teaching practices with local proposals and policies on human rights. Additionally, it was found that teachers implement not only what they consider relevant for teaching recent history but also what is feasible within various educational environments.

Challenges and Choices Amidst Military Conflict: The Present and Future of Medical Education and Healthcare in Sudan.

The situation for medical education and healthcare in Sudan has been challenging for the recent years, and emigration of physicians is an ongoing problem threatening the healthcare system. We conducted this study to understand the future plans of medical students and their perceptions regarding their medical education and healthcare system. We performed this cross-sectional study at five public and private Sudanese medical schools in November 2023. We distributed the questionnaire electronically through an Online Google Form via social media platforms, such as WhatsApp Messenger. Descriptive statistics were employed for the data analyses. The mean age (±SD) of the students was 22.2 (±2.7) years, and females constituted 61.8% (397) of the study sample. About 18% of the students rated their medical training as excellent, and half of them (50%) said that it was good. Nearly half of the students believed the quality of healthcare services in hospitals was poor (46%) along with a shortage or severe shortage in its number (49%). A majority (58.4%) thought frequently or constantly about leaving Sudan after graduation. Reasons given for leaving included better personal lifestyle, avoiding conflict, advanced training, and better professional opportunities and salary. Leading motives for staying included the pull of friends and family and a sense of responsibility to the country. This study indicated the pressing need for comprehensive interventions to address the challenges faced by medical students in Sudan. The strong desire to emigrate increased by the current conflict, coupled with concerns about the healthcare system and medical education, poses a significant threat to the future of healthcare services in the region.

Popular areas of training for persons with disabilities and educational migrants when entering Russian universities

Introduction. Much attention is paid worldwide to the development of an education system that should provide quality education for each person. This is especially true for certain specific categories of citizens: people with disabilities, educational migrants. The study was aimed at determining, based on an analysis of the admission of people with disabilities and educational migrants to universities, which areas of training and specialties were the most popular among these categories. Materials and methods. The study materials were statistical data from the state federal reporting form for 2022: No. VPO-1 “Information on the organization performing educational activities under higher education programs – bachelor’s degree programs, specialist programs, master’s degree programs” for state higher education organizations in terms of full-time education at the beginning of the 2022/23 academic year. The study used methods of comparative analysis and descriptive statistics, methods of analysis and synthesis, decision theory, mathematical modeling and statistical data analysis. Results. The maximum values of the share of individuals with disabilities and educational migrants in the total admission to universities corresponded to different regions and federal districts: for individuals with disabilities, it was the North Caucasus Federal District, for educational migrants – St. Petersburg, Sevastopol, Leningrad and Tver regions. The analysis identified 11 most popular areas of training for individuals with disabilities and 16 for educational migrants. Five integrated groups of specialties and areas of training (UGSN) could be considered the universal all-Russian choice of areas of training and specialties upon admission to universities for these categories: 31.00.00 – Clinical Medicine; 09.00.00 – Informatics and Computer Engineering; 44.00.00 – Education and Pedagogical Sciences; 38.00.00 – Economics and Management; 40.00.00 – Jurisprudence. For each category of applicants, admission formulas had been compiled, which represented the ratio of the number of UGSN from the corresponding fields of science. Discussion and conclusion. A comparative analysis of the general admission to universities showed that for individuals with disabilities, the leading areas of admission were UGSN from the field of sciences – sciences about society, while for educational migrants these were engineering, technology and technical sciences. In both categories, the second most popular area of science was health care and medical sciences. The third position was occupied by sciences from the first places of the opposite categories. The least interest among individuals with disabilities was paid to UGSN of engineering areas, where training and further work activity were associated with greater difficulties.

The Effects of 12 Weeks of Personal Weight Training on Body Composition, Balance Ability, and FMS in Participants of the Youth Physical Health Promotion Service

The Effects of 12 Weeks of Personal Weight Training on Body Composition, Balance Ability, and FMS in Participants of the Youth Physical Health Promotion Service

Improving Coach Competence as an Effort to Improve Science and Technology-Based Sports Achievements at KONI Magetan Regency

Community empowerment is an essential initiative focused on promoting and fostering positive transformations in the areas of sports, social sciences, arts, and cultural community activities. In the realm of sports, community empowerment emphasizes enhancing the quality of human resources, physical fitness, and athletic success at provincial, national, and international stages, thereby shaping the community's identity as an important contributor to sports advancement. A primary objective of this community service initiative (PKM) is to create strategies for improving athletic performance by offering certified physical trainer training and guidance to the KONI Magetan Regency members, assisting them in succeeding at provincial, national, and international contests. Attaining success in sports demands a long-term, structured, and sustainable strategy, vital for developing regional and national sports identities. Community engagement is a crucial element in developing national sports strategies and programs. Empowering sports via the branch leaders of KONI Magetan Regency is essential for promoting community-oriented sports as well as competitive success. The techniques employed in this program consist of educating physical trainers and designing training programs. The education for physical trainers centers on crafting training regimens that cater to the unique requirements of various energy systems, the traits of specific sports disciplines, and the structuring of training over periods to improve athletes' biomotor abilities. Furthermore, the program includes the formulation of physical training strategies aimed at assisting athletes in achieving optimal performance according to set objectives. This training seeks to empower sports coaches at KONI Magetan Regency with the expertise to create impactful programs that enhance athletes' skills and contribute to success. The objective is to cultivate proficient coaches and elite athletes capable of representing Magetan Regency, East Java, and Indonesia on greater platforms.

Improving Graduate Competence in Physical Training and Sports Student Training Programs at Surabaya State University

Community empowerment is an essential effort focused on fostering change in different areas, including athletics, social sciences, arts, and local culture. In the realm of sports, community empowerment aims to improve the quality of human resources, athleticism, and performance at provincial, national, and even global levels. It acts as a tool for molding community identity and is vital for the advancement of sports. A goal of this Community Empowerment Program (PKM) is to provide certified training for physical trainers to students in the Vocational Faculty and the Sports Science and Health Sports Study Programs within the Health Faculty. This initiative seeks to promote sports accomplishments at both student and wider levels, encompassing regional, provincial, national, and international tiers. Developing sports success through a systematic, enduring, and sustainable approach is crucial for creating sports excellence as a regional trait and national identity. Community engagement plays a vital role in influencing national sports policies and programs. The enhancement of sports via the Sports Study Program at FV and FIKK is crucial for achieving both community involvement in sports and sports success. The techniques used consist of training physical trainers and the creation of programs. Physical trainer training emphasizes creating physical conditioning that meets the requirements of particular energy systems, sport traits, and periodization to improve athletes' biomotor abilities. Moreover, attendees are taught how to create physical training plans to enhance athlete performance and achieve established goals. This program aims to prepare FV and FIKK sports students to create training plans that improve athlete performance and lead to success. The aim is to develop proficient coaches and top-performing athletes capable of representing East Java and Indonesia in various competitive arenas.

Impact of fitness coach behavior on exercise motivation, commitment, and enjoyment: A longitudinal study.

Fitness coaches seem to play an essential role in the field of exercise as they help prevent sedentary lifestyles and promote overall health, quality of life, and well-being. This study aimed to explore the effects of fitness coaches' behavior perceptions, intrinsic motivation, and enjoyment of exercisers on their long-term fitness and health, as well as their commitment to exercise. A total of 202 individuals participated in the study that was developed over three data gathering occasions (baseline, three months and six months). To this end, three psychometric scales were used as part of a multi-section survey: FCBS-Fit (perception of the fitness coach's behavior), IMIp (intrinsic motivation of exercisers), and PACES (enjoyment in exercise), along with the assessment of four health/fitness variables: anthropometry (i.e., waist-hip ratio), strength (i.e., handgrip strength), flexibility (i.e., sit-and-reach), and cardiorespiratory fitness (i.e., VO2máx.). Overall, the results suggested that the perception of the fitness coach's behavior, the exerciser's intrinsic motivation, and enjoyment were predictors of the health/fitness outcomes, and seemed to be related to the exercise commitment at the end of three and six months. The novelty of this study is the examination of psychological and physiological factors in an integrated and longitudinal manner within the scope of exercise in fitness and health clubs. Therefore, these findings shed light on fitness coaches as an important element in the propagation and maintenance of exercise habits, accomplishment of tangible outcomes by exercisers, health promotion and the fitness sector's growth.

Understanding employee training satisfaction in China’s coal industry from the perspective of Baldwin and Ford’s transfer of training model

In the fast-paced modern society, enhancing employees’ professional qualities through training has become crucial for enterprise development. However, training satisfaction remains under-studied, particularly in specialized sectors such as the coal industry. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the impact of personal characteristics, organizational characteristics, and training design on training satisfaction, utilizing Baldwin and Ford’s transfer of training model as the theoretical framework. The study identifies how these factors influence training satisfaction and provides actionable insights for improving training effectiveness in China’s coal industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: A cross-sectional design that allowed the study to capture data at one point in time from a large sample of employees was employed to conduct an online survey involving 251 employees from the Huaibei Mining Group in Anhui Province, China. The survey was administered over three months, capturing a diverse sample with nearly equal gender distribution (51% male, 49% female) and a majority aged between 21 and 40. The participants represented various educational backgrounds, with 52.19% holding an undergraduate degree and most occupying entry-level positions (74.9%), providing a broad workforce representation. Findings: The research indicated that personal traits were the chief predictor of training satisfaction, showing a beta coefficient of 0.585 (95% CI: [0.423, 0.747]). Linear regression modeling indicates that training satisfaction is strongly related to organizational attributes (β = 0.276 with a confidence interval of 95% [0.109, 0.443]). In contrast, training design did not appear to be a strong predictor (β = 0.094, 95% CI: [−0.012, 0.200]). Employee training satisfaction was the principal outcome measure, measured with a 5-point Likert scale. The independent variables covered personal characteristics, organizational characteristics, and training design, all measured through validated items taken from former research. The consistency of the questionnaire from the inside was strong, as Cronbach’s alpha values stood between 0.891 and 0.936. We completed statistical testing using SPSS 27.0, complemented by multiple linear regression, to study the interactions between the variables. Practical implications: This research contributes to the literature by emphasizing the necessity for context-specific training approaches within the coal industry. It highlights the importance of considering personal and organizational characteristics when designing training programs to enhance employee satisfaction. The study suggests further exploration of the multifaceted factors influencing training satisfaction, reinforcing the relevance of Baldwin and Ford’s theoretical model in understanding training effectiveness. Ultimately, the findings provide valuable insights for organizations seeking to improve training outcomes and foster a more engaged workforce. Conclusion: The study concluded that personal and organizational characteristics significantly impact employee training satisfaction in the coal industry, with personal characteristics being the strongest predictor. The beta coefficient for personal characteristics was 0.585, indicating a strong positive relationship. Organizational characteristics also had a positive effect, with a beta coefficient of 0.276. However, training design did not show a significant impact on training satisfaction. These findings highlight the need for coal companies to focus on personal and organizational factors when designing training programs to enhance satisfaction and improve training outcomes.

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IN SPORTS: ENHANCING ATHLETE MENTAL AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE TRACKING

Blockchain technology, initially developed for cryptocurrencies, has evolved into a versatile tool with applications across industries, including healthcare, finance, and now sports. This study investigates the role of blockchain in enhancing athlete performance tracking by integrating physical and cognitive metrics. Traditional methods often lack objectivity and security, while blockchain offers decentralised, tamper-proof, and real-time data tracking, addressing these challenges. The primary goal of this article is to explore how blockchain technology can enhance the tracking of athletes' mental and physical performance. The article aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the integration of blockchain in sports, focusing on its potential to address current challenges in performance monitoring, improve data security and integrity, and enable more effective and personalized training and competition strategies. A systematic review of literature was conducted to examine blockchain’s applications in sports. The analysis focused on its capabilities for performance tracking, data security, and integration with wearable technology. Metrics like strength, endurance, attention, decision-making, and cognitive fatigue were evaluated through blockchain-enabled systems. Blockchain enhances both physical and cognitive performance tracking by providing secure, real-time, and tamper-proof data. It facilitates personalised training programs by integrating metrics such as agility, focus, and decision-making. Wearable technology combined with blockchain enables continuous monitoring while safeguarding athlete privacy. The technology also ensures transparent record-keeping, useful for talent scouting and dispute resolution. Blockchain technology revolutionises athlete performance management by addressing traditional monitoring challenges. It offers a holistic approach to integrating physical and cognitive metrics, ensuring data security and enabling predictive insights for training and competition. However, issues like scalability, adoption resistance, and regulatory barriers need resolution for widespread implementation. Future studies should focus on the long-term impacts of blockchain on athlete development, scalability in sports organisations, and integration with emerging technologies like AI and IoT. Addressing regulatory and ethical challenges will be crucial for its adoption in the global sports industry.