Young Athletes Research Articles (Page 1)

Background: The psychological preparation of young athletes is a relevant issue, varying across different sports. Tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports, especially in Lithuania, which highlights the importance of psychological preparation for tennis players. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the stress experienced by young tennis athletes, the factors that cause it, and the stress-coping strategies they use. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a representative sample (n = 60) of tennis players aged 12–17 years (mean age 14.63, SD = 1.52; 50% male) who participated in Lithuanian tennis championships. A questionnaire was used, which included questions about stress experienced during competitions, signs of stress, the causes of stress, and the coping strategies applied. Results: The study revealed that 25.0% of tennis players experience high levels of stress during competitions. Girls reported higher stress levels during competitions compared to boys. The main stress-inducing factors identified were: fear of making mistakes (63.3%), fear of losing (56.7%), opponents’ skill level (55.0%), and the importance of the competition (31.7%). Fear of not meeting parents’ expectations was a greater source of stress than fear of not meeting the coach’s expectations. The most common stress symptoms experienced were anxiety, lack of concentration, negative thoughts, and increased heart rate. To reduce stress, tennis players most often listened to their favourite music, communicated with parents or friends, or talked with their coach. Conclusion: The study revealed that all tennis players experience stress during competitions, and some of them experience high stress levels. This is more common among females than males. Young tennis players experience stress for various reasons, with both parents and coaches playing an important role. Although young athletes use several stress-coping strategies, they do not fully employ all effective coping methods. Therefore, the findings emphasise the importance of the coach’s role in the psychological preparation of young athletes. Keywords: young tennis players, stress factors, coping with stress, psychological preparation

Evidence-based and/or consensus guidance regarding exercise and return-to-play for the adolescent and young adult (AYA) athlete with cardio-oncology concerns is lacking. Many of the recommendations utilized for the diagnosis, surveillance, and management of cancer therapeutic-related cardiotoxicity in children have been extrapolated from adult literature and myocarditis guidelines, the latter of which are primarily concerned with potential for arrhythmias secondary to inflammation and myocardial scarring. In addition, the athlete's heart itself brings about several diagnostic challenges including physiologic changes due to endurance or isometric training. Exercise-induced cardiac remodeling, with enlarged cavity size, lower resting ejection fraction and increased left ventricular wall thickness, depending on the type of exercise, can mimic disease states including both underlying pathologies and the response to cancer therapeutics. A high school cancer survivor had borderline ejection fraction and abnormal strain indices. He was able to return to competitive sports without complication after clinical evaluation and through a shared decision-making process. The difficulty in differentiating physiologic from potentially pathologic echocardiographic changes can result in unnecessary disqualification, depriving athletes from social, psychological, and possibly financial benefits. Stress echocardiography indices, such as contractile reserve and mitral E/e' ratio, may inform assessment of systolic and diastolic function, respectively, and may be helpful in risk stratifying and understanding potential performance limitations in AYA athletes with cardio-oncology concerns for exercise and return-to-play. Most recent consensus statements regarding sports participation in the athlete with heart disease focus on a shared decision-making process amongst all stakeholders involved to formulate an informed, safe, and cohesive prescription to enable the athlete to safely re-engage in sports after recovering from a cardiac illness or surgery. Multidisciplinary recommendations emphasize the importance of exercise before, during, and after chemotherapy in an individualized approach to reduce risk factors in oncology patients and improve cardiovascular outcomes. Further research is needed to delineate protocols for the adolescent and young adult cardio-oncology athlete regarding exercise prescriptions and their return-to-play following oncology treatment.

Purpose This study described the relationship of age, body composition and ancestry on sleep behavior, knowledge, and attitudes in rugby league athletes. Methods Fifty rugby league athletes completed the Sleep Practices and Attitudes Questionnaire alongside demographic information (age, body composition, ancestry). The results were compared based on age (<20 years old, 20−24 years old and >25 years), body composition (body fat percentage (%)) and ancestral groups (Pasifika, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) and Anglo-European). Spearman's correlation determined the associations between body composition and sleep knowledge, beliefs and attitudes. An ANCOVA compared differences between ancestral groups with age and body composition as covariates, while a one-way ANOVA was used for age group comparisons. Results Younger athletes had higher scores for eating/drinking in bed (p = 0.039), while those with higher body fat percentage read less in bed (p = 0.022) and reported lower sleep quality (p = 0.027). For ancestry, significantly lower sleep difficulty scores were reported for Anglo-European compared to both ATSI and Pasifika (p < 0.05) athletes. Furthermore, significantly higher self-reported sleep durations existed between Anglo-Europeans and Pasifika (p = 0.030). Ancestry affected coping with chronic insomnia (prioritize sleep, reduce caffeine), activities in bed (eat/drink, work/thinking) and the physical environment (dark, physically comfortable, comfortable temperature). Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of accounting for cultural and physiological variation when designing sleep education and interventions in rugby leagues. Future research needs to consider ancestry, body composition and age when assisting sleep educational programs during rugby league.

Background/Objectives: Eating disorders (EDs) and body image disturbances are increasingly recognized as important health issues among young athletes. Sports participation may both support healthy development and simultaneously increase vulnerability to disordered eating due to performance pressures and cultural ideals. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of eating disorders and body image among 17–20-year-old athletes. Methods: The study included 428 participants (215 women and 213 men) actively engaged in sports. Standardized psychometric tools were applied, including the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the Body Esteem Scale (BES). Statistical analyses examined differences across gender, BMI categories, and sports disciplines, as well as predictors of ED risk. Results: The analysis showed that 32.9% (n = 141; 95% CI: 28.3–37.8%) of respondents were at risk of developing eating disorders, with women being significantly more vulnerable than men (p &lt; 0.001; V = 0.27). Underweight athletes demonstrated a higher risk compared with those of normal weight (OR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.48–5.55, p &lt; 0.001). The type of sport was also associated with risk (p &lt; 0.001, V = 0.323); the highest prevalence of ED risk occurred among dancers (48.1%) and swimmers (38.9%). Body esteem differed markedly between groups: participants at risk scored lower in Weight Control (p &lt; 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.94) and Physical Attractiveness (p = 0.072) but higher in Physical Condition (p &lt; 0.001). Regression analyses indicated that gender (β = −3.35, p &lt; 0.001) and Body Esteem—Weight Control (β = −0.45, p &lt; 0.001) were the strongest predictors of EAT-26 scores. Conclusions: The findings confirm the multidimensional nature of eating disorder risk among young athletes, highlighting the role of body image imbalance and gender differences. Early screening, preventive interventions, and multidisciplinary support are essential to protect both the physical and mental health of young athletes. Future research should include objective physiological measures and broader samples to improve generalizability.

Background: Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is a rare congenital anomaly affecting around 0.1-0.3% of the population and is a known cause of myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac death, particularly in young athletes. However, limited national data on AAOCA-related mortality are available. Aims: We aim to characterize trends and demographic disparities in AAOCA-related mortality in the US from 1999 to 2023. Methods: We queried the CDC WONDER multiple-cause-of-death database for AAOCA-related deaths (ICD-10 Q24.5) among all age groups. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 1,000,000 population with 95% confidence interval (CI), stratified by year, sex, race, regions, and urbanization status, were abstracted. Annual (APC) and average annual percent changes (AAPC) were computed by Joinpoint regression. Results: From 1999 to 2023, there were 6,665 AAOCA-related deaths. The overall AAMR fell from 1.1 in 1999 to 0.9 by 2001 (APC: -10.5; 95% CI: -26.0, 8.3), rose to 1.1 in 2008 (APC: 2.2; 95% CI: -1.2, 5.8), declined significantly to 0.5 by 2020 (APC: -4.1; 95% CI: -5.7, -2.4), and then increased to 0.8 by 2023 (APC: 11.7; 95% CI: -3.3, 29.0). Male AAMRs exceeded females (1999: 1.3 vs 0.9; 2023: 1.2 vs 0.4), with women’s mortality significantly declining (AAPC: -3.4; p=0.02) versus stable males (AAPC: 0.09; p=0.9). Amongst races, both from 1999-2020 and 2021-2023, the non-Hispanic (NH) Blacks exhibited the highest AAMR (1.8 vs 1.5), trailed by NH Whites (0.8 vs 0.6) and Hispanics (0.5 vs 0.6); NH Whites saw the greatest decline (AAPC: -0.8; p=0.6). Regionally, AAMRs from 1999-2020 were 0.9 in the Northeast, Midwest, and South and 0.8 in the West. All regions showed a decline in mortality throughout the study period, with the steepest in the Midwest (AAPC: -2.0; p=0.0005). Both urban and rural AAMRs were 0.9, with the rural region showing a steeper but nonsignificant decline (AAPC: -3.8; p=0.1) than urban (AAPC: -1.9; p=0.00006). Among age groups, &lt;44 years mortality declined, with the steepest drop in 15-44 years (AAPC: -3.2; p=0.007), while mortality for &gt;45 years plateaued (AAPC: 0.2; p=0.8). Conclusion: Although AAOCA mortality has declined overall, especially in children and young adults, it remains high among men, NH Blacks, and Midwest residents, and has recently rebounded, underscoring the need for targeted early detection, risk stratification, and surveillance to guide timely interventions in high-risk groups.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) among young individuals and athletes. Guidelines support individualised exercise prescriptions, due to uncertainties surrounding physical activity's safety. Hypothesis:This meta-analysis evaluates the safety and efficacy of exercise in HCM patients to guide clinical decisions and reduce sedentary behavior. Methods: We systematically reviewed randomized clinical trials comparing exercise interventions versus usual care in HCM patients. Databases included PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Primary outcome was peak oxygen consumption (pVO2). A random-effects model was used to calculate mean differences (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Trial sequential analysis (TSA) assessed evidence robustness. Analyses were performed using R software (v4.2.3). Results: Four RCTs (n=290) were included. Patients were predominantly NYHA I-III, non-obstructive and a mean left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) of 19.76mm. Exercise improved pVO2 (MD 1.81 mL/kg/min; 95% CI 1.01-2.61; p&lt; 0.01), confirmed by TSA. No significant differences were observed in left ventricular outflow tract gradients or left ventricular ejection fraction. Exercise reduced LVWT (MD -0.56 mm; 95% CI -0.97 to -0.16; p&lt; 0.01) and body mass index (BMI) (MD -0.65 kg/m2; 95% CI -1.05 to -0.25; p&lt;0.01), without increasing in arrhythmias, syncope, SCD or adverse events. Conclusion: In HCM patients with mild phenotypes, structured exercise appears safe and beneficial, improving functional capacity and reducing LVWT and BMI without raising risks.

Background: Sport-related Sudden Cardiac Arrest (Sr-SCA) can occur even apparently healthy athletes. Cardiomyopathies and channelopathies have consistently been implicated as leading causes of SCA in young competitive athletes. However, these findings may not fully apply to long-distance runners, who tend to be older and present with different cardiovascular risk factors and pre-existing conditions leading to ischemic diseases. Method: We merged two prospectively collected databases. The first source was a regional registry that recorded 55000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in adults (October 2011 – April 2024). The second source contained official participation lists for 20 km race, half-marathon (HM) and full marathon (FM) for the same period (all years except 2020). Only finishers and Sr-SCA events were analyzed. Comprehensive in-hospital work-up included ECG, echocardiography, coronary angiography, cardiac MRI and drug-provocation tests; when indicated, electrophysiological study, Holter monitoring, signal-averaged ECG, endomyocardial biopsy and genetic testing were added. Results: Over the past 10 years, among 1.2 million participants (mean age 38 ± 11 years, 71.6% men), there were 17 SCA cases (7 in 20km, 5 in HM and 5 in FM). Among these cases, 88% (15/17) were men, with a mean age of 42 ± 13 years. Etiology remained undetermined in 8 cases (47.1 %) despite exhaustive evaluation (Figure 1). A cause was identified in 8 patients: ischemic cardiomyopathy (n=5), Brugada syndrome (n=1), myocarditis (n=1), and an anomalous right coronary artery (n=1). One patient carried heterozygous SCN5A and VCL variants that may explain the Sr-SCA. Ischemic cardiomyopathy accounted for 60% (3/5) of FM cases, 20% (1/5) of HM cases and 14.3% (1/7) of 20 km race cases. Conclusion: Despite extensive in-hospital medical assessments, half of the cases remained unexplained. These results contribute to the ongoing debate on pre-participation screening in sport and the proposed strategies to mitigate the occurrence of Sr-SCA.

Haghighi, AH, Shandiz, HH, Kakhak, SAH, Shahrabadi, H, Coswig, V, and Gentil, P. Plyometric and ballistic training have similar effects on young amateur male wrestlers' athletic performance. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest and post-test design aimed at investigating the effects of resistance-plyometric training (RPT) compared with resistance-ballistic training (RBT) on the athletic performance of young amateur male wrestlers. Twenty wrestlers aged 16-18 years were randomly divided into RPT and RBT groups. The experimental groups participated in 3 sessions per week of the RPT or RBT program for 6 weeks in addition to their wrestling training routine during the preseason period. Before and after the intervention, the subjects were assessed for bench press strength, leg press strength, bench press endurance, leg press endurance, t test agility, 3-kg medicine ball throwing performance, Sargent jump performance, and specific wrestling tasks (flying mare, duck under, and rear throw). The results showed that both the RPT and RBT programs improved physical fitness (except for medicine ball throwing, which did not improve in RBT) and specific task performance (flying mare, duck under, and rear throw) with p < 0.05. There were no differences between the RPT and RBT programs in any of the physical fitness indicators or specific task performances (p > 0.05). Considering that no significant difference was observed between the 2 types of training, young amateur male wrestlers could benefit from both RPT and RBT programs to improve their physical fitness and performance on specific tasks.

ABSTRACT The development of young male soccer players entails intricate interactions among growth, maturation, and workload, which significantly impact injury risk. Peak height velocity constitutes a critical phase during which players undergo rapid physical changes, potentially increasing their susceptibility to injury. Given the variability in biological maturation, practitioners must implement individualized strategies to manage workloads and mitigate the risk of injury. This review synthesizes the current evidence on growth and maturation monitoring, offering a framework for integrating these insights into practical training interventions. It emphasizes the importance of longitudinal assessments, tailored workload management, and communication strategies among coaches, medical staff, and players. Practical applications include systematic tracking of growth metrics, bio-banding, modifying workloads based on maturity status, and implementing recovery protocols for high-risk individuals. These strategies enable practitioners to identify players undergoing accelerated growth and adjust training accordingly to reduce injury risk while optimizing long-term development. By bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and applied practice, this review provides actionable recommendations to support young athletes throughout their developmental journey, ensuring a balance between performance enhancement and injury mitigation.

BACKGROUND: Spondylolysis is a common cause of low back pain in young athletes. This case describes a 7-year-old, male, competitive bull rider with right L5 pars defects and persistent nociplastic pain. Clinicians used the Pediatric Utilization of Manual Therapy (PUMT) tool to guide a multimodal approach targeting both structural and neurophysiological factors. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient reported a year-long history of intermittent low back pain following a bull riding injury and motor vehicle accident. Pain, rated up to 8/10, using the Faces Pain Scale, was provoked by bending forward, jumping, and bull riding, and alleviated by stretching. He also experienced headaches, stomach pain, and sleep disruption, without peripheral neurological or systemic signs. OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP: The patient demonstrated significant improvement over 6 visits within a 2-month period. His pain decreased from 8/10 to 0/10. Additionally, his Oswestry Disability Index improved from 24% to 0%, indicating full resolution of reported disability. His sensation normalized and he returned to most preferred activities and avoided surgery. DISCUSSION: Although clinical practice guidelines (CPG) recommendations were followed, the presence of nociplastic pain required a more individualized, phenotype-specific approach. JOSPT Cases 2025;5(4):1-6. Epub 17 September 2025. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2025.0151

Early repolarization (ER) is a prevalent electrocardiographic finding characterized by J-point elevation in the ST segment. While traditionally considered benign, recent research suggests that certain ER patterns may be linked to an increased risk of cardiac events, including sudden cardiac death. This study aims to analyze the prevalence and distribution of ER across various populations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to May 2024, encompassing studies from EMBASE and PubMed. Data from 46 studies involving general population and 17 studies focusing on Black individuals were analyzed. Prevalence estimates were derived and compared across different demographics, including age groups and athletic status. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, ANOVA, and t-tests to assess the relationship between ER prevalence and various factors. The mean prevalence of ER across 46 studies was 8.9±7.6%. A significant decline in prevalence with increasing age was observed (Pearson correlation coefficient -0.377, p = 0.015). ER was more prevalent in younger individuals, with a notable decrease in older populations. Among Black individuals, the mean prevalence of ER was significantly higher (22.7% ± 11.7) compared to the general population (8.98% ± 7.6, p < 0.001). Athletes exhibited a higher prevalence of ER (31.6% ± 17.6) compared to the general population (p < 0.001). Gender distribution did not significantly impact ER prevalence. ER is more common in younger individuals, Black populations, and athletes. The higher prevalence in athletes and Black individuals underscores the need for targeted research to understand the clinical implications and develop appropriate risk stratification strategies.

The aim of our study was: To establish the effectiveness of an experimental method of teaching swimming to children aged 7-9 in beginner groups in their first year of training, based on the use of active games. Material and methods: The study was conducted among children attending swimming lessons at the Yana Klochkova Municipal Children's and Youth Sports School of Water Sports in Kharkiv. 28 girls and 30 boys participated in the study. The subjects were divided into experimental (EG) and control groups (CG). The groups were identical in terms of gender and age (EG of girls - 15 people, CG of girls - 13 people; EG of boys - 15 people, CG of boys - 15 people). The experiment was conducted during the school year. Its purpose was to verify the developed methodology for teaching swimming to swimmers aged 7-9 years based on the use of outdoor games. The content and methods of the pedagogical experiment corresponded to the general principles of teaching and upbringing in the educational and training process. The author's methodology for teaching swimming to children aged 7-9 years in the initial training groups of the first year of training consisted in increasing the amount of time allocated to the use of outdoor games in the water. When selecting games and recruiting teams, the occupancy of the groups, the swimming training of those involved, their age and gender, the conditions and place of conduct, the available equipment, as well as the tasks were taken into account. The games had rules or conditions, were feasible, corresponded to the preparedness of the subjects, and ended with summing up and identifying the winners. During data collection, the following research methods were used: theoretical analysis and generalisation of data from literary sources; pedagogical experiment; pedagogical testing; methods of mathematical statistics. Results: The study revealed that both the control and experimental groups showed positive dynamics in test results, but the experimental groups showed a significant improvement in all indicators of physical and technical fitness of young athletes (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: the indicators obtained during the experiment showed a significant improvement in the EG in most indicators of the physical and technical fitness of athletes (p&lt;0.05), in contrast to the control group. This allows us to conclude that the proposed method of using mobile games contributes to improving the physical fitness of children and mastering swimming skills.

Normal electrocardiographic patterns in school-aged children: Data from a sports cardiology screening program.

Curious Coaching Calls for Young Athletes Training in Heat or Hiking Up Mountains.

Lower-limb coordination pattern variability while clearing successive hurdles.

PurposeThe aim of the study is to assess the effect of a running fatigue protocol on static (SB) and dynamic balance (DB) abilities using Wii balance board (WBB) and Y-balance (YB) tests, respectively, in young male recreational athletes.Materials and MethodsParticipants were randomized into control and experimental groups. They were examined on static and dynamic balance (pre- & post-tests). Then, the experimental group underwent a fatigue protocol, in which speed and incline increased one unit for each passing minute, and stopped when rate of perceived exertion level reached ≥ 18, and the plasma lactate level differed from the baseline by ≥ 4mmol/L.ResultsForty male athletes aged between 18–22 years old participated with 20 participants in each group. Between groups analysis showed that the control group scored significantly higher score on YB, however, the experimental group scored significantly lower on WBB in all conditions. Regression analysis revealed that, for every one unit increase in SB score, plasma lactate levels decrease by 0.051 (5.1%).ConclusionsReduced performance on both static and dynamic balance tests after a treadmill running fatigue protocol was observed in recreational young male athletes, compared to a randomly-assigned control group of their peers.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06901219, Retrospectively registered on 16/3/2025.

According to recent research, approximately31.2% of adults in Kazakhstan are affected by obesity, whereasinternational observers report a prevalence of 23.5%. The obesity rate among the adult population in Kazakhstan is comparable to that of other Central Asian countries and demonstrates a steadyupward trend, underscoring the relevance of further investigation. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity among the population of Almaty. Retrospective and prospective anonymized patient data wereobtained from two sources: the Almaty Sports Medicine Center (S) and Polyclinic No. 6 of Almaty (P). The study period covered the years 2021–2025. The final sample included data from 1,244 patients of the Sports Medicine Center and an additional 73 patients from Polyclinic No. 6, aged 20 to 70 years. The following parameters were analyzed for all participants: date of examination, age, sex, height, body weight, and body mass index (BMI). Statistical processing and comparative analysis were performed using GraphPad Prism (version 10.0) and Microsoft Excel 2021. The proportion of patients with obesity among athletes was 38%, compared to 61% among patients from the polyclinic. A relatively high proportion of overweight individuals (38%) was observed among young athletes, particularly among men. In contrast, among the general population, obesity was more prevalent among women. These findings highlight the need for further studies in older age groups, involving additional medical centers and employing more advanced methods for assessing metabolic disorders.Keywords:obesity, metabolic syndrome, sports medicine, body mass index.

Background and objectiveSymptomatic lumbar spondylolysis often disables young athletes. We compared three motion-preserving techniques—modified Scott (MST), pedicle screw system (PSS), and dual-stability construct (DSC)—for pars healing and functional recovery.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 103 active adults (18–40 years) with L3/L4/L5 spondylolysis treated at a single centre between 2017 and 2023. Patients were allocated to modified Scott (MST, n = 33), pedicle-screw (PSS, n = 27) or dual-stability construct (DSC, n = 43). All underwent isthmic debridement, autologous grafting and identical rehabilitation. CT (computed tomography) evaluated pars healing; VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and JOA-L (Japanese Orthopaedic Association) scores, complications and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Pfirrmann grading were recorded.ResultsAt 17.5 ± 6.5 months, DSC achieved the highest healing rate (95.3%) versus PSS (88.9%) and MST (60.6%) (P < 0.001). DSC and PSS were independent predictors of healing (Risk ratios (RR) 12.9 and 4.6 vs. MST). JOA improvement was greatest with DSC (80.53%) and PSS (79.89%) versus MST (67.74%). MST exhibited 12% implant failure (spinous cut-through). No adjacent-disc degeneration was observed in PSS or DSC, supporting short-term motion preservation. CT type II/III defects and overweight status predicted non-union.ConclusionPSS and DSC offer significant advantages over MST for treating symptomatic lumbar spondylolysis in young active adults, with DSC yielding the most favorable outcomes. The dual-stability construct, integrating intra- and intersegmental fixation, enhances pars healing and maintains disc health, supporting its use as a motion-preserving and biomechanically robust technique. These findings may guide surgical decision-making and contribute to improved recovery and functional restoration in athletic youth.

ABSTRACT This paper explores how social acceleration is reshaping the structures, experiences, and meanings of youth sport in Norway. Drawing on Hartmut Rosa’s relational sociology, we examine how the intensification of training, professionalisation, and commercialisation reflects broader societal dynamics that increasingly prioritise optimisation, standardisation, and control. Through three illustrative case examples: (a) the institutional growth of sport schools; (b) the marketisation of youth football; and (c) the transformation of young athletes’ temporal and lived experiences, we examine how these changes contribute to emotional detachment, burnout, and a growing misalignment between sport institutions and the developmental needs and interests of young people. In response, we introduce Rosa’s concept of resonance as a diagnostic and normative framework. This perspective foregrounds relational, affective, and embodied engagement. Resonance, we argue, offers a compelling alternative to dominant acceleration logics, providing a conceptual anchor for youth sport policies, coach education, and institutional design. We conclude by outlining how resonance-based approaches can help reimagining youth sports as a more inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful practice—one that supports young athletes not just as performers, but as human beings moving and transforming through sport.

This study aims to develop a valid and reliable archery technique test instrument for recurve bow athletes to address the limitations of existing instruments, which tend to be subjective and focus solely on accuracy. The research and development (R&amp;D) method, adapted from the steps of Borg and Gall, involved 14 athletes at the National Potential Young Athlete Training Center (SLOMPN) as the total sample. The developed test instrument not only measures accuracy (through qualification and elimination scores), but also specifically and objectively measures speed, strength, and endurance specific to the sport of archery. The seven main test components produced include: qualification score, elimination score, shooting speed, bow draw maximum quantity, bow training, battery test archery, and maximum shooting. The trial results showed that all seven test items were internally valid, with a correlation coefficient (r) higher than (rtable = 0.532). Furthermore, this instrument has a very high level of reliability (stability across testing sessions), with a test-retest correlation coefficient of 0.893. This study concludes that the developed archery technique test instrument is proven to be feasible, valid, and highly reliable for use. This instrument provides a comprehensive, objective evaluation tool, enabling coaches to profile athletes and design more effective and specific training programs, considering aspects of strength, speed, and endurance, in addition to shooting accuracy.