Sports Studies Commons^™

Comparison Of The Effects Of The Three Methods Of Massage, Selected Yoga Exercises And Massage-Yoga Combination On The Depression In Elderly Women, Elham Piri, Behnam Ghasemi, Ali Shafizadeh

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The present study aims to compare the effects of massage, selected yoga exercises and massage-yoga combination methods on symptoms of depression. Materials and Methods: According to the research criteria, 60 available samples were selected and randomly divided into three experimental groups and single control one. The Beck Depression Inventory was completed by the examinees before the intervention, two months after its beginning and one month after ending. Each experimental group received one of the massage interventions, selected yoga exercises and massage-yoga combination for eight weeks, three sessions per week and for a period of 40 minutes per session. The …

Effects Of Attending To A 12-Week Structured Physical Activity Program On Fitness And Self-Perception Levels Of Obese Primary Schoolchildren, Yetkin Utku Kamuk, Spiridon Kamtsios

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a major health problem especially for schoolchildren both physically and mentally. The study was conducted to assess the effects of the structured physical activity (PA) program on the physical fitness (PF) and self-perception levels of obese schoolchildren. Materials and Methods: A total of 67 students aged 9-11 were recruited and the experimental group (n = 27) was attended to exercises once per week for 60 mins for 12 weeks. Self-perception Scale for Children and PF tests were applied as pre- and post-tests. Results: 12-week PA sessions improved obese schoolchildren’s self-perception levels in general self-worth, athletic …

Association Of The G>A (Rs6265) Polymorphism In The Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene (Bdnf) With Post-Training Changes In Caucasian Women, Katarzyna Świtała, Agata Leońska-Duniec, Monika Michałowska-Sawczyn, Andrzej Brodkiewicz, Kinga Łosińska, Anna Grzywacz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) rs6265 (G196A; Val66Met) polymorphism has been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, with contradictory results involving either A or G as the risk allele. The main aim of this study was to examine whether the BDNF rs6265 polymorphism would influence the efficiency of a training program. An additional aim was to determine whether selected polymorphism can be used as a genetic marker for obesity-related parameters. We studied the genotype distribution in a group of 160 Caucasian females in whom body mass and composition parameters, lipid profile, and glucose levels were measured before …

Medicine Balls Training In The Sequence Of Complex Handball Training Versus Only Handball Training: Effects On Physical Fitness In Pre-Adolescence Female Handball Players, Natalia Chukhlantseva

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The inclusion of the training process of pre-adolescent female athletes with additional means helps to optimize exercise influences. The study aims to estimate the influence of a 16-week program of handball training with medicine balls in comparison with a program of handball training on the physical and special training of beginner handball players. Methods: Female athletes were randomly divided into an experimental (n = 30; 11.23 ±0.41 years) and a control (n = 32; 10.99 ± 0.4 years) group. Training sessions of both groups were conducted according to the existing curriculum, but the experimental group replaced part …

Extended Range Of Motion Does Not Induce Greater Muscle Damage Than Conventional Range Of Motion In The Bench Press Exercise, Patryk Matykiewicz, Michał Krzysztofik, Adam Zając

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Range of motion (ROM) of resistance exercise affects the muscle damage magnitude and the recovery-time course. Thus, the main aim of this study was to compare conventional and extended ROM in the bench press exercise on neuromuscular fatigue assessed by velocity changes during bench press throw, as well on the exercise-induced muscle damage evaluated by creatine kinase (CK) activity in the blood. Material and Methods: A total of fourteen healthy, well-trained males performed 5 sets of the bench press exercise at 70% of one repetition maximum with either standard (STD) and cambered (CMB) barbell until reaching volitional failure. CK …

A Primary Qualitative Study Exploring Adult Bame Individuals' Experiences Regarding Physical Activity From The North-East Of England During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Johnson Mbabazi, Fiona Macgregor, Jeff Breckon, Barry Tolchard, Edward Kunonga, Dorothy Irene Nalweyiso, Abiola Fashina, Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Researchers have found that people from BAME communities have worse health outcomes from many health interventions and face health disparities. BAME individuals experience health inequities and lower health intervention results. The experiences of adult Teesside-based BAME individuals' regarding physical activity (PA) during the COVID-19 pandemic were mapped onto the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B). Twelve adult BAME participants were interviewed using semi-structured interviews that lasted 40 to 60 minutes and captured participant perceptions of how their PA and perceptions related to living a healthy PA lifestyle during the pandemic between April and August 2022 via Microsoft Teams. …

Trauma-Informed Youth Sport: Identifying Program Characteristics And Challenges To Advance Practice, Kayla Hussey, Lindsey C. Blom, Zenzi Huysmans, Dana Voelker, Matt Moore, Thalia M. Mulvihill

Journal of Youth Development

This purpose of this qualitative study was to explore shared characteristics and local challenges of trauma-informed youth sport program design and implementation through the voices of ten program facilitators (e.g., director, trainer; 8 women, 2 men; average age of 36.2 years, SD = 6.03) across four U.S. regions. Within a postpositivist approach and through thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews (average length of 53 minutes), shared characteristics identified by facilitators included promoting a safe and supportive environment, cultivating healthy relationships among adults and peers, and intentional psychological and social skill-building (e.g., attentional cues). Facilitators also explained the importance of understanding the …

Physical Activity And Mental Health Of Youth During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amber Watson, Alicia Fedewa, Clair Tischner

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

The COVID-19 Pandemic has globally impacted children’s physical activity and mental health outcomes since the transition to remote learning (Štveráková, et al., 2021). Children and adults may encounter negative mental health related consequences, higher stress, and a significant lack of physical activity while in physical and social isolation (Clemente-Suárez, 2022). In particular, school-aged children have experienced a significant reduction in physical activity since transitioning to remote learning and do not have sufficient opportunities to make up for this loss while engaged in remote learning (Štveráková, et al., 2021). Increased physical activity has been consistently correlated with positive mental health outcomes …

The Effects Of Resistance Training On Jumping And Selected Power Variables Of The Lower Limbs In Female Soccer Players, Tomasz Chamera, Magdalena Prończuk, Piotr Smok, Miłosz Drozd, Małgorzata Michalczyk, Adam Maszczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of a 6-week intervention of combined soccer training with resistance training on strength and power variables in highly trained female soccer players. It was hypothesized that 6 weeks is sufficient for a significant improvement in jumping ability and power to occur due to the intervention. The study involved 34 female soccer players of the top women’s league (22 ± 5 years old, body height 167 ± 5 cm, body weight 60 ± 8 kg). The players were divided into two groups of 17 participants. The control group performed 3 …

Abductor And Adductor Strength Relation To Sprint Performance In Soccer Players, Paulina Królikowska, Artur Gołaś, Petr Stastny, Jakub Kokstejn, Wojciech Grzyb, Michal Krzysztofik

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The hip muscle strength plays an important role in sprinting and non-contact injuries, where their role in soccer players needs to be recognized. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the strength of hip abductor (Abd), hip adductor (Add) and linear sprint performance (5 m and 35 m). Sixteen professional soccer players (Second Polish League) participated in the study (age = 24 ± 3.2 years, body mass = 75.3 ± 9.58 kg, height = 179 ± 5.6 cm, soccer training experience = 8 ± 2.9 years). 5 m and 3 m linear sprint performance was described by: peak …

The Role Of Emotional States And Mental Techniques In Dancesport: A Systematic Review, Sara Aliberti, Gaetano Raiola, Domenico Cherubini

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Psychological states during competition seem to be an important factor to determine successful performance. Therefore, the analysis of emotions is essential to understand how emotions can support sports performance. This systematic review aimed to summarize the studies examining the influence of emotional states on dancesport (DS) performance and the use of mental techniques to improve psychological preparation to face the competition. Material and methods. Web of Science, Scholar, Scopus and Pubmed databases were used to search studies. The screening process was summarized within the PRISMA 2020 flowchart. Results. Only 9 articles met our inclusion criteria. The results demonstrated that …

Factors Affecting Rural Women’S Involvement In Physical Activity In Ghana, Alice Quainoo, T. A. Loeffler

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

A qualitative study approach was used to explore the factors affecting rural women’s involvement in physical activity in Ghana. Most prior research has been done in African urban areas thus, neglecting the rural areas. Purposive sampling and a semi-structured interview method were used to interview nine women aged 40-60 years living in three rural areas in the central region of Ghana. The interviews were conducted by phone, translated, transcribed, and then coded using NVivo software package. The constant comparative method was used to analyze the data. The data presented eight enablers and five barriers to physical activity involvement for rural …

The Impact Of Home Confinement By Covid-19 On Mood State And Adaptive Behaviors In Spanish Swimmers, Jose Carlos Jaenes, David Alarcon Rubio, María José Arenilla-Villalba, Dominika Wilczyńska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the mental condition of aquatic athletes during COVID-19 lockdowns and identify factors that could predict changes in their emotions and mood disturbances. Materials and Methods: The sample was composed of 506 competitive swimmers (ages 15-36) in four aquatic specializations, with 82.4% competing at the national level. Data was collected through questionnaires between April 10th and May 1st, 2020. Results: Female athletes had higher levels of unpleasant mood states and were generally more vulnerable to the lockdown's harmful effects. Team athletes had higher levels of friendliness, which may be a coping strategy for difficult situations. …

Directions Of Attack And Their Effectiveness Of Male Judo Medalists At The Olympic Competitions., Amar Ait Ali Yahia

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: To perform a technical action, the elite judo athlete examines the direction of attack relative to the opponent's body position. This study aimed to analyze and compare the most frequent and effective attack directions carried out by male Olympic medalists. Materials and Methods: A sample of 112 male medalists performed 3,664 attacks in four Olympic tournaments (2004–2016). ANOVA (one factor) determined inter and intra-Olympic comparisons, followed by the post hoc Bonferroni test (p< 0.05). Eta squared η2 and Cohen's d calculated the effect size, respectively. Results: Olympic medalists oriented their attacks principally in right forward (30.5±11.3%), left forward (29.9±10.5%), left backward (18.8±8.1%), and right backward (15.8±6.1%). The effectiveness of right forward (25.7±13.1%) and left forward (26.2±12.5%) dominates left backward (20.5±10.1%) and right backward (15.5±9.7%), respectively. In terms of frequencies and effectiveness, the contribution of secondary directions is negligible. Conclusions: Attacking in eight orientations made the defense vulnerable. Beside the uncertainty and unpredictability, they created more points of imbalance to overcome defensive issues.

The Col27a1 And Col11a1 Gene Variants Are Not Associated With The Susceptibility To Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture In Polish Athletes, Zhuo Sun, Aleksandra Bojarczuk, Pawel Cieszczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Sports injuries are the most common cause of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. Previous research has demonstrated links between some of the COL27A1 and COL11A1 genetic variants and musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. However, no previous research has investigated the COL27A1 rs1570460 and the COL11A1 rs3753841 in the context of ACL rupture in any population. Thus, our study aimed to assess the association between specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), i.e., COL27A1 rs946053 and COL11A1 rs3753841, and the occurrence of ACL injury (ACL-I) in a cohort of Polish athletes. Methods: The study enrolled 233 athletes with ACL-I (161 males and …

Convenience Over Nutrition For Recreation League Youth Sport Team Snack And Mealtime Choices, Morgan Ashley, Tony Weaver, Andrew Ramsey, Lauren Haldeman

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Fifty-six percent of school-aged children participate in team sports, yet there is limited evidence on how participation in youth sports impacts the dietary behaviors of participants and their families. Our team surveyed parents and caregivers of children participating in recreation league youth sports (n = 178) to assess the foods and beverages offered as team snacks and factors that influence team snack choices. Juice was the most popular beverage, and crackers were the most popular snack reported by parents. Convenience, followed by cost and child preference, were the most frequently reported factors influencing team snack choices. Survey items also included …

Understanding Athletes’ Experience When Transitioning To Life Beyond Sport, Mary L. Dell'arciprete, M Lauren Dell'arciprete

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Discontinuation may be by choice or may be due to an injury; however most collegiate athletes’ sports engagement ends due to graduation causing them to shift their role in an occupation that played a crucial role in their self-identity. Athletes of all levels are challenged in their transition beyond sport and in the adjustment to the various role changes that occur. A significant life event, such as the end of one’s athletic engagement, can cause a loss of identity, purpose, and mental health decline. Former athletes may experience occupational disruption, a temporary inability to adequately engage in meaningful tasks due …

A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences Of Obesity, Body Image, And Mental Health Of British-Born Afro-Caribbean Male Students At A West Yorkshire University In England, Johnson Mbabazi, Dorothy Irene Nalweyiso, Fiona Macgregor, Jeff Breckon, Edward Kunonga, Barry Tolchard, Rosemary Dawson, Jennifer Teke, Josette Bettany Saltikov, George William Kagugube, Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Obesity, body image, and depression are all biopsychosocial phenomena that are frequently misunderstood across cultures. Body dissatisfaction is a psychological aspect of obesity that has been associated with disordered eating, low self-esteem, and depression. Nevertheless, body image dissatisfaction may affect non-obese individuals too. Those with a positive body image are more likely to participate in physical activity than those with a negative body image. Individuals who are satisfied with their body image are more likely to possess high self-esteem, confidence, and healthy eating habits. Obesity prevention among the black population is increasingly important. This study sought to examine the perceptions …

Understanding Students’ Cognitive And Affective Attitude And Attitudinal Structures Toward Physical Activity: A Person-Centered Approach, Yubing Wang, Pan Li, Yaogang Han, Binn Zhang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the proportions of students who were holding positive, negative, and neutral cognitive/affective attitude and different cognitive-affective attitudinal structures toward moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) using a person-centered approach. Methods: A total of 3949 students participated in this study (1065 middle-school students, 784 high-school students, and 2100 college students). Results: A majority of students were holding positive cognitive (about 94%) and affective attitude (about 85%) toward MVPA. Most students (about 84%) held the Positive cognitive—Positive affective attitudinal structure toward MVPA. School level influenced the proportions of students who were holding different cognitive …

The Effect Of Sodium Bicarbonate On Acute Kidney Injury Markers During Physical Work In The Heat, Abdulaziz Abdulrahman A. Masoud, Fabiano Amorim, Christine Mermier, Michael Deyhle, Zidong Li

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Sodium bicarbonate supplementation (NaHCO₃) before physical work in the heat may reduce the risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI). Purpose: To determine the effects of NaHCO₃ supplementation before a prolonged bout of physical work in the heat on AKI markers and kidney function. Method: A randomized, cross-over, double blinded design was conducted on 8 participants (3 females) who consumed NaHCO₃ (0.2 g/kg body weight) or placebo (CON) before prolonged (120 minutes) moderate intensity (~65% of maximal heart rate) physical work in the heat [40℃ and 23% relative humidity (RH)]. Blood and urine samples were collected …

Risk Management Perceptions And Preventive Practices Of Athletic Directors From Naia Schools, Yan Gioseffi

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

The increase in the number of incidents associated with sports has led to the rise of litigation, and physical, emotional, and financial damage to stakeholders. Collegiate athletic directors (ADs) have the duty to keep their programs safe.

This study aimed to explore and understand the practices, perceptions, and experiences of ADs from National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) institutions regarding preventive risk management. As risk management is significantly new in the sporting industry, an exploratory study using a qualitative design, grounded in narrative inquiry was conducted using the D.I.M. Process as a guide to collect data from 10 NAIA ADs …

Examining Professional Identity Among Collegiate Athletic Trainers And Its Relationship With Work-Family Conflict, Stephanie M. Singe, Alexandrya Cairns, Kelsey M. Rynkiewicz, Christianne M. Eason

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Professional identity is defined as an individual’s set of attitudes and beliefs about their specific role in their profession; a concept that could perhaps have implications on experiences of work-family conflict. The purpose of the study is to examine professional identity within college athletic trainers and how it relates to experiences of work-family conflict. Methods: Data was collected through an online survey (Qualtrics) where participants responded to demographic questions and previously validated Professional Identity and Values (PIV) Scale and the Work-Family Conflict (WFC) Scale. Demographic data were reported and analyzed for descriptives and frequencies. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis …

Relative Age Effect Of Female And Male Handball Players Participating In Olympics Games Tokyo 2020, Paweł Krawczyk, Adam Dyjas, Adam Szeląg, Maciej Cedro

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether the relative age effect (RAE) was present among handball players participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Materials and Methods. The study involved a group of handball players participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. All data was collected from the website of the IHF. The research material consisted of data on the players’ dates of birth, which were broken down by four quarters (Q1: January 1–March 31, Q2: April 1–June 30, Q3: July 1–September 30, Q4: October 1–December 31) and two semesters (S1: January 1–June 30, S2: July 1–December 31). The …

Closing Racial Disparity By Dismantling Constructs Of Fear - A Practical Methodology For Learning To Swim, Dane W. Wolfrom, Christine L. Snellgrove, Marisol A. Rivera, Keisha Laguer Vandessppooll, Emily D. Feliciano

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

African American, Black, Hispanic, Latino, and low-socioeconomic communities have lower swimming ability and higher relative drowning rates than White and high-socioeconomic communities, distinguishing the former as high-priority populations to engage with effective learn-to-swim programming. This article demonstrates how prioritizing the reduction of fear-producing brain processes while learning to swim can result in 79.5% of high-priority population non-swimmers being able to jump into deep water, roll onto their backs and either float or tread for 60 seconds, and swim 25 yards after an average of 14 practice sessions. Practical explanations of four key components— water exploration, structured games, emulating coaches, and …

Racist Or Radical? The Strange Case Of Robert Moses And The Building Of New York City's Aquatics Infrastructure, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., James H. Bemiller J.D., Jason L. Scott Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Who was Robert Moses? In this article, we want to cast a bright light on Robert Moses as a visionary urban planner, which included the comprehensive planning of the outdoor and indoor aquatic infrastructure for New York City. Second, we want to highlight some of his administration's significant accomplishments and challenges in providing aquatics opportunities for diverse populations, including people of color. Finally, we aspire to illustrate what happens when officials with power and authority in local government are permitted to operate without scrutiny and are unbeholden to a meaningful series of checks and balances. Robert Moses’ tenure as a …

A Leisure Model: Barriers And Black Womxn Collegiate Swimmers, Tiffany Monique Quash

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

There remains a gap in the literature about the experiences of Black Womxn Collegiate Swimmers (hereafter referred to as BWCS) and the application of the leisure constraints model. Whether research has been conducted with Black Womxn Swimmers enrolled in a swimming course while using an autoethnographic lens (Norwood, 2010) or the representation of one Black Womxn Swimmer from a Predominantly White Institution (Quash, 2018), minimal knowledge is known about this specific demographic representative of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and the barriers they experience. Using a qualitative methodological approach to understand the leisure constraints …

Third Diversity In Aquatics Special Issue, Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., Tiffany M. Quash Phd

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Front matter - none available

“Pool: A Social History Of Segregation Exhibition” Exploring Social Justice Through The Lens Of Water Safety Awareness And Art-Based Education, Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq Ph.D., Mph, Tiffany Monique Quash Ph.D., Knolan Rawlins Ph.D., Victoria Prizzia, Miriam Lynch Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Art exhibitions, with a focus on water safety and drowning prevention, are rarely seen as a medium to address social justice and public health, or water safety awareness and drowning prevention efforts in communities. Globally, data have shown drowning is considered a “neglected public health threat” (World Health Organization, 2021, CDC, 2023). Additionally, reports have shown that across the globe there are demographic groups of people impacted by drowning, historical traumas, and social determinants, also impacting some communities that are at greater risk (WHO 2021, CDC, 2023). Although there are national and international efforts to address the importance of water …

Blue-Mindfulness Training: A Story Of Restorative Justice Decolonizing And Re-Indigenizing Communal Relationships With Water, Thaddeus Gamory, Miriam Lynch Ph.D., A. Udaya Thomas, Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq Ph.D., Mph

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This article aims to introduce and describe the development of the concept of Blue-Mindfulness Training^TM, which was created and designed by Thaddeus Gamory and supported by research and the experience of other experts in the field. Drawing from the author’s and others' practical experience, the authors present a "Voice from the Field" perspective on creating and developing the Blue-Mindfulness^TM . This Instructional Framework, coined by Mr. Thaddeus Gamory Blue-Mindfulness^TM, addresses the impacts of historical racial discrimination and trauma in BIPOC communities, specifically on marginalized African American communities while promoting a communal and safe relationship with …

Self-Reported Water Competency Skills At A Historically Black College & University And The Potential Impact Of Additional Hbcu-Based Aquatic Programming, Knolan C. Rawlins Ph.D., Shaun M. Anderson Ed.D, Tiffany Monique Quash Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This article provides an analysis of self-reported water competency skills at a Historically Black University (HBCU). A survey was administered to undergraduate students who lived on campus at one HBCU. Of the 254 respondents that reported the ability to swim, only 187 respondents self-reported the ability to swim and the ability to perform water competency skills. The biggest discrepancy occurred within individuals that identified as Black or African American. In this group, 142 out of 250 participants proclaimed the ability to swim. However, the number of Black or African Americans that could swim dropped to 84 when researchers operationally defined …