Sports Studies Commons^™

Fighting Instinct: The Brain, Emotions And Decision-Making In The Water, Jill Nash, Sam Hills

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This conceptual paper explores the complex interplay among the human brain, emotions, and decision-making processes, particularly in aquatic environments. Integrating insights from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioural economics, we investigate how instinctual responses and emotional states influence our decisions during water-related activities. By analysing both biological and psychological factors, the paper aims to illuminate the intricacies of human behaviour in various aquatic settings and highlights significant gaps in the research on emotional decision-making that warrant further investigation. Additionally, the paper suggests interventions, including plausible communication strategies, to mitigate the impact of instinctual responses and improve safety and decision-making efficiency.

Goggles And Water Competence: An Addendum, Marek Rejman, Robert Keig Stallman Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

We offer this short addendum to the 2017 article that appeared in IJARE, ‘’From swimming skill to water competence: Towards a more inclusive drowning prevention future’’ (Stallman et al., 2017), as an editorial to argue that the essential water competencies ought to be mastered “without goggles.” The focus is on the potential negative effect of goggle use during beginning swimming instruction along with their likely absence during unintended and unexpected immersions in natural bodies of water that often lead to drowning. Rejman and Stallman (2024) demonstrated the development of dependence on goggles among young adults and described its negative effect …

In This Issue 14:4, Stephen J. Langendorfer Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

In This Issue 14:4

The Perceived Benefits Of And Barriers To Open-Water Swimming: A Mixed-Methods Examination, David Elliott Ph.D, Mark A. Christie Ph.D

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This study set out to determine the perceived benefits of, and barriers to, open-water swimming (OWS). Adopting a mixed-methods approach, six hundred and sixty-five open-water swimmers responded to an online survey consisting of the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS) and a series of open-ended questions. Data from the EBBS revealed the strongest perceived benefits to be ‘Psychological Outlook’ and ‘Life Enhancement.’ In terms of barriers, those presented in the EBBS received low ratings with only ‘Physical Exertion’ considered as being somewhat problematic. Content analysis performed on the open-ended responses showed social aspects, mental well-being, and connection to nature as …

Evaluation Of Online Information On The Cold Shock Response To Accidental Immersion In Cold Water, Adam Wilson, Heather Massey, Clare M. Eglin

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Many of the UK open water accidental deaths have been attributed to the initial responses to cold water immersion (CWI) collectively known as the cold shock response (CSR). The aim of this study was to analyse the publicly available internet information on CWI and CSR for accuracy and quality compared to the ‘gold standard’ published, peer-reviewed research. Seventy-eight webpages which provided information in English on unexpected CWI and CSR were evaluated. Webpages were accessible, widely available, and had appropriate readability scores. Webpage accuracy was suboptimal including only presenting on average 10 (range 3-16) CSR components out of 19. Quality of …

A Preventionist Framework For Reducing Drowning: A Case For Parenting Interventions, Miriam G. Clark, Linda Quan, Patricia Chamberlain

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Drowning is preventable but still claims the lives of over 300,000 people worldwide every year. The purpose of this theoretical review paper is threefold: 1) discuss the theoretical framework for a multi-faceted system of prevention; 2) discuss the importance of parenting, a crucial area where current drowning prevention research is falling short in this multi-faceted approach; and 3) discuss how evidence-based practices from psychosocial parenting research could be used to create drowning prevention interventions that support parents to implement water safety practices in their families. Practical ideas for integrating psychosocial parent interventions with drowning prevention knowledge are discussed. Such interventions …

The Supporting Role Of Physical Exercise In The Prevention And Treatment Of Neurodegenerative And Mental Diseases, Celestyna Grzywniak

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The aim of the article is to draw attention to the possibility of using physical exercises in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, dementia as well as mental disorders, particularly depression. This article emphasizes the significance of physical exercise in stimulating the nervous system, including the glial cells, as well as their role in the production of proteins called myokines and myostatins belonging to cytokines. It briefly characterizes the most common neurotrophins in the human body including the BDNF and their role in stabilizing and treating neurodegenerative and mental diseases. It presents the secretory functions of skeletal …

Relationship Between E-Sports And Physical Activity Participation: Validation Of The E-Sports Addiction Scale (Esas), Olivér Szabella, Lili Kassay, Attila Szabo

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: E-sports are becoming increasingly popular. Considering the addictive potential of video games, e-sports might be more addictive than traditional sports. This study assessed the addiction risk in regular e-sports players and its relationship with other physical exercise habits. Method: A sample of 116 (93.1% males; mean age = 23.91±4.47) e-sports players answered questions online on play and exercise habits and completed the E-sports Addiction Scale (ESAS) derived from the revised Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI-R). Results: The ESAS showed excellent model fit, allowing researchers to assess the risk of e-sports addiction in future studies. The risk rate of e-sports addiction …

Reliability And Criterion Validity Of The Turkish Version Of The Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire, Kubra Ayse Dasdemir, Sinem Suner-Keklik, Gamze Cobanoglu, Nevin A. Guzel

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study aims to determine reliability and criterion validity of the Turkish version of the Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire (RPAQ). Materials and methods: The study included 146 individuals aged 18–45 years. Translation and cultural adaptation of the questionnaire was performed with regard to an appropriate procedure. Test–retest reliability was analyzed in terms of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). For assessment of validity of the questionnaire, the criterion validity method was used. Criterion validity was evaluated using a pedometer, which is an objective measurement tool. The correlation between the total number of steps recorded during a week and RPAQ scores was …

High Performance International Student-Athletes’ (Isas’) Career Experience: Cultural Intelligence (Cq) And Transition To Sec Schools, Tsu-Lin Yeh, Mark S. Nagel, Allison Anders, Stephen Shapiro

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Given the increasing recruitment of International Student Athletes (ISAs) in the US, this study investigated high-performance international athletes’ career transitions in Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools. Utilizing Cultural Intelligence (CQ) theory, which explains a person’s capability for performing well in culturally diverse environments (Fang et al., 2018), this study specifically examined how the four CQ elements (metacognition, cognition, motivation, and behavior) impacted ISA’s transitions. Using criterion-based sampling and snowball sampling, a total of 14 ISAs (five females and nine males) were interviewed. The four CQ elements were utilized as protocol coding for analyzing the interview manuscripts (Saldaña, 2016). Facing new/different cultural …

Take A Risk Or Play It Safe? Views Held By Student-Athletes, Russell D. Ravert, Marissa K. Turner, Wenting Sun

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Because assessing and managing risks is an integral part of sports, athletes may develop general beliefs regarding taking and avoiding risks that they draw upon. This qualitative study used inductive content analysis of survey responses to examine risk-related experiences and attitudes in sample of U.S. NCAA Division I college student-athletes (N = 101) from a variety of sports. Participants were asked to describe situations they experienced that required deciding whether or not to take risks, and to describe their “personal philosophy” on taking risks and playing it safe. Thematic analysis identified five situational contexts in which the student-athletes said …

The Dual Demands Of College Student-Athletes: A Qualitative Exploration Of Contributors And Barriers To Academic And Athletic Success, Kayleigh Hart, Leilani Madrigal, Alison Ede, Janaina Fogaca

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

College student-athletes perform at high levels in school and sport. Previous studies have found academic barriers (e.g., time management) and contributors (e.g., academic center supports; Hardin & Pate, 2013), but there is a need to investigate factors that impact success for athletic and academic pursuits in tandem. In the present study 176 college student-athletes across nine institutions and 18 sports answered the following: What do you feel contributes to your success (1) in school? (2) in your sport(s)? What do you feel is a barrier to your success (3) in school? (4) in your sport(s)? Themes were categorized as intrinsic …

#Rookieparty: The Intersections Of Social Media, Hazing, And Canadian Varsity Sport, Jay Johnson Dr., Geneva Gudmundson, Jessica W. Chin, Margery Holman

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Prior to the start of the pandemic in 2020, almost two-thirds of all varsity athletes across gender and sport in Canada had engaged in a sport hazing ritual (Johnson et al., 2018). While hazing in sport has been researched from a variety of perspectives, few studies have examined hazing in the context of varsity athletes' social media use. This is a potential space where Johnson (2017) suggested that technological tools such as cellphones, that provide instant access to social media, have enabled users to more easily capture and post online, potentially exacerbating the trauma inflicted on rookies during team hazing …

The Athletes’ Plate: Understanding Influences Of Athletes’ Eating Attitudes, Exercise Behaviors, And Body Image Satisfaction, Delanie Patterson, Brooklynn Raacke, Ryssa Schlaefli

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Delanie Patterson¹, Brooklynn Raacke¹, and Ryssa Schlaefli²

¹Department of Psychology, Fort Hays State University

²Department of Health and Human Performance, Fort Hays State University

Faculty Sponsors: Brooke Mann¹, Ph.D. and Jessica Phelan², Ph.D.

¹Department of Psychology, Fort Hays State University

²Department of Health and Human Performance, Fort Hays State University

Hays, Kansas

Introduction: Disordered eating (DE), compulsive exercise (CE), and body image satisfaction (BIS) negatively affect male and female athletes. These variables each have a core symptomology but continue to evolve with the increased usage of social …

Implementation Of Salary Caps In European Soccer Leagues, Tobias Ruffo

Honors Projects in Mathematics and Economics

This paper explores the theoretical implications of introducing a salary cap into a sporting system that traditionally lacks such a restriction: the professional European soccer system. Common themes regarding salary caps evident in the literature include views that deem them ineffective or insufficient in enhancing competitive balance, often suggesting that their implementation primarily benefits team owners financially. Conversely, there are studies demonstrating that salary caps indeed promote competitive balance and are not merely instituted for owners' financial gain. These themes will be analyzed through regression analysis of salaries and win percentages across the top four American professional sports leagues. The …

Matching Colors In Jersey Sponsorship: The Effect Of Team-Colored Sponsor Logo On Jersey Aesthetics And Purchase Intention, Sung Wook Son, Antonio Williams

Journal of Applied Sport Management

In jersey sponsorship, some sponsors today have decided to modify their logo colors to match the team colors. The present research examined the role of team-colored sponsor logo in jersey sponsorship, paying particular attention to its impact on perceived aesthetics of the jersey and fans’ willingness to purchase. Three experiments using both fictitious and actual sponsors across two different sports showed that the team-colored sponsor logo on a jersey was a positive predictor for both perceived aesthetics and purchase intention at all levels of team identification. The findings also revealed the indirect effect of the team-colored sponsor logo on purchase …

The Relationship Between Individualised Speed Thresholds And Changes In Aerobic Fitness In Elite Professional Youth Soccer Players. A Case Study, Ronan Kavanagh, Kevin Mcdaid, David Rhodes, Jill Alexander, Damian Harper, Rafael Oliveira, Kieran Berry, Mark Connor, Piotr Zmijewski, Ryland Morgans

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study aimed to examine the dose-response relationship between training load and aspects of physical fitness in English Premier League (EPL) U23 soccer players. Materials and Methods: Seven male EPL U23 outfield soccer players (age 20.1±1.1 years) participated in this study and performed the Bronco test on five occasions within one season. Individualised running thresholds were employed using maximal aerobic speed (MAS), anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) and maximal sprint speed (MSS) values utilising a GPS system. Results: No significant differences in the Bronco performance between the tests (p > 0.05, ES = 0.101) were observed. Distance covered above 30% …

Associations Of Parental Perceived Health With Child Movement Behaviors Within Two-Parent Households, You Fu, Hayley Almes, Nora Constantino, Doria Schmidt, Ryan D. Burns

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study aimed to examine how perceived parental mental and physical health status was associated with child physical activity, screen time, and sleep. Participants were 6- to 17-year-old minors (N = 20,156; 47.9% female) from the 2022 US National Survey of Children’s Health. Dependent variables were children’s physical activity frequency, screen time, and sleep. Independent variables were parents’ physical and mental health status. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, two adjusted path models were constructed. One for parent mental health associating with parental physical health, another for parent physical health associating with parental mental health–both further associating with child movement behaviors. …

Breaking Boundaries: A Critical Trans Framework Analysis Of Anti-Transgender Sports Policies In Education, Tori Porter, Briana A. Savage, Dresden June Frazier

Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education

This policy analysis examines the impacts of anti-transgender sports legislation on K-20 transgender students through a critical trans framework. We investigate how anti-transgender laws enforce gender norms and intersect with other forms of oppression, such as racism and ableism, affecting multi-marginalized transgender students in sports and limiting access to a well-rounded education. Epistemic injustice is revealed, as these policies disregard transgender students' experiential knowledge and involvement in decision-making processes. Findings indicate that anti-transgender sports policies impact students at individual, institutional, and cultural levels, perpetuating discriminatory practices and reducing access to gender-affirming spaces and supportive adults. We argue for inclusive, evidence-based …

Modeling The Relationship Between Calories And Activity Metrics: A Regression Analysis With Variable Selection, Felix Yeboah

Data Science and Data Mining

Physical activity monitors have become integral to daily routines, with wearable devices such as the Apple Watch and Fitbit offering continuous data on users’ physical activity. This study compares the measurement accuracy of these devices by examining how they record parameters relevant to fitness and health. Employing multiple linear regression, we modeled the relationship between calories expended and a set of explanatory variables, including heart rate, steps, distance, age, activity level, weight, and device type. Evaluation of all possible variable combinations identified heart rate, steps, distance, weight, and watch type as the most effective predictors of calorie expenditure. Although the …