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Previous approaches to design archetypes in sport management have taken a single-country, multisport approach with a focus on National Sporting Organizations. While this line of research has provided significant breakthroughs for understanding sport organizations, there is a need to extend the boundaries of these investigations to explore variations within professional leagues in one sport and across multiple countries. Accordingly, the current study takes a single-sport, multicountry approach to explore how design archetypes vary and the factors influencing the variation. We analyzed the design archetypes of 104 professional football leagues using 44 organizational variables and identified four different design archetypes that can be used to categorize professional football leagues globally. Autonomy and openness were identified as the key factors determining design archetype structure in this environment. Our analysis of professional football league archetypes provides a foundation for understanding design archetype variation, and the insights can be used for comparison and analysis of meaningful change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most scholarly attention within sport management leadership research has focused on four main leadership theories: authentic, servant, transactional, and transformational. While recent research included the social construction of leadership and a call to explore more follower-centric aspects of leadership, little empirical research has focused on how leaders develop, or more succinctly -- leader development. Much of the leader development literature to date has mainly focused on large interventions or outcomes, oftentimes overlooking day-to-day, micro-moments of leader development. In sport-related research there has been a paucity of research directly addressing development of women and girls as leaders. The purpose of the current study, therefore, was to determine how female intercollegiate student-athletes develop into leaders through micro-moments. This study employed a qualitative approach using interviews and observations. Participants included two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III female teams. Three themes emerged from qualitative semi-structured interviews (N = 30) and observations (12 hours total) identifying the micro-moments of development: empowerment, modeling leadership, and peer-to-peer leadership. Findings explain how these micro-moments aid in the leader development process. The study enhances a theoretical understanding of intercollegiate student-athlete leader development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receiving a lifetime award allows one to pause and reflect on one's research journey. In the spirit of Earle Zeigler himself, I reflect on: "What I have learned ... " on my research journey, and more specifically on how I got there. My research has always focused on the interaction between sport, economics, and society and evolved: "From socio-economic impacts on sport participation to socio-economic outcomes of sport events." To cover 40 years of research, I am highlighting how: (a) "triggers," (b) "influencers," and (c) "lessons learned" intermingled to push my research agenda forward. This reflection proved to be a very gratifying exercise. I can highly recommend it to all researchers. Perhaps, this can become a stepping stone to be promoted to the rank of Prof. Emeritus or Emerita. Either way, sharing our experiences may trigger, inspire, and advance the learning of future generations of sport management scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs a pre-post survey design, engaging a purposive-convenience sample of 94 U.S. college athletes who participated in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics across eight sports and 22 countries. Utilizing validated scales, participants' group, national, and athletic identities were measured weeks before and after the event. Paired sample t-tests and a repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance were utilized to understand the effects of time and demographic variables on these identities. Results revealed that after competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, college athletes exhibited a significant decrease in their group identity and a significant increase in their national identity, while their athletic identity remained relatively unchanged. The results were qualified by student status interactions such that international students showed a significant decrease in group identity and a significant increase in national identity after competing in Tokyo 2020, with no significant changes observed in these identities for domestic students. The results illuminate a complex process of identity negotiation experienced by collegiate Olympic athletes that transition between Olympic and college sport environments. This study contributes to sport management literature by offering nuanced insights into the dynamics of role-switching, urging stakeholders to utilize these findings to enhance the experiences of college athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the public's response to the digital brand launch of the Seattle Kraken. Informed by agenda-setting theory and through content and social media analyses, the study identified the initial digital sentiment around the brand and the reach of the virtual conversations. The Kraken were able to encourage favorable conversation about the team by setting the agenda and encouraging consumers to engage with content at specific times during launch. In the first hour after brand launch, consumers focused conversation on the team, the logo and color scheme, and the effectiveness of the launch video. In the following 24 hr, the conversation remained positive and focused on how the brand positively represented the city and region. Through agenda setting, the Seattle Kraken were able to effectively launch their new brand while also setting the stage for positive brand-association development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses a topic neglected by the sport management literature: the impact of anticorruption effects of information and communication technology (ICT) in sport organizations on the role of organizational health mediation and organizational transparency. This study analyses this topic by presenting and testing a comprehensive theoretical model. This quantitative, descriptive survey uses structural equation modeling methodology. Data collection was carried out by employees (N = 384) working at the Iranian Ministry of Sport and Youth. The results of the study were processed using LISREL 8.80 software in the model and hypothesis testing, and the study found support for the theoretical model. The results show that (a) ICT is an effective tool for reducing administrative corruption of officials, and (b) in terms of both organizational health (variance accounted for = 0.40) and organizational transparency (variance accounted for = 0.39), ICT has a mediating role in reducing administrative corruption in sport organizations. This study fills a gap in the literature by addressing both personal and managerial perspectives, thus allowing directors of sport organizations to consider ICT a useful and practical management tool for reducing corruption among officials in sport organizations, as an adjunct to traditional methods such as administrative reform and law enforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A central issue within sport management is the extent to which the field should develop a distinctive theoretical knowledge base. This paper empirically investigates the connectedness within (intrafield) and between (interfield) management and sport management disciplines in one specific knowledge domain—institutional theory. We utilized a database of 188 sport-related institutional studies and conducted a citation network analysis of the aggregated reference lists from these articles. We argue that the fields of management and sport management act like "ships in the night." That is, as the field of sport management has become more distinctive, the field is becoming less connected with general management literature and contemporary theoretical discussions. Potential implications for sport management scholarship and understanding the nature of the field are discussed, along with how it may be possible (if desired) to bridge the gap between sport and management research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although involvement in recreational sports has been found to be beneficial for college students, sparse research has explored how recreational sports student employment has benefitted college graduates who are now active in the professional workforce. Filling this critical gap, this study explored how former recreational sports student employees (n = 10) developed marketable skills and increased their career readiness and professional capabilities. Findings suggest graduates did develop marketable skills that they regularly use as professionals, including interpersonal communication, teamwork and leadership, organization, and cross-cultural competency. Implications for research and recreational sports administration are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary provides a brief critique of current research on social media from a critical pedagogical and sociological perspective. It discusses how social media has become important for communities to congregate and share views, beliefs, and culture. Then, it describes how social media research in sport studies has developed in recent years, paying particular attention to how critical sport scholars view and evaluate this form of communication differently than traditional sport management academics. Following this, the commentary describes the ways that marginalized and privileged subcultures have utilized social media in ways that serve to amplify their voices in the crowded social mediascape and how the progressive possibilities of the two subcultures are in constant conflict with each other. Finally, the commentary describes theoretical, methodological, and empirical possibilities for future research by making the suggestion that more nuanced reception studies and/or praxical social media, as it pertains to sport, can be utilized toward progressive ends, despite the fact that those in power (read: upper class, heterosexual, White, and male) will incessantly fight to maintain their hegemonic position in society in and through the social medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big data and innovative research methods are two rapidly evolving trends that are transforming how we conduct research in sport management. Considering the natural relationship between social media, which is widely recognized as a major big-data source, and sport, this commentary centers on contemporary research method applied to social media data. In doing so, it discusses contemporary innovative techniques for social media data, focusing on exploring ways to access social media data, the natural language-processing techniques used, the challenges they address, the strengths and limitations of different techniques, and the ethical and privacy considerations associated with their use. Furthermore, the commentary demonstrates that using sentiment-analysis tools (e.g., Syuzhet, Bing, and AFFIN) is appropriate and efficient in analyzing sport's social media data. Thus, a rigorous application of contemporary innovative techniques can significantly shape the future of sport management research. However, researchers must exercise caution when considering the source and preprocessing of the data prior to applying advanced analytical techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on brand communities has burgeoned over the past 2 decades. Today many, if not most, sport organizations are entertaining dedicated brand communities. This article traces the development of community thinking in the field of sport management and marketing. Key articles on brand communities in leading journals in the field are identified, reviewed, and their core contributions distilled. By drawing on literature from adjacent fields, seven areas of future research are proposed: make or buy community, getting value from community, building a community capability, solving the community engagement puzzle, focusing on effective community engagement practices, analyzing the full community life cycle, and community for Web 3.0. The article provides a number of recommendations for future research on brand communities in sport management and marketing, enabling scholars to advance knowledge for both research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topics of social media and consumer behavior are inextricably linked. Since 2008, scholars in sport-studies fields such as sport communication and sport management have increasingly focused their research on social media use by sport entities and consumers. This commentary provides an overview of sport social media and consumer behavior scholarship to date, including prominent and growing topics such as consumers' uses of social media, social media engagement, user segmentation, and user-generated content. A scoping review was conducted to illustrate the current state of research on social media, sport, and consumer behavior. Future research priorities to advance this area of inquiry are also discussed, including more qualitative research resulting in rich and descriptive analyses, the need to better understand Gen Z as sport social media consumers, and the need to understand the connection between social media consumption and purchasing behavior. Finally, the commentary encourages scholars to expand their research focus in geographic contexts outside of North America, on underrepresented groups, such as women's sport and disability sport, and to adopt new theoretical frameworks for such research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on the foundational study conducted by Abeza et al., this work extends the investigation by critically reviewing social media research in sport studies published from June 2014 to June 2023. Methodologically, the review involved an examination of 153 original research articles from five prominent journals in sport communication and sport management, namely the International Journal of Sport Communication, Communication & Sport, Journal of Sport Management, Sport Management Review, and European Sport Management Quarterly. The study identified the research streams, platforms, theories, and research methods that have garnered attention in the social media research community. The findings reveal several key insights that contribute to the ongoing dialogue in the field, stimulating further exploration and advancing knowledge at the intersection of social media and sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voluntary occupational turnover is rampant within the economy and, thus, a timely line of inquiry within sport management. However, sport management literature has primarily explored turnover intentions rather than the realized experience of voluntary occupational turnover. Thus, the purpose of this study was to understand sport management employees' experiences of voluntary occupational turnover using the Transtheoretical Model of Change as a guiding theoretical framework. Interpretative qualitative inquiry guided the research design with 12 former Division I swimming coaches. Findings illustrated themes aligning with the Transtheoretical Model of Change. However, an additional theme was identified: the tipping point, occurring between contemplation and preparation when a discernible event occurred which prompted the participant to move from contemplation to preparation. This study further extends the Transtheoretical Model of Change and its applicability within sport while providing implications regarding the retention of sport management employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Objective:Design:Subjects:Results:Conclusion:Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an important problem in South Africa; they account for 60% of all deaths. Early screening could help lower NCD incidences and long-term consequences.The study aimed to profile NCD risk factors among insourced support staff at the University of Pretoria in 2018.A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at the University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus. The World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) questionnaire was administered to collect data in three steps. The participants’ behavioural risk profiles were gathered using the face-to-face interview technique (STEP I), followed by their physical risk profile using anthropometric and blood pressure measurements (STEP II). Last was the biochemical risk profile, including finger-prick blood glucose and cholesterol measurement (STEP III). Data were analysed using Epi-Info, version 3.54.A convenient sample of participants aged 18–64 years from the Departments of Industrial Hygiene and Building Services, Landscape Services, Sports Fields Management, and Security Services (n = 146, 60% were females) took part in the study.Most participants (97.8%) had low daily fruit and vegetable intake. Some 80% of the study population always or often added salt to their food when cooking. Daily alcohol consumption was reported by a quarter of the sample. More than two-thirds of all the participants were overweight or obese and 61% had central obesity.The study identified a high prevalence of several NCD risk factors. Tailored nutrition education and monitoring are needed to lower the elevated risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the integration of sustainability in sports management, emphasizing the perceptions and practices among Slovak sports managers. Topics include stakeholder engagement, the challenges of implementing sustainable practices, and the role of marketing in promoting sustainability within sports organizations.

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sport is often harnessed to serve broader societal objectives. In Flanders (Belgium) – the region of interest in this research – sport is instrumentalised to promote social integration and inclusion, particularly among communities with a migration background. However, this Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) policy and programming is not straightforward. Scholars have pointed to the lingering imperial residue within SDP, prompting a need for critical examination. Therefore, this research aims to gain an understanding of how contemporary SDP discourse in Flanders is socially and culturally constructed and what its performative implications are for communities with a migration background. To this end, online documents from the sport administration and organisations involved in SDP were subjected to critical discourse analysis informed by the theoretical and cultural understanding of post-colonial theory and decoloniality. The findings indicate that SDP discourse reflects a complex interplay of imperial legacies and neoliberal influences, simultaneously projecting an image of inclusivity and perpetuating inequalities. Consequently, decolonising the SDP discourse in Flanders is an imperative transformative process and requires a comprehensive approach rooted in historical awareness, contextual sensitivity, and challenging existing power structures. This decolonisation may pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive SDP framework, genuinely reflecting the diverse realities of communities with a migration background while acknowledging and rectifying its colonial legacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participant safety is becoming increasingly important as outdoor sports activities gain popularity. A machine learning-based strategy for risk assessment and safety control in outdoor sports activities is presented in this paper. Our framework uses predictive modelling, sophisticated algorithms, and historical data analysis to identify potential dangers and improve safety procedures. It also considers participant profiles and environmental conditions. Comprehensive testing and validation are used to examine the model's efficacy, showing that it can offer risk evaluations in real-time and support preventive safety measures. Our approach entails placing sensor-based Internet of Things (IoT) devices at building sites to gather extremely detailed temporal and geographic weather, building, and labour data. This data is then cooperatively used on the edge nodes to train Deep Neural Network (DNN) models in a cross-silos way. The present study makes a valuable contribution to sports safety by offering a clever approach that integrates technology and outdoor leisure to ensure participants have a safe and pleasurable experience. The experiment's outcomes show how well the suggested strategy works to increase the adoption of construction safety management systems and lower the likelihood of future mishaps and fatalities. As a result, the system has improved speed and responsiveness, an important feature for time-sensitive applications like safety prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the effects of organizational experience on psychological capital and psychological well-being in sport organizations. The organizational experience was measured using three variables which are authentic leadership, meaningful work, and perceived organizational support. The role of psychological capital as a mediator towards psychological well-being was also tested. The subjects of this study included employees of sport and youth organizations in the southern Iran. A PLS-SEM analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The results showed that authentic leadership, meaningful work, and perceived organizational support positively affected psychological well-being. Psychological capital served as a mediator between the organizational variables and psychological well-being. This study is the first attempt to assess the role of psychological capital and identify the type of leadership in Iranian sport organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined board composition in national sport federations (NSF) in the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). BRICS is a significant geopolitical group with a strong history and interest in sport, yet there has been relatively limited sport governance research in this context. Specifically, this study measured levels of board diversity (occupational and gender) and board size in the NSFs – factors that are widely considered to impact board effectiveness. Data were collected on 184 NSFs across the five countries from online sources. The results showed that across the BRICS countries NSF directors largely come from athletic backgrounds (45.1% of total), except for China where bureaucrats prevail (61.9%). Men dominate NSF board positions, from a high of 92.1% in India to 68.4% in South Africa. Board size ranged from 20.4 in India, to 14.2 in South Africa. This study brings sport governance research to new frontiers by generating insight into board composition in contexts that are under-researched and culturally diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study confirmed that without crowds there was no home advantage in association football during the COVID-19 2020-21 season. Consequently, we sort to answer the obvious question, 'Are crowds influencing referees' behaviour?' The number of home and away red and yellow cards awarded in the 'no crowd' COVID-19 2020-21 season (all 4 top English divisions) were compared with the home and away cards awarded during the previous 10 'crowd' seasons (2010-11 to 2019-20). Results revealed that there was no home advantage in red and yellow cards awarded by referees in all 4 English leagues/divisions during the COVID-19 2020-21 season. Referees awarded significantly more cards to away players when adjudicating with crowds (seasons 2010-11 to 2019-20). However, in more recent 'crowd' seasons, Premier League referees are less susceptible to such influences with a narrowing of the gap between home and away yellow cards, suggesting that their preparation, management and training provides them with an element of 'crowd immunity'. It would appear that home crowds are able to influence all but the very best referees' behaviour. These new insights provide important information for the training and management of referees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National Sport Organizations are increasingly expected to modernize their management practices and comply with governance principles. This research developed, validated, and applied a questionnaire to assess the modernization process of Brazilian Olympic NSO's. The first stage established the components of modernization based on a review of academic literature. Next, these components were used to create a questionnaire to audit Brazil's 35 Olympic NSO's. Data collection involved gathering and analysing material from organizational policies, strategies, and websites. Results suggest that most Brazilian Olympic NSO's have a moderate - weak adherence to modernization aspects of management. NSOs that present a high stage of modernization tend to present better practices of governance. In Brazil, it appears that the government and Brazilian Olympic Committee are sources of pressure for NSO's to modernize their management and governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the political skill of sport managers to assess its influence, along with P-O fit, on sport employees' job engagement and organizational identification. The study's sample consisted of American collegiate sport employees (N = 312) and findings revealed a positive influence of leaders' political skill on employees' job engagement and organizational identification when mediated by P-O fit. Two advancements are brought forth: (a) the value of political skill within the sport workplace and (b) the significance of P-O fit in supporting positive behaviors amongst sport employees. Additionally, sport leaders who employ politically skilled behaviors and enable P-O fit are likely to stimulate a competitive advantage for their sport organization. This study marks an early application of the political skill paradigm to the managerial element of sport and illustrates that sport managers who utilize political skill are able to cultivate positive employee-based outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of digitalization and sustainability principles, encapsulated within the Twin Transformation (TT) approach, has emerged as a transformative paradigm within sport management. However, there is a critical gap in understanding how these two transformative forces can be synergistically harnessed within the field of sport management. This paper explores the conceptual underpinnings of TT and its implications for enhancing organizational performance and addressing contemporary challenges in the sports industry. Drawing upon interdisciplinary perspectives, the paper examines how TT fosters innovation, enhances fan engagement, and promotes environmental responsibility within sport management. Through a synthesis of theoretical insights and practical examples, the paper highlights the potential of TT to drive positive change across various facets of sport management, from operational practices to stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, the paper underscores the importance of ongoing research and scholarly inquiry in advancing our understanding of TT and its implications for theory and practice in sport management. Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of TT in sport management, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders seeking to navigate the dynamic landscape of the sports industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to determine genetic markers related to endurance and strength. By better and early recognition of these gene markers, such training will be provided to these persons, which will help them become true athletes. But if these gene markers are identified at a better time, that person's talent will be wasted. The research is based on primary data analysis to determine the data used smart PLS software and generate results, including descriptive statistical analysis and the correlation coefficient, which also explains the smart PLS Algorithm model between them. The research study also determines the implications of talent identification in the sport. The critical implication of identifying gene markers is that it can help the personalized training of athletes. There are some sorts of training that coaches provide, but there are also some sorts of self-training that can be provided to oneself without the assistance of others. If there is timely identification of these genes, it will help athletes with personalized training programs. Overall, research found that there is a significant links between genetic markers of endurance and strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the challenges of engaging Chinese-speaking audiences in international sports events due to fragmented communication models and limited media integration. A novel interaction model based on multi-channel data fusion is proposed to enhance information dissemination and user engagement. The model integrates data from traditional media, internet media, and social media into a cohesive platform, utilizing advanced data fusion techniques, microservices architecture, and technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, and WebSocket for high availability and real-time interaction. Additionally, Nginx with the RTMP module and Akamai CDN ensures highquality streaming services. Experimental results demonstrate the platform's effectiveness in data integration, content publishing, and real-time user interaction, significantly improving Chinese engagement in international sports events. This research provides practical strategies for event organizers to enhance communication, leading to higher audience satisfaction and participation, and contributes to the theoretical framework of sports event communication through innovative and inclusive practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stopping competitions and the training process was a shock that sports organizations had to deal with. Financial problems forced them to rethink the situation. In Slovakia, this became critical. This is why we started to research this issue to provide an answer to the research question: What are the actual consequences of government measures on the sports industry? A survey was conducted including two questionnaires made available between the pandemic waves. The first questionnaire was designed for athletes and sports professionals (N = 1040). The second addressed sports organizations (N = 626). Questionnaires were accessible via sports organizations' portals. The ban on organizing mass sports events affected this industry. More than 80% of respondents had an experience of having to cancel a competition or training activity. This had an impact on their income as well as their future activities. We cooperate with government institutions and sports associations in Slovakia, so the results were provided to government officials. However, due to political changes accompanied by changes in the ministries responsible for the sports industry in Slovakia, it is relevant to summarize the research results in their present form. In this way they can serve as background for future sports policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using organizational innovation as a framework, this empirical study explores the drivers of innovation within Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs), highlights barriers that may hamper their abilities to innovate, and discusses strategies to overcome these barriers and enhance innovation capabilities. A qualitative embedded single-case study approach focusing on two OCOGs (i.e. 2024 Paris Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games) as the embedded units of analysis was conducted through an analysis of archival materials and interviews with key informants (n = 16) regarding innovation. Results suggest OCOGs experience various environmental, organizational, and individual drivers toward innovation but also encounter certain barriers (e.g. resistance to change, organizational characteristics, and knowledge limitations) that hinder the implementation of new practices. Suggestions are provided for ways OCOGs can enhance their innovation capabilities. This study adds a new dimension to sport event management literature by applying innovation concepts (i.e. organizational innovation) to the unique context of OCOGs, where innovation has become increasingly important in meeting stakeholder expectations. In doing so, this study contributes to the literature on innovation-related strategies and offers insight on how mega-sport event organizers can enhance their innovative capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, two functional superfine polyester yarns were selected as face yarns, three conventional yarns were selected as ground yarns, and 18 fabrics were designed by using a combination of three different plating structures. Then, through contact angle measurements, moisture management performance, thermal management performance, and breathability tests, we evaluated the effects of raw material, structure, and pore characteristics on the fabric's hygrothermal comfort, and furthermore assessed the prioritization of the three factors using a range analysis. The results show that fabrics with face yarn of 75 D/288 F have better hydrophilicity, and fabrics with face yarn of 50 D/216 F have a better temperature control effect. The fabric with spandex/polyester covered yarn or spandex/nylon covered yarn has the best moisture transmission, and the unidirectional transfer index can reach 300%. The microstructure has a great influence on air permeability, and the surface porosity is positively correlated with air permeability. Combined with the heat and humidity division of the sports body, the development of efficient zonal positioning of heat and moisture management sports undershirts can provide certain theoretical support for the design of weft-knitted seamless sports products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As motion capture technology becomes more popular for athlete monitoring and return-to-play evaluation, it is imperative that trunk mechanics are modeled similarly across participants. The purpose of this study was to determine how adjusting marker placement at the sternum or removing potentially occluded markers for purposes of tracking the trunk segment influences trunk kinematics during gait and a drop vertical jump (DVJ). Methods: Sagittal plane trunk angles of 18 participants were computed for a Definition Model and three trunk model variations. Model variations were specifically chosen to avoid difficulties with placement of the sternum and/or thorax markers in female participants due to sports bra coverage and/or occlusion. Intraclass correlation coefficients were computed per trunk model variation to determine agreement with the Definition Model. Results: The Mid-Sternum model, in which the xiphoid process marker was adjusted to the midpoint of the xiphoid process and jugular notch, exhibited the least discrepancies and excellent agreement with the Definition Model across both tasks. Alternatively, the No-Thorax model, in which the thorax marker was removed, exhibited the greatest kinematic differences during the DVJ and moderate to excellent agreement across both tasks. Conclusion: The marker set chosen to track trunk motion during dynamic tasks must include locations that can be placed similarly on all participants. Based on these findings, the xiphoid process marker may be adjusted superiorly prior to the collection of dynamic trials. The recommended model for tracking the trunk segment includes marker placements on the jugular notch, midsternum, and 1st and 10th thoracic spinous processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in both awareness of and engagement with the issue of sport and social justice. While research has been conducted on social justice in relation to university students enrolled on physical education (PE) courses, there has been little exploration of how the concept is understood and taught on sport-orientated courses (such as sport development, sport management/business, and sport coaching). Using a narrative, qualitative case study approach, this study draws on in-depth qualitative data generated from 14 semi-structured interviews with university lecturers, working in different English universities, responsible for teaching students on courses that were centred around sport. The intention is to explore how lecturers viewed the connection between theoretical knowledge and practical actions (praxis) in promoting social justice values. The work of Freire (1970) and intersectional theory are used to explore how those interviewed reflected on their teaching practices and informed their teaching and learning for inclusion, equity, and social justice outcomes. The interview transcripts were thematically analysed to identify the lecturers’ understandings, experiences, and teachings of sport and social justice. The findings show how the lecturers’ positionality was informed by a Freirean pedagogy (including the ideas of praxis and conscientização) which shaped their teaching and demonstrated a relationship between teaching, sport, social justice and activism. Based on the findings discussed here, it is proposed that social justice needs to be featured in all sports-orientated courses and not be treated as an optional extra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sport management leadership research has predominantly focused on leadership behaviours, particularly transformative leadership, without fully acknowledging the complex, multifaceted nature of leadership within the sports context. This perspective overlooks the reality that sports leaders operate within complex organizations and varied contexts that significantly influence their behaviours. Leadership in sports demands core capabilities in decision-making, communication, and strategic thinking, and a mindset that influences perception, decision-making, and behaviour. Consequently, a singular focus on transformative leadership may undervalue the importance of other attributes. This paper thus argues for a comprehensive leadership framework that integrates behaviours, roles, capabilities, and mindset, and draws insights from business management. By proposing this framework organized across four domains—Context, Roles, Capabilities, and Mindset—this paper aims to foster a deeper understanding of sports leadership dynamics, highlighting the necessity of a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of these elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a large amount of research on both successful project management and the management of professional sports organisations, but the relationship between these two phenomena remains to be analysed. Therefore, the aim of this article is to identify the similarities between sports seasons and projects by examining the characteristics of these two domains, as well as to lay the foundations for defining the potential management practices that can improve the efficiency of seasons using tools and techniques derived from project management. The results will be obtained through a narrative literature review of relevant books and articles on projects and sports seasons. The outcome of this research will contribute to a better understanding of how sport organisations can streamline their operations, optimise performance and ensure successful sport seasons by potentially implementing a project management approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowing where the body is in space requires reference to a stored model of the size and shape of body parts, termed the body model. This study sought to investigate the characteristics of the implicit body model of the trunk by assessing the position sense of midline and lateral body landmarks. Sixty-nine healthy participants localised midline and lateral body landmarks on their thorax, waist and hips, with perceived positions of these landmarks compared to actual positions. This study demonstrates evidence of a significant distortion of the implicit body model of the trunk, presenting as a squatter trunk, wider at the waist and hips. A significant difference was found between perceived and actual location in the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) directions for the majority of trunk landmarks. Evidence of a rightward bias was noted in the perception of six of the nine body landmarks in the horizontal (x) direction, including all midline levels. In the vertical (y) direction, a substantial inferior bias was evident at the thorax and waist. The implicit body model of the trunk is shown to be distorted, with the lumbar spine (waist-to-hip region) held to be shorter and wider than reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic visual acuity (DVA) is considered an essential component for studying the visual function, especially in challenging environments like team sports. Beyond frequent comparative studies, much information is still lacking about the mechanisms underlying DVA and possible differences in stimulus presentation. It is crucial to understand the performance of DVA under different conditions of contrast and trajectories to achieve more specific data and better ecological validity of measurements. Fifty-five top professional male Spanish athletes, including 23 soccer, 14 basketball, and 18 water polo players were selected. Static visual acuity (SVA) was evaluated at 5 m. DVA was determined at 2 m under combined conditions of velocity (52°/s), three trajectories (horizontal, diagonal 45° and 135°) and two contrasts (99.7% and 13%). Significant differences in most DVA conditions measurements show that the best scores correspond to horizontal, over diagonal trajectories, and high contrast. The correlation between SVA and DVA showed a different relationship depending on the contrast conditions. Professional soccer, basketball, and water polo players have similar characteristics with reference to all the DVA evaluated conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of this research, which was prepared in order to investigate the level of participation of the staff of the Kahta Youth and Sports District Directorate, which is one of the provincial organisations of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in which activities they participated in after the 6 February earthquakes and the level of effect of the volunteer factor on this participation, literature information about the Turkish public administration and the Ministry of Youth and Sports was given first. In the next section, information about the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Kahta District Directorate is given. In the analysis part of the study, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the diversity of activities in which the staff of the Kahta District Directorate participated after the 6 February earthquakes, their level of volunteerism and their future expectations in an institutional sense. The research showed that the staff of the Kahta Youth and Sports District Directorate successfully fulfilled their role in public administration after the earthquake and provided a high level of participation in the urgent needs of society. The volunteer factor also played an important role in this participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While consumer preferences for sporting goods have been widely researched within sport management, literature is lacking on aspects of social and environmental sustainability. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the role of social and environmental sustainability for purchase decisions of sportswear and compares them to the role of price and functionality. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a conjoint analysis among 1,012 Europeans, the authors conducted a two-step cluster analysis. First, the authors investigated the number of segments via Ward's method. Second, the authors ran a k-means analysis based on part-worth utilities from the conjoint analysis. Findings: The authors identified four segments which differ in terms of preferred product attributes, willingness to pay, and sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychographic characteristics: undecided, sustainable, price-focused and function-oriented consumers. Based on this segmentation, the authors found that the importance of social and environmental sustainability is growing, but not among all consumers. Research limitations/implications: The generalizability of the study is limited since it is not built on a sample representative for the included European countries, it focuses on a single product, and participants are potentially subject to a social desirability bias. Originality/value: The consumer analysis comprises the uptake of attributes related to social and environmental sustainability. The authors thereby address a literature gap as previous research (thematizing sporting goods) in the sport management field has often neglected sustainability elements despite their rapidly growing importance within the sport sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood doping remains a significant problem that threatens the integrity of sport. The current indirect method for detecting blood doping involves the longitudinal measurement of an athlete's haematological variables and identification of suspicious results that are indicative of doping (i.e., the athlete biological passport). While this has played a significant role in the protection of clean sport, improvements are needed. The development of a transcriptomic test, that can be used to detect the use of blood doping has been discussed and researched for decades and yet, an anti-doping test that can be adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is yet to be established. With recent advancements in our understanding, as well as in methods of sample collection, the possibility of a transcriptomic test that can be used by WADA, is imminent. There are, however, several practical considerations that must first be made, that will be highlighted in this perspective article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Those responsible for elite and youth athletes are increasingly aware of the need to balance the quest for superior performance with the need to protect the physical and psychological wellbeing of athletes. As a result, regular assessment of risks to mental health is a common feature in sports organisations. In the present study, the Brazil Mood Scale (BRAMS) was administered to 898 athletes (387 female, 511 male, age range: 12–44 years) at a leading sports club in Rio de Janeiro using either "past week" or "right now" response timeframes. Using seeded k-means cluster analysis, six distinct mood profile clusters were identified, referred to as the iceberg, surface, submerged, shark fin, inverse iceberg, and inverse Everest profiles. The latter three profiles, which are associated with varying degrees of increased risk to mental health, were reported by 238 athletes (26.5%). The prevalence of these three mood clusters varied according to the response timeframe (past week > right now) and the sex of the athletes (female > male). The prevalence of the iceberg profile varied by athlete sex (male > female), and age (12–17 years > 18+ years). Findings supported use of the BRAMS as a screening tool for the risk of psychological issues among athletes in Brazilian sports organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to explore the implementation and impact of management and technical standards within fitness clubs. Methodology: Employing a qualitative research design, the study involved semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including university professors in sports management, managers and experts from the licensing commission of fitness clubs, and standards specialists. The thematic analysis was used to interpret the data, focusing on the motivations for standard adoption, the processes of implementing these standards, and the perceived impacts on organizational performance and stakeholder engagement. Findings: The study reveals that fitness clubs adopt management and technical standards primarily to improve operational efficiency, ensure compliance with regulations, and enhance service quality. Challenges in standardization include aligning internal processes with external requirements and managing stakeholder expectations. Successful standardization efforts lead to improved operational efficiency, better stakeholder management, and enhanced competitive advantage. The research also highlights the importance of voluntary environmental programs and ISO certifications in signaling commitment to quality and sustainability. Conclusion: The adoption of management and technical standards in fitness clubs plays a crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction. Despite the challenges faced during implementation, the benefits of standardization are clear, suggesting that fitness clubs should continue to engage in these practices. Future research should aim to broaden the geographic and demographic scope of participants and incorporate quantitative measures to further validate the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work is to formulate proposals for improving the investigation of manipulation of the results of expected results in sports, taking into account the existing gaps in the Macolin Convention. The research employed formal-legal method, logical-legal method and descriptive method. The main obstacles to implementing the Convention of the Council of Europe on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions were identified. There are legislative, cultural, and economic differences between countries, which do not allow for its implementation in a single way for everyone. The study determined that combating the manipulation of sports competitions is impossible without the proper cooperation of countries and interested participants, aimed at increasing the transparency of the flow of funds in sports, improving sports management and legal framework, etc. The significance of the latest technologies in the fight against threats generated by the growth of the online betting market is noted. The importance of cooperation with the media in the course of investigations of manipulations was emphasised. The practical significance of the results is the possibility of their application to overcome existing obstacles in the fight against manipulation in sports and use the proposed methods of countering and investigating such manipulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to determine whether football clubs are valued according to financial parameters, as in other profit-seeking investments, or depending on the subjective preference of the buyers, in situations where buyers seek emotional rewards or a status symbol. This work analyses a unique data set of the prices of actual transactions of shares from clubs in the big European leagues from 2001 until 2019. A theoretical model is presented introducing financial, sporting, and localisation variables to study their influence in market value. We have found that the valuation of football clubs in acquisitions is influenced by financial parameters, as in other profit-seeking investments, and does not depend on the subjective preference of the buyers. Our findings show the end of the alignment of interests between new football owners and fans or current organisers of competitions, due to the preferences of the new investor profit-seekers of an American model of sport. The ownership of football clubs in the big leagues has changed dramatically in the last years. For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the present paper demonstrates the opportunity of analysing the valuations of the football industry with actual data from the transactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two rule changes have brought seismic shifts to collegiate sports in the United States - the right for college athletes to monetize their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and the Transfer Portal for athletes looking to switch schools. Qualitative interviews with 16 college athletes explored the mental health byproducts of these new athlete opportunities. The interviews suggest that many athletes are hesitant to participate in NIL due to a lack of guidance. The study also found that college athletes believe entering the Transfer Portal to be a highly stressful experience, comparing the process to being recruited out of high school. However, the accessibility of the Transfer Portal also helps students leave situations that negatively impact their mental health faster and easier than before. Since college athletes are a highly at-risk demographic for mental health issues, their first-hand perspective can help on-campus staff and administrators have a better understanding of what is needed to give collegiate athletes the best possible experience to learn and develop as students and citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational retirement is a major life transition that involves extensive planning, preparation, and coping strategies. Concept analysis was completed to explore adaptation to occupational retirement as a way to further understand sport retirement. Thirty-nine occupational-related articles were included in the final analysis. The primary antecedent to occupational retirement is financial stability, followed by age and family life. Antecedents to sport retirement include graduation, exhaustion of NCAA eligibility, and possibly injury. The antecedents are unique to each type of retirement, but the consequences are similar. Retirees of both types often experience feelings of loss, grief, depression, and identity crisis while adjusting to these changes. Achieving adaptation to the life transition of retirement can be enhanced by forming identities outside of work and sports, viewing the change as a gain rather than a loss, and preparing for retirement. Additionally, through this analysis, tools to measure quality of adaptation to occupational retirement were discovered. These tools could be applied to sports in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the digital age, the intersection between marketing and sports management becomes increasingly relevant to the success of sports organizations. This article addresses the evolution and complex dynamics between these two areas, emphasizing the need for innovative and adaptable strategies. Through a comparative analysis of traditional versus digital methodologies, the study highlights how technology, data analysis, and the digital engagement of fans represent critical levers in building strong sports brands and generating sustainable revenue. Exploring various digital marketing tactics — including social media, content marketing, and augmented reality — the article showcases how they can be leveraged to maximize fan engagement and loyalty. Additionally, the critical role of effective management is discussed, highlighting how advanced data analysis and technological innovations can improve sports performance and organizational operations. Through selected case studies, the paper illustrates practical applications of the discussed theories, thus providing an applied perspective and knowledge base for practitioners in the field. In conclusion, the article proposes a series of strategic recommendations, underscoring the importance of continual adaptation to the changing digital landscape to ensure success and sustainability in the sports world. This work aspires to serve as a valuable resource for both researchers and professionals in the fields of marketing and sports management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Sport Management in the Ibero-American World: Product and Service Innovations" is a comprehensive and cohesive book that explores the impact of technological advancements, fitness industry trends, and sporting event management on sport management practices in the Ibero-American region. The book focuses on eight countries and regions, including Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, and features empirical case studies and practical issues from 53 contributors. Divided into three sections, the book covers innovations in technologies, the fitness industry, and sports events. It offers a valuable resource for students, researchers, and industry professionals in the field of sport management, providing theoretical insights, empirical data, and practical solutions. [Extracted from the article]