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Curvatures of the body can disrupt fluid flow and affect hydrodynamic resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a feedback intervention on glide performance and torso morphology. Eleven male and female national swimmers performed glides before and after augmented feedback. Feedback consisted of self-modelling visual feedback and verbal cuing, to manipulate body curvatures that affect hydrodynamic resistance. Two-dimensional landmark position data (knee, hip and shoulder) were used to enable computation of glide factor and glide coefficient as indicators of glide efficiency; posture (trunk incline and hip angle); and performance (horizontal velocity). Underwater images of the swimmers were manually traced to derive transverse and sagittal diameters, cross-sectional areas, and continuous form outlines (anterior and posterior) of the torso. Maximum rate of change in cross-sectional area and form gradient progressing caudally, were calculated for torso segments: shoulder-chest, chest-waist, waist-hip. Mean velocity, glide factor and glide coefficient values significantly (p< 0.001) improved due to the intervention, with large effect size (d) changes 0.880 (p= 0.015), 2.297 and 1.605, respectively. Significant changes to form gradients were related to reductions in lumbar lordosis and chest convexity. The study provides practical cuing phrases for coaches and swimmers to improve glide efficiency and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascertaining how racket orientation angle differences at ball-impact influence the accuracy of different squash strokes could assist player skill development and possibly reduce the number of unforced errors hit within a match. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in racket orientation angles of accurate and inaccurate forehand and backhand drive, volley and drop shots. A magnetic-inertial measurement unit embedded in a racket output orientation angles of twelve male junior players, with five accurate and five inaccurate shots per player per stroke analysed. Paired samples t-tests revealed that inaccurate backhand drop shots exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) less racket roll angle (racket face less open) at impact than accurate shots, indicating this parameter was a determining factor in the accuracy of this stroke. Racket orientation angle differences between accurate and inaccurate shots of the remaining strokes were too small to be used to distinguish shot accuracy. There was significantly greater variability in racket orientation angles during inaccurate forehand drop and backhand drive shots compared to accurate shots. These findings demonstrate how racket orientation angle differences at ball-impact can influence the accuracy of shots and highlights the need for consistent racket orientations to allow for an accurate shot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of coaching the Australian recommended fundamental overarm throwing skill criteria for less-skilled adolescents on movement competency using three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis. Methods: Less-skilled non-sports-active and skilled sports-active pupils were assigned to FMS Group (n = 97) and Sports Group (n = 129), respectively. Demographic, anthropometric, whole-body kinematic (discrete and time-series angular displacement and angular velocity data), motor coordination (segmental sequencing) and motor performance (maximum ball release speed) were analyzed. Baseline data were compared using independent T-tests and Chi-Square tests; interaction effects were assessed using repeated-measure ANOVAs. Changes in time-series kinematic data were analyzed by comparing the areas enclosed by the 95% confidence intervals. Results:There was merely a modest improvement in motor competency for the less-skilled pupils. The FMS group significantly acquired 13/75 discrete kinematic variables (p <.01) and four movement patterns but not motor coordination (p =.469) and motor performance (p =.756). Prior to the intervention, the pupils acquired 4/7 recommended skill criteria. The descriptions of another three criteria were not appropriate with no improvement in motor coordination and performance. Two new skills were identified and improved after the FMS intervention. Conclusions: The recommended skill criteria for children were not developmentally and age-appropriate for early adolescents. The use of quantitative 3D motion data provided a more precise and developmentally applicable fundamental overarm throwing criteria than content validated skill criteria. The recommended skill criteria should be modified to facilitate teachers and coaches for effective education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the process of transformation of higher education in Europe in response to the 1999 Bologna Accord. The "action lines" of the Bologna Process are described with particular attention to their influence on higher education in other countries, including the United States. The changes in Europe and the "external dimension" strategies associated with the Bologna Process present both opportunities and threats to existing higher education infrastructures globally, thereby stimulating reassessment of educational systems to maintain competitiveness in the international education market. The specific influence of the Bologna Accord on teaching practice of Physical Education and Kinesiology in Europe is also presented.

BACKGROUND: The knee is one of the most common injuries in sports. However, the incidence of knee injuries can be decreased by enhancing balance and neuromuscular control. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate how injury prevention programs (IPPs) that include balance training influence knee injury rates in athletes. METHODS: Data were obtained from different databases (1985–2021). Only randomised controlled trials that used IPPs that include balance training, were considered. Two investigators extracted data from the qualifying documents. The critical outcome data elements derived from the included studies were the number of ACL/knee injuries, ACL/knee injury rates, exposure hours, compliance rate, and follow-up duration. RESULTS: Compared to the control groups, those who participated in the IPP had a 54% lower risk of knee injuries per 1000 hours of exposure (IRR 0.457 (95% CI 0.346–0.603), P = 0.001) and a 60% lower risk of ACL injuries per 1000 hours of exposure (IRR 0.401 (95% CI 0.215–0.750), P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: IPPs that include balance training may reduce the risk of knee injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 11+ Kids is an exercise-based injury prevention program developed by an international group of experts to prevent injuries among child soccer players. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that the FIFA 11+ Kids program would be more effective than performing a typical warm-up regimen in reducing overall injuries among soccer players aged 7 to 13 years. Study Design: A clustered randomized controlled trial. Level of Evidence: Level 1. Methods: A total of 94 boys' soccer teams, including 780 players, were randomly allocated into an experimental or control group. Complete datasets were collected from 45 teams (377 players) and 43 teams (363 players) in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The experimental group underwent the FIFA 11+ Kids program as a warm-up during training sessions and matches at least twice a week, and the control group continued performing their usual warm-ups. Participants were prospectively followed during 1 season (6 months). The primary outcomes included the incidence of overall and recurrent injuries and their mechanism and severity. The secondary outcome was the rate of compliance with the intervention program. Results: A total of 43 injuries were reported in the experimental group in 50,120 hours of exposure (0.85 injuries/1000 exposure hours). A total of 86 injuries were reported in the control group in 42,616 hours of exposure (2.01 injuries/1000 exposure hours). The injury risk ratio was 0.43 (0.29-0.61), suggesting that the experimental group experienced 57% fewer injuries than those in the control group. Conclusion: The FIFA 11+ Kids program reduced overall injury rates in children playing soccer more than the usual warm-ups. Clinical Relevance: The results of this study provide evidence for children's coaches to consider including the FIFA 11+ Kids program in their warm-up regimen. Such a program may prevent injury risk and decrease absenteeism and injury-related financial burdens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sex and age on aerobic fitness, sprinting performance, and change of direction speed (CODS) in high school athletes, with consideration for maturity. This cross-sectional study involved 2,132 adolescents (1,415 male and 717 female athletes) aged 12.0–15.9 years. Assessment of aerobic fitness using the 20-m multistage fitness test (20MSFT) and 20-m sprint and CODS using the 505 test was performed. For the analysis of data, subjects were separated into 4 age groups: U/13 years, U/14 years, U/15 years, and U/16 years. Estimated age at peak height velocity was a covariate in the data analysis to control for maturity status. Compared with female athletes, male athletes had superior performances at all age groups in 10-m sprint (p < 0.001, effect size [ES] = >−0.44), 20-m sprint (p < 0.001, ES = >−0.55), and 505 test (p < 0.001, ES = >−0.41). Female athletes performed better than male athletes in 20MSFT at U/13 (p < 0.01, ES = −0.22); however, male athletes had better performances at U/15 (p < 0.01, ES = 0.27) and U/16 (p < 0.001, ES = 0.67). At each consecutive age group, male athletes improve their performances in 20MSFT and sprints and at U/14 and U/16 in the 505 test (p < 0.001, ES > −0.37). Female athletes showed no improvement in the 20MSFT and 505 test between U/13-U/16 but showed improved sprint performance at U/15 compared with U/13 and at U/16 compared with U/14 (p < 0.05). This study shows that adolescent male athletes perform consistently better than female athletes in running-related field-based tests and display continuous improvements across age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]