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Purpose: Concussion management is shifting away from a rest-is-best approach, as data now suggest that exercise-is-medicine for this mild brain injury. Despite this, we have limited data on habitual physical activity following concussion. Therefore, our objective was to quantify accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary time in children with concussion (within the first month of injury) and healthy controls. We hypothesized that children with concussion would be less active than their healthy peers. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of prospectively collected accelerometer data. Our sample included children with concussion (n = 60, 31 females) and historical controls (n = 60) matched for age, sex, and season of accelerometer wear. Results: Children with concussion were significantly more sedentary than controls (mean difference [MD], 38.3 min/d, P =.006), and spent less time performing light physical activity (MD, −19.5 min/d, P =.008), moderate physical activity (MD, −9.8 min/d, P <.001), and vigorous physical activity (MD, −12.0 min/d, P <.001); these differences were observed from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Sex-specific analyses identified that girls with concussion were less active and more sedentary than both boys with concussion (P =.010) and healthy girls (P <.010). Conclusion: There is an activity deficit observed within the first month of pediatric concussion. Physical activity guidelines should address this while considering sex effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of ChatGPT (Chat generative pretrained transformer), a large language model, in calculating sample size for sport-sciences and sports-medicine research studies. Methods: We conducted an analysis on 4 published papers (ie, examples 1–4) encompassing various study designs and approaches for calculating sample size in 3 sport-science and -medicine journals, including 3 randomized controlled trials and 1 survey paper. We provided ChatGPT with all necessary data such as mean, percentage SD, normal deviates (Zα/2 and Z1−β), and study design. Prompting from 1 example has subsequently been reused to gain insights into the reproducibility of the ChatGPT response. Results: ChatGPT correctly calculated the sample size for 1 randomized controlled trial but failed in the remaining 3 examples, including the incorrect identification of the formula in one example of a survey paper. After interaction with ChatGPT, the correct sample size was obtained for the survey paper. Intriguingly, when the prompt from Example 3 was reused, ChatGPT provided a completely different sample size than its initial response. Conclusions: While the use of artificial-intelligence tools holds great promise, it should be noted that it might lead to errors and inconsistencies in sample-size calculations even when the tool is fed with the necessary correct information. As artificial-intelligence technology continues to advance and learn from human feedback, there is hope for improvement in sample-size calculation and other research tasks. However, it is important for scientists to exercise caution in utilizing these tools. Future studies should assess more advanced/powerful versions of this tool (ie, ChatGPT4). [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.)

This study aimed to examine the acute effects of squat and ballistic jump exercises during warm-ups on judo-specific performance in young male judokas. Using a randomized crossover design, 10 sub-junior male judokas (age: 12.9 ± 0.7 years) completed three conditions: a controlled warm-up with only judo-specific exercises and two experimental warm-ups including either a three-repetition maximum (RM) back squat (with ~90% 1RM load) or ballistic jumps (squat jumps, scissor jumps, and double-leg bounds) in addition to judo-specific warm-ups. Following each warm-up condition, participants performed the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT), with heart rate measured immediately and one minute post-test. Handgrip strength and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded after the SJFT. Both squat and ballistic jump exercises significantly improved judo-specific performance compared to the control condition, with large effect sizes (ESs). The number of throws in set 2 (p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.65, large ES), total throws (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.70, large ES), and the SJFT index (p < 0.001, ηp2= 0.65, large ES) all showed significant improvements. Regarding the throw in set 2, significant improvements were observed after both squat (p = 0.003, Hedge's g = 1.78, large ES) and ballistic jump exercises (p = 0.010, Hedge's g = 1.44, large ES) compared to the control condition. Similarly, total throws were significantly higher in the squat (p = 0.003, Hedge's g = 1.51, large ES) and ballistic jump (p < 0.001, Hedge's g = 1.37, large ES) conditions compared to the control condition. Furthermore, the SJFT index showed notable improvements following squat (p = 0.010, Hedge's g = 0.80, moderate ES) and ballistic jump (p < 0.001, Hedge's g = 0.90, moderate ES) conditions compared to control conditions. However, squat exercises led to a significant reduction in right-hand grip strength (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.58, large ES) [p = 0.008, Hedge's g = 0.19, trivial ES for squat vs. control; p = 0.014, Hedge's g = 0.23, small ES for squat vs. ballistic jump], with no differences observed in left-hand grip strength or RPE scores (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the integration of squat and ballistic jump exercises into warm-up protocols has been shown to significantly improve judo-specific performance in young male judokas without eliciting an increase in RPE values. However, careful consideration should be given when incorporating squat exercises, as they may lead to localized handgrip fatigue (reduced grip strength due to muscle exhaustion), which could affect performance in grip-dependent techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic sports (esports) and research on this emerging field are interdisciplinary in nature. By extension, it is essential to understand how to standardize and structure training with the help of existing tools, developed over years of research in sports sciences and informatics. Our goal for this work is to review the available literature in esports research, focusing on sports sciences (training, periodization, planning, and career stages) and software (training tools, visualization, analytics, and feedback systems). To verify the existing sources, we applied the framework of a scoping review to address the search from multiple scientific databases with further local processing. We conclude that the current research on esports has mainly focused on describing and modeling performance metrics that span over multiple fragmented research areas (psychology, nutrition, informatics). However, these building blocks have not been assembled into a well-functioning theory of performance in esports by, e.g., providing exercise regimes or methods of periodization for esports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilising novel ways of knowing, aligned with an ecological approach, the Learning in Development Research Framework (LDRF) has been introduced as a different way to guide research and practice in sport. A central feature of this framework is an appreciation of researcher embeddedness; positioned as an inhabitant who follows along with the unfolding inquiry. This positioning is integral for enriching ones understanding of the relations between socio-cultural constraints and affordances for skill learning within a sports organisation. Moreover, the notion of embeddedness foregrounds the ongoing nature of inquiry when practiced as an art of inquiry. In an effort to extend these ideas, this paper highlights how a phronetic iterative approach to data analysis-synthesis could be undertaken, while ensuring that the researcher remains 'in touch' with a phenomenon, and thus faithful to key tenets of research practiced as an art of inquiry. To illustrate this, we present a 'walk-through' from a recent LDRF study. Rather than focusing on data collection or recorded observations made from afar, this walk-through shows how a researcher, practicing an art of inquiry, can grow knowledge of and with the phenomena, enriching the evolution of practice and performance from within an ecology of relations. [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.)

Objectives. This bibliometric analysis aimed to examine the trends, patterns, and significant contributions to the understanding of the one-handed backhand drive biomechanics in tennis from 2000 to 2024. Materials and methods. Using the Web of Science and Scopus databases, a systematic review of academic literature was conducted, including articles, conference papers, and reviews. The study examined publishing trends, geographical distribution, authorship, citations, and thematic content. Results. The analysis revealed a steady increase in publications, reaching a peak between 2015 and 2020. Research articles were the most common document type, followed by reviews and conference papers. The United States and Australia were the leading contributors, with a strong culture of international collaboration evident. Keywords such as “biomechanics,” “tennis,” “backhand,” and “performance” were central to the research. The Journal of Sports Biomechanics was a prominent publication venue, with several highly cited documents. Conclusions. The bibliometric analysis demonstrated significant scientific progress in understanding the biomechanical principles of the one-handed backhand drive in tennis. It highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and global partnerships in advancing sports biomechanics research. The study serves as a comprehensive reference for scholars, coaches, and practitioners, offering insights into performance enhancement and injury prevention strategies, and identifying potential areas for further research.

Purpose: The concept of training quality reflects that the effect of training is dependent on more than the mere product of training load (eg, duration, intensity, frequency). The aims of this commentary are to (1) propose a practice-oriented framework to describe training quality and its general and context-dependent characteristics and (2) discuss how athletes and coaches can work to improve training quality. Conclusions: Training quality can be viewed from different perspectives. The holistic dimension includes the entire training process (goal setting, gap analysis, application of training principles and methods, etc), while a narrower dimension encompasses the specific training sessions and how they are executed in relation to the intended purpose. To capture the varying contexts, we define training quality as the degree of excellence related to how the training process or training sessions are executed to optimize adaptations and, thereby, improve overall performance. Although training quality is challenging to quantify, we argue that identification and assessment of quality indicators will increase our scientific understanding and consequently help coaches and athletes to improve training quality. We propose that the physical, technical, and psychological factors of training quality can be improved through an individualized learning process of systematic planning, execution, and debriefing. However, assessment tools should be identified and scientifically validated across different training sessions and sports. We encourage further interventions to improve training quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaç: Bu çalışma 1982-2021 yılları arasında Türkiye’de spor ve beslenme konusunda yapılmış yüksek lisans ve doktora tezlerinin çeşitli parametreler bakımından incelenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır.Yöntemler: Yüksek Öğretim Kurulu’nun tez arşivinden ulaşılan 13’ü doktora ve 87’si yüksek lisans tezi olmak üzere toplam 100 adet tez, çalışmaya dâhil edilmiştir. Çalışma, doküman analizi tekniğiyle tasarlanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS 23 paket programı kullanılarak tanımlayıcı istatistiklerle sunulmuştur.Bulgular: Tezlerin en fazla 2019 yılında yapıldığı, desen açısında nicel desenin, örneklem büyüklüğünde 100 ve altı katılımcının, veri toplama araçlarından anket ve biyolojik materyallerin daha sık kullanıldığı belirlenmiştir. Örneklem türü bakımından en sık sporcularla çalışıldığı, en sık uygulanan müdahalenin beslenme müdahalesi olduğu, en sık uygulatılan egzersiz müdahalesininse bisiklet ve koşu egzersizleri olduğu belirlenmiştir.Sonuç: Tezlerde yapılan müdahalelerin kapsamı genişletilerek, spor bilimleriyle ilişkili diğer alanlarla ortak çalışmalar yapılarak spor ve beslenme disiplininde yapılan çalışmaların niteliği artırılabilir.

Recent concerns have been raised regarding the ethical considerations of conducting body composition assessments in sports. Specific apprehensions pertain to the inappropriate use of percent body fat and the limited application of the results to performance and recovery. Fat-free mass index (FFMI), a height-adjusted assessment of FFM, can serve as an alternative body composition metric to focus on in sports. Fat-free mass index provides valuable context regarding an optimal amount of FFM, accounting for skeletal frame and height while helping to qualify an athlete's FFM as low, moderate, or high. This review posits that shifting the focus of body composition measures to FFM can support more ideal targets across athletic seasons, careers, and the return to play after injury. In addition, a FFM focus may help change the perception of body composition assessment and how athletes perceive their current body because of the increased focus on the FFM compartment and the goal of maximizing tissue accrual, rather than focusing on fat loss. Fat-free mass index is calculated by dividing FFM (kg) by height (m²) and can serve to normalize FFM, relative to height, and enable comparisons across athletes, sport types, and sex. Previous research has identified differences in FFMI across sex and among sport categories. Still, there is a need for more published data to develop optimal ranges for FFMI across sex, sports, and positions. As more data become available, FFMI has the potential to provide normative guidelines for optimal FFM development, performance, and injury risk reduction. The purpose of the current review was to summarize FFMI values across collegiate sport categories and competitive status to provide normative profiles, according to sex and sport type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The editorial discusses the importance of understanding the dose-response relationship to exercise in athletes, emphasizing the need for personalized training programs based on individual physiological responses. The Research Topic in the journal contains four manuscripts that analyze this relationship to enhance athletic development. The studies focus on soccer-specific activities in female collegiate players, off-ice predictors of on-ice performance in youth ice hockey, complex resistance training methods, and the effects of endurance training on muscle oxygen saturation. The findings aim to provide coaches and practitioners with valuable insights to optimize training protocols and foster long-term athlete development. [Extracted from the article]

Retention of higher education students is of major concern within the United Kingdom due to the financial and reputational impact on institutions, financial and personal impact on students and loss of potential skills and knowledge within society. Student background characteristics are acknowledged as the initial factors influencing retention within various models, however subject specific understanding is limited. This study aimed to identify pre-enrolment factors associated with student retention in Sport, Health and Exercise Science programmes. Student retention at department and programme level were calculated by 'time to event' analysis using Kaplan–Meier survival trend curves and log rank (Mantel–Cox) analysis for; gender, age, locality to the university, highest qualification on entry and participation of local areas in higher education (POLAR4) classifications. Results identified that male students, students from low Higher Education participation neighbourhoods and students who enter Higher Education without A-Level or foundation qualifications were at an increased risk of degree non-completion. Importantly, these characteristics were also disproportionally high in the student populations considered here. It is imperative that initiatives to improve retention, particularly in these populations, are sought and implemented at department level to improve student and institutional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is the first to provide insights into the experiences of gay men studying a university degree in Physical Activity and Sport Science (PASS) in Spain. Drawing on Bourdieu's categories, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 PASS students and ex-students that were subsequently studied through deductive-inductive thematic analysis. Our findings show the PASS context to be a heteronormative, masculinised and cisgender social field. Male homosexuality was almost invisible except when antigay language was used. Considering this environment, most of our interviewees chose to remain in the closet, which contributed to low levels of wellbeing and high levels of stress and anxiety. However, the few students that chose to come out experienced relief and felt included by some of their classmates and by staff. Discussed are key aspects of the dominant culture in PASS faculties and the repercussions for the mental health and wellbeing of gay students. Our research also provides new insights into the nature and prevalence of microaggressions regarding sexual orientation that will help PASS and university management develop specific strategies and programmes to foster inclusivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Midwifery & Health Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals 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.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between external workload exposure and changes in countermovement jump force-time characteristics over the course of an entire basketball season, in a sample of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, female, basketball players. Data for 12 players were retrospectively analyzed, with external workload being quantified by means of an exponentially weighted, acute, and chronic workload, as well as an acute:chronic workload ratio derived from an inertial measurement unit--based system worn by athletes for all practices and games during the regular season. Countermovement jumps were performed on a total of 26 test days over the span of the in-season competitive period. To statistically analyze these relationships, and to account for multiple observations of the same athletes in a data set, linear mixed-effects models with athlete identity (ID) intercept as the random effect were used. Study findings suggested that associations between external workload exposure and respective force-time characteristics after controlling for the random effect of athlete ID were dependent on the specific metric or metric subgroup used, as well as the type of workload exposure (e.g., acute vs. chronic). Force-time signatures from the braking phase (e.g., average braking force) seemed to be particularly associated with higher degrees of acute workload exposure, whereas strategy-based metrics such as countermovement depth showed significant associations with chronic workload exposure. Furthermore, model results suggested the importance of analyzing neuromuscular responses to external workload on an individual basis, rather than across an entire team. Findings might help practitioners in their selection process related to metrics of interest in monitoring neuromuscular fatigue and readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid advances in technology are of particular concern in the development of sports. Studies related to the application of technology in sports have begun to develop, especially in the sport of Taekwondo. This research aims to develop an Android-based statistical application that focuses on analyzing taekwondo matches. This is an research and development (R&D) project. Interviews were conducted to collect information needed for researchers and the needs of athletes and coaches in developing this application. Experiments and evaluations are needed to perfect the applications that have been created. The results of the study are statistical applications for analyzing attack techniques, defensive techniques, and game patterns. These applications were specifically designed for the Android platform. The main advantage of this application is its ability to increase efficiency and accuracy in match analysis, replacing manual methods that are prone to errors. By providing tools that can be accessed on a variety of mobile devices, the app hopes to bring positive change in the way coaches and athletes approach competition preparation. In conclusion, it is hoped that the development of an Android-based statistical application can make a real contribution to the development of the sport of taekwondo by providing specific, efficient and responsive technological solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício is the property of Instituto Brasileiro de Pesquisa e Ensino em Fisiologia do Exercicio 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.)

In elite sports, athletic excellence demands meticulous performance preparation and a sound health status. This paper overviews the current propositions and applications of pervasive computing and data analytics and our vision on how they should be used in future frameworks to contribute to the optimal balance of athletes' performance and health requirements. Two main areas will be discussed. The first area is Sports Performance Optimization, in which we consider interesting recent advancements in data analytics for performance improvement, equipment design, and team member recruitment and selection. We will also briefly discuss how the betting industry has been relaying and developing sports analytics. The second area is Athlete's Wellness and Wellbeing, which will discuss how wearables and data analytics have been used to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior profiles, sleep and circadian rhythm, nutrition and eating behavior, menstrual cycles, and training/performance readiness. In the final part of this paper, we argue that a critical issue for managers to enhance their decision making is the standardization of acquired information and decision-making processes, while introducing an adaptable, personalized approach. Thus, we present and discuss new theoretical and practical approaches that could potentially address this problem and identify precision medicine as a recommended methodology. This conceptualization involves the integration of pervasive computing and data analytics by employing predictive models that are constantly updated with the outcomes from monitoring tools and athletes' feedback interventions. This framework has the potential to revolutionize how athletes' performance and well-being are monitored, assessed, and optimized, contributing to a new era of precision in sports science and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to evaluate the (a) relationships between daily physical demands and nighttime sleep, heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV); (b) weekly changes in physical demands and sleep; and (c) differences among positions and between training and competition during a competitive season in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women's ice hockey. Twenty-five NCAA Division I women's ice hockey athletes wore a sensor at night to monitor sleep quantity or quality (e.g., time asleep and sleep efficiency) and physiology (e.g., HR and HRV). During training and competitions (31 regular season and 7 postseason), athletes wore performance monitoring systems to assess workload demands (e.g., training impulse and TRIMP). As internal workload (TRIMP, Time >80% of HRmax, Average HR) during training or competition increased, nocturnal HRV decreased, HR increased, and Sleep Duration, Sleep Score, and Readiness Score decreased that night. Across the season, athletes experienced lower HRV, but exhibited longer sleep durations. Training Distance, Duration, Time >80% HRmax, Average HR, and TRIMP decreased, whereas competition Total Distance, Duration, and TRIMP increased across weeks throughout the season. There were differences across positions and season blocks when evaluating these data at the mesocycle level. Athletes slept longer before competition compared with training, but physiological data did not differ. Competitions had greater physiological demands than training. We speculate that the increased focus on sleep hygiene, as evidenced by the increase in sleep over the season, may have served as a recovery aid to combat physiological stress of accumulated demands of competitions that increased over time into postseason tournaments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the performance of lecturers is a vital tool to ensure optimal education and learning aligned with established quality standards. However, there is currently no universally accepted tool for evaluating the performance of Faculty of Sport Science (FIK) lecturers in Indonesia. This research aims to create and standardize a performance evaluation instrument for FIK lecturers, focusing on Professional, Social, and Personal aspects. Employing a Research and Development (R&D) design with a procedural model, the standardization process involves several key steps. The study focuses on UNP FIK lecturers as test subjects. The standardization process encompasses compiling a framework, expert testing, a limited trial involving 30 samples, and a broader test with 82 samples. Practicality and effectiveness tests are also conducted. Data analysis, performed using the IBM SPSS program with a significance level of p < 0.05, supports the formation of a standardized instrument capable of nationally evaluating the performance of FIK lecturers.

Electronic sports (esports) and research on this emerging field are interdisciplinary in nature. By extension, it is essential to understand how to standardize and structure training with the help of existing tools, developed over years of research in sports sciences and informatics. Our goal for this work is to review the available literature in esports research, focusing on sports sciences (training, periodization, planning, and career stages) and software (training tools, visualization, analytics, and feedback systems). To verify the existing sources, we applied the framework of a scoping review to address the search from multiple scientific databases with further local processing. We conclude that the current research on esports has mainly focused on describing and modeling performance metrics that span over multiple fragmented research areas (psychology, nutrition, informatics). However, these building blocks have not been assembled into a well-functioning theory of performance in esports by, e.g., providing exercise regimes or methods of periodization for esports.

Purpose: To report the impact of long-haul travel and the Olympic tournament on heart-rate variability and subjective well-being in a rugby sevens team. Methods: Players (N = 12 men) recorded daily root mean square of successive differences (LnRMSSD) and brief subjective well-being assessments before and throughout the Olympic tournament. Following a 7-day baseline involving a tournament simulation, 2 flights were taken to Brazil (20-h travel and 4-h time gain) on day 1. Matches occurred on days 13 to 15. Undefeated, the team advanced to the gold-medal final. Team staff used a combination of proactive and reactive strategies to support training adaptations, mitigate negative effects of travel, and facilitate recovery from competition. Results: Peak LnRMSSD values from the preceding preparatory period were observed at baseline. Perceived recovery was impaired on day 1 following tournament simulation (P <.05). Lower and less stable LnRMSSD trends were observed in players within the first week following long-haul travel (P <.05), evident primarily in nonstarters (effect size = unclear to verylarge) versus starters (effect size = unclear). Status markers were subsequently maintained at baseline or improved prior to the tournament and were minimally affected by competition (P >.05). Changes in LnRMSSD were associated (P <.05) with changes in perceived recovery (day 14, ρ =.64) and sleep quality (day 15, ρ =.69) during the tournament. Conclusions: Attentiveness to player health and well-being throughout preparation, travel, and the Olympic tournament potentially mitigated decrements in status markers, thereby reducing potential for fatigue or stress-related performance impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this study was identifying and analyzing the most important empowerment indicators of sport science education with emphasis on new teaching methods. Methods: The research method was descriptive-analytical and a combination of quantitative and qualitative. The statistical population of this study included 18 faculty members in the qualitative section and 83 faculty members in the quantitative section, and the statistical sample was estimated based on network sampling. A researcher questionnaire was used to collect data. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by the 15 faculty members. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire estimated to be 0/84. For data analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, factor analysis, one sample T-test, Friedman and Chi-square tests were used. Results: The results showed that the most important indicators in this study based on priority order were: scientific honor, educational management system, teacherrelated factors, educational content, educational planning factors, educational facilities, student-related factors, and finally educational evaluation system. Conclusion: according to the result, it can be said that the responsible managers should be act according to the scientific and practical solutions presented at the end of this research to further develop these components and promote new teaching methods in the sports science field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown, FSA, Fields, JB, Jagim, AR, Baker, RE, and Jones, MT. Analysis of in-season external load and sport performance in women's collegiate basketball. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 318-324, 2024--Quantifying and monitoring athlete workload throughout a competitive season is a means to manage player readiness. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to quantify practice and game external loads and to assess the relationship between such loads and basketball-specific performance metrics across a women's collegiate basketball season. Thirteen National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women basketball athletes (age 20.08 6 1.55 years) wore Global Positioning Systems sensors equipped with triaxial accelerometers for 29 games and 66 practices during the 2019-20 season. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to assess differences in external load between high- and low-minute players and across quarters within games (p < 0.05). Bivariate Pearson correlation coefficients were run to determine relationships between external loads and metrics of basketball performance. Findings indicated that highand low-minute athletes experienced different loads during games and practices (p, 0.001). External loads differed by quarter, such that player load (PL) was highest in Q4 (p 5 0.007), PL·min21 was highest in Q1 and lowest in Q4 (p, 0.001), and explosive ratio (i.e., ratio of PL and explosive efforts) was lowest in Q3 (p50.45). Relationships existed between PL·min21 and field goals (r5 0.41; p50.02) and between the explosive ratio and free throws (r50.377 p50.04). These results can be used to inform design of training sessions with the intent to prepare athletes for the demands of the competitive season. It is recommended that future research continue to explore the relationship of sport-specific performance metrics and athlete external load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although sport science as a profession has advanced in some countries, there are other countries where it is still in its infancy. This roundtable was designed to identify the perceived state of sport science in different countries around the world, including common themes that may be used to help further advance an emerging profession. Several international panelists discussed the sports that most commonly use sport science services, their opinions about the sport scientist job task and responsibilities, the role of education in preparing sport scientists for the field, and sport science career opportunities around the world. Furthermore, the panelists shared their opinions about the current state of sport science, and their hopes for a brighter future of sport science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the sport science field has grown recently, it is important to identify its perceived issues and pro- vide different research directions to advance the field. Whether individuals have been in the sport science field for an extended period or just entering the field, information that can benefit the profession is highly sought after. This roundtable was designed to identify current issues within the sport science field and provide recommendations for future sport science research. The group of panelists discussed the biggest issues facing sport science, future research that will benefit the sport science field, how technology has affected both research and the application of performance data, untapped areas for continued growth in the sport science field, and the gaps that currently exist in sport science education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A central component of sport science is the development of systematic analytical frameworks to enhance performance through processes that include data collection and analysis to generate insights. Moreover, sport scientists are tasked with preparing information to be communicated with stakeholders to support better decision making. Communication of information using visuals is becoming one of the most in- demand skills of the sport scientist, but this is just one part of a more complex process because effective information transfer requires more than the pro- duction of charts and reports. To pro- mote effective communication, modern sport scientists must be able to gain a clear understanding of diverse data structures and the best way to represent them. They must also develop competency in the disciplines of data management, visual design, and information delivery, which can improve the processes of visualizing, reporting, and storytelling. This article focuses on key aspects related to the collection of information and the communication of findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overarching view on establishing a sport science department that fosters comprehensive integration of student-athlete health and performance support in collegiate athletics. Collegiate athletic departments have adopted the high- performance model to help manage the complex health and performance needs of their student-athletes. Considered best practice by many, the high-performance model has limits in collegiate athletics, whereas comprehensive integration is the next generation of best practice. It combines every available resource to establish unprecedented health and performance support. This is accomplished, in part, by collaborating with academic, health care, and industry stakeholders who can fill persistent gaps in the broad services, knowledge, and expertise required to meet the ever-evolving health and performance challenges faced by athletic departments. A well-designed sport science department can facilitate this process by establishing mutually beneficial partnerships to fulfill various service, research, education, or innovation initiatives. This article details the role of the sport scientist in establishing comprehensive integration. It guides athletic departments who wish to begin a sport science program, as well as those who wish to expand their current sport science structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport scientist roles are becoming more common in U.S. professional and collegiate sport. Despite the recent growth in opportunities, discussion is necessary to elucidate differences between sport scientist specialties and other roles common within the integrated support team and across the sport industry. In addition, guidance is necessary to show how sport scientists serving in academic appointments may be involved in sport organizations and influence sport systems. This information may be used: (a) to help employers to conceptualize roles and design job descriptions and (b) to help governing organizations and universities establish training programs for sport scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower-body strength and power are commonly measured performance qualities across a number of sports. In recent years, more attention has been given to relationships, primarily between lower-body strength and linear speed performance. While still limited, evidence is in agreement that lower-body strength positively contributes to linear speed performance. However, what is less well understood is if there comes a point in an athlete's development, at which, further working on increasing maximal strength may not fully compliment additional gains in speed performance. Within this study, authors aimed to provide practitioners with lower-body strength and power thresholds that can discriminate between slow and fast performers, within a group of collegiate American football players. The sample was further divided into a high-body and low-body weight group, and authors hypothesized that by using logistic regression, supplemented with receiver operator curve analyses, optimal cut-off points (i.e., relative lower-body strength thresholds) that are able to significantly discriminate between slow and fast linear speed performers may be identified. Findings indicate that optimal cut-off scores differed between the groups of athletes, as well as the lower body strength and power tests. All models were able to significantly distinguish between slower and faster performers, and area under the curve values ranged from 0.695 to 0.903. Although thresholds will likely vary based on factors such as sex, training age, and sport, findings from this investigation may be used to benchmark athletes and to further individualize training aimed at improving linear speed performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined resting cardiovascular function, when examined immediately before physical testing and its association to maximal cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal performance in female soccer players. Summary of facts and results 21 female soccer players training as part of a collegiate team were participants over a six-month period that included six data collections separated by 30-day intervals. Indices of cardiovascular function included; cardiac output, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure. Maximal cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal performance measures included; vertical jump, lower body power, 5 and 10 m running speed, and the YoYo intermittent recovery test level-1. Simple (r) and multivariable analysis (R 2) was utilized to examine the association between cardiovascular function and physical performance measures. Body mass index and body fat (%) were included as covariates. Significant associations using each analysis were observed between; HRV and YoYo performance (r = 0.26; R 2 = 0.21, P < 0.05), 10 m speed and mean arterial pressure (r = –0.44; R 2 = 0.30, P < 0.001), 5 m speed and systolic blood pressure (r = –0.32; R 2 = 0.18, P < 0.01), as well as lower body power and stroke volume (r = 0.50; R 2 = 0.42, P < 0.001). Routinely examining resting cardiovascular function can support practitioners in better understanding sport performance attributes in female soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate and compare the energy and selected nutrient intakes of sport science and nonsport science university students of Southern Ethiopia. Multiple‐day dietary data were collected from 166 university students (76 sport science and 90 nonsport sciences). Average daily energy and nutrient intake, and inadequate intakes were calculated using NutriSurvey (NS). There were significant differences (p <.05) in the median intakes of energy, total carbohydrate, and vitamin B1 between female students from the sport science and nonsport science groups, but only the median intake of iron was significantly different (p <.05) between the male sport and nonsport science student groups. The prevalence of inadequate intake of vitamin B1 was significantly (p <.05) higher in the male and female from the nonsport science groups compared to the male and female student groups in the sport science, respectively, whereas the prevalence of inadequate iron intake by the male sport science students' group was significantly (p <.05) higher compared to their counterparts. Similarly, the prevalence of inadequate energy among the females from the sport science group was significantly (p <.05) higher compared to the female students from the nonsport science department group. The prevalence of inadequate intake of dietary energy and the majority of the nutrients (protein, fat, vitamin A, B1, B2, and magnesium) were high (>50%) in selected university students. The energy and majority of nutrient intakes by the students in the selected universities of southern Ethiopia were suboptimal. Therefore, activities that will improve the dietary intake of university students should include weekly meal plan revision considering their average recommended nutrient intake (RNI). This study aimed to investigate and compare the energy and selected nutrient intakes of sport science and nonsport science university students of Southern Ethiopia. The energy and majority of nutrient intakes by the students in the selected universities of southern Ethiopia were suboptimal. Therefore, activities that will improve the dietary intake of university students should include weekly meal plan revision considering their average recommended nutrient intake (RNI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The purpose of this descriptive article was to illustrate the process of using constructive alignment in redesigning an introductory gross anatomy unit that is taught specifically to sports science and physical education students at Victoria University. The unit was redesigned as an intensive learning unit in 2017 as part of a broader university‐wide process. The teaching team decided that the first stage of the constructive alignment process should be necessarily focused on an understanding of the career destinations of graduates from the courses. With this understanding, it became easier to work through the redesign of intended learning objectives, the shift from systemic to regional anatomy changes in content and learning support mechanisms, and alterations to assessment practices. A comparison of student pass rates for the unit from 2018 to 2023 with pass rates in the previous semester‐long version of the unit, suggests optimism about the changes that were made through the constructive alignment process. However, there were a number of other factors that may have contributed to this result, and more research is needed on the specific effectiveness of the changes made during the constructive alignment process before a confident conclusion about the success of the process can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionWhile using force-plate derived measures of vertical jump performance, reflective of stretch-shortening-cycle (SSC) efficiency is common practice in sport science, there is limited evidence as to which tests and measures may be most sensitive toward neuromuscular fatigue. The aim of this study was to explore the SSC fatigue response to a one-week high-intensity fatiguing phase of training in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division-I basketball players.MethodsThe study timeline consisted of three weeks of baseline measures, one week of high-intensity training, and two weeks of follow-up testing. Countermovement jumps (CMJ) and 10-5 hop tests were performed at baseline, as well as at two time-points during, and three time-points following the fatiguing training period, allowing for performance-comparisons with baseline.ResultsCompared to the weekly training sum at baseline, during the high intensity training phase, athletes were exposed to very large increases in selected external load metrics (ES = 1.44–3.16), suggesting that athletes experienced fatigue acutely, as well as potential longer lasting reductions in performance. Vertical jump data suggested that in the CMJ, traditional metrics such as jump height, as well as metrics reflecting kinetic outputs and movement strategies, were sensitive to the stark increase in high-intensity training exposure. The 10-5 hop test suggested a fatigue-induced loss of tolerance to ground impact reflected by performance reductions in metrics related to jump height and reactive strength qualities.DiscussionThese findings emphasize that when monitoring neuromuscular fatigue, variables and assessments may not be looked at individually, but rather as part of a more global monitoring approach.

The aim of this study is to reveal the relationships between the proactive personalities and problem-solving abilities of Sports faculty students. A total of 223 students, 96 women and 127 men, studying at Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Sports Sciences, participated in the research. To collect data in addition to the personal information form created by the researchers for demographic items; The Shortened Proactive Personality Scale (PCS), developed by Bateman and Crant (1993) and revised and reduced to 10 items by Claes et al. (2005) was used. The scale was adapted to Turkish by Akın et al. (2011). In the data analyzes, first data variance and homogeneity were tested, and Spearman correlation analysis was applied to heterogeneous data. As a result, a moderate positive relationship was observed between the proactive personalities and problem-solving skills of the participants.

Elite sport practitioners increasingly use data to support training process decisions related to athletes' health and performance. A careful application of data analytics is essential to gain valuable insights and recommendations that can guide decision making. In business organizations, data analytics are developed based on conceptual data analytics frameworks. The translation of such a framework to elite sport may benefit the use of data to support training process decisions. Purpose: The authors aim to present and discuss a conceptual data analytics framework, based on a taxonomy used in business analytics literature to help develop data analytics within elite sport organizations. Conclusions: The presented framework consists of 4 analytical steps structured by value and difficulty/complexity. While descriptive (step 1) and diagnostic analytics (step 2) focus on understanding the past training process, predictive (step 3) and prescriptive analytics (step 4) provide more guidance in planning the future. Although descriptive, diagnostic, and predictive analytics generate insights to inform decisions, prescriptive analytics can be used to drive decisions. However, the application of this type of advanced analytics is still challenging in elite sport. Thus, the current use of data in elite sport is more focused on informing decisions rather than driving them. The presented conceptual framework may help practitioners develop their analytical reasoning by providing new insights and guidance and may stimulate future collaborations between practitioners, researchers, and analytics experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionCollegiate coaches and integrative support staff often utilize pre-season as a brief and intense training period to prepare athletes technically, tactically, and physiologically, to meet the demands of competition during a soccer season. This study sought to examine the dose-response from performing on-field soccer activities during a four-week pre-season period in female collegiate soccer players, and if the magnitude in response was associated with accumulated exercise stress.MethodsA total of twenty-seven healthy female soccer players training as part of a collegiate soccer program volunteered to participate in this two-year longitudinal study. Data collection commenced prior to the start of each pre-season period, at the beginning of August, and was completed at the beginning of September, when pre-season ended. Data collection periods were separated by a 31-day period. Indices of cardiovascular function, anthropometry, and athletic performance were examined during each data collection period. Internal and external measures of accumulated exercise stress were recorded using the Polar Team Pro® system.ResultsWhen comparing the beginning to the end of pre-season, significant improvements were observed in body fat (%) [24.2 ± 6.0 “vs.” 23.3 ± 5.6, p = 0.001], heart rate variability (rMSSD) [51.8 ± 25.1 “vs.” 67.9 ± 34.6 ms, p = 0.002], resting heart (bpm) [73.8 ± 12.1 “vs.” 64.3 ± 8.8, p = 0.001] and cardiorespiratory performance (YoYo IRTL-1) [925.8 ± 272.8 “vs.” 1,062.6 ± 223.3 m, p = 0.001]. Significant reductions in musculoskeletal performance were observed through vertical jump height (cm) [24.9 ± 23.7, p = 0.04]. Change in the end of pre-season body weight (kg) was significantly associated with accumulated accelerations and decelerations [r ≥ 0.49, p = 0.01]. End of pre-season change in cardiorespiratory performance was significantly associated with both accumulated training load (au) and TRIMP (au) [r ≥ 0.63, p = 0.01].DiscussionIn conclusion, performing a four-week pre-season period, involving only on-field training, can promote positive and significant adaptations in anthropometry, cardiovascular function, and athletic performance measures in female collegiate soccer players. The magnitudes of these adaptations were associated with both internal and external measures of accumulated exercise stress.

Sports science faculties need to incorporate various activities that have not previously existed in their traditional functions to become innovative and entrepreneurial. For this reason, an effective model should be designed and developed to evaluate the facilitation of entrepreneurial research, the independence of faculties, the development of their relationships, and the application of sports science. Therefore, due to the importance of this issue, the purpose of this research was to design a model for evaluating academic entrepreneurship in sport science faculties of Iran. Using snowball sampling and based on the theoretical adequacy of the research, 13 participants were interviewed. The grounded theory was used to analyze the categories and indicators affecting the academic entrepreneurship assessment process. Charmaz's Grounded Theory approach was used to analyze data. The findings include four categories of requirements, enablers, activities, and consequences, for which 19 sub-categories were identified. The results can be used to evaluate, rank, and compare the entrepreneurial activities of academic actors, managers, and majors in sports science, as well as allocated grants and credits to units associated with academic entrepreneurship and commercialization.