Frontiers in Sports and Active Living最新文献

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate cortical inhibition and activation during sensorimotor task performance in an aquatic environment using an expert-novice paradigm (national-level athletes vs. non-athlete controls).

Methods: Twelve national-level athletes and twelve age- and gender-matched controls completed a repetitive elbow flexion-extension task under both aquatic and terrestrial conditions. 64-channel EEG data were collected to measure sensorimotor rhythms (SMR) power at the Cz electrode, as well as the mean frequency (MF) and task-to-baseline power ratios of theta, alpha, and beta bands across the frontal, frontal-central, central, central-parietal, and parietal regions. Both within-group and between-group comparisons were performed.

Results: The main results showed that the swimmer group exhibited a significant reduction in SMR power during an aquatic task, while no significant change was observed in a terrestrial task. In contrast, the control group showed significant reductions in SMR power under both conditions. In beta-band activity, both groups showed significantly increased MF in task conditions. Task-related beta power in both groups remained broadly comparable to the resting baseline, with no obvious decrease. In attention, the control group showed a slight increase in MF and task-related beta power during the aquatic task compared to the terrestrial condition, whereas the swimmer group showed comparable or slightly lower MF and task-related power in the aquatic environment.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that, through long-term training, swimmers develop enhanced sensorimotor adaptation during movement in aquatic environments. This adaptation appears to involve environment-specific cortical activation patterns, which may further facilitate motor execution in water.

To legitimize the rising public spending on elite sport, governments and political stakeholders frequently refer to the potential beneficial effects of elite sport for society. A frequently given argument centers on the idea that elite sport has a demonstration effect, inspiring people in terms of their participation in physical activity and sport, so that financial support for elite sport will ultimately also reach the grass-roots level. In this systematic umbrella review, we summarize the findings from previous reviews on the actual impact of elite sport on three, partially overlapping dimensions of participation: physical activity, sport, and voluntary work. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Guidelines, we searched four electronic databases (APA PsycINFO, PubMed/Medline, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science), complemented by a reference and citation screening. Two independent reviewers screened all identified studies for eligibility. Of the 1.005 search results, 13 reviews were included in the final analysis. Their methodological quality was assessed by using an adapted version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist for systematic reviews with meta-analysis of observational studies. The synthesis of the reviews' findings does not allow for any firm conclusions to be made about elite sport's impact on voluntary work, while a large number of research studies in relation to physical activity and sport, especially in the context of major sport events, can be observed. However, regardless of the conceptual understanding of physical activity or sport, there is only limited evidence for an inherent demonstration effect on various dimensions of participation in physical activity and sport, suggesting that any potential impact of elite sport needs to be leveraged by other supporting activities. Besides highlighting existing findings on relevant success and failure conditions, this umbrella review also elaborates on the significant research gaps that need to be explored in future studies to stimulate a more differentiated and candid debate regarding the role of elite sport for the general participation in physical activity and sport.

Systematic review registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MKT3Y.

Introduction: Most people at high risk of cardiovascular disease have high levels of sedentary behavior and little physical activity, which increases the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Although there have been many studies confirming the benefits of reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity, the effectiveness and sustainability of the interventions have been limited. Behavior Change Techniques are the smallest unit of effect in the process of changing behavior. Behavior Change Techniques Taxonomy v1 is the first consensus-based interdisciplinary taxonomy of Behavior Change Techniques to date. This can help researchers identify effective components of behavior change interventions and transform general interventions into targeted interventions, and improve intervention effectiveness.

Aims: This scoping review aimed to identify and evaluate the behavior change interventions to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity in people at high risk for cardiovascular disease and to improve the effectiveness of interventions.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review in accordance with the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Eleven databases were searched (BMJ Best Clinical Practice, UpToDate, Cochrane Library, EMBase, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Chinese Biomedical Database, VIP, Yimaitong Database) from inception through 20 July, 2025, following the scoping review methodology. We synthesized the interventions narratively using the Behavior Change Techniques Taxonomy v1.

Results: Nineteen articles were ultimately included, including five guidelines, seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs), three cross-sectional studies, one quasi-experimental study, one qualitative study, one cohort study and one systematic review. Categorized according to the Behavior Change Techniques Taxonomy v1, it contains a total of eleven aspects, including goals and planning, feedback and monitoring, social support, shaping knowledge, natural consequences, comparison of behaviour, repetition and substitution, regulation, antecedents, identity, self-belief.

Conclusions: Previous studies did not cover the persistence of intervention effects, and there is still controversy regarding the cardiovascular effects of different physical activity types. In future, a more comprehensive approach should be adopted to intervene in behaviors, such as physical activity types, cultural backgrounds, and combined with behavior change theories and Behavior Change Techniques, to implement targeted interventions for behaviors.

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the discrepancy between consumers' stated attitudes toward sustainability and their actual purchasing-related evaluations within the context of outdoor sports apparel. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as an interpretive framework, the study examines how key TPB-related factors manifest in descriptive patterns of consumer responses. The study employs an exploratory quantitative approach to identify how these theoretically grounded factors relate to purchase probability and willingness to pay for sustainable outdoor apparel.

Methods: The research employs a quantitative methodology based on electronic surveying. Data were obtained from 311 respondents who actively engage in outdoor sports and activities. The theory of planned behavior is applied for data analysis, allowing for a deeper understanding of customer preferences and specific consumer behavior.

Results: The results indicate that price perception plays a crucial role, with the higher price of sustainable apparel being a significant barrier to purchasing decisions. The study further revealed that consumer awareness of sustainable attributes positively influences their willingness to purchase and accept higher prices. The findings also suggest that situational factors can significantly impact the final purchasing decision.

Conclusion: The article provides recommendations for outdoor companies on how to effectively communicate the sustainable attributes of products, increase customer awareness, and mitigate the impact of perceived high prices. The study's conclusions support the idea that educational campaigns aimed at clarifying the importance of sustainability and the practical benefits of sustainable products can lead to changes in purchasing behavior and promote sustainable consumption in the outdoor industry. The study emphasizes the need to focus on communicating the practical benefits of sustainable products, such as their longevity and durability.

Background: The digital transformation of obesity therapy introduces new demands on exercise therapists. Yet, the therefore required competences remain mostly unassessed, hindering effective implementation. To address this gap, valid instruments are needed to identify competences to plan and implement digital obesity exercise therapy and inform targeted professional training programs. The DigCompThExO model provides a conceptual framework and accompanying questionnaire but has not yet been validated. Therefore, this study examines the factorial structure and psychometric properties to enable its diagnostic use.

Methods: To address the research gap, two consecutive studies were conducted. Study 1 assessed content validity through cognitive interviews with German-speaking digital obesity exercise therapists, using Tourangeau-based probing. Study 2 evaluated structural validity via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) based on revised questionnaire data from a separate sample within the same target group. Model fit (CFI, TLI, RMSEA, SRMR), validity (AVE, HTMT), reliability (CR), and measurement invariance were evaluated.

Results: Study 1 involved ten therapists (Age: M = 39.3, SD = 10.67, 50% female) in cognitive interviews. Based on results, one dimension and one item were removed; scaling and wording were refined. In Study 2, 205 therapists (Age: M = 32.34, SD = 5.9, 47.3% female, 0.5% divers) completed the revised questionnaire. CFA revealed four latent factors, with good model fit [CFI = .964; TLI = .953; RMSEA = .070, 90% CI (.049;.090); SRMR = .051]. Regarding validity and reliability, measurement invariance was confirmed (RMSEA < .069), along with convergent validity (AVE > .50), discriminant validity (HTMT < .85), and internal consistencies (all CR > .70).

Conclusion: Cognitive interviews and CFA confirm reliability, construct validity, and practical relevance of the DigCompThExO for digital obesity exercise therapy. It enables the assessment of existing and required digital competences and may guide the development of tailored training programs. If embedded in institutional medical education (e.g., university), this could enhance quality and effectiveness of digital obesity exercise therapy. Further research should explore the tool's applicability in other domains of obesity therapy (e.g., nutrition, behavior) or chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes) to promote digital, location-independent healthcare.

Twenty-five patients who underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) were analyzed 24 months after surgery. Mean age at surgery was 64.2 years (SD: 3.3). Mean Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score significantly improved at follow-up (p < 0.001). A significant difference in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score (p < 0.001) was reported. Median Tegner activity level score increased from 5.0 to 6.0 (p < 0.001). 96% of patients resumed sports or physical activity. UKA enables a significant percentage of moderately active patients suffering from unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis to resume daily and recreational practice at the same or higher intensity as before.

Purpose: This study longitudinally examined the influence of sporting history, the relative age effect (RAE), and physical development on the elite progression of Japanese athletes from a local talent identification and development (L-TID) programme to senior elite status.

Methods: Data were collected from 383 L-TID graduates (31 senior elite athletes and 352 talented athletes). The cohort demonstrated significantly superior physical fitness and consistent physical advantages. Logistic regression analysis was conducted across 5 academic years (from 5th grade in elementary school to 9th grade in junior high school) to identify consistent predictors of elite status.

Results: Senior elite athletes were highly concentrated in a limited number of late-specialisation sports, with 90% having experienced a sports transition. Sex (female) and sports transitioning emerged as the most consistent predictors of elite attainment across all grades. While talented athletes initially demonstrated significant RAE and superior physical fitness upon entry, these advantages diminished by the senior elite level. General anthropometric and fitness measures (except body mass in grades 8-9) were not reliable predictors of long-term elite progression.

Conclusion: Elite attainment within the L-TID programme, targeting a cohort with superior athletic ability, is predominantly influenced by structural and developmental factors (female participation and late specialisation) rather than by initial RAE or physical attributes. These findings support talent development strategies that foster diverse sporting experiences and deliberate talent transfer, highlighting a shift away from early RAE and physical-based selection towards more holistic and adaptive developmental approaches reflecting the Japanese sporting and social context.

Background: The use of digital media (DM) in physical education (PE) is increasing. However, students' acceptance of DM in PE is unclear. The Organismic Integration Theory as part of the Self-Determination Theory serves as a theoretical framework to discuss students' acceptance.

Objective: The study aims are 1) to determine the strength of students' acceptance of DM use, 2) to analyze differences in acceptance of different types of DM use, and 3) to identify predictors of DM acceptance in PE.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 291 German secondary students (female = 153; male = 138; M _age = 15.78 years, SD = 1.13) was conducted. The data were collected with an online-questionnaire consisting of demographic data, DM usage during leisure time and at school, usage intention for different types of DM use, behavioral regulation regarding future DM use, and barriers/reasons against DM use in PE.

Results: 1) Descriptive analysis of the strength of acceptance showed moderate DM use intention for instruction, feedback, organization, and knowledge transfer as well as high usage intention for entertainment. 2) An analysis of variance indicated significant differences in the acceptance of the different types of DM use ( ${\eta }_p^2=.023$ ), with the covariates of age ( ${\eta }_p^2=.017$ ) and gender ( ${\eta }_p^2=.025$ ) playing a role in some types of DM use. 3) In a multiple linear regression explaining 51% of the variance, identified regulation (i.e., usefulness) (ß = .34) and intrinsic motivation (i.e., enjoyment) (ß = .26) were identified as positive predictors of DM acceptance, whereas introjected regulation (i.e., social norms/expectations) (ß = -.11) and amotivation (i.e., meaninglessness) (ß = -.16) were negative predictors.

Conclusion: Overall, students' acceptance of the different types of DM use in PE was moderate. Only entertainment showed a strong acceptance probably due to the students' previous experiences. In line with previous technology acceptance research in educational contexts, usefulness and enjoyment were found to be relevant predictors of DM acceptance. The differences in acceptance of different types of DM use in PE and the relevance of usefulness and enjoyment, should be considered by PE teachers for the successful integration of DM. Future research should investigate differences in DM acceptance in other populations (e.g., primary education), and longitudinal studies are needed to examine causal effects.

Background: Conventional laboratory and field tests often underestimate VO_2max and fail to reflect the reactive agility, multidirectional demands of team ball sports. This study examined whether a motor-cognitive Reactive Agility (RA) Test can elicit a true VO_2max response and serve as a sport-specific alternative for assessing VO_2max in team sport athletes.

Method: Fifty-three team ball sports athletes performed an exhaustive incremental treadmill test and a motor-cognitive RA Test. The RA Test was performed on the SKILLCOURT and contained four all-out reactive agility runs of 150 m with an intermittent break of 30 s. VO_2max was determined in both tests using a portable gas analyzer. Dependent t-tests, Blant-Altman analysis, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and correlation analyses were performed.

Results: The mean difference in VO_2max between the tests was 0.25 mL × kg^-1 × min^-1 (0.5%, p = 0.55) with upper and lower 95% limits of agreement at 6.02 (11%) and -5.53 (10%) mL × kg^-1 × min^-1, respectively. CCC (p _c = 0.94), ICC (0.943) and correlation analysis (r = 0.94) revealed a strong agreement and relation between VO_2max in the treadmill and RA Test.

Conclusion: The RA Test reliably elicits a true VO_2max response and offers a valid and more sport-specific option when compared to laboratory treadmill assessment for measuring VO_2max in team ball sport athletes.

Introduction: Immersive virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used in education and rehabilitation, yet little is known about its feasibility and tolerability among athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID). Understanding emotional, behavioral, and physical responses is essential before integrating VR into adapted sport training.

Methods: This prospective, observational case-series included six male athletes with mild to moderate ID participating in adapted basketball training. Each athlete completed three sessions of low-motion, non-interactive 360° basketball-themed VR using the Meta Quest 3 headset. Emotional responses, behavioral indicators, static and dynamic balance, SSQ-aligned observational symptoms, and detailed usability logs were collected before, during, and after VR exposure. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patterns across sessions.

Results: Emotional grading remained predominantly positive across all sessions, with no VR-related negative affect. Engagement increased while distraction and hesitation decreased over time, indicating improved familiarity with immersive environments. Balance performance remained stable post-VR, with no signs of postural deterioration. SSQ-aligned monitoring showed negligible symptoms (98.1% scored zero), and no nausea occurred. Usability challenges were minor and primarily related to controller use, video initiation, and battery life.

Discussion: Short, structured VR exposure was well tolerated and operationally feasible for athletes with ID. Findings support VR's potential as a safe and engaging supplementary tool in adapted basketball training, warranting further research with larger and more diverse samples.