Frontiers in Sports and Active Living最新文献

Introduction: Focal mechanical vibration is a therapeutic intervention based on oscillatory mechanical vibrations applied to specific anatomical structures. These vibrations can be generated by portable devices and transmitted to targeted muscles, joints, or tissues. Focal vibration stimulates local receptors, producing a sensory input flow that induces neural reorganization with functional effects such as improved motor performance, enhanced sensory perception, and reduced pain or discomfort. Several studies have investigated the effects of proprioceptive training (PT), particularly in improving strength and muscular endurance. Other research has reported changes in the rate of strength development. While these aspects have been well explored, neuromotor coordination abilities, which refer to the ability to organize and perform complex motor tasks effectively and efficiently, remain less well examined. In fact, this study aimed to fill this gap by examining the effects of PT on coordinative abilities, specifically through the finger tapping task.

Methods: The study involved college students who were divided into a control group and an experimental group. The assessed parameters included tapping number, movement displacement, and intertapping interval (i.e., tapping frequency).

Results: The results showed increases in endurance time and the number of taps only in the treated group, although a slight increase was also observed in the control group. These effects were recognized both acutely, lasting up to 24 h, and chronically, persisting for up to 4 weeks.

Discussion: The study contributes to the existing literature on vibration interventions and enhances our understanding of the role of focal vibration in improving motor performance.

Trail running's popularity among women is increasing, yet research addressing the unique physiological demands, performance factors, and injury patterns in this population remains limited. This scoping systematic review aimed to map the existing research landscape on female trail runners; synthesize current evidence across physiological, nutritional, injury, and performance domains; and identify critical knowledge gaps to guide future investigations. A systematic search was conducted across four major databases (EBSCO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) up to December 2024. Eligible studies were original peer-reviewed articles reporting sex-specific data on female trail runners within the above domains. Methodological quality was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. Results from the 22 included studies (pooled sample ≈ 2,476 participants), predominantly published in the last decade, primarily focused on physiology and biomarkers (10 studies) and nutrition and body composition (6 studies), with fewer investigations into injuries (4 studies) or performance (3 studies). These studies indicated significant exercise-induced physiological stress and highlighted links between nutrition, body composition, and performance outcomes. However, a recurring limitation was the pervasive inconsistency in reporting participant characteristics, especially evident for key female-specific factors such as menstrual cycle status and hormonal contraceptive use, which were sparsely detailed. Furthermore, considerable heterogeneity in methodologies and the poor reporting of race characteristics and environmental conditions limited the synthesis of actionable insights. Most included studies (21 out of 22) demonstrated good methodological quality. In conclusion, while the research on female trail runners is growing, its practical application and the ability to draw robust conclusions are constrained by widespread reporting inconsistencies and a notable lack of depth in female-specific physiological data. Further progress in this field relies on the adoption of standardized reporting guidelines and a concerted effort to conduct robust, longitudinal investigations. Future studies should address hormonal influences, energy availability, effective training methodologies, and targeted injury prevention strategies tailored to female trail runners, ultimately to optimize their health, well-being, and athletic potential.

Introduction: Accurate detection of ovulation is essential for menstrual cycle-based training periodization for female athletes. Although body temperature tracking is a non-invasive method for this purpose, its reliability can vary depending on the measurement site and timing. This study aimed to compare the utility of different body temperature measurement methods and measurement times for ovulation detection.

Methods: Seventeen recreationally active women tracked one menstrual cycle (October 2023 to February 2024) using continuous intravaginal core body temperature measurement as the reference method. Additional temperature measurements (sublingual, rectal and external ear) were taken at two points in time: 6 a.m. and upon waking. Ovulation was additionally confirmed using luteinizing hormone urinary tests. The post-ovulatory temperature increase was analyzed using both the validated Vollman method and the practical "three over six" rule for the four different methods and two different time points. Agreement of the measurement methods and times was assessed via Bland-Altman plots and concordance correlation coefficients.

Results: The continuous intravaginal temperature sensor consistently identified ovulation with acceptable accuracy, detecting all ovulations and showing the largest temperature rise from follicular to luteal phase (0.31 ± 0.18 °C). Sublingual 6 a.m. measurements showed smaller temperature increases (0.17 ± 0.24 °C) and moderate agreement with the reference, whereas rectal (0.12 ± 0.21 °C) and external ear temperatures (0.22 ± 0.38 °C) exhibited higher variability and limited reliability. One cycle was confirmed as anovulatory and correctly identified by the intravaginal sensor.

Discussion: The most reliable method for detecting ovulation in physically active women is continuous intravaginal temperature measurement. If this method is not available, a trained sublingual temperature measurement at a fixed time can be an acceptable, cost-effective alternative. All methods have their limitations.

Introduction: Physical literacy is crucial for promoting lifelong engagement in physical activity. In response to rising childhood inactivity, this study explores the impact of traditional children's games on physical literacy within a school context.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was applied involving 60 students (aged 11-12) from two schools in Trabzon, Turkey. The experimental group participated in an 8-week program of culturally-rooted traditional games. The control group followed standard physical education activities. Pre- and post-test data were collected using a validated Physical Literacy Scale.

Results: Statistical analyses indicated significant improvements (p < .001) in all four domains of physical literacy-physical, psychological, social, and cognitive-in the experimental group compared to the control group.

Discussion: Traditional games are shown to be inclusive, culturally relevant, and effective pedagogical tools for improving physical literacy in school-aged children. Their integration into school curricula is supported as a cost-effective and holistic educational strategy.

Background: Depression is among the most prevalent mental disorders globally and is frequently accompanied by impairments in attention, memory, and executive functioning that substantially diminish quality of life and social functioning. Taekwondo has increasingly been recognized as a holistic mind-body discipline that integrates physical training, attentional regulation, and ethical cultivation and may offer benefits for both psychological well-being and cognitive health. However, the existing evidence has not been systematically synthesized.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and synthesized relevant literature published through September 2025. Searches were conducted across major English- and Chinese-language Taekwondodatabases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Ovid Medline and CNKI), and 14 randomized controlled trials were ultimately included. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the RoB 2.0 tool, and rated the certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. Random-effects models were applied to estimate standardized mean difference (SMD) and corresponding 95% CI. Heterogeneity was examined using Cochran's Q-test and the I ² statistic. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to evaluate the moderating effects of intervention duration, weekly frequency, session length, and gender ratio. Publication bias was assessed using Begg and Egger tests, and sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Results: Fourteen randomized controlled trials involving 906 participants were included. Taekwondo training was associated with significant, moderate improvements in depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.54; 95% CI: -0.84 to -0.24; I ² = 59.2%) and cognitive function (SMD = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.17-0.81; I ² = 51.4%). Subgroup analyses indicated that interventions delivered ≥3 times per week, with total durations ≤12 weeks and session lengths ≤40 min, produced the greatest improvements in depressive symptoms. In contrast, interventions delivered ≥3 times per week, with sessions lasting 30-50 min and durations exceeding 16 weeks, were more effective in enhancing cognitive function. More consistent treatment effects were observed among female participants.

Conclusion: Taekwondo training appears to exert meaningful benefits for both depressive symptoms and cognitive function, supporting its potential as a comprehensive exercise-based intervention with psychological and cognitive health value.

Various factors have influenced the evolution of Australian sport policy, including war and the importance of national health. Historically, the involvement of the Australian federal government was sporadic, and policy decisions were subject to prevailing political agendas. Within that context, moves toward consistent sport policy were influenced by the initially indirect and, more latterly, direct influence of lobbying. This paper explores the processes that shaped Australian sport policy, including the burgeoning role of advocacy. Examining sport as government policy, the paper is organised into four thematic sections, commencing with background on policy, followed by an outline of sport policy post-federation leading up to the early 1970s, then a review of developments post-1970, and concluding with an outline of the development of lobbying. Methodologically, literature, including journal articles, books, government documents, Hansard, and "grey" material, formed the basis of a narrative review to illuminate the four themes. The findings point to an evolutionary process that elevated sport to a significant policy consideration, with various elements such as fitness, health, and international sporting success becoming essential to the architects of sport policy. Within that framework, the role of advocacy developed to significant effect but more recently, lobbying in sport policy has become subject to the vicissitudes of political interest and commercial influences, creating a void in the policy process.

Low maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O₂ max) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, yet its gold-standard assessment through cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) requires maximal effort and specialized equipment. This study evaluates whether ballistocardiography (BCG), recorded during brief stabilization breaks embedded in a submaximal cycling protocol, can provide reliable estimates of V̇O₂ max. BCG provides unique insights into stroke volume and blood displacement, offering a robust physiological basis for V̇O₂ max estimation. Sixteen healthy young adults completed three randomized exercise protocols on a cycle ergometer with simultaneous gas-exchange analysis: a standard incremental step CPET until exhaustion (S) and two modified protocols including short breaks (B1 and B2) designed to facilitate high-quality BCG acquisition. BCG-derived kinetic output (KVO₂) was used to predict V̇O₂ max through a linear regression model based on early-stage workload increments. Both break-based protocols yielded CPET-measured V̇O₂ max and maximal workload values comparable to those from the standard test. BCG-based V̇O₂ max estimation, using only the first breaks of the protocol, which require a total exercise duration of 10.1 (9.5; 10.8) minutes without reaching maximal effort, demonstrated accuracy comparable to maximal standard tests, with a coefficient of variation of 12.05% and a mean absolute percentage error of 15.59%. While this study was limited to healthy young adults, the proposed approach holds potential for broader applications, particularly in diverse settings or in populations where maximal effort is impractical. Future work should focus on integrating additional BCG signal features and validating these methods in diverse populations.

Upper-body muscular power and repeated sprint ability are recognized as important contributors to sprint swimming performance. However, the relative and combined predictive value of dry-land power measures and in-water repeated sprint ability for 50-m freestyle performance remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the relationships between upper-body muscular power, repeated sprint swimming variables (RSS), and 50-m freestyle performance in competitive swimmers. Thirty-six national-level male swimmers (age: 16.4 ± 0.3 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Each swimmer completed: (1) an upper-body load-velocity assessment using the bench press on a Smith machine equipped with a linear position transducer to determine peak power; (2) an in-water repeated sprint test (8 × 15 m, 30 s rest) to determine fastest time, mean time, fatigue index, and total time; and (3) a maximal 50-m freestyle time trial. Pearson correlations revealed a very strong negative relationship between maximum muscular power and 50-m time (r = -0.86, p < 0.001), indicating that higher power was associated with faster swim performance. Among the RSS variables, fastest time (r = 0.83, p < 0.001), mean time (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), and total time (r = 0.78, p < 0.001) showed significant positive correlations with 50-m time, while fatigue index was not significantly related (r = 0.05, p = 0.78). The multiple regression model significantly predicted 50-m performance (R² = 0.86, p < 0.001), but only maximum muscular power emerged as an independent significant predictor (β = -0.027, p < 0.001). Upper-body muscular power was the strongest determinant of 50-m freestyle performance, explaining most of the variance in sprint time, while repeated sprint swimming variables reflect related in-water expressions of sprint capacity. Coaches should prioritize the development of dry-land power capacity alongside in-water anaerobic conditioning to enhance sprint performance. Combining load-velocity profiling and repeated sprint testing offers a complementary and practical framework for performance monitoring and individualized training prescription in competitive swimmers.

Recent legal and financial reforms have altered the business model of college sports. The erosion of the NCAA's amateurism defense (culminating in the House settlement) has formalized athlete compensation and introduced direct labor expenses into athletic departments finances for the first time. Concurrently, the transfer mobility of athletes, new federal oversight, and the continuing evolution of NIL markets has increased competition among schools for athlete talent while also constricting institutional margins. With approximately 22% of athletics revenue designated for athlete compensation, universities now encounter a new financial mandate to either generate new revenue streams or accept new deficits with long-term fiscal consequences. Drawing from professional sports, this paper examines sport-anchored, mixed-use real estate development as a strategic mechanism for college athletic departments to generate new revenues for athlete labor costs. This conceptual analysis positions real estate development as a revenue hedge and strategic adaptation to the post-House financial environment.