Abstract Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily routines, physical activity patterns, and mental health on a global scale. Mental health and subjective physical health are closely interrelated: pandemic-induced stress, social isolation, and fear have documented negative effects on both psychological and physical well-being. The objective of this study was to examine differences in lifestyle changes and perceived health – both general and mental – between Hungarian adults who had been infected with COVID-19 and those who had not, and to identify associations among key health-related indicators within both groups. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional survey with retrospective comparison was conducted between January and August 2023 among 806 Hungarian adults recruited via convenience sampling through five universities. A validated five-part questionnaire battery was administered, covering socio-demographic characteristics, recreational habits, life satisfaction (SWLS; LSS-SF), psychological distress (DASS-42), psychological well-being (Ryff Scale – Shortest Version), and psychological capital (PCQ). The analysed sample comprised n = 780 participants (49.2% male, 50.8% female; 50% infected, 50% non-infected). Data were analysed using SPSS 26, applying descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis, with a significance threshold of alpha = 0.05. Results. The majority of respondents rated their general health as good or excellent regardless of infection status (infected: 83.7%; non-infected: 87.7%). A strong positive correlation was found between general health perception and mental health (r = 0.649, p < .001). Lifestyle changes were reported by more than three-quarters of participants in both groups, with reduced sport participation and limited social contact as the most affected domains. Significant group differences between infected and non-infected participants were observed in several lifestyle categories. Conclusions. COVID-19 infection was associated with specific differences in lifestyle and health perception. Subjective health remained generally positive across both groups. The findings underline the need for integrated health promotion strategies – addressing physical activity, social engagement, and mental health simultaneously – in the post-pandemic recovery of the Hungarian adult population.
Abstract Introduction. Perceived stress has reached concerning levels among university students, and physical activity (PA) has emerged as a relevant strategy for mitigation. This study aimed to examine whether perceived stress mediates the relationship between physical activity (PA), assessed as total volume, and IPAQ-SF intensity components (vigorous, moderate, and walking), and psychological well-being (PWB) in university students. Material and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 103 students from the University of Málaga (21.7 ± 2.3 years). PA was assessed using the IPAQ-SF (MET-min/week), stress with the PSS-14, and PWB with the Ryff-39. Analyses included descriptive statistics, ANOVA/t-tests, Pearson/Spearman correlations, and a simple mediation model (PROCESS macro). Results. Overall, 66.99% of participants reported high PA levels (≥3,000 MET-min/week). Total PA averaged 4,860 ± 3,497 MET-min/week (range = 0–12,852). Perceived stress (PSS-14) was 27.31 ± 9.30 points (range = 6-56), and global psychological well-being (RYFF_GLOBAL) averaged 4.40 ± 0.58 on a 1-6 scale. Total PA was negatively associated with perceived stress (r = −0.28; p = 0.005), and perceived stress was negatively associated with PWB (r = −0.46; p < 0.001). The indirect effect of PA on well-being through stress was significant (ab = 0.13; 95% CI [0.04, 0.24]). Students with high PA levels (≥3,000 MET-min/week) reported significantly lower perceived stress than those with low-to-moderate PA (p = 0.021). Conclusions. Physical activity appears to contribute to university students’ psychological well-being primarily through its association with reduced perceived stress. University-based interventions should integrate regular exercise with stress-management strategies to optimize students’ psychological well-being.
Abstract Introduction. Various strength training methods exist, with Blood Flow Restricted Resistance Training (BFRRT) emerging as a novel approach. This study aimed to compare BFRRT effectiveness against traditional resistance training for improving upper body strength in young males. Material and Methods. Sixty male participants (18-26 years) were assigned to the experimental group or the control group that received BFRRT or conventional resistance training respectively (n = 30 each). Both groups completed four weeks of bench press training (three sessions weekly) with the BFRRT group applying cuff pressures at 40-80% of arterial occlusion pressure. Upper body strength was assessed using 1-repetition maximum bench press testing before and after 4 weeks of intervention. Data were analysed using GraphPad Prism (version 9.5.1). Paired sample t-test was used to analyse within-group data and independent-samples t-test was used to analyse between-group differences. Results. The BFRRT group demonstrated strength increases from 80.33 ± 8.19 kg to 89.50 ± 8.23 kg (Δ = 9.17 kg; p < 0.05). The control group improved from 81.50 ± 9.11 kg to 87.67 ± 8.78 kg (Δ = 6.17 kg; p < 0.05). Although within-group gains were significant for both protocols, between-group comparison did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Both training methods enhanced upper body strength effectively, with BFRRT demonstrating greater improvement potential. BFRRT integration into resistance programs may optimize strength development in young adults.
Abstract Introduction. Regular physical activity increases energy expenditure and requires adequate energy intake to maintain physiological homeostasis. Inadequate energy intake can lead to low energy availability (LEA), which is a key factor in the development of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), a syndrome affecting multiple systems in the human body. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of RED-S. The study was conducted among physically active young adults in Poland and involved the identification of dietary and behavioral factors associated with an increased risk of RED-S. Material and methods. A total of 151 participants (72 women, 79 men) aged 22.09 ± 2.2 years completed an online questionnaire assessing dietary habits, hydration, physical activity, and energy intake. Basal metabolic rate was calculated using the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation, and lean body mass was calculated using the James (1976) formula. Total energy expenditure was compared to the intake to estimate energy deficits. Results. Approximately 70% of participants had a negative energy balance, and most consumed four or fewer meals per day. Logistic regression showed that a negative energy balance significantly increased the risk of RED-S in both women (OR = 3.82) and men (OR = 8.50). In men, inadequate hydration and low meal frequency were also significant predictors. Conclusions. The results indicate that physically active young adults, especially men, may be at increased risk of RED-S due to poor eating habits. Better nutrition education and energy balance monitoring are recommended.
Abstract Introduction. This study investigated the differential effects of low-intensity (LRT) versus high-intensity resistance training (HRT) on muscle strength, power, and functional fitness in community-dwelling older women, an area where the specific influence of training intensity remains unclear despite the known benefits of RT in this population. Material and Methods. Thirty-six postmenopausal women were randomly allocated, by simple randomization, to three equal groups: LRT, HRT, and sedentary control (SC). Participants in the RT groups trained three times per week for eight weeks at either 40% (LRT) or 80% (HRT) of their one-repetition maximum (1RM). Muscle strength was evaluated using 1RM test. Lower- and upper-limb explosive power was measured via countermovement jump (CMJ) and medicine ball throw (MBT), respectively. Functional fitness was further examined using the 30-second arm curl test (30s-ACT), 30-second chair stand test (30s-CST), back scratch (BS), chair sit-and-reach (CSR), stepping down test (SDT), and stepping up test (SUT). Results. In the LRT and HRT groups, functional fitness (including the 30s-ACT, 30s-CST, BS, CSR, SDT, and SUT) and muscle strength (1RM) were significantly improved at 8 weeks compared with the SC group. Only the HRT group exhibited significant enhancements in explosive power (both CMJ and MBT). Compared with the LRT, the HRT showed additional significant improvements in overall functional fitness, whole-body strength and explosive power. Conclusions. The benefits of RT on functional ability, strength, and explosive power among postmenopausal women are strongly dependent on training intensity.
Abstract Introduction. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a physical-literacy-based online education program on physical activity levels (PAL) and physical literacy (PL) components in high-school adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. A total of 544 Croatian adolescents (aged 14-18 years) participated in a 12-week intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 270) or a control group (n = 274). PAL was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), while PL knowledge and perception were evaluated using the CAPL-2 Knowledge and Understanding (CAPL-2-KU) and PLAYself questionnaires. A total of 466 students completed both pre- and post-tests. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results. PAL decreased in both groups (PAQ-A: from 2.70 ± 0.70 to 2.52 ± 0.69; p < 0.05), with a smaller decline in the intervention group (−0.15) than in the control group (−0.21). CAPL-2-KU scores significantly increased in the intervention group (from 9.00 ± 2.04 to 9.73 ± 1.73; p < 0.001; η² = 0.08), indicating improved PL knowledge. Small but significant improvements were also observed in PLAYself total scores (from 68.46 ± 12.74 to 69.36 ± 11.93; p = 0.001; η² = 0.02). Gender analysis showed greater improvements among girls, particularly in CAPL-2-KU (η² = 0.13) and PLAYself total (η² = 0.02). Conclusions. The PL-based online education program effectively enhanced adolescents’ PL knowledge and self-perception and mitigated the decline in PAL during a period of reduced school activity. Future interventions should integrate knowledge-based and experiential components to promote sustained engagement in physical activity.
Introduction. This study aimed to determine changes in the level of alpha-amylase and cortisol in the saliva of male and female basketball players after one session of basketball training. Additionally, the study examined whether differences existed between females and males in the levels of these biomarkers in response to physical exertion. Material and Methods. The study involved 30 athletes from academic leagues (17 females and 13 males). The training session consisted of warm-up, conditioning, and tactical drills and lasted for 90 minutes. A sample of saliva was obtained before and after the training session. Salivary flow, alpha-amylase, and cortisol were measured. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank and U-Mann were used for statistical analysis at a significance level of 0.05. Results. After the training session, a significant increase in salivary cortisol levels was observed in females (p < .05), whereas in males, a significant increase (p < .05) was noted in salivary alpha-amylase levels. There were no significant differences in alpha-amylase and cortisol levels between females and males before and after exercise. Conclusions. These results suggest that the response to physical exertion may vary depending on gender, which highlights a need for further research targeting the relationship between exercise intensity, hormonal response, and body adaptation.
Introduction. In an era of fierce competition in the global tourism market, the perception of a destination plays a key role in shaping travellers’ choices. Tunisia, promoted for decades mainly as a holiday destination, has gained a strong but stereotypical image as a “3S” country. Meanwhile, its historical heritage and multicultural identity create potential for the development of cultural and sustainable tourism. This article aimed to investigate whether the existing image of Tunisia as a “3S” destination is transforming towards a “4H” model and whether the actual experiences of tourists influence the structure of associations and emotional attitudes towards this country. Material and methods. The study was conducted among 438 respondents from Poland using a diagnostic survey method (CAWI) between April 2024 and April 2025. The questionnaire included open-ended questions relating to knowledge, perceptions and associations with Tunisia, as well as closed questions concerning attitudes and travel intentions. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the results of two groups of respondents: those who had been to Tunisia and those who had not. Results. Respondents who had not been to Tunisia most often associated the area with the sea, beaches and a warm climate. On the other hand, those who had visited the country pointed to elements of cultural heritage, the hospitality of the inhabitants and sensory stimuli (tastes, smells, colours). The differences were statistically significant and confirm that personal contact with a place strengthens the complex, emotional image of a destination. Conclusions. The results suggest that Tunisia has considerable potential for developing cultural tourism, including experiential tourism that supports sustainable development. The results also show that the image of this destination has undergone a change.
Introduction. Although coastal tourism continues to attract scholarly interest, studies on consumer behaviour in sand dune coastal settings – particularly those that integrate self-congruence, destination personality, destination image, and novelty seeking – remain notably limited. This study addresses this gap by developing a structural model that explores the psychological and perceptual drivers of visit intention in Parangtritis Sand Dunes, a symbolically sacred and environmentally sensitive destination on the southern coast of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Rooted in self-congruence theory and destination branding literature, the study incorporates six key constructs: destination personality, self-congruence, novelty seeking, perceived value, destination image, and visit intention. Material and methods. Data were collected from 246 valid respondents aged 17 and above who were aware of the site’s existence. A convenience sampling approach was employed using both personal outreach and WhatsApp distribution. All constructs were measured on a six-point Likert scale. Analytical procedures included exploratory factor analysis, AVE, reliability testing, and hypothesis testing using structural equation modelling. Results. Self-congruence significantly influenced destination image, perceived value, and visit intention. Destination personality impacted destination image, and perceived value strongly affected visit intention. However, novelty seeking and destination image did not significantly influence perceived value and visit intention, respectively. These findings suggest that emotional alignment and symbolic resonance with the destination – more than thrill-seeking impulses – drive responsible tourist behaviour. Conclusions. This study contributes to the discourse on sustainable tourism by emphasizing the importance of internal psychological alignment and identity-based branding in fostering meaningful and sustainable engagement with culturally and ecologically fragile coastal destinations.
Introduction. The Covid-19 pandemic influenced the world in many ways, including sport. Many competitions were held without spectators, creating a natural experiment for the evaluation of home advantage. The present study thus evaluates the impact of crowd presence on home advantage in high level football competitions, specifically outcomes of all games in four highest ranked European leagues (England – Premier League, Spain – La Liga, Italy – Serie A, Germany – Bundesliga) from the start of the 2018/2019 season until the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Material and Methods. The traditional method of Pollard was used to evaluate home advantage in divisions of leagues and on three time intervals relative to the Covid-19 pandemic – before, during and after. Test for one proportion was done to check if the result of home advantage was significant, while tests for two proportions were used to compare home advantage between the time intervals. Results. In three of the four leagues (English, Spanish, German), home teams had significantly lower coefficient of home advantage results in games without spectators compared to games with spectators, but in the four leagues combined, home advantage was significant in games without spectators. Conclusions. The results indicate that crowd support is a significant contributor to home advantage in the best European football leagues, although the presence of spectators per se is not the only factor which influences home advantage, suggesting a need to consider other factors that may be of relevance.
Introduction. Women increasingly participate in organized fitness activities that differ in training characteristics, physiological demands, and potential effects on lifestyle behaviors and body composition. Despite growing interest in fitness participation, comparative studies simultaneously addressing physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet quality, nutrition knowledge, and body composition across different fitness modalities remain limited. This study aimed to assess these factors among young adult women regularly participating in cardio, muscle, cardio & muscle, or body & mind fitness classes and to examine associations between lifestyle behaviors and adiposity. Material and Methods. The study included 276 women aged 20-35 years who regularly attended one selected fitness modality. Physical activity and sitting time were assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Dietary behaviors and nutrition knowledge were evaluated with selected components of the KomPAN questionnaire, including the Pro-Healthy Diet Index (pHDI-10) and Non-Healthy Diet Index (nHDI-14). Body composition was assessed using anthropometric measurements, skinfold thickness, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Nonparametric statistical tests and Spearman’s rank correlations were applied. Results. All groups demonstrated high levels of total physical activity. Women participating in cardio & muscle classes showed the highest mean levels of total and vigorous physical activity, whereas the lowest values were observed in the cardio group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. A significant positive association was found between sitting time and body fat percentage. Diet quality and nutrition knowledge were moderate across all groups, with no significant intergroup differences. The most favorable body composition parameters were observed in women attending muscle classes, while the highest adiposity values occurred in the body & mind group, although most differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Among physically active young women, fitness modality alone was not a key determinant of physical activity level, diet quality, nutrition knowledge, or overall body composition. Total exercise dose and sedentary behavior appeared to be more important factors influencing adiposity. Reducing sitting time alongside regular exercise may enhance health outcomes in women participating in fitness programs.
Introduction. Recreational sailing has become an increasingly popular form of leisure in Poland. The well-known Great Masurian Lakes Route (GMLR) allows visitors to explore picturesque locations that are inaccessible from land. Most scientific studies focus on safety in maritime sailing, whereas there is a lack of publications and scholarly analysis concerning yacht sailing on lakes. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of skippers with varying levels of qualifications regarding the factors affecting sailing safety, as well as to analyze police statistics and data from the Masurian Volunteer Rescue Service (MOPR) concerning incidents involving vessels on GMLR. Material and Methods. A survey of skippers’ opinions was conducted during the summer seasons of 2024-2025 at seven ports located along GMLR. An original questionnaire developed by the authors was used, and its reliability was assessed (Kappa = 0.92). Data on police interventions were provided by the Head of the Social Communication Department of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Olsztyn. Data on rescue operations and other activities were obtained from MOPR based in Giżycko. Results. Nearly half of the surveyed yacht skippers (49.5%) consider the need for changes in legal regulations to be justified, while 57.2% see the need for mandatory sailing training before taking the exam. Checking the weather before departing from the port and properly responding to weather changes and received warning signals are the main factors affecting sailing safety. More than half of the respondents (55%) see the need for a universal and free warning-information application for sailors. A significant proportion of sailors consume alcohol during sailing trips or do so occasionally. Conclusions. Sailors report having very good or good knowledge of legal regulations; however, not all of them adhere to these rules during sailing trips, as confirmed by police statistics. The dangerous situations experienced by the respondents and their safety concerns do not lead to the perceived need to purchase liability insurance.
Introduction. Sex and anthropometric parameters have a significant impact on balance performance, emphasizing the necessity of considering these factors in dynamic balance studies. Therefore, this study aims to explore independent and interactive effects of age, sex, and BMI on dynamic balance control in healthy adults. Material and Methods. A total of 227 healthy participants (aged 20-70 years), volunteered to take part in the study. Dynamic balance values were assessed using the Y-Balance Test (YBT), including anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) directions. The values were normalized based on leg length, and the average of the right and left leg scores were calculated to determine the total score (TotalScore). A covariance analysis method was used to model the effects of sex, BMI, and age on YBT. Results. Sex had a significant effect on all YBT variables. BMI showed statistically significant effects on TopPM, TopPL, and TotalScore, but no significant effect on TopANT. The interaction between sex and BMI was not statistically significant across all variables. The effect of age as a covariate on balance showed a negative correlation across all variables. Conclusions. These results indicate that sex is directly related to YBT measurements, age has a negative effect, and BMI particularly influences TopPM and TopPL, but not TopANT. The effects of sex and BMI on balance performance were found to be independent and did not interact with each other. In conclusion, controlling these factors in balance assessments may help obtain more reliable results.
Introduction. Kyokushin karate is a full-contact style of karate. In addition to typical injuries resulting from opponent strikes during fights, non-contact injuries of the lower limbs also occur. The most common of these include injuries to the upper ankle joint and the knee. One of the causes of such injuries is the performance of motor tasks in an asymmetrical manner, with a clear preference for the dominant side of the body. Based on these observations, the aim of the study was to examine the relationship between asymmetries in strength and power and the occurrence of non-contact lower limb injuries. Material and Methods. The study involved 28 participants (4 females and 24 males) aged 23.39 ± 3.89 years, including 15 (2 females and 13 males) practicing Kyokushin karate and 13 (2 females and 11 males) with no experience in combat sports. None of the participants had a history of hip, knee, or upper ankle joint injuries. Passive and active range of motion measurements were conducted for the hip, knee, and upper ankle joints. Isometric strength testing was performed for the flexors and extensors of the knee and upper ankle joints. Reactive strength index (RSI) was assessed using a force plate. Results. Kyokushin karate practitioners exhibited high symmetry in the assessed strength and power parameters. In the control group, knee flexor strength significantly differed between the dominant and non-dominant limbs (p = 0.029). Additionally, karate practitioners demonstrated significantly higher RSI values compared to the control group (p = 0.048). Conclusions. Kyokushin karate training contributes to symmetrical development of lower limb strength and power. The observed symmetry in these parameters cannot be considered a direct cause of non-contact lower limb injuries in this population.
Introduction. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become increasingly significant in tourism and hospitality studies due to its influence on business innovation, community development, and the environmental concerns of tourism destinations. While previous research has focused on customers' perceptions of sustainable practices, very few studies have demonstrated how customer engagement in CSR activities impacts customers’ responses. Therefore, this study aims to assess the influence of customer engagement in CSR activities on behavioral intentions based on customers' experiences in hotels in Poland's holiday destinations. Material and methods. This study surveyed 560 respondents from Poland, and SmartPLS 3.9 was employed for statistical analysis. Results. The findings indicate that customer engagement in CSR activities positively influences revisit and recommendation intention, and revisit intention has a positive influence on recommendation intention. Additionally, revisit intention mediates the effect of customer engagement in CSR activities on recommendation intention. Conclusions. The study demonstrates that customer engagement in CSR activities enhances revisit and recommendation intentions, with the revisit intention serving as a mediator in this relationship, providing both theoretical and practical insights and innovative solutions.
Introduction. Muscle recovery is a critical factor in optimizing athletic performance, as well as in clinical and rehabilitation settings. A range of biochemical markers, functional, and perceptual measures are used to assess both exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This scoping review aims to evaluate the applicability of these assessment methods by examining their cost, complexity, accessibility, accuracy, and degree of innovation. Material and Methods. A total of 1,324 articles were identified using relevant keywords during an initial search in Web of Science (n = 616) and Scopus (n = 698) databases. No strict quality assessment protocol was applied as the present study focused on emerging EIMD markers, sample size adequacy, relevance, and methodological clarity. After removing duplicates and applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 34 articles were selected for detailed analysis. Results. While subjective measures are simple and non-invasive, their lack of accuracy limits their effectiveness. Biochemical markers such as creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, and cytokines provide precision but are costly and often impractical in low-resource settings. Imaging and molecular techniques deliver high accuracy but involve complex, laboratory-based procedures. Functional tests like counter movement jumps, limb circumference measurements, and pain pressure threshold offer a balance between cost and applicability. Conclusions. The review indicates that the subjective measures such as visual analogue scale and functional test like counter movement jump, limb circumferences and pain pressure threshold are ideal methods for EIMD assessment with some limitations. The review also emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to EIMD quantification.
Introduction. Upper body power plays a vital role in rock and sport climbing. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two different Post-Activation Performance Enhancement (PAPE) protocols – isometric pull-ups and 5 RM weighted pull-ups – on the performance of a dynamic campus board exercise known as the Slap. Material and Methods. Nine climbers (mean age = 31.9 years, weight = 70.2 kg, height = 174.8 cm) of intermediate skill level, belonging to the same intermediate-level training group, participated in the study. Participants completed the International Rock Climbing Research Association (IRCRA) Power Slap Test. A cross-over design was used: all participants went through both baseline and follow-up tests. The Beast inertial sensor (Beast Technologies Ltd., Brescia, Italy) measured velocity (m·s−1), force (N), power (W), and estimated one-repetition maximum (1RM). A repeated-measures ANOVA with Tukey post hoc testing assessed pre–post PAPE (post-activation performance enhancement) effects. Results. The findings indicate that the 5 RM weighted pull-ups significantly improved slap distance and force output, while power and velocity remained unchanged. Specifically, slap distance increased from 74.8 ± 10.1 cm pre-intervention to 79.0 ± 8.0 cm post-intervention, with a significant difference (p = 0.009) and a moderate effect size (d = 0.60). In contrast, the isometric pull-ups did not produce significant changes across any measured parameters. Conclusions. These results suggest that while the 5 RM weighted pull-ups serve as an effective PAPE stimulus for enhancing climbing power, the isometric variant does not yield similar benefits in this context.
Introduction. This study is all about the destination which is perceived as risky due to tourism risks, viz., perceived risk, political risk, social risk, economic reflections, natural disasters etc. Material and methods. Statistically, the total sample size was 217, for which self-structured closed questionnaire was framed to understand the tourist intentions and their future perspectives towards the conflict sensitive destination in consonance with destination image as a mediator between tourism risks and tourist intentions. Data were collected from respondents by random sampling method, and research model was evaluated using two-step structural equation modeling approach. The measurement model was furthermore estimated by confirmatory factor analysis followed by an examination of the structural relationships between the study constructs. Results. Results of the current study confirmed that there is no direct relationship between tourism risks and tourist intentions, whereas tourism risks have a significant negative relationship with destination image. However, this image has a significant positive relationship with tourist intentions and their future perspectives at destinations in conflict. Conclusions. The study shows that destination image serves as a mediator between tourism risks and tourist intentions and their future perspectives. Moreover, it is inferred that destination image plays a positive role in the decision making of tourists and their behavioral intentions towards destinations that are sensitive to tourism risks.
Introduction. Smart technologies enable the improvement of urban infrastructure to create well-being benefits as well as intellectual growth through modernized structural connectivity. Developments in smart urban concepts have gained popularity across developed nations, making them the next step from sustainable cities and essential for sustainable development. The study aimed to demonstrate the contribution of smart technologies to the green economy and confront climate changes in the Saudi sports sector. Material and methods. The researchers adopted a descriptive method for study purposes, and they selected descriptive survey study design since it best fitted to meet the objectives of the study. This approach was considered to be suitable because it matched the objectives of the research. The study included representatives of the sports industry of Saudi Arabia, such as sports clubs, federations, employees of sports facilities, and individuals who hold positions as presidents, board members, executive directors, administrators, specialists, and committee members. The study sample comprised 1,416 people who were chosen based on various categories within the studied population. Three questionnaires were applied as data collection tools, showing that the strong emphasis was put on smart technology applications and the implementation of green and environmentally friendly policies by some sports institutions in Saudi Arabia. Results. The outcomes proved to show a robust positive relationship between smart technology utilization, the green industry, and climate change mitigation. Conclusions. Smart technologies are believed to be a powerful tool for predicting the sustainability of sports ecosystems in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, it can be expected that smart technology will be the focus of study in this area. Possible future research areas would involve smart technologies for an advanced action of sustainable practices, probing long-run effects of smart technology adoption, and investigating hybrid schemes for incorporating smart technologies in sports for the sustainability of sports venues in Saudi Arabia.
Introduction. New technologies have emerged as promising avenues for enriching sport tourism experiences by immersing participants in virtual environments. By synthesizing existing literature, the study seeks to unveil the potential benefits and challenges associated with incorporating different types of virtual realities into sport tourism settings. Material and Methods. The analysis, based on studies from Scopus and Web of Science, employed frequency analysis and thematic modeling, proving effective in identifying high-frequency keywords. A thematic evolution map highlighted relationships and categorized keywords into motor, niche, basic, and emerging or declining themes. This clustering revealed predominant themes in the literature on new technologies in sport tourism. Results. Throughout the review, three key clusters surrounding the fusion of new technologies with sport tourism are identified, (1) management and marketing strategies, (2) engagement, and (3) device innovation. Conclusions. Virtual reality is recognized as the leading technology in sport tourism within the scientific literature, while consumer-focused research and technology innovation studies are identified as key areas for future research.
