The aim of this study was to examine the research field of sports law through bibliometric techniques, highlighting thematic trends, subject focus, and the progression of legal discourse. The study highlights the evolution of sports law into an interdisciplinary domain that intersects governance, health, human rights, and arbitration. The study utilizes bibliometric analysis, drawing on data from the Scopus database spanning 1983 to 2025. VOSviewer facilitates co-occurrence, clustering, and network analysis. It delineates publication patterns, leading countries, major subject areas, and keyword interrelationships to provide a systematic assessment of the field's development. There has been a significant increase in publications since 2010, peaking in 2021 and 2024. The United States and the United Kingdom are the primary contributors, with Social Sciences accounting for the largest share of publications. Four principal thematic clusters emerge: arbitration and fundamental rights, athlete welfare, regulatory governance, and legal issues related to doping and equity. Keyword analysis identifies "sports law" as the central keyword, together with terms such as arbitration, anti-doping, and human rights. The findings aid policymakers, legal scholars, and sports organizations in understanding research trends, supporting informed policymaking, and addressing issues related to doping, discrimination, and athlete rights. This is one of the few comprehensive bibliometric analyses in sports law, connecting academic knowledge with practical legal and societal needs.
This study aimed to evaluate the physical development of obese children after participating in a physical exercise program at school. The pedagogical experiment involved 188 obese school students (aged 8-10). For 4 months, obese children studied together with children of the basic medical group and performed physical exercises that were feasible for them (stage 1). After the next control measurement, these schoolchildren did physical education for 4 months according to a specially developed program for obese children (stage 2). After stage 1 of physical education classes, obese children grew by 2.8 cm (+2.1%), their weight increased by 1.9 kg (+3.9%), their body mass index improved from 28.6±3.1 to 28.1±3.5 (-1.8%), and vital capacity of the lungs increased by 0.05 l (+4.5%). The difference between the obtained and initial data was not significant (p>0.05), which may indicate the low efficiency of the standard physical education program for obese children. After stage 2, as a result of the experimental program, on average schoolchildren grew by 4.3 cm (+3.1%), and their weight decreased from 51.2±7.9 kg to 47.9±7.7 kg (-6.9%), body mass index improved by 13.8% (p<0.05), and vital capacity of the lungs increased by 16.2% (p<0.05). The results obtained can be used when organizing the process of adaptive physical education for overweight primary school children in general education schools in extracurricular activities or in the system of additional education.
This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the anthropometric characteristics and somatotype profiles of state-level Kabaddi and football players, with the goal of identifying sport-specific morphological adaptations. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 24 male athletes (12 Kabaddi, 12 Football; age: 18–25 years) from Rajasthan, India. Standardized ISAK protocols were used to assess anthropometric parameters, and somatotypes were computed via the Heath–Carter method. Group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests, with Bonferroni correction applied for multiple comparisons (α = .0033 for anthropometric variables, α = .01 for somatotype/body composition). Significant between-group differences were observed in endomorphy (p = .001, d = 1.18) and ectomorphy (p = .006, d = 1.24), with football players exhibiting higher values in both components. Kabaddi athletes displayed a more mesomorphic–endomorphic profile, whereas footballers were predominantly mesomorphic–ectomorphic. Additionally, humerus (p = .002, d = 1.59) and femur breadths (p = .002, d = 1.52) were significantly larger in football players. While differences in height, fat-free mass, and triceps skinfold did not reach statistical significance, large effect sizes (d ≥ 0.74) suggest practically meaningful distinctions in physique and body composition. This study reveals distinct somatotype and structural differences between Kabaddi and Football players, underscoring the influence of sport-specific demands on body morphology. These findings support the use of anthropometric profiling in talent identification, performance optimization, and tailored training strategies for athletes in high-intensity sports.
This study aimed to develop and determine the concurrent validity of the maximum interval push-up (MIPU) field test to assess upper-body anaerobic power and capacity. For this purpose, 72 physically active adult men performed either one upper-body Wingate Anaerobic test (WAnT; 30 s all-out) or one MIPU test (6 × 6-s all-out: 10-s recovery). The order of the tests was counterbalanced, with a 30-minute rest interval between them. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationships between variables. In the comparisons of the absolute values (W) obtained in the WAnT with the results of the MIPU test (rep*kg), a very large correlation was observed for peak power (r=0.75, p<0.001), a large correlation for mean power (r=0.62, p<0.001), and a moderate correlation for minimum power (r=0.27, p=0.021). When comparing the relative values (W/kg) obtained in the WAnT test with those of the MIPU test (rep*kg), large correlations were observed for peak power (r=0.57, p<0.001) and mean power (r=0.50, p<0.001). Thus, MIPU appears to be an easy and practical field test for assessing peak and mean upper-body power in adult men, with potential for use in the sports and health sectors.
This study aimed to: (1) assess the level of physical literacy among obese adult women; (2) evaluate their lung capacity and cardiorespiratory performance; and (3) examine the interrelationships among these variables. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 18 obese adult women in Tegal Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Participants were assessed for Body Mass Index (BMI), physical literacy using a validated 24-item questionnaire, lung capacity using spirometry, and cardiorespiratory performance using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). The mean BMI of participants was 31.95±4.26 (Kg/m²), with an average physical literacy score of 76.21±10.01 (moderate level). Lung capacity (FVC) averaged 1.76±0.60 L, and the FEV1/FVC ratio was 82.14±16.63%. Participants completed an average 6MWT distance of 352.08±32.37 meters, indicating reduced cardiorespiratory performance (63.30±6.89% of predicted). Obesity level was significantly correlated with lung capacity, cardiorespiratory performance, and inversely with physical literacy (p<0.05). BMI showed significant negative correlation with physical literacy (p<0.05), but not with lung capacity (p>0.05). Most participants retained normal lung function despite obesity. Obese adult women in this study generally demonstrated moderate physical literacy and average lung and cardiorespiratory function. Obesity level, more than BMI alone, was a stronger predictor of reduced lung capacity and physical performance. Findings highlight the importance of integrating physical literacy into gender-responsive obesity interventions.
This study aimed to examine the relationships among explosive strength, agility, and reaction time in athletes enrolled at the School of Physical Education and Sports. In this context, the participants' explosive strength, reaction time, and agility parameters were measured using standardized protocols. The study sample consisted of 120 active athletes (68 males and 52 females), aged between 18 and 30, who were studying at Bartın University Faculty of Sports. All participants were actively engaged in various sports disciplines, participated in competitions, and trained in their respective branches at least three times per week. Based on the findings, a statistically significant moderate negative correlation was found between agility and reaction time in male athletes (r = –.262, p < 0.05), a strong negative correlation between explosive strength and agility (r = –.595, p < 0.01), and a moderate negative correlation between reaction time and explosive strength (r = –.520 to –.594, p < 0.05). In female athletes, a statistically significant strong positive correlation was observed between agility and reaction time, as well as between agility and explosive strength (r = .354, p < 0.01). These findings suggest that agility is closely linked to both reaction time and explosive strength, especially among female athletes, and highlight the need for integrated training approaches.
This study aimed to investigate the impact of kickboxing training on oxidative stress biomarkers, specifically total sulfhydryl (–SH) and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels. The study was designed as a quantitative, cross-sectional, comparative investigation. The sample consisted of 45 healthy male university students aged 18–24 years from the Van province, Türkiye. Participants were divided into two groups: kickboxing athletes and sedentary controls. The experimental group (n = 20) consisted of male kickboxing athletes with a minimum of seven years of training experience, ranked among the top three in the Turkish Kickboxing Championship, and currently training at least four days per week. The control group (n = 25) consisted of sedentary male individuals with no history of regular exercise in the past six months, no alcohol or tobacco use, no chronic diseases, and adherence to a balanced diet. Blood samples were analyzed using validated biochemical methods. The results showed significantly higher –SH and lower IMA levels in the kickboxing group (p < 0.05). Effect size analysis indicated large differences for both markers (Cohen’s d = 1.25 for –SH and d = 1.00 for IMA), suggesting that kickboxing training has a substantial impact on oxidative stress parameters. These findings highlight the physiological benefits of regular high-intensity physical activity in promoting cellular resilience and adaptive responses.
Sports massage and cupping are ubiquitous in elite sports and increasingly common at the amateur level but evidence of these interventions has been underreported. The study's aim was to examine the effect of sports massage and cupping on changes in heart rate and lactic acid after high-intensity interval training (HIIT). This study utilized a quasi-experimental design with three experimental groups (sports massage group, cupping group, and sports massage plus cupping group) and one control group. A total of 40 athletes from East Java, Indonesia, participated. All groups consisted of ten athletes. The results showed that the sports massage intervention was more effective in reducing lactic acid and heart rate than the cupping group, the sports massage plus cupping group, and the control group. The results also indicated that the sports massage and cupping group had the lowest lactic acid and heart rate compared to the other groups (p ≤ 0.001). This study proves that sports massage and cupping was effective to reduce lactic acid and heart rate after high-intensity interval training. Our findings may contribute to helping guide coaches and athletes about the benefits of sports massage and cupping and provide information for incorporating sports massage and cupping into training and competition.
This literature review aimed to examine the role of women in sport, with a particular focus on Taekwondo, and to provide an analytical overview of the position of female athletes within contemporary sport contexts. The findings of the reviewed literature highlighted persistent gender inequalities, including limited access to opportunities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and the continuation of gender-based stereotypes that affect women's participation and performance. At the same time, the review identified significant progress achieved through institutional and legislative initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality in sport. These include policies designed to enhance women's participation, ensure equal opportunities, and challenge discriminatory practices. Furthermore, the study emphasized the evolving and transformative role of women in sport, as evidenced by the increasing participation rates and notable athletic achievements in recent years. Despite this progress, structural and cultural barriers remain. Overall, the findings suggest that while important steps have been taken toward gender equality, continued efforts are required at policy, institutional, and societal levels. This study contributes to the advancement of gender equality in sport by synthesizing current knowledge and highlighting the need for sustained and targeted interventions.
This study examined the effectiveness of an educational protocol focused on eSports in enhancing cognitive skills, such as reaction speed, visual-motor reflexes, selective and sustained attention, and working memory, in a large sample of lower secondary school students. The study involved 1,200 lower secondary school students aged 11–14 years (mean age = 12.1 ± 0.9), recruited from ten Italian schools and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 600) and a control group (n = 600), with stratification by gender, academic performance, and socio-economic background. The experimental group participated in a structured programme of recreational and educational activities based on esports for four months, with weekly sessions aimed at enhancing specific cognitive functions (e.g. attention, memory, reaction) and social and interpersonal skills (inclusion, emotional regulation, cooperation), while the control group continued with their normal educational activities, carrying out standard curricular activities. The four-month intervention was evaluated using a mixed methodology that combined standardised psychometric tests with qualitative survey tools, including semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and feedback from teachers and parents. Quantitative results showed significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Qualitative results highlighted increased concentration, inclusiveness, motivation, and perceived well-being. Overall, the analysis suggests that esports can be an effective educational tool, capable of integrating cognitive and socio-emotional training and stimulating the use of digital technology in teaching.
This experimental study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychophysiological characteristics and the levels of the testosterone and cortisol hormones in elite athletes. Twenty elite Greco-Roman wrestlers (aged 20–33 years) from the Ukrainian national team participated in the study, with a total of 40 examinations conducted. The athletes had experience competing at World, European, and Olympic Championships. The concentration of testosterone and cortisol was determined in blood serum using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ChemWell (Awareness Technology, USA). Psychophysiological parameters were investigated using the "NS-Psychotest" computer system for psychophysiological evaluation, developed by Ukrmedspectr in Ukraine. A correlation analysis between the obtained endocrine and neurodynamic indicators showed a significant relationship (p<0.05) between testosterone levels and complex visual-motor reactions, cortisol levels, and the number of reactions delayed in the test of response to a moving object. For further analysis, athletes were divided into two groups according to the speed of sensorimotor response. The groups significantly differed (p<0.05) in the level of complex visual-motor reactions but did not significantly differ in simple reaction-time tests (p>0.05). In addition, differences in hormone levels between these groups were found. Thus, athletes with a better complex visual-motor reaction had significantly higher testosterone levels and lower cortisol levels. Research on the relationship between hormonal and psychophysiological markers may improve athlete monitoring and enable early detection of excessive stress responses.
This experimental study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a cricket-based sports workshop designed to promote the educational and cultural inclusion of students of Sri Lankan origin in an Italian lower secondary school. The study involved 60 students (aged 12–13 years) enrolled in two second-year classes of a public lower secondary school in Emilia-Romagna, equally divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). Each group included 15 students of Sri Lankan origin and 15 Italian or other students, ensuring balanced cultural composition. The experimental group participated in a six-week intercultural sports workshop based on cricket (12 sessions, 18 hours total), while the control group followed the regular physical education curriculum without specific intercultural content. A mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative) was adopted, combining standardised questionnaires assessing school belonging, ethnic identity and peer relationships with semi-structured interviews and systematic observations. The results indicate significant improvements in the experimental group (p<0.05) in terms of sense of belonging to the school, perception of cultural identity, and quality of peer relationships, whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group (p>0.05). Overall, the findings suggest that integrating culturally meaningful sports activities into school-based educational programmes can be an effective strategy for fostering social cohesion, intercultural dialogue and inclusive school climates, benefiting both students from migrant backgrounds and the wider school community.
The study evaluated the effectiveness of a visual-motor training program with interactive lights (Le Reactiva) in enhancing peripheral vision, physical self-efficacy, and collaboration in young soccer players (aged 8–16). Using a mixed-methods (quantitative-qualitative) design, 100 athletes were assigned to an experimental group (n = 50; training with lights) and a control group (n = 50; traditional training) for 12 weeks (3 sessions/week, 60 minutes), with activities differentiated by age group (8–10; 11–16). Quantitative measures included a peripheral reactivity test based on Le Reactiva, the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale for Children (PSES), and the Youth Sport Environment Questionnaire (YSEQ). The analysis showed a marked improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group: a 15–20% reduction in reaction time to peripheral stimuli (vs. <5% in the control group), an increase in physical self-efficacy of approximately +0.6 points on a scale of 1–5 (vs. +0.1), and an increase in team cohesion (YSEQ) in both the task component (+0.5) and the social component (+0.4) (vs. +0.1–0.2). Repeated measures ANOVA confirmed significant differences between groups for all variables (p < .01), while the group × age group interaction was not significant (p > .05), suggesting a cross-sectional effectiveness of the intervention in the two groups considered. Qualitative data converge in describing greater spatial awareness, decision-making speed, motivation, and cohesion in the experimental group. Overall, training with interactive lights appears to be a promising strategy for integrating perceptual-motor development and psychosocial dimensions into youth soccer training programs.
The aim of this study was to establish the impact of Transdermal Insulin Therapy in patients with chronic diabetic wound. This double blinded randomized control trial study involved 40 (12 female and 28 male) patients with stage II-III of chronic diabetic foot wound. The patients in the intervention group (I) were subjected, besides Transdermal Insulin Therapy, to Hyperpolarized light therapy and Standard wound cleaning and dressing. Hyperpolarized light therapy and Standard wound cleaning and dressing (standard treatment) were the treatment that were used in the control group (C). All patients were assessed before treatment initiation and then weekly for four consecutive weeks. Post-treatment revealed significant reductions in DIMST score IV (MD=-2.9, effect size=0.79) and DIMST score V (MD=-2.95, effect size=0.81) of the study group in comparison to the control group (p<0.01). Comparing within groups, in the intervention group there was a substantial reduction in score V in comparison with score I, II, III and IV (p<0.001), a substantial reduction in score IV in comparison with score I, II and III (p<0.001), a substantial reduction in score III in comparison with score I and II (p<0.001) and a substantial reduction in score II in comparison with score I (p<0.001). The Transdermal Insulin Therapy by ultrasound has a significant effect on wound healing and supports the physical performance of chronic diabetic foot wound patients, and it should be considered in future treatment plans for diabetic wounds.
El objetivo de este artículo fue analizar la relación entre hábitos alimentarios, actividad física y percepción de calidad de vida en estudiantes universitarios. La muestra estuvo conformada por 200 estudiantes seleccionados al azar entre 18 y 30 años. La recolección de datos se realizó en aulas de clase. Se aplicaron tres instrumentos principales: el cuestionario WHOQOL-BREF para medir calidad de vida, un cuestionario breve de frecuencia alimentaria para registrar el consumo semanal de frutas, verduras y ultraprocesados, y un registro de actividad física semanal en minutos. Además, se calcularon medidas antropométricas. Los resultados revelaron tres perfiles: un clúster de riesgo alto (35%), caracterizado por IMC elevado, bajo consumo de frutas y verduras, alta ingesta de ultraprocesados y escasa actividad física; un clúster intermedio (40%), con hábitos mixtos y calidad de vida media; y un clúster saludable (25%), conformado por estudiantes con mejores prácticas alimentarias, mayor nivel de actividad física y mayor percepción de calidad de vida. Estos hallazgos resaltan la necesidad de implementar programas de promoción de la salud en el contexto universitario, con el objetivo de fortalecer los hábitos alimenticios saludables y aumentar la actividad física.
Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability and has been associated with several factors, including postural habits, physical inactivity, and psychosocial factors among university students. The precise cause of LBP is often difficult to find, with activity imbalance and postural changes being common contributors. Students in healthcare-related fields are particularly susceptible to LBP. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between LBP and disability among physical therapy students at Horus University, Egypt. A total of 200 physical therapy students (59% females and 41% males), aged 20 to 25 years enrolled in the current study, at Horus University, Egypt.. To measure pain and functional level, both Acute LBP Screening Questionnaire (ALBPSQ) and Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire (ODI) were used. The current study revealed that there was a moderate correlation between ALBPSQ score and ODI score (p<0.05). Also, there was a moderate correlation between pain intensity in terms of VAS (Visual Analog Scale) score and dysfunction level in terms of ODI (p<0.05). The findings highlight the relationship between pain intensity and functional impairment in physical therapy students with LBP. Universities and healthcare institutions might consider implementing policies that promote better posture, regular physical activity, and ergonomic practices to reduce the incidence of LBP among students.
The aim of this study was to examine the role of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in sports governance, focusing on legal trends and future challenges. The study adopted a qualitative doctrinal and descriptive research design to examine the role of CAS in contemporary sports governance. The research focused on analysing the evolution, legal framework, jurisdiction, and emerging challenges of CAS as the leading institution for the resolution of international sports disputes. CAS has played a significant role in resolving international sports disputes by providing a specialised arbitration mechanism that ensures efficiency, neutrality, and legal certainty. It has evolved into a forum for the adjudication of sports-related disputes, ranging from doping violations and contractual disagreements to governance and disciplinary issues. Nowadays, sports-related disputes have increased considerably due to the commercialisation of sport, and CAS faces increasingly complex legal challenges in resolving such disputes. However, CAS also faces important concerns regarding the independence and impartiality of its arbitrators, as these aspects have been questioned by claims that CAS tends to favour governing bodies over individual athletes. The future effectiveness of CAS will depend on its ability to strengthen stakeholder confidence through greater transparency, enhanced procedural safeguards, broader accessibility, and continued efforts to preserve institutional independence.
This study investigated the impact of sport-based extracurricular activities on student engagement and academic achievement among Vietnamese university students, addressing a gap in localized research. Employing a mixed-methods design, data were collected from 300 students and 60 faculty members across four universities. Quantitative data, derived from a student engagement questionnaire, grade point average (GPA) records, and participation surveys, were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analyses. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 20 students and 10 faculty members were analyzed thematically. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between sports participation and engagement (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) and a moderate correlation with academic achievement (r = 0.35, p < 0.05), with engagement and sports participation explaining 32% of the variance in GPA (R² = 0.32). Qualitative findings highlighted enhanced motivation, social connectedness, and institutional barriers, such as limited facilities, as key factors. These results align with motivation theories, emphasizing the role of sports in fulfilling students’ needs for competence and relatedness. The study underscores the potential of sport-based extracurricular activities to enhance student outcomes in Vietnamese higher education, while highlighting the need for improved institutional support to overcome barriers.
Teacher engagement in special needs schools is pivotal to the delivery of inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education. This study investigated the multidimensional factors influencing teacher engagement by examining the roles of experience, training, collaboration, Sports involvement, and school resources in special education settings. Utilizing a sample of 850 teachers involved in educational support during the Athens Marathon from 2018 to 2022, the study employed the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test five hypotheses. Results indicated that teacher experience (β = 0.27, p < 0.001), training (β = 0.31, p < 0.001), and collaboration (β = 0.25, p < 0.001) significantly influence student outcomes and teacher satisfaction, while sports involvement and resource availability emerge as critical factors in enhancing emotional development and job contentment. Despite initial model limitations, a refined SEM model offers improved explanatory power, reinforcing the need for adaptive frameworks in assessing teacher motivation and satisfaction. These findings underscore the importance of systemic support, professional development, and stakeholder collaboration in sustaining effective educational practices in special needs environments.
To improve physical functional capacity in people with cerebral palsy (CP), the rehabilitation workforce must be proficient in exercise physiology and load management, ensuring that interventions are both evidence-based and participation-focused. Currently, empirical data on the clinical preparedness and practice patterns remain scarce in the Southeast European region. To address this issue, this cross-sectional survey examined professional training, clinical experience, and use of standardized physical activity assessments among 202 licensed physiotherapists in Kosovo and Albania (113 females, 55.9%; 89 males, 44.1%; mean age 29.7±7.0 years). The study utilized a structured questionnaire specifically designed to reflect local cultural and professional contexts. Results showed limited participation in specialized neurodevelopmental training and inconsistent use of validated assessment frameworks in both Kosovo (74.0%) and Albania (76.5%), with no biological sex differences. Recognition of ≥ 3 early clinical signs was significantly higher in Kosovo compared to Albania (80.0% vs. 64.7%, p=0.007). The use of early diagnostic tools was reported more frequently in Albania than in Kosovo (49.0% vs. 33.0%, p=0.021), with a significant sex difference observed only in Albania (p=0.005, φ=0.277; moderate effect), where females reported greater use. To improve health trajectories, future initiatives must focus on competency in loan management and motor learning. Implementing participation-focused exercise through interdisciplinary collaboration represents a vital strategy for evolving CP rehabilitation into proactive, physical activity centered model.
