Teaching–learning processes and sports training represent two fundamental pillars in the pedagogy of any sport. In football, coaches integrate both simultaneously across all competitive levels, from grassroots to elite professional contexts. The primary aim of this study was to analyse how football coaches structure their weekly training sessions in terms of frequency, content, and time allocation. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 517 coaches. Data were collected through an ad hoc questionnaire designed to capture the distribution of training sessions. The average session duration was 87.38 ± 18.57 minutes. Technical and tactical components were the most frequently included contents. On average, 2.75 ± 1.50 sessions per week were devoted to technical work (39.28 ± 26.41 minutes per session), whereas tactical work was addressed in 3.70 ± 2.81 sessions per week, with a slightly lower average duration of 28.25 ± 20.67 minutes per session. Overall, the findings indicate that coaches place comparable emphasis on technical and tactical training within their weekly planning.
Bowling accuracy represents an essential performance variable in visually impaired (VI) cricket, but existing literature does not provide a validated, cricket-specific framework of assessment of the challenges of this group of perceptual-motor. The purpose of this systematic review was to cover this gap by synthesising existing evidence on cricket and adapted sports to propose a conceptual framework of integrating multisensory performance factors. Five databases (2015-2025) were searched systematically and in accordance with PRISMA 2020 principles and allowed finding the necessary 28 eligible studies. The quality of the studies was evaluated using such evaluation tools like the Jadad Scale, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and AMSTAR 2. The results revealed the importance of auditory, tactile, proprioceptive and balance-based feedback systems in enabling motor control and skill acquisition in VI athletes. The findings in goalball, blind baseball, and adaptive athletics were generalized to provide information about situations in cricket. It is due to such synthesis that new conceptual framework was introduced with sensory inputs being related to intermediate abilities, e.g., balance and core stability and finally, to the accuracy of bowling. The protocol not being registered and the empirical validation of the method being cricket specific are the main limitations even though the methods are methodologically strong. The review ends by recommending validation of this multisensory model and the creation of inclusive and standardised assessment instruments of VI cricket.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between hardiness personality, problem-focused coping, and pre-competition stress among semi-professional soccer players. This quantitative study used a survey method with a correlational design. The sample consisted of 134 male soccer players aged 18–23 years who participated in the Division II Ascab PSSI tournament in Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Hardiness personality was measured using the Personal Views Survey III-R, problem-focused coping was measured using selected dimensions of the Brief COPE, and pre-competition stress was measured using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised. The main analysis was conducted using SEM-PLS with SmartPLS 3.2.9, while exploratory supplementary team-level regression analysis was performed using SPSS 27. The SEM-PLS measurement model showed that all indicators had outer loading values above .70, and the constructs demonstrated adequate reliability and convergent validity. The SRMR value of 0.058 indicated acceptable approximate model fit. The structural model showed that hardiness personality was significantly associated with pre-competition stress (t = 3.976, p < .001), and problem-focused coping was also significantly associated with pre-competition stress (t = 5.024, p < .001). The exploratory team-level regression analysis showed consistent significant relationships across the six teams, with R² values ranging from 0.259 to 0.509. Hardiness personality and problem-focused coping are important psychological factors associated with pre-competition stress in semi-professional soccer players. These findings support the development of mental training programs that strengthen psychological resilience and active coping strategies in semi-professional soccer contexts.
Background: Research is advancing rapidly, focusing on the whole brain; it examines whole-brain outcomes, with limited attention to how exercise influences specific hemispheric processes. The impacts of different exercises on the left and right hemispheres remain unmapped. Aim: This systematic review aims to determine the effects of immediate and regular exercise on left- and right-hemispheric brain function. Method: The researchers collected 363 articles in this area from the following scientific databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Afterward, researchers followed the PRISMA guidelines, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251055235). 35 articles were selected for review based on the PRISMA checklist and PICOS framework, meeting the eligibility criteria. Results: Neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies show that endurance exercise activates the right hemisphere in motor adaptation, spatial processing, and affect regulation, while the left hemisphere is active in motor learning, emotional regulation, and working memory after aerobic exercise. Strength exercises engage the right hemisphere for attentional control and proprioception, whereas the left hemisphere supports voluntary motor planning. Coordinative exercises also exhibit lateralized activation, with the right hemisphere supporting balance and visuomotor integration, and the left hemisphere facilitating fine motor skills and goal-directed behavior. Low-intensity, immediate (acute) exercise may alter cortical activation, hemodynamics, and executive processing in the left hemisphere. Also, moderate-intensity exercise may enhance left-hemispheric function, which is associated with motor planning in the left cortex. Whereas high-intensity acute exercise demonstrated right-hemispheric activation, involved in stress processing and autonomic control. Four months of regular (chronic) exercise enhanced left temporal hemispheric activation, and six months of chronic exercise displayed that hemispheric asymmetry (left and right alpha activity). Whereas, after performing one year of regular exercise, there were bilateral regional changes (frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes), and after more than one year of regular exercise, there was increased right hemispheric activation. Conclusion: This review highlights how different types of immediate and regular exercise affect brain function by uniquely engaging the left and right hemispheres.
This descriptive-survey study mapped the perceived quality of youth-tennis coaching in Bali Province, Indonesia. Forty-two actively licensed provincial coaches self-rated four domains, namely athlete-recruitment models, training-programme design, use of training media, and evaluation practice, via a closed-ended questionnaire employing a five-point categorical scale (A = very good to E = very poor). The descriptive statistics suggest a clear polarisation in perceived coaching proficiency. In the recruitment domain, 61.90% of coaches rated themselves in category A, whereas 26.19% fell to category D (mean = 38 ± 10, scale 0–50). Programme design recorded a mean of 58 ± 12 (scale 0–70), with 73.81% in category A and 14.29% in category D. Media utilisation emerged as the weakest area: only 47.62% reached category A, while 16.67% remained in category D (mean = 26 ± 6, scale 0–35). Evaluation practice appeared comparatively solid (mean = 32 ± 7, scale 0–40); even so, 14.29% of coaches were clustered in category D despite 64.29% achieving A. No coach received an E rating in any domain. These disparities may hypothetically be linked to unequal access to coach education, technology, and logistical support, although these contextual factors were not directly measured by the survey. Practical recommendations include targeted peer mentoring, concise micro-cycle training modules, shared-equipment rotation schemes, and routine post-session debriefs. Because the study draws solely on coach self-perceptions within a single province, future work incorporating on-court observation and athlete outcome data would strengthen the ecological validity of these findings.
Introduction: This meta-analysis examines the relative benefits of isometric versus dynamic resistance training on strength element performance in men's artistic gymnastics (MAG), with a focus on key variables such as Muscle Activation (MA), Hold Duration (HD), Strength gain (SG), Transition Efficiency (TE). Gymnastics requires excellent upper-body strength, coordination, and joint stability, especially for elements on Ring like the Swallow, Azarian, and Iron cross. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines, using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholars, and Web of Science between 2000 and 2024. Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria based on the PICOS framework; only those that received a score of ≥6 were retained for further examination using the PEDro scale. Results: The information obtained included training modes, sample characteristics, and outcome factors. Cohen's d was used to compare the interventions, and the Chi-square (φ²) test and I² statistic were used to evaluate heterogeneity. Results showed that isometric training enhanced components of static strength, especially muscle activation and hold duration, with effect sizes as high as 1.097. Conclusion: Dynamic resistance training had minor effects on transition efficiency and overall strength gains, whereas hybrid regimens showed consistent trends across several variables, although direct comparative experimental evidence remains limited. Additionally, biomechanical tests demonstrated that optimal angular velocity and joint alignment had a significant impact on dismount mechanics and injury prevention. This meta-analysis provides preliminary evidence regarding training-related adaptations in static strength elements; however, due to heterogeneity in study designs and limited direct comparisons between training modalities, the findings should be interpreted cautiously and cannot be considered definitive prescriptive guidelines.
This study examines whether machine learning can be used to predict player performance in the Czech National Basketball League (NBL) using only information available before a game. Publicly available player- and team-level data were collected from the official NBL website and FIBA LiveStats, and the target variable was defined as Performance Index Rating (PIR), a widely used indicator of overall player efficiency in European basketball. To ensure practical usability and methodological validity, all predictor variables were constructed exclusively from pre-game information, including lagged and rolling statistics from previous matches, and explicit steps were taken to prevent data leakage. Three supervised learning models were compared: Random Forest, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and a simple neural network. Model performance was evaluated using R², MAE, RMSE, and MSE. Among the tested models, XGBoost achieved the best overall performance, although the predictive accuracy remained moderate rather than high, indicating that pre-game prediction of PIR is a challenging task in a smaller European league context. Feature-importance and SHAP analyses showed that prior PIR, recent form, minutes-related indicators, and selected matchup variables contributed most strongly to predictions. The study contributes to the growing literature on sports analytics by providing a transparent and reproducible pre-game prediction pipeline for Czech basketball, and the article-specific code, analytical notebook, and merged player-game dataset are made publicly available in an online repository.
The quality of teaching and learning in Physical Education has become a central focus for both researchers and practitioners. Building on a strong tradition, developments in this area are particularly prominent in German-speaking regions, where new comprehensive models of quality in Physical Education are being proposed. Through European projects, these models are disseminated to other countries, which primarily focus on developing tools to evaluate teaching and learning quality in practice. However, in these professional activities, the theoretical foundations for modeling teaching and learning quality are often overlooked. This study addresses this gap by providing a conceptual analysis of models of teaching and learning quality in Physical Education, with particular attention to one of the most influential contemporary models, QUALLIS. The study distinguishes between general (i.e., cross-disciplinary) models and subject-specific models, with a primary focus on models specific for Physical Education. It highlights the importance of key quality aspects, including physical exposure, ensuring safety, maximizing effective learning time, and the integration of cognitive and motor activation. The QUALLIS model is subsequently presented, along with its theoretical foundations and related approaches to the development of evaluation tools. The study concludes with an overview of the application of this model and of the development of the QualiTePE evaluation instrument in the Czech Republic.
This quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of HipHop Original Philippine Music (OPM) on isometric muscular endurance among Fitness and Sports Coaching students. A total of 79 participants from a state university in Region 3, Philippines, were purposively sampled and assigned to three groups: No Music (n = 28), Preferred Music (n = 30), and HipHop OPM Songs (n = 21). Isometric muscular endurance was assessed using validated field tests: the Plank Test for core endurance and the Wall Sit Test for lower-limb endurance. Testing was conducted across two non-consecutive days, with baseline scores obtained on Day 1 and interventions applied on Day 2, following standardized warm-up and rest protocols to control extraneous variables. Non-parametric analyses revealed no significant group differences in plank performance (p > .05); however, HipHop OPM music was associated with reduced posttest scores (p = .046). By contrast, wall sit performance significantly improved under the Preferred Music condition compared with No Music (p = .032), while HipHop OPM yielded no enhancement. These findings indicate that HipHop OPM exerts limited or even negative effects on isometric endurance, whereas self-selected preferred music may enhance lower-limb endurance. The results highlight the task-specific nature of music’s ergogenic effects and underscore the need for standardized, music-free protocols in fitness testing to avoid inflated scores. Future studies should test larger and more diverse samples, explore dynamic and sport-specific variables, and systematically examine tempo, genre, and lyrical features to better understand music’s influence on endurance performance..
Speed and balance are interconnected and crucial in a child's daily activities. While both develop over time, balance improves steadily with age, whereas speed increases at a slower rate. This study assessed the static balance and sprint ability of school-going girls to examine age-related changes in these attributes. Hundred girls (N=100) aged 8–12 from rural Jashore, Bangladesh, participated, with 20 girls (n=20) in each age group. Static balance was evaluated by having participants place their hands on their hips and their non-supporting foot against the inner knee, with timing starting at heel lift and stopping upon form break. Sprint speed was assessed at 10m and 50m distances. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, LSD post hoc tests, and correlation analysis were conducted, with significance set at p <0.05. One-way ANOVA revealed significant age-related differences in static balance and 10m sprint times, F(4, 95) = 3.069, p = 0.009, and F(4, 95) = 6.833, p = 0.001, respectively, but not for the 50m sprint. LSD post hoc tests indicated that younger children (8–9 years) performed worse than older ones (10–12 years) in static balance and 10m sprint, while no significant differences were found among older groups. Static balance showed a negative correlation with 10m sprint (p < 0.01), whereas the 10m sprint had a weak positive correlation with the 50m sprint (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that while age significantly impacts balance and short-distance speed, it does not influence longer sprint performance.
The article deals with current trends in the academic environment in the measurement of physical activity and lifestyle and the relationship between these two phenomena. The authors focused on evaluating the measurement of physical activity in academic research and comparing subjective and objective methods. The article also describes the concept of life satisfaction and its measurement methods in articles. At the end, the authors described the relationship between the two observed phenomena based on the literature search. The findings suggest that while physical activity is generally associated with higher life satisfaction, the strength and nature of this relationship vary depending on measurement methods, age groups, and cultural contexts, emphasising the need for careful interpretation and further research.
This conference report presents the outcomes of the 1st M(U)INI eSports Conference (MeSC), held on 28 November 2025 at Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. The event aimed to establish an interdisciplinary platform connecting faculties of Sports Studies, Informatics, Law, Economics, Social Studies, and Arts to address the fragmented nature of esports research. The morning academic programme featured six student presentations in English and Czech, while the afternoon session at the Czech National Championship in Computer Games enabled direct engagement with professional players and coaches from the partner team SINNERS. Key findings confirm that serious esports scholarship requires integration across legal, economic, psychological, and physiological perspectives. The conference demonstrated that university–industry collaboration, particularly with professional teams serving as “lead users,” provides unique research opportunities unavailable in laboratory settings. Tangible outcomes include consensus on establishing an institutional esports platform at Masaryk University and the publication of this collection of student abstracts. Areas for improvement identified include earlier submission deadlines, broader faculty involvement, hybrid delivery formats, and sustainable financing models. The report concludes that Masaryk University has significant potential to become a key node in Central and Eastern European esports research, bridging academic inquiry with professional practice.
This study aims to examine the biomotor characteristics and vital lung capacity of Indonesian elite para-badminton athletes. Methods: This study used an observational method with a quantitative descriptive design. The research subjects were Indonesian elite para badminton athletes with SL3, SL4, SU5, and SS6 standing player classifications. It involved 14 participants, 9 men and 5 women. Each subject performed three stages of tests. The first stage was anthropometric measurements. The second stage measured biomotor characteristics consisting of strength, power, flexibility, speed, and agility. The third step measured vital lung capacity. Results: The average value of biomotor characteristics on arm muscle strength, leg muscle strength, flexibility, and leg muscle power fell into normal categories, while speed and agility were classified as poor. The vital lung capacity of Indonesian elite badminton athletes had FVC and FEV1 below the normal average, and there was no significant difference between male and female athletes. Conclusion: This study revealed that the biomotor characteristics of male athletes were better in arm muscle strength, leg muscle strength, leg muscle power, and speed. Meanwhile, female athletes showed better results in flexibility, agility, and vital lung capacity.
Objective: Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is considered as a time efficient training technology particular suitable to increase function, fitness and health-related outcome in people unable or unmotivated to exercise conventionally. WB-EMS is frequently presented as being safe and attractive, however evidence for this description is vague. Thus, the present study aimed to provide an overview of different aspects related to safety, adherence and attractiveness of WB-EMS in non-athletic cohorts. Methods: Our review was based on a systematic review of the literature according to PRISMA that searched five electronic databases, two study registers and google scholar without language restrictions. Briefly, WB-EMS studies that reported adverse effects, loss to follow, withdrawal or attendance rates in non-athletic cohorts were included. Results: In total 58 eligible studies were identified. All studies applied low-frequency WB-EMS predominately 1-2x 20-25 min/week. Seventeen studies provided a superimposed protocol. While no study (n=56) reported serious adverse effects, four studies observed abnormal laboratory findings, albeit without clinical relevance. Loss to follow-up (10±11%) and withdrawal rate (5±6%) of WB-EMS trials were low, but did not differ from data for the non-training (10±12% and 4±6%) or exercise control groups (12±11% and 7±8%). In parallel, we observed high attendance rates (94±7%) in the WB-EMS groups that again did not vary relevantly from findings for the exercising control groups (n=20; 91±7%). Conclusion: WB-EMS can be considered as a safe and attractive training technology for non-athletic cohorts, be it with or without health problems.
Resisted sprint training is one of the most studied methods for developing speed capabilities, especially for elite-level athletes. While traditional sled training relies on a fixed load based on the percentage of body mass, recent research suggests that resistance based on velocity decrement (Vdec) may be a more practical option. This study examines whether Vdec at a given resistance remains consistent or varies across different phases of a 30 m sprint. Twelve male participants with a speed-focused training history were involved in this study. Participants performed 30 m sprint trials, with time splits recorded at 10 m intervals (0–10 m, 10–20 m, 20–30 m) and additional segmental analysis for distances 0–20 m, 10–30 m and the entire 0–30 m sprint. Each participant completed two repetitions at five different resistance levels provided by a cable-driven motorised resistance system (1080 Sprint). The analysis of horizontal force-velocity-power parameters showed moderate variation in force generation of the subjects, with an average theoretical maximal force of 6.33 ± 0.85 N/kg and a relatively consistent maximal velocity of 9.39 ± 0.42 m/s. The study revealed a statistically significant difference in % Vdec (p ≤ 0.05) across different sprint phases, with higher resistance leading to increased differences in the individual phases of the run. Segmental analysis showed a greater % Vdec as sprint distance increased across all resistance levels. These findings highlight the need for a deeper understanding of resisted sprint training for more effective speed development.
This article explores sport and physical activity as key components of a healthy lifestyle, focusing on their sociological, cultural, and behavioral dimensions. Drawing on William C. Cockerham’s health lifestyle theory, it emphasizes the interplay between structure and agency in shaping individual health behavior. Physical activity is interpreted not only as a biological or preventive practice but also as a socially and culturally conditioned phenomenon that reflects broader inequalities. A quantitative research method was employed, based on questionnaire surveys. Batteries focusing on sport and physical activity were included as part of an omnibus survey. Using data from two large-scale population-based surveys conducted in 2013 and 2023, the paper analyzes trends in sports participation in the Czech Republic across age, gender, and educational levels. The findings indicate a significant correlation between physical activity and higher education, younger age, and subjective social status, while gender differences appear less pronounced. In addition to empirical insights, the paper discusses the role of the body in contemporary society, the influence of sedentary lifestyles, and the potential of sport for social integration and psychological well-being. The concept of an "active lifestyle" is addressed as a multidimensional construct that includes both biological engagement and social participation. The article concludes that promoting physical activity should be seen as both a public health goal and a tool for social inclusion, requiring systemic support and cultural change.
BACKGROUND: The World Karate Federation introduced for a very first-time the new scoring system consisting of technical and athletic score, applied from 2019 in kata competitions. PROBLEM AND AIM: The aim of our study was to identify differences in performances of top-level karatekas comparing mean: a) scores between genders, b) score differences across categories and c) rounds, d) scores required to pass to next round, e) to win medal match across categories under new scoring system applied in most important karate kata events. METHODS: We obtained 2478 individual kata point lists performances of 2021 Karate 1 events. RESULTS: Male competitors received significantly higher average athletic and total scores than female competitors (p<.001 resp. (p<.036). Athletes in older age categories scored higher than those in younger ones (p<.05 – p<.01) and the same applies to the medallists (p<.001). Scores also increased significantly from round to round (p<.001). In 2021, the average score required to win a medal match was 25.51 ± 1.03. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight score differences based on gender, age category, and competition round. These findings can help athletes assess their current performance level in comparison to top-level competitors.
This research investigates the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and motor performance in school-aged children, addressing a significant gap in existing literature. A sample of 250 students (130 boys and 120 girls) aged 12 to 16 years from four schools in the Dhaka Region was analyzed using stratified random sampling. Different anthropometric measures included body height, mass, BMI, and various limb dimensions, whereas motor performance was evaluated through different tests i.e. hand tapping, sit and reach, standing long jump, and agility tasks. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS V26, employing normality test, independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The results showed significant gender differences, with girls showing greater measurements in several anthropometric parameters, while boys outperformed girls in strength-based tasks like the standing long jump. Conversely, girls excelled in flexibility tests. The correlation analysis emphasised that specific anthropometric measures, such as leg and arm length, positively influenced motor performance, whereas a higher BMI negatively impacted agility and endurance. The study accentuates the importance of couture physical education programs to individual anthropometric profiles, considering gender disparities and specific physical attributes, to enhance motor performance among school-aged children. This research contributes valuable insights for the development of effective physical education strategies.
The aim of our study is to substantiate and confirm the importance of the level of running stride parameters and explosive power of the lower limbs of young basketball players in achieving acceleration speed. The research population consisted of U13 (n = 11) and U15 (n = 16) players who have been participating in a regular specialized training program for at least 2 years. Testing was conducted using the Optojump next device in the 15 m acceleration race. The literature refers to the 1st and 2nd running steps as key. In our study, we focused on the evaluation of the first 6 running steps. We performed 3 vertical jump protocols (CMJ (counter movement jump), CMJ- free arms and SQ (squat jump)) to determine the level of explosive power of the lower limbs. We observed a significant relationship between the level of acceleration velocity and CMJ (p < 0.05, r = -0.610), CMJ-free arms (p < 0.05, r = -0.728) in the U13 category. In the U15 category, a significant relationship was found in CMJ (p < 0.01, r = - 0.720), CMJ-free arms (p < 0.01, r = - 0.688) and SQ (p < 0.01, r = - 0.872). In the U13 category, we observed a significant relationship between the level of acceleration speed at 15 m and pad contact time in the 4th (p < 0.01, r = 0.740) running stride. Running stride length was not significant with acceleration speed level in the U13 category. In the U15 category, we observed a significant relationship between the level of acceleration speed at 15 m and the contact time with the mat in the 1st (p < 0.05, r = 0.619), 3rd (p < 0.01, r = 0.709), 5th (p < 0.01, r = 0.783) and 6th (p < 0.05, r = 0.593) running stride. Running stride length in relation to acceleration velocity was not significant in either running stride in the U15 category.
