The aim of this study is to examine the dispositional flow state and self-esteem of university students who exercise and participate in sports, according to gender, participation in individual or group sports, and exercise and sports participation status, and to reveal the relationship between dispositional flow state and self-esteem. The research is based on a correlational survey model. The study group consists of 400 students in total, 200 licensed athletes and 200 students who exercise, studying in various faculties of Akdeniz University during the 2017-2018 academic year. The Dispositional Flow State Scale-2 and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used as data collection tools in the research. Since the data showed a normal distribution, t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient test were used in the analysis of the data. A statistically significant difference was found in the transformation of time sub-dimension in favor of students participating in individual sports when students were compared according to whether they engaged in individual or team sports. In the comparison between students who engaged in exercise and those who participated in sports, statistically significant differences were found in favor of the sports group in the challenge–skill balance, clear goals, unambiguous feedback, and autotelic experience sub-dimensions. Moderate to low positive correlations were found between dispositional flow state and self-esteem in students who exercise and participate in sports. In conclusion, this study showed that students who participated in sports had higher scores only in the sub-dimensions of challenge–skill balance, clear goals, unambiguous feedback, and autotelic experience. As the dispositional flow state of university students increases, their self-esteem levels also increase.
This study aimed to examine the critical thinking levels of university students studying in the field of Physical Education and Sports at Selçuk University. The research was conducted using a quantitative research design based on the descriptive survey model. The study sample consisted of undergraduate students enrolled in the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Selçuk University. Data were collected using a personal information form and a standardized critical thinking scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and other appropriate statistical analyses were performed to examine differences according to demographic variables.The findings indicated that the participants demonstrated a moderate level of critical thinking. Significant differences were observed according to certain demographic characteristics, while no significant differences were found for others. These results suggest that individual and educational factors may influence the development of critical thinking skills among university students in physical education and sports education.In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of incorporating educational practices that foster critical thinking into physical education and sports curricula. Developing students' critical thinking skills may contribute to improved decision-making, problem-solving, and professional competence in both academic and practical settings.
The aim of this study is to systematically examine the plantar pressure distribution under constant load in weightlifters wearing weightlifting shoes and to identify possible asymmetries between the right and left feet. The study's research group consisted of 17 male weightlifters who participated in international competitions. Foot pressure measurements were performed using a Sensor Medica (Italy) baropodometric measuring device. A total of 25 pairs of variables (right-left foot) related to peak plantar pressure, mean pressure, contact area, center of pressure, and regional load distribution were analyzed during squat exercises performed by participants with a constant load of 50 kg. The findings showed a statistically significant difference between the right and left foot in 5 out of 25 pairs of variables (p < .05). Most of the significant differences were concentrated in pressure and load parameters (medial and lateral mean pressure of the hindfoot, overall maximum and mean pressure, load on the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal heads), and in these variables, the left foot showed significantly higher values with moderate to large effect sizes (d = 0.72-1.31) compared to the right foot. In contrast, small to moderate differences were found in contact surface variables (total contact surface, toes, 4th-5th metatarsal heads, hindfoot lateral contact percentage) in favor of the right foot (d = -0.55 to -0.97). No significant differences were observed between the two feet in the remaining 32 variables (footprint length, COP indices, Fick angle, forefoot/heel loads, etc.). In conclusion, it was found that the plantar pressure distribution in weightlifters is largely symmetrical, but a significant pressure/load dominance in favor of the left foot, particularly in the rear foot region, and conversely, a tendency for a larger contact surface in the right foot. This pattern is consistent with discussions in the literature regarding the dominant/non-dominant extremity difference and bilateral load symmetry specific to weightlifting. The findings indicate that foot-specific support strategies, rather than identical ones for both feet, should be considered in the design of weightlifting shoes and insoles.
The aim of this study was to examine the development, conceptual structure, publication trends, and influential authors, institutions, countries, and sources in the scientific literature on dual careers and elite athletes through bibliometric analysis. The study analyzed 734 documents retrieved from the Scopus database covering the period between 2016 and 2025. The data were evaluated using the Bibliometrix R package and the Biblioshiny interface in terms of annual scientific production, citation performance, sources, authors, institutions, countries, keywords, thematic maps, thematic evolution, co-word networks, co-citation networks, and collaboration networks. The findings revealed that the field has shown a rapid growth trend in recent years, with the annual number of publications increasing from 10 in 2016 to 182 in 2025. The literature gained particular momentum after 2020, with an annual growth rate of 38.04%, indicating that the field represents a dynamic research domain that has not yet reached saturation. The most productive sources were identified as Frontiers in Psychology, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, and International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, while the most influential authors were concentrated around Ryba, Stambulova, Wylleman, Henriksen, and Torregrossa. Country-level analyses showed that scientific production was mainly concentrated in the United Kingdom, Spain, China, Australia, Germany, and the United States, and that international collaboration networks were structured around Europe, North America, Australia, and China. Conceptual structure analyses demonstrated that the literature was shaped around the concepts of dual career, student-athletes, education, elite athletes, mental health, well-being, career transition, and athletic identity. The thematic evolution findings indicated that the research focus has expanded from adolescent athletes toward adult athletes, mental health, career transitions, and career management. In conclusion, the literature on dual careers and elite athletes can be considered an interdisciplinary and rapidly expanding research field that is increasingly deepening around psychosocial health, education-sport balance, and career transitions.
With this study, it is aimed to examine the leisure time satisfaction and quality of life levels of the students studying in the Faculties of Sport Sciences. While the population of the research was composed of students studying in Sports Sciences Faculties, the sample group consisted of 740 students, 274 female and 466 male, studying at Selçuk University, Marmara University, Gazi University, Pamukkale University and Akdeniz University Sports Sciences Faculties. While the personal information form created by the researcher was used for socio-demographic information, the Leisure Time Satisfaction Scale (LTSS), which was developed by Beard and Ragheb (1980) and adapted into Turkish by Karlı et al (2008), for determining leisure satisfaction, was used to determine the Quality of Life. Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) was used. The Quality of Life Scale was developed by the WHO (1998) to determine the quality of life of a group of individuals. The scale was adapted from the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) scale and translated into Turkish, and its validity and reliability study was carried out by Sevil (2015). Considering the Covid-19 Pandemic process in the collection of data, the questionnaire forms were transferred to the digital environment and made with a "google form". By testing the variance and homogeneity of the obtained data, Independent Samples t-Test for pairwise comparisons, One Way Anova for multiple comparisons, and Tukey HSD test were used to determine the source of difference. Statistical changes were determined in Leisure Time Satisfaction and its sub-dimensions depending on gender, age and doing sports (p
This study investigated performance differences between absolute elite and university-level badminton by comparing selected temporal and technical-tactical indicators from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games. Employing a retrospective observational design, official results for 195 Olympic matches and corresponding university-level categories were analyzed. Temporal indicators focused on match duration, while technical efficiency was assessed through Winner Points (WP) and Unforced Errors (UE). Statistical evaluations included Mann–Whitney U tests for between-level comparisons and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of set success. Results demonstrated that Olympic matches were consistently longer across all event categories (p < .05) with large effect sizes (d ≥ 0.80). The most substantial difference was observed in men’s singles (41.92 ± 14.14 vs. 22.00 ± 5.30 min). Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that WP (OR = 1.27) and UE (OR = 0.73) were significant predictors of set success at the Olympic level, achieving a 75.8% classification accuracy. These findings suggest that elite-level badminton involves significantly greater temporal demands and that technical precision remains critical for success. The study provides essential performance benchmarks for the transition from university-level to absolute elite competition, highlighting the necessity for enhanced physiological conditioning and effective error management.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between secondary school students’ attitudes toward physical education and sports and their emotional and cognitive empathic tendencies and to determine whether these variables differed according to gender, school type, income level, and sports branch. The study included 913 students, comprising 424 males and 489 females, who were selected through random sampling from five different public secondary schools in Tekirdağ, Türkiye, during the 2022–2023 academic year. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Physical Education and Sports Attitude Scale (PESAS), and the Ka-Si Empathic Tendency Scale–Adolescent Form (KA-SI ETS-A). Independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, post-hoc comparisons, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Male students had significantly higher attitudes toward physical education and sports than female students, whereas female students had significantly higher emotional and cognitive empathy scores than male students. Differences in attitude and empathic tendency scores were observed according to school type, income level, and sports branch, although the pattern of these differences varied across the outcomes examined. Sports High School students had higher attitude scores than students attending the other school types, while their cognitive empathy scores were significantly higher only than those of Imam Hatip High School students. PESAS scores showed a statistically significant but very weak positive correlation with emotional empathy (r = .072, p = .031) and a weak positive correlation with cognitive empathy (r = .190, p < .001). In conclusion, secondary school students’ attitudes toward physical education and sports and their empathic tendency levels differed according to selected demographic characteristics, and positive but weak relationships were found between these variables. The findings should be interpreted in terms of associations and group differences rather than causal relationships.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of game-based wrestling training applied with an eight-week controlled intervention model on motor development. A total of 42 children (21 experimental, 21 control group) participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 11.35 ± 0.72 years, mean height was 145.83 ± 5.40 cm, mean body weight was 39.35 ± 8.33 kg and mean body mass index was 18.37 ± 2.91 kg/m². Measurements of 10 m acceleration, 30 m sprint, agility (Illinois agility test), flexibility (sit and reach test), vertical jump and anaerobic power were taken from all participants as pretest and post-test. The data obtained were analyzed with SPSS 26.0 package program. In addition to descriptive statistical methods, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used for intragroup comparisons and Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparisons according to the distribution of the data. Significance level was accepted as p
The aim of this study was to determine the levels of impostor syndrome and academic procrastination among sports science faculty students and to examine the relationship between these two variables. The study employed a relational survey model. A total of 373 students (194 female, 179 male; age range: 18 years and above) enrolled at Selçuk University Faculty of Sports Sciences were included through convenience sampling. The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale and the Academic Procrastination Scale (Turkish-validated versions) were used as data collection instruments. Independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis were employed for data analysis. Both variables were found to be at moderate levels. A low but statistically significant positive correlation was identified between impostor syndrome and academic procrastination (r = .25, p < .01). Academic procrastination differed significantly across age groups; the 18–19 age group exhibited significantly higher scores than the 20–21 age group. Gender, sports experience, and academic department had no significant effect on either variable. These findings indicate the need for psychological support programmes, early intervention strategies, and time management training targeting first-year students in sports science faculties.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the structure, development, and thematic characteristics of research on physical activity, sleep, and circadian rhythms in children and adolescents using a bibliometric approach. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, and 256 publications were analyzed. Bibliometric indicators and science mapping techniques, including keyword co-occurrence and frequency analyses, were applied to explore publication trends and the conceptual structure of the field. Results: Scientific production has increased notably, particularly after 2018, reflecting growing interest in the interaction between physical activity, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The field is primarily driven by sleep-focused journals, with contributions from sport science, indicating increasing disciplinary convergence. Research output is geographically concentrated in a limited number of countries, led by the United States, China, and Europe. Two main thematic clusters were identified: physical activity and health-related outcomes, and sleep-related constructs. Their interaction highlights an increasing focus on the combined role of movement behaviors and sleep in health outcomes. Conclusion: Research in this field is increasingly characterized by conceptual integration within a 24-hour behavioral framework, yet remains geographically concentrated, highlighting the need for more globally distributed and integrative research to advance child and adolescent health.
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of 8-week plyometric exercise (PE) on horizontal jumping (HJ) and vertical jumping (VJ), sprint, and agility performances in elite taekwondo athletes. Twenty elite taekwondo athletes were recruited and randomly assigned as two groups experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). EG; n = 5 men; 20.51±1.81 years and 5 women; 20.01±2.85 years and CG; n = 6 men; 19.89±2.21 years and 4 women; 20.85±1.75 years. Athletes completed their usual exercise for 8 weeks, and those in the EG added (PE) program three times a week. Pre and Post exercise measurements included HJ, VJ, sprint (10 and 30 m), and pro-agility (PA) test. Regarding HJ, VJ, and 10 m sprint there were a significant “time” effect (effect sizes, respectively, 4.90, 4.68, and 3.24) (p
Background and Aims: Inactivity and screen addiction have contributed to a rise in sleep problems among young people, especially following the pandemic. Although there is evidence that regular exercise improves sleep quality in young people, there is still no consensus on the duration, intensity, frequency, type, and timing of exercise. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of short-term aerobic exercises on sleep quality in healthy young adults. Methods: This study was designed as a pilot study, randomized, controlled group, pre- and post-test. Thirty young participants who aged 18-25 as the experimental group (age: 22.13 ±1.92) and the control group (age: 21.80 ± 1.65) were included in this study. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ), and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used before and after aerobic exercise intervention. Participants were included in cardio exercises, including bodyweight exercises, running, and walking, at 60-80% of the target heart rate. Results: After the intervention, a significant difference in sleep quality and physical activity levels was observed between the experimental and control groups (p
Having a physically literate population is one way to potentially increase participation in physical activity in society. This study investigated the relationship between perceived physical literacy and physical activity levels among sport educators in Turkey. Using a cross-sectional correlational design, data were collected from 675 participants through the Perceived Physical Literacy Scale and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. The results indicate that sport educators exhibit high levels of Perceived Physical Literacy and physical activity, exceeding recommendations. Correlation analyses revealed positive associations between perceived physical literacy and physical activity, particularly in vigorous and moderate-intensity activities. Gender differences emerged, with male educators reporting higher physical activity levels, although no significant differences in perceived physical literacy were found. Body Mass Index was negatively associated with physical activity, whereas profession did not significantly predict Physical activity engagement. These findings emphasize the role of physical literacy in sustaining active lifestyles and highlight the importance of integrating perceived physical literacy into educational strategies. Future research should explore intervention-based approaches to enhance physical literacy and physical activity participation among educators and students.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of dynamic warm-up protocols on flexibility values in male wrestlers and to investigate the potential impact of these changes on vertical jump performance. The study was conducted in Istanbul and Edirne, Türkiye. A power analysis performed using the Python statsmodels library indicated that, with a power of 80%, a significance level of 5% (α = 0.05), and an effect size of 0.80, the minimum required sample size per group was 12 participants. The study sample comprised 40 elite male wrestlers aged between 18 and 28 years. A structured dynamic warm-up protocol was administered to the participants over a specific period. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS 25 software. Descriptive statistics (minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation) were calculated, and normality tests confirmed that the data followed a normal distribution. An independent samples t-test was used to determine differences between groups, Pearson correlation analysis was applied to identify the direction and strength of the relationship between flexibility and vertical jump values, and simple linear regression analysis was conducted to explain the causal relationship between flexibility and vertical jump performance. The level of statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. The findings revealed a strong and positive relationship between the dynamic warm-up protocol and wrestlers' flexibility levels, and that increased flexibility had a significant positive effect on vertical jump performance. These results suggest that the systematic integration of dynamic warm-up protocols into wrestling training sessions can be an effective strategy to enhance athletic performance.
Managing team rosters and player rotation is an important coaching issue that may influence team performance and competitive success in youth basketball. This study examined differences in team performance, roster size, and player rotation patterns between playoff-qualifying and non-qualifying teams across seasons of the Turkish Basketball Youth League (Boys Category). Fifty-nine teams competing during the 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020 seasons were included. Team performance was assessed using the Hollinger Efficiency Rating, whereas playoff qualification represented competitive success. In addition, the number of players receiving 5–10 minutes of playing time per game represents bench utilization, whereas the number of players receiving 10 or more minutes represents the team's core rotation. Descriptive statistics, two-way ANOVA, and independent-samples t-tests for simple main effects were performed. Two-way ANOVA revealed that no significant seasonal differences were found in team performance, roster size, or player rotation patterns (p > .05). However, playoff teams demonstrated significantly higher team performance, larger roster sizes, and a greater number of players who played 5–10 minutes compared with non-playoff teams (p < .05). Furthermore, no interaction effects were found for team performance, roster size, or the number of players who played 5–10 minutes. Conversely, a significant interaction effect was found between playoff status and season for the number of players who played 10 or more minutes (p
The aim of this study is to examine the capacity of Turkish sports administration to produce sustainable success at the Olympic level from a public policy perspective and to analyze it through its institutional structure. Based on the assumption that sports services constitute a strategic public service in terms of national identity construction, social integration, and the realization of public benefit, it is accepted that Olympic success, embodied in medals, is directly related to the state's planning capacity, institutional coordination power, and human resource management. In this study, the legislation of Athlete Training Centers (SEM) and Turkish Olympic Preparation Centers (TOHM), which hold a significant place within Turkish sports administration, is examined comparatively, and talent scouting and Olympic performance monitoring mechanisms are evaluated within the context of systemic integrity. The findings suggest that the multi-actor executive structure based on sports federations and sports clubs has structural limitations in its capacity to produce sustainable Olympic success; conversely, it is predicted that a centralized management model based on early talent identification, central planning, and merit-based human resource management will offer a more systematic foundation for athlete development. In conclusion, sustainable Olympic success; This is a sensitive and national issue that is too strategic to be reduced to individual initiatives, too long-term to be left to temporary preferences, and must be addressed beyond electoral concerns. In this context, it seems possible to make the Olympic athlete training system more predictable, accountable, and sustainable if the ongoing transformation process in sports management in Turkey is supported by a strong managerial framework based on the proposed Turkish Sports Model. Accordingly, this study goes beyond a detailed legislative analysis and offers a conceptual contribution to the reassessment of the institutional transformation of Olympic athlete training policies in Turkey within the context of public sports management literature, and provides a perspective on future policy designs based on Strategic Focus.
The purpose of this study is to examine pre-service physical education and sports teachers’ teacher identity scores and to determine whether these scores differ based on gender, grade level, and whether or not the participants have taken the teaching practicum course. The study was conducted using a descriptive survey design, one of the quantitative research methods. The study group consists of a total of 300 teacher candidates enrolled in physical education and sports teaching undergraduate programs at different universities in Türkiye during the fall semester of the 2025–2026 academic year. Data were collected using the Pre-service Physical Education Teachers’ Teacher Identity Scale, originally developed by Liu and Keating (2022) and adapted into Turkish culture by Gülünay (2025). In data analysis, descriptive statistics were used along with the independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Mann–Whitney U test. The findings show that pre-service physical education and sports teachers’ overall mean score on the Teacher Identity Scale is (X̄ = 5.62), corresponding to a “quite good” level. Examination of the sub-dimensions reveals that the Teaching Goals sub-dimension has the highest mean score (X̄ = 6.19), indicating a “very good” level. The Professional Responsibilities sub-dimension presents a mean score of (X̄ = 5.43), reflecting a “quite good” level, while the Self-Definitions sub-dimension shows a mean score of (X̄ = 4.74), corresponding to a “good” level. Regarding gender, female teacher candidates were found to have significantly higher overall teacher identity scores than male teacher candidates. However, no significant differences were identified in overall scale and sub-dimension scores based on grade level or whether or not participants have taken the teaching practicum course.
The aim of this study was to compare handgrip strength, vertical jump, agility, and flexibility performances, as well as joint range of motion levels, in young male tennis and badminton players aged 14–16 years, and to examine the relationships among these parameters. A total of 27 male athletes, including tennis (n=15) and badminton (n=12) players who actively compete in their respective sports, voluntarily participated in the study. In addition to body composition measurements, handgrip strength, vertical jump, agility, and flexibility tests were conducted, and joint range of motion of the shoulder, hip, knee, and elbow was assessed. Independent samples t-test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for statistical evaluation. The results indicated that badminton players had higher vertical jump performance, whereas tennis players demonstrated greater flexibility levels (p0.05). Regarding joint range of motion, a significant difference was observed only in shoulder flexion in favor of badminton players (p
This study aims to examine the impact of the physical and emotional changes experienced by female athletes during the menstrual cycle on their sports performance. Qualitative data obtained from 346 Reddit comments were analyzed using digital text mining techniques. The research employed sentiment analysis (NRC and VADER), topic modeling (LDA), and word association analysis (Word2Vec), alongside interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and traditional content analysis to deeply explore user experiences. The findings reveal that female athletes experience significant variations in energy levels, motivation, focus, and physical capacity across different phases of the menstrual cycle. While some participants reported decreased performance during menstruation, others described enhanced strength and energy, referring to this as a form of "period power." The role of hygiene products and their practical usability in shaping performance outcomes was also emphasized. Additionally, the study draws attention to the potential effects of hormonal changes on injury risk. In this context, it concludes that the menstrual cycle affects sports performance not only physiologically but also psychologically. The results highlight the importance of developing individualized training strategies tailored to the phases of the menstrual cycle and to athletes’ personal experiences.
In this study, the relationship between coaches’ stress management, organizational commitment, and job performance was examined. The sample of the research consisted of 255 coaches working in various sports branches in Bingöl province. The study was based on a quantitative research method, specifically a descriptive analysis model. A survey method was used as the data collection tool, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 26 software. The study employed the “Coping with Stress Scale,” “Organizational Commitment Scale,” and “Individual Job Performance Scale.”The findings indicated that coaches with strong stress management skills had higher levels of organizational commitment, which positively reflected on their job performance. A regression analysis between organizational commitment and individual job performance revealed a significant but weak positive relationship (R² = 0.04, β = -0.207, p < 0.01). However, stress management was found to have no significant relationship with either individual job performance (R² = 0.00, β = -0.081, p > 0.05) or organizational commitment (R² = 0.00, β = -0.095, p > 0.05).According to the correlation analysis, a low-level, negative, and statistically significant correlation was found between the normative commitment sub-dimension of organizational commitment and the overall individual job performance score (r = -0.171, p < 0.05). Similarly, there was a low-level negative correlation between the problem-solving sub-dimension of the stress management scale and overall individual job performance (r = -0.124, p < 0.05).In conclusion, it was understood that enhancing the stress management skills of coaches is an effective method to improve both their individual job performance and organizational commitment. It was also concluded that supportive practices aimed at helping coaches in the sports sector manage work-related stress effectively can contribute to increased individual and institutional success.
