Regular physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle and may contribute to improved well-being, reduced stress, and better academic outcomes among university students. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between physical activity levels, perceived health, energy, stress, and academic performance among students from the Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used. The sample consisted of 141 university students, including 76 females and 65 males. Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF), together with additional items assessing perceived health, energy level, stress, grade point average, and concentration. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and independent samples t-tests were applied. The results showed that most participants reported moderate to high levels of physical activity, with a mean value of 2146.39 MET-min/week. Physical activity was positively correlated with perceived health, energy level, GPA, and concentration, and negatively correlated with perceived stress. Stress was negatively associated with both academic performance and concentration. Gender comparisons indicated that female students reported significantly higher stress levels than male students, while no significant gender differences were found for physical activity, perceived health, energy, GPA, or concentration. These findings suggest that physical activity is closely connected with students’ physical and psychological well-being and may support academic performance by reducing stress and improving energy and concentration. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for university programs that promote fitness and wellness activities as part of student development strategies.
The environment in which we live provides us with all the principles and ideas we acquire throughout our lives. In Arab society, women's participation in sports is subject to numerous standards and obstacles. There is significant apprehension surrounding women's involvement in sports, whether due to traditions, religion, or the patriarchal nature of society. Therefore, this study aims to determine the extent to which the environment influences women's participation in physical activities and their involvement in sports clubs. A descriptive approach was used, relying on questionnaires and the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests to identify variables that generally influence women's participation in sports, such as sport type, age, and educational level. We also explored the relationship between indicators of women's interest in sports and indicators of their living environment. The study concluded that there is a correlation between women's interest in sports and their living environment, whereas the variables of sport type and age have no effect. Educational level influences women's interest in sports, while the same variables are also influenced by women's surrounding environment.
The evolving demands of modern football require players to integrate physical, technical, tactical, and psychological competencies in order to perform at elite levels. This study aimed to construct a multidimensional performance model of professional footballers, analysing a dataset of nearly 18,000 players from major international databases (FIFA, Instat, WyScout, Football Manager). Players were categorised by nationality and playing position and evaluated across key attributes, including acceleration, sprint speed, strength, stamina, agility, vision, and composure. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and cluster analysis were employed to examine intergroup differences and latent performance typologies. Results revealed significant national differences: Iberian players excelled in agility and balance, German players in strength and reactions, while Romanian players showed competitive acceleration and stamina but lower technical stability. Position-specific profiles confirmed that defenders rely on strength and aerial ability, wingers on explosive acceleration, and midfielders on balanced endurance and vision. Correlation analysis identified redundancies (e.g., sprint speed and acceleration, r = .93) and highlighted the importance of reaction time in overall player rating (r = .86). Cluster analysis yielded four latent profiles: Explosive Wingers, Physical Defenders, Complete Midfielders, and Clinical Forwards. These findings underscore the importance of moving beyond unidimensional assessments toward integrative, data-driven models that account for both physical and cognitive performance. Practical implications include more effective talent identification, position-specific conditioning programs, and the inclusion of psychological indicators in player development, particularly in Romania.
This study explores the post-event realities of mega-event stadia through a dual lens of infrastructure legacy contestations and tourism development imperatives. Focusing on the DHL Stadium, Cape Town and Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, which were both constructed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the study draws from data collected through 22 semi-structured interviews with municipal officials, stadium operators, tourism stakeholders, and community representatives. Guided by a conceptual framework integrating legacy theory, resilience thinking, and tourism development strategy, the findings reveal persistent tensions between initial legacy narratives and actual long-term outcomes. Both stadia, while structurally intact, suffer from underutilisation, limited tourism integration, and fragmented governance arrangements. Respondents consistently emphasised the absence of anticipatory legacy planning, institutional fragility, and weak stakeholder coordination as key factors undermining legacy resilience and tourism leverage. The study argues that in the Global South, mega-event infrastructure legacies are not only uncertain but politically and economically contingent. Realising long-term value requires a recalibration of legacy discourse from celebratory symbolism to grounded functionality and sustained investment in governance, community access, and tourism system integration. The study contributes to a more critical and context-sensitive understanding of legacy dynamics, with implications for future mega-event infrastructure planning and post-event sustainability in emerging contexts.
This study examines the spatial structure of adult men’s and women’s handball championships in Hungary during the 2024/2025 season, focusing on regional disparities and gendered patterns. Based on data from 184 teams across three national divisions (NB I, NB I/B, NB II), the research applies a weighted scoring system, oneway ANOVA, and correlation analysis to explore territorial inequalities and their relationship with socioeconomic development. Spatial visualization and a robustness check using Moran’s I indicate a partially clustered pattern, confirming the dominance of central regions while highlighting the limited equalizing effect of lower divisions. The findings reveal significant spatial inequalities in both male and female competitions, with stronger concentration in women’s leagues. Team presence and regional development show a strong positive association, suggesting that infrastructural capacity, institutional resources, and cultural attitudes play a decisive role in shaping the sport’s geography. Comparative insights position Hungary within the group of partially centralized systems, contrasting with decentralized Nordic models and polycentric Western European structures. The study contributes to sports geography by linking spatial patterns to socioeconomic opportunity structures and offers policy-relevant recommendations for reducing territorial disparities, supporting women’s sport, and strengthening peripheral regions. These results underline the need for integrated sport and regional development strategies to promote equity and sustainability in team sports.
Seaside resorts are widely researched in tourism studies of Europe, North America and Australia. Much less attention has been given to resort development and the evolutionary pathways of seaside resorts in other parts of the world. Using archival material and existing secondary sources this paper offers a novel contribution on the making of seaside resorts in South Africa. East London is the case study. It is demonstrated that East London took on many of the characteristics associated with British seaside resorts. In charting the development directions of the resort from the 1880s to 1939 an important role was played by ‘local agency’ in terms of municipal actions. Further, for building the tourism economy the production of publicity material and promotional efforts of the South African Railways and Harbours organisation raised both domestic and overseas awareness of East London’s tourist assets. The initial anchors for tourist attraction were pleasure and health which were linked to sea-bathing. By the 1920s, a new focus is on sporting activities as an additional vital element of the touristic capital of this South African seaside resort.
In the context of fencing, reaction speed refers to the athlete's ability to respond promptly and effectively to external stimuli, such as the opponent's movements. This involves not only physical speed, but also the ability to make quick and correct decisions in stressful and competitive situations. The purpose of this study is: a) to develop reaction speed and execution accuracy; b) to determine whether there are differences in the results obtained by 10- 12-year-old girls and boys practicing fencing. The sample studied was composed of 14 athletes, 7 girls and 7 boys, aged between 10 and 12 years old, and was carried out over a period of 11 weeks, with a frequency of 3 times a week and 3 tests: initial, intermediate, and final. The reaction speed was assessed using the EFT-1 platform. Each athlete performed 10 blows with the sword, from a distance of 1 m from the apparatus, from the guard position, and the results were calculated by the testing apparatus, which averaged the 10 blows to obtain a score for each participant. The results obtained by girls compared to those obtained by boys do not present a statistically significant difference, although the effect size highlighted small values of 0.17 in the girls' group and 0.46 in the boys' group. But we obtained progressive differences between the 3 tests, which shows us that the program implemented by us was well structured, applied, and designed in accordance with the requirements of the group. Regarding the correlations between reaction speed and age and gender of the subjects, the statistical results show that there is no statistically significant difference. We believe that these results may be influenced by the small number of girls and boys in the applied study.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of different motor skills to final performance in the applied route of the Romanian Police Academy. The research included 32 candidates (male and female) preparing for admission, tested between February and March 2025 in Bihor County. The applied routeconsisted of 12 standardized obstacles, and performance was measured as total time including penalties. Descriptive statistics indicated a mean completion time of 160.29 ± 21.50 seconds, with Obstacle 12 (12 × 20 m shuttle run with cones) accounting for 52.7% of the total time. Moderate contributions were also observed for agility and coordination obstacles (Obstacles 3–9), while early elements such as Obstacle 1 had little direct influence. Pearson correlations showed that Obstacle 12 was strongly associated with total performance (r = 0.81, p < 0.01), whereas agility- and coordination-based obstacles presented moderate but significant correlations (r ≈ 0.40–0.43, p < 0.05). Anthropometric variables (height, weight, BMI) were not significantly correlated with results. These findings confirm that endurance, speed, and coordination are decisive in the applied route, while morphological factors are negligible. The study highlights the need for balanced preparatory programs that combine endurance development with agility, coordination, and technical drills, to optimize candidate performance and ensure operational readiness.
This study investigates the effectiveness of the ROSE (Romanian Secondary Education) Summer School program in supporting the transition of vulnerable high school students to higher education. The 2024 edition of the Varadinum Summer School, organized by the University of Oradea, was analyzed using a quantitative research design. A structured questionnaire with 20 items was completed by all 56 participants at the end of the program. Items addressed motivations for participation, perceived usefulness of activities, overall satisfaction, and sociodemographic characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, standard deviations) and inferential tests (independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations). Findings show that 82.5% of students attended a summer school for the first time, and all expressed willingness to recommend the experience. Physical Education and Sports courses received the highest scores (M=8.9, SD=1.2), followed by career counseling (M=8.3, SD=1.8) and Geography courses (M=8.2, SD=1.8). A significant difference was found between Sports and Geography courses (t(54)=2.36, p=0.02), while study visits showed no differences. A positive correlation was observed between career counseling and Sports courses (r=0.28, p=0.03). Socio-demographic analysis revealed that most participants came from rural or low-income families, with notable proportions having parents working abroad or special educational needs. In conclusion, the ROSE Summer School – Varadinum 2024 had a positive influence on students’ academic motivation, self-confidence, and perception of university life, confirming its value as an inclusive and effective intervention.
This study examines the influence of physical activity on the augmentation of social intelligence among secondary school students in Ain Beida, Ouargla. A total of 128 students from both the Arabic Literature and Natural Sciences streams took part. The Social Intelligence Scale and a Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to gather data. Both of these tools were shown to be very valid and reliable. The findings indicated that the majority of students participated in consistent physical activity and exhibited relatively elevated levels of social intelligence. There was a statistically significant positive association (r = 0.399, p < .001) between physical exercise and social intelligence. This means that kids who played sports, especially team sports, were more likely to learn how to communicate, work together, lead, and feel for others. These results underscore the necessity of including physical education and extracurricular sports into school curricula to facilitate adolescents' social and emotional development, while simultaneously advocating for additional longitudinal and experimental research to enhance comprehension of this relationship.
The study aimed to explore the environmentally sustainable measures adopted and implemented by the sporting events sector in Malawi, with a focus on understanding the current practices in place and identifying existing gaps in environmental management. Sporting events are seen as valuable platforms for raising environmental awareness and educating stakeholders. Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 purposefully selected experts from the sports and tourism sectors. The findings reveal minimal efforts toward making sporting events environmentally sustainable. While ecotourism-rich destinations in developing countries offer potential for sustainable sport tourism, challenges such as limited environmental awareness, financial constraints, and poor intersectoral collaboration persist. The study advocates for collaborative governance to overcome these barriers and support environmentally sustainable tourism. It offers practical and policy insights to strengthen the link between sport tourism and sustainability in developing contexts.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of the relationship between coaches and registered sportsmen within the Romanian Basketball Federation and in Romania's sports sections over the period 1992-2024. By examining key indicators such as the average number of sportsmen per coach and the proportion of coaches and sportsmen in sports sections, the study highlights the dynamics of human resources within sports institutions. The analysis focuses on how the Romanian Basketball Federation compares to national trends, offering insights into the development of sports training quality, resource allocation, and the challenges faced by sports organizations in maintaining an optimal balance between coaches and athletes. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of these dynamics on sports performance and provide a basis for strategic planning to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of sports management in Romania.
This study sought to investigate the correlation between personality factors and occupational stress in physical education instructors. The sample comprised 65 middle school educators in the city of Ouargla, utilising a Personality Traits Questionnaire and an Occupational Stress Scale. The findings revealed that physical education instructors demonstrate elevated levels of personality characteristics, encompassing responsibility, emotional stability, self-control, and social features. Furthermore, their levels of work stress were very low. A notable inverse link was identified between emotional stability and occupational stress, indicating that instructors with more emotional stability encounter less stress levels. Moreover, educators with greater years of expertise indicated markedly reduced stress levels. The study advocates for the creation of programs aimed at improving teachers' emotional resilience and fostering a supportive work environment to mitigate occupational stress. These measures can enhance teachers' general well-being and professional performance.
The aim of the current study was to explore the effects of an 8-week short-interval training program (SIT) including plyometric and sprint exercises on speed and agility performance in amateur young football players. Participants were divided into two groups: a Short Interval Training Group (SITG, n=13) and a Control Group (CG, n=10) receiving the traditional training. Speed was assessed with the 30- meter max-sprint test (30 m MS), while agility was assessed with the 90° sprint with turns (SWT 90°). Pre- and post-test comparisons were conducted using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and betweengroup differences were compared with Mann-Whitney U tests. The SITG showed significant improvements in both speed (pre: 4.82 ± 0.21 s, post: 4.18 ± 0.20 s, p = 0.000) and agility (pre: 6.56 ± 0.34 s, post: 6.03 ± 0.29 s, p = 0.000). In contrast, the CG did not show significant changes (30m MS: p = 0.127; SWT 90°: p = 0.177). Between-groups post-test comparisons confirmed superior performance in the SITG (30m MS: U = 93.000, p = 0.015; SWT 90°: U = 38.000, p = 0.001). The SIT program significantly enhanced speed and agility in young football players, whereas traditional training did not yield notable improvements. These findings add to evidence that the inclusion of high-intensity interval training, along with plyometric and sprint training, can optimize athletic performance, and offer coaches a useful approach to develop essential physical attributes in young players.
This study aimed to examine the impact of smoking on mental health among male athletes in Setif in 2025. A total of 139 athletes randomly selected from various official sports events participated in this study. The sample included 29 smokers and 110 nonsmokers, reflecting the typically lower prevalence of smoking in athletic populations. Mental health was assessed using the 28-item version of the Goldberg and Williams scale, translated by Wadi (1999), which measures four key dimensions: severe depression, anxiety and insomnia, psychosomatic health, and social functioning effectiveness. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.724 to 0.783 across subscales. Normality of the data was evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk test, which indicated that most variables deviated from a normal distribution, particularly among nonsmokers. Therefore, the Mann-Whitney U test was used for group comparisons. The results revealed significant differences in severe depression, anxiety, insomnia, and total mental health scores, with non-smokers consistently achieving higher scores than smokers. No significant differences were observed in the effectiveness of psychosomatic and social functioning. This study recommends increasing awareness of the mental health risks of smoking among athletes, particularly regarding mood and sleep. It also suggests that coaches and sports organizations should adopt stricter anti-smoking policies and provide support for athletes who smoke. Further research with a larger and more balanced sample is required to confirm these findings.
Mountain spaces are fragile areas characterized by great ecological vulnerability. They have come to the attention of human concerns lately due to the need for new spaces. In this context, knowledge of the spatial distribution of ski slopes represents a significant indicator that can provide us with information on the extent of mountain tourism focused on practicing winter sports. From a methodological point of view, the analysis of spatial distribution was carried out at four levels of action: development region, county, locality and ski slope. The results obtained gave us a succinct and concise image of the spatial dimension of winter sports in Romania. To deepen the results thus obtained, new studies and research are needed on several directions of action with interdisciplinary research teams, a fact imposed by the complexity and importance of mountain space in protecting and preserving the environment.
Poland’s northern regions, particularly the Tricity metropolitan area of Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia, play a crucial role in the nation’s yacht tourism and shipbuilding industries. Renowned for its maritime heritage and advanced yacht production capabilities, Poland is a leading European hub for manufacturing luxury yachts and outboard motorboats. This study examines the dynamics of yacht tourism in the Tricity area, highlighting the impact of geographical features, infrastructure, and natural conditions on yacht activity and distribution. The findings underscore Gdynia’s prominence as the most advantageous location for yacht tourism, thanks to its naturally protected harbour created by a coastal spit. Gdańsk benefits from the Martwa Wisła River, offering sheltered docking areas, while Sopot, despite its recreational appeal, lacks the geographic advantages present in the other two cities.
This study sought to evaluate the influence of a modified sports activities program on the enhancement of particular motor and social abilities in children with Down syndrome. The sample comprised ten youngsters aged 8 to 10 years. The researcher employed a series of motor skills assessments and a social skills scale, with the program executed over eight weeks, comprising three sessions weekly. The results indicated statistically significant enhancements in all assessed skills between the pre- and post-tests, with the post-test demonstrating superior outcomes. The enhancements were ascribed to the program's efficacy, which included activities centered on concentration, observation, and group interaction. The results underscore the significance of tailored physical activities in improving balance, locomotor speed, coordination, and social interaction in children with Down syndrome. The study advocates for the incorporation of adapted sports programs within educational and therapeutic frameworks for children with disabilities and proposes future research including bigger sample sizes and extended follow-up durations to substantiate the long-term impacts.
This research aims to highlight the role of sports marketing in achieving social integration. The results obtained showed that there is an implicit relationship between sports marketing and achieving social integration, as sports marketing contributes to paying attention to the dimensions of social integration by adopting the social concept of sports marketing through the sports marketing mix. The results of the research also confirmed that the contribution of the sports product to achieving social integration is through the provision of goods, services and ideas that include a set of characteristics to satisfy the needs and desires of individuals, the most important of which are the needs of acceptance and belonging. While the Sports price contribution is shown by the perceived benefits that must be higher than the material or intangible cost paid for the success of the desired adjustment process in social behavior. It also highlights the role of sports promotion and distribution through cognitive and educational messages And decisions regarding appropriate distribution outlets.
This study conducted a comparative analysis of health behaviors (psychological, physical, and nutritional) related to sports activity among female students at Mohamed Lamine Debaghine University Setif 2, using a descriptive research design, the study included 122 female students from, data were collected using a questionnaire measuring healthy lifestyle behaviors, Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, including Mann-Whitney U tests to compare practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. The results revealed statistically significant differences in physical, psychological, and nutritional patterns related to practicing physical activity. Practitioners consistently demonstrated higher mean ranks across all three dimensions compared to non-practitioners. The psychological dimension showed the most pronounced difference (U = 918.75, Z = 4.452, p < 0.001), followed by the physical (U = 1167.73, Z = 3.129, p = 0.002) and nutritional dimensions (U = 1165.50, Z = 3.243, p = 0.001). These findings highlight the positive impact of regular physical activity on overall health behaviors among female university students. The study recommends implementing comprehensive physical activity programs tailored specifically for female students, integrating sports and exercise into the curriculum and campus life. Additionally, developing targeted interventions to address the psychological dimension is crucial, as it showed the most significant difference between practitioners and non-practitioners. This could include stress management workshops and mental health support services linked to physical activity.
