Introduction/Objective The rapid growth of 3×3 basketball as an Olympic discipline has raised questions regarding its differences from traditional 5×5 basketball. Although previous research has examined physiological and performance characteristics, coaches’ perspectives remain underexplored. This study investigated coaches’ perceptions of differences between 3×3 and 5×5 basketball in terms of physical conditioning, training structure, tactical approaches, and psychological demands. Methods A qualitative design was employed using semi-structured interviews with eleven experienced basketball coaches involved in 3×3 competitions. Twelve open-ended questions explored coaching practices, training priorities, and perceptions of both formats. Data were analyzed through Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and independently coded by two researchers, with disagreements resolved through consensus. Results Three themes emerged, namely physical conditioning, training structure and tactics, and psychological factors. Coaches described 3×3 as emphasizing speed, explosiveness, rapid transitions, individual technical skills, frequent pick-and-roll situations, and faster decision-making under time pressure. Conversely, 5×5 was perceived as requiring greater endurance, strength, structured team organization, coordinated offensive systems, and more complex defensive strategies. While both formats were considered competitive and entertaining, 3×3 involved greater individual responsibility and cognitive demands, whereas 5×5 emphasized teamwork and collective tactical execution. Discussion The findings indicate that 3×3 represents a distinct performance environment rather than merely a reduced version of 5×5 basketball. Conclusion Recognizing these differences may help coaches develop format-specific training programs and better prepare athletes for the physical, tactical, and psychological demands of each game.
Introduction Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is increasingly applied beyond rehabilitation to athletic performance training, yet direct evidence in athletes is limited and scattered across clinical and non-athlete literature. Methods In this narrative review, literature published mainly between 2015 and 2025 was identified by a single author through non-systematic, iterative searches of PubMed, Semantic Scholar, and Google Scholar and by reference-list checking, without fixed search strings or formal screening. Sources were classified as direct PNF evidence in athletes or physically active individuals, direct PNF evidence in clinical populations, or indirect evidence from the broader neuromuscular training, motor learning, and rehabilitation literature. Results Fourteen PNF-specific sources were identified, including three primary studies in athletes. Direct evidence was most consistent for range of motion. Findings for strength, power, and agility were mixed: in athletes, PNF was not superior to other stretching methods, and one systematic review reported acute performance decrements after PNF stretching. Clinical studies ( e.g ., stroke, low back pain) reported improvements in pain, balance, and gait, but these cannot be generalized to athletes. No PNF study measured injury incidence, return-to-sport outcomes, or markers of neuroplasticity. Discussion PNF may be viewed as a component of broader neuromuscular training rather than solely as a stretching technique. Its links to injury-related factors, motor learning, and neuroplasticity are potential mechanisms inferred from indirect evidence rather than established outcomes. Conclusion Direct evidence for PNF is currently most consistent for range of motion; effects on performance are mixed, and effects on injury risk and neuroplasticity in athletes remain hypothetical. Randomized trials using standardized PNF protocols in clearly defined populations of athletes are needed.
Introduction Team-sport athletes compete across diverse thermal environments that can alter physiological, neuromuscular, cognitive, and perceptual responses. Because intermittent match play is shaped by pacing, tactics, substitutions, position, and recovery opportunities, evidence from continuous exercise cannot be directly extrapolated to team sports. This review summarizes the effects of hot and cold environments and evaluates practical mitigation strategies. Methods A structured search of PubMed, Web of Science, and ResearchGate identified English-language original studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and position statements addressing environmental stress, physiological responses, performance, athlete safety, and mitigation strategies relevant to team sports. Results Exposure to heat increases cardiovascular and perceptual strain, dehydration, neuromuscular fatigue, and cognitive impairment, although match-performance effects vary with humidity, environmental severity, acclimatization, pacing, tactical behaviour, and competition demands. Cold exposure may impair muscle function, agility, dexterity, and cognitive performance and may increase the risk of dehydration, particularly during periods of inactivity, substitutions, and exposure to windy or wet conditions. Heat acclimation, individualized hydration, and appropriately timed cooling have the strongest practical support, whereas hyperhydration remains context-dependent. In cold conditions, layered clothing, optimized warm-up and re-warm-up, hydration, nutrition, and protection for substitute players are recommended, although team-sport-specific evidence is limited. Discussion Environmental effects on team-sport performance are context-dependent and reflect interactions among climatic, physiological, behavioural, and sport-specific factors; laboratory findings should therefore be translated cautiously to competition. Conclusion Environmental stress should be integrated into preparation, monitoring, medical management, and tactical planning using individualized, sport-specific, multidisciplinary strategies to preserve performance and reduce health risks.
Introduction 3x3 basketball has rapidly evolved into a globally popular sport format, combining street basketball culture with structured competitive organization. Since its official recognition by FIBA and inclusion in the Olympic program, 3x3 tournaments have expanded worldwide, highlighting the importance of high-quality event organization. Understanding how participants perceive service quality and satisfaction across different socio-demographic groups is essential for the sustainable development of this emerging sport. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in perceived service quality and customer satisfaction in 3x3 basketball tournaments based on gender, age, educational level, occupation, and playing experience. Methods The sample consisted of 305 athletes (67 women, 238 men; mean age = 20.78 years) who participated in official 3x3 basketball tournaments in Central Macedonia, Greece. Data were collected during events organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation, including the 3x3GR National Tour and the Panhellenic Tournament. Perceived service quality was assessed using a multidimensional sport service quality scale (facilities, personnel, responsiveness, reliability, and outcomes), while overall satisfaction was measured with a validated satisfaction scale. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA with appropriate post hoc comparisons. Results The findings revealed statistically significant differences in service quality perceptions and satisfaction across several socio-demographic variables. Specifically, significant age differences were observed for satisfaction, F(7, 295) = 3.89, p < .001, η 2 = .09, and facilities, F(7, 297) = 4.13, p < .001, η 2 = .09, indicating moderate effect sizes. Educational level also showed significant differences in satisfaction, F(4, 298) = 7.39, p < .001, η 2 = .09. Gender differences were observed only in the reliability dimension, t(302) = 2.30, p < .05, Cohen’s d = .32, with women reporting higher perceptions than men. No significant differences were found across playing positions. Discussion Perceived service quality and customer satisfaction in 3x3 basketball tournaments vary according to key socio-demographic characteristics. These findings underline the importance of participant-centered event design and targeted service strategies to enhance satisfaction and engagement. Conclusion Event organizers and sport governing bodies can use these insights to improve service delivery, strengthen participant experiences, and support the long-term growth and sustainability of 3x3 basketball.
Introduction This study develops an integrated, evidence-informed strategic framework to accelerate sports-industry development in emerging markets, using southern Vietnam as a case study. Its objective is to translate macro-environmental diagnosis and stakeholder judgment into a prioritized, implementable PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) roadmap that reconciles policy, market, infrastructure and human-capital imperatives for sustainable sectoral growth. Methods A mixed-methods design synthesized (1) PEST (Political, Economic, Social, Technological) scanning, (2) SWOT/TOWS-driven strategic option generation, and (3) a four-round Delphi consultation with a purposive panel of 25 domain experts (government, academia, private sector). Delphi procedures followed established best practice (anonymity, iterative feedback, prespecified consensus thresholds); results are reported as medians and IQRs with binomial 95% confidence intervals and inter-rater agreement indices where applicable. The synthesis translated validated solutions into a PDCA implementation roadmap and identified measurable indicators for monitoring and iterative refinement. Results PEST and SWOT analyses show strong political commitment and rising private investment, but persistent institutional fragmentation and infrastructure shortfalls. Empirical validation indicates a rapidly expanding domestic market (estimated ≈ USD 300 million in 2024; annual growth >6.0%), and increased central budget allocations for sport. Delphi participants reached robust consensus (median ratings ≥ 4.2/5) endorsing priority interventions: enactment of a Sports Industry Development Law; standardized facility and service quality frameworks; scaled public-private partnerships for facility provision; creation of workforce development pathways; and operationalization of sports-GDP measurement. The PDCA roadmap operationalizes these priorities into phased pilots, scaled interventions, monitoring metrics, and institutionalization steps. Discussion The integrated PEST→TOWS→Delphi→PDCA sequence offers a pragmatic template for translating strategic diagnosis into policy action. Key implementation risks include limited institutional capacity, precision limits of small expert panels, and the need for rigorous evidence synthesis before national scale-up. Embedding systematic evidence-review methods ( e.g ., PRISMA-informed syntheses, CFIR/RE-AIM mapping) and culturally validated benchmarking instruments will strengthen transferability and enable comparability across Asia-Pacific contexts. Conclusion The proposed strategic roadmap provides an actionable, iterative pathway for emerging economies to harness sports as an economic and social asset. Prioritizing legal clarity, standards, targeted PPPs, human-capital investments, and robust monitoring will help Vietnam-and similar markets-transition from nascent activity clusters to a resilient sports industry. Full analytic detail, Delphi instruments, and appendices are provided in the manuscript.
