The current collection elucidates the complex and dualistic intersection of sport psychology, physical activity, and advanced technology (including wearables, exergames, and artificial intelligence). While performance is recognized as an emergent, context-sensitive phenomenon, its assessment and introspective experience are critically recalibrated by ubiquitous digital instrumentation. Initial contributions delineate technology's role as a precision training instrument, demonstrating its efficacy in perceptual skill enhancement (stroboscopic training) and the objective quantification of attentional demands (electroencephalography). Subsequent research transitions to examining technology as an omnipresent psychological regulator of motivation, contrasting optimal affective states in simulated versus analogous sporting environments and establishing predictive models for smart-watch adherence. The final cluster provides a critical analysis of technological ubiquity, exposing psychological vulnerabilities such as disrupted sleep patterns, identity dependence on external metrics, and the influence of algorithmic appreciation on social judgment. Collectively, these studies trace a comprehensive trajectory, underscoring the necessity for integrated inquiry into the ethical and existential implications for the modern athlete.

The rise of wearable technology, especially smart sport watches (SSWs), has revolutionized how individuals track and improve their health and fitness. These devices provide not only real-time biometric data but also enhance the motivation for physical activity by integrating social and personal health goals. This review examines the work of Tenenbaum et al. (2025) on the psychological factors influencing SSW use, particularly focusing on technology readiness, motivation, and sensation-seeking. It incorporates findings from recent studies by Moye et al. (2022), Jamieson et al. (2024), Dong (2024), De Vries et al. (2025), Xu et al. (2025), D & uuml;king et al. (2024), and Siddika and Ellithorpe (2025). These studies, conducted on healthy (non-athlete) populations, collectively emphasize the significant role of psychological traits, perceptions of technology performance, emotional regulation, and ergonomic design in shaping SSW usage patterns. This article synthesizes their findings within the broader contexts of wearable electronics, health psychology, and user experience design, while proposing future directions for interdisciplinary research to optimize SSW adoption and long-term health benefits.

The Olympic Games are widely recognised as a major emotional challenge for athletes and support staff. For the Israeli delegation, the Paris 2024 Games brought an additional layer of psychological complexity. Amid the backdrop of the ongoing Middle East conflict, which intensified following the October 7 tragic events, Israeli athletes encountered several nationality-based challenging events throughout the Olympic year, including verbal hostility, protests, and symbolic gestures. While such events were expected to be limited during the Paris Games, sport psychology practitioners working with the national teams chose to develop a focused intervention to help the delegation remain performance oriented. The rationale was to address these potential challenges thoughtfully, without overemphasising their significance. The intervention was grounded in an OSP and CBS, aiming to equip athletes and staff with tools to manage external pressures while embodying the Olympic spirit in the face of adversity. This paper outlines the theoretical foundations, practical implementation, and post-Games reflections that were collected from both the practitioners and the intervention leaders, who were also members of the delegation team.

As functional technology becomes a daily necessity rather than a convenience, it increasingly reshapes human cognition. This paper applies the Information Technology (IT) addiction model to WAZE, investigating how a utilitarian navigation tool triggers behavioral patterns typically associated with "hedonic" platforms like social media. Based on 50 in-depth interviews, the study highlights a significant "shedding of responsibility" among users, particularly digital natives, who now bypass personal judgment in favor of algorithmic spatial orientation. This dependency is characterized by four key parameters: mood modification, conflict, relapse, and withdrawal. The societal impact is profound, suggesting potential changes in spatial and decision-making practices, such as spatial memory and autonomous judgment, in exchange for algorithmic efficiency. This "unconscious dependency" creates a new social reality where the absence of a digital tool results in acute psychological distress and reported difficulty navigating without the application. The study concludes that the integration of automated systems into daily tasks necessitates a broader understanding of how modern technology reshapes human agency and the long-term cognitive costs of technological convenience.

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the transformation of play from traditional physical activities to digital and hybrid forms among Generation Z and Generation Alpha, with particular attention to its ethical, social and developmental implications.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a conceptual and interdisciplinary approach, drawing on sociological, psychological and media studies literature, with the self-determination theory as a guiding framework. Ethical analysis is integrated to assess autonomy, well-being and social responsibility in contemporary play practices.FindingsWhile e-play offers cognitive benefits, global connectivity and new forms of participation, it also raises ethical concerns related to embodiment, social depth, exposure to harmful content and excessive screen dependence. Hybrid models of play emerge as ethically preferable solutions.Practical implicationsThis paper offers guidance for parents, educators and policymakers in designing play environments that balance digital engagement with physical activity, social interaction and ethical safeguards.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the ethics of digital play by framing hybrid play as an ethical response to the challenges posed by persuasive technologies and digitally mediated social interaction.

This paper investigates the digital transformation of the sports broadcasting industry through the lens of Technological Determinism and Diffusion of Innovations, exploring how stakeholders adapt to a rapidly evolving media ecosystem. While “automation” has traditionally described mechanical processes, this study defines intelligent automation (IA) as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing that enables autonomous production workflows. Through specific case studies-including IBM Watson's automated highlights at Wimbledon and the NHL's volumetric 3D “Big City Greens” Classic-the research illustrates “how” AI-driven technologies and immersive platforms are reshaping content production and audience engagement. Furthermore, the paper addresses the emerging role of Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini) in fostering “Conversational Broadcasting,” allowing for real-time, personalized audience interaction. The analysis also explores enterprise-level strategies, such as cross-industry partnerships, while addressing critical ethical reflections regarding data privacy, algorithmic bias, and content authenticity. By grounding conceptual trends in real-world sporting applications, this paper provides a framework for understanding the transition from passive viewership to an interactive, data-driven fan experience.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of contemporary digital communication, the dynamic interplay between individual human information behaviors and the increasingly complex analytical tools applied to social media platform data has rapidly emerged as a foundational focal point of multidisciplinary scholarship across the social and computational sciences [...]

This article examines the strategic and psychological warfare underpinning Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s covert and kinetic strike against Iran in June 2025. Drawing from recently declassified documents, media analysis, and expert assessments, the article analyzes how deception, infiltration, and cognitive manipulation dismantled Iran’s internal defenses and misled its leadership. This operation marks a turning point in modern warfare, wherein psychological paralysis preceded physical destruction. The article evaluates how US–Israeli collaboration and strategic misdirection leveraged Iran’s own doctrinal assumptions against it.

The societal impact of sport extends far beyond the realm of entertainment, positioning it as a vital cultural and political institution embedded within the fabric of everyday life. Rather than functioning solely as leisure or spectacle, sport operates as a dynamic arena where collective identities are forged, contested, and reimagined. Through the shared rituals of athletic performance and spectatorship, sports arenas emerge as charged public spaces in which social tensions-be they political, ideological, economic, or cultural-are not only reflected but also enacted. These spaces become focal points for expressions of national pride, political resistance, and cultural negotiation. Historically and in contemporary contexts, sport has served as both a mirror and a motor of social transformation. By examining sport stadiums as socially responsive environments, this article argues that they act as 'social barometers'-structures capable of revealing underlying societal shifts and offering early insights into emergent forms of public sentiment, conflict, and change.

In football, referees are expected to deliver consistent and unbiased judgments, grounded in professional knowledge and expertise. However, much of the research on referees' decision-making has traditionally focused on the concept of "bias" in their judgments. This review shifts attention to referees' decision-making noise – defined as "undesirable variability in judgments of the same problem" (Kahneman, D., Sibony, O., & Sunstein, C. R. [2021]. Noise: A flaw in human judgment (p. 40). Little, Brown Spark). Noise reflects the inconsistency in referees' responses to similar match situations, resulting in diverse decisions for comparable infringements. The article is structured into five key sections. First, we introduce the concept of noise in human judgment. Second, we explore the issue of noise in the context of football refereeing, offering examples and relevant data. Particular emphasis is placed on noise in foul decisions, incorporating both raw data and findings from existing literature. A detailed framework is presented, outlining the components, sources, detection methods, and strategies for reducing judgment noise in refereeing. In the third section, we compare bias and noise in football officiating, examining potential mechanisms underlying each. The fourth section considers strategies for reducing errors in refereeing and discusses the potential costs associated with implementing such measures. Finally, we argue why stakeholders in football officiating should expand their focus beyond bias to address the implications of noise in refereeing decisions.

Sports stadiums are large buildings with high public and urban visibility. Hence, the name of these facilities is also laden with significance on the local and national levels, especially due to media exposure and the emotional connection of sports fans. However, the process of naming places in the context of sports has received little attention in academic literature. By way of filling this lacuna, this article provides a historical and spatial overview of the names of major sports facilities in Israel. The findings show three types of name origins: municipal and government, private donations, and sponsors. This article discusses the name selection process, the interest groups involved, and the social implications of the names.

In the rapidly evolving world of physical activity and sport science, researchers and practitioners alike are increasingly recognizing that the path to optimal performance and well-being is paved not just with physical conditioning and technical skill but also with emotional regulation and cognitive acuity (Lepers et al [...]

This study investigates the key attributes that characterize popular content produced by leading Generation Z TikTok influencers in Israel. The research seeks to identify the content elements that drive user engagement and contribute to the influencers’ widespread appeal. A content analysis was conducted on a sample of 400 videos created by 18 prominent TikTok personalities, enabling a systematic examination of recurring themes and stylistic features. Findings reveal that highly popular posts predominantly emphasize entertainment while avoiding violent content. However, they also tend to lack substantial informational value. Notably, content produced by female influencers features more sexualized elements compared to that of their male counterparts. Furthermore, collaborative videos involving multiple influencers appear to be more successful in garnering audience attention. The study’s practical implications underscore a strategic shift: Generation Z shows a marked preference for TikTok influencers over traditional celebrities. This trend presents opportunities for marketing and public awareness campaigns seeking to engage younger demographics effectively. On a broader social level, the findings suggest that despite TikTok’s perceived novelty and authenticity, its most popular content often mirrors the norms and conventions of mainstream media. Thus, TikTok may reinforce rather than disrupt dominant cultural narratives.

VAR (video assistant referee) presents a human-technology interface that was designed to improve referees' ability to make accurate decisions in key match incidents. VAR interventions are pivotal moments in football matches, challenging referees' critical decisions and potentially affecting their perceived ability to manage the game. This study aimed to investigate how referees handle VAR interventions in terms of game management and control. Through statistical analyses, we examined 120 real-match VAR interventions in penalty incidents from the Israeli Premier League, focusing on the number of fouls and yellow cards before and after the VAR interventions. Our findings revealed a significant impact (d = 0.40) on yellow cards but not on fouls. Remarkably, referees issued twice the number of yellow cards (normalized per playing minute) following a VAR intervention, irrespective of the time it occurred during the match (i.e., first or second half). These results are discussed within the framework of current research and theories concerning self-control and game management in football refereeing. The increased issuance of yellow cards following VAR interventions suggests that teams may be at a higher risk of receiving disciplinary actions, which can potentially impact their performance and increase the likelihood of losing matches. Consequently, we provide practical recommendations for referee training and match preparation as well as for teams.

Qatar has utilized soft power to amplify its global influence through cultural diplomacy, media, and sports. Al-Jazeera and events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup have positioned Qatar as a modern, forward-thinking state despite controversies over labor rights, LGBTQ+ policies, and alleged ties to extremist groups. These contradictions challenge its soft power credibility, as efforts to project modernity often clash with conservative domestic policies. By critically examining Qatar’s strategies through Joseph Nye’s soft power framework, this study highlights the paradoxes inherent in its approach and explores the limits of cultural and sports diplomacy in achieving sustainable influence.

The study examines the link between technology readiness/acceptance, motivation for exercising, and sensation seeking and using or avoiding Smart Sport Watches (SSW). A sample of 315 adolescents, Mage = 29.6 (SD = 11.01) and healthy male (n = 95, 30.2%) and female (n = 179, 56.85%), completed all the measures of these variables’ dimensions via the internet. Multiple followed by univariate analyses of variance (MANOVA, ANOVA) were performed for each of the study’s psychological dimensions and single variables. The two categorical factors (e.g., BS factors) were the use of SSW (yes/no) and walk/run (yes/no). Results revealed that adolescents using SSW rated themselves significantly (p < 0.05) and substantially higher than their non-SSW users on positive readiness for technology (d = 0.47), and specifically on optimism (d = 0.34) and innovation (d = 0.51). Moreover, users of SSW reported significantly (p < 0.05) and substantially lower negative readiness for technology than their non-SSW users’ counterparts (d = −0.49), and specifically on discomfort (d = −0.38) and distrust (d = −50), but neither on the overall motivation for exercise dimensions nor on sensation-seeking. Moreover, adolescents who walk/run reported being more internally motivated (d = 0.38), integrated (d = 0.61), and identified (d = 0.34) than their sedentary counterparts. Discussion centers on the important role of readiness/acceptance in using technological devices and the need to use technology-specific motivation and personality measures to further explore this phenomenon.

The digital divide, particularly within the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI) sport podcasts, presents significant behavioral and psychosocial challenges for student engagement. This study examines the disparities in access to and proficiency with Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) across different demographic groups, focusing on gender, age, and religious level. The advent of the commercial web has heightened the significance of these divides, as the first-level digital divide concerns access to the internet, while the second-level digital divide pertains to the ability to use technology proficiently. The existing literature has consistently highlighted persistent inequalities in these areas, which significantly impact the extent to which students from various backgrounds can engage with AI sport podcasts effectively. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing strategies to bridge the gap and ensure equitable access to digital learning resources.

The digital divide, particularly within the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI) sport podcasts, presents significant behavioral and psychosocial challenges for student engagement. This study examines the disparities in access to and proficiency with Information Communication Technologies (ICT) across different demographic groups, focusing on gender, age, and religious level. The advent of the commercial web has heightened the significance of these divides, as first-level digital divide concerns access to the internet, while the second-level digital divide pertains to the ability to use technology proficiently. Existing literature has consistently highlighted persistent inequalities in these areas, which significantly impact the extent to which students from various backgrounds can engage with AI sport podcasts effectively. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing strategies to bridge the gap and ensure equitable access to digital learning resources.

The implementation of Video Assistant Referees (VARs) in 2018 has had a significant impact on the multi-billion-dollar soccer industry. As the most popular and watched sport globally, soccer's financial stakes are high, with clubs, leagues, broadcasters, sponsors, and fans heavily invested in the game. The ongoing debate surrounding the VAR system brings to light the intricate balance between preserving the authenticity of football (soccer) and harnessing technology to improve accuracy. It is crucial to strike the right equilibrium in order to uphold football's metaphorical power and sustain the timeless joy it has brought to fans throughout generations. In this context, Immanuel Kant's philosophy can offer valuable insights into the utilization of VARs in soccer. According to Kantian ethics, using VARs can be justified if it serves to enhance fairness and accuracy, aligning with the moral duties of referees. Nevertheless, it is important to consider the potential dehumanizing effects and the necessity of preserving the value of human judgment in the game. Therefore, this paper aims to explore in-depth the intricate dynamics that arise when technology is integrated into traditional practices, emphasizing the significance of critical reflection on the implications of such advancements.