Studia sportiva

The Effect of Elderly Gymnastics Intervention And Interactive Counselling Skills on Muscle Strength, Self-Efficacy, and Health Commitment

2025-08-22T15:02:46+02:00

Background: Ageing is commonly associated with a decline in physical function, particularly in muscle strength and fitness. Interventions that combine physical activity and psychosocial support may help maintain function and enhance well-being. This study explores the impact of elderly gymnastics intervention combined with interactive counselling skills on increasing muscle strength, self-efficacy, and health commitment in the elderly.

Method: A true experimental study was conducted involving 60 elderly participants (aged 60–75 years) who were randomly assigned into three groups: Group 1 received both elderly gymnastics and interactive counselling, Group 2 received elderly gymnastics only, and Group 3 served as the control group. The intervention lasted six weeks. Outcomes measured included muscle strength (using a handgrip dynamometer), self-efficacy (visual analogue scale), and health commitment (numeric activity participation score). Data were analysed using paired t-tests and ANOVA.

Results: Significant improvements were observed in Group 1 compared to Groups 2 and 3. Group 1 showed the highest increases in muscle strength (p = 0.013), self-efficacy (p = 0.022), and health commitment (p < 0.001). The combination of physical and counselling interventions was more effective than physical exercise alone or no intervention.

Conclusion: A combined elderly gymnastics and interactive counselling program effectively improves both physical and psychological outcomes in older adults. This integrated approach is recommended to promote healthy ageing and improve quality of life.

Kinesiotherapy with Elements of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Aimed at Running in Artistic Gymnasts

2025-08-11T14:53:48+02:00

The aim was to determine the effect of kinesiotherapy with elements of the Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization concept on the kinematic parameters of the lower extremities during running in artistic gymnasts. The study included 10 competitive gymnasts (10.8 ± 1.3 years; 145.7 ± 12.2 cm; 35.2 ± 8.2 kg). Only girls who had not reached menarche and had no traumatic lower extremity injuries were selected. Another criterion was the assessment of hypermobility using the Sachs test. The intervention was carried out for two months through group exercise based on developmental kinesiology concept of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization. Video analysis was used with two NINOX^TM125 cameras and MR3 software was used to evaluate the effect of exercises on pelvic, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal and frontal planes during the midstance phase of the running cycle. Foot rotation during the stance phase was assessed using a dynamic treadmill Rehawalk® with the zebris system. Measurements were taken before and after the two-month therapy period. The paired Wilcoxon test was used, and statistically significant differences were considered at a significance level of α = 0.05. The effect size of the differences was evaluated using the r coefficient: < 0.1 trivial; 0.1–0.3 small; 0.3–0.5 moderate; > 0.5 large. There was a significant reduction in pelvic anteversion and lateral pelvic drop, increased ankle dorsiflexion, and a reduction in heel valgus during the midstance phase of the running cycle after therapy. The application of therapy that included elements of developmental kinesiology positively influenced dynamic stabilization of the pelvis and lower extremity weight bearing joints during running, which may have future beneficial effects on the health and performance of gymnasts.

Assessment of Physical Coordination and Speed Development in Girls during Puberty

2025-08-27T09:17:39+02:00

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.

Left And Right Hemispheric Brain Function After Immediate And Regular Exercise: A Systematic Review

2026-02-10T20:59:00+01:00

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.

An Investigation on Hip-Hop Original Philippine Music Induced Isometric Muscular Endurance on Fitness and Sports Coaching Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study

2026-03-12T09:36:19+01:00

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..

Establishing Model Characteristics for Optimising Special Physical and Technical-Tactical Preparation in Elite Judo Athletes

2026-01-13T11:02:30+01:00

Objective: This study aimed to establish model characteristics for elite male judo athletes (73–81 kg) to inform evidence-based training.

Methods: Twenty athletes (20.4 ± 1.6 y; 77.2 ± 3.8 kg; BMI 24.1 ± 1.2; Master of Sports) were assessed (Sep 2023–May 2024) at Algeria’s National Judo Training Centre. Physical preparation was evaluated via speed-strength (uchi-komi, 15 reps), strength endurance (dummy throws: 30 s, 3 min), coordination (balance, change of direction, Romberg coefficient), and functional capacity (judo-specific test). Technical-tactical performance was analyzed from competition videos, assessing activity rate, attack/defense reliability, effectiveness, combinations, variability, and speed. Data normality was tested (Shapiro-Wilk); normative scales (low to high) were created using sigma deviation; descriptive stats (mean ± SD) were computed (SPSS v.26).

Results: Above-average benchmarks: uchi-komi 18–19 s; dummy throws 10–11 (30 s) and 29–30 (3 min); balance 81–88%; attack reliability 53–61%; stand-up effectiveness 7.1–8.4 points. Group means: uchi-komi 21.6 ± 2.7 s; dummy throws 8.6 ± 1.5 (30 s); activity 2.8 ± 0.5 attacks/min.

Discussion: These findings provide a multidimensional framework for individualized training, reflecting modern judo’s emphasis on explosive power, tactical adaptability, and rapid decision-making. The norms support talent development and performance optimization for elite athletes and national reserves at high-performance centers like Algeria’s National Judo Training Centre.

Keywords. judo, physical preparation, technical, tactical skills.

Integrating Tactical and Psychosocial Analysis to Explore Underdog Success in Soccer: A Holistic Case Study

2026-01-27T15:00:07+01:00

Background: The disparity in financial resources between teams creates a disparity in the likelihood of winning. Aim: This study analyzes how Olympiacos FC successfully eliminated the significantly wealthier and statistically superior Aston Villa FC during the 2023–2024 UEFA Europa Conference League semifinals. Methods: A descriptive-explanatory case study approach was employed, combining qualitative video analysis with quantitative performance data and contextual information. Qualitative video analysis was used to examine the teams’ tactical behaviors and the psychological states of players and coaches, quantitative performance data provided team- and individual-level performance metrics, and contextual information included the clubs’ financial resources, pre-match betting odds, and coaches’ press conference statements. Both legs of the semifinal were examined to assess tactical behaviors and psychological responses under pressure. Results: Olympiacos adopted a compact, low-possession, transition-oriented playing style that effectively exploited Aston Villa’s structural weaknesses, particularly behind their high defensive line. The Greek team’s psychological cohesion, tactical discipline, and contextual awareness contrasted sharply with the degrading and unstable behavior of their opponents, despite Villa’s dominance in traditional performance indicators. Conclusions: This case study demonstrates that Olympiacos’ success was not the result of superior traditional performance indicators or financial resources, but of a context-responsive tactical plan, psychological cohesion, and disciplined execution. These findings highlight the limitations of isolated statistical metrics and underscore the importance of integrating tactical, psychological, and contextual factors in elite soccer performance analysis. Recognizing the value of such mixed methodologies may inspire a new era of holistic and applied performance analysis research.

Household Consumption of Sports in the Czech Republic: An Income Elasticity Analysis in the Context of COVID-19

2026-02-04T09:00:17+01:00

This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic period affected Czech household consumption of sports goods and sports services over 2006–2022. Using data from the Czech Statistical Office, the income elasticities of demand for sports goods and services are estimated to assess potential structural changes during the pandemic. The results indicate that expenditure on sports goods remained relatively stable, whereas the estimated income elasticity for sports services declined during 2020–2021, consistent with a temporary structural break. Given that these years were characterised by administrative restrictions and limited access to sports facilities, the observed pattern should be interpreted with caution and not as evidence of a permanent reclassification of sports services as inferior goods. The study provides evidence on pandemic-related disruptions in sport consumption and highlights the link between household sport expenditure and public sport spending.

A Developing a Multisensory Performance Framework for Bowling Accuracy in Visually Impaired Cricket: A Systematic Review

2026-01-23T20:21:41+01:00

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.

Latent Structures in On- and Off-Ice Physical Fitness During Ontogeny in Adolescent Ice Hockey Players

2025-11-20T00:16:10+01:00

This study aimed to examine the latent structure of general and sport-specific physical fitness in adolescent ice hockey players aged 12 to 15 years and to evaluate its development across two ontogenetic stages. Data were obtained from 1,502 players tested off-ice and 1,538 players tested on-ice, with 1,061 completing both. A longitudinal subsample of 493 players who completed all off- and on-ice tests in both 6th and 9th grades was used for confirmatory factor analysis. The off-ice battery included six general fitness tests, while the on-ice battery consisted of four to five skating-based assessments. Two CFA models were constructed to test grade-specific factor structures using the least squares method. In both age groups, a two-factor model was confirmed, comprising a general fitness factor and a grade-specific factor. In 6th grade, the specific factor was primarily defined by off-ice performance, whereas in 9th grade, it was defined by on-ice measures. The 6th-grade structure reflected a generalised motor base with moderate specialisation. By 9th grade, sport-specific fitness emerged more distinctly, while general fitness remained influential. The findings support a developmentally progressive model of physical fitness in adolescent ice hockey players. General fitness dominates early adolescence, whereas sport-specific competencies gain prominence by mid-adolescence. These insights have practical implications for designing age-appropriate, phased training programmes in youth ice hockey development.

Yoga Interventions Across Disciplines: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis (1991–2025)

2026-01-13T17:58:19+01:00

Yoga's therapeutic effect has driven people to integrate Yoga into their lives by various means and methods, leading to the exponential growth of research in the Yoga field. Bibliometric analysis helps us to understand and visualize the trend and pattern of research in particular field. The study aims to systematically map and analyze the global landscape of yoga intervention research across diverse fields, including therapeutic, academic, methodological, and body movement applications over the past three decades.A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database, extracting English-language publications from 1991 to 2025. A total of 1,310 data were finalized for performance analysis and scientific mapping analysis through R-based Biblioshiny and Java-based Vosviewer application.The analysis revealed a 3.4 times growth of research production in the last 10 years (2015-2024), peaking in 2024 with 138 articles. India and the United States emerged as global leaders in research output and international collaboration. Core research themes included quality of life, mental health, stress, and anxiety, while actively evolving topics encompassed cardiac rehabilitation, clinical trials, and mind-body therapies. Thematic mapping shows stable research foundations alongside emerging areas such as COVID-19, tele-yoga, and methodological advancements. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric profile of yoga intervention research, highlighting its intellectual evolution, thematic diversity, and collaborative breadth. The findings underscore Yoga's expanding relevance across disciplines and the importance of continued interdisciplinary and international collaboration.

Systematic Review: Current Findings and Trends in the Study of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction

2025-12-02T00:15:18+01:00

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.

Strategic Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Sport Tourism: The Role of Local Government in Jakabaring Sport City, Indonesia

2025-12-27T14:13:29+01:00

Sustainable sport tourism has increasingly become a strategic pillar of regional economic development, particularly in emerging economies where local governments play a central role in shaping tourism policy and sustainable growth. Despite its potential to enhance environmental stewardship, social engagement, and community well-being, the policy frameworks underpinning sustainable sport tourism remain insufficiently explored in developing country contexts. This study investigates the policy strategies adopted by the local government to promote sustainable sport tourism in Jakabaring Sport City (JSC), Palembang, Indonesia—an integrated sports complex designed to link athletic excellence with tourism and sustainable development. Objective: The main objective of this research is to analyze how local government policies contribute to the success of sport tourism through collaborative governance, sustainable infrastructure, and community-based initiatives. Materials and Methods: Employing a mixed-methods design, data were collected between March and July 2025 from 25 policymakers representing the South Sumatra Provincial Government, 40 stakeholders comprising sport federation officials and tourism entrepreneurs, and 200 domestic and international sport tourists. The instruments included semi-structured interviews, structured questionnaires with Likert-scale items, and document analysis. Quantitative data were processed using SPSS version 27, applying descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA to identify significant group differences, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically to uncover underlying policy dynamics and stakeholder perspectives. Results: The findings revealed that integrated policy frameworks emphasizing infrastructure development, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable practices significantly improved sport tourism outcomes. Policymakers demonstrated a high level of commitment to sustainability (M = 4.2, SD = 0.68), stakeholders expressed strong support for collaborative governance (M = 4.1, SD = 0.72), and tourists reported high satisfaction levels (M = 4.3, SD = 0.59), with significant differences between domestic and international visitors (F = 12.34, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Local government policy strategies that integrate multi-stakeholder collaboration, environmental sustainability, and community participation are essential for advancing sustainable sport tourism. The Jakabaring Sport City model offers valuable insights and a replicable framework for other developing nations aiming to leverage sport infrastructure as a catalyst for sustainable tourism and regional economic transformation.

The 1st M(U)INI eSports Conference: Project Evaluation, Implementation, and Future Improvements

2026-01-27T09:44:51+01:00

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.

Review – Aristeia promachón (J. Kouřil)

2026-04-08T09:49:38+02:00