International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports (IJPEFS)
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Three-Year Analysis of Overweight and Obesity in Central Alabama Children
Full text linkObesity among children and adolescents is on the rise and are associated with high blood pressure, lipid abnormalities, diabetes, and sleep apnea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents from Central Alabama over three years. Additionally, this study examined the association between obesity and the following variables: resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose. The data set used in this study included 1,198 male and female children between the ages of 5 and 14 living in Central Alabama. Body Mass Index (BMI) Percentile, resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose were collected annually from 2015 to 2017. BMI percentile was used to determine the prevalence of obesity both overall and by age group (younger vs. older) and by sex for each year. One-way analysis of covariance examined the relationship between BMI percentile (underweight, normal, overweight, or obese) and resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose when controlling for sex. The relationships were assessed using the group overall and separately by age (younger vs. older) and sex. Older children in the study, particularly older females, were likelier to have BMIs in the top quartile for percentiles. Males were more likely to have higher glucose scores than females. The data indicates that children’s BMI percentiles continue to rise as they age, which may lead to poor outcomes later in life
Somatotype Characteristics of U-17 Badminton Players of Tripura
Full text linkIndividual characteristics and physical composition are important determinants of physical attributes such as speed, endurance, agility, and power in badminton. The aim of the study is to investigate the somatotype characteristics of U-17 badminton players in the state of Tripura. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 male players (aged 8.9–16.7 years) from the Netaji Subhas Regional Coaching Centre, Agartala, including state, national, and club badminton players. Anthropometric data were taken and somatotypes were calculated based on the Heath–Carter method. Result indicates that national players are statistically significantly older and taller among the rest of their peers (p<0.01). Within the club category, players were assigned a mesomorphic endomorph profile (6.2–4.0–3.0), state players an ectomorphic endomorph profile (4.7–2.9–3.4), and national players endomorphic–ectomorph profile (3.4–2.9–3.8). There were statistically significant differences in endomorphy with national players exhibiting advanced traits as opposed to club players (p<0.01). The higher Mesomorphy observed in club players was probably attributed to natural growth rather than functional adaptation. The group averages for ectomorphy did not differ significantly, although national players exhibited slightly higher linearity. The somatochart demonstrated a shift progressively from endomorphic to balance meso-ectomorphic at the higher levels of play. For optimal badminton performance, youth players in Tripura seem to be taller, have lesser endomorphy, and possess meso-ectomorphic physique greater balance. As the study and data sets suggest, more structured training and nutrition to control fat levels and help international participation would be of regional significance for talent identification
Physical Education Classes and Health Outcomes among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies
Full text linkBackground: The aim of the current study was to examine the association between physical education classes (PE) and health outcomes. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was carried out with studies identified in seven databases. The eligibility criteria included an observational design, objective or self-reported measure of PE exposure (i.e., participation or frequency in classes) and any health outcome. The synthesis of data was performed by clustering studies according to the direction of association between PE classes and each outcome, classified as beneficial, no effect, inconclusive, or harmful. Results: A total of 6,102 studies were screened, of which 99 were included, with 2,717,508 participants and 22 groups of outcomes. The results revealed a beneficial effect of PE on physical activity (74%), mental health (69%), physical fitness (80%), sports practice (80%), self-rated health (75%) and smoking (60% of studies). No effect was found for the association between PE and alcohol consumption. Inconclusive results emerged from studies that analyzed body fat indicators, sedentary behavior, academic achievement, and the other 12 outcomes. Conclusions: PE as offered in schools, provides health benefits regarding physical activity, mental health, physical fitness, sports practice, self-rated health, and smoking, in addition to the pedagogical aims of the discipline
Physical Activity and Psychological Well-being in Gym Exercisers During COVID-19 Lockdowns
Full text linkThe present study investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on physical activity (PA) levels, gender differences in activity, and the relationship between PA, well-being, and mood among gym exercisers. A cohort of 366 gym exercisers (126 males, 240 females) aged 15 to 59 years (Mage = 34.63 ± 9.27) willingly participated in this study. Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) for PA and sedentary behavior, the Short Diet Behavior Questionnaire for Lockdowns (SDBQ-L) for healthy eating, the 4-Dimensional Mood Scale (4DMS) for mood, the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) for anxiety, and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index for mental well-being. Additionally, participants’ attitudes and intentions toward exercise and returning to fitness centers were assessed. The findings revealed that moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and healthy eating behaviors significantly predicted participants' well-being and positive energy. Conversely, sedentariness along with healthy eating behaviors were significant predictors of negative arousal. Males reported higher levels of MVPA and intention to be physically active compared to females. Younger participants showed higher VPA, depression, and anxiety, and lower BMI compared to older participants. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining regular PA, particularly at moderate or vigorous intensities, and healthy eating habits for mental well-being during public health crises. These insights hold considerable value for shaping future policies and intervention strategies aimed at mitigating the detrimental consequences of prolonged physical inactivity
Short-term Sleep Extension in Adolescent Swimmers: Real-world Crossover Findings on Sleep, Mood, and Performance: A real-world two-period crossover in adolescent competitive swimmers
No full textObjectives: To test whether short-term sleep extension affects sleep, mood, and swim performance in adolescent competitive swimmers under real-world training. Methods: A pragmatic within-group, two-period crossover compared Regular and Extended sleep during routine in-season training. Outcomes included device-based sleep (with HRV-derived staging), pool performance (50-m sprint; mean 10×50-m pace; 800-m time trial), post-set physiology, and mood (EFI). Primary inference focused on the within-subject Regular vs Extended contrast; three-phase (Preliminary/Regular/Extended) ANOVAs were descriptive. Results: Total sleep time increased with Extended vs Regular, confirming successful manipulation. Group-level pool performance did not improve across tests (all paired contrasts non-significant). Mood changes were small and non-significant. Physiological responses were largely unchanged; however, post-set blood lactate after the 10×50-m set was modestly lower with Extended (Holm-adjusted p = .035). Sleep architecture shifted: Deep sleep was lower and arousal indices higher under Extended. Conclusions: In adolescent swimmers, short-term sleep extension is feasible and increases sleep duration under real-world conditions but does not yield immediate gains in pool performance. A small reduction in post-set lactate and alterations in sleep architecture warrant cautious interpretation. Findings temper expectations for near-term performance benefits and motivate longer, individualized protocols with monitoring of achieved extension dose
Acute Effects of Knowledge of Results on Repeated Sprint Ability in Adolescent Male Team Sports Athletes
Full text linkRepeated-sprint ability is critical for sustaining performance in team sports. Augmented feedback, particularly knowledge of results, may enhance athletic performance. However, its effects on repeated-sprint ability in young athletes remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of knowledge of results on repeated-sprint ability among adolescent male team sport athletes. A randomised crossover design was employed with 13 participants (age = 15 ± 1 years; height = 1.74 ± 0.07 meters; body mass = 61.0 ± 8.4 kilograms) completing linear sprints, shuttle sprints, and change of direction sprints to assess initial sprint time, average sprint time, total sprint time, and percentage decrement score. Data were analysed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results indicated no significant interactions for initial sprint time (p = 0.503), average sprint time (p = 0.639), total sprint time (p = 0.635), or percentage decrement score (p = 0.600) across feedback conditions. In conclusion, providing knowledge of results in the form of sprint times did not enhance performance or mitigate fatigue in junior athletes during repeated-sprint ability protocols. Coaches should consider alternative strategies to enhance athlete performance during training and competition
Psychometric Properties of the Short Form of Role Ambiguity Scale in Tunisian Sports Team: A Validation Study
Full text linkRole ambiguity represents a critical factor in sports teams that can significantly influence team dynamics and performance. To develop comprehensive understanding within Tunisian sport context, a validate measurement tool in standard Arabic should be validate 231 participants (M age = 17.11 ± 2.83 years) from various Tunisian sport team completed the Arabic translation of role ambiguity scale (short form) the Arabic version of cohesion scales for predictive validity. Back translation and expert method were used to translate this tool from the original version in English the Arabic languages. CFA confirms good fit for the three proposed models, with better fit indices for the four-factor model (CFI = 0.932, TLI = 0.922, RMSEA = 0.059, SRMR = 0.817). The alpha- Cronbach's analyses revealed adequate reliability (α = .89-.93) suggesting that the Arabic version of the short form of role ambiguity scale is a validated tools to use in Tunisian context. Predictive validity was also established through significant correlation with task-cohesion measures, confirming the scale's theorical coherence. This study provides a validate and robust instrument for measuring of role ambiguity in Tunisian sport context using Standard Arabic language. This scale supports empirical investigation of role of ambiguity influence on sport team process, dynamic and performance
Effects of Music and Lyrics on Activity Level and Perceived Enjoyment in Elementary Physical Education
Full text linkPrevious research has indicted that music is a strong motivator while participating in noncompetitive (e.g. walking, running, weightlifting) and competitive (e.g. sprinting, ultramarathon, road cycling) activities as it stimulates positive affective valence, distract exercisers and athletes from exertion and fatigue, and consequently yield greater physical performance. Some of these affective and physical effects have been found in the limited body of empirical research in K-12 physical education (PE) settings. There is also a lack of research regarding the effects of music lyrics, also in comparison with gender and grade, on pupils’ physical and affective responses in PE. Using factorial analysis of variances, this study aimed to examine the effects of music conditions (i.e. music with lyrics, music without lyrics, no music), grade, and gender on the activity level and perceived enjoyment of three kindergarten and three fifth grade classes. Findings revealed significant main effects for music condition, grade, and gender on the physical measures and for gender on the perceived enjoyment. Significant grade × condition interactions were found in the physical measures and significant gender × condition interactions were detected in the perceived enjoyment. One key conclusion indicates that music with lyrics (a) seems to accompany well with activities that require less higher-order thinking skills, and (b) may be a distraction to pupils’ focus when tactics and strategies are involved. Future research in this area is warranted to provide PE teachers with the most motivating music catered to different classes by gender, grade, and activity type
Morphometric Analysis of Key Foot Dimensions Across Selected Shoe Sizes in Young Indian Adults: A Pilot Study
Full text linkFoot anthropometric data is important for footwear designing. As shoe sizes increases; foot dimensions influence overall foot morphology. As yet, limited studies explored the progressive changes of foot dimensions across different shoe sizes, particularly implication in footwear design. Present study collected foot anthropometric data from Indian young adults, categorized by shoe sizes and examine the variation across key foot dimensions. One hundred fifty volunteers (N=150; aged 18-25 years) were stratified by self-reported by shoe sizes: UK5 (n=50; age , height and weight were 22.56 ± 6.71 years, 156.49 ± 3.94 cm, 58.46 ± 12.29 kg), UK6 (n=50; age 22.28 ± 6.34 years, height 160.32 ± 4.90 cm, weight 60.22 ± 11.88 kg) and UK7 (n=50; age 20.82 ± 3.83 years, height 165.67 ± 4.34 cm, weight 62.69 ± 11.58 kg). Feet dimensions were obtained using 3D foot scanner, and statistical analysis was performed by SPSS v26. Pearson correlation (r) between Foot sizes and foot dimensions showed significant (p<0.01) positive correlation, across most foot dimensions. One Way ANOVA and post hoc ANOVA showed the significant differences (p<0.05) in most foot dimensions except arch height and heelpiece total length. In this study major dimensions were increased proportionally with increased shoe sizes (UK 5, 6 and 7); while arch height and heelpiece total length were relatively decreased. These findings provide actionable evidence for footwear last design; however, results should not be generalized for the entire Indian population. Further comprehensive studies are required to develop a robust database of foot dimensions across age groups, genders, and different ethnic backgrounds
The Impact of Practicum Experiences on Preservice Physical Education Teachers’ Self-Efficacy
Full text linkWithin physical education, teachers with high levels of teaching self-efficacy demonstrate positive attitudes toward their profession, adopt innovative instructional strategies, and create engaging learning environments. Supervised practicum plays a crucial role in preparing preservice teachers for professional integration. This study aimed to examine the impact of practicum experiences on preservice physical education teachers’ self-efficacy, particularly in relation to instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. Participants were sixty preservice physical education teachers, from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. The Ohio State Teacher Efficacy Scale was used to assess self-efficacy levels, while semi-structured interviews with thirteen participants provided qualitative insights. A mixed-methods approach was used for data analysis. Quantitative findings indicated no statistically significant main effects for questionnaire factors or interactions between time and gender. However, qualitative findings highlighted practicum as a dynamic and transformative experience. Key themes included student engagement, teaching flexibility, student development, emotional intelligence, and perceived changes in teachers’ self-efficacy. Participants reported that their prior coaching experience positively influenced their instructional design and organization. Beyond enhancing teaching effectiveness, practicum reshaped preservice teachers’ perceptions of their professional roles, underscoring its broader impact on teacher development. Future research should explore how different practicum structures and mentoring approaches influence preservice teachers' long-term professional growth and self-efficacy development