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Investigating the effect of playing different defensive styles and court sizes on physical, perceived, and technical demands in basketball small-sided games /
No full textThis study aimed to determine the effects of different defensive styles (i.e., man-to-man vs. zone) and court sizes (full vs. half) on physical [PlayerLoad (TM) (PL), total jumps and jumps in low (41 cm) bands, the number of and distance covered during accelerations and decelerations divided in high (>2 m center dot s(-2)) and low intensity ( 0.05) between two independent variables was observed for physical demands. An effect of court size was found for most of the physical demand measures (except jumps) with higher values (p < 0.05) found in full court SSGs. The defensive style had an effect (p < 0.05, trivial-to-small) on total distance and low-intensity accelerations and decelerations. No effects were evident for the independent variables on the RPE and technical demands. Coaches should design full court SSGs when aiming at increasing players' physical demands. Differently, similar physical, perceived and technical demands should be expected when playing man-to-man or zone defense during SSGs
A comparison of the force‐velocity relationship of bonobo and human muscle fibers /
No full textIt has been reported that the muscles of chimpanzees and bonobos have “super strength” and it has been suggested that this is attributable to a larger specific tension and specific power of their muscles. To investigate this we compared the force-velocity relationship in 85 human and 49 bonobo (Pan paniscus) skinned fibers at 15°C. Fibers were classified as type I or II with gel electrophoresis. Type II fibers had a higher maximal shortening velocity (Vmax) and lower curvature of the force-velocity relationship (higher a/Po) than type I fibers in both species (p < 0.001). Although bonobo fibers of both types were larger and produced more force than human fibers, their specific tension and Vmax were lower (p < 0.001). The a/Po was higher in bonobo fibers (p < 0.001). Combined these differences in the parameters of the force-velocity relationship resulted in a similar specific power in bonobo and human fibers. The lesser curvature of the force-velocity relationship offsets the negative effects of a lower specific tension and Vmax on specific power of bonobo muscle fibers. The “super strength” of bonobos cannot be explained by differences in muscle fiber contractile properties but may reflect a higher proportion of type II fibers than in human muscle
Physiological, perceived, and physical demands of recreational 3×3 basketball and high-intensity interval training in sedentary adult women /
No full textThe aim of this investigation was to compare the acute physiological responses – percentage of maximal peak heart rate (%HRpeak) and blood lactate (BLa) – as well as perceived demands (rating of perceived exertion, RPE) and enjoyment of a recreational 3×3 basketball match and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in sedentary women. Twelve healthy, adult sedentary women (age: 37±14 years; body mass: 66 ± 19 kg; stature: 162 ± 13 cm; fat mass: 27.5 ± 12.5%) performed a 3× 3 basketball match and HIIT including gym-based activities with comparable duration. The %HRpeak was continuously monitored during, the BLa was assessed before and after, and the RPE and enjoyment were collected at the end of each protocol. 3×3 basketball elicited higher %HRpeak (p 0.05; r-value: 0.052, no effect) and between post-HIIT and post-3×3 basketball match (p = 0.072; r-value: 0.495, medium). Similar low RPE (4±1 AU; p = 0.999; r-value = < 0.001, no effect) and high enjoyment (3×3 basketball = 6±1 AU; HIIT = 5AU±1 AU, p = 0.233; r value = 0.250, small) values were found between conditions. 3×3 basketball induced overall higher %HRpeak compared to HIIT, suggesting its suitability as a health-enhancing activity for sedentary adult women. Moreover, since both conditions highlighted low RPE and high enjoyment values, they have the potential to be effective in enhancing the training adherence in sedentary adult women
Perspective chapter: taste of aggression – food preferences and emotional dysregulation in juvenile delinquency /
No full textThis chapter proposes a novel, embodied lens on juvenile delinquency, arguing that taste preferences—particularly for sweet and fatty foods—can function as subtle but powerful indicators of affective dysregulation. While traditional theories explain delinquent behavior through structural deficits or cognitive distortions, and newer models emphasize emotional trauma and poor self-regulation, few frameworks consider how the body itself encodes distress. Drawing on research from developmental psychopathology, neuropsychology, and the psychology of eating, we examine how food preferences intersect with impulsivity, emotional coping, and identity construction in delinquent youth. Empirical findings—including a comparative study of Romanian adolescents—highlight distinct taste patterns among youth on probation, suggesting both heightened craving for emotional comfort and, paradoxically, blunted reward sensitivity. Taste, we argue, is not merely a dietary choice but a behavioral fingerprint: it reveals how adolescents soothe, rebel, or assert control when language fails. By decoding these sensory signals, clinicians and forensic psychologists gain access to an overlooked layer of meaning—where what is craved, avoided, or ritualized becomes data. We explore how taste can inform risk assessment, identity work, and low-threshold interventions such as cooking-based rehabilitation. Ultimately, this chapter reframes taste not as trivia, but as testimony—an embodied narrative of how young people feel, cope, and fight to be seen
Investigating the mediating effect of myokines on exercise-induced cognitive changes in older adults: a living systematic review and meta-analysis /
No full textDespite strong evidence linking exercise training to cognitive benefits, uncertainty remains regarding the underlying biological mechanisms, with some studies highlighting the need for greater consensus. Muscle-derived exerkines (myokines) are proposed mediators of exercise-induced effects with potential implications for mitigating age-related cognitive decline. This living systematic review and meta-analysis examined randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of exercise on both cognition and any of 1,126 potential myokines in individuals aged 50 and older. From 17,177 screened records, 43 studies met inclusion criteria, reporting data on 7 neurotrophic, 11 pro-inflammatory, and 2 anti-inflammatory factors. A three-level meta-analysis revealed significantly improved cognitive performance post-exercise (SMD = 0.579) and elevated neurotrophic factor levels (SMD = 0.427) in exercise groups compared to controls, but no significant changes in pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory factor levels. Mediation analysis using meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) did not detect significant indirect effects of myokines on cognition, with only limited data (9 studies) reporting direct post-test correlations between myokine levels and cognitive outcomes. Exercise improved several cognitive domains and increased certain myokines, particularly BDNF, in older adults. However, current evidence is insufficient to determine whether myokines mediate these benefits, as mediation analyses were limited by small samples, incomplete reporting, and methodological constraints. Future well-powered trials with standardized protocols and comprehensive biomarker reporting are needed to clarify this mechanistic pathway. As a living review, this work will be continuously updated to refine our understanding of whether myokines mediate exercise-induced cognitive benefits in aging populations
Sleep and stress in athletes with disabilities around the 2021 Tokyo Paralympic games during the pandemic /
No full textThis research evaluated the relation and fluctuations in stress and sleep quality in athletes with disabilities (AwD) during the period before and after the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessments were conducted every 3 months over a period of 10 months, encompassing three distinct pandemic phases. Results showed significant variations in perceived stress (F = 9.41, ηp2 = 0.09, p < 0.01) and sleep quality (F = 10.55, ηp2 = 0.10, p < 0.001), with initial increased stress and poorer sleep, improving at the midpoint. Sleep quality components varied over time (p < 0.05), except for sleep medication use and daytime dysfunction. Results indicated a direct relationship where poor sleep potentially causes increased stress (β = 0.24, p < 0.01; β = 0.13, p < 0.05). The study underscores the need for regular stress assessments and development of sleep routines independent of external circumstances
Performance prediction criteria based on yearling training cycle data for world-class athletes’ tiny 1000-meter kayak teams: a case study /
No full textThis research aimed to identify optimal performance needs based on physiological tests of kayakers, revealing body adaptations and critical training periods within a yearly training cycle. It sought to develop performance selection protocols for teams and provide evidence-based strategies for future training. Methods: The male athletes underwent routine physiological testing, considering medical limitations. A preparation year plan was established: six months for preparation, one month for the first competition, two months for further preparation, one month for the second competitor, and two months for transition. The athletes faced twelve tests at the start of each month. Results: A certain intensity and duration of training effort during preparatory cycles (approximately 22–42% in the third intensity zone, 24–28% in the fourth intensity zone, and 3–4% in the fifth intensity zone) were necessary for athletes to achieve a high level of aerobic metabolism (64.00 and 69.40 mL·min−1·kg−1). Heart rate, work capacity at the second ventilatory threshold, the critical intensity limit, and maximum oxygen consumption were all shown to be vital indicators for predicting competition results. Conclusions: The identified indicators of physical development and functional capacity could aid in forming a team capable of reaching an elite level in the future
Mindfulness and emotional intelligence as predictors of psychological well-being in athletes with disabilities /
No full textAlthough athletes who have disabilities face unique challenges, little is known about the interaction between mindfulness and emotional intelligence in the context of their psychological self-feeling. This study is among the first to systematically examine how mindfulness and emotional intelligence are related to stress, anxiety and depression in this population and to reveal the pathways through which the mediating effect of emotional intelligence manifests itself. A total of 95 athletes who have various types of disabilities were surveyed. The research instrument consisted of several scales: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS), and the Emotional Intelligence Scale for Use in Sport (EIS). The data were analysed by employing descriptive statistical methods, performing correlation analysis, creating regression models, and through mediation analysis. Several significant trends were identified: professional athletes demonstrated higher mindfulness than amateurs, and higher education was associated with lower mindfulness and emotional intelligence. Mindfulness predicted better emotional competencies (B = 0.511, p < 0.001), which were related to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (B = −0.310, p = 0.001), confirming a partial mediating effect (B = −0.158, 95% PI [−0.273; −0.065]). These findings add to the existing knowledge, demonstrating that in the context of sport for people with disabilities, mindfulness can improve mental health not only directly but also indirectly—through emotional intelligence. This study lays the foundation for individually tailored psychological interventions that would correspond to the specific needs of athletes who have disabilities
Pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics assessment in basketball-trained boys during early adolescence /
No full textBackground: Dynamic change of the pulmonary oxygen uptake is one of the core parameters determining the bodies’ adaptability to the varying physical load. It is equally important in both everyday life and sports. Regardless of the importance, this physiological mechanism is understudied, especially in younger population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine oxygen uptake kinetics at the onset and offset of exercise in terms of basketball training and maturity level in adolescent boys. Methods: Our subjects were 28 basketball-trained (BT) and 22 actively untrained (UT) boys (average age: 11.83 ± 0.43 years). Subjects performed 6-minute-long constant speed walking tests on a treadmill and a static recovery afterwards with a 1-year interval between the sessions to determine oxygen uptake, heart rate, and muscle oxygenation time constants and other parameters. Maturity level was determined by the maturity offset. Results: Basketball-trained group showed faster oxygen uptake kinetics (1st session: 13.10 ± 2.68 s and 15.02 ± 2.96 s in basketballers and control-group boys, respectively; 2nd session: 12.02 ± 2.86 s and 14.07 ± 4.18 s) during both testing sessions, while heart rate kinetics were faster in basketballers only during the 1st session (28.15 ± 10.59 s compared to 37.18 ± 15.23 s). Maturity level in both groups correlated with some of the kinetics parameters during the 2nd session. Conclusion: Young basketballers possess a faster on-transient oxygen uptake kinetics compared to their untrained peers because of the improved oxygen delivery and utilisation. A possible maturational threshold regarding pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics in adolescents should be investigated in the future
Understanding the role of disability identity in physical activity and sport among people with physical disabilities :
No full textPurpose: The research aimed to determine disability identity, athletic identity, and sports motivation of physically disabled people participating in physical activity and sports and to evaluate the influence of disability identity on physically disabled people’s athletic identity and sports motivation according to the level of participation in physical activity and sports. Hypothesis: A positive disability identity can lead to a higher athletic identity and greater motivation to participate in physical activity and sports. Methods: The Personal Disability Identity (PDI) scale including subscales of Self-Worth and Personal Meaning was used to assess self-concept as a person with a disability. Athletic identity was evaluated by the multidimensional Athletic Identity Measurement Scale to assess the social identity, exclusivity, and negative affectivity of the physically disabled. Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-II) including subscales of Intrinsic Regulation, Integrated Regulation, Identified Regulation, Introjected Regulation, External Regulation, and Non-Regulation was used to evaluate the reasons why physically disabled people are practising sports. The data were collected from 102 people with physical disabilities. Results: Findings indicated that scores on disability self-worth and personal meaning, athletic identity and sports motivation were significantly related (p < 0.005) after accounting for demographic and disability characteristics. Conclusion: The findings of the research on the relationship between positive adjustment among people with disabilities, their athletic identity and sports motivation contribute to the emerging literature on the predictive role of disability identity and the benefits of physical activity and sports in positive life outcomes among adults with physical disabilities. Support/Funding Source: The research was conducted using the author’s resources, without any financial support from external sources