The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences
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Returning to the river : the salutogenic model as a theory to explore the relation between outdoor activities and health
No full textAn ongoing discussion is a debate about the benefits of outdoor activities for health, where a narrowness regarding the benefits as a matter of curing or preventing disease has been questioned. Hence, there is an urgent need to theorize further the relationship between outdoor activities and health with robust theoretical frameworks that can guide research and practice, taking different aspects of human-nature relations into account. In the paper, a critique of pathogenic perspectives of health is forwarded, as well as a critique of an anthropocentric human centeredness of health. Instead, a salutogenic model and the metaphor of the swimmer in the river is used to discuss the relation without being restricted to health as the absence of disease or to human health and wellbeing. In the paper, seven different relations, or salutogenic questions, are provided, moving from the swimmer in the foreground, to swimmers in the river to finally foregrounding the river
Psychological Coaching for Performing Artists : Perceptions of and Reflections on Finding Ways to Manage Performance Anxiety
No full textPerformance anxiety is a major issue for performing artists. This qualitative paper extends our recent mixed-methods collective case study showing the beneficial effects of psychological interventions for managing performance anxiety, tailored in individual coaching settings. Here, we report on participants’ experiences of being coached, their understanding of how and why the interventions were effective, and the researcher-coach's experiences. Ten performing artists received five individual coaching sessions and were interviewed about their experiences pre- and post-intervention. A qualitative synthesis of transcripts of sessions and interviews, and of the coach's field notes and journal entries, was conducted. Findings suggest that change mechanisms have to be understood in the context of participants’ enhanced self-awareness during coaching, and the process of co-creating solutions and building a coaching relationship through mutual understanding and appreciation. While disentangling mechanisms and effects may not always be possible, we discuss useful strategies in coaching performing artists to manage performance anxiety.
Efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing explicit and implicit weight bias in healthcare students : A systematic review and meta-analysis.
No full textWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing weight bias in healthcare students, and to explore factors that may impact intervention success. A systematic review and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted by including studies that examined the efficacy of weight bias reduction interventions for healthcare students. Of the 3463 journal articles and dissertations screened, 67 studies (within 64 records) met inclusion criteria, with 35 studies included in the meta-analyses (explicit = 35, implicit [and explicit] = 10) and 32 studies included in the narrative synthesis (explicit = 34, implicit [and explicit] = 3). Weight bias interventions had a small but positive impact, g = -0.31 (95% CI = -0.43 to -0.19, p < 0.001), in reducing students' explicit weight bias but there was no intervention effect on implicit weight bias, g = -0.12 (95% CI = -0.26 to 0.02, p = 0.105). There was considerable heterogeneity in the pooled effect for explicit bias (I2 = 74.28, Q = 132.21, df = 34, p < 0.001). All subgroup comparisons were not significant (p > 0.05) and were unable to explain the observed heterogeneity. Narrative synthesis supported meta-analytic findings. The small but significant reduction of explicit weight bias encourages the continued testing of interventions, irrespective of variation in individual intervention components. Contrarily, reductions in implicit weight bias may only be possible from a large societal shift in negative beliefs and attitudes held towards people living in larger bodies
A brief, knowledgeable and critical look at the Olympics : [recension av Jules Boykoff: What are the Olympics for? Bristol University Press, 2024]
No full textTidpunktens effekt på uthållighetsstyrka i knäböj : En kvantitativ studie på tränande vuxna män och kvinnor
No full textSyfte och frågeställning Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur uthållighetsstyrka skiljer sig mellan män och kvinnor beroende på om uthållighetsträningen utförs på morgonen eller kvällen. Utifrån frågeställningen utformades två hypoteser. Hypotes nummer ett är att för uthållighetsstyrka i max antal repetitioner knäböj på en submaximal belastning på 50% av sitt individuella 1RM är det mest fördelaktigt att träna på kvällen för både män och kvinnor. Hypotes nummer två är att kvinnor kommer att ha högre uthållighetsstyrka i max antal repetitioner knäböj på en submaximal belastning på 50% av sitt individuella 1RM jämfört med män. Metod I denna studie användes en kvantitativ studiedesign. Studien utformades till tre tester som varje testdeltagare utförde. Test nummer ett var ett 1RM test (one repetition maximum), test nummer två och tre var ett uthållighetstest. Datan som samlades in från testdeltagarna var kön, ålder, längd, vikt, 1RM resultat och uthållighetstestresultat. Datan sammanställdes i Google kalkyl och analyserades i statistikprogrammet Jamovi. Resultat N=10 personer deltog i studien. Resultaten från testerna kopplat till hypoteserna visade att hypotes nummer ett var korrekt och hypotes nummer två inte var korrekt. Att träna uthållighetsträning på kvällen istället för morgonen gav fler repetitioner för båda könen och var statistiskt signifikant. Kvinnor visade sig inte ha bättre relativ uthållighetsstyrka än män, där männen i snitt utförde några fler repetitioner både på morgonen och kvällen, dock utan att differensen mellan könen var signifikant. Slutsats Att träna uthållighetsträning är mest fördelaktigt att träna på kvällen för både män och kvinnor. Män presterade i genomsnitt några fler repetitioner än kvinnor både på morgonen och kvällen, dock utan signifikant skillnad mellan könen. Således visade inte kvinnorna större uthållighetsförmåga än män. Vidare framkom att av studiens resultat att män är starkare än kvinnor i absoluta tal.Aim The purpose of the study was to examine how muscular endurance differs between men and women depending on whether endurance training is performed in the morning or in the evening. Based on the research question, two hypotheses were formulated. The first hypothesis is that, for muscular endurance measured as the maximum number of repetitions in the back squat at a submaximal load of 50% of individual 1RM, training in the evening is more advantageous for both men and women. The second hypothesis is that women will demonstrate greater muscular endurance—defined as the maximum number of repetitions in the back squat at 50% of their individual 1RM—compared to men. Method A quantitative study design was used in this study. The study consisted of three tests performed by each participant. The first test was a 1RM (one repetition maximum) test, while the second and third tests were endurance tests. The data collected from the participants included sex, age, height, weight, 1RM results, and endurance test results. The data were compiled in Google Sheets and analyzed using the statistical software Jamovi. Results A total of N=10 participants took part in the study. The test results in relation to the hypotheses showed that hypothesis one was supported, while hypothesis two was not. Performing endurance training in the evening instead of the morning resulted in a higher number of repetitions for both sexes and was statistically significant. Women did not demonstrate greater relatively muscular endurance than men; on average, the men performed somewhat more repetitions than the women in both the morning and evening sessions, although without a significant difference between the sexes. Conclusion Endurance training appears to be most beneficial when performed in the evening for both men and women. On average, men completed a few more repetitions than women in bothmorning and evening sessions, although without a significant difference between the sexes. Thus, the women showed no greater muscle endurance compared to men. The results of the study also showed that men are stronger than women in absolute units
Physical education teachers’ experiences of the meaning of feedback in PE
No full textThis study explores how newly qualified physical education (PE) teachers experience the meaning offeedback through reflections on their assessment practices.We focus on the use, purpose, and contentof feedback in PE practice. Assessment practices in PE have generally been used for grading purposes,often with little connection to the preceding teaching and learning. The educational quality offeedback depends on teachers’ knowledge of what is supposed to be learned and how learners understandwhat they are supposed to know. Hence, it is important to investigate whether and how PEteacher education (PETE) prepares pre-service teachers for their professional work with feedbackin PE. Individual stimulated recall interviews, a focus group interview and individual interviews witheight newly qualified teacherswere conducted, and the datawas analysed through a phenomenographicapproach. The findings reveal that feedback is experienced in various ways, some comprising contentthat helps students learnwhat is supposed to be learned. Otherways of experiencing feedback generatecontent that does not relate to any intended learning goal other than being physically active in the hereand now. The findings are discussed in relation to Hattie and Timperley’s (2007) model of feedback aswell as in relation to PETE and the significance of providing possibilities for future teachers tolearn about the ways in which feedback can be educationally worthwhile
The development of girls football : A qualitative study on development for girls aged 13–17 years
No full textBakgrund: Processen där spelare kan utveckla de förmågor som krävs av fotbollen genom kvalitativ träning och är en process som prioriteras av fotbollsklubbar. Forskning kring kvinnlig och flick fotboll är bristande och behöver genomföras. Syfte och frågeställningar: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur tränare för flickor i åldrarna 13–17 år arbetar under träning med målet att konstruera en utvecklande miljö. Fokuset är att djupare förstå vilka övningar som används under träning samt vad tränarna prioriterar att utveckla. Grunden till studien består av två frågeställningar; (1) Hur arbetar tränare med utveckling för flickor i åldrarna 13–17 år? och (2) Vilka övningar använder tränare för att uppnå utveckling under träning? Metod: För att besvara studiens frågeställningar användes det ett kvalitativt angreppsätt som datainsamlingsmetod. Metoden innefattade fyra semistrukturerade intervjuer med fotbollstränare. Den insamlade informationen analyserades genom en tematisk analys där tre översiktliga teman genererades. Resultat: Studiens resultat grundade sig i tre teman; Träningen, Tränaren och Spelaren som tillsammans beskriver hur utvecklingsmiljön påverkar spelarens utveckling. Resultatet visade att träningen består av diverse typer av övningar med olika fokusområden som tillsammans utvecklar spelarens fotbollsspecifika och mentala förmågor, vidare influerades träningen av tränarens ledarskap och spelarens kvalitéer. Slutsats: Det existerar en skillnad mellan hur tränare arbetar med utveckling, träningen påverkas av diverse faktorer från tränaren och spelaren. Tränaren använder sig utav både spel- och färdighetsövningar under träning och arbetar med diverse fokusområden för att utveckla olika förmågor. Slutligen framförs det att spelare utvecklas genom att tränare skapar en trygg miljö för spelaren.Background: The process where players can develop the abilities required by football through qualitative training, and is a process prioritized by football clubs. Research on women’s and girls’ football is insufficient and needs to be conducted. Aim: The aim of the study is to examine how coaches of girls aged 13-17 work during training with the goal of creating a developmental environment. The focus is on deeper understanding which exercises are used during training and what coaches prioritize in player development. The basis of the study consist of two questions; (1) How do coaches work with development for girls aged 13-17? and (2) What exercises do coaches use to achieve development during training? Method: To answers the research questions, a qualitative approach was implemented as the data collection method. The method included four semi-structured interviews with football coaches. The collected information was analyzed through a thematic analysis, from which three main themes emerged. Results: The result of the study are based on three themes; Training, Coach and Player. Together these describe how the development environment influences player development. The findings showed that the training consisted of various types of exercises with different focus areas that together developed the player’s football-specific and mental abilities, and training was also influenced by the coach’s leadership and the player’s qualities. Conclusions: There is a difference between how coaches work whit development, training is influenced by various factor from the coach and the player. The coach uses both training form and playing form exercises during training and works with various focus areas to develop different abilities. Finally, players develop skills when coaches create a safe environment for the player
Fysiologiska egenskaper hos tävlande Kyokushin karateutövare : jämförande analys mellan viktklasser, kön och andra fysiskt tränade grupper
No full textBackground: Kyokushin karate is a high-intensity intermittent standing position martial art. To be successful in competitions requires high physical fitness, mental toughness, technical and tactical skills. The competition discipline kumite is structured by weight classes and the requirements for performance may vary depending on the athlete's weight category. Kyokushin karate has received limited attention in research. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish normative physiological data from Kyokushin athletes, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the performance characteristics of Kyokushin karate practitioners. This study seeks to answer the following questions: How do physiological characteristics of Kyokushin athletes differ to values reported in the literature for athletes in other combat sports? How do physiological characteristics differ between sexes in Kyokushin? How do physiological characteristics of kumite athletes differ across weight classes? Method: A literature search and study were carried out, aiming to obtain a picture of the research status. Six physiological tests were selected for a test battery. A pilot test was administered before the implementation of the tests. Voluntary participants were recruited, resulting in a sample of twenty-one Kyokushin karate athletes aged 18 to 40 who completed the test battery. To answer the research questions, test results were compared and analyzed by combat sport, sex and weight class. Results: Compared to other trained cohorts, Kyokushin athletes performed well particularly in reaction time and hand grip strength. In contrast, their performance in tests such as the standing long jump and seated medicine ball throw was comparable to peers in other disciplines, while they showed no notable advantage in pushups performance or the 6-minute race test. Male participants were taller and heavier than females. Males showed higher average performance than females in all field tests. They performed significantly better in most tests, apart from simple reaction test and 6-minute race test where no significant differences were observed. Analysis by weight class revealed that heavier athletes generally performed better in absolute strength measures in HGS but demonstrated lower relative muscular endurance in males. Female middleweight athletes performed better than their peers across multiple performance metrics. Conclusion: The results of this study may contribute to the effective use of physiological testing in objectively assessing an athlete’s fitness, informing individualized training through continuous monitoring and aiding in injury prevention by identifying recovery requirements. The findings suggest that Kyokushin athletes possess distinct physiological characteristics. These differences may reflect the specific physical demands of full-contact Kyokushin karate. Further research in Kyokushin karate performance is needed to draw definitive conclusions. Bakgrund: Kyokushin karate är en högintensiv, intervallbaserad kampsport i stående position. För att vara framgångsrik i tävlingar krävs hög fysisk kondition, tekniska och taktiska färdigheter samt mental styrka. Tävlingsgrenen Kumite är uppdelat i viktklasser och prestationskraven kan variera beroende på atletens viktklass. Kyokushin karate har fått begränsad uppmärksamhet i forskningen. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att ta fram normativa fysiologiska data och därigenom bidra till en djupare förståelse av prestationskarakteristika hos Kyokushin karateutövare. Studien söker svar på följande frågor: Hur skiljer sig fysiologiska egenskaper jämfört med andra tränade grupper? Hur skiljer sig fysiologiska egenskaper mellan könen i Kyokushin? Hur skiljer sig fysiologiska egenskaper hos kumite utövare mellan olika viktklasser? Metod: En litteraturstudie genomfördes för att få en bild av forskningsläget. Sex fysiologiska tester valdes ut till ett testbatteri. Ett pilottest genomfördes innan de faktiska testerna. Deltagare rekryterades och 21 Kyokushin karateutövare i åldrarna 18 till 40 år genomförde testbatteriet. För att besvara forskningsfrågorna jämfördes och analyserades testresultaten utifrån olika tränade grupper, kön och viktklass. Resultat: Jämfört med andra tränade grupper presterade Kyokushin utövarna särskilt bra i reaktionstid och handgreppsstyrka. Däremot var deras prestationer i tester som stående längdhopp och sittande medicinbollkast jämförbara med resultat från andra discipliner och de visade ingen märkbar fördel i armhävningar eller 6-minuters löptest. Manliga deltagare var längre och tyngre än kvinnliga. Män uppvisade i genomsnitt högre prestation än kvinnor i alla fälttester. De presterade signifikant bättre i de flesta tester, förutom i enkelt reaktionstest och 6-minuters löptest där inga signifikanta skillnader observerades. Analysen mellan viktklasser hos män visade att tyngre utövare generellt presterade bättre i absoluta styrkemått i handgreppsstyrka (HGS) men uppvisade lägre relativ muskulär uthållighet. Kvinnliga mellanviktutövare presterade bättre än sina jämnåriga inom flera prestationsmått. Slutsats : Resultaten från denna studie kan bidra till en effektiv användning av fysiologiska tester för att objektivt bedöma en idrottares fysiska status, utforma individanpassad träning genom kontinuerlig övervakning samt förebygga skador genom att identifiera återhämtningsbehov. Resultaten tyder på att Kyokushin-utövare har distinkta fysiologiska egenskaper. Dessa skillnader kan återspegla de specifika fysiska kraven i fullkontakt Kyokushin-karate. Ytterligare forskning om prestation i Kyokushin-karate behövs för att dra definitiva slutsatser
The paths to elite coaching : A Qualitative Study of the Career Pathways to Becoming an International Elite Coach
No full textSyfte: Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka vilka karriärvägar som leder till att bli elittränare på internationell nivå samt vilka faktorer och vändpunkter som påverkar vägen. Studien ämnade också att fånga elittränarnas råd till unga tränare och förbättringsområden inom det svenska idrottssystemet. Metod: Studien genomfördes med en kvalitativ metod och baserades på semistrukturerade intervjuer med 21 svenska elittränare från 13 olympiska idrotter. Deltagarna representerade både lag- och individuella sporter, vinter- och sommaridrotter, och var både män och kvinnor. Analysen gjordes genom en manifest, tematisk analys. Resultat: Två huvudsakliga karriärvägar identifierades: snabbspår och traditionellt spår. Snabbspårstränarna tog sig in i yrket genom sin egen elitidrottskarriär och de nätverk de byggt upp under denna tid, medan tränare på det traditionella spåret utvecklade sin kompetens genom formell utbildning och lång erfarenhet i tränarrollen. Flera viktiga vändpunkter identifierades. Tränarna nämnde olika situationer, beslut, möten eller utmaningar som inneburit en avgörande förändring i deras karriärväg. Vidare lyfte de starkt inre driv, engagemang, social kompetens och relationsbyggande som avgörande faktorer för att nå elittränarrollen. Elittränarnas huvudsakliga råd till yngre tränare var att skaffa mentorer och hitta sin tränaridentitet. Deras förbättringsförslag till det svenska idrottssystemet handlade om att ta tillvara kunskapen från erfarna tränare i högre grad och se över de ekonomiska förutsättningarna för tränare. Slutsats: Studien visar att vägarna till ett elittränarskap på internationell nivå varierar, men ofta formas av avgörande vändpunkter, tillgång till nätverk, starkt personligt engagemang och social kompetens. Karriärutvecklingen präglas av både strukturella möjligheter och individuella val, där mentorskap och tillfälligheter ofta spelar en nyckelroll. En viktig slutsats av denna studie är behovet av att systematiskt ta tillvara på erfarna elittränares kunskap genom formaliserade mentorskap- och nätverksprogram och att börja implementera delat ledarskap i tränarrollen för att minska arbetsbelastningen och skapa fler jobbmöjligheter. Resultaten i denna studie visar på behov av vidare forskning inom följande områden: jämförelse mellan de två karriärspåren och deras framgångsfaktorer, forskning kring mentorskapets betydelse samt forskning på hur karriärvägarna ser ut i andra länder. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the career pathways leading to becoming an elite coach at the international level, as well as the key factors and turning points influencing this development. The study also had the purpose to capture elite coaches' advice to young coaches and their views on improvements needed within the Swedish sports system. Method: The study used a qualitative design, based on semi-structured interviews with 21 Swedish elite coaches from Olympic sports. Participants represented both team and individual sports, winter and summer sports, and included both male and female coaches. The data was analyzed through a manifest thematic analysis. Results: Two main career pathways were identified: the fast-track and the traditional pathway. Fast-track coaches built their careers on personal elite sporting achievements and strong networks, while traditionally trained coaches developed their competence through formal education and gradual experience-building. Several critical turning points were highlighted, involving events, decisions, encounters or challenges that significantly altered career trajectories. Key success factors identified were a strong internal drive, engagement, and social competence. Elitecoaches advised younger coaches to find mentors and to develop their personal leadership style. They also called for retaining experienced coaches' knowledge and improving the financial conditions for coaches in Sweden. Conclusion: The study shows that the paths to becoming an elite coach at the international level vary, but are often shaped by key turning points, access to networks, strong personal commitment, and social competence. Career development is influenced by both structural opportunities and individual choices, where mentorship and chance events frequently play a crucial role. An important conclusion of this study is the need to systematically pass on the knowledge from experienced elite coaches through formalized mentorship and networking programs, as well as to begin implementing shared leadership in coaching roles to reduce workload and create more job opportunities. The findings also highlight the need for further research in the following areas: comparisons between the two career pathways and their success factors, the significance of mentorship, and how coaching careers develop in other countries.
Lactate Infusion Increases Circulating pro-Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Humans
No full textExercise has been shown to improve brain health by stimulating mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) production. Murine model data and correlational studies in humans suggest that lactate may play a role in increasing mBDNF levels. Less is known about the effect on the pro-BDNF isoform and if lactate can exert an effect on mBDNF levels in humans without a simultaneous exercise stimulus. We aimed to investigate how increased systemic lactate levels in humans at rest alter plasma- and muscle levels of the two BDNF isoforms. Eighteen young, healthy volunteers (50% female) were recruited and received either a venous infusion of sodium lactate or a volume-matched infusion of isotonic saline. Twelve of the participants were assigned to an experimental group using a crossover design for blood sampling while donating muscle biopsies during lactate infusion, and six participants were assigned to act as a control group for muscle biopsy sampling. Blood was collected before, during, and for two hours of recovery, while muscle was collected before and after the infusion. Samples were analyzed for pro- and mBDNF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting. Lactate infusion elevated plasma lactate levels tenfold (p < 0.0001), and muscle lactate by 29%, p = 0.004. Plasma mBDNF levels were unaffected by the intervention, while pro-BDNF increased by 32% in plasma (p = 0.0179) but remained unaltered in muscle. Our results indicate that lactate alone can alter levels of circulating pro-BDNF, however, for additional effects on mBDNF, exercise may need to be added. Masteruppsats utformad som en vetenskaplig artikel. </p