International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports
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Supportive vs. Unsupportive Coaching: Correlating Leadership Approaches with Injury Rates in Elite Athletes
Full text linkThis quantitative, longitudinal analysis leverages post hoc data from the National Football League (NFL) and Fox Sports to investigate the influence of coaching style on injury dynamics among elite athletes. By categorizing coaching behaviors as supportive, neutral, or unsupportive, the study examines how these styles correlate with both the frequency and type of injuries sustained by professional football players. The findings offer valuable insights for athletes, athletic trainers, medical personnel, and coaches engaged in injury prevention and rehabilitation, as well as for leadership researchers interested in performance outcomes under varying guidance styles. Guided by existing literature, three hypotheses were proposed: (a) athletes coached by unsupportive leaders will experience a higher injury incidence compared to those under supportive leadership; (b) unsupportive coaching will be associated with a greater number of chronic injuries across teams; and (c) unsupportive styles will correlate with increased injury counts and extended recovery durations among NFL athletes. Quantitative trend analysis confirms that unsupportive coaching is significantly associated with elevated incidence rates for specific injury categories. However, this correlation does not extend to all injury types. Conversely, teams led by supportive or neutral coaches exhibited significantly lower injury incidences during regular season play. Additionally, unsupportive coaching was linked to a higher prevalence of chronic injuries compared to the other styles. Overall, the study identifies robust correlations between coaching style, injury type, and occurrence, thereby underscoring the potential impact of leadership behavior on athlete health outcomes in professional football
Do Final Fitness Scores Correlate to Final Academic Scores Among Police Cadets?
Full text linkObjective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a relationship between specific physical fitness tests and academic test scores exists with police cadets. Design: Retrospective, non-identifiable data from three training cohorts was selected for this investigation. Methods: 86 (70 males, 16 females) cadets in three different cohorts volunteered for this investigation during a single 16-week (640 hours) police training academy at the same law enforcement agency (LEA). Cadets were screened for five fitness components, consisting of vertical jump, 1-minute push-up test, 300m sprint, 1-minute sit-up test, and the 2.4km run after 16 weeks of fitness training along with a comprehensive reading, mathematics, and general law enforcement exam, following the completion of all 16 law enforcement modules. Results: There was no significant relationship between final fitness scores and final academic exam scores. Conclusion: Specific physical fitness scores did not significantly correlate with final academic exam scores in police cadets. It was noted cadet physical training should focus on psychomotor activities not only to improve academic scores but overall successful fitness outcomes to successfully graduate from a police academy
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
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
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
Kinematic Analysis of the Serve Toss and its Impact on Serve Outcome in Competitive and Recreational Tennis Players: A Case Study
Full text linkThe serve toss is crucial for executing a successful and effective serve in tennis. The aim is to determine the relationship between the toss and the success of the flat serve between the female recreational and competitive tennis players. We observed 2 recreational and 8 competitive female tennis players who served 40 flat serves. They were videotaped on a high-speed camera (200Hz) from a side view. We used kinematic data and observed the toss peak and racket-ball contact. Based on the 2D kinematic analysis, we evaluated the toss peak and the racket-ball contact of the serves: 1) in (good serves) 2) into the net 3) fault-long 4) fault-wide. Recreational players contacted the balls slightly higher and reached slower serve speed compared to competitive players. The competitive players had racket-ball contact about 40 cm closer to the net compared with the recreational players. In addition, the toss variability was bigger for the recreational players. Toss training is very important for players, especially in relation to their own coordination for serving, so it is important to pay a lot of attention to the toss and its practice
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
Reactive Strength Index Modified Differentiates Starters and Non-Starters in Female Volleyball National Team Players
Full text linkJumping ability is crucial in volleyball, where both jump height and execution speed significantly influence performance. Previous research has yielded mixed findings on the role of jump force-time characteristics in determining starting status among female volleyball players. This study examined the relationship between countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time metrics and starting status in elite female volleyball players to identify key performance indicators. Nine national team athletes (five starters, four non-starters) performed CMJs on a force platform. Force-time variables from distinct jump phases were analyzed. Reactive strength index modified (RSImod)—the ratio of jump height to time to take-off—was used to assess lower-body explosiveness and reactive strength. Starters demonstrated significantly higher RSImod scores and relative propulsive mean force, indicating superior ability to generate force rapidly. Moderate-to-large effect sizes favoring greater relative strength (force and power normalized to body mass) were observed but were not statistically significant. Reactive strength, as reflected by RSImod, is a key differentiator of starting status in elite female volleyball players. Relative strength also appears to contribute to performance but requires further exploration. Training programs should prioritize lower-body power and reactive strength through targeted plyometric and resistance exercises to enhance volleyball performance
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
Characterizing the Physiological Demands & Serum Cortisol Levels of Thru-Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
Full text linkThe popularity of thru-hiking is expanding within the outdoor recreation industry, drawing attention to the physiological demands of prolonged endurance activities in natural environments. This study examined the effects of a long-distance thru-hike on circadian rhythm regulation, body composition, and physical fitness parameters in two adult subjects who undertook the Continental Divide Trail in 2021. Serum cortisol concentrations were measured in the morning and evening at four time points: pre-hike, mid-hike, post-hike, and 16 weeks post-hike. Physical fitness testing included assessments of body composition, maximal oxygen uptake, and muscular endurance were conducted at pre-hike, post-hike, and 16 weeks post-hike. Both subjects demonstrated significant physiological adaptations, including changes in evening serum cortisol concentrations and alterations in adipose tissue and muscle mass. The female subject showed marked improvements in lower body muscular endurance and maximal oxygen uptake, while the male subject experienced reductions in muscle mass and muscular endurance, while maintaining aerobic capacity. These findings suggest that thru-hiking may influence endocrine function and physical fitness dependent on initial fitness status and individual physiological characteristics. This study highlights the need for further research to better characterize the health impacts of thru-hiking