International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports
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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
Exploring Athletes' Preferences of Coaching Leadership Behaviours in Strength and Conditioning Coaching: A Mixed Methods Study at a British University
Full text linkThe study investigated athletes’ preferred coaching leadership behaviours in strength and conditioning coaching at a British University, integrating quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the confirmation or divergence of results. Athletes' preferences were explored to offer novel perspectives in this area. A convergent mixed methods design with parallel databases was implemented, using quantitative data through an electronic questionnaire using the athletesˈ preference version of the Revised Leadership Scale for Strength and Conditioning and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews based on the constructs of that scale. A total of 49 male and female British university athletes completed the questionnaire, and 13 participated in follow-up interviews. The qualitative purposeful sample was a subset of the convenience quantitative sample. The mixed-methods findings are the meta-inferences drawn by comparing the matched quantitative and qualitative findings across six behavioural dimensions: autocratic, democratic, positive feedback, situational consideration, social support, and training and instruction behaviours. The survey results illustrate the preferences of behaviours, and the qualitative findings confirmed and further expanded the survey results. Athletes appreciate a mix of autocratic and democratic behaviours, valuing authority when necessary but predominantly collaboration, especially in goal-setting. Positive feedback and instructions are highly valued when genuine, contextually appropriate, and provided during significant efforts, such as when lifting heavy weights or learning new techniques. Athletes appreciate coaches who maintain professional boundaries whilst showing empathy, strong social interaction skills, and the capacity to consider situational factors to set achievable goals. An integrated mixed-methods analysis highlights how behaviours cannot be evaluated independently of context and that strength and conditioning coaches should exhibit adaptability and a genuine interest in developing personal connections. These findings offer a basis for further research to expand the investigation of coaching leadership behaviours in strength and conditioning coaching
Combined Exercise Methods in Resistance Training: A Brief Review of Acute Responses and Long-Term Adaptations
Full text linkThe purpose of this article was to review and synthesize the scientific literature on the acute effects and long-term adaptations of combined exercise methods (CEM) compared to traditional strength training (TST), with a focus on performance outcomes, physiological responses, strength gains, and muscle hypertrophy. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, BIREME/BVS, and Google Scholar databases using the following search terms: ‘strength training’ OR ‘resistance training’ AND ‘paired-set’ OR ‘bi-set’ OR ‘tri-set’ OR ‘superset’ OR ‘agonist-antagonist’, in various combinations with the Boolean operators “OR” and “AND”. Studies published in English that compared the effects of combined exercise training with traditional resistance training, evaluated acute physiological or performance-related responses, and investigated adaptations following a training period were included in this review. A total of 49 studies were included in this review, comprising 40 acute studies and 9 longitudinal studies. These studies evaluated metabolic and hormonal responses, electromyographic activity, performance outcomes, strength gains, and muscle hypertrophy. Overall, the findings suggest that CEM produce similar or, in some cases, superior responses compared to TST across several parameters. Thus, such methods represent a valuable alternative for athletes and individuals with limited time availability, as they can still promote significant training adaptations
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
Assessing the Effect of High Intensity Interval Training and Fast Continuous Training on Resting Heart Rate and VO2 Max of Adult Athletes
Full text linkBackground: Cardiovascular fitness, measured through Resting Heart Rate (RHR) and Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2 Max), is critical for optimizing athletic performance. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Fast Continuous Training (FCT) are two aerobic conditioning modalities widely used to improve cardiovascular efficiency, but their comparative effects remain insufficiently studied in adult competitive athletes. Aim: This study aimed to compare the effects of an 8-week HIIT and FCT program on RHR and VO2 Max in adult athletes, thereby evaluating the efficacy of each training modality in enhancing aerobic performance. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was employed involving 90 adult athletes (45 males and 45 females, aged 21-26), randomly located into three groups: HIIT (n=30), FCT (n=30), and Control (n=30). RHR and VO2 Max were assessed during pre- and post-intervention using Polar H10 monitors and Vmax Encore Metabolic Cart, respectively. Data were analysed using ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance) to control for pre-test differences, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc comparison. Results: Post-intervention results revealed statistically significant improvements in both RHR and VO2 Max across the training groups (p < 0.05). The HIIT group exhibited the most significant reduction in RHR (62.72 bpm) and the highest increase in VO2 Max (52.12 ml/kg/min), outperforming both FCT (RHR = 65.06 bpm; VO2 Max = 49.40 ml/kg/min) and the Control group (RHR = 70.32 bpm; VO2 Max = 41.28 ml/kg/min). Effect sizes were large for both RHR (η² = 0.950) and VO2 Max (η² = 0.982), indicating robust model fit. Conclusion: The findings confirm that both HIIT and FCT are effective in improving cardiovascular parameters among adult athletes, with HIIT demonstrating superior efficacy in a shorter duration. These results support the strategic incorporation of HIIT in training regimens aimed at maximizing aerobic performance and cardiovascular health
Energy Expenditure of Ecuadorian Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Group and Individual Responses
Full text linkThis study aimed at determining changes in physical activity (PA) and energy expenditure of Ecuadorian students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 1033 students completed the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to estimate energy expenditure in metabolic equivalents of task (MET) in MET·min-1·week-1. Absolute reliability and the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were computed. Men reduced vigorous-intensity energy expenditure (p≤ 0.0001; 95%CI diff.= -410.8, -698.6 MET·min-1·week-1) and moderate-intensity (p≤ 0.0001; 95%CI diff.= -283.6, -138.4 MET·min-1·week-1). Walking energy expenditure was higher at the beginning than during the pandemic (p≤ 0.0001; 95%CI diff.= -379.6, -303.0 MET·min-1·week-1). Men and women reduced their total energy expenditure (p≤ 0.0001; Men CI95% diff.= -1311.7, -894.1 MET·min-1·week-1; Women CI95% diff.= -654.0, 290.0 MET·min-1·week-1). Sitting time was lower at baseline than during the pandemic (p≤ 0.0001; 95%CI diff.= 0.48, 0.74 h). The 85.8% of the participants did not change their vigorous energy expenditure, 5.0% increased it, and 9.2% reduced it. The 86.6% of the sample did not change the energy expenditure of moderate intensity, 4.6% increased it, and 8.7% reduced it. Indeed, 84.6% did not change walking energy expenditure, 1.4% increased it, and 14.0% reduced it. The total energy expenditure did not change in 84.2% of the participants, 4.3% increased it, and 11.5% reduced it. The sitting time did not change in 79.3% of the participants, 15.0% increased it, and 5.7% reduced it. In conclusion, the energy expenditure from PA was reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuadorian university students. More than 79% of the students maintained their habits, confirming that changing behavior remains challenging. These findings are significant given the deleterious effects of reduced physical activity on cardiometabolic health
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
Scanning Differences between Small-Sided and Full-Sized Games in Elite Youth Footballers
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to compare the scanning activity of elite youth footballers across 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 game formats. The participants were outfield under 12 footballers (N = 60) born between 1st September 2011 and 31st August 2012 from a Premier League category 1 football academy in the UK. Observational analysis on scan frequency as well as critical scan frequency, the scan situation, the play type and technical action outcomes from the scan were all undertaken. As game formats decreased in player number and pitch size, scanning activity increased. Positional, situational and technical action scanning differences were found between game formats. The most meaningful differences in scan activity across game formats were highlighted during defensive actions and between positions. This study is the first known to explore scanning differences between small-sided and full-sized games, with results suggesting small-sided games may not replicate the scanning situations found in full-sized games. Until further research is conducted, coaches should be aware that small-sided games may influence skill transfer
Cross-Faculty Analysis of Physical Fitness and Health Metrics among Turkish University Students
Full text linkThis research examined the health-related physical fitness profile, body composition, and musculoskeletal fitness of students enrolled in various departments at a university. Using a cross-sectional experimental approach, 130 participants (age: 22.49 ± 3.84 years; weight: 69.09 ± 17.6 kg; height: 169.4 ± 9.9 cm; 55% male and 45% female) were recruited, representing the Faculties of Architecture and Design (n=20), Engineering (n=20), Gastronomy and Culinary (n=20), Health Sciences (n=20), and Sports Sciences (n=50). Data were analyzed to assess normal distribution using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and descriptive statistics of mean, frequency distributions, and percentages to answer the research questions. Physical fitness indicators across various groups were compared using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The findings indicated that students enrolled in the Faculty of Sports Sciences exhibited higher levels of health-related physical fitness compared to their counterparts in other faculties. Significant differences were identified in body fat percentage, flexibility, upper and lower muscle strength, and cardiovascular endurance. This research underscores the importance of cross studies to monitor the evolution of health-related physical fitness among Turkish university students over time
Effectiveness of Lifetime Fitness Course Activities in Improving Movement Efficiency
Full text linkUniversity physical education courses are meant to teach the fundamentals of various sports and exercise techniques. The main purpose of this study was to determine how effective lifetime fitness (LF) courses in higher education can enhance movement efficiency (ME). Eleven participants performed the Fusionetics movement efficiency test at the beginning, middle, and end of the academic semester. Overall ME scores showed a significant effect, whereby the scores increased from the pre- to the mid-test but fell from the mid- to the post-test. Both the 1- and 2-leg squat subtests revealed a similar pattern. The second half of the semester's increased use of endurance-based class activities may have caused the ME score to decline