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Sport for Development and Psychosocial Wellbeing in Displacement Settings: A Quasi-Experimental Study from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
No full textOver the last decade, the number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) has sharply increased across the globe, and sport has become one increasingly prominent tool used in displacement settings to support psychosocial well-being amongst these vulnerable populations. Despite the growing use of sport in displacement contexts, evidence concerning the outcomes of sport-based interventions remains limited, especially as it concerns intervention delivered directly within the camp context. To help address this gap, we present the results of a quasi-experimental study of a sport-based intervention taking place in three IDP camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This paper focuses on the outcomes of the intervention on the psychosocial well-being and socio-emotional competencies of participating children and youth. Results show that trial group participants had significantly higher levels of psychosocial wellbeing and socio-emotional competencies following the programs, though the latter with only a small effect size. Furthermore, the increase in psychosocial wellbeing is stronger for participants in mixed gender teams and those who live within camp settings. Overall, though there are limitations to this intervention, these results likely highlight the importance of long-term interventions featuring well-trained coaches who are sensitive to local context and realities
The emergence and development of attitudes of students towards the use of video-based media in physical education
No full textThe incorporation of video-based media in physical education has received limited attention in empirical studies concerning students\u27 attitudes. To grasp a holistic understanding of how these attitudes manifest and evolve, it\u27s essential to consider the specific teaching methods alongside broader factors shaping attitudes towards media usage. Drawing from the Technology Acceptance Model and attitude measurement research, a structural equation model was employed to probe attitudes towards video-based media adoption in physical education. This study involved 202 secondary students, examining the interplay between external variables and attitude dimensions. The findings indicate that access to video-based media and self-efficacy in learning with such media bolstered perceptions of usability and usefulness, while diminishing one-dimensional concepts regarding the centrality of physical movement and appropriate design choices. Interestingly, perceived usability and perceptions regarding movement centrality and design didn\u27t directly impact usage intentions. However, improved usability and reduced concerns about movement centrality and design led to a more favorable evaluation, consequently boosting intentions to utilize video-based media in physical education. Educational interventions should underscore the advantages of incorporating media into physical education, aiming to enhance students\u27 self-efficacy and mitigate negative attitudes. Of particular importance is the affective evaluation of video-based media usage, as it appears pivotal in determining actual usage
Sport and Social Cohesion: the case of the Western Balkans
No full textThe aim of this paper is to introduce to the broader readership sport dynamics within the Western Balkans from different perspective. Authors have been keen to explore a number of different topics, mostly associated with the post conflict period, however, the limited data is available on the character of civic participation and social cohesion in and through sport ecosystem. This paper reflects the background of development of sport-related institutional regime and appropriate organizational structure. The historical aspect is of particular interest as it is necessary to comprehend the changing context, structure and composition of organized sport along with opportunities for civic participation. Further, the internal dynamics within sport ecosystem will be presented as part of the socio-political realm
KiKli Fit: Research and Practice in Physical Activity for Acute Pediatric Cancer
No full textWhile survival rates for pediatric cancer have improved significantly, the disease and its treatments often lead to severe side effects and long-term physical and mental health challenges. Evidence suggests that physical activity can positively influence multiple health domains, even during the acute treatment phase. This session will provide research on a) the benefits of physical activity for physical and mental health in children with cancer, b) the practical implementation of the KikliFit project within the acute treatment phase, and c) the accompanying implementation research that evaluates and informs the integration of physical activity into practices
Fifteen-second bouts of hyperoxia improve 5-minute time-trial performance in acute hypoxic conditions
No full textIntroduction
Hyperoxia, e.g. administration of 100 % oxygen, is a wide spread tool to improve blood oxygenation (e.g. in emergency medicine) but is also applied in elite sports to improve training intensity or competition performance. The positive effects of continuous hyperoxia during aerobic high-intensity exercise has been shown repeatedly, however, the potential effects of intermittent doses are unclear. Out study aimed to test the effects of repeated bouts of hyperoxia, each lasting fifteen seconds, on maximal 5-minute cycling performance under acute hypoxic conditions.
Methods
17 healthy and recreationally trained individuals (7 females, 10 males, age 27 ± 4 years) participated in this randomized placebo-controlled cross-over trial. The procedures included a graded cycle ergometer test until exhaustion and three maximal 5-minute cycling time trials (TT). The peak power output during the maximal cycle ergometer test provided the basis for the determination of the target power output for the TTs. The subsequent TTs were conducted in a normobaric hypoxic chamber at the Department of Sport Science of the University Innsbruck (590 m). TT1 took place in normoxia and served for habituation and reference. TT2 and TT3 were conducted in normobaric hypoxia (15.0 % inspiratory fraction of oxygen, corresponding to about 3200 m simulated altitude). During TT2 and TT3 the participants were breathing through a face mask during five 15-second periods (0:20 to 0:35; 1:20 to 1:35; etc.). The face mask was connected via a non-rebreathing T-valve to a 300-litre bag filled with 100 % oxygen (intermittent hyperoxia condition) or ambient hypoxic air (placebo condition). Heart rate was recorded continuously during the TTs. Ratings or perceived exertion were recorded after test termination and capillary blood samples were taken from the hyperaemic earlobe 2 minutes later to analyze blood lactate concentrations. Arterial oxygen saturation was measured via finger pulse oximeter during a 60-second period (ca. minutes 2:00 to 3:00). Thereby, one 15-second hyperoxic intervention bout during the test in the intermittent hyperoxia condition was included. Main outcome was the mean power output during the TT. Statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.
Results
Mean power output was higher in the intermittent hyperoxia compared to the placebo condition (255.5 ± 49.6 W versus 247.4 ± 48.2 W, p = 0.001). Blood lactate concentration and ratings of perceived exertion were significantly lower in the intermittent hyperoxia compared to the placebo condition (10.2 ± 1.7 mmol/L versus 11.3 ± 2.5 mmol/L and 17.8 ± 1.4 versus 19.2 ± 1.1 respectively). However, heart rate values were unchanged between conditions (168.0 ± 8.6 bpm versus 169.4 ± 10.3 bpm, p = 0.332). Arterial oxygen saturation increased by the 15-second application of hyperoxia (82.9 ± 2.6 % to 92.4 ± 3.3 %, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Repeated 15-second bouts of hyperoxia, applied during high-intensity exercise in hypoxia, are sufficient to increase power output. Future studies should focus on potential dose-response effects and the involved mechanisms
Development of an in vitro model to study muscle maladaptation to overtraining
No full textIntroduction Physical training stimulates skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and protein synthesis, inducing beneficial adaptations and promoting performance. However, in some cases when the training load is higher than required, the outcome may lead to non-functional overreaching – a state in which performance may be transiently reduced. This condition is relatively common especially among endurance athletes, and if protracted would result in the development of the overtraining syndrome (OTS), whose impact on skeletal muscle metabolism and function is still unknown. Muscle soreness, increased inflammation and reduced muscle mass are often reported. It has been reported that regeneration of skeletal muscle fibres is impaired, probably through a change in energy metabolism (Grobler et al., 2004). For instance, altered mitochondrial structure and function have been suggested (Grobler et al., 2004). The aim of the present project is to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle maladaptation’s in response to simulated exercise in vitro.
Methods Using a model developed in our laboratory (Zanou et al., 2021), we electrically stimulated C2C12 myotubes (a mouse skeletal muscle cell line) to simulate endurance exercise (Zanou et al., 2021). For simulated training (s-T) the stimulation was applied once daily, for three consecutive days. For simulated overtraining (s-OT), the stimulation was applied three times per day for three consecutive days. Mitochondrial biogenesis biomarkers have been measured, alongside proteomics analysis and mitochondrial respiration.
Results In the in vitro s-T model, we observed the expected beneficial adaptations to training, which include myotube hypertrophy, increased fast and slow-twitch myosin heavy chain protein content, and increased mitochondrial respiration. Our proteomics data highlighted many positive adaptations, including upregulation of the muscle contractile and mitochondrial proteins. Immunofluorescence staining of F-actin and of the mitochondrial outer membrane protein Tom20, clearly showed robust F-actin structure and regular mitochondrial distribution in response to s-T. Interestingly, s-OT model presented myotube atrophy, and a decrease in fast and slow-twitch myosin heavy chain protein content. Mitochondrial respiration was increased in s-T and showed a clear trend versus reduction in s-OT. Our proteomics data revealed many downregulated proteins pathways in s-OT including muscle contractile and mitochondrial pathways. Immunofluorescence staining also revealed disrupted F-actin structure and aberrant mitochondrial aggregation in response to s-OT.
Conclusions s-T recapitulates training positive adaptations, whereas s-OT recapitulates many of the muscle maladaptation observed in overtraining. Our next studies in human OTS muscle will validate key findings from our in vitro s-OT model and guide our mechanistic investigations into the molecular mechanisms of OTS.
References
Grobler, L. A., Collins, M., Lambert, M. I., Sinclair-Smith, C., Derman, W., St Clair Gibson, A., & Noakes, T. D. (2004). Skeletal muscle pathology in endurance athletes with acquired training intolerance. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(6), 697–703. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2003.006502
Zanou, N., Dridi, H., Reiken, S., Imamura de Lima, T., Donnelly, C., De Marchi, U., Ferrini, M., Vidal, J., Sittenfeld, L., Feige, J. N., Garcia-Roves, P. M., Lopez-Mejia, I. C., Marks, A. R., Auwerx, J., Kayser, B., & Place, N. (2021). Acute RyR1 Ca²⁺ leak enhances NADH-linked mitochondrial respiratory capacity. Nature Communications, 12(1), 7219. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27422-
A Long-Term Study of Aerobic Performance in Elite Cross-Country Skiers: How Age and Sex Influence Career Development
No full textIntroduction Elite cross-country (XC) skiers undergo standardized testing to monitor their performance development and to calibrate training prescriptions. However, the long-term progression of performance indicators, such as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), performance at the second lactate threshold (LT2), and time-trial performance over an athlete\u27s career remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal data from > 15 years of exercise testing with the Swiss XC ski national team to examine the trajectories of key performance indicators across the careers of male and female skiers.
Methods The longitudinal development of VO2max, LT2, and 24-minute double poling performance (24-min DP), described in further detail elsewhere (Bucher et al., 2023), was analyzed in 72 male and 49 female current and former Swiss XC-ski national team athletes. The performance trajectories were modeled using mixed-effects approaches, with a linear random intercept for VO2max, a linear random slope for LT2, and a third-degree polynomial for 24-min DP. Fixed effects included age, sex, and their interaction, with random effects at the individual level. The study included 357 observations (n = 27 females, 48 males) for VO2max, 911 (n = 46 females, 65 males) for LT2, and 601 (n = 49 females, 70 males) for 24-min DP.
Results VO2max in females tended to increase by 0.16 mL/kg/min per year (p=0.085), with no increase in males (0.03 ml/kg/min, p=0.627). Males had a higher baseline VO2max at age 18 (70.8 vs. 58.2 mL/kg/min, 21.6% difference), but the rate of change with age was not significantly different between the sexes (p=0.259). LT2 improved significantly with age for both sexes: females gained 0.038 W/kg per year (p<0.001) and males 0.052 W/kg per year (p<0.001). At age 18, males had a 23.2% higher baseline LT2 (3.34 vs. 2.71 W/kg). In the 24-min DP test, both sexes initially improved significantly (p<0.001). However, there was a notable decrease in the rate of improvement in males, as indicated by the quadratic age term (p<0.001). On the other hand, females showed a consistent linear performance trajectory throughout their careers, with no significant quadratic age term (p=0.430). Female skiers showed a baseline performance of 3820 m at age 18, while this value was at 4788 m in males, with males outperforming females by 968 m (25.3%).
Discussion/Conclusion VO₂max, LT2, and 24-min DP showed distinct developmental trajectories across age and sex in elite XC skiers. While VO₂max remained unchanged, LT2 continuously increased throughout their career. On the other hand, 24-min DP followed a non-linear progression in males, with a slowdown in performance improvement as they transitioned from the U23 to the senior age category. These results highlight the importance of high initial VO₂max at the junior level and the greater trainability of LT2 and aerobic time-trial performance with the accumulation of specific training as athletes progress in their careers.
References
Bucher, E., Millet, G. P., Wehrlin, J. P., & Steiner, T. (2023). Test-retest reliability of ski-specific aerobic, sprint, and neuromuscular performance tests in highly trained cross-country skiers. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 33, 2482–2498. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.1447
Digital Transformation in Voluntary Sports Organizations: A Scoping Review on Multi-Level Drivers, Promoting Factors, Forms and Consequences
No full textIntroduction: Digital transformation, as the implementation of information technologies, is increasingly embraced among voluntary sports organizations, including sports federations and clubs (Thompson et al., 2024). These organizations are central pillars of organized sports in Switzerland, playing a critical role in fulfilling the socio-political functions of sports, such as promoting public health, social integration, and civic engagement (Nagel et al., 2020). Despite the increasing adoption of digital technologies, little is known about the drivers, promoting factors, and forms of digital transformation in these organizations (Ehnold et al., 2021; Merten et al., 2022). Furthermore, it remains unclear whether digital transformation helps to effectively address common challenges of voluntary sports organizations, such as recruiting and retaining members and volunteers. Therefore, this review aims to analyse the existing research on digital transformation in voluntary sports organizations to reconcile current approaches in the field of sport management research and identify research gaps.
Methods: A scoping review methodology is employed to explore the current evidence and highlight knowledge gaps regarding digital transformation in voluntary sports organizations. Scoping reviews are particularly suited for this purpose, as they allow the scope of diverse research approaches (Arksey & O’Malley, 2005).
Results: While final results are pending, preliminary findings indicate that digital transformation in voluntary sports organizations is driven by external pressures (e.g., mandates from umbrella federations) and internal evaluations of its benefits, such as improved service quality and operational efficiency. The most adopted tools support communication, data management, and administration, while tools affecting sports practices remain underutilized. Key promoting factors include access to organizational capacity, digital transformation strategies, leadership commitment, and digital literacy. Regarding the consequences, digital transformation enhances organizational efficiency primarily through standardization, while challenges appear regarding initial costs and information technology skills.
Discussion/Conclusion: Detailed results will be presented at the conference. This review clarifies the multi-level drivers, enabling factors, forms, and consequences of digital transformation in voluntary sports organizations. The findings provide a conceptual foundation for future research in sport management, addressing both practical applications and theoretical advancements.
References
Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616
Ehnold, P., Faß, E., Steinbach, D., & Schlesinger, T. (2021). Digitalization in organized sport–Usage of digital instruments in voluntary sports clubs depending on club’s goals and organizational capacity. Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, 11(1), 28–53. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBM-10-2019-0081
Merten, S., Schmidt, S. L., & Winand, M. (2022). Organisational capabilities for successful digital transformation: A global analysis of national football associations in the digital age. Journal of Strategy and Management, 17(3), 408–426. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-02-2022-0039
Nagel, S., Stegmann, P., Bürgi, R., & Lamprecht, M. (2020). Switzerland: Autonomous sports clubs as contributors to public welfare. In S. Nagel, K. Elmose-Østerlund, B. Ibsen, & J. Scheerder (Eds.), Functions of sports clubs in European societies: A cross-national comparative study (pp. 289–313). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48535-1_12
Thompson, A., Naraine, M. L., & Parent, M. M. (2024). Exploring the nexus of digital technology and organizational change in non-profit sport organizations. Sport Management Review, 27(5), 661–681. https://doi.org/10.1080/14413523.2024.234663
Optimizing risk in action: Differences between fixated aim points and movement outcomes in throwing
No full textIntroduction Movement outcomes are inherently subject to variance. Handling this variance is crucial for successful sensorimotor behaviour – whether in everyday life or in sports –, particularly in high-risk situations. Research using finger-pointing tasks has shown that humans take into account their own motor variance and costs of potential outcomes in movement planning (Trommershäuser et al., 2008). However, the question remains whether this mechanism extends to more complex tasks (Beck et al., 2023). Here, we investigate sensorimotor behaviour under risk in throwing, across three experiments with 20 participants each.
Methods Participants’ task was to throw balls on a target circle in a virtual reality (VR) setup, gaining 100 points for each hit. The target was partially overlapped by a penalty circle. We manipulated the consequences of hitting the penalty circle (0 points vs -500 points vs -2000 points) and the distance between both circles (30 cm vs 45 cm vs 60 cm). This task challenged participants to find strategies that optimally trade-off potential penalties and rewards. To capture participants’ strategies, we measured the location of their final gaze fixation before movement – as an indicator of their planned aiming point – and the ball’s impact location. Models of statistical decision theory (Trommershäuser et al., 2008) predict that the optimal aim point horizontally shifts away from the centre of the target circle as soon as the penalty is non-zero. In other words, participants should incorporate a “safety margin”. This horizontal shift should be larger with (1) higher penalties, (2) smaller distances between the target and penalty circle and (3) with higher motor variance.
Results In the no-penalty condition, the final fixation and the ball’s impact location were both centred on the target. In the penalty condition, both their final fixations and the ball’s impact location shifted away from the penalty circle, with larger shifts for higher penalties and smaller distances. Intriguingly, the shifts in the ball’s actual impact location were not only significantly larger (“more conservative”) but also closer to the statistically optimal location compared to the initially fixated aim points. Analysis of movement trajectories shows that, in penalty conditions, the shifts away from the penalty zone increased progressively until the final phases of the movement.
Conclusion Our findings show that principles of statistical decision theory generalize to more complex tasks. Extending Trommershäuser et al. (2008)., our results suggest that risk evaluation is not completed in a planning phase before movement execution but is optimized during ongoing movements.
ReferencesBeck, D., Hossner, E.-J., & Zahno, S. (2023). Mechanisms for handling uncertainty in sensorimotor control in sports: A scoping review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2023.2280899
Trommershäuser, J., Maloney, L. T., & Landy, M. S. (2008). Decision making, movement planning and statistical decision theory. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 12(8), 291–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2008.04.01
A definition and model for sustainability in major sports events
No full textSustainability has become a key concern of major sports events. Yet, the field lacks both a consistent definition and a conceptual model for sustainable major events. This hampers the emergence of a shared theoretical understanding of sustainability as an epistemic object and the building of a practical framework to guide the sector towards greater sustainability. This paper mobilises a three-wave Delphi study with 55 experts to construct a definition of a sustainable major sports event. Through the three Delphi waves, the paper specifies a concentric ‘discus model’ of sustainability with three spheres: environmental factors as a limiting condition on the outside, economics and governance as the foundation at the centre, and social wellbeing as the key goal in the middle. It identifies 18 dimensions (six in each sphere) to serve as a further operationalisation of the conceptual model into a future framework. The paper maps these 18 dimensions on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and suggests that the discus model can serve as a basis for sports events to formulate a research-based sustainability strategy
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