Search Results (111)

Physical education (PE) is commonly justified through its contributions to physical fitness, motor skill development, sport participation, and health-enhancing physical activity. These aims remain important, but they do not fully capture PE’s potential as a curriculum context for lifestyle learning and neurobehavioral well-being. This narrative review used structured literature mapping and conceptual framework development to examine how PE may connect embodied movement experiences with motivation, stress and emotion regulation, self-efficacy, resilience, recovery-related awareness, and lifestyle self-regulation in adolescents and young adults. Literature searches were conducted iteratively in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, SPORTDiscus, and ERIC, with the final search update completed on 20 June 2026. The synthesis identified a curriculum-to-lifestyle gap: existing evidence more often examines whether PE, physical activity, sport, or physical literacy is associated with health or psychological outcomes than how curriculum, teaching climate, reflection, assessment, and peer interaction may support transferable self-regulatory learning. The review therefore proposes an evidence-informed, curriculum-oriented conceptual framework linking PE design and pedagogy with proximal motivational, emotional, cognitive-regulatory, behavioral, and embodied processes. The framework does not imply that PE automatically improves mental health, directly produces neurobiological change, or replaces specialist care. Evidence is stronger for proximal educational processes than for sustained transfer beyond PE. Future research should test clearly specified curriculum mechanisms, implementation conditions, assessment approaches, and longitudinal transfer. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of binaural beats (BB) on the autonomic nervous system (ANS), kinesiophobia of reinjury and fitness biomarkers in professional athletes with chronic musculoskeletal injuries. Methods: A total of 54 athletes aged 18–25 years, engaged in open-skill sports and experiencing chronic lower-limb injuries for over three months, will be recruited. They will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: an intervention group, a placebo group, and a control group. All athletes will undergo a 15 min auditory intervention five times per week for four weeks. The intervention group will listen to BB embedded in music at high beta and gamma frequencies (30–100 Hz) with guided instructions. The placebo group will receive placebo BB within the same music framework, while the control group will listen only to the music background. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at a 4-week follow-up. The primary outcomes will be kinesiophobia of reinjury, ANS function, and heart rate variability (HRV), assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-17), Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR), and HRV analysis, respectively. Secondary outcomes will include sport-related anxiety and pain beliefs, assessed using the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT-15) and the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (PBPI-16), respectively; handgrip strength, assessed using the Hand Grip Test; and fitness-related biomarkers, including maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and blood lactate concentration. Conclusions: These findings may provide evidence supporting BB as a complementary, non-invasive intervention to enhance psychological and physiological rehabilitation in injured athletes. Ethics and Dissemination: The study has received ethical approval and is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and academic presentations. Full article

Background: Self-efficacy is an important psychological factor for healthy aging, but how long-term sport participation builds self-efficacy in older adults is not fully understood. This study explored how playing tennis for many years shapes self-efficacy in older South Korean adults and identified the key mechanisms. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 older male adults (aged 65–75 years) who had played tennis for 15–25 years and remained active at least twice per week. Participants were recruited from tennis clubs in South Korea through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes emerged. (1) Mastery Through Progressive Achievement: gradual skill development and competitive success were perceived to support confidence that extended beyond the tennis court; (2) Social Embeddedness and Collective Efficacy: peer encouragement and observing similar others succeed were described as supporting participants’ belief in their own capabilities; (3) Physical Vitality as Confidence Foundation: sustained physical fitness and functional independence derived from tennis participation were perceived to support broader self-confidence in daily life; and (4) Mental Resilience and Cognitive Engagement: the strategic demands of tennis and its stress-relieving effects may contribute to psychological resilience and a continued sense of purpose in later life. Conclusions: Long-term tennis participation was perceived to support self-efficacy through multiple interconnected pathways consistent with Bandura’s social cognitive theory. These findings suggest that structured, community-based tennis programs may contribute to supporting psychological well-being and promoting healthy aging in rapidly aging societies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Emotional intelligence (EI) is a modifiable psychological competency associated with athletic performance, yet controlled interventions targeting EI in youth sport remain scarce. Pre-session video observational modeling (VOM) is effective for motor skill acquisition, but its potential to enhance EI has not been examined in a randomized design. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 6-week pre-session VOM program on EI and 9 m shooting performance in U14 male handball players, and to examine whether changes in EI were associated with performance improvements. Methods: Thirty-three male U14 handball players (M = 13.2 ± 0.4 years) were randomly assigned to a VOM group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 16). Before each training session, the VOM group viewed a standardized 3–5 min video demonstrating the 9 m shooting technique, while both groups completed identical training. EI was assessed using the Arabic Emotional Intelligence Scale (A-EIS), and performance as successful shots per five attempts. Data were analyzed using mixed ANOVA, between-group comparisons of change scores, and linear regression. Outcome assessment was conducted by an evaluator blinded to group allocation. Results: Groups did not differ at baseline (p > 0.05). The VOM group improved significantly across all EI dimensions and performance (p ≤ 0.005, η²p ≥ 0.176), whereas the control group showed statistically significant declines in most EI variables (p ≤ 0.019, d ≥ 0.66). Between-group differences were significant for all outcomes, with large effect sizes (d = 0.90–3.08, 95% CI [0.32, 3.85]). Significant Group × Time interactions were observed across variables (p ≤ 0.015, ω²p = 0.078–0.539). Improvements in EI was significantly associated with performance gains (β = 0.517, p = 0.002), and post-intervention EI was significantly associated with performance variance at post-test (R² = 0.437, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pre-session VOM was associated with concurrent improvements in emotional intelligence and 9 m shooting performance in youth handball players, with findings requiring replication in larger and more diverse samples before generalizable conclusions can be drawn. The observed relationship between EI and performance suggests that emotional processes may contribute to skill acquisition. These findings support the inclusion of brief observational strategies in youth training programs, while requiring replication in broader samples. Full article

Speedcubing, the competitive practice of fast solving the Rubik’s Cube, has gained global popularity both as a sporting and an educational activity. Aside from its recreational value, speedcubing may contribute to broader social and developmental outcomes. This study aims to examine the potential of speedcubing as a tool for sustainable social development, concentrating on its educational, psychological, and social implications and its relationship to selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An anonymous online survey consisting of 26 items (22 used for the main analysis and 4 demographic items) was conducted among 112 participants associated with the speedcubing community, including active competitors, coaches, and parents. The questionnaire addressed accessibility, cognitive and social competencies, and perceived educational and social benefits, as well as user preferences regarding digital tools supporting learning. The results indicate that participation in speedcubing supports the development of analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, perseverance, and self-control. Respondents also emphasized its educational value, accessibility, and role in fostering fair play and social integration. These findings suggest that speedcubing may contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 11 and SDG 12 (Sustainable Cities and Communities; Responsible Consumption and Production). Full article

This systematic review synthesized the existing evidence on neurofeedback interventions applied to football players, aiming to clarify their effects on cognitive, technical–tactical, physical and psychological performance. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS and SportsDiscus) were searched up to November 2025. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 133 players across youth, amateur, national and elite levels. Neurofeedback protocols primarily targeted alpha or sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) activity, and some were combined with heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback. Across studies, neurofeedback may be associated with improvements in several cognitive outcomes, including improvements in working memory, visuospatial memory, task switching, mental rotation and decision-making. Limited evidence suggests potential improvements in technical skills (particularly shooting accuracy) and tactical decision-making. Some studies reported changes in physiological markers and stress-recovery capacity, although their interpretation remains uncertain. However, the evidence base remains constrained by small samples, heterogeneous protocols and limited use of randomized controlled designs. Overall, neurofeedback appears to be a potentially promising but still experimental tool to support cognitive and psychophysiological readiness in football, warranting more rigorous and standardized research to establish efficacy and optimal training parameters. Full article

Achieving high-quality employment for retired athletes is essential for promoting the holistic development of athletes and accelerating the construction of a strong sports nation. From the perspective of capital collaboration, this study develops a comprehensive analysis framework by incorporating human capital, social capital, and psychological capital to systematically investigate the influencing factors and configuration pathways for high-quality employment of retired athletes. Utilizing Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), this study discovers three main findings. First, no single condition variable independently constitutes the necessary condition for high-quality employment. Second, three configuration pathways for achieving high-quality employment are identified, including human capital–social capital synergy, human capital–psychological capital synergy, and human capital–social capital–psychological capital integration. Third, vocational skill, as a component of human capital, emerges as an important condition in configurations associated with high-quality employment. Based on the findings, this research recommends improving the athlete security policy system, promoting the accumulation of human capital, strengthening the development of psychological capital, constructing diverse social support networks, and optimizing the pathways for retired athletes to achieve high-quality employment. These aims will support retired athletes in navigating career transitions effectively while securing stable and high-quality employment. Full article

In competitive sport, an athlete’s success is often linked to their physical strength, skill, and overall athletic ability. However, physical talent alone does not fully account for sporting success, as psychological and other personal factors also play a crucial role in achieving high performance. Thus, the present cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships between perfectionistic personality characteristics, achievement goal orientations, and trait anxiety among young football players using correlation and regression analyses. Participants consisted of 152 male U16 football players (M = 15.67, SD = 0.54) competing in the official league organized by the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation (CTFF). Data were collected using the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (SMPS), the 2 × 2 Achievement Goals Questionnaire for Sport (AGQ-S), and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Pearson’s correlation analyses and simple linear regression models were conducted to examine relationships among variables and to identify significant predictors of trait anxiety. Correlation analyses revealed that trait anxiety was positively associated with concern over mistakes (r = 0.28, p < 0.01), perceived parental pressure (r = 0.17, p < 0.05), and mastery-avoidance goals (r = 0.37, p < 0.01), whereas it was negatively associated with mastery-approach goals (r = −0.18, p < 0.05). Regression analyses indicated that concern over mistakes significantly predicted trait anxiety (β = 0.25, p = 0.003), while perceived parental pressure was not a significant direct predictor (β = 0.10, p = 0.21). In addition, mastery-avoidance goals significantly predicted trait anxiety (β = 0.43, p < 0.001), whereas mastery-approach goals were negatively associated with trait anxiety (β = −0.28, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the findings indicate that perfectionistic concerns and mastery-avoidance goals are key factors associated with higher trait anxiety, whereas mastery-approach orientations may serve as a protective factor among young football players. Full article

Ultra-endurance running presents significant physiological demands, with adequate nutritional intake being critical for optimal preparation, performance, and recovery. However, athletes of this sport often consume an insufficient diet. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually with ten recreational ultra-endurance runners (age mean ± standard deviation 46 ± 12 years; eight male, two female), all with experience competing in ultra-endurance events, to explore their ultra-endurance experience, dietary intake, nutrition knowledge, and gastrointestinal symptom management. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed in accordance with the COM-B model and the Theoretical Domains Framework. Themes were defined under each of the three COM-B model components: Capability: (1) knowledge and skills, (2) the intention–behaviour challenge; Opportunity: (1) facilitators and barriers to optimal nutrition, (2) information sourcing and learning; and Motivation: (1) drivers of nutrition behaviours, (2) risk perceptions’ influence on fuelling strategies. Participants demonstrated strong psychological capability, that is, awareness of nutrition’s importance, yet limited behavioural regulation to translate this knowledge into practice. Nutrition strategies were largely self-directed, relying on peers and social media over professional support. Fear of gastrointestinal symptoms and time pressures further shaped dietary decisions. These findings emphasise the importance of evidence-based nutrition guidance to support performance and recovery while minimising gastrointestinal symptom risk. For practitioners and self-coached athletes, recommendations should reflect the practical realities and competing demands of ultra-endurance runners’ daily lives and be feasible within real-world settings. Full article

In recent years, primary school physical education and sports have been acknowledged as crucial for children’s comprehensive development and skill enhancement. Consequently, there is a demand for validated instruments to evaluate both intervention outcomes and their educational quality and inclusivity. This study aimed to create and validate EIP-Move (Educational and Inclusive Potential of Motor Programmes), a standardized instrument designed to assess the pedagogical, inclusive, relational, and equitable potential of physical education and sports initiatives. The research employed a longitudinal framework comprising multiple phases (theoretical construction, pilot study, psychometric validation, and longitudinal validation), founded on a conceptual model with four dimensions: pedagogical quality, inclusion and participation, relational climate and safety, and equity and valorization of differences. Psychometric analyses validated the robustness of the four-factor model, demonstrating strong reliability, validity, and measurement invariance across gender, context, and the presence of special educational needs, along with sensitivity to change and predictive validity with respect to subsequent programme-level outcomes, including students’ active participation, relational climate quality, psychological safety, and programme continuity over time, assessed across a 12-month longitudinal framework. In summary, EIP-Move emerges as a valid and reliable instrument, beneficial for both research and professional application, thereby significantly aiding the formative evaluation of motor programmes and fostering a culture of quality and inclusion in primary education. Full article

Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) plays a vital role in preventing and managing chronic diseases in people with disabilities (PWD). Using virtual reality (VR) can help people feel more comfortable and confident about LTPA. The aim of this study is to identify research focusing on VR, LTPA, and people with motor disabilities. Methods: A scoping review was completed by searching MEDLINE, CINAHL, SportDiscuss, Academic Search Premier, and Web of Science in June 2024 (updated July 2025). Eighteen studies were included. Results: Most studies examined cycling (56%) and targeted post-stroke (28%) and spinal cord injury (22%) populations. VR interventions showed potential to improve various domains such as functional mobility, motor function, and psychosocial well-being. A total of 35 distinct outcome measures were identified, categorized into motor/balance, physiological, psychological, user experience, and performance themes. Conclusions: While most VR interventions used LTPA primarily as a therapeutic tool, some were designed to teach sport-specific skills to facilitate participation outside the clinical setting. Future research should examine how VR can aid rehabilitation and prepare PWD for sustained engagement in LTPA. Full article

The rapid expansion of esports within higher education, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised important questions regarding their impact on students’ physical and psychological development. While traditional sports are well known for their benefits on motor and physical skills, esports primarily engage cognitive processes through sustained interaction with digital environments. This study compares motor skills and cognitive performance among higher education male students participating in esports and traditional sports in a post-pandemic context. The present study employs a quantitative, comparative, cross-sectional design to examine differences in motor skills (using standardized physical tests) and cognitive performance (focused attention, short-term memory, and information processing speed) between higher education male students engaged in esports and those participating in traditional sports. Male students engaged in traditional sports demonstrated superior motor outcomes, particularly in muscle strength and postural control. Cognitive performance was comparable between groups, with a slight advantage for traditional sports participants in focused attention and processing speed. Although esports may support certain aspects of cognitive performance to a degree comparable with traditional sports, they do not provide equivalent benefits in terms of motor and postural development. These results highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity within university settings and suggest that esports should complement rather than replace traditional sports in higher education programs. Full article

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been widely applied in clinical contexts; however, its systematic adaptation to elite sports, particularly precision-based disciplines such as shooting, remains underexplored. The present study aimed to develop and preliminarily validate an ACT-based psychological training program—the Acceptance and Commitment Performance Training for Shooters (ACPT-S)—by reframing ACT from a therapeutic intervention into a performance-oriented training framework. Using a multiphase formative evaluation design, a needs assessment was first conducted with 28 elite and collegiate shooters to identify sport-specific psychological demands. Based on these findings, a ten-session ACPT-S program was developed by integrating the six core ACT processes with shooter-specific routines, embodied exercises, and performance-relevant metaphors. The program was subsequently examined through two pilot studies: Phase 1 with four collegiate/corporate athletes and Phase 2 with 15 national-level shooters. Data were collected via session reflections, focus group interviews, and expert panel evaluations, and the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) analysis was used to assess conceptual clarity and implementation feasibility. The results indicated that ACPT-S was perceived as both feasible and contextually appropriate, with athletes reporting improvements in attentional focus, emotional acceptance, value-based motivation, and reduced anxiety. Qualitative analyses demonstrated strong engagement with ACT principles and their functional integration into shooting performance contexts, while all program components achieved CVR scores of ≥0.80, indicating a strong expert consensus. Program refinements were guided by feedback related to activity sequencing, metaphor resonance and personalization strategies. Overall, this study reconceptualizes ACT as a performance-enhancement framework rather than a purely clinical approach and introduces the ACPT-S as a novel, theory-driven, and scalable psychological training model for precision sports, providing a robust foundation for future longitudinal and comparative research. Full article

Inclusive sports and recreational programs are essential for enhancing the physical, social, and psychological well-being of learners with disabilities. In South Africa (SA), and particularly in rural provinces such as Limpopo, the development of such programs remains limited due to infrastructural, socio-economic, and attitudinal barriers. This study explored the barriers and facilitators influencing inclusive sports and recreational opportunities, as well as their impact on the well-being of learners with disabilities in rural Limpopo. A qualitative study design was employed in selected rural special schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with educators (n = 5) and focus group discussions with leaners with disabilities (n = 25) of ages ranging from 10 to 18 years using purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was guided by the Social Model of Disability, Self-Determination Theory, and Ecological Systems Theory. Findings revealed key barriers, including inaccessible infrastructure, a lack of adaptive equipment, and social exclusion. Educators further highlighted inadequate training, limited resources, and inconsistent policy implementation. Facilitators included teacher support, family involvement, and community initiatives. Participation in inclusive sports was associated with improved confidence, happiness, social skills, and belonging among learners. The study concludes that inclusive sports programs hold transformative potential in rural contexts. Addressing infrastructural gaps, teacher capacity community engagement policy implementation is critical for sustainable inclusion. Full article

Background/Objectives: Differential learning (DL) amplifies natural fluctuations in movement execution and, in its more extreme forms, facilitates repetition-free training with minimal external feedback. While increasingly recognized in the field of skill acquisition, its application in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation remains underexplored. Methods: This study examined the application of DL in the rehabilitation of an 18-year-old trained basketball player following left-ACL reconstruction. The athlete completed a 42-week rehabilitation program in which DL principles were incorporated throughout the pre-operative, early, mid-, and late phases, culminating in return to sport. Training included differential mobility work, motor control, plyometric exercises, and sport-specific drills. Functional recovery was evaluated using single-leg hop tests, change-of-direction tasks, and sprint performance, while self-reported knee function was monitored via the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire. Results: Results indicated substantial improvements in both functional performance and psychological readiness. The IKDC score increased from 13.8% at baseline to 95.4% postoperatively, reaching the normal functional range. An ACL-RSI score of 85.2%, and inter-limb asymmetries were reduced to below 10%. Strength, agility, and sprint performance exceeded pre-injury levels. Conclusions: DL again shows potential as an effective approach to facilitating recovery and return to sport after ACL reconstruction, but larger controlled studies are needed for validation. Full article