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Sports
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Sport, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Health: Challenges and Opportunities
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Sport, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Health: Challenges and Opportunities

A special issue of Sports (ISSN 2075-4663).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 8232

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dawid Koźlenia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: sports science; exercise science; movement analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jarosław Domaradzki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Paderewskiego 35 Avenue, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: auxology; motor abilities development; social-economical factors; physical activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue delves into the dynamic intersection of sport, physical activity, and adolescent health, focusing on the unique challenges, emerging opportunities, and innovative approaches in this vital area of research. Adolescence is a critical period for establishing lifelong health behaviors, and engagement in sport and physical activity plays a crucial role in promoting physical, mental, and social well-being among young people. Additionally, it is a crucial time for motor development and the improvement in physical performance. However, this age group faces numerous barriers, including socio-economic disparities, lack of access to facilities, and increasing screen time, which can hinder their participation in physical activities.

In this Special Issue, we explore the latest research and practical interventions aimed at overcoming these challenges. Contributions will highlight innovative strategies, such as technology-enhanced physical education, community-based programs, and policy-driven initiatives designed to increase youth engagement in sports and physical activities. We also examine the role of educators, coaches, and policymakers in creating supportive environments that encourage active lifestyles and foster motor development.

By presenting cutting-edge research and real-world applications, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to foster healthier, more active futures for adolescents. We invite scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to share their insights and contribute to this critical discourse on promoting adolescent health through sport and physical activity.

Dr. Dawid Koźlenia
Dr. Jarosław Domaradzki
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sports is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adolescent
  • youth
  • physical education
  • physical activity
  • sport
  • development
  • body composition
  • motor performance
  • health
  • training intervention

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1411 KiB  
Article
Social Dynamics Established Through Sport: Implications for the Sports Training of Young Brazilian Basketball Athletes
by Larissa Fernanda Porto Maciel, Sergio José Ibáñez, Mariana Klauck Beirith and Alexandra Folle
Sports 2025, 13(3), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13030084 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 588
Abstract
This article aims to identify the influence of the social dynamics experienced by basketball players, specifically the type of support and help they received during their formative years in the sport. To this end, we conducted a mixed-method study with a sequential explanatory [...] Read more.
This article aims to identify the influence of the social dynamics experienced by basketball players, specifically the type of support and help they received during their formative years in the sport. To this end, we conducted a mixed-method study with a sequential explanatory design. Quantitative data were collected from Brazilian athletes aged 18 and 19 (n = 141), followed by in-depth interviews with 24 athletes. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to determine the differences between the age groups, and the association between the qualitative variables was analyzed using the Chi2 test, which was aided by the SPSS statistical program. Thematic analysis guided the coding and analysis of the qualitative data. The results showed that the family provided support at all formative stages, with the type and amount of the support supplied changing over time. Three types of support provided by family members were identified, with emotional and tangible support being more prevalent up to age 17. In contrast, informational support was more prominent in the final phase of sports training. Peers mainly provided emotional and informational support, especially from the age of 15. The results showed that the club, school, and coaches supported the athletes to keep playing basketball, usually through transportation, scholarships, food, and athlete grants. These findings provide valuable information on the dynamic nature of social relationships in the athlete development process. They also show that the support offered influences the wider environment to optimize or hinder athletic development in basketball. There is still a long way to go in understanding the social dynamics within the complex development processes in sports. Longitudinal studies with ecological, conceptual, and methodological approaches that provide a more integrative, complementary, holistic, and contextualized view of the influence of social dynamics on athlete training and sports participation could be an avenue to explore in future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Health: Challenges and Opportunities)
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12 pages, 562 KiB  
Article
Concurrent Effects of Plyometric Interval Training Implemented in Physical Education Lessons on Adolescent Power and Endurance: An Analysis of Responder Prevalence
by Dawid Koźlenia, Katarzyna Kochan-Jacheć and Jarosław Domaradzki
Sports 2025, 13(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13010015 - 9 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1048
Abstract
Schools provide an ideal setting for enhancing adolescents’ health and fitness. Short-term intensive interventions are particularly relevant, but the effectiveness of plyometric exercises in jointly improving aerobic and anaerobic performance remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of plyometric-based training, in [...] Read more.
Schools provide an ideal setting for enhancing adolescents’ health and fitness. Short-term intensive interventions are particularly relevant, but the effectiveness of plyometric exercises in jointly improving aerobic and anaerobic performance remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of plyometric-based training, in the form of interval workouts during physical education lessons, on power and endurance in adolescents. A total of 87 boys and 95 girls (aged 14–15 years) participated in an 8-week intervention, performing plyometric exercises twice weekly during physical education classes. The analyzed parameters were jump height (JH) measured by countermovement jump (CMJ) and distance covered during multistage fitness test (MFT). The results showed significant improvements among boys participating in the JH experiment and the distance covered in the MFT (p < 0.05); thus, the effect sizes were relatively small (ES < 0.3). Also, the prevalence of positive responders was more common for boys than girls; however, the difference was statistically insignificant (p = 0.09). These findings suggest that plyometric training has the potential for improving physical fitness, even in the context of developing opposing physical abilities, particularly in boys. However, the effects varied across individuals and were generally small, highlighting the need to optimize the intervention to achieve more pronounced results tailored to individual characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Health: Challenges and Opportunities)
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16 pages, 1080 KiB  
Article
The Relationship Between Body Composition, Physical Activity, Self-Esteem, and Body Image in Female and Male Adolescents
by Ligia Rusu, Denisa Piele, Eva Ilie, Gheorghe Ionescu, Mihnea Ion Marin, Mihai Robert Rusu and Mirela Lucia Calina
Sports 2025, 13(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13010011 - 8 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1725
Abstract
The elements of body composition and their correlation with physical activity, body image, and self-esteem are aspects that require in-depth studies. This link should be seen in the context of the percentage of adipose tissue, which can be modeled via physical activity. The [...] Read more.
The elements of body composition and their correlation with physical activity, body image, and self-esteem are aspects that require in-depth studies. This link should be seen in the context of the percentage of adipose tissue, which can be modeled via physical activity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationships between the parameters that define body composition, self-esteem, body image, and physical activity according to gender. This study included 100 females and 100 males with an average age of 22 years. The evaluation included anthropometric parameters, body composition, self-esteem, physical activity index, and body image perception assessment. The results show that the males exhibited a higher percentage of exceeding the upper limit of normal and average weight; in contrast, there were two times more females exhibiting normal weight than those exceeding the upper limit. Therefore, obesity was higher among males. The average fitness score values were 69.07 for females and 76.53 for males, and the mean fitness was within normal limits. Regarding body image, according to the BSQ, we observed that both groups were not satisfied with and were concerned about their body shape. With respect to the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the average score for females was 20.27, and for males, it was 19.60; the mean self-esteem value was 66% of the maximum value. In terms of the perceived ideal body size assessed with the Silhouette scale, most of the females were placed at level 3, and the males were placed at level 4. Regarding the physical activity index, females carried out on average 1.5 days of intense physical activity over 7 days, and males were involved in intense physical activity for 2 days. Conclusions: The degree of obesity and therefore the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome were higher in males than in females. Although males have a higher degree of obesity, self-esteem is quantified at a higher level of confidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Health: Challenges and Opportunities)
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13 pages, 1031 KiB  
Article
Stable or Unstable? Evaluating the Strength Outcomes of 12-Week Resistance Training in Youth Judo Athletes
by Nemanja Stanković, Dušan Stupar, Aleksandar Ignjatović, Nikola Milošević and Nebojša Trajković
Sports 2024, 12(12), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12120352 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1241
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training on stable versus unstable surfaces on strength performance in young judokas. Methods: The study included 18 young judokas (age: 13.2 ± 1.2 years) with 4.7 years of [...] Read more.
Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training on stable versus unstable surfaces on strength performance in young judokas. Methods: The study included 18 young judokas (age: 13.2 ± 1.2 years) with 4.7 years of training experience assigned to either the URT (unstable resistance training) group or the STG (stable resistance training) group. Both groups performed the bench press and squat exercise for 12 weeks (3 sessions/week, 30–40 min each), with one group performing on the stable surface and the other on the unstable surface. The tests included the 1RM bench press and squat, maximal power output during bench press and squat (Pmax), abdominal strength test (AB60), and the standing long jump (SLJ). Results: Statistical analyses revealed a group × time interaction for AB60 (p < 0.02) in favor of the URT group. Significant main effects of time (p < 0.01) for the 1RM bench press, 1RM squat, bench press power, AB60, and SLJ were found. There were no significant effects for squat maximal power in both groups (p ˃ 0.05). Conclusions: Both unstable and stable resistance training effectively improved maximal strength and performance in adolescent judokas, with unstable training offering additional benefits in abdominal strength. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Health: Challenges and Opportunities)
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10 pages, 238 KiB  
Article
Gender Differences and Performance Changes in Sprinting and Long Jump Among Young Athletes
by Eduard Bezuglov, Evgeniy Achkasov, Timur Vakhidov, Georgiy Malyakin, Elizaveta Kapralova, Vyacheslav Kolesnichenko, Mikhail Vinogradov, Tatiana Zharikova and Anton Emanov
Sports 2024, 12(12), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12120347 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1492
Abstract
This research aimed to examine the dynamics of changes in sprint and long jump performance and the age of gender divergence in well-trained young athletes specialising in athletics. Data were collected from 1249 male and 1497 female athletes aged 10 to 15 years [...] Read more.
This research aimed to examine the dynamics of changes in sprint and long jump performance and the age of gender divergence in well-trained young athletes specialising in athletics. Data were collected from 1249 male and 1497 female athletes aged 10 to 15 years who participated in the final round of the annual national athletics tournament “Shipovka Yunykh” from 2017 to 2019. The top 50 results in each age group for the 60-metre sprint and long jump were analysed. Boys showed significantly higher performance than girls in both events from ages 11 and 12. Significant performance improvements were noted between ages 12 and 13 for boys in the long jump and 10–11 in the sprint. Girls showed significant improvements between ages 12 and 13 in the long jump and 11–12 in the sprint. Gender divergence in sprint and long jump performance occurs around age 11. The dynamics of performance changes are influenced by the timing of the growth spurt, highlighting the need for age-specific competition categories in athletics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Health: Challenges and Opportunities)
16 pages, 4154 KiB  
Article
Youth Soccer Heading Exposure and Its Effects on Clinical Outcome Measures
by Victoria E. Wahlquist, Thomas A. Buckley, Jaclyn B. Caccese, Joseph J. Glutting, Todd D. Royer and Thomas W. Kaminski
Sports 2024, 12(12), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12120342 - 10 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1292
Abstract
Purposeful heading, in which players may use their heads to advance the ball in play, is a unique part of soccer. Clinical outcome measures used to aid in the diagnosis of a concussion have long been a cornerstone of the contemporary measurements associated [...] Read more.
Purposeful heading, in which players may use their heads to advance the ball in play, is a unique part of soccer. Clinical outcome measures used to aid in the diagnosis of a concussion have long been a cornerstone of the contemporary measurements associated with the short- and long-term effects of monitoring repetitive head impacts (RHI) and soccer heading exposure. The effects of RHI in the youth population are still unknown, therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine if heading exposure is predictive of changes in self-reported symptoms, neurocognitive functioning, gait, and balance in female youth soccer players over the course of one soccer season. Small improvements in neurocognitive functioning and gait and slight deficits in balance were observed from pre- to post-season. All changes were not clinically relevant and likely due to a practice effect. The low heading exposure in our cohort of youth soccer players was likely not enough to elicit any changes in clinical measures. In general, our clinical outcomes did not change after a season of soccer play and change scores were not predicted by heading exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Health: Challenges and Opportunities)
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