Search Results (577)

This paper presents a novel multi-sensor system for enhanced maneuver analysis in Olympic dinghy sailing. In the ILCA class, there is an increasing demand for precise in-field measurement and analysis of physical properties beyond well-established velocity and course metrics. The low-cost setup presented in this study consists of a combination of commercially available sensor systems, such as the AdMos sensor for IMU and GNSS measurement, in combination with custom measurement systems for rudder and mast rotations using fully waterproofed potentiometers. Data streams are synchronized using GNSS time stamping for streamlined analysis. The resulting analysis presents a selection of 12 upwind tacks, with corresponding path overlays, detailed timeseries data, and performance metrics. The system has demonstrated the value of extended data analysis of in situ data with an elite ILCA 7 sailor. The addition of rudder and mast rotations has enabled enhanced analysis of on-water maneuvers for single-handed Olympic dinghies like the ILCA 7, on a level of detail previously reserved for simulated environments. Full article

Background: In recent years, comprehensive analyses using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) have been conducted to identify genetic factors related to athletic performance. In this study, we investigated the association between genetic variants and elite wrestling status across multiple ethnic groups using a genome-wide genotyping approach. Methods: This study included 168 elite wrestlers (64 Japanese, 67 Turkish, and 36 Russian), all of whom had competed in international tournaments, including the Olympic Games. Control groups consisted of 306 Japanese, 137 Turkish, and 173 Russian individuals without elite athletic backgrounds. We performed a GWAS comparing allele frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between elite wrestlers and controls in each ethnic cohort. Cross-population analysis comprised (1) identifying SNPs with nominal significance (p < 0.05) in all three groups, then (2) meta-analyzing overlapped SNPs to assess effect consistency and combined significance. Finally, we investigated whether the most significant SNPs were associated with gene expression in skeletal muscle in 23 physically active men. Results: The GWAS identified 328,388 (Japanese), 23,932 (Turkish), and 30,385 (Russian) SNPs reaching nominal significance. Meta-analysis revealed that the ATP2A3 rs6502758 and UNC5C rs265061 polymorphisms were associated (p < 0.0001) with elite wrestling status across all three populations. Both variants are located in intronic regions and influence the expression of their respective genes in skeletal muscle. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate gene polymorphisms associated with elite wrestling status in a multi-ethnic cohort. ATP2A3 rs6502758 and UNC5C rs265061 polymorphisms may represent important genetic factors associated with achieving an elite status in wrestling, irrespective of ethnicity. Full article

This paper suggests a theoretical framework to summarise the empirical literature on the relationships between sports and both religious and secular ethics, and it suggests two interrelated theoretical models to empirically evaluate the extent to which religious and secular ethics, as well as sports policies, affect achievements in sports. I identified two national ethics (national pride/efficiency) and two social ethics (social cohesion/ethics) by measuring achievements in terms of alternative indexes based on Olympic medals. I referred to three empirical models and applied three estimation methods (panel Poisson, Data Envelopment, and Stochastic Frontier Analyses). I introduced two sports policies (a quantitative policy aimed at social cohesion and a qualitative policy aimed at national pride), by distinguishing sports in terms of four possibly different ethics to be used for the eight summer and eight winter Olympic Games from 1994 to 2024. I applied income level, health status, and income inequality, to depict alternative social contexts. I used five main religions and three educational levels to depict alternative ethical contexts. I applied country dummies to depict alternative institutional contexts. Empirical results support the absence of Olympic ethics, the potential substitution of sport and secular ethics in providing social cohesion, and the dependence of sports on politics, while alternative social contexts have different impacts on alternative sport achievements. Full article

This study examines the impact of vegetation structure on bird species richness and diversity across four urban parks in Chaoyang District, Beijing. Throughout the year, using the Point Count Method (PCM), a total of 68 bird species and 4279 individual observations were recorded, with surveys conducted across all four seasons to capture seasonal variations. The parks with more complex vegetation, such as those with a higher tree canopy cover of species like poplars, ginkgo, and Chinese pines, exhibited higher bird species richness. For example, Olympic Forest Park, with its dense vegetation structure, hosted 42 species, whereas parks with less diverse vegetation supported fewer species. An analysis using PERMANOVA revealed that bird communities in the four parks were significantly different from each other (F = 2.76, p = 0.04075), and every comparison between parks showed significant differences as well (p < 0.001). Variations in the arrangement and level of disturbance within different plant communities likely cause such differences. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified tree canopy cover and shrub density as key drivers of bird diversity. These findings underscore the importance of preserving urban green spaces, particularly those with a diverse range of native tree species, to conserve biodiversity and mitigate the adverse effects of urbanisation. Effective vegetation management strategies can enhance avian habitats and provide ecological and cultural benefits in urban environments. Full article

Coach development is typically considered to consist of a complex mix of experiences, including formal, informal and non-formal. Elements of the early research in this area led to the production of a model of long-term coach development (LTCD) over a decade ago, consisting of three core categories of experience: athletic, coaching and education, later published in a number of significant coaching documents. Whilst this model has clearly been of benefit in providing a framework to consider long-term coach development, it can also be considered to have its limitations in focusing on a somewhat narrow coaching context (typically Olympic sports in North America) and lacking currency. This study therefore attempted to consider and update this model to a professional team sport context away from North America by investigating the life stories of head coaches in English rugby league. Data collection consisted of a novel life story approach, whilst analysis utilised elements of constructivist grounded theory. Though supporting elements of the original LTCD model, results here provide an additional category of experience occurring prior to athletic experience, childhood, consisting of a number of sub-themes, alongside several other novel elements with implications for both research and practice. This work points towards a need to further understand coaches’ lifelong developmental journeys across a range of sports and contexts. Full article

Objectives: Shoulder injury prevalence appears to be the highest among all injuries in CrossFit (CF) athletes. Nevertheless, there is no evidence deriving from prospective studies to explain this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to document shoulder injury incidence in CF participants over a 12-month period and prospectively investigate the risk factors associated with their demographic, epidemiological, and functional characteristics. Methods: The sample comprised 109 CF athletes in various levels. Participants’ data were collected during the baseline assessment, using a specially designed questionnaire, as well as active range of motion, muscle strength, muscle endurance, and sport-specific tests. Non-parametric statistical tests and inferential statistics were employed, and in addition, linear and regression models were created. Logistic regression models incorporating the study’s continuous predictors to classify injury occurrence in CF athletes were developed and evaluated using the Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) as the performance metric. Results: A shoulder injury incidence rate of 0.79 per 1000 training hours was recorded. Olympic weightlifting (45%) and gymnastics (35%) exercises were associated with shoulder injury occurrence. The most frequent injury concerned rotator cuff tendons (45%), including lesions and tendinopathies, exhibiting various severity levels. None of the examined variables individually showed a statistically significant correlation with shoulder injuries. Conclusions: This is the first study that has investigated prospectively shoulder injuries in CrossFit, creating a realistic profile of these athletes. Despite the broad spectrum of collected data, the traditional statistical approach failed to identify shoulder injury predictors. This indicates the necessity to explore this topic using more sophisticated techniques, such as advanced machine learning approaches. Full article

Background: Pre-season training is pivotal for optimizing athletic performance in collegiate basketball, yet the effectiveness of such programs in improving body composition (BC) under NCAA-mandated hourly restrictions remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a four-week, NCAA Division II-compliant strength and conditioning (SC) program on BC in women’s basketball. Methods: Sixteen student athletes (20.6 ± 1.8 y; 173.9 ± 6.5 cm; 76.2 ± 20.2 kg) completed an eight-hour-per-week micro-cycle incorporating functional conditioning, Olympic-lift-centric resistance, and on-court skill development. Lean body mass (LBM) and body-fat percentage (BF%) were assessed using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance on Day 1 and Day 28. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the fixed effect of Time (Pre, Post), including random intercepts for each athlete and covariate adjustment for age and height (α = 0.05). Results The LBM significantly increased by 1.49 kg (β = +1.49 ± 0.23 kg, t = 6.52, p < 0.001; 95% CI [1.02, 1.96]; R² semi-partial = 0.55), while BF% decreased by 1.27 percentage points (β = −1.27 ± 0.58%, t = −2.20, p = 0.044; 95% CI [−2.45, −0.08]; R² = 0.24). Height positively predicted LBM (β = +1.02 kg/cm, p < 0.001), whereas age showed no association (p > 0.64). Conclusions: A time-constrained, NCAA-compliant SC program meaningfully enhances lean mass and moderately reduces adiposity in collegiate women’s basketball athletes. These findings advocate for structured, high-intensity, mixed-modality training to maximize physiological readiness within existing regulatory frameworks. Future research should validate these results in larger cohorts and integrate performance metrics to further elucidate functional outcomes. Full article

This study examines how international mega-events have adapted to post-pandemic conditions, with a focus on sustainability, resilience, and the integration of public health. Employing a qualitative comparative case study design, the analysis spans events such as the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, Lollapalooza, and NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race. Drawing on numerous secondary sources, the study explores shifts in infrastructure planning, socio-cultural engagement, marketing strategies, and environmental practices. The findings reveal a pivot toward modular infrastructure, hybrid formats, and community-centered governance. The research contributes to event management theory by highlighting emergent adaptive strategies and offering a framework for more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable mega-event planning. Full article

This study develops two machine learning models to predict the medal performance of countries at the 2028 Olympic Games while systematically analyzing and quantifying the impacts of the host effect and exceptional coaching on medal gains. The dataset encompasses records of total medals by country, event categories, and athletes’ participation from the Olympic Games held between 1896 and 2024. We use K-means clustering to analyze medal trends, categorizing 234 nations into four groups (${\alpha }_1$, ${\alpha }_2$, ${\alpha }_3$, ${\alpha }_4$). Among these, ${\alpha }_1$, ${\alpha }_2$, ${\alpha }_3$ represent medal-winning countries, while ${\alpha }_4$ consists of non-medal-winning nations. For the $\alpha$1, $\alpha$2, and $\alpha$3 groups, 2–3 representative countries from each are selected for trend analysis, with the United States serving as a case study. This study extracts ten factors that may influence medal wins from the dataset, including participant data, the number of events, and medal growth rates. Factor analysis is used to reduce them into three principal components: Factor analysis condenses ten influencing factors into three principal components: the event scale factor (F1), the medal trend factor (F2), and the gender and athletic ability factor (F3). An ARIMA model predicts the factor coefficients for 2028 as 0.9539, 0.7999, and 0.2937, respectively. Four models (random forest, BP Neural Network, XGBoost, and SVM) are employed to predict medal outcomes, using historical data split into training and testing sets to compare their predictive performance. The research results show that XGBoost is the optimal medal predicted model, with the United States projected to win 57 gold medals and a total of 135 medals in 2028. For non-medal-winning countries (${\alpha }_4$), a three-layer fully connected neural network (FCNN) is constructed, achieving an accuracy of 85.5% during testing. Additionally, a formula to calculate the host effect and a Bayesian linear regression model to assess the impact of exceptional coaching on athletes’ medal performance are proposed. The overall trend of countries in the $\alpha$1 group is stable, but they are significantly affected by the host effect; the trend in the $\alpha$2 group shows an upward trend; the trend in the $\alpha$3 group depend on the athletes’ conditions and whether the events they excel in are included in that year’s Olympics. In the $\alpha$4 group, the probabilities of the United Arab Republic (UAR) and Mali (MLI) winning medals in the 2028 Olympic Games are 77.47% and 58.47%, respectively, and there are another four countries with probabilities exceeding 30%. For the eight most recent Olympic Games, the gain rate of the host effect is 74%. Great coaches can bring an average increase of 0.2 to 0.5 medals for each athlete. The proposed models, through an innovative integration of clustering, dimensionality reduction, and predictive algorithms, provide reliable forecasts and data-driven insights for optimizing national sports strategies. These contributions not only address the gap in predicting first-time medal wins for non-medal-winning nations but also offer guidance for policymakers and sports organizations, though they are constrained by assumptions of stable historical trends, minimal external disruptions, and the exclusion of unknown athletes. Full article

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, combined with the historic degradation of urban water systems, has prompted cities worldwide to reconsider the role of water in urban planning. This study examines the restoration and integration of historical watercourses into contemporary urban environments through blue and green infrastructure (BGI). Focusing on three case study cities—Poznań (Poland), Milan (Italy), and Beijing (China)—this research explores both spatial and regulatory conditions for reintroducing surface water into cityscapes. Utilizing historical maps, contemporary land use data, and spatial planning documents, this study applies a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) to assess restoration potential. The selected case studies, including the redesign of Park Rataje in Poznań, canal daylighting projects in Milan, and the multifunctional design of Beijing’s Olympic Forest Park, illustrate diverse approaches to ecological revitalization. The findings emphasize that restoring or recreating urban water systems can enhance urban resilience, ecological connectivity, and the quality of public space. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between isokinetic knee strength and competition performance in elite male ski mountaineering sprint athletes and to identify strength parameters that predict performance and contribute to injury prevention. Materials and Methods: Thirteen male athletes participating in the Ski Mountaineering Turkey Cup final stage were included. Isokinetic knee flexion (FLX) and extension (EXT) strength of dominant (DM) and non-dominant (NDM) legs were measured at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s using the DIERS-Myolin Isometric Muscle Strength Analysis System. Competition performance was evaluated using the ISMF scoring system. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 with Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses after normality, linearity, and homoscedasticity checks. Results: Strong positive correlations were found between hamstring strength at high angular velocities (180°/s) and performance (DM FLX: r = 0.809; NDM FLX: r = 0.880). Extension strength showed moderate correlations at low velocities (60°/s) (DM EXT: r = 0.677; NDM EXT: r = 0.699). Regression analysis revealed that DM FLX at 180°/s and DM EXT at 60°/s explained 49% of performance variance (Adj. R² = 0.498). For NDM legs, only 180°/s FLX was a significant predictor (β = 1.468). Conclusions: High-velocity hamstring strength plays a critical role in ski mountaineering sprint performance, particularly during sudden directional changes and dynamic balance. Quadriceps strength at low velocities contributes to prolonged climbing phases. Moreover, identifying and addressing bilateral strength asymmetries may support injury prevention strategies in elite ski mountaineering athletes. These findings provide scientific support for designing training programs targeting explosive hamstring strength, bilateral symmetry, and injury risk reduction, essential for optimizing performance in the 2026 Winter Olympics sprint discipline. Full article

This study examines perceptions of sexual harassment in sports 25 years after the enactment of Israel’s prevention of sexual harassment law, building upon a 1999 study by Feigin and Negbi. Utilizing feminist and power relations theories, this research investigates how perceptions have evolved across genders, competitive levels, and coaching statuses. A total of 361 participants, including non-competitive, competitive, and Olympic athletes, completed a questionnaire assessing perceptions of potentially harassing behaviors. The results reveal significant shifts in awareness, particularly among female athletes, across all four factors of sexual harassment examined. The most substantial change was observed in the “Between concern and interest” factor, indicating increased sensitivity to ambiguous behaviors. Olympic athletes and coaches demonstrated heightened awareness compared to non-competitive athletes. Gender disparities persisted, with female participants consistently showing higher sensitivity to potentially harassing behaviors. These findings underscore the need for tailored educational programs, policy revisions, and increased representation of diverse perspectives in sports leadership. Full article

Olympic women’s judo has increased in complexity and competitiveness, demanding detailed tactical analysis. This observational study aimed to examine the relationship between the results of combats (Wazari [half point] vs. Ippon [full point]) and the techniques used in women’s judo combats in the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. A significant association was found between technique type and contest outcome (χ² = 40.004, df = 6, p < 0.001): Nage Waza (throwing techniques) produced 92.3% of Wazari, whereas Katame Waza (groundwork techniques) accounted for 61.1% of Ippon. Subgroup analysis confirmed these relationships (χ² = 17.217, df = 6, p = 0.009; Cramer’s V = 0.745), with Ashiwaza (foot/leg techniques) dominating Wazari. Uchimata was the most frequently used technique in the repechage (20%), bronze medal (22.6%), and final (23.1%) matches. In lightweights, Katame Waza dominated Ippon in finals (53.8%, χ² = 4.000, p = 0.046), while Nage Waza secured all Wazari. Middleweights also showed strong associations (χ² = 14.745, df = 1, p < 0.001; 93.9% of Wazari by Nage Waza). Although no significant association was found for heavyweights (χ² = 7.535, df = 1, p = 0.095), Katame Waza prevailed in Ippon (69.2%). These findings provide a tactical framework for tailoring technique-specific training by weight category and tournament phase to optimize outcomes in elite female judo. Full article

Background: ESC sports classification in 2020, based on cardiac morphological adaptations, may not fully reflect also the variations in functional parameters of athletes. This study aims to characterize CPET-derived physiological parameters in elite athletes according to the ESC classification and evaluate whether this morphological classification also corresponds to a functional categorization. Methods: Elite athletes underwent pre-participation screening before the 2023 European Games and 2024 Olympic Games. Athletes were classified into four categories (skill, power, mixed and endurance). CPET was performed on a cycle ergometer using a ramp protocol, with measurements of VO₂ max, heart rate, power output and ventilatory efficiency. Results: We enrolled 1033 athletes (46.8% females; mean 25.6 ± 5.2 years old) engaged in skill (14.1%), power (33.2%), mixed (33.3%) and endurance (19.4%) disciplines. O₂ pulse showed an incremental significant increase (p < 0.0001) among sport categories (skill 14.9 ± 3.8 mL/beat; power 17.5 ± 4.6 mL/beat, mixed 19 ± 4.3 mL/beat and endurance 22.7 ± 5.8 mL/beat). The lowest ${\dot{\mathrm{V}}\mathrm{O}}_2$max was observed in skill disciplines (36.3 ± 7.9 mL/min/kg) whilst endurance ones showed the highest values (52.4 ± 9.7 mL/min/kg) (p < 0.0001). ${\dot{\mathrm{V}}\mathrm{O}}_2$max was higher in power compared to mixed (42 ± 7.7 mL/min/kg vs. 40.5 ± 5.8 mL/min/kg, p = 0.005) disciplines with an overlapping amount between some mixed and power disciplines. No differences were found for VE max (p = 0.075). Conclusions: Our study provided values of CPET parameters in elite athletes. Significant differences in CPET parameters were observed among different sports disciplines, with endurance athletes showing the highest absolute and relative values in all parameters. An overlap amount was noted between mixed and power categories, especially for relative maximal oxygen consumption. Full article

Background: Interventions involving Olympic combat sports, such as Taekwondo (TKD) and Boxing (BOX), represent innovative approaches for promoting health in older people. Elastic bands training (EBT), by contrast, is a safe and cost-effective method that has demonstrated positive effects on functional physical parameters in this population. This study aimed to compare the effects of TKD and BOX interventions, relative to EBT, on body composition and physical function in Chilean older women. Methods: This randomized controlled trial comprised three parallel groups: TKD (n = 10), BOX (n = 10), and EBT (n = 10). Participants in each group underwent pre- and post-intervention assessments following two 60 min sessions per week over an eight-week period. Results: Multiple comparisons revealed significant advantages for EBT over TKD and BOX in maximal isometric handgrip strength for both the dominant (p < 0.001; d = 0.967, large effect) and non-dominant (p < 0.001; d = 0.641, moderate effect) hands. Conversely, significant improvements in Timed Up-and-Go performance were observed in the TKD and BOX groups compared to EBT (p < 0.001; d = 2.071, large effect). All groups showed significant within-group improvements in the 30 s chair stand test (p < 0.001; d = 0.095, large effect). No significant changes were found in body fat percentage, fat-free mass, back scratch test, sit-and-reach test, or 2 min step test across groups. Conclusions: Although no substantial differences were observed between groups for most variables, TKD and BOX interventions significantly reduced Timed Up-and-Go times, whereas EBT enhanced maximal isometric handgrip strength in both hands. These findings highlight the distinct functional benefits of each intervention modality for older Chilean women. Full article