Search Results (74)

The Western genre has traditionally been associated with American identity and male-dominated narratives. However, recent decades have seen increasing attention to female protagonists, particularly the European woman as a cultural mediator within the frontier context. This study aims to identify the archetypes of the European woman in the Western genre through a diachronic and comparative analysis of the visual language found in European painting from the late 17th to early 19th centuries and in 20th–21st century cinema. The research methodology combines narrative, visual, and semiotic analysis, with a focus on intermedial and intertextual parallels between visual art and film. The study identifies nine archetypal models corresponding to goddesses of the Greek pantheon and traces their transformation across different aesthetic systems. These archetypes, rooted in artistic traditions such as Baroque, Classicism, Romanticism, and others, reappear in Western films through compositional, symbolic, and iconographic strategies, demonstrating their persistence and ability to transcend temporal, medial, and geographical boundaries. The findings suggest that the woman in the Western genre is not merely a central character, but a visual sign that activates cultural memory and engages with deep archetypal structures embedded in the collective unconscious. Full article

Injury or fear of injury can cause stress for everyone. This is especially true for dancers, whose careers can be ruined by a serious injury. Stress or various psychological problems can play a role in the development of injury. Our research aims to explore the psychosocial patterns associated with injuries among Hungarian professional folk dancers. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 96 professional dancers (47.9% male, 52.1% female, mean age 29.9 years). Data was collected through an online questionnaire survey. Among psychological factors, perceived stress (using the Perceived Stress Scale), burnout (using the Athletic Burnout Questionnaire), coping skills (using the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory), relationship with the leader (using the Coaching Behaviour Questionnaire) and perceived social support (using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) were examined among injured and non-injured dancers. The two groups were compared along psychological subscales using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) followed by a post hoc ANOVA and Mann–Whitney test regarding social support. Our results showed a significant correlation between psychosocial factors and injuries sustained during the study period. Positive correlation was found between injuries and perceived stress (p < 0.001) and burnout (reduced sense of accomplishment p = 0.021; dance devaluation p < 0.001). Factors reflecting dancer’s behavior and coping skills also correlated with injuries, such as a decrease in coachability (p = 0.007), less concern (p = 0.029), and negative reactions to the leader’s behavior (p = 0.019). In addition, perceived social support from family also negatively correlates with injury (p = 0.019). Our findings suggest a multidirectional relationship between physical injuries and the mental state of dancers. Further investigation of the causal relationships is recommended, with the aim of using psychosocial support tools during the prevention and treatment of injuries by the professionals dealing with dance artists. It is also recommended to investigate whether individual psychological factors are directly related to injuries or interact with each other. It would also be useful to introduce prevention programs that help dancers manage their emotions related to injuries. Full article

The article analyzes the meanings embedded in street art in Florence that portrays women, likely created by female artists. Between 18 May and 27 May 2024, during the Communities and Artistic Participation in Hybrid Environment (CAPHE) project, we observed a significant number of feminist street art pieces in Florence’s historic center. Using qualitative content analysis based on Gillian Rose’s methodology (2016), we interpreted the collected visual materials through semiotic and socio-cultural lenses. The findings revealed the deliberately interventionist nature of the analyzed works, addressing themes such as gender inequality, human rights, violence against women, and cultural stereotypes. This street art serves as a social manifesto and a means of activating both the local community and tourists, aligning with global feminist discourse while addressing Florence’s local issues. We conclude that Florence’s street art provides a space for visual resistance, education, and the promotion of gender equality and women’s emancipation in the context of contemporary social challenges. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pressure to stay lean may lead adolescent athletes to dietary restraint and disordered eating. Lack of nutrition awareness can also contribute to suboptimal dietary habits, increasing the risk of eating disorders and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport [RED-S], though evidence in competitive athletes is limited. This study explored eating disorder symptoms and RED-S knowledge in adolescent artistic gymnasts. Methods: Eighty-four female artistic gymnasts, thirty-nine international and national level gymnasts [high-level; 14 [14, 15] y] and forty-five recreational and club level gymnasts [low-level; 14 [13, 15] y] completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q 6.0], the RED-S knowledge Questionnaire and provided training details. Results: Seventeen gymnasts (20.2%) scored above the cutoff point on the EDE-Q. In addition, high-level gymnasts scored higher than low-level on EDE-Q [2.21 ± 1.37 (35.9%) vs. 1.19 ± 0.79 (6.7%), respectively; p < 0.001] and on its subscales: Restraint, Eating Concerns, Weight Concerns, and Shape Concerns [p < 0.001 to 0.009], thus indicating more severe disordered eating symptoms. No group differences were found in binge eating and compensatory behaviors. An important percentage of gymnasts reported at least one episode of binge eating and excessive training [39.3–58.3%], while four gymnasts reported self-induced vomiting. RED-S knowledge did not differ between groups. On average, gymnasts were unaware of correct answers related to RED-S [51.5%], its definitions [79.8–92.9%], and its association with menstrual disturbances and bone health [54.8–86.9%]. However, gymnasts reported better awareness of the impact of food restriction on illness and performance [47.6–84.5%]. Conclusions: Elite artistic gymnasts exhibited a higher prevalence of eating disorder symptoms than lower-level peers. Gymnasts at all levels demonstrated limited knowledge of the effects of RED-S on menstrual and bone health. Failure to recognize these risks may influence gymnasts’ eating behaviors and delay RED-S detection and management. Full article

Background: Adherence to nutritional recommendations in groups of adolescents practicing various sports, including esthetic disciplines, is insufficient. Hence, the authors of this study attempted to design, implement and evaluate a nutritional education program for girls aged 10–12 attending a ballet school and artistic gymnastics classes. Methods: The study was conducted with 60 female students at the state ballet school and artistic gymnastics classes (professionally practicing ballet and artistic gymnastics). The nutritional education program was implemented by all students for a period of 4 weeks. The program consisted of three parts: group sharing and discussing the educational brochure, group nutritional workshops, and providing and discussing individual nutritional recommendations. Information provided to students during the nutritional education program concerned the principles of proper nutrition contained in the Pyramid of Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children and Youth, the most important sources of nutrients in the diet and their role, and the principles of nutrition of people practicing sports/training. Before starting the nutritional education program and 3 months after its completion, the level of nutritional knowledge was assessed in the group of ballerinas and artistic gymnasts to evaluate the program. Results: The proposed nutritional education program had a significant impact on the level of nutritional knowledge of students aged 10–12 attending the ballet school and artistic gymnastics classes. Conclusions: The presented nutritional education program may be used as a source of information for specialists for the preparation of educational and repair programs in the group of ballet dancers or artistic gymnasts aged 10–12. Full article

The integration of 3D modeling and printing (3DMP) into STEAM education has the potential to foster 21st-century skills, including creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication (the four C’s). This study investigates whether gender influences the use of 3DMP among pre-service mathematics teachers and how this technology supports the creation of meaningful STEAM learning experiences. Over 100 project documentations from Austrian university students were analyzed, evaluating their potential to promote the four C’s and their transdisciplinary connections. Results indicate minimal gender differences, with both male and female participants incorporating technical, artistic, and creative elements into their projects. These findings challenge stereotypes about technology as a male domain and suggest that integrating emerging technologies such as 3DMP into teacher training inherently supports gender-neutral outcomes, promoting inclusivity and equity in STEAM education without requiring explicit gender-focused interventions. The study contributes to ongoing discussions about gender perceptions and technology integration in education, offering insights into fostering inclusive and equitable STEAM teaching practices. Full article

Background and Objectives: Sport practice, performance satisfaction, and interoception influence physical and mental health. Motor imagery (MI) training improves sensorimotor and cognitive–emotional functions. This study aimed to (a) compare sedentary and artistic gymnastics-practicing young females and (b) evaluate the changes in interoception and performance satisfaction occurring in gymnastics-practicing participants after one month of motor imagery training. Materials and Methods: The difference in interoceptive accuracy (IA) and sensibility (IS) between young sedentary females (Control group, C, n = 27) and age-matched females practicing artistic gymnastics (Experimental group, E, n = 27) were studied using the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS), the Multisensory Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), and Body Perception Questionnaire (BPQ). The capacity for focusing one’s attention on specific tasks (absorption) was assessed by the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS). Groups were compared at T0 (before motor imagery training). In group E, the same variables and satisfaction with performance were rated before and after 1 month of motor imagery training. The years of practice and absorption were used as covariates in analyses. Results: (a) Group E exhibited significantly higher scores in the MAIA dimensions than group C and similar BPQ and IAS scores; (b) group E’s satisfaction with performance, MAIA, IAS, and BPQ scores increased significantly from T0 to T1. The increase in performance satisfaction became non-significant when using years of practice as the control. The improvement in MAIA dimensions became non-significant when using TAS as the control. Conclusions: Despite the limitations as a result of the absence of an objective evaluation of the performance and physiological correlations of mental imagery and interoceptive accuracy, the baseline differences between the two groups confirm that practicing artistic gymnastics improves interoception. The experience undergone by group E of better performance after training is associated with further improvement in interoceptive intermingled pathways and shared relay stations of sensorimotor and interoceptive information. The results are relevant to the setting up of personalized mental training to improve physical and mental health. Full article

Over the past four decades, cheerleading evolved from a sideline activity at major sporting events into a professional, competitive sport with growing global popularity. Evaluating tumbling elements in cheerleading relies on both objective measures and subjective judgments, such as difficulty and execution quality. However, the complexity of tumbling—encompassing team synchronicity, ground interactions, choreography, and artistic expression—makes objective assessment challenging. Artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionised various scientific fields and industries through precise data-driven analyses, yet their application in acrobatic sports remains limited despite significant potential for enhancing performance evaluation and coaching. This study investigates the feasibility of using an AI-based approach with data from a single inertial measurement unit to accurately identify and objectively assess tumbling elements in standard cheerleading routines. A sample of 16 participants (13 females, 3 males) from a Division I collegiate cheerleading team wore a single inertial measurement unit at the dorsal pelvis. Over a 4-week seasonal preparation period, 1102 tumbling elements were recorded during regular practice sessions. Using triaxial accelerations and rotational speeds, various ML algorithms were employed to classify and evaluate the execution of tumbling manoeuvres. Our results indicate that certain machine learning models can effectively identify different tumbling elements with high accuracy despite inter-individual variability and data noise. These findings demonstrate the significant potential for integrating AI-driven assessments into cheerleading and other acrobatic sports in order to provide objective metrics that complement traditional judging methods. Full article

Background/Objectives: The characteristics of open- and closed-skill sports can have a significant impact on the development of both motor and cognitive functions during late childhood and early adolescence. This study examined the impact of artistic gymnastics and soccer practice on physical/coordinative skills and executive functions in preadolescent female athletes. Methods: Gross-motor coordination (Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder battery), explosive lower limb power (countermovement jump) and executive functions (Flanker/Reverse Flanker; Digit Span) of ninety-eight soccer and gymnastics athletes (10.9 ± 0.6 years of age) were tested at the beginning and the end of a sports season. A t-test and a mixed linear method were used to detect differences between sports and expertise levels (amateur vs. elite) at baseline and over time, respectively. Results: Gymnasts scored higher in physical tests compared to soccer athletes, who obtained better scores in the Digit Span test. Elite gymnasts showed higher physical skills compared to both amateur gymnasts and elite soccer players, with executive function levels comparable to those of amateur gymnasts. Similarly, elite soccer players showed higher reaction time in executive functions tests compared to both elite gymnasts and amateur soccer athletes, with similar physical skills as amateur soccer players. Amateur gymnastics and soccer athletes showed similar levels of physical and cognitive skills. All groups improved their physical and executive function skills over time, with relevant effects of expertise level on physical tasks. Conclusions: Results revealed the impact of sport type and athletes’ level of expertise in influencing both their motor and cognitive development. Full article

This study seeks to investigate gender inequality in the Spanish’s official music charts from 2008 to 2020, using a quantitative methodology. The dataset comprises 1300 entries sourced from Promusicae’s official charts, evenly divided between albums and singles. Firstly, this analysis evaluates the frequency of artist representation; secondly, it assesses the success achieved by gender; and finally, it examines disparities in featured collaborations. The findings indicate that male artists appear almost three times more frequently than their female counterparts on both charts, achieve a higher amount of points, and dominate the role of featuring collaborations. Notably, Spanish female artists are predominantly absent from the top positions in the singles chart. Moreover, there is an absence of female bands in the top 50. The observed outcomes align with previous research concerning gender inequality in the United States and the United Kingdom, highlighting a persistent structural gender inequality within Spain’s music industry throughout the reviewed period, which systematically undermines the creativity of female artists. Full article

Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is commonly observed in endurance athletes, where prolonged physical exertion combined with being unaware of personal hydration needs can lead to excessive water consumption or inadequate sodium intake. Marching band (MB) is an emerging setting for sports medicine professionals. However, there is little research on non-musculoskeletal illnesses among these performing artists. This study is part of a larger cross-sectional study and seeks to examine whether MB artists have previously experienced EAH and the presence of known EAH risk factors (e.g., pre-existing medical conditions, medication use, nutritional behaviors). Active collegiate MB members (n = 1207; mean age = 19.6 ± 1.3 years) completed an online survey that characterized demographics, medical history, and nutrition behaviors. Statistical analyses included descriptives (mean, standard deviation) and frequencies for all data. Binomial logistic regressions analyzed the relationship and determined the odds ratio (OR) between previous EAH and EAH risk factors. Participants were from 23 different states, predominately White (82.9%), female (56.7%), and at NCAA Division I institutions (92%). A total of 74 (6.1%) participants reported previously experiencing EAH, 32 (43.2%) within the past year. Previous EAH occurrence was greatest among individuals who had kidney conditions (χ²(1) = 5.920, R² = 0.013, OR = 15.708, p = 0.015); mood/neurological conditions (χ²(1) = 7.508, R² = 0.017, OR = 2.154, p = 0.006), particularly anxiety (χ²(1) = 7.651, R² = 0.017, OR = 3.590, p = 0.006); used mental health medications (χ²(1) = 7.512, R² = 0.017, OR = 2.220, p = 0.006), particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (χ²(1) = 13.502, R² = 0.030, OR = 3.297, p < 0.001); and who dieted (χ²(1) = 6.121, R² = 0.014, OR = 1.913, p = 0.013) or perceived they had an eating disorder (χ²(1) = 9.502, R² = 0.021, OR = 2.729, p = 0.002). Healthcare providers should be aware that MB artists may have pre-existing medication conditions, use medication, and have inadequate nutrition. Targeted hydration and nutritional education for MB artists is essential for effective prevention and early EAH recognition, improving health and performance for MB artists within demanding environments. Full article

In contemporary art, the representation of the “body”, particularly the female body, has emerged as a crucial site of feminist critique and exploration. This is especially evident in the works of Iranian female artists, who challenge prevailing local and global discourses surrounding female embodiment. This study examines how artists such as Shirin Neshat (b. 1957), Parastou Forouhar (b. 1962), and Shadi Ghadirian (b. 1974) use their art to redefine representations of women’s bodies within the socio-political context of post-revolutionary Iran. The restrictive post-revolutionary environment, marked by mandatory hijab laws and stringent social codes for women, has profoundly impacted artistic expression. These artists navigate this complex landscape, utilizing their work to contest both the imposed limitations and the Western gaze that often reduces Iranian women to stereotypes. By interrogating these artistic representations through a feminist lens, this paper explores the intersection of gender, politics, culture, and artistic expression, examining how these artists contribute to a broader redefinition of the female body in contemporary feminist art. This study employs a qualitative, descriptive–analytical approach grounded in feminist theory, including perspectives beyond Western thought, to analyze how these Iranian artists navigate, subvert, and reimagine traditional representations of women. By analyzing specific works, this study aims to offer a nuanced understanding of how these artists challenge both Iranian and global audiences to reconsider the boundaries of gender, identity, and power within their specific cultural and historical context. Full article

Background: This study’s purpose was to evaluate the relationship between dance training volume, body composition, and habitual diet in female collegiate dancers. Methods: Thirty-three female collegiate dancers from three dance programs (20.4 ± 1.05 yrs.; 165.4 ± 11.3 cm, BMI 21.3 ± 3.4 kg/m²) participated in “The Intercollegiate Artistic Athlete Research Assessment (TIAARA)” study. We assessed dance training volume, body composition, and habitual diet. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means ± SD). Two-sample t-tests were conducted to compare reported intake values versus sports nutrition recommendations. Two-tailed Pearson correlations (r) were computed for body composition and dietary intake (p < 0.05). Results: Collegiate dancers were enrolled in 16 ± 2.09 semester credits, with 7.7 ± 3.8 credits as dance movement courses and an additional 3.0 ± 1.5 h/week of rehearsal time. Body composition assessments included fat mass (24.4 ± 6.8%), lean mass (LM) (42.4 ± 10.1 kg), and total body water (32.6 ± 4.6 L). Habitual diets reflected a low-calorie diet (1399 ± 648 kcal/d), with ~20% of dancers consuming a very low-calorie diet (≤1000 kcal/d). Dancers reported under-consuming dietary protein (54.3 ± 26.2 g) and carbohydrate (171.8 ± 77.8 g). LM was positively correlated with daily total energy (r = 0.333), fat (r = 0.37), protein (r = 0.349), and leucine intake (r = 0.352). Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the positive effect of adequate nutritional quantity and quality on body composition in female collegiate dancers. Full article

The rebranding of reggaetón towards Latin urban has been criticized for tokenizing Afro-Caribbean linguistic and cultural practices as symbolic resources recruitable by non-Caribbean artists/executives in the interest of profit. Consumers are particularly critical of an audible phonological homogeneity in the performances of ethnonationally distinct mainstream performers, framed as a form of linguistic minstrelsy popularly termed a ‘Caribbean Blaccent’ that facilitates capitalization on the genre’s popularity by tapping into the covert prestige of distinctive phonological elements of Insular Caribbean Spanish otherwise stigmatized. This work pairs acoustic analysis with quantitative statistical modeling to compare the use of lenited coronal sibilant allophones popularly considered indexical of Hispano-Caribbean origins in the spoken and sung speech of four of the genre’s top-charting female performers. A general pattern of style-shifting from interview to sung speech wherein sibilance is favored in the former and phonetic zeros in the latter is revealed. Moreover, a statistically significant increased incidence of [-] across time shows the most recent records to uniformly deploy near-categorical reduction independent of artists’ sociocultural and linguistic backgrounds. The results support the enregisterment of practices popularized by the genre’s San Juan-based pioneers as a stylistic resource—a reggaetón voice—for engaging the images of vernacularity sustaining and driving the contemporary, mainstream popularity of música urbana. Full article

Proportions and canons of the human body have always been an area of research mainly through art, architecture, or construction, and today, they have a significant application in product design. Research confirms that body height in most cases corresponds to the canon (head–body ratio) of 7.5 to 8 head lengths. This paper investigates the ratio of the head length (HL) to the total body height (BH, stature) of kindergarten and school-aged children, aiming to define the children’s canon inspired by the idea of the harmonic circle theory and the biomechanical model. The data were collected from 1307 children (male 676, female 631) aged 2 to 16 years in the cities of Zagreb (Croatia), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Skopje (North Macedonia). A generalized ESD test (alpha-level 0.10) and Turkey’s 1977 test were used in order to detect outliers in distributions of heights and in the distribution of ratios. Statistical significance was set at 0.05, all p values were two-sided, and the MedCalc statistical tool (version 20.110) was used. The results confirm that canonical changes follow the historical research of artists throughout the centuries, but that they change according to contemporary secular trends in children’s growth and cover HL/BH canons from 5.59 and 5.72 (2-year-old girls and boys) to 7.50 and 7.60 (15-year-old boys and girls) depending on age and gender. HL/BH ratio was significantly higher among female examinees in all age groups where difference was significant (Student’s t test, p < 0.02). In conclusion, such a calculation based on the canon is important for interdisciplinary professions. Creating an anthropological–biomechanical model based on canons, instead of time-consuming measurement, could significantly simplify the long-term collection of anthropometric data used for designing children’s products. Future detailed research is proposed. Full article