International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports

Three-Year Analysis of Overweight and Obesity in Central Alabama Children

Beziat T.L.R, Russell A.R, Langham G, Taylor J.K — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Obesity among children and adolescents is on the rise and are associated with high blood pressure, lipid abnormalities, diabetes, and sleep apnea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents from Central Alabama over three years. Additionally, this study examined the association between obesity and the following variables: resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose. The data set used in this study included 1,198 male and female children between the ages of 5 and 14 living in Central Alabama. Body Mass Index (BMI) Percentile, resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose were collected annually from 2015 to 2017. BMI percentile was used to determine the prevalence of obesity both overall and by age group (younger vs. older) and by sex for each year. One-way analysis of covariance examined the relationship between BMI percentile (underweight, normal, overweight, or obese) and resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood glucose when controlling for sex. The relationships were assessed using the group overall and separately by age (younger vs. older) and sex. Older children in the study, particularly older females, were likelier to have BMIs in the top quartile for percentiles. Males were more likely to have higher glucose scores than females. The data indicates that children’s BMI percentiles continue to rise as they age, which may lead to poor outcomes later in life.

Scanning Differences between Small-Sided and Full-Sized Games in Elite Youth Footballers

Smith S.M, Conway K — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of this study was to compare the scanning activity of elite youth footballers across 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 game formats. The participants were outfield under 12 footballers (N = 60) born between 1st September 2011 and 31st August 2012 from a Premier League category 1 football academy in the UK. Observational analysis on scan frequency as well as critical scan frequency, the scan situation, the play type and technical action outcomes from the scan were all undertaken. As game formats decreased in player number and pitch size, scanning activity increased. Positional, situational and technical action scanning differences were found between game formats. The most meaningful differences in scan activity across game formats were highlighted during defensive actions and between positions. This study is the first known to explore scanning differences between small-sided and full-sized games, with results suggesting small-sided games may not replicate the scanning situations found in full-sized games. Until further research is conducted, coaches should be aware that small-sided games may influence skill transfer.

Effects of Music and Lyrics on Activity Level and Perceived Enjoyment in Elementary Physical Education

YuChun Chen — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Previous research has indicted that music is a strong motivator while participating in noncompetitive (e.g. walking, running, weightlifting) and competitive (e.g. sprinting, ultramarathon, road cycling) activities as it stimulates positive affective valence, distract exercisers and athletes from exertion and fatigue, and consequently yield greater physical performance. Some of these affective and physical effects have been found in the limited body of empirical research in K-12 physical education (PE) settings. There is also a lack of research regarding the effects of music lyrics, also in comparison with gender and grade, on pupils’ physical and affective responses in PE. Using factorial analysis of variances, this study aimed to examine the effects of music conditions (i.e. music with lyrics, music without lyrics, no music), grade, and gender on the activity level and perceived enjoyment of three kindergarten and three fifth grade classes. Findings revealed significant main effects for music condition, grade, and gender on the physical measures and for gender on the perceived enjoyment. Significant grade × condition interactions were found in the physical measures and significant gender × condition interactions were detected in the perceived enjoyment. One key conclusion indicates that music with lyrics (a) seems to accompany well with activities that require less higher-order thinking skills, and (b) may be a distraction to pupils’ focus when tactics and strategies are involved. Future research in this area is warranted to provide PE teachers with the most motivating music catered to different classes by gender, grade, and activity type.

Reactive Strength Index Modified Differentiates Starters and Non-Starters in Female Volleyball National Team Players

Idan Harat, Nadav Lanesman — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Jumping ability is crucial in volleyball, where both jump height and execution speed significantly influence performance. Previous research has yielded mixed findings on the role of jump force-time characteristics in determining starting status among female volleyball players. This study examined the relationship between countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time metrics and starting status in elite female volleyball players to identify key performance indicators. Nine national team athletes (five starters, four non-starters) performed CMJs on a force platform. Force-time variables from distinct jump phases were analyzed. Reactive strength index modified (RSImod)—the ratio of jump height to time to take-off—was used to assess lower-body explosiveness and reactive strength. Starters demonstrated significantly higher RSImod scores and relative propulsive mean force, indicating superior ability to generate force rapidly. Moderate-to-large effect sizes favoring greater relative strength (force and power normalized to body mass) were observed but were not statistically significant. Reactive strength, as reflected by RSImod, is a key differentiator of starting status in elite female volleyball players. Relative strength also appears to contribute to performance but requires further exploration. Training programs should prioritize lower-body power and reactive strength through targeted plyometric and resistance exercises to enhance volleyball performance.

Kinematic Analysis of the Serve Toss and its Impact on Serve Outcome in Competitive and Recreational Tennis Players: A Case Study

Jan Carboch, Denisa Hrychová — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The serve toss is crucial for executing a successful and effective serve in tennis. The aim is to determine the relationship between the toss and the success of the flat serve between the female recreational and competitive tennis players. We observed 2 recreational and 8 competitive female tennis players who served 40 flat serves. They were videotaped on a high-speed camera (200Hz) from a side view. We used kinematic data and observed the toss peak and racket-ball contact. Based on the 2D kinematic analysis, we evaluated the toss peak and the racket-ball contact of the serves: 1) in (good serves) 2) into the net 3) fault-long 4) fault-wide. Recreational players contacted the balls slightly higher and reached slower serve speed compared to competitive players. The competitive players had racket-ball contact about 40 cm closer to the net compared with the recreational players. In addition, the toss variability was bigger for the recreational players. Toss training is very important for players, especially in relation to their own coordination for serving, so it is important to pay a lot of attention to the toss and its practice.