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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (7 April 2023) | Viewed by 18692

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Prof. Dr. Gaetano Raiola

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Department of Human, Philosophical and Education Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
Interests: physical literacy; training and testing; cognitive performance; team sports; motor competence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical and sports education is a subject aimed at transforming students' potential and available resources to help them act and progress efficiently and effectively in society. In secondary schools, mainly during the first cycle of observations, adolescents aged 10 to 13 years improve and integrate movements and gestures acquired in primary school while adapting them to the new organic and muscle strength requirements. Physical and sport education enables students to master their motor behaviours. Concerning this topic, it is possible to carry out research on:

The impact of physical and sport education on academic achievement and cognitive performance among undergraduate sports students.
The effects of collaborating technology with physical and sport education among athletes: an outlook of teaching methods.
Policy changes in physical and sport education in primary and secondary schools: challenges and implications.
Investigating the role of physical education curriculum in the effectiveness of physical fitness teaching in schools.
Effects of aerobic capacity, muscular endurance and body mass index on the learning abilities of young students.
Role of inclusive teaching in physical education and health of children in preschool and primary school.
Physical fitness and self-perception in adolescents: a public health perspective.
Gap analysis between physical and sport education reforms and student achievement: towards the development of a teaching and educational model.
Prison education: Evaluating the quality of sporting facilities.
Crossing the boundaries of physical and sport education with interactive methods for enhancing communication skills among 4^th- and 5th-grade students.

Health promotion can be understood in different ways in relation to physical activity, and this Special Issue aims to explore this relation in-depth. The objective of this Special Issue is to better understand how the physical performance can act (through interventions, events, initiatives, policies) as a health-promoting setting. The Special Issue focuses on research such as:

Health promotion through physical and sport activity (for health, for development, for social change, using physical and sport activity as a tool for health promoting outcomes or sustainable development goals);
Health promotion in physical and sport (health promotion initiatives/interventions/events performed, i.e., using sports as an arena for health promotion programs);
Health promotion in relation to emerging concepts within the field such as physical literacy, health genesis, social capital or other perspectives that could broaden our understanding of health promotion throughout physical and sport activity.

Prof. Dr. Gaetano Raiola
Guest Editor

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Keywords

experimental medicine
human movement sciences
physical activity and sports
health promotion
physical and sport education

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1542 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Locomotor–Respiratory Entrainment upon Phonated Compared to Spontaneous Breathing during Submaximal Exercise

by Maja Marija Potočnik, Ian Edwards and Nejka Potočnik

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2838; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042838 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1625

Abstract

Recently, increased attention to breathing techniques during exercise has addressed the need for more in-depth study of the ergogenic effects of breathing manipulation. The physiological effects of phonation, as a potential breathing tool, have not yet been studied. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the respiratory, metabolic and hemodynamic responses of phonated exhalation and its impact on locomotor–respiratory entrainment in young healthy adults during moderate exercise. Twenty-six young, healthy participants were subjected to peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements and a moderate steady cycling protocol based on three different breathing patterns (BrP): spontaneous breathing (BrP1), phonated breathing pronouncing “h” (BrP2) and phonated breathing pronouncing “ss” (BrP3). The heart rate, arterial blood pressure, oxygen consumption, CO₂ production, respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (VT), respiratory exchange ratio and ventilatory equivalents for both important respiratory gasses (eqO₂ and eqCO₂) were measured (Cosmed, Italy) simultaneously during a short period of moderate stationary cycling at a predefined cadence. To evaluate the psychological outcomes, the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded after each cycling protocol. The locomotor–respiratory frequency coupling was calculated at each BrP, and dominant coupling was determined. Phonation gradually decreased the PEF (388 ± 54 L/min at BrP2 and 234 ± 54 L/min at BrP3 compared to 455 ± 42 L/min upon spontaneous breathing) and affected the RR (18.8 ± 5.0 min⁻¹ at BrP2 compared to 22.6 ± 5.5 min⁻¹ at BrP1 and 21.3 ± 7.2 min⁻¹ at BrP3), VT (2.33 ± 0.53 L at BrP2 compared to 1.86 ± 0.46 L at BrP1 and 2.00 ± 0.45 L at BrP3), dominant locomotor–respiratory coupling (1:4 at BrP2 compared to 1:3 at BrP1 and BrP2) and RPE (10.27 ± 2.00 at BrP1 compared to 11.95 ± 1.79 at BrP1 and 11.95 ± 1.01 at BrP3) but not any other respiratory, metabolic or hemodynamic measures of the healthy adults during moderate cycling. The ventilatory efficiency was shown to improve upon dominant locomotor–respiratory coupling, regardless of BrP (eqO₂ = 21.8 ± 2.2 and eqCO₂ = 24.0 ± 1.9), compared to the other entrainment coupling regimes (25.3 ± 1.9, 27.3 ± 1.7) and no entrainment (24.8 ± 1.5, 26.5 ± 1.3), respectively. No interaction between phonated breathing and entrainment was observed during moderate cycling. We showed, for the first time, that phonation can be used as a simple tool to manipulate expiratory flow. Furthermore, our results indicated that in young healthy adults, entrainment, rather than expiratory resistance, preferentially affected ergogenic enhancement upon moderate stationary cycling. It can only be speculated that phonation would be a good strategy to increase exercise tolerance among COPD patients or to boost the respiratory efficiency of healthy people at higher exercise loads. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Sport Education, Physical Activity and Health Promotion)

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11 pages, 1374 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of an Anti-Doping Education Program in Spanish Sports Sciences Students

by Carlos García-Martí, Jonathan Ospina-Betancurt, Eva Asensio-Castañeda and José L. Chamorro

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16324; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316324 - 6 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2566

Abstract

Doping continues to be one of the biggest risks to the credibility of elite sports, and its practice remains widespread among athletes despite improved controls. Athletes’ support personnel could be key to preventing doping behavior. In this sense, anti-doping education for this population appears as a possible strategy to reduce doping behaviors in elite sport, but these programs must be evaluated and designed based on scientific evidence. The aim of this research is to explore the impact of an anti-doping education program about substances perceived efficacy, ill-health short- and long-term effects, and the morality of doping substance use in Spanish sports sciences students. Method: A total of 145 students of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (PASS) from different Spanish universities who took an online anti-doping educational course of the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission (CELAD) answered a questionnaire on their perceptions about doping before, after, and four months later. Results: The results show that the course reduced students’ ignorance about the effects of substances on performance and health and increased their moral judgment and feelings against doping. Discussion: The results are in line with previous research that showed that the moral stance against doping can be improved through educational programs. Conclusion: Online educational interventions can be effective in reducing doping behavior, so their future implementation among ASP can be an effective strategy to reduce doping behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Sport Education, Physical Activity and Health Promotion)

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10 pages, 326 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Exploratory Study in Non-Professional Football on the Perception of Stakeholders about the New Working Professional Profile of Sports Kinesiologist

by Gaetano Raiola, Tiziana D’Isanto, Francesca D’Elia and Gaetano Altavilla

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15839; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315839 - 28 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1140

Abstract

In Italy, recent amendments to Legislative Decree n. 36 of 28 February 2021, on sports work, may have made the application of the reform by stakeholders unclear, with the risk of generating further confusion among them. One of the most critical points concerns the possible equivalencies to the professional profile of the kinesiologist, which would be illegitimately recognized even for a different level of education, contrary to the requirements of the European qualification framework. The aim of the study was to understand the perceptions of stakeholders in the world of non-professional football regarding recent legislative provisions. A survey, divided into two sections, was administered to 112 presidents and 112 trainers of non-professional football associations of the province of Salerno. The first section presents five items common for both presidents and trainers, which seek to probe stakeholders’ perceptions of the enjoyment, appropriateness, usefulness, and scientificity of kinesiologists. The second section presents five differentiated items. Validity and reliability were calculated. A chi-square analysis (χ²) was performed to test the independence within and between-subjects (trainers and presidents) on their perceptions about the new working professional profile of sports kinesiologist. From the results, it was possible to appreciate a discordance of opinion among stakeholders. Although the majority of presidents and trainers are in favour of introducing such a professional profile (p < 0.05), contradictions emerge concerning the contribution the new professional profile can make in practice (p > 0.05). The perceptual contradictions found among stakeholders’ responses demonstrate how the complexity of recent regulatory provisions regarding possible equivalencies to the title of kinesiologist have inevitably generated further confusion among stakeholders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Sport Education, Physical Activity and Health Promotion)

9 pages, 332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heuristic Learning as a Method for Improving Students’ Teamwork Skills in Physical Education

by Tiziana D’Isanto, Sara Aliberti, Gaetano Altavilla, Giovanni Esposito and Francesca D’Elia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12596; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912596 - 2 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2711

Abstract

Transversal skills are the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities that are currently needed to meet the demands of the working world and everyday life. Schools have the task of equipping students with these skills, working not only on disciplinary goals but also on operational–behavioral goals. In 2018, the European Union adopted new recommendations on eight key competencies for lifelong learning and asked schools to implement new methods to develop these recommendations. To be successful, it is necessary to stimulate students’ development of these competences, which are also called soft skills, from the earliest years of the school experience. Physical education (PE) is called upon to make its contribution. In Italy, the two teaching methods used during PE classes are prescriptive teaching and heuristic learning. It is not clear which of the two methods is the most effective in improving soft skills, especially the skills involved in teamwork. The objective of this article was to compare the effects of these two teaching methods on students’ teamwork skills during PE classes in primary schools. After verifying the normality of the data, a Student’s t-test for dependent samples was performed to assess pre-test and post-test differences in each of two groups, while a Student’s t-test for independent samples was performed to compare the two groups after 3 months. Heuristic learning proved to be the most effective method for improving teamwork skills. The results may make an important contribution to future teacher training on the most effective teaching methods for developing students’ soft skills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Sport Education, Physical Activity and Health Promotion)

10 pages, 604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Teaching Methods on Motor Efficiency, Perceptions and Awareness in Children

by Gaetano Raiola, Tiziana D’Isanto, Felice Di Domenico and Francesca D’Elia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10287; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610287 - 18 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1792

Abstract

Currently, physical inactivity and sedentariness in children are becoming increasingly common, resulting in children’s poor ability to perform basic motor patterns. It is important to find strategies that instructors can adopt to improve awareness of the importance of physical activity for health and wellness, as well as motor efficiency. Two teaching methods can be used: prescriptive teaching and heuristic learning. The aim of this study was to compare these two methods to determine which is the most suitable for developing motor efficiency. An additional aim was to verify the children’s level of enjoyment and self-efficacy through questions on perceptions and, subsequently, on awareness of the activity performed distinctly from perception. The sample consisted of 28 children randomly divided into two groups: HEUR-L, performing activities using heuristic learning, a basic method in ecological approach; and PRES-T, using prescriptive teaching, a basic cognitive method. A motor-efficiency test (TEM) and a survey were administered. A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to test differences in motor efficiency. A Chi-square (χ²) test was used to compare differences between groups in terms of perceptions in enjoyment and self-efficacy and, on a second test, awareness of the activity performed. The results were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Both teaching methods improved motor efficiency, although HEUR-L did so to a greater extent. Differences in perception were found in terms of enjoyment and self-efficacy (p < 0.05), whereas there was no difference in terms of awareness (p > 0.05). Although both methodologies led to improvements in motor-pattern development, heuristic learning was found to be the most effective method to improve motor efficiency, relationships and self-efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Sport Education, Physical Activity and Health Promotion)

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21 pages, 2629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Training History, Cardiac Autonomic Recovery from Submaximal Exercise and Associated Performance in Recreational Runners

by Matic Špenko, Ivana Potočnik, Ian Edwards and Nejka Potočnik

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 9797; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169797 - 9 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2154

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of prolonged exertion on cardiac parasympathetic (cPS) reorganization and associated aerobic performance in response to repeated short-lasting submaximal exercise bouts (SSE) performed for 7 days following prolonged exertion. In 19 recreational runners, heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) indices (lnRMSSD, lnHF, and lnLF/HF) were monitored pre- and post-submaximal graded cycling performed on consecutive days following a half-marathon (HM) and compared with the baseline, pre-HM values. Additionally, HR recovery (HRR), aerobic performance, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined. HR, HRV indices, and HRR were tested for correlation with exercise performance. A significant time effect was found in HR, HRR, and HRV indices as well as in aerobic performance and RPE during the study period. Most of the measured parameters differed from their baseline values only on the same day following HM. However, HRR and HR measured in recovery after SSE were additionally affected one day following the half-marathon yet in opposite directions to those recorded on the same day as the HM. Thus, postSSE HR and HRR exhibited a bivariate time response (postSSE HR: 102 ± 14 bpm; p < 0.001; 82 ± 11 bpm; p = 0.007 vs. 88 ± 11 bpm; HRR in 30 s after SSE cessation: 14.9 ± 4.9 bpm; p < 0.001; 30.1 ± 13.3 bpm; p = 0.006 vs. 24.4 ± 10.8 bpm), potentially indicating a cPS dysfunction phase on the same day and cPS rebound phase one day following HM reflected also in consecutive changes in aerobic power. Correlations were found between the changes in measured cardiac indices with respect to baseline and the changes in aerobic performance indices throughout the study period. The effect of exercise history on cPS reorganization is more pronounced in response to SSE than at rest. Accordingly, we conclude that SSE performed repeatedly on a daily basis following prolonged exertion offers a noninvasive tool to evaluate the impact of training history on cPS recovery and associated aerobic power output in recreational athletes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Sport Education, Physical Activity and Health Promotion)

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19 pages, 867 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Gender and the Specificity of Sports Activities on the Performance of Body Balance for Students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports

by George Danut Mocanu, Gabriel Murariu, Ilie Onu and Georgian Badicu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7672; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137672 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3145

Abstract

A sense of balance is required in sports activities, conditioning the quality of movements and physical performance. (1) The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of gender and the specificity of sports activities on body balance. The investigated participants are 157 students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports/Bachelor’s degree: 109 men (age = 20.49 ± 2.03, body mass index, BMI = 22.96 ± 3.20), and 48 women (age = 20.21 ± 1.51, BMI = 21.05 ± 2.78). (2) Design: Cross-sectional study, with the definition of the variables gender and sport activity with three stages (non-athletes/NA, team sports games/TSG, and individual sports/IS). The evaluation was based on four dynamic balance tests (Bass test/points, Functional reach test/cm, Fukuda test/degrees of rotation, and Walk and turn field sobriety test/errors) and three static balance tests (Flamingo test/falls, Stork test, and One-leg standing test with eyes closed/s). (3) Results: The variance analysis (multivariate and univariate tests) indicates the superiority of women in most tests applied, but with significantly better values (p < 0.05) only for the Flamingo test and Bass test. Men have superior results only for vestibular stability (Fukuda test) and One-leg standing test, but it is statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The TSG group has slightly better values than the IS group for the whole set of tests conducted, but these are not statistically significant (p > 0.05), so we cannot highlight the certain superiority of TSG practitioners over those involved in IS. Both the TSG and the IS group outperformed all tests compared to the NA group, with significant differences (p < 0.05), especially for the TSG. Conclusion: Women have better values than men on most tests, and performance sports students have higher average scores than those in the NA group, which demonstrates the beneficial influence of specific training on static and dynamic postural stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Sport Education, Physical Activity and Health Promotion)

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13 pages, 354 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Redevelopment and Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Last 7-Day Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire (SIT-Q-7d-Chi) in Hong Kong Older Adults

by Ka Man Leung and Ming Yu Claudia Wong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 5958; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105958 - 13 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2281

Abstract

(1) Background: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Last 7-Day Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire (SIT-Q-7d-Chi) in Hong Kong older adults; (2) Methods: Study 1 assessed the questionnaire’s test–retest reliability, and Study 2 examined its validity. Place the question addressed in a broad context and highlight the purpose of the study; (3) Results: In Study 1, 84 older adults (aged 60–90) completed the SIT-Q-7d-Chi twice over a 2-week interval, and in Study 2, 38 older adults (i) completed the SIT-Q-7d-Chi and the Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire for Older Adults (SBQOA) and (ii) wore a waist-mounted accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. In Study 1, the SIT-Q-7d-Chi’s test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.91–0.99) was satisfactory, and adequate internal consistency was found for most domains of the SIT-Q-7d-Chi (Cronbach’s alpha value being 0.7 or above). Study 2′s results showed that the SIT-Q-7d-Chi results were significantly correlated with the SBQOA results, but not with the accelerometer results; (4) Conclusions: This study revealed the prevalence of sedentary behavior among Hong Kong’s senior citizens, which can be used as a reference to plan or evaluate a future sedentary behavior intervention for older persons, including identifying the content and intensity of activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Sport Education, Physical Activity and Health Promotion)

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