World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

Authors: Dr Mark Troxler Do Mba Facp Facsm President International Anti-doping Agency

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PURPOSE: Only physicians are allowed to sign the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) of the prohibited lists (PL) in national sports organizations. Review of studies have reported the current knowledge of the PL of practicing physicians. These studies have involved different physicians with different degrees of knowledge through out the world. Physicians have different degrees of attitudes about doping and beliefs about prevention. The literature was reviewed to determine the current knowledge of practicing physicians of the PL.METHODS: Several online medical databases were accessed by computer literature search for studies from 1996 to 2022 in order to identify available publications for all studies of measurements of practicing physician knowledge of the PL. The publications were reviewed and included in the analysis if data or discussion was included concerning physician knowledge of the PL during the time of the published studies. Publications that were in English or translatable to English were included in the evaluation of physician knowledge of the PL.RESULTS: One thousand seventy-four practicing physicians in four studies were identified. Five hundred ninety-three physicians participated in the studies. Two studies used telephone interviews and two used a mailed questionnaire. Three studies used randomly selected physicians and one study evaluated all the physicians in the study population. There was a 52.4% response rate to the study with 27.9% admitting to have knowledge about doping. However, 72.8% could list at least one substance on the PL. Only 20.1% were asked by an athlete for a prohibited substance and 27.2% of the physicians thought prevention was effective.CONCLUSION: Physician knowledge of prohibited lists (PL) is limited and doping issues are encountered daily by practicing physicians. The low physician response rate for each study indicates a possible lack of interest, poor understanding, or little contact with athletes requesting substances on the PL. Few physicians thought prevention was effective in the use of substances on the PL. Further research and education is recommended since only physicians are allowed to sign the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) of substances on the PL. Current physician knowledge of PL is limited and doping issues are encountered daily by practicing physicians.

Keywords: prohibited lists, physician, knowledge, anti-doping

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Authors: Guellil Ilyas, Beroual Billel

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This study aims to explore the morphological development of secondary school students compared to young adults and examine how these physical changes relate to their inclination toward sports participation. As individuals progress through adolescence into adulthood, significant physiological and morphological changes occur, which may influence their motivation, preferences, and level of engagement in physical activity. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, this research involves anthropometric measurements—such as height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and body composition—alongside a structured questionnaire designed to assess sports interest and motivation. The sample consists of male and female participants aged 15 to 25, divided into two groups: secondary school students and young adults. The results aim to highlight the impact of morphological development on sports inclination and provide insights that could enhance physical education strategies and promote lifelong physical activity. The findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding of how body structure influences youth engagement in sports and to inform the design of age- and morphology-appropriate physical education programs.

Keywords: morphological development, adolescents, young adults, body composition, sports inclination, physical activity, anthropometric measurements, motivation, secondary school, physical education.

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Authors: Attia Siddique, Muhammad Waheed

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The objective of this study is to examine the variables that affect students' social anxiety in Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan. Social Anxiety is influenced by Physical Exercise, Social Support, Expressive Suppression, and Sports Self-Efficacy. Questionnaires were used as part of this study's quantitative methodology. We have received 378 complete, accurate, and useful surveys. To analyze the data, SPSS (26.0) software was utilized. Multiple regression analysis and Pearson correlation were employed to analyze the data. Physical exercise, social support, expressive suppression, and sports self-efficacy all significantly reduce social anxiety, according to the empirical results. The social support has the highest contribution (sig. = 0.000, t=6.510, β = 0.832). The results of this study revealed that physical exercise had a significant negative direct effect on social anxiety (sig. = 0.000, t=-7.789, β = -0.309). Student’s expressive suppression conduct is highly impacted by their social anxiety (sig. = 0.000, t=9.051, β = 0.415). Sport self-efficacy conduct is negative impacted by their social anxiety (sig. = 0.000, t=-4.368, β = -0.540).

Keywords: social anxiety, physical exercise, social support, expressive suppression, sports self-efficacy

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Authors: Chihabeddine Abdelkrim

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In recent years, football has experienced a digital revolution, where modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics have become key tools for coaches and management teams to improve both the physical and tactical performance of their teams. This research aims to explore how these technologies are used to analyze player performance, enhance tactical strategies, and reduce injuries, ultimately leading to better overall team performance.Through the use of big data analytics, coaches can gain accurate, actionable insights about individual player performance, ranging from speed and endurance to passing accuracy and movement on the field. Furthermore, AI-powered systems offer the ability to recognize patterns and predict future outcomes, such as identifying moments when a player might be at risk of injury or when team performance may drop. This empowers coaches and sports professionals to make more data-driven decisions in managing players and tactics.

Keywords: football analytics, performance optimization, coaching innovation, tactical decision-making

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Authors: Krzysztof Różczka

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This study presents an analytical tool, the content of which has been implemented into the digital sports application 4victory.pl. The aim of this study is to diagnose the physical fitness of youth and effectively support the sports selection process by predicting the possibility of achieving athletic success in up to 14 Olympic sports. The results will be verified through statistical analyses in light of the methodological assumptions. An explication of the literature demonstrates that previous research on the digital representation of the sports selection process exists, but what distinguishes this study is the fact that this process can be achieved thanks to four independent variables. A group of 25 facilities practicing various sports disciplines is analyzed and selected according to the principle of randomization. Determining the appropriate determinants in selected sports disciplines based on scientific theories and statistical analyses, and building an appropriate algorithm, are the conditions that, in this study, confirmed the effectiveness of the analytical tool and its digital counterpart by a whopping 94%.

Keywords: sports selection, prediction, computer software, multivariate analyses, data mining, determinants

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Authors: Billel Beroual, Zoubir Hachi, Tazi Ibrahim

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This study aims to analyze and compare the tactical approaches used in Kumite (sparring) by athletes in the Under-21 (U21) category during the World Karate Championships and the African Karate Championships. The research focuses on identifying key offensive and defensive strategies, evaluating the use of space, timing, and anticipation in competitive performance. A sample of recorded matches from both competitions was analyzed using observational and video analysis methods to extract tactical patterns. Findings reveal that athletes competing at the World Championship level demonstrate a higher degree of tactical diversity, precision in timing, and strategic use of space. In contrast, performances in the African Championship tend to rely more on direct attacks, with less tactical variation and weaker distance control. The study highlights the tactical gap between global and continental levels, emphasizing the need for structured tactical training and the integration of video analysis in African coaching programs. The results provide valuable insights for coaches and athletes seeking to enhance competitive performance in Kumite, particularly in the transition from regional to international levels.

Keywords: karate, kumite, tactical analysis, U21, world championship, African championship, performance, strategy

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Authors: Billel Berouala, Zoubir Hachia, Tazi ibrahima

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This paper explores the tactical development of elite male Karate Do practitioners during Kumite in both national and international championships. The primary aim was to identify the dominant tactical choices and assess their effectiveness across different weight divisions. Data were collected through structured observation of ten national team athletes using systematic notational tracking. Findings indicated that SEN, a proactive attacking tactic, was the most frequently adopted. However, its effectiveness was inconsistent across weight classes. Specifically, SEN yielded favorable outcomes in the -60kg category, whereas Go no Sen (counterattack) and Tai no Sen (simultaneous counter) were more effective in heavier categories, partially confirming the second hypothesis.

Keywords: karate, physiological responses, kumite, kata, heart rate, blood lactate, vo₂ max, combat sports, training load, energy systems

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Authors: Nachi Lieder

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Lineup optimization in basketball is crucial for maximizing team performance. Traditional methods often overlook the effects of player fatigue and the absence of historical data for certain lineups. This study introduces an advanced model inspired by marketing mix models (MMM), incorporating player fatigue to optimize lineups and maximize the plus-minus metric. By examining two distinct lineups: One high-tempo, fast-breaking, and the other slow-paced and durable, we highlight the varying impacts on productivity and fatigue. The fastbreaking lineup may show a higher immediate productivity but suffers from quicker fatigue, while the durable lineup maintains consistent performance over a longer period.

Keywords: basketball, sports analytics, data science, fatigue, optimization, linear modeling, machine learning, statistics

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Authors: Francesca Bosello, Govindasamy Balasekaran, Alex Yan Qingyu, Alicia Marie Goodwill

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Context: Athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) face unique challenges related to exercise-induced fatigue and recovery. Monitoring recovery in this population using wearable technologies in ecologically valid settings is underexplored. This study aims to assess the reliability and accuracy of wearable sensors for monitoring recovery in athletes with SCI, focusing on thermoregulation, energy expenditure, sweating, and mental recovery across different settings. Research Aim: This study aims to assess the reliability and accuracy of wearable sensors for monitoring recovery in athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI), focusing on thermoregulation, energy expenditure, sweating, and mental recovery across different settings. Methods: This study employs a cross-sectional design with eight eligible participants who will complete both anaerobic and aerobic submaximal exercise tests, with acute and chronic recovery monitored through a multi-sensor system. Recovery strategies and perturbations are introduced as test conditions to explore the sensitivity of wearable sensors in detecting physiological changes across recovery domains. The study has received ethical approval (IRB-2024-702) from the NTU Institutional Review Board (Research Integrity and Ethics Office, Singapore), and all participants will provide informed consent. Data collection: Continuous monitoring includes heart rate and variability, sweat biomarkers, respiratory gas exchange, hydration status, body composition, and psychological scales to provide a comprehensive assessment of recovery dynamics. Analysis procedure: Data analysis will evaluate the reliability, and validity, of the wearable sensor system for athletes with spinal cord injury. Concurrent validity will be assessed using correlation analyses and Bland–Altman plots, while test–retest reliability will be examined via intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and linear mixed-effects models. The sensitivity of the system to recovery-related physiological changes will be explored through withinsubject contrasts. Finally, relationships between subjective experiences and objective markers will be analyzed using regression and mixed models to assess alignment across settings. Conclusion: This protocol aims to establish the reliability, and accuracy of sensor set, and methodological framework necessary for future large-scale trials investigating optimized recovery strategies in athletes with SCI. This research contributes to the advancement of monitoring recovery kinetics in athletes with SCI, aiming to enhance sports compliance, personalize workload, prevent injuries, and validate non-invasive tools in real-world scenarios.

Keywords: FB contributed to the design and implementation of the research, GB , AYQ, and AMG

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Authors: Boudjemaa Anes

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This study aims to explore the correlations between biological maturation and physical performance in 13- to 14-year-old male road cyclists. The main objective was to determine whether biological maturity levels influence physical test results and to assess the significance of performance differences between late, normal, and early maturers. A set of anthropometric measurements and physical field tests were carried out, including a 4 km individual time trial, one-leg pedaling, 60 m sprint from a standing start, and 150 m flying sprint. Correlation and variance analyses (ANOVA) were conducted to examine the relationships between test performances and indicators of biological development. The results revealed significant negative correlations between biological maturity status and 4 km performance (r = -0.43; p < 0.05), indicating that less mature cyclists tend to perform less well in endurance tests. Positive correlations were found between the 4 km test and one-leg pedaling (r = 0.68), the 60 m sprint (r = 0.66), and the 150 m sprint (r = 0.85). The one-leg pedaling test also showed strong correlations with both sprint tests, suggesting the importance of coordination and pedaling technique in physical performance. ANOVA indicated significant differences between maturity groups in the 4 km test, height, muscle mass, and bone mass (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in sprint test performances across maturity groups, possibly due to homogeneous sprint training habits among young cyclists. In conclusion, the findings support the hypothesis that biological maturation has a measurable impact on endurance performance and anthropometric variables in young cyclists. This research lays the groundwork for future studies on larger samples and highlights the importance of considering maturation status in talent identification and training planning for youth cycling.

Keywords: biological maturation, physical performance, field tests, correlation, cycling performance, adolescent athletes, anthropometric analysis, cycling

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Authors: De Pedro Múñez, Álvarez Yates, Serrano Gómez, García García

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Purpose: The purpose is to investigate the intraseasonal evolution of vertical jump performance (Squat Jump, SJ; Countermovement Jump, CMJ; and Free Arm Swing CMJ, CMJ Free) in professional male basketball players and explore whether these adaptations are influenced by positional role, playing time, or league context. Methods: Fifty-three elite male basketball players (age: 24.5 ± 3.4 yrs; height: 197 ± 9.5 cm; body mass: 94.9 ± 10.8 kg) from the German Bundesliga (BBL) and Spanish LEB league were evaluated longitudinally across three competitive moments: pre-season, early-season, and mid-season. Standardized jump assessments (SJ, CMJ, CMJ Free) were conducted using a validated contact platform. A mixed repeated-measures ANOVA analyzed the main effects and interaction effects of time, playing position, court time, and league. Results: Significant improvements in jump performance were found from pre-season to mid-season in all three tests (SJ: +5.6%, p = 0.008, η²ₚ = 0.234; CMJ: +5.1%, p = 0.007, η²ₚ = 0.177; CMJ Free: +4.1%, p = 0.01, η²ₚ = 0.142). CMJ Free improvements were observed earlier in the season. No significant interaction effects were detected for playing position, minutes per game, or league affiliation. Conclusions: Vertical jump capacities in professional basketball players exhibit notable improvements throughout the competitive season, regardless of playing role, exposure time, or league level. These findings suggest that neuromuscular performance can be effectively developed during the season without being constrained by contextual variables. Coaches may use vertical jump assessments as a reliable monitoring tool for in-season neuromuscular status.

Keywords: vertical jump, longitudinal monitoring, elite basketball, in-season adaptation, athletic performance, neuromuscular performance

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Authors: Nili Steinberg, Liav Elbaz, Gali Dar

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Background: Engaging in gymnastics involves rigorous physical activities, including the repeated execution of extreme movements that exert high forces on the musculoskeletal system. These extensive and complex movements expose gymnasts to high physical stresses and loads, increasing the risk of lower-extremity injuries. Achilles and patellar tendinopathy are one of the most frequently diagnosed injuries in gymnasts, with a limited chance of recovery. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between clinical diagnoses of tendinopathy, tendon structure, and muscle strength in young elite female gymnasts over a 12-month training period. Methods: A total of 274 competitive female gymnasts (aged M=12.1±1.9yrs at baseline) at the same professional training level were assessed at baseline. Two hundred and seven gymnasts (out of the 274) were assessed at both baseline and followed-up 12 months later for patellar-tendon and Achilles-tendon structure by Ultrasound Tissue Characterization (UTC), as well as for anthropometric measures and muscle strength (hip abductors, hip adductors, knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantar-flexors and ankle dorsiflexors). Additionally, all gymnasts were clinically diagnosed at the two time points by the same professional physical therapist for patellar and Achilles tendinopathy. Results: At baseline, patellar tendinopathy and Achilles tendinopathy were found in 26.6% and 31.4% of the 207 gymnasts, respectively. At the 12-month follow-up, 37.2% and 38.6% remained healthy; 9.7% and 15.5% had recovered; 36.2% and 30.0% had developed tendinopathy; and 16.9% and 15.9% remained with tendinopathy, respectively. Using the Kruskal-Wallis test, the healthy and recovered from tendinopathy groups exhibited decreased prevalence of disorganized patellar tendon and Achilles tendon fibers from baseline to follow-up, whereas increased prevalence was seen in those who sustained or had developed tendinopathy (p<.05). A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA showed patellar-tendinopathy X time interactions for knee-extension, hip-abduction and hip-extension strength; and Achilles-tendinopathy X time interactions for ankle-plantarflexion and ankle-dorsiflexion strength (p<.005), indicated higher muscle strength at follow-up for the recovered and healthy groups compared to the developed and remained groups. Conclusions: Between one-third and one-half of the young elite female gymnasts had tendinopathy, with a limited chance of recovery. At baseline, gymnasts without tendinopathy exhibited higher muscle strength and lower prevalence of disorganized patellar-tendon and Achilles-tendon fibers than gymnasts diagnosed with tendinopathy. Twelve months later, the recovered gymnasts exhibited higher muscle strength and a lower prevalence of disorganized tendon fibers than those who had sustained or developed tendinopathy. These findings should be addressed in training programs for young elite female gymnasts to prevent and manage tendinopathy.

Keywords: gymnasts, tendinopathy, muscle strength, tendon structure

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Authors: Abdullaev M. M., Asilova S. U., Babakulov A. Sh., Tursunov V. X., Mirzayev A. B., Aliyev X. E.

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Osteoarthritis affects up to 50% of patients among all cases of joint pathology. Purpose of the study. The aim is the optimization of modern minimally invasive surgical methods for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the initial stages. Material and methods. We have used 2 modern mini-invasive methods for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint in 108 patients of different ages. There are 71 women and 37 men among them. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) method was used in 64 patients, and the bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) method was used in 44 patients. Methods such as clinical examination and assessment on the KOOS scale, VAS, X-ray method, ultrasound examination, and MRI examination of the knee joint were used to evaluate the results of the study. Results and discussion. The following clinical manifestations were observed in the examined patients: pain in 87%, decreased range of motion in 76%, lameness in 56%, and deformity of the lower limb in 26%. In comparison of the two groups, after evaluation by the above methods, the indicators in the main group using the SVF method were better than those of the BMAC in the control group. However, mesenchymal cells in the BMAC technique are manually isolated after centrifugation, this may reduce the quality of the resulting product. Further research should be carried out using automated methods. Conclusions. Thus, the SVF method can be used for osteoarthritis of the knee joint in the early stages. It is necessary to develop the field of cell therapy to reduce the development of osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Keywords: osteoarthritis, stromal-vascular fraction, bone marrow aspirate concentrate, knee

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Authors: Akbarjon Mirzayev, Abduaziz Babakulov, Vositbek Tursunov, Maxsur Abdullayev, Xolbek Aliyev, Jahongir Sultonov, Nurmukhammed Jumaniyazov, Saodat Asilova

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Introduction. Meniscal root tears, particularly of the posterior horn, compromise the meniscus's ability to distribute the load, leading to increased joint stress and potential progression to osteoarthritis. Timely surgical repair is crucial to restore knee biomechanics and prevent degenerative changes. Recent studies have demonstrated that root repair may be the most effective treatment strategy in reducing joint space narrowing and improving patient-reported outcomes. Objective. This study aims to present our clinical experience and outcomes in performing meniscal root repairs at Akfa Medline University Hospital. Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 13 patients (11 females, 2 males) who underwent meniscal root repair between January 2023 and December 2023. The median age was 54.5 years, and the median body mass index (BMI) was 29.4 kg/m². Among the female patients, 8 were postmenopausal. All patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Postoperative imaging was performed at 6 months and 1 year to assess healing and meniscal integrity. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, recorded preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Results. Postoperative imaging revealed a decrease in tibial plateau edema and synovitis. The mean VAS pain score decreased from 5.6 preoperatively to 2.2 at 3 months, 1.6 at 6 months, and 1.5 at 1 year postoperatively. The mean WOMAC score improved from 54.7 preoperatively to 85.3 at 1 year (p < 0.001). Radiological assessment showed no progression of osteoarthritis in 9 patients. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that meniscal root repair significantly reduces pain and improves joint function over one year. The procedure is effective and joint-preserving, supporting its role in managing meniscal root tears and delaying osteoarthritis progression.

Keywords: arthroscopy, meniscal root tear, repair, WOMAC

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Authors: Billel Beroual, Zoubir Hachi, Tazi ibrahim

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This study examines the tactical maturity of elite senior male Karate Do athletes in Kumite during national and international competitions, analyzing both the predominant tactical styles used and their effectiveness. The research focused on ten national team athletes across different weight categories, using note-card tracking to assess techniques. Results showed that while the SEN tactic (preemptive attack) was the most frequently employed, it demonstrated limited effectiveness. The study confirmed that SEN is the dominant tactical approach at the elite level, aligning with the first hypothesis. However, regarding effectiveness, findings varied by weight class: SEN proved most effective in the -60kg category, whereas Go no Sen (reactive counter) and Tai No Sen (simultaneous counter) were more successful in heavier divisions (-67kg, -75kg, -84kg, and +84kg), partially supporting the second hypothesis.

Keywords: karate do, tactical maturity, national elite athlete, kumite, national and international competitions

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Authors: Billel Beroual, Zoubir Hachi

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This study evaluates the physical performance of Algeria's elite kata and kumite karate athletes (14 males, avg. age 26.2) to identify differences and correlations between technical and athletic abilities. Anthropometric, strength, aerobic (VMA), and anaerobic power tests were conducted. Results show strong maximum strength and anaerobic power but slightly lower aerobic capacity compared to world elites. No major differences were found between kata and kumite athletes, except in deadlift (favoring kumite) and power metrics (favoring kata). Algerian elites demonstrate high technical skill in kata (with moderate athletic performance) and acceptable athletic performance in kumite (with modest technical skill). While physically competitive, other factors beyond physicality influence top-tier performance.

Keywords: karate do, evaluation, physical factors, high level, algeria

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Authors: Firouzeh Dehghan, Mohammad Reza Zolfaghari Nejad

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Background and Purpose: Testosterone, an anabolic steroid promotes the male sexual characteristics and is essential for several key reproductive which may change by different variables such as sleepless or fatigue. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between night flight stress exposure, serum testosterone concentration and swimming exercise in male flight crew after a month of long range flights. Method: Thirty-five healthy male pilots (45.7 ± 5.18 years, 28.1 ± 4.2 BMI), not on hormone therapy, and had average 12 nights with long rang flight during 2 month of project, participated in the study. At the second month exercised for 2 h, 4 times per week in 25–30 °C swimming pool temperature for 12 weeks. Blood sample was collected before, at the end of three months. Serum level of testosterone was determined by ELISA kit. Pilots were also asked to keep a log of how they felt throughout the three months of project when they spent their nights in a flight sleeping for up to 15 hours. Result: testosterone levels were significantly reduced after one month of night sleep deprivation compare to pretest and increased after the third month. The men with the lower levels of testosterone reported a decline in their sense of wellbeing and their mood. Conclusion: night duty is associated with reduced wellbeing and vigor, which may also occur as a negative consequence for young men, including reduced libido and poor reproduction. Regular 12 weeks of swimming sessions could be considered nonpharmacological approaches in managing sex hormone level.

Keywords: night duty, sex hormone, swimming exercise, stress

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Authors: Kashinath Metri

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Background: Competitive anxiety is highly prevalent among archers and significantly impacts their shooting performance by undermining self-confidence and cognitive abilities. Yoga, a discipline of mind-body practices encompassing postures, breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, and meditation, is known for its numerous physical and psychological benefits. However, its effects on competitive anxiety, selective attention, and self-confidence in archers have not been comprehensively documented to date. Methodology: In this randomized controlled trial, 43 archers participated in a structured yoga intervention for eight weeks, while 39 archers in the control group continued their usual routines. Participants in both groups were assessed for competitive anxiety, stress, and self-confidence using validated questionnaires. Attention was evaluated through computer-based tasks using PEBL software, and shooting performance was measured during a simulated archery competition. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after eight weeks. Results: After eight weeks, the yoga group demonstrated a significant reduction in competitive anxiety (p<0.001) and improved archery shooting score (p<0.05) compared to the control group. Additionally, the yoga group showed notable improvements in self-confidence (p<0.01), stress levels (p<0.01), and attention (p<0.05) than the control group. Conclusion: This randomized controlled trial highlights yoga as a potential intervention for reducing competitive anxiety among archers. It also enhances self-confidence, attention, and shooting performance. The study recommends incorporating yoga as a complementary practice in sports training programs.

Keywords: Yoga, archery, precision sports, mind-body interventions

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Authors: Prabhjot Kaur, Navdeep Kaur, Suresh Kumar

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The integration of sports into sustainable development frameworks presents a transformative approach to fostering equity, diversity, and gender inclusivity in both Indian and global contexts. This review explores the intersection of policy, governance, and pedagogical strategies essential for embedding sports into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on promoting social equity, gender balance, and cultural inclusivity. Leveraging international frameworks such as UNESCO’s Quality Physical Education Guidelines and India's National Education Policy 2020, the study critically examines the role of sports as a catalyst for bridging social disparities and empowering marginalized communities. Key governance strategies include aligning policy directives with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), ensuring robust institutional mechanisms for resource allocation and stakeholder collaboration. Pedagogical innovations, such as experiential learning models and inclusive curriculum design, are highlighted as critical tools for fostering equal opportunities in sports participation across diverse socioeconomic and gender groups. The review also underscores the importance of leveraging technology and digital platforms to promote accessible, equitable, and scalable sports initiatives. This paper contributes a comprehensive framework that integrates evidence-based policies, inclusive governance models, and innovative pedagogical approaches to position sports as a transformative tool for sustainable development. The findings hold significant implications for policymakers, educators, and international organizations seeking to bridge gaps in gender, equity, and diversity while advancing global and national development agendas.

Keywords: gender inclusivity, equity in sports, india, policy

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Authors: Zoe E. Dawson, Sophie E. Carter, Alexander J. Beaumont

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Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide due to pain, swelling, stiffness, reduced physical function and quality of life, and significantly impacts psychological wellbeing. Those with OA have poor adherence to exercise and physical activity (PA) guidelines as well as engaging in high levels of sedentary behavior (SB). More than eight hours a day of SB has independent health risk, negatively affecting cardiovascular health and all cause-mortality. Furthermore, high rates of people with OA patients comorbidities, with hypertension presenting as the most common condition. Osteoarthritis has shared pathophysiological pathways and risk factors with cardiovascular disease, which suggests an association between the two diseases. The aims of this study were to compare device-based and self-report measures of physical activity as well as the differences between PA, SB, and cardiovascular health markers in individuals with lower limb osteoarthritis and healthy age-matched control. Methodology: 37 over 45-year-olds participated in the observational study. The osteoarthritis group (n=17) was clinically diagnosed with osteoarthritis in their hips or knees by a health care professional; rheumatoid arthritis was excluded. The control group (n=20) were aged matched, and all participants were free from cardiovascular disease. Participants attended one lab-based session where heart rate, blood pressure, carotid intima thickness, and endothelial function were assessed. Participants were then required to wear two research grade activity monitors for 7 consecutive days and complete two self-report questionnaires at the end of the monitoring period. Findings: Results showed an average of 284±157 and 314±179 moderate-to-vigorous PA minutes/week for the OA group and control group respectively using accelerometer data. Additionally, the OA group was sedentary for a total of 9.1±1.6 hours/day compared to 8.6±1.4 hours a day for the control group. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between groups for PA, SB, and cardiovascular health markers. Only self-reported walking minutes were significantly different between groups (P<0.05), with the control group reporting more walking minutes on average. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between self-reported and device-based measures of total SB, sitting time, and weekly vigorous PA minutes, but no difference between weekly moderate PA minutes (P>0.05). The same trends were seen when sub analysis was completed on the OA group, suggesting biases in self-reported PA and SB are commonplace across populations. Furthermore, this supports the use of device-based methods for assessing objective PA and SB within future studies for more accurate and reliable data. Conclusion: Data from this study suggests that there are similar levels of PA and SB between groups. The lack of difference between cardiovascular markers within this study could be explained by the high levels of engagement in MVPA seen within this studies OA sample. This study highlights the need to develop interventions that focuses on reducing SB as opposed to increasing PA as this population exceed PA guidelines yet engage in more than 8 hours a day of SB which has known, independent health risks.

Keywords: cardiovascular health, osteoarthritis, physical activity, sedentary behavior

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Authors: Asadbek Dadaboev, Dikhanbay Abduvaliev

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Background: Meniscus injuries are among the most common knee injuries in free fighters due to repeated twisting, pivoting, and impact during combat. Partial meniscal tears can lead to pain, swelling, and functional limitations, often affecting an athlete’s performance. While traditional treatment options include physical therapy, NSAIDs, and surgery, these methods may not always provide optimal recovery or allow early return to sport. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy has gained attention as a biological treatment that promotes healing and tissue regeneration. However, its effectiveness in managing partial meniscal tears without knee-blocking symptoms remains an area of active investigation. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of PRP therapy in treating partial meniscal tears without knee-blocking symptoms in free fighters. The research assesses pain reduction, functional improvement, and return-to-sport rates, comparing PRP with standard conservative treatments. Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted, including free fighters diagnosed with partial-thickness meniscus tears confirmed by MRI, without knee locking symptoms. Participants were divided into two groups: The PRP group: Received three intra-articular PRP injections, prepared using a double-spin centrifugation method and administered at two-week intervals under ultrasound guidance. Control group: Underwent standard conservative treatment, including physical therapy, NSAIDs, and structured rehabilitation exercises. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months post-treatment, using: The visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Tegner Activity Scale for return-to-sport assessment. Results: Among the 52 participants (mean age 27.4 ± 3.8 years), PRP therapy led to significant pain reduction and improved functional outcomes compared to conservative management. At 12 weeks, the PRP group showed a 52% reduction in VAS pain scores, compared to 29% in the control group. IKDC scores improved by 31.2% in the PRP group, while the control group showed an improvement of 14.5%. Return to sport was achieved on average 6.1 ± 1.4 weeks in the PRP group, compared to 9.3 ± 2.2 weeks in the control group. No significant adverse effects were reported, and all participants completed the follow-up period. Conclusion: PRP therapy appears to be an effective non-surgical treatment option for partial meniscus tears without knee-blocking symptoms in free fighters. The study findings suggest faster recovery, reduced pain, and quicker return to sport compared to standard conservative treatment. However, further randomized controlled trials are required to establish standardized PRP protocols and validate long-term benefits in elite athletes.

Keywords: platelet-rich plasma (PRP), partial meniscus tear, knee injury, free fighters, regenerative medicine, sports injury rehabilitation

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Authors: Carlotta Rosso, Paolo Riccardo Brustio, Jordi Manuello, Alberto Rainoldi

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This review aims to highlight the effects of physical exercise in changing the brain either functionally or structurally. Moreover, the most relevant exercise training modalities which may improve/change neural networks in healthy populations (19-80 years) were discussed. Based on concurrent literature, we hypothesize a different impact of exercise type, intensity and duration can be considered a mediator of brain health by positively affecting both structural and functional dimensions of the brain. Specifically, three different types of exercise were considered: i) Cardiovascular, ii) Strength and iii) Mixed Exercise. For each of them two levels of intensity (Light-to-Moderate and Vigorous) and two durations (Short-term and Long-term Effects) were included. Analyzing 25 interventions, indications about the effects onto the brain considering the three factors were provided. Such effects were measured by either functional or structural magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI/SMRI), and electromyography (EMG) in conjunction with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Findings suggest that the type of exercises, intensities and durations could lead neural modification over the time. Specifically, exercise intervention contributes to both brain’s structural and functional changes in key neural networks, including the Default Mode Network, Salience Network, Central Executive Network, Visuospatial Network, Sensorimotor Network, Language and Auditory Network. In conclusion, evidences herein presented underscore the beneficial effects of exercise on the structural and functional integrity of the brain, highlighting its importance as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve cognition. Our literature analysis does not suggest a specific type of physical exercise, but it was aimed to underline that the practice of physical activity in general, as any routine that leads to physical well-being, has an observable and measurable impact on brain networks.

Keywords: neuroplasticity, physical activity, aging; neurotrophic factor, FMRI/SMRI, TMS, brain networks

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Authors: Wan X. Yao, John Q. Zhang, Alberto Cordova, Guang H. Yue

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Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of motor imagery training (MIT) in enhancing maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force among healthy older adults and inducing neural adaptations measured by electromyography (EMG) amplitudes of both agonist and antagonist muscles, as well as the co-contraction index (CCI). Methods: Conducted with a single MIT group using a within-subject design, the study involved twelve right-handed elderly participants, with nine completing the 8-week training (5 sessions/week and 30 minutes/session). Elbow flexion MVC force and MVC EMG for biceps brachii (agonist) and triceps brachii (antagonist) were recorded pre- and post-training. Results: Significant improvements in muscle strength were observed following the 8-week MIT, with a notable 22% increase (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant 27.5% increase in EMG amplitude for the agonist muscle (P < 0.05), with no notable change in EMG amplitude for the antagonist muscle. Notably, this study is the first to demonstrate a significant decrease in CCI (-24.3%, P < 0.05) following MIT. Conclusion: These findings provide further evidence of MIT's efficacy in enhancing voluntary muscle strength through neural adaptations, particularly beneficial and safer for older individuals encountering challenges with conventional strength training methods.

Keywords: motor imagery, mental practice, muscle strength, muscle force, aging

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Authors: boudjema Lydia

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One of the wrong and common habits among many sports lovers is to go to the gym and immediately start doing strenuous exercises, such as lifting heavy weights or running very fast. Although these things may increase the feeling of enthusiasm, they are wrong habits that carry with them many risks. Warming up is the body's preparation for hard work. Just as a car needs a warm-up period before starting, the body's muscles and joints also need a preparation period before doing strenuous exercise. During this warm-up period, the body's temperature rises and blood circulation increases, which increases muscle flexibility and reduces the risk of muscle strain or joint sprain.

Keywords: sports, feeling, warm-up, exercises

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Authors: Kishan Bharadwaj Shridhar

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Cricket is a data-rich sport, generating vast amounts of information, much of which is captured as textual commentary. Leading cricket data providers, such as ESPN Cricinfo include valuable Decision Review System (DRS) statistics within these commentaries, often as footnotes. Despite the significance of this data, accessing and analyzing it efficiently remains a challenge. This paper presents the development of a sophisticated chatbot designed to answer queries specifically about DRS in cricket. It supports up to seven distinct query types, including individual player statistics, umpire performance, player vs umpire dynamics, comparisons between batter and bowler, a player’s record at specific venues and more. Additionally, it enables stateful conversations, allowing a user to seamlessly build upon previous queries for a fluid and interactive experience. Leveraging advanced text-to-SQL methodologies and open-source frameworks such as Langgraph, it ensures low latency and robust performance. A distinct prompt engineering module enables the system to accurately interpret query intent, dynamically transitioning to an assisted text-to-SQL approach or a rule-based engine, as needed. This solution is the one of its kind in cricket analytics, offering unparalleled insights in cricket through an intuitive interface. It can be extended to other facets of cricket data and beyond, to other sports that generate textual data.

Keywords: conversational AI, cricket data analytics, text to SQL, large language models, stateful conversations.

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Authors: Jacob Lindh, Kahin Kevin Lee, Yeuqing Li

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This study explores the kinematic differences in elite golfers’ lead wrist motion during partial swings of varying heights. By measuring wrist mechanics in relation to ball flight control, the research aims to enhance understanding of how golfers adapt to different shot height demands. Golfers encounter diverse shot scenarios during tournament and practice play, requiring precision, control, and adaptability. This is particularly relevant for 'wedge' shots within 100 meters of the target. Furthermore, being able to control the ball's flight height on these shots provides players with an advantage, as golf course conditions are known to swiftly change with weather and seasonal conditions. Golfers often employ partial swings to improve their precision to short-distance targets. While previous research has established the biomechanical relationship between full and partial swings, there have been limited efforts in investigating the kinematic modifications that occur when golfers perform partial shots of different heights. This study measures the kinematic differences in elite golfers’ lead wrist motion when they perform swings intending to result in shots travelling 60% of the flight distance of their full swing shots with the same club. Participants will begin with five full shots using a high-lofted club, followed by three low, three medium, and three high partial shots aimed at 60% of their average full-swing flight distance. Their lead wrist kinematics will be recorded using two different motion track systems (Xsens MTW Awinda & Deniz). The validity of their shots will be controlled using a launch monitor’s (Trackman) carry distance and ball flight height data points. Data analysis (ANOVA) will be performed on the collected data to find the most significant variations. The study anticipates notable differences in wrist kinematics between high and low partial shots, particularly in lead wrist angular velocity and displacement. These insights can guide customized coaching and training practices tailored to golfers' individual needs and playing conditions. In addition, equipment manufacturers can use the findings to gain a deeper understanding of how their products are used and identify opportunities for improvement.

Keywords: golf, wrist kinematics, biomechanics, shot height

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Authors: Mohsen Ghanbarzadeh

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Context: The study examines the impact of continuous and high-intensity interval training on spirometry indices in young non-athletic men, focusing on respiratory inflammation post-exercise. Research Aim: To investigate the effect of intense aerobic interval exercise on pulmonary indices in non-athletes, specifically exploring respiratory inflammation. Methodology: Semi-experimental design with random subject selection and spirometer measurements pre and post intense aerobic exercise. Findings: Spirometry indices decreased post-acute aerobic exercise, indicating potential temporary inflammation in the respiratory tract, likely due to tracheal inflammation causing air flow restriction. Theoretical Importance: The study sheds light on the temporary impact of intense aerobic exercise on respiratory function, highlighting the relationship between exercise intensity and pulmonary indices. Data Collection: Spirometry indices (VC, FVC, FEV1) were measured before and after exercise in 30 young male participants. Analysis Procedures: Statistical analysis showed a non-significant decrease in spirometry indices post-exercise, with p-values indicating no significant differences. Questions Addressed: The study addressed whether intense aerobic exercise leads to respiratory inflammation and the subsequent impact on pulmonary indices in non-athletes. Conclusion: Intense aerobic exercise can lead to temporary respiratory inflammation, reflected in decreased spirometry indices, which normalize after rest. The study adds insights into the effects of intense aerobic exercise on pulmonary function in non-athletes. To enhance the methodology, considering a larger sample size and longer follow-up period could provide more robust findings.

Keywords: HIIT, spirometric, training, non-athletic

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Authors: Ka Hin Kevin Lee, Jacob Lindh, Yue Qing LI

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The biomechanics of golf swing performance are increasingly being investigated to better understand the relationship between gender and equipment choices. Gender-based variations in swing mechanics, particularly wrist kinematics, are thought to have a substantial influence on performance. While current studies show gender differences in wrist motions and the impact of club selection, there is little study on amateur collegiate golfers. This demography provides a unique perspective, spanning professional and leisure activity and providing significant biomechanical aspects. This study looks into gender differences in wrist kinematics during golf swings, specifically angular velocities (yaw, pitch, and roll) and the impact of club choice. Ten undergraduate golfers (five male and five female) took part in the study, each doing five swings with a 7-iron and a driver. Participants used their own clubs to guarantee familiarity and minimize variation. Xsens MTw Awinda wireless motion sensors were mounted on their forearms and wrists, gathering high-resolution motion data at 100 Hz. A thorough calibration procedure was used to synchronise sensor data with individual stances. The trial replicated real-world playing settings, with players told to take full-power swings. Data were processed and analysed in MATLAB, with angular velocity profiles extracted for each swing.

Keywords: biomechanics, sports, performance, gender, wrist, kinematics

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Authors: Thomas Q. Pan, Anika Basu, Chamith S. Rajapakse

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Machine learning requires data that is categorized into features that models train on. This topic is important to the field of sports medicine due to the many tools it provides to physicians such as diagnosis support and risk assessment. Physician note that healthcare professionals take are usually unclean and not suitable for model training. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate an advanced approach for extracting key features from sports medicine data without the need for extensive model training or data labeling. An LLM (Large Language Model) was given a narrative (Physician’s Notes) and prompted to extract four features (details about the patient). The narrative was found in a datasheet that contained six columns: Case Number, Validation Age, Validation Gender, Validation Diagnosis, Validation Body Part, and Narrative. The validation columns represent the accurate responses that the LLM attempts to output. With the given narrative, the LLM would output its response and extract the age, gender, diagnosis, and injured body part with each category taking up one line. The output would then be cleaned, matched, and added to new columns containing the extracted responses. Five ways of checking the accuracy were used: unclear count, substring comparison, LLM comparison, LLM re-check, and hand-evaluation. The unclear count essentially represented the extractions the LLM missed. This can be also understood as the recall score ([total - false negatives] over total). The rest of these correspond to the precision score ([total - false positives] over total). Substring comparison evaluated the validation (X) and extracted (Y) columns’ likeness by checking if X’s results were a substring of Y's findings and vice versa. LLM comparison directly asked an LLM if the X and Y’s results were similar. LLM Re-check prompted the LLM to see if the extracted results can be found in the narrative. Lastly, A selection of 1,000 random narratives was also selected and hand-evaluated to give an estimate of how well the LLM-based feature extraction model performed. With a selection of 10,000 narratives, the LLM-based approach had a recall score of roughly 98%. However, the precision scores of the substring comparison and LLM comparison models were around 72% and 76% respectively. The reason for these low figures is due to the minute differences between answers. For example, the ‘chest’ is a part of the ‘upper trunk’ however, these models cannot detect that. On the other hand, the LLM re-check and subset of hand-tested narratives showed a precision score of 96% and 95%. If this subset is used to extrapolate the possible outcome of the whole 10,000 narratives, the LLM-based approach would be strong in both precision and recall. These results indicated that an LLM-based feature extraction model could be a useful way for medical data in sports to be collected and analyzed by machine learning models. Wide use of this method could potentially increase the availability of data thus improving machine learning algorithms and supporting doctors with more enhanced tools.

Keywords: AI, LLM, ML, sports

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Authors: Álvaro de Pedro Múñez, Óscar García García, Tania Álvarez Yates, Virginia Serrano Gómez

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This study aimed to analyze professional basketball player´s neuromuscular behaviour. The main goal was to describe the neuromuscular performance of elite male basketball players and to analyze the validity and reliability of different tests. The tests used were Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Free), and 5m, 10m, and 20m sprint tests. All these tests were carried out during the preseason. 100 professional basketball players participated in this study; we used 2 classification variables: performance level (Leb Gold, BBL, and BCL), as well as position (Bigs and Guards). The application of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, in conjunction with the Lilliefors test, showed that the sample distribution was normal, linear, and homoscedastic. The relative reliability analysis was carried out by calculating the Intraclass Correlation Index (ICC). We found all variables to have a high validity and reliability. The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for raw data and after log-transformed and used as an absolute reliability indicator. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) for the various tests are the following. For the Countermovement Jump (CMJ), the right leg showed an ICC of 0.94 (CV: 7.8%), and the left leg had an ICC of 0.84 (CV: 11.2%). For the sprint tests, the 5m sprint demonstrated excellent reliability with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.81 and a coefficient of variation (CV) of 3.2%. The 10m sprint exhibited an ICC of 0.91 and a CV of 1.0%, while the 20m sprint achieved the highest reliability with an ICC of 0.92 and a CV of 0.8%. Regarding jump performance, the Squat Jump (SJ) displayed an ICC of 0.96 with a CV of 2.8%, and the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) showed a slightly lower but still strong reliability with an ICC of 0.93 and a CV of 6.7%. Lastly, the "CMJ free" test exhibited an ICC of 0.97 (CV: 5.2%). The tests demonstrated high reliability, with ICC values ranging from 0.81 to 0.97. The 5m, 10m, and 20m sprints, as well as the CMJ and SJ tests, showed strong consistency, particularly the 10m and 20m sprints (ICC 0.91-0.92). Coefficients of variation were low, indicating precise and stable measurements suitable for performance assessment.

Keywords: neuromuscular performance, basketball players, validity and reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient, vertical jump, sprint tests

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