The aim of this study is the examination of the effect of virtual reality based imagery (VRBI) training programs on the shot performance and imagery skills of athletes and, and to conduct a comparison with Visual Motor Behavior Rehearsal and Video Modeling (VMBR + VM). In the research, mixed research method and sequential explanatory design were used. In the quantitative dimension of the study the semi-experimental model was used, and in the qualitative dimension the case study design was adopted. The research participants were selected from athletes who were involved in our target sports: curling (n= 14), bowling (n= 13), and archery (n= 7). All participants were randomly assigned to VMBR + VM (n= 11), VRBI (n= 12), and Control (n= 11) groups through the “Research Randomizer” program. The quantitative data of the study was: the weekly shot performance scores of the athletes and the data obtained from the “Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised.” The qualitative data was obtained from the data collected from the semi-structured interview guide, which was developed by researchers and field experts. According to the results obtained from the study, there were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of shot performance and imagery skills. VRBI training athletes showed more improvement in the 4-week period than the athletes in the VMBR + VM group, in terms of both shot performance and imagery skills. In addition, the VRBI group adapted to the imagery training earlier than the VMBR + VM group. As a result, it was seen that they showed faster development in shot performances. From these findings, it can be said that VRBI program is more efficient in terms of shot performance and imagery skills than VMBR + VM, which is the most used imaging training model.

Understanding the psycho-social factors such as communication, empathy, cohesion, etc., that affect successful athletic performance is a high priority and primary focus for applied sports psychology. Detailed examination of the athletes’ psycho-social characteristics is essential in revealing which processes play an active role in achieving optimum performance. Developing these features of the athlete can contribute to coordinating the team, sharing tasks, increasing motivation, preparing team members for a change, and improving performance. For this purpose, the mediating role of communication skills in the relationship between empathy, team cohesion, and competition performance was examined in a sample of 241 curlers competing in 69 teams in the Turkish Curling League in the 2021–2022 season. During the data collection process, Personal Information Form, Empathic Tendency Scale, Scale for Effective Communication in Team Sport, and Group Environment Questionnaire were used. Competition performance was calculated by giving 1 point for each match won by the teams in the competitions in which the single-circuit round-robin system is applied. Structural equation modeling was used in data analysis to determine the direct and indirect predictive effects between variables. The study showed that empathy and team cohesion predict competition performance through communication skills, and communication skills fully mediate this relationship. Based on the research results, it was evaluated that communication skills have a substantial effect on the competitive performance of athletes, and this finding was discussed in the context of the literature.

Amaç: Bu araştımanın amacı, 8 haftalık fiziksel etkinlik programının 8-11 yaş arası çocuklarda motor beceriler üzerindeki etkilerini incelemektir. Yöntem: Araştırmaya 19 çocuk (11 erkek, 8 kız) gönüllü olarak katılmıştır. Katılımcılara, programın öncesinde ve sonrasında vücut ağırlığı, boy uzunluğu, aktif sıçrama yüksekliği, Illinois çeviklik, otur-uzan esneklik, flamingo denge, 5, 10, 20 ve 30m sprint (S5m, S10m, S20m ve S30m) testleri uygulanmıştır. Fiziksel etkinlik programı, temel motor becerilere yönelik egzersizler, düşük yoğunluklu aktiviteler, anaerobik çalışmalar, dinamik ısınma, denge ve koordinasyon egzersizleri, algı ve reaksiyon çalışmaları içermektedir. Bulgular: Program sonrasında boy uzunluğu (p< 0,001, %Δ= 0,49, d= 0,078), vücut kütle indeksi (VKİ, p = 0,006, %Δ = -1,93, d= -0,129), aktif sıçrama yüksekliği (p< 0,001, %Δ= 5,02, d= 0,195), Illinois çeviklik testi (p< 0,001, %Δ= -5,07, d= -0,502), otur-uzan esneklik testi (p< 0,001, %Δ= 5,21, d= 0,227), flamingo denge testi (p< 0,001, %Δ= -18,61, d= -0,461), S5m (p< 0,001, %Δ= -2,05; d= -0,273), S10m (p< 0,001, %Δ= -1,18, d= -0,193), S20m (p= 0,005, %Δ= -0,63, d= -0,083) ve S30m (p= 0,011, %Δ= -0,74, d= -0,104) değerleri ile program öncesi değerler arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklar olduğunu göstermiştir Sonuç: Belirlenen süre boyunca yapılandırılmış fiziksel etkinlik programına katılımın 8-11 yaş arası çocukların sıçrama yüksekliği, çeviklik, esneklik, denge ve sprint becerilerini geliştirmede etkili olduğu bulunmuştur.

The popularity of curling, a target sport played on ice with rocks, has been steadily increasing. The number of World Curling Federation member countries has doubled in the last two decades. Shortly after taking part in the Olympics in 1998, curling became one of the most popular winter sports on TV. The reflections of the interest in the society have found a response in the world of science and an increase has been observed in the number of scientific studies on curling. However, despite the increase in studies, there is currently no comprehensive literature review that provides fundamental information about the sport of curling. The aim of this review is to provide general information about the sport of curling and its rules by filling the gap in the literature examining the scientific studies in this field. In this review the history, organization management, rules, strategy, ice properties, materials used and scientific research on the sport of curling are mentioned. While previous studies, particularly in the field of engineering, have explored aspects such as the structure of ice, sweeping techniques, and the movement of stones on ice, many mysteries still remain to be unrevealed.

Objective: Prolonged water-only fasting has garnered significant interest for its potential health benefits, including enhanced metabolic flexibility and cardiovascular improvements. This case study explores the physiological and metabolic responses of a healthy 36-year-old male during a 10-day water-only fast, followed by a structured 5-day refeeding phase.Methods: Key parameters such as heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory quotient (RQ), resting metabolic rate (RMR), oxygen consumption (VO₂), and sleep quality were monitored throughout the fasting and refeeding periods. Data collection was conducted at the Laboratory of Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine in February 2025.Results: Findings revealed substantial metabolic adaptations, including a decline in RMR from 2040 kcal/day to 1342kcal/day and a reduction in RQ from 0.89 to 0.74 by fasting day 7, indicating a shift from carbohydrate to fat oxidation. Cardiovascular parameters, including blood pressure and heart rate, remained stable, while sleep patterns exhibitednotable variability, with a marked reduction in deep sleep after the third day of fasting. During the refeeding phase, metabolic and physiological parameters progressively returned to baseline levels, underscoring the importance ofdietary reintroduction in restoring homeostasis.Conclusion: This study highlights the dynamic interplay between metabolic rate, substrate utilization, and cardiovascular stability during prolonged fasting and refeeding. While the findings align with existing literature, the resultsemphasize the individuality of fasting responses and the necessity for medical supervision. These insights contributeto the growing body of evidence supporting water-only fasting as a potentially safe and effective intervention for metabolic health, warranting further investigation in diverse populations.Cite this article as: Ulupınar S, Özbay S, Bedi̇r D, et al. Comprehensive analysis of biological and metabolic changes during a 10-day water-only fasting: A case study.Arch Health Sci Res. 2025; 12, 0058, doi: 10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2025.25058.

To develop successful training methods, effective acquisition of motor skills in swimming is essential. Emerging technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, offer innovative ways to enhance learning and performance in this area. This study investigates the influence of video modeling (VM) supported by virtual reality (VR) on the swimming performance of novice swimmers compared to conventional training methods. A total of 55 university students participated in the study, divided into two groups: the VR-supported VM group (VRVM) (n = 28) and the traditional swimming group (TSG) (n = 27). While the VRVM group performed VR-supported VM exercises alongside conventional swimming training, the TSG group received only traditional swimming instruction. Performance indicators assessed in the study included distance per stroke (DpS), crawl kick (CK), swimming duration (SwD), heart rate (HR), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Both groups received 40-minute weekly swimming sessions over 11 weeks, while the VRVM group also completed 30-minute VR training prior to each session. The results showed that VR-supported VM training significantly improved novice swimmers’ DpS, CK, SwD, and RPE. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential benefits of integrating VR-supported VM techniques into swimming training programs, providing a more effective approach to skill acquisition and performance improvement. Trial Registration ID: NCT06868706, Registered Date: 10/03/2025, retrospectively registered.