It is widely accepted that sport plays a critical role in the achievement of sustainable development goals. The sport colleges, faculties, and universities that have undertaken the role to educate students, future trainers, educators, managers, and academic staff naturally have a significant impact on increasing awareness regarding sustainability issues. Therefore, in this study, the awareness, perception, and knowledge of the academic staff working in sport faculties and the factors affecting them are analyzed. For this purpose, a survey including a total of 19 questions is designed to measure the level of awareness regarding sustainable development, and it is answered by 366 faculty members in all 75 sport faculties in Türkiye. The results of the study point out that the vast majority of sport academics at universities have a common, general understanding of sustainability, but insufficient awareness of sustainable development goals and the relationship between sport and sustainable development. Furthermore, recognition and awareness regarding sustainable development seem to be limited at the institutional level. However, the results also imply that a great majority of the respondents are aware of the importance of sustainability and consider it necessary to improve themselves and their courses accordingly. Therefore, including sustainability issues in the curriculum, increasing awareness in all layers of institutions, and implementing sustainability in the entire higher education system with projects, seminars, and on-campus events are recommended.
The aim of this study was to examine the factors affecting the shuttle walking test (SWT) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total of 29 patients with COPD (the COPD group) and a healthy group (HG) of 34 women aged between 55 and 74 years were included in the study. After the pulmonary function profiles of the participants were assessed, and the SWT was performed. Walking distances, walking speeds, and SWT levels (SWT-L) were determined with the SWT. Before and after the SWT, the heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation level (SPO2), and Borg scale (perceived exertion (BSe) and dyspnea (BSd)) results were analyzed with a paired sample t-test. The dyspnea levels during activity of daily living were determined with the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale, and the relationship between MRC dyspnea (MRCD) and walking distance, speed, and SWT-L was tested using multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation analysis. The walking distance, speed, and SWT-L were lower in the COPD group (p < 0.001) than in the HG. The HR values before and after the SWT changed significantly in the COPD group and the HG (p< 0.001), and the effect size was higher in the COPD group. Although the BSe and BSd results before and after the SWT in the COPD group increased significantly (p < 0.001), they did not change in the HG. There was a highly negative correlation between MRCD and walking distance, speed, and SWT-L in the COPD group (p = 0.002, p = 0.000, and p = 0.001, respectively), but no correlation was found in the HG. The results showed that the HR, perceived exertion, and dyspnea levels of women with COPD whose respiratory functions were lower than the HG were significantly affected on the SWT.
This research aimed to examine the biomotoric characteristics of Turkish and German young football players living in Germany. 32 football players participated in the research. Repetitive sprint test, agility test, vertical jump test and Sanding long jump test were applied to the football players. The physical and performance characteristics of the research group were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mann Whitney U test. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the total times of the repeated sprint test and the total times of the repeated sprint test. There was no significant difference between the biomotoric characteristics between the groups, except for repeated 3-4-5 sprints and total times. Turkish football players completed the repetitive sprint test in a shorter time than German football players, but there was no difference in their fatigue index. This result seems meaningful considering that Turkish football players live in Germany, grow up in Germany, have similar environmental conditions, train similarly and play in the same league.
Background and Objectives: Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are frequent and recurrent in athletes who perform high-speed running. The long head of the biceps femoris (BFlh) is often affected by HSIs. While the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is used for prevention, evidence shows it mainly activates the semitendinosus (ST) instead of the biceps femoris (BF). It was argued that hamstrings may contract isometrically during sprinting’s late swing phase; exercises like the single-leg Roman Chair-Hold (RCH) might better mimic sprinting. Limited electromyographic (EMG) data compare NHE and RCH. This study examined EMG activation of BF and ST during both exercises in athletes. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six professional handball players (17 females, 19 males) were randomly assigned to NHE (n = 18; mean age 22.1 ± 3.9 years) or RCH (n = 18; mean age 22.6 ± 4.9 years). A wireless EMG system recorded dominant leg BFlh and ST activity, normalised to maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC%). NHE participants completed one set of ten repetitions; RCH participants performed three sets of ten repetitions with progressive loads (bodyweight, +10 kg, +20 kg). Results: RCH led to a significantly higher mean BFlh activation in the third set with +20 kg weight compared to NHE (72.9% versus 46.5%; p < 0.001, g = 1.52). BFlh activation steadily increased across RCH sets, coinciding with additional load increments (p < 0.001). Conversely, NHE produced greater ST activation than the RCH at the first set, where RCH was performed with only bodyweight (p < 0.001). Conclusions: NHE primarily activates the ST, while RCH gradually increases BFlh activation, particularly under load. Future research should investigate which exercises are more effective at reducing HSIs to draw more robust conclusions based on the study’s findings.