The growing competitiveness of modern sport means that children, from very early ages, are increasingly submitted to intensive training programmes. These programmes are problematic for young athletes not only because their developing bodies are particularly susceptible to different kinds of injuries, but because athletes are also particularly vulnerable to experiences of different kinds of abuses. Using data collected through semi-structured interviews this study examines the various kinds of abuse that former Portuguese female gymnasts underwent during their sporting careers. Interviewees were asked to reflect on their past experiences and discuss aspects of the gymnastics subculture. Weight control, training/competing with injuries and corporal punishment emerged as key themes. The study therefore shows that the physical and psychological abuse of young athletes occurs even beyond the confines of elite professional sport, and thus that a broader spectrum of athletes learn to consider these forms of exploitation and abuse as normal.

Age-related decreases in muscle function lead to disabilities and are associated with negative health outcomes in older people. Although several physical tests can be used to assess physical performance, muscle strength, and power, their interpretation can be hampered by the ceiling effect of some of them. The aim of this study was to assess whether vertical jump tests are safe in terms of physical integrity and whether they are useful in assessing physical performance in forty-one robust older women. The investigation entailed an assessment of anthropometric characteristics, physical functioning tests (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), sit-to-up 5 times and sit-to-up 30 s, gait speed, time-up-to-go test (TUGT)), and tests evaluating muscle strength and power (handgrip, lower limb isokinetic tests, and vertical jumping tests). Significant negative correlations were found between vertical jumping tests and BMI, body fat percentage, sit-to-up 5 times and TUGT. In addition, significant positive correlations were observed between vertical jumping tests and SPPB, gait speed, handgrip, and concentric isokinetic tests of knee muscles. No adverse events in volunteers’ physical integrity were reported during and after the performance of all physical tests. Thus, the study results showed that vertical jumping tests are safe and accurate for assessing physical performance and are useful for monitoring age-related loss of muscle performance in robust older women.

This paper provides sociological reflections on the professionalization of sport coaching and the attempts of sport coaches to attain such a status. It explicates existing sociological analyses of the professions, highlighting and critiquing the so-called “trait” approach which currently dominates discussions of the professionalization of sport coaching. It subsequently suggests that the “power approach” to professions, as epitomized by the work of Johnson, Larson and Abbott, provides a more realistic depiction of professionalization, alerting us to the conflictual and exclusionary aspects endemic in such a process. Finally the paper explores some twenty-first century trends towards the declining influence and social power of professional groups, and the specific characteristics and social standing of sport coaching which will serve to constrain sport coaches from achieving the goal of professional status. This analysis leads us to question whether professionalization should be viewed as an inherently “positive” development, and whether professionalization is a realistic goal for an occupational group such as sport coaching.

The purpose of the present research was to develop and provide initial validation of the Fitness Coaching Behavior Scale (FCBS-Fit) designed for assessing perceived the quality of instructor’s behaviors in fitness group classes through the theoretical adaptation to the Coaching Model (Côté et al., 1995), originally derived from sports. In total, 618 participants of fitness group classes accepted to participate in this investigation. The purpose of the research was achieved in three phases: (1) development of the item pool and content validation of the preliminary version of the FCBS-Fit (27 items); preliminary examination of the factorial structure through exploratory factor analysis (n1 = 185) that revealed a scale with 20 items distributed by 4 factors: Technical and Positive Rapport, Exercise Planning and Prescription, Negative Rapport, and Goal Setting; (2) confirmatory factor analysis to the 4-factor model indicated adequate fit model fit, reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. In addition, a multi-group CFA indicated measurement invariance of the factorial structure across samples (n2 = 210); (3) structural equation model examined criterion validity through analysis of the relationships between the 4-factors of EPCI-Fit and enjoyment in exercise (n3 = 223). Psychometric evidence suggests that the FCBS could be used as a reliable and valid measure to assess Portuguese participant`s perceptions of the quality of instructor’s behaviors in fitness group classes.Resumen. El propósito del presente estudio fue desarrollar y validar preliminarmente la Escala de Percepción del Comportamiento del Instructor de Fitness (EPCI-Fit) cuyo objetivo es evaluar la calidad de los comportamientos de los instructores de fitness en clases de grupo, a través de la adaptación teórica al Coaching Model (Côté et al., 1995), original del entrenamiento deportivo. En total, participaran 618 practicantes de fitness en clases de grupo de diversas áreas del litoral de Portugal continental. El propósito del estudio fue alcanzado en tres fases: (1) desarrollo del banco de ítems y validación inicial del contenido de la versión inicial de EPCI-Fit (27 ítems); la evaluación preliminar de la estructura factorial a través de análisis factorial exploratorio (n1 = 185) que resultó en una escala con 20 ítems distribuidos por 4 factores - Feedback técnico positivo, Feedback negativo, Formulación de objetivos, y Planificación y prescripción del ejercicio; (2) estimación del ajuste del modelo de 4-factores a través de análisis factorial confirmatorio, y análisis a la fiabilidad compuesta, y validez convergente y discriminante (n2 = 210); evaluación de la invariancia métrica del modelo de 4-factores en dos muestras independientes (n1 = 185; n2 = 210); y (3) estimación de la validez de criterio a través del análisis a las relaciones entre los 4-factores de la EPCI-Fit y el disfrute en la práctica de ejercicio (n3 = 223). En general, los resultados provenientes de las diferentes fases de análisis psicométrico a EPCI-Fit soportan la validez y la fiabilidad de los datos, indicando que esta escala podrá ser utilizada en el futuro para evaluar las percepciones de la calidad del comportamiento del instructor de fitness en clases de grupo. Resumo. O propósito do presente estudo foi desenvolver e validar preliminarmente a Escala de Perceção do Comportamento do Instrutor de Fitness (EPCI-Fit) cujo objetivo é avaliar a qualidade dos comportamentos dos instrutores de fitness em aulas de grupo, através da adaptação teórica ao Coaching Model (Côté et al., 1995), original do treino desportivo. No total, participaram 618 praticantes de fitness em aulas de grupo de várias zonas de Portugal continental. O propósito do estudo foi alcançado em três fases: (1) desenvolvimento da pool de itens e validação inicial do conteúdo da versão inicial da EPCI-Fit (27 itens); avaliação preliminar da estrutura fatorial através de análise fatorial exploratória (n1 = 185) que resultou numa escala com 20 itens distribuídos por 4 fatores – Feedback técnico positivo, Feedback negativo, Formulação de objetivos, e Planificação e prescrição do exercício; (2) estimação do ajustamento do modelo de 4-fatores através de analise fatorial confirmatória, e análise à fiabilidade compósita, e validade convergente e discriminante (n2 = 210); avaliação da invariância métrica do modelo de 4-fatores em duas amostras independentes (n1 = 185; n2 = 210); e (3) examinação da validade de critério através da análise às relações entre os 4-fatores da EPCI-Fit e o divertimento na prática de exercício (n3 = 223). No geral, os resultados oriundos das diferentes fases de análise psicométrica à EPCI-Fit suportam a validade e a fiabilidade dos dados, indicando que esta escala poderá ser utilizada futuramente para avaliar as perceções da qualidade do comportamento do instrutor de fitness em aulas de grupo.

Background: Because the consequences of the lifestyle changes in older adults associated with the social isolation imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not fully understood, here, we investigated the effects of one year of social isolation imposed by COVID-19 on the metabolic parameters and functional physical capacity of older women who regularly practiced physical exercises before the pandemic. Methods: Systemic lipid and protein profiles, estimated creatinine clearance (ECC), and functional physical capacity (FPC) were assessed before (January-February 2020) and 12 months after social isolation in 30 older women (mean age 73.77 ± 6.22) who were engaged in a combined-exercise training program for at least 3 years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In this group, we observed increased plasma levels of triglycerides and creatinine, an increase in the time necessary to perform gait speed and time-up-and-go tests, and reduced muscle strength assessed by the handgrip test and ECC post-COVID-19 pandemic relative to values recorded pre-pandemic. In addition, we observed significant correlations (both negative and positive) between anthropometric, some metabolic parameters, and physical tests. Conclusion: One year of interruption of physical exercise practice imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered some systemic metabolic parameters and worsened ECC and FPC in older women.

Ergogenic supplements are becoming increasingly popular in the diet of trained individuals, due to their potential benefits. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the supplements that has recently grown in popularity. Despite growing interest, its scientific background remains limited and sometimes inconsistent. Objective: This overview of systematic reviews aimed to evaluate the effects of Ashwagandha supplementation on sports performance and health-related outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out on the following electronic databases: PUBMed, Scopus, Academic Search Complete, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using the search terms “ashwagandha” and “systematic review” in the title or abstract of the publication in July 2024. The eligibility of the articles was assessed using the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, and Study Design) approach, and risk of bias was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 checklist. Results: Of the 2388 systematic reviews found, 11 met the inclusion criteria, which included 151 original studies representing 9005 individuals. Findings suggest that Ashwagandha supplementation may improve various aspects of sports performance, such as endurance and muscular strength, as well as health-related outcomes, including anxiety reduction, improved sleep quality, and enhanced sexual function. The most commonly used doses of Ashwagandha supplementation are between 500 mg and 1000 mg a day. Conclusion: While current evidence indicates promising effects of Ashwagandha on physical and psychological parameters, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed. Therefore, its use in athletes or healthy individuals should be considered with caution and based on individual needs.