Background/Objectives: Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is an emerging behavioral pattern characterized by an obsessive focus on healthy eating. Despite its prevalence, ON lacks formal diagnostic criteria in major classification systems like the DSM-5 and the ICD-10. This study aims to investigate the impact of socio-cultural attitudes towards body image and the role of social media on the risk of ON among female football players from Poland, Turkey, and India. This study hypothesizes that socio-cultural pressures and media usage significantly influence the risk of developing ON, particularly in cultures more exposed to Western beauty ideals. Methods: The study was conducted from May to August 2024, employing the Computer-Assisted Web Interview method. A total of 142 female football players aged 16–36 from Poland, Turkey, and India participated. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included demographic information and health metrics, the Socio-Cultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire, and the Duesseldorf Orthorexia Scale. Statistical analyses included an ANOVA, the Kruskal–Wallis test, the chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The study found that nearly half of the participants were at risk of or presented with ON, with the highest prevalence being among Indian athletes. Statistically significant relationships were observed between the risk of ON and factors such as age, dietary exclusions, social media usage, and sources of nutritional information. However, no significant correlation was found between socio-cultural attitudes and the risk of ON, suggesting that other factors may play a more critical role. Conclusions: While socio-cultural pressures and media use are contributing factors to the risk of ON, psychological factors and individual behaviors appear to be equally, if not more, significant. This study highlights the importance of targeted educational programs and psychological support for young athletes, with a focus on promoting healthy dietary practices and positive body image perceptions across varying cultural contexts. Additionally, the results suggest the need for further research into the specific psychological and behavioral mechanisms underlying ON.

This study aimed to determine the effects of an 8-week core training on the balance and functional performance of young soccer players. Thirty young soccer players (age: 16.23 ± 0.69 years) were included in the study. Soccer players were randomly divided into two equal groups: a control group and training group. Balance performance was measured with Balance Error Scoring System. Pro Agility Test was used for determining agility. The standing broad jump test used in order to detect explosive power of leg muscles was conducted in accordance with Eurofit Test Battery. Standing broad jump values were gathered for both the dominant and non-dominant legs. Triple-Hop Test was used to specify muscle strength, power and balance properties of subjects. Mann-Whitney U test for comparisons between groups and Wilcoxon test for pretest-posttest comparison were used. It was observed that standing broad jump for the dominant leg of the training group increased after 8-week core training (p0.05) in the control group. After the 8-week core training, standing broad jump performance with double-leg did not show any statistically significant differences for both of the groups (p>0.05). After the training, triple-hop test performance in the training group increased significantly (p0.05). The pretest-posttest performance results of subjects revealed that agility test completion time of experimental group significantly decreased for 1. 10 yard (p<0.05), 2. 10 yard (p<0.05) and totally (p<0.05). A similar decrease was observed in the control group as well (1. 10 yard: Z=-2.201; p<0.05, 2. 10 yard: Z=-1.992; p<0.05) and totally Z=-2.201; p0.05). In conclusion, the results of the research indicate that a soccer-specific 8-week core training program can improve the performance of broad jump and triple jump in non-dominant legs of young soccer players. On the other hand, the results indicate that this may not affect long jump, agility and balance performance in dominant leg.

Background and Study Aim. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8-weeks of wrestling training on unilateral muscle imbalances. Material and Methods. Eight male elite Greco-Roman wrestlers (wrestling group) (age 21.25±2.7 years, height 176.6±6.8 cm, body weight 81.00±9.3 kg) and seven recreationally active male (control group) (age 21.3±3.2 years, height 173.6±4.7 cm, body weight 67.3±5.3 kg) voluntarily participated in the study. Both group participants were students in the Selcuk university in the period of study. Wrestlers were in the off-season before the training period of 10 weeks. Before and after the 8-weeks training period, wrestling and control groups were tested for isokinetic torque measurement. In the training period, the wrestling group carried out only wrestling training without specific strength training. In this period the control group did not involve in any exercise. Results. In the wrestling group, all quadriceps torque parameters significantly increased for both legs but the torque parameters of the hamstring did not change, except the average torque of the left leg. The peak and average torque of the H/Q (Hamstring/quadriceps) significantly decreased after training periods for right leg in the wrestling group. No parameters significantly changed in the control group. Conclusions. Specific hamstring strength exercises can be put in training programs to avoid from a possible knee injury.

The aim of the study compared effects of intermittent and continuous small-sided games (SSGs) on physiological and technical activities in soccer players. Totally 16 male amateur soccer players (Mean age: 22.37±1.69 years, height: 170.89±5.96 cm and body mass: 67.37±7.47 kg) were recruited as participants. Subjects were separated in 4 groups of 4 players according to the Yo-Yo test results and their coaches' comments. Four-a-side SSGs were used in a pitch size of 26 m x 34 m and 2 different small-sided games were used in this study. Intermittent SSG (ISSG) included a series of 3 bouts of 6 min duration with 3 min recovery between sets. Continuous SSG (CSSG) was a bout of 18 min duration with no recovery. Heart rate (HR), the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate concentration (LA) were measured as physical parameters and shoot on target, total pass, accurate pass, inaccurate pass, interception, dribbling, tackle, and possessing the ball were counted by Mathball Match Analyses System. A repeated measures ANOVA method, paired and unpaired tests were used to analyses data. The results of this study suggest that SSGs might cause increases of HR, RPE, and LA and that intermittent and continuous SSGs might not bring about an alteration on HR, RPE and LA.

Introduction: Football requires high physical fitness and often involves maintaining a specific physique, leading to harmful eating behaviors due to internal and external pressures. Cultural norms influence the prevalence and types of eating disorders (ED), with differences in eating habits, beauty standards, and socio-cultural pressures affecting ED development. This study assesses ED risk and analyzes socio-cultural attitudes toward body image among Polish and Turkish female football players.Methods: The study was conducted from April to June 2024 and included 103 professional female football players aged 18–35 from Polish (n = 49) and Turkish (n = 54) clubs. Data were collected using the CAWI method via Google Forms. Participants completed EAT-26 and SATAQ-3 questionnaires, assessing ED risk and socio-cultural attitudes toward body image.Results: 40.8% of participants were at risk for ED. No differences in ED prevalence were found between groups of different nationalities. Polish footballers at risk of ED scored higher on the Internalization-Pressure and Information subscales and the overall SATAQ-3 score. A weak but significant positive correlation was found between SATAQ-3 and EAT-26 scores.Discussion: The study finds no nationality-based differences in ED prevalence among professional female football players, but ED is widespread, affecting about 40% of players. Nutritional status impacts ED risk, with higher risk among underweight and overweight players. Polish players are more influenced by socio-cultural standards of body image promoted by mass media. The study underscores the need for regular screening and psychological support.