This study examined the effects of circuit-like functional high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on body composition and motor performance of inmates in an open German prison. The group of inmates (n=11) consisted of predominantly overweight males [average body-mass-index (BMI)=31.2]. They performed 6weeks of training including 3 sessions per week. The 6-week training program was framed by a pre-test and a post-test that assessed anthropometry and motor performance. On average, the inmates participated in 91.9% of all training sessions. The intervention significantly lowered body mass (p=0.007) and BMI (p=0.006). Fat mass and fat-free mass did not change significantly from pre-test to post-test. The times in 20m sprint did not change. The performance in lateral jumping from side-to-side (p=0.024), standing long jump (p=0.001), and 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (p<0.001) improved significantly. The greatest improvements were observed in the number of sit-ups (p<0.001) and push-ups (p<0.001). These findings suggest that (functional) HIIT is a practical and effective training method in the context of a prison.

Zusammenfassung: Die Studie beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, welchen Beitrag der Freizeitsport zur Identitätsbildung junger, männlicher Strafgefangener leistet. Mittels leitfadengestützter Interviews werden die subjektiven Bedeutungen einer Teilhabe an Sportangeboten untersucht, um deren Stellenwert für Identitätsaufbau und -stabilisierung und damit für die Bewältigung des Gefängnisalltages abschätzen zu können. Die Befunde zeigen die große Bedeutung des Sports für die jungen Straftäter, der neben Anerkennungserfahrungen und einem Gefühl von Zugehörigkeit vor allem auch Gelegenheiten bereithält, sich als selbstbestimmt handelndes Subjekt wahrzunehmen. Allerdings zeichnet sich vereinzelt eine Orientierung an problematisch erscheinenden Männlichkeitsvorstellungen ab, was die subjektive Auslegung des Sinns des eigenen Sporttreibens einschränkt und daher auch dem angezielten Resozialisierungsprozess zuwiderlaufen könnte.

Participation in sport can be a way to facilitate offender rehabilitation. Previous research has mainly studied outcomes of sport participation for inmates, largely neglecting the coaches providing such sport programs. This study examines the experiences that coaches describe about coaching sports programs in prison and seeks to identify similarities and differences coaches perceive between coaching sports in prison and coaching sports in other settings. The reflection protocols of five coaches were analyzed using qualitative, thematic content analysis, yielding four themes (plus sub-themes): Expectations (assumptions and approaches, role of own personality and performance); relationship with participants of the sports program (naming of participants, social relationships with participants); similarities with training groups in other settings (motivation of participants, training atmosphere); and differences to other settings (dealing with physical weakness, external disturbance sources, demands on coaches). The findings suggest that specific training is necessary to adequately prepare coaches for providing sports programs in prison.

Introduction: This study examines inmates' perspectives on the effectiveness of sports coaches in prison. According to the integrative definition of effective coaching, coaches require professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal knowledge to enhance athletes' outcomes within a specific context.Methods: Five male inmates of a German prison were interviewed after they participated in sports programs. The data were analyzed using directed content analysis.Results: The inmates recognized professional knowledge in coaches who demonstrated clear training structures and spoke in an educated manner. Interpersonal knowledge was highly valued, with inmates expressing a preference for coaches who showed closeness, truthfulness, and responsiveness, while intrapersonal knowledge was attributed through coaches' adaptability. Inmates identified all four possible outcomes and emphasized that sensitivity, authenticity, energetic demeanor, physical appearance, and athletic skills are crucial qualities for an effective coach in a prison.Discussion: The balance between an authentic and energetic demeanor, including a certain degree of strictness, emerges as a key factor in effective coaching within the prison context.