Frontiers in Sports and Active Living最新文献

{"title":"Platform power, athlete branding, generative AI, and the future of sport governance-a systematic review.","authors":"Hans Westerbeek, Thomas van Schaik","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1642180","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1642180","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This systematic review examines how elite athletes are leveraging digital platforms, generative artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain to build autonomous brands, bypass traditional sport gatekeepers, and develop athlete-owned business models. Drawing on 47 peer-reviewed studies (2016-2025), we synthesise evidence across five domains: athlete branding and self-production, disintermediation, platform-enabled empowerment, AI-driven content innovation, and emerging commercial structures. The findings reveal a decisive shift in sport's power balance, with athletes acting as media producers, cultural influencers, and entrepreneurial actors. Digital platforms enable direct-to-fan engagement, while AI tools lower content production costs whilst personalising interactions and extend global reach. Blockchain facilitates decentralised monetisation and data sovereignty, supporting ventures such as athlete-owned leagues and non-fungible tokens. However, these developments embed new dependencies on platform algorithms and volatile digital markets. From a platform capitalism perspective, athlete autonomy is constrained by corporate-controlled infrastructures; from a value co-creation lens, fan relationships become participatory spaces for shared cultural and commercial value creation. The review highlights governance challenges, including ethical implications of synthetic media, data ownership, and the regulation of AI-enabled branding ecosystems. We argue that sport governance must evolve from a control-oriented model to one that positions athletes as co-creators of value and strategic partners in decision-making. Future research should address equity in digital visibility and sustainable athlete-led business ecosystems. Governance mechanisms that reconcile technological opportunity with autonomy protection should be explored as well. Athletes are no longer peripheral actors in sport's commercial order, they are emerging as its architects, with significant implications for the future of sport governance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1642180"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12477720/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: Schools as an arena for health-promoting physical activity.","authors":"Svein Barene, Domenico Martone, Ole Petter Hjelle, Malte Nejst Larsen","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1697382","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1697382","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1697382"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12477265/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing NFL win prediction: from Pythagorean formulas to machine learning algorithms.","authors":"Caroline Weirich, Jun Woo Kim, Youngmin Yoon, Seunghoon Jeong","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1638446","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1638446","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluates the predictive performance of traditional and machine learning-based models in forecasting NFL team winning percentages over a 21-season dataset (2003-2023). Specifically, we compare the Pythagorean expectation formula-commonly used in sports analytics-with Random Forest regression and a feedforward Neural Network model. Using key performance indicators such as points scored, points allowed, turnovers, rushing and passing efficiency, and penalties, the machine learning models demonstrate superior predictive accuracy. The Neural Network model achieved the highest performance (MAE = 0.052, RMSE = 0.064, <i>R</i> ² = 0.891), followed by the Random Forest model, both of which significantly outperformed the Pythagorean method. Feature importance analysis using SHAP values identifies points scored and points allowed as the most influential predictors, supplemented by margin of victory, turnovers, and offensive efficiency metrics. These findings underscore the limitations of fixed-formula models and highlight the flexibility and robustness of data-driven approaches. The study offers practical implications for analysts, coaches, and sports management professionals seeking to optimize strategic decisions and competitive performance. Ultimately, the integration of advanced machine learning models provides a powerful tool for enhancing decision-making processes across the NFL landscape.</p>","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1638446"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12463883/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancement of post-activation performance enhancement by blood flow restriction following specific on-ice exercise program in ice hockey players.","authors":"Tomasz Gabrys, Radoslaw Chruscinski, Urszula Szmatlan-Gabrys, Michal Garnys, Marta Bichowska-Paweska, Ladislav Cepicka","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1659724","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1659724","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Due to the requirements for research on motor skills in elite hockey players, an attempt was made to assess the skills following the application of PAPE and BFR-enhanced PAPE to enhance lower limb power.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An on-ice exercise program was used to determine PAPE factors that included three sets of 3 repetitions of specific on-ice effort, 15 s of work, 15 s of rest, separated by 90 s of free skating. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the PAPE program was measured at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, and 15th minutes after its application. The flight time during the CMJ and SJ jump was recorded with the OptoJump system, and the jump height (JH) and peak power (PP) were determined. The study involved 20 professional male hockey players aged 17 ± 1 years with 11 ± 2 years of training experience.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No differences between JH and PP values in CMJ and SJ before and after PAPE and PAPE with BFR intervention were statistically significant. The BFR application during specific effort showed a statistically significant <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001 increase in work time.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Significant individual differences in the magnitude of the PAPE and BFR effect between the subjects were also found. The individualization of exercise stimuli should consider the individual athlete's profile in terms of susceptibility to the PAPE and BFR program, considering the amount of fatigue it may cause.</p>","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1659724"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12464350/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"IQ variability and cognitive life skills: insights from Spanish students in vocational physical activity and sports training.","authors":"María Madrid-Rísquez, Virginia Alcaraz-Rodríguez, Pilar Gómez-Rey, Antonio Muñoz-Llerena","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1554023","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1554023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The increasing social and labor demand for technical professionals underscores the importance of vocational education in preparing students for the workforce. In the context of vocational education, Positive Youth Development can play a crucial role in enhancing students' cognitive and emotional life skills, which are essential for their overall development and future success.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The objective of this study was to analyze the development of four cognitive areas (verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed) alongside the Full Scale Intellectual Quotient (FSIQ) in the Intermediate Vocational Training Program in Outdoor Activity Guidance in Córdoba, Spain, and its relationship with cognitive areas using the WAIS-IV test. The sample included 176 students aged 16 -29, who were administered questionnaires under controlled conditions to ensure clarity and accuracy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results revealed that students generally scored below the population mean in overall IQ, with significant variability. Perceptual reasoning and working memory were average for most students, while verbal comprehension scores were predominantly low, and processing speed scores were very low. A moderate correlation was observed between FSIQ and verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning, while processing speed showed a weak correlation.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings highlight the challenges faced by vocational students, particularly in areas critical for learning. The study concludes that while intelligence levels in this group are diverse, many students fall below average, emphasizing the need for tailored educational support. Future research should explore targeted interventions to enhance cognitive performance and success in vocational education pathways.</p>","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1554023"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12464058/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of validity evidence for the Coach Precompetitive Communication Questionnaire-Preference for measurement of collegiate athlete preferences of coach speech content and delivery.","authors":"Corinne T Zimmerman, Nicholas D Myers, Robin S Vealey","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1615784","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1615784","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Previous measures of athlete perception of pregame speech have centered around a two-dimensional structure of speech content (i.e., tactical and emotional), although psychometric evidence is limited. The Coach Precompetitive Communication Questionnaire - Preference (CPCQ-P) was developed to extend the two-dimensional model of pregame speech content by (a) including speech delivery and (b) allowing a general pregame speech factor. The purpose of this study was to investigate initial validity evidence for responses to the CPCQ-P under an exploratory bifactor approach at the athlete level.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were athletes (<i>N</i> = 264) at level-1 nested within NCAA varsity level teams (<i>G</i> = 36) at level-2. Participant survey responses were analyzed using an exploratory bifactor analysis with a general factor (i.e., pregame speech) and three grouping factors (i.e., tactical content, emotional content, delivery).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A four-factor model with three grouping factors and a general factor exhibited approximate to close fit to the data. Review of factor loadings provided initial evidence of validity for the internal structure of responses to the CPCQ-P.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This study expands the existing psychometric understanding of pregame speech within the collegiate sport context.</p>","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1615784"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12463970/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of athletic profiles and the relative age effect on the future achievement levels of young basketball players.","authors":"Yannis Irid, Jean-Claude Pineau, Quentin De Larochelambert, Jean-François Toussaint, Adrien Sedeaud","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1616800","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1616800","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Talent identification in youth sports is a multifactorial process, with athletic profiling and the Relative Age Effect (RAE) playing critical roles. However, few studies have investigated their combined influence on long-term success in youth basketball. This study explores how athletic profiles and RAE influence future success in young male basketball players. A total of 131 players (age: 14.5 ± 0.7 years; height: 180.6 ± 9.7 cm) were assessed on speed, agility, vertical jump, and endurance. RAE was evaluated via birth quarter distribution. A principal component analysis followed by hierarchical clustering revealed four distinct performance profiles: Hybrid (<i>n</i> = 45), Elevated (<i>n</i> = 34), Resilient (<i>n</i> = 35), and Explosive (<i>n</i> = 19). These clusters were cross-referenced with players' future levels of competition: Amateur (<i>n</i> = 105), Developmental (<i>n</i> = 19), and Elite (<i>n</i> = 9). Both athletic profiles and RAE showed statistically noteworthy associations with future achievement (<i>p</i> < 0.10). Notably, players in the Resilient cluster-characterized by lower physical test scores and later birthdates-were more likely to reach the Elite level. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for individual developmental trajectories and relative age in talent identification. They support a more holistic, long-term approach to player evaluation, challenging the assumption that early physical superiority reliably predicts future elite status.</p>","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1616800"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12463884/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"Everybody wants to coach it, but fewer know how to do it\": a qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives on mental skill development in youth sports.","authors":"Philippe O Müller, Ulrike Schwarzer, Dave Collins, Renato Frey, Jörg Spörri","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1633943","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1633943","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>In recent years, the role of psychological training in youth sports has received increasing attention in both research and practice. The development of mental skills is important for sporting excellence, as it improves performance and helps athletes grow in their personality. This study aimed to explore the views of a wide range of stakeholders in youth sports on current practices, challenges, and opportunities related to mental skill development programs. With its comprehensive, multi-perspective approach, it provides novel insights into how such programs are perceived and implemented across different roles in youth sports.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifteen semi-structured qualitative interviews with coaches and sport psychologists from multiple countries were conducted. The data were transcribed verbatim and the primary inductive process was based on constant comparative analysis employing the principles of Grounded Theory. In addition, a subsequent deductive process involved qualitative content analysis. Finally, the inductively and deductively derived outcomes were compared and the key conclusions of the study were formed via abductive reasoning.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The interviewees highlighted the importance of organizational structure, personal interactions and standardized processes for the successful implementation of mental skills development programs. They considered clearly defined roles and responsibilities to be crucial to the systematic development of mental skills in athletes. The most common barriers identified were limited financial and human resources. In addition, the implementation process was described as often hampered by a lack of knowledge among decision makers about the benefits of systematically developing mental skills. Improved interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., between teachers, coaches, parents and sports psychologists) was reported to be key to optimizing resource allocation and facilitating the development of mental skills.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results suggest that systematically integrating mental skills development into youth sports requires institutional support, stakeholder engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure its application, implementation, and sustainability. Accordingly, mental skills development programs should be embedded in organizational strategies and policies. This clarifies responsibilities and allows for the development of appropriate measures. A key aspect of such integration is providing knowledge about successful, healthy mental skill development pathways and appropriate intervention measures to all stakeholders.</p>","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1633943"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12463978/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neuromechanical adaptations to EMG-guided SSC training in elite badminton players: a predictive multivariate approach.","authors":"Magdalena Prończuk, Dariusz Skalski, Kinga Łosińska, Adam Maszczyk, Artur Gołaś","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1634656","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1634656","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) is essential for explosive lower-limb actions in court-based sports like badminton. Traditional jump assessments may miss subtle neuromechanical changes. Recent developments in real-time electromyography (EMG) and multivariate analysis-such as synergy-based models-enable more precise, individualized diagnostics in sport-specific contexts.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study examined the neuromechanical effects of a 4-week EMG-guided SSC training program in elite badminton players and developed predictive models to identify early training responders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-four national-level athletes were randomized into an experimental group (EG, <i>n</i> = 12), receiving EMG-guided feedback, and a control group (CG, <i>n</i> = 12), performing similar tasks with sham feedback. Key outcome measures included reactive strength index (RSI), impulse metrics, and EMG latency, recorded pre- and post-intervention. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) were used to assess adaptations. Random Forest and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) models predicted post-intervention responder status.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The EG demonstrated significant improvements in EMG latency (-12.2 to -16.5 ms, <i>p</i> < 0.05), RSI (+13.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.014), and impulse dynamics. PCA identified five components explaining 78.3% of the total variance, with EG athletes clustering around neuromuscular timing dimensions. LDA showed moderate group separation (AUC = 0.72). ML models performed well in classification (AUC = 0.92; <i>F</i>1 = 0.89), though small sample size raises concerns of overfitting.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EMG-guided SSC training promotes meaningful neuromechanical adaptation in elite players. Machine learning and dimensionality reduction may help detect early performance shifts, though findings require validation in larger, more diverse cohorts.</p>","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1634656"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12460308/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The influence of partial sleep restriction on repeated sprint ability and reaction time in university athletes.","authors":"Benjamin R Wannell, Felix M J Brunner, Zoe Lovibond, Bert O Bond","doi":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1519987","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fspor.2025.1519987","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Few studies have assessed the influence of acute sleep restriction on repeated sprint ability and reaction time, which are important characteristics of many sports. Additionally, no within-measures study has compared the acute effect of interrupting sleep to an equivalent quantity of sleep lost by going to bed late. This study examined the influence of sleep restriction, achieved by going to sleep late, or by interrupting sleep, on repeated sprint ability and reaction time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixteen university team sport players completed 3 conditions in a counterbalanced order; (1) normal sleep (\"Control\"), (2) 50% sleep loss achieved by going to be late (\"Late\"), and (3) 50% sleep loss achieved by waking in the middle of their scheduled sleep (\"Interrupt\"). The following morning, participants completed ten, 8 s all-out cycle sprints, each separated by 52 s recovery. Reaction time to a Go/No-Go test was measured during each recovery interval.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Peak and minimum power output for each repeated sprint interval was always lower in the Late [mean difference (MD) -17 W, <i>P</i> = 0.014, and MD -14 W, <i>P</i> = 0.022] and Interrupt conditions (MD -25 W, <i>P</i> < 0.001 and MD -24 W, <i>P</i> < 0.001), compared to Control. Additionally, average power output was lower across all sprint attempts in Interrupt (MD -14 W, <i>P</i> = 0.007), but not Late (MD -7 W, <i>P</i> = 0.170) compared to Control. Reaction time was never different between conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>One night of 50% sleep loss can acutely impair repeated sprint ability. Interrupting sleep might be more deleterious than an equivalent amount of sleep lost through late sleep onset.</p>","PeriodicalId":12716,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Sports and Active Living","volume":"7 ","pages":"1519987"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12460392/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}