BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Association between the risk of relative energy deficiency in sport and cholesterol levels in Finnish endurance athletes.","authors":"Julia I K Silvennoinen, Pyry N Sipilä, Maarit Valtonen, Katja Mjøsund, Ville Kinnula, Leon Hirvelä, Laura Mierlahti, Johanna K Ihalainen","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002644","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002644","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) is a condition caused by chronic and/or severe low energy availability. Endurance athletes are at risk of REDs, which are characterised by negative effects on health and performance. Disturbed cholesterol metabolism is a suggested indicator of REDs and could affect the future cardiovascular health of athletes. We investigated the association between the REDs risk and cholesterol levels in endurance athletes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Finnish endurance athletes (n=87; female 44, male 43) were recruited as part of the Athletic Performance and Nutrition study. The participants were examined at the beginning (T1) and end (T2) of the training season. The REDs risk was assessed using the REDs Clinical Assessment Tool version 2.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At T1, 37 (77%) female and 31 (72%) male athletes were at medium-to-high REDs risk. The REDs risk was not associated with cholesterol levels in a cross-sectional analysis, and no overall change in the REDs risk or the cholesterol levels was observed between T1 and T2. In female athletes, an increase in REDs risk status from low to medium-to-high between T1 and T2 was associated with a decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (beta adjusted for age -0.62, 95% CI -0.94 to -0.30) and total cholesterol (beta adjusted for age -0.85, -1.42 to -0.28)).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>REDs risk was not associated with cholesterol levels at T1 or T2. However, in female athletes, an increase in the REDs risk across time points was associated with a decrease in LDL and total cholesterol levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002644"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12406806/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001601","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":"Training load and injury surveillance in Leinster SChoolboy RUgby players: the SCRUm cohort study.","authors":"Sarah J Murphy, Louise Keating, Ronan Conroy, Jennifer Murphy, Chloe Leddy, David Clancy, Cliff Beirne, John F Quinlan, Chris Bleakley, Helen P French","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002535","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002535","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To describe training loads and injury incidences, and explore their relationship in senior schoolboy rugby players in Leinster, Ireland.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Prospective cohort study conducted during the 2019-2020 season. Methods aligned with consensus statements for rugby injury surveillance research. Injuries were coded using the Orchard Sports Injury Classification System (OSICS) version 10.1 and recorded using the World Rugby Injury Surveillance System. Training load measures (session type, duration and rate of perceived exertion) were recorded by the players using The Sports Office smartphone application.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 463 participants (mean age 17, (SD=0.9 years)) in 16 schools provided data over 20 weeks. Injury incidence per 1000 player hours was 19.9 (95% CI: 15.2 to 25.6) match injuries and 0.7 (95% CI: 0.4 to 1.0) training injuries. Median injury severity was 22 days (95% CI: 17 to 28) lost for match injuries and 14 days (95% CI: 5 to 41) lost for training injuries. Frequent injury sites included shoulder (n=23, 27%), head (n=22, 26%), wrist/hand (n=9, 11%), ankle (n=8, 10%) and knee (n=5, 6%). Tackle accounted for 49% of injuries. Players' recording of individual training load showed 11.5% compliance. Exposure was calculated as 31 141 training hours and 3063 match hours. Training sessions included conditioning weights (31%), rugby skills: non-contact (28%) and semicontact (24%), with variation in proportion of sessions across schools.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Match activity and tackle events accounted for most injuries. Training exposure and type varied widely across schools. Low compliance in recorded individual training load limited analysis of association with injury risk, highlighting the challenge in identifying injury risk factors in an adolescent cohort.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002535"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12410643/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145015214","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":"International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) consensus statement on training and testing in competitive alpine and freestyle skiers and snowboarders.","authors":"Jörg Spörri, Oriol Bonell Monsonís, Peter Balsiger, Roald Bahr, Caitlin Dios, Lars Engebretsen, Jonathan T Finnoff, Sarah Gillespie, Hubert Hörterer, Gerald Mitterbauer, Kati Pasanen, Christian Raschner, Claudia L Reardon, Johannes Scherr, Wolfgang Schobersberger, Maarit Valtonen, Tina Weirather, Vincent Gouttebarge, Caroline Bolling, Evert Verhagen","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002623","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002623","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To enhance performance, increase resilience and prevent injuries, training and testing (T&T) are the most important strategies for preparing athletes for the demands of their sport. However, for competitive snow sports such as alpine skiing, freestyle skiing and snowboarding, there is little evidence and a lack of international harmonisation of current best practices. This consensus statement, commissioned by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), aims to provide recommendations for the physical and psychological T&T of competitive alpine and freestyle skiers and snowboarders within National Ski and Snowboard Associations. A diverse international consensus panel was selected to represent the subject matter regarding gender, nationality, expertise/background, level of competition and skiing and snowboarding discipline. Researchers, officials, physicians, physiotherapists, coaches and former athletes with extensive experience in the field were among the experts. However, the panel had a limited gender balance (seven women and 13 men) and was over-represented by European members (65%) and North American members (20%), whereas there was limited representation of perspectives from South American (5%), Australasian (5%) and African (5%) experts and a lack of experts from Asia. In the first step, the panel established an overarching structure of topics and questions to be addressed by the consensus statement. Following the RAND-UCLA appropriateness method, the consensus process subsequently included panellist ratings, discussions and revisions informed by statements derived from the literature or expert/panellist opinions. These two outcomes served as the basis for manuscript writing, which was finalised through two iterative rounds of manuscript feedback and revision. This consensus statement aims to help athletes, coaches and medical staff of international and national federations plan and implement effective T&T activities for competitive alpine and freestyle skiers and snowboarders.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002623"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12410619/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145015228","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":"Gender parity in sports medicine; present imperative not future aspiration.","authors":"Megan Ormond, Daniel Fitzpatrick","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002657","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002657","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gender disparity persists in sports and exercise medicine (SEM), with women comprising only 27% of the faculty of SEM (FSEM) membership. While existing literature explores the barriers women face in progressing within SEM, less attention has been given to when and why female medical students disengage from the specialty pathway. This viewpoint article analyses data from the National Undergraduate SEM Society (USEMS), University SEM Committees and National Health Service England to track gender differences at various career stages. FSEM membership data was also reviewed to assess representation at the consultant level. Over the past 5 years, 46.8% of USEMS members and 48.6% of University SEM Committee members have been women. In contrast, at the Foundation doctor level, female USEMS membership figures drop to 24% and only 20.1% of SEM training applications submitted between 2021 and 2023 were by women. Despite strong engagement at the undergraduate level, few women pursue specialty SEM training, indicating that external barriers may be discouraging them from continuing. More research is needed to understand the specific factors leading to this disengagement so that appropriate steps can be taken to prevent it.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002657"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12374673/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144973993","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":"Show must go on: what are the available tools to assess readiness to return to dance post injury in elite dancers? A scoping review protocol.","authors":"Róisín Cahalan, Ciarán Purcell, Rose Schmieg, Edel Quin","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002497","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002497","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Injury in elite (professional/competitive/collegiate) dance is commonplace and pernicious. Return-to-dance after extended time-loss injury requires careful consideration to ensure dancers are ready to safely resume practice (return to class/rehearsal/competition/performance). The available assessment tools in dance consider predominantly physical domains (eg, flexibility/balance) and refer to specific dance genres only (eg, ballet). This scoping review aims to explore biopsychosocial domains (eg, fear/confidence) identified in dance and sport literature, informing safe return to dance post injury. The scoping review will conform to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Evidence Synthesis guidelines. Nine databases (in health, medicine, kinesiology, sport and dance) will be searched for studies of return-to-dance/sport protocols, in dancers, athletes and aesthetic performers. Two independent reviewers will conduct title, abstract and full-text screening using Covidence review management software. Data charting will be completed using a modified standardised JBI extraction form. The scoping review will be disseminated to stakeholders in the world of elite dance in performance (troupes/companies), educational (academies/universities) settings and sports medicine clinicians will also be targeted in dissemination. Findings will be shared via both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications (eg, blog posts/academic publications/conference presentations). An infographic of key findings will be developed and shared on social media. This scoping review will inform a subsequent e-Delphi project involving dancers, teachers and clinicians to develop a dance-specific tool informing safe return to dance post injury. This novel tool will extend beyond currently available tools focusing on physical factors to consider holistic dancer wellness, with application across multiple dance genres.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002497"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12359533/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144884084","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":"Evolution in peak oxygen uptake and its impact on physical activities of daily living in chronic kidney disease and transplantation.","authors":"Marieke Vandecruys, Gillian Schockaert, Maarten Coemans, Kris Denhaerynck, Géraldine Deberdt, Véronique Cornelissen, Amaryllis H Van Craenenbroeck, Stefan De Smet","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002481","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002481","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This viewpoint aims to characterise the evolution of peak oxygen uptake (V̇O₂peak) in chronic kidney disease (CKD), describe its impact on patients' ability to engage in physical activities of daily living and frame the meaningfulness of exercise training in this respect. Analysis of literature data from 4889 patients shows that per cent-predicted V̇O₂peak decreases from 69%±10% at CKD stage 2 to 51%±9% at CKD stage 5, before partially recovering to 60%±12% beyond 12 months post-transplant. Similarly, V̇O₂peak expressed as oxygen uptake relative to body weight decreases from 24.7±4.1 to 18.0±3.4 mL/kg/min across CKD stage 2-5, with a partial recovery to 21.6±4.9 mL/kg/min beyond 12 months post-transplant. Considerable variability exists in reported V̇O₂peak levels at each of the different disease stages. In a substantial proportion of patients, impaired cardiorespiratory fitness contributes to limitations in performing common physical activities such as brisk walking, carrying groceries upstairs, mowing the lawn or engaging in vigorous play with (grand-)children. Tailored exercise training can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and enable a meaningful increase in the ability to participate in a wider range of physical activities of daily living; a powerful message to incentivise patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002481"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12336566/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144822834","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":"Effect of osteopathic manipulation on neck kinematics using X-Sens motion capture in non-specific neck pain: a protocol for randomised controlled trial.","authors":"Sharath Hullumani, Irshad Qureshi, Raghuveer Raghumahanti","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002756","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002756","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Non-specific neck pain (NSNP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder causing functional limitations and reduced quality of life. Conventional physiotherapy provides symptomatic relief but often yields inconsistent improvements in cervical kinematics. Osteopathic manipulation has shown promise in addressing biomechanical dysfunctions and restoring normal neck mobility. This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of osteopathic manipulation combined with standard physiotherapy on neck kinematics in individuals with NSNP using X-Sens motion capture analysis. After obtaining written informed consent from the patient, eligible inpatients and outpatients from the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Orthopaedics department will be recruited. Participants who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either Group A (osteopathic manipulation + standard treatment) or Group B (standard treatment alone) using computer-generated random numbers and sealed opaque envelopes. Both groups will receive 30-minute treatment sessions, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Follow-ups will be conducted at the second and fourth weeks post-treatment.Baseline neck kinematics and functional outcomes will be assessed using the X-Sens motion capture system. Data will be analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Descriptive statistics will summarise demographic data. Between-group differences will be analysed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests. Repeated measures ANOVA will assess changes over time within and between groups for primary and secondary outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002756"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12336537/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144822833","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":"Combined effects of major rule changes impact injury profile in elite taekwondo athletes: an analysis of 2663 athletes from the 2017, 2019 and 2022 World Taekwondo Championships.","authors":"Heeseong Jeong, Dae Hyoun Jeong, Suji Yoon, Se Jong Kim, Sae Yong Lee","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002544","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to describe and compare the epidemiological injury patterns at the World Taekwondo Championships (WTC) in 2017 Muju, 2019 Manchester and 2022 Guadalajara, with consideration of changes in the competition rules.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study design using a modified injury surveillance system (ISS) was applied across three WTC events. Injury incidence proportion was computed and calculated both per 1000 athlete exposures and per 1000 minutes of exposure.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across the three events, 2663 athlete registrations and 4712 exposures were recorded. Injury incidence rates decreased from 13.49 (95% CI 11.18 to 15.80) per 100 athlete exposures in 2017 to 6.41 (95% CI 4.79 to 8.03) in 2019, before increasing to 8.60 (95% CI 6.51 to 10.69) in 2022. Injury patterns shifted, with fewer head and neck injuries and more upper extremity injuries. Severe injuries declined, with changes linked to revised rules, scoring systems and match formats. Male and heavyweight athletes consistently showed higher injury rates across all WTCs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study revealed significant changes in injury profile across the three WTCs, coinciding with major competition rule modifications. Despite the overall decrease in injury incidence rates, variations in injury distribution associated with rule modifications were observed. The observed reduction in severe injuries and overall injury rates suggests enhanced athlete safety. However, these findings highlight the importance of ongoing assessment and refinement of competition rules, athlete preparation protocols and ISS to further confirm and improve the safety of taekwondo athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002544"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12323541/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144790404","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":"Tackle characteristics associated with concussion in elite men's rugby union: unpicking the differences between tacklers and ball-carriers.","authors":"Keith A Stokes, Duncan Locke, Simon Roberts, Steffan Griffin, Stephen W West, Ben Jones, Matt Cross, Simon P T Kemp, Sean Williams","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002612","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002612","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To identify characteristics of tackling, of being tackled and interactions between tackle characteristics that are associated with concussion.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A case-control study in male professional rugby union players in England over five seasons (2016/2017 to 2020/2021) analysed characteristics of tackles that led to a clinically diagnosed concussion (cases), and a control group of tackles that did not result in a concussion. ORs were plotted against the overall frequency of each tackle characteristic.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>231 tackles resulting in concussions (tackler 178, 77%; ball-carrier 53, 23%), alongside 9963 control tackles, were analysed. For tacklers, 'head to torso' (_{Lower CI} OR _{Upper CI; 4.0} 6.5 _10.7) had relatively low odds of concussion compared with 'no head contact'. 'Head to knee' had the highest odds of concussion (_75.3 155.8 _322.4), but 'head to hip' occurred more frequently and had the highest number of concussions per 1000 tackles (3.1/1000 tackles). For ball-carriers, 'head to head' contact had the highest odds of concussion (_56.7 104.3 _192.0). When 'tackler body position' was 'upright', the odds of concussion to the tackler were significantly higher when contacting the ball-carrier's 'head and neck' versus their 'torso' (_3.0 23.7 _206.7).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Lower tackles reduce the chances of concussion to ball-carriers. The influence of tackle height on concussion to tacklers is more nuanced, but the chances are relatively low when contact is made with the ball-carrier's torso. These findings support ongoing implementation of strategies to reduce concussion risk by lowering tackle height to target the torso.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002612"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12323531/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144790405","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":"Knowledge on physical activity participation among secondary school students in Kakamega County, Kenya: descriptive study on 422 students aged 14-18 years.","authors":"Joseph Muchiri Ndunda, Edwin Wamukoya, Roselyne Odiango","doi":"10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002234","DOIUrl":"10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Physical activity is important for personal growth and development among students. About two million deaths are reported yearly, arising from inactivity. 81% of students do not meet the recommendations; hence they are exposed to unhealthy behaviour.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the knowledge of secondary school students on physical activity in Kakamega County.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive survey design was used with a questionnaire developed with two sections; on knowledge and physical activity participation. A sample size of 422 students aged 14-18 years was used. Self-reporting questionnaires were administered. The data were collected within a week and analysed through descriptive and comparative statistical analyses. We used Pearson correlation to test the relationship between knowledge and physical activity participation, and independent t-test to check gender differences in physical activity and knowledge. Findings were considered significant at p<0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Male students were 194 (47.1%) while 218 (52.9%) were female students, with the majority being 17 years of age with a mean of 16 and SD of 1.4. Kakamega High School (31.0%) formed the majority of the students. There was a positive and significant relationship (r=0.159, p<0.001) between knowledge and physical activity. There were no significant differences (t (438)=-0.738, p=0.434) in the scores of males (M=2.07, SD=0.690) and females (M=2.13, SD=0.738). With a mean difference of=-0.054, 95% CI: -0.188 to 0.081). From the findings, 59.4% of students had adequate knowledge of physical activity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study highlights the need for more emphasis on educating students about the negative and positive health impacts of inactivity and actively engaging in physical activity both at school and at home. This will improve knowledge levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":47417,"journal":{"name":"BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine","volume":"11 3","pages":"e002234"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12314995/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144776496","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}