KOSALB International Journal of Human Movements Science

The Role of Muscle Strength and Balance in Preventing Injury Risk Among Beginner Skiers

Atilla Çakar — 2025-12-27

Study aim(s): The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between back and leg muscle strength, balance parameters, and the number of falls among individuals participating in beginner-level alpine skiing training. Specifically, it evaluates how lower extremity and back strength, along with static balance ability, influence the occurrence of falls during skiing. Since falls may serve as a potential precursor to injuries in high-risk sports such as skiing, the study also explores the role of physical fitness in preventing these incidents.

Methods: A total of 23 volunteer participants (10 females and 13 males) undergoing alpine skiing training were included in the study. Participants' age, height, body weight, and BMI were recorded. Muscle strength was measured isometrically using back and leg dynamometers, while balance ability was assessed using the Flamingo Balance Test. Fall data were classified by coach observation during the training period into three descent-related falls, other falls, and total number of falls. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0 software, and relationships between variables were examined using Pearson’s correlation analysis.

Results: The highest number of falls occurred during downhill training. Leg strength showed moderate negative correlations with descent-related falls (r = –0.40, p = 0.034) and total falls (r = –0.42, p = 0.031), indicating that greater lower-limb strength was associated with fewer falls. Back strength was negatively correlated with all fall types (r = –0.27 to –0.37), although these relationships were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Balance performance showed moderate positive correlations with descent-related (r = 0.518, p = 0.011), other (r = 0.454, p = 0.029), and total falls (r = 0.556, p = 0.006), suggesting that poorer balance ability was linked to a higher frequency of falls.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that muscle strength and balance capacity significantly affect the frequency of falls among novice skiers. As falls are potential precursor to injuries in high-risk sports like skiing, these results underscore the importance of physical fitness components in fall prevention. Therefore, systematically incorporating strength- and balance-focused training into ski education programs may serve as an effective strategy to reduce injury risk and enhance athlete safety.

The Multidimensional Impact of Energy Deficiency and Low Energy Intake on Elite Female Athletes: A Systematic Review

Mine Akkuş Uçar — 2025-12-27

Study aim(s): This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted effects of low energy availability (LEA) and its progression to sport-related Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) on performance, recovery, injury risk, and long-term health outcomes in elite female athletes.

Methods: This study was conducted as a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA standards. A comprehensive literature search was performed using keywords such as "RED-S," "LEA," "elite female athletes," "performance," "recovery," "injury risk," and "long-term health". Methodological quality and risk of bias (RoB) were assessed using appropriate tools, including the Cochrane RoB for randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Findings were then thematically synthesized into four primary domains: performance, recovery and metabolic function, injury risk, and long-term health.

Results: The findings consistently demonstrate that LEA, the primary cause of RED-S, has significant adverse effects across multiple physiological systems. High prevalence rates of LEA and RED-S risk have been reported across various sports, particularly in aesthetic and endurance disciplines (e.g., 77.4% in football, 80% in athletes exhibiting at least one RED-S symptom across sports, and 41.6% in aesthetic sports). Key consequences include metabolic slowing, hormonal axes disruption, decreased bone mineral density, impaired vascular function, and an increased risk of both bone and soft tissue injuries. Furthermore, LEA and RED-S are associated with reduced power output and impaired recovery capacity, posing a serious threat to performance sustainability and career longevity.

Conclusions: LEA is a key precursor to RED-S, presenting a significant multisystemic threat to the health and performance of elite female athletes. The well-established connection between LEA-induced energy deficits and serious physiological consequences underscores the need for early diagnosis and a structured, multidisciplinary management approach. Future research should focus on longitudinal study designs, standardized measurement protocols, and the identification of sport-specific energy availability thresholds to clarify causal relationships and inform evidence-based clinical practice.

Exploring Happiness and Sports Commitment in Village School Students Participating in Basic Bocce Training

Mihraç Köroğlu — 2025-12-27

Study aim(s): This study aims to examine the effect of bocce training on middle school students’ happiness and sports commitment. Additionally, it seeks to contribute to the literature by exploring whether a relatively simple and accessible physical activity like bocce can support students’ psychological well-being and promote long-term involvement in sports.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 70 middle school students who were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control groups. The experimental group participated in an 8-week bocce training program, while the control group continued with their regular school routine without any additional physical activity. Happiness and sports commitment scales were administered as pre-tests and post-tests. The study employed an experimental, sequential design. Data were analyzed using SPSS with a significance level set at .05. For group comparisons, the Mann-Whitney U test was applied to independent groups, and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used for dependent group comparisons.

Results: Pre-test results indicated no significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of happiness and sports commitment. However, post-test findings showed a significant increase in both variables for the experimental group, whereas no meaningful changes were observed in the control group. Additionally, post-test comparisons revealed a significant difference between the groups, with the experimental group demonstrating higher scores.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that bocce training has a positive impact on middle school students’ happiness and sports commitment. These results highlight the potential benefits of incorporating structured bocce programs into school activities to promote students’ emotional well-being and foster long-term engagement in physical activity.

Leisure Management and Mental Well-Being: A Study of Recreational Athletes

Zeynep Akyürek — 2025-12-27

Study aim(s): The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of leisure time management on mental well-being among individuals engaged in recreational sports and to examine whether this relationship differs according to gender, marital status, education level, and purpose of recreational participation.

Methods: A correlational survey model was employed. The study sample consisted of 391 individuals participating in recreational sports (193 women and 198 men). Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, the Leisure Time Management Scale, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis were performed.

Results: Women reported higher levels of leisure time management and mental well-being compared to men. Married individuals scored higher than single individuals on both variables. Participants with postgraduate education demonstrated higher leisure time management scores than all other educational groups and higher mental those well-being scores than those with high school or undergraduate education. Individuals who participated in recreational activities for mental health purposes have higher leisure time management levels than other groups, whereas those participating for physical health purposes had the lowest scores. Leisure time management was found to explain 41.7% of the variance in mental well-being.

Conclusion: Leisure time management has a strong and positive impact on individuals' mental well-being. Higher levels are particularly observed among women, married individuals, and postgraduate graduates. Participation in recreational activities for the purpose of mental well-being is more advantageous than for other purposes. These findings show that effective leisure time management is an important factor in supporting mental health and that recreation-based interventions can be used to enhance mental well-being.

The Examination of Peer Pressure Management and Career Anxiety Problems Among Sports Science Faculty Students

Kültiğin Acar — 2025-12-27

Study aim(s): This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Sports Science Faculty students’ perceptions of peer pressure and their levels of career anxiety. Additionally, the study sought to determine whether peer pressure and career anxiety differ based on demographic variables such as gender, grade level, and academic department. Although these relational dynamics and demographic comparisons are not explicitly reflected in the study title, they are fully addressed and clarified within this section.

Methods: A correlational survey model was used in this study. The study group consisted of 250 university students enrolled in various departments within the Faculty of Sports Sciences, including Sports Management, Physical Education Teaching, Coaching, and Recreation. Data were collected using the Peer Pressure Scale and the Career Anxiety Scale. Parametric tests were applied to analyze the data after confirming that the necessary assumptions were met. The methodology framework was designed to examine both the relationships between peer pressure and career anxiety and the differences in these variables across demographic subgroups.

Results: Students reported high levels of peer pressure (x̄ = 3.87) and moderate levels of career anxiety (x̄ = 3.26). Female students perceived higher peer pressure than male students, whereas male students exhibited higher levels of career anxiety. Significant differences were observed according to grade level: first-year students reported lower peer pressure but higher career anxiety. No significant differences were found according to department. Correlation analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between peer pressure and career anxiety. Regression analysis indicated that peer pressure explained 45% of career anxiety.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that peer pressure is a significant predictor of career anxiety among university students. Consequently, social environment and peer influences should be carefully considered in career planning and counselling practices. These results align with current literature emphasizing the critical role of social dynamics in shaping students’ career-related psychological outcomes.