Gymnastik- och idrottshögskolan, GIH

Syftet med studien är att undersöka elevers upplevelser av kroppsideal på sociala medier och hur de upplever att dessa ideal formar deras kroppsbild och självkänsla. Studien har två forskningsfrågor:

• Hur beskriver elever sina möten med kroppsideal på sociala medier?

• Hur förhåller sig elever till de kroppsideal de möter?

Studien använder en kvalitativ metod som bygger på semistrukturerade intervjuer med sex elever från årskurs 7-9. Materialet har analyserats med en tematisk analys. Resultaten visar att sociala medier upplevs som både pressande men samtidigt inspirerade. Eleverna betonar att de påverkas av idealiserade bilder och jämförelser men försöker samtidigt tänka kritiskt och värdesätta mer realistiska inlägg. Trots en medvetenhet om redigerat innehåll och en mängd filter upplever många ändå en påverkan.

Studien utgår ifrån två teorier; Festingers sociala jämförelseteori och Vygotskijs sociokulturella teori. Utifrån dessa två teorier kan resultaten förstås som att det finns både en påverkan och motstånd. Studien lyfter fram att sociala medier har två sidor, att sociala medier kan skapa press för elever och unga samtidigt som sociala medier kan bidra till personlig utveckling. Resultaten lyfter därför vikten av att i skolans arbete att främja både kritisk medvetenhet och digital hälsa, med syfte att stärka ungas välbefinnande och självkänsla.

Sammantaget visar studien att elever påverkas av kroppsideal på sociala medier samtidigt som de utvecklar olika strategier för att kunna hantera påverkan, vilket tydliggör att sociala medier rymmer både positiva och negativa aspekter för ungas kroppsbild.

The purpose of this study is to examine how outdoor education (friluftsliv) in upper secondary school is perceived by both students and teachers, and to identify the conditions that influence their motivation and commitment to participate in outdoor education activities. The study also aims to analyze the significance of students previous experiences on their perceptions of outdoor education in school.

The following research questions were investigated:

·      Which factors do students and teachers believe promote or hinder students engagement in outdoor education in upper secondary school?

·      How do students and teachers explain the ways in which previous experiences of outdoor activities affect students engagement and motivation in outdoor education?

·      How do students and teachers perceive that organizational conditions and teaching design influence the possibilities of creating meaningful outdoor education?

The study is theoretically based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and Sense of Coherence (SOC) (Antonovsky, 1991). SDT was used to understand how autonomy, competence, and solidarity influence student´s motivation, while SOC highlights how comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness shape student´s experiences of outdoor education.

A qualitative method was used to employ semi-structured interviews. Data collection was carried out with 22 participants from two upper secondary schools that included both students and teachers. A requirement-based sampling strategy was used to select participants with relevant experiences of school-based outdoor education. The interviews were recorded, transcribed word for word and analyzed thematically.

The four main themes were identified: previous experiences, weather, time, and meaningfulness. Students with positive prior experiences of outdoor activities reported feeling safer and more motivated while those without such experiences often described uncertainty regarding outdoor education. Weather conditions came up as a significant external factor where rain and coldness reduced motivation while warm and sunny weather increased the motivation. The results show that lack of time was perceived by both students and teachers as a barrier contributing to stress and reducing the sense of meaningfulness in the activities. The findings also show that fellowship and clear guidance from teachers are essential for students to experience outdoor education as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful.

The study concludes that students commitment and motivation in outdoor education are shaped by a combination of personal experiences and organizational conditions. SDT and SOC clarify how safety, competence, social connection and clear structure contribute to increased students commitment. To strengthen students motivation and commitment, outdoor education should be given more time for planning and implementation and provide social opportunities that include all students regardless of previous experience.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur lärare i idrott och hälsa planerar undervisningen i elevgrupper där eleverna har varierande idrottsbakgrunder, samt vilka faktorer de upplever påverkar deras möjligheter att skapa en likvärdig och inkluderande lärandemiljö. Studien besvarar följande forskningsfrågor: Hur beskriver lärare att de planerar undervisningen för att inkludera elever med varierad idrottsbakgrund?” och “Vilka faktorer upplever lärarna påverkar deras planering och deras möjligheter att skapa en likvärdig undervisning?

Studiens teoretiska ramverk utgår från Banduras teori om self-efficacy samt Söderlund et al. (2024) om lärares tilltro till sin förmåga i relation till inkluderande undervisning. Studien genomfördes med en kvalitativ forskningsdesign som bestod av semistrukturerade intervjuer med fyra gymnasielärare i idrott och hälsa. Materialet analyserades genom en deduktiv tematisk analys där koder och teman utvecklades i dialog med det teoretiska ramverket “self-efficacy”. Temana undersöktes och jämfördes mellan oss forskare för att stärka analysens trovärdighet.

Analysen visar att lärarnas planering formas av flexibilitet, differentiering och relationsskapande, men att dessa strategier används i varierande grad beroende på lärarens erfarenhet och self-efficacy. Lärare med hög self-efficacy beskrev planeringen som situationsanpassad och elevcentrerad, lärare med lägre self-efficacy betonade deras behov av fasta strukturer och stödmaterial.Resultatet visar också att faktorer såsom storlek på lokaler, bristande resurser, påverkar lärarnas möjligheter att genomföra en likvärdig undervisning. 

Studien visar att lärares self-efficacy har en essentiell roll i hur de planerar och genomför inkluderande undervisning i ämnet idrott och hälsa. Lärare med hög self-efficacy ser elevvariationer som möjligheter och skapar även större handlingsutrymme genom anpassbar planering. Lärare med lägre self-efficacy upplever hinder i högre grad än lärare med högre self-efficacy.

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine how the school’s responsibility for swimming instruction interacts with the municipal provision of swimming facilities, and to explore the implications of this interaction for physical education teachers’ capacity to implement such instruction.The primary research question guiding this study was:How does the interplay between the school’s responsibility and the municipal availability of swimming facilities influence the conditions under which swimming instruction can be delivered? The formulation of the research question has been informed by the theoretical framework of dialectics, which underpins the analytical perspective adopted in this study.

Background

The swimming proficiency among sixth-grade students in Sweden has decreased by 2% between 2014 and 2024, marking the first negative trend in a hundred years. This decline occurs at the same time as the country’s stock of swimming facilities is in need of renovation. Previous studies indicate that socioeconomic factors, parental swimming proficiency, as well as body ideals and cultural background, together influence whether or not children learn to swim.

Method

To address the research question, qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven physical education teachers across five Swedish municipalities. All participating teachers were certified and had experience teaching students from grade 1 through the third year of upper secondary school. The least experienced teacher had six years of teaching experience, while the most experienced had worked as a teacher for 41 years. The interview guide was developed with the theoretical framework of dialectics in mind and was designed to reflect this framework throughout the structure of the interviews.

Theory and analysis

Throughout this study the theoretical framework of dialectics has been used, and conducted atheoretical thematic analysis. The researcher examined the collected material and generated themes in the form of conceptual clusters, referred to in this study as dialectical agents. These agents are named as follows:

1. Responsibility–Freedom

2. Economics - Organisation

3. Time - Space

4. Justice–Priority

Using these agents, the researcher situates the empirical data within a broader context, enabling a discussion that leads to the study’s conclusions.

Conclusion

Swimming instruction in Swedish schools varies considerably between municipalities, and this interacts with the availability of swimming facilities. The study also indicates that these differences can be substantial even within individual municipalities.

Syfte och frågeställningar 

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka idrottslärares erfarenhet och hantering av bedömningsutmaningar i årskurs sex jämfört med årskurs nio. Detta undersöker vi för att identifiera idrottslärares utmaningar i bedömningsprocessen samt att analysera huruvida dessa upplevelser skiljer sig beroende på vilken årskurs de undervisar i. Bakgrunden är att bedömning i ämnet ofta upplevs som komplext eftersom det innefattar både praktiska och teoretiska moment, varierande förutsättningar och otydliga formuleringar i betygskriterierna.   

Utifrån syftet formulerades dessa frågeställningar:  

(1) Hur beskriver idrottslärare bedömningsprocessen och de utmaningar de möter i den för årskurs 6?  

(2) Hur beskriver idrottslärare bedömningsprocessen och de utmaningar de möter i den för årskurs 9?   

(3) Finns det skillnader i lärares beskrivningar i upplevelser av bedömningsprocessen för årskurs 6 jämfört med årskurs 9, och i så fall vilka?  

Metod 

Studien använder en kvalitativ metod med semi-strukturerade intervjuer där fem idrottslärare intervjuades utifrån en guide bestående av nio frågor om bedömningsprocessen. Deras svar transkriberades sedan ordagrant och analyserades tematiskt vilket skapade teman som är empiriskt baserade. Detta ledde till följande resultat.   

Resultat 

Resultatet visar att samtliga lärare använder många olika hjälpmedel för att skapa struktur i bedömningen. Majoriteten använder sig av dokumentationsverktyg för att kunna följa elevernas utveckling över tid och ge kontinuerlig återkoppling och bedömningen beskrivs som en fortlöpande process. Bristande lokaler, stora elevgrupper och otydlighet i kunskapskraven lyfts som utmaningar. Resultatet visar även på tydliga skillnader i bedömningsprocessen mellan årkurs sex och nio. Lärarna betonar även vikten av kollegialt samarbete för att öka likvärdighet.     

Slutsats 

Studien visar att bedömning i idrott och hälsa är ett komplext moment och påverkas av praktiska förutsättningar och kunskapskrav. Bedömningen i årskurs sex är mer formativ och utvecklingsinriktad, medan årkurs nio präglas av mer summativa och kriteriestyrda krav. För att öka likvärdigheten behövs tydligare riktlinjer och stärkt kollegialt samarbete.  

Syfte och frågeställningar: Syftet med studien är att undersöka vad lärarna uppger som lyckad friluftslivsundervisning. Vidare avser studien att kartlägga vilka arbetssätt och strategier lärare använder. För att besvara syftet har följande forskningsfrågor formulerats:

I vilka situationer upplever idrottslärare att de uppnår lyckad undervisning i friluftsliv?

Vilka faktorer behövs för att kunna genomföra lyckad undervisning enligt idrottslärarna själva?

Metod: Studien baserades på fem semi-strukturerade intervjuer med lärare i ämnet idrott och hälsa på gymnasiet och högstadiet. Det empiriska materialet analyserades genom en fenomenografisk analys och dess sju analyssteg, för att skapa förståelse för hur idrottslärarna uppfattade fenomenet.

Resultat: Deltagarna hade olika uppfattningar av vad som kännetecknar lyckad undervisning. Variationerna handlade om personella- och materiella tillgångar, bakgrund inom friluftsliv, inspirationskällor och arbete i lärarlag. 

Slutsats: Studiens slutsats var att lyckad undervisning i friluftsliv tolkades som en undervisning som både utgick från styrdokumenten, hade goda materiella förutsättningar och som gav eleverna en god känsla. 

Purpose

The paper explores how the development of sustainability competences as key components in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) education can contribute to the implementation of AMR policies in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Higher education is key to promoting sustainability, including sustainable health. Meanwhile, its role and impact are often complicated by unclear educational objectives and a lack of effective strategies. Interdisciplinary, competence-centred education provides a way to address these gaps. AMR presents a sustainability challenge that impacts health, food security and healthcare systems. Using transformative learning theory and a One Health approach, we conducted two participatory research workshops at Zimbabwean universities with researchers and students. The workshops applied UNESCO's sustainability competencies to explore how participants discussed AMR and how these competencies were expressed in practice.

Findings

Findings indicate that effective AMR education and policy implementation include a multifaceted approach, focusing on interdisciplinary collaborations. Efforts need to go beyond minimising antimicrobial use and engage communities and farmers in addressing everyday economic and social challenges. Integrating interdisciplinary collaborations throughout higher education becomes key in creating sustainable and effective AMR education and policy implementation.

Originality/value

The paper contributes original insights on how sustainability competencies can structure AMR education and provide educational objectives for the often underdeveloped aspect of AMR policy. Competence-focused health education can enable the implementation of policy into practice in ways that are contextually relevant and sensitive to local conditions.

Health education programmes are challenged to account for the plurality of education situations and students' experiences. The paper explores how health-related knowledge and values are constructed within curricula and syllabi of Zimbabwean upper-secondary school and within students' discussions about their health-related education. Through discourse analysis, health-related knowledge and values in curriculum and syllabi documents as well as student discussions from group interviews are analysed. Three discourses are articulated, i) nationalistic ii) biomedical, and iii) holistic. Discourses are shown to co-exist and contradict, creating tensions that shape students' agency. Discourses represent different ways of responding to the question 'health for who?'; the nation, the family, and the individual, with implications for the purpose of health-related education and what content is included and excluded. The paper calls for contextually responsive health education, acknowledging discursive plurality and supporting students' agency to critically reflect, contextually act and navigate diverse health priorities and values.

Catalase, a canonical antioxidant enzyme, has been shown to prevent maladaptive oxidative damage and protect against aging-associated deterioration of cellular functions. In cardiac tissue, catalase protects cardiac myocytes against a variety of pathological changes by maintaining normal contractile function. Here we elucidated how catalase can protect cardiomyocyte excitation-contraction (EC) coupling we focused on exploring the subcellular location and specific effects of catalase in cardiomyocytes. To determine the effects of catalase on cardiomyocyte EC-coupling, we used adenoviral overexpression and pharmacological inhibition of catalase with 3AT in cultured adult mouse ventricular myocytes combined with detailed characterization of Ca²⁺ signaling. We found that endogenous catalase co-localizes with RyRs in the subspace between the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and t-tubules. When virally overexpressed, catalase increases the ROS scavenging capacity of myocytes and enhances Ca²⁺-release by increasing synchronization of local Ca²⁺-release. To improve Ca²⁺-release, catalase acts to prevent membrane peroxidation and prevents degradation of t-tubule structures. Both the functional and structural effects of catalase were reversed by catalase inhibition with 3AT. The effect of catalase on Ca²⁺-release was more pronounced in cardiomyocytes isolated from transverse aortic constriction-operated, hypertrophied mouse hearts. Overall, our data suggest that catalase located to the subspace has a specific role in stabilizing and protecting Ca²⁺-release structures from degradation in conditions associated with increased oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic systemic inflammatory disease that causes musculoskeletal impairments and fatigue. Physical activity is recommended for individuals with RA, and health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) has been shown to improve health perception and physical fitness in this group. However, the molecular adaptations of skeletal muscle in response to an exercise intervention are still unexplored in individuals with RA. This study aimed to assess the skeletal muscle response to a 2-year HEPA intervention in individuals with RA.

METHODS: Thirteen individuals with RA (65 ± 2 years old, 13 ± 2 years disease duration) participated. The 2-year HEPA intervention involved 150 min of weekly moderately intense aerobic activity and twice-weekly circuit training. Practical and theoretical physiotherapist support was available the first year, but not the second year. Skeletal muscle biopsies, functional assessments, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis were conducted.

RESULTS: Compliance was high the first year but dropped significantly the second year. Functional improvements in strength, endurance, and lower extremity muscle function (TST) were observed after year 1. Proteomics analysis revealed significant enrichment of mitochondrial proteins including COX8A, citrate synthase, M2OM, NDUFA6, NDUFS2, and VDAC3 after year 1, indicating positive muscle adaptations. However, these changes regressed to baseline levels by year 2.

CONCLUSION: HEPA can induce beneficial mitochondrial adaptations in skeletal muscle of individuals with RA. However, insufficient compliance and progression in HEPA exercise load led to a reversal of these adaptations. Continuous support and motivation are crucial for maintaining and progressing exercise levels and muscle health in individuals with RA. Key points • Health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) can induce beneficial mitochondrial adaptations in the skeletal muscle proteome of individuals with RA. • Positive effects on mitochondrial protein levels aligned with the participants compliance to the HEPA intervention. • Results emphasizes that sustaining and progressing exercise regimen is crucial to maintain beneficial adaptations for individuals with RA.

Teaching food and health may be challenging, especially in classrooms where young people from different cultures, ethnicities, and religions meet. This article explores teachers' navigation of ethical complexities when teaching food and health in classrooms with immigrant students. Five didactical strategies were identified: (1) The educare strategy, (2) The tiptoeing strategy, (3) The collegial support strategy, (4) The intercultural strategy, and (5) The pluralistic strategy. These didactical strategies are embedded in various educational settings. Our results demonstrate that a further focus on ethical and intercultural competence should be carefully supported and implemented in teacher education and continual professional development programmes for teachers.

Aim: The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how lower secondary school students experience and manage the combination of schoolwork and sports participation, as well as to explore what could facilitate this combination for them.  Where the study answer the following research questions: How do lower secondary school students experience the combination of school and team sports? How do lower secondary school students manage the combination of school and team sports? What could have made it easier for lower secondary school students to balance school and team sports?    

Method: The study had a qualitative approach, semi- structured interviews was chosen as the research method. The study was limited to lower secondary school students who play handball or ice hockey. The selection was based on students involved in these sports, as both are performance-demanding disciplines that can make it challenging to maintain a balance with schoolwork. There were 4 individuals who had participated from the both sports, so 8 participants in total.    

Results: The lower secondary school students experienced the combination as stressful and demanding. They felt that their free time was dominated by sports, which made it difficult to keep up with their studies. To cope with the situation, they tried to rest more, plan their weeks, and seek help from their parents. The students felt that the combination would be easier if the school and sports organizations cooperated more closely and had a greater understanding of their situation.    

Conclusion: The students perceived the combination as demanding. Their experiences were not only about the demands themselves, but also about how these demands were interpreted and managed. Linked to the theory Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984, sid. 22–25), the low secondary school students describe their coping strategies as important for keep their well-being in dailylife and for how they handle a similar upcoming situation. At the same time, the school would need to provide greater support to the students in order to make this combination easier for them.  

Syfte och frågeställningar:

Studien syftar till att belysa hur idrottslärare anpassar undervisningen för elever med NPF, vilka utmaningar och möjligheter lärarna möter, samt hur anpassningarna påverkar elevernas engagemang, lärande och motivation i idrott och hälsa. Studien syftar till att besvara de tre centrala frågorna: Hur gör idrottslärare anpassningar i ämnet idrott och hälsa för elever med NPF-diagnoser i grundskolan? Hur upplever idrottslärare möjligheter och svårigheter kring arbetet med extra anpassningar för elever med NPF-diagnoser? Hur upplever idrottslärare att deras anpassningar påverkar elevernas delaktighet, lärande och motivation i idrott och hälsa?

Metod:

För att på ett nyanserat sätt belysa hur lärare arbetar med inkludering och de ramar som påverkar detta arbete, använder studien en kvalitativ fallstudiedesign, med ett kriteriestyrt urval och Braun och Clarkes reflexiva tematiska analys. Detta används tillsammans med ett induktivt synsätt till inkluderingsteorin och ramfaktorteorin som teoretiska utgångspunkter.

Resultat:

Här presenteras under tre övergripande teman: Att möta individen – strategier för anpassning i idrott och hälsa, Relationer och motivation – strategier för delaktighet, samt Villkor i arbetet med inkludering genom anpassning. Rubrikerna utgör underlag för hur lärare anpassar och vilka faktorer som påverkar deras möjligheter att främja delaktighet.

Slutsats:

Studien visar att lärarna använder sig av en kombination av grupp- och individanpassningar för att möta elever med NPF-diagnoser. Ingen mall passar alla, så ett starkt individfokus med undervisning som är tydlig, strukturerad och flexibel blir central. Ibland räcker inte metoden till, då blir relationen viktigare. Förtroende, trygghet, grupptillhörighet och delaktighet på egna villkor, är essentiella för elevens delaktighet, motivation och lärande.

Därtill påverkar organisatoriska, strukturella och ämnesspecifika villkor lärarens möjlighet till att anpassa. Stora grupper, tidsbrist och brist på resurser skapar utmaningar för lärarna. Lärarens erfarenheter och kompetens, tillsammans med stöd av vårdnadshavare och kollegor i form av elevresurser, klasslärare och elevhälsan spelar en central roll i hur läraren lyckas med anpassningarna för elever med NPF-diagnoser.

Syfte & frågeställningar: Syftet med denna studie är att genom kvalitativa intervjuer undersöka hur idrottslärare tolkar formuleringar i kursplanen för idrott och hälsa. Kursplanen innehåller flera begrepp som saknar tydliga definitioner. Ett av dessa begrepp är allsidig rörelseförmåga som kommer att utgöra ett exempel och utgångspunkt i denna studie för att få en djupare förståelse av lärarnas arbete med kursplanen. Undersökningen ställer frågor om lärarnas tolkning och arbete med kursplanen varav allsidig rörelseförmåga används som avgränsning, därav lyder frågeställningarna enligt följande:

- Hur tolkar lärarna kursplanen sett till begreppet allsidig rörelseförmåga?                     - Hur arbetar lärare med kursplanen sett till begreppet allsidig rörelseförmåga?              - Vad upplever lärarna behövs eller inte behövs för att kunna arbeta mot en likvärdig undervisning och bedömning sett till begreppet allsidig rörelseförmåga i läroplanen?

Metod: I denna studie intervjuades 7 st idrottslärare som jobbar i årskurs 6–9. Empirin samlades in genom kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer, som filmades in. Vi gjorde sedan en tematisk analys av det insamlade materialet med utgångspunkt i 4 olika teman. Vi valde kvalitativa intervjuer för att få en djupare förståelse av lärarnas upplevelser och ordens betydelse men även av forskningsekonomiska skäl.

Resultat: Resultaten i denna studie pekar på att lärare i idrott och hälsa upplever ett behov av tydligare stöd i läroplanen. Stödet som efterfrågas är framförallt filmexempel och objektiva referenspunkter. Detta för att kunna säkerställa en mer likvärdig undervisning och bedömning mellan skolor. Lärarna poängterar däremot vikten av deras professionella frihet som läraryrket innefattar och är något som de anser är viktigt att behålla även om önskan finns kring en mer utvecklad kursplan. Det framkommer också att deras didaktiska val i hög grad påverkas av utbildningsbakgrund, tidigare idrottsbakgrund och yttre faktorer som tid, lokaler och resurser. 

Slutsats: Bristen på konkret vägledning i styrdokumenten leder till variationer i hur lärarna tolkar (transformering) och sedan praktiserar innehållet. Slutsatsen blir då att det som sägs ska vara nationellt likvärdigt, såsom bedömning och undervisning, blir svårt att uppnå och att arbetet i ämnet idrott och hälsa dagligen präglas av en balansgång mellan professionellt självbestämmande och behovet av tydligare strukturellt stöd. 

Syfte och frågeställningar

Denna studie syftar till att undersöka potentiella skillnader i självrapporterade exekutiva funktioner och skolprestation mellan elitsatsande fotbollsspelare och jämnåriga icke-elitsatsande ungdomar. Frågeställningarna som besvaras i studien är följande: 

1.Skiljer sig självrapporterade exekutiva funktioner och skolprestationer mellan elitsatsande fotbollsspelare och icke-elitsatsande ungdomar?

2.Hur samvarierar självrapporterade exekutiva funktioner och skolprestationer hos ungdomar på olika idrottsliga nivåer?

Teori och metod

De huvudsakliga teoretiska och begreppsmässiga ramverk är exekutiva funktioner och elitsatsande idrottare. De exekutiva funktionerna som inkluderas i denna studie är arbetsminne, inhiberingsförmåga och kognitiv flexibilitet. Begreppet elitsatsande idrottare avser till ungdomar som deltar i organiserad idrottsverksamhet som grundar sig i prestation och utveckling på hög nivå. Studien använder en kvantitativ och komparativ design som jämför två olika grupper. Urvalet består av 35 deltagare totalt – 18 av deltagarna är elitsatsande fotbollsspelare och 17 av deltagarna är icke-elitsatsande ungdomar. För att samla in numeriska data används en enkät där deltagarna hålls anonyma. Resultaten kodas därefter och analyseras för att få fram de fullständiga resultaten.

Resultat

I resultaten visas det att skillnaderna mellan grupperna är små, både inom de exekutiva funktionerna och även skolprestation. Den elitsatsande gruppen presterar lite högre i genomsnitt i jämförelse med den icke-elitsatsande gruppen, däremot är skillnaden för liten för att generalisera.

Slutsats

Sammanfattningsvis visar studien elitsatsning inom idrott kan ha ett visst samband med exekutiva funktioner och högre skolprestationer, däremot är dessa samband svaga. Studien betonar behovet av vidare forskning med större urval och objektiva mätmetoder.

Syfte och frågeställningar 

Syftet med studien var att undersöka uppfattningar kring varför ungdomar på gymnasiet inte vill delta i idrottsundervisningen, samt vilka kringliggande faktorer som kan påverka upplevelsen av ämnet. De frågeställningar som studien utgick från är:

− Hur upplever eleverna idrottsundervisningen?

− Hur kan idrottsundervisningen förändras och utformas för att inkludera alla elever, även de som har ett ointresse?

− På vilket sätt beskriver eleverna att tidigare erfarenheter har betydelse för deras vilja att delta i undervisningen?

Metod

Studien gjordes med en kvalitativ ansats där sex gymnasieelever från olika skolor i Mellansverige blev intervjuade genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med förutbestämda frågor. Urvalet gjordes genom ett målstyrt urval. Frågorna formulerades utifrån det teoretiska ramverket KASAM (känsla av sammanhang), för att fånga elevernas upplevelse kring begriplighet, hanterbarhet och meningsfullhet i ämnet idrott och hälsa, baserat påAntonovskys (2008) salutogena teori. 

Resultat 

Resultatet visade att gymnasieelevers motivation till deltagande i undervisningen påverkas av flera faktorer. Där betyg, tydlig förståelse av syfte, tidigare erfarenheter och upplevelse av trygg miljö och tillhörighet är avgörande och har stor betydelse för hur eleverna upplever undervisningen och får motivation till att delta. Även prestationskrav och oro kring jämförelse med andra elever framkom som viktiga faktorer som påverkar upplevelsen och deltagande. 

Diskussion

Studien visar att idrottsundervisningen behövs utformas på ett sätt som skapar inkludering, tydlighet och trygghet för att elever ska vilja delta aktivt. Resultaten går i linje med tidigare forskning och KASAM-modellen, som betonar social trygghet, positiva erfarenheter och meningsfullhet som centrala för elevernas motivation och vilja till deltagande. Studien bidrar med djupare förståelse för hur faktorerna samverkar i praktiken och tydliggör flera utvecklingsområden inom idrottsundervisningen. Sammanfattningsvis besvaras syftet genom att motivationsbristen inte alltid handlar om ointresse, utan om hur undervisningen utformasoch organiseras. En mer inkluderande, begriplig och meningsfull undervisning kan skapa en mer positiv upplevelse av idrottsämnet och stärka elevernas motivation till att delta.

This study investigated the test–retest reliability of strength and power-related measures assessed with a portable IMTP set-up and with CMJ in elite ice hockey players from the Swedish Hockey League. Twenty-two male ice hockey players (age: 26.8 ± 5.1 yr; height: 184.5 ± 3.9 cm; body mass: 88.6 ± 5.7 kg) participated in this study. The participants performed three maximal IMTP and CMJ trials on two separate occasions. Absolute and relative variables from the portable IMTP (force and rate of force development) and CMJ (force, power, velocity, impulse, jump height, time to peak force, time to peak power, concentric duration and eccentric duration) were obtained using force plates. Excellent reliability (ICC > 0.90; CV < 5%) was observed for multiple CMJ parameters, such as peak force (ICC = 0.94; CV = 2.7%), concentric and eccentric impulse (ICC = 0.96; CV = 1.4% resp. ICC = 0.95; CV = 2.9%) and CMJ peak power (ICC = 0.93; CV = 2.3%). IMTP peak force also demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC = 0.95; CV = 2.4%). IMTP rate of force development variables yielded reliability ranging from poor to moderate (CV = 12.9–54.6%). CMJ and portable IMTP provide highly reliable assessments of most strength and power-related variables in elite male ice hockey players. While absolute peak impulse, velocity and force, power and concentric duration displayed the highest reliability and should be prioritized, RFD variables require cautious interpretation due to high variability.

Objectives Para athletes may face unique challenges in the anti-doping system, including issues of privacy, implementation, comprehension and accessibility. While previous studies have examined non-disabled athletes’ views, little is known about how international elite Para athletes perceive anti-doping procedures. The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of elite Para athletes’ experiences and perceptions of anti-doping procedures.

Methods Using a cross-sectional observational study design, data were collected via an online questionnaire distributed during major international Para competitions. A total of 109 elite Para athletes from 25 countries, representing three impairment groups—physical, visual and intellectual impairments—participated in the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric analytical tests.

Results Among elite Para athletes, 27% had never received anti-doping education during their sports careers, while those who had received such education felt more confident in staying updated on the prohibited list. Over half had never undergone doping testing, and over 70% had never submitted whereabouts information. Most athletes who had been tested found the procedure respectful and adapted to their impairment. However, 25% could not provide a urine sample without assistance from a doping control officer or another person. Furthermore, 40% of those who had submitted whereabouts information said updating it reduced their enjoyment of being an elite athlete.

Conclusions This study shows that many Para athletes, even at the elite level, have limited experience with key anti-doping procedures, highlighting a need for more inclusive, prioritised and accessible anti-doping efforts tailored to the needs of Para athletes.

Bohemians and outsiders have long fascinated the media and the general public because they challenge conventional lifestyles and societal norms. This fascination extends to sport, where narratives about such figures appear in both historical and contemporary media. By analysing the media’s framing of cross-country skier Lars Theodor Jonsson (1903–1998) and speed skater Nils van der Poel (1996–), this essay identifies two distinct ideal types: the ‘idealistic bohemian’ of modern society and the ‘rational outsider’ of postmodern society. Through an examination of these athletes’ careers, public personae, and lifestyle choices as represented in the media, the essay sheds light on how sporting hero narratives evolve in relation to broader social and cultural changes.

This article focuses on how the idea of Borealism intervened in the establishment of cross-country (XC) skiing as a modern sport in late nineteenth-century Sweden. Borealism is analogous to Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism and refers to an exoticizing discourse, not of the Orient, but of Lapland, the region that covers the greatest part of northern Sweden’s hinterland. The clearest expression of Borealism was the organization of so-called National skiing competitions with Lapland skiers at the center. The propaganda purpose of these competitions was to enable the public to learn the technical skills of skiing from the masters of the North. Although most of them were Sámi, the Swedish skiing elite – referred to here as the ‘Boreal athletes’ – were an ethnically heterogeneous group. That skiers of Lapland without Sámi ancestry, commonly referred to as ‘settlers’, were also promoted as ideals of skiing technique suggests that the Boreal athletes embodied a hybrid cultural identity, in which the categories of ‘Sámi’ and ‘settler’ were intertwined and cross-fertilized. In the spirit of nature romanticism, these masters of skiing were perceived as untainted by civilization; they had acquired their skills through wolf hunting and wilderness living, reflecting a romanticized lifestyle idealized during the age of Borealism. They appeared as outsiders, both admired and exoticized.

AIM: Evidence on physical activity (PA), sedentary time, and fitness in adolescents with impairments has been limited. We aimed to compare outcomes in Swedish adolescents with and without impairments and between impairment types.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study, from September to December 2019, comprised of adolescents from 34 mainstream schools within 3 h' drive of Stockholm, Sweden. Parents reported impairment status. PA and sedentary time were measured with accelerometers during school and leisure time on weekdays and weekends. Fitness was estimated using the Ekblom-Bak submaximal cycle test, sports participation was self-reported and multilevel mixed models were used for analyses.

RESULTS: We enrolled 972 adolescents (51% girls), with a mean age of 13.4 ± 0.3 years. Just under a third (31%) had impairments. Adolescents with impairments showed lower PA levels, less adherence to recommendations, lower fitness and less participation in organised sports than those without impairments. Those with learning or visual impairments engaged in less vigorous activity and the former had lower fitness levels.

CONCLUSION: Adolescents with impairments were less physically active, more sedentary and had lower fitness than peers without impairments. This emphasises the need for equitable opportunities for PA, to support long-term health and well-being in adolescents with impairments.

Background

The emergence of wearable technology offers enhanced real-time health management, including sleep, recovery, and exercise optimization. Despite their potential to monitor load-recovery parameters in elite athletes, the selection, combination, and interpretation or reliance of metrics in relation to perceived impact remain unclear.

Objective

This study assessed data from three wearables measuring sleep, continuous glucose, and exercise, together with the Profile of Mood State (POMS) dimensions alongside subjective ratings via the Readiness Advisor application (RA app) (Silicon Valley Exercise Analytics, svexa, Menlo Park, California, USA) to evaluate their association and value in load-recovery monitoring.

Methods

Twenty national team endurance athletes, competing at the highest international level, were monitored during one year of training, recovery, and competitions. Data collections were made with Global Positioning System (GPS) watches and heart rate monitors, & Ōura rings (Ōura Health OY, Oulu, Finland), continuous glucose monitors, POMS questionnaires and subjective ratings in the RA app.

Results

Significant correlations were found between each RA question and its counterpart in a linear mixed model (r values = 0.39-0.81). However, time series analysis through autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA analysis) revealed individual variability.

Conclusions

These findings indicate an influence of external aspects and advocate for a multifaceted approach to the assessment of load-recovery balance, well-being and performance. Moreover, personalized analyses proved more accurate than group averages, emphasizing the need for individualized monitoring. Integrating subjective and objective data appears essential for nuanced understanding of the athlete status, advancing high-performance monitoring and athletic health management.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the dose-response relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sitting time trajectories with cardiac and all-cause mortality in a cohort of middle-aged and older-adults after a diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD).

DESIGN: This prospective cohort study comprised Australian participants aged ≥45-years with CHD (2006-2020) who had self-reported MVPA (min/wk) and sitting time (hr/day) data from at least two survey waves.

METHODS: MVPA and sitting time trajectories were categorised as remaining high, decreasing, increasing, and remaining low. Cardiac and all-cause mortality were the main outcomes. Associations were explored using Cox regression models.

RESULTS: The cohort included 9430 participants (mean (SD) age, 70 (10) years; 3557 females (38 %)). During a median follow-up of 4.4 (IQR, 6.1) years, 540 cardiac and 2843 all-cause deaths were recorded. Compared with individuals that remained inactive, remaining active was associated with a 36 % and 49 % lower risk of cardiac and all-cause death, respectively. Decreasing or increasing MVPA over time was associated with a 20-33 % lower risk of all-cause death. Compared with high sitting time, individuals that maintained low sitting time or decreased their sitting time over time reduced the associated risk of cardiac and all-cause death by 33-38 %.

CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of pre-CHD diagnosis movement behaviours, individuals' post-CHD diagnosis can reduce their risk of cardiac and all-cause mortality by achieving the physical activity thresholds at any time and reducing their sitting time over-time. Further research is needed to confirm the physical activity and sitting time thresholds to receive these benefits.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a severe and prevalent disorder among older adults. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is recommended treatment for GAD, but older adults benefit less than younger peers. Physical exercise has been suggested to improve treatment efficacy. We aimed to determine the efficacy of augmenting CBT with physical exercise for older adults with GAD. This randomised controlled trial included 50 participants (mean [SD] age 66.52 [4.09] years; 39 [78%] female) with GAD. Participants received individual CBT and were randomised to either physical exercise or telephone attention placebo. The main outcome measure was self-reported worry on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). Secondary outcome measures were clinician-rated remission and self-reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Although the interaction between time and condition was statistically nonsignificant, moderation analysis revealed that this interaction was significant for participants with low treatment credibility to CBT at baseline. Participants randomised to physical exercise were five times more likely to achieve reliable long-term worry-reduction than placebo control. We found significant differences in favour of physical exercise for secondary measures of depression and anxiety. Participants with better cognitive inhibition at baseline were more likely to achieve clinician-rated remission. Findings suggest that physical exercise augments CBT for older adults with GAD.

This article examines the normative foundation of Paralympic classification, focusing on three interconnected ideals articulated in the International Paralympic Committee's Classification Code: fairness, meaningful competition, and sporting excellence. We develop a specific fair equality of opportunity principle for Paralympic sport (FEOPps), providing a philosophically grounded ethical framework for evaluating classification systems. The principle requires that inequalities between competitors in sport-specific activity limitations resulting from an eligible impairment be eliminated where pragmatically possible and otherwise minimized. This applies when inequalities significantly and systematically impact performance and remain beyond competitors' influence and control. Building on Rawlsian contractualism and Loland's fair play theory, we argue that fairness takes lexical priority over other considerations, establishing deontological constraints within which meaningful competition and sporting excellence can be pursued. Meaningful competition occurs when athletes with evenly matched performance potential engage in fair contests with uncertainty of outcome, thereby enabling the display of authentic sporting excellence achieved through talent and effort. This neo-Aristotelian interpretation connects Paralympic sport to broader ideals of human flourishing through meritocratic practices that cultivate virtue and excellence. Applying our ethical framework to current procedures, we show how FEOPps provides both philosophical justification and practical guidance for Paralympic classification systems while highlighting the need for continued normative reflection on the fundamental nature and purposes of Paralympic sport.

Self-compassion is associated with positive mental health outcomes and may buffer against negative selfevaluations and emotional difficulties. Nevertheless, studies among athletes often explore self-compassion in specific groups in isolation (e.g., women athletes) (Ro<spacing diaeresis>thlin et al., 2019). The aims of this study were to 1) explore whether the relationship between gender and composite scores and specific dimensions of self-compassion (e.g., self-judgement) was moderated by athlete status; and 2) to explore the relationship between different dimensions of self-compassion and self-reported depressive symptoms and well-being among team sport athletes (n = 84, Mage = 22.9 +/- 5.0; 57.1 %men) and non-athletes (n = 189, Mage = 35.5 +/- 5.9; 32.8 %men). For our first aim, the relationship between gender and self-compassion (including specific dimensions) was not moderated by athlete status. However, regardless of gender, athletes reported significantly higher total self-compassion scores and significantly lower scores on specific dimensions of self-compassion, isolation, and over-identification, than nonathletes. For our second aim, self-judgement was positively associated with depressive symptoms in both athletes and non-athletes. Self-judgment was, however, negatively associated with well-being only among athletes, and isolation was negatively correlated with well-being only among non-athletes. Our results suggest that reducing self-judgement may be particularly important for promoting athletes' mental health

OBJECTIVES: Mental skills training (MST), which systematically uses techniques to build mental skills, is a popular intervention approach that may benefit dancers. However, information presented in existing MST interventions in dance is dispersed, making it difficult to offer evidence-based recommendations. To address this, the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) can improve transparency and replicability in intervention reporting, thus supporting researchers in assessing existing evidence and enhancing future intervention design. Guided by this framework, the aim of this mixed-methods systematic review was to provide an overview of existing MST interventions in dance and examine (1) the characteristics of effective MST interventions in dance and (2) how the reporting of these interventions aligned with the 12 TIDieR items.

DESIGN: Mixed-methods systematic review.

DATA SOURCES: PsycInfo, Medline, Embase, SportDiscus, Web of Science and the first 30 pages of Google Scholar were searched from database inception until August 2024.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods approaches investigating MST interventions in which dancers used mental techniques, developed mental skills or enhanced mental qualities to improve physical and mental well-being.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers independently screened identified studies in Covidence. Using the TIDieR framework, one reviewer extracted data while a second checked 30% of studies for accuracy. A convergent integrated synthesis was conducted.

RESULTS: Findings from the 21 included studies indicated that intervention effectiveness was determined by characteristics relating to both recipients and deliverers. While TIDieR items describing intervention content were most reported, few studies described fidelity.

CONCLUSION: Future MST interventions in dance should consider multiple aspects of effectiveness and involve dancers and deliverers in mapping needs, values and outcomes. Structured reporting tools like TIDieR may enhance reporting clarity and intervention replicability.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024537249.

This presentation demonstrates how case vignettes, real-world narratives, enable interdisciplinary collaboration to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Zimbabwe. Workshops with 60 stakeholders from medicine, agriculture, and environmental science revealed three key benefits: shared knowledge building, ethical/systems thinking, and practical solutions like surveillance systems and policy reforms.

Freelance dance artists face a range of challenges that might negatively impact their mental well-being. To address these issues, research indicates that mental skills training (MST) could be beneficial for freelance dance artists, but no recognised manualised programme currently exists for this group. Prior to developing a MST programme, more knowledge is required on freelance artists’ use of mental skills. This protocol outlines a qualitative interview study to investigate: a) what mental techniques, skills and qualities freelance dance artists perceive to be beneficial in negotiating challenges and enhancing their wellbeing; b) gain insight into mechanisms underpinning the process of MST; and c) determine crucial characteristics (e.g., duration, teaching techniques) essential to a feasible and meaningful MST programme for freelance dance artists. Embedded in a person-based approach (PBA) to intervention development and underpinned by a pragmatic stance, the study will employ snowball sampling to recruit 8 freelance dance artists and 8 psychologically informed practitioners for semi-structured interviews. Data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication in a scientific journal.

Purpose: This study investigated the relationships between isokinetic knee flexor/extensorand ankle plantar/dorsal strength, jump performance, and change of direction(COD) performance, with particular focus on biomechanical determinants of 180° COD tasks.

Methods: Eight male handball players (21.7±3.6 years, 84.2±13.4kg, 189±13.5cm)completed isokinetic strength testing of knee flexion/extension and ankle plantar/dorsalflexion at 60°/s and 120°/s, countermovement jumps (CMJ), and 180° COD tests. Ground reaction forces, joint kinematics, were collected during COD performance usingforce plates and motion capture. Pearson and Spearman correlations were used to examine relationships between variables. To address multiple comparisons, the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure was applied separately for each hypothesis group.

Results: No significant correlations were found between isokinetic strength measures,jump height and COD completion time. Before adjustment for multiple comparisons,COD performance was significantly correlated with vertical braking mean force (r =−0.707, p = 0.048), and knee flexion angles (r = 0.745, p = 0.043). Jump height showed significant correlations with contact time (r = 0.753, p = 0.015). After applying the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure, only the correlation between left knee extension at 60°/sand horizontal propulsive peak force (r = −0.98, p = 0.001) remained significant. Bilateral asymmetries were observed, with strength-biomechanics relationships predominantly found in the left leg.

Conclusion: After controlling for multiple comparisons, only left knee extensionstrength and horizontal propulsive peak force maintained a significant relationship.Initially, COD performance was associated with mean braking forces and knee flexionangles, with no significant correlations found between joint strength measures and completion time. Bilateral asymmetries were observed in strength-biomechanical relationships, predominantly in the left leg, potentially reflecting sport-specific directional preferences in handball. The small sample size (n=8), which a post-hoc power analysis revealed would require seventeen participants for adequate statistical power, and inclusion of only male participants limits generalizability. Future research with larger, more diverse samples is needed to establish definitive strength-performance relationships in COD tasks.

Cerebral palsy (CP), the most prevalent childhood-onset motor disability, frequently entails progressive musculoskeletal complications. This comprehensive review synthesizes existing knowledge of microscopic and molecular alterations in CP skeletal muscle. Considerable methodological variability, heterogeneous patient cohorts, and inconsistent control groups significantly complicate comparative interpretations across studies. Nonetheless, some structural abnormalities consistently emerge, including increased variability in muscle fibre size, altered fibre type distribution, long sarcomeres at standardized joint positions, increased collagen content, disrupted neuromuscular junction integrity, reduced capillary density, and mitochondrial and satellite cell impairments. Investigations of satellite cell function in vitro further underscore potential mechanistic alterations, although findings remain inconsistent. Remarkably, few studies have systematically explored the cellular and molecular consequences of standard clinical interventions, revealing a notable research gap. In conclusion, the overall literature reveals considerable divergence in reported outcomes, reflecting the profound complexity of CP muscle biology. We believe that resolving this complexity will require more coordinated and collaborative research approaches.

Tidigare studier av barns fysiska aktivitet har främst inriktats mot att mäta hur mycket och hur ofta barn rör sig i förhållande till Världshälsoorganisationens (WHO) rekommendationer. Studierna säger dock lite om barns syn på rörelse och vad som behövs för att barn ska vilja och kunna röra sig. Skolan framställs som en plattform för att ge alla barn möjligheter till rörelse, men idag ges inte alla barn de förutsättningar de behöver. Mot denna bakgrund är syftet med studien att undersöka barns rörelsemöjligheter i skolan med fokus på deras upplevda delaktighet. De metoder som använts är intervjuer och gåturer med barn i åldern 10–12 år. För att synliggöra och problematisera hur barn upplever möjligheter till rörelse presenteras resultaten i form av sammansatta berättelser. Studien visar att köns-, idrotts- och hälsonormer kan (sam)verka och begränsa barns delaktighet och rörelsemöjligheter samt på vilka sätt.

The aim of the study was to compare the oxygen uptake (V˙O2), heart rate (HR), rated perceived exertion (RPE), and blood-lactate concentration (BLa) in a conventional anaerobic-threshold test at constant speed intervals with running at the same mean speeds, but with speed variations similar to a football match. Nine male football players completed two test days with two treadmill running tests: a submaximal test followed by a maximal test. The submaximal tests (tests A and B) comprised five stages of five minutes each, with between 8–16 km/h mean speeds. The speed was constant for test A, whereas in test B, the speed during the stages varied every 15 seconds. Mean values of V˙O2, HR, BLa, and RPE for the legs (RPElegs) and ventilation (RPEvent) were determined for each stage. No significant differences between tests A and B were found for V˙O2, HR, and RPElegs. The BLa was significantly higher for test B at mean speeds of 10, 14, and 16 km/h. RPEvent did not differ between tests for any work intensity, except for a higher rating for test A at 8 km/h. The equal HR and V˙O2 responses for the anaerobic-threshold tests with constant and varying speeds suggests that male football players’ aerobic energy expenditure during match could be estimated based on HR recordings. The significant difference in BLa between constant and varying speeds indicates the need to use anaerobic-threshold tests with varying speeds in football.

School health educational content often entails different subject areas and a variety of topics that students are supposed to learn, and when taught in diverse classrooms, potentially positions students as at-risk. Using vignettes in interviews with migrant students in Sweden, the study focuses on views of the content of health education in relation to different ways that health as risk is enacted. Four aspects of risk were identified: (i) risk as content in health education and risky, including topics such as nutrition, stress, smoking, and pollution; (ii) risk as content in health education but not so risky, including topics such as health care and disease prevention; (iii) not-so-risky topics in health education, including topics such as physical activity, physical health, and social relations; and (iv) not risk as content in health education but still risky, including topics related to sex education. Teachers in health education, regardless of school subject, should be aware that some topics position students as being at-risk, other topics put students at-risk even if the topics are not about risk per se, and lastly, that risk can be something with pedagogical potential if it is used purposefully and educationally.

In traditional ice hockey skates with fixed blade holders, a shorter blade radius allows for greater variation in the foot’s overall pitch angle as the contact point shifts from the rear to the front of the blade. Therefore, a shorter blade radius can help players better adapt their pitch angle to different skating demands as compared to a longer blade radius. However, reducing the blade radius also decreases the ice contact area, and when the contact becomes too limited, plowing resistance increases, creating a trade-off that can negatively impact speed and glide. To address this trade-off between maneuverability and glide resistance, a novel dynamic blade holder incorporating a rocker mechanism has been developed. This study presents a mathematical equilibrium model of the dynamic blade holder to evaluate its effect on skate pitch angle. The model demonstrates how the rocker allows independent adjustment of the pitch angle without altering blade curvature, effectively amplifying pitch changes as a function of contact point displacement. Analytical expressions describe this amplification and its dependence on rocker radius, providing practical tools for understanding and optimizing skate design. Future research should examine the biomechanical implications of this approach in real skating scenarios.

Background and aims: Despite a coronary artery calcification (CAC) score of zero, 5-6 % of middle-aged individuals still exhibit underlying atherosclerosis. This cross-sectional study aimed first to investigate the association between estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and atherosclerosis in individuals with zero CAC, second to assess whether adding CRF to the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) model improves the explained variance in atherosclerosis, and third to characterise the association across CRF levels.

Methods: We included 2322 middle-aged individuals with zero CAC from the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS). CRF was estimated as maximal oxygen consumption (ml·kg-1·min-1) using submaximal cycle testing, CAC was assessed by non-contrast computed tomography, and atherosclerosis by coronary computed tomography angiography. Logistic regression and Chi-squared tests analysed associations and compared prevalences across CRF groups.

Results: One ml·kg-1·min-1 higher CRF was associated with 4.5 % lower odds of atherosclerosis (p < 0.01), while one percentage point higher SCORE corresponded to 47.4 % higher odds (p < 0.01). The combined CRF-SCORE model explained significantly more variance in atherosclerosis than SCORE alone (p < 0.01). When categorised as "low" and "high", atherosclerosis prevalence was 104 % higher in low-CRF men (p < 0.01) and 127 % higher in low-CRF women (p < 0.001) compared to high-CRF counterparts.

Conclusions: In individuals with zero CAC, low CRF was associated with more than double the prevalence of atherosclerosis compared to high CRF. Adding CRF to SCORE explained a greater proportion of variance in atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that CRF could help identify individuals at elevated risk, beyond traditional assessments.

Background: Public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE) is increasingly valued for improving the quality and relevance of health research. Patient research partners (PRPs) offer lived experience of a previous myocardial infarction and cardiac distress that can enhance study design and implementation. This protocol describes one out of four studies in a larger project aiming to adapt and evaluate a stress recovery intervention for adults (aged < 55) after myocardial infarction with cardiac distress.

Objective: The primary aim of this study is to explore PRPs' perceived impact on the design, implementation, and evaluation of the internet-delivered behavioral stress recovery intervention Balance in Everyday Life (iBEL), and to describe the process of their involvement in research activities. This study employs a PPIE approach to systematically involve PRP: s throughout all phases of the research project.

Methods: Five to eight PRPs with lived experiences of a previous myocardial infarction and cardiac distress will participate in a series of structured online workshops across all phases of the project. They provide feedback on intervention materials and study procedures. Data are collected using impact logs, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires, and will be analyzed using thematic analysis.

Discussion: This study is expected to generate insights into how sustained PRP involvement can be integrated into behavioral intervention research. It will highlight how PRPs influence decision-making processes in real time, and how this aligns with scientific and practical considerations.

Conclusion: The present study provides insights into the perceived impact of PRPs on the design, implementation, and evaluation of the iBEL intervention, highlighting both effective aspects and challenges of patient involvement, and offering guidance for integrating PRP input in behavioral intervention research.

(1) Background: Individuals affected by schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) have an increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Improved cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with lower cardiometabolic risk. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of a six-month-long physical exercise intervention on CRF and cardiometabolic risk factors as well as whether the effect differed between sexes and different baseline CRF in SSD patients. (2) Methods: 122 patients at psychiatric open care units agreed to participate, 55 did not provide blood samples, and 14 dropped out, leaving 53 patients with complete pre-post data. BMI, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, HbA1c, blood lipids, and CRF from ergometer bicycle tests were measured before and after the intervention. CRF was stratified into three groups. (3) Results: Cardiometabolic disturbances were common at baseline. After the intervention, all females and the group with the lowest CRF at baseline improved in triglyceride levels. The latter group also improved in CRF. (4) Conclusions: Females and those with the lowest baseline CRF had improved post-intervention, but causality cannot be inferred because our study was a non-randomized study without a control group.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the determinants of running performance in a cross-country running race and examine whether running economy and biomechanics are affected. Moreover, we analyzed whether the magnitude of change in running economy (RE) is related to changes in biomechanics, performance, and fitness measures. Method: Thirteen runners (12 male and 1 female), with an average 10 km personal best time of 36:46 +/- 3:17 (min:s), participated in the 30 km cross-country race, Lidingoloppet. Assessments of submaximal and maximal running physiology, biomechanics, and anthropometry were conducted before and immediately after the race. A multiple linear regression model was applied to explain performance variance. Pearson's correlation analyses examined the relationships between performance and pre-test variables, and between changes in running economy and both pre-test fitness measures and changes in biomechanics. Paired Student's t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-race values. Results: Performance was best explained using a model including oxygen uptake at lactate threshold (LT), fat utilization, and allometrically scaled running economy (R-2 = 0.918, adjusted R-2 = 0.887, F = 29.7, p < 0.01). Race performance also correlated with maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max, r = -0.776, p = 0.003), fat mass (r = 0.646, p = 0.032), and velocity at VO(2)max (vVO(2)max, r = -0.853, p < 0.01). The oxygen cost of running increased (201.8 +/- 14 vs. 208.4 +/- 9.3 mL kg(-1)<middle dot>km(-1); p = 0.041), whereas respiratory exchange ratio (0.91 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.85 +/- 0.05; p < 0.01) and body mass (69.2 +/- 7.5 vs. 67.6 +/- 7.7 kg; p < 0.01) decreased post-race. Energetic cost of running (0.997 +/- 0.076 vs. 1.015 +/- 0.052 kcal kg(-1)<middle dot>km(-1); p = 0.192) and all biomechanical measurements, including cadence, contact time, overstride, vertical displacement, and vertical force, were unaffected by the race. The magnitude of change in running economy was related only to pre-test running economy (r = -0.749; p = 0.003) but not to performance (r = -0.440; p = 0.132), other pre-test fitness measures, or any changes in biomechanics. Conclusion: The best performance prediction model included oxygen uptake at estimated lactate threshold, fat utilization during submaximal running, and allometrically scaled running economy. Oxygen cost of running increased post-race, likely due to increased fat oxidation, despite decreased body mass. No changes in biomechanics were observed, and changes in running economy could not be explained by changes in biomechanics. Aerobic fitness, anthropometry, and performance were not associated with changes in running economy. Given the small and relatively homogeneous sample, findings should be considered exploratory, although they suggest that practitioners may benefit from targeting fat oxidation, oxygen uptake at the estimated lactate threshold, and running economy in training.

Objective

Maladaptive exercise (ME), problematic attitudes or behaviors related to physical activity, is often observed in eating disorders (EDs), but its prevalence, severity, and relationships with ED features remain incompletely characterized. This study aimed to describe lifetime and current ME across ED diagnoses, examine associations with ED symptoms, sociodemographic characteristics, and weight status, and compare ME phenotypes to identify those most strongly linked to ED features.

Methods

ME was assessed in 31,671 individuals with lifetime EDs (anorexia nervosa [AN], bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder [BED]) recruited to sites in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden as part of the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (NCT04378101). We examined one lifetime ME phenotype, capturing any occurrence of ME across the lifespan (derived from the ED100K), and five current ME phenotypes (any driven exercise [Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire, EDE-Q], frequency of driven exercise [EDE-Q], regular driven exercise [EDE-Q], compulsive exercise test [CET] total, and dichotomous compulsive exercise [CET]).

Results

Lifetime ME was highly prevalent across countries and ED diagnoses (pooled prevalence 88%). Current ME was also common (40% any driven exercise, 35% compulsive exercise, and 12% regular driven exercise), highest in AN and lowest, but notable, in BED. CET-based phenotypes showed the strongest association with ED symptoms, while EDE-Q-derived regular driven exercise was most strongly associated with underweight (BMI < 18.5). Younger generations exhibited a higher ME risk, likely reflecting societal shifts in body ideals and fitness culture.

Discussion

This large, multicountry study demonstrates that ME is highly prevalent across EDs, often emerges early, and can persist or recur for decades. Prevalence and severity vary considerably by assessment method. The ED100K, CET, and EDE-Q capture complementary aspects of ME, and incorporating all three may improve clinical care. We recommend that clinicians assess both current and lifetime ME in all patients with EDs. Routine, harmonized assessment will be essential to advancing research and improving patient outcomes.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04378101

Long-term effects of lumbar disc herniation treatment on brain function are poorly understood, and it is unclear when surgery should be recommended over non-operative treatment. The overall aim of the present study was to determine potential long-term effects on brain networks among individuals who received either surgical or non-operative treatment for lumbar disc herniation in adolescence. Brain network connectivity was assessed for individuals who received surgical treatment or non-operative treatment, and controls with no history of lumbar disc herniation. Prior to analysis, brain connectivity measures between groups were determined as main outcome, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. On average 12 years after treatment onset, the surgically treated cohort exhibited distinctly different functional brain connectivity, compared with both non-operative treatment and controls. The difference was neither attributed to self-reported pain, nor lumbar spine morphology. The findings suggest that surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation in adolescence may be associated with a long-term imprint on the functional brain connectome.

Background: Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are disorders of the gut-brain interaction. FAPDs are common in children and adolescents (global prevalence 12%) and are associated with psychiatric comorbidity. Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) is effective for FAPDs, but it's unclear whether children with psychiatric comorbidities benefit equally from the treatment.

Objectives: In this study, we assessed whether having a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis results in different rates of change in iCBT for children with FAPDs.

Design: Between-groups design.

Methods: Participants were 120 children with FAPDs (age 8-12 years) taking part in one of two clinical trials testing 10 weeks of iCBT. For the analyses, participants were divided into groups: presence or absence of psychiatric disorder. The primary outcome was gastrointestinal symptoms, assessed weekly using the Pediatric Quality of Life Gastrointestinal Symptom Scale. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life, gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, and pain intensity. Multilevel modeling was used to assess differences in rates of change between groups from baseline to follow-up directly after treatment, and then to 6-month follow-up.

Results: We observed significant improvements in the rates of change for both groups for the primary outcome (gastrointestinal symptoms) and all secondary outcomes during treatment. Children with psychiatric comorbidity had significantly more severe symptoms at baseline on all measures, but there was no difference in the rates of change for the primary outcome (-0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.70, 0.11, p = 0.159) or any of the secondary outcomes compared to the non-comorbid group. Treatment benefits were sustained at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusion: ICBT seems to be beneficial for children with FAPDs, also in the presence of psychiatric comorbidity. Given the high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in this patient group, the results will aid the clinical assessment and treatment planning for these patients.

Syfte och frågeställning Studien undersöker lärares upplevelser av hur morgonrörelse påverkar elevernas lärmiljö under skoldagen. Genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med lärare syftar undersökningen till att förstå om och hur morgonrörelse bidrar till en förbättrad lärmiljö. Nedanstående frågeställningar har tagits fram baserat på syftet:

Hur upplever lärarna att elevernas koncentrationsförmåga påverkas beroende på om rörelsen sker på morgonen eller senare under dagen?Hur upplever lärarna att klassrumsmiljön påverkas beroende på om eleverna har rörelse på morgonen eller senare under dagen?

Metod För att undersöka lärares upplevelser av hur fysisk aktivitet påverkar elevers lärmiljö valdes en kvalitativ intervjustudie. Syftet var att få en fördjupad förståelse av fenomenet utifrån lärarnas perspektiv. Totalt intervjuades fem lärare verksamma på låg- och mellanstadiet vid två olika grundskolor. Intervjuerna genomfördes digitalt, spelades in och transkriberades i nära anslutning till datainsamlingen. För att säkerställa en systematisk process användes Kvale och Brinkmanns (2014) sju stadier för intervjuundersökning.

Resultat Respondenterna beskriver att morgonrörelse bidrar till ökat fokus, minskad impulsivitet och ett lugnare klassrumsklimat, särskilt för elever med NPF-diagnoser. Effekterna framträder tydligast under morgonen, medan fysisk aktivitet vid andra tidpunkter också upplevs som positiv men mindre genomgripande.

Slutsats Morgonrörelse upplevs bidra till förbättrad koncentration hos eleverna samt till en mer gynnsam klassrumsmiljö. Respondenternas utsagor bekräftar att dessa effekter inte bara sker på individnivå, utan också påverkar gruppens samspel och det sociala klimatet i klassrummet. Samtidigt beskriver lärarna en tendens till försämrad koncentration och klassrumsmiljö under eftermiddagarna, vilket de bland annat kopplar till att eleverna ofta upplevs som tröttare senare under dagen.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key mediator of neuroplasticity and responsive to acute physical exercise, providing a link between exercise and brain health. Lactate, a metabolite related to exercise, has been proposed as a potential mediator of the BDNF exercise response; however, lactate's role in isolation has not yet been determined. To investigate this, 18 young, healthy volunteers (50% female) were recruited to donate blood and muscle before, during, and after a 1-h venous infusion of sodium lactate (125 μmol × kg FFM^-1 × min^-1) or isotonic saline. Muscle and blood samples were collected during 120 min of recovery from the infusion. Samples were analyzed for pro-BDNF and mBDNF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting. The participants reached a peak plasma lactate level of 5.9 ± 0.37 mmol × L^-1 in the lactate trial (p = 0.0002 vs. Pre). Plasma pro-BDNF levels increased 15 min post lactate infusion and stayed elevated throughout the recovery (55%-68%, p < 0.0286 vs. Saline) while plasma and serum levels of mBDNF showed no significant change (p > 0.05 vs. Saline). Muscle pro-BDNF levels were also unaltered by the lactate infusion (p > 0.05 vs. Saline); however, the expression of pro-BDNF correlated with the proportion of type I muscle fiber area (fCSA%) of the participants (n = 18, r = 0.6746, p = 0.0021). Muscle levels of the mBDNF isoform were non-detectable. In conclusion, these results suggest that lactate in isolation affects circulatory pro-BDNF, but not mBDNF levels. This implies that lactate may partly mediate the exercise response of pro-BDNF in humans.

Introduction: main topic of the paper 

The notion that children and young people are physically inactive dominates the research community and in the news media. Alarmistic reports result in school interventions to remedy the problem, often with minimal effect (Larsson & Thedin Jakobsson, 2024). It’s a gloomy picture of children’s movements being painted. But, after spending one year in an ethnographic study at two school-age educare centers in Sweden, I would dare to disagree. As a matter of fact, I find movement everywhere. 

Theoretical framework 

The study explores which movement discourses govern ways of moving in the school-age educare center. This entails exploring how discursive practices – such as rules and routines, physical environments, what is being said about movement, and the ensemble of movements occurring – produce different discursive patterns about movement. The study uses Foucault’s notion of discourse as “the ensemble of more or less regulated, more or less deliberate, more or less finalized ways of doing things” (Foucault, 1998, s. 463). 

Research question(s) 

The study in the presentation is part of a thesis project that explores how movement is constructed in school-age educare. This paper addresses the following research question: What movement discourses can be identified in school-age educare? 

Methodology 

The study is part of a year-long ethnographic research project at two school-age educare centers in Sweden, that uses observations and interviews. The material for this study consists of field notes from 84 occasions (approximately 180 hours). 75 children (ages 7-8) and 18 pedagogues participated in the study. The data was analyzed using discourse analysis. 

Results 

Preliminary analysis shows an overarching school-age educare discourse in terms of movement that is built up from two sub-discourses: (i) movement as something natural, and (ii) movement as something that must be promoted and organized. In the presentation I will go more in-depth into the discourse of movement as something that must be promoted and organized, and illustrate with empirical examples. Some elements of discussion (scientific relevance, practical implications, etc.)

Swedish school-age educare is in the middle of a schooling process, and there is pressure towards more goal-directed activities (Ackesjö & Haglund, 2021). “Daily physical activity” is part of the Swedish curriculum (Skolverket, 2022) and can be addressed by, for example, organized movement activities. However, this study shows that the adult’s view on meaningful movement may not always coincide with the children’s view. Giving space to children’s self-organized movement in school-age educare is one way of promoting daily, meaningful physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Digital interventions offering behaviour change support are warranted to prevent and treat non-communicable diseases, and have been evaluated rigorously in controlled settings. Effectivenss, factors influencing the uptake of scaled-up interventions-such as reach, received dose, usability and acceptability- and predictors and mediators of efficiency are rarely explored in research. The study described herein aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a personally tailored digital intervention (the app EviBody®), intended to support healthy and sustained lifestyle behaviours among the adult population, on well-being and behaviour change. Further aims are to explore context and uptake factors, predictors and mediators for behaviour change over 24 months.

METHODS: This is a real-world study, employing a quasi-experimental design and a process evaluation. EviBody® will be marketed and managed by its owner. A four-armed design will allow for comparison between three levels of intervention (basic, standard and premium) and a control group. Adults who sign up for the app will be invited to the research study including sharing app data and answering questionnaires at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Study start is Autumn 2025. Controls (n = 200 to evaluate the primary endpoint well-being at 6 months) will be recruited through advertisements on social media and asked to answer the same questionnaires at 0 and 6 months provided by email. For predicting and mediating analyses the intention is to recruit 1500 app users. Well-being (measured with the WHO-5 Well-Being Index), goal achievement, physical activity, eating habits, mental health, mediators (motivation, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers), and demographics will be self-reported. Uptake will be collected using analytics and ratings of usability and acceptability, and described by demographics. Mixed models for repeated measures and structural equation modelling will be employed for data analysis.

DISCUSSION: Besides evaluating the effectivenss of a digital intervention, this study also applies a theory-based evaluation to understand which mediators are effective, for whom they are effective, and the specific conditions under which they are most beneficial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT05973383 on 8 July 2023.

Background: Poor-quality sleep has been linked to increased dementia risk. We investigated the relationship between healthy sleep pattern and older brain age, and the extent to which this is mediated by systemic inflammation.

Methods: The study included 27,500 adults from the UK Biobank (mean age 54.7 y, 54.0% female). The presence of five self-reported healthy sleep characteristics (early chronotype, 7-8 h daily sleep, no insomnia, no snoring, no excessive daytime sleepiness) were summed into a healthy sleep score (0-5 pts) and used to define three sleep patterns: healthy (≥4 pts), intermediate (2-3 pts), and poor (≤1 pt). Low-grade inflammation was estimated using the INFLA-score, a composite index of inflammatory biomarkers. After a mean follow-up of 8.9 y, brain age was estimated using a machine learning model based on 1079 brain MRI phenotypes and used to calculate brain age gap (BAG; i.e., brain age minus chronological age). Data were analysed using linear regression and generalised structural equation models.

Findings: At baseline, 898 (3.3%) participants had poor sleep, 15,283 (55.6%) had intermediate sleep, and 11,319 (41.2%) had healthy sleep. Compared to healthy sleep, intermediate (β = 0.25 [0.11, 0.40], P = 0.010) and poor (β = 0.46 [0.05, 0.87], P < 0.001) sleep were associated with significantly higher BAG. In mediation analysis, INFLA-score mediated 6.81% and 10.42% of the associations between intermediate and poor sleep and higher BAG.

Interpretation: Poor sleep health may accelerate brain ageing. This may be driven by higher levels of systemic inflammation.