Indonesian Journal of Sport, Health and Physical Education Science

The Impact of Menstrual Hygiene Products on Physical Fitness, Comfort, and Hygiene Practices among Female Athletes in Sri Lanka

2026-04-06T22:43:57+07:00

Background: Female athletes require proper menstrual hygiene management to maintain comfort, hygiene, and performance during physical activity. Products such as sanitary pads (SP), tampons (T), menstrual cups (MC) and others are commonly used, with selection influenced by various factors. This study examined the impact of menstrual hygiene products on physical fitness (PF), comfort (C), and hygiene practices (HP) among female athletes in Sri Lanka.

Methods: Forty female athletes (n = 40), mean age (23.33 ± 3.38) years, were selected through purposive sampling from Volleyball (06), Gymnastics (03), Swimming (08) and Athletics (23). C and HP data were collected through a Structured Questionnaire and PF was assessed through the 30m sprint (30m S), vertical jump (VJ), Agility T-test (ATT) and the 12-minute Cooper test (12C). Non – parametric Kruskal – Wallis tests (SPSS version 21; p = 0.05) were applied due to non – normal data distribution.

Result: Results indicated a statistically significant difference in the ATT score (p = 0.045), indicating variations in agility performance among product users. No significant differences were found in the results of the 30m S (p = 0.158), VJ (p = 0.735), or 12C (p = 0.763). Comfort levels were significantly higher among MC users (p = 0.003). Moreover, there were significant differences in HP, with MC users reporting better practices (p = 0.012).

Conclusion: Finally, athletes using T and MC reported higher satisfaction than those using SP, with a significant preference for these products. MC and T were associated with higher comfort levels, better HP and improved physical performance, while pads were found to limit comfort and mobility, particularly during sports activities.

Qualitative Analysis of the Role of Basketball Intern Students in Developing Early-Age Athletes’ Skills

2026-03-14T23:57:12+07:00

Background: Early childhood skill development through sports, particularly basketball, is essential for fostering motor abilities, discipline, and social interaction. Internship programs provide students with opportunities to connect theory with practice while contributing to children’s growth. This study aims to explore the role of internship students in developing early childhood skills through basketball training.

Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, using interviews, observations, and documentation. The study involved five internship students who participated in basketball training sessions with young children.

Result: The findings revealed that internship students performed multiple roles as coaches, educators, facilitators, and motivators. Play-based strategies such as mini games, paired exercises, and light challenges were effective in maintaining children’s engagement. Basketball training contributed positively to children’s motor skills, discipline, self-confidence, and social interaction. Key challenges included limited facilities, children’s short attention spans, and environmental constraints, which were addressed through creative instructional adaptations.

Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of creativity in coaching and demonstrates how internship students contribute to early childhood skill development. It supports motor learning theory and experiential learning concepts, emphasizing the value of practical, play-based approaches in sports education.

Integrating Green Sports Infrastructure and Biopsychosocial Interventions: Sino-Nigerian Framework for Youth Engagement and Environmental Resilience in the Niger Delta

2026-04-17T16:27:16+07:00

Background: Speed and flexibility are important physical components that influence performance in basketball. Training methods such as plyometric training and mobility exercises are commonly used to enhance these abilities. However, the effectiveness of these training methods among collegiate male basketball players requires further investigation.

Methods: This study employed a randomized group experimental design involving 45 male basketball players aged 18–25 years from JAIN University. The participants were divided into three groups: plyometric training group, mobility exercise group, and control group, with 15 subjects in each group. The experimental groups underwent their respective training programs for eight weeks, while the control group did not receive any specific training. Speed and flexibility were measured using the 50-meter run test and sit-and-reach test, respectively. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Scheffé’s post-hoc test at a 0.05 level of significance.

Result: The results showed significant improvements in speed and flexibility among the experimental groups compared to the control group. The mobility exercise group demonstrated better improvement in speed, while both plyometric and mobility training significantly enhanced flexibility. The obtained F-ratios for post-test and adjusted post-test scores were found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that both plyometric training and mobility exercises are effective in improving speed and flexibility among collegiate male basketball players. Mobility exercises showed relatively greater improvement in speed, while both training methods were effective in enhancing flexibility.

Transforming Participation into Institutional Power Youth Leadership in Sports Governance A Scoping Review

2026-04-27T15:34:10+07:00

Background: Youth participation in sport is widespread, yet their representation in formal governance structures remains limited. Although inclusive and democratic governance is increasingly emphasized, it is unclear whether youth leadership translates into meaningful institutional power within sport organizations. This scoping review maps existing scholarship on youth leadership in sports governance, examines how youth roles are conceptualized, and evaluates the extent of decision-making authority afforded to young leaders across governance levels.

Methods: Following the Wong framework and reported in line with PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, ERIC, and Google Scholar. Studies addressing youth leadership or representation in sport governance were included. Records were screened using predefined criteria, and data were charted to capture governance levels, leadership roles, authority structures, and reported barriers or outcomes. Findings were synthesized thematically.

Result: Youth leadership is increasingly visible through advisory boards, athlete commissions, and youth councils; however, substantive authority such as voting rights and strategic influence remains limited. Key barriers include age-based legitimacy bias, hierarchical governance cultures, short-term appointments, and limited mentorship pathways. Where formal authority and governance training exist, youth leaders contribute to improved legitimacy and policy responsiveness.

Conclusion: Youth leadership in sports governance remains positioned between symbolic inclusion and genuine power-sharing. Advancing toward institutional authority requires structural reforms, including formal representation, voting rights, and intergenerational governance models to strengthen democratic legitimacy and long-term sustainability.

Influence of Structured Plyometric and Mobility Training Programs on Speed and Flexibility Adaptations in Collegiate Male Basketball Players

2026-05-15T18:28:54+07:00

Background: Speed and flexibility are essential physical components that influence performance in basketball. Training methods such as plyometric training and mobility exercises are widely used to enhance these components. However, the comparative effectiveness of these training methods on collegiate basketball players requires further investigation.

Methods: In this study, 45 male basketball players from JAIN University, aged 18 to 25, were randomly assigned to three groups of fifteen: the mobility exercise group (MEG), the control group (CG), and the plyometric training group (PTG). Over eight weeks, the experimental groups followed their respective training programs, while the control group received no special instruction. Flexibility was tested using the sit-and-reach method, and speed was measured with a 50-meter run. Data was analyzed using Scheffé’s post-hoc test and ANCOVA at a 0.05 significance level.

Result: The experimental group outshined the control group, showing clear improvements in both speed and flexibility. While both training techniques greatly increased flexibility, the mobility exercise group showed more speed improvement than the plyometric group. At the 0.05 significance level, the F-ratios for both the post-test and the adjusted post-test scores were found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: Plyometric training and mobility exercises are effective in improving speed and flexibility among collegiate male basketball players. Mobility exercises showed a comparatively greater effect on speed, while both training methods significantly improved flexibility, making them valuable components in basketball training programs.

University Lecturers at Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cardiovascular Reactivity and Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes in the Nigerian Context

2026-05-20T15:21:38+07:00

Background: Stress linked to teaching has become a major issue for the health of university teachers, especially in developing nations like Nigeria. Heavy workloads, a lack of resources, and high academic expectations lead to increased physical stress reactions, which can harm heart health and contribute to diseases related to the heart and metabolism.

Methods: This study used a meta-analysis and systematic review technique. Relevant studies from 2014 to 2024 were found using databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and AJOL. Twenty of the 82 studies that were first found, with a total of 2,430 participants, met the inclusion criteria. The data collected looked at heart rate, blood pressure, and research details. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess the quality of the studies. Fixed-effect and random-effects models were used in a meta-analysis.

Result: The results showed a clear link between stress from teaching and heart health issues. The average difference in blood pressure was between 5.23 and 5.51 mmHg, while the heart rate rose between 3.15 and 3.41 beats per minute. These findings point to heightened heart responses among university lecturers in Nigeria who face work-related stress, indicating a greater chance of developing heart diseases and metabolic disorders.

Conclusion: Stress related to teaching has a major impact on heart health for university lecturers in Nigeria. The results emphasize the importance of specific programs to tackle stress, strategies for managing it, and changes to institutional policies to lower job-related stress and enhance heart health outcomes.

Comparative Effect of Cognitive-Perceptual Training on Cognitive Performance Across Playing Positions in Football

2026-05-20T14:59:42+07:00

Background: Football performance relies on cognitive-perceptual abilities that vary by playing position, yet evidence on position-specific cognitive-perceptual training is limited. This study investigated the comparative effect of cognitive-perceptual training on cognitive performance among university-level football players across different playing positions.

Methods: Sixty male football players (18-25 years) were categorized as forwards (n = 20), midfielders (n = 20) and defenders (n = 20). Participants completed an eight-week cognitive–perceptual training program using the Vienna Test System. Reaction Speed, decision-making (Cognitrone) and Peripheral Perception were assessed using a pre–post design. Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVA.

Result: A significant positional effect emerged for decision-making (F(2,57) = 5.17, p = .009, η² = .15), with midfielders exhibiting the greatest improvement.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that cognitive-perceptual training effectively enhances key cognitive functions in football players, particularly decision-making among midfielders. Integrating such interventions into regular training may foster improved tactical and perceptual efficiency in competitive contexts.