Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026) Current Issue
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Articles
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PHYSIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF MOTORCYCLE RACERS FOR THE EVIDENCE-BASED TRAINING
Views:0Motorcycle racers are subjected to extreme physical and physiological stresses that can affect their performance. This research aimed to investigate physiological factors that may influence performance and to make recommendations for effective training design. Three international-level Hungarian motorcycle racers were studied in laboratory, competition, and race simulation environments. Their mean age was 20.33 years (± 2.3), sport age 15.66 years (± 3.78), body weight 73.9 kg (± 8.7), and height 1.78 m (± 0.1). Resting measurements, load tests, and track tests were performed during the study. To analyze exercise stress in competitive conditions, we used heart rate monitoring and lactate measurements during the final round of the 2024 World Endurance Championships and a track test in Hungary. The laboratory measurements identified three athletes with different fitness statuses, who demonstrated significant individual differences in both cardiovascular and metabolic load during racing. The results showed that the pilot with greater aerobic capacity had a higher relative heart rate and lower lactate levels, whereas the pilot with greater anaerobic capacity showed the opposite. This suggests that energy production processes differ between riders. Aerobic capacity primarily supports recovery and more economical energy production, while anaerobic fitness can provide the performance needed for high-intensity activities. Striking the right balance can be the key to optimizing riders' performance.
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Spinal Deformities and Injuries in Competitive Swimming: A Systematic Review
Views:0Competitive swimming is traditionally considered a low‑impact sport; however, repetitive stroke mechanics, high training volumes, and stroke‑specific lumbar loading patterns may contribute to spinal malalignment, lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (LDD), and low back pain (LBP). Emerging evidence suggests that these risks may be particularly relevant for adolescent and young adult swimmers who undergo early and intensive training. Our study systematically reviewed the literature on spinal posture, lumbar disc degeneration, and low back pain in competitive swimmers aged 6–25 years, and identified key risk factors and preventive strategies.
A systematic search of Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort designs published between 2005 and 2024 that involved competitive swimmers with ≥2–3 years of training and ≥3 weekly sessions. Outcomes of interest were spinal posture abnormalities, MRI-confirmed LDD, and LBP prevalence. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
Across studies, swimmers exhibited a higher prevalence of postural deviations—including hyperkyphosis, hyperlordosis, trunk asymmetry, and anterior pelvic tilt—compared with non-athletes. MRI-based studies consistently report elevated rates of LDD among swimmers, particularly at L4–L5 and L5–S1, with degeneration present in up to 68% of elite swimmers, compared with 29–31% of controls. LBP was identified as the second most common musculoskeletal complaint among swimmers, with an increased risk associated with greater training exposure and strokes that involve repetitive lumbar flexion–extension (e.g., butterfly, breaststroke). Contributing factors included early specialization, muscular imbalances, and technical inefficiencies. Methodological limitations included small sample sizes and predominantly cross-sectional designs.
Competitive swimming is associated with increased rates of spinal postural abnormalities, lumbar disc degeneration, and low back pain in youth and young adult athletes. Early screening, core stabilization, stroke technique optimization, and training load management are essential to mitigate spinal stress. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify causal pathways and inform evidence-based prevention strategies.
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DATA ANALYZING IN SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATING
Views:0Data analysis in short track speed skating has become a crucial tool for improving athlete performance, optimizing training strategies, and enhancing competitive outcomes. This study explores the application of data-driven techniques in short-track speed skating, focusing on performance metrics including lap times, split times, acceleration, and biomechanical efficiency. By leveraging sensors, motion capture systems, and wearable technology, coaches and analysts can collect real-time data on skaters' movements, allowing for detailed analysis of stroke mechanics, glide phases, and cornering techniques. The integration of this data into performance modeling helps identify strengths and weaknesses, fine-tune race strategies, and predict potential outcomes under specific conditions. Additionally, machine learning algorithms are increasingly being employed to predict injury risk and optimize training regimens. This paper discusses methods of data collection and analysis, and the practical applications of the insights gained, highlighting the potential to improve both individual and team performance in short-track speed skating. Ultimately, data analysis in this domain offers a significant competitive edge, driving the evolution of techniques and advancing sport to new levels of precision and excellence.
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WHAT ROLE DOES SOCIAL MEDIA PLAY IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS?
Views:0Background: One key factor influencing weight management in adolescents and young adults appears to be social media (SM). Understanding how social networks affect health behavior has gained attention in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the role that social media plays in weight management among university students in Slovakia. Methods: A questionnaire survey (Social media use questionnaire, Figure Rating Scale 2, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire) was used to conduct this research. The sample comprised 313 university students from Slovakia (115 males, 198 females). Results: We found that students who want to change their body type do not engage in more physical activity. Similarly, fitness-related content on social media does not increase the frequency of physical activity. We found that women who want to change their body type tend to compare their bodies with their peers on SM at a significantly higher rate. Conclusion: Future research should focus on different SM platforms and the expertise of individual fitness influencers.
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AZ MLSZ TÁMOGATÁSI SZABÁLYOZÁSÁNAK ÉS A KIEMELT AKADÉMIAI RENDSZER KAPCSOLÓDÁSI PONTJAINAK ELEMZÉSE A FELNŐTT FUTBALLBAN, 2021–2026
Views:0This study examines the incentive schemes implemented by the Hungarian Football Federation and the Hungarian government that aim to promote the participation of domestic and young players in the Hungarian football first league. The aim of the research is to demonstrate how, from the 2021/22 season through the 2025/26 season, the regulatory and financing mechanisms that directly or indirectly influence clubs' player policies, youth development strategies, and squad management have evolved. The study is based on document analysis: it reviews the decisions of the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) Executive Committee, competition regulations, distribution rules for property rights, and the legal and institutional frameworks governing the operation of state-recognized sports academies. The analysis addresses the development of the MLSZ's support system based on playing time for young and domestic players, the stricter playing time requirements introduced in the 2025/26 season, as well as the role of the National Sports Methodology Institute's (NSMI) productivity expectations and the financial incentives associated with priority academy status. The study highlights that during the period under review, incentives for fielding Hungarian and young Hungarian players emerged, supported by increasingly robust financial and institutional tools within the regulatory environment of Hungarian soccer. The direction of the regulatory process suggests that, within the subsidy-dependent operating model of domestic clubs, the integration of young players does not in itself necessarily constitute an economic imperative; therefore, the MLSZ and the state institutional system are attempting to steer clubs toward the more regular fielding of domestic and young football players through specific incentives. This research does not aim to evaluate the performance of individual clubs, but rather to interpret changes in the regulatory and financial environment, laying the groundwork for a future empirical study on the trends in playing time for Hungarian and young Hungarian players in the first league.