International Journal of Sport Studies for Health

Objective:

The use of video-assisted officiating technologies in sports competitions has created a significant transformation in referees’ decision-making processes in recent years. In particular, the Video Challenge System (VCS) in volleyball has become an important element that supports referees’ decisions and may influence teams’ strategic approaches in high-level events. In this context, the study aimed to provide a descriptive examination of data related to the use of the Video Challenge System in volleyball matches played at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and to evaluate its implementation processes.

Methods and Materials:

A total of 97 challenges from 25 matches were analyzed. The analysis examined the number of challenges, their approval or rejection, and their distribution by match stage, match outcome, and country, using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests conducted in an exploratory manner.

Results:

The results showed that 28.87% of all challenges were upheld, while 71.13% were rejected. Winning teams submitted fewer challenges but demonstrated higher success rates in addressing them. Descriptive differences were observed across competition stages, with higher approval rates recorded in the semifinal and bronze medal matches. Variations were also observed among countries in terms of challenge frequency and outcomes. Referees rarely initiated VCS reviews, and such instances occurred infrequently across matches.

Conclusion:

 Overall, the findings suggest that VCS use may support referee decision-making processes and may be associated with perceived fairness, while patterns of use appear to vary according to team characteristics, competition stage, and national context. These results should be interpreted as descriptive and exploratory in nature.

Objective: To address a critical gap in proactive risk management for public recreational infrastructure, this study quantitatively assesses the safety risks posed by rainy weather on outdoor fitness equipment using the L-type matrix method.

Methods: A mixed-method approach, which combines quantitative and qualitative data, was employed. A total of 240 participants from two similar outdoor fitness parks evaluated the usability of eight different equipment pieces (B1-B8) on a 0-2 scale (0=Unusable, 1=Cautious Use, 2=Usable) under wet conditions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the L-Type Matrix Risk Analysis—where probability (O) was calculated as O = 2 - Usability Score to accurately reflect accident likelihood—and one/two-way analysis of variance tests. Qualitative data from the focus group interviews were analyzed through content analysis.

Results: The L-Type Matrix analysis revealed that seven out of the eight equipment pieces posed a "high risk," and one (B2 - Elliptical Bike) posed a "very high risk." The elliptical bike (B2) had the lowest usability score (0.23), correlating with the highest accident probability. No significant differences were found based on gender or age (p > 0.05), confirming that environmental factors are the primary risk determinants, not user demographics. Qualitative findings strongly supported these results, with 81% of participants reporting significant safety concerns regarding surface slipperiness and 68% highlighting water accumulation and corrosion issues.

Conclusion: This study provides quantitative evidence that rainy conditions create serious safety hazards in outdoor fitness areas. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating environmental safety parameters—such as non-slip and permeable surfaces, effective drainage, corrosion-resistant materials, and clear warning systems—as a core component of the design, planning, and maintenance of public exercise infrastructure. The application of the L-type matrix method demonstrates its utility as a practical tool for proactive risk assessment in this context.

Objective: This study examines the relationship between sports participation and aggression, with a specific focus on martial arts disciplines (taekwondo and karate), as well as gender differences.

 Methods: The sample consisted of 63 licensed martial arts athletes (33 female, 30 male), each with a minimum of five years of experience in their respective sports. The primary aim was to investigate how discipline, gender, and years of experience impact various dimensions of aggression. Data were collected using the 30-item “Aggression Inventory,” developed by İpek İlter (Kiper) in 1984, whose validity and reliability were confirmed for this study. A demographic questionnaire was also administered to gather information on gender, sport discipline, years of engagement in sports, and parental background (education and occupation). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data via the SPSS software package.

Results: The findings revealed no statistically significant differences in aggression levels based on the number of years of experience in sports. However, karate athletes exhibited significantly higher levels of destructive and passive aggression than taekwondo athletes, suggesting that the nature or culture of specific martial arts disciplines may differentially affect aggression levels. Additionally, gender differences were found only in assertiveness, with male athletes scoring significantly higher than female athletes. When it came to destructive or passive aggression, there were no discernible gender differences.  These findings imply that gender and athletic discipline may have an impact on some aspects of aggression.

Conclusion: This study highlights how essential it is to contain behavioral and psychological knowledge in training programs for the purpose of better control and possibly lessening athletes' tendency for aggression.  A more comprehensive and informed approach to athlete improvement and coaching can emerge from an understanding of the complex connection between sport, gender, and aggression.

Objective: Petanque is a precision sport that requires postural stability and precise motor control. Core stability, which encompasses the strength and coordination of the trunk and pelvic muscles, is considered fundamental in maintaining balance and improving technical performance, particularly in shooting movements. Core stability training, though, has not yet been extensively implemented in petanque training programs. This research aimed to examine the impact of a core stability training program on petanque athletes’ shooting accuracy and balance (static and dynamic).

Methods & Materials: A quasi-experimental design was employed with 20 petanque athletes aged between 14 and 25, who were assigned to either an experimental group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). The experimental group received a 6-week core stability exercise program (three times a week), whereas the control group continued regular training without intervention. Pre- and post-tests were administered using a shooting accuracy test, One-Leg Stance Test (static balance), and Y-Balance Test (dynamic balance). Paired and independent t-tests were used to analyze data with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in shooting accuracy (p = 0.000), static balance (p = 0.000), and dynamic balance (p = 0.000), whereas the control group showed no significant changes. Additionally, inter-group comparisons conducted after the test revealed significant differences in all variables in favour of the experimental group.

Conclusion: Core stability training significantly enhances shooting accuracy and both forms of balance in petanque athletes. Integrating structured core training into regular conditioning routines is recommended to optimise technical performance and physical control in precision-based sports.