The Effectiveness of a Combined Pelvic Floor Exercise Program and Desensitization-Based Sex Therapy on Pain and Sexual Satisfaction in Female Athletes
Hanieh FakhriehKashani
;
Nastaran Madankan
*
;
Elham Dehghan
,
Sosan Mehryar
,
Mahsa Teimouri
,
Mohammad Reza Hajrezaei
Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an integrated pelvic floor muscle training program combined with desensitization-based sex therapy on sexual pain and sexual satisfaction in female athletes.
Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 68 sexually active female athletes (18–40 years) reporting penetration-related pain were allocated to either a combined intervention group (PFMT plus desensitization-based sex therapy; 8 weekly sessions) or an attention-matched education control group. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention (8 weeks), and 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes included pain during intercourse (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) and sexual satisfaction (Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI). Secondary outcomes included sexual distress, pain catastrophizing, and pelvic floor muscle strength. Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat mixed-effects models.
Results: At post-intervention, the combined intervention group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in sexual pain compared with controls (adjusted mean difference = −1.0, 95% CI −1.6 to −0.4; p = .001; Cohen’s d = 0.60). Sexual satisfaction improved significantly in the intervention group (adjusted difference = +3.1 FSFI points, 95% CI 1.4–4.8; p < .001; d = 0.65). Improvements were largely maintained at 3-month follow-up. Significant reductions were also observed in pain catastrophizing (d = 0.70) and sexual distress (d = 0.72), alongside objective gains in pelvic floor muscle strength (p < .001).
Conclusion: A combined PFMT and desensitization-based sex therapy program is an effective, non-invasive intervention for reducing sexual pain and improving sexual satisfaction in female athletes, supporting a biopsychosocial approach to sexual rehabilitation in sports contexts.
Ramadan Fasting: Physical and Performance Maintained, Health Challenged in Elite Adolescent Football
Objectives: Adolescent Muslim athletes participating in elite sports during Ramadan Fasting (RF) face unique physiological and developmental challenges. This prospective cohort study aimed to observe the changes in body composition, hydration status, physiological performance, and hematological profiles in 20 elite Malaysian adolescent footballers (17.8 ± 0.8 years).
Methods: Measurements were taken at four phases (two weeks before Ramadan, BRF-2; mid, 2nd weeks of Ramadan, RF-2; late, 4th weeks of Ramadan, RF-4; and two weeks after Ramadan, ARF-6) using dual-time-point (morning/evening) blood and urine sampling, bioelectrical impedance, skinfolds, and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Run (YYIR) test.
Results: Results showed that energy balance, body composition, and aerobic performance (YYIR distance and HRmax) were successfully maintained throughout RF (p>0.05). However, significant dynamic fluid shifts were observed: morning measurements showed hemodilution, while late-afternoon Urine Specific Gravity was significantly higher in RF-4, indicating daily hemoconcentration and dehydration stress. Furthermore, while red blood cells (RBC) and haemoglobin (HB) showed transient morning reductions during RF, the most critical finding was the delayed post-fasting reduction in Mean Cell Volume (MCV) and persistent low Hematocrit (HCT) at ARF-6.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that elite performance is preserved through strong physiological adaptation and effective energy intake, but the RF period induced a subclinical iron deficiency stress that manifested as microcytosis post-Ramadan. Coaches and medical staff must implement rigorous post-Ramadan nutritional and detailed hematological screening to safeguard the long-term health of adolescent footballers.
Analysis of the Use of Video Challenge Systems in Volleyball at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
|
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. |
Increasing Exercise Awareness in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Among Sports Science Students: An Educational Application
Zeynep YILDIRIM
*
;
Mehmet YÖNAL
,
Oguzhan YILDIRIM
,
Unal Can GOKMEN
,
Taner BOZKUS
,
Tansu KURTULDU
|
Objective: The primary aim of this research is to examine the awareness levels of students studying at the Faculty of Sports Sciences regarding the importance of exercise for individuals with intellectual disabilities and to contribute to developing this awareness. Considering the physical, psychological, and social benefits of exercise programmes for individuals with intellectual disabilities, increasing this awareness is crucial both for developing students' professional knowledge and skills and for contributing to the quality of life of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Methods: The ‘Attitude Scale Towards Sports Activities of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities’ developed by İlhan and Esentürk (2015) was administered to 68 participants studying at the Faculty of Sports Sciences in order to collect pre-test data. In the next stage, participants underwent a 120-minute training programme covering the definitions of mental disability, the characteristics of individuals with mental disabilities, and the benefits of exercise. Participants who completed the training were paired one-on-one with individuals with intellectual disabilities and underwent a 240-minute exercise programme, which was carried out over 2 days, 120 minutes per day. After the exercise programme was completed, the same attitude scale was re-administered to the participants to collect final test data. The data obtained were transferred to IBM SPSS 26 software for analysis. When evaluating the study data, the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were used to check the normality of the numerical measurements, and the dependent samples t-test was used to examine changes over time. Findings: The results of the study revealed a statistically significant increase in the participants' pre-test and post-test mean scores on the attitude scale and sub-dimension scores regarding the sporting activities of individuals with intellectual disabilities over time. |
Conclusion: The research is significant in terms of contributing to the development of positive attitudes towards individuals with intellectual disabilities by future sports educators and the training of more conscious and equipped sports scientists in this field.
The Effect of Swimming Training on Sources of Self-Confidence in Sports and Self-Assessment of Swimming Skills
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Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of swimming training given to University students on the Swimming Skills Self-Assessment and Sources of Self-Confidence in Sports scale. Methods: Questionnaire scales were used before and after 14 weeks of swimming training with 1st and 2nd class students studying at Kocaeli University Faculty of Sports Sciences. Participants in the study were students aged 21 with the highest percentages (31.7%), male with 58.5%, students in the Sports Management Department with 52%, 1st class year students with 69.9%, students with an average height of 170-179 cm with 34.1% and students weighing 50-69 kg with 30.1%. The Swimming Skills Self-Assessment Scale and the Self-Confidence Sources Scale in Sports were applied to the students. The students' demographic characteristics and scale analyses were analyzed in the SPSS program. Findings: The study found that before swimming training, women's Swimming Skills Self-Assessment results (2.45±1.08) were lower than men's (3.17±1.01), but the difference decreased after the training. It was determined that no significant differences occurred in the Swimming Skills Self-Assessment and Sports Self-Confidence scales in terms of gender, department, and class after swimming training. The analysis results indicate that sporting activities enhance skill development and confidence. Conclusion: The study found that University Students’ Swimming Skill Self-Assessment and Self-Confidence in Sports improved after swimming instruction, and there were no differences across all variables. In conclusion, it can be said that sporting activities are important for developing skills and confidence in individuals. |
The Relationship Between Participation in Martial Arts Sports and Aggression Levels Among Students
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.
Surface-Dependent Adaptations in Cardiac Function, Aerobic Power, and Microrna-1 and Hand2 Expression Following Tabata Training in Elite Athletes
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Objective: Tabata training has the potential to induce favorable adaptations in elite athletes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Furthermore, varying the training surface can contribute to improvements in athletes' fitness by introducing diversity into the training program. This study compared the effects of Tabata training conducted on an indoor hardcourt vs. sand on maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), left ventricular morphology, and the expression of microRNA-1 (miR-1) and Hand2 in elite beach soccer players. Methods: Sixteen players were randomly assigned to either a soft (SS) or hard (HS) surface group. The training variables were similar between the groups and only the type of training surface was different. The protocol (4-min sets of 20 s of exercise, 10 s of rest) was performed three sessions/week for six weeks. Shuttle run test and two-dimensional echocardiography were performed 48 h and 72 h, respectively, before and after the intervention. Additionally, venous blood samples were collected before and 6 h after the first and last session. Findings: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant time × group interactions for increases in stroke volume (SV; P= 0.039), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (p = 0.013) and dimension (p = 0.029), ejection fraction (p = 0.017), and reductions in relative posterior wall thickness (p = 0.036). The SS group exhibited greater post-training increases in miR-1 and Hand2 protein (p < 0.0001). Moreover, both groups experienced similar increases in VO2max values (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Tabata training on sand can produce greater improvements in SV values compared to indoor hardcourt, despite similar improvements in relative VO2max. These cardiac improvements may partly relate to enhanced venous return, and the molecular findings suggest a potential contribution of miR-1 upregulation, whereas the role of Hand2 remains less clear due to limitations in serum-based assessment. |
The Effect of Core Stability Training on Shooting Accuracy and Balance in Petanque Athletes
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.
Current Issue
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): Serial Number 24
Published:
2026-01-08
Articles
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Leveraging Audiovisual Psycholinguistic Interventions to Enhance Sports Facility Income: Evidence from Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Pramusinta Putri Dewanti * ; Sumaryanti Sumaryanti, , Sigit Nugroho , Fadli Ihsan , Bekir Erhan Orhan1-10 -
Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity as a Protective Factor against Anxiety in University Students
Roxana Abril Morales-Beltrán , Germán Hernández-Cruz , Diana Korinna Zazueta-Beltrán , Roberto Andrés González-Fimbres ; Luis Felipe Reynoso-Sánchez *1-10
Journal Bibliographic Information:
Title: International Journal of Sport Studies for Health
Abbreviated Title: Int J Sport Stud Health
Acronym: INTJSSH
Online ISSN: 2588-5782
Editor-in-Chief: Khadijeh Irandoust, Ph.D.
Publisher: KMAN Publication Inc.
Language: English
Email: intjssh@kmanpub.com
