Physical ability testing is an essential part of police education, as fitness assessments indicate students’ preparedness for police work. Clear documentation and reporting of test protocols and measurement properties are essential for interpreting, evaluating, and comparing the usefulness of different test batteries. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to map the fitness tests used in police education programs internationally, including reporting standards of test protocols, reliability, validity, and sex-based test specificity, thereby providing insight into the physical abilities considered important for police work. The main searches were conducted in the databases CINAHL, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. The database search yielded 1323 articles, of which 92 met the inclusion criteria. An additional nine articles were included through citation and hand searching. Of the 101 studies, 95 used an average of 4–5 general fitness tests, and 29 included work-related police tests. Test protocols were generally well documented across studies. However, only a few studies included in this review assessed test–retest reliability, and only a limited number of studies, whose primary aim was to validate the tests, evaluated test validity. The most commonly used assessments were upper-body and core muscular endurance (60 s push-up, maximum pull-up, and 60 s sit-up tests), upper-body muscular strength (hand-grip test), lower-body power (standing long jump, and vertical jump tests), and aerobic capacity (20 m multistage fitness, 2400 m Cooper, and 12 min Cooper tests. Only 19 studies reported sex-specific performance standards, including differences in test execution, scoring systems, VO2max estimation, or time limits. The findings indicate that tests of upper-body muscular endurance and strength, lower-body power, and aerobic capacity are among the most frequently measured physical abilities in police education programs internationally, while also highlighting the need for more standardized reporting of test protocols, reliability, and validity.

This cross-sectional two-step study aimed to investigate the prevalence of eating disorder (ED) symptoms and associated mental health difficulties among elite athletes and an age-and sex matched comparison group. National team athletes were recruited through national sport federations, while participants in the comparison group were recruited via social media. A total of 408 participants (athletes n = 256; comparison group n = 152) (72.1% female), completed an anonymous online survey comprising validated psychometric measures of ED symptoms, exercise addiction, depression and psychological flexibility. Participants who screened positive for ED symptoms and providing contact details were invited to undergo a clinical assessment using the ED Examination Interview (EDE 17.0D). Overall, 25.0% (n = 102) reported ED symptoms, with a higher prevalence in the comparison group than among athletes (37.5% vs. 17.6%, p < 0.001). Interviews were completed by 78.0% (n = 18) of athletes and 47.0% (n = 16) of comparison group participants who screened positive for ED symptoms, confirming an ED diagnosis in all but one athlete. Furthermore, 18.6% (n = 76) reported clinically relevant symptoms of depression, and 22.8% (n = 93) of exercise addiction. Associations were observed between ED symptoms and symptoms of exercise addiction, depression, and psychological inflexibility in the total sample, among athletes and in the comparison group. ED symptoms were common among athletes and the comparison group and were associated with depressive symptoms, problematic exercise behaviour, and psychological inflexibility. To safeguard athlete health and optimise performance, national sports organisations should implement systematic preventive strategies, promote early identification, establish clear referral pathways, and ensure access to coordinated multidisciplinary care.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the skating determinants and differences between male and female bandy players in the spatiotemporal variables during acceleration and maximum sprint skating velocity. Methods: Seventy-four female bandy players (age: 18.9 ± 4.1 years; height: 1.67 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 63.2 ± 7.4 kg; training experience: 13.4 ± 3.9 yrs.; and 26 elite and 48 junior elite) and 111 male bandy players (age: 20.7 ± 5.0 years; height: 1.80 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 76.4 ± 8.4 kg; training experience: 13.8 ± 5.0 yrs.; and 47 elite and 66 junior elite players) performed linear sprint skating over 80 m. Split times were measured every ten metres by photocells to calculate velocities for each step and spatiotemporal skating variables (glide times and length, step length, and frequency) by IMUs attached to the skates. The first six steps (acceleration phase), the six steps at the highest velocity (maximal speed phase), and the average of all steps were used for analysing glide-by-glide spatiotemporal variables. Results: These revealed that male players exhibited higher acceleration and maximal skating velocity than female players. A higher acceleration in men was accompanied by shorter gliding time, longer step length, and higher step frequency. When skating at maximal speed, male players had a longer step length and gliding time and length. The sub-group analysis revealed that step frequency did not correlate with skating velocity, acceleration, or maximal speed phases. On the other hand, glide and step lengths significantly correlated with skating velocity in both phases (r ≥ 0.60). Conclusions: In general, for faster skating in bandy, it is generally better to prioritise glide and step length than stride frequency. Hence, players should be encouraged to stay low and have more knee flexion to enable a longer extension length and, therefore, a longer path and more horizontal direction of applied force to enhance their acceleration ability.

The aim was to investigate sex differences regarding shooting position, shooting technique, and shot placement preceding open-play goal scoring in the Swedish Super League (SSL) in floorball. Video recordings of 3751 goals were analysed to determine the goal scorers’ positions on the pitch when they took the shots and which type of shots they used. In addition, the placement of the ball when it entered the goal was determined. The proportion of goals from the playing zone closest to the goal was higher for women (P < 0.001), whereas the relative number of goals from the playing zones to the left of the goal and from the central playing zone farthest from the goal was higher for men (all P < 0.001). Women used wrist shots and backhand shots more frequently to score goals than men (both P < 0.01); conversely, the proportion of goals scored using slap shots and volley shots was higher for men (both P < 0.001). In terms of shot placement, the percentage of goals scored in top-left corner was higher for male players (P < 0.05). Hence, there are sex-related goal-scoring differences in SSL and the findings may inform coaches in refining tactics and training. Keywords: Sex difference, video analysis, unihockey, shooting technique.

There is little knowledge about within- and between-referee variation (WBRV) in cardiovascular responses (CVR) and locomotor game demands (LMD). Thus, the primary aim of this study was to assess the WBRV of CVR and LMD in male basketball referees during elite international games in preparation [e.g., warm-up (WU) and re-warm-up (R-WU)] and active game phases. The secondary aim was to explore quarter-by-quarter differences in CVR and LMD. Thirty-five international male referees took part in this study (age, 40.4 ± 5.4 years; body height, 184.9 ± 5.7 cm; body weight, 85.1 ± 7.5 kg; BMI, 24.0 ± 1.7 kg × m−2; fat%, 18.8 ± 4.7% and VO2max, 50.4 ± 2.2 L × kg−1 × min−1. In total, 76 games (e.g., 228 officiating cases) were analyzed during the FIBA elite men’s competition. They officiated 4.5 games on average (range 3–9 games). Each referee used the Polar Team Pro system to measure CVR [e.g., heart rate (HR), time spent in different HR intensity categories] and LMD (e.g., distance covered, maximal and average velocity, and number of accelerations). Results showed that the referees had bigger WBRV during the active and preparation (e.g., W-U than R-WU) phase when variables of higher CVR and LMD intensity were observed (e.g., time spent at higher HR zones, distance covered in higher speed zones). The WBRV, CVR, and LMD were higher during WU than R-WU. Moreover, the referees had a lower CVR and LMD in the second half. In conclusion, the referees should establish and follow consistently a game-to-game preparation routine and attempt to spread their on-court preparation time equally within the crew. A half-time preparation routine should be improved to re-establish a sufficient activation level similar to that achieved in pre-game preparation.

This study aimed to investigate the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of spatiotemporal parameters, during sprint skating, of bandy players. Thirty-two well-trained male bandy players (age: 17.8 ± 1.2 years; height: 1.80 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 75.7 ± 1.2 kg) participated in this study. They performed two 80 m linear skating sprints. To calculate the velocities and obtain glide-by-glide spatiotemporal variables, nine timing gates and two skate-mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) were synchronized and used. The spatiotemporal variables at each step included the glide time, glide length, double support time, double support length, step length, and step frequency. All the spatiotemporal variables were analyzed separately: averaged over 80 m, during the acceleration, and the maximal steady-state phases. The relative and absolute reliability of the spatiotemporal parameters were good (ICC > 0.70; CV < 10%), except for the step frequency during the steady-state phase. The spatiotemporal parameters showed “good” to “satisfactory” sensitivity during the acceleration phase and whole sprint, and “marginal” sensitivity during the steady-state phase. Content validity was confirmed by a low percentage of the shared variance (17.9–34.3%) between the spatiotemporal parameters obtained during the acceleration and steady-state phases. A “stepwise” regression significantly predicted the steady-state skating velocity from the spatiotemporal metrics obtained during the acceleration [F(5,26) = 8.34, p < 0.001, adj. R2 = 0.62] and steady-state phases [F(5,26) = 13.6, p < 0.01, R2 = 0.67]. Only the step frequency obtained in the acceleration phase significantly predicted the maximal skating velocity (p < 0.01), while the glide length and step frequency derived during the steady-state phase significantly added to the prediction (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the spatiotemporal parameters, obtained by two skate-mounted IMUs, were shown to be reliable and sensitive measures of sprint skating, and they could be used to provide independent information for the different skating phases. The maximal skating velocity could be predicted from the spatiotemporal parameters, with longer gliding and more frequent steps as the most significant determinants.

We investigated the acute effects of different whole-body vibration (WBV) interventions on the jump height of highly trained karate practitioners. Fifteen male karate club athletes (age: 20.0 ± 3.8 years; stature: 177.3 ± 4.7 cm; body mass: 76.9 ± 11.2 kg; % body fat: 9.2 ± 4.3) performed six randomized interventions: [a] static half-squat (SHS); [b] SHS with external loads at 30% of the body weight (SHS + 30%BW); [c] WBV at frequency (f) 25 Hz, and 2 mm amplitude (A) (WBV 25/2); [d] WBV 25/2 with external loads of 30% of the body weight (WBV 25/2 + 30% BW); [e] WBV at f = 50 Hz, and A = 4 mm (WBV 50/4), and [f] WBV 50/4 with external loads of 30% of the body weight (WBV 50/4 + 30% BW). Each intervention was performed for 5 sets at 60 s/set, with a rest interval of 30 s between sets. Countermovement jump (CMJ) data were collected at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 min after each preconditioning intervention. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a non-significant main effect of intervention [F(5, 10) = 1.44, η2 = 0.42, p = 0.29)] and a significant main effect of the rest interval [F(4, 11) = 3.51, η2 = 0.56, p = 0.04)] on CMJ height. A rest interval of 4 min resulted in significantly higher CMJ values than a rest interval of 2 min (p = 0.031). In conclusion, utilizing a 4-min rest interval irrespective of the intervention schemes may have potential for enhancing jumping performance among highly trained karate athletes.

Introduction Although previous research found that small-sided game (SSG) training was more enjoyable than high-intensity interval training (HIT) in various sports, no data were provided during longer training period in basketball. Furthermore, the comparison of internal loads between the two training approaches needs to be further examined. Thus, this study aimed to examine the acute physiological, perceived exertion and enjoyment responses during 4-week progressive basketball SSG or HIT programs. Methods Nineteen female collegiate basketball players were randomly assigned to two groups that performed either HIT (n = 10) or SSG (n = 9) 3 times per week for 4 continuous weeks. Average and percentage of maximal heart rate (HRmean and %HRmax), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and physical activity enjoyment (PACES) were determined during each training session. Results There was a main group effect in PACES (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.44, moderate), and SSG had higher PACES than HIT in each week (p < 0.05). There were no significant interactions or main group effects in HRmean, %HRmax or RPE, but a main time effect was found in HRmean (p = 0.004; η p 2 = 0.16, minimum), %HRmax (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.25, minimum), and RPE (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.31, moderate), respectively. In the SSG group, although no significant differences were found in HR responses, %HRmax was below 90% in week 1 and week 2. Accompanied with changes in %HRmax, RPE in week 1 and week 2 was lower than that in week 3 and week 4 (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our findings suggest that SSG and HIT elicit similar acute HR response and RPE level, but SSG is perceived as more enjoyable and therefore it is more likely to increase exercise motivation and adherence comparing to HIT. Moreover, it seems that half-court, 2 vs. 2 SS Gtraining format with modified rules and lasting ≥ 7.5 min should be prescribed as an enjoyable training alternative to provide optimal cardiovascular stimuli (> 90% of HRmax) for female basketball players.

This study aimed to compare sprint skating profile characteristics of the different playing positions of junior and senior bandy players. In total, 111 male national-level bandy players (age: 20.7 ± 5.0 years, height: 1.80 ± 0.05 m, body mass: 76.4 ± 0.4 kg, training experience: 13.8 ± 5.0 yrs) were tested on their sprint skating profile over 80 m. The main findings were that no differences between positions were found in sprint skating performance (speed and acceleration), but that elite players were in general heavier (p < 0.05) than junior players (80.0 ± 7.1 vs. 73.1 ± 8.1 kg), they could accelerate faster (2.96 ± 0.22 vs. 2.81 ± 0.28 m/s2), and they reached a higher velocity (10.83 ± 0.37 vs. 10.24 ± 0.42 m/s) earlier over 80 m than the junior players. This implies that junior level players should spend more time in power and sprint training to meet the specific demands of playing at a higher, elite level.

There is no research examining female bandy players, which creates a gap of knowledge of female skating performance and its determinants with male skating performance, not only in bandy but also in exercise science in general. Therefore, the aim of this explorative study was to investigate position and playing-level differences in the sprint skating performance and anthropometrics of 74 elite female bandy players (age: 18.9 ± 4.1 years; height: 1.67 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 63.2 ± 7.4 kg). Participants were categorised according to playing level (26 elite and 48 junior elite players) and position (22 defenders, 35 midfielders, and 17 forwards). They were tested on their anthropometric characteristics and sprint linear skating profile over 80 m with the split times measured at 10, 20, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 m to calculate the average velocities between these different 10 m intervals. Results revealed that elite players had more training experience, were heavier, could accelerate faster, and reached a higher maximal velocity than the junior elite players (9.52 ± 0.37 vs 8.84 ± 0.40 m/s, respectively). In general, defenders were heavier than forwards, and the elite forwards accelerated faster in the first 10 m than the midfielders (p = 0.041). In summary, playing level and position, body mass, and training experience modulated skating sprint performance. The findings suggest that female junior-level players should spend more time developing skating sprint and acceleration abilities to meet the specific demands of playing at the elite level. Moreover, the coaches and professionals who work with female bandy players should be aware that the development of acceleration ability is more important for forwards.