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BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common pain problem in powerlifters. There is a lack of evidence to guide powerlifters and health-care professionals in understanding the role of powerlifting in the development of LBP and treatment of injuries in powerlifters. This study aimed to describe functional impairments and patho-anatomical findings in eight powerlifters with and without LBP. METHODS: First, four powerlifters with LBP were recruited. Each powerlifter was then matched with a pain-free lifter (Control) by age, Body Mass Index and competition weight class. They all performed physical performance tests and were examined with magnetic resonance imaging. Four weeks prior to the examination the powerlifters also recorded training load. Powerlifters with LBP were also examined by a physiotherapist in order to define their pain and impairments. RESULTS: The four male powerlifters with LBP had a nociceptive pain associated with non-ideal squatting technique, higher flexibility in their lumbar spine than in their hips and patho-anatomical findings such as degenerated discs (four), spondylolysis (one) and spinal stenosis (one). However, the controls also showed similar functional impairments and patho-anatomical findings. CONCLUSIONS: Powerlifters with and without LBP show similar functional impairments and patho-anatomical findings. However, powerlifters' LBP seems associated with pain during movement and loading of the lumbar spine. The association and causation between specific functional impairments, patho-anatomical findings and LBP in powerlifters has to be further investigated in studies including more participants.

Research on risk factors and injuries in powerlifting has so far only been studied through cross-sectional/observational studies. In other sports, training load has been prospectively investigated and shown to influence injury risk. However, no method to quantify training load in powerlifting exist. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a novel standardized method for prospective recording of training load and injuries. The study was conducted in two phases with eight powerlifters initially included in each phase respectively. In Phase 1, the powerlifters registered training load and injuries throughout four weeks and answered a feasibility questionnaire. Based on the results from the questionnaire, updates to the training and injury log were made and the powerlifters in Phase 2 used the updated version to log four weeks of training. Training load and injuries were reported consistently which made calculations on training load and injury incidence possible. The participants reported rate of perceived exertion as difficult to assess and report. However, 9/12 powerlifters stated that they could the training and injury log for a period of at least six months. In conclusion, this standardized training and injury log seems to be a feasible method to quantify training load and injuries in powerlifting. The method could be used in further prospective studies on training load and injuries in powerlifting and in clinical practice.

Our study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise on HDL composition and functional properties in overweight/obese subjects. Eighteen overweight/obese subjects (nine F and nine M, BMI = 30.3 ± 3 kg/m2) attended supervised training for 7 weeks. The protocol included combined resistance and conditioning training four to five times each week. The activity of the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1 (PON1) associated with HDL was evaluated in all subjects before and after the training intervention. Moreover, myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels and oxidative stress markers (ox-LDLs and total antioxidant capacity) were studied in the serums of the subjects. At the end of the intervention, the activity of PON1 was increased (p < 0.0001), and MPO levels and the MPO/PON1 ratio were decreased (p < 0.0001). In addition, a significant improvement in muscle strength and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (p < 0.0001) and a significant reduction in total and visceral adipose tissue mass (p < 0.001) and waist circumference (p < 0.008), without any significant decrease in body weight, were observed. A significant correlation was established between serum MPO/PON ratios, HDL redox activity and ox-LDLs. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that exercise training, without modifications of dietary habits, improved HDL functionality in overweight/obese adults, without any significant reduction in BMI or modifications of glucose and lipid biochemical parameters.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of low-load motor control exercises and a high-load lifting exercise on lumbar multifidus thickness among patients with nociceptive mechanical low back pain.

Summary of Background Data: There is evidence that patients with low back pain may have a decreased size of the lumbar multifidus muscles with an asymmetry between left/right sides in the lower back. It has also been shown that low-load motor control training can affect this asymmetry; essentially, it is effective in equalizing side differences in lumbar multifidus muscle size. It is, however, not known whether a high-load exercise has the same effect.

Methods: Sixty-five participants diagnosed with nociceptive mechanical low back pain were included and randomized into low-load motor control exercises or a high-load lifting exercise, the deadlift. The lumbar multifidus thickness at the fifth lumbar vertebra was measured, using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging, at baseline and after a 2-month training period.

Results: There were no differences between interventions regarding effect on lumbar multifidus muscle thickness. However, the linear mixed model analysis showed a significant effect for asymmetry. The thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscle on the small side increased significantly compared to the large side in both intervention groups.

Conclusions: There was a difference in thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscles between sides. It seems that exercises focusing on spinal alignment may increase the thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscles on the small side, irrespective of exercise load.

Detta arbete letar efter vilka faktorer som får elever att söka sig till samt slutföra sinNationella Idrottsutbildningar (Niu) inom sin valda idrott. Detta kan sedan användas inomföreningar för att få spelare att stanna kvar inom både föreningen och i vissa fall idrotten. Idenna differentiella studie användes en tvärsnittsdesign och data samlades in genom en enkätsom eleverna fick fylla i. De som deltog i enkäten var 56 elever i åldrarna 16-19 år (årskurs1-3 i gymnasiet), både kvinnor och män, eleverna spelade antingen handboll eller innebandy.Data analyserades med oberoende T-test och deskriptiv statistik. T-tester visade på att detfanns en statistiskt signifikant skillnad mellan årskurserna i hur viktig gemenskapen tillträningsgruppen är. Där skattade årskurs 3 högre än årskurs 1. T-test visade ocksåsignifikanta skillnader mellan könen i två variabler. Variablerna tränarnas inflytande ochvikten av att få utöva sin idrott på skoltid och huruvida dessa påverkade deras vilja att sökasig till Niu. För kvinnor verkade tränaren spela större roll och för män så var det viktigare attfå utöva sin idrott på skoltid.Saker som kan missas av denna studie samt potentiella problem är storleken på grupperna.Storleken på grupperna är inte så stor, de flesta har liknande bakgrund så väl som att det ärskolelever som svarat på enkäterna i slutet av en lektion vilket kan leda till att svaren inte ärde mest genomtänkta så väl som lika varandra.För framtida forskning, att kombinera enkäter med intervjuer kan ge både bättre resultat såväl som en djupare insyn i vad samt hur det kommer sig vad eleverna anser vara viktigt fördem att välja Niu och slutföra sin utbildning.Nyckelord: elitidrottsgymnasium, studieavbrott, Niu, handboll, innebandy. 

Research from sport has shown that reasons for drop-out can be related to aspects such as perceptions of low sport-specific competence, lack of enjoyment as well as team spirit, other things to do or an injury (e.g., Temple & Crane 2016). The primary objective of this study is to analyse the underlying factors that influence and interrelate drop-out behavior among young promising football players and compare how these factors can be understood in relation to age and gender. The study builds on 363 women’s and 170 men’s answer to an open question: Can you describe in your own words why you stopped playing club football? An iterative analysis was used to identify the constraints that influenced the players' decision to stop playing football. The findings show that a single reason for drop-out seldom exists. Different reasons are interrelated and it is a complex process. Overall are structural factors (e.g., injury) followed by interpersonal (e.g., other sports) and intrapersonal factors (e.g., lack of enjoyment) the most common noted underlying reasons for dropping out. Comparisons between age and gender demonstrate that drop-out trajectories are different for women and men at younger age (15-19 years) but that they become more similar in young adulthood (20-23 years). In conclusion, the study contributes with new insights into women’s and men’s dropout reasons and drop-out trajectories over time. One implication of the study is that youth football for girls and boys needs to find their unique solutions to ensure that more players play longer.

This study investigates the effects of a ketogenic low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet on body composition in healthy, young, normal-weight women. With the increasing interest in ketogenic diets for their various health benefits, this research aims to understand their impact on body composition, focusing on women who are often underrepresented in such studies. Conducting a randomized controlled feeding trial with a crossover design, this study compares a ketogenic LCHF diet to a Swedish National Food Agency (NFA)-recommended control diet over four weeks. Seventeen healthy, young, normal-weight women adhered strictly to the provided diets, with ketosis confirmed through blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was utilized for precise body composition measurements. To avoid bias, all statistical analyses were performed blind. The findings reveal that the ketogenic LCHF diet led to a significant reduction in both lean mass (−1.45 kg 95% CI: [−1.90;−1.00]; p < 0.001) and fat mass (−0.66 kg 95% CI: [−1.00;−0.32]; p < 0.001) compared to the control diet, despite similar energy intake and physical activity levels. This study concludes that while the ketogenic LCHF diet is effective for weight loss, it disproportionately reduces lean mass over fat mass, suggesting the need for concurrent strength training to mitigate muscle loss in women following this diet.

The present study investigated the role of quality coach–athlete relationships and coaching efficacy on coaches’ well-being and performance. We examined whether coaches’ direct and meta-perspectives of the coach–athlete relationship quality predicted dimensions of coaches’ efficacy, hedemonic and eudaimonic well-being, and coach-related performance. A total of 233 male and female Swedish coaches from various team and individual sports completed the Coach–Athlete Relationship Questionnaire, the Coaching Efficacy Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Subjective Vitality Scale, and a one-single item developed to measure perceived coach performance. Structural equation modelling analyses revealed that quality coach–athlete relationships as defined by closeness, commitment, and complementarity associated with all four dimensions of coach efficacy. While coach–athlete relationship quality was linked with coaches’ positive affect, vitality, and satisfaction with coaching performance, only the motivational dimension of coach efficacy was associated with indicators of coach well-being and coach-related performance. Further analyses showed that the motivational dimension of coach efficacy explained the link between coach–athlete relationship quality, well-being, and coach-related performance. Overall, the findings extended the coach efficacy model by investigating the coach–athlete relationship as a predictor and coach well-being as an outcome. Our findings emphasize the importance of relationships for coaches’ efficacy and well-being.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in cognitive and physical performance, affective states, perceived exertion, and physiological responses between trials with cognitive, physical, or combined cognitive and physical load. Design: Randomised cross-over trial.

Methods: Highly trained competitive orienteers (n = 15 men; n = 10 women) completed three randomised trials comprised of: (1) sport-specific cognitive tests; (2) 35-minute cycling time trial; and (3) combined sport-specific cognitive tests and 35-minute cycling time trial. Measures taken during the trials recorded affective states, perceived exertion, heart rate, blood lactate, cycling watts, as well as working memory, updating, planning and decision making.

Results: No significant differences in cognitive performance accuracy were observed within or across trials although reaction times improved within trials and were fastest in the combined trial. Blood lactate, heart rate, perceived exertion, negative affective states, and watts were highest in the physical trial.

Conclusions: The combined load of undertaking sport-specific cognitive tests and a cycling time trial did not influence cognitive performance accuracy. Athletes produced greater watts when completing the physical task independently compared with the combined trial, however psychophysiological responses were worse. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether athletes' attentional focus underpins psychophysiological responses to dual-task sport performance.

The aims of this scoping review were to map the current literature on interventions for improving mental health in athletes, identify knowledge gaps, and generate future research questions. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guided this review. A systematic literature search was conducted in SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS and 44 intervention studies met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that 22 studies (50%) implemented cognitive behavioural principles, and the majority of these studies were influenced by various mindfulness programmes. Most studies (93%) included healthy athlete samples, and athletes aged 15–19 were the most examined age group (43%). Only three studies used clinical criteria in their sampling of participants and mediators were examined in two studies. The scarcity of studies examining mediators and subclinical or clinical samples revealed critical knowledge gaps in the literature. Furthermore, the critical appraisal showed that regardless of study design, most studies demonstrated low internal validity. We propose the use of high-quality single-case studies with athletes who experience subclinical or clinical mental health issues, and further investigation of mechanisms of change linking intervention components to outcomes of interest.

In recent years, athletes’ mental health has gained interest among researchers, sport practitioners, and the media. However, the field of sport psychology lacks empirical evidence on the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for mental health problems and disorders in athletes. Thus far, intervention research in sport psychology has mainly focused on performance enhancement using between-subject designs and healthy athlete samples. In the current paper, we highlight three interrelated key issues in relation to treating mental health problems and disorders in athletes. (i) How are mental health and mental health problems and disorders defined in the sport psychology literature? (ii) How are prevalence rates of mental health problems and disorders in athletes determined? (iii) What is known about psychotherapeutic interventions for mental health problems and disorders in athletes? We conclude that the reliance on different definitions and assessments of mental health problems and disorders contributes to heterogeneous prevalence rates. In turn, this limits our understanding of the extent of mental health problems and disorders in athletes. Furthermore, knowledge of the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for athletes with mental health problems and disorders is scarce. Future research should include athletes with established mental health problems and disorders in intervention studies. We also propose an increased use of N-of-1 trials to enhance the knowledge of effective psychotherapeutic interventions in this population.

Syftet med utvärderingen är att ta tillvara de erfarenheter och kunskaper som görs i arvsfondsprojekt med fokus på barn och unga, idrott och delaktighet.

Utvärderingen besvarar dessa frågeställningar:

• Hur många och vilka personer har deltagit i projektverksamheten?
• Hur upplever målgruppen insatserna?
• Har projekten förändrat något för barn och ungdomar som deltagit?
• Vilka hinder stöter projektledare på och vilka framkomliga vägar finner de?
• Vilka spår lämnar projekten, under vilka betingelser och hur lever projektets idéer vidare?
• Hur är barn och ungdomar delaktiga i projekten?
• I utvärderingsuppdraget har också ingått att, utifrån Arvsfondens kategorisering av överlevnad, bedöma vad som lever vidare efter projektslut, för de projekt som avslutats vid tiden för utvärderingen.

Genomförande: Utvärderingen omfattar 28 projekt med fokus på barn och unga, idrott och delaktighet. Av dessa 28 projekt har 24 projekt beviljats projektstöd och fyra projekt beviljats lokalstöd. Projekten har pågått mellan åren 2014 och 2021. Samtliga projekt var avslutade vid tiden för utvärderingens färdigställande.

Utvärderingen har omfattat en dokumentstudie, en enkätstudie och fördjupade fallstudier av tre projekt där intervjuer genomförts.

Sammanfattande slutsatser: 

• En större andel av projekten som beviljats projektstöd överlever i någon form (83%, kategori 3 eller 4) varav hälften drivs vidare (50% kategori 4).
• Projekten når sammantaget fler pojkar än flickor.
• Hälften av projekten når fler än 500 deltagare och hälften färre.
• Även om målgrupperna kan vara breda så upplever projektansvariga att de nås i en hög grad genom projektet.
• Projektansvariga uppskattar att nå sina mål i en mycket hög grad, eller i en ganska hög grad. Minst 80% av projekten anses ha varit mycket lyckade.
• Många projekt når barn och unga med funktionshinder.
• Projekten har i en hög grad bidragit till att barn och ungdomar fått ökade möjligheter att delta i idrott eller fysisk aktivitet.
• Barn och ungdomar födda utom Sverige, barn och ungdomar med funktionshinder, samt flickor och pojkar har fått ökade möjligheter till idrott och fysisk aktivitet.
• I mer än hälften av projekten har nya metoder utvecklats för att motverka stillasittande.
• Barns och ungdomars reella delaktighet före, under och efter projektet är begränsad.
• Barn och ungdomar är främst delaktiga under projektens genomförande med några få undantag.
• Upplevda svårigheter har varit; samverkan, personalproblematik, att förändringsarbete tar tid, och att nå målgrupper som flickor eller ungdomar.
• Att driva ett projekt i en verklighet som förändras är komplext, och det leder till att projekten förändras över tid.

Child abuse in sports is a significant threat to the well-being of young athletes. The aim of this study was to create in-depth knowledge of children’s perspectives and relational situations regarding the manifestation and effects of emotional abuse towards athletes in children’s sports. Based on interviews with 15 children aged 12–18 and five coaches, five themes of emotionally abusive interactions were identified: (a) scolding by coaches; (b) negative criticism from coaches and children; (c) expression of aggression and disappointment by coaches; (d) teasing and joking by children; and (e) denial of attention and support from coaches. These interactions lead to emotionally harmful effects for some of the children, which were not always recognized by coaches and were sometimes downplayed. The findings have implications for identifying situations and behaviours that may constitute emotional abuse in children’s sports, paving the way for proactive measures aimed at preventing emotional abuse.

Child protection has risen rapidly at the Swedish sport policy agenda in recent years as in other European countries. However, despite the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child it has been shown that children are not protected enough from being abused in sport. There is a lack of research on emotionally harmful behaviours in children’s sport, though more prevalent compared to other forms of abuse for example sexual abuse. The aim was to study the existence, experiences and effects of emotional abuse among 13-18 years old Swedish athletes and coaches. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 21 participants, 15 children and 5 coaches. The results show that emotional abuse occurs both between athletes, and between coaches and athletes. The most commonly forms of emotional abuse were verbal abuse, non-verbal abuse, neglect and lack of attention. However, the abuse reported were often were linked to children’s sport performance.

Nyligen har en frågor om relationella former av övergrepp inom barnidrotten börjat undersökas vetenskapligt. Dock saknas studier om svensk barnidrott. Syftet med denna studie var att analysera förekomst, erfarenheter och effekter av emotionella övergrepp bland barn och unga i 12-18 års ålder inom den svenska idrottsrörelsen.

Sammanfattningsvis är slutsatsen att emotionella övergrepp förekommer inom svensk barnidrott, att barn kan uttrycka negativa upplevelser av sin idrottsverksamhet som ger evidens för att de utsätts för emotionella övergrepp samt att detta får potentiellt skadliga effekter på individen och på idrottsverksamheten. Slutsatsen är att emotionella övergrepp förekommer inom fem olika teman samt att det kommer till uttryck i fyra olika former.

Studien visar också att effekterna, av beteenden och interaktioner som har potential att vara emotionellt skadliga är många, samt att det påverkar barnens känslor, upplevelser och beteenden i negativ bemärkelse vilket kan få stor betydelse för barnen och barnens utveckling. Det barnen beskriver tolkas som en process som bildar ett mönster av emotionella övergrepp som barn utsättas för, men också som de aktivt kan delta i på olika sätt över tid. Emotionella övergrepp förekommer både mellan tränare och barn samt mellan barnen. I intervjuerna bagatelliserar barnen ibland allvaret i dessa negativa upplevelser. Det kan ses som en indikation på att dessa emotionellt negativa beteenden och förhållningssätt i hög grad är accepterade och i vissa fall en norm inom barnidrott.

Studien indikerar att tränare är medvetna om dessa emotionellt skadliga beteenden men enligt barnen tar de inte tag i detta, vilket kan anses allvarligt och behöver belysas genom mer forskning. Alla former av övergrepp ska tas på allvar och förhindras oavsett förekomst och form utifrån mänskliga argument men också för att organisera idrottsverksamhet inom idrottsrörelsen ska följa den svenska idrottsrörelsens policys, regler för statliga och kommunala bidrag samt internationella överenskommelser som barnkonventionen.

Many girls and boys quit sport in their teens. The reasons for this has eluded scientists and sports organizations for many years. This study was performed on behalf of the Swedish Floorball Association with the aim to understand why girls quit floorball during their teenage years and to increase knowledge about what sport clubs can do to prevent girls from quitting. Special focus was directed towards the disengagement process which the girls undergoes when they take the decision to quit their sport participation. The study is based on data from 24 semi-structured interviews with 12 girls aged 13-18 years and with one parent from each of the girls (n=12). The results showed that the disengagement process can take from a few months up to two years before the girl takes the final decision. A combination of different factors was found as the most common main reason to quit, and six critical factors were identified as crucial for the decision. The observed critical factors was; an increased focus on sport performance and results, changes in the team's formation, new coaches and changes in the coach's attitudes, interest in any other activity or sport, lack of time and high demands on themselves. Often a girl had quit due to a combination of three to four of these factors. The results indicated that the critical factors connected to the girls' decision often was related to changes from the way it was earlier in younger years. Furthermore, the results showed that parents were involved in the girls’ disengagement process, while representatives from the sport clubs were almost absent. Therefore, the representatives of sport clubs have limited knowledge about who the girls are and why they are thinking about quitting the sport. This means representatives are less able to adopt accurate strategies or to implement appropriate interventions to reduce the drop-out rate. One message to the sport organisations is therefore to develop strategies for dealing with the members’ thoughts and feelings about their sport participation and be especially aware of how changes in sport, in a combination with other critical factors, may affect the athletes’.

”Jag kommer kanske dö på fotbollsplanen, men då är jag lycklig.” Det säger en kvinna som är 76 år, en av deltagarna i denna studie som handlar om livslångt idrottande i idrottsföreningar och om hur nya idrottsinitiativ i föreningar kan möjliggöra livslångt idrottande oberoende av ålder, kön och prestationsförmåga. Fokus riktas mot kvinnor och män över 65 år som spelar gåfotboll i idrottsföreningar runt om i Sverige, en idrott på stark frammarsch sedan introduktionen i Sverige 2018.Fysisk inaktivitet och stillasittande är ett allvarligt hälsoproblem i Sverige och i stora delar av världen. Snart är en fjärdedel av Sveriges befolkning över 65 år (Folkhälsomyndigheten, 2022). I takt med åldrandet avstår många människor från regelbunden fysisk aktivitet, bland annat på grund av åldrandet av den mänskliga organismen. Många äldre uppnår inte den rekommenderade tiden om minst 150 minuters fysisk aktivitet med måttlig intensitet per vecka. Fysisk inaktivitet är inte bara ett fysiskt problem utan kan också vara ett socialt. Ensamhet bidrar till att äldre i Sverige riskerar att exkluderas från sociala gemenskaper och meningsfulla sammanhang (Säfström, 2019). Den svenska regeringen uttryckte 2018 önskemål om att idrottsföreningar i större utsträckning ska bidra till att möjliggöra ett livslångt deltagande i idrott. Ett av idrottsrörelsens mål är sedermera att människor ska kunna idrotta i en idrottsförening hela livet. I Riksidrottsförbundets plan för åren 2022–2025 står att: ”Svensk idrott ska vidareutveckla verksamheten så att barn, unga, vuxna och äldre väljer att idrotta i förening under hela livet oavsett bakgrund, ålder, kön, ambitionsnivå eller andra förutsättningar” (Riksidrottsförbundet, 2022, s. 5).

Metod: Studiens resultat baseras på intervjuer med 23 deltagare. Av dessa är 15 gåfotbollsspelare mellan 67 och 76 år (7 kvinnor och åtta män) samt åtta föreningsrepresentanter från åtta idrottsföreningar.

Syfte: Den övergripande ambitionen med studien är att utifrån ett pedagogiskt perspektiv skapa kunskap om vad som gör att människor vill och kan vara fysiskt aktiva i idrottsföreningar hela livet, med fokus på gåfotboll (physical literacy). Studiens specifika syfte är att analysera äldre gåfotbollsspelares och föreningsrepresentanters erfarenheter av gåfotboll som erbjuds av idrottsföreningar i Sverige. Studien genomförs med ett fysiskt bildningsperspektiv (physical literacy) som teoretisk referensram och vägleds av följande frågeställningar:1.Vilka erfarenheter har äldre kvinnor och äldre män av att spela gåfotboll i idrottsföreningar och vilken betydelse har erfarenheterna fått för dem och deras fortsatta deltagande?2.Vilka styrkor och utmaningar finns med att organisera gåfotboll i idrottsförening för att äldre ska vilja och kunna delta i gåfotboll?3.Hur kan gåfotbollens betydelse för fortsatt fysisk aktivitet bland äldre förstås med hjälp av Whiteheads teori om rörelsebildning (physical literacy)?

Teori: Studiens teoretiska utgångspunkt är Margaret Whiteheads (2010, 2019) rörelsebildningsperspektiv (physical literacy), vilken riktar fokus på hur idrottsdeltagande kan bli så meningsskapande och motiverande så att deltagarna kan – vill och tar ansvar för att – anta en fysiskt aktiv livsstil.

Resultat: Resultaten visar att äldre gåfotbollsspelare är mycket positiva till den nyetablerade verksamheten gåfotboll. Det aktiva deltagandet medför långt mycket mer än bara fysisk träning. Spelarna upplever en stärkt social gemenskap, minskad ensamhet, en känsla av inkludering i föreningslivet och ett meningsskapande som leder till lycka i livet för flera av utövarna. Gåfotbollen har för många lett till en ökad förväntan på livet, något att längta till, och förändrat de egna perspektiven på vad de är kapabla att göra, vilket berikar deras liv. Föreningsrepresentanter har liksom gåfotbollsspelare en mycket positiv inställning till gåfotbollsverksamheten och menar att den leder till ett ömsesidigt utbyte av värden mellan de äldre och idrottsföreningen som är av betydelse för de inblandade, men även för samhället i stort. Vidare visas att fördomar mot äldre i samhället riskerar försvåra rekrytering, utveckling och etablering av lagidrott för äldre, men att deltagande samtidigt kan bidra till att minska ålderfördomar. Studien indikerar en positiv 'risk' för att lagidrott för äldre kan bli en 'boom' bland idrottens trender. Studien bidrar till ny kunskap av betydelse för fortsatt utveckling av lagidrott för äldre.

Denna studie handlar om underrepresentation av kvinnor som tränare i innebandy. Trots många satsningar på jämlikhet mellan kvinnor och män inom idrotten och ett ökat antal flickor och kvinnor som är idrottsutövare så är rekryteringen av kvinnor och män till tränarpositioner fortfarande mycket ojämn. Aktuell statistik visar att endast 27% av alla idrottsaktiviteter bland barn och unga i svensk idrottsrörelse leds av en kvinna och inom innebandy är det 15%. Ambitionen med denna studie är att nå fördjupad kvalitativ kunskap om varför det är så få kvinnor som är innebandytränare och vad som kan göras för att nå en ökad balans i representation mellan könen. Mer specifikt är syftet att beskriva och förstå vilka socialt konstruerade och inlärda kulturella mönster för samspel, beteenden och uppfattningar relaterat till kön (genusbaserade beteendemönster) som kommer till uttryck inom innebandy och är av betydelse för kvinnors (o)möjligheter att bli och vara innebandytränare. Studien baseras på data från fokusgruppintervjuer med sammanlagt 16 innebandytränare. Resultaten visar att problemet med underrepresentation av kvinnor som tränare är mångfacetterat och djupt kulturellt konstruerat. Det sker ett sociokulturellt lärande inom innebandykulturen, med stöd av omgivande idrotts- och samhällskultur, som medierar reproducerande budskap om manlig överordning med normen om mannen som tränare, vilket skapar hinder som behöver hanteras av kvinnor för att bli och vara innebandytränare. Resultaten visar att det finns en risk att en kvinna tackar nej till tränaruppdrag för att inte sätta sig i en position där hon kan bli nedvärderad, osynliggjord eller ifrågasatt på grund av sitt kön. I studien diskuteras hur rollen som tränare behöver göras attraktiv, intressant och möjlig för kvinnor till skillnad mot hur den idag kan upplevas som ogästvänlig, ointressant eller omöjlig. Genom att integrera strategier som adresserar sociokulturella normer och hinder som förhindrar eller försvårar för kvinnor att bli och vara tränare kan relevanta och långsiktigt hållbara förändringsåtgärder utformas. Förslag på åtgärder ges för flera nivåer inom idrotten, från fostran av unga innebandyspelare till utformning av genusmedvetna rekryteringsstrategier.

This research is about the potential of life long sport participation in sport clubs. The aim of the research project is to study sport participants and sport organization representatives’ experiences and interactions of participating in or organizing sport adjusted to people on various physical literacy pathways through life.

Swedish Sports Confederation’s Strategy 2025 states, “More and more people see sport as a training for life, and both sport federations and sport clubs talk about the right to physical literacy for all” (Riksidrottsförbundet, 2018). Adjusting sport activities to more than a few is a fundamental basis for the strategy.

However, it is one thing to adopt a vision for promoting lifelong physical activity, and it is another to qualitatively design sport practices that adjust to people’s, women's and men's, various levels of physical literacy during a lifespan. The research will examine the phenomenon of Walking-football (Gå-fotboll), a new adjusted sport for all offered by sport clubs in Sweden for the first time in 2018.

The research will be conducted during 2019-2020 and is funded by Swedish Research Council for Sport Science, Swedish Sport Confederation and Umeå School of Sports Sciences.

Child protection has risen rapidly at the Swedish sport policy agenda. However, despite the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN, 1989) making progress, one group of children seem to have been forgotten by the safeguarding initiatives in sport as well as by sport researchers, namely young referees. The overall aim of this research project was to gain in-dept knowledge of young referees’ experiences and conditions when engaged as referees in Swedish sport clubs. The specific aim was to examine the existence, experiences, and effects of emotionally abusive behaviour towards 15–18-year-old female and male referees working as match officials in team sports. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 13 young referees officiating football and floorball games. The study draws on the sociology of childhood to highlight children’s views and experiences. The results shows that young referees are exposed to emotional abusive behaviour to an extent that has the potential to be harmful. Emotional abuse is expressed in forms of verbal and non-verbal criticism, aggressive behavior, and gendered prejudices expressed towards female referees. This results in anxiety, stress, fear, and decreased self-confidence which makes the young referees uncomfortable and unmotivated to continue officiate. It is concluded that the emotional abuse is almost exclusively expressed in the context of male teams. It is discussed how sportgoverning bodies can develop initiative to deliver support, protection, and education of young referees to fulfil the principles of child protection articulated in the UNCRC.

Despite numerous interventions for equality between women and men in sports, the number of women sport coaches has not increased. Even though women’s participation in sports and qualification for coaching has increased, the representation of women in sports coaching has rather declined (La Voi, 2014). That said, scholars have recently argued that the underrepresentation of women in the coaching role is a cultural problem related to male dominance, rather than related to women’s personal qualification deficits (Knoppers, de Haan, Norman & LaVoi, 2021; Kane, 2016). Thus, the overall aim of this study was to explore coaches’ perceptions and understandings of the underrepresentation of women as coaches within organized sports in Sweden and what action is required to facilitate future involvement of women coaches. Data were gathered through semi-structured focus group interviews with 16 floorball coaches, 8 women and 8 men. The results show how sociocultural patterns of interactions, behaviour and perceptions related to the gender of coaches do influence the women’s opportunities, difficulties or choices to become a floorball coach and how the male norm is maintained. Furthermore, the study highlights how both women and men find it easier for a man to become and act as a coach in a male-dominated leadership culture. 

Despite numerous interventions for equality between women and men in sports, the number of women sport coaches has not increased. Even though women’s participation in sports and qualification for coaching has increased, the representation of women in sports coaching has rather declined (La Voi, 2014). That said, scholars argue that the underrepresentation of women in the coaching role is a cultural problem related to male dominance, rather than related to women’s personal qualification deficits (Kane, 2016; Murray, 2022). Thus, the overall aim of this study was to explore team sport coaches’ perceptions and understandings of the underrepresentation of women as floorball coaches within organized sport in Sweden, and to discuss actions required to facilitate increased representation of women in team sport coaching. Data were gathered through semi-structured focus group interviews with 16 sport coaches, 8 women and 8 men. The results show how sociocultural patterns of interactions, behaviour and perceptions related to the gender of coaches significantly influence women’s opportunities, difficulties, and choices to become a team sport coach and how the male norms are maintained. Furthermore, the study highlights how both women and men perceive that it is easier for a man to become and act as a coach in a male-dominated leadership culture. 

The reasons young athletes drop out of sport have eluded scientists and sport organizations for many decades. Despite a large body of research on the subject, unanswered questions remain. This article reports on a new research approach that analyses sport withdrawal as a process. The study draws on Ebaugh’s sociological theory of disengagement and is based on data from semi-structured interviews with 12 girls aged 12 to 17 and 12 of their parents. By studying withdrawal from sport as a process, we found that the reasons comprise a combination of several salient interplaying factors related to changes. Organizational changes in sport and changes in the young athletes’ overall lives, together with changes in normative cultural and individual expectations associated with the young athlete role, are decisive for these girls to withdraw from sport. Furthermore, the disengagement process may be fairly long and emotional for young athletes, and less reversible the further into the process they progress.

I en ny studie vittnar flickor och pojkar om hur emotionella övergrepp kommer till uttryck inom svensk barnidrott. Detta påverkar barnen negativt och strider mot såväl barnkonventionen som idrottens riktlinjer. En orsak är ett negativt prestationsinriktat förhållningssätt som normaliserar destruktiv kritik, orättvis behandling och mobbning.

There are many factors and duties that novice teachers do not know about when they enter the profession. Isolation, for instance, affects physical education (PE) teachers because the position often comes with a secluded workplace adjacent to the gym and through the subject's marginalization. These challenges, among others, can send the novice teacher into shock, and there is a risk the teacher becomes disengaged from the profession. This study aimed to provide insights into PE teachers’ experiences of reality shock, isolation, and marginalization over time, as well as how they managed these challenges. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine Swedish PE teachers six to 10 years after graduation from PE teacher education (PETE). Qualitative content analysis was used. All participants retrospectively described a reality shock when they were novices, where non-subject-specific teacher assignments were experienced as more challenging compared to teaching PE. Further, isolation had a severe effect. However, the marginalization of PE was not that apparent as when they were novices. Over time, the participants created their own networks to mitigate, for example, isolation. In turn, marginalization seemed to be a remaining challenge to the participants despite an increased societal focus on health. Even though it is impossible for PETE to prepare teachers for every challenge they could face in the profession, PETE should inform preservice teachers of common phenomena such as isolation and marginalization, as well as how to create supporting networks. Further, we argue that perceived autonomy combined with systematic guidance could positively affect novice teachers’ development.

During the professional socialization phase, i.e during PETE, pre-service teachers’ develop their knowledge and beliefs about teaching and learning in physical education. This development is person specific, and influenced by, among other things individuals experience and background, and the content treated during teacher education. One specific part of this knowledge, which is seen as central for teachers, is the practical knowledge. A form of knowledge which Elbaz (1983) described as the “the complex sets of understanding which teachers actively use to shape and direct their teaching”, and the term is used to describe how teachers integrate knowledge from different sources into conceptual frameworks that guide their actions in practice (Siedentop & Tannehill, 2000). The objective of this exploratory study was to analyze the development of pre-service teachers’ practical knowledge, in this study expressed as didactical milestones (DM), during the professional socialization phase. The study draws on 39 pre-service teachers’ written assignment during their first and third semester of physical education and health (PEH) method courses during PETE. The task of the assignment was to describe 10 individual DMs that will guide their future teaching in PEH. The analysis of the DMs was both qualitative with content analysis, and quantitative for comparisons of frequencies. The result shows that there is a significant difference in the distribution of DMs between the two occasions (p<.05). During the first semester, a large part of the students DMs was pedagogical and focused on instructional strategies (HOW). During the third semester, there was a more even distribution between the different categories of instructions (HOW), the teacher role (WHO) and the students (WHOM). Given the important role the development of teacher knowledge has in PETE, this result indicates that the method courses has an influence on pre-service teachers’ development of practical knowledge.

Background: This systematic review aims to identify the effects of exercise interventions in patients with breast cancer (BCP) and survivors (BCS) on selected variables of physical fitness.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Medline and Scopus. Randomized controlled trials with isolated exercise interventions in BCP and BCS women (< 5 years from therapy completion) were included. The risk of bias (RoB) assessment was conducted using the Cochrane RoB-2-tool. Variables regarding cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), strength (ST), fatigue (F) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were discussed.

Results: Of the 336 studies initially identified, 22 met all the inclusion criteria and were deemed eligible. RoB assessment indicated that the studies had predominantly “some concerns” or had “low RoB”, with only 3 studies presenting a “high RoB”. The mean duration and frequency of exercise interventions were 19 weeks and 3 sessions/week, performed at moderate intensity (65% VO2max and 66% 1RM, for aerobic and resistance-training interventions, respectively).

Conclusions: Exercise interventions seem to be a valuable strategy in BCP to avoid the decline of CRF, ST, F and HRQoL. Conversely, improved physical function among BCS is observed for the same variables. Resistance training and combined interventions seem to provide the most encouraging variations of the selected outcomes.

PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42021237917.

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) constitutes the coexistence of skeletal muscle mass loss (sarcopenia) and excess adiposity (obesity). It is mainly considered as a condition in the elderly with health-threatening impacts ranging from frailty to mortality. Mitochondrial dysfunction consists one of the basic pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the development of SO and its consequences. Indirect indicators of mitochondrial function, such as VO2max and exercise capacity, have been demonstrated to be negatively affected in individuals with SO, while the positive effect of exercise on mitochondrial function has been widely proved; thus, in this review, we aimed at investigating the effects of endurance, resistance, and concurrent exercise training on indexes of mitochondrial dysfunction in SO patients. The results of the clinical trials evaluated reveal positive effects of chronic exercise on VO2max and physical capacity, as well as mitochondrial biogenesis and activity. It has been concluded that utilizing a systematic exercise training program that includes both aerobic and strength exercises can be an effective strategy for managing SO and promoting overall health in these patients.

This article analyses how the Swedish sports movement’s democratic processes – and democratic fostering mission – has been described in policies from the late 19th century until the beginning of the 21^st century. The strong and long-standing rhetoric of the sports movement as a ‘school in democracy’ is the background for this analysis. I particularly draw attention to the club level of the sports movement and how democracy has been discussed in that context. The analysis draws on previous research and analyses, including data such as government reports, sport manifest declarations and magazines. Theoretically, I utilise Ahrne and Papakosta’s resource mobilization theory, as applied to non-profit membership organizations. One of the article’s main findings is that 'democracy' and 'popular movement' were concepts that the leading representatives of the sports movement failed to use in the late-1800s and up until the 1920s. This was related to the fact that many leaders in the Swedish sports movement were of a bourgeois background and were strongly skeptical about parliamentary democracy (including general and equal voting rights, which were implemented in Sweden in 1921). Later on, since the 1970s, there has been an emphasising of the importance of the democratic decision-making processes within the sports movement and its democratic fostering dimensions. In accordance with Ahrne’s and Papakosta’s resource mobilization theory, my analysis shows that by the early 21^st century the sports movement’s democratic institutions and processes had become a symbolic asset, and an effective tool in the struggle for Swedish democracy.

Background: No previous systematic review has quantitatively compared the effects of resistance training, endurance training, or concurrent training on hormonal adaptations in children and adolescents. Objective was to examine the effects of exercise training and training type on hormonal adaptations in children and adolescents.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO. Eligibility criteria were: population: healthy youth population sample (mean age < 18 years); intervention: resistance training, endurance training, or concurrent training (> 4 weeks duration); comparison: control group; outcome: pre- and post-levels of hormones and cytokines; and study design: randomized and non-randomized controlled trials. We used a random-effect model for the meta-analysis. The raw mean difference in hormones from baseline to post-intervention was presented alongside 95% confidence intervals (CI). Further, the certainty of evidence quality and the risk of bias were assessed.

Results: A total of 3689 records were identified, of which 14 studies were eligible for inclusion. Most studies examined adolescents with fewer studies on children (age < 12 years, N = 5 studies) and females (N = 2 studies). Nine exercise training programs used endurance training, five studies used resistance training, and no eligible study used concurrent training. The meta-analysis showed no significant effect of exercise training on testosterone (MD = 0.84 nmol/L), cortisol (MD = − 17.4 nmol/L), or SHBG (MD = − 5.58 nmol/L). Subgroup analysis showed that resistance training significantly increased testosterone levels after training (MD = 3.42 nmol/L) which was not observed after endurance training (MD = − 0.01 nmol/L). No other outcome differed between training types. Exercise training resulted in small and non-significant changes in GH (MD = 0.48 ng/mL, p = 0.06) and IGF-I (MD = − 22.90 ng/mL, p = 0.07). GH response to endurance training may be age-dependent and evident in adolescents (MD = 0.59 ng/mL, p = 0.04) but not when children and adolescents are pooled (MD = 0.48 ng/mL, p = 0.06). Limited evidence exists to conclude on IL-6 and TNF-α effects of exercise training. Assessments of GRADE domains (risk of bias, consistency, directness, or precision of the findings) revealed serious weaknesses with most of the included outcomes (hormones and cytokines).

Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that exercise training has small effects on hormonal concentrations in children and adolescents. Changes in testosterone concentrations with training are evident after resistance training but not endurance training. GH's response to training may be affected by maturation and evident in adolescents but not children. Further high-quality, robust training studies on the effect of resistance training, endurance training, and concurrent training are warranted to compare their training-specific effects.

Background: Individuals describe both short and long term consequences after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Functional impairments are well documented while psychological, social and contextual factors need to be further investigated. By the use of a qualitative method incorporating a biopsychosocial lens, we aimed to explore individuals' experiences of living and coping with an ACL rupture with a specific focus on experiences significant to overall life, activity in daily living and physical activity more than one year after injury.

Methods: Twelve participants were chosen strategically by a purposive sampling. Four men and eight women (19–41 years) with an ACL rupture 2–25 years ago, were included. Semi-structured interviews were used and analysed with qualitative content analysis.

Results: The results consisted of one overarching theme: 'A strenuous process towards regaining balance' which built on three categories 'Disrupted knee', 'Disrupted me' and 'Moving forward with new insights'. The overarching theme captures the participants' experiences of a strenuous process towards regaining both physical and mental balance in the aftermath of an ACL injury. The results illuminate how participants were forced to cope with a physically 'disrupted knee', as well as facing mental challenges, identity challenges and a 'disrupted me'. By gradual acceptance and re-orientation they were moving forward with new insights – although still struggling with the consequences of the injury.

Conclusions: Individuals with an ACL injury experience both physical, psychological, and social challenges several years after injury. In addition to the functional impairments, diverse psychological, social and contextual 'disruptions' and struggles may also be present and influence the rehabilitation process. It is important that physiotherapists identify individuals who face such challenges and individually tailor the rehabilitation and support. A biopsychosocial approach is recommended in the clinical practice and future studies focusing on psychosocial processes in the context of ACL rehabilitation are warranted.

Falls are one of the most costly population health issues. Screening of older adults for fall risks can allow for earlier interventions and ultimately lead to better outcomes and reduced public health spending. This work proposes a solution to limitations in existing fall screening techniques by utilizing a hip-based accelerometer worn in free-living conditions. The work proposes techniques to extract fall risk features from periods of free-living ambulatory activity. Analysis of the proposed techniques is conducted and compared with existing screening methods using Functional Tests and Lab-based Gait Analysis. 1705 Older Adults from Umea (Sweden) were assessed. Data consisted of 1 Week of hip worn accelerometer data, gait measurements and performance metrics for 3 functional tests. Retrospective and Prospective fall data were also recorded based on the incidence of falls occurring 12 months before and after the study commencing respectively. Machine learning based experiments show accelerometer based measures perform best when predicting falls. Prospective falls had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.61 and 0.66 respectively while retrospective falls had a sensitivity and specificity of 0.61 and 0.68 respectively.

The governance of Indigenous people is in many contexts a combination of political ambitions to promote self-governance, and more traditional policies and governance practices. These combinations often carry unintended contradictions and exclusionary processes. In this article, we investigate the consequences of one such contradiction: the aspiration for self-determination and self-governance on the one hand and the aspiration for broader political influence in decisions about resources to Sámi sport on the other. Since legitimation of governance structures and practices is essential for their overall functionality, we constructed the research question: What strategies are used to legitimise the policy and governance practices of Sámi sport? To explore this research question, we employed Sámi sport in Finland as an empirical case. Results show that authorisation as a legitimation strategy is prominent and used at institutional and individual levels. Moral evaluation as strategy is based on authoritative actors' personal choice. Inclusion and integration in mainstream policy is seen as a rational legitimation strategy, which is supported by narratives where smallness and uniqueness are dominant.

Little is known about how organizational members, in this case PE teachers, respond to the particularities of certain institutional pressures. Such knowledge is needed to unfold the discussion on how external expectations are managed by PE teachers who in turn makes internal adaptions that creates organizational principles. Insights as such may ultimately help shed new light on the origin of unintended consequences arising from policy transformation. This study can offer important insight into how both current and future policies are modulated based on contemporary societal discourses. This study aims to explore how PE teachers respond to institutional pressures embedded in policy implementation. To achieve this aim, the following research question has been constructed: What types of responses to multiple institutional logics can be interpreted in PE teachers’ narratives about policy implementation? An institutional logics approach is utilized to analyze the data consisting of 16 semistructured interviews, The results show that PE teachers respond in four ways: a) compliance; b) defiance; c) compartmentalization; and d) combination. The paper sheds light on nuances surrounding individual responses to competing institutional pressures and highlights the situations in which PE teachers experience that they need to handle such pressures and negotiation processes surrounding such situations.

The notion of secure base explains how a child can grow and become independent through access to a significant other (i.e., parent) who is available, encouraging, and noninterfering. The purpose of the current study was to develop an understanding of parental secure base support within the context of youth sport in Sweden, with a specific focus on: (a) what parental behaviors constitute a secure base, and (b) how these behaviors differ across contexts (at home before and after sport, at practice and during competitions). An interpretive descriptive methodology (Thorne, 2016) was used. Interviews were conducted with 13 family triads (children aged 12–15 years) and 1 dyad living in Sweden. Analysis was conducted to illuminate associations, patterns, and relationships within the sample. Analysis led to the development of nine categories of parental behaviors that were perceived to underpin a secure base. Availability was seen to comprise physical presence and support provision, being responsive, and developing positive mental representations. Encouragement encompassed demonstrating that sport participation is valued, motivating to explore sporting endeavors, and reinforcing and rewarding persistence in sports. Interference was described as unrequested interference, requested interference, and intentionally constrained involvement. Additionally, influencing factors such as communication, family structure and culture, were identified. The findings provide an empirical illustration for several behaviors that have been perceived as positive in previous literature, as well as highlighting numerous further complexities, particularly as it relates to interference.

Children and young people form a significant part of sport, but to what extent are they part of decisionmaking and can influence their sporting practice? On what – if any – matters do they have a voice? This study takes its starting point in the so-called participatory agenda which emanates from article 12 in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) stating that every child has the right to express their views in matters affecting them and that the voice of the child should be considered.

The aim of the study presented was to analyse what sporting issues young Swedish athletes feel that they have the power to influence, such as season goals, training frequency, training content, team positions, tactics, and team rules.

A total of 426 athletes aged 15-17 participated by answering a web survey consisting of 40 questions, including four open-ended questions. They were involved in gymnastics (57), football (116), floorball (120) and ice hockey (133). About 25 percent were part of an academy team or a selected competition group.

An important result is that young people's possibility to influence is ambiguous; it is both large and small at the same time. Their voices are hardly heard but they still feel involved to some extent, especially athletes who ranked themselves as being among the best in their group experienced that they had the power to influence the sporting practice.