Dopamine-scrolling: a modern public health challenge requiring urgent attention

This manuscript examines the emerging phenomenon of dopamine-scrolling and its implications for public health, particularly regarding mental wellbeing and digital behaviour patterns. While extensive research exists on Internet addiction, problematic social media use, and doom-scrolling, the authors of this paper identify dopamine-scrolling as a distinct behavioural pattern that warrants specific attention from public health professionals and policymakers

Beyond certification: improving lifeguard drowning detection through validated tools and specialized training

This study investigated two key aims: (1) the external validity of an animated performance assessment tool previously utilized in lifeguard training, with a focus on how lifeguard experience and task duration affect performance metrics, and (2) the impact of two distinct training protocols on lifeguard-specific drowning detection abilities. In the first experiment, experienced lifeguards demonstrated superior performance compared to inexperienced lifeguards in both 30-minute tasks; however, both groups exhibited a decline in performance over time. The external validity of the animated tool was supported by its ability to produce performance outcomes aligned with real-world lifeguard tasks. The second experiment revealed that training specifically designed for lifeguard drowning detection significantly enhanced detection performance, while working memory training showed no measurable effect. These results highlight the necessity of incorporating realistic drowning detection challenges—such as varied bather numbers, drowning durations, and locations—into lifeguard certification programs, which currently do not emphasize these critical elements. The study also points to the significant proportion of lifeguards who missed drowning scenarios at baseline, underscoring the urgent need for improved training. Future research should explore the potential of animated tools in training and further investigate the cognitive mechanisms that underpin effective drowning detection

Physiology of dance training and performance

Physiology is science that describes the way the body functions. The body cannot dance unless physiological processes (which can be trained and optimized) are operating. As a dancer, understanding the cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular systems will enable you to test and train your body to meet the physiological demands of dance

A holistic approach to academic perfectionism with The SPACE model of coaching

Background: Academic perfectionism is characterised by a relentless pursuit of exceedingly high standards and harsh self-criticism, often resulting in both academic achievement and psychological distress. While traditionally seen as a personality trait, the influence of social context and the potential role of coaching in mitigating its negative effects are less understood. Aims: This study investigates the application of the SPACE coaching model as a holistic framework for addressing academic perfectionism. The model integrates physiological, emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and social dimensions, offering theoretical insights and practical strategies for coaches working with perfectionistic students. Methods: Four postgraduate students (3 women, 1 non-binary) participated in weekly coaching sessions with a coaching psychologist over the course of a month. Sessions followed the SPACE framework and were audio-recorded. Session transcripts, SPACE diagrams, and coaching reflections were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). Results: The findings indicated several behaviours (e.g., procrastination, gold-plating and hyper-focusing) contributing to frustration, anxiety, occasionally balanced by pride and enjoyment, alongside personal sacrifices and physical discomforts. The perfectionistic cycle was driven by self-beliefs of inadequacy, and reinforced by cognitive rumination over negative feedback, increasing self-criticism and compensatory behaviours, such as an obsessive focus on detail. Social factors like parental expectations, work experiences, and specific features of the academic environment further exacerbated these tendencies. Discussion: The study underscores the dynamic nature of academic perfectionism, shaped by individual and contextual factors. Coaches should employ strategies at the individual level, while advocating for changes in the social environment to reduce perfectionistic pressures. Conclusion: A holistic approach that addresses both the individual and broader social context is essential for supporting students in managing academic perfectionism, helping them achieve success while maintaining mental well-being

Emotional intelligence, helping others and generativity: perspectives of community sport coaches

Community sport coaches in the UK and elsewhere are typically tasked with improving the personal/social development, life skills and life chances of young and disadvantaged participants. Interestingly, whilst emotional intelligence is frequently used within performance sport coaching literature as a precept of effective practice, there remains little related to specific usage within the community sport context, or to how more humanistic interpretations/approaches may underpin applied practice. In order to further understanding in these areas, this study used a qualitative framework and undertook semi-structured interviews with nine highly experienced community sport coaches. Results revealed values of empathic, humanistic, sharing approaches, illustrated and explained by their motivations to help others that needed support and, without necessarily always explicitly operationalizing it as such, their recognition and use of emotional intelligence. The implications for these are discussed within the pape

The effects of familiarisation on countermovement jumps with handheld dumbbell accentuated eccentric loading in youth athletes

This study was used to investigate the effects of familiarisation on a countermovement jump (CMJ) performed with hand held dumbbell accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) at 20% of body mass (CMJAEL20). Twenty‐seven adolescent males performedCMJAEL20 on three separate occasions. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) detected significant differences in normalised force‐time data between session one and two (50%–95% of movement time), two and three (47%–48%) and one and three (66%–96%), but not in velocity‐ or displacement‐time data. Propulsion mean vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) had excellent reliability (CV% upper CI95 = 5.12–9.33; ICC lower CI95 = 0.99), whereas jump height exhibited good relative reliability (ICC lower CI95 ≥ 0.94) but moderate to poor absolute reliability (CV% upper CI95 = 6.72–15.36). Unweighting time and braking time showed moderate to poor reliability (CV% upper CI95 = 14.22–37.06; ICC lower CI95 = 0.46–0.89). Mean bias between sessions was ≤ 10% for all variables according to repeated measures Bland‐Altman analysis; however, fixed bias was observed in braking mean vGRF and propulsion mean velocity. Jump height, braking mean vGRF, propulsion mean vGRF and propulsion mean velocity exhibited good to acceptable limits of agreement (LOA; ≤ 20%), whereas all other variables were classified as ‘poor’ (>20%). Proportional bias was identified in unweighting vGRF%, braking mean vGRF and braking mean velocity. These findings suggest that although more than three familiarisation sessions may be required for unweighting and braking CMJAEL20 variables, reliable propulsion data, including jump height, were observed from session one

A qualitative exploration of sport and exercise psychology practitioners’ perceptions and experiences of using Think Aloud in applied practice

Aims: Think aloud (TA) is a tool that has been used within sport and exercise psychology research and applied contexts to understand participants’ cognitions. We aimed to explore ASEPs’ perceptions of using TA within their applied practice. Method: Following a workshop on TA, 10 ASEPs engaged in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of using TA with clients. Data were analysed via content analysis. Results: TA was used as part of the needs analysis process, and to facilitate reflection and evaluation. Considerations were highlighted: client factors (e.g., individual differences); consulting factors (i.e., teaching participants how to TA); and the client-consultant relationship (i.e., strength of the working alliance). Conclusion: This is the first study to consider ASEPs perspectives on how TA can be used within applied practice and offers considerations to ASEP’s on the use of TA as a tool within service delivery

Effect of one-week New Zealand blackcurrant extract on rowing performance and cognitive function in National team male rowers

The present study examined the ergogenic effects of seven days of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC)BC extract on 2000-meter rowing ergometer performance and cognitive function. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover-study design, 9 trained male rowers from Iran's national team were recruited to participate in three sessions with NZBC extract (600 mg∙day−1), placebo (PL) and control (CL) treatments for 7 days with a 14 days washout period. Participants completed a 2000-meter ergometer performance, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) immediately, and cognitive function test was measured five minutes after the rowing test. The results revealed that 7 days of NZBC extract supplementation despite showing a small effect size (Cohens d=0.23) with the smallest worthwhile change to be 2.96 s, had no statistical ergogenic effects (420 ± 12 s, 95%CI [411, 430] compared to PL (424 ± 15 s, 95%CI [412, 435] and CL (423 ± 14s, 95%CI [412, 434 s] in rowing performance. Notably, 6 of the 9 participants exhibited an non-significant enhancement in rowing performance with NZBC extract. For other parameters, there were no differences between the NZBC extract, PL, and CL conditions (p > 0.05). Seven days of NZBC extract supplementation did not improve rowing performance, cognitive function, or RPE among national team rowers

Poetic confessions of a neophyte qualitative researcher undertaking emotional demanding research in sport

Undertaking qualitative research can be emotionally demanding, yet the emotional experiences and vulnerabilities of researchers themselves are often overlooked. In this confessional tale, the first author, a neophyte qualitative researcher, reflects on navigating emotionally demanding research in sport, specifically exploring athlete experiences of injury and disordered eating. By using poetry as an arts-based method, this study not only conveys the embodied intensity of these experiences but also builds on existing confessional accounts to provide a pedagogical resource for supporting neophyte researchers in managing vulnerability, ethical responsibility, and reflexivity. This study draws from the first author’s reflexive journal (totalling more than 15,000 words), member reflections with participants (N=8 interviews), and ongoing interpersonal reflection (>30 hours) with her supervisory team, which was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The constructed themes were then crafted into poems to create a pedagogical resource to support reflection and training for researchers engaging with emotionally demanding topics. The five poems are entitled: Shadows Linger, A Tinted Lens, Promise of Change, The Uncertain Path, and Beyond Words. Each of the poems illustrate the tensions, ethical considerations, and moral complexities of undertaking emotional demanding research in sport. Reflections are then offered to consider how the poems could serve as a pedagogical resource for those engaged in emotionally demanding research, offering insights into the impact of such work, the ways qualitative researchers can embrace responsibility, and the importance of critically reflecting on language used throughout the research process

HAC-19: A co-infection model for infectious diseases using IoT-Networked Robots

Internet of Things (IoT) of networked robots installed at the edges of smart healthcare infrastructure (SHI) can be used to mitigate infectious diseases. Such robots can predict pandemics, and screen, diagnose, treat or perform healthcare nursing for infectious diseases. When equipped with suitable digital technologies, these robots can mitigate epidemics and predict future pandemics more efficiently. This paper proposes a co-infection model of infectious diseases, using HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 (or HAC-19) as examples, that can underlie SHI nodes (e.g., robots). The co-infection model benefits from the compartmental applications of fractional derivatives to healthcare problems. Six co-infection control parameters (e.g., awareness, counselling, COVID-19 safety protocol, COVID-19 vaccine, HIV/AIDS therapy, and COVID-19 treatment) are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The HAC-19 model uses a basic reproduction number to indicate the effectiveness of the control measures. When the control parameters are effective, the results show that the HAC-19 co-infection reduces to a minimum in the population. When the control measures are not effective, the HAC-19 co-infection will be endemic. Robots, equipped with IoT at the edge of the SHI, transfer the data from the trials to the outpost network nodes in the hospital and then to the cloud for further analytics and decision-making. The results of real-world trials at three hospital locations strongly agree with the theoretical model