Sports drinks are popular in athletics, with various formulations catering to enhance performance and recovery time. This experimental study investigated the effects of glucose polymer-based drinks on maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and recovery time in male collegiate long-distance runners (18-25 years old). Six participants underwent a randomized crossover design, comparing a sucrose-based control with a glucose polymer-based drink. MAS was assessed via a 1600-meter time trial, and recovery time through heart rate monitoring (measured in heart rate recovery or HRR). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests (α=0.05) and Cohen's d to determine effect size. Findings indicated that glucose-polymer supplementation significantly decreased MAS (t(5)=−3.54, p=0.017; Cohen's d=−1.44) and significantly impaired HRR (t(5)=−14.09, p<0.001; Cohen's d=−5.75) compared to the control. For this specific group, glucose polymer supplementation decreased both performance and recovery time than sucrose supplementation. These findings underscore the importance of individualized performance testing and careful evaluation of carbohydrate supplementation choices for endurance athletes. Further research with larger, more diverse samples is recommended to enhance generalizability and to explore underlying physiological mechanisms.

An increasing body of research suggests that cocoa (Theobroma cacao) has cognitive-enhancing properties, due to its high quantities of bioactive chemicals such as flavonoids and methylxanthines. These chemicals are linked to increased cerebral blood flow, enhanced neuronal efficiency, and improved cognitive function. While cocoa's physiological benefits have been studied in general populations, few research has evaluated its potential ergogenic effects on athletes, particularly in terms of reaction time. The purpose of this study is to examine the acute effects of cocoa consumption on college fencing competitors' simple reaction time (SRT). This open-skill combat sport requires rapid cognitive and motor reactions for performance. In a randomized crossover design, twenty (N=20) varsity fencers consumed: 15 g non-alkalized cocoa (high dose), 5 g non-alkalized cocoa (low dose), and a water-only control condition in separate sessions. ReactionX Training Lights was used to test reaction times before and two hours after consumption. The findings indicated that high-dose cocoa consumption improved the reaction time of collegiate fencing athletes, suggesting an acute enhancement in neural processing speed that is attributed to its higher quantities of bioactive content. No sex-related differences were observed. Although the effects in reaction time were subtle, these acute changes support cocoa’s potential as a nutritional strategy for sports requiring fast cognitive-motor responses.

Body image and self-confidence among female dancers have always been a multifaceted phenomenon that may be influenced by many different factors. This study explores how body image and self-confidence affect the experiences of collegiate female street dancers. Although body image issues have been explored in classical and modern dance, research focusing on street dancers is still lacking, especially among female collegiate street dancers. This study utilized a narrative inquiry approach to have an in-depth understanding of how these dancers perceive their bodies, how these feelings influence their self-confidence during competition, and how all of these factors shape their overall relationship with dance. The theoretical framework that was used was Self-Efficacy Theory, as this will utilize how collegiate female street dancers’ beliefs of their own capability and how these pressures may have an impact on their body image and perceived self-confidence. Through interviews with the participants, the study reveals personal stories that show their perspective on body image, performance pressure, and expectations in the competitive street dance scene. The findings may also highlight the ways these women cope, stay resilient, and continue to find self-confidence and strength through dance. This study hopes that deeper conversation and understanding of the emotional and psychological effects of body image, self-confidence, and well-being in the street dance community will contribute to building safer and more empowering spaces for female street dancers.

Disaster response is an important infrastructure in the Philippines, as the country is affected by flooding due to typhoons multiple times annually. The national disaster response network relies on volunteers to carry out the provision of emergency services, among which the most common is search and rescue, which requires a certain level of muscular strength. As a result, engaging in the provision of emergency response services such as search and rescue exposes Filipino volunteer disaster responders to hazardous situations wherein muscular strength can affect not only their occupational performance but also mitigate the risk of acquiring injuries. This study determined the effects of a resistance training program on the specific muscular strength of 12 adult Filipino volunteer disaster responders, using the 3RM in the deadlift and seated row as a performance metric. The pre-test and post-test seated row scores of the control group (n = 6) were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test due to being non-normally distributed and revealed no significant differences. On the other hand, the dependent t-test was performed on the deadlift scores of the control group and the seated row and deadlift scores of the experimental group (n = 6) revealed significant differences. Likewise, the independent t-test performed on the scores differences between both groups revealed a significant difference. These findings indicate that there were improvements in the specific upper body and lower body strengths of the selected Filipino volunteer disaster responders, which has been identified as important in disaster response, specifically SAR, potentially benefitting their occupational performance and decreasing the risk of acquiring injuries during hazardous situations. This study may also be used as a reference for similar studies in the future.

Despite being a sport with weight classes that influence training and competition outcomes, Judo is one in which body image significantly affects the performance and well-being of female collegiate judoka athletes. The current study examined the lived experiences of ffemale collegiate judokas aged 18–23 regarding their body image perceptions. The study employed structured interviews to investigate how social, sport-specific, and personal expectations influence body image and athletic performance. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s 2006 six-phase framework emerging themes revealed both positive and negative perceptions of body image among the participants. Some female collegiate judokas came to associate their evolving bodies with progress and strength, leading to a sense of satisfaction and self-acceptance. Others, however, reported difficulties with negative body image stemming from weight management, past experiences, and lifestyle changes. A mixture of social pressures and Judo's physical nature shaped the participants' experiences, with weight management being identified as a primary source of psychological pressure. Nevertheless, some female collegiate judokas employed coping techniques such as mindfulness, peer support, reframing self-talk, and setting performance-based goals over appearance. The study highlighted that exploring body image among female collegiate judokas is a complex and multifaceted experience. These results underscore the importance of support systems that address the psychological and physical needs of female judoka athletes in weight-sensitive sports, thereby promoting positive body image perceptions among female collegiate judoka athletes.