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The association between healthy dietary habits and physical fitness among junior high school students: A rural school case study
Moch. Yunus1, Yulingga Nanda Hanief2, Muhammad Putra Ramadhan3, Erika Ayu Sylvianingrum41. State University of Malang , ID2. State University of Malang , ID3. State University of Malang , ID4. State University of Malang , ID2025-12-30|page 344-354AbstractBackground: The health conditions of the community, particularly in relation to the physical fitness of junior high school students, require serious attention, especially in rural areas that differ significantly from urban areas. Previous research findings on dietary patterns and physical fitness still show inconsistent results.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between healthy eating habits and physical fitness among junior high school students residing in rural areas.
Methods: This study used a quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach. The research subjects consisted of 27 students from public junior high schools in rural areas, selected through a balanced stratified random sampling process that involved all grade levels. Eating habits were measured using a 24-hour food recall, as it is an effective method for monitoring food intake over a short period. Physical fitness was measured using the Nusantara Student Fitness Test (TKPN), a national standard instrument. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation, and linear regression.
Results: Most of the study participants were underweight with varied eating patterns. The analysis results showed no significant relationship between physical fitness and healthy eating patterns, as indicated by a correlation coefficient of 0.061 and a p-value of 0.764. The small effect size suggests that eating patterns did not have a significant impact on fitness levels in this group of participants.
Conclusions: The study shows that rural junior high school students achieve their physical fitness through exercise and their exercise-rest patterns and their inherited characteristics rather than their diet.APA Citation StyleYunus, M. , Hanief, Y. N. , Ramadhan, M. P. , & Sylvianingrum, E. A. (2025). The association between healthy dietary habits and physical fitness among junior high school students: A rural school case study. Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research, 344-354. https://doi.org/10.56003/pessr.v4i3.665 -
Immediate effect of thoracic spinal manipulation versus passive stretching on upper trapezius pain in university students: A randomized controlled trial
Sherin Nada Salsabila1, Adnan Faris Naufal21. Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta , ID2. Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta , ID2025-11-26|page 250-265AbstractBackground: Pain disorders in the upper trapezius muscle are often experienced by students due to non-ergonomic postures and excessive duration of device use. Interventions such as spinal manipulation and stretching exercises are non-invasive interventions often used to reduce pain and improve muscle function.
Objectives: This study compares the effectiveness of two interventions in reducing trapezius muscle pain among university students.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial involved 40 physiotherapy students divided equally into two intervention groups. Group I received thoracic spinal manipulation, and Group II received passive stretching. Each intervention was administered in a single 15-minute session. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) before and immediately after treatment. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test for within-group comparisons and the Mann–Whitney U test for between-group analysis, with an alpha level of 0.05.
Results: The Wilcoxon test revealed a significant decrease in pain within both groups (Group I: median pre 4.5 [3.63–5] to post 2.5 [1.50–3.38], p = 0.000, r = 0.879; Group II: median pre 4.25 [3–5] to post 1 [0.13–3], p = 0.000, r = 0.84), indicating a significant effect of both interventions. The Mann–Whitney U test showed no statistically significant difference in pain reduction between the two groups (median pain difference = 2 [1–3] for both, U = 186.5, Z = –0.375, p = 0.707, r = 0.06).
Conclusions: Both thoracic spinal manipulation and passive stretching were effective in reducing upper trapezius pain immediately after a single session, but no significant difference was found between the two interventions. These findings suggest that both approaches provide comparable short-term benefits; however, further research with larger samples, multiple sessions, and more extended follow-up periods is needed to confirm their long-term efficacy.
APA Citation StyleSalsabila, S. N. , & Naufal, A. F. (2025). Immediate effect of thoracic spinal manipulation versus passive stretching on upper trapezius pain in university students: A randomized controlled trial. Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research, 250-265. https://doi.org/10.56003/pessr.v4i3.634 -
Reclaiming the value of qualitative analysis in sports performance research
Spyridon Plakias11. Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly , GR2026-03-03|page 1-6AbstractQuantitative metrics and technology-driven approaches have reshaped sports performance analysis (SPA), yet they risk overshadowing the equally vital contribution of qualitative methods. This opinion paper highlights the value of qualitative analysis in capturing the complexity, context, and meaning of player and team behaviors, elements that numbers alone cannot explain. Drawing on video-based evaluations, case studies, and narrative reconstructions, qualitative approaches provide insights into tactical, psychological, and interactional dimensions of performance that are indispensable for bridging the science–practice gap. By integrating qualitative and quantitative perspectives, SPA can achieve a more balanced and applicable paradigm, ensuring that scientific research remains relevant to real-world coaching and athlete development. This paper calls for a renewed recognition of qualitative methods as a central pillar of SPA and invites further scholarly contributions to this evolving discussion.
APA Citation StylePlakias, S. (2026). Reclaiming the value of qualitative analysis in sports performance research. Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.56003/pessr.v5i1.672 -
The effect of championship participation on training intensity and motivation of Pencak Silat student athletes at Semarang State University, Indonesia
Achmad Alif Firmansyah1, Nanang Indardi21. State University of Semarang , ID2. State University of Semarang , ID2025-08-15|page 204-211AbstractBackground: Consistent training and high enthusiasm are the keys to an athlete's success in achieving optimal performance. However, among Pencak Silat athletes at Semarang State University (UNNES), there is a decrease in training intensity and enthusiasm when there is no championship agenda.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of participation in a championship on the training intensity and motivation of Semarang State University Pencak Silat athletes.
Methods: This study used a pre-post design with the same subjects (n = 30) and an explanatory quantitative approach to determine the effect of championship participation on training intensity and motivation. Data were collected using a Likert scale questionnaire that has been tested for validity and reliability (α = 0.872). Data analysis was performed using a paired t-test using SPSS.
Results: The results showed a significant increase in training intensity from a mean ± SD of 3.12 ± 0.54 (pre) to 3.78 ± 0.49 (post), and training motivation from 3.05 ± 0.61 (pre) to 3.85 ± 0.55 (post), with t(29) = 5.62 and 6.03, respectively, p = 0.004. Cohen's d effect sizes of 1.03 (intensity) and 1.10 (motivation) indicate significant effects.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that participation in championships is a significant external motivator in improving the quality of athletes' training. Therefore, championships can be a coaching strategy to maintain sustainable training motivation, a practical implication that this study has clearly demonstrated.
APA Citation StyleFirmansyah, A. A. , & Indardi, N. (2025). The effect of championship participation on training intensity and motivation of Pencak Silat student athletes at Semarang State University, Indonesia. Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research, 204-211. https://doi.org/10.56003/pessr.v4i2.620 -
The Efficacy of Virtual Physical Education and Its Contribution to Raising Learners' Interest and Engagement Levels
Dickson Mdhlalose11. National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa , ZA2024-10-25|page 96-115AbstractBackground: Schools are reluctant to adapt physical education to virtual as it would be challenging to do physical education via virtual learning.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the contemporary efficacy of virtual physical education and its contribution to raising learners' interest and engagement levels.
Methods: This study employed an exploratory research design. The content was compiled using various printed and electronic textbooks, encyclopedias, reference materials, scholarly publications, and dissertations. Subsequently, the author assessed the multiple sources to ascertain the data's caliber.
Results: Conventional education is obsolete; thus, schools should adopt virtual physical education due to its positive outcomes in education regarding learners' performance by increasing learners' interest and engagement.
Conclusion: A properly planned and well-implemented virtual physical education, well-trained and experienced educators, well-guided learners, proper infrastructure, and supporting resources result in learners being interested and engaged, thus leading virtual physical education to success. This study bridges the gap between virtual physical education and learners' interest and engagement, adding to the existing corpus of information concerning virtual physical education.
APA Citation StyleMdhlalose, D. (2024). The Efficacy of Virtual Physical Education and Its Contribution to Raising Learners' Interest and Engagement Levels. Physical Education and Sports: Studies and Research, 96-115. https://doi.org/10.56003/pessr.v3i2.364












