Assessment of a Novel Bioflavonoids and Phytonutrient Formulation in Enhancing Cellular Aerobic Glycolysis, Immunity, Sports Performance, and Mitigating Inflammation

Metabolic competence in conjunction with well-balanced nutritional support is extremely important for normal biochemical and physiological functions, as well as for enhanced athletic performance. Research-affirmed nutraceuticals enriched in structurally diverse phytonutrients including bioflavonoids may help to boost athletic, functional, and biophysiological competence. Occurrence of chronic degenerative disorders is associated with an increase in anaerobic events, namely, the inability to effectively use oxygen and water, and inability to use nutrients for cellular energy production and management, metabolic homeostasis, and waste removal. Earlier clinical studies in our laboratories using the WADA compliant bioflavonoid-enriched Prodosomed VMP35 Multinutrient Complex (“Prodovite®”) demonstrated that it boosted aerobic metabolic competence and provided protection against diverse chronic degenerative anaerobic disorders. We hypothesized that Prodosomed VMP35 may serve as a novel supplement to boost athletic performance. The objective of the study was to conduct selected focused pilot studies to demonstrate the efficacy of a WADA compliant Prodosomed VMP35 to improve athletic competence and performance in a variety of sports activities. The efficacy of VMP35 was assessed in different models of sports performance/athletic competence including power lifting, resistance training, cycling, and selected case studies. VMP35 supplementation restored aerobic metabolic events, minimized oxidative stress, and improved athletic performance, recovery, and immune competence. These pilot clinical studies demonstrate that iron-free VMP35 restores aerobic metabolism by restoring iron-dependent hemoglobin to red blood cells, bolstering neutrophils in the blood (immune support), and significantly improving performance output in a diverse range of athletic activities.

Introducing instagagement: analyzing the engagement rates of professional tennis players through self-presentation strategies on Instagram

This study explored the self-presentation strategies of male and female professional tennis players on the visual-based social media platform, Instagram, and explored the differences that exist between genders relative to fan engagement. A total of 963 Instagram posts were analyzed through content analyses of the top ten most followed professional male and female tennis players. Findings suggest that down-to-earth posts were the most common selfpresentation strategy for both genders; however, male athletes were found to post in a wider variety of categories. Sport specific presentations of self (athletic competence, behind-the-scenes and celebratory) were found to be significantly more popular among male athletes, constituting 46.1% of their sample, compared to 24.5% of the female athlete sample. Fan engagement rates revealed that followers of male athletes engaged with celebratory content the most, while followers of female athletes engaged most with sexualized content.

Introducing instagagement: analyzing the engagement rates of professional tennis players through self-presentation strategies on Instagram

This study explored the self-presentation strategies of male and female professional tennis players on the visual-based social media platform, Instagram, and explored the differences that exist between genders relative to fan engagement. A total of 963 Instagram posts were analyzed through content analyses of the top ten most followed professional male and female tennis players. Findings suggest that down-to-earth posts were the most common selfpresentation strategy for both genders; however, male athletes were found to post in a wider variety of categories. Sport specific presentations of self (athletic competence, behind-the-scenes and celebratory) were found to be significantly more popular among male athletes, constituting 46.1% of their sample, compared to 24.5% of the female athlete sample. Fan engagement rates revealed that followers of male athletes engaged with celebratory content the most, while followers of female athletes engaged most with sexualized content.

The Association Between Pupil-Related Psychological Factors and Academic Achievement in Physical Education

Purpose: Physical education (PE) teachers’ assessments are often based on continuous observations of pupils. As certain psychological factors may mediate pupils’ learning behaviors relevant to the PE context, they may also influence academic achievement in PE. Thus, this study’s aim was to explore the association between pupil-related psychological factors and academic achievement in PE. Methods: Eighty-nine boys and 111 girls (12–16 years old) in lower secondary school participated in this study, responding to a questionnaire containing previously validated scales measuring pupils’ grit, mindset, self-perceptions, and situational motivation. The pupils’ final grade in PE was collected at the end of the school year. Results: A multiple regression model significantly explained 33% of the variance in grade. The self-perception domains—scholastic competence, athletic competence, and physical appearance—acted as unique predictors, explaining a small portion of the variance in academic achievement. Discussion/conclusion: These results support the importance of positive self-perceptions in relation to academic achievement in PE.

Associations between Motor Competence, Physical Self-Perception and Autonomous Motivation for Physical Activity in Children

Research indicates that children and adolescents gradually participate less in physical activity with age. Several factors are associated with children’s physical activity levels, such as motor performance, self-perception of athletic competence and motivation to physical activity. To gain a better understanding of the factors of importance for behavior related to an active lifestyle, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between motor competence, physical self-perception and autonomous motivation and to examine to what extent this association may vary by sex. The sample consisted of 101 children, whose average age was 11.7 years (SD = 0.57), 53 boys and 48 girls. All subjects were measured on motor competence, physical self-perception and autonomous motivation for physical activity. The results indicate a low positive relationship between motor competence and physical self-perception for the entire sample and among girls. There is also a significant correlation between autonomous motivation and physical self-perception. No significant correlations were found between autonomous motivation and motor competence. The association between physical self-perception and autonomous motivation suggests that psychological factors play an important role in children’s participation in physical activity.

Attitudes and Self-Perception of 10- to 14-Year-Old Students Toward Obese Children

This cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the self-perception of primary school students aged 10–14 and their attitudes toward obese children ( n = 693). There was a weak, positive, and highly significant correlation between the mean scores for the overall Attitude Toward Obese Children Scale, the Self-Perception Profile for Children Scale, and the Acceptance of Obese Peers subscale ( p = .000). There was a weak, positive, and highly significant correlation between all the subscales except for the Rejection of Obese Peer and Social Acceptance and Athletic Competence subscales ( p < .01). Self-perception in adolescence is effective throughout life in terms of community mental health. Therefore, it is of great importance to carry out education and awareness-raising studies in schools to gain students positive attitudes and behavior toward individuals with different characteristics.

Structure of Achievement Motivation Dispositions in Elite and Non-Elite Track and Field Athletes

Achievement motivation is a distinguishing disposition in elite and non-elite athletes. Implicit theories and competence perception influence the types of achievement goals and constitute separate achievement motivation dispositions. The context of sport promotes various achievement goals and implicit theories about athletic competence. For this reason, scientific research should focus on the intrapersonal profiles of achievement motivation dispositions (achievement goals, implicit theories, and competence perception) instead of specifying only one of them. This study explores differences between elite and non-elite athletes in terms of intrapersonal profiles of achievement motivation dispositions. 54 elite and 50 non-elite track and field athletes took part in the study. The results suggest that athletes tend to perceive their competence accurately. Cluster analysis of the studied dispositions was conducted. The clusters present sets of achievement dispositions that vary in intensity. Moreover, the results present trends of the differences between elite and non-elite athletes in two of the three clusters obtained in the study.