Journal of Physical Education (Maringá)

Agreement between anthropometric equations and air displacement plethysmography for predicting body fat in people with overweight or obesity

Josiel Gomes Ribeiro — 2026-03-05

The aim of this study was to compare different anthropometric equations for estimating percentage body fat (%BF) in overweight and obese individuals, using air displacement plethysmography (ADP). A total of 451 participants were selected (women: n=357, age 41.4 ± 8.91 years, BMI 34.0 ± 2.52 kg/m²; men: n=94, age 42.1 ± 11.3 years, BMI 35.4 ± 2.26 kg/m²). The %BF was verified by ADP and by the equations of Tran & Weltman, Visser et al., Deurenberg et al., Lean et al., Gallagher et al., and Gómez-Ambrosi et al. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) evaluated the relationship between body composition methods, and Bland-Altman analysis assessed result agreement. For overweight men, the Deurenberg et al. equation showed no significant difference (p=0.186) compared to ADP, with a strong correlation (r=0.98) and a mean error of -2.6 (95%CI -16.1; 10.9). In women, agreement was found only for the Lean et al. equation for both overweight (P=0.916) and obese (P=0.747) groups. Other equations lacked agreement with ADP (P>0.05). The Deurenberg et al. equation is recommended for overweight men, while the Lean et al. equation is suggested for overweight and obese women. New anthropometric equations for assessing %BF in obese men is needed.

Do sport experiences predict basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration in athletes?

José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Junior — 2026-02-27

This study analyzed the predictive role of sport experiences on satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs among college athletes. A total of 135 athletes participated. Two instruments were used: University Sport Experience Survey and Psychological Need States in Sports. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Pearson’s correlation, and Multiple Linear Regression tests (p<0.05) were used in data analysis. Results: basic skills had a positive prediction on autonomy satisfaction (β=0.34; p<.05), social skills had a positive prediction on competence and relatedness satisfaction (β=0.52 and 33; p<.05). Inappropriate behavior a positive prediction on autonomy, competence and relatedness frustration (β=0.38, 0.37 and 0.37). In conclusion sport experiences concerning basic and social skills play predictive role in satisfying the basic psychological needs, whereas inappropriate behavior can favor the frustration of all basic psychological needs athletes.

Understanding the relationship between physical literacy level and physical activity in school adolescents

Marcelo Castillo-Retamal — 2026-02-27

The reduction in physical activity among schoolchildren following the lockdown due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown a decline in their physical capacities and the development of basic and complex motor skills. Based on the principles of Physical Literacy (PL), this study aims to analyse its level concerning the self-reported physical activity level (PAL) in a sample of secondary school students from the Maule Region, Chile (n = 368, 175 females and 193 males), aged between 12 and 18 years (14.5 ± 1.8). PL was measured using the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument (PPLI), while PAL was assessed with the Physical Activity Questionnaire – Adolescents (PAQ-A). Preliminary results, on a scale from 1 to 5 points, show an average PL level of 3.70 ± 0.8 (males 3.8 ± 0.8; females 3.7 ± 0.8) and a PAL of 2.8 ± 0.8 (males 2.8 ± 0.8; females 2.8 ± 0.8). Among the dimensions of the PPLI, the most prominent was Knowledge and Understanding (4.1 ± 1.1), followed by Self-Confidence and Communication with Others (3.4 ± 1.3), while the Sense of Self and Confidence was the lowest (3.4 ± 1.2). As for the most frequent physical activities, walking (3.3 ± 1.5), cycling (3.0 ± 1.4), running, and football (2.7 ± 1.4) were reported, mainly carried out from Wednesday to Friday. No significant relationship was found between the level of PL and PAL (r = 0.170). In conclusion, the level of physical literacy achieved is moderately high, while the level of physical activity is below the expected average for their age, with no evidence of a direct relationship between the two indicators.

Acute effect of small-sided games on tactical-technical performance of youth football players during a training session

Jamille Cristina Torquato Ferreira — 2026-03-05

The present study aimed to investigate the offensive technical-tactical performance of youth football players during five bouts of small-sided games within a single training session. Twenty-four U-14 athletes from two professional football clubs participated in the study. Players engaged in five 4-minute bouts of small-sided games in a GK + 4 vs. 4 + GK format with one minute of passive rest between bouts. Offensive technical-tactical performance was assessed using the Game Performance Evaluation Tool (GPET). The non-parametric Friedman test was used to compare the five consecutive SSG bouts. The results indicated no significant changes in decision-making (p = 0.909; effect size = small) or execution (p = 0.638; effect size = small) of passing actions, nor in the decision-making for support actions (p = 0.180; effect size = small). However, a significant difference was observed in the execution of support actions (p = 0.044; effect size = small), with a decline in performance in bout 4 compared to bout 3. These results suggest that five series of small-sided games in a single training session were not sufficient to produce changes in the offensive technical-tactical performance of young players. We suggest that the finding is a consequence of physical and cognitive demands over the bouts, along with better defensive performance, which could have prevented finding improvements between games. We recommend that coaches use this format of SSG as a way to maintain performance in one session in order to avoid players’ overload. Future studies should investigate the performance on this game format over time, as well as the effect of the manipulation of SSG in one session.

Sociodemographic mapping of players and clubs in the Brazilian championship in the 2022 to 2024 seasons

Milena Gonçalves Sales dos Reis — 2026-03-07

This study aimed to conduct descriptive sociodemographic mapping to characterize the profile of women's soccer clubs and players in the national elite level for the 2022-2024 seasons. Exploratory documentary research was conducted. The sample consisted of 23 clubs, with 401 players in 2022, 351 in 2023, and 393 in 2024. Data were collected from the CBF website, official club pages, and other digital platforms. The variables for the clubs were; city, state, region, and HDI, and for the female players were; city, state, region, MHDI, and population of the city of birth. The results highlight the predominance of the Southeast region, especially the state and city of São Paulo, both in the number of clubs and the athletes' birthplaces. Furthermore, in the three seasons, the number of clubs representing the North/Northeast region was lower compared to the South/Southeast. Finally, almost all the states where the clubs were located had high or very high HDI values, and most of the players' birth cities had high MHDI values. It follows that the Southeast has the largest number of clubs and the most players born in this region, illustrating a significant imbalance compared to other regions of the country.

The effect of artificial intelligence-powered educational tools on physical education and sport pre-service teachers' curriculum literacy

Rıdvan Kenanoğlu — 2026-03-09

This study examined the association between the use of AI-powered educational tools and Physical Education and Sports pre-service teachers’ curriculum literacy outcomes within an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. The quantitative part employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest single-group design, and the qualitative phase used a phenomenological approach. Participants were 30 Physical Education and Sports pre-service teachers (10 female, 20 male). Quantitative data were collected using the Curriculum Literacy Scale, while qualitative data were gathered through a semi-structured interview form informed by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The intervention lasted seven weeks. During the process, participants used AI-powered tools (MagicSchool and Eduaide) to design and evaluate unit plans, daily lesson plans, 5E lesson plans, cooperative learning activities, and question–answer tasks. Quantitative data were analyzed using a paired-samples t-test, and qualitative data were analyzed via descriptive content analysis. Results indicated a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest curriculum literacy scores in favor of the posttest. Qualitative findings yielded themes reflecting participants’ perceptions and intentions regarding the use of AI-powered tools, interpreted through TAM-related constructs. Overall, the findings suggest that integrating AI-powered educational tools into planning and instructional design practices in Physical Education and Sports teacher curriculum warrants further implementation and research.

Effects of small-sided and conditioned games of passing in sport of football: A systematic review

Marcos Antônio Mattos dos Reis — 2026-03-09

This study conducted a systematic review of research on small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) of football passing. It comprised four stages: identification of studies, screening, eligibility and inclusion of articles. Eighteen keywords divided into two groups related to the small-sided and conditioned games and the pass were used, totaling 81 combinations between them. The search across six databases was finalized on April 30, 2024. Eighteen articles were included in the systematic review. The main results were: a) SSCG were more effective than decontextualized drills in improving passing performance; b) SSCG from other team sports enabled transfer to football decision-making and passing; c) offensive numerical configurations in SSCG influenced passing differently—superiority enhanced performance, while inferiority reduced it; d) numerical equality improved performance only in specific formats (e.g., GK + 6 vs. 6 + GK); e) fewer players in SSCG led to more passes and better performance; f) passing performance was influenced by SSCG complexity, players’ age, and tactical level—easier tasks and higher tactical performance favored effectiveness, with age groups responding differently to numerical configurations.