International Journal of Holistic Health, Sports and Recreation

The Problem of Failing to Engage in Recreational Activities Despite Ample Free Time: The Case of Oblomovism

2025-09-08T10:35:56+03:00

The concept of Oblomovism refers to a distinct pattern of behaviour characterised by a deliberate and active form of idleness, as distinct from mere laziness. The term derives from the lifestyle and behaviour of Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, the protagonist of Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov's novel Oblomov. This article examines the Oblomovian way of life and related behavioural patterns, analysing their similarities and differences in relation to other closely related attitudes. Oblomovism is examined in the context of individuals with excessive non-working time who struggle to engage in leisure activities, highlighting its psychological, social and economic implications. Schopenhauer's interpretation of boredom and Frankl's existential search for meaning are used to explain the existential emptiness and lack of motivation caused by Oblomovism. The increasing convenience provided by technology has further reinforced passive consumerism and contributed to the spread of this behaviour in modern societies. This study demonstrates that the ineffective use of leisure time has a negative impact on individual and societal productivity, and argues for the promotion of leisure activities as a countermeasure.

Comparison of Elite Orienteering Athletes’ Physical and Mental Test Parameters with Their End-of-Season Competition Results

2025-10-11T14:54:24+03:00

Orienteering is a nature sport that requires intense physical and mental performance, in which athletes attempt to find designated control points in challenging terrain using a map and compass. The present study aims to compare the physical and mental parameters measured using various tests in orienteering athletes with their end-of-season competition results and to determine the parameters that affect performance. Twenty-one male athletes competing in the elite category of the Turkish Orienteering Federation league participated in the study. Participants were divided into two groups based on their experience in the sport: inexperienced (2-5 years) and experienced (5 years and above). To measure physical performance parameters, the participants underwent a sit-and-reach flexibility test, a 20 m sprint test, Illinois agility test, active jump test, squat jump test, McGill core endurance test, isokinetic muscle strength measurement, running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST), and 3000 m run test. To measure mental performance parameters, the D2 attention test, spatial visualization test, and mental rotation test were administered. The analysis revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between active jump, squat jump, RAST fatigue index, and 3000 m run test results and end-of-season competition scores, and a statistically significant positive correlation between years of experience and end-of-season competition scores. Regression analysis revealed that experience and aerobic endurance are two important components that influence performance. The findings show that the two most decisive variables affecting end-of-season performance are aerobic endurance (3000 m test) and athlete experience. This reveals that, in addition to physical capacity, sport-specific experience is also a critical factor in performance.

Characteristics of Physical Activity in Early Childhood Through the Application of Pedagogical Strategies in Outdoor Environments

2025-08-07T22:41:00+03:00

This study aim to investigate the development of outdoor physical activity (PA) and pedagogical strategies for children aged 1.5 to 3 years. The study used purposive sampling, deliberately selecting a group of six informants, pre-school teachers working with children aged 1.5 to 3 years, through focus group design. The sample for qualitative study was flexible and based on the principle of data saturation, interviews were carried out until new information became available. Key issues identified included following questions: do children aged 1.5 to 3 years spend sufficient time outdoors in pre-schools? Are the conditions for children's PA in outdoor environments of pre-schools adequate? In response, pre-school teachers employed various strategies such as (in)formally assessing children's progress and planning new activities constantly strive for the goals of children's comprehensive education. Pedagogical effects for children PA revealed through various activities which are characterized by playful features, various movement places, active games, thematic weeks. An analysis of the impact of outdoor environments on the PA of children aged 1.5 to 3 years the findings revealed a direct influence on the expression of PA. The outdoor environment encourages a variety of movements, enhances motor skill development, fosters healthy PA habits, and provides opportunities for exploration, creative engagement, and social interaction. In requirements for outdoor environments, teachers strive to ensure they are adapted to the needs of young children: safe, stimulating, flexible, dynamic, and spacious enough to support free movement, with a variety of age-appropriate and safe equipment.

Effects of Acute Whole-Body Vibration and Flexi-Bar Training on Isokinetic Shoulder Internal and External Rotation Strength

2025-10-12T01:37:30+03:00

In movement and training sciences, the effects of vibration treatments on acute muscle performance are popular research topics. In this study, the effects of acute whole body vibration (WBV) and flexi-bar training on isokinetic shoulder internal and external rotation strength were investigated in high performance group female handball players. Four different training protocols were applied to the study conducted with 16 healthy adult female handball players (age: 21.31 ± 1.45; mass: 69.47 ± 28.21). Participants took a modified push-up position and participated in bench press force treatments on a non-vibrated and vibrated (30 Hz 4 mm, 50 Hz 4 mm) surface. In addition, the participants performed the same movement form in a sitting position using a flexi bar. To determine the effects of four different protocols (30 sec × 6 sets with 30 sec rest) isolating the lower extremities on the shoulder rotator cuff muscle muscles, the strength of the shoulder rotator cuff muscles was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer at speeds of – 60 and 180°/s before and immediately after the treatment. Findings showed that 30 Hz WBV treatment decreased mean force in shoulder internal rotation muscles (p = 0.043), while 50 Hz WBV decreased maximum torque and mean force (p = 0.022, p = 0.026). Flexi-bar exercises were found to negatively affect the maximum torque (p = 0.007), work per repetition (p = 0.006) and mean strength (p = 0.004) values of the shoulder external rotation muscles. As a result, it was observed that WBV (30 Hz and 50 Hz 4 mm) and flexi-bar treatmnets caused a significant decrease in the strength of the internal rotator muscles, and WBV treatmnets had a statistically more significant effect on the external rotator muscles than the flexi-bar application.

An Analysis of The Balanced Lifestyle and Recreational Sports Practices of Foreign Students Enrolled in Graduate Programs According to Different Variables (The Case of Kütahya Province)

2025-12-05T01:06:32+03:00

This study aims to examine the balanced living standards and recreational sports well-being of foreign students enrolled in graduate programs at Dumlupınar University according to demographic and socio-cultural variables. The sample of the study, conducted using a quantitative correlational survey design, consisted of a total of 399 students (116 female, 283 male) actively enrolled in master's and doctoral programs. After ensuring normality, descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, Tukey post-hoc, and correlation analyses were applied; the significance level was set at p<.05. The findings showed that age created significant differences in the spirituality sub-dimension of balanced life and that recreational participation duration created significant differences in the physical sub-dimension; however, there were no differences in the success, physical, spirituality, and relationship dimensions based on marital status, gender, length of stay in Turkey, education and income status, participation status, and place of residence. In recreational sports well-being, a significant difference was found only in the physical-mental health sub-dimension according to the income variable. Correlations showed that the Total Balanced Life score was highly positively correlated with success, spirituality, and relationships; moderately positively correlated with body; and weakly positively correlated with life satisfaction, family relationship development, and positive emotions. The Recreational Sports Well-Being Total score was found to be highly positively correlated with life satisfaction, positive emotion, physical-mental health, and family relationship development; and low positively correlated with success, spirituality, body, and relationship. The results show that the two constructs are multidimensional and strongly correlated, particularly through subjective well-being components.

Digitalization of Sports Equipment in Europe: Comparing Wearable Device Use between EU and Non-EU Europe (2024)

2025-12-28T19:13:57+03:00

This study compares the use of wearable devices (smartwatches/fitness bands) as a practical indicator of digitalization in sports equipment in the European Union (EU) and non-EU European countries. Eurostat's "Use of Internet of Things by individuals" dataset (isoc_iiot_use; indicator: I_IOT_DCS2—wearables; unit: PC_IND; ind_type: IND_TOTAL) is used for a single year, 2024, and country-level usage rates for individuals aged 16–74 are obtained. In a brief comparative analysis between the EU (EU-27, n=26) and non-EU Europe (n=7), descriptive statistics show that mean usage is 32.8% (sd=9.8; median=30.7%) in the EU and 17.6% (sd=17.5; median=13.0%) in non-EU Europe. The primary Mann–Whitney U test revealed that the difference between the groups was statistically significant (W=158, p=0.0034). The Welch t-test, reported as a robustness check, yielded a borderline result (t=2.21; sd=7.04; p=0.062). Effect sizes were high (Cliff’s δ=0.74; Hedges’ g=1.27; 95% CI 0.37–2.17). The findings indicate that, in terms of technology management, digitalization in the EU has reached a more mature level with complementary assets (connectivity infrastructure, application/service ecosystem, data governance, and regulatory framework). In non-EU Europe, due to heterogeneity, market creation and localization strategies are important.