Flexible teaching methods in higher education are gaining global interest. HyFlex education offers student-centred learning options by combining hybrid and flexible learning environments. To benefit students’ learning and develop this educational method, it is essential to understand how students perceive HyFlex education. Previous studies on this topic have primarily focused on circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic or have evaluated shorter courses in higher education. The purpose of this study was to investigate students’ experiences and perceptions of HyFlex in the bachelor’s programme in sports science at a university in Sweden. The study used a cross-sectional survey design with a single time point of data collection. A questionnaire was answered by 54 students, allowing for insights into students’ perceptions of their learning, teaching modes and educational formats, and overall feedback. The survey utilised Likert scale assessments and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyse the Likert scale data, while thematic analysis categorised the open-ended responses. The study revealed overall student satisfaction with flexible educational options in HyFlex. However, challenges included technical infrastructure issues and communication difficulties in hybrid settings. The findings suggest the potential of HyFlex to broaden access to education, aligning with global educational goals to expand recruitment to higher education and foster lifelong learning.

Objectives Para athletes may face unique challenges in the anti-doping system, including issues of privacy, implementation, comprehension and accessibility. While previous studies have examined non-disabled athletes’ views, little is known about how international elite Para athletes perceive anti-doping procedures. The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of elite Para athletes’ experiences and perceptions of anti-doping procedures.

Methods Using a cross-sectional observational study design, data were collected via an online questionnaire distributed during major international Para competitions. A total of 109 elite Para athletes from 25 countries, representing three impairment groups—physical, visual and intellectual impairments—participated in the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric analytical tests.

Results Among elite Para athletes, 27% had never received anti-doping education during their sports careers, while those who had received such education felt more confident in staying updated on the prohibited list. Over half had never undergone doping testing, and over 70% had never submitted whereabouts information. Most athletes who had been tested found the procedure respectful and adapted to their impairment. However, 25% could not provide a urine sample without assistance from a doping control officer or another person. Furthermore, 40% of those who had submitted whereabouts information said updating it reduced their enjoyment of being an elite athlete.

Conclusions This study shows that many Para athletes, even at the elite level, have limited experience with key anti-doping procedures, highlighting a need for more inclusive, prioritised and accessible anti-doping efforts tailored to the needs of Para athletes.

Parasports have experienced significant growth in recent years, with an increasing number of athletes, sports, and competitive levels. As in able-bodied sports, this environment may heighten the risk of doping. While WADA's anti-doping regulations apply to all athletes, there are indications that enforcement in parasports is inconsistent. Para-athletes face unique challenges, yet little is known about their perceptions of anti-doping. This study aimed to increase understanding of elite Para-athletes' experiences and perceptions of anti-doping procedures. An online questionnaire, available in five languages, was used to collect data from 109 elite athletes across 22 sports and 24 countries during three major international competitions. The sample included 49% athletes with intellectual impairments, 27% with physical impairments, and 24% with visual impairments. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data, and inferential statistics analyzed relationships between subgroups. Findings show that many athletes had limited experience with anti-doping procedures, including education, controls, and filing whereabouts, despite their high competition level. Among those tested, one in four could not provide a urine sample without assistance from adoping control officer or another person due to current technical limitations. Athletes who received anti-doping education felt more confident in avoiding unintentional doping, while those with intellectual impairments found it more difficult to stay updated on the prohibited list.The results highlight the need for tailored anti-doping strategies in parasports, including procedural adjustments, improved education access, and technical solutions. Addressing these needs will enhance fairness and integrity in parasports.

Introduction: A well-functioning anti-doping system relies on being perceived by athletes as effective, fair, and practically feasible to implement. While research has highlighted the views of Olympic athletes on anti-doping over the past decade, the experiences and perceptions of Para athletes have not been extensively explored. The purpose of this study was to examine Swedish elite Para athletes' experiences and perceptions of the policy and practice of the anti-doping system.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional approach was used, with a web survey elaborated from a survey with Olympic athletes adjusted for Para athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments. The sample consisted of 66 active Para athletes competing at national or international level (response rate 71%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and differences between subgroups were examined Fisher's exact test. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze open-ended questions.

Results: Most of the respondents expressed a positive outlook on the anti-doping system, advocating for comprehensive efforts. A significant portion (35%) had not received anti-doping education, with those who did reporting increased confidence in avoiding unintentional doping. Despite their elite status, half of the respondents had not undergone doping control. Mistrust regarding the system's effectiveness and fairness was identified, with over half of the participants emphasizing the need for new technical solutions to enhance procedures specifically tailored for Para athletes.

Discussion: The athletes in this study advocate for a Para sports-focused approach in the anti-doping system, emphasizing equal testing opportunities, procedural adjustments for independence and privacy, and increased access to education. The findings illuminate the unique conditions faced by athletes with impairments within the anti-doping system, offering valuable insights for policymaking in the development of anti-doping strategies tailored to Para athletes and their various impairments.

Profiles of physical workload in sports are useful to optimize performance and reduce the risk of injury. The aim of the study was to investigate physical workload in 10 elite bandy players by describing acceleration, deceleration, and high-intensity skating during bandy match-play. During 13 home matches, 10 male elite bandy players wore a GPS unit to measure changes in the total distance, total distance skating in two speed zones, and total distance of acceleration and deceleration. A within-subject design was used to measure changes over time during match-play by comparing first and second halves as well as comparisons for consecutive 15 min intervals. No significant differences were observed for high-intensity or very high-intensity acceleration and deceleration for comparisons by halves or for 15-min intervals. For comparisons by halves, a significant time-dependent effect was observed on very fast skating (1337.6 m vs. 1160.9 m), sprint skating (300.0 m vs. 272.0 m), low-intensity acceleration (342.7 m vs. 333.0 m), and total distance covered (10,916.9 m vs. 10,450.3 m). These variables, along with low-intensity deceleration, were also significant for the 15 min interval comparisons. The results show that there is no time-dependent reduction in high-intensity acceleration and deceleration in elite bandy match-play. However, elite bandy players do not maintain the distance of high-intensity skating throughout a whole match.

Purpose: This study examined the physiological sport-specific demands (total distance, mean velocity, effective game time, and time in five velocity zones) in elite bandy players of offensive and defensive playing positions. Method: Data were collected with 10 Hz GPS-units in the Swedish Elite League during the season 2015/16. Ten male elite bandy players were examined during 13 matches. Data were analyzed with Independent Samples Test and with descriptive statistics. Result: Analysis showed that defensive positions covered a significantly longer (p < .001) total distance (23.2 ± 2.4 km vs 21.1 ± 3.5 km) compared to the offensive positions. Significantly higher (p < .001) mean velocity was found in offensive positions (17.8 ± 1.0 km/h vs 15.5 ± 1.6 km/h) in relation to defensive positions. In variable effective game time analysis exposed significant differences (p < .001) between offensive positions and defensive positions (90.4 ± 3.5 min vs 71.3 ± 11.9 min). Furthermore, in easy and moderate skating defensive positions spent significantly (p < .001) more time and in fast, very fast, and sprint skating offensive positions spent significantly (p < .001) more time in relation to each other. The descriptive analysis of positions indicates that libero, defender, and half have the longest game time, half skate the longest distance, and forward have the highest mean velocity during the game. Conclusion: From a practical perspective, the result can provide coaches knowledge when planning the setup in training drills. Thus, the training sessions could be more specific to the playing position, which could maximize the player's physiological outcome in order to optimize performance.

Background: Impaired balance leading to falls is common in the older adults, and there is strong evidence that balance training reduces falls and increases independence. Reduced resources in health care will result in fewer people getting help with rehabilitation training. In this regard, the new technology augmented reality (AR) could be helpful. With AR, the older adults can receive help with instructions and get feedback on their progression in balance training. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of using AR-based visual-interactive tools in balance training of the older adults.; Methods: Seven older adults (66-88 years old) with impaired balance trained under supervision of a physiotherapist twice a week for six weeks using AR-based visual-interactive guidance, which was facilitated through a Microsoft HoloLens holographic display. Afterwards, participants and physiotherapists were interviewed about the new technology and their experience of the training. Also, fear of falling and balance ability were measured before and after training.; Results: Five participants experienced the new technology as positive in terms of increased motivation and feedback. Experiences were mixed regarding the physical and technical aspects of the HoloLens and the design of the HoloLens application. Participants also described issues that needed to be further improved, for example, the training program was difficult and monotonous. Further, the HoloLens hardware was felt to be heavy, the application's menu was difficult to control with different hand manoeuvres, and the calibration took a long time. Suggestions for improvements were described. Results of the balance tests and self-assessment instruments indicated no improvements in balance performance after AR training.; Conclusions: The study showed that training with the new technology is, to some extent, feasible for the older adults, but needs further development. Also, the technology seemed to stimulate increased motivation, which is a prerequisite for adherence to training. However, the new technology and training requires further development and testing in a larger context.

Hur man använder denna bästa-praxishandbokInnehållet i handboken grundar sig på en övergripande och djupgående granskning av de resurser som för närvarande finns tillgängliga för den här särskilda formen av handledning. Efter att ha gjort omfattande sökningar på webb och i databaser, har över 100 resurser som bl.a. omfattar träningshandböcker, kurser (bl.a. e-lärande), läroböcker, artiklar, webbsidor och informationsbroschyrer kunnat lokaliseras. Var och en av dessa har granskats och information som kan vara till nytta när det gäller att träna idrottare med IF har använts. Vissa resurser har vi inte kunnat ta med eftersom de inte var skrivna på engelska, men de lades till i databasen. Vi har också intervjuat tränare och idrottare med kunskaper om olika idrottsgrenar för att utnyttja deras erfarenheter, exempel och resurser för att ytterligare utvidga dessa idéer om bästa praxis. Därefter har vi placerat dessa förslag i en teoretisk ram för att hjälpa tränarna att generalisera verksamheten i olika sammanhang. 

Målgruppen för denna handbok för bästa praxis är tränare som håller på med eller är intresserade av att handleda idrottare med IF – alltifrån gräsrötter till elitnivå. Den kan också komma väl till pass för gymnastiklärare, frivilliga som arbetar med personer med IF, arrangörer eller personer som ordnar med idrotts- och motionstillfällen. Informationen i handboken kan också vara till nytta för föräldrar eller vårdnadshavare till barn/unga personer med IF som vill engagera sig inom idrotten, både som rekreations- och som utvecklingsinriktad verksamhet.

Handboken fokuserar på flera huvudsakliga träningsområden för idrottare med intellektuell funktionsnedsättning.