Studies in Sports Science and Physical Education

The Polytechnic, Sports Development, and Student Development: A Pathway to Holistic Growth

Daye Barango — 2025-09-18

Polytechnic education plays a critical role in national development by bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquisition. However, various challenges, such as inadequate funding, policy implementation gaps, and limited extracurricular engagement, continue to hinder the effectiveness of polytechnic institutions in Nigeria. This study examines the impact of polytechnic education on workforce readiness, the role of extracurricular activities in enhancing student performance, and the significance of sports participation in fostering leadership, teamwork, and mental well-being. Drawing from scholarly works, the study highlights the need for policy reforms to address barriers to sports development, improve technical and vocational education, and integrate structured extracurricular programs to enhance student engagement and cognitive performance. Additionally, findings from neuroscience and sport psychology suggest that physical activity positively influences stress resilience, cognitive function, and academic success among students. The study recommends amongst others that Nigerian polytechnics adopt evidence-based strategies to enhance student development, including increasing investments in sports infrastructure, promoting industry-focused training, and fostering an active learning environment that supports both academic and extracurricular excellence.

Research on the Stability of Curling Athletes’ Throwing Movements Based on Balance Ability Training

Guo Baoyu — 2025-09-18

Curling is an ice sport that highly depends on body control and movement accuracy. The stability of the throwing motion directly affects the technical performance and tactical execution in the game. To explore the influence mechanism of balance ability training on the stability of curling players’ throwing motions, this study selected the curling team of a certain university as the research subjects and conducted an 8-week balance training intervention experiment. A pretest-posttest control group design was adopted to compare the differences between the experimental group and the control group in key indicators such as the repeatability of the throwing motion, landing point deviation, and posture stability. The research results showed that systematic balance training significantly improved the core control ability and lower limb coordination of the athletes. The experimental group outperformed the control group in terms of the consistency of the landing point, control of the throwing motion amplitude, and maintenance of dynamic posture, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The study indicates that balance ability is a key physical factor affecting the stability of curling throwing motions, and scientifically designed balance training can effectively enhance the accuracy and stability of curling-specific technical movements. This paper provides theoretical basis and practical guidance for the optimization of curling-specific physical training.

An Analysis of the Educational Value of University Tai Chi Courses for the Holistic Development of College Students

Zimeng Liu — 2025-09-18

This paper explores the educational value of university-level Tai Chi courses in promoting the holistic development of college students. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives, the study examines Tai Chi not only as a physical discipline but also as a vehicle for psychological growth, emotional regulation, and social engagement. Tai Chi offers a low-threshold, inclusive, and culturally grounded practice that addresses key challenges facing today’s students—sedentary lifestyles, mental stress, social disconnection, and diminished self-awareness. The paper articulates how Tai Chi improves physical health outcomes such as posture, flexibility, and neuromuscular coordination, while also cultivating emotional resilience, attentional stability, and self-concept clarity. In the social realm, Tai Chi fosters collective presence, non-verbal empathy, and cooperative interaction, enabling students to build meaningful peer relationships in a non-competitive environment. The integration of Tai Chi into university curricula is discussed through a practical lens, including weekly structuring, interdisciplinary value, and institutional scalability. The findings support the inclusion of Tai Chi as a viable and impactful educational component that contributes to students’ whole-person development in academic environments increasingly marked by fragmentation and psychological overload.

Prevalence of Sedentary Behavior and Physical Inactivity Among High School Students in Shenzhen

Minghao Sun — 2025-09-18

This study investigates the prevalence and structural drivers of sedentary behavior and physical inactivity among high school students in Shenzhen, China. Drawing on observational data, policy documents, and interviews with students, teachers, and parents, the research reveals a complex interplay between academic pressure, urban infrastructure, gender norms, and institutional practices. Despite the existence of national physical education mandates and an expanding network of public sports facilities, students—particularly girls and those from migrant or low-income backgrounds—face significant barriers to meaningful physical engagement. The school timetable, exam-centered culture, limited after-school offerings, and socio-spatial inequality in facility access all contribute to entrenched patterns of stillness. Gender and family expectations further constrain activity, while urban planning fails to prioritize adolescent needs. The study proposes a multi-level intervention strategy, emphasizing curricular reform, community collaboration, and inclusive urban design to foster a more active and equitable environment for youth development in China’s rapidly urbanizing educational context.

A Study on the Effects of Ba Duan Jin Exercise on Sleep Quality and Cervical Spine Function in College Students

Yue Wei — 2025-09-18

With increasing academic pressure, reliance on electronic devices, and changes in lifestyle habits, the incidence of poor sleep quality and cervical spine dysfunction has significantly increased among college students. Ba Duan Jin, a traditional Chinese health-preserving exercise, has been shown to improve physical and mental health, regulate qi and blood circulation, and alleviate muscle tension. This study investigated the effects of Ba Duan Jin exercise on sleep quality and cervical spine function among college students at Jilin Normal University from an exercise intervention perspective. The study employed a pre-test–post-test control group experimental design. The experimental group underwent Ba Duan Jin exercises three times weekly over an eight-week period, while the control group maintained their usual daily routines. The effects of the intervention were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Cervical Spine Dysfunction Index (NDI), with mechanisms explored through interviews. The results showed that Ba Duan Jin exercises significantly improved college students’ sleep quality (p<0.05) and reduced cervical discomfort scores (p<0.05), with the degree of sleep improvement positively correlated with improvements in cervical function. This study suggests incorporating Ba Duan Jin into university health promotion courses as a low-cost, Ways to improve students’ physical and mental health that can be promoted.