Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
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Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Discrimination Against Women in Sport: A Scopus-Based Bibliometric Analysis (1995–2026) Vinu Wilson, Dilshit Azeezul Kabeer, Josyula Tejaswi, Ashif Ali Narippatta Kappoor, Jayaraman Sundararaja, Jolita Vveinhardt, Karuppasamy Govindasamy Behavioral Sciences, 2026 Background: Gender discrimination in sport remains a persistent global issue, reflected in women’s limited participation, leadership representation, media visibility, salary equity, and personal safety. These forms of discrimination also negatively affect athletes’ psychological well-being, mental health, and overall sports experience. Despite growing scholarly attention over the past three decades, a comprehensive quantitative synthesis of this research area has been lacking. Methodology: A bibliometric analysis of 397 peer-reviewed documents published between 1995 and 2026 was conducted using the Scopus database. Data were analysed through the Bibliometric R package 4.2.1 and Biblioshiny interface. Science-mapping techniques including keyword co-occurrence, thematic clustering, thematic evolution, and collaboration network analysis were combined with performance indicators such as annual publication output, leading sources, author productivity, and citation impact. Results: Scientific production increased markedly after the mid-2010s, involving 187 sources and 1106 authors, with rising collaboration and citation influence. Core research themes included gender inequality, leadership exclusion, media representation, harassment and abuse, and structural discrimination in sports systems. Importantly, many of these themes are directly linked to reduced athlete well-being, including increased stress, anxiety, and decreased participation. Recent thematic developments highlighted intersectionality, safeguarding, inclusion, governance, and athlete welfare. Conclusion: Research on discrimination against women in sport has evolved into a multidisciplinary, policy-relevant field. Addressing gender discrimination is essential not only to achieving equity but also to improving athletes’ subjective well-being and long-term participation in sport. However, significant gaps remain, particularly in Global South contexts and intervention-based studies, indicating the need for stronger evidence-driven strategies to advance gender equity, inclusion, and ethical governance in sport.
Effects of a Combined Iyengar Yoga and Yoga Nidra Intervention on Pain, Physiological, and Psychological Outcomes in Older Men with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial Ajendra Narayan Samal, Shankar Kanagasabapathy, Josyula Tejaswi, Satheeshkumar Palanivel, Jagadeeswari Suresh, Ibnu Noufal Kambitta Valappil, Mou Pramanik, Karuppasamy Govindasamy, Carmen Magdalena Camenidis, Vlad Adrian Geantă Sport Mont, 2026 Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, particularly affecting older adults. Mind-body interventions show promise for pain management, but evidence for comprehensive yoga programs specifically targeting older men remains limited. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a 3-month combined Iyengar yoga and Yoga Nidra (IY+YN) intervention on pain and associated outcomes in older men with chronic low back pain (CLBP). In this randomised controlled study (RCT) conducted in Dhenkanal, Odisha, India, we enrolled 60 men aged 55–65 years with CLBP lasting ≥3 months and pain intensity ≥4 on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Between Jan–Mar 2024, 55 participants were randomized (intervention n=28; control n=27) to either a 3-month IY+YN intervention (three 60- min yoga sessions plus 20–30 min YN weekly) or standard care (prescribed pain management and physical therapy). Primary outcome was change in pain intensity (VAS) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included lumbar ROM, systolic BP, attention (Stroop test), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and QoL (SF-36). Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months by blinded assessors. At 3 months, the intervention group showed significantly greater pain reduction compared with controls (mean diff. -2.6, 95% CI -3.3 to -1.9; p<0.001). Improvements were also seen in lumbar flexion (mean diff. 8.3°, p<0.001), systolic BP (mean diff. -7.5 mmHg, p<0.001), Stroop score (mean diff. -8.3 sec, p<0.001), anxiety (mean diff. -8.7, p<0.001), and SF-36 physical and mental scores. Five minor adverse events were reported, resolving within 48 hours. In conclusion, a 3-month combined IY+YN significantly reduced pain and improved physical, psychological, and quality-of-life outcomes in older men with chronic low back pain. The program was safe and well tolerated, supporting its use as an effective adjunct to standard care.
The effect of unified rhythmic activity on psychological factors among girls with mild intellectual disability: A randomized controlled trial Vinolia Baskara Seliyan, Mary Glory Ponrani Mohanraj, Josyula Tejaswi, Vinu Wilson, Parveen Kumar, Debajit Karmakar, Yuni Astuti Journal of Coaching and Sports Science, 2026 Background: Girls with mild intellectual disability experience persistent deficits in adaptive behavior, coping skills, and social integration, particularly during adolescence when psychosocial demands intensify. Despite this need, accessible, school-based psychological interventions remain limited. Given the risk of long-term social exclusion and reduced quality of life, identifying low-cost, inclusive strategies such as unified rhythmic activity is urgently required. Aims: This study evaluated the effects of rhythmic activity training and unified rhythmic activity training on psychological outcomes, adaptive behavior, and coping strategies for girls with MID, who participated alongside typically developing peers. Methods: A three-arm randomized controlled trial included 45 girls (10–14 years) with mild intellectual disability (IQ 50–70) in Coimbatore, India. Participants were assigned to rhythmic training, unified rhythmic training, or control groups. Interventions lasted 12 weeks (60 minutes, thrice weekly). Primary outcomes were adaptive behavior and coping strategies; secondary outcomes included self-efficacy, social competence, emotional regulation, quality of life, and behavioral problems. Analyses applied intention-to-treat, repeated measures ANOVA, and ANCOVA. Result: Significant within-group reductions were found for Irritability/Agitation in RATG and URATG (both p < 0.001), but not in CG (p = 0.64), with significant between-group differences (p < 0.001). Social Withdrawal improved in RATG (p = 0.003) and URATG (p < 0.001), not in CG (p = 0.81). Stereotypic Behavior and Hyperactivity decreased significantly in both intervention groups (p ≤ 0.009), but not in CG (p ≥ 0.75), with significant group effects (p < 0.001). Inappropriate Speech showed no within-group significance, though between-group differences were significant (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study establishes that rhythmic and unified rhythmic interventions significantly enhance adaptive behavior and coping in girls with mild intellectual disability, with the unified model offering superior social benefits. It advances inclusive physical activity as a theoretically grounded, evidence-based approach and contributes robust experimental data supporting scalable, school-based psychosocial interventions.
Relationship Between Quality of Life and Sports Performance Among Athletes with Disabilities: A Focus on Individual Sports Fatemeh Ahmadi, Mohammad Mehdi Khaleghi, Abdosaleh Zar, Josyula Tejaswi, Karuppasamy Govindasamy, Viorel Petru Ardelean, Vasile Emil Ursu, Vlad Adrian Geantă Healthcare Switzerland, 2025 Background/Objectives: Physical activity and sports participation are widely recognized as effective strategies for enhancing quality of life (QoL) in individuals with disabilities. This study aimed to examine the relationship between QoL and athletic performance among male and female athletes with physical disabilities who participate in individual sports. Methods: This descriptive–correlational study involved 338 Iranian athletes with physical disabilities competing at various levels of competition. QoL was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire, and sports performance was assessed based on official competition records. Data were analyzed using SPSS v21, applying descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations. Results: Both male and female athletes reported high levels of overall QoL. No statistically significant differences were found between genders in terms of physical health, psychological well-being, or total QoL scores (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant correlations between QoL and sports performance at the provincial, national, or international levels (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicate that athletes with physical disabilities report relatively high levels of QoL, irrespective of their competitive achievements or medal standings. Although no statistically significant correlations were observed, participation in individual sports may be linked to better physical functioning and psychological resilience. These associations should be interpreted with caution and do not imply causality. Nonetheless, encouraging such participation could be beneficial in supporting various dimensions of health and promoting social inclusion among individuals with disabilities.
