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Student Researchers' Society Topics

Student Researchers' Society Topics

Animal-assisted interventions have demonstrated beneficial effects, including reduced stress and anxiety, increased emotional support, and improved well-being. Within this topic, students may investigate the psychological effects of human-animal interactions and animal-assisted interventions, attitudes toward these approaches, as well as their applications in sport psychology and other related contexts.

Non-contact injuries are often preceded by movement impairments and asymmetries that can be identified before injury occurrence. The aim of this research project is to investigate the ability of the traditional Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and a newly developed dynamic functional screening method to detect asymmetries, stability deficits, and movement control limitations associated with injury risk. Students will gain practical experience in movement screening, data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results in athletic populations. Special emphasis will be placed on injury prevention in youth athletes and on identifying functional deficits that may contribute to future non-contact injuries. The findings may support the development of targeted prevention strategies and contribute to improving athlete health, performance, and long-term participation in sport.

Questionnaires are important assessment tools in sport psychology research and practice. They provide a simple and reliable means of assessing various psychological constructs related to athletes. This topic offers opportunities to investigate different aspects of sport psychology using questionnaire-based research methods.

The treatment and prevention of injuries in youth athletes is of paramount importance, as the developing body is more vulnerable, and improper training loads can lead to long-term consequences. Injury management places emphasis on age-appropriate medical care, gradual rehabilitation, and a safe return to sport. Key elements of prevention include teaching proper technique, progressive load increase, appropriate warm-up and cool-down routines, and ensuring adequate rest and recovery. In addition, close cooperation between coaches, parents, and healthcare professionals plays a crucial role in ensuring that young athletes can participate in sports in a healthy and successful manner over the long term.

Co-supervisor: Dr. NOVOGRÁDECZ, Gergely

During the past couple of decades sports medicine has evolved from being an area of medical practice concerned with the treatment of sports injuries to becoming an interdisciplinary subspecialty that integrates and implements scienti􀀁c discoveries into everyday practice dedicated to comprehensive athlete health management. We believe that with the support and effort from our multidisciplinary team we can provide complete care to athletes as individuals thus enabling them to perform at their very best with minimal health risk. Our course aims to outline the basic theoretical, practical aspects and our holistic approach of sports medicine. Besides clinical care we focus on possible applications of basic and applied research.

Over the past years the world has seen marvelous sport performances from athletes above 35. Just think about Tom Brady, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Gianluigi Buffon. Not only genetics determine the possibilities, the success, the boundaries and the future of elite athletes. Being among top competitors for decades needs conscious planning, monitoring, evaluation and continuous adjustments. In order to maximize and prolong success by utilizing their capabilities to their highest potential interdisciplinary team works behind the scenes using up-to-date knowledge and scientifically proven, tested methods on a daily basis.

Nowadays, the measurement and monitoring of physical performance among competitive and amateur athletes, healthy and ill populations is still a relevant topic. In many cases, the role of invasive blood tests is taken over by the analysis of alternative body fluids. The aim of this topic is to investigate the applicability of different body fluids (primarily saliva) in molecular exercise science.

In team ball sports, physical fitness and functional movement quality are recognized as key determinants of both athletic performance and injury prevention. Components such as muscular strength, mobility, stability, balance, and coordination contribute to efficient movement execution and the ability to tolerate sport-specific physical demands. Deficits in functional movement patterns, movement asymmetries, or neuromuscular control may increase the likelihood of injury and negatively affect performance outcomes. Consequently, regular assessment of functional movement quality can provide valuable insights into potential risk factors and performance limitations. The identification of movement deficiencies enables the development of individualized training interventions aimed at enhancing physical performance while mitigating injury risk in athletic populations.
 

The investigation of sport-specific biomechanical adaptations plays an important role in understanding the risk factors of knee injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Different sports are characterized by distinct movement patterns and loading demands, which lead to specific adaptations in ACL laxity, muscle strength ratios, and muscle activation (EMG) patterns. The aim of comparative analyses is to identify differences observed among sports that involve jumping, cutting maneuvers, or physical contact. The findings may contribute to the development of more effective sport-specific injury prevention programs, training methods, and rehabilitation strategies, with a particular focus on preventing ACL injuries.

Core musculature plays a fundamental role in the development of postural control, dynamic stability, and neuromuscular coordination in youth athletes. Adequate core stability facilitates the efficient transfer of force between the upper and lower extremities, thereby optimizing movement efficiency and athletic performance. Previous research suggests that targeted core stability training may positively influence balance, vertical jump performance, and agility by improving trunk control and movement mechanics. Furthermore, regular implementation of age-appropriate core strengthening exercises may contribute to the development of optimal movement patterns and support long-term athletic development. Training interventions should be tailored to the athlete’s biological maturity, training experience, and sport-specific demands to maximize their effectiveness.

Sport performance is influenced not only by physical attributes but also by psychological factors — including the athlete’s personality traits, current mental state, previous experiences, and the specific characteristics of the competitive situation. These factors determine an athlete’s performance at any given moment.
In recent years, the psychological aspects of sport have come to be viewed in a more complex way; however, identifying, understanding, and addressing these factors remain an ongoing challenge for professionals working with athletes. Various sport psychology methods — such as relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and imagery — have proven effective in supporting athletes’ mental preparation and overall well-being. Animal-assisted therapy has already demonstrated its effectiveness in several areas, such as health, education, and psychology; however, its short- and long-term beneficial effects within the context of sport remain relatively unexplored.

Over the last decades, human movement research has made significant progress in responding to the growing medicine and sport demand for precise and accurate methods to capture human movement and refine data collection. Motion and posture analyses are effective tools used in diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. Human motion assessment during functional activities also plays a crucial role in rehabilitative medicine and sports.

Co-supervisor: Dr. MINTÁL, Tibor

Questionnaires are important measurement tools in various research and applied psychology fields. With appropriate psychometric properties, these tools can measure different psychological factors quickly, easily and reliably, leading to a better understanding of human functioning. Adapting a questionnaire is a complex process that goes beyond translation and must be carried out with attention and care.