 Subjects -> SPORTS AND GAMES (Total: 199 journals)
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- Identification of key somatic features that are common and the ones that
differ between swim strokes through allometric
modeling|Introduction|Methods|Results|Conclusion
Authors: Marek Rejman, Alan M. Nevill, Nuno D. Garrido, Daria Rudnik, Jorge E. Morais
Abstract: IntroductionThe aim of this study was to explore which key somatic features are common to four swim strokes and medley, and specifically to identify which characteristics benefit only specific strokes.MethodsThe sample was composed of 130 swimmers (95 males aged 19.5 ± 2.9 years and 35 females aged 18.4 ± 2.8 years). A set of anthropometric variables was used to predict swimming speed in the four swimming strokes and medley.ResultsA multiplicative model with allometric body size components was used to identify the demographic and anthropometric predictors of swimming speed. Trunk height and waist circumference were the only variables significantly different among swimming strokes (p
PubDate: 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z
- When a bad day at the golf course is a bad day at the office: occupational
stressors, institutional supports, and the mental health of NCAA golf
coaches
Authors: Laura Upenieks, Brendan M. Ryan, Howie J. Carson
Abstract: This study examined the mental health of NCAA collegiate golf coaches. Utilizing the person-environment fit theory and previous literature on coaches' well-being, this study examined four outcomes among 48 participants, namely: depressive and anxiety symptoms, burnout, and job turnover intentions. Results suggested that coaching stressors (e.g., administrative tasks, practice plans, pressure to win) only associate with greater burnout. More consistent evidence showed that workplace stress (e.g., lack of control and autonomy, poor work-family balance) associated with higher levels of all outcomes. Finally, greater perceived organizational support had a beneficial association with each outcome. The findings of the current study suggest golf coaches are at risk of mental health problems because of the stressors of this job. Taken as a whole, athletic departments, coaches, and student-athletes must reconsider norms that overemphasize performance and underemphasize self-care and work-life balance.
PubDate: 2023-11-30T00:00:00Z
- Corrigendum: Investigation of supplement use and knowledge among Japanese
elite athletes for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic/Paralympic Games and the Beijing
2022 Winter Olympic/Paralympic Games
Authors: Kanae Myoenzono, Jun Yasuda, Eri Takai, Akiho Shinagawa, Noburo Kaneko, Takahiro Yoshizaki, Keiko Namma-Motonaga, Masae Yoshino, Emi Kondo, Kohei Nakajima, Mika Hangai, Kazuyuki Kamahara, Etsuko Kamihigashi, Shusuke Kusano, Akiko Kamei
PubDate: 2023-11-29T00:00:00Z
- Editorial: Executive functions in sports
Authors: Thomas Finkenzeller, Sabine Würth, Florian Heilmann, Franziska Lautenbach, Günter Amesberger
PubDate: 2023-11-29T00:00:00Z
- Clarifying concepts: “Well-being” in sport
Authors: Lisa Raquel Trainor, Andrea Bundon
Abstract: The purpose of this commentary is to critique the application of well-being in the field of sport and exercise psychology and to provide recommendations for future research. Over the last decade well-being has been an increasingly popular concept under investigation. In the field of sport and exercise psychology, numerous scholars have examined and conducted research on well-being of athletes. While this research has resulted in an abundance of findings, there is concern in how the concept of well-being was applied, defined, and measured. The construct of well-being can be traced back to two distinct perspectives, hedonic well-being and eudaimonic well-being. These perspectives of well-being are based on different philosophical assumptions, and while they are compatible, they are theoretically distinct. In sport and exercise psychology, well-being has lacked consistent operationalization and measurement (i.e., theoretical alignment, single dimensions of hedonic or eudaimonic measured to make claims about the broader well-being constructs), is vague and loosely defined, and is often studied in isolation from a well-being perspective (i.e., no theoretical foundation). We conclude by offering three recommendations to move the field of well-being in sport research forward.
PubDate: 2023-11-28T00:00:00Z
- The effects of relaxation techniques following acute, high intensity
football training on parasympathetic
reactivation|Background|Purpose|Methods|Results|Conclusions
Authors: Eric Renaghan, Michael Joseph Wishon, Harrison L. Wittels, Luis A. Feigenbaum, Kyle Bellamy, Michael Hatfield, Joe Girardi, Stephen Lee, Samantha M. McDonald, S. Howard Wittels
Abstract: BackgroundEvidence shows relaxation techniques reactivate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) following physiological stressors such as exercise. As such, these techniques may be useful following exercise training of high intensity sports, like collegiate football.PurposeTo evaluate the impact of mindfulness and rest activities on PNS reactivation following training sessions, in a sample of Division-I collegiate, male football athletes.MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional, pre-post experimental design among 38 football athletes. Following three training sessions, each separated by one week, athletes were exposed to three groups: mindfulness, rest, and no-intervention. Athletes in the mindfulness group laid supine in a darkened room, while performing 15 min of guided breathing and body scans. The rest group remained seated in a lighted room, performing 15 min of restful activities (e.g., talking). The no-intervention group was instructed to perform usual post-training activities (e.g., showering). Heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR) and two HR variability (HRV) indices were measured via an armband monitor (Warfighter Monitor, Tiger Tech Solutions, Inc, Miami, FL) equipped with electrocardiographic and photoplethysmography capabilities. HRV indices included standard deviation of the N-N intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD). Within and between-group differences were determined via analysis of variance (ANOVA) and corrected for multiple comparisons familywise error.ResultsStatistically significant reductions in HR and RR were observed across all groups: −81.6, −66.4, −40.9 bpm and −31.7, −26.9, and −19.0 breaths⋅min−1, respectively. The mindfulness and rest groups exhibited a larger within-group reduction in HR and RR compared to the no-intervention group, p
PubDate: 2023-11-28T00:00:00Z
- Physical fitness in young top level table tennis players: differences
between sex, age and playing style
Authors: Francisco Pradas de la Fuente, Víctor Toro-Román, Miguel Ángel Ortega-Zayas, Alejandro Moreno-Azze
Abstract: Understanding the physical fitness of table tennis (TT) players could be interesting in improving the training process and evaluating talent. This study aimed to assess the physical fitness of U14 TT players and differentiate between sex, age and playing style. A total of 352 players (203 males and 149 females) aged between 9 and 13 years participated in the present study. Furthermore, the sample was divided according to playing style: offensive (OFF) and mixed + defensive (M + D). A battery of tests was carried out to assess cardiorespiratory capacity, speed, strength, flexibility and power. Both sexes reported significant differences in cardiorespiratory capacity and speed (p
PubDate: 2023-11-28T00:00:00Z
- Good organizational practices to encourage women high-performance coaches
in sports
Authors: Damien Taylor, Clare Hanlon, Andrew Dawson
Abstract: Women play a vital role in professional sport on and off the field. Globally, the dearth of women high-performance coaches in sport is a concern. For example, in Australia women represent 15% of high-performance coaches. One reason could be due to the lack of knowledge on good organizational practices that encourage women in this role and the overwhelming knowledge of practices focused on barriers for women high-performance coaches. The purpose of our research was to determine what good organizational practices exist to attract, develop, and retain women as high-performance coaches in Australia. Using a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with two study groups that comprised 16 women high-performance coaches and 13 senior managers from five National Sport Organizations (NSOs) in Australia. Data analysis was guided by practices that influenced the attraction, development, and retention of women high-performance coaches. Practically, findings revealed 12 good organizational practices and 31 associated recommendations to assist senior managers from NSOs in their quest to encourage women high-performance coaches in their sport. Theoretically, our research “reverses the lens” of the Ecological Intersectional Model (EIM) at the organizational level whereby the focus turns to good organizational practices rather than barriers for women high-performance coaches.
PubDate: 2023-11-27T00:00:00Z
- Analysis of anthropometric and physical performance variables in U-17
soccer players|Introduction|Methods|Results|Conclusions
Authors: Samuel Honório, Marco Batista, João Serrano, João Petrica, Miguel Rebelo, Fernando Vieira, André Lopes, Jorge Santos
Abstract: IntroductionSoccer is considered a multifaceted collective sport, and to reach an elevated level, players must have moderate to high power, good agility, joint flexibility and muscle development. Also, players must be able to generate high torques during fast movements, which implies the development of different capacities, understood as multifactorial preparation. The objective was to analyse the effects of training (aerobic and continuous) on the leg power, fatigue levels, speed, agility, body fat, muscle mass and bone mass of these players.MethodsSeventy-two soccer players, male and under 17, from 4 teams participated. The teams performed 3 times a week training sessions of about 60–90 min each. Informed consent requests were given to their parents for authorisation to participate in this investigation. Data was collected in two different time points, about ten months apart. Specific tests were performed for each variable: the vertical jump with Bosco System for leg power, the T-Test for agility, the linear sprint test for speed and the RAST test for fatigue levels. A precision Tanita scale was used for the anthropometric tests such as body fat, muscle mass and bone mass. Statistical procedures were applied through the Wilcoxon test to compare the two time points of evaluation.ResultsImprovements were found between evaluations regarding the level of anthropometric and physical fitness variables.ConclusionsThe implemented training improved all the analysed variables with significant statistical values for leg power, speed, bone mass, muscle mass and fat mass.
PubDate: 2023-11-27T00:00:00Z
- Wireless sensor system for real-time performance monitoring in sports
Authors: Martin F. Berg, Henrik Døsvik, Kirsti Ø. Skjølsvik, Thea Solberg Pedersen, Viljar Aasan, Martin Steinert, Sindre W. Eikevåg
Abstract: In Paralympic sports, investigating seating ergonomics and optimizing for performance is crucial due to individual impairments. Usually, experiments are conducted in laboratory environments and for skiing, usually on a treadmill. In this paper, we are moving experiments out of the laboratory setting to in-slope performance monitoring of kinetics and kinematics. A wireless sensor system is developed and validated in terms of delay. The results show a median delay of 52 ms for the wired main system and 53 ms for the wireless sub-system. The sensor system was implemented on a highly adjustable Paralympic sit-ski, and an experiment was conducted to pinpoint optimal equipment settings for an individual athlete. In addition, the system provided force data from both knees, seat, belt, and both poles. The data collected can also be used to analyze the technique, in addition to assisting in the classification process in the LW10–12 class. The proposed system design also allows for adding a vast amount of different sensor types, and by testing for delay, synchronized with well-known GNSS and IMU sensors already used in many sports to analyze athlete performance.
PubDate: 2023-11-27T00:00:00Z
- Influence of the practice of physical exercise and healthy eating on the
Vigour of university lectures|Introduction|Methods|Results|Discusión and
conclusions
Authors: Montserrat Monserrat Hernández, Ángeles Arjona Garrido, Juan Carlos Checa Olmos, Antonio Casimiro Andújar, Eva María Artés Rodríguez, Darío Salguero García
Abstract: IntroductionVigour at work is characterized by high levels of energy and high desire to make an effort at work. This article is the result of a research carried out with university teachers in Spain whose main objective is to show what type and frequency of physical exercise and diet influence Vigour.MethodsThe sample consisted of 121 subjects, 62% of whom were women and 37.2% men. A questionnaire was administered to collect information on sociodemographic data, physical exercise habits, eating habits and Vigour at work. Cross-tabulations of the dimensions of Vigour with sex, age and type of contract offered were performed. Spearman correlations and Correspondence Analysis are also carried out to provide information on the intensity and type of relationships between the Vigour dimensions. Finally, the influence of the frequency of physical exercise and diet on Total Vigour is investigated.ResultsThe results show that the relationships between the dimensions are very strong (sig = 0.001). In addition, the practice of moderate-high intensity physical exercise and maintaining a good adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is related to high levels of Total Vigour (F = 7.955; sig = 0.006). As for the influence of the sociodemographic variables used, significant differences were only observed in the Physical Strength dimension for sex (X2 = 6.173; p = 0.046) and age (X2 = 9.449; p = 0.051) and, with respect to the type of contract, in Emotional Energy (X2 = 19.487; p
PubDate: 2023-11-27T00:00:00Z
- Impact of an exergame intervention on cognitive-motor functions and
training experience in young team sports athletes: a non-randomized
controlled trial|Introduction|Methods|Results|Conclusion
Authors: Anna Lisa Martin-Niedecken, Valentin Bucher, Manuela Adcock, Eling D. de Bruin, Alexandra Schättin
Abstract: IntroductionTeam sports athletes need excellent perceptual-cognitive skills, particularly executive functions (EF) to strategically perform on the field. The transfer effect of cognitive training might be accomplished by the inclusion of cognitive stimuli into a physically active environment as these couplings are required in real game situations. A training approach that combines both components is exergaming. The primary objective of this study was to gain preliminary insights into the effects of exergaming on cognitive-motor functions in young team sports athletes. The secondary objective was to investigate participants' training experience and well-being over time.MethodsParticipants were assigned to the intervention or control group. In the intervention group, participants trained with the ExerCube—a mixed reality exergame. The training was planned for 10 weeks (two sessions per week à 25 min) but had to be shortened by 2 weeks due to COVID-19 restrictions. The control group had no additional training. Outcomes included a computer-based alertness test and a cognitive-motor test battery to assess different EF (flexibility, divided attention, and inhibition) via a FitLight Trainer setup.ResultsTwenty-four athletes [mean age (±SD) 15.0 ± 0.7 years], evenly split into the intervention group (N = 12; male N = 6; female N = 6; 14.7 ± 0.5 years) and the control group (N = 12; male N = 7; female N = 5; 15.3 ± 0.8 years), participated in the study. Participants in the intervention group performed on average 9.4 ± 3.3 training sessions over 8 weeks. Significant time x group interaction effects were evident for the cognitive-motor sub-tests flexibility (F = 12.176, p
PubDate: 2023-11-24T00:00:00Z
- Post-activation performance enhancement does not occur following a large
hand-paddles and parachute-resisted warm-up routine in collegiate swimmers
Authors: Santiago Soares Bufalo, Gabriel Fontanetti, Renan Vieira Barreto, Gabriel Rocha Benazzi, Rubens Correa Junior, Victor Marangoni, Natália de Menezes Bassan, Benedito Sérgio Denadai, Camila Coelho Greco, João Paulo Vilas-Boas, Leonardo Coelho Rabello de Lima
Abstract: Our aim was to investigate if using a warm-up routine that included parachute-resisted sprints with large hand-paddles improves 50 m freestyle performance in trained collegiate swimmers. Twelve swimmers (23.9 ± 2.2 years, 179 ± 7 cm, 77.1 ± 10.6 kg) participated in the study and completed two 50-m freestyle races, each preceded by a different warm-up routine, either control (CON) or experimental (EXP). The warm-up routines consisted of 500 m of swimming at self-selected speed, followed by four 10 s sprints with 1 min rest intervals. During EXP, sprints were performed using large hand-paddles and a swimming parachute, while during CON, sprints were performed freely. Performance and technique were assessed during the 50 m freestyle races. We found no significant differences in 25- and 50 m performance times (CON: 12.6 ± 0.8 vs. EXP: 12.5 ± 0.8 s, ES = 0.125; and CON: 26.8 ± 1.6 vs. EXP: 26.7 ± 1.7 s, ES = 0.06, respectively) between the two conditions. Mean stroke length (CON: 2.04 ± 0.21 vs. EXP: 2.02 ± 0.22 m·cycle−1, ES = 0.09), stroke frequency (CON: 55.4 ± 5.3 vs. EXP: 56.3 ± 5.2 cycles s−1, ES = 0.17), and propulsive time (CON: 0.62 ± 0.07 vs. EXP: 0.61 ± 0.06 s, ES = 0.15) were also not different between conditions. It is possible that the CON warm-up routine induced the priming effects that lead to PAPE, or that the EXP warm-up routine primed the athletes further but also induced greater fatigue, resulting in no significant effects on swimming performance. Our findings suggest that parachute-resisted sprints with hand-paddles during warm-up do not enhance 50 m freestyle swimming performance in trained collegiate swimmers. Coaches and practitioners should consider exploring different warm-up protocols to identify what works best for their athletes.
PubDate: 2023-11-24T00:00:00Z
- Finger flexion to extension ratio in healthy climbers: a proposal for
evaluation and rebalance|Introduction|Methods|Results|Discussion
Authors: Marine Devise, Léo Pasek, Benjamin Goislard De Monsabert, Laurent Vigouroux
Abstract: IntroductionFinger strength is a key factor in climbing performance and is highly dependent on the capacity of the finger flexor muscles. The majority of finger-specific training therefore focuses on improving such capabilities by performing finger flexion contraction during hanging exercises on small holds. However, greater strength in the finger flexors causes an imbalance with the extensor muscle capacities. Such an unfavourable imbalance may be detrimental to finger strength and could possibly lead to an increase in the risk of finger injury. The aim of this study was to develop an easily implementable method to assess the flexor-to-extensor imbalance and evaluate the effects of different training on it.MethodsSeventy-eight experienced climbers were tested to assess their maximum finger flexion strength (MFS), maximum finger extension strength (MES) and MFS/MES ratio. Fifty-two of them were randomly assigned to one of three training regimens: intermittent static flexion at 80% MFS (TFlex; n = 11), intermittent static extension at 80% MES (TExt; n = 10), intermittent repetition of alternating flexion and extension (TPaired; n = 11) or no specific training (CTRL; n = 20). They trained twice a week for four weeks on a hangboard. Before and after training, force data were recorded on a force-sensing hangboard and MFS, MES and the MFS/MES ratio were compared using ANCOVA.ResultsThe mean value of the MFS/MES ratio was 6.27 (confidence interval: 5.94–6.61) and the extreme ratio was defined above 8.75. Concerning the training intervention, no difference was observed in the CTRL group between pre- and post-tests. MFS improved significantly in the TFlex (+8.4 ± 4.4%) and TPaired (+11.9 ± 10.5%) groups, whereas MES increased significantly in the TExt group (+41.4 ± 31.3%). The MFS/MES ratio remained statistically stable among all groups (+0.9 ± 17.5% in TFlex, −1.9 ± 16.1% in TPaired), although the TExt group showed a decreasing trend (p = 0.1; −27.8 ± 17.6%).DiscussionThese results showed that only the extensor-based training had an effect on finger extension strength and the potential to rebalance the MFS/MES ratio.
PubDate: 2023-11-23T00:00:00Z
- Tracking devices and physical performance analysis in team sports: a
comprehensive framework for research—trends and future
directions|Background|Methods|Results|Conclusion|Systematic Review
Registration
Authors: António Ferraz, Pedro Duarte-Mendes, Hugo Sarmento, João Valente-Dos-Santos, Bruno Travassos
Abstract: BackgroundTracking devices, such as global (GPS) and local (LPS) positioning systems, combined with physiological measurements, have become reliable tools to characterize movement patterns, assessing the external load (EL), internal load (IL), fatigue, and performance of athletes in team sports. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the applicability of tracking systems in physical performance analysis within team sports and the wellbeing of athletes based on research strategies and combined variables.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases according to PRISMA guidelines. The 79 studies that were reviewed met the following criteria: (1) contained relevant data regarding elite athletes′ performance; (2) athletes' EL and IL; (3) were written in the English language; (4) were related only to team sports.ResultsThe findings indicate that tracking technology has been engaged in several research areas, including performance analysis, training vs. match load management, injuries, and nutrition, through characterization and correlational studies. Metrics, primarily focused on kinematic and mechanical EL aspects, have been employed in combination with IL data to analyze the performance of athletes. However, the lack of an integrative model for the analysis and integration of EL and IL metrics within each team sport suggests an interesting direction for further research.ConclusionThere is a need for coherence between the methods and the research goals on performance analysis. The development of a framework that guides experimental studies is highly recommended, particularly on manipulating metrics analyzed between training and match sessions, injury prevention, and nutrition. This will lead to the development of the most applied sports science research to improve the preparation and decision-making of athletes based on reliable data.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://inplasy.com/'s=2022120039, identifier 2022120039.
PubDate: 2023-11-23T00:00:00Z
- An early start at a professional soccer academy is no prerequisite for
world cup soccer participation|Introduction|Method|Results|Discussion
Authors: Sebastiaan Willem-Jan Platvoet, Germen van Heuveln, Jos van Dijk, Tom Stevens, Mark de Niet
Abstract: Introduction829 players from 32 nations on five continents participated in the 2022 men's World Cup tournament in Qatar. Not much is known about the youth careers of World Cup players from all over the world, especially about the age at which they began playing youth soccer in a professional academy. This study aimed to provide insights in the age national team players participating in World Cup Qatar 2022 started playing for a professional soccer academy and whether their starting age relates to continent and their current playing position (i.e., goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards).MethodSystematic online desk research was conducted to determine the age at which World Cup players started playing for professional youth soccer organizations. The median and interquartile ranges were expressed for the starting age in professional youth soccer organizations and the current age at the World Cup. The variables were compared with playing position, the continent of the player's World Cup nation, and the continent on which the player was raised.ResultsThe results reveal that World Cup Qatar 2022 players started playing for professional soccer academies at a median age of 13.2 years (range: 4.2–22.6). In Europe, players started playing for professional youth soccer organizations earlier than players on other continents [χ2 (4) = 142.0, p
PubDate: 2023-11-23T00:00:00Z
- Basketball in the Northland: a community account of the political economy
and racial dynamics of youth basketball in a “hockey town”
Authors: Jason Torkelson, Tyrell Robinson
Abstract: This article utilizes 27 in-depth interviews to explore the socio-cultural position, surrounding racial politics, and local economy of youth basketball in the somewhat novel setting of Northland—a mid-sized Midwestern city where hockey dominates the sporting landscape, indoor basketball facilities are relatively sparse, and snow coverage that frequently lasts more than half the calendar year hampers outdoor play. Narratives are primarily gathered from basketball community members (e.g., organizers, coaches, and former players) and connect with city histories of redlining, school redistricting, and regional deindustrialization in ways that inform present-day constructions of playing style, stereotyping, race, and rivalry, as well as the current horizons of opportunity and access for Northland youth. Our ground-up community-focused data foreground efforts and hurdles to providing effective mentorship and actualizing basketball's ethos of community wellness in this fold as this transpires against the increasingly higher stakes contours of youth sports broadly, which informs pertinent issues for player development, but contrasts the common tendency toward engaging these from elite levels downward, or within newer cultures of upper-/middle-class parenting. Ultimately, the descriptively rich ways and frequent starkness with which potential challenges regarding player interest, coaching, funding, and access—both in and out of the recent COVID-19 restrictions—come to bear through our grassroots approach at the unique intersections of Northland's weather, sports, and racial–political climates may clarify connections with similar issues elsewhere.
PubDate: 2023-11-20T00:00:00Z
- Validation of an instrumented mouthguard in rugby union—a pilot study
comparing impact sensor technology to video
analysis|Background|Design|Methods|Results|Conclusion
Authors: Byron Field, Gordon Waddington, Andrew McKune, Roland Goecke, Andrew J. Gardner
Abstract: BackgroundTo better understand the biomechanical profile of direct head impacts and the game scenarios in which they occur in Rugby Union, there is a need for an on-field validation of a new instrumented mouthguard (IMG) against the reference standard. This study considers the potential of a combined biomechanical (IMG) and video analysis approach to direct head impact recognition, both of which in isolation have limitations. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between an instrumented mouthguard and video analysis in detection of direct head impacts in rugby union.DesignPilot Study - Observational Cohort designMethodsThe instrumented mouthguard was worn by ten (3 backs, 7 forwards) professional Rugby Union players during the 2020–21 Gallagher Premiership (UK) season. Game-day video was synchronized with timestamped head acceleration events captured from the instrumented mouthguard. Direct Head Impacts were recorded in a 2 × 2 contingency table to determine sensitivity. Impact characteristics were also collected for all verified head impacts to further the understanding of head biomechanics during the game.ResultsThere were 2018 contact events that were reviewed using video analysis. Of those 655 were categorized as direct head impacts which also correlated with a head acceleration event captured by the IMG. Sensitivity analysis showed an overall sensitivity of 93.6% and a positive predictive value (PPV of 92.4%). When false positives were excluded due to ball out of play, mouthguard removal or handling after a scoring situation or stoppage, PPV was improved (98.3%). Most verified head impacts occurred in and around the ruck contest (31.2%) followed by impacts to the primary tackler (28.4%).ConclusionThis pilot validation study demonstrates that this IMG provides a highly accurate measurement device that could be used to complement video verification in the recognition of on-field direct head impacts. The frequency and magnitude of direct head impacts derived from specific game scenarios has been described and allows for greater recognition of high-risk situations. Further studies with larger sample sizes and in different populations of Rugby Union players are required to develop our understanding of head impact and enable strategies for injury mitigation.
PubDate: 2023-11-20T00:00:00Z
- Exploring exercise adherence and quality of life among veteran, novice,
and dropout trainees|Introduction|Methods|Results|Discussion
Authors: Maor Gabay, Ofer Levi, Simona Petracovschi, Cristian Negrea, Marius Matichescu, Mihaela Oravitan
Abstract: IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to identify and reveal the different contexts, variables, and factors that may influence adherence to physical activity among veteran, novice, and dropout trainees, such as the frequency of the weekly training units, the trainees preferred type of exercise, the purpose of the physical activity, and the relationship between support and supervision by fitness instructors and professionals. This study also examined the relationships between trainees, seniority and the strength of the habit and adherence to physical activity, the effects of personal variables such as age and gender on adherence to physical activity, and how the seniority and adherence of trainees may affect their quality of life.MethodsA total of 460 participants drawn from the broader Israeli exercise community, which encompasses a diverse range of individuals within the general adult population, were engaged in this study. These participants included seasoned exercisers, individuals who had recently initiated exercise routines, and those who had previously engaged in physical activity. Each participant completed a comprehensive set of questionnaires, including the Self-Report Habit Index, the Exercise Adherence Rating Scale, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life Scale. In addition to the questionnaire responses, demographic data and inquiries concerning their physical activity were also collected.ResultsThe results show that the average frequency of the weekly training units of veteran trainees was significantly higher than that of novice trainees: 3.95 and 2.93, respectively (p
PubDate: 2023-11-20T00:00:00Z
- Physical predictors for retention and dismissal of professional soccer
head coaches: an analysis of locomotor variables using logistic regression
pipeline|Introduction|Methods|Results|Discussion
Authors: Honorato Sousa, Rabiu Muazu Musa, Filipe Manuel Clemente, Hugo Sarmento, Élvio R. Gouveia
Abstract: IntroductionSoccer has enormous global popularity, increasing pressure on clubs to optimize performance. In failure, the tendency is to replace the Head coach (HC). This study aimed to check the physical effects of mid-season replacements of HCs, investigating which external load variables can predict retention or dismissal.MethodsThe data was collected in training and matches of a professional adult male soccer team during three complete seasons (2020/21-2022/2023). The sample included 6 different HCs (48.8 ± 7.4 years of age; 11.2 ± 3.9 years as a HC). The 4 weeks and 4 games before and after the replacement of HCs were analysed. External load variables were collected with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. A logistic regression (LR) model was developed to classify the HCs' retention or dismissal. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to determine the specific locomotive variables that could predict the likelihood of HC retention or dismissal.ResultsIn competition, locomotor performance was better under the dismissed HCs, whereas the new HC had better values during training. The LR model demonstrated a good prediction accuracy of 80% with a recall and precision of 85% and 78%, respectively, amongst other model performance indicators. Meters per minute in games was the only significant variable that could serve as a potential physical marker to signal performance decline and predict the potential dismissal of an HC with an odd ratio of 32.4%.DiscussionAn in-depth analysis and further studies are needed to understand other factors' effects on HC replacement or retention.
PubDate: 2023-11-20T00:00:00Z
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