Action In Sport Research Articles

Testing theory predictions and intervention mechanisms of action in sport and exercise psychology using meta-analysis.

Testing theory predictions and intervention mechanisms of action in sport and exercise psychology using meta-analysis.

Supplemental Material for Testing Theory Predictions and Intervention Mechanisms of Action in Sport and Exercise Psychology Using Meta-Analysis

Supplemental Material for Testing Theory Predictions and Intervention Mechanisms of Action in Sport and Exercise Psychology Using Meta-Analysis

Transformative climate resilience and sport mega-events – The case of the Australian Open

Adapting to extreme weather events and mitigating greenhouse gases have become critical challenges for sport mega-events. It is clear it is increasingly difficult to host large summer and winter sporting events due to weather extremes such as heat waves, storms or droughts. Extreme heat, in particular, makes events – and event management – less predictable and can have a significant impact on the health of athletes, spectators and staff. International organisations such as the United Nations have called for a rethink, and climate action in sport. At the same time, event organisers are beginning to adapt to the new conditions and develop strategies and measures to reduce event-related greenhouse gases. This paper examines whether sport events can act and function as catalysts for sustainability transitions towards a reduced climate impact. Drawing on the literature on mega-events, urban climate resilience and sustainability transitions, this paper introduces the framework of transformative climate resilience to analyse the climate adaptation and mitigation actions of sport mega-events. Using, as an example, the Australian Open – one of the four largest tennis tournaments in the world – valuable insights are provided into the event's different stakeholders, approaches to climate action, and challenges in building transformative climate resilience.

Movement, Meaning and Matter: Understanding Skillful Action in Sport

ABSTRACT In this paper I explore my burgeoning interest in the work of Bruno Latour in an effort to conceptualize movement skill learning as a complex process involving multiple circulating entities. Drawing from Latour’s (2007) actor-network theory (ANT), my aim is to illustrate how an ANT take on movement skill learning could impact kinesiology as a field through the development of a more holistic approach to the learning of skilled actions that addresses how meaning, movement and matter assemble.

Skill-Based Differences in the Detection and Utilization of Opponent Action Preferences Following Increasing Exposure and Changes in Tendencies.

We examined skill-based differences in the detection and utilization of contextual information over a period of increasing exposure to an opponent's action preferences in soccer. Moreover, we investigated the ability of athletes to adapt to changes in these action preferences over time. In an initial detection phase, the attacking opponent demonstrated a proclivity to either pass or dribble, with these preferences being reversed in a subsequent adaptation phase of the same length. Skilled soccer players showed superior anticipation accuracy across both phases compared with less-skilled counterparts. The skilled participants significantly enhanced their performance over both phases, despite a significant drop in performance immediately following the change in opponent action preferences. In contrast, the less-skilled group only improved over the detection phase. Gaze data revealed that the skilled participants fixated more on kinematically relevant areas, compared with the less-skilled group, and increased the time spent fixating the player "off the ball" following greater volumes of exposure. Our novel findings elaborate on how skilled performers use both action preferences and motion information to anticipate an opponent's impending actions in sport.

The reliability of novel, temporal-based dynamic strength index metrics

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was: i) to determine the reliability of alternate forms of the dynamic strength index (DSI) calculated over time-specific intervals that represent decisive actions in sport and ii) to assess the association between the original form of the DSI (DSI trad ) and its variants. Twenty-three resistance-trained males (BM = 80.4 ± 10.18 kg; age = 26.3 ± 10.2 y; 1-RM squat kg/kg/BM = 1.61 ± 0.37) performed trials of the countermovement jump (CMJ) and isometric squat. Several variations of the DSI were calculated by dividing the mean force in the CMJ by the mean force in the isometric squat calculated over the following epochs: 100 ms (DSI 100 ), 150 ms (DSI 150 ) and CMJ propulsive phase duration (DSI prop ). In the fourth method, mean force across the CMJ propulsive phase duration was divided by mean force in the isometric squat between initiation and peak force (DSI peak ). All alternate DSI measures achieved acceptable absolute reliability (CV < 10%), however they did not achieve at least a moderate relative reliability. DSI prop (R2 = 0.41), DSI 100 (R2 = 0.03) and DSI 150 (R2 = 0.14) demonstrated limited commonality with DSI trad . The alternate forms of DSI can cautiously be considered in strength assessment systems.

Presentation of self, impression management and the period: A qualitative investigation of physically active women’s experiences in sport and exercise

The menstrual cycle is an important biological process that can have implications for women’s participation in activities of daily life. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand women’s experiences, interactions, and perceptions of sport and exercise participation throughout the menstrual cycle. Five focus groups with 25 physically active women were conducted to investigate women’s perceptions of their menstrual cycle, their thoughts, feelings, and actions in sport and exercise environments throughout the menstrual cycle. The dramaturgical writings of Goffman were used to understand women’s self-presentation and experiences of interactional dynamics in sport and exercise environments. The findings highlight that the period was the most impactful aspect of the menstrual cycle on physically active women’s experiences of sport and exercise participation. The results explore strategies that the women adopted to manage their appearance, concerns that informed women’s decision-making processes, and the women’s purposeful impression management when undertaking sport and exercise during their period, particularly in interactions with male sport coaches. The findings emphasize the importance of unpacking the often-implicit norms and expectations associated with the period in order to normalize dialogues with practitioners (e.g., coaches) and support women’s continued participation in sport and exercise throughout the menstrual cycle. Lay summary: Following five focus groups with 25 physically active women, we found that concerns over what others might think if they found out that women were on their period led our participants to choose clothes selectively and suppress their discomfort in many interactions when participating in sport and exercise situations. Implications for practice Fear of leakage of menstrual blood and concerns over subsequent reactions of others (e.g., coaches, other gym members) makes the period particularly impactful on how women feel and act in sport and exercise situations. Knowledge of what it means to women to be on their period (e.g., selective choice of clothing, suppressing of any signs of discomfort) is important for practitioners in the field to create open and relaxed conversational atmospheres that allow opportunity for women to open up about their feelings and experiences if they choose to do so.

Assessing motor competence in kicking in individuals with Down syndrome through wearable motion sensors.

Kicking a ball is a very frequent action in sport and leisure time activities and a low proficiency in this skill could limit the participation in recreational sport activities. This issue is emphasised in individuals with Down syndrome (IDS) for which data about motor competence in kicking are limited to children. Here, we aim at evaluating the kicking competence of IDS combining a qualitative and a quantitative method. Twenty-three adult IDS and 21 typically developed individuals (ITD) volunteered to participate in the study. Peak-to-peak 3D linear acceleration and angular velocity were recorded at 200 samples/s using two inertial measurement units placed on the lower back and lateral malleolus of the dominant limb during kicking. Motor competence in kicking was assessed according to the criteria proposed in the test of gross motor development version 3 (TGMD-3). Individuals with Down syndrome showed lower motor competence (ITD: 5.9±1.2; IDS: 3.2±2.0) and lower angular velocities about the cranio-caudal (ITD: 3.0±1.8; IDS: 2.1±1.1rad/s) and medio-lateral axes (ITD: 4.5±1.5; IDS: 3.0±1.1rad/s) of the trunk compared with ITD. Shank angular velocity about the medio-lateral axis was lower in IDS (ITD: 14.3.6±4.0; IDS: 9.9±2.8rad/s). The lower trunk angular velocity in IDS may limit the possibility to rely on the proximal-to-distal sequencing commonly observed in kicking and generate high shank angular velocity upon ball impact. The lower trunk angular velocity may result from orthopaedic features of the pelvic girdle and possibly from a poorer neuromuscular control of core muscles.

Well-being of sport club members: the role of pro-environmental behavior in sport and clubs’ environmental quality

ABSTRACT Individuals’ mental health and subjective well-being have become increasingly important in public health policy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pro-environmental behavior in sport and clubs’ perceived environmental quality on the subjective well-being of sport club members in Germany. Data were collected using an online survey of club members in five team/racket sports (i.e., basketball, football, handball, ice hockey, and tennis; n = 3,038). The outcome of interest is subjective well-being which is measured with the WHO-5 scale. Pro-environmental behavior in sport is captured by the monthly carbon footprint resulting from traveling to training sessions and pro-environmental actions in sport. The results of regression analyses show that pro-environmental actions in sport have a positive effect on members’ well-being. Individuals producing a higher carbon footprint when traveling to training sessions report lower well-being, but the effect is overlapped by pro-environmental actions in sport. Members who perceived their clubs’ environmental quality as higher scored higher on well-being. The number of weekly sport hours had an inverse u-shaped effect on well-being, with the diminishing returns by additional sport hours being offset by pro-environmental actions. Collectively, these findings suggest that protecting the natural environment goes hand in hand with individuals’ well-being and public health goals in the field of mental health.

Review: Sport Performance and the Two-visual-system Hypothesis of Vision: Two Pathways but Still Many Questions

The two-visual-system hypothesis (TVSH) provides a framework for understanding the nature of the visual information athletes are likely to rely on during competition. If valid, the framework provides a valuable means of evaluating the likely efficacy of different vision training tools that claim to improve the sport performance of athletes.The TVSH has been used to explain that many of the existing methods of testing and training vision may be ineffective to improve on-field sport performance. The TVSH suggests that the visual pathway used to control actions on-field may be different-and rely on different visual information-to the pathway often tested and trained off-field. However, the central claims of the TVSH are increasingly questioned, and this has implications for our understanding of vision and sport performance. The aim of this article is to outline the implications of the TVSH for the visual control of actions in sport. We first provide a summary of the TVSH and outline how the visual information used to control actions might differ from that usually tested. Second, we look at the evidence from studies of sports that are (and are not) consistent with the TVSH and the implications they have for training vision. Finally, we take a wider look at the impact of the TVSH on the sport sciences and other complementary theories that hold implications for training vision to improve sport performance.

Epistemologia da prática pedagógica no esporte

Ciência do conhecimento humano, a epistemologia, também sustentáculo da prática pedagógica e das teorias da aprendizagem,é amparada por três vertentes conceituais - a inatista ou apriorista, a empirista e a interacionista - que, por sua vez, dão luz à diferentes abordagens de ensino e saberes pedagógicos que sustentam o processo de aprendizagem e ação docente na Educação Física e no esporte. O objetivo do estudo, assim, passou por elucidar os procedimentos de construção de um instrumento metodológico que mapeie as bases epistemológicas de profissionais e futuros profissionais de Educação Física e esporte, materializado pela aplicação de um questionário fechado com estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação dos cursos de Educação Física e Ciências do Esporte. O estudo, desse modo, tem natureza quali-quantitativa e caráter descritivo-exploratório.Ainda que tenham denotado maior aproximação aos preceitos pedagógicos interacionistas, houve, em maior ou menor medida, relevante identificação dos estudantes com as outras teorias do conhecimento. Evoca-se, assim, a importância de se fomentar reflexões quanto às teorias pedagógicas e epistemológica que sustentam a prática de ensino esportivo, de modo a minimizar contradições na ação docente.

Social Entrepreneurship and Sport in Romania: How Can Former Athletes Contribute to Sustainable Social Change?

Social entrepreneurship is an underrated subject in the field of sports. For Romanian society, the fall of communism opened up new opportunities in the entrepreneurial domain. At the same time, entrepreneurship began to intersect with sports, and the results were often productive. Sport is seen as a domain that could inspire entrepreneurship through its principles. The similarities between these two fields have created the perspective of common action in sport and entrepreneurship, and this coexistence has improved during times of social change. After 1989, Romania was confronted with many challenges at the societal level, and sport offered a way to address and to tackle social problems. Through sport, some athletes decided to contribute to issues of individuals or communities. They assumed the status of a social entrepreneur, and developed activities that could inspire others. This paper intends to gather examples of such social entrepreneurship from Romania, and to identify the elements that lead to success. The research takes into consideration case studies from various domains, and this diversity helps us to better understand the challenges of Romanian sport when it interacts with social entrepreneurship.

Improving Mechanical Effectiveness During Sprint Acceleration: Practical Recommendations and Guidelines

ABSTRACT Sport scientists and strength and conditioning coaches are showing growing interest in the magnitude, orientation, and application of ground reaction force during acceleration actions in sport, as it can identify the key mechanical determinants of performance. Horizontal force-velocity profiling or sprint profiling helps practitioners understand the capacity of the mechanical force production during the acceleration phase of a sprint. This review examines the methods used in the field for determining horizontal force-velocity (sprint) profiles. It also includes recommendations for practical training methods to address individual force-velocity characteristics, mechanical effectiveness, thereby optimizing acceleration performance.

Gender and age variables of bullying in organized sport: Is bullying “grown out of”?

Purpose: The article presents the specificity of bullying in organized sport with regard to sport participants’ gender and age variables. Trends in bullying manifestation through such constituents as antisocial behaviour and aggression in sport, bullying actions in sport, previous experiences and memories of bullying, lack of bullying control are analysed. Methodology: The survey was conducted employing Bullying and Harassment in Sport Questionnaire (BHISQ). A sample of 382 youth amateur athletes (adolescents and young adults), involved in different sports, participated in this study. Written and online surveys and statistical data analysis were chosen. Analyses were made applying Mann-Whitney U test to gender analyses and Kruskal-Wallis H test to three age groups. Findings: Athletes men are more aggressive physically, verbally or non-verbally than women. Men, not only as a bullies, but also in the role of a victim, are more expressive than women in addition, it has been found that persons who were bullied in the past also apply the same negative behaviour themselves in sport activities later. Athletes’ age has a significant influence on the form of bullying as older persons use a more refined arsenal of means of negative behaviour. Although it has been found that male’s use bullying more often, it is noted that the environment legitimizing aggressiveness may influence greater openness of men, which should be taken into account in future research.

Informing the Coaching Pedagogy of Game Modification in a Game Sense Approach with Affordance Theory

The Game Sense coaching approach is founded on expectations of game-based practice as the game (or game form) becomes the focus and starting point of practice. The theory of affordances, a conceptual pillar of ecological modelling of perception and action in sport leading to a constraintsled game design perspective, provides a basis for understanding the modifying and adapting games as a pedagogical emphasis of the Game Sense approach. We review affordance theory leading to a demonstrated application of constraints-led learning in Touch Football. We conclude with the proposition of constraints-led game design as a logical semantics for the game-based practice assumptions of the Game Sense approach. This paper demonstrates the potential of affordance theory as a means of analysis of the task dynamics of Touch Football to inform a Game Sense coaching perspective for the sport.

On the worlds of football and the core of the game

Neymar da Silva Santos Junior’s transfer fee of 222 million euros clearly indicates that the lifeworld of professional football proves the well-known ideal of eleven friends, all from the same hometown, to be a romantic notion of the past. When players are measured by their market value, when clubs are capital investments and when football matches are marketed as spectacular events, the question arising no longer is whether amateur football and professional football have moved apart, but rather how big the gap has become. Is there still any connection between the lifeworld of amateur football and professional football or are these now disparate worlds? To answer this question it is essential to determine whether, despite the obvious invariants between amateur football and professional football, there is still a common core of the game that connects the two worlds. This core may be in the contingency of playing football as a specific form of result uncertainty and uncertainty in action, which are sought voluntarily and intentionally. The reward for the players is not to be found in the intended result (i.e. the victory) but in experiencing that the means taken to reach the aim (generally the movement actions of the players) gain in value to the extent where achieving the aim of the action is unpredictable. In 1995, Seel called this aesthetic value of actions in sport “a celebration of inability”. In conclusion, it is the telic of the autotelic that represents the constitutive prerequisite for the special fascination of football, and in this respect it is possible from a cultural perspective to assign educational value to the game of football. Football will continue to fascinate players as well as the spectators as long as its core—the telic of the autotelic—can be experienced in football’s various lifeworlds.

When research leads to learning, but not action in high performance sport.

Research from sports science and related clinical and scientific fields produces knowledge that is often highly relevant to high performance sport. However, there exists a gap between current science and applied coaching or sports science practice. Addressing, and bridging, this gap from both sides of the research-application divide is an important ambition. In this commentary we discuss the wonderful, yet often unforgiving challenge of improving athlete performance as a practitioner or coach in high performance sport. Blending existing knowledge (that which we know works), transferable knowledge (that which has worked elsewhere), anecdotal observations (that which we have seen work) and innovation (where the risk: reward ratio of it working at all is high), to find the right solution, at the right time, for the specific (and often unique) individual is the challenging "art" of application. Here we explore this challenge related to the high performance sports system and the people within it, then more specifically to coaching and learning, and finally to practitioners and athletes using a case study example of applying sleep science to the high performance environment.

An Analysis of the Institutional Practices and Pedagogical Actions in Sport of People with Disabilities

An Analysis of the Institutional Practices and Pedagogical Actions in Sport of People with Disabilities

Intentionality and Action in Sport: A Discussion of the Views of Searle and Dreyfus

The article looks at sport as a form of human action where the participants display various forms of Intentionality. Intentionality may be defined as ‘that property of many mental states and events by which they are directed at or about or of objects and states of affairs in the world.’ Sporting actions are about human intentions, beliefs, desires, perceptions and not to forget, movements. This means that sports typically display what we call ‘Intentionality.’ The study of Intentionality and intentional actions has previously received relatively little attention among sport philosophers, but deserves more attention. Even though there is a tension and several differences between continental and analytical approaches to philosophical problems, there is a common understanding of the phenomenon we call ‘Intentionality.’ The debate between John Searle, representing the analytical camp, and Hubert Dreyfus, representing the phenomenological camp, is instructive to see the differences, and also the commonalities between the two approaches. The article starts with a clarification of the concept of Intentionality and sketches some of the history and background of the concept. It then presents the main conceptual framework that Searle uses to distinguish the different types and forms of Intentionality and his views on sporting actions. This is followed by a presentation of the phenomenological approach of Dreyfus and the response by Searle. The article ends by discussing the possibility of a combined and enriched view where a clarification of the logic as well as the phenomenology of sporting actions is needed. It may thus be possible to bridge the gap between the two approaches.

Searle, Merleau-Ponty, Rizzolatti – three perspectives on Intentionality and action in sport

Actions in sport are intentional in character. They are directed at and are about something. This understanding of intentional action is common in continental as well as analytic philosophy. In sport philosophy, intentionality has received relatively little attention, but has more recently come on the agenda. In addition to what we can call ‘action intentionality,’ studied by philosophers like Searle, the phenomenological approach forwarded by Merleau-Ponty has opened up for a concept of ‘motor intentionality,’ which means a basic bodily attention and relatedness to the surrounding world. This conception is very relevant for the study of bodily actions as we find them in sports. However, there may be even deeper layers. The identification of mirror neurons in the brain has opened up for a type of almost ‘muscular intentionality’ whereby a simple bodily movement like grasping a cup to drink seems to be intentionally controlled and orchestrated. My goal in this paper is to discuss the relation between different levels of intentionality, such as a) ‘action intentionality’ operating at a conscious cognitive level, as for instance, when a player shoots a goal in football, b) the ‘motor intentionality’ directing the bodily movements when kicking the ball, and c) the muscular ‘mirror neuron intentionality’ of the goal keeper which is in operation when the keeper is seeing how the kicker’s foot hits the ball. How are these different layers of intentionality related and how can they give a more nuanced and integrated picture of the body–mind in action in sports?