American Sports Research Articles

Is rooting for the US Women’s National Team un-American? Populism and popular misogyny within conservative digital sports media

Following Megan Rapinoe’s statement that she would not attend a White House visit under former president Donald Trump, she and the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) have become focal points of right-wing online abuse. To explore the connection between populist style common within right-wing media and the misogynistic treatment of women in sport, this study analyzes the intertwining logics of populist style and popular misogyny within media coverage of the USWNT on two conservative sports media outlets, Barstool Sports and OutKick. The findings indicate that the outlets utilize populist style to construct a cultural identity of their ideal American sports fan that stands at odds with the progressive ideals encompassed within the USWNT, making the team particularly susceptible to popular misogynistic treatment and attacks. As such, a critical analysis of gender must be incorporated into analyses and understandings of populist style.

Study on the Difference of Endurance Performance between Polarization Intensity and other Intensity Distribution Endurance Training

The purpose of this study is to explore the difference in the effect of endurance training with different intensity distribution on improving athletes ' endurance performance. Through systematic review and empirical analysis, the effects of polarization intensity training and other intensity distribution training in endurance exercise were compared. In this study, literature review, experimental design and data analysis were used to elaborate the theoretical basis, implementation strategy and influence mechanism of polarization intensity training on endurance performance. At the same time, other intensity distribution trainings were classified and described, and the potential effects of these training methods on endurance improvement were analyzed. Further, this study revealed the significant differences in endurance performance between the two training modes through comparative analysis, and discussed possible physiological explanations. Finally, this study puts forward training suggestions for different sports groups, and puts forward the prospect of future research direction. The results of this study show that polarization intensity training has obvious advantages in improving the performance of professional endurance athletes, but other intensity distribution training also shows good applicability and effect among amateur sports enthusiasts.

Sports betting cannibalization: Evidence from Pennsylvania

The repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018 resulted in the rapid introduction of sports betting into many U.S. markets. This study investigates the introduction of sports betting in Pennsylvania. We explore the staggered implementation of sports betting across casinos in Pennsylvania to analyze the impact of sports betting on slot gaming and table gaming. Our results show evidence that there is no short-term effect of sports betting on the revenues generated from slot gaming and tabling gaming demand, however, our results show some evidence of complementarity on the longer-term between sports betting and other gaming options.

Social Media, Mental Health, and Equestrian Events

Many studies have investigated the benefits and drawbacks of social media, but the impact it has on amateur sports participants who use it as part of their practice has been largely overlooked. This study addresses this gap, investigating the impacts of social media on the mental health of women participating in amateur sport activities–specifically, equestrian events through a mixed methods survey of 221 female amateur equestrians in the UK. Themes included the pressure to present a “perfect” image to an external audience, the stress of comparison to others, and constant judgment around the performance of a participant. We also found issues of distorted reality and false representation. We conclude by highlighting a need for better assistance for athletes both while they are competing at events and at other times, particularly pre/postevent.

Quantitative analysis of fat distribution in men and women: contribution of diet, physical activity, and FTO genotype

BACKGROUND: The Russian Federation is among the top ten countries in terms of obesity prevalence among adults. AIM: To identify the endogenous (biological factors such as age and FTO genotype) and exogenous (diet and physical activity level) factors that influence body fat accumulation and distribution among a group of women and men from Moscow. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 464 volunteers, consisting of 231 women and 233 men aged between 18 and 60 years, from Moscow took part in a single-center, cross-sectional, observational study. The program involved measuring body height, weight, body and limb girths, as well as conducting caliperometry, bioimpedance analysis, and administering questionnaires. Indices of body fat distribution were calculated. Additionally, differences in genotype, specifically the rs9939609 TA variant in the FTO gene, were also determined. RESULTS: Maintaining a vegetarian diet for at least three years was associated with lower fat and fat-free mass, but not with abdominal fat in both men and women. Engaging in regular physical activity had the most significant impact on abdominal fat in both genders. Furthermore, participating in amateur or professional sports activities for a minimum of 180 minutes per week was associated with lower overall body fat. We found no association between the FTO rs9939609 gene and fat accumulation or distribution, regardless of diet and physical activity levels. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that vegetarian diet and regular physical activity are likely to be the most effective total and abdominal fat loss strategy for male and female adult residents of Moscow.

Weekend (Keyboard) Warriors: Differences in Social Media Consumption and Production Between NFL and College Football Fans

Sports fans are often some of the most passionate groups of fans and the use of social media can intensify those feelings, both in expressing their feelings and consumption of content. Football fans are a unique group in American sports culture, but how much difference is there within that group in terms of these behaviors? Using a social identity approach, this manuscript analyzed the degree to which team identification and fan identification played a role in the social media consumption and production in college football and National Football League (NFL) fans. A total of 586 fans responded to a survey that examined respondent’s team and fan identification, as well as social media consumption, creation, and sharing behaviors. Results indicated that college football fans generally identified with fellow fans of their favorite football team and consumed, created, and shared social media more frequently and with greater intensity than their NFL counterparts. Key differences between college football and NFL fans included fan identification predicted social media consumption and creation, while team identification predicted social media sharing among both college and NFL fans.

Investigating Painkiller Use in Amateur Football: A Coach's Perspective.

Painkiller use in amateur sports and, especially, in football is increasingly being discussed, but the scientific data on this field are very limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of painkiller use in amateur football from the perspective of coaches, as well as to determine how and to which extent coaches can influence their teams in terms of painkiller use and prevention. Using an online questionnaire, a cross-sectional analysis of painkiller use in German amateur football from the 4th league to the lowest amateur classes was carried out from the perspective of team coaches. A total of 628 participants were contacted, and 400 (63.7%) completed the questionnaire completely and were therefore included in the evaluation. Of the 400 participating team coaches in amateur football, 369 (92.3%) were male and 31 (7.7%) were female. The coaches reported that 36.2% (SD = 29.1) of their players have used painkillers at some point due to football-related pain in their career. The majority of coaches believed that the use of painkillers is not compatible with competition (74%), and even more believed that it is not compatible with football training (90.8%). Furthermore, 56.2% of the coaches themselves had already taken painkillers in their own football career for football-related pain, and 64% had already bought over-the-counter painkillers without a prescription. The use of painkillers increased in the higher playing levels. The availability of painkillers in first aid kits was reported by around 60%, but they were reported as freely accessible in the dressing room by only 10% of the coaches. This is the first study to describe the painkiller use in amateur football from the perspective of coaches. The prevalence of painkiller use in this study was found to be significantly lower than what is indicated in the data from the existing literature. The majority of coaches see the use of painkillers during games and training as incompatible, even though there is a large proportion of coaches who have already bought over-the-counter painkillers for football-related pain. As the first scientific analysis of team coaches, this study provides fundamental data for the prevention of excessive painkiller use in amateur football.

Clinical Utility of Ocular Assessments in Sport-Related Concussion: A Scoping Review.

Background/objectives: Ocular tools and technologies may be used in the diagnosis of sport-related concussions (SRCs), but their clinical utility can vary. The following study aimed to review the literature pertaining to the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of such assessments. Methods: The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews was adhered to. Reference standard reliability (RSR ≥ 0.75) and diagnostic accuracy (RSDA ≥ 0.80) were implemented to aid interpretation. Results: In total, 5223 articles were screened using the PCC acronym (Population, Concept, Context) with 74 included in the final analysis. Assessments included the King-Devick (KD) (n = 34), vestibular-ocular motor screening (VOMs) and/or near point of convergence (NPC) (n = 25), and various alternative tools and technologies (n = 20). The KD met RSR, but RSDA beyond amateur sport was limited. NPC met RSR but did not have RSDA to identify SRCs. The VOMs had conflicting RSR for total score and did not meet RSR in its individual tests. The VOMs total score did perform well in RSDA for SRCs. No alternative tool or technology met both RSR and RSDA. Conclusion: Ocular tools are useful, rapid screening tools but should remain within a multi-modal assessment for SRCs at this time.

Impact of sports gambling on mental health

Utilizing the staggered legalization of gambling across states following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, we provide causal evidence of the impact of gambling on mental health. Our results indicate that legalized gambling leads to a 5.5 percentage points decrease – over 11% – in the likelihood of poor mental health for men between 18 and 24, but a 3.8 percentage point increase – nearly 10% – for men between 30 and 34; there is no discernible effect for women.

Women collegiate sport employees: Organizational elements of workplace and engagement

This study investigated the representation of women collegiate sport employees in the United States. Previous job engagement research has not focused exclusively on women in collegiate sport organizations. Utilizing person-organization fit (P-O fit) and perceived organizational success to predict engagement, the relative neglect of identifying antecedents of job engagement for women sport employees was explored. The analysis revealed that American collegiate sport employees’ P-O fit influences job engagement; however, women’s perceived organizational success did not influence their engagement in the workplace. Moreover, the findings uncover how women sport employees’ fit influences their job engagement in the sport workplace. The implications of this study indicate the approach for enhanced organizational performance and capacity of women sport employees.

The Bradley-Terry Model in Binary Outcome Driven Rankings: An Application in Amateur Hockey

Ranking systems serve critical roles in sport settings, most notably in determining playoff participants and seeding. Many ranking methodologies exist that are flexible enough to incorporate many input measures and produce models that are highly predictive of game outcomes. However, there are circumstances—especially for amateur sport leagues—in which more complex inputs are either unavailable or not desirable, as they may lead to adverse performance incentives. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to highlight a ranking methodology that only considers binary game outcomes, i.e., wins and losses. Specifically, we consider the efficacy of the Bradley-Terry Model to efficiently rank sport teams for playoff consideration. We apply this method as a case study to the New England Prep School Ice Hockey Association (NEPSIHA), and compare the accuracy of their current ranking system to the Bradley-Terry model using simulation methods. We show that Bradley-Terry significantly outperforms NEPSIHA’s current method, especially when teams face unbalanced strengths of schedule. This result holds under various league competitive balance distributions.

Comparing reach distance between the Y-Balance Test-Lower Quarter and Star Excursion Balance Test: Are practitioners using the correct protocol?

ObjectivesTo compare reach distances between the YBT-LQ and SEBT using the correct protocols as outlined by the developers. This will provide an accurate insight on the actual magnitude differences in reach distance between the movement screen tests and will safeguard practitioners on the subsequent use of these outcomes to inform clinical decision making. DesignObservational. SettingLaboratory. ParticipantsParticipants included sixteen healthy female subjects from the university and amateur sports teams. Main outcomeReach distances in the anterior direction (ANT), posterior medial (PM) and posterior lateral (PL) between participants on the YBT-LQ and SEBT. ResultsThe principal findings highlighted that a statistically significantly greater reach distance on the left and right side for the YBT-LQ compared to the SEBT in the ANT, PM, and PL directions (p < 0.0005). ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that the YBT-LQ and SEBT are not comparable tests due to the differences in reach distance and methodological differences. Therefore, previous, and future research using the YBT-LQ and SEBT cannot be used interchangeably. Not following developed guidelines questions the applicability of the findings of reach distance scores to infer on performance and assessment of injury risk.

Ligament augmentation and reconstruction system (LARS) synthetic grafts are safe and effective for medial collateral ligament and posterolateral corner reconstructions in elite athletes.

This study documents the efficacy and safety of using a Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS) ligament graft to augment extra-articular knee ligament reconstructions in elite athletes by reporting return-to-play(RTP) rates and levels, career longevityand complications. A consecutive series of all extra-articular knee ligament reconstructions augmented by LARS ligaments in elite athletes undertaken by three specialist sports knee surgeons between 2013 and 2020 were reviewed. Seventy-six elite athletes, aged over 16 years old, and more than 2 years postsurgery were included. RTPwas defined as competing at professional levelor national/international level in amateur sport. There were 64 medial collateral ligament (MCL) and 12 posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstructions. Fifty-two (68.4%) underwent concomitant autograft cruciate ligament(s) reconstruction. The mean age was 25.1 years (SD ± 4.5). Most were football (35, 46.1%) or rugby players (35, 46.1%). Sixty-seven athletes (88.2%) RTP with 65 (97.0%) of these playing at the same or higher Tegner level. Fifty-six (83.6%) of the athletes that RTP were still playing at 2 years postsurgery. Twenty (57.1%) of those who had RTP and were more than 5 years postsurgery were still playing at 5 years. Six (7.9%) players required further surgery relating to the LARS/metalwork. One case had soft tissue inflammation adjacent to the proximal end of the synthetic graft, but it is unknown if this was mechanical irritation or a biological reaction. One MCL reruptured 4 years after RTP. Utilising LARS to augment extra-articular knee ligament reconstructions allows 88.2% of athletes with a variety of knee ligament injuries to return to elite sport. The low morbidity rates coupled with 57% of athletes still playing 5 years postsurgery demonstrates that the LARS is safe and effective in these cases. Although there are reports of LARS ligaments being used in MCL and PLC reconstructions, there is very little evidence investigating if they are safe and effective. This study demonstrates that LARS synthetic grafts can be safely used for MCL and PLC reconstructions in elite athletes and they permit a high RTP with a low risk of complications. Level IV.

Tracing the Evolution of Sound in Six Generations of the Chevrolet Corvette

This study presents the noise characteristics of six generations of the Chevrolet Corvette, an iconic American sports car that has undergone technological leaps and design innovations over the years, redefining performance and handling. The research conducted as part of an undergraduate noise control project is meant to study the auditory experiences of drivers, occupants, and pedestrians, considering the implications of improved cabin noise reduction in newer models while examining the changes surrounding powertrain and exhaust expectations in various generations of the model. Focusing on the evolution of sound pressure levels, the study analyzes both interior and exterior sound pressure level data to extract insights into the acoustic metamorphosis of the Corvette. This exploration enhances the understanding of the difference between sound and the Corvette driving experience. The research's significance extends to the community of Corvette enthusiasts, contributing to the historical narrative of this sports car and impacting automotive culture. Anticipation regarding the exterior experience for pedestrians aligns with sentiments about the powertrain and exhaust personality. The study concludes that stock Corvettes, even older models, do not significantly endanger hearing, mainly due to road noise. The interior sound at various speeds and accelerations can reach close to 90dBA periodically. Also, aftermarket exhaust systems hint at the possibility of extremely high sound pressure levels.

Sleep Behaviors and Nutritional Knowledge in Amateur and Professional Combat Sport Athletes.

Dunican, IC, Galpin, A, Turner, M, and Reale, R. Sleep behaviors and nutritional knowledge in amateur and professional combat sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): 1627-1634, 2024-Combat sports is a term applied to various competitive contact sports involving 2 competitors engaging in a bout or contest under a specific ruleset. Little is known about combat sports athletes' sleep and nutritional knowledge. This study aimed to assess (a) sleep behaviors, (b) alcohol and shiftwork disorders, and (c) the nutritional knowledge of combat sports athletes. Subjects completed various demographic questions and estimations of their weight management practices and validated surveys, including the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire, Shiftwork Disorder (SWD) Screening Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and the Abridged Nutrition for Sports Knowledge Questionnaire. A total of 844 combat sports athletes completed the survey, 79% male, height of 177 ± 10 (cm), and body mass of 79 ± 15 (kg). Subjects were categorized into their specific combat sport type (e.g., boxing or Brazilian jiu-jitsu [BJJ]) and by their level (professional or amateur). Sleep quality was average for all combat sport types and risk prevalence of shiftwork disorder at 11%. Mann-Whitney U tests revealed that amateurs, compared with professional strikers ( p = 0.046, CLES = 0.80), boxers ( p = 0.01, CLES = 0.78), and BJJ ( p = 0.046, CLES = 0.61) athletes, consumed significantly more alcohol. A Friedman test showed significant ( p < 0.001, W = 0.51) differences in weight between time points, with most combat sports athletes reducing weight for competition. An overall nutritional knowledge average of 55% was reported. This study highlights a critical gap in the knowledge and practices of combat sports athletes in relation to sleep behaviors and disorders, alcohol consumption, and nutritional knowledge, emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions.

Theoretical prerequisites for planning the content and focus of training sessions in the pre-season preparation of hockey players

Importance. The rapid growth in the number of student sports teams in recent years has predetermined the issue of combining sports and academic activities. In this regard, the considered aspects of the processes of fatigue and recovery in amateur sports become relevant and require analysis and systematization of the views of domestic and foreign scientists on the issues of localization and mechanisms of development of fatigue, as well as the patterns and time of recovery of the athlete’s body in the process of training activities. The study purpose: analysis and systematization of scientific articles on the problem of fatigue and recovery of the athlete’s body after physical activity, determination of the fundamental scheme for the formation of the content and focus of training sessions based on the analysis of the theoretical component of the problem of fatigue and recovery during physical activity of various nature, direction and magnitude in different types of sports.Materials and Methods. The study is conducted on the basis of studies concerning the problem of interaction of the body’s life-supporting systems in the development of fatigue mechanisms, published in scientific journals, monographs of famous physiologists covering a large time period. The study is based on a systemic-structural approach, which allows, during the analysis of scientific publications, to identify the main patterns of the development of mechanisms and localization of fatigue, to put forward hypotheses regarding the prospects for developing an appropriate scheme for the formation of the content and focus of training sessions, to determine the range of issues that require instrumental confirmation of the recovery time of the athlete’s body during combining various characteristic aspects of loads in the training process. Within the framework of this study, the following research methods are used: scientific and methodological literature analysis, systematization, pedagogical observation, generalization.Results and Discussion. In the course of the study, the main factors are identified that influence the mechanisms of the development of fatigue during work of various sizes and directions, in different intensity zones; The interrelationships of various localization systems and mechanisms of fatigue development, as well as energy supply to support the athlete’s vital activity during physical activity, are revealed. An attempt is made to substantiate the strategy of expediently combining types of training activities, the content and focus of training sessions in the preparatory period of pre-season training for students involved in hockey at Hockey club “Derzhava”.Conclusion. Research prospects include issues of experimental substantiation of the construction of a system of training sessions, taking into account the registration of the main indicators of lifesupport systems, allowing the trainer to expediently distribute and quickly regulate training loads and ensure the effectiveness of recovery processes in the period under study.

Welcome to SportsWorld: An Introduction to the 1970s

In 1975, New York Times sports columnist Robert Lipsyte published SportsWorld: An American Dreamland, a critical examination of how the values of American sports had become corrupted and distorted by power brokers who pulled the purse strings. “SportsWorld” was an infrastructure first built in the late nineteenth century by industrialists, educators, politicians, promoters, journalists, and military leaders who believed in the potency of sports and American exceptionalism. For the faithful, SportsWorld represented a positive cultural force that unified the nation, strengthened vigorous manhood, and advanced the country's democratic ideals of equal opportunity and fair play. “In sports,” Lipsyte reflected, Americans believed “children will learn courage and self-control, old people will find blissful nostalgia, and families will discover new ways to communicate among themselves. Immigrants will find shortcuts to recognition as Americans. Rich and poor, black and white, educated and unskilled, we will all find a unifying language. The melting pot may be a myth, but we will all come together in the ballpark.”

Preventing Exertional Heat Stroke in Football: Time for a Paradigm Shift.

Among American sports, football has the highest incidence of exertional heat stroke (EHS), despite decades of prevention strategies. Based on recent reports, 100% of high school and college EHS football fatalities occur during conditioning sessions. Linemen are the at-risk population, constituting 97% of football EHS deaths. Linemen heat up faster and cool down slower than other players. Case series were identified from organized, supervised football at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels and compiled in the National Registry of Catastrophic Sports Injuries. Sources for event occurrence were media reports and newspaper clippings, autopsy reports, certificates of death, school-sponsored investigations, and published medical literature. Articles were identified through PubMed with search terms "football," "exertional heat stroke," and "prevention." Clinical review. Level 5. Football EHS is tied to (1) high-intensity drills and conditioning that is not specific to individual player positions, (2) physical exertion as punishment; (3) failure to modify physical activity for high heat and humidity, (4) failure to recognize early signs and symptoms of EHS, and (5) death when cooling is delayed. To prevent football EHS, (1) all training and conditioning should be position specific; (2) physical activity should be modified per the heat load; (3) understand that some players have a "do-or-die" mentality that supersedes their personal safety; (4) never use physical exertion as punishment; (5) eliminate conditioning tests, serial sprints, and any reckless drills that are inappropriate for linemen; and (6) consider air-conditioned venues for linemen during hot practices. To prevent EHS, train linemen based on game demands. n/a.

Developing Social Skills Through Rhythmic Gymnastics in American sport

The research is aimed at substantiation of the role of rhythmic gymnastics in development of athletes’ social skills in the context of American sports academy. The study focuses on the achievement of the following tasks: description of the advantages of rhythmic gymnastics as a sport discipline; outlining social skills that are developed through rhythmic gymnastics; explaining internal and external factors influencing the development of social skills through rhythmic gymnastics; evaluation of technologies/teaching methods/techniques used to develop social skills through rhythmic gymnastics. To investigate the development of social skills through gymnastics, the mixed-methods case study research was applied. The sample involved three groups of participants: pupils of Vitrychenko Gymnastics Academy (Illinois, USA); coaches and instructors; and parents of young athletes. The findings showed that rhythmic gymnastics enhances not only physical strength but also various social skills. They include: discipline, time management, responsibility, teamwork, communication, networking, patience, leadership, social confidence, and adaptability. the special attention was paid towards the factors influencing the development of social skills through rhythmic gymnastics. It was found that they can be divided into internal and external ones. Internal factors refer to personal motivation, self-confidence, emotional intelligence, self-discipline, adaptability, cognitive development, personal values, and previous experiences. External factors concern coaching style, team dynamics, parental support, competition environment, peer influence, institutional support, and constructive feedback. The methodology in gymnastics was described in details. On the basis of coaches’ preferences, training programs, and classroom observations it was found that team-buildings exercise, demonstration, role-playing, video analysis, peer coaching, group discussion, virtual competition, online learning, VR-based exercises, gamification, and digital mentorship are widely used to develop social skills through rhythmic gymnastics. The results can be implied to recognize the social benefits of rhythmic gymnastics and to development of more efficient curriculum to enhance pupils’ social competencies as well as academic achievements.

The development strategies of amateur table tennis matches in China based on the SWOT-AHP model: a case study in Shanghai.

Given the significance of amateur sports matches in health promotion and city culture construction. It is essential to systematically analyze the organizational mode of city amateur matches and propose development strategies. This study aimed to investigate the sustainable development strategies for city amateur matches in China. This study adopted a hybrid model of combined SWOT and the AHP analysis, using the Shanghai City Amateur Table Tennis Matches (ATTM) as a case study. Results showed that 20 factors of the SWOT analysis were included, and the ranking of weights of the SWOT group are Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats, respectively, and the strategic vector (θ, ρ) are (74.21°, 0.5861). ATTM should adopt the S-O pioneering strategy and leverages its advantages and opportunities to promote further development. The findings indicate that ATTM with advanced organizational mode, has good internal strengths and external opportunities, which can enlighten the development of amateur table tennis matches for other regions and countries. Future research should apply the hybrid model to a broader range of events and conduct comparative analyses across countries and regions.