Athletic Teams Research Articles

Mental Preparedness of Athletes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study on the Training of Thai National Team for the 19th Asian Games

This research aimed to study and establish the mental preparedness model of Thai athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic in preparation for the 19th Asian Games. This study employed a mixed methods approach, involving 409 participants (217 males and 192 females) selected through a lottery system, ensuring equitable representation across the 19 types of sports. Additionally, six participants were included for qualitative data gathering. The research designed a comprehensive questionnaire to collect data, which included the Sports Stress Management Skills in Thai Questionnaire, Questionnaire on Mental Readiness for Competition, 'Motivation to Participate in Sports Activities in Thai' Questionnaire, Self-Confidence Questionnaire, Mental Toughness Questionnaire in Thai, and the Mindfulness in Sports Questionnaire in Thai Version. Data was collected using a traditional questionnaire and an online questionnaire accessed via QR codes. Structural Equation Modeling was employed for data analysis. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews. The study's results revealed the development of a mental preparation model for Thai national team athletes during the COVID-19 outbreak. This model emphasizes the significance of mindfulness as a crucial factor directly influencing psychological readiness. Furthermore, mindfulness exerts an indirect influence through four intermediary variables: motivation, stress management skills, confidence, and mental toughness. Significantly, qualitative data highlighted adaptive mental resilience and mindfulness as key factors in fostering mental readiness among athletes, especially during challenging periods like the COVID-19 outbreak. These factors encompass effective stress management, balanced motivation, self-confidence, professional guidance, adaptive mindset, support systems, and long-term planning. This model integrates various elements of mental preparation, with mindfulness positioned as the central pillar.

Adherence to Sports Nutrition Guidelines by Tennis Athletes Team Representing the University of Limpopo; Limpopo Province, South Africa

Adherence to Sports Nutrition Guidelines by Tennis Athletes Team Representing the University of Limpopo; Limpopo Province, South Africa

Response Rate Patterns in Adolescents With Concussion Using Mobile Health and Remote Patient Monitoring: Observational Study.

A concussion is a common adolescent injury that can result in a constellation of symptoms, negatively affecting academic performance, neurobiological development, and quality of life. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies, such as apps for patients to report symptoms or wearables to measure physiological metrics like heart rate, have been shown to be promising in health maintenance. However, there is limited evidence about mHealth engagement in adolescents with a concussion during their recovery course. This study aims to determine the response rate and response rate patterns in concussed adolescents reporting their daily symptoms through mHealth technology. It will also examine the effect of time-, demographic-, and injury-related characteristics on response rate patterns. Participants aged between 11-18 years (median days since injury at enrollment: 11 days) were recruited from the concussion program of a tertiary care academic medical center and a suburban school's athletic teams. They were asked to report their daily symptoms using a mobile app. Participants were prompted to complete the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI) 3 times (ie, morning, afternoon, and evening) per day for 4 weeks following enrollment. The primary outcome was the response rate pattern over time (by day since initial app use and the day since injury). Time-, demographic-, and injury-related differences in reporting behaviors were compared using Mann Whitney U tests. A total of 56 participants were enrolled (mean age 15.3, SD 1.9 years; n=32, 57% female). The median response rate across all days of app use in the evening was 37.0% (IQR 27.2%-46.4%), which was significantly higher than the morning (21.2%, IQR 15.6%-30.5%) or afternoon (26.4%, IQR 21.1%-31.5%; P<.001). The median daily response was significantly different by sex (female: 53.8%, IQR 46.2%-64.2% vs male: 42.0%, IQR 28.6%-51.1%; P=.003), days since injury to app use (participants starting to use the app >7 days since injury: 54.1%, IQR 47.4%-62.2% vs starting to use the app ≤7 days since injury: 38.0%, IQR 26.0%-53.3%; P=.002), and concussion history (participants with a history of at least one prior concussion: 57.4%, IQR 44.5%-70.5% vs participants without concussion history: 42.3%, IQR 36.8%-53.5%; P=.03). There were no significant differences by age. Differences by injury mechanism (sports- and recreation-related injury: 39.6%, IQR 36.1%-50.4% vs non-sports- or recreation-related injury: 30.6%, IQR 20.0%-42.9%; P=.04) and initial symptom burden (PCSI scores greater than the median score of 47: 40.9%, IQR 35.2%-53.8% vs PCSI scores less than or equal to the median score: 31.9%, IQR 24.6%-40.6%; P=.04) were evident in the evening response rates; however, daily rates were not statistically different. Evening may be the optimal time to prompt for daily concussion symptom assessment among concussed adolescents compared with morning or afternoon. Multiple demographic- and injury-related characteristics were associated with higher daily response rates, including for female participants, those with more than 1 week from injury to beginning mHealth monitoring, and those with a history of at least one previous concussion. Future studies may consider incentive strategies or adaptive digital concussion assessments to increase response rates in populations with low engagement.

Early sport specialization impact on rates of injury in collegiate and professional sport participation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Early sport specialization (ESS) is prevalent among adolescent athletes aspiring for elite status. However, the impact of ESS on sports injury (SI) rates during their collegiate and professional careers remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effect of ESS on SI rates during high-level sport participation. Data sources Search included PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, ERIC, and Medline. Study selection PRISMA guidelines were followed to identify peer-reviewed articles published until 01 August 2023. Eligible studies reported numbers of athletes in collegiate and professional teams, including national, in ESS and their counterpart category, along with the portion with at least one SI. Studies on concussion or non-contact injuries, or without explicit injury reports during elite sport participation were excluded. Of 526 studies, 13 met the criteria, and 5 were included in the quantitative analysis. These studies reported SIs on collegiate and professional athletes. A total of 3087 athletes were analyzed (ESS = 45%). The overall effect showed that ESS athletes had a lower odds ratio (OR = 0.7) of a SI during high-level sport participation, but this finding was not statistically significant (p &gt; 0.05). Results demonstrated that ESS athletes had a lower odds ratio (OR = 0.7) of a SI during elite sport participation, but the effect was not statistically significant. Articles with clear reports are scarce, and thus limit the impact of the findings in this study. High heterogeneity was evident in this analysis, largely due to lack of standardized terminology, evaluation, and data representation. Prospective studies that consider diverse athlete population of the same sport are warranted.

Mapping the landscape of small-sided games in team sports: A bibliometric analysis and literature review

Background Problems: Small-sided games (SSGs) have become a significant focus of research in the context of team sports, and a thorough review and analysis of the existing research landscape is needed to identify trends, gaps, and emerging themes. Research Objectives: This study aims to map the research landscape on small-sided games (SSGs) in the context of team sports through a bibliometric approach and a literature review. Methods: Literature was drawn from established research sources in the Scopus and Web of Science databases from 2014 to 2023. The final data used for this study consisted of 1012 articles, which were then analysed using a bibliometric approach, and the literature review was limited to 237 articles after grouping ten types of team sports using the ScientoPy tool. Findings and Results: The results showed a consistent increase in interest in SSGs, with journals such as “Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research” and “Biology of Sport” playing an important role in expanding understanding of the topic. The analysis also revealed that authors such as Clemente F.M. and Praca G.M. had a significant impact on developing knowledge about SSGs. Although football dominated the related literature, the results also highlighted other sports such as basketball, futsal, and handball. However, there is still a lack of SSG research for sports such as cricket and dodgeball. The benefits of SSGs in team sports include improved technical skills, physical fitness, tactical understanding, and physical performance. Conclusion: This study provides insight into the important role of SSGs in athlete development and team sports training and highlights the need for further research to optimise the full potential of this training method.

USE OF POST-EXERCISE RECOVERY STRATEGIES IN TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL SPORTS

INTRODUCTION The study aims to identify perceptions of recovery and actual post-exercise recovery utilized by team and individual athletes in Far North Queensland. METHODS The recovery techniques used by team and individual sport athletes of different competition levels was investigated by survey. Specifically, this study investigated if, when, why and how the following recovery strategies were used: active land-based recovery (ALB), active water-based recovery (AWB), stretching (STR), cold water immersion (CWI) and contrast water therapy (CWT). RESULTS Seventy-eight athletes (47 male: 31 female) mean age 25.59 ±8.48 yrs completed survey. Local competition was most represented (44%), followed by state (37%), regional (13%), national (5%) and international (1%). Rugby league/ruby union were the most represented team sport (42%), followed by soccer (16%), AFL (6%), netball (6%) and remaining team sports (8%). Individual sports (24%) included swimming, running, and ultra-marathon. A total of 84% of participants self-reported performing a recovery strategy following either competition, after pre-season training or after in-season training. Most popular recovery methods, stretch (28%), ice bath (26%), massage (14%) and sleep (10%). Stretching was the most effective recovery strategy, with 38% ‘always’ performing stretching after a game, 36% during pre-season training and 40% in season training. Self-report by athletes was suggestive of the more physiological being the most important, stating that the strategies helped speed up recovery, increase blood flow, decrease inflammation, swelling and soreness. CONCLUSION To date the survey data suggests athletes reporting why they believe recovery strategies are effective/ineffective are more aware of the physiological recovery aspects, and less so on psychological aspects. This suggests potential targeted education on psychological aspects of recovery and recovery related to heat and humidity aspects to assist in developing best practice guidelines and education for athletes and coaches.

Deciphering recovery paradigms: Foam rolling's impact on DOMS and lactate dynamics in elite volleyball athletes

This study examines the effects of Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) techniques on post-exercise recovery in elite volleyball athletes. Through a controlled investigation involving eighteen Chinese Men's National Volleyball Team athletes, the research assessed the impact of foam rolling (FR) versus passive recovery (PAS) on blood lactate clearance and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), as measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores. Findings indicated that FR significantly reduces VAS scores and facilitates lactate clearance when compared to PAS, suggesting foam rolling may enhance post-exercise recovery. While confirming foam rolling's benefits, this research calls for further exploration into recovery mechanisms, emphasizing a cautious interpretation of foam rolling as part of a comprehensive recovery strategy.

A Comparison of Some Important Biochemical Indicators According to Escalating Physical Effort till Fatigue for Elite Freestyle Wrestlers, 800m Runners, and 200m Freestyle Swimmers

It is the nature of the game and the activity that determines the characteristic of the manifestation of fatigue according to what is required by the neuromuscular work in it, as well as the changes that occur in the functional variables and the time of the differential threshold. The location of each activity and the game of these teams have been studied in a special table for energy production systems as a result of continuous changes in their laws, and are considered within the energy systems such as the anaerobic system (Phosphagine) and lactic acid for (800) m runners - freestyle swimmers (200) m in the physical effort till fatigue. The comparison in the important functional indicators for them, and the research methodology embodied in the way of working through the method used, which is the descriptive method in comparison then, the researchers identified the research community for the young national team athletes for freestyle wrestling, and the national team(800)m runners, as well as of the national team in (200) m swimming for the sports season (2022-2023), A total of 21 athletes were selected in an organized manner and distributed into three equal groups (7 athletes) for each of the three types of sports (wrestler, 200-meter swimming and 800-meter running)., and the researchers would conduct tests for the research variables biochemical for the sample members, as well as some variables that have an impact on the results of the study such as (height, age, weight, and the age of training ), and the homogenization of the research sample members was carried out. The results of statistical treatments were presented, analyzed, and discussed, supported by sources. The most important conclusions were that most of the activities and the variation of values are very essential biochemical indicators. The differences were significant and the positive variation in accordance to the type of sport or activity, and the last variation between the activities in terms of comparison in these variables is due to the nature and specificity in terms of the intensity of the resistances and direct and indirect friction For competitors and the expenditure of energy stored in muscles. Finally, the researchers recommended knowing the most important biochemical indicators in these events and sports as they reflect a clear picture of the individuals' internal preparations and functional responses.

Investigation of the Effects of Caffeine Intake on Reaction Time, Acceleration, Speed and Balance in Short Distance Runners

The aims of this study is to examine the effects of caffeine intake in sprinters on reaction time, speed, acceleration and balance. A total of 31 sprinters (18 female, 13 male) from the athletics team of university faculty of sports sciences participated in the study. Sprinters were divided into two groups, caffeine and placebo, and their balance, reaction time, 30-meter running time and 15-meter acceleration performances were measured. The Wilcoxon t-Test and the Mann-Whitney U test were applied to the data obtained on the SPSS 23.0 package program. As a result of the study, the number of errors in the balance test decreased significantly in both the experimental group and the control group while a significant decrease was observed in block takeoff reaction time only in the experimental group. In conclusion, it was determined that while caffeine intake did not have a significant effect on acceleration and running times, block take off reaction time created a significant difference in the experimental group and could provide an advantage to the sprinters. Therefore, it can be said that caffeinated gum may be a good ergogenic aid to improve reaction performance in sprinters.

National athletics team of Ukraine at the European Team Championship within the framework of the European Games

The article presents the results of the analysis of the performance of the national team of Ukraine at the 2023 European Team Athletics Championships within all three divisions, within the framework of the European Games. The team championship within the 1st division (former Super League) at the same time had the status of athletics competitions at the 2023 European Games. The format of the European Team Championship involves the competition of national teams in four groups - the Super League, the first, second and third leagues. The number of national teams in each league was 16 teams. At the end of the competition, the team of Ukraine took 2nd place, the team of Hungary took the first place, the team of Lithuania rose to the third place. In total, at the European Team Championships, athletes won 8 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze medals.&#x0D; This year's national team at the 2023 European Team Championship revealed new names to fans, and decently entered the 1st division. Ukrainian athletes finished their performance at the European Games with dignity and won 41 medals (21 gold, 12 silver and 8 bronze). Every sports victory today is a great support for the whole country in modern conditions. The study of the dynamics of the results of the national team of Ukraine at the European Championship showed a very positive result. Improving the performance of the athletics team testifies to the improvement of the methodology of preparing the team for competitions under martial law, this start was aimed at achieving maximum results. Every sporting victory today is a great support for the whole country.

Exhaled and Systemic Biomarkers to Aid the Diagnosis of Bronchial Asthma in Elite Water Sports Athletes.

Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of a combined airway inflammatory biomarker assessment in diagnosing asthma in elite water sports athletes. Members of the Hungarian Olympic and Junior Swim Team and elite athletes from other aquatic disciplines were assessed for asthma by objective lung function measurements, and blood eosinophil count (BEC), serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (F ENO ) measurements, and skin prick testing were performed. A scoring system from BEC, F ENO , serum IgE, and skin test positivity was constructed by dichotomizing the variables and assigning a score of 1 if the variable is elevated. These scores were summed to produce a final composite score ranging from 0 to 4. A total of 48 participants were enrolled (age 21 ± 4 yr, 42% male), of which 22 were diagnosed with asthma. Serum total IgE and F ENO levels were higher in asthmatic individuals (68 [27-176] vs 24 [1-43], P = 0.01; 20 [17-26] vs 15 [11-22], P = 0.02), and positive prick test was also more frequent (55% vs 8%, P < 0.01). Asthmatic participants had higher composite variable scores (2 [1-3] vs 1 [0-1], P = 0.02). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that total IgE, F ENO , and composite variable were suitablefor identifying asthmatic participants (area under the curve = 0.72, P = 0.01; 0.70, P = 0.02, and 0.69, P = 0.03). A composite score of >2 reached a specificity of 96.2%, a sensitivity of 36.4%, and a likelihood ratio of 9.5. Logistic regression model revealed a strong association between the composite variable and the asthma diagnosis (OR = 2.71, 95% confidence interval = 1.17-6.23, P = 0.02). Our data highlight the diagnostic value of combined assessment of Th2-type inflammation in elite water sports athletes. The proposed scoring system may be helpful in ruling in asthma in this population upon clinical suspicion.

Achieving while looking forward: variables influencing performance in the transitory career phases of professional women’s handball

ABSTRACT This paper investigates what variables may influence long-term performance in the transitory phases of a team athlete’s career according to the perceptions of the athletes themselves. Narrative research was conducted with 16 world-class, retired women handball players and the qualitative analysis reveals those factors that influenced their performance in the transitory phases “from development to mastery” and “from mastery to discontinuation” on the individual, interpersonal, organisational, and sociocultural levels. The variables are organised into a systems map to provide a full overview as well as the perceived relationships between them. The practical implication of the paper is to draw the attention of those organisations that aim to improve long-term performance to the leverage points that athletes themselves find important.

Preparing for (Dance) Camp: 30-Day Challenge

Most high school and collegiate athletic teams attend some type of camp to prepare for their upcoming season. This article provides a 30-day challenge to help high school and college dance teams to improve their overall physical fitness while they prepare for summer camp. The ideas can also be modified to meet the needs of other athletic teams.

A Managerial Development Model for Promoting Elite Futsal Players at University

Background and Aim: As the sports industry develops and society pursues a healthy lifestyle, sports are becoming increasingly important in higher education. Futsal, due to its relatively low requirements for field facilities, is more suitable for implementation on university campuses. However, despite the high popularity of futsal on university campuses, most universities' futsal training focuses more on popularization and entertainment, without giving enough attention to the improvement of competitive levels. The purpose of this study was to construct a managerial development model for promoting elite futsal players in university. Materials and Methods: This study is a survey type. The population of this research includes Sampling includes 7 expert interviews. 250 elite futsal players and 20 coaches for the questionnaire method for drafting the managerial development model. 19 experts will be selected to construct the development model for elite futsal players by the Delphi consensus method. 9 experts will be used to verify the draft of the managerial development model for elite futsal players. Using questions created by the researcher that are based on the POLC theories. After analyzing the data, the researcher drafted the managerial development model. After that, send the managerial development model to experts for improvement. Complete editing in the Delphi consensus method and final confirmation with the connoisseurship method by experts. Result: After constructing the draft of the managerial development model for developing elite futsal players in the university, it was found that there were 12 planning elements, 11 organization elements, 14 leading elements, and 8 controlling elements, totaling 45 elements. There are two elements with a mean of 4.44 “A policy has been established to promote elite athletes in universities”, and “Relevant personnel is promoted to attend training in various courses to develop the organization's knowledge in preparing a team of elite futsal athletes”, showing that these three elements are highly effective in use. The remaining elements have an average of 4.56 to 4.76, indicating that these elements are very highly effective in their application. Conclusion: In the development of elite futsal athletes, the experts highlighted that many universities lack a clear management service system structure. This deficiency extends to areas such as budget management within the organization, the allocation of personnel appropriate to their roles and responsibilities, and the preparation of equipment and venues. Consequently, the management plan system lacks specificity. The university should clearly adhere to this policy by allocating time effectively to students. One of the key issues is the lack of communication and collaboration among personnel involved in developing futsal athletes within the university. Additionally, balancing the demands of both learning and studying is in alignment with the established educational system.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Bridge Statement: Management of Sport-Related Concussion.

To provide athletic trainers and team physicians with updated recommendations to the 2014 National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) concussion position statement regarding concussion management, specifically in the areas of education, assessment, prognostic factors, mental health, return to academics, physical activity, rest, treatment, and return to sport. Athletic trainers have benefited from the 2 previous NATA position statements on concussion management, and although the most recent NATA position statement is a decade old, knowledge gains in the medical literature warrant updating several (but not all) recommendations. Furthermore, in various areas of the body of literature, current evidence now exists to address items not adequately addressed in the 2014 statement, necessitating the new recommendations. This document therefore serves as a bridge from the 2014 position statement to the current state of concussion evidence, recommendations from other organizations, and discrepancies between policy and practice. These recommendations are intended to update the state of the evidence concerning the management of patients with sport-related concussion, specifically in the areas of education; assessment advances; prognostic recovery indicators; mental health considerations; academic considerations; and exercise, activity, and rehabilitation management strategies.

Validity of Using the Load-Velocity Relationship to Estimate 1 Repetition Maximum in the Back Squat Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

LeMense, AT, Malone, GT, Kinderman, MA, Fedewa, MV, and Winchester, LJ. Validity of using the load-velocity relationship to estimate 1 repetition maximum in the back squat exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 612-619, 2024-The one repetition maximum (1RM) test is commonly used to assess muscular strength. However, 1RM testing can be time consuming, physically taxing, and may be difficult to perform in athletics team settings with practice and competition schedules. Alternatively, 1RM can be estimated from bar or movement velocity at submaximal loads using the minimum velocity threshold (MVT) method based on the load-velocity relationship. Despite its potential utility, this method's validity has yielded inconsistent results. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the validity of estimated 1RM from bar velocity in the back squat exercise. A systematic search of 3 electronic databases was conducted using combinations of the following keywords: "velocity-based training," "load-velocity profiling," "mean velocity," "mean propulsive velocity," "peak velocity," "maximal strength," "1RM," "estimation," "prediction," "back squat," and "regression." The search identified 372 unique articles, with 4 studies included in the final analysis. Significance was defined as a p level less than 0.05. A total of 27 effects from 71 subjects between the ages of 17-25 years were analyzed; 85.2% of effects were obtained from male subjects. Measured 1RMs ranged from 86.5 to 153.1 kg, whereas estimated 1RMs ranged from 88.6 to 171.6 kg. Using a 3-level random effects model, 1RM back squat was overestimated when derived from bar velocity using the MVT method (effect sizes [ES] = 0.5304, 95% CI: 0.1878-0.8730, p = 0.0038). The MVT method is not a viable option for estimating 1RM in the free weight back squat. Strength and conditioning professionals should exercise caution when estimating 1RM from the load-velocity relationship.

High School Student-Athletes: Their Motivation, Study Habits, Self-Discipline, Academic Support, and Academic Performance

Study purpose. Student-athletes have a role that is not easy to balance between the role of being an athlete and the role of being a student at school. Not a few of them have obstacles in balancing both roles. This study aims to reveal the characteristics of secondary school student-athletes in Bengkulu City. The main objectives are to describe the level of achievement motivation, study habits, self-discipline, academic support, and academic performance. Materials and methods. This study is a quantitative descriptive research with a survey approach involving 402 student-athletes at the junior high school and senior high school levels. The student-athletes represent 16 sports. The average age of student-athletes is 15.9 years. The instrument used in the study was a questionnaire consisting of 36 statement items. The mean ideal and standard deviation ideal formulas were used to analyze data regarding the category level of each indicator, while the independent sample t-test was used to determine differences in data between student-athletes based on gender and type of sport. Results. The results of this study reveal that student-athletes in Bengkulu City have achievement motivation, study habits, self-discipline, academic support, and academic performance in the high category. There is a significant difference between male and female student-athletes (sig 0.001 &lt; 0.005). There were no significant differences between student-athletes from individual and team sports (0.442 &gt; 0.005). Conclusions. Student-athletes at junior high school and senior high school education levels have good characteristics, there are significant differences between male and female athletes, and there are no significant differences between individual athletes and team athletes.

Maturity Status and Relative Age of Elite Taekwondo Youth Competitors-Case Study on Croatian National Team.

This study examines the maturity status and relative age effect in elite youth taekwondo Croatian National Team athletes. Measurements of biological age, maturity offset, and body composition were taken from a sample of 17 junior athletes. Differences in maturity status were observed among athletes of the same chronological age, with variations in sitting height and age at peak height velocity. Male athletes generally exhibited higher values in body height, percentage of body fat, muscle mass, and total body water. No significant relative age effect was found. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual biological age and maturity status for talent development and training program adjustments. Further research involving athletes from different countries is recommended to validate these results and enhance the understanding of youth taekwondo athlete development.

SPORT VALUES AND PERSONAL TRAITS AMONG THE ATHLETES OF IRAQI NATIONAL TEAMS

&#x0D; The subject of values is considered as one of the significant topics in psychology because it was determinants of the behavior of the human , and therefore got the attention of many scientists and researchers . The research aims at : 1. Identifying the level of sport values for the athletes of Iraqi national teams.2. Identifying the level of personal trait for the athletes of Iraqi national teams.3. Identifying the relationship between sport value and personal traits for the athletes of Iraqi national teams.The research use the descriptive approach. The sample of study was (734) Olympic and non-Olympic Games athletes, the study instrument was conducted on( 120) athletes selected from some different sports.In light of the research results, the researchers concluded that:1.The athletes of Iraqi national teams enjoy high positive sport values.2.The athletes of Iraqi national teams enjoy high positive personal trait .3.There is apositive correlation between sport value and personal traits among the athletes of Iraqi teams.&#x0D; &#x0D;

The Acute and Long-Term Effects of Olympic Karate Kata Training on Structural and Functional Changes in the Body Posture of Polish National Team Athletes.

The aim of this study was to assess the acute and long-term effects of karate kata training on body posture (range of motion (ROM)) and musculoskeletal pain in elite karate athletes. Twelve kata athletes from the Polish national team participated in the study. A cross-sectional study protocol was used, with direct participatory observation (NMQ-7/6 questionnaire, spinal curvatures and spinal ROM testing, ROM of joints) and natural experiment (225 min of kata training) methods of assessment. Age and number of weekly kata sessions were found to correlate with ROM of the lumbar spine (R = (-0.6), p < 0.05). High increase in the prevalence of lumbar hypolordosis and posterior pelvic tilt was noted after karate training sessions. ROM of the inclination in the sagittal plane differed significantly between the first and second trials, by 10.0 degrees on average. Kata stances and their movement pattern seem to be related to the occurrence of disturbances in the ROM of the internal and external rotations of the hip joints and decreased depth of the lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, and their ROM. The locations of the long-term musculoskeletal complaints (NMQ-6) seem to result from compensatory changes that occur in the musculoskeletal structures as a result of elite-level kata training.