Athletes Of Various Sports Research Articles

Sportsman’s employment contract: problematic issues and prospects for their solution

Individual contractual regulation, which reflects the real needs of the development of relations between an employee-athlete and an employer-sports organization, plays an important role in regulating the labor activities of athletes. Thus, the employment contract concluded with an athlete contains a number of conditions that objectively and significantly individualize his work, i.e. conditions inherent only to this category of employees. Moreover, it enshrines differential conditions for each specifically defined employee­athlete. The purpose of the article is to consider the specifics of the labor contract concluded between an employee-athlete and an employer­sports organization. It was concluded that the labor relations of a professional athlete should be regulated precisely by the norms of labor law and a special law on professional sports, which regulates the entire complex of relations between the state and participants in professional sports, although today there are opinions that the work of professional athletes should be provided with the help of civil - legal regulation. It is noted that, as of today, the main national law in the field of sports - the Law «On physical culture and sports» dated 12.24.1993 concerns only the general foundations of activities in the field of physical culture and sports, at the same time, it does not even contain an acceptable definition of such a concept as «labor contract with a professional athlete». Therefore, it is proposed to supplement the specified Law with a norm to provide for the definition of an employment contract with a professional athlete. In particular, as an employment agreement between an employee­athlete and an employer-sports organization with all appendices, changes and additions, concluded in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine, on the basis of which labor relations arise regarding the preparation and participation of the athlete in competitions for a monetary reward paid by the club. At the same time, in addition to defining and enshrining at the legislative level the concept of an athlete’s employment contract, the proposal to develop a standard form of contract with athletes of various sports was supported, the development of which should be based on the main directions of the joint sports activities of the athlete and the sports organization, which directly consists in the preparation athlete to a successful performance at competitions.

Physical Activity, Fitness, and Long-Term Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Observational studies have demonstrated an increased amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk among professional athletes in various sports. For moderately increased levels of physical activity and fitness, the results are diverging. Through a cohort study, we aimed to assess the relationship between indicators of physical activity and fitness (self-reported physical activity and resting heart rate) and long-term ALS risk. From a large Norwegian cardiovascular health survey (1985-1999), we collected information on self-reported physical activity in leisure time, resting heart rate, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with ALS were identified through health registries covering the whole population. We fitted Cox proportional hazard models to assess the risk of ALS according to levels of self-reported physical activity in 3 categories (1: sedentary; 2: minimum 4 hours per week of walking or cycling; 3: minimum 4 hours per week of recreational sports or hard training), and resting heart rate modeled both on the continuous scale and as quartiles of distribution. Out of 373,696 study participants (mean 40.9 [SD 1.1] years at inclusion), 504 (41.2% women) developed ALS during a mean follow-up time of 27.2 (SD 5.0) years. Compared with participants with the lowest level of physical activity, the hazard ratio was 0.71 (95% CI 0.53-0.95) for those with the highest level. There were no clear associations between resting heart rate and ALS in the total sample. In men, the hazard ratio of ALS was 0.71 (95% CI 0.53-0.95) for those reporting moderate levels of physical activity and 0.59 (95% CI 0.42-0.84) for those reporting high levels, compared with those reporting low levels. Men with resting heart rate in the lowest quartile had 32% reduced risk of ALS (hazard ratio 0.68, 95% CI 0.49-0.94) compared with those in the second highest quartile. In women, no association was detected between neither self-reported levels of physical activity nor resting heart rate and ALS risk. Indicators of high levels of physical activity and fitness are associated with a reduced risk of ALS more than 30 years later in men, but not in women.

Characterization of the competitive strength of men's artistic gymnastics in China

Introduction and purpose：The 2022 National Gymnastics Championships men's artistic gymnastics competition was examined and analyzed in order to assess the competitive strength of China's men's artistic gymnastics under the new regulations. The analysis included a review of China's men's artistic gymnastics problems and current performance status, as well as suggestions for strengthening the sport. Materials and methods:Using the literature method—searching and analyzing through the CNKI, WOS, library, and other databases—as well as the observation method and mathematical and statistical techniques for statistical analysis of the athletes competing in the various regions and units, as well as field research and study methods involving video and on-site game observation—first-hand information was obtained for this paper's theoretical support. Conclusions: men's artistic gymnastics in China is not developing regionally, with strong regions in the south and weak regions in the north, as well as strong and weak regions in the east and west;These disparities in the sport's development also affect athletes' overall competitive strength, with athletes in various sports having wide disparities in their scores and failing to create a supportive environment for competition, particularly in individual all-around , pommel horse, rings, and horizontal bars projects;Additionally, China's men's artistic gymnastics athletes' age structure needs to be further optimized. It is necessary to continue executing the preparatory plan of mending the short boards and strengthening the strong items.

Функциональные резервы адаптации двигательной системы спортсменов с позиций физиолого-биомеханического подхода

Human adaptation to physical activity is manifested through mobilization of functional reserves. The purpose of this study was to provide a scientific and experimental substantiation of the adaptation of functional reserves of the motor system in athletes to specific sports activities from the standpoint of the physiological and biomechanical approach. Materials and methods. The study involved 704 elite athletes doing various sports. Reaction time was determined using the hardware and software package “Sports Psychophysiologist”. Stabilometric parameters were analysed using stabilometric platforms with the Smart BTS Motion System (BTS Bioengineering, Italy); the static analysis test protocol was applied. Electromyographic and biomechanical (kinematic and dynamic) movement control was performed using the Smart BTS Motion System as well. Functional reserves of the motor system were studied in line with the existing ideas about the components of the human body’s physiological reserves activated when doing sports. The following were evaluated: sensory systems (sensorimotor reactions, vestibular stability), movement control (stabilography, kinematics, dynamics), regulation of homeostasis, and implementation of activity (neuromuscular system). Results. We found that both single (in respect of urgent adaptation: an increase in voltage, optimization of kinematics and dynamics during a weightlifting snatch) and systematic (as regards long-term adaptation: improvement in reaction time and vestibular stability in athletes of various sports) training sessions involving maximum strength, power and speed contribute to the activation of the relevant sensory systems, central nervous system and muscular system, which form the basis of the motor system and increase its functionality as a whole.

Essential elements of physical fitness analysis in male adolescent athletes using machine learning.

Physical fitness (PF) includes various factors that significantly impacts athletic performance. Analyzing PF is critical in developing customized training methods for athletes based on the sports in which they compete. Previous approaches to analyzing PF have relied on statistical or machine learning algorithms that focus on predicting athlete injury or performance. In this study, six machine learning algorithms were used to analyze the PF of 1,489 male adolescent athletes across five sports, including track & field, football, baseball, swimming, and badminton. Furthermore, the machine learning models were utilized to analyze the essential elements of PF using feature importance of XGBoost, and SHAP values. As a result, XGBoost represents the highest performance, with an average accuracy of 90.14, an area under the curve of 0.86, and F1-score of 0.87, demonstrating the similarity between the sports. Feature importance of XGBoost, and SHAP value provided a quantitative assessment of the relative importance of PF in sports by comparing two sports within each of the five sports. This analysis is expected to be useful in analyzing the essential PF elements of athletes in various sports and recommending personalized exercise methods accordingly.

Hope for success as a mediator between Big Five personality traits and achievement goal orientation among high performance and recreational athletes.

The main objective of this study was to determine whether hope for success mediates the relationship between personality and goal orientation in high performance and recreational athletes. The cross-sectional study included 289 high performance and recreational athletes of various sports (age: M = 20.34, SD = 1.86). To examine personality, we used the Big Five IPIP-BFM-20 questionnaire. To assess hope for success, we used the Hope for Success Questionnaire. The Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) was employed to examine goal orientation. Hope for success significantly mediates the relationships between conscientiousness, extraversion, emotional stability, intellect, and task goal orientation in sport. Higher levels of these personality traits are related to athletes' higher hope for success, which, in turn, is positively related to their task orientation. Personality traits may underpin the hope for success that develops from childhood. This, in turn, appears to be an important component on which, combined with the positive interaction and support from coaches, a task goal orientation beneficial to sport can be shaped in athletes.

Assessment of Motor Fitness Metrics among Athletes in Different Sports: An Original Research

Background. Motor fitness is one of the keys to athletes’ success and is the initial factor mixed with game-specific technique and tactics that has an impact on game performance. All athletes should incorporate these elements into their sport and game actions. Study purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in motor fitness metrics among university-level male athletes participating in various sports. Materials and methods. Sixty (60) male athletes, ranging in age from 18 to 25 years, were selected from six different sports: Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Handball, and Volleyball. Each group consisted of 10 athletes who had competed at the inter-university level. The research focused on six key fitness metrics: agility, speed, power, arm strength, abdominal muscle strength, and cardiovascular endurance. Appropriate testing methods and instruments were used to measure these parameters. Statistical analysis, including one-way ANOVA and post hoc LSD tests, was performed to identify significant differences between the groups. A significance level of 0.05 was set for the study. Results. The results showed statistically significant differences among the groups in agility (F(5,54) = 4.776, p<0.001), speed (F(5,54) = 5.602, p<0.000), and cardiovascular endurance (F(5,54) = 3.578, p<0.007). However, no significant differences were observed for power (F(5,54) = 2.079, p>0.082), arm strength (F(5,54) = 1.368, p>0.251), and abdominal muscle strength (F(5,54) = 1.947, p>0.102). According to the post hoc (LSD) test findings, each group’s agility, speed, and cardiovascular endurance parameters were compared to each other to check the significance level. Conclusions. In summary, the study has revealed that agility, speed, and cardiovascular endurance were significantly different among athletes in various sports, whereas power, arm strength, and abdominal muscle strength were not. The findings suggest that athletes and coaches should prioritize sport-specific fitness components to improve game performance.

Mental Health in Elite Athletes: A Systematic Review of Suicidal Behaviour as Compared to the General Population.

Previous systematic reviews on mental health in athletes have found athletes to be at a potentially increased risk for mental health diagnoses compared to the public. Multiple cross-sectional studies have examined suicide behaviour within different athlete populations, but there is a need for a comprehensive review to synthesize and identify risk factors and epidemiology regarding suicide behaviour in the elite athlete population, especially as it compares to the general population. A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science from 1990 to January 2023. Inclusion criteria included original peer-reviewed research articles examining suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, or suicide completion within elite athlete populations. Exclusion criteria included athletes participating in high-school or Paralympic level sports, studies that did not report results regarding elite athletes and non-athletes separately, and non-peer reviewed work. All studies were screened for inclusion by two independent reviewers. The primary outcome variables extracted from included studies included rates, risk factors, and protective factors for suicide behaviour. The study quality and risk of bias was evaluated for each study using the Joanna-Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Of the 875 unique studies identified, 22 studies, all of which were cross-sectional in nature, met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies evaluated previous athletes, 13 studies evaluated current athletes, and two studies included a combination of previous and current athletes. Seven studies involved varsity college athletes, nine involved professional athletes of various sports, and six focused on international or Olympic level athletes. The rate of suicidal ideation in professional athletes ranged from 6.9 to 18% across four studies, while the rate in collegiate athletes ranged from 3.7 to 6.5% across three studies. Ten studies compared athletes to the general population, the majority of which found athletes to be at reduced risk of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide completion. Only one study found athletes to have increased rates of suicide compared to matched non-athletes. Risk factors for suicide behaviour identified across multiple studies included male sex, non-white race, older age, and depression. Player position, athletic level, sport played, and injuries showed trends of having limited effect on suicide behaviour risk. This review suggests that elite athletes generally demonstrate reduced risk of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide completion compared to the general population. Coaches should remain aware of specific factors, such as male sex, non-white race, and higher athletic level, in order to better identify at-risk athletes. Limitations of this review include the heterogeneity in the methodology and athlete populations across the included studies. Therefore, future targeted research is essential to compare suicide behaviour between sports and identify sport-specific suicide risk factors. PROSPERO Registration: CRD42023395990.

Investigating the Relationship between Somatotype and Temperament (Mizaj) in Non-athletic Male Students

Introduction: Somatotype is one of the effective factors in predicting the success of athletes in various sports. Somatotype can be a determining factor in individual differences. In traditional Iranian medicine, the relationship between people’s temperaments (Mizaj) on the one hand and their physical structure and physiological and psychological performance on the other has been discussed. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between somatotype and Mizaj in male non-athlete university students in Mashhad. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on male students at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in the winter of 2016. The sample consisted of 200 individuals who were divided into four groups of 50 people based on their Mizaj: warm and wet, warm and dry, cold and wet, and cold and dry. The relationship between the Mizaj index and somatotype was investigated using the Eta correlation coefficient method. Data analysis and hypothesis testing were tested in SPSS software version 21 with a significance level of p ≥ 0.05. Results: Statistical results showed that the Eta correlation coefficient between the endomorphic type and Mizaj was 0.89. The results of one-way analysis of variance showed that cold and wet Mizaj had a significantly higher endomorphic score than other types of Mizaj (4.91±0.58) (P=0.001). Moreover, the correlation coefficient of Eta between mesomorphic type and Mizaj was 0.924. It was also found that the warm and wet Mizaj had the significantly highest mesomorphic score (5.12±0.49). The correlation coefficient of Eta between ectomorphic type and Mizaj was 0.946 (P=0.001), and cold and dry Mizaj had the significantly highest ectomorphic score compared to other types of Mizaj (4.83±0.45). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there was a significant relationship between Mizaj and the body type of young men. Therefore, since the structure of a person’s body type can be a predictor of success in any of the various sports, Mizaj can be used to determine a person’s athletic talent.

Evaluating the performance of athletes in various sports using data mining and big data analytics

Evaluating the performance of athletes in various sports using data mining and big data analytics

Athlete anxiety questionnaire: the development and validation of a new questionnaire for assessing the anxiety, concentration and self-confidence of athletes.

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent issues among athletes. Therefore, measuring the stress caused by high-stakes situations could be important for investigating the issue. In sports psychology literature, no valid and reliable questionnaire is available in Hungarian for assessing the anxiety experienced by athletes in high-stakes situations. This study aimed to create a new Hungarian questionnaire to measure anxiety, self-confidence, and concentration during high-stakes contests. 263 athletes of various sports participated in the cross-sectional study (age: 16.18 ± 3.46 years). The structure of the Anxiety Athletes Questionnaire (AAQ) was examined through factor analysis, where exploratory factor analysis (EFA) as well as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were carried out. The internal consistency of the subscales of AAQ was measured by Cronbach's alpha. Through a convergent validity test, the AAQ questionnaire was compared to the subscales of the CSAI-2 and ACSI-28 questionnaire subscales by Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Through a discriminant validity analysis, the differences by age group, sex, and sport variables were examined by AAQ scores. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were utilized in the analysis. The SPSS 28.0 software was used for the statistical analysis, and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Four factors have been identified through the EFA. The CFA analysis showed the four-factor model an acceptable model fit (SRMR, RMSEA CFI, TLI). Cronbach's alpha of the four subscales showed acceptable internal consistency (cognitive anxiety: α = 0.871; somatic anxiety: α = 0.700; self-confidence: α = 0.832; concentration: α = 0.747). The convergent validity showed a weak or moderate, significant relationship between AAQ subscales and subscales of CSAI and ACSI (R = -0.398-0.412). The Athlete Anxiety Questionnaire can be considered a reliable and valid measurement tool for measuring athletes' anxiety, self-confidence and concentration in high-stakes situations.

Interplay between genetic polymorphisms and psychological status of athletes in various sports

Interplay between genetic polymorphisms and psychological status of athletes in various sports

Sports Motivation, Its Psychological Aspects and Ways to Increase Students’ Motivation

The monograph is devoted to the issues of the essence of sports motivation, its main psychological aspects, as well as the choice of ways to improve it among students of modern educational institutions of various profiles. It summarises the experience of studying a wide range of problematic aspects of the development of motivational factors among athletes of various sports, as well as among students of higher and secondary educational institutions actively involved in sports and physical culture. This monograph is of practical interest to coaches and specialists in the field of sports psychology, whose immediate responsibilities include the psychological support of athletes, the provision of advice at all stages of the training process, as well as psychological assistance in case of problems of a drop in the level of sports motivation.

Moral decision-making attitude and psychological well-being: reflections from various sports branches

Background Study Aim. This study aimed to investigate the impact of moral decision-making attitudes among athletes in various sports on their psychological well-being. Material and Methods. A total of 345 active, licensed athletes (also students) participated in this study, with a mean age of 19.62 years (215 females and 130 males). The sports represented included athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, fencing, football, wrestling, handball, hockey, judo, kickboxing, table tennis, taekwondo, wheelchair basketball, volleyball, and swimming. In addition to descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses were conducted within the framework of a relational model. Results. The study revealed significant relationships between different sub-dimensions of the moral decision-making attitude scale and psychological well-being. Specifically, a significant negative relationship (r = -0.162, p &lt; 0.001) was observed between adopting cheating, a sub-dimension of the moral decision-making attitude scale, and psychological well-being. Conversely, a significant positive relationship (r = 0.158, p &lt; 0.001) was found between protecting fair competition, another sub-dimension of the moral decision-making attitude scale, and psychological well-being. It was determined that adopting cheating had a significantly negative effect on psychological well-being (β = -0.188, p &lt; 0.001), while protecting fair competition had a positive effect (β = 0.183, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions. This study suggests that athletes experience a negative impact on their psychological well-being when they engage in cheating as part of their moral decision-making attitudes. Conversely, their psychological well-being benefits from their commitment to fair competition. It can be argued that athletes' moral responsibilities contribute to their psychological resilience and well-being.

Anthropometric features and functional state of the cardiovascular system in qualified athletes of various sports

Aim. To assess the anthropometric characteristics and functional state of the cardiovascular system in qualified athletes of various sports.Material and methods. A total of 136 male athletes were examined. Qualified athletes (n=116) (age, 22,07±4,10 years, sports experience 9,56±3,08 years) were divided into groups: I (n=30) — wrestling, judo, II (n=27) — cross-country skiing, biathlon, III (n=33) — powerlifting, IV (n=26) — volleyball. Control group (n=20) consisted of those training less than 3 years. We performed anthropometry with assessment of body height and weight, chest circumference, body surface area, body mass index (BMI), Pignet index, Erisman index, grip and back strength test. Echocardiography, cycle ergometry with assessment of physical working capacity (PWC170) and maximum oxygen consumption (MOC). The relationship between traits was assessed using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (rs). Critical significance level was p=0,05.Results. According to echocardiography, qualified athletes had significant differences in structural parameters. Group II was characterized by an increase in left ventricular (LV) volumetric dimensions and identified correlations of BMI and body surface area with end-diastolic dimension (r=0,602), end-diastolic volume (r=0,591), end-systolic volume (ESV) (r=0,429), stroke volume (r=0,597), PWC170 (r=0,550). Groups I and III were characterized by an increase in LV posterior wall (LVPWT) and interventricular septal (IVST) thickness. In group I, there was a relationship between body surface area and LVPWT (r=0,413); Pignet index with MOC (r=0,623); PWC170 with Erisman index (r=0,573), strength of the right (r=0,610) and left hand (r=0,515), back muscles (r=0,445). Group III had the highest BMI and body surface area, while relationships were identified with LVPWT (r=0,426), IVST (r=0,409), LV mass (LVM) (r=0,453), and back muscle strength (r=0,464); the Erisman index correlated with LVM index (r=0,359). In group IV, the parameters of height, body weight and body surface area are interrelated with LVM (r=0,731), LVPWT (r=0,523), IVST (r=0,399), ESV (r=0,504), end-systolic dimension (r=0,467), right hand strength (r=0,583).Conclusion. The relationships established by correlation analysis showed that anthropometric features are important components and criteria for assessing cardiac hemodynamics function in qualified athletes, depending on the type of sport and the duration of training, which must be taken into account when achieving sports results.

NEGOSIASI BUDAYA DALAM OLAHRAGA (Studi Kasus Atlet Berhijab Figure skating Pertama Uni Emirat Arab)

The phenomenon of hijab is creating more and more space for consideration. The use of hijab among female athletes in various sports is increasing. This research discusses the clothing performance of Zahra Lari, a figure skating athlete from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Figure skating is a sport performed by dancing on ice with tight clothing attached to the athlete's body. This type of tight-fitting clothing is aerodynamic and lightweight to make it easier for athletes to move without feeling overloaded. Zahra Lari was the first female athlete to wear the hijab at the 2012 European Cup Winter Championships in Italy. Zahra Lari received a deduction in the competition due to her unusual use of the hijab. The deduction made Zahra Lari appeal to the International Skating Union (ISU), because she felt unfairly treated. The appeal was eventually accepted by the ISU and since then many figure skating athletes have worn the hijab in various competitions. Zahra Lari's efforts to negotiate the figure skating clothing model with the addition of hijab is the focus of this research. This research aims to explain how Zahra Lari negotiates culture in order to be accepted to compete in international figure skating competitions without leaving her attitude and worldview in dressing. This research uses a qualitative method. Data collection techniques were carried out by studying English-language media and remote interviews. Interviews were conducted with Zahra Lari as the main informant. Interviews were also conducted with a figure skating coach in Kuwait and a Kuwaiti national figure skating athlete. The results showed that Zahra Lari's cultural negotiation had an impact on cultural harmonisation in figure skating.

Portuguese Olympic and Paralympic athletes’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Tokyo-2020 Olympic Games

ABSTRACT For the first time in history, the Olympic Games were postponed due to the dissemination of the new coronavirus, which has physically and psychologically affected all involved in sports. Understanding how Olympic and Paralympic athletes experienced this crisis was of utmost importance in this context. The current article aimed to explore the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Portuguese Olympic and Paralympic athletes, focusing on their perceptions and emotions. Therefore, using a qualitative methodology, data were collected through semi-structured online interviews with 15 athletes (M = 29,9 ± 5,5 years) from both sexes (n male = 9), including 13 Olympic athletes and two Paralympic athletes of various sports. Overall, the content analysis suggested that participants had multiple perceptions regarding the postponement, which impacted their social and personal life and their sports careers, affecting both training and competition. More importantly, results seem to suggest that although the postponement of the Olympic Games negatively affected athletes, it was also perceived as an opportunity for growth and development. Regarding emotional reactions, athletes reported more negatively-toned emotions, especially anxiety, while also mentioning positively-toned emotions. This one-time event created an opportunity to study the situation from the athletes’ points of view. The results reassure the individual, dynamic, and complex nature of athletes’ experience. Findings may also provide important cues to help athletes and sports agents deal with other stressful events, regardless of their level of competition.

Poster 384: Inequalities in the Evaluation of Male vs. Female Athletes in Sports Medicine Research: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Female sport participation has steadily increased over the past several decades; however, inequalities still exist regarding participation rates, social norms, and available resources. It is possible that inequalities between male and female athletes extend beyond the performance of sport and into medical research. Therefore, the purposes of this systematic review were to 1) compare the number of published studies evaluating male vs. female athletes in various sports, and 2) identify which co-ed sports currently under-represent female athletes in the sports medicine literature. Methods: All non-review research studies published from 2017-2021 in six top sports medicine journals were considered for inclusion. Only sports medicine studies that isolated athletes, reported study outcomes specific to male and/or female patients, provided study outcomes for specific sport(s), and evaluated three or fewer different sports, were included. The total number of studies reporting on male and/or female athletes were compared for all sports, and odds ratios (OR) were calculated. Comparisons of study design, level of sport participation, outcomes assessed, and study quality were also made based on subject sex. Results: Overall, 669 studies were included the systematic review. Most of the included studies isolated male athletes (70.7%), while 8.8% isolated female athletes and 20.5% included both male and female athletes. Female athletes were more frequently studied in softball and volleyball, while male athletes were more commonly researched in baseball, soccer, American football, basketball, rugby, hockey, and Australian football. Notably, male athletes were largely favored in baseball/softball (91% vs. 5%, OR=18.2), rugby (72% vs. 5%, OR=14.4), soccer (65% vs. 15%, OR=4.3), and basketball (58% vs. 18%, OR=3.2). Conclusions: Sports medicine research has favored the evaluation of male athletes in most sports, including the majority of co-ed sports. Potential reasons for this inequality of research evaluation include availability of public and database data, financial and promotional incentive, a high percentage of sports medicine clinicians and researchers being male, and sex biases in sport. While the causes of these differences are multi-faceted, researchers should consider both sexes for study inclusion whenever possible and journals should support a more balanced representation of research publications regarding male and female athletes.

The effects of sport, setting, and demographics on sunscreen use and education in young athletes

ABSTRACT Participation in outdoor sports increases exposure to ultraviolet radiation, necessitating mitigation through sunscreen use. This prospective study examined the effects of sport, setting (practice vs. competition), gender, age and geographic location on sunscreen use and education among youth athletes in various sports. Six hundred and twelve athletes ≤18 years old completed an online survey on sunscreen education and use during competitions and practices. Regardless of sport, reported sunscreen use was higher during practices than competition (p < 0.0001). Sunscreen was used most by swimmers/divers (odds ratio: OR ≥ 1.9, p < 0.001) and least by American football players (OR ≤ 0.57, p ≤ 0.001). Coaches mentioned sunscreen use the most in track and field (OR 1.84, p = 0.001) and the least in American football (OR 0.67, p = 0.03). Athletes used sunscreen more if they were female (OR ≥ 1.9 1.38, p ≤ 0.06) and younger (age OR ≤ 0.88, p < 0.001). In conclusion, youth athletes differ in sunscreen use by sport and setting, highlighting the need for continued photoprotective education.

Efficiency of competitive activities in cybersports and factors affecting it

The prospects for the development of e-sports as a modern sport are very great. At the current stage, more and more different segments of the population are involved in this sport. Therefore, there is a need for a detailed study of the effectiveness of competitive activity. In the process of research, it was found that the sports training of cyber athletes for competitive activities is subject to the general laws and principles of sports training. In the process of training cyber athletes/e-athletes (вибeри необхідне), theoretical, physical, technical, tactical, psychological, and integrative types of training are distinguished, and each type has its own specificity, which is determined by the nature of the athlete's interaction with the virtual environment.&#x0D; Competitive activity in sports involves the demonstration and evaluation of the capabilities of athletes in various sports in accordance with their inherent rules, the content of motor actions, methods of competitive combat and evaluation of results. At the same time, competitive activity has a significant impact on the athlete's body, due to its extreme movement modes (maximum speed of movements and actions; manifestation of maximum strength, endurance; coordination complexity of actions with elements of risk, etc.), neuro-emotional tension, stressful effects, etc. connected with the social status of competitions, their prestige, etc. Therefore, in recent years, much more attention has been paid to studying the patterns of competitive activity.&#x0D; The key factors for the effectiveness of an e-athlete in competitive activities are good knowledge of tournament competitions and deep knowledge of the current game, love for the game, psychological stability, the right attitude to winning and losing, technical skill, ability to adapt, knowledge or ability to other games of similar kind, and skills for assessing the situation.&#x0D; Preparation for competitive activities in e-sports should be considered as a "metagame", i.e., a certain "fashion" that has developed in the current period in the discipline.