Competitive Athletes Research Articles

An investigation on the application of exercise biomechanics in competitive wushu routine training

Abstract Combining the athletes’ wushu jumping action data from the perspective of sports biomechanics, forming a finite element model based on finite element analysis of the landing speed of wushu jumping action on the landing stability correction finite element model, solving the different heights, can not be difficult to land the PvGRF of the wushu action, the use of kinematics sensitive indexes to diagnose the difficulty of competitive wushu sets of action. Measure the movement data of wushu athletes’ spinning foot 720° catching horse stance movement, and analyze the swing changes and rotational angular velocities of various body segments in the assisted jumping phase and the aerial movement phase. A core stability training method was proposed and tested during a 12-week training period, and an index test of balance was conducted. The results of the balance index test of the wushu athletes showed that after the core stability training, the static right foot standing index was 179.55±196.35, which formed a significant difference with the pre-training period, P<0.05. The combination of core stability and sports biomechanics can improve the completion of difficult movements in the movement training of competitive wushu athletes.

Research Progress on Authentic Leadership and Athletes' Training and Competition Satisfaction

Research Progress on Authentic Leadership and Athletes' Training and Competition Satisfaction

A study on the relationship and path between mental health and burnout of Chinese athletes.

This study aims to explore the relationship and influencing pathways between mental health indicators and athlete burnout among Chinese competitive athletes. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 501 elite Chinese athletes from several national and provincial sports teams. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to measure anxiety, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ- 9) was used to measure depression, Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) was used to measure perceived stress, and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) was used to measure burnout. The results were derived using reliability testing, descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and structural equation modeling. The following results were obtained: (a) the clinical detection rates of anxiety and depression in this sample were within normal levels, but the detection rate of perceived stress (78.64%) was relatively high; (b) all three mental health indicators were significantly correlated with athlete burnout; (c) in our model, there was a direct path with APSQ directly contributing to 69.95% of the variance in athlete burnout, and two indirect paths with APSQ exerting an indirect effect through depression or/and anxiety accounting for 30.05% of the variance. The findings revealed the psychological characteristics of Chinese competitive athletes and the direct and indirect effects of the APSQ on burnout. Future research should actively promote the international development and application of burnout assessment tools, conduct more comprehensive studies on athlete mental health monitoring, and intensify efforts in athlete education, treatment, and support services, as well as strategies for athlete's coping stress.

Influence of Regular Physical Activity on Sleep.

Good sleep and adequate physical activity are essential to health. Yet, large numbers of people are chronically deficient in sleep and physical activity. About 1 in 3 Americans get less than 7h of sleep per night and only 1 of 4 adults regularly complete weekly physical activity in amounts recommended for good health. This chapter reviews research that has examined relationships between regular physical activity and sleep. The overall weight of evidence supports that regular physical activity is associated with better sleep quality among healthy adults, with epidemiological studies showing moderate-sized effects and more well-controlled randomized controlled trial experiments often showing larger effects. Large epidemiology studies suggest that the relationship between regular physical activity and better sleep quality may partially mediate the well-established associations between physical activity and reduced risk of mortality, cardiovascular diseases, and dementia. There is evidence that the completion of regular physical activity also is associated with better sleep quality among those with certain sleep disorders (i.e., insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome), mentalhealth disorders (i.e., depression and posttraumatic stress disorder), and medical illnesses (i.e., breast cancer survivors). The evidence is inadequate to support that regular physical activity substantially improves sleep quality either (i) in children, adolescents, and older adults, (ii) in those with cancers except for breast cancer, (iii) in those with fibromyalgia, or (iv) among those with chronic kidney disease. Also, there is inadequate evidence to conclude that sleep quality is disrupted during weeks when competitive athletes engage in periods of overtraining.

Analyzing The Reliability And Validity Of Talent Identification Practices For Athletes: An Adaptation Study

In nations like Ethiopia, talent identification is vital for fostering competitive athletes by pinpointing individuals with promising potential and guiding their development through specialized programs.The aim of this study was to assess the significance and relevance of the reliability and validity of talent identification in Ethiopian athletes for an adaptation study.A descriptive survey method was employed. Five public clubs were purposefully sampled, with 156 athletes randomly selected from a total of 257. Data were collected using the talent identification questionnaire (TIQ), revealing a reliability value of 0.808 (r) in a pilot study conducted to ascertain the scientific authenticity of the adapted questionnaire. Hypotheses were tested at a significance level of 0.05.The original TIQ has five dimensions, namely: anthropometry (ANTH), sociological predictor (SP), physiological predictor (PHYP), psychological predictor (PSYP), and technical skill predictor (TSP). The mean and standard deviation values for each dimension were 4.14±0.96; 3.78±1.05; 4.18±0.74; 4.47±0.76; and 4.28±0.76, respectively. Thereafter factor analysis was performed result increased from five to six dimensions, among six dimensions, five dimensions were hybrid whereas one dimensions are independent, and the factors were named: i) SP, PSYP, and TSP; ii) ANTH and PHYP; iii) SP and PSYP; iv) PSYP and TSP; v) SP and PSYP; vi) PSYP. Mean and standard deviation values of eachdimension were 3.87±1.06 (p<0.000), 4.21±0.85 (p<0.001), 3.98±1.15 (p<0.000), 4.02±1.08 (p<0.002), 3.83±1.23 (p<0.001), and 4.31±0.76 (p<0.000), respectively.The study considered questions regarding data reduction, feasibility, validation, and reliability of Ethiopian adaptations of TIQ. The analysis indicated enhanced reliability (test-retest) for the Ethiopian adaptation along with significant factor loadings (ranged from .745 to .863) as compared to the original TI(.621 to .726). Ethiopian adaptation of TI correlation increased (range: 0.194 to .890**) surpassing the original range (.134 to .873*). Cronbach's alpha improved from r = .879 to r = .885, affirming future validity in the Ethiopian population.In summary, the study recommends the consideration of Ethiopian adaptations for all purposes with sufficient construct validity based on the improved reliability and internal consistency observed in the adaptation compared to the original version of TIQ.

Explicit and indirect, latency-based measure of aggression in striking combat sports.

Aggression in sports is often perceived as a necessary trait for success, especially in martial arts. Aggression can be assessed both explicitly and implicitly, taking into account the dual processing model. The purpose of the research was to examine explicit and indirect, latency-based measure of aggression in competitive athletes practicing striking combat sports, according to gender and sports performance. At the same time, we verified whether aggression (implicit/unconscious and explicit) predicts sports performance in martial artists. A total of 85 athletes practicing striking combat sports took part in the research. For implicit, latency-based measure of aggression, an Implicit Associations Test (IAT) was used, while explicit aggression was assessed with the Romanian adaptation of the Makarowski's Aggression Questionnaire for martial arts athletes. Data analysis revealed (using multivariate analysis of variance) that athletes from striking combat sports having international sports performances registered significantly higher D-scores (IAT, p = 0.014) and lower values for Go-ahead factor (p = 0.006), compared to athletes without outstanding results. Goodman and Kruskal tau association test was used to check the existing associations between athletes' gender and martial arts athletes' level of explicit and implicit aggression. In addition, binomial logistic regression procedures were performed, predicting martial artists' likelihood to obtain higher sports results, based on explicit and indirect aggression. A stronger association between Aggression and Others (at implicit/unconscious level) and a moderate level (generally) for Go-ahead factor of explicit aggression are associated with an increased likelihood of sports performances in athletes. In addition, male martial arts athletes are more persistent despite obstacles, remaining more on the offensive (no gender-related association were found in terms of indirect/unconscious aggression, and for Foul Play and Assertiveness factors of explicit aggression). The study underlines the importance of addressing athletes' subconscious level to promote more constructive behaviors in competitions.

Strength-Based Therapy: Empowering Athletes' Self-Efficacy and Life Satisfaction

While it is known that focusing on positive attributes and capabilities can enhance psychological resilience, the specific effectiveness of strength-based therapy in improving self-efficacy and life satisfaction among athletes remains unexplored. By emphasizing positive attributes and capabilities, strength-based therapy aims to enhance athletes' psychological resilience and overall well-being, which are crucial in the highly competitive and physically demanding world of sports. Therefore, this study investigates the effectiveness of strength-based therapy in enhancing the self-efficacy and life satisfaction of athletes. The study used a quasi-experimental design with 50 competitive athletes aged 18-35. The methodology included an 8-week intervention focusing on leveraging individual strengths, goal setting, and resilience building. Outcomes were measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. To examine these differences, an analysis of variance with repeated measures, coupled with Bonferroni’s post-hoc test, was conducted using SPSS-26. Results indicated significant improvements in both self-efficacy and life satisfaction in the experimental group compared to the control group. The study concludes that strength-based therapy positively impacts athletes' psychological well-being, suggesting its potential for broader application in sports therapy.

Protecting Human Rights, Competitive Equity, and Sports Integrity in Binary Athletic Competition in a Nonbinary World

Protecting Human Rights, Competitive Equity, and Sports Integrity in Binary Athletic Competition in a Nonbinary World

Umetnik - olimpijac

From 1912 to 1948, eighteen hundred artists participated in art competitions within the Olympic Games. Art competitions were held at the following Olympic Games during the period from 1912 to 1948: Stockholm (1912), Antwerp (1920), Paris (1924), Amsterdam (1928), Los Angeles (1932), Berlin (1936), and London (1948). The introduction of art competitions at the Olympic Games was intended to integrate sport and art, spirit and body, and at the same time as a reminder of the cultural valuesand ideals represented in Ancient Greece. Prominent artists of that era served as judges for the artworks. The aim of this study is to present artistic disciplines from 1912 to 1948, to determine how many works of art, from which field of art, were inspired by sports events, primarily those related to the disciplines of athletic competitions of the analyzed period. A t t h e C u l t u r a l O l y m p i a d , from 1912 to 1948, the largest number of medals were awarded for paintings and graphic art (a total of 38 (applied graphics 5, drawings and watercolors 8, other graphic arts 9, paintings 16 medals)), sculpture (a total of 34 (10 medals awarded for medals, 3 for reliefs, and 21 for sculptures)), followed by literature (a total of 29 (dramatic works 1, epic works 9, literature - all kinds 11, lyrics 8 medals)), architecture (a total of 28 (architectural designs 12, designs for town planning 16)), music (a total of 17 (compositions for one instrument 2, compositions for orchestra of all kinds 7, compositions of songs for soloists or choir with or without instrumental accompaniment 4, music - all kinds 4)). When the number of medals awarded for artistic works inspired by athletic events is separated, the most are those from sculpture (7 medals), architecture (4 medals), painting and graphics (3 medals), literature (3 medals), music (1 medal).

Study on the Driving Factors and Optimization Path of Ice and Snow Athletics Entering the Cultivation of College Reserve Talents under the New Stage

Abstract In order to enhance China’s competitiveness in international ice and snow athletic competitions, this paper proposes a study on the cultivation of ice and snow athletic reserve talents supported by structural equation modeling. The initial selection of the driving factors for the cultivation of ice and snow athletic reserve talents is carried out by means of reviewing the information, and the driving factors for the cultivation model of ice and snow athletic reserve talents in a province are finally determined after expert selection, common factor extraction, and principal component analysis. The fitting index and covariance matrix were solved using the partial least squares method, and then the construction of the structural equation model was completed. Research data were obtained to empirically analyze the cultivation of ice and snow athletic talent reserves using the structural equation model. The results showed that the contribution of the academic training factor to the drivers of ice and snow competitive reserve talent cultivation was 0.891 for the path coefficient of Q6, 0.826 for the path coefficient of Q7, 0.848 for the path coefficient of Q9, and 0.914 for the path coefficient of Q10. This study provides a reference for solving real problems, such as the shortage of competitive ice and snow talents in China, which is of great significance for the strategic development of China’s sports industry.

Tingkat Kecemasan Atlet Pencak Silat PSHT Wida Menghadapi Pertandingan Kota Wali Championship Tahun 2023

Pencak silat is a traditional martial art native to Indonesia. Achievement. PSHT Wida is one of the hermitages in Ungaran that educates beginner martial artists to become accomplished martial artists. An athlete's achievement requires physical, technical, and mental readiness. Anxiety is an unpleasant emotion, such as feeling uncomfortable, confused, anxious, and characterized by worry, disclosure, and fear which is sometimes experienced in different levels and situations. This research aims to determine the anxiety level of Pencak silat athletes at PSHT Wida in facing the 2023 Kota Wali Championship competition. This research method uses quantitative description with a cross-sectional design. Data collection used interviews and questionnaires to measure athletes' anxiety levels using the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) anxiety instrument. The sample in this study was PSHT Wida athletes who took part in the Kota Wali Championship, totaling 15 athletes. The research results showed that the anxiety level of competition athletes in the low category was 6.7% (1 athlete), in the medium category 20% (3 athletes), and in the high category 73.3% (11 athletes). From the data results, it can be explained that the anxiety level of PSHT Wida athletes in competitions is in the high category.

High "fitness age" as a risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality.

The level of cardiorespiratory capacity, as measured by maximum VO(2)max oxygen consumption, is a significant factor related to the risk of metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease and other health disorders. A total cohort of 2901 examinations was divided into 5 groups according to the nature of physical activity: group A - endurance athletes, group B - team sports players, group C - other competitive athletes, group D - recreational leisure-time athletes, group E - people with health problems. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed according to the VO(2)max and METmax parameters found in the stress test on a bicycle ergometer. A gradually increased load until exhaustion was used. While in groups A to D cases that would be classified as NYHA 1 (METmax lower than 9) were quite rare (10 cases out of 2777, i.e. 0.3 %), in groups E it was 20 % in men (16 cases out of 82) and 52 % in women (23 cases out of 44) of those examined. Accordingly, fitness age in groups A, B and C generally corresponded to a lower age than the calendar age, in groups E of both men and women, fitness age was significantly higher compared to the calendar age. High fitness age represents a significant risk of morbidity in relation to non-communicable diseases and probably also a significant limitation of their quality of life in later age.

The effect of Clarke’s angle variability on the static and dynamic balance of different sports

Background: Flatfoot affects postural control by altering the biomechanics of the lower limb, sensory input, and proprioception. Poor static and dynamic balance can influence the physical performance of competitive sports athletes and increase the risk of lower limb injury. Footprint analysis using Clarke’s angle (CA) is easy to perform and has good diagnostic performance as an alternative flatfoot assessment for a large athlete population. Our study aims to determine the effect of CA variability on the static and dynamic balance of different sports using the one-leg stance (OLS) and star excursion balance test (SEBT). Methods: This is an analytic observational study with a retrospective cohort design. Medical record data from 209 athletes’ feet from 11 sports were collected to determine the subjects’ characteristics and research variables. Curve estimation and regression tests were performed to assess the effect of CA variability on the OLS and normalized reach distance of SEBT (NSEBT). Results: The mean CA of all athletes was 44.82±11.14o. The mean time of OLS of all athletes was 47.78±40.54 seconds. The least and the farthest average normalized reach distance was done in the anterolateral direction (79.06±11.88 %) and posterior direction (93.45±18.98 %). There is no effect of CA variability on the OLS of all sports, male and female athletes. There is an effect of CA variability on the OLS of Wushu athletes, also on the NSEBT of whole athletes (lateral, posterolateral, posterior, posteromedial directions; male athletes (posterolateral direction); female athletes (anteromedial direction); and different sports, includes athletic (anterolateral, lateral, posterolateral, posterior, posteromedial, medial, anteromedial direction); fencing (anterolateral direction); and running (anterolateral, lateral, posterior, posteromedial, medial, anteromedial, composite directions). Conclusion: Clarke’s angle variability significantly affects the static balance of Wushu athletes and the dynamic balance of athletes in athletics, fencing, and running.

Review of effects of respiratory muscle training on athlete performance

For a long time, the respiratory system plays an important role in athletes' training and competition, and its quality directly affects the athletes' competitive level and state. In particular, after the COVID-19 pandemic, many athletes have experienced a significant decline in respiratory function due to viral infection, which has led to a renewed understanding of the importance of respiratory function in athlete training. Furthermore, respiratory muscle training can be a key to improving respiratory function. This paper will review the effects of respiratory muscle training on athlete performance by means of comparative analysis. After analyzing and organizing 36 articles, it can be concluded that different functions of respiratory muscles can improve the sports performance of different types of athletes. Among them, the exercise of inspiratory muscles is the most important, even for athletes infected with COVID-19.

Trends in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Recovery in Professional Snowboarders: The Extreme Sport of Snowboardcross.

Introduction An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is a devastating injury for athletes that is predominantly low energy and non-contact in nature. ACL tears are one of the most well-researched injuries in sports, however, scant research has been done on competitive snowboarders.Boardercrossis a relatively new sport introduced to the Winter Olympics in 2006. Initially, it entailed four snowboarders racing head-to-head down a course of obstacles in a race to the finish, with the top two riders advancing to the next rounds. It has since expanded to six racers traveling up to 60 mph and jumps up to 100 feet in length in a head-to-head race to the finish. This extreme sport puts its athletes at risk for serious injury, requiring investigation. Purpose Investigate the prevalence of ACL tears in the extreme sport of boardercross, evaluate sport-specific factors that may put athletes at higher risk, and report return to sport data. Methods An expedited IRB approval was obtained. A survey was distributed to athletes via e-mail to national/regional coaches of countries with competitive boardercross teams. Professional coaches distributed the survey and secondarily distributed it to athletes. Results Sixty-six competitive snowboardcross athletes responded to the email surveys 48.5% of respondents had torn their ACL at least once in their career. Of the female respondents, 55.6% suffered at least one ACL tear, and 43.6% of male respondents suffered at least one ACL tear. 31.2% suffered more than one ACL tear during their career. Of those who tore their ACL, 91.3% (p <0.001) tore their front leg. 100.0% of the respondent athletes returned to sport post-ACL reconstruction. Conclusion Professional boardercross racers are at a higher risk of tearing their ACL than other winter sport athletes, including alpine skiers. A predominance of ACL injuries occurred on the front leg during landing from an aerial maneuver. All respondent athletes returned to the sport after injury, with approximately half returning within six months. Although no statistical significance was achieved, the data provided trends on risk factors related to ACL injuries among snowboardcross athletes.

Athletic competition between the states: The rapid spread of Name, Image, Likeness laws and why it matters for understanding policy diffusion

AbstractIn the study of the policy diffusion process, scholars have found that states adopt policies to remain competitive with one another over economic resources. But the rapid spread of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies, which treat college athletes as professionals, is not readily explained by economic competition nor other diffusion mechanisms. The NIL phenomenon points to a new dimension of competition between the states, which is more closely tied to states protecting or enhancing their reputations than it is to directly accruing economic resources. To test if NIL spread as the result of athletic reputation competition, we model the adoption of NIL legislation as a function of internal characteristics (i.e. number, value, and ranking of college football programs) and interstate dynamics (i.e. actions of football, conference, and Power 5 competitors). We test the effect of these measures alongside traditional diffusion indicators, finding that both internal and interstate indicators of athletic competition drive states to adopt and implement NIL. NIL is important to study as it has changed the landscape of amateur sports, as well as our scholarly understanding of policy diffusion in the American federal system, specifically broadening our conceptualization of the competition mechanism and developing customized measures of it.

Effect of boxers' social support on mental fatigue: Chain mediating effects of coach leadership behaviors and psychological resilience.

Athletic fatigue is an inescapable issue in competitive sports. It belongs to a physiological response that is triggered when competitive athletes are trained to a critical point. The study aims to explore the relationships involving boxers' social support, mental fatigue, coach leadership behaviors and psychological resilience. 1050 boxers were selected in several provinces across China and investigated on the basis of the Social Support Questionnaire for Athletes, Mental Fatigue Scale, Psychological Resilience Scale, and Leadership Scale for Sport. Boxers' social support was negatively correlated with mental fatigue and psychological resilience, while it was positively correlated with coach leadership behaviors. Apart from direct effects on mental fatigue, other impacts are imposed by boxers' social support via mediating effects such as coach leadership behaviors and psychological resilience. The total effect value was -0.18, the direct effect value was -0.08, and the indirect effect value was -0.12; furthermore, coach leadership behaviors and psychological resilience play a mediating role, accounting for 65.57% of the total. In order to alleviate the stress from intense competitive training and abate mental fatigue, competitive athletes may be encouraged in subsequent training to seek all-sided social support for social interpersonal relationships. While clarifying the mechanism how the external environment affects individuals, this paper explains the principle of social support on athletes' psychological fatigue and identifies mutual influences between coaches and athletes.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Wearable Satellite System Technology for Linear Sprint Profiling: Technological Innovations and Practical Applications.

Cormier, P, Meylan, C, Agar-Newman, D, Geneau, D, Epp-Stobbe, A, Lenetsky, S, and Klimstra, M. A systematic review and meta-analysis of wearable satellite system technology for linear sprint profiling: technological innovations and practical applications. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 405-418, 2024-An emerging and promising practice is the use of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology to profile team-sports athletes in training and competition. Therefore, the purpose of this narrative systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate the literature regarding satellite system sensor usage for sprint modeling and to consolidate the findings to evaluate its validity and reliability. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, an electronic search of the databases, PubMed and SPORTDiscus (EBSCO), was conducted. Concurrent validity and reliability studies were considered, and 16 studies were retained for the review from the initial 1,485 studies identified. The effects on outcomes were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs, Cohen's d ) for each outcome (i.e., maximal sprint speed [MSS], the acceleration constant [τ], maximal theoretical velocity [ V0 ], relative force [ F0 ], and relative power [P max ]). Effect magnitudes represented the SMD between GNSS-derived and criterion-derived (i.e., radar and laser) and resulted in the following estimates: small for MSS ( d = 0.22, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.42), τ ( d = -0.18, 95% CI -0.60 to 0.23), V0 ( d = 0.14, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.36), relative F0 ( d = 0.15, 95% CI -0.25 to 0.55), and relative P max ( d = 0.21, 95% CI -0.16 to 0.58). No publication bias was identified in meta-analyzed studies and moderator analysis revealed that several factors (sampling rate and sensor manufacturer) influenced the results. Heterogeneity between studies was considered moderate to high. This highlighted the differences between studies in sensor technology differences (i.e., sampling rate, sensor fusion, and satellite network acquisition), processing techniques, criterion technology used, sprint protocols, outcome reporting, and athlete characteristics. These findings may be useful in guiding improvements in sprint modeling using GNSS technology and enable more direct comparisons in future research. Implementation of all-out linear sprint efforts with GNSS technology can be integrated into sport-specific sessions for sprint modeling when robust and consistent data processing protocols are performed, which has important implications for fatigue monitoring, program design, systematic testing, and rehabilitation in individual and team sports.

Genetic variants in myostatin and its receptors promote elite athlete status

BackgroundWhile product of the myostatin gene (MSTN) is an important factor influencing muscle growth, which is well confirmed in nonhuman species, it has not been clearly confirmed whether MSTN expression influences interindividual differences in skeletal muscle mass, affects posttraining changes, or plays a role in the age-related loss of muscle mass and function in humans. Although the inconclusive results are usually explained by ethnic differences and the low frequency of some alleles, it is possible that the role of receptors (ACVR2A and ACVR2B) that affect the biological activity of myostatin is crucial. Therefore, we investigated the sequences of the MSTN, ACVR2A, and ACVR2B genes and determined the interaction between allelic variants and athletic performance and competition level in the Caucasian population. One hundred-two athletes were recruited for the sequencing study, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed. Second, 330 athletes and 365 controls were included, and real-time PCR was performed.ResultsThe sequence analysis revealed two polymorphisms relatively common in the athlete cohort, and the alternate allele showed overrepresentation in athletes: MSTN rs11333758 and ACVR2A rs3764955. Regarding the polymorphic site MSTN rs11333758, there was a significant overrepresentation of the –/– genotype in all high-elite and mixed-sport high-elite athletes. Carriers of the ACVR2A rs3764955 CC and GG genotypes were more likely to be elite and high-elite athletes. In addition, carriers of the CC genotype were more likely to be in the mixed-sport subelite group. The gene‒gene interaction analysis revealed that mixed-sport high elite athletes showed significant underrepresentation of the ACVR2A rs3764955 GC - MSTN rs11333758 AA genotype combination. In the same group, we observed a significant overrepresentation of the ACVR2A rs3764955 GC - MSTN rs11333758 –/– and the ACVR2A rs3764955 CC - MSTN rs11333758 –/– genotype combinations.ConclusionsWe showed that the specific genotypes of the MSTN rs11333758 and ACVR2A rs3764955, either individually or in gene‒gene combination, are significantly associated with athletes’ competition level in the Polish population, especially in the mixed-sports athlete group. Thus, although further research is required, these polymorphisms, alone or in combination with other polymorphisms, are among the numerous candidates that could explain individual variations in muscle phenotypes.

Adverse competition-related cognitions questionnaire (ACCQ): Development and preliminary validation of a measure identifying different factors of athletes’ cognitions related to competitions

This research project presents the development and preliminary validation of a German version of the Adverse Competition-related Cognitions Questionnaire (ACCQ) and comprises four studies. In Study 1, 101 athletes and 124 coaches from different team and individual sports generated a large pool of cognitions, which was reduced to an initial item pool of 54 cognitions through a multi-step procedure with different experts. In Study 2, the underlying factor structure of the questionnaire was examined by an exploratory factor analysis (N2 = 348), which revealed six factors (athletic comparison, coach devaluation, devaluation of one's own performance, appreciation by coach and family, inner resistance against competitions, and general exhaustion) with 26 items retained. Subsequently, in Study 3, the results were re-examined with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, N3 = 419; CFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.06). In addition, preliminary support for the construct validity (i.e., convergent, divergent, and concurrent validity) of the ACCQ was obtained by examining associations among the ACCQ subscales and theoretical correlates such as social comparison, cognitive interference, irrational performance beliefs, and fear of negative evaluation. In Study 4, a second CFA (N4 = 153; CFI = 0.89, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.07) was conducted to test the identified 6-factor solution in a sample of high-performance competitive athletes. With its broad range of factors, the ACCQ provides a useful and valid measure for assessing different adverse competition-related cognitions, offering a wide range of potential applications in research and sport psychology practice.