College Varsity Athletes Research Articles

Differences In Sleep Patterns Between College Varsity Athletes And Non-athlete Controls Disappear In Midlife

Differences In Sleep Patterns Between College Varsity Athletes And Non-athlete Controls Disappear In Midlife

Gender disparities in attitudes, norms, and perceived control related to intentional condomless sexual intercourse: A psychosocial theory-driven comparison among cisgender heterosexual male and female college varsity athletes in Taiwan

BackgroundWhile condom use has been extensively studied as a protective behavior, research directly focusing on condomless sexual intercourse (CSI) as a distinct and intentional risk behavior, particularly regarding gender differences, remains scarce. MethodsBuilding upon the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study addresses this gap by comparing TPB factors and individual TPB items regarding intentional CSI among cisgender heterosexual college varsity athletes in Taiwan (N = 1348). ResultsHigh CSI intention was more prevalent among men (53.6 %) than women (31.7 %). Our expanded TPB framework identified five distinct TPB factors pertaining to attitudes, norms, and perceived control. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that all five TPB factors were significantly associated with CSI intention among men, but only three among women. Notably, our factor analysis differentiated attitudes toward positive/negative outcomes of CSI and perceived control under facilitating/constraining conditions, revealing attitudes toward positive outcomes of CSI as the strongest driver of CSI intention among both men (AOR = 2.51–4.09) and women (AOR = 3.79–5.71). Further analysis of TPB items disclosed that men prioritized psychological pleasure (AOR = 2.18), whereas women exhibited a “partner-centered” tendency, emphasizing trust by sex partners (AOR = 3.43). ConclusionsOverall, men exhibited more favorable views toward CSI than women, with gender differences evident in the differential associations of varying TPB factors and items with CSI intention. Future research could explore the development of these differential attitudes, norms, and perceived control concerning CSI. Given the modifiable nature of TPB variables, our study’s insights can inform actionable strategies and targeted interventions tailored for young men and women.

Anxiety and Mood Disruption in Collegiate Athletes Acutely Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

To report the symptom burden of anxiety and mood-related indicators following mTBI in collegiate student-athletes. Retrospective cohort study of varsity collegiate athletes. University sports medicine at a tertiary care center. Division I college varsity athletes diagnosed with mTBI at a single institution between 2016 and 2019. Pre- and post-injury. Comparisons between baseline testing and post-mTBI symptom scale assessments were made to determine changes in scores at the individual and group levels. The primary outcome was the prevalence of post-mTBI symptoms from within 72 h of injury through return to play. Associations with sport, sex, age, and return-to-play time were included. Compared to baseline, mood and anxiety symptom scores were significantly higher acutely following mTBI (2.1 ± 3.3 vs. 14.3 ± 12.2; p < 0.001). A family history of migraine was significantly associated with higher mood and anxiety symptom scores (20.0 ± 14.9 with history vs. 13.3 ± 11.3 without history; p = 0.042). Mood and anxiety symptom scores were highly correlated with non-mood and anxiety symptom scores for all athletes, including the subgroup with prolonged symptoms (r = 0.769; p < 0.001). Symptoms of anxiety or mood disruption are common during the acute period post-injury in varsity college athletes. Risk factors for higher symptom reports immediately following mTBI and for prolonged symptoms (>10 days) included female sex, those with a family history of migraine, and those with an overall higher symptom burden post-injury.

Midlife health crisis of former competitive athletes: dissecting their experiences via qualitative study

Sports participation confers many health benefits yet greatly increases injury risk. Long-term health outcomes in former athletes and transition to life after competitive sports are understudied. Ending a sport may...

College Varsity Athletes Have Longer And More Variable Sleep Patterns Than Matched Non-athlete Peers

College Varsity Athletes Have Longer And More Variable Sleep Patterns Than Matched Non-athlete Peers

Sex Differences in Common Measures of Concussion in College Athletes.

Female athletes may be more likely to sustain a concussion and may vary in symptom presentation and neurocognitive impairments as compared with males. Scientific literature is limited by subjective assessments and underproportioned representation of women-the scope and etiology of sex-based differences are unknown. This study investigates sex-based differences in sports concussion assessments among college varsity athletes. Retrospective study of an institution's athletic head injury database. Acute postinjury and baseline data from 111 college athletes sustaining concussions between 2016 and 2018, diagnosed by a concussion specialist physician. Concussion assessments examined included the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT5) and Vestibular Oculomotor Screening (VOMS) performed within 3 days (24-72 hours) of injury. No significant difference by sex was observed in the SCAT5 total symptom evaluation scores or severity scores, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, or Balance Error Scoring System ( P > .05) within 3 days of head injury. Females did report more "pressure in the head" severity scores from baseline to postconcussion (2.7 ± 1.5 increased symptomatology in females vs 1.8 ± 1.3 increase in males, P = .007). The VOMS test resulted in significant sex differences in smooth pursuit [0.6 ± 1.4 increase in females ( P < .001) vs 0.2 ± 0.6 increase in males ( P = .364)], horizontal saccades [0.6 ± 1.2 increase in females ( P < .001) vs 0.2 ± 0.5 increase in males ( P = .149)], and vertical saccades [0.9 ± 1.9 increase in females ( P < .001) vs 0.3 ± 0.7 increase in males ( P = .206)]. Our study did not show sex-based differences in baseline or acute postconcussive symptom reporting in most concussion assessment parameters, challenging previous research suggesting that females report more symptoms than males. Females did have significant differences in symptom provocation using the VOMS.

Perceived Level of Emotional Intelligence and Sport Performance of College Varsity Athletes in Open-Skill and Closed-Skill Sports

This research is funded by the Office of Research & Development, Laguna State Polytechnic University. Abstract This study examined the emotional intelligence (EI) and sport performance (SP) of college varsity athletes from the Laguna State Polytechnic University. A total of 112 athlete-respondents were involved in the cross-sectional survey, consisting 98 basketball players and 14 swimmers, representing the open-skill and closed-skill athletes, respectively. The perceived levels of EI and SP of the athletes were assessed through self- and coach-rating, using a structured questionnaire with Likert scale items. In general, both open-skill and closed-skill athletes often exhibited high EI levels with respect to four domains: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. It was found that majority of the athletes had EI scores within the effective functioning or enhanced skills level. The possible relationship between the athletes’ level of EI and SP was examined via the Spearman’s correlation. Results revealed that the SP of basketball players (open-skill athletes) was significantly correlated (P 0.05) between the SP of swimmers (closed-skill athletes) and their EI with respect to the four domains. Implementation of motivational programs aimed at enhancing the EI levels among open-skilled athletes are recommended to boost their SP during the game. Keywords: Athlete, basketball, emotional intelligence, sports, swimming DOI : 10.7176/RHSS/9-12-02 Publication date :June 30 th 2019

Education through Athletics: Interest in an Athletics Performance Curriculum

Intellectual and life-skill benefits of collegiate athletics participation have been doc-umented in empirical research, yet athletics-centric curricula are traditionally not offered for academic credit in higher education. This pilot study employed a survey, distributed to FBS Division I college varsity athletes, coaches, athletics administra-tors, and faculty from three Atlantic Coast Conference institutions, to explore the interest in an athletics performance minor through the lens of the Integrated View of intercollegiate athletics. The results demonstrate a moderate interest in an ath-letics performance curriculum, with 66% of those surveyed voicing support. Those most supportive were varsity athletes and coaches, while faculty were the least sup-portive. This study adds to the literature by addressing the philosophical dichotomy that despite the nexus between educational outcomes and athletics, an opportunity for academic credit is lacking.

Misuse of prescription stimulant medication in a sample of college students: Examining differences between varsity athletes and non-athletes

BackgroundThe misuse of prescription stimulants (MPS) has been identified as an adverse health behavior among college students. Because stimulant medication is often taken to increase focus and decrease reaction time, these substances have the potential to enhance athletic performance. However, the role that athlete status (varsity athlete vs. non-athlete) has on MPS has rarely been examined in the college student population. ObjectivesTo examine whether there are differences in past-year MPS and MPS-related motivations between college varsity athletes and non-athletes. MethodsA sample of 682 (482 non-athletes; 200 athletes) college students between the ages of 18 and 25 completed a paper-based questionnaire to assess MPS, MPS-related motivations, and other potential MPS correlates (e.g., gender, energy drink consumption, tobacco use, heavy episodic drinking). Then, we conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses to examine potential correlates of MPS, including athlete status. Finally, we examined differences in MPS-related motivations between varsity athletes and non-athletes. ResultsOverall, 98 (13.9%; 16.6% non-athletes v. 7.5% varsity athletes) respondents reported past-year MPS and varsity athletes were significantly less likely (p<0.05) to do so. Past-year MPS was also significantly associated with energy drink consumption, tobacco use, and heavy episodic drinking in our sample. Concerning MPS-related motivations, athletes more often cited a need to enhance athletic performance as the impetus for their misuse. ConclusionsMPS was prevalent among the sample. Varsity athletes were significantly less likely to engage in past-year MPS and were motivated to do so for different reasons.

Alterations in default-mode network connectivity may be influenced by cerebrovascular changes within 1week of sports related concussion in college varsity athletes: a pilot study.

The goal of this pilot study is to use complementary MRI strategies to quantify and relate cerebrovascular reactivity, resting cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity alterations in the first week following sports concussion in college varsity athletes. Seven college athletes (3F/4M, age = 19.7 ± 1.2years) were imaged 3-6days following a diagnosed sports related concussion and compared to eleven healthy controls with no history of concussion (5M/6F, 18-23years, 7 athletes). Cerebrovascular reactivity and functional connectivity were measured using functional MRI during a hypercapnia challenge and via resting-state regional partial correlations, respectively. Resting cerebral blood flow was quantified using arterial spin labeling MRI methods. Group comparisons were made within and between 18 regions of interest. Cerebrovascular reactivity was increased after concussion when averaged across all regions of interest (p = 0.04), and within some default-mode network regions, the anterior cingulate and the right thalamus (p < 0.05) independently. The FC was increased in the concussed athletes within the default-mode network including the left and right hippocampus, precuneus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (p < 0.01), with measures being linearly related to cerebrovascular reactivity in the hippocampus in the concussed athletes. Significant resting cerebral blood flow changes were not detected between the two groups. This study provides evidence for increased cerebrovascular reactivity and functional connectivity in the medial regions of the default-mode network within days of a single sports related concussion in college athletes. Our findings emphasize the utility of complementary cerebrovascular measures in the interpretation of alterations in functional connectivity following concussion.

Examination of Competitive Anxiety and Self-Confidence among College Varsity Athletes

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.&#x0D; The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between competitive anxiety and self-confidence among collegiate varsity athletes. Participants were 96 athletes from a university in the United States, and their sport affiliations included baseball, volleyball, softball, track and field, and gymnastics. The following four questionnaires were administered to the participants: Competitive State Anxiety Inventroy-2, State Sport-Confidence Inventory, Sport Competition Anxiety Test for Adults, and Trait Sport-Confidence Inventory. Data were analyzed by Pearson product-moment correlations. Results showed that athletes who possessed a low level of competitive trait anxiety on a regular practice day tended to have low levels of cognitive state anxiety and somatic state anxiety, as well as high levels of state self-confidence and state sport­-confidence on a competition day. In addition, athletes who possessed a high level of trait sport-confidence on a regular practice day tended to have low levels of cognitive state anxiety and somatic state anxiety, and high levels of state self­-confidence and state sport-confidence on a competition day. The present investigation also found that cognitive state anxiety and somatic state anxiety were the predictors to estimate athletes’ self-confidence and performance.&#x0D; 本文旨在檢驗大學生運動員的競賽焦慮與自信之間的相關聯繫，研究對象為美國一所大學的九十六名大學生運動員，他們所在的運動隊包括壘球、排球、棒球、田徑和體操。四個調查問卷(其中兩個用於測量競賽焦慮，兩個用來調查運動員的自信心)被用來收集數據。並採用佩爾森運動相關係數檢驗法對數據進行了分析。結果表明:在正常訓練日裡具有低水平特質性競賽焦慮的運動員傾向於在競賽之日具有低水平的認知性焦慮和軀體性焦慮，但具有較高水平的狀態運動性自信心。而在正常的訓練日具 有高水平的特質性運動自信心的運動員傾向於在競賽之日具有低水平的認知性焦慮與軀體性焦慮。本研究也證實了認知性焦慮與軀體性焦慮為兩項預測運動員自信心與競技表現的有效指示。

College Adjustment Experiences of First-Year Students: Disengaged Athletes, Nonathletes, and Current Varsity Athletes

The freshman year of college is usually acknowledged as a stressful time of social and academic adjustment. During this period, first-year students face many social and intellectual challenges. For high school athletes, the combined impact of college transition plus disengagement from sport can further complicate first-semester adjustment and may also affect first-year retention. Together, this complex phenomenon may diminish self-concept, challenge one’s felt sense of being an athlete, and elicit emotional responses usually associated with college and elite athlete disengagement resulting in a negative adjustment to the college environment. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the differences in the reported athletic identity and college adjustment patterns of first-year college males and females (N = 317) and how disengagement from sports may affect these variables. Three status groups were used in this study: disengaged athletes (DAs; n = 133), high school senior nonathletes (n = 106), and current first-year college varsity athletes (n = 78). Significant differences were observed between groups in reported level of athletic identity where disengaged high senior athletes had significantly different scores than both college athletes and high school nonathletes. This finding may warrant an investigation on how we conceptualize the terms “athlete” and “nonathlete.” The investigation into college adjustment patterns found that first-year females reported higher academic adjustment to college than males in the total sample. Specifically in the DA athlete group, significant differences in college adjustment for both gender and level of athletic identity were found. For this group, significant differences in college adjustment were found related to the nature of disengagement and perceived level of social support. Potential applications of these findings for college personnel and future directions related to research are explored.

Use of natriuretic peptides in pre-participation screening of college athletes

Current screening methods have poor specificity and sensitivity for detecting cardiac abnormalities that predispose young athletes to sudden death. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) show promise in screening asymptomatic populations for structural heart disease, but little is known about their use in student athletes. This study sought to describe the distribution and characteristics of NP levels in a population of college athletes and determine the relationship between NPs and the pre-participation exam (PPE) and hand-held echocardiography (HHE). We evaluated 457 college varsity athletes with B-type NP (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) levels and a standard PPE; 200 also underwent HHE. NT-proBNP and BNP levels were highly correlated ( r = 0.87, p < 0.001), with a median of 21 pg/ml and 8 pg/ml respectively. 95% of athletes had NT-proBNP < 84 pg/ml and 95% had BNP < 33 pg/ml. Levels were higher in athletes with a history of exertional dizziness/syncope but did not correlate with other elements of the PPE or with HHE, although no major cardiac structural abnormalities were identified in this population. In men, there were weak correlations between NP levels and number of days per week performing distance running, strenuous exercise, or sprinting. In conclusion, NPs are only weakly correlated with intensity of physical training, and most college athletes have low NP levels; further studies are needed to elucidate the significance of elevated NP levels in this population, as they may provide incremental information beyond that provided by the PPE and echocardiography.

College Adjustment Experiences of First-Year Students: Disengaged Athletes, Nonathletes, and Current Varsity Athletes

The freshman year of college is usually acknowledged as a stressful time of social and academic adjustment. During this period, first-year students face many social and intellectual challenges. For high school athletes, the combined impact of college transition plus disengagement from sport can further complicate first-semester adjustment and may also affect first-year retention. Together, this complex phenomenon may diminish self-concept, challenge one’s felt sense of being an athlete, and elicit emotional responses usually associated with college and elite athlete disengagement resulting in a negative adjustment to the college environment. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the differences in the reported athletic identity and college adjustment patterns of first-year college males and females (N = 317) and how disengagement from sports may affect these variables. Three status groups were used in this study: disengaged athletes (DAs; n = 133), high school senior nonathletes (n = 106), and current first-year college varsity athletes (n = 78). Significant differences were observed between groups in reported level of athletic identity where disengaged high senior athletes had significantly different scores than both college athletes and high school nonathletes. This finding may warrant an investigation on how we conceptualize the terms “athlete” and “nonathlete.” The investigation into college adjustment patterns found that first-year females reported higher academic adjustment to college than males in the total sample. Specifically in the DA athlete group, significant differences in college adjustment for both gender and level of athletic identity were found. For this group, significant differences in college adjustment were found related to the nature of disengagement and perceived level of social support. Potential applications of these findings for college personnel and future directions related to research are explored.

Sport motivation scale-6 (SMS-6): A revised six-factor sport motivation scale

Background and Purpose: The sport motivation scale (SMS; [Pelletier, L. G., Fortier, M. S., Vallerand, R. J., Tuson, K. M., Brière, N. M., & Blais, M. R. (1995). Toward a new measure of intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation in sports: The sport motivation scale (SMS). Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17, 35–53]) was developed to measure an athlete's motivation toward sport participation. However, the SMS does not measure the most autonomous form of extrinsic motivation, integrated regulation, which is inconsistent with self-determination theory (SDT; [Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behaviour. New York: Plenum Press]) upon which the instrument is based. Moreover, several studies (e.g., [Martens, M. P., & Webber, S. N. (2002). Psychometric properties of the sport motivation scale: An evaluation with college varsity athletes from the U.S. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 24, 254–270]) have questioned the factorial validity of the SMS. Hence, the purpose of this study was to develop a revised version of the SMS, including integrated regulation. Method: In Stage 1, the factorial validity of the SMS was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on data collected from 614 Australians (elite athletes and university students). In Stage 2, the scale was revised by including integrated regulation items and replacing problematic items through an iterative process using CFA for data collected from 557 Australian university students. Concurrent validity of the revised scale was examined by evaluating correlations with the dispositional flow scale-2 (DFS-2) [Jackson, S. A., & Eklund, R. C. (2004). The flow scales manual. Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology]. Results: The revision led to development of a six-factor 24-item scale (SMS-6) that indicated a more parsimonious and improved fitting model consistent with SDT. Correlations between the SMS-6 and DFS-2 factors support the concurrent validity of the revised scale. Conclusion: From statistical and theoretical viewpoints, the revised SMS-6 was preferable to the original SMS, except for the discriminant validity issue of identification regulation. Further examination of the instrument is necessary by cross-validating the findings from this study.

Use of Natriuretic Peptides in Preparticipation Screening of College Varsity Athletes

Use of Natriuretic Peptides in Preparticipation Screening of College Varsity Athletes

Psychometric Properties of the Sport Motivation Scale: An Evaluation with College Varsity Athletes from the U.S.

Motivation, particularly different types of motivation (i.e., intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation), is a topic that has been of interest to both psychologists and sport psychologists. One area of interest in sport psychology is the assessment of different types of motivation. The Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) (Pelletier et al., 1995) was created to assess an athlete's intrinsic motivation, extrinsic-motivation, and a motivation toward sport participation. The psychometric properties of the SMS, however, have not been tested on a sample of college athletes in the U.S., which is an important component if researchers and applied sport psychologists are to use the SMS with this population. A total of 270 U.S. college athletes participated in this study. Results provided some evidence for the reliability and validity of the SMS for this population, although a confirmatory factor analysis yielded relatively poor fit indices, indicating problems with model specification. A "piecewise" model testing approach, in which different components of the model were tested separately, indicated that the biggest problems with model specification may involve the extrinsic and amotivation components of the measure.

Nutrition Practices and Knowledge of College Varsity Athletes

The purpose of this study was to determine nutrition knowledge and behavior of division IA college athletes and to compare such knowledge and behavior with data from a similar survey conducted in 1992. Surveys with distribution instructions and statements of confidentiality were sent randomly to strength and conditioning coordinators (SCCs) at 16 universities. Survey results indicated that women (60.6%) received more nutrition information than men (49.5). SCCs and athletic trainers were the primary nutrition sources for men, whereas university classes and nutritionists were primary for women. Much information was obtained from arguable sources such as magazines, family members, and coaches. Only 3, 11.7, and 29.5% correctly identified recommended percents of total calorie intake for protein, fat, and carbohydrates, respectively. Thirty-seven percent correctly identified the role of vitamins and 54.4% for protein. Creatine and vitamin/mineral supplements were the most common for men and women, respectively. Despite previous recommendations regarding nutrition education of high-level athletes, diminutive changes have occurred in the past 6 years.

Nutrition Practices and Knowledge of College Varsity Athletes: A Follow-Up

The purpose of this study was to determine nutrition knowledge and behavior of division IA college athletes and to compare such knowledge and behavior with data from a similar survey conducted in 1992. Surveys with distribution instructions and statements of confidentiality were sent randomly to strength and conditioning coordinators (SCCs) at 16 universities. Survey results indicated that women (60.6%) received more nutrition information than men (49.5). SCCs and athletic trainers were the primary nutrition sources for men, whereas university classes and nutritionists were primary for women. Much information was obtained from arguable sources such as magazines, family members, and coaches. Only 3, 11.7, and 29.5% correctly identified recommended percents of total calorie intake for protein, fat, and carbohydrates, respectively. Thirty-seven percent correctly identified the role of vitamins and 54.4% for protein. Creatine and vitamin/mineral supplements were the most common for men and women, respectively. Despite previous recommendations regarding nutrition education of high-level athletes, diminutive changes have occurred in the past 6 years.

Nutrition Information Sources of College Varsity Athletes

Nutrition Information Sources of College Varsity Athletes