Competitive Players Research Articles

A New Daily Teaching Mode of Analytical Chemistry Course based on the Higher Vocational College Skill Competition

By introducing the standard of vocational college skill competition into the daily teaching of analytical chemistry course in higher vocational college, a more reasonable teaching mode is constructed to improve the enthusiasm of the students on analytical chemistry, and to improve the operational standardization of analytical experiments and accuracy of analytical results, hoping to transport more excellent players for skills competition, and reserve a large number of industrial analysis and testing technical skill talents for the social.

Dynamic altruistic cooperation within breast tumors

BackgroundSocial behaviors such as altruism, where one self-sacrifices for collective benefits, critically influence an organism’s survival and responses to the environment. Such behaviors are widely exemplified in nature but have been underexplored in cancer cells which are conventionally seen as selfish competitive players. This multidisciplinary study explores altruism and its mechanism in breast cancer cells and its contribution to chemoresistance.MethodsMicroRNA profiling was performed on circulating tumor cells collected from the blood of treated breast cancer patients. Cancer cell lines ectopically expressing candidate miRNA were used in co-culture experiments and treated with docetaxel. Ecological parameters like relative survival and relative fitness were assessed using flow cytometry. Functional studies and characterization performed in vitro and in vivo include proliferation, iTRAQ-mass spectrometry, RNA sequencing, inhibition by small molecules and antibodies, siRNA knockdown, CRISPR/dCas9 inhibition and fluorescence imaging of promoter reporter-expressing cells. Mathematical modeling based on evolutionary game theory was performed to simulate spatial organization of cancer cells.ResultsOpposing cancer processes underlie altruism: an oncogenic process involving secretion of IGFBP2 and CCL28 by the altruists to induce survival benefits in neighboring cells under taxane exposure, and a self-sacrificial tumor suppressive process impeding proliferation of altruists via cell cycle arrest. Both processes are regulated concurrently in the altruists by miR-125b, via differential NF-κB signaling specifically through IKKβ. Altruistic cells persist in the tumor despite their self-sacrifice, as they can regenerate epigenetically from non-altruists via a KLF2/PCAF-mediated mechanism. The altruists maintain a sparse spatial organization by inhibiting surrounding cells from adopting the altruistic fate via a lateral inhibition mechanism involving a GAB1-PI3K-AKT-miR-125b signaling circuit.ConclusionsOur data reveal molecular mechanisms underlying manifestation, persistence and spatial spread of cancer cell altruism. A minor population behave altruistically at a cost to itself producing a collective benefit for the tumor, suggesting tumors to be dynamic social systems governed by the same rules of cooperation in social organisms. Understanding cancer cell altruism may lead to more holistic models of tumor evolution and drug response, as well as therapeutic paradigms that account for social interactions. Cancer cells constitute tractable experimental models for fields beyond oncology, like evolutionary ecology and game theory.

The Landing Biomechanics in Youth Female Handball Players Does Not Change When Applying a Specific Model of Game and Weekly Training Workload

This study aimed to explore the effects of competitive match play and subsequent training during typical competitive microcycle on landing biomechanics in female youth handball players. A group of 11 elite female youth players (age: 14.3 ± 0.6 years; stature: 165.9 ± 8.1 cm; body mass: 58.4 ± 10.6 kg; maturity offset: 0.4 ± 0.8 years) were tested prior to a competitive match, immediately after the match, 48 h after the match, 96 h after the match, and before the next match. The players performed two analyzed trials of a single leg (preferred) counter movement jump. The “Landing Error Scoring System” (LESS) was used to analyze the participants’ landing biomechanics. Results: There was no significant effect of a competitive handball match on LESS (Z = 0.28; p = 0.78). No statistically significant difference in LESS was found between the first and the last measurement (Z = 1.01; p = 0.31). No significant main effect of time was found for landing biomechanics in the observed eight-day period (χ2 = 4.02; p = 0.40). The results of the study indicate that a model of weekly loading during in-season, including competitive match play, does not decrease lower limb biomechanics during landing and does not contribute to an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in female youth handball players during a competitive microcycle.

Preseason Measures of Cervical Spine Function, Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex, Dynamic Balance, and Divided Attention in Youth Ice Hockey Players.

OBJECTIVES: Report typical scores and examine preseason cervical spine, vestibulo-ocular reflex, dynamic balance, and divided attention measures in competitive youth ice hockey players aged 10 to 18 years with and without a previous concussion history. DESIGN: Cross-sectional secondary analysis. METHODS: The exposure of interest was self-reported history of concussion. The main outcomes were cervical spine measures (Cervical Flexor Endurance [CFE; seconds], Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test [normal/abnormal], Anterolateral Cervical Spine Strength [kilograms], Head Perturbation Test (/8), and Joint Position Error [JPE; centimeters]), vestibulo-ocular reflex (Dynamic Visual Acuity [logMAR], Head Thrust Test [Positive/Negative]), dynamic balance (Functional Gait Assessment [/30]) and divided attention (Walking While Talking Test [seconds]). Multivariable linear or logistic regression, adjusted for age-group, sex, level of play, and clustered by team, were used to assess potential differences by concussion history. RESULTS: We included data from 2311 participants in this study (87.2% male, 12.8% female, 39.0% reported a previous concussion). No differences by concussion history were found across any of the measures (P values range: 0.17-0.99). Measures of cervical spine function and divided attention differed by age group (eg, Median Left Anterolateral Cervical Spine Strength [kilograms] for males: U13 = 7.46, U15 = 9.10, U18 = 9.67). CONCLUSION: Clinical outcomes scores in youth ice hockey players did not differ by concussion history. Performance on cervical spine strength, CFE, and JPE test outcomes may improve with age, highlighting the importance of developmental considerations when interpreting test scores. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(3):1-11. Epub 30 November 2023. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.11958.

Individual differences in cooperative and competitive play strategies.

Cooperation and competition are common in social interactions. It is not clear how individual differences in personality may predict performance strategies under these two contexts. We evaluated whether instructions to play cooperatively and competitively would differentially affect dyads playing a Pong video game. We hypothesized that instructions to play cooperatively would result in lower overall points scored and differences in paddle control kinematics relative to when participants were instructed to play competitively. We also predicted that higher scores in prosociality and Sportspersonship would be related to better performance during cooperative than competitive conditions. Pairs of participants played a Pong video game under cooperative and competitive instructions. During competitive trials, participants were instructed to score more points against one another to win the game. During the cooperative trials, participants were instructed to work together to score as few points against one another as possible. After game play, each participant completed surveys so we could measure their trait prosociality and Sportspersonship. Condition was a significant predictor of where along the paddle participants hit the ball, which controlled ball exit angles. Specifically, during cooperation participants concentrated ball contacts on the paddle towards the center to produce more consistent rebound angles. We found a significant correlation of Sex and the average points scored by participants during cooperative games, competitive games, and across all trials. Sex was also significantly correlated with paddle kinematics during cooperative games. The overall scores on the prosociality and Sportspersonship surveys were not significantly correlated with the performance outcomes in cooperative and competitive games. The dimension of prosociality assessing empathic concern was significantly correlated with performance outcomes during cooperative video game play. No Sportspersonship survey score was able to predict cooperative or competitive game performance, suggesting that Sportspersonship personality assessments are not reliable predictors of cooperative or competitive behaviors translated to a virtual game setting. Survey items and dimensions probing broader empathic concern may be more effective predictors of cooperative and competitive performance during interactive video game play. Further testing is encouraged to assess the efficacy of prosocial personality traits as predictors of cooperative and competitive video game behavior.

Follow the Leader: Parent- and Child-led Synchrony in Competitive and Cooperative play

Social interactions involve both cooperation to achieve a shared goal and competition over shared resources and rewards. The ability to engage in inter-personal coordination is an important measure of socio-emotional and cognitive well-being. Both cooperation and competition require interpersonal coordination, however with different motivational backgrounds. Competition is defined by a higher level of extrinsic motivation, while cooperation is related to more intrinsic motivation. In the context of the parent-child dyad, each individual has different motivations and contributions to the dyad. The parent’s and child’s sense of competitiveness and contribution to inter-personal synchrony will presumably differ from each other and adapt to one another. The current research employed Motion Energy Analysis, an objective measure of coordination of movements between individuals, to measure motor in-phase and anti-phase synchrony during parent-child cooperative and competitive play, with a focus on parent and child-led synchrony. Findings highlight that parents rate themselves as less competitive than their children rate themselves; with no such difference noted in cooperation. Further, parent-led motor synchrony is defined more by in-phase coordination in competition, especially when the interaction is novel. Alternatively, child-led motor synchrony is more anti-phase during competition. In cooperation parents and children lead synchrony to the same extent and in the same phase. Current findings highlight that parent’s and children uniquely adjust their leading behaviors in synchrony in competition, presumably adjusting their behavior to accommodate a complex situation. Given the importance of cooperative and competitive interactions to overall social well-being, and the parent’s role of modeling behaviors for their child, findings may direct future guidance and treatment plans that will promote social development.

A Robotic Assistant for Disabled Chess Players in Competitive Games

Access to regular sports competitions is often precluded for disabled people. Chess, which has been recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee in 1999, is a rare exception. Nevertheless, to compete in official tournaments, people suffering from a high level of motor impairment must rely on the assistance of a person to move their pieces on the chessboard, under their indications. This can result in a reduction of the feeling of independence and self-esteem. In this work, a service robot is employed as an assistant for competitive chess players, moving pieces on a standard chessboard for competitions, and adhering to the rules of the international chess federation (e.g. not relying on a custom sensorized chess-set). The robot is controlled through an intuitive graphical user interface. The user interface can be navigated with easy-to-use devices, such as a mouse, a touchpad, or a commodity joystick for motion-impaired people (Ottobock calibratable Mini joystick). An effective framework for the opponent’s move identification from RGB-D images is proposed and used to keep track of the live game situation. The application is implemented in ROS on a PAL Robotics TIAGo robot, a service robot with a 7 degrees-of-freedom arm, an extensible torso, and a re-orientable RGB-D camera. The robustness of the application is tested by reproducing six famous chess games several times on a standard wooden competition chessboard, making TIAGo play on behalf of the player with white or black pieces, alternatively. The application is properly working without the need of operator intervention in the 91.6%\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$91.6\\%$$\\end{document} of the performed moves. The proposed approach successfully opens the door to independent competitive chess playing for motor disabled people in official tournaments.

Preparing Basketball Players for Competition During COVID-19 Lockdown: An International Strength and Conditioning Perspective

ABSTRACT The global outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resulted in governing bodies suspending professional sports leagues, including the National Basketball Association (NBA) and notably the International Olympic Committee (2020 Tokyo Olympic Games). As competitions resumed, performance staff shifted their focus to preparing athletes for a safe return to competition. This article provides novel and unique international perspectives on preparing basketball players for competition during COVID-19 lockdown outlining lessons learned from the NBA, FIBA Asia Cup, and Olympic Games. Reflections are provided unpacking central themes related to (a) the impact of COVID-19 on physiological and psychological domains; (b) strength and conditioning methods and nutritional strategies used in the (re)training process; and (c) situation-specific interventions and educational strategies related to psychological well-being. Collectively, performance staff responsible for the preparation of basketball players during COVID-19 must consider additional health and performance support to ensure physical and psychological readiness to complete without negatively impacting physical development.

The effect of smoking on respiratory functions in athletes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of smoking on respiratory functions in athletes. A total of 12 American football players with an age, height and body mass means of 22.50±1.62 years, 182.83±5.85 cm., 88.91±18.99 kg. voluntarily participated in the study. The participants were competitive players with at least five years of continuous training and competition experience. Respiratory functions of the athletes were measured with a Minispir hand-held spirometer. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) values were measured. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26 package program. Because the distribution of the data was not normal, the Mann Whitney-U test and Spearman correlation test, a nonparametric test, were used to compare the data between the smoker and non-smoker groups. The significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Although numerically positive effects were found on the respiratory function of non-smokers compared to smokers, there was no statistically significant difference or correlation relationship between the data constituting these effects. As a result, it was found that the respiratory function of American football players who smoked cigarettes was lower than that of non-smokers. In line with these results, it can be stated that smoking has a negative effect on respiratory functions.

P104 The Impact of Total Sleep Deprivation on Performance in the Esport ‘Rocket League’.

Abstract Preliminary findings from this study were presented as a poster (P376) at Sleep Europe 2022 (https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13740). Introduction Sleep loss is presumed by academics and esport (organised competitive video-game play) athletes to be an in-game esport performance hindrance, primarily due to its well understood effects on multiple domains of cognitive performance. However, the effects of acute sleep loss specifically on esports performance have not been explored. We aimed to elucidate whether total sleep deprivation degrades in-game performance in the popular esport ‘Rocket League’. Methods Forty habitual Rocket League players were paired according to in-game ability level (twenty pairs), with one assigned to a control group (CON) and the other assigned to an intervention group (TSD). Two test sessions took place, in which paired players completed subjective and cognitive performance measures, and played seven Rocket League matches against one another. In one session, both players in a pair were well rested, while in the other, CON was rested while TSD was sleep deprived. Results Acute total sleep deprivation resulted in higher self-reported sleepiness, lower alertness and motivation, poorer performance on the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) and two-choice component of the Category Switch Task (CST). Despite this, overall in-game esport performance did not worsen due to sleep deprivation, although exploratory analysis suggests potential in-game strategy change. Discussion Our findings do not suggest that sleep loss is inconsequential for esport athletes, but rather suggest that acute bouts of sleep loss of similar/lesser severity may not be a primary concern for in-game esports performance.

Exacerbated impairments in neuromuscular function when two bouts of team sport match simulations are separated by 48h.

Intermittent team sports, involving high metabolic and mechanical demands, elicit prolonged impairments in neuromuscular function which persist for ∼48-72h. Whether impairments in neuromuscular function are exacerbated when such exercise is repeated with incomplete recovery is unknown. This study assessed the neuromuscular, heart rate and metabolic responses to two bouts of ∼90min modified team sport match simulations separated by 48h in 12 competitive football players. Before and 2min after both bouts, knee extensor isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), contractile function (Qtw,pot ) and voluntary activation (VA) were measured. Heart rate (HR), sprint time, blood lactate and glucose were measured throughout both bouts. MVC was reduced relative to baseline at post-bout 1 (21±12%; P=0.003) and pre-bout 2 (14±11%; P=0.009), and was lower post-bout 2 (33±14%; P<0.001) relative to post-bout 1 (P=0.036). Qtw,pot was reduced post-bout 1 (30±11%; P<0.001) and pre-bout 2 (9±6%; P=0.004), and was not different post-bout 2 (28±8%; P<0.001) relative to post-bout 1 (P=0.872). VA was reduced post-bout 1 (8±7%; P=0.023), recovered pre-bout 2 (P=0.133) and was lower post-bout 2 (16±7%; P<0.001) relative to post-bout 1 (P=0.029). Total sprint time was longer, and HR, blood lactate and glucose were lower during bout 2 than bout 1 (P≤0.021). Thus, impairments in neuromuscular function are exacerbated when high-intensity intermittent exercise is performed with incomplete recovery concurrent with accentuated reductions in VA. The lower blood lactate and glucose during the second bout might be due, at least in part, to reduced glycogen availability upon commencing exercise and consequently a greater reliance on glucose extraction. NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? There is limited evidence on whether impairments in neuromuscular function are exacerbated when prolonged high-intensity intermittent exercise is repeated with incomplete recovery: what are the neuromuscular consequences of performing two bouts of a modified team sport match simulations separated by 48h? What is the main finding and its importance? Impairments in knee extensor force generating capacity are exacerbated concurrent with accentuated reductions in nervous system activation of muscle when prolonged high-intensity intermittent exercise is repeated with 48h recovery.

Effect of maximum exercise on left ventricular deformation and its correlation with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in competitive athletes

BackgroundGlobal longitudinal strain (GLS) and global myocardial work index (GWI) allow early detection of subclinical changes in left ventricular (LV) systolic function. The aim of the study was to investigate the immediate effects of maximum physical exercise by different exercise testing methods on early post exercise LV deformation parameters in competitive athletes and to analyze their correlation with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity.MethodsTo reach maximum physical exercise, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed by semi-recumbent ergometer in competitive handball players (n = 13) and by treadmill testing in competitive football players (n = 19). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) indexed to body weight (relative VO2max) was measured in all athletes. Transthoracic echocardiography and blood pressure measurements were performed at rest and 5 min after CPET in all athletes. GLS, GWI and their changes before and after CPET (ΔGLS, ΔGWI) were correlated with (relative) VO2max.ResultsIn handball and football players, GLS and GWI did not differ significantly before and after CPET. There were no significant correlations between GLS and relative VO2max, but moderate correlations were found between ΔGWI and relative VO2max in handball (r = 0.631; P = 0.021) and football players (r = 0.592; P = 0.008). Furthermore, handball (46.7 ml/min*kg ± 4.7 ml/min*kg vs. 37.4 ml/min*kg ± 4.2; P = 0.004) and football players (58.3 ml/min*kg ± 3.7 ml/min*kg vs. 49.7 ml/min*kg ± 6.8; P = 0.002) with an increased ΔGWI after CPET showed a significant higher relative VO2max.ConclusionMaximum physical exercise has an immediate effect on LV deformation, irrespective of the used testing method. The correlation of relative VO2max with ΔGWI in the early post exercise period, identifies ΔGWI as an echocardiographic parameter for characterizing the current individual training status of athletes.

Psychological anxiety on the stability of piano players with mood disorders

BackgroundMood disorders are important factors affecting the performance stability of piano players. The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of psychological anxiety on the stability of competition performance.Research objects and MethodsPiano players with different mood disorders were selected as research objects. The Stanford Acute Stress Response Questionnaire (SASRQ) and a similar 3-minute Disorder Assessment Scale (3D-CAM) were used to assess the participants’ state of psychological anxiety. By collecting the data before and after the competition, BMDP statistical method was used to compare the performance stability of piano players under different mood disorder levels.Results The results showed that before the competition, the piano players in the high mood disorder group exhibited higher levels of psychological anxiety (SASRQ score of 7.8 on average), while the low mood disorder group had relatively lower levels of psychological anxiety (SASRQ score of 3.2 on average). After the competition, the high mood disorder group had lower performance stability (mean score 6.5), while the low mood disorder group had relatively higher performance stability (mean score 8.9).Conclusions The results show that mood disorders have significant effects on the level of psychological anxiety and the stability of piano players in competition. Players with high levels of mood disorders may be more susceptible to psychological stress during competitions, which can affect the stability of their performance. Therefore, psychological support and intervention measures should be provided to piano players to help them overcome mood disorders and improve the quality of performance during competitions.

Midterm Functional Outcomes of Arthroscopically Treated Recalcitrant Osteitis Pubis in Competitive Soccer Players.

Outcomes after arthroscopic debridement for isolated osteitis pubis in athletes are unknown, and midterm results following this method have not been established. To evaluate the safety and efficiency of arthroscopic treatment for recalcitrant osteitis pubis in competitive soccer players. It was hypothesized that this treatment modality would yield clinical improvement in functional and patient satisfaction scores compared with preoperative values. Case series; Level of evidence 4. At a single center, 10 consecutive male soccer players (mean age, 23.6 ± 4.4 years; range, 19-32 years) with a mean follow-up period of 72.2 ± 13.4 months (range, 60-97 months) were evaluated. All patients presented with symptomatic osteitis pubis and failed to respond to nonoperative treatment. Arthroscopic pubic symphysiectomy was performed in the supine position, and penile manipulation was performed in all cases to mitigate risks associated with neurovascular structures and the root of the penis. Outcome measurements were time to return to sports, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Nirschl Phase Rating Scale (NPRS), Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), and patient satisfaction. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were also assessed. The mean time to return to sports was 4.6 ± 1.7 months (range, 3-8 months). The mean VAS pain score decreased from 9.3 ± 0.8 (range, 8-10) to 0.2 ± 0.4 (range, 0-1) (P = .005). The mean NPRS decreased from 6.6 ± 0.5 (range, 6-7) to 0.3 ± 0.5 (range, 0-1) (P = .004). The mean NAHS increased from 35.8 ± 16.7 (range, 14-72) to 98.2 ± 2.7 (range, 93-100) (P = .005). The mean mHHS increased from 47.4 ± 10.6 (range, 27-60) to 98.2 ± 4.5 (range, 86-100) (p = .005). The mean patient satisfaction was 9.7 ± 0.7 (range, 8-10). Scrotal swelling was observed in 4 patients, which was resolved 36 to 48 hours postoperatively. Arthroscopic treatment of osteitis pubis may be an option for recalcitrant cases when nonoperative treatment fails. However, further studies are needed to determine whether this technique and the outcomes of this study can be reproduced.

Playing with Emotions: A Systematic Review Examining Emotions and Emotion Regulation in Esports Performance

The massive growth of esports has vitalized the need to study human performance in competitive video gaming. The pressure of competitive play elicits a range of emotional experiences, which can affect players during and beyond a gaming session. In this work, we review the state of the literature concerning the role emotions play in esports performance as well as highlight coping strategies players use to regulate emotions during competitive play. We review the findings of N=32 peer-reviewed articles pertaining to emotions and esports, finding that the emotional experiences elicited by competitive play affect esports performance. In response, players attempt to regulate their emotions to maintain performance; however, efforts to do so vary, as they currently lack effective coping strategies. Lastly, we review the potential of technical interventions in esports training for improving emotion regulation among players. Our findings support knowledge development in esports, and present avenues towards promoting the emotional wellbeing of competitive gamers.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu players' motivations to train.

Combat sports, such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), require intense physical, mental, and emotional tasking within its training. With the degree of difficulty ingrained within the sport, many participants that once were intrigued by the sport may lose this interest and enjoyment if their goals are not met. The purpose of this study was to examine the relative strength of sport motivations among BJJ players. Participants included 228 BJJ athletes varying in levels of sport participation experience. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, participants were assessed on five motives for sport participation including: fitness, appearance, competence, social, and interest/enjoyment. Motives related to interest/enjoyment, competence, and fitness, were rated relatively higher; and appearance and social were rated relatively lower regarding participants' motivation for BJJ participation. Analyses were also conducted related to athletes' years of experience and competitive level of participation (i.e., hobbyist or non-competitor to those who compete on a regular basis) There was a significant effect of competence and interest/enjoyment motivators among competitive BJJ players, regardless of years of experience in the sport. Findings from this study could aid coaches, sport clinicians, and sport psychologists in working with BJJ players by focusing their training on the motivators that are most appealing to these athletes.

Manipulation Under Anesthesia and/or Lysis of Adhesions After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Female Basketball Players: Does Race Play a Role?

Background: Arthrofibrosis can limit function and return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Previously reported risk factors for developing arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction include female sex, age <18 years, time from injury to surgery <28 days, concomitant meniscal repair, prolonged immobilization, and genetic factors. There is a lack of evidence regarding whether race plays a significant role. Hypothesis: The risk of undergoing manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) and/or lysis of adhesions (LOA) after primary ACL reconstruction with bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) autograft in female basketball players is higher in African American players than in White players. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Using a computerized relational database, the authors identified competitive female basketball players who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with BTB autograft by the senior author over a 13-year period. Data previously entered from examinations and surgical findings were reviewed retrospectively. Univariate statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between undergoing subsequent MUA and/or LOA and study predictors. Results: A total of 186 knees (114 African American knees and 72 White knees) met inclusion criteria. The overall rate of MUA and/or LOA was 8.6%. Thirteen African American knees (11.4%) and 3 White knees (4.2%) underwent MUA and/or LOA for treatment of arthrofibrosis. No study predictor was found to have a statistically significant relationship with the rate of MUA and/or LOA on univariate analysis. However, when controlling for body mass index and previously described risk factors (age <18 years, time from injury to surgery ≤28 days, and concomitant meniscal repair) in the logistic regression model, the authors found that MUA and/or LOA was more likely in African American (odds ratio, 4.01 [95% CI, 1.01-15.92]; P = .049) than in White female players and in patients who underwent ACL reconstruction within 28 days of injury (odds ratio, 4.01 [95% CI, 1.18-13.57]; P = .026) compared with those with surgery delayed beyond 28 days. Conclusion: In female basketball players, the present study found a statistically significantly increased risk for undergoing MUA and/or LOA after primary ACL reconstruction with BTB autograft in African American females compared with White females and in patients who underwent ACL reconstruction within 28 days of injury.

Gender disparities in esports – An explanatory mixed-methods approach

Within the last decade, esports (i.e., the competitive play of video games) has conquered substantial parts of digital entertainment with annually increasing revenue and consumer participation. Interestingly, while there exists a wide variety of esports titles, there is an observable gender disparity across them, as female esports players are substantially underrepresented at both casual and particularly at professional levels. Building on expectancy theory and achievement motivation, this study used an explanatory follow-up mixed-methods approach to explore the observed gender disparity. Using the exemplary case of League of Legends, we carried out a cross-sectional survey with both male and female League of Legends players. The results were mostly in line with expectancy theory showing no difference regarding expectancy and instrumentality between male and female players. Additionally, contrary to our hypotheses, we found higher valence and achievement motivation levels for female players. We facilitated three online focus-group discussions, each with a different gender distribution (female vs. mixed vs. male), to derive potential explanations for the findings. From the analysis of the focus-group discussions, we demonstrated that cultural and dispositional differences contribute to the observed gender differences. Among these, the differing perceptions of in-game culture and individual attributions (i.e., goal orientation, locus of control) were prevalent reasons influencing female participation.

Perspective taking as a predictor of burnout among competitive adolescent squash players

Athlete burnout (ABO) has been identified as a significant concern among youth sportspeople. Conceptualisations of self, or perspective taking, predict mental health among non-athlete adolescents. Consequently, this study aimed to determine how much perspective-taking contributes to ABO among adolescent athletes. A non-experimental correlational design was employed to explore the utility of a three selves model of perspective-taking to predict ABO. One-hundred and sixty-five competitive adolescent squash players were recruited via convenience sampling. Participants completed measures of ABO, Self-as-Content, Self-as-Process and Self-as-Context. Regression analyses were employed to determine the utility of the three-selves model in predicting ABO in the sample. All components of ABO were positively associated with Self-as-Content, and negatively correlated with Self-as-Process and Self-as-Context. Furthermore, Self-as-Content independently predicted a reduced sense of athletic accomplishment and greater sport devaluation. Reduced physical and emotional exhaustion was only predicted by Self-as-Process. Contrary to existing theoretical and empirical literature, Self-as-Context only emerged as a significant predictor of a reduced sense of athletic accomplishment. The current study suggests that perspective-taking plays a noteworthy, yet complex, role in the experience of ABO among competitive adolescent athletes.

Is an Exercise-Based Injury-Prevention Program Effective in Team Handball Players? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To assess the effectiveness of exercise-based injury-prevention programs in preventing sports injuries in team handball players. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL from inception until April 2023. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials or prospective cohort studies, contained a population of competitive team handball players, included an intervention designed specifically to prevent or reduce the risk of team handball injuries, and reported injury incidence rates specific to team handball players. Two researchers independently evaluated studies for inclusion and assessed their methodological quality. Study design, intervention details, participant characteristics, and the number of injuries in each group were extracted from each study by 2 independent researchers. The outcome of interest was the incidence rate of injury. Injury data were classified into 5 groups: shoulder injuries, lower extremity injuries, knee injuries, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, and ankle injuries. Extracted data were analyzed using a random-effects model to compute the overall effect estimates of injury-prevention programs in reducing the risk of injuries. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were calculated based on the number of injuries in each group. Meta-analyses were conducted independently for each injury classification. Results indicated that prevention programs reduced the risk of shoulder injuries (OR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.42, 0.85; P = .004), lower extremity injuries (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.37, 0.95; P = .03), knee injuries (OR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.35, 0.78; P = .002), anterior cruciate ligament injuries (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.45, 0.96; P = .03), and ankle injuries (OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.40, 0.81; P = .002) in team handball players. In team handball players, injury-prevention programs appear to effectively reduce the risk of shoulder, lower extremity, knee, ankle, and anterior cruciate ligament injuries.