Competitive Experience Research Articles

What Do Football Players Look at? An Eye-Tracking Analysis of the Visual Fixations of Players in 11 v 11 Elite Football Match Play.

Current knowledge of gaze behavior in football has primarily originated from eye-tracking research in laboratory settings. Using eye-tracking with elite players in a real-world 11 v 11 football game, this exploratory case study examined the visual fixations of midfield players in the Norwegian premier league. A total of 2,832 fixations by five players, aged 17–23 years (M = 19.84), were analyzed. Our results show that elite football midfielders increased their fixation duration when more information sources became available to them. Additionally, participants used shorter fixation durations than previously reported in laboratory studies. Furthermore, significant differences in gaze behavior between the attack and defense phases were found for both areas of interest and fixation location. Lastly, fixation locations were mainly on the ball, opponent, and teammate category and the player in possession of the ball. Combined, the results of this study enhance the knowledge of how elite footballers use their vision when playing under actual match-play conditions. They also suggest that laboratory designs may not be able to capture the dynamic environment that footballers experience in competition.

Comparison of the Head and Neck Positions in Ridden Horses Advertised in an Australian Horse Sales Magazine: 2005 Versus 2018

The impact of head and neck position (HNP) on horse welfare has received much attention in the scientific literature within the last two decades. Studies have identified physiological and behavioral signs of distress in horses ridden for prolonged time in an HNP with their noseline behind the vertical (BTV), which may compromise their welfare. The objective of this study was to compare potential differences of HNPs shown in horse sales photographs advertised in an Australian horse sales magazine (Horse Deals) from the years 2005 and 2018. In addition, factors potentially impacting HNPs, such as type of tack presented in (e.g., noseband type), riding discipline, and competition experience of the horse, were investigated. The sample population (n = 570) comprised horses ridden with headgear and bit in walk, trot, or canter/gallop, advertised in an Australian horse sales magazine. Issues from April 2005 and October/November 2018 were selected. Head and neck position was categorized as BTV, on the vertical (OV), slightly in front of the vertical (IFV), or extremely in front of the vertical (EIFV; any HNP >30° IFV). Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test and post hoc testing via a multiple regression approach through SPSS and test of proportions via the Z-score calculator for two independent population proportions. Analysis of combined data from years 2005 and 2018 showed 47.0% (n = 570) of the horse sample population were advertised with HNPs BTV. Behind-the-vertical HNP was observed as the predominant HNP (57.8%; n = 268) in the warmblood/eventers/show/performance (WESP) category (P < .0005). In 2005, 53.4% (n = 303) of the sample population were ridden BTV compared with 39.7% (n = 267) in 2018 (P < .001), 12.9% (n = 303) were OV in 2005 compared with 15.0% (n = 267) in 2018 (P > .05), and 10.9% (n = 303) were IFV in 2005 compared with 27.3% (n = 267) in 2018 (P < .0004). These results suggest a positive development with fewer vendors/riders selecting images where the horse’s nose was BTV. However, this may be explained by the larger proportion of horses advertised in the WESP category in 2005 (63.0%; n = 303) versus 2018 (28.5%; n = 267), and the WESP category predominantly comprised of dressage, jumper, and eventing horses. In addition, the reduction of HNPs BTV from 53.4% (n = 303) in 2005 to 39.7% (n = 267) in 2018 could be attributed to the observation that in 2018, a larger proportion of horses were listed in categories that do not require the horses to be worked with a flexed HNP referred to as “on-the-bit” (e.g., western, endurance, Australian sStock horses). The HNP BTV remains preferential by a substantial proportion of the horse-owning public when advertising horses for sale, particularly in disciplines where the horse is worked in a flexed HNP or “on-the-bit.”

Effect of shooting experience on executive function: differences between experts and novices.

BackgroundExecutive function (EF) plays an important role in controlling human actions. Shooting is a closed motor skill, characterized by high anti-interference ability and high mental intensity. However, the beneficial effects of closed exercises such as shooting on EF remain unclear.MethodsWe utilized an expert-novice paradigm and the Flanker task to examine the EF of shooting athletes. Participants were assigned into the novice group, expert group, or control group, based on the level of training and competition experience. Reaction time (RT) and accuracy of performance across the three groups were compared.ResultsFor the simple task, the control group showed a longer RT than the novice group, for all three inter-stimulus interval (ISI) conditions. Significant differences between the control and the expert groups were observed only at 300-ms and 400-ms ISIs. For the complex task, the control group exhibited a higher RT than the novice and expert groups at the 300- and 400-ms ISIs.ConclusionsThe self-control during performing closed motor skills in the environment determines that shooters have proficient anti-interference ability. This ability is uncorrelated with task type, but most likely is affected by reserved task response time.

Reaching for the Stars: Spatial Competition and Consumer Reviews

Competition is a key feature of the market process assumed to improve market outcomes. But how strong is the relationship between competition and positive consumer experiences, and how does the relationship vary across space and type of competitor? Phoenix is a suitable setting in which to explore these questions because it is a major metropolitan area with thousands of unique restaurants rated on Yelp. The consumer experience is measured based upon Yelp user-generated reviews through July 2016, with higher ratings reflecting better customer experiences. Competition is defined in different ways depending upon the number of overall, same-price and same-type restaurants nearby. Given differences between chain and independent restaurants, competition is further segmented across these two types of establishments. After controlling for restaurant characteristics, census-tract-level demographics, census-tract fixed effects and sub-industry fixed effects the results suggest that spatial competition is only associated with better customer experiences for same-category independent restaurants within driving distance (1-5 miles). The association is not present for overall and same-price independent restaurant competition nor for chain restaurants. Consistent with the sprawling layout of the Phoenix area, the effect of competition is only for restaurants within driving distance. These findings are relevant for cities designing policies to attract residents by offering high-quality consumer amenities.

Patterns of urinary cortisol levels during ontogeny appear population specific rather than species specific in wild chimpanzees and bonobos

Compared with most mammals, postnatal development in great apes is protracted, presenting both an extended period of phenotypic plasticity to environmental conditions and the potential for sustained mother-offspring and/or sibling conflict over resources. Comparisons of cortisol levels during ontogeny can reveal physiological plasticity to species or population specific socioecological factors and in turn how these factors might ameliorate or exaggerate mother-offspring and sibling conflict. Here, we examine developmental patterns of cortisol levels in two wild chimpanzee populations (Budongo and Taï), with two and three communities each, and one wild bonobo population (LuiKotale), with two communities. Both species have similar juvenile life histories. Nonetheless, we predicted that key differences in socioecological factors, such as feeding competition, would lead to interspecific variation in mother-offspring and sibling conflict and thus variation in ontogenetic cortisol patterns. We measured urinary cortisol levels in 1394 samples collected from 37 bonobos and 100 chimpanzees aged up to 12 years. The significant differences in age-related variation in cortisol levels appeared population specific rather than species specific. Both bonobos and Taï chimpanzees had comparatively stable and gradually increasing cortisol levels throughout development; Budongo chimpanzees experienced declining cortisol levels before increases in later ontogeny. These age-related population differences in cortisol patterns were not explained by mother-offspring or sibling conflict specifically; instead, the comparatively stable cortisol patterns of bonobos and Taï chimpanzees likely reflect a consistency in experience of competition and the social environment compared with Budongo chimpanzees, where mothers may adopt more variable strategies related to infanticide risk and resource availability. The clear population-level differences within chimpanzees highlight potential intraspecific flexibility in developmental processes in apes, suggesting the flexibility and diversity in rearing strategies seen in humans may have a deep evolutionary history.

Perception of Affordances for Vertical and Horizontal Jumping in Children: Gymnasts Versus Non-Athletes

ABSTRACT Purpose: We investigated the perception of affordances for vertical jumping-and-reaching and horizontal jumping by children. Method: In the horizontal task, children were asked to judge their ability in the standing long jump. In the vertical task, children were asked to judge the height of a ball that they could run to, jump up, and reach with their fingertips. Following judgments, children performed both types of jumps. We compared gymnasts (children with at least 2 years of gymnastics training; 7.92 ± 0.91 years) versus children with no competitive athletic experience (7.74 ± 0.86 years). Results: As expected, actual ability was greater in gymnasts than in non-athletes, for both types of jump (each p < .001). We separately analyzed Constant Error and Absolute Error of judgments (relative to actual performance). Results revealed that gymnasts tended toward underestimation, while non-athletes tended toward overestimation. Absolute error differed between tasks for the non-athletes (p < .001), but for the gymnasts the difference between conditions was not significant (p = .25). Absolute error differed between groups for vertical jump-and-reach (p < .01) but not for horizonal jump (p = .17). Conclusions: Gymnastics experience was associated with a generalized tendency for children to underestimate their jumping ability. In addition, gymnastics experience was associated with judgment accuracy that was consistent across tasks. The results reveal that gymnastics training is associated with changes in athletic ability, but also with changes in the perception of affordances.

Well-Being and Throwing Speed of Women Handball Players Affected by Feedback.

This research aims at studying the effect of feedback on well-being (vitality, and positive and negative affect), competence valuation, perceived competence, motivation, and performance (throwing speed and accuracy) in a throwing task. Thirty nine expert women handball players, with experience in international handball competitions, participated in this study. They were indiscriminately ascribed to one of three different experimental conditions measuring feedback: (positive, negative, and none). Significant differences in well-being (positive affect) and throwing speed were found among the three feedback groups. More concretely, higher levels of positive affect and throwing speed were found in the negative feedback group in comparison with the other two groups (positive and no-feedback). These results have important implications for athletes’ well-being and performance, and for coaches’ training programs.

MARKETING STRATEGY FOR TAMAKREASI MINIGP EVENT

Euphoria of race event in Indonesia are very big and have many opportunity to make profit. With more than one million productive young people, Bandung has the big market target to fulfill the passion and enthusiastic race lovers. And also the growth sales of the motorcycle make and supporting component to the continuity progress on its demand highly contributing for the race event.Tamakreasi is a company based in Jakarta as a company in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) industry. Their second MiniGP event will be held in Bandung in uncommon event place because they could not find an appropriate trade center or mall like their first event in Jakarta. That is why the probability of low traffic is considering high in their second event in Bandung.&#x0D; Internal analysis consists of STP and Marketing Mix analysis. On STP analysis, author found out that Tamakreasi MiniGP event targeted the costumers who lived in Bandung, like to watch unique motorcycle 208 Co-Management Vol. I, No. 2, Juni 2019race event, minimum education is high school, male gender, almost all generation, and living their lives as above middle social class. On marketing mix analysis, author found out that Tamakreasi want to deliver unique race competition experience both for their visitors and for their sponsors. External analysis consist of Porter 5 force analysis. What author found on Porter 5 forces analysis is that competitiveness tension of this industry is high, because from 5 forces there are three forces that considering high which are threat of substitutes, bargaining power of suppliers, and industry rivalry. Root caused analysis addressed three problems and two sub-problems, they are limited marketing communication activities, people did not familiar with their next venue in Bandung, and race circuit is in uncommon event space. Tamakreasi use marketing communication tools that combined as their promotional mix to solve these problems.To fix these problems, Tamakreasi use marketing communication tools which consists of Advertising, Public Relation, and Social Media. Advertising channel consists of brochure, x-banner, and billboard.&#x0D; Public relation channel consists of radio, TV, magazine, newspaper, and community. Social media channel consists of Facebook fan page, Instagram, youtube channel, and buzzer or social media influencer. The combination between all of these marketing communication tools called promotional mix. Promotional mix used as the strategy to overcome the issue that Tamakreasi face.

Understanding Medicare ACO Adoption in the Context of Market Factors

Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) have achieved high-quality performance and recent cost savings, but little is known about how local market conditions influence provider adoption. The authors describe physician practice participation in Medicare ACOs at the county level and use adjusted logistic regression to assess the association between ACO presence and 3 characteristics hypothesized to influence ACO formation: physician market concentration, Medicare Advantage (MA) penetration, and commercial health insurance market concentration. Analyses are repeated on urban and rural county subgroups to examine geographic differences in ACO adoption. Practice participation in ACOs grew 19% nationally from 5.4% to 6.4% of practices between 2015 to 2017, but participation lagged in the West and rural counties, the latter of which had relatively concentrated physician markets and low MA penetration. After controlling for urban location, population density, and other covariates, ACO presence in a county was independently associated with less concentrated physician markets and moderate MA penetration but not commercial insurance concentration. The evidence suggests that Medicare ACO programs have continued appeal to physician practices, but additional engagement strategies may be needed to expand adoption in rural areas. In addition, greater practice competition and MA experience may facilitate ACO adoption. These insights into the relationship between market conditions and ACO participation have important implications for policy efforts to accelerate Medicare payment transformation.

Career as a Professional Gamer: Gaming Motives as Predictors of Career Plans to Become a Professional Esport Player.

Increasing numbers of young video gamers view esports (i.e., competitive video gaming) as a career opportunity, rather than just a recreational activity. Previous studies have explored the motivational differences between esport and recreational gamers and the motivational changes through career journey to become a professional esport player. The present study explored the predictors of career plans to become a professional esport player, with a specific focus on gaming motivations. Gaming time, gaming motivations, and esport-related playing experience were also examined among Hungarian gamers with competitive gaming experience (N = 190), such as years spent in esports, medium and frequency of participating in esport tournaments, the effort put into training before the tournaments, and the plans to become a professional esport player. Binary logistic regressions were carried out and results showed that the gaming motivations of competition, skill development, and social motivations predicted career planning as a professional esport player. Additionally, results showed that younger players were more likely to seek career opportunity as professional esport players than older players. Future studies should focus on novice esport players’ psychological exposure to the hypercompetitive scene of esports, such as high expectations or the risk of becoming problematic videogame users due to their motivational changes.

Predictors of CrossFit Open Performance.

The 2018 CrossFit Open (CFO) was the initial stage of an annual competition that consisted of five weekly workouts. Current evidence suggests that a variety of fitness parameters are important for progressing beyond this stage, but little is known about which are the most important. To examine relationships between CFO performance, experience, and physiological fitness, sixteen experienced (>2 years) athletes (30.7 ± 6.9 years, 171 ± 12 cm, 78.0 ± 16.2 kg) volunteered to provide information about their training and competitive history, and then complete a battery of physiological assessments prior to competing in the 2018 CFO. Athletes’ resting energy expenditure, hormone concentrations, body composition, muscle morphology, cardiorespiratory fitness, and isometric strength were assessed on two separate occasions. Spearman correlations demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) relationships between most variables and performance on each workout. Stepwise regression revealed competition experience (R2 = 0.31–0.63), body composition (R2 = 0.55–0.80), vastus lateralis cross-sectional area (R2 = 0.29–0.89), respiratory compensation threshold (R2 = 0.54–0.75), and rate of force development (R2 = 0.30–0.76) to be the most common predictors. Of these, body composition was the most important. These fitness parameters are known targets with established training recommendations. Though preliminary, athletes may use these data to effectively train for CFO competition.

The Role of Intuition and Perception in decision making under time constraint in Tournament Chess and probability: J M Keynes and Herbert Simon

Keynes’s father, J N Keynes ,was a ranked and rated chess master in tournament chess who played first board in OTB (Over-The- Board) matches for Cambridge University in the late 1870’s and early 1880’s.J M Keynes undoubtedly learned how to play chess from his father. However, what he also learned was the important role that intuition and perception play in the OTB chess competition, but not in correspondence (postal) chess. The nearly three hundred year old claim, originally made by J.Bentham , which is still the foundation for all classical ,neoclassical, new classical, and new neoclassical theories, is that decision makers are able to calculate an optimal numerical outcome and an optimal ,numerical probability, on which to base their future decisions (moves) in the game of life (chess) under no time constraint. Thus, the decision problem specified by Bentham is, by analogy, the type of situation faced in Correspondence or postal chess. This is also what F P Ramsey’s subjective approach to probability entails-There is no time constraint on the decision maker. Ramsey would have been a horrible (under 800 USCF) OTB chess player since he would lose all his games on time as his clock fell. However, Ramsey’s approach would have made him a very formidable postal or correspondence chess player, where one has no effective time constraint and a player can search for the best, optimal move whereas OTB players are looking for a good (Simon’s satisfactory outcome) move based on their intuitive perception of their study of similar positions from chess theory and competitive experience, given the unclear and ambiguous positions that appear often in middle game situations on the chessboard. Both Keynes and Simon understood that, in most situations on the chess (OTB) board, as well in the game of life, the operational time constraint makes it impossible to calculate a best or optimal outcome or probability over the board or in real life economic, political, and social decision problems or situations. However, it is possible to discover what is called a good or interesting move, which Simon characterized as a satisfying approach, as opposed to maximizing. I know of no tournament chess player in my lifetime of any rating, excluding those who have become academic economists and have turned their backs on the qualities they know were required to become a good chess player, so as to be in step with the Benthamite Utilitarian economist claim that all decision makers can calculate optimal or best decisions in the future, who believes that they can generally calculate precisely over the board.

Role of physique and physical fitness in the balance of Korean national snowboard athletes

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to understand the relationship between physique, physical fitness, and balance performance for snowboard athletes. MethodsWe considered all Korean national snowboard athletes (n = 9 with 6 males and 3 females, age = 17.44 ± 4.42), who have an experience of competition at continental cup level, to measure their physique, physical fitness, and (both static and dynamic) balance. Static balance was evaluated based on one-legged standing, while dynamic balance was estimated using a stability platform. ResultsStatic balance is strongly correlated (p < 0.05) with circumference of the left lower leg (34.49 ± 2.42 cm; ρ = 0.68), sit-up (57.56 ± 8.8; ρ = 0.72), sargent jump (50.22 ± 11.78 cm; ρ = 0.67), strength of bench press (39.11 ± 17.73 kg; ρ = 0.67), angle of left ankle dorsiflexion (73.78 ± 7.86°; ρ = 0.77), average extension strength at 180° for left knee (321 ± 63.95 %BW; ρ = 0.77) and right knee (337 ± 60.32 %BW; ρ = 0.77), and right knee peak flexion strength at 60° (148 ± 25.61 %BW; ρ = 0.73). Center dynamic balance is negatively correlated with circumference of the right lower leg (34.63 ± 2.38 cm; ρ = −0.67, p < 0.05), while right dynamic balance is positively correlated with left ankle flexion (148.44 ± 5.20°; ρ = 0.78, p < 0.05). ConclusionStatic balance is related to core muscle endurance and power, ankle flexibility, and knee stability, while dynamic balance is negatively correlated with circumference of the most frequently used lower leg (i.e., the leg dominating the snowboarding stance). The relationship between physique, physical fitness, and balance provides an insight into improving the balance performance of elite snowboard athletes through a training program that can affect the physique and physical fitness factors related to balance.

Entrenamiento de balonmano en las categorías junior y senior: diferencias y similitudes

Entrenadores de balonmano buscan el desarrollo de diferentes capacidades de los jugadores, a través de diferentes métodos de enseñanza. El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar las diferencias y similitudes metodológicas en el proceso de entrenamiento de las categorías júnior y sénior. Se entrevistaron seis entrenadores de balonmano y las entrevistas fueron analizadas con el método Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo. Los entrenadores mencionaron características similares en las categorías: el aumento de la especificidad y la obtención de resultados a partir de la categoría júnior; y como principales diferencias: las experiencias competitivas y la búsqueda de resultados. Los entrenadores señalaron que utilizan métodos de enseñanza similares en ambas categorías, principalmente por entrenaren en conjunto y por la necesidad de obtener resultados. Aunque los entrenadores creen que es necesario que las jugadoras tengan más experiencias relacionadas con el ambiente competitivo, hay un reconocimiento hacia los contenidos con los que tuvieron contacto durante la formación deportiva. Handball coaches aim to develop different players’ skills, using different teaching approaches. The aim of this work was to identify the differences and methodological proximity between the junior and adult teams of women's handball. Six handball coaches were interviewed and the speeches were analyzed using the Collective Subject Discourse method. The coaches mentioned similar characteristics of both teams, and point out the increase in specificity and results collection from the junior team; and the main differences between these teams are related to the competitive experiences and the magnitude of the results charged. Coaches have been using similar teaching approaches mainly because the integration between the teams and the search for expressive results in competitions. Although coaches believe that there is a need for more competitive experiences for women players, there is a charge for the content with which they are supposed to have contact throughout their entire training process.

Self-reported Training Variables Are Poor Predictors Of Laboratory Measures In A Heterogenous Group Of Cyclists

PURPOSE: Cycling is a predominantly aerobic activity that depends on a range of physiological attributes, as well as genetic, dietary and lifestyle factors. It is unknown to what extent laboratory-measured physiological and performance characteristics are predicted by individual training factors such as intensity, duration, distance, coach supervision, level of competition and training experience in cycling. METHODS: Fifty-two men and 18 women completed a training questionnaire and performance tests generating 14 outcomes (incremental cycling test [8 outcomes]; 30-s Wingate test [4 outcomes]; and 4-km cycling time-trial [2 outcomes]). LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) regression was performed for each performance outcome including demographic and training factors as potential predictors. Continuous regression inputs were scaled by dividing values by two standard deviations to facilitate comparisons with binary predictors and assist with model interpretation. Models were generated using the glmnet package in R with associations described by regression coefficients and percentage inclusion in 10000 bootstrap samples. RESULTS: Laboratory measures indicated a heterogenous group of athletes, as demonstrated by the range of maximal oxygen uptake values (VO2max, range: 26.3 - 69.8 ml·kg-1·min-1). LASSO models identified that demographic factors were the most influential predictors of laboratory variables, with sex (76±37% inclusion), age (55±27% inclusion) and height (55±40% inclusion) featuring consistently in bootstrap samples across outcomes. In contrast, no discernible patters were identified for training factors. When training factors did appear consistently in a model, the regression coefficients were small and median estimates of the best training predictors were equal to 15.1±7.4% of sex or 30.6±14.5% of the next most influential demographic factor. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported training variables were poor predictors of physiological and performance measures in a heterogenous group of cyclists, while demographics such as sex, age and height were greater predictors of these variables. A lack of a properly structured or implemented training program might explain the low predictive ability of training variables towards these laboratorial outcomes.

Validity And Reliability Of A Portable Metabolic Analyzer For Assessing Oxygen Consumption And Ventilation

Metabolic analyzers are standard tools in research-based, exercise physiology laboratories in university settings. Portable, low-cost metabolic analyzers have the capacity to extend the value of metabolic gas analysis beyond the traditional laboratory setting. PURPOSE: This study’s purpose was to assess validity and reliability of a portable, low-cost metabolic analyzer (VPRO) for assessment of oxygen consumption (VO2) and minute ventilation (VE) during progressive cycling testing. METHODS: In Protocol 1, eight male participants (height: 171.9 ± 5.8 cm, weight: 79.6 ± 8.3 kg, age: 41.0 ± 12.3 years) with previous competitive cycling experience ranging from 2-40 years completed an hour-long stationary cycling protocol twice, progressing from 100-300 Watts every 10-12 minutes while wearing the VPRO and a criterion measure (PMED) for five minutes each, at each stage. In Protocol 2, 16 recreationally active male participants (height: 168.2 ± 8.4 cm, weight: 76.5 ± 13.3 kg, age: 23.0 ± 9.4 years) completed three incremental, maximal stationary cycling tests wearing one of three analyzers for each test (VPRO version 1.1.1, VPRO version 1.2.1, PMED). Mean absolute percent differences (MAPD) ≤10% were deemed acceptable validity/reliability. RESULTS: For Protocol 1 and convergent validity, the VPRO had mean absolute differences from the PMED of <0.3 L/min for absolute VO2 and <5 L/min for VE overall and at each exercise stage. MAPD for VO2 and VE were <9% overall and <12% at each exercise stage. Test-retest reliability of VO2 and VE of the VPRO (MAPD: 8.9-11.0%) was lower than the PMED (MAPD: 4.7-7.6%). For Protocol 2, validity was similar for both VPRO versions (MAPD ~12% overall) compared to the PMED for VO2 and VE. CONCLUSIONS: The VPRO had an acceptable validity and test-retest reliability for most variables and intensities tested and may be an appealing option for VO2 and VE analysis.

FE Analysis Of Meniscus Injury In A Square Stance Tennis Forehand Drive-a Case Study

Meniscus tears are common among tennis players. Currently, little is known regarding knee joint kinematic and kinetic characteristics during a square stance tennis forehand that may lead to an increased risk of a meniscus injury. PURPOSE:To study loading characteristics of meniscus during a square stance tennis forehand swing using a dynamics model and a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model. METHODS: Two female Chinese players (age 14 y) with 6 years of competitive tennis experience performed three square stance tennis forehand drives. Of the two players, one had a lateral meniscus tear of the left knee joint and the other had no history of knee injury. Three-dimensional kinematic motion and ground reaction force data were collected using VICON and AMTI (120 Hz/1200Hz)and then imported into the OpenSIM software to obtain movement data of the tibia and femur. CT and MRI were used to image a healthy human knee that included the femur, tibia, cartilage layers, menisci and ligaments. 2D data were imported into Mimics software to develop a 3D finite element model of the healthy human knee. The 3D model was imported into HyperWorks software to compute the 3D finite-element models of the knee. Last, the loading data of the movement obtained from OpenSIM was imported and transformed into HyperWorks to obtain the distribution stress of the meniscus. RESULTS:Compared with the non-injury player, the athlete with the meniscus tear exhibited excessive tibia rotation, showed a higher level of biomechanical stress of the lateral meniscus and demonstrated greater peak value (figure 1,figure 2). CONCLUSION:In the acceleration stage of the square stance tennis forehand, differences were observed in the tibial rotation of the healthy and injured players leading one to speculate that the rotation of the knee joint may be related to meniscus injury. Additional studies are needed to verify this speculation and to infer causality.

The Mediating Effect of Motivation and Competitive Experience Variables on The Effect of Mental Toughness and Competitive Anxiety on Athletes

The purpose of this study is to examine whether mental toughness can predict competitive anxiety through the motivation and competitive experience possessed by athletes. Respondents involved were 175 athletes who were students (93 female and 82 male). Path analysis reports that there are direct and indirect effects of the measured variable. Our results show the influence of mental toughness on competitive anxiety. However, the influence of exerted is a positive effect that if athletes have good mental toughness, then their competitive anxiety increases as well. Researchers suspect that there are other constructs that accompany mental toughness in influencing competitive anxiety in athletes. The mediation model also shows that athletes who have high motivation and competitive experience significantly mediate the influence between mental toughness and athlete’s competitive anxiety. Concluded that mental toughness, motivation, competitive experience, have a reciprocal relationship from competitive anxiety. In addition, the results of this study also reported that mental toughness, motivation, and competitive experience are able to predict competitive anxiety.

Do Competitive Contexts Affect Mindreading Performance?

Mindreading is contingent upon interpersonal context. Little is known about how competitive contexts influence mindreading skills. The idea was that the capacity to think about mental states would decline when individuals experiencing failure in competition. This study aims to assess effects of a competitive experience (a computer competitive PC game) on a sample of healthy subjects (119 participants). The sample was divided into two sub-samples. The experimental group underwent an experience of failure, consisting in a PC game of logic against a hypothetical opponent. The control group was required instead only to discuss past personal experiences of competitive interactions. The Metacognitive Assessment Interview was administered to each sub-sample for evaluating mindreading capacities. Self-report tests were additionally provided for evaluation of trait-based dispositions: self-esteem, perfectionism, narcissism. Results supported our hypothesis: induction of sense of failure compromises ability to describe one’s own mental states and mental states of others. This effect was more pronounced in the domain of self-reflection. Results remained significant after controlling for self-esteem, perfectionism, and narcissism. We discuss possible clinical implications of these findings and the importance of evaluating mindreading capacities under the pressure of social rank as well as of other social motive.

THE CURRENT STATE AND ISSUES OF PREPARATION OF AN ATHLETIC RESERVE (BASED ON THE SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH)

Aim. The article deals with the analysis of the current state and issues of training sports reserve in track and field. Materials and methods. A questionnaire consisting of 12 questions and 57 subquestions of open-ended, close-ended and multiple choice types was developed. The questionnaire-based survey was carried out among Russian and Chinese coaches (n = 161) aged 20–72 years including Honored coaches of the Russian Federation (n = 7) and elite coaches (n = 38). Results. The questionnaire-based survey for coaches demonstrated that they worried about: declining popularity of track-and-field compared to other sports; early specialization and related risks; low qualification of coaches working with children and teenagers. Respondents pay special attention to negative consequences of early specialization such as early retirement from sport, loss of promising athletes; short career in elite sports; growing number of sports-related injuries in young athletes. According to coaches, the main factors contributing to early specialization are the following: a) specialized training, which results in a rapid growth of sport results; b) achievements in sports are so high that a coach has to search for sports reserve among children. According to the respondents, young athletes should participate in competitions to learn how to overcome themselves and accumulate competitive experience. The majority of respondents think that integrated training in track-and-field is one of the important factors of successful career. Conclusion. A social survey of coaches has revealed peculiarities and issues typical for training sports reserve in track-and-field, which have to be considered and resolved.