Experiences Of Athletes Research Articles

A scoping review of the experiences of elite female athletes concerning pregnancy and motherhood

More women are successfully combining their elite athletic careers with motherhood, however for many, pregnancy and motherhood are often one of the main reasons they end their sporting careers. While there has been some focus in recent years regarding this topic, there are limited reviews of the literature regarding the experiences of elite ­athletes with pregnancy and motherhood. Adopting a Scoping Review approach, we reviewed 40 studies exploring motherhood and elite sport. Overall, the studies analysed for this scoping review provide a mixed picture of the biomedical and social aspects related to female elite athletes and pregnancy. The bio-medically focused studies tended to adopt a quantitative or mixed-method perspective with a predominant focus on physical changes, injuries, and performance outcomes, whilst reviewed qualitative studies focused on a variety of social factors that can impact a female athlete’s return to elite sport including childcare and access to maternity leave.

Facing the COVID-19 Opponent

A group of women who have been left out of the conversation during the COVID-19 pandemic is middle-aged women (30-60 years old) who were formerly collegiate athletes. This population may be in a unique position to reflect on if and how their participation in college athletics has informed their response to COVID-19. Therefore, this study is one of the first to utilize halftime (i.e., middle age and mid-pandemic) to ask former women collegiate athletes to reflect on their college athletic experience and its relevance to the present day as society is facing a global crisis. Results from this exploratory study suggest that collegiate sport experiences serve to promote positive coping responses beyond college years and during difficult times for this group.

Our dorm, our home, our friends, family: experiences of belonging among international college athletes

ABSTRACT This study explores the experiences of international college athletes (ICAs) at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III (DIII) small private institution in the Southern part of the United States (U.S.). ICAs are an integral part of the athletic and academic community and have been part of the NCAA for over 50 years; however, there is limited research surrounding this population's experience of belonging at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), especially at the NCAA DIII level. Drawing on Strayhorn and Merleau-Ponty, this study employs focus groups to examine the lived experience of ICAs (n = 18) and their sense of belonging. The findings reveal the challenges ICAs face, how they overcome these challenges by finding belonging, and feeling forced to assimilate to fit in. We conclude with suggestions for the NCAA and its member institutions, including the need for more research to be conducted on ICAs, particularly at the DIII level.

The Experiences of Endurance Athletes With Atrial Fibrillation: Tensions and Takeaways.

Growing evidence indicates that chronic high-intensity endurance exercise predisposes male, middle-aged athletes to increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aetiology of AF in endurance athletes is multifactorial and remains incompletely understood. Despite their unique training demands, AF care in athletes remains largely based on evidence derived from the general population. Understanding the experiences of athletes with AF provides a necessary foundation for addressing challenges in managing their condition and identifying gaps in care. The purpose of this interpretive descriptive qualitative study was to describe the experiences and perspectives of endurance athletes living with AF. Masters athletes diagnosed with AF and aged between 35 and 60 years were recruited internationally through cardiology practices and social media. Ten middle-aged, male endurance athletes with AF and >1,500 lifetime training hours participated in individual, semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Three key themes were constructed: (1) tensions with training, (2) tensions with treatment plans, and (3) tensions with clinicians. Participants experienced a wide range of symptoms from AF that significantly affected their ability to train, and reacted negatively to medical treatment strategies that affected their exercise capacity and training performance. Athletes experienced tensions with providers who failed to acknowledge their athletic needs. Our results highlight the unique difficulties that male athletes with AF face in navigating between training and their disease, treatment, and clinicians. Shared decision-making between the athlete and provider is likely necessary for effective management of athletic AF.

Athletic Trainers' Psychosocial Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Research Study.

Despite the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, athletic programs have sought ways to persevere and deliver sport programming. This process has strained the psychosocial health of all sport stakeholders but especially those entrusted with promoting the health of participants and enforcing safety protocols. Athletic trainers (ATs) have been a major influence in striving to achieve these goals by expanding their typical roles to lead in promoting the safe delivery of sport programs. To examine the psychosocial lived experiences of ATs as they practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative study. National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I, II, and III. A total of 27 ATs practicing at the collegiate level (Divisions I, II, and III) who were actively involved in planning and implementing return-to-sport protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom. Inductive conventional content analysis identified emerging themes that characterized participants' narratives. Three members of the research team were involved in the analysis process and used field notes, continuous member checking, peer review, and multiple-researcher triangulation to establish data credibility and confirmability. Three higher-order themes related to ATs' psychosocial lived experiences emerged: (1) internalized experience, (2) interpersonal interactions, and (3) AT identity. Several subthemes were also identified to further organize elements that characterized or differentiated participants' lived experiences. Athletic trainers encountered significant challenges in maintaining their psychosocial health during the pandemic as they strived to assist others in this regard. Providing effective psychological and social support resources and strategies for ATs may not only allow them to better support themselves but may also enhance their ability to deliver professional services and promote psychosocial health among their athletes and other stakeholders in their respective sport systems in the future.

Adaptation to life after sport for retired athletes: A scoping review of existing reviews and programs.

Retirement from sport is a life transition that has significant implications for athletes' physical and mental health, as well as their social and professional development. Although extensive work has been done to review the retirement experiences of athletes, relatively less work has been done to examine and reflect on this expansive body of literature with a pragmatic aim of deciding what needs to happen to better support retiring athletes. This study used scoping review methodology to review current academic reviews, gray literature articles, and support programs on athletic retirement. This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute reviewer's manual guide on scoping reviews and adhered to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Academic articles were identified from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus. Gray literature articles and support programs were identified using advanced Google searches. This study identified 23 academic reviews, 44 gray literature articles, and 15 support programs. Generally, the results suggest that athletic retirement encompasses a drastic shift in identity, a loss of social networks, a lack of career ambitions, and potential risks to physical and mental health. While there was a gap in the academic literature regarding practical strategies to support retiring athletes, the gray literature suggests many creative ideas. Stepwise programming may be beneficial to help athletes: (a) make sense of their athletic experience and see retirement as an ongoing process; (b) develop a well-rounded sense of self identity and understand how to apply their unique skills and strengths in new ways; (3) gain control over their retirement transition by establishing a clear plan and adjusting to new routines and opportunities; and (4) normalize the transition experience by "living in the next" and building confidence in new life directions. Future research may benefit from developing and evaluating more programming to support athletes through the retirement transition.

Advancing Knowledge of the Bio-Cultural Complexities of Low Energy Availability: The Value of Mixed-Methods Approaches

Low energy availability (LEA) is a complex health condition that most commonly affects female athletes. Research on LEA is weighted to quantitative approaches, and few studies have employed qualitative methods to understand the development of LEA. Current research fails to understand the complexity of LEA by largely operating within isolated research paradigms. This paper aims to demonstrate the value of integrating a mixed-methods research approach to understand the influence of sporting cultures on the physiological experiences of female athletes with LEA. The mixed-methods approach implemented the use of physiological (quantitative) and socio-psychological (qualitative) data obtained from elite female athletes in three sports: triathlons and running, (n = 11), rugby sevens (n = 9), and track cycling (n = 10). The physiological data consisted of energy availability, haematological analysis, bone health, and body composition. The socio-psychological data consisted of individual semi-structured interviews with topics covering nutrition, body image, the impact of the sporting environment, and experience with LEA. The interview data were thematically analysed. By bringing qualitative and quantitative data together, this paper illustrates the complex relationship between sporting culture and the physiology of LEA. First, endurance athletes categorised as having an LEA showed a positive correlation between the relative energy intake (EI) and serum ferritin, with the interviews revealing a focus on a low body weight and reducing the EI. Second, the interviews with the rugby players showed a strong but hierarchical team culture, with the experienced players monitoring and controlling the EI of novice players. Third, among the cyclists, the EI was reduced in those categorised as having an LEA, with the interviews revealing a coach–athlete power relationship impacting dietary behaviours. To conclude, this paper demonstrates how mixed methods are important for capturing how different sporting cultures impact athletes’ socio-psychological and physiological experiences of LEA.

Supporting Athletes with Long Covid: Practice Recommendations for Sport Psychology Professionals Navigating the Unfamiliar and Unknown

The SARS-COV-2/COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the athletic experiences of athletes worldwide. One in five infections has resulted in Long Covid (LC) conditions, however, the impact of LC on athletes is unclear. Recently several high-profile athletes have spoken publicly about their LC diagnoses, with some temporarily delayed in their return to athletics, while others were forced to retire due to LC. LC is particularly challenging to manage for athletic populations due to the unique influence of Post Exertional Malaise (PEM), a worsening of symptoms post physical exertion. Sport Psychology Professionals (SPPs) may encounter athletes with LC and need to be informed about LC and the influence it may have on athletic participation. The purpose of this article is to provide SPPs with clear guidance for supporting athletes with LC.

Research of Characteristics of Mental Images of Movements in Martial Artists

The study investigated the specificity of mental images of martial artists when presenting certain actions (hip throw, miller, dive, transfer, leg pass) using a modified questionnaire to identify the features of mental images. 19 subjects (age 22 ± 3.6 years, male) participated in the study, nine of whom were wrestlers The subjects presented the above techniques in their performance several times. The following were analyzed: foreshortening, type of landmarks in the control of the presented movement, and chronometric characteristics of mental images. The results showed that experienced athletes were characterized, as a rule, by a stable foreshortening — predominantly from the 1st person. Fewer experienced athletes had a dominant 3rd-person perspective. There were pauses in the chronometric indices of experienced athletes in order to work through certain moments. In novice athletes, the rate of presentation of skills almost always corresponded to the real one. Muscle sensations dominated when describing skills in experienced martial artists. The beginners were dominated by visual characteristics, external forms.

Anthropometric Profiling and Changes in Segmental Body Composition of Professional Football Players in Relation to Age over the Training Macrocycle.

Body composition is an important indicator of the overall health and fitness of team sports athletes, including in football, and therefore, anthropometric profiling of elite football players is useful as part of determining their skills, strengths, and weaknesses to develop effective strength and conditioning programs. One of the tools available to coaches to track correlates of performance and health is routine body composition assessment. The purpose of this study is to describe and compare the body composition and anthropometric profiles of players using the Direct Segmental Multi-Frequency Bio-Electrical Impedance Analysis method, and to manage body composition throughout the round in the 2020-2021 season. The investigation was carried out during the Polish football league, PKO BP Ekstraklasa, spring round of the football season 2020-2021, in which male football players participated. Athletes between the ages of 18 and 25 (n = 16) made up the younger age group, while those between the ages of 26 and 31 (n = 22) made up the older age group. This manuscript is a continuation of the presentation of the results of the study, which was conducted between 7 January and 23 July 2021. At different stages of the macrocycle, participants underwent six different body composition analyses. The younger and older groups of athletes were compared, as well as measurements of time points 1-6. The dominant extremities, assisting extremities, and trunk had larger fat-free mass contents in the older age group. In the study groups, there was a difference in the fat-free mass content between measures 1-6 that was statistically significant. In the younger group, there was a statistically significant difference in the amount of fat mass content between measurements 1-6. In the older age group, no statistically significant changes were found. The study showed changes in fat-free mass and fat mass in body segments; differences were observed between age groups and between different moments of measurement. Age is an important factor in determining body composition and is also related to an athlete's experience and seniority. Anthropometric profiling and comprehensive body composition analysis are important tools used in preparing athletes for competition.

A Mixed-Method Study of Athletes’ Experiences With Mindfulness Across Stages of Readiness

Existing mindfulness literature in sport primarily focuses on manualized mindfulness protocols, while less is known about athlete experiences with mindfulness outside of interventions. The purpose of the present study was to explore student-athlete experiences with and readiness to practice mindfulness. Using convenience and snowball sampling, 205 collegiate athletes completed a mixed-method survey that assessed readiness, trait mindfulness, social support for mindfulness practice, and mindfulness’ perceived effect on performance. Participants were invited to comment on benefits, barriers, or adverse experiences during their practice. Athletes with long-term experience had significantly higher mindfulness scores than those with less experience; they also perceived that mindfulness had significantly greater effects on performance than those not practicing. Various benefits and barriers were expressed across stages of readiness, though roughly 6%–10% of participants reported an adverse effect of mindfulness practice. It is thus important for practitioners to consider readiness levels and previous experiences in implementing mindfulness interventions.

Supporting Physical Activity Lifestyle Change

Apply it! By reading this article, you will learn: • By “coming alongside” the athlete, you will begin to build greater engagement and have the athlete demonstrate greater autonomy toward their change. • To avoid “traps” in the conversation such as the expert trap, question–answer trap, and prematurely fixing without fully understanding the athlete's perception of the challenge. • To use the athlete as the best resource for change strategies—work together to identify action plans that are flexible and based on their readiness to change. • Relapse is a normal part of change; be patient and flexible as the athlete experiences how this feels and build in maintenance strategies to the change plan.

The Prevalence and Impact of Debilitative Psychological and Behavioral Responses to Long-Term Injury in Athletes

Injuries, and their psychological and maladaptive behavioral consequences, are an inevitable by-product of sport participation. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of maladaptive behaviors and psychological corollaries of long-term injury in order to understand if these are universal experiences of long-term injured athletes. Competitive athletes (n = 187; average time spent injured =43 weeks), across a range of sports completed an online questionnaire developed to investigate the psychological and behavioral consequences of long-term injury. Results indicated that negative symptoms after injury were a universal experience and are the “normal” response to injury, not the “exception.” The most prevalent psychological consequences were rumination (97.9%), boredom (94.7%), and fear of reinjury (93.6%). Furthermore, indicators of suicidal ideation were reported by more than 50% of participants. Factor analysis revealed a six-factor model: (a) self-sabotaging behavior, (b) daily functioning, (c) addictive behavior, (d) clinical issues, (e) fixation on injury, and (f) compromised athletic identity. All factors significantly correlated with debilitating impact. Thus, this study calls for a change to the support of long-term injured athletes to include routine psychological care.

Sports Coaching in an Online Space: What Can We Learn From Endurance Sport Coaches?

Within endurance sports (ES), a practice exists in which online remote coaching (RC) is a necessary construct. This study aimed to examine the processes of ES coaches to gain insight into the experiences of coaches engaging in RC before COVID-19 forced others to do the same. To achieve this aim, semistructured interviews were conducted with ES coaches (N = 7; M = 6, F = 1). Transcripts were subject to thematic analysis, with three dimensions (a) remote coach and ES, (b) process of remote coaching, and (c) delivery of training online being identified. An additional 17 higher and 79 lower order themes were found. Results found that to be effective online, ES coaches utilised technology such as instant messaging and online software to increase presence and decrease the perceived distance from athletes. They aimed to create autonomous athletes both by choice and by necessity. The ease of access through technology had a negative and positive impact on work–life balance. A process was developed whereby only technology that served a purpose to further athlete outcomes was used and balanced with subjective feedback. Further research is needed to garner athlete expectations and experiences of RC.

Exploring the Athletic Identity, Anxiety, and Mental Health of Division II Collegiate Athletes in the COVID-19 Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious implications on the health and well-being of student-athletes. The present study explored the athletic experiences of NCAA Division II college athletes during the competitive hiatus caused by the pandemic, as well as in their return to sport participation. Twenty male and female student-athletes from a variety of sports (freshman = 2, sophomores = 4, seniors = 9, and graduate = 5) participated in semistructured interviews to explore how the pandemic affected their athletic identity, anxiety, and mental health. Through the use of thematic content analysis, the following major themes were identified: (a) influence of COVID on athletic identity, (b) increased anxiety during COVID, (c) social aspects of sport participation, and (d) factors that influence mental health. Findings indicated a combination of positive and negative effects on the athletic identity, anxiety, and mental health and well-being of student-athletes.

Hyperglycemia-related anxiety during competition in an elite athlete with type 1 diabetes: A case report

AimManaging blood glucose (BG) levels during intense physical activity is challenging for elite athletes with type 1 diabetes (T1D), as it can lead to unpredictable hyper- or hypoglycemia, which can affect performance. This case study presents an 18-year-old male hockey goalie with hyperglycemia-related anxiety during competition and its impact on his T1D management. MethodsMixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative data from an unstructured interview and responses from the Hyperglycemia Avoidance Scale along with quantitative data retrieved from Diasend and laboratory results. ResultsThe athlete experiences physical and cognitive symptoms during hyperglycemia, affecting his performance. Hyperglycemia-related anxiety influences insulin dosage adjustments and eating habits on game days. Glycemic variability analysis reveals lower BG levels during game time. ConclusionHyperglycemia-related anxiety leads to modified therapeutic and lifestyle regimens on competition day. Tailored treatment programs are needed for elite athletes with T1D and hyperglycemia-related anxiety.

Retrospective study of COVID-19 experiences in elite multinational aquatic athletes

This study assessed the experiences of elite aquatic athletes with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the first World Championship conducted without social distancing and an isolation “bubble”. An online questionnaire was completed by 812 athletes (22.7 ± 5.9 years, 467 females) to provide data on demographics, sports activity, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection rates, symptoms, reinfection, vaccination status, and psychological aspects. The answers revealed that 49.4% of athletes had experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection. The infection rates varied significantly across different aquatic sports, with open water swimmers having the lowest (28%) and water polo players (67%) and artistic swimmers (61%) having the highest infection rates (p < 0.0001). The majority reported mild (51%) or moderate (27%) symptoms, while 16% remained asymptomatic. Reinfection occurred in 13%, and 10% of initial infections led to long COVID, with fatigue (65%) and shortness of breath (48%) being the most common long-term symptoms. Significantly, 92% of athletes received at least two vaccine doses and reported a positive vaccination experience (median score of 8 out of 10 for each shot). Mood changes and subjective performance drops significantly correlated with the overall experience scores (rho: 0.617, p < 0.0001, and rho: 0.466, p < 0.0001, respectively). In conclusion, most athletes experienced a benign disease course despite a relatively high infection rate. This study provides valuable insights into the COVID-19 experiences of elite aquatic athletes. The findings emphasize the importance of vaccination initiatives, monitoring psychological well-being and the need to fortify athletes’ resilience in the face of future health challenges.

The Portrayal Of Jesse Owens’ Character As The Representation Of Male African-American Athlete In Stephen Hopkins’ Race (2016): New Historicism

In the 1930s, African-American male athletes faced segregation and discrimination due to their skin color. Modern biographical films now offer a more accurate representation of their struggles and achievements. This research examines how the movie “Race” (2016) portrays Jesse Owens, a male African-American athlete from the 1930s, and its implications for present-day US race relations. Through qualitative analysis using Narrative and Non-Narrative methods, we apply Stephen Greenblatt’s New Historicism to explore the movie's depiction of Owens. By comparing the film to historical records, we find that "Race" neglects to show Owens’ dedication to sports, education, work, and the significant influence of his Irish first coach. These omissions are connected to the continued exclusion of African-Americans in contemporary American society. This study reaffirms the persistence of white supremacy beliefs and stereotypes surrounding African-American athletes, portraying them as solely focused on sports. The portrayal of Jesse Owens in the movie mirrors the current experiences of African-American male athletes, who still grapple with stereotypes and racial discrimination, even in the aftermath of President Obama’s tenure.

Association of Scapular Dyskinesis with Neck and Shoulder Function and Training Period in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu Athletes.

Background and Objectives: Neck and shoulder injuries are common in Brazilian ju-jitsu (BJJ) athletes, and scapular dyskinesis (SD) is associated with these injuries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SD in BJJ athletes, their neck and shoulder function and strength, and the BJJ training period. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight BJJ athletes participated in the study. Years of experience with BJJ, belt, shoulder internal and external rotation strength, neck strength, neck disability index (NDI), and SD were measured. Results: Approximately 31 BJJ athletes (64.6%) showed SD, and the nondominant arm showed a more obvious SD (n = 22, 45.8%) than the dominant arm (n = 18, 37.5%). Those with over five years of BJJ training experience showed a significantly higher rate of SD (p = 0.006) than those with less than five years of experience. Shoulder isometric internal rotation strength was significantly weaker in the obvious SD group than in the normal SD group (p = 0.014). Neck isometric strength and NDI did not differ significantly between individuals with or without SD. Conclusions: SD was common among BJJ athletes, and more experienced BJJ athletes exhibited higher rates of SD. Shoulder rotational strength was weaker with SD. Further studies are necessary on the neck and shoulders of BJJ athletes with SD.

LEVEL OF MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS OF ATHLETES IN RELATION TO THEIR SPORTS PARTICIPATION

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Purpose:&lt;/strong&gt; This study aimed to measure the level of motivational factors of athletes in relation to their sports participation. The study reveals the highest and lowest motivational factors among athletes and the team that are perceived as most and least motivated. &lt;strong&gt;Methods and Materials:&lt;/strong&gt; The study is quantitative in nature. A purposive sampling technique was chosen to get the sample from the population. The research sample consists of student-athletes from Far Eastern University. These student-athletes are enrolled in the academic year 2022-2023. The research is limited to seven (7) participating sports such as Athletics, Basketball, Cheering Squad, Dance Troupe, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, and Table Tennis. Each sport has seven (7) men and women, a total of ninety-eight (98) participants. The instrument used in this study is a standard questionnaire. The Sports Motivation Scale (SMS-28) of Pelletier et. al was used to measure the level of motivational factors of athletes in relation to their sports participation. The researcher used Weighted mean and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in this study. &lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The study confirms that the level of motivational factors in the sports participation of athletes is high, with the supporting data of an overall mean of 3.32. The highest motivation factor is intrinsic motivation--to know, with an overall weighted mean of 3.79 and a verbal interpretation of extremely motivated, while the lowest factor is extrinsic motivation- external regulation with an overall weighted mean of 3.27 and a verbal interpretation of highly motivated. However, the researcher excludes amotivation in the choices since amotivation negatively impacts motivation. The athletics is the most motivated team, while the dance troupe is the least motivated team however these two teams have a verbal interpretation of highly motivated. The study also reveals that the alternative hypothesis should be rejected, and the null hypothesis should be accepted, Therefore, there are no significant differences in the motivational factors in sports participation of athletes.&lt;strong&gt; Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Since athletes have no significant differences in motivational factors and are perceived as high, there is good practice in learning new things and providing new experiences for athletes. Coaches need to always look for opportunities wherein their athletes learn best, and athletes need to maintain their extreme source of motivation. &lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0056/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;