Game Day Research Articles

Game Day Traffic and Sports: Evidence From Yankee Stadium in the Bronx

This article investigates the impact of sports games on taxi trip times near a stadium in the Bronx. The traffic outcome variable comes from data on individual taxi trips in New York City. These trip-level data contain information on pick-up and drop-off times and locations, and trip distance. We analyze over 280,000 taxi trips on weekday evenings between March and September 2019. Under the assumption that taxi trips represent traffic conditions in the city, the results indicate that travel time increases on a game day. Travelers experience 1.3% longer travel times on game days. Game-related traffic increases travel time by 6.3% for the trips that pass through the stadium area, and by 17% for trips before the game starts. Local economic value of lost time from games amounts to about $2 million per year. Governments should consider these negative externalities when providing subsidies for new sports facility construction.

Deaths and clashes induced by rivalry among fans during FIFA World Cup 2022 in Bangladesh.

International sports events like the Football World Cup affect the collective emotions of the global community. Usually, major sports events like the Football World Cup show beneficial effects on the community. However, many unwanted consequences such as accidents, premature deaths and violent supporter rivalries have been noticed during it. We aimed to report preventable premature deaths and clashes induced by rivalry among fans during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Bangladesh. We monitored local newspaper reports for data collection during the World Cup 2022 event and collected data for age, sex, the possible cause of death, and precipitating events related to the event. We found 23 World Cup Football-related deaths, 35 hospitalizations, and 45 injuries related to clashes between the rival fans of Argentina and Brazil. The median age of deceased was 20 years. The majority of the deaths happened in young males due to fall while hoisting flags. Deaths in the late age happened due to sudden emotional upsurge during the game day. And, clashes between rival fans mostly happened due to social bullying favoring and disfavoring a team. This report indicates an important area of potentially preventable death related to World Cup Football and warrants public health attention even in a non-participating country, both locally and internationally.

The Ballpark Effect: Spatial-Data-Driven Insights into Baseball’s Local Economic Impact

The impact of sporting events on local economies and their spatial distribution is a topic of active policy debate. This study adds to the discussion by examining granular cellphone location data to assess the spillover effects of Major League Baseball (MLB) games in a major US city. Focusing on the 2019 season, we explore granular geospatial patterns in mobility and consumer spending on game days versus non-game days in the Saint Louis region. Through density-based clustering and hotspot analysis, we uncover distinct spatiotemporal signatures and variations in visitor affluence across different teams. This study uses features like game day characteristics, location data (latitude and longitude), business types, and spending data. A significant finding is that specific spatial clusters of economic activity are formed around the stadium, particularly on game days, with multiple clusters identified. These clusters reveal a marked increase in spending at businesses such as restaurants, bars, and liquor stores, with revenue surges of up to 38% in certain areas. We identified a significant change in spending patterns in the local economy during games, with results varying greatly across teams. Notably, the XGBoost model performs best, achieving a test R2 of 0.80. The framework presented enhances the literature at the intersection of urban economics, sports analytics, and spatial modeling while providing data-driven actionable insights for businesses and policymakers.

Experience is all you need: a large language model application of fine-tuned GPT-3.5 and RoBERTa for aspect-based sentiment analysis of college football stadium reviews

ABSTRACT Despite extensive research in service industries, fine-grained explorations of customer experience within spectator sports remain limited. This study pioneers a transfer learning approach grounded in a post-positivism paradigm, underpinned by an integrative customer experience framework for aspect-based sentiment analysis of user-generated content, shedding light on the complexity of the college football game day experience. Three fine-tuned large language models were employed to qualitatively identify and quantitatively analyze customer experience from Tripadvisor reviews on college football stadiums. Our findings indicated that fans’ positive reactions to stimuli related to core (game dynamics), functional (facilities/services), emotional (intense feelings), and socialization (fan interactions/bonding) significantly increased the likelihood of them giving a five-star rating. Mitigating negative experiences across functional, emotional, socialization, safety, and monetary experience was crucial for achieving a top rating, with reducing negative functional issues and safety concerns having the greatest positive impact. Our study contributes to the sport management literature by establishing a unified view of customer experience, enabling a holistic conceptualization and operationalization of customer experience in spectator sports. Empirically, our research proposes targeted strategies to manage customer experience in college football and offers sport management professionals ready-to-use large language models along with detailed deployment guidelines tailored for distinct use cases.

Workloads in Collegiate Women's Lacrosse Athletes During a Division II National Championship Season.

Sutton, PJ, Mumford, PW, and Sunderland, KL. Workloads in collegiate women's lacrosse athletes during a Division II national championship season. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): 1651-1657, 2024-A comprehensive examination of the external and internal workloads in collegiate women's lacrosse athletes has yet to be reported. Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the absolute and relative external and internal training and game workloads of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II women's lacrosse athletes throughout an entire season. Data from 19 Division II women's lacrosse athletes were analyzed, encompassing each training session and game across an entire competitive season (February-May). External workloads were assessed using a wearable global positioning system, whereas internal workloads were determined through heart rate (HR) variables and session rating of perceived exertion. Game days were associated with significantly ( p < 0.05) greater absolute external and internal workloads. However, when comparing workloads relative to session duration, relative workloads between training and games were no longer significant ( p > 0.05) for total distance, high-speed running (≥15 km·h -1 ), HR-derived training impulse, or caloric expenditure. Nonetheless, relative sprint distance (>19 km·h -1 ) was significantly lower during games, whereas high-intensity accelerations (>2 m·s -2 ) and decelerations (<-2 m·s -2 ) were significantly greater during training compared with games ( p < 0.05). Practical applications of these findings suggest that coaches can better prepare athletes for game day conditions by adjusting training plans to replicate the duration and intensity of games. Overall, this comprehensive examination of internal and external workloads provides valuable data for coaches and practitioners to support performance comparisons, rehabilitation protocols, and workload analyses in collegiate women's lacrosse athletes.

Making It to the Ultimate Game Day

Making It to the Ultimate Game Day

How Female Undergraduate Students’ Holistic Experiences Predict Their Payment Methods

Female undergraduate students have drastically increased in higher education over the last three decades. The increase in the number of students has come during unprecedented cost increases associated with attending a four-year higher education institution. The increases can be related to tuition but are also associated with mandatory fees (fees all students must pay regardless of status). These fees are associated with programs and services that enhance the collegiate experience (academic tutoring, health services, and Game Day activities). Conversely, little is known concerning how holistic experiences (prior experiences) can shape payment methods. Through a quantitative survey analysis that collected female participants’ self-reported data on payment methods across four states, we employed a regression analysis to predict their payment methods. Our findings suggest the (a) demographic characteristics, (b) university knowledge, (c) knowledge and attitudes toward mandatory fees, and (d) several academic capital subsets that shape women’s payment methods.

National Football League Game Officials Self-Rating of Knowledge in Neuro-Ophthalmic Principles and Practice: A Pilot Program to Improve Precision and Accuracy of Game Official Calls.

To determine whether a neuro-ophthalmic curriculum would improve National Football League (NFL) game officials' self-rated knowledge and interest in neuro-ophthalmic principles to improve precision and accuracy of NFL play-calling. The formalized and structured neuro-ophthalmic principles (NOP) curriculum was introduced to 121 NFL game officials, 17 replay officials, and 4 officiating staff who attended the NFL Official Training Camp in Irving, Texas, on September 8 and 9, 2023. Before and after the lecture and videos were introduced, participants completed an optional hard-copy feedback form pertaining to self-reported NOP knowledge, likelihood of using said terms, and interest in future content of NOP applicable NFL officiating. Paired 2-tailed t tests were used for statistical analysis to directly compare the self-reported knowledge before and after the neuro-ophthalmic curriculum introduction. One hundred forty-two participants completed the prelecture and postlecture feedback forms self-reported knowledge after the NOP curriculum was given to the NFL officiating staff. All (142/142) participants completed a survey. There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean ratings of the prelecture vs. postlecture understanding of the specific neuro-ophthalmic terms pertinent to NFL game officials (2.6 [95% CI, 2.3-3.0] vs. 7.9 [95% CI, 7.6-8.2], P < 0.001) and 2.7 [95% CI, 2.3-3.0] vs. 7.7 [95% CI, 7.4-8.0]), respectively. There was a statistically significant greater likelihood of using said terms prelecture vs. postlecture (2.9 [95% CI, 2.4-3.4] vs. 7.5 [95% CI, 7.2-7.9], P < 0.001). This study found a statistically significant improvement in neuro-ophthalmic knowledge and a greater likelihood of using NOP terms following the NOP curriculum. NFL game officials, replay officials, and staff are interested in expanding their knowledge in the vision science of neuro-ophthalmic concepts and applications involved in play-calling. We hope that our pilot data will lead to a model of education that will improve the precision and accuracy of NFL play-calls by officials on game days.

BODY HYDRATION OF FEMALE HANDBALL PLAYERS DURING THE GAME STATUS

The purpose of this study was to determine the hydration status of women's handball players on game day. Thirteen female handball players (age = 16.7 ± 0.7, height = 167.7 ± 6.8, sports age= 3.7 ± 1) voluntarily participated in the study. Hydration status of athletes in the morning of the match, before and after the game measured, body weight and fluid intake were observed. Athletes' USG changes were tested with Repeated Measure ANOVA, and athletes' body weights before and after the game were compared with a paired samples t test. Relationship between fluid intake and changes in ultrasound and body weight It was evaluated by Pearson's correlation test. In the morning measurement, 10 of the athletes were dehydrated and 3 were dehydrated. In the pre-game measurement, the results were the same as in the first measurement, after the game, all athletes were hydrated.

‘I have earned the right to be posterized’: equal (?) representation in pre and post-game photos from the @USWNT Instagram account

ABSTRACT While many hold the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) up as a beacon of feminism and equity within the broader scope of sports, since its inception the squad has been plagued with issues regarding equal representation for its players of colour and those within the LGBTQIA+ community. This includes depictions in mainstream media, promotional items, advertisements, endorsements and much more. This paper examines representation in images posted by the USWNT Instagram account during the 2021 and 2022 calendar years, focusing specifically on three types of photos: a match or game announcement photo, a match or game preview posted the day before, and a match or game day post, typically posted hours before the contest started.

Debunking the myth of morning skate on game day.

Debunking the myth of morning skate on game day.

The NFL's Pro Bowl Was Broken? Considering Players’ Incentives

This article examines the growing trend of NFL players to forego participation in the league's yearly All-Star exhibition game, the Pro Bowl. Viewership of the Pro Bowl has been substantially lower than the average game day in recent years, causing controversial discussions about the viability of the game and its future. As a consequence, the league revised the Pro Bowl's concept entirely in 2022. Since the major determinant of viewership demand is the participation of (superstar) players, this article analyses the individual athletes??? economic incentives in the decision to participate. To this end, it models the athlete's decision as a rational evaluation of cost???benefit under incentives of monetary reward and punishment. It uses unbalanced panel data on Pro Bowl players from the Super Bowl era (1971???2019), alongside viewership data and official league data. It applies a range of econometric methods (Pearson correlations, graphical examination) to evaluate hypotheses about the players’ decision-making process. It concludes that the incentives to participate in the Pro Bowl for the majority of players–especially viewership-driving superstar players–were weak. The monetaryincentives in their previous form were not an efficient way of positively manipulating the percent age of superstars in the game. If the goal was higher demand from players, the incentive structure had to be changed. Such changes are, inter alia, the reduction of costs for participation in the form of minimizing the risk of injuries. Furthermore, possible changes to the design of the incentive structure are proposed that contain general learnings for the design of such events.

Building functional warm-up routines in basketball: a narrative review of literature

Warming up is a crucial preparatory activity used in training sessions and games. Therefore, the aim of this investigation is to examine the construction of functional basketball warm-up routines through a narrative literature review. Four electronic databases were consulted (MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scielo and LILACS), where 47 articles were selected that discussed warm-up routines in basketball and team sports, as well as 09 textbooks in the field of sports training and physiology of the exercise. A well-designed warm-up promotes optimization in performance and prevents the appearance of injuries. However, there are multiple choices for building warm-up routines. Thus, the structuring of a warm-up should take into account the basic methodological aspects for them to be effective, such as: duration, intensity, adopted exercises, sequence of tasks, use of additional equipment, number of routines and recovery interval. Also, in basketball, the critical times to implement warm-ups are training sessions, game days, in-game re-warm-up, and half-time re-warm-up. Each of these points requires a distinct didactic-pedagogical approach in warm-up procedures. In this way, with the acquisition of a broader view of each component involved in this process, it becomes feasible to solve these issues. Finally, it is imperative that basketball physical trainers are able to masterfully solve the practical problems of warm-up, for more assertive decision-making in relation to routines that incorporate superior results in performance and reduction of injuries.

Unpacking student perceptions of board game mechanics

The boardroom challenge is a custom developed board game used as a formative assessment in an undergraduate business management course. The course forms part of an Accountancy degree which culminates in the professional designation of members to the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Students are required to develop skills and competencies towards future membership of their professions professional body. To this end an industry employer and training company partnered with the University to develop students’ business acumen utilizing gamified learning in the form of a custom developed board game. The boardroom challenge has taken place annually from 2015-2019 and commenced again in 2022 when Covid-19 regulations permitted. On game day students compete in randomly assigned groups of six with an industry game master at each table as a facilitator. Students and facilitators complete questionnaires after the boardroom challenge providing feedback and suggestions. Open ended feedback from 2015-2019 has been thematically analysed to evaluate perceptions on game mechanics. Game mechanics include rolling the dice to determine which scenario students need to address. During the game students have to answer theory questions or address scenarios, depending on what the dice causes their game piece to land on. Correct answers earn currency in the game and students display their new rank in the organisation with each correct answer. Moving up the salary scale tops out at CEO after which students can begin to earn shares. Turn taking is regulated by a timer, to ensure everyone has sufficient turns while industry based game masters make the final call on the appropriateness of answers to open ended scenario type questions. The board game generates great excitement and engagement from students with several preparatory activities scaffolded into tutorials before game day. Students’ perception of the various game elements and mechanics indicate their evaluation is dependent on how they have conceptualized the impact of specific mechanics on their marks. As a mitigating factor, the data was gathered and analysed over many years.

Environmentally-Friendly Stadium Travel of Football Fans: A Stated Preferences Study

Drawing on a rational choice framework, this study investigates fans’ stated preferences for (more) environmentally-friendly stadium travel (bicycles/e-scooters) on game days. Data from fans of a German Football Bundesliga club were collected using an online survey in 2021 ( n = 1,652). Travel preferences were assessed using the contingent behavior method. The results of regression analyses indicate that the likelihood of using environmentally-friendly transportation means increases with perceived benefits, while perceived costs decrease this likelihood. Specifically, perceived environmental benefits and being an environmental role model had a positive effect, while monetary, convenience, and time-related costs had a negative effect.

Convenience Over Nutrition for Recreation League Youth Sport Team Snack and Mealtime Choices

Fifty-six percent of school-aged children participate in team sports, yet there is limited evidence on how participation in youth sports impacts the dietary behaviors of participants and their families. Our team surveyed parents and caregivers of children participating in recreation league youth sports (n = 178) to assess the foods and beverages offered as team snacks and factors that influence team snack choices. Juice was the most popular beverage, and crackers were the most popular snack reported by parents. Convenience, followed by cost and child preference, were the most frequently reported factors influencing team snack choices. Survey items also included factors that influence mealtime behaviors on game and practice days. Convenience, followed by nutrition and taste, were most frequently reported as factors that influenced mealtime behaviors. Almost half of parents said their family’s eating habits changed as a result of recreational youth sports activities, and more than half said their family often or always eats dinner outside of the home on game and practice days. Professionals who work with this age group and their parents, including extension agents, can tailor education to encourage healthy team snacks and promote strategies to make healthy meals accessible on evenings with youth sports.

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.

The effect of bio-electro-magnetic-energy-regulation therapy on sleep duration and sleep quality among elite players in Norwegian women's football.

The current study investigated if physical loads peak on game days and if Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation (BEMER) therapy is affecting sleep duration and sleep quality on nights related to game nights among elite players in Norwegian women's elite football. The sample included 21 female football players from an elite top series club with a mean age of ~24 years (± 2.8). Sleep was measured every day over a period of 273 consecutive days with a Somnofy sleep monitor based on ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) pulse radar and Doppler technology. The current study was conducted as a quasi-experiment, where each player was their own control based on a control period that lasted for 3 months, and an experimental period that lasted for 5 months. Accordantly, the time each player spent with BEMER therapy was used as a control variable. Multivariate analyses of variance using FFMANOVA and univariate ANOVA with False Discovery Rate adjusted p-values show that physical performance (total distance, distance per minute, sprint meters >22.5 kmh, accelerations and decelerations) significantly peak on game day compared with ordinary training days and days related to game days. The results also show that sleep quantity and quality are significantly reduced on game night, which indicate disturbed sleep caused by the peak in physical load. Most sleep variables significantly increased in the experiment period, where BEMER therapy was used, compared to the control period before the introduction of BEMER therapy. Further, the analyses show that players who spent BEMER therapy >440 h had the most positive effects on their sleep, and that these effects were significantly compared to the players who used BEMER therapy <440 h. The findings are discussed based on the function of sleep and the different sleep stages have on recovery.

Determinants of ticket prices in the secondary ticket market and the effects of COVID-19: empirical evidence from NBA ticket price data analytics

PurposeScholars note there are limited studies analyzing ticket price determinants. Using the common seat approach, the authors sought to advance this line of research by analyzing determinants of National Basketball Association (NBA) ticket prices in the secondary ticket market. The authors’ research seeks to ask two questions. The first is how ticket prices in the secondary market are associated with common determinants of consumer demand. The second question is what impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on ticket prices in the secondary market.Design/methodology/approachTicket prices of NBA regular season games in the 2021–2022 season were collected a week before the game day from Ticketmaster.com. A regression model was estimated with a group of independent variables: income, population, consumer preference, quality of viewing, quality of contest and pandemic (the number of COVID-19 cases).FindingsResults indicate income, population, consumer preferences (e.g. team quality and star players) and quality of viewing (e.g. arena age and weekend) impact prices. Further, the number of COVID-19 cases did reduce the ticket price.Originality/valueThe present study illuminates the theoretical significance of analyzing ticket prices as a proxy of demand in professional sport, while providing practical implications regarding the potential opportunity to increase revenue.

Differences In Player Load Of Professional Basketball Players As A Function Of Distance To The Game Day During A Competitive Season

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of external training load (eTL), internal training load (iTL), and well-being status, during a regular season week with one game, and to examine the differential workloads of players depending on their distance from game day during a competitive season. Method: Subjects were 10 full-time professional basketball players (24.6 ± 4.9 years old; 204.2 ± 16.8 cm; 97.9 ± 10.4 kg). Workload was recorded and classified as total duration training and duration of full game during a competitive season. A wearable tracking system collected eTL via Player Load (PL) and Player Load per minute (PL/min). Training sessions were classified based on days before a match (four days before the match day = MD-4, MD-3, MD-2, and MD-1), and MD. Session rate of perceived exertion (sRPE) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were used for iTL. In addition, the Hooper index (HI) was used for well-being. Results: A significant difference was found between MD-1 and MD workload, MD workload being the highest of all variables: RPE (p &lt; .001), PL/min (p &lt;.001), PL (p &lt;.001), and sRPE (p &lt;.001). Regarding Hooper’s categories, significant differences between training days and match were only found in soreness (p &lt;.001). Conclusion: The results show that MD provides a unique stimulus in terms of volume and intensity. Consequently, coaches must incorporate specific training exercises to adapt players to the demands of competition. Finally, special attention should be paid to MD-2 and MD-1 in terms of potential accumulated fatigue and thus to ensure appropriate recovery time for athletes to adapt before the match.