High Performance Sport Research Articles

Optimal Support for Elite Sprinters Using a Minimal, Adequate, and Accurate Approach.

In high-performance sport, the support provided by sport scientists and other staff can be a valuable resource for coaches and athletes. We propose and detail here the approach of "minimal, adequate, and accurate" sport-science support to ensure that programs of work and solutions are both economical and effective. Our support provision advocates for utilization of "minimal" resources (employing the least amount of time, tools, and funding) necessary to achieve the desired outcomes. We strive for "adequate" information that fulfills specific objectives without excess and with the requirement that methods and data used are "accurate" (valid and reliable). To illustrate the principles of this approach, we outline a real-world example of supporting 100-m track (athletics) sprinters preparing and competing in an international competition. The provision of performance support emphasizes an integrated approach, combining knowledge and insights from multiple sport-science disciplines. The key facets managed under this approach are (1)neuromuscular readiness, (2)wellness monitoring, (3)movement observation, (4)motivation, (5)biomechanics and performance analysis, and (6)qualitative feedback. These facets are based on the specific performance determinants and influencing factors of an event (100-m dash). Application of this quantitative and qualitative approach can enhance the ability to make informed decisions. Nevertheless, the approach must be planned, evaluated, and refined on a regular basis to enable effective decision making in sport-science support. The 3-element approach of "minimal, adequate, and accurate" should be codesigned and supported by the athletes, coaches, and staff to ensure successful implementation.

Advances in Wearable Sensors for Real-Time Internet of things based Biomechanical Analysis in High-Performance Sports

Interest in wearable technology and the need for eco-friendly solutions have spurred new methodologies. This research examines how sophisticated deep learning and biomimetic designs benefit each other. The results may change smart technology forever. The introduction highlights the global appeal of wearable technology and the importance of environmental considerations in design. Deep learning and biomimicry are a fresh and exciting combination that might increase smart device accuracy, energy efficiency, and biomimicry. This project seamlessly integrates biomimetic design elements with deep learning methods. Biomimicry affects wearable technology design and functioning. However, deep learning techniques based on artificial neural networks boost user flexibility and predictive analytics. The controlled experiment allows a thorough examination of a number of datasets designed to cover a wide range of biomimetic settings and user behaviours. The data prove that the proposed technique beats alternatives across several performance parameters. Integrating biomimetic principles with deep learning systems boosts accuracy. This proves the system's reliability. The biomimetic method is eco-friendly since energy efficiency grows dramatically. Biological mimicry indications show that the suggested strategy resembles natural systems. A new exploratory method enhances sustainable technologies. Integrating biomimicry and deep learning efficiently enhances gadget performance and meets environmental standards. This research emphasizes the transformational power of nature-friendly technology, changing our worldview. Our study helps ensure that upcoming wearable technologies are cutting-edge and ecologically beneficial. Deep learning and biomimetic designs are converging, marking a tipping point in sustainable technology. This helps move toward an eco-friendly future.

High Performance Sport Programs and Emplaced Performance Capital A Qualitative Analysis within the Context of Elite Athletes from Developing Nations

High Performance Sport Programs and Emplaced Performance Capital A Qualitative Analysis within the Context of Elite Athletes from Developing Nations

Safe to Be(long), Contribute, Learn, Challenge, and Transform: Fostering a Psychologically Safe and High-Performance Sport Environment

Safe to Be(long), Contribute, Learn, Challenge, and Transform: Fostering a Psychologically Safe and High-Performance Sport Environment

Understanding Well-Being in High-Performance Coaches: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Approach

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to explore, in depth, well-being within the unique context of high-performance sports coaching. The aim was to capture the process of well-being while considering the contextual nuances and influences of high-performance coaching environments in a mid-range theory of coaches’ well-being. Design: Constructivist grounded theory served as a guiding approach for data collection and analysis. Method: Individual interviews (n = 20) were conducted with methodological rigour enhanced by originality, usefulness, resonance, and credibility. Aligned with the methodology, we utilised theoretical sampling to aid the development of individual categories. Results: Findings suggest that well-being is an integrating process between coaches’ personal values (identity) and culturally prescribed values (identity), with a degree of harmony as the overall goal. Conclusion: The mid-range theory presents a contextually bound process of coaches’ well-being. It provides a more practical insight into the area and highlights the importance of cultural considerations and competencies.

Relações Entre a Autoeficácia e o Esporte de Rendimento: Uma Revisão Sistemática

Abstract Self-efficacy is defined as people’s beliefs in their own abilities to achieve something. This study aimed to systematically review the literature on psychological variables associated with self-efficacy in sport. Searches were conducted in six electronic databases: LILACS, PubMed, SciELO, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Content analysis of 29 included articles allowed for the identification of three research groups: psychological variables (n = 31; 72.1%), performance variables (n = 7; 13.3%), and other variables (n = 5; 11, 6%). There was a predominance of cross-sectional quantitative studies (72.4%; n = 21). The most used instrument was the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), with 13 (44.8%) articles. In seven (24.1%) articles, specific questions were developed for the study. It is concluded that self-efficacy is a widely studied variable, but there is a lack of specific instruments in the Brazilian context of high-performance sports.

Erratum. Position Paper: Rationale for a Focused Attention on Mental Health of High-Performance Sports Coaches

Erratum. Position Paper: Rationale for a Focused Attention on Mental Health of High-Performance Sports Coaches

Psychological Aspects of Training Highly Qualified Athletes in Kazakh Kuresi Wrestling

The purpose of the article is to identify the psychological aspects of the training of highly qualified athletes in Kazakh Kuresi wrestling. The leading methods for the study are the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) for an in-depth examination of individual characteristics of psychological functioning of personality and the diagnostic method for personal motivation to success according to the questionnaire T. Ehlers to identify the psychological skills of striving for victory in athletes. The article presents the psychological and aspects of the training of highly qualified athletes in Kazakh Kuresi wrestling. The identified aspects provide the full-fledged psychological support to highly qualified Kazakh Kuresi wrestling athletes at all levels of training and during competitions to form a correct psychological attitude with a stable individual state to many pre-competitive and competitive factors. Findings highlight the importance of comprehensive psychological support in enhancing sports performance and maintaining athletes' psychological and physical health. This research offers practical insights for high-performance sports, especially in the training of elite Kazakh Kuresi wrestlers. Keywords: physical activity, martial arts, competitive result, motivation, professional sports.

Female Athlete Research Camp: A Unique Model for Conducting Research in High-Performance Female Athletes.

The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of a novel research protocol for conducting research with highly trained female athletes, including characterizing menstrual cycle (MC) function, hormonal profiles and symptoms of the participating athletes. Twenty-four Australian First Nation female Rugby League athletes completed this study, which involved 11 wk of cycle tracking, followed by attendance at a 5-wk training camp. Throughout the study, athletes completed a daily survey, reporting their MC function and any associated symptoms. During the training camp, athletes reported to the laboratory on three occasions and provided a venous blood sample, which was analyzed for reproductive hormones. For naturally cycling athletes (athleteNC, n = 11), this included phase 1, 2, and 4 of the menstrual cycle, whereas athletes using hormonal contraception (athleteHC; n = 13) were tested at three equally spaced time points in which consistent exogenous hormone provision occurred. In the athleteNC cohort, just one athlete reached criteria for classification as eumenorrheic, with five athletes showing evidence of MC dysfunction. The prevalence of symptoms on any given day was similar between athleteNC (33.7%) and athleteHC (22.9%; P = 0.376); however, more symptoms were reported in athleteNC, suggesting that they were more likely to report multiple symptoms. Regardless of MC function, there was a significant, positive association between bleeding and symptoms ( P < 0.001), where athletes were more likely to report one or more symptoms on bleeding (50.1%) compared with nonbleeding days (22.0%). We describe an innovative strategy to investigate the effect of MC function and MC phase in a high-performance sport environment, including approaches to address the challenges of undertaking research with female athletes with MC variability and those using exogenous hormonal therapies.

Modeling the maturation process of high performance-oriented child athletes

The article considers the problem of growing up of individuals in the sports field of activity aimed at achieving high sports results. Based on the theoretical developments of researchers N. V. Veselkova and E. V. Pryamikova, aimed at identifying the social nature of maturation competence, as well as the author's sociological study «Longevity in high-performance sports», carried out by the method of questionnaire survey of high-class athletes (n=400 people, the sample "snowball"), theoretical and applied research of modeling the maturation process of child athletes aspiring to become high-performance athletes was carried out. Modeling of the process of maturation of this category of population was carried out in two directions: first, the influence of external conditions on the process of maturation - the environment in which the individual is formed; circumstances in which the individual is forced to be and their perception; subjects surrounding the personality and their direct influence on it. Secondly, the influence of internal characteristics of the individual - internal qualities, personality traits, the dominant of which is the ability to cognize oneself, which allowed us to form an internal and external model of growing up. The external model of growing up in the sphere of sport is characterized by a high level of social influence on the subject, contributing to the formation of social thinking in young athletes. The internal model of maturation develops the subjectivity of young athletes to a greater extent, which is facilitated by the process of goal-setting of actions, a high level of responsibility to society for the achieved result. The aggregate of the actor's subjectivity and his social thinking form the internal-external model of actors' maturation in the sports sphere of activity, which allowed the athlete to achieve a high level of sports results.

Comprehensive study of the kinematics of double poling cross-country skiing: experiment, processing and modeling

In high performance sports, high results are usually the product of a whole set of achievements. Innovations in materials, training methods and techniques allow you to win and set records. One of the ways to improve results in cyclical sports, such as cross-country skiing, is to use information about the biomechanics of athletes movements. Analysis of the athlete's movement parameters allows us to characterize the effectiveness of these movements, as well as to develop tactics for conducting the race. In this paper, we present a method for obtaining data, develop an algorithm for digitizing them, and propose a mathematical model that describes a set of data on the movements of cross-country skiers. During the analysis of mathematical modeling data, a significant influence of both the class of skiers and their gender on the parameters of the mathematical model was revealed. The results of this study can be useful for a deeper understanding of the fundamental biomechanics of cross-country skier’s movements, as well as for building more optimal training techniques.

Acute consumption of a branched chain amino acid and vitamin B-6 containing sports drink does not improve multiple sprint exercise performance, but increases post-exercise blood glucose.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ergogenicity of BioSteel High Performance Sports Drink (B-HPSD), a commercially available branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and vitamin B-6 (VitB-6) supplement, on multiple sprint exercise (MSE). Eleven experienced cyclists completed two MSE trials in counterbalanced order, after ingesting either B-HPSD (2,256 mg of BCAA, 300 mcg of VitB-6) or placebo (PLA). The MSE protocol consisted of five maximal effort 1 km sprints on a cycle ergometer separated by 2 min of active recovery. Power output (PO) was continuously measured throughout the cycling protocol. Heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored following each sprint. Capillary blood samples were collected and analyzed for lactate and glucose before and 2 min post-trial. Cognitive function was assessed before and 15 min after the exercise protocol. The PO maintained during each 1 km sprint decreased throughout the protocol (p < 0.05), but the change in PO was similar between conditions. Post-exercise blood glucose was elevated after consuming B-HPSD but not PLA (p < 0.05). Blood lactate (p < 0.05), HR (p < 0.05) and RPE (p < 0.05) increased throughout the trials, however no differences were observed between conditions. Cognitive performance improved after exercise (p < 0.05), but the change was similar between conditions. These results demonstrate that acute B-HPSD consumption does not have an ergogenic effect on MSE performance. However, ingestion of B-HPSD increased post-exercise blood glucose concentration when compared to PLA.

FEATURES OF IMPROVING THE PROCESS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES

The purpose of the research is to systematize materials on psychological support in sports and develop a specific program of psychological support in high-performance sports. The object of the research: The process of psychological support for sports activities. The subject of the research: Psychological support program for qualified athletes. The problem of psychological support is relevant in modern science. Approaches and theories have been developed revealing the essence of this phenomenon. The program developed by us presents the key areas of a sports psychologist; coach and athlete work, and describes the principles and forms of the work. All this will help in creating a set of measures for athletes’ psychological preparation to the transition to high-performance sport.

Iliac endofibrosis in high-performance sports: an interdisciplinary diagnostic challenge

Iliac endofibrosis (IE) is a rare arterial disease in endurance athletes, especially cyclists and triathletes. The diagnosis is considered challenging and the latency from the onset of initial symptoms to diagnosis is often several years. Diagnostic options include determination of the ankle brachial index (ABI) after maximal exercise as a non-invasive procedure, as well as duplex sonography, CT or MRI angiography, and invasive angiography. The aim of this paper is to analyse in more detail this time lag to correct diagnosis from the first description in 1985 to the year 2021, as well as to identify the most important diagnostic tools for practice. Literature research according to PRISMA criteria in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane databases, supplemented by a search in Google Scholar up to 10/18/2021. We identified a total of 133 publications that dealt thematically with IE in endurance athletes. In 42 publications (40 case reports and 2 clinical trials), the diagnosis was confirmed intraoperatively, and in 32 (32/42; 74.4%), statements were made about the duration from the onset of the first symptoms to the final diagnosis (mean 45, median 36 months). This latency was constant over the entire observation period from 1985 to 2021, with no trend toward shortening. Twenty-four papers (24/42; 56%) reported detailed results of ABI determination as well as further diagnostic testing. In all cases, the ABI value decreased to less than 0.66 (in 5 case reports, this decrease was measured at rest; in 19 case reports, it occurred after stress), whereas further diagnostic testing by duplex sonography, DSA, MRA, or CTA revealed no abnormal findings in 3 cases (3/24; 12.5%) and showed no more than minor stenosis in 14 cases (14/24; 58.3%). A drop in ABI after exercise is the most reliable method to diagnose iliac endofibrosis. This non-invasive and easy-to-perform examination should be integrated into the performance diagnostics of highly ambitious endurance athletes at risk. This may ideally prevent irreversible vessel wall damage by early diagnosis as well as a reduction of the presumed high number of undetected cases.

IDENTIFYING AND DIAGNOSING THE GAP IN APPLYING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNIQUES SCALE IN MANAGING HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract This study seeks to evaluate the technician in the Department of Sports and School Activity in the General Directorate of Education of Baghdad / Al-Rusafa II, according to the requirements of the standard of artificial intelligence techniques in order to diagnose and identify the gap between the technical performance of this section with the requirements of the standard, identify the causes of the gap and propose effective solutions for it. The checklist was used to collect data and information according to the scale of artificial intelligence technologies with five axes (expert systems, virtual reality, smart agents, information technologies, and process automation). The Department of Sports and School Activity in the General Directorate of Education of Baghdad / Al-Rusafa II (case study) have a clear perception of the importance of the measure of artificial intelligence techniques, but the absence of financial and technical capabilities prevents the adoption of this measure in the management of the department, in addition to the lack of management of the department of an administrative unit to follow up the functional work And technology and studying the causes of deviation and the procedures to be followed for the purpose of controlling all factors affecting artificial intelligence techniques, and by examining the results of this study obtained from the checklists, it can be indicated that there are weaknesses in all the requirements that must be available in the sports and school activity section and according to the requirements of the intelligence techniques scale With regard to the axis of expert systems and the axis of smart agents, the percentage of matching dolls was (0%) and the gap for non-conformity amounted to (1). As for the axis of virtual impact, it is not less important than them, as the amount of the gap amounted to (0.9), but the amount of the gap for the axes of information technology and process automation is (0.3), which indicates that the Department of Sports and School Activity applies in its work to most of the paragraphs of these two axes to the requirements of the scale of artificial intelligence technologies. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence techniques, High-Performance Sports Organizations, Checklists, Gap-Size

Outside the Lab: A Practical Perspective Transition in Sports Science Research

This manuscript explores the trend towards research based on data collected from training in Exercise and Sports Sciences. This model promotes a multidisciplinary approach, urging sports science researchers to consider its adoption for practical and tailored solutions. The trend focuses on integrating data from actual training and competitions into scientific publications, enhancing the comprehension of sports performance, especially in high-performance sports. While highlighting the advantages of real-world data collection, the manuscript acknowledges challenges such as maintaining methodological rigor, ensuring contextual documentation, prioritizing athlete safety and ethics, ensuring measurement accuracy, and emphasizing the necessity of collaboration. In conclusion, researchers are encouraged to embrace a realistic and multidisciplinary approach, aiming for more precise solutions to contribute significantly to the progress of sports science and athlete performance.

Technology Meets Sport Psychology: How Technology and Artificial Intelligence Can Shape the Future of Elite Sport Performance

Data analytics have become increasingly popular within professional sport organizations. Big data exists upon which decisions are made in relation to athlete selection and performance analysis. The data draw upon vary from big data and more idiosyncratic data that is contextually focused. We consider the importance of data technology in relation to the prediction of athlete and team performance within high-performance sport. Here we expand upon existing approaches to analytics, and why the prediction of athletes’ behaviors is often found to be ineffective. Recommendations are provided how sport psychology can offer insights for analytics departments.

A grounded theory of personal development in high-performance sport environments

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to develop a grounded theory of how to promote personal development in high-performance sport environments. MethodologyIndividual interviews were conducted with 32 members of the Canadian junior and senior national biathlon teams, including 18 athletes (9 women, 9 men, Mage = 20.8 years, SD = 2.9), 5 coaches (1 woman, 4 men), 3 technical leaders (2 women, 1 man), and 6 parents (3 mothers, 3 fathers). Follow-up interviews were conducted with five key participants. Straussian grounded theory methodology was used. Analytic techniques included open coding, constant comparison, questioning, memoing, diagramming, and theoretical integration. ResultsThe grounded theory is based on the core category that personal development is a continual and individualized process. Three propositions represent how to promote athletes’ personal development process. Proposition 1: Athletes use realistic self-evaluation and goal setting. Proposition 2: Athletes experience different situations and reflect on their areas for personal development. Proposition 3: Athletes perceive and receive social support. ConclusionThe grounded theory portrays propositions that can be used to promote athletes’ personal development in high-performance sport environments. It may inform future applied research and the delivery of sport psychology support to high-performance athletes.

The Synergistic Effect of Quince Fruit and Probiotics (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) on Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation at the Intestinal Level and Improving Athletic Performance during Endurance Exercise.

Endurance exercise promotes damage at the intestinal level and generates a variety of symptoms related to oxidative stress processes, inflammatory processes, microbiota dysbiosis, and intestinal barrier damage. This study evaluated the effects of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) and probiotics of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium on intestinal protection and exercise endurance in an animal swimming model. Phytochemical characterization of the quince fruit demonstrated a total dietary fiber concentration of 0.820 ± 0.70 g/100 g and a fiber-bound phenolic content of 30,218 ± 104 µg/g in the freeze-dried fruit. UPLC-PDA-ESI-QqQ analyses identified a high content of polyphenol, mainly flavanols, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavonols, and, to a lesser extent, dihydrochalcones. The animal model of swimming was performed using C57BL/6 mice. The histological results determined that the consumption of the synbiotic generated intestinal protection and increased antioxidant (catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes) and anti-inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-6 and increasing IL-10) activities. An immunohistochemical analysis indicated mitochondrial biogenesis (Tom2) at the muscular level related to the increased swimming performance. These effects correlated mainly with the polyphenol content of the fruit and the effect of the probiotics. Therefore, this combination of quince and probiotics could be an alternative for the generation of a synbiotic product that improves exercise endurance and reduces the effects generated by the practice of high performance sports.

Gender and socioecological level differences in stakeholders' perceptions of athlete attrition factors in an Australian high-performance pathway system

ObjectivesThis study aimed to build on previous work by the authors. It examines how socioecological level and gender influence high-performance sport system (HPSS) stakeholders' perspectives of the relative importance and feasibility to address athlete attrition factors within an Australian high-performance pathway system (HPPS). DesignMixed methods. MethodsSub-analysis was conducted of rating data from 30 participants who had contributed to identifying 83 statements in 13 clusters in a previous Concept Mapping study. The 13 clusters were statistically analysed in ‘R’ using cumulative link mixed models (CLMMs) to determine differences in perceived importance and feasibility between 1) socioecological levels, and 2) genders. ResultsMean ratings for 11 and three of the 13 clusters were statistically significantly different between at least two of the five socioecological levels, for importance and feasibility, respectively. Athletes had the largest variation in mean ratings from the most (athlete health 4.59), to least (performance potential 2.83) important cluster, when compared to the other four socioecological levels. There were statistically significant differences between the ratings between genders (Men/Women) for two clusters for each rating scale: Importance: ‘athlete health’ (M3.33:W3.84 [p 0.012]); ‘performance potential’ (M3.35:W2.57; [p 0.001]), Feasibility: ‘abuse and mismanagement of health’ (M2.97:W3.68; [p 0.000]) and ‘athlete health’ (M2.54:W3.33; [p 0.000]). ConclusionsThis study highlights the need to implement more robust athlete attrition monitoring protocols. It also highlights the importance of listening to youth athletes' voices, and enabling equal gender representation to ensure holistically tailored environments are created to retain talented athletes in high-performance pathway programmes.