International Tournaments Research Articles

Assessing the Relationship Between External and Internal Match Loads in Elite Women's Rugby Sevens.

To assess the relationship between external and internal load during official women's rugby seven matches. Six backs (age = 24.2 [3.2]y; height = 161.5 [7.3]cm; body mass = 59.5 [5.0]kg; playing experience = 5.3 [1.5]y) and 8 forwards (age = 22.4 [2.7]y; height = 167.0 [4.8]cm; body mass = 70.6 [5.6]kg; playing experience = 5.0 [1.5]y) belonging to the women's rugby seven Brazilian national team were monitored across 3 international tournaments during the 2019-20 season, with 2 players excluded from the analysis sincethey did not participate in any investigated match. Total distance (TD), distance during high-intensity running 18.1 to 20.0km·h-1 and >20km·h-1 (sprinting), number of accelerations >1.8m·s-2 (ACC), and of decelerations <1.8m·s-2 were used as match load volume measures, while their relative values (TD per minute, high-intensity running per minute, sprinting per minute, ACC per minute, and decelerations per minute) were used as external load match intensity measures. Internal load intensity and volume were assessed using the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) and its value multiplied by match duration (sRPE-ML), respectively. Spearman correlations and linear mixed models were used to assess the relationships between internal and external load measures. A very large relationship (ρ = .830, P < .001) was found between sRPE-ML and TD, with linear mixed models showing that TD statistically affected sRPE-ML (P < .001). Linear mixed models analysis showed that ACC per minute was also affecting the sRPE-ML (P = .017), while sprinting (P = .007) and ACC per minute (P = .005) were the only 2 measures statistically affecting sRPE. However, weak relationships (trivial to large) were found for these and all other measures. These results highlight that TD is the main external load measure able to anticipate the internal load responses measured via sRPE-ML in elite women's rugby sevens.

A qualitative study exploring tactical performance determinants from the perspective of three Rugby World Cup coaches

Experiential knowledge of elite international coaches was investigated to reveal insights on successful rugby union strategies and tactics required to prevail in international competition. Three elite coaches who coached at a Rugby World Cup were interviewed using an in-depth, semi-structured approach. They were asked about specific strategies and tactics which they believed were required to be successful in an upcoming international tournament and a thematic analysis of qualitative data followed. Particular interest was paid to the influence of potential constraints and how these factors impact performance behaviours over time. The importance of an effective tactical kicking game in attacking strategies was highlighted, along with an adaptable defensive structure following a turnover. Unsuccessful performance behaviours in international rugby were reported to be connected with an irrational kicking game, a weak defensive line and losing possession off set-piece plays. These results support the need for a multidisciplinary approach, where exploring coaches’ knowledge presents an opportunity to enhance understanding across the performance analysis field. Further research is needed to complement experiential knowledge with quantitative research in rugby performance analysis.

Match Running Performance of Brazilian Professional Soccer Players according to Tournament Types

The present study aimed to report different level games in terms of their external game loads, using data collected from GPS performance indicators in Brazilian soccer teams. We used measures of 464 performances of professional soccer athletes during the National Tournament (NT=265), State Tournament (ST=89), National Cup (NC=44), and the International Tournament (IT=66). The performance analysis included the assessment of Total (meters) and Relative (meters/minutes) distances; running (&gt;14km/h), and sprinting (&gt;18km/h) distance; the number of sprints (&gt;18km/h and &gt;24km/h); accelerations (above three m/s2), deceleration (less than three m/s2) and jumps (&gt;30 cm); Total and Relative load – per minute. There were differences (p&lt;0.05) in terms of relative distance between NT and ST (102.2 ±9.5 vs. 98.1± 10.3) and between ST and NC (98.1± 10.3 vs. 103.4 ±9.6). In sprints &gt;18km/h NT differed from ST (60.4 ±5.9 vs 52.7 ±19.9). In sprints &gt;24km/h differences could be found between NT and ST (10.7 ±5.9 vs 8.7 ±5.4). In Total Load NT differed with respect to ST (908.6 ±141.5 vs. 852.7 ±138.5) In Relative Load differences were reported between NT and ST (10 ±1.2 vs. 9.3 ±1.4) and IT (10 ±1.2 vs. 9.4 ±1.4), and between ST and NC (9.3 ±1.4 vs. 10.0 ±1.4). Finally, concerning deceleration, NT differed when compared to ST (36.1 ±9.9 vs. 32 ±11) as well as ST differed from IT (32 ±11 vs. 37.5 ±9.7). The present results make it possible to create specific training games according to tournament level associated with the predominant activities performed during the competition.

To Triumph or to Socialize? The Role of Gaming Motivations in Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Gameplay Preferences

Background Individuals choose to engage in multiple types of online team-based video games. Gameplay options allow for player preferences to shape their gaming experience. Within the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre, players can decide whether to play matches with familiar or random teammates and whether their performance impacts their skill rating. Individual differences in video game engagement and genre preferences have been connected with player motivations and uses of video games and psychological traits that influence social interactions. The present study examined the extent to which the match preferences of MOBA players related to these factors. Methods Individuals attending an international MOBA tournament were recruited for the present research. Player MOBA match selection history was collected along with questionnaires measuring video game uses and gratifications, preference for solitude, tolerance of disagreement, and a test of theory of mind ability. Results Three main findings were observed. First, the highest-rated video game motivation was to socially interact with others. Second, players that displayed different preferences for types of MOBA matches varied in social interaction and competition video gameplay motivation scales. Third, although individual differences in fantasy video game motivation were correlated with theory of mind ability and preference for solitude, they did not vary by MOBA match preferences. Conclusion The results of the present study indicated that MOBA players were more strongly motivated by social aspects of video gameplay and variations in video game motivation to compete correlated with the extent to which they engaged in different types of MOBA play.

Subjective Sleep Patterns and Jet Lag Symptoms of Junior Netball Players Prior to and During an International Tournament: A Case Study.

To assess the impact of long-haul transmeridian travel on subjective sleep patterns and jet lag symptoms in youth athletes around an international tournament. An observational descriptive design was used. Subjective sleep diaries and perceived responses to jet lag were collected and analyzed for a national junior netball team competing in an international tournament. Sleep diaries and questionnaires were completed daily prior to and during travel, and throughout the tournament. Results were categorized into pretravel, travel, training, and match nights. Means were compared performing a paired Student t test with significance set at P < .05. Data are presented as mean (SD) and median (minimum, maximum). Athletes reported significantly greater time in bed on match days compared with training (P < .001) and travel (P = .002) days, and on pretravel days compared with travel (P < .001) and training (P = .028) days. Sleep ratings were significantly better on pretravel days compared with match (P = .013) days. Perceived jet lag was worse on match (P = .043) days compared with pretravel days. Significant differences were also observed between a number of conditions for meals, mood, bowel activity, and fatigue. Youth athletes experience significantly less opportunity for sleep during long-haul transmeridian travel and face disruptions to daily routines during travel which impact food intake. Young athletes also experience disturbed sleep prior to and during competition. These results highlight the need for practices to alleviate jet lag symptoms and improve the sleep of young athletes traveling for tournaments in an effort to optimize recovery and performance.

«Королевская игра» на «королевской горе»: шахматы в Кёнигсберге

The article explores the history of chess in Königsberg in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The author gives the data on competitions held in the capital of East Prussia, as well as biographical data on players and chess composers who lived there and visited Königsberg. The reconstruction of the history of the chess movement includes the localization of chess clubs in the city. The researcher states, that in the 1850s — 1870s chess clubs with general and specialized membership flourished in the city. The Königsberg Academic Chess Club was the example of the latter. From 1878 until the end of the century chess life in East Prussia was under the umbrella of the East German Chess Union, founded to offset the difficulties of participation of local chess players in all-German tournaments because of geographical remoteness. In the 20th century several world-class players both from among the city’s visitors (Emanuel Lask­er) and local residents (Paul Saladin Leonhardt) appeared in Königsberg. Leonhardt became probably the main figure representing East Prussia at national and international tournaments after the First World War. The years of Nazism witnessed persecution of local chess players of Jewish origin in Königsberg. Chess life of the city itself remained provincial. The chess history of Königsberg ceased with the Red Army storming the city in 1945. Among the participants of the storming there were also Soviet chess players. The article is addressed to chess historians, local historians and tour guides.

Elit ve Elit Olmayan Korfbol Sporcularının Beden Kitle İndeksi ve Vücut Kompozisyonlarının Cinsiyete Göre Değerlendirilmesi: Tanımlayıcı-Karşılaştırmalı Çalışma

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the body mass index (BMI) and body compositions of elite and non- elite play- ers by gender in korfball, a mixed-gender team sport. Material and Methods: Thirty-nine athletes aged 17-30, 20 national athletes play- ing in international tournaments, and 19 playing only in national tour- naments voluntarily participated in the study. Body compositions of the participants were evaluated by using a Bluetooth-based device, BiodyXpert Bioimpedance. Fat%, fat weight, lean body weight (LBW), bone mineral content, total water, and basal metabolic rate were evaluated. Results: The BMI, %fat, LBW of the elite female and male players respectively is (21.00±2.73kg/m2, 22.17±4.93, 47±4.31); (22.88±3.23 kg/m2, %14.88±5.51, 64.13±6.2kg). The BMI, %fat, LBW of the non-elite female and male players respectively is (20.33±2.90 kg/m2, %21.58±5.00, 44.5±4.1kg); (21±3.00 kg/m2, %13.86±5.55, 62.71±1.16 kg). Height, weight, %fat, muscle mass and LBW values of elite athletes were found to be significantly higher than those of non- elite athletes (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in BMI and height values between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: BMI and fat% of elite and non-elite female and male korfball players are within normal limits. LBW is higher in elite athletes than in non-elite athletes. As in other sports, fat % and fat weight are higher in female athletes than men, and LBW is higher in men. This difference is thought to be due to the physiological difference between men and women.

The frequency and content of televised UK gambling advertising during the men’s 2020 Euro soccer tournament

AbstractGambling marketing is frequently visible in the United Kingdom, especially around the national sport, soccer. Previous research has documented the frequency with which gambling marketing logos can be seen in domestic club soccer, and also the frequency of television advertising around international tournaments. The present research investigates the frequency and content of television advertising during the men’s 2020 Euro soccer tournament, a high-profile tournament shown since the industry’s voluntary “whistle-to-whistle ban” on gambling advertising came into effect. Overall, 113 gambling adverts were recorded (4.5 adverts per relevant match). Financial inducements were the most frequently shown category (56.6%), followed by adverts raising awareness of a given operator’s brand (19.5%), adverts featuring the odds on specific complex bets (18.6%), and adverts promoting safer gambling (5.3%). Adverts featured a range of safer gambling messages, with the “when the fun stops, stop” message featuring in 56.6% of adverts. This research indicates that gambling advertising remains a frequent part of the experience of watching live televised soccer in the UK, and shows how the content of this advertising was comparable to what has been seen in the previous literature.

Random forest model identifies serve strength as a key predictor of tennis match outcome

Tennis is a popular sport worldwide, boasting millions of fans and numerous national and international tournaments. Like many sports, tennis has benefitted from the popularity of rigorous record-keeping of game and player information, as well as the growth of machine learning methods for use in sports analytics. Of particular interest to bettors and betting companies alike is potential use of sports records to predict tennis match outcomes prior to match start. We compiled, cleaned, and used the largest database of tennis match information to date to predict match outcome using fairly simple machine learning methods. Using such methods allows for rapid fit and prediction times to readily incorporate new data and make real-time predictions. We were able to predict match outcomes with upwards of 80%accuracy, much greater than predictions using betting odds alone, and identify serve strength as a key predictor of match outcome. By combining prediction accuracies from three models, we were able to nearly recreate a probability distribution based on average betting odds from betting companies, which indicates that betting companies are using similar information to assign odds to matches. These results demonstrate the capability of relatively simple machine learning models to quite accurately predict tennis match outcomes.

Action inquiry and vocal ergonomics: A pilot study with sports coaches.

Coaches critically rely on voice for occupational functioning, which has associated risks to vocal health. However, vocal occupational health and safety (OHS) and vocal ergonomics are not typically considered for, by, or with coaches. This study piloted a participatory approach to vocal ergonomics, aiming to collaboratively (i) understand coaches' vocally reliant occupational participation, and (ii) consider vocal ergonomic factors. This research was undertaken at an international tournament for floorball (also known as 'Innebandy', 'Salibandy', or 'Unihockey'). Three national coaches (n = 3) and the lead researcher undertook cooperative action inquiry. This piloted a participatory vocal ergonomics programme. Action inquiry methods included fieldnotes, interviews, observations, a workshop, ergonomics approaches, and a focus group. Multi-level analyses supported the findings, including categorical aggregation, direct interpretation, and reflexive thematic analysis. Participants identified vocal ergonomic factors present at the tournament; including personal, activity, physical environmental, and organisational factors. Participants developed four vocal ergonomic approaches responsive to factors. These were: (1) player consultation, (2) ongoing feedback discussions, (3) movement and postural change, and (4) specific task adaptation. Approaches 1-2 directly supported coaches' voices. Coaches posited limitations to other strategies, but made recommendations for future use. Coaches also reflected that this collaboration provided actionable voice insights and opportunities to address vocal ergonomics. They advocated for extended engagement with coaches, increased focus on vocal health, and inclusion of early career coaches in future programmes. These findings support engagement of coaches, and other vocally reliant workers, in addressing voice use and vocal health at work.

A sense of social affiliation of homeless people participating in a soccer tournament

Background: One of the ways of including homeless persons (especially young people) into society is to enable them to actively participate in sports activities. Implementation of an event of international importance entitled the Homeless World Cup is an excellent example of such activities. Material and methods: The main source of data for this article is the research conducted with the participants of the "Homeless World Cup" Tournament in Poznań in 2013. The study was conducted with the use of the questionnaire technique (direct – the tool was a questionnaire containing 21 questions). The survey was anonymous. The respondents had an opportunity to answer more than one question. In total, 12 homeless players, representatives of the Polish National Team, were examined. Results: The subject of the research was a sense of belonging to homeless people involved in sports activities. The athletes took part in systematic training and participated in an international soccer tournament. The homeless had to do with relations permeated by the spirit of rivalry, cooperation and, of course, disciplining moralism. Taking into account this socio-sport reality and considering homeless people with a research intention, it was possible to assume that one of the consequences of their participation in organized social life would be the discovery of social identity and the anticipated sense of attachment and belonging. This was also the goal of the research task – an explanation of this relationship. The results of the study did not confirm the assumed assumption. Homeless people are people at a young age who have not experienced social isolation and a sense of loneliness. They combined practicing sport with expectations of changing their social position and, in particular, achieving the status of employees. The results related to the personal consequences of practicing sport indicate that homeless people see a correlation between training activity and the necessity to change health behaviors. Conclusions: Most of the surveyed players confirm the fact that their taking up sports activities (playing football) in a decisive manner, inter alia, it changed their lives so far, their positive attitude towards themselves and others, improved their family contacts. Their social and interpersonal relations have visibly improved, and there have been positive changes in their social attitudes, and that sport can be an important factor facilitating their inclusion and return to social life (sport as a way out of homelessness).

Waiting or Acting? The Gender Gap in International Football Success

The conditions under which women's national football teams do better or worse in international tournaments remains an open question. Using data from 116 countries worldwide, we have examined three arguments accounting for the gender gap in international football success, focusing on positive externalities from economic development and women's empowerment, and the active policies promoting women's football. Our findings show that the international performance of women's national football teams compared to men's national football teams increases with women's empowerment and in countries committed to the promotion of women's football, while economic development is not relevant. The general question we address is whether gender gaps disappear because of economic and social development, or if active policies promoting women are required to achieve gender equality.

Does international elite sporting success or hosting major events affect self-rated health? An examination of potential positive externalities related to international sporting tournaments

ABSTRACT Research question: It is a common expectation among politicians, civil servants and sport managers that hosting a major sporting event or achieving international elite sport success yields a variety of positive externalities grounded in the “Virtuous Circle of Elite Sport and Events” model. However, over the years various studies have shown that this model is not necessarily an accurate depiction of reality. This paper adds to existing research by testing whether elite sport success or hosting a major sport event can have any positive effects on citizens’ health. Research methods: By employing multilevel regression models to nine rounds of the European Social Survey – consisting of individual-level data from 2002 to 2019, covering 37 countries, 219 country-survey-years, and almost 400,000 respondents – we test whether health-related impacts of elite sport success and hosting major sport events can be identified. Results and findings: The model output from our regressions does not indicate that sporting success or hosting major sport events contributes to better health. Implications: The results question the “Virtuous Circle of Elite Sport and Events” model and stipulate that politicians, practitioners, and sports managers should be aware of overestimating potential positive externalities from elite sport.

Gut microbiota of elite female football players is not altered during an official international tournament.

The current study aimed to investigate if the gut microbiota composition of elite female football players changes during an official international tournament. The study was conducted throughout ten consecutive days, encompassing seven training sessions, and three official matches. The matches were separated by 48-72h. Seventeen elite female football players from the Portuguese women's national football team participated in the study. Fecal samples were collected at two time points: at the beginning and end of the tournament. Fecal microbiota was analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Throughout the study, the duration and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded after training sessions and matches. The internal load was determined by the session RPE. The gut microbiota of players was predominantly composed of bacteria from the phyla Firmicutes (50% of relative abundance) and Bacteroidetes (20%); the genera Faecalibacterium (29%) and Collinsella (16%); the species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (30%) and Collinsella aerofaciens (17%). Overall, no significant changes were observed between time points (p≥0.05). Also, no relationship was found between any exercise parameter and the gut microbiota composition (p≥0.05). These findings demonstrate that the physical and physiological demands of training and matches of an official international tournament did not change the gut microbiota composition of elite female football players. Furthermore, it supports that the gut microbiota of athletes appears resilient to the physical and physiological demands of training and match play.

Invisible ECG for High Throughput Screening in eSports.

eSports is a rapidly growing industry with increasing investment and large-scale international tournaments offering significant prizes. This has led to an increased focus on individual and team performance with factors such as communication, concentration, and team intelligence identified as important to success. Over a similar period of time, personal physiological monitoring technologies have become commonplace with clinical grade assessment available across a range of parameters that have evidenced utility. The use of physiological data to assess concentration is an area of growing interest in eSports. However, body-worn devices, typically used for physiological data collection, may constitute a distraction and/or discomfort for the subjects. To this end, in this work we devise a novel “invisible” sensing approach, exploring new materials, and proposing a proof-of-concept data collection system in the form of a keyboard armrest and mouse. These enable measurements as an extension of the interaction with the computer. In order to evaluate the proposed approach, measurements were performed using our system and a gold standard device, involving 7 healthy subjects. A particularly advantageous characteristic of our setup is the use of conductive nappa leather, as it preserves the standard look and feel of the keyboard and mouse. According to the results obtained, this approach shows 3–15% signal loss, with a mean difference in heart rate between the reference and experimental device of −1.778 ± 4.654 beats per minute (BPM); in terms of ECG waveform morphology, the best cases show a Pearson correlation coefficient above 0.99.

Introduction: the growth and development of soccer in Dublin

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected sport in numerous ways. Euro 2020 should have seen the finals of a major international soccer tournament held in the Republic of Ireland for the first time in nor...

Transnational Stereotypes in Professional Wrestling during the Early Twentieth Century in Spain

This paper analyzes how professional wrestling expanded stereotyped race, national, and class images toward the Spanish public in the first two decades of the twentieth century. The professional wrestling circuit of music halls, theaters, and circuses helped connect a myriad of grappling practices spanning different national traditions. Nonetheless, it also helped convey different racial, ethnic, and national images within a frame of social class divide at a time of rampant imperialism and colonial domination. In this context, Spain experimented with a short-lived wrestling mania, with several international wrestling tournaments and jujutsu exhibitions before World War I. In these tournaments, both fighters and patrons exploited racial stereotypes as a way to better sell the activity to the paying audience, connecting with, but also reinforcing, the perceptions that populated the collective imagination about different people, due to ethnicity or nationality linked also to social class.

Dissociative Identity Disorder Scan in National Wrestlers and Comparison According to Several Variables

Aims: The purpose of this study was to scan dissociative identity disorders in wrestlers who represented their nations in International tournaments. Material and methods: Dissociative Experiences Scale-DES was used as a data collection tool. Relational and Causative comparison models in quantitative research methods were also used in our research. Study group consisted of 14 male wrestlers competed in International tournaments. As sample number did not meet parametrical norms, non-parametric tests were taken place. Desctiptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, One-Way variance analysis and Spearmen Correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: As a result of statistical analysis, dissociative scores of wrestlers in study group were determined to be above 30. When this results was evaluated according to Dissociative Experiences Scale, it can be suggested that there might be dissociative disorders in wrestlers inside study group. Conclusions: Consequently, as a result of statistical analysis, Wrestlers were determined to have 30 and above dissociative scores. And when this is examined according to Dissociative Experience Scale; It indicated that there is a Dissociative disorder in wrestlers.&#x0D;

Shot Distribution and Accuracy in Senior and Youth International Basketball Games: Changes over the Decade of the 2010s.

This study aimed to investigate the changes in shot distribution and accuracy in senior and under-17 international basketball tournaments in the 2010s. A retrospective cross-sectional design was employed, and a total of 1055 games from 20 world-level tournaments held between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed. The tournaments held in 2010 were played under the old three-point line (6.25 m), and the rest of the tournaments were played under the new three-point line (6.75 m). The numbers of two- and three-point shot attempts in each game were normalized to 100 possessions. Differences in mean values of two- and three-point shot attempts were analyzed by a two-way (category × year) between-subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA). Differences in the success rates of two- and three-point shots were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test. There was no significant category × year interaction for two-point shot attempts. However, there were significant main effects of category and year for two-point shot attempts. The number of two-point shot attempts increased significantly in 2012 and, in 2016, returned to a level not significantly different from that in 2010, independent of categories. There was a significant category × year interaction for three-point shot attempts. The number of three-point shot attempts decreased significantly in 2012 and, by 2016, returned to a level not significantly different from that in 2010 in senior men and under-17 women. There was no significant change in the number of three-point shot attempts in under-17 men. The effect of the extension of the three-point line on shot accuracy was limited. Differences in shot accuracy were prominent between age categories: the accuracy was lower in under-17 games than in senior games for both sexes. Although under-17 men attempted fewer three-point shots than senior men, under-17 women attempted a similar number of or more three-point shots than senior women. These findings can contribute to a better understanding of age and sex differences in recent trends in international basketball.

Cardiac autonomic function and sleep patterns after training sessions and matches in female soccer players

I investigated the impact of training sessions and official matches performed at different locations, times of the day and phases of the season (in-season and international tournaments) on nocturnal cardiac...