League Players Research Articles

Foot shape analysis of professional American Football players

The goal of this paper is to quantify the shape of National Football League (NFL) players’ feet and to identify foot shape characteristics that facilitate the development and refinement of position-specific footwear for NFL players. Statistical shape analysis was performed on three-dimensional (3 D) scans of 290 NFL players’ feet obtained from 4 NFL teams during preseason training camps to identify the principal components that explain characteristics of the shape variability. Eight foot shape measurements were then defined to reflect the main principal components and were quantified. The foot volume, the arch shape in conjunction with the foot length, and the foot curvature explained more than 80% of the foot shape variation. The average foot length was 293 ± 13.7 mm and width was 110.6 ± 6.8 mm. Significant differences were observed between position groupings, primarily with regard to size. The prevalence of flat feet (defined as 0 arch depth) was greater in linemen and hybrid position groups than in the skill group. This information can facilitate improvements in the lasts used to create shoes for elite-level players and can also help inform footwear selection.

Labor demographics and productivity: all-star roster turnover and foreigners

PurposeTalent compression is the labor market phenomenon where the average productivity differential between participants declines and has been used to explain the overall increase in competition within some professional sports markets. A finding that competitiveness is uniquely driven by talent compression is consistent with Rottenberg (1956), who argued that resource distribution is independent of factors that are invariant to labor productivity.Design/methodology/approachRather than incorporate MLB team roster turnover as many of the past studies have done, we prefer to measure of all-star turnover in membership. Problematically, movement from an MLB team to an MLB team is limited by rule, finances and the fact that there are very few teams competing for player services. In contrast, All-Star membership is typically costlessly chosen by many millions of fans, league players and managers. In this way, All-Star voting should be invariant to many of the factors that affect movement from an MLB team to an MLB team.FindingsIn the end, we find that a close association between all-star turnover rates and the makeup of MLB’s labor pool.Originality/valueThe paper offers a new measure of player mobility.

Breast and torso characteristics of female contact football players: implications for the design of sports bras and breast protection

This study aimed to provide normative data characterising the breast size, breast position and torso size of female contact football players. 117 AFL, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Rugby 7s players attended a single testing session where a three-dimensional scan was taken of their naked breasts and torso. Dimensions relevant to the design of sports bras and breast protective equipment were then calculated from the scans. Several breast and torso characteristics of female contact football athletes differed to measurements reported for females in the general population and amongst the contact football codes. Designers and manufacturers of sports bras or breast protective equipment should consider the specific breast and torso dimensions of female contact football players to maximise the fit, comfort and efficacy of these garments. Practitioner summary: Using three-dimensional scanning, this study characterised the breast and torso size and shape of 117 female contact football players. These normative data should be used to improve the fit and comfort of sports bras and breast protective equipment for female contact football players.

Novel Performance Metrics to Evaluate the Duel Between a Batsman and a Bowler

In the current system of cricket, the most commonly used measures to evaluate players’ performance are batting and bowling averages, strike rate and economy rate. While these measures are easy to compute and understand, they fail to reflect a complete picture of the players’ performance as they do not consider the context of the match. Various factors, such as balls faced and left, wickets remaining, the skill level of the opponent, etc., are not being considered while evaluating the players’ performance. In addition, these conventional measures fail to compare a batsman’s performance against that of a bowler or vice versa. The objective of this article is to arrive at a measure that will better explain the performance of the players while incorporating some of the factors as stated above. In this article, we use strike rate for the batsman and economy rate for the bowler to arrive at a common scale for ratings. Furthermore, we use the concept of Elo ratings in order to evaluate the duel between a batsman and a bowler. Based on the developed methodology, we evaluate the duels between the players in the Indian Premier League 2018 finals.

Time for a true display of skill: Top players in League of Legends have better executive control

Research into the effects of action video gaming on cognition has largely relied on self-reported action video game experience and extended video game training. Only a few studies have focused on participants' actual gaming skills. However, whether superior players and average players have different executive control is still not fully demonstrated. This study had top-ranking League of Legends players (global top 0.17%; N = 35) and average-ranking League of Legends players (N = 35) perform two cognitive tasks that aimed to measure three aspects of executive functioning: cognitive flexibility, interference control, and impulsive control. We controlled self-reported gaming experience, so that top-ranking players and average-ranking players had similar years of play and hours of play per week. We found that compared to a group of average players, top players showed smaller task-switching costs and smaller response-congruency effects in a Stroop-switching test. In a continuous performance test, top players indicated higher hit rates and lower false alarm rates as compared to average players. These findings suggest that top players have better cognitive flexibility and more accurate control of interference in the context of task-switching. Moreover, top players exhibit better impulsive control. The present study provides evidence that players' gaming skills rather than gaming experience are related to cognitive abilities, which may explain why previous studies on self-reported gaming experience and those assessing supervised training and cognitive performance have shown inconsistent results.

PREVALENCE OF HAMSTRING INJURIES IN SUMMER LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS

Hamstring injuries (HSI) occur more commonly in baseball than are often appreciated and can impact the potential career of a player. Little is known about the historical incidence of these injuries in summer league players preparing for their upcoming collegiate season or being drafted by major league team(s). Summer league baseball players have a high historical incidence of HSI which are often unknown at the start of their summer league play. The purpose of this study was to administer a validated questionnaire to assess various factors regarding the prevalence of prior hamstring injuries, current symptoms of posterior thigh pain or hamstring injuries in amateur summer league baseball players, and to provide details on the injury history, time lost from injury, injury reocurrence, position, individual player physical characteristics and physical activities that might be associated with those injuries. Cross-sectional Observational Study. A self-reported, validated questionnaire regarding the history, prevalence, reoccurrence and functional impact of HSI and posterior thigh pain was administered to and completed by 201 out of 251 summer league baseball players associated with the Cape Cod League and the Northwoods League at the start of the 2013-2015 seasons. The questionnaire was administered by certified athletic trainers associated with each team. Participation was voluntary and informed consent was obtained from all players. Forty seven out of 201 players surveyed reported a HSI history. Sixty-six percent of these players (N = 31) reported unilateral injuries and 34% (N = 16) reported bilateral injuries. Reoccurrence rate was 27.7% across all players. Approximately 1/3rd of all position players (catchers 33.3%, infielders 32.6% and outfielders 31.6%) reported a HSI history compared to 12.9% of all pitchers. Significant differences (p<.05) existed between the HSI and Non-HSI groups for self-reported symptoms, soreness, and pain, as well as function and quality of life. Within the HSI history group, players who batted left and threw right reported the most injuries. A large number of position players and pitchers who report for summer league baseball have a history of posterior thigh pain and HSI. Those with prior injuries have a high reoccurrence rate. Position players have a higher incidence of injury than do pitchers. 3.

How dangerous is American football in aGerman amateur league? An injury analysis according to playing position over aperiod of four seasons

American football is known for its high risk of injury, especially in the professional field. Although the number of players in the German football league (GFL) has risen in recent years, data concerning the injury rates of German amateur players in American football are scarce. Analysis of the injury rates in league games and training sessions in amateur football according to playing positions and body region. Injuries of 123 American football players in a club playing in the second GFL (first and second team) were prospectively recorded over aperiod of 4seasons (2014-2018). A complete history of injuries was obtained from 72players. The injuries were classified using the Orchard sports injury classification system10.1 (OSICS10.1). The injury rates were calculated per 1000 athlete exposures (AE) for training as well as for league games with respect to the playing position and for each body region. Overall 142 injuries were recorded. On average there were 35.5 injuries per season and 1.9injuries per player. Of the injuries 54.7% occurred during training and 46.1% during games. The risk of injury was significantly increased during league games (15.6 ± 16.3) compared to training (3.1 ± 2.7, p < 0.0001). While wide receivers and cornerbacks had the highest overall injury rates, running backs had the highest injury risk during games (p = 0.046). Injuries to knees (27.3%) and shoulders (20.1%) were the most frequent. The shoulder was the body region injured most frequently during games (p = 0.002). Regarding the injury pattern, distorsions (30.9%) and contusions (22.5%) occurred more often compared to fractures (12.6%) and dislocations (16.1%). Concussion only contributed to 2.9% of the injuries. American football is acontact sport with high injury rates even in the German amateur field, especially during league games. Regarding body regions, shoulders and knees were predominantly affected while regarding the playing position, wide receivers and cornerbacks were particularly jeopardized. Therefore, acontinuous close medical supervision during games and an intensive position-specific training seem to be necessary even in the amateur field in order to reduce the injury rate.

Sleep Bootcamp: A Pilot Tele-Sleep Program for Former National Football League (NFL) Players

Sleep Bootcamp: A Pilot Tele-Sleep Program for Former National Football League (NFL) Players

Passing and tackling qualities discriminate developmental level in a rugby league talent pathway

ABSTRACTThis study compared the passing and tackling qualities of talent identified rugby league (RL) players within a developmental pathway. From a total of 88 players, three developmental levels were defined: under 18 years (U18; n = 27), under 20 years (U20; n = 29), and state league (SL; n = 32). All participants performed skills tests that measured passing and tackling qualities. A MANOVA modelled the main effect of developmental level (three levels: U18, U20 and SL) with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves then built for variables that showed a significant effect. A significant effect was noted for passing over four to 12 m (V= 0.303, F = 2.406, P< 0.05), with the SL players outperforming their U18 and U20 counterparts. The ROC curves generated an area under the curve of greater than 63% for each passing test criterion, indicating greater than chance discrimination. The choice of tackle and technical execution of tackle discriminated the SL players from the U18 and U20 groups. Utilising the criteria for objective measures for fundamental skill assessment throughout RL development is likely to assist with the junior-to-senior transition of talented RL players.

What is Wrong with Throwing Spitballs?

ABSTRACT Controversy over the use of performance–enhancing drugs (PEDs) in athletics has involved sometimes rather complex technological advances (e.g. ‘designer steroids’ in track, and anabolic steroids in baseball, football and wrestling). However, historically other performance enhancing substances (PESs) banned from Major League Baseball (MLB) competition are examples of simple technology, such as soap, Vaseline, grease, spit, human perspiration and the like. For instance, before the 1920 season, MLB team owners decided to ban their pitchers’ use of spit and other foreign substances on the ball in League play. I will explore the question of whether ‘spitballs’ (pitches whereby pitchers apply foreign substances to baseballs with the aim of gaining a competitive advantage over hitters) ought to be banned from MLB competition. While I do not defend the position that those who have broken League rules by throwing spitballs have done nothing wrong, I do challenge the legitimacy of the current ban on spitballs. In this investigation, I refer to Randolph Feezell’s definition of cheating and Mark Hamilton’s criteria for assessing the morality of strategic play in baseball. I note that while safety issues could arise with the reintroduction of spitballs into League play, none of these are strong enough concerns to warrant the spitball ban. I conclude with a series of policy measures that could be implemented to protect players from harm if the spitball were to be reintroduced in MLB. This will include a discussion of what could permissibly done to a baseball by spitball pitchers if the ban were lifted.

Playing Level and Position Differences in Body Characteristics and Physical Fitness Performance Among Male Team Handball Players.

The primary aim of the study was to examine the anthropometric characteristics, as well as the physical performance of professional handball players classified by playing position and competition level. Twenty male players (age: 20.4 ± 0.88 years) from the first handball league and 18 male players (age: 21.3 ± 1.61 years) from the second handball league were categorized as backs (8/8), pivots (5/4), and wings (7/6). The following variables were measured in both groups: peak power; vertical squat jump (SJ), and countermovement jump (CMJ); sprint times over 15 and 30 m; handball throwing velocity during the jump shot (JS); and 3 steps shot (T3 step); upper and lower limb muscle volumes; Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test. Anthropometric data revealed significantly (p = 0.003, = 0.248) less muscle volume for second league players (3.13 ± 0.29 l) than for first league (3.71 ± 0.82 l). The cross-sectional area for the first league players was also larger (p = 0.010, = 0.192). Regarding performance parameters, we found significant (p < 0.05 and > 0.20) league differences in five of 15 (33%) performance parameters: running throw ( = 0.285), SJ power ( = 0.670), SJ velocity ( = 0.900), peak upper limb power ( = 0.231) and Yo-Yo-IR 1 ( = 0.348). The second league players showed higher SJ velocity than the first league players ( = 0.900). In contrast, we detected a greater difference in SJ power ( = 0.670) but in favor of the first league players. Pivots were the players with the highest throwing velocity and wings were the fastest (15, 30 m sprint), strongest (countermovement jump), and most enduring (Yo-Yo-IR 1) athletes. Backs showed consistently the lowest level throwing velocity and sprint performance (exception: second league). The anthropometric differences between playing levels and playing positions may indicate the advantageous characteristics that the respective position demands, whereas the playing position differences in physical fitness characteristics may indicate training specificity issues that must be addressed cautiously.

Performance-associated parameters of players from the deaf Czech Republic national soccer team: a comparison with hearing first league players

Testing of performance-associated parameters is a routine requirement in high-performance sports. Limited information is available regarding the anthropometrical, physiological and biomechanical characteristics of deaf soccer players. The primary purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive study was to investigate possible performance-associated differences between the deaf Czech Republic national team soccer players and hearing counterparts from the Czech Republic First League. Seventy-four male soccer players (31 deaf and 43 hearing, ≥ 17 years of age) underwent laboratory testing that included measurement of autonomic cardiac activity, anthropometrical parameters, vertical jump performance, and maximal aerobic capacity via an incremental running test. Compared with the hearing players, deaf players were shorter (p = 0.012), had more body fat (p < 0.001), a higher resting heart rate (p = 0.001), and ratio of Ln rMSSD to R–R interval length (p = 0.006), while maximal power output (p < 0.001), maximal oxygen uptake (p = 0.003), were significantly lower. After correcting for body fat percentage, the differences were not significant except for maximal power output value. Being at a disadvantage, the deaf soccer players differ from their hearing counterparts in various physiological or morphological parameters assumed to be associated with sports performance in soccer. However, the differences were minimized when taking 10% of body fat as a cut point into account. Thus, reduction in body fat percentage to the 10% level may be considered as one possible strategy for improving both the physical fitness and adaptability level of the studied deaf soccer players.

“Equal Opportunity Violence”: Hope Solo and the Rhetoric of Domestic Violence in Sports Media

In 2014, American soccer player Hope Solo was accused of domestic violence. Controversy over Solo’s participation in the upcoming 2015 Women’s World Cup tournament flooded news and sports media. Most interestingly for scholars of gender and communication, these conversations equated Solo with National Football League (NFL) players, such as Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, who had also been accused of domestic violence and punished to varying degrees. This discourse both forwarded claims of reverse discrimination and rhetorically masculinized Solo to fold her into normative gendered understandings of violence. The effect was a discursive degendering of violence. This article is concerned with the way that gender and violence are made sense of in sports discourse. I argue that coverage of Solo—specifically, the discourses that tether her to what appear to be her male counterparts and the resulting sense of gender equality—alters cultural understandings of gender and violence in dangerous ways.

PROGRESSIVE ELBOW MRI ABNORMALITIES IN LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE COMMON: A 3-YEAR LONGITUDINAL EVALUATION

Background Significant effort has been made by multiple organizations including Little League Baseball, USA Baseball, Major League Baseball, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to minimize the rate of shoulder and elbow injury among Little League Baseball players. Despite this effort, recent MRI studies have shown high rates of elbow pathology in this athletic population. The purpose of the current study was to track a cohort of Little League baseball players over three years with serial examinations and MRI to determine the natural history, progression, and risk factors of previously identified elbow pathology. Methods A prospective study of Little League players who were 12 to 15 years of age was performed. All players had preseason and postseason elbow MRI performed three years prior to the current study. Players underwent repeat bilateral elbow MRI, physical examination of bilateral shoulders and elbows, a detailed assessment of throwing history, and completed a questionnaire addressing playing history and current playing status, and any arm pain. The MRI scans were read by a blinded musculoskeletal radiologist and subsequently compared to players’ prior MRI to assess for progression or resolution of previously identified pathology. Identified MRI pathology was categorized as persistent/mild, progressive/severe, or improved/resolved (Figure 1). Results All 26 players who participated in the previous single season study returned for a 3-year longitudinal assessment, representing a 100% follow-up rate. Fifteen players (58%) had dominant arm MRI pathology. 80% of MRI findings (12/15 players) were determined to be new or progressive lesions. Players with post-season MRI pathology were significantly more likely to have MRI pathology at 3-years follow-up (p&lt;0.05). Six of the 14 players (43%) with previously normal MRI had new pathology. Year-round play was a significant predictor of tenderness to elbow palpation (p=0.027) and positive MRI findings at 3-years (p=0.047). Moderate/persistent and severe/progressive MRI findings were more often seen in players who continued to play baseball, play pitcher or catcher, and play year-round baseball (Figure 2). Dominant shoulder internal rotation was significantly less than non-dominant shoulder internal rotation amongst all players (60.3° compared with 71.2°, p=0.002). Dominant shoulder external rotation was significantly increased in players who continued to play baseball when compared with those no longer playing (109.1° versus 99.3°, p=0.012), in players playing pitcher or catcher when compared with non-pitchers/catchers (111.4° versus 100.3°, p=0.005), and in players who played year-round baseball when compared to those playing &lt; 8 months per year (109.0° versus 100.2°, p=0.026). Conclusion/Significance Dominant elbow MRI abnormalities are common in asymptomatic Little League baseball players. Three-year longitudinal evaluation suggests that these MRI findings commonly progress, especially amongst players who continue to play baseball. Year-round play appears to impart the most notable risk to young players, with results of the current study showing increased rates of physical exam abnormalities and progressive MRI pathology. Further guidelines addressing year-round play in Little League Baseball should be established.

Coaching Efficacy, Player Perceptions of Coaches’ Leadership Styles, and Team Performance in Premier League Soccer

ABSTRACTThe coaching competency research has demonstrated the role of coaching efficacy and coaching behaviors on various athlete outcomes. However, athlete perceptions of these relationships and how they affect performance are less understood. Purpose: This study examined if coaching efficacy is predictive of player perceptions of coaches’ leadership styles, team atmosphere, and team performance in a soccer season. Method: Fifteen male premier league soccer coaches (Mage = 45.27, SD = 6.07) and 226 players (Mage = 25.66, SD = 3.96) from Botswana participated in the study. All participants completed a background information questionnaire. Coaches completed the Coaching Efficacy Scale. Players rated their coaches’ leadership styles using the Revised Leadership Scale for Sports as well as team atmosphere. Team performance was based on position in the league log and player ratings of the teams’ performance. Results: Findings showed that coaches’ self-ratings on technique efficacy predicted player perceptions of the coaches’ use of all six leadership styles. Game strategy efficacy predicted higher team atmosphere and team performance. Motivation efficacy was not significantly associated with player perceptions of the coaches’ use of any of the leadership styles, while character building efficacy was negatively associated with the various leadership styles. Conclusion: Findings provide support to previous research evidence linking higher coaching efficacy, leadership styles, and team outcomes. The study expands the emergent research within the coaching competency literature that examines player perceptions of coaches’ behaviors and leadership styles.

Minimax after money-max: why major league baseball players do not follow optimal strategies

ABSTRACTUsing real-life sports data of Major League Baseball, this paper investigates whether professional players follow the minimax theorem in their strategies. Our empirical results using the 2010 regular-season data show that baseball players do not optimize their strategies: there is a significant difference in their payoffs across strategies, and the sequence of their strategy choices is predictable from their previous actions. Further analysis using individual salaries and key contract variables indicates that a higher salary has a positive impact on following minimax strategies in the regular season. By contrast, a longer contract decreases a player’s incentive to pursue optimal strategies in the postseason. These results have important implications for compensation practices in various fields.

The Effect of the Coach-Athlete Relationship on Passion for Sports: The Case of Male Handball Players in Super League

The purpose of this study is to reveal out the relationship between the team players' perceived coach-athlete relationship and their passion in sports. This is a research carried out with sectional screening model. The study group consisted of 200 male handball players in super league in Turkey. Participants were asked questions with demographic information to obtain personal information. Additionally, 11 question “Coach-Athlete Relationship Scale” developed by Jowett &amp; Ntoumanis (2004) and adapted to Turkish by Altıntaş et al. (2012) and 12 question “Athlete Passion Scale” developed by Vallerand et al. (2003) and adapted to Turkish by Kelecek &amp; Aşçı (2013) was applied. To evaluate the obtained data SPSS 20 package program was used and percentage (%), frequency (f), Kruskal Wallis test, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were conducted. There was a positive relationship between the coach-athlete relationship and its sub-dimensions of commitment, closeness and complementarity and also between the passion for sports and its sub-dimensions of harmonious passion and obsessive passion. Besides, the regression analysis has shown that the coach-athlete relationship has a relatively high impact on the passion for sports. In other words, as the effectiveness and quality of the coach-athlete relationship increase, so does "passion", which is one of the most important motivation sources for the athletes. At the end of our research it was found that, the coach-athlete relationship was at high level. As a result, there is a relationship between coach-athlete relationship and sport passion.

Human Capital Development in Professional Golf: Web.com Tour as Pathway to the PGA Tour

Within the economics of sport literature, economists have begun to apply Gary Becker’s human capital formation theory as a method to examine the value of developmental (or minor) league level performance on an athlete’s success at the highest (or major) league level of professional sports. This research applies Becker’s theory to a model of a professional golfer’s human capital development as they progress from the minor league (Web.com Tour) level to the major league (PGA Tour) level. Several empirical model specifications are developed. Empirical results show that of the shot-makings skills, long-game skills (i.e., driving power and driving accuracy) can best be developed through minor league play; while short-game skills (e.g., approach shots, scrambling, and putting) are better developed at the PGA Tour level.

Exploring the subcultural norms of the response to violence in hockey

This study explores the question of how hockey players construct a response to violence in hockey. Law enforcement and the judiciary have been reluctant to apply legal norms witnessed outside of the hockey arena leaving a very small body of case law and a great deal of uncertainty as to where and when courts should intervene. Cultural theorists suggest that law is derived by institutionalizing norms that have already been developed and institutionalized by culture. We use a sample of elite hockey players in developmental leagues to better understand when they think a legal intervention is justified. We argue that their views can provide guidance to legal actors as to when the law should become involved in hockey violence.

A Comparative Look at Aggression and Self-esteem among Turkish versus International Super and Premier League Soccer Players Playing in Turkey

This study comparatively examines aggression and self-esteem among Turkish versus international (foreign) male super and premier league soccer players playing for the Turkish Football Federation. A sample population of one hundred twelve (112) out of all possible athletes of the above description has been featured in this study. Both Coopersmith’s Self-Esteem Inventory (1974) (adapted into Turkish by Turan & Tufan (1987)), as well as an aggression inventory developed by Ipek Ilter Kiper[1]—and which include reactive-expressive, reactive-inexpressive, and proactive-relational aggression — were used as data collection tools. T-tests, alongside single direction variance analysis were used for data analysis. Accordingly, meaningful correlations were found among super versus premier league soccer players when it came both to inexpressive and expressive aggression as well as self-esteem. However, no meaningful correlation had appeared to emerge upon comparing the point scores between international versus Turkish soccer players for all three sub-types of aggression, for aggression on whole, and for self-esteem. On the contrary, a sound correlation was found between expressive aggression and the marital status of all of the players in question. Two further meaningful correlations had been identified with respect to self-esteem and the age of all of the players, as well as with respect to expressive aggression and players’ education levels. In contrast, no meaningful correlation had emerged out of the total point scores for all three subtypes of aggression, for aggression on whole, and for self-esteem on whole versus players’ hand and foot dexterities. Nevertheless, one final correlation had been established between players’ sense of expressive aggression versus what position they played on.