Sports Officials Research Articles

They’re Only Human! Tension and Stress Predict Performance of Softball Umpires in National Championships

The psychology of sports officials is often overlooked in psychology research. The present study addressed this disparity by exploring relationships among the mood, stress, and performance of Australian softball umpires. Six male and two female participants aged 25–68 years (M = 48.95 ± 17.39 years) each completed the Brunel Mood Scale before games and provided saliva samples on multiple occasions prior to and after officiating games at two Australian National Softball Championships. Data from 65 games were analysed with performance assessed using Softball Australia’s umpire assessment tool. A significant positive relationship (p < 0.01) was found between tension scores and umpire performance. Using a stepwise regression analysis, tension scores and baseline cortisol level collectively explained 22.6% of the variance in umpire performance scores. These findings suggest that umpires require an optimal level of tension in the period leading up to competition to perform successfully, supporting the relationship between tension and performance first proposed by the inverted-U hypothesis.

A new shortcut for competitive sports development? The purpose of and strategy for developing and introducing sepaktakraw in Taiwan.

A growing number of countries and regions have introduced emerging sports in recent years; however, few studies have been conducted to determine how and why they do so. This article focuses on why a new sport, sepaktakraw, was introduced in Taiwan and how strategies for achieving international sporting success were developed in a short period. The sports policy factors leading to the international sporting success model proposed by De Bosscher et al. were adopted as this study's analytical framework. Data were obtained from official government and sport federation documents, media reports, and semistructured interviews with 18 key stakeholders. This study revealed three main reasons for the introduction of sepaktakraw in Taiwan: (1) low introduction costs, (2) breakthroughs to win medals at the Asian Games, and (3) advantageous entry into international sports organization leadership. Seven aspects are prioritized in Taiwan's sepaktakraw development strategy: (1) obtaining government financial support; (2) institutionalizing organisational decision-making; (3) taking universities as a breakthrough point and then gradually shifting to promote popularization at the grassroots level; (4) selecting players on the basis of competition results; (5) using school badminton courts; (6) strengthening coach training; and (7) actively participating in and striving to host international tournaments. The findings could provide guidelines and examples for other countries or regions to follow when introducing new sports and moving towards the successful development of competitive sports.

ОЦЕНКА ВЛИЯНИЯ ДЛИТЕЛЬНЫХ БЕГОВЫХ НАГРУЗОК НА ВЕРОЯТНОСТЬ ВОЗНИКНОВЕНИЯ КАРИЕСА ЗУБОВ

Recently, there has been a popularization of participation in marathons and ultramarathons: the number of amateur athletes engaged in running is increasing, and therefore the number of starts is increasing, both in the official sports segment and in the commercial sector. The development of aerobic capabilities at long and ultra-long distances requires significant physiological resources from the human body. Increased physical activity, as well as emotional stress associated with competition, are an integral part of competitions such as marathons and ultramarathons. High-intensity exercises associated with running long and ultra-long distances suppress temporary immunity, both local and general. The compensatory response to this stress is an immunosuppressive response, which has a certain reaction in all organs and systems, including the oral cavity. Poor dental health in athletes can negatively impact training, performance and well-being both in everyday life and during the training and competition phases. In this regard, dental diseases can have a negative impact on the performance of track and field athletes, as has been shown in regional studies in different countries. This study is devoted to the study of the effect of prolonged running loads on the change in the dental status of participants in marathons and ultramarathons.

Innovative strategies and technologies in educational programs for sports officials: Improving the efficiency of training and competitiveness of the sports industry

Constant technological progress and societal changes present significant challenges to educational systems. Therefore, it is critically important to study strategies and methods to improve educational systems, implement cutting-edge technologies, update curricula, and evaluate the effectiveness of these changes. The rapid pace of technological development opens up new possibilities for education. Implementing state-of-the-art technologies can transform learning into a more interactive, accessible, and effective process. Additionally, changes in the economy and job market require educational systems to prepare a skilled workforce that meets modern requirements. Updating curricula and teaching methods can help prepare students for the challenges and opportunities presented by the job market. Researching and implementing innovative strategies and technologies in education is critical for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of preparing future generations and responding to present challenges. The article discusses improving educational systems in sports management, sports marketing, sports administration, and administration. The research emphasizes the importance of implementing state-of-the-art technologies in these areas and continuously updating curricula to meet modern requirements and job market needs. It also explores prospects for further development in the field and identifies ways to improve the professional training of sports professionals in the future. The article outlines directions that can contribute to the further development of the sports industry and enhance its international competitiveness.

Pengaruh Disiplin Kerja dan Lingkungan Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai pada Dinas Pendidikan Pemuda dan Pelatihan Olahraga Kabupaten Karawang

This study was conducted with the aim of knowing the partial and simultaneous influence between work discipline and work environment on the performance of employees of the Karawang Regency Youth Education and Sports Office. The method used in this research is quantitative method. The study population consisted of 80 employees of the Karawang Regency Youth Education and Sports Office, using a saturated sample sampling technique, where the entire population became the research sample. Data analysis was carried out using the Validity Test, Reliability Test, Normality Test, and Hypothesis Test using the t Test (Partial) and F Test (Simultaneous). The results of this study indicate that there is a partial influence between work discipline and the work environment of the Service with a t table value (7.386> 1.991). There is also a partial influence between the work environment and employee performance with a t table value (2.629> 1991). In addition, the level of employee performance is jointly influenced by work discipline and work environment. This can be seen from the calculated F value (59.873> 2.72.) The magnitude of the influence of work discipline and work environment on employee performance at the Youth and Sports Education Office is 60.9%.

Strategi Dinas Pariwisata, Kebudayaan, Kepemudaan dan Olahraga Kabupaten Sumedang dalam Upaya Mewujudkan Sumedang Sebagai Kabupaten Pariwisata

Sumedang has been named a Tourism Regency by the Regent of Sumedang since 2019, but there are still many people who do not know about it. The purpose of this research is to find out how the strategy is applied in an effort to realize Sumedang as a Tourism Regency, what are the external and internal factors that influence it and how understanding is applied to the community regarding efforts to realize Sumedang as a Tourism Regency. This research uses a case study design involving several communities and the government, namely the Sumedang Regency Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports Office. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 14 participants. Data analysis to identify, create themes and evaluate inductively and thematically was carried out with the help of NVivo 12. Validation of instruments and data was carried out through triangulation and expert review techniques. This research resulted in five findings: Disparbudpora strategy, the role of the media, Sumedang tourist destinations, challenges, and public understanding. The study concluded that the Strategy of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports focuses on a long-term plan that aims to optimize the achievement of all relevant objectives. This strategy includes monitoring and evaluating all activities related to tourism in the Sumedang Regency area, ensuring the development of infrastructure to support the development of tourism.

“What are we looking at?”: the development and implementation of a performance analysis framework for netball umpires

ABSTRACT Technology is progressively being used in sports development, with video feedback playing a central role in performance analysis (PA). However, the impact of PA on learning remains unclear. This study aimed to create, validate, and implement a self-controlled PA framework, targeting sports officials who must balance high-performance demands with their personal lives. The framework was tested as an intervention with two umpires in the 2023 Netball Super League. Results showed improvements in performance scores, suggesting enhanced identification and understanding of umpiring-related factors. Interviews revealed that developmental processes, video feedback, and external life factors significantly influence PA effectiveness. This research highlights the potential of structured PA frameworks to optimise learning and performance in sports officiating.

Application of an Advanced Risk Analysis Evaluation Tool of Sports Integrity in an International Sports Competition

The estimated annual cost of corruption in the global sports industry is anywhere from $1.7 to $2.6 trillion (Carrillo, 2023; United Nations, 2023). Among the most common types of corruption is the involvement of sports officials in bribery, cheating, embezzlement, match manipulation, and final-result fixing. The authors describe an advanced risk assessment voice analytics tool and its use in identifying and countering the threat of corruption amid sport officials. The tool was implemented during an actual, multi-phase inquiry of amateur boxing officials at an international tournament. Of the 93 completed (pre- and post-competition) automated interviews, 77.4% resulted in risk-positive outcomes for knowledge of and/or involvement in corruption. Ground truth confirmed 80% of the risk-positive flags. In addition, statistical analyses verified the decision support tool’s unbiased model across a group of men and women from 49 different countries. Further, an association of risk-positive flags with countries’ human developmental indices—previously shown to be inversely related to corruption—provides convergent validity for the automated tool. This study’s findings contribute to the international sports integrity investigations and management literature.

The Impact of Accounting Information System Implementation on the Quality of Financial Report Results of the Department of Education, Youth and Sports of Buleleng Regency

The Quality of Regional Government Financial Reports is an assessment related to the level of conformity of reporting in regional financial management for each budget period. The quality of Regional Government Financial Reports can be seen from the opinion submitted by the Financial Supervisory Agency as the party that examines and assesses the Regional Government Financial Reports. This study aims to test the influence of the Regional Financial Accounting System and human resource competence on the quality of Regional Government Financial Reports. This study includes quantitative research. The sample in this study were employees at the Education, Youth, and Sports Office according to the criteria. The results of this study are that the Regional Financial Accounting System affects the quality of Regional Government Financial Reports.

Collaborative Governance Networks Supporting Sustainable Ecotourism: A Case Study of Gili Iyang Island, Indonesia

The development of sustainable ecotourism on Gili Iyang Island, known for its high oxygen levels and unique local culture, requires collaboration among diverse stakeholders through effective governance networks. This study investigates the roles and contributions of key stakeholders—including the Sumenep District Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports Office (Dinas Pariwisata, Kebudayaan, Pemuda, dan Olahraga Kabupaten Sumenep or Disparbudpora), the Andang Taruna Tourism Awareness Group (Kelompok Sadar Wisata Andang Taruna or Pokdarwis), village governments, and local communities—in developing ecotourism on Gili Iyang Island, Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis. Findings show that governance networks are crucial in enhancing community empowerment, building local capacity, and improving infrastructure to support ecotourism. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including limited resources, conflicts between villages, and minimal private-sector engagement. Strengthening Pokdarwis’ managerial capacity, fostering inter-community synergies, and attracting private sector involvement are identified as essential strategies to ensure sustainable ecotourism. This research contributes to the broader literature on collaborative governance in remote island ecotourism, offering practical insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to create resilient, community-driven tourism initiatives that can be adapted to similar island settings.

Factors Affecting Women Sports Officials’ Intention to Leave Across Europe

This study examines the factors affecting women officials’ intention to leave their chosen sport, including personal, work-related, and sociocultural factors. The empirical analysis is based on survey data of women officials in 69 different sports across Europe (n = 3,214). Overall, 10.7% of women expressed a turnover intention. Regression analyses indicate that this intention is higher for women who have more officiating experience (16–20 years), officiate at lower levels of sport (grassroots, junior), frequently experience abuse, and dislike the stress and time commitments of officiating, lack of support from the federation, and their lack of opportunity to progress. Younger women (≤24 years) with a mentor, who enjoy being part of a sport community and live in a more gender equal society are less likely to leave. The findings suggest that multiple factors are at work, which need to be addressed by sport managers to retain women in officiating roles.

Surfing a culturally-relevant physical activity: a new wave for health promotion

Abstract Background Surfing originated with Native Hawaiians prior to Western contact. It has since gained worldwide popularity, with an estimated 50 million surfers globally, and recently became an official Olympic sport. Associations have been reported between surfing and mental and physical health outcomes, greater community cohesion, and stronger intra-family relationships. Despite this evidence, surfing is deeply understudied in the context of health promotion. Purpose Surfing was analyzed from a mixed methods perspective to explore factors associated with lifetime participation and current engagement, including gender, race/ethnicity, chronic disease, social context, meaning, and average time of participation. Methods Hawai’i adult residents (n = 1066) completed an online or phone questionnaire. Modified Poisson regression models were fit for lifetime engagement and having a self-reported chronic disease, adjusting for primary race/ethnicity, age, gender, and education. Results Over their lifetime, 42% of respondents (50% men and 37% women) had participated in surfing. Engagement was highest during youth and young adulthood, and decreased with age, yet trends varied notably by race/ethnicity, gender, and generation. Lifetime surfing engagement was significantly related to lower likelihood of diabetes (aPR:0.72; 95%CI:0.56-0.92;p=0.009). Individuals who regularly participated in surfing typically did so with friends (78%) or family (61%); average surfing session duration was 209 minutes. Qualitative results revealed the relevance of surfing across levels of influence for health and wellbeing from physical fitness to community, culture, history and spirituality. Conclusions This work provides insights on the health promotion opportunities of surfing across the life-course and populations, including disease prevention and management. This study has implications for planning and policy locally and globally to achieve optimal community and planetary health. Key messages • Surfing is not only a sport for elite athletes, but also an activity that can support community and individual health and wellbeing in many populations over the lifespan. • Promotion of surfing and public ocean access can support multidimensional influences for wellbeing and should be a focus of cross sector collaborations for optimal community and planetary health.

Android Based Sports Infrastructure E-Booking Application at Provincial Youth and Sports Office Using Waterfall Method

Booking is an agreement process in the form of ordering goods or services. The Youth and Sports Service (DISPORASU) is a government agency under the auspices of the Governor of North Sumatra. DISPORASU provides sports infrastructure that can be used by the general public by rental method. In the rental process, DISPORASU still applies the direct rental method, by coming to the DISPORASU office in Medan City, so this results in a large number of tenants piling up at the same time. Therefore, a system is needed that helps tenants in carrying out the infrastructure rental process. The concept is an Android-based Sports Infrastructure E-Booking application. This application was built and designed using the waterfall model and UML (Unified Modeling Language) with several diagrams, namely Use Case Diagrams, Activity Diagrams and Class Diagrams. The programming language used is Dart, Flutter Framework and Firebase as the database. By building this sports infrastructure E-Booking application, it is hoped that it can help improve performance in future business processes and become a reference for employees/staff in this agency itself.

The Legal Smuggling Through Nominee Agreement & Its Implications for Coastal Beach Management

This research aims to explore and analyze the impacts caused by legal smuggling through nominee agreements in the management of coastal areas in the Mentawai Islands Regency. As an agreement that is not permitted in Indonesian contract law, nominees certainly have implications, especially in terms of investment practices and land ownership in the Mentawai Islands Regency. Then the Constitution and the Basic Agrarian Law have regulated very strictly regarding land rights and ownership. Historical experience has led Indonesia to establish regulations on land rights and their management in Indonesia. However, the legal facts that occur are that not a few foreign citizens own land in Indonesia, such as in the Mentawai Islands Regency by smuggling the law, including through nominee agreements. The writing method uses an empirical legal research type and is oriented toward primary data sources obtained through interviews and document studies. The survey results show that out of 85 resorts registered with the Tourism, Youth and Sports Office, there are 11 resorts owned by foreign citizens by smuggling the law through nominee agreements which imply being null and void because they are not by the Civil Code. Furthermore, impunity for this legal smuggling means that residents will lose their identity as a customary law community because the land as their local cultural identity has been taken over by foreign countries.

Hockey referees: are they part of the solution for concussions in youth hockey?

ABSTRACT Rationale/purpose Concussions pose short – and long-term risks for youth athletes. To mitigate these risks, sport organizations must find ways to enhance athlete safety, including prompt removal of athletes who display signs and symptoms of concussions. Some sport organizations have incorporated officials in concussion prevention and management strategies. The purpose of this study was to gain sport officials’ perspectives of being able to remove athletes with suspected concussion from games. Design/methodology/approach We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 10 ice hockey officials from across Canada. We implemented a pragmatic approach with a reflexive thematic analysis to maintain the participants’ truths and perspectives within the results. Findings Our analysis resulted in the four themes: (a) Considerations and Importance of the Protocol, (b) Officials’ Knowledge of Concussions, (c) Required Training, and (d) Barriers. Practical Implications Removing athletes with suspected concussions could be added to officials’ duties; however, hesitancy exists regarding implementation and effectiveness of the protocol. Focus on the implementation and education of the officials is required. Research Contribution This study contributes to the growing literature on sport officials and their role with respect to concussions in youth ice hockey.

The Synergy of Work Allowances, Sports Facilities, and Motivation in Enhancing Athlete Achievement

In the era of globalization, athlete achievement is very important for a country or sports institution, whether in the form of medals, records, or positions in championships, which are also measured by increasing achievement. It is important for institutions or organizations to be able to maintain the achievements of athletes that have been achieved. This study has the following objectives: determine the impact of work allowances and sports facilities on motivation and athlete achievement under the auspices of the Jember Regency Youth and Sports Office. The population in this study was 399 athletes from 35 sports branches in the Jember Regency Dispora. The number of samples was determined by as many as 150 respondents. Data analysis used SEM with WarpPLS 7.0. The results of this study indicate that the work allowance variable has a positive and significant effect on motivation. The sports facility variable has a positive effect on motivation but is not significant. The work allowances variable does not have a significant effect on athlete achievement. The sports facilities variable has a positive and significant effect on athlete achievement. The motivation variable has a positive and significant effect on the achievement of athletes from the Jember Regency Diaspora. The work allowances variable has a positive and significant effect on the achievement of athletes from the Jember Regency Dispora through motivation. The sports facilities variable has a positive effect on the athlete achievement of athletes from Jember Regency through motivation. The practical implications that can be contributed from this study are that sports facilities do not affect motivation but do affect achievement. Work allowances contribute to motivation but do not affect athlete achievement. Therefore, sports facilities must improve their benefits for motivation to achieve more. Work allowances also need to be improved so that athlete retention increases.

The impact of abuse experiences and coping responses on distress and mental health outcomes in sports officials

ABSTRACT Sports officials (e.g., referees) experience multiple role-related stressors, including episodes of verbal, physical, and social media abuse. However, the impact of strategies employed to cope with abuse experiences is unknown. The aims of this study were to: (i) explore the prevalence and frequency of abuse experiences over a single season, (ii) determine the impact of abuse and other stressors on sports officials’ mental health, and (iii) understand the mental health impact of strategies utilised by sports officials to cope with abuse experiences. A total of 303 Gaelic games match officials completed an online survey measuring stressors (including abuse experiences), coping strategies, and mental health outcomes. Correlational and path analyses explored relationships between abuse experiences, coping strategies, distress, and subsequent mental health outcomes. In total, 88.11% of officials reported experiences of verbal abuse, 7.59% physical abuse, and 17.16% social media abuse during the previous season. Greater use of both avoidance-cognitive and approach-oriented coping was associated with higher distress and poorer mental health outcomes following verbal abuse. Moreso, greater use of avoidance-cognitive strategies to cope with verbal abuse from players predicted higher distress which, in turn, predicted higher anxiety, higher depression, and lower mental well-being. For social media abuse, self-blame, planning, and behavioural disengagement were associated with poorer mental health. The findings suggest that sports officials employ maladaptive coping for abuse experiences, negatively impacting on mental health outcomes. Developing alternative strategies, such as mastery-oriented coping, may help sports officials to deal with abuse experiences and better protect their mental health.

Evaluasi Program Pembinaan Pusat Pendidikan dan Latihan Pelajar (PPLP) Provinsi Kepulauan Riau

The Student Education and Training Center (PPLP) in Riau Islands was formed based on the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KEMENPORA) program in the development of achievement sports coaching centers in the regions. Currently Riau Islands Province has 3 PPLP Sports Branches that are running, namely Pencak Silat, Taekwondo and Archery which are managed by the Riau Islands Provincial Youth and Sports Office. In its implementation there are several shortcomings such as sports facilities, facilities and infrastructure, and the achievements of athletes. The purpose of this study was to obtain a complete picture and evaluate the process of implementing the coaching program for PPLP athletes in Riau Islands Province. This research methodology uses a qualitative descriptive approach with primary and secondary data sources, and data collection methods in the form of documentation, interviews, and observations. The theory used by researchers in evaluation uses Masson & Gibbon's theory in Hayat (2018) which includes indicators: The process has run optimally, seen from the role of the management in implementing the coaching program that has been well coordinated. For formative indicators, it is less than optimal as seen from the fulfillment of athletes' facility needs which are not fully met. For summative indicators, it runs less optimally seen from the results of athletes' achievements that have not been consistent at the national level. The conclusion of this research is that the PPLP program has been running quite well in Riau Islands Province, it's just not optimal seen from additional professionals such as sports specialists, infrastructure and the results of athletes' achievements at the National level. Suggestions for improvement are that the administrators involved in the PPLP program must be able to increase their contribution, especially in terms of meeting the needs of athletes

Pengaruh Kepemimpinan serta Kompensasi terhadap Motivasi Atlet Esports Pelatda Provinsi Sumatera Utara

Esports is an official sports branch in Indonesia, as stated in the results of the KONI National Working Meeting (RAKERNA) in 2020, which declared esports to be part of the prestigious sports branch. This is also in line with the establishment of the Indonesian Esports Association (PBESI) as the governing body of electronic sports under the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI). Research results show that the t-value of both variables is below 0.005, and F calculated is greater than F table (570.063 > 2.91). It can be explained that leadership has a significant positive influence on the achievement motivation of esports athletes in the provincial training center (Pelatda) of North Sumatra. Compensation also has a significant positive influence on the achievement motivation of esports athletes in the provincial training center (Pelatda) of North Sumatra partially. Furthermore, it is found that both leadership and compensation have a significant positive influence on the achievement motivation of esports athletes in the provincial training center (Pelatda) of North Sumatra simultaneously.

Research on the Development of E-sports Events in Today's Era

In today's society, with the continuous improvement of the level of science and technology, electronic games have become an important activity for public entertainment. The chief aim of this paper is to study whether the development of e-sports meets the requirements of The Times and whether e-sports will enter the Olympic Games in the future. More and more people participate in electronic games, competition and confrontation emerge, and e-sports become a platform for participants to communicate and compete. In the process of continuous in-depth development of international globalization, the popularity of e-sports competition is getting higher and higher, and e-sports is listed as one of the sports, more and more people participate in it, and the expansion of the scale of e-sports competition has become an inevitable trend. As e-sports entered the Hangzhou Asian Games for the first time into the official sports competition platform, e-sports in the Olympic Games will become a major trend in the future.