Athletic Participation Research Articles

The Holistic MAP to Athletic Wellness: A Narrative Review

You can’t use an old map to explore a new world. —Albert Einstein We are at a fork in the evolutionary road to athletic wellness. While elite athletes are achieving unsurpassed magnificence in strength, endurance, power, and skill, much of our population is experiencing a devolution from poor lifestyle choices that negatively influence both human and planetary health. The alarming descent to a lesser state of collective health puts most of our sedentary population at greater risk of injury, disease, dysfunction, and chronic pain. The father of sports medicine, Herodicus, was the first known physician to recommend exercise for the treatment of disease, recognizing its powerful influence on quality of life and health span. Athletic participation is linked with improved physical and mental health, as well as reduced obesity, disability, and disease. However, sports may also result in physical, psychological, social, athletic, professional, and financial repercussions.1 The international scientific community has rallied with tremendous research over the past decades to promote sustainable athletic participation and healthy active living. While tremendous efforts have been launched to engage in this challenging endeavor, a significant problem remains due to the multifactorial nature of athletic injuries. The full potential for body-mind-spirit resilience and wellness is achieved through the balance of all interdependent components, considering all possible biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors influencing each athlete to establish an individualized, holistic mindset, agility, and personalization (MAP) approach toward injury-free sports and active living.

Italian Cardiological Guidelines (COCIS) for Competitive Sport Eligibility in athletes with heart disease: update 2024.

Nearly 35 years after its initial publication in 1989, the Italian Society of Sports Cardiology and the Italian Federation of Sports Medicine (FMSI), in collaboration with other leading Italian Cardiological Scientific Associations (ANCE - National Association of Outpatient Cardiology, ANMCO - National Association of Inpatient Cardiology, SIC - Italian Society of Cardiology), proudly present the 2023 version of the Cardiological Guidelines for Competitive Sports Eligibility. This publication is an update of the previous guidelines, offering a comprehensive and detailed guide for the participation of athletes with heart disease in sports. This edition incorporates the latest advances in cardiology and sports medicine, providing current information and recommendations. It addresses various topics, including the details of the pre-participation screening in Italy and recommendations for sports eligibility and disqualification in competitive athletes with various heart conditions. This revised version of the Cardiological Guidelines for Competitive Sports Eligibility, recorded in the Italian Guidelines Registry of the Italian Minister of Health, stands as a crucial resource for sports medicine professionals, cardiologists, and healthcare providers, marked by its completeness, reliability, and scientific thoroughness. It is an indispensable tool for those involved in the care, management and eligibility process of competitive athletes with heart conditions.

Association Between Health History Flags And Medal Outcomes Among Elite Athletes Participating In International Competition

Association Between Health History Flags And Medal Outcomes Among Elite Athletes Participating In International Competition

The impact of maturation level, not chronological age, on attentional control: implications for sports injury prevention in female adolescents

BackgroundNon-contact injuries are highly prevalent among young athletes and occur particularly in situations that require fast decision making and divided attention. Administering relevant neurocognitive tests could help identify deficiencies in these cognitive abilities and thus potentially mitigate injury risk. However, processes such as selective attention and response inhibition might depend to some extent on the athlete’s maturation stage. We aimed to examine the effect of maturation on selective visual attention and response inhibition among adolescent volleyball players.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 52 female adolescents (age 12.3 ± 2.1 years) performed an Eriksen Flankers task. Participants were divided into subgroups based on their estimated adult stature, using the Khamis & Roche method: Pre-pubertal (PRE; n = 13, age: 9.9 ± 1.3), early-puberty (EPUB; n = 7, age: 10.5 ± 0.6), mid-puberty (MPUB; n = 8, age: 12.6 ± 0.8) and late puberty (LPUB; n = 24, age: 14.1 ± 0.9). Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed on congruent and incongruent reaction times (RT), with corresponding success rates (% correct responses) as covariate. Flanker interference effect was tested using ANOVA. Correlations were further examined between the dependent variables and participants’ chronological age.ResultsThere was a significant group effect, with PRE demonstrating longer RT compared with LPUB (P < 0.001) for both congruent and incongruent RT. Moderate negative correlations were observed between age and RT (Rp = -0.695, Rp = -0.614 for congruent and incongruent RT, respectively) and low positive correlations between age and incongruent success rate (Rs = 0.318). Low to moderate correlations were also observed within the LPUB group for RT (Rp = -0.431–-0.532) and success rate (negative Rs = -574 for congruent and positive Rs = 0.417 for incongruent). There were no group differences nor age associations with interference effect.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that information processing and selective visual attention are superior at late maturation compared with early maturation among female adolescents. The same cannot be said for response inhibition, which did not differ between maturation groups. Similar tendencies were observed with regards to chronological age, but not entirely explained by it. Maturation level, rather than chronological age, should guide practitioners during sport participation and injury prevention programs for young athletes, whose neurocognitive abilities are not yet fully developed, placing them at risk for non-contact injuries.

Pembinaan Prestasi Perguruan Pencak Silat Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate Ranting Kedungadem Kabupaten Bojonegoro

This research aims to understand and describe the development of achievements in the Pencak Silat institution of Setia Hati Terate Branch Kedungadem, Bojonegoro Regency. The phenomenon of Pencak Silat PSHT has significantly contributed to elevating Indonesia's name in both national and international martial arts. However, to maintain competitiveness with other countries, efforts are needed to universally develop achievement development. Challenges faced in advancing the achievement development of Pencak Silat PSHT in the Kedungadem branch of Bojonegoro Regency include insufficient funding, underutilization of existing facilities, and a lack of specialized training for athletes and coaches. This research adopts a qualitative approach, intentionally selecting the location as the PSHT Training Center in the Kedungadem Branch of Bojonegoro Regency. The results indicate that achievement development in the Kedungadem branch meets standards for coaches, demonstrating professionalism and competence. The sports branch of Pencak Silat PSHT in the Kedungadem branch has a considerable number of potential athletes. The training program is structured and continuous, with sufficient budgetary allocations to fund athlete training and participation in competitions. The applied training program is well-organized, with training sessions held three times a week. The Pencak Silat PSHT branch in Kedungadem possesses equipment, including mats (10m x 10m), two sandbags, five wooden dummies, and three pairs of body protectors.

The Para Judo competitions: reflections and possible strategies to improve accessibility in official tournaments

ABSTRACT This study provides a comprehensive analysis focusing on three critical facets: (1) evidence-based classification in Paralympic sports, with particular attention to recent changes in Para judo; (2) the rules and structure governing judo competitions; and (3) proposals aimed at enhancing the competitive environment, specifically emphasizing accessibility for judo athletes with visual impairments. We meticulously examine the current competition framework's effectiveness in promoting inclusive participation and equitable opportunities for athletes with visual impairment. Furthermore, innovative recommendations are proposed to address accessibility challenges within the competitive landscape, drawing insights from accessibility perspectives. Our study contributes significantly to the discourse surrounding judo competition dynamics by addressing these focal points. It advocates for meaningful enhancements prioritizing inclusivity and equal access for all athletes, irrespective of visual impairment. These proposals aim to foster a competitive environment that accommodates diverse needs and ensures that judo remains accessible and welcoming to athletes with visual impairment. Ultimately, our study seeks to advance the broader goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable sports environment for all participants.

Athletics is still a male-dominated sport: the underrepresentation of women as athletes, coaches, and referees in Brazil

Gender inequality remains a pervasive issue in sports, attracting increasing attention in contemporary research. Despite this, scant scholarly focus has been directed towards the participation of women in athletics. This study sought to investigate the involvement of women as athletes, coaches, and referees across various age categories and events within the Brazilian Athletics Championship 2019. We assessed publicly available data from the championship, specifically the number of women in these roles. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Chi-Square test for association estimation, and one sample t-tests for mean frequency comparisons. The level of significance was set at p&lt;0.05. Our findings revealed no significant association between event type and age category, indicating a similar frequency of female athlete participation across different events and age groups. Notably, the average participation of women as athletes (42%) and coaches (19%) was statistically below the 50% threshold (t=4.595, p&lt;0.001; t=25.00, p&lt;0.001, respectively). Women represented 41% of the referees and did not show a significant difference to 50% (t=2.973, p=0.058). There was a significant association between gender and sport position with a higher participation of women as athletes and referees compared to coaches. In this study we show that, although there is a movement towards quantitative equality, women are still underrepresented as athletes, coaches, and referees in athletics, emphasizing the imperative for investment in sports policies, sports programs development geared towards fostering gender equality in athletics practices, and a qualitative comprehension of the challenges and barriers these professionals face. Keywords: Gender; social justice; sport psychology; sport management; leadership

Suicide and suicidality among collegiate student-athletes: A scoping review

Objective: Participation in college athletics has traditionally been presumed to counter poor mental health outcomes including death by suicide. While previously reported incidents generally involve male football players, recent incidents suggest changing trends in frequency, sport, and sex. This research aims to summarize the breadth and limitations of existing research on death by suicide among U.S. collegiate student-athletes. Participants and Methods: This scoping review followed Joanna Briggs Institute guidance. A final sample of 19 research studies were identified through a comprehensive search including APA PsychINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE Complete, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL databases and Gray Literature sources. Results: Most studied outcomes were suicidal ideation and attempt. Research on assessment of suicide prevention interventions for student-athletes is lacking. Conclusions: The paucity of research found on suicidal behaviors among collegiate student-athletes, including a lack of intervention research, in conjunction with recent trends suggest the need for a renewed focus on this topic.

Intersexuality and Transgender Identity as a "Problem" of Participation in Sports Competitions

Amidst a global landscape where transgender individuals face unprecedented challenges in accessing equitable sexual health care, our review breaks new ground by exploring the intricacies of sexual health within the transgender community. Unveiling the critical gaps in current health care practices, our research not only amplifies the voices of those often marginalised in health narratives but also pioneers a comprehensive, culturally sensitive approach to transgender sexual health. The literature review tries to find medical and subsequent legal justifications for PRO and CONS of participation of transgender and intersex athletes in the category of the opposite sex. It tries to analyse which differences in life can be relevant in defining competitive advantages, which nowadays lead to very controversial, often politically motivated conclusions. The opinions of the professional and sports public do not go along with some decisions of sports associations and authorities. It therefore also deals with the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Caster Semenya, as well as the participation of athletes across different sports disciplines and categories. It does not ignore the question of the adequacy of anti-discrimination measures. Furthermore, it evaluates the impact of such participation on the integrity and fairness of competitive sports, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that respects the rights of all athletes. This study stands at the forefront of transforming sexual health care for transgender individuals worldwide.

The Status of the Academic Performance of University of Baguio High School (UBHS) Athletes

This study delves into the status of the academic performance of student-athletes of University of Baguio High School (UBHS) aiming to evaluate the correlation between academic performance and athletic participation; analyze the extent of the effect of athletic participation in events to their academic performance; identify the support given to them by the Athletics Office, UB High School and other UB offices to help them in their academics; and, provide recommendations to further improve their academic performance. Utilizing the descriptive survey method, data was collected through survey questionnaires formatted in Google form and analyzed to understand the academic performance of UBHS student-athletes and explore potential factors influencing their performance. A total of 95 responded to the study among the 154 student-athletes enrolled in the University of Baguio High School for the academic year 2022-2023 who were surveyed. Findings of this study reveal that the academic performance of the participants showed a very satisfactory to outstanding grade and there is no correlation between academic performance and athletic participation. Furthermore, the participants identified that athletic participation enhances their self-confidence, leading to increased engagement in classroom activities. It further propels them to graduate high school, pursue college education, potentially engage in sports at the collegiate level, and refine their time management abilities. Proper scheduling of training, time given to do their assignments, consideration, help, motivation and advice both from their coaches and teachers and counseling were the support identified by the participants given to them by the academic community. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the Athletics Office, UBHS faculty, and the UBHS Principal’s Office retain their practices in supporting the student-athletes but should be enhanced to help them excel both in academics and sports.

Effect of Training Load Intensification on the Sleep Pattern of Young Soccer Players

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine how intensifying training loads over a week affects the sleep patterns of young soccer players on the nights immediately following the intensified training sessions. Methods: Quasi-experimental study. Fifteen young athletes participants of a team engaged in national level competition, underwent two weeks of training with varying load magnitudes—Week 1: low accumulated training load and Week 2: intensified training loads [40% increase in external training load(ETL)]. To characterize the intensification of the workload, the methods PlayerLoad and RPE-Session were employed to measure ETL and internal training load(ITL), respectively. Total sleep time(TST), total time in bed(TTB), sleep efficiency(SE), sleep latency(SL), and wake after sleep onset(WASO) were obtained using actigraphy and daily sleep log. The variables were compared among the days of week (e.g. Monday of week 1 with Monday of week 2, and so forth). Results: Acute training intensification in week 2 led to significant increases in ETL and ITL on Monday and on Wednesday(p < .05), and ETL(p < .05) on Friday on the second week. Improvements in sleep were observed (Tuesday—TST:+80 min, WASO:-29.3 min, SL:-8 min, SE:+9%; Thursday—TST:+86 min, SL:-4 min, SE:+4%; Saturday—TST:+40 min, SL:+1 min) compared to the same day of the previous week. Correlations between ETL and ITL(r = 0.637), ITL and TST(r = 0.572), ITL and SE(r = 0.548) were found. Conclusion: Intensification of training loads results in alterations in sleep variables, notably an elevated TST and SE in the days subsequent to the acute load increment.

American Medical Society For Sports Medicine Position Statement: Mononucleosis and Athletic Participation: Erratum.

American Medical Society For Sports Medicine Position Statement: Mononucleosis and Athletic Participation: Erratum.

Update on Rehabilitation Strategies for Swimmers' Shoulder: A Narrative Review

AbstractSwimmers' shoulder is one of the common overuse injuries having multifactorial causes with a gradual onset. Swimmers' experience pain in the pull-through phase, during the mid-stroke wherein the arm is maximally internally rotated and adducted. This occurs due to a significant amount of force generated by the pectorals, latissimus dorsi, subscapularis, serratus anterior, rhomboids, and supraspinatus for this movement. The repetitive use of shoulder muscles during the swim strokes predisposes it to overuse injuries among which shoulder impingement is common. It hinders participation of athletes in competitive events and reduces the efficiency of the swim performance. This review aims to provide a consolidated overview and identify various rehabilitation strategies and exercise programs for swimmers' shoulder. A thorough search was done on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Clinical Key to find relevant articles in relation to the rehabilitation strategies available for swimmers' shoulder. Overall, this review suggests that aquatic concentric-eccentric exercise, Kinesio taping, land-based strengthening exercises, and rhythmic stabilization exercises significantly improve pain and functional activity in individuals with swimmers' shoulder.

Predictors of Concussion Symptom Reporting Intention among Collegiate Athletes.

Underreporting of concussion symptoms in college athletics presents a challenge for sports medicine clinicians in evaluating and diagnosing such injuries. Some athletes do not report concussion symptoms because they do not recognize that they have a brain injury, however many athletes intentionally withhold symptoms to avoid removal from sport participation. To examine individual factors that influence college athletes' intentions to report concussion symptoms. Cross-sectional study. Collegiate athletics. 2,649 student-athletes from 23 sports, across 22 colleges/universities. The primary outcome was intention to report concussion symptoms. Predictor variables included demographics (age, race/ethnicity, sex, sport type, number of years in sport, number of previous concussions, and perceived concussion symptom knowledge), athletic identity, attitudes toward symptom reporting, perceived social pressure (injunctive and descriptive norms), and perceived behavioral control (capacity and autonomy). Hierarchical ordinary least squares regression revealed positive effects of attitude (b = .063; P = .005), descriptive norms (b = .131; P < .001), injunctive norms (b = .107; P < .001), and capacity (b = .196; P < .001) on intention to report symptoms. Athletic identity and participation in collision sports had small negative indirect effects on intention, while perceived concussion knowledge had a small positive indirect effect. The full regression model explained 14.24% of the variance in concussion reporting intention. These findings may help clinicians develop more focused interventions that address key social and individual determinants of underreporting, including attitude, injunctive and descriptive norms, and capacity to report. Athletic identity, sport type, and perceived understanding of concussion symptoms also influence reporting intention to a lesser extent. Previous research in this area has often failed to address a diverse population of college-age athletes from different sports and NCAA divisions.

Factors Influencing Athletic Training Services in California Secondary Schools: A Five- Year Update.

California is the only state that does not regulate the athletic training profession, allowing unqualified personnel to be hired and call themselves athletic trainers. The benefits of employing a certified athletic trainer in the secondary school setting are numerous but efforts to push regulation legislation continue to fail in California. To describe the availability of certified athletic trainers in California secondary schools and explore factors influencing athletic trainer employment. Cross-Sectional Study. Online survey. Participants from 1538 California Secondary Schools. Officials from member schools completed the 2022-2023 California Interscholastic Federation Participation Census. Participants provided information specific to enrollment, sport participation, access to AEDs, and whether the school had athletic trainers on staff. The athletic trainer's certification status was independently verified. Enrollment data specific to ethnicity, race, and percentage of students eligible for free meals was obtained through the California Department of Education Statistics. More than half (51.6%) of California secondary schools did not employ a certified athletic trainer and 8.3% employed unqualified personnel as athletic trainers. Nearly half (43%) of student athlete participants were enrolled at schools with no certified athletic trainer. Schools that employed certified athletic trainers had a lower proportion of students eligible to receive free and reduced-price meals. The average percentage of Hispanic or Latino students was greater in schools with no certified athletic trainer and schools that employed unqualified personnel as athletic trainers than schools that employed certified athletic trainers. Data indicates that in a five-year period, access to athletic training services in California secondary schools has not improved. There are large gaps in access to athletic training services and there are clear socioeconomic and racial and ethnic disparities. Efforts to educate stakeholders on the importance of athletic training regulation in California should continue.

Growth status and age at peak height velocity among youth participants in several sports: the Cracow longitudinal study

BackgroundStudies addressing age at peak height velocity (PHV) in longitudinal samples of participants in sports are relatively limited.PurposeTo compare the growth status and estimated ages at PHV of longitudinal samples girls and boys active in sport with peers not active in sport, and to compare estimated ages at PHV among longitudinal samples of Polish youth active in sport.MethodsRecords from the Cracow Longitudinal Study, which measured youth annually from 8 to 18 years, were screened to identify individuals regularly active in sport. Participants in athletics (22 girls, 10 boys), soccer (12 boys), and other team (6 girls, 7 boys) and individual (6 girls, 9 boys) sports were identified; 107 girls and 172 boys were not active in sport. Heights and weights of participants in sports and non-involved peers were compared. Longitudinal height records of individuals were fit with the SITAR model to estimate age at PHV. Ages at PHV of boys and girls active in sport and peers not active in sports were compared with sex-specific ANOVAs.ResultsAges at PHV of boys participating in athletics and soccer were similar to age at PHV of boys not active in sport, while ages at PHV of boys in other team sports (basketball, volleyball, handball) and individual sports (skiing, gymnastics, acrobatics) were, respectively, slightly earlier and later. Among girls, age at PHV of participants in team sports (basketball, netball) was earlier, while ages at PHV among participants in athletics and other individual sports (equestrian, acrobatics, shooting) were slightly later compared to non-athlete peers.ConclusionAges at PHV varied among participants in different sports and were consistent with estimates in other longitudinal samples of Polish youth athletes.

Sports Engagement and Leadership Competencies Development in College Students

This research explores the evaluation of student involvement in sports and its significant correlation with leadership skills. The investigation focuses on assessing students' level of enthusiasm, commitment, absorption, and energy in sports participation, as well as their proficiency in communication, strategic planning, learning, and reasoning, interpersonal relationships, group dynamics, community involvement, personal conduct, and self-awareness and growth in leadership skills. Findings revealed that students have high levels of enthusiasm, dedication, absorption, and vigor while participating in sports. The high ratings highlight their steadfast dedication and enthusiasm for sports, indicating their active involvement and genuine interest. When analyzing leadership qualities, students exhibit varied levels of proficiency in many domains. Significantly, personal conduct self-awareness and growth stand out as areas of strength, with mean scores of 3.08 and 3.04, respectively. In contrast, strategic planning and community participation have the potential for improvement, as shown by their average ratings of 2.89 and 2.84, respectively. Importantly, the research confirms a strong and convincing correlation between students' participation in athletics and their abilities in leadership. Pearson's correlation coefficients, which range from 0.55 to 0.70, provide strong evidence for this robust relationship since all p-values indicate statistical significance. This highlights the fact that more involvement in athletics is associated with improved leadership abilities in several areas.

Optimizing Social and Economic Inclusion through Adaptive Sports Programs for Persons with Disabilities: A Pathway to Achieving SDGs

This study explores the impact of sport on the social inclusion and economic well-being of people with disabilities in the community and its contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relating to the social inclusion and economic well-being of people with disabilities. Data is collected by purposive sampling and analyzed using a qualitative method. The patterns of results show that sports can potentially transform the lives of people with disabilities, promoting social inclusion and empowerment. However, attitudinal and structural barriers, such as ableism and a need for inclusive practices in sports clubs, often hinder this potential. To overcome these challenges, develop and enact disability-inclusive sports policies. The discussion proposes some implications for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly social inclusion, economic well-being, participation, and equality targets. Social inclusion through sport, equal economic opportunities, and encouraging the participation of athletes with disabilities in various competitions align with the SDGs’ vision to create an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable society for all people.

On your mark, get set, go: The athletic recruitment and postsecondary experiences of Black male college athletes formerly in foster care

This counter-narrative qualitative study examined the athletic recruitment and postsecondary experiences (i.e., college transition and navigation) of three Black male college track and field athletes formerly in foster care. This article uses Schlossberg’s transition theory to deliver a dashing story of endurance. Three significant themes arose from participants’ experiences:1) their athletic recruitment process was complex and isolating; 2) their postsecondary transition and navigation was challenging; and 3) their participation in athletics helped them focus their attention away from their adverse experiences, gain access to postsecondary education, and find a chosen family. The study offers implications for future research and immediate practice that could enhance the scholarship on and experiences of college-going Black students with foster care backgrounds coming out of the starter blocks and accelerating toward postsecondary degrees.

Human Rights and Inclusion Policies for Transgender Women in Elite Sport: The Case of Australia ‘Rules’ Football (AFL)

ABSTRACT The discourse inside and outside of sport in Australia and abroad on the participation of transgender women in female sport focuses on the principles of fairness, equity and the safety of competitors. These concerns commonly materialise (with little evidence) labelling transgender women as ‘cheats’, dominating female sport, strategically being coached in collision sports to intentionally hurt opponents or fraudulently transitioning with the sole aim of competing in elite women’s sport. Our research examines the process by which the Australian Football League (AFL) grappled with these competing narratives in developing a policy to permit the participation of transgender and gender diverse athletes in community and ‘elite’ competitions. It will be argued that the initial AFL process lacked consideration of the human rights of transgender women and did not provide the necessary resources required to ensure a safe and inclusive process for transgender women to engage with the AFLW competition. This article will also identify lessons which other sport governing organisations should heed in developing and implementing policies for the inclusion of transgender women in sport.