Practicing Team Sports Research Articles

Prevalence of urinary incontinence in women practicing team sports in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto-SP

Prevalence of urinary incontinence in women practicing team sports in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto-SP

Identifying the Differences in Symmetry of the Anthropometric Parameters of the Upper Limbs in Relation to Manual Laterality between Athletes Who Practice Sports with and without a Ball

Identifying the Differences in Symmetry of the Anthropometric Parameters of the Upper Limbs in Relation to Manual Laterality between Athletes Who Practice Sports with and without a Ball

Examining social support and self-esteem in high-performance sportswomen in Spain

The purpose of this study was to determine whether perceived social support is related to self-esteem and the type of sport performed by elite female athletes. 243 Spanish elite female athletes completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The results show that the greatest social support for high-performance sportswomen is family. The social support of the family and the group of friends has an impact on their self-esteem. Athletes who practice team sports versus those who practice individual sports have higher self-esteem and perceive friends as their main social support. In addition, family social support predicts self-esteem.

Quality of life in young Romanian athletes

Quality of life means different things to different people, according, also, to the area of application. The aim of the research was to capture the quality of life experienced by young athletes, according to gender, sport performance, and related to the type of sport practiced. 116 athletes participated in the research, practicing individual and team sports. Starting from the Quality of Life Inventory developed by Michael B. Frisch, fifteen life domains were measured. After applying the t test for independent samples, no gender-related differences were observed in terms of perceived quality of life. However, athletes practicing individual sports were significantly more satisfied by their work and creativity (manifested in daily activities), and, also, regarding love and children (as life domains), compared to athletes practicing team sports. Using one-way analysis of variance, the experienced life quality according to the practiced type of sport (football, other team sports, striking combat sports, respectively other individual sports) was examined. Furthermore, data analysis emphasized that athletes with international results express significantly higher levels of satisfaction regarding their self-esteem in life domains such as love and children, compared to athletes who attain local or regional performances. Additionally, they exhibit significantly greater satisfaction with their creativity in daily activities but express less satisfaction with their community, compared to athletes achieving national-level sports results. The findings provide important data to coaches, multi-disciplinary team members and parents on the areas of quality of life that athletes are currently more or less satisfied with. In-depth interviews with athletes are necessary to better understand the differences observed.

Identifying the Level of Symmetrization of Reaction Time According to Manual Lateralization between Team Sports Athletes, Individual Sports Athletes, and Non-Athletes

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of practicing sports activities on manual skills, focused on reaction time depending on manual laterality. The objectives of the study were to identify the differences in improving simple, optional, and cognitive reaction times in the manual executions of student athletes who practice team sports involving the manual handling of the ball (volleyball, basketball, handball) in comparison with student athletes who practice individual sports and with non-athletic students; to identify the differences regarding the reaction time of the right- and left-handed executions depending on the manual lateralization of the subjects (right- and left-handedness) between the three experimental samples: team sports group (TSG), individual sports group (ISG), and the group of non-athletes (NAG) through the use of computer tests. The study included 335 subjects who were divided into three groups: TSG with 102 subjects, ISG with 112 subjects, and NAG with 121 subjects. The subjects of the study were given five computer tests to evaluate three types of reaction time: simple reaction time (Start/Stop Test), choice reaction time (Check Boxes Test, Hit-the-dot Test), and time of cognitive reaction (Trail making Test part A and B). The results were analyzed regarding right- and left-handedness, as well as the execution hand (right hand or left hand) in solving the tests. The results of the study highlighted significant statistical differences between the three groups: TSG, ISG, and NAG. The best results were recorded by TSG in all tests, and the lowest by NAG. Statistically significant differences were also recorded between the executions with the dominant hand compared to the executions with the non-dominant hand in relation to right- and left-handedness. The study highlighted that the smallest differences in all the study groups were recorded in the simple reaction time test, where the differences between the right-handed and left-handed executions were the lowest, reflecting the best level of symmetrization of the motor executions.

Personality Determinants of Exercise-Related Nutritional Behaviours among Polish Team Sport Athletes.

A proper diet increases the effectiveness of training and accelerates post-workout regeneration. One of the factors determining eating behaviour are personality traits, including those included in the Big Five model, i.e., neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. The aim of this study was to analyse the personality determinants of peri-exercise nutritional behaviours among an elite group of Polish athletes practicing team sports. The study was conducted in a group of 213 athletes, using the author's validated questionnaire of exercise-related nutrition behaviours and the NEO-PI-R (Neuroticism Extraversion Openness-Personality Inventory-Revised). A statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's linear correlation and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients as well as a multiple regression analysis, assuming a significance level of α = 0.05. It has been shown that the level of the overall index regarding normal peri-exercise eating behaviours decreased with increasing neuroticism (r = -0.18) and agreeableness (r = -0.18). An analysis of the relationship between the personality traits (sub-scales) of the Big Five model demonstrated that the overall index of proper peri-exercise nutrition decreased with the intensification of three neuroticism traits, i.e., hostility/anger (R = -0.20), impulsiveness/immoderation (R = -0.18), and vulnerability to stress/learned helplessness (R = -0.19), and four traits of agreeableness, i.e., straightforwardness/morality (R = -0.17), compliance/cooperation (R = -0.19), modesty (R = -0.14), and tendermindedness/sympathy (R = -0.15) (p < 0.05). A multiple regression analysis exhibited that the full model consisting of all the analysed personality traits explained 99% of the variance concerning the level of the proper peri-exercise nutrition index. In conclusion, the index of proper nutrition under conditions of physical effort decreases along with the intensification of neuroticism and agreeableness among Polish athletes professionally practicing team sports.

Psychological Femininity and Masculinity and Motivation in Team Sports

It is hypothesized that levels of femininity and masculinity may be relevant to specific types of engagement in action. For this reason, the aim of this study was to search for relationships between psychological dimensions of femininity and masculinity and different forms of motivation, as well as their specific parts, among women and male athletes practicing team sports games. We researched 49 women aged 19 to 32 years representing sports such as football, handball, hockey, volleyball, and basketball and 56 men aged 18 to 31 years practicing football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, and handball. The respondents completed the Inventory to Assess Psychological Gender (IPP) and the Polish adaptation of the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS). It was determined that the psychological dimension of femininity was (in the male group) positively related to the dimension of amotivation, i.e., the lack of perception of a relationship between one's action and the outcome. In turn, the psychological dimension of masculinity was positively related to the motivation to know, motivation to accomplish, and motivation to experience stimulation, as well as the overall level of intrinsic motivation and the overall dimension of extrinsic motivation. Furthermore, the masculinity dimension is, in male athletes, related to the level of the introjection motive, i.e., the process of integrating accepted patterns.

Eating disorders risk assessment in men who practice team sports.

IntroductionEating disorders (EDs) are characterized by an overconcern about body weight and shape. Men who practice team sports have been systematically excluded from the high-risk eating disorders groups. This exclusion could be challenged based on misinformation about the prevalence of actual eating disorders within these athletes, with the previous evidence showing significant body image concerns among them and the under-diagnosis risk in populations of men.ObjectiveTo assess eating disorders risk in Spanish adult men who practice team sports.Methodology:An observational study was conducted with 276 athlete men aged between 18 and 55 years: 60.5% were team sports players and 39.5% were athletes of aesthetic, endurance, and weight-category sports. Data were collected via an online form including a general assessment sheet and four validated questionnaires: The Eating Habits Questionnaire for Athletes (CHAD), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), the Inventory of Eating Disorders (EDI-2), and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Data analysis was conducted with the software IBM SPSS 28.0.0.ResultsAbout 20.36% of team sports players presented a clinical profile compatible with an ED diagnosis. There were no significant differences comparing EDs potential cases between team sports players and athletes playing sports categorized as high EDs risk. There were significant differences when analyzing the existence of EDs between the different groups of age, family pressure, and coach pressure. The U-value of the Mann–Whitney test presented significant differences when assessing the influence of BMI over the development of EDs.ConclusionMen who practice team sports may also be a high-risk group for the development of EDs. Being younger than 21 years, having a BMI larger than 25 kg/m2, and perceiving high-level pressure from the coach and/or family would be risk factors for EDs in men who practice team sports.

The Impact of Implementing an Exergame Program on the Level of Reaction Time Optimization in Handball, Volleyball, and Basketball Players.

The main aim of the present study was to implement an exergame program that uses Fitlight technology to identify the impact on motor, recognition, and cognitive reaction times in junior athletes practicing team sports: basketball, handball, and volleyball. The second aim was to identifying differences in progress of the three types of reaction time between female and male players through computerized tests. The study included 360 subjects for basketball, 130 athletes of which were 68 male subjects and 62 female subjects; for handball, 124 athletes of which 64 were male subjects and 60 female athletes; for volleyball, 106 athletes of which 48 male were subjects and 48 female athletes. Characteristics of the experimental players: average age ± SD 13.60 ± 1.07; average sports experience ± SD 6.24 ± 0.92. The research included an initial and a final test between which a program of exergames was implemented over a period of 3 months focused on optimizing human reaction times. The evaluation of the reaction times was carried out through three computer games, the results being processed in SPSS 22. The relevant results of the research: for the simple motor reaction time (MSRT), the greatest progress between tests was the volleyball group, and for women, it was the basketball group; for the recognition reaction time (RRT), the male handball group and the female basketball group recorded the greatest progress; for the cognitive reactive time (CRT), the greatest progress was achieved by the male and female volleyball players. In all tests, the progress of the female basketball, handball, and volleyball players showed superior progress to similar male players. The results of the research highlighted the effectiveness of the experimental exergame program by using Fitlight technology in optimizing human reaction times in junior team-game athletes. Using computer games to evaluate reaction times allowed us to differentiate the evaluation on the types of human reactions under both standardized conditions but also under conditions of efficiency and attractiveness.

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude in the Field of Doping in Young Athletes of Team Games

Contemporary sport is becoming more and more commercialized, hence the players strive to win at all costs, and to achieve this goal, they consider all means to be allowed. In order to be constantly on top, competitors change their training methods, use various aids, and finally direct their interests towards doping. Doping is considered to be the use of substances and all means intended to artificially increase physical fitness during sports competitions, which may be harmful to the ethics of sport or cause mental and physical harm to athletes. The aim of the research is to assess the knowledge of the problem and attitudes of young people practicing sports games towards the dangers of doping. Assessment of knowledge on the effects of the use of illicit means, and analysis of opinion on the use of doping and strengthening mechanisms for the adoption of pharmacological agents. Research on the knowledge about the use of support measures and doping in sport was carried out among talented youth practicing team sports games in randomly selected clubs of Małopolska, Silesia, Podkarpacie and Opole. Continuation studies were conducted in 2018-2020, they covered 60 girls and 60 boys, aged 16 years. The research was carried out using a questionnaire, the questions of which concerned the following problems: knowledge of the essence of sports doping, the relationship between doping and the principle of fair play in sport, support used in physical recreation, reasons for the use of doping, moral and criminal liability in the use of doping. When analyzing the results of the research, it should be noted that the use of doping in sport is negatively perceived by the examined youth. However, it can be assumed that the knowledge about the support and the problem of doping in sport is insufficient. Setting the main goal - sports success and the related financial rewards, as well as the willingness to be the best in the opinion of the respondents may narrow the boundaries, which may facilitate the decision to use support and doping. These observations seem to be very disturbing, as the analysis of research data concerns young people practicing sports at the stage of education and the utilitarian nature of physical activity.

Eating Disorders in Top Elite Beach Handball Players: Cross Sectional Study.

(1) Background: The preoccupation with the increasing appearance of eating disorders (ED) in athletes continues to grow, especially in athletes who practice team sports. ED severely affects the eating habits of the athletes, who tend to use unhealthy approaches to control their body weight. The development of nutritional education and early interventions by training staff is essential, and these factors are widely perceived as beneficial in sports medicine. This study evaluates the frequency at which beach handball (BH) players develop ED, also comparing the differences by sex and age (junior: adolescents vs. senior: young adults). In addition, the relation between body composition variables and ED was studied. (2) Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in 69 top elite handball players (36 males and 33 females) from the Spanish National BH Team; who were separated by age (junior: adolescents and senior: young adults). The athletes completed the Eating Attitudes Test in its 26 item version (EAT-26). (3) Results: The prevalence of ED indicated that 11% of females had a high possibility of developing an ED, and 3% of males. Regarding the EAT-26 total score and subscales, no significant differences were found between female and male participants, or between the junior and senior categories. The correlations showed an association between body composition, in terms of body mass index, and the EAT-26 total score in both males and females. In the case of males, the correlation was negative. (4) Conclusions: Although there are no significant differences between sex or categories, it has been found that elite athletes are a population that is at high risk of developing ED.

Meet the First Author.

Meet the First Author.

Parents' Sport Socialization Values, Perceived Motivational Climate and Adolescents' Antisocial Behaviors.

Parents play a key role in young athletes’ sport experience. In particular, parents’ sport goals for children may influence young athletes’ morally relevant sport behaviors. The present study involves 172 Italian adolescents (female = 51.7%; age M = 15.41, SD = 1.73) practicing team sports and analyzed whether and the extent to which parents’ sport socialization values, those values adolescents perceived their parents wanted them to endorse (i.e., moral, competence, status values), were associated with young athletes’ antisocial behaviors towards teammates and opponents. Adolescents’ perceptions of the prominent motivational climate (i.e., mastery and performance) within their team were also considered. Participants were asked to fill out questionnaires, including the Youth Sport Values Questionnaire-2, adapted to measure adolescents’ perceptions of parental socialization values, the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire and the Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior in Sport Scale. The results of multiple linear regression analysis and relative weight analysis showed that mastery motivational climate, as protective factor, and mothers’ status values, as risk factor, were the most important variables in predicting adolescents’ antisocial behavior towards teammates. As far as adolescents’ antisocial behavior towards opponents was concerned, performance motivational climate and mothers’ status values were the most relevant predictors: the more adolescents perceived their coaches and mothers as giving importance to performance and status, the higher was the frequency of their antisocial behavior in sport. Implications and further developments of the study are discussed.

Locus of control in situations of successes and failures and personality traits in young athletes practicing team sports

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyze locus of control in situations of successes and failures and personality traits in young people attending sport and non-sport classes. Based on a review of studies, it was presumed that young people who practice team sports have a higher internal locus of control, higher openness to experi-ence, higher conscientiousness, and higher emotional stability than their peers who do not practice sport.Participants and procedureYoung people who took part in the study were both those who attended schools with sport education programs and those who attended non-sport schools. 63 students of the sixth grade of primary school and the first grade of junior high school were surveyed (M = 12.60). Two groups were distinguished: students who followed an extended sports curriculum practicing football and basketball (n = 31), and those who followed a standard cur-riculum (n = 32). The Questionnaire for Locus of Control and the Picture Based Personality Survey for Children, based on the Big Five model, were used in the analyses.ResultsThe results of the studies partially confirmed the assumed hypotheses and showed connections between locus of control in situations of failure and openness to experience in the group of athletes.ConclusionsThis study constitutes a summary of the first stage of a three-year longitudinal project. Conclusions from the study will allow characterization of developmental changes of locus of control and personality traits in young athletes. Assessment of personality profile constitutes help for sport psychology practitioners in preparing train-ing that uses accurate reinforcement systems corresponding with the traits of players that are members of a team.

Fluid distribution and cell integrity indicators evaluated by bioelectrical impedance in university athletes: comparison between team sports and individual sports

Objective: To compare indicators of fluid distribution and cellular integrity in university athletes through a cross-sectional study of 167 university athletes (18–35 years) who competed in team sports and individual sports. Approach: Bioimpedance was used to estimate total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW), ECW/ICW ratio, impedance (Z), reactance (Xc), resistance (R), phase angle, body cell mass (BCM) and ECW/BCM ratio at a frequency of 50 kHz. X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine lean soft tissue mass and body fat. As covariables, sex, age, time of practice and type of modality were obtained by questionnaire. Main results: Individual male athletes presented higher values of ECW/ICW ratio (means difference MD = 0.006, p = 0.020) and ECW/BCM ratio (MD = 0.006, p = 0.017) than team sports male athletes. Values of Z (MD = 24.988, p = 0.009), Xc (MD = 3.327, p = 0.008) and R (MD = 24.755, p = 0.09) were higher in male athletes practicing team sports than individual sports. Female team sports athletes presented higher values of Z (MD = 32.029, p = 0.015) and R (MD = 31.987, p = 0.015) than individual female athletes. It was concluded that ECW/ICW and ECW/BCM ratios were higher in male athletes who practiced individual sports. For the Z, R, and Xc values, the athletes in team sports presented higher values. The female athletes who practiced team sports presented higher values of Z and R than did individual female athletes. Significance: ECW/ICW and ECW/BCM ratios were higher in male athletes who practiced individual sports. For the Z, R, and Xc values, the athletes in team sports presented higher values. The female athletes who practiced team sports presented higher values of Z and R than did individual female athletes.

The Effectiveness of Resisted Sled Training (RST) for Sprint Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Sprinting is key in the development and final results of competitions in a range of sport disciplines, both individual (e.g., athletics) and team sports. Resisted sled training (RST) might provide an effective training method to improve sprinting, in both the acceleration and the maximum-velocity phases. However, substantial discrepancies exist in the literature regarding the influence of training status and sled load prescription in relation to the specific components of sprint performance to be developed and the phase of sprint. Our objectives were to review the state of the current literature on intervention studies that have analyzed the effects of RST on sprint performance in both the acceleration and the maximum-velocity phases in healthy athletes and to establish which RST load characteristics produce the largest improvements in sprint performance. We performed a literature search in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science up to and including 9 January 2018. Peer-reviewed studies were included if they met all the following eligibility criteria: (1) published in a scientific journal; (2) original experimental and longitudinal study; (3) participants were at least recreationally active and towed or pulled the sled while running at maximum intensity; (4) RST was one of the main training methods used; (5) studies identified the load of the sled, distance covered, and sprint time and/or sprint velocity for both baseline and post-training results; (6) sprint performance was measured using timing gates, radar gun, or stopwatch; (7) published in the English language; and (8) had a quality assessment score > 6 points. A total of 2376 articles were found. After filtering procedures, only 13 studies were included in this meta-analysis. In the included studies, 32 RST groups and 15 control groups were analyzed for sprint time in the different phases and full sprint. Significant improvements were found between baseline and post-training in sprint performance in the acceleration phase (effect size [ES] 0.61; p = 0.0001; standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.85 to - 0.28) and full sprint (ES 0.36; p = 0.009; SMD 0.38; 95% CI - 0.67 to - 0.10). However, non-significant improvements were observed between pre- and post-test in sprint time in the maximum-velocity phase (ES 0.27; p = 0.25; SMD 0.18; 95% CI - 0.49 to 0.13). Furthermore, studies that included a control group found a non-significant improvement in participants in the RST group compared with the control group, independent of the analyzed phase. RST is an effective method to improve sprint performance, specifically in the early acceleration phase. However, it cannot be said that this method is more effective than the same training without overload. The effect of RST is greatest in recreationally active or trained men who practice team sports such as football or rugby. Moreover, the intensity (load) is not a determinant of sprint performance improvement, but the recommended volume is > 160m per session, and approximately 2680m per total training program, with a training frequency of two to three times per week, for at least 6weeks. Finally, rigid surfaces appear to enhance the effect of RST on sprint performance.

Transmitting Sport Values: The Importance of Parental Involvement in Children's Sport Activity.

The transmission of positive values between parents and children is generally considered to be the hallmark of successful socialization. As this issue has been widely discussed but surprisingly little researched - especially with reference to core sport values - in this study we aimed to: 1) analyze adolescent athletes’ acceptance of the sport values their parents want to transmit to them (i.e., parental socialization values) and 2) examine the relationship between parental involvement in children’s sportive activity and adolescents’ acceptance of their parents’ socialization values. One hundred and seventy-two Italian adolescents (48.3% male, 51.7% female) who regularly practice team sports were asked to fill out a questionnaire which included the Youth Sport Values Questionnaire – 2 and the Parental Involvement in Sport Questionnaire. The dyadic correlations revealed that young athletes are in general willing to accept their parents’ socialization values in regards to sport. Moreover, from the relative weight analysis (a relatively new data analysis strategy), it emerged that parental involvement characterized by praise and understanding is the most important predictor of adolescents’ willingness to accept their parents’ sport values. Implications of these results and further expansion of the study are discussed.

Assessment of Motor Capacity in the Competition Period – Female Sports Games (Soccer and Rugby Sevens)

Abstract In the rugby and soccer sevens, players need special motor capacities, such as aerobic and anaerobic resistance, proper force in the muscles that work during game actions, as well as speed and agility. The purpose of the papers was to assess the motor capacity in the competition period, among female athletes who practice team sports. The study comprised 26 subjects, 12 of whom activate in the female rugby team of CS Politehnica Iasi, and 14 of whom belong to the soccer team of Naviobi Iasi. Both teams are champions in their leagues. We applied the following tests: 250m run, long jump without take-off, throwing the 2kg medicine ball, 30second abdominals, and 5m back and forth run. The data obtained were interpreted in SPSS 20.0 for IBM, by applying the t test for independent samples. Results have shown a significant difference (p&lt;0.05). Significant differences were found only for the test that measured the force of abdominal muscles for which the female rugby players scored significantly higher than the rest. In all the other tests, the mean results were similar or very close. We found that the motor experience within the game influenced the results obtained, just like general physical training; they are both important for supporting the specific effort. The tests we applied mid-competition period.

Associação entre a participação na Educação Física escolar e a prática de esportes coletivos durante a universidade

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n2p222 The practice of team sports such as soccer and volleyball, are one of the main activities practiced by college. The objectives of the study were to compare the proportions of practice team sports in the years 2010, 2012 and 2014 in college and to analyze the association between participation in the classes of Physical Education, before entering university, with the practice team sports during the university period. Three cross-sectional surveys were conducted in the years 2010, 2012 and 2014, with students from a higher education institution. The dependent variable was the current practice of team sports and the independent variable the participation, prior to entering the university in Physical Education classes at school. Participated 1,084, 1,085 and 1,041 college in 2010, 2012 and 2014, respectively. The proportion of practicing team sports was stable in the three surveys and college who participated regularly of the lessons of Physical Education, prior to entering the university showed higher prevalence ratios (PR) practice of team sports during college years (2010, RP: 2.87; 95%CI: 1.48; 5.55; 2012, RP: 2.04; 95%CI: 1.14; 3.65; 2014, RP: 4.06; 95%CI: 1.58; 10.43). The number of students practicing team sports was similar in all investigated years and regular participation of college in Physical Education classes in school, period prior to entering university showed a positive association with practice of team sports at the university.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Adaptation of the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sports in the School Context.

Tactical skills in sport are the basis for current models of invasion team sports instruction, and relate to other psychological variables that exert a mediating influence on people's normal physical activity. This study aimed to validate the Spanish adaptation of the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sports by Elferink-Gemser, Visscher, Richart, and Lemmink (2004) and verify its factorial invariance. The sample included 540 participants 12.89 ± 1.73 years of age (10 to 17 years old; 333 males and 207 females). The adaptation and translation of the original questionnaire followed the methodological steps established by the International Test Commission. Then two measurement models with the original questionnaire's four-factor structure were compared. Confirmatory analyses were conducted using the software AMOS 21 and maximum likelihood estimation. Results indicated a four-factor structure (positioning and deciding, knowing about ball actions, knowing about others, acting in changing situations) was viable and showed goodness of fit to the data, with adequate indices of reliability (α between .72 and .86) and validity (GFI = .955; RMSEA = .044; CFI = .974), and strong evidence of stability in the factor structure. Moreover, factorial invariance was observed between participants who do and do not practice team sports, with practitioners scoring higher than non-practitioners on all factors (p < .001; effect sizes between .97 and 1.08).