Professional Players Research Articles

Go Players Should Not Trust AI Win Rate

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the landscape of various strategic games, including Go. In 2016, the AI-powered engine AlphaGo defeated one of the world’s strongest players. Since then, Go engines have routinely been used by amateur and professional Go players to analyse theirgames. In the early stages of AI analysis, Go players relied solely on the AI win rate, the only available indicator. However, the AI win rate does not accurately reflect the win rate of human Go players and might be misleading. Katago, first released in 2019, is the first engine to provide score predictions in addition to win rates. While it is now possible to evaluate board positions with a score, it remains unclear how this score translates into human win rates. In this work, a large database of online and professional games is analysed to extract the win rate of a human player based on their strength and the stage of the game. As expected, the human win rate is significantly lower than the AI win rate, even for 9dan professional players. A general formula is provided to compute the win rate based on player strength and move number. This feature offers new insights into the relative importance of mistakes and can assist players in making improved decisions during games.

The Professional Go Annotation Dataset

The field of Go game research is hampered by the absence of records and analytical tools. In recent years, the increasing number of professional competitions and the advent of AlphaZero-based algorithms provide an excellent opportunity for analyzing human games on a large scale. In this paper, we present the ProfessionAl Go annotation datasEt (PAGE), containing 98,525 games played by 2,007 professional players and spans over 70 years. PAGE incorporates both game-level metadata and in-game statistics across two dimensions. The game-level metadata pertinent to games, players, and tournaments is annotated by consolidating data from numerous reliable sources. The comprehensive in-game statistics are generated from the KataGo engine. Beyond the preliminary analysis of the dataset, we propose sample tasks that highlight PAGE's potential applications in various research areas. To the best of our knowledge, PAGE is the first dataset with extensive annotation in the game of Go. This work is an extended version of [1] where we perform a more detailed description, analysis, and applications.

Florbetapir amyloid PET in cognitively impaired former professional and college American football players

AbstractBackgroundRepetitive head impact (RHI) exposure from the routine play of American football increases the risk of later‐life cognitive impairment and dementia from the neurodegenerative disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Although neuropathological studies of CTE have found comorbid neurodegenerative and other pathologies, neuritic Aβ plaques are infrequent, particularly in early stages. However, amyloid PET imaging has not been fully characterized in cognitively impaired former American football players.MethodIn this cross‐sectional, observational cohort study from the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project, florbetapir PET mean cortical standard uptake value ratios (SUVR) and positivity (defined by average SUVR >1.10, indicative of moderate‐to‐frequent neuritic Aβ plaques), were analyzed in 119 former professional (PRO) National Football League players, 60 former college football players (COL), and 58 men unexposed (UE) to RHI who were cognitively asymptomatic. Former players were categorized into one of four diagnostic groups: cognitively normal (CN), subjective memory complaints (SMC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia (DEM). All participants were 45‐74 yo. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions were conducted, with race, education, age, and APOE4 genotype included as covariates. A priori power calculations demonstrated adequate power to detect significant findingsResultNo differences between the three exposure groups in average florbetapir SUVR or proportion of elevated florbetapir uptake were found. Pairwise group comparisons resulted in no differences in average SUVR between PRO and COL (‐0.01, 95% CI [‐0.033, 0.025], p = 0.95), PRO and UE (0.02, 95% CI [‐0.010, 0.029], p = 0.41), and COL and UE (0.02, 95% CI [0.0004, 0.039], p = 0.36). Analysis of covariance resulted in no differences among diagnostic groups (F = 0.94, p = 0.43). Neither years of playing football nor measures of cognition and daily functioning showed significant associations with florbetapir SUVR.ConclusionFormer professional and college American football players with cognitive impairment and dementia did not have elevated florbetapir amyloid PET compared to a group of men without RHI exposure. Their rates of florbetapir positivity in the football players were lower than expected for a group of men this age. These findings suggest that cognitive impairment in former elite football players may not be due to Alzheimer’s disease pathology.

ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAMMES IN WELSH NETBALL: SURVEY OF KNOWLEDGE, IMPLEMENTATION, AND BARRIERS AMONG PLAYERS AND COACHES

IntroductionAnterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury prevention programs can reduce injury risk in various sports. The perception of ACL injury prevention programs amongst professional netball players and coaches has not been studied. The purpose of the study was to determine (1) level of awareness and experience of ACL injury prevention programs; (2) use of ACL injury prevention programs; and (3) barriers and potential facilitators to implementing a sustainable ACL injury prevention program in netball.MethodsThis cross-sectional observational study was undertaken using the CHERRIES checklist. Female netball players representing Welsh senior and under-21 teams and elite and amateur coaches were invited electronically to participate in this web-based study between 1st May – 31st July 2021. Information on ACL injury susceptibility and seriousness, knowledge, experience, and implementation of ACL injury prevention programs were ascertained.ResultsTwenty-eight players (77.8%) and 29 coaches (13.2%) completed the questionnaire. Seventeen (60.7%) players and 15 (51.7%) coaches reported female athletes were at greater risk for sustaining ACL injuries. Over 90% of respondents identified netball as high-risk, whilst 89% of players and 76% of coaches reported these injuries to be preventable. Only two (7.1%) players and 6 (20.7%) coaches utilised an ACL injury prevention program with lack of time and engagement from coaches and players identified. Majority of respondents indicated that their club has neither promoted, advocated the use nor demonstrated exercises for ACL injury prevention. Over 90% of respondents would utilise an ACL injury prevention program if it minimised players risk with appropriate information and demonstration of exercises.ConclusionThis study highlights limited knowledge of female athletes' increased susceptibility of ACL injuries amongst players and coaches with lack of communication and education of ACL injury prevention programs between sporting associations, coaches, and players. However, the results demonstrate willingness amongst both players and coaches to implement an ACL injury prevention program in netball.

Exploring the Impact of AI on Go Education: A Teacher Survey

In 2016, AlphaGo’s advent transformed the world of Go as AI-powered tools began to surpass the world’s top professional players. The rapid growth in AI’s influence raises questions about the potential replacement of human players. This paper examines recent trends in Go education in light of the AI revolution and its future implications. To investigate these trends, we conducted a survey among Go educators, focusing on three key aspects: (1) the perceived benefits of learning Go, (2) the impact of AI on Go education, and (3) educators’ satisfaction with Go AI tools. Data was collected through online questionnaires in English, Korean, and Chinese. Survey results indicate that Go teachers believe learning Go equips students with valuable skills, including critical thinking, resilience, and perseverance, fostering character and cognitive development. However, educators’ opinions on AI-based tools in the classroom are mixed. Approximately 41% of respondents have refrained from using AI tools, citing concerns about their suitability for lower-level and younger learners, as well as perceived difficulties in their implementation. Additionally, there are concerns about over-reliance on AI and its limitations in Go education. Conversely, educators who have integrated AI tools report overall satisfaction and optimism for further developments. This study highlights the growing acceptance of AI programs and their positive impact on Go education. While practical demands remain partially unmet, many educators, in general, express satisfaction with the available programs. The findings of this study shed light on areas for potential improvement in AI to further enhance Go education.

A Statistical Analysis of Amateur Go players to Assist AI-cheating Detection

Since the democratization of powerful AI engines for the game of Go, it is not uncommon to see a drastic level increase of some players that must be explained with the help of AI. This is considered cheating and forbidden by most organizations. When looking at online beginners and stronger amateur players, we discovered that they can display playing strength below professional level and still confidently win the game, as opposed to professional players. This makes using only AI-likeness metrics not sufficient to detect such players. We propose a method based on the analysis of a player’s performance considering point loss distribution over several games, taking into account only relevant moves of a game. We still use an AI-likeness metric for analyzing individual games where the use of AI may not be consistent. We evaluated our methods on two European go official online leagues, where cheating detection was already performed (for a total of about 150 unique regular players, with levels ranging from 20 kyu to 5 European dan). We show that our system confirmed 5 cases of players previously banned for cheating (out of 6). Our methods do not set out to categorize players between “cheaters” and “not cheaters,” but rather rank them in order of suspicion, for the sake of assisting referees and providing them a way to effectively investigate suspicious players over time.

Effectiveness of the Baduk Promotion Act

The Baduk Promotion Act, which was enacted for the purpose of contributing to the expansion of leisure opportunities for the people, the cultivation of healthy minds, and the globalization of Baduk, legally supported the policy of supporting the promotion of Baduk and the creation of Baduk culture, and prepared a legal basis for it. This has a significant meaning for Baduk community. However, in order for the law to be effective, it must be practiced in real society. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the Baduk Promotion Act enacted on April 17, 2018 for its legislative purpose. The results of examining the characteristics and limitations of the Baduk Promotion Act are as follows. First, there is an issue regarding the lack of clear definitions within the law for terms such as ‘Baduk instructor,’ ‘Baduk professional player,’ and ‘Baduk organization.’. Second, there is an issue concerning the term ‘special circumstances’ used in defining cooperation with relevant agencies, as it leaves room for various interpretations. Third, the provisions of the Baduk Promotion Act, which stipulate support policies such as funds, are meaningful in that they provide a legal basis for receiving financial support from the state budget. There is a problem that consists of regulations that are too comprehensive and abstract to be taken as a legal basis for materialization. Lastly, there is an issue within the content related to the cultivation and support of Baduk professional players, which may prioritize a sports policy focused on fostering elite athletes and elevating the national stature rather than aligning with the primary objectives set forth by the Baduk Promotion Act. Therefore, to enhance the effectiveness of the Go Promotion Act, it is necessary to enact legal provisions that specify clear criteria and procedures. Through such improvements, it is believed that effective support and development for the promotion of Go can be facilitated.

Physical Condition Analysis of Professional Football Players

This study aims to determine the level of physical condition level in Nusantara FC players. this research uses descriptive research. Data were analyzed using quantitative analysis in the form of percentages. The population and samples in this study are Nusantara FC totaling 23 professional players who play in League 2 Indonesia. Average physical condition of Nusantara FC players. Speed gets an average result of 4.29, endurance with an average of 56.49 with a lesser category, explosive power gets an average result of 56 with a good category, average flexibility of 19.3 with a good category, and average agility of 7.99 with a good category. The percentage of the physical condition of the players is as follows; speed gets results with a percentage of 78.2% in the good category. The percentage of endurance results is 64% in the less category. Explosive power is 64% with a good category. The results of flexibility with a percentage of 60.8% in the good category. Agility with a percentage of 39.1% in the good category. Analysis of the results of physical conditions is an important part of professional soccer in improving the quality of techniques and tactics in the matches carried out.

Reasearch of Current Popular Meme --- "otto"

Through the literature research and data analysis, the characteristics and motivations of sub-culture tribes are explored in this paper. Research on the hot meme "otto" found that it is popular by the curse of League of Legends professional player "otto" in the games and live streaming, and developed in various branches, such as "shuo de dao li", "chestnut hairstyle" and re-created works of the voice of "otto", mainly the singing with his voice. It is found that the users use the sub-culture meme mainly to meet their novelty-seeking demands and the pursuit of new venting means. It is found that youth under the age of 35 are seeking novelty and value guidance.

Vortex formation time in female athletes

Regular, vigorous physical activity can have a significant impact on cardiac function, leading to cardiac morphological alterations that may be challenging to distinguish from pathological changes. Therefore, new screening methods are needed to accurately differentiate between adaptive changes and pathological alterations in athletes. Vortex formation time (VFT) is an emerging method that shows potential in this regard, as it involves the formation of a rotating vortex ring in the left ventricle during the early filling phase of diastole. In this study, we investigated the difference in VFT between two groups of women: professional handball players and healthy middle-aged female athletes, along with their corresponding control groups. By using echocardiography-Doppler analysis of the heart, VFT was calculated based on the left ventricular ejection fraction, the ratio between the end-diastolic volume and the diameter of the mitral annulus, and the ratio of the atrial contraction volume to the total inflow via the mitral valve. The study reveals a significant increase in VFT in both professional handball players and middle-aged female athletes compared to their respective control groups. Moreover, statistically significant differences between handball players and middle-aged female athletes were observed, indicating that the level of physical activity may affect the VFT. These results suggest that VFT could be a promising screening tool for identifying cardiac adaptations due to long-term vigorous training, potentially enabling more accurate diagnoses of cardiac morphological alterations in athletes.Graphical abstractRepresentation of the graphical abstract of the conducted research

Bone bruise vs. non-displaced fracture on MRI: a novel grading system for predicting return-to-play.

To devise an MRI grading scheme for osseous contusion patterns in elite hockey players for predicting return-to-play (RTP). A retrospective review was performed to identify traumatic lower extremity osseous injuries in professional hockey players. A total of 28 injuries (17 players) were identified over a 10-year period. All had MRIs acquired at ≥ 1.5T within a mean interval of 2days from initial injury. MRIs were retrospectively reviewed by 3 musculoskeletal radiologists for osseous contusion pattern, classified as grade 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), or 3 (severe). Grade 3 contusions were further subdivided by the presence or absence of fracture, defined as discrete cortical disruption on MRI or follow-up CT. RTP was calculated from date of injury to next game played based on game log data. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and post hoc unpaired t test. Mean RTP for grade 1, 2, and 3 injuries was 2.8, 4.5, and 20.3days, respectively. Grade 3 injuries without and with cortical fractures had mean RTP of 18.3 and 21.4days, respectively. ANOVA analysis between groups achieved statistical significance (p < 0.001). Post hoc t test demonstrated statistically significant differences between grade 3 and grades 1 (p < 0.001) and 2 (p < 0.001) injuries. There was no statistical difference in RTP between grade 3 subgroups without and with fracture (p = 0.327). We propose a novel MRI grading system for assessing severity of osseous contusions and predicting RTP. Clinically, there was no statistically significant difference in RTP between severe osseous contusions and nondisplaced fractures in elite hockey players.

The Influence of Players Contracts in Sport and Economic Performance of Brazilian Football Clubs

Objective: This study analyzes the influence of the representativeness of players’ contracts on financial and sports performance in Brazilian football clubs. Method: Based on the 2020 Brazilian Football Confederation rank, our sample comprises 29 teams covering the 2011-2021 period. We use the players' contracts registered in the intangible assets as our primary independent variable. We also subdivided this value into professional and young players. Results and Discussion: Results suggest that most big clubs invest more in professional players while small clubs in young players. Moreover, a higher investment proportion in players' contracts influences financial and sportive performance. This is mostly confirmed by the investment in professional players, whereas the investment in developing young players could not be confirmed. Contributions: Intangible assets play an important role in the overall success of football clubs, not only from a financial perspective but also in terms of their sporting achievements. This comprehensive study seeks to provide evidence that sheds light on the distinctive relationship between players' contracts and the subsequent impact on both the sporting and financial performance of Brazilian football clubs. Furthermore, it is worth noting that in Brazil, clubs have the unique advantage of being able to capitalize on costs associated with the development of young players, which is a distinctive setting to analyze.

Validation of an instrumented mouthguard in rugby union-a pilot study comparing impact sensor technology to video analysis.

To better understand the biomechanical profile of direct head impacts and the game scenarios in which they occur in Rugby Union, there is a need for an on-field validation of a new instrumented mouthguard (IMG) against the reference standard. This study considers the potential of a combined biomechanical (IMG) and video analysis approach to direct head impact recognition, both of which in isolation have limitations. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between an instrumented mouthguard and video analysis in detection of direct head impacts in rugby union. Pilot Study - Observational Cohort design. The instrumented mouthguard was worn by ten (3 backs, 7 forwards) professional Rugby Union players during the 2020-21 Gallagher Premiership (UK) season. Game-day video was synchronized with timestamped head acceleration events captured from the instrumented mouthguard. Direct Head Impacts were recorded in a 2 × 2 contingency table to determine sensitivity. Impact characteristics were also collected for all verified head impacts to further the understanding of head biomechanics during the game. There were 2018 contact events that were reviewed using video analysis. Of those 655 were categorized as direct head impacts which also correlated with a head acceleration event captured by the IMG. Sensitivity analysis showed an overall sensitivity of 93.6% and a positive predictive value (PPV of 92.4%). When false positives were excluded due to ball out of play, mouthguard removal or handling after a scoring situation or stoppage, PPV was improved (98.3%). Most verified head impacts occurred in and around the ruck contest (31.2%) followed by impacts to the primary tackler (28.4%). This pilot validation study demonstrates that this IMG provides a highly accurate measurement device that could be used to complement video verification in the recognition of on-field direct head impacts. The frequency and magnitude of direct head impacts derived from specific game scenarios has been described and allows for greater recognition of high-risk situations. Further studies with larger sample sizes and in different populations of Rugby Union players are required to develop our understanding of head impact and enable strategies for injury mitigation.

Research on Training Methods for Improving Basketball Players' Performance

Basketball is a popular sport, with a large number of people participating in it. There are more than hundreds and thousands of professional basketball players. This paper mainly focuses on how to improve their sporting performance by training, particularly sensitivity, explosive power and endurance. The main research method is reading articles. According to the reading sources, this article summarizes that different aspects of purpose have different training methods. For sensitivity, players can do rope ladder training, including high knees and leapfrog. Regarding explosive power, players can do some resistance exercises and rope jumping. Regarding endurance, players can do some long-lasting training. There are many things that should be noticed. Stretching before and after training helps avoid muscle adhesion; obtaining enough water and nutrients to recover from energy loss; and resting well in order to avoid muscle fatigue.

Training to Compete: Are Basketball Training Loads Similar to Competition Achieved?

Basketball players should train at intensities similar to those recorded in competition, but are the intensities really similar? This study aimed to quantify and compare the internal and external intensities assimilated by professional basketball players, both in training and in competition, according to context and the specific player position. Players from the same team in the Spanish ACB competition were monitored for three weeks. The sample recorded intensities in 5 vs. 5 game situations in both training (n = 221) and competition (n = 32). The intensities, as dependent variables, were classified into kinematic external workload demands (distances, high-intensity displacements, accelerations, decelerations, the acceleration:deceleration ratio, jumps, and landings), neuromuscular external workload demands (impacts and player load), and internal workload demands (heart rate). They were measured using inertial measurement devices and pulsometers. The playing positions, as independent variables, were grouped into guard, forward, and center. According to the context, the results reported a significant mismatch of all training intensities, except jumps, with respect to competition; these intensities were lower in training. According to the playing position, inside players recorded more jumps and landings per minute than point guards and outside players in training. In turn, inside players recorded a higher average heart rate per minute than outside players in this same context. There were no significant differences in intensity according to the playing position in the competition. Considering the context–position interaction, no differences were observed in the intensities. Adjusting and optimizing training intensities to those recorded in competition is necessary.

Pemerintah dalam Kacamata Gamers (Peran Fasilitas dan Pembinaan) Atlet E-Sports di Kota Palembang

This research discusses governance from the perspective of gamers (the role of facilities and development) of e-sports athletes in the city of Palembang. The aim of this research is to find out the government's role in developing e-sports athletes in Palembang City andalso to provide information to professional players regarding the development of e-sports athletes in Palembang City. The method used in this research is a qualitative method using Jim Ife's role theory which consists of 4 aspects, namely the role of facilitator, the role of education, the role of representational and the role of technical ability. The results of this research include first, the facilities provided to Palembang esports to date have not been adequate or optimal; secondly, currently the esports coaches or coaches themselves have not been provided by the relevant agencies and there has also been no socialization regarding the coaching of esports athletes themselves; third, Dispora has not carried out and organized events or competitions because there is no readiness to organize the event itself; And fourth, until now the Dispora has not carried out its own selection process but rather the selection process is carried out directly by the respective communities.

Knowledge and Self-Assessment of Dental Injuries and Oral Health among Croatian Professional Water Polo Players: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate oral health knowledge, and the incidence of self-reported dental injuries incidence, the frequency of mouthguard use, oral hygiene habits, and oral health status among professional water polo players. During the 2022/2023 season, 114 water polo players from the Croatian First League participated in a questionnaire-based online survey. The data collected included sociodemographic and professional attributes, oral health knowledge questions, dental injury experiences, and practices related to mouthguard use. Respondents also rated their own oral health status and oral hygiene habits. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a regression analysis. The respondents demonstrated inadequate knowledge of oral health, with a mean score of 6.4 ± 2.6 out of 12. Better knowledge correlated positively with older age (p ˂ 0.05) and consistent flossing (p = 0.014). Additionally, 27.2% (31 of 114) of reported dental injuries were related directly to incidents which occurred while participating in water polo. These injuries occurred more frequently during games (54.8%) and often involved the anterior maxillary incisors (71.0%) due to player contact (87.1%). Awareness of mouthguards was high (93.9%), whereas their actual use was low (7.0%) because 35.1% of respondents reported discomfort wearing them. The respondents' self-assessments revealed widespread dental problems, including tooth sensitivity (13.3%), erosion (15.8%), calculus (28.1%), and pigmentation (7.9%). The research results indicate a lack of adequate knowledge among the respondents regarding oral health. This deficit was not associated with oral hygiene habits or oral cavity conditions. These findings highlight the disparities in oral health awareness and practices associated with water polo participation and emphasize the importance of education and prevention efforts.

The relationships between relative age effect, personality constructs and achievement level in soccer.

Youth soccer academies are challenged with the constant recruitment process of young talented players to select those who will achieve long-term success as an athlete. Youth soccer academies strive to enhance the physical and technical skill development as well as personality development of talented players because psychological characteristics play a crucial role in players' future success in their transition to professional soccer. The least mature players and relatively young players may have a greater need to possess superior technical/tactical or psycho-behavioral skills than those relatively older counterparts because of the higher selection rates of early maturing players. Due to RAEs, a significant decrease in the overall quality of professional soccer teams might be observed because of the loss of talent of physically smaller, but psychologically stronger and more versatile relatively young players who possess proper technical and tactical attributes at an early age. The first objective of this study was to examine any possible relationship between RAE and personality constructs. A second objective was to identify factors and effects that can help in the further improvement of talent selection and equal opportunities for elite youth soccer players based on their underlying RAE. The third objective was to consider the impact of RAE on long-term career development. In this retrospective observational study, 151 elite youth soccer players between 15 and 18 years of age were first grouped in birth quartiles. Personality constructs were then assessed, using a combination of observations, interviews, and a self-assessment questionnaire. Next competition level after 8 years was evaluated to identify RAEs, differences in personality characteristics and opportunities to reach professional soccer player status between relatively older vs. younger players. A clear significant RAE was observed for the whole database (Q1 = 38.4% vs. Q4 = 13.9%) with OR of 2.61 (χ2 = 19.46, p < 0.01, r = -0.85). Relatively young players had higher median scores on personality constructs such as self-confidence (p = 0.04), while relatively old players had higher median scores on personality constructs such as team orientation (p = 0.03). In the long term, more players of the youngest birth quartile were signed as professional players (76.2%), compared with relatively old players (46.6%). 65.0% of the 20 players had the highest total score on personality constructs developed as a professional soccer player, vs. 35.0% of the 20 players with the lowest scores. In conclusion, this study showed not only further evidence of the RAE but also provided evidence supporting "the underdog hypothesis" in national elite youth teams. Relatively young players were also more likely to get higher value senior professional contracts in the long term. We propose that this may be due to the relatively young players developing superior psychological skills and technical expertise to compensate for their early physical disadvantage. This in turn suggests the need for greater awareness of the importance of personality constructs in the future development of youth elite soccer players. Therefore, the crux of the issue is how youth soccer academies elicit the "best of both worlds" ie. moderating RAE whilst also gaining the benefits of the underdog hypothesis by creating the right environment for every player to develop to their full potential in elite youth soccer academies.

PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF ATTACK PREPARATION IN THE GAME OF TENNIS

In the last decades, the game of tennis has evolved considerably due to several factors, among which we enumerate: the improvement of the learning methodology and the improvement of technical procedures, the improvement of tactical thinking, the appearance of fast playing surfaces, the increase of the effort capacity of the players, the participation in competitions throughout the year. The relationships of interdependence between technique and the previously listed factors are obvious, they determine the increase in the quality of the tennis game. Due to the same causes, the vision of the specialists regarding the order of importance of the shots has fundamentally changed. Training has an increasingly perfected methodology in all aspects, being a specialized activity that represents the basic means of the entire training system of the tennis player and includes: practical training lesson and basic factors: physical, technical, tactical, mental (recovery, health, medication, motivation). Thus a professional player plays 32 tournaments a year. The tactical register, in top matches, registers remarkable progress on all levels, with special emphasis on game strategies and choosing a tactic according to the type of own and opposing player. Players prove solid theoretical knowledge.

From legends to legacy: the impact of fan influence on retiring athletes in premier league basketball.

This research examines the perceived age of Premier League basketball players as they near retirement, focusing on the complex interplay between players, fans, and the media in shaping perceptions of age and retirement. The study highlights the unique pressure on the basketball players to retire due to age-related expectations, rooted in the perception that athleticism is age dependent. The research methodology applied in this study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with a sample of 11 professional Israeli basketball players and two veteran players' agents. Three themes emerged: (1) Feelings of betrayal and ingratitude; (2) A farewell tour toward disengagement from one's professional career; and (3) The media's role in shaping beliefs and attitudes. These themes illustrate how the sports environment portrays aging players, shaping fan opinions, both positively and negatively. Significantly, the findings emphasize the challenges that players must confront within an ageist environment. The study concludes by highlighting the cultural and social construction at work. The "coercion" to retire from professional sports is more pronounced here due to the common belief that sports success is time-bound and age-dependent, necessitating a "young body". In this reality, the audience does not merely function as a backdrop for athletes' performances, but has the power, at the collective and the individual level, to affect change on and off the court.