Safety In Sport Research Articles

Ethical Risks of Systematic Menstrual Tracking in Sport.

In this article it will be concluded that systematic menstrual tracking in women's sport has the potential to cause harm to athletes. Since the ruling of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) in the United States, concerns regarding menstrual health tracking have arisen. Research suggests that the menstrual tracking of female athletes presents potential risks to "women's autonomy, privacy, and safety in sport" (Casto 2022, 1725). At present, the repercussions of systematic menstrual tracking are particularly under-scrutinized, and this paper seeks to combine novel research in the sport sciences with present ethical debates in the philosophy of sports. Utilizing Beauvoir's feminist philosophy (2011), this paper argues that systematic menstrual tracking may contribute to the wider system of women's oppression by exploiting female athletes, as well as enabling the internalization of submissive behaviour in cultures where athletes are expected to comply unquestioningly. Five policy recommendations are made concerning autonomy, informed consent, education, safeguarding and data access. The overall findings of this paper propose that a more in-depth understanding of the links between data, privacy, and the menstrual cycle are required by sports organizations and governing bodies if athletes are to be protected in a future where systematic menstrual tracking is inevitable.

A Baseball Injury and Performance Initiative to Combat Health Risks Associated With Early Sport Specialization

ABSTRACT Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries have been increasing steadily for the past decade, especially among youth and adolescent amateurs. USA Baseball's Pitch Smart guidelines have been introduced to combat UCL and other throwing arm injuries because overuse is the paramount cause. Fatigue is also a major contributor to injuries. Other factors include inadequate strength, recovery methods, and parental and caregiver education. Significant misconceptions exist among parents and caregivers about UCL injury, surgical repair, strength and conditioning, and injury prevention that can directly influence their children's health and safety in sport. Therefore, parents' and caregivers' education is imperative to reduce injuries in youth baseball. This article presents an educational opportunity by providing an evidence-based training program designed to prevent injuries and maximize performance called the Baseball Injury and Performance Initiative 10 (BIPI 10). The BIPI 10 program conditions baseball players through whole-bodied movement, varying contraction tempos, and plyometrics that are sport specific. BIPI 10 is believed to offer high compliance because training can be completed daily in less than 10 minutes and initiated anywhere across competitive levels on a worldwide scale in a similar fashion to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) program FIFA 11+ for soccer.

Bit use and its relevance for rider safety, rider satisfaction and horse welfare in equestrian sport

Using a bit to communicate with and control the horse while riding is one of the longest standing traditions in horse riding. However, horses’ aversion to bits and high levels of bit-induced trauma have led some to question whether this practice is commensurate with modern understanding of animal welfare. This study represents one of the first attempts to compare horses ridden with and without a bit in terms of horse welfare, rider safety and rider satisfaction. Australian recreational and sport horse riders (n = 399, 94.4% female; Mdn age=46.0 years) from a range of riding disciplines were anonymously surveyed online. Only n = 20 (5.0%) participants reported riding without a bit, however, this is likely consistent with the recreational horse-riding population, given riding with a bit is mandated in most equestrian sports. A whole sample analysis and a case-matched analysis were performed where cases were matched based on horse breed and age, discipline, and rider age. Whole sample analyses found horses ridden without a bit have better relative welfare scores for management, and during riding and handling compared to horses ridden with a bit (Mdn 13.0, IQR 2.0 and Mdn 11.0, IQR 5.0; Mdn 35.0, IQR 9.0 and Mdn 32.0, IQR 6.0; and Mdn 24.0, IQR 3.25 and Mdn 23.0 IQR 4.0 respectively, p < 0.05), but did not differ in relation to health. Fewer ridden hyperreactive behaviours (bucking, spooking, rearing and bolting) were reported for bitless horses compared with bitted horses (Mdn 0.0, IQR 1.0 and Mdn 1.0, IQR 4.0, respectively, p = 0.04), however, rider safety and perceived control were similar for both groups. Riders of bitless horses were more satisfied than riders of bitted horses (Mdn 16.0, IQR 2.0 and Mdn 14.0, IQR 4.0, respectively, p = 0.01) and reported better horse-rider partnerships (Mdn 4.0, IQR 0.0 and Mdn 3.0, IQR 1.0, respectively, p < 0.001). More riders of bitless horses had knowledge of learning theory than riders of bitted horses (55.0% and 23.0% respectively, p = 0.003). Results from the case-matched analysis were consistent with the whole sample results, except for rider satisfaction and knowledge of learning theory which were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that bitless riding is not related to reduced horse control or rider safety, but is related to greater rider satisfaction and improved horse-rider partnership. Considering current challenges to the industry’s social licence to operate due to poor horse welfare, increased adoption of bitless riding may present a valuable opportunity to improve horse welfare.

Incivility and psychological safety in youth sport: the reciprocal effects and its impact on well-being and social outcomes

ABSTRACT Youth can often be the subject of rude and discourteous behaviors in their sport setting, given their susceptibility to the social environments. Incivility refers to insensitive behavior that exhibits a lack of respect for others, namely, disrespectful and rude behaviors. Incivility is a significant issue in youth sport since it negatively influences teams and individuals. The present study aims to investigate 1) how incivility and psychological safety are associated with each other over time and 2) the influence of the initial value of psychological safety and the change in psychological safety on youth athletes’ well-being and social outcomes. Three-wave time-lagged data collection was employed, and the present study included 283 youth athletes who completed the survey three times. The hypotheses were tested in SEM with cross-lagged panel and growth latent curve modeling. The results showed that coach and teammate incivility were significantly associated with the change in psychological safety. In contrast, the initial value of psychological safety was a significant antecedent of the subsequent coach and teammate incivility, well-being, and social outcomes. Lastly, the change in psychological safety was significantly associated with youth athletes’ well-being and social outcomes. The findings suggest that incivility and psychological safety were reciprocally associated, and psychological safety rather than incivility was a significant predictor of youths’ well-being and social outcomes. The present study found a mechanism underlying the relationship between incivility, psychological safety, and essential outcomes (i.e., well-being and social outcomes) in youth sport.

The Development and Validation of a Child Safeguarding in Sport Self-assessment Tool for the Council of Europe

Abuse and interpersonal violence threaten participant safety and trust in sport. Many political and project activities have sought to promote safeguarding policies within national sporting structures. Despite this, implementation of safe sport policy measures has been lacklustre, and policy guidance is often disparate and sometimes contradictory. Against this background, the Council of Europe initiated the development of a safeguarding in sport self-assessment tool to assist national sport authorities in this crucial area. This tool addresses some of the gaps within safe sport policy guidance by summarising current good practices and offering policy guidance and legitimation. In the following Innovations article, we present our work developing the safeguarding self-assessment tool for national sport organisations in collaboration with the Council of Europe.

Safety and Relational Continuity in Sport for Development With Marginalized Young People

Sport for development (SFD) is often used to engage young people in programs that target a range of issues, such as disengagement or marginalization. However, if designed inappropriately, SFD can do more harm than good by reinforcing social divides or past trauma. Consequently, scholars suggest that future research should delve beyond program impacts and examine the importance of safe spaces within SFD programs. In light of this, we explored how program design, delivery, and staffing can impact the creation and maintenance of a safe space and continuity in an SFD program targeting young people and how this can change over time. Adopting an ethnographic approach, findings highlighted how safety and relational continuity was fostered via social networks, support, belonging, and external opportunities. Conversely, instability and discontinuity became an issue with staff departures and participants’ personal difficulties.

Psychological Safety in High-Performance Sport: Contextually Applicable?

In recent years, high-performance sport has seen a rising interest in Psychological Safety, a construct with a strong empirical basis in certain business contexts. As research and practice interest grows in PS, there are early indications of practitioners and, to a lesser extent research, treating the construct as being universally transferable. We offer three central concerns with this situation. Firstly, it seems that a variety of different interpretations in use may limit the practical application of the construct. Secondly, a concern that not all dimensions of PS are transferable or applicable in the HPSs context, especially for athletes. Finally, emerging evidence from outside of sport suggests potential downsides to the perceptions of PS in a performance/selection sets. We suggest that, as with all theories and constructs, there is a pressing need for nuance and context-specific evidence in how researchers and practitioners approach transferability plus, perhaps, a little more understanding of the real-world high-performance context.

Psychological safety in sport: a systematic review and concept analysis

ABSTRACT There has been a rapid proliferation of empirical research on the relationship between sport participation and mental health. As a result of this movement, there has been an increased focus on the constructs that can predict or explain mental health outcomes in sport. Psychological safety in sport is among the constructs surfaced in the movement. Despite this, there is a considerable lack of conceptual clarity regarding how to define psychological safety and how it can be fostered in sport. As such, the aim of this study was to provide conceptual clarity of the term psychological safety in the context of sport. To achieve this aim, we first systematically searched for all currently available studies that have discussed psychological safety in a sport context. Then, a concept analysis approach was applied wherein the definitions, attributes, antecedents, and consequences were thematically analysed across 67 studies. As a result of this synthesis, psychological safety in sport was conceptualised as a continuous, group level construct that is perceived (and reported) at an individual level. We also provide a descriptive model of psychological safety in sport that we hope lends clarity and debate to the field moving forward.

International society of sport psychology position stand: mental health through occupational health and safety in high performance sport

ABSTRACT There is considerable attention devoted to athlete mental health in high-performance sport. The International Society of Sport Psychology seeks to extend this discourse by expanding the discussion through a lens of occupational health and safety (OHS). Drawing upon knowledge from OHS, the authors have considered existing mental health challenges as well as proactive and reactive strategies conducive of athlete safety. This Position Stand is structured into four sections. The authors introduce OHS and its relevance to high-performance sport in section one. Section two focuses on athlete mental health and the need for an OHS approach within sport organisations. Section three is focused particularly on athlete safety in relation to high-performance youth athletes. The fourth and final section is a broader ideological discussion of how OHS might vary in approach based on national sport systems and cultural orientation.

110 Usage and perceptions of equestrian safety equipment

Equestrians are no strangers to injury. Modernization of the sport aims to support safe riding habits and limit fatal injuries, especially with the use of equestrian safety equipment. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing the use of safety equipment across a range of equestrian disciplines. It was hypothesized that use, perceptions of efficacy, and influencing factors would differ according to discipline but not other demographic factors. An online survey was widely distributed via horse industry organizations and social media over a 2-week period in January 2021. The survey identified rider demographics including age, education level, geographic region, and primary riding discipline, and used 5-pt Likert-scale questions regarding use, perceived effectiveness, and influences on 3 types of safety equipment. Data were examined using frequency counts, correlation, and mixed model ANOVA (SAS, Inc.). Of 770 responses, 48.6% identified themselves as English riders, 46.2% as western riders, and 5.2% as drivers. As hypothesized, helmet use was lower in western disciplines than English disciplines ( P < 0.0001) or driving ( P < 0.0001). Participation in a discipline that requires use of safety equipment increased the likelihood of helmet use ( P < 0.0001), but not other equipment. Age, level of education, and geographic region did not influence the use of helmets or other equipment ( P > 0.05). When asked how often respondents used helmets, only 58.2% of all participants chose “always,” yet 74.2% considered helmets “very effective” in preventing injury. Across all disciplines, 79.1% “strongly agreed” or “somewhat agreed” that their use of helmets was influenced by past injuries and experiences. Of respondents, 75.3% “strongly agree” that youth should be required to wear helmets. Unlike helmet use, only 16.8% had used safety vests in the past year, and 19.5% used safety stirrups. Use of safety vests and safety stirrups was greater ( P < 0.001) in English than western disciplines. Of respondents, 58.3% considered safety vests “very effective” or “moderately effective” in preventing injuries; while more than one-quarter (27.8%) were “not sure” of effectiveness of safety stirrups. These results suggest that while helmet use is considered an effective way to prevent injury, discipline norms still heavily influence use. Safety vests and stirrups were less likely to be used and may require more industry wide education or exposure before being widely accepted. Understanding the equestrian demographics and disciplines that are likely to use safety equipment, as well as how they are influenced will allow for greater education and safety in equestrian sport.

Zapewnienie bezpieczeństwa w sporcie w odniesieniu do wybranych zadań oraz statusu prawnego polskiej agencji antydopingowej

Ensuring safety in sport is one of the most important aspects influencing the general social positive perception of this sphere of everyday life. The term of the aforementioned safety should be understood as preventing the possibility of any risk arising in relation to fans as participants of e.g. mass sports events and athletes who, by using illegal doping in sport, not only commit fraud and at the same time violate the principle of fair play, which is fundamental to sport, as well as risk the loss of health and even life due to the medical risk of illegal doping. On the basis of the Act on Combating Doping in Sport, which entered into force in 2017, the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA) has become the main entity responsible for combating this negative phenomenon, whose organizational structure and powers correspond to the global standards that have been developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency through its effective activities. Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This article discusses selected aspects of doping in sport, as well as the legal status and tasks of the Polish Anti-Doping Agency.

Analiza oraz ocena prawnych uregulowań z zakresu orzeczeń lekarskich o stanie zdrowia sportowca jako aspekt bezpieczeństwa w sporcie

The article analyzes and evaluates the legal regulations regulating the subject of medical certificates in sport as issues in the field of safety in sport. Particular attention was paid to the Sport Act of 2010 and its detailed executive acts, as well as other regulations directly related to the issue of medical examinations in sport, on the basis of which authorized entities issue a health certificate enabling safe sport competition organized in principle by Polish sports associations. The author positively assesses the amendment to the regulations in the field of medical examinations in sport carried out in 2019. The changes mentioned in the article were the legislator’s reaction to the expectations of the sports environment regarding the modification of the current legal status. The key improvements include, among others, extending the period of validity of periodic examinations and enabling the issuing of medical certificates by primary care physicians in specific cases. Importantly, in practice these changes have not reduced the quality of medical examinations as an important aspect in terms of guaranteeing the health and safety of sportspeople.

Associations between environmental attributes of facilities and female participation in sport: a systematic review

ABSTRACTPurpose: To examine the association between environmental attributes of facilities, female participation in sport and according to life stage.Design: Articles were identified through seven databases and included if female specific results were reported on the association between attributes of the physical environment and sports participation.Findings: The search yielded 3118 articles, 24 met the criteria. Most studies were moderate quality and in terms of life stage focused on adolescent girls. Environmental attributes of facilities including perceived safety, convenient location and suitable amenities in sport and school facilities were associated with female participation in sport.Practical implications/research contribution: Attributes of the physical environment may influence female participation in sport. Conclusions are tentative based on minimal studies in this area. More attention to identify environmental attributes of facilities associated with encouraging female participation in sport across their transitional life stage is required to enhance understanding and guide facility development..

Analysis of States' Barriers to and Progress Toward Implementation of Health and Safety Policies for Secondary School Athletics.

Implementation of health and safety best practices for the leading causes of sudden death and catastrophic injury has been shown to mitigate risk. However, to our knowledge, no authors have examined progress toward health and safety policy implementation at the state level. To investigate the progress made by state secondary school leaders in developing and implementing health and safety policies (ie, exertional heat stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, concussion, emergency action plans) and to explore perceived barriers to and strategies for implementation. Mixed-methods study. State high school athletics associations and sports medicine advisory committees. Collaborative Solutions for Safety in Sport meeting attendees participated in this study. Thirty-five state leaders (current role experience = 8 ± 6 years) completed the survey. Ten of the 35 participated in follow-up interviews. A survey assessing progress on health and safety policy implementation was administered. Respondents indicated whether their state had implemented a policy, made progress without implementation, or made no progress. We conducted follow-up telephone interviews so they could expand on the survey responses. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the general inductive approach. A total of 89% of respondents reported their states made progress on or implemented health and safety policies during the 2015-2016 academic year. Barriers to policy implementation included cost, a lack of understanding regarding policies versus recommendations, the content and value of policy change, and a false sense of security. Strategies for implementation included varying approaches to change, education of all constituents, and collaborative relationships among key stakeholders. Although a majority of respondents reported progress in implementing health and safety policies in their states, perceived barriers pointed to the need for the continued education of state leaders in charge of developing and implementing health and safety policies. Despite these barriers, collaboration among key stakeholders is crucial to successful implementation of best-practice policies in secondary school athletics.

Editorial

Editorial

Transcontextual Development of Motivation in Sport Injury Prevention Among Elite Athletes

The present study investigated the transcontextual process of motivation in sport injury prevention. We examined whether general causality orientation, perceived autonomy support from coaches (PAS), self-determined motivation (SD-Mtv), and basic need satisfaction in a sport context predicted SD-Mtv, beliefs, and adherence with respect to sport injury prevention. Elite athletes (N = 533) completed self-report measures of the predictors (Week 1) and the dependent variables (Week 2). Variance-based structural equation modeling supported hypotheses: SD-Mtv in a sport context was significantly predicted by PAS and basic need satisfaction and was positively associated with SD-Mtv for sport injury prevention when controlling for general causality orientation. SD-Mtv for sport injury prevention was a significant predictor of adherence to injury-preventive behaviors and beliefs regarding safety in sport. In conclusion, the transcontextual mechanism of motivation may explain the process by which distal motivational factors in sport direct the formation of proximal motivation, beliefs, and behaviors of sport injury prevention.

Risk management practices of high school sport coaches and administrators

Sport and recreation constitute a significant part of the learning experiences at schools in South Africa. They provide the subject matter of learning and instruction in sport and physical education. Research on safety in sport has been conducted in the USA, Britain, Canada, Australia and other developed countries since the 1950s. There is a paucity of empirical, evidence-based information on safety and security of learners participating in sport activities in South Africa. The purpose of this study was to identify the key safety dimensions of school sport, and to assess the risk management practices implemented by coaches and administrators at high schools. The aim was also to highlight the chief problems associated with safety in sport and to develop strategies to protect learners. The findings could raise awareness of coaches, administrators and relevant role players concerning their legal duties. A previously validated and pilot tested instrument was used to gather data. Purposive sampling was done in three provinces. Several dimensions and individual safety factors were not adequately addressed by relevant personnel, and certain basic minimum requirements were not met at a fair number of schools. These findings support previous reports by researchers that coaches and administrators are not adequately aware of, or do not fully appreciate the implications of their legal liability relative to sports activities at schools. Recommendations and guidelines have been offered to enable coaches and educators manage potential risks so that athletes and other learners experience a non-threatening environment where they gain optimally from sports activities.

Towards evidence-informed sports safety policy for New South Wales, Australia: assessing the readiness of the sector

Policy-related interventions can contribute significantly to successful public health action.1 However, inadequate health promotion policy can result in: poor stakeholder engagement; responsibility division across government; short-term funding and unsustainable programmes;...

Rugby and cervical spine injuries

At the time of writing, a Cape newspaper reported on a 21-year-old rugby player who died on the field following a presumed spine injury. This highlights the ongoing concerns regarding safety in this contact sport. Although the physicality of rugby is a large part of its attraction, both to spectators and players, no one wishes serious harm. Two papers in this issue of SAMJ review rugby-related injuries to the spine and spinal cord.

‘Extreme' parents and sport: a socio-legal perspective

This paper is an exploratory study that aims to determine the nature and scope of parental involvement and conduct in youth sport. It also seeks to determine the legal liability of the main stakeholders in their provision and administration of youth sport. A qualitative research design is utilised within an interpretive paradigm. A literature review and case studies were conducted. It sketches a brief background to the ageold phenomenon of ‘extreme' parents, youth and significant others, who get overexcited and display harmful conduct. It also explores the possibility that educators may be opening themselves and their organisations to potential legal liability by not taking active steps to eliminate such conduct. It presents the principles that help determine when parents, educators and significant others have dropped their standard of care below what is reasonable in their circumstances. Their etiquette when dealing with coaches, officials and youth participants is analysed in the context of eliminating aggressive behaviour in sport, and making sport safe and positive for children from a legal perspective. Recommendations are made as possible solutions to assist with education and positive socialisation practices as well as addressing safety in youth sport. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol. 27(2) 2005: 83-99