Senior Athletes Research Articles

Use of nutritional supplements by elite Japanese track and field athletes

BackgroundWhile scientific evidence supports the efficacy of only limited nutritional supplements (NS) on sports performance, the use of NS is widespread in athletes. Given the serious issues of health damage or unintended Anti-Doping Rule Violations due to ingestion of contaminated NS in sports, accurately understanding NS practices by athletes is crucial. This study therefore elucidated the use of NS by elite Japanese track and field (TF) athletes.MethodsThe subjects were 574 Japanese TF athletes, including 275 junior athletes (under 20 years) and 299 senior athletes, who participated in international competitions from 2013 to 2018. Data on NS use were collected through pre-participation medical forms obtained from all entrants before their participation in competitions. NS users were requested to report the product names and primary components of all NS they were taking.ResultsThe overall prevalence of NS use was 63.9%. The mean number of NS products used per athlete was 1.4. The prevalence was significantly higher in women (69.2%) than in men (59.6%) (p = 0.018) and significantly higher in senior athletes (68.9%) than in junior athletes (58.9%) (p = 0.012). The prevalence of NS use was higher in long-distance runners (75.8%) and lower in jumpers (52.3%) and throwers (49.2%) than other disciplines (p < 0.001). The most prevalent components were amino acids (49.3%), followed by vitamins (48.3%), minerals (22.8%), and protein (17.8%).ConclusionsApproximately two-thirds of elite Japanese TF athletes reported the use of NS, and NS practices varied by gender, age, and discipline.

Motivational differences between athletes at junior and senior level: An analysis of the football, handball, and water polo players

Research in sport and exercise psychology indicates that motivational factors contribute to exceptional achievement, both in individual and team sports. Therefore, analysing differences between junior and senior athletes in contact ball sports in terms of their motivational differences may be an important information source for the selection process and management of the development of the elite athletes. In this study data on athletes’ motivation was collected via self-assessments. Data was analysed in order to answer the questions regarding the motivational differences of athletes, which might be related to the type of collective ball sport and their competing level related to age. Sample consisted of 316 athletes at junior and 286 athletes at senior level, which were active in one of the three team sports: football, handball, and water polo. They filled in three self-report questionnaires: Self-motivation Inventory – SMI; Sport Attitudes Inventory – SAI; and Task and ego orientation in sport questionnaire - TEOSQ. Results suggest that senior athletes have higher score on self-motivation, motive to achieve power and task goal orientation scales than junior athletes. These findings were replicated in all three sports which were analysed. Besides that, football players have the highest motive to achieve success, motive to achieve power and task goal orientation; water polo players have the most pronounced self-motivation, while handball players show lowest levels of these motives.

Cardiac damage induced by long term and intensive endurance exercise training in senior athletes: A cardiac magnetic resonance and exercise echocardiography analysis

Moderate intensity regular physical activity is a mainstay of cardiovascular prevention. However, it is under debate whether the effects of intensive endurance exercise induce chronic cardiac damage. It has been proposed that long-term endurance exercise may be associated with myocardial fibrosis detected by late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and/or with right ventricle contractile dysfunction, but these aspects are not constantly found across studies. Extracellular volume (ECV) determined by CMR, circulating cardiac biomarkers, and longitudinal global strain (LGS) assessed by echography are relevant tools to explore these potential adverse effects of exercise. To assess the presence of myocardial fibrosis, and to evaluate ventricles function, in endurance senior athletes. Thirty three asymptomatic endurance senior athletes (47 ± 6 yo, 9.6 ± 1.7 h of training per week for 26 ± 6 yrs), were compared to 18 sedentary controls (49 ± 7 yo). They underwent a CMR protocol including morphological and LGE analysis, T1 mapping and calculation of ECV. A maximal exercise echography with LGS analysis was performed. Cardiac biomarkers were analysed. Athletes had higher ventricular volumes, biventricular mass, and stroke volume assessed by CMR versus controls. Native T1 and ECV were not significantly different in athletes compared with controls. LGE was not found in athletes. Peak exercise LGS values were higher in athletes for both ventricles. The levels of cardiac biomarkers were normal in all subjects. Athletes showed signs of physiological cardiac remodelling, consistent with previous descriptions of athlete's heart. Despite this remodelling, there was no evidence of myocardial fibrosis or exercise ventricular dysfunction in athletes. Our results are not supporting the hypothesis of deleterious cardiac effects induced by long term and intensive endurance exercise training.

Anthropometric characteristics and physical performance of taekwondo athletes

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to measure anthropometric and physical performance variables of TKD athletes from the city of Pelotas - RS. Forty-five athletes aged 16.4 ± 5.2 years and time of practice of 3.25 ± 3.6 years were evaluated. Athletes performed anthropometric evaluation and physical, general and specific performance tests. In the sum of seven skin folds, men presented lower values ??(106.1 ± 49.5 mm versus 143.4 ± 43.2 mm, p &lt;0.002). Male seniors presented better performance in the vertical jump compared to beginners (42.3 ± 8.5cm versus 24.8 ± 10.1cm, p &lt;0.03) and to women (22.1 ± 4.3cm, p &lt;0.03). Graduated individuals perform higher number of arm pushups than beginners and women and more repetitions in the abdominal test. Male junior and senior athletes had higher isometric handgrip strength than females (48.3 ± 3.9 kgf and 38.1 ± 12.6 kgf versus 29 ± 5.6 kgf, p &lt;0.001). Men covered longer distance in the yo-yo test than women (606.6 ± 233.8m versus 200 ± 113.1m, p &lt;0.001). In the Wingate test, men produced greater peak and average relative power. No differences in flexibility were observed. In the single kick test, seniors kicked faster than less experienced athletes (200.6 ± 12.3m / s versus 258 ± 5.6m / s, p &lt;0.001) and performed greater number of kicks in the 21s, 6 ± 2.1 reps versus 15.5 ± 0.7 reps, p &lt;0.001). It was concluded that there are differences between male and female TKD athletes regarding anthropometric and motor characteristics, and that more experienced athletes exhibit greater general and specific physical fitness.

Diferenças no rendimento desportivo entre os judocas séniores e juniores melhores classificados no ranking mundial

The purpose of this study was to compare the match performance between the best ranked senior and junior Judo athletes. Twenty men athletes were analyzed (senior: N= 10; age: 27.7 ± 2.8 years junior: N=10; age: 19.3 ± 0.6 years). The twenty-four most recent matches per athlete were analyzed. The most recent matches were considered in a balanced way. Number of winnings and loses, Ippons, Waza-ari and penalties were coded. Moreover, gap between the athlete and the opponents were used as covariable for the comparisons. One-way ANCOVA revealed that junior athletes scored less Waza-ari than senior (-25.8%; p = 0.027; d = 0.182). Conclusions reveals that main performance is similar between junior and senior, with exception to the number of Waza-ari that is significantly larger in senior.

An Evaluation of Activity Barriers among United States National Senior Athletes versus the General Older Adult Population

An Evaluation of Activity Barriers among United States National Senior Athletes versus the General Older Adult Population

Activity Profiles in U17, U20, and Senior Women's Brazilian National Soccer Teams During International Competitions: Are There Meaningful Differences?

Ramos, GP, Nakamura, FY, Penna, EM, Wilke, CF, Pereira, LA, Loturco, I, Capelli, L, Mahseredjian, F, Silami-Garcia, E, and Coimbra, CC. Activity profiles in U17, U20, and senior women's Brazilian national soccer teams during international competitions: are there meaningful differences? J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3414-3422, 2019-The aim of this study was to compare locomotor activity profiles of Brazilian top-class female soccer players competing at distinct age brackets (under 17 [U17], under [U20], and senior). External match load of 14 U17, 14 U20, and 17 senior female soccer players competing in 6-7 full official international matches were assessed using global positioning systems. Total distance covered, distance covered in high intensity (15.6-20 km·h), distance covered in sprints (sprint: >20 km·h), number of accelerations (Acc) >1 m·s, decelerations (Dec) >-1 m·s, and Player Load generally increased across the age brackets (U17 <U20 <senior). For all playing positions, senior athletes presented greater total distance, accelerations, and decelerations than U20 players. For high-intensity distance and sprints, only central defender and midfielder senior players presented greater values than U20 players. Senior players demonstrated higher values in all locomotor activities in comparison to U17 players, irrespective of playing positions. Except for central defenders who presented similar total distance, sprint distance, and number of accelerations between U20 and U17, most match external loads evaluated in all playing positions were greater in U20 than in U17 players. These results provide useful information for player development and should be used to establish appropriate match-specific conditioning drills according to age categories.

P311Cardiac damage induced by long term and intensive endurance exercise training in senior athletes: a cardiac magnetic resonance and exercise echocardiography analysis

Abstract Background Moderate intensity regular physical activity is a mainstay of cardiovascular prevention. However, it is under debate whether the cumulative effects of intensive endurance exercise induce chronic cardiac damage. It has been proposed that long-term endurance exercise may be associated with myocardial fibrosis detected by late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and/or with right ventricle contractile dysfunction, creating a potential substrate for ventricular arrythmia, but these aspects are not constantly found across studies. Extracellular volume (ECV) determined by CMR, circulating cardiac biomarkers, and longitudinal global 2D strain (LGS) assessed by cardiac echography are relevant tools to explore these potential adverse effects of exercise in senior athletes. Purpose To assess the presence of myocardial fibrosis detected by CMR (LGE and ECV) and biomarkers, and to evaluate ventricles function with LGS, in endurance senior competitive athletes. Methods Thirty-three asymptomatic endurance senior athletes (47±6 years old, 9,6±1,7 h of training per week for 26±6 years), were compared to 18 sedentary controls (49±7 years old). They underwent a CMR protocol including morphological and late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) analysis, T1 mapping and calculation of ECV using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. A maximal exercise transthoracic echography with LGS analysis was performed. Cardiac biomarkers (N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity troponin T and plasma markers of collagen biosynthesis and degradation procollagen type I N terminal propeptide and procollagen type III NT propeptide) were also analysed. Results Athletes had higher left (84,0±20,8 vs 67,62±12,4 ml/m2; p=0,00593) and right (41,3±9,5 vs 32,9±6,0 ml/m2; p=0,00228) ventricular volumes, higher total biventricular mass (109,61±14,18 vs 98,66±16,25 g/m2; p=0,02038), and higher stroke volume (50,7±12,6 vs 40,1±9,2 ml/m2; p=0,00441) assessed by CMR versus controls. Native T1 (left ventricle: 938±21 vs 940±34 ms; p=0,8098 - right ventricle: 1027±53 vs 1026±114 ms; p=0,92983) and ECV (21,5±1,6 vs 22,0±2,2%; p=0,40868) were not significantly different in athletes compared with controls. LGE was not found in athletes. Peak exercise LGS values were higher in athletes for left (23,19±2,86 vs 20,82±2,05%; p=0,00335) and right (29,25±3,47 vs 26,48±3,22%; p=0,00777) ventricles, compared with control. The levels of cardiac biomarkers were normal in all subjects. Conclusion Athletes showed signs of physiological cardiac remodelling, consistent with previous descriptions of athlete's heart. Despite this important remodelling, there was no evidence of myocardial fibrosis or exercise left or right ventricular dysfunction in athletes. Our results are not supporting the hypothesis of deleterious cardiac effects induced by long term and intensive endurance exercise training.

Energy Balance and Active Lifestyle: Potential Mediators of Health and Quality of Life Perception in Aging.

The relationship between aging and perception of health and quality of life is complex and its mediation mechanisms need to be further explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effects of total energy expenditure and intake, body mass, and body image dissatisfaction on the relationship between age and perception of health and quality of life. Forty-two senior athletes, 55 physically active, and 61 sedentary individuals (aged 55–84 years) were evaluated for total energy expenditure (EE), energy intake (EI), body mass index (BMI), absolute Body Dissatisfaction Index (BDIabx), and physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health and quality of life perception. Multiple mediation analyses were applied to assess the relationship between age and PCS and MCS indices, through the mediators EE, EI, BMI, and BDIabx. For MCS, but not for PSC, the mediation analysis showed: (a) a direct effect of age; (b) a mediation path through EE, EI, BMI, and BDIabx; and (c) a positive total effect. The combination of positive and negative mediating effects influencing the mental health perception underlined that with advancing age, the maintenance of high levels of energy expenditure through physical activity could positively impact body image satisfaction and, in turn, mental health.

Three-dimensional kinematics in healthy older adult males during golf swings

ABSTRACT The biomechanics of the golf swing have received considerable attention in previous research. However, existing studies have focused on young athletes, while the kinematics of older golfers remain poorly documented. This study presents kinematic data for healthy senior golfers during swings performed with a driver and six-iron. Seventeen male golfers (62.2 ± 8.8 years) volunteered for participation and a 10-camera Vicon system (Oxford, UK) recorded kinematic data (500 Hz). A launch monitor (TrackMan, Vedbæk, Denmark) recorded club head speed and initial ball speed. Joint angles and peak velocities of the trunk and lower body were extracted at the top of the backswing, ball contact, and end of the swing. Intraclass correlations and standard error of measurement determined reliability, and pairwise statistics determined between-club differences. Swings with the driver had 7.3° less trunk extension and 4.3° less X-factor at backswing, and 10.5° less trunk flexion and 3.2° less X-factor at ball impact. Older adults portray several differences in lower body kinematics between a six-iron and driver but maintain good to excellent reliability (0.728–0.997) during the swings. Comparisons with previous research also showed senior athletes produce slower club head and ball speeds than younger golfers, and that kinematic differences exist between the populations.

Meta-Analysis to Determine Normative Values for the Special Judo Fitness Test in Male Athletes: 20+ Years of Sport-Specific Data and the Lasting Legacy of Stanisław Sterkowicz.

The aim of this study was to evaluate Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) results specific to the population of male judoka and to develop age category norms for junior and senior athletes. A systematic review of the existing literature was conducted to identify 281 publications reporting SJFT results between 1995 and 2018. The final meta-analysis included data from 37 relevant studies that reported SJFT results from 51 individual samples of 515 senior and 209 junior male athletes. The combined mean and SD for SJFT variables were calculated, and the Cohen’s d effect size with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the senior and junior age classifications were compared. Senior athletes demonstrated higher total number of throws (d = 0.41, CI = 0.25–0.57, p <0.001) and heart rate (HR) immediately after the SJFT (d = 0.18, CI = 0.02–0.35, p = 0.025) with limited differences for HR one minute after the SJFT between groups. The SJFT index was lower for seniors compared to juniors (d = 0.38, CI = 0.22–0.54, p <0.001) indicating better overall performance by the more advanced athletes. Percentile rankings were used to develop SJFT classificatory tables for male senior and junior judo athletes. Training staff can use the age group classifications in the evaluation process of their athletes and for the purpose of monitoring training.

A Comparison of Motivation and Grit in NCAA Collegiate Athletes

Assessing self-determination to play a sport (motivation) and the strength of character or resolve (grit) in athletes is a useful tool for coaches and sports psychologists; however, gender, individual vs. team sports, and time of season differences in motivation and grit are not well documented. Whether an athlete is motivated intrinsically (more self-determined) or has sufficient grit may be the difference between athletic success or failure. Recognizing variations in motivational and grit characteristics in athletes can provide guidance towards improving individual performance and team dynamics. PURPOSE: To compare motivation and grit in NCAA collegiate athletes. METHODS: The Sports Motivation Scale II (SMS-II) and 12-Item Grit Scale were administered to 151 (87 females; 64 males; 19.2 ± 2.1 yrs) athletes spread among seven NCAA division III individual and team sports. Surveys also determined each participant’s gender, class matriculation status (freshman through senior), and time of sport season (pre-, during-, off-season). Between group differences for SMS-II relative autonomy index (RAI; degree of self-determination score) and grit were made using independent T-Test and one-way ANOVA with post hoc analyses. RESULTS: SMS-II RAI scores (mean ± SD) in both males and females were significantly higher/more self-determined (p<0.05) in athletes on team (65.8 ± 20.0) vs. individual (53.3 ± 26.9) sports yet were significantly lower/less self-determined (p<0.05) when in-season (58.5 ± 25.9) vs. pre- (65.1 ± 15.0) and post- (68.5 ± 19.8) seasons. Freshmen athletes had significantly lower/less self-determined (p<0.05) RAI scores (56.3 ± 22.4) vs. sophomores (66.6 ± 18.9) and juniors (66.4 ± 23.8). 12-Item Grit Scale in both males and females revealed significantly lower/less gritty (p<0.05) scores (mean ± SD) for freshmen (3.56 ± 0.47) vs. sophomore (3.73 ± 0.41) and senior (3.76 ± 0.41) athletes. No between group gender differences were observed for RAI or grit. CONCLUSION: Our results are the first to compare indices of motivation and grit in a diversity of NCAA athletes and indicate several between group differences in self-determination and grit that may guide athletes towards improved individual and team performance.

Potential Effects of Mediators on Health Perception in Older Adults

Several aspects could influence mental and physical components of subjective quality of life perceptions. In particular, healthy diet and physically active lifestyles could play a crucial role for successful aging and sustainable quality of life in advancing years. PURPOSE: To determine the mediating effects of energy expenditure (EE) and intake (EI), body composition (BC) and dissatisfaction (BD) on the relation between age and health and quality of life perception. METHODS: 42 senior athletes, 55 physically active, and 61 sedentary adults (aged 55-85 years) were submitted to anthropometric (body mass, height - Body Mass Index [BMI]), weekly energy expenditure (EE), and dietary intake (EI) evaluations, and administered Body Image Dimensional Assessment (BDI), Short Form Health Survey - Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) questionnaires. Two serial multiple model mediation analyses were applied to assess whether mechanisms involving diet-related and physical activity-related personal characteristics and behaviors (4 mediators: EE, EI, BMI, BDI) mediated the relation between age and PCS or MCS health-related quality of life perception. RESULTS: Only for MCS the mediation analysis showed: a) a direct effect of age on MSC (c’=0.31, p=0.002; CI(95%)=0.12; 0.50); b) a mediation path by EE, EI, BMI, and BDI (-0.0027, Bootstrap CI(95%)=-0.0105; -0.0002); and c) a positive total effect (c=0.22, p=0.02; CI(95%)=0.04; 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of positive and negative effects throughout the mediation path of mental health perception of older individuals underlined that the maintenance of adequate level of physical activity could influence the body image and, in turn, positively impact mental health with advancing age. Supported by MIUR Grant 2010KL2Y73

Factors Influencing the Relationship Between the Functional Movement Screen and Injury Risk in Sporting Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Studies investigating the association between the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and sports injury risk have reported mixed results across a range of athlete populations. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify whether athlete age, sex, sport type, injury definition and mechanism contribute to the variable findings. Systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic search was conducted in October 2018 using PubMed, EBSCOhost, Scopus, EmBase and Web of Science databases. Studies were included if they were peer reviewed and published in English language, included athletes from any competition level, performed the FMS at baseline to determine risk groups based on FMS composite score, asymmetry or pain, and prospectively observed injury incidence during training and competition. Study eligibility assessment and data extraction was performed by two reviewers. Random effects meta-analyses were used to determine odds ratio (OR), sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals. Sub-group analyses were based on athlete age, sex, sport type, injury definition, and injury mechanism. Twenty-nine studies were included in the FMS composite score meta-analysis. There was a smaller effect for junior (OR = 1.03 [0.67-1.59]; p = 0.881) compared to senior athletes (OR = 1.80 [1.17-2.78]; p = 0.008) and for male (OR = 1.79 [1.08-2.96]; p = 0.024) compared to female (OR = 1.92 [0.43-8.56]; p = 0.392) athletes. FMS composite scores were most likely to be associated with increased injury risk in rugby (OR = 5.92 [1.67-20.92]; p = 0.006), and to a lesser extent American football (OR = 4.41 [0.94-20.61]; p = 0.059) and ice hockey (OR = 3.70 [0.89-15.42]; p = 0.072), compared to other sports. Specificity values were higher than sensitivity values for FMS composite score. Eleven studies were included in the FMS asymmetry meta-analysis with insufficient study numbers to generate sport type subgroups. There was a larger effect for senior (OR = 1.78 [1.16-2.73]; p = 0.008) compared to junior athletes (OR = 1.21 [0.75-1.96]; p = 0.432). Sensitivity values were higher than specificity values for FMS asymmetry. For all FMS outcomes, there were minimal differences across injury definitions and mechanisms. Only four studies provided information about FMS pain and injury risk. There was a smaller effect for senior athletes (OR = 1.28 [0.33-4.96]; p = 0.723) compared to junior athletes (OR = 1.71 [1.16-2.50]; p = 0.006). Specificity values were higher than sensitivity values for FMS pain. Athlete age, sex and sport type explained some of the variable findings of FMS prospective injury-risk studies. FMS composite scores and asymmetry were more useful for estimating injury risk in senior compared to junior athletes. Effect sizes tended to be small except for FMS composite scores in rugby, ice hockey and American football athletes. CRD42018092916.

Comparison of Physical Fitness and Anthropometrical Profiles Among Brazilian Female Soccer National Teams From U15 to Senior Categories.

Ramos, GP, Nakamura, FY, Penna, EM, Mendes, TT, Mahseredjian, F, Lima, AM, Garcia, ES, Prado, LS, and Coimbra, CC. Comparison of physical fitness and anthropometrical profiles among Brazilian female soccer national teams from U15 to senior categories. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2302-2308, 2021-This study aimed to compare anthropometric and physical fitness of Brazilian female national team soccer players from the U15 to senior categories, and to compare the physical performance between selected and nonselected players. Subjects included 231 athletes (U15, n = 46, U17, n = 49, U20, n = 98, and Senior, n = 38). Body mass, height, sum of skinfolds, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m linear sprint, and Yo-Yo IR1 were assessed. The U15 players were shorter than all other groups (p < 0.01) and lighter than U20 players (p < 0.01). Regarding physical tests, Senior athletes presented higher SJ compared with U20, and both showed higher CMJ and SJ compared with the U15 and U17 (p < 0.05). Senior athletes were also faster than players of all other categories in 20-m sprint (p < 0.01) and covered the greatest distance in the Yo-Yo IR1 (p < 0.05). U20 were better in the Yo-Yo IR1 than the younger groups (p < 0.05). When comparing selected and nonselected players, no differences were identified in anthropometric measures (p > 0.05). However, selected players from U17, U20, and Senior teams showed better performance in Yo-Yo IR1 than nonselected ones (p < 0.05). Finally, selected senior athletes also presented higher CMJ and SJ than nonselected players (p < 0.05). These results suggest that, although there is a tendency for maintenance in anthropometric measures from the age of 15 years, there are substantial improvements in speed, lower-body power, and aerobic capacity from U20 age group. In addition, it seems that intermittent aerobic fitness contributes to the selection of players to international tournaments in national teams.

Mindfulness and Coping Skills as Predictors of Competitive Anxiety amongst Athletes in Indonesia

Competitive anxiety is one of the psychological factors which greatly affect athletes' performances. Competitive anxiety is divided into somatic anxiety and cognitive anxiety. This study was conducted to look at mindfulness and coping skills as predictors of competitive anxiety. Through purposive sampling techniques, some (N = 159) senior athletes, representatives of various sports from various provinces in Indonesia, with an age range of 18-40 years were included in this study. This non-experimental research method design used three questionnaires, consisting of AAQ-II (mindfulness), ACSI (coping skills), and CSAI-2R (competitive anxiety) as measurement tools. Statistical analysis, using multiple regression, showed that mindfulness and coping skills simultaneously have a linear relationship to competitive anxiety, and significantly predict a competitive anxiety level of 29%. This means that mindfulness and coping skills can decrease competitive anxiety in athletes. Further analysis found that mindfulness plays a greater role in reducing competitive anxiety than coping skills.

Successful and Less Successful Interventions With Youth and Senior Athletes: Insights From Expert Sport Psychology Practitioners

This study is focused on reflections of expert sport psychology practitioners about their interventions with competitive youth and senior elite athletes. Two objectives include: (1) to identify key structural components used by practitioners to describe sport psychology interventions and integrate them into an empirical framework, and (2) to analyze the practitioners’ experiences in regard of their successful and less successful interventions in competitive youth and elite senior sport contexts using the empirical framework. We conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve internationally recognized sport psychology practitioners (SPPs) and analyzed the data thematically. The empirical framework derived from the SPPs’ accounts contains eight structural components integrated into two categories: (1) the content and focus (with three components, e.g., adaptation of content), and (2) the organization and delivery of interventions (with five components, e.g., initiation and assessment of athletes’ needs). ...

Two-Phase Evaluation of the Validity of a Measure for Self-Regulated Learning in Sport Practice.

Given the potential role of self-regulated learning (SRL) for enhancing practice and expertise development, we aimed to advance a valid and reliable athlete self-report measure of SRL for sport practice. We built on Toering et al. (2012a) initial SRL instrument along with Bartulovic et al. (2017) sport-specific modifications, and created new items to extend the conceptual breadth of the subscales. With a multi-sport sample of 482 athletes (Mage = 26.45, SD = 12.66; 55% female), two analytic phases tested (1) the factorial validity of the initial and the extended inventories, and (2) criterion validity, by examining how SRL scores distinguished skill groups ranging from local to international competitive levels. In Phase 1, the initial measurement model demonstrated psychometric concerns and we opted to pursue a refined model. The extended model demonstrated acceptable factorial validity but resulted in the fewest subscales. In Phase 2, subscales scores from all three models generally distinguished international-level senior (18 + years) athletes from lesser-skilled groups. Integrating the psychometric evidence and between-group effects across the initial, refined, and extended models, we conclude that the refined inventory, the Self-Regulated Learning for Sport Practice (SRL-SP) survey, is the preferred instrument.

Does the ranking position predict the final combat outcome in Senior and Junior judo athletes?

The aim of this study was to identify whether ranking position predicts combat result in Senior and Junior male and female Spanish judo athletes, and how it influences the different stages of the championship. The sample was composed of 683 combats from the Senior (male = 164; female = 158 combats) and Junior (male = 193; female = 168 combats) Spain 2014 Judo National Championships, including all weight categories. Data were obtained from the official classification published by the Spanish Judo Federation. Main results revealed important advantages of high-ranked athletes, finding differences between sexes and championship stages. Specifically, high-ranked athletes had more probability of winning and passing to the next stage. This advantage appears to be greater at the initial phases in females but mitigated as the championship progresses. Interestingly, the quarterfinal appears to be a critical phase in which better skilled and prepared athletes are likely to win. Greater differences between better and lower-ranked were found in Junior females, especially at eliminatory and quarterfinals stages. On the contrary, the Junior male contest appears to be the most equitable competition. These results fuel the debate about the seeding process in judo championships.

A review of the performance requirements of squash

Squash is a sport characterised by complex physical, technical and tactical demands. Despite its increased popularity, there is presently no synthesis of the literature pertaining to the performance requirements of squash. As such, it is difficult to generate evidence-based guidelines for applied practitioners working with squash athletes. The purposes of this review were to a) identify the most important aspects of squash performance with reference to junior and senior athletes, b) identify and discuss the available methods of assessment of squash performance and c) identify areas where further research efforts are needed so that the performance requirements of the squash game are understood. Critical analysis of literature pertaining to movement characteristics and time motion analyses, physiological demands, methods of assessing physical qualities, psychological demands and injury epidemiology were conducted. A summary of the physical characteristics of squash athletes of varying ages and playing standards is presented. Time motion analysis studies present consistent information on the game demands. There are limited data on game demands evolution from youth to senior. There appears to be usable testing protocols available for practitioners supporting squash athletes, although further work is needed to determine the applicability of these measures in junior athletes. Furthermore, better controlled studies are required to establish the injury risks associated with squash.