Competitive Setting Research Articles

Epidemiology of Patients With Dance-Related Injuries Presenting to Medical Staff at Breaking Competitions in the United States, 2021-2023.

Introduction: There is a dearth of dance-related injury epidemiology within the breaking competition setting. Breaking injury surveillance data has predominantly been collected retrospectively at healthcare facilities or through survey research. Methods: Medical staff were available at 6 breaking competitions between 2021 and 2023 to provide musculoskeletal care and triage. In addition to consent of treatment, participants provided their age, gender, and injured body area(s), symptom onset, and description. A total of 157 patient reports were obtained, de-identified, and utilized for comparative frequency and logistic regression analysis. Results: The most common body areas that breakers sought care for were: 39% (n = 61) shoulder, 32% (n = 51) neck, 32% (n = 50) lower back, and 25% (n = 40) upper back. The majority of injuries 61% (n = 95) occurred >3 months prior to competition. The most common descriptions of injury were: 57% (n = 89) tightness, 46% (n = 73) pain, and 33% (n = 52) soreness. Logistic regression analysis revealed that: older patients have higher odds of experiencing the issue during or before the competition (P-value = .003); and that age was the only variable that was borderline statistically significant for hip injury (P-value = .055). Conclusion: The highest frequency of dance-related injury within a breaking competition setting cohort was found to be in the shoulder, neck, and back. The highest frequency of injury description were tightness, pain, and soreness. There was a large frequency of chronic injuries that were seen, and older patients were found to have a higher odds of experiencing and seeking medical treatment for a chronic injury. Access to injury management services and education for the shoulder, neck, and back should be provided at breaking competitions to improve health outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level 4.

Turkey’s post-election politics: towards the end of the Erdoğan era?

ABSTRACT Turkey’s local elections of 2024 exposed the vulnerabilities of the ruling AKP and highlighted the electoral potential of the opposition CHP. The results provided the CHP motivation and momentum while calling into question the AKP’s position as a dominant party. Analyzing the outcome and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the incumbent and the opposition, this article examines the implications of the election results for Turkey's political trajectory including the likelihood of exiting its competitive authoritarian cycle. Its analysis is grounded in the competitive authoritarian setting of the current regime without attempting to theorize or generalize post-election political developments.

Social ties as dynamic managerial capabilities and SME performance: unraveling the role of industrial boundary conditions

Purpose As a contribution to the social ties and dynamic capabilities literature, the purpose of this study is to examine the boundary role of the industrial factors (competitive intensity, dependence on suppliers and demand uncertainty) on the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) social ties (business ties and political ties) and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 1,077 SME top-level managers in Turkiye. The proposed model is analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) path modeling in SmartPLS 4.0 software. Findings The results elucidate how demand uncertainty serve to moderate the influence exerted by both business and political ties upon the performance of SMEs. However, the moderating effects of competitive intensity and dependence on suppliers, although initially hypothesized, were not found to have a significant impact on the relationships. Practical implications The relevance of social ties of SMEs may depend on the industrial factor. Although both political and business ties are effective on the customer side, these ties may become irrelevant when it comes to competition and supplier relations. In competitive SME settings, where businesses are vying for similar markets, the effectiveness of ties might be questionable. In such cases, SMEs might invest in building in-house capabilities and competencies, rather than relying on their relational networks. Originality/value This study contributes to the understanding of how relational networks, which are considered as dynamic managerial capabilities, impact SMEs performance. It also fills an important gap by testing the boundary role of industrial factors on this relationship. The empirical data is collected from the Turkish context, which is also an original aspect of the study, considering most of the social ties literature has a limited focus on a few contexts. The results also indicate new areas for discussion and exploration, indicating potential avenues for further research.

Effectiveness of Centrality Measures for Competitive Influence Diffusion in Social Networks

This paper investigates the effectiveness of centrality measures for the influence maximization problem in competitive social networks (SNs). We consider a framework, which we call “I-Game” (Influence Game), to conceptualize the adoption of competing products as a strategic game. Firms, as players, aim to maximize the adoption of their products, considering the possible rational choice of their competitors under a competitive diffusion model. They independently and simultaneously select their seeds (initial adopters) using an algorithm from a finite strategy space of algorithms. Since strategies may agree to select similar seeds, it is necessary to include an initial seed tie-breaking rule into the game model of the I-Game. We perform an empirical study in a two-player game under the competitive independent cascade model with three different seed-tie-breaking rules using four real-world SNs. The objective is to compare the performance of centrality-based strategies with some state-of-the-art algorithms used in the non-competitive influence maximization problem. The experimental results show that Nash equilibria vary according to the SN, seed-tie-breaking rules, and budgets. Moreover, they reveal that classical centrality measures outperform the most effective propagation-based algorithms in a competitive diffusion setting in three graphs. We attempt to explain these results by introducing a novel metric, the Early Influence Diffusion (EID) index, which measures the early influence diffusion of a strategy in a non-competitive setting. The EID index may be considered a valuable metric for predicting the effectiveness of a strategy in a competitive influence diffusion setting.

Critical application of TGfU in sports coaching

ABSTRACT Background The foundational nature of the ‘Teaching Games for Understanding’ (TGfU) approach [Thorpe, R., D. Bunker, and L. Almond. 1986. Rethinking games teaching. Loughborough: University of Technology.] has led to considerable interest from researchers and practitioners since its inception [Stolz, S., and S. Pill. 2014. “Teaching Games and Sport for Understanding.” European Physical Education Review 20 (1): 36–71. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X13496001]. Consequently, many variations of TGfU have come to the fore [Mitchell, S., J. Oslin, and L. Griffin. 2020. Teaching sport concepts and skills: A tactical games approach. 4th ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.]. Despite the considerable interest from physical education related researchers, those in sports coaching have been slower to embrace the TGfU approach, particularly in competitive adult settings [Kinnerk, S., S. Harvey, C. MacDonncha, and M. Lyons. 2018. “A Review of the Game-Based Approaches to Coaching Literature in Competitive Team Sport Settings.” Quest.]. Indeed, there is a lack of consensus about the TGfU’s efficiency and studies have shown that practitioners lack knowledge on how to implement it in their own context [Karagiannis, K., and S. Pill. 2017. “A Case Study Exploring Coaching Practice and Coaching Perspectives at One Soccer (Football) Club.” Scientific Journal of Education, Sports, and Health 18 (1): 140–150.]. Purpose Therefore, the aim of this study was to critically explore the utility of TGfU as a pedagogical approach within a competitive sports coaching setting, whilst considering its impact on the coach and players’ learning. Methodology An Action Research (AR) methodology involving progressive cycles of practice over the course of a full eight-month volleyball season. The participants of the study were the players (n = 13) and the first author as the coach. Data were drawn from focus groups and reflective field notes. Data collection proceeded in tandem with a combination of inductive and deductive analysis. Findings Results indicated the need to adapt the approach to the context critically rather than safely, which demands a well-developed knowledge of the field and engagement with reflection. This suggests a close consideration of the coaching context and the interpretation of TGfU as a flexible approach rather than a rigid model, which has been widely understood to evolve based on contextual needs [Casey, A., MacPhail, A., Larsson, H. & Quennerstedt, M. (2021). Between hope and happening: Problematizing the M and the P in models-based practice. Physical education and sport pedagogy, 26(2), 111–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2020.1789576]. Findings suggest a reconceptualisation of the well-established notion of ‘player-centred’ [Metzler, M. 2011. Instructional Models for Physical Education. 3rd ed. Scottsdale, Arizona: Holcomb Hathaway, Publishers, Inc.] to that of ‘interaction-centred’ (between the coach and the players) as crucial to effective practice. Here, the use of questioning played a key role in mediating the interaction between the coach and the players. Finally, the current study demonstrated that, despite not being a linear process, the players’ game understanding and overall performance improved throughout the season. Such improvement was instigated by facilitating the players’ ability to reflect, progressing to being able to reflect on themselves, the team, and to some extent on the opposition.

Primary Care Considerations for Youth Martial Arts Athletes.

This review aims to analyze the impact of martial arts on youth, addressing the physical and psychosocial benefits, as well as the injury risks associated with increased participation. Data from the National Federation of State High School Associations indicates a notable increase in youth participation in martial arts, with a rise of over 13,000 participants from 2018 to 2022. In addition to physical benefits, recent studies highlight that martial arts can significantly enhance mindfulness, reduce stress, and improve self-control, thus diminishing bullying behaviors in school-aged children. Additionally, the therapeutic application of martial arts techniques has been effective in managing pain in children with chronic diseases and in alleviating emotional distress in their siblings. However, the popularity of the sport brings concerns over a spectrum of injuries, especially more severe cases in competitive settings. Martial arts provide a dynamic platform for fostering robust physical health and psychological resilience among youth. While the benefits are substantial, they are accompanied by risks that require careful management through informed practices and supervision. This review underscores the importance of understanding the dual nature of martial arts - its capacity to empower and its potential to harm - to maximize its benefits and safeguard young athletes.

PROVING VARIOUS MATHEMATICAL INEQUALITIES FOR OLYMPIADS

Mathematical inequalities play a pivotal role in problem-solving within mathematical olympiads. This paper explores diverse techniques for proving inequalities, emphasizing their practical application in competitive settings. By presenting classical and advanced methods such as AM-GM, Cauchy-Schwarz, and Jensen's inequalities, the paper provides a comprehensive guide for students preparing for olympiads. A systematic approach to understanding and solving inequality problems is discussed, alongside illustrative examples.

Integrated inventory and pricing decisions for pre-existing and new entrance products considering product life-cycle

Today’s business landscape requires understanding the dynamic nature of the product life cycle (PLC) when making inventory decisions. This paper presented an integrated inventory-pricing model for a supply chain consisting of a single retailer, a pre-existing product manufacturer, and a new entrance product manufacturer. The model incorporated the PLC framework, encompassing the introduction-growth, maturity, and decline phases. In this competitive setting, the pre-existing product (PEP) has already progressed through part of its PLC when the new pro-environmental product (NPP) enters the market. To address the unique characteristics of each PLC phase, each manufacturer offers distinct incentive policies to the retailer in each phase. The demand for PEP is influenced by time and the progressively decreasing retail prices of both products, while the demand for NPP depends on time, retail prices, and the product’s greenness level. The results demonstrated that manufacturer incentive policies, including credit payments during the maturity phase, significantly increase profits for all three supply chain members. Moreover, extending the maturity phase of PEP and the introduction-growth and maturity phases of NPP enhances the retailer’s profitability.

Bicoid-nucleosome competition sets a concentration threshold for transcription constrained by genome replication.

Transcription factors (TFs) regulate gene expression despite constraints from chromatin structure and the cell cycle. Here we examine the concentration-dependent regulation of hunchback by the Bicoid morphogen through a combination of quantitative imaging, mathematical modeling and epigenomics in Drosophila embryos. By live imaging of MS2 reporters, we find that, following mitosis, the timing of transcriptional activation driven by the hunchback P2 ( hb P2) enhancer directly reflects Bicoid concentration. We build a stochastic model that can explain in vivo onset time distributions by accounting for both the competition between Bicoid and nucleosomes at hb P2 and a negative influence of DNA replication on transcriptional elongation. Experimental modulation of nucleosome stability alters onset time distributions and the posterior boundary of hunchback expression. We conclude that TF-nucleosome competition is the molecular mechanism whereby the Bicoid morphogen gradient specifies the posterior boundary of hunchback expression.

Green design and information sharing in a horizontally competitive supply chain

This study explores the impact of information sharing on green supply chains with horizontal competition, addressing an important yet underexplored issue. Using a Stackelberg game framework, we examine green product design and information-sharing dynamics in a supply chain consisting of a common retailer and two competing manufacturers. The retailer decides whether to share green demand information with manufacturers, who then determine product greenness, while the retailer sets the retail price. The findings reveal that information sharing can have mixed effects on manufacturers’ profitability, depending on competitive dynamics and demand sensitivity to product greenness. Additionally, the interplay between information sharing and green design strategies emphasizes the importance of aligning product design decisions with optimal information-sharing practices. While information sharing consistently improves environmental performance in non-competitive settings, it can lead to negative environmental outcomes in competitive scenarios. Extending the analysis to cases where manufacturers control wholesale pricing and information is shared sequentially, the findings remain robust. This study highlights the dual role of information sharing as a driver of supply chain efficiency and a potential source of environmental inefficiencies in competitive markets. The results offer actionable insights for crafting green supply chain strategies that balance economic and environmental objectives.

Штаммы Mycobacterium tuberculosis с мутациями в gyrA различаются по уровню конкурентного фитнеса

As M. tuberculosis strains develop resistance to fluoroquinolones, pools of M. tuberculosis sensitive to drugs of this group and pools of M. tuberculosis with different resistance determinants can simultaneously coexist in the host organism. The goal of this research was to run an in vitro investigation of growth characteristics of M. tuberculosis strains which have different genetic determinants of resistance to fluoroquinolones, in the setting of competition for nutrients. The research used five clinical strains of multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis differing in gyrA structure. Strains were cultured in pairs and individually under optimal conditions (Middlebrook 7H9 medium) and under conditions of multistress (50% Middlebrook 7H9 medium, 2 mM KNO2, 0.02% H2O2). The experiment took 21 days. The number of cells of each co-cultured strain was estimated from calibration curves. These curves showed the dependence of the threshold cycle of the polymerase chain reaction — respective to the channel targeted by the mutation — on the concentration of M. tuberculosis cells. The competitive fitness value and specific growth rate were calculated from the number of cells of each strain when co-cultured. M. tuberculosis strains with mutations in gyrA were found to be inferior in growth rate to the wild-type gyrA strain, which was particularly pronounced under multistress conditions. The strain with the most common gyrA_D94G mutation had the lowest growth rate of all strains examined. It has been hypothesised that the slow growth of M. tuberculosis with this mutation may lead to tolerance to anti-tuberculosis drugs, and as a result, the strain gains an advantage under chemotherapy conditions compared to other gyrA mutant variants.

Impact of Digital Transformation on Business Operations and Customer Experience

Digital change is redefining how businesses work and connect with customers, incorporating advanced technologies into all areas of organizational operations. Using technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), large- scale data analysis, and automation, businesses can simplify procedures, improve efficiency, and make informed decisions based on data to boost productivity and ensure customer satisfaction. In today’s competitive setting, it is crucial to adapt, as customer demands for personalized and quick services are high. However,the process of incorporating digital technology also poses difficulties such as expenses for implem entation, security threats in cyberspace, and the necessity for improving employees' skills. This study explores how digital changes affect business activities and customer satisfaction. It looks at the advantages, difficulties, and strategic consequences for maintaining a competitive edge in a changing digital environment.

Mortality patterns and recovery challenges in Millepora alcicornis after mass bleaching event on Northeast Brazilian reefs

Coral reefs are suffering globally from the increased frequency and intensification of thermal anomalies, caused by anthropogenic climate change, leading to major mass bleaching events over the past three decades. Environmental factors, including temperature, geomorphology, interspecific competition, protection status and local settings, can modulate the severity of bleaching and the subsequent survival capacity of corals and hydrocorals after mass bleaching events. However, the complexity of environmental factors interacting over fine-scale spatial-temporal scales is still a major gap in understanding coral bleaching events of South Atlantic reefs. Here, we examined mortality and recovery patterns of the predominant hydrocoral species Millepora alcicornis after a mass bleaching event at the Northeastern coast of Brazil in 2019–2020. The ecological impact was evaluated by analyzing spatial factors, coral morphology, protection status and mortality rates in combination with the subsequent recovery potential influenced by overgrowth competition of dominant benthic organisms. The results indicate that hydrocorals located in proximity to the shore and shallow depths were more vulnerable with mortality rates of up to 90%, presumably related to higher light and temperature fluctuations. A total coral cover loss of approx. 50% was estimated for M. alcicornis within the study area and dead skeletons were overgrown by algal turfs and crustose coralline algae with the former being the predominant colonizer. In summary, our findings reveal fin-scale heterogeneous spatial vulnerability within the same coastal reef complex, indicating zones of high coral mortality. The described heterogeneous spatial vulnerability of the studied reef complex is an important factor to be considered in coral reef restauration and management plans to secure coral ecosystem services for the coming decades.

Caffeine Enhances Some Aspects of Physical Performance in Well-Trained Hammer and Discus Throwers.

Caffeine is a widely recognized ergogenic aid for enhancing exercise performance. However, its effect on throwing performance has been less studied, yielding contradictory results. The main aim of the study was to analyze the potential ergogenic effects of a moderate dose of caffeine (3 mg·kg-1 body mass) on vertical jump performance and throwing distance during a simulated competition in trained discus and hammer throwers. In a randomized, counterbalanced, and repeated measures design, 14 well-trained throwers (9 hammer throwers and 5 discus throwers; age 24.8 ± 6.3 years old, training 14.9 ± 5.0 h per week, competing experience 10.5 ± 6.1 years) performed a countermovement jump (CMJ) test, a modified throw, and a complete throw after the ingestion of 3 mg·kg⁻¹ body mass of caffeine or a placebo. Each participant performed three maximal-effort valid modified throws of his/her respective event (i.e., hammer or discus throw), plus three maximal-effort valid official throws (up to five tries, respectively, in case any attempt was called as foul). Throwing distance was measured according to World Athletics regulations using a metal tape, while release speed was assessed with a radar device. After the performance measurements, participants completed a form about side effects prevalence. Caffeine, compared to placebo, increased throw distance (3.0 ± 5.1%, p = 0.048) and speed release (5.7 ± 8.7%, p = 0.03) for the complete throw, and distance (3.6 ± 4.4%, p = 0.01) and speed release (4.8 ± 7.4 %, p = 0.01) for the modified throw. Caffeine ingestion did not significantly improve jump height (1.1 ± 4.3%, p = 0.28), although it improved force and power on braking and the propulsive phases of the CMJ (p < 0.05). Caffeine only increased the prevalence of activeness (p < 0.05). An acute moderate dose of caffeine enhanced hammer and discus throw performance in well-trained throwers during a simulated competitive setting, with minimal adverse side effects.

Impact of sports vision training on visuomotor skills and shooting performance in elite skeet shooters.

Vision serves as a critical channel for athletes to acquire information during competitions and constitutes a vital component of their competitive ability. Through scientifically designed sports visual training, specific visual skills can be enhanced, thereby assisting athletes in achieving optimal performance in competitive settings. This study aim to explore the visuomotor abilities and shooting performance of skeet shooters through Sports Vision Training (SVT). Twenty elite skeet shooters were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group (EXP, n = 10) and a control group (CON, n = 10). The EXP underwent 6-week of SVT on Senaptec Seneory Station, twice a week, while the CON completed an equivalent workload of target-tracking training. Visuomotor skills testing showed significant improvements in Near- Far Quickness, Perception Span, and Eye-hand Coordination in the EXP (p < 0.05), with no changes in the CON. Comparative post-test results between the two groups showed significant differences in N/F Q, Target Capture, Perception Span, Eye-hand Coordination, and Go/ No Go (p < 0.05). In shooting performance indicators, EXP shooters showed a highly significant improvement in hit accuracy (p < 0.01), with a similar difference compared to the CON. Additionally, they exhibited a highly significant improvement in shotgun-mounting reaction time (p < 0.01). Kinematic indicators of shotgun movement during the firing process for shot 2 showed significant differences in peak velocity (p < 0.01), X-axis (p = 0.033) and Y-axis (p = 0.001) displacement. SVT can enhance visuomotor abilities in skeet shooters and has a positive impact on their shooting technique. This is primarily manifested in shorter shotgun-mounting reaction time and improved efficiency in action at shot 2, effectively improving their shooting accuracy.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on selected indicators of physical fitness among male team-sport athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Superior physical fitness and performance are essential in male team sports. Among a myriad of training methodologies, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained popularity owing to its unparalleled efficiency and effectiveness. Previous studies have established that HIIT is a proven and effective approach for enhancing various physiological performance outcomes, particularly oxygen consumption capacity, in individual sports. Despite potential differences in training practices between male and female athletes, HIIT is recognized as an anaerobic training approach for team-sport athletes. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively and innovatively analyze the existing literature to examine the effectiveness of HIIT on oxygen consumption performance among male team-sport athletes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines across the PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus databases until December 31, 2023. The inclusion criteria for this review encompassed research articles published in peer-reviewed journals that specifically focused on the impact of HIIT on the oxygen consumption performance of male players engaged in team sports. The study population exclusively consisted of male participants. The collected data included study characteristics, participant demographics, intervention details, and outcomes. Methodological quality assessment was performed using standardized criteria. The effect sizes (ESs) were calculated, and a meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model. The literature search yielded 13 eligible studies encompassing 286 athletes aged 14-26 years. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant enhancements in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in six studies (ES, 0.19-0.74; p < 0.005), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIRT) performance in six studies (ES, 0.20-2.07; p = 0.009), repeated-sprint ability total time (RSAtotal) in five studies (ES, 0.18-1.33; p < 0.001), and the best and average times for repeated-sprint ability (RSAbest and RSAmean, respectively) in four studies (ES, 0.47-1.50; p < 0.001). However, two studies did not report any significant differences in the outcomes of the Velocity in 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (VIFT) between the experimental and control groups (ES, -0.08 and -0.27; p = 0.87 and 0.443, respectively). Moreover, one study did not report any significant differences in the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) (ES, 0.41, p = 0.403). HIIT significantly improved VO2max, YYIRT, and RSA; however, it did not appear to enhance VIFT and MAS performance, irrespective of age or competition level. These findings indicate that HIIT could serve as a valuable method for improving oxygen consumption performance (VO2max, YYIRT, and RSA) in male team-sport athletes, offering a time-efficient alternative to the traditional training methods. Further research is warranted to investigate its impact on performance outcomes in competitive settings and identify optimal HIIT protocols tailored to specific team sports.

Stress in Esports: A Qualitative Study on The Interplay of Player Experiences and Organizational Systems

Video games are designed for enjoyment and can benefit players, but in competitive settings such as esports they may lead to stress, a significant concern for players and coaches in competitive play due to potential negative psychological, social, and physical impacts. Since esports players are mostly adolescents and young adults, the vulnerability of their age underscores the need to investigate their stress experience. To this aim, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 First-Person Shooter (FPS) players and coaches (mean age 22.2) across A- to C-tiers. We examined players’ subjective stress experiences, team dynamics, and the broader esports organizational context. Findings reveal the players’ ability to recognize their stress signals and to make sense of stressful events, along with a stronger reliance on individual coping strategies over team-based or organizational resources, which remain largely inaccessible. Finally, we propose design strategies to strengthen esports players’ resilience and coping capacity in stressful environments.

Training model for basic badminton techniques using sport integrated circuit for student athletes aged 12-15 Years

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Sport Integrated Circuit (SIC) training model on the improvement of badminton skills by student-athletes in the age bracket of 12 and 15 years. Physical, technical, and cognitive training are combined in the SIC model, with the aim of improving performance. Qualitative descriptive with a sample of 30 students was the design adopted, where the data obtained through use of observations, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The observations measured the level of participation, the skill acquisition and training intensity, while the interviews and focus group discussions gave feedback and experiences of the participants. The findings showed that key skills related to badminton were effectively improved through the SIC training model. Observations indicated that there were advancements in footwork, reaction time, and control of the shuttle, with 28 students making noticeable enhancement in the said areas. A good proportion of the participants claimed high engagement levels and satisfaction in the training, reporting improvement in performance and self-confidence. However, there were some challenges recorded: some students were unable to cope with the intensity of the training provided and more personalized instruction was required for various students. In addition, it was recommended by participants that more strategic game play scenarios could be included in the model for better preparation of athletes in competitive settings. In conclusion, the SIC training model has suitable results when oriented in enhancing badminton skills owing to its integrated nature. It is suggested that refinements that include altering the training load and reliance on one-on-one coaching as well as the use of more competitive situations be incorporated in order to improve the effectiveness of the model and match it more appropriately to the demands of younger sports participants.

The impact of long-haul travel and 13h time change on sleep and rest activity circadian rhythm in speed skaters during World Cup competitions.

Athletes frequently compete only a few days after long-haul travel. Longitudinal real-world data on athletes' sleep and sleep-wake cycle in competitive settings remain scarce. This study assessed the impact of a long-haul travel across ∼13 time zones on sleep patterns, rest-activity circadian rhythms (RAR), and their subsequent effects on neuromuscular function and race performance in the Canadian Short-Track Speed Skating Team. Nineteen athletes (24±4years, 11 women) travelled from Montréal (UTC-5) to Asia (UTC+8, UTC+9) for World Cup races between 2017 and 2019. Actigraphy data were collected before (Baseline) and during travel, during the stay in Asia (SIA), and during competition days. RAR were computed using cosinor analyses on accelerometry data with 24h phase periods. Countermovement jump height (CMJ) was measured in a subsample (n=10). Compared to baseline (7:08±0:53), athletes obtained less sleep during travel (6:16±1:27) and competition days (6:35±1:10), and more during SIA (7:32±0:46; time effect P<0.0001). Sleep efficiency and CMJ were greater in SIA than baseline (P=0.007 and P=0.0004, respectively). During SIA, sleep time increased by 9 min per night until the fifth day (P<0.0001), with a slight decrease in sleep efficiency (P=0.005) and an increase in CMJ (P<0.0001). For RAR, mean activity peaked on day 2, shifting from late evening to ∼15:00. Race performance was not different from other races of the same season (P>0.254). Our results demonstrated that, despite the possible sleep debt from the long-haul travel, athletes recovered within 5 days, highlighting their adaptability to manage sleep debt and jetlag without impacting competitive outcomes.

DOMINANTS FOR THE NATIONAL ECONOMIES’ COMPETITIVENESS

This article is devoted to innovation as a prerequisite for the national economies' sustainable development and a domain for their global competitiveness. The paper aims to highlight the internal essence of mutual relations between innovation, competition, and economic growth. It was assumed that innovation positively affected the competitive behaviour of economic agents and eventually contributed to an increase in public welfare. Regarding the period from 2007 to 2022, we considered the sample of Central European countries and the Baltic states. Theoretical generalization has been applied to systematize the factors determining competition and innovation. We used statistical methods and comparative analysis to investigate the indicators' dynamics. The interdependencies between macroeconomic dynamics and a set of competition and innovation indicators have been assessed. It was proved that the proportion of medium and high-tech industry value added in the total value added of manufacturing was quite important, yet not the ultimate criterion for ensuring high growth rates and sustainable development. The dynamics of commercial spending on research and development had been ambiguous and unsustainable. To ensure strategic competitiveness, national governments should encourage innovation in their respective business communities. The sampled economies have been examined considering a set of innovation and competition indicators (e.g., gross capital formation, research and development expenditures, logistics performance, export technological structure, carbon dioxide emission, and renewable energy consumption). Considering the implications of globalization, tax burden as an integral characteristic of the national economy's competitiveness has been evaluated as well. It was pointed out that: a) a stable, understandable and transparent tax policy should be implemented to protect the investors' property rights; b) a system of total anti-corruption measures aimed at preventing the practices of receiving undue benefits should be set; and c) the business sector should improve own environmental and social responsibility complexly, introduce resource-saving, green and circular economy.