Professional Sports Research Articles

Innovative strategies and technologies in educational programs for sports officials: Improving the efficiency of training and competitiveness of the sports industry

Constant technological progress and societal changes present significant challenges to educational systems. Therefore, it is critically important to study strategies and methods to improve educational systems, implement cutting-edge technologies, update curricula, and evaluate the effectiveness of these changes. The rapid pace of technological development opens up new possibilities for education. Implementing state-of-the-art technologies can transform learning into a more interactive, accessible, and effective process. Additionally, changes in the economy and job market require educational systems to prepare a skilled workforce that meets modern requirements. Updating curricula and teaching methods can help prepare students for the challenges and opportunities presented by the job market. Researching and implementing innovative strategies and technologies in education is critical for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of preparing future generations and responding to present challenges. The article discusses improving educational systems in sports management, sports marketing, sports administration, and administration. The research emphasizes the importance of implementing state-of-the-art technologies in these areas and continuously updating curricula to meet modern requirements and job market needs. It also explores prospects for further development in the field and identifies ways to improve the professional training of sports professionals in the future. The article outlines directions that can contribute to the further development of the sports industry and enhance its international competitiveness.

Tech‐driven excellence: A quantitative analysis of cutting‐edge technology impact on professional sports training

AbstractAimIn recent years, the integration of cutting‐edge technology into professional sports training (ST) has revolutionized the way athletes prepare for competition. The study aims to quantitatively analyse the impact of cutting‐edge technology on enhancing performance, efficiency, and outcomes in professional ST programs.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate how advanced technologies influence training effectiveness in professional sports, with a focus on performance enhancement, injury prevention, and overall athlete development.MethodsThis study utilized a quantitative descriptive research design to assess technology's impact on ST. A sample of 450 sports professionals, selected through purposive sampling, completed structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using SPSS to identify correlations between technology use and training outcomes.FindingsThe research findings indicate that athletes utilizing virtual reality (VR), AR, and wearable technology (WT) in their training exhibit significant improvements in performance metrics (PM) and a reduction in injury risks compared to those relying on traditional training methods.ResultThe study results demonstrate that technology‐assisted training improves cognitive skills (CS), decision‐making, and psychological aspects like motivation and focus. Additionally, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) enable more effective, personalized coaching strategies, enhancing overall training outcomes.OriginalityThis study's contribution lies in its novel approach, demonstrating virtual and augmented reality, wearable tech, and advanced analytics enhance ST by improving performance, CS, and resilience, while also reducing injuries and speeding up recovery.ConclusionThis research significantly advances the sports science domain by offering empirical evidence supporting technology integration, filling prevalent gaps in the current literature.

REASONS COLLEGIATE ATHLETES FEEL UNWELL: SELF-REPORTED SLEEP, NUTRITION, AND STRESS

Introduction: Daily assessments of wellness via short quantitative surveys are becoming a mainstay across professional and collegiate sports. The data typically provide a numerical value on a scale indicating negative and positive scores across several wellness domains. However, little has been reported on why athletes indicate negative scores in wellness. Purpose: This study evaluated reasons reported for low wellness scores in sleep quality, stress, and nutrition, as well as differences in reasons for low wellness among sports and by sex. Methodology: Collegiate athletes from women’s volleyball (n=67), men’s and women’s soccer (n=119), men’s and women’s swimming (n=79), and men’s and women’s basketball (n=87) completed daily assessments of wellness. With a negative wellness score (≤ 3 on a 5-point scale), athletes were prompted to provide a reason for feeling unwell. Results: Chi-square analyses indicated a sex difference for reasons provided for poor sleep and a difference by sport for females and males (all p < .001). Reasons cited for poor sleep quality were late night (23.7%) and “other” (22.3%). For stress, analyses showed differences by sex and sport for females and males (all p < .001). Academic/work stress was the most common reason for poor stress (60.2%). For nutrition, analyses indicated differences by sex (p < .001) and by sport for females (p < .001) and males (p = .008). Consuming fewer than three meals/snacks per day (26.2%) and low fluid intake (21.9%) were the top two reasons for poor nutrition. Conclusions: These data shed light on reasons why athletes experience low wellness. Coaches and support staff can target specific reasons to enhance athlete wellness and the student-athlete experience.

Fire kroppsøvingslærerstudenters utdanningsreise fra nyslått student til utdannet lærer

There is not much research on what types of knowledge, including professional knowledge, physical education (PE) and Sports teacher students develop during a three-year bachelor study. Using a longitudinal design, this article focuses on how four students’ perspectives on teaching and learning develop through their three years of education, and on what types of knowledge they gain. To understand, explain and interpret our findings, we rely on Aristotle's (2013) concepts episteme, techne and phronesis. Our two main findings are; 1) that the four students move from having a sport-based understanding of PE, towards a more professional understanding of the subject, and 2) that they move from an understanding of the teacher’s role that focuses on the discipline, towards an understanding of the PE teacher as a facilitator for learning. Through an understanding of phronesis as practical wisdom, where the wise act on the basis of careful deliberations, we can say that the students in our study make use of the knowledge forms techne and episteme on their way towards developing a more phronetic based understanding of the subject.

Effects of Different Blood Flow Restriction Training Modes on Body Composition and Maximal Strength of Untrained Individuals.

The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of absolute cuff pressure blood flow restriction (A-BFR) training and incremental cuff pressure blood flow restriction (I-BFR) training, under equal cuff pressures, on body composition and maximal strength among untrained adults. Additionally, we aimed to compare these effects with those observed in high-load resistance training (HL-RT). Thirty-three adults without prior professional sports or resistance training experience were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups (n = 11 per group) for an 8-week training program, held three times weekly. The A-BFR group trained with a 20% 1RM load and a cuff occlusion pressure set at 190 mmHg. The I-BFR group initiated training with an occlusion pressure of 160 mmHg, which incrementally increased by 20 mmHg every two weeks, with other conditions mirroring those of the A-BFR group. The HL-RT group trained with a 70% 1RM load. All three groups demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in lower-body maximal strength (p < 0.01), with no significant differences observed among the groups (p > 0.05). A notable increase in left-leg muscle mass was seen across all groups (p < 0.05). However, total muscle mass, right-leg muscle mass, fat-free mass, BMI, bone mineral density, and bone mineral content remained relatively unchanged (p > 0.05), with no significant differences among the groups (p > 0.05). Only the HL-RT group exhibited a significant increase in left-leg thigh circumference (p < 0.05), while right-leg thigh circumference remained stable (p > 0.05), with no significant intergroup differences (p > 0.05). While A-BFR and I-BFR did not yield statistically significant differences in overall training outcomes, A-BFR demonstrated a slightly stronger potential. A-BFR and I-BFR achieved comparable gains in muscle strength and improvements in body composition to those seen with HL-RT. However, HL-RT demonstrated more significant improvements in leg circumference.

Exploring the evolution of suggested improvements to pro-environmental sustainability initiatives: empirical evidence from a professional sport team

ABSTRACT We examined fan feedback on a professional sport team’s (PST’s) pro-environmental sustainability initiatives, with particular attention to the extent to which these initiatives evolve. Two waves of data collection were conducted in a longitudinal perspective through an open-ended questionnaire to explore fans’ suggestions of pro-environmental sustainability initiatives that a professional sport club should promote. A total of 2,390 valid suggestions were obtained (n 2020 = 1,019; n 2021 = 1,371), and data were analyzed through multistep content analysis. Five broad themes emerged in the two waves of data collection: (a) sustainable venue design, (b) eco-friendly matchday operations, (c) green sponsorship activation, (d) pro-environmental communication, and (e) improving the overall matchday experience. Results suggest that it is crucial to know what sustainable initiatives PST fans consider more important and what suggestions they have to favor a more sustainable future. These results also highlight the importance of customizing PST communications and monitoring how initiatives evolve over time.

The Relationship Between Spirituality and Sports from the Point of View of Sports Psychology Researchers: A Systematic Review of Research Over Two Decades.

This systematic review investigates the relationship between spirituality and sports as explored by sports psychology researchers over the past two decades. Utilizing four reputable databases-Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus-articles published between 2000 and 2023 were examined. Sixty-one articles met inclusion criteria for thefinal review. The study categorizes findings based on article frequency across two decades, participant demographics (athletes, coaches, students, psychologists, injured individuals, managers, and sports professionals), research methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, review studies, and ethnography), and data collection methods (library research, questionnaires, interviews, open-ended inquiries, observations, and documentation). Notably, the number of articles published in the second decade (2011-2023) doubled compared to the first decade (2000-2010). While professional athletes were the primary focus of 30 articles, a significant portion (18 articles) examined spirituality in relation to sports. The predominant method approaches were text analysis and surveys, with 14 and 13 articles, respectively. Data collection methods primarily involved library research, questionnaires, and interviews, with 26, 17, and 17 articles, respectively. The analysis highlights several thematic categories, including the relationship between spirituality and sports performance, spirituality's role in shaping sports culture, and the intersection of spirituality and religion within sports. Additionally, discussions delve into the religious identity of athletes and the impact of spirituality on various psychological variables within sports contexts. The research findings suggest a complex and nuanced relationship between spirituality and sport, but evidence regarding a cause-and-effect relationship remains inconclusive.

Harmonization of labor rights of athletes in the EU: challenges and prospects in the context of integration of national legislation

ABSTRACT The work of professional athletes is a global phenomenon with a high level of labor migration and self-regulation, which depends on international and sports organizations. Professional sports create new jobs and business opportunities, but the issue of legal regulation of the work of athletes remains insufficiently resolved. In Europe, athletes fight to expand their rights through trade unions, since their interests are not always taken into account by club owners. The main challenge is the harmonization of labor rights in the EU, given the differences in national legislation and the growth of labor migration. The study aims to provide a thorough analysis of the process of harmonization of labor rights of professional athletes within the European Union. In particular, it identifies the main obstacles to the integration of national legislation in the EU Member States and offers potential solutions to these obstacles. The purpose of the study is to create recommendations for strengthening the legal framework governing the labor relations of athletes within the EU, taking into account the unique characteristics of their professional activities and the legal framework of the participating countries.

Inter- and intra-team differences in professional sport fans’ environmental attitudes

PurposeSport has emerged as a powerful platform for promoting environmental awareness and action. Major collegiate and professional teams have implemented sustainability strategies, although some have hesitated to promote them out of concern for political polarization and fan alienation. This study aimed to examine differences in environmental attitudes among fans of two professional sport organizations competing in the same venue but in different sports.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 2,652 season ticket holders of the two organizations. The survey included measures of environmental awareness, perceived behavioral control, ascriptions of responsibility, awareness of team initiatives and green team fandom. Participants’ environmentalist status (active, passive or non-environmentalist) was also assessed. Analysis of variance was used to examine differences in environmental attitudes based on sport affiliation and environmentalist status.FindingsSignificant but small differences in environmental awareness and awareness of team initiatives based on sport affiliation were found. However, environmentalist status had a significant effect on environmental awareness, perceived behavioral control, ascriptions of responsibility and green team fandom, with active environmentalists scoring highest, followed by passive environmentalists and non-environmentalists. Surprisingly, fans’ environmentalist status did not significantly impact their awareness of team sustainability initiatives. Non-environmentalists, a substantial portion of the sample, did not express particularly negative attitudes toward sustainability.Originality/valueThis study extends previous research by examining fan attitudes toward environmental sustainability. It challenges the assumption that promoting sustainability initiatives may alienate fans, particularly non-environmentalists, and highlights the potential for sport organizations to leverage their unifying power to promote environmental action among diverse fanbases.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE PLAYERS OF CRICKET AND VOLLEYBALL

The pressure to perform well in every game can lead to significant psychological strain. The social dynamics of team sports also impact mental well-being. As a competitive team sport, cricket presents unique mental health challenges for players. Volleyball is an intermittent game where maintaining a high level of performance over time is required. A growing body of research has begun to focus on mental health within professional sports. This study aims to compare the mental health of cricket and volleyball players. 30 cricket and 30 volleyball players participated in the current study, aged 19 to 24. An independent t-test was used to determine whether there is any significant difference between cricket and volleyball players’ mental health. Cricket players exhibited poorer Mental health than Volleyball players. Gender-based differences revealed that Male Cricket players had poorer mental health than Male Volleyball players. No significant difference was found between the mental health of female players in both sports.

Forecasting Stadium Attendance Using Machine Learning Models: A Case of the National Football League

The study examines the use of machine learning models to forecast attendance at sports stadiums, specifically analyzing National Football League (NFL) games from 2000 to 2019, with over 5,055 regular-season games. The models, including Linear Regression, Classification and Regression Trees (CART), Random Forest, CatBoost, and XGBoost, integrate a diverse set of variables such as team performance, economic indicators, stadium characteristics, and weather conditions. Each model's accuracy and effectiveness are assessed using five statistical metrics. With a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.02 and a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.04, the models display high precision in predicting stadium attendance. The coefficient of determination (R²) reaches 77.27% after optimization. These figures suggest that the models, particularly Random Forest and CatBoost, are highly effective in forecasting attendance rates for NFL games. Key influences on game attendance include factors like 'stadium_name,' 'personal_income,' 'stadium_age,' and 'home_club_age', which emerge as significant predictors. This study fills a theoretical gap in the limited research on the NFL and provides valuable insights for strategic planning and decision-making in professional sports management.

The designated player dilemma: an analysis of demand for star players in Major League Soccer

ABSTRACT Research Question In 2007, Major League Soccer (MLS) implemented a designated player (DP) rule that permitted clubs to pay salaries to certain players above the pre-existing salary cap. The policy attracted previously unaffordable talent to the league and successfully increased matchday attendance, an important revenue source for MLS. We investigate whether the number of designated players appearing in a match impacts fan attendance at matches. Research Methods Utilizing attendance and match data from MLS matches from 2010 to 2018, we estimate a series of regressions to analyse the effect that DPs had on live attendance. Results and Findings Our findings indicate that the optimum number of DPs that maximize attendance ranges between four and five and this turning point does not differ between standard DPs or marquee DPs. Furthermore, when splitting DPs based on home or visiting sides, there is only a non-linear impact on home DPs. Implications Our findings have important managerial implications for MLS and other professional sport leagues that have special exemptions to allow teams to sign a set amount of star talent. Indeed, MLS has considered reducing the number of DPs that a franchise can sign to maximize the financial benefits of star players in the league.

Uncovering structural barriers to youth engagement in professional sports in Belgrade: A qualitative study

The structural barriers faced by young athletes in Belgrade during their transition to professional sports are analyzed in the context of socio-economic changes, with particular focus on the impact of transitioning to adulthood in post-socialist societies like Serbia. Utilizing the theoretical approach of social biography, the study examines how social structures and individual actions shape the life trajectories of these young athletes. The qualitative research includes semi-structured interviews with athletes from professional clubs in Belgrade, the epicenter of sports activities in the country. The aim is to identify the key structural barriers that hinder the professional development of athletes and to analyze the strategies they use to overcome these obstacles. The findings show that these challenges result from the complex interaction of socio-structural constraints and reliance on family resources, significantly shaping their social biographies and careers in sports.

First-price auction with a stochastic head start

AbstractWe consider a two-player first-price sealed-bid auction for an item with a common value, where one player has a head start with a stochastic value. We show that under mild conditions, there exists a unique Bayesian Nash equilibrium in pure strategies in which the player with the head start buys the item at a price equal to its value minus the minimal value of the head start rather than its expected value. Thus, the seller extracts an information rent. Applications of the results in professional sports are considered.

Luci e ombre nella riforma del lavoro sportivo

The Legislative Decree No. 36/2021 has had a significant impact on the regulation of labour relations in the sport sector, overcoming, among other things, the traditional legislative disregard for amateur work. The reform increases labour protections for individuals who professionally engage in sports activities, but at the same time aims to respect the specific nature of sports as an autonomous order, especially when it comes to the economic burden of sports organizations. The article starts by analysing the new concept of worker in the sector, which spans both professional and amateur sports. Then, the article proceeds by addressing the issue of classification between subordination and self-employment. The reform confirms the traditional dichotomy between professionals, which are subject to a stringent presumption of subordinate work, and amateurs, which in most cases are self-employed under article 409, No. 3 of the Italian Civil Procedure Code, with limited employment protections. In the final section the article briefly addresses the issue of voluntary work in the sport sector.

Community sports leaders' perceptions of the risks and benefits of gambling sponsorship in community sport.

Gambling sponsorship of professional sport, particularly relating to online wagering, has been a key focus of global regulatory reform efforts to address the normalization of gambling. In Australia, gambling companies and venues (including community clubs and hotels) also sponsor and develop relationships with community (non-professional) sports teams and clubs. In-depth interviews (n = 24) were conducted with senior leaders in community sporting organizations in Australia with an aim of understanding the factors that shape decisions about accepting or refusing gambling sponsorships and partnerships. A reflexive approach to thematic analysis was used to construct three themes from the data. First, participants considered the alignment of values between the sponsor and the community sporting organization. While most stated that gambling and sport should not be aligned through sponsorship, some forms of sponsorship (for example from community clubs) were perceived as less harmful than others (such as online wagering). Second, some thought that while there were ethical ways to engage with gambling sponsors such as not promoting sponsors' products, they were concerned about how gambling sponsorship might have an overall impact on the community. Third, was the impact of gambling sponsorships on the organization's reputation, and balancing this with a need for financial stability. Decisions to accept (or reject) gambling sponsorship were influenced by a range of perceived risks and benefits. Addressing the acceptance of gambling sponsorships among community sporting organizations could involve several approaches to interventions, including regulation, formal policies to guide sponsorship decisions and education about the risks of accepting these sponsorships.

Does a Professional Sport Team’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative Increase Fans’ Trust in the Team and CSR Participation Intention? A Moderated Mediation Model

Does a Professional Sport Team’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative Increase Fans’ Trust in the Team and CSR Participation Intention? A Moderated Mediation Model

Somatotype in Adolescent Rhythmic Gymnasts from Bulgaria

A specific body constitution of rhythmic gymnasts (RGs) has a positive impact on their performance and is essential in selecting talents in the field of professional sports. The aim of this study is to assess the anthropometric characteristics of Bulgarian adolescent rhythmic gymnasts in order to identify their somatotypes. A total of 32 RGs divided into three age categories (16 pre-juniors, aged 8–10 years; 11 juniors, aged 11–12 years; and 5 seniors, aged 13–14 years) volunteered to participate in this study. All athletes participate in national championships and have training experience for at least two years, not less than 20 hours weekly. Using Martin–Saller's anthropometric method (1957) ten anthropometric measurements are conducted. Heath–Carther's methodology (1990) is used to determine the three somatotype components (endomorph, mesomorph, ectomorph). One-Way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests are used to compare intergroup differences (p &lt; 0.05). All analyses are conducted using SPSS 16 statistics software for Windows. Body height and weight of adolescent Bulgarian RGs increase significantly from the age of 8 to 14 years. Comparative analysis of the other morphological characteristics has shown significant intergroup differences according to the biepicondylar diameter of the humerus and subscapular skinfold between the pre-junior and junior group and upper arm circumferences between a pre-junior and senior group. The somatotype of rhythmic gymnasts of all assessed categories is 2.36–3.79–1.13 and indicates the endo-mesomorphic dominant type. The current study emphasizes the role of somatotypology in sports practice, in particular rhythmic gymnastics. The established somatotype in adolescent gymnasts from Bulgaria can be used as a basis in their sports training and selection process.

The role of athlete brands for the international marketing of professional sports leagues: a case study of the German Bundesliga in Asia

The role of athlete brands for the international marketing of professional sports leagues: a case study of the German Bundesliga in Asia

Two on a tightrope: the stress experiences of the romantic partners of professional athletes

The romantic partner of a professional athlete can play a pivotal role in preserving performance and well-being (Brown et al., 2018). However, through their direct or indirect experiences partners have to cope with the stressors of professional sport that can impact relationship functioning, well-being and performance. Therefore, to help sport organizations better support romantic partners, the aim of this study was to explore partner’s stress experiences within professional sports by adopting an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. Eight romantic partners (female partners n = 5; football (n = 2), paralympic rowing, boxing and long-distance running; male n = 3; middle-distance running, football, and tennis) participated in semi-structured interviews. Explained through the metaphor of ‘two on a tightrope’, partners balanced a dynamic range of stress-related themes; navigating the romantic space, sacrifices- some willing and some reluctant, feeling undervalued and unimportant, the sporting performance, receiving or dealing with abuse, and life after sport. To handle unfolding events, partners employed proactive coping, social support, avoidance coping, re-appraisal, supportive dyadic coping, protective buffering, acceptance, and problem-focused coping strategies.