Competitive Sports Research Articles

Development of A Comprehensive Test for Talent Identification in Chinese Youth Racewalking Athletes

Background and Aim: Talent identification forms the foundation of competitive sports. Scientific selection of young people with strong athletic talent and potential to compete in sports training is key to developing high-level athletes and achieving excellent athletic results. Therefore, this study aims to develop a comprehensive test for talent identification in Chinese youth racewalking athletes. Materials and Methods: This is a research and experimental development (R&D) study. There are approximately 300 youth racewalkers in China, and this study is implemented in 115 athletes. The main steps and methods of the study are as follows: (1) Literature review and content analysis, search and sort out the factors related to excellent racewalking performance; (2) Invite 7 experts to fill in the semi-structured questionnaire and form a preliminary draft of the comprehensive test; (3) Invite 21 experts to conduct a Delphi evaluation of the comprehensive test content and revise the comprehensive test; (4) Implement the comprehensive test and analyze the data, select the key test through correlation analysis, and conduct a Test-retest analysis to confirm test reliability; (5) Complete the second round of Delphi evaluation and to construct the final comprehensive test and norms. Results: The final comprehensive test for talent identification in Chinese youth racewalking athletes includes five aspects: anthropometric, physiological, physical fitness, skill, and psychology. The comprehensive test for males included 11 items as follows: (1) Pelvic Width; (2) Thigh Length; (3) Calf Length; (4) VO2 max; (5) 400m Run; (6) 3000m Run; (7) 1000m Racewalking; (8) Sit and Reach; (9) Willpower; (10) Mental Resilience; and (11) Expectation of Winning. The comprehensive test for females included 8 items as follows: (1) Thigh Length; (2) Calf Length; (3) VO2 max; (4) 400m Run; (5) 1000m Racewalking; (6) Standing Long Jump; (7) Willpower; and (8) Motivation to Participate. Conclusion: The holistic evaluation of Chinese youth racewalking athletes encompasses a diverse range of factors, from physical dimensions to psychological attributes, reflecting a nuanced understanding of talent beyond mere physical prowess.

Sex-Specific Differences in Cardiovascular Adaptations and Risks in Elite Athletes: Bridging the Gap in Sports Cardiology.

The growing participation of women in competitive sports necessitates a comprehensive understanding of sex-specific cardiovascular adaptations and risks. Historically, research has predominantly focused on male athletes, leaving a gap in knowledge about the unique cardiovascular dynamics of female peers. we hypothesized that female athletes exhibit distinct cardiovascular adaptations and face different risks, influenced by physiological, hormonal, and structural differences. A systematic review of the literature was conducted, analyzing studies on cardiovascular responses and adaptations in athletes. Data were extracted on hemodynamic changes, autonomic and neural reflex regulation, cardiac remodeling, and arrhythmias. Comparative analyses were performed to identify sex-specific patterns and discrepancies in cardiovascular health outcomes. We revealed considerable sex differences in cardiovascular adaptations to athletic training. Female athletes generally have longer QT intervals, greater sinoatrial node automaticity, and enhanced atrioventricular node function compared to males. They also exhibit lower sympathetic activity, lower maximal stroke volumes, and a tendency toward eccentric cardiac remodeling. Conversely, male athletes are more prone to concentric hypertrophy and higher incidences of bradyarrhythmia and accessory pathway arrhythmias. Female athletes are more likely to experience symptomatic atrial fibrillation and face higher procedural complications during catheter ablation. Our findings underscore the necessity for sex-specific approaches in sports cardiology. Recognizing and addressing these differences could enhance performance and reduce adverse cardiac events in athletes. Future research should focus on developing tailored screening, prevention, and treatment strategies to bridge the knowledge gap and promote cardiovascular health in both male and female athletes.

The Impact of Competitive Sports on the Mental Health of Young People

Introduction Mental health is a crucial component of overall well-being for everyone, and it becomes particularly important in the context of young student-athletes who must simultaneously meet educational and athletic challenges. Athletes, like their peers, struggle with various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, sleep deficits, burnout, and overtraining. The additional activity of engaging in competitive sports, compared to those who do not, can exacerbate these symptoms. The aim of study Identify and analyze specific sources of stress and mental health issues among young student-athletes and young individuals. Compare different research groups. Conclusion Student-athletes face the unique challenge of balancing intense training and sports competitions with educational demands. The constant pursuit of peak performance and coping with high expectations can lead to significant psychological stress. Factors such as injuries, overtraining, social identity issues, and sleep problems further impact their mental health, often leading to the development or worsening of existing mental health issues. It is important to note that professional psychological care is essential in managing the training schedule of a young athlete. For their development to be balanced across various dimensions such as proper physical growth, well-being, and mental wellness, this support is crucial.

Lifetime physical activity influences Parkinson's disease progression

IntroductionPast studies suggested that Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who engage in physical activity (PA) after diagnosis have slower motor progression. Here, we examine the influence of lifetime PA prior to PD onset on motor, cognitive, and overall functional decline among PD patients. MethodsFor 495 participants in the Parkinson's Environment and Gene (PEG) studies, we collected PA-related measures through interviews and quantified these using metabolic equivalents (MET) scores. PD progression was defined as time to a Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS-III) conversion to ≥ 35 points, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) ≥ 3, and a 4-point decline in Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). We used Cox frailty models to estimate hazard ratios and inverse probability weights to account for heterogeneity by enrollment wave and censoring. ResultsFor PD patients reporting the highest lifetime strenuous MET-h/wk (highest quartile), we estimated a lower HR for time-to-UPDRS-III-conversion (Q4 vs. Q1: HR = 0.56, 95 % CI = [0.36, 0.87]). Additionally, having engaged in any competitive sport also reduced the risk of reaching a UPDRS-III ≥ 35 points (low vs. none: HR = 0.61, 95 % CI = [0.44, 0.86]; high vs. none: HR = 0.63; 95 % CI = [0.44,0.86]); high levels of sports activities also affected progression on the H&Y scale (high vs. none: HR = 0.73; 95 % CI = [0.46,1.00]). Lifetime PA measures did not affect time-to-MMSE decline. ConclusionOur study suggests that PD patients who engaged in higher levels of lifetime strenuous PA and competitive sports prior to PD diagnosis experience slower motor and overall functional decline, suggesting that lifetime PA may contribute to a physical reserve advantageous for PD patients.

Zero Hunger by 2030 - SDG 2 We are off target, AGAIN

According to the just released report, the world is still off target when it comes to meeting SDG 2, zero hunger. Hunger affects 1/5 in Africa, 1/11 globally, is on the rise in Africa, remains the same in Asia, while notable progress is being made in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is noted that fewer and fewer people are able to afford a heathy diet, a diet that is diverse in form and nutrients. Obesity is on the rise globally and in some population groups which did not know of it before, mainly because of poor food choices and also adopting foreign dietary habits, and sedentary lifestyles. Anaemia in women is on the rise, meaning their reproductive health and that of their offsprings are affected. The report does not paint a good picture for Africa as it reveals a slow reduction in stunting and wasting. It shows a continent that has been slow to recover from negative COVID impacts. "Financing to End Hunger, Food Insecurity and Malnutrition in All its Forms" is the theme. It is noted that only 25% of ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) goes towards financing food and nutrition programs. Clearly, this needs to be improved, especially following the many pledges that have been made this far. The realization continues to be that serious political will is needed to be able to achieve this. The question is: who is supposed to demonstrate this political will? As I have written before, we have had many global and regional meetings, all addressing world hunger, malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency. In this report, there is a call to many to do more: donors, both corporate and individual; Governments need to commit more, why? Sovereign nations need to grow their economies in order to serve their people, in order for their countries to participate equitably in building and promoting the world economy. I have enjoyed watching the 2024 Olympics in Paris. In a short span of three weeks, we have seen the best sports competition ever. We see pure human talent. I was a sports nut in my youth but never heard of the Olympics until I was a lot older. It is one thing to have talent, and it is another to have access to showcase it and use it to God's glory, and to encourage others. The report at hand is on how to find resources to finance food and nutrition and poverty eradication programs. Look, without a fairly decent life, no one can make it to the Olympics. How proud I feel when I see the Kenyan Flag on the podium, and the National anthem played all because a Kenyan has won a bronze, a silver or a gold. This time around there were countries receiving their first medal ever, ever since the Games started in 1776 at Olympia in southern Greece and revived in 1896. Some of the athletes come from fairly disadvantaged environments, practice poorly and do not even have coaches let alone experts on programming or diet. What if they had exactly what is needed to make an excellent athlete? Or even half of it? And diet is huge in this case. An athlete needs to build good muscle and to learn how to release energy depending on the sport. Should we not prioritize and adequately fund food and nutrition programs in order to give everyone an equal chance of achieving a healthy body? This report was emphasizing how far off target we are from meeting SDG 2, Zero hunger. We need political will, at all levels. Let us work on it.

Association Between Involvement in Basketball and Cognitive Functioning of Elite Male and Female Basketball Leagues Players in Nigeria

Sports are physical activity that consists of rules, competition, challenge, entertainment and uncertainties. Competitive sports could be seen as those sports governed by a set of rules or customs, which serve to ensure fair competition, and allow consistent adjudication of the winner. This study ascertained the association between level of involvement in basketball and cognitive functioning of elite male and female basketball premier league players in Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised of male and female basketball players in Nigeria. A total of 240 (120 males from the Premier League and 120 females from the Zenith league) basketball players in Nigeria selected using simple random sampling technique. A self-constructed 15 item questionnaire titled Involvement in Competitive Sports and Cognitive Functioning (ICSCF) was used to elicit information on from the level of cognitive functioning of elite basketball players in Nigeria. The results showed that there are two groups of items. The first group is made of 15 items while the second group is made up of 15 items. The mean of first group was 3.1±1 while the mean of group two was 2.1±0.7. df =28 and P-value = -0.20. P 0.05 this indicated that there was a significant association between the level of involvement of respondents in basketball and their level of cognitive functioning. The study concluded that coaches and trainers should combine both the practical and mental mode of trainings when preparing their athletes for competition for optimal performance outcomes. Keywords: Elite; Competition; Basketball; Premier Leagues; Cognitive Functioning

Longitudinal trajectories of intensity and direction of emotions among athletes in sports competitions: do defense mechanisms matter?

ABSTRACT Objectives This study explored whether several subgroups of athletes representing distinct trajectories of intensity and direction of pleasant and unpleasant emotions (anger, anxiety, dejection, excitement, and happiness) could be shown to exist within the latent growth analysis (LCGA). A secondary objective was to examine whether athletes belonging to distinct trajectories of intensity and direction of emotions reported distinct scores of adaptive defense mechanisms (ADM) and maladaptive defense mechanisms (MDM). Design A longitudinal four-wave measurement design was used in the present study. Method 380 athletes completed the sports emotion questionnaire direction across four measurement times and the defense style questionnaire at the beginning of the season. Results Results of LCGAs revealed several distinct emotional trajectories for each emotion intensity and emotion direction. Moreover, athletes belonging to distinct (adaptive or maladaptive) trajectories reported significantly different scores of ADM and MDM. Higher scores of ADM were reported by athletes belonging to adaptive trajectories of the direction of emotions. Conclusions Sports psychologists should try to promote ADM and defensive flexibility to help athletes perceive their emotions as facilitative.

Exploring the relationship between coach-initiated motivational climate and athlete well-being, resilience, and psychological safety in competitive sport teams

Exploring the relationship between coach-initiated motivational climate and athlete well-being, resilience, and psychological safety in competitive sport teams

The game management framework for sports refereeing: a structured perspective on officiating performance and its development

AbstractThe Game Management Framework for Sports Refereeing (GMFSR) provides a comprehensive and novel approach to understanding the performance of on-field interactor referees in competitive sports. It highlights key performance factors and focuses on the holistic integration of essential elements. According to the GMFSR, officiating performance is based on a referee’s embodied concepts: rules, laws and regulations and game knowledge; contextual judgment; physical fitness, positioning, and signaling; and dynamic communication and arbitration. These elements underpin the four skills of administering the game, decision-making, creating presence, and guiding the game, which together make up a referee’s game management competency. In addition, the framework emphasizes the importance of a referee mindset, stressing the influence of personal attributes and adaptive strategies on overall performance. Developed by integrating empirical evidence, different conceptual and theoretical perspectives, and expert knowledge from academia and practice, the GMFSR aims to provide a comprehensive foundation on which to stimulate ideas for the education and training of referees. It is hoped that by considering all elements of the GMFSR at the novice level and developing them throughout a referee’s career, it will provide holistic yet focused training, and serve as a valuable resource for future research.

Perceived Halo Effect in Referee Evaluations in Sport: A Scale Development Study

This study was conducted to develop a scale that can measure the relationship between the Halo effect and the evaluations made by referees about athletes' performances, who should make subjective evaluations in sport competitions. The population of the study consisted of 247 referees who were on duty in various sports and in different classifications and who were registered for the year 2023. The items of the scale were produced by the researcher with the support of the literature and it was determined that the items provided content validity (CVI=0.925). After the pilot study, reliability analysis was performed and Alpha=0.970 was found. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to reveal the construct validity of the scale and Alpha=0.972 was found. The fit statistics calculated by confirmatory factor analysis were found to be compatible with the previously determined factor structure of the scale at an acceptable level. In the results of the analyses, it was determined that factor loadings were high, standard error values were low, t values were significant and the construct validity of the predetermined factor structure was confirmed. In addition, as a result of the item discrimination test, it was determined that the scale was able to make a sensitive discriminative measurement (p<0.05). It was found that the scale provided convergent and divergent validity (CR>AVE>0.5), ICC values related to the agreement between test-retest measurements were high, there was no difference between test-retest correlation values, and the scale made reliable measurements based on short time (p<0.05). As a result, it was concluded that the "Perceived Halo Effect Scale in Referee Evaluations in Sport" is a valid and reliable scale.

Representatives, Reflection, Roles, and Responsibilities: The Metajournalistic Discourse on the Press Boycott of Naomi Osaka

Metajournalism is the term used in communication science to describe the public discussion of journalism. Studies on how reflexive reporting occurs in sports journalism are rare, which is surprising considering the close sports media intertwining. When tennis player Naomi Osaka declared her intention to skip press conferences during the 2021 French Open to raise awareness of the psychological pressures placed on elite athletes, this triggered a sports-related metajournalistic discourse. This study provides a systematic description of this discourse using a qualitative content analysis of 102 online articles in quality, tabloid and sports media. Only minimal self-criticism was found, and journalists primarily attributed the responsibility for the topic of mental health to the system of competitive sports. Unsurprisingly, there are significant differences in the quality and quantity of reporting in the various genres. In every form of media, Osaka’s own representation occupies a significant amount of space. All media genres have a tendency to portray the arguments of non-media representatives, especially those from the tennis world, rather than articulate their own perspectives. This study contributes to the understanding of public negotiation processes regarding roles and responsibilities in sports journalism.

Toward a more culturally nuanced approach to assessing athletic and exercise identities in sport psychology research: a confirmatory factor analysis approach with South Korean male student-athletes

ABSTRACT The identities of “athlete” and “exerciser” share conceptual similarities but can be differentiated by the ways in which their respective objectives, motivations, and intentions significantly diverge. However, there is a gap in the literature addressing the ambiguity and inconsistent use of these terms in the context of South Korea. The linguistic discrepancy in how these terms are conceptualised and operationalised has important implications for the study of athletes’ long-term health and well-being, where a nuanced perspective on identity is necessary for understanding physical activity behaviour and health outcomes through the transition out of competitive sport. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to refine the terminology used in the previously translated versions of the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale and Exercise Identity Scale and examine whether refined questionnaires appropriately represent similar but distinct concepts. Using software program R, this aim was addressed through a two-factor confirmatory factor analysis of the measurement scales within a sample of South Korean male student-athletes (N = 232, Mage = 19.93 ± 1.22 years). Global fit indices of the final model demonstrated acceptable fit χ2 (101) = 208.512, p < .01, CFI = .95, RMSEA = .07 (90% Confidence Interval: .06 – .08), SRMR = .06 and the local fit indices further supported convergent and discriminant validity of the scales within the sample. Recognition of cultural differences and nuances related to the terms “athlete” vs. “exerciser” and “sport” vs. “exercise” is important for fostering a comprehensive understanding of these identities within sport and exercise psychology research.

Scientific Assessment of Agility Performance in Competitive Sports: Evolution, Application, Reliability, and Validity

Scientific Assessment of Agility Performance in Competitive Sports: Evolution, Application, Reliability, and Validity

Delivering project SCORE in competitive youth sport settings.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Project SCORE intervention in fostering Positive Youth Development (PYD) within competitive youth sport settings in Portugal. Project SCORE is an online PYD-focused tool developed to assist coaches in promoting the 4Cs-competence, confidence, connection, and character-within their coaching. The research involved 13 coaches and 70 youth athletes from football and rowing teams. Methodologically, this study analyzed the pre- and post- Project SCORE intervention data, assessing the perceptions of coaches and athletes towards the development of the 4Cs. Results indicated significant improvements in athletes' perceptions of 4Cs post-intervention, and among coaches' perceptions, there was a significant improvement in the practice and transfer of life skills. Particularly, coaches showed enhanced abilities in fostering life skills and facilitating the transfer of these skills to competitive environments, although some dimensions like sport climate did not sustain positive changes. The findings highlight the benefits of customized PYD-based programs in competitive youth sports and suggest the need for further research to enhance their widespread and consistent implementation.

Activity levels across the intensity spectrum in athletes: a systematic review protocol

Physical activity (PA) promotes better cardiometabolic health, physical function, brain health and longevity. In contrast, prolonged sedentary behaviour (SB) is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and poor health....

Receiver operating characteristic analysis for paired comparison data

Abstract Paired comparison models are used for analysing data that involves pairwise comparisons among a set of objects. When the outcomes of the pairwise comparisons have no ties, the paired comparison models can be generalized as a class of binary response models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and their corresponding areas under the curves are commonly used as performance metrics to evaluate the discriminating ability of binary response models. Despite their individual wide range of usage and their close connection to binary response models, ROC analysis to our knowledge has never been extended to paired comparison models since the problem of using different objects as the reference in paired comparison models prevents traditional ROC approach from generating unambiguous and interpretable curves. We focus on addressing this problem by proposing two novel methods to construct ROC curves for paired comparison data which provide interpretable statistics and maintain desired asymptotic properties. The methods are then applied and analysed on head-to-head professional sports competition data.

‘Writing is not like doing’: girls’ views and perceptions of physical education provision in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT Girls’ experiences in Physical Education (PE) is an established area of research in the Western world. Yet, a lack of research on girls’ unique challenges and experiences in various parts of the world creates a gap in understanding how cultural, educational, social and economic factors affect girls’ experiences. The present study was designed to examine girls’ views and experiences of the implementation of PE in female-only state schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The national context of KSA is unique, with PE only recently being incorporated in girls’ curriculum, as part of a national reform effort to improve the quality of education and to empower girls (Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030). Between September-December 2022, 30 girls (aged 12–15) from three secondary schools were recruited to be study participants. A total of seven focus groups (with an average of 4–5 girls per group) were carried out utilizing interactive, participatory research activities. Two main themes are reported. Firstly, most girls persistently talked about the development of movement competency as a catalyst for personal growth and the accruement of health benefits. PE was also seen as a gateway for female empowerment, equitable access to sports, including competition in traditional non-female sports. Yet, girls expressed concerns about the lack of practical opportunities in PE, limited resources and teachers’ lack of expertise, which all appeared to affect their confidence in participating in PE and physical activity. The strength of the girls’ voice in the present study reinforces the need for careful (re)consideration of the PE curriculum to better align provision with girls’ interests in a genuine attempt to treat them fairly. To drive change in PE and advance future research, directing further investment towards appropriate professional development would better support teachers to review and improve the quality of provision.

Vigorous Exercise in Patients With Congenital Long QT Syndrome: Results of the Prospective, Observational, Multinational LIVE-LQTS Study.

Whether vigorous exercise increases risk of ventricular arrhythmias for individuals diagnosed and treated for congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) remains unknown. The National Institutes of Health-funded LIVE-LQTS study (Lifestyle and Exercise in the Long QT Syndrome) prospectively enrolled individuals 8 to 60 years of age with phenotypic and/or genotypic LQTS from 37 sites in 5 countries from May 2015 to February 2019. Participants (or parents) answered physical activity and clinical events surveys every 6 months for 3 years with follow-up completed in February 2022. Vigorous exercise was defined as ≥6 metabolic equivalents for >60 hours per year. A blinded Clinical Events Committee adjudicated the composite end point of sudden death, sudden cardiac arrest, ventricular arrhythmia treated by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and likely arrhythmic syncope. A National Death Index search ascertained vital status for those with incomplete follow-up. A noninferiority hypothesis (boundary of 1.5) between vigorous exercisers and others was tested with multivariable Cox regression analysis. Among the 1413 participants (13% <18 years of age, 35% 18-25 years of age, 67% female, 25% with implantable cardioverter defibrillators, 90% genotype positive, 49% with LQT1, 91% were treated with beta-blockers, left cardiac sympathetic denervation, and/or implantable cardioverter defibrillator), 52% participated in vigorous exercise (55% of these competitively). Thirty-seven individuals experienced the composite end point (including one sudden cardiac arrest and one sudden death in the nonvigorous group, one sudden cardiac arrest in the vigorous group) with overall event rates at 3 years of 2.6% in the vigorous and 2.7% in the nonvigorous exercise groups. The unadjusted hazard ratio for experience of events for the vigorous group compared with the nonvigorous group was 0.97 (90% CI, 0.57-1.67), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.17 (90% CI, 0.67-2.04). The upper 95% one-sided confidence level extended beyond the 1.5 boundary. Neither vigorous or nonvigorous exercise was found to be superior in any group or subgroup. Among individuals diagnosed with phenotypic and/or genotypic LQTS who were risk assessed and treated in experienced centers, LQTS-associated cardiac event rates were low and similar between those exercising vigorously and those not exercising vigorously. Consistent with the low event rate, CIs are wide, and noninferiority was not demonstrated. These data further inform shared decision-making discussions between patient and physician about exercise and competitive sports participation. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02549664.

Investigating and Forecasting Momentum Shift Effects on Strategy Development in Sports Competitions

Investigating and Forecasting Momentum Shift Effects on Strategy Development in Sports Competitions

Basic Psychological Needs in the Face of Achievement Vulnerability: A Study in Young Team Athletes.

The susceptibility of athletes to experience of emotional and psychological difficulties arising from the pressure and expectations associated with achieving and maintaining high performance can become a vulnerability in the desire to achieve success in sport. This study aims to investigate the protective value in the perception of satisfaction in basic psychological needs against the vulnerability that perfectionism generates in the appearance of reactivity linked to fear of failure. A cross-sectional, relational, and semi-randomized research design was used, applying perfectionism, fear of failure, and basic psychological needs measures adapted to both the competitive sports context and the Spanish language in a sample of 372 young Spanish athletes, under descriptive analyses and predictive models. The results showed that as the age of the participants increased, the indicators of perfectionism and fear of failure decreased, with no gender differences. The results offer and confirm the positive relationships between the dimensions of perfectionism and fear of making mistakes (where processes such as self-devaluation and fear of failing the people that participants deemed as important to them are intertwined). The perception of satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of autonomy, social relationships, and competence emerges as protective factors that mediate the perfectionism-fear of failure relationship. On the other hand, discrepancies are shown between the perfectionist dimensions concerning the relationships with the BPNs, describing certain sources of vulnerability, although there are adjustments of mental effort and discomfort in the young athletes. The conclusions offer the opportunity to investigate the aspects that facilitate the emergence of fear of failure in young athletes, mainly the performance of coaches connected to the emergence of patterns in pursuit of perfection.