Success In Sport Research Articles

Topical Review: Perceptual-cognitive Skills, Methods, and Skill-based Comparisons in Interceptive Sports

We give a comprehensive picture of perceptual-cognitive (PC) skills that could contribute to performance in interceptive sports. Both visual skills that are low level and unlikely influenced by experience and higher-level cognitive-attentional skills are considered, informing practitioners for identification and training and alerting researchers to gaps in the literature.Perceptual-cognitive skills and abilities are keys to success in interceptive sports. The interest in identifying which skills and abilities underpin success and hence should be selected and developed is likely going to grow as technologies for skill testing and training continue to advance. Many different methods and measures have been applied to the study of PC skills in the research laboratory and in the field, and research findings across studies have often been inconsistent. In this article, we provide definitional clarity regarding whether a skill is primarily visual attentional (ranging from fundamental/low-level skills to high-level skills) or cognitive. We review those skills that have been studied using sport-specific stimuli or tests, such as postural cue anticipation in baseball, as well as those that are mostly devoid of sport context, considered general skills, such as dynamic visual acuity. In addition to detailing the PC skills and associated methods, we provide an accompanying table of published research since 1995, highlighting studies (for various skills and sports) that have and have not differentiated across skill groups.

Genç Kadın Yüzücülerde Kinantropometrik Profilin Bacak Kuvveti ve El Kavrama Kuvveti Üzerine Etkisi

Morphological structure and anthropometric values are the most important factors affecting sporting performance and success. Alongside these elements, the relationship between basic motoric characteristics and sporting success should also not be underestimated, and strength is regarded as a precondition for numerous branches of sport. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of the kinanthropometric profile on leg strength and hand grip strength in young female swimmers in order to evaluate the relationship between physical structure and strength. The swimmers whose anthropometric measurements were obtained were all licensed athletes in our region. The athletes in the study were aged 9-14 years, and measurements were performed in the pool in the presence of their coaches before morning training. After athletes’ height and weight had been measured, a total of 24 anthropometric measurements were performed on all participants, including circumference, diameter, width, and length values, using an anthropometric set. Athletes’ hand grip and leg strength were then measured using hand and foot dynamometry. Data compatibility with normal distribution was assessed using theKolmogorov-Smirnov test (p>0.05). Levels of relationships between measurement values were determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The research findings were expressed as mean plus standard deviation. Analysis revealed positive correlation between all anthropometric measurements and hand grip strength and leg strength.

Grit in sport: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Understanding the personality characteristics that help and/or hinder competitive success in sport is of great interest to many sport psychology researchers. Grit (i.e. passion and perseverance towards long-term goals) is one such construct that has recently gained popularity in the sport domain. This scoping review explored the associations between grit and the cognitive, affective, and behavioural variables that reside within athletes and sport settings. Ninety publications were identified through various search strategies. The majority of studies explored relationships between grit and athlete sex, athlete skill/competitive level, sport performance, motivation, mindfulness, self-compassion, and deliberate practice. Constructs that have been previously critiqued as sharing significant variance with grit were also collated from the existing research. Six collegiate-level coaches were consulted as knowledgeable stakeholders and provided input to the results of the scoping review. These results allowed for the identification of future research considerations, including ameliorating current issues regarding grit measurement in sport contexts, and the designing and testing of interventions aimed at increasing athlete grit levels. Additional research with stronger methodological design and rigour is needed, and recommendations to enhance the quality of future studies with athletes are discussed.

Frequency of occurrence of genetic polymorphisms associated with sports success in elite athletes in team sports

Objective: to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of polymorphisms rs1815739 (ACTN3 gene), rs2016520 (PPARD gene), rs1042713 (ADRB2 gene), rs1799945 (HFE gene) in athletes of high­performance sports.Materials and methods: genotyping was performed using allele­specific amplification with real­time detection of the results and using TaqMan probes.Results: a higher frequency of alleles associated with endurance was found: the t allele of the rs1815739 polymorphism (ACTN3 gene), the g allele of the rs2016520 polymorphism (PPARD gene), the g allele of the rs1042713 polymorphism (ADRB2 gene), and the g allele of the rs1799945 polymorphism (HFE gene) in athletes of game sports.Conclusion: the results of genotyping of polymorphisms associated with endurance in the examined athletes showed a higher frequency of occurrence than in the population as a whole.

Level of speed abilities of young football players in various training periods

Purpose: At the highest level of the competition, the players tend to have a comprehensive motor, technical-tactical and mental preparation. It is assumed that in the training process of young players, speed is an important factor determining sports success. Therefore, the aim of the study was to try to compare the speed abilities indicator of young footballers during the summer and winter preparatory period. Material and methods: The research was conducted in July 2019 and January 2020 in Poznań. The research subject consisted of 23 young players of the Warta Poznań club in the age category of the junior football players (U14). Results: The results were statistically processed, basic descriptive characteristics were made, the normality of the distribution of differences was checked using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the collected results from two tests dates were compared using the Student's t-test for dependent samples. Based on the the conducted research, no significant change in the starting speed level was observed at the distance of 5 meters and 15 meters, while an improvement in the level of speed abilities in terms of locomotion at the distance of 30 meters was noted. Conclusions. The level of running speed at a distance of 30 meters in the tested competitors changed in the six-month preparation cycle. There was no change in the starting speed level over the distance of 5 and 15 meters in the competition season between the preparatory period and the end of the autumn round in the competitors of the Poznań Warta club. On the basis of the conducted research, it is worth conducting experimental research based on individualized speed training on a group of 13 - 14 year old players.

СПЕЦИАЛИЗИРОВАННЫЕ ВОЗРАСТНЫЕ И КВАЛИФИКАЦИОННЫЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ ЭФФЕКТИВНОЙ АДАПТАЦИИ, ОТБОР ПО ПЕРСПЕКТИВНОСТИ И В СБОРНЫЕ КОМАНДЫ В СИСТЕМЕ ПОДГОТОВКИ СПОРТИВНОГО РЕЗЕРВА

Aim. The study aims to substantiate health monitoring, implement the effects of stress and adaptation, identify selection criteria and establish an integral rating indicator (IRI) in sports reserve training. Materials and methods. Representatives of cross-country skiing, swimming, middle-distance running, steeplechase, speed skating, wrestling, kickboxing, diving, orienteering, ice hockey were examined. The age of athletes varied from 18 to 22 years, their sports experience was 6–8 years. Sports skills level included the first adult category, Candidate for Master of Sport, Master of Sport, International Class Master of Sport. The following equipment was used in the study: Oxycon Pro Mobile, Schiller, Digi-Lite (Rimed), non-invasive AMP analyzer, MBN force platform, 3D scanner, polydynamometer, MARG 10-01 (Mikrolux). Data processing was performed with the methods of mathematical statistics. Results. Polyfunctional, metabolic, immunological features of resistance and special endurance were established. The criteria indicating successful sports performance, evaluative activity, connective tissue stability, neuroplasticity and adaptation were developed. Conclusion. The informative coefficients of statokinetic stability and resistance to hypoxia was obtained, as well as the integral rating indicator of successful competitive performance. An analysis of effective adaptation, fitness variability, normal limits, stable and premorbid health states, overtraining and overwork is proposed.

Quantification of Inter-Limb Symmetries With Rate of Force Development and Relaxation Scaling Factor.

The inter-limb (a)symmetries have been most often assessed with the tests that quantify the maximal muscle capacity. However, the rapid force production and relaxation during submaximal tasks is equally important for successful sports performance. This can be evaluated with an established rate of force development and relaxation scaling factor (RFD-SF/RFR-SF). The aims of our study were (1) to assess the intra-session reliability of shortened RFD-SF/RFR-SF protocol and its absolute and symmetry outcome measures, (2) to compare the main absolute RFD-SF/RFR-SF outcome measures (slopes of RFD-SF and RFR-SF: kRTD–SF and kRFR–SF, theoretical peak RFD/RFR: TPRFD and TPRFR) across gender and sports groups, and (3) to compare inter-limb symmetries across gender and sports groups for main outcome measures (kRFD–SF, kRFR–SF, TPRFD, and TPRFR). A cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of young health participants (basketball and tennis players, and students): 30 in the reliability study and 248 in the comparison study. Our results showed good to excellent relative and excellent absolute reliability for the selected absolute and symmetry outcome measures (kRFD–SF, kRFR–SF, TPRFD, and TPRFR). We found significantly higher absolute values for kRFD–SF and TPRFD in males compared to females for the preferred (kRFD–SF: 9.1 ± 0.9 vs. 8.6 ± 0.9/s) and the non-preferred leg (kRFD–SF: 9.1 ± 0.9 vs. 8.5 ± 0.8/s), while there was no effect of sport. Significantly lower symmetry values for kRFR–SF (88.4 ± 8.6 vs. 90.4 ± 8.0%) and TPRFR (90.9 ± 6.8 vs. 92.5 ± 6.0%) were found in males compared to females. Moreover, tennis players had significantly higher symmetry values for kRFR–SF (91.1 ± 7.7%) and TPRFR (93.1 ± 6.0%) compared to basketball players (kRFR–SF: 88.4 ± 8.7% and TPRFR: 90.9 ± 6.7%) and students (kRFR–SF: 87.6 ± 8.7% and TPRFR: 90.5 ± 6.7%). Our results suggest that the reduced RFD-SF/RFR-SF protocol is a valuable and useful tool for inter-limb (a)symmetry evaluation. Differences in symmetry values in kRFR–SF and TPRFR (relaxation phase) were found between different sports groups. These may be explained by different mechanisms underlying the muscle contraction and relaxation. We suggest that muscle contraction and relaxation should be assessed for in-depth inter-limb symmetry investigation.

Asian Games Success 2018 : Policy Elite Athlete Development and Development Indonesia

The success of elite sports in Indonesia plays an important role in building and constructing national identity. Along its development, the success of sport is pictured as symbol of national resurrection and sport winner as national icon. Status and power of sports Indonesia among other countries is measured by the country’s success of having achievement in international sport events. Elit sport development are implemented through sport introduction stage, monitoring, fostering, also developing talent and improving achievement (UU SKN No. 3 Tahun 2005). The system of elite sport development in Indonesia which is oriented to: a) build elite’s facility; b) support for athletes; c) provide training and sport science; and d) centered competition opportunity (Pelatnas) in the preparation of international competition. This study explores the sports achievements of Indonesia with the aims of maximizing the policy of elite sport development in Indonesia. The achievements of elite sports are the pride of the country, including obtaining diplomatic recognition, ideological competition and a belief that the success of sports in international level gives benefit for socio-politic in the nation, starting from feeling pleased, optimistic and giving impact economically, especially in relation to organizing elite sports competitions.Keyword: achievement, elite athlete, Indonesia, national identity, sport development

Neuromuscular Fitness Is Associated with Success in Sport for Elite Female, but Not Male Tennis Players.

Background: The purpose of the study was to examine whether neuromuscular fitness contributes significantly to the success of eAlite junior tennis players of differing ages and sexes. Methods: The 160 participants, who were elite Hungarian junior tennis players (aged 11–17), were separated into four groups within this study, and 10 different types of field tests were used. Results: A moderate significant correlation was found between the results of the 5 m run (r = −0.42; r = −0.45), standing long jump (r = 0.39; r = 0.56), overhand ball throw (r = 0.44; r = 0.53), serve (r = 0.39; r = 0.64), amount of push-ups in 30 seconds (r = 0.32; r = 0.48), 10 × 5 m run in a shuttle run (r = −0.34; r = −0.45), the spider run (r = −0.34; r = −0.52), and competitive tennis success among U14 and U18 girls. A significant correlation between the overhead medicine ball throw test value (r = 0.47) and the current competitive performance was found only among U18 elite female tennis players. In contrast, no correlation was found between the values of the U14 and U18 male tennis players and their current competitive performance. Conclusions: Additional studies are needed to identify interventions that can increase sport-specific neuromuscular fitness with the ultimate goal of achieving better performance.

Personality Determinants of Success in Men's Sports in the Light of the Big Five.

The aim of the study is to describe personality profiles and determinants of success in sports in relation to the Big Five Personality Model. In order to achieve this aim, personality profiles of players from various sports disciplines was set against the personality profile of champions—players who are considerably successful in sports competitions. Subsequently, an attempt was made to determine which personality traits significantly determine belonging to the group of champions—and therefore determine success in sport. The participants were men aged between 20 and 29 from the Polish population of sportsmen. A total of 1260 athletes were tested, out of whom 118 were qualified to the champions sample—those athletes had significant sports achievements. The research used the NEO-FFI Personality Questionnaire. Basic descriptive statistics, a series of Student’s t-tests for independent samples using the bootstrapping method, as well as a logistic regression model were performed. In relation to other athletes, champions were characterized by a lower level of neuroticism and a higher level of extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. An important personality determinant was neuroticism: the lower the level of neuroticism, the greater the probability of an athlete being classified as a champion. There are differences between champions and other athletes in all personality dimensions in terms of the Big Five. Based on the result of the research, it can be stated that personality differences should be seen as a consequence of athletes’ success, rather than as a reason for athletes’ success, based on their age between 20 and 29.

Editorial: Youth and Winter Sports

3. This congress was multidisciplinary with key notes and parallel sections on both life sciences and social sciences. We received communications about physical preparation, physiology, biomechanics, sport medicine, rehabilitation as well as history, sociology, management, psychology, teaching.The following world-class experts gave six key notes presentations:• Milena Parent (Canada) -Governance and legacy of the YOG.• Hans-Christer Holmberg (Sweden) -Biomechanics and physiology in nordic skiing.• Andrew Denning (USA) -History of the human-environment relationships in the Alps through the sport of skiing.• Erich E. Muller (Austria) -Biomechanics and prevention of injuries in alpine Skiing.• Oyvind Sandbakk (Norway) -Norwegian success in winter sports. Despite that the research topic was multidisciplinary in line with the content of the congress, only articles in exercise physiology, biomechanics and nutrition are published. years old -physiological characteristic (i.e., high total haemoglobin mass expressed in g/kg) is a relevant predictor of success at senior level in endurance sports as cross-country ski or triathlon.Finally, this research topic includes three reviews (compression garments, injuries and nutritional considerations) relevant to all winter sports:

Relationship Model of Perception of the Success of Iranian National Sports Teams with Islamic Cohesion and National Identity

The purpose of this study was to path analyze the perception of the success of Iranian national sports teams in international competitions with Islamic cohesion and national identity among Iranian ethnic groups. This is an applied study conducted using descriptive-survey method based on the structural equations. The statistical population was all Iranian citizens interested in national sports of different ethnicities who participated in the study voluntarily. A total number of 1037 cases of Iranian completed the online questionnaire and 968 questionnaires were analyzed. Research tools included the researcher-made sport success perception questionnaire, national identity scale (Heere & James, 2007), and Islamic coherence questionnaire of Morovat and Baghabanyan (2011). The content validity of the questionnaires were confirmed by the experts. The reliability of the questionnaires was calculated to be 0.78, 0.88, and 0.83, respectively using Cronbach's alpha coefficients. The confirmatory factor analysis in AMOS Software Version 23 confirmed the measurement models. Hypotheses testing showed that the sport's success perception has a significant positive effect (0.461) on the national identity. Moreover, the positive significant effect of Islamic coherence was observed on the national identity (0.473). The value of R2 also showed that the sports success perception and Islamic coherence variables could totally explain 64.9% of the variance of national identity. Generally, the findings show that sports success can be used as a stimulus for national identity and Islamic coherence among Iranian ethnic groups

Online ALMA Development

In our project graduates are our finest ambassadors and we are proud to count captains of industry, senior scientists and successful sports people among their number. Institute of Technology and Sciences ALUMNI ASSOCIATION links graduates and their alma mater. Membership of is free and automatic for all graduates and enables them to maintain a life-long relationship with their college. Graduates also benefit from a wide range of services including class reunions, alumni newsletter, souvenir gift items, alumni ID cards and access to a variety of alumni chapters around the world. With an office on campus This is also responsible for coordinating an online community for alumni worldwide, providing a unique opportunity to connect with other graduates via the Website. In our project graduates are our finest ambassadors and we are proud to count captains of industry, senior scientists and successful sports people among their number. Institute of Technology and Sciences ALUMNI ASSOCIATION links graduates and their alma mater. Membership of is free and automatic for all graduates and enables them to maintain a life-long relationship with their college. Graduates also benefit from a wide range of services including class reunions, alumni newsletter, alumni ID cards and access to a variety of alumni chapters around the world. With an office on campus This is also responsible for coordinating an online community for alumni worldwide, providing a unique opportunity to connect with other graduates via the Website Alumni can communicate to the students regarding job opportunities and the students can share the department technology activities to the alumni. The alumni and the student can communicate only through the admin permission. A system that will be able to manage alumni data of a college and provide easy access to the system. Final year students will be initially given a student login ID. Access to the system can help them in building connections to their projects or for placements. The system will automatically list all Alumni information their graduation and their status will be transferred from the student module to the alumni module.

Characteristics of Technical and Tactical Preparation of Elite Judokas during the World Championships and Olympic Games.

The basis for achieving success in sport is technical preparation supported by adequate level of physical fitness. During judo competitions, athletes use technique to meet tactical objectives aimed to achieve victory. The modification of the rules of combat in judo that has been carried out in recent years has changed the course of competition. It seems to be interesting if there are relations between technical and tactical preparation expressed by means of indices and modification of the course of the fight caused by changes in the rules. The purpose of the paper was to determine the values of technical and tactical preparation of judokas during competition at the elite level. A hundred and twenty bouts during the Olympic Games in London in 2012 as well as 136 bouts fought during the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro in 2013 were analyzed. Verification was performed by calculating indicators of technical and tactical preparation. The results show a significant correlation between the indicators of technical and tactical preparation and the ranking in the general classification of the analyzed competitions. There were no statistically significant correlations between the change of fighting rules and the level of the examined indices of technical and tactical preparation. The results of the study verified the appropriate method of preparation for the competitions analyzed.

Assessing Visual Exploratory Activity of Athletes in Virtual Reality Using Head Motion Characteristics.

Maximizing performance success in sports is about continuous learning and adaptation processes. Aside from physiological, technical and emotional performance factors, previous research focused on perceptual skills, revealing their importance for decision-making. This includes deriving relevant environmental information as a result of eye, head and body movement interaction. However, to evaluate visual exploratory activity (VEA), generally utilized laboratory settings have restrictions that disregard the representativeness of assessment environments and/or decouple coherent cognitive and motor tasks. In vivo studies, however, are costly and hard to reproduce. Furthermore, the application of elaborate methods like eye tracking are cumbersome to implement and necessitate expert knowledge to interpret results correctly. In this paper, we introduce a virtual reality-based reproducible assessment method allowing the evaluation of VEA. To give insights into perceptual-cognitive processes, an easily interpretable head movement-based metric, quantifying VEA of athletes, is investigated. Our results align with comparable in vivo experiments and consequently extend them by showing the validity of the implemented approach as well as the use of virtual reality to determine characteristics among different skill levels. The findings imply that the developed method could provide accurate assessments while improving the control, validity and interpretability, which in turn informs future research and developments.

The relative age effect is associated with career sport engagement in alpine ski racers attending training centers

ObjectivesThe relative age effect (RAE), a phenomenon where relatively older athletes in a selection year are overrepresented, has been evidenced across different sports and age-levels. No published reports have assessed if the RAE influences practice time for relatively younger athletes, which could contribute to sport success. In this study, we compared patterns for performance and sport engagement between earlier-born and later-born adolescent alpine ski racers from Austria (AUT) and the United States (US). Design and methodsWe assessed birth quarter distribution and performance trends using a performance (FIS) database (US: N = 2172; AUT: N = 516), and sport engagement through administering a practice history questionnaire to athletes attending ski academies/boarding schools (US: N = 169; AUT: N = 209). ResultsChi-square analyses revealed an underrepresentation of athletes born later in both samples. Mixed regressions only showed performance improvements for later-born US ski racers. Relatively younger athletes in Austria engaged in more individual and group practice over time, while no clear practice patterns emerged for US ski racers. ConclusionsResults suggest that later-born ski racers in Austria need to practice more to bridge skill/performance gaps with their relatively older peers. Additionally, later-born ski racers who do not put in extra practice may be deselected. Practice time may be less pivotal for relatively younger ski racers in the US due to less strict talent filtration systems. Coaches can ameliorate the RAE by dedicating more attention during practice towards developing relatively younger athletes who are transiently overshadowed by older, higher-performing athletes.

Athletic gymnastics. Basics of nutrition. Harmful health effects from anabolic steroids and doping

Rest and nutrition between workouts is a very influential and important part of an athlete's life. This time should be spent correctly, bringing the maximum benefit to the organism, after all efficiency of the next physical activities depends on rest. Proper nutrition is a premature and indispensable contribution to the success of heavy sports. No matter how intense and long the classes in the gym, they will not bring the desired effect without the right diet. It is very difficult for a modern person to calculate his food down to the smallest detail, count every calorie and avoid fast harmful snacks. But there are immutable rules - the principles of proper sports diet. If they are successfully implemented, then it will be possible to switch to special programs. So, the most important rule - That is, you need time!
 Every novice athlete should remember that when doing bodybuilding, all food should be divided into special segments - meals every three hours, after which you need to eat. You need to eat at least 5-6 times a day. For example, a butter bun and a glass of protein can be considered a meal. Distribute the number of calories consumed evenly throughout the training day. At the same time, you should not try to adhere to a strict calorie intake. Abrupt jumps and failures in your diet will only hinder the growth of muscle mass. When doing sports, breakfast comes first, because during this time you have to consume a significant amount of calories. The appropriate number of calories is recommended to consume after exercise, when the body requires large amounts of nutrients and trace elements. The first and fifth meals with a balanced diet are the most important periods. When eating out, make sure you have enough first-class protein in your diet to digest amino acids. Doctors recommend eating chicken, eggs, beef, all kinds of protein shakes and other dairy products.

REFLECTION AS A PROFESSIONAL-IMPORTANT QUALITY OF AN ATHLETE: PROBLEM STATEMENT AND RESULTS

Abstract. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that recently it is possible to notice a trend in the popularity of sports, an increase in the requirements for athletes (high-quality performance of sports activities, functions, the ability to develop potential capabilities), which determine success in sports and competitiveness. The article discusses various factors that affect the effectiveness and success of an athlete: individual psychological characteristics of a personality, his professionally important qualities, motivational sphere, mental states, volitional efforts. Among the listed factors, reflection is of no small importance as one of the professionally important qualities of an athlete. The theoretical analysis of the psychological and pedagogical literature made it possible to conclude that reflection is an activity that must be trained, master its features and use in one's sports activity. It acts as a system-forming characteristic of the cognitive activity of an individual, which allows one to build new patterns of one's behavior, to develop certain knowledge. The study of the problems of reflection in sports has both theoretical and practical significance in sports psychology and pedagogy. The systematic manifestation of reflection by an athlete contributes to the development of reflexivity as a quality. As a result, his recognition of the planned actions on the playing field will allow him to plan his actions in this situation. The article presents a meaningful characteristic of different types and forms of reflection. The aim of the research is to determine the level and types of reflexivity in athletes. The study involved 1545 athletes - students of sports schools of the Olympic reserve, children and youth schools, national teams of the Sverdlovsk region, Masters of Sports, Candidates for Master of Sports, athletes with I, II, III categories at the age of 14-18 years.

Sprinting and dribbling differences in young soccer players: a kinematic approach

ABSTRACT Sprinting and dribbling a ball are considered essential for success in team sports, such as soccer. The purpose of the present study was to examine straight line (SL) and changes of direction (COD) sprinting and dribbling abilities after a standing and a flying starting position. Twelve amateur U12 male soccer players participated in the study. The participants were tested in four different sprinting conditions. The first consisted of 15 m SL sprinting and dribbling test by standing position; the second consisted of 15 m SL sprinting and dribbling test by flying start. The third condition consisted of 15 m COD sprinting and dribbling test by standing position, and the fourth condition consisted of 15 m COD sprinting and dribbling test by flying start. T-tests analysis indicated significant differences between SL sprinting and dribbling sprinting tests (P < 0.05) and between standing and flying start positions (P < 0.05). Step frequency was higher for sprinting tests (P < 0.05). Moreover, the results showed that step length was longer when players had a standing position (P < 0.05). These findings emphasize the importance for trainers to add parts without ball, focused on the development of certain fitness and running components.

SPORT FACTORS AS CORRELATES OF SMOKING, DRINKING AND MULTIPLE SUBSTANCE MISUSE IN ADOLESCENCE: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Sport participation is frequently considered as protective factor against substance misuse (SUM) in adolescence, but there is an evident lack of empirical studies which examined this problem taking into account various facets of sport participation (sport factors). This study aimed to evaluate possible associations between various sport factors and SUM in older adolescents from Croatia. The sample comprised 788 adolescents (16-to 18 years of age, 45% females). Variables included sport factors (participation in individual and team sports, competitive achievement in sports, and experience in sports), and SUM data (cigarette smoking, harmful alcohol drinking (HD), and simultaneous HD and smoking [multiple-SUM]). Boys were more involved in sports, and were more likely to be engaged in HD and MSUM than girls. Logistic regressions provided no evidence about significant association between sport factors, and smoking and HD. Sport factors were significantly associated to multiple-SUM, with lower likelihood of MSUM in adolescents who achieved better sport success (OR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.40-0.78), who were involved in individual sports (OR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.50-0.91), and team sports (OR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.56-0.99). Sport factors may be observed as being protective against multiple-SUM, which is explained by characteristics of the sport participation in youth (i.e. orientation toward success, age-bonding, adult supervision).