Success In Sport Research Articles

Early career wins and tournament prestige characterize tennis players’ trajectories

Success in sports is a complex phenomenon that has only garnered limited research attention. In particular, we lack a deep scientific understanding of success in sports like tennis and the factors that contribute to it. Here, we study the unfolding of tennis players’ careers to understand the role of early career stages and the impact of specific tournaments on players’ trajectories. We employ a comprehensive approach combining network science and analysis of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tournament data and introduce a novel method to quantify tournament prestige based on the eigenvector centrality of the co-attendance network of tournaments. Focusing on the interplay between participation in central tournaments and players’ performance, we find that the level of the tournament where players achieve their first win is associated with becoming a top player. This work sheds light on the critical role of the initial stages in the progression of players’ careers, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of success in tennis.

Health as a value for рuрils and students of higher education is an object for forming an active life position of Combat Horting athletes

The scientific publication analyzed the literature related to: identification of scientific works on the categories of «health» – value for рuрils and students of higher education and «combat horting»; theoretical study of the concept of «values». Three stages of the pedagogical experiment are described (1st stage: summarization of data from literary sources from a specific research direction; 2nd stage: description of theoretical training; 3rd stage: determination of the sequence of value orientations and the place of health as a value in students and students of higher education education: the ratio of levels between respondents regarding values-goals). Table 1 presents the generalized results of the respondents regarding the values-goals: рuрils-athletes of Combat horting (9th grades (n=807) and students of higher education (n=67). And in Table 2 and Figure 1 – the generalized results of the ratio of levels between respondents regarding values-goals: рuрils-athletes of Combat Horting and students of higher education – future coaches (author: Z. Dikhtiarenko). The purpose of the study is to prove the expediency of timely teaching of theoretical material on preserving and strengthening health as a value in рuрils-athletes of Combat Horting and and students of higher education - an object for forming an active life position of Combat Horting athletes. Research methods: analysis of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical observation, calculation of the arithmetic mean, establishment of the percentage ratio between groups, M. Rokych's method «Value orientations». The experiment was supplemented with two more values-goals: a successful sports career / achieving high sports results; active life position (author: Z. Dikhtyarenko). Therefore, the defined goal of the publication was achieved, and these research results are proof of the feasibility of timely teaching of theoretical material on preserving and strengthening health as a value for pupils and students.

The policy instrument mix in South Korea: precursor to maltreatment in sport

ABSTRACT Athlete maltreatment has become ‘one of the greatest concerns faced by governing bodies, authorities and practitioners in sport’ (Stirling 2009, p. 1901). Its causes broadly stem from: (1) the culture and authority structures in organised sport; (2) the limited legal rights of athletes; and (3) a fragmented system of organisational oversight. Cutting across these causes is the distinct ‘policy mix’ within the elite sport system itself. Drawing upon a theoretical framework located within ‘new institutionalism’ and an interpretive qualitative approach using document analysis and semi-structured interviews, this investigation focuses on how policy instruments (e.g. programmes, rules, budgets, etc.) combine to shape/reinforce the behaviour and views of athletes, coaches, and administrators. Findings show that the policy instruments within the existing hierarchical structure of the elite sport system are interconnected and complement each other to mutually facilitate the attainment of elite sport success. Overall, this study suggests that the mix of policy instruments aimed at achieving the state’s sport/political objectives may sustain and reinforce maltreatment.

The main directions of research of physical development in the context of psychology, psychophysiology, genetics and sports anthropology: а review based on the articles published in «Lomonosov Journal of Anthropology» for the last 15 years

Introduction. This work continues the series of articles devoted to the assessment of the main directions of auxology development in Russian anthropology. This part presents and describes the work of the staff of the Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology of Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Department of Anthropology of the Faculty of Biology of Lomonosov Moscow State University, as well as the Russian University Sport (SCOLIPE) and the Federal Science Center of Physical Culture and Sport (VNIIFK). Materials and methods. In this part of the work, articles devoted to the comprehensive assessment of the research of physical development in the context of psychology, psychophysiology, genetics and sports anthropology, which were published in the «Lomonosov Journal of Anthropology (Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin)» from 2009 to 2022 were used as a source of information. Results and discussion. The described works evaluate, firstly, the psychosomatic connections of self-esteem and soma parameters that determine it, as well as the specifics of the processes of growth and adaptation in biological and psychological aspects. Secondly, the intra-group variability of neurophysiological parameters (EEG parameters) and the analysis of their correlations with somatic indicators are considered. Thirdly, the contribution of genetic factors to the development of morphological trait systems, primarily associated with increased body weight and obesity, is evaluated. In addition, the results of studies devoted to the search for predictors of sports success and the analysis of the physical status of athletes of various specializations are presented. Conclusion. The number of works similar to those described in this review is steadily growing every year, which suggests an increasing integrative nature of anthropological research.

Sports coaching during the pandemic: Predicaments encountered by Filipino physical education teachers and potential strategies

Background Problems: The educational disruptions and suspension of athletic competitions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic presented sports coaches with unique challenges in maintaining coaching and training activities for the athletes. Research Objectives: This study aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of physical education teachers who are also coaches in sports coaching amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was qualitative, utilising a descriptive phenomenological design. Five participants willingly took part in an in-depth interview, ensuring the protection of informant data and maintaining anonymity. The instrument used was a semi-structured interview guide recorded via video and transcribed using Microsoft Word. Informed consent was obtained before the interview, and data analysis followed Collaizi's descriptive phenomenology for collecting, reducing, presenting, verifying, and concluding the data. Findings/Results: The findings of the study revealed several sports coaching predicaments: connectivity and communication issues, physical training conflict, administrative concerns, and psychosocial problems. Additionally, potential strategies were also revealed: connectivity and communication strategy, modified training method, administrative outsourcing initiative, and psychosocial initiative. Based on the results of the study, a proposed sports coaching intervention plan is highly recommended for utilisation to address several predicaments that emerged. Conclusion: Research shows that in grappling with pandemic-related challenges, coaches play a crucial role in maximising athletes' potential, necessitating a blend of skills and emotional resilience as they formulate effective coaching strategies for the predicaments encountered. Generally, this can contribute to more effective and well-rounded sports coaching, ultimately benefiting the athletes and the overall success of sports coaching and the school's sport-related programmes.

Sports coaching during the pandemic: Predicaments encountered by Filipino physical education teachers and potential strategies

Background Problems: The educational disruptions and suspension of athletic competitions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic presented sports coaches with unique challenges in maintaining coaching and training activities for the athletes. Research Objectives: This study aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of physical education teachers who are also coaches in sports coaching amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was qualitative, utilising a descriptive phenomenological design. Five participants willingly took part in an in-depth interview, ensuring the protection of informant data and maintaining anonymity. The instrument used was a semi-structured interview guide recorded via video and transcribed using Microsoft Word. Informed consent was obtained before the interview, and data analysis followed Collaizi's descriptive phenomenology for collecting, reducing, presenting, verifying, and concluding the data. Findings/Results: The findings of the study revealed several sports coaching predicaments: connectivity and communication issues, physical training conflict, administrative concerns, and psychosocial problems. Additionally, potential strategies were also revealed: connectivity and communication strategy, modified training method, administrative outsourcing initiative, and psychosocial initiative. Based on the results of the study, a proposed sports coaching intervention plan is highly recommended for utilisation to address several predicaments that emerged. Conclusion: Research shows that in grappling with pandemic-related challenges, coaches play a crucial role in maximising athletes' potential, necessitating a blend of skills and emotional resilience as they formulate effective coaching strategies for the predicaments encountered. Generally, this can contribute to more effective and well-rounded sports coaching, ultimately benefiting the athletes and the overall success of sports coaching and the school's sport-related programmes.

Knowledge, care, and discipline: the Dane Ingeborg Paul-Petersen as a pioneer in women’s swimming coaching

ABSTRACT During the Interwar period, female athletes from Denmark dominated international swimming competitions. It was the first time that the country demonstrated sporting success in a core Olympic discipline on the global sporting level. Most of the Danish swimmers had the same coach, the co-leader of the Institute of Danish Women’s Gymnastics (DKI), Ingeborg Paul-Petersen. Based on archival sources and historical newspaper reports, this paper shows that Paul-Petersen’s role as an educator in the DKI and her vast experience in swimming training provided her with the perfect skills and context to develop her athletes into elite swimmers. She profited from the unique environment at the DKI that led her to approach coaching as a combination of motherly care for her young athletes and a discipling. However, Paul-Petersen avoided publicity and therefore her extraordinary achievements remained largely unnoticed until date.

Sport Event Sponsorship in the Midst of Crisis: A Teaching Case Study on the Partnership Between RunCzech and Adidas

This case provides students with an opportunity to observe RunCzech, a historically successful sport event organization, as they navigate a crisis and strive to satisfy all stakeholders, with emphasis on the sponsor stakeholders. Students are familiarized with the challenges facing RunCzech and their corresponding response. The event organizers strive to mitigate these challenges with their crisis management strategy. This strategy includes creating new events in partnership with their sponsors while remaining in compliance with changing government restrictions. RunCzech’s crisis management, and the communication surrounding it, is framed in terms of Coombs’s situational crisis communication theory. The students see innovative crisis management, with a primary focus on sponsors as stakeholders, before being tasked with communicating these crisis management efforts to one specific sponsor, adidas.

Management Strategies of Professional Sports Teams: Lessons from Corporate Leadership Experience

In contemporary society, the success of professional sports teams relies not only on the individual skills of the athletes and teamwork but also on efficient and innovative management strategies. With the continuous evolution of business management theories, many management theories and practices that have been proven effective in the business field have been found to be equally applicable to the management of professional sports teams, especially in areas such as leadership development, team dynamics, and change management. However, how to concretize the lessons of corporate leadership experiences and successfully apply them to sports team management has become a topic worth exploring. This article aims to bridge the knowledge gap between business management and sports team management by analyzing and summarizing key management strategies from successful corporate leadership cases, exploring the potential application and practical paths of these strategies in professional sports teams. This study not only provides theoretical contributions to sports management but also offers practical guidance and recommendations for sports team managers in practice, aiming to promote the overall competitiveness and sustainable development of sports teams.

Analysis of the differences in body composition and physiological profiles of professional female sub-junior soccer players of Manipur: An observational study

Background: This study aimed to analyze body composition and certain physiological profiles in professional women sub-junior soccer players of Manipur during their playing season. Method and Materials: Twenty-seven players from the Manipur sub-junior soccer team playing in local league games participated in this study. They were assessed using the variables body fat mass (BFM), soft lean mass (SLM), fat-free mass (FFM), intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW), total body water (TBW) through the sophisticated state of the art impedance bioanalyzer (Chorder, USA) and also cholesterol and lactate threshold. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences (p<0.05) in anthropometric indicators and body composition parameters (Glycogen mass, Muscle mass, BCM, BCM/FFM%, Total Mineral Mass, TBW, ICW, ICW%, ICW/FFM%), body-fat percentage, relative V̇O2max, cholesterol and lactate levels and fat mass with respect to field positions. Results: There were no significant differences between playing positions in the variables of body weight, height, age, or professional experience (P>0.05). However, forward-position players showed lower values of fat-free mass in relation to other playing positions, and they are lower and lighter with regard to the goalkeepers (P<0.05). There are qualitative and quantitative alterations between assessed positions and the correct use of these individual differences on behalf of the team can contribute to the sportive success. Relative BCM, ECM/BCM, BCM/FFM, cholesterol, lactate threshold, and BCMI need wide-scale application in team sports. Conclusion: It can be concluded that size and body composition are important when analyzing soccer players according to their position, despite the appearance of only minor differences between them.

ANATOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE THIGH PARAMETERS THE STUDENTS OF BUKOVYNA

It is known that the factor that determines success in sports is the morphological features of the structure of the human body. In order to establish the anatomical characteristics of the thigh parameters of students of Bukovyna who play football and handball, followed by modeling for sports selection, a study was conducted of students of higher educational institutions of Bukovyna (n=129), of which young boys - n=69 and young girls - n=60. The subjects were divided into a main group - 89 students who improved by playing football and handball and a control group - 40 students who did not do the sports. Students of the main group, in addition to the physical activity that was included in the program of their specialty during the year, additionally attended sports sections in football and handball during the year. Medium-intensity training took place under the control of a trainer, the frequency of training was 3.43 ± 1.26 days/week (90 minutes each). Students of the control group did not do the sports. The initial survey was conducted in 2021 year, and the same students were resurveyed in 2022 year. All subjects were subjected to an anthropometric study, according to the method of P.P. Shaparenka (thigh circumference in the upper third, in the middle third and in the lower third, body weight, height). So, it was found that when comparing the first and second measurement, the thigh circumference indicators at the second measurement (in dynamics after one year) were slightly higher in students who play football (young boys and young girls) in the upper, middle and lower thirds than in students who play handball (for students who play football ±3.43 cm, for students who play handball ±2.12 cm). The model for predicting the circumference of the thigh in the upper third on the right: Cpr=β1 + β2 + 0.493w – 0.135h, where Cpr is the circumference of the thigh in the upper third (right), w is body weight, h is height, β1= (49.735 for girls and 44.489 for young men), β2= (–1.391 for the soccer group; –2.321 for the handball group), on the left: Cpl=β1 + β2 + 0.465w, where Cpl is the circumference of the thigh in the upper third (left), w is body weight, β1= ( 25.736 for girls and 20.147 for boys), β2= (–1.333 for the football group; –0.515 for the handball group).
 The model for predicting the circumference of the thigh in the middle of the right: Cmr=β1 + β2 + 0.460w – 0.183h, where Cmr is the circumference of the thigh in the middle of the right, w is body weight, h is height; β1= (52.567 for young girls and 48.930 for young boys), β2= (–2.235 for the football group; –1.968 for the handball group); on the left: Cml=β1 + β2 + 0.449w, where Cml is the thigh circumference in the middle of the left, w is body weight; β1= (20.716 for young girls and 20.943 for young boys), β2= (– 0.254 for the football group; –1.405 for the handball group). The model for predicting the circumference of the thigh in the lower third of the right: Cdr=β1 + β2 + 0.418w, where Cdr is the circumference of the thigh in the lower third of the right, w is body weight, β1= (25.560 for young girls and 20.165 for young boys), β2= (– 0.039 for the football group; 0.061 for the handball group); on the left: Cdl=β1 + β2 + 0.387w, where Cdl is the thigh circumference in the lower third on the left, w is body weight; β1= (24.638 for young girls and 18.523 for young boys), β2= (– 0.379 for the football group; –0.261 for the handball group). So, it is established that for significant predictors for predicting thigh circumference on the right in the upper and middle third are gender, sport, height and body weight, in the lower third are gender, sport and body weight, on the left are gender, sport and body weight.

Level of psychological barriers of students who are engaged in bodybuilding

The article explores the psychological barriers among students engaged in bodybuilding compared to those who are not involved in sports. It emphasizes the integral role of psychological preparation in sports training, with a focus on reducing athletes' psychological barriers. The study identifies seven key barriers in sports: personal initiative, faulty mindset, autonomy, achievement, risk aversion, communication, and openness to new experiences.
 The research involves 52 students, comprising 25 bodybuilders and 27 non-athletes. A specialized psychological barrier assessment test, adapted for contemporary sports psychology needs, evaluates the prevalence of these barriers among participants. The identified barriers include personal initiative, which underscores the importance of athletes taking initiative and acting independently for success in sports. Faulty mindset refers to negative perceptions of one's abilities, potentially hindering performance. The results of the study are presented through a comparison of psychological barrier levels between the two groups. Significant differences are observed in the barriers of personal initiative, risk aversion, and openness to new experiences. Bodybuilding students exhibit lower barriers in personal initiative, indicating a proactive approach to their training, while demonstrating higher resistance to risk and greater openness to new experiences compared to non-athletes. The findings suggest that engagement in bodybuilding may influence students' psychological characteristics in these aspects.
 In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of addressing psychological barriers in sports, particularly in bodybuilding. The study provides insights into how sports engagement may impact students' psychological states, highlighting areas where bodybuilders differ significantly from their non-athlete counterparts. Understanding and overcoming these barriers are crucial for enhancing athletes' mental resilience and overall success in sports.

PRESERVING AND EXPANDING OLYMPIC SPORT HERITAGE: EXAMINING THE "PAGER" FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Objective. This review aims to investigate literature on the heritage of Olympic sport participation from 2000 to 2023 in order to assess the advancement of consistency and achievements from participation in Olympic sports.
 Methodology. The bibliosemantic method was used to clarify the state of the problem, study the analysis of the results of previous scientific research based on printed literature and electronic sources. This review study analysed broad sections including the demographic dimension, the social dimension and the intervention process. Five main research themes were summarised from these three broad sections using the PAGER system.
 Results. After the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Chinese officials declared that the goal of "attracting 300 million people to play sports on ice and snow" had been achieved. Historically, the London 2012 Olympic Games had a similar goal: to increase participation in sports for all through the hosting the Olympic Games. Given the goals highlighted, the impact of the Olympic Games on sport participation has certainly been significant. This impact can be called the heritage of Olympic sport, the intangible heritage of the Olympics. This has attracted the attention of many researchers in the academic field in recent years.
 Unlike previous reviews of sport heritage, this review applies the Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence of Practice, and Research Recommendations (PAGER) framework in the stage of result analysis to enhance the quality of the findings. Numerous related studies have been studied in this review, and their scope ranges from the study of state sports policy to the impact of social, economic and cultural policies on the heritage of participation in Olympic sports.
 Conclusion. Current research, as reviewed here, tends to prioritize phenomenological descriptions and recommendations for future planning in Olympic sports. Notably, considerable progress has been made in this area. Several studies highlight the importance of collaboration and long-term planning between various government agencies and stakeholders for achieving success in Olympic sports and realizing their lasting social, cultural, and political impact.

The relationship between mindfulness and athletes’ mental skills may be explained by emotion regulation and self-regulation

BackgroundAlthough numerous psychological determinants of sports success have been identified in the scientific literature, research on the contribution of mindfulness and interoceptive awareness to sports achievements remains limited. This study investigates the relationship between self-reported mental skills determining sports success (i.e., flow state, attention, technique, sensitivity to error, commitment, and achievement), state mindfulness for physical activity (of the mind and the body), and interoceptive awareness (including scales of noticing, not distracting, not worrying, attention regulation, emotional awareness, self-regulation, body listening, and trusting).MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted on a sample of elite athletes in speed skating (n = 54) and university students of physical education (n = 102) representing various sports disciplines and competitive levels. The Sports Success Scale (SSS), the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity (SMS-PA), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA-2) were used to assess psychological determinants of athletic achievements, state mindfulness, and interoceptive sensitivity, respectively.ResultsOur findings indicate some small-to-moderate differences in particular dimensions of psychological traits related to sports success, mindfulness, and interoceptive awareness between athletes of different genders, groups, and competitive levels. A chain mediation model showed that the relationship between body mindfulness and psychological variables determining sports success is fully explained by two dimensions of interoception: self-regulation and attention regulation.ConclusionsCultivating the mindfulness state of the body can improve self-regulation and attention regulation, which in turn may increase the mental skills required for successful sports participation. Therefore, mental training should focus primarily on body mindfulness, attention regulation, and self-regulation to improve the mental skills responsible for athletes’ sports achievements. In addition, individual differences in athletes’ gender, sports discipline, and level of sports competition should be considered during mental training.

Theoretical justification of the need for rational use of physical activity in the prepubertal period in schoolchildren

The goal is to theoretically substantiate the need to assess the functional state of elementary school students in order to determine directions for reforming motor activity classes in elementary school. Methodology: theoretical analysis: in order to determine the importance of the problem of organizing physical education classes for children of pre-pubescent age, in schools and sports clubs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as other countries; empirical: pedagogical observations, testing. Scientific novelty. This article examines modern data on the dependence of the level of physical fitness on the general level of health of primary school students (in the pre-pubertal period), the specifics of physical development and physical fitness, the functional state of the respiratory system, the parameters of the cardiovascular system based on the heart rate of middle school students links of education, in particular younger schoolchildren, their prospects in the ontogenesis of further development. This fact may further contribute to a more progressive approach of the teacher to the training of students in choosing an Olympic sport and successful sports activities, in accordance with their individual development, gender and physical fitness.
 Data from domestic and foreign literature are summarized, as well as the results of own research are presented, namely: an assessment of the level of health and physical abilities is carried out. Against this background, the dynamics of the growth of physical abilities of secondary school students compared to the results of similar work of a sports club was analyzed.
 Conclusions. On the basis of the obtained data, it was concluded that the lack of motor activity of pre-pubescent schoolchildren has a negative impact on the further course of the ontogenetic process and requires a balanced approach to the creation of unified and personalized programs of physical training of schoolchildren and an increase in the number of times. that are assigned to motor activity both in school and in extracurricular work in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine and the possibility of further implementation in other countries.

Phenotypic associations between linearly scored traits and sport performance in the Swedish Warmblood horse population

The goal for most warmblood studbooks is to produce horses that are internationally competitive in sports like show jumping or dressage. The linear scoring system, describing the horse between two biological extremes, is commonly used for a more objective assessment of young horses in many studbooks. However, few studies have examined the phenotypic association between traits linearly scored at a young age and sport performance, and whether there might be an intermediate optimum on the linear scale. This study investigated the phenotypic association between linearly scored traits and competition performance in show jumping or dressage, using the results of linear scoring from young horse performance tests between 2013 and 2021 and competition data between 2014 and 2021 for Swedish Warmblood horses. Sport performance was defined as lifetime accumulated points achieved in show jumping or dressage competitions. Horses were classified as jumping (J) or dressage (D) horses according to their sires’ and grandsires’ classification. In total, 48 linearly scored traits, assessed on a biological scale from A to I, were analyzed. The phenotypic association between the linear score for each trait and sport performance was studied using linear models for sport performance including fixed effects of sex, birth year and linear and quadratic regression on adjusted linearly scored trait values. Significant differences in LS means between J and D horses were found for all linearly scored traits except for length of body and five traits referring to leg conformation. For J horses, 25 linearly scored traits (eight conformation traits, three gait traits, 13 jumping traits and one behavior trait) were found to be significantly associated (p < 0.05) with show jumping performance. A majority of these traits (21 out of 25 traits) showed a linear association with performance, indicating that stronger expression (towards A on the assessment scale) was favorable for performance in show jumping in J horses. For D horses, 21 linearly scored traits (eleven conformation traits and ten gait traits) were significantly associated with dressage performance. Most of these traits (15 out of 21 traits) showed a linear association with performance, while six traits showed an association with optimal scores, indicating that breeding for more extreme expression of the specific trait is not associated with better sport performance. These results underline the importance of linearly scored traits as indicator traits of later sport success.

Role of Soy in Enhancing the Performance of Sportsman

The aim of the current study is to determine how soy products influence athletes performance in relation to their views of nutrition and health. Comparison of paneer, Bengal gram flour, Bengal gram and meat with the soy products, namely tofu, defatted soy flour, and soy chunks. The nutritional content of their products-paneer, Bengal gram flour, and Bengal gram—was reviewed and compared with that of tofu, defatted soy flour, and soy chunks. Success in sports is influenced by a variety of elements, and nutrition is one of them. The foods a sportsman needs to eat depend on a number of factors, such as the sport, goals, the surroundings, and pragmatic considerations. The significance of personalized nutrition counseling, encompassing daily nutritional guidance and targeted counseling prior to, during, and following training and/or competition, is becoming more widely acknowledged. Athletes employ many nutritional tactics to enhance their performance, with optimizing glycogen reserves being a crucial approach for numerous individuals. Consuming carbohydrates while exercising keeps blood sugar levels up, avoids hypoglycemia, and benefits the central nervous system. The advantages of consuming protein throughout the day after working out are now widely acknowledged.

Emotional well-being and success in team sports

In the fast-paced and highly competitive modern world of team sports, where success in competitions is linked to athletes' physical abilities, their emotional and mental potential, the phenomenon of athletes' emotional well-being is important. Emotional well-being refers to how well people are able to accept and manage their emotions, feelings, experiences and even cope with problems throughout life. This article presents a comprehensive theoretical, psychological analysis of the relationship and interaction between emotional well-being and successful sports results in team sports. A review of modern psychological research and publications on the problem under study is aimed at identifying the relationship between emotional competence, leadership, sports performance and emotional well-being of professional athletes in team sports. The goals of this study are to examine and reveal the relationships and interactions between emotional well-being and the performance of athletes in team sports. The tasks of this research suggest a theoretical study of the problem of emotional competence, leadership and their impact on the emotional well-being and daily functioning of team sports athletes. Using research methods including psychological assessment, interviews, surveys, and in-depth interviews, we gather the necessary data to illuminate the relationships between emotional well-being and the performance of athletes in team sports. This article includes essential research points, addresses the problem under study, reviews recent research, and highlights unsolved aspects in the field of emotional well-being of athletes in team sports. The results of the research can be used to develop educational and training programs aimed at increasing the emotional competence of athletes, to increase their effectiveness in interpersonal and group interaction and to achieve success in competitions in team sports.

Good governance principles: Snapshot of athletes’ and coaches’ commissions within their National Sports Federations in 2019

Introduction&#x0D; Good governance principles of National Sports Federations (NSF) include the representation of athletes and coaches through commissions (PlayTheGame, n. d.). This representation has been an important issue in Switzerland since the “Magglingen Protocols” of October 2020, which outlined the abuses in Swiss women’s gymnastics. In response, Swiss Olympic and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport have taken measures, including the representation of athletes and coaches within their NSFs. One year before the abuses became public, athletes, coaches and NSFs’ officials were surveyed regarding principles of good governance. The surveys comprised questions on their involvement in policy-making at national level and, in particular, the existence of an athletes’ and coaches’ commission within their NSFs.&#x0D; Methods&#x0D; Using the SPLISS model (Sports Policy Factors Leading to International Sporing Success) and respective surveys (De Bosscher et al., 2006), 1,450 athletes with a Swiss Olympic Card Gold, Silver, Bronze or Elite from 54 different sports, 734 coaches with a national coaching position and a professional coaching qualification and 122 officials from NSFs were surveyed via an online survey (Kempf et al., 2021).&#x0D; Results&#x0D; Around 990 athletes assessed their involvement in the development and evaluation of policy guidelines, of which 16% (n = 156) reported to be “very/sufficiently involved” in the development within their NSF, followed by 13% (n = 130) for Swiss Olympic and 10% (n = 99) in FOSPO respectively. Overall, 50% (n = 451 – 507) of athletes consider their involvement to be “insufficient/not at all” in all three organisations. The responses for the evaluation of policy guidelines were similar. Regarding the existence of an athlete’s commission within their NSF, 44% (n = 442) of athletes stated that there is one, while 35% (n = 351) did not know; respectively coaches for coaches’ commission: 30% (n = 129) and 25% (n = 108). Finally, 46% (n = 41) of officials stated that there was a coaches’ committee in their NSF and 30% (n = 25) for the athletes’ commissions respectively.&#x0D; Discussion/Conclusion&#x0D; The results show that in 2019, an important number of athletes do not feel sufficiently involved in national level policy-making and that a significant number of athletes and coaches are not represented by a commission within their NSF. Meanwhile, the findings confirm the need for improved communication, particularly in relation to the existence of commissions. As posited by PlayTheGame (n. d.), clearly communicating the rights and responsibilities of commission members is needed to improve coaches and athletes’ involvement. Further research could make a comparison with the current situation and analyse the impact of the measures introduced by FOSPO and Swiss Olympic since 2020.&#x0D; References&#x0D; De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Van Bottenburg, M., &amp; Shibli, S. (2006). A conceptual framework for analysing sports policy factors leading to international sporting success. European Sport Management Quarterly, 6(2), 185-215. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184740600955087&#x0D; Kempf, H., Weber, A. C., Zurmühle, C., Bosshard, B., Mrkonjic, M., Weber, A., Pillet, F., &amp; Sutter, S. (2021). Leistungssport Schweiz. Momentaufnahme SPLISS-CH 2019 [High performance sport Switzerland. Snapshot SPLISS-CH 2019] (2nd, rev. ed.). Bundesamt für Sport BASPO.&#x0D; PlayTheGame. (n. d.). Strengthening athlete power in sport. https://www.playthegame.org/projects/strengthening-athlete-power-in-sport-sapis/

Analysis of the Relationships between Sport Participation, Physical Activity, and Concurrent Substance Misuse in College Students: A Gender-Stratified Analysis in the Post-Pandemic Period

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased substance use and misuse (SUM). The period in which one undergoes college education is known to be associated with a greater risk of SUM, and there is a need for greater awareness of the risks associated with concurrent SUM in the post-pandemic years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gender-specific relationships between physical activity levels (PAL), sport participation, and concurrent SUM among college students in the first post-pandemic year. The participants were college students from Croatia and from Bosnia and Herzegovina (n=398) who were tested on sport factors (involvement in individual and team sports, time of involvement, frequency of training, sport achievement), physical activity levels (PALs), and concurrent SUM (simultaneous consumption of cigarettes and alcohol) by using structured anonymous previously validated questionnaires immediately after the pandemic period. Sport factors and PALs were not significantly associated with concurrent SUM in the total sample or in male students. In female students, higher competitive achievement in sports was shown to be associated with the risk of concurrent SUM (OR=1.45, 95%CI:1.11-1.98). The results evidenced an increased risk of concurrent SUM in female students who achieved greater success in sports. Therefore, it seems that public health authorities should develop specific educational and preventive programs in female athletes. The timing of this study was in the first post-pandemic year which could have at least partially influenced our findings.