Team Sports Research Articles

A conceptual framework for understanding brand connection to sport mascots

ABSTRACT Mascots play a crucial role as symbolic and promotional agents enhancing the fan experience and engagement. However, little is known about what aspect of a mascot makes it an effective agent for fans’ psychological connection with sport team brands. To address this gap, the authors propose a conceptual framework for understanding brand connection to Sport mascots (BCSM). The framework illustrates how unique attributes of anthropomorphic mascots influence sports fans’ psychological and behavioral responses and deepen their brand connection. The framework offers numerous opportunities for future research to develop theoretical foundations of sports fans’ brand connection and provides new insights into developing effective strategies for designing and promoting mascot brands.

Effects of resisted sled training on sprint performance in team sports. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Effects of resisted sled training on sprint performance in team sports. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Examination of the correlation between emotional intelligence and prosocial behavior of physical education and sports school students doing individual and team sports.

Examination of the correlation between emotional intelligence and prosocial behavior of physical education and sports school students doing individual and team sports.

A review of the impact of intermittent ramadan fasting on wellbeing, nutrition and physical performance in different sports.

A review of the impact of intermittent ramadan fasting on wellbeing, nutrition and physical performance in different sports.

Aggression and sport: A cross-sectional study on behavioral tendencies of athletes.

This cross-sectional study aimed to measure aggression in a more heterogeneous population of athletes, with the purpose of determining whether some specific conditions are related to aggressive behaviour. Athletes of 18-64 years old were enrolled in the study. The Italian version of Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) was self-administered. A total of 390 questionnaires were collected. Males showed higher levels of physical aggression (19.58±6.32) than females (15.69±6.65), p<0.001 and a significant reduction in all domains of the questionnaire with advancing age, except for physical aggression. Furthermore, subjects who practiced full contact sports showed higher levels of physical aggression (20.23±6.68) than those who practiced partial contact (17.89±5.86) or non-contact sports (17.19±6.64) p<0.006. Finally, those who have played competitively in the past showed lower levels of anger (14.95±5.22) than those who have played amateurishly (16.05±5.54), p<0.05. Age and gender appeared to be significant in aggression scores. Martial artists and combat sports players showed significantly higher levels of physical aggression than those who practice partial contact or non-contact sports. The type of sport (individual or team players), the practice time (beginners or experts) and the current level of sport (amateurs or competitive players) did not affect the aggression scores. Instead, the past level of sport participation is correlated with current anger.

Nurturing Movement: Longitudinal Associations Between Caregiver Type, Adolescent Diet, and Young Adult Physical Activity in a National Cohort

Background: Childhood obesity rates remain high in the United States, with long-term implications for physical and mental health. Emerging research suggests that caregiving arrangements, particularly those involving non-parental caregivers such as grandparents, may influence adolescent health behaviors, including diet and physical activity. This study examined whether caregiver type (parents-only, grandparents-only, or multi-generational households) during adolescence predicted dietary patterns and physical activity trajectories into young adulthood. Methods: Data were drawn from 6260 participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Caregiver type was identified at baseline (Wave 1), and dietary intake and physical activity were assessed across four waves from adolescence (~age 15) to early adulthood (~age 29). We employed generalized linear models and linear mixed-effects models with multiply imputed data to examine changes in sedentary behavior, individual exercise, and team sport participation over time, controlling for age, sex, and race. Results: Overall dietary intake at baseline did not significantly differ by caregiver type (Wilks’ Λ = 0.998, p = 0.389); however, an exploratory comparison indicated lower dairy consumption in homes with a grandparent present (t(6258) = 1.995, p = 0.046). Trajectories of individual exercise differed significantly by caregiver type over time (Time × Caregiver interaction: F(6, 10,395.601) = 2.795, p = 0.010), with adolescents in grandparent-only households reporting higher individual exercise at Wave 1. Sedentary behavior trajectories also significantly differed by caregiver group over time (Wave × Caregiver interaction: F(6, 18,951.310) = 23.026, p &lt; 0.001). Baseline nutrition was positively associated with individual exercise trajectories into young adulthood (Time × Nutrition interaction: F(2.961, 13,096.103) = 3.974, p = 0.012). Conclusions: Caregiver structure during adolescence appears to shape long-term physical activity patterns, albeit modestly. These findings highlight the need to consider diverse family configurations—particularly grandparent-led households—when designing public health interventions to promote adolescent nutrition and physical activity.

Immersive training in ice hockey: Evaluating the impact of virtual reality on engagement, enjoyment, and motivation

Virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a transformative tool in sports training, offering immersive environments to enhance athlete development. This study examines the potential of VR as a supplementary off-ice training method for ice hockey players, focusing on engagement, enjoyment, usability, motivation, and perceived competence. Ice hockey's fast-paced and skill-intensive nature makes innovative tools like VR valuable for addressing logistical challenges while enriching training experiences. Using a cross-over design, 33 ice hockey players participated in both VR and traditional off-ice drills, with their experiences assessed through questionnaires and statistical analysis. Results showed that VR significantly enhances engagement compared to traditional methods. However, traditional drills outperformed VR in usability and perceived competence. No significant differences were observed in enjoyment and motivation between the two modalities. These findings highlight VR's potential as a complementary training tool, particularly for boosting focus and involvement, while underscoring the need for improved usability and alignment with athletes’ skill levels. By bridging psychological insights with practical applications, this study contributes to the understanding of VR in sports training and calls for longitudinal research to explore its impact on performance and skill transfer. This research addresses gaps in the application of VR in team sports, providing a foundation for advancing innovative, adaptable, and engaging training methods in ice hockey and other sports.

Analyzing coordinated group behavior through role-sharing: a pilot study in female 3-on-3 basketball with practical application

A group often shares a common goal and accomplishes a task that is difficult to complete alone by distributing roles. In such coordination, the non-verbal behavior among three or more members complicates the explanation of the mechanism due to complex and dynamic interactions. In cognitive science, a crucial role is indicated: to intervene moderately with others and adjust the whole balance without interrupting their main smooth interactions, using an experimental task. The findings suggest that resilient helping actions in the third role support coordination. These actions are similar to off-ball movements in team sports, which involve an on-ball player and have recently been the focus of sports science because their characteristics are not represented in common statistical data, such as a shooting success rate. Hence, a new perspective for discussing coordination has emerged, as existing theories, such as synchronization—where movements between players are spontaneously matched and organized—cannot explain the mentioned role. However, there is a lack of investigation and discussion regarding whether these findings are applicable to real-world activities. Therefore, this study applied the experimental findings to the field of sports. We developed a 3-on-3 basketball game in which the offensive role of intervention decision and adjustment is key for winning and introduced it to the practice of a female university team as a pilot study. Participants repeatedly engaged in the mini-game, and the playing was compared before and after receiving tips for this role. Consequently, in the bins of the relatively large distance between the participant required to the relevant role and each defensive player, the frequencies after receiving these tips were significantly higher. Furthermore, the winning rate on the offensive team improved temporarily; however, the effects were not maintained. These suggest that spacing skill, which maintains reasonable distances from the other players, creates favorable situations for coordination. This study may bridge the gap between controlled experiments and real-world applications and make an educational contribution; it may recommend practice design for the acquisition of spacing skills related to the crucial role.

Inappropriate behavior and dropout from sport: a quantitative study of elite athletes in Denmark

In the international sporting arms race to win medals at major tournaments, addressing the determinants of elite athlete dropout is essential. This is especially true for smaller nations, which are at a disadvantage to large nations when it comes to the availability of talent. Therefore, the retention of the elite is essential. In this paper, we examine survey data from Danish top-level athletes to understand the factors that influence athletes’ reflections on quitting. The study not only focuses on factors common to athlete dropout but includes the effect of inappropriate behaviour, bullying and harassment experienced by (some) athletes from their peers, coaches, or sport managers. Our findings suggest that athletes who feel safe and haven’t experienced transgressional behaviour from others are less likely to quit their elite sporting careers. Athletes from team sports are significantly less likely to consider quitting than athletes in individual sports. Also, the experience of inappropriate behaviour seems to have a significantly weaker effect on world-class athletes and elite athletes’ plans on quitting. The results have implications for people supporting athletes in optimising their international competitiveness. A mentally and physically healthy supporting environment benefits the athletes and keeps them competing.

A qualitative analysis of perceived barriers and motivators to physical activity in children from ethnic minority groups and white British children.

Physical inactivity is a problem worldwide despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity participation. Children from ethnic minority groups report some of the lowest levels of physical activity. In trying to address this, the voices and perspectives of children, especially children from ethnic minority groups, are often overlooked. The primary purpose of this study was to identify and compare the perceived barriers and motivators to physical activity of children from ethnic minority groups and white British children in a UK city. A semi-structured interview on physical activity participation was conducted in English with 20 children aged 8-11 years old (9 from a range of different ethnic minority groups and 11 white British children). The data were coded and analysed via inductive thematic analysis using Nvivo-12. A total of three barriers and eight motivators were identified for both groups. The barriers to physical activity participation were structure of sports; inadequate resources; and children's social circle. The motivators were self-autonomy; self-confidence; enjoyment of physical activity; positive mental health and wellbeing; social circle; structure of sports; institutional motivators; and the introduction of more gender-balanced organised sports. Differences between groups were however noted amongst the subthemes, particularly in relation to barriers. For children from ethnic minority groups, barrier subthemes comprised parental barriers and obligations to siblings; lack of gender-balanced team sports; lack of variety of sports and lack of sporting equipment; and negative feedback from teammates. For white British children, barrier subthemes were lack of adequate play time in school and lack of financial resources. Such barriers may underpin differences in physical activity participation and should be considered in intervention design.

Gender-Specific Dietary and Lifestyle Patterns Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Gender differences in dietary patterns and lifestyle behaviours may influence abdominal adiposity and cardiometabolic risk, but comprehensive analyses integrating these factors remain limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 1631 adults recruited from a centre specialising in nutrition and metabolic health. Food intake was assessed by 7-day food diaries and lifestyle behaviours were assessed by structured questionnaires. Z scores of a body shape index (zABSI) were calculated as a marker of abdominal adiposity. zABSI represents the standardised value of ABSI, an index specifically designed to assess abdominal adiposity independently of BMI Multivariable linear regression models, stratified by sex and adjusted for age, examined associations between dietary patterns, physical activity and zABSI. Higher intake of plant-based protein was significantly associated with lower zABSI values in women (β = -0.052, p = 0.0053) but not in men (β = -0.015, p = 0.2675). Stratified analyses revealed that women in the middle tertile of plant-based protein intake showed significantly lower zABSI values than men. Combined analyses showed that women classified as physically active and high consumers of plant-based protein had the most favourable abdominal adiposity profiles (p = 0.0036). Participation in endurance and strength sports was associated with lower zABSI values in both sexes, whereas women engaged in team sports had the lowest zABSI values. No significant interaction terms between sex and lifestyle were identified; however, male sex remained an independent predictor of higher zABSI values. In this cross-sectional study, plant-based dietary patterns and physical activity were associated with lower abdominal adiposity, especially among women. These findings suggest the importance of gender-specific strategies to address cardiometabolic risk and emphasise the need for prospective studies to confirm these associations and clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Iron's True Weight: Does the Amount of Iron in the Body Equate to the Amount of Iron on the Bar in Australian Football League Women's Players?

The physiological requirements of a successful team sport performance partly depend on iron-facilitated mechanisms. However, how low iron stores affect team sport athletes remains unclear. To explore the influence of iron status on strength and power performance in elite female Australian Rules Football players. Iron indices were measured in 30 players (age 23 ± 4 y; body mass 70 ± 6 kg) at the start and end of the 10-week preseason. Players were categorized as iron deficient (ID; serum ferritin (sFer) < 40 µg/L) or iron sufficient (sFer > 40 µg/L). Over this period, three-repetition maximum and sport-specific performance measures were evaluated. Approximately 80% of all the sFer samples primarily ranged between 9 and 60 µg/L. Strength (e.g., squat, bench press) was up to 13% lower in ID players in week 1, with no substantial differences between groups during week 10. There were marginal differences (ID: -1% to +3%) in performance for all the remaining measures between groups (e.g., 10-m sprint). Very weak to moderate correlations were observed between all the performance measures and fixed effects (e.g., sFer, other strength assessments), increasing to moderate to very strong correlations when accounting for random effects (athlete). Iron deficiency may compromise strength performance, but this shortcoming may not translate to measures of power and speed. Individualized iron monitoring practices for athlete health and performance are encouraged.

Attachment and commitment of fans to their sports team: Modelling loyalty Behavior

This study aims to investigate the relationships between attachment, commitment, and loyalty among football fans, while also examining the moderating effect of interactivity in the commitment–loyalty link. The objective is to better understand how emotional connections and digital engagement influence long-term fan behavior. A conceptual model was developed based on an extensive literature review and a preliminary qualitative study. The proposed hypotheses were tested through a quantitative survey conducted with 428 football fans. Data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method to evaluate the relationships between the variables. The results confirm that fan attachment significantly and positively influences commitment, which in turn fosters loyalty. Furthermore, the level of interactivity between fans and the sports team moderates the relationship between commitment and loyalty, reinforcing the strength of this connection. This research highlights the dual importance of emotional and interactive dimensions in cultivating fan loyalty. It emphasizes that fostering attachment and maintaining meaningful digital engagement are essential strategies for sports organizations aiming to build and sustain fan loyalty. Sports managers should prioritize the integration of social media and digital platforms into their communication strategies. Enhanced interactivity not only strengthens fan commitment but also plays a strategic role in loyalty development, offering a competitive advantage in the management of sports teams.

Protective Factors Against Social Exclusion in Adolescents: Physical Condition and Physical Activity.

Background: Social exclusion in children and adolescents can lead to negative effects such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and academic difficulties. Physical activity and good physical condition could act as protective factors by promoting social integration and emotional well-being. Methods: The aim of this study was to analyse whether participation in physical activity and good physical fitness test protect against social exclusion in adolescents aged 12 to 19. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 876 adolescents, assessing physical activity, physical fitness test (EUROFIT), BMI, and social exclusion (both subtle and manifest) through questionnaires and physical tests. Spearman correlations, ANOVA, and stepwise regression analysis were applied. Results: Adolescents who participated in organised physical activities, such as team sports, opposition, or contact sports, showed lower levels of both manifest and subtle exclusion. Aerobic endurance, age, abdominal strength, and gender were predictors of manifest exclusion, while aerobic endurance, age, and participation in organised physical activities predicted subtle exclusion. Conclusions: Physical condition and participation in physical activity protect against social exclusion. Taking part in competitive team activities involving contact and opposition is associated with lower levels of exclusion. It is essential to promote strategies that enhance inclusion and well-being among young people.

Injury Risk and Overall Well-Being During the Menstrual Cycle in Elite Adolescent Team Sports Athletes.

The impact of the menstrual cycle on the well-being and injury risk of young elite female athletes is poorly understood. This study assessed how the menstrual cycle phase influences perceived well-being and injury risk among young elite female team athletes aged 14-18 throughout a season. Wellness data, time-loss injuries, and menstrual cycle information were prospectively recorded for 59 young elite female team players throughout one season. The menstrual cycle was categorized into four phases using a standardized model: early follicular (menstruation), late follicular, early luteal, and late luteal (pre-menstrual) phases. Significant differences were observed in wellness data, especially in sleep and fatigue, with poorer sleep quality and greater fatigue reported during the early luteal and late luteal (pre-menstrual) phases (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle was significantly associated with a higher incidence of sports injuries, particularly for joint/ligament and muscle/tendon injuries (p = 0.024 and p = 0.040, respectively). In elite female team athletes, poor sleep, increased fatigue, and elevated injury risk were significantly observed during the luteal phases of the menstrual cycle (early and pre-menstrual). These findings emphasize the importance of individualized monitoring and adaptive training strategies to mitigate the physiological effects of the menstrual cycle on athletic performance and injury risk.

Selfishness is an Endemic Pandemic: A Systematic and Meta-analysis Review

Selfishness has become a pervasive social issue, undermining both individual relationships and societal well-being. The primary objective of this study is to employ a didactic approach aimed at mitigating the phenomenon of selfishness. This myopic mindset prioritizes short-term gains (STG) over long-term sustainability (LTS) and collective prosperity. Individuals driven by selfishness often disregard the broader consequences of their actions, diminishing cooperation, empathy, and mutual respect. This self-centered approach to life is a personal flaw that leads to self-destruction for both individuals and societies, undermining the social fabric needed for sustainable development. Team sports illustrate this well; while cooperation is essential for success, a culture of individualism can disrupt team cohesion and sabotage collective goals. The pursuit of personal recognition frequently hampers team success, highlighting the detrimental effects of self-interest in collaborative efforts. When viewed in the context of societal challenges, selfishness might even eclipse deeply rooted divides like racism, tribalism, religious intolerance, and regional biases. While these types of discrimination typically arise from shared group identities, selfishness goes beyond these limits by poisoning the fundamental essence of human connection and concern for one another. Unlike racism or tribalism, which at least have identifiable social or historical roots, selfishness is a more insidious force that undermines efforts toward unity and understanding. Ultimately, love offers the antidote to this pandemic. Love, in its truest sense, encourages selflessness, compassion, and the recognition of shared humanity, fostering cooperation and collective progress. In a world where selfishness thrives, it is genuine love that holds the power to heal, unite, and overcome the divisive forces that threaten our collective well-being. Selfishness, as a widespread issue, is not just a flaw of individuals but a societal problem that impacts almost every facet of contemporary existence. Its proliferation is driven by a cultural and institutional environment that values personal achievement more than the welfare of the community, thereby deepening divisions and inequalities. Recognizing and appreciating our human and environmental interdependence can serve as a catalyst for transformative change, fostering a more harmonious and connected world.

Music as an ergogenic aid in team sports: a systematic review.

Enhancing physical performance and improving load tolerance through safe methods is a priority for most athletes. One potentially beneficial approach is listening to music, which exerts positive effects through various mechanisms. This study aims to investigate the influence of music on athletic performance and endurance, focusing specifically on its potential as an ergogenic aid in team sports-an area that has received less attention compared to individual sports. To examine the effects of music on physical performance and load tolerance in team sports athletes, we conducted a systematic search for original English-language articles in PubMed, Mendeley, and the Cochrane Library from inception to June 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. The search identified eight studies that met the inclusion criteria, involving 140 participants from football, volleyball, and basketball. All studies demonstrated a low risk of bias. None of the studies included elite adult international-level athletes. The analysed parameters included peak power, sprint and jump performance, maximal oxygen consumption, repeated sprint ability, change of direction, and load tolerance indicators such as heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and fatigue index. Most studies demonstrated a significant positive effect of music on these parameters; however, the protocols for music accompaniment were not standardised. The findings suggest that music can positively impact both physiological and psychological factors, though its application in team settings requires further investigation. Given its safety and accessibility, music may serve as a valuable tool for enhancing performance in various sporting contexts. Future studies should include more detailed information on music usage protocols and involve larger sample sizes, particularly including adult elite athletes.

Team dynamics in esports and traditional sports: similarities and differences

Purpose While esports and traditional sports teams have differences, they also share similarities that, if large enough, uphold learning opportunities, especially for building sustainable esports teams. This study aims to compare esports and traditional sports teams in the context of team dynamics. Specifically, the authors investigate the relationship of team trust and collective efficacy (CE) to shared mental models (SMMs), its effect on team performance in esports as well as traditional sports teams and quantifiably compare their similarity. Design/methodology/approach Data from 159 esports team players (aged 22.58; SD = 4.09) with, on average, 4.49 (SD = 3.77) years of playing experience and 165 traditional-team players (aged 23.54; SD = 5.99) with, on average, 13.49 (SD = 5.49) years of playing experience were collected online through validated questionnaires. Findings Structural equation modeling supports the relationship of trust and CE to SMMs and, in turn, to perceived performance. The models on esports and traditional sports teams are similar; only team trust is found to be statistically significantly higher for esports teams (Z = 2.08, p = 0.02). Furthermore, MANOVA results show only significant differences in two CE scales out of 13, with esports teams being higher in ability (ηp2 = 0.03) and persistence (ηp2 = 0.02). Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to collect data on team dynamics while conducting a quantitative comparison between traditional and esports teams. The results not only confirm their similarities but also highlight their distinct importance for performance. Thus, to effectively manage and maintain sustainable esports teams, existing knowledge on traditional sports teams can serve as a foundation for esports psychologists, coaches and managers to apply and adapt to the unique demands of the esports context.

Physiological, perceptual and neuromuscular responses of team sport athletes to short duration high intensity interval training using cycling.

To examine the acute physiological, perceptual and neuromuscular responses of team sport athletes to two volume-matched cycling high intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions with short work bouts (< 60s). Using and randomised crossover design, 16 male team sport players completed 2 × 6min (with 5min between sets) repeated efforts of 15s or 30s exercising at 120% power at O2 max (p O2 max) followed by matched-duration passive recovery on a cycle ergometer. Absolute mean O2 (p = 0.0257) and relative mean O2 (p = 0.0275) were higher in 15s than 30s HIIT. Total time at > 90% O2 max during the HIIT was higher for 15s compared to 30s HIIT (p = 0.0257). Heart rate remained the same between trials (p = 0.805) as did oxygen pulse (p = 0.1161). B[La] was lower in 15s compared to 30s HIIT (p = 0.0257). Differences in dRPE-L (p = 0.0495), dRPE-B (p = 0.0495) and dRPE-O (p = 0.1837) suggested lower perceived exertion in 15s compared to 30s HIIT. Maximal isometric knee extension force revealed a greater reduction after 30s HIIT (p = 0.0495). Team sport athletes using short duration cycling-based HIIT should use 15s work intervals to elicit greater time working near O2 max at a lower perceived exertion and with smaller reductions in peak muscle force after exercise.

Estimating Maximal Aerobic Speed in Academy Soccer Players: A Comparison Between Time Trial Methods and the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test.

Aerobic fitness is crucial to team sport performance and can be practically estimated through field-based assessments of maximal aerobic speed (MAS) in soccer players. However, method comparisons are underexplored. This study compared MAS estimation via a 6-min distance trial (6minDT), 1800-m time trial (1800mTT) and 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15IFT) and qualitative preferences in academy soccer players. Twenty-six male players (age: 17.2±0.6years; stature: 178.4±5.1cm; body mass: 71.8±7.7kg) completed a 30-15IFT, 6minDT and 1800mTT in a counterbalanced order. Total distance was measured via 10Hz global positioning system units, with MAS defined as 87% of 30-15IFT finishing speed (vIFT) and distance divided by time to completion for the 6minDT and 1800mTT. Pearson's correlations calculated associations between MAS estimates, and a robust repeated measures ANOVA estimated marginal mean differences between tests. A very large association was observed between performance in the 1800mTT and 6minDT (r=0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 0.86). Large associations were observed between the 30-15IFT and 6minDT and 1800mTT (6minDT: r=0.65; 0.35 to 0.83; 1800mTT: 0.66, 0.37 to 0.84), respectively. MAS estimated from the 30-15IFT was significantly higher than the 6minDT (0.57, 0.50 to 0.65m·s-1, p<0.0001) and 1800mTT (0.45, 0.37 to 0.52m·s-1, p<0.0001). MAS estimated from the 6minDT was lower than the 1800mTT (-0.13, -0.21 to -0.05m·s-1, p=0.0002). In conclusion, although associations between 6minDT-, 1800mTT- and 30-15IFT-derived MAS exist, all tests provide distinct estimations of MAS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was pre-registered on 11/03/2024. The preregistration for this study can be found on OSF registries at the following Registration DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/F3Z5U.