College Athletes Research Articles

Peer support competency and mindfulness training and its effect on mental health: A pilot project

ABSTRACT Objective This pilot project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the college student athletes’ peer support competency and mindfulness training in relation to their peer support skills and overall well-being. Methods Seventeen college athletes participated in four 90-minute training sessions. The training structure consisted of lectures, facilitators’ demonstrations of skills, participants’ practice of the skills with each other, and participants’ reflections of the activity. A mixed method design using online surveys, and a focus group was employed to examine the effect of the training. Results There was a significant increase in participants’ peer support competency and well-being scores after completing the training sessions. Five overarching themes included shared lived experiences and connectedness, the scaffolding of experiences, practicing and transferring skills, increased attunement and awareness of self and others, and integrating insight and practice mindfulness. Discussion The structure in scaffolding the learning experience should be considered as strategies to master peer support skills, strengthen student-athletes awareness and mindfulness of their emotions and thoughts and increase their ability to handle stressful situations. Peer support and mindfulness training should be implemented and evaluated purposefully and properly to ensure its effectiveness.

The effect of vo2max on muscle oxygen saturation (SMO2) in University Badminton Athletes

Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) is an additional physiological parameter that helps identify the transition from aerobic to anaerobic workload. Additionally, it can be used to predict performance by calculating Vo2 and energy expenditure. Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) is a measure of oxygen saturation in muscle tissue that can be used to evaluate metabolic zones, training intensity, and athlete performance. An athlete's muscle oxygen saturation (SMO2) is a measure of how well their muscles use oxygen, which is important for evaluating performance and creating training programs. This research is a week-long experimental study with a one-shot case study design, research intends to look at the effect of Vo2Max on muscle oxygen saturation (SMO2) in university badminton athletes. The subjects of this research are student athletes who actively practice badminton. There were 6 respondents who were willing to be research subjects and had met the specified criteria, namely actively exercising three times a week and being in good health. Then the author took data on athletes who had the highest and lowest Vo2Max to analyze SMO2 optimization, which was the focus of this research. The results of the analysis show that there is a significant influence between Vo2max and SMO2 optimization; this can be seen by the difference through the t test with a sig (2-tailed) value of 0.000 < 0.05. Another finding is that athletes with higher Vo2max show better SMO2 recovery results. better than athletes with low Vo2max; in this study, athletes with higher Vo2max showed a 37% increase in SMO2 over two minutes, while athletes with lower Vo2max showed a 21% increase. This is an interesting finding for coaches and athletes regarding the importance of Vo2 max capacity in optimizing SMO2.

Sports in principles of economics textbooks

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to inform readers who are interested in textbooks, sports and sports economics, but especially professors who teach sports economics, about the coverage of sports in principles of economics textbooks.Design/methodology/approachThe data in the paper consist of the 130 sections on sports from twenty-one principles of economics textbooks. The paper illuminates the sections using numerous quotations and in-text references. The paper details the number of sections devoted to each sport, economic concepts they illuminate and how the text covers topics such as league rules, broadcast revenues and women in sports.FindingsThe paper finds that the 21 textbook authors devote an average of 934 words in an average of 6.2 sections of text to 11 sports. Sections of text vary from one sentence to lengthy discussions of topics such as increased salaries due to technological advances in broadcasting, antitrust cases, the gender pay gap and bargaining between leagues and players' unions. The authors refer to five published research papers on sports economics, two quantitative books, two quantitative articles in the popular press and one nonquantitative nonfiction book.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides data to researchers who study sports regarding topics that students are being taught in economics texts. It is a potential tool for connecting their areas of research to the university experience.Practical implicationsSports economics professors, and other professors, may enhance student interest by a choice of text for their principles classes.Social implicationsSports coverage in principles texts illuminates topics such as the effect of technology on income distribution, the morality of paying college athletes, the interaction of the legal system and markets and the gender gap.Originality/valueNo other publicly referenced paper details the use of sports in principles textbooks.

College Sport Communicator Leaders’ Perceptions of Sport Information Operations

Recent research indicates College Athletic Communicators (CACs) could benefit from more staff in the communication department (Elliott et al., 2023). However the request may not be supported by administration as additional staffing may not fit in the budget. Therefore, it appears imperative to evaluate no-cost options to alleviate the feelings of being under-appreciated and overworked. The College Sport Communicators (CSC) professional association may be a strong advocate for the profession and may have the ability to provide needed resources for those serving in CAC positions. Therefore, the research presented in this study aims to explore the perspective and experiences of CSC leaders to evaluate how to better serve the CAC profession with an understanding of limited resources. In this study, semi-structed interviews with CSC leaders were conducted. Data provided by the participants indicate ways for CACs to avoid burn out and how athletic administrators can work to support the profession.

Systematic Review: Mental Health Screening Tools for Collegiate Athletes

The mental health of college athletes has become a priority for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and for athletic departments across numerous Colleges and Universities. Sport social work has limited research exploring empirical evidence on the use and effectiveness of specific mental health assessments for the population of college athletes. College athletes experience a plethora of stressors and mental health concerns that will require the use of mental health assessments to determine the appropriate level of care. A systematic review was conducted utilizing the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews for Interventions. An initial search of sport social work literature yielded 1,199 articles. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, five articles remained that met the full criteria for inclusion. Results indicate there are mental health assessment tools that have empirical data supporting their use with college athletes. Although appropriate mental health screening tools were identified, future research is necessary to expand the breadth of empirical data that supports additional mental health assessment tools for specific use with the population of college athletes. These tools should include a positive psychology component to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care in the college athlete population and increase their likeliness to engage in mental health services.

Balancing Academics and Athletics: Examining Academic and Athletic Identity Profiles in a Large Sample of NCAA Division I College Athletes

College athletes balance academic and athletic roles and, as a result, can hold different combinations of academic and athletic identities. The purpose of this study was to identify common identity profiles in a large sample of Division I (elite) college athletes in the U.S. and to examine these profiles on a number of measures in academics and athletics: performance, motivation (e.g., achievement goals, autonomous motivation, competence, interest, effort, value, persistence, passion), satisfaction, and ethical conduct (e.g., cheating, plagiarism, sportspersonship, gamesmanship, aggression). Profiles were derived in Study 1 (N = 1124) and cross-validated with an independent sample in Study 2 (N = 184). Results showed four common identity profiles: (1) fully engaged college athletes with the highest academic and athletic identities, (2) committed athletes with a low academic identity and a high athletic identity, (3) academics-focused college athletes with an average academic identity and a low athletic identity, and (4) academically unengaged athletes with an extremely low academic identity and a low athletic identity. The identity profiles differed significantly across the measures of academic and athletic performance, achievement motivation (mastery, performance, task, and ego goals), satisfaction, and ethical conduct (academic misconduct, homework cheating, plagiarism, test cheating, sportspersonship, gamesmanship, instrumental aggression) in Study 1, as well as autonomous motivation (competence, relatedness, value/usefulness, effort/importance), academic persistence, and athletic passion (harmonious, obsessive) in Study 2. Taken together, findings provided evidence of both the multidimensional nature of college athletes’ identities and the heterogeneity of the college athlete population. Overall, these findings point to the importance of concurrent examination of academic and athletic identities as separate yet interrelated dimensions in research studies. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of college athletes' experiences and provides a more nuanced perspective on their identity development.

The privilege to play: race, gender, & SES advantages in boys’ high school athletic opportunities

ABSTRACT In this study, with an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, we considered the components and implications of a habitus that (re)produces racial/ethnic, social class, and gender differences in US interscholastic sport participation. We drew from independently collected qualitative (N = 19 men and 47 total college athletes) and quantitative (N = 4,097 high school boys) data and noted and investigated dynamic links between individual choices; family, community, and school contexts; and power structures that inform interscholastic athletics. Findings positioned sports as offering valuable institutionalized cultural capital but being rife with reproductive struggles. Schools serve as fields that co-construct unequal athletic opportunity structures by nurturing and rewarding a cultivated athletic habitus associated with masculinity, whiteness, and affluent dispositions. These processes situate athletic advantages and successes as purely meritorious but restrict who is most likely to receive the individual and social benefits of high school sports participation.

Balancing Athletic and Academic Excellence: A Quantitative Study of Student-Athletes' Time Management Strategies

This study focuses on the unique challenges faced by student-athletes and explores how they find a balance between competitive sports and academic pursuits. Through a one-year longitudinal study of 360 college athletes from a variety of sports and academic backgrounds, we deeply analyzed the relationship between time management strategies and academic achievement, athletic performance, and psychological health. The study used quantitative research methods to analyze the data and revealed several key time management strategies that were associated with significant improvements in academic and athletic performance. In particular, we discovered a novel "flexible focus" strategy that enabled students to quickly switch their attention between learning and training while maintaining high efficiency. In addition, the study found the moderating effects of social media use, sleep patterns, and nutritional intake on time management effects. Based on these findings, we proposed a comprehensive "dual-track development model" to provide a practical guidance framework for student-athletes, coaches, and educators. This model is not only applicable to traditional college sports programs, but also considers the emerging field of e-sports, providing a new perspective for understanding and supporting the comprehensive development of student-athletes in the 21st century. The results of this study have important implications for higher education policy, athletic training program design, and the development of student support services, providing an empirical basis for promoting the comprehensive development of student-athletes.

The effects of toe grip training on fall prevention and cognitive function in the elderly

Given the connection between the feet and the brain via sensory receptors, it is believed that improving the sensitivity of the toes and the soles of the feet could help prevent injuries and improve performance in athletes and prevent falls and improve cognitive function in the elderly. Associate Professor Ryota Tsuyuguchi was a coach of the Osaka Sangyo University Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Team, which enabled him to observe, first-hand, the importance of feet to performance. This prompted him to consider the wider implications of improving sensation in toes and feet. At the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences at Osaka Sangyo University in Japan, Tsuyuguchi and the team are conducting research to expand on the belief that training related to toe grip could enhance the benefits of exercise. Indeed, training interventions related to conscious toe grip might affect brain metabolism and brain nerve activity, helping to improve cognitive function. The researchers have studied most age sectors of society and found that the output of the motor association cortex in the frontal lobe was strengthened and the function of the A10 nerve nucleus was improved, which suggests that the prefrontal cortex was also affected. The researchers believe that the activation of mechanoreceptors on the soles of the feet will improve toe grip function to ensure support and safety. They also believe that moving the centre of gravity forward through training of toe grip will encourage autonomic posture adjustment through the spinal reflexes, which may also be an effective approach in the prevention of falls.

Intra- and inter-session reliability of air plethysmography for assessing body composition in university athletes

Intra- and inter-session reliability of air plethysmography for assessing body composition in university athletes

Qualitative Analysis of Micro-System-Level Factors Determining Sport Persistence.

Background/Objectives: Sport persistence is the embodiment of sports performance and mental toughness. It refers to our attempts concerning the performance plateau, failures, injuries, or even the resolution and processing of stressful situations associated with success and positive events. In our research, we used qualitative methods based on Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model to investigate the factors influencing sport persistence among high school and university athletes. Methods: The research was based on semi-structured interviews with 133 athletes. ATLAS.ti software and the grounded theory methodology were applied for data analysis. Our analysis grouped the responses according to Bronfenbrenner's categorisation system, highlighting motivational factors at the microsystem level. Our research question was as follows: What kind of factors dominate the development of sport persistence among adolescent (high school) and young adult (university) athletes along Bronfenbrenner's dimension of the microsystem? Results: Regarding the microsystem, family, peers, and coaches were mentioned as influential factors. Concerning the family, general, person-specific, family value-related, future-oriented, introjected, and disadvantage-compensating motivational components were identified. General, individual, community and relational factors were identified concerning peers. Concerning the coach, general, individual, community, and coach personality-driven motivational segments were detected. Conclusions: By recognising the complex interplay of systemic factors, we can design interventions targeting these factors at various socio-ecological levels, promoting youth sports and increasing physical activity among young people. These findings instil hope and motivation for the future of sports and physical activity.

Capitalizing on sport labor migration: The role of ethnic capitalism in the discriminatory, regulatory, and exploitative environment for international college athletes in the United States

International college athletes (ICAs) are integral to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and lie at a particular social location as they are international students and college sport laborers. However, little research examines the discriminatory regulations toward ICAs by the NCAA, its member institutions, and the US federal government. Recent court rulings that permit college athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) do not benefit ICAs because of outdated and exclusionary restrictions imposed by federal immigration policies, visa laws, and US tax laws, which prohibit ICAs from having equitable rights, building their personal brand and professional careers. To examine the discrimination, regulation, and exploitation of ICAs by the US federal government and the NCAA, we apply the theory of ethnic capitalism, which highlights the marginalization of groups based on their ethnicity and national origin. In this setting, ICAs are treated as bodies of athletic labor, recruited for institutional gain and athletic program reputation to benefit US higher education institutions (HEIs). To conclude, we propose the need for the NCAA and its member institutions to treat ICAs equitably and include, support, and advocate for them, specifically regarding their inclusion in NIL on US lands.

Plant-Based Dietary Protein Is Associated with Lower Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Division III Female Athletes: A Pilot Study

Background: College athletes are often overlooked for metabolic syndrome (MetS), as their increased physical activity is assumed to reduce their disease risk. However, energy or macronutrient imbalance has been shown to increase risk independent of activity. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the current dietary habits of Division III female athletes and determine their associations with body composition and MetS. Secondly, we sought to determine whether dietary intake and dietary protein source (i.e., animal- and plant-based, ABP and PBP) and quality were associated with MetS, as estimated by the Simple Method for Quantifying Metabolic Syndrome (siMS) score and the siMS risk score, and whether protein pacing was associated with body composition in Division III female athletes. Methods: Stepwise linear regression determined whether age (years), body mass (kg), body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), ABP (g/d), PBP (g/d), ABP:PBP, ratio of high-quality to low-quality ABP (ABP QR), relative energy intake (kcal/kg/d), and relative protein, carbohydrate, and fat intake (g/kg/d) were predictors of siMS score and siMS risk score. Results: Twenty-five athletes (19.6 ± 1.3 years; 65.9 ± 7.0 kg; 23.5 ± 2.0 kg/m2; ABP 71.7 ± 28.2 g/d; PBP 30.0 ± 12.2 g/d) were included in the analyses. An inverse relationship was observed between PBP and the siMS score (F1, 22 = 5.498, p = 0.028) and siMS risk score (F1, 22 = 7.614, p = 0.011). The models explained 20% and 26% of the variance in siMS score and siMS risk score, respectively. Conclusions: PBP was associated with lower MetS risk in Division III female athletes, while ABP, regardless of quality, was unrelated. These associations were independent of physical activity in this cohort of Division III female athletes.

Kaempferol Reduces Cardiopulmonary Load and Muscular Damage in Repeated 400‐m Sprints: A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial

ABSTRACTPlants exposed to hypoxic conditions have been suggested to produce more biologically active phytochemicals than those exposed to normal oxygen levels. Previously, we investigated 314 highland crop species and showed that the flavonoid kaempferol extracted from a highland quinoa grain markedly increased mitochondrial metabolism and ATP production in a hypoxic environment in vitro. Thus, we hypothesized that kaempferol would be effective during exercise under harsh conditions, in which anaerobic metabolism occurs. This study adopted a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover design to investigate the effect of a single oral dose of kaempferol (10 mg) on the athletic performance‐related indicators of 13 male university athletes (20.8 ± 0.7 years) who performed two consecutive 400‐m runs with the shortest 90‐min interval assuming qualifying and main races. Although no significant differences were observed in the 400‐m race times between the placebo and kaempferol groups, kaempferol intake markedly reduced the respiratory and heart rates during the second run (p < 0.05). In addition, kaempferol intake reduced the levels of muscle damage markers, myoglobin, and aspartate transaminase (p < 0.05). A single oral dose of kaempferol reduced the cardiopulmonary burden and muscle damage in individuals participating in 400‐m runs. Kaempferol may be a useful supplement for relieving the physical load, particularly in individuals performing strenuous exercises with high oxygen demand.Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry in Japan: UMIN000049588

Exploitation in College Sports: No Longer Just a “Man's Game”

Previous studies of college athlete compensation have generally focused on the “revenue sports” of football and men's basketball. Hence, wage exploitation is often considered a “man's game.” In the 50 years since Title IX, many women's college sports have reported millions of dollars in revenue, suggesting wage exploitation is possible in college softball. Data on 19,760 athletes from 294 universities from 2012 to 2021, combined with two different sources of athletic revenue reach the same conclusion: wage exploitation exists in college softball. Furthermore, thousands of players generate more revenue in college than the wages they are likely to earn playing professional softball.

Effect of acute supplementation of hibiscus-ginger drink on university athletes’ aerobic power and blood lactate

Background: Sport training places significant demand on athletes, motivating them to seek strategies to enhance performance and maintain competitiveness. The use of ergogenic aids has become prevalent in sport, although not without potential risks. Hibiscus-ginger juice, rich in vitamins and minerals, has been suggested to improve metabolism, aid in post-exercise recovery, reduce inflammation, and enhance athletic performance. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of hibiscus ginger juice supplementation on aerobic power and blood lactate levels in athletes. Methods: A pretest-posttest experimental design was employed, involving 28 university athletes aged 20 – 37 years. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving 500 mL of hibiscus-ginger juice daily after training for 24 days, or a control group. Physiological measures of blood lactate levels and aerobic power were assessed on three separate occasions during the study period. Results: Mixed model ANOVA showed no significant differences in blood lactate levels (p = .502) or aerobic power (p = .117). Daily consumption of 500 mL of hibiscus-ginger juice for 24 days did not significantly alter aerobic power or blood lactate levels of athletes. Conclusion: The findings suggest that consuming hibiscus-ginger juice may not provide a performance advantage for athletes compared to those who do not. Keywords: Acute supplementation, aerobic power, blood lactate level, hibiscus-ginger juice, university athletes.

“I Was in a Position to Enact Change:” College Athletes’ Use of Social Media for Racial and Social Justice

Recent shifts in societal activism have prompted an exploration of athlete activism, particularly within higher education, where social media has become a pivotal platform for social impact. This paper investigates Division I college athletes’ engagement in athlete activism through the lens of self-authorship and self-presentation on social media for racial and social justice. Existing research underscores the significance of social media in athlete activism, focusing on access barriers, advocacy efforts, and resistance against inequalities. Through an exploratory study, we investigate how college athletes’ processes of self-authorship and selfpresentation relate to social media activism. Our findings reveal three overarching themes: social media as an activist tool, empowerment, and a starting point for advocacy. The findings suggest avenues for college sports administrators to facilitate dialogue, comprehend the strategic utilization of social media in athlete activism, and acknowledge college athletes’ aspiration for increased involvement in effecting meaningful change within their communities. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of college athletes’ contributions to social discourse and racial and social justice initiatives.

Analysis of Predicted Thermal Manikin Physiological Responses when Wearing Compression Gear for American College and Pro-Level Football Athletes

From 2012 to 2019, there were approximately 3455 large-scale National Football League injuries reported. There is widespread commercial acceptance of compression garments as tools for reducing injury, promoting recovery, and improving performance in athletic activity. While studies have been conducted to assess the exercise physiology benefits of compression garments, there remains a gap in the scientific literature regarding the clothing comfort and resultant thermoregulation effects of compression girdles for performance athletes. This study aimed to assess the effects of tighter fitting, multi-layer compression systems when worn by American football athletes. A negative impact on thermoregulation may negate or outweigh any realized local benefit such as increased skin blood flow or reduced muscle oscillatory properties. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the predicted hypothalamus temperature, skin blood flow, skin temperature, sweat rate, temperature sensation, and comfort perceptions of the male human body when wearing a compression girdle. A sweating thermal manikin was utilized to predict the physiological responses of a 50th percentile male when wearing football girdles in both practice and play settings. The results indicate significant differences in skin blood flow, skin temperature, core temperature, sweat rate, and comfort and sensation perceptions when wearing compression girdles compared to boxer briefs in replicated practice and play settings. Findings also demonstrate the use of real-time manikin simulation modeling for predicting physiological response outcomes of wearing compression garments to a realized extent.

Immediate effects of electronic stimulation to the plantar foot on foot function and postural stability during landing.

Sports injuries often occur during landing, necessitating postural stability for injury prevention. Electrical stimulation of the plantar foot induces activities of the intrinsic foot muscles and improves somatosensory and postural stability during landing. However, this effect remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of electrical stimulation on the activities of the intrinsic foot muscles, plantar somatosensory system, and postural stability during landing. Twenty-two college athletes were divided into an electrical stimulation group and a control group. Electrical stimulation was applied to the plantar foot using a commercial device. The toe function and plantar tactile sensations were evaluated. The activities of the intrinsic muscles and the parameters of the ground reaction force were measured and calculated. We compared pre- and postintervention outcomes. In the electrical stimulation group, two subjects showed improvement in toe function, and plantar tactile sensation improved significantly postintervention. The control group exhibited no significant change in plantar tactile sensation. A significant interaction was observed in anteroposterior postural stability during landing, notably improving in the electrical stimulation group. Electrical stimulation of the plantar foot immediately improved toe function, plantar tactile sensation, and postural stability during landing. Such stimulation would be beneficial in preventing sports injuries.

Association of H-reflex parameters and peroneal nerve conduction velocity with dynamic balance and agility in university athletes: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Athletic performance parameters encompass a wide range of physical, physiological, and biomechanical measures that are crucial for evaluating and optimising athletes’ capabilities. There are various intrinsic factors that can contribute to athletic skills, which subsequently impact overall performance. Thus, there is a need to explore significant intrinsic factors associated with athletic parameters, that can provide insights into the physiological mechanisms underlying performance. In this study, we examined the potential relationship of two such intrinsic factors, namely the H-reflex and the peroneal nerve conduction velocity, with athletic skills like dynamic balance and agility. Forty-five university-level athletes of all genders playing for different teams of Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, India were selected. All athletes underwent tibial H-reflex, peroneal NCV, mSEBT (for dynamic balance), and agility T-test evaluations. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the association of nerve function parameters (H-reflex and NCV) with athletic performance parameters (dynamic balance and agility). Results showed that H-reflex amplitude showed a significant negative correlation with both dynamic balance scores (Dominant Leg [DL]: r = −0.321 and ; Non-dominant leg [NDL]: r = −0.397 and ) and T-test scores (DL: r = −0.342; NDL: r = −0.321, ), respectively. The peroneal NCV was significantly positively correlated with dynamic balance (DL: r = 0.438 and ; NDL: r = 0.418 and ) and agility scores (DL: r = 0.639 and ; NDL: r = 0.641 and ) in athletes. In conclusion, significant associations were found between H-reflex and Peroneal nerve conduction velocity and key athletic performance parameters like dynamic balance and agility among university athletes. This implies that neural function is closely linked with athletic skills and performance. Registered in Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) under registration number: REF/2023/11/075394.