Well-being Of Athletes Research Articles

THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

The role of physiotherapists in professional football is critical for both the physical recovery of athletes and the implementation of strategies that promote injury prevention and enhance performance. With a comprehensive understanding of biomechanics and movement principles, physiotherapists can assess players’ performance and work closely with coaching staff to devise effective game tactics. Their expertise enables them to identify movement patterns and areas of stress that can lead to injuries, ultimately helping to minimize these risks. Education plays a vital part in the physiotherapist's responsibilities, as they teach athletes about health maintenance and the significance of injury prevention. This educational component is essential for ensuring that players can sustain a long and successful sports career. Despite progress in prevention and rehabilitation practices, studies reveal persistent gaps between clinical practice and scientific evidence. Increased regulation of the profession, coupled with a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates psychological support, emphasizes the growing importance of physiotherapy within football. Moreover, recognizing the psychological factors that influence recovery and utilizing evidence-based protocols are vital for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes. The physiotherapist’s influence extends beyond physical recovery; they are integral in fostering the overall health and well-being of athletes, which significantly impacts team performance. Moving forward, the field of physiotherapy in football must prioritize continuous professional development, the adoption of innovative practices, and the establishment of an environment that values both the physical and mental health of players.

Effects of resistance and strength training on serum phosphorus levels in male footballers: implications for physical educators and sports trainers

Background and Study Aim. Sports performance and overall health of athletes are highly dependent on various physiological markers. Among these, blood biochemistry is of great importance and should be carefully considered in athletes' training regimens. However, the effect of strength and resistance training on serum phosphorus levels still requires further clarification and more effective solutions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of strength and resistance training on serum phosphorus levels in elite male soccer players. Material and Methods. A sample of 90 volunteers was recruited from football athletes in the Peshawar division. Thirty participants were selected from each of the under-16, under-19, and under-23 age groups. They were divided into three groups: the Resistance Training Group (RTG), the Strength Training Group (STG), and the Control Group (CG). Each group consisted of 30 participants, with 10 from each age category. Phosphorus levels and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) were assessed before and after a 12-week strength and resistance training intervention. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and paired sample t-tests were used to evaluate changes over time. Results. Significant improvements were observed in serum phosphorus levels in the Resistance Training Group (4.77±0.258 vs. 3.66±0.207, P<0.001) and in the Strength Training Group (4.31±0.304 vs. 3.66±0.209, P<0.001). A 12-week regimen of strength and resistance training significantly improved serum phosphorus levels among the participants. Analysis of variance indicated that both strength and resistance training significantly affected serum phosphorus levels after 12 weeks of intervention. Tukey’s HSD test revealed that the effects of resistance training were more pronounced than those of strength training. Conclusions. This study highlights the importance of incorporating both strength and resistance training in athletic programs. These training approaches are crucial for optimizing physical health and performance. The findings underscore the need for educators and trainers to adapt and refine their methods to maximize the benefits of these interventions. By doing so, they can enhance the effectiveness of training regimens and contribute to the overall well-being of athletes.

OPTIMISING EFFORT CAPACITY IN TRIATHLON

Background. My personal triathlon practice inspired the creation of a specialized training regimen to improve triathlon training in Romania. This program aims to enhance performance, well-being, and injury prevention for athletes. At the INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTRE (CCI) “Dr. Alexandru Partheniu” of UNEFS, we used AEROSCAN technology to assess exercise capacity, measuring heart and breathing rates with the Bruce Protocol for precise physiological monitoring. Objectives. This research demonstrates that tailored training cycles for swimming, cycling, and running can significantly enhance triathlon performance. The goal was to create a customizable, comprehensive training program to maximize the overall training process and provide a scientific foundation for triathlon training in Romania. This research aims to demonstrate that tailored training cycles can significantly enhance triathlon performance. Methods. We used observation, experimental, statistical-mathematical, and bibliographic study methods to interpret the experiment's outcomes. The bibliographic study provided the theoretical basis, while observation and experimental methods enabled real-time data collection. Statistical analysis was crucial for interpreting the data. Results. Using AEROSCAN and the Polar system, we evaluated exercise capacity and tracked heart rate. The Bruce protocol was applied for both initial and final tests. The data showed significant improvements in endurance, speed, and overall performance, supported by statistical analysis, after implementing the customized training program. Conclusion: Our research indicates that tailored athletic training regimens for each triathlon discipline can significantly enhance performance and promote athletes' health and longevity. The results highlight the importance of individualized training plans and suggest potential improvements in Romanian triathlon training practices. Individualized training programs lead to notable improvements in performance and athlete well-being.

Low energy availability surrogates are associated with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport outcomes in male athletes

ObjectivesTo determine the association between surrogates of low energy availability (EA) and proposed health and performance outcomes of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) in a clinical sample of adolescent...

The relationship between multidimensional social support and well-being in disability sport

In this study, we investigated the relationships among perceived social support, perceived available support in sport, team cohesion, grit, sport engagement, and life satisfaction among disability sport athletes. Twenty-four athletes from Israel and Belgium, aged 22 to 65, 87.5% male (n = 24) and 12.5% female (n = 3), with physical disabilities participated. The results showed significant positive correlations between team cohesion and sport engagement (r = 0.44, p < 0.05) and life satisfaction (r = 0.57, p < 0.01). Team cohesion was also linked to perceived social support (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). Finally, grit and sport engagement (r = 0.50, p < 0.01) and perceived social support and sport engagement (r = 0.50, p < 0.05) were correlated. These findings underscore the importance of supportive social environments inside and outside of sport in potentially enhancing athlete well-being.

ESTRATÉGIAS DE CONFORTO AMBIENTAL PARA QUADRAS FECHADAS VOLTADAS A ESPORTES DE ALTO RENDIMENTO

Sports architecture, with its particularities, is essential to optimize the efficiency of environments, considering the specific needs of each sport. This article addresses environmental comfort strategies applied to indoor courts intended for high-performance sports, highlighting the importance of an architecturally planned environment to ensure the well-being of athletes and optimize their performance. The study focuses on thermal, visual, acoustic and ergonomic aspects, and analyzes how each of these factors influences sports performance. In addition, it explores the interaction between the body and the physical environment, proposing solutions that favor the creation of functional and comfortable spaces for sports practice and competitive events. The research, of a bibliographic and exploratory nature, brings together concepts of environmental psychology and athletic performance, in addition to highlighting the construction strategies of ventilation, lighting and acoustic control that can be applied to indoor courts with the aim of promoting human well-being. The work proposes solutions so that sports centers offer adequate conditions for sports practice, supporting the creation of environments that favor both the satisfaction and the enhancement of the performance of athletes. From this study, it is possible to define the importance of the preparation and competition environment in the performance of high-performance athletes, and architecture, linked to environmental comfort, is shown to be a tool for the development of these spaces, essential for success in national and international sports competitions.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Rugby Athletes: The Role of Dietary Supplements and Their Consumption.

This study investigates dietary supplement use among rugby players and their general health, focusing on prevalence and underlying motivations. Involving 92 athletes, it examines the relationship between supplement usage, motivations, and health outcomes using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey and a 24-item ad hoc questionnaire. Findings reveal a high frequency of supplement usage, motivated by desires to enhance performance, appearance, and mood. Significant differences in health-related quality of life are found between users and non-users, particularly in mental health, social functioning, and emotional stability. Motivations like performance enhancement and body shape manipulation were linked to altered health perceptions, indicating the psychosocial impacts of supplementation. This study emphasizes the need to consider the holistic effects of supplements on athlete well-being, advocating for a balanced approach prioritizing both physical and mental health. It calls for increased awareness among athletes, coaches, and sports professionals about the potential risks and benefits of supplement use and the importance of informed decision-making. Additionally, it highlights the need for further research to understand the mechanisms of supplement use and its impact on athlete health, aiming to enhance sports science and promote overall athlete well-being in competitive environments.

Differential impacts of high and low-intensity physical exercise on brain wave activity and functional connectivity in professional athletes: a systematic review

Introduction: This systematic review explores the differential impacts of high and low-intensity physical exercise on brain wave activity and functional connectivity in professional athletes. The study aims to elucidate how varying exercise intensities influence cognitive and emotional responses, brain connectivity, and overall mental health. Additionally, it examines the potential synergistic effects of integrating neurofeedback training with physical exercise. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Keywords included "high-intensity exercise," "low-intensity exercise," "brain wave activity," "functional connectivity," "professional athletes," and "cognitive performance." Inclusion criteria were studies published in peer-reviewed journals involving professional athletes and examining the impact of exercise intensity on brain wave activity and functional connectivity. Data extraction focused on study design, sample size, exercise intensity, neuroimaging techniques, brain wave activity, and functional connectivity outcomes. Results: High-intensity physical exercise was found to induce significant changes in functional connectivity within affect and reward networks, enhance mood, and improve cognitive performance through increased brain wave coherence and synchronization. Low-intensity exercise primarily enhanced cognitive and attentional processing by increasing resting-state functional connectivity in the fronto-parietal network. Neurofeedback training was shown to enhance brain wave activity, reduce stress levels, and increase self-control over physiological factors. The combined approach of neurofeedback and physical exercise demonstrated potential for optimizing both mental and physical performance in athletes. Conclusion: The findings indicate that high-intensity exercise leads to significant and prolonged changes in brain connectivity and cognitive performance, while low-intensity exercise benefits cognitive and attentional processing. The discussion introduces the Neurofeedback and Physical Fitness Synergy Theory, which posits that integrating neurofeedback with physical exercise can lead to optimal improvements in both physical fitness and mental health. This combined approach suggests a promising strategy for enhancing overall athletic performance and mental well-being. Future research should focus on standardized measures and long-term studies to further validate these findings and explore the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Keywords: Brain, Emotions, Physical Fitness, Cognition, Athletes, Self-Control

Sport mental health continuum in young Brazilian athletes: adaptation and psychometric properties

Instruments used to assess the mental well-being of young athletes in Brazil are scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt for young athletes, and gather evidence of validity for the Sport Mental Health—Short Form (S-MHC) for use in Brazilian Portuguese. The research was conducted in five stages: translation, synthesis, back-translation, expert review, and validation of the psychometric properties. For validation, 246 young athletes of both genders (88 females, 35.8%), aged between 12 and 18 years (14.5 ± 1.9 years), were recruited. Psychometric methods were employed to confirm and validate the translated and adapted versions of the S-MHC for young athletes, including internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega, composite reliability, Item Characteristic Curve (ICC) using Item Response Theory (IRT), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Two structures were tested, with Model 1 loading the 14 items of the translated version of the S-MHC into a single latent factor and Model 2 loading the items into three factors related to emotional, social, and psychological sport well-being. Both models showed good validity, consistency, and reliability measures and can be used to investigate the sport well-being of young athletes. It was concluded that the translated version of the S-MHC in Brazilian Portuguese can be used to assess the sport well-being of young athletes in Brazil. Model 2 structure is recommended to observe the different nuances of emotional, social, and psychological well-being.

Examining football players' perceived social support across organizational levels and its links to holistic talent development outcomes in German youth academies

Sport research highlights the significance of supportive relationships and a psychologically safe environment for promoting desirable talent development outcomes associated with young athletes' performance, wellbeing, and personal development. Against this background, this study aimed to investigate youth football players' perceived availability of different kinds of social support from various stakeholders along the talent pathway in German elite youth academies (1). It further sought to examine the link of such social support perceptions to wellbeing, sport commitment and individual performance satisfaction as relevant development outcomes (2). Finally, the study examined potential mechanism underlying these associations by considering psychological safety as a potential mediator (3). For this purpose, N = 271 youth academy players participating in teams of under-13s, under-15s, and under-17/19s age groups completed a multi-section online survey including the PASS-Q, PsySafety-Check, and WHO-5 as well as subscales of the ASQ (i.e., individual performance satisfaction) and YSCS (i.e., sport commitment). Multivariate analyses indicated significant differences in players' perceptions of social support depending on its kind and provider as well as on players' age group. Further, path models highlighted the importance of emotional and esteem support provided by coaches and management for players' talent development outcomes. However, psychological safety seemed to only play a minor role within those associations, partially mediating the effects of emotional support. Overall, these findings encourage a critical reflection of youth players' social support needs and opportunities to optimally address those within elite youth academies as prominent talent development environments in football.

Centering the female athlete voice in a sports science research agenda: a modified Delphi survey with Team USA athletes

ObjectivesTo co-construct a sports medicine and exercise science research and translational agenda with Team USA elite female athletes serving as the experts on their health, performance and well-being.Methods40 Team USA...

A scoping review of rapid weight loss in judo athletes: prevalence, magnitude, effects on performance, risks, and recommendations.

Combat sports, such as judo, are weight categorized. Weight control was established to promote fair disputes among individuals. However, combat sports athletes adopt rapid weight loss (RWL) to obtain an advantage over smaller and lighter opponents. This scoping review article presents the prevalence, magnitude, and methods of RWL and its effects on physical and competitive performance, health risks, and psychological effects. Specific recommendations for attenuating the effects of RWL are also presented. Studies were retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Four hundred and forty-six articles were identified, of which fifty-three were considered eligible for this review. The results showed that the prevalence of RWL was between 40% and 92.9% and that athletes reduced their body mass by approximately 5%. Although the literature suggests that RWL impairs the performance and psychological well-being of athletes, these results were obtained when recovery time was not provided. No negative effects on performance were observed when the recovery time was >4 h. However, health risks due to RWL practices should be considered, and RWL should be avoided.

Emotional Intelligence and Burnout among Adolescent Basketball Players: The Mediating Effect of Emotional Labor.

Burnout, characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion, poses a significant challenge to adolescent athletes, particularly in high-intensity sports like basketball. Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to manage emotions, which is negatively associated with burnout. Emotional labor, including strategies of surface acting (SA), deep acting (DA), and genuine expression (GE), plays a potentially key role in emotion management between EI and burnout for athletes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between EI and burnout, as well as the mediating role of emotional labor strategies among adolescent basketball players. Our cross-sectional study, conducted in youth sports schools in four different places in China, involved 260 basketball players. Results indicate a negative association between EI and burnout, with SA and GE emerging as significant mediators. SA was positively linked to burnout, while GE showed a negative association. These findings suggest that enhancing EI and managing emotional labor strategies are crucial for mitigating burnout and improving the well-being and performance of young athletes.

Nutritional Status and Cardiometabolic Markers to Determine Athlete’s Achievement: A Cross-Sectional Study

The health, physiological, and nutritional status of an athlete is a top priority in achieving success and career sustainability. Information about an athlete's health, such as blood biochemistry, anthropometry, and adequate nutritional intake, might indicate their ability to perform exceptionally well in different levels of competition. Objective: This research objective is to examine the correlation between athletes' sports achievements in Bandung and their anthropometric traits, nutritional status, and blood biochemical indicators. Methods: This study utilised a cross-sectional design and incidental data collection techniques. Participants: The study comprised 84 athletes from 27 different sports who received achievement allowances from KONI Bandung City. Instruments: n this study, we employed reliable and validated techniques to assess anthropometrics, body composition, somatotype, blood biochemistry, nutritional intake adequacy, and energy adequacy. Data analysis: Both the bivariate and multivariate analyses used logistic regression. Results: The findings of the analysis indicate a significant relationship between athlete performance and two variables: blood pressure (p=0.026) and dietary diversity (p=0.048). The findings from the multivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between blood pressure and dietary variety, which influences the achievement of athletes. The calculation of the odds ratio (OR) revealed that among all the variables examined, the athlete's blood pressure exhibited strongest correlation with their performance. Conclusion: Blood pressure is a physiological measurement that can serve as an indicator of cardiac function and overall well-being. As a result, it is critical to regularly assess the physical well-being of athletes in Bandung to ensure their consistent optimal performance.

Psychological well-being and healthy personality in sports practice

This study investigates the relationship between sports practice, psychological well-being, and personality traits. It involved 761 participants from Spain (80.6%) and Argentina (19.4%), comprising 37.1% men and 62.9% women, with a mean age of 20.4 years (SD: 7.5). Among them, 70.8% engaged in regular sports activities, contrasting with 29.2% who did not. The Scales of Psychological Well-being and the NEO-FFI were the assessment instruments chosen in order to measure psychological well-being and personality traits. Data analysis consisted of Student's t-tests and multiple linear regression models. The results reveal higher scores in five of six psychological well-being dimensions and healthier personality traits among subjects that engage in sports practice. Noteworthy enhancements were found in Self-acceptance, Autonomy, Environmental Mastery, Personal Growth, and Life Purpose for sports participants. Personality traits significantly mediate between sports practice and psychological well-being dimensions. Extraversion, Openness, and Conscientiousness correlate positively with well-being dimensions, while Neuroticism negatively impacts several aspects. Keywords: Sports practice, psychological well-being, athlete well-being, sport psychology, exercise psychology, personality traits, Big Five Model.

The relationships between (dis-)empowering climate and basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration

AbstractIn the realm of sports, athlete wellbeing stands as a pivotal cornerstone for peak performance and personal growth. Within this context, the satisfaction of basic psychological needs (BPNs; i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) plays a fundamental role. This study is rooted in self-determination theory and is the first to investigate how peer-created empowering climate (PCEC) and peer-created disempowering climate (PCDC) relate to BPN satisfaction and frustration. The study sample comprises 101 athletes from diverse team sports, including para- and non-para-athletes. Using adapted scales, the study cross-sectionally measures PCEC and PCDC as independent variables and BPN satisfaction and frustration as dependent variables in the context of team sports. The results show significant positive relationships between PCEC and BPN satisfaction across autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Conversely, PCDC shows positive relationships with BPN frustration regarding autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The research highlights the differential impacts of PCEC and PCDC on athletes’ needs, emphasizing how PCEC may positively influence satisfaction while PCDC relates to increased frustration. Notably, the study provides insights into the influential role of peers in meeting the basic psychological needs of athletes. These findings underscore the importance of interpersonal relationships in team sports and offer valuable insights for interventions to enhance athlete wellbeing and optimize performance.

Psychological Well-Being of Young Athletes with Physical Disabilities: A Systematic Review.

Currently, young people with disabilities practice less sport than people without disabilities, which is a risk to their health and affects their well-being. The aim of this research was to identify the specific dimensions and tools used to measure psychological well-being (PWB) in young athletes with physical disabilities and to analyze the influence of sport. A systematic review was conducted using PUBMED/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Sportdiscus databases, and the search was completed without limitation to any specific year, including results up to and including 29 May, 2023. A total of 2112 articles were obtained in the initial search. Eligibility criteria were: (i) athletes with a physical disability, (ii) performing adapted and non-adapted physical activity and/or sport, (iii) the study aimed to analyse well-being, and (iv) outcomes of psychological well-being variables were identified. Exclusion criteria were (i) people with injury or transient difficulty, (ii) rehabilitative physical activity, and (iii) the results did not show any psychological well-being variables or mentions. This review identified that the most used dimension was mastery of the environment, together with the autonomy. All studies showed a positive correlation between sport practice and psychological well-being. Five measurement tools were identified knowing the state of psychological well-being of young athletes with disabilities is essential to promote successful participation in sports activities.

A - 92 Association of the Grit Scale with Cognitive/Emotional Symptom Endorsement in Older Former College Athletes

Abstract Objective The Grit Scale is a validated measure of trait-level perseverance, often linked with resilience, and has been associated with better cognition and psychological well-being in older adults. As the ability to respond positively to setbacks is essential for a successful athlete, investigation of the Grit Scale in former athletes may prove beneficial for further understanding the effect of resilience and its relation to brain health and psychological well-being. Method Former college athletes (N = 678, 45.9% female) aged 50–87 (m = 61.44) from the College Level Aging Athlete Study (CLEAATS) completed the Grit Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI), and the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified (TICS-m). Pearson’s partial correlations (r) were used to determine the relationship between scores on these measures, controlling for age and education. Results Pearson partial correlations between Grit Scale scores and scores from the other measures were modest but statistically significant: PHQ-8 (r = −0.342, p < 0.001), GAD-7 (r = −0.259, p < 0.001), CFI (r = −0.316, p < 0.001), and TICS-m (r = 0.101, p = 0.008). Conclusions Comparison of the Grit Scale with PHQ-8, GAD-7, CFI, and TICS-m indicated that greater trait-level perseverance correlated with better cognitive and emotional functioning in former college athletes. Results emphasize the need to further evaluate perseverance/resilience and its value for understanding brain health and psychological well-being in athletes and former athletes.

Enhancing Athletic Well-Being: Unravelling the Impact of Social Support

Enhancing athletic well-being is integral to optimizing sports performance and overall health. Social support serves as a vital component in fostering athletic well-being, offering emotional, tangible, and informational assistance to athletes. This study examines the social support experienced by SUKMA athletes, focusing on support from friends, family, and significant others throughout their sports engagement. The primary objective is to explore the relationship between social support and psychological well-being among SUKMA athletes in Negeri Sembilan. A sample of 298 athletes completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Psychological Well-being Scale. Findings reveal family support as the predominant source of social support, followed by significant others and friends. Notably, significant others exhibit a significant relationship with all elements of psychological well-being. Further research should delve into the nuanced dynamics of social support in athletic contexts through longitudinal and qualitative studies. Strategies to bolster social support networks within sports settings are recommended to enhance athletes' mental health and performance. Moreover, the study lays the groundwork for future research to explore the complexities of social support in athletic environments, advocating for longitudinal and qualitative approaches to better understand these dynamics.

Comparative Analysis of Performance Anxiety and Aggression in Swimmers and Para swimmers

Background: This study compares performance anxiety and aggression between female swimmers and female para-swimmers. It aims to identify significant differences and provide recommendations for enhanced psychological support for both groups. Objective: To compare and analyse performance anxiety and aggression levels between para and able-bodied swimmers, identify key contributing factors, and develop recommendations for improved psychological support and coping strategies for both groups. Method: This study involved a total of 50 national-level subjects, consisting of 25 female swimmers and 25 female para-swimmers, to identify previously unknown psychological drawbacks. All participants were aged between 18 and 30 years. Tests were administered to assess psychological variables including Aggression and Competitive State Anxiety as well as influencing factors in their sports careers. Result: The analysis revealed that female swimmers had significantly higher levels of aggression (M = 80.04, SD = 14.72) and competitive state anxiety (M = 19.35, SD = 3.01) compared to female para-swimmers, who had lower scores in both areas (aggression: M = 72.04, SD = 13.77; anxiety: M = 17.08, SD = 5.91). T-tests showed significant differences in aggression (t = 2.02, p = 0.048) and anxiety (t = 2.99, p = 0.004) between the two groups, indicating that female swimmers experience higher levels of both psychological variables than female para-swimmers. Conclusion: Female swimmers show significantly higher levels of aggression and competitive state anxiety compared to female para-swimmers. These findings highlight the need for targeted psychological support to address these elevated levels and improve overall athlete well-being and performance.