Youth Team Research Articles

Investigating Youth Sport Coach Perspectives of an Asthma Education Module.

Physical activity can reduce symptoms and improve wellbeing in people who have asthma, and organized sport is one way for children and youth with asthma to engage in exercise. While asthmatic youth may experience a number of barriers to sport participation, healthy physical and social sport environments supported by coaches can help asthmatic youth athletes maintain long-term engagement in activity. This paper reports results of an assessment of an online coach education tool related to air quality, physical activity, and allergic disease (e.g., asthma). Focus groups with youth team sport coaches in southern Ontario (n = 12 participants) were conducted to explore how users experience the module and short- and medium-term outcomes of implementation. Although coaches perceive the module as relevant, it is considered less valuable in certain contexts (e.g., indoor environments) or when compared with other coach education (e.g., tactical). Although broad asthma management behaviours (e.g., athlete medical forms) were recognized, specific module-identified prevention and management techniques (e.g., the Air Quality Health Index) were less frequently described. Ensuring environment and health coach education emphasizes athlete performance while reducing risk is critical to promoting module application and providing safe and enjoyable youth team sport spaces.

The Level of Psychological Frequency and its Relationship to the Perception of the Point of Ball Fall of the Players of the National Youth Team of Bowling

The Level of Psychological Frequency and its Relationship to the Perception of the Point of Ball Fall of the Players of the National Youth Team of Bowling

In the footsteps of a quiet pioneer: revisiting Pearl Jephcott’s work on youth leisure in Scotland and Hong Kong

ABSTRACTPearl Jephcott’s (1967) research on Scottish teens, Time of One’s Own, is one of the first sociological studies of leisure in the postwar period. This research is remarkable not only for its emphasis on ‘ordinary’ young people but also for its ambitious and eclectic research design, which incorporates field research, sample surveys and task-based participatory methods. The (Re)Imagining Youth team revisited Jephcott’s Scottish research alongside her survey of The Situation of Children and Youth in Hong Kong (1971) as part of a contemporary study of youth leisure and social change. This paper outlines our attempt to reimagine Jephcott’s work for the contemporary context, highlighting the ways in which her method was both a product of its time and ahead of its time.

Investigation of job satisfaction and organizational commitment level of football coaches<p>Futbol antrenörlerinin iş doyumlarinin ve örgütsel bağliliklarinin incelenmesi

The purpose of this study is to determine the organizational commitment and job satisfaction of youth team football coaches.The sample of the study is consisted of 212 youth team coaches who work in Central Anatolian region. Coaches were selected by purpose sampling method. During the study, basic personal information form was utilized. In addition to this, the job satisfaction survey which was developed by Spector (1985) and the organizational commitment survey which was developed by Porter et al. (1974) was used. The Cronbach Alpha value of job satisfaction survey was calculated .80 and Cronbach Alpha value of organizational commitment survey was calculated .72 after data’s were analyzed. The data’s, normal distribution for the data were analyzed with non-parametric tests. Standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, percentage, of the data which obtained from the survey was analyzed by using, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests in SPSS 21.0 statistic program. Also the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational commitment of coaches were tried to determine by using Spearman Test.Job satisfaction and organizational commitment levels of the coaches who participated in this study was found average. The lowest levels of job satisfaction factor structures were found Pay and Promotion. In spite of this the highest levels of job satisfaction factor structures were found Nature of Work and Coworkers. Besides, it was found out that there was a positive relationship between the job satisfaction levels and organizational commitment degrees of the coaches. When coaches are compared by their education status, it was seen that, higher educated coaches’ job satisfaction levels were detected lower. Moreover, when coaches are compared by their football club types, it was found that, professional club coaches, job satisfaction and organizational commitment levels were reached higher than amateur club coaches. Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetBu çalışmanın amacını, futbol altyapı antrenörlerinin iş doyum düzeylerinin ve örgütsel bağlılıklarının incelenmesi, oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma örneklemini, İç Anadolu Bölgesi’nde bulunan futbol kulüplerinin altyapılarında görev yapan, amaçlı örnekleme yöntemi ile seçilmiş 212 antrenör oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmada veri toplama aracı olarak kişisel bilgi formu ile 1985 yılında Spector tarafından geliştirilmiş, Yelboğa (2009) tarafından Türkçeye uyarlanan 9 alt boyuttan oluşan İş Doyum Ölçeği ve Porter ve ark. (1974) tarafından geliştirilen, Türkçeye uyarlaması ise 2009 yılında Buluç (2009) tarafından yapılan örgütsel bağlılık ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Kullanılan iş doyum ölçeğinin Cronbach Alpha değeri .80 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Örgütsel bağlılık ölçeğinin Cronbach Alpha değeri ise .72 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Çalışmada verilerin normal dağılım gösterip göstermediği Kolmogrov-Simirnov testi ile analiz edilmiştir. Her iki ölçeğin verilerinin de normal dağılım göstermediği tespit edilmiş ve parametrik olmayan testler kullanılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen verilerin ortalama, standart sapma, minimum, maksimum değerler ile yüzdelik sayılar, Kruskal-Wallis ve Mann-Whitney U testi kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Ayrıca altyapı antrenörlerinin iş doyum düzeylerin ve örgütsel bağlılık seviyeleri arasında herhangi bir ilişki olup olmadığını belirlemek amacıyla Spearman Sıra Farkları Korelasyon Katsayısı testi uygulanmıştır.Araştırmaya katılan altyapı antrenörlerinin iş doyum düzeyleri ve örgütsel bağlılık seviyeleri orta düzeyde olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Antrenörlerin iş doyum düzeylerinde en düşük değerde tespit edilen alt boyutlar Ödeme ve Prim iken en yüksek değerde tespit edilen alt boyutları ise İşin Doğası ve İş Arkadaşlarıdır. Ayrıca antrenörlerin iş doyum düzeyleri ve örgütsel bağlılık seviyeleri arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı bir ilişki tespit edilmiştir. Antrenörler, eğitim durumu değişkeni açısından değerlendirildiğinde, eğitim seviyesi daha yüksek olan antrenörlerin, iş doyum düzeyleri ve örgütsel bağlılık seviyelerinin daha düşük olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Antrenörler, görev yaptıkları kulüp yapısı değişkeni açısından değerlendirildiğinde ise profesyonel gurubun iş doyum düzeyleri ve örgütsel bağlılık seviyelerinin amatör gruba göre daha yüksek çıktığı tespit edilmiştir.

Is the message getting through? Awareness and use of the 11+ injury prevention programme in amateur level football clubs.

A large body of evidence suggests that the 11+ warm-up programme is effective in preventing football-related musculoskeletal injuries. However, despite considerable efforts to promote and disseminate the programme, it is unclear as to whether team head coaches are familiar with the 11+ and how they rate its feasibility. The present study aimed to gather information on awareness and usage among German amateur level football coaches. A questionnaire was administered to 7893 individuals who were in charge of youth and adult non-professional teams. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the obtained data. A total of 1223 coaches (16%) returned the questionnaire. There was no risk of a non-response bias (p>.05). At the time of the survey, nearly half of the participants (42.6%) knew the 11+. Among the coaches who were familiar with the programme, three of four reported applying it regularly (at least once per week). Holding a license (φ = .28, p < .0001), high competitive level (Cramer-V = .13, p = .007), and coaching a youth team (φ = .1, p = .001) were associated with usage of 11+. Feasibility and suitability of the 11+ were rated similarly by aware and unaware coaches. Although a substantial share of German amateur level coaches is familiar with the 11+, more than half of the surveyed participants did not know the programme. As the non-usage does not appear to stem from a lack of rated feasibility and suitability, existing communication strategies might need to be revised.

Examination of Youth Team Athletes' Social Values According to Some Variables

In this study, it was aimed to examine of youth team athletes' social values according to some variables. The study was carried out by screening model and includes in range of 9-17 years 273 youth team athletes who take part in individual and team sports such as Taekwondo, Handball, Badminton, Wrestling, Volleyball and Football."A tool for Measuring Values: Multi-Dimensional Social Values Scale" developed by Bolat (2013) and "Demographic Characteristic Questionnaire" were used.For statistical analysis of the data obtained from the study, arithmetic mean and standard deviation were applied. Since the variable did not meet the normal distribution and homogeneity conditions, t-test and ANOVA test were applied from the parametric tests and significance level of .05 was selected for statistical significance.As a result of the study, according to the age variable, statistically significant differences were found in the Family Values, Scientific Values, Working-Job Values, Religious Values, Traditional Values and Political Values sub-dimensions of 11-12 age group athletes. There was a significant difference in Scientific Values, Working-Job Values, Religious Values and Traditional Values sub-dimension scores of the athletes according to gender variable. It was also found out that team athletes' scores of Family Values, Scientific Values, Religious Values and Traditional Values sub-dimension were higher than individual athletes.

Perfectionistic Strivings, Motivation and Engagement in Sport-Specific Activities Among Adolescent Team Athletes.

The present study sought to extend existing literature by examining the longitudinal relationships between perfectionistic strivings, autonomous motivation, and engagement in sport-specific activities among youth athletes in three team sports. Participants were 172 team sports athletes (mean age = 15.2 years, SD = 0.5; males = 94, females = 78) who completed measures of perfectionistic strivings and autonomous motivation at the start and end of a competitive season. Players also completed a training diary during the season. Cross-lagged path analysis, found a reciprocal and positive relationship between autonomous motivation and engagement in sport-specific activities. In addition, higher perfectionistic strivings at the start of a competitive season were positively associated with engagement in sport-specific activities at the end of season and not the reverse. Autonomous motivation mediated this relationship between perfectionistic strivings and sport-specific activities engagement. Thus, this study supports the reciprocal association between motivation and engagement in sport-specific activities and unidirectional relations between perfectionistic strivings and sport-specific activities engagement among youth team sports athletes.

Somebody’s Eyes are Watching: The Impact of Coaching Observations on Empowering Motivational Climates and Positive Youth Development

This paper addresses three key issues important to parks and recreation professionals. First, we provide a model of research that works directly with practitioners to address their identified needs in a manner that is least intrusive to their daily work, has the potential for immediate benefit to a parks and recreation program, and provides results that lead to future practical managerial implications. Second, we examine the impact of observing youth basketball coaches and providing feedback on the creation of an empowering motivational climate. Finally, we assess the relation of specific elements of empowering and disempowering motivational climates to positive youth development (PYD) outcomes both within and outside of sport. Eight youth teams, including eight coaches and 57 players, participated in the study. Half of the coaches were observed and provided feedback during the season, while half did not receive any feedback. At the conclusion of the season, players completed questionnaires related to their perceptions of the coach-created empowering and disempowering climate, as well as two measures of PYD. Results did not indicate a significant difference in perceived empowering and disempowering climates between coaches who were observed and coaches who were not observed. However, perceptions of the motivational climate did significantly predict PYD outcomes both within and outside of sport. After examining specific elements of the climate, components of an autonomy-supportive climate represented a significant predictor of PYD. Managerial implications include the potential value of observational feedback, though effective feedback likely requires multiple sessions and more detailed feedback. In addition, coaching behaviors such as explaining the rationale for decisions, and providing athletes with choices and input in decisions appear to be more likely to create desired outcomes. Thus, coaching education and training may wish to emphasize these behaviors. We conclude by offering insights from both the research team and a parks and recreation professional. In so doing, we provide a template for future research that addresses current disconnects between academic research and professional practice. Given the potential theoretical and practical impact of this research, future research may wish to replicate this model and continue to examine observational feedback through longer-term studies that provide more opportunities for observation and feedback.Subscribe to JPRA

Using Asset Mapping to Engage Youth in Community-Based Participatory Research: The WE Project.

Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, the Wellness Engagement (WE) community partners conducted an asset mapping study as the first step in a comprehensive needs assessment to identify existing and potential assets that could be used to promote better health. We used asset mapping as a systematic approach to 1) empower local youth and urban planning students to identify community assets related to physical activity and nutrition and 2) facilitate co-learning between youth and university students to identify assets that could be considered for future pilot interventions that address obesity. We created five teams of local youth led by an urban planning college student that identified and collated existing and potential assets useful for health promotion. Existing and potential assets were grouped into 12 categories significant for promoting physical activity and healthy food options. Of the 358 identified, 18% were potential assets. Youth and students reported that the collective process enabled them to see assets and the community with new perspective. An asset mapping approach that partners local experts (youth) with outside experts (urban planning students) within a larger CBPR framework is an effective model to promote co-learning and appreciating the value of differing expertise.

The Money Mentors Program: Increasing Financial Literacy in Utah Youths

Utah 4-H and Fidelity Investments collaborated on a program for increasing the financial literacy of teens and children. The collaboration resulted in positive impacts for both Extension and Utah youths. Extension benefited through partnership with a corporation that provided content expertise, volunteers, and funding for a financial literacy program. Youths benefited from improved financial literacy. A Teens Reaching Youth (TRY) team approach was used for the training of 81 teens, who then taught 530 youths statewide. The curriculum addressed research-based financial concepts through activities and technologies that were interactive, appealing, and engaging. The program development and implementation processes may serve as models for other Extension programs, and the curriculum is free to download.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL ABILITIES ACCORDING TO THESE LINES OF PLAY (DEFENSE, MIDFIELD, ATTACK) DURING THE FOOTBALL COMPETITION PHASE

In this research, under the title of “ Comparative study of some physiological abilities according to these lines of play (defense - center and attack) for football players under the age of 17 ”, we tried hard to detect the differences of some physiological capacities. Consequently, we suggested two hypotheses which are: 1) there are many differences in some physiological capacities according to the lines of playing, and 2) the competition has effects on some physiological capacities of football players according to the lines of playing. Therefore, to confirm the validity of the hypothesis or deny it, we as researchers, conducted a descriptive method on a sample consisted of 15 players from the youth team of Tiaret where the sample was chosen intentionally and in the light of the theoretical and the field study, in which we identified the research tools, which were the functional tests, and also through the scientific foundations (validity, constancy, and objectivity). The results of the study revealed many differences in some physiological abilities by playing lines (defense - center - attack) and resulted in that competition affects positively on some physical capacities according to these lines (defense, center and attack). The most important recommendations were to generalize the results of this study to the rest of the other states. This is in order to increase the confirmation and validity of the results obtained. Also, in view of the objectives of the study and its results, appears a need for further studies that deal with physical capacities that reflect an important factor in the planning of sound training programs and implemented during a competitive phase. Article visualizations:

Effects of a Six-Week Strength Training Programme on Change of Direction Performance in Youth Team Sport Athletes.

This study investigated the effects of eccentric phase-emphasis strength training (EPE) on unilateral strength and performance in 180- and 45-degree change of direction (COD) tasks in rugby union players. A 12-week cross-over design was used to compare the efficacy of resistance training executed with 3 s eccentric duration (EPE, n = 12) against conventional strength training, with no constraints on tempo (CON, n = 6). Players in each condition were categorised as ‘fast’ (FAST) or ‘slow’ (SLOW) using median trial times from baseline testing. Players recorded greater isometric strength improvements following EPE (ES = −0.54 to 1.80). Whilst these changes were not immediate, players improved in strength following cessation. Improvements in 180-degree COD performance was recorded at all test-points following EPE (ES = −1.32 to −0.15). Improvements in 45-degree COD performance were apparent for FAST following CON (ES = −0.96 to 0.10), but CON was deleterious for SLOW (ES = −0.60 to 1.53). Eccentric phase-emphasis strength training shows potential for sustained strength enhancement. Positive performance changes in COD tasks were category- and condition-specific. The data indicate the greatest improvement occurred at nine weeks following resistance training in these players. Performance benefits may also be specific to COD task, player category, and relative to emphasis on eccentric phase activity.

High-magnitude head impact exposure in youth football.

OBJECTIVE Even in the absence of a clinically diagnosed concussion, research suggests that neurocognitive changes may develop in football players as a result of frequent head impacts that occur during football games and practices. The objectives of this study were to determine the specific situations in which high-magnitude impacts (accelerations exceeding 40 g) occur in youth football games and practices and to assess how representative practice activities are of games with regard to high-magnitude head impact exposure. METHODS A total of 45 players (mean age 10.7 ± 1.1 years) on 2 youth teams (Juniors [mean age 9.9 ± 0.6 years; mean body mass 38.9 ± 9.9 kg] and Seniors [mean age 11.9 ± 0.6 years; mean body mass 51.4 ± 11.8 kg]) wore helmets instrumented with accelerometer arrays to record head impact accelerations for all practices and games. Video recordings from practices and games were used to verify all high-magnitude head impacts, identify specific impact characteristics, and determine the amount of time spent in each activity. RESULTS A total of 7590 impacts were recorded, of which 571 resulted in high-magnitude head impact accelerations exceeding 40 g (8%). Impacts were characterized based on the position played by the team member who received the impact, the part of the field where the impact occurred, whether the impact occurred during a game or practice play, and the cause of the impact. High-magnitude impacts occurred most frequently in the open field in both games (59.4%) and practices (67.5%). "Back" position players experienced a greater proportion of high-magnitude head impacts than players at other positions. The 2 teams in this study structured their practice sessions similarly with respect to time spent in each drill, but impact rates differed for each drill between the teams. CONCLUSIONS High-magnitude head impact exposure in games and practice drills was quantified and used as the basis for comparison of exposure in the 2 settings. In this cohort, game impact rates exceeded those for practice. Back players, who were often positioned in the open field, were shown to experience elevated levels of head impact exposure relative to players at other positions. The analysis also suggests that practice intensity, which may be influenced by coaching style, may also affect high-magnitude head impact exposure. Future studies should investigate this aspect as a factor affecting head impact exposure.

Groupness, cohesion, and intention to return to sport: A study of intact youth teams

The positive benefits for youth participating in sport have been well documented. Yet, keeping athletes returning to sport has been a concern. While various factors have been examined to explain this attrition, facets of the sport group experience have started to emerge. From a group perspective, it has been established that athlete intentions to return to a sport team the following season are positively associated with perceived team cohesion. While cohesion is a key group construct, other group factors are worthy of examination. The purpose of the current study was to build upon the research base by examining whether the relationship between cohesion and intention to return would be moderated by another group factor—the level of groupness ascribed to the team. At the end of a competitive season, youth soccer athletes ( N = 156) completed measures of task cohesion, groupness, and intention to return to their team in the future. Results revealed that the task cohesion-intention to return relationship was significantly moderated by groupness, p = .03. Simple slopes analysis revealed that the strongest relationship between task cohesion and intention to return occurred under conditions of lower groupness. These initial results indicated that intention to return was highest when the team was perceived as higher in task cohesion, regardless of groupness perceptions. However, when the team was perceived to be lower in task cohesion, those who perceived their team as being more like a group indicated a greater willingness to return to the team in the future.

Epidemiology of Overuse Injuries in Youth Team Sports: A 3-year Prospective Study.

Prospective studies on overuse injuries and their impact on athletic training among youth team sports are scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, severity and player related risk factors of overuse injuries among young (12-20 years) basketball and floorball players. A total of 387 players participated in a 3-year prospective study. Each player completed a baseline questionnaire regarding their background information. Overuse injuries that prevented players to fully or partly participate in their regular training were collected. In all, 204 overuse injuries were registered (injury incidence 1.51 injuries/1 000 h of exposure; 95% CI 1.35-1.78). Most of the injuries involved the knee (35%) and lower back (21%), and were classified as severe (44%). Injury incidence was 1.51 (95% CI 1.2-1.82) and 1.61 (95% CI 1.32-1.91) in basketball and floorball, respectively. Incidence was significantly higher among female compared with male players (incidence rate ratio 1.58; 95% CI 1.20-2.09). Previous injury and playing at adult level were the strongest factors associated with occurrence of an overuse injury. In conclusion, overuse injuries of the knee and low back are relatively common in youth basketball and floorball. Effective prevention strategies as well as training load monitoring is needed in youth team sports.

Impacto de uma intervenção psicológica para atletas de futebol de categorias de base

This study aimed to develop an intervention based on the Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy and Positive Psychology for high performance soccer athletes, aged between 15 and 16 years. Twenty athletes from the youth teams of a soccer club in the South Region of Brazil were allocated in an intervention group (n =10) and a comparison group (n=10). Both groups were evaluated before and after the intervention with measures of social and coping skills, anxiety, life satisfaction and positive and negative affects. The comparison group did not undergo any form of intervention. The athletes in the intervention group showed significant differences in the coping skills: “Performance under pressure,” “Confidence” and “Freedom from concerns” and significant increase in the overall frequency of social skills and the ability “Emotional approach” after intervention. There was no significant difference between the intervention group and the comparison group after the intervention – in any of the variables. The importance of preventive interventions focused on health promotion for soccer players is emphasized in the discussion. Keywords: Clinical psychology, soccer, intervention studies, Cognitive Therapy, Positive Psychology.

Writing together for academic publication as a youth-adult PAR team: moving from distance and distaste towards transformative engagement

While participatory action research’s (PAR) democratic and social justice principles promote team member involvement across the research, collaborative team writing for publication is not standard practice. Peer-reviewed publications are predominately written by academic team member(s), and may include varied but often limited, co-authorship from youth, teachers and/or community team members. Drawing from narrative approaches, this paper narrates a youth-adult PAR team’s movement from a sense of distance and distaste towards academic writing to experiencing writing for publication as a process of transformative team engagement. In doing so, this account offers a story of possibility and agency for teams considering this facet of democratic youth-adult PAR team work.

배드민턴선수의 심리기술 능력이 완벽주의 성향과 자아탄력성에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship in psychological skill ability on perfectionism and ego resilience of badminton players. The subject who participated in this study were selected for the youth team and junior team of the department for the current player badminton association in 2014-2015 was the players who participated in the summer & winter training. Tools for data collection of this study was used psychological skill ability, perfectism and ego-resilience questionnaire. The data was analyzed frequency analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis and multi regression analysis by using SPSS 18.0 and the AMOS 18.0.BR The results of this study are as follows.BR First, correlation analysis results, psychological skill ability, perfectionism and ego-resilience were partially positive(+) relationships.BR Second, psychological skill ability was having partially positive(+) effect on the perfectionism.BR Third, psychological skill ability was having partially positive(+) effect on the ego-resilience.BR Fourth, perfectionism was having partially positive(+) effect on the ego-resilience.

Generating EPR-entangled mechanical state via feeding finite-bandwidth squeezed light**Projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61505014 and 11504031), the Yangtze Youth Talents Fund, and the Yangtze Funds for Youth Teams of Science and Technology Innovation (Grant No. 2015cqt03).

Einstein–Podolski–Rosen (EPR) entanglement state is achievable by combining two single-mode position and momentum squeezed states at a 50:50 beam-splitter (BS). We investigate the generation of the EPR entangled state of two vibrating membranes in a ring resonator, where clockwise (CW) and counter-clockwise (CCW) travelling-wave modes are driven by lasers and finite-bandwidth squeezed lights. Since the optomechanical coupling depends on the location of the membranes, CW and CCW can couple to the symmetric and antisymmetric combination of mechanical modes for a suitable arrangement, which corresponds to a 50:50 BS mixing. Moreover, by employing the red-detuned driving laser and tuning the central frequency of squeezing field blue detuned from the driving laser with a mechanical frequency, the squeezing property of squeezed light can be perfectly transferred to the mechanical motion in the weak coupling regime. Thus, the BS mixing modes can be position and momentum squeezed by feeding the appropriate squeezed lights respectively, and the EPR entangled mechanical state is obtained. Moreover, cavity-induced mechanical cooling can further suppress the influence of thermal noise on the entangled state.

Is being a regular player with fewer teammates associated with musculoskeletal pain in youth team sports? A cross-sectional study

BackgroundMusculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a commonly reported symptom in youth sports players. Some sports-related risk factors have been reported, but previous studies on extrinsic risk factors did not focus on management of team members (e.g., regular or non-regular players, number of players) for reducing sports-related MSP. This study aimed to examine the association of playing status (regular or non-regular players) and team status (fewer or more teammates) with MSP in youth team sports.MethodsA total of 632 team sports players (age: 12–18 years) in public schools in Unnan, Japan completed a self-administered questionnaire to determine MSP (overall, upper limbs, lower back, and lower limbs) and playing status (regular or non-regular players). Team status was calculated as follows: teammate quantity index (TQI) = [number of teammates in their grade]/[required number of players for the sport]. Associations between the prevalence of pain and joint categories of playing and team status were examined by multivariable-adjusted Poisson regression.ResultsA total of 272 (44.3%) participants had MSP at least several times a week in at least one part of the body. When divided by playing or team status, 140 (47.0%) regular and 130 (41.7%) non-regular players had MSP, whereas 142 (47.0%) players with fewer teammates (lower TQI) and 127 (41.8%) players with more teammates (higher TQI) had MSP. When analyzed jointly, regular players with fewer teammates had a higher prevalence of lower back pain compared with non-regular players with more teammates (21.3% vs 8.3%; prevalence ratio = 2.08 [95% confidence interval 1.07–4.02]). The prevalence of MSP was highest in regular players with fewer teammates for all other pain outcomes, but this was not significant.ConclusionRegular players with fewer teammates have a higher risk of lower back pain. Future longitudinal investigations are required.