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The Development of Expertise and Excellence in Sport Psychology

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (13 April 2023) | Viewed by 18138

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Donatella Di Corrado

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Guest Editor

Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Kore University, 94100 Enna, Italy
Interests: mood; imagery; personality traits; blood lactate; postural control; human perception, emotions, health, and cognitive functions in sport (novice/expert)

Prof. Dr. Marinella Coco

E-Mail Website
Assistant Guest Editor

Department of biomedical and biotechnological sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania, 95131 Catania, Italy
Interests: blood lactate; sport; cognitive functions; neuroscience; psychology; neuropsychology; psychobiology; mental imagery; postural control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Matej Tušak

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Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Social and Humanistic Sciences in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: social media; sport psychology; mental health; well-being; athletics; human perception; performance; training methods

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interest in the subject of expertise has a long history in the social, cognitive and behavioral sciences. Experts are individuals who are very competent in a particular area. Accordingly, performance in any domain involves the management of a wide array of cognitive, motor, perceptual and social skills. Perception of sensory information and associated cognitive processing are essential for human interactions with the environment. Elite performers are exposed to incredibly challenging environmental conditions, resulting in the development of exceptional perceptual–cognitive skills. For example, experts display improved sensitivity to stimuli, greater attention to cues and more rapid cognitive processing for decision-making and initiation of motor responses.

Thus, the aim of this Special Issue is to assemble both applied and theoretical research from experts within the field of all forms of sports science, e.g., biomechanics, physiology, performance and exercise, motion analysis, talent identification, coaching philosophy, injury and psychology. We are interested in original research that advances knowledge in the understanding of decision-making, cognitive processes and how expertise develops in sports, as well as expertise in cognitive abilities such as perception, memory, attention and imagery.

We encourage interdisciplinary papers submissions concerning, but not limited to, the following areas:

Flow: the key to optimal performance
Mind–body well being
Anticipation and decision-making
Cognitive, biological and physiological processes to performance enhancement
Motor performance cognitive impact throughout development
Emotional and motor components in sport performance
The effects of personality traits on sports performance
The efficacy of using imagery to enhance learning and sport performance
The effect of mood states on performance
Motion and postural analysis

Prof. Donatella Di Corrado
Prof. Marinella Coco
Prof. Matej Tušak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

performance
biological and physiological processes
flow and anticipation
training methods
cognitive functions
expertise
movement patterns
mood
decision-making

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1076 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Perception Differences in Personality Factors and Autonomy by Sporting Age Category in Competitive Bodybuilders

by Elena Mihăiță, Dana Badau, Marius Stoica, Georgeta Mitrache, Monica Iulia Stănescu, Ioszef Laszlo Hidi, Adela Badau, Cosmin Damian and Mirela Damian

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010167 - 22 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1736

Abstract

Knowing the personality and autonomy factors of bodybuilders is a necessity in order to improve sports training, which would lead to the development of mental skills specific to competitive bodybuilding. The purpose of the study was to identify perception differences in personality and autonomy factors for three age categories of competitive bodybuilders in order to optimize the sports training process. The secondary purpose of the study was to identify perception differences in the characteristics of personality and autonomy in relation to the increase in the sporting age category of the competitive bodybuilders. The research sample included 30 competitive bodybuilders aged between 18 and 53 years, of which 21 were male and 9 were female, who were divided into three groups according to the sporting age category: G1—junior (18–23 years old), 10 athletes (33.3%); G2—senior (24–35 years old for female and 24–40 years old for male), 12 athletes (40%); G3—masters (over 35 years old for female and 40 years old for male), 8 athletes (26.7%). In the precompetitive stage, three standardized questionnaires were applied to the study participants, namely, two personality questionnaires (CP5F and ZKPQ) and a personal autonomy questionnaire (PAQ), which provided us with useful information for understanding the psychological profile of bodybuilding athletes. The results of the study were statistically significant, with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient indicating high internal consistency of the three questionnaires for all three sporting age groups, with higher values than the selected reference threshold of 0.700. According to the results of our study, the following personality and autonomy factors recorded higher and higher scores in direct relation with the increase in sporting age: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, autonomy, impulsive sensation seeking, value autonomy, behavioral autonomy, and cognitive autonomy. The personality and autonomy factors of which the scores did not increase directly proportionally to the sporting age category were sociability, activity, aggression–hostility, neuroticism–anxiety, and emotional autonomy. Competitive bodybuilders perceive the factors of personality and autonomy differently in relation to particularities of age and sports experience, and knowledge of these changes can contribute to the improvement of the sports training process Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Expertise and Excellence in Sport Psychology)

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14 pages, 2303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using the Conceptual Framework for Examining Sport Teams to Understand Group Dynamics in Professional Soccer

by Inmaculada González-Ponce, Jesús Díaz-García, José C. Ponce-Bordón, Ruth Jiménez-Castuera and Miguel A. López-Gajardo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15782; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315782 - 27 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2006

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of this study is to propose a model of the interactions of group dynamics using the conceptual framework to examine sports teams; (2) Methods: The hypothesized model includes measures of group structure (authentic leadership, perceived justice, coaching competency, role clarity/ambiguity, and role conflict), group cohesion (cohesion and team conflict), and group processes (collective efficacy and transactive memory systems). Participants were 581 professional soccer players (M = 24.51, SD = 3.73; 356 males and 225 females) who completed a multisection questionnaire assessing group dynamics variables; (3) Results: The results show that coach leadership predicts coaching competency and perceived justice, and both competency and justice predict role ambiguity and role conflict. Furthermore, role ambiguity and role conflict predict group cohesion and team conflict, whereas group cohesion and team conflict both predict the transactive memory system. Finally, collective efficacy is predicted by the transactive memory system; (4) Conclusions: The results suggest the importance of coach behavior (leadership, justice, and competency) and group processes to improving team functioning in a professional sports context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Expertise and Excellence in Sport Psychology)

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11 pages, 363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Implementing an Exergame Program on the Level of Reaction Time Optimization in Handball, Volleyball, and Basketball Players

by Dana Badau, Adela Badau, Carmen Ene-Voiculescu, Alin Larion, Virgil Ene-Voiculescu, Ion Mihaila, Julien Leonard Fleancu, Virgil Tudor, Corina Tifrea, Adrian Sebastian Cotovanu and Alexandru Abramiuc

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5598; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095598 - 05 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2912

Abstract

The main aim of the present study was to implement an exergame program that uses Fitlight technology to identify the impact on motor, recognition, and cognitive reaction times in junior athletes practicing team sports: basketball, handball, and volleyball. The second aim was to identifying differences in progress of the three types of reaction time between female and male players through computerized tests. The study included 360 subjects for basketball, 130 athletes of which were 68 male subjects and 62 female subjects; for handball, 124 athletes of which 64 were male subjects and 60 female athletes; for volleyball, 106 athletes of which 48 male were subjects and 48 female athletes. Characteristics of the experimental players: average age ± SD 13.60 ± 1.07; average sports experience ± SD 6.24 ± 0.92. The research included an initial and a final test between which a program of exergames was implemented over a period of 3 months focused on optimizing human reaction times. The evaluation of the reaction times was carried out through three computer games, the results being processed in SPSS 22. The relevant results of the research: for the simple motor reaction time (MSRT), the greatest progress between tests was the volleyball group, and for women, it was the basketball group; for the recognition reaction time (RRT), the male handball group and the female basketball group recorded the greatest progress; for the cognitive reactive time (CRT), the greatest progress was achieved by the male and female volleyball players. In all tests, the progress of the female basketball, handball, and volleyball players showed superior progress to similar male players. The results of the research highlighted the effectiveness of the experimental exergame program by using Fitlight technology in optimizing human reaction times in junior team-game athletes. Using computer games to evaluate reaction times allowed us to differentiate the evaluation on the types of human reactions under both standardized conditions but also under conditions of efficiency and attractiveness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Expertise and Excellence in Sport Psychology)

13 pages, 767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Interactive Model of Sport Motivation

by Matej Tušak, Donatella Di Corrado, Marinella Coco, Maks Tušak, Iztok Žilavec and Robert Masten

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4202; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074202 - 01 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3535

Abstract

Motivation variables in 11 motivational instruments of 357 Slovenian male athletes (168 elite and 189 young athletes from age 12–14) in nine different sport disciplines (basketball, football, handball, water polo, ice hockey, ski jumping, alpine skiing, sport climbing, and judo) were obtained. Different concepts of motivation were researched, such as achievement motivation, incentive motivation, participation motivation, goal orientation, satisfaction and enjoyment in sport, self-efficacy, effort, and ability attributions. The most popular framework for motivation in sport lately has been social cognitive perspective. The aim of this study was to form a dynamic interactive model of sport motivation. We tried to upgrade different models of motivation to one unique meta model of sport motivation, which would explain possible behaviours and motivation in sport situations. Different statistic methods were used to define differences among young and elite athletes and between athletes in group and individual sports. The results show important differences among those groups and suggest that specific sport discipline also has a specific footprint inside motivation. Factor analysis and discriminant analysis were used to explore sport motivation space. The results also suggest that it is possible to define some main determinants of sport motivation that can be connected to previous models of sport motivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Expertise and Excellence in Sport Psychology)

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10 pages, 599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Personality Dimensions of Serbian Lifeguards

by Goran Dimitrić, Nebojša Maksimović, Elena Tabakova, Milorad Jakšić, Dejan Orlić, Selka Sadiković, Dea Karaba-Jakovljević, Nataša Zenić and Patrik Drid

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(24), 12927; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182412927 - 08 Dec 2021

Viewed by 2065

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global drowning report (2017), drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Drowning can occur anywhere there is water: oceans, seas, lakes, pools, bathtubs, rivers or water collection on the side of the road, etc. In many countries, there are drowning prevention programs for children and adults. The two most commonly used strategiesagainst drowning are the presence of lifeguards in public places and the use of protected areas that could prevent most of the drownings. The main aim of the present study is to examine the individual differences in a Big Five plus Two (BF+2) personality traits in lifeguards and non-lifeguards (including students). The subsample of lifeguards represented 122 male respondents who were, at the time of the survey, licensed as lifeguards (60.9%) or were in training for lifeguards—candidates (39.1%). The subsample of students represented 138 male respondents who were studying at the University of Novi Sad. The results indicate that lifeguards in comparison to students are more extraverted, open to experience, and conscientious, less neurotic, and aggressive. Both positive and negative valence are higher in student subsample. All of the above traits are desirable traits for people working as lifeguards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Expertise and Excellence in Sport Psychology)

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Review

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14 pages, 784 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Psychological Factors in Judo: A Systematic Review

by Carlo Rossi, Roberto Roklicer, Tatjana Tubic, Antonino Bianco, Ambra Gentile, Marko Manojlovic, Nemanja Maksimovic, Tatjana Trivic and Patrik Drid

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2093; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042093 - 13 Feb 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4188

Abstract

(1) Background: Psychological parameters are relevant in the practice of judo. Previous studies have shown that parameters such as anxiety or motivation can have a negative or positive impact on the athlete’s performance and general well-being, depending on the athlete’s perception. This systematic review aimed to summarize the studies examining the influence of various psychological parameters on well-being and performance in judo athletes; (2) Methods: We followed preferred reporting elements for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We searched the Web of Science database for studies that explained the role of these parameters in elite athletes. Of the 286 articles initially identified, 17 met our eligibility criteria and were included in the review. In total, we analyzed data from 721 judo athletes; (3) Results: The studies found have demonstrated the impact of various psychological parameters during high-level performance and how these parameters can influence and lead an athlete to win or lose a competition. The feelings of tension, anger, anxiety, and nervousness were significantly increased in athletes who were facing defeat, while a decrease in the same segments and an increase in motivation among athletes who were experiencing better performance was observed. Further research under standardized conditions is needed to better understand the effects of these parameters on judo athletes; (4) Conclusions: Considering the athlete’s psychological state can affect performance, and it is therefore important to monitor and train these factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Development of Expertise and Excellence in Sport Psychology)

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