Special Issue "New Methodological, Technical-Tactical and Biopsychosocial Perspectives in Opposition Sports"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Antonio Hernández-Mendo
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Teatinos Campus, 29071 Malaga, Spain
Interests: observational methodology; mixed methods; sport psychology
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals
Dr. Coral Falco
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway
Interests: observational methodology; physiology; combat sports; biomechanics
Dr. Verónica Morales-Sánchez
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Psychology, University of Malaga, Teatinos Campus, 29071 Malaga, Spain
Interests: observational methodology; mixed methods; sport psychology
Dr. Cristina Menescardi
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Teaching of Musical, Visual and Corporal Expression (Physical Education Unit). University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Interests: observational methodology; mixed methods; combat sports; motor competence
Dr. Tomas Herrera-Valenzuela
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Sciences of Physical Activity, Sport and Health. Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
Interests: combat sports; physiology; psychology; sport sciences

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This research topic, “New Methodological, Technical-Tactical and Biopsychosocial Perspectives in Opposition Sports”, addresses the relationship between technical–tactical and biopsychosocial variables in multiple and diverse sports such as adversary (e.g., combat sports, tennis, badminton, squash) and cooperation–opposition sports (e.g., soccer, basketball, rugby, water polo) in competition.

In the opposition sports’ field, one instrument to collect relevant sports data relies on observation and mixed methods analysis. In addition, the use of different technologies (i.e., accelerometers) or self-reported questionaries allows better reflection of situational sports’ nature. Providing a better understanding of the game action development is a valuable insight for coaches when planning strategies to increase the long-term commitment of the players, and for managers when ensuring the sustainability of the long-term management model in facilitating stimulating training environments. The quantification of the spontaneous and planned behaviours can help coaches and athletes to plan better strategies for the future trainings and competitions.

With this Special Issue we aim to publish papers analysing opposition sports competition strategies and categorising them on the basis of the technical and tactical–strategic perspective, in addition to biopsychosocial factors, to identify the performance elements of each sport modality. The papers will contribute to the design of more effective play models by using the observational methodology through descriptive, multivariate and predictive analyses. We would like to invite manuscripts from all forms of sports science, e.g., biomechanics, physiology, performance analysis, motion analysis, talent identification, and psychology, based on opposition sports to fill the gaps in the current literature in opposition sports field.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Hernández-Mendo
Dr. Coral Falco
Dr. Verónica Morales-Sánchez
Dr. Cristina Menescardi
Dr. Tomas Herrera-Valenzuela
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 papers will be 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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 1900 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

  • opposition sports
  • observation
  • mixed methods
  • technical–tactical performance
  • biopsychosocial perspective

Published Papers (9 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Article
Physical Self-Concept and Motor Self-Efficacy Are Related to Satisfaction/Enjoyment and Boredom in Physical Education Classes
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8829; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168829 - 06 Aug 2021
Viewed by 464
Abstract
Physical education (PE) classes promote extracurricular physical activity (PA). Therefore, having fun in this context is important for developing active lifestyles. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationships between motor self-efficacy and physical self-concept with enjoyment/satisfaction and boredom in school [...] Read more.
Physical education (PE) classes promote extracurricular physical activity (PA). Therefore, having fun in this context is important for developing active lifestyles. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationships between motor self-efficacy and physical self-concept with enjoyment/satisfaction and boredom in school PE lessons. A total of 195 adolescents aged 14 to 15 years (M = 14.65; SD = 0.48) from the city of Malaga participated. The Motor Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES), the Children Physical Self Questionnaire (C-PSQ) and the Sport Satisfaction Instrument (SSI) were used to evaluate the variables under study. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed, finding positive and statistically significant associations between motor self-efficacy and physical self-concept with enjoyment/satisfaction in PE, as well as negative relationships with boredom. Specifically, motor self-efficacy and perceived physical competence were predictors of satisfaction or boredom in PE. The results suggest that some physical and motor self-perceptions at these ages could contribute to developing attitudes towards physical practice in this type of educational context, in addition to the importance that their extrapolation to other contexts of PA outside school hours could have. Full article
Article
Effect of a Short HIIT Program with Specific Techniques on Physical Condition and Activity during Simulated Combat in National-Level Boxers
Sustainability 2021, 13(16), 8746; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168746 - 05 Aug 2021
Viewed by 643
Abstract
The present study investigated the effect of an additional short-duration HIIT program using boxing-specific techniques on activity during a simulated competition. Additionally, we investigated the impact on physical fitness, specifically aerobic performance and lower-body muscle power. Sixteen boxers were randomized into a control [...] Read more.
The present study investigated the effect of an additional short-duration HIIT program using boxing-specific techniques on activity during a simulated competition. Additionally, we investigated the impact on physical fitness, specifically aerobic performance and lower-body muscle power. Sixteen boxers were randomized into a control (n = 8) or experimental groups (n = 8). The experimental protocol consisted of 3 blocks of 5 repetitions of 30s all-out effort, with 6s recovery between repetitions and 1 min rest interval between blocks, conducted 3 days per week for 4 weeks. A two-way (group, two levels; moment, two levels) analysis of variance with repeated measurements in the second factor was used. For the experimental group, there was a change in body mass (ES = −0.13 (trivial)), body fat percentage (ES = −0.12 (trivial)), VO2max (ES = +0.42 (small)), CMJ (ES = +0.12 (trivial)), CMJ-left (ES = −0.11 (trivial)), CMJ-right (ES = +0.22 (trivial)), actions (ES = +0.68 (moderate)), time (ES = −0.29 (small)) and punches (ES = +0.56 (moderate)). For the control group, there was a change in body mass (ES = +0.04 (trivial)), body fat percentage (ES = −0.12 (trivial)), VO2max (ES = +0.11 (trivial)), CMJ (ES = −0.27 (small)), CMJ-left (ES = −0.39 (small)), CMJ-right (ES = +0.08 (trivial)), actions (ES = +0.08 (trivial)), time (ES = −0.65 (moderate)) and punches (ES = −0.57 (moderate)). The punches variable was significant concerning group-by-time interaction (F1,14 = 11.630; p = 0.004; n2 = 0.454). The present study indicated that the addition of a boxing-specific HIIT program is effective to increase the number of punches during a simulated match. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Data Mining for Attitudinal and Belief Profiles Determination towards Hypnosis
Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7721; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147721 - 10 Jul 2021
Viewed by 494
Abstract
Data mining is a technique that aims to explain large data sets through patterns of behavior, associations, changes, or significant structures in the data. The main goal of this study was to analyze information about beliefs and attitudes towards hypnosis, evaluated by the [...] Read more.
Data mining is a technique that aims to explain large data sets through patterns of behavior, associations, changes, or significant structures in the data. The main goal of this study was to analyze information about beliefs and attitudes towards hypnosis, evaluated by the Valencia Scale of Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Hypnosis, Client version (VSABTH-C) in two temporal moments with a total of 444 participants; developing decision trees in order to discover any sociodemographic factors influencing these variables. The results indicate some influence of gender, education level, and profession on the scores in the scale factors, thus women tended to get higher scores on factors such as Control and Fear; people with a higher educational level tended to get higher scores on factors that denote more positive attitudes and beliefs towards hypnosis; in addition, the psychologist participants showed more positive attitudes and beliefs regarding hypnosis. Considering these results, it would be interesting to carry out similar studies, increasing the size of the sample and also adding some new variables, in order to deepen this relationship and implement changes that would lead people to have more positive attitudes and beliefs regarding hypnosis. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Observational Analysis of Corner Kicks in High-Level Football: A Mixed Methods Study
Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7562; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147562 - 06 Jul 2021
Viewed by 543
Abstract
Corner kicks are one of the most important set pieces in high-level football. The present study aimed to analyze the evolution of the tactical approach to corner kicks in high-performance football. For this, a total of 1704 corner kicks executed in the 192 [...] Read more.
Corner kicks are one of the most important set pieces in high-level football. The present study aimed to analyze the evolution of the tactical approach to corner kicks in high-performance football. For this, a total of 1704 corner kicks executed in the 192 matches corresponding to the 2010, 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups were analyzed. To achieve the proposed objectives, the observational methodology was used. The results show an evolution in the mode of execution of these actions, but instead the success rate remains low. The log-linear test allowed to find significant relationships between some of the most important categorical variables in these actions: match status, number of intervening attackers and time. The decision tree models show that the number of players involved in these actions is the criterion that presents the greatest information gain. These results corroborate previous multivariate studies, although more research is still needed. Finally, the results of the present study can be used by coaches to create different training situations where success in this type of action can be enhanced. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Validation of a Football Competence Observation System (FOCOS), Linked to Procedural Tactical Knowledge
Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6780; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126780 - 15 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 494
Abstract
The use of instruments for the evaluation of a player’s procedural tactical knowledge (PTK) in sociomotor sports, such as football, is a line of research of growing interest since it allows a pertinent description of the player’s football competence. The aim of this [...] Read more.
The use of instruments for the evaluation of a player’s procedural tactical knowledge (PTK) in sociomotor sports, such as football, is a line of research of growing interest since it allows a pertinent description of the player’s football competence. The aim of this study is to configure and validate an ad-hoc observational tool that allows evaluating the player’s PTK, understood as football competence, from the observation, coding and recording of the roles, the actions of the acquired subroles and the operational and specific principles of football in the attack and defense phases. Based on the Delphi method, a field format coding instrument was designed and validated where each criterion is a system of categories, exhaustive and mutually exclusive. The results showed excellent content validity (9.02 out of 10), and high values of intra-observer stability (k = 0.747) and inter-observer agreement (k = 0.665). Generalizability analysis showed an excellent reliability (G = 0.99). Additionally, the construct validity of the tool was calculated through a small-sided game Gk + 4v4 + Gk, using two independent samples: semi-professional and amateur players. The results reflected significant differences (α < 0.05) between both samples in the variables total score, offensive score and defensive score. Therefore, this study provides a valid and reliable instrument that allows data collection in a rigorous and pertinent way, as well as their analysis and evaluation in attack and defense according to the roles of the players and based on the motor behaviors that they perform using the subroles that they acquired, associated with the technical dimension, along with the principles that they develop in parallel, in support of the tactical dimension. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Multivariate Analysis of the Offensive Phase in High-Performance Women’s Soccer: A Mixed Methods Study
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6379; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116379 - 04 Jun 2021
Viewed by 737
Abstract
Currently, there are still few studies on the tactical and contextual criteria that determine offensive success in women’s soccer. The objectives of this study were to discover contextual and tactical criteria that show an association with success in elite women’s soccer and to [...] Read more.
Currently, there are still few studies on the tactical and contextual criteria that determine offensive success in women’s soccer. The objectives of this study were to discover contextual and tactical criteria that show an association with success in elite women’s soccer and to establish a multivariate predictive model for the offensive phase. For this, 2323 ball possessions were analyzed in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 via direct observation. In addition, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with women’s soccer coaches and players. For direct observation, a bivariate analysis between the analysed criteria and possession’s outcome was suggested. Additionally, a multivariate predictive analysis was proposed via a decision tree method. To analyze the interviews, a sequential analysis of delays and polar coordinates analysis were carried out. It was established a multi-variant model of offensive success based on possession zone (middle offensive), initial offensive intention (progress) and start zone (preoffensive or offensive) criteria. The probability of offensive success was 75.2% interactively between those criteria. In addition, the analysis of the interviews allowed us to conclude that criteria related to technical–tactical performance, decision-making and physical capacities of the players will be decisive in increasing the probabilities of success. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
A Cluster Analysis Approach to Profile Men and Women’s Volley Positions in Professional Tennis Matches (Doubles)
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6370; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116370 - 03 Jun 2021
Viewed by 790
Abstract
(1) Background: Tennis ball tracking technology allows the aquirement of novel and reliable data about several performance indicators, such as volley positions. This information is key to understand match dynamics in doubles tennis and to better help preparing players for the demands they [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Tennis ball tracking technology allows the aquirement of novel and reliable data about several performance indicators, such as volley positions. This information is key to understand match dynamics in doubles tennis and to better help preparing players for the demands they will face in match play. As such, the purpose of this study was to describe and compare the different types of volley positions in men’s and women’s doubles professional tennis. (2) Methods: Ball tracking data were collected for 46 women (Billie Jean King Cup) and 96 men’s doubles matches (Davis Cup). The variables used were the distance to the net, the distance to the centre of the court and the height of the impact. A K-Means cluster analysis was used to identify in each subsample different profiles of volley locations. (3) Results: The inferential analysis revealed differences in men’s (distance to the net η2 = 0.72, distance to the centre of the court η2 = 0.77 and impact height η2 = 0.63) and women’s subsamples (distance to the net η2 = 0.48, distance to the centre of the court η2 = 0.52 and impact height η2 = 0.51). (4) Conclusions: The results allowed the suggestion of a higher variability in men’s matches, as there were seven different clusters identified, and only four in women’s. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Analysis of Declarative and Procedural Knowledge According to Teaching Method and Experience in School Basketball
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6012; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116012 - 26 May 2021
Viewed by 793
Abstract
Analysing declarative and procedural knowledge in sport makes it possible to evaluate the students’ acquisitions in the learning process. This study aimed to compare the acquisition of declarative and procedural knowledge after the implementation of several intervention programmes in school basketball, according to [...] Read more.
Analysing declarative and procedural knowledge in sport makes it possible to evaluate the students’ acquisitions in the learning process. This study aimed to compare the acquisition of declarative and procedural knowledge after the implementation of several intervention programmes in school basketball, according to the methodology and prior experience of the students. A total of 55 students from the sixth year of primary education took part in the study, distributed into three groups. Each group participated in a different intervention programme: tactical games approach (TGA), direct instruction (DI) or service teacher’s basketball unit (STBU). The level of knowledge was measured using the Test of Declarative and Procedural Knowledge in Basketball (TDPKB). A descriptive analysis was performed to determine the participants’ characteristics. A factorial ANOVA was subsequently applied in two phases (pre-test and post-test) for independent samples to compare the level of knowledge among the different groups, and a t-test for related samples was performed to compare the pre–post knowledge level within each group. Then, a factorial ANOVA and a test of repeated measures were carried out to determine the effect of the methodology and experience on the students’ knowledge. The results indicate that the TGA, DI and STBU intervention programmes induced improvements in the levels of declarative and procedural knowledge in all the groups, with the students who participated in the TGA programme achieving higher levels of declarative knowledge. Finally, the effect of the absence of practical experience was identified as a determining factor for improvement. The students who had not previously practised basketball achieved higher levels of knowledge with the TGA intervention programme. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Pedagogical Variables and Motor Commitment in the Planning of Invasion Sports in Primary Education
Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4529; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084529 - 19 Apr 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 432
Abstract
Research on Sports Pedagogy necessitates studying the knowledge possessed by pre-service teachers (PSTs) and its application in the planning of sports in school. The main objectives of this study were to consider if PSTs really apply their beliefs when planning their didactic units, [...] Read more.
Research on Sports Pedagogy necessitates studying the knowledge possessed by pre-service teachers (PSTs) and its application in the planning of sports in school. The main objectives of this study were to consider if PSTs really apply their beliefs when planning their didactic units, and to analyse time management and its influence on external load in invasion sports. Eighteen PSTs were interviewed and 899 learning tasks were coded using the Integral Analysis System of Training Tasks. Three groups of pedagogical variables (type of task, game phase and game situation), organisational variables related to time and the external load were analysed. A descriptive analysis was made of the contents of the interviews, on the use of the pedagogical variables and on those used in the learning tasks. Application exercises were set by 50.70% of the tasks and 44.30% were without opposition. This did not coincide with teachers’ beliefs, as they did not show a clear choice of ideal type of task and indicated that individual game situations with opposition were preferable. A descriptive analysis was also made of the organisational variables according to the planned sport. Inferential analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis H test and pairwise multiple comparisons showed differences in the motor commitment and external load of the task*time depending on the type of invasion sport (p < 0.05). Time management conditioned the motor commitment and task load. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop