Search Results (149)

Participation in organized sport is widely encouraged for youth development, yet positive outcomes are not guaranteed. Parents play a pivotal role in shaping young athletes’ experiences, requiring emotional support, interpersonal skills, and self-regulation. This study examines the meanings parents attribute to their children’s sports participation and how young athletes construct their experiences under parental and coaching influences. An interpretive phenomenological methodology involved semi-structured interviews with coaches, focus groups with parents, and open-ended questionnaires to young athletes. Seventeen players (M = 11.2 years, SD = 0.59), nineteen parents (M = 47.6 years, SD = 3.61), and two coaches from the same football club volunteered to participate in the study. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure a homogeneous experience. The findings reveal that parental involvement balances support and pressure, while trust-building between parents and coaches significantly impacts the athletes’ experiences. The evolving role of technology and the importance of social dynamics within teams also emerged as critical factors. Intrinsic motivation, fostering emotional bonding through the sport, and adopting a developmental rather than purely competitive framework were emphasized factors identified as supporting positive youth sport experiences. These findings offer insights into how interconnected relationships among parents, coaches, and athletes influence children’s sports engagement and development. Full article

The current study investigates effects from a non-formal coach education program based on mentorship on the coach–athlete working alliance (CAWA), perceived coach performance (PCP), coaches’ perceptions of self (CPS), and social resources in sport (SRS). Fifty-four elite coaches from a variety of sports who participated in a non-formal coach education program based on mentorship over a period of 18 months, and 21 coaches from a control group, completed data collection at both the pre- and post-test. The results from regression analyses show that the group variable significantly explained the variance in the PCP and SRS at the post-test, whereas the group variable did not significantly explain any variance in CAWA and CPS at the post-test. Thus, the results in the current study indicate positive results from the coach education program on PCP and SRS. The current results are discussed based on the effect mentorship might have on coaches’ self-reflections based on their own experiences, and the importance of building social networks among their peer coaches. Full article

Maximal and explosive strength—defined as the ability to rapidly generate high levels of force—are widely recognized as critical for performance in strength–power sports such as track and field throwing. However, their interrelationship remains insufficiently examined, particularly in the upper body of elite athletes. This study examined the relationship between early force production (≤250 ms, subdivided into early phase: 0–100 ms; late phase: 100–250 ms) and peak isometric upper-body push and pull force in elite Swedish track and field throwers. A total of 30 athletes (17 females, 13 males; aged 18–34 years), all competing nationally or internationally in discus, hammer, shot put, or javelin, participated in a cross-sectional assessment. Isometric force was measured during bench press (push) and supine bench row (pull) using a custom-built device. Force output was recorded at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 ms, along with peak force. The results showed a progressive increase in the correlation between force at early time points and peak force. Associations were weak to moderate at 50–100 ms (r = 0.07–0.55) and became strong to very strong at 150–250 ms (r = 0.64–0.92). These patterns were consistent across sexes and test types. The findings suggest that maximal strength becomes increasingly important as force production time extends beyond 100 ms. Coaches may benefit from assessing both early and peak force characteristics to inform strength profiling and guide training focus, though further research is needed to determine their impact on performance. Full article

Background: Sports scientists have increasingly used point-of-care methods for training load management, and blood gas analysis has shown promise in this area. However, the reproducibility of this method in high-performance athletes remains unproven. Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the reliability of acid-base variables at rest in high-performance Paralympic sprinters. Methods: Seven athletes participated, including four with visual impairments (class T12 and T13) and three with physical impairments. Approximately 500 µL of capillary blood was obtained from the fingertip and analyzed in triplicate (Samples 1, 2, and 3) using the Epoc System^® (Ottawa, ON, Canada) to measure pH, carbonic dioxide partial pressure (pCO₂), bicarbonate ion (HCO₃⁻), base excess (BE), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), creatinine (CRE), and urea concentration (URE). Results: No differences were found for any parameter (p > 0.05). The imprecision of the method ranged from 0.1% for blood pH to 6.1% for BE. Pearson’s analysis showed strong and significant relationships between all variables analyzed (p < 0.05). The degree of consistency among samples also indicated excellent reliability of measurements, ranging from 0.88 for Hb to 1.00 for URE. Conclusions: These results indicate that acid-base status measurements using point-of-care demonstrated excellent reliability in high-level athletes, supporting sports scientists and coaches for athlete training and management. Full article

Injury or fear of injury can cause stress for everyone. This is especially true for dancers, whose careers can be ruined by a serious injury. Stress or various psychological problems can play a role in the development of injury. Our research aims to explore the psychosocial patterns associated with injuries among Hungarian professional folk dancers. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 96 professional dancers (47.9% male, 52.1% female, mean age 29.9 years). Data was collected through an online questionnaire survey. Among psychological factors, perceived stress (using the Perceived Stress Scale), burnout (using the Athletic Burnout Questionnaire), coping skills (using the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory), relationship with the leader (using the Coaching Behaviour Questionnaire) and perceived social support (using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) were examined among injured and non-injured dancers. The two groups were compared along psychological subscales using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) followed by a post hoc ANOVA and Mann–Whitney test regarding social support. Our results showed a significant correlation between psychosocial factors and injuries sustained during the study period. Positive correlation was found between injuries and perceived stress (p < 0.001) and burnout (reduced sense of accomplishment p = 0.021; dance devaluation p < 0.001). Factors reflecting dancer’s behavior and coping skills also correlated with injuries, such as a decrease in coachability (p = 0.007), less concern (p = 0.029), and negative reactions to the leader’s behavior (p = 0.019). In addition, perceived social support from family also negatively correlates with injury (p = 0.019). Our findings suggest a multidirectional relationship between physical injuries and the mental state of dancers. Further investigation of the causal relationships is recommended, with the aim of using psychosocial support tools during the prevention and treatment of injuries by the professionals dealing with dance artists. It is also recommended to investigate whether individual psychological factors are directly related to injuries or interact with each other. It would also be useful to introduce prevention programs that help dancers manage their emotions related to injuries. Full article

The assessment of player well-being through questionnaires is vital for managing training and match demands in soccer, aiming to mitigate injury and overtraining risks. This study investigates the impact of Four-Match Congestion on the well-being of under-16 male soccer players. An observational study design was implemented, focusing on the well-being of eighteen male soccer players throughout a championship. Players were monitored daily for indicators such as muscle soreness, stress levels, mood, fatigue, sleep quality, and an overall well-being index. Data collection was conducted by research team staff without interfering with established training plans. Preliminary findings indicate significant fluctuations in well-being indicators throughout the championship, with lower well-being scores correlating with higher match intensity. Specifically, it was indicated that the athletes’ fatigue increased, while their stress levels gradually decreased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, muscle soreness, mood, and sleep quality metrics fluctuated throughout the study, with significant differences found between matches 1 and 3. These results highlight the importance of monitoring well-being to inform coaches about necessary adjustments in training loads during congested match schedules. Understanding the relationship between match demands and player well-being can lead to effective recovery strategies, enhancing performance and reducing injury risks. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of well-being monitoring and its integration into training regimens to optimize athlete management in competitive settings. Full article

Background: CrossFit^® aims to be equitable between both males and female athletes, supporting equal representation and equal prize money at international events. However, to date, limited information is known on CrossFit^® athletes’ performance in the countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement rebound jump (CMR-J), and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) when assessed using force plates, and if there are any differences between sexes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to observe whether any sex-based differences and relationships exist between performance within these assessments. Methods: A total of CrossFit athletes (43 male = 32.8 ± 9.0 years; height 1.78 ± 0.06 m; mass = 92.4 ± 10.6 kg; and 31 female = 31.0 ± 7.6 years, height = 1.64 ± 0.05 m; mass = 68.8 ± 6.0 kg) completed three trials of CMJ, CMR-J and IMTP using portable dual-system force-plate sampling at 1000 Hz. Results: Moderate–large relationships were observed between CMJ, CMR-J and IMTP outcome measures (r = 0.396–0.809, p < 0.001). Males demonstrated small to moderately greater performance outcomes than females for CMJ height (males = 0.35 ± 0.08 m; females 0.30 ± 0.06 m, d = 0.73), CMR-J height (males = 0.32 ± 0.08 m; females = 0.30 ± 0.06 m, d = 0.39) and IMTP peak net force (males = 30.62 ± 10.01 N·kg⁻¹; females = 27.49 ± 6.44 N·kg⁻¹, d = 0.29). Conclusions: Maximal relative strength in CrossFit^® athletes should be seen as imperative in both male and female athletes due to the meaningful relationship in ballistic and plyometric ability. Moreover, previous relationships with CrossFit^® performance and the injury risk reduction benefits of improving strength provide further support. The descriptive data presented could be used by CrossFit^® coaches to assess and compare the current performance of their own athletes in a battery of tests examining CMJ, CMR-J and IMTP, while also facilitating decisions upon prescription within training and competition. Full article

In men’s gymnastics, to build strength for static strength elements on rings (e.g., the Inverted Cross on Rings: ICR), general and ring-specific conditioning exercises are used. We aimed to examine the differences between elite and junior athletes in ring-specific strength in the ICR and the one-repetition maximum (1RM) in two conditioning exercises (Inverted Cross with Dumbbells: ICD; Seated Overhead Barbell Press: SOBP), to analyze the relationship between strength in the ICR and ICD and SOBP, and to establish preparatory strength benchmarks for ICR. Nine elite (20.97 ± 1.91 years, 66.01 ± 5.03 kg) and ten junior athletes (16.72 ± 0.55 years, 61.10 ± 7.9 kg) performed a maximum strength test for the ICR (five-second hold with pulley) and a 1RM test for the SOBP and ICD. Elite athletes were significantly stronger in the ICR and SOBP (22.36% and 33.2%; p < 0.001) but not in ICD (p = 0.13). Strong correlations (r > 0.65, p < 0.01) suggest that these exercises support strength development for the ICR. Although, the transfer into ring-specific strength must be trained separately, the benchmarks (SOBP: 150% body weight; ICD: 66%) offer coaches guidelines for optimizing training, prevent injury and promote physical resilience of elite athletes. Full article

Collegiate sports serve as a powerful platform for advancing youth development and social engagement, contributing not only to athletic growth but also to personal development, teamwork, and social justice among student-athletes. This study explores the relationships among procedural justice, coach trust, perceived organizational support (POS), and team commitment in collegiate athletes. A self-reported questionnaire administered to college athletes collected 285 usable responses. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that higher perceptions of procedural justice are significantly associated with greater team commitment, increased coach trust, and higher POS. Additionally, coach trust positively influences both team commitment and POS. However, no significant relationship was found between POS and team commitment, indicating that POS alone may not be a direct predictor of athlete commitment without the presence of mediating factors. These findings highlight the pivotal role of procedural justice, coach trust, and POS in shaping team commitment among collegiate athletes, underscoring the importance of fair decision-making and relational trust in fostering youth development and reflecting the broader influence of behavioral and social dynamics in collegiate sport settings. Full article

Recent research has suggested that strength and conditioning (S&C) coach development should consider constructivist learning theories to promote coach development and learning of psychosocial coaching competencies. Reflective practice can encourage holistic learning through promoting an internal dialogue of the meaningfulness of an individual’s experiences. Our study aimed to examine the efficacy of a facilitated, guided, and longitudinal reflective process to promote coach learning of psychosocial coaching practice using Moon’s reflective framework. Over a four-week period, six elite S&C coaches engaged in a guided process reflection process with a facilitator. This included daily journaling in an e-diary with the facilitator providing feedback at the end of each week. At the end, each S&C coach participated in an exit interview. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings revealed that there were potential benefits for the S&C coach’s process of reflection such as providing accountability through developing a close relationship with the facilitator, which enabled the S&C coaches to more critically link learning to behaviour change. Furthermore, S&C coaches’ learning resulted in developing awareness of self/athlete’s needs, increased flexibility, and enhanced confidence. This resulted in S&C coaches developing psychosocial coaching competencies that enabled them to change their practice to become more athlete centred. Full article

Background: This cross-sectional study aims to clarify the relationship between coaches’ decisions and players’ relative age, biological maturation, and experience when identifying Under-14 (U14) players for the District and National Teams. Methods: A total of 360 male soccer players participating in the U14 national inter-association tournament, Lopes da Silva, were assessed. Birth dates were recorded, and players were categorized by birth quarter. Anthropometric measurements, fitness level (handgrip strength), and success indicators (performance evaluated by the coach, minutes played, and selection for the National Team) were documented, Maturation status was determined using bone age. Results: The majority of the sample was born in the 1st and 2nd quartiles regardless of maturation status. Morphological and functional differences between players born in different quartiles were no longer significant after controlling the effect of bone age. Late-maturing athletes played significantly fewer minutes. Among the players selected for the National Team, 89.9% were early or on-time maturers, and 92.9% were born in the first or second quartile of the year. While previous studies have shown reduced variability between bone and decimal age in the third and fourth quartiles, our findings indicate greater variability across all birth quartiles. Conclusions: Maturation status and relative age effect are crucial factors influencing coaches’ selection decisions. These findings highlight the need for a more equitable approach to talent identification, which should include track maturation bias avoiding the pursuit of short-term success and promoting long-term development programs for young soccer players. Undoubtedly, maturation status and relative age effect (RAE) play a significant role in a coach’s decision-making process. Full article

This article aims to identify the influence of the social dynamics experienced by basketball players, specifically the type of support and help they received during their formative years in the sport. To this end, we conducted a mixed-method study with a sequential explanatory design. Quantitative data were collected from Brazilian athletes aged 18 and 19 (n = 141), followed by in-depth interviews with 24 athletes. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to determine the differences between the age groups, and the association between the qualitative variables was analyzed using the Chi² test, which was aided by the SPSS statistical program. Thematic analysis guided the coding and analysis of the qualitative data. The results showed that the family provided support at all formative stages, with the type and amount of the support supplied changing over time. Three types of support provided by family members were identified, with emotional and tangible support being more prevalent up to age 17. In contrast, informational support was more prominent in the final phase of sports training. Peers mainly provided emotional and informational support, especially from the age of 15. The results showed that the club, school, and coaches supported the athletes to keep playing basketball, usually through transportation, scholarships, food, and athlete grants. These findings provide valuable information on the dynamic nature of social relationships in the athlete development process. They also show that the support offered influences the wider environment to optimize or hinder athletic development in basketball. There is still a long way to go in understanding the social dynamics within the complex development processes in sports. Longitudinal studies with ecological, conceptual, and methodological approaches that provide a more integrative, complementary, holistic, and contextualized view of the influence of social dynamics on athlete training and sports participation could be an avenue to explore in future research. Full article

Background/Objectives: The present study examined the predictive relationships between transformational leadership, psychological safety, and concussion reporting intentions. Interviews were used to understand the impact of the coach and teammates on the team environment and how this might lead to greater concussion reporting in team-sport athletes. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design. 233 team-sport athletes (n = 160 males, n = 73 females, mean age = 19.83 years, SD = 3.15) completed quantitative measures of transformational leadership, psychological safety, and concussion reporting intentions, while five participants (n = 2 males, n = 3 females, mean age = 18.40 years, SD = 0.55) were subsequently interviewed about their experiences. Results: Quantitative results indicated that transformational leadership predicted a psychologically safe environment (p < 0.001), and social norms for team-sport athletes predicted concussion reporting intentions (p < 0.001). Qualitative findings highlighted the important role that coaches and teammates play in creating an open environment that encourages concussion reporting. Education and awareness were also seen to further develop such an environment, while athletes identified several barriers to reporting symptoms of concussion. Conclusions: The findings from this study provide researchers and practitioners with preliminary evidence that can shape the design of interventions to support the development of a team environment that can promote concussion reporting and, thus, prioritise player health. Full article

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics of a sample of young international elite basketball players to create new reference values, using both somatotype and Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA). Moreover, we analyze the influence of age and maturation on anthropometric characteristics. Anthropometric measures (stature, body mass, body circumferences, skinfold thicknesses, and diameters) have been collected in a sample of 153 young basketball players of different age categories. From these measures, the endo-, ecto-, and mesomorph somatotypes components were calculated. In addition, impedance measurements were performed with a hand-to-foot bioimpedance analyser, and, subsequently, BIVA was carried out and biological maturity was estimated. A principal component analysis (PCA) has been assessed to reduce somatotype dimensionality. Almost all the collected variables differed between age groups. As regards the somatotype, the majority of the athletes were mesomorph–ectomorphal and the degree of homogeneity of the sample was high; the somatotype is aligned with that of the older athletes. Strong relationships were observed between mesomorphy, age, and bio-electric phase angle. Moreover, a tolerance ellipse graph was proposed as a reference for young elite athletes in basketball, and a new PCA-based method with one component was created to synthesize somatotype contents (eigenvalue = 2.42, R² = 0.807). Reference values for basketball players are needed by researchers, coaches, and practitioners for the process of talent identification and development. There are too many biological features to easily account for during growth, and field personnel need synthetic and more reliable approaches. Full article

In contemporary sports science, the integration of wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) has revolutionized athlete performance monitoring, offering insights into training load management and injury risk mitigation. The acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) has emerged as a pivotal metric, indicating the balance between acute training stress and chronic adaptation. This study investigates the relationship between ACWR and running parameters, i.e., contact time (CT), flight time (FT), and vertical stiffness (K_vert). Data from thirty-five elite male soccer players were analyzed using the WIMU Pro system. Statistical analyses showed that CT increased with workload, with significant differences observed between athletes in the sweet spot and others in the danger zone (p < 0.05), and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) ranging from 0.28 to 0.37. K_vert values were consistently lower in athletes in the danger zone across all workload indicators (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes going up to 0.94. Conversely, FT showed no significant variation between ACWR groups. These findings suggest that elevated ACWRs may be linked to reductions in vertical stiffness, highlighting a potential increase in risk of injury. Coaches and practitioners can utilize these insights to tailor training programs, integrating load monitoring with tactical considerations to optimize athlete performance. Understanding the nuanced interplay between workload ratios and biomechanical parameters provides valuable insights for performance optimization for elite football athletes. Full article