Controlling the controllables in sport organizations during the time of pandemic: leadership actions for sport psychology practitioners

The time of pandemic has been a challenging one for most people in sport organizations. These individuals include athletes, coaches, support staff members, and administrators, as well as sport psychology practitioners. A range of human and systemic factors have coalesced to create volatility, ambiguity, and stress for all these stakeholders, affecting how they work, relate to one another, and make decisions. Within this context, this paper centers attention on why and how practitioners of sport psychology in professional sport organizations can manifest leadership by taking actions in support of athletes and coaches, actions that are under practitioner control and influence. The leadership actions considered include promoting an interdisciplinary perspective on providing mental health support to athletes;communicating and collaborating with other professionals;emphasizing acceptance;embracing routines;manifesting humility;and engaging in the process of professional practice. This article concludes with reflections about how these leadership actions can transfer from professional sport organizations to collegiate settings and scholastic school environments.

Hosting the Olympics in times of a pandemic: Historical insights from Antwerp 1920

Postponing the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the global outbreak of COVID-19 marks a unique moment in the history of the Olympic Movement. For the first time since the cancelation of the Olympic Games during both World Wars, the Olympics will not take place as scheduled. This unprecedented postponement strongly impacts the Olympic Movement. Although only the future can tell exactly, the Antwerp 1920 Olympics can offer certain historical insights. Exactly 100 years ago, the Antwerp Olympic Games were the first Olympics organized after World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic. Their value in terms of rising the Olympic Movement from its ashes is vital. Profoundly promoting its identity, newly introduced Olympic symbols then helped avoiding the collapse of the Olympic Movement. Acknowledged as the "Games Reborn", the Antwerp 1920 Olympics were strongly about recovery, helping to heal a wounded society. How could Tokyo 2020 fulfill the same role? (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Social pressure in the stadiums: Do agents change behavior without crowd support?

Social pressure may have relevant consequences in many contexts but it is hard to evaluate it empirically. In this paper we exploit a natural experiment in soccer to provide clear evidence of its effects. We aim to study how social pressure from the crowd in a stadium affects both players and referees. While in normal matches crowd support may be correlated to a host of variables affecting the outcome of interest, we exploit the fact that after the health emergency for the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, soccer matches in top European Leagues have been allowed only behind closed doors, that is, without spectators in the stadiums. We use data of first and second division of five major European Leagues (Germany, Spain, England, Italy and Portugal) for the last 10 seasons and compare - using a differences-in-differences analysis - several outcomes (determined by players' performance and referees' decisions) of matches played with crowd support to the same outcomes when matches were played without crowd. We find considerable effects of the pressure from the crowd: while with the support of the crowd a considerable home advantage emerges in various measures of performance (points, goals, shots, etc.), this advantage is almost halved when matches are played behind closed doors. Similar effects are found for the behavior of referees: decisions of fouls, yellow cards, red cards and penalties that tend to favor home teams in normal matches, are much more balanced without the crowd pressing on referees. The evidence we provide strongly supports the idea that social pressure has intense effects on agents' behavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Sport participants' well-being during the covid-19 pandemic: The roles of nostalgia, resilience, and curiosity

ABSTRACT In the context of a pandemic, this study uses the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions to examine how feelings of nostalgia could have a positive effect on well-being through willingness to explore novel behaviours and resilience. In total, 328 sport participants were recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore. Results indicated that nostalgia positively affected individuals' willingness to explore novel behaviours and resilience. Willingness to explore novel behaviours had a positive effect on resilience. In addition, both willingness to explore novel behaviours and resilience positively affected well-being. The findings of this study expand the body of knowledge on the role of nostalgia and its impact on psychological resources that sport participants can potentially gain in spite of the reduction in their time participating in sport due to pandemic restrictions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Gathering narratives: athletes' experiences preparing for the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games during a global pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the Tokyo Olympic Games postponement, has created unprecedented challenges for Olympic level athletes. Given the adversity athletes have faced since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, the construct of psychological resilience is a useful framework for understanding athlete experiences during this time, and is conceptualized by Fletcher and Sarkar as an individual's ability to protect against the negative effect of stressors. The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of Canadian athletes preparing for the Tokyo summer Olympic Games during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Interviews were conducted with 20 Canadian athletes across individual and team sports. The participants spoke of the multiple ways they were taking care of themselves and developing resilience throughout the pandemic, highlighting the complexity involved with managing an adversity. Four narratives illuminate the athletes' experiences: the critical role of context, the essential nature of social support, the importance of being more than an athlete, and the relevance of learning to reflect on one's life. For these athletes, factors such as Olympic qualification, stage of their career, physical and mental health, and access to resources influenced their experience of the pandemic, demonstrating the importance of both individual and environmental factors when exploring resilience. Importantly, the athletes did not manage this adversity on their own, but received strong support. Therefore, sport psychology consultants can assist an athlete's development of resilience by providing expertise and taking into account an athlete's personal context.

MOLECULAR SIMILARLY BETWEEN INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS VIRUSES AND COMMON VACCINES

Infectious bronchitis is an acute extremely infectious respiratory illness caused by the avian gamma-corona virus. Infection with infectious bronchitis virus predisposes the bird to subsequent bacterial infection, worsening the situation. Infection causes severe morbidity and variable mortality in broilers, as well as a significant decrease in layer production of eggs. Samples were collected from clinical cases submitted for necropsy at local veterinary clinics.This study was conducted to detect the molecular similarity in S1 gene sequence between field viruses and commonly used vaccines. In order to compare the sequences of field viruses with vaccinal viruses, two vaccines are chosen based on their popularity in veterinary clinics. These are MA5 strain and H120 strain. Molecular identification was done by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which was employed using primers target the S1 gene. Four positive field cases and two vaccine samples were sent to sequencing. The results of sequence alignment showed that vaccine viruses differ by more than 30% when compared to sequences of all the field viruses. The difference between genetic sequence leads to vaccine failure due to difference in the antigenic molecules on the spike protein of IBV © 2022, Revista Iberoamericana de Psicologia del Ejercicio y el Deporte.All Rights Reserved.

Refereeing after COVID-19 lockdown: psychological effects on elite referees

This work explores the effects that lockdown by COVID-19 had on the group of elite Spanish referees who were selected to officiate the completion of the 2019-2020 season competitions of the highest categories of their respective sports: the ACB basketball league (N= 19) and the main futsal leagues (N= 32), which were carried out with all participants, athletes and referees, coming together in special health measures conditions, after lifting the first lockdown measures, during the first wave of the pandemic. To know the effects of the lockdown, respondents answered an ad hoc survey, and the PANAS scales to know their mood. The results showed that the aspects the group missed the most due to the cessation of sporting activity were competition, refereeing and teammates. Significant differences were found between referees of both groups, the effect size of these differences wassmall in the competition variable (r= 0.278) and medium in teammates (r= 0.446). The aspects that concerned them the most were their loved ones' health and the global economy, finding significant differences and a medium effect size between referees of both sports regarding the health of their loved ones (r= 0.44). The competencies that they expected to be most affected by inactivity were physical and psychological, finding significant differences between both sports, with a small effect size in the psychological ones (r= 0.44). Among the psychological competences, they expected to be most affected concentration and decision making, finding significant differences and a medium effect size between the referees of both sports in terms of decision making (r= 0.321). The results show a group that felt safe with the measures adopted to prevent contagion in the restarting of the competitions, although they stated that they were going to limit the interaction with the participating athletes. Regarding mood state, the positive affect was higher than the negative one. Finally, they considered that sports psychology was useful to face situations like those of that time, finding significant differences between both groups of referees and with a large effect size (h= 0.818), so it is recommended that the refereeing authorities to include sports psychology services to maintain and increase refereeing sports performance.

MOLECULAR SIMILARLY BETWEEN INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS VIRUSES AND COMMON VACCINES

Infectious bronchitis is an acute extremely infectious respiratory illness caused by the avian gamma-corona virus. Infection with infectious bronchitis virus predisposes the bird to subsequent bacterial infection, worsening the situation. Infection causes severe morbidity and variable mortality in broilers, as well as a significant decrease in layer production of eggs. Samples were collected from clinical cases submitted for necropsy at local veterinary clinics.This study was conducted to detect the molecular similarity in S1 gene sequence between field viruses and commonly used vaccines. In order to compare the sequences of field viruses with vaccinal viruses, two vaccines are chosen based on their popularity in veterinary clinics. These are MA5 strain and H120 strain. Molecular identification was done by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which was employed using primers target the S1 gene. Four positive field cases and two vaccine samples were sent to sequencing. The results of sequence alignment showed that vaccine viruses differ by more than 30% when compared to sequences of all the field viruses. The difference between genetic sequence leads to vaccine failure due to difference in the antigenic molecules on the spike protein of IBV © 2022, Revista Iberoamericana de Psicologia del Ejercicio y el Deporte.All Rights Reserved.

Special Issue: The current status of racism in sport psychology and liberatory practices for dismantling systemic racism. (Special Issue: The current status of racism in sport psychology and liberatory practices for dismantling systemic racism.)

This special issue aims to move the field forward in our understanding of and commitment to dismantling systemic racism within and beyond the spheres of sport, and to offer practical and tangible suggestions for sport psychology professionals to become truly anti-racist in their work. The first article explores the lived experiences of Black student-athletes navigating their way through a world in which Black people and those from other minoritized groups are routinely victimized, brutalized, and murdered by those supposedly in authority, and in which the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted minoritized groups across the globe. The authors offer practical applications for developing and implementing anti-racist practices within sporting organizations and in the wider world. The second article discusses the normalization of whiteness in sport, the ways in which women student-athletes of color experience, negotiate, and navigate whiteness in their everyday lives, and offers insights into how sport and exercise psychology professionals might work to disrupt white normativity and disrupt systemic racism. The third article explores the obstacles to effective mentorship for black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) practitioners in the traditionally white field of sport and exercise psychology. Through lenses of critical race theory, feminist and womanist mentorship practices, and intersectionality, a model of mentorship that aims to foster well-being and retention for BIPOC professionals is presented. The fourth article provides an in-depth exploration of African American female Olympians' lived-experiences of navigating intersectional identity transitions through various career stages. Moreover, practical implications for offering culturally competent service delivery and therefore supporting athletes' well-being and performance goals through identity transitions are offered. The final article provides an insight into how diversifying and therefore legitimizing forms of knowledge might expand our understanding and application of sport and exercise psychology practices, with an investigation into the perspectives of Maori sport and exercise academics, health professionals, athletes, and coaches.

The coach's emotional labor in sport: Lessons from a three-season collaboration with an elite handball coach

The emotional dimensions of a coach's activity have been few analyzed in sport psychology. However, an elite coach usually experiences intense emotions requiring real emotional labor, which can influence the daily activity. The notion of emotional labor, stemming from sociology, is increasingly used in a psychological setting to understand the impact of emotions on the coach's activity. Based on a collaboration of three consecutive seasons during the Covid-19 pandemic with an elite handball coach, this article formulates recommendations for revaluing the place of emotional labor in the practice of sport psychology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian national team athletes' mental performance and mental health: The perspectives of mental performance consultants and mental health practitioners.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has led to significant disruptions in the lives of high-performance athletes, including the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, the cancellation of many international and national competitions, and drastic changes in athletes' daily training environment. The purpose of this research was to examine the interplay between the mental health and mental performance of Canadian national team athletes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these variables from the perspective of mental performance consultants and mental health practitioners. Twelve individuals working in these roles with national team athletes participated in focus groups and interviews during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Findings from the inductive reflexive thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (a) factors impacting athlete mental health (i.e., social and environmental, psychological, and public health restrictions), (b) consequences of COVID-19 for athletes (low mood symptoms, anxiety and stress symptoms, maladaptive behaviors, time for life outside of sport, rest, and recovery), and (c) impact of the pandemic on practitioners (roles, preparation and resources, gaps, and well-being). Interestingly, athletes with prior good mental performance skills were perceived to be more equipped to cope with challenges related to the pandemic, which concurrently seemed to facilitate good mental health throughout the pandemic. Furthermore, even though the pandemic had several debilitative consequences on athletes' mental health, it imposed a break from training and competition that allowed them to rest and enjoy their life outside of sport. Finally, participants discussed the need for more mental health resources and better access to practitioners supporting mental performance and mental health in the Canadian sport system.

Controlling the Controllables in Sport Organizations during the Time of Pandemic: Leadership Actions for Sport Psychology Practitioners

The time of pandemic has been a challenging one for most people in sport organizations. These individuals include athletes, coaches, support staff members, and administrators, as well as sport psychology practitioners. A range of human and systemic factors have coalesced to create volatility, ambiguity, and stress for all these stakeholders, affecting how they work, relate to one another, and make decisions. Within this context, this paper centers attention on why and how practitioners of sport psychology in professional sport organizations can manifest leadership by taking actions in support of athletes and coaches, actions that are under practitioner control and influence. The leadership actions considered include promoting an interdisciplinary perspective on providing mental health support to athletes;communicating and collaborating with other professionals;emphasizing acceptance;embracing routines;manifesting humility;and engaging in the process of professional practice. This article concludes with reflections about how these leadership actions can transfer from professional sport organizations to collegiate settings and scholastic school environments. © 2022 Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Meanings of the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for Brazilian Olympic athletes

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games (OG) in Tokyo, producing numerous effects on participating athletes, especially those from developing countries. The objective of this study was to investigate and understand the impact of the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 OG, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on the Brazilian Olympic athletes. The epistemology followed social constructionism. The methodology included semi-directed interviews with 11 Brazilian athletes who had qualified for the OG in seven different sports. Following the application of discourse analysis, three thematic categories were identified: a) inequalities and their social impact, b) the importance of supportive relationships, and c) athletes' work challenges. Our findings initially indicate differences regarding social conditions faced by athletes from countries of the global north compared to those from the south, as is the case of Brazil. Secondly, we could verify the importance of multidisciplinary teams, training colleagues and family members for the preparation and development of the athlete. Thirdly, it was possible to identify an intensification of athletes' training routines under inappropriate work environment. In conclusion, the study proposes a dialogue with the community involved in world Olympic sports, to problematize inequities that affect athletes from developing countries. © Copyright: Federación Española de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educación Física (FEADEF).

Professional doctorate in sport and exercise psychology

The present portfolio gives account of the research and applied experiences of a Professional Doctorate Candidate at Liverpool John Moores University. Contained within are a range of research and applied works that aim to inform and develop the sport and exercise psychology field. In parallel, the portfolio encompasses the professional development of the primary author as a trainee sport psychologist, and their journey to individuation (McEwan et al., 2019).The portfolio contains three applied case studies and one teaching case study. The consultancy case studies demonstrate a wide range of psychological interventions from a variety of psychological schools. The first case study concerns an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention that is rooted in the school of cognitive behavioural psychology. The second is an existential approach to the consultancy that centres around the subjective lived experience of the client. These case studies contain unique outcomes that aim to provide informative and thoughtful implications for both the discipline of sport psychology and sport psychology practitioners. Within the present portfolio is a meta-study that aims to both develop and broaden the present body of organisational psychology literature, and provide insights into sport professionals' work-life balance, a concept that has become increasingly popular over the years. Two empirical studies, one concerning exercise dependency in Cross: Fit, and the other, a narrative exploration of athletes' return to sport following the COVID-19 pandemic, also demonstrate a variety of research skill and competencies required of the candidate.Readers of this portfolio will also gain some insight into the philosophical development of the candidate throughout their professional doctorate enrolment. Ontological and epistemological positionings are examined, challenged, and subsequently evolve throughout the portfolio. In particular, the author demonstrates their development from a positivist/post-positivist to a constructivist paradigm concerning their underpinning philosophical paradigm. This development is also paralleled in their consultancy practice, where the practitioner's consultancy values move from a practitioner-led, performance focused lens to a person centred, client led consultancy style. This process of individuation is examined through commentary and reflections, where the candidate seeks to understand their values and beliefs and face up to challenges associated in their development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Half time talk

When I first discussed writing this section with Nada and John O'Brien, John used the word 'liminal' to describe the subject matter. I had to look it up just to be exactly sure, but I think he is right. It is a great word to describe this half time space, where a team reconvenes (or collapses) for a midway rest and a break. That would be the physical imperative anyway. This brief chapter will give you an illustration of how Jungian perspectives may usefully inform some of the psychological imperatives and possibilities at play in this half time, liminal space. The original meaning of the word liminal is 'threshold', and that is another fitting word for this time. Since the Covid pandemic I have noticed that more and more hand sanitisers are being placed at doorways. It is at the threshold point when we leave one space and enter another. It is a time to check yourself. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Nautical sports tourism: Improving people's wellbeing and recovering tourism destinations

While positive news on COVID-19 vaccines has boosted the hopes of the travel and tourism sector (T&T), the pandemic scenario has brought new concerns to tourists and different motivations to travel. For instance, safety, health, and hygiene are paramount. Moreover, as the pandemic impacted not only the physical, but also the mental health, wellness has been acknowledged as a key ingredient for the T&T recovery. The appreciation of nature surroundings and the practice of outdoor activities are the new trend in the post-COVID-19 world. As such, the nautical tourism with special interest in sports has the potential to become very popular. Thus, with the purpose to identify managerial, governmental, and academic opportunities for this sector, a literature review on nautical sports tourism was developed. The analysis revealed that there is still a long way for this literature research to reach maturity. Nevertheless, it was observed that the combination of sports and tourism in nautical environments opens a myriad of possibilities for places to enhance their public welfare. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

COVID-19 and its impact on student-athlete depression and anxiety: the return to campus

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the NCAA to abruptly cancel all sporting events, to help slow the spread of the virus. As such, measures such as social-distancing and work from home orders, were implemented nationwide. While effective, both safety measures are socially disruptive with the potential to cause psychological disturbances such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other behavioral disorders. To date, there is no literature that examines the consequences of abrupt mid-season cancellation for student-athletes, and the subsequent return to campus in Fall of 2020 brought on by a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. To explore the mental health consequences of such termination and subsequent return to campus, student-athletes were surveyed on their experience with returning to campus amidst a global pandemic. Our results indicate that there were increased feelings of depression and anxiety upon returning to campus in Fall 2020.

Psychological characteristics related to athlete's motivation in COVID-19 pandemic conditions

COVID-19 pandemic caused a number of restrictions and changes in training and competitive activities among active athletes. In this relation, the issue of the influence of these changes on motivation and well-being became very topical. Purpose: The aim of this research was to examine the impact of these changes and personal characteristics related to them.

Effect of gamified physical activity practice on the mood of female basketball players in confinement stage

The main objective of this research is to analyze the effect on the mood of female basketball players, through the practice of gamified physical activity during the confinement stage due to COVID-19. The sample used was 26 players from three different categories: U14, U18 and senior, with an average age 16.65 (3.84) years. To analyze the effect on the players' mood, a quasi-experimental study was conducted through a pretest, an intervention and a final posttest, providing the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire before and after each session. The results obtained showed improvements in the players' mood was produced due to the practice of gamified physical activity, decreasing the values that are related to negative emotional states. During times of confinement, it is important to provide physical activity programs to improve the mental health of female basketball players, who are accustomed to practice regular physical activity.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts on the Mental Health of Professional Soccer: Comparison of Anxiety Between Genders.

This study verifies associated factors with trait and state anxiety in professional soccer teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was composed of 315 athletes, coaches, and physical trainers of professional soccer teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. From this amount, 214 were classified with trait anxiety, and 315 were classified with state anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). This study is an epidemiological and cross-sectional study. We applied an observational method, and we performed a remote measurement. The measurement was made via online questionnaires in male and female individuals working on soccer teams (soccer professionals or athletes) who could be affected by anxiety during social isolation in the COVID-19 pandemic. Each questionnaire was composed of sociodemographic questions, self-perceived performance, and STAI. The main results indicated a significant difference between female vs. male soccer professionals in state anxiety (54.97 ± 9.43 vs. 57.65 ± 9.48 index) and trait anxiety (54.21 ± 5.74 vs. 55.76 ± 6.41 index) with higher results in men. Sociodemographic variables impacted significant differences between female and male athletes and professionals of soccer clubs, and anxiety during the pandemic COVID-19 period impacted self-perceived performance analysis. The present results highlight the importance of cognitive behavior therapy for professional soccer teams.