Self-Determined Motivation and Competitive Anxiety in Athletes/Students: A Probabilistic Study Using Bayesian Networks.

This study attempts to analyze the relationship between two key psychological variables associated with performance in sports - Self-Determined Motivation and Competitive Anxiety - through Bayesian Networks (BN) analysis. We analyzed 674 university students that are athletes from 44 universities that competed at the University Games in Mexico, with an average age of 21 years (SD = 2.07) and with a mean of 8.61 years' (SD = 5.15) experience in sports. Methods: Regarding the data analysis, firstly, classification using the CHAID algorithm was carried out to determine the dependence links between variables; Secondly, a BN was developed to reduce the uncertainty in the relationships between the two key psychological variables. The validation of the BN revealed AUC values ranging from 0.5 to 0.92. Subsequently, various instantiations were performed with hypothetical values applied to the "bottom" variables. Results showed two probability trees that have extrinsic motivation and amotivation at the top, while the anxiety/activation due to worries about performance was at the bottom of the probabilities. The instantiations carried out support the existence of these probabilistic relationships, demonstrating their scarce influence on anxiety about competition generated by the intrinsic motivation, and the complex probabilistic effect of introjected and identified regulation regarding the appearance of anxiety due to worry about performance.

The efficacy of the old way/new way methodology on the correction of an automated technical error and its impact on the athlete’s psychological skills: case study in tennis / / La eficacia de la metodología old way/ new way en la corrección de un error técnico automatizado y su impacto en las habilidades psicológicas del atleta: estudio de caso en el tenis / / A eficácia da metodología old way/ new way na correcção de um erro técnico automatizado e o seu impacto nas competências psicológicas do atleta: estudo de caso no ténis

The aim of this study was to evaluated the efficacy of the Old Way/New Way methodology (Lyndon, 1989/2000) with regard to the permanent correction of a consolidated and automated technical error experienced by a tennis athlete (who is 18 years old and has been engaged in practice mode for about 6 years) in the execution of serves. Additionally, the study assessed the impact of intervention on the athlete’s psychological skills. An individualized intervention was designed using strategies that aimed to produce a) a detailed analysis of the error using video images; b) an increased kinaesthetic awareness; c) a reactivation of memory error; d) the discrimination and generalization of the correct motor action. The athlete’s psychological skills were measured with a Portuguese version of the Psychological Skills Inventory for Sports (Cruz & Viana, 1993). After the intervention, the technical error was corrected with great efficacy and an increase in the athlete’s psychological skills was verified. This study demonstrates the methodology’s efficacy, which is consistent with the effects of this type of intervention in different contexts (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de la metodología Old Way/New Way (Lyndon, 1989/2000) con respecto a la corrección permanente de un error técnico consolidado y automatizado experimentado por un atleta de tenis (que tiene 18 años de edad y con 6 años de práctica) en la ejecución de saques. Además, el estudio evaluó el impacto de la intervención en las habilidades psicológicas del atleta. Una intervención individualizada ha sido diseñada utilizando estrategias que visan a) un aná- lisis detallado del error utilizando imágenes de vídeo, b) un incremento en la conciencia cenestésica, c) la reactivación de la memoria asociada al error; d) la discriminación y la generalización de la ejecución motora correcta. Las habilidades psicológicas del atleta se midieron con una versión en portugués del Inventario de Habilidades Psicológicas para el Deporte (Cruz y Viana, 1993). Después de la intervención, el error técnico se corrigió con una gran eficacia y se verificó un aumento de las habilidades psicológicas del atleta. Este estudio demuestra la eficacia de la metodología, que es consistente con los efectos de este tipo de intervención en diferentes contextos (AU)

O presente estudo teve como objectivo avaliar a eficácia da metodologia Old way/ New way (Lyndon, 1999, 2000) utilizada na permanente correcção de um erro técnico consolidado e 3automatizado na execução do serviço, experienciado por um atleta de ténis de 18 anos e que pratica a modalidade há cerca de 6 anos. Adicionalmente pretendeu-se avaliar o impacto da mesma nas competências psicológicas do atleta. Foi delineada uma intervenção individualizada, utilizando estratégias que visavam uma análise detalhada do erro com recurso a imagens de vídeo, o aumento da consciência cinestésica, a reactivação da memória do erro, a discriminação e generalização da acção motora correcta. Para avaliar as competências psicológicas do atleta foi utilizado a versão portuguesa do Psychological Skills Inventory for Sports (Cruz & Viana, 1993). Os resultados encontrados neste estudo comprovam a eficácia da metodologia, sendo consistentes com os efeitos deste tipo de intervenção em diferentes contextos, nomeadamente educacionais, artísticos e laborais. De igual modo, registou-se um aumento na percepção de competência para as variáveis psicológicas avaliadas (AU)

Relationships between cooperation and goal orientation among male professional and semi-professional team athletes.

In team sports, athletes' goals may focus on the task (enhancing performance, developing better skills, etc.) or on ego (being better than the others, achieving superiority, etc.). This study investigated the relationships between athletes' goal orientation and their tendency to cooperate with teammates and coaches. 158 professional men (M age = 24.1 yr., SD = 4.6) who played on various sport teams participated in this study. Goal orientation was measured with the Portuguese version of the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire, and cooperation was measured with the Questionário de Cooperação Desportiva. Cooperation was positively correlated with task orientation, and negatively correlated with ego orientation. Overall, the findings support that in sports, directing the players' focus on task may promote prosocial behavior.

Incorporación de una rutina para la optimización del rendimiento deportivo / Routine incorporaton for the optimization of sport performance

El objetivo del estudio fue la evaluación del impacto de la incorporación de una rutina en el rendimiento de un joven futbolista, en cuanto a la ejecución de libres directos. Con base en el abordaje Five-step Approach (Singer, 2000) se llevó a cabo una intervención individualizada, dirigida al aprendizaje y sistematización de una rutina, utilizando estrategias destinadas a la preparación física, técnica y mental del atleta. Los resultados indican que después de la intervención el rendimiento del deportista mejoró significativamente, lo que demuestra la influencia positiva de la incorporación de rutinas, de forma similar a los resultados obtenidos en estudios previos (e.g. Ajamil, Pascual, Idiakez y Echevarría, 2011; Czech, Ploszay y Burke, 2004; Lidor y Mayan, 2005; Singer, 2002). Las conclusiones de este estudio poseen importantes implicaciones prácticas para todos los intervinientes en el contexto del deporte. Además de contribuir a un enfoque eficaz en la respuesta a esta necesidad específica, se enfatiza la importancia de la incorporación de estrategias psicológicas en el ámbito del entrenamiento deportivo (AU)

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the inclusion of a routine in the performance of a young player, in terms of direct free execution. Based on the Five-step Approach (Singer, 2000) an individualized intervention directed towards the learning and systematization of a routine was conducted, using strategies for physical, technical and mental preparation of the athlete. The results indicate that after the intervention the athlete’s performance improved significantly, demonstrating the positive impact of incorporating routines, similar to results of previous studies (e.g. Ajamil, Pascual, Idiakez and Echevarria, 2011; Czech, Ploszay and Burke, 2004; Lidor and Mayan, 2005; Singer, 2002). The findings of this study have important practical implications for all those involved in the sports context. As well as contributing to an effective approach in response to this specific need, it emphasizes the importance of incorporating psychological strategies in the field of athletic training (AU)

Beneficios percibidos de las lesiones deportivas: Estudio cualitativo en futbolistas profesionales y semiprofesionales / Perceived benefits of sports injuries: A qualitative study in professional and semi-professional footballers

The aim of the study was to identify and analyze the perceived benefits associated with sports injury in 16 professional and semi-professional players who were injured during sports practice. For data collection semi-structured interviews were conducted, content analyses being performed through the QSR Nvivo 2.0 software. 31 participants reported perceived benefits throughout the injury process, with social support and sports education referrals. The findings point to the importance of including positive aspects for a clearer and more complete understanding of the overall impact of sports injuries (AU)

El objetivo del estudio fue identificar y analizar los beneficios percibidos asociados a la lesión deportiva, en 16 futbolistas profesionales y semiprofesionales que se habían lesionado durante su práctica deportiva. Para la recogida de datos se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, siendo el análisis de contenido efectuado través del software QSR Nvivo 2.0. Los participantes reportaron 31 beneficios percibidos en todo su proceso de lesión, siendo el apoyo social y la educación deportiva los más referidos. Las conclusiones apuntan para la importancia de incluir aspectos positivos para una comprensión más clara y completa del impacto global de las lesiones deportivas (AU)

You’ll never walk alone: A cooperação como paradigma explicativo das dinâmicas das equipas desportivas / You´ll never walk alone: cooperation as an explanatory paradigm of the dynamics of sports teams

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo proporcionar una breve revisión del constructo de la cooperación deportiva, considerando la manifiesta escasez de la literatura en este campo. Además, se pretende presentar los instrumentos disponibles para la evaluación de la cooperación deportiva, así como la investigación realizada hasta la fecha. Finalmente, se trata de presentar algunos estudios que se hallan actualmente en ejecución y los desafíos futuros de esta línea de investigación. En conclusión, se justifica realzar la importancia de continuar en la profundización y la investigación en este ámbito, , dado que la cooperación puede ser considerada como un paradigma alternativo válido para la comprensión de las dinámicas de equipos deportivos, pero que aún necesita más evidencias empíricas y experimentales (AU)

This paper aims to provide a brief review of the construct of cooperation in sport, taking into account the manifest lack of literature in this field. Similarly, the objective is to present available tools for evaluating cooperation in sport, together with research conducted to date. Finally, we present some studies that are currently in progress and future challenges for this line of research. The importance of ongoing research in this field is highlighted, since cooperation can be considered to be a valid alternative paradigm for gaining an understanding of the dynamics of sports teams, with a need for further empirical and experimental evidence (AU)

Cohesión y cooperación en equipos deportivos / Cohesion and Cooperation in Sports Teams

La cohesión y la cooperación son dos mecanismos psicológicos del equipo diferentes teóricamente, y relativamente independientes. En este trabajo se pretende estudiar, en una muestra de 945 jugadores de fútbol de competición, con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 18 años (media: 14.7 y dt: 1.8) los niveles de cohesión y de cooperación, y su relación entre sí, así como con otras variables. Los resultados indican que los factores de la cohesión deportiva se comportan casi como un factor único, al contrario de lo que ocurre con la cooperación, y que existe relación entre cooperación incondicionada y cohesión. Se ha hallado diferencia significativa entre los jugadores titulares y suplentes, respecto de la cooperación condicionada y de la cohesión global, pero no aparecen cambios con la posición de juego ni con los años de práctica. Finalmente, la cohesión puede ser determinada en parte por la cooperación, mientras que el factor de la cohesión de la aceptación de roles se demuestra relevante para ambos constructos (AU)

Cohesion and cooperation are two psychological mechanisms of teams that are theoretically different and relatively independent. The intent of this study was to assess the levels of cohesion and cooperation and the relationships between them, as well as other variables, in a sample of 945 competitive football players between the ages of 12 and 18 years (M = 14.7, SD = 1.8). The results indicate that the factors of athletic cohesion behave almost as one single factor, which is the opposite of what happens with cooperation, and that there is a relationship between unconditional cooperation and cohesion. There is a significant difference between starting and bench players with regard to the conditional cooperation and overall cohesion, but there are no differences with regard to player's position nor with the years of practice. Finally, cohesion may be determined in part by cooperation, while the factor of cohesion of the acceptance of roles has been demonstrated to be relevant for both constructs (AU)

Ansiedad competitiva y clima motivacional en jóvenes futbolistas de competición, en relación con las habilidades y el rendimiento percibido por sus entrenadores / Performance anxiety and motivational climate in young competitive soccer players in relation to performance and skills perceived by their coaches

En este estudio se analizan las relaciones existentes entre la ansiedad competitiva (en sus facetas cognitiva y somática) y el clima motivacional percibido (de ego y de maestría) en una población de 54 jóvenes futbolistas de competición de edad media de 9,45 años, respecto de la percepción de sus habilidades y rendimiento deportivos por parte de sus 4 entrenadores, que también participaron en el estudio. Para ello se les administró las versiones españolas del SAS-2 (Sport Anxiety Scale-2, Smith, Smoll, Cumming y Grossbard, 2006) y el MCSYS (Motivational Climate Scale for Youth Sports, Smith, Cumming y Smoll, 2008), así como dos escalas ad hoc para evaluar la percepción de su habilidad y rendimiento. Los resultados muestran, por una parte, que los jóvenes futbolistas perciben y discriminan claramente los climas motivacionales, que se distribuyen casi al 50% entre ego y maestría; por otra, que aparece ansiedad competitiva, aunque más cognitiva que somática, y que no existe relación significativa con las percepciones de habilidad y rendimiento por parte de los entrenadores. Finalmente, estos resultados se discuten y se comparan con otros similares en poblaciones preadolescentes (AU)

This study analysed the relationships between competitive anxiety (both cognitive and somatic) and perceived motivational climate (ego and mastery) in 54 young competitive soccer players (mean age: 9.45 years), related to their four coaches’ perceptions of the soccer players’ skills and performance. We administered the Spanish versions of the SAS-2 (Sport Anxiety Scale-2, Smith, Smoll, Cumming and Grossbard, 2006) and the MCSYS (Motivational Climate Scale for Youth Sports, Smith, Cumming and Smoll, 2008), along with two ad hoc scales to evaluate perceived skills and performance. The results show that 1) young players perceived and discriminated clearly between motivational climates (which were more or less equally distributed between ego and mastery orientations), 2) some performance-related anxiety (mostly cognitive rather than somatic) appeared and 3) no significant relationships were found between their coaches’ perceptions of their skills and their performance. Lastly, the results are discussed and compared with similar results from preadolescent players (AU)