Self-Assessment of Lower Urinary Tract Condition in Female Competitive Cyclists.

During cycling, prolonged compression by the bicycle saddle on the anatomical structures located in the perineum area occurs. An additional factor that may have a negative impact on organs located in the pelvic area may be a prolonged sitting position resulting in increased intraabdominal pressure. This situation has the potential to adversely affect pelvic floor function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) in female competitive road cyclists and cross-country cyclists. The study included 76 female competitive road cyclists and cross-country cyclists and 76 women not practising competitive sport. The Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (CLSS) questionnaire was used to assess the lower urinary tract condition. Female competitive cyclists had a statistically significantly higher LUTSs score (95% CI: 3.12-4.2 vs. 2.31-3.16; p < 0.05) compared to women not practising competitive sports. Female cyclists had a statistically significantly higher overall CLSS score (95% CI: 3.99-5.61 vs. 2.79-3.97; p < 0.05). Female cyclists had a statistically significantly higher incidence and severity of urinary frequency (p < 0.05 and p < 0.02), urge (p < 0.001 and p < 0.02) and stress incontinence (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), and pain in the bladder (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01), while physically inactive women recorded a statistically higher incidence of slow urinary stream (p < 0.01 and p < 0.04). A statistically significant association was recorded between the years of cycling and the number of hours per week spent on training and the number of symptoms and their severity. The number of natural births experienced by women involved in competitive cycling significantly affects the severity of LUT symptoms. Compared to women not practising competitive sports, competitive female cyclists are found to have a higher prevalence of LUTSs and a greater degree of severity. LUTSs in competitive female cyclists are negatively influenced by years of competitive career and weekly number of training hours and the number of natural births experienced.

Testing general sociocultural and coach-related appearance pressures as the factors associated with disordered eating in competitive female athletes participating in various sports.

The aim of the present study was to test the sociocultural Petrie and Greenleaf's (2007) model of disordered eating (DE) in competitive female athletes. Specifically, we tested a model of general sociocultural and coach-related pressures towards body weight and appearance of female athletes as the factors associated with athletes' DE through the mediators such as internalization of appearance ideals and overweight preoccupation. 515 athletes participated in this study. The mean age of the sample was 19.0 ± 5.9 years. Athletes were provided with study measures on general sociocultural and coach-related appearance and body weight pressures, internalization of appearance ideals, overweight preoccupation and DE. Path analyses showed that general sociocultural pressures were associated with DE directly and through internalization of appearance ideals and overweight preoccupation. Pressures from coaches were associated with DE through overweight preoccupation and through the internalization of appearance ideals and overweight preoccupation. The models were invariant across body weight sensitivity in sports and age groups. These results inform DE prevention for female athletes. It is important to increase resistance to sociocultural pressures and pressures from coaches in DE prevention programmes for female competitive athletes of all ages and participating in sports irrespective of sports group (weight-sensitive or less weight-sensitive).

Barriers and enablers in doping, anti-doping, and clean sport: A qualitative meta-synthesis informed by the theoretical domains framework and COM-B model.

To protect the integrity of sport, and the health of athletes, global anti-doping programmes seek to prevent doping, and elicit anti-doping and clean sport behaviours, through education, deterrence, detection, enforcement, and rules. To guide programme development, this meta-synthesis of qualitative research applied a behavioural science framework to identify barriers and enablers to doping, anti-doping, and clean sport. A systematic search of electronic databases up to May 2022, followed by critical appraisal, resulted in 73 included articles. Fifty-two articles reported the athlete perspective, thirteen included athletes, athlete support personnel (ASP), and other experts, and eight focused on ASP only. Rigorous methods of thematic synthesis were drawn upon to construct analytical themes in line with the theoretical domains framework (TDF) and the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B). A wide range of barriers and enablers were identified which influenced capability, opportunity, and motivation to participate in a clean sport environment. The weight of evidence pointed to limitations in the current anti-doping education system in providing athletes and ASP with the knowledge and skills to protect against doping, as well as the significant influence of social and cultural norms in shaping doping and clean sport behaviours through a shared social identity, and risky contexts leading to moments of vulnerability to doping. We identified a need for anti-doping programmes to move beyond the current focus on athlete capability, and address the opportunity and motivation components of clean sport behaviours through a targeted and tailored focus on education, training, persuasion, modelling and environmental restructuring interventions.

Inteligencia emocional y resiliencia en universitarios: Influencia de la cultura, del género y del deporte competitivo / Inteligência emocional e resiliência em universitários: Influência da cultura, gênero e de desporto competitivo / Emotional intelligence and resilience in university students: Influence of culture, gender, and competitive sport

La Inteligencia Emocional (IE) permite identificar y manejar las propias emociones y reconocer las de los demás impactando en la satisfacción vital y bienestar psicológico; a su vez, la resiliencia permite superar adversidades, siendo procesos importantes en el ámbito universitario. Los objetivos de esta investigación consistieron en describir la IE en sus factores atención, claridad, reparación emocional, y resiliencia en estudiantes universitarios y compararlas en función del país (México y España), género y práctica deportiva con fines competitivos. Participaron 423 estudiantes universitarios (M = 22.83; DT = 4.71; 49% mexicanos, 51% españoles; 66.5% mujeres, 32.3% hombres, 1.2% no binarios; 17.5% practican deporte con fines competitivos). A través de un diseño descriptivo, comparativo transversal no probabilístico y transcultural, se completaron los cuestionarios de Escala Rasgo de Metaconocimiento Emocional (TMMS-24) y Escala de Resiliencia Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC). Los hallazgos principales de la prueba t-Student fueron diferencias significativas en: 1) reparación emocional, donde los universitarios de México presentan medias mayores (t = 2.23); 2) atención emocional, reparación emocional y resiliencia en función del género (t = 2.57, -3.46, -4.42); y 3) reparación emocional y resiliencia en función de la práctica de deporte con fines competitivos (t = -2.08, -3.36). El MANOVA reveló significancia en el cruce por país y deporte (F = 3.22). Estos resultados sugieren que la IE y la resiliencia en universitarios, se ven influidas por el país, el género y la práctica de deporte con fines competitivos, aportando evidencia para futuras líneas de investigación transcultural de la IE en el deporte.(AU)

Emotional Intelligence (EI) allows to identify and manage own emotions and recognize them in others impacting on life satisfaction and psychological well-being; on the other hand, resilience allows overcoming adversities, being importantprocesses in the university environment. Therefore, the aims of this research were to describe EI in its emotional attention, clarity and repair factors, and resilience in university students and to compare them depending on the country (Mexico and Spain), gender, and sports practice for competitive purposes. A total of 423 university students participated (M = 22,83; SD = 4,71; 49% Mexican, 51% Spanish; 66.5% women, 32.3% men, 1.2% non-binary; 17.5% practice sports for competitive purposes). Through a descriptive, comparative cross-sectional non-probabilistic, and cross-cultural design, it was completed the Emotional Meta-knowledge Trait Scale (TMMS-24) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) questionnaires. The main findings of the t-Student test were significant differences in 1) emotional repair where university students in Mexico present higher means (t = 2.23); 2) emotional attention, emotional repair, and resilience based on gender (t = 2.57, -3.46, -4.42); and 3) emotional repair and resilience depending on the practice of sport for competitive purposes (t = -2.08, -3.36). The MANOVA revealed significance in the crossover by country and sport (F = 3.22). These results suggest that EI and resilience in university students are influenced by the country, gender, and the practice of sports for competitive purposes, providing evidence for future lines of cross-cultural research on EI in sports. (AU)

A Inteligência Emocional (IE) permite identificar e gerir as próprias emoções e reconhecê-las nos outros impactando na satisfação com a vida e no bem-estar psicológico. Por outro lado, a resiliência permite a superação das adversidades, sendo processos importantes no ambiente universitário. Portanto, os objetivos deste estudo consistiram em descrever a IE nos seus factores atenção, clareza e reparação emocional, e resiliência nos estudantes universitários e compará-los de acordo com o país (México e Espanha), géneroe prática desportiva competitiva. Um total de 423 estudantes universitários (M = 22,83; DT = 4,71; 49% mexicanos, 51% espanhóis; 66,5% femininos, 32,3% masculinos, 1,2% não binários; 17,5% praticantes de desporto para fins competitivos) participaram nesteestudo. Por meio de um delineamento descritivo, comparativo, transversal, não probabilístico e transcultural, foram preenchidos os questionários Escala de Traços de Metaconhecimento Emocional (TMMS-24) e Escala de Resiliência de Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC).Os principais resultados a partir do teste t de Student foram os seguintes: diferenças significativas nareparação emocional com estudantes universitários mexicanos com meios mais elevados (t = 2.23);atenção emocional, reparação emocional e resiliênciaem função do sexo (t = 2.57, -3.46, -4.42); e reparação emocional e resiliência em função da prática desportiva de competição (t = 2.08, -3.36). A MANOVA revelou diferenças significativas no cruzamento por país e por desporto (F = 3,22). Estes resultados sugerem que a IE e a resiliência em estudantes universitários são influenciadas pelo país, gênero e prática desportiva para fins competitivos, fornecendo evidências para futuras linhas de investigação transcultural sobre IE no desporto. (AU)

Soccer, Sleep, Repeat: Effects of Training Characteristics on Sleep Quantity and Sleep Architecture.

Due to the high demands of competitive sports, the sleep architecture of adolescent athletes may be influenced by their regular training. To date, there is no clear evidence on how training characteristics (intensity, time of day, number of sessions) influence sleep quality and quantity. 53 male soccer players (M = 14.36 years, SD = 0.55) of Austrian U15 (n = 45) and U16 elite teams (n = 8) were tested on at least three consecutive days following their habitual training schedules. Participants completed daily sleep protocols (7 a.m., 8 p.m.) and questionnaires assessing sleep quality (PSQI), chronotype (D-MEQ), competition anxiety (WAI-T), and stress/recovery (RESTQ). Electrocardiography (ECG) and actigraphy devices measured sleep. Using sleep protocols and an ECG-based multi-resolution convolutional neural network (MCNN), we found that higher training intensity leads to more wake time, that later training causes longer sleep duration, and that one training session per day was most advantageous for sleep quality. In addition, somatic complaints assessed by the WAI-T negatively affected adolescent athletes' sleep. Individual training loads and longer recovery times after late training sessions during the day should be considered in training schedules, especially for adolescent athletes. MCNN modeling based on ECG data seems promising for efficient sleep analysis in athletes.

Lifespan models of athlete development: What have we learned from previous attempts?

Sport has a unique place in many cultures, emphasizing the links between physical elements of movement with psychological and social outcomes. Sport participation continues to attract the interest of researchers from a range of perspectives, yet there remains a strong need to understand the "who", "what", "where", "when" and "why" aspects of sport involvement over the life course. While the research literature includes multiple athlete development models that consider these components, they are incomplete frameworks for understanding lifespan sport engagement. In this article, we discuss the value in building multidimensional developmental models of sport participation that encapsulate experiences across all ages and stages of competitive and recreational sport, and pay special attention to the high degree of complexity of the movement between and within sport both competitively and recreationally. In addition, we highlight several challenges to creating such a lifespan development model, and consider areas of future direction to overcome some of these hurdles.

The role of inhibitory control in sport performance: Systematic review and meta-analysis in stop-signal paradigm.

Inhibitory control is an executive function that is closely and bidirectionally related to sports practice. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to study the effect of this relationship when response suppression is assessed within the Stop-Signal Paradigm. Twenty-four articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for qualitative analysis, of which 11 studies were further analyzed through meta-analytic techniques. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was estimated for the stop-signal reaction time, and the influence of moderator variables was assessed. Athletes showed shorter stop-signal reaction time than non-athlete controls (SMD=0.44; 95% CI=0.14, 0.73), and this effect was mediated by age (SMD=-0.56; 95% CI=-1.11, -0.01). Athletes' superior stop-signal reaction time may be a result of extensive practice in cognitively demanding competitive environments. Young athletes can benefit the most from sports practice. In addition, engaging individuals in more cognitively demanding activities may obtain better response suppression enhancements, although the evidence in the stop-signal task is limited. Finally, some stop-signal task methodological aspects should be considered in future research.

Can exercise test intensity and modality affect the prevalence of arrhythmic events in young athletes?

Pre-participation screening is performed to identify underlying cardiac conditions that may also lead to sudden cardiac death. Our aim is to compare submaximal Harvard Step Test (HST) with incremental Maximal Exercise Test (MET) on treadmill to induce and detect arrhythmias in younger athletes. A total of 1000 athletes (mean age 14.6 ± 4.7 years) were evaluated, 500 with MET and 500 with HST, all with continuous ECG monitoring until three minutes of recovery. Pre-test evaluation includes medical history, clinical evaluation and resting electrocardiogram. Ventricular and/or supraventricular arrhythmias were observed in 2.6% of athletes performing HST and in 8.4% during MET (p < 0.001). Incidence of arrhythmias remained higher for MET also considering separately exercise phase (0.8% vs. 5.2%; p < 0.001) and recovery phase (2.0% vs. 6.0%; p < 0.01). No gender differences were observed. Results suggest that MET induces more arrhythmias than submaximal HST, regardless of test phase. Higher test intensity and longer exercise duration might influence test outcomes, making MET more arrhythmogenic.

The Functional Form of the Relationship between Body Height, Body Mass Index and Change of Direction Speed, Agility in Elite Female Basketball and Handball Players.

The aim of this study was to assess the functional form of the relationship between two anthropometric measurements-body height (BH) and body mass index (BMI)-and two motor abilities-change of direction speed (CODS) and agility (AG)-in female elite basketball and handball players. It was hypothesized that BH and BMI might be significantly associated with AG and CODS. Two scenarios of the Five-Time Shuttle Run to Gates test (planned and unplanned) were used to evaluate the CODS and AG. Two forms of models were built to assess functional forms of the relationships between CODS and AG vs. BH and BMI: simple linear regression and binomial curvilinear regression for each type of team sport. The results confirmed the relationships between both anthropometric measurements and motor abilities only in HB, whereas in BB only a significant relationship was noted between BH and AG. Moreover, two curvilinear functional forms of the relationship were identified: inverted L-shape and inverted U-shape. Therefore, it was concluded that the first form of function indicated an initially proportional relationship between anthropometric measurement and motor test results and plateau after reaching a certain value of the BH or BMI. Similarly, the second form of function indicated the peak value of the BH or BMI which is threshold for the value of the anthropometric measurement when a progressive effect in the functional feature occurs.

The Athletic Identity Measurement Scale: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis from 1993 to 2021.

Sport psychology embraced the study of athletic identity in the 1990s. The Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) is at the forefront of athletic identity measurement. This quantitative review examined two hypotheses: individual who are most engaged in sports identify most as athletes and thus score higher on the AIMS, and athletic identity relates to positive (e.g., intrinsic motivation) and negative (negative emotions) factors. In addition to our two hypotheses, we explored whether the AIMS subscales influenced our two hypotheses. After completing a systematic search of SPORTDiscus, APA PsycINFO, ERIC, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection APA within the EBSCOhost platform along with some hand searching, 101 articles published between 1993 and our end date of August 2021 met the inclusion criteria. The included studies investigated 20,498 athletes competing in a variety of sports from the following continents: Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America. We based all analyses on random- and mixed-effects statistics. Higher-achieving athletes, as expected, self-reported a higher degree of athletic identity. The differences between athlete groups were significant (p < 0.001) and meaningful (g values ranged from 1.55 to 1.93). The AIMS total score correlations with positive and negative factors (correlates) were small in magnitude (r = 0.22 and 0.17). However, the relationships differed across correlate subcategories (e.g., intrinsic motivation/commitment, r = 0.51, and body issues, r = 0.14). Minimal AIMS subscale reporting occurred across the 101 studies; thus, we could not assess their importance with certainty. In conclusion, a higher degree of athletic identity related to valued sport correlates such as intrinsic motivation/commitment and the mastery goal orientation. These correlations were small in relation to negative or less desirable factors in sport such as body disorder issues and negative emotions. We recommend future research of greater complexity and the reporting of athletes' competitive backgrounds to understand athletic identity. In addition, researchers should report AIMS subscale data.

Revisiting the Self-Confidence and Sport Performance Relationship: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Self-confidence is a common research topic, and most applied textbooks include interventions designed to enhance athlete confidence. Our purpose was to quantify the self-confidence and sport performance literature using meta-analytic techniques. We also examined potential risk of bias indicators, and the moderation effects of study quality, sport characteristics, timing of confidence measurement, and individual differences among participants. Following a review of two past meta-analyses, a systematic search of APA PsycArticles, ERIC, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsychINFO, and SPORTDiscus within the EBSCOhost platform, and some hand searching, 41 articles published between 1986 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria. Collectively, the included studies investigated 3711 athletes from 15 countries across 24 sports. The overall random effects estimate of the relationship (expressed as r) between self-confidence and performance was 0.25 (95% CI 0.19, 0.30), with little evidence of publication bias. The summed total risk of the individual study bias score did not moderate the confidence-performance relationship, whereas significant moderator effects emerged for individual sports (0.29) compared with team sports (0.14), objective (0.29) compared to subjective (0.14) performance measures, and 100% male (0.35) compared to 100% female (0.07) samples. In conclusion, the confidence-performance relationship is small in magnitude, nearly free of bias, and moderated by sport type, performance objectivity, and athlete sex.

Individual Dispositions and Situational Stressors in Competitive Sport: The Role of Stress Mindset in the Cognitive Appraisals Processes.

Personality has widely been documented to play an important role in the cognitive appraisal and stress processes. Emerging studies highlight the stress mindset as a new concept that could add to the understanding of individual differences in stress experiences. This study aimed to examine the relative contribution of Big Five personality dimensions and stress mindset in accounting for measures of cognitive appraisals of stress among the competing athletes. The study was conducted on a sample of 125 collegiate athletes of both genders who actively compete in sport. All the participants were regular undergraduate or graduate students at the Faculty of Kinesiology of the University of Zagreb. A questionnaire including demographic information about athletes and their sport career, stress mindset measure (SMM), situation-specific cognitive appraisal scale, sources of stress scale, and personality scale measured by IPIP-50 was administered in an online form using the Google Forms platform. Multivariate hierarchical regression procedures resulted in somewhat different predictor structures accounting for cognitive appraisals of threat, loss, and challenge, used as criterion variables. The set of Big Five personality dimensions and stress mindset measure proved to have a significant additive contribution to the explanation of each of the three cognitive appraisal criterion variances. The study results support the current body of literature suggesting a unique role of the stress mindset construct in explaining individual differences in cognitive stress appraisal among athletes above and beyond general personality dimensions.

Moral Disengagement, Social Norms, and Motivational Profiles Influence Attitudes Toward Doping Among Spanish Athletics Coaches.

Coaches strongly influence athletes' attitudes toward doping and can shape athlete's beliefs, behaviors, and decisions to be for or against doping. Coached-centered studies examining multiple factors affecting coaches' doping attitudes and behavior are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze for the first-time attitudes toward doping in athletics coaches using the Sport Drug Control Model (SDCM) as a theoretical framework. A secondary aim was to determine the factors in the model predicting attitude and susceptibility toward doping. A cross-sectional study was carried out using a sample consisting of 201 Spanish athletics competitive level coaches from whom 11.4% were female. Participants completed a cross-sectional online survey. Structural equation modeling showed a good fitness of the SDCM. Positive attitudes toward doping predicted high susceptibility to doping (ß = 0.39, p < 0.001). Moral disengagement (ß = 0.58, p < 0.001), descriptive norms (ß = 0.42, p = 0.001), ego-oriented goals (ß = 0.34, p < 0.05), and self-efficacy to refrain from doping (ß = 0.26, p < 0.05) displayed a significant influence on attitudes toward doping. Self-reported doping prevalence in coaches was 4.5%. These variables should be considered when designing anti-doping research projects and educational programs aiming at modifying coaches' attitudes toward doping. It is recommended to focus more efforts on coaches, without putting aside the athletes, and therefore turn coaches into reliable doping prevention factors. To this end, it is necessary to enhance scientific research and then develop, implement, and promote more educational programs targeting coaches, on a mandatory basis while covering the specific needs of coaches so that they can perform their role as anti-doping educators in an effective, committed, and proactive manner.

The relationship between sports psychology, self-motivation and educational attainment level at university-level education in China

With the rapid growth of competitive sports and the rising intense competition trend, the sports circle across the world increases specific skill training. This research study measures the relationship between sport psychology, self-motivation, a, and educational attainment. This research study was conducted in China and is based on primary research. For gathering the data used different questions related to the variables. The sport psychology, self-motivation, and educational attainment are the main independent variables and through the university level education measure the relationship between them, for measuring the data analysis, used smart PLS software and run basic results related to sport psychology. The smart PLS algorithm model, parameter estimated result, correlation coefficient, and histogram analysis. Results found significant and positive relationships between sports psychology, self-motivation, and educational attainment levels. It gradually emphasizes the training and intervention of students related to sport' psychological abilities. Therefore, this study has significance for knowing which qualities may aid athletes in developing strong attention control.(AU)

A Study on the Injury Rate of Spanish Competitive Athletes as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown.

The COVID-19 lockdown may have had collateral effects on the conditions of athletes, with possible increases in injury risks upon the return to sports. Due to the existence of multiple factors of injury risks based on the lockdown and the return to sports, the aim of this study was to analyze the injury rates after the lockdown in competitive athletes. A non-experimental quantitative design based on a survey was carried out, and 94 athletes (42 males and 52 females; 23.57 ± 6.20 years) participated. Statistical analyses were carried out using non-parametric tests. Injury rates did not increase significantly after the lockdown, and there were no statistical differences between performance levels, types of sports, the design of a specific training program by sports professionals during the lockdown, the moment of injury, and the mechanism of injury. It is important to develop injury prevention protocols to prepare athletes after such a long period of detraining.

COVID-19 Lockdown 2020 Changed Patterns of Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Swiss Elite Athletes and Bodybuilders: Results From an Online Survey.

Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, increased patterns of substance use have been reported in the general population. However, whether this also applies to athletes is not yet clear. This study aimed to detect changes in alcohol consumption and cannabis use in elite athletes and bodybuilders during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Switzerland. Methods: Between April 25 and May 25, 2020, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted among bodybuilders and Swiss elite athletes who were active in Olympic sports and disciplines approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on at least the national level. The collected data included information on alcohol and cannabis use during the last month (lockdown) and in the year before COVID-19 lockdown (pre-lockdown), daily training times, existential fears on a scale from 1 to 100, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression (PHQ-9), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: N = 275 athletes (elite athletes: n = 193; bodybuilders: n = 82) was included in this study. Both pre-lockdown and during lockdown, more bodybuilders used cannabis (both time points: p < 0.001) than elite athletes, and more elite athletes drank alcohol (pre-lockdown: p = 0.005, lockdown: p = 0.002) compared to bodybuilders. During lockdown, fewer athletes drank alcohol compared to before, but those who continued drinking did so on more days per week (p < 0.001, Eta2 = 0.13). Elite athletes were more likely to increase their drinking with 17.7 vs. 8.2% in bodybuilders. When compared to pre-lockdown measures, the number of athletes using cannabis did not change during lockdown. Only three of 203 elite athletes reported using cannabis during lockdown; this contrasts with 16 of 85 bodybuilders. In a multivariate regression model, existential fears and a lower ISI score were significant predictors for increased alcohol consumption during the lockdown in the entire sample. In a model based on elite athletes only, male sex and a lower ISI score predicted increased alcohol consumption. In a bodybuilder-based model, predictors of increased alcohol consumption were existential fears and trait anxiety. Conclusion: We suggest identifying athletes who are at risk for increased alcohol and cannabis use; we suggest this to be able to professionally support them during stressful times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Relationship Between Reactive Agility and Change of Direction Speed in Professional Female Basketball and Handball Players.

Assessing the physical ability of players to perform change of direction and the cognitive and motor abilities revealed in reactive agility (RA) is necessary to understand the physical requirements and capabilities of professional players in handball and basketball. The main aim of this study was to determine the differences between professional female basketball and handball players in terms of anthropometric features, change of direction speed (CODS), and the RA task. Moreover, the relationships among anthropometric features, agility, and parameters of perception were determined. Two scenarios of the Five-Time Shuttle Run to Gates test (planned and unplanned) were used to evaluate the CODS and RA. The response time (RT) was also measured in the unplanned scenario. Additionally, the index of reactivity (REAC-INDEX) was specified as the difference between the RA test result and the measurement of CODS. There was a significant difference found in terms of body height, with basketball players being taller than handball players (p = 0.032). Professional female handball players achieved better results than professional female basketball players with regard to RA tasks (p = 0.01) and CODS (p = 0.041). Significant simple correlations between each anthropometric feature (body height, body mass) and values for CODS and RA were observed (r = 0.49-0.53). Applying partial correlation allowed for the assessment of actual relationships among CODS, RA, RT, and REAC-INDEX, without a confounding variable. Detaching the anthropometric parameters from the rest of the relationships resulted in maintenance or changes in r-values and an increased significance in the relationships between each pair: RA vs. RT, RA vs. REAC-INDEX, and RT vs. REAC-INDEX. The strongest associations were related to RT vs. REAC-INDEX (r = 0.97 at detaching body height or body mass, p < 0.001) and CODS vs. RA (r = 0.66 at detaching body height and r = -0.67 at detaching body mass, p < 0.001). It is recommended to use partial correlations in subsequent studies, as simple correlations are not reliable and may not reveal the apparent relationships between the variables. In addition, when determining the CODS and RA, it is suggested to take anthropometric and perception variables into account, such as reaction time or REAC-INDEX.

Personal and Social Responsibility Development in a Volleyball Hybrid Positive Youth Development Program: A Mixed Methods Approach.

Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs are being used to foster holistic growth in children and adolescents. The hybridized application of two or more programs of this type has acquired special relevance in recent years. Although their application is common in the school context, there are few research studies that attempt their implementation in an extracurricular context. This study analyzed the effects of an intervention based on a hybrid PYD program on personal responsibility (PR) and social responsibility (SR) in youth volleyball players in an extracurricular context. A hybrid program was applied during the competitive season, with a total of 37 sessions with 30 girl students (15 experimental and 15 control) aged between 8 and 10 years (M = 8.87, SD = 0.82). A convergent mixed methods design was applied to integrate the following: (a) semi-structured interviews and field notes and (b) personal and social responsibility questionnaires. The results indicated that the implementation of the hybrid program appeared to yield a positive perception of learning in both the participants and the coach. Although there were no statistically significant intergroup or intragroup differences, the findings suggest that the hybrid program seems to be effective in fostering PR and SR in youth girl volleyball players.

The Mediating Effect of Change of Direction Speed in the Relationship between the Type of Sport and Reactive Agility in Elite Female Team-Sport Athletes.

The main aim of this study was to examine the mediating effect of the change of direction speed (CODs) on reactive agility (RA) in female players participating in different team sports (TS). In total, there were 31 elite female players from the Polish national basketball (n = 12, aged 24.98 ± 3.38) and handball (n = 19, aged 27.34 ± 4.68) teams participated in this study. Two experiments using the 'five-time shuttle run to gates' test with similar movement patterns were used to determine the players' RA and CODs. A simple mediation model was utilised to investigate the potential mediation role of CODs and its effect on RA. The results revealed a primary, statistically significant effect of TS on RA (B = 0.796, p = 0.005), which decreased and became statistically insignificant after including the CODs variable into the model of mediation analysis (B = 0.337, p = 0.192). The RA test results were mediated by changes in CODs (B = 0.764, p < 0.001). Likewise, TS affected CODs (B = 0.602, p = 0.016). The general conclusion is that the relationship between TS and RA is not inherent. The direct effect of TS on RA disappears in the presence of the mediator CODs. Study results confirm the relevance of using the mediation analysis to apply in sport training. Identification of the critical ingredients of the athletes' agility performance can improve training programs by focusing on effective components.