A Golf Course Quality Scale (GCQS): Validity and Reliability Testing on Spanish Golf Courses.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, in terms of validity and reproducibility, of the Golf Course Quality Scale (GCQS) in the Spanish golf course context. The GCQS is a scale that measures the quality of a golf course perceived by its users. It is comprised of 22 five-point Likert scale items, ranging from 1 (disagree) to 5 (totally agree). The items were grouped into five dimensions: services, etiquette, facilities, golf courses, and staff. A translated and adapted version of the Australian CQS questionnaire was administered to a total of 401 federated golf players in the Region of Murcia (RM). The margin of error was 4.9% with a confidence level of 95%. Of the total sample, 88.5% were men and 11.5% were women. The participants were between the ages of 18 and 80 (M = 54.1, SD = 14.3). Following an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to determine the suitability of the proposed items and the factorial structure of the scale, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed using structural equations under the maximum likelihood extraction method. This assessed the fit of the model and its internal consistency, with values above 0.79. In conclusion, the validity and reliability of this psychometric scale for the purposes of evaluating the quality of golf courses perceived by their users have been verified. The results confirm that the scale is a useful tool for golf course research and management.

Effects of Fatigue and Grit on Club Sports Coaches.

The objective of this research is to identify the level of general fatigue (FG), physical fatigue (FF) and concentration/motivation (C/M) in sports coaches. Two components of grit, consistency of interest (CI) and perseverance in effort (PE), are also assessed. The possible effects of sex, age, marital status, employment contract, work dedication and grit on FG, FF and C/M in sports coaches are examined. This cross-sectional study analyses 335 sports club coaches (21.2% women, 78.8% male) with a mean age of 29.88 (SD = 9.97) years, at a significance level of p < 0.05 for all analyses. Different aspects of fatigue were determined using the Spanish translation of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (IMF-20). The Grit-S scale was used to measure the ability to persevere, have passion and commit. The results indicated that men scored higher in FF, C/M and PE, while women obtained higher values in FG and CI. Non-contract coaches had higher FG, CI and PE, while coaches with contracts scored higher on C/M and FF. In conclusion, coaches with higher CI had higher FG, and high levels of PE were associated with low FG levels.

Physical Sports Activities and Exercise Addiction during Lockdown in the Spanish Population.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the paralysis of the worldwide economy caused by the population's lockdown to stop the virus spreading, making it difficult to do exercise. The aim of this study is to analyse the commitment to and feeling of insecurity related to practising sport, sports habits and the profile of the Spanish population during lockdown according to the level of addiction to exercise. The sample consisted of 1019 subjects with a mean age of 35 years old. The variables analysed were exercise addiction, commitment to and feeling of insecurity related to sport, and sport habits. Three groups were identified according to their addiction level to exercise: asymptomatic (n = 202), symptomatic (n = 756), and at risk of addiction (n = 61). The main results indicated that a higher addiction level was associated with a higher number of days and time spent on exercise per week. Six percent of the subjects were at addiction risk, and they had a lower feeling of insecurity towards sport. These findings provide information to governments on the need to promote physical activity programmes at home to promote adequate fitness and mental wellbeing in the population.

Motives and Commitment to Sport in Amateurs during Confinement: A Segmentation Study.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has paralysed whole countries, which have had to confine their entire population and this changed people's lives worldwide. The aim of this study is to identify the reasons for and the level of commitment to physical activity among the Spanish population during confinement and the return to the "new normal". A sample of 1025 amateurs, 534 males and 491 females with an average age of 35 years old were interviewed using an online survey that collected their motives for practising sport and their commitment to physical activity. A cluster analysis combining hierarchical and non-hierarchical methods was performed, identifying three groups of amateurs: High Commitment (n = 650), Moderate Commitment (n = 324), and Low Commitment (n = 81). The main motives shown by the different groups were psychological motives related to an improved or managed general or emotional well-being. Regarding commitment, all the groups showed higher scores in enthusiasm for physical activity than affliction from sport. The variables referring to gender, educational level and sports habits showed differences that enabled the identification of the different groups. These findings highlight the importance of conducting segmentation studies that provide specific population profiles to improve the action strategies of governments and specialists.

Dimensión psicológica en el proceso de formación del luchador olímpico español / Psychological dimension in the formation process of the Spanish Olympic wrestler

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer cómo se ha llevado a cabo el trabajo psicológico en el proceso de formación deportiva de los luchadores olímpicos españoles. Partiendo de un enfoque cualitativo, el instrumento utilizado fue una entrevista semi-estructurada, la cual se aplicó a 21 luchadores olímpicos. Los resultados muestran que los deportistas conceden gran importancia a los factores psicológicos en su disciplina, y que son fundamentales en la etapa de alta competición para alcanzar la excelencia. Consideran la motivación y la autoconfianza como las variables psicológicas más significativas en el rendimiento deportivo y predictoras del éxito en lucha. También se valoran aspectos necesarios como la capacidad de sacrificio, constancia, disciplina y perseverancia. Estiman que no han trabajado adecuadamente los aspectos psicológicos, y solo en épocas recientes se ha incorporado la figura del psicólogo deportivo a su entrenamiento

The aim of this study was to know how psychological work has been carried out in sports training process of Spanish Olympic wrestlers. From a qualitative perspective, the instrument used was a semi-structured interview, which was applied to 21 Olympic wrestlers. The results show that athletes attach great importance to psychological factors in their discipline, and that they are essential at the high competition stage to achieve excellence.They consider motivation and self-confidence as the most significant psychological variables in sports performance, and predictors of wrestling success. Also necessary aspects such as a capacity for self-sacrifice, constancy, discipline and perseverance are valued. They estimate that psychological aspects have not been properly trained, and only in recent times has the figure of the sports psychologist been incorporated into their training

Efecto de la bajada de peso y la competición sobre el perfil de estado de ánimo en deportes de combate / Efeito de menor peso e concorrência no perfil de humor em esportes de combate / Weight cutting and competition effects on mood state profile on combat sports

El propósito de este estudio ha sido describir los cambios que sufre el estado de ánimo que presentan los deportistas de combate durante las fases de bajada de peso y su posterior recuperación antes del comienzo de los eventos competitivos prioritarios de la temporada. Un total de 105 hombres y mujeres especialistas en las modalidades de combate de lucha olímpica, taekwondo y boxeo fueron pesados y contestaron la versión abreviada del Perfil de Estados de Ánimo (POMS) entre 30 y 60 minutos antes del pesaje oficial (PRE) y entre 30 y 60 minutos antes del comienzo del primer combate (POST) de sus respectivos campeonatos nacionales. Los resultados demostraron que las hubo mejoras significativas (p < .05) en las dimensiones de Cólera, Fatiga y Depresión, aunque estos cambios no parecen estar relacionados con la variación porcentual de la masa corporal que experimentan los deportistas durante este mismo periodo (r < .261). Estos hallazgos nos indican que las 12-18 horas que separan el pesaje oficial y el comienzo del torneo en deportes de combate propician mejoras sustanciales en sus estados de ánimo, aunque estos cambios parecen ser independientes de sus fluctuación de la masa corporal (AU)

The purpose of this study was to describe changes in the mood state of combat sport athletes during the weight cutting phases and subsequent recovery before the start of the main competitive events of the season. One hundred and five men and women combat sport specialist of Olympic wrestling, taekwondo and boxing were weighted and answered the abbreviated version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) 30 to 60 minutes before the official weigh-in (PRE) and 30 to 60 minutes before the start of the first bout (POST) of their respective national championships. The results showed significant improvements (p < .05) in the Anger, Fatigue and Depression dimensions, although these changes do not appear to be related to the percentage change in the body mass experienced by these athletes during the same period (r < .261). These findings indicate that the 12-18 hours that separate the official weigh-in and the start of the tournament produce substantial improvements on the athletes´ mood state, although these changes seems to be independent on their body mass oscillations (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as alterações sofridas pelo clima que os atletas lutaram durante as fases de redução de peso e subsequente recuperação antes do início dos eventos prioritários da temporada competitivos. Um total de 105 homens e mulheres especialistas nas categorias de combate de wrestling, taekwondo e boxe foram pesados e responderam a versão curta do Profile of Mood States (POMS) entre 30 e 60 minutos antes da pesagem oficial (PRE) e entre 30 e 60 minutos antes do início do primeiro ataque (POST) nos seus respectivos campeonatos nacionais. Os resultados mostraram que houve melhora significativa (p<0,05) nas dimensões de raiva, fadiga e depressão, embora estas alterações não parecem relacionadas com a variação percentual de massa corporal vivida por atletas durante este mesmo período (r <0,261). Estes resultados indicam que as 12-18 horas que separam a pesagem oficial eo início do torneio em combate esportes adotivos melhorias substanciais em seus humores, mas essas mudanças parecem ser independentes de sua flutuação de massa corporal (AU)

Can Our Fingers Alone Raise Us Up to the Sky? Analysis of the Digit Ratio Association with Success in Olympic Wrestling.

The aim of this study is to analyse the contribution of the second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) to success in wrestling. A total of 180 elite wrestlers who participated in the 2011 Spanish Wrestling Championship took part in this study (132 men, 23.6 +/- 6.1 years old; 48 women, 21.7 +/- 4.9 years old). Prior to competition, wrestlers were interviewed about their years of training experience and their hands were scanned. 2D:4D was calculated using computer-assisted image analysis. A multinomial logistic regression coefficient to calculate odd ratios (OR's) and 95% confidence intervals (CI's) were established to determine the contribution of digit ratio and training experience to success in Olympic wrestling. Additionally, mean and median analyses were calculated between males and females, and between successful and non-successful wrestlers in order to establish differences in 2D:4D and training experience between these groups. There were no differences between successful and non-successful wrestlers in 2D:4D (p=0.87 for right hand, and p=0.46 for left hand), whereas having high training experience supposed an increase up to 4.38,(1.70-11.01) times more likely to be successful. Our results suggest that 2D:4D fails in predicting wrestling success, whereas training background is a good predictor of competition prowess in highly trained wrestlers.

Improvements on neuromuscular performance with caffeine ingestion depend on the time-of-day.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the ergogenic effects of caffeine ingestion on neuromuscular performance are similar when ingestion takes place in the morning and in the afternoon. DESIGN: Double blind, cross-over, randomized, placebo controlled design. METHODS: Thirteen resistance-trained males carried out bench press and full squat exercises against four incremental loads (25%, 50%, 75% and 90% 1RM), at maximal velocity. Trials took place 60 min after ingesting either 6 mg kg(-1) of caffeine or placebo. Two trials took place in the morning (AMPLAC and AMCAFF) and two in the afternoon (PMPLAC and PMCAFF), all separated by 36-48 h. Tympanic temperature, plasma caffeine concentration and side-effects were measured. RESULTS: Plasma caffeine increased similarly during AMCAFF and PMCAFF. Tympanic temperature was lower in the mornings without caffeine effects (36.7±0.4 vs. 37.0±0.5°C for AM vs. PM; p<0.05). AMCAFF increased propulsive velocity above AMPLAC to levels similar to those found in the PM trials for the 25%, 50%, 75% 1RM loads in the SQ exercise (5.4-8.1%; p<0.05). However, in the PM trials, caffeine ingestion did not improve propulsive velocity at any load during BP or SQ. The negative side effects of caffeine were more prevalent in the afternoon trials (13 vs. 26%). CONCLUSIONS: The ingestion of a moderate dose of caffeine counteracts the muscle contraction velocity declines observed in the morning against a wide range of loads. Caffeine effects are more evident in the lower body musculature. Evening caffeine ingestion not only has little effect on neuromuscular performance, but increases the rate of negative side-effects reported.

Validity of hydration non-invasive indices during the weightcutting and official weigh-in for Olympic combat sports.

BACKGROUND: In Olympic combat sports, weight cutting is a common practice aimed to take advantage of competing in weight divisions below the athlete's normal weight. Fluid and food restriction in combination with dehydration (sauna and/or exercise induced profuse sweating) are common weight cut methods. However, the resultant hypohydration could adversely affect health and performance outcomes. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine which of the routinely used non-invasive measures of dehydration best track urine osmolality, the gold standard non-invasive test. METHOD: Immediately prior to the official weigh-in of three National Championships, the hydration status of 345 athletes of Olympic combat sports (i.e., taekwondo, boxing and wrestling) was determined using five separate techniques: i) urine osmolality (UOSM), ii) urine specific gravity (USG), iii) urine color (UCOL), iv) bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and v) thirst perception scale (TPS). All techniques were correlated with UOSM divided into three groups: euhydrated (G1; UOSM 250-700 mOsm · kg H2O(-1)), dehydrated (G2; UOSM 701-1080 mOsm · kg H2O(-1)), and severely dehydrated (G3; UOSM 1081-1500 mOsm · kg H2O(-1)). RESULTS: We found a positive high correlation between the UOSM and USG (r = 0.89: p = 0.000), although this relationship lost strength as dehydration increased (G1 r = 0.92; G2 r = 0.73; and G3 r = 0.65; p = 0.000). UCOL showed a moderate although significant correlation when considering the whole sample (r = 0.743: p = 0.000) and G1 (r = 0.702: p = 0.000) but low correlation for the two dehydrated groups (r = 0.498-0.398). TPS and BIA showed very low correlation sizes for all groups assessed. CONCLUSION: In a wide range of pre-competitive hydration status (UOSM 250-1500 mOsm · kg H2O(-1)), USG is highly associated with UOSM while being a more affordable and easy to use technique. UCOL is a suitable tool when USG is not available. However, BIA or TPS are not sensitive enough to detect hypohydration at official weight-in before an Olympic combat championship.

Habilidades psicológicas fundamentales en las Luchas Olímpicas / Fundamental psychological skills in Olympic Wrestling

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar las posibles diferencias en determinadas habilidades psicológicas fundamentales para el rendimiento deportivo en practicantes de luchas olímpicas a nivel competitivo (96 luchadores/as del programa nacional de tecnificación deportiva en las categorías cadete y juvenil de la Federación Española de Luchas Olímpicas). El estudio examina igualmente la relevancia de las variables sexo del deportista y su nivel competitivo (Élite o Amateur) en dichas diferencias. A través de la aplicación del Inventario Psicológico de Ejecución Deportiva (IPED), adaptación del PPI de Loehr, se obtienen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en Nivel Motivacional, con puntuaciones superiores de las mujeres, y en Autoconfianza donde los luchadores de nivel Élite promedian puntuaciones superiores a los Amateur, tanto en hombres como en mujeres (AU)

This study was undertaken to determine differences in certain psychological skills critical to the sport performance in competitive Olympic wrestling athletes (96 male and female wrestlers within the youth national program in cadet and junior categories of the Spanish Wrestling Federation. This study also analyzes the possible effects of the sex and the competitive level (elite or amateur) in these differences. Through the implementation of the Sport Psychological Performance Inventory, adaptation of the Loehr questionnaire, women showed significantly higher values in motivational and self-confidence levels compared to male wrestlers, as well as significantly higher values in self-confidence for male and female elite wrestlers compared to their respective amateurs groups (AU)

Rendimiento físico y psicológico en lucha olímpica: predictores del éxito en lucha femenina / Physical and psychological wrestling performance: success predictors in female Olympic wrestling

Este estudio se llevó a cabo para determinar los componentes del rendimiento físico, psicológico y antropométrico relacionado con el éxito en lucha olímpica femenina. Treinta y cinco mujeres luchadoras de la especialidad de Libre Olímpica Femenina fueron divididas en dos grupos de acuerdo a su nivel competitivo: Élite (n=13) y Amateur (n=22). Todos los sujetos fueron sometidos a una valoración antropométrica, a una completa batería de test físicos (test de fuerza dinámica e isométrica máxima, potencia muscular, test Wingate de brazos, velocidad de desplazamiento y test de extensibilidad isquiosural) así como una valoración de sus características psicológicas asociadas al rendimiento deportivo mediante el Inventario Psicológico de Ejecución Deportiva. Las luchadoras de élite presentaron niveles superiores en edad, experiencia en el entrenamiento, fuerza dinámica e isométrica máxima, potencia mecánica máxima, potencia y capacidad anaeróbica del test Wingate, así como valores inferiores en masa grasa. Las luchadoras de élite mostraron igualmente autopercepciones significativamente superiores en la escala de autoconfianza en relación a las luchadoras amateur. Estos resultados sugieren que la optimización del metabolismo anaeróbico y neuromuscular, así como determinadas habilidades psicológicas asociadas al rendimiento deportivo son condicionales y por lo tanto predictoras del éxito en lucha olímpica femenina (AU)

This study was undertaken to determine differences in physical, psychological and body composition variables related to success in female Olympic wrestling. Thirty five female freestyle wrestlers were assigned into two groups according to their competitive level: Elite (n=13) and Amateur (n=22). All subjects underwent an anthropometric assessment, a complete physical fitness test battery (maximal dynamic and isometric strength, muscle power output, crank-arm Wingate test, running speed and hamstring extensibility) as well as psychological characteristics assessment associated with sport performance through the Psychological Performance Inventory. Elite wrestlers were older, had more training experience, maximal dynamic and isometric strength, muscle power, mean and peak power during the crank-arm Wingate test, as well as lower percent body fat values. Furthermore, elite wrestlers showed significantly higher self-perceptions in the self-confidence scale. The present results suggest that several neuromuscular, anaerobic and psychological performance markers can be consider such as success predictors in female Olympic wrestling (AU)

Physical fitness factors to predict female Olympic wrestling performance and sex differences.

To determine differences in anthropometric, body composition, physiological and neuromuscular markers between elite and amateur female wrestlers, 35 female wrestlers were assigned into 4 groups according to their body mass (light and middle weight) and their competitive level (elite and amateur): light weight (between 49 and 58 kg) in elite (n = 6) and amateur (n = 12) levels, and middle weight (between 58 and 67 kg) in elite (n = 7) and amateur (n = 10) levels. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify which variables better predict female wrestling success. Elite female wrestlers were older (8-10%), had more training experience (27-29%), fat-free mass (3%), maximum strength in absolute and allometrically scaled values (13-33%), maximal muscle power (16-34%), mean and peak power during an arm crank Wingate testing in absolute and allometrically scaled values (17-23%), jumping height (2-9%) and grip (5-13%), and back isometric strength (10-13%) compared with amateur wrestlers (p < 0.05). When the results of the present research and those of a recent study performed in our laboratory with elite male wrestlers were compared, elite women presented lower (p < 0.05) maximum isometric and dynamic strength, muscle power output, and anaerobic metabolism values even when these data were normalized using allometric methods.

Factores físicos y psicológicos predictores del éxito en lucha olímpica / Physical and psychological factors in predicting olympic wrestling performance

Este estudio se llevó a cabo para determinar los componentes del rendimiento físico, psicológico y antropométrico relacionados con el éxito en Lucha olímpica. Treinta y siete luchadores varones de las especialidades de Libre olímpica y Grecorromana fueron divididos en dos grupos de acuerdo a su nivel competitivo: Élite (n = 18) y Amateur (n = 19). Todos los sujetos fueron sometidos a una valoración antropométrica, a una completa batería de test físicos (test de fuerza dinámica e isométrica máxima, potencia muscular, test wingate de brazos, velocidad de desplazamiento y de extensibilidad isquiosural) así como a una valoración de sus características psicológicas asociadas al rendimiento deportivo mediante el Inventario Psicológico de Ejecución Deportiva. Los luchadores de élite presentaron niveles superiores en edad, experiencia en el entrenamiento, masa libre de grasa, fuerza dinámica e isométrica máxima, potencia mecánica máxima, potencia y capacidad anaeróbica del test wingate, así como autopercepciones significativamente superiores en autoconfianza, control actitudinal y en la media total del sumatorio de todas las escalas. Estos resultados sugieren que la optimización del metabolismo anaeróbico y neuromuscular, así como determinadas variables psicológicas asociadas al rendimiento deportivo son condicionales y por lo tanto predictoras del éxito en Lucha olímpica (AU)

This study was undertaken to analyse differences in physical, psychological and anthropometric markers related to success in olympic wrestling. Thirty seven male Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers were assigned to two groups according to their competitive level: Elite (n = 18) and Amateur (n = 19). All the subjects underwent an anthropometric assessment, a complete physical fitness test battery (maximal dynamic and isometric strength, muscle power output, crank-arm wingate test, running speed and hamstring extensibility) as well as a psychological characteristics assessment associated with sport performance through the Psychological Performance Inventory. The elite wrestlers were older, had more training experience, a fat free mass, maximal dynamic and isometric strength, muscle power, mean and peak power during wingate testing and significantly higher self- perceptions of self-control, attitude control and the total average of the sum of all the scales. These results suggest that the optimisation of neuromuscular and anaerobic metabolism and several psychological performance markers are conditional and thus predictive of success in wrestling (AU)

Physical fitness factors to predict male Olympic wrestling performance.

To determine differences in maximal strength and muscle power output of the arm and leg extensor muscles, peak and mean power during a modified standing crank-arm Wingate test, running speed, muscle extensibility, and anthropometric markers between elite and amateurs wrestlers according to the weight classes system; 92 male wrestlers were assigned into 6 groups according to their body mass (light, middle and heavy weight) and their competitive level (elite and amateur): Light Weight (body mass ranged between 55 and 68 kg) in elite (LW(E), n = 18) and amateur (LW(A), n = 15) level; Middle Weight (body mass ranged between 68 and 84 kg) in elite (MW(E), n = 18) and amateur (MW(A), n = 19) level; and Heavy Weight (body mass ranged between 84 and 100 kg) in elite (HW(E), n = 10) and amateur (HW(A), n = 12) level. Elite wrestlers were older (8-12%), had more training experience (25-37%), fat-free mass (3-5%), maximal strength in absolute and relative terms (8-25%), muscle power (14-30%), mean and peak power during crank-arm Wingate testing in absolute and relative terms (13-22%), jumping height (8-17%) as well as grip (6-19%) and back strength (7-20%) compared to amateur wrestlers. However, no differences were observed between elite and amateur groups in height, body mass index, percentage of body fat, hamstring extensibility and running speed. The present results suggest that the higher absolute and relative values of maximal strength, muscle power, and anaerobic metabolism, explained in part by the differences in lean mass and neural activation patterns, will give elite wrestlers a clear advantage during the most frequently used techniques in Olympic wrestling.

Factores anaeróbicos predictores del éxito en lucha olímpica / Anaerobic factors to predict wrestling performance

Este estudio se llevó a cabo para determinar la relación existente entre el rendimiento del metabolismo anaeróbico (potencia y capacidad anaeróbica) y el éxito en Lucha. Tomaron parte en el estudio 37 luchadores varones de las especialidades de Libre Olímpica y Grecorromana, con una masa corporal comprendida entre 68-84 kg. De acuerdo con su nivel de rendimiento los sujetos fueron divididos en 2 grupos: Élite (n = 18) y Amateur (n = 19). Todos los sujetos realizaron un test Wingate de 30s en un cicloergómetro SRM Indoor Trainer (Schoberer RadMeßtechnik, Germany) que fue específicamente modificado para realizar la ergometría de brazos en bipedestación. Se personalizó individualmente la altura del eje del pedalier y la (..) (AU)

This study was undertaken to establish the relationship between anaerobic metabolism (anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity) and success in wrestling. Thirty seven male FreeStyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers took part in this study, body mass ranged between 68-84 kg. According to the performance level, all the wrestlers were (..) (AU)