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The growing competitiveness of modern sport means that children, from very early ages, are increasingly submitted to intensive training programmes. These programmes are problematic for young athletes not only because their developing bodies are particularly susceptible to different kinds of injuries, but because athletes are also particularly vulnerable to experiences of different kinds of abuses. Using data collected through semi-structured interviews this study examines the various kinds of abuse that former Portuguese female gymnasts underwent during their sporting careers. Interviewees were asked to reflect on their past experiences and discuss aspects of the gymnastics subculture. Weight control, training/competing with injuries and corporal punishment emerged as key themes. The study therefore shows that the physical and psychological abuse of young athletes occurs even beyond the confines of elite professional sport, and thus that a broader spectrum of athletes learn to consider these forms of exploitation and abuse as normal.

The commentary brings together the perspectives of a group of coach developers from across the globe who form a community of practice (CoP) from their involvement as "Cohort 5" in the International Council for Coaching Excellence and Nippon Sport Science University Coach Developer Academy. The CoP includes people from three types of organizations: university professors of sport coaching programs, national sport federations, and national multisport organizations' directors of coach education. While this CoP existed prior to the pandemic, the forced isolation has created a new structure and purpose to the CoP: The authors are all making meaning of the landscape of coach development within which they work by understanding the perspectives of others who work in their domain from across theworld and the similar realities that they face in NorthAmerica, Europe, theUnited Kingdom, and New Zealand. The authors outline the key themes that emerged from their weekly CoP video conference meetings to shed light on how this pandemic has changed the way they think about coach development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to present the reliability of three validated measures, namely the System of Analysis of Instruction in Competition, the Questionnaire on Coach Instructional Behavior Expectations, and the Questionnaire on Coach Instructional Behavior Perception that could be used in a mix-method approach. Methods: Three instruments underwent a robust process of construct and reliability analysis. Inter− and intra-observer reliability was tested for the observational instrument using Cohen's k -agreement measure. Reliability values above 0.85 were considered as a good agreement between and within observers. To verify the internal consistency of the questionnaires, the correlation coefficients were considered. Results: The results related to intra-observer and inter-observer reliability showed that intra-observer reliability k -agreement values ranged between 0.912 and 1 for observer 1, and 0.82 and 1 for observer 2. For inter-observer reliability, k -agreement values ranged between 0.885 and 1 between observers. Thus, values for reliability are above acceptable. The correlation coefficient values recorded for the questionnaires on instruction expectations in the competitive moment were above 0.82 and significant (p < 0.05), and for the questionnaire on instruction perception in competition above 0.88 and significant (p < 0.05). The pilot study showed some divergent results across expectations, behavior during competition, and perception about the instruction behavior. Conclusion: The observational system and the expectations and perceptions questionnaires, used in a complementary way, can be considered as a mix-method approach for studies aiming to examine coaches' competitive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for movement plasticity causes dancers to seek to achieve and maintain low body weight, which can lead to dissatisfaction with their body image and to eating disorders. The purpose of this study was to analyze body image satisfaction and the presence of eating disorders and associated factors in professional ballroom dancers in Brazil. Three hundred and twenty dancers took part via a self-reported questionnaire. The majority of the dancers proved to be dissatisfied with their body image; the increase with age of body mass index (BMI) influenced the dissatisfaction due to excess weight. It is concluded that body image is associated with eating disorders, age, and BMI in ballroom dancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluate the student’s satisfaction in Physical Education (PE) classes can contribute to help teachers in developing strategies to better planning and get students more motivated. The aim of this study is to describe what students’ value most and why in a PE class. It was used a qualitative and descriptive approach of the critical incidents in a PE classroom interviewing 278 Portuguese students. The results reveal in the satisfaction striking moments, playing and compete, getting individually and collective success in a satisfactory class climate. The less welcome striking moments were a mixture of playing, compete and failure. The warmup and negative class climate also were reported as not very gratifying. The fun moments reported were personal realization, pleasure and sharing. The teacher appreciation reveals pedagogical interactions, specific knowledge and personal conduct. The students like PE classes. Planning by the PE teacher should maximize opportunities of enjoyable situations by the students, in order to improve their motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated whether athletes' perceptions of coaches' leadership differ according to their perceptions of individual and team goal achievement and their sport performance. We collected data at the beginning and end of the sport season from 180 soccer players (aged 16–18 years). We evaluated three leadership areas (transformational, transactional, and decision-making) and the participants' perceptions of individual and team performance during the sport season. Our results showed that (a) athletes with perceptions of higher individual goal achievement evaluated their coaches more positively, (b) athletes with perceptions of higher team goal achievement started the sport season with a less positive evaluation of their coaches but ended the season with a more positive coach evaluation, and (c) athletes with higher sport performance evaluated their coaches less positively in two domains of transformational leadership but ended the season by attributing less negative feedback and passive management to their coaches. In conclusion, these athletes' evaluations of coaches' leadership behaviors differed according to their perceptions of goal achievement and their own sport performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Coaching philosophy is an important topic in both coaching literature and education. However, there is little research regarding the way that coaches’ philosophies translate into their practices. Additionally, there is very little information about the specific effectiveness criteria coaches use to evaluate their philosophies and practice. This study addresses the complex set of relationships among coaches’ philosophies, perceptions of their practice, and effectiveness criteria. Ten elite coaches were selected for the study (nine males; one female), all of whom had successful careers in their respective sports. The coaches responded to an interview guide that addressed the topics of philosophy, practice, and effectiveness criteria. Deductive and inductive data analysis procedures were used to organize the collected information. The results indicated four main themes: (a) the importance of athlete motivation, (b) the importance of building a relationship with athletes based on personal respect, (c) the presence of high levels of cohesion among the team, and (d) the need for formal and informal rules that regulate the team’s functioning. There were several areas in which coaches did not establish a relationship linking philosophy, practice, and effectiveness criteria. The results suggest the need to educate coaches regarding methods of establishing a relationship among their philosophies, their practices, and the effectiveness criteria they use to evaluate their performance as coaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinesio Tape® (KT) has become very popular in all stages of treatment, injury prevention, rehabilitation and performance enhancement. Despite the increasing interest and use of KT there's still a limited evidence on its effectiveness. So, the purpose was to analyse the effects of the KT in subjects with musculoskeletal disorders of the lower limb, following the rules of PRISMA reporting. The P.I.C.O. strategy was applied for literature search under the following conditions: 1) human patients with musculoskeletal disorders in the lower limb; 2) intervention including Kinesio Tape®; 3) comparisons between Kinesio Tape® and placebo, control or other tapes and; 4) containing musculoskeletal outcomes. The application of inclusion and exclusion criteria's returned seven articles from a set of one hundred and fifty-one. Additionally, the methodological quality of the selected articles was evaluated using the PEDro scale, leading to the exclusion of one of them. From the analysis of the selected studies it is suggested that Kinesio Tape® could promote positive effects on edema, pain and specific venous symptoms. On the other hand, there is no evidence on its effectiveness on health-related quality of life, strength and joint function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to quantify the type of offensive sequences that result in goals in elite futsal. Thirty competitive games in the Spanish Primera Division de Sala were analysed using computerised notation analysis for patterns of play that resulted in goals. More goals were scored in positional attack (42%) and from set pieces (27%) compared to other activities. The number of defence to offense “transitions” (n = 45) and the start of offensive plays due to the rules of the game (n = 45) were the most common type of sequences that resulted in goals compared to other patterns of play. The central offensive zonal areas were the most common for shots on goal, with 73% of all goals scored from these areas of the pitch compared to defensive and wide zones. The foot was the main part of the body involved in scoring (n = 114). T-pattern analysis of offensive sequences revealed regular patterns of play, which are common in goal scoring opportunities in futsal and are typical movement patterns in this sport. The data demonstrate common offensive sequences and movement patterns related to goals in elite futsal and this could provide important information for the development of physical and technical training drills that replicate important game situations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: Although football is considered a universal language, there are particularities that characterize the way it is practiced in several countries. Overall, the style of English football is known as "Kick and Rush", the Italian as "Catenaccio", and the Spanish as "Fúria Española ". This study aims to understand which aspects in the characterization of playing styles of the different teams (Manchester United, Internazionale Milano and Barcelona) are the most important for coaches. Methods: We chose 8 expert high-performance Portuguese first league football coaches (Coach 1 to 8) with a professional experience (as first coach) ranging from 2 to 30 years (14.9 ± 8.6 years). Semi-structured interviews were carried out and the data analyzed trough content analysis using the software QSR NVivo 9. Results and discussion: The data were grouped in four mainly categories: i) game culture/identity (n=18); ii) strategical-Tatical factors (n=17); iii) player characteristics (n=14); iv) coach philosophy (n=14). When analyzing the specific characteristics of the three teams, the coaches mainly referred to aspects related to a playing/identity culture of each team that is influenced by their history, their tradition and a set of values underlying the different clubs. Our coaches described each team 's differences based on strategic and tactical aspects. Overall, all coaches recognized the quality and merit with which Barcelona plays, basing their views on a ball possession that is very difficult to equal by any other team in the world. In contrast, Manchester United plays in a way where strong ball possession is primary, but also their ability to play quickly and offensively, through a more "direct" playing style. Finally, Inter Milan's style is defined essentially by their defensive tactical rigor and the capacity to develop effective offensive sequences of quick attacks and counterattacks. The players that form these teams are only one element that can explain the different ways of playing. As described elsewhere (Kuper & Szymanski, 2010), our coaches feel that the strong and stable economic situation these teams have allows them to have players who are perfectly suited to the game's model, whilst also contributing to an enrichment of the game shown through extremely high playing skills. The interviewees also mentioned the philosophy hat the coach possesses is another aspect that can also influence a team's playing style. Understanding the factors that contribute to the different playing styles in different countries and teams may provide useful information for coaches who want to more efficiently. References: Kuper S, & Szymanski S (2010). Why England lose & other curious football phenomena explained. Fulham: HarperSport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge base required for teaching includes pedagogical content knowledge, whose purpose is to integrate student knowledge, content, context, and the general pedagogy to transform the content into teachable knowledge that is tangible and understandable for the students. That considered, this essay intends to propose a theoretical-conceptual framework for the knowledge base for teaching dance in initial education in Physical Education. Based on the existing literature and the position of the authors, the intention was to identify the logical parameters and conceptual foundations of the knowledge base for teaching, seeking to establish a dialog between perspectives that interrelate Physical Education, Education, and Dance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Drowning is the third leading cause of death worldwide (WHO, 2010). According to Brenner et al (2009) participating in swimming lessons (SL) can reduce by 88% the risk of drowning in children 1-4 years old, despite some controversy regarding the most appropriate swimming programs (Ward, 2009). On the other hand no studies tested the skills acquired in SL in drowning prevention. So we proposed a test to evaluate the survivability of a child that accidentally falls into the water. Methods Twenty two children (4.68±0.82yrs) who practice SL (2.01±0.91yrs/practice) were subjected to two tests: aquatic readiness (AR) (Stallman et al, 2008); and survival test (ST), which consisted of an inflatable boat ride (unknown pool; presence of the usual swim teacher; wearing t-shirt) which 'accidentally' turns. Recorded images were later observed by 6 field experts whose observations obtained an overall index of concordance (IC) of 89%. Results In ST 15 children had positive responses (n=10, 100% IC; n=1, 66% IC; n=1, 83% IC; n=3, 50% IC) and 7 (n=6, 100% IC; n=1, 66% IC) would be in danger. Conclusions Through this test, we found that not all children whose result was positive in AR had a positive performance in the ST. This brings us to observe according to Langendörfer (2011) that the positive or negative response of the subject depends on the interaction of various constraints such as individual characteristics, the environment conditions, and the state in which the swimmer is. The application of ST suggests that the inclusion of safety and prevention activities in swimming lessons, aiming to develop attitudes and motor skills as a defense to drowning, must be taken into account. More studies are necessary to provide valid information to assist pediatricians in advising parents regarding what type of SL are more appropriate to reduce drowning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]