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Which opponent player to sequentially serve to in beach volleyball is crucial given the advantage of the attacking team. The sequential choice theory was tested in three studies by analyzing allocation strategies based on the hot hand belief. Study 1 showed strong belief in the hot hand of national coaches. In Study 2, we analyzed Tokyo Olympics data to explore how base rates and sequential selection rates varied in an elite sample. When base rates of players differed by 0.25, low-performing players were frequently selected. In an experiment with elite athletes, Study 3A demonstrated accurate base-rate-difference recognition but low base-rate-change recognition. Study 3B found that the hot hand is believed to be important but is not often detected. We conclude that players and coaches follow predictions of the sequential choice theory and believe in the hot hand, but do not have a shared understanding of how to use it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on theories from the sociology of work and organizations, such as Leiter and Maslach's concept of burnout and Siegrist's model of effort–reward imbalance, this paper argues that burnout symptoms in elite sport are related to a mismatch of investment and gratification. Building on data from a sample of German elite athletes (N = 312), findings show that high time investments for training and competitions, the experience of time and role conflicts and negative emotions related to daily training are associated with more burnout symptoms, while sporting success, social support and training-related positive emotions are associated with lower burnout scores. Vulnerability to burnout is increased in situations that qualify as gratification crises, in which athletes perceive that high time commitment does not pay off in terms of sporting success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adapting to the ever‐changing demands of the environment requires a complex interplay between cognitive‐affective, neuronal, and autonomic processes. Vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) is positively associated with both cognitive‐affective functioning and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity. Accordingly, the Neurovisceral Integration Model has posited a shared role of the PFC in the regulation of cognitive‐affective processes and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. While there are numerous correlational findings in this regard, no study so far has investigated whether the manipulation of PFC activity induces changes in vmHRV and cognitive‐affective processing in an inter‐dependent manner. In a sample of 64 participants, we examined the effects of continuous (cTBS; n = 21) and intermittent theta‐burst stimulation (iTBS; n = 20) compared to sham stimulation (n = 23) over the left dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC) on vmHRV and cognitive‐affective processing within an emotional stop‐signal task (ESST). Our results revealed that both resting vmHRV and vmHRV reactivity predicted cognitive‐affective processing. Furthermore, we found a dampening effect of cTBS on resting and on‐task vmHRV, as well as an enhancing effect of iTBS on ESST performance. Our results show no direct association between vmHRV changes and ESST performance alterations following stimulation. We interpret our results in the light of a hierarchical model of neurovisceral integration, suggesting a dynamical situation‐dependent recruitment of higher‐order cortical areas like the dlPFC in the regulation of the ANS. In conclusion, our results highlight the complex interplay between PFC activity, autonomic regulation, and cognitive‐affective processing, emphasizing the need for further research to understand the causal dynamics of the underlying neural mechanisms. Our study represents the first attempt to use repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation (rTMS) to test the relationship between prefrontal activity, vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) and cognitive‐affective processing, suggested by the Neurovisceral Integration Model. While we did not find hypothesized links between changes in vmHRV and cognitive‐affective processing induced by rTMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), our results indicate flexible recruitment of higher‐order cortical areas, such as the left dlPFC in autonomic regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Current research on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict explores various aspects of psychological distr ess among affected individuals. However, there is a lack of information regarding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Ukrainian athletes affected by the conflict. Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate the prevalence of PTSD among Ukrainian athletes affected by the ongoing war. Materials and methods: A total of 163 Ukrainians with varying degrees of exposure to the war participated in the study. Among them, 109 (67%) were non-athletes, while 54 (33%) were athletes. Non-athletes were individuals who remained in Ukraine after the onset of the conflict. Athletes with many having traveled for competitions and subsequently returned to Ukraine. This study used the primary care PTSD screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). According to this method, the main scales are: anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additional stress disorder scales were used as a supplement to the main questionnaire. Results The results show the prevalence of PTSD in the general sample compared to the general population. 54.4% persons reported PTSD. Non-athletes felt more in danger and threatened than athletes. We hypothesize that stress resistance in athletes supports the ability to reduce the effects of post-traumatic stress. The results of clinical symptoms was obtained that athletes avoid negative memories associated with military situations compared to non-athletes. This demonstrates that athletes are very busy with the training process. Non-athletes lack this tendency. In conclusion, we argue that the consequences of PTSD in athletes are lower than in non-athletes, and this may be an opportunity to prevent PTSD through sport. Conclusions The obtained studies show a connection between the war situation and the development of posttraumatic stress syndrome in people. A higher level of stress resistance in athletes has been established. This manifests itself in resistance to traumatic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data analytics have become increasingly popular within professional sport organizations. Big data exists upon which decisions are made in relation to athlete selection and performance analysis. The data draw upon vary from big data and more idiosyncratic data that is contextually focused. We consider the importance of data technology in relation to the prediction of athlete and team performance within high-performance sport. Here we expand upon existing approaches to analytics, and why the prediction of athletes' behaviors is often found to be ineffective. Recommendations are provided how sport psychology can offer insights for analytics departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of the study is to address embodied planning in climbing. Embodied planning was conceptualized as the interaction between perceptualcognitive pre-planning and motor execution. Methods: In an experimental study, 18 climbers were asked to pre-plan a climbing route and to perform the route afterward. During pre-planning, the visual search pattern of climbers was captured using a portable eye tracker. After previewing, they were invited to climb the wall. Results: Results revealed that holds looked at during pre-planning were used twice as much during route execution than those not looked at. The duration of fixations was longer for holds used than those not used during route execution. The experience of climbers (training years) correlated with visual strategies and climbing performance, such that experienced participants climbed faster and fixated at the holds not used for a shorter time. Discussion: The visual behaviors of climbers were influenced by their past sensorimotor experiences during route previewing, impacting subsequent climbing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Study Aim Military conflicts are a stress factor that provokes negative changes in the mental state of people. But, how susceptible are athletes to post-traumatic disorders at the level of psychophysiological functions? The purpose is to study the psychophysiological state of the elite athletes after critical life events related to the war in Ukraine. Material and Methods Twelve elite female fencers, aged 18-23 years and members of the National Team of Ukraine, were examined. Their mental condition was assessed using the Lüscher color test, neurodynamic functions were evaluated with an anticipation test, cognitive characteristics through a decisionmaking test, and levels of anxiety were also measured. The psychophysiological state of the fencers was studied both before and after six months of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. Results The results indicated changes in the mental state of fencers under military conditions. Six months after the onset of the war, elite fencers exhibited signs of mental stress and a decreased resistance to stress. According to the obtained results, during the war, athletes showed a predominance of excitation processes over inhibition processes. The study revealed a deterioration in performance on decision-making tests and a decreased ability to perceive visual information in fencers six months into the war. As a compensatory mechanism for the reduced ability to process visual stimuli under conditions of information overload, a decrease in impulsivity among fencers was observed. Research on anxiety demonstrated that, over the six months of war compared to peacetime, trait anxiety among athletes significantly increased. Conclusions Significant impacts of military actions on the psychophysiological state of elite athletes have been observed. This deterioration in mental state, along with decreases in neurodynamic and cognitive functions and an increase in personal anxiety levels, calls for the development and implementation of specialized psychological support programs. Such programs should aim to bolster athletes’ resilience to stressful situations. The importance of accounting for psychophysiological aspects in the training of athletes within conflict zones is underscored, providing a basis for further research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The use of new technologies in human life leads to an improvement in lifestyle. However, many factors of modern life (environmental, social and others) can provoke a decrease in physical and mental performance, which, as a result, worsens health. One of main factor causing deterioration in health is physical inactivity. Physical activity, in turn, can help improve health and mental well-being. The study of the psychophysiological state of persons with different level of physical active may provide new information about the mechanism of physical inactivity and be of use to improve health. The purpose: We study psychophysiological state in physically active and sedentary persons. We predict that physically active participants buffer environmental stressors better and thus have higher values on their psychophysiological states than sedentary persons. Material and methods 19 physically active men (22-35 years) who practiced sports no more than three times a week were examined. Men with low physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle (20 persons, 26-36 years) were also examined. All of persons are non-clinical subjects. The mental state was studied using an adaptive version of the Luscher color test. Neurodynamic tests included a test of a person's ability to make decisions and anticipate them. Among the cognitive tests, the "Number Comparison" test for perception speed was used. All tests used in the study were part of the Multipsychometer-05 hardware and software complex. Results It was revealed that the lack of physical activity leads to increased tension of the autonomic regulation system and limitation of the body's functional reserves. The relationship of physical inactivity with increased anxiety and tension of the autonomic nervous system was revealed. Thus, the increase in effectiveness and speed of perception in physically active persons indicates the stimulating effect of the motor activity factor. In addition, it was revealed that physically active people have better accuracy and quality of non-verbal perception and information processing. Conclusions Physical activity affects the mental state, cognitive functions and anxiety levels. This is promoted by an increase in the performance of perception and the speed of processing non-verbal information. One of the main useful results of this study is the possibility of the influence of physical activity on improving the mental and cognitive properties of an individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]