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As journalism has suffered financial and institutional setbacks globally, this has given rise to so-called peripheral actors in numerous subfields of journalism. In sports journalism, this is reflected by team media. Professionals in this arena would seem to be doing very similar work to that of journalists, thereby shifting long-established power structures in the sports/media complex. However, while team media may pose an existential threat to traditional sports reporting there is also reason to believe that they still depend on healthy sports journalism. Through the lens of communication ecology and based on interviews with team media reporters (n = 28) in Austria and the United States, this study explores how team media actually view their relation to traditional sports journalism. We found that team media reporters rejected the implication that they were somehow to blame for sports journalism's weakened state in the sports media ecosystem. Instead, they perceived their roles as complementary and were deeply troubled by sports journalism's weakened standing within the ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR) and training monotony have been criticized as injury risk predictors. Therefore, the use of intensity measures should be oriented to understand the variations of intensity across the season. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the main evidence about the ACWR and training monotony variations over the season in professional soccer players. The search was made in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and FECYT according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. From the 225 studies initially identified, 27 were fully reviewed, and their outcome measures were extracted and analyzed. Existing literature revealed a variety of designs, ACWR and training monotony ranges, variables assessed and durations of the studies. Overall, the range values for ACWR were 0.4–3.39 AU, while those focused on monotony were 0.49–5.7 AU. Regarding ACWR, the ratios located around 0.85–1.25 could predict lower risk values and ratios around ≥1.50 could predict higher risk values. On the contrary, with respect to training monotony, the ratios are approximately between 0.5 and 2.00 (low values in the preseason and low competition weeks and high values when soccer players are in highly scheduled competition weeks). Nevertheless, ACWR and training monotony methods should be addressed and considered based on their real value before using this indicator to reduce injury risk. In fact, the data did not conclusively define injured and non-injured players. For this reason, utilizing standardized approaches will allow for more precise conclusions about professional soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Delphi study identifies how elite strength and conditioning coaches prescribe complex contrast training to team sport athletes. Thirty-eight elite strength and conditioning coaches with experience working in high performance settings participated in a three-round survey. Round one was used to collect open-ended responses regarding the programming of complex contrast training. Responses were formulated into statements for rounds two and three, where participants rated their level of agreement using a 9-point Likert scale (agreement threshold ≥80%). In round one, 139 statements were formulated. Twenty-seven statements reached consensus in round two, and four more in round three. Based upon consensus, complex contrast training is best used during the season and dedicated power blocks. It was recommended that strength and power exercises within complex contrast training pairings be performed for 3–4 sets of 3–4 repetitions. Loading of 85–90% of one repetition maximum (1RM) was recommended for strength exercises, with ∼two repetitions in reserve, and BW–30% 1RM for power exercises, with three minutes of rest between contrast sets. Upper body pressing, upper body throwing, lower body squatting and hinging, and lower body jumping and bounding exercises were recommended. Coaches reported using complex contrast training to enhance power-focused training, and because it is more time efficient. Complex contrast training may be a time efficient method of improving athletic performance when training time is limited. Results from this study can guide the development of complex contrast training programs for team-sport athletes, and provides valuable insight into how elite coaches enhance performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The competition among cities to host a sports team or a large-scale international sports event is modeled as a winner-pay contest with an entry fee. In the first stage, each contestant (city) decides whether to pay the entry fee (infrastructure required by the team, for example), which allows it to participate in the second stage, that is, the actual contest. We show that the contest organizer's choice of the optimal entry fee does not depend on the number of contestants. Furthermore, in some cases, the result is a form of zero-sum game, in which the sports team or event organizer is the main beneficiary. The findings shed light on this type of competition and under what conditions on the entry fee a city might benefit from hosting a sports team or large-scale international sports event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criteria for recognizing and rewarding scientists primarily focus on individual contributions. This creates a conflict between what is best for scientists' careers and what is best for science. In this article, we show how the theory of multilevel selection provides conceptual tools for modifying incentives to better align individual and collective interests. A core principle is the need to account for indirect effects by shifting the level at which selection operates from individuals to the groups in which individuals are embedded. This principle is used in several fields to improve collective outcomes, including animal husbandry, team sports, and professional organizations. Shifting the level of selection has the potential to ameliorate several problems in contemporary science, including accounting for scientists' diverse contributions to knowledge generation, reducing individual-level competition, and promoting specialization and team science. We discuss the difficulties associated with shifting the level of selection and outline directions for future development in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is unclear how levels of sport participation have changed among adolescents in the United States (US) in recent years, particularly considering evidence of increasing sport professionalization and attrition. Purpose: To evaluate the differences and trends in single- and multiple-team sport participation among US high school students between 1999 and 2019. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Using the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a biannual representative survey of US high school students, data on self-reported sport participation (no participation, single team, multiple teams) within the previous year were evaluated. Differences in sport participation prevalence between 1999 and 2019 were assessed in sex strata by grade, race/ethnicity, and US region. Weighted trends using the National Center for Health Statistics Guidelines for Analysis of Trends and logistic regression models were employed for analyses. Results: The study sample over the 20-year period (N = 149,404) was 49.8% female; the majority were in ninth grade (27.7% female, 28.7% male), were non-Hispanic White (56.1% female, 56.8% male), and resided in the Southern US (57.6% female, 57.4% male). Among girls, 27.2% (95% CI, 25.8-28.6) reported multiple sports team participation in 1999, while 21.3% (95% CI, 20.1-22.6) reported the same in 2019. Among boys, 39.5% (95% CI, 38.4-40.7) reported multiple sports team participation in 1999 versus 29.1% (95% CI, 27.7-30.6) in 2019. Analyses of trends indicated that girls experienced increasing trends in single-sport team participation (β = 0.04, SE = 0.01, P <.001). Among boys, there were increasing trends in no sport participation (β = 0.06, SE = 0.01, P <.001), while multiple-sport team participation decreased over the 20-year period (β = −0.10, SE = 0.01, P <.001). Disparities in trends were observed among female and male groups by race/ethnicity, grade, and region. Conclusion: Sport participation over a 20-year period in the US decreased significantly for boys and increased for single-sports teams among girls. Sport specialization may be contributing some of the observed trends, though limitations in the data require additional research to confirm these hypotheses. Tailored efforts to increase sport participation among both sexes is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its competitive nature, youth sports may provide an environment that invites the display of negative parenting behavior and exposes children to adults outside of their own household. This study aimed to quantify the frequency of negative parent and spectator behavior at youth sporting events and compare incidences across different sports and age ranges. Investigators attended baseball, basketball, soccer, and football events in Central Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi for children ages 6 to 10 years. Recorded spectator behaviors included alcohol use, smoking, swearing, and negative language (such as threats and violent language). Negative behaviors were reported at a majority (68%) of events. The 95% confidence intervals of the means (95% CIM) for all negative behaviors observed were overlapping, and we were not able to demonstrate statistically significant differences between the 4 sports. The lack of significance between sports may be due to the younger-player-age group, small sample size, and time of events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the impact of game formats on the running and technical–tactical performance of young soccer players, as well as on players' dynamics of spatial occupation during competitions. Eleven players of a U-11 team (11.10 ± 0.39 years old) participated in three competitions specifically designed to analyze the impact of different game formats: 5vs5 (F-5), 7vs7 (F-7) and 11vs11 (F-11). Players' running performance and dynamics of spatial occupation were analyzed using the GPSs devices from WIMU PRO™ devices (10 Hz). Players' and team's technical–tactical performance was also analyzed using the Team Sports Assessment Procedure (TSAP) and the Offensive Sequence Characterization System (SCSO), respectively. It was observed that the teams tended to adopt a less direct style in the F-11 (LpW : F7 vs. F-11 p = 0.001 and F-5 vs. F-11 p = 0.002), with a lower rate of spatial exploration (F-7 vs. F-11 p = 0.001 and &&F-5 vs. F-11 p = 0.001) and lower running demand (Sprint : F-7 vs. F-11 p = 0.001 and F-5 vs. F-11 p = 0.014; HSR : F-7 vs. F-11 p = 0.001 and F-5 vs. F-11 p =.001). In addition, the F-11 allowed the players to have less involvement during the match (F-7 vs. F-11 p = 0.003; F-5 vs. F-11 p = 0.001), as well as a lower technical–tactical performance (F-7 vs. F-11 p =.003 and F-5 vs. F-11 p =.005). Our results highlight the importance of adjusting the game formats used in youth competitive environments to players' intrinsic dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Monitoring training load and competition load is crucial for evaluating and improving athlete performance. This study proposes an applied approach to characterize and classify the training task specificity in relation to competition in a top-level rink hockey team, considering external and internal load from training tasks and competition. Hypothesis: Training tasks and game demands have significant dose-response differences, and exercises can be classified successfully based on their physiological and biomechanical demands. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 5. Methods: Ten elite-level male rink hockey players participated in this study. Players were monitored on 6 different task categories during 8 training sessions and 2 official games. A linear mixed model with random intercepts was used to compare training tasks and competition load, accounting for individual repeated measures. A 2-step cluster analysis was performed to classify the training tasks and games based on physiological and biomechanical load, employing log-likelihood as the distance measure and Schwartz's Bayesian criterion. Results: Average heartrate, maximum heartrate, and high-speed skating (18.1-30 km/h) were the best physiological load predictors, while the most effective biomechanical load predictors were impacts [8-10] g(n), decelerations [-10 to -3]m/s²(n), and accelerations [3-10]m/s²(n). Different physiological and biomechanical responses were verified between training tasks and match demands. A 4-quadrant efforts assessment for each task category revealed that training tasks used by the team in the analysis presented lower biomechanical and physiological load demands than competition. Conclusion: Training tasks failed to adequately replicate the specific demands of competition, especially regarding high mechanical stress, such as the absence of high-intensity impacts and decelerations. Clinical Relevance: This method of classification of training tasks may allow coaches to understand further the specificity and contribution of each task to competition demands, consequently improving the capacity of load management and the preparedness and readiness of players for competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased training and competition demands of the in-season period may disturb athlete fatigue and recovery balance. The aim of this study was to describe the training load distribution applied in a competitive period and the training adaptations and fatigue/recovery status of elite water polo players. Hypothesis: Effective workload management during tapering (TAP) would restore player recovery and enhance performance. Study Design: Case series. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Training load, perceived recovery, maximal speed in 100- and 200-meter swim, heart rate (HR) during submaximal swimming (HRsubmax) and HR recovery (HRR) were assessed in 7 outfield water polo players a week before starting a normal training microcycle (NM), after NM, and after congested (CON) and TAP training blocks in the lead-up to the Final Eight of the European Champions League. Results: Training load was higher in NM compared with CON and TAP by 28.9 ± 2.6% and 42.8 ± 2.1% (P < 0.01, d = 11.54, and d = 13.45, respectively) and higher in CON than TAP by 19.4 ± 4.2% (P < 0.01, d = 3.78). Perceived recovery was lower in CON compared with NM and TAP (P < 0.01, d = 1.26 and d = 3.11, respectively) but not different between NM and TAP (P = 0.13, d = 0.62). Both 100- and 200-meter swim performance was improved in TAP compared with baseline (P < 0.01, d = 1.34 and d = 1.12, respectively). No differences were detected among other training blocks. HRsubmax and most HRR were similar among the training periods. Conclusion: Effective management of training load at TAP can restore recovery and improve swimming performance without affecting HR responses. Clinical Relevance: Despite lower workloads, CON training impairs perceived recovery without affecting performance; however, a short-term training load reduction after a CON fixture restores recovery and improves performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: This study serves as a nationally representative retrospective cohort of U.S emergency department visits related to facial lacerations caused by recreational activities. Objective: The aim of this work is to offer a representative sample of facial laceration and identify the recreational activities associated with the highest risk of such injuries. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients reported to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) which collects information on injuries related to consumer products. Patients were included in our dataset from the time period of 2012 to 2021 if they sustained a facial laceration that was caused by a recreational activity. Results: Our findings reveal 2,383,761 facial lacerations between the study period examined. Young male white adults were more likely to sustain a facial laceration related to recreational activities. Injuries related to exercise equipment were also more likely seen in male patients. The most common cause of facial lacerations was associated with bicycles and basketball. Conclusions: This study found that young white adults are notably prone to facial lacerations, with recreational activities such as bicycling and basketball accounting for the majority of cases. Understanding these statistics is pivotal for implementing targeted strategies to prevent these injuries and their associated consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical testing is crucial for athlete monitoring, talent identification, optimizing training, and tailoring programs to enhance game-performance in elite competitions. Hypothesis: Load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables discriminate between elite and junior volleyball players, correlate with volleyball-specific performance, and are generalizable across lower- and upper-body exercises. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 9 elite and 11 junior volleyball players were assessed for the L-V relationship (load-axis intercept [ L 0], velocity-axis intercept [ v 0], and area under the L-V relationship line [ A line]) during the countermovement jump (CMJ) and bench press throw (BPT) exercises. Block and spike jump height, as well as standing and jumping spike speed were assessed 24 hours later. Results: Elite players presented greater magnitude in the L-V variables (P ≤ 0.03; effect size [ES] ≥ 1.06) and higher volleyball-specific performance (P ≤ 0.03; ES ≥ 1.09) than juniors (except for CMJ v 0 and A line). The L-V relationship variables were significantly associated with the block and spike jump height and jumping spike speed only in elite players (r ≥ 0.703 and P ≤ 0.04 in 11 out of 18 correlations). No significant associations were observed between CMJ and BPT for any L-V relationship variable (r ≤ 581; P ≥ 0.08, except for A line in junior players). Conclusion: The L-V relationship is a practical procedure to assess volleyball players' maximal mechanical capacities, which are associated with volleyball-specific performance in elite players. However, these data should not be used interchangeably between playing standards or exercises. Clinical Relevance: This information might help strength and conditioning coaches to prescribe more effective training programs that focus on developing the specific physical capacities necessary for players to potentially advance to elite status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our primary objectives in this study were to translate and provide psychometric support for the Coach Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q) Portuguese version, assess its invariance across sex, and explore its nomological validity in relation to enjoyment. Our sample participants were 470 athletes (226 females, 244 males) aged between 16 to 39 years from various individual and team sports. We found that the translated Portuguese version of the CART-Q exhibited satisfactory test-retest reliability and can serve as a reliable tool for evaluating the core constructs of the coach-athlete relationship – closeness, commitment, and complementarity. Moreover, this instrument showed evidence of nomological validity through significant positive correlations between its underlying factors and athletes' enjoyment with their sport. The proposed model for explaining item variance was also found to be invariant between male and female respondents. We recommend further use of this instrument in research and practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we investigated the effects of an 8-week table tennis exercise program with a task-oriented approach on visual perception and motor performance of 31 adolescents with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The participants were identified by their teachers as having greater difficulty than their peers (450 students from three Korean middle schools) in physical education (PE) classes. On the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2, these adolescents scored below the 15th percentile and showed difficulties in performing daily life activities due to motor performance problems; they did not have physical defects, intellectual or neurological impairments, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Of 98 prospective adolescents with PE difficulties, we obtained personal assent and parents' informed consent from 54, and 31 of these met screening criteria for DCD through the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire-Korean. This final group was divided in non-random fashion (based on the proximal geographic grouping of the children's schools) between an experimental group (n = 16) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group participated in the 8-week task-oriented table tennis training program with three 90-minute sessions per week, while the control group only participated in regular PE classes twice per week. We measured participants' visual perception and motor performance in the same environment before and after the intervention program. Participants' visual perception was significantly more improved in the experimental group than the control group, with specific improved skills in visual-motor search, visual-motor speed, figure-ground, and visual closure; copying and perceptual constancy skills did not improve significantly. In addition, total motor performance and motor sub-skills, including fine manual control, manual coordination, body coordination, strength, and agility were significantly more improved in the experimental group than in the control group. Thus, our task-oriented table tennis exercise program was of greater assistance than general PE classes for improving visual perception and motor performance in adolescents at risk of DCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research suggests that youth sports participation is moderately associated with reduced delinquency. However, little is known about whether head injury dampens this protective role of sports involvement. This study analyzes data from a sample of juvenile justice involved youth to assess (a) the relationship between sports involvement and head injury, (b) whether groups of sports involved youth with and without a head injury report varying levels of general, violent, and/or nonviolent delinquency, and (c) potential sex differences across these group. Results suggest that sports participation is not associated with head injury. Nonsports involved youth with a head injury report higher levels of general and violent delinquency, compared to nonsports involved youth without a head injury. Sports involved females with a head injury report higher levels of general and violent delinquency, compared to sports involved males with a head injury. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We present a novel framework to assess 27 earned value management system (EVMS) environment factors and investigate their impact on project performance. A study of the EVMS literature, a survey of practitioners, and focus group meetings with 36 EVMS industry and government experts, supported the development of the framework. Focus groups involving 80 practitioners refined and tested it. We analyzed performance data from 35 completed projects/programs representing over US$21.8 billion in total cost; a project demonstrating a positive environment could save up to 25% in cost versus baseline. Practitioners can develop an effective EVMS environment by following the provided guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the presence of compensating tendencies in the awarding of free shots in hurling. Probit models are estimated to examine whether free shots awarded are determined by the score margin, net free count, and net card count at the time. In addition, the effect of large attendances and home games on these compensating tendencies is captured using interaction effects. Clear evidence of compensating tendency effects if the team is behind on the score margin or behind on the free count are found. When the game is played in front of large attendances, compensating tendencies based on the score margin are amplified. In contrast, there is no evidence of a home team bias in compensating tendencies based on the subset of games played at nonneutral venues. Although efforts should be made to minimize the compensating tendencies identified, administrators should tread carefully because the direction of the compensating tendencies are procompetition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An evaluation of player behaviour and performance across different playing conditions in team sport is difficult. This study examined integrative (indegree and outdegree importance) and individual (goals, kicks, handballs, marks, tackles, kick and handball proficiency) level behaviours at one professional Australian Football club across three different conditions: small-sided games (SSGs), match simulation and competitive Australian Football League (AFL) matches. Estimated marginal means identified negligible changes for integrative measures across conditions. This may suggest larger changes to control parameters are required to modify these behaviours, as it relies on interdependent cooperative behaviour. Individual level behaviours demonstrated varied responses across changing conditions. AFL matches revealed the lowest kicks and marks per minute compared to the other conditions, whilst having the highest rate of tackles. Players had lower kick proficiency in conditions with a higher number of players. Moreover, one SSG with a floater (player who participates in attack for both teams) elicited a higher number of handballs per minute relative to every other condition. These findings provide implications for measuring the (in)stability of individual and integrative level behaviours and how changes to constraints may alter these metrics. This method may provide a foundation for future hypotheses testing and for player monitoring that can assist practitioners to examine the changes in players behaviours in response to changing constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic visual acuity (DVA) is considered an essential component for studying the visual function, especially in challenging environments like team sports. Beyond frequent comparative studies, much information is still lacking about the mechanisms underlying DVA and possible differences in stimulus presentation. It is crucial to understand the performance of DVA under different conditions of contrast and trajectories to achieve more specific data and better ecological validity of measurements. Fifty-five top professional male Spanish athletes, including 23 soccer, 14 basketball, and 18 water polo players were selected. Static visual acuity (SVA) was evaluated at 5 m. DVA was determined at 2 m under combined conditions of velocity (52°/s), three trajectories (horizontal, diagonal 45° and 135°) and two contrasts (99.7% and 13%). Significant differences in most DVA conditions measurements show that the best scores correspond to horizontal, over diagonal trajectories, and high contrast. The correlation between SVA and DVA showed a different relationship depending on the contrast conditions. Professional soccer, basketball, and water polo players have similar characteristics with reference to all the DVA evaluated conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our main aim in this study was to analyze any differences in Win Percentages at Home (HW) that might represent a Home-Court Advantage (HA) in women's professional basketball. A secondary objective was to analyze how team ability might modify the HA effect by comparing any interaction effect between HW and team ability in games played with and without fans. We collected data from first Spanish female basketball divisions, using a linear mixed model (LMM) for repeated measures to identify differences between time periods (games with fans vs. games without fans) for HA and HW. When comparing games with and without fans, we found no significant HA and HW differences (p =.283 and p =.872, respectively). In fact, interestingly, we observed higher win values when fans were absent. Additionally, during the COVID-19 shut down stage, HA increased; but it returned to pre-pandemic levels afterward, with no significant differences between these periods (p =.482). Similarly, while HW seemed to increase during the COVID-19 shut down period and continued improving in the post-pandemic phase, there were actually no statistically significant differences (p =.772). Higher HA and HW were evident without fans during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period when fans were present in women's professional basketball. During the post-pandemic period, HA decreased upon fans' return, while HW continued increasing. We discuss possible bases for these unexpected findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilateral skill symmetry in sport refers to an individual's ability to successfully perform sporting actions with both sides of the body. Two scarcely researched areas in relation to bilateral skills are the effects of opposition proximity on skill execution and bilateral skill in high-performance female athletes. In this study, we used Nacsport to code all skill executions (hand pass, kick pass, hop, solo and shot) during 121 games by both male and female participants (76 male, 45 female), classified as Tier 1 (n = 181, 134) and Tier 2 (n = 238, 115) high performance, adult Gaelic Football players. Irrespective of the participants' tier group or gender, these players relied upon their dominant side for most skill executions (Kick Pass Dominant Foot Mdn : MT1 = 90%, MT2 = 98.6%, FT1 = 100%, FT2 = 100%; Solo Dominant Foot: Mdn MT1 = 95%, MT2 = 97.3%, FT1: 100%, FT2: 100%; Hand Pass Dominant Hand Mdn : MT1: 83.7%, MT2: 99%, FT1: 95.5%, FT2: 95.5%; Hop Dominant Hand Mdn : MT1: 91.9%, MT2: 94.7%, FT1: 98.1%, FT2: 98.1%; Play Dominant Foot Mdn : MT1: 74.5%, MT2: 94.5%, FT1: 94.7%, FT2: 88.2%). There were no consistent differences between tier groups or genders in relation to dominant side use, but top tier male players were generally less reliant on the dominant limb than were female players from both tiers. In general, top tier male players performed more successfully than either second tier male players or female players in both tiers. Most skills were executed under conditions of low opponent proximity, limiting the requirement for participants to use their non-dominant limbs. These findings illustrate the demands of Gaelic football in relation to bilateral skills, and we identified new research questions for future investigators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Played-form activities in soccer are customized variants of the original game, configured to emphasize important informational and task constraints in the way players perform in practice. Parameters of play such as the shape and dimensions of the playing area, number of participants involved, and conditions of play are key properties that activities are designed from. These properties impact on the specific practice contexts in which players are challenged to perceive information, make decisions and perform actions, during competitive performance preparation and player development. There are countless possible configurations of played-form activities that can provide development or training opportunities for players to improve performance. Although there are no standard guidelines for designing such practice tasks, here we propose how a theoretical rationale like ecological dynamics can frame the configuration of activities, modelled on typical formats, specific task constraints and key developmental needs. In this article, these formats are depicted with reference to common coaching licence curriculum needs and scientific literature. This insight paper presents a continuum of played-form activities, exemplifying characteristics of different practice designs in soccer. This integration of knowledge provides a valid continuum of play practice designs, based on an extent of specific opportunities for actions in different phases of play. Our insights suggest how coaches and trainers in team sports could gain a deep understanding of how specific played-form activity configurations impact on skill adaptation in players, providing opportunities for coaches to function as learning facilitators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leading social innovation is challenging. Creating enduring social innovation requires navigating the tension of simultaneously engaging top-down and shared leadership. We outline the crux of the challenge and provide key takeaways and practical advice for the tandem deployment of top-down and shared leadership for social innovation success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of match location, quality of opposition (classified into: strong [1st to 4th position]; intermediate [5th to 15th position]; weak [16th to 20th position]), and match outcome on the match running performance of starters and non-starters from a top elite Brazilian soccer team. Absolute measures were calculated using total distance, high-speed (19.8–25.2 km·h−1), sprinting (≥ 25.2 km·h−1), total distance high-acceleration (> 2m·s2), and deceleration (< −2m·s2) were recorded by GPS units from a sample of young soccer players (N = 25) in a total of 17 matches. Relative measures were calculated by dividing absolute measures by the total duration of the matches. Non-starters covered greater total distance (p = 0.02), sprinting (p = 0.02), high-acceleration and deceleration (p = 0.04), sprinting distance relative per minute played (p = 0.005), and high-acceleration and deceleration relative per minute played (p < 0.001) when the team plays at home, strong opponents, and wins the matches. Starters covered greater total distance in high-speed running (p = 0.04), high-acceleration and deceleration (p = 0.03), and high-speed running relative per minute played (p = 0.04) when the team plays strong opponents and wins the matches. These findings highlight the impact of contextual factors during matches on the locomotor performance of young soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical jump is an important skill that influences volleyball performance. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between vertical jump performance and birth quartile of Brazilian male youth volleyball players. We calculated chi-square goodness-of-fit tests to compare the athletes' birthdate distributions in quarters of their birth years (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4) according to player age categories (U17, U18, U19, and U21). We calculated one-way ANOVAs to compare spike jump and block jump heights of players born in different quarters of the same year. Overall, we found a relative age effect (i.e., more players with birth dates early in the birth year) in U17 (p <.001), U18 (p <.001), U19 (p <.001), and U21 (p =.04). Regarding vertical jump performance, U18 athletes born in Q2 reached higher spike jump heights (p =.006) and block jump heights (p =.002) than athletes born in Q4, and U19 athletes born in Q1 reached higher block jump heights than athletes born in Q3 (p =.049). There were no significant differences in vertical jump performance across birth quartiles among U17 and U21 athletes. Thus, a relative age effect was present in all age categories but not always reflected in vertical jump performance. Volleyball coaches and policymakers are still advised to employ strategies to ensure fairer opportunities for players born later in the year of their eligibility dates, as we found RAE to be sometimes, but not always, related to higher spike or block jump heights even among these older adolescents and young adult athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the Tactical Assessment Instrument in Football (TAIS) was developed to address football's tactical requirements in terms of game phases, learners' roles, and organizational levels of play. In this study, we sought to evaluate the psychometric properties of this existing instrument in the Physical Education (PE) context and for youth sport teams (ages 8 – 12 years). Our research design involved: (a) participants playing 37 football games, (b) assessing participants via observation with the TAIS and (c) conducting psychometric analysis on the obtained assessment data. For the psychometric analysis, we carried out our work in four phases: (a) a statistical analysis of the evaluation criteria, (b) analysis of the instrument's structural dimensions, (c) internal item reliability analysis, and (d) provision of evidence for external validity. Participants were 592 children (156 girls, 436 boys; ages 8 – 12 years) from 74 PE classes or sport teams (from three institutional contexts - schools, community-based sports, and sports clubs) in Spain. We selected 12 tactical criteria and grouped them into four theoretical dimensions (appropriate attack, inappropriate attack, appropriate defense, inappropriate defense) to confirm the instrument's structural dimensions. The Cronbach alpha and Omega McDonald coefficients were greater than.70. The TAIS discriminated between participants from the three institutional contexts, offering evidence of the instrument's external validity. Thus, the TAIS now has sufficient psychometric support for assessing learning of football tactics in PE and youth sport teams. This instrument facilitates an ecological assessment of youth players' understanding of football tactics through four theoretical tactical dimensions and 12 criteria involving information about four learners' roles (both attack and defense, on- and off-the-ball) and three organizational tactical levels of play (whole team, small groups of learners, and individual learners). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-match meetings are popular scenes in team sports, with coaches typically gathering the full squad within the dressing room and sharing their thoughts before the warm-up and/or competition. Whilst researchers have outlined the effects of informational or emotional talks, little is known about the actual verbal strategies that coaches adopt to influence their players. Therefore, this study examined the motivational content of football coaches' verbal behaviours and underpinning perceptions of pre-match talks' delivery. Five coaches (Mage= 36.2 years) working at a La Liga academy were involved in six pre-match talks (n = 30) and one semi-structured interview each. Talks were analysed using a two-stage coding process after adaptation of validated and motivationally relevant instruments, and interviews were assessed following thematic analysis procedures. Game strategy units were the most commonly employed topic across all coaches, which involved 'neutral' behaviours such as role description, game objective specification, and opposition statements. These were complemented with autonomy and competence supportive messages such as facilitating choices/opinions, offering rationales, supporting past performance, or ego-oriented and social climate support dimensions, depending on the coach. Data suggested that contextual factors could strengthen or attenuate the use of these verbal behaviours/dimensions. Build-up play contents were more likely to feature autonomy support game strategy comments than defending aspects, whereas lower-ranked and underdog opponents were associated with increased disapproving past performance and ego-involving statements compared to when facing higher-ranked opponents or playing derbies. Thus, it is suggested that the use of autonomy-, competence- and relatedness-supportive dimensions in addition to task-oriented messages should be reconsider by coaches if attempting to convey a need-supportive motivational climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coaches use of augmented verbal feedback (AVF), often measured through systematic observation, is acknowledged as having a vital role in athlete learning. The purpose of this review was to identify coaches' use of AVF, through systematic observation, in developmental and performance contexts. A literature search was conducted using EBSCO HOST and SCOPUS databases. Studies were reviewed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were extracted from 31 studies which met the inclusion criteria. Analysis revealed three themes: (a) variation in observation tool and feedback types observed; (b) evidence base surrounding feedback types observed; (c) quality of coach feedback. The multiple feedback types measured across the studies suggests there is limited agreement on the types of feedback most important to measure. For the impact of feedback to be better understood, feedback types captured via systematic observation need revising in line with research that has identified the important characteristics of feedback. A greater evidence-informed approach to the observation of feedback may help to develop a greater understanding of the feedback process in learning and performance. Where there were consistencies in feedback type, the quality of AVF delivered by coaches could be questioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to COVID-19, the 32nd Olympic Games were postponed temporarily for the first time, apart from those cancelled during the First and Second World Wars. Did the pandemic also affect the results? We aim to understand the impact of stringency measures on athletes' performance in the Olympics. For many athletes, the Olympics are the pinnacle of their careers, and they follow intense training schedules to arrive at the Games in peak physical condition. Stringency measures may have affected their results by making it harder for them to train effectively, to access sports infrastructure, to meet teammates, and more generally to follow an athletic lifestyle. Our quantitative analysis shows that stringency measures had an effect on the number of Olympic medals won, especially in team sports. This is consistent with the idea that stricter non-pharmaceutical interventions made it harder for teams to train together and achieve the necessary chemistry and harmony to succeed in such a competitive event. Furthermore, women were more severely penalized by higher stringency measures than men in team events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pattern recognition is a defining characteristic of expertise across multiple domains. Given the dynamic interactions at local and global levels, team sports can provide a vehicle for investigating skilled pattern recognition. The aims of this study were to investigate whether global patterns could be recognised on the basis of localised relational information and if relations between certain display features were more important than others for successful pattern recognition. Elite (n = 20), skilled (n = 34) and less-skilled (n = 37) soccer players completed three recognition paradigms of stimuli presented in point-light format across three counterbalanced conditions: 'whole-part'; 'part-whole'; and 'whole-whole'. 'Whole' clips represented a 11 vs. 11 soccer match and 'part' clips presented the same passages of play with only two central attacking players or two peripheral players shown. Elite players recognised significantly more accurately than the skilled and less-skilled groups. Participants were significantly more accurate in the 'whole-whole' condition compared to others, and recognised stimuli featuring the two central attacking players significantly more accurately than those featuring peripheral players. Findings provide evidence that elite players can encode localised relations and then extrapolate this information to recognise more global macro patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study delves into the experiences of a women's basketball team situated in Shenzhen, South China, comprised primarily of members of sexual minority groups. Utilizing qualitative research methods, including interviews and observation of team dynamics, this research examines how lesbian and bisexual female basketball players navigate societal norms and negotiate their sexual identities. It also highlights the team's unique strategies for dealing with social interactions, group membership, and power dynamics in resisting heteronormative norms. Team B exemplifies a form of queer resistance in Chinese society and sports that is distinct from the Western pride movements and political advocacy. This strategy involves avoiding confrontation and integrating the nonheteronormative subculture into mainstream sports and society to gain support from families, the general public, and local communities, thereby promoting sports inclusivity and gaining social recognition. This study argues, from a post-structural feminist perspective, that participation in a gender-inclusive sports group provides sexual minority individuals with a unique social position and an empowering means of destabilizing power relations and reducing sexual identity tensions. In addition, it demonstrates the capacity of sports subcultures to foster collective agency and resilience in the face of dominant cultural norms, despite the constraints posed by the unaltered macro-level structure of gender. This case study provides valuable insights into how gender-inclusive sports groups can challenge and reshape preconceived notions of gender and sexuality in Chinese society while serving as a platform for queer resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hamstring strain injuries are one of the most prevalent injuries in football (soccer). We examined the influence of accumulated match-play exposure on the occurrence of hamstring strain injury in professional football from 2 teams (Spanish 1st Division, LaLiga) over 3 seasons, and determined specific cut-off points as indicators of injury risk. Hypothesis: Overloaded players would be more likely to sustain a hamstring injury. Study Design: Prospective, controlled, observational study. Level of Evidence: Level 2b. Methods: Playing time, total running distance, and high-speed running (>24 km/h) distance during official matches of players that sustained a hamstring injury were compared with uninjured, paired controls. Cumulative playing time and running performance of 4 matches before the injury was computed. Relative risk (RR) of injury occurrence was estimated by generalized estimating equations. Diagnostic accuracy was determined by receiver operating characteristics and the area under the curve. Results: Thirty-seven hamstring strain injuries occurred, representing 23 ± 18 absence days per injury. Thirty-seven controls (uninjured players) were used as comparators. Low match-play exposures during 1 and 2 matches before injury were likely to explain injury occurrence (RR: 14-53%; P < 0.01). Metrics from the match before the hamstring muscle strain demonstrated the best accuracy to predict injury occurrence: high-speed running distance ≤328 m (sensitivity, 64%; specificity, 84%), playing time ≤64 min (sensitivity, 36%; specificity, 97%), and running distance ≤5.8 km (sensitivity, 39%; specificity, 97%). Conclusion: Relatively reduced competitive exposure in the previous 2 matches was associated with higher hamstring injury risk in professional football players. Clinical Relevance: Screening simple metrics such as the accumulated match exposure during official matches and considering specific cut-off points for some running variables may be good indicators of injury risk and may assist in better individual injury management in professional soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research project, composed of two studies, aimed to analyse various antecedents and outcomes of team resilience. Study 1, which involved 394 sports team players (Mage = 20.41, SD = 5.23), cross-sectionally examined the relationship between group cohesion and collective efficacy with team resilience, and the mediating effect of collective efficacy on the cohesion-team resilience relationship, using players' perceptions assessed through questionnaires. Study 2, which involved 434 players (Mage = 21.53, SD = 5.57) from collective sports, aimed to longitudinally corroborate the relationship between cohesion (Time 1) and collective efficacy (Time 1) with team resilience (Time 2), and to examine perceived team performance (Time 2) as a consequence of team resilience, again evaluated through questionnaires. Results showed that task cohesion, social cohesion and collective efficacy in Studies 1 and 2 were positively related to resilience characteristics. Also, task cohesion was negatively related to vulnerability under pressure in both studies. Collective efficacy was also shown to be an antecedent of vulnerability under pressure in Study 1 and a mediator of the relationship between task cohesion and resilience characteristics in both studies. Lastly, team resilience was a predictor of perceived team performance at the end of the season in Study 2. Thus, the findings provide new empirical evidence of the antecedents and outcomes of team resilience in the field of sports psychology. Coaches and practitioners should develop group cohesion and collective efficacy in training sessions and matches during the season to achieve more resilient and less vulnerable teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Team invasion games are sports in which individual team members interact and exchange information to coordinate their behaviours and actions in pursuit of the common goal of winning matches. Researchers have used social network analysis to quantify the cooperative behaviours of sports teams (cooperative network analysis), yet this research exists across an array of disciplines and uses various methods. Therefore, accessibility for practitioners and researchers interested in using it to quantify team cooperation in team invasion games may be limited. This systematic mapping review aimed to identify, report and discuss research in this emerging research area. Articles were systematically searched in electronic databases and reference list scans resulting in 112 papers included. Football was the most studied sport (n = 91), and passing was the most observed interaction between players within a sports team (n = 107). This review further revealed a lack of consistency in reporting between the included studies with respect to nomenclature and network measures. A comprehensive map of the current literature on the use of cooperative network analysis in team invasion games is provided which can be used by practitioners and researchers tasked with or interested in analysing team performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When athletes are burning out, performance decreases whereas exhaustion and devaluation increases. Athletes with perfectionistic tendencies may be at greater risk for burnout than those with lower levels. But are there any differences between athletes participating in objectively assessed sports (utilizing unbiased measures, such as time, e.g. swimming) and athletes participating in subjectively assessed sports (relying on coach feedback, competition judges, or internal perceptions to gauge performance, e.g. competitive dancing)? A total of 108 athletes (including 53 athletes in objectively assessed and 55 athletes in subjectively assessed sports) completed the Sport Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-2 and the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire. Significant relationships were detected between perfectionism and burnout; negative dimensions of perfectionism were more strongly correlated with burnout. However, no significant differences were observed between the sports groupings, either on perfectionism or burnout. This study suggests that perfectionistic concerns are positively associated with athlete burnout, regardless of the athlete's sport being objectively or subjectively assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature lacks an understanding of the physical demands of team sports with unlimited substitutions (player interchange rotations). Because of this characteristic of the game, it is necessary to analyze the physical requirements through player rotation rather than analyzing global averages. The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between high-intensity activities (HIA; sum of accelerations, decelerations, and high-speed running actions) performed per interchange rotations and match time variables (playtime, rest time, and work–rest ratio) in elite futsal players. A retrospective observational design was used. Twelve matches from an elite male team competing in the Premier Spanish Futsal League were analyzed using a local positioning system, yielding a total sample of 17 players. The number of HIA performed per interchange rotation varies between players and allows the identification of three distinct activity profiles—lower HIA (10 HIA), medium HIA (28 HIA), and higher HIA (38 HIA). Furthermore, these profiles were found to be stable alongside the existing interchange rotations throughout the match. Playtime (F = 40.9, p <.001) and work–rest ratio (F = 15.6, p <.001) are the time variables that best differentiate match activity profiles. Players with more playing time (4.6 ± 1.0 min) and a work–rest ratio equal to or greater than 1 (1.1 ± 0.6 a.u.) have a greater ability to repeat HIA per rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many youth sports, selection into elite training academies is dominated by athletes born earlier in the year. Previous research suggests this is partly due to these athletes being more physically developed than their younger peers. How athletes born later in the year survive in elite academies is less understood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that players born later in the year are more technically skilled than their peers born earlier in the same year. Using 150 youth players (10–19 years of age) from an elite Brazilian soccer academy, we measured each player's date of birth, height, and mass; sprinting ability; dribbling ability; and kicking accuracy and speed. We found most players in this academy were born in the first half of the year, and those born earlier in the year (relatively older) tended to be taller and heavier than those born later in the same year (relatively younger). In addition, relatively older players were faster when sprinting and dribbling the ball in a straight line. Conversely, relatively younger players were more accurate when passing the ball with their nondominant foot, providing some evidence these players were more technically skilled than their older peers of the same age. We suggest skill tests with youth players need to consider relative age and physical size in order to best assess a player's potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The offensive tactics of basketball teams consist of a series of actions performed with the collaboration of two or more players on the court. The study aimed to determine the differences in the possessions and the points of the play-type statistics of the eight playoff teams and the other ten non-playoff teams of the 2020 to 2021 men's Euroleague season. The study sample consists of a total of 13,056 play types obtained through systematic observation methodology, which examined 272 matches involving 17 teams. Descriptive statistics and the Mann–Whitney U test was employed to obtain the findings. It was found that the catch'n & shoot, pick and roll ball handler are the most frequently used possessions and points that produced play-type statistics for all teams. Results showed that isolation (U = 3,7740.5; z = −3.93; p <.05) pick and roll handler's (U = 39,932; z = −2.91; p <.05), post-up (U = 39,878.5; z = −2.94; p <.05) and Screen-off possessions (U = 41,689; z = −2,107; p <.05) of the playoff teams were statistically higher than non-playoff teams. Positively significant differences were also observed in isolation (U = 38,172; z = −3,744; p <.05), pick and roll handler's (U = 40,278.5; z = −2,748; p <.05), post-up (U = 38,353.5; z = −3,659; p <.05), and Screen-off (U = 38,819.5; z = −3,434; p <.05) points of the playoff teams and non-playoff teams. These results show that playoff teams are prominent with the screen-off possessions and points as a team play, but post-ups, pick'n roll handlers selection, and catch'n shoot possessions and points are displayed by highly talented players. The findings may assist coaches and managers in roster building. Coaches might consider including these play-types in offensive sets and can create a more productive system. This understanding can be integrated into youth organizations' training programs to raise high-level players. Plain Language Summary: The Importance of Play Type Statistics in Men's Euroleague Basketball The offensive tactics of basketball teams consist of series of actions performed with the collaboration of two or more players on the court. These actions of the teams on the field are very important in terms of winning strategies. Recording these actions as box score is called play-type statistics. The study aimed to determine the differences in the possessions and the points of the play-type statistics of the eight playoff teams and the other ten non-playoff teams of the 2020-2021 mens Euroleague season. The data set consists of 13,056 play-types statistics were analysed by Mann–Whitney U test to determine the differences between the playoff and non-playoff teams. The catch & shoot, pick and roll ball handler are the most frequently used possessions and points that produced play-type statistics for all teams. Results showed that isolation pick and roll handler's, post-up and screen-off possessions of the playoff teams were statistically higher than non-playoff teams. Positively significant differences were also observed in isolation, pick and roll handler's, post-up, and screen-off points of the playoff teams and non-playoff teams. These results show that playoff teams are prominent with the screen-off possessions and points as a team-play, but post-ups, pick and roll handlers selection, and catch and shoot possessions and points are displayed by highly talented players. The findings may assist coaches and managers in roster building. Coaches might consider including these play-types in offensive sets and can create more productive systems. This understanding can be integrated into youth organizations' training programs to raise high-level players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to examine the acute effect of mental fatigue on young basketball players' three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) skills. Our participants were 12 adolescent basketball players (M age = 16.66, SD = 1.87 years; M years of practice = 2.66, SD = 1.07 years). In nine lab visits, we used visits 1 to 7 to familiarize participants with 3D-MOT, a subjective scale of mental fatigue, and a Stroop task involving mental set shifting. In the last two visits, participants performed in both experimental (EXP) and control (CON) conditions that were presented in randomized order. In the EXP condition, participants performed 3D-MOT pre- and post-60 minutes of induced mental fatigue; in the CON condition, they watched a documentary. After each condition, B participants performed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). 3D-MOT performance measures were the "score" and "fastest trial score success." The response time on the Stroop tasks increased throughout the mental fatigue inducement in the experimental condition (p =.0037). The NASA-TLX responses were higher following the EXP condition than following the CON condition for mental demand, temporal demand, and performance (all ps <.05). Still, there were no significant EXP versus CON differences on the 3D-MOT performance indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The first 2 years of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound effect on youth sports participation. Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to explore the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth sports injury patterns, with a secondary aim of comparing organized team and individual sport–related injuries in diverse age groups. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was searched to identify injuries sustained by patients aged 11 to 23 years while playing organized team or individual sports from 2017 to 2021. We investigated reports of concussions, dislocations, fractures, and sprains/strains. Results: Between 2017 and 2021, there were 58,721 and 3778 team and individual sport–related injuries, respectively. When compared with the prepandemic years, there was a 57.07% decrease in 2020 and 22.31% decrease in 2021 for the number of organized team sport–related injuries. Organized individual sport–related injuries had a 56.24% and 35.18% decrease in number in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Male patients were most likely to be injured in team sports (81.0%), and female patients were most likely to be injured in individual sports (67.1%). High school athletes sustained the majority of injuries in team (57.0%) and individual (51.2%) sports. The years 2020 and 2021 saw a decrease in proportion of sprains/strains and an increase in proportion of fractures. Conclusion: The number of organized sport–related injuries reported to emergency departments decreased in 2020, and despite vaccinations and easing of social distancing, the 2021 value did not return to what it was prepandemic. As coronavirus-related restrictions have eased, there should be careful monitoring of sports injuries among youth athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the most sought-after skills for performance in team sports is change of direction. Training the physical qualities of strength, speed, and power has been used to improve change of direction. These qualities of change of direction have been studied extensively for the last 20 years, and their influence is still questioned. Additionally, it is currently unknown how moderating training variables affect COD performance. Objective: This study examines the impact of strength, power, and speed training on change of direction performance. Method: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a meta-analysis was conducted. Electronic databases were searched for studies conducted from 1991 to April 2021. All studies identified for inclusion were peer-reviewed and published in English and Spanish and used an athlete population as participants. For all analyses, a significance level is set at p < 0.05. Results: Sixty-six articles were included in this meta-analysis. Two hundred fifty-one effect sizes were calculated, representing 2056 participants aged between 12 and 25 years. The global effect size (ES) for each quality is reported and Cochran's Q test: Strength (N = 48) ES: 0.844 Q = 77.63 (95%CI: 0.65;1.07); Speed (N = 17) ES: 0.70 Q = 5.69 (CI95% = 0.35;1.05); Power (N = 49) ES: 0.85 Q = 47.58 (CI95% = 0.64;1.06); Agility (N = 57) ES: 1.05 Q = 79.63 (CI95% = 0.86;1.24); Combined training (N = 13) ES: 0.51 Q = 13.79 (CI95% = 0.14;0.93), and the Control Group (N = 67) ES: 0.53 Q = 47.40 (IC95% = −0.12;0.23), all ES were statistically significant except control group. The ANOVA-LIKE presented a statistically significant difference between physical qualities and the control group (Sig = 0.000 Q = 69.18). Conclusion: The training of strength, speed, power, and agility, are effective training methods for improving change of direction ability. Each of these qualities has one or more moderating variables that influencing its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy that disallows body checking (BC) lowers the injury and concussion rate for youth ice hockey players. However, little is known about how disallowing BC influences in-game metrics of performance. This prospective cohort video-analysis study examined offensive performance in Under-15 (ages 13–14) and Under-18 (ages 15–17) youth ice hockey players in leagues allowing and disallowing BC. Fifty-two games were filmed (n = 13 BC, n = 13 non-BC) for Under-15 and Under-18 non-elite (lowest 60% and 45% divisions, respectively) divisions in Calgary, Canada. Footage was analyzed for offensive performance metrics on the puck-carrier using the validated ice hockey adapted team sport assessment procedure. Puck metrics included how the player acquired puck possession (e.g. conquered puck from an opponent, received pass from a teammate) and the outcome (e.g. shot on goal, lost puck to opponent). The puck metrics were used to compute a performance composite score for each player that accounted for the quantity (rate of puck possessions per shift time) and quality (a ratio of positive performance metrics to all metrics) of play. Mean difference's (MD) in performance composite scores were compared using multivariable linear regression (adjusted for player position and cluster by team-game) between leagues allowing and disallowing BC for both age groups. Analyses revealed no significant MD in the performance composite scores between players in BC and non-BC leagues for both age groups (Under-15: MD = 0.02, 95%CI: −0.08, 0.12; Under-18: MD = −0.06, 95%CI: −0.16, 0.03). These findings suggest no differences in offensive performance when BC is disallowed in Under-15 and Under-18 non-elite leagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The considerable changes in physical activity (PA) during the transition to university are likely associated with changes in PA constraints during this transition. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in PA and associated constraints among first-year university students during the transition to university. Data concerning sociodemographic characteristics, PA behaviors, and changes in PA and constraints were collected from 121 first-year New Zealand university students via an online survey. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings revealed that following the transition, PA declined significantly, that PA participation patterns/trends had changed (from team/group sports to individual activities and to less competitive and/or more social activities), and that changes in constraints (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and time management) may have influenced changes. Findings shed light on how changes in constraints potentially influence PA following the transition and provide evidence to inform the development of policies and interventions to promote student PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Repeated high-intensity effort (RHIE) activity is known to be a critical component of high-intensity, intermittent team sports. Despite the importance of this quality, there are few studies comparing the RHIE activity of higher- and lower-ranked teams competing in the same competition. This study characterized the distribution of recovery times between RHIE in Top 4 and Bottom 4 semi-elite rugby league players. Hypothesis: Players from Top 4 teams will engage in a greater frequency of RHIE bouts than Bottom 4 teams, with shorter recovery periods between consecutive efforts. Study Design: Cohort study. Methods: A total of 104 semi-elite rugby league players from 11 teams wore global positioning system units during 28 Queensland Cup rugby league matches. Recovery between efforts was classified as <10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 60, and 61 to 120 seconds. Results: The majority of RHIE bouts were performed with ≤10 seconds recovery between efforts for both Top 4 and Bottom 4 teams. Top 4 teams performed a greater proportion of RHIE bouts with ≤10 seconds recovery between efforts than Bottom 4 teams (effect size [ES], 0.27 ± 0.19), while only trivial differences (ES, 0.17 ± 0.20) were found between Top 4 and Bottom 4 teams for the proportion of RHIE with 61 to 120 seconds recovery between efforts. Wide-running forwards from Top 4 teams performed a greater proportion of RHIE bouts with ≤10 seconds recovery between efforts (ES, 0.59 ± 0.40) and a smaller proportion of RHIE bouts with 61 to 120 seconds recovery between efforts (ES, 0.62 ± 0.38) than wide-running forwards from Bottom 4 teams. Conclusion: Rugby league players perform proportionally more RHIE bouts with ≤10 seconds recovery between efforts than any other recovery duration. In addition, Top 4 teams are more likely to complete a greater proportion of short (≤10 seconds) recovery RHIE bouts than Bottom 4 teams. Clinical Relevance: These findings demonstrate the demanding nature of RHIE activity in rugby league. To be successful, teams should train for these demanding passages of play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to verify the structural relationship among trust in coach, coach–athlete fit, and coach–athlete relationship. It verified the mediating effect trust in coach on relationships, in relation to coach–athlete fit and coach–athlete relationship. A total of 190 soccer players (N = 190, male; 135, female; 55) registered with the Korea Football Association responded to the survey; and their career in soccer about 6.8 years. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, structural equation modeling. As expected, coach–athlete fit and trust in coach were significantly related to coach–athlete relationship; in addition, the structural relationship among the three variables was significant. Finally, mediating effect of trust in coach between coach–athlete fit and coach–athlete relationship was showed significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance sport is still not appropriately addressing issues that perpetuate women's underrepresentation in elite sport coaching and leadership. Therefore, it is also unlikely representation for other minority groups in high-performance sport will be achieved any time soon. For high-performance sport to progress, there is an opportunity to create environments that foster a variety of coaching styles with diverse racial, ethnic and gender identities. This paper points to statistics from elite football and Olympic sports to highlight the issue of the underrepresentation of women coaches in high-performance sport and draws upon a range of literature to inform an evidence-based and strategic approach to designing development in the context of increasing coach and leader gender diversity in these settings. It explores leadership in high-performance sport, learning and development, and high-performance sport environments. We argue future focused development should prepare high-performance sport leaders to intervene at an environmental level where they provide leadership, facilitate performance enablers, and engage athletes and performance staff to shape cultural change [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Concurrent strength and endurance training could interfere with adaptation, which primarily affects long-term strength development. However, so far, research on this theme has rarely focused on ways to optimize concurrent strength and endurance training in team sports. Objectives: This paper aims to summarize the literature on the effects of concurrent training on aerobic and anaerobic energy pathways as well as strength and jump performance measures in team sports (invasion games) to provide recommendations for its application. Methods: A systematic literature review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted. Various reliable sources with only experimental studies investigating the effect of concurrent training on sport-specific performance measures in team sports (invasion games) were included. Two researchers independently evaluated the risk of bias with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Results: From 1649 records, 24 were included: 12 in children/adolescents (n = 428; aged up to 18 years) and 12 in adults (n = 620; aged 19–30 years), respectively. Thirteen of 24 studies reported improved endurance (V˙O2max, YoYoIR) and strength (CMJ, SJ and 1RM) performance by adding additional resistance training in young and adult team sport players with different training status, and nine of 24 studies reported more pronounced interference effects in older and more experienced players. Discussion: Concurrent training can improve endurance and strength performance in team sports athletes. However, it is revealed that concurrent training can lead to diminished effects, which might be minimized by extended recovery time between sessions, adapted sequencing order and endurance exercise modality. With maturity and developing training status, an increased importance of these variables was documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Numerous researchers have leveraged publicly available internet sources to publish clinical research concerning incidence and recovery from injuries in National Football League (NFL) players. Objective: This study aims to (1) provide a comprehensive systematic review of all publicly obtained data studies (PODS) regarding concussions in NFL athletes and (2) quantify the percentage of injuries identified by these studies in comparison with published concussion data from the NFL injury database. Study Selection: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to identify all published studies utilizing publicly obtained data regarding concussions in NFL athletes. Study Design: Systematic review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Data Extraction: Manuscript details, factors related to the athletes of interest (eg, study period, positions included), and results (eg, concussion rate, number of total concussions, return-to-play data) were extracted independently by 2 authors. Results were compared with incident concussions reported from 2015 to 2019 by each medical staff member to the NFL database linked to the League's electronic health record (EHR). Results: A total of 20 concussion-focused manuscripts based on PODS were identified from 2014 to 2020. PODS captured between 20% and 90% of concussions (mean, 70%) reported by medical staff to the injury database. PODS reported that 55% of concussions occurred on offensive plays, 45% on defensive plays and <1% occurred during special teams plays, compared with 44%, 37%, and 18%, respectively, as indicated by published data from the NFL injury database. When analyzed by position groups, running backs and quarterbacks comprised the most over-represented positions concussed in PODS, while offensive linemen, defensive backs, and linebackers comprised the most under-represented positions. Conclusion: PODS captured approximately 70% of concussions reported by NFL medical staff to the NFL injury database. There is heterogeneity in the degree to which PODS were able to identify concussions, with a bias toward concussions among players at higher profile positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Injury incidence is higher in the National Football League (NFL) than in other collision sports. Although previous research has identified that scheduling variations, including overseas games and bye week timing, does not affect concussion risk, data are currently lacking regarding the effects of scheduling variation on season-long musculoskeletal injury incidence. Purpose: To determine whether higher cumulative travel distance, overseas play, an early season bye week, and an expansion of the regular season is associated with higher injury rates in the NFL. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: All 1275 injuries across 5 NFL seasons from 2017 to 2018 through 2021 to 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Injury data and travel distances were extracted from publicly available sources, which were cross-referenced for validation. Injury rates were calculated per 1000 athletic-exposures (AEs). Cumulative team travel distances were compared statistically using a linear regression. Single factor analysis of variance was used to compare categorical variables. Results: Travel distance did not significantly predict injury rates (P =.47), and there was no difference in injury rates between teams that played a game overseas versus teams that did not (19.3 injuries per 1000 AEs for both; P =.96). In addition, no difference was found in injury rates (F [109,2100[ = 0.704; P =.73) or players placed on the injured reserve list (F [99,778] = 1.70; P =.077) between various bye weeks (P =.73). Injury rates did not differ between the new 17-game regular season (18.4 per 1000 AEs) versus the previous four 16-game regular seasons (19.7 per 1000 AEs; P =.12). However, teams that did not qualify for the playoffs had a significantly higher injury rate (19.9 per 1000 AEs) as well as players on injured reserve (8.0 per 1000 AEs) than playoff-qualifying teams (18.4 and 6.8 per 1000 AEs, respectively; P <.05 for both). Conclusion: Over 5 NFL seasons, cumulative travel distance, overseas play, bye week timing, and adding 1 regular season game were not associated with increased injury rates in NFL players. However, a lack of regular season success was associated with higher injury rates and more players on injured reserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Football, unlike some other team sports, includes limited game interruptions for coaches to easily communicate with players and affect their performance. However, a reduced number of studies have explored how coaches attempt to influence players during half-time. This study examined football coaches' behaviours during half-time and their perceptions underpinning their talks' delivery. Five Spanish coaches (M age = 32.2, SD = 8.8) working for a La Liga academy were systematically observed during half-time talks (n = 20) and participated in a semi-structured interview each. Half-time talks were coded using a modified version of the Coach Analysis and Intervention System, and semi-structured interviews were analysed following thematic analysis procedures. Instruction and feedback were the most employed behaviours for four coaches, with younger age-group coaches employing greater divergent questioning and in-talk player participation. Furthermore, data suggested that coaches conferred with their staff, before entering the changing room and rapidly progressed from divergent to convergent questions and feedback and instruction. The team's 'level of play' was the most perceived relevant factor affecting the verbal and vocal strategies of coaches' messages, albeit the score gained importance for coaches of older age-groups. This study is pioneering, examining how coaches attempt to influence their players during half-time talks of competitive youth football. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]