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In fencing, it remains unclear whether practice enhances visual‐spatial attention allocation. We explored whether this ability is improved in fencers and if it is related to attack speed and accuracy. Twelve novices (<1 year of experience) and 12 trained epee fencers (18 ± 10 years of experience) visited the laboratory twice (familiarization and testing session). They performed a covert orienting of visuospatial attention test (COVAT) on a computer and an epee test, involving 30 trials of 3 shuttles followed by fast attack phases where the fencers quickly hit a target (randomly proposed out of 8). We measured COVAT reaction time, number of successful target hits, and execution time to hit in the fencing test. We found shorter COVAT reaction time for trained fencers (332 ± 24 ms) versus novices (367 ± 32 ms; p < 0.001). The number of hits was greater for trained fencers (22 ± 3) versus novices (16 ± 3; p < 0.001). ANCOVA showed a difference in execution time at the test (823 ± 73 ms vs. 913 ± 141 ms, p = 0.035). A relationship was found between hits and execution time and between execution time and COVAT reaction time for the trained group (r = 0.62, p = 0.03 and r = 0.70, p = 0.01, respectively) but not in the novice group (r = 0.11, p = 0.72 and r = 0.45, p = 0.14, respectively). Mediation analysis showed that the relationship between execution time and number of hits (ADE: p = 0.008) was not mediated by COVAT reaction time (ACME: p = 0.17). These results evidence the importance of visual‐spatial attention allocation in fencing and evidence differences between novices and trained fencers with important implications for talent development in the early career stage. Highlights: This is the first study investigating visual‐spatial attention allocation ability by comparing computer and fencing‐specific tests in trained versus novice epee fencers.Speed and accuracy at the fencing test and reaction time at the computer test were greater for trained epee fencers compared to novices.Only trained epee fencers showed a trade‐off between accuracy and speed of execution at the fencing test.This relationship was not mediated by covert‐orienting attention ability despite a correlation between speed of execution and reaction time at the computer test.These results underline the importance of attention allocation and technical abilities, which could improve independently with practice and play a role in epee fencing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatigue induced by fencing remains scarcely investigated. We aimed to investigate both objective (neuromuscular performance fatigability) and subjective (perceived fatigue, effort, and workload) manifestations of fatigue in elite fencers following a five‐bout simulated competition. Changes in countermovement jump height, knee extensors maximal isometric torque, rate of torque development, voluntary activation, and contractile response to muscular electrical stimulation were measured in 29 elite fencers [12 epee (6 women), 11 saber (5 women), and 6 foil]. Perceived fatigue and effort were evaluated with visual analog scales, and the perceived workload with the NASA Task Load Index scale. During the competition, maximal torque and rate of torque development decreased by 1.6% (p = 0.017) and 2.4% (p < 0.001) per bout, respectively. Perceived fatigue before each bout increased (12% per bout), with similar values observed at the end of all bouts (bout × period interaction: p < 0.001). Perceived effort increased during the bouts (10% per period, p < 0.001) and during the competition (3% per bout, p = 0.011). Perceived mental demand increased during the competition (2% per bout, p = 0.024). These results suggest that elite fencers needed to increase the allocation of mental rather than physical resources to the task to counterbalance the deleterious effect of fatigue on performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of muscle fatigue on badminton performance during a smash stroke. Methods: In total, 17 young, well-trained players completed 20 forehand smashes twice (prefatigue and postfatigue protocol), and both speed and precision of the strokes were measured. The fatigue protocol consisted of 10 series of 10 maximal countermovement jumps (3-s rest in between) followed by 8 lunges. Perception of effort and countermovement-jump performance during each series were also measured to assess fatigue. Results: Shuttlecock speed decreased moderately (-3.3%) but significantly after the fatigue protocol (P < .001, ηp² = .671). Precision significantly decreased after the fatigue protocol (-10.3%, P = .001, ηp² = .473). The decrease in precision was mainly due to an increased number of faults (P = .006, ηp² =. 378, dz = 0.756) and to a decrease in accuracy (P = .066, ηp² = .195, dz = 0.478). Conclusion: The present study showed that fatigue impairs performance during specific badminton skills. Moreover, by showing a slight decrease in speed and a large decrease in accuracy of the shuttlecock when fatigue is experienced, the present study suggested that, as previously observed in other racket sports, the speed of the missile appears to be the key factor used by the players to win the rally. Coaches and physical trainers should therefore develop interventions aiming to limit the negative impact of fatigue on badminton strokes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, Elliot and Murayama (2008) pointed out a number of theoretical and methodological shortcomings among the instruments assumed to measure achievement goals. This research aimed to develop and validate a French Achievement Goals Questionnaire for Sport and Exercise (FAGQSE). In a first study, factor analyses conducted on a 20-item preliminary version supported the existence of four factors corresponding to the four types of goals of Elliot and McGregor's (2001) framework (mastery-approach, performance-approach, mastery-avoidance, and performance-avoidance). A second study examined a more parsimonious 12-item version of the FAGQSE, which was found to be valid among samples of athletes, exercisers, and physical education students. The temporal stability of the questionnaire was evidenced by a satisfactory test-retest over a 1-month period, and its theoretical validity was supported by correlations between achievement goals and entity/incremental theories of sports ability, perceived sports competence, and sports anxiety. The FAGQSE is a valid and reliable French instrument for achievement goal motivation. This instrument can be used for theoretical and applied purposes in various sports and exercise settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions (MABI) in sport settings need further development and validation to fulfil the desired outcomes related to sport performance. The current study aimed to design and implement a MABI integrated into the badminton training of young elite players (MBI programme), and to investigate its impact on sport performance-related outcomes. Two stages: (a) design and implementation of the MBI programme, and (b) evaluation using a mixed methods approach. Participants were young elite badminton players, assigned either to the 8-week MBI programme (n = 18; M age = 16.22), or the 8-week placebo programme (n = 11; M age = 16.64). Participants completed pre- and post-intervention measures of mindfulness skills, cognitive interference, and performance satisfaction. Social validation interviews were conducted with MBI participants to collect their overall perceptions of the programme. MANCOVA indicated a large intervention effect on the main outcome variables (partial η2 = 0.58). The results of univariate ANCOVAs showed that post-intervention awareness, performance worries and task-irrelevant thoughts differed significantly across the groups. In addition, follow-up t-tests provided additional information regarding changes from pre- to post-intervention among the MBI and control groups separately. Social validation data gave further insights into what athletes had retained and applied from the MBI programme. Contrasting results highlighted the need to better explore mindfulness mechanisms in MABI and the way they are inter-related, in order to strengthen changes in sport performance-related outcomes. • The 8-week Mindfulness Badminton Integrated (MBI) programme is presented. • This study evaluated the MBI's impact through a mixed methods approach. • The MBI did not lead to clear improvement when compared to an active control group. • Social validation provided additional insights into overall perceptions of the MBI. • The findings have implications for researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify attentional foci and coping strategies of elite fencers during competitive matches, explore the co-occurrences between both, and examine their impact on performance. Twenty-two epeeists (11 males and 11 females) from a national team took part in self-confrontation interviews during two simulated tournaments. Data were analysed using inductive and deductive content analyses. Moreover, a quantitative analysis of qualitative data was conducted to examine the impact of attentional foci and coping strategies on objective performance. Three categories of attentional foci were identified: (a) cues, (b) strategies and tactics and (c) extraneous attention. To depict the coping processes of elite fencers, appraisals, coping strategies and emotions were coded. Coping strategies were mainly task-oriented, and often co-occurred with strategic foci. Analysis of the co-occurrences showed that athletes could combine information from their sensations and their environment during a point. They could also use several coping strategies within or between points. Chi-square tests revealed that focusing on environmental cues, particularly spatial-temporal characteristics, was associated with more touches won and fewer touches lost. Focusing on distance/timing of actions could be relevant cues in elite fencing. Focus on internal aspects did not impair performance in the present sample. This study furthered knowledge of attentional foci and coping strategies described by elite athletes in naturalistic settings. Following the present research results, practitioners should seek to develop pre- and post-point routines that pair task-oriented coping strategies with relevant attentional focus. • Insights on attentional foci and coping strategies in rapidly-changing conditions. • Fencers could shift between internal sensations and external cues during points. • Fencers won more touches after focusing on spatial-temporal characteristics. • No impact of coping strategies or self-focus on the result of the point. • Interventions should develop routines pairing coping strategies and relevant focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better understand how an integrated mindfulness and acceptance-based intervention works and for whom it works best, study objectives were to examine (i) the trajectories of mindfulness skills and performance-related outcomes during the intervention, and athletes' perceptions of the impact of the intervention; and (ii) the potential moderating effects of personality characteristics on changes in targeted variables associated with the intervention. The sample consisted of 40 young elite female basketball players (M = 16.33, SD = 0.75 years) from three incoming groups at the French Federal Basketball Center over a 3-year period. All players participated in a 15-week Mindfulness BasketBall Integrated program. They completed online questionnaires measuring personality traits 10 months before the intervention, as well as pre-, mid- and post-intervention measurements of mindfulness skills, intensity and directional interpretation of stress, and performance satisfaction. They also participated in semi-structured social validation interviews conducted one month after the intervention. The results of the multilevel growth curve (MGCA) and thematic analyses revealed how the mindfulness skills and performance-related outcomes evolved over the course of the intervention and how these changes were perceived by the athletes. Specifically, the MGCA showed significant linear increases in acceptance, positive stress direction, and performance satisfaction. The complementary social validation data indicated perceived improvements in mindfulness skills and performance. The MGCA also showed that baseline personality traits moderated the effects of the program on acceptance and experience of stress. These findings may be used to inform the design of more effective integrated mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions. • The intervention integrated mindfulness exercises into basketball players' regular training. • Mindfulness skills and targeted outcomes evolve during intervention. • Personality traits moderated the effects of the intervention. • Lower conscientiousness and/or neuroticism are related to a greater increase in acceptance. • Identifying potential moderators of intervention effects could help to better target athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]