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In facilitating the adoption of exercise behavior, attention should be directed towards the dynamic nature of behavioral regulations. Organismic integration theory presents a suitable framework for investigating fluctuations in behavioral regulations. However, current results pertaining to this issue revealed mixed findings. The aim of this review is to examine the empirical literature on the dynamic nature of organismic integration theory in exercise settings over time in adults. A systematic review of English articles using PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscus was conducted including keywords of organismic integration theory, longitudinal designs, change in behavioral regulations, and exercise. Findings are summarized through quantitative analysis of the evidence. Regarding autonomous regulations, steady increases in regulations are observable that originate within the first weeks and persist for up to one year. Most studies reported no changes in controlled regulations, although in a few cases changes were observed six weeks after baseline or later. The review adds to the theoretical understanding of how behavioral regulations are internalized. However, whether changes in regulation occur depends on both the type of regulation and on contextual characteristics. Future research of longitudinal design is warranted to identify optimal periods in which individuals seek for increased support during exercise adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensity and interpretation of precompetitive anxiety symptoms are associated with athletes’ performance and adherence. Whereas the optimal symptom intensity is task- and individual-dependent, a facilitative symptom interpretation is generally adaptive. Past research has identified several variables thought to influence symptom intensity and interpretation. This study set out to compare a selection of prominent predictors and discuss them in terms of anxiety regulation. Prior to an in-season game, female and male intercollegiate team sport athletes reported their precompetitive anxiety symptom intensity and interpretation (Directional Modificationof theCompetitive State Anxiety Inventory-2) as well as their perceptions of team cohesion (Group Environment Questionnaire). Beforehand, they indicated their competitive trait anxiety (Sport Anxiety Scale-2), competitive experience, and starting status. Further, gender, team ranking, opponent ranking, and game location were recorded. Logistic regression analyses revealed higher trait anxiety as the strongest predictor of more intense precompetitive anxiety symptoms and more debilitative interpretations. In addition to trait anxiety, better team ranking and an away game location predicted more intense symptoms, whereas higher cohesion predicted a more facilitative interpretation. In terms of effective anxiety regulation, trait anxiety appears to have the greatest effect and, although being hard to reduce, this justifies the time-investment and individual focus in interventions. Conversely, cohesion promises small effects. However, being comparatively easy to enhance, it might constitute a convenient alternative to improve an entire team's symptom interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Research suggests that symmetry and complementarity are able to predict fit between an individual and a group. To date, fit has been described using knowledge, abilities, skills, values, personality, and the congruence between needs and their satisfaction. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze person–group fit based on the symmetric and complementary fit of prototypical attributes. Furthermore, we analyzed the mediating effects between symmetric and complementary fit as independent variables and the ability to perform, and well-being as dependent variables. The sample consisted of N = 20 soccer teams with a total of N = 294 athletes (age M = 23.6 years, SD = 4.4). Results demonstrated that symmetric and complementary fit are two distinct though correlated constructs. Moreover, identification is able to mediate the relation between symmetric fit and well-being as well as the relation between symmetric fit and an individual’s ability to perform. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Athletes’ precompetitive appraisal determines which emotion they experience with regard to an upcoming competition. Such precompetitive emotions have powerful and potentially destructive consequences for performance. To control and optimise these consequences, it is important to examine precompetitive appraisal. Currently, such efforts are hampered by the lack of a valid measurement tool. The present study aimed to develop a novel measure of precompetitive appraisal. Specifically, the Precompetitive Appraisal Measure (PAM) was constructed by adapting an existing self-report scale. Female and male intercollegiate team sport athletes (N = 384) completed the PAM, along with a measure of intensity and interpretation of precompetitive anxiety symptoms (CSAI-2D) prior to competition. On these responses, (a) a Principal Component Analysis and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported the PAM’s suggested two-factor structure (Primary and Secondary Appraisal), (b) cluster analyses indicated the measure’s ability to distinguish theoretically congruent appraisal profiles (Threat and Challenge) and (c) a MANOVA and multiple regression analyses demonstrated that PAM-responses predicted precompetitive symptom intensity and interpretation. Further, analyses revealed that the majority of athletes appraised the upcoming competition as a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A sudden collective collapse of an entire sport team is often described in terms of the social contagion of weak performance. Two experiments studied this phenomenon against the backdrop of balance theory. Experiment 1 examined whether false negative feedback on a partner's performance during a team task would lead to compensatory mechanisms as predicted by balance theory. Results showed that perceived negative performance in the partner was compensated by devaluing the relationship to the partner. Experiment 2 replicated Experiment 1 and investigated the impact of physical self-esteem. Results showed that persons with strong physical self-esteem devalued the situational value of the relationship when they perceived their partner's performance to be negative. Experiment 2 also investigated objective performance. Although failing to attain statistical significance, there was a tendency for the perceived sudden decline in the partner's performance to be contagious. It is concluded that balance theory offers promising insights into the interpersonal dynamics of social contagion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Background: The influence of self-presentation concerns on the adolescent sport experience has received scant empirical attention. The purpose of this investigation was to prospectively examine the relationship among self-presentational concerns and pre-game affective states among middle and high school aged football players. Methods: American football players (n = 112; mean age = 15.57 years) completed a measure of self-presentational concerns (SPSQ, McGowan, et al., 2008) a week prior to the measurement of selected pre-game affective states (i.e., attentiveness, self-assurance, serenity, and fear). Results: Regression analyses revealed that concerns about appearing athletically untalented negatively contributed to the significant prediction (p < 0.001) of pre-game attentiveness, β = −0.43, R 2 adj = 19.5% (p < 0.001), and self-assurance, β = −0.38, R 2 adj = 11.9% (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of reducing self-presentational concerns in promoting positive pre-game mental states that likely impact the quality of athletes' competitive play and experience. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Organisationsberatung, Supervision, Coaching is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: It was recently shown in humans that exercise affects the neurotrophic factors known to function as neurogenesis regulators. No data related to exercise and pregnancy, however, is yet available. Thus, we investigated the effects of acute exercise on pregnant women during late pregnancy and women postpartum, on the serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (COR). Twenty women with uncomplicated pregnancies underwent a graded submaximal exercise test during pregnancy (weeks 32–36 of gestation; T 1) and postpartum (10–12 weeks after childbirth; T 2). On two of these test days the women carried out an intensifying exercise test (25W steps) on a cycle ergometer until a heart rate of 150bpm was reached. Blood samples were taken in the rest period before beginning the exercise, immediately at the end of the exercise and after recovery periods of 5 and 10min, respectively. Basal maternal IGF-1, PRL and COR were found to be higher during T 1 (p <.01), while the BDNF was higher during T 2 (p =.00). VEGF was not detectable in the serum of the pregnant women. During T 2, VEGF, which was found to be within the normal range before exercise, was at a higher level after exercise (p <.01). Exercise increased the BDNF and IGF-1 during T 1 and T 2 (p <.01). This study also shows that exercise increases the serum concentrations of IGF-1 and BDNF during pregnancy and postpartum as well as VEGF postpartum. Thus, exercise might be a beneficial lifestyle factor with therapeutic/public health implications i.e. with regard to maternal mood and cognitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there are a plenty of studies examining the effects of aerobic-dance-and-fitness-programs (AD) on the physical fitness of women, studies about the effects on men participating in AD are rare. The goal of the study was to evaluate the physiological and psychological long term effects of an aerobic-dance-and-fitness-program (AD) in men and women. 10 midlife healthy men and women participated twice a week over 3 months in AD. In addition to the analysis of the submaximal running performance in an incremental field test (IFT) and muscular strength of extremities and trunk before and after the training subjectively perceived physical constitution was registered by filling out 2 questionnaires weekly. After the training intervention, heart rate decreased in IFT at the given aerobic running speed (p<0.05). Core muscle strength tests showed an increase in strength values of the one minute half sit up test and the lumbar muscle endurance test (p<0.01). Perceptions of physical condition was increased (p<0.01) in the fields of perceived fitness and perceived flexibility. Correlations between physical and psychological parameters were calculated between fitness and an increase in strength of abdominal muscles (r=0.45; p<0.05). The improvement of physical parameters after a 3 month AD training has been shown to be independent of the participants' sex and psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that the central and peripheral neural processes (CPNP) are affected by gravitational changes. Based on the previous experiments during parabolic flights, central and peripheral changes may not only be due to the changed gravitational forces but also due to neuroendocrine reactions related to the psycho-physiological consequences of gravitational changes. The present study focuses on the interaction of neuroendocrine changes and the physical and mental states after acceleration to three-time terrestrial gravity (3Gz). Eleven participants (29.4 ± 5.1 [SD] years (male (n = 8): 30 ± 5.1 years; female (n = 3): 27.7 ± 2.1 years) underwent a 15 min acceleration to 3Gz in a human centrifuge. Before and after the acceleration to 3Gz circulating stress hormone concentrations (cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), prolactin, epinephrine, norepinephrine) and perceived physical and mental states were recorded. A second control group of 11 participants underwent the same testing procedure in a laboratory session. Serum cortisol concentration during exposure to the centrifugal acceleration increased by 70%, plasma concentration of ACTH increased threefold, prolactin twofold, epinephrine by 70% and norepinephrine by 45%, whereas the perceived physical well-being decreased. These findings demonstrate that psycho-physiological changes have to be regarded as a relevant factor for the changes in CPNP during phases of hypergravity exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Sportpsychologie is the property of Hogrefe Verlag GmbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article focuses on the impact of the Corporation Tax Act (KStG) on the ability of Germany to deny cross-border fiscal unity. Fiscal unity plays a significant role in tax-optimized structure of a group of companies according to a German tax law. Under the KStG, a German stock corporation or partnership limited by shares forms a fiscal unity with the parent if the conditions set forth in the act are met.