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Sport psychologists know that many people who do a behavior voluntarily over a long period of time have discovered for themselves an inner feeling that motivates them to perform the behavior, such as exercise, for its own sake. This form of motivation has been labeled "intrinsic" by some researchers. The concept of intrinsic motivation, when applied to physical activity, focuses on helping people develop a mindset that elicits enjoyment and fun from the experience itself. The experience then becomes a more powerful one, strong enough to draw the person back time and time again. What this approach suggests is that cultivating the experience of the intrinsic exerciser is essential for sustainable change, whether in children, young adults, middle-age adults, or older adults. The concept of intrinsic motivation is especially important when helping young adults, because they are continuously bombarded by external stimuli and are at a high risk for losing touch with the joy of movement simply because they lack attention skills. Without the experience of fun or enjoyment, behavior change will not be sustained because performing the behavior becomes drudgery. In the author's view, four psychological concepts--vision, mastery, flow, and inergy--can help people of any age become more intrinsic with their physical activity, thereby increasing enjoyment and motivating a more regular exercise routine (Kimiecik, 2002). This article provides an overview of each of these intrinsic ideas and how together they provide opportunities for optimal physical activity experiences that can be sustained throughout life.

This document provides summaries of four research articles on various topics related to physical activity and well-being. The first article focuses on the psychological responses of elite college athletes to strength training, emphasizing the role of cognitive factors in shaping their psychological states. The second article reviews the effectiveness of psychological interventions in improving athletic performance, highlighting the need for more rigorous research designs. The third article examines the impact of web-based physical activity interventions on behavior change, suggesting that composite engagement measures can provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between engagement and physical activity. The fourth article discusses the Fitness Buddies program, which pairs students to support each other's fitness journeys, and while it did not significantly increase physical activity levels, participants reported positive psychological outcomes and improved academic engagement. The article also discusses the use of gamification strategies to make physical activity more engaging for youth, noting both the positive psychological benefits and concerns about gender stereotypes and unregulated social interaction. Lastly, the document presents a study on the cognitive benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICT) among older adults, suggesting that both forms of exercise can potentially activate brain function in seniors. These summaries cover a range of topics related to health, well-being, and sports. [Extracted from the article]

This case study describes the adaptation process of a female sailor experiencing several career-change events and transitions. Qualitative data were collected longitudinally as part of a sport psychology consultation process. Data analysis was guided by the meta-model of adaption in sport. Along two Olympic cycles (i.e., Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), the athlete experienced multiple changes. These included two transitions between sailing classes, teaming up with a partner, long training camps, an injury, the coronavirus pandemic, and competing in major championships. Transition demands included building team cohesion and developing self-efficacy and mental strength. The athlete exhibited successful and poor adaptation. The applied work facilitating her successful adaptation is presented. Her adaptation ability developed as she progressed in her career, en route to becoming a world champion. These findings provided initial applied-practice support for the meta-model of adaption in sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College student-athletes balance the demands of both sport and school in the context of higher education; high levels of motivation are necessary for success in both spaces. Studies have evaluated learning styles and academic motivational outcomes in college student athletes but there is a need to explore how motivation impacts both academic and athletic success. The present study examined the relationship academic, student athletic, and career athletic motivation had with learning styles and major (STEM vs. non-STEM) using Self-Determination Theory as the theoretical lens. College Division I, II, III, and Club college athletes took the Grasha-Reichmann Student Learning Style Scale and Student Athletes Motivation toward Sports and Academics Questionnaire. Learning styles were grouped into intrinsic (independent, participant, and collaborative) and extrinsic (dependent, avoidant, and competitive) styles. There were positive relationships between intrinsic learning style and both student athletic (r(147) = .19, p = .02) and academic (r(147) = .30, p < .001) motivation. Extrinsic learning style was positively correlated with career athletic (r(147) = .27, p = .001) and student athletic (r(147) = .16, p < .05) motivation but negatively corelated with academic motivation (r(147) = -.17, p = .03). Athletes in STEM majors (M = 3.88, SD = 0.36) had significantly higher academic motivation than non-STEM majors (M = 3.66, SD = 0.40), t(182) = 3.85, p < .001. Athletes in non-STEM majors (M = 4.00, SD = 0.88) had significantly higher career athletic motivation than STEM majors (M = 3.56, SD = 0.91), t(182) = -3.29, p = .001. Findings suggest being more independent, participant, and collaborative in class is related to motivation both in school and in student athletic endeavors. Athletes pursuing a STEM major may show higher academic motivation than athletes pursuing non-STEM majors. Encouraging student-athlete learning autonomy via education/intervention could improve intrinsic motivation in sport and classes, though further exploration of these factors is necessary to fully understand their relationship in college student-athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a growing interest in emotions in sport psychology, little has been written about the contextual elements triggering athletes' emotional experience. This single case study aimed to analyze the inducers of an elite table tennis player's emotional experience throughout his career. He was ranked among the 15 best players in the world, and his career spanned more than 20 years. Inspired by the critical-incident method, we conducted a lengthy interview with the player, during which he related the most significant moments of his career. The categorization of the 96 critical incidents collected highlighted four inducers of positive emotions and five inducers of negative emotions, emerging over five periods (exponential progression, first difficulties, major difficulties, second career, and end of career). These findings contribute to the development of an innovative single-case-study design, allowing an understanding of the contextual origin of athletes' emotions over the long term. Finally, highlights are discussed and recommendations for the practice of sport psychology are formulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case conceptualization is an important stage in the sport and performance psychology (SPP) consulting process. The conceptualization of a case can influence a consultant's understanding of the underpinning mechanisms contributing to a presenting concern, interventions selected to help a client, and the effectiveness of provided services. Guidelines for case conceptualization have been developed for SPP professionals, but little is known about how this activity is undertaken in practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the case-conceptualization methods and approaches of certified SPP professionals. Fifty-two certified mental performance consultants completed an online qualitative survey exploring how they conceptualized cases. Our findings suggested that SPP consultants viewed case conceptualization as an ongoing process, something that helps a consultant understand a client's presenting concerns and guide any intervention plans, a collaboration between client and consultant, and a way to evaluate the effectiveness of their practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive-behavioral therapies and related approaches are highly prevalent within sport psychology practice. Traditionally, these approaches are delivered across interventions comprising multiple sessions. However, in the fast-paced environments in which many applied sport psychologists operate, practitioners are sometimes required to provide fast, effective, and impactful interventions to athletes at their point of need within a single session. Single-session integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy presents a potentially effective approach for practice wherein time is often at a premium, and there is frequently pressure to make an impact quickly to improve performance. In this article, we put forward a stimulus piece that contextualizes single-session integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy and overviews how sport psychology practitioners may use such techniques with athletes. We also put forth a call for more practitioners to report more idiographic case studies that feature the use of brief or single-session interventions to further build the evidence base for such approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a paucity of literature discussing how to address consent procedures as part of ethics, practitioner development, and best practice in applied sport psychology. Several researchers have addressed ethical challenges (e.g., out-of-session contact, overidentification, time, and space). However, none have substantially considered the sport-specific issues related to consent, which sits at the heart of best practice. The scarcity of discussing consent is limiting sport psychology's potential to establish itself as a more recognized profession. This article highlights some contextual issues that challenge the idea and efficacy of informed consent. It proposes adapting consent procedures in the collaboration between sport psychology practitioners and clients to better address the current contextual challenges in applied sport psychology. In doing so, the current paper introduces Empowered Consent, which is specifically designed to empower athletes and address challenges related to choosing interventions, contractual obligations, visibility in the environment, and staff trying to gain insights into confidential information. The author offers a model to enhance applied practice for those collaborating with athletes and other clients in sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to recent calls for promoting the contextual intelligence of sport psychology practitioners, the aim of the current study was to obtain the first-person competitive experiences of kendo fighters (i.e., kenshi). Existential phenomenological interviews were conducted with eight competitive Japanese-American kenshi residing in the United States. The findings of thematic analysis indicated that the participants possessed a strong commitment to earning ippon (i.e., a valid point), which was achieved by a subjective synchronization of mind, sword, and body in the execution of a strike against an opponent. They considered this to be a transformative experience, which elevated them perceptually out of the sporting context to a momentary sense of "cutting" the opponent with a real sword. The current findings also offer sport psychology consultants possible context-specific insights (e.g., importance of seme) and strategies (e.g., management of attentional focus, self-regulation techniques) for assisting kenshi in preparing for competitive situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key governing bodies (e.g., Association for Applied Sport Psychology) recognize that graduate programs must prepare multiculturally competent practitioners. Students and recent graduates of sport psychology master's degree programs (N = 107, Mage = 26.32, SD = 5.19) reported moderate levels of feeling safe, valued, and comfortable within their program; low to moderate levels of multicultural training integration; and low to moderate satisfaction with their multicultural training. Students of Color (n = 42) compared to White students (n = 63) reported less satisfaction with their multicultural training; felt less safe, comfortable, and valued; and perceived less multicultural integration. Furthermore, perceptions of multicultural training integration and of feeling safe, comfortable, and valued were significantly related to satisfaction with their multicultural training. Training programs are advised to improve integration of multicultural training, invest in program climate to help students feel safe and valued, and ensure continuing education of faculty members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coaches' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about mental health—or mental health literacy (MHL)—affect teams' mental health climates and the detection, referral, and treatment of athletes' mental health concerns. Thus, assessing collegiate coaches' MHL, and factors related to its presence, is critical. Using the Mental Health Literacy Scale, 1,571 NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) coaches were surveyed regarding their MHL and demographic and mental health experience factors. Overall, 99.9% of the coaches surveyed believe that athletes' mental health affected their sport performances. Through hierarchical regression analyses, coaches' exposure to mental health treatment, perceived helpfulness of mental health treatment, gender (i.e., woman), years coaching (i.e., fewer years), and current NCAA division (i.e., Division III) were significantly related to their MHL, explaining 15.5% of variance. However, coaches' race/ethnicity did not reach significance. Recommendations regarding increasing coaches' MHL and hiring appropriately trained and licensed mental health and sport psychology professionals are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate expert practitioners' approaches to conducting a first sport psychology session with individual clients as there is sparse empirical literature on this topic. Nine expert Certified Mental Performance Consultants completed a semistructured interview where they discussed experiences conducting a first meeting with an athlete. Primary objectives included establishing the relationship, setting guidelines and expectations, understanding the client's background, identifying presenting concerns, and formulating the treatment plan and building skills. Building rapport was an aspect used to establish the relationship while discussing confidentiality was utilized to set guidelines. Important strategies employed to increase the perceived benefits to services included conveying the consulting approach and philosophy. Lessons learned centered around doing too much and not appreciating individual differences of clients. Findings show expert consultants aim to achieve similar broad objectives in the first session and provide a basis for best practices in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic had implications for athletes' mental well-being. This mixed-methods study examined the influence of self-compassion on athletes' coping during the pandemic through the mediator of cognitive appraisal. The prospective design involved 90 athletes completing two online surveys 1 week apart measuring self-compassion, cognitive appraisal, and coping strategies. The PROCESS macro was used for the mediation analysis. A qualitative thematic analysis was used to explore athletes' responses to the pandemic during the second survey. Self-compassion had an indirect negative effect on avoidance-focused coping by appraising the pandemic as less of a threat (95% confidence interval [−0.20, −0.001]) and had a total effect on emotion-focused coping (95% confidence interval [0.02, 0.40]). Based on the thematic analysis, athletes described many raw emotions and a variety of coping strategies during the pandemic. Self-compassion demonstrated promising benefits to athletes who dealt with the challenging situation of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizational culture in sports affects well-being, performance, and overall success. Although team culture has been explored within able-bodied teams, little is known about culture development within parasport. Using a descriptive case study approach, our study examined the culture development and experiences of an elite parasport team. Two semistructured individual telephone interviews were conducted with nine participants (athletes and staff), and one athlete-participant completed one interview. An inductive thematic analysis revealed two themes: approach to culture development and team culture components. Culture development was linked with facilitative leadership and important resources. This supported the team to create their shared values and mechanisms, including a behavioral framework, other artifacts (e.g., shared language and team motto), and a relaxed environment. These helped to maintain their agreed culture and benefited their well-being, progress, and team cohesion. Our results offer a starting point regarding research into the culture of elite parasport and have practical implications for managers, coaches, and psychologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have established factors that impair (e.g., stress) or facilitate (e.g., occupational recovery) health among professionals operating in sport and performance (e.g., coaches). However, there is a paucity of research examining factors that impair or facilitate the health of sport psychology professionals. Given that sport psychology professionals have an obligation to manage their health to maintain effective service provision, research is needed to fill this gap. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of burnout and health among certified mental performance consultants. Participants completed measures of perceived stress, burnout, occupational recovery, and health-related quality of life. Regression results, including a moderator analysis, indicated that perceived stress and occupational recovery predicted burnout, while occupational recovery moderated the relationship between perceived stress and burnout. Perceived stress and burnout further predicted health-related quality of life. Recommendations include certified mental performance consultants spending nonwork time in low-effort and/or physical activities, as well as exerting autonomy over nonwork time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored how applied sport psychology practitioners adopting client-led stances described two of their athlete interactions. Applied sport psychology practitioners (8 female and 12 male, mean age = 33.76 years, SD = 4.70), describing themselves as client-led practitioners, discussed two athlete consultancies during open-ended interviews. Data analysis involved examining the narrative structure of practitioners' stories and identifying the features of client-led service delivery present in the accounts. The participants' stories reflected a collaborative empiricism narrative in which they collaborated with athletes to resolve client issues. The stories contained features of client-led person-centered therapy and the use of practitioner-led techniques and interventions. The results point to applied implications such as providing accounts of service delivery on which practitioners can reflect as they consider the ways they wish to help clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present two studies that provide the first evidence on sport psychology services in Gaelic games. In Study 1, 36 participants providing support for mental aspects of performance in Gaelic games completed a survey that ascertained an initial insight into practitioners and the services they provided in this context. Findings of Study 1 suggested considerable engagement with psychology support in Gaelic games but also highlighted a range of challenges with service delivery. In Study 2, we interviewed 11 sport psychology consultants to understand the active ingredients that contribute to context-driven sport psychology in Gaelic games and the role of contextual intelligence. Findings from Study 2 offered insights into how participants shaped their services to the context and how the active ingredients for effective service delivery, including working alliances, buy-in, and engagement with individuals within the performance environment, could be enabled or constrained in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article comments on a recent study about high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and its methodological problems. The authors agree with the study's identification of issues in research on the affective responses to HIIT but argue that the study's guidance on quantifying exercise intensity during HIIT is flawed. They propose using a percentage of peak workload during an incremental test as a more appropriate measure of exercise intensity. The authors also criticize the use of heart rate as a measure of intensity during interval exercise and suggest using metabolic landmarks instead. They provide examples from other studies to support their argument. Additionally, they refute criticisms regarding the appropriateness of HIIT intensities in studies comparing affective and enjoyment responses. [Extracted from the article]

The first article discusses a study on the long-term effects of a behavior change intervention called BEAT Cancer on breast cancer survivors. The intervention included counseling and exercise sessions, and participants reported improved health outcomes and quality of life. However, objective measures of physical activity did not show a difference between the intervention and control groups. The second article explores the impact of self-monitoring prompts on physical activity among young adults. The study found that daily step counts were positively associated with the frequency of self-monitoring prompts. The third article focuses on team flow among firefighters and its relationship with teamwork stressors and resources. The study found that effective communication, support, and coordination were associated with team flow, while ineffective support, leadership, and coordination were negatively associated. The fourth article examines how elite athletes reflect on sport injury narratives. The study found that athletes challenged dominant narratives and used different narrative techniques to reconceptualize time lost due to injury. The fifth article critically examines the use of SMART goals in sport and exercise psychology, finding that there is little evidence to support the effectiveness of specific goal parameters. The final article explores the role of coaches in communicating about body image among female athletes, emphasizing the need for cultural considerations in addressing body image concerns. [Extracted from the article]

Meta-analysis is a powerful tool in sport and exercise psychology. However, it has a number of pitfalls, and some lead to ill-advised comparisons and overestimation of effects. The impetus for this research note is provided by a recent systematic review of meta-analyses that examined the correlates of sport performance and has fallen foul of some of the pitfalls. Although the systematic review potentially has great value for researchers and practitioners alike, it treats effects from correlational and intervention studies as yielding equivalent information, double-counts multiple studies, and uses an effect size for correlational studies (Cohen's d) that provides an extreme contrast of unclear practical relevance. These issues impact interpretability, bias, and usefulness of the findings. This methodological note explains each pitfall and illustrates use of an appropriate equivalent effect size for correlational studies (Mathur and VanderWeele's d) to help researchers avoid similar issues in future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manual Reaction Time measures have been widely used to study interactions between perceptual, cognitive, and motor functions. The Stimulus-Response Compatibility is a phenomenon characterized through faster Manual Reaction Times when stimuli and response locations coincide (correspondent condition) than when they are on different sides (noncorrespondent condition). The present study adapted a protocol to study if the Stimulus-Response Compatibility effect can be detected during a virtual combat simulation. Twenty-seven participants were instructed to defend themselves by clicking a key in order to block the presented punch. Videos of two fighters were used, granting two types of basic strokes: the back fist, a punch performed with the dorsal part of the fighter's hand, starting at the opposite side to which it is directed; and the hook punch, performed with a clenched fist starting and finishing ipsilaterally. The Manual Reaction Times were different between the correspondent and noncorrespondent conditions. F(1, 26) = 9.925; p < .004; η² = .276. with an Stimulus-Response Compatibility effect of 72 ms. Errors were also different, F(1, 26) = 23.199; p < .001; η² = .472. between the correspondent (13%) and the noncorrespondent conditions (23%). The study concluded that spatial codes presented at the beginning of the punch movement perception substantially influenced the response execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debriefing is commonly used in sport and performance psychology (SPP), but little has been done to expand debriefing education and training experiences. The researchers sought to examine SPP practitioners' education and training on debriefing and how it is used in their applied work. This study had two phases (Phase I, n = 143; Phase II, n = 13). During Phase I, researchers developed a 16-item questionnaire regarding demographics and debriefing training, use, and importance. Many participants debriefed every session (46%) and rated debriefing as extremely (53.1%) or very important (39.2%). Participants were unsatisfied with their training (55%) and desired more debriefing training from coursework (65%). Three themes were identified in Phase II interviews: training and education, use of debriefing, and importance of debriefing. With limited research in SPP about debriefing, this study furthers knowledge about how debriefing is used in practice and how training experiences can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality has a long, if somewhat checkered history in the sport psychology literature, but insight into its use in contemporary applied practice is more limited. This study investigated contemporary sport psychology consultants' perceptions of using personality assessment. Ten participants (four female and six male; mean 14 years' applied experience), all Health and Care Professions Council–registered and accredited by either the British Psychological Society or British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, were purposefully sampled and interviewed. An inductive thematic analysis was then performed. Five themes were identified: effective practice, perceived impact, societal movements, organizational experience, and innovation. Findings deliver an original insight into the perceptions of practitioners around personality assessment in sport, illustrating a movement from prediction to development in the field and providing novel examples of bespoke, individualized tool application. Broad training and career experiences will help practitioners fully appreciate these potential opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how psychologists working in men's English football academies evaluate their working context when choosing a professional practice framework for guiding applied psychology provisions. Sixteen psychologists—six women and 10 men—participated in two semistructured interviews. A stepwise inductive–deductive approach in the analysis was used. The authors found that 13 of the psychologists adopted humanistic psychology as their guiding framework. In exploring the reasoning, three categories were developed: (a) motives for choosing a humanistic approach, (b) challenges when applying a humanistic approach, and (c) perpetuating stigma and restrictive assumptions regarding sport psychology. The study shows that humanistic psychology might be an effective approach to countering some dehumanizing features in the current English academy context (e.g., an overreliance on metrics). However, the Premier League, the Football Association, and other governing football organizations should notice the drawbacks of how psychologists sometimes must collude with the current system to establish psychology in the academy before later expanding provisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The influence of several psychological characteristics on the willingness of athletes to report concussion behaviors has not been well explored. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand how athletic identity and sport passion predicted participants' willingness to report symptoms above what was explained by athlete demographics, concussion knowledge, and perceived seriousness of concussions. Design: The study was cross-sectional. Methods: Three-hundred and twenty-two male and female high school and club sport athletes completed survey measures of concussion knowledge, athletic identity, harmonious and obsessive passion, and degree to which athletes indicated they would report concussions and concussion symptoms. Results: Athletes scored moderately high on their knowledge of symptoms and other concussion information (mean = 16.21; ± = 2.88) and above the midpoint on their attitudes and behaviors toward reporting concussion symptoms (mean = 3.64; ± = 0.70). There were no differences between gender, t(299) = −.78, P =.44, and previous concussion education, t(296) = 1.93, P =.06, related to concussion knowledge. Results of a hierarchical regression indicated that after entering athlete demographics, concussion knowledge, and perceived seriousness of concussions, of the 3 psychological variables in the final stage of the model, only obsessive passion was a significant predictor of athlete's attitudes to report a concussion. Conclusions: Perceived seriousness of concussion, perceived threat to long-term health, and obsessive passion were the strongest predictors of athlete's willingness to report concussions. Athletes who did not believe concussions posed a threat to their current or future health, and those that held an obsessive passion for sport were most at risk for not reporting concussions. Future research should continue to investigate the relationship between reporting behaviors and psychological factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nLay summaryThis article analyzes the vulnerable and precarious nature of applied sport psychology practice. Adopting a longitudinal approach over an 18-month period, data were collected through 41 semi-structured interviews with six applied sport psychologists working across soccer, swimming, and athletics. Interviews took place at 6–8 week intervals, and transcripts were iteratively analyzed with Kalleberg’s theorization of precarity and Kelchtermans’ writings around vulnerability adopted as the primary heuristic devices. Four themes were identified, highlighting how: (a) “precarious employment conditions”; (b) “constrained decision making”; (c) “challenges to demonstrating impact”; and (d) “contrasting beliefs of appropriate practice” typified practitioners’ applied experiences. Our findings and analysis advance discussions about the precarious nature of applied sport psychology work by recognizing some of the inherent structural vulnerabilities that characterize the role. Insights developed from this research have important implications for the profession, including the preparation, development, employment and ongoing support of its workforce.This study explores the challenges faced by sport psychology practitioners, highlighting the limited availability of paid, full-time opportunities, a lack of control over working conditions, and difficulties in demonstrating impact. The findings carry significant implications for the profession, particularly in terms of preparing, developing, employing, and providing ongoing support to applied practitioners. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICEIncreased awareness of the precarious and vulnerable nature of applied sport psychology work can lead to better preparedness of practitioners for the challenges they may face.Educating practitioners about navigating micro-political environments can enhance their effectiveness in working with athletes and teams.Understanding the importance of employment contracts can empower practitioners to negotiate more appropriate terms and improve their professional standing within the field.Increased awareness of the precarious and vulnerable nature of applied sport psychology work can lead to better preparedness of practitioners for the challenges they may face.Educating practitioners about navigating micro-political environments can enhance their effectiveness in working with athletes and teams.Understanding the importance of employment contracts can empower practitioners to negotiate more appropriate terms and improve their professional standing within the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS) remains the standard balance tool for evaluating sport-related concussion. Discrepancies between error and objective sway scoring remain a topic of assessment measures. The purpose was to examine sex differences between error and sway index scores and association between scores on the mBESS in collegiate and high school athletes. 119 athletes completed the mBESS on a Biodex BioSway. Measures consisted of mBESS errors and sway index scores produced by the BioSway. No sex differences were observed on mBESS errors and sway index scores by competition level and the overall sample. Moderate associations were observed between error and sway index scoring for single and tandem stances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health has become increasingly important for the applied sport psychologist, a factor which may include screening, promoting literacy, individual support, and educational programs. However, despite of this importance, few checks have been made on the perceived preparedness of sport psychologists to undertake this work and whether differences may exist between those recently qualified compared to experienced practitioners. Underpinned by the theoretical domains framework, 62 Health and Care Professions Council registered practitioner sport and exercise psychologists (30 females: age: M = 46.13 years and SD = 10.44 years and 32 males: age: M = 43.25 years and SD = 10.47 years) completed an online survey to assess whether they felt equipped to address the mental health dimension of their work. The survey comprised three sections: Demographic and background information, a series of statements (n = 31) adapted from the determinants of implementation behavior questionnaire, and three questions with space for free text comments, inviting participants to explain their level of preparedness to incorporate and deliver mental health interventions. A 6 × 12 analyses of variance yielded significant differences between domain ratings but not across levels of experience or interactions. Data from free text comments were analyzed thematically and categorized into the following three themes: (a) complementing the performance role, (b) awareness of professional boundaries, and (c) importance of further continued professional development. Combined, although practitioners emphasized importance, preparedness ratings ranged from neutral to somewhat agree, calling for further specific sport psychology‐based mental health training. Highlights: An online survey, underpinned by the theoretical domains framework, was used to assess whether registered sport and exercise psychology practitioners in the United Kingdom felt prepared to undertake the mental health dimension of their work.Analysis through ANOVA yielded no significant differences across experience or interactions, suggesting that preparedness and implementation do not differ regardless of whether recently qualified or experienced practitioners. Furthermore, average ratings across all domains revealed practitioners feel only "somewhat prepared" to address client needs in this area.Free text comments provided additional insight to levels of preparedness where practitioners noted the frequent necessity to offer mental health support, why it complements the performance focus, and how they are uniquely placed to understand the specific contextual demands, yet were cognizant of their competencies, knowledge base, and boundaries.Calls for further specific sport psychology‐based mental health training are warranted by the professional bodies in the United Kingdom to ensure practitioners feel equipped to address this increasingly important factor of their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to determine the push and pull motivations of sport climbers within the scope of outdoor and adventure tourism. The phenomenology approach, which is one of the qualitative research methods, was preferred in the study. The study group consisted of twenty-one (21) rock climbers who were determined by convenience and criterion sampling methods. The research was conducted in the Köklüce Canyon region in Gaziantep. As a result of the analysis, two main themes (push and pull motivation), twelve sub-themes and thirty codes were emerged. It was determined that the most important pushing motivations for choosing sport climbing were spiritual regeneration and then socialization. Having fun, being happy, meeting new people and socializing at the destination were important intrinsic motivation reasons of the climbers. The most important pulling motivations in choosing the climbing area were the results such as having many and different difficulty levels of the routes and the ease of transportation. As the routes in the climbing destination have a wide variety, quality and are in different difficulty; the easy access to the region and the proximity of the region are an important environmental motivation. As a result, it could be said these motivation sources for the rock-climbing destination provide opportunities for diversifying the adventure tourism products, providing a sustainable adventure tourism, and guiding the relevant federations and local governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars and practitioners have attended to and shown support for the promotion of a culturally sensitive approach within applied sport psychology. Yet, a cultural competence knowledge-behavior gap among sport psychology practitioners (SPPs) remains prevalent along with a lack of practical guidance on how SPPs can engage in a cultural praxis. In order to ensure that SPPs are helping all clients (e.g., athletes) thrive—not merely cope with forms of social identity oppression (e.g., racism) and other sources of harm that pervade sport—there is a need for empirical research that explores how current SPPs fully account for identity, privilege/power and oppression in their work. This qualitative study aimed to help close this gap by offering practical insights from SPPs that can serve as direction for other practitioners to strengthen their cultural praxis. This study adopted a cultural praxis agenda. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 current SSPs working in the United States who identified as making efforts to account for social identity, privilege/power and oppression in their practice. Reflexive thematic analysis of interviews with SPPs was carried out at the semantic level. Results highlight four key themes that reflect SPPs approach: (a) acknowledging the self, (b) learning about the client as a whole person in context, (c) shifting power to the client for collaboration, and (d) taking individual-level and/or organizational-level action. Findings provide guidance for how SPPs can engage in a cultural praxis that goes beyond cultural competence promotion in order to ensure that sport is an empowering context for all. Lay summary: This study explored how SPPs account for social identity, privilege/power and oppression in their practice. Four themes characterized their approach: acknowledging the self, learning about the client as a whole person in context, shifting power to the client for collaboration, and individual-level and organizational-level action to promote inclusion, belonging, and equity. Findings provide guidance for how SPPs can work to ensure that sport is an empowering context for all. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: SPPs accounted for social identity, privilege/power and oppression in their applied work by first building and exercising their awareness of themselves (and their positionality) along with their client as a whole person in context. Practitioners used this awareness to shift power to their client for collaboration by honoring their expertise and making individualized considerations. SPPs took individual-level and/or organizational level action to promote inclusion, belonging, and equity within the context of the client-practitioner relationship and broader sport environment. In order to ensure that sport is an empowering context for all, SPPs can consider what organizational-level actions they might take alongside individual-level actions in order to effect wholescale social justice change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burgess et al. (2016) emphasized the importance of parental support in youth sports as they provide financial, informational, and emotional support to the youth-athlete. Parents also play a "significant role in shaping youth sport experiences" (Sheridan et al., 2014, p. 198). Research around parental support has been conducted in sports such as tennis, gymnastics, and football. The aim of the present study was to examine the parents' perspective of parental support in female youth golf, exploring how they support their female youth golfers, and if the support changes through their child's development. Twenty-two semi structured interviews were conducted with parents (14 fathers, 10 mothers) of high-performance female golfers in the specializing or investment stages of Côté's (1999) DMSP. Participants were recruited from six countries (England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada). Using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2012) six higher order themes were identified, namely, parental support: emotional, practical, technical, financial, organizational, and reflective support. The results align with the grounded theory of parental support (Burke et al., 2023a) providing an insight into the parents' perspective of providing support aligning with informational, emotional, and instrumental support of the theory. Furthermore, the current research presented novel findings regarding reflective support that parents provide. Findings highlighted that parental support changed depending on temporal differences (place in the golf season) and their daughter's development. The present research reinforces the need to provide support programs for parents based on their needs, rather than programs designed from a governing body or coaches perspective. Lay summary: Parents perspective of parental support and associated temporal changes were explored in female youth golf. Six themes of support were identified: emotional, practical, technical, financial, organizational, and reflective support. Changes in parental support were dependent on their daughter's development (level of maturity or level of play) and the time of year differences. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Sport psychologists can build upon the current findings when assisting the development of youth athletes, by involving the parent in managing emotions for their child-athlete but also providing some help for how parents may manage their own emotions to avoid having a negative impact on their youth athlete. Findings can be applied by practitioners, governing bodies, and sporting organizations to develop and implement suitable assistance for parents based on the needs of parents and to assist with the changes in support that occur when supporting their youth athlete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary, showcasing significant growth in submissions and international diversity. The International Society of Sport Psychology is now introducing the Academy of Science to advance scholarly knowledge in the field. The Academy's inaugural focus on mental health reflects a broader interest in thriving through personal and social actions in sport and physical activity. This initiative aims to elevate the field's legitimacy and establish a high standard of scholarship, supported by a collaborative effort among scholars and practitioners globally. [Extracted from the article]

The elite sport movement for athletes with hearing impairments, namely Deaflympics, differs from the Paralympic and Olympic sport movements because it exhibits a variety of distinct sociocultural and organisational characteristics. Yet, mental training with Deaflympic athletes receives little to no attention from the scientific community. Little is known about sport psychology consultants' (SPCs) work with Deaflympic athletes. In this study, we explored SPCs' exposure to so called Deaf sport as well as their experiences, attitudes, and assumptions regarding the utility of psychological skills training (PST) with Deaflympic athletes. A self-constructed questionnaire with closed and semi-open questions was completed by 93 (58.8% female) SPCs in European German-speaking countries. Analyses revealed SPCs had limited exposure to Deaflympic sport but indicated readiness to work with Deaflympic athletes. SPCs shared no reasons as to why PST skills and techniques would not be effective with Deaflympic athletes. However, SPCs regarded communication challenges as a major obstacle. We conclude that the integration of elite Deaf sport in SPCs' training programmes is vital, considering SPCs' lack of exposure and experience with Deaflympic athletes as well as their communication insecurities. In addition, further empirical research on PST effectiveness in Deaflympics athletes should provide the foundation for evidence-based utility of applied sport psychology in Deaflympic sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica 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.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica 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.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica 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 purpose of the present study was to identify eminent sport and exercise psychology researchers, based on citation count, and their most highly cited papers. Men (n = 121) and women (n = 32) from 17 different countries (e.g., the United States n = 47 to Ireland n = 1) were identified. Researchers were selected if their h-index was 60 or greater for Google Scholar and Web of Science combined. This criterion reflects Hirsch's (2005) characterization as follows based on h-index: a successful scientist (20), an outstanding scientist (40), and truly unique (60), for one database. Our criteria of 60 for two databases are equivalent to a designation halfway between successful and outstanding. The results indicate an h-index mean of 103, median of 94, mode of 105, and range of 60–346. Top-cited publications leaned toward more sport psychology than exercise psychology topics. Prominent journals included the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (n = 24) and Psychology of Sport and Exercise (n = 15). Other publications were in related fields (e.g., Psychology and Health). In summary, we have identified the most highly cited researchers in sport and exercise psychology and their single most-cited papers. We hope this information is of both heuristic and practical value to readers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students' sports anomie behavior will destroy the regular order of sports activities and restrict the development of young participants' psychological and physical health. The implementation of sports policy can restrict the behavior of sports anomie. However, implementing the sports policy depends mainly on the attitude of the target group. Previous studies have not paid attention to the relationship between sports policy attitude and sports anomie behavior, and related studies have shown that there is a process of isolation between attitude and behavior, which motivation factors may influence. Therefore, this paper discusses the influence of sports policy attitude on sports anomie behavior and the internal mechanism of sports motivation from the perspective of college students to provide a theoretical basis for improving the effect of policy implementation and reducing sports anomie behavior. A total of 2,340 college students from twenty universities in China across the country voluntarily participated in this survey. The results showed that: (1) sports policy attitude, extrinsic sports motivation and intrinsic sports motivation were both significantly and positively correlated; sports policy attitude, intrinsic sports motivation were significantly and negatively correlated with sports anomie behavior, and extrinsic sports motivation was significantly and positively correlated with sports anomie behavior; (2) Sports policy attitude was negatively and significantly predict sports anomie behavior (β = − 0.180, P < 0.001); Sports policy attitude has a significant positive impact on intrinsic sports motivation (β = 0.053, P < 0.001) and extrinsic sports motivation (β = 0.260, P < 0.001). Intrinsic sports motivation had a significant negative impact on sports anomie behavior (β = − 0.202, P < 0.001). Extrinsic sports motivation has a significant positive impact on sports anomie behavior (β = 0.126, P < 0.001); extrinsic sports motivation has a significant positive impact on intrinsic sports motivation (β = 0.713, P < 0.001); (3) Sports policy attitude can influence sports anomie behavior through three paths: Ind1: sports policy attitude → intrinsic sports motivation → sports anomie behavior, with intrinsic sports motivation having a partially mediating effect (t = − 0.011, 95% CI: − 0.018, − 0.005); Ind2: sports policy attitude → extrinsic sports motivation → sports anomie behavior has the opposite sign of the coefficients of the paths, with extrinsic sports motivation having a masked effect (t = 0.033, 95%CI: 0.018, 0.049), which reduced the prediction of sports policy attitude on sports anomie behavior; Ind3: sports policy attitude → extrinsic sports motivation → intrinsic sports motivation → sports anomie behavior, and extrinsic and intrinsic sports motivation had chain mediation effects (t = − 0.037, 95%CI: − 0.051, − 0.026). The study concluded that educating and guiding college students to form positive attitudes toward sports policy is an effective way to reduce sports anomie behavior. Positive sports policy attitudes can stimulate both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations of college students' sports behaviors. Extrinsic sports motivation alone may exacerbate the occurrence of sports anomie behavior, while intrinsic sports motivation alone will inhibit the occurrence of sports anomie behavior, but the effect is not ideal. Under the effect of college students' positive sports policy attitude, if extrinsic sports motivation can be transformed into intrinsic sports motivation, it will have a more desirable inhibiting effect on sports anomie behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating sport persistence can make a significant contribution to a thorough examination and understanding of the factors underlying an athlete's activity, integrating physical activity, sports motivation and commitment. This systematic review aimed to detect the papers focusing on the factors influencing sport persistence following the levels of Bronfenbrenner's and Bauman's ecological models. Following the PRISMA guidelines, by the EBSCO Discovery Service Search Engine, 512 records were detected, of which 21 met the criteria. Factors influencing sport persistence show a huge variety. Individual factors and micro-system level were overrepresented. Meso- and macro-level factors are underrepresented and measured only with other (individual or micro-system level) factors. Most factors detected at the individual (e.g. gender, age, career-related variables and positive psychological factors), micro- (e.g. family, peers and coaches), meso- (e.g. climate), and macro-level (cultural, societal, and institutional influences) were positively correlated with sport persistence, i.e. supporting the persistent behaviour of the athletes regarding participating in one's sporting activity. In conclusion, there is still room for further research concerning sport persistence. Including variables belonging to the meso- and macro-system and conducting longitudinal research should be considered which would allow us to better understand the nature of sport persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nLay summarySport environments have the potential to be advantageous to one’s development and well-being; however, they are also plagued with the normalization of excessive pressures and extreme expectations that can enhance athletes’ susceptibility to experiencing harm, especially psychological maltreatment. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore athletes’ experiences of conforming to the sport ethic and experiences of psychological maltreatment in sport. Semi-structured interviews were completed with thirteen retired, competitive, women athletes. Each interview was transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Findings demonstrate that the sport ethic influences the vulnerability of athletes to experiencing psychological maltreatment and athletes’ experiences of psychological maltreatment influence their conformity to the sport ethic. The desire to please is identified as central to this nexus between conformity and experiences of psychological maltreatment. The paper concludes with applied recommendations for sport psychology practitioners.The cycle of psychological maltreatment and conformity to the sport ethic demonstrates the interrelatedness between both constructs and suggests they should not be viewed as mutually exclusive. This recursive conceptualization can help guide sport psychology practitioners in their efforts to safeguard athlete welfare. Implications for PracticePositive encouragement of athletes’ steadfast dedication and commitment to achieving performance in sport can enhance athletes’ vulnerability to psychological maltreatment.Sport psychology practitioners should be cognizant of the risk of people-pleasing tendencies making athletes susceptible to and in need of safeguarding against psychological maltreatment and engagement in extreme behaviors associated with conformity to the sport ethic.Sport psychology practitioners can play a critical role in providing education and strategies for coaches, parents, athletes, and sport leaders to support athletic performance in a way that also safeguards athlete welfare.Positive encouragement of athletes’ steadfast dedication and commitment to achieving performance in sport can enhance athletes’ vulnerability to psychological maltreatment.Sport psychology practitioners should be cognizant of the risk of people-pleasing tendencies making athletes susceptible to and in need of safeguarding against psychological maltreatment and engagement in extreme behaviors associated with conformity to the sport ethic.Sport psychology practitioners can play a critical role in providing education and strategies for coaches, parents, athletes, and sport leaders to support athletic performance in a way that also safeguards athlete welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study determined the domains of sportspersonship and self-efficacy that significantly influence the sport motivation as well as the lived experiences of the SRAA athletes in Region XII during the fourth quarter of 2023. The study was a mixed method using the convergent design among SRAA athletes selected through random sampling and participants for in-depth interview and focus-group discussion selected through purposive sampling. Mean and standard deviation, and linear regression were used for the statistical treatment of data. The results revealed that sportspersonship, self-efficacy, and sports motivation are high. Moreover, athlete self-efficacy influences sports motivation. On the other hand, the experiences of the athletes relative to sportspersonship and self-efficacy that shaped their beliefs, attitudes, and commitments include manifestation of relishing moments, constructive criticism, sportspersonship, performance optimization, and adherence to sports ethics, and positive mindset. Themes emerged on the roles of experiences in shaping the beliefs of the participants include self-belief, adaptability, and determination. The themes that emerged that shaped the attitudes of the participants include self-discipline, skill enhancement, and gratification. Meanwhile the experiences that shaped the commitment of the athletes include self-motivation for skills improvement and commitment to excellence in sports performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the attitudes and behaviours of kickboxing, Muay Thai and wrestling athletes towards martial arts. A total of 162 athletes (43 females and 119 males) voluntarily participated in the study. Participants' attitudes were assessed on the basis of age, gender, duration of participation, licensing status and sport discipline. Data were collected using the Attitudes Towards Combat Sports Scale and normality was checked using the Shapiro-Wilk test, followed by Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests for analysis. The results indicate that female athletes are more upset about losing a match than male athletes (p < 0.05). In terms of age groups, younger athletes expressed higher levels of satisfaction and happiness during sport participation (p < 0.01). Regarding the duration of sport participation, athletes with more experience were found to be more proficient in controlling excitement and managing emotions (p < 0.05). Analysis of licence status revealed that national and professional athletes had a wider social network compared to amateur athletes (p < 0.01). Kickboxing athletes reported higher emotional and social satisfaction compared to other disciplines (p < 0.01). This study highlights the positive impact of martial arts on the psychological and social development of individuals and makes a significant contribution to the literature in this area. In addition, by comparing the effects of different martial arts on athletes, it sheds light on the psychological and social benefits of these sports. In this context, the key factors influencing athletes' attitudes and behaviours have also been analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived stress in Italian coaches and sport mental health were investigated during the rebooting of sport activities following the first COVID-19 lockdown period. A sample of 237 coaches from various sports were asked to answer the Italian version of the Perceived Stress Scale and the Sport Mental Health Continuum, together with reporting of demographic information. Coaches’ perceived stress levels were compared with data collected during the lockdown period. Women showed a significant decrease in their perceived stress levels compared to the lockdown period, whereas this was not true for men. Hierarchical regression indicated that, during the rebooting phase, increased age of coaches and their psychological well-being experienced in sporting contexts (a sport mental health dimension) were predictive of decreased perceived stress levels. Practical implications for practitioners working in this field are discussed in the conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Violence against women in sport is pervasive. Prevalence rates of interpersonal violence range from 26% to 74% across psychological, physical, and sexual violence. This review synthesizes adult women's experiences of gender-based interpersonal violence in sport. A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted. Five databases were searched, including CINAHL, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts. In total, 1,617 records were retrieved and screened. Twenty-five records representing 24 studies were eligible for inclusion. Following a meta-ethnographic approach, both authors synthesized first- (participants) and second-(researcher) order constructs to create a new interpretation (third-order construct) beyond the individual studies reviewed. A feminist socio-ecological lens was applied. Five themes were constructed: women's safety work, the normalization of abusive behaviors in the sports context, sport family violence, organizational impotence and hostility, and women's status in a patriarchal system. Women's experiences of abuse are mapped within and across the individual, relational, organizational, and cultural levels of the socio-ecological model, with (lack of) power being a central factor within each level as well as flowing between the levels. A fifth socio-ecological level was developed pertaining to the unique context of sport—that of the sport family. This sits between the relational and organizational levels of the model and covers both intense familial relationships and patriarchal familial organizational structures in sport that facilitate and silence the abuse. Sporting bodies must co-design interventions encompassing all socio-ecological levels to address gender-based violence in sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To extend research into sport consumer behaviors related to online sports betting, this study is designed to identify and examine the relationship between online sports betting motivations and online sports betting intentions. By applying a push-pull framework from online sport consumption and gambling studies, nine motivations to engage in online sports betting were identified. These motivations were hypothesized to motivate online sports betting intentions. Design/methodology/approach: A quota sampling technique based on the sports bettor demographics available in the American Gaming Association (AGA, 2019) and the Pew Research Center (2022) obtained a total of 550 completed surveys that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. For data analyses, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine the measurement model and the hypothesized model, respectively. Findings: The results revealed that four motivations (i.e. monetary gain, excitement, convenience and negative technology-readiness) were related to online sports betting intention, while five motivations (i.e. sport fandom, positive technology-readiness, impulsivity, socialization and promotion) were not. Originality/value: The results provide foundational theoretical knowledge of what motivates sports fans to participate in online sports betting. Furthermore, the findings assist practitioners in their allocation of resources by enhancing their understanding of online sports betting motivations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aims to provide a reference for market segmentation in a relatively new market. Esports consumer profiles are developed based on consumption motives, structural factors, game genres, interests, demographics and behavioral intentions. It delivers managerial advice for a growing esports market. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative approach using an online survey was implemented to identify homogenous groups. The study employed the Motivation Scale for Sports Consumption (MSSC) to investigate the consumption motives of esports consumers. A two-step market segmentation was conducted based on the motives, applying hierarchical clustering. Moreover, descriptor variables were used to create distinct esports consumer profiles. Findings: This research divides the esports market into four clusters based on MSSC, which is new and relevant in a constantly changing environment. The clusters are named Low Intention Novices, Leisure Warriors, Socializing Learners and Dedicated Enthusiasts. Originality/value: This adds to the limited literature on esports market segmentation and highlights the theoretical and practical implications of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explores the role of sports psychology in managing concussion recovery and facilitating athletes' readiness to return to play. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was utilized, involving semi-structured online interviews with athletes who had experienced concussions, sports psychologists, and medical professionals. 36 Participants were recruited through purposeful sampling, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo software through an inductive thematic approach, allowing for the emergence of key themes. Reflexivity and researcher triangulation were employed to ensure the rigor and reliability of the findings. Findings: Four main themes emerged: psychological interventions, mental barriers and facilitators in return to play, the role of support systems, and the long-term psychological impact of concussions. Psychological interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices, were effective in reducing anxiety and enhancing resilience. Fear of re-injury and performance anxiety were significant barriers, while confidence restoration and motivation levels facilitated recovery. Social support from family, teammates, and coaches played a crucial role in alleviating psychological distress. The long-term impact included identity crises, chronic symptoms, and ongoing mental health concerns, emphasizing the need for holistic support. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of integrating psychological interventions in concussion recovery. Addressing fear, anxiety, and identity loss, while enhancing confidence and social support, is crucial for a successful return to play. This study highlights the necessity for comprehensive recovery protocols that consider both physical and psychological readiness. Practitioners should prioritize individualized psychological assessments and foster supportive environments to improve recovery outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite an abundance of literature regarding the motivations of sport and entertainment managers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices (ESPs) within their venue, there is little offered on which particular stakeholders motivate such action. This study examined the venues which host such events to identify the stakeholders who influence the adoption of ESPs, their specific roles and to highlight salient stakeholders who primarily motivate ESP adoption. Design/methodology/approach: Guided by stakeholder theory as a framework for analysis, a qualitative study was employed which consisted of sixteen semi-structured interviews with venue personnel including presidents, general managers, operations directions and recycling coordinators. Participants were asked to discuss their venue's management structure, stakeholder relations and ESPs. Findings: Internal stakeholders – particularly ownership and operations personnel – were salient stakeholders motivating ESP adoption, but the most unique stakeholder identified was that of a motivated "doer" from no particular role who simply possessed the power, legitimacy and urgency to act on ESPs. Thus, there was no single, identifiable stakeholder role to champion ESPs so much as there was a motivated, normatively legitimate stakeholder who wanted to be that champion. Originality/value: This research contributes to the growing sport ecology literature and is the first to present the idea of a non-particular, doer stakeholder to champion ESPs within this industry rather than one with a more defined role within organizational structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco 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.)