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Sports Psychology and Performance

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 28842

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Psicología Social, Trabajo Social y Servicios Sociales y Antropología Social, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Interests: observational methodology; mixed methods; sport psychology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5020 Bergen, Norway
Interests: observational methodology; physiology; combat sports; biomechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Psicología Social, Trabajo Social y Servicios Sociales y Antropología Social, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
Interests: observational methodology; mixed methods; sport psychology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Psicología Social, Trabajo Social y Servicios Sociales y Antropología Social, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
Interests: cognitive functioning; mixed methods; sport psychology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The analysis of the psychological variables that influence sports performance is currently a highly relevant topic of study. Previous literature has pointed out that psychological training in athletes increase their chances of success. Therefore, when planning their preparation processes, it is pertinent to include those psychological issues that will be crucial for their behavior in competition.

From scientific and applied sport psychology, the importance of regulating a wide range of psychological processes for a better preparation of the athlete has been highlighted. Above all, due to the high demands that both young and professional athletes have today.

Among others, factors such as competitive anxiety, motivation, self-confidence, emotional regulation, attention, executive functioning, decision making, processing speed, coping control, etc., have been studied.

However, progress is still needed in the study and knowledge of what type of psychological intervention is the most appropriate depending on the sport category or type of sport, as well as the interdependence of psychological variables when a set of them is explored. There are still questions to be resolved, and there is a need to clarify the weight that each psychological variable has in the set of factors present in the training of the athlete.

Therefore, this special issue is proposed. It is intended to increase the scientific evidence that contributes to offer adequate conclusions on these issues.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Sports.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Hernández-Mendo
Dr. Coral Falco
Dr. Verónica Morales-Sánchez
Dr. Rafael Reigal Reigal-Garrido
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • competitive anxiety
  • motivation
  • self-confidence
  • emotional regulation
  • attention
  • executive functioning
  • decision making
  • processing speed
  • coping and control

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 876 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Different Coach Competition Micro-Cycle Planning Strategies in Professional Soccer
by Kévin Marín and Julen Castellano
Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16218; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316218 - 22 Nov 2023
Viewed by 776
Abstract
Background: Coaches propose training strategies to develop their playing model, but the impact on the conditional demand of players is unknown. The objective of this study aimed to assess the conditional demands associated with five competitive micro-cycle (Mi) planning strategies put forth by [...] Read more.
Background: Coaches propose training strategies to develop their playing model, but the impact on the conditional demand of players is unknown. The objective of this study aimed to assess the conditional demands associated with five competitive micro-cycle (Mi) planning strategies put forth by professional soccer coaches. The dependent locomotor variables were: total distance traveled (TD, in m), high-speed running distance (TD21, >21 km·h−1, in m), sprint distance (TD27, >27 km·h−1, in m), acceleration load (aLoaD, in AU) and number of accelerations (ACC2, >2 m·s−2 in n) and decelerations (DEC2, <−2 m·s−2 in n). The activity profile of the players was monitored during each training session using a global positioning system (GPS) during four seasons (2018–2019 to 2021–2022). Regardless of the coach, the sessions furthest from Mi (MD+1, MD-4 and MD-3) were the most conditionally demanding, where TD27 was especially stimulated on MD-3 (ES = 0.7, 0.2/1.2, mean and range; p < 0.05); furthermore, MD-2 was the least demanding session of all the trainers (ES = −2.4, −2.6/−1.5, mean and range; p < 0.01). However, there were nuances regarding the conditional demand among the coaches: Co1 and Co2 proposed a higher conditional demand in the MD-2 and MD-1 sessions (p < 0.05). The conclusion was twofold: elite soccer coaches proposed a horizontal alternation in the weekly distribution of training stimuli; nevertheless, the differences in the style of play of each coach affected the week-planning strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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10 pages, 507 KiB  
Article
Structural Relationship between Psychological Needs and Sport Adherence for Students Participating in Physical Education Class
by Juan M. García-Ceberino, Sebastián Feu, María G. Gamero and Sergio J. Ibáñez
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9686; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129686 - 16 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1167
Abstract
The satisfaction of basic psychological needs leads students to engage in a sport modality on their own initiative. In the Spanish public educational system, mixed and heterogeneous, the gender and sport experience of students influence the teaching and motivation of invasion sports. This [...] Read more.
The satisfaction of basic psychological needs leads students to engage in a sport modality on their own initiative. In the Spanish public educational system, mixed and heterogeneous, the gender and sport experience of students influence the teaching and motivation of invasion sports. This study investigated whether students’ gender and sport experience, and model influence the psychological variables (basic psychological needs and sport adherence) when teaching school soccer and basketball. Furthermore, correlations were calculated between these psychological variables. The study involved 165 fifth and sixth grade students (Mage, 11.27 ± 0.68 years old) from several Spanish state schools in the same autonomous community. A non-random convenience sample was used. The needs for autonomy, perceived competence and social relationships were measured using the Basic Psychological Needs in Physical Exercise Scale. Sport adherence was measured using the Measure of Intentionality to be Physically Active. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Cronbach’s Alpha, Average Variance Extracted and Composite Reliability were used to analyze the psychometric properties of the scales. Descriptive and inferential analyses were obtained after performing a Mixed Linear Model and a Bonferroni Post Hoc. There were significant differences in the autonomy need according to the students’ gender (boys > girls). In addition, boys who learned with the TGA model scored significantly higher than girls on this need. Attending to sport adherence, there were significant differences in favor of experienced students. Likewise, a regression analysis (structural equation model) revealed that the autonomy need showed low association with sport adherence. Higher perceived competence (β = 0.52) and social relationships (β = 0.36) were associated with greater adherence to sport (R2 = 0.65). Teachers’ Knowledge and proper managing basic psychological needs will have educational, social and health benefits, as it will increase the likelihood of physical activity in and out of school. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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12 pages, 812 KiB  
Article
Pandemic Impacts on Athlete Competitive Anxiety and Its Relationship with Sex, Competitive Level and Emotional Self-Control: A Cohort Study before and after COVID-19
by David Tomé-Lourido, Dolores Ponte, María José Sampedro and Constantino Arce
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9315; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129315 - 09 Jun 2023
Viewed by 872
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a great emotional impact on the general population, with specific consequences in the field of sport and physical activity. The present study was conducted to meet two objectives: (1) to investigate if the pandemic had an impact on competitive [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a great emotional impact on the general population, with specific consequences in the field of sport and physical activity. The present study was conducted to meet two objectives: (1) to investigate if the pandemic had an impact on competitive anxiety and if the sex and competitive level played a mediating role, and (2) to investigate if the relationship between emotional self-control and anxiety was affected by the pandemic. An amount of 608 Spanish athletes participated, divided into two cohorts, before and after the pandemic. Measurements of competitive anxiety and emotional self-control were made at both time points, which were processed by combining analysis of variance and regression models. Differences were found in competitive anxiety before and after COVID-19, with athlete’s competitive level acting as a mediating variable. For high-level athletes, there was an increase in anxiety, while for lower-level athletes, there was a decrease in anxiety. The pandemic seems to have led to higher levels of anxiety in elite athletes, compared to amateur athletes. There was no interaction between the sex of the participants and the cohort. Emotional self-control remained a significant predictor of low competitive anxiety levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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15 pages, 2114 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Psychological Zone of Optimal Performance among Professional Athletes: EGA and Item Response Theory Analysis
by Bing Li, Cody Ding, Huiying Shi, Fenghui Fan and Liya Guo
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7904; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107904 - 11 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1780
Abstract
Sport psychology researchers have been investigating athletes’ ideal performance levels for a long time. Key areas of investigation in this field involve determining if there is an optimal performance zone and how to evaluate it. To advance this line of research, the current [...] Read more.
Sport psychology researchers have been investigating athletes’ ideal performance levels for a long time. Key areas of investigation in this field involve determining if there is an optimal performance zone and how to evaluate it. To advance this line of research, the current research aimed to create a short but reliable tool for assessing the psychological state of professional athletes during their peak performance, known as the “optimal performance zone”. After developing an initial item pool, the final 10-item scale was retained and validated using factor analytical models and item response theory analysis based on 357 Chinese professional athletes in 12 different sports types. The average age of the participants was 19.4 years (SD = 3.67), and 54% were male. Experience in the sport ranged from 2 to 15 years, with a mean of 5.82 years (SD = 3.65). The brief scale was found to form a one-factor solution, with factor loading ranging from 0.55 to 0.77. The IRT-based marginal reliability of this scale is 0.90, and the scale showed predictive validity in predicting an athlete’s professional ranking (χ2(3) = 8.34, p = 0.039). The brief scale can quickly screen for a psychological zone of optimal performance among professional athletes, and implications are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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12 pages, 705 KiB  
Article
Using Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) to Improve Golf Club Management: The Gap between Users and Managers’ Perceptions
by Virginia Serrano-Gómez, Oscar García-García and Antonio Rial-Boubeta
Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7189; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097189 - 26 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1301
Abstract
This work is carried out in order to provide new evidence on the usefulness of the Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) in the management of golf courses, identifying the main strengths, weaknesses, and discrepancies between managers and users. This information will make it possible to [...] Read more.
This work is carried out in order to provide new evidence on the usefulness of the Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) in the management of golf courses, identifying the main strengths, weaknesses, and discrepancies between managers and users. This information will make it possible to identify potentially mistaken beliefs of managers regarding the service and to design improvement strategies based on the results. The participants were 11 managers, with an average age of 35.4 years (σ 6.5), of whom 72.7% were men and 27.3% were women, and 891 users, with an average age of 47.5 years (σ 12.3), of whom 81.7% were men and 18.3% were women. The instrument used was the Q-Golf scale, and among others, it was applied to the IPA. The results obtained show how the perception of managers regarding the service is worse than that of users. Additionally, the global assessment of the users is higher than the average assessment of each of the items of the club. This positive halo effect, which is not found in the case of managers, is very interesting from the point of view of the loyalty of golf users. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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15 pages, 821 KiB  
Article
Psychometric Properties of the Coach-Created Empowering and Disempowering Motivational Climate Questionnaire (EDMCQ-C) in a Brazilian Sample of Athletes: An ESEM Approach
by Daniela Lopes Angelo, Joan L. Duda, Isabel Balaguer, Antônio Rosado, Mariana Corrêa, Luis Anunciação, Veronica Tutte, Marcelo Villas Boas Júnior, Mário Reyes Bossio and Regina Brandão
Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 4709; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064709 - 07 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1454
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to assess the psychometric properties of the Coach-created Empowering and Disempowering Motivational Climate Questionnaire (EDMCQ-C) by testing four different hypotheses. A procedure of translation and adaptation of the instrument between different languages and cultures was carried out. [...] Read more.
The objectives of this study were to assess the psychometric properties of the Coach-created Empowering and Disempowering Motivational Climate Questionnaire (EDMCQ-C) by testing four different hypotheses. A procedure of translation and adaptation of the instrument between different languages and cultures was carried out. A total of 350 national level Brazilian athletes (aged between 15 and 17 years; mean = 17.0, SD = 1.7) completed the questionnaire. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling (ESEM) were performed. Consistent with previous work on the EDMCQ-C, all solutions failed to achieve suitable levels of fit for a hierarchical model represented by five climate dimensions (autonomy-supportive, controlling, task-involving, ego-involving, and socially-supportive) and two global dimensions (empowering and disempowering). The 2-ESEM solution provided a satisfactory fit for the first-order model with two global factors supported. The 2-ESEM version of the questionnaire showed adequate predictive and discriminant validity, good internal consistency, and invariance across gender. Such results suggest that the EDMCQ-C is a promising scale to assess Brazilian athletes’ perception of the over-arching empowering and disempowering features of the coach-created motivational climate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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14 pages, 506 KiB  
Article
The Moderating Effect of Athletes’ Personal Values on the Relationship between Coaches’ Leadership Behaviors and the Personal and Social Skills of Young Basketball Players
by Juan Facundo Corti, María Julia Raimundi, Ignacio Celsi, Octavio Alvarez and Isabel Castillo
Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4554; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054554 - 03 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2282
Abstract
Transformational coaching has been shown to increase the personal and social skills of adolescent athletes. Nevertheless, the latter’s dispositional characteristics, such us personal values, could have a moderating effect on this relationship. The main objective of this work was to examine perceptions of [...] Read more.
Transformational coaching has been shown to increase the personal and social skills of adolescent athletes. Nevertheless, the latter’s dispositional characteristics, such us personal values, could have a moderating effect on this relationship. The main objective of this work was to examine perceptions of coaches’ transformational behaviors and the modulation of athletes’ personal values in their relationship with personal and social skills development. Adolescents (n = 309) of both genders (81.9% male) aged 13–19 years (M = 16.10; SD = 1.70) from 16 different basketball clubs participated in the study. All participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Transformational Coaching Questionnaire, the Portrait Values Questionnaire—Revised, and the Youth Experiences Survey for Sport. Results showed that, controlling for age and gender, transformational behaviors that highlight individual differences within the team, especially through fostering autonomy and creative thinking (i.e., intellectual stimulation), create contexts in which their athletes can develop personal and social skills to their fullest. However, in players with high self-transcendence and low self-enhancement, the increase in intellectual stimulation was not associated with higher personal and social skills, but social focus transformational behaviors (i.e., idealized influence and inspirational motivation) were. This study contributes to the field of positive adolescent development by showing evidence of both the individual and the social focus of transformational leadership behaviors to maximize personal and social skills, depending on which values their athletes consider important. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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15 pages, 728 KiB  
Article
Satisfied and Frustrated Needs, Subjective Vitality and University Students’ Life Satisfaction of Physical Activity and Sports
by Heriberto Antonio Pineda-Espejel, Raquel Morquecho-Sánchez, Lucía Terán, Icela López-Gaspar, Antonio Hernández-Mendo, Verónica Morales-Sánchez, Encarnación Chica-Merino and Antonio Granero-Gallegos
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3053; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043053 - 08 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2077
Abstract
This study is based on frameworks of the eudaimonic activity model and the basic psychological needs theory, with two purposes: one, to prove the validity of a translation and adaptation of the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale; two, to analyze how [...] Read more.
This study is based on frameworks of the eudaimonic activity model and the basic psychological needs theory, with two purposes: one, to prove the validity of a translation and adaptation of the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale; two, to analyze how the basic psychological satisfaction and frustration needs influences the well-being of university physical activity and sports students, through sex. A total of 830 University students of physical activity and sports with an age between 17 and 31 years (M = 20.70 years; ±2.96) participated. The sample was divided into two subsamples by random selection of 50% of the cases, preserving the relative distribution of sex and age. The first subsample was used to validate the adaptation of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale to Spanish as spoken in Mexico (Study 1); and the second subsample was used to test a proposed sequential theoretical model (Study 2). In Study 1, the CFA supported the structure of six factors—satisfaction of needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence; frustration of needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence (RMSR = 0.04; RMSEA = 0.046; TLI = 0.93; CFI = 0.94)—as well as the structure of six first-order factors plus two second-order factors—psychological need satisfaction and psychological need frustration (RMSR = 0.05; RMSEA = 0.055; TLI; CFI = 0.91). Both structures were equivalent between men and women. In Study 2, the results of the structural equations model show good fit (RMSEA = 0.05; TLI = 0.90; CFI = 0.92), indicating that the needs satisfied and frustrated contribute in a unique way to indicators of eudaimonic well-being (i.e., subjective vitality) and subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction), being equivalent through sex. In conclusion, satisfaction of competence, relationships and autonomy are essential nutrients for a positive performance in this sample. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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11 pages, 575 KiB  
Article
An Explanatory Model of Doping Susceptibility Examining Morality in Elite Track and Field Athletes: A Logistic Regression Analysis
by Elena García-Grimau, Ricardo De la Vega, Rafael De Arce and Arturo Casado
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16404; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416404 - 08 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1519
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to develop an explanatory model of doping susceptibility among competitive track and field athletes using a logistic regression analysis accounting for some morality-related variables which were not explored in previous studies. A total of 281 Spanish [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to develop an explanatory model of doping susceptibility among competitive track and field athletes using a logistic regression analysis accounting for some morality-related variables which were not explored in previous studies. A total of 281 Spanish elite track and field athletes (49.5% women, 48.4% have competed with the national team) completed an online survey measuring different constructs in relation to doping susceptibility. The final model demonstrated that nutritional supplements (OR: 2.39; CI: 1.16–4.90; p < 0.05), moral disengagement (OR: 2.17; CI: 1.48–3.19; p < 0.001), acceptance of gamesmanship (OR: 1.29; CI: 1.12–1.49; p < 0.001), and descriptive norms (OR: 1.21; CI: 1.04–1.41; p < 0.05) are the factors better explaining doping susceptibility. The profile of the athlete at risk of being more susceptible to doping is represented by someone who is aged under 20 years, believes that doping is present in his/her sport, has positive attitudes of acceptance of gamesmanship, is morally disconnected from doping, and frequently consumes nutritional supplements. It is recommended to deliver education related to the use of sports supplements and potential ill-effects of performance-enhancing substances or methods, and to engage athletes in doping prevention programs at an early age. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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11 pages, 471 KiB  
Article
Perceived Motivational Climate Determines Self-Confidence and Precompetitive Anxiety in Young Soccer Players: Analysis by Gender
by Verónica Morales-Sánchez, Montserrat Caballero-Cerbán, Cristina Postigo-Martín, Juan P. Morillo-Baro, Antonio Hernández-Mendo and Rafael E. Reigal
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15673; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315673 - 25 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1635
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to analyze whether the perception of the motivational climate in young soccer players determines the level of competitive anxiety and self-confidence. In addition, the results were explored according to gender, in order to observe if there [...] Read more.
The main objective of this study was to analyze whether the perception of the motivational climate in young soccer players determines the level of competitive anxiety and self-confidence. In addition, the results were explored according to gender, in order to observe if there were differences between the female and male categories. A total of 113 cadet and youth soccer players from six soccer teams in the provinces of Malaga and Granada, aged between 14 and 19 years, who competed in regional leagues, participated in the study. Of these, 50 were female and 63 were male. The Competitive Sport Anxiety (CSAI-2), Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2), and Self-Confidence in Sport Competition Questionnaire (CACD) were used to collect the information. Correlation, linear regression and cluster analyses were performed. The data analyses carried out affirmed the relationship between the study variables, observing that the perception of ego climate was positively related to cognitive anxiety (p < 0.05) and insecurity (p < 0.01), and inversely to self-confidence (p < 0.05). By gender, boys showed a higher perception of an ego-oriented (p < 0.001) and lower perception of a task-oriented climate (p < 0.05) than girls. However, girls showed a greater intensity in the relationships related to ego climate and lower scores in self-confidence (p < 0.01), as well as higher scores in insecurity (p < 0.001). The results have shown positive relationships between self-confidence and a task-oriented climate, as well as negative ones with an ego-oriented climate. It is also observed that ego orientation generates more insecurity and anxiety, which is more evident in girls. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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15 pages, 1406 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Variables Influencing Success in Elite Handball with Polar Coordinates
by Roger Font, Gabriel Daza, Alfredo Irurtia, Victor Tremps, Maria Cadens, Jose Antonio Mesas and Xavier Iglesias
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15542; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315542 - 22 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1691
Abstract
In today’s elite handball, coaching staff seek to know as much as possible about all the details of their sport to gain an advantage by adapting their model of play or by looking for the opponent’s weak points. Therefore, the aim of this [...] Read more.
In today’s elite handball, coaching staff seek to know as much as possible about all the details of their sport to gain an advantage by adapting their model of play or by looking for the opponent’s weak points. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse which variables can influence success in each phase of the match with polar coordinates. Observational methodology was used to analyse success or failure within the nature of handball by means of an ad hoc observation instrument designed and validated for this research. A total of 14 elite men’s handball matches from the 2019–2020 season were analysed. The relationships between success and failure of all behaviours were performed with polar coordinates. The results show that one of the keys to achieving victory in matches is centred on a high level of success in the defensive phase that allows the team to recover the ball and to be able to go on the counterattack to obtain a clear option for a goal. This research allows us to see how we can achieve success in the different phases of the game and improve team performance with these indicators. These results suggest that it is necessary for teams to train at a high pace of play, linking the different phases of the game in order to recover the ball in the defensive phase and attack in the shortest possible time against an unstructured defence to achieve success in the match and the final victory. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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12 pages, 660 KiB  
Article
Testing the Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2): Online Assessment
by Nuria Pérez-Romero, Rafael E. Reigal, María Auxiliadora Franquelo, Isabel Balaguer, Coral Falcó, Antonio Hernández-Mendo and Verónica Morales-Sánchez
Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14891; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214891 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2145
Abstract
Athletes’ perception of competence and success can be influenced by the motivational climate created by the coach. The Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2) assesses this. Although its reliability and validity have been analyzed in previous studies, this has never been done [...] Read more.
Athletes’ perception of competence and success can be influenced by the motivational climate created by the coach. The Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2) assesses this. Although its reliability and validity have been analyzed in previous studies, this has never been done for the online version. This type of evaluation can be beneficial for data collection, sustainability, speed, and generating larger samples. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the PMCSQ-2 in its online version. The sample consisted of 1637 participants (37.8% men and 62.2% women) from 18 to 68 years of age (M = 24.39, SD = 6.51) who practiced physical-sport activities regularly. A second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model and its invariance for gender were studied from a 24-item version obtained from the MenPas 1.0 platform. The analyses provided an adequate fit for the CFA (CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.07, df = 224, B-S p = 0.02–0.07) when an alternative model was realized (χ2 = 1858.89, χ2/df = 8.30), as they also did for the women (χ2 = 1356.90, χ2/df = 6.06), men (χ2 = 883.58, χ2/df = 3.95) individual sports (χ2 = 1153.55, χ2/df = 5.15), and team sports (χ2 = 1008.92, χ2/df = 4.05) items. The data were also suitable for invariance analysis. Similarly, appropriate values were obtained for convergent and discriminant validity and for composite reliability. Therefore, the results obtained show appropriate psychometric properties for the online version of the PMCSQ-2 using an alternative model, suggesting that its use is suitable for research and showing the importance of the subscales. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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14 pages, 442 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Game Actions and Performance in Young Soccer Players: A Study Using Sequential Analysis
by Alejandro Sabarit, Juan P. Morillo-Baro, Rafael E. Reigal, Juan A. Vázquez-Diz, Antonio Hernández-Mendo and Verónica Morales-Sánchez
Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13263; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013263 - 15 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1728
Abstract
The objective of this research is to analyze the performance of actions in a reduced game situation in a sample of young soccer players. This is a game format in which possession of the ball has to be maintained. The sample consisted of [...] Read more.
The objective of this research is to analyze the performance of actions in a reduced game situation in a sample of young soccer players. This is a game format in which possession of the ball has to be maintained. The sample consisted of 85 young players aged between 12 and 16 years, observing a total of 58 reduced games and using an analysis instrument called the Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI). The essential data quality analyses are carried out, including the use of correlation indexes, Cohen’s Kappa and the Phi index for intra- and inter-observer reliability. Generalizability and invariance analyses are also performed to estimate the reliability, validity and precision of the numerical structure and its generalizability to other samples or populations with similar distributions. An observational design of nomothetic, punctual and multidimensional types is used, and subsequently, a sequential analysis of the game actions is carried out from the observations. The results show significant relationships between decision-making behaviors (adequate and inadequate) and technical execution behaviors (adequate and inadequate). The findings have highlighted a clear relationship of interdependence between technical execution and decision making. This information is very useful for the design and planning of training oriented to the optimization of sport performance in soccer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

16 pages, 707 KiB  
Review
Interpersonal Behavior, Basic Psychological Needs, Motivation, Eating Behavior, and Body Image in Gym/Fitness Exercisers: A Systematic Review
by Rogério Salvador, Diogo Monteiro, Ricardo Rebelo-Gonçalves and Ruth Jiménez-Castuera
Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 14914; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014914 - 16 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1616
Abstract
Background: Body image seems to be a determining factor in the behavior and satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of exercise practitioners in gyms and fitness centers, and may influence motivation, interpersonal behavior, and eating behavior. This review aims to examine possible patterns [...] Read more.
Background: Body image seems to be a determining factor in the behavior and satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of exercise practitioners in gyms and fitness centers, and may influence motivation, interpersonal behavior, and eating behavior. This review aims to examine possible patterns between the variables under study in a gym/fitness context, specifically considering if body image perception has a determinant factor. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Psycnet were consulted and only data published between 2007 and 2021 were considered in the present review. After an initial search of 1373 records, a total of 6 were considered eligible for a detailed analysis after checking for the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: There is a positive relationship between body image dissatisfaction and less self-determined forms of motivation, as well as the adoption of less healthy eating behaviors. Younger participants have higher levels of body image dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating behaviors. Conclusions: Body image dissatisfaction leads to less self-determined forms of motivation for exercise in the context of gyms and fitness centers. On the other hand, a negative perception of body image can also lead to sustained patterns of less regulated forms of exercise and less healthy eating behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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20 pages, 704 KiB  
Review
Empowering and Disempowering Motivational Coaching Climate: A Scoping Review
by Caroline Birr, Antonio Hernandez-Mendo, Diogo Monteiro and Antonio Rosado
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2820; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032820 - 03 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3032
Abstract
The multidimensional model of empowering and disempowering coach climates has great relevance within the scope of intervention in the context of Sport Psychology. This scoping review of studies summarizes the scientific production of the empowering and disempowering motivational climates. The search comprised the [...] Read more.
The multidimensional model of empowering and disempowering coach climates has great relevance within the scope of intervention in the context of Sport Psychology. This scoping review of studies summarizes the scientific production of the empowering and disempowering motivational climates. The search comprised the Web of Science, Scopus, Psycinfo, and Pubmed databases for English, Portuguese, and Spanish articles published between 2013 and 2022. A total of 44 articles were found, of which 22 were included in the present study: 16 concerned cross-sectional studies, four were psychometrics validation studies, one involved a transversal cohort study, and one included a qualitative study. The questionnaire EDMCQ-C (Coach-created Empowering and Disempowering Motivational Questionnaire) is the most used and with the necessary psychometric qualities when it comes to assessing the empowering and disempowering motivational climates and their various impacts. We describe results concerning the measurement, antecedents, and effects of empowering and disempowering coach climates. Future research should invest in the study of empirical evidence that could be added to the existing nomological framework, considering antecedents, development, direct and indirect effects, moderating effects, aggregated effects, and qualitative studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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10 pages, 309 KiB  
Protocol
Effects of Physical Exercise on Executive Function in Adults with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol
by Falonn Contreras-Osorio, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Enrique Cerda-Vega, Rodrigo Campos-Jara, Cristian Martínez-Salazar, Rafael E. Reigal, Verónica Morales-Sanchez, Sergio Araya Sierralta and Christian Campos-Jara
Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15158; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215158 - 16 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1527
Abstract
Physical exercise is a low-cost and easy-to-implement therapeutic option proposed to reduce the negative effect of depression on the executive function cognitive dimension, including working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. Although a considerable amount of scientific literature on the topic is currently available, [...] Read more.
Physical exercise is a low-cost and easy-to-implement therapeutic option proposed to reduce the negative effect of depression on the executive function cognitive dimension, including working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. Although a considerable amount of scientific literature on the topic is currently available, the effects of physical exercise interventions on the executive functions in adults with depression remain unclear. The aim of this review protocol is to synthesize the effects of physical exercise interventions on executive functions in adults with depression. Databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO will be searched for studies by combining keywords and different medical subject headings to identify and evaluate the relevant studies from inception up to September 2022. This study will consider longitudinal studies (duration, ≥3 weeks) with a minimum of one experimental group and pre- and post-intervention measurements involving adults with depression aged 18–65 years. Studies will be included if these reported ≥1 measures of executive function, including dimensions of working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale will be used to assess the methodological quality of studies. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model will be used for meta-analyses, with effect size (ES, i.e., Hedges’ g) values reported with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and p ≤ 0.05 will indicate statistical significance. The ES values will be calculated for working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention program. Our results can help professionals and stakeholders in making better evidence-based decisions regarding the implementation of physical exercise programs in adults with depression and providing relevant information to facilitate the functional performance of this population in complex daily tasks where executive functions are essential. No ethical approval is required for this study. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022358339. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Psychology and Performance)
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