Journal of Sports Sciences最新文献

Foam Roller (FR) intervention is popular in sports and rehabilitation settings. Recently, we showed that conventional FR (FR_rolling) as well as compression of the target muscle (knee extensors) during joint movement using FR (FR_KM) have similar acute changes. The present study aimed to expand on these findings and compare the effects of a 6-week FR_rolling and FR_KM intervention on the passive and active properties of knee extensors. The participants were 36 healthy male university students (21.9 ± 1.1 years) who were randomly assigned to either controls, FR_rolling, or FR_KM. An intervention per session of 180-sec was performed 3-time/week for 6 weeks in both FR_rolling and FR_KM groups. Measurements were tissue hardness, pain pressure threshold (PPT) of knee extensors, knee flexion ROM, maximal voluntary isometric and concentric contraction before and after the intervention. PPT and knee flexion ROM were significantly increased in the FR_rolling and FR_KM groups, with no significant differences between the two groups. No significant changes were observed in tissue hardness, and muscle strength in all groups. Long-term interventions with FR_rolling and FR_KM could effectively increase knee flexion ROM and PPT similarly. Therefore, if difficulties from trunk stabilization or rolling during the FR-rolling occur, a simpler approach could be sustained through the FR_KM.

This study investigates associations between soccer player ratings and performance metrics while comparing three major rating systems: WhoScored, FotMob, and Sofascore. Using data from over 2,100 players across two seasons in top European leagues, generalised linear mixed models assessed the influence of 73 performance metrics on ratings. Offensive metrics, such as shots on target (β = 0.21 WhoScored, β = 0.16 Sofascore, β = 0.17 FotMob, all p < 0.001), key passes, and successful take-ons had the highest impact, while defensive metrics like clearances (β = 0.12 WhoScored, β = 0.06 Sofascore, β = 0.12 FotMob, all p < 0.001) played a smaller but consistent role. Comparisons across rating systems revealed systematic differences, with WhoScored ratings significantly lower overall (β = -0.20, p < 0.001). These findings underscore that rating systems capture different aspects of player performance and are not directly interchangeable. The study highlights their potential for more systematic player evaluations in scouting and development while raising questions about transparency and biases. Future research should investigate their utility in recruitment and talent identification. This research advances understanding of single-value ratings, emphasising their complexities and limitations in assessing individual performance.

To investigate the impact of mindfulness training on mindfulness, psychological resilience, flow state, subjective well-being, sports anxiety, sports depression, and psychological fatigue among elite athletes through a meta-analysis. Databases like PubMed, Web of Science, and others were searched for randomized controlled trials up to October 31, 2024. Included studies compared mindfulness training interventions to non-mindfulness training in elite athletes. The outcome indicators were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 software. Among 6917 articles, 32 studies with 1108 athletes (560 experimental, 548 control) were included. Mindfulness training significantly improved mindfulness (p<0.01), psychological resilience (p<0.05), flow state (p<0.01), sports anxiety (p<0.01), sports depression (p<0.01), and psychological fatigue dimensions (p<0.01) but not subjective well-being (p>0.05). MAC, MAIC, MBSP, and MT were effective for mindfulness. The best intervention duration was 7 weeks, with sessions lasting over 60 minutes once a week. MAC was best for psychological resilience. MBSP, MT, and MAC improved flow state. MBSP and MT alleviated anxiety, while MBSR was effective for depression. MAIC training mitigated psychological fatigue. Mindfulness training positively impacts elite athletes' psychological state, enhancing mindfulness, resilience, flow, and alleviating anxiety, depression, and psychological fatigue, but not subjective well-being. Optimal methods and durations vary by outcome.

This study extended the Sport-Confidence Model to Botswana athletes by examining a model of associations among perceived body acceptance by coaches and teammates, positive body image, multidimensional sport-confidence (SC-physical skills & training, SC-cognitive efficiency, and SC-resilience) and performance evaluations. A purposive sample of 508 Botswana athletes (65.3% male, M_age = 25.32, SD = 7.10) completed survey measures in a cross-sectional design. Perceived body acceptance by coaches (B = 0.18, p = .032) and teammates (B = 0.16, p = .032) exerted direct effects on body appreciation, whereas only perceived body acceptance by teammates exerted a direct effect on functionality appreciation (B = 0.16, p = .012). While body appreciation exerted direct effects on all sport-confidence domains, functionality appreciation only exerted direct effects on SC-physical skills and training (B = 1.12, p = .034) and SC-cognitive efficiency (B = 0.74, p = .040). Of the sport-confidence domains examined, only SC-cognitive efficiency exerted a direct effect on sport performance evaluations (B = 0.32, p = .008). These findings highlight SC-cognitive efficiency as important for successful performance among Botswana athletes, alongside promoting body acceptance from coaches and teammates to nurture positive body image and facilitate multidimensional sport-confidence.

This study aimed to monitor subjective mental fatigue (MF) during pre-season in elite male Australian rules football (ARF) athletes and identify factors associated with MF. Thirty-nine elite male ARF athletes (24.6 ± 4.5 y) rated their MF on a visual analogue scale on each training day of a 13-week pre-season (n = 1353 samples, 48 training days). Strength, running measures, sport-specific factors (age, mass, games played, playing years, contract status) and training participation were recorded. Linear models were used to determine the effects between factors and MF. Elevated MF was observed in weeks 2-4 and 7-10 vs practice match week 1 and week 12, and weeks 2-4, 8-10 vs week 11 (all p < 0.05). No strength, running characteristics, sport-specific factors or training participation variables were significantly associated with MF. Mental fatigue changes over an AFL pre-season, being higher in the first 10 weeks, before reducing in the final 3 weeks. Sport-specific factors and physical characteristics were not associated with MF. These findings encourage practitioners to measure MF, particularly in early pre-season, to assess athlete response to training. Practitioners should also look to incorporate adequate mental recovery to optimise the balance between fatigue and performance enhancement during this period.

This two-part study evaluated the inter- and intra-unit reliability of Catapult Vector S7 microtechnology units in an indoor court-sport setting. In part-one, 27 female netball players completed a controlled movement series on two separate occasions to assess the inter- and intra-unit reliability of inertial movement analysis (IMA) variables (acceleration, deceleration, changes of direction and jumps). In part-two, 13 female netball players participated in 10 netball training sessions to assess the inter-unit reliability of IMA and PlayerLoad^TM variables. Participants wore two microtechnology units placed side-by-side. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV) and typical error (TE). Total IMA events showed good inter-unit reliability during the movement series (ICC, 1.00; CV, 3.7%) and training sessions (ICC, 0.99; CV, 4.5%). Inter-unit (ICC, 0.97; CV, 4.7%) and intra-unit (ICC, 0.97; CV, 4.3%) reliability for total IMA jump count was good in the movement series, with moderate CV (7.7%) during training. Reliability decreased when IMA counts were categorised by intensity and movement type. PlayerLoad^TM (ICC, 1.00; CV, 1.5%) and associated variables revealed good inter-reliability, except peak PlayerLoad^TM (moderate) and PlayerLoad_SLOW (moderate). Counts of IMA variables, when considered as total and low-medium counts, and PlayerLoad variables are reliable for monitoring indoor court-sports players.

Competitive runners compared with recreational runners have increased odds of osteoarthritis and running-related injury, potentially from different running types. We compared distal anterior femoral cartilage deformation in competitive runners following a continuous and high-intensity interval run (10 × 400 m, 300 m jog) and evaluated the association between running kinetics and cartilage deformation. Twenty-four competitive runners (11 females and 13 males), between 18 and 35 years old underwent femoral cartilage ultrasound imaging before and after both running conditions in a counterbalanced order 2-7 days apart. Footwear was instrumented with force-sensing insoles to extract peak ground reaction force, loading rate, and impulse. A 2 (time) by 2 (condition) ANOVA with repeated measures evaluated the change in cartilage thickness after running between conditions. The lateral cartilage region showed greater deformation after interval compared with continuous running (p = 0.003). A main effect of time was seen where cartilage was thinner after running compared with baseline regardless of condition (1.92 (1.82, 2.02) vs. 1.83 (1.73, 1.93) mm; mean difference = -0.094 (-0.147, -0.042) mm, p = 0.001). No significant associations were found between cartilage deformation and loading rate, peak ground reaction force, or impulse (all r < 0.32, all p > 0.05). Interval running contributed to greater lateral distal anterior femoral cartilage deformation.

Physical literacy has been shown to relate to children's engagement in physical activity. However, it is unclear whether this relationship extends to adults. A two-phase cross-sectional study was conducted to examine whether physical literacy relates to physical activity in adults. In phase one, 225 participants reported their perceived levels of physical literacy using the Physical Literacy in Adults Scale (PLAS) and their physical activity behaviours using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. In phase two, 59 participants wore an accelerometer to provide a device-based assessment of physical activity before completing the PLAS. A series of bivariate regressions were conducted to assess the relationship between physical literacy and physical activity. Physical literacy was a significant predictor of self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity. However, scores on the PLAS did not predict light intensity self-reported physical activity. For device-based assessment of physical activity, physical literacy was a significant predictor of MVPA, but did not predict light or total physical activity. These findings indicate that physical literacy relates to physical activity, particularly MVPA. Differences in findings between self-report and device-based assessment warrant further consideration. Future research should continue to assess the role of physical literacy across physical activity types (e.g. leisure time, work related) and intensities.

The current study aimed to investigate the mediating role of autonomous motivation in the relationship between appearance-related self-conscious emotions (shame, guilt, authentic pride, and hubristic pride) and flow in athletes. The sample consisted of 217 athletes (57.6% male) aged between 18 and 39 years old (M_age = 21.77, SD = 4.53). The cross-sectional data were analyzed using structural equation modelling with bootstrapping method. Regarding direct effects, autonomous motivation was negatively correlated with shame and hubristic pride and positively correlated with authentic pride. Flow was positively related to autonomous motivation and hubristic pride. Regarding indirect effects, flow was negatively predicted by shame and hubristic pride and positively predicted by authentic pride through autonomous motivation. These results highlight the importance of autonomous motivation in the relationship between self-conscious emotions and flow in athletes. In particular, shame and authentic pride predicted flow fully through autonomous motivation. In conclusion, autonomous motivation mediates the relationship between self-conscious emotions and flow in athletes. We therefore speculate that improving autonomous motivation in sport psychology studies may help improve flow in athletes.

There has been considerable public concern regarding the effects of repetitive head impacts associated with heading the ball in soccer. This is relevant for adolescents whose brains are undergoing rapid development. The study investigated the relationship between strength, proprioception, endurance and range of motion of the cervical spine and impacts associated with heading the ball in adolescent male soccer players. The participants were 20 skilled players aged 15-18 years. Outcome measures included questionnaires, assessments of cervical spine function (range of motion, joint position error, isometric muscle strength and endurance) and the ratio of maximum head acceleration to maximum T3 acceleration (impact ratio) during each ball impact when heading the ball. Results showed that increased range of motion of extension of the cervical spine and lower joint position error in flexion of the cervical spine were associated with higher impact ratios. Greater isometric strength of the lateral flexors was associated with lower impact ratios. Endurance of the deep neck flexors was not associated with impact ratios. Strength training may be beneficial to decrease head impacts during soccer ball heading, especially in those with increased range of motion of extension of the cervical spine.