European journal of sport science最新文献

The present study aims to test a model in which basic psychological needs (BPN) satisfaction in physical-sport activity contexts is associated with self-determined motivation, which, in turn, would predict the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. A total of 286 people with intellectual disabilities (53.5% men) who reported engaging in physical-sport activities responded to a validated questionnaire about the satisfaction of their BPN, motivation (using the Self-determination index [SDI]), and social inclusion. A Pearson's bivariate correlation and structural equation modeling were conducted. The resulting model was reanalyzed in a multigroup analysis to test its invariance across self and proxy reports. Positive associations were found between the satisfaction of the BPN and the SDI. However, the SDI and social inclusion were positively associated only in proxy reports (βself = 0.07 vs. βproxy = 0.30). The tested model established positive relationships between the BPN and SDI in autonomy (βself = 0.21 vs. βproxy = 0.18), competence (βself = 0.47 vs. βproxy = 0.53), and relatedness (βself = 0.21 vs. βproxy = 0.23). Further research is needed to understand the factors leading to discrepancies between participants and proxies when relating the SDI to social inclusion in the context of physical-sport activity. However, the results obtained suggest that it would be optimal to develop contexts of practice for people with intellectual disabilities in which the satisfaction of their BPN is favored and that this has a positive impact on their motivation and social inclusion.

Change of directions (COD) involves multidirectional and complex actions, with performance influenced by multiple factors. As lower limb strength is one of the most determinant of COD performance, the present study aimed to (a) explore the differences in strength outcomes across different lower limb muscle actions between faster and slower basketball players in COD actions at different angles and (b) analyse the relationship between isometric, concentric and eccentric strength outcomes and COD performance at different cutting angles. Twenty-five basketball players (44% female) completed a battery of tests, encompassing isokinetic and isometric squat strength assessments, along with COD tests at 45°, 90° and 180°. Players were categorised as ‘low-performance’ and ‘high-performance’ groups based on execution time in COD, facilitating a comparison between performance groups. Results indicated that concentric strength showed the greatest differences between performance groups at 45° COD (effect size ≥ 0.813; p ≤ 0.034). Isometric and eccentric strength demonstrated a moderate-to-large relationship with 90° COD performance (Rho ≥ 0.394; p ≤ 0.045), and all muscle actions exhibited a large relationship with 180° COD (Rho ≥ 0.445; p ≤ 0.030). Moreover, the fastest players showed higher levels of concentric strength relative to eccentric strength, regardless of the cutting angle. These findings hold practical applications, suggesting that basketball coaches should train a specific kind of muscle action depending on the individual players' COD demands, focusing on improving the rapid eccentric force application while striving to reduce the eccentric/concentric ratio.

World Rugby^TM supports dedicated women's welfare, injury surveillance and medical/technical interventions, yet breast health has received limited attention. This article aims to provide insights into breast health issues in rugby, including breast impacts and injuries. We discuss how breast anatomy and position may be problematic in rugby. Breast volume relates to body size, which may be increasing in women's rugby, suggesting increased breast surface area and mass, potentially increasing injury risk. Breast health issues in rugby have been reported previously, with 58% of contact footballers (including rugby) experiencing breast injuries. There are damaging effects related to these breast health issues, with breast impacts often causing pain and swelling. Breast impacts may lead to haematomas, cysts and fat necrosis which can calcify over time making them difficult to distinguish from breast carcinoma, causing further investigation and anxiety. In sport, poor bra fit and insufficient support are associated with pain, skin strain and performance decrements. This article reports the potential implications of these breast health issues on performance in rugby. Recent breast-related projects supported by rugby communities may address recommendations identified in the literature for robust breast injury classifications, updated injury surveillance systems and prospective data collection on breast injury prevalence, severity and impact in rugby. These data should inform breast injury care pathways and intervention research, including evidence-based bra design. Understanding the implications of breast impacts on tissue properties, health and wellbeing is vital. Finally, data should inform rugby-specific breast education, raising awareness of this aspect of athlete health.

The team sprint (TS) is a three-lap pursuit and the most revered event in track sprint cycling. The opening lap of the TS is an important determinant to the overall performance. But despite it being the most controlled and repeatable task in track sprint cycling, very little data are available to better understand the performance of the opening lap. The aim of this study was split into three-parts: part one, to better understand the profile and the indices thought to be determinants of the opening lap of the TS in elite sprint track cyclists. Part two of the study examined all available timing splits (15, 65, 125 and 250 m) from 36 standing-start laps. Part three of the study examined the peak torque outputs and peak power outputs of different various starts performed over a 3-month period. The results showed time to 125 m exhibited a near perfect relationship with starter lap performance. Very strong relationships were seen with 15 and 65 m split times and final lap performance. Peak torque of the lead starting leg and peak power output were shown to be highly predictive 15 m, 65 and 125 m performance in training. These data suggested the first 15 m is highly important and predicts a disproportionately high level of final opening lap time performance. Therefore, it is likely that peak power output normalised to system mass and peak torque of lead leg is a strong determinant of overall performance in the TS.

Research has shown that external relative to internal focus (IF) instructions may improve motor performance as well as cognitive function (e.g., attentional stability and task-focus). The aim of the study was to examine the influence of attentional focus instructions on skill acquisition and learning of an aiming task in individuals with hearing impairments. The participants (N = 39, Mage = 17.87 ± 1.88 years) performed a bowling task with their dominant hand to knock down as many pins as possible. On day 1, they were randomly divided into three attentional focus groups; IF (focus on your throwing hand), external focus (EF) (focus on the pins), and control (no-focus) instructions. Each participant performed 36 trials, divided into 3 blocks of 12 trials. Attentional focus instructions were given before each block, with a brief reminder provided after each 3 trials. On day 2, retention and transfer (further distance) tests were performed. Results showed that while there were no significant differences between groups in the pre-test, the EF group outperformed both IF and control groups in retention and transfer tests. No significant difference was found between the control and IF. The findings suggest that the advantages of the external relative to the IF and no-focus instructions may generalize to individuals with hearing impairments.

This review and meta-analysis aimed to describe the current rugby-7s injury epidemiological literature by examining injury data from both sexes, all levels of play, and their associated risk factors. Studies published up until March 2024 were included. These studies were retrieved from six databases using search terms related to rugby-7s or sevens, tackle, collision, collision sport, injury, athlete, incidence rate, mechanism, and risk factor. Only peer-reviewed original studies using prospective or retrospective cohort designs with a clearly defined rugby-7s sample were considered. Included studies needed to report one injury outcome variable. Non-English and qualitative studies; reviews, conference papers, and abstracts were excluded. Twenty studies were included. The meta-analysis used the DerSimonian–Laird continuous random-effects method to calculate the pooled estimated means and 95% confidence interval. The estimated mean injury incidence rate for men was 108.5/1000 player-hours (95% CI: 85.9–131.0) and 76.1/1000 player-hours (95% CI: 48.7–103.5) for women. The estimated mean severity for men was 33.9 days (95% CI: 20.7–47.0) and 44.2 days (95% CI: 32.1–56.3) for women. Significantly more match injuries occurred in the second half of matches, were acute, located at the lower limb, diagnosed as joint/ligament, and resulted from being tackled. Fatigue, player fitness, and previous injuries were associated with an increased risk of injury. There were no statistically significant differences between women's and men's injury profiles. However, the inherent cultural and gendered factors which divide the two sports should not be ignored. The findings from this review will help pave the way forward beyond the foundational stages of injury prevention research in rugby-7s.

Numerous cross-sectional studies have attempted to identify the muscle morphology required to achieve high sprint velocity. Our longitudinal study addressed an unanswered question of cross-sectional studies: whether hypertrophy of the individual trunk and thigh muscles induced by daily training (e.g., sprint, jump, and resistance training) is linked to an improvement in sprint performance within well-trained sprinters. Twenty-three collegiate male sprinters (100-m best time of 11.36 ± 0.44 s) completed their daily training for 1 year without our intervention. Before and after the observation period, the sprint velocities at 0–100 m, 0–10 m, and 50–60 m intervals were measured using timing gates. The volumes of 14 trunk and thigh muscles were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Muscle volumes were normalized to the participants' body mass at each time point. Sprint velocities increased at the 0–100 m (p < 0.001), 0–10 m (p = 0.019), and 50–60 m (p = 0.018) intervals after the observation period. The relative volumes of the tensor fasciae latae, sartorius, biceps femoris long head, biceps femoris short head, semitendinosus, and iliacus were increased (all p < 0.050). Among the hypertrophied muscles, only the change in the relative volume of the semitendinosus was positively correlated with the change in sprint velocity at the 50–60 m interval (p = 0.018 and ρ = 0.591). These findings suggest that semitendinosus hypertrophy seems to be associated with sprint performance improvement within well-trained sprinters during the maximal velocity phase.

Bouts of military load carriage are rarely completed in isolation; however, limited research has investigated the physiological responses to repeated load carriage tasks. Twelve civilian men (age, 28 ± 8 years; stature, 185.6 ± 5.8 cm; body mass 84.3 ± 11.1 kg and maximal oxygen uptake, 51.5 ± 6.4 mL·kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) attended the laboratory on two occasions to undertake a familiarisation and an experimental session. Following their familiarisation session, participants completed three bouts of a fast load carriage protocol (FLCP; ∼65 min), carrying 25 kg, interspersed with a 65-min recovery period. Physiological strain (oxygen uptake [V̇O₂] and heart rate [HR]) was assessed during the FLCP bouts, and physical performance assessments (weighted counter-movement jump [wCMJ], maximal isometric voluntary contraction of the quadriceps [MIVC] and seated medicine ball throw [SMBT]) was measured pre and post each FLCP bout. A main effect for bout and measurement time was evident for V̇O₂ and HR (both p < 0.001 and Ѡ² = 0.103–0.816). There was no likely change in SMBT distance (p = 0.201 and Ѡ² = 0.004), but MIVC peak force reduced by approximately 25% across measurement points (p < 0.001 and Ѡ² = 0.133). A mean percentage change of approximately −12% from initial values was also evident for peak wCMJ height (p = 0.001 and Ѡ² = 0.028). Collectively, these data demonstrate that repeated FLCP bouts result in an elevated physiological strain for each successive bout, along with a substantial reduction in lower body power (wCMJ and MIVC). Therefore, future research should investigate possible mitigation strategies to maintain role-related capability.

Step-up variations are frequently used in sports performance to develop coordinated and powerful movements that transfer to running. This study aimed to quantify the kinetic characteristics of the first foot contact of four different step-up variations. Ten professional rugby league players participated in this study and performed the Barbell One Box Step-Up with Catch (BB1), Barbell Two Box Step-Up (BB2), Vest Two Box Run (VEST) and Step-Up Jump (JUMP) as part of routine in-season strength training sessions during one season. Peak force, total impulse and maximal rate of force development (RFD) were measured from first foot contact on the step-up box. Significantly greater peak force and RFD were observed in JUMP than any other variation (standardized mean difference; SMD: 3.9–5.5; p < 0.001). Total impulse was equal between JUMP and BB1, and significantly greater in JUMP than BB2 and VEST (SMD: 1.3–2.3; p < 0.001), and in BB1 than BB2 and VEST (SMD: 1.8–2.8; p < 0.001). Significantly larger peak force and RFD were observed in BB2 and VEST than BB1 (SMD: 0.6–0.7) and in total impulse in BB2 than VEST (SMD: 1.6) (p < 0.05). The results of this study highlight that step-up exercise variations maximize different kinetic characteristics, which may transfer differently to athlete running performance.

GPS speed thresholds in women's rugby union are usually based on data derived from the men's game. However, evidence suggests the maximum speeds achieved by female players are 2–8 km.h⁻¹ slower and the volume of high-intensity running (HIR) in women's rugby may be underestimated. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of adjusting absolute thresholds on the volume of high-intensity locomotion. GPS units recorded movement data from 58 players across 18 English Premier15 s matches. Distance in HIR and sprint (Spr) zones were calculated using male-derived criteria: Abs_Male (HIR >18 km.h⁻¹; Spr ≥21 km.h⁻¹). Two alternative thresholds were compared: Abs_FVmax (HIR >16 km.h⁻¹; Spr ≥19 km.h⁻¹); Abs_Female (HIR >14 km.h⁻¹; Spr ≥17 km.h⁻¹). Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and effect sizes to determine differences in distances between thresholds. Abs_Male HIR and Spr distances were 63 ± 71 m and 30 ± 53 m. Significantly greater distances at higher-intensity speeds were observed with female-adjusted thresholds. Abs_FVmax: HIR: 139 ± 116 m (p = 0.01, ES 0.80); Spr: 60 ± 90 m (p = 0.131, ES 0.41) and Abs_Female: HIR: 239 ± 157 m (p < 0.01, ES 1.45); Spr: 137 ± 152 m (p < 0.01, ES 0.94). 24 players (41%) achieved speeds greater than the 21 km·h⁻¹ threshold with the male-derived thresholds. At Abs_FVmax threshold this increased to 44 (76%) and 100% at the Abs_Female threshold. Existing male-derived thresholds appear to underestimate high-intensity locomotion of female players. With adjusted thresholds, specifically the Abs_Female, the proportional volume of high-intensity activity in the women's game (8.2% total distance) aligns more closely to that observed during men's match-play.