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BREAKABLE PERFORMANCE - THE ROLE OF MENTAL TOUGHNESS IN ELITE SPORT, INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK
Views:389Our study aimed to analyze mental toughness and its relationship to sports performance. We reviewed 38 qualitative and quantitative international studies. We performed an in-depth investigation on mental toughness; we also focused on how to improve mental toughness. We hypothesized a significant difference in both genders, suggesting that coaches substantially impact mental toughness. We primarily concentrate on valid, real-time assessments and psychological training in elite sports athletes. Sport psychologists, mental trainers play an essential role in elite sports performance. Results of related studies demonstrated that these age and gender-specific mental training sessions are effective in improving performance. There is an increasing need for computer-based interactive testing methods to analyze cognitive and psychomotor skills under pressure.
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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AROUSAL ZONE, ANXIETY, STRESS AND SPORTS PERFORMANCE
Views:1734This study aimed to examine the relationship between optimal functioning zone, anxiety, stress, and athletic performance. We conducted a systematic review of the available scientific articles and publications. Related literature was analyzed, relevant, or helpful in understanding the psychological aspects of athletic performance. It discusses the method and validity of hypotheses and approaches that have already appeared scientifically. We examined multidimensional approaches, which discuss the suitability and implications of some recent and more complex models of stress and performance. We may conclude that the relationship between stress and athletic performance is multidimensional. We also examined several factors, such as the interaction between the nature of the stressor, the cognitive needs of the task, and the individuals' psychological characteristics. Both physical and mental preparation is critical to successful sports performance. This way, the level of physical skills, mental preparedness significantly determine overall athletic performance. The article aims to provide a historical overview of the implementation, testing, and measurement of IZOF and other applied models.
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IMPORTANCE OF THE MENTAL PREPARATION FOR COMPETITION AMONG YOUNG ATHLETES
Views:680The mental preparation of athletes for competition has become more appreciated. In this paper, we asked young athletes in Hungarian team sports about their experiences and expectations in mental preparation. In the research, we used an online questionnaire where 165 valuable responses were received. Most of the respondents were women, between 15-24 years of age, high school and college graduates, with urban background. Almost 90% of respondents have been confronted an obstacle with a negative impact on performance in sports before. Most athletes know well the activities of sports psychologists, however, only 10% of them have been mentally trained so far, while 70% of them would need it. Those sports associations achieve more successful results in the talent management, where sports psychologist was involved in the assessment of young children. Based on these, sports organizations should use a sports psychologist, because it could help achieve better sports performance for players and teams.
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INFLUENCING FACTORS OF SPORT VOLUNTEERING AMONG EU CITIZENS
Views:124If there were a ‘country of volunteers,’ it would be one of the most populous countries in the world, with almost 1 billion people involved in some form of volunteering worldwide. Volunteers play an essential role in the smooth running and operation of sports associations and the performance of the assigned tasks. Our research examines the extent to which they contribute to volunteering along with different socio-demographic variables. For our analysis, we used data from the European Commission in December 2017 in 28 European Member States (28,031 people). We used ten independent factors that may influence participation in volunteering. We examined by chi-square test whether there was a relationship with the performance of sports volunteering for the selected variables. Subsequently, incorporating all these variables into a logistic regression model, we estimated how much it contributes to volunteering. The significance level was p <0.05. Based on the results of the bivariate correlation study, gender, age, life satisfaction, frequency of sports, education, type of residence, and social status, social status significantly influences participation in sports volunteering (p <0.001). Based on a multivariate correlation study, demographic, quality of life, sports, socio-cultural, and socioeconomic variables significantly influence volunteering (p <0.001). Our research has demonstrated that participation in sports volunteering is affected by several factors. Our research did not cover the study of motivational factors of athletes.
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EXAMINATION OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS AFFECTING SPORTS PERFORMANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF ATHLETE EXPERIENCE
Views:239Introduction: In our research, we investigated the components, executive functions, and cognitive abilities underlying decision-making in sports performance using a computer-based test system. To define the athlete experience, we classified athletes according to an exact, unambiguous definition following international terminology, based on their performance, achievement, playing age, and sport's popularity. We hypothesize that team athlete with significant athletic experience will perform better on the executive function test.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on team athletes N=52. The VTS-DT test was used to measure executive function. The classification of athlete experience was based on an internationally accepted taxonomy defined with scientific precision (SWANNN, 2015).
Results: When classified by athlete experience, the athletes we studied fell into amateur and elite categories. The DT/S2 scores of the two groups were compared based on each factor. We obtained trend-like correlations for the factors 'number of reactions', 'number of stimulations,' and 'number of good responses. Correlation analysis was performed between the factors on a group-by-group basis. When examining the relationship between reaction time, we found that there is a strong relationship with the number of stimulations (amateurs: r = -0.80; elite athletes: r = -0.87) since the faster someone is (i.e., the less reaction time), the more times they can respond to stimulations. Looking at the results for elite athletes, we also observe a moderately strong relationship between reaction time and the number of good responses (r = -0.68). We may suggest that experienced athletes could produce better responses faster than less professional athletes.
Conclusions: Our hypotheses were partially confirmed, as we found a trend-like correlation that elite athletes scored higher on the DT test, which examined athletes' executive functions in a complex, adaptive way. Our research demonstrates that, on the one hand, it is worthwhile for coaches to build on experienced athletes when assembling a team, in addition to the momentum of young athletes, and that the development of executive functions and cognitive skills can improve the performance of athletes.
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THE FREQUENCY OF USE OF EEG AND NEUROFEEDBACK IN SPORT, SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Views:413Increasing athlete performance is an eternal challenge in the world of sports. The success of the training work performed can be checked by performance diagnostics. Proper brain processing is essential for skill learning and the implementation of effective motor performance. It was important for brain mapping technology to improve the capabilities of imaging devices in order to measure cognitive-motor performance in the field. The primary purpose of this review was to summarize the frequency of applications of EEG and its associated neurofeedback in sport. Examine the differences and characteristics of protocols. Assess whether there is this uniform, standardized protocol for each sport and how often it is used among both elite and amateur athletes. Electroencephalography was initially used most in sports in which the stable setting was followed by only minimal movement. These include sport shooting, archery and golf and baseball. Later, it was possible to analyze more complex movements with EEG, such as cycling. One of the most commonly used techniques is neurofeedback training, but despite some research on the topic, the arena of neurotechnology in sports psychology still exists in its rudimentary form and is constrained by a plethora of technological problems.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS MONITORING USING INVASIVE AND NON-INVASIVE METHODS IN ATHLETES
Views:344Introduction: The quality of performance is essential both in everyday life and in competition. In sports science (also), we have to think of the man in a complex way as a bio-psycho-social unit. In addition to changes in ECG HR and blood cortisol levels, gastrointestinal tract movements are also associated with stress management (FUKUNAGA et al., 2000) (VIANNA - TRANEL, 2006), which plays a crucial role in determining the quality of performance. Several preclinical trials have formed the basis of our research (SZŰCS et al., 2018).
Objective: Based on our earlier research and literature reviews, we would like to test and participate in validating a new method that can monitor the effects of stress on humans in real-time, in a non-invasive way, with quantitative results. In addition to GI monitoring, cortisol levels are measured invasively in the subjects, so we hope to obtain complex results.
Methods: n = 13, athletes, male = 11, female = 2, mean age 22 +/- 1,031 years. Our protocol was 115 minutes, in which we distinguished four stages (rest, stress, latency 1, latency 2). We use two methods to measure stress. One is the blood cortisol level (ELISA), and the other is the MDE Heidelberg Stress Holter (EGG), which is an innovative measurement tool capable of simultaneously examining several parameters (Small Intestine, Colon, Stomach, ECG HR). The VTS DT package was used as a stressor.
Result: Based on the complex results of the EGG, we can conclude that the Small Intestine, Colon, and Stomach motility, as assessed by the Power Spectrum (PS) Fold Change (FC) calculation, increased together under stress, and then latency decreased together over time. However, the rate of change in cortisol levels showed that most participants adapted the stressor as eustress so that its value decreased linearly.
Conclusions: Innovative measurement and evaluation methods are well utilized, as they can communicate many measurement data in a valid, real-time, non-invasive way, with a parallel display. These data and results will be used in athlete selection, mental training, elite sports, neuro-biofeedback, and health preservation.
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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DECISION-MAKING AND GAME INTELLIGENCE WITH BASKETBALL STATISTICS
Views:422Introduction: basketball is one of the most popular teams sports worldwide. It is generally regarded as the second most popular sport globally, with around 450 million registered players (RÁTGÉBER et al., 2019). The attention, decision-making, interaction with the participants, and recovery of a basketball player are complex. It can be influenced by internal and external factors as well as by different stimuli. The current mental and physical state of athletes affects their performance. Experience, reception and adaptation of developmental stimuli determine performance during the game. Cognitive abilities, executive functions, and inhibition are all psychological processes that can help or hinder concentration. It is essential to assess and measure to enhance sports performance and provide objective support for our subjective assumptions. Many technical and tactical elements characterize basketball, but it is also essential to have relevant motor and affective skills when making decisions. Players need to adapt to sudden and varied stimuli and make the most intelligent and appropriate decision to achieve a positive outcome. Live statistics may indicate the effectiveness of decision-making during the game. In the present study, we analyzed the results of the Color-Word Interference Test and Trail Making Test prior to and after the games.
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IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIFIC SELECTION CRITERIA IN YOUNG BALL SPORT PLAYERS
Views:254Background: Our study aimed to analyze body composition and spiroergometric data of young (14-15 years) elite level ball sport players. We suggested three-ball sports (handball, soccer, and basketball) share common performance indicators, as rapid intermittent movements primarily characterize each ball sport.
Methods: We selected one-hundred and ten, handball (n=30), basketball (n=40), and soccer (n=40) players male and female from local clubs in Hungary. Seventy-nine males and thirty-one females participated in our study; their average age was 14.51 and 14.56, respectively.
They participated in laboratory testing; the protocol included a body composition analysis and spiroergometric tests. We measured body composition and physiological parameters utilizing an In Body 720 device and a standard Bruce treadmill protocol. Although we were aware of the Bruce protocol limitations in elite athletes, we choose this protocol as a safer alternative for younger inexperienced athletes.
Results and conclusions: We concluded that in young male soccer and basketball players, mean peak /load (W), peak/VE (l), peak/Vtex (l), peak/VO2 (ml/min), peak/VCO2 (ml/min), and peak/ O2 pulse (ml) data is a reliable indicator of the sport-specific performance. We may also suggest that in our male basketball and handball players' population, peak/Vtex (l) is the only variable, which is significantly different. Between groups of male handball and soccer players, peak/VO2/kg (ml/min) may be a valid performance indicator. Among female basketball and handball players, we found a significant difference in three performance variables: peak/Vtex (l), peak/VO2 (ml/min), and peak/ O2 pulse (ml).
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KÜLÖNBÖZŐ ÉTRENDEK, DIÉTÁK HATÁSA A SPORTTELJESÍTMÉNYRE
Views:418The fuel of the human body is food, more specifically the nutrients it contains, so even non-athletes need to pay close attention to what they eat. It is even more important for athletes to develop performance-optimizing eating habits. Sport nutrition is one of the biggest opportunities for performance optimization that has become more and more important recently. There are many special diets, perhaps the best known are: ketogenic diet, Mediterranean diet, vegetarianism, paleo diet. We need to choose our diet while maintaining good health. We should not forget that a long-distance runner, for example, may need a completely different diet than a weightlifter. However, no two people are the same, individuals have different genetics, weight, body composition, movement intensity, metabolism, and the goal they want to achieve, which is why an individualized diet combination within each sport results in the best performance. In our study, we aimed to analyze the effect of diets of different compositions on sports performance based on the mentioned aspects. In the course of our work, we collected and reviewed relevant content on Google and Pubmed. Overall, it can be said that developing the right diet can be a multiplier return on investment. Sport as a physical activity determines lifestyle, including nutrition. Proper, balanced nutrition is essential for both athletes and non-athletes
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EFFECTS OF CORE-PROPRIOCEPTIVE TRAINING ON THE QUALITY OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS IN U13 FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS
Views:306Introduction: Complex scientific work to investigate and develop the factors determining performance is essential to improving sports performance. Creating the neuro-muscular connection is paramount, as it is the cornerstone of movement coordination, and the nervous system is the key to mental components.
Objective: Our study aims to demonstrate the positive effects of core-proprioceptive training on executive functions.
Method: The DEAC U13 girls' academy basketball players (n=12) participated in a 9-week core-proprioceptive training program. Before and after the program, the players' executive functions were measured with the Vienna Test System.
Result: A marked improvement in the measured parameters regarding the evolution of correct and incorrect responses and the reaction time. There is a significant reduction in the number of missed responses.
Conclusions: Core-proprioceptive training also improved nerve-muscle connectivity, affecting the quality of executive functions. The results may be implemented in designing training program.
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IT TOOLS OF SOCCER PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
Views:683Soccer is the world's most popular sport, well represented by the fact that the 2018 Russian Soccer World Cup has been followed by more than half of the world's population on some platform. For each win, teams do their best to create a competitive advantage over their rivals. Information technology is one of the explosive fields that has led to significant changes in soccer as well. For example, innovative solutions have emerged in the sports industry that have contributed to the acceleration of the game, technological innovations in soccer streaming can enhance the fan experience with up to 3-dimensional replays, or recently introduced video referee and goal line technology to solve disputed situations. In soccer, the analysis of the match and the resulting data that characterizes the performance of the players and the team, which can be analyzed from many angles: technical, tactical, mental and physiological, can play an important role. The advancement of technology has made it possible for soccer professionals to access significant amounts of variable format data, the processing and utilization of which is crucial to them.
The primary objective of this article is to present the importance of IT tools of performance analysis in soccer.
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COMPLEX PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS IN BALL SPORTS
Views:185Assessing athletes' capabilities has never been as widespread as it is nowadays. Several methods have evolved and developed in recent decades to measure physical or mental skills accurately. However, these assessment protocols became more and more specific. They focused on a certain attribute, as if we forget that athletes' game performance is not equal to the total of different skills. Since psychomotor skills interact during games, test protocols should be similar and measured comprehensively. Two groups of ball sport players, thirteen soccer players (n=13) and ten handball players (n=10), have been tested on the SpeedCourt training system to find a relationship between the results of two tests (Micromovement Test, MT) and traditional indicators, such as Heart Rate Recovery (HRR), Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Percentage (BFP). Furthermore, the correlation in performances of the two groups has also been analyzed. We found no significant correlation between the two MT and HRR results (r=0,5132 and r=-0,5588). Similarly, there are significant correlation neither MT and BMI (r=-0.0886 and r=-0.0174) nor MT and BFP results (r=0.0872 and r=-0,2399). A significant difference cannot be found between the MT results of the two groups that indicate that MT applicable for both sports.
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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF COGNITIVE ABILITIES STRESS TOLERANCE AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN NOVICE AND EXPERIENCED ATHLETES
Views:317Introduction: Cognitive skills are essential in team sports. Perception, decision-making (tactical thinking, learning, attention, thinking, emotions), stress tolerance, and even the level of motor and technical-tactical skills all affect performance.
Objective: We found a significant difference in stress tolerance of novice / young and experienced team sport players (BALOGH, DONKA 2020). Our results showed that experienced athletes have higher level of stress tolerance. However, as this was a descriptive study, we intended to support our statement involving more number of subjects, and an analysis of cognitive abilities.
Method: A cross-sectional experimental study was performed on 41 male and 13 female team sport (handball, volleyball and football) players. We used the VTS DT software package for cognitive abilities and the MDE Heidelberg StressHolter (gastro, HR, TH, GSR) for stress measurement. During the 35-minute measurement process, a state of rest was measured in the first stage, a response to a 10-minute stress situation (VTS-DT for the cognitive test) in the second stage, and a state of rest and latency in the third stage.
Results: We found a significant relationship between stress tolerance and the cognitive ability of female and male participants. Our results demonstrated that football players had a lower level of stress tolerance than other team sport players. They also tent to make more mistakes in the VTS-DT test.
Conclusions: The classification into novice and experienced categories need to be done more uniformly in the future. We are aware of it, that the unequal number of participants by sports, is one of the limitations of our study. However, it is encouraging that significant results demonstrate a strong relationship between stress tolerance and the number of appropriate decisions. These results reveal other areas of research for us.
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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FLOW PRONENESS, ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION AND LOCUS OF CONTROL AMONG DUAL CAREER ATHLETES
Views:274Achieving peak performance is strongly connected to athletic flow experiences, and it is also considered one of the main goals in professional sports. For this reason, it essential to systematically examine any contributing factor connected to athletes’ flow proneness. This study examined the assumed connection between flow proneness, achievement motivation, and locus of control among dual-career athletes. Furthermore, the universality of sport flow experiences was also tested. We used Oláh’s (2005) Flow Questionnaire, Rotter’s (1966) Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, and the Achievement Motivation Test developed by Lang and Fries (2006). The test was shared online by the snowball method, and the sample consisted of 178 dual career athletes. According to the results, there is a significant connection between flow proneness, achievement motivation, and locus of control. The universality of flow was also proven.
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METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE PREVENTION OF SPINE DEFORMITY IN THE FIELD OF PHYSIOTHERAPY
Views:77Correct posture is important for health and performance and is also the key to maintaining health. Incorrect posture can have many negative consequences for our physical and mental health. The study undertakes to present the incidence rates of postural disorders and scoliosis in the different grades of public education students based on Hungarian national statistical data, as well as to highlight the age group at risk based on the incidence. In adolescence, we encounter a much higher incidence of posture disorders and scoliosis, one of the reasons for which may be growth, which is not followed by adequate strength of the trunk muscles, but is also influenced by lifestyle factors. Another goal of the article is to provide guidance to physical therapists by collecting methods and tools for the prevention of spinal deformities, helping them implement primary prevention and spinal protection. A lifestyle rich in movement, leisure sports and physical activity can play an outstanding role in preventing poor posture, scoliosis and pes planus diagnosis in students.