A Cross Racial Comparison of Personality Traits between Athletes and Nonathletes

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the differences in four personality traits between Negro and white athletes and nonathletes utilizing the Gordon Personal Profile. Six hypotheses, all stated in the null form, were used in comparing the different groups. A total of 111 subjects were divided into four groups based upon their ethnic background and athletic ability. The results produced seven significant differences at the .05 level: three between white athletes and white nonathletes; one between Negro varsity athletes and Negro nonathletes; and three between white varsity athletes and Negro nonathletes. These results suggested that white varsity athletes were significantly different and ranked higher in Ascendancy, Responsibility, and Emotional Stability traits when compared to Negro and white nonathletes. They also suggested that Negro varsity athletes were significantly different and ranked higher in Responsibility when compared to Negro nonathletes. No significant differences occurred when white varsity athletes and Negro varsity athletes were compared; when Negro varsity athletes and white nonathletes were compared; or when Negro nonathletes and white nonathletes were compared.     

Correlates of Sport Participation among Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Most research on the correlates of sport involvement has utilized male samples. The present study focuses on a sample of high school girl gymnasts, basketball players, track participants, and a control group of nonathletes. The correlates of participation investigated include familial factors, peers, teachers and coaches' encouragement to participate in sports, and the social psychological variables of perceived femininity, self-reported athletic ability, and body image. The findings indicate that socialization into sport begins in childhood and continues into high school with considerable encouragement from significant others. The basketball players reported somewhat less encouragement and tend to see themselves as less feminine than the other athletes. Athletes had higher self-perceptions of athletic ability than the nonathletes. The athletes' perceptions of their body image were generally more positive than the nonathletes. This latter finding suggests a reduction of stigma formerly associated with female involvement in sport.     

French Adaptation of the Short Form Youth Experiences Survey for Sport and Life Skills Scale for Sport

ABSTRACT

Research on positive youth development and life skills in sport has gained considerable attention over the past decades. However, there is a lack of translated questionnaires examining youth development and life skills available to non-English researchers and practitioners. The purpose of this research project was to adapt in French two questionnaires and to accumulate validity evidence of these adaptations. The short form – Youth Experiences Survey for Sport and the Life Skills Scale for Sport were adapted using a procedure based on a transcultural validation methodology applied to psychological measures. This research comprises four studies, which led to the French adaptation and validation process of each questionnaire. In conclusion, the results obtained show that these adapted French questionnaires can now be used to evaluate the perceptions and lived experiences of French-speaking athletes regarding positive youth development and life skills in sport.     

The moral worth of sport reconsidered: Contributions of recreational sport and competitive sport to life aspirations and psychological well-being

Abstract

Based on self-determination theory, the present study aimed to test the hypothesis that importance ratings of life aspirations would mediate the effects of participation in recreational and competitive sport on psychological well-being. In addition, the effects of sport participation on psychological well-being were hypothesized to indicate that, compared with competitive athletes, recreational athletes would report higher psychological well-being. The participants were 118 university students (83 males, 35 females) with a mean age of 20.8 years (s = 7.6). In accordance with the initial hypotheses, a path analysis supported the mediating effect of importance ratings of life aspirations, but not of attainment ratings of life aspirations, on the relationship between participation in recreational and competitive sport and psychological well-being. The indirect effects observed for importance ratings supported the conclusion that recreational athletes showed a preference for intrinsic life aspirations compared with competitive athletes and reported higher psychological well-being. Overall, the findings of the present study suggest that the moral worth of sport does not reside so much in the frequency with which individuals engage in sport but in the goals and values people express through sport participation.     

Comments on “Theoretical Modeling of Grip Firmness During Ball-Racket Impact”

Abstract

Ages at menarche and selected menstrual characteristics in 204 nonathletes, 253 high school athletes, 386 college athletes, and 40 young top athletes of Japan were investigated by questionnaire. Data from the questionnaire have confirmed (a) the ascending trend of ages of menarche with advancement of training and competitive level, and (b) the diversity of mean age at menarche by sport in a given level. The menarcheal orders by sport in the literature have been found to be strikingly similar to those found in the present data. We offer the hypothesis that ages at menarche and selected menarcheal characteristics (a) are brought about by selection in the socialization process into sports participation, and (b) reflect the diversity of suitable physiques by sport. Also, the higher the training and competitive level, the more likely the occurrence of menstrual irregularity (cycle length and period duration) and/or dysmenorrhea (backache).     

运用SPCS系统对射击运动员进行心理训练的效果研究

目的:运用SPCS系统引导射击运动员进行放松、注意集中、表象演练等综合心理训练,并对其训练的效果进行评价研究。方法:对10位射击运动进行8周时间个性化的心理技能训练,训练的前、中、后期分别进行心理协调能力、运动心理技能问卷和心理疲劳问卷的测试。结果:单次的综合心理训练前后,队员的协调能力测评得分都有显著提高(p0.05);另外,整个8周训练前后,队员的心理协调能力得到了一定程度的提高,运动心理技能水平显著提高(表象技能p0.05,焦虑管理p0.05,专注p0.05,放松p0.05,总分p0.05),心理疲劳中的情绪/体力耗竭指标得分显著降低(p0.05),心技结合思维得到一定程度的强化,队员主观感觉较好。结论:利用SPCS系统对队员进行个性化心理技能训练对于队员心理协调能力、运动心理技能的提高和心理疲劳的缓解都有一定的帮助。     

Test-Retest Reliability of a Survey to Measure Transport-Related Physical Activity in Adults

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of the degree of original learning and the length of two nonpractice periods on reminiscence in badminton. Two groups were used, one having 6 weeks of instruction, the other 9 weeks. The nonpractice periods were 6 weeks and 12 weeks. The wall volley and short serve tests were given at the beginning and end of the instructional periods and at the end of each nonpractice period.

Reminiscence did occur in the wall volley skill during the first nonpractice interval for the group having 9 weeks of instruction and during the second nonpractice interval for the group having 6 weeks of instruction. Reminiscence did not occur for either group on the short serve skill.     

射击运动员心理技能训练的实证研究

射击作为技心能为主的项目,在基本技术动作过硬的基础上,十分要求心理状态的稳定性,尤其是在新规则的实施后,更短的竞赛时间,特别是决赛阶段,可以说不允许队员有丝毫的精力分散。但是,作为＂单兵作战＂的运动项目,因赛程长、弹数多、发与发（或组与组）之间存在时间间隔,总会因为运动员的认知和情绪的变化波及后续比赛行为进而影响成绩的发挥。为了解决这一问题,射击运动员的心理技能训练被提上了日程。主要从有关射击运动员核心心理技能,即注意力控制训练出发,并始终贯穿心理咨询工作,探讨心理技能训练对射击运动员的作用与影响,结果显示通过一定的心理干预在一定程度上提高了射击运动员的竞技能力。     

Differences in self-regulatory skills among talented athletes: The significance of competitive level and type of sport

Abstract

Research has shown that talented athletes outscore their mainstream peers on the basis of self-regulation. Although valuable, this does not tell us more about the distinction between good athletes and the best, which is a prerequisite in talent development. Therefore, we examined the self-regulatory skills of 222 male and female talented athletes aged 12–16 years as a function of competitive sport level (junior international or junior national athletes) and type of sport (individual or team sports). Multivariate analyses of covariance in combination with a discriminant function analysis revealed that “reflection” distinguishes between athletes at the highest levels of excellence. Furthermore, athletes playing individual sports had higher scores on “planning” and “effort” than team sport athletes, highlighting the importance of differences between types of sport. In conclusion, we emphasize the importance of reflection as a self-regulatory skill. Reflection facilitates the development of sport-specific characteristics, which may vary by type of sport. This means that an advanced sense of reflection may help talented athletes to acquire desirable characteristics during their “talent” years to ultimately reach adult elite levels of competition.     

Prospective study of sport dropout: A motivational analysis as a function of age and gender

Abstract

Introduction: This paper aimed to analyse the predictive ability of a self-determination theory (SDT) based model describing competitive sport dropout, and variance as a function of age and gender. Variables included in the model were: psychological need satisfaction, self-determined motivation, perceived conflict between sport and study, intention to practise sport, and dropout.

Methods: A prospective study was performed over a period of 19 months. Variables considered as predictors of sport dropout were measured initially, and after 19 months persistence or dropout was assessed. The sample consisted of 857 athletes aged 11–19 (mean value 15.3; standard deviation = 1.77), 680 males and 177 females.

Results: Structural equation modelling illustrated support for an “alternative” model that incorporated a direct relationship between psychological need satisfaction and intention to practise sport. Analysis of invariance showed that the model was consistent as a function of age and gender, i.e. no differences were found in regression weights. MANOVA, however, revealed some group differences with respect to the dependent variables. Specifically, in terms of engagement, although assessed at the start of the study, those athletes who persisted at 19 months demonstrated greater need satisfaction, self-determined motivation and intention to practise sport than those who dropped out. Age related differences were also identified: with increased age self-determined motivation and intention to practise sport decreased, while there were no differences in need satisfaction or perceived conflict between sport and study. There were no differences related to gender.

Discussion: The results support previous studies that had used SDT to predict sport dropout, specifically those that had reported an inverse relationship between self-determined motivation and perceived conflict between activities. Further, it suggests that other variables (emotional) may play a specific role in predicting intention to continue engagement with sport.

Conclusion: The major contribution of the study is in validating a motivational model predicting sport dropout which incorporates perceived conflict and the direct effect of psychological need satisfaction on the intention to practise sport. The invariance of regression weights between age and gender groups suggests that the relationships proposed in the model are universal.     

Significant Others and Professionalized Sport Attitudes

Abstract

Using an extension of Webb's concept of professionalized sport attitudes, it was explored whether the type of significant other and degree of parental psychological support were related to professionalized sport attitudes (win/skill orientation) or to nonprofessionalized sport attitudes (fair play/total participation orientation). Comparisons were made between 1236 economically disadvantaged boys and 1096 economically disadvantaged girls enrolled in the summer portion of the National Youth Sports Program, resulting in the following findings. Males demonstrated a more professionalized sport attitude than did females. Males perceived their father/male guardian as the most important significant other whereas females perceived their mother/female guardian as the most important significant other. No relationship was found between the type of significant other (mother/female guardian, father/male guardian, teacher/coach, or friend) and professionalized sport attitudes for both boys and girls. However, parental psychological support factors were found to be related to professionalized sport attitudes for males but not for females. Explanations for the demonstrated relationship between parental psychological factors and professionalized sport attitudes were discussed which included support for the growing concern that parents may be in part responsible for developing “winning” and “skill” values in youth sport participants. This adult intervention, however, presently may only be significant for male youth sport participants.     

Sport participation and its association with social and psychological factors known to predict substance use and abuse among youth: A scoping review of the literature

ABSTRACT

This article presents the results of a scoping review of the sport literature (2000–2014) on psychological and social outcomes relevant to youth alcohol and illicit drug use. Prior reviews report that sport is related to increased alcohol use and reduced illicit drug use among youth, yet provide little guidance regarding the mechanisms that can explain this relationship. We reviewed the literature on sport participation and psychological and social outcomes to identify factors that could help explain this link. Psychological and social factors were selected as they play a paramount role in understanding youth alcohol and drug use. Fifty-nine articles were identified and included in the review. The literature generally supported connections between sport and positive psychological and social outcomes, including self-esteem, self-regulation, general life skills, and pro-social behaviour. Yet limitations in the methods and measures limit the ability to draw conclusions from the literature. In addition, the diversity of youth and sport was generally ignored in the literature. This article suggests a number of directions for future research that might improve our understanding of how sport impacts psychological and social outcomes along with alcohol and illicit drug use.     

Dual-task assessment of a sporting skill: influence of task complexity and relationship with competitive performances

Abstract

We investigated the effect of increases in task complexity on the dual-task draw-and-pass performance of professional rugby league players. Moreover, we determined the relationship between dual-task draw-and-pass proficiency measured in isolation and draw-and-pass performances as they occurred in actual competitive matches. In Study 1, 12 rugby league players performed 2-on-1 and 3-on-2 attacking drills under single (primary skill) and dual-task (primary skill performed in conjunction with secondary-task) conditions. Reductions in draw-and-pass performance occurred when task complexity was increased from the 2-on-1 to the 3-on-2 situation. In Study 2, 58 rugby league players undertook the dual-task draw-and-pass assessment. Players then competed in National Rugby League matches with video footage coded for the number of tries scored and the activities that led to the try. A total of 303 tries were scored with 150 (49.5%) tries scored from a draw-and-pass situation. Significant associations were detected between 2-on-1 dual-task draw-and-pass performance in the isolated test condition and draw-and-pass performances in competition. These studies provide evidence of (i) the greater attentional demands of the skill of drawing-and-passing in elite team sport athletes when more players are involved and (ii) the practical utility of off-field dual-task testing in supplying information predictive of skills performance in competition.     

Charting the development of sport expertise: challenges and opportunities

This review poses three key issues that will progress our understanding of the sport expertise literature and its translational scientific impact. Primarily relying on research conducted in interceptive sport tasks, and to a lesser extent team sports, we review the perceptual-cognitive skills of sports experts and explore the challenge of designing a sufficiently representative task to examine expertise. We focus on the methodological challenges presented by the reciprocal relationship between players’ action capabilities and their perceptual-cognitive skill. Second, we consider the need for a paradigm shift in the experimental approach used when examining the development of sport expertise. In short, a shift from traditional expert-novice designs to more prospective longitudinal designs that cross-sectionally track the development of expertise is discussed. The final issue considers how the volume of in situ data now collected provides a rich source of information that sport expertise researchers have only begun to consider and integrate with more traditional sport psychology research. We demonstrate how statistical approaches that have described the likely trajectories of expert performers on their journey toward expertise coupled with more traditional qualitative experimental approaches can provide useful insights into the development of psychological performance skills and more broadly sport expertise.     

Parental sport achievement and the development of athlete expertise

This study sought to examine how parental sport involvement and attainment were related to the eventual level of competitive sport attained by their children. Athletes (n?=?229) were divided into three skill level groups (elite: n?=?139; pre-elite: n?=?33; non-elite: n?=?57), based on the peak competition level achieved in their career, which were compared using chi-squares tests of independence and analyses of variance according to parents sport characteristics provided through the Developmental History of Athletes Questionnaire. Parental recreational and competitive sport participation was overrepresented among elite athletes, as were parents who reached an elite level of sport themselves. Results were found to differ according to parent sex, with athlete skill level significantly related to the sport participation and skill level of fathers, but not mothers. Results suggest parental sport experiences at different levels of competition influence the development of athletes, although these relationships are subject to many factors.     

State Anxiety as a Function of Skill Level and Proximity to Competition

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between the oversized racquet and the standard-sized racquet in (1) a tennis shot accuracy test on four basic strokes (ground strokes, volley, return of serve, and serve), and (2) a measure of players' subjective evaluation of playability (control, accuracy, power, and feel). Research participants (n = 57) were undergraduate students separated into two skill levels, intermediate (n = 29) and beginners (n = 28). Data were analyzed using a two-factor ANOVA with repeated measures on one factor. Result from the skills tests indicated that both beginning and intermediate groups scores significantly higher when using the oversized racquet. The scores received when using the oversized racquet tended to reflect a general increase in all four components of the skill test, particularly the return of serve. Data indicated that the subjective evaluation of the playing characteristic of each racquet was influenced by the player's skill level. Beginning players favored the oversized racquet, yet intermediate players rated the two racquet types about equal. The investigation suggests that beginning and intermediate tennis players, educators, and tennis teaching professionals should consider using and encouraging the use of oversized racquets.     

A Multidimensional Timing Device for Cinematography

Abstract

Six tests were developed for the purpose of measuring selected basic skills in ice hockey. The test-retest method indicated four tests as reliable. Validity coefficients for each of the four tests when compared to subjective ranking in each skill ranged from .75 to .96. Intercorrelations were computed among the tests. The puck carry test correlated with the other three tests and was determined the best single-item for measuring overall ability. It was concluded that an ice hockey test battery should include at least three of the tests.     

浅谈青少年田径运动员赛前心理训练

青少年田径运动员由于平时缺乏心理素质训练,加之比赛经验不足,往往在比赛中受各种因素干扰,增加心理负担,使正常技术难以发挥,甚至失误。为使运动员在比赛中有良好的心理状态,在训练中强化运动技能,运用生理效应调整生理机能,进行意向性增减心理负荷及调动思维潜在能力,排除干扰,稳定心态,取得良好效果。     

Perceptual-cognitive skill training and its transfer to expert performance in the field: Future research directions

Abstract

Perceptual-cognitive skills training provides a potentially valuable method for training athletes on key skills, such as anticipation and decision-making. It can be used when athletes are unable to physically train or are unable to experience repeated key situations from their sport. In this article, we review research on perceptual-cognitive skills training and describe future research areas focusing on a number of key theories and principles. The main aim of any training intervention should be the efficacy of retention and transfer of learning from training to field situations, which should be the key consideration when designing the representative tasks used in perceptual-cognitive skills training. We review the principles that seek to create practice tasks that replicate those found in the field, so as to increase the amount of transfer that occurs. These principles are perception–action coupling, the contextual interference effect and contextual information, which suggest there should be a high level of similarity between training and real-life performance when designing perceptual-cognitive skills training. In the final section, we discuss the transfer of retained skill acquisition from perceptual-cognitive skills training to field performance, which we suggest to be the key area for future research in this area.     

Performances by College Students in Handball Being Taught by Three Different Teaching Methods

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in handball knowledge and skill existed between three teaching methods: traditional, contractual, and independent study. Each subject (N = 36) was given pretests in handball: a knowledge test, a wall volley test, and a serve placement test. Pre- and posttest reliabilities were reported. The three intact classes used for the study started out equal in handball knowledge and skill. After 10 weeks of instruction, the three classes were given posttests for handball knowledge and skill. No significant differences, in handball knowledge and skill, were found between the three teaching methods at the .05 level.