The time courses of runners’ recovery-stress responses after a mountain ultra-marathon: Do appraisals matter?

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to: (a) examine the time courses of runners’ recovery-stress states within the month following a demanding Mountain Ultra-Marathon (MUM) race; and (b) explore the role of primary and secondary appraisals in these trajectories. Design: A seven-wave one-month longitudinal design was used with one measurement point within two days before the race to measure appraisals and six time points within the month following the race to assess recovery-stress states experienced by athletes. Method: A multilevel growth curve analysis approach was used among a sample of 29 MUM runners. Results: Recovery-stress states were characterized by distinct trajectories during the month following MUM race. Results of multilevel growth curve analyses showed significant linear increases of general and total recovery, significant linear decreases of general, sport-specific and total stress and a positive quadratic effect of squared time (U shape over time) on specific recovery. Primary appraisal significantly positively predicted levels of sport-specific recovery, total, general and sport-specific stress and significantly negatively predicted total and general recovery. Secondary appraisal significantly negatively predicted total and general stress. Conclusions: This study provided insights into the role played by appraisals on the recovery-stress states experienced by MUM runners the month following a demanding MUM race. Operational strategies were suggested in order to optimize the recovery-stress balance and in turn psychological adaptation processes in response to an ultra-endurance race.     

Relationships between talent development environments and mental toughness: The role of basic psychological need satisfaction

ABSTRACT

Although the talent development environment and mental toughness are critical for athletes to realise their athletic potential, there is a dearth of literature on whether the talent development environment can enhance mental toughness among those athletes who are identified with athletic potential (i.e., talented athletes). Drawing on self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), this research examined the relationships between the talent development environment, basic psychological needs satisfaction and mental toughness. Talented athletes (n = 261) completed a survey measuring key features of the talent development environment, needs satisfaction and mental toughness. The results of structural equation modelling indicated that three environmental factors (i.e., long-term development focus, holistic quality preparation and communication) were positive predictors of needs satisfaction, which then positively predicted mental toughness. The talent development environment may be considered for promoting talented athletes’ mental toughness.     

Handling of medical knowledge in sport: Athletes' medical opinions,information seeking behaviours and knowledge sources

Medical care in sport comprises a variety of treatments, from scientifically proven biomedicine to complementary and alternative medicine. Information and knowledge about these diverse treatment options is spread by different sources. Thus, athletes encounter information of varying content, quality and background. This exploratory pilot study addresses athletes' medical opinions, their health-related information seeking behaviour and the knowledge sources they utilise. Questionnaires were used to examine n = 110 German athletes (n_male = 69, n_female = 41; mean_age = 24.28 ± 4.97 years) at high performance levels (national team and/or European championship and/or World championship n = 22; first national league and/or German championship n = 51, second national league and/or State championship n = 37) from various Olympic sports. A cluster analysis regarding the athletes' attitudes towards sport medicine exhibited four different types of athletes: ‘the autonomous athlete’, ‘the open-minded athlete’, ‘the functionalistic athlete’ and ‘the conservative athlete’. In general, our findings show that the most used and trusted information sources are physicians and physiotherapists. However, medical information is trusted the most if it is experience- and field-tested, and comes from the athletes' sport-specific network. Our findings also suggest that professional medical knowledge management in competitive sport is needed.     

Correlates of health in adolescent elite athletes and adolescents: A cross-sectional study of 1016 adolescents

The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare subjective correlates of health, such as nutrition, self-esteem, sleep and stress, between adolescent elite athletes (n?=?625) and a reference group of adolescents (n?=?391) not involved in elite sports. A secondary aim was to study predictors for self-perceived stress. A questionnaire was e-mailed to all participants containing valid questions about competence-based self-esteem, nutrition, self-perceived stress and sleep. Our results show that adolescent elite athletes reported significantly (p?p?相似文献   

Risk and protective factors for mental health in elite athletes: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this scoping review was to provide an overview of studies concerning the mental health (MH) of elite athletes and to provide a methodological, conceptual, and applied overview of factors affecting elite athletes’ MH. A total of nine reviews and 43 empirical studies were evaluated and are reported in three sections: sample characteristics, research design, and factors affecting elite athletes’ MH. These factors were grouped into risk and protective factors and divided into a personal and sport-environmental domain. The studies used quantitative (84%), qualitative (11%), and mixed-method (5%) designs and examined a wide range of sports in different countries. Our review shows that researchers have predominantly examined the prevalence of athletes’ mental ill-health (e.g. depression) and the related factors compromising MH. Potential protective factors such as the feeling of autonomy, positive relations in sport and private life, and adequate recovery were highlighted in the qualitative studies. The discussion appraises the findings through a critical lens, focuses on the current state of the research area and the MH definition, limitations, suggested practical implications (e.g. to provide MH literacy to both athletes and coaches), and future research directions (e.g. examining environments that foster elite athletes’ MH).     

Self-Narrative Profiles of Elite Athletes and Comparisons on Psychological Well-Being

Further research is needed on factors related to the emotional health of elite athletes. Previous research has linked self-narratives of people or their narrative identities to their psychological well-being. However, no study has yet examined self-narratives among elite athletes. Purpose: This study examined whether specific profiles or narrative identities of athletes emerge through multiple self-narrative indicators; these profiles were compared on measures of psychological well-being (e.g., depression, anxiety, postfailure shame levels, and life satisfaction). Method: Self-report data were collected from a sample of elite athletes (n = 99, Mdn age = 22 years, 52% male, 53% individual sports) competing at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1, professional, or Olympic level. Results: Latent profile analysis revealed 3 profile types that significantly differed on measures of psychological well-being. Athletes with a performance-based narrative identity (high perfectionism, fear of failure, and contingent self-worth) demonstrated the highest levels of psychological disruptions (highest levels of depression, anxiety, and shame; lowest levels of life satisfaction), whereas a purpose-based narrative identity (high purpose, global self-worth, positive view of self after sport) was associated with the highest level of psychological well-being (lowest levels of depression, anxiety, and shame; highest levels of life satisfaction). Athletes in the mixed-type profile class reported better psychological well-being compared with the performance-based profile class but not the purpose-based profile class. Conclusions: Our findings provide initial evidence that particular self-narrative profiles of elite athletes contribute to their own psychological well-being in a significant way. Possible implications for practitioners are also discussed.     

The effect of body composition and BMI on 25(OH)D response in vitamin D-supplemented athletes

Fat mass is inversely associated with vitamin D status, and athletes with the most adipose tissue may have the greatest risk for insufficient (25(OH)D 20–32?ng?mL^?1) or deficient (25(OH)D??1) status. The effects of fat and lean mass on 25(OH)D change in response to vitamin D supplementation have yet to be elucidated in athletes. In addition, vitamin D has a known role in bone health yet a link between short-term changes in 25(OH)D and bone turnover in indoor athletes have not yet been described. Thirty-two collegiate swimmers and divers (19 male, 13 female; 19 (1) years) participated in a 6-month randomized controlled trial and consumed either 4000?IU?d^?1 of vitamin D₃ (n?=?19) or placebo (PLA; n?=?13). Anthropometry and blood collection of 25(OH)D, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP) and N-terminal telopeptide (NTx) occurred at three time points. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measured body composition analysis at baseline and endpoint. In the vitamin D group, BMI was negatively correlated with 6-month 25(OH)D change (R?=??0.496; P?=?.03) and a stronger predictor of 25(OH)D change (P?=?.04) than ultraviolet B exposure and fat mass change. Athletes in the high bone turnover group showed significantly greater losses of 25(OH)D over 6-months compared to athletes in the low bone turnover group (P?=?.03). These results suggest athletes within the normal BMI category experience a diminished response to 4000?IU?d^?1 of vitamin D₃ supplementation, and periods of high bone turnover may be an additional risk factor for developing compromised vitamin D status in athletes.     

Which psychosocial factors are associated with return to sport following concussion? A systematic review

BackgroundPsychosocial factors predict recurrent injury and return to preinjury level of performance following orthopedic injury but are poorly understood following concussion. Current management protocols prioritize physical measures of recovery. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the psychosocial factors associated with return to sport (RTS) and how they are measured in athletes who sustained a concussion.MethodsMEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were searched through February 2, 2021. Eligible studies included original peer-reviewed publications describing psychosocial factors associated with RTS following a diagnosed concussion. The primary outcome was scales or measures employed and/or key thematic concepts.ResultsOf the 3615 studies identified, 10 quantitative cohort studies (Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Level-3) representing 2032 athletes (85% male; high-school and collegiate collision/contact athletes) and 4 qualitative studies representing 66 athletes (74% male; 70% American football; aged 9–28 years) were included. We identified 3 overarching themes and 10 outcome measures related to psychosocial factors associated with RTS following concussion: (a) fear (e.g, of recurrent concussion, of RTS, of losing playing status); (b) emotional factors (e.g, depression, anxiety, perceived stress, mental health, disturbance mood); and (c) contextual factors (e.g, social support, pressure, sense of identity).ConclusionAlthough current medical clearance decisions prioritize physical measures of recovery, evidence suggests diverse psychosocial factors influence RTS following concussion. It remains unclear which psychosocial factors contribute to a successful RTS, including the influence of sex/gender and age. Future studies should evaluate the association of psychological readiness with physical measures of recovery at medical clearance, preinjury level of performance, and risk of recurrent concussion to support RTS clinical decision-making.     

Perfectionism and training distress in junior athletes: a longitudinal investigation

Perfectionistic athletes may train harder and for longer than non-perfectionistic athletes, leaving them susceptible to elevated levels of training distress. So far, however, no study has investigated the relationships between perfectionism and training distress, a key indicator of overtraining syndrome. Furthermore, no study has determined psychological predictors of overtraining syndrome. Using a two-wave design, the present study examined perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns and training distress in 141 junior athletes (mean age = 17.3 years, range = 16–19 years) over 3 months of active training. Multiple regression analyses were employed to test cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between perfectionism and training distress. In all analyses, perfectionism emerged as a significant predictor, but strivings and concerns showed differential relationships. When the cross-sectional relationships were regarded, perfectionistic concerns positively predicted training distress (P < .001), whereas perfectionistic strivings negatively predicted training distress (P < .01). When the longitudinal relationships were regarded, only perfectionistic concerns predicted increases in training distress (P < .05), whereas perfectionistic strivings did not (P > .05). The findings suggest that sports scientists who wish to identify athletes at risk of overtraining syndrome may monitor athletes’ perfectionistic concerns as a possible risk factor.     

女运动员心理健康调查及对策研究

选用《心理健康测量量表(PHI)》,对河南省几个重点项目的女运动员进行测试,并与其他职业青年女性作对比分析。结果表明:女运动员与其他职业青年女性心理健康水平无明显差异,但在躯体化、抑郁、焦虑等方面症状明显;部分女运动员存在着某些心理问题和人格缺陷。影响女运动员心理健康的主要原因有身心因素、社会环境因素和文化程度因素。     

The prevalence and risk indicators of symptoms of common mental disorders among current and former Dutch elite athletes

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and comorbidity of symptoms of common mental disorders (distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, eating disorders, adverse alcohol use) among current and former Dutch elite athletes, and to explore the inference between potential risk indicators (severe injury, surgery, life events, sport career dissatisfaction, social support) and the outcomes measures under investigation. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted on baseline questionnaires from an ongoing prospective cohort study among 203 current and 282 former elite Dutch athletes (response rate: 28% among current athletes and 95% among former athletes). Based on validated scales, an electronic questionnaire was set up and distributed. Prevalence (4-week) ranged from 6% for adverse alcohol use to 45% for anxiety/depression among current elite athletes, and from 18% for distress to 29% for anxiety/depression among former elite athletes. A higher number of past severe injuries, higher number of past surgeries, higher number of recent life events, higher level of career dissatisfaction and lower level of social support were related to the occurrence of symptoms of common mental disorders among both current and former elite athletes. On average, the 4-week prevalence of common mental disorders as shown in our study among current and former Dutch elite athletes were similar to the ones found among athletes from other sports disciplines and does compare with the lifetime prevalence estimates in the general population of the Netherlands.     

How should we categorise self-reported data on subsequent injuries?*

Classifying subsequent injuries is of high importance in injury epidemiology since a previous injury has been reported to increase the risk of a new injury or increase the risk of a more severe injury. Multiple reports have shown that self-reported data provide an extensive view of an injury problem and add valuable information to the understanding of the athlete’s health. The purpose of this study was to display a method that can be used to facilitate classification of subsequent injuries and to discuss challenges faced when categorising subsequent injuries based on self-reported data. The suitability of a new model for Subsequent Injuries Adjusted for Self-reported data (SIAS model) was demonstrated with sport injury data from a cohort of 101 adolescent elite track & field athletes, followed over 52 weeks. A total number of 71 subsequent injuries were identified. Of all subsequent injuries, recurrent injuries represented 69.0% (n?=?49) and 31.0% (n?=?22) were classified as new injuries. The majority of subsequent injuries (n?=?60, 84.5%) occurred after athletes had recovered from a previous injury. Of all subsequent injuries, 15.5% (n?=?11) represented injuries where athletes had not fully recovered from a previous injury. Application of the SIAS model allows for classification of subsequent injuries based on self-reported data on the recovery level of the athletes, the injury onset and injury type. The developed SIAS model follows the consensus recommendations of injury definition, injury classification and is an attempt to increase the understanding of the complex relationship of subsequent injuries in self-reported data sets.     

Effect of nutritional intervention on body composition and performance in elite athletes

Abstract

Strength training and positive energy intake are the most important factors related to lean body mass (LBM) gain. Most studies investigating weight-gain interventions are based recreationally active subjects and less is known about optimal weight-gain protocols in elite athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional guidance in an 8- to 12-week weight-gain period in elite athletes. Thirty-nine elite athletes were randomised to either a ‘nutritional counseling group’ (NCG, n=21, 19.1±2.9 years, 70.9±8.9 kg) or ‘ad libitum group’ (ALG, n=18, 19.6±2.7 years, 75.0±5.9 kg). All athletes continued their sport-specific training which included an additional four strength-training sessions per week. NCG followed a meal plan providing a positive energy balance, while the ALG athletes had an ad libitum energy intake. Body weight (BW), body composition, one repetition maximum (1RM), 40 m sprint and counter movement jump (CMJ) were measured pre- and post-intervention. Energy intake was higher in the NCG than in the ALG (3585±601 vs. 2964±884 kcal) and consequently BW increased more in NCG than in ALG (3.9±0.6% vs. 1.5±0.4%). Fat mass (FM) increased more in NCG than in ALG (15±4 vs. 3±3%), but gain in LBM was not different between groups. All 1RM results improved in both groups (6–12%), whereas 40 m sprint and CMJ remained unchanged, except for a significant decrease in 40 m sprint for the athletes in NCG. Athletes with nutritional guidance increased BW more, however, excess energy intake in a weight-gain protocol should be considered carefully due to undesirable increases in body fat.     

Perspectives of mentoring: The Black female student-athlete

The purpose of this study was to understand Black female collegiate athletes’ perception of mentors and the characteristics of their current mentors. Understanding their definition of a mentor and the persons whom fulfill the psychosocial and career mentor roles will provide insight on the mentor–mentee relationship. In addition, the researchers found it necessary to ascertain the persons whom fulfill the athletic mentor role due to the collegiate athletic status. This study is approached from a critical feminist lens, utilizing a qualitative questionnaire to capture and analyze the voice and perceptions of the Black female athletes (n = 38) from two Division I universities. Critical race theory and Black feminist thought were employed to capture the “multiple jeopardies” of the Black female athlete, thus recognizing race, or racism, and gender, or sexism, are at the fore of their daily experiences. The findings revealed Black female athletes’ definitions of a mentor were characterized by the traditional mentor qualities such as a guide, a supporter, and a role model. Further analysis indicated the women had three distinctly different persons to fulfill each mentor dimension to include: career/academic support, psychosocial support, and athletic support. However, the characteristics of those persons who fulfilled each dimension were family members, with greater influence by the coach on the athletic support dimension. Based on the findings it would benefit administrators to recognize these characteristics and persons of influence when providing support services and developmental programs for the Black female collegiate athlete.     

黑龙江省普通高校高水平运动员心理健康现状研究

运用《症状自评量表》对黑龙江省7所普通高校的376名高水平运动员进行测量,评定出普通高校高水平运动员的心理健康状况。结果表明：黑龙江省普通高校高水平运动员的心理健康状况较差,心理健康水平各项指标得分均高于全国成人常模,大部分指标也高于全国普通专业大学生;女子高水平运动员在人际关系、焦虑、精神病性等3个因子方面明显高于男子高水平运动员;不同年级的高水平运动员在人际关系因子、焦虑因子及精神病性因子方面,具有显著差异性;一年级、四年级高水平运动员的心理健康水平较差。     

A lower extremity strength-based profile of NCAA Division I women’s basketball and gymnastics athletes: implications for knee joint injury risk assessment

This study aimed to provide a comprehensive strength-based physiological profile of women’s NCAA Division I basketball and gymnastic athletes; and to make sport-specific comparisons for various strength characteristics of the knee flexor and extensor muscles. A focus on antagonist muscle balance (hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratios, H:Q) was used to elucidate vulnerabilities in these at-risk female athletes. Fourteen NCAA Division I women’s basketball and 13 gymnastics athletes performed strength testing of the knee extensors and flexors. Outcome measures included absolute and relative (body mass normalised) peak torque (PT), rate of torque development at 50, 100, 200 ms (RTD50 etc.) and H:Q ratios of all variables. The basketball athletes had greater absolute strength for all variables except for isokinetic PT at 240°s^?1 and isometric RTD50 for the knee extensors. Gymnasts showed ~20% weaker body mass relative concentric PT for the knee flexors at 60 and 120°·s^?1, and decreased conventional H:Q ratios at 60 and 240°·s^?1 (~15%). These findings suggest that collegiate level gymnastics athletes may be prone to increased ACL injury risk due to deficient knee flexor strength and H:Q strength imbalance. Coaches may use these findings when implementing injury prevention screening and/or for individualised strength training programming centered around an athletes strength-related deficits.     

Chronic participation in externally paced,but not self-paced sports is associated with the modulation of domain-general cognition

Abstract

The present study investigated the role of chronic sport participation in the modulation of vigilance and inhibitory control. We also aimed to disentangle the relative contribution of different types of sport expertise and sport-related fitness to the exercise-cognition relationship. Three groups of young adults differing in their chronic sport expertise (externally-paced sports, n?=?22, self-paced sports, n?=?22, non-athletes, n?=?22) took part in the study. Participants completed a cardiovascular fitness test, a hand-eye coordination test and two different types of vigilance tasks: (1) Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) and (2) Oddball Task, which were designed to gain insight into the cognitive processes involved in sustaining attention over time and allocating selective attention by exerting inhibitory control, respectively. No differences were found in PVT performance between the two athlete groups and between self-paced sports athletes and non-athletes, whereas athletes from externally-paced sports outperformed non-athletes. Crucially, athletes from externally-paced sports also differed from those of self-paced sports and non-athletes in the Oddball task, showing less omission and commission errors. The sport expertise effect was independent of participant’s cardiovascular fitness while hand-eye coordination modulated vigilance and inhibitory control performance. Our findings add novel empirical evidence to the role of expertise in cognitively demanding sports as an important factor in the relationship between exercise and cognition.     

Physiological and metabolic responses of wheelchair athletes in different racing classes to prolonged exercise

The aims of this study were to examine and compare selected physiological and metabolic responses of wheelchair athletes in two paraplegic racing classes [T3: n?=?8 (lesion levels T1–T7; paraplegics); T4: n?=?9 (lesion levels below T7; paraplegics)] to prolonged exercise. In addition, we describe the responses of three tetraplegic athletes [T2: n?=?3 (lesion levels C6/C7: tetraplegics)]. Twenty athletes completed 90?min of exercise at 75% [Vdot]O_2peak on a motorized treadmill adapted for wheelchairs. The mean (±s) heart rates of the T3 and T4 racing classes were 165±2 and 172±6 beats?·?min^?1, respectively. For the T4 racing class, heart rate gradually increased during the test (P?<0.05), whereas for the T3 racing class, heart rate reached a plateau after an initial increase. The mean heart rate of the tetraplegics was 114±3 beats?·?min^?1. The T3 and T4 classes exhibited similar respiratory exchange ratios, plasma lactate and glucose concentrations throughout the test. For both the T3 and T4 racing class, free fatty acid, glycerol, ammonia, urea and potassium concentrations had increased from resting values by the end of the test (P?<0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that endurance-trained wheelchair athletes are able to maintain velocities equivalent to the same relative exercise intensity (75% [Vdot]O_2peak) for prolonged periods irrespective of lesion level.