Sport treiben ein Leben lang?

Current demographic development attracts the attention of the sports sciences to the determinants of sport participation among people in the second half of life. Due to various life experiences in this age cohort, the question arises as to how much sports experiences affect contemporary sport participation. Starting with research into the life course people had followed, persons aged over 50 years were interviewed retrospectively about their current and former participation in sporting activities. Results show that sport participation of many years’ standing in the first half of life in particular, as well as sport activities in young adulthood, has a positive affect on the course of sport participation in the second half of life. Furthermore, period and cohort effects indicate that sports commitment is moderately affected by the variables sex and social environment.     

Criss-cross heart three-dimensional printed models in medical education: A multicenter study on their value as a supporting tool to conventional imaging

The utility of three-dimensional (3D) printed models for medical education in complex congenital heart disease (CHD) is sparse and limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of 3D printed models for medical education in criss-cross hearts covering a wide range of participants with different levels of knowledge and experience, from medical students, clinical fellows up to senior medical personnel. Study participants were enrolled from four dedicated imaging workshops developed between 2016 and 2019. The study design was a non-randomized cross-over study to evaluate 127 participants' level of understanding of the criss-cross heart anatomy. This was evaluated using the scores obtained following teaching with conventional images (echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging) versus a 3D printed model learning approach. A significant improvement in anatomical knowledge of criss-cross heart anatomy was observed when comparing conventional imaging test scores to 3D printed model tests [76.9% (61.5%–87.8%) vs. 84.6% (76.9%–96.2%), P < 0.001]. The increase in the questionnaire marks was statistically significant across all academic groups (consultants in pediatric cardiology, fellows in pediatric cardiology, and medical students). Ninety-four percent (120) and 95.2% (121) of the participants agreed or strongly agreed, respectively, that 3D models helped them to better understand the medical images. Participants scored their overall satisfaction with the 3D printed models as 9.1 out of 10 points. In complex CHD such as criss-cross hearts, 3D printed replicas improve the understanding of cardiovascular anatomy. They enhanced the teaching experience especially when approaching medical students.     

What is influencing the dropout behaviour of youth players from organised football?

This article provides a systematised review of relevant factors influencing youth dropout from organised football. The findings of identified 30 studies concerning dropout behaviour in football indicate the multidimensional influences of intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural factors. Most studies investigate the influence of intrapersonal factors. Accordingly, negatively perceived football competence, lack of motivation, goals and incentives and a lower relative age lead to a higher dropout rate. At the interpersonal level, lack of support from significant others (parents, peers, coach) and a disadvantageous team situations promote withdrawal from organised youth football. A lack of organisational and structural conditions promote dropout too. Based on this review, the following identified research gaps should be addressed in future studies: (1) analysis of individuals’ dropout decision as a selection of available alternatives, (2) referencing to corresponding contextual features of dropout behaviour, (3) the longitudinal perspective at dropout behaviour and (4) the perspective of intervention. Furthermore, some practical implications can be derived for the management of youth members in football clubs: (1) strengthen and develop successive coaching competencies, (2) reflection of own club philosophy against the background of divergent expectations of adolescents, (3) measures to promote identification with the football club and (4) anchoring of orientation regarding to young players as a central objective in the club.     

Evaluation of Maximal Reliability for Unidimensional Measuring Instruments With Correlated Errors

A latent variable modeling method for studying maximal reliability of unidimensional multicomponent measuring instruments with correlated errors is outlined. In the presence of correlation between 2 residual terms, the procedure allows one to point and interval estimate the reliability of the linear combination of the scale components that possesses the highest possible reliability coefficient. The approach is readily applicable with popular latent variable modeling software and also provides an alternative scoring rule to the widely used overall sum score for homogeneous psychometric scales. The discussed method is illustrated with a numerical example.