Coach's Perception of Parent's Attitudes in School-Age Sports

The Relationship between Anger Expression and Performance Score in Parents and Coaches: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy and Assertiveness

BACKGROUND

Youth sport provides regular physical activity for millions of children. It is a global system, which includes coaches, referees, athletes, and parent spectators; consequently, the behavior of each member can influence the experiences of others. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy and assertiveness in the relationship between the degree of anger expression and the performance children's score in a group of parents and coaches.

METHODS

200 parents (96 fathers, 104 mothers) and 200 coaches (119 males, 81 females) responded to the General Self-efficacy Scale, The Scale for Interpersonal Behavior, and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2; an indicator of performance was asked of each coach. The age range of parents was 28-59 years (M = 41.39, SD = 7.07), while that of coaches was 27-43 years (M = 35.91, SD = 3.35).

RESULTS

Results revealed that self-efficacy and assertiveness were the direct and indirect predictors of performance score.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provided an understanding of the nature and magnitude of this profoundly interpersonal experience. Future studies may advance relevant education programs and effective interventions aimed at reducing angry expressions and lack of communication.

Psychosocial aspects of sports medicine in pediatric athletes: Current concepts in the 21st century

Behavioral aspects of organized sports activity for pediatric athletes are considered in a world consumed with winning at all costs. In the first part of this treatise, we deal with a number of themes faced by our children in their sports play. These concepts include the lure of sports, sports attrition, the mental health of pediatric athletes (i.e., effects of stress, anxiety, depression, suicide in athletes, ADHD and stimulants, coping with injuries, drug use, and eating disorders), violence in sports (i.e., concepts of the abused athlete including sexual abuse), dealing with supervisors (i.e., coaches, parents), peers, the talented athlete, early sports specialization and sports clubs. In the second part of this discussion, we cover ergolytic agents consumed by young athletes in attempts to win at all costs. Sports doping agents covered include anabolic steroids (anabolic-androgenic steroids or AAS), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA), human growth hormone (hGH; also its human recombinant homologue: rhGH), clenbuterol, creatine, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), amphetamines, caffeine and ephedrine. Also considered are blood doping that includes erythropoietin (EPO) and concepts of gene doping. In the last section of this discussion, we look at disabled pediatric athletes that include such concepts as athletes with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), myelomeningocele, cerebral palsy, wheelchair athletes, and amputee athletes; also covered are pediatric athletes with visual impairment, deafness, and those with intellectual disability including Down syndrome. In addition, concepts of autonomic dysreflexia, boosting and atlantoaxial instability are emphasized. We conclude that clinicians and society should protect our precious pediatric athletes who face many challenges in their involvement with organized sports in a world obsessed with winning. There is much we can do to help our young athletes find benefit from sports play while avoiding or blunting negative consequences of organized sport activities.

Determinant Factors of Achievement Motivation in School Physical Education

Today, it is important for physical education teachers to know students’ motivation profiles for learning. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze achievement motivation according to four variables: students’ sex, the taught sport modality, students’ experience and teaching methodology. Likewise, the effects of students’ sex and experience on the methodologies applied were analyzed. A total of 108 primary education students (10.95 ± 0.48 years), 54 boys and 54 girls, from three state schools participated in the study. The students answered the Achievement Motivation in Physical Education test (Spanish version) after participating in soccer and basketball programs based on different methodologies. Each class-group received a different educational program (soccer or basketball). The differences between the categories of the variables analyzed were calculated for each dimension of the motivational test through the Mann−Whitney U and Kruskal−Wallis H tests. The effects of students’ sex and experience on the teaching methodologies applied were analyzed using the univariate General Linear Model test. In soccer and basketball, boys perceived being more motor competent (U = 732.00; p < 0.05; r = 0.43) than girls. In addition, experienced students in both sports perceived being more motor competent (U = 695.50; p < 0.05; r = 0.27) than inexperienced students. In turn, they indicated feeling less failure anxiety and stress (U = 780.00; p < 0.05; r = 0.22). All of the students who played soccer reported more commitment (learning dedication) (U = 1051.50; p < 0.05; r = 0.20) and perceived motor competence (U = 972.00; p < 0.05; r = 0.24) than students who played basketball. Considering the effects of students’ sex and experience on the methodologies (perceived motor competence dimension), there were significant differences (F = 7.68; p < 0.05; ηp2 = 0.07) in favor of experienced boys who played soccer and basketball using the Tactical Games Approach methodology. Soccer was practiced more in school and out of school. This made students feel greater commitment (learning dedication) and perceived motor competence towards this invasion sport in physical education. In addition, it was shown that teachers should take into account students’ sex and experience because they are two factors that influence the teaching of sports and achievement motivation.

Factors promoting collaboration between community sports leaders and guardians in urban areas of Japan: A cross-sectional study

Background

Community sports leaders (CSLs) are expected to play an important role in promoting regional sports in Japan. Increased opportunities for CSLs to work in schools and engage with guardians could encourage middle-aged adults to participate in regional sports activities. However, few CSLs work with guardians, and there is no evidence regarding what CSL characteristics encourage collaboration. The present study aimed to ascertain the aspects of coordination for CSLs collaborating with guardians in urban areas.

Methods

A self-administered questionnaire survey was mailed to all 1,489 CSLs through 59 municipalities using the CSL out of 62 in Tokyo, Japan, from July to November 2021. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic data, variables related to CSL activities, coordination functions, and experience collaborating with guardians. We conducted a binomial logistic regression analysis using experience collaborating with guardians as the dependent variable, coordination function as the explanatory variable, and gender, age, residence duration, years of CSL experience, and the number of activities as covariates.

Results

The analyzed sample comprised 478 CSLs. Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between experience collaborating with guardians and the coordination function of internal/external CSL organizations, such as participation in non-CSL community activities, experience teaching and supporting their own children's sports, activity initiatives, number of times they used the school gymnasium, awareness of the regional sports plan, and cooperation with the chairman of the neighborhood association.

Conclusions

Collaboration with guardians was related to CSL's individual experience engaging in regional sports from parenting and community collaboration, such as participation in non-CSL community activities and their relationship with the chairman of the neighborhood association. CSL activities may have the potential to encourage middle-aged adults to participate in regional sports.

Impact of Basketball Match on the Pre-Competitive Anxiety and HRV of Youth Female Players

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of a basketball competition on the pre-competitive anxiety and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) of young female basketball players. A total of 12 female basketball players participated in this cross-sectional study. Girls had a mean age of 14 (1.41) years old and a mean experience of 4 (0.85) years practicing basketball. The pre-competitive anxiety and the HRV was assessed the week before and immediately before and after the match. Results showed a significant reduction (p-value < 0.05) of the several HRV variables after the match compared to baseline and pre-competition measures. However, differences between baseline and pre-competition were not found. Furthermore, a significant increase in somatic anxiety after the competition was reported. Taking into account HRV, somatic anxiety, and cognitive anxiety results, young female basketball players did not exhibit an increase in pre-competition anxiety. HRV measurements before competition can help coaches and physical trainers to identify female players with higher pre-competitive anxiety and propose intervention to manage it. Future studies should investigate the impact of coaches and parents on the pre-competitive anxiety of female and male basketball players.