The influence of the perceived requirements of the next match and motivation on the mental fatigue of soccer players

The high cognitive and/or emotional demands of competition can lead to a state of mental fatigue which has shown to be detrimental to soccer performance. However, there is a need to further understand the true mental demands of soccer players. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of motivation and the perceived requirements of the next match on mental fatigue perceived by soccer players over the passing of a season. The combined effect of both variables on the perception of mental fatigue, as well as the influence of the time of the season on perceived mental fatigue, were also analyzed. Twenty-six semi-professional Spanish male players (M = 26.31 ± 5.18 years) participated in the present study, conducted during the 2020-2021 season. Perceived mental fatigue and motivation were measured at each training session. The perceived requirements of the next match were also measured in each of the competitive weeks. Linear mixed models were run with R Studio to examine the influence of motivation and the perceived difficulty of the next match on perceived mental fatigue, the combined effect of both variables on perceived mental fatigue, and the influence of the passing of the season on perceived mental fatigue. The results showed a negative and significant influence of motivation on perceived mental fatigue (p < 0.001) and a positive and significant influence of the perceived requirements of the next match on perceived mental fatigue (p < 0.001). Regarding the combined effect, there was a positive and significant effect (p < 0.01) of the perceived difficulty of the next match on the relation between motivation and perceived mental fatigue. A negative influence of season passage on perceived mental fatigue levels was found (p < 0.001). We recommended coaches to consider using the most motivating training tasks when higher next-match requirements are perceived and to be careful with avoidance strategies for mental fatigue, especially at the beginning of the season

Brote de eritema infeccioso en un centro de salud urbano

ObjetivosAnalizar las características clínicas y serológicas de un brote de eritema infeccioso en pacientes que acudieron a las 2 consultas de pediatría del Centro de Salud de Soria Norte.DiseñoEstudio descriptivo, transversal.EmplazamientoConsultas de pediatría del Centro de Salud de Soria Norte.PacientesUna vez sospechado el brote, se estudiaron niños con clínica sugestiva de eritema infeccioso que acudieron sucesivamente a las 2 consultas de pediatría de Soria Norte durante los meses de abril a agosto de 1998 y consintieron en la práctica de analítica.IntervencionesSe realizó registro de síntomas clínicos, serología, hemograma y evolución de 25 pacientes.ResultadosSe estudiaron 25 pacientes del total de casos, confirmando nuestra sospecha diagnóstica en un 84% de los casos. No se observaron diferencias en ambos sexos, con una edad media de 6,1 años, y DE, 2,015. El signo clínico más constante fue el exantema en mejillas, presente en un 100% de los casos confirmados, seguido de exantema en tronco y extremidades en un 57,1%, adenopatías en un 9,5% y fiebre en un 4,7%. En ningún caso se objetivaron complicaciones.ConclusionesLos resultados de este trabajo permiten confirmar la existencia de un brote de eritema infeccioso en nuestro medio. Consideramos útil la confirmación serológica para constatar la presencia de un brote y poder realizar un enfoque terapéutico (frente a complicaciones posibles) y preventivo adecuado. Destacamos el carácter, en general, benigno de la enfermedad.ObjectivesTo analyse the clinical and serological characteristics of an outbreak of infectious erythema in patients attending the two paediatrics clinics at the Soria Norte Health Centre.DesignCross-sectional, descriptive study.SettingPaediatrics clinics of the Soria Norte Health Centre.PatientsOnce the outbreak was suspected, the study was conducted on children with a clinical picture suggesting infectious erythema who attended successively two Soria Norte paediatrics clinics between April and August 1998 and who consented to the analyses.InterventionsThe clinical symptoms, serology, haemogram and evolution of 25 patients were recorded.Results25 patients of the total were studied and diagnostic suspicion was confirmed in 84% of the cases. There were no differences between sexes, with an average age of 6.1, SD 2.015. The most constant clinical sign was exanthem on the cheeks, present in 100% of the cases confirmed, followed by 57% exanthem on the trunk and limbs, 9.5% adenopathies and 4.7% temperature. No complications were found in any case.ConclusionsThe results of this study confirm the existence of an outbreak of infectious erythema in our area. Serological confirmation of an outbreak is useful and can lay the basis for a proper therapeutic and preventive focus (against possible complications). We highlight the generally benign nature of the disease

Influence of coaches training on athletes motivation

El objetivo del estudio era conocer la influencia de las formaciones académica y federativa de los entrenadores sobre los niveles de motivación, diversión, aburrimiento e intención de persistencia en jóvenes deportistas. Para ello, participaron 432 jóvenes con edades entre 10 y 16 años (M = 13,44; DT = 2,92), pertenecientes a disciplinas deportivas individuales (n = 162) y colectivas (n = 270), de género masculino (n = 245) y femenino (n = 187), seleccionados mediante un muestreo por conglomerados. También, participaron 88 entrenadores deportivos, con edades entre los 20 y 56 años (M = 35,79; DT = 9,58). Se llevó a cabo un análisis de diferencias en función de la cualificación académica y federativa de los entrenadores. Los resultados señalaron que los deportistas dirigidos por entrenadores sin formación federativa presentaban mayores niveles de desmotivación. Asimismo, los deportistas entrenados por técnicos sin titulación académica obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones en las regulaciones extrínsecas (identificada y externa). Por tanto, los hallazgos respaldan parcialmente la relevancia de la formación de los entrenadores, obteniéndose diferencias en regulaciones alejadas del máximo nivel de autodeterminación (externa), desmotivación y aburrimientoThe aim of the study was to examine the influence of the coaches´ academic and federative training on motivation, enjoyment, boredom and intention to persist levels in youth athletes. Participants were 432 youth athletes (male = 245, female = 187) ranged from 10 to 16 years old (M = 13.44; SD = 2.92) who participated in individual (n = 163) and collectives sports (n = 270) selected by cluster sampling. Moreover, 88 sport coaches, ranged from 20 to 56 years old (M = 35,79; SD = 9,58), participated in the study. An analysis of differences with regard to academic and federative coaches´ qualification was conducted. Results revealed that athletes trained by coaches without federative training showed greater amotivation levels. Moreover, individuals trained by coaches without academic qualification had higher scores in extrinsic regulation (identified and external). Therefore, findings partially supported the relevance of coaches’ qualification levels, due to the differences found in some extrinsic regulations (external), amotivation and boredo

Gender differences in motivation and perception of utility of the scholar spot

El principal objetivo del estudio es analizar las diferencias entre el nivel de autodeterminación y la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas básicas en función del género y su incidencia sobre la percepción de utilidad del deporte. Participaron en el estudio 1897 jóvenes jugadores de baloncesto, balonmano, fútbol y voleibol (1378 chicos y 519 chicas). Diferentes instrumentos fueron utilizados para medir las distintas variables abordadas en el estudio. Los resultados mostraron que los chicos presentan puntuaciones más altas en todos los tipos de motivación y que su sentimiento de competencia es más elevado que el de las chicas. Por otro lado, la motivación autodeterminada y la satisfacción de las necesidades conducen a percibir mayor utilidad del deporte en ambos génerosThe aim of the study was to analyze the differences between self-determination level and satisfaction of the three psychological needs with respect to gender and their influence on the perception of utility of the sport. The sample comprised 1897 basketball, handball, football and volleyball young players (1378 boys and 519 girls). Different measures were used to examine the differences between the variables contained in the study. Results showed that boys were more intrinsically and extrinsically motivated and showed less a motivation than girls, as well as their scored higher in competence than girls. However, both for boys and girls, self-determined motivation and psychological needs satisfaction led to a greater perception of utility of the spor

Analysis of the group process and the performance in semiprofessional soccer

El principal objetivo del estudio es aplicar un modelo teórico analizando dos de los antecedentes de la eficacia colectiva, el clima motivacional y la cohesión grupal, y su principal consecuencia como es el rendimiento. Los participantes fueron 203 futbolistas que participaban en el grupo XIV de la Liga Nacional de Tercera División, que rellenaron diversos instrumentos para valorar el clima motivacional, la cohesión y la eficacia colectiva. Los resultados obtenidos señalan que el modelo teórico que se aplica confirma que el clima que implica a la tarea predice la cohesión grupal. Además, la cohesión tarea se manifiesta como el principal predictor de la eficacia colectiva, y ésta a su vez del rendimiento. La principal conclusión es que para optimizar la percepción de eficacia colectiva y con ello, la mejora del rendimiento, parece fundamental que los entrenadores planteen estrategias para fomentar los aspectos tarea del clima motivacional y la cohesión grupal en los jugadores.The main aim of the study was to test a theoretical model examining two of the antecedents of the collective efficacy, motivational climate and group cohesion, as well as performance as their principal consequence. Participants were 203 footballers who played in the XIV group of National League in Third Division and filled several instruments to assess motivational climate, cohesion and collective efficacy. The theoretical model showed that mastery climate predicted group cohesion. Furthermore, task cohesion emerged as the strongest predictor of collective efficacy, and this variable predicted performance. The main conclusion is that to optimize perception of collective efficacy and so, increase performance, it seems important that coaches promote strategies to enhance task related motivational climate and group cohesion in players

Influencia de una aplicación de telefonía móvil de entrenamiento sobre las necesidades psicológicas y la motivación autodeterminada en escolares

Sobre la base teórica de la Teoría de la Autodeterminación, conel presente estudio se pretendía analizar el efecto de las aplicaciones móvilesrelacionadas con el control del entrenamiento, sobre las necesidades psicológicasbásicas, el nivel de autodeterminación hacia la práctica deportiva yla diversión. Para ello, se desarrolló un estudio cuasiexperimental en el queparticiparon 54 alumnos (M = 16.4; DT = 1.51), de género masculino (n =32) y de género femenino (n = 22) de cinco centros de enseñanza secundariade la comunidad autónoma de Extremadura. Los sujetos del grupo experimental(n = 27) desarrollaron un programa de intervención de entrenamientoautónomo de tipo aeróbico registrado y controlado en la aplicaciónmóvil “Endomondo Sport Tracker” de ocho semanas de duración. Los componentesdel grupo de control experimental (n = 27) registraron el mismoprograma de entrenamiento autónomo en una ficha de registro facilitadapor el grupo investigador. Los resultados demostraron que la satisfacción dela necesidad de competencia, la autodeterminación hacia la realización de laactividad y la diversión al realizarla fueron mayores en aquellos participantesque utilizaron la aplicación respecto a aquellos que no la utilizaron. Apesar de ello, no se registraron diferencias significativas en la mayoría de lasvariables analizadas en el estudio, por lo que se considera necesario seguirindagando en esta línea de trabajo

4D monitoring of active sinkholes with a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS): A Case study in the evaporite karst of the Ebro Valley, NE Spain

This work explores, for the first time, the application of a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) and a comparison of point clouds in the 4D monitoring of active sinkholes. The approach is tested in three highly-active sinkholes related to the dissolution of salt-bearing evaporites overlain by unconsolidated alluvium. The sinkholes are located in urbanized areas and have caused severe damage to critical infrastructure (flood-control dike, a major highway). The 3D displacement models derived from the comparison of point clouds with exceptionally high spatial resolution allow complex spatial and temporal subsidence patterns within one of the sinkholes to be resolved. Detected changes in the subsidence activity (e.g., sinkhole expansion, translation of the maximum subsidence zone, development of incipient secondary collapses) are related to potential controlling factors such as floods, water table changes or remedial measures. In contrast, with detailed mapping and high-precision leveling, the displacement models, covering a relatively short time span of around 6 months, do not capture the subtle subsidence (< 0.6-1 cm) that affects the marginal zones of the sinkholes, precluding precise mapping of the edges of the subsidence areas. However, the performance of TLS can be adversely affected by some methodological limitations and local conditions: (1) limited accuracy in large investigation areas that require the acquisition of a high number of scans, increasing the registration error; (2) surface changes unrelated to sinkhole activity (e.g., vegetation, loose material); (3) traffic-related vibrations and wind blast that affect the stability of the scanner

Functional insight into the reciprocal paracrine crosstalk of stromal fibroblasts in the head and neck cancer microenvironment

Trabajo presentado en el 18th ASEICA International Congress, celebrado en Santiago de Compostela (España) del 16 al 18 de noviembre de 2022

The wideband backend at the MDSCC in Robledo. A new facility for radio astronomy at Q- and K- bands

The antennas of NASA's Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC) in Robledo de Chavela are available as single-dish radio astronomical facilities during a significant percentage of their operational time. Current instrumentation includes two antennas of 70 and 34 m in diameter, equipped with dual-polarization receivers in K (18 - 26 GHz) and Q (38 - 50 GHz) bands, respectively. We have developed and built a new wideband backend for the Robledo antennas, with the objectives (1) to optimize the available time and enhance the efficiency of radio astronomy in MDSCC; and (2) to tackle new scientific cases impossible to that were investigated with the old, narrow-band autocorrelator. The backend consists of an IF processor, a FFT spectrometer (FFTS), and the software that interfaces and manages the events among the observing program, antenna control, the IF processor, the FFTS operation, and data recording. The whole system was end-to-end assembled in August 2011, at the start of commissioning activities, and the results are reported in this paper. Frequency tunings and line intensities are stable over hours, even when using different synthesizers and IF channels; no aliasing effects have been measured, and the rejection of the image sideband was characterized. The first setup provides 1.5 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth in a single polarization, using 8192 channels and a frequency resolution of 212 kHz; upgrades under way include a second FFTS card, and two high-resolution cores providing 100 MHz and 500 MHz of bandwidth, and 16384 channels. These upgrades will permit simultaneous observations of the two polarizations with instantaneous bandwidths from 100 MHz to 3 GHz, and spectral resolutions from 7 to 212 kHz.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures. Accepted to Astronomy and Astrophysic