Sources of self-efficacy in springboard and highboard diving: A qualitative investigation

Self-efficacy has been linked with enhanced sports performance and has shown to have a mediating effect on stress. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of self-efficacy as well as the sources and influences on self-efficacy beliefs in competitive springboard and highboard divers. Participants were two adult (M Age = 39.5 years) and ten adolescent divers (M Age = 14.5 years) with an average of four years experience and were required to participate in semi-structured focus groups. Each focus group consisted of 6 participants; allocation to focus groups was based on convenience for the participant. Transcripts were analysed through deductive reasoning, nine first order theme emerged through the data analysis process; preparatory skills, family influences, coach influences, peer influences, competition, emotions, imaginary barriers, watching diving, and memories. These findings suggest that the effects of physiological and emotional reactions are influential in the development of divers perceptions, and suggest the use of self-efficacy theory as a mediator of these effects

Considering the role of cognitive control in expert performance

© 2014, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. Dreyfus and Dreyfus’ (1986) influential phenomenological analysis of skill acquisition proposes that expert performance is guided by non-cognitive responses which are fast, effortless and apparently intuitive in nature. Although this model has been criticised (e.g., by Breivik Journal of Philosophy of Sport, 34, 116–134 2007, Journal of the Philosophy of Sport, 40, 85–106 2013; Eriksen 2010; Montero Inquiry:An interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy, 53, 105–122 2010; Montero and Evans 2011) for over-emphasising the role that intuition plays in facilitating skilled performance, it does recognise that on occasions (e.g., when performance goes awry for some reason) a form of ‘detached deliberative rationality’ may be used by experts to improve their performance. However, Dreyfus and Dreyfus (1986) see no role for calculative problem solving or deliberation (i.e., drawing on rules or mental representations) when performance is going well. In the current paper, we draw on empirical evidence, insights from athletes, and phenomenological description to argue that ‘continuous improvement’ (i.e., the phenomenon whereby certain skilled performers appear to be capable of increasing their proficiency even though they are already experts; Toner and Moran 2014) among experts is mediated by cognitive (or executive) control in three distinct sporting situations (i.e., in training, during pre-performance routines, and while engaged in on-line skill execution). We conclude by arguing that Sutton et al. Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology, 42, 78–103 (2011) ‘applying intelligence to the reflexes’ (AIR) approach may help to elucidate the process by which expert performers achieve continuous improvement through analytical/mindful behaviour during training and competition

Breeding without Breeding: Is a Complete Pedigree Necessary for Efficient Breeding?

Complete pedigree information is a prerequisite for modern breeding and the ranking of parents and offspring for selection and deployment decisions. DNA fingerprinting and pedigree reconstruction can substitute for artificial matings, by allowing parentage delineation of naturally produced offspring. Here, we report on the efficacy of a breeding concept called “Breeding without Breeding” (BwB) that circumvents artificial matings, focusing instead on a subset of randomly sampled, maternally known but paternally unknown offspring to delineate their paternal parentage. We then generate the information needed to rank those offspring and their paternal parents, using a combination of complete (full-sib: FS) and incomplete (half-sib: HS) analyses of the constructed pedigrees. Using a random sample of wind-pollinated offspring from 15 females (seed donors), growing in a 41-parent western larch population, BwB is evaluated and compared to two commonly used testing methods that rely on either incomplete (maternal half-sib, open-pollinated: OP) or complete (FS) pedigree designs. BwB produced results superior to those from the incomplete design and virtually identical to those from the complete pedigree methods. The combined use of complete and incomplete pedigree information permitted evaluating all parents, both maternal and paternal, as well as all offspring, a result that could not have been accomplished with either the OP or FS methods alone. We also discuss the optimum experimental setting, in terms of the proportion of fingerprinted offspring, the size of the assembled maternal and paternal half-sib families, the role of external gene flow, and selfing, as well as the number of parents that could be realistically tested with BwB

Impact of clinical phenotypes on management and outcomes in European atrial fibrillation patients: a report from the ESC-EHRA EURObservational Research Programme in AF (EORP-AF) General Long-Term Registry

Background: Epidemiological studies in atrial fibrillation (AF) illustrate that clinical complexity increase the risk of major adverse outcomes. We aimed to describe European AF patients\u2019 clinical phenotypes and analyse the differential clinical course. Methods: We performed a hierarchical cluster analysis based on Ward\u2019s Method and Squared Euclidean Distance using 22 clinical binary variables, identifying the optimal number of clusters. We investigated differences in clinical management, use of healthcare resources and outcomes in a cohort of European AF patients from a Europe-wide observational registry. Results: A total of 9363 were available for this analysis. We identified three clusters: Cluster 1 (n = 3634; 38.8%) characterized by older patients and prevalent non-cardiac comorbidities; Cluster 2 (n = 2774; 29.6%) characterized by younger patients with low prevalence of comorbidities; Cluster 3 (n = 2955;31.6%) characterized by patients\u2019 prevalent cardiovascular risk factors/comorbidities. Over a mean follow-up of 22.5 months, Cluster 3 had the highest rate of cardiovascular events, all-cause death, and the composite outcome (combining the previous two) compared to Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 (all P <.001). An adjusted Cox regression showed that compared to Cluster 2, Cluster 3 (hazard ratio (HR) 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.27\u20133.62; HR 3.42, 95%CI 2.72\u20134.31; HR 2.79, 95%CI 2.32\u20133.35), and Cluster 1 (HR 1.88, 95%CI 1.48\u20132.38; HR 2.50, 95%CI 1.98\u20133.15; HR 2.09, 95%CI 1.74\u20132.51) reported a higher risk for the three outcomes respectively. Conclusions: In European AF patients, three main clusters were identified, differentiated by differential presence of comorbidities. Both non-cardiac and cardiac comorbidities clusters were found to be associated with an increased risk of major adverse outcomes

Using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Athletes to Reduce Irrational Beliefs and Increase Unconditional Self-Acceptance

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York. The reported application of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) with athletes is growing but remains scarce within sport psychology literature. This study used a single-case multiple-baseline across participants design to investigate the effects of REBT on irrational self-depreciation beliefs and unconditional self-acceptance (USA) with three male mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes. Visual and statistical analyses indicate a reduction in total irrationality and self-depreciation and an increase in USA, which was maintained at 6 months post-REBT for two of the three athletes. Social validation data revealed positive changes in emotion management and performance in all athletes. The mechanisms by which REBT promoted changes in self-depreciation and USA are discussed as are recommendations regarding the future implementation of REBT with athletes

Team Dynamics Theory: Nomological network among cohesion, team mental models, coordination, and collective efficacy

I put forth a theoretical framework, namely Team Dynamics Theory (TDT), to address the need for a parsimonious yet integrated, explanatory and systemic view of team dynamics. In TDT, I integrate team processes and outputs and explain their relationships within a systemic view of team dynamics. Specifically, I propose a generative nomological network linking cohesion, team mental models, coordination, collective efficacy, and team outcomes. From this nomological conceptualization, I illustrate how myriad alternative models can be derived to account for variance in different working teams, each comprised of unique members, and embedded in singular contexts. I outline TDT’s applied implications for team development, the enhancement of team functioning, and the profiling of team resilience. I conclude by discussing how TDT’s ontological and nomological propositions can be tested through various theoretical inquiries, methodological approaches, and intervention-based studies

Thulium laser transurethral vaporesection of the prostate versus transurethral resection of the prostate: The UNBLOCS RCT and economic evaluation

Background: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the standard operation for benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Thulium laser transurethral vaporesection of the prostate (ThuVARP) vaporises and resects the prostate using a technique similar to TURP. The small amount of existing literature suggested potential advantages over TURP.Objective(s): To determine whether ThuVARP is equivalent to TURP in men with BPO treated within the NHS. Design: A multi-centre, pragmatic, randomised, controlled, parallel-group trial, with embedded qualitative study and economic evaluation.Setting: Seven UK centres: four university teaching hospitals and three district general hospitals. Participants: Men ≥ 18 years suitable for TURP, presenting with bothersome Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) or urinary retention secondary to BPO. Interventions: Patients were randomised 1:1 to receive TURP or ThuVARP and remained blinded. Main outcome measures: Two co-primary outcomes; patient reported International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and clinical measure of maximum urine flow rate (Qmax) 12 months post-surgery.Results: In total, 410 men were randomised, 205 per arm. The two procedures were equivalent for IPSS score [adjusted mean difference 0.28 points higher in ThuVARP (favouring TURP), 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.92 to 1.49]. The two procedures were not equivalent for Qmax [adjusted mean difference of 3.12ml/s in favour of TURP, 95% CI 0.45 to 5.79ml/s], with TURP deemed to be superior to ThuVARP. Surgical outcomes such as complication and blood transfusion rates, and hospital stay were similar for ThuVARP and TURP. Patient reported urinary and sexual symptoms were also similar between the arms. Qualitative interviews indicated similar patient experiences for both procedures. However, 25% of ThuVARP patients did not undergo their randomised allocation versus 2% for TURP. Prostate cancer was also detected less frequently from routine histology after ThuVARP [65% lower odds of detection], in an exploratory analysis. Adjusted mean differences between the arms were similar for secondary care NHS costs (£71 higher in ThuVARP, 95% CI -£343 to £486) and Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) (0.01 favouring TURP, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.02). Limitations: Complications were collected in pre-specified categories; those not pre-specified were excluded due to variable reporting. Pre-operative Qmax and IPSS data could not be collected for patients with indwelling catheters, making adjustment for baseline status difficult.Conclusions: TURP was superior to ThuVARP for Qmax, although both operations achieved a Qmax considered clinically successful. ThuVARP also potentially resulted in lower detection of prostate cancer due to a lesser volume of tissue for histology. Length of hospital stay, anticipated to be a key benefit for ThuVARP, was equal to TURP in this trial. Overall, both ThuVARP and TURP were effective procedures for BPO, with minor benefits favouring TURP. The results therefore suggest that it may be appropriate that new treatment alternatives continue to be compared to TURP.Future work: Longer-term follow up to assess reoperation rates over time, and research into the comparative effectiveness of ThuVARP and TURP in large prostates.Trial registration: ISRCTN registry - ISRCTN00788389Funding: National Institute for Health and Research, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme