Positive youth development and observed athlete behavior in recreational sport

Objectives Competence, confidence, connection, and character are regarded as outcomes of positive youth development (PYD) in sport. However, the specific athlete behaviors associated with different PYD profiles are not well understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between athletes\u27 observed behavior during sport competitions and their perceptions of PYD outcomes. Design Cross-sectional study with systematic behavioral observation. Method Sixty-seven youth athletes were observed during basketball games near the end of their season, and the content of their behavior was systematically coded. Athletes also completed measures of the 4 Cs (competence, confidence connection, and character). A person- centered analysis approach was used to examine the relationship between PYD profiles and observed behavior. Results A cluster analysis identified two homogenous groups of athletes characterized by relatively high and low perceptions of confidence, connection, and character. A MANCOVA revealed that after controlling for gender and years of playing experience, the high Cs group engaged in more frequent sport communication with their coaches. Conclusions Results re-affirm the critical role that coaches play in the developmental experiences of young athletes, and highlight the importance of contextual factors of the youth sport environment

Pickleball for Inactive Mid-Life and Older Adults in Rural Utah: A Feasibility Study

Many diseases, disabilities, and mental health conditions associated with aging can be delayed or prevented through regular exercise. Several barriers to exercise, many of which are exacerbated in rural communities, prevent mid-life and older adults from accessing its benefits. However, recently, a racquet sport named pickleball has become popular among older adults, and it appears to overcome some of these barriers. We conducted a feasibility study to evaluate the impact of a six-week pickleball intervention on measures of muscle function, cognitive function, perceived pain, and cardio-metabolic risk, as well as several psychosocial factors contributing to adherence in sedentary rural participants. Participants improved their vertical jump, cognitive performance, and reported a decrease in self-reported pain, suggesting improved physical and cognitive health across the sample. Participants also reported high levels of satisfaction and demonstrated good adherence over the duration of the study. Perhaps of greatest value was the overwhelmingly positive response from participants to the intervention and follow-up interviews reporting a desire to continue pickleball play beyond the study period. Overall, pickleball appears to be a promising intervention to, (1) elicit functional- and cognitive-related improvements, and (2) motivate mid-life and older adults to adhere to exercise sufficiently long to benefit their health

Exploring sociometric status and peer relations in youth sport

More than 10 years ago, it was suggested that sociometry and systematic observation were two potentially useful but under-utilized methods for the study o f peers in youth sport (Smith, 2003). Despite this call, the methods used to study peers in sport remain largely focused on athletes’ perceptions through questionnaires and interviews. Thus, the purpose o f this descriptive study was to investigate the utility o f sociometry in relation to sport competence and observed athlete behavior in youth sport. Three adolescent female volleyball teams were videotaped during three practice sessions, and sport competence and sociometric status were assessed using questionnaires. An observational coding system was developed and used to code athlete behaviors and data were compared across sociometric status groups. Results revealed significant differences between sociometric status groups on peer ratings o f sport competence, but not on athlete behavior. However, interesting findings emerged with respect to how status groups interacted with teammates and coaches. Thus, sport competence seems to be an important factor in gaining acceptance among youth peer groups. Further, sociometry and behavioral observation appear to be useful techniques that should continue to be employed in the study o f peer relations in youth sport

Exploring the relationship between sociometric status and peer interactive behaviour in youth sport

In 2003, Smith suggested in an influential review paper that behavioural observation and sociometry were two potentially useful but under-utilized methods for the study of peers in youth sport. Despite this call, the methods used to study peers in sport remain largely focused on athletes\u27 perceptions through questionnaires and interviews (Murphy-Mills, Bruner, Erickson, & Côté, 2011). Thus, the purpose of this project was to examine sociometric status, sport competence, and peer interactive behaviour in a youth sport context using an observational coding system. Female volleyball players (N = 29; Mage = 16; SD = 1.39) from three competitive teams completed the sport competence and peer connection inventories (Vierimaa, Erickson, Côté, & Gilbert, in press), and each team was videotaped during three practices. An observational coding system comprised of seven categories was developed and used to code athlete behaviours in a continuous, time-based manner and this data was compared across teams and sociometric status groups. Consistent with past research, popular athletes received significantly higher (p \u3c .05) peer ratings of sport competence. Behavioural profiles were constructed for each sociometric status group, which revealed behavioural variation between groups in multiple categories (e.g., prosocial behaviour and overall sociability). Results will be presented in greater detail and implications for future research and practice will be discussed

The developmental model of sport participation: 15 years after its first conceptualization

The Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP) is a model of athlete development which has been comprehensively researched and refined over the last 15 years. The DMSP is based upon theoretical and empirical data and describes the processes, pathways, and outcomes associated with sport development throughout childhood and adolescence. Côté, Lidor, and Hackfort (in 2009) proposed seven postulates associated with the different pathways of the DMSP. More specifically, five postulates focus on the influence of sampling and deliberate play on youth’s participation, performance, and personal development in sport and two postulates focused on important transitions. The purpose of the present article is to systematically grade the quality of empirical evidence supporting each of these seven postulates, and provide recommendations for best practice to help guide sport policy in each of these areas