Interpersonal behaviors questionnaire in sport: psychometric analysis with romanian professional athletes

Building upon self-determination theory, our objective in this research was to adapt and analyze psychometrically the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire (IBQ) in sport. Our participants were 642 professional athletes (55.14% men, M age = 22.81) who completed an online survey measuring their perception of coaching behaviors, need satisfaction, need frustration, and motivation. The results showed a good fit for the 24-item IBQ with a six-factor correlated model (χ2/ df = 4.178; CFI = .925; TLI = .912; SRMR = .048; RMSEA = .070), and we obtained evidence supporting its convergent and discriminant validity. The analyses also underpinned measurement invariance across gender, age, and sport, and confirmed good reliability. Criterion validity was met by positive associations of autonomy-supportive, competence-supportive, and relatedness-supportive behaviors with need satisfaction and autonomous motivation; and of autonomy-thwarting, competence-thwarting and relatedness-thwarting behaviors with need frustration, controlled motivation and amotivation. The adapted IBQ can be applied to the assessment of professional Romanian athletes’ perceptions of need-supportive and need-thwarting coaching behaviors

The influence of cognitive load and vision variability on postural balance in adolescents with intellectual disabilities

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the impact of cognitive load, particularly its escalation during the execution of the same test, under varying vision conditions, on postural balance among adolescents with intellectual disability (ID).MethodsTwenty adolescents underwent balance assessments under different visual conditions (Open Eyes (OE), Closed Eyes (CE), Flash, Goggles, Visual Stimulation (VS)) and task settings (Single Task (ST), Dual Task (DT) without challenges, and DT with challenges). The cognitive test was assessed using Verbal Fluency (VF).Results and discussionSignificant effects were found for Task (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.85), indicating that CoP values significantly increased (p < 0.05) with the introduction of the DT. Dual Task Cost (DTC) demonstrated significant effects for Vision (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.62), with values varying significantly (p < 0.05) among different vision conditions, especially in CE and Flash conditions. Visual Dependency Quotient (VDQ) analyses revealed significant effects of condition (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.84), with significant changes observed in CE/OE and Flash/OE conditions (p < 0.05). Significant effects were observed for Cognitive performance in the Challenge condition (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.86), with decreased performance with cognitive task challenges, particularly in Flash and Goggles conditions (p < 0.05). In conclusion, cognitive tasks, especially challenging ones, and visual variations significantly impact postural balance in adolescents with ID

Relations between specific athleticism and morphology in young basketball players

IntroductionBasketball is a fast-paced intermittent team sport, wherein the players must exhibit different morphologies and fitness levels depending on their position. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in the athleticism of basketball players by playing positions and in its relations with body composition and anthropometric measures. It was hypothesized that calculated athleticism has stronger and better predictive relations with morphology compared to motoric tests alone.Methods47 basketball players were divided into three groups according to playing position [guards (n = 14), forwards (n = 22), centers (n = 11)]. Body composition and anthropometrical measurements were done for all players. Athleticism was presented in terms of overall (OFS), jumping (JFS) and sprinting (SFS) fitness scores.ResultsFitness scores were found to be more strongly related to body composition and anthropometry measurements than motoric tests alone. All three fitness scores were moderate to strongly correlated with skinfold thickness and fat percentage, while body height, fat-free mass, and lean body mass were positively correlated. Significant differences in athleticism fitness scores were found between guards and other groups. Forwards displayed superior athleticism in power and sprint abilities when compared to guards and centers. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that fat percentage, lean muscle mass, skinfold thickness, and arm span exhibited strong predictive capabilities in relation to athleticism scores.ConclusionsCoaches and practitioners should be aware that athleticism includes a multitude of components, and they should use athleticism assessments before designing training regimens that are tailored to each position's unique needs

Acoustical properties of some modern partitioning glass walls systems – case study

The case study presents the results of laboratory measurements carried out for the determination of airborne sound insulation properties for various modern partition glass walls systems. The analyzed partition glass walls were made with structures of aluminum profiles and with sheets of glazed materials. Laboratory measurements for determining the airborne sound insulation of walls were performed in the airborne sound insulation stand of Building Acoustics Laboratory of NRDI URBAN INCERC, INCERC Bucharest Branch, in accordance with EN ISO 10140- 2 "Acoustics. Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements. Part 2: Measurement of airborne sound insulation". Measurement results are presented as airborne sound insulation indexes, Rw, and in graph form in the range of frequency 100 ... 3150 Hz. Rating of sound insulation of the walls was made in accordance with EN ISO 717-1 "Acoustics. Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements. Part 1: Airborne sound insulation". After analyzing the results of the measurements, conclusions were drawn regarding the influence of partition glass walls structure on sound insulation properties, both on airborne sound insulation index, Rw, and on graphical results in the frequency range

Postural Control and Neuromuscular Activation in 11–13-Year-Old Athletic Boy Swimmers

Objective: This study compared postural control and neuromuscular activation in athletic swimmers (A-S) and non-athletic swimmers (N-A-S) in older children. Methods: Ten A-S and ten N-A-S underwent assessments of center of pressure (CoP) parameters under static and dynamic surfaces in two directions (dynamic mediolateral (DML) and dynamic anteroposterior (DAP)) in eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions, and electromyography (EMG) parameters under DAP and DML directions in EO and EC conditions. Results: Results showed that A-S demonstrated significantly superior postural control (p p < 0.05), especially in the AP direction. Conclusions: These findings suggested that athletic swimming training may enhance postural control and neuromuscular activation in 11–13-year-old children, emphasizing the potential benefits of incorporating swimming exercises in these children

Gender-specific patterns of muscle imbalance in elite badminton players: A comprehensive exploration

The high-intensity demands of overhead sports exert significant stress on the bilateral shoulder complex, triggering adaptive kinematics and a distinct strength imbalance between internal and external rotators. The imbalance being referred to in the given statement poses a potential risk for humeral head displacement and puts nearby tendons under tension, heightening the vulnerability to injury. This study aims to assess muscle imbalances in badminton athletes. The first hypothesis (H1) suggests that there are differences in internal and external shoulder rotation movements between dominant and non-dominant segments in badminton players. The second hypothesis (H2) proposes that there are variations in muscle imbalances based on gender among elite badminton players. The objectives are to analyze these differences and explore potential gender-related variations in muscle imbalances. The study seeks to contribute to the understanding of muscle imbalances in badminton athletes and potentially guide training and injury prevention strategies in the sport. Using a cutting-edge Hand-Held Dynamometer (HHD), a cohort of 30 elite badminton players underwent an assessment to uncover any bilateral shoulder rotation strength imbalances during a challenging five second isometric maximum contraction. The participants boasted an average age of 17.4 years and a mean playing experience of 7.23 years. The study revealed a notable difference in the ratio of external and internal strength between the dominant and non-dominant shoulders (p = 0.000). This discrepancy amounted to a striking 27.93% muscle imbalance in external rotation/internal rotation strength ratios, favoring the dominant shoulder. Moreover, gender-specific differences were detected, with male players exhibiting a 24.54% muscle imbalance in favor of the dominant shoulder, while female players showcased a more substantial 31.33% imbalance (p = 0.000). In light of these findings, it became evident that elite badminton players possess considerably stronger dominant shoulders compared with their non-dominant counterparts. Furthermore, the study revealed that male players experience less muscular imbalance than their female counterparts

Decoding Hip Muscle Activation: A Comparative Electromyographic Analysis of Turn-Out Bent Knee Pulse and Single-Leg Banded Glute Bridge Exercises in Healthy Female Subjects

Individuals with lower extremity injuries and back pain may exhibit weakness and stiffness in important muscles such as the gluteus maximus and external hip rotators. To aid clinicians in understanding the impact of exercises on factors like stability, endurance, and strength, electromyography (EMG) examination can be employed to monitor muscle activation. In this investigation, the EMG activity of the gluteus maximus and medius were compared between two exercises: the turn-out bent knee pulse and the single-leg banded glute bridge. The study enrolled a group of 64 healthy young women, aged 19 to 24 years. The raw data collected were standardized and represented as a percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). To assess the reliability of the EMG recordings, the test–retest analysis was performed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1). Statistical analysis involved conducting a one-way ANOVA to compare the EMG amplitudes between the two exercises. Remarkably, the results demonstrated a significantly higher EMG signal amplitude during the single-leg banded glute bridge exercise (mean ± SD: 90 ± 28% MVIC) when compared to the turn-out bent knee pulse exercise (mean ± SD: 70 ± 15% MVIC) (F = 16.584, p = 0.001). The study found that the single-leg banded glute bridge exercise had a significantly higher EMG signal amplitude compared to the turn-out bent knee pulse exercise. This suggests that the single-leg banded glute bridge exercise may be more effective in strengthening the gluteus maximus and medius muscles. Overall, this study highlights the importance of targeted muscle training in rehabilitation protocols and the use of EMG examination to monitor muscle activation

Validity and reliability evidence for the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire with Romanian professional athletes

Background Despite the importance attributed to athletes’ motivation in sports performance and well-being; no measures of motivation toward sport were found in the Romanian sport context. Objective Grounded in self-determination theory, this research aimed to adapt and to gather validity and reliability evidence supporting the use of the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ) in the Romanian sport domain. Method The participants were 596 Romanian professional athletes (age: M = 22.91, SD = 5.84; sports experience: M = 11.14, SD = 5.03), who 273 practiced individual sports and 323 team sports. They completed an online questionnaire survey assessing their perception of behavioral regulation, resilience and burnout in sport. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the six-factor correlated model, which was invariant across age and sport. Correlations among latent factors configured a simplex structure, underpinning the self-determination continuum. Average variance extracted values from .50 to .70 endorsed convergent validity. Scores for heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations as high as .88, as well as 95% confidence intervals of each interfactor correlation that did not include 1.00 supported discriminant validity. Values over .70 for Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega and Raykov’s coefficients showed a good level of reliability for each factor. Linear regression analysis revealed that while intrinsic motivation, integrated regulation and identified regulation positively predicted resilience, introjected regulation, external regulation and amotivation positively predicted burnout. Conclusions The BRSQ is shown to be a valid and reliable measure of the six types of behavioral regulation in the Romanian sport context

The Relationship between Dynamic Balance, Jumping Ability, and Agility with 100 m Sprinting Performance in Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities

Sprinting is a competitive event in athletics that requires a combination of speed, power, agility, and balance. This study investigated the relationship between dynamic balance, jumping ability, and agility with 100 m sprinting performance in athletes with intellectual disabilities, addressing an underexplored connection. A sample of 27 sprinters with intellectual disabilities participated in this study and completed 100 m sprint and various tests, including the Y Balance Test (YBT), the Crossover hop test, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and t-test to evaluate their dynamic balance, jumping ability, and agility, respectively. The findings revealed significant negative correlations between the YBT, Crossover hop test, SJ, and CMJ and 100 m sprint performance (r range: −0.41 to −0.79, p 2 = 0.69; p 2 = 0.62, p t-test did not show a significant association. The combination of the YBT ANT and SJ demonstrated a predictive capability for 100 m sprint performance (R2 = 0.67, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study revealed predictive capabilities between dynamic balance, jumping ability, and 100 m sprint performance in sprinters with intellectual disabilities

The Influence of Game-Related Statistics on the Final Results in FIBA Global and Continental Competitions

Sport, particularly in the realm of professional competition, is a domain of human endeavor that is increasingly dependent on the use of analytical statistical information. Consequently, mathematics and statistics are becoming increasingly crucial elements in sports. Although experts recognize the importance of analytics in women’s basketball, the literature addressing this subject remains limited. The objective of this study is to employ quantitative methodologies to discover prevailing patterns in global women’s basketball representation. The entities examined in this article were the games contested during the 2021 Olympic Games, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2023 continental championships. Two regression models were created for the research, using thirteen standard variables observed in the game. The evaluation of the regression model was conducted using the stepwise regression method, incorporating dimensionality reduction based on the outcomes of factor analysis. Among the 14 models that were observed, 13 of them exhibited strong and moderate linkages, while only 1 displayed weak connections and lacked statistical significance. The primary factors that account for the disparity between winning and losing teams in games are primarily associated with shooting accuracy toward the basket. When examining individual championships, the percentage surpassed 50% in all cases except for AfroBasket. However, when considering the overall results, the significance of shooting rose to 86%. The variable representing offensive rebound efficiency had a significant influence on the outcome, being present in all individual competitions, whereas defensive rebound efficiency was only considered in the overall results